Is Traditional Education Better Than Technology-Based Education?

This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding education. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about education.

On-line education is in trend nowadays. In the future, students may have the opportunity to study at home with computers rather than go to traditional schools like what we are used to doing. And in some cases online education is the only way available.

The most common on-line form of education today is English tutorials. As of now, students and tutors use IM (instant messaging), headset and web camera as the path of communication and of education. Is this the better option?

People must prefer the traditional way because in a classroom setting, students can learn and socialize with their peers. Also, from the instructor, he or she can teach students many valuable lessons of life which cannot be learned through technology. It is like the question of doing research through the library or the internet. Both have advantages and disadvantages but traditional education has the numerous advantages over on-line education.

It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of education is no exception. There are always fresh and new ideas about education.

Students learn better socially and academically in a classroom. Students are mostly young-aged. Therefore, they are generally interested in meeting and being with their peers. As they interact, it makes it easier for them to pay focus and learn. As social creatures, one could not just stay secluded and educate his own self. That is impossible! We live, grow, learn and succeed with people along the way.

Besides lecture materials, a classroom instructor teaches many other important life lessons. Students can learn and develop punctuality and good study habits. A teacher serves as a guide through education process which is a big part of life. Another important mission is to direct youth out of trouble. There is this bond between the instructor and the students which could not be built on-line. As the source of education, a teacher is not around just to introduce books and exams but also, he or she is selfless enough to share the lessons life taught her or him.

We must prefer to study at traditional schools and let us send our children there. It is because being around other people of our age or different ages gives us the opportunity to socialize and learn not only from the internet or books but from the society and from life. We could also learn other things which are important to education such as study skills. On-line education or any form of technology-based education is convenient. However, let us not risk quality. Long-term goals must always be prioritized.

And of course the other thing would be peer pressure and the competitive spirit of being the best in the classroom. A little competition is always good.

No matter how advanced technology would be- there will always be these things that would stay best if they would be maintained as is. One of these things is education.

Is there really any information about education that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.

I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you. The bottom line remains the same. I still believe that in my honest opinion, traditional education is the best, and always will be. But the most important thing is to get more education, any way that you can. Your learning process should be ongoing--the more you understand about any subject, the more you will be able to share with others. Your life will improve for you and your loved ones.

See You in America

I remember when I was in high school, my friends and I used to talk about life in other countries especially in America. We found that place very interesting. We actually dreamed of going there someday.

That was our high school dream. A dream that seemed impossible due to limited financial resources, but we were hoping that this dream would come true. After all, life is full of surprises. We never know what’s in store for us. Who knows, one of these days, one of us will be there?

After high school graduation, my friends and I were discussing our future plans as to colleges or universities where we would pursue our studies. Some of us stayed here in Laguna while others went to Manila. Caryll and I enrolled at Letran-Calamba. I was about to take Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, but then I decided to take Accountancy, the course which Caryll and Anne took before I did. After the first semester, Anne shifted to Psychology but Caryll and I decided to finish the course. We remained classmates in college.

It was 1997 when she told me that she’ll soon leave for Chicago. I tried to convince her not to go there because she may find it difficult to adjust to a new environment and find new friends; but since she’s fluent in English, I’m sure she can easily communicate with the people there. But the real reason why I was convincing her not to go is that I never want to loose my BESTFRIEND. I have been her best and Dark Artist, and she has been my Great Wall. I wanted to stay that way. She has provided me a shoulder to lean on and she doesn’t hesitate to help me when I need it.

It has almost been a year since she and her family left. We managed to keep in touch through phone calls, letters and e-mails; our friendship remains despite great distance.

Now, I’m hoping to graduate this coming April, with a degree of BS Accountancy, I owe it all to her. In the midst of confusion, she enlightened me, pushed me up, encouraged, and supported me. I made it because of her. I promised her that I would finish this course. A few months from now, I’ll be able to tell her that I finally did.

