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Palomar College Television Production Receives 4 Emmy Nominations. Click to learn more!
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Distance Learning

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Technological Self-Assessment: Do you have what it takes?

The technological self-assessment is divided into five parts:

  1. Computer Basics
  2. Word Processing Skills
  3. Email
  4. Discussion Boards & Chat Rooms
  5. The Internet

If you are taking this assessment on the College Web site, you will be furnished with your assessment and hyperlinks to tutorials that may be of assistance to you. If you are taking this assessment from a printed copy of the text, you will be given directions to self-score the assessment. Links will be provided, that will lead you to beneficial online tutorials. The Student Distance Learning Handbook will have tutorials printed to facilitate your online study.

Computer Basics
1a. Do you own your own computer?
  Yes
  No
1b. If you answered "no," do you have access to a computer with Internet access at home?
  Yes
  No
1c. If you answered "no" to 1a & 1b, do you have access to a computer on campus?
  Yes
  No
2. How often can you access the Internet?
  a. One or more times a day.
  b. One to three times per week.
  c. Four to seven times per week.
3. What is your connection speed?
  a. 28.8 k
  b. 56 k
  c. High speed cable or telephone line
  d. I don't know
 

Please rate the following questions with a score of 1-5:

  • 1 = Not comfortable at all
  • 2 = Somewhat uncomfortable
  • 3 = Neutral
  • 4 = Somewhat comfortable
  • 5 = Very comfortable
4. How comfortable are you with your knowledge of the major components (hard drive, keyboard, mouse, monitor, & printer) of your computer?
  1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
5. How comfortable are you with your knowledge of the major components (hard drive, keyboard, mouse, monitor, & printer) of your computer?
  a. via CD-ROMs 1.     2.     3.     4.     5.
  b. via floppy discs 1.     2.     3.     4.     5.
  c. via download from a Web site 1.     2.     3.     4.     5.
6. Do you know the proper sequence for starting and/or turning off your computer?
  Yes
  No
Scoring for Computer Basics Section
A note about computer basics:

Owning your own computer is not a must, but it certainly will make your online distance learning experience less stressful.

Access to the Internet at least three times per week is imperative. Accessing your course more often will give you a greater chance of success and allow you more time for online class discussion.

A high speed Internet connection is not a necessity, but the faster connection you have access to, the faster the download and the easier online performance becomes.

Before enrolling into an online course, you should be familiar with the basic components of your system. Learn the basic sequence for turning the computer on and off. Directions for downloading programs/plug-ins/software from the Web.
Please total your points and see the scoring section below:

Q Yes No      
1a 5 3      
1b 5 3      
1c 3 1      
Q A B C D  
2 5 1 3 n/a  
3 1 3 5 0  
4 1 2 3 4 5
5a 1 2 3 4 5
5b 1 2 3 4 5
5c 1 2 3 4 5
Q Yes No      
6 5 0      

Scoring:
35 - 48: You have an excellent start to becoming successful in online learning.
25 - 34: Online learning is an option for you. With a little bit of study, or better access to a computer, you should become successful in your online courses. A good start is to enroll in classes that are Web-enhanced (courses that meet on campus, but have a sizeable Web component).
14 - 24: Online courses may not be a good choice for you at this time. Review the area(s) in which you scored lowest, and improve the situation. You may need to gain better access to a computer, or to the Internet; you may need to learn a little bit more about your computer's components; or you may need to review installation techniques. To learn about installing software or programs on your computer, please see the tutorials

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