I need some advice

[Lindagerr]

:confused: I'm sorry this is a long post, but I am frustrated and confused. You guys are usually good at suggestions I would never think of. So here goes.

I am taking TESC's Global Enviromental Change course. I know this is a 6 credit course and I know it shouldn't be a cake walk. I did not take it as a Guided Study course and I did not get the mentor I wanted.

The mentor I got is killing me. I got a 98 on the first discussion board and I was happy. The mentor did not give any individual feedback just a general note. " Hi all Yourdiscussions, for the most part, were very good. Make sure you answer the question fully and support your position with scientific details. Also, respond to at least 2 - 3 of your classmates comments. If you have any questions or problems let me know."

So for the next discussion i posted a complete answer and I responded to everyone in the class at least once. My grade dropped to 95 with no explanation.

Then there was the Written assignments(WA) we had to answer 4 of 5 questions for the 1st WA I E-mailed the mentor to get an idea how long the answers should be and she said 1-1 1/2 pages each. so I wrote 7 pages.

I got a 90 with no markings on the paper and the only comment being:
"Your answers were fine. In question 1 I am not sure you really answered the question but your discussion of both evolution and natural selection was very interesting. Your answers to the remaining questions were very good. You are off to a very good start."
By the way question 1 was "What is the difference between saying that a duck has webbed feet because it needs them to swim and saying that a duck is able to swim because it has webbed feet?" So I e-mailed the mentor a short note saying I would like a couple more ideas of what I can do to improve my next paper. She never responded.

So we go on to WA 2 I really want to get a better grade so now we have to answer 3 questions out of 4. I write 7 pages again and I have 9 sources sited. This time I only get an 88!! The comment this time was :
"A few comments on your answers: 1. in 1 you should have provided a few statistics to support your answer. It's true, we have not run out of resources, yet. What do you think the future will hold, in that regard? There is alot of speculation about population growth but, you should have provided some data on the growth rates in developing countries as opposed to the more developed countries. In 2 you indicate that the China program did not work. You should have provided some statistics here as well. Your answer to 3 was fine."

Now I know none of these grades are bad, but I am killing myself working hours and hours to write A papers. At this point my grade is an A-. If my grades keep going down I'll be lucky to get a B.:eek:

Should I call this mentor or e-mail her again. Or should I just go ahead with my WA 3 where this time I have 11 pages with 18 citations?
ANY suggestions would be appreciated.

My mother-in-law paid for this class so she is following my progress closely. I know she will be disapointed with anything less then an A.

[cookderosa]

Linda,
Oh...I have so been there hilarious

This is what I hate about classes vs tests, you have a human at the other end of the red pen. I have had teachers like yours and worse. I dropped an ethics class last month because the bias was so thick you could cut it with a knife, I think my teacher was 19 year old grad student lol...ok, maybe 25...but anyway.

Couple things-
1. Answerer the assignment questions like a newbie. I know you are a science person, so it's possible that you are assuming reader's knowledge in your answers. I say this because I do this all the time with food! A friend will ask for a recipe and I'll write "use straight mixing method season tt bake high heat/low heat." Accurate, but assumes too much. I write that because I think that way- I don't think like a newbie, but when you answer the questions you have to answer like a newbie so that the teacher knows you know the whole thing.

2. Control what you can. You can only control your papers, no matter how hard you try, you can't control the mentor's answers. There literally is nothing you can do about it, so just keep doing your best.

3. Finally, a "B" is ok. Really, it is. No, seriously. Yes, even if mother in law doesn't think so, even if it hurts your pride. Check the box and move on with your life Your goal is the degree, not this nit's high opinion of your work.

For what it's worth, I THINK you are fantastic and smart, just keep on chuggin.

[marianne202]

Linda,

I'm so sorry to hear about your frustration, but I too have been there! Bad teacher's can so ruin an otherwise good experience. Since this person is a mentor / faciltator and not an actual instructor, I would email the department head and ask for clarification on the assignment rubrics. Explain the lack of response or guidance from the mentor and ask for clarification. How can you be expected to perform at your best if they are not giving you all the required information to do so? If in the end you feel that the grading doesn't follow the rubric I would request all your work be reviewed by an independent source and ask for feedback in writing to show how it varied from the rubric.

