Student Experiences at Western Governors University (WGU)

This thread is intended for students to write about their experiences at Western Governors University.

Please keep it civil, and do not spend your time bashing the school, and its policies. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if you have a problem you need to take it up with your professor or mentor. Please no Flaming on this thread.

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Lemonade727

In the middle of doing my SSC1 assessment on WebAssessor and it got stopped twice due to "loss of video" problems. Finally after calling back the second time they informed me that they're having server issues and will need to call me back when it's up and running again. Hopefully it doesn't take too long, I have other plans for the day and don't want to start having some conflicts.

erpadmin

Lemonade727 wrote: »

In the middle of doing my SSC1 assessment on WebAssessor and it got stopped twice due to "loss of video" problems. Finally after calling back the second time they informed me that they're having server issues and will need to call me back when it's up and running again. Hopefully it doesn't take too long, I have other plans for the day and don't want to start having some conflicts.

That happened to me for MGC1....then they make you do those friggin speed tests....

I'm not going to miss OLPs at all.....

petedude

themagicone wrote: »

Who ever has finished GTT1 and has some free time later today please MSG me... I'm completely lost. I got the UI layout, but I can't for the life of me figure out where I put the application code and/or reference the inputs into the applications. I've figured out the int = Integer.parseInt(nameoffield.getText()); but it keeps telling me that the field isn't found. Thanks in advance.

Haven't finished GTT1 yet, but. . .

This might help you structure the program a bit (and prep you for GUT1 a little)
The Guidebook - Swing Tutorials

Some of what's happening will get handed off to event listeners, and in turn some of those might launch other routines. I've bought me some books on event handling and Swing development, and those have been immensely helpful.

Lemonade727

Finally got a call back saying it's ok to retake my test now. A 15 minute fix turned into almost 7 hours. But at least I was able to get the other things done that I wanted to work on today.

Lemonade727

And SSC1 is DONE! Sending email to my mentor now requesting the BOV1 if they can give me the voucher and let me take the 435 exam. Not sure if they would have to change the course out to the AKV1 or how that works, but hopefully she can chime in.

erpadmin

Lemonade727 wrote: »

And SSC1 is DONE! Sending email to my mentor now requesting the BOV1 if they can give me the voucher and let me take the 435 exam. Not sure if they would have to change the course out to the AKV1 or how that works, but hopefully she can chime in.

Here is what you want to remember:

1) The CIW Javascript voucher is the same whether you take the 435 OR the 635. However, you have until 5/31 to take and pass the 435. Otherwise you WILL take the 635. Just state in the comments that you want the 1D0-435 anyway when you request your voucher from the assessment group. Do this with your mentor so that you can get it approved.

2) There may be some difficulty in getting vCampus/Printed materials for you to take and pass the 435. [Ask your mentor for them anyway and be firm...] Get your hands on uCertify/mcmcse.com guide and go for the Hail Mary pass. The videos I posted earlier will make the javascript guide easier to read.

The 435 isn't a real programming exam. It's more like a "what output does such and such produce" kind of thing. Just make sure you read up on the "such and such."

Lemonade727

erpadmin wrote: »

Here is what you want to remember:

1) The CIW Javascript voucher is the same whether you take the 435 OR the 635. However, you have until 5/31 to take and pass the 435. Otherwise you WILL take the 635. Just state in the comments that you want the 1D0-435 anyway when you request your voucher from the assessment group. Do this with your mentor so that you can get it approved.

2) There may be some difficulty in getting vCampus/Printed materials for you to take and pass the 435. [Ask your mentor for them anyway and be firm...] Get your hands on uCertify/mcmcse.com guide and go for the Hail Mary pass. The videos I posted earlier will make the javascript guide easier to read.

The 435 isn't a real programming exam. It's more like a "what output does such and such produce" kind of thing. Just make sure you read up on the "such and such."

Yeah I'm going to specify with my mentor that I want to take the 435, I just wasn't sure if the vouchers were different or if they would have a problem with giving me credit for the 435 when the COS mentions the 635. Already started going through the mcmcse.com guide (figured it would help regardless of which test I actually take), and thanks for the heads up regarding the printed materials and vCampus as well.

never2late

apr911 wrote: »

Correction to my last... I found this in the FAQ:

RABT1 Task 1 requires 2 WGU students as they have to work together to complete a RABT1 task. This means the partner must be another ABT1 student. RABT1 Task 2 and 3 requires the WGU student to give a presentation. The student is welcome to present to non-ABT1 students but the attendees have to understand these OO concepts and design patterns including the MVC pattern in order to be qualified to complete this checklist.

So it looks like only task 1 requires a WGU partner. I work at a major tech company and I know plenty of people here that know java and programming concepts so I can present my presentation to them for grading.

Task 4 is definitely solo.

