Online Student Readiness

If you are a new student thinking about taking an online class, you are at the right place.

Despite its many positives, it’s important to note the experience one has while taking an online course isn’t the same as traditional in-class courses and might not suite everyone’s learning style. Online classes can be done from the comfort of your home or maybe your favorite café, but it takes more discipline to concentrate on your work and ignore distractions when you’re not in a traditional classroom setting. You’ll need to be able to work independently and keep track of your course deadlines without the direct oversight of an instructor. It’s also important for you to be computer savvy and understand how to best utilize the online tools available to you.

To better help you judge if an online education at PCC is the right move for you, we’ve come up with the Top 10 Characteristics of a Successful Online Student. Take a look and see if you’re ready to take the virtual leap into your next career field:

• Self-Disciplined
• Possesses great time-management skills
• Has access to a modern, functional computer system
• Self-motivated
• Has a quiet area in which to do schoolwork
• Self-starter
• Familiar with general computer terms and use
• Has a reliable internet connection
• Is comfortable using email and chat rooms
• Is able to surf the web and use search engines

Below is an assessment for you to take to decide for yourself if you are ready to be an online student.  This page also provides links to several resources that can help you at being an online student.

“Myth” conceptions about Online Courses Click on the image to the right to see a PDF version of our “Myths About Online Courses” poster.  This poster lists the top ten myths that some students think are true when it comes to taking online classes.  Reviewing the poster will help you in taking the assessment below.

Assessment

Are You Ready to Be an Online Student? (Online Readiness Assessment) – link opens in a new window

This assessment asks you a series of questions to determine your strengths in several key areas important to being an online student.  The areas assessed include study habits, learning styles, technical knowledge, and time management skills.  After answering the survey questions and clicking on the “Am I Ready?” button, you will be presented with your assessment and ways to improve in any areas deemed necessary.