Education Triad: Bricks and Mortar, Online Learning and Tests

Is it fair to say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing?  One way or the other to obtain knowledge is an achievement.  The point rests in using it wisely.

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There is no denying that the world has seen progress in the tools that are used for learning.  The arithmetic department is of interest.   We have advanced from using self, fingers, sticks, stones and bottle caps as aids to the use of a calculator, the revolutionary tool of subtle cheating and the root of mathematical evil.  I have experienced advancing from writing on slates with slate pencils to typing on a computer, one of mankind’s amazing feats.

We have also seen progress with the methods in teaching and conducting tests.  For example, there has been a major effort in our fast-paced world to steer away from essay type answers and instead present test takers with a platter of answers called multiple-choice.  This has encouraged some people to choose an answer with the help of the popular nursery rhyme eeny, meeny, mino, mo.  The guidelines of yesteryear such as when in doubt leave it alone or skip to the next question and then go back later are no longer appealing to test takers.   Most obviously, as the insatiable thirst for education increases so do the features in technology.   One such feature is online studying or virtual classrooms.  The physical location, or bricks and mortar, is no longer the sole place to impart or receive education. 

 

 

 

In the upsurge of online learning, the laptop computer has become one of the most sought after apparatus.  It allows mobility.  As a matter of fact some people jokingly refer to it as mobile school and office, a vital part of progress.  The perfect mantra with such progress should be “Do it anywhere, anytime, anyhow”.  Work or go to school while being serenaded by the sounds of the ocean.   On the other hand sometimes progress comes with destructive criticisms or observations.  Whereas I applaud technology and its various stunts, it should be noted that before the advent of the mobile and stationery computers there was a concept baring resemblance of online learning.   It is called correspondence course by mail or through the Post Office.  People had the freedom of studying at their own pace anywhere and anytime.  Gathering pluck, I will mention that online learning is just an upgrade or the electronic version of correspondence courses.   Criticism can be disheartening.  Not long ago, in my neighborhood, two ladies got into a disagreement with each other in a boisterous manner.  During the course of exchanging words one of the ladies said to the next, “Gway gal! Galang wid yuh online degree!  Mine betta dan fi yuh!  Mi sidung in a classroom fi get it!” I turned away from the familiar dialect with a giggle and then said to myself that there is definitely prejudice surrounding where and how a degree is obtained.   Moreover, as I listened to them arguing I wondered if online learning is a gateway for cheating.  There must be a way to prove that the registered student is actually doing the work. 

With such thoughts and to get answers, I decided to approach a few people with the questions noted below: 

Question 1:  How would you view online studying compared to bricks and mortar?

 

Male’s Answer: By studying online I can’t have a discussion, at least not a full one.  I could have audio but it would be different than face to face.  How would you verify accreditation?  With online learning there is not a full learning experience.  People will do anything to get that degree to get a foot in the work force. 

Female’s Answer: The non-traditional student could benefit from taking classes online as well as the people who don’t have the time and money to sit in a classroom.  It is a good opportunity to the people who don’t have access to college campus.

Male’s Answer: There are pros and cons with both methods.  There is more flexibility with online learning.  Whereas going to a building you get to interact more with your classmates.  It is also better to have a conversation with the professor in person.  I understand much better in this fashion.

Male’s Answer:  There is an upside to online, that you can do it anywhere anytime at your convenience.  The advantage that I find with bricks and mortar is that you have a closer connection with the professor and classmates whereas online you tend to be by yourself.

Male’s Answer: Despite the ever growing trend in online education, I am an adamant supporter of the bricks and mortar style of education, in that it facilitates more interaction between students and educators alike as well as contributes to overall growth through the culture of the academic environment.

Female’s Answer: Businesses, Corporations probably will not acknowledge an online degree as much as they would acknowledge a degree earned on a campus.  I also consider getting an online a degree as a form of laziness.  Social networking that you would get from in class is not there.  An online degree is for the shy person who is afraid of holding up their hand in a classroom or who doesn’t have the time to commute or sit in a classroom.

Female’s Answer:  In the bricks and mortar context, it seems to me that it would be easier to have mechanisms for accountability and for students to seek out information or individual attention from instructors.  Also, it has the advantage of interpersonal interaction, learning from your peers and picking up the soft skills that are important in other personal or professional aspects of life.  Online coursework is probably best suited to highly independent students who like to work through material at their own pace, or where certain logistical or financial challenges would otherwise make it difficult to access educational opportunities. 

