Entry # 3 Arizona State University Mixes it Up With Shorter Semester Scheduling

Hello! Welcome back to my blog spot! While contemplating how busy my life has become, and trying to find time to get all my homework done, I was thinking I needed to find ways to make better use of my time. I have been wondering if I should take on line courses, or accelerated 8 week courses here at G.C.C. next semester. I did take an 8 week class last semester for Eng 101. On one hand it did go quickly, I would have to say it was over before I knew it. On the other hand it felt rushed, I wondered if I was retaining enough to prepare for Eng 102 this semester. I asked my son Zack who goes to Devry how he felt about his 8 week semester blocks and he said he liked the pace, the idea that he would be done with his bachelors degree in 2 years and 8 months rather than the traditional 4 years at a University. However Zack is a 19 year old young man with very little to worry about other than his education and trying to secure a part time job.He has the time to double up on his studies at schooll and at home. I on the other hand work 50 plus hours a week running my own buisness and taking care of all the responsibilities that come with being a single head of house. Clearly the time that we have for our educations is very different. I am glad that there are choices that fit and accomodate both of us. I was reading an article in the Arizona Republic that was in the paper on March 10th 2013. The article was titled "Arizona State to offer more short classes". The article stated that in January they will be adding more courses that can be completed in half the time. A.S.U Provost Betty Capaldi says " the goal is to be flexible for both students and faculty"and she added " that if a student wants to be very efficient they can finish a four year degree in three years". Sounds great if your life allows for that kind of intensity.Gary Grossman president of A.S.U.'s University senate says he has received hundreds of emails regarding this issue. He states that about a third are for it, another third against it, and the other third confused and questioning. I read on and found that the faculty has mixed feelings as well. Some are for it as that schedule would allow more time for researching commitments, others feel that faculty input on the matter was not taken into consideration and worry about some courses being accelerated. Clearly one size does not fit all for the student or the teacher. I personally don't feel that accelarated classes, or online classes would work well for me. I think I am more of a traditional 15 week face to face kind of girl.I think it is great that Universities offer these kinds of courses for those that have the ability to go at a faster more convenient rate for them. My only concern is that eventually all classes will end up this way. A.S.U. online is becoming more popular all the time, and it is fattening up the bottom line for the university. I can see where soon it would be easier and more profitable for an educational institution to conduct all classes in this way. I just hope this educational shift happens AFTER I am done with my educatinal experience. I think I might be just a little to " Old School" for all that! Ciao for now! Off and running!