Is a distance learning or online course
right for me? 

AIHC, Inc. Online Course Self-Assessment

If you are considering enrolling in a online independent study course, review the following statements.  If you can agree with all the statements, you are a good candidate for this type of course.

 If you disagree with any statements, talk with an AIHC associate about the course.  An associate may be able to suggest ways to better meet the computer requirements, help you get the training you need, or help you consider alternate courses.

 Technical Requirements and Abilities:

       I.   I can do all of the following with a computer:

1. Use Google or another search engine to find legitimate research material.
2. Send and receive emails with attachments.
3. Go to a specific web page
4. Download programs and files from the Internet
5. Open more than one web page at a time and move between them
6. Use Microsoft Word or WordPerfect to write, print, save and spell-check my work

    II.    I have access to a computer that has one of the following operating systems:

1. Windows 2000
2. Windows XP
3. Windows Vista
4. Windows 7

 III.     I have access to a computer that has:

1. A word processor such as Microsoft Word or WordPerfect
2. A spreadsheet package such as Excel
3. Internet Explorer 7 or higher or FireFox 3 or higher
4. A high speed connection to the Internet. (A dial-up modem may work, but may be very frustrating for you, depending on the technology requirements of the particular course, i.e. video, plug-ins, PowerPoint.)
5. At least 512 MB of RAM and a 60 GB hard drive

 IV.      I have access to a computer with the following plug-ins:

1. Adobe Reader (required for all courses – can be downloaded for free from http://getadobe.com/reader/ )  
2. Adobe Flash Player (required for online quizzes and exams – can be downloaded for free from http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ )
3. Power Point Player (required for many of our courses such as ICD-10 and Advanced Medical Terminology – can download for free from Power Point Player)

    V.    Personal Learning Style Assessment:

1. I can devote at least 4-6 hours studying during the week.   
2. I learn best from studying on my own.
3. I enjoy reading and consider myself a “visual learner.”
4. I am self disciplined & super-organized.
5. I am pretty good with technology and enjoy “playing around” on a computer.
6. I can continue to work on a coming assignment, even if I haven’t heard from my instructor on the last one.
7. I know that an online independent study class will be harder than a regular class.
8. I feel comfortable contacting the instructor to ask about specific technology requirements for the course.