Is eLearning Right For You (Self-Assessment)
Instructions: You may be unsure whether or not you should take an online class. Please take a moment to complete this assessment. It is designed to assist you determining if eLearning is right for you.

1.

 I have regular access to a computer and the Internet through a reliable Internet Service Provider (ISP).


2. The task of typing overwhelms me.
 
3. I have a hard time expressing my ideas in writing and communicating with people using electronic technologies such as e-mail.
 
4. I find reading boring and time-consuming
 
5. I have never had any particular problem working independently.
 
6. I have 10 to 15 hours a week (on an average) to study and be active online.
 
7. I have hard time meeting project, task or assignment deadlines when I am tired and under stress.
 
8. I feel that I can learn effectively through participating in online discussions, assignments and reading lecture notes and textbook materials, even more so than by attending “live” classroom lectures.
 
9. I am able to manage my study time productively, easily completing assignments on time, and meeting deadlines without procrastinating or constant extrinsic motivations.
 
10. Going to class in my pajamas sounds like fun!
 
   
 
Score
Points:
Total of 17-20 points: You are a good candidate for online study
Total of 11-16 points: You could be a successful online student
Total of 10 points or below: You might be more successful in a traditional classroom environment.
 

Explanations

How is the online eCourses different from the classroom?

  1. The King’s has a mandatory online “attendance policy” and eStudents must access their eCourse 5 days out of 7 days a week. However, within the 24 hour-day period the time of access is flexible.
  2. The King’s regular online sessions are six weeks in length and the summer sessions are five weeks only. This causes the fast pace and intensity of online classes which is very real. eStudents surveyed say that eCourses are much harder than the onground courses.
  3. eStudents that are the most successful with online are those students who, because of their work, family or personal schedules, find it difficult to attend onground on a regular basis because of these other commitments. So, online’s 24-hour accessibility assist in you attending classes anywhere there is a World Wide Web access.
  4. eStudents sometimes fall behind in their eCourses (assignments, reading material or participation in discussion forum) because of personal or professional circumstances which they encounter during the online sessions causing a high drop-out rate. You must be committed to endure through perseverance of finishing the goal set before you.
  5. Because online classes are so convenient, eStudents have to be disciplined enough to make time to study, participate and complete all assignments required by the eProfessor in the eSyallubs. This freedom and convenience does come with a cost of being more self-discipline than the traditional onground classes.
  6. eStudents in the eLearning environment are required to work from written communications via the ePlatform. Print materials are the primary source of instructions and information in these eCourses.
  7. eStudents who learn by reading and writing are best prepared for this type of delivery system. However, if you learn better by hearing lectures or making presentations, than the onground delivery system might be a better fit.
  8. eStudents who do well in online are usually comfortable contacting the eProfessor for assistance as soon as they need help with their course. The instructor cannot see the eStudents body language and usually will not know if you are confused, bored, or frustrated unless you are willing to talk to them about it.

How is the online eCourses similar to the classroom?

  1. 1. The eProfessor provides exercises, assignments, excellent textbooks to read, and quizzes; as with the regular onground classes. What you get out of it is related to how much you put into it and not depended on the delivery system of choice.
  2. The quality of content, and expertise expounded in the lectures, provided by the professors, are the same whether delivered by online or onground.
  3. Students must posses proper and healthy study habits to be successful in the academic environment
  4. All students must commit, on an average, to 9 -15 hours of study time per week per a three-credit class.
  5. Verbal or written communications/interactions are often an essential element of the learning experience. Being willing to share your ideas, carefully considering your responses to others, and being prepared to have your ideas challenged occasionally, is an intricate part of the academic process whether you are onground or online

To Be A Successful eStudents you must:

  • Know how to thoroughly use the Platform properly. We provide our eStudents with a six-week course, Student Learning Development that enables you to function effectively online, with computer skills and information about the WebCT virtual classroom.
  • Must read and write well. eStudents with weaknesses in these areas are encouraged to get remedial assistance or consider alternative learning delivery systems.
  • Are comfortable addressing problems even if you are at a distance from the school. eStudents need to be assertive in order to make their needs known.
  • Possess the ability to work well cooperatively, even when your communication is restricted to the discussion board, emails or online chat-rooms.
  • Have good time management skills to execute a plan and to follow-through the schedule for finishing all tasks assigned in the eCourse.
  • Learn to deal with procrastination and scheduling issues using successful proven techniques.
  • Have firm research skills, including how to efficiently use the Internet. The King’s provide a core required class to enhance your internet skills to effectively use the world wide web for academic research.