Manziel and aTm fitting right into the SEC

[ACamp1900]

I have taken and taught online courses, they are geared, typically speaking, to make up for lost class time with heavier reading and writing schedules. They are not for everyone, but if the instructor takes it seriously then they are definitely up to par with equivalent on-site courses.

 

[PraetorianND]

When I graduated, I was 9 credits short of the 150 I needed to sit for the CPA. I took 6 credits in a classroom at IUSB and i took another online course for my final 3 credits... All I'm gonna say is, from personal experience, the online class I took was a complete and utter joke. I wasn't necessarily upset that it was so easy, I was just pissed that it cost me $800 for 3 credits and I finished the course material in 1 month. The course was 13 weeks long.... I basically just had to pay $800 for the credits, it was that worthless... The course description should have just read: NEED CREDITS? Give us $800 and you got em. I would have loved to actually have learned something for that $800.... I dont understand how someone taking online courses could be considered a full time student. If anything it just shows that T A&M's academic curiculum is a joke.

You're assuming that all online classes are the same as IUSB's? Just because the online class you took was a joke doesn't mean all online classes are a joke.

My friend did his masters in computer science from USC online and he said it was incredibly challenging and well run.

Computer Science | USC Viterbi School of Engineering

 

[ulukinatme]

I took a few online courses in college. I can't tell you one thing I remember learning in any of those courses...actually, I don't even remember what any of the courses were. People will always take the path of least resistance.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

The discussion is getting away from the definition of a "student-athlete." If you are telling me that a student-athlete is someone who can only come to campus once a month in the offseason, and stay on campus only during season, then let me say, thank God for Notre Dame.

 

[PraetorianND]

The discussion is getting away from the definition of a "student-athlete." If you are telling me that a student-athlete is someone who can only come to campus once a month in the offseason, and stay on campus only during season, then let me say, thank God for Notre Dame.

You just took the discussion back like 20 steps. By definition, JM is a student-athlete.

 

[Chamellion]

Jimmer Fredette also did the same thing at BYU after he became the flavor of the month. He said he tried to go to class on campus but it was a distraction.

I'm not sure much should be raised about this, as long as he is actually doing the work and attending class, which probably isn't what is happening.

 

[Junkhead]

The University of Phoenix will soon field an SEC football team.

 

[Booslum31]

I took a few online courses in college. I can't tell you one thing I remember learning in any of those courses...actually, I don't even remember what any of the courses were. People will always take the path of least resistance.

If this is the trend then I don't like it. It's bad enough that kids don'teven talk to each other anymore. For Texas A&M (or anyone) to portray this as anything but a joke is redunkulous! Your comment on path of least resistance is spot on. Too many people trying to get something for nothing. There...I'm done.

 

[RallySonsOfND]

The University of Phoenix will soon field an SEC football team.

The only school in America with a football stadium but no football team!

 

[FearTheBeard]

Wait so do guys like Manti, Denard, AJ McCarron not have to deal with distractions too? I dont see how any of the other big name players dont deal with the same stuff at their schools?

 

[IrishSteelhead]

In his defense, there were no empty desks in any classroom after the Aggies signed 500 guys a few weeks ago.

 

[Chamellion]

Wait so do guys like Manti, Denard, AJ McCarron not have to deal with distractions too? I dont see how any of the other big name players dont deal with the same stuff at their schools?

Manti was never as popular as JFF is now, especially now that he's the current Heisman winning QB with the opportunity to win two more, and the most exciting player in football. While you may like Manti more, JFF by nature of his nickname and talents is more popular, hands down. I used Jimmer as an example because Mormons at BYU went absolutely ape**** over him wherever he went. Maybe Manziel doesn't want to deal with that more than he has to.

 

[Bishop2b5]

Wait so do guys like Manti, Denard, AJ McCarron not have to deal with distractions too? I dont see how any of the other big name players dont deal with the same stuff at their schools?