So lets talk more about task 1. Do you have any time tomorrow?

Ill PM you with my contact information. Im off work on Friday's so Ill be free all day but you might want to wait till after the GUT1 Getting Started call which ends at 12:00 MST.

I completed the three tasks about ten days ago and never talked to another WGU student. I did discuss it with another OO programmer, but WGU never questioned the task so I doubt its that important.

Task three is a PP presentation that is pretty straightforward. The final task is more complicated and requires more time to complete, or at least in my situation. I am almost finished and ready to submit it tomorrow

never2late

themagicone wrote: »

Who ever has finished GTT1 and has some free time later today please MSG me... I'm completely lost. I got the UI layout, but I can't for the life of me figure out where I put the application code and/or reference the inputs into the applications. I've figured out the int = Integer.parseInt(nameoffield.getText()); but it keeps telling me that the field isn't found. Thanks in advance.

I feel your pain brother. The GTT1 class was a constant uphill battle. The GUT is not as intense but by no means a piece of cake. I finished GTT1 about three weeks ago and am about to turn in my final task for GUT1.

Not sure I'm the best source but if you need help just ask and I'll try to guide you in the right direction.

As for GTT1, the mentor for the course took pity on me and emailed me the program solutions and that helped tremendously. If you want these let me know and I'll email them to you. I'm sure that since she sent them to me that we are not violating any rules by spreading the wealth.

mdougl1

Ok, I just submitted for learning resources last week and the information I received from Certification Partner's all had to do with the new 1D0-635 exam, nothing speaking on the old test or any material for it. In my AAP this was the only thing I could request. I will be calling my mentor on Monday, any suggestions for materials for the older test? I see a few links for web sites but I assume I would still need the older book, thoughts?

Tekknomon

As far my experiences go WGU has been great. I had some health issues during my second term and had to go on probation, but I'm off probation now and back at full speed. The working at your own pace has allowed to me to not only make up alot of CU's quickly, but also this current term pack in alot of CU's. 24 CU's earned so far this term alone, enroll in TPV1 right now and plan to earn a total of 36 by the end of this term and possibly more.
My mentor is a nice guy. He responds very quickly and since I'm impatient I tend to just call him on the phone instead of waiting for an email response.
But I'm glad someone mentioned that writing back generic emails thing. Sometimes my mentor does that. But the times I've had major issues he was always right there encouraging me along the way.
I dont remember what my enrollment counselor was like.
I have to mention being able to work on your own schedule is the only way to go IMO. There are days I dont feel like studying or have to do client work and then there are days where I study like mad because I crave information like its cake!
I'm glad this thread exists, its good to know other people who are working on their degrees!
Best of luck to everyone.

snokerpoker

I've been happy with my experience. My enrollment counselor did the standard sales pitch type stuff but was actually pretty reasonable and honest about things. My initial mentor did not let me select which courses I wanted to add to my aap, never responded to emails or phone calls, and I had a difficult couple of weeks communicating with him. I spoke to his manager, and after a brief phone call, I switched mentors. My current mentor is much better. She always gets back to me when I have questions and allows me much more flexibility over which courses I want to take. I've little to no issues with WGU besides my program change (BS IT to Net Admin emphasis) which took a week. I spoke to various employees at WGU, and they all agreed that the process needs some work. The WGU staff understood my frustration, and did every thing possible to make the change happen sooner than later. This really impressed me and made me feel even better about WGU and its staff. I should be done this term and am getting super excited about finishing up!

jmasterj206

I have started working on the new required math classes for IT program (GAC1 and HHT1). It is very interesting that they changed these classed because these new classes are written for teachers. I'm not sure what their thought process was there.

Lemonade727

Just wanted to say thanks again erpadmin for insisting on looking at the 1D0-435 exam. My mentor said there's no problem with me taking that version and we're going to talk about it a bit more (when I will bring up the study materials) on our weekly call on Thursday. She did advise that it's recommended to take the Web Design Specialist certification first but she's not going to force me to take that first.

First task submitted for SST1, waiting to see if it's worthy of a passing score and then onto the 2nd task.

erpadmin

Lemonade727 wrote: »

Just wanted to say thanks again erpadmin for insisting on looking at the 1D0-435 exam. My mentor said there's no problem with me taking that version and we're going to talk about it a bit more (when I will bring up the study materials) on our weekly call on Thursday. She did advise that it's recommended to take the Web Design Specialist certification first but she's not going to force me to take that first.

First task submitted for SST1, waiting to see if it's worthy of a passing score and then onto the 2nd task.

Not a problem.

HTML does help with the 435, so I understand why you're mentor recommended it, but considering the fact that many of us don't have to take WSV1, plus the whole 435/635 nonsense, you're better off dealing with the 435.

You'll still be 3/5ths or 3/6ths[1/2 way] done your Master CIW certs...

