what makes a college course good

by Tiffany Aufderhar 4 min read

  1. You will grow more independent. Whether you commute to campus or move out of the house, your independence will expand by attending college. ...
  2. College opens doors to opportunity. Note: do not read as “college will guarantee a successful life.” Success comes through personal initiative and hard work. ...
  3. You will become better disciplined for the world. Good college courses will prepare you for the challenges you face in everyday life. ...
  4. You will have fun! While the purpose at college is to learn, living in a dorm and connecting with like-minded peers is filled with adventures! ...
  5. College will help you think. In today’s society, those who are able to winsomely present their logical reasoning rise above the crowd. ...
  6. You will see the world. Travelling to a college far away from home provides hours of exploration and entertainment. ...
  7. You might meet your soul mate. This is not a guarantee, but in the situation where you find yourself attending a smaller college that attracts a certain demographic of ...
  8. A good college will develop your love for learning. As William Butler Yeats said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” Education ...

When they finally got through the exercise, they clearly identified some important elements of a good course, including organization, level-appropriateness, fair and relevant assessments, and engaging activities.Sep 18, 2014

Full Answer

What are the qualities of a good school?

Sep 18, 2014 · Good communication skills, engaging, humble positive…it was a good list. And, of course, the only thing that your graduate training provides you with is knowledge, as I made sure they all noted. (As an aside, I tweeted the following: “And using student-centered approach makes me feel superfluous.” The students spend 45 minutes on this activity and shot me dirty looks …

Is College a good school?

Nov 01, 2003 · Colleges pay attention to rankings because a higher ranking one year can bring a flood of new applicants the next, whereas a lower ranking can cause a falloff. Prospective students and their...

Is College a good idea?

We will consider the relevance of liberal education to all areas of study, from STEM to the arts, and its relations to future careers. And we will examine the central place that the idea of “the good life” has historically enjoyed in theories of liberal education. This course satisfies the Aesthetic and Interpretive Inquiry Way (AII).

What makes an excellent school?

the three elements of a good class. Those three elements are 1. A “good” instructor with the right attitude 2. “Good” students with the right attitudes 3. A good synergy for the whole class In order to think more effectively, we need to identify what we mean by good. How should we define the characteristics of a good instructor?

What makes a course effective?

A comprehensive and efficient course design process incorporates all these elements: Course goals and learning objectives: Make sure they're clearly spelled out in a way that students can understand and grasp. Scope and sequence: Map it out ahead of time; don't just leave it up to chance.Jan 28, 2019

What should I consider when choosing a course in college?

To help you select the right course and college, here are some things you should consider.Start with your interests. ... Know your strengths and skills. ... Check the course content. ... Look at a program's earning potential. ... Available programs. ... Location, Location, Location. ... Costs and financial aid. ... On-campus facilities and amenities.More items...•Nov 20, 2021

How can I make my college class better?

In our podcast interview, he shared five specific strategies college teachers could use to dramatically improve their instruction.Create a Student Avatar. ... Use Tent Cards to Remember Names. ... Implement “Cold Calling” and “No Opt Out” ... Deploy the QQC Strategy for Readings. ... Put the Lecture at the End.More items...•Mar 26, 2017

What is the best course in college?

Top 10 College MajorsComputer Science. ... Communications. ... Government/Political Science. ... Business. ... Economics. ... English Language and Literature. ... Psychology. ... Nursing.More items...

What factors affect your choice of college course?

Factors such as interest in field, academic ability, familiarity, economic stability, and influential people can all play a role in the decision.

What is your main reason in choosing your course?

Discuss your career goals Discuss your career aspirations, and talk about how the course aligns with your career goals. Be specific when discussing how you hope this specific course prepares you for your career. Share specific career milestones you hope to achieve, and discuss why you chose this specific career.Apr 1, 2021

What are some pros and cons of living on a college campus?

The Pros and Cons of Campus HousingSocialization. One of the main purposes of on-campus housing, after providing students with a place to sleep when they're not studying, is to create a community. ... Convenience. ... Infrastructure. ... Less Privacy. ... Less Freedom. ... More Expensive.

What are the best times for college classes?

