TESU LIB-495 Capstone Course Calendar

[baconbacon]

Hey Baconbacon, I'm taking the May Capstone course with Steve Ryan as well! Where did you find out what textbooks are required? Also, where would I find the syllabus? Thanks!

Here's the link for the bookstore:

https://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/vbm/vb_b...AllCourses

[fcnew52]

Thanks guys! I bought the book on amazon. Do you guys have any tips for this monstrosity of a course?? I've never been good with research papers so I'm dreading the start of the course in May.

[frostedfire]

I signed up for the May capstone, but I may need to change to guided study instead of the online version. How do you change this on OSS? Please advise.

[25BangBang]

Just finishing up my Feb class on April 23. Have your topic picked before class and start munching on books to hone your question. Once the class opens, post the discussion and get the A-OK on your topic from your mentor. Then, start working on Module 2. It is the most work-intensive part of your paper. I had been working steadily on it on Week 3 but had to revise and cram it most of it on 3 day weekend. Not a pleasant experience.This class is not as intimidating as I thought but I missed some easy points for not including a work cited, title page, and header with every assignment (only made this mistake on module 1, but still).

[davewill]

I signed up for the May capstone, but I may need to change to guided study instead of the online version. How do you change this on OSS? Please advise.

You would have to withdraw from the current course and re-register for a GS section, but the only difference between the two is the blog posts, and they are truly easy points. They make up 23% of the grade, and are essentially scored by participation.

[jsd]

The guided study course just turns the discussion forum posts (which, like davewill said, are basically scored 100% no matter how terrible they are as long as you do them) into actual short written assignments that you turn in. So it's the same amount of work, but the scoring might be a little more serious when it's an assignment as opposed to a forum discussion. I don't see the benefit to the GS option.

[frostedfire]

The guided study course just turns the discussion forum posts (which, like davewill said, are basically scored 100% no matter how terrible they are as long as you do them) into actual short written assignments that you turn in. So it's the same amount of work, but the scoring might be a little more serious when it's an assignment as opposed to a forum discussion. I don't see the benefit to the GS option.

Thank you for your input! A bunch on unexpected things have come up, but I hope I can make it through this course. So nervous!

[jsd]

I had a lot of anxiety about the course, but I made it through mostly without any pain. I was terrified by it, but looking back it wasn't so bad and I made it worse on myself by worrying so much.

I'll have to do another capstone for my 2nd bachelors down the road, and I'm not even giving it a second thought. I've been there, and I know it won't be a big deal.

You can do it!

Sorry to hear that some unexpected things are happening, I hope you're doing well.

[rlw74]

I'm in the capstone now. Hardest part so far was coming up with the topic. I had major anxiety going into the course but so far it's good. Granted, nothing has been graded yet so I might have another opinion in a few weeks. But I'm actually enjoying the course so far. I did pick my topic and got a jump on the research before the course even started. I just finished writing the module 1 paper ( which isn't due until Easter Sunday). I'm going to start writing Module 2 this week because it's going to be a lot more work. I'm nervous about writing it but I think it will go ok because I found a lot of material. The discussion forums are pretty easy. Nothing you can't complete in one sitting once a week.

[fcnew52]

Thanks for the tips everyone!

I guess my biggest worry is that I don't have too much experience doing research papers. So I don't really know how to properly research databases and similar things. What kind of sources are we allowed to use? Is Google Scholar something we can use?

I'm working full time so it will be very difficult to make time to go to a physical library. Can one pass this course while only using online sources?