Distance Learning students are required to have a WLU e-mail account and to be able to use a web browser. We strongly recommend that you have your own computer rather than relying on computers at office/public sites that are not available to you on weekends or evenings. Your particular course may also have additional requirements such as specific software that runs on your computer, which may or may not entail additional hardware needs.
Distance education courses are delivered to you via Sakai, a web-based program. The following statements can help you assess your computer skills and determine if online courses are a good fit for you.
| Questions | Yes | No | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | I can use a web browser such as Firefox or Chrome. | ||
| 2. | I’m comfortable using a word processing program such as Microsoft Word. | ||
| 3. | I can use more than one program at a time or view more than one web page at a time. | ||
| 4. | I can send an e-mail with an attachment. | ||
| 5. | I can cut/copy and paste the text. | ||
| 6. | I can download and install a computer program or plug-in. | ||
| 7. | I am comfortable learning a new computer program. | ||
| 8. | I am comfortable using online Help or a manual to solve problems and answer questions. |
Scoring
2 points for each “Yes” answer, – 0 points for each “No” answer.
If your score is 8 to 16, you are a good candidate. If your score is 7 or below, you should consider taking a basic computer course or brushing up on your skills before enrolling in an online course.