Here is a space for us to continue to explore issues related to education.
With limited class time, a blog can allow us freedom to think and write when we are able and ready. A blog can also help us create and explore with a community of learners.
Looking forward to the dialogue!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
AP or no AP?
Advanced placement course are equal to university 1st or 2nd year level courses. The purpose is to help some high school students to get prepared for their university studies so that they would not get shocked by the level of intensity at universities. Also some more advanced students can get university credits by taking these AP courses and exams in high school. Some high schools in Victoria did not offer regular AP courses until some international students asked if they could take AP exams at school several years ago because some teachers had concerns whether it was good to start these advanced programs because they did give students more pressure. What do you think of AP courses? Do you think they are good for students or they are giving students more pressure over all?
I am not sure the AP program is helping students at all right now. My sister just finished her grade 12 year in which she took AP Biology and Chemistry. I know that she had to be at a computer once or twice a week at a certain time on a specific night(s) and the teacher would be on-line to talk about the content of the course, as well as being available to answer any questions the students had. My sister passed the test and received her grades for the course. She informed UBC OKANAGAN that she had received a 4 in one AP class and a 5 in the other. According to the information she has, you need a 4 or better in the course to be able to use the course as a first year university course. They have told her that she might not be able to use these courses as a stand in for her first year classes. It was also brought to my attention that these courses that she has taken, the labs where at the discretion of the teacher and consisted of wet or dry labs. Some labs she did at the school, the dry labs were on-line. Lab reports where not formal and required her to answer questions and fill in the forms. During first year classes, are when you learn to correctly write a formal lab report, and by second year, it is expected that you have lab reports and write- ups mastered. I believe that by not having a true lab component in the first year of university, will hinder your assignments in the second year and is not beneficial in the long run.
AP classes were not offered at my high school as far as I know. I think in some ways they can be really beneficial. Entering my first year of University, I was very unprepared for the kinds of marking I would receive and the depth of the subjects. I was devastated when I received a C+ on my first English paper, when all through school; English had been my strongest subject. I think that if I could have taken an AP course I would have been better prepared for college and university.
I can't comment too much on the level of stress that these courses may cause, having never taken one. However, stress is a giant part of post secondary education and life in general. So perhaps it might not be a bad thing to raise the stress levels a little in high school to prepare those students for future endeavours. Maybe AP classes should also have a small stress management element so that student can learn to deal with stress in healthy and productive ways.
I think that it depends on each individual students needs. If students are asking to learn more, how can we say no? I like the streamed AP that Brian talked about. Even sitting in on an AP class and seeing how much work is demanded of students at the university level would be beneficial to prospective university students.
The case of Okanagan U not recognizing credits is a rough one. It actually may be a blessing in disguise that they didn't recognize the credits, as now she already knows the material...I agree that first year classes are where you really establish the academic foundations for higher learning, but I think that with hard work we can jump start the process significantly in high school... for those students who are interesting in that kinda thing, and maybe even those who aren't.
I took AP European History, AP Government, AP English and a two-year AP US History program (I also tried AP Calc and AP Chemistry, but no dice on those). I remember how much I HATED the programs while I was in it. I never before had so much work in high school – but, looking back on it, I realize that this was the first time I felt challenged at school. Reflecting back, I'm so glad I took those classes - it really shook me up and forced me to see outside the box. It also showed me what higher education looks like outside of the high school - I think I would have been a lot less ready for university if I would have sat in on normal classes. The biggest thing I remember is being with a whole class of students who you could share ideas with – it was an amazing social atmosphere. Also, it was my AP History courses that really jump-started my love for the subject, which led me into the teaching profession. To be honest, I didn't apply for those AP classes to turn into university credits. I took them for the overall experience and challenge.
4 comments:
I am not sure the AP program is helping students at all right now. My sister just finished her grade 12 year in which she took AP Biology and Chemistry. I know that she had to be at a computer once or twice a week at a certain time on a specific night(s) and the teacher would be on-line to talk about the content of the course, as well as being available to answer any questions the students had. My sister passed the test and received her grades for the course. She informed UBC OKANAGAN that she had received a 4 in one AP class and a 5 in the other. According to the information she has, you need a 4 or better in the course to be able to use the course as a first year university course. They have told her that she might not be able to use these courses as a stand in for her first year classes. It was also brought to my attention that these courses that she has taken, the labs where at the discretion of the teacher and consisted of wet or dry labs. Some labs she did at the school, the dry labs were on-line. Lab reports where not formal and required her to answer questions and fill in the forms. During first year classes, are when you learn to correctly write a formal lab report, and by second year, it is expected that you have lab reports and write- ups mastered. I believe that by not having a true lab component in the first year of university, will hinder your assignments in the second year and is not beneficial in the long run.
AP classes were not offered at my high school as far as I know. I think in some ways they can be really beneficial. Entering my first year of University, I was very unprepared for the kinds of marking I would receive and the depth of the subjects. I was devastated when I received a C+ on my first English paper, when all through school; English had been my strongest subject. I think that if I could have taken an AP course I would have been better prepared for college and university.
I can't comment too much on the level of stress that these courses may cause, having never taken one. However, stress is a giant part of post secondary education and life in general. So perhaps it might not be a bad thing to raise the stress levels a little in high school to prepare those students for future endeavours. Maybe AP classes should also have a small stress management element so that student can learn to deal with stress in healthy and productive ways.
I think that it depends on each individual students needs. If students are asking to learn more, how can we say no? I like the streamed AP that Brian talked about. Even sitting in on an AP class and seeing how much work is demanded of students at the university level would be beneficial to prospective university students.
The case of Okanagan U not recognizing credits is a rough one. It actually may be a blessing in disguise that they didn't recognize the credits, as now she already knows the material...I agree that first year classes are where you really establish the academic foundations for higher learning, but I think that with hard work we can jump start the process significantly in high school... for those students who are interesting in that kinda thing, and maybe even those who aren't.
I took AP European History, AP Government, AP English and a two-year AP US History program (I also tried AP Calc and AP Chemistry, but no dice on those). I remember how much I HATED the programs while I was in it. I never before had so much work in high school – but, looking back on it, I realize that this was the first time I felt challenged at school. Reflecting back, I'm so glad I took those classes - it really shook me up and forced me to see outside the box. It also showed me what higher education looks like outside of the high school - I think I would have been a lot less ready for university if I would have sat in on normal classes. The biggest thing I remember is being with a whole class of students who you could share ideas with – it was an amazing social atmosphere. Also, it was my AP History courses that really jump-started my love for the subject, which led me into the teaching profession. To be honest, I didn't apply for those AP classes to turn into university credits. I took them for the overall experience and challenge.
Post a Comment