The folks at University of Alaska put together this little test to see if you will do well in a web-based course. Go through these 20 questions giving an honest “yes” or “no” to each. Then sum up your yes and no answers.

1. I work well independently.

2. I learn best from reading a textbook or assignment rather than listening to a professor explain the material.

3. I enjoy working alone.

4. I gather information better visually (charts, readings, diagrams) than orally (classroom discussions and lectures).

5. I like to finish what I start.

6. I am goal oriented. I can set goals and complete them in a timely fashion.

7. I do not give up when something doesn’t work the first time.

8. I do not get frustrated when I work on computers, or have to rely heavily on technology.

9. I would classify myself as an adequate or good writer.

10. I would classify myself as an adequate or good reader.

11. I usually understand the material presented in class.

12. I rarely require a tutor or a friend to help me to understand the material.

13. I am self-motivated. In other words, I don’t need a teacher reminding me daily when an assignment is due or when I should be studying.

14. I rarely procrastinate; I rarely put off things until the last possible minute.

15. Classroom discussions are extremely helpful for my learning.

16. When a professor hands out instructions, I prefer to figure them out myself before asking for help.

17. Considering my professional and personal schedule, I have at least 10 hours a week to commit to a course.

18. I can wait to get feedback from an instructor.

19. I don’t have a problem asking for help when I need it.

20. I need (for professional or personal reasons) to take this course.

If you answered “no” to more than a few of these questions, then you might not do well in a web-based course. To be successful, you need a fair amount of independence and self-discipline. You need to be a good reader and writer. You should be comfortable with written instructions and e-mail conversations. Also, you should be able to set aside about 10 hours a week for work on this course. If you crave face-to-face interaction and like to get your information orally, then this course is not for you. Be honest with yourself before committing to this course.