Would you agree that a "degree mill" is not the same as a "crap school"?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by NMTTD, May 16, 2012.

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  1. rmm0484

    rmm0484 Member

    IMHO, Hierarchy and Typology of Schools (from worst to best)

    Crap Mill (schlock everything)
    Wonderful Mill (Good customer service, good web site, etc)
    Crap Unaccredited
    Wonderful Unaccredited
    Crap State Accredited School
    Wonderful State Accredited School
    ------------------------------------------------------------------
    Crap DETC School
    Wonderful DETC School
    ------------------------------------------------------------------
    Of the Regionally Accredited Schools:

    Crap *Regionally rated School (State U or Private)
    Wonderful *Regionally rated School (State U or Private)
    *Nationally rated School (State U or Private)
    Public Ivies
    Ivy League

    * US NEWS ratings
     
    rmm0484, May 17, 2012
    #21
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Why do so many people want to set up an arbitrary pecking order where a natural one simply doesn't exist? I mean, you're even taking the ridiculous U.S. News rankings seriously.
     
    SteveFoerster, May 17, 2012
    #22
  3. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    If even Jonathan doesn't remember which is which, the utility is negligible. Meanwhile, even while defending the usage, you're using the word "substandard" so your point can be clear. Why not simply stick with substandard in the first place?

    I agree that's been a problem. But I think things have gotten a lot better in the last few years. It makes a big difference when faced with distance learning naysayers to be able to say, "Gee, Harvard offers it, so it can't be all bad, right?"
     
    SteveFoerster, May 17, 2012
    #23
  4. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    Because there is a contextual distinction worth discussing that the abstraction eliminates and the educational system does not.
     
    ITJD, May 17, 2012
    #24
  5. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Okay, I'll admit it -- I have no idea what this means.
     
    SteveFoerster, May 17, 2012
    #25
  6. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Good point. Even if one were to take the ranking seriously, it can only be in context. Who in the world cares if your interpreter got his Bachelor of Arts in Not Interpreting from Yale or from TESC?
     
    Maniac Craniac, May 17, 2012
    #26
  7. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    It means that creating a convenient abstraction and labeling something "substandard" works so long as you don't have a need to elaborate further to have an effective discussion about a topic.

    The topic we're discussing in this thread doesn't play well with your particular abstraction. Some granularity is necessary.
     
    ITJD, May 18, 2012
    #27
  8. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    Personally, I found this post useful and would only have removed the US News component.
     
    ITJD, May 18, 2012
    #28
  9. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    Because that's what humans do. I'm sure you keep something in your life unnecessarily tidy or organized.
     
    ITJD, May 18, 2012
    #29
  10. makana793

    makana793 New Member

    I know this is off topic a little bit but I also frequent the forum "federalsoup" which is geared towards federal employees and those looking to enter the federal service and the topic of online degrees frequently comes up. Some folks will typically promote the ideal that degree programs obtained from any type of distance learning platform is not only considered inferior but also considered a "diploma mill". It's not uncommon for some "less informed" individuals to lump degree programs from AMU into unaccredited diploma mills. Is there a hierarchy or some sort? I don't know. Maybe in some circles there might be some preference but in the end I would assume most people care about the degree and ROI.
     
    makana793, May 18, 2012
    #30
  11. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Ah. In that particular response, I was only referring to the attempt to set up "degree mill" and "diploma mill" as having separate definitions -- ones that in this particular context of academic legitimacy and recognition are already just as well covered by "fake" and "substandard", which are much easier for layperson and expert alike to remember or even figure out without explanation.
     
    SteveFoerster, May 18, 2012
    #31
  12. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Only my enemies list.
     
    SteveFoerster, May 18, 2012
    #32
  13. NMTTD

    NMTTD Active Member

    What is with you? Moderator or not, quit being a jackoff. Seriously. So because I've only been here a month and I dont have a degree yet, that automatically means I have no right to voice my opinion on something? REALLY? I made the correction because you said:

    "there is a definite difference between a place that will mail you a diploma for a check or credit card transaction, versus a place that somewhat goes through the motions and requires substandard or minimal work in exchange for the degree.

    IMO, the second category (degree mill) is the most dangerous, as they are the ones who damage the reputation of DL."

    If you read back what you said, you were saying the 2nd category, which by your own definition was "a place that somewhat goes through the motions and requires substandard or minimal work in exchange for the degree" is NOT a degree mill. Which is what you then called it. Place one, which as you said, is "a place that will mail you a diploma for a check or credit card transaction" is the actual degree mill. As per your own words. That was my point. Im not sure why your panties are in a wad, but feel free to NOT post to me or respond to my stuff if you cant be nice. I have not done anything to warrant your attitude, and frankly Im tired of it.
     
    NMTTD, May 18, 2012
    #33
  14. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    If you have to keep a list, you're not doing it right. :)
     
    ITJD, May 18, 2012
    #34
  15. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    You know, I didn't agree with Bruce seemingly telling you not to bother share your opinion, but at the same time your reaction to it leaves an awful lot to be desired.
     
    SteveFoerster, May 18, 2012
    #35
  16. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Ha, touché!
     
    SteveFoerster, May 18, 2012
    #36
  17. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    It's tough being a moderator sometimes.
    It's tough being the object of a moderator's angst sometimes.

    They just need to hug it out.
     
    ITJD, May 18, 2012
    #37
  18. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Maniac Craniac, May 19, 2012
    #38
  19. Julie1014

    Julie1014 New Member

    Julie1014, May 19, 2012
    #39
  20. NMTTD

    NMTTD Active Member

    And how was I suppose to respond? I try to be nice, I try to be helpful, he bites my head off. On different threads I asked him what i did to tick him off and he said "nothing". So that leads me to assume he's choosing to be a jerk for no other reason then because he can. And in that case, I see no real reason to be any nicer to him then he's being to me. I stand by what i said. If he doesnt like me, he can feel free NOT to post to me or respond to my posts.
     
    NMTTD, May 19, 2012
    #40
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