Researchers found that colleges should, for the most part, start classes in the latter part of the morning, around 11 a.m. – a time when most students are "at their best."Apr 20, 2017

How do college students educate?

Six Things That Make College Teachers SuccessfulStudy the knowledge base of teaching and learning. ... Accept all who enter the classroom door. ... Plan for instructional management. ... Teach with a variety of strategies. ... Use assessment to inform students of their achievement. ... Keep the passion.

What is the most useful major in college?

Saving money during and after collegeRankDeclared degreeUnemployment rate1Architectural Engineering1.3%2Construction Services1.0%3Computer Engineering2.3%4Aerospace Engineering1.9%47 more rows•Oct 4, 2021

What is the most useful degree?

Top 15 Most Useful DegreesComputer Science.Nursing.Law.Pharmaceutical Science (Pharmacy)Education.Mathematics.Veterinary Science.Engineering.More items...•Mar 4, 2022

What degrees will be useless in the future?

20 Most Useless DegreesAdvertising. If you're an advertising major, you may hope to get into digital marketing, e-commerce, or sports marketing. ... Anthropology And Archeology. ... Art history. ... Communications. ... Computer Science. ... Creative Writing. ... Criminal Justice. ... Culinary arts.More items...

Why is the US News important?

By creating an incentive for institutions to provide reliable data about graduation rates, selectivity, and the like, U.S. News has helped to demystify the admissions process and to create a common vocabulary for parents, applicants , college counselors, and universities themselves.

What percentage of a school's U.S. News rank is student selectivity?

Student selectivity counts for 15 percent of a school's U.S. News rank, and to some extent this is justified. Broadly speaking, SAT or ACT scores and high school class rank—which account for most of this category—are together a good indicator of the academic ability of an incoming student.

What percentage of a school's score is input related?

But that category, which measures the effects of a college's programs and policies on its students' graduation rate, counts for only five percent of a school's score, whereas input-related measures are worth almost half.

What percentage of a school's overall score is peer assessment?

News measures: peer assessment, which, at 25 percent , is the single largest component of a school's overall score.

What is the logic of selective admissions?

The logic is that "lots of resources, plus selective admissions, equals 'excellence' in undergraduate education, " as Ernest T. Pascarella, a professor and education researcher at the University of Iowa, wrote in one widely read 2001 critique, published in Change magazine.

Why do college guides focus on inputs?

In fairness, part of the reason that college guides focus so much on inputs is that measuring students' experience once they get to college—especially inside the classroom—is a much subtler and more invasive process; and for many years the infrastructure and resources needed to do it simply didn't exist.

What was the first U.S. News ranking?

The first U.S. News ranking divided schools into broad categories and asked university presidents to rate the best schools within their peer group. That is, it was basically a popularity contest—or, as the magazine called it, a "reputational survey.".

What to look for in a college?

Perhaps the most obvious thing to look for in a college is the range and quality of a university’s academic programs. Colleges that offer a solid breadth of majors possess a more diverse campus culture. Plus, it allows you to explore different subjects if you haven’t quite nailed down your career path before attending your first college courses. A college that is well-known for certain fields of study can offer you top-notch faculty, research opportunities, and industry connections for internship, networking, or job opportunities.

How much did it cost to attend college in 2016?

An article on collegedata.com cites these average costs of tuition and fees for the 2016–17 school year, according to College Board: $33,480 at private colleges, $9,650 for state residents at public colleges, and $24,930 for out-of-state residents attending public universities.

Why is culture important in college?

A culture that will enhance your college life. Because you’re going to be spending much of your time at college, the campus culture of a university is important. College life is what you make of it—you can find just about any student club on campus, and if you can’t, you can start one—but the culture of campus is key.

Why is it important to take good college courses?

3. You will become better disciplined for the world. Good college courses will prepare you for the challenges you face in everyday life. If you learn to turn in homework on time, you will be able to meet deadlines at work.

What is it like to travel to college far away from home?

You will see the world. Travelling to a college far away from home provides hours of exploration and entertainment. The United States is full of interesting locations and historical landmarks; there is always something to do or see in your spare time!

Why is college important?

