Singing Butterfly

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

What is Distance Learning?

What is distance learning? One form of distance learning is the ability to learn through an electronic communication while separated by time and space. (Hellman, A., 2003) This can be accomplished best by use of computers. One of the benefits of distance learning is the ability to obtain a college degree. Obtaining a degree can be difficult and inconvenient when attending a campus university. That is why distance learning is an option to be considered. Attending online college courses at home saves valuable time and money while allowing students to work at a pace that accommodates personal needs. How amazing is the possibility of getting an education without leaving the house?

Comfort is not essential in the learning process, but it is convenient. The ability to stay home while attending class at the same time is comfort with convenience. Online courses make it possible for students to make their own schedule because these courses are easily accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Distance learning is perfect for stay-at-home Moms and people with other responsibilities, like a job. For students who prefer odd hours distance learning is ideal. Another convenience is location.

Commuting is no longer necessary. Attendance can be accomplished at home saving on fuel and other vehicle maintenance. Deloris Reed, a student attending UOP, says, “I don’t have to get transportation and I don’t have to deal with gas problems and public parking.” (Personal communication with Deloris Reed on August 29, 2008) Time that is saved by not commuting allows extra time for study and quality family time. Without the need for travel, location of a student’s residence is not an issue. As long as internet is accessible, attending class is achievable.

A computer with internet access is absolutely necessary to participate in online courses which may seem like an expensive requirement. However, if a student is to succeed at a campus college, than a computer is just as necessary. Therefore, it is a detail that is important in all forms of education today.

Another issue of concern is computer illiteracy. Many fear the vastness of computers and look at it like it is too difficult to understand. Once again the table can be turned. Campus colleges are at some point going to require computer knowledge or courses for training in this area. For those who fear the computer, it is something that will have to be overcome in the future because today’s world demands the use of computers. Almost all jobs require some form of computer skills. These skills are being taught at an early age and all through grade school. Regardless of computer skills or the lack there of, a student must be self motivated to succeed in online colleges as well as campus colleges.

Isolation is also something that should be taken into account, assuming that the lack of face-to-face interaction might hinder a student. Though there are probably quite a few students who prefer the solitude. However, it is not as isolating as one might think. When asked if she felt isolated, Carolyn Moore replied, “No, I enjoy it.” (personal communication with Carolyn Moore on August 26, 2008) At the University of Phoenix online campus participation in classroom discussions is counted as a grade. According to Patt Bromberger, “The gradual development of online relationships, though, helps build their confidence and contributes to the successful completion of their course work.” Interacting is much easier when there is no pressure of being embarrassed. Sadly though, the lack of face-to-face interaction makes it easier for students to justify the urge to dropout.

There is a higher dropout rate of students who attend online college. (Hellman, J. 2005) It is safe to assume however that if a student cannot commit to online college, the chances are he or she cannot commit to a campus college either. This is where self motivation comes in again. It takes determination to achieve a higher degree of education, regardless of whether it be obtained online or at a campus college. Without this determination one would surely fail.

Every student works at a different pace, be it slow or fast. Online instructors at the University of Phoenix provide all assignment directions and materials at the beginning of each course. This helps the student manage enough time for each assignment. Spending adequate time on each assignment will ensure quality in the work turned in. Working at one’s own pace is one of the many benefits of attending online courses. The University of Phoenix is a popular source for online college courses.

In 2005, the enrollment of students at the University of Phoenix Online Campus more than doubled other Universities. (IES. National Center for Education Statistics) (see figure 1.1) According to Li, C. and Irby, B., “The explosion of technology has also made teaching outside the traditional classroom possible for teachers and has also provided learners with easy access to course materials.” Over the last 10 years online education has grown tremendously. (Li, C. and Irby, B. 2005)

In the April of 2005, Chi-Sung Li and Beverly Irby conducted a survey with 15 students and two faculty members who had hands-on experience, to better understand online courses. In doing so, they learned that “many colleges and universities in the U.S. are now providing distance education to students all over the world.” Instructors have the option of communicating with individual students or groups of students. Students can submit their homework as attached files or via email messages otherwise known as threading. Instructors then return graded homework via email or threading. Instructors provide assignments by posting them in the main classroom, so there is no excuse for not turning in homework. Instructors teaching from home are also saving on travel time and hours spent photocopying class handouts. Distance learning serves students from all backgrounds and ages.