I still have several units in my curriculum this year because I’m a working student. I decided to take another degree course to fill up my time and focus more on my studies. My batch mates had graduated last April 2001. Busy with their chosen career, I rarely see them. I feel lonely and alone.

It was the Colegio’s Foundation Day celebration. I went to the library and spent some of my time there while my friends and classmates were busy with their graduation practice. In the library I saw Kyle, a classmate in Filipino. I remember he used to receive special treatment from our professor because he’s an American citizen.

We developed a best friendship. We used to call each other as “kuya”, and we treated each other as such. We became best friends and shared many things in common, yet every time I remembered that he’s an American citizen, I can’t help but think that he would soon leave me… Again!

It’s difficult for us to part ways. We used to share happy moments together and that’s because of real friendship. In the end, we have to accept that nothing is permanent in this world. We may not see each other after graduation but we promised to keep the friendship in our hearts. I’m going to stay here and Kuya Kyle will soon live in California. Another good friend is about to leave me.

At present, I’m very busy with my college life, with my affiliations, and with my work. I have so many plans after graduation – take the board exam, be a CPA and work abroad particularly in America.

I am very lucky to have so many friends who form part of my dreams. Wherever I go, never did I forget that they are the best collections in my life, the best ART I’ve ever painted by reason of being real, true, and worthy to be treasured forever. If my dreams will soon come true, I just want to send a bagful of thanks for the support and pieces of advice they had given me.

Caryll and Kuya Kyle are just two of my best friends. I am happy here in the Philippines with my family and other friends. Time will come that we’ll soon see each other again. I have no doubt that someday; somehow, our roads will cross and meet again. Maybe not here in the Philippines. Who knows, by God’s grace, I may see them in America. (The Knight, 2002)

Education In America After No Child Left Behind: Where Do We Go From Here?

Public schools play a vital role in shaping this nation's future. As I write this article, we are about to elect a new President. It is probable that a change in administration will result in a new policy effecting education. The direction and quality of this policy will have a lasting effect on our public schools and on our nation as a whole. So where do we go from here?

At this moment, sitting in a classroom somewhere in America is a future Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffet, and Martha Stewart. Will these students have the necessary tools to rise to the top of their profession or will we become dependent on other countries to provide leadership in this global economy? Education may be the determining factor.

"The economy of the future will be dominated by industries in microelectronics, telecommunications, robotics and biotechnology – not to mention new fields that haven’t even been predicted." - NEA TODAY, March 2008

The essential focus in education must be to prepare American students for the challenge of the twenty-first century workplace. It is abundantly clear that our drop-out rate is too high and student performance levels are too low. Identifying these problems may be the first step toward a solution but current solutions simply don't work. Under NCLB, academic testing has become the main focus for education reform. An emphasis on test results has forced educators to direct their energy and resources directly toward teaching to these tests. The irony is that some career-related courses and arts programs that clearly motivate students to stay in school and perform have been weakened, or even eliminated, in the process. The pressure that this type of reform has placed on educators can negate innovation and creativity in the classroom. Current policy hinders the teacher's ability to inspire students.

Future planning for education must include a focus on changing technology and introduce the student to the necessity of lifelong learning. Programs like Tech-Prep, School-to-Work and Career Academies have successfully introduced these ideas to some high school students but have not gone far enough. No plan is complete without a delivery system that motivates and inspires students to learn. Such a plan must be implemented long before high school and have the potential to impact every student. When students are motivated to learn, test scores will rise. So where do we go from here?

A successful plan for education will include structured partnerships. As described in the book Facing the Future Together, educators should never plan or implement a program in isolation. Through structured partnerships with those who are stakeholders in education (business, industry and other agencies in the community) every program becomes stronger and every student benefits. Business and industry have an enormous stake in student achievement. Where will future customers, clients and skilled employees come from if not from the school system? Partnerships bring us closer as a community to address our common concerns and everyone benefits. Since we all have a stake in the student who exits our school system, the number of potential partners is almost limitless.

