Communication
Funny thing. After I got myself all pumped up for the Assessment test, and submitted them to WGU, I expected to hear fairly quickly how I had done. After all, most of the exam was multiple choice, which means that it is probably graded by a computer. And that grading probably took place almost instantly after I was done. But, no... I heard nothing.
Mitch
I have not yet mentioned this, but I have an "enrollment mentor". He is a nice enough guy. For the purposes of this blog we will call him, "Mitch." This isnt his actual name, of course. But, I have named him Mitch because he sounds like the Mitch on Modern Family. So, when I talk to him, I picture Mitch. Its more fun that way. Anyway... Mitch calls me every Monday afternoon like clockwork. After his last call, I only wanted to know two things. First, how did I do on that test? And second, do you guys have my transcripts yet?
The answer to my first question was, "They dont tell you your results unless you failed. Looking at your file, there no flags, so you must have passed." Great! Two points... 1) I sure would like to have gotten an email saying that! and 2) I'm extremely competitive... I want to know my score!! I am certain that I have scored the highest score that test has ever seen and that they graded it three times, just to be sure. Since they wont say, I'm pretty much free to assume whatever I want.
On my second question... nope... no transcripts. But, hey, give them a week or so. Which I did. And when Mitch called again, still no transcripts. So, I finally just had to call the University... not WGU... the real University... the one who sold me that pretty degree with the lovely frame and matching gold ring. The ring that is now worth about two grand because of the price of gold. Ohhh... they hadnt gotten around to sending that just yet. So, after being nice to them for a few minutes, they promised they would send them ASAP. Thanks, guys. Good to know that nothing has changed at the old Alma Mater.
Conclusion
And sooo... that is where we are. They are waiting on the transcripts so that can evaluate them and then tell me that I need to take two freshman classes of Econ. Which, I will probably do at StraighterLine. And of course, I will let you know how that turns out. In the meantime, I see this entire thing being pushed back to January. Assuming they get the transcript this week and can get it evaluated in some reasonable amount of time. Once that happens, I will still need to sign up for my economics courses, get those knocked down, and then move forward with WGU.
20130926
20130912
The WGU Assessment Test
I have to say that the details of the Assessment test are not very clear in any of WGU's materials. So here are some details that they omit in their description.
The test is divided into four parts. These are Math, Language (which is a politically correct term for English), an Essay and an "Admissions Inventory." You can take them in any order you like. The site explains that you have two hours for the test. In fact, it actually says, "Allow for up to two (2) uninterrupted hours to complete all three sections. Most individuals take between 1 and 2 hours." The correct construction of this sentence should include the word EACH.You have 2 hours for EACH section. They do NOT have to be done at the same time. So, in reality, the test is scheduled to take 8 hours. This is overly generous on their part. I didnt even come close to the time limit on any of these sections. And, BTW, there are four sections, not three.
Math
The math section, like each of the other sections, is allotted 2 hours. Your time begins when the first question appears on your screen. I have never enjoyed math, and I was a bit trepidatious about it. Especially considering that a) I make my living with words and b) my math has been limited to calculating how much fire ant poison to put in the yard based on its area and doing Quickbooks for my employer. As a result, I hit a great site called Khan Academy and brushed up on my math skills. I did some research about the contents of the math portion online looking for some information about what to study. I dont believe in walking into anything blind and unarmed!
So what do you need to study beforehand? I am sure there are different versions of the test. In fact, the easiest way to set it up would be to have a test bank, and to draw random questions from each category. That way, the test is never the same twice. It is multiple choice, and so obviously scored by computer. That being said, I would recommend studying:
Order of Operations. Obviously, you wont solve any question correctly if you dont know that parens come before multiplication. You will need to be able to simplify (i.e., solve) simple problems. Imagine 2+5*6-7 all this over 3+2*7. Obviously, you process the multiplication first, leaving 2+30-7 over 3+14. Which further simplifies to 25/17 or 1.47.
Absolute Value. I have no idea where Absolute Value is used in real life, but there were a couple of questions that required taking the Absolute Value. Dead simple... if you remember what it is!
Probability. Damn. Everything I read online said, "basic probability." Well, that is not correct at all. Yes, everyone knows that your chances of rolling a 6 on a die is 1/6. But mixing two different types of random events, I did not remember how to do that. At all. So, I had to get out a piece of paper and literally draw and count the possibilities with two dice and a coin... or something like that. This question took awhile.
