Video Transcript

Are Distance Learning Courses for Me? How do you know if you would be successful as a distance learning student? How well would distance learning courses fit your circumstances and lifestyle? Students who tend to be the most successful are those individuals who are self-directed and self-motivated in their learning and study habits. This video will present you with some questions that can help determine if distance learning courses are the right courses for you. You may wish to write the corresponding letter, a, b or c, to each answer you choose for these questions on a scrap piece of paper. Later in this video, we will explain how to calculate a score based on your answers, to suggest your level of readiness to take a distance learning course. Remember to answer these questions honestly— no one will see your answers but you! Pause and resume playback of this video if you need a moment to gather a pen and paper. You can also pause this video during any question if you need additional time to think about your answer. Let’s begin the self-assessment.

Question One:

My need to take this course now is:

a. High ­ I need it immediately for a specific goal.

b. Moderate ­ I could take it on campus later or substitute another course.

Or c. Low ­ It could be postponed.

Question two:

Feeling that I am part of a class is:

a. Not particularly necessary to me.

b. Somewhat important to me.

Or c. Very important to me.

Question three:

I would classify myself as someone who:

a. Often gets things done ahead of time.

b. Needs reminding to get things done on time.

Or c. Puts things off until the last minute or doesn't complete them.

Question four:

Classroom discussion is:

a. Rarely helpful to me.

b. Sometimes helpful to me.

Or c. Almost always helpful to me.

Question five:

When an instructor hands out directions for an assignment, I prefer:

a. Figuring out the instructions myself.

b. Trying to follow the directions on my own, then asking for help as needed.

Or c. Having the instructions explained to me.

Question six:

I need faculty comments on my assignments:

a. Within a few weeks, so I can review what I did.

b. Within a few days, or I forget what I did.

Or c. Right away, or I get very frustrated.

Question seven:

Considering my professional and personal schedule, the amount of time I have to work on a distance-learning course is:

a. More than enough for an on-campus course.

b. The same as for a class held on campus.

Or c. Less than for a class held on campus.

Question eight:

Coming to campus on a regular schedule is:

a. Extremely difficult for me ­ I have commitments (work, family or personal) during times when classes are offered.

b. A little difficult, but I can rearrange my priorities to allow for regular attendance on campus.

Or c. Easy for me.

Question nine:

As a reader, I would classify myself as:

a. Good ­ I usually understand the text without help.

b. Average ­ I sometimes need help to understand the text.

Or c. Slower than average.

And finally,

Question ten:

When I need help understanding the subject:

a. I am comfortable approaching an instructor to ask for clarification.

b. I am uncomfortable approaching an instructor, but do it anyway.

Or c. I never approach an instructor to admit I don't understand something.

Now that you have answered each question, let’s evaluate your score. Add 3 points for each "a" that you answered, 2 points for each "b," and 1 point for each "c." Now you can total your points to obtain your score. If you scored 20 or more, a distance-learning course is a real possibility for you. If you scored between 11 and 20, distance learning courses may work for you, but you may need to make a few adjustments in your schedule and study habits to succeed. If you scored 10 or less, distance learning currently may not be the best alternative for you. We suggest that talk to your advisor before enrolling in a distance learning course. Remember, the most successful distance learning students are self-directed and self-motivated in their learning and study habits. To view the version of the questionnaire in this video online, please visit www.cod.edu/dept/CIL/CIL_Surv.htm. The webpage version provides you with some explanations to the relevance of each question asked in the self-assessment. The questionnaire has been adapted from "Are Telecourses for Me?" from PBS-Adult Learning Service, The Agenda, Spring 1994. We hope that this video has been informative, and helpful to you as a student of Maysville Community and Technical College.