Lewis University

Online Learning Self-Assessment

Online Learning Self-Assessment: Instructions

As you read the questions below, ask yourself: “Am I ready for online learning?”
Answer by clicking the appropriate number from 1 (low agreement) to 6 (high agreement).

Part One

Low High

Technology

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1.Do you have adequate bandwidth (speed of access to Internet resources) to access the files required for the learning experience?
2.If needed, will you have access to technical assistance (either through the learning experience or elsewhere)?
3.Do you have the basic computer skills for navigating the Internet and the learning experience itself (e.g., search engines, downloading files, installing software)?
4.Do you own the software necessary for completing the learning experience (Adobe Acrobat, MS Office, QuickTime, Flash, and so forth)?
5.Does your computer have the required components for the learning experience (enough RAM, speakers, desktop video conferencing)?
6.Do you have anti-virus software that can protect your computer from a variety of viruses?
7.Can you download files from the Internet to the hard drive of your computer?

Self-Directed Learning

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8.Will the learning experience you are considering provide you with enough useful skills and knowledge so that you can stay motivated throughout?
9.Are you able to invest the time to com- plete the daily/weekly required activities of the learning experience?
10.Would your friends/colleagues say that you successfully finish challenges that you take on?
11.Are you committed to learning and applying what you learn?
12.Do you have a personal support structure in place to assist you in keeping motivated throughout the learning experience?

Online Relationships

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13.Do you feel comfortable knowing that other learners will most likely only know you through online discussions?
14.Are you able to express your mood, emotions, and humor accurately through your writing?
15.Would you be able to remain motivated knowing that the instructor was not online at all times and was therefore unable to provide immediate responses to questions and concerns?

Part Two

Low High

Online Video

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1.Do you feel comfortable taking notes while watching a video on the computer?
2.Will you be comfortable relating the content of short video clips (one to three minutes, typically) to the extensive information you have read online or in required texts?

Chat Rooms

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3.Would you feel comfortable reading online while typing?
4.Can you follow along with more than one online conversation at a time?
5.Are you comfortable knowing that you may not be able to participate in all of the conversations occurring online at the same time?

Discussion groups

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6.Can you accurately express your ideas, comments, and questions through writing?
7.Can you keep focused on the topic of a discussion, even when there are time delays between comments?
8.Do you perform better when you are given additional time to compose a response to a question?

Online Readings

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9.Are you comfortable reading documents longer than one page on a computer screen?
10.Do you have access to a printer for those documents that are too long for you to read online?
11.Do you take notes on challenging material while reading it on the computer?

Peer Evaluations

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12.Would you be comfortable providing a fellow learner with constructive feedback on his or her work?
13.Would you be comfortable receiving constructive, but potentially less favorable, feedback on your work from fellow learners whom you do not know personally?
14.Do you know how to use the attachment features of your email (view email attachments and attach files to an email message)?
15.Would you be comfortable knowing that part of your grade would be based on the contribution/input of another learner with whom you only interact online?
16.Will you be comfortable working with other learners in different time zones?
17.Is your schedule such that you can provide prompt and timely feedback to and ask questions of project team members?

Learner Support

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18.Will you feel comfortable if the online learning experience offers you little contact with the instructor (or tutor)?
19.Are you confident that you will not require much technical and administrative support for a successful online learning experience?
20.Has the prospective learning experience been designed to keep you actively involved throughout the learning process?



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