Determine & Assess Your Online Readiness

Home
/
Online Learning
/
Determine & Assess Your...

While you don’t need to be a computer whiz to take an online course, you do need to have a basic comfort level around computers, navigating the learning environment, and good time management skills. Here are a few important considerations.

Are You Ready?

Are You Considering Online Learning?

Online courses are not easy alternatives to traditional classes. Whether you are an adult or traditional learner online study is just as rigorous as any on-campus course. This method of delivery assumes you take responsibility for your own learning. Be realistic about what is involved and take the steps to determine and assess your online readiness.

Understanding Online Courses

Typical Online Courses

May require more study time and preparation than a classroom course.
Are not the same as an independent study; online classes typically have a regular schedule with weekly assignments and deadlines.
Require good time management, organization and self-discipline as some often require more reading and viewing than a classroom course.
Often have weekly or daily online discussions for posting questions and answers.
Are typically more flexible than in-person courses, allowing you to log on and access course content anytime, day or night.
Require regular access to a computer, internet, and good typing skills.
Require you to take initiative, advocate for yourself, and ask questions.

Tips for Success

Take Responsibility

Log in to the course at least once a day.
Identify how to contact your instructor.
Use preview week to look at the expectations of you.

Know the Syllabus

Order your textbooks early.
Look ahead to view all of the major assignments.

Plan Your Time

Schedule time each day to complete assignments or do readings.
Review the course schedule and plan your time accordingly.

Identify a Study Space

Identify a space in your home where you can use a computer, read quietly, and work without distraction.
Look for spaces outside the home to work, such as a library or a computer lab.

Online Readiness Checklist

Reliable Device and Internet

☑ Reliable access to a laptop, desktop, or tablet computer. While this course is mobile friendly, you can’t expect to complete it entirely from your mobile device.
☑ Reliable internet connection is a must. Have a backup plan in mind to access the internet.

General Computer Skills

Determine your readiness by completing the Computer Essential: What Every Learner Needs to Know lessons.

☑ Installing and updating software
☑ Downloading, saving, and retrieving files
☑ Taking a picture of handwritten work and saving it as a PDF
☑ Sending and receiving email with your school account

Brightspace Skills

☑ Go to: Brightspace Essentials for Learners
☑ Downloading course documents, such as a syllabus
☑ Viewing recorded presentations
☑ Posting your responses and replying to other classmates’ discussion posts
☑ Uploading your assignment submissions in the format indicated by your instructor
☑ Taking a quiz and viewing your quiz results
☑ Viewing your grades and finding your feedback to keep up with your progress

Video Skills

☑ Participate in a virtual meeting
☑ Record a video using web conferencing tools or personal device
☑ Upload video to Brightspace

Web Literacy

☑ Conduct an effective search with a search engine (e.g., Google, Bing, Yahoo) using search commands
☑ Evaluate Web resources for authority, currency, purpose, and content. Understand copyrights, licenses, and plagiarism in a digital environment

Computer Essentials: What Every Learner Needs to Know

Computer Essentails for Learners Course

Computer essentials for Learners contains 11 lessons that will help you learn essential computer skills to succeed in college. In each lesson you will find links with information to go through and a quiz or activity to complete.

You will learn:
☑ Basic Understanding of Computer Hardware
☑ General Operating System Tasks
☑ Best Keyboarding Practices
☑ Folder and File Structures
☑ Software Selection to Perform a Task
☑ File Extensions
☑ Compressed Files
☑ Internet Basics
☑ Local, Portable, and Cloud Storage
☑ Zoom and Other Video Conferencing Apps
☑ Accessing Campus Resources

Learning to Learn Online

Get Started in Learning to Learn Online

These lessons will guide you through your journey as an online learner. It will take approximately 3 1/2 hours. You do not have to complete them in one sitting, and you will be able to resume where you last left off.

You will learn:
☑ Manage time for online learning
☑ Communicate professionally in an online environment
☑ Analyze writing assignments
☑ Read strategically

Steps to Get Started: Learning to Learn Online

Step 1. Register with a course key: l2loncccf22

Step 2. Create Account ID and Password

Step 3. Sign into Learning to Learn Online