Excelsior College Online course frustration

[Professor_Adam]

I'm enrolled in English Composition at EC right now only because they won't accept either of my English Comp CLEP exams (w/ and w/o essay).

The class isn't too bad, neither is the total course load. My problem is that they only release the full details of your assignments, essays and howework one week at a time!! In other words, it's almost impossible to work ahead. In my opinion this defeats the purpose of the online environment. If I wanted to be "locked" into a strict week-by-week schedule I wouldn't be taking a class online.

My experience with Central Texas College online courses was much better. You could work ahead as much as possible. The only thing you couldn't do was take a mid-term or final exam early. Other than that you could complete all the reading, homework, essays, and projects ahead of time. So, I needed to vent on the forum about it. Thought you should know.

[categ]

I have had that experience also with online courses. I find it frustrating because I am so busy that when I have extra time I want to work on the assignments. Not sure what the logic is but I agree with you.

[cookderosa]

I'm enrolled in English Composition at EC right now only because they won't accept either of my English Comp CLEP exams (w/ and w/o essay).

The class isn't too bad, neither is the total course load. My problem is that they only release the full details of your assignments, essays and howework one week at a time!! In other words, it's almost impossible to work ahead. In my opinion this defeats the purpose of the online environment. If I wanted to be "locked" into a strict week-by-week schedule I wouldn't be taking a class online.

My experience with Central Texas College online courses was much better. You could work ahead as much as possible. The only thing you couldn't do was take a mid-term or final exam early. Other than that you could complete all the reading, homework, essays, and projects ahead of time. So, I needed to vent on the forum about it. Thought you should know.

I feel for you, that would drive me crazy. I "get" the need for the discussion forum posts to be on topic and on time, but the homework and reading? Arghh. Very frustrating.

[pmc2009]

I find that very strange. I am in 2 classes with Excelsior that started last week and both of them have the entire syllabus open. In one course even the final exam is open and you can take it any time through out the semester. I don't know why they would have it locked into a week by week format in English.

[Sunshine]

Thanks for the feedback. I agree with you- I would much prefer a self-paced approach to on online classes (meeting minimum deadlines, of course).
Sounds like this may not be the case with all EC classes? How about TESC students- was is possible to work ahead? Thanks

[ken972]

EC does have options for taking many of their classes. The online courses are designed for folks who prefer the structure of a traditional class with weekly assignments. EC has cdrom and even mp3 courses for those who are motivated and disciplined to press foward and complete the course asap.

[BurnieGirl]

What was your Eng Clep score if you don't mind? I am thinking about going to EC for the BS. I want to Test out of 30 credits add'l on top of my AS before I enroll in EC. I am starting to hear many issues with EC.

[Professor_Adam]

My scores were both in the mid 60's on Eng Comp w/ and w/o essay

[originalbigjim]

you might like excelsior cd rom courses better. you can pretty much do whatever you want when you want. their are deadlines but they are not "hard" deadlines and the teacher will work with your. PLUS you get your assignment list on day one.

[BrandeX]

sounds like transferring in the PFC eng comp class is the way to go over taking EC's directly.