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Quiz: Do I Have The Right Equipment For Online Learning?

Have you ever used a butter knife to try to slice up a steak? Pretty difficult, right? Well, trying to take an online course using Windows 95 on an old dial-up modem is just as inefficient and inadequate for the job. But what do you actually need? Will the $300-laptop you saw on eBay work for you? Can you actually do an online course using Wi-Fi hotspots and your handheld PDA?

This quiz will help you sort through those questions and more. In addition, you’ll have a chance to see how the computer and devices you choose and the Internet access you use really do matter for your online education success.

What kind of computer do you plan to use for your online course? I don’t really have a computer, but there is one at work I can use sometimes. I’m not sure what brand it is. I could probably borrow my friend's if I get in a pinch or go to my local library.
I have an old desktop computer that works pretty well. It’s not the latest, but it’s okay. I’m not sure what is installed on there.
My laptop computer is about a year old, and I use Microsoft Office when I need to do word processing or work with spreadsheets.
I just bought a new computer that has the top-of-the-line memory, speed, and drivers for sound and video. I also have built-in Wi-Fi. I have Microsoft Office, but I am starting to get into using shareware web-based software, such as Open Office and Zoho.