ABC’s of Online Education
by Sue Scheff on Sep 03, 2010
Especially adults that have decided to go back to school will take advantage of online education. I was recently asked to post this article written by Tim Handorf of Best Online Colleges. It is a comprehensive list of considerations for an online school life.
ABC’s of Online Education
Whether you plan to go back to school to finish your degree or you’re a fresh high school graduate who’s looking to go to college for the first time, the decision to pursue an online education is certainly a good one. With more stringent accreditation practices and the exposing of diploma mills, it’s easy to find an online school that’ll meet your personal academic requirements. If you’re considering enrolling in an online college, read through the ABCs of online education listed below.
- Accessibility is an asset
Regardless of where you live and your busy schedule, you can always take online classes. Online schools are very accommodating to their students. - Beneficial to your career
You’ll also gain confidence knowing that you’re a more valuable asset to your employer, and in the future, you’ll be more likely to achieve positions of responsibility. - College – it’s never too late
Online colleges enable students to attain their degrees when they aren’t able to attend traditional brick-and-mortar schools. - Dedicated students
In order to get the most out of an online education, you must be a dedicated student. You’re on your own, and no one is there to monitor your progress. - Enlightening those who are curious
Online classes will expose you to new ideas, enabling you to understand a wide range of topics. - Flexible scheduling
The flexibility of online education gives people from all walks of life the opportunity to pursue their degrees. Classes are offered during weeknights and weekends – outside of normal work hours. - Graduation is attainable
If you didn’t finish college, you can transfer a portion of your credits – depending on the classes required for your major – to an online college and pickup where you left off. - Hard but doable
Pursuing an education online is no different than pursuing an education at a local college. It’s hard, but with the proper dedication, as previously mentioned, a degree is attainable. - Interactive while miles apart
Although you’ll likely be miles away from your classmates and professors, lectures are set up so that you’ll be able to communicate with them through chats or forums. - Joining a new online era
The internet has enabled people to accomplish almost anything without leaving the comfort of their homes, so why not pursue your degree online? - Knowledge of a discipline
Want to be an accountant? Love history? By enrolling in an online college program, you’ll become an expert in the discipline of your choice. - Learning on your own
A trait of dedicated students is their ability to learn on their own. They’ll burn the midnight oil as they attempt to fully understand a complicated concept. - Money maker
A college degree results in almost $1 million more in lifetime earnings than people with just a high school diploma. With a college degree, you’ll be more likely to achieve financial security during your lifetime. - New classes
A bevy of classes are offered at online schools, and new ones are added each semester. Their additions reflect the growing number students attending the schools. - Off-campus
Although you might miss out on the on-campus environment, you can set up your own campus of sorts, establishing an environment conducive to learning. - Professors who genuinely care
Accredited online colleges hire highly trained professors who strive to help their students achieve their goals. - Quality education
If you find the right online school, you’ll undoubtedly receive a quality education, which can be just as effective as one received at a brick-and-mortar school. - Reasonable cost
Online classes aren’t cheap, but enrolling in one is typically less expensive than regular college classes because you save on room and board, commuting, and additional fees like lab fees. Of course, some online classes are more expensive than others, so it doesn’t hurt to research beforehand. - Skills for your career and life
Not only will you learn skills that will make you attractive to employers, but you’ll also gain analytical and critical thinking skills, so you’ll view thoughts and ideas through a new scope. - Technologically advanced
Because of the obstacle of distance, online schools have been early adopters of technology, allowing them to deliver lectures and accompanying assignments efficiently and effectively. Podcasts, for example, have been used by online colleges since the beginning of their popularity. - Ubiquitous resources
Traveling for work? You can still make time to study with the online resources provided by your online school. Some – like the University of Phoenix – feature extensive online libraries. - Virtual Learning
Lessons can be viewed with the use of streaming video and audio and flash animation. The typical notes and PowerPoint presentations can be uploaded prior to a lesson in some cases; they can be accessed on a site used by the school or professor. - Well-worth the work
Students who take online classes work hard. Most tend to be older with families and full-time jobs, so the extra workload that comes with taking online classes is far from insurmountable. - X-ray technician programs are available online too
It’s 2010. If you’ve heard of the program, it’s probably offered online, and that doesn’t exclude x-ray technician programs. - Young and old students
Young and old people alike in varying stages of life enroll in online classes. The older students who would feel out of place sitting amid 18-to-24 year olds don’t have to endure the self-consciousness. - Zero regret
Students who attend online schools achieve varied amounts of success – just like with brick-and-mortar schools – but all of them gain knowledge that transcends their careers. New interests are cultivated and the thirst for knowledge never ends.
Tags: College Online, Education, Higher education, Online Education, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff: GED vs High School Diploma – Stay in School!
by Sue Scheff on Jul 16, 2010
Wow – this is a topic I speak with parents about on almost a daily basis. Teens today think it is an easy solution – drop out of school and get a GED! Years ago, it was not only frowned upon – it was targeted at those in trouble with the law, another words, juvenile delinquents. Take a minute to read these parenting tips from Connect with Kids – help keep your teens in school!
Source: Connect with Kids
“If you get your high school diploma, you’re going to be better off. If you get some college, you’re going to be better off. If you get a bachelors degree, you’re going to be better off.”
– Martin Segura, Education Counselor
For some students, earning a GED seemed like the next best thing to a high school degree. But a new report from the University of Chicago finds that a GED holds little value in helping students succeed in today’s competitive job market.
Tanya dropped out of high school after her sophomore year. “That was my dream, to walk across that stage, but because I got pregnant, they told me I couldn’t go back,” recounts 18-year-old Tanya Sado.
By the time she was ready to go back, she was too old, so she decided to try another route. Tanya decided to get her GED, or General Educational Development certificate.
“Well, you can’t find a good job without education,” Tanya says. “What can you do with your life?”
The problem is, because of the recession and because so many more young people are attending college today, some educators argue that a GED has never been less valuable.