Male’s Answer:  Online education is an open education.  There is access to education for everyone, for free and cheap.  It is useful but does not allow cultural exchange.  There is the ability to take classes when you feel ready: late at nights or weekends certainly not right after work.  Online teaches the information but you lose soft skills like communication, public speaking, listening and getting other people’s perspectives.

Question 2:  Do you believe that tests after learning reflects the true ability of a student?

Male’s Answer: In America we become very focused on scores and testing and the no child left behind.  So focused on scoring well and have good scores reflecting a school well that we forget that test is supposed to reflect how much or how well a student has actually learned.

Male’s Answer: Having taken many standardized exams, I don’t believe that the results received from any given exam, speaks to the overall scholastic abilities and aptitude of the student. Rather such exams are designed to see how the test taker performs under pressure within controlled environments in which critical thinking and analysis is required. From personal experience, for example, there are fellow students who scored higher than me on the SAT but did not perform well in the university setting where as I did. Besides, many test takers study just to do well on a given exam and once the exam comes to a close they are unable to exhibit overall knowledge and mastery over the materials on which they have been tested.

Female’s Answer: People just want to pass a test.  They do not retain anything after the test.  People will cheat just to pass the test.

Female’s Answer: Tests are an important tool to try to measure how much course material students are grasping, and it’s hard to see how it will ever be made obsolete.  However, it’s probably a better means for certain types of subject matter and is more applicable for certain types of students.  For example, if you have students with learning disabilities, standardized achievement tests probably do not fully capture how much they have learned.  Also, real learning has to be based on retention.  If you study for an exam, but then forget all of the material shortly thereafter, it can’t really be called learning. 

 

 

Tah-tah!  Learning comes in various ways.  It’s up to you.

 

Grace Dunkley-Asphall, Copyright © 2013

 

 



Facing Facebook a Bit

We're now living in the age of social networking. Is it good or bad? Let's see. _______________________________________________________

It is my belief that the catchphrase Tom, Dick and Harry means anyone. Hence, looking at the Facebook community it would behoove me to say Tom, Dick and Harry, including me, have been swept up in the Facebook phenomenon. My induction in the Facebook arena came at a rather late stage. As in most cases, whenever new devices and products are introduced to the public, my participation will be delayed because of speculative tendencies, fear, doubt, or being thrifty. So, by the time I was coerced and had decided to jump on the Facebook band wagon, Facebook was already considered stale by many of my friends. As a matter of fact some of my friends had already lost interest, found faults, done their tenure in the world of Facebook and moved on to twitter. There are many blooming social networks these days, adding to our busy schedule. If time management is not taken into consideration as we whet our appetites, where these networks are concerned, rest assured that some of us will become cyber zombies or even forget how to converse with one another in person.

My tardiness in joining Facebook did not deter the warm welcome given by a bunch of existing customers, friends and family. My daughters, especially, were pleased to hear of my grand “step-up” into cyberspace and laughed heartily. They said, “Go Mommy, go!” In their mind I had become hip or up-to-date. However, after getting over the initial excitement they gently asked, “Mommy, who showed you how to get on to Facebook? Do you know what you are doing?” They even took their concerns a little further. “Mommy, be careful about the information and pictures you post on Facebook.” I smiled at the role reversal because while they were being protective and caring, there was no doubt in my mind that my two daughters had used my baby-boomer status to assess my ability in handling Facebook. Besides that, little did they know that I had also gotten a glimpse of Facebook’s resume which fervently reminded me of the saying “open packie” (revealing). Facebook, from some of its contents, appears to release inhibitions but in doing so much caution, care, guidance and reminders are needed while we continue to conduct businesses on it.

