After I became pregnant with Brody, I really began to question how I was going to finish my degree. Completing this degree has been a goal of mine that I have been chipping away at. How could I stop when I was so close to the reward? At the same time, how was I going to balance being the best Mom I could be and still achieve this goal?
Then I learned about the hybrid classes that Stout was going to offer. Online recordings of every course I needed in order to finish my degree in Professional Communications and Emerging Media. I would be able to complete my coursework while still being Super Mom, Wife of the Century, and Employee of the Year.
It sounded like a dream come true.
It's been a nightmare.
The Tegrity recordings are beyond flawed. Half the time, the recordings don't post so the online students are left with a tiny outline of what the in class students did for the day. We have been left to drag ourselves through homework that has had little to no explanation from a teacher.
Then, when things were "on track," I spent a weekend completely booted out of all of my courses. No access to them. It was like they didn't even exist. Did I mention it was the weekend? Nobody answers e-mail on the weekend. Why would tech support be available on Friday night? I'm sure they had much more important things to do like eat vodka soaked gummy bears in their parents basement.
Recently, we have been facing a new bump in the road. The recordings have become choppy. It's like talking to someone on a satellite phone who is in the middle of Iraq. Sure, every other syllable comes through, but you spend most of your time cursing at the connection and wondering what the heck they're trying to communicate! Perhaps this will more clearly demonstrate how I feel about choppy recordings:
Tonight, I am facing the reality that I have once again been booted out of all of my classes. Nothing is available. I'm looking at a pile full of homework and will have to rely completely on myself, my text book, and a very rough outline of what was covered in the class for the day.
I've had to rely on my course books so heavily this semester that I'm seriously wondering why I'm paying hundreds of dollars to complete a course when I could have purchased a book off Amazon.com for $30 and received the same education. I give this institution money trusting that they will provide me with teachers who can in turn provide lectures that will guide my education and help me be as prepared as possible for a job when I graduate.
Do not think that this is a matter of teachers not providing the information. I am watching all of my professors struggle to maintain their current work load while also trying to prepare material for the online students so that we can keep up with our coursework. Unfortunately, the material isn't the same. They do not have the time to create notes that talk about every detail from the class, and I don't expect them to have that added burden. This takes up precious time that could be used for grading and feedback - something I have had very little of this entire semester.
This is not an education. This is a self taught struggle that is unacceptable for an institution of higher learning. I'm facing the reality of having to pay for a babysitter on Tuesday's and Thursday's so that I can now attend the physical classroom setting because the Tegrity system is so unreliable. Who is going to cover the added cost of my sitter? My funds are stretched thin with the three days a week my child is already in daycare.
I'm willing to sacrifice my sleep, my time with my family, and my sanity, all so I can obtain a degree that will ultimately allow me to provide a better life for my child. I'm not willing to sacrifice the quality of that education. I really expected more from you, Stout.
I agree with this post! I have only taken one online class and I did not like it. Although it was not a Tegrity class I still had a hard time with it. The teacher was so hard to get a hold and I felt like I was wasting my money and not learning anything. In the end I got a B- in the class. Which I know I would have gotten a better grade if I had taken the class in an actual classroom. Online classes are great for people like you who have a lot going on. But at the same time if they are not going to work, the way you need them too, it's a waste of your time and money.
ReplyDeleteI agree! While I love the flexibility that I have in taking an online class with my crazy schedule I often don't feel as if I am learning much of anything.
ReplyDeleteI think that what drives me even more nuts than Tegrity failures is having to post weekly in discussion boards and then respond to other posts. As if I can really carry on a conversation about a topic that i could care less about with someone I don't know.
And the fact that they charge more for online classes is completely ridiculous as well!
Amanda - Online learning is crazy hard. You have to really push yourself to understand the material and you need to plan for added time. It can take me double the amount of time to get through online coursework just because I have to account for the confusion that comes with teaching yourself.
ReplyDeleteTonya - I've never had a problem carrying on a conversation with someone I don't know or a topic I don't understand. I could ramble allllll day long about anything and pretend to be an expert (ask Matt about that sometime). I do have a problem with the online fee. I understand there is an added cost with paying for software - but inclass students get to use Tegrity as well. Where are their extra fees?
I've taken over a dozen online classes but I've never experienced problems like these before. When classes are offered in-person and online, the technology needs to function so everyone can receive the same education. Tegrity has created a lot of problems and something needs to be done about it. Online students are paying more for Tegrity!
ReplyDeleteIt's strange taking the same class with in-class and online students. The blog assignment is hard because I can't seem to reply to anyone's Tumblr posts! Plus, you can't match a face to a blog.
I'm hoping the Tegrity system is straightened out soon. Everyone deserves the same quality education because we're PAYING FOR IT.
This is my third comment for the week. Cross that off the list!
ReplyDeleteThese are my first online classes, so I don't have anything to compare them to. I keep my crochet basket close by so that when I [try to] listen to Tegrity I don't feel like I'm completely wasting my time.
Wanna buy a handmade dish rag?
Although i've never attempted to work with tegrity i really don't want to. Especially now from what you've said. I'm very disappointed that next semester i'm going to be forced to take an online engl 125 class because it's not provided as a physical class at this college. I'm not a very organized person nor do i remember details about a lot of things so with this base knowledge of myself i do not feel like i would do good in an online course. However, as it is i have no choice. To be blunt that completely sucks that tegrity isn't working. Especially if thats your only source for learning your classes and getting your work done. I do admire you though for all the hard working and struggle your've gone through just to get an education to better your sons life. Although it may seem difficult like my mother would say it will always get better, even if it gets worse beforehand. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteBottom line Stout sucks big time and so do all the administrators who by the way cannot kick me out because I left their fckn stink hole a long time ago. I got a way better education and no bull crap.
ReplyDelete