VanEd Online 7-hr USPAP update CE -> THUMBS DOWN!

[Doug in NC]

Took my first and last online course with VanEd online CE. It took 10 hours to complete what was supposed to be a 7 hour credit course. I saved some money by not taking it live and probably learned more, but it doesn't feel good to spend valuable time that I get zero credit back for in exchange.

The course asks you questions following course material, and quizzes you again and again until you get every question answered right. Not so hard to answer the Yes/ No questions, but when it asks you which USPAP Standard(s), section, sub-section numbers, and letters correspond to which rule, then it becomes difficult. Also, to waste even more time, rather than letting you go back and research answers to what was missed, they run you through the entire lesson over again before they re-quiz you with questions. I got all of the answers right the first time through on one lesson and it STILL recycled me through the whole damned lesson again, and made me re-take the quiz! This is a DO NOT RECOMMEND from me!

 

[AnonApprsr]

I've always been honest when it comes to online courses. If I can't speed through the course than it's worthless.

 

[George Hatch]

The online course providers are required to use timed double test protocol for these courses. The intent is to test for "mastery" of the subject material, as opposed to allowing the student to simply skim through the material.

Most people don't like this format and some people don't do well at all with it due to test anxiety and other impediments, bot mental and physical. Different strokes.

 

[stangtime]

Still much prefer the online classes. And with the new way of timed online classes I have learned more. Or at least retained more for a longer time. Being able to fit a class in between jobs, in the evenings when everyone is asleep, or on the weekends is a lovely thing.

Dan

 

[VegasWayne]

In Nevada we are required to take the USPAP update live, on-line is not allowed. The only test is whether or not you find your way back to class after lunch.

 

[Couch Potato]

Thanks for the warning.

It really is a misnomer to refer to the current online appraiser continuing education as "online class" since there is only a single student with no instructor. Such courses are more appropriately referred to as "online self-study."

 

[Captain Common Sense]

I took the same course and I have to say that I agree.

I tend to move through tests like these very slowly and methodically and this course just didn't mesh with my style. I would get the answers right and still fail because it took me too long.

If you are supposed to spend a certain amout of time on a course why would you put such strict limitations on the amount of time spent on the test?

 

[Couch Potato]

The time limit is likely to be sure you are answering from what you learned as opposed to what you can lookup while taking the test.

 

[Kim Whiting]

VanEd's guide for studying for the certified exam is from like the 1990's....hopelessly outdated......absolutely don't use it.

 

[Vermonter]

I got all of the answers right the first time through on one lesson and it STILL recycled me through the whole damned lesson again, and made me re-take the quiz! This is a DO NOT RECOMMEND from me!

Heard the AI online course does the same thing. You've got to go thru the whole course twice, get all the quiz questions right and only have a certain amount of time to "master" them.