If you would like to find out if you are the kind of person who will do well in an online course, the following quiz will help you predict how well you will do.

Please answer the following True/False questions. A final tabulation of your answers will give you a pretty fair idea about how suited you are to online learning.

Have Fun!

PART ONE

It doesn't get more basic than this. To have success at online learning, you'll pretty much need to answer TRUE to all four of these questions:

1. I have ready access to a computer and, through it, the Internet.
True False

2. I know how to use the computer.
True False

3. Typing is not an overwhelming ordeal for me.
True False

4. Reading is not a nightmarish struggle for me.
True False

PART TWO

Great, you've cleared the first hurdle! Now, on to more advanced questions. (Answering FALSE to one or two of the following questions is okay.)

1. The words "software download and set up" don't normally send me into a total panic.
True False

2. Exploring new things has an appeal for me.
True False

3. Asking questions doesn't terrify me.
True False

4. One-to-one dialogues (in person or otherwise) are not something I try hard to avoid.
True False

5. I've never had any particular problem working independently.
True False

6. I can make 10 -15 hours (on average) available for study each week.
True False

7. I once read a book to learn how to do something.
True False

8. Being at the computer cannot be mistaken for a form of torture.
True False

9. I am NOT considering an online course because I think the work will be easier than in a "real" class.
True False

PART THREE

Here we move into the positive range where FALSE answers mean a bit less, but TRUE answers really indicate you are ready for an online course.

1. Having the freedom to choose, day-to-day, when I attend class and when I study, suits the way I like to work.
True False

2. Commuting is not my recreation of choice.
True False

3. In the last year or two, there was a class I wanted to take, but couldn't fit it into my schedule.
True False

4. I like the exchange of ideas and the sometimes lively give and take of a typical classroom experience.
True False

5. Direct, personal instructor feedback is something I value and benefit from.
True False

6. Going to class in my pajamas sounds like fun!
True False

PART FOUR

This part is total gravy. If you've made it through so far, and answer TRUE to many of these next questions, you just may have found the perfect learning environment for yourself!

1. Often, after I've left a meeting, or a class, or a discussion, I think of just the thing I should have said at some critical juncture. By then, of course, it's too late.
True False

2. Sometimes I find that when I write, I can take the time to organize my thoughts better than when I talk.
True False

3. Having classmates from all over the country and around the world is a wonderful educational opportunity in itself.
True False

4. In class, sometimes my best answers to questions were the ones I thought of just after the one I gave.
True False

 

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

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

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:

• Computer Files/Directories
• "How To" name a file

4. ACTIVITIES:

A. Submitting your assignment using the WebCT Drop Box:

• For this lesson create a file you plan on submitting, a Word Document or image can be used, save the file to your hard drive or a floppy drive. (Example: Word Document with your name and comments or suggestions about this Student Orientation course)
• Directions for submitting assignments can be found at: http://www.wmich.edu/eup/dde/howto/howtosubmit.htm
• Multiple files can be submitted into the Assignment Drop Box at one time, you must upload all files before pressing the Submit Assignment button
• Once the assignment has been submitted you can not resubmit an assignment unless the instructor allows duplicate submissions.
• The instructor can not post a grade for an assignment until a file has been submitted to the Drop Box.

B. Reviewing Assignment Feedback:

• Instructors can leave feedback for assignments submitted to the Drop Box, to view the Feedback follow these directions: http://www.wmich.edu/eup/dde/howto/howto-viewassignments.htm

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

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

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

LESSON # 8

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

2. OBJECTIVES:

• post a New message to the discussion board
• respond to a message in the discussion board
  

3. RESOURCES/MATERIALS:

• Flash Player- free download from Macromedia.com. Activity includes a VERY LARGE movie that requires Macromedia's Flash Player. Follow instructions for adding player to your computer.
• WebCT Help found on menu bar of WebCT.
  

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

LESSON # 9

1. SUBJECT: Chat

2. OBJECTIVES: Communicate using WebCT Chat

3. RESOURCES/MATERIALS:

• Chat programs availble on the Internet to communciate in real time.
  • ICQ
  • MSN Messenger
  • AOL Instant Messanger
    

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

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:

• WebCT Help located on menu bar of WebCT
  

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:

• Send a message to yourself using WebCT Mail
• Reply to your message using WebCT Mail

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

LESSON #11

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

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

• "How To" Area
• Search
• Compile and Print

3. RESOURCES/MATERIALS:

• WMU Office of Information Technology's "How To's": http://www.wmich.edu/oit/helpdesk/how-tos/
• WMU Department of Distance Education's "How To's"
  http://www.wmich.edu/eup/dde/howto
  

4. ACTIVITIES:

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

• "How To" Area for WebCT:
  includes instructions for using the features of WebCT
  
• "How To" Area for Software & Other Applications:
  includes instructions on how to use software and where to get needed software
  
• "How To" Area for the Department of Distance Education:
  includes instructions on where to get textbooks, how to mail assignments, and how to get an exam proctored
  
  A great location to obtain additional information that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We recommend looking in the How To area before asking instructor or peers. If you have any suggestiona on additional topics that could be included in the How To area please email: julie.cottin@wmich.edu
  

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:

• View "How To" area in WebCT an become familiar with the different topics covered.
• Compile and Print at least one lesson
• Search All for Search and view results

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

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:

• Online Learning Assessment
• Are Distance Learning Courses for Me?

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

• What Makes a Successful Online Student.

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

• Meet the Instructor

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:

• Lesson 2- Course Layout.

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