Update 1:
This Language and Communications course is my first lower division course at WGU and is slightly different than the IT courses I have taken this first term. There are three e-texts to read, labs, and videos so at first it might seem a tad overwhelming knowing where to start, what to read, and how to gain competency...IF you are in too much of a hurry.
This is why reading the COS or course of study (the syllabus) is so important before beginning any course. The COS will literally tell you line-by-line how to get started, what learning resources you need, what chapters and pages to read and in what order, which labs to do, etc.
Following the course of study I am having absolutely no trouble at all navigating these resources and am learning a great deal. The course mentors are also really helpful and frequently post messages and tutorials on how to excel in these courses.
One of the e-texts features I was impressed with were the imbedded videos. As I was reading a certain section that I didn't fully understand, I noticed a video link that illustrated the concepts for me.
During my first term I have amassed a short stack of "real" books that were 100% included with my tuition, several hours of video training, hundreds of practice test questions regarding my CIW and CompTIA A+ certs, a community message board with nearly endless information, and I just found out I have access to tons of free software and operating systems through the university. This machine is currently running a copy of Windows 7 Professional, and I have XP Professional 64 ready to install on my other desktop along with a fresh copy of Vista to be installed on one of my notebooks. Cost? Absolutely nothing.
There have been no hidden charges whatsoever at WGU. My costs have been a flat rate tuition and a $45 library fee. The books cost nothing. The software cost nothing. The numerous e-mails and phone calls with my mentor have cost nothing, nor have the chat sessions or e-mails I've sent to course instructors.
On to my second term...
Update 2:
I completed my last course for this term and still have a little time left before the next term starts, so I decided to knock out a couple more credits to accelerate my progress.
Something else we can do here at Western Governors is request the learning resources for upcoming courses at any time. My next term doesn't start until December but I have already ordered my (included) textbooks for my Networks I and Security I courses. So not only am I finishing a couple more credits, I can also get a head start on two of next terms courses.
