Category: Education

In spite of the fact that the XXI century has brought a lot of progress to the mankind, with all the new inventions which scientists have come up with, there are certain things to lose for people as they pass another stage of their development.

The so-called phenomenon of McDonaldization which is creeping into every sphere of humans life and makes things go according to its own timing and order is another side of the sword of progress. Since the processes of McDonaldization are going on even in the sphere of education, it is high time to consider the positive and the negative effects of the new program.

The very definition of McDonaldization is rather complicated, since the very process has gone much further than the sphere of cooking and food. Because of the fact that the process touches upon a great variety of concepts and spheres of peoples activities, the definition of McDonaldization embraces many other notions and phenomena.

Among the vats variety of the definitions suggested the one which provides the most complete description and does not make the readers plunge into the depth of the other sciences is the one provided by Hayes (2006), who defined the process of McDonaldization as the iron cage of rationality.

Indeed, the process of McDonaldization involves several key elements, among which the process of creating the society in which the system of rationality will be implanted as the most reasonable one takes the first place. As Ritzer explained the origin of the term and the relations between the origin of the name and the processes which ate going on in the modern society,

Indeed, McDonaldization can be seen as an effort to modernize Webers rationalization thesis. The use of the term McDonaldization reflects my conviction that the fast-food restaurant, rather than Webers bureaucracy (and the process of bureaucratization), is the better paradigm for that process in the contemporary world.¹

Whether the process of McDonaldization is positive or negative for the modern society is rather complicated question. On the one hand, the easy of fast-food and the comfort which the fast-food system has brought to people is quite a benefit for the modern society, for people are constantly in hurry and they need certain time-savers. Yet on the other hand there are certain motifs which make people doubt about the reasonability of the McDonaldization process.

Among the ideas which make people feel rather doubtful the concept of the higher education and the changes which the higher education will face as McDonaldization will take its toll on the education system are of much importance. It is obvious that people have to evaluate the impact of the McDonaldization first. According to the recent case studies held in the field of the higher education system, the McDonaldization has already had some effect on the students and has driven to certain results.

Since the financial changes are always the priority for defining the economical state of a given state, the changes in price were the main reason for people to start worrying about the new reform and the effect which it will have further on.

Higher educational establishments were the first to face the new reform in motion and evaluate the effect which it had on the economical state of the country. According to the evidence of Hayes (2006), the reform promoted further changes in the financial aspect of higher education, for students considered some of the novelties provided rather discouraging.

One of the aspects of the new reform which stroke students was the fee which they had to pay according to the standards of McDonaldization. Paying fee to get the necessary service was another burden for students to stand against to; as Hayes said, the idea of educational consumption and the commercial ways which educational system seemed to acquire stirred quite defiance among the cohort for students:

In Britain, the university life appears to be even more harassed, and the anxiety Zweig identified seems to be even more pronounced as students are required to cope with the new burdens of paying fees and securing loans if they are to participate in educational consumption.²

Speaking of the modernization of the higher education sphere and creating more comfortable studying environment means creating the systems of education which are more flexible and adapted to the needs of the students.

Making education free of any kinds of fees can be a great forward step which will suggest that the further improvements will also take place in the other spheres of education. It is important that people could get access to education and obtain the knowledge which will be necessary not only for their career, but also for their world picture and personal development.

This is what constitutes a university, in fact. On the assumption of what a university or any other higher educational establishment is and what purposes it should serve, a university must provide people with the skills and knowledge which they need, every single student taken into account. Such is the idea of a higher education that it can be granted to anyone who feels that the knowledge obtained will help him or her to prosper and be a decent part of the society.

The importance of a higher education cannot be overestimated, since the sciences studied there will help a student to see the nature phenomena interdependent, all taken in a single pattern. According to Newman (1999), the versatility of the experiences which studying at the university will provide students with is of immense importance for people:

Those various partial views of abstractions, by means of which the mind looks out upon its objects, are called sciences, and embrace respectively larger or smaller portions of the field of knowledge; sometimes extending far and wide, but superficially, sometimes with exactness over particular departments, sometimes occupied together on one and the same portion, sometimes holding one part in common, and then ranging on this side or that in absolute divergence one from the other.³

Learning these parts of the knowledge will make an educated man, which is one of the main aims of any university or other higher education establishment.

Indeed, providing people with the knowledge with help of which they will be able to improve the life of millions of people, or simply do their job in the most diligent and successful way must be the target for all universities and institutes to aim at. Helping people to find their way in the life, diving into the pool of opportunities and not get sunk in it is what universities should aim at, while McDonaldization can slow this process down.

Among the other things which the idea of McDonaldization conflicts with is the notion of a liberal education. The notion of a liberal education is far more complicated than the idea of McDonaldization and the whole educational reform, for liberal education is the basis of the existing educational system.

