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St. Charles Community College
4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive
Cottleville, MO 63376 | 636-922-8000
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Are Distance Learning Courses Right For Me?


Do you have circumstances that prevent you from coming to campus one to three times a week?
YES NO
Do you prefer to set a flexible work schedule (as opposed to coming at the same time every week for a semester)?
YES NO
Are you highly motivated?
YES NO
Do you enjoy learning independently?
YES NO
Do you manage your time well and meet deadlines without reminders?
YES NO
Are you an active learner?
YES NO
Do you prefer to learn at your own pace?
YES NO
Do you have reasonably strong reading skills – can you read and understand college-level textbooks?
YES NO
Can you follow written directions accurately?
YES NO
Are you self-disciplined and find it easy to set aside reading and homework time?
YES NO
Can you adapt to new learning environments?
YES NO
Do you have easy access to the Internet?
YES NO
Are you proficient at using e-mail?
YES NO
Are you proficient at using a word processing program?
YES NO
Can you attach a document to an e-mail message?
YES NO
Do you know how to use a search engine and follow links from one Web page to another?
YES NO
Are you willing to actively communicate with your classmates and instructor electronically?
YES NO

How to score yourself:

You answered yes to all or most of the questions, you will probably enjoy a distance learning course. Advantages include the ability to set your own schedule and learn at your own pace. Keep in mind that these are courses in which you work independently, with an instructor. The instructor will determine the course completion requirements and the student assumes the responsibility to fulfill these requirements. The instructor will be accessible to the student but not in traditional weekly meetings.

If you answered no to all or most of the questions, you might be more successful in a traditional structured class that meets at certain weekly times. Advantages include hearing explanations, seeing demonstrations, and working with an instructor and classmates regularly. Keep in mind that the instructor will determine when assignments are due, when tests will be given, and will generally determine the pace at which material will be covered.

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