It’s not worthless, they say, but more today than ever, “If you get your high school diploma, you’re going to be better off. If you get some college, you’re going to be better off. If you get a bachelors degree, you’re going to be better off,” says education counselor, Martin Segura.
Today, unemployment rate for people without their high school diploma is over 15 percent.
“To the extent that students do not develop, um, those skills, don’t have those trainings, don’t have those degrees or credentials. They’re headed for a very difficult, a brutal collision path where they’re going to end up with leftover jobs, jobs that nobody else wants,” explains Hector Madrigal, Director of Pupil Services in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
The GED just doesn’t have the value it once did. Even the military agrees. “The job market in general in today’s society is extremely difficult to get into. Any job that you go to, you know most of them want you to have at least high school, some college,” explains Staff Sergeant Matthew Jacobs of the U.S. Marine Corps. “Well Marines, we’re just another job like everybody else. We’re looking for the same qualifications.”
Tanya’s advice to other kids? “I would say don’t leave, don’t give it up for anything.”
What Parents Need To Know
According to the Alliance for Excellence in Education, a new report by economists at the University of Chicago, released by the National Bureau of Economic Research, raises questions about whether GED-based programs are the right approach to make sure students complete high school. Looking at a variety of studies of GED recipients over the years, the report concludes that people who receive GEDs fare little better economically than high school dropouts when factors such as their greater academic abilities are taken into consideration.
While it’s easy to place the blame on a child when he or she drops out of school, it doesn’t address the most important problem: What can be done to educate this student? The National Mental Health and Education Center offers the following hints to help parents on the road to problem-solving:
- Focus on student goals: Instead of focusing on why your child is unsuccessful in school, have your child identify what he or she wants to get from the school experience. Have him or her list school, home and personal barriers to reaching that goal. Sometimes talking about getting past the barriers to reaching a goal helps focus efforts more productively than just complaining or quitting.
- Encourage school involvement: Encourage your child to attend school regularly and to be involved in at least one extracurricular activity at school or with groups of students who are currently in school. These activities make your child feel like part of the group, important to the school and more motivated to perform in order to participate. If your child’s lack of academic success restricts him or her from every activity except academics, your child often sees no value in continuing to try. He or she must have something positive to look forward to that will meet the kinship/companionship needs of being a teen. If your child isn’t able to meet these needs in the school setting, he or she often finds ways to meet these needs in less desirable settings and groups.
- Consider alternative school settings: Speak with the school counselor and/or school psychologist to see if your child’s goals can be reached in the current school environment. If not, have the school identify ideas for alternative settings for your child’s learning. Include your child in all discussions with school personnel. If you investigate alternative education settings, have your child make the contacts and visits, complete forms and ask questions. He or she must see that personal responsibility is a must when being asked to be treated as an adult.
- Consider realistic postsecondary goals: Don’t get hung up on the issue of your child going to college. The more important question is “What does my child find interesting, and what is he or she good at?” and “Which of these skill areas is marketable?” If attending college is the way to reach the vocational goal, set steps in place to get there. In many cases, a postsecondary technical training or two-year community college program is more appropriate to meet your child’s goals and get him or her employable.
- Consider the GED: This equivalency examination is very well-respected among employers and higher education institutions. Students can study for this examination through community education programs, alternative education programs or independently. The point is to stress to your child that the diploma or GED is only the first step to finishing his or her education. The workforce of tomorrow will require postsecondary education for even entry-level jobs.
- Identify special needs: Consult with school personnel to determine if your child might have a specific learning or behavior problem interfering with learning. Low achievement, retention in grade and behavioral difficulties are highly predictive of dropping out of school. Assessment of possible learning and behavior problems might help identify special services to help your child find school more successful.
Resources
- Alliance for Excellence in Education
- American Council on Education GED Testing Service
- National Mental Health and Education Center
Tags: Education, GED, High School Diploma, Parenting, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff: End of School Year – Teacher Appreciation Week
by Sue Scheff on Apr 10, 2010
During these troubling economic times, buying gifts can be difficult for some families. Teachers work all year with our children, during hard times and the good times. They are the ones that are children are with most of the week. They are the future of our children.
At VolunteerSpot, teachers are loved! That’s why they have complied this eBook filled with the Greatest Gifts for Teachers. Many are low-cost or no-cost and all show your teacher how much you care. Ideas for winter holidays, Valentine’s Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, retiring teachers and more. VolunteerSpot’s free and easy volunteer scheduling software saves time signing up and reminding volunteers for teacher appreciation activities.
Take the time to review this fantastic eBook of gift ideas.
VolunteerSpot is a fantastic organization that help communities come together and work for the benefit of others.
VolunteerSpot launched in Spring, 2009 with the mission of enabling ANYONE to quickly mobilize and coordinate volunteers in their community, congregation and social network. VolunteerSpot’s simple sign up application makes it easy for community members to participate and say YES to volunteering. No waiting for approvals and passwords, no software to install, just easy, free scheduling and sign up tools for everyday heroes making a difference.
Visit www.VolunteerSpot.com for more information.
Teacher Appreciation Week: May 3-7
Greatest Gifts For Teachers & Teacher Appreciation Week
Read more and see eBook – click here.
Tags: Education, Gift Ideas, parenting advice, Parents Universal Resource Experts, School Teacher Gift, Sue Scheff, Teacher Appreciation, Teacher Gifts
Sue Scheff: Family Matters – Happy Parents Raise Happy Kids
by Sue Scheff on Mar 26, 2010
Author, Educator and Parenting Expert, Ronit Baras offers and extensive website full of valuable and educational information for parenting children of all ages. Recently I was honored to be part of her “Family Matters” Top Parenting Bloggers.
What are the 5 biggest challenges parents face today?
Susan Heim – Susan Heim on Parenting
Finding balance. I often feel torn between my professional and parenting responsibilities. When I’m focusing on one, I feel like I’m neglecting the other! This is a common dilemma for today’s parents, who often have packed schedules.
