bldclot2 Wrote:StraighterLine,

Let us not forget that you rely on your loyal customers to advertise by way of word of mouth advertising.

1) This was a poorly executed plan on StraighterLine's part, trying to implement changes that they themselves weren't fully ready to implement properly always spells trouble.
2) By forcing us to use Proctor U and not allowing for additional proctoring options, StraighterLine has alienated their loyal customer base. A customer base that thrives on independent non-traditional higher education that’s affordable.
3) By making proctoring mandatory for everyone regardless of whether it is required by their educational institutions, StraighterLine has effectively punished all for the actions of a few.
4) If proctoring makes StraighterLine’s coursework a more reliable/viable source for educational credit, again why can’t the student select their own proctor, for example a local librarian or City College proctor that will make the cost of proctoring low or free?
5) I would liked to have seen StraighterLine approach this change with more consideration for their loyal customers, by implementing the required proctoring change by phases and using the “Problem Solving Process” below.

PHASE 1 - Inform the customer of changes to come.
PHASE 2 - Spell out the changes and the additional cost to the customer (Don’t put out some half-ass explanation of the changes)
PHASE 3 - Set date for changes to take effect (Don’t blindside the customer with changes that take effect within weeks, give them time to react and finish courses before the change, why not implement a change date of January 1, 2013)
PHASE 4 - Implement changes.

PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS
1. Recognize And Define The Problem
2. Gather Facts And Make Assumptions
3. Define End States And Establish Criteria
4. Develop Possible Solutions
5. Analyze And Compare Possible Solutions
6. Select And Implement Solution
7. Analyze Solution For Effectiveness

ROAD BLOCKS TO PROBLEM SOLVING
Fear Of Failure
Tunnel Vision
Over Seriousness
Over Certainty
Binding Customs
Fear Of The Unknown
Command Pressure
FAILURE TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
FAILURE TO TALK WITH OTHERS WHO HAVE DEALT WITH THE PROBLEM
LACK OF ADEQUATE INFORMATION TO MAKE VALID ASSUMPTIONS
NOT IDENTIFYING ALL OF THE PLAYERS
NOT SPECIFYING THE DESIRED ENDSTATE

IrishJohn Wrote:If SL is doing this to expand accetibility of their courses at more colleges and universities, I could understand that. However, it would seem to me to be far wiser to make it part of the agreements with these colleges and unversities to require proctored exams instead of forcing everyone to take them so students have a choice. If you go to College X which has an agreement with SL to require proctored exams, fine. Yet if a student wants to attend College Y that doesn't require such proctored exams, that should be acceptable too.

StraighterLine Team Wrote:IrishJohn, congratulations on completing so many courses with us. We appreciate your business.

We are not requiring all students to retake final exams. It will only affect a very small percentage of students who we have suspected of cheating. This is a preemptive policy to prevent future cheating, but we reserve the right to deal with cheaters accordingly regardless of when we find out.

cookderosa Wrote:Bottom line, after all the fuss, nothing is gained.

Colleges who don't take ACE evaluated credits are NOT going to take SL credits despite this new proctor policy. It won't matter- this kind of policy won't evaluate SL credits individually, the college will look at their entire ACE policy. So, nothing gained here. Second, colleges that do take ACE evaluated credits already take SL credits. Yawn.

If the college you are attending accepts ACE credit, you're likely somewhere with a generous transfer policy, good CLEP/DSST acceptance, and potential for other credit sources like military/work/ALEKS/PLA. If you're in a position to shop for credits, you may find a reason to pick SL over others, but don't for a second think that SL is the SAME AS CLEP/DSST or transfer credit. They are NOT.

Let's remember, they're just a business, and their credits transfer into VERY FEW places. I know they need students to believe the credits will transfer because that's the question they get asked by potential customers, but I have a feeling this move was to land an account. Let's wait and see who the new partner school is....let's start an office pool. Guesses anyone?

IrishJohn Wrote:Thank you, that's more reasonable. The wording in your original statement made it seem like anyone who finished a bunch of courses quickly would be forced to pay for retaking the finals. That I found to be unacceptable. Real evidence of cheating by an individual past or present is one thing, flagging someone on such an arbitrary basis without evidence and treating them as if they are guilty of cheating is something entirely different. I still think that the changes SL is implementing are unwise and counter-productive to what your company is known for. At the very least forcing everyone taking courses after November 1st to use ProctorU smacks of a money-making scheme and is IMO unreasonable because many of your partner colleges don't require this. Yet even more important, many online colleges allow the use of acceptable third-party proctors besides ProctorU, which in my case has usually been Strayer University. By using SU I spent only $20 each time I needed a proctor and no one had access to my personal computer, something I'm extremely leery of allowing. Some folks also use their local public library, which should be an acceptable source for proctoring. I'd strongly suggest taking all of this into consideration.

Ace_King Wrote:The suspected students are already caught? Or is this for future students? So if our accounts haven't been flagged we are in the clear Straighterline?

Also, can Straighterline remove credits on a students ACE (American Council of Education) transcript?

cookderosa Wrote:Bottom line, after all the fuss, nothing is gained...... I know they need students to believe the credits will transfer because that's the question they get asked by potential customers, but I have a feeling this move was to land an account. Let's wait and see who the new partner school is....let's start an office pool. Guesses anyone?

Publius Wrote:Has anyone thought about this. There's X number of exams and then a a Final exam in most SL courses. You can theoretically fail the final, (i.e. get a zero on it) and still pass the course with a 70. What is going to stop a student from cheating on all the previous exams and then take the final exam? Even they don't cheat on the final, they'd still pass the course. Are we going to hear your next change in policy how ever many weeks/months down the road incorporate 3 proctored exams, 5, all of them?
Just another reason why this change in policy doesn't do anything but cause the student frustration, lighten their wallet even more, and still doesn't get rid of the cheaters or make SL course a more 'trustworthy' option.