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STUDENT EXCHANGE

Computer Skills Surveys

Bradley Bongiorni

I am currently at the halfway point in the IT program at Duquesne University. I am not involved in any classes that are totally online, but each course I have taken has been partly or mostly online.

At the beginning of each course, the first day of the class is spent doing and answering basic technology questions. Some classes we even take a speed-typing test. But, in most of our classes, we take several surveys that include learning styles and multiple intelligences. Our professors make sure we can all log on to our site as well as post to the site, e-mail, handle attachments, and know where to find everything that is important to the course.

I do see how students could easily drop out of an online class because of either lack of technology skills, time management, or both. It is very easy to lose confidence in your learning if you are not prepared for it. That is why there are two solutions.

1. The first one is to require the students to take a basic technology skills test, or if they are not comfortable, take a refresher course on the basic skills. At Duquesne, we have a basic course that is entitled "Intro. to Ed. Tech." This is a basic course students take and receive credit for that gives them the basic skills they will need to survive in the online environment.
2. The other suggestion is to make sure teachers take the time to insure all their students are capable and confident with using the technology they will need to use in order to be successful in the class.

Question: Does anyone have any other suggestions to solve the problem or have the answer to why students get "lost" in an online course?

Brad Bongiorni

About the Author:

Brad Bongiorni is a student in the IT program at Duquesne University. He may be reached via email: bbongiorni@hotmail.com. His comments appeared in DEOS-L - The Distance Education Online Symposium, December 5, 2001.