The Math "program" at Colorado State University

[Sim Kid]

So because Colorado State University apparently can't afford to make an actual math class for the lower levels of math, you have to do it online where you need to learn math from a computer. There are a multitude of problems with it:

1) They have virtually left the software untouched for about 20 years.

So the demonstrational videos are literally 20 years old and are recorded with ultra-low quality...and they're mixed with more "modern" Stuff when they need to show you a calculator. Cept the quality is even worse than the kind you can get on a cheap-ass cell phone so you can't even read half the stuff that's on the screen.

2) It's buggier than a bethesda title.

This software gets its own freaking problems wrong. I ask it to show me how I solve the problem but punching in the exact numbers on the calculator brings up a different number. I do it multiple times...it brings the wrong number. I even ask the math tutors...and they don't get the number the software was asking. It randomly decides "**** you" and says you got a question wrong when the 'solution' brings the exact same number. Last week when I tried to take a test, I hit "next" question...AND IT SUBMITTED THE ENTIRE TEST. Normally if you try to hit "Submit all" it warns you if you have unanswered or partially answered questions. But no. It just randomly decided "**** you." What the ****.

3) The system sucks.

You have to pass a review exam online then pass a proctored one in the centre. (Which makes sense. They want to make sure you're not cheating.) However the rooms are consistently full and you can't schedule an appointment. They tell you to wait until there's an opening and get in line. Yesterday I was in line for over two hours only to be told, with six people behind me, that they can't give any more tests for the day because they're closed. What the ****? Why didn't you tell us "come back tomorrow"? We have lives outside this class you know! What's worse is that several people have had this happen every day because surprise surprise...we have lives outside this class and most of them are within the same timeframe as the exam time. And whenever we finally have some free time to take a test, there's a huge line.

Not to mention, the calculators are borked. They limit certain functionalities of the calculator (to make sure you didn't just program it to do the math for you) but sometimes limit the exact functions it want you to use. I tried to do a simple linear regression and it dind't even let me bring up the process. ARGH!!!

Oh, and even though they're aware of how buggy it is and tell you that you can in fact challenge it if you did the math right...they don't actually do it. So many people challenge it that it's quicker to just retake the test anyways nad hope the software doesn't just randomly decide "**** you" and not realize that a number with a - in front of it IS IN FACT NEGATIVE or that 3/4 is in fact equal to .75. Or that it doesn't decide "Wait! I said round to TWO Decimal places!" when it told you "Round to three."

It sets an arbitrary deadline and prevents you from working too far ahead. If you miss a deadline, it moves the other deadlines UP on you. Meaning you don't have two "Credits" to earn for the week but THREE. What the ****? I know you don't want people ignoring it and then rushing it in the last two weeks but seriously.

4) Half the MATH PROFESSORS and almost all of the MATH STUDENTS HATE IT.

Yes, you read that right. When we go to complain to the professors, they actually flat out say "..you should probably get transfer credits from another college." When the professors who WORK At the university tell you you might as well go to another college and apply for transfer credits...you know it's ****ed up. Seriously, why haven't these guys gotten the hint? Oh wait...look at #5.

Bonus rant for this part....they also are pretty damn selective about transfer credits. One person I know took calculus in an engineering school...but they said that taking calculus didn't count for testing out of the Math Placement Exam so she had to deal with it ANYWAYS. Becuase apparently taking Calculus means you clearly don't know Algebra. OF COURSE.

5) NOTHING is done about it.

For at least five years a petition asking to get rid of this system has been submitted. It's been treated like every petition on the whitehouse site...right to the trash. There is a consistent line to challenge random software "**** you"s that is over twenty people long. They have more bug reports than they can deal with and again, NOTHING IS DONE.

[CaptHayfever]

My last year in college, I tutored some younger friends who were taking College Algebra online, & I nearly had aneurysms over how bad the software was, for pretty much the same reasons you gave (& it was RECENT software). Fortunately, in this case I believe the problem was addressed & the programs replaced.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

[Jesus]

If you are frustrated with their math program (I don't blame you. Online courses suck) perhaps you could ask your advisor about taking the math program at a different campus? Most colleges allow this.

[Sim Kid]

If you are frustrated with their math program (I don't blame you. Online courses suck) perhaps you could ask your advisor about taking the math program at a different campus? Most colleges allow this.

I actually assessed this in #4...for some reason they're incredibly selective about transfer credits. :/ Trust me I've asked.

To be fair, I did not explicitly state it, only mentioned how they're having someone who took Calculus endure these.

[Jesus]

I looked up their programs and retention rate and it doesn't look that great at where you go. It's a good school I'm sure but obviously your math program is screwing a lot of students over.

[Sim Kid]

Update: So relieved I don't have to take a math test this week. (At least...a proctored one.)

You have to take a proctored test every other week. It makes sense, because that way you don't end up with the centre being dead one week and lines out the door the next. So what happened if you tried to take on this week?

Took it before Wednesday when the power went out? Then you'll have to take it again. The power went out on Wednesday and the system didn't go back up...so everyone who tried to take a test during the power outage got failed. And it deleted EVERYBODY'S progress for the week when they got it back up. Naturally...the lines are out the door this week because if you miss the deadline then it moves everything else UP on you.

Seriously guys why havent' you goten rid of this yet?