Are Distance Learning Courses for Me?

How well would distance-learning courses fit your circumstances and lifestyle? Circle an answer for each question and score as directed below. Students who tend to be most successful are those individuals who are self-directed and self-motivated in their learning and study habits. Answer honestly ­ no one will see this but you!

(This questionnaire is adapted from "Are Telecourses for Me?" from PBS-Adult Learning Service, The Agenda, Spring 1994.)


1. 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.
c. Low ­ It could be postponed.

2. Feeling that I am 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 on time.
c. Puts things off until the last minute or doesn't complete them.

4. Classroom discussion is:
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 myself.
b. Trying to follow the directions on my own, then asking for help as needed.
c. Having the instructions explained to me.

6. 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.
c. Right away, or I get very frustrated.

7. 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.
c. Less than for a class held on campus.

8. 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.
c. Easy for me.

9. 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.
c. Slower than average.

10. 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.
c. I never approach an instructor to admit I don't understand something.

 

Scoring

Add 3 points for each "a" that you circled, 2 for each "b," and 1 for each "c." 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 may not currently be the best alternative for you; talk to your counselor.


Explanations

  1. Distance-learning students sometimes neglect their courses because of personal or professional circumstances. Having a compelling reason for taking the course helps motivate the student to stick with the course.
  2. Some students prefer the independence of Distance Learning; others find the independence uncomfortable and miss being part of the classroom experience.
  3. Distance-learning courses give students greater freedom of scheduling, but they can require more self-discipline than on-campus classes.
  4. Some people learn best by interacting with other students and instructors. Others learn better by listening, reading and reviewing on their own. Distance-learning courses provide less opportunity for group interaction than most on-campus courses.
  5. Distance Learning requires you to work from written directions.
  6. It may take as long as two to three weeks to get comments back from your instructor in distance-learning classes.
  7. Distance Learning requires at least as much time as on-campus courses. Students surveyed say that distance-learning courses are as hard or harder than on campus courses.
  8. Most people who are successful with Distance Learning find it difficult to come to campus on a regular basis because of their work, family or personal schedules.
  9. Print materials are the primary source of directions and information in distance-learning courses.
  10. Students who do well in distance-learning courses are usually comfortable contacting the instructor as soon as they need help with the course.

 

 

 


3. Lesson 3: Course Layout

LESSON # 3

1. SUBJECT: Course Layout

2. OBJECTIVES: Describe contents of different areas in the course management system.

3. ACTIVITIES:

A. Areas within WebCT:

Meet the Instructor- provides an overview about the person teaching the course.
Introduction/Syllabus- important information about the course including:

Course Information
Instructor Information

Course Description
Course Goals
Learning Objectives
Course Materials
Technology Tools

Help with Coursework
Instructor Guidelines
Student Responsibilities
Policies/ Academic Honesty

Assignment Details
Evaluation and Grading

Assignment/Planning Schedule- list of all assignments and due dates, (self instructional courses use this tool as a planning schedule.)

Note: The following WebCT areas can not be linked use the navigation bar or homepage icons to access.

Content- links to lessons, assignments, quizzes and other requirements
Quizzes/Tests/Surveys: Online quizzes, tests and surveys
My Grades- location of grades for course

Discussion/Bulletin Board- threaded discussion area where you can participate in class discussions, interact with peers and instructor.
Chat Area- Real time chat area for participation and discussion.
Whiteboard- Real time drawing board for demonstrating concepts graphically.

How To- helpful tips on how to attach assignments, use WebCT, etc.
Compile/Print- allows you to print assignments
Search- allows you to search the course
.

Instructor may not utilize all areas/tools within WebCT

4. ASSIGNMENT #3:

View the different areas in this course.

Department of Distance Education, Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5231
Telephone: (269) 387-4216, Fax: (269) 387-4226

Contact: dde-online@wmich.edu
Copyright© Western Michigan University

 



4. Lesson 4: Content

LESSON #4

1. SUBJECT: Contents

2. OBJECTIVES: Access course lessons/assignments details

3. ACTIVITIES:

A. Accessing Content: Click on Content located on the navigation bar or icon on the homepage. A list of Lessons/assignments will be displayed with links to the actual assignment.

If there is BLUE arrow on the Content page, the arrow must be pointing down to view all of the contents.

Content Hidden
Content Showing

Click on Lesson/Assignment to access details of assignments.

Click on listed quiz when you are ready to take the quiz.

