C455 English Composition and Task Stream

C455, English Composition I, was my first experience with PAs (Performance Assessments) using WGU's Task Stream.  Task Stream is the system by which a student uploads papers and presentations to a queue to be graded.  It's a simple browse to select your file or drag and drop, you can leave a kind note for the reviewer, and hit submit.  If a paper, it gives you an "originality score", which is structured backwards in my opinion.  My papers have all received an originality score of 0%, which means they are completely original.  Logically, I would think they would be 100%.  Oddly, the score directly equates to what percentage of your paper is unoriginal.

Once submitted, it's a waiting game.  Your submission status starts out as "submitted", then moves to "in queue" quite quickly.  They have 72 hours to complete the grading of your submission.  The next status is "In Evaluation", followed by "Evaluation Done".  If you've signed up for them, the system will give you an automated message on the student portal, text message and email once your evaluation is complete.  Within 72 hours you'll know if you passed or if your item was kicked back to you for revision.  I've not needed revisions to work yet, but as I understand, they will let you know what you are lacking.  I'll likely need revisions to something at some point in the next 2 years.  It's not a big deal, make your changes, review with a course instructor or writing lab, and resubmit.

I hate writing for the sake of writing.  I like writing when I'm actually learning something or have something to say (clearly, LOL).  Across my entire college career this is my 4th attempt at this class.  Not because I'm not capable, but because life always got in my way.  I hate English Comp 101, it is my collegiate nemesis.

For C455, for IT majors, I strongly recommend attending the corresponding cohort (live interactive webinar) for IT majors.  The instructor breaks down exactly what is needed and in what format for each of the 4 papers including how many paragraphs and how many sentences in each paragraph, how to structure your thesis statements and paper formatting.  I used the APA guide included in the course material to confirm my reference page citations.  I also used the formatting video provided in the course to be sure my papers were formatted correctly, title page, headers, indents, etc.  Aside from these formatting checks, I did not use the course material at all.

If you're unsure about anything, the course instructors are wonderful.  Set up an appointment with one of them or shoot them an email.  They are happy to review your thesis, and even glance at your paper to help with proper citations and general flow.  I had one formal meeting with my course instructor, I put my paper in Google Docs, and shared it to her, we reviewed it live together.  I received 2 impromptu follow up calls from course instructors offering to be of assistance.  If you need in depth tutoring, the writing lab team is supposed to be extremely helpful as well.

As of the publishing date/time of this post, I have completed the first 2 tasks and submitted a third which is currently "in queue".  I am working on the fourth and final task for the course at the moment.  Wish me luck!