TESC changed Gen Ed Reauirements?

[swalke321]

In a different posting, "TESC Psych: making me crazy...", CM1999 linked to the TESC website and it looks like TESC may have made changes to their Gen Ed Requirements.

[bricabrac]

It only looks as if the terminology changed. Someone came up with cute new buzz words; very nice way to earn a salary. By what I've reviewed so far, the credits are still distributed the same.

On second thought, in looking at the 4-7 credits in Physical & Natural World...might a lab requirement be on the horizon? We shall see...

[Prloko]

I have only seen this listed in the degree examples for the Heavin School of Arts.

[bricabrac]

I have only seen this listed in the degree examples for the Heavin School of Arts.

It's early yet, they wouldn't change just one school; it will be across the board.

[Prloko]

It's early yet, they wouldn't change just one school; it will be across the board.

To be honest, these descriptions seem to be more focused which will be better for most students, but not necessarily better for "our thing".

[bricabrac]

To be honest, these descriptions seem to be more focused which will be better for most students, but not necessarily better for "our thing".

Unfortunately, I'm not as optimistic. I have found people tend not to be as intellectual as you'd imagine.

I predicted there would be changes in the new calendar year, just hope it turns out to be lingo only and not actual hard changes.


All in all it simply looks as if TESC and COSC had a meeting of the minds.
COSC now offering a BSBA with a few requirements that look much like the old TESC BSBA. Now TESC with Oral and Information requirements? Reminds me of COSC. At least there is an exam, straighterline or easy to find OL course to fill a speech requirement. I'm looking forward to learning more about the information literacy requirement? What course(s) will fill the slot? Hoping it's just a basic intro to computers course; and not something like the COSC cornerstone or Excelsiors required research course.


Oral Literacy --> DSST Principles of Public Speaking or SL Intro to Communications
Information Literacy -- ?


Edit to add: COSC General Education Requirements. Look similiar? Either there is some degree program formula being handed down from the Dept of Education or this is a monkey see, monkey do approach.

[CM1999]

Just got off the phone with TESC.

General Ed requirements ARE changing. I *think* the changes will look like what you see on the BA Psych page:
Thomas Edison State College: Psychology

(note the 4-7 credits in "understanding physical and natural world")

Anyone who APPLIES before July 1st will be doing the current catalog requirements (2014-2015)
http://www.tesc.edu/documents/College_Catalog.pdf


She couldnt tell me all of the changes....but the science was the one thing I specifically asked about and it was confirmed that, if you apply before July 1, you would be under the old plan.

[Prloko]

Unfortunately, I'm not as optimistic. I have found people tend not to be as intellectual as you'd imagine.


Edit to add: COSC General Education Requirements. Look similiar? Either there is some degree program formula being handed down from the Dept of Education or this is a monkey see, monkey do approach.

Being that a did a few online courses with TESC students, believe me, I had no inclination that they were "intellectual". Just adults like me trying to better their lives. What I meant is that I believe most students (not most people here) want to be told what to take. Being this is more specific, this will be helpful to the TESC masses. As far as "our thing" (CLEPing etc), this is as I stated not as welcome, because I think people on this forum are trying to find ALL their options in completing the degree and not being limited to narrow requirement.

With the requirement looking similar, schools DO get together and discuss these things. The LEAP program is one, and I haven't checked, but I wouldn't be surprised if this was a suggestion from LEAP or other type of council.

Narrowing the requirements will make it more difficult to test out, but honestly, making students take a course in basic research and citation wouldn't be a bad thing. I've seen some of the writing some of these students submit and they border on plagiarism.

In the end, I still think that the Assessment 3 (Big 3) are going more the traditional route with every catalog change.

EDIT: Here's a bit of info where this all comes from

https://www.aacu.org/value-rubrics
https://www.aacu.org/sites/default/files...llence.pdf
https://www.aacu.org/leap

[bricabrac]

In the end, I still think that the Assessment 3 (Big 3) are going more the traditional route with every catalog change.

I totally agree with this statement! And agree a research course would not hurt but is that not covered in Eng Comp II? I would have preferred them require Eng Comp I/II, or at the very least Eng Comp II, be completed as a course. It does not make sense to me to accept a CLEP exam to fill ENC 101/102, only to add a required research course. Maybe I'm just missing something?

I was actually referring to folks here when I referred to intellectuals. The more recent folk (last year or so) seem to need more handholding/coddling in my opinion. Much different than when I arrived on the forum. Like you, I found most TESC students to be very saavy; experience speaks volumes.


Thank you for providing those links. I will take a look at the information this evening.

[Prloko]

I totally agree with this statement! And agree a research course would not hurt but is that not covered in Eng Comp II? I would have preferred them require Eng Comp I/II, or at the very least Eng Comp II, be completed as a course. It does not make sense to me to accept a CLEP exam to fill ENC 101/102, only to add a required research course. Maybe I'm just missing something?

True, you would think so. This will probably be the next logical step. Many colleges require Eng Comp to be taken and cannot be tested out; we may see one of the Assessment 3 go this route in the future.