One of the things I appreciate in my Master’s Class in Teaching Math to Elementary Students is a topic where we discussed distance learning. A fellow student gave us a questionnaire that can help us determine if distance learning is for us or not. Special Education Philippines will be sharing to you that same questionnaire which I found its source online.

Maysville Community and Technical College released an assessment in the form of questionnaire entitled “Are Distance Learning Courses for Me?”. This assessment aims to help interested students know if they would be successful in taking a distance learning program or not. It also wants to tell the student how well would distance learning courses fit the student’s circumstances and lifestyle. By the way, this questionnaire used by Maysville was adapted from “Are Telecourses for Me?” from PBS-Adult Learning Service, The Agenda, Spring 1994.

According to Maysville College, “Students who tend to be the most successful are those individuals who are self-directed and self-motivated in their learning and study habits.” Before you take the Distance learning Assessment, let me advise you to get a paper and pen ready to record your answers.

Question One:

My need to take this course now is:

a. High ­ I need it immediately for a specific goal.

b. Moderate ­ I could take it on campus later or substitute another course.

Or c. Low ­ It could be postponed.

Question two:

Feeling that I am part of a class is:

a. Not particularly necessary to me.

b. Somewhat important to me.

Or c. Very important to me.

Question three:

I would classify myself as someone who:

a. Often gets things done ahead of time.

b. Needs reminding to get things done on time.

Or c. Puts things off until the last minute or doesn’t complete them.

Question four:

Classroom discussion is:

a. Rarely helpful to me.

b. Sometimes helpful to me.

Or c. Almost always helpful to me.

Question five:

When an instructor hands out directions for an assignment, I prefer:

a. Figuring out the instructions myself.

b. Trying to follow the directions on my own, then asking for help as needed.

Or c. Having the instructions explained to me.

Question six:

I need faculty comments on my assignments:

a. Within a few weeks, so I can review what I did.

b. Within a few days, or I forget what I did.

Or c. Right away, or I get very frustrated.

Question seven:

Considering my professional and personal schedule, the amount of time I have to work on a distance-learning course is:

a. More than enough for an on-campus course.

b. The same as for a class held on campus.

Or c. Less than for a class held on campus.

Question eight:

Coming to campus on a regular schedule is:

a. Extremely difficult for me ­ I have commitments (work, family or personal) during times when classes are offered.

b. A little difficult, but I can rearrange my priorities to allow for regular attendance on campus.

Or c. Easy for me.

Question nine:

As a reader, I would classify myself as:

a. Good ­ I usually understand the text without help.

b. Average ­ I sometimes need help to understand the text.

Or c. Slower than average.

Question ten:

When I need help understanding the subject:

a. I am comfortable approaching an instructor to ask for clarification.

b. I am uncomfortable approaching an instructor, but do it anyway.

Or c. I never approach an instructor to admit I don’t understand something.

How to compute for your score in the Distance Learning Assessment:

Now that you have answered each question, let’s evaluate your score.

1. Add 3 points for each “a” that you answered, 2 points for each “b,” and 1 point for each “c.”

2. Now you can total your points to obtain your score.

How to interpret your score in the Distance Learning Assessment:

1. If you scored 20 or more, a distance-learning course is a real possibility for you.

2. If you scored between 11 and 20, distance learning courses may work for you, but you may need to make a few adjustments in your schedule and study habits to succeed.

3. If you scored 10 or less, distance learning currently may not be the best alternative for you. We suggest that talk to your advisor before enrolling in a distance learning course.

In succeeding post, we will look for similar assessments you can use to answer related topics such as homeschooling and other non-traditional courses.

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