A successful school-business partnership is well structured, sustainable and clearly designed to show students the connection between education and the world beyond the school's walls. This approach brings relevance to learning and helps to keep students motivated and in school. As previously stated, students will perform better in class and score higher on tests if they understand the relevance of subject matter they are expected to learn.

Taking that first step toward building a successful partnership can be a challenge but the result is that everyone wins. As a new administration takes office in Washington D.C. and a new education policy is formulated we have an opportunity to gain some of the ground we have lost in recent years. Facing the future of education together as partners gives us a strong foundation to build upon.

America’s Need For Online Tutoring & Education

Education in today’s world is a must. No longer can the youth of today rely upon only a high school education to get them where they want to be in life. As a matter of fact, today’s 4-year college degree is becoming yesterday’s high school diploma. There are some specific reasons as to why this has happened. Students in America's educational system are growing at a rate that the schools are not able to keep up with. We can also look to America’s involvement in globalization. America has more international students studying in the states than ever before. This has created even more competition for the youth of America. Another aspect to look at is the life of students and resources available to them by the school. So what is being done now to help students deal with all these factors that have never before been an issue? The answer is online tutoring and education.

With the large growth in students throughout America, schools have struggled to keep with the basic needs. According to OnTheIssues, the population of students in grades K-12 is over 50 million. This number is and has been steadily rising by 1 million students per year. OnTheIssues also notes that school spending for grades K-12 is now at $260 billion per year. As the amount of students continues to increase, the amount of spending will also continue to increase. This is not the only factor that is affecting students in a negative way.

Many students today, high school and college, do not have the time to research for sources and help on-campus. Mainly because students today are working jobs while taking full-loads in school. This leaves minimal time to be able to take advantage of a school’s resources. Online tutoring and education is becoming the answer to this problem. WashingtonPost author, Mike Chediak, says that according to Sloan Consortium, more than 2.6 million students studied through online tutoring and educational courses last fall. This number is up from 1.9 million back in 2003, which is about a 23% growth rate in only one year.

It’s also important to look at the resources that are offered by schools. The main goal of education is to prepare students for a career path. In high school this is a general path and in college this is a much more specific path. It is estimated that only 25% of 4-year college graduates actually work in the field that they earned their degree. Since online tutoring and education is able to cover such a broad area, students are able to get the help they need, when they need it. Online tutoring and education is now offered by some programs over a 24-hour period, which completely caters to the student’s needs.

While schools are not keeping up with the resources to fully help their students, online tutoring and education is able to fill the gap. Many schools are starting to partner with online tutoring service companies so they can get their students the help they need. Online tutoring and education is a service that will continue to grow and thrive in the upcoming years for America.

Resources

Background on Education. On The Issues.
http://www.issues2000.org/Background_Education.htm

Chediak, Mark. Online Tutoring Part of Growing Trend. 16 Aug. 2005. Washington Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/15/AR2005081501265.html

The Sloan Consortium. Committed to Quality Online Education.

Education Tax Credits For Higher Education

Is higher education costing you a fortune? There may be a way to help pay for those costs with the help of education tax credits. What are education credits, who is eligible, and why should we take them? Well, let’s start with the first part of the question, and work our way to the end. Education credits are tax credits available for qualified education expenses paid by the taxpayer in the furthering of their education.

Qualified education expenses are defined as an expense paid during the tax year for tuition and fees required by an eligible educational institution for student enrollment and attendance. It really doesn’t matter how you pay these expenses, only that the expenses are valid. Now, let’s give some examples of expenses that are not qualified so that you can determine those that are qualified, and how you account for these expenses. Room and board, medical expenses, student health fees, transportation, personal living expense, insurance, course-related books, supplies, equipment, or any non-academic activity or non-credit course are not qualified expenses. What does this leave? Basically: tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at an accredited college, university, vocational or post secondary educational institution.

