The Ivory Tower

I find this whole process very odd of learning about the theories and how we apply these theories. Many of the constructs that I am asked to develop are . . . nice for ivory tower thinking.

I have three years of teaching experience. Which is good, so I have a clue of what I am doing. It just seems that the classroom papers have very little to do with reality of students and how people react.

Now, I know why new teachers only last a few years in the profession. I really feel bad for new teachers who have little to know experience teaching.

Working Ahead

"Men give me some credit for genius. All the genius I have lies in this: When I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly. Day and night it is before me. I explore it in all its bearings. My mind becomes pervaded with it. Then the effort which I make, the people are pleased to call the fruit of genius. It is the fruit of labor and thought." - Alexander Hamilton

One of my complaints with Western Governors University is promise against reality.

Can I accelerate my progress?
As a WGU student you progress through your program by passing the required assessments (e.g. tests, assignments, projects). In consultation with your mentor, you set the pace at which you prepare for and take the assessments. Consequently, some WGU students with strong academic or career experience in the fields are able to go faster than the standard rate of progress. However, doing so isn't easy. Many of the assessments are quite challenging, and students sometimes overestimate the knowledge they possess when they enter a program. On the other hand, a highly-motivated, independent individual is precisely the kind of student who does well at WGU. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor to discuss whether you're the kind of person who might go faster.

Here I am, one of the people who has experience, a strong academic background, independence, and motivation. I also have time on my hands right now.

So, why am I given slack about doing so many units?

I have taken the exams for US History, World History, Government and will do another in US History, World History, Economics, Psychology, and Government.

Look at this. My strong subject here is World History. Many people have a problem with World History yet I score better on WH than anything else. US History is easy for most people who went to school in the US. I have taught Psychology. I have taught some Government. I have even dabbled in Economics.

So what does this leave me?

Schools and Society class, very easy. I started on one side of the term and finished on the other.

Human Dev and Learning. Very similar to Psych. The psych portion of my background and teaching really helped here.

Diversity and Inclusion. Not a really hard class though I have had some troubles with it.

Classroom Management. Three years of teaching experience really helps here.

So tell me: why am I given grief when I run ahead, work hard, have the experience, have the background and the time and do exactly what is said I can do?

The PPST and Joys of Tests

I have just finished the PPST or the Pre-Professional Skills Test. I scored really well on the math and reading sections. Now I have to wait three weeks to see how I did on the part I do not think I did well on.

I did not study for the Reading and Math sections other then take one practice test. I passed both of tests with relative ease.

The question I have is about scoring these silly tests.

I am amazed at how few points are involved. The range of the test is 40 points with a possible score between 150 and 190. This means most states will let you miss up to 40%, on reading, or 43% on writing and math, of the questions and still pass on by national averages.

I am just amazed at these scores. Now, let's be fair here. This test is made up for students in a teaching program. And I scored in the 75%tile for both tests. This means only 1 in 4 scored better then I did. Yet, I only scored in the 77% correct. The median score is 179 which is 60% correct. Still needing only 60% correct . . .

Starting in Jan 07 This blog may contain first person fictional stories or accounts of items that never happened.

Working Hard or Hardly Working

Oi. Since my 6 month term started in April 1, I am signed up for 59 units. For those who keep track that is two years + worth of clsses. Full time is considered 12 units. I have completed 22 so far.

One of the cool things about WGU and the social science is the Praxis tests. These are not the easiest tests in the world. However, I passs a PRAXIS II test and I complete a class. This means lots of high stakes tests. And taking the PRAXIS is not fun at all. I hope you have lot of Malox as people relly stress over the tests.

I hate having to wait for the results. ETS is so kind they allow you to pay $25 to find out your test score early, four or five days early. That is not much of a deal.

Time to go finish enough for another three units. The current class is taking me a little over two weeks to finish, might be three,