Is a distance learning course a good choice for you?

Would a distance learning course fit your lifestyle, study habits, work and home situation? Find out! Take this questionnaire.

Distance Learning Course Questionnaire:

DIRECTIONS: Click on ONE answer for each question and then click the score button to get your evaluation.

Please reset before you start

My need to take this distance learning course is
High - I need it for graduation, my major, or my job.
Medium - I could take it later, on campus, or at a campus center, or I could substitute another course.
Low - I am taking it for personal interest and I could take the course anytime.
Feeling that I am part of a conventional class is
Not especially necessary for me.
Somewhat important for me.
Very important for me.
When I have an important job to do, I usually
Get it done ahead of time.
Need reminding to get it done on time.
Put it off until the last minute.
Classroom discussion is
Not usually too helpful to me.
Sometimes helpful.
Often very helpful to me.
When an instructor hands out instructions for an assignment, I usually prefer to
Figure out the instructions for myself.
Try to follow instructions on my own, and ask for help when I need it.
Have the instructions explained to me.
I like to get an instructor's comments on my exams and assignments
Within a couple of weeks, so I can review what I did.
Within a few days, or I forget what I did.
Right away, or I get frustrated.
Considering my schedule, the amount of time I expect to devote to this distance learning course is
More than enough time for a conventional class or a distance learning course.
About the same time as for a conventional class.
Less time than I would devote to a conventional class.
When asked to use computers, electronic mail, voice-mail, program my VCR or try other technologies new to me
I look forward to learning new skills, and usually I master them quickly.
I'm a little nervous, but I try them anyway.
I put them off or avoid them.
As a reader I am
Very confident. I understand textbooks easily, with little or no help.
Average. Sometimes I need help. Sometimes I need a tutor.
Troubled with textbooks. I have trouble understanding them. I depend on lectures, discussion, and tutoring.
I can easily and conveniently get to the main campus
At nearly any time.
On evenings or Saturdays, if I schedule myself carefully.
Almost never. I would have great difficulty getting to the Blacksburg campus at any time.
I have completed
More than 50 college credits.
25-49 college credits.
Fewer than 24 college credits.
My grade average (GPA) is
3.2 or above.
2.4-3.2
Below 2.4

EXPLANATION Of DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE QUESTIONNAIRE

Because of flexibility and freedom from some "time and place" requirements, motivation and self-discipline are extra-important for distance learning course students. Usually when the need for the course is high, so is the motivation.
Interaction between student and instructor (and among students) can be an important part of ANY course. In a distance learning course, interaction is seldom face-to-face, so opportunities for feeling like "part of the group" are fewer.
Distance learning work requires self-discipline and working independently. Some people are comfortable with this, but others are not.
Because of mail or courier service it can take some time to get assignments to, and back from, your instructor. The use of e-mail can speed this up.
91% of our students tell us that distance learning courses are as difficult and time-consuming as conventional courses. Sometimes they are more so.
Distance learning courses use sophisticated communication technology. It helps if you're comfortable learning it.
Print or online materials (texts, study guides, etc.) are the primary means of information and direction in a distance learning course.
Even distance learning courses require some travel to the main campus. Some (science and accounting, for instance) require frequent labs.
Students who have succeeded in conventional courses also tend to succeed in distance learning courses.

Created by:

Greg Williams, Ed.D Director of Extended Learning Towson University College of Graduate & Extended Education 8000 York Road Towson, Maryland 21252 e-mail: gwilliams\@towson.edu

Last updated 98/05/14