Where do I fit in?

When deciding if distance education is for you, there are several questions that you will want to ask yourself.  Take this self-assessment quiz to see how you fare.

1) About Yourself. (check all that apply)

I am self-motivated and able to complete tasks with little supervision.

I like to learn at my own pace.

I am comfortable learning on my own.

I am willing to learn in a non-traditional setting.

I am willing to dedicate part of every day to a class.

The environment in which I will be taking the class (i.e. at home or at work) is conducive to learning.

I have all the necessary software and hardware to take the class.

My goal is to learn something new or brush up on something old to benefit me personally or professionally.

I will like learning in a situation that may be void of face to face interaction.

I can learn to do something by reading a book?.

Going to class in my pajamas sounds like fun.

Having classmates from all over the country and around the world sounds interesting to me.

2) Do Some Research

Decide on the type course that you want to take. Look around to determine what options are available to you. See if there is a sample chapter or course feedback from other students that you can look at before making your decision. When you find one you think might be of interest to you, go to step three.

3) About The Course (check all that apply)

The instructor is readily accessible for questions or problems.

This course fit into my schedule.

This course is geared at an appropriate level for me to learn.

This course will help me meet my goals - spanning distance, saving time, or exploring culture.

This course fits into my budget.

This course is offered through a reputable institution or well-know training organization.

4) Remember there are some things that are definite requirements for taking an online education course.

• You must have a computer.
• You must want to read.
• You must be connected to the Internet.
• You must know how to use your computer (at least a little bit).
• Of course, the best way to judge if online learning is for you is to experience an online course for yourself.

Dare to discover distance learning!!!!

Here are a few resources for you to explore:

http://www.distance.cmu.edu  - Carnegie Mellon University’s Online Education Site

http://www.uwex.edu - Distance Education Clearninghouse

http://www.usdla.org - United States Distance Learning Association

http://www.unex.ucla.edu - UCLA's Distance Education Program