The Library of Congress Cataloger's Learning Workshop Available workshops Cooperative Cataloging Training

Are You Ready for Online Learning?

(Adapted with permission from the ALCTS* web page: http://www.ala.org/ala/alcts/alctsconted/alctsceevents/webcourses/WebCTready.htm)

Taking an online course is different than going to a classroom.
A "yes" answer to most of the following questions indicates that online courses may be right for you.

Do you have reliable access to a computer and the Internet?
To be a successful student in this Cooperative Cataloging Training (CCT) Web course, you need to have regular unlimited access to a computer and the Internet. Please see the separate list of Technology Requirements for Distance Learning.

Do you enjoy writing and participating in discussions?
Most communication in an online class consists of written messages between you and the instructor and discussions among class participants. If you have difficulty with an assignment or have questions, you must be willing to "speak up" to inform the instructor. Good typing skills also are a plus.

Do you frequently use e-mail and browse the web?
You must login to your online course and interact several times a week. This will include working on assignments, participating in discussions, and responding to email, and having certain pieces of the course completed according to stated deadlines. If you're not accustomed to routinely accessing the Internet, it may be difficult to motivate yourself to do the work. You must be disciplined enough to keep your coursework current.

Do you read course material carefully?
All of the material you're required to read for this course is online and you must read it carefully. Most students print out the content and other key information to read it offline. It's important to realize you can't just skim over the content and be able to have a clear understanding or be able to complete assignments and participate in discussions in a meaningful way.

Does your schedule make it difficult to attend workshops on site?
One of the major reasons students register for online classes are for the convenience of being able to take the course without having to travel to the course location. Do keep in mind you still must spend about the same amount of time on coursework as for any normal course or workshop.

Do you like to plan ahead and finish assignments a few days ahead of schedule?
It's often tempting to wait until the last minute. If you're a procrastinator, you may have already learned that sometimes things don't work quite as well as you had hoped. With online courses, it's better to get your work done a little ahead of time so if problems do occur, they can be resolved prior to the deadline.

Do you enjoy solving problems and learning new programs on the computer?
Sometimes learning new programs or applications on the computer can be frustrating if they don't work exactly as you expect. Taking an online course may require you to learn new techniques beyond just e-mail for interacting with other students in the class.

Qualities of a Successful Web Course Student

Successful Web course students are committed to their studies. While Web courses offer more flexibility and convenience, they can be more demanding of time and energy than regular courses or workshops. Web course students need to:

• Know how to use technology (e.g., email, use a Web browser, learn to navigate through the course).
• Login regularly to participate in the class – a minimum of 3 times per week. Some students login as much as twice a day.
• Commit approximately 6 hours per week.
• Use good time management skills and exercise self-discipline to ensure enough time to study and complete all assignments.
• Take notes as they study.
• Enjoy communicating in writing and reading the writing of others.
• Seek help when problems arise.

ALCTS is the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services, a division of the American Library Association.