TESC Capstone- just started and have questions

[FallingWaters]

My Capstone started on Monday, June 2. I am able to log in to the course but there is no communication there from the professor. Am I supposed to contact him with my questions?

1) Do I need to- or should I- submit my topic and subquestions to him before submitting the Chapter?
2) Someone on another thread mentioned submitting a draft before the actual Chapter- does this mean submitting it to the Professor, and having them respond before the actual graded chapter is submitted? This sounds like a good idea since I have *no clue* what he expects from me (I have read that various professors grade differently and have varying expectations and preferences).
3) What sort of methodology might be used? My paper is on music and a survey wouldn't really fit. I'm not sure what my other options are. I've read the two samples that were posted here and very much appreciate them but since they're both history, they aren't helpful in this area.

Thanks for any help. I'm pretty much clueless about the process (but excited about writing the paper!)...

[Beate]

Like you say, every mentor is different and they may expect different things...

Somewhere in the "instructions" and syllabus it mentioned sending an introductory e-mail to the professor (and there was a form for it). In the first week of the course I sent my mentor an e-mail giving her a few details about myself and named three subjects I was considering for my project - outlining one in more detail and suggesting some themes for sub questions - and giving reasons why this was of interest to me. I'm sure you don't have to do that, but it can't hurt...

I've also heard of several cases where the mentor wasn't aware that they were assigned the course - hence no communication. If one if the students e-mails/posts on the course site, the mentor gets notification e-mails and will be made aware.

While doing the course I didn't submit any drafts first but submitted the chapters straight away, but I've also heard that someone did that (not sure how that works, surely that would 'guarantee' an A if you get several 'attempts' at each chapter.

Our mentor posted several samples of paper on different subjects, maybe yours will as well.

Good luck and enjoy!

[FallingWaters]

The instructions say to mail (not email) the "Student Information Form" to your mentor. First, why can't we just email it? Second, I have no idea where to find his address. Third, did anyone else do this?

[hornj]

The instructions say to mail (not email) the "Student Information Form" to your mentor. First, why can't we just email it? Second, I have no idea where to find his address. Third, did anyone else do this?

When I took the course I emailed the mentor by contacting him on the course website. When he replied, I had his email.

[Westerner]

Are you doing Guided Study?

[FallingWaters]

Are you doing Guided Study?

Yes.

I'm still at a loss. There are so many documents, manuals, forms, and links everywhere- many of them giving opposing information. One thing said to send the form to the mentor at the beginning of the course via snail mail ("do not email!")- while another link said DO NOT contact your mentor in any way other than email. >

I'm still trying to find the discussion form where I am supposed to post my experience with the ETS test.

[CollegeKid]

I am also looking for some sample papers. I asked my mentor and was told that there were no samples provided by the mentor. I found two samples on this forum, but I was looking for some other than history.

Is anyone else willing to post their completed papers?

[CollegeKid]

Yes.

I'm still at a loss. There are so many documents, manuals, forms, and links everywhere- many of them giving opposing information. One thing said to send the form to the mentor at the beginning of the course via snail mail ("do not email!")- while another link said DO NOT contact your mentor in any way other than email. >

I'm still trying to find the discussion form where I am supposed to post my experience with the ETS test.

Yes, there is opposing information - I found the same thing as well. I heard TE wants students to use the private mentor/student forum to ask questions instead of using email. But I think it's up to the individual mentor as to how they want to be contacted. But I don't think that form is mandatory. Hope that helps!

[Beate]

...One thing said to send the form to the mentor at the beginning of the course via snail mail ("do not email!")- while another link said DO NOT contact your mentor in any way other than email. >

I'm still trying to find the discussion form where I am supposed to post my experience with the ETS test.

I don't remember seeing anything about not emailing (not saying it's not there, I just can't remember seeing that!), but in the Guided Study Student Handbook (at least the version current in February) it states: "You should contact your mentor by e-mail or phone during the first week of the semester to introduce yourself and to find out what word processing software is compatible for your mentor to receive and open assignments." on page H-8.

If your mentor has not posted yet you won't have that info, so the only way is to post in the private mentor/student forum (as CollegeKid) posted or wait for contact info to be posted. Our mentor posted her preferences about mid-week in the first week of the course.

Regarding the ETS: I can't log into the course any more, so from memory...where you submit your assignments there is one option for the ETS test. I had a screen shot of my results, so I added that as a file and then made a comment in that section about when I had taken it.

[Westerner]

I am also looking for some sample papers. I asked my mentor and was told that there were no samples provided by the mentor. I found two samples on this forum, but I was looking for some other than history.

Is anyone else willing to post their completed papers?

I'd supply mine, but, alas, it's history

Yes, there is opposing information - I found the same thing as well. I heard TE wants students to use the private mentor/student forum to ask questions instead of using email. But I think it's up to the individual mentor as to how they want to be contacted. But I don't think that form is mandatory. Hope that helps!

All I took were regular online classes, not guided study, but in all of them I found that email generally garnered the fastest responses.

Regarding the ETS: I can't log into the course any more, so from memory...where you submit your assignments there is one option for the ETS test. I had a screen shot of my results, so I added that as a file and then made a comment in that section about when I had taken it.

When I took it (again, in an OL class, not GS) there was a separate forum to post that you'd taken it.