Western Governors University : B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8) Reviews
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Anonymous
(In Progress) on December 1, 2011
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Virtually no interaction is permitted among students
The school is real, it is accredited, and the degrees are a reputable way to attend college via distance learning. However, there are SEVERE deficiencies in the interactions that one expects in a college environment.
The comments that repeatedly state "It's up to you" are drivel. Of course it's up to you. I did well in my six months at WGU. I got along well with my mentor, who was friendly enough but really didn't DO anything.
The main problem with the school is that there is very little academic involvement available, either from the instructors or from fellow students. You're not permitted to talk about anything with other students regarding the assignments because of the risk that you won't do your own work. While I understand this policy, what happens is that there is nothing to talk about other than "how is the weather in Omaha today?" Entire discussion threads were removed without warning because students might be able to find useful information about assignments. At real schools I attended, we were always working together, forming study groups, helping each other with difficult problems and assignments. At WGU, that's all been banned, and furthermore, even your own professors can't give you any information about a topic that's covered in an assignment...because it could HELP you with the assignment, and that's not "doing your own work." So one is left to figure out the thing on one's own. I did read the book. I did try example problems. I still had questions, but no one was allowed to even tell me where to START looking for answers and I wasn't allowed to share my knowledge and experience with anyone else. If a university course, whether virtual or real, is not a shared quest for answers, than what IS?
I roundly criticized the format in my exit interview. It's difficult enough to connect with other students at a conventional university, so at an online university, one would expect to be brought together in myriad ways to go over relevant subject matter and allow connections to be formed. Instead, just the opposite occurs. Discussions of anything relevant to the course are forbidden. Prompts are posted to message boards that are designed to get people to open up and share their opinions and ideas, but NOT about anything germane to the subject at hand. People just end up discussing their personal impressions of this or that, or discussing their life problems, but there is no rigor in these posts. I felt like I was at a support group meeting or listening to audience Q&A during the Oprah Winfrey show and not at a university.
I had to return to work for financial reasons, and I told WGU that I would likely not re-enroll. The school has a responsibility to engage students with instructors and fellow students in a manner that embraces the the substance of what they are expected to learn. Instead, the university's obsession with possible plagiarism has led it to build walls in which students are kept as far away from each other and their professors as possible. Real schools encourage group interaction to discuss course assignments, and the irony of it all is that while I was taking courses in which the virtues of group learning were extolled, we were prohibited from applying that philosophy to OUR OWN learning.
I strongly suggested a complete rethinking of the school's design, in which discussions were centered on assignments rather than irrelevant peripheral topics or sharing one's various troubles in life, and that students be encouraged to learn and share ideas about the subject of the courses...you know, the academics. I know it's rough to balance work, family life and school, so do it and stop bringing it up with everyone. This isn't group therapy, it's a class. We're here to discuss research in the field, current controversies and theories, along with practical, real-world situations involving the topic of study, not to be constantly offering each other emotional support because your child prefers apple juice and all you had was grape juice.
Essays, short answer questions, mid-terms and finals are all ways to measure what has been learned on an individual level. End-of-unit problems should be wide-open for discussion, however, because THAT'S HOW WE LEARN and the goal is to learn and not get all psychotic because someone might pick up an idea from another student!
One final note: I found WGU's excessive use of jargon to be ridiculous. Just call everything what it is instead of making up some silly new term for it. Call homework "homework," a mid-term a "mid-term" and a final exam a "final exam." WGU has all sorts of crazy terminology for these basic things. Finally, hire some teaching assistants who understand what's going on and are permitted to talk about it. My mentor couldn't do anything but listen, say "uh-huh" and talk about the weather.
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Mrsradvilas
(In Progress) on November 24, 2011
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You get what you put in to it
I have to say that this school is not for everyone. You have to be able to pace yourself, work hard and have a good grasp on the english language. The essays can be hard and detailed. There is alot of writing. I am in my first term, but I can see how people could be frustrated if you do not have the skills to write essays, and compile your own research.
I have learned alot, the only class I am struggling with is the math class, but I knew that was going to be my sticking point. I am an independant learner, and I am able to pull up my bootstraps and get in there. Some people need more actual teachers, and actual class time. I was never one of those people, I was always the one who would work their way though the entire text book in a few weeks then be bored the rest of the quarter.
