My Drexel University Experience

Programming STINKS!

torimitch — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:12:00 GMT

Maybe one of you can comment on how to get the side of my brain that is supposed to be computer literate to function better, because right now, it doesn't seem to be working. Most people have told me that Java is fairly simple, but when you get to the compile stage and your computer beeps every second with error messages, it has taken all my strength not to throw my laptop out of the window. I have a great professor who in one night emailed me NINE times to try and help me. Now that is a great teacher! I apologized profusely and her response was, "Please bother me!"

No luck however. My non-computer brain has shut down from overload and I am headed to campus to work it out. I am really concerned because this is only week three and I am assuming that the projects will incrementally become more difficult. Would that mean a weekly trip to campus? I hope not, I'm not sure I could afford the tolls and gas.

I can understand why programming is a part of my degree program, I just wish it wasn't! I am still trying to make sense of the most basic concepts, such as classes, methods and instances. I am truly hoping for a miracle where one day the light will suddenly turn on and this all will make sense to me. Until that "aha" moment, I will muddle through Java with the constant beeping of error messages ringing through my house.

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Who doesn't need someone in his or her corner?!

torimitch — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:30:00 GMT

Many of us are first generation college goers, and have no idea about the protocols of the collegiate environment. We are unaware that it takes more than smarts to make it in the college world. Unfortunately, many times we do not have the luxury of asking family members for help because they simply haven't had the experience and would know how to advise us. There are forms that must be done in a timely manner, new classes to sign up for while the old ones have barely begun, and there is specific course work that must be completed to finally get the coveted diploma.

That is why my advice to all students is to find a mentor. Develop a relationship with one professor that will be willing to "go to bat" for you. It is not only possible to develop a relationship with a mentor in the elearning environment, it is essential. It is easy to feel alone and disconnected when your interactions are primarily with a computer screen, but it does not need to be. Take time to e-mail a professor privately. If they are willing, explain to them your goals, hopes and dreams for the future and do not be forget to ask them their advice. Most of the professors you will come in contact with are working professionals in their field. Ask them about the ups and downs of your specific field of study.

Don't forget your tuition is more than the classes you take. It is the entire experience you receive from your university. GOOD LUCK!

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Never Say Never

torimitch — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:08:00 GMT

Hi everyone! It's been a long time since my last post, but I'll try to catch you all up on the happenings in my online education life. I graduated in May 2008, with all the pomp and circumstance I had been expecting, and for a few weeks I breathed a sigh of relief. It was all over!

I was trying to make a decision about graduate school; I had R.I.T (Rochester Technical Institute) in my sights like tunnel vision. R.I.T and Drexel are similar in many ways, like shorter semesters, and a reputation for real world practicality, and since I knew I could succeed in that environment, I was hesitant to try something new. As a "long shot," I applied to Columbia University Teachers College online program. To be quite honest with all of you I was too focused on R.I.T, and never thought of myself as an "Ivy League girl." But I liked the idea that Teachers College was offering an online degree. You could do your degree in one of two ways. First you could go as a "summer intensive" student, and take courses in the summer and the rest online. Secondly, you could do the entire degree online. Could this work? I sent in my transcripts, the application, the whole nine yards to both R.I.T and Teachers College. But for Teachers College, I held off on sending my personal statement. I wasn't sure if they would even consider me, so I knew that my personal statement surely would be my selling point. I worked on my personal statement for two weeks and still had some reservations. I finally sent it with a, "No way I will ever get in attitude." But low and behold, I am currently in my second semester at Teachers College and having the time of my life.

I'll admit I didn't expect to feel so scared and intimidated, but I was. The stateliness of the college overwhelmed me. The first time I walked on campus I thought to myself, "You don't really belong here. The daughter of a dog groomer should not go to a school like this."

My professors turned me around very quickly. My advisor, Howard Budin, is the nicest most down to earth person you would ever want to meet. While there is no doubt that this man possesses a wealth of knowledge, he is humble and always willing to share his time or opinions. I can't tell you how lucky I feel to have such great and giving professors.