Since liberal education promotes education which is free and available to everyone, the issue of McDonaldization clashes in a sharp conflict with the basis of education as it is. According to Newman, who considers the theory of liberal education suggested by Dr. Copleston, liberal education is a concept of life itself, comprising not only the idea of a mans education, but also the ideas of a mans existence.

He shows first, that a liberal education is something far higher, even in the scale of Utility, than what is commonly called a Useful Education, and next, that it is necessary or useful for the purposes even of that Professional Education which commonly engrosses the title of the Useful.⁴

Thus, it is clear that the issue of education moves far beyond the financial profit and the economical reasons, being the sphere of a humans intellect. In spite of all considerations dictated by the ideas of financial or any other character, education will always stay uninterested of any profit except for the scientific one.

Because of the specific features of educational sphere, the conflicts raised here will never concern the issue of money, and it is logical that education should stay free, with no fees imposed on students. People have to realise that, however good and important the process of McDonaldization can prove in the other spheres of a mans life, there is no place for it in the sphere of education. This is the holy of holies where the issue of money should never have anything to do with.

Reference List

Hayes, D., 2006, The McDonaldization of Higher Education, IAP, Charlotte, NC

Newman, J. H. 1999, The Idea of a University: Defined and Illustrated, Regnery Gateway, Washington DC

Ritzer, G. 1998, The McDonaldization Thesis: Explorations and Extensions, SAGE, Thousand Oaks, CA

Footnotes

1 Ritzer, G. 1998, The McDonaldization Thesis: Explorations and Extensions, SAGE, Thousand Oaks, CA, 2

2 Hayes, D., 2006, The McDonaldization of Higher Education, IAP, Charlotte, NC, p. 54

3 Newman, J. H. 1999, The Idea of a University: Defined and Illustrated, Regnery Gateway, Washington DC, 43

4 Newman, J. H. 1999, The Idea of a University: Defined and Illustrated, Regnery Gateway, Washington DC

Use details to fuel mission or purpose of the essay can never be overemphasized. Writers use details to communicate effectively with readers. This helps writers creatively use language and adopt other skills of writing like use of similes to compare concepts to effectively communicate with readers. Use of details also makes essays appealing to the reader and is a way of motivating the reader to continue reading the essay.

Anastasia Toufexis, in her essay, Love: The Right Chemistry page 136 of the study book used in class, adopts diagrams to elaborate her subject. This is an instance where details have been used to communicate with the reader. The diagram backs up the details in the essay about how people develop a feeling of love. The main point in the essay is that a feeling of love originates from hormones produced by various parts of the brain to ensure that couples can stay together to conceive and keep their young ones.

The historical detail in the same essay where anthropologists studied feeling of love in African plains informs the reader that she wrote the essay after doing a comprehensive research on the subject.

Through out the essay, Anastasia gives the reader both a biological and social perspective to her subject. This gives the topic a broader view making her essay acceptable by people from all backgrounds.

In organizations, non profit institutions like orphanages would seek to keep as many homeless children in the home as possible and they could achieve this by seeking for donations and aid. The organization leadership should therefore give details to fuel inspiration among employees so that employees engagements within the organization are in line with the mission or purpose of the organization.

Use of details to fuel mission or purpose is not limited to organizations but also to personal statements. By using details in personal statements, individuals demonstrate understanding of their vision and how much they are willing to go to achieve their vision.

Personal mission statements are different from mission statements because they relate to an individual and not an organization. Personal statements are also as many as there are different people. The differences originate in different personalities and aims different people have in life.

Specific features of a personal statement could include career objectives, interests in education, and expectations in life, dreams and visions. Normally, personal statements are simple and clear and demonstrate an individuals aim in life. However, when they are put on an application letter, curriculum vitae or resume, they should show relevance with the organization or college they are being sent to. This makes drafters of personal statements to put the reader in mind while writing them.

For example, a student with a mission statement like Learning in an institution which will sharpen my skills, awareness and enthusiasms and be a learner capable of combining the learning process and having fun at the same time. A personal statement like this will be relevant to a college that combines extra curricular activities in the overall objective. The drafter of such a personal statement can further change it to suit objective of another institution with a different mission.

In conclusion, use of details is important because it helps managers to inspire workers towards achieving organization goals. To individuals, use of details demonstrates a persons dreams, vision, values and objectives.

Introduction

On the morning of April 16, 2007, Seung-Hui Cho, a Virginia Tech University student, walked into a dorm, with a gun in hand, and opened fire on his fellow students, he then proceeded to another engineering building and just as before, opened fire, killing and injuring a number of students before being gunned down by the police. Police later released a statement saying that 32 students had been killed and more than 17 wounded in the incident. The tragedy was the worst of its kind but not the first incident of campus violence.