Graphing Equations. You have to match a graph to a particular equation. You dont have to find the slope or solve for X or anything of that nature. You just need to be able to recognize which graph is created by the equation given. Unless you graph equations on a regular basis or you clearly remember how these graphs work, I would suggest brushing up a bit on this. The graph was clear enough that you should be able to extract a couple of ordered pairs to punch into the equation to verify which graph is the right graph.
Geometry. You should familiarize yourself with the basic formulas of geometry and be able to find the radius of a circle from its circumference or the area of area of a rectangle. Maybe you even want to remind yourself about the formulas for triangles as well. Its easy, you just need to remember the formulas.
Algebra. You need to be sure you remember which way the "greater than" and "lesser than" point. Again, you need to remember the Order of Operations. I reviewed basic algebra for a week. Solving for X. Solving for X and Y. That sort of thing. I remembered basically how it worked, but refreshing was good. Sadly, I did not review solving an equation with an X+X in it and drew a complete blank when that type of question came up. Of course, I used the old fashioned method. I plugged in each of the multiple choice answers until one of them worked.
Fractions and Decimals. You will need to know how to simplify fractions, convert proper fractions to improper fractions, compare fractions and figure their decimal value, and all of these things the other way around. Like, comparing decimals and judging their fractions. You should be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions. So, that means changing the denominator for addition and flipping over the fraction for division. The questions are easy enough to do in your head... assuming you remember how!
Anyway... mostly simple stuff, its just a matter of remembering the steps and the terminology. Most of it can be done in your head, but I used a calculator because, with less than two dozen questions, there isnt much room for error!
Language
There isnt much I can tell you here. You need to be able to find the main idea of a paragraph, identify supporting arguments, and know the difference between passive and active voice. I, like most people, frequently write in passive voice. I often do this on purpose. It is often necessary when writing reports for a board of directors to write in a way that doesnt blame or accuse anyone, especially if the culprit is on your board. Passive voice is pretty handy for that. Again, there are only twenty some-odd questions, so you cannot afford to miss many of them.
Essay
Basically, you are given a prompt. Mine was related to technology. I used the technique I learned from my dad. Tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, tell them what you told them. It works every time. So, I wrote an opening paragraph with three points. I then wrote three paragraphs, one for each of those points. I then wrote a closing paragraph where I reviewed the points. I tend to write long sentences with a certain rhythm to them. In this sort of assignment, you should avoid doing that. Always write short clear complete sentences. Yes, that sort of writing is boring and inferior... but, it is what is expected in formal writing. AND, you have no way of knowing how this essay is graded. It could be by computer, in which case, the most important thing is to get your grammar and spelling right. It may be graded by some college student for $1 a paper... we dont know. If you write something over your graders head, you will fail. So, keep it simple. Keep it obvious. And use correct grammar and spelling. Oh... and avoid difficult word choice. I usually pick the longer of two two words because I believe in precision of meaning. In this assignment, you should use the shorter of two possible words because that is what graders typically like to see. Again... dont write over their heads!
Assessment (Admissions Inventory)
This was simple. Do you like to learn on your own, or do you need someone to walk you through everything? Obviously, if you need constant supervision, WGU is not for you. They just want to save you the aggravation, and make sure their completion rate stays at a decent level by weeding out those who arent cut out for self-directed learning.
So there you go... that was the Assessment test. My next step is to take the two classes that I am missing and then get started with the WGU program.
The test is divided into four parts. These are Math, Language (which is a politically correct term for English), an Essay and an "Admissions Inventory." You can take them in any order you like. The site explains that you have two hours for the test. In fact, it actually says, "Allow for up to two (2) uninterrupted hours to complete all three sections. Most individuals take between 1 and 2 hours." The correct construction of this sentence should include the word EACH.You have 2 hours for EACH section. They do NOT have to be done at the same time. So, in reality, the test is scheduled to take 8 hours. This is overly generous on their part. I didnt even come close to the time limit on any of these sections. And, BTW, there are four sections, not three.
Math
The math section, like each of the other sections, is allotted 2 hours. Your time begins when the first question appears on your screen. I have never enjoyed math, and I was a bit trepidatious about it. Especially considering that a) I make my living with words and b) my math has been limited to calculating how much fire ant poison to put in the yard based on its area and doing Quickbooks for my employer. As a result, I hit a great site called Khan Academy and brushed up on my math skills. I did some research about the contents of the math portion online looking for some information about what to study. I dont believe in walking into anything blind and unarmed!
So what do you need to study beforehand? I am sure there are different versions of the test. In fact, the easiest way to set it up would be to have a test bank, and to draw random questions from each category. That way, the test is never the same twice. It is multiple choice, and so obviously scored by computer. That being said, I would recommend studying:
Order of Operations. Obviously, you wont solve any question correctly if you dont know that parens come before multiplication. You will need to be able to simplify (i.e., solve) simple problems. Imagine 2+5*6-7 all this over 3+2*7. Obviously, you process the multiplication first, leaving 2+30-7 over 3+14. Which further simplifies to 25/17 or 1.47.