I would say if you are not the kind of person who can research, and work on your own then this might not work for you. If you are like me and can work hard and move though the books and actually learn the course work then this will be great for you. Enjoy, BTW I have been able to complete one third of my program in the time i've been here already, I am expected to student teach in September 2012.
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Brandyrollins
(In Progress) on March 12, 2011
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Love WGU!
I started my program at WGU in April of 2008. I had a 3 year old, a 10 month old, and my husband was serving in Iraq. I didn't have a schedule that was conducive to any traditional or most distance programs. I was really nervous about the 'competency based' program and the lack of info about WGU and I was very hesitant to commit myself to something so non-traditional, but it felt like the only option.
I am SO glad I made the decision I did. I've been able to work quickly and efficiently through some really big life changes (another deployment, a 1200 mile move, etc.). WGU goes year round, two 6 month terms which allows me to give myself a break when I need it, right in the middle of my studies. If I need a longer break, I can take a month off between terms (which I've taken advantage of twice) and it's a seamless transition back.
WGU is fully, regionally accredited and contrary to some other (uninformed) reviews, will lead to licensure in 49 states (with the exception of only Iowa). Difficulties in certification are due to individual STATES, not the university. For example, Texas requires students who complete a degree outside of the state (not just WGU) to apply for licensure via reciprocity. North Carolina only requires completion of the degree (regardless of the state it was awarded in) and the necessary Praxis exams. You may want to check out your state specific information before you commit, but, unless you're in Iowa, you're fine.
As far as how WGU works, it's nothing like most schools. You do not have "classes" or "teachers". You have communities (online message boards of fellow students) and mentors (more like tutors to help you with SPECIFIC questions or issues). Each course has a course of study. The best way to think about this is like a rubric. Do what's on the rubric and I assure you that you'll have no problem completing assignments.
And here is where the competency based program works. I took several AP classes in high school and had a good liberal arts back ground. Two classes I remember specifically - a writing course and literature - I didn't even open the courses of study. I simply did the assignments, wrote the essays, and took the exams.
If you have a lot of background knowledge you can breeze through. If you have none, you can follow the course of study and be more than prepared. If you have some, you can do something in between and make it work for you. This is also why, financially speaking, WGU is a good "deal". My first term I was new, busy, and exhausted. I only did 13 units (similar to credit hours; you need 12 to be full time and qualify for federal aid). At approximately $3,000 per term, that was about $230 per credit hour. That's very close to what public instate tuition would have been at UNC.
Now, the next term, my husband was home, my kids were older, and I had more time and energy. I did 24 credits that term. Still $3,000, but now my per hour cost was more like $125 - half of what it would have cost even at the in-state rate, and minuscule compared to other online, private (usually for profit) schools.
Next term (fall 2011) I have student teaching. Because of the way WGU works, I already have all of my liberal arts courses complete, all of my teaching courses complete, and almost 80 hours of classroom experience(this is called PCE). I just took my Praxis exams (0011 and 0012 for NC) and passed with flying colors.
I took advantage of my background knowledge and worked quickly when possible. I took advantage of the courses of study and used the resources and instructions that I was given when I didn't have prior experience. When neither was enough, I took advantage of the communities and the course mentors. To show for it, I am one "internship" shy of my bachelors, feel exceedingly confident for walking into my student teaching classroom, and I will have completed my program in less than 4 years for less than I would have paid at a local university.
I've done all this with the constant support of one, awesome student mentor. If I had the choice to make all over again, I'd definitely go with WGU.
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Anonymous
(In Progress) on September 10, 2010
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It's up to you!
I have read a lot of reviews, and many of the negative reviews seem to be based on their lack of understanding on how the program works.
It's based on how your work ethic and understanding of material is. There are course mentors for every class. Your "Mentor" is like a guidance counselor, not your instructor. The "course mentors" are like tutors. They answer your questions if you don't understand an assignment. I have had to ask for clarification on more than one occasion. They respond to emails and phone calls, and have online "study groups" where the course mentor does course reviews as students approach test time.
I was concerned about whehter or not the school was credible, and it is. Some were concerned that it would not be recognized and it is. If you want to be recruited by a big company to go to a big school. The coaching reports are helpful in streamlining what areas of study need more focus. Part of the challenge for me in college (brick and mortar) the first time was that we could only go through the material as fast as the slowest person in class would allow, and it drove me crazy. I had to go to class twice a week for weeks. I just wanted to plow through the work and the assignments, and now I can. This isn't about last resort, it is about lifestyle.