I think UM, ND and UA students have probably grown more accustomed over the years to star players in their midst than A&M students have, and are more likely to just treat them like regular fellow students instead of constantly mobbing them. Furthermore, JM isn't your normal star player either. He's sort of achieved rock star status and it's probably a different level of being gawked at and mobbed than it is for most. When I was an undergrad at Bama, other students generally tended to just ignore even the biggest stars after the first couple of classes and not bother them much.

It's gotta be rough on Manziel in a lot of ways. Six months ago he was just a normal unknown 19-year-old kid. He's still figuring out how to handle all this fame and attention. I'm sure it's all fun in a way, but it has to have gotten old by now. Gotta be a pain to not be able to just go to class, stop for a burger, go to WalMart to buy underwear, or do anything else without people wanting autographs and snapping your picture. As long as he's taking legit classes and doing his own work, I have no problem with him attending school online.

 

[4irishnation]

Originally Posted by Junkhead
The University of Phoenix will soon field an SEC football team.

?Mississippi St. has a football team

 

[4irishnation]

I think UM, ND and UA students have probably grown more accustomed over the years to star players in their midst than A&M students have, and are more likely to just treat them like regular fellow students instead of constantly mobbing them. Furthermore, JM isn't your normal star player either. He's sort of achieved rock star status and it's probably a different level of being gawked at and mobbed than it is for most. When I was an undergrad at Bama, other students generally tended to just ignore even the biggest stars after the first couple of classes and not bother them much.

It's gotta be rough on Manziel in a lot of ways. Six months ago he was just a normal unknown 19-year-old kid. He's still figuring out how to handle all this fame and attention. I'm sure it's all fun in a way, but it has to have gotten old by now. Gotta be a pain to not be able to just go to class, stop for a burger, go to WalMart to buy underwear, or do anything else without people wanting autographs and snapping your picture. As long as he's taking legit classes and doing his own work, I have no problem with him attending school online.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/opinion/the-trouble-with-online-college.html

 

[nlroma1o]

Some of the top tiered universities offer online classes and online degrees to include master's degree. Federal Student Aid also allows students to earn aid despite taking online classes.

I have nothing against online classes. I used online classes to get what I needed. Online degrees, in some cases must be legitimate, otherwise employers wouldnt hire people with online degress. Right?

But in most cases, I just can't see how they are as demanding and effective as an in class room learning experience. Can you actually get a 120 credit degree online? Its obviously possible to get a portion of your 120 credits online, but is there a school where you can legitimately get a 120 credit bachelors degree by taking only online credits? Is that what Phoenix offers? I honestly don't know.

And I am not trying to get into an argument with anyone. Its just my opinion. I by no means think that the online 20th Century history class i took at IUSB was a top tier online course. I admit, there must be online courses that are more demanding, but in general, I just feel that a good old fashioned 120 credits in a classroom is harder to accompish than taking 120 credits online...

Go IRISH!!!

 

[Grahambo]

I have nothing against online classes. I used online classes to get what I needed. Online degrees, in some cases must be legitimate, otherwise employers wouldnt hire people with online degress. Right?

But in most cases, I just can't see how they are as demanding and effective as an in class room learning experience. Can you actually get a 120 credit degree online? Its obviously possible to get a portion of your 120 credits online, but is there a school where you can legitimately get a 120 credit bachelors degree by taking only online credits? Is that what Phoenix offers? I honestly don't know.

And I am not trying to get into an argument with anyone. Its just my opinion. I by no means think that the online 20th Century history class i took at IUSB was a top tier online course. I admit, there must be online courses that are more demanding, but in general, I just feel that a good old fashioned 120 credits in a classroom is harder to accompish than taking 120 credits online...

Go IRISH!!!

Yeah you can. You can go from nothing to a masters doing it all online, without having to step foot in a single classroom.

I attend American Military University which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. My wife attends the same school and is getting her accounting degree.