Absolute Value. I have no idea where Absolute Value is used in real life, but there were a couple of questions that required taking the Absolute Value. Dead simple... if you remember what it is!
Probability. Damn. Everything I read online said, "basic probability." Well, that is not correct at all. Yes, everyone knows that your chances of rolling a 6 on a die is 1/6. But mixing two different types of random events, I did not remember how to do that. At all. So, I had to get out a piece of paper and literally draw and count the possibilities with two dice and a coin... or something like that. This question took awhile.
Graphing Equations. You have to match a graph to a particular equation. You dont have to find the slope or solve for X or anything of that nature. You just need to be able to recognize which graph is created by the equation given. Unless you graph equations on a regular basis or you clearly remember how these graphs work, I would suggest brushing up a bit on this. The graph was clear enough that you should be able to extract a couple of ordered pairs to punch into the equation to verify which graph is the right graph.
Geometry. You should familiarize yourself with the basic formulas of geometry and be able to find the radius of a circle from its circumference or the area of area of a rectangle. Maybe you even want to remind yourself about the formulas for triangles as well. Its easy, you just need to remember the formulas.
Algebra. You need to be sure you remember which way the "greater than" and "lesser than" point. Again, you need to remember the Order of Operations. I reviewed basic algebra for a week. Solving for X. Solving for X and Y. That sort of thing. I remembered basically how it worked, but refreshing was good. Sadly, I did not review solving an equation with an X+X in it and drew a complete blank when that type of question came up. Of course, I used the old fashioned method. I plugged in each of the multiple choice answers until one of them worked.
Fractions and Decimals. You will need to know how to simplify fractions, convert proper fractions to improper fractions, compare fractions and figure their decimal value, and all of these things the other way around. Like, comparing decimals and judging their fractions. You should be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions. So, that means changing the denominator for addition and flipping over the fraction for division. The questions are easy enough to do in your head... assuming you remember how!
Anyway... mostly simple stuff, its just a matter of remembering the steps and the terminology. Most of it can be done in your head, but I used a calculator because, with less than two dozen questions, there isnt much room for error!
Language
There isnt much I can tell you here. You need to be able to find the main idea of a paragraph, identify supporting arguments, and know the difference between passive and active voice. I, like most people, frequently write in passive voice. I often do this on purpose. It is often necessary when writing reports for a board of directors to write in a way that doesnt blame or accuse anyone, especially if the culprit is on your board. Passive voice is pretty handy for that. Again, there are only twenty some-odd questions, so you cannot afford to miss many of them.
Essay
Basically, you are given a prompt. Mine was related to technology. I used the technique I learned from my dad. Tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, tell them what you told them. It works every time. So, I wrote an opening paragraph with three points. I then wrote three paragraphs, one for each of those points. I then wrote a closing paragraph where I reviewed the points. I tend to write long sentences with a certain rhythm to them. In this sort of assignment, you should avoid doing that. Always write short clear complete sentences. Yes, that sort of writing is boring and inferior... but, it is what is expected in formal writing. AND, you have no way of knowing how this essay is graded. It could be by computer, in which case, the most important thing is to get your grammar and spelling right. It may be graded by some college student for $1 a paper... we dont know. If you write something over your graders head, you will fail. So, keep it simple. Keep it obvious. And use correct grammar and spelling. Oh... and avoid difficult word choice. I usually pick the longer of two two words because I believe in precision of meaning. In this assignment, you should use the shorter of two possible words because that is what graders typically like to see. Again... dont write over their heads!
Assessment (Admissions Inventory)
This was simple. Do you like to learn on your own, or do you need someone to walk you through everything? Obviously, if you need constant supervision, WGU is not for you. They just want to save you the aggravation, and make sure their completion rate stays at a decent level by weeding out those who arent cut out for self-directed learning.
So there you go... that was the Assessment test. My next step is to take the two classes that I am missing and then get started with the WGU program.
20130907
The Purpose of "The WGU Life"
I am considering a change. Alot of changes really. A change of direction, if you will.
For the past 10 years, I have taught college courses in American History as an adjunct. Adjunct is fancy college talk for "part-time". It means I teach 2 or 3 classes a semester and my job is renewed each semester at the will of the college. It is a job that I enjoy and one that I essentially had to teach myself. College professors are given very little guidance and even less oversight on how they run their classes. The first time I taught it was horrible. The students and I both struggled to make it work. It took me a couple of semesters to figure out what works for me. After all this time, I think I have it down now.