If you need a classroom, then go to one. For online, flexible, go your pace, no politics within a university, no fighting for parking or paying to park, and avoiding idiot professors that spend more time spouting their own beliefs instead of actually teaching, then try WGU. Everyone is different and it has been amazing for me, and for others I know.
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Anonymous
(Graduate) on November 13, 2009
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Education of a LifeTime
I’d no intention of writing a review today. But when I came across some of the reviews here, I decided to reply. If your motivating question is "How quickly can I pass with as little effort as possible?", do WGU, its students & yourself a favor … MOVE ON! WGU is not for you. Or, frankly, for any reviewer talking about color books, too easy tests , bouncing from mentor to mentor looking for one who will tell them the answers, or who don't bother to read instructions (on financial aid pages or elsewhere). To reviewers who complain materials are confusing.... WELL, DUH! The materials ARE often confusing! Expect it! That happens to me each time I’m unfamiliar with content...and need to learn it. If it's clear at 1st glance, chances are there are experiences in my background that made it so. That’s what a competency based model is all about. Don't waste another minute. Pass it! Move on! WGU lets you handcraft your program to fit your goals. Use their course of study as a base, and build from there. My focus has been international and virtual education. Because I am in charge of how and where I use my time at WGU, I was able to pack up my program and take it to a real-time second grade class in China, while still studying virtually in the states. Go ahead ... Name ANY other online teachers college that insists you have tons of supervised in-school experiences before walking into your student teaching classroom ...AND supports you in finding that opportunity! What other university gives you weekly personal mentor support when you need it AND leaves you to study undisturbed for a month when you don't? Having gotten to the 'almost completed' point three other times ... and having to start over because brick & mortars can't accommodate family moves ... I've sufficient experience to make a comparison of WGU, brick & mortars and other online universities. For example, I've human development courses from 4 colleges (non-transfer policies at all). WGU's course is more academically rigorous than that at the state university, more unbiased than the expensive private university, and totally lacking in any of the irrelevant busy work demanded by a highly rated online university. WGU's course did seem a bit hodge-podge at first glance, but it didn't take long to see it was because they were pulling the most relevant materials from multiple learning sources. I reiterate here what other reviewers have already said. If you are a self-motivated learner who is busy working a full time job, raising a family and still want to attend full time... or if you are a full time student who is willing to work hard to accelerate through a 4 year degree in as little as a year ... WGU is for you. Otherwise... choose elsewhere. No Teachers -10 because WGU teaches you to teach yourself.
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Anonymous
(In Progress) on February 9, 2009
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The problem is not WGU
I am currently in my third term with WGU. My mentor is fabulous. For all those with bad mentors, may I say I feel for you. I would not be able to make it without mine. I do, however, feel the issue is not with WGU or its staff but with taskstream and its graders. All of my problems are with the rubrics and graders. Indeed, the term "all" is appropriate because I have had at least one issue with practically every task. The issues have ranged from serious to simply annoying. My only criticism with WGU would be to consider seriously their involvement with taskstream. I agree the tasks are not easy and are most definately not spoonfed to you, however, they are often graded randomly, subjectively, and many times inaccurately. My experience with WGU has been on a scale of 1 to 10 a strong 9, but taskstream gets a whoping 1!!!
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Anonymous
(In Progress) on January 25, 2009
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Disappointed - Poor Curriculum
My recommendation: do your homework and ask to see the online content, course structure, and grading process before you sign up at WGU. I am a hard-working student with prior Big-10 university and community college experience. I just finished my first semester (BA - Math Teaching) and have decided to leave based on the poor course content and structure. I do not feel confident that this school would properly prepare me to teach. IMPORTANT TO KNOW: The courses are not designed by or taught by WGU instructors. Instead, the course content is all over the board - it's a hodge-podge of content from different learning sites and excerpts from textbooks. The grading is completely unreliable and inconsistent - there are a pool of graders that randomly grade your papers and assignments. Some pass your work with perfect scores, while others will reject the exact same work multiple times. Unlike traditional grading, where you get a number score and an actual grade, with WGU you will not pass a course until all of your assignments are completed. In my experience, it seemed that their "competency-based" process translated to "100% passing." I am so disappointed that WGU did not work out. I was really was looking forward to getting my degree at WGU because it was the only math teaching program I found that would allow me to earn my degree while continuing to work full time. I will now pursue a different degree at another institution that offers better course content and an actual instructor with a reliable grading process. My only positive experience at WGU: my mentor was really great! I would have given her a 10, except the generic support category on this survey seems to encompass more than advisement. Warning - beware of the financial aid office - it's a complete disaster! I dealt with several people who promised to fix their error and none of them did, even after escalating it to a supervisor.
