“e-Learning has revolutionized the educational sector, and has changed the way we look at knowledge and skill acquisition altogether.” – eLearning Industry
According to EdTech Magazine, students taking online courses made up about a quarter of total enrollees at higher education institutions in 2012, and of those, more than half were taking exclusively online courses. (Smith, 2014)
Summer session online courses, virtual internships, distance degree programs. The Internet has revolutionized the way students can gain knowledge and skills forever. However, while the majority of students may think the Internet is a no-brainer, there is an entire audience of students that may be daunted by even the most basic Internet requirements.
Schools across the nation have implemented Online Readiness requirements that students must pass in order to enroll in eLearning courses. Online Readiness is a tool that helps indicate the degree to which distance learning and/or learning in a technology-rich environment will be a good fit for the student.
Online Readiness requires students to answer questions and complete a few activities. It takes about 35 minutes to complete but students may logout and finish it later if necessary. Upon completion, students receive a detailed score report that will help explain strengths and opportunities for improvement, and it will also provide student success resources and tutorials. Students answer questions and complete activities to assess competence in Reading Rate & Recall, Technical Competency, Technical Knowledge, Typing Speed & Accuracy (Smarter Measure, 2014) Other activities examine student Information Technology Application readiness. Students complete tasks such as downloading a sound file, uploading a file, and engaging in voice and video correspondence. Students must not only examine their technological competence, but also their personal readiness to participate in an online course. Time availability, external environment and peer support should also be assessed before a student begins coursework.
For a simpler approach, The University of North Carolina requires prospective students to complete a brief questionnaire to self-assess their own online readiness. To view their questionnaire, click here.
Harding University eLearning recommends these Online Readiness platforms:
Case Study: Middlesex Community College- Middletown Connecticut
Before SmarterMeasure was implemented, 6% to 13% more students failed online courses than students taking on-ground courses. After the implementation, the gaps were narrowed; only 1.3% to 5.8% more online students failed than on-ground students. View full case study.
ToOLS – Via Texas Wesleyan University
Both instructors and students invest extensive time and energy into their courses. It is important that students be able to see their coursework through- as they are paying to participate. Teachers need to know that their students are capable of completing the assigned tasks, and Online Readiness Assessments are a valuable tools for instructors and students alike.