Are You Ready to Learn Online?

Please answer the following questions as accurately as you can. You will receive your score and immediate feedback after submitting the quiz:

Question 1

I currently have...

a computer at home with internet access.

a computer at home with no internet access.

no computer at home and no internet access.

Question 2

I would rate my skill in using a word-processing program as...

high—I have excellent word-processing skills.

average—I have good word-processing skills.

lower than average—I have little or no experience working with a word-processing program.

Question 3

I would rate my knowledge and use of email as...

high—I use email daily.

average—I use email weekly.

lower than average—I rarely use email.

Question 4

Please select the statement that best applies:

I am good at problem-solving technical difficulties on the computer.

I am okay at problem-solving technical difficulties on the computer.

I am not good at problem-solving technical difficulties on the computer.

Question 5

If instructed to download a software program, I would...

feel confident. I have downloaded software many times before and require no instruction.

feel a little uncertain. I have downloaded software a couple of times before and could do it with adequate instruction.

feel lost. I have never downloaded software and would have no idea where to begin.

Question 6

Please select the statement that best fits for you:

I send emails with attachments on a regular basis.

I have sent an email with an attachment at least one time before and should have no problem doing it again.

I have never sent an email with an attachment and do not know how.

Question 7

How many hours a week do you currently spend on your computer?

More than 6 hours a week.

2-5 hours a week.

None or less than 1 hour a week.

Question 8

When asked to copy and paste text from one document to another, I would...

have no difficulty.

have a little difficulty, but may need some assistance.

not know what to do.

Question 9

When asked to convert a file to a "rich-text" format in a word-processing program, I would...

have no difficulty.

have a little difficulty, but may need some assistance.

not know what to do.

Question 10

Please indicate the current speed of your modem:

I have a DSL, Cable or better connection to the internet.

I have a 56K or better connection to the internet.

I have a less than 56K connection to the internet.

What do your scores mean?

Question 1:

10 pts. Having your own computer and internet access are extremely helpful in taking online classes and this will contribute to your success.

8 pts. Having your own computer and internet access are extremely helpful in taking online classes. You will need to establish an internet account before taking online classes or have an alternate means for computer and internet access.

6 pts. Having your own computer and internet access are extremely helpful in taking online classes. However, if this is not possible for you, you will need to have an alternate means for computer and internet access.

Question 2:

10 pts. Since the majority of assignments in an online class are completed in a word-processing program, these skills are essential.

8 pts. Since the majority of assignments in an online class are completed in a word-processing program, you may need to improve your word-processing skills before taking an online class.

6 pts. Since the majority of assignments in an online class are completed in a word-processing program, you will need to improve your word-processing skills before taking an online class.

Question 3:

10 pts. Much of the communication in an online class occurs via email. Your knowledge and use of email will contribute to your success.

8 pts. Much of the communication in an online class occurs via email. You may need to increase your knowledge and use of email before taking an online class.

6 pts. Much of the communication in an online class occurs via email. You will need to learn to use email before taking an online class.

Question 4:

10 pts. Technical difficulties may arise in taking online classes. Your ability to problem-solve these technical difficulties will contribute to your success.

8 pts. Technical difficulties may arise in taking online classes. You may need to improve your technical problem-solving skills before taking an online class.

6 pts. Technical difficulties may arise in taking online classes. You will need to develop technical problem-solving skills before taking an online class.

Question 5:

10 pts. Many online classes will require you to download software. Your ability to download software will contribute to your success.

8 pts. Many online classes will require you to download software. You may need to improve your ability to download software without instruction before taking an online class.

6 pts. Many online classes will require you to download software. You will need to learn how to download software before taking an online class.

Question 6:

10 pts. Assignments in an online class are often submitted as email attachments. Your ability to send an email with an attachment will contribute to your success.

8 pts. Assignments in an online class are often submitted as email attachments. You may need to practice sending an email with an attachment before taking an online class.

6 pts. Assignments in an online class are often submitted as email attachments. You will need to learn how to send an email with an attachment before taking an online class.

Question 7:

10 pts. An online class will require as many hours a week as an equivalent campus class. In an online class a substantial portion of class time will be spent on a computer. Your current hours of use are a good preparation for taking an online class.

8 pts. An online class will require as many hours a week as an equivalent campus class. In an online class a substantial portion of class time will be spent on a computer. As a result of taking an online class you may find that you spend more hours on the computer.

6 pts. An online class will require as many hours a week as an equivalent campus class. In an online class a substantial portion of class time will be spent on a computer. As a result of taking on online class you will find that you spend considerably more hours on the computer.

Question 8:

10 pts. Skills such as the ability to copy and paste text are extremely useful in the online class environment and will contribute to your success.

8 pts. Skills such as the ability to copy and paste text are extremely useful in the online class environment. You may need to improve these skills before taking an online class.

6 pts. Skills such as the ability to copy and paste text are extremely useful in the online class environment. You will need to develop these skills before taking an online class.

Question 9:

10 pts. It is quite common for instructors to require assignments to be submitted in specific word-processing formats. Your ability to do so will contribute to your success.

8 pts. It is quite common for instructors to require assignments to be submitted in specific word-processing formats. You may need to learn to submit an assignment in a specific word-processing format without assistance before taking an online class.

6 pts. It is quite common for instructors to require assignments to be submitted in specific word-processing formats. You will need to learn to submit an assignment in a specific word-processing format before taking an online class.

Question 10:

10 pts. You will often need a connection speed of 56K or better in order to efficiently view, send, and receive necessary content in an online class. The ideal modem connections for online classes is DSL, Cable, or equivalent, particularly in courses using multimedia.

8 pts. You will often need a connection speed of 56K or better in order to efficiently view, send, and receive necessary content in an online class. You may find that you that it takes considerably more time to view, send, and receive class content if you do not increase your modem speed.

6 pts. You will often need a connection speed of 56K or better in order to view, send, and receive necessary content in an online class. You find that it takes excessively long to view, send, and receive class content if you do not increase your modem speed at speeds less than 56K.

Total Score:

If your score is 90-100: Online classes are a good option for you. You have many of the technical skills and equipment required to be successful in an online class.

If your score is 75-90: It is likely that Online classes are good option for you. You may need to improve some of your technical skills and equipment before taking an online class. Please consider enrolling in an online class designed to orient you to the online environment.

If your score is below 75: Online classes may not the best option for you at this time. We would highly recommend enrolling in an online class designed to orient you to the online environment.

You might consider printing this page and taking it with you to your next academic advising session.

Go to the Student Skills Quiz