what would make a college course an excellent one

What makes a great college course?

Good courses make sure to appeal to visual, kinesthetic, and other learning styles by providing a variety of multimedia content and carefully designed assignments that help students learn in the way that works best for them.

How would you describe a good course?

Course descriptions should:Be student-centered, rather than teacher-centered or course-centered.Use brief, outcomes-based, descriptive phrases that begin with an imperative or active verb (e.g., design, create, plan, analyze)Be clear, concise, and easy to understand (< 80 words)More items...

What should I consider when choosing a course in college?

Five things to consider when choosing a courseLocation. ... Graduate outcomes and pathway opportunities. ... Cost and entry requirements. ... Learning styles. ... Work experience or practical placements.

How can I make my college course better?

Top 10 Tips for Passing College ClassesTake classes you're interested in. ... Be on time and pay attention. ... Ask questions. ... Participate. ... Read the syllabus. ... Open those books. ... Establish a study routine, and stick with it. ... Find a study buddy in each class.More items...

What is meant by a successful course?

Success Course Definition. Success courses are designed to help undergraduate students make successful transitions from a previous level of education, or experience (e.g., the military), into the University, from undeclared status into a major, and/or from undergraduate studies to graduate studies or careers.

What are positive adjectives?

What are Positive Adjectives? Positive adjectives describe people, places, and things in a positive way. Using these noun modifiers, you can express emotions such as satisfaction, love, amusement, hope, and more. Here are a few examples of sentences that use good emotional words: Steve is happy today.

Why choosing a college course is important?

It helps them acquire new skills and improve their technical proficiency which is of utmost importance to survive in a dynamic marketplace. These courses also give professionals an edge from the perspective of career growth as it reflects an attitude of constantly wanting to learn and get better.

Why do you choose this course?

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.

What is important when choosing your studies?

So make a shortlist of the top three features you're looking for. These could be school ranking or prestige, research facilities, practical experience and internships, cost of tuition, student support services, safety, social life, chance to travel…

What are the key factors for making an online course effective?

Previous PPIC research has identified five key factors to help ensure student success in online programs:Use a systems approach to course design. ... Provide professional development. ... Set student expectations. ... Create community. ... Take advantage of the online environment.

What might the teacher do more to improve the course?

In this article, you'll find 7 ways that teachers can improve their lessons.Use ICT tools and digital game-based learning. ... Differentiate between students. ... Use the flipped classroom model. ... Encourage cooperative learning. ... Communicate with colleagues. ... Communicate with parents. ... Create a welcoming environment. ... Conclusion.

What is the most effective study method?

10 Study Methods & Tips That Actually WorkThe SQ3R Method. The SQ3R method is a reading comprehension technique that helps students identify important facts and retain information within their textbook. ... Retrieval Practice. ... Spaced Practice. ... The PQ4R Method. ... The Feynman Technique. ... Leitner System. ... Color-Coded Notes. ... Mind Mapping.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.".

Why is it important to learn about history?

Studying history helps you learn from others mistakes so that , hopefully, you won’t commit the same mistakes. American history is filled with mishaps, wrong turns, and terrible decision-making both at the national political level and at the business level.

What is the meaning of receiving a refund?

Receiving a refund is a way for you to lose money. The government withheld money from your paychecks and held that money for a year without paying you any interest. It’s like giving someone an interest-free loan. Thus, your money sat in the government’s hand and lost value during that time.

How does accounting help a business?

As those numbers go, so does the business. Accounting will help you understand that cash flow is what helps a business succeed and it is what helps an individual succeed .

Why are bosses bad?

One of the problems with “bosses” is that they don’t know how to manage people. If you want to own and run a business, you need to manage that business effectively and efficiently. This process requires dealing and communicating with people and delegating tasks and decisions to employees.

What do entrepreneurs need to communicate?

Writing and Composition. Succeeding as an entrepreneur requires that you be able to express yourself and your ideas. Whether it involves pitching an idea to an investor, writing a press release or composing a business plan, entrepreneurs need to communicate. More often than not, this communication is done in writing.

What is finance course?

A finance course (preferably one geared towards entrepreneurship) will teach you what you need to know to reach this level of understanding. There might be some math involved, but it won’t kill you. It’ll just make you a stronger and more savvy investor.

Why do products fail in marketing?