Places like the FBI, CIA, NSA, Secret Service, DIA, DSS, etc don't care where you got your degree, they just care that you have one and that it's accredited. Reason is those places have their own training and school that they send you to that will teach you what they want you to know so it doesn't matter. I speak from experience and on good authority about that.

I know people that have degrees from schools I've never heard of and work for those agencies. One guy I work with has a degree in video production.

I think you would be surprised at how many legit schools offer online degrees. It's not for everyone just as the ability to go to a university isn't for everyone.

 

[IrishLion]

If this is the trend then I don't like it. It's bad enough that kids don'teven talk to each other anymore. For Texas A&M (or anyone) to portray this as anything but a joke is redunkulous! Your comment on path of least resistance is spot on. Too many people trying to get something for nothing. There...I'm done.

In general, online classwork is not "the path of least resistance." At my school, many students consider a heavy online course-load to be more challenging than taking traditional classes on campus. However, overall, it is not "the path of least resistance" because it is becoming "the path that more and more people take."

The classes are recognized by universities for a reason. They aren't just limited to people who work, have kids or can't travel (as an earlier poster noted)... they are made available because when they are done right, they are just as challenging as a normal courses, sometimes even more so. If the classes are recognized by the university and you pay for the education, who is to say that someone "is taking the easy road" when they are doing the same as so many others, just because they do not fit the stereotypical demographic of who you believe "should" be taking online classes?

I pay tuition like everyone else at my school, so I can sign up for an online class if I desire to do so. More and more classes are available online, so it is irresponsible to say that online classes are meant for only certain people, or to say that online classes are automatically easier.

Of course I know that cases will depend on the individuals... but are there not "easier" classes/professors in the standard classroom as well? Even if Manziel is taking the "easy" online class with a light workload, it's no different than the 97% of undergrads that search for the "easy" professors in the traditional classroom through RateMyProfessor or word of mouth. These "traditional" classrooms require a physical presence, but do not mistake this for a "mental presence" that is any different from what an online course requires. Just because you have to show up doesn't mean you are learning anything. With the proper professors, it can be just as easy to bypass the difficult coursework in a traditional classroom as many of you are assuming can be done with an online class.

Finally, I'm not making excuses if Manziel is taking an easy course-load intentionally... of course he's got it easier than the standard undergrad. However, I take issue with those that want to isolate online courses as for "certain people" only. That should be no argument against Manziel. And I definitely take issue with those who say that online classes are the "easy road" because it is simply irresponsible to generalize all online coursework in this way.

 

[Ndaccountant]

In general, online classwork is not "the path of least resistance." At my school, many students consider a heavy online course-load to be more challenging than taking traditional classes on campus. However, overall, it is not "the path of least resistance" because it is becoming "the path that more and more people take."

The classes are recognized by universities for a reason. They aren't just limited to people who work, have kids or can't travel (as an earlier poster noted)... they are made available because when they are done right, they are just as challenging as a normal courses, sometimes even more so. If the classes are recognized by the university and you pay for the education, who is to say that someone "is taking the easy road" when they are doing the same as so many others, just because they do not fit the stereotypical demographic of who you believe "should" be taking online classes?

I pay tuition like everyone else at my school, so I can sign up for an online class if I desire to do so. More and more classes are available online, so it is irresponsible to say that online classes are meant for only certain people, or to say that online classes are automatically easier.

Of course I know that cases will depend on the individuals... but are there not "easier" classes/professors in the standard classroom as well? Even if Manziel is taking the "easy" online class with a light workload, it's no different than the 97% of undergrads that search for the "easy" professors in the traditional classroom through RateMyProfessor or word of mouth. These "traditional" classrooms require a physical presence, but do not mistake this for a "mental presence" that is any different from what an online course requires. Just because you have to show up doesn't mean you are learning anything. With the proper professors, it can be just as easy to bypass the difficult coursework in a traditional classroom as many of you are assuming can be done with an online class.

