English I at Straighterline (review)

[jonasling]

Hi,
Depending on how motivated you are the courses can be completed quickly. I used the $99.00 option to do four courses in about three weeks. I believe that I received a *B* in all of the courses and I worked at least 8 hours per day. On the bright side, I completed Composition I, Algebra, Macroeconomics and Accounting I. I found great support from the advisor but would have to agree that there is a disconnect with the composition tutors and final grading process. This review should be taken with a grain of salt. Best of luck with the classes. I found them to be a tremendous value!

entwive, how much economics and accounting backgroud did you have prior to taking the courses? thanks.

[entwive]

I do have a pretty extensive background in Accounting but not in Economics. It does help to have a foundation to build on with the courses. These courses can be mastered quickly but it helps to have the experience and the time to work very hard.

[jonasling]

Thanks entwive

[rickyjo]

*bump*

Is this still an accurate description of English comp I?

Are the quizzes text book questions that can be deduced implementing the same method used by geezer in this thread:
http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...-i-ii.html

Thanks a lot!

[irnbru]

Hi Rickyjo,

Don't know about the McGraw route for the English Composition I course.

Out of the total 300 points available, there are 15 graded quizzes and 6 graded essays/papers. The quizzes are worth 4-30 points each and the essays are each worth 21 points.

I'm on course for a B having just submitted my final paper for a review. Each essay is 750-1250 words. To be honest, it's not something I've been able to just breeze through with respect to the essays. However, the quizzes are multiple choice and a 'fill in the blanks' sort of format.

There are lessons for each of the 12 'Topics' which are presented in a powerpoint style with voice over. These are actually really good and there is a lot of direction and guidance for recommended reading.

Due to the nature of the subject material, it's a bit tricky to prep notes for the quizzes and I relied on the lessons.

If I'm sensible, it would be a case of moving on to English Composition II but I'm a bit essayed-out at the moment. Multiple choice Microeconomics just appears a tempting change of pace

Hope this helps!

[Bunbu]

Rickyjo,

The description is still spot on. I don't think they've changed their review/grading methodology since the OP reviewed the course. I'm close to finishing it, and I’ having the same exact problems as described.

[rickyjo]

Hmm, it will not be easy to complete 6 essays in a handful of days; however, cranking out speedy papers was my prime specialty in high school. I wonder if I've still got it. My time in high school during my AP language class was just under 15min/page on average. Many papers written the lunch period before class. The only problem is I was considering attempting to get an A in the class so I would have a GPA (transfer direct to EC and not through ACE), but I'm not even sure if it matters or if anybody (including myself) will care.

[Bunbu]

Today I found out by accident that Smarthinking tutors aren't aware that they're grading papers. They think they're just making suggestions to improve the student's writing. A very nice tutor told me that never during their training they were told that the score they assign to a paper counts toward the required score to succesfully complete the course.

[rickyjo]

This does not surprise me in the slightest. Interesting bit of information, though. Do you think this mentality will help or harm the student? Will they be more brutal in an ill-fated attempt to encourage the student to make changes or will they go easier to encourage the student? I'm concerned this could throw off the grading from teacher to teacher.

[alleycat]

This does not surprise me in the slightest. Interesting bit of information, though. Do you think this mentality will help or harm the student? Will they be more brutal in an ill-fated attempt to encourage the student to make changes or will they go easier to encourage the student? I'm concerned this could throw off the grading from teacher to teacher.

I think that could be harmful for students when the tutor is really not aware of what they are grading. Its just not fair. What is they tutor is trying to make suggestions to make them look better, like look here and see what I found? Why can't they just be honest?