I became fascinated with the dynamics of Facebook almost immediately after I had opened my account and thus wanted to spend a great amount of time on it. Maybe it is the joy of being nosy or browse-happy that interests me when it comes to this social media. It is then no wonder why some of my friends and I have termed it “Faasbook” (prying into peoples’ business). Sometimes in my quest to get away from it operations, I curse at it as if it were a living being, calling it an old idler and inveigling. A few minutes later I would double over with laughter at my layman’s psychology. Before I forget I must point out that during one of my browsing stints on Facebook, it happened that I came across a candid shot of one of my daughters which almost left me dumbstruck. What on earth is she doing to herself? I muttered, staring at her picture. She looked pleasingly plum. Eventually I picked up the phone and called her. “Girl,” I said to her, “will you take down that picture of yours that you have posted on Facebook. What kind of business is that? You look like a blimp.” Luckily, for me, my daughter is convinced that I am comical and immediately dismissed my comments with laughter. Two days later she called me and said, “Mommy I need to stop eating junk because I am too big.” At this point silence is golden so raise a glass, cup or mug in honor of Facebook because it seems as if this social media could possibly remind many of us to stay healthy and in shape.

Facebook, in my portfolio has become the modern day roving reporter. It became obvious during the 2010 earthquake in Haiti as well as the 2011 political upheaval in Egypt. In both situations detailed accounts were reported in a timely fashion on Facebook pages, leaving no stones unturned. We then had witnessed the power of this social media which, periodically, also had mainstream media feeding from it. Today Facebook users continue to provide vital information. I have no qualms when it comes to that because I also indulge. I share opinions, announcements, experiences from some of my train rides, or express my feelings about the day at hand. Facebook is also my favorite place to say “Happy Birthday” or send messages. While this is going on, I have made it my point of duty to police the postings of my children and a few other family members. Yes I do. It is no secret. I have to ensure that they are keeping things sober, not giving too much personal information that could come back to haunt them. Facebook is like the log book of life. We should not forget that it is a part of the World Wide Web or cyberspace. This reminder can never be too much. There are cyberspace-happy people in our society, also the little workers and doers of Photoshop. Don’t dare to forget about the mischievous and malicious people that will pull pranks and go to any length to discredit people. It is because of these reasons that many people have refused to become users of Facebook or any of the other social Medias. Who can blame them? Time after time I have heard such people say: My thoughts and pictures are not for broadcast or public display.

Facebook, I suppose, in its making had all good intentions and would have received full marks for all it works if it were not for the ill will of some people in our society. There is the moderate person as well as the extremist. As far as I am concerned the rapid advancement of technology has boosted curiosity and set off inquiring minds which then turns into cyberspace-happy, a trait which forces some people to become the “black-heart” of Facebook. The name “black-heart” goes back to my childhood. The elders in my tiny rural village used to warn every child about “black-heart”. Although we had no physical description of “black-heart”, trust me, the villagers imparted the words in such a manner that it injected a tremendous amount of fear in us. Right there and then we knew that they were talking about people with weird behavior. This also included strangers. We should stay away from them and run away as fast as we could if one approached us or even stared at us. Later as I grew older I was able to define “black-heart” as evil, shady, dark, obscure, and deceptive. In addition I found out that “black-heart” could be a person of any size, height, stature, color or creed.

Facebook is a go-getter yet there is still a great amount of concern among some people regarding its true purpose. At this moment I am not indulging in any conspiracy theories as we are already inundated with many. The latest one surrounded Judgment day May 21, 2011, or the day the world would have ended according to a certain God toting man from radio land in his prediction. As expected, this did not take place and therefore had many people laughing at this radio man and his fallacy. Personal experiences seem to get more attention than calculated predictions, especially in the world of cyberspace. Experiences, good and bad, have helped us to become more aware of our surroundings and behaviors. Attesting to this are the happy and sad Facebook experiences that some people have shared either publicly or privately. The Facebook community is vast and its maintenance crew is aware of the behaviors that can malign its purpose. Hence they have become vigilant in the upkeep and are always creating ways to provide a more user-friendly, safer, and hassle-free environment for all users.

It has been said many times that there are always loopholes for those on the sly no matter how perfect things may seem to appear. Or, according to some people The sticker the government, the wiser the population. Interestingly, though, nothing overrides the good old saying: There is a plaster for every wound. Well, Facebook in its operations has come close in honoring such a saying. It can be seen in one of its tools, selecting friends and keeping out the uninvited or nosy parkers…lol. There is the padlock that stands guard. It gives a sense of security but it also makes me chuckle, sometimes, wondering if it will ever rust and fall off. ..lol. Moving along, users can also set up more than one profile to accommodate their various friends. Some friends are held in high esteem whereas others are seen as just mere acquaintances. This reminds me of back in the days, in our village, when some households sorted housewares, dinner wares, cups, mugs, and utensils according to the visitors that arrived at the homes. Oh dear, what guilt. Mh! Hush! Maybe Facebook was designed with this concept in mind. As disgusting as it seems, I have a right to choose and wouldn’t want to go around sharing certain information with everyone but at the same time how safe is cyberspace even when we categorize. The choice is yours.

