Web Course Student Self Assessment

Are web classes right for you?

At Eastern Arizona College we are committed to the success of all students. We will do whatever we can to help you, but the main responsibility for your learning is yours. Our web classes require a great deal of effort and commitment on your part.

Completing web classes is a new way of pursuing education for most students. Even if a student feels comfortable with social networking, discussion boards, blogs, and building relationships online, using internet tools for rigorous academic work comes with new challenges for many students.

If you haven’t taken it already, the self-assessment below will help you determine if web classes are right for you. Feel free to discuss these questions and your answers with an online academic advisor at EAC.

 

Take the Assessment

Please answer the following questions honestly to assess your aptitude for success in taking web courses and seeing how well they fit your circumstances and lifestyle. The assessment is scored automatically and you will see your results immediately.

1. My need to take this web course now is:

High - I need it immediately for a specific goal
Moderate - I could most likely take it on campus later or substitute another course
Low - I could easily postpone it or take a different course

2. Feeling that I am part of a class is:

Not particularly necessary to me
Somewhat important to me
Very important to me

3. I would classify myself as someone who:

Often gets things done ahead of time
Needs reminding to get things done on time
Puts things off until the last minute or doesn't complete them

4. Classroom discussion is:

Rarely helpful to me
Sometimes helpful to me
Crucial to me

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

Figuring out the instructions myself
Trying to follow the directions on my own, then asking for help as needed
Having the instructions explained to me

6. I need faculty comments on my assignments:

Within a week, so I can review what I did
Within a few days, or I forget what I did
Right away, or I get very frustrated

7. Considering my professional and personal schedule, the amount of time I can commit to a web course is:

More than enough for an on-campus course
The same as for a class held on campus
Less than for a class held on campus

8. Coming to campus on a regular schedule is:

Extremely difficult for me since I have commitments (work, family or personal) during times when classes are offered
A little difficult, but I can rearrange my priorities to allow for regular attendance on campus
Easy for me

9. As a reader, I would classify myself as:

Above Average - I usually understand the text without help
Average - I sometimes need help to understand the text
Below average - I have difficulty understanding the text without help

10. When I need help understanding the subject:

I am comfortable approaching an instructor to ask for clarification
I am uncomfortable approaching an instructor, but do it anyway
I rarely approach an instructor to admit I don't understand something

11. Which of the following best describes your home computer setup?

A good computer with fast internet connection
A good computer with average internet connection
A poor computer and/or slow internet connection

12. I can dedicate at least ____ hours per week to study for each web class

9
6
3

 

Your Score:

 

What your score indicates

24 or more

A web course at EAC is probably a good match for you

15 - 23

Web courses may work for you, but you may need to make a few adjustments in your schedule and study habits to succeed

14 or less

Web courses currently may not be the best alternative for you. We encourage you to speak with an online academic advisor.

 

Explanations

A variety of factors influence scores on this assessment and the probable success of students in web courses.

  • Web course 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.

  • Some students prefer the independence of web courses; others find the independence uncomfortable and miss being part of the classroom experience and “live” interaction with other students and the instructor.

  • Web courses give students greater freedom of scheduling, but they can require more self-discipline than on-campus classes.

  • Some people learn best by interacting with other students and instructors. Others learn better by listening, reading and reviewing on their own. Web courses provide less opportunity for group interaction than most on-campus courses.

  • Web courses require you to work from written directions.

  • It may take several days to get comments back from your instructor in a web course.

  • Web courses require at least as much time as on-campus courses. Many students say that web courses are as hard as or harder than on-campus courses.

  • Most people who are successful with web courses find it difficult to come to campus on a regular basis because of their work, family or personal schedules.

  • Print materials are the primary source of directions and information in web courses.

  • Students who do well in web courses are usually comfortable contacting the instructor as soon as they need help with any part of the course.

  • Having a fast and reliable computer to complete web course assignments with helps reduce frustration levels and increases academic performance.

  • A rule-of-thumb for allocating your study time is 2-3 hours per week for each web course credit.

 

Questions? Contact the EAC Counseling Office at (928) 428-8253 or email counseling@eac.edu.