At
the end of the Fall 2002 semester, Alamo Northwest Vista College instructors
asked the following question of the students in their online courses:
What skills
did you need to succeed in this internet class?
Following are some of their responses. The specific skills they mentioned
are bolded so you can see them easily, but we didn't change any punctuation
or capitalization. These are their exact words.
“The skills
I needed to succeed in this internet course were discipline
and structure. I had to pace myself and remember to log on
and keep myself abreast daily so I didn't lag behind.”
“Definitely
discipline. You need the discipline to make sure you read your
assignment and do your homework on time. Also, time management.
Especially if you have other commitments such as family or another
class. Finally, I think the ability to ask for help.”
“By far the
most needed skill with this class was SELF-DISCIPLINE!!!! A
student must have the motivation and abilities to set a schedule and
follow it. Without this kind of self-motivation a student would
have a difficult time succeeding in an internet class.”
“In my opinion,
a fairly reasonable [reading] comprehension level and writing
skills are extremely helpful, as well as, an ability to express
one's opinions and respond to the ideas of other classmates.”
“I think
the skills most needed to succeed in an internet class are good
study habits and the ability to manage your time. A fast
reliable internet service is also very helpful in getting assignments
completed in a timely fashion. Probably the most important skill is
being self-motivated!”
“The first
and foremost skill needed is discipline. In an internet class
there is no one there to make sure you do what you need to do. In
fact, if you never log on you won't even know what's going on. It
takes a lot of discipline to sit down log on, review the work needed
and then get it turned in by the deadline. It is not a blow off class
by any means. I think you also need some basic computer skills
to do well in the class. If someone is not that immersed in computer
usage they'll be less likely to be actively involved in the class
and its assignments. I think it will become a sort of discouragement
and frustration.”
“Perhaps
this seems like an obvious answer, but convenient internet access
is definitely important in being successful in this class. I found
that a fast connection is particularly helpful when procrastinators
such myself frantically try to submit assignments before the given
deadline. Of course generally, procrastination would definitely inhibit
success in this class. Skills in time management and self
discipline would definitely help to facilitate success because
everything needs to be essentially done on your own. However, perhaps
a skill that was not so well emphasized in regards to taking internet
classes was the ability to write. With the majority of your
grade based upon essays [in this class], it is necessary to be able
to convey your thoughts and understanding through words.”
“I think
to succeed in any internet based class you have to be self motivated.
It is also a benefit to have some experience in computers...
It is most important to be able to find help or ask for it when
needed as the computer does not always talk back.”
“To succeed
in an internet class, you must possess foremost, time management
skills. Focus and enthusiasm help as well. It helps
to be able to get work done early, as well.”
“In order
to be successful while taking an internet course one must be highly
disciplined and able to stay on task. It is also helpful
to be a self starter not one who tends to put things off.”
“I think
that some of the skills that a person needs for this course are to
know how to operate a computer at least the basics, be able
to work alone and turn things in with out being told when due
dates are, follow written directions and perhaps the most important
thing would be to have access to a computer.”
“The skills
that are needed to complete an internet class are: you need to be
very disciplined with your time, you can't be a procrastinator
and find yourself getting A's in an internet class. You also need
to be able to teach yourself, you are learning on your own.
There is a chapter given to read and you get questions to answer about
that chapter, and then in your own words you need to be able to write
about it. This can be hard for students who need lots of interaction
in a normal classroom environment. For those types of students I wouldn't
recommend internet courses to. For me I like internet courses because
I am able to teach myself and move ahead if needed and am not held
up by others (like in a normal classroom).”
“The skills
that one most needs to succeed in this course are patience, self-discipline,
and time management. The student needs patience because there
is a lot of material to go through in the book and when writing a
paper, the right elements must be included to prove one's point. Patience
is needed to allow the brain to soak up all the info and then bring
it back in our own words. Self-discipline is needed because any Internet
course can go out of control if the right amount of time is not dedicated
to the material that is required. We are basically on our own out
here. Time management is also important because there is a lot of
reading and writing to do and if time is not managed correctly the
amount of work will seem overwhelming.”
“I would
say that you definitely want to be interested in the class.
The reason I say this is you don’t have a teacher to lecture
you; it’s up to you if the material gets reviewed. Another very
important part of internet classes is you must set a certain day to
do the work that way you don’t just forget about. I would also
add that you would need self discipline, like an internal monitor
to say no, I shouldn’t go out and party tonight, because I have
my internet class to complete. I would say that if you are missing
one of these it will become a burden instead of a joy to be learning
something new.”
“I think
the skills or attributes needed to succeed in this internet class
were: patience (for those of us who don't have cable or DSL
modems), being able to remember this is still a class, and
last, most of all being able to read and understand the text
without being able to ask as many questions as you could normally
listen to or participate in, in an actual classroom.”
“I think
that a person should have a commitment in order to be able
to handle any internet class. Definitely discipline and hard
work pays off in any internet class. You would also have to be
dedicated to setting goals, managing your time and following
directions. You needed time to access the internet and the skills
you needed would probably be reading and making yourself read.
More people have to go to a class every so many days to listen and
take notes and then they are more motivated to read.”
“I feel that
the skills I needed to complete this internet class were the ability
to read and self discipline.”
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