B. Lesson Layout: instructors may vary the lesson layout. Lessons may have the following layout:

LESSON #

  1. Subject: What lesson is covering.
  2. Objective: learning objective for the lesson.
  3. Resources/ Materials: Additional resources the learner may want to explore to gain additional information, in addition to actual activity.
    • Website Address- URL’s
    • Videos
    • Textbook Chapter/Pages
    • Articles/Other Sources
  4. Activities: What the student needs to do for this lesson to accomplish objective of assignment.

    Reading Assignment:
    • Textbook Chapter/Pages
    • Articles/Other Sources

    Additional Material:
    • Video Tape(s)
    • Audio File/Tape(s)
    • PowerPoint Presentations
    • Graphics
    • Internet Links (URL’s)
    • Handouts
    • Other Material

  5. Assignment: (Performance measures- what needs to be turned in and how)- if more then one part all note if all parts must be submitted together or separately.
    • Developed Material
      • Written/Report/Term Paper
      • Journal
      • Form/ Project
      • Other
    • Quiz/Test – Online (may be proctored)
    • Discussion/Bulletin Board

4. ASSIGNMENT #4:

View the Content area of this course. Hide and Unhide the Pre Assessment Quiz link.

Department of Distance Education, Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5231
Telephone: (269) 387-4216, Fax: (269) 387-4226

Contact: dde-online@wmich.edu
Copyright© Western Michigan University

 



5. Lesson 5: Drop Box

LESSON # 5

1. SUBJECT: Drop Box (submitting assignments)

2. OBJECTIVES: Submit an document/file to the Assignment Drop Box and view assignment feedback.

3. RESOURCES/MATERIALS:

4. ACTIVITIES:

A. Submitting your assignment using the WebCT Drop Box:

B. Reviewing Assignment Feedback:

5. ASSIGNMENT # 5:

A. Submit Document to Lesson 5 - Drop Box.

B. View Feedback for assignment (allow at least a week for feedback on this course.)

Department of Distance Education, Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5231
Telephone: (269) 387-4216, Fax: (269) 387-4226

Contact: dde-online@wmich.edu
Copyright© Western Michigan University

 



6. Lesson 6: Quizzes and Surveys

LESSON #6

1. SUBJECT: Quizzes-Surveys

2. OBJECTIVES: Successfully take an WebCT online quiz.

3. ACTIVITIES:

A. Taking a Quiz- for step by step directions view the "How To" Quiz Basics All quizzes and surveys are located under Quizzes. Contents may also have links to individual quizzes and surveys.

B. View Quiz Results-

Immediately after taking quiz- Click on View Results button

Viewing Quiz results and instructors feedback later (unless instructor has turned off this option.) see directions "How To" View Quiz Results

C. Taking a Survey in WebCT is similar to taking a Quiz. Survey results can not be viewed by students. Surveys are submitted anonymously. An instructor can tell if a student has taken a survey but not the individual students results.

4. ASSIGNMENT #6:

A. Take Sample Quiz (automatically graded)

B. Take Sample Essay Quiz (not automatically graded)

C. Take Sample Survey

Department of Distance Education, Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5231
Telephone: (269) 387-4216, Fax: (269) 387-4226

Contact: dde-online@wmich.edu
Copyright© Western Michigan University

 



7. Lesson 7: My Grades

LESSON # 7

1. SUBJECT: My Grades

2. OBJECTIVES: Review Grades for course online.

3. ACTIVITIES:

A. WebCT provides an online grade book. Click My Grades on navigation bar or icon on homepage.

If quiz grades are not automatically updated or assigments are not listed contact the instructor or Department of Distance Education.

5. ASSIGNMENT #7:

A. View My Grades

Department of Distance Education, Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5231
Telephone: (269) 387-4216, Fax: (269) 387-4226

Contact: dde-online@wmich.edu
Copyright© Western Michigan University

 



8. Lesson 8: Discussion Board

LESSON # 8

1. SUBJECT: Discussion Board (also known as Bulletin Board)

2. OBJECTIVES:

3. RESOURCES/MATERIALS:

4. ACTIVITIES:

A. The Discussion Board is a communication tool used in an online course that allows students, instructors, and teaching assistants to send, read, and search for messages. Students can post and read messages when it is convienient for them, the Discussion Board is not in "real time" and messages are available throughout the course.

"Discussions is divided into different topics which allow your instructor to create discussion groups around particular subjects. Topics can be public or private. Everyone in your course can access public topics, while private topics are available only to the set of students and teaching assistants that the instructor chooses."(WebCT Help)

B. Directions for how to use Disscusson Board.

C. An additional feature of the Discussion Board is Search, provides the ability to find postings. Click on Search in the Discussion Board.

