Am I helpful?

[clep3705]

online science courses and online science labs --- how they compare, their costs, their difficulty, and how they are viewed and accepted by nursing and med schools

start a thread and post all that information in one easy to find place and maybe we could get it stickyed
it would be so helpful to so many people

Giving help depends on a person's time and level of interest. Today I needed to give my mind a break and decided to answer your question to the best of my ability and free time.

Here are some posts about medical schools and online courses:

http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...texas.html

http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...ogram.html

My free time is gone now.

[Prloko]

some of your posts are helpful
some are not

I once made a post and said you had a lot of knowledge of online science courses and online science labs --- how they compare, their costs, they're difficulty, and how they are viewed and accepted by nursing and med schools

I said it would be wonderful if you could start a thread and post all that information in one easy to find place and maybe we could get it stickyed
it would be so helpful to so many people

you replied and told me you had already put some of that information in different posts
you told me search the forums

not very helpful

and totally defeats the purpose of what I was asking for

What I would add to this is YOU HAVE all the power to take cookderosa's forum posts, compile them into one document and post either on the Wiki (with credit of course going to Jennifer) or submitting to one of the moderators for a sticky. I don't think telling someone who devotes their personal time to trying to help others should be knocked for not doing all your own legwork.

Heck, some of the most helpful people for me on this site have provided UNHELPFUL information more often. But that's because it didn't pertain to my own special, unique situation (since we are all unique, and have specific needs). I find the ones that are helpful and make a mental note of the ones that weren't and move on. I know my techniques are largely ignored (probably 90% ingored ), but I'm sure that there was one lurker somewhere that experienced MY situation and was able to apply it to theirs.

I think everyone can contribute to the site, whether 8,000 posts or 1.

This post reminds me of an actual event that happened to me. I purchased and gave a lunch to a homeless woman in the street, I didn't want a thank you (maybe a smile), but what I got was a little jarring. Her response "How'm I supposed to eat this with nothin to drink?".

[KittenMittens]

Why do you keep referencing herd mentality? Really? I see you continuously shoving your viewpoint on nearly every thread that comes across. And where is this vocally religious-leaning coming from? If this board has some many flaws, you feel unwelcomed, and others are better, why are you here? You continuously try to spar with sanantone who has been here for a very long time and you just joined when? (Jan 2015) If you have something beneficial to add, that is wonderful, add it. However, there is no need to instigate, which is exactly what you do using a very fine line.

Herd mentality is a very common phenomenon on Internet forums, IRC chats, and websites.

which states quite wonderfully: "Mob Mentality is Prevalent in Most Internet Forums with Members Harassing Others Who Don't Conform
If you've spent any time in internet forums, you'll discover quickly almost every one of them has a roaming gang that engages in mob mentality. This roaming gang usually consists of a small group of people who will travel through every forum topic, posting rude, harassing, threatening and sometimes even racist, sexist and homophobic comments to others in the forums who don't agree with the thought of the group. One member of the gang will start the harassment, followed quickly by other members of the gang who encourage the original poster and add comments of their own. Others will also pile on to add often ruder and even more harassing comments to the person or people that's the target that day. But why do some people join internet gangs and engage in mob mentality and why do others not?"


That's been my experience where people have made several racial and sexist epithets or calling for censorship. Of course, most forums are like that to some degree, but it's been more pronounced around here. Like I said small active user base here, so it doesn't bother me what a few users care to force down our throats.

And I "shove" my viewpoint no more or less than the opposing view which is to go to TESC. Like I said, a poster just recently lamented the idea of doing TECEP exams. But many of you conveniently ignore that.

If this board has some many flaws, you feel unwelcomed, and others are better, why are you here? You continuously try to spar with sanantone who has been here for a very long time and you just joined when? (Jan 2015) If you have something beneficial to add, that is wonderful, add it. However, there is no need to instigate, which is exactly what you do using a very fine line.

I've already mentioned why I am here and I don't let the comments of a few hateful few from deterring me from post factual content. There is a dearth of information about alternative options students can do at least for a BS in B.A. degree. Most here push towards going for a TESC degree. I applied to all 3 colleges, and I leaned towards TESC. After heavily weighting the pros and cons, I've reasoned out why this isn't as great as some here would like to have you believe. It's not for you or for the posters who strongly feel that reading 800 page tomes is an effective way to get credit. It's for the lurkers, strangers, and newcomers who want to consider all their options. Charismo is a user who recently just demonstrated my point on that matter and didn't realize these options.

