Shmoop ACE Plan Changes?

[Old Guy]

I did really enjoy doing the math problems with Shmoop and I enjoyed the literature classes.  I majored in English during my first run through college and I teach HS/MS English.  I liked extending my knowledge into new areas.  I think that there was a strange dichotomy in that the classes were challenging overall, but there would be glaringly incorrect and impossible questions mixed in.  It was just very uneven.

There was nothing wrong with their English courses.  In two courses I watched or read almost all of Shakespeare's plays.  Key to Shakespeare - watch the videos - the text is unreadable.  I had considered an degree with an English major when TESU gave upper level credit for many of the courses.

What are your degree plans? I've seen you share your thoughts on various courses you've completed. I found your thoughts to be very helpful in determining where to take some courses.

I have no particular degree plans.  Taking courses is pretty much a hobby.  I applied to a couple schools but didn't follow up.  I'm retired.

[Kab]

Sophia doesn't have proctoring either.

Has biometrics.
I learned a lot in Sophia and the little exams help me to learn as much as the lectures. I do not know about you? Personally I like the system.

[jsh1138]

"biometrics" is not proctoring. There is no effort made to verify that you're the person taking the test. You show no ID, etc. There is no effort made to ensure you aren't getting outside help during the test. There is no camera, etc. That is not proctoring. "Biometric proctoring" is a marketing term, not a real thing.

I like the Sophia system just fine. I liked Shmoop too. I'm just saying why Sophia is going to get denied by the Big Three pretty soon.

[openair]

I'm just saying why Sophia is going to get denied by the Big Three pretty soon.

I am not sure why you have to say that on this board. If that's what you think, you're entitled to your opinion. I just don't see it as valuable. It's pure speculation. Are you connected to the "Big 3" and have some kind of insider knowledge? Has any school shared its plans with you with regard to Sophia and biometric exams? Why are you doing this to the people who are studying at Sophia?

[jsh1138]

Maybe it would help you to see what I'm saying and why if you actually read my posts.

Instead you like to respond with meaningless non sequiturs like "you're entitled to your opinion". Yes, thank you, that really moved the conversation forward and brought all kinds of value that my posts were lacking.

[openair]

A history degree doesn't make you an expert in biometrics. Sorry.

[jsh1138]

Typing isn't biometrics.

You probably have a slap chop at your house too.

[ss20ts]

"biometrics" is not proctoring. There is no effort made to verify that you're the person taking the test. You show no ID, etc. There is no effort made to ensure you aren't getting outside help during the test. There is no camera, etc. That is not proctoring. "Biometric proctoring" is a marketing term, not a real thing.

I like the Sophia system just fine. I liked Shmoop too. I'm just saying why Sophia is going to get denied by the Big Three pretty soon.

You can have all the outside help you want. Just because something is being proctored doesn't mean it's not open book.

[jsh1138]

You cannot have a person sitting next to you telling you the answers and still get college credit for it. No. But you can take a Sophia test and that could happen and no one could tell if you did it. In fact you could skip the middle man and just let someone else take the test for you.

You insist on trying to change the meanings of words because you're just flat wrong about this and you can't admit it. "Proctoring" means what it means. Biometric typing magic is not proctoring.

[openair]

None of us knows about the Big 3's future plans concerning alt-course providers. Each college gets to pick their own partners. It could be the case that Sophia won't be partnering with TESU/COSC/Excelsior in the years to come. But where is the concrete announcement? You're just speculating. It could be fun to speculate (it may turn out that you're right), but you could also ruin the learning experience of a lot of people in the meantime. Plus it almost sounds like you'd be happy to see this outcome. You're constantly criticizing their approach. Have you considered the fact that they provided a fantastic learning opportunity for free? Did you know that traditional classrooms also face the outlined problems? You've used the Institutes to get credit. However, it is not proctored at all. You must be a cheater, I guess. Just speculating...