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Am I Ready to Take an Online Course?

Understanding Online Courses

Online courses can be quite different from courses taken in a traditional on-ground
classroom. Sometimes students are surprised to learn that they were really
unprepared for the online environment.

Below is a list of computer requirements and the skills you will need in order to be
successful online student.

Computer Requirements 

A computer with a connection to the Internet are the basic tools for online learning. 
While a dial-up modem is sufficient for many courses, you may find yourself at a
serious disadvantage in media-rich online courses if you do not have access to a
computer with high-speed cable or DSL connection. Additionally, many courses now
use Wimba Live Classroom where live interactions occur between students and
instructor.  This tool requires that students have a microphone installed on their
computer to participate fully.

Basic Computer Specifications 

If you have a PC, you will need Windows XP Home Edition or XP Professions or Vista operating system, with a 1 Ghz or faster processor chip, 1 GB of memory, 3 GB of hard drive space, and ethernet or wireless network card, a USB connection (for thumb drive).  A high-speed internet connection is recommended. 

If you have a Mac, you will need MacOS 10.r or higher, a 1 gHz or faster Intel processor chip, 1 GB memory, 3 GB free hard drive space, an ethernet or wireless network card, a USB connection (for thumb drive) and a high speed Internet connection. 

Here are the suggested minimum and recommended configurations:

Quick Check:  Check the Plug-Ins you will need in order to take your class. 

Quick Check:  Get information on which browsers are currently supported with Blackboard 8.

Technical Skills 

Minimally, you should have basic computer and keyboarding skills. 
(If you need to brush up on skills, visit our Basic Skills review page.)

Additionally, you should be familiar sending and receiving email with attachments
and with downloading and installing software. Finally, online courses make use of
learning management systems (Angel, Blackboard, WebCT) as well as other
specialized software for learning on the Internet.  Successful students are able to
access available tutorials and help documentation and take responsibility for
learning how to use the tools in a course without extensive direct interaction or
support from the instructor.

Academic Skills 

Much of the activity in online courses occurs through the written word. 
Successful online students are, therefore, students with good verbal skills. 
They are comfortable taking in information by reading and with in expressing
themselves through the written word.  They also are students who are
self-sufficient in their studies and do not find themselves dependent on lectures
and direct instruction in order to achieve learning objectives. Ultimately, they are
students who assume responsibility for their learning and actively seek out the
instructor support and other resources they need to complete the course.

Personal Characteristics 

The online environment offers students the flexibility to organize their academic
work in a way that fits in with their other responsibilities.  Successful online students
are self-motivated and self-disciplined.  They are also effective time managers who
are able to schedule 8 - 10 hours a week required by their online courses.

Introduction to Online Learning 

If you find yourself uncertain about whether you are ready to take an online course,
you might consider registering for ONTL 302/502 - Introduction to Online Learning. This
two-hour elective course will build the skills needed to be successful as an online learner.