Online colleges provide extensive library materials for research. With these libraries, librarian assistance is provided. To learn to how use the library the University of Phoenix provides a tutorial to walk students through each step. The library materials include full-text electronic periodicals, millions of volumes, many databases, and electronic reserves. The databases contain index journals, or newspapers, or full-text articles. (Wyss, Paul. 2008) What cannot be found in the library provided, can always be looked up online being that the student will have already been logged on to the internet.

In their study they came across research done by Karber, D. J. According to Karber (2003) there are four reasons in which he listed as to why online programs were so appealing. The first is because people are busy with life in general, families and work, and they benefit from the flexibility of online colleges. Second, students who live in crowded cities do not have to travel back and forth to their college campuses. Third, is the option to choose different universities because distance is no longer an issue. Lastly, interaction all around the globe can broaden a student’s perspective of various topics. As much as online college appeals to the students, it also appeals to school leaders and administrators.

In one Texas University, when given the choice to attend an online program for superintendent’s certificate, 90 educators signed up for the first class. (Reeves and Brown, 2002) Judith Hellman says, “The idea that teaching and learning can successfully take place through electronic communication between teachers and students widely separated by space and time is a concept that has inspired both hope and dismay, excitement and fear.” Distance learning has proven to be appealing to both teachers and students.

When interviewed, three out of four students who are presently attending online courses at the University of Phoenix said that they were finding the experience satisfying. Messina Cox is a 32 year-old woman who has in the past attended a campus college and now lives 30 minutes from the nearest one. She is now in her second block at the UOP. Messina chose distance learning over a campus college because she is busy with her family and work schedule. When asked if she felt isolated she said, “I feel a little isolated because you cannot see the person face to face, but I still feel an interaction with all of the students and teachers.” When asked if money was being saved she said, “I would say I am saving quite a bit of money at the present time by attending distance learning.” Messina was the only student out of the four interviewed to say that the online courses were easier than campus college courses. Three out of the four said that distance learning did not take up too much time but fit nicely into their schedule. Lastly, when asked if the students believed that they would complete their courses and obtain the degree they desired, three out of four said yes. Below is a chart showing the results of the interviewed students. (personal communication with Messina Cox on August 27, 2008) (See figure 1.B)

While distance learning is probably not right for everyone, it is at least an option that is striking the interest of many. For some this could be the solution to many problems and obstacles standing in the way of furthered education. The writer of this passage has attended and is currently attending online college courses, through the University of Phoenix, of course. Who better to describe the benefits of distance learning than one who has personal experience? Distance learning could be the best, and possibly the last, chance one has at obtaining a college degree.

Written by: Singing Butterfly

Reference List

Advantage and Disadvantage of Distance Learning. (2005-2008) Google. Retrieved

July 12, 2008, from http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com

Bromberger, P. (Jun. 1991). Mindweave: Communication, Computers, and Distance

Education. General One File, p.p7(2). Retrieved July 16, 2008, from

http://find.galegroup.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com

Digest of Education Statistics: 2007. (Mar. 2008). ies National Center for Education

Statistics. Postsecondary Education, chapt. 3. Retrieved August 18, 2008, from

http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d07/ch_3.asp

Hellman, A. (Jun. 2003). The Riddle of Distance Education (Promise, Problems, and

Applications for Development. Technology, Business and Society, paper 9.

Retrieved July 12, 2008, from UN Research Institute for Social Development

(UNRISD) report.com

Li, C., Irby, B. (Jun. 2008). An Overview of Online Education Attractiveness,

Benefits, Challenges, Concerns and Recommendations. College Student Journal,

part A, vol. 42, issue 2, p. 449-458. Retrieved July 12, 2008, from

http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com

Friday, August 1, 2008

Home Schooling vs. Public Schools

Are public schools safe? Why are so many mothers choosing to keep their children home? Even though home schooling is a challenge, it may be best for a particular child, because not all children adapt well to public schools. Times have changed in school today. A public school day is a long one, not to mention the load of work assigned for home. For some children, school is a nightmare. Lack of social skills is a concern for home schooled children but is the bully on the school bus where a child should learn their social skills? An outgoing, energetic child who easily makes friends will be fine in a public school. But what about the child who does not fit in? Public schools are a very stressful place. The stress of required test, affect not only the student but also the teachers.