Resisting the urge to give our children everything. Guilt plays a big part in this. We want our children to have those things that we didn’t have, and we hate to see them unhappy when they don’t get what they want. It’s easier just to give things to them rather than help them learn how to get it for themselves.
Being afraid to say “no”. We all want our kids to like us. But we need to learn that we don’t need to say “yes” to everything. Sometimes a “no” or a “maybe” is the better response to avoid the sense of entitlement that so many kids have today.
Struggling to teach good values. When their favorite stars abuse alcohol or they see children on sitcoms being disrespectful to their parents, kids begin to see these things as “normal” and “no big deal.” Parents are constantly competing with what kids see in the media to teach values and morals.
Keeping our children healthy. Kids aren’t getting the exercise they need because there’s too much entertainment at home. When I was a kid, we were always outside playing ball or riding our bikes. Our rooms were boring! Today’s kids have TVs, video games, computers and more in their rooms. Why leave? Unfortunately, this is showing up in higher obesity rates and more social isolation.
Annie Fox, M.Ed. – From the desk of Annie Fox
Time to be with their kids in a relaxed and loving way. There are so many demands on today’s parents, it is a challenge for them to carve out and deliver the gift of time on a regular basis.
Likewise, too many kids have packed afterschool schedules, which leave them with little time to simply BE with their parents and siblings preparing a meal together, doing household chores, enjoying each other’s company
Social digital media and the extreme pull it has on tweens and teens is a 21st century challenge to family life. Their addiction to texting and IMing, etc (yes, I’ll call it that!) distracts them from everything else. The over-use and abuse of social digital media has changed the way teens communicate. Replacing thoughtful reflection with bits of superficial talk spewed forth in knee-jerk responses. All of this has made it more difficult for parents and kids to simply sit down and talk with one another on a heart to heart level.
The economic situation has created a lot of pressure on parents to earn enough money to meet the rising costs of education. Then there is the added pressure parents feel in making sure their kids succeed in school so that they have a competitive edge when they graduate and move into the job market. Too much pressure isn’t healthy for parent-child relationships.
We live in a noisier, faster paced world than the one we grew up in. As a result of all this rushing around, many loving and well-meaning parents are moving THROUGH time rather than living IN it. So, I’d say it is a disconnected hurried lifestyle that is the biggest challenge for parents.
Maria Melo – Conversations with Moms
There are so many challenges for parents right now and parenting has evolved with every generation. I think that some of the biggest challenges parents face today are:
Quality Time with Children – with two income households, there is less time left to spend with children.
I can speak for myself when I say guilt. I always worry that I could have done something better for my child.
With information so easy to find, at the tip of our fingers (internet), it can be a blessing or a problem. Parents are a lot more educated than previous generations but sometimes it can lead to information overload with several differing points of views on the same topic. This leaves parents wondering which choice is the best.
Social Media – With Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and all those instant messaging, what will the next generations form of communication look like? I hope that we are not heading into a culture where two people prefer texting, or emailing over talking in person or on the phone.
Family Unit – With an increase in divorce rate, single parenting homes, same sex marriages etc. the family unit is being changed. It is now being redefined by the news, radio, internet etc.
Annie – PhD in Parenting
Lack of community support: Rather than the village raising the child, parenting has become something we do within the nuclear family. That puts an immense amount of pressure on parents and can resort to them trying to take on too much or not being able to give their children enough.
Competitive parenting: There is so much pressure to have the best sleeper, the earliest toilet trained, the smartest kid, the cutest kid, and so on. There is so much pressure to breastfeed, feed nutritious meals, stay active, and so on. I think this results in parents rushing to make bad parenting decisions and feeling guilt over not being able to do everything perfectly.
Lacking parental leave: In many countries, there is insufficient maternity, paternity and parental leave. There isn’t enough of it and it isn’t flexible enough.
Lacking child care options: Not enough spaces, not enough choice in environment, and not affordable enough.
Conflicting information: It is hard to be the best parent you can be when the experts all disagree with each other.
Ria Sharon – My Mommy Manual
 The biggest challenge for parents is slowing down. Modern society puts so much emphasis on productivity and activity. If we could all slow down, think of all the creative win-win situations we could create with our children. Think about it. When do most of the daily power struggles occur? When your preschooler is dawdling over putting his shoes on and you’re running late. Or, when they want to stay on the playground but you have to leave so you make dinner so they can have time to do homework and get baths and still be in bed on time. The time crunch is truly a pressure cooker that makes it challenging for parents to live in the moment and just enjoy their children. |
Richard “RJ” Jaramillo – Single Dad
Time Management Skills.
Keeping a Sense of humor in their daily life.
Keeping Emotional Balance and Sharing Emotions.
Effective Communication with their children.
Consistency with Parenting between Mother and Father.
Sue Scheff – Sue Scheff Blog
Technology – Parents have to be ten steps ahead of their kids with today’s Internet and Cell Phone Safety.
Peer Pressure – Learning about what your child is facing at school and with their peers.
Communication – Keeping the lines of communication open with your teens especially, can be difficult. Parents need to make time to talk to their teens.
Knowing your child’s friends – I believe that parents should get to know who their kids are hanging out with and if your child is visiting their homes, be sure to take the time to speak with the other parents.
Being a parent first – Many parents try to be their child’s friend, which is fine, however don’t let it overshadow your parenting responsibilities. Whether it is teen pregnancy or how to keep you teens safe online, I want parents to be able to visit my Blog and find just about ever topic they may need information on, not only from me, but from many others. I truly believe in parents helping parents and being able to give them all angles.
Ronit Baras – Family Matters
Relationship challenges between the parents. Many of the challenges with kids are reflections of poor communication between parents’ themselves. Many kids’ misbehavior is a result of mixed messages.
Poor health management. In a stressful lifestyle, many parents find it hard to manage their own emotional and physical health and as a result cannot manage their kids’. If you do not eat well, drink enough and sleep/rest well, you cannot think well and it is hard to promote wellbeing to your kids.
