Posts: 1,086
Threads: 51
Likes Received: 464 in 299 posts
Likes Given: 145
Joined: Mar 2018
I am about to enroll in PSY-379 through TESU, and realized it was available as online or guided study. I know there have been many discussions about the pros and cons of each for the capstone, but for non-capstone courses I'm wondering which one most people would expect to be easier to get an A in.
Any input?
Completed:
BA History & Psychology, Thomas Edison State University, March 2020
ASNSM Mathematics, Thomas Edison State University, March 2020
Up Next:
JD, Cornell Law School, Class of 2024
Link to all credits earned: Link
Posts: 2,421
Threads: 23
Likes Received: 1,199 in 778 posts
Likes Given: 227
Joined: Jul 2011
I suspect the tradeoff is the same or at least similar, so it is really a matter of preference.
In the guided study courses you have fewer discussions and they make up less of your final grade (putting more weight on your final or other assignments). In the online courses, you have more discussions and they are weighted higher in your overall grade (so the final or other assignments may have less weight).
Personally, I prefer the Online format since I see discussions as free extra credit and means I can stress less about the final. On the capstone, I saw the ETS Proficiency Assessment the same way... 5 free points towards a higher final grade. Not everyone sees it that way though.
Working on: Debating whether I want to pursue a doctoral program or maybe another master's degree in 2022-23
Complete:
MBA (IT Management), 2019, Western Governors University
BSBA (Computer Information Systems), 2019, Thomas Edison State University
ASNSM (Computer Science), 2019, Thomas Edison State University
ScholarMatch College & Career Coach
WGU Ambassador
Posts: 16,325
Threads: 148
Likes Received: 5,484 in 3,748 posts
Likes Given: 367
Joined: Apr 2013
I took my capstone guided study, if I had to do it over again, I'd do online. But, I did have a good instructor, so that was worth something.
Something to keep in mind: I went on vacation during the capstone, and since I didn't have any online discussions to post, I got to forget about it for a week while I left (and we were in Mexico with inconsistent internet). I just did my assignments ahead of time and left with no worries.
TESU BSBA/HR 2018 - WVNCC BOG AAS 2017 - GGU Cert in Mgmt 2000
EXAMS: TECEP Tech Wrtg, Comp II, LA Math, PR, Computers DSST Computers, Pers Fin CLEP Mgmt, Mktg
COURSES: TESU Capstone Study.com Pers Fin, Microecon, Stats Ed4Credit Acct 2 PF Fin Mgmt ALEKS Int & Coll Alg Sophia Proj Mgmt The Institutes - Ins Ethics Kaplan PLA
Posts: 941
Threads: 42
Likes Received: 291 in 202 posts
Likes Given: 3
Joined: Dec 2016
I think the online fornat is better. Once you have a solid thesis you wont have any problems.
GRADUATE
Master of Business Administration, Robert Cavelier University (2024-2025)
MS Information and Communication Technology (UK IET Accredited) (On Hold)
Master of Theological Studies, Nations University (6 cr)
UNDERGRAD : 184 Credits
BA Computer Science, TESU '19
BA Liberal Studies, TESU '19
AS Natural Science and Mathematics, TESU '19
StraighterLine (27 Cr) Shmoop (18 Cr) Sophia (11 Cr)
TEEX (5 Cr) Aleks (9 Cr) ED4Credit (3 Cr) CPCU (2 Cr) Study.com (39 Cr)
TESU (4 cr)
TT B&M (46 Cr) Nations University (9 cr) UoPeople: (3 cr) Penn Foster: (8 cr)
Posts: 4,259
Threads: 31
Likes Received: 1,782 in 1,190 posts
Likes Given: 885
Joined: Dec 2015
I did both guided study and online format courses, I preferred the online format, both for the free points and for feeling a little more engaged with the course. My guided study course was Discrete Math, so this didn't come up, but my understanding is that most GS courses add extra writing assignments to replace the blog posts.
NanoDegree: Intro to Self-Driving Cars (2019)
Coursera: Stanford Machine Learning (2019)
TESU: BA in Comp Sci (2016)
TECEP:Env Ethics (2015); TESU PLA:Software Eng, Computer Arch, C++, Advanced C++, Data Struct (2015); TESU Courses:Capstone, Database Mngmnt Sys, Op Sys, Artificial Intel, Discrete Math, Intro to Portfolio Dev, Intro PLA (2014-16); DSST:Anthro, Pers Fin, Astronomy (2014); CLEP:Intro to Soc (2014); Saylor.org:Intro to Computers (2014); CC: 69 units (1980-88)
PLA Tips Thread - TESU: What is in a Portfolio?
Posts: 2,421
Threads: 23
Likes Received: 1,199 in 778 posts
Likes Given: 227
Joined: Jul 2011
(03-05-2019, 09:11 PM)dfrecore Wrote: I took my capstone guided study, if I had to do it over again, I'd do online. But, I did have a good instructor, so that was worth something.