A history of University Campus Violence

Before the shooting at Virginia Tech, the deadliest incident of violence in universities had been the one that occurred in University of Texas in 1966 in which a student opened fire on fellow students, killing 16 of them before being killed by police.

In September 2, 2006, a 49 year old man killed himself and his two sons aged 26 and 24 during a visit to the campus of Shepherd University in West Virginia.

In October 28, 2002, a 40-year-old student walked into the University of Arizona Nursing College and shot his instructor, then entered a classroom and killed two more of his instructors, before turning the gun on himself.

In August 15, 1996, Frederick Davidson shot dead three of his professors while presenting his thesis at the University of Arkansas.

In May 4, 1970, National Guard soldiers shot dead four students and wounded nine others while calming student protests at the Kent State University of Ohio.

These are just a few of the violent incidents inside university campuses in the United States, the trend is similar in other universities and colleges around the world. A recent study showed that almost 75% of all publicly recorded incidents of violence occurred from 1990-2008- 79 during the 1990s and 83 after the year 2000. The findings indicate a rise in violence in our universities and calls for measures aimed at curbing these occurrences.

The incident in the Virginia Tech campus was a wake up call for university administrators to devise ways of enhancing student security within the campuses. Universities need to find a way of improving the mental health awareness of students, have contact with counseling facilities, and find a way of getting in touch with the students as quickly as possible in case of such incidences.

Solution to Campus Violence

Communication systems

Universities must find ways of reaching the students in case of an emergency using mass-notification systems, besides, the security agents must keep in touch (Kennedy, para. 22). Messaging is so far the quickest way of reaching students in case of an emergency. The method was successfully used at the University of Colorado during a stabbing incident (Sink, para. 4).

Had the messaging system been working prior to the incident at Virginia Tech, perhaps it would have prevented the death of at least 30 students. After Mr. Cho had killed two students at the dormitory, the campus security waited two hours to send out e-mail messages, obviously non-effective for emergency scenes, and by then, the killer had relocated to kill 30 more students in a hall.

Another communication tool is the radio system. Campuses should collaborate with security agencies to ensure interoperability. Interoperability lets two or more agencies to get in touch through dissimilar communication gadgets.

Increasing Security features within Campuses

The University of Toledo police purchased 15 long-range rifles as a response to the shooting at Virginia Tech. The police contend that universities are just like cities and to ensure the security of students, the standards applied must be similar to those used in cities. Besides, the University of Toledo fitted additional deadbolts to dormitory halls (Sink, para. Para. 19).

The University of Pennsylvania took tough procedures by increasing the number of security personnel and hastening the efforts to have students and staff members show their identification cards. The university already restricts entry to campus buildings unless one has an identification badge (Mulhauser, para. 3).

Student Mental Health

Improving student mental awareness is perhaps the best way to tackle violence in the campus. Most incidences of violence mentioned earlier are psychological; therefore, knowledge of the students mental can avert risks of violence among students. To mention the Virginia Tech incident, Mr. Cho had mental troubles and some students knew of this, but informed neither the university nor his family.

To implement this strategy, the University of Oklahoma has collaborated with the State Health Department to coach students so that they can help recognize and report fellow students who are under psychological trauma (Sink, para. 18).

One issue arising from this strategy is whether sharing student information with other departments is an infringement into their privacy. In reaction, the US Department of Education is amending the guidelines associated with the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act to explain the degree to which schools are permitted to share private student information with others (Kennedy, pp. 7).

Besides, schools should make an effort and eliminate the stigma related with mental illness so that students undergoing psychological stress can seek assistance. Timely recognition of violence in students is one of the best methods of averting violence in our campuses.

Works Cited

Kennedy, M. Operating in an era of Campus Security. American School and University, 2008, Vol. 80, Issue 2.

Mulhauser, D. Colleges Tighten Security to Guard Against Terrorism. 2001. Web.

Sink, M. Violence Tests the Security on Campuses. 2007. Web.

An essay can be described as academic or formal because it is characterized by a clear thesis statement, an introduction of what the paper discusses body of discussion supported by facts and a conclusion. Essays use academic, dry, and formal languages. Essays must have a theme of discussion, and it is organized in paragraphs describing flow of ideas. A story may include characters, a narrator, a dialogue, first, and third person perspectives.

Although a story may have a thesis, it is usually buried under certain themes like conflict resolution, conflicts, character development, and different kinds of symbolism. Instead of stating the thesis statement directly like in an essay, stories use characters and imageries to bring out meanings. Essays are not fiction whereas short stories are. This implies that an essay involves documentation of facts whereas the content used in writing a story may be invented. Thus, stories may not be true, unlike essays (Axelrod and Cooper 332).

Stories are created to give information about a certain incidence whereas an essay is an individuals composition on a certain objective. Essays are sometimes expressions of individuals opinions on a certain subject.

