Attn TUI Students: Grading Structure Changes

I just posted this at the TUI forum and thought I'd cross-post here.

____________________________________________________

I just recieved the course materials for MGT507 and MGT515, which I'm taking during the upcoming summer session. As I reviewed the materials for both courses, I noticed that assignments are being weighed differently than they have been in the past.

The case assignment now counts for 50%, the SLP now counts for 35% and the TD now counts for 15%. This is somewhat of a change from the previous "60/30/10" grading structure.

The most significant change is that students will no longer "automatically" get the full TD credit by simply posting lame
comments in the TD as in the past. Instead, now the student MAY be awarded UP TO 15%, depending on the quality of his/her interaction in the TD.

I believe this change is specifically meant to improve the relevancy
and value of TDs. I know many members of this forum will welcome this change as the poor state of some TD exhanges is a huge sore point for many. This latest change certainly raises the stakes a bit for those who might otherwise post the odd "I agree" or "good point" in the TD. I doubt those kinds of no-brainer, numbnut comments will earn full marks with this new system.

Frankly, we all know that with the previous system, there was little motivation to research and support the comments one made in the TD. On at least three occasions, I personally am guilty of answering all five TD questions within a ten minute time span on the first day of class. Sure, there's nothing stopping me from doing the same in the future except now there may be consequences if my responses are lacking.

Additionally, the SLPs now count as a larger part (35% vs. 30%) of the overall grade. This change kills two birds with one stone.
First, it will require many students to approach the SLP in a more
serious manner instead of as some kind of high-value, low-effort
assignment. Secondly, the new grading system acknowledges that the SLP requirements are getting tougher and therefore rewards the extra effort accordingly. During my last few courses, the SLP assignments was just as long, if not longer, than the case assignments.

On one hand, I'm truly glad I'm nearing the end of my MBA because I've seen the requirements get increasingly stringent each session. On the other hand, those who are in the early stages of their TUI studies will be truly challenged and should take even more pride in their accomplishment when done. I can't help but think a tough curriculum is good for any DL school's reputation. TUI's already good rep should be boosted by this move.

I do have one critical, somewhat unrelated commment though. It
still bothers me and others that TUI does not have a mechanism in place to announce such changes that affect its student body. So, if any of TUI's "powers that be" are reading this, please create an email newsletter or a "What's New" section on TUI's website. Based on the feedback I've recieved, TUI students are getting tired of finding out about major and minor changes on informal Internet discussion forums like this one.

Cheers,

Nobby--TUI Forum Moderator (aka 4Q)

 

TUI changes

Glad I read your post, I'd have never known about the changes. I also see that you need to make 2 posts to the TD discussion. I've also noticed that in the program I’m in PhD (E-learning), the SLP projects have been drawn out to be more rigorous in nature.

I agree with your criticism of TUI’s communication, or lack thereof. It would not be to hard to sanction an official .pdf newsletter- published weekly. Hell, I’d to that myself. Or maybe an official blog. It would certainly improve the level of camaraderie among students. While there are a number of forums available, one accessed, produced and officially sanctioned by TUI would be great. That way this kind of change, and a healthy discussion would entail.

Reggie
on going TUI PhD- E-learning

 

The grading changes to the Threaded Discussion (TD) seem like a good idea to me. However, I did Graduate Assistant (GA) work for TUI for a year in the MBA program and the TD credit was never given automatically to folks who posted silly messages way in advance of the module due dates. GAs were also required to visit the TD and participate along with the Professor. The way the online grade book worked was that for each student, we could click on a link from their grade page to see the postings that they had made. Anyone who was fudging on participation did not receive full credit for the TD portion of the final grade, because it was so easy to check...

Dave

 

I am in the Health Science doctoral program and I have not noticed any lame TD participation in the courses I have taken and in one particular course last session, the professor actually commended the students for quote "excellent doctoral level participations". This does not mean it may not exist in other courses.

I have however noticed TUI constantly moving the goal post. One example, they now require that dissertation must be completed within three years post course work completion. Previously, I think it was seven years and they made the changes applicable to existing students. It is possible to request a one time one year extension after which you may request a certificate of graduate studies and be dropped from the program.

This was communicated through email broadcast to all doctoral health science students.

I think there may be other forces driving these stringent changes TUI has embarked on in the recent past. An associate was told he may have to wait for up to 18 months before he is admitted. Again, that was strange but I encourage him to apply any way or seek another institution as long as it is accredited.

oko