If you take a tax deduction for education expenses in any other area of the personal tax return, you cannot use that expense when figuring a Hope or Lifetime Learning credit. If you received tax-free assistance, such as a Pell Grant or scholarship, you must deduct that amount from your qualified expenses; however, most scholarships and Pell grant monies are taxable, so you may be taxed, but you can also get the tax credit. If you make any prepayments of tuition, you can use the prepaid amounts on your current year’s federal income tax return, provided you have followed all other guidelines.

Now, there are two different tax credits: the Hope credit and the Lifetime Learning credit. What are their differences? Well, first you cannot take them jointly; you must choose one or the other. The Hope credit can only be taken during the first two years of college, as defined by the educational institution, enrolled at least half time and cannot exceed $1500. The Lifetime Learning Credit maximum for 2005 is $2000. This credit can be used for undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees courses. It is not based on a student’s school workload which means it is allowed for one or more courses at an eligible school. It cannot be taken in conjunction with the Hope Credit, even if your expense exceeds the Hope limitations. If your expenses exceed the Hope limitation the first two years, simply include the excess on your Schedule A.

Your tax credits are also limited by your level of income, and your adjusted gross income totals. The higher the income the less tax credit the taxpayer receives. Credits could be reduced depending on your level of income and how you file, i.e. single, married, etc. So, when figuring these tax credits, you need to consider your current student status, your income levels, and your expense levels as Hope will expire after your second year of higher education. You can take any excess expense deductions under your itemized deduction expenses on Schedule A, when Hope or Lifetime Learning is at their maximums. On a side note, you can not claim either credit for a student named as a dependent on your tax return if you used the Tuition and Fees Adjustment for that same student so it is always advisable to seek professional tax help.

Who is eligible to take these tax credits? You are eligible as a taxpayer or eligible dependent of a taxpayer that was enrolled as a student in an eligible educational institution. If you can be claimed as someone’s dependent, they will be able to claim the education credit, not the dependent. Generally, dependent students’ expenses will be claimed by their parents or legal guardians. Now, here is an interesting note: if you are a student, and you cannot be claimed as someone’s dependent, only you can take the education credit; even if you are not the person paying the expense.

Why would you take the credit? I think a better question would be why would you not take the credit? In case you haven’t noticed, it can be very expensive to attend higher education classes. For anyone seeking to further their education, receive a degree, and pursue their dream, any federal income tax credit that can be taken, is a helping hand toward achievement of that dream. Today, without furthering your education, you’re almost positively sentenced to a lifetime of minimum wage earnings, and struggling to make ends meet. A college education is the fastest route still, to a better life, better wages, and the achievement of the American Dream.

Analyzing the Piano Keyboard Lesson

When is a piano keyboard lesson horrific? The answer is quite obvious. It’s horrific when a teacher is a total lunatic. How do we define total lunatic in terms of piano teaching technique? If the teacher cusses, hits, smashes anything or continually walks out of the room (and re-enters the room a few minutes later in a completely opposite, drug-induced mood), then it’s time to head for the hills.

When is a piano keyboard lesson wonderful? This enlightening scenario occurs when a teacher has a sense of responsibility, commitment and humor. It’s also desirable for a teacher to be able to demonstrate with ease any technical difficulties that may arise from a piece that is being learned by a student.

Many of my colleagues have had both types of teachers in the past, and have survived the ‘nightmare’ quite well. Alas, some students do not survive a bad teaching experience, in the sense that their hobby or potential career as a pianist gets shattered by a teacher with a horrific attitude. This situation beckons the question, “How does one survive an abusive teacher, or even a teacher of no inspiration and mediocre ability?” This is a tough question which deserves a fresh paragraph.

I have always followed the philosophy that one always learns something from a good or a bad teacher. Awful teachers are a shining example of qualities to be avoided in life’s future. Of course, the best option is to leave a bad teacher before they make life miserable for you. However, that is not always an immediate option, as is occasionally seen in our public and private school systems.

