My studies at Education Direct

I should clarify that. I completed two sections of the first "Instruction Module", which is Business Orientation. The two sections I completed were "Strategies for the Independent Learner" and "Your Life is Your Business". Together, they are worth one credit. After each section, there was a 20 question online quiz. The proctored exam doesn't come until the end of the semester, and it is an open-book exam. All of the courses are self-paced, which means you could probably get through it as fast as time allows, but it depends on how quickly ED sends out the course material. They mail it as well as deliver it online, but I have yet to receive the printed version of the first module I just completed. My next module is an "Information Literacy" project, which is also worth one credit. The three-credit modules come after that.

As for the proctored exam, I have found a testing service at a local community college. They will proctor each exam for $15.

TCord1964
ASB Business Management/Marketing - Thomson Education Direct (in progress)

 

$15 is a nice fee. When I finished at IU, I went to the Dean of something (I don't remember and he's not there any more) at Wake Forest for my proctored exams and he charged $35 each.

 

Greetings,

I thought I'd share my experiences with Education Direct.

I was intrigued by the possibility of a new (to me) source of ACE reviewed college credits in non-pedestrian subjects. Over the last several months I've sent Education Direct more than 70 e-mails requesting more information. (I've taken to resending the same e-mail a dozen or so times every time I think of it.) Aside from automated responses, I've yet to receive a reply.

Despite the nonexistent customer service and the almost embarrassing "prestige" of the institution (no offense, but I don't think they're denting MIT's enrollment by much , I think ED is worth considering if one is desperate enough, but that's a level of desperation I'd recommend avoiding. <g>

Cordially,
Richard Kanarek

 

That's odd, I've never heard anything negative about ED until your post. As far as "prestige" they are an accredited (DETC) institution with courses evaluated for credit by the ACE. What's wrong with that? Someone seeking a practicle, affordable DL associates degree could surely do worse.

Desperation is putting down an institution in order to make yourself feel superior.

 

Well, your right about the customers service from email. If you are just wanting to get info from them about their program and so forth.

They are a low-budge education option for sure.

If you don't need your hand held and you are searching for a place to earn some credit they can't be beat.

From experience I have learned that if you pay them and you are aggressive at getting info you should be fine.

The courses that I have taken have been great. I can't say enough about how I am pleased with what I have got for my money.

Then again, I have never had to get help with any of my coursework either. If your good at reading instructions I don't see where much help would be needed.

This week I should complete my third coures from them.

So far I have taken Analytical Geometery & Calc., Business Stats and Financial Management.

I am not a really good test taker (not really bad either) so I opted to do some coursework for the CLEP/DANTES that I thought would be harder.

I would think that if one is interested in Education Direct for transfer purposes it is an excellent choice.

 

I don't think I appreciate being classified as "desperate" for choosing to pursue my ASB through Education Direct. I chose the school for its low price, the fact it is online and the ACE-evaluated courses, not because I was desperate.

I have not had to deal with student or "customer" service, so I cannot speak to that. I do know that so far, everything has been handled in a prompt and professional manner.

Do I expect an MIT-class education? No. Do I expect to learn something and use this degree as a stepping stone to a BS? You bet. I fully expect that I will get what I pay for, and nothing more.
Geez, I'm not buying my degree from a mill.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

Since I have my Bachelors I have found ED a great place to take some classes to add some skills to my resume. I am not desperate and have not had a problem getting information from them. I like that you work at your own pace. I have completed 5 classes since May. It works for me because I don't need someone to hold my hand. I have done this format before.

 

Education Direct

Can someone send me info on ACE review courses for Education Direct business degree?

[email protected]

 

I am taking a course with Education Direct and so far I am very happy with them. I wanted to do the same with Ashworth and found them hard to deal with.

Carlos M. Lorie

 

jjgomillion reply to:

Education Direct
Can someone send me info on ACE review courses for Education Direct business degree?