Financial challenges. In today’s tough economy, it is hard to manage personal finances and even harder to be responsible for others and support a family. If you do not learn to manage your money well (most people were away sick when they taught it at school), it will reflect on your parenting.
Overload of information. In a generation exposed to so much information about how to parent their kids, parents struggle with finding their own unique way of parenting. There is no one size fits all and so much (conflicting) advice out there, parenting today is a confusing business.
Living an unfulfilled life. Some parents get into the parenting adventure without thinking it through. The question “Why did you bring kids into the world?” sounds strange to many of my clients. Too often, their answer is, “People just do, don’t they?” Bringing a child into this world because everyone else does is a bad start, because it lacks the planning, the purpose and the preparation to succeed, enjoy the ride and be fulfilled.
Thanks again to Annie Fox, Maria, Annie, Ria, Richard, Sue and Susan for being part of this great series.
If you wish to know more about them or contact any of them, please visit their blogs, follow them on Twitter and/or become their fan on Facebook.
Happy parenting,
Ronit
PS: Thanks to Ronit for giving parents such a vast amount of excellent parenting information!!! I also want to congratulate all the wonderful parenting experts that share this spot with me.
Tags: Education, Family Matters, Parenting, Parenting Authors, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Peer Pressure, Ronit Baras, Sue Scheff, Teen Issues
Sue Scheff: New Study Shows Boys Struggle in School – Could it be their attention span?
by Sue Scheff on Mar 19, 2010
Source: Connect with Kids
Boys Hate School
“Some of my teachers, they just get up there, they lecture, they write notes on the board for an hour and a half and that’ll be the class period and you can’t keep your attention very long.”
– Kevin, 16 years old
If education is the key to a child’s future, our boys may be in trouble. A new study from the University of Alaska shows that boys can’t read or write as well as girls and are far more likely to hate school and then drop out. Many experts wonder if the problem isn’t what boys hear all day long at school: to sit still, be quiet, and listen.
When 16 year old Will studies… it’s often at the last second. And his friend Kevin, 16, says his report card has more C’s and B’s than A’s.
Kevin admits, “I try and get through with the least amount possible. I honestly don’t want to work very hard. I just want to get through school, go to college, finish that off, get a job.”
In fact, new research shows that twice as many 12th grade girls are “proficient” at writing compared to boys and 41 percent of girls are “proficient” readers, compared to only 29% of boys.
Educational Psychologist Donna Wood McCarty, Ph.D., says, “To tell you the truth, I am deeply concerned about our boys in this country.”
Could the problem be the way classes are taught?
Experts suggest that many boys simply can’t sit for an hour or more while listening to a lecture… at least not as well as girls.
Will agrees. “Well, my last two periods are always the long lecturing teachers kinds of periods so I usually fall asleep.”
Dr. McCarty says, “I think that teachers should really attend to the fact that boys probably learn better in more actively learning situations and where they’re able to move around… do something… or where there’s some sort of visual-spatial component.”
Research is on-going about the different learning styles of boys and girls; in the meantime, experts say, parents can appeal to their school to appreciate the value of an active and energetic boy. “We’ve got to find ways in the school systems to help celebrate what boys bring to a classroom, and the energy and excitement they bring and the challenges they bring and help teachers learn to embrace that,” Dr. McCarty says.
She also she says – appeal to your son’s competitive spirit. Explain that right now school is the most important challenge in their life. “‘You as my son are going to have to recognize that your future depends on you being able to cope with this environment and deal with it as best you can.’ And I think if you throw down that gauntlet to your boy that might be an approach that might be meaningful.”
Related Information
What can parents do to help their sons perform better academically? Experts at the University of Illinois Extension say parents can do a great deal at home to enhance learning. First, it is important for parents to understand their son’s learning style – the way he processes information. Most children show a preference for one of the following three basic learning styles:
- Visual learners absorb information by watching. They call up images from the past when trying to remember. They picture the way items look in their heads. Forty percent of students fall into this category.
- Auditory learners tend to spell phonetically. They can sometimes have trouble reading because they don’t visualize well. These students learn by listening and remember facts when they are presented in the form of a poem, song or melody.
- Kinesthetic learners are taught best through movement and manipulation. They like to find out how items work and are often successful in the practical arts, such as carpentry or design. These students make up 50 percent of secondary students and have difficulty learning in a traditional setting.
How can you determine your child’s learning style? Here’s a simple way that might help. Ask him what comes to mind when he hears the word “dog.” Some people see a picture of the animal, others hear a bark and others feel the soft fur of the animal. Those who see a picture of a dog in their mind’s eye or see the letters are probably visual. Those who hear the bark are probably auditory learners. Those who feel the soft fur of a dog are probably kinesthetic. If your son is not performing well in school, you may want to explore the way information is being presented in class and approach the subject with your child at home using a different learning style. It is also a good idea to discuss this with your child’s teacher.
Tips for Parents
Helping students who are having trouble in school is something parents and teachers can do by working together. Experts say that when your son is experiencing academic difficulties, parents and teachers can assist by trying one or more of the following approaches:
- Make time to listen to your child’s fears or concerns and try to understand him.
- Set appropriate boundaries for behavior that are consistently enforced.
- Emphasize the importance of study skills and hard work, and follow through at home and in school.
- Arrange tutoring or study group support for your son at school or through community organizations, such as the YMCA.
- Provide a supportive home and school environment in which education is clearly valued.
- Become more involved in school activities by attending sporting events, concerts, science fairs, plays, etc., to show support for the school.
- Meet as a team with the student and a school counselor to share expectations for your son’s future and to figure out how to support his learning environment.
- As your son gets older, help him think about career options by arranging for visits to local companies and colleges.
