Hello Out There!

The mathematics faculty of St. Louis Community College thanks you for your interest in our online offerings. Students are discovering the many advantages to web-based courses: flexibility, study time spent in your choice of environment, minimum transportation hassles, the possibility of working ahead of schedule and finishing early, online communication with the instructor and class members via E-mail or chat room and instant feedback on proactive problems when using the online algebra courseware.

Despite these advantages, we have found that not all students find the Web courses are the best match for their style of learning. The following list of questions was designed to help you discover whether you are likely to do well in one of our Web courses. The
comments and suggestions of former students were used in formulating the questions, so that you get the advantage of their experiences. The more honestly you answer, the more useful the information will be for you.

1. How many hours per week do you have available to spend on this course?  

    Less than 3 hours

    Between 3 and 6 hours 

    Between 6 and 9 hours

    Between 9 and 12 hours

    More than 12 hours

2. Like students in classroom settings, students in a Web course will sometimes have difficulty solving problems. Which strategy are you most likely to follow?

    Skip the problem that is causing trouble and don't worry about it if I can
         solve all the others.

    Call or E-mail the instructor and wait for help. 

    Call or E-mail the instructor and continue working on another area.

    Check other sources for help such as another text or students in the class.

    Do an online search for help.

3. When you program the VCR or CD player, purchase something that requires assembly, or even try your hand at a new recipe, which strategy are you likely to follow?

    Ask an expert for help before any solo attempt.

    Pull out the directions and begin performing each step. 

    Read the directions from start to finish before beginning the project.

    Use previous knowledge to do the job and ignore the included directions.

    Make minor substitutions or changes in the directions because you know a          quicker way.

4. Which statement describes your work style the majority of the time?

    I prefer a definite schedule. I am able to create one and stick with it.

    I prefer a definite schedule but I need assistance in formulating it. 

    I prefer a varied, loose schedule but I have no trouble meeting deadlines.

    I have some difficulty sticking to a schedule and have occasionally asked for          deadline extensions.

    I have a tendency to get behind schedule and miss deadlines unless
             someone reminds me of them.

5. Which statement best describes your time line in the following situation? Suppose a major assignment such as a term paper was given out at the beginning of the semester but not due until the end of the semester.  You would:

    Begin as soon as possible and finish the assignment by midterm. 

    Begin as soon as possible but not finish until the due date. 

    Begin at midterm and finish with a few days to spare.

    Begin 1 or 2 days before the due date and finish on time.

    Begin on the day before the due date and turn in whatever I have finished if          the instructor won't give an extension. 

6. Which of the following best describes you access to a computer?

    I do not have a computer, but I can use a friend's PC.

    I will be sharing our family computer. 

    I have my own PC. 

    I have access to a computer at work.

    I will be buying a new computer before the start of class.

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