Back To School: Day 20

An update on my participation in the Boston University Certificate in Genealogical Research online program which began on 13 January 2010.  You can read about Day 1 here.

I forgot how much hard work is involved with education and going back to school after being away for so many years!  I'm really not complaining because I am thoroughly enjoying the BU program.  I wanted to give my readers an idea as to what is involved especially since this course uses an online format.

• I am dedicating about 20 hours a week to reviewing course content, reading from the required texts (see below) as well as completing assignments.

• The course is made up of "modules" that are "open" on specific dates and then "close" at which time you are no longer able to work on the related assignments.

• The first module, 13 January through 19 January, was dedicated to the Foundations of Genealogical Research and taught by Elissa Scalise Powell.  I really enjoyed this module and just when you think you have a good foundation in the field, the materials told me otherwise!

• I am currently working on the second module which runs from 20 January through 9 February, and is entitled Problems Solving Techniques and Technology.  It is taught by Allison Ryall and Joshua Taylor - both are people I've followed in the genealogy field and for whom I have much respect.  Their body of knowledge is phenomenal and they are always available in the Ask The Instructor discussion group or if you email them directly.

• The assignments in this second module have not been easy.  I think I was up until 3 am one morning trying to finish one!  Although there are several assignments which must be finished by the end of the module, we've been asked to stay on a schedule and to complete certain ones by a specific date.  The reason (and it makes sense): there are discussions involved for each assignment and this way you aren't holding up the rest of the class - you can stay in pace with everyone which is necessary especially in the discussions.

• What are the assignments like?  Well I am not going to give specifics but let's say that they range from a) transcribing very old documents; to b) tracing the deeds with all involved parties for a late 18th century property to the present day; to c) reconciling conflicting census information for an immigrant family.

• The required texts include Professional Genealogy, the BCG Genealogical Standards Manual, and a few others.

• I estimate about 22 students from all over the United States and even one from New Zealand!  I find that everyone is supportive in discussions and shares freely especially when it comes to making suggestions and sharing resources - not unlike the rest of the online genealogy community!

• Are you graded on assignments?  You betcha!  You submit the work and after a few days you receive great feedback from the instructor(s) and a number/letter grade.

I hope to have another update next week once I am done with this module and we move on to the Evidence Evaluation and Documentation module.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee