Taking courses online is not for every student. This page contains information and links to assessment tools to help you determine whether or not you have the computer skills, personality characteristics, and learning style associated with success in online learning.

Technical Skills Required for Online Learning
Students taking classes online tend to be much more successful when they have some basic computer skills. Prospective students do not need to be computer “whizzes;” however, students with limited email and word processing skills and/or experience often find participation in an online course very difficult—if they do not prepare and practice adequately before beginning the academic course.

Use the Computer Skills Self-Assessment tool to determine if you have the basic computer skills for success in online learning. If your scores reveal a need for more training, consider enrolling in a computer course at your local community college, working on your own through the tutorials located on the ECU website at http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/options/tutorials.cfm, or by having a friend/colleague/relative provide some instruction. Then practice the skills until you feel comfortable with them.

Personal Characteristics Required for Online Learning 
A common misconception is that online courses are less work; however, the amount of time and effort devoted by individual students can vary widely depending upon many circumstances—including a student’s personal motivation, dedication, responsibilities, and schedule. The Florida Distance Learning Consortium posted a tool for assessing your readiness for online learning; it is available at http://www.distancelearn.org/readyDL.cfm. Another Distance Learning Self-Assessment tool can be found on the DHHS Website. Characteristics of successful online students are described in a document on the ECU Options website at http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/options/characteristics.cfm.

Myths and Facts about Online Courses
More similarities than differences exist between online and face-to-face classes. Similarities include the material, assignments, and in a modified form, discussions. Although, some individuals expect online classes to be easier than face-to-face classes, online classes may be more difficult for some students, primarily because it is so easy to “forget to go to class” (i.e., log on).

At the University of Maryland University College (UMUC), Professor Christina Mainka prepared a list of myths about taking online classes. The list was edited and amended by Professor Mainka’s colleague, Professor George Harding. A series of prevalent myths about taking online courses, along with the facts concerning the myths, are described below.

Myth 1: My work schedule is demanding and variable (I can't be in a classroom regularly), so the online format is great for me. All I need to do is hand in homework assignments and keep up with the reading (I don’t need to waste time in discussions).
Fact: If you are not an active participant in the online discussions (if required), you will not successfully master the class material, and there is a high probability that you will not earn a passing grade.

Myth 2: Online format means I have time for more classes, which should be manageable after work.
Fact: Online courses require more diligence and heavier participation than their face-to-face counterparts. Online course assignments have been designed to require approximately the same amount of time as you would spend if you were attending a traditional class (class time plus homework time—see “rule of thumb” info below). The savings are only in non-instructional-related items:  transportation time to and from class, class time not directly related to content – breaks, chitchat, etc. The rule of thumb for homework-to-class time for both face-to-face and online classes: spend 2-3 hours of homework for each hour of class time. For a 3-credit course, expect to spend 9-12+ hours per week or 1½–2+ hours per day, 6 days a week, to participate in online discussions and complete the readings and assignments.
Note: After work, sleep, meals, and at least some personal time, it is only with the utmost discipline that most people can fit in 2 hours per day for studying. Students must budget/prioritize their time carefully.

Myth 3: Why think about something that someone else has given much thought? Copy-pasting a few paragraphs here and there from the Web will save me time and never hurts anyone.
Fact: Most university policies expect that students advance their opinions in their own words and where others' words or thoughts are used, to give appropriate citations. While the Internet makes it very easy to plagiarize, sophisticated tools are available that make it easy to catch cheaters. Therefore, students always should be diligent about citing sources.

Myth 4: I am busier than everybody else in the class, so I can't be expected to contribute as much to the online or discussion sessions.
Fact: Enrollment in a class is a professional commitment/business relationship on the part of the student, which needs to be treated very seriously. Life events will intrude, but it is the student's responsibility to make whatever adjustments may be required to fulfill this responsibility.

The ultimate fact? To get the most out of your class, participate thoughtfully,
professionally, consistently, and often! What you get out of a class is directly proportional to what you put into it. If you do not actively participate in all phases of the class, you cheat yourself out of the learning experience.

Tips for Success
The ECU Options website contains tips for online success http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/options/tips.cfm. In addition, the Florida Distance Learning Consortium assembled a variety of resources designed to facilitate success for students taking classes online; they can be accessed at http://www.distancelearn.org/studenttips.cfm.