Meanwhile, for the past 16 years or so, I have worked full time in the museum world. I have worked my way up from unpaid intern to executive director and worked at some of the finest museum across Texas. This is another job that I love. Preserving our past means the world to me, especially at this time in our history when so many residents of our country share no heritage no history and perhaps even no love for America. Should the politicians one day allow this to become their country instead of our country, my job is to ensure that the history of our Ancestors, who built this country from nothing, is not forgotten.
Museums in America are privately funded. They raise money as 501(c)3 organizations, meaning they are non-profit. And with that non-profit status comes a boat load of petty local politics, corruption and backstabbing. The dark underbelly of the non-profit world is almost complete lack of ethics exercised by most boards of directors. I have had board members who paid their own employees from museum funds, board members who knew that was happening and looked the other way, boards who screamed at employees, and even one member who served on the board while, at the same time, serving as the executive director's therapist. (And I almost forgot the local politician who loaned a museum over $150,000 along with the promise to, one day, perhaps, forgive that loan... he was placed on the Board within days. Conflict of interest means almost nothing at most non-profits, except on paper, if the parties to the conflict are important people... or they are good donors. Its quite aggravating, really.
Anyway... I think I have decided to do something else with my professional life. I would like to teach full time... but since I only have a Master's degree, this is not very likely at the college level. I could teach at the High School or Middle School level, but I dont have a teaching certificate. Solution: Obtain teaching certificate!
I am considering returning to school for my (second) Master's Degree. This one would be an MA in Teaching... specifically, Social Science. I am considering WGU for this. I have applied, sent my transcripts, and I am studying for the assessment exam... which functions as an entrance exam. I know that I will need to pickup two Econ classes before I start as well. So, this blog will be about my journey. Unless I fail, then I'll just delete the whole damn thing and you'll never read this!
I guess the point is to give me a place to vent (since WGU doesnt have a campus where I can hang out). And, I'll leave for others this record of my journey so that you will have something to base your decision on if you are considering Western Governors University!
For the past 10 years, I have taught college courses in American History as an adjunct. Adjunct is fancy college talk for "part-time". It means I teach 2 or 3 classes a semester and my job is renewed each semester at the will of the college. It is a job that I enjoy and one that I essentially had to teach myself. College professors are given very little guidance and even less oversight on how they run their classes. The first time I taught it was horrible. The students and I both struggled to make it work. It took me a couple of semesters to figure out what works for me. After all this time, I think I have it down now.
Meanwhile, for the past 16 years or so, I have worked full time in the museum world. I have worked my way up from unpaid intern to executive director and worked at some of the finest museum across Texas. This is another job that I love. Preserving our past means the world to me, especially at this time in our history when so many residents of our country share no heritage no history and perhaps even no love for America. Should the politicians one day allow this to become their country instead of our country, my job is to ensure that the history of our Ancestors, who built this country from nothing, is not forgotten.
Museums in America are privately funded. They raise money as 501(c)3 organizations, meaning they are non-profit. And with that non-profit status comes a boat load of petty local politics, corruption and backstabbing. The dark underbelly of the non-profit world is almost complete lack of ethics exercised by most boards of directors. I have had board members who paid their own employees from museum funds, board members who knew that was happening and looked the other way, boards who screamed at employees, and even one member who served on the board while, at the same time, serving as the executive director's therapist. (And I almost forgot the local politician who loaned a museum over $150,000 along with the promise to, one day, perhaps, forgive that loan... he was placed on the Board within days. Conflict of interest means almost nothing at most non-profits, except on paper, if the parties to the conflict are important people... or they are good donors. Its quite aggravating, really.
Anyway... I think I have decided to do something else with my professional life. I would like to teach full time... but since I only have a Master's degree, this is not very likely at the college level. I could teach at the High School or Middle School level, but I dont have a teaching certificate. Solution: Obtain teaching certificate!
I am considering returning to school for my (second) Master's Degree. This one would be an MA in Teaching... specifically, Social Science. I am considering WGU for this. I have applied, sent my transcripts, and I am studying for the assessment exam... which functions as an entrance exam. I know that I will need to pickup two Econ classes before I start as well. So, this blog will be about my journey. Unless I fail, then I'll just delete the whole damn thing and you'll never read this!
I guess the point is to give me a place to vent (since WGU doesnt have a campus where I can hang out). And, I'll leave for others this record of my journey so that you will have something to base your decision on if you are considering Western Governors University!
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