Part 1: Basic Computer Skills

1. Operation
1.1 Can you correctly start up, reboot, and shut down a computer?
1.2 Can you load, launch, and quit a program from the hard drive?
1.3 Can you load, launch, and quit a program from a CD ROM?
1.4 Can you save and retrieve a file to and from a floppy?
1.5 Can you save and retrieve a file to and from the hard drive?
1.6 Can you print a word processing document loaded from a floppy or the hard drive?
1.7 Can you adjust the settings for your printer?
1.8 Can you use more than one program at a time?
1.9 Can you highlight, cut/copy text from one source and paste it into another?

2. Organizing your Desktop
2.1 Can you open and close menus and windows?
2.2 Can you resize windows on your desktop?
2.3 Can you create directories/folders?
2.4 Can you find files?
2.5 Can you rename files?
2.6 Can you delete files?

3. Word Processing Skills
3.1 Can you create a document using a word processing program (e.g. Word, Works)?
3.2 Can you use spell and grammar checking capabilities of word processing software to edit and revise your work?

Part 2: Information Access Skills/Telecommunication Skills

1. Personal Internet Accounts and Access
1.1 Do you know how to log on to the Internet?

2. Email and Mailing Lists
2.1 Do you know how to read and delete email messages?
2.2 Can you create, send, forward, and reply to email messages?
2.3 Can you recognize the difference between an email address and a website address?
2.4 Can you subscribe to and unsubscribe from a mailing list?
2.5 Can you send group mailings?
2.6 Do you know how to post messages to mailing lists?

3. World Wide Web
3.1 Can you locate and access subject specific information using a WWW search engine (e.g. Yahoo, HotBot, Alta Vista)?
3.2 Do you know how to check the credibility of Internet resources?
3.3 Do you know how to properly cite and credit electronic sources of information for footnotes, endnotes, and bibliographies?

Evaluating Your Score

How many of the above questions did you respond with a 'Yes'? Use the following scale to assess how well you are prepared for successfully completing an online course:

24-27: Excellent. More than likely you will do quite well with an online course.
19-24: Average. You are encouraged to communicate with the course instructor prior to the start of class to find out whether or not your lack of skill in certain areas will jeopardize your ability to complete the course.
18 or less: Poor. It is recommended that you enroll in an entry level course to improve your basic computer and Internet skills.