Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Web Post
BU is an awesome school. A bit pricy but the amount of work asked of someone in a 7 week course is quite much. I can't remember being on campus being this stressful. Doing work online you would think it would be less and easier, but unfortunately its not. I suppose you get what you pay for. GO Terrriers!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Online E-Commerce class
If you have not yet embarked on this adventure, boy, do you have something in store waiting for you!
The material: the lecture and book content are very interesting and provide relevant information to today's business world. Although at times the amount of reading may feel like quite a bit, it really is not difficult ready and the concepts are easy to grasp. At least that is the case for me because I am very internetty (yes, I made up that word and realize it is not a real word).
The students: my class was about 160 students broken down into groups. Your group is who you interact with on a almost daily basis. My group consisted of 15 students-lovely students, that is. In my personal experience all students were involved, generous with their comments, and generally concerned about their personal success as well as the success of the group-this really important for the final project.
The projects: during my class we build a blog-like this one-and we worked on a website. We were also exposed to SeconLife.com-a new experience for most students. This class definately provided us with skills (on these projects) that can be parlayed into many career and life projects. It was great to do more in a class than just read, write papers, and take exams.
The material: the lecture and book content are very interesting and provide relevant information to today's business world. Although at times the amount of reading may feel like quite a bit, it really is not difficult ready and the concepts are easy to grasp. At least that is the case for me because I am very internetty (yes, I made up that word and realize it is not a real word).
The students: my class was about 160 students broken down into groups. Your group is who you interact with on a almost daily basis. My group consisted of 15 students-lovely students, that is. In my personal experience all students were involved, generous with their comments, and generally concerned about their personal success as well as the success of the group-this really important for the final project.
The projects: during my class we build a blog-like this one-and we worked on a website. We were also exposed to SeconLife.com-a new experience for most students. This class definately provided us with skills (on these projects) that can be parlayed into many career and life projects. It was great to do more in a class than just read, write papers, and take exams.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Good people, good learning
My experience with BU online has been a rollercoaster ride. Lots of studying and lots of satisfaction when a class is complete. I would say that nearly all the students are very sharp individuals that really want to learn, just skating through is not good enough for them. The students have have always been willing to help, despite family obligations, despite lack of sleep, despite time zone differences.
The students of BU have been a pleasent surprise and a wonderful learning experience for me. I always say in my initial introduction of myself to each class that I look forward to learning as much from my fellow classmates as much as from the material in the class. Never been dissapointed.
Expect the best, and be willing to give, and you will succeed at BU online studies.
The students of BU have been a pleasent surprise and a wonderful learning experience for me. I always say in my initial introduction of myself to each class that I look forward to learning as much from my fellow classmates as much as from the material in the class. Never been dissapointed.
Expect the best, and be willing to give, and you will succeed at BU online studies.
Exam Preparation
Unlike some graduate programs, Boston University administers exams to its students. The format of the exam varies by class, but often times they are multiple choice and true-false. The lecture material is just as important to study as the textbook is, as the lecture provides examples and deeper explanation of concepts.
BU has a strict policy of grading on a curve. This can help you or hurt you. In one particularly difficult class, I felt that I did poorly. However, due to the curve I earned a higher grade than I expected. It's hard not to worry about exams and how they will affect your overall grade since they are heavily weighted. Proper preparation can ease that worry.
I focus on the key points of each chapter's learning objectives and the objectives stated in each week's online lecture. This helps guide me through the exam preparation process. If I can answer most of the objectives, I find that I do well on the exams.
What other approaches to exam prep do students have?
BU has a strict policy of grading on a curve. This can help you or hurt you. In one particularly difficult class, I felt that I did poorly. However, due to the curve I earned a higher grade than I expected. It's hard not to worry about exams and how they will affect your overall grade since they are heavily weighted. Proper preparation can ease that worry.
I focus on the key points of each chapter's learning objectives and the objectives stated in each week's online lecture. This helps guide me through the exam preparation process. If I can answer most of the objectives, I find that I do well on the exams.
What other approaches to exam prep do students have?
Group Projects
Now in my second course, I see the pattern. Each week has the reading, the lecture, discussion topic (which is really a written assignment), chapter questions and case study.
Last week there were no case studies and no chapter questions because we were to be working on our group project. It took so long to get organized that I actually did this week’s reading early, which is a good thing. Because in trying to do my part for the group I have not gotten to my regular assignments. Anyone else having this problem?
Moral of the story: There is no such thing as a free week.
Last week there were no case studies and no chapter questions because we were to be working on our group project. It took so long to get organized that I actually did this week’s reading early, which is a good thing. Because in trying to do my part for the group I have not gotten to my regular assignments. Anyone else having this problem?
Moral of the story: There is no such thing as a free week.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Study Time
Last week, on a group project conference call, we were reviewing the Frequently Asked Questions on BU's website.
Q: "How much study time does each course require?"
The answer, while vague, suggested 12-15 hours per week.
We unanimously disagreed.
Q: "How much study time does each course require?"
The answer, while vague, suggested 12-15 hours per week.
We unanimously disagreed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