2. College opens doors to opportunity. Note: do not read as “college will guarantee a successful life.”. Success comes through personal initiative and hard work. However, college does provide far more contacts, internships, and networking opportunities than sitting at home! 3. You will become better disciplined for the world.

Where is learning found?

Learning is found in the classroom, in the dining commons, in the dorm room, in the chapel hall, and in every situation you find yourself. Life is not black and white. College fuels your desire to navigate the gray areas, finding the answers to life.

I think that what makes a good college is different for every student and needs to account for the following factors

Rigor – You want to know that your student will thrive in the environment. The classes should offer an appropriate level of challenge, but this is a delicate balance. You don’t want your student to be overwhelmed, but you don’t want him/her to be bored either.

When students are just starting to build a list of potential colleges, how do they find schools that might be a good college for them?

Use early college visits to narrow down preferences on size and location.

Why is online learning important?

As much as possible, good online classes provide the opportunity for students to make up their own minds and take responsibility for their own learning. Some of the best courses allow students to create their own projects or focus on an element of the topic that they particularly enjoy.

Is online class good?

It’s sometimes tempting to overload a course with flashy tech elements or to have students sign up for dozens of outside services. But, good online classes avoid this temptation. Instead, good courses include carefully selected technologies that are reliable and fully supported. This helps students avoid the panic that comes from encountering a required program that just won’t run or a video that just won’t load.

Is there a lot of boring online classes?

Updated February 06, 2019. Let’s face it: there are a lot of low-quality, low-learning, boring online classes out there. But, there are also some spectacular online courses that engage students and help them learn in ways that aren’t always possible in a ​ traditional classroom.

Who is Jamie Littlefield?

The Top 10 Characteristics. Jamie Littlefield is a writer, instructional designer, and teacher of high school and college distance education courses. Her work has appeared in Huffington Post, Psychology Today, and more. Let’s face it: there are a lot of low-quality, low-learning, boring online classes out there.

Is it okay to overload a course?

Sometimes, overloading a course with too many “extras” can be confusing to students. But, it’s still helpful to give students ways to learn more outside of the prescribed curriculum if they choose to do so. Good online courses provide supplemental ways for students to keep learning but differentiate that from the core content so that students aren’t overwhelmed.

What makes an online course good?

A good online course is engaging and challenging. It invites students to participate, motivates them to contribute and captures their interest and attention. It capitalizes on the joy of learning and challenges students to enhance their skills, abilities and knowledge. A good online course is cognitively challenging.

What is accounting course?

In an accounting course, students could analyze the financial statements of a company they’re interested in rather than one selected by the instructor. Such flexibility not only accommodates students’ backgrounds and interests, it provides space for students to make the course their own.

What does "online course" mean?

It means audiovisual materials that don’t stereotype, shame or degrade people. It may mean that open educational resources are prioritized over expensive textbooks. A good online course is interactive. Courses are much more than placeholders for students to access information.

Why is online learning important?

A good online course promotes student agency. It gives students autonomy to enable opportunities for relevant and meaningful learning. Such a course redistributes power - to the extent that is possible - in the classroom. Again, this may take many forms in the online classroom.

What is creative writing class?

In a creative writing class, students may write a short story, receive feedback, revise it and then write a different story. In a computer programming class, they may write a block of code, test it and then use it in a larger program that they wrote.

What are the interactions between students and professors?

Interactions between professor and students may involve students receiving personalized feedback, support and guidance. Interactions among students may include such things as debating various issues or collaborating with peers to solve a problem.

Is online teaching the primary mode of education?

With very few exceptions, online teaching and learning will be the primary mode of education for the majority of higher education students in many jurisdictions this fall as concerns about COVID-19 extend into the new school year.

Why is it important to have a strong college list?

A strong college list is necessary if you want to get into and then attend a college that suits you well on a number of different levels. There are many factors that go ...

Where is Kate Koch-Sundquist?

Kate Koch-Sundquist is a graduate of Pomona College where she studied sociology, psychology, and writing before going on to receive an M.Ed. from Lesley University. After a few forays into living abroad and afloat (sometimes at the same time), she now makes her home north of Boston where she works as a content writer and, with her husband, raises two young sons who both inspire her and challenge her on a daily basis.

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