You continuously try to spar with sanantone who has been here for a very long time and you just joined when? (Jan 2015) If you have something beneficial to add, that is wonderful, add it. However, there is no need to instigate, which is exactly what you do using a very fine line.

I see no reason why I should listen to appeal to "authority" as a logical argument considering Sanantone has been here "longer." I've also lived longer than Sanantone as well as completed a previous degree, and raised two kids to go through college and graduate school. The Church existed longer in Europe for a 1000 years before scientific thought began to prevail. Appeal to authority is a fallacy. Contrary to what you may want to believe, posting more does not make one necessarily more correct. If anything, it tends to mean you become more ingrained in one way of thinking. Why are you under the impression that I "spar" with Sanantone when I am under the impression she tries to "spar" with me tit for tat? So far, she tends to try to argue every little detail even to the level of semantics to prove she's right, and I haven't been the only one to think that either.

Anyways, this thread is about criticizing me for frankly going against the grain, so I'll take my leave of presence now as I'm not looking to get into a debate about what's right or wrong and patting each other on the back.

[sanantone]

Why do you keep referencing herd mentality? Really? I see you continuously shoving your viewpoint on nearly every thread that comes across. And where is this vocally religious-leaning coming from? If this board has some many flaws, you feel unwelcomed, and others are better, why are you here? You continuously try to spar with sanantone who has been here for a very long time and you just joined when? (Jan 2015) If you have something beneficial to add, that is wonderful, add it. However, there is no need to instigate, which is exactly what you do using a very fine line.

She hasn't encountered many our most religious members. Most of them are current or former homeschoolers. They are usually only very vocal about their viewpoints when it comes to threads in the Off-Topic sub-forum. Look at the person's signature and wiki entries. Look at the percentage of her posts that are about TECEPs. The same talking points are made over and over again even when they aren't relevant to the OP. To me, that looks like forcing your own views on other people. Charismo asked for help on studying for TECEPs, and KittenMittens felt the need to repost her diatribe for the 50th time on why TECEPs should be avoided. Does KittenMittens even know why Charismo chose TESC and the Per Credit Tuition Plan?

TESC is often recommended for reasons other than the Per Credit Tuition Plan which just happens to be fairly new. TESC is usually recommended for the ease of testing out of certain degrees that really don't require many, if any, TECEPs. They are also recommended because they offer many different degree programs, require the least number of upper level credits, are very generous with giving UL credits for alternative sources of credit, and their BSBAs don't require a capstone to be taken in residence. If someone really wants to use FEMA credits, then they are directed to COSC. If someone has a healthcare license, then they are often directed to COSC. If someone wants a paralegal studies degree, then they are directed to COSC. If someone wants to use a consortium agreement, then they are directed to COSC. If someone wants to use the GRE Subject Tests, then they are directed to COSC. If someone wants an engineering degree, then they are directed to the ones with ABET accreditation. That might be TESC or EC depending on the field of engineering. If someone has a lot of IT certifications, then they are often directed to EC or WGU. TESC is the least generous for awarding credits for IT certifications. Most members here ask questions about the person's situation and request to see their earned credits before giving advice. It is also common to advise people to apply to all of the Big 3 if they can afford it. Some people get better evaluations at some schools than others depending on their collection of credits.

[dposborne]

I think that person is directing that "advice" towards me. There's a herd mentality on the forums where some very active users believe that their methods are the only way to do so and if you challenge them they get very upset and call for censorship (tyranny of the masses as they say ). You mentioned how you were stigmatized for asking a simple question. I too have been stigmatized for contending that TESC's TECEP plans are not that great (and a recent poster in this subform complained about the same thing calling to ban me which is pretty extreme for uttering an opinion, no?). I've fairly and openly considered the pros/cons of different programs through different schools considering I've applied to all 3 of the schools, and I keep my replies fair, neutral, and objective as possible in the face of previously racist, sexist comments and calls to censor me for disagreeing with a few vocal members around here.

