Skip to main content

Is an Online Course for you?

To begin, answer the questions listed below then score your results. Review Points to Consider listed at the end of this document. If you have questions about your results please contact the Director of Distance Education at 508 626-4688 or speak with a DGCE advisor at 508 626-4550.

Step 1: Answer the following questions

  1. My need to take this course now is....
    1. High: I need it immediately for a degree, job, or other important reason.
    2. Moderate: I could take it on campus later, or at some other place/time.
    3. Low: It's a personal interest that could be postponed.
  1. Feeling that I am part of a class is...
    1. not particularly necessary for me.
    2. somewhat important for me.
    3. very important for me.
  1. I would classify myself as someone who...
    1. often gets things done ahead of time.
    2. needs reminding to get things done on time.
    3. puts things off until the last minute.
  1. Classroom discussions are...
    1. rarely helpful to me.
    2. sometimes helpful to me
    3. almost always helpful to me.
  1. When an instructor hands out directions for an assignment, I prefer...
    1. figuring out the instructions on my own.
    2. trying to follow the directions on my own, then asking for help as needed.
    3. having the instructions explained orally first.
  1. I need faculty comments on my assignments...
    1. within a few weeks so I can review what I did.
    2. within a few days or I forget what I did.
    3. right away or I get very frustrated.
  1. Considering my professional and personal schedule, the amount of time I have to work on an online course is...
    1. more than enough for an on-campus class.
    2. the same as for a class on campus.
    3. less than for a class on campus.
  1. When I am asked to use email, Internet, or other technologies new to me...
    1. I look forward to learning new skills.
    2. I feel apprehensive, but I try anyway.
    3. I put it off or try to avoid it.
  1. As a reader, I would classify myself as...
    1. good - I usually understand the text without help.
    2. average - I sometimes need help to understand the text.
    3. slower than average.
  1. If I have to go to campus for up to a few classes in the term...
    1. I have difficulty getting to the class, even on the night it is scheduled for the term.
    2. I may miss some assignment deadlines if the library computer lab is not available.
    3. I can go to campus anytime.

Step 2: Score your results

Scoring: Add 3 points for each "A" you selected, 2 points for each "B" and 1 point for each "C."

I. If you scored 20 or more, an online course is a real possibility for you.

II. If you scored 11 to 19, you may need to make a few adjustments in your schedule and study habits to succeed in an online course.

III. If you scored 10 or less, an online course may not currently be the best alternative for you. Talk to your instructor or academic advisor.

Step 3: Some points for you to consider:

  1. Online coursework can be neglected because of personal or family circumstances, unless there are compelling reasons for completing a course. If the course is not effectively self-managed, the work piles up quickly and you may feel swamped and unable to catch up.
  2. Some students prefer the independence of online courses; others find it uncomfortable to be in charge of their own learning.
  3. Online courses give students greater freedom of scheduling, but they can require more self-discipline than on-campus courses.
  4. Some people learn best by interacting face-to-face with other students and the instructor, but hybrid courses only allow limited on-campus classes. Most interactions are in chat rooms, virtual classrooms, digital group discussions and by email.
  5. Online courses require you to work from written directions without face-to-face instruction.
  6. Since the instructor usually has to respond individually to a student's questions, it may take several days to a week or two to get comments back. This may mean you'll have to continue with the next lesson before all of your questions are answered on the current assignment.
  7. Online courses require at least as much time as on-campus courses. The advantage is that you don't lose valuable study time and energy driving to and from the campus.
  8. Online courses at Framingham State College use Blackboard technology for teaching and communication. You need to be comfortable with computers and techniques for uploading and downloading your assignments, working with all the sites within Blackboard, working with email, participating in Blackboard mediated group discussions and chat rooms.
  9. Printed materials and Internet external links are the primary sources of content information and directions in online courses. Lectures may appear as brief summaries, as groups of related external links, or as group discussions of forum topics in Blackboard.
  10. Hybrid courses require you to attend some on-campus meetings. Student schedule flexibility is important. The weekly class time should be reserved for the entire term. Usually, you will be working online at home at any convenient time (24/7), but if necessary, the instructor reserves the right to call an emergency on-campus session during the scheduled time period. For example: an emergency session may be called to explain a difficult topic that everyone seems to be having trouble understanding; or if some students fall behind in their assignments, an emergency on-campus session may be called for these "lapsed" students to figure out why they are losing ground and to help them get back on track. Review the course schedule when you register for an online class to become familiar with course requirements.