TESC FlashTrack Courses?

[Elinor]

After about 15 months, I am finally ready to begin seriously thinking about the course I'm going to need to take at TESC: "War and American Society." I was talking to a friend (and TESC alumnus), and decided that, if possible, I would go the e-Pack course route. Of course that's not an option for my subject. I think I decided to go with the FlashTrack option, which sounds pretty good, but I really want to hear what y'all think.

Has anyone here used that option? What do you think about it? Have you done that option and the guided study option? Which one did you prefer? Any info about this, how they work, etc. is much appreciated!

Thanks!

[FinancialWorld]

I know you're taking a the FlashTrack, but aren't the e-pack courses pass/fail? This means that the course wouldn't affect your gpa. I think its like a little different version of the TECEP.

[Elinor]

I know you're taking a the FlashTrack, but aren't the e-pack courses pass/fail? This means that the course wouldn't affect your gpa. I think its like a little different version of the TECEP.

I don't know. Kinda sounds like it from the TESC website:

e-Pack Courses
e-Pack courses allow students to prepare for a comprehensive final examination by taking a series of chapter quizzes delivered online. This credit-earning option is perfect for self-motivated learners who want the freedom of self-paced learning within a semester time frame but would benefit from online chapter quizzes to gauge their readiness for the comprehensive examination. The quizzes break up the subject matter into manageable units and do not count toward the final grade. They also provide simple, easy-to-understand, real-time feedback on each question to which the student has responded. By using the feedback, the student will know which topics need further review. Each course is designed around a textbook, and features access to the online chapter quizzes, an opportunity to earn credit on the comprehensive examination and Web site support. There is no mentor. System requirements are: an Internet connected PC, one of the major browser programs such as Internet Explorer, and Windows 98 or higher.

Wow. That sounds awesome. Now I really wish it was an option for my course! Oh well. Here's what TESC has to say about FlashTrack Courses:

FlashTrack Courses
These courses are delivered to students on a 2 GB flash drive loaded with all course materials and software needed to prepare for the final exam. FlashTrack courses contain the same structure and functionality as an online course but enable students to work offline

Still sounds like you get to skip midterms... *hopeful*

[Lindagerr]

Since it is fresh in your mind, what did you think of this course? Did you do the flashtrack? How much writing did you do? Was there a mid-term and a final and did you need to go to a proctor for them?

I am all over the place today, it just seems TESC is throwing up roadblocks every time I try something.

I really don't want to take a course, but I need 30 "NEW" history credits. I am on the old plan and I thought 30 ll credits would be easier then 24 "new" credits 18 of those UL. I did History of the Vietnam war for my first BA so it makes it hard to make the upper levels now.

[Elinor]

Since it is fresh in your mind, what did you think of this course? Did you do the flashtrack? How much writing did you do? Was there a mid-term and a final and did you need to go to a proctor for them?

I am all over the place today, it just seems TESC is throwing up roadblocks every time I try something.

I really don't want to take a course, but I need 30 "NEW" history credits. I am on the old plan and I thought 30 ll credits would be easier then 24 "new" credits 18 of those UL. I did History of the Vietnam war for my first BA so it makes it hard to make the upper levels now.

Thank you for bringing this up; I've been meaning to post my thoughts.

I took the FlashTrack course "War and American Society" HIS-356FT... or something like that. The way the FlashTrack works, on this course anyway, is TESC sends you a thumb drive with the syllabus, and a calendar that you can choose to follow or not. The course is broken down into 6 modules, and they give about 2 weeks for each module.

This course had 8 books, and since I didn't want to take any chances, I went on and got them all. There's a survey text which I generally read a couple chapters from, along with one to two other books, for each module. So, if you do it like they suggest, it's an awful lot of reading. It took me about a month to finish it all. After each module there are two to three study questions. Because I wasn't overly confident in my essay-writing skills, I chose to answer the study questions in essay form, which I then turned in to Mama (my teacher - homeschooling rocks! Just sayin'. ) to be critiqued. She didn't necessarily critique the content, just the styling and grammar. Once I finally finished the modules and study questions, I looked over what they said "I should know before the final." With those 1-2 words I practiced more essays and wrote brief definitions. When I'd looked through, looked up, and wrote about all those, I decided to take the final.

Oh, the FlashTrack doesn't have a midterm, just a final. This one didn't, anyway, and I'm pretty sure none of them do. I had to submit a proctor request form, and then take the test at my normal testing center after they approved my proctor. So, in that way, it's very similar to the "normal" tests. You study and cram and then go take the test. The final isn't multiple choice though. However, I thought it was easier than many of the DSSTs I've taken. There were 30-ish "definition" questions (eg, "Who was the president of the United States during the Civil War" answer "Abraham Lincoln."), and then they gave 11 subjects from which you were supposed to choose three to write essays between 75 and 100 words long. Mine were a lot longer than that, I know, but I still passed.

After taking the final, I think I probably didn't have to read everything they said to. I'd already taken all the history CLEPs and DSSTs, so I knew pretty much everything they talked about. I didn't wan to take chances though. I would advise anyone looking at doing this course in this format, who has also done all the history tests and passed them reasonably well, to take a look at the end lists of things you ought to know, and if you feel confident about those, don't waste much time studying much else.

I like the FlashTrack format. I'm used to going at my own pace and not having anyone hold me back or check me along the way, and this catered to that. I'd recommend it to anyone who was determined enough to make it through a bunch of CLEPs and DSSTs without having someone there cracking the whip over their head.

I hope all that made sense; I'm rather distracted right now.

[bricabrac]

Elinor,

Thank you for the feedback! Wow, flashtrack courses are great to use in conjunction with epacks! Only wish they were graded credit.

[Lindagerr]

Elinor Thank you for that great feedback. You answered all my questions.

I think you convinced me to do it. Were you able to schedule the final on your own time or did you have to wait until 12 weeks?

Are you interested in selling the books?

[ryoder]

Do it Lindagerr!

[Elinor]

Only wish they were graded credit.

Yeah... I actually thought it was going to be graded, but I don't know but what I like it better this way after all.

I think you convinced me to do it. Were you able to schedule the final on your own time or did you have to wait until 12 weeks?

Are you interested in selling the books?

When I saw how quickly I was likely to go through the course, I asked TESC to send the final to my testing center asap. Within a week they obliged! It sat at my testing center for 2+ weeks waiting for me to feel confident enough. When I finally did get up enough courage, it was still a good 6 weeks before the course was supposed to end, I believe.

Sure! I did order some used books though, and got one or two off paperback swap. They're not in perfect condition, but they're generally good. I don't think any of them are marked up, or if they are, not significantly. PM me if you're interested.

[ladyofshalott]

Are the flashtrack courses less expensive than the online ones? I'll be taking three courses from TESC; just want to see if I can get through without the big bucks...I know, I know...TESC is way cheaper than other colleges, but I'm always looking to save $$.