Capstone with three other courses

[zzzz24]

I skimmed through the e-book today.

When finding sources, do they all have to be scholarly or just the majority?

I'd like to do a contemporary topic, but wondering if I will end up having difficulty finding reliable sources of information.

For writing this paper, we are basically just regurgitating information but putting it into our own words and citing the sources?

[Tripletmom]

Guided study vs online capstone. I am definitely an independent learner but wondering if it’s worth taking the online capstone simply for the points for the online discussion. Seems like it would take some of the heat off with the grade for the written paper. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this on either side. Thanks.


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[zzzz24]

Guided study vs online capstone. I am definitely an independent learner but wondering if it’s worth taking the online capstone simply for the points for the online discussion. Seems like it would take some of the heat off with the grade for the written paper. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this on either side. Thanks.


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Online seems to be the general consensus around here for those added marks. I think you would still be an independent learner for the most part anyway.

[davewill]

Guided study vs online capstone. I am definitely an independent learner but wondering if it’s worth taking the online capstone simply for the points for the online discussion. Seems like it would take some of the heat off with the grade for the written paper. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this on either side. Thanks.


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That's how I felt. I found the blog posts to be practically effortless and essentially free points. Others have felt differently.

[Tripletmom]

I thought I’d do guided study but I think I’m now leaning in the other direction. Thanks for the replies.


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[fork]

Guided study vs online capstone. I am definitely an independent learner but wondering if it’s worth taking the online capstone simply for the points for the online discussion. Seems like it would take some of the heat off with the grade for the written paper. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this on either side. Thanks.


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If I had the chance to do it over I would absolutely do guided study. The forum posts are not as easy as all that, at least with the mentor for my class wanting sources for everything, so it's not a casual discussion. It also kind of sucks because the other students are not really into having a discussion, they obviously just want to post something to get a score and move on. I get that, but the things they are posting are, many of them, rather meaningless and I feel like it wastes my time to read them and there isn't a whole lot there to reply to. Part of the grade depends on replying to other students. Not a big part, but I don't like it. I definitely wish I'd gone with the guided study instead.

[Merlin]

Guided study vs online capstone. I am definitely an independent learner but wondering if it’s worth taking the online capstone simply for the points for the online discussion. Seems like it would take some of the heat off with the grade for the written paper. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this on either side. Thanks.

If I had the chance to do it over I would absolutely do guided study. The forum posts are not as easy as all that, at least with the mentor for my class wanting sources for everything, so it's not a casual discussion. It also kind of sucks because the other students are not really into having a discussion, they obviously just want to post something to get a score and move on. I get that, but the things they are posting are, many of them, rather meaningless and I feel like it wastes my time to read them and there isn't a whole lot there to reply to. Part of the grade depends on replying to other students. Not a big part, but I don't like it. I definitely wish I'd gone with the guided study instead.

The guided study has discussions as well, just fewer and therefore worth less. That makes the final paper weigh more in your overall grade. Personally, I'm glad I did the online version since I can be less stressed over the other stuff since I get 15% free from the discussions.

Yeah, I think that is the nature of the beast with the discussions. Most people post just enough to meet the syllabus and rubric requirements. I agree that it feels strained since people clearly aren't interested in a dialogue, despite my attempts.

The point is supposed to be answering the questions using a combination of evidence (via sources) and personal interpretation/opinion. Most of my responses so far have used at least 1 source (the text) but a few used web-based sources as well since that was part of the question. However, there has been at least one or two where I didn't have to use any sources since it was just asking for my opinion or interpretation of information. Ultimately, sources are only needed if you're referencing information. Some of the people in my cohort don't use references for any of the questions, except the ones that specifically ask for it. So, it's up to you.

As long as you write a paragraph or two on the subject and your post is reasonably well thought out they are usually pretty easy. I have prepared nearly all of my discussions in advance and just post them when needed. Each one usually takes under an hour... some were closer to like 15 minutes. So it really isn't much work for 15% of your overall grade.

[Ideas]

I may register for February. I will probably do guided study.

The guided study has discussions as well, just fewer and therefore worth less.

From TESU's capstone FAQ, which may be outdated: "With the Guided Study format, you won’t be required to participate in online discussions."

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In terms of this being a research paper, are we mostly just regurgitating information into this paper and citing it? It doesn't seem like it's a typical "essay".

I think all the options involve interviews, surveys, etc and analyzing them.

From TESU's capstone FAQ: 

"Is it a research paper? Not exactly; it is much more than that. Although you are the researcher, the Capstone goes beyond the mere collection of information. Instead, you will demonstrate the skills learned in your undergraduate studies to solve a problem based upon certain assumptions related to your topic. That means you will conduct your own field research and collect primary source data to create a scholarly, academic project that supports an argumentative thesis statement or major question with new work and ideas."

"This is anything but a typical research paper. Throughout your project, you will be an authentic researcher who explores and adds to the body of knowledge in your field of study."

[mudball]

I just completed my LA Capstone. J.Cody is great. I would highly recommend him.
I could honestly say my paper was 54 pages and leave it at that, but that would be misleading.
To be honest it was 37 pages of "writing" (and some of this is just rewording, restructuring of things from previous chapters).
Added to this is cover page (1), contents (2), abstract (1), graphs (6), annotated bibliography (4), appendix (1), references(2).
I honestly don't know how I could have made it any shorter without having any depth whatsoever.
To me, the class was long and at times overwhelming but I spent a lot of time perfecting grammar, sentence structure, and APA formatting because of my lack of essay writing.
I got an A!!!

[zzzz24]

ummm today is the first day to register for the February capstone and it shows only 1 spot available out of 4 instructors??