Correspondence Course In India, Correspondence Courses Toward My History Degree
Q: I'm starting correspondence courses this fall. Finally going back
for that history degree, hoping to eventually become a teacher like
I always wanted. The kids will both be in school, so it's finally
time. I have a couple questions I'm hoping someone here can answer.
First, Can you offer any advice that will make the distance
learning process easier? I'm worried about maintaining my
motivation since I won't actually be attending classes. I'm also
worried about not having much contact with the professors. Any
experienced correspondence students here have tips for me?
Second, Computer stuff. I'm thinking about upgrading to Office XP
from Office 2000 in order to have an easier time writing papers.
Has anyone here upgraded, and if so, what do you think of it? Was
installation easy? I figure the easier it is for me to do my
homework, the likelier it is I'll do it. I already have DSL, so
connection isn't a problem.
A:Motivation is indeed key. I'd try to make a plan for each course -- set a
schedule for reading, study, writing with deadline dates for sending
assignments. And often you can have some good interaction with the
instructors. Try sending a cover letter with your first assignment to tell
the prof something about yourself and your reasons for taking the course.
Ask if it would be possible to schedule a phone call if you have questions
about how to proceed with an assignment. With subsequent lessons, include a
note about readings you found especially interesting or questions you found
puzzling. Ask for suggestions for further reading and research.
American History provides the most likely avenue to employment, but
as a 'world historian'I hope you will not ignore history at large. It
can maintain your own sanity. For example, I was stimulated by an
answer given by my daughter's history teacher "why Europe rose and not
Asia". Her teacher said it was "the climate." I took exception to
the response and read more deeply into the history of 14-15 century
China and India, the explorations of Adm He from China to Africa, and
the subsequent 'isolationism' of the Ming dynasty just as the
Portuguese were entering the Indian Ocean. What might this tell us
about the impact of isolationism in America? Also, a section on
slavery in America led me to examine slavery throughout the world: how
it began, how it is defined, where slaves came from and etc. What is
the impact of oral 'history' or historical 'truth'? While doing all
this reading takes time, it keeps the brain alive and often helps you
answer those pesky aside questions students (and your own children)
keep raising.
As far as DE degrees go, I haven't been paying attention; my choices have
settled on Regents College or an in-state semi-residential program (plus
Regents Credit Bank). Regents charges the same regardless of residency.
(today's odd discovery: even distance students enrolling at Charter Oak
State College in Connecticut apparently must provide proof of measles and
rubella vaccinations in order to enroll - it's a state law)
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