Search can look for keywords or other criteria. Select the criteria interested in searching for and type in the keyword under value. Example Criteria: Last Name Value: Lillis--- this search would list all of the postings made by Lillis.

 

5. ASSIGNMENT #8:

A. Post a message to the Discussion Board under Introductions.

B. Respond to a message in the Discussion Board found under Respond.

Department of Distance Education, Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5231
Telephone: (269) 387-4216, Fax: (269) 387-4226

Contact: dde-online@wmich.edu
Copyright© Western Michigan University

 



9. Lesson 9: Chat

LESSON # 9

1. SUBJECT: Chat

2. OBJECTIVES: Communicate using WebCT Chat

3. RESOURCES/MATERIALS:

4. ACTIVITIES:

A. Chat Area provides the ability for participants to chat in "real time". WebCT offers four rooms for chatting.

B. Click on the Chat listing on the navigation bar or homepage icon. Directions for Chat Area.

 

5. ASSIGNMENT #9:

Arrange a time to chat with someone, make sure you determine which room you will meet in.

 

Department of Distance Education, Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5231
Telephone: (269) 387-4216, Fax: (269) 387-4226

Contact: dde-online@wmich.edu
Copyright© Western Michigan University

 



10. Lesson 10: Mail

LESSON # 10

1. SUBJECT: Mail

2. OBJECTIVES: Send email through WebCT.

(1) Composing a message
(2) Forwarding message to another account
(3) Replying to message in WebCT
(4) Replying to message from outside email account.

3. RESOURCES/MATERIALS:

4. ACTIVITIES:

A. Electronic mail system is provided within WebCT. Messages can be sent to participants and the instructor of the course, individually or as a group.

Messages can not be sent from WebCT to an outside email address. WebCT Mail will only send messages to Instructor and participants.

B. Directions for sending and replying to WebCT mail: "How To" Use WebCT Mail.

C. "How To" Forward your WebCT Email to Another Email Address

 

5. ASSIGNMENT #10:

Department of Distance Education, Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5231
Telephone: (269) 387-4216, Fax: (269) 387-4226

Contact: dde-online@wmich.edu
Copyright© Western Michigan University

 



11. Lesson 11: Other Areas in WebCT

LESSON #11

1. SUBJECT: Other Areas: "How To", Search and Compile

2. OBJECTIVES: Understand other tools provided in WebCT including:

3. RESOURCES/MATERIALS:

4. ACTIVITIES:

A. "How To" Area provides the following information:

B. Compile and Print Area

  1. Select Compile from the navagation bar or homepage icon.
  2. Select the pages of notes that you want to compile (items listed in Content page)
  3. Click Compile.
  4. To print use the print option in your browser.

C. Search- WebCT provides the ability to search the course:

  1. Search All
  2. Contains -enter keyword
  3. Press Search button- this will search Content area and Discussion Board

5. ASSIGNMENT #11:

Department of Distance Education, Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5231
Telephone: (269) 387-4216, Fax: (269) 387-4226

Contact: dde-online@wmich.edu
Copyright© Western Michigan University

 



12. Lesson 12: Self-Assessment

LESSON # 12

1. SUBJECT: Self Assessment

2. OBJECTIVES: Learner will determine if taking an online course should be considered.

3. ACTIVITIES:

You will find that you will be much more successful in an online course if you follow the following steps to become familiar with various parts of the class. If you are really new to the internet, be sure to click on the words that are underlined (usually hyperlinked) and will link you to a document with more information.

1. Find out if you will be successful in the class by checking out the following self assessment tools:

2. If you are commited to taking an online course, check the suggestions for

3. Find out about your instructor as a person who is commited to helping you.

4. Click on the icons on the homepage (the page you were on when you came to this page), for more information about the course layout see:

5. Course Content is determined by the instructor, DDE works with the instructor to keep content delivery consistent. Check with the course instructor for assignment schedules, due dates and guidelines for working through lessons. Generally online courses use the following guidelines:

Each week (instructor determines what day the week starts) you will:
Review lesson/module
Review resources and material (if applicable)
Work through Activity which includes:

Read textbook content
View videos and other material
Review lesson content

Complete an assignment (if applicable)
Take an online quiz (if applicable)
Post to Discussion Board (if applicable)

Assignments and due dates determined by instructor.

4. ASSIGNMENT #12:

Take the self assessment tests listed in the Activity section above.

Department of Distance Education, Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5231
Telephone: (269) 387-4216, Fax: (269) 387-4226

Contact: dde-online@wmich.edu
Copyright© Western Michigan University