Tah-tah! When in doubt, leave it/things alone.

Grace Dunkley-Asphall, Copyright © 2011

Technology Sees the Time is at Hand

The daily advancement of technology has transfixed the world, making its peoples and companies scurry in and out of market places in an effort to procure the best for access and identification. Biometrics technologies that verify identity by using body parts are becoming popular especially in this security conscious age. Hence, don’t leave home without your body parts.

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There is an old folk song that is called “Sly Mongoose” which I used to sing as a child. I sung this song umpteen times a day. Maybe as many times as the weasel-like creature slips in and out of the bushes, fowl coops, and cane fields. It is said that, in the olden days, the mongoose was brought to Jamaica to rid the island of dangerous snakes. Inasmuch as this was a good endeavor, I would in a heartbeat trade it with the antics of the mongoose which is relayed in a comical manner through songs and stories. The mongoose seems to have its wit and moves intact, making it a difficult task to keep up with its tricks. A mongoose’s move is sporadic. It is capable of stealing a chicken in a jiffy. It is always one step ahead of its prey in the same manner that technology has captured people. Thus, as I see it, technology has now become the modern day mongoose…slippery, wild, bold, sporadic, mind boggling, tricky, revealing, helpful, rewarding, dangerous, and comical with each move.

The idea of equating the mongoose to the world of technology came about while speaking with a friend. She was troubled by the fact that her place of employment will be instituting the scanning of hands for access and payroll. My friend’s and my thoughts bungled as we discussed hand scanning at the workplace. Will it be the scanning of an entire hand? Or, will it be just one finger. If so, will it be the finger that comes to its owner’s defense in times of trouble? Keeping in mind that some devices might be able to detect emotions, it would be rather interesting to see if the scan machine recognizes the hidden tyrant in this finger and takes action against it.
In comparison to the key card which has long since, in most institutions, replaced the employee sign-in-sheet and fill out time card system it would appear as if the hand scan will be a not-so-easy system to tamper with. How on earth will my friend account for one of those days when tardiness was inevitable or deliberate? Will there be a card to go along with the hand scanning? Is there a backup system that can be taken advantage of in a subtle manner? Under the key card regime, the excuses that would account for her tardiness could never be used in the world of hand scanning. It would be rather hysterical, she mentioned, to tell her supervisor that she has misplaced her hand. Or, that she has left her hand in one of her pocketbooks/handbags at home.

It is suffice to say that her remarks reminded me of another one my friends who worked at an institution where all employees had to use the punch clock system, with the results shown on their individual cards. They would punch in on their arrival to work and would again punch out at the end of the work day but human nature is of such that they would also punch in their tardy friends, or set the clock to an earlier time and then quickly change it to the current time after the purpose is achieved. I must admit that I had a good laugh when she told me that sometimes a tardy friend does not show up at work after the kind deed is done. At this point panic sets in and the card with its current and past clocked-in information would be quickly disposed of. This kind of behavior would be a threat to the mongoose, not a joke. The mongoose is all about business, productivity and advancement. Therefore, it would be wise to do something about the disheartening behavior. Luckily, according to my friend, by the time the company decided to introduce another method of accounting for attendance and access, no one had been caught for doing such a daring favor.

Is the time really at hand for our beloved Hand Scan Technology? What about the people who are equipped with prosthetic hands or, the person who for whatever reasons cannot be recognized by the scanning machine. Whose eyes are watching? After all is said and done, some people’s religious beliefs would question if this technology advancement is a fulfillment of the signs and wonders predicted in the bible. Even more so, were my two friends seeking solace or humor while they relayed and invigorated me to write about the mischief that has been played on technology. By their work, are they too a fulfillment of the biblical signs and wonders? Or, are they are feeding the mind of technology to become as witty and slippery as the moves of a mongoose.

Tah-tah! Meekly wait and murmur not, technology is on the move.

Grace Dunkley-Asphall, Copyright © 2011