[email protected]

I decided to take the plunge and go with Education Direct as well. According to my ED catalog it says "Many of our CDS degree courses have been evaluated for college transfer credit by ACE/College Credit Recommendation Service. The suggested transfer credits are listed in The National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs published by the Aerican Council on Education". I could only find this guide for sale over the internet. As for finding out through the school I have had a good experience calling directly to the Business and Industrial department for information. I asked them about the ACE reviewed courses a while back and I think the manager told me only the business courses have been reviewed, in your case that would be good. I enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering technology program.

Goodluck!

 

After a week off to mail my signed student agreement and impatiently waiting for the USPS to deliver it, I am finally ready to take my next course. This is another one-credit introductory course called Information Literacy. I've been burning through these in about a week. After that, I'll be ready for my first real 3-credit business course....Introduction to Business, what else?

 

Good job TCord!!! Keep it up.


Abner

 

I have just finished my one-credit "Information Literacy" course from ED. It took me a little longer than usual to finish because I had relatives visit from out of town.

Anyway, the course is essentially about how to do research and look up information at the library and online. It covers the Dewey Decimal System, as well as Library of Congress and Superintendent of Documents classification systems. If you can follow directions and are good at doing a Google search, this course is not difficult. There are two online exams for this course. They are both 20-question, open-book exams. The first covers information from the study unit. The second is a "research project" which puts your online research and Google skills to the test. I scored a 90 on the first, a 100 on the second. The only reason I missed a couple of questions on the first was because I didn't read the questions carefully and kind of hurried through the exam. Even though the exams are open-book, you need to READ CAREFULLY and TAKE YOUR TIME looking up information you are not certain about. For my part, I try to answer the question from memory first, and then clarify my response with the open book. I'm almost always correct, and I feel I'm validating what I have learned.

Up next: My first 3-credit business course "Introduction to Business". This covers Business in a Global Environment, Starting and Growing Your Business, Management, Marketing Management, Managing Technology and Information and Managing Financial Resources.

So far, the only downside to ED is that when I finish one unit, I usually have to wait a day or two until I can access the next one online. Otherwise, I could be working at a much faster pace.

 

Hi, a few questions about this course and Education Direct:

-How does one get the information about this course, is there a web link. I contacted ED by email some days ago but have received no reply. is it better to phone them?

-You don't know if this Information Lit. course would cover the Excelsior requirement?

Thanks.

 

1. I haven't had to contact ED about anything yet, but I have heard they do not respond to emails very well. I think you are better off trying to contact them by phone.

2. I don't know what Excelsior's requirement is. This Information Literacy course is one credit, and it's part of the ASB degree program. Courses in the program are reviewed by ACE, so it should transfer. If all you need is one credit, this should cover it.

 

Hello,
1.How long does it take on average to complete 1 course.
2.You mentioned that you completed about 5 courses in 3.5 months,was it hard/average/easy to do.?
3.Did you take all of them at once, or 1 at a time.
4.I read that the exams are all open book are the finals open book as well.
Thank you very much, looking forward to your answer.
Pilot

 

HI!
I am not rushing through my Education Direct classes. I started in the spring and would usually finish the course the same week I received it in the mail. Now that it is summer I am busier with other things so I don't spend as much time with my classes.
Since these are only supplemental classes I don't feel the need to be finished by any certain time.

You do take the classes 1 at a time. Some classes are not tests but instead you submit an essay or I am taking a Word, Power Point and an Excel class right now and the grade is based on a Project that you submit. If it is a test it is open book, right now I am carry on 98% average for my classes, so no I don't think they are hard. But I am learning a lot from my classes.

It is a great way to supplement knowledge.

Ellen

 

I just got my study guide for "Introduction to Business". YIKES! It consists of reading assignments using the textbook "Contemporary Business", 10th Edition, by Louis E. Boone and David L. Kurtz. Essentially, I will be reading an entire 740-page textbook and taking online exams throughout my reading assignments.

Looks like the "easy assignments" were just the warm-up. I forsee a lot of late nights ahead.

 

Give yourself 30 days to read the textbook in managable chunks. A little work each day and before you know it the course is completed. One course I took at another school required 500 pages reading each week! Oh, my eyes! ;-)