Changes in Education:
I think the changes I would like to see in education are what work
best to create productive happy honest kind individuals. If there is a
system successful in that collectively, I think we should implement it.
I
certainly like the idea of a system that conforms to the child’s needs,
rather than bend the child to the system; if it is most beneficial. I
do believe that interests should be valued and natural abilities built
upon. I believe we would have a great start in life if we are steered in
the right direction.
Though it sounds great for kids
to learn what they gravitate to, I suspect some kids are happy to do
very little. I would like to learn more about how that idea works
exactly. It seems like discipline is a very necessary part of life,
otherwise most of us would not eat our vegetables. People generally
don’t have a natural instinct for nutrition. This also reminds me of the
need to break a horse so it can be ridden. If there is a win-win
situation that is less painful than what we are accustomed to then I am
certainly for it.
When it comes to assessment, I don’t
think it is the most crucial part of learning but it is helpful. It
seems that evidence shows that it can be more destructive when there is
too much importance on it. Testing ones knowledge can be motivating but
it should be an enjoyable challenge. One thing that might make testing
more enjoyable is if everyone feels ready for it. Perhaps if tests start
out as a friend early in life, we’ll do better with them. Practice
tests in elementary school could let the teacher know who is ready and
who needs more help with understanding. Then when everyone is ready the
real test will be more comfortable and have great results!
I
have felt impressed that the school system seemed to pair up abilities
with career choice much more with my kids than when I went to school. I
feel that there could be a greater connection with the work place
though. From what I understand only one third of college graduates work
in the field they studied. This sounds very disappointing and tragic!
Maybe if students were able to have hands on experience even as early as
elementary school there would be more success. Students would know
earlier if they are heading in the right direction or not. In my
experience, assessment teaches us to persevere even if it isn’t a
perfect fit; but this isn’t necessarily the best answer. I also think
more interaction between school and work would make the transition
easier as people would already know each other and it would likely be a
good fit.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Education Assessment:
Looking back through my educational experiences, when it came to assessment I think it felt very cold. You are either a winner or a loser, not much in between. If you aren’t scoring as they would like, you are told that you have got to do better. It really isn’t very motivating. What really helps is if someone makes learning enjoyable. Sometimes this requires one on one time and not just for testing. My parents were smart and hired a math tutor for me in third grade when I was struggling and she made math fun! All I needed was to memorize times tables and a toy with press cubes made the challenge interesting and achievable. I remember wanting to go to the private school where she taught! Elementary public school rarely felt individually caring.
I think if assessment is all that matters, kids that don’t test well feel rejected. I think focus on assessment also promotes cheating. The focus should be on making learning enjoyable and motivating, and if teachers are going to emphasize testing; kids should be given guidance on how to study for tests. I also think it is terribly wrong when children are held back a grade in school, it is just horrible for their self esteem; surely schools could come up with something better than that!
From what I understand the assessment problem has only escalated with President Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” program. It has caused many more children and good teachers to be left behind. I know a great lady that studied to be an elementary teacher. Children’s self esteem was very important in her teaching methods. However, in her 3rd year of teaching because some of her students struggled in testing, including some kids that spoke only Spanish; she was fired. I think it was a terrible loss as she no longer would be allowed to teach.
I have felt privileged to be in classrooms where teachers tend to love the subject they are teaching and know how to capture a class’s attention. I don’t think this happens very easily where there is a lot of pressure. I think that is what assessments cause; great pressure! Unfortunately, I have seen two of these great teachers fired. It just really makes me dislike some administrators and the way systems run in general. They should have at least sat in on a class before making such a cruel decision or even taken a survey from students. They just really don’t care if students are engaged in learning or not, all that matters is if they look good because of high testing scores! I think it will be really great if assessment is not the emphasis in schools!
Personally, I think I learn best when I can listen and visually watch something being done, and then have hands on experience and I can ask questions. I like it when there is no pressure and I can practice in my own space. If I am on track with feedback, or making progress toward a goal, I usually stay motivated. I also think it helped me to stay motivated in learning when teachers recognized that I was making an effort and they admired it. I think we tend to want to quit when we are told our efforts aren’t good enough. And one of the greatest tools one teacher gave me was just a desire for learning. Testing does force us to learn, but sometimes it takes so much effort we're not interested anymore when it's over. I hope something different can be implemented if it will help kids to enjoy learning more!
Looking back through my educational experiences, when it came to assessment I think it felt very cold. You are either a winner or a loser, not much in between. If you aren’t scoring as they would like, you are told that you have got to do better. It really isn’t very motivating. What really helps is if someone makes learning enjoyable. Sometimes this requires one on one time and not just for testing. My parents were smart and hired a math tutor for me in third grade when I was struggling and she made math fun! All I needed was to memorize times tables and a toy with press cubes made the challenge interesting and achievable. I remember wanting to go to the private school where she taught! Elementary public school rarely felt individually caring.
I think if assessment is all that matters, kids that don’t test well feel rejected. I think focus on assessment also promotes cheating. The focus should be on making learning enjoyable and motivating, and if teachers are going to emphasize testing; kids should be given guidance on how to study for tests. I also think it is terribly wrong when children are held back a grade in school, it is just horrible for their self esteem; surely schools could come up with something better than that!
From what I understand the assessment problem has only escalated with President Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” program. It has caused many more children and good teachers to be left behind. I know a great lady that studied to be an elementary teacher. Children’s self esteem was very important in her teaching methods. However, in her 3rd year of teaching because some of her students struggled in testing, including some kids that spoke only Spanish; she was fired. I think it was a terrible loss as she no longer would be allowed to teach.