Too often, products fail because their creators didn’t bother to learn whether a market existed for that product.

What is the joy of teaching?

One of the joys of teaching at college level is the opportunity to create a course in your area of specialization. College professors often teach survey courses as a regular part of their teaching duties, but many also teach upper-division courses in more specialized areas of study. For instance, history professors may teach a course in sports ...

What should be included in a college syllabus?

The syllabus should include a comprehensive course schedule, the course objectives, information regarding the types of assessments that will be required ( exams, quizzes, papers, etc.), your contact information and any required institutional statements that your college may require in all of its syllabi. Write your course lectures.

What can a history professor teach?

For instance, history professors may teach a course in sports history or women's history in addition to teaching U.S. history survey courses. Creating a course requires extensive planning and a high level of organization. Create a course proposal to be reviewed by the department head or committee in charge of curriculum decisions at your school.

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.

How many letters of recommendation do colleges require?

Most colleges require at least one letter of recommendation from either your high school counselor or a high school teacher (or both). The 2019 NACAC survey indicates that 54% of colleges consider teacher recommendations at least moderately important, while a higher 55% consider counselor recommendations the same.

What makes a good application?

In general, a great application will have most or all of the following elements: A high GPA (relative to what admitted students have) and a rigorous curriculum. Strong test scores (relative to what admitted students have) A specific, honest, and well-written personal statement.

What is the average SAT score for NYU?

Here, we can see the average SAT score for NYU is 1440 —that's pretty high, in the 96th percentile! To really stand out as an applicant, though, you'll want to aim for at least the 75th percentile. For NYU, that's 1510, which corresponds to the 99th percentile, or the top 1% of test takers.

Why is personal statement important?

The personal statement is an important part of your college application as it's one of the only areas where you can really showcase your personality. According to the 2019 NACAC survey, 56% of schools consider application essays moderately or considerably important.

What does a college look for in a student?

While all colleges are different, of course, with some valuing certain qualities or skills more or less than other schools, all colleges generally look for smart, studious, ambitious, and passionate students. Therefore, your college application should emphasize your best, most impressive qualities.

What should I emphasize in my college application?

Therefore, your college application should emphasize your best, most impressive qualities. For example, if you play the violin and want to study music in college, you'll want to touch on this interest you have in different areas of your application. A good college application will also showcase your sincere interest in the school.

Does a high GPA make an application stronger?

Most people believe a high GPA (the definition of which can vary at different colleges) will make an application stronger. And this is true! According to NACAC, 75% of colleges ranked grades in high school classes considerably important. In fact, this factor was ranked the most important of any in the report.

How can negative thinking affect your mental health?

Negative thought patterns have been linked to increased stress, as well as anxiety and other mental health problems . Reframing your worries and embracing a more positive mindset can increase your resilience and help you bring your best effort to your education. 7. Confidence in yourself.

Why is staying organized important?

Staying organized is another key ingredient to balancing your responsibilities and finding success as a college student. That doesn’t mean you have to have an immaculately color-coded organization system—taking some basic organizational steps can go a long way.

Why is it important to have a planner?

Having a planner dedicated to schoolwork can also help you plan ahead so you have enough time to study for tests or complete larger projects. 3. The ability to work with others. Collaborating with classmates is an important part of college life, one that prepares you for the realities of the workplace.

What does it mean to have friends in college?

Friends to support you. Making friends within your degree program means you’ll always have support and accountability, whether it’s studying for tests or swapping stories about the highs and lows of college life.

How to write a paper in 30 minutes?

While you might not be able to write an entire paper in 30 minutes, you can take concrete steps that will make the longer study and writing sessions go smoother. Organize your thoughts, make an outline, review vocabulary terms— these little things add up. 2. Organization skills.

What should a college student be like?

You have an idea of what the perfect college student should be like: always early to class, the first to contribute to a discussion, able to write papers with ease and using color-coded notes to study for tests. The mental image of this “perfect” college student might have you intimidated as you prepare to embark on your college journey.

Do you have to be perfect to get a college degree?

You don’t have to be perfect to have a successful college experience. You can persevere with determination and the confidence that you have what it takes to earn your degree. “You deserve to be here, and you need to convince yourself of that,” Martinez says.

Why is it important to post a visual outline of what will be done during the class?

Posting a visual outline of what will be done during the class helps students follow the lesson and stay on task.

