Part 1
My PhD thesis was titled: Examining if there is a difference between traditional and online college students. Although my thesis concerned college students, many of the same principles apply to high school and elementary school. The main problem is the difference in the quality of education between the two forms of pedagogy [ped-uh-goh-jee, -goj-ee] noun, defined as; the role or job of a teacher; Teach the art or science of teaching and educational / instructional methodology.
Although my biography lists my title, I wanted to contribute my experience with the American School System. I spent my first 5 of 17 years enrolling in a classroom format. Instruction, teacher support, and support on campus was excellent; even though I was 52 when I started classes in 2000. I was surprised by the welcome I received from the younger students in my classes. As I was older, my classmates wanted to know what I thought they should and should not do, regarding their choices, not just class, but often their life choices.
This is an axiom of all students, whether they are at the university, secondary or elementary level. While these students, especially when they reach adolescence, and (they think their parents are idiots), they will hear the influence of an outside adult. So my advice to parents is to first find an adult who values education and ask him or her to be your 2North Dakota teacher. If the child knows early what the true meaning and possibilities are for his future, (at an early age), he will learn that taking the time to research and consider risk management in his decisions will produce better options for him in that future. !
I would like to expand my statement regarding my enrollment in a classroom format. Not only does the student receive face-to-face instruction, but more importantly, they can receive the instructions when the subject does not make any sense to the student. Face-to-face instruction allows the teacher to spend QUALITY time with the student, where he / she can understand the student and adjust his / her curriculum to suit students Emotional and Physical Adagio [e-‘da-j(e-)o] noun, defined as; at a slow pace or pace!
As noted numerous times over many years, additional benefits are gained from social interaction and bonding with students. The advantage of our children exercising and learning sportsmanship and fair play has been greatly underestimated by our local, state, and especially federal governments. This is demonstrated by the cuts in the financing of social and sports activities. This has created a medium [meel-YOO] noun, defined as; a surrounding culture and environment, where true education has taken a back seat to financing military weapons for our police. Hence, a pay cut for school teachers and our local school districts.
Today, many parents view elementary and middle school teachers as nothing more than well-educated babysitters and fail to take advantage of the opportunities given to them to have a voice in what happens in their children’s education. This is evident from the many jokes that are made about “parent-teacher conferences.” In my opinion, all parents (or at least one parent) should be required to attend these opportunities to monitor what and how our students should learn.
For the next few weeks I will be reviewing the amalgam [e-MAL-gem] defined as; a mix or combination of physical educational opportunities versus online learning. Next week I’ll talk about obfuscation. [ob·fus·cat·ing] verb, defined as; to make dark or unclear, the advantages (small) and the disadvantages (large) of total online educational formats, instruction, teacher support, and campus support.
Dr. Edward J. Archives, AGS, AAS, BSM, Emba, Ed.D. (dual concentrations in organizational and leadership development)