Finally, I'm not making excuses if Manziel is taking an easy course-load intentionally... of course he's got it easier than the standard undergrad. However, I take issue with those that want to isolate online courses as for "certain people" only. That should be no argument against Manziel. And I definitely take issue with those who say that online classes are the "easy road" because it is simply irresponsible to generalize all online coursework in this way.

How are your exams handled for your online courses?

 

[IrishLion]

How are your exams handled for your online courses?

That depends on the professor. Many have several online exams with a few in-person exams, while others offer them all online. The professors at my school all use "lockdown" browsers for course work and exams. Prevents you from opening other internet browsers and new tabs/windows. Though, if one is determined to beat the system, it's easy to take these exams in groups or to simply take the exam on a school computer and use a laptop to bypass the lockdown browser.

EDIT: and most online exams are timed and must be completed in one sitting to eliminate the effectiveness of using your notes/textbooks. Of course, if you are capable at creating organized, outlined notes it is easy to disregard the time limitations as well. This is why many exams for online courses are essay exams, as well.

 

[Ndaccountant]

That depends on the professor. Many have several online exams with a few in-person exams, while others offer them all online. The professors at my school all use "lockdown" browsers for course work and exams. Prevents you from opening other internet browsers and new tabs/windows. Though, if one is determined to beat the system, it's easy to take these exams in groups or to simply take the exam on a school computer and use a laptop to bypass the lockdown browser.

EDIT: and most online exams are timed and must be completed in one sitting to eliminate the effectiveness of using your notes/textbooks. Of course, if you are capable at creating organized, outlined notes it is easy to disregard the time limitations as well. This is why many exams for online courses are essay exams, as well.

I guess that is my issue. If a good amount of the exams are done on-line, how does anyone know who is actually taking the exam?

I think for the vast majority of people, this isn't an issue. They take the test themselves. However, when it comes to student athletes, I think precautions need to be taken in order to ensure he/she is actually doing the work. If his course work is close to what you discribed above, I think it opens the door wider for academic fraud in college athletics.

 

[Grahambo]

I guess that is my issue. If a good amount of the exams are done on-line, how does anyone know who is actually taking the exam?

I think for the vast majority of people, this isn't an issue. They take the test themselves. However, when it comes to student athletes, I think precautions need to be taken in order to ensure he/she is actually doing the work. If his course work is close to what you discribed above, I think it opens the door wider for academic fraud in college athletics.

Some classes don't even bother with tests and focus more on essay's that weigh heavily on the grade. For example, you would have a forum assignment every week which would account for say 3.75% per week. That includes a 250-300 word answer plus responding with 100-150 word peer response to two different people. It also has to have some sort of substance. Then they will have a mid-term essay around Week 4. So, something like an 4-6 page essay that answers whatever it is they are asking. That would count for say 30% of the grade. Then at the end you would have like a 8-10 page essay that would count for something like 35%, etc. Maybe through in another assignment here or there until the percentage equals 100.

I am finishing up my BA in International Relations. I have professors that have worked at the highest levels of government, private contractors, military, teach at other schools, have published work, etc. Just like any other school.

For sciences, they send you CDs or give you access to scholastic websites that have lab's in them. Is it perfect? No but neither is attending a physical university (basing that comment off of stories I have been told by countless people who have attended school.)

A few schools that offer something online:

Harvard
Cornell
George Washington University
USC
Penn State
St. John's
Ball State
Florida
Arizona State
U of Missouri
Embry-Riddle
NC State

 

[nlroma1o]

A few schools that offer something online:

Harvard
Cornell
George Washington University
USC
Penn State
St. John's
Ball State
Florida
Arizona State
U of Missouri
Embry-Riddle
NC State

Do they offer online classes? Or online Degrees?

 

[Ndaccountant]

Some classes don't even bother with tests and focus more on essay's that weigh heavily on the grade. For example, you would have a forum assignment every week which would account for say 3.75% per week. That includes a 250-300 word answer plus responding with 100-150 word peer response to two different people. It also has to have some sort of substance. Then they will have a mid-term essay around Week 4. So, something like an 4-6 page essay that answers whatever it is they are asking. That would count for say 30% of the grade. Then at the end you would have like a 8-10 page essay that would count for something like 35%, etc. Maybe through in another assignment here or there until the percentage equals 100.

