PLAs for UL Math and CS?

[Outis]

Mooc math courses are a really bad idea if it is not a terminal course. I'm sorry but the edx courses I took are a joke designed to pass as many folks as possible, not to train math majors.

This is my experience with most Study.com material.

[Brownie82]

Oh and you could also go through a MIT or some other open course.

[tesu-acct-student]

Two thoughts:

1) Think of one MOOC as one piece of evidence for the portfolio/PLA. A successful portfolio has lots of pieces of evidence (ie, more evidence than just one MOOC), plus a narrative. I would be very uncomfortable submitting any portfolio based on one MOOC and zero real life experience to write about, zero books read, zero seminars attended, zero certificates earned, etc. One MOOC does not demonstrate enough familiarity with the topics of the course. I don't recommend it.

2) In principle, believe it is possible for certain individuals to successfully obtain UL math credit via portfolio, but they would be few and far between. These sorts of individuals would have a lot of real-life experience using the particular math concepts everyday in their job, for example. But it's a bit of a vicious circle, since obtaining that kind of knowledge requires a classroom for most people. So like I said, in principle I think it is possible. In practice, only a few would be able to do it and I am pretty sure they would have to explain why they are even qualified to submit one. I don't read the TESU statement above as giving a solid, 100%-in-all-cases "No, we do not allow portfolio for math." Personally, if I had that kind of experience I would at least inquire to see if they would let me do one or more. I'd make a strong case that I am qualified, and that I would not be wasting time and money to do it. Of course, they might still say no, but I think for the right individual, it would be worth asking.

Just my $0.02.

[TrailRunr]

Oh and you could also go through a MIT or some other open course.

Big name schools don't prevent the courses from being dumbed down. I took the MIT 6.001 course at edX, I could sleepwalk through it, and COSC gives credit for it. The differential equations courses from edX are from Boston University, which is not a joke institution. But the assignments and exams are obviously designed to pass as many people as possible. I hate to burst your bubble, but MOOCs are a sad joke.

[Brownie82]

Big name schools don't prevent the courses from being dumbed down. I took the MIT 6.001 course at edX, I could sleepwalk through it, and COSC gives credit for it. The differential equations courses from edX are from Boston University, which is not a joke institution. But the assignments and exams are obviously designed to pass as many people as possible. I hate to burst your bubble, but MOOCs are a sad joke.

Oh, I believe you. I've never had experience with any math based MOOCs. I was referring to the open courseware https://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm. Isn't that exactly the same material taught in class?

[sanantone]

Oh, I believe you. I've never had experience with any math based MOOCs. I was referring to the open courseware https://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm. Isn't that exactly the same material taught in class?

This is why math is a difficult subject for PLAs. Something like history of math would be different. You won't have any graded assignments or tests with MIT's open courses. How would you be able to prove in a portfolio that you can do the work?