If the only short term option is to ‘tough it out’, as it were, then learning what a teacher is doing wrong is an education in itself, even if it is in unpleasant circumstances. Alas, a low quality teacher will usually have a few scattered bits of okay advice stashed away within all the garbage. If the stench can be ignored, perhaps little crumbs of good can come from an undesirable situation.

I’ve had teachers that have chain smoked (it used to be acceptable), hit knuckles, screamed unnecessarily, and taught while being intoxicated. It’s painfully hilarious to look back at this list and think that I became a professional musician with this type of background. However, as much as I hate to admit it, I did learn how not to teach from my second rate and mediocre teachers of the past.

Of course, I’ve had amazing teachers that I’ve certainly learned a lot more from, and I would have rather learned ‘disturbing methods of teaching and characteristics to be avoided’ from a manual, thus saving the heartache of learning from unsatisfactory tutors.

So why do some teachers develop a less than desirable attitude? It could be for any number of reasons. Perhaps the teacher in question is not a skilled communicator. Perhaps the skill level of the grumpy teacher’s instrumental technique is questionable. In both of these scenarios, a tutor may feel threatened if challenged by a student. It is also possible that an educator, for whatever reason, has grown intolerant or has become burnt out. Both of these situations should indicate red flags for students and their parents or guardians.

So when is a piano keyboard lesson completely and utterly satisfying? It’s satisfying when I teach it to a student who leaves the lesson with a smile on their face and a twinkle of inspiration in their eyes. That’s when!

How to Learn English Using Grammar Books

Grammar is one of the most essential things you should know when you learn to write proper English. It deals with the forms and structures of words and sentences. You should know the proper usage of such words. The best way to learn English grammar is not by using the dictionary but by using English grammar books.

It is best to learn English grammar in school wherein a teacher will really help you everyday but if you do not have the time and money, just make use of English grammar books. Aside from the fact that they are inexpensive compared to going to school, they are very reliable compared to the Internet.

First thing you should do is to choose the best book for you. Find the one that is easy for you to read and understand. You can ask for some help from the bookstore assistant. Do not just buy one book but buy a number of books since not all books have the same points. It is best to compare one with the other.

Second, make sure you really read and of course, understand the rules of writing proper English. Test yourself by writing several paragraphs and check the books you have bought for errors and correct them if there are any.

Ask some assistance from a friend who you know is good at English. Do not just let him correct your writing but ask him to explain as well. Try to understand everything he says, never hesitate to ask questions. Remember it is better to ask than to act as you know everything because you are the only one who benefits this.

Finally, try writing a whole article or essay and proofread everything. Make sure you are not bias with the checking of your work. Do the necessary corrections and write some comments. Read different articles and works of popular writers and understand them carefully. Learn from what they are doing and for sure, you will make a good writer.

English grammar books can really improve not only your English writing skills but your speaking skills as well. If you are good in writing, it does not necessarily mean that you are also good in speaking but you can be good at both if you are determined to be. By reading these books, you broaden your knowledge and you can make beautiful writings and eventually be a famous writer and a good speaker as well.

When you speak in your native tongue, the correct sentences seem to come right into you.

Reading a grammar book will help you to develop the intuition needed. Studying English is all about putting a good number of suitable sentences in your head. Your brain can then imitate them and produce similar English sentences to express the significance you are opting for. When you read and listen to English much, paying attention to English vocabulary, you will start soon to employ new words and expressions of English in your speech and writing.

If you ever followed English classes, you were probably invited to read a text and then to achieve a task related to it. The majority of the professors encourage students to read very quickly, to just obtain the precise force of the English text. You could think that this way your English will improve you, but you have other manners around.

Good writers not only rely on themselves, when it comes to write good copy, abstracts, documents, letters or even books. They rely on supportive tools, like advanced NLP grammar checkers.