References
- Family Education Network
- ERIC Clearinghouse
- University of Illinois Extension
Tags: Connect with Kids, Education, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Study Skills, Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff: Myth vs Fact: The truth about reform in Florida’s education system for teachers
by Sue Scheff on Mar 11, 2010
Myth vs. Fact: The Truth about Reform – This is interesting information about Florida’s system of our on of our most valued people; teachers. Teachers are who we trust with our children for many hours a day - five days a week. Teachers are the people that help us mold our children and prepare them for a bright future. There has been conflicting information about teachers and their salaries with consideration to what our children are learning.
Source: Foundation for Florida’s Future
Modernizing Teacher Evaluations, Tenure and Compensation for the 21st Century
Myth: The current process for evaluating teachers is fine the way it is.
- Fact: Last year, 99.7% of teachers in the state earned a “satisfactory” evaluation, yet 50% of our high school students, 35% of our middle school students and 30% of our elementary students didn’t make a year’s worth of progress in reading. (And 60%, 40% and 30%, respectively, were not reading on grade level.) That’s fine?
Myth: The bill will eliminate tenure in Florida.
- Fact: The bill doesn’t eliminate tenure for teachers in the classroom today. The courts have determined that tenure is a property right and can’t be taken away by the Legislature. The bill does end the practice of granting lifetime guarantee of employment after just three years in the classroom. Instead, new teachers will have annual performance contracts.
Myth: Annual tests are not a good measure of teacher effectiveness.
- Fact: Annual tests are an objective measure of the knowledge and skills students gain from one year to the next. If you believe teachers impact how much a student learns, then annual tests that measure progress are an objective measure of their effectiveness in the classroom.
Myth: It’s unfair to base teacher evaluations on student learning.
- Fact: Right now, teacher performance reviews are based on the observations and opinions of their principal – making these evaluations 100% subjective. Using data for 50% of the annual performance review makes the evaluation more objective – and therefore, more fair.
Myth: The bill punishes teachers whose students are below grade level.
- Fact: The bill doesn’t punish teachers whose students are not on grade level. The bill requires progress – what students learn during the year – to be considered. Teachers can’t control what their students know when they show up on the first day of school, but they do influence what they learn during the year in their class. In fact, measuring progress may benefit teachers who teach students with disabilities and low-performing students the most.
Myth: The bill cuts teacher pay.
- Fact: Under the bill, the more students learn, the more teachers earn. The bill requires at least half of teacher salaries to be based on whether students are learning. It also raises salaries for teachers in high-poverty schools and teachers of subjects that are in high demand, such as math and science.
Read more on Examiner.
Tags: Education, Foundation of Florida Education, Parenting, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Students, Sue Scheff, Teachers
Sue Scheff: Free Science Games to Excite and Inspire Your Kids
by Sue Scheff on Mar 05, 2010
Janet Murray recently posted a fantastic Blog that offers parents free and exciting games to inspire their children. She asked me to share it with my readers. As summer is around the corner, here are some great ideas to help your children have fun while they are learning!
60 Free Science Games to Excite & Inspire Your Kids
By this point, everyone realizes that there need not be any delineation between education and entertainment. Parents and teachers alike can supplement a student’s knowledge of biology, geology, physics, chemistry, and other scientific disciplines with literally hundreds of free games available online through a multitude of sources. The following list compiles 60 of the most popular ones, mostly involving some of the more popular subjects among children.
Funschool
1. Zoo Crew : Zoo crew teaches children interested in animals and animal behavior the proper terminology for certain groupings of species.
2. Animal Homes : In Animal Homes, kids pair up a number of different species with their appropriate habitats and learn the very basics of ecosystems and environments.
3. Wild Animals : With this interesting matching game, participants must identify animals based on their distinguishing characteristics such as horns, tails, and fur patterns.
4. Animal Safari : Functioning as both a scientific and vocabulary exercise, this game is perfectly suitable for very young audiences that teaches them the proper names of various popular animals.
5. What’s My Class? : More advanced young children may enjoy What’s My Class? if they want to learn about what animals qualify as what taxonomic category.
6. Animal Spot : This very easy matching game appropriate for the preschool set asks children to look at a pair of horns, coat pattern, or tail and pick the corresponding species.
7. Space Watch : Explore the Solar System with Space Watch, an interactive odyssey with excellent artwork and information on every planet.
8. Animal Tracks : Budding outdoors enthusiasts will have quite a bit of fun with this game that asks users to match animals with their respective footprints.
9. Space Patrol : The Space Patrol needs to save Planet X229, and the only way to do so is with a basic knowledge of the universe.
10. The Heart Facts : Learn all the fundamentals of one of animal life’s most integral organs and eventually test memory retention with an informative quiz.
11. Pet Party : Responsibility, pet care, and basic biology all factor into this unique game revolving around how to properly keep an animal companion safe, happy, and healthy.
12. Birds of a Feather : Any child fascinated by the birds flitting about outside will enjoy matching a series of birds up with their appropriate habitats as well as their shadows.
13. Fun Science : The life cycle of both plants and animals comprise the content of this game, where the objective involves placing different points in development in the proper chronological order.
14. Computer Whiz! : Computer Whiz! makes for a lovely educational tool revolving around the history of computers and technology.
15. Incredible Edibles : Teach kids all the fundamentals of proper nutrition and food science with this informative game that starts them on the road to healthy lifestyle choices early.
16. Earth Day : Pollution and its negative impact on the environment inspired this game, which asks kids to find the factors that cause contamination and hurt the planet.
17. Food Groups : Another nutritious game, this one involves dragging different foods into containers identifying the 6 food groups.
18. Element Lab : Discover the Periodic Table of Elements – the very core of chemistry – by matching different substances with their respective symbols.
19. Fun in the Garden : Home economics, botany, and food science collide with Fun in the Garden, which teaches children how to differentiate between fruits and vegetables.
20. Hungry Monkey : Appropriate for preschoolers and kindergartners, Hungry Monkey illustrates the differences between different types of fruits.
Apples4theteacher.com
21. Mammal Match : Participants are asked to match up a given animal with its appropriate sound, making for an excellent introduction for children interested in how other mammals communicate with one another.