Never say never, is my new motto! Who knows what else is in store for my family and I. Right now I am just trying to focus on passing programming this semester :) and get my husband through his PhD at Walden.

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“You should be svelte (thin) to be a kindergarten teacher”

torimitch — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:20:00 GMT

This is the blog that I have been dreading! This experience was so embarrassing that I can barely write about it. In my last semester at Drexel University, I needed to complete my student teaching in order to apply for Pennsylvania state licensure. I had been dreading this because I needed to coordinate baby-sitting just to make this possible. It was difficult, but doable.

I started my first day in a suburban school outside Philadelphia. Whatever you may have heard about a "teacher shortage," it's not the reality in the wealthier suburban school districts.

Teachers are literally on the waiting list to teach in schools.

I started my first day of kindergarten and was very excited about the prospect of teaching in the district that my husband attended as a child. I knew from the moment I met my host teacher that something was wrong. I could see on her face that she was not happy to see me. Maybe it was because her original student teacher suddenly quit or maybe because I was a Puerto Rican woman in a predominantly Caucasian school district.

To put it bluntly, this teacher treated me poorly. She was constantly dissatisfied with whatever I did. She would say "paint that bulletin board green," and I would paint it green. Then she would say how much she hated the green bulletin board. So, everyday I would wake up knowing what I was going to face the next day.

The final straw came the day I was sitting in a small kindergarten chair. I jokingly asked my host teacher how she could stand sitting in these small chairs all day long. She said, "Honey, if you were svelte like me, it doesn't bother as much. Good kindergarten teachers should be svelte."

So, now I was ethnic, and fat! I was so distraught by her hurtful comment that I ran to my advisor and told her I wanted out. I was willing to risk my graduation just to get out of this abusive situation. This was one of the most difficult decisions of my life. I had put so much effort into coordinating baby-sitters, getting approval of the student teaching placement, and in my mind I was ready to walk in the big June ceremony. I couldn't even tell you how hard it was for me to tell my advisor that I needed out.

But this story had a happy ending. Thanks to the efforts of my advisor, she quickly called everyone she could (literally while I was sitting in front of her sobbing) and found me a placement at the school I did my pre-student teaching. I was placed with the most wonderful teacher of 32 years, who taught me everything she knew. Ms. Robinson was the most gracious and wonderful host teacher anyone could ask for.

She was very warm and extremely helpful. She asked me to eat lunch with her coworkers, where they shared personal experiences. My horrible experience in the suburban school, made me appreciate the experience in the Philadelphia school district.

To this day, I still keep in touch with teachers in Philadelphia. I truly had a great experience.

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The brutal truth about online learning

torimitch — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:30:00 GMT

Like most people, I harbored prejudices about online learning. I thought it would be a breeze, I'll school the kids during the day and at night I'll do my schoolwork. Well, this way of thinking is probably ideal, but from reality. Online learning is just like going to school, but without the set class times or driving to campus.

I remember when classes began; I was under the impression that I could decide how much time I would devote to each class. But the reality was that the classes dictated the level of time I needed to be successful. I guess like on campus classes, some online courses were easier, but most of them were extremely time consuming. My images of schooling my children during the day and peacefully completing schoolwork at night were far from the reality of daily postings, numerous assignments and readings after readings.

And to be honest, there were areas of my life that suffered. First off, extended family functions became impossible. Most of my weekends were spent reading and doing papers. So picnics, birthdays and parties were non-existent. And in a sense, my children suffered too. I had little time to commit to their friends parties or get involved in play practices. I was a "drop-off parent" for the most part.

My friendships also suffered. My closest friends are still with me, but the ones that required more time and dedication were lost.

In reality, I believe that if you add something to your life that takes a considerable amount of time, you will need to take that time away from something else. I was hoping that it would not impact my children or my husband to greatly, but I know that sometimes it did. Just to let you know, the online commitment it is not all a bed of roses.

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