Something to keep in mind: I went on vacation during the capstone, and since I didn't have any online discussions to post, I got to forget about it for a week while I left (and we were in Mexico with inconsistent internet). I just did my assignments ahead of time and left with no worries.
You can avoid being tied to discussions too much with OL courses as well, it just requires planning, reading ahead, and preparing your discussion posts in advance. That is what I did. The only issue might be responding to two other student posts before the deadline, but if others also work ahead (a few did in my cohort) then responses can be written up ahead of time as well.
Working ahead was critical for me since I took my capstone during the November term so the holidays fell in the middle of my course; I wanted to have the freedom to spend time with friends & family rather than be mired in schoolwork.
Working on: Debating whether I want to pursue a doctoral program or maybe another master's degree in 2022-23
Complete:
MBA (IT Management), 2019, Western Governors University
BSBA (Computer Information Systems), 2019, Thomas Edison State University
ASNSM (Computer Science), 2019, Thomas Edison State University
ScholarMatch College & Career Coach
WGU Ambassador
![[-]](https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/images/collapse.png)
•
Posts: 4
Threads: 0
Likes Received: 1 in 1 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Feb 2019
I have done both and for the guided study - your classmates and professor make all the difference- no surprise! I had one GS that just weighed on me because the student conversations were not engaging and the professor was largely MIA. Another I loved the professor, she was engaged and asked great questions. I just finished a history class that was amazing! Only 4 students but we all got really into the material. The professor asked good questions and it was one of my most enjoyable classes. Intensive writing however at 6 credits. My capstone I completed as OL and it was fine. I knew my subject material well and didn’t feel I needed the extra work of posting.
•
Posts: 1,086
Threads: 51
Likes Received: 464 in 299 posts
Likes Given: 145
Joined: Mar 2018
Thanks all for the input. I am leaning towards Guided Study for this course, as my other course this term only has the OL option. That way I can get a taste of both before choosing which I want to do for my Capstone.
Completed:
BA History & Psychology, Thomas Edison State University, March 2020
ASNSM Mathematics, Thomas Edison State University, March 2020
Up Next:
JD, Cornell Law School, Class of 2024
Link to all credits earned: Link
•
Posts: 16,325
Threads: 148
Likes Received: 5,484 in 3,748 posts
Likes Given: 367
Joined: Apr 2013
(03-06-2019, 12:22 PM)adkgirl Wrote: I have done both and for the guided study - your classmates and professor make all the difference- no surprise! I had one GS that just weighed on me because the student conversations were not engaging and the professor was largely MIA. Another I loved the professor, she was engaged and asked great questions.
I'm confused. GS is not supposed to have any student interaction, only online has that. Here's what it says on TESU's website:
Guided Study courses These 12-week independent study courses enable students to work on their own to complete course assignments to prepare for examinations. Like our e-Pack courses, students taking Guided Study courses have no interaction with classmates. (emphasis is mine)
TESU BSBA/HR 2018 - WVNCC BOG AAS 2017 - GGU Cert in Mgmt 2000
EXAMS: TECEP Tech Wrtg, Comp II, LA Math, PR, Computers DSST Computers, Pers Fin CLEP Mgmt, Mktg
COURSES: TESU Capstone Study.com Pers Fin, Microecon, Stats Ed4Credit Acct 2 PF Fin Mgmt ALEKS Int & Coll Alg Sophia Proj Mgmt The Institutes - Ins Ethics Kaplan PLA
Posts: 381
Threads: 44
Likes Received: 140 in 87 posts
Likes Given: 467
Joined: Feb 2017
06-29-2020, 06:51 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-05-2020, 10:30 PM by harrypotter.)
(03-06-2019, 02:47 PM)dfrecore Wrote: (03-06-2019, 12:22 PM)adkgirl Wrote: I have done both and for the guided study - your classmates and professor make all the difference- no surprise! I had one GS that just weighed on me because the student conversations were not engaging and the professor was largely MIA. Another I loved the professor, she was engaged and asked great questions.
I'm confused. GS is not supposed to have any student interaction, only online has that. Here's what it says on TESU's website:
Guided Study courses These 12-week independent study courses enable students to work on their own to complete course assignments to prepare for examinations. Like our e-Pack courses, students taking Guided Study courses have no interaction with classmates. (emphasis is mine)
Yeah, i'm pretty confused about that too. It's also no help that identical courses in guided & online courses have the same syllabus showing the same grading policy even though other users are saying they're graded differently.
For example Intro to Counseling
Online course page: https://www2.tesu.edu/course.php?CourseC...Y-331&sem=
Guided course page: https://www2.tesu.edu/course.php?CourseC...Y-331&sem=
BABA, New England College, 2019
•
|
