My Responsibility as an Online Student

Are you READI for online learning?

An online class may seem daunting, especially if you have been out of school for some time. READI is a web-based tool that assesses the likelihood of success in an online learning program. READI indicates the degree to which an individual student possesses attributes that contribute to success in online learning, including: self-motivation, time-management skills, self-discipline, reading comprehension, persistence, availability of time, ability to use a computer, printer, software, and the Internet.

Upon completion of the READI assessment, you will receive a printable report about your:

• Reading speed and comprehension
• Technical competency
• Individual attributes
• Preferred learning styles
• Typing speed and accuracy

For more information and a password to take this assessment, contact the Distance Learning Department 406-771-4440 or 800-446-2698, ext. 4440 or the Learning Center at 771-5127.

All distance education students are expected to follow guidelines and rules in the college catalog. Learning online also requires students to be self-motivated and willing to solve problems related to technology. Online classes take as much or more time to complete as regular face-to-face classes. Work through the self-assessment to see whether distance classes are right for you.

If you are asking yourself the question "Am I ready to take an online course?", you can also use the following self assessment to help you determine if you are ready to take an online course through Montana State University-Great Falls College of Technology. This assessment covers very basic technical requirements and learning style considerations.

You may want to print this page so you can spend more time considering both the questions and your answers.

THE FOLLOWING TWO PART SELF-ASSESSMENT FOR ONLINE COURSES WILL HELP YOU DECIDE WHETHER ON-LINE COURSES ARE FOR YOU. THIS IS STRICTLY A SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL, SO GIVE YOURSELF HONEST ANSWERS. WE WANT YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL!

Part I. Technical Skills:

Do I have access to a computer with the following?

Minimum Computer Requirements

• Internet Connection
• 56k Modem (or higher)
• 512 MB RAM (system memory)
• Macintosh or PC compatible computer with Windows XP
• Sound card and speakers

Fall 2007 - Additional Minimum Requirements

• Microsoft Office Professional 2007( for computer application courses)

Recommended Requirements for Fall 2007 (especially if you plan to purchase a new computer)

• Windows Vista
• 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1GB of system memory
• Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM drier, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum), Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel
• 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space
• DVD-ROM Drive
• Audio output capability
• Internet access capability
• Wireless capability for on campus

Basic Computer Skills

• Can you run the applications you need to use on a computer? This includes any specific applications which may be required for the courses you plan on taking.
• Can you create, save and manage files on your computer?
• Do you know how to install software on your computer if you need to?
• Do you currently have an e-mail address?
• Do you know how to send and receive e-mail messages?
• Do you know how to attach a file to an e-mail message?
• Do you know how to "paste" text from a word processor into an email message?
• Do you know how to receive a file attachment from an incoming email message?

If your computer does not meet the minimum requirements listed above, we recommend you upgrade your computer before taking an online class. However, MSU - Great Falls also has a computer lab available to students who are able to commute to campus. The computer lab is located in the library. If the library hours do not meet your needs, contact the Help Desk to make arrangements to use a computer room. The Help Desk can be reached at 406-771-4433, 800-446-2698, or by email at helpdesk@msugf.edu.

If you answered "No" to any of the questions for Basic Computer Skills, you should take advantage of any resources in your area to acquire these technical skills before taking an online course. The Distance Learning Department on campus conducts training sessions the first week prior to the beginning of each semester to acquaint you with your online course navigation. A computer lab is located in the campus library for students to use while taking their online course, and students are encouraged to drop by the Distance Learning Office for technical assistance or email distance@msugf.edu for help.

Part II. Learning Styles:

• Do you stay on task without direct supervision (or do you work best when someone is there to help keep you focused)?
• Can you prioritize your own workload (or do you tend to put tasks off for later)?
• Do you learn best from reading source material and completing activities (or do you learn best from spoken or visual presentations)?
• Do you enjoy learning new computer or technology skills (or does the thought of having to learn new computer or technology skills cause you anxiety)?
• Do you usually understand written instructions (or does having instructions explained make a big difference for you)
• Are you planning to allocate as much time in your schedule for your online course as you would for a more "traditional" classroom course (because the workload and time commitment will be the same!)?
• Are you good at assessing your own progress (or do you need instructor feedback right away)?

If you answered the above questions affirmatively, great! You are ready to attend online classes!

If your answers lean more toward the statements/questions in parentheses, then you may find the online learning environment less satisfying. Most of our online courses use email-based interaction which can be less satisfying than face-to-face communication for some learners. The online classroom requires you to structure your own schedule, balancing your time around the assignments/requirements of the class. Without the need to show up in a particular place at a designated time each week, some learners find it all too easy to put work off until the last minute. Much of the material covered in a typical online class will require you to learn from reading. This may include textbooks, Internet-based materials and written "lectures" or notes from your instructor.

This self assessment has been created to help you decide if online learning is for you. It can serve as an indicator but not as a definitive answer. If you have any questions about taking a course online, please contact us. We are here to assist you!

Resource to build your skills

If you feel you would like to build up your skills before you take an online class, or even during the semester, check out this website for unlimited access to online self-paced tutorials and drills to sharpen your skills: http://myskillstutor.com

Contact the Learning Center at 406-771-5127 for a password.

For questions regarding online courses, continue browsing our website or email distance@msugf.edu or call us at (406) 771-4440 or 800-446-2698, ext. 4440!