EOC = End of course. As in Biology EOC.
I don't post anything during the course because I was very busy. Having never taken an on line course I didn't quite know what to expect. As I repeatedly told my instructors, I haven't taken a course for a grade since 1997 when I earned my M Ed degree.The last class I took, I got one of the two "4.0" I ever earned at UW. It was a Educational statistics class, that was probably one of the easiest classes I took in my 390 credits at the UW. The other 4.0 was when I took CHEM 231 (1st quarter Organic Chemistry) the second time. :-) I hear that Organic has been shortened to "O". We only had P Chem back in the 1980's. :-D
The course was really interesting. It would have been better if my internet didn't suck. I cannot wait to be in PLzen for three weeks and have blazing wired internet at the dorm. My satellite internet at home is slow, expensive and "metered". I have a rolling 30 day bandwidth limit of
5000 MB Up / 17000 MB Down. $84.95 a month. One of the perks of living in the country.
The reason I took this course was to qualify to teach Atmospheric Sciences 211 (Climate and Climate Change), which was changed to Atmospheric Sciences 111 (Global Warming). The difference that I see between the courses is the focus and the level of "hard science" that is needed. The science and comprehension of climate models was pretty "eye-opening" for me. Forcings. PETM. Lots of new vocabulary to learn, apply and then teach with.
I did OK after I received a "approaches standards" on my first assignment. ;-)
It was a vocabulary thing...after that I got ":exceeds expectations" on all assignments but one. I received "meets standards" on that one. My discussion grades were all "exceeds standards". So....70% of my total grade is almost "exceeds expectations." I am curious on how my final project will be graded. My $500 course fee reimbursement and qualification to teach ATMS 111 depends on it! :-D
My idea of a final project is something that I can use. I wrote it, I use it. The new standard is I write it and EVERYONE else can use it. I am not a playwright. I design curriculum for me to use. WTF do I have to write what I will be doing and the students will be doing during the activity? How do I script a discussion of an internet data search? Too much work. If I want to sell curriculum, I'll include all of this extra BS. Education has been transformed a bit into a "product" since I began teaching in 1985.
I leave tomorrow night for Seattle. I will observe a quiz section of ATMS 111 at 10:30 AM on Friday morning at UW. After that I head to Silver Cloud Inn Stadium and check in. Pre-game to follow check-in. I could be at the rooftop pool by about 1:00 PM with a "pre-mix" in my hand....
