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Distance Education Self-Screening Survey

Distance Education courses require you to manage your time independently. Success in these courses requires that you be self-directed, self-motivated, and self-confident. To help you determine if your learning needs match the unique demands of these learning environments, we encourage you to take this survey.

It is important that you be honest with yourself. There are no right or wrong answers, only different learners with different learning needs. We hope this assessment tool will provide you with the insight you need to determine whether taking these courses is a good match for your learning needs and styles.

Self-Assessment Questions for Distance Learning

  1. My personal and professional schedule is:
    1. Predictable: I can generally plan, well in advance, blocks of time to devote to my coursework.
    2. Generally predictable, but sometimes last-minute meetings or events come up that I cannot reschedule.
    3. Unpredictable: I am seldom sure when I’ll have free time that I can set aside for my coursework.
  2. The amount of time I have to devote to an online class is:
    1. More than enough for an online class (15 hours or more per week, anytime during the day or night).
    2. The same as for a class held on campus (10-15 hours per week, mainly at night).
    3. Less than for a class held on campus (less than 10 hours per week).
  3. I would assess myself as a student who:
    1. Can do my assignments, stay focused on the course, and finish coursework ahead of time without being reminded by the instructor.
    2. Needs help staying focused and usually completes my homework at the last minute.
    3. Needs a lot of assistance staying focused and motivated to complete my coursework.

    Considerations about Time Management: Are you able to commit time each day or week to your online course(s)?

    Online courses often require at least as much, if not more time and commitment than traditional courses. Completing course assignments and other learning activities can take from five to fifteen hours or more per week depending on the credit hours. And you may find that you need to be online almost every day. So before enrolling, be sure you can set aside enough time to keep up with your daily or weekly assignments.

  4. I rate my reading and writing skills as:
    1. Excellent: I understand most of what I read and can express myself clearly.
    2. Average: I sometimes need help understanding what I have read or clearly expressing myself.
    3. Poor: I often have difficulty understanding written material or clearly expressing myself.
  5. Estimate your comfort level with corresponding and discussing coursework online with your instructor and fellow students:
    1. I am already comfortable, as I correspond online with colleagues, friends, and family.
    2. I don’t have much experience online, but think I could get used to it.
    3. I am not comfortable with the idea of discussing topics with people I never meet or see.
  6. When I need help in class:
    1. I feel comfortable approaching an instructor to ask for clarification and help.
    2. I am uncomfortable approaching an instructor, but I will ask for help if I need it.
    3. I never approach an instructor to admit I do not understand something.

    Considerations about Communication Skills: Do you have good communication skills to perform work, interact with other students and the instructor?

    In online courses, nearly all communication is written, so it is critical that you feel comfortable expressing yourself in writing. If you are having problems with the technology or the course content, you need to let your instructor know as soon as possible. Without this feedback, your instructor will never know what is wrong. Remember that many of the nonverbal cues that you use in the classroom to show frustration, boredom, or confusion are not apparent in an online course.

  7. My technology skills are:
    1. Very good. I can use e-mail, Web browsers, word processing software, and can download files and create attachments. I like trying to solve technology problems on my own and don’t get frustrated easily.
    2. Average. I don’t feel comfortable solving technology problems on my own.
    3. Very basic. I have used e-mail, Web browsers and word processing software, but I get frustrated when things don’t work the way they should.

    Considerations about Technology: Are you comfortable using computers and working online?

    The personal computer is the primary learning and communication tool in most online courses. You don’t need to be a computer guru or a geek to succeed, but you do need to have some basic technology skills, such as word processing and using a Web browser. You will also need regular access to a computer with an Internet connection. If you find computers scary or intimidating, you may want to complete Boise State’s Introduction to E-Learning as a free non-credit course or as an online 1-credit course, UNIV 107.

Self-Assessment Results for Distance Learning

If you answered mostly A to these questions…
…you are a good candidate for online study.
If you answered mostly B to these questions…
…you are likely to be successful in an online course. But before you sign up for an Internet/Online course take a look at Boise State’s free, self-paced, noncredit course E-Learning at Boise State. The course covers computer, Internet and Blackboard literacy, technology management/organization, and time management.
If you answered mostly C to these questions…
…you might be more successful in a traditional classroom environment, but with a little research and preparation you may become ready to take Internet courses successfully. Boise State offers an online 1-credit course UNIV 107 Introduction to E-Learning, which is facilitated by an instructor. Along with other students, you will learn computer, Internet and Blackboard literacy, technology management/organization, and time management. For more information about Finding Online Courses on BroncoWeb, Follow this link. To learn about the admission process at Boise State, view the Process Flowchart.

Find Out More

To find out more about Introduction to E-Learning, Follow this link.

For a more in-depth online inventory, visit the Idaho Electronic Campus’s “Is Distance Learning For You?”

Tips for succeeding in an online course, visit “What Makes A Successful Online Student?”

Last reviewed: January 25, 2011