Grand Canyon RN-BSN

rainyn · Sep 9, 2014

Hey fellow GCU students,
I have some concerns about my current class and I'm wondering if you've had this experience before. I usually receive full credit with DQ questions, and this week my teacher only credited me half. I'm my Patho class, so there is only one DQ question/week worth 20 points. I emailed her via the Individual Forum, and her response was that it wasn't substantial enough ! I looked into my other classmates responses and, for the most part, our informations were similar. It just bothers me because I tried to make it "substantial" enough, and only getting half credit basically earns a failing mark for that DQ. I emailed her again for the specific recommendations to improve for the future, and waiting for a response currently. What do you guys suggest? I really want those 10 points back, grr...

I agree with tokmom, it happens more than you think. When it happened to me it bothered me as well, but in the end it didn't take away from my getting an A in the class. Requesting clear expectations from the instructor is what I would recommend, like you have done. Hopefully she will respond and be clear.

My first class I had an instructor that kept dinging me on DQ and participation points. I requested clarification on her expectations multiple times and either never got an answer, or only got partial answers that didn't answer my question. It was so frustrating, and made me second guess my choice about attending GCU.

My second class the instructor was particular about DQs and participation as well, but she gave us a rubric to follow and was very clear about her expectations. So it wasn't as bad and I always got full points, but I did have to put a lot of work into that class.

My Third class the instructor was lenient but just wanted us to cite 3 sources for our DQ. One from the text, one from the weekly supplemental reading, and one of our own. I always used the 3 sources and never got dinged

My currently class the instructor is very lenient, and I've even been late on my participation by responding by 0100 Monday morning for the previous week, and I still get full points.

It is by having my last 2 instructors that I realize my first one was awful and my second was wasn't that great, and that I was working too hard in both classes. Now I gather info from other students and get instructor referrals for upcoming classes.

PrismRN · Sep 9, 2014

Hi jsala44, I agree with both rainyn and tokmom, and also suggest getting into the habit of reading *every*single*word* the instructor has typed, anywhere and everywhere. In the beginning of each class open up everything, even their attachments and add-ons to announcements. It's amazing what you'll find buried in a paragraph of something that is not where you think it ought to be, but is valuable information. I always think, "what about the other students who didn't find this?" If an instructor is picky about how THEY want their DQs answered (which is a whole `nother issue, IMO), chances are their definition of substantive is buried amongst their info, somewhere. Good luck, sadly, its hard to get into a flow and hammer down your personal process when every 5 weeks you get another instructor who wants things done their way :angthts:

derkfamily · Sep 9, 2014

tokmom

I agree, it is important to choose the correct formatting. I actually compared the citation they chose with the APA Manual and it was correct. That at least gave me peace of mind. Wish I would have discovered perrla or anything else like it years ago!

tokmom, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2014

Hi jsala44, I agree with both rainyn and tokmom, and also suggest getting into the habit of reading *every*single*word* the instructor has typed, anywhere and everywhere. In the beginning of each class open up everything, even their attachments and add-ons to announcements. It's amazing what you'll find buried in a paragraph of something that is not where you think it ought to be, but is valuable information. I always think, "what about the other students who didn't find this?" If an instructor is picky about how THEY want their DQs answered (which is a whole `nother issue, IMO), chances are their definition of substantive is buried amongst their info, somewhere. Good luck, sadly, its hard to get into a flow and hammer down your personal process when every 5 weeks you get another instructor who wants things done their way :angthts:

Those announcements can be critical to one's success. The stuff they bury in a random sentence. It was one of the first places I would look for information. One instructor I had, actually had APA headings she wanted used and other expectations. I was shocked at the students that were in jeopardy of failing the class, because they did not look under the announcements! They were clueless the information even existed.

Winterwhite28 · Sep 10, 2014

Jsala44, ouch, I would feel the same. One class wanted the uploads to be formatted Module1DQ2_studentname and on and on and on...all hidden here and there. That was the one class I bailed on and got another instructor. I can remember half my first class was in that class, wondered if they stuck it out. I believe in finishing but I also believe in protecting my kiester too! No reason to put up with that grief, even for 5 weeks. Now that could be because I over think every.single.day. of that 5 weeks :lol2: .

Winterwhite28 · Sep 10, 2014

So I took a two week break, and just extended that break for another two weeks...think I should be good to get back in the saddle on the 22nd. But tonight I'm sitting here wondering what to do with all my time. Sick, right?!!!

kwmom · Sep 10, 2014

So I took a two week break, and just extended that break for another two weeks...think I should be good to get back in the saddle on the 22nd. But tonight I'm sitting here wondering what to do with all my time. Sick, right?!!!

I am in my last week of stats (hallelujah) and have all my assignments done and both DQs done and it's only Monday and I have a week off before starting research. I had the same thought this evening. LOL. What will I ever do with my time after graduating next summer? It surely will not be enrolling in another class :sarcastic:

Winterwhite28 · Sep 10, 2014

I am in my last week of stats (hallelujah) and have all my assignments done and both DQs done and it's only Monday and I have a week off before starting research. I had the same thought this evening. LOL. What will I ever do with my time after graduating next summer? It surely will not be enrolling in another class

Sent you a PM kwmom...we may match up for research! And you can see how OCD I really am, lol!

tokmom, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2014

So I took a two week break, and just extended that break for another two weeks...think I should be good to get back in the saddle on the 22nd. But tonight I'm sitting here wondering what to do with all my time. Sick, right?!!!

I was that way after graduation still marvel at my free time. Well what you consider free with works and family, lol.

pinkpetunia · Sep 10, 2014

I have made progress in obtaining the CLEP for the English! Happy Happy!

tokmom, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2014

Jsala44, ouch, I would feel the same. One class wanted the uploads to be formatted Module1DQ2_studentname and on and on and on...all hidden here and there. That was the one class I bailed on and got another instructor. I can remember half my first class was in that class, wondered if they stuck it out. I believe in finishing but I also believe in protecting my kiester too! No reason to put up with that grief, n for 5 weeks. Now that could be because I over think every.single.day. of that 5 weeks .

Oh heck no, lol. That would be a tipping point for me too. I was going to have an instructor just like that. I thought she was asking too much IMO, lol

tokmom, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2014

I have made progress in obtaining the CLEP for the English! Happy Happy!

That would be great if you didn't have to take it.