What is a successful teacher?

Successful educators teach in such a way that their students understand the subject matter, communicating clearly in both subject matter and procedure. Successful instructors make their expectations clear and provide a variety of opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning. * A Well-Ordered Class.

How to reduce fear and mutual hostility in higher education?

Successful teachers find ways to build relationship and hence reduce the fear and mutual hostility that are endemic in higher education through: (1) building relationships of trust; (2) providing appropriate space in the classroom; (3) de-emphasizing grades; (4) empowering students.

How to teach students to be visual?

The best advice is to be visual, followed by keeping students actively thinking, writing, comparing, and applying new knowledge.

Why do you want to teach in higher education?

You have chosen to teach in higher education because you are a subject-matter specialist with a tremendous knowledge of your discipline. As you enter or continue your career, there is another field of knowledge you need to know: teaching and learning. What we know about teaching and learning continues to grow dramatically.

How can students learn more easily?

Students learn more easily when they’ve been given the rationale for what they are learning, and when they understand why the teacher has chosen certain instructional methods and learning activities. 5. Use assessment to inform students of their achievement.

Should students be berated for not knowing things?

Above all, students should not be berated if they don’t know things that weren’t taught in high school.

Why is alumni network important?

A school's alumni network can be a powerful tool for providing mentoring, professional guidance, and employment opportunities to its students even before they graduate. Students should be able to take advantage of their school's alumni network for internships and job opportunities, or there is no point in having one.

What is the student to faculty ratio?

The student to faculty ratio is an important figure to consider when looking at colleges but not something to give too much weight—just take these numbers to indicate roughly what you might expect from a school. Low student to faculty ratios are often ideal, but don't discount a school with a higher ratio.

What should be in place to educate students about responsible drinking and sexual health?

A counseling center offering support for students struggling with mental health issues should also be available. Programs should be in place to educate students about responsible drinking and sexual health. Students of healthy body and mind are much more likely to succeed in college than those who aren't.

What to do if you loved something in high school?

If you loved something in high school and want to continue practicing it , find ways to go after it in college before you get there. College is the time to chase new interests too, so don't close your mind to options you had not considered. You may discover lifelong passions when you try new things.

Why is college a red flag?

The goal of college is to obtain a degree, so it makes sense that a high rate of failure and/ or drop-out is a red flag. Some schools are much more successful at graduating students than others, so don't settle for a path that is unlikely to lead to the degree you're paying for.

What to look for in a college?

Some resources to look for are: 1 Job fairs on campus 2 Resume development sessions 3 Mock interviews 4 Frequent academic advising 5 Pre-tests and study sessions 6 GRE, MCAT, and LSAT preparation services 7 Networking opportunities

Is the freshman 15 true?

Rumors of the famed freshman 15 are often true. Many students make bad decisions for their health and gain weight when confronted with unlimited high-calorie food in cafeterias. It is inevitable that a college campus becomes like a petri dish for colds, flus, and STDs as thousands of students from around the world come together in the confined spaces of classes and residence halls. Mental health issues also thrive in university atmospheres.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

According to the 2021/2022 Common Application, the common app essays topics are as follows:

College Essay Tips

We asked dozens of experts on essay writing and test scores for their take on what makes a great college essay. Check out these five college essay tips below.

The "Burying Grandma" Example College Essay

Written for the Common App college application essays "Tell us your story" prompt. This essay could work for prompts 1 and 7 for the Common App.

THE "Laptop Stickers" COLLEGE ESSAY EXAMPLE

My laptop is like a passport. It is plastered with stickers all over the outside, inside, and bottom. Each sticker is a stamp, representing a place I've been, a passion I've pursued, or community I've belonged to. These stickers make for an untraditional first impression at a meeting or presentation, but it's one I'm proud of.

THE "PUNK ROCK PHILOSOPHER" COLLEGE ESSAY EXAMPLE

This was written for the Common App college application essays, and works for prompts 1 and 7 (or none of them, because the author is that cool):

The "Travel and Language" College Essay Example

Written for the Common App college application essays "Tell us your story" prompt. This essay could work for prompts 1 and 7 for the Common App.

The "Dead Bird" Example College Essay Example

This was written for a Common App college application essay prompt that no longer exists, which read: Evaluate a significant experience, risk, achievement, ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.