NCU is now at your own pace again

You used to be tied to a 12 week format. I finished a course early and had to wait another 8 weeks to have the credit added to my transcript. Now it seems that your course is over when the last assignment is graded.
NCU courses are now 8 weeks in length and typically have 8 assignments. This means that if you know your stuff and work hard you could complete a course in 3-4 weeks.
Plan on doing a LOT of reading, a LOT of researching and a LOT of writing for NCU MBA courses. It is rewarding though.

EARLY GRADE POSTING:

Mentors are now required to submit final course grades as soon as a Learner’s last assignment is turned in and they have determined the final grade. This means that when a course is completed early, the final grade will post immediately and the course will end. When courses are completed early, it is important that Learners contact their Academic Advisors to adjust the schedule of courses, in order to remain in attendance.

 

It sounds like they are getting their admin act together. I have no idea why they do not find a model that works and just use it.

 

:banana::banana::banana::banana:

 

And why hold-up the learning process; GOOD for NCU? That’s the one thing I’m disappointed with Tarleton State University. Their process is the traditional 15-week format (fall /spring terms); the only non-traditional aspect is their delivery methodology, e.g., Blackboard. Organizational behaviors /mindsets are exceedingly difficult to change …:disappointed:

 

Why hold up the learning process? That is an excellent question.

I was bored out of my mind my first few years of school as a kid because I was reading on a 3rd grade level day 1 of kindergarten. My grandma taught me how to read the year before kindergarten. We would sit and read books together a few hours a day.

So I got into trouble for talking and goofing off in class until about fourth grade when the content was finally starting to become a little more challenging. I could have skipped kindergarten and first grade altogether easily but I would have been a 5 year old in class with 7 year olds. The model is broken. It doesn't work well for kids that are falling behind or kids that lose focus and interest by being held back unnecessarily.

Of course I don't know how to fix it at the elementary level but at the university level or even high school level, at your own pace is wonderful.

 

Allowing a student to work at their own pace can work at the elementary level as well. Check out the Khan Academy pilot programs for one example. Khan Academy

 

Now if they can just get rid of the 12-week end limit, that would be cool. I imagine it may not be possible given RA requirements, though.

 

:iagree: In fact I think that learning at one's own pace is even more important at the elementary and junior/senior high school levels. In addition to the fact that different people of any age learn at different speeds, children are also developing (mentally, physically, etc.) at different rates. Two children of the same age might be at very different developmental levels. One child might be ready to read at four while another might not read until eight. Not because one is smart and the other isn't, but just because they are developing at different rates.

My brother learned to read at age four, while I learned to read at age six. Within a year, both of us were reading at a third grade level. I was advanced in math for my age. Thankfully we were homeschooled by parents who understood that children develop differently. Therefore we did not have to be in the situation that you and many other students have been in. Each of us was able to learn at our own pace, off course with our parent's guidance and instruction. This is one of the reasons why I love homeschooling.

We were at different levels in different subjects, because, not only does everyone have different strengths and weaknesses, but children develop at different rates in different subjects. I finished 12 grade math at the age of 15; soon after, I finished 12 grade English; within the next six months I finished history, government, and economics; at the age of 16 I finished science and graduated from high school. All because I was allowed to learn at my own speed. My brother also finished 12th grade between the ages of 15 and 16, finishing science first, and English, government, and economics last.

Schools simply cannot work with each child individually or allow each child to learn at his own pace. The school system is not designed for that. Therefore, schools try to make all the children learn at the same speed, which doesn't work. This creates situations where advanced students are bored and loose interest and slower students are not given enough time to learn and drop behind. I feel sorry for students who are in those situations and also for the teachers who do their best and try to teach all the students well.

I am glad that there are options for college that are self-directed. I have enjoyed being able to study at my own pace without be pulled back by other students or a schedule. I can take as long as I need to master subjects that I find difficult, and complete others quite quickly. I agree, "at your own pace is wonderful."

PS: Sorry for such a long post. I did not mean to write an essay! :laugh2: