Easiest Straighterline...

[kb4ns1]

Haha....forget that! A 5K? Really? Strikes me as a rather silly requirement.

My thought exactly! Not sure what is in place to ensure you actually complete the 5k, but seeing that in the curriculum sent me looking into other courses instead of looking further into Personal Fitness and Wellness!

[NC Coach]

For the Straighterline courses, the Cultural Anthropology is pretty easy (I got a 98 in the class) and the textbook is not that big compared to a lot of the other classes. Intro to Religion is also pretty easy, or maybe it's just because I found the subject matter very interesting (I got a 96 in that class) but the textbook is significantly larger and I feel it is more time-consuming.

Intro to Environmental Science is not hard although I just didn't find it all that interesting and there were some issues with quiz questions having as many as 17 possible multiple choice answers. :confused: Ultimately being open-book, I just ended up taking the exams without reading the material (and ended up with a final grade of 91). I would recommend either of the other two over this one to be honest, although it is still a very doable course.

[kb4ns1]

I would suggest a DSST Exam - Intro to Religion or Intro to Computers.

The Intro to Computers DSST is a very good choice if he's even halfway computer savvy (and with only a few more hours of studying, a good choice if he's never even heard of a computer). Of course this is largely dependent upon the convenience of CLEP/DSST testing in his area. I know that in my area, if it weren't for a very accommodating test center employee at a local Strayer campus, it would have been MUCH tougher for me to schedule and take the CLEP/DSST exams I completed. The beauty of Straighterline is that you can complete it proctored from home. ProctorU isn't the best system, but it beats driving to and dealing with a testing center in my experience/opinion. I found that the amount of time I devoted to studying for most CLEP/DSST exams was very close to the amount of time I spent going all the way through a SL course.

[SuzanneD]

I second SL intro to world religion. Easy Peazy

[SuzanneD]

Angela, Did HRM have a project?

[rebel100]

I would suggest a DSST Exam - Intro to Religion or Intro to Computers. Leaving the traditional system, I was beat down and not confident. Then I found this site. I studied for, took and passed the US History 1 CLEP as my first goal. It was hard. Not a good starter test but once I did it I felt like I could do anything. With the help of the specific feedback section on this site I passed the above 2 DSST exams fairly quickly. That was all me studying and achieving. It was the confidence booster I needed.

Since then I have done (and are doing) several SL courses. The problem is that I don't enjoy the process as much as testing out. SL course content that is on the test is not always in the videos, practice questions, etc. SL tests are (usually) directly from the book and unless you are a great reader who can find that one sentence very quickly, you may not do as well. I still pass them but usually not by much.

I think playing on strengths will be huge for this student. If they learn better with documentaries, practice tests, and reading all combined - I would say test out.

If they are just a good reader who remembers great detail, I would say SL would be fine.

Just my experience. Hope it helps a bit.

I started to dismiss your suggestion when you pushed DSST right off the bat, but you actually make good points.

Some more background:

I suspect there is some sort of learning disability, he spent a lot of time in remedial classes back in HS (late 1970's). I think he became convinced that he just isn't as smart as other people. One story he tells indicates being told he was stupid by a teacher/administrator and that event leading to feelings that he was letting his family down. There is no diagnoses that I'm aware of, but there are certainly deep seeded feelings of anxiety and uncertainty that cause him to be unable to move forward.

With all that said, he has managed to muscle through some remarkable things on his own. He has a job many would appreciate or even envy (solid company in a well known industry). He learned to fly and has progressed almost to the level of Commercial Pilot. Finally, he does ok for himself, self supporting and doesn't hve a :lot" but doesn't seek help from others...He's a solid citizen.

When I tell this guy "go study this book" (or whatever) for an exam, I get the deer in the headlights look. It's absolutely overwhelming for him. That's why I think something easier with specific micro goals might work better. You know, read chapter one, answer the questions at the end, expect a quiz on the material...that sort of order.

[AngelaP]

Angela, Did HRM have a project?

No it didn't!

[DBRENNAN118]

I started to dismiss your suggestion when you pushed DSST right off the bat, but you actually make good points.

Some more background:

I suspect there is some sort of learning disability, he spent a lot of time in remedial classes back in HS (late 1970's). I think he became convinced that he just isn't as smart as other people. One story he tells indicates being told he was stupid by a teacher/administrator and that event leading to feelings that he was letting his family down. There is no diagnoses that I'm aware of, but there are certainly deep seeded feelings of anxiety and uncertainty that cause him to be unable to move forward.

With all that said, he has managed to muscle through some remarkable things on his own. He has a job many would appreciate or even envy (solid company in a well known industry). He learned to fly and has progressed almost to the level of Commercial Pilot. Finally, he does ok for himself, self supporting and doesn't hve a :lot" but doesn't seek help from others...He's a solid citizen.

When I tell this guy "go study this book" (or whatever) for an exam, I get the deer in the headlights look. It's absolutely overwhelming for him. That's why I think something easier with specific micro goals might work better. You know, read chapter one, answer the questions at the end, expect a quiz on the material...that sort of order.

I agree totally. SL is easy if you are good with reading a lot and searching the ebook for answers. CLEP OR DSST is the quickest way to build confidence. I had a similar experience- I was totally discouraged until I found this forum. Once I started testing, I was totally hooked. I went from one test a month, to two, to one per week! Not saying to go that route, but the confidence I built was amazing and addicting. The targeted study guides make it so easy to focus on only what you need to pass the test- this makes studying much more enjoyable. I eventually did well with SL also, but after months of successful testing. BTW, I vote for the HR DSST. It was my last one, but I only studied 1 day and passed easily with a 461. Not sure if it was my experience with so many tests, or how easy the test was. Anyway, SL is a bit slow and tedious- I would only go to that option once the confidence is flowing!

[davewill]

I would have him do the Saylor Intro to Computers rather than the DSST. That way, he can work through it like a class, doing the quizzes and assignments if he wants, then take the proctored final for credit.

[fsmaine0020]

DSST Principles of Supervision