22. Space Vocabulary Memory Game : Build a kid’s vocabulary and understanding of the universe beyond Earth with this simple memory game, which asks them to match a word with its corresponding picture.
23. Hangman Game : The classic game of hangman gets a biological makeover, and children playing this updated version walk away with a greater knowledge of animal classifications.
Weather Channel Kids
24. WeatherREADY Emergency Supplies : In this extremely useful resource, users must scramble to find the appropriate emergency supplies for instances of severe weather before the clock runs out.
25. WeatherREADY Severe Weather Challenge : Another excellent scientific and safety lesson for children from the Weather Channel, this game aims for an older set and teaches them about how to react to severe, potentially dangerous conditions such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, blizzards, and other forces of nature.
Discovery Kids
26. Make a Volcano : Learn all of the fundamentals regarding one of the most awe-inspiring – yet painfully devastating – geological formations on the planet with a fantastically detailed and informative game on all the different types of volcanoes and their eruptions.
27. Darcy’s Wild Life Quiz : A quick little overview of animal life that asks some rather advanced questions of older participants fascinated by zoology.
28. Stinky Animals Quiz : Another fun, low-pressure quiz for kids to enjoy, this time focusing on some of the more pungent beasts in the biosphere.
29. Shark Quiz : Sharks enjoy quite a bit of popularity amongst the younger set due to their sheer power and dangerous, mysterious habitat. With this short quiz, they can learn more about the giant cartilaginous fish they love so much.
30. Penguin Quiz : Children also enjoy the waddling quirkiness of penguins, and they can test their knowledge of these beloved birds against a series of short multiple-choice and true-or-false questions.
31. Croc Quiz : Fans of crocodiles and other large reptiles may find a bit of fun and enjoyment with this brief quiz that challenges everything they know about the animal.
Magic School Bus
32. Gets an Earful : Alongside Mrs. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus gang, children can learn about how sound works by matching up a noise with its appropriate maker.
33. Maze Craze : This engaging and extremely fun gave requires participants to navigate through a maze, picking up plants and animals to place in their proper environments along the way.
34. Monster Bugs : Educating and nurturing creativity are the two main goals of Monster Bugs, which asks kids to identify the proper body parts for certain bugs as well as create their own unique critters.
35. Pop Quizzes : Children have 8 different fun quizzes to choose from based on their areas of scientific interest, including insects, space, and the human body.
36. Space Chase : Mrs. Frizzle sends out clues regarding her location, and participants need to pick the planet based on her hints.
37. The Great Habitat Match-Up : Another game revolving around placing animals in their corresponding habitats.
38. The Adventures of Weatherlizard : Venerable Magic School Bus mascot Liz asks a series of questions regarding tornadoes, thunderstorms, and blizzards.
Energy Quest
39. Watt’s That?! : Host Flip Switch offers up a game show-style quiz asking questions about electricity, energy, and how to conserve them.
40. Watt’s That?! Jr. : With 6 different styles to choose from, a younger audience has another opportunity to learn about how power is generated and how it may be best preserved.
41. Test Your Energy IQ : Through California Energy Commission’s official website, the U.S. Department of Energy offers up two brief quizzes on conservation and generation.
KS2 Bitesize
42. Changing state : The BBC hosts a slew of games on its KS2 Bitesize site, and this one focuses on how matter can shift from a liquid to a solid to a gas – and back again.
43. Characteristics of Materials : Receive a quick overview of the different properties of some common materials such as glass and metal with this interesting little game.
44. Gases, liquids and solids : Another interactive activity regarding the different properties of matter, this time asking for participants to correctly categorize items as a solid, a liquid, or a gas.
45. Keeping warm : Children learn all the basics of heat transfer and warmth with this informative resource that asks them to find the best possible insulator in different situations.
46. Different changes : Receive a brief education in chemical and physical changes by trying to differentiate between the two with a series of varying scenarios.
47. Rocks and soils : Budding geologists get a chance to play with virtual rocks and understand their properties and categorizations.
48. Solids and liquids : Discover the very fundamental physics of hot and cold by achieving an objective demanding participants to find the freezing and melting point of various substances.
49. Living Things : These 10 mini-games cover everything from basic biology to health-related issues, with something to offer almost any interest.
50. Physical Processes : With 10 more games, participants can receive an education in the fundamental principles that drive the physical world.
Miscellaneous
51. Why Gravity Causes Things to Fall : Physics factors into this painless, easy game that has users drop balls from different famous landmarks and generates a real-time approximation of the event.
52. 4th Grade Magnetism and Electricity Review : Aimed at 4th graders, the Magnetism and Electricity Review allows at least 2 players to compete in related trivia.
53. Chemical and Physical Change Lab : Offered through Ohio University, the Chemical and Physical Change Lab helps participants learn how to tell the two different matter transitions apart.
54. Ocean Trivia Machine : This enjoyable little game generates a series of questions regarding oceanography for up to 2 players.
55. The Incredible Megacell : Kids who love biology will find plenty to love about this interactive activity, which educates them on all the different parts of a cell.
56. Who Wants to Win $1,000,000? – The Science Game : Compete against other students with a series of questions regarding all different areas of science – not for real money, however.
57. Lights Out! : Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFLs in a harried race against a burning house that also serves as a lesson in conserving energy.
58. Hot Stuff : Play 3 quick, traditional true-false, word scramble, and matching games relating to geothermal energy. All of the answers can be found elsewhere on the website.
59. Quiz Your Noodle: Astounding Animals : National Geographic offers up a great little quiz game feature facts about some of the most popular animals on the planet.
60. Cloud Matching Game : This simple matching game asks kids to pair up pictures of clouds with their respective labels in a quick meteorological lesson.
With these 60 games – and the myriad others available free of charge over the internet – both educators and parents alike can illustrate the basic principles of many areas of scientific studies in a way that engages children without talking down to or completely boring them. Whether they enjoy or need a leg up in geology, physics, chemistry, biology, or other studies, there is a game out there to help guide them through all the necessary fundamentals.