I have felt privileged to be in classrooms where teachers tend to love the subject they are teaching and know how to capture a class’s attention. I don’t think this happens very easily where there is a lot of pressure. I think that is what assessments cause; great pressure! Unfortunately, I have seen two of these great teachers fired. It just really makes me dislike some administrators and the way systems run in general. They should have at least sat in on a class before making such a cruel decision or even taken a survey from students. They just really don’t care if students are engaged in learning or not, all that matters is if they look good because of high testing scores! I think it will be really great if assessment is not the emphasis in schools!
Personally, I think I learn best when I can listen and visually watch something being done, and then have hands on experience and I can ask questions. I like it when there is no pressure and I can practice in my own space. If I am on track with feedback, or making progress toward a goal, I usually stay motivated. I also think it helped me to stay motivated in learning when teachers recognized that I was making an effort and they admired it. I think we tend to want to quit when we are told our efforts aren’t good enough. And one of the greatest tools one teacher gave me was just a desire for learning. Testing does force us to learn, but sometimes it takes so much effort we're not interested anymore when it's over. I hope something different can be implemented if it will help kids to enjoy learning more!
Monday, February 2, 2015
Connecting the Dots: Travel
According to the article:
The Impact of Technology on Travel Agencies
Posted by TTS on Jul 10, 2014
Use of the Internet by travelers, has both a positive and a negative impact on travel agencies.
Despite constant pressure from third parties and direct vendors having more access to the modern day traveler, travel agency business is neither dead nor in the state of dying. In fact, travel agents are still responsible for almost 77% of the total cruise bookings, 55% of air travel bookings and 73% of travel package bookings. According to travel agents, the growth and advancements in technology have helped to enhance communication, convenience, productivity, speed of business and marketing.
People love having an expert help sort out the complexities of multiple stops and multiple modes of transportation.
It became imperative for traditional travel agencies to modify and alter their strategies in order to adapt and survive in the changing markets.
One of the biggest changes that technology seems to have induced is that travel agents can now keep in touch with their clientele using a variety of mediums (mobile devices are a must) at all times.
The Pros And Cons Of Using Airbnb
By Jean Folger | Updated January 30, 2015
Airbnb is an online community marketplace that connects people looking to rent their homes with people who are looking for accommodations. Airbnb users include hosts and travelers: hosts list and rent out their unused spaces, and travelers search for and book accommodations in 192 countries worldwide. A diminution of "air mattress B&B,” Airbnb has grown from appealing to both couch-surfing budget-conscious tourists and to business travelers seeking a more memorable experience that allows for a different level of collaboration amongst colleagues.
While Airbnb has primarily served budget-minded tourists, it has been attracting a larger share of business travelers.
These properties allow travelers to trade in the cookie-cutter hotel experience for one that offers colleagues a unique and comfortable space in which to connect and collaborate.
Despite the benefits, there are concerns for both hosts and guests.
Perhaps the biggest risk for hosts is that their property will get damaged.
The biggest concerns for guests may be that the property does not match the description, or that the host is unresponsive to guest needs. In one case, a man had rented an apartment in a European city through Airbnb, and the apartment's real owner showed up wondering who was in his apartment.
While Airbnb states on its website that "you're unlikely to experience any issues with property damage," their Host Guarantee program "provides protection for up to $1,000,000 in damages to covered property in the rare event of guest damage, in eligible countries.
Of special concern to hosts are state and local laws that may limit or prohibit the renting of property.
According to the article:
The Impact of Technology on Travel Agencies
Posted by TTS on Jul 10, 2014
Use of the Internet by travelers, has both a positive and a negative impact on travel agencies.
Despite constant pressure from third parties and direct vendors having more access to the modern day traveler, travel agency business is neither dead nor in the state of dying. In fact, travel agents are still responsible for almost 77% of the total cruise bookings, 55% of air travel bookings and 73% of travel package bookings. According to travel agents, the growth and advancements in technology have helped to enhance communication, convenience, productivity, speed of business and marketing.
People love having an expert help sort out the complexities of multiple stops and multiple modes of transportation.
It became imperative for traditional travel agencies to modify and alter their strategies in order to adapt and survive in the changing markets.
One of the biggest changes that technology seems to have induced is that travel agents can now keep in touch with their clientele using a variety of mediums (mobile devices are a must) at all times.
The Pros And Cons Of Using Airbnb
By Jean Folger | Updated January 30, 2015
Airbnb is an online community marketplace that connects people looking to rent their homes with people who are looking for accommodations. Airbnb users include hosts and travelers: hosts list and rent out their unused spaces, and travelers search for and book accommodations in 192 countries worldwide. A diminution of "air mattress B&B,” Airbnb has grown from appealing to both couch-surfing budget-conscious tourists and to business travelers seeking a more memorable experience that allows for a different level of collaboration amongst colleagues.
While Airbnb has primarily served budget-minded tourists, it has been attracting a larger share of business travelers.
These properties allow travelers to trade in the cookie-cutter hotel experience for one that offers colleagues a unique and comfortable space in which to connect and collaborate.
Despite the benefits, there are concerns for both hosts and guests.
Perhaps the biggest risk for hosts is that their property will get damaged.
The biggest concerns for guests may be that the property does not match the description, or that the host is unresponsive to guest needs. In one case, a man had rented an apartment in a European city through Airbnb, and the apartment's real owner showed up wondering who was in his apartment.
While Airbnb states on its website that "you're unlikely to experience any issues with property damage," their Host Guarantee program "provides protection for up to $1,000,000 in damages to covered property in the rare event of guest damage, in eligible countries.
Of special concern to hosts are state and local laws that may limit or prohibit the renting of property.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)