Technical Readiness Quiz (text version)

Do you have the technical skills and resources to be successful in an online class? This survey will help you evaluate your technical readiness for online courses.

Will you be using

1) your own computer
2) a computer at work
3) a computer at the college

If you answered 1 or 2 to the first question, then complete the following section. If you answered 3, then skip to question 10

1. What type of computer do you have and what is its operating system?

1) PC with Windows 95 or better
Feedback - you have the necessary operating system to complete an online course.
2) PC with Windows 3.1
Feedback - You will need to upgrade to a more recent operating system in order to complete your online course
3) Mac with OS 8.x or better
Feedback - you have the necessary operating system to complete an online course.
4) Mac with system 7 or below
Feedback - You will need to upgrade to a more recent operating system in order to complete your online course

2. What is the processor speed of your computer

1) Power Mac
Feedback - your computer has the necessary processor speed to complete your online course.
2) Pentium or higher
Feedback - your computer has the necessary processor speed to complete your online course.
3) Neither of the above
Feedback - You will need to upgrade to a faster processing speed in order to complete your online course.

3. Available Hard Drive Space

1) less than 100 MB
Feedback - you will need to add additional hard drive space before taking your online course, minimum hard drive space is 100MB, recommended 200 MB, optimal is 1Gb+
2) at least 100 MB
Feedback - you have adequate hard drive space to take an online course, although 200 MB is recommended and 1GB+ is optimal.

4. Memory

1) less than 32MG RAM
Feedback - you need to increase the amount of memory your computer has to at least 32MG , 64+ is optimal.
2) at least 32MG RAM
Feedback - your computer has an adequate amount of memory to take an online course, although 64+ is optimal

5. Audio/Video capability

1) A/V playback capable
Feedback - you can expect to participate comfortably in most online courses. However, you may need to upgrade your equipment if you decide to enroll in one of the more technically sophisticated online courses.
2) A/V playback and record capable
Feedback - you can expect to participate comfortably in most online courses.
3) Cannot playback and/or record Audio/Video
Feedback - you will need to upgrade your computer to at least A/V playback capability in order to be able to complete an online course. If you wish to take a technically sophisticated online course, you will need to be able to record Audio/Video as well.

6. CD-ROM

1) My computer does have a CD-ROM drive.
Feedback - You're all set for those courses that do utilize CD-ROM's.
2) My computer does not have a CD-ROM drive.
Feedback - Some, but not all, online courses utilize CD-ROM's. You might need to upgrade your system's capabilities if you are enrolled in a course that does utilize them.

7. Printer

1) I do have a printer for my computer.
Feedback - There are usually documents that you will want to be able to print out and review off-line. Having a printer will allow you to do so.
2) I do not have a printer for my computer.
Feedback - There are usually documents that you will want to be able to print out and review off-line. Think about purchasing a printer to allow you to do so.

8. Internet Connection

1) I am connected to the Internet.
Feedback - You will need to have access to the Internet for sustainable periods of time, perhaps 45 minutes or so, at least 3 times a week.
2) I am not connected to the Internet.
Feedback - You will need to have access to the Internet for sustainable periods of time, perhaps 45 minutes or so, at least 3 times a week.

9. Connection Speed

1) 14.4 modem
Feedback - You will need to upgrade your modem in order to adequately send and receive information from your online computer.
2) 28.8 modem
Feedback - You will be able to send and receive information to and from your online course, but you might experience lengthy download times.
3) 33.6 modem
Feedback - You will be able to send and receive information to and from your online course, but you might experience somewhat slow download times.
4) 56K modem
Feedback - You will be able to send and receive information from your online course, but you might experience occasional slow download.
5) Cable modem, DSL, T1
Feedback - You will be able to send and receive information to and from your online course quickly.

10. Do you know:

How to start and exit applications/programs?
How to connect to the Internet?
How to use a browser, such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator?
How to use Word processing software, such as Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, or WordPad?
How to name, save, retrieve, and revise a document?
How to save files under another name?
How to create, save, move, name, find, and discard files and folders/directories?
How to attach a file to an email?
How to open and work with more than one application at a time?

If you can answer yes to most of the above questions, you are well prepared to take an online course.

If you answered no to most of the above questions, you should upgrade your technical skills before taking an online course.