Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Second Education Discussion Topic: Decline in American Education
In the second edition of The World Is Flat: Chapter Seven, "The Quiet Crisis," discusses concerns for trends in American education. Fewer young Americans are pursuing careers in math and science, and overall there is a demise of both ambition and brainpower among American youth. The National Science Board found that the US has fallen to the 17th ranked country in the world for students receiving science degrees. What do you see as the cause for this? Why are American students less motivated about education than students in other countries? What can we do to change this perceived trend in American education?
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
First Discussion Question Topic: Distance Learning
HOW HAVE DISTANCE LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES, SUCH AS WEB CONFERENCING AND ONLINE CLASSES, IMPACTED YOUR OWN LEARNING EXPERIENCE?
This change in access to educational programs is near and dear to my heart. I can think of no better way to illustrate the benefits of distance learning than to share the story of my daughters and me getting our master's degrees. I know that there are drawbacks to distance learning and it doesn't fit everyone's style of learning but in many cases, it is a huge asset. I lived in a very isolated area and worked in a small school district. This had a huge impact on the salary scale. The only way for me to earn more money was to complete my master's degree. As a widow, raising 3 daughters, every penny counted. It took 2 hours to reach any university with a master's program in education. Beginning in 1983 for eight years, I drove the four hour round trip one night a week, after teaching all day, to attend a 3 hour class. In the summers, I drove it every day for three weeks because I didn't want to stay on campus and leave my little girls for three whole weeks. The day I received my diploma was one of the proudest days of my life. My daughters were sitting front and center in the audience screaming like banshees as I walked across the stage. All three of my daughters now have their master's degrees. One went the traditional on-campus route before getting tied down to a full-time job. My twin daughters lived in a small rural community without a university nearby and had full-time jobs right out of college. One's an elementary teacher and one an athletic trainer. Both completed their master's degrees through distance learning options with colleges in neighboring states. They never stepped foot on campus until the end of their programs. They attended on-line classes, video conference classes, watched tapes, and used discussion boards on the Internet to interact with other distance learning students. They completed their degrees in 2 years and never logged a single mile on the road. At their respective graduations, I was sitting front and center in the audience and I screamed like a banshee as they walked across the stage. How I wished I had had the opportunity to use distance learning options for my degree!
This change in access to educational programs is near and dear to my heart. I can think of no better way to illustrate the benefits of distance learning than to share the story of my daughters and me getting our master's degrees. I know that there are drawbacks to distance learning and it doesn't fit everyone's style of learning but in many cases, it is a huge asset. I lived in a very isolated area and worked in a small school district. This had a huge impact on the salary scale. The only way for me to earn more money was to complete my master's degree. As a widow, raising 3 daughters, every penny counted. It took 2 hours to reach any university with a master's program in education. Beginning in 1983 for eight years, I drove the four hour round trip one night a week, after teaching all day, to attend a 3 hour class. In the summers, I drove it every day for three weeks because I didn't want to stay on campus and leave my little girls for three whole weeks. The day I received my diploma was one of the proudest days of my life. My daughters were sitting front and center in the audience screaming like banshees as I walked across the stage. All three of my daughters now have their master's degrees. One went the traditional on-campus route before getting tied down to a full-time job. My twin daughters lived in a small rural community without a university nearby and had full-time jobs right out of college. One's an elementary teacher and one an athletic trainer. Both completed their master's degrees through distance learning options with colleges in neighboring states. They never stepped foot on campus until the end of their programs. They attended on-line classes, video conference classes, watched tapes, and used discussion boards on the Internet to interact with other distance learning students. They completed their degrees in 2 years and never logged a single mile on the road. At their respective graduations, I was sitting front and center in the audience and I screamed like a banshee as they walked across the stage. How I wished I had had the opportunity to use distance learning options for my degree!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Welcome to Regional Read MY Education
The changes I have seen in the world of education in the past 29 years boggles the mind. Yet at the same time, it seems it has not kept up with the even more rapidly changing world. Technology and globalization have had a huge impact. During the two months of the Regional Read, I hope you will use this blog to share your thoughts about education yesterday, today, and on into the future. I will post questions for you to comment on throughout the Regional Read. I hope you will come back often to read and share with others concerned about the state of education today.
This blog is not limited to school faculty but is open to anyone who cares about the state of education in America today and to the implications of global issues on our education system. I welcome you to share your ideas, concerns, accomplishments of your school district, and education questions. My vision is to build a network of lifelong learners whose goal it is to help young people grow into lifelong learners, also. I look forward to reading your postings and comments.
This blog is not limited to school faculty but is open to anyone who cares about the state of education in America today and to the implications of global issues on our education system. I welcome you to share your ideas, concerns, accomplishments of your school district, and education questions. My vision is to build a network of lifelong learners whose goal it is to help young people grow into lifelong learners, also. I look forward to reading your postings and comments.
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