Assessment Quiz

1. My need to take this course now is: a. High - I need to take it immediately           for a degree. b. Moderate - I could take it on campus           later, or substitute another course. c. Low - it's a personal interest that could           be postponed. 2. Feeling that I am a part of a class is: a. Not particularly necessary to me. b. Somewhat important to me. c. Very important to me. 3. I would classify myself as someone who: a. Often gets things done ahead of time. b. Needs reminding to get things done. c. Put things off until the last minute. 4. Classroom discussions are: a. Rarely helpful to me. b. Sometimes helpful to me c. Almost always helpful to me. 5. When an instructor hands out directions for an assignment, I prefer: a. Figuring out the instructions on my own. b. Trying to follow the directions on my           own, then asking for help as needed. c. Having the instructions explained by the           instructor. 6. Being in the same classroom as my instructor is: a. Not important to me as long as I have           access to the instructor. b. Somewhat important to me. c. Very important to me. 7. Considering my professional and personal schedule, the amount of time I have to work on a course is: a. 7-9 hours per week. b. 4-6 hours per week. c. 1-3 hours per week. 8. When I am asked to use VCRs, computers, voice mail or other technologies that may be new to me: a. I look forward to learning new skills. b. I feel apprehensive, but try anyway. c. I put if off or try to avoid it. 9. As a reader: a. I usually understand the text without help. b. I sometimes need help to understand the           text. c. I almost always need help understanding a           college text. 10. If I have to go to campus to take exams or attend review sessions: a. I can get to campus almost anytime. b. I work during the day and can only get to          the campus in the evenings or on weekends.           Scoring Add 3 points for each "a" that you circle, 2 points for each "b" and 1 point for each "c." If you scored over 25 points, these courses are a real possibility for you. If you scored between 15 and 25 points, they may work for you, but you may need to make some adjustments to succeed. If you scored 14 or less, these courses are probably not a suitable option for you. Explanations 1. Unless there are compelling reasons for completing a course, course work is often neglected because of personal or work circumstances. 2. Some students prefer to learn independently while others find it too difficult. 3. These courses give you greater freedom to schedule your work, but they also require more self-discipline. 4. Some people learn best by interacting with other students. Telecourses do not afford as much opportunity for this as a classroom setting; however, online courses, interactive video courses and web-enhanced telecourses provide considerable interaction. 5. Telecourses and online courses require you to work from written directions without face-to-face explanations by the instructor. 6. In Interactive TV classes, the instructor may physically be in another classroom and even in another city; however, you have full access since the classroom is equipped with 2-way interactive video and audio. Telecourse and online instructors use a variety of technologies to interact with their students. 7. These courses require at least as much time as attending classes and completing assignments for campus courses.  For each course you take, you should plan on a minimum of 6-9 hours of study each week. 8. These courses use a variety of technologies for teaching and communicating. 9. Written materials are the primary source of directions and information in Telecourses and online courses. 10. Telecourses require three or four trips to campus for exams, review, and lectures. Online courses may require trips to campus for lab work, presentations or exams.  Since weekend testing center hours are limited, some flexibility is important. Special Notes for Telecourse Students Telecourses combine televised lessons, independent work in textbooks and study guides, and a limited number of on- campus meetings (on-line telecourses even eliminate them). You need access to cable TV (either in your own home or through a friend) and use of a TV (a VCR makes it even easier to record shows for later viewing).  Special Notes for Online Students Online courses typically do not have regular meetings in a physical space and are conducted primarily over the Internet.  Students need a Pentium-class computer with at least 32 MB RAM and a 28.8 modem.  You must have an Internet Service Provider and your own email address.  Online courses are accessed via the Internet using a Web browser (Netscape Navigator 4 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4, or higher).  Course materials are online at a dedicated course website using the Blackboard course management system, and instructors communicate with students through email and synchronous and asynchronous chats.