An essay is mainly written to convince the reader to agree with the writers opinions pertaining a certain subject whereas a story may be written for entertainment purposes. The same content can be covered in both essays and stories. A story and an essay are similar in that they are written in some order. Both have an introduction, middle, and a conclusion (Axelrod and Cooper 340).

What elements of the peer discussions are valuable in writing your essays?

Professors in learning institutions argue that group discussions enhance the performance of students both outside and in class. Group works changes the way students think. For instance, an individual student is not likely to postpone assignments in a group environment. It is easy for a student to postpone his or her assignment than it is if he or she is aware that his or her participation counts to the performance of the group.

Through group work, students gain courage of giving explanations. Speaking and listening to other students as they give out explanations improves their ability to remember the concepts of essay writing during examinations. Workings with other students compel students to put their work in an organized manner. Writing essays in an organized manner gets students good grades in examinations (Axelrod and Cooper 292).

Working in peer discussion improves the knowledge of the student. This is mainly because each group member will come up with his or her own thought and ideas and as a result, group members learn from each other. This equips them with the knowledge and concepts of writing good essays. Apart from excelling in tests, students build self-confidence from peer discussion, which is important in life.

Expressing themselves in their groups prepares them to face and address large gathering as well as official groups like boards and admission panels in future. Students learn the way other students approach essay writing and other assignments. The new perspective guides students in making necessary corrections and adjustments when writing their own assignments.

Students learn how to formulate answers to questions and present them properly. Last, peer discussions help students to learn how to correct and respond to their own assignments. Peer discussions play a major role in teaching students good essay writing tips (Axelrod and Cooper 300).

Works Cited

Axelrod, Rise B. and Cooper, Charles. The St. Martins Guide to Writing. New York: St. Martins Press, 2012. Print.

The role of education is to provide all people with an opportunity to gain the necessary baggage of knowledge and develop personal skills in a variety of methods. Individuals have to get a chance to be educated and get prepared for work in different spheres of life. Unfortunately, not all students are able to get education in time, and there are different reasons of such inabilities.

Still, the conditions under which students have to study and teachers have to educate have to be investigated in order to understand better the peculiarities of the process of education and the challenges people may face. In this paper, the attendance policy for De Anza College classes will be analyzed. As a rule, attendance policy is predetermined by a variety of factors; still, the college budget undergoes a number of changes which lead to both positive and negative outcomes.

The budget is usually allocated to the vast majority of campus programs and influences considerably the conditions under which students have to study.

Even though economical difficulties like budget cuts may deprive students of the possibilities to get proper education and be provided with the comfortable conditions for education, such challenges may have positive impact on education as they can improve the attendance policy of De Anza College and define the students who are ready to solve problems and prove their rights to be the students of the chosen institution.

De Anza College provided many Californian students with the most successful opportunity to get their education and rely on the existing budget of more than 1 million dollars for a long period of time. Students from different schools could attend the chosen classes of the college and follow the set of norms identified. Unfortunately, certain problems with budget cuts made many students change their plans within a short period of time.

The official bodies admit that they face a number of problems and cannot accommodate the sheer mass of students who are coming to use with the funds that we have& The state will recognize that we need growth dollars in order to lighten our deficit (Sterling). There are so many students who cannot get education because they just cannot pay for it.

Although books and campus fees require certain money to be spent by students who have to miss classes in order to earn money, it is very important to make the government solve the existing challenges, prevent economic fall, and deprive of the necessity to miss classed by earn for education. College students are not children already.

They are free to make decisions and define the priorities in their lives. This is why it is obligatory for the representatives of the financial aid office to evaluate all applicants messages within a short period of time and define the urgency of their demands to improve the conditions of the attendance policy.

Another important reason of why budget cuts have to be regulated is the weakness of the conditions under which college education is offered. There are many credible sources by means of which it is stated that the number of seats and classes offered do not correspond to the number of students who are eager to study. Student enrollment at De Anza College has increased more than 10 percent for this spring quarter (Copeland and Pereira).

Without any doubts, budget cut dictates the conditions under which students have to study. It is impossible for any educational institution to solve its financial problems independently. Governmental assistance is urgent. Nowadays the vast majority of people realize that it is very important to get an appropriate degree to be able to find a good job. People of different age try to enter solid colleges and work hard to get the required degrees.

Unfortunately, due to the economic crisis, the colleges like De Anza College are not ready to accept so many students. There are also the students who do not manage to register before a quarter begins, and many classes have to be cancelled. Faculty does not have the right to add students after the registration is over. However, there are some exceptions as a result of which the sections that should consist of 50 students have more than 60 students.

Tutors are not always able to cooperate with many students, as a result of which the quality of education is not as high as it is expected to be. Even though students are able to get their degrees under the conditions mentioned above, not all of them are able to achieve their main purposes and find a good job as their level of knowledge is not as high as it is required.

