Self-Test
Distance Education Suitability Self-Test

Suffolk County Community College offers distance education classes including on-line courses and telecourses. These classes are not for everyone. How well would distance education courses fit your circumstances and life style?

For each question in the quiz below select one answer and click the radio button for your response. Your answers will be evaluated when you click on "Submit" at the bottom of the page.

  • My need to take this course now is:
    1. High - I need it immediately for a degree, job or other important reason.
    2. Moderate - I could take it on campus later or substitute another course.
    3. Low - It's a personal interest that could be postponed.
  • Feeling that I am part of a class is:
    1. Not particularly necessary to me.
    2. Somewhat important to me.
    3. Very important to me.
  • I would classify myself as someone who:
    1. Often gets things done ahead of time.
    2. Needs reminding to get things done on time.
    3. Puts things off until the last minute.
  • Classroom discussion is:
    1. Rarely helpful to me.
    2. Sometimes helpful to me.
    3. Almost always helpful to me.
  • When an instructor hands out directions for an assignment, I prefer:
    1. Figuring out the instructions myself.
    2. Trying to follow the directions on my own, then asking for help as needed..
    3. Having the instructions explained to me.
  • I need faculty comments on my assignments:
    1. Within a few weeks, so I can review what I did.
    2. Within a few days, or I forget what I did.
    3. Right away, or I get very frustrated.
  • Considering my professional and personal schedule, the amount of time I have to work on a distance education course is:
    1. More than enough for a campus class or a distance education course.
    2. The same as for a class on campus.
    3. Less than for a class on campus.
  • When I am asked to use VCRs, computers, email, or other technologies new to me:
    1. I look forward to learning new skills.
    2. I feel apprehensive, but try anyway.
    3. I put it off or try to avoid it.
  • As a reader, I would classify myself as:
    1. Good - I usually understand the text without help.
    2. Average - I sometimes need help to understand the text.
    3. Slower than average.
  • If I have to go to campus to take exams or complete work:
    1. I can go to campus anytime.
    2. I might miss some lab assignments or exam deadlines if campus labs are not open       evenings and weekends.
    3. I will have difficulty getting to the campus, even in the evenings and on weekends.
  • The VCR, TV, or computer equipment required for the class:
    1. Is at home, at work or somewhere else which is readily available to me.
    2. May be difficult at times to locate.
    3. Is not readily available to me
  • When it comes to the organization of the class material:
    1. I can learn even if the class is not highly structured.
    2. I like some structure in the course.
    3. I have difficulty learning when a class is not highly structured.
For our recommendation about your taking a distance learning class,
Explanation of the self-test questions
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This self-test was adapted from one used at Palm Beach Community
College -- South Campus, Boca Raton, FL 33431-6490