Complete disaster of an online course-- What to do?

[Pegasus]

I have to retake a class I took in community college because my university doesn't recognize it. The class at the community college (a community college designed for transfer students to said university) was far more informative and intense in covering exactly the same material, but of course that doesn't matter. I have to take it again.

I took the class as an online class and it has been nothing short of a shit-show from day one. First of all, the university switched to a new software for the online courses this semester and my professor to this date does not understand the software well. The professor will often post things in a disorganized manner that is sprawled throughout various unlinked portions of the site. Sometimes she will say that we have the ability to do things with the software that we really do not. She is frustrated as are the students and she gets short with the students for not using common sense, when in fact the entire thing is a confusing clusterfuck for any student to try to comprehend. I should point out that I am not myself one being unfairly critiqued-- it is just something I have observed.

We were just given a group assignment and I am grouped with a ridiculous woman who does not speak English as a first language and yet insists on fighting me over the meaning of every word typed by the professor. She assumed the role of leader for herself and refuses to respond to any contrary opinion. This in itself is of course frustrating, but is something that I could deal with just fine on its own. The thing of it is though, the course is poorly run... The software is not set up correctly and the professor does not know how to efficiently use it... The professor has a poor attitude and types in an unprofessional manner and with poor grammar (and did I mention that the class is a professional communications class?!) The book assigned is absolutely god-awful (it is so bad that I routinely have others read select pages for comedic effect), and to top it all off, I have already taken this class not even a year ago!

I am not sure what to do with all of this frustration. I am already fed up with my university and this is just making the whole experience nearly intolerable. I am tempted to try to demand my money back for the course or something. I am not sure even the standing I have to do such a thing however. Can my school just completely fail at providing a class and leave me with no recourse?

 

[Jerry Atrick]

First of all, I'm sorry that you had to retake this course. That sucks.

I have had stinker profs but it sounds like your experience is pretty awful. Typically the only recourse is to give a bad evaluation at the end of the semester. Your case however, is unique and should be addressed.

If I were in your shoes, the first thing I would do is confront the prof about it....in person. I would go to her office hours and ask her if there is any training or IT help that she needs to solve the software problem. I would be calm, cordial, and polite of course, but I would want to inquire as to why the semester is turning out to be a disaster for everyone.

The bossy girl in your group is prolly not worth mentioning. By rule, in college there always has to be one turd in the punchbowl. It will test your patience and social skills but sometimes dealing and interacting with assholes is just part of the game.

If I confronted the prof and still nothing changed, then I would find out when the department chair's office hours are and calmly tell him or her everything in detail that you told us about the software. It would be kind of awkward but sometimes someone has to step up and try to make a difference.

Be careful, though. Sometimes things like this work and sometimes they backfire. Tread lightly because you don't want to be labled a crybaby. You are trying to save your class but you're also trying to secure your future. If you wanted to go to grad school you will need recommendations from 3 professors. Just sayin....this can be done if you can prove that the software is faulty but do it without losing your cool. Who knows, you may discover that other students feel the same way....

 

[Pretty_Diamonds]

You usually can petition late withdrawal with permission from the professor.

 

[Goodkushanfentanyl]

what class is it lol im having the same issue in intro to business. you wont get your money back but you can just not do it and buy a withdrawal form for 10 bucks and drop the class with a W which wont hurt your transript

 

[T. Calderone]

So how did this professional communications course transfer in once you got to university? Do they consider it elective credit since it's lower level? I would have been miffed in the first place that they wouldn't consider the class equivalent to begin with. So now you're stuck with an instructor who is not familiar with the new software. She sounds frustrated and taking it out on her students.

One thing you can do, like Jerry suggested is speak with this professor to address the online software issues. Let her know you that you're not pleased with the way it's going due to these problems you've encountered. Your next step would be speak with the department head or dean and explain your dilemma, including the fact you were told you needed to repeat it. Bring with you the community college course descriptions so they know this class is essentially a repeat of what you've already done. They may approve a petition for refund, just to get it off your record. It's still possible that the dean could approve a waiver, allowing the previously taken class to substitute.

Don't wait because many colleges don't allow withdrawing after mid-terms. W grades may not affect your transcript but can hurt your federal aid, if applicable. It can be done and you gotta be that sqeaky wheel, but be calm and be able to provide documentation of your issues. The first one being you shouldn't have been made to re-take the same class. Good luck and let us know what happens.

 

[Pegasus]

Thanks everyone. I actually have moved on pretty well from this... The kinks in the online format seem to have largely worked themselves out over the course of the last week. It's still not a great class but I will get through it and try not to think so much about the fact that I've already completed an equivalent course.

 

[T. Calderone]

That's good they fixed the software problem. Glad you're doing better!

 

[aussie101]

if you have a student equity office you can say you were sick, get a letter from your student equity rep and get the course dropped with academic or financial penalty.