However, it is also possible to define one positive factor of budget cuts and the challenges which appear. Any academic challenge is a good stimulus for students to evaluate their possibilities and goals and make the right decisions. The truth is that some students enter the college just in order to do something and follow the orders of their parents. Not all students find it obligatory to attend classes and participate in campus activities. They do not even want to appreciate a chance to be a college student.

They accept this fact as something ordinary in their lives. This is why certain economic challenges and the necessity to fight for the place in the college seems to be a good possibility for tutors and students to check whether all of them are in the right positions. Though it seems to be unfair that hard-working students have to solve such financial problems and pass through the numerous tests in order prove their rights and abilities, such idea will help to define whose positions are more or less stable.

Every academic institution should have special controlling bodies with the help of which it is possible to define the level of knowledge gained, future implication of theoretical knowledge, and the worth of abilities available for college students. Education is the chance to improve life, and each person should have an access to such opportunity having sincere intentions to achieve the best results.

Is it possible to create perfect conditions for education? The representatives of De Anza College prove that certain improvements are possible still some changes are required. The question of budget cuts is still a serious challenge for many college students and tutors and an important factor of attendance policy. Budget cuts influence the conditions under which people have to work, live, and study. Any new financial challenge influences the process of education.

In case the budget is cut, students are not always able to buy special books and pay for their education. And tutors cannot provide students with new material as they are deprived of the necessary educative tools.

Though students who are eager to get their education and special degrees should be ready to prove their intentions, it is not fair to challenge such students too often. This is why financial problems have to be solved as soon as they appear because education is the process that defines the quality of future life and human readiness to live in accordance with the rules set.

Works Cited

Copeland, Isis and Pereira, Ed. Too Many Students, not enough Classes. La Voz Weekly. 2009. Web.

Sterling, Terell. Whats in De Anzas Wallet?: Simply the Best, at Simply the Worst Economic Time. La Voz Weekly. 2009. Web.

Universal design for learning is focused on a central idea that all students should be able to interact with the environments effectively. Applying this idea to the contemporary education, we can conclude that it is aimed at providing all students, including those with disabilities, to be able to get a quality education.

In recent years, the use of technology and AT devices to support the learning needs of students with disabilities has received great attention, as stated in 300.308, each school district is required to insure that assistive technology devices and services are provided if needed (Reed & Lahm, 2004).

Technology is used to support learners with disabilities and improve their functional capabilities. A special need learner, Jamie, needs assistive technology (AT) to become more successful in his education and become more creative and independent. In this paper, we will provide an evaluation of Jamies abilities and needs for the AT using the checklist available from the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative and determine recommendations to improve his performance.

An evaluation of the special needs learner

According to Beard, Carpenter & Johnston (2011), AT devises must be a consideration for the transition plan and must be provided if the IEP team considers it necessary and appropriate for the students success as a learner.. To consider Jamies need for assistive technology, we should evaluate the potential of assistive technology. Thus, we must define what assistive technology must be useful for the learner and whether he needs this particular technology.

In the checklist, the AT categories are arranged from in a hierarchy from the simplest to more difficult. Considering the fact of Jamies disability and that it has no severe form, we can choose from less difficult AT devices. Thus, SEATING, POSITIONING, AND MOBILITY: tools are not needed as Jamies disability is related to the brain disorder called dyslexia.

Thus, we have to choose from the AT that can help overcome difficulties related to the phonological challenges. Word processing software and Use of pictures/symbols with text and pen scanner might be useful. To overcome the problem to recognize long numbers, a Talking calculator can be used.

Recommendation

The recommendations that we are going to provide are based on methods and potential barriers and missed opportunities related to the learning goal and standard. Thus, AS soon as an AT is successfully integrated into Jamies curriculum, he can be more successful and independent in his performance.

The learning goal is to utilize the UDL strategy and several AT to provide the learner with favorable education environment and offer a variety of ways to express and demonstrate his abilities and involve onto class activity. Considering the materials, methods, and potential barriers, we can provide five recommendations:

1. The AT devices should be used during the lessons of mathematics and other subjects that include reading activities.
2. Audio devices should be used regularly.
3. Individual assessment tools and the test should be provided.
4. The personal class curriculum of the learner should be based on the IEP approved by the school committee and based on the Individuals with Disabilities Act.
5. As social life of the learner and his interaction with other students in class is a considerable part of his education, he must be involved in class activities that suggest teamwork, but which will not involve difficult arithmetic or reading tasks.

Reference List

Beard, L. A., Carpenter, L. B., & Johnston, L. B. (2011). Assistive technology: Access for all students (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson. ISBN 978-0-13-705641-5.