In 2003, the state of Texas started requiring students in the third grade and up to pass the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) test, in order to be promoted to the next grade (Waller Independent School District, 2002). Even if a student makes the “A” honor roll all year, but fails this test, that student will not proceed to the next grade without repeating and passing the test. Last year, 16% of Texas’s seniors failed the TAKS graduation test that is one out of every six seniors (Dallas News, 2007). These seniors did not get to graduate with their class. As a result of this requirement, public school teachers are pushed to prepare students to pass this test. So the teachers are constantly worrying about the preparation of the test and students are constantly worrying about failing the test. Home schooled children do not have this kind of stress, for they are not required to participate in the testing. Home schooled children are also not required to do homework either.

Public schooled children have to get up early in the morning, spend eight hours at school, come home and do homework. Some children, high school students especially have hours of homework to do, stopping only to eat and shower before bed. What kind of day is this for a 15 year-old child? Where is the “me” time in a student’s day or the “family” time, for that matter? Many Jr. High and High school students are over-worked and sleep-deprived. Home schooling does not require extra work after schooling hours. These children have more time to be with family and to do what interest them. Interaction with family is very important in developing social skills.

Social skills are a big controversy when it comes to home schooling a child. A great deal of people, believe that a child who is home schooled misses out on learning social skills. Dobson (2004) points out, “The great advantage of home schooling, in fact, is the protection it provides to vulnerable children from the wrong kind of socialization.” Is there a wrong kind of socialization? What about segregation?

Starting in grade school students in public schools segregate themselves according to rich and poor, black and white, or cool and un-cool. Is that what home schooled children are missing out on? Students in public schools are expected to be dressed a certain way, with name-brand clothes and shoes. If they are not, they are categorized as poor or un-cool children. People say that home schooled children lead sheltered lives. Is it wrong for parents to want to protect their child from being picked on and bullied around by the “popular” children, just because they are different? Public schools will teach a child early on in life that people are mean and it is best to just learn to deal with it. For some parents, this is important in the development of their child’s social skills. Other parents feel like their children can get all they need, where social skills are concerned, at home.

Home schooling provides quality family-time. Interaction between siblings is a good source of social skills. Going to the grocery store teaches a home schooled child about the real world. Field trips with the family or going on vacation can be very educational too. Home schooling does not require keeping a child sheltered from the real world. Everyone just has his or her, own version of what is considered the real world. Public schooled children do not get this kind of quality time with their family. As mentioned earlier, public schools provide a long day and little time for anything else. Some children flourish in public schools, interacting well with other students and some do not. Peer pressure can be a problem for the latter of the two.

Peer pressure can be defined in many different ways. Competitiveness can be pressured onto students. In order to be popular in school, one must wear the right clothes, have money, be beautiful, and hang out with the right group. Being on the football team or a cheerleader will definitely help where popularity is concerned. What about the children who are not any of those things? These are the ones that usually turn to drugs and violence. The unpopular child will be looking to fit in somewhere. That only leaves two categories, the geeks and the misfits. Now the geeks will not be a problem but, who wants their child in this category? The misfits are going to be the druggies and the ones having sex. No parent wants this for their child.

Home schooling prevents outside temptation and pressure. These children are happy children. They do not have to worry about whether or not they are virgins and who might pressure them into having sex. In public schools older children can be dominating younger children. Making them do things to keep from getting hurt physically, picked on, or called a coward. Some children are confident and know how to deal with bullies. These children will do fine in public schools, but consider the easily influenced or intimidated child. Would home school be better, for that particular child? In some situations home schooling can be dangerous too.

Home schooling can be just as dangerous as public schools, just in different ways. Some parents may want to hide physical abuse by enrolling their child in home school. Drugs could be a factor in the reason for the abuse. In this situation, public school would be better, for that particular child, to have a safe place away from the home. The child would also have the opportunity to tell someone and get help. But do not be fooled into thinking that public schools are drug-free zones. These days’ schools are full of drugs and violence. Drugs are actually being sold and used at school. The violence at school could be directly related to the drug use, although the reason does not have to pertain to drugs for a fight to erupt. These are problems that weighs heavy on the minds of most parents.

Parenting plays a big role in how children act at home and at school. Parents need to practice discipline at home in order to teach students morals and good manners. Many times this issue is neglected. Some parents could careless where their children are and what they are doing. There are even some parents, who enroll their children in home school programs because their children do not want to go to school and the parents do not want to get fined. When the child is old enough, they are then permitted to drop out. This is home schooling for the wrong reason. A parent must be truly dedicated to teaching their children, if they are going to home school.

