Distance Learning at AU - Course Listings

Skills Test

Some students do better in Distance Education courses than others. Take the following simple test to see if Web-based courses are right for you.

PART I: Learning Style Considerations
1. Do you like to work independently?
a. Yes, I like to figure things out for myself.
b. There are times when I need help.
c. I need to have a structured classroom to do my best

2. How comfortable are you with your instructor as a facilitator or guide for your courses?
a. I like the idea of learning material on my own.
b. I like the idea, but there are times that I need more help.
c. I prefer to be told exactly what I need to know.

3. What is your persistence level when you do not understand something in a course?
a. Very persistent. I ask questions until I understand.
b. Moderately persistent -- I sometimes ask questions.
c. Not persistent -- I rarely ask questions.

4. Considering my schedule, the amount of time that I expect to devote to this distance learning course is:
a. More time than for a conventional course.
b. About the same time as for a conventional course.
c. Less time than for a conventional course.

5. Class discussion is:
a. Usually not very helpful to me.
b. Sometimes helpful to me.
c. Often very helpful to me.

6. In what type of classroom do you learn best?
a. I am comfortable with teaching myself.
b. I can work on my own, but I ask questions when needed.
c. I need all instructions and materials to be explained.

7. How do you feel about not being physically located with the rest of the class?
a. I do not mind being physically separated from the rest of the class.
b. Being physically separated feels a little odd.
c. Being physically separated from my class will affect my ability to learn.

8. How would you classify your school or work habits?
a. I like to finish projects ahead of schedule.
b. I pace myself so that projects are finished on time.
c. I wait until the last minute to finish my work.

9. How would you classify your reading skills?
a. I understand the reading without help.
b. I sometimes need help to understand my text.
c. I often need help understanding the reading.

10. How would you classify your writing skills?
a. I do not need assistance when writing my papers.
b. I sometimes need assistance writing my papers.
c. I often need assistance when writing my papers.

PART II: Technical Considerations
11. What is your comfort level with computers?
a. I can install and run applications, and manage files.
b. I sometimes need help to install and run applications, and manage files.
c. I need a great deal of help anytime I use a computer.

12. How do you feel when asked to learn some new software or other technology?
a. I usually look forward to teaching myself something new, and tend to master it quickly.
b. I would be frightened, but would eventually learn it.
c. I would try to avoid it. I would need someone to show me how to use it.

13. What is your experience using the Internet?
a. I frequently use the web to do research.
b. I have used the web only for personal use.
c. I have never used the Internet.

14. How comfortable are you with using email?
a. I can attach and open attached files.
b. I can paste text into a message.
c. I have never used email.

15. How comfortable are you with using word processing?
a. Very comfortable.
b. Comfortable.
c. Not very comfortable.

16. How proficient are you at saving document files to hard drive or disk?
a. Very proficient.
b. Proficient.
c. Not very proficient.

17. How proficient are you at file management, including the ability to create, rename, and move folders and documents?
a. Very proficient.
b. Proficient.
c. Not proficient.

18. How proficient are you at using electronic spreadsheets or databases?
a. Very proficient.
b. Proficient.
c. Not proficient.

19. How proficient are you in downloading and installing programs or documents from the course or web for use in your course?
a. Very proficient.
b. Proficient.
c. Not proficient.

20. How comfortable are you in participating in online discussion groups (chat rooms or forums)?
a. Very comfortable.
b. Comfortable.
c. Not very comfortable.