I am finishing up my BA in International Relations. I have professors that have worked at the highest levels of government, private contractors, military, teach at other schools, have published work, etc. Just like any other school.

For sciences, they send you CDs or give you access to scholastic websites that have lab's in them. Is it perfect? No but neither is attending a physical university (basing that comment off of stories I have been told by countless people who have attended school.)

A few schools that offer something online:

Harvard
Cornell
George Washington University
USC
Penn State
St. John's
Ball State
Florida
Arizona State
U of Missouri
Embry-Riddle
NC State

But how does it guard against academic fraud?

I am not trying to say online classes are bad or not on par with classroom learning. I am looking at this from the perspective that many universities have a very difficult time keep student athelete's grades up to snuff. I can see online classes as a way to abuse the system.

For example, in your experience, if Johnny wanted to simply pay someone to do his online class for him (he does have a good sum of money apparently), would it ever be detected?

 

[Grahambo]

Do they offer online classes? Or online Degrees?

Some just online courses others actual degrees. Some offer a combined online/on campus degree. Harvard for example you can get a BA in Liberal Arts but you have to complete at least 16 credits on campus. Cornell you can take a bunch of courses online. UF offers full online degrees. USC offers master's degree online. Arizona State and Oregon State offer full degrees online and the diploma you get doesn't mention anything about it being online.

The best I have come across is American Military University as far as course work, degrees offered, accreditation, tuition, and professor background. US Newsweek ranks the online programs too.

 

[Grahambo]

But how does it guard against academic fraud?

I am not trying to say online classes are bad or not on par with classroom learning. I am looking at this from the perspective that many universities have a very difficult time keep student athelete's grades up to snuff. I can see online classes as a way to abuse the system.

For example, in your experience, if Johnny wanted to simply pay someone to do his online class for him (he does have a good sum of money apparently), would it ever be detected?

I definitely see the skepticism and it's not perfect. Is it easy to cheat? Yes but then that boils down to the moral compass of the individual. So, to answer your question, yes, he could pay someone to do his coursework for him and nobody would be the wiser.

 

[Anchorman]

I definitely see the skepticism and it's not perfect. Is it easy to cheat? Yes but then that boils down to the moral compass of the individual. So, to answer your question, yes, he could pay someone to do his coursework for him and nobody would be the wiser.

Which is no different than getting someone to write essays, do assignments or projects, etc. for you in a classroom-based class.

 

[Grahambo]

Which is no different than getting someone to write essays, do assignments or projects, etc. for you in a classroom-based class.

I wouldn't even begin to pretend to know how the on campus classroom works so I can't speak on that behalf but I'd be foolish to believe that cheating isn't rampant in that atmosphere as well.

And more the reason why a lot of top jobs prefer work experience to those straight out of college.

Their perfect candidate has military experience, a little work experience, and a degree. (Almost in that order.)

 

[GowerND11]

I took 1 1/2 classes online in college. I add the 1/2 because my one professor had to switch to online with about 5 weeks left due to her having her child. Just like others have stated, essays and discussions play a major role in grading online courses. I have also dealt with a few of my education courses having supplemental work online in discussion boards and additional reading. I, personally, enjoyed these education courses using the discussions to allow us to share findings on the web, and discuss course work out of class.

But I will say that there is a challenge to online courses that I'm not sure people realize. Time Management. We are talking about trying to balance the freedom of logging in (for the most part) whenever you want to complete the assignments. For a student who is 18-22 years old that can be a lot of responsibility. It's much easier to just show up to class and know work must be done by the next class than to log in and see discussion questions are due in 10 days. I feel that if any student is doing online courses the correct way there is no harm, even if there are suspicious cases like Manziel.