Now, some on here may shudder at the thought of doing this for fear of a bad grade or retaliation by the mentor. I'm not of that belief, as some on here know! As a college instructor I believe instructors need to share their expectations and be willing to provide feedback. How can I expect the student to learn if I don't provide clear proper feedback? I also don't believe in worrying about things you can't control. If the mentor isn't providing feedback and isn't helping you to succeed, then what do you have to lose by asking for what you are entitled to as a student? How do they know they need to improve if we don't let them know? Remember you are the paying customer and the one they are there to serve. They have policies in place to ensure they provide a proper education, make them accountable.

Just my two cents and believe me it's not worth much these days! Good luck! I'm sure it will turn out ok. But you have to live with whatever decision you make, so make sure it is one you can live with!

[Lindagerr]

I decided to give it one more try. I did this weeks WA in 11 pages with lots of data. I wrote a little note before the submission saying I tried to address her points and I hope it is a better paper. Mid term is this week and that is 30% of grade I need to focus on that now. If I get another poor grade on paper and no decent feedback, I will go over her head. I will do my best on the mid term she can't have to much influence on that if it is only one short essay.

This lady supposedly has been mentoring for 8 years, I can't believe no one else had a problem with lack of feedback.

[professbeme46]

Let's try it from her side. You are doing good work. In her opinion your work isn't perfect, so you're not getting "A"'s, only A- which means excellent but not perfect. Assume she has 14 other students, 6 of whom don't have a clue. She spends a lot of time on them, but they are still struggling.
If she is busy, you may do best to communicate clear expectations to her that she can meet - i.e. in the email submitting it you would say-

"I have put over x hours into this paper. I have addressed your concerns about x and x and look forward to your feedback. I do have high expectations for myself and desire an "A", so please respond with actionable points if this is not a solid "A" paper. Thanks so much for your time."

BTW - Go slow about going over her head for an A vs. A- position. It will be hard to prove your papers were perfect rather than just almost perfect and grading is somewhat subjective.

Learning to manage your mentors is a life skill that will serve you well. I echo the other post - move ahead and don't let this dominate your future.


"Don't take a swing at the king unless you are sure you can kill him." Dave Engstrom

[Lindagerr]

I was trying to take your idea to heart and give her the benefit of the doubt. Today I have decided everything to do with me and this course will be frustrating.:confused:

I am so frustrated, I called last week (my Local library)to confirm my midterm had been received and set a time to take it today. The lady told me oh anytime 9-9 we are open someone will be here who can do it. So I get all psyched and study like crazy, then i go to take the test about 10:30 and find out the library is closed today for Veteran's Day.!!!!:eek:

Now I specificly told the lady I wanted to do it this Wednesday morning.

I will take off tomorrow now and try again. I just needed to vent.:mad:

I am not saying Veteren's day is not a worthy holiday and the library should not be closed. I just wish the lady had taken the time to check before she told me today would be fine.

Personally I am disappointed that Veteran's day is not given the respect it deserves or used to have. Locally schools are in session and as far as I know there is no special observation of the day planned.

[marianne202]

Linda,

I'm so sorry you are having such a time. I had a horrible class at EC 2 terms ago and I was ready to quit or change schools at a minimum. My class prior to that was great and my class since then has been great, but a bad teacher, facilitator or mentor can ruin it. Then, at least for me, it seems like once something starts to go downhill, the rest usually follows quickly behind! It will get better and if you need to, just check each day off the calendar until the class is done.

Our kids, and myself are off today in observance of Veteran's day and they had a lot of local celebrations here. So at least some areas still give it the respect and celebration it deserves.

Take heart...this class shall pass, then you will be one more class closer to being done!

[Lindagerr]

Part of my problem is just other stress. I had hoped to work tomorrow now I can't. 1 car is in the shop and one needs to go badly, which leaves us with only 1 good car for 3 drivers. Worst of all my best friends husband had emergency surgery last night and he is in guarded condition. He is a very dear man and I am worried about him and my friend. So say a prayer for Al and everything else is just stuff.