Intro:
In times of struggle, lay-offs, and money being cinched so tight we can barely breathe, this generation (and those before it) have to wonder "Where do I go from here?"
Growing up, I thought that was an easy question like a lot of people, and like most of those people I found out how wrong I was. I went from wanting to be a veterinarian to scientist with Pre-Med intentions and finally landed in a Psychology Major and Minor in Communications. I've wondered how I ended up in this field. Oddly enough if was by asking the following questions that were presented to me by a professor:
Questions:
1. Can a computer do it faster?
-Well I would certainly like to see a computer psychoanalyze problems and fix the world for us, but I think that is a ways off. However, computers are now able to do a lot of things in the science fields and have greatly improved the animal medicine field as well.
2. Is what I'm offering in demand in an age of abundance?
- Not exactly, but if the Stock Market ever crashes again, I'm pretty sure people like me will be needed to help people. (At least I hope so). Also, it's human nature to feel things either positive or negative, I'm just a tool to be used to let people know how/when/why people may have crossed lines of overly positive or negative.
3. Can someone overseas do it cheaper?
- Well in their country, sure. However, I don't think (recently looking at ticket prices) that bringing people over to the US is all too cheap.
Pause:
So, yes *clap clap* Yay for choosing a major that a computer can't replace. However, what does the future hold for this Major that has a minor piece in society. Some people call Psychology a pseudo science (Mind you, that is far from true) and others rebel against that stereotype. What I'm asking is what employers will ask everyone "What do you have to offer that no one else can?"
My Tools of the 'Trade':
To be honest with you, when it comes to design, story, and symphony to the work I would like to do, I have no idea where to go.
However, with the other three it is what my work is supposed to be based around? Trying to empathize while spacing one's self away from the situation?
Playing around and goofing off to make people more relaxed?
Then getting right to why they are there in the first place and getting them away from that plateau?
Conclusion:
All I know is that I want to reach people, and that's as basic as it gets. I like analyzing and understanding things. It is the best way I know how to help. This may sound selfish, but getting right down to a person's basic side and right to the fruit of who they are makes me feel more accomplished than most things. A person at their basic is the most complex thing anyone can experience.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
LEAP VS NCLB
Think back to High School. Your feet are kicked up, friends are chit chatting, and the room has the usually beige or white walls that are beyond standard along with the smell of chalk and eraser burn. It's the end of the day and you just want to go jump in your car and get out there. When it happens. Your teacher comes in with that grin that can only come from comic books. It's big, wide and creepy making you reminisce back to the first time you saw Batman's Joker. They stride across the room and shut the window, continuing that grin. "Crap" is all you can think. You know what's coming.
"Class, in the next week, we are going to be starting on our Standardized Tests. If you don't get a decent grade, then not only does the school suffer, but the school will make sure you suffer as well."
You have been trained most of your school life for this. Teachers are freaked because their jobs, funding for the school and students' grades are riding on this. However, some of the more twisted ones, who like torturing their students are elated.
In West Virginia, pre 2002, we had the WES TEST. Then came in No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and now Liberal Education and America's Promise (LEAP) is starting to make some waves. Standardized testing has become popular, and here is a look at two programs that claim they want to help make public schools a better place for everyone.
No Child Left Behind:
Enacted: January 8, 2002
By: George W. Bush
Proposes:
That all students will help children 'make the grade on state-defined education standards by the
end of the 2013–14 school year." (US Department of Education 2004 with their explanation of how NCLB is supposed to work)
It also implies that parents, teachers, and other staff members will have a say in what happens at 'their' school if it appears that it is in need of an educational boost. Along with that, they are saying (on more flexible spending) "In exchange for strong accountability, No Child Left Behind gives states and districts more flexibility in the use of their federal education funding".
Along with all of the other great things NCLB does is that it is supposed to support America's Teachers, bring better report cards in, and allow for schools with problems to get better teachers.
Before I go any further, I just want to say that this is a nice idea. It would be great if NCLB actually did what it was supposed to do, and it looks fantastic on paper. However, the biggest problem with the program is that it does not take into account children with handicaps or the fact that now teachers are being forced into teach what the government wants them to teach.
Back when I was in school, I honestly learned so much more when the teachers were in 'their element'. Pigeon holing them is really not a great way to go when they're on pins and needles about not only their funding getting cut, but the fact that the are at risk for being fired if the students are not 'up to par'.
So instead of redoing this Legislation, there is another idea circulating around with LEAP. Here is what they are trying to do:
LEAP:
Established: 2005-ongoing
By: Ronald A. Crutcher
Proposes:
"Class, in the next week, we are going to be starting on our Standardized Tests. If you don't get a decent grade, then not only does the school suffer, but the school will make sure you suffer as well."
You have been trained most of your school life for this. Teachers are freaked because their jobs, funding for the school and students' grades are riding on this. However, some of the more twisted ones, who like torturing their students are elated.
In West Virginia, pre 2002, we had the WES TEST. Then came in No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and now Liberal Education and America's Promise (LEAP) is starting to make some waves. Standardized testing has become popular, and here is a look at two programs that claim they want to help make public schools a better place for everyone.
No Child Left Behind:
Enacted: January 8, 2002
By: George W. Bush
Proposes:
That all students will help children 'make the grade on state-defined education standards by the
end of the 2013–14 school year." (US Department of Education 2004 with their explanation of how NCLB is supposed to work)
It also implies that parents, teachers, and other staff members will have a say in what happens at 'their' school if it appears that it is in need of an educational boost. Along with that, they are saying (on more flexible spending) "In exchange for strong accountability, No Child Left Behind gives states and districts more flexibility in the use of their federal education funding".
Along with all of the other great things NCLB does is that it is supposed to support America's Teachers, bring better report cards in, and allow for schools with problems to get better teachers.
Before I go any further, I just want to say that this is a nice idea. It would be great if NCLB actually did what it was supposed to do, and it looks fantastic on paper. However, the biggest problem with the program is that it does not take into account children with handicaps or the fact that now teachers are being forced into teach what the government wants them to teach.
Back when I was in school, I honestly learned so much more when the teachers were in 'their element'. Pigeon holing them is really not a great way to go when they're on pins and needles about not only their funding getting cut, but the fact that the are at risk for being fired if the students are not 'up to par'.
So instead of redoing this Legislation, there is another idea circulating around with LEAP. Here is what they are trying to do:
LEAP:
Established: 2005-ongoing
By: Ronald A. Crutcher
Proposes:
- Essential learning outcomes—as a guiding vision and national benchmarks for college learning and liberal education in the 21st century
- High-Impact educational practices—that help students achieve essential learning outcomes
- Authentic Assessments—probing whether students can apply their learning to complex problems and real-world challenges
- Inclusive Excellence—to ensure that every student gets the benefits of an engaged and practical liberal education. (Found through LEAP's home page)
Instead of using Standardized testing where it's nothing but a bunch of 'bubble testing'. LEAP is trying to use other methods that include real life. Making sure that students can keep up with today's college standards as well as focusing on figuring out complexities.
The difference between these two is simple. One is giving us tests that force a certain style of teaching (NCLB) where as the other is giving more of fluid approach. Personally I feel that using LEAP may be more beneficial if students are trying to solve real world problems. I mean, that is what we're supposed to be doing isn't it? Preparing students for life?
So let's go back to the scenario of preparing for a foul Standardized Test while you're sitting in that classroom. The teacher presents you with a choice. You can go for the test that has Scan Tron Sheets or you can take the test that let's you think and apply what you've learned through experiences with your class mates. Which would you choose?
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