Reed, P., Lahm, E. A. (2004). Assessing students needs for assistive technology: A resource manual for school district teams (4th ed.). Web.

Introduction

Many people believe that education is meant to impart knowledge into learners. However, they hold different perceptions regarding the objectives and goals, and importance of schooling. They also have different views as to how these objectives are supposed to be achieved.

For an institution or an education system to achieve its objectives, every stakeholder involved in the education process has to perform his or her role. This document discusses the roles of teachers, parents and school administrators, by analyzing an earlier interview conducted to understand the perspectives of these stakeholders.

The interview will also be discussed to provide an understanding of the importance of schooling and the factors which undermine achievement of schooling objectives.

Results of the interview

The writer interviewed three people; the Vice Principle, Dr. Christopher Gonzales, teacher Reggie Boot, and a parent who works in the same school as a subordinate staff. All of them have some considerable experience and relationship with the school.

Teacher Reggie has been a teacher in this school for the last 4 years, and Dr. Gonzales for the last 17 years. The parent has also been part of the school community for the last 20 years.

According to the parent, the purpose of schooling is to enable children learn so that they are able to get a good job in the future. She believes that the school is doing the much it can to help her son learn because he is provided with enough homework; and besides, the school offers sports programs and Regional Occupation Program.

However, she observed that the school is not doing much to involve the parents in the education processes of their children. The parent says, It would help me keep on top of what my son was doing. She accepts that she has not been able to participate in school activities. Again, she has not been able to discuss her sons learning progress with the teachers.

The interview with the parent reveals that the school has been participating in several community events such as parades, clean up trash. Community organizations also provide facilities such as play grounds, clubs among others that enhance childrens development.

The parent accepts that she has not been able to participate in school programs and has not taken any responsibilities in the school other than that of a worker since she is always committed in her work. Her major role has therefore been to provide basic needs to her son.

Besides, she says that her other duty has been, To try and keep the good kids away from the bad kids and gangs. I ask the teachers about gangs all the time.

According to teacher Reggie Boot, schooling should enable learners become good citizens. The school therefore ensures that each student gets an equal learning opportunity. The role of the teachers is therefore to provide as much knowledge and learning experience to students as much as possible. According to her, teaching should both be formal and informal (Boot, 23 June, 2011).

However, she believes that the low financial ability of the school, low parent-involvement in the learning process of their children, and inadequate time to fully engage in local community groups, limit teachers ability to improve the development and performance of the learners.

Teacher Reggie says that parents involvement would reinforce what they are teaching at school and help them become more accountable (Boot, 23 June, 2011). She blames the administration for not doing enough to involve the parents in school programs and learning processes of their children.

Interview with teacher Reggie reveals that the school allows learners to participate in local community events such as parades and ethnic events. Learners also participate in Junior ROTC programs where they collaborate with city hall, the local airport and other programs that they are usually invited to participate in (Boot, 23 June, 2011).

She confirms that some of these programs have not been successful due to the low financial ability of the school. Teacher Reggie emphasizes that she performs her role as an educator in a way that makes the learners understand that she cares for them.

She recognizes that maintaining positive attitude towards learners and developing positive attitude in learners is the most significant thing to do. This, she says is the way to get low-ability learners involved in the learning process, and help them learn (Boot, 23 June, 2011).

The Vice Principal, Dr. Gonzales confirms that the school provides learners with equal learning opportunities. However, according to him, both learners and teachers have to play their part to achieve the goals of each learner. Dr. Gonzales believes that the purpose of education is to enable learners become what they want (Gonzales, 23 June, 2011), he says, All children have the same opportunity, it is up to them to apply themselves and it is up to our teachers to pull it out of them.

He also acknowledges the role of the teachers in modeling learners into good citizens especially those whose parents are very young, and those who have single parents. He believes that the socio-economic status of the learners, inadequate funding, and poor parent involvement in school activities limit the schools ability to achieve its objectives.

As the schools vice principal, he attends many civic events to represent the school and voice the schools interests in such events. He also counsels and mentors teachers and tries to keep them motivated in their work. He monitors teachers to ensure that they are providing quality education to all learners (Gonzales, 23 June, 2011).

He understands that teachers and learners need to be given time to grow in their activities. He is also the liaison between the teachers and the principal. He also confirms the school involves learners in the local community events such as parades, street fairs among others to help learners socialize with the community and community organizations.

On the parents-school relationship, he appreciates that some parents have been able to participate in constructing the snack strands for basketball; volunteer in sporting events, and in home coming (Gonzales, 23 June, 2011).

He says that parents involvement in school activities helps him get know more parents to pass messages of school activities and programs (Gonzales, 23 June, 2011). However, he is disappointed of low parent-involvement in supporting and mobilizing finances for the school.

