Southern Polytechnic: Distance Learning

Distance Learning

DL Links

Getting Started

Self Assessment

Orientation

Degrees and Certificates

SPSU Links

Distance Education Self-Assessment

Possessing certain qualities will increase your opportunity for success and enhance your enjoyment of courses taken via SPSU’s distance learning programs. Answering these 10 questions thoughtfully will help you determine if distance education is right for you at this time as you pursue your educational goals.

When you have answered all questions, click the Submit button at the bottom of the page.

1. Having face-to-face interaction with my instructors and fellow students is
a). not particularly important to me
b). somewhatimportant to me
c). very important to me

2. I would classify myself as someone who
a). has good organizational skills and often completes assignments ahead of time
b). has weak organizational skills, needs reminding about assignments, and often procrastinates
c). has poor organizational skills and sometimes forgets to complete assignments

3. When an instructor hands out directions for an assignment, I prefer
a). figuring out the directions myself
b). trying to follow the directions on my own, then asking for help as needed
c). having the instructions explained to me

4. When it comes to assessing my own progress, I
a). feel as if I can keep tabs on my progress, even without immediate or frequent feedback
b). prefer to receive regular feedback, but it need not be immediate
c). need feedback immediately and often

5. My need to take a distance delivered course is
a). high - I need it immediately for a degree, job advancement or other important reason
b). moderate - I could take it on campus or substitute another course
c). low - It's a personal interest that could be postponed

6. Considering my Professional and personal schedule, the amount of time I have to work on a distance education course is
a). 7 - 9 hours per week
b). 4 - 6 hours per week
c). 1 - 3 hours per week

7. When I am asked to use software or technologies that I haven't used before ( such as e-mail, voice mail, a VCR, DVD )
a). I look forward to learning new skills
b). I feel apprehensive, but try anyway
c). I put it off or try to avoid it

8. If I had to describe my predominant learning style/preference, I would say it is
a). visual - I learn best when I can read the course materials or view graphics
b). auditory - I learn best when I can listen to an explanation of a concept
c). tactile - I learn best by "doing" ( for instance conducting an experiment )

9. My personal and professional schedule is
a). predictable; I can generally plan, well in advance, blocks of time to devote to class work
b). generally predictable, but sometimes last minute meetings or events come up that cannot be rescheduled
c). kind of crazy; I rarely know when I'm going to have free time that I can set aside for class work

10. My reading and writing skills are
a). excellent; I understand most of what I read and can express myself clearly
b). average; I sometimes need help understanding what I have read
c). poor; I often have difficulty understanding written material

Note: Only you will see your answers!

The Distance Education Self Assessment was adapted from "Are Telecourses for Me?" from PBS-Adult Learning Service, The Agenda, Spring 1994

Academic Support Center
1100 S. Marietta Pkwy
Marietta,GA 30060-2896
Phone: 678-915-3200
Fax: 678-915-3991
email: dl@spsu.edu