Everyone is entitled to have an opinion, but providing solid evidence to buttress those arguments is even better. They may inevitably offend some people, or may not jibe well with some people, but that's inevitable. Unfortunately, like you've experienced, this forum has not been too welcoming compared to ones like reddit, collegeconfidential, and SDN, as people here (particularly very vocally religious-leaning) have made arguments based on emotion and not so much on logic and reason (in my personal experience). A big reason for that is due to a tiny vocal minority that tends to stick to one mindset which has some major flaws (i.e. the advice thrown around here is to typically go to TESC and go for the 8 exam TECEP degree which has some major disadvantages as evidenced by a recent thread here by user: Charismo).

When I write, I'm not here to write for any of the vocal and active users around here, but for the lurkers, newcomers, and anyone trying to assess all their options. I speak with confidence because I know what I'm saying is grounded on solid reasoning, and evidence. I share my experiences because of the lack of information and how I believe some students may be incorrectly being directed into degrees/programs without considering all the advantages, risks, and disadvantages of doing so. For instance, there exists a blatant bias towards directing students towards TESC for reasons that I & others who have implicitly suggested considered inadequate (i.e. heavy use of TECEP exams when there are a general lack of prep materials for them).

In any case, it's a little condescending to have to point out the obvious. If you want this forum to be about holding each others hands, and feeling good about yourself, then that's fine, and everyone should be entitled to respect and civil with each other, but that shouldn't preclude those of us who are looking to sort out the wheat from the chaff, nor do we need to be told how to behave for simply expressing our opinions that may go against the grain. There are some massive egos around here who are trying to proof by any means that their way is the only way (I don't make that claim even if it comes across that way), and all forms of civility go down the drain once you go against the herd. Freedom of speech until it disagrees with a vocal minority :o

Oh man not this again...

[KittenMittens]

What I would add to this is YOU HAVE all the power to take cookderosa's forum posts, compile them into one document and post either on the Wiki (with credit of course going to Jennifer) or submitting to one of the moderators for a sticky. I don't think telling someone who devotes their personal time to trying to help others should be knocked for not doing all your own legwork.

Heck, some of the most helpful people for me on this site have provided UNHELPFUL information more often. But that's because it didn't pertain to my own special, unique situation (since we are all unique, and have specific needs). I find the ones that are helpful and make a mental note of the ones that weren't and move on. I know my techniques are largely ignored (probably 90% ingored ), but I'm sure that there was one lurker somewhere that experienced MY situation and was able to apply it to theirs.

I think everyone can contribute to the site, whether 8,000 posts or 1.

This post reminds me of an actual event that happened to me. I purchased and gave a lunch to a homeless woman in the street, I didn't want a thank you (maybe a smile), but what I got was a little jarring. Her response "How'm I supposed to eat this with nothin to drink?".

Well said.

[GoodYellowDogs]

I often say the same thing - search my posts. The reason I do that is that I'm not in a place where I can give a detailed response due to time/effort/etc. In addition, when I started ont his board a thousand years ago, I found it quite easy to search. Especially if you know who's post you want to see. I have commented on the CLEP A&I test a lot of times here. So, ifyou know my name (goodyellowdogs) and you know the test, then it's easy to find my input.

None of us are paid to do this - we all support the board in the way we can. I think it's reasonable to ask people to do searches on basic info and then come back with specific questions. I can tell you that many people do that and then ask me in a private email about specifics related to my posts. I always answer those.

some of your posts are helpful
some are not

I once made a post and said you had a lot of knowledge of online science courses and online science labs --- how they compare, their costs, they're difficulty, and how they are viewed and accepted by nursing and med schools

I said it would be wonderful if you could start a thread and post all that information in one easy to find place and maybe we could get it stickyed
it would be so helpful to so many people

you replied and told me you had already put some of that information in different posts
you told me search the forums

not very helpful

and totally defeats the purpose of what I was asking for

[AngelaP]