Implications of the interview

All those interviewed agree that school is very important in molding learners to become successful in their life. The purpose of schooling is therefore to help learners become good citizens, improve their economic status and to be able to equally access opportunities. According to Horace Mann, schooling should develop learners capacities, and equally empower them to advance their economic status (Badolato, 2002).

Education enables learners to improve their abilities, skills, knowledge and experience so that they are able to apply them in their daily lives after completion of schooling. It should also be an agent of social change in every learner meaning that it should serve the best interest of the community. This implies that the learners should be provided with an education that integrates them with the society.

To achieve this, learning should not be limited to the school environment, but rather, should be extensive to include learning through interaction with the society and community learning resources. Dr. Gonzales says that they allow learners to participate in community events and also collaborate with many community organizations around the school (Gonzales, 23 June, 2011).

This enhances growth and development of learners to become responsible and active participants of societal systems. Use and interaction with community resources also helps learners develop their other talents and abilities. According to Horace Mann, schooling should develop learners capacities, and equally empower them to advance their economic status (Badolato, 2002). Dr. Gonzales also believes that the school need to be more aggressive by involving learners in more school provided activities so as to accomplish its purpose.

All those interviewed confirmed that the administration, teachers and parents unanimously agree that they should all participate in the education process of learners, and school activities and programs.

In school and schooling, teachers play the role of educators. They are also the model of nobility, as well as, self-actualization. In addition, they instill discipline in learners. They have to understand the capacity and nobility in each learner and provide learning opportunities that enable development of these capacities and nobilities in learners (Badolato, 2002).

They have to instill positive attitudes in learners towards learners. According to teacher Reggie Boot, positive attitudes is the most significant thing in the teaching process. This implies that they provide precondition for achieving these objectives, and opportunities for learning experiences that enable them develop all the abilities of learners.

In achieving these objectives, they have to coordinate their activities with the school administration and the parents. The contributions of school administrators and parents are very important in enhancing the role of the teachers.

The school administration ensures that learners get equal learning opportunities regardless of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. The school administration is also responsible for providing learning resources and organizing opportunities for learning experiences.

The Vice Principal, Dr. Gonzo, says, I attend many civic event and try and play a significant factor when being a voice for the school. The school administration is also responsible for monitoring teachers in their duties, and provides motivation to the teachers. Besides, it coordinates parents involvement in the school and schooling process. This helps mobilize resources and promote learners performance.

Parents play the crucial role of parenting their children. They provide basic needs to their children and ensure that they get learning opportunities by taking them to school. They monitor the performance and progress of their children through teachers reports and consultations with the teachers.

They also help mobilize resources and contribute in developing learning facilities for learners. The parent interviewed acknowledges that their role should not be limited to parenting, but should also include participating in school activities and programs.

The major challenge identified in the interview with the Dr. Gonzo, the Vice Principal, teacher Reggie and the parent, is the low financial ability of the school. According to the Vice Principal, financial ability of the school limits its capacity to accomplish its objectives and provide more learning opportunities to learners.

However, despite these challenges, Dr. Gonzales confirms that the school has been able to improve its state test scores (Gonzales, 23 June, 2011).

The perceptions of the different stakeholders interviewed have particular impacts on me as a teacher. First, I understand the purpose of education and how best to achieve the perceived objectives of all those involved in the education process.

I also understand my role as a teacher and how to integrate the parents and the administration in achieving full development of learners. Second, I need to understand the challenges that affect the learning process of learners, and therefore develop strategies to counter the challenges.

Conclusion

From the interviews, we need to understand that teachers, parents, and the school administration play significant roles in the education process of learners. Each individual needs to understand the importance of his or her role in school and schooling.

These roles should be coordinated and each person be enabled to play his or her part effectively. Parents need to understand that their contribution in the school and schooling is very important, and can effectively enhance teachers roles, and as a result improve their childrens performance. The administration should therefore coordinate the activities of teachers and parents.

References

Badolato, R. (2002). The educational theory of Horace Mann. NewFoundations. Web.

Koblinsky, S. A, Randolph, S. M & Roberts, D. D. (1996). Studying the role of family, and school in the development of African American preschoolers in the violent neighborhoods. The Journal of Negro Education, 65(5): 282-294.

Introduction

Generally, community colleges consist of public and private colleges as well as technical institutions (Raby and Valeau 3). They are regarded as vital players in education systems that are quite diverse. Despite the fact that defining the community college concept is quite complex, various attempts have been made (Wiseman et al. 301).

In the United States, for example, a community college is an educational institution that is endorsed to award the associate in arts or sciences as its highest degree. Though accepted, the definition ignores some important aspects of community colleges such as vocational as well as community functions.

Although some people see them as a waste of public resources and a result of a diluted workforce, free community colleges should be encouraged in order to offer students affordable educational services under flexible terms.

