Another Class Down...

A couple weeks ago, I finished up my summer grad class. I've taken a few grad classes in the past, but this one was the absolute worst.

It involved, on a weekly basis:

• a ridiculous amount of reading (at least 5 chapters from two texts, and usually a few added assignments)
• quizzes, which to me seemed more like tests (usually 30 multiple choice questions and at least 6 essays, but usually closer to 10 essays)
• reading response papers
• online discussion board (two original posts, and at least two responding to others' posts)

And over the course of the semester:

• tutoring a student who struggles in reading, at least 12 sessions (in only 6 weeks) - I also had to tape our sessions, which made them somewhat uncomfortable for both of us.
• a 30+ page case study portfolio on the tutored student
• a test on reading material that was 45 multiple choice and 15 essay questions

The hard part was the reading, the quizzes, and the case study portfolio. Response papers, discussion board, and even tutoring was easy. But the reading was just way too much, and the quizzes were insane.

And in the course of this semester, the Lake Superior State University blackboard was messed up numerous times, and I was never able to access my LSSU email. Twice my discussion board posts mysteriously disappeared. It was so frustrating! Thankfully, my professor gave me full credit for the missing discussion board posts.

The other day, I checked on my final grade for the course. I was expecting a 3.5, since I missed some questions on the multiple choice quizzes and in the beginning of the semester I lost points on some of the essays. Apparently, I wasn't thorough enough on my answers; thorough, to my professor, is about 5+ pages, single spaced. Fun stuff.

I was surprised and SUPER excited to see that I received a 4.0 this semester, keeping up my 4.0 streak for grad school! YAY!

My professor sent me an email saying:

"From what you posted on Blackboard and your written assignments, including your response papers and answers to the essay questions, I can tell that you are a dedicated teacher and you strive to be a better and more effective teacher. It was a great pleasure to have you in this course."

I wish I could say I found great pleasure in taking the class. While I did learn a lot, it was so.much.work! And with the technology issues added to it, I have to say that I will NEVER take another class through LSSU again. Well...maybe if it's free.

Yay for another semester in the books!