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Virtue_summer
(In Progress) on March 16, 2008
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For Independant, Self Disciplined Learners
I have been attending WGU since September. I have experience attending both brick and mortar schools and other online programs, and I found that WGU compares well. It is different than brick and mortar schools because you have to be an independant learner with self discipline. A professor will not feed you the information and constantly keep you on task. You must do a lot of this yourself. Your mentor will keep in touch with you on a regular basis by phone, though, to check your progress and this helps.
The tasks are not necessarily difficult, but many of them did make me think about the subject and that's the important thing. Transferring in was easy and with the exception of a critical thinking and a science course, I had already completed all of my non teaching related requirements.
My mentor calls me regularly and responds to my e-mail in a timely manner, and if she doesn't know the answer she always directs me to the person that does. WGU also provides a lot of answers to common questions through their online students handbook, etc.
The learning materials are varied and provide a good range of views. They seem to try to avoid the bias that exists in many traditional courses due to professors who only present views that match their own. Videos that show students and teachers interacting are extremely helpful to me, as well be in person observations in classrooms which WGU provides as well before student teaching.
I have already learned a lot, including very practical information such as a teachers legal rights in the classroom. I don't know about other people's experiences but the graders have been very consistent with me and the rubrics are a lifesaver in terms of knowing ahead of time what is required and how the assignment will be graded. I was never given a rubric at my brick and mortar universities. I also enjoy not being subject to a professor's odd requirements. At a previous university I once got an F on an essay for not having enough sentences in my paragraphs! At WGU I revise if the comments make sense and if they don't I explain my position and it is usually respected or the reasoning of the comments clarified.
As to cost, it's hard for me to beat WGU. At my brick and mortar university I had to commute an hour each way and the cost of gas is astronomical, not to mention the fact that the commute cost me valuable time and slowed down my progress. At WGU I'm getting through school faster because I can work ahead and I'm able to combine the last few requirements for my BA with the requirements for my teaching credential. I am also available to apply for and interview for education related jobs other than teaching while I finish my credential because I don't have to work around an inflexible schedule.
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Iamamhb
(In Progress) on November 2, 2007
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Great for adults!!
WGU has been a true gift!! I have had previous college experience, with my Associates out of the way, and part of my bachelors at a brick and mortar state university. I always felt like sitting in the class room was a waste of time and wished to just "do the assignments and to take the tests". Once I found WGU, I couldn't be happier! It is different from even other online courses. First of all, there are no message board requirements each week, no collaborative assignments with other students. You have the entire term to finish your assignments and take the tests. Or you may elect to finish them in a matter of weeks, and take additional courses at no additional charge!!! This is truely a school for working adults, or parents who are pressed for time. If you like getting a list of tasks (assignments), completing them, and taking a test, then this is the school for you. Many classes have books that are "recomended", yet after a quick browse through the message boards one may find that there is no need to even spend money on books for many classes. CDs and computer programs and some books are sent to you free of charge for some classes. Granted, there are no "teachers", but there are learning communities and message boards for every class with at least 2-4 leaders, who answer questions, if they arent already answered by fellow students who are very eager to help. These message boards are very detailed and questions are just as if in a real class room. If you arent sure that your doing something right, they will give examples, just as a real professor would. For those that need a bit of encouragement, there is a required relationship with a mentor, whom you will schedule phone conversations with on a regular basis. In the beginning it is at least once a week, then slows to once a month unless you need them more. You are always allowed to call when you want, or email. I have also found that other students are really helpful as well. Many of us have exchanged instant messenger names so that we can talk in real time about life, assingments or even have complaint sessions. Word of warning though, it is very very easy to put off doing assigments until the end of the term and getting caught up in stress to get them turned in with time for grading!!! so...PROCRASTINATORS BEWARE!
The cost is only a few hundred more than what I was paying at Fayetteville State University!!! Much cheaper than other online schools that I checked out first.
Now that I have sounded like a full fledged comercial, I will leave y'all to finish my essay in RUA1.
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