Arguments on Both Sides of the Debate

The importance of community colleges has been growing over the years, and the trend is bound to continue (Townsend and Twombly 102). For this reason, free community colleges should be encouraged. Proponents allude to a number of reasons in support of free community colleges. First, most students attend community colleges because of their flexibility. The flexible schedule permits us to study while working.

Reasonable costs associated with community colleges also make it possible for students to explore numerous options. Smaller classes under community college systems are equally important since they make it possible for students to access their teachers easily.

Free community colleges are also an important strategy that can be used by the government to ensure that those who also less fortunate in society are not overlooked. While meeting education expenses for some families may not be a problem, there are those whose financial backgrounds can not allow them to be part of an expensive education system. Free community colleges will thus accommodate those who can not afford costly university fees.

On the other hand, free community colleges have been criticized for the short time taken. Consequently, a student who desires to undertake a 4-year degree program is compelled to move to a different university at a later time in order to get the award. Fears have also been raised concerning the workload, which is generally lighter than what a student is likely to encounter at a state university.

Employers are, therefore, afraid that they may end up with a diluted workforce. Students under community colleges are also less involved and miss out on the campus life experience. As mentioned earlier, there is a feeling among opponents that free community colleges are a waste of public resources and should thus be abolished.

Conclusion

Despite the concerns raised by opponents of free community colleges, there is certainly a growing need to support their development. As has been explained in this paper, there are many individuals with a strong desire to access education, but they simply can not due to their underprivileged status in society. Promoting free community colleges will, therefore, make it possible for such people.

The flexible structure is equally beneficial for those who are interested in pursuing education while working at the same time. State governments can also use free community colleges to create a platform for the less fortunate to advance in life. It is thus important for state governments to boost the establishment and development of free community colleges.

Works Cited

Raby, Rosalind and Edward Valeau. Community College Models: Globalization and Higher Education Reform. Northridge, CA: Springer Science & Business Media, 2009. Print.

Townsend, Barbara and Susan Twombly. Community Colleges: Policy in the Future Context. Portsmouth, NH: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2001. Print.

Wiseman, Alexander, Anuradha Sachdev, Thomas Janis, Ryan Glover and Audree Chase-Mayoral. Community Colleges Worldwide: Investigating the Global Phenomenon. Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing, 2012. Print.

The definitions and the approach to the instructional practices as their names advocate

The use of evidence, research and scientific based instruction and intervention were introduced as an attempt in trying to help out the disabled school going children as well as adults.

This does not however imply that it is only applied to disabled children since in some cases; its main objective of application is to improve a childs academic performance as well as their development in any learning environment.

This study however focuses on instructional practices that are directed towards certain student groups and individual students as well. In addition it also concentrates on the special needs children (Hall 2003, p. 78).

There are various approaches as mentioned by Reder and Strawn (1999) used in evidence base instruction which includes the consistent measurement of a childs performance both socially and academically (p.16).

There should be data or information that verifies that the learning interventions are working and in return there should be a feedback which helps us learn about the progress in our performance.

Evidence based instruction insists on the continuous construction of cycles that reflect the improvements in our practices. This means that following the gathering and critical examination of the evidence, we need to act on it again.

Scientific based instruction is one where original data is collected and instructional practices as well as programs effectiveness is measured in relation to the data collected. It is however important to note that research base instruction is somehow intertwined with the scientific one.

This is because research relies on data from science for more conclusions to be made. The methods used include subject studies and discontinuity designs among others.

Other scholars have defined this as a process through which teachers evaluate and assess performance, they build up personal education plans and take part in action research. Here, teachers assess their students previous knowledge comes up with hypotheses on the best teaching methods.

The lessons learnt on specific evidence based methods of instruction and intervention

The most common method according to Groark (2007), which is used in early childhood learning instruction, is that of Response to Intervention, otherwise commonly known as RTI.

This model works in such a way that teachers in partnership with the parents take a multi- step approach that will help them pinpoint and eventually support students who show that they are academically struggling (p.245).

This model in most cases is applied when there is need to improve positive behavioral skills as well as in specific subject areas such as math. When it comes to the content of what the child is to learn, the teachers are expected to tailor it according to the previous progress reports made on that particular child. Therefore, a slow learner will have a lesser content as compared to a normal child.

The application of the evidence-based instruction has taught many early childhood teachers a few lessons. One of them being that, through the implementation of this learning method, many teachers can now pay attention to planning and carrying out classes that are much smaller than they previously did.

This is a teacher; one should pay special attention a child as an individual who really deserves it if at all any academic improvement or development is to be observed.

I as one of the teachers implementing this learning program have discovered that the learners find it easier to analyze as well as discuss whatever it is they are learning.

It has been proven that a good percentage of children learn well when they discuss with their colleagues. Therefore given the open forum kind of environment students tend to set their mind in an active