Do you have (or are you willing to obtain) access to a computer and Internet connection at home?
Yes
No
2.
Are you willing to upgrade your computer equipment and/or purchase new software if needed?
Yes
No
3.
Do you know how to use e-mail and access the Web using a browser?
Yes
No
4.
Can you download a file from the Web and save it on your own computer?
Yes
No
5.
Can you attach a document to an e-mail message?
Yes
No
6.
Can you cut or copy and paste from one program into another?
Experience in the online learning environment and qualifications :
Yes
No
7.
Have you ever taken an online course as a student?
Yes
No
8.
Have you used e-mail or a listserv as an important part of your teaching?
Yes
No
9.
Have you used web pages to supplement your on-the ground course or seminar?
Yes
No
10.
Have you used online quizzes, a discussion board or chat room as part of your teaching?
Yes
No
11.
Do you have practical/professional experience in the subject matter you wish to teach online?
Attitudes towards teaching and learning in the online environment:
Yes
No
12.
Do you believe that high-quality learning can take place without interacting with your students face-to-face?
Yes
No
13.
Do you believe that lecturing is the best method for delivering education in your field?
Yes
No
14.
Is discussion an effective teaching strategy for your subject matter?
Yes
No
15.
Do you believe it is important to structure activities so that students can learn from each other?
Yes
No
16.
Do you believe increased learning can occur when work/life/knowledge experiences are shared among peers?
Teaching style and habits needed to teach online:
Yes
No
17.
Can you dedicate 4 to 6 hours a week (any time during the day or night) to participate in the online teaching process?
Yes
No
18.
Are you willing to log on and contribute to your online classroom discussions and interact with students online at least 5 times a week?
Yes
No
19.
Are you able to create schedules for yourself and stick to them?
Yes
No
20.
Are you flexible in dealing with students' needs (due dates, absences, make-up exams)?
Yes
No
21.
Are you comfortable in communicating almost entirely through writing?
Yes
No
22.
Are critical thinking and problem solving important skills for your students?
Training and commitment:
Yes
No
23.
Are you willing to complete a six-week, free online training program in preparation for teaching your course online?
Yes
No
24.
Are you willing to spend time rethinking and redesigning your teaching materials to fit the needs of the online environment?
Yes
No
25.
Are you willing to invest time in professional development to continue learning new online teaching and/or technical skills in the future?
RESULTS
All NO-
The benefits of teaching online could
be outweighed by the difficulties you encounter.
Some of the benefits are the ability to teach your
course materials at your convenience (at any time,
from any place) and to have time to think and reflect
before participating in class discussions, and many
more. However, some of the difficulties you may
encounter are that you must be extremely self-disciplined,
somewhat technologically savvy, have access to needed
computer equipment, and communicate through writing
without ever meeting your students face-to-face.
All YES-
You are a great candidate for online teaching.
Combination of both -
It is possible that you still have
the characteristics of being an effective online
instructor but may struggle in some areas. If incorporating
technology is of interest to you but you are intimidated
to do an online course, try enhancing a traditional
course with technology. This is an excellent way
to try out the technology and become more familiar
with it before teaching your first online course.
