Experiences with the SUNY network: I'm taking a course (Mathematical Modeling) through this "network" from Empire State College. The course is 15 weeks long and is presented in 5 modules. Each module consists of a group project, an individual project, and a worksheet. No proctored exams. Wimba is used for group discussions and there is an asynchronous discussion thread within each module. Wimba tends to be a hassle, though, because it is difficult for all members of the group to settle on a specific meeting time. Sometimes Wimba doesn't work quite right, either. Also, we are required to use "Maple" (a mathematics program) and many students are having trouble with it. The course cost, with books, was just over $1000 (4 upper level UG semester hours.)
Five group projects...oh boy...but it could be a good experience if the others in the group do their share of the work. I do like the fact that the course doesn't require a proctor, which is rare for a math course. Regarding Maple, it seems most Empire State College online math courses use Maple to submit work, at least according to the course descriptions I have read.
group projects Indeed you are correct. Some group members are not as involved as others. I suppose that's true in life sometimes as well. Many other schools (University of Phoenix to name one) use group projects and I've received the same critique from some of their students as well. On one of my team projects, I received a 99/100 for my individual participation and we received a 93/100 for the "team grade" which averaged to a 96/100 overall personal score. Hmm....thanks for lowering my score, fellas!
Thought I would jump in with my experience with online group work. I have taken 3 graduate courses online with UNC-CH, working towards 2 more to complete a grad certificate in Public Health. The system uses Blackboard. The courses are set up as not to let the group as a whole pull each individual's grade too badly. The research groups (9 of these) would be assigned a group leader and lead the project. The professor graded on a number of factors for each project. I believed it to be very fair. At the end of the semester, the students were required to grade each of the other students on the quality of posts, the thought process and significance of information and formulation of plans. There were a couple who did barely participate at the minimum level. When I was the project sup. I emailed these particular students and expressed what was expected from each of the group members and how grades were applied. A few come around. As in the regular classrooms, there will be those there who ride the coat tails of others. Personally, I hate that and think the grades of the others should bring up there grade to passing when actually they should have failed. But that is my opinion. But in general, I have been very pleased with the group discussion boards and project completions. I will soon be starting Epid 6001 this month online. Hope I am fortunate enough to be in a great group of folks. At the country redneck high school I attended, I graduated at least a dozen of lazy, immature, bulley, drug users by them looking over my shoulder to get answers, taking papers out of my locker, and always wanting to sit with me during group work and do nothing while I did the work and presented for the group. I can't beleive the asshole teachers couldn't see this. I was out numbered so what was I to do? I did fight a couple of them but then more joined. wwwaahhhh wwhhhaahheh. that's me waehning. I survived. Now I see them around with on and off jobs living from paycheck to paycheck. Me, I am doing alright.
to add... I often wonder when I see one of these guys should I stop the car and show him my pay stub. Sorry I got on the soap box. But when I hear of others getting by on someone else's work, I get angry inside.
I give group projects at the B&M community college where I teach, but I give the students the right to fire a non-contributing team member. I require that the team gives the non-contributing team member an oral and written warning first.
