Is Online Teaching Right For Me?

Directions: Please answer the questions below and then click the "Grade" button to find out how compatible you might be with teaching online courses. When you are finished viewing your score and the explanation of the score, click the "Submit" button.

Teaching Questions

1. Do your lessons typically include specific course objectives?
a) No, usually not.
b) Yes, but they’re just in my head.
c) Always – and I clearly communicate them to my students.

2. How often do you “just wing it” when teaching face-to-face?
a) Most of the time
b) Only occasionally
c) Hardly ever
d) Never

3. Do you look ahead and plan for the future in your teaching?
a) Not really. I know what I’m doing.
b) Only when I need to
c) I’m inconsistent – would like to do better
d) All the time

Technical Questions

4. How well do you know and understand basic computer terminology, e.g., RAM, hard drive, USB?
a) I’m basically clueless
b) I understand a little bit
c) I have a working knowledge
d) I am very adept and confident

5. Rate yourself on basic file and folder management and organization on your computer.
a) My files are not managed or organized at all in my computer
b) My files are semi-organized on my desktop
c) My files are well organized, but I could be more consistent.
d) My files are consistently organized and managed. I’m a pro!

6. Is your computer (home and/or office) technologically advanced? (at least 250k+ram, 1GHz or faster processor, 60-80 GB hard drive, etc.)
a) No
b) Partly
c) Yes

7. Do you have the necessary software applications on your home and/or office computer, e.g., MS Office Suite, Internet Explorer, RealPlayer, WinZip, and Shockwave?
a) No
b) Partially
c) Yes, all of them

8. What type of Internet connection do you have at home?
a) None
b) Don’t know
c) Dial-up (modem)
d) Cable/DSL

9. How experienced are you in ‘surfing’ the World Wide Web?
a) Not very, I’ve only been on the web a few times
b) Moderately experienced
c) Extremely experienced

10. Do you know how to download and save a file from the internet?
a) No, I have never done so
b) Not sure, I have limited experience
c) No problem, I’m very experienced

11. Are you able to attach a document to an outgoing e-mail?
a) No, I have never done so
b) Not sure, I have limited experience
c) No problem, I’m very experienced

12. Are you comfortable providing technical computer or internet assistance to students?
a) They know more than I do!
b) For simple things, yes.
c) I am very comfortable and patient doing so.

13. Are you comfortable communicating in a text-based medium?
a) No, I would much rather talk one-on-one
b) It’s OK, if that is the only means available
c) Yes, I am very comfortable communicating in a text-based medium

Organization Questions

14. Do you have a comfortable and ergonomically correct workstation at home and/or in the office?
a) No
b) Yes

15. Are you able to sit and use the computer for two or more hours at a session?
a) No
b) Yes

16. How would you rate yourself on general organizational skills, e.g., time management, paperwork, etc.?
a) Poorly organized— I need help!
b) Semi organized.
c) Generally organized.
d) Extremely well organized.

17. Are you a planner or a last-minute person?
a) I hate to plan anything!
b) I sometimes plan but am mostly last-minute.
c) I usually plan in advance.
d) I consistently plan in advance.

18. Are you able to set limits for yourself, e.g., stick to office hours?
a) Not really. I have a hard time with this.
b) Fairly easily, but I’m not consistent
c) No problem. I do this consistently.

19. Are you a self-directed learner?
a) Not really
b) Sometimes – it depends on the task.
c) Always

20. How do you deal with last minute changes or unexpected interruptions?
a) They make me crazy!
b) I usually get stressed out, but try to deal with it the best I can.
c) I can handle them pretty well.
d) I can easily take them in stride; they don’t affect me.

21. How detailed oriented are you?
a) Not at all
b) Semi detailed
c) More detailed than not
d) Extremely detailed

Writing Questions

22. How would you assess your typing skills?
a) Poor – very limited ability (0 – 30 WPM)
b) Fair – I use the “hunt and peck” method (30 – 45 WPM)
c) Good – moderately skilled (45 – 60 WPM)
d) Excellent – quick and accurate – love to type (60+ WPM)

23. Are you able to articulate your thoughts and expressions in clear, concise writing?
a) Not really. It is very hard for me.
b) I struggle with this and have to work at it.
c) It is fairly easy for me, but I’d like to be better at it.
d) No problem. I can do so very easily and naturally.

24. Can you convey your personality and/or emotions through your writing style?
a) Not really. It is very hard for me.
b) I struggle with this and have to work at it.
c) It is fairly easy for me, but I’d like to be better at it.
d) No problem. I can do so very easily and naturally.

25. How familiar are you with the use of e-mail?
a) I do not use e-mail.
b) I regularly use e-mail but only in a very basic way.
c) I regularly use e-mail and can easily send, forward, reply to and attach messages

Please rate yourself on the following questions. For each question, check all that apply to you.

26. Rate yourself on your use of the Internet for instruction. Check all that apply.
a) I do not identify Internet resources for use in my instruction.
b) I understand there may be some good Internet resources for my students and me, but I don’t regularly look for any that are appropriate for instructional purposes.
c) I develop clear objectives and directions for the use of Internet resources and organize my instruction to take best advantage of the access and resources we have.
d) I assist students in accessing and using Internet resources to reach instructional goals.

27. Rate yourself on your understanding of Netiquette and online ethics. Check all that apply.
a) I am not aware of Netiquette guidelines for the Internet.
b) I am aware of Netiquette guidelines, but I don’t know what they are.
c) I practice good Netiquette.
d) I have read an accepted set of guidelines for Internet use such as Rinaldi’s “The Net: User Guidelines and Netiquette” or other source, and follow the rules outlined.
e) I observe copyright rules as applied to Internet use and request permission to use materials before doing so.
f) I know how to cite information obtained from the Internet appropriately in papers and reports.

28. Rate yourself on your understanding and use of Internet search tools. Check all that apply.
a) I do not typically use search engines or search directories on the internet.
b) I occasionally use a search tool to locate personal information.
c) I use search tools frequently for both personal and instructional purposes.
d) I use more than one search tool.
e) I can identify at least three different search tools and explain how they differ.
f) I can develop a search strategy using Boolean logic and other advanced search techniques.
g) I teach my students how to effectively search the Web for resources.

29. Rate yourself on how well you organize internet resources. Check all that apply.
a) I don’t know any ways to organize internet resources.
b) I’ve heard of “favorites,” but I don’t really know what they are or how to use them.
c) I use “favorites” occasionally.
d) I use “favorites” and organize them into subcategories.
e) I utilize “favorites” consistently in my teaching and assist my students in using them.

If your score is between 0 - 37, you are most likely not quite ready to teach online. You may need to reassess your technical and/or organizational skills before thinking about teaching an online course.

If your score is between 38 - 75, you have a good foundation for online teaching but most likely need to fine tune your technical and/or organizational skills to some extent.

If your score is between 76 - 112, you are a strong candidate for teaching successfully online!