Good luck with SST1. (Start the second task now...no sense in waiting for Taskstream to get back to you.)

Lemonade727

erpadmin wrote: »

Good luck with SST1. (Start the second task now...no sense in waiting for Taskstream to get back to you.)

Oh I am, meant to put "and now onto the 2nd task" instead of "then onto". Going through the recorded presentation the course mentor has on the task and reading his blog entry on it now as well. Hopefully I can think of a topic idea here soon and get the ball rolling.

petedude

jmasterj206 wrote: »

I have started working on the new required math classes for IT program (GAC1 and HHT1). It is very interesting that they changed these classed because these new classes are written for teachers. I'm not sure what their thought process was there.

They're probably trying to leverage the materials (COS, forums, etc) across the majors to save some money. "If the material works for teachers, why won't it work for IT students?"-- is probably the thought process.

jmasterj206

For those of you still having the Server exams to take I see Amazon has a release date of May 30, 2011 for the 2nd edition (R2) of the MS press book for the 70-642.
Amazon.com: MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-642): Configuring Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure (9780735651609): Tony Northrup, J.C. Mackin: Books

The others don't have a release date that I can see yet. This is a little later than I would have liked, but I have talked to my mentor and she will let me do the Tech Writing and Capstone first, so I can do my server classes last when the books are available.

Edit: Actually I see the 70-646 2nd edition has a release date of June 22nd. http://www.amazon.com/MCITP-Self-Paced-Training-Exam-70-646/dp/073564909X/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302633941&sr=1-8 70-643 has a release date of August 22nd. http://www.amazon.com/MCTS-Self-Paced-Training-Exam-70-643/dp/0735648786/ref=sr_1_20?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302634240&sr=1-20

erpadmin

jmasterj206 wrote: »

The others don't have a release date that I can see yet. This is a little later than I would have liked, but I have talked to my mentor and she will let me do the Tech Writing and Capstone first, so I can do my server classes last when the books are available.

That might not be a bad idea. I already purchased the Certification Kit for R1, however I have not opened them, because of this R2 nonsense. I might try to pawn the kit off eBay and hope someone bites or something. I'll then post my add in the For Sale section. Then use the proceeds to preorder/order the 642 book. The Sybex 642 book I bought I'll keep.

After AKV1, I'll probably work on TWA1. Might as well...lol.

jmasterj206

erp,
It looks like Sybex has R2 books coming out as well this month.

Amazon.com: MCTS: Windows Server 2008 R2 Complete Study Guide (Exams 70-640, 70-642 and 70-643) (9780470948460): William Panek: Books

Interesting that 3 exams are covered in one book.

Hypntick

jmasterj206 wrote: »

erp,
It looks like Sybex has R2 books coming out as well this month.

Amazon.com: MCTS: Windows Server 2008 R2 Complete Study Guide (Exams 70-640, 70-642 and 70-643) (9780470948460): William Panek: Books

Interesting that 3 exams are covered in one book.

May have to buy that, been holding off as well due to the revisions. Labsim won't be updated until I think July from what one of the reps told me. I've got a few R2 resources but i'd always like more.

drew726

CLC1's reading is incredibly boring.

themagicone

GTT1 is by far the hardest class I've done. I have put in almost 30 hours in 2 days and I've yet to make a dent in Task 1. Netbeans keeps breaking or the program I'm making does. I had a button to close the window working perfectly for the longest time and now it won't do nothing - I've wasted 5+ hours on that alone. I dislike programing very much.

petedude

themagicone wrote: »

GTT1 is by far the hardest class I've done. I have put in almost 30 hours in 2 days and I've yet to make a dent in Task 1. Netbeans keeps breaking or the program I'm making does. I had a button to close the window working perfectly for the longest time and now it won't do nothing - I've wasted 5+ hours on that alone. I dislike programing very much.

I've been using a program called Mindsilver GUIDE for Java GUI design lately. It writes clean code, and seems to be stable so far. This is after about a month of struggling with layout managers to write GUI code by hand. I figure I'm a third of the way through Task 1 now-- interface is done, next the processing logic then the piece that ties the other portions together. Whatever time I saved in moving quickly through exams early on has been eaten up by the the capstone, leadership and Java courses.

EruMais

Hey guys, I am waiting on one last transcript to be sent to WGU and then I should be fully enrolled in the BS IT Net Admin program. I have actually already earned a bachelors degree in a completely unrelated field... Bible Science. Yes, I went to a Bible College (fully regionally accredited, though) and so I have several credits I'm hoping will transfer. I should have the basics transferred (English, Math, Science, etc...) and hopefully I can jump right in to the meat and potatoes.

