College Students need their feet by the fire or most won't do anything!

[toobusytoday]

Originally Posted by HumanNature

The materials are academic in nature and while all education is somewhat common sense, most of it would take quite a bit of research to find on your own.

I got a kick out of the other poster who said because it is only a certificate program the material is not that important. If you don't think it is, don't waste your time.

I'm sure there are many jobs where employees are required or asked to take classes just to have a certification on file. I've been to many one day workshops, or served on committees, where a sheet will be passed around so attendees will be on record as having their time counted for Act 48 hours (Pennsylvania educators). Personally, I've enjoyed most committees I've served on and workshops I've been to, but I've always noticed some people not really participating and I feel they are there just to serve their time.

[Ivorytickler]

Originally Posted by HumanNature

I work as an Adjunct Instructor teaching Business classes during the evening. Some of the classes I teach are part of a Career Certificate Program which get credit but CEU (Continuing Education Units) instead of traditional academic credit. These Certificate Programs are designed so that people can learn about a certain career field or devote themselves to professional development. Historically most of the Instructors in these programs gave a passing grade if the student showed up and warmed the seat. They are graded P or NC. (Pass for showing up and warming the seat and NC for not showing up)

It has been an interesting study in human nature. Without a A-F Grade and formal academic credit to offer or deny, I have basically no control over the student in these Certificate classes to do anything other than warn the seat. I find few students attend college credits because they enjoy learning or feel that the course material will actually help them, but instead, they just want the credit (or Certificate) to put on their resume.

Did you take most of your college credits simply for the academic credit? If the Instructor told you he would give you an A just for showing up, would you take it?

I'm a strange duck. A guaranteed A would free me up to learn what I needed from the class instead of feeling I had to learn it all. So, yes, I'd take that deal but I'd also learn an A's amount of material.