A good public school can be a wonderful place. Getting out of the house and socializing with friends is very important to some children. Take that away from them and their parents may have a miserable child on their hands. Keep in mind however, that a particular little girl or boy could be the outcast, never fitting in, getting picked on all day. Home schooling is not the best solution for every problem but, it may be better for one child. Take every child’s happiness into consideration.

By: Singing Butterfly

Reference:

DeLisi, M. (Jan. 2002). The Columbine High School Massacre and criminal justice system response: an exploratory care study. The Social Science Journal, 39.1, p. 19(12). Retrieved May 25, 2008, from http://find.galegroup.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com

Dobson, J. Dr. (Dec. 19,2004) ‘Socialization’ not a problem for home-schooled children. The Grand Rapid Press, p. J.6. Retrieved June 4, 2008, from http://proquest.umi.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com

McReynolds, K. (Summer 2007). Homeschooling. Encounter, vol. 20, issue 2, p. 36-41. Retrieved June 4, 2008, from http://search.ebscohost.com

Romanowski, M. (May 2001). Undoing the ‘Us vs. Them’ of Public and Home Schooling. Education Digest, vol. 66, issue 9, p. 41, 5p. Retrieved June 4, 2008, from http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com

San Antionio Home Education. (2007). Sahomeschool. Retrieved June 8, 2008, from Google.

Schuld, K. (Nov. 2000). The Distraction of Sex in School. World and I, 15.11, p. 60. Retrieved May 25, 2008 from http://find.galegroup.com

Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. (2008, June 6). Wikipedia. Retrieved June 8, 2008, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Weddle, R. (July 28, 2007). Welcome Home Schoolers in the Fold. Roanoke Times & World News, p.B7. Retrieved June 4, 2008, from http://proquest.umi.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com

What is TAKS? (2006). Waller ISD. Retrieved June 8, 2008, from Waller ISD.com

16% fail TAKS graduation test. (2007, May 12). The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved June 8, 2008, from dallasnews.com.

BUTTERFLY'S

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This is the most beautiful butterfly. Blue is my favorite color. I was just reading about butterfly's on Wikipedia.com. So I decide to share a little of what I learned and found interesting.

Butterfly's are a member of the Lepidoptera order. Lepidoptera pronounced (lep-i-dop-ter-uh), is derived from Ancient Greek meaning (scale) and (wing). (Reference.com) A person who studies or collects butterfly's is called a Lepidopterist. Moth's are also apart of Lepdoptera order. Together Moth's and Butterfly's make up 180,000 different species. In the Lepidoptera order insects go through complete metamorphosis, a four-stage life cycle: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult.

During the life cycle diapause can sometimes take place. Diapause is kind of like hibernation. Only hibernation is a natural part of life, where as diapause is a state induced by extreme circumstances or unfavorable conditions. Diapaus means to slow the metabolic activity down to a dormant point that would appear that the butterfly is in hibernation. Unlike hibernation, diapause does not end at a designated time but actually has to be released by a certain stimuli. This means that if the weather conditions are so terrible that it would be hard to survive, the butterfly may shut down until things change. Even if the surrounding atmosphere is ideal though it still has to wait for the proper stimuli to free it. This is a wonderful survival technique. Butterfly's also have a reproductive diapause.

Reproductive diapause has basically the same principles. The butterfly will continue to be active and go about daily routines but the reproductive tissue will pause and cease to function until the right stimuli wakes it up again. This is very common in the Monarch Butterfly.

The Monarch Butterfly is very impressive and widely known for it's annual migration patterns. This migration being the reason this butterfly is also known as the wanderer butterfly. The Monarch Butterfly is found in North America, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and many other parts of the world. Reproductive diapause is what makes this amazing migration possible. The life span of the Monarch is less than two months but the last generation of the summer are the ones that experience the reproductive diapause. When the Monarch enters into this diapause stage of the reproductive organ it can live up to seven months or more. That is impressive.

Butterfly's are beautiful insects. I hope you have enjoyed this little piece of interesting fact about Butterfly's.

By: Singing Butterfly

American Psychological Association (APA):

Lepidoptera. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved August 01, 2008, from Reference.com website: http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Lepidoptera