I believe I read that WGU gives you access to software such as Server 2008. I am looking to build my own test lab and instead of buying a pre-built server from Newegg which includes Server 2008 R2 Foundation (Fuji box, $999), I was thinking I could save some money and buy a cheaper server if I will have access to Server 2008 anyway. That and I wanted to upgrade to Windows 7 Pro on my laptop and desktop machines. I want to build a server for home use/tinkering as well as to practice concepts on. Does the software you gain access to expire, or is it fully licensed?

Any tips on building a relatively cheap test lab?

never2late

themagicone wrote: »

GTT1 is by far the hardest class I've done. I have put in almost 30 hours in 2 days and I've yet to make a dent in Task 1. Netbeans keeps breaking or the program I'm making does. I had a button to close the window working perfectly for the longest time and now it won't do nothing - I've wasted 5+ hours on that alone. I dislike programing very much.

Passed the final task for GUT1 tonight with a perfect score.

I spent more than 200 hrs since Feb 21 doing Java programming (GTT1 and GUT1). Started my second term Feb 1 and passed 16 CUs the first 3 weeks. It has taken 7 weeks to pass 6 CUs for the Java classes. It was truly a nightmare for me.

But there is a silver lining. I delved into a situation that I had no actual experience and through hard work and perseverance successfully accomplished the task. But, I hope that I never have create another program ever again.

Now that its over I can enjoy my vacation in Mexico which starts Saturday. Good luck to those starting this class. Just expect to put in the time and get it behind you.

erpadmin

jmasterj206 wrote: »

erp,
It looks like Sybex has R2 books coming out as well this month.

Amazon.com: MCTS: Windows Server 2008 R2 Complete Study Guide (Exams 70-640, 70-642 and 70-643) (9780470948460): William Panek: Books

Interesting that 3 exams are covered in one book.

It's gonna be available on KINDLE!!!! Oh happy day!!!!!

Well, time to use my trade-in account for my current Sybex guide.....after AKV1, I'll be working on TWA1 for sure!

Edit: I think the Kindle edition is available NOW! It was published March 21, 2011.

http://www.amazon.com/MCTS-Windows-Server-Complete-ebook/dp/B004UIBZPW/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

erpadmin

EruMais wrote: »

Hey guys, I am waiting on one last transcript to be sent to WGU and then I should be fully enrolled in the BS IT Net Admin program. I have actually already earned a bachelors degree in a completely unrelated field... Bible Science. Yes, I went to a Bible College (fully regionally accredited, though) and so I have several credits I'm hoping will transfer. I should have the basics transferred (English, Math, Science, etc...) and hopefully I can jump right in to the meat and potatoes.

I believe I read that WGU gives you access to software such as Server 2008. I am looking to build my own test lab and instead of buying a pre-built server from Newegg which includes Server 2008 R2 Foundation (Fuji box, $999), I was thinking I could save some money and buy a cheaper server if I will have access to Server 2008 anyway. That and I wanted to upgrade to Windows 7 Pro on my laptop and desktop machines. I want to build a server for home use/tinkering as well as to practice concepts on. Does the software you gain access to expire, or is it fully licensed?

Any tips on building a relatively cheap test lab?

Do you have any practical IT experience? If you don't, you might do well to actually build a box so that you can get some A+ knowledge in. The software you will have access to is all fully licensed through the MSDNAA and DreamSpark (does not expire). The only thing you'd have to spend money on if you don't work at a place where you can legally use it at home is Office 2010. (Office 2007 is still pretty good though). I would not bother with OpenOffice or any of that ilk.

I actually bought a server for a decent amount (good thing too, as it counted as an educational expense for that tax credit...). Put Server 2008 R2 Enterprise on it (I have a legit license from work).

Welcome to TE and good luck with WGU. If you need any help, post in either of the WGU threads (for WGU stuff). We're pretty good at helping each other out.

EruMais

I do have some experience. I build my own PC's from the ground up both for myself and for friends/family. I have a decent knowledge about software, but I'm really interested in network/server administration. I also work as tech support/help desk for a major retailer (our registers are still using XP pro) and have experience in troubleshooting, editing information using M$ SQL, standard network troubleshooting at the store level, and now I'm involved in a project to convert all our stores to a having a back office 'server' which has gotten me off the phones for a significant period of time. I've worked with our developers and tier III guys while doing the project and learned quite a bit about a variety of topics. I would just like to move my career to something more advanced and get off the phones permanently.

I was wondering about Office and was considering buying it. Open Office is nice because it's free... but it's little quirks tick me off.

I'm going to buy a laptop as well and the decent machines on newegg seem to all have home premium on it. If I'll have access to Win7 Pro anyway, then I won't have a problem with that.

Thanks for your help! I'll definitely heading back here frequently.

earweed

You will have access to 7 Pro and XP Pro and Vista Business. Get MS office as it'll help plus you get free access to visio 2010 and project 2010 to go with office.