Rio Salado - no discussion?

U.S.A. Arizona

Published

I'm taking a class through Rio Salado, and I have a question for those who have also taken Rio's online classes. At the beginning of the class, the instructor posted that we may not use the threaded discussion feature or post anything on the website and that any questions are to be emailed directly to him. I found this a bit odd. Is this the Rio way, or is it just this instructor?

I've taken several online classes and we have always had discussion threads. I didn't realize how nice that was until I couldn't do it. I was considering doing Rio for nursing, but if this is the Rio way for all classes, I just think I'd miss the discussion and interaction.

Are you taking 156 by any chance?

This is my first online course and the instructor has provided a lot of good feedback with the homework. I do find the no discussion policy very isolating though. I am going to take A&P in a real classroom next semester because I miss the student interaction.

Specializes in Cardiac.

FYI, I don't think you're allowed to post instructors names on this board.

FYI, I don't think you're allowed to post instructors names on this board.

Oops!

Specializes in LTC.

Most of the classes that have restrictions have them to prevent someone who took a quiz or test earlier in the week from helping another student cheat because almost all of the science classes use the same quizzes and tests as in previous semesters as well as for any like class. I met a few people that had dropped out but printed all of the work they had done with the answers on them (that the system automatically gives you) to use when the re-enrolled. With the exception of the essays (which the instructor does give you input on) and the midterm and final, you are given the right answers when you submit your assignment. Guess it is just too much temptation :)

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

Well, all is said and done with my Rio microbiology class. I earned an A, but not with the margin of safety that I usually earn my A's with.

The final exam was horrific. When there are only two exams in a course, that is a big deal. It was really different than the mid-term; the mid-term was ok. It had duplicate questions covering the same thing particular issue (that we never covered) worded in bizarre fashion. I noticed that the unfair and strangely worded questions were all related to the lab portion. It appeared that the lecture questions were from a test bank, and those were ok. It wasn't about catching the students who really knew that material - it was nonsensical.

I'm not one to argue with exam questions, usually. I tend to think that there's is something I'm not seeing, and I'll understand later. Not with this final exam - it was absurd.

I even think of Rio and I mess up my face. Walking out of the final, I decided to NOT put Rio on my MCCCD list for placement. Then I saw here on the board that I don't even have the option anymore.

I liked my instructor, but Rio? Nope.

Here's an example of something else that bugs me about Rio. This is Rio's explanation of the NET scoring system. The same kind of weirdo who put repetitive and bizarre questions on my micro final exam probably wrote this interpretation regarding NET reading score categories. Bold emphasis is mine:

  1. Reading Level (You will only receive one of these scores)
  2. Frustration: Students who score at this level will encounter difficulty in simply reading the textbooks during their college education.
  3. Instructional: Students who score at this level should be able to effectively read assigned textbooks with assistance from class activities.
  4. Independent: Students who score at this level should be able to read assigned textbooks without even the benefit of class. Generally, only college instructors achieve the independent reading level.

http://www.riosalado.edu/services/student/support/testing/net.shtml

:chuckle So generally, only college instructors have a high degree of reading comprehension. Um, give me a break. There are smart people operating at a high level of independence in their reading comprehension in many fields. This is the kind of myopic, academic idiocy that I'm talking about.

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

Does anyone else find this statement about the reading levels irritating?

Specializes in ICU, Oncology.
Does anyone else find this statement about the reading levels irritating?

It's irritating because it's such a silly, narrow-minded description! Come on...most of us know plenty of people (some--GASP--not even college educated) who are perfectly capable of independently comprehending what they read.

I'm taking Pathophysiology through Rio Salado right now. I also found it odd that they not allow us to use the discussion boards. Maybe they are paranoid about us sharing answers to quizzes/tests... but it's definitely nothing I've ever seen before. I was allowed to ask my instructor about the mid-term study guide though. I don't like taking an online course without the use of discussion and with in-person tests. Don't know that I would take another Rio course.

Does anyone else find this statement about the reading levels irritating?

WTH? Honestly, that's retarded. So students are what - just absent-minded and unable to comprehend what they have just read without the help of classroom assignments? I think not. Honestly, if you can take an online class through Rio where everything is reading comprehension - I'd say you're at the independent level. That's ridiculous. It's almost degrading.

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