Source: MRI Technician Schools by Janet Murray janet.murray83@gmail.com
Tags: Education, Parenting, Parenting Blogs, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Science Games, Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff: The F-Word in Florida Education
by Sue Scheff on Feb 10, 2010
Every February, parents and students alike cringe when they hear that dreaded four-letter word – FCAT.
What exactly is the FCAT? According tot he Florida Department of Education, the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, or FCAT, is part of the state’s overall place to increase student achievement by implementing higher standards. The FCAT, administered to students in Grades 3-11, consists of criterion-referenced tests (CRT) in mathematics, reading, science, and writing, which measure student progress toward meeting the Sunshine State Standards (SSS) benchmarks.
Because the state uses the results for a variety of purposes, including student retention and school funding, a great deal of emphasis is placed on the FCAT. This can be quite stressful for both the children and the parents.
Some tips were supplied by Weston teachers and school counselors in Our City Weston.
- Practice makes perfect. It is beneficial for parents to provide an opportunity for daily FCAT practice.
- Consider tutoring. If your child needs extra help, take advantage of after-school tutoring and Saturday FCAT camps. Ask your schools about the times.
- Encourage “active reading.” This means reading with a pen or pencil in hand. Use your Post-It notes to designate spots you need to review or that need attention.
- Find the “proof.” Encourage your children to find the proof that answers are correct. Referring to text for textual support.
- Don’t skip school. Emphasize good attendance and punctuality for your child.
- Read test questions carefully.
- Instill confidence. According to the American School Counselor Association the most important thing a parent can do is encourage their child to do his or her best. Tell them you are proud of them.
February 9-11th the FCAT Writes exam starts. The reading, math and science exams start on March 9-19th. For more information visit Florida Dept of Education.
Being an educated parent will help you have prepared children!
Read more on Examiner.
Tags: Education, FCAT, Florida Education, Parenting, parenting advice, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff: Fathers Participating in School with Kids
by Sue Scheff on Nov 27, 2009
Source: Connect with Kids– Danny Montalvo, Father
The Obama Administration is holding a series of forums this fall about fatherhood and the roll that dad can play within the school. Studies show that moms outnumber dads 12 to one in the PTA and yet when dads get involved their child’s grades go up.
Andrew’s dad goes to school often. And when Andrew gets home, his dad helps with homework.
Andrew, who’s now 11, says, “He’s like, the best Dad in the world.”
But visiting his son’s school hasn’t always been easy for Danny Montalvo. Danny says, “When I first started doing this years ago it was very, very, scary. You know, I would go in and go places, and there were just moms there. I always felt like I was the odd man out.”
Research from the U.S. Department of Education shows when fathers visit the classroom and attend school events…their children get higher grades and are more likely to graduate.
Allan Kennedy, a licensed professional counselor in Atlanta says, “I think it also helps the teacher’s perception of the student, when the dad is involved.”
The research shows having dad at school even helps kids who don’t live with their fathers. Kennedy says, “Particularly in a situation where mom and dad can still communicate effectively, his involvement in the school, even though he’s not at home at night maybe to do all the homework with the child, research shows real clearly that the number of young men getting A’s in a class is almost double, then when just the single mother does it by herself.”
He says, at first, it’s normal for dads to feel uncomfortable at school. “However, the more you get involved and push through that discomfort, the more comfortable you will feel, obviously, and the more that your son will see that comfort level growing, and the more he’ll believe in the importance of having you there,” says Kennedy.
Studies show that the risk of juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, sexual abuse, early pregnancy and dropping out of high school is six times higher for children whose biological fathers are not part of their lives. Other research indicates fathers who are interested in their children’s activities increase the chances that they will stay involved with those activities. Consider the following:
?Girls who grow up without a biological father are likely to physically mature faster, reach puberty at a younger age than their peers and have earlier pregnancies.
?The most significant influences on children’s choices of how they spent their free time were their own personalities and their parents’ interest in their activities.
Taking an active role in school activities, such as PTA meetings, is just one way fathers can get more involved in their children’s lives. Most children yearn for two parents. And most parents would agree that parenting is one job that requires more than one adult. New research supports these ideas.
Seventy percent of men between the ages of 21 and 39 say they are willing to give up some pay for time with their families. A recent poll indicates that the majority of men today are more involved in childrearing and maintaining their households than their fathers ever were.
Fathers may find the time when their children reach puberty to be difficult or uncomfortable. But their continued interest and support is essential for their children’s healthy development. Children gain positive reinforcement from fathers who express interest in their various activities. A father’s presence is especially significant during adolescence. Consider the following:
?Young children may take the absence of their father as a personal rejection. They begin to think their dad is not around because there’s something wrong with them.
?It’s more important for a dad to be at home and around for his kid’s extracurricular activities than putting in inordinate hours at the office. Dad’s presence is more desirable to a child than life’s luxuries.
?Parents, and especially fathers, influence their children throughout middle adolescence.
?Parental participation transcends gender and relates to a mutual respect and admiration between the parent and child.
?It is necessary for all parents and children to participate in enjoyable experiences together.
?HealthDay
?Psychology Today
?Time Magazine
?USA Today
Tags: Connect with Kids, Education, Fathers Participation, parenting advice, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Schools, Teen Depression
Sue Scheff: Students Getting Paid for Good Grades?
by Sue Scheff on Nov 06, 2009
We have read about this and heard about this controversy lately. Like with many situations, there are several sides of the story. Many can remember being rewarded for a good report card, however today it almost seems like we are paying our kids to do well – in reality, shouldn’t they want to be successful so someday they will earn their own money? Let’s not answer that – today’s society is a new generation. I am not speaking about all teens, however the sense of entitlement has reached a level that is disturbing to many parents and teachers.
Here is a recent article from Connect with Kids that offers boths sides of this issue as well as some tips.
Source: Connect with Kids
A Little Incentive
“Money is a good incentive for kids to have especially if the don’t have any previous motivation.”
– Jeremiah, 17 years old
Schools in some of the biggest cities in America- Washing D.C., Chicago, New York City- are trying to motivate kids in school with money, giving them cash for good grades. And in some schools it’s working. Nearly forty percent boost in test scores. But, of course, it’s not without controversy.
Kids have a lot to say about getting paid for getting good grades. Is money the great academic incentive?
“I wouldn’t be mad if the school paid me twenty bucks for each “A” that I received,” says Timothy.
Seventeen-year old Lauren says, “I’ve been paid for getting good grades since I was younger.”
“I think it’s an okay thing. There should be a reward for getting good grades,” says William, 16.
But should that reward be money?
“I feel that might be a good incentive for students to make good grades. However, that might increase cheating,” says Amanda.
Some kids say money for grades is a bad idea because the emphasis is misplaced.
“I think that’s kinda crazy because kids should do well because they want to do good in life,” says Matthew, 17.
Fourteen-year old Elizabeth agrees: “Well, I think it kind of loses sight of the goals that schools try to teach you because schools try to teach you to work hard so you get into a good college, so you get a good job.”
Education has never been more important. So, what is wrong with a little incentive, even if it is money?
“It may get some short-term results because it’s a novel idea. It’s something that’s tangible,” says Peter Zervakos, a high school principal. “It’s a quick reward. Everyone enjoys money.”
But Zervakos says consistently rewarding kids with money could create a “what’s in it for me?” attitude.
“At what point does the person learn that you’ve got to do things simply because that’s your responsibility?” says Zervakos.
He says kids need to be internally motivated. They need to be reminded that with or without rewards, working hard for grades is what is expected of them. But he concedes kids do need a little recognition every now and then for a job well done.
William thinks that’s a good idea. “It’s nice to have a little incentive along the way, just to keep you going.”
Gold stars and smiley face stickers, once the rewards for good grades, have been replaced with cold, hard cash. The Sparks Program, in New York City, pays 7th grades up to $500 and 4th graders up to $250 for their performance on 10 assessments. Since its inception last year, students have improved their scores in state tests by as much as 40 percentage points.
For example, at PS 188 on the Lower East Side, 76 percent of fourth-graders met or exceeded state benchmarks in English — 39.6 percentage points higher than last year, when the kids were in third grade.
At MS 343 in The Bronx, 94 percent of seventh-graders met or surpassed state standards in math this year — 37.3 points higher than last year, when the students were sixth-graders.
Many parents agree with the school officials and say giving children money for exceptional work is simply a reflection of the business world. Parents feel hard working students deserve to be rewarded monetarily, just as adults are, and that cash is an appropriate incentive as long as it brings home the good grades. In fact, many parents use money as an incentive at home as well, with each “A” earning $10 and each “B” $5.
Other parents disagree. They feel students should strive to succeed to get ahead in life, not to receive cash. Many believe teachers, schools and parents are sending the wrong message and that students should not grow up expecting to earn rewards for tasks naturally expected of them. The argument is that it is a child’s duty and responsibility to earn good grades and money should not be the motivation.
Tips for Parents
Is it a good idea to give cash in exchange for good grades? That is something each family must discuss and decide. Evaluate your teen’s grades. If the grades are good, continue with the plan you are using. If the grades could use some improvement, take the opportunity to discuss the importance of good grades. Explain how good grades will help them children into the college of their choice.
If this does not work, consider a reward system. Ask them what they would like to receive for grades. If money seems to be the best motivator, but you are not comfortable handing over cash for them to “blow,” you do have some options that will motivate and educate.
One option is to take the opportunity to teach your teen the value of a dollar. Family Education Network suggest the following tips:
- Once a dollar amount is established, sit down with your teen and establish a money management program or financial plan.
- Begin by designating 35 percent of their “grade money” as free spending money. This would be theirs to do spend as they wish. At least half, in this example 65 percent, must be saved.
- Your teen can open their own savings account, or if you are stock and mutual fund savvy, try to get them investing early and on a regular basis.
- Have your teen give a percentage, 10 percent for example, to charity.
If you are uncomfortable with rewarding good grades, consider other options for helping them achieve academic success. One of the most important things you can do to help your teen succeed in school is to become involved. Consider the following ideas suggested by the American Federation of Teachers:
- Know your child’s school family. The teacher is the primary player in your child’s school environment, but there are others (such as counselors and librarians) who make a valuable contribution. Attending parent-teacher conferences, open-school nights and other events are the best way to get acquainted with these important people.
- Expect success at school. Children work best when they know what you expect of them. Discuss these expectations with your children — expectations for good grades, attendance and study habits. Encourage them to take courses that will challenge them, but not overwhelm them. For example, high school students usually can choose from several English courses and several mathematics courses. Discuss these and other course options with your children. Make sure they are choosing courses that will interest and challenge them.
- View unsatisfactory grades as an opportunity. All parents want their children to receive good marks and advance to the next grade, but do not expect a teacher to give your children a grade or honor that they have not deserved. Make it clear to your child that grades are not ”given” – they are earned. If your child receives an unsatisfactory report card, use this as an opportunity to restate your own commitment to high standards. Discuss with your child (and the teacher) what he or she will need to do differently to improve the grade and advance to the next level.
- Help your child keep pace. Absences, family problems and other distractions make it difficult for a student to keep up with lessons and assignments during the school day. Ask a teacher if your school district offers after-school tutoring, summer programs or other activities that can prevent your child from falling behind.
- Monitor your teen’s part-time job. For many teenagers, holding a part-time job is an important rite of passage into adulthood. It teaches students about the working world and how to manage money. But a part-time job can cut into study time and add to the stress of teen years. Grades can fall, and attendance can suffer.
References
- American Federation of Teachers
- Family Education Network
- Miami Herald
- New York Post
Tags: Connect with Kids, Education, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Resources, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Studying, Sue Scheff, Teen Help, Teen Study Skills
