Online Readiness
Before You Begin
Before enrolling in an online course, you should first assess your readiness for stepping into the online learning environment. Your answers to the following questions will help you determine what you need to do to succeed at online learning. Post-survey feedback will also provide you with information on what you can expect from an online course.
| Question | Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I am good at setting goals and deadlines for myself. | |||||
| I have a really good reason for taking an online course. | |||||
| I finish the projects I start. | |||||
| I do not quit just because things get difficult. | |||||
| I can keep myself on track and on time. |
| Question | Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I learn fairly easily. | |||||
| I can learn from things I hear, like lectures, audio recordings, or podcasts. | |||||
| I have to read something to learn it best. | |||||
| I have developed good ways to solve problems I run into. | |||||
| I learn best when I figure things out for myself. | |||||
| I like to learn in a group, but I can learn on my own as well. | |||||
| I am willing to send e-mail to or have discussions with people I might never see. |
| Question | Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I usually study in a place where I can read and work on assignments without distractions. | |||||
| I can ignore distractions around me when I study. | |||||
| I am willing to spend 10-20 hours each week on an online course. | |||||
| I keep a record of what my assignments are and when they are due. | |||||
| I plan my work in advance so that I can turn in my assignments on time. | |||||
| When I study, people around me will help me work and not try to distract me. | |||||
| I am willing to use e-mail, discussion boards, chat, and other online tools to ask my classmates and instructors questions. |
| Question | Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I am fairly good at using the computer. | |||||
| I am comfortable surfing the Internet. | |||||
| I am comfortable conducting searches, setting bookmarks, and downloading files. | |||||
| I am comfortable installing software and changing configuration settings on my computer. | |||||
| I know someone who can help me if I have computer problems. |
| Question | Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| My computer runs reliably on Windows XP/ 7 or on Mac OS 10.6 or higher. | |||||
| I have a printer and/or a mobile device such as a tablet to review course materials. | |||||
| I am connected to the Internet with a fairly fast, reliable connection such as DSL or cable modem. | |||||
| I have virus protection software running on my computer. | |||||
| I have headphones or speakers and a microphone to use if a class has a video conference. | |||||
| My browser will play several common multimedia (video and audio) formats. |
This form does not work with Internet Explorer 11 or below.
Self Direction
It seems you have a good sense of self-direction. You may want to review Education Corner’s article Using Time Management to Improve Study Skills and Student Success Site at Southern Miss before starting an online course.
Self Direction
You need to improve your time management skills and study habits (such as keeping yourself on track, meeting deadlines, and working independently) before you can be successful in online learning. Set some challenging goals for yourself and commit yourself to achieving them. Also, review Education Corner’s article Using Time Management to Improve Study Skills and Student Success Site at Southern Miss before starting an online course.
Learning Preferences
Your responses indicate that you can use different types of media in online courses, solve minor problems, and work in online groups. You may want to take a look at these resources before starting an online course: Understanding Writing Assignments: Reading Practices, Education Corner’s article Listening Skills.
Learning Preferences
You may need to stretch yourself to use different types of media, such as audio, to learn in an online course. Self-reliance to solve minor problems or make decisions about your learning is also vital. Because you may work in an online group, you will need sharp communication skills. Take a look at these resources before starting an online course: Understanding Writing Assignments: Reading Practices, Education Corner’s article Listening Skills.
Study Habits
It seems you have good study habits. You may want to review the resources Understanding and Overcoming Procrastination and Top Ways to Beat Procrastination before starting an online course.
Study Habits
To succeed in an online course, you must carefully choose a place to study that is compatible with your work habits, and plan on spending 10-20 hours each week there. An online course requires at least 10 hours a week of work. Devise a way to keep track of your assignments and due dates so you can plan your work. You will also need to be willing to reach out to your instructor and fellow classmates when you have questions. The resources Understanding and Overcoming Procrastination and Top Ways to Beat Procrastination may assist you in these areas.
Technology Skills
It seems you have good technology skills. Remember, if you need technical assistance, you can go to the iTech Help Desk at https://www.usm.edu/itech/help-desk.
Technology Skills
Consider identifying someone to serve as your technological support person before taking an online course. Ideally, you should work to acquire the following skills: use the Internet and a web browser to perform searches, install software on your computer, and perform simple troubleshooting activities. Also, if you need technical assistance, remember you can go to the iTech Help Desk at https://www.usm.edu/itech/help-desk.
Computer Equipment Capabilities
It seems you have adequate computer capabilities. The complete list of hardware and software required for online learning may vary slightly by course. Review specific course requirements before starting any online course.
Computer Equipment Capabilities
Your computer may need some upgrades or additional software installed to ensure the best possible online learning experience. You should have a modern, up-to-date operating system, up-to-date browser, fairly fast connection to the Internet, virus protection, and possibly headphones with a microphone. As a starting point to updating your computer, please review the BlackBoard and Collaborate system requirements. The complete list of hardware and software required for online learning may vary slightly by course. Review specific course requirements before starting any online course.