First off, I don't see anyone trying to force anything down your throat. As far as herd/mob mentality, I don't see anyone roaming and posting the things you are speaking of. Everyone comes here to learn of their options and learn from others, well most of us. That is the whole point of this forum. No one is asking you to listen to anyone, but they are asking you to tone it down a bit. If you have beneficial info, great, share it. However, someone else's thread should no be taken over by debates. For those looking for that information, they have to weed through all that mess. As far as sanantone being the all mighty "authority", I don't think so, but I do think she has a lot of knowledge to offer those relative to what these forums are about. You can take her info or leave it, but you don't have to debate it with her or anyone else for that matter. As for me, I am on the "Bricabrac" train! hilarious Now I am taking my ball and going home. :leaving:

Herd mentality is a very common phenomenon on Internet forums, IRC chats, and websites.

which states quite wonderfully: "Mob Mentality is Prevalent in Most Internet Forums with Members Harassing Others Who Don't Conform
If you've spent any time in internet forums, you'll discover quickly almost every one of them has a roaming gang that engages in mob mentality. This roaming gang usually consists of a small group of people who will travel through every forum topic, posting rude, harassing, threatening and sometimes even racist, sexist and homophobic comments to others in the forums who don't agree with the thought of the group. One member of the gang will start the harassment, followed quickly by other members of the gang who encourage the original poster and add comments of their own. Others will also pile on to add often ruder and even more harassing comments to the person or people that's the target that day. But why do some people join internet gangs and engage in mob mentality and why do others not?"


That's been my experience where people have made several racial and sexist epithets or calling for censorship. Of course, most forums are like that to some degree, but it's been more pronounced around here. Like I said small active user base here, so it doesn't bother me what a few users care to force down our throats.

And I "shove" my viewpoint no more or less than the opposing view which is to go to TESC. Like I said, a poster just recently lamented the idea of doing TECEP exams. But many of you conveniently ignore that.



I've already mentioned why I am here and I don't let the comments of a few hateful few from deterring me from post factual content. There is a dearth of information about alternative options students can do at least for a BS in B.A. degree. Most here push towards going for a TESC degree. I applied to all 3 colleges, and I leaned towards TESC. After heavily weighting the pros and cons, I've reasoned out why this isn't as great as some here would like to have you believe. It's not for you or for the posters who strongly feel that reading 800 page tomes is an effective way to get credit. It's for the lurkers, strangers, and newcomers who want to consider all their options. Charismo is a user who recently just demonstrated my point on that matter and didn't realize these options.



I see no reason why I should listen to appeal to "authority" as a logical argument considering Sanantone has been here "longer." I've also lived longer than Sanantone as well as completed a previous degree, and raised two kids to go through college and graduate school. The Church existed longer in Europe for a 1000 years before scientific thought began to prevail. Appeal to authority is a fallacy. Contrary to what you may want to believe, posting more does not make one necessarily more correct. If anything, it tends to mean you become more ingrained in one way of thinking. Why are you under the impression that I "spar" with Sanantone when I am under the impression she tries to "spar" with me tit for tat? So far, she tends to try to argue every little detail even to the level of semantics to prove she's right, and I haven't been the only one to think that either.

Anyways, this thread is about criticizing me for frankly going against the grain, so I'll take my leave of presence now as I'm not looking to get into a debate about what's right or wrong and patting each other on the back.

[sanantone]

I often say the same thing - search my posts. The reason I do that is that I'm not in a place where I can give a detailed response due to time/effort/etc. In addition, when I started ont his board a thousand years ago, I found it quite easy to search. Especially if you know who's post you want to see. I have commented on the CLEP A&I test a lot of times here. So, ifyou know my name (goodyellowdogs) and you know the test, then it's easy to find my input.

None of us are paid to do this - we all support the board in the way we can. I think it's reasonable to ask people to do searches on basic info and then come back with specific questions. I can tell you that many people do that and then ask me in a private email about specifics related to my posts. I always answer those.

I think it all depends on how the person is told to search posts. There might be cultural differences, and some people are more sensitive than others.

[GoodYellowDogs]

I just have to add one more thing. There are a lot of distance learning boards/forums out there. I am active on several of them. If one is not your cup of tea, then you can always use another one more frequently. I happen to think this is the best one, but that's the choice I made for me. Your choice might be different.

I also belong to about 50 boards/forums about travel. I find each one provides different perspective, different type of membership, etc. They each have their own culture. So I pick and choose which suits my needs and makes me happy - then I follow those more often.

Life is way too short to be unhappy about an internet community - just move on to one that makes you happy! LOL!