Idaho Independent study- breakdown or opinions?

[ironheadjack]

Does anyone have any insight into how Idaho independent study courses are "organized"(for lack of a better word)?

Are there any proctored exams?
Are exams open book?
Can you work through courses as quickly as you want? Or do they limit the number of assignments you can submit per week?


I'm trying to weigh my options for completing my psych requirements. Testing vs. courses, would be quicker to take a few weeks to study for an exam, or spend a few weeks taking a course.

Any input on Idaho courses would be greatly appreciated!!!


Thank you.

[Tedium]

I just enrolled in their Shakespeare course. I think their policies change with each course, but I'll tell you how mine is set up.

There are 3 proctored exams, so the $325 price tag is in reality $400, unless you can find a cheaper proctor.

They limit the number of assignments submitted each week to 1 in this class. You have to schedule your tests at least 2 weeks in advance and you have to have all of your assignments returned before you can take an exam. The letter I received when I signed up said that it could take anywhere from 1-3 weeks for an assignment to be graded depending on how fast your professor is and if it is near the end of the semester.

You also have to wait for your test to be graded before you can submit your next assignments.

So with 7 lessons in my class you are looking at an initial time frame of at least 7 weeks. I will be shocked and very happy if that is as long as this course takes. I think it will at least run 10 weeks, but that's just a guess.

If the class were not required for my English degree, I would not have taken it based on time spent alone. I think it will be faster for you to test, but you should really take a look at the syllabus for the class you want to take. The policies might be different.

[FallingWaters]

I am 1/3 of the way through my first class there. The information says I have a year to complete it. My goal was to complete one lesson a week (which they say is 4-6 hours of homework).
I have four lessons, then a 2pg (double-spaced) essay, then a proctored, closed-book exam, then another four lessons, another essay and another exam. I can submit two lessons a week but must receive all grades before taking the exams.

My first lesson was graded and returned in 3 days. The second one - I've been waiting for 10 days and have heard nothing. But the paperwork says the professor has up to three weeks to return it. Meanwhile I'm working ahead in the book, plus doing my other courses at the same time.

[KingdomUnshaken12:28]

Are there any proctored exams?
Are exams open book?
Can you work through courses as quickly as you want? Or do they limit the number of assignments you can submit per week?

This is approximately what I said in the other thread (http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...mmend.html) about this: The class I am taking (Phys1153: Astronomy Lab) has five lessons, and so far they've taken about 5 or 6 hours each. We're not allowed to submit more than one per week, and have a total of one calendar year to complete the class. There is one proctored, open-book test at the end.

As far as time and costs go, CBEs would probably be faster and cheaper, but the Idaho courses are great for filling in classes that have fewer exam options.

[ironheadjack]

Thanks everyone.

Everything seems good about these courses except the time constraints. For the psych majors in a hurry, testing seems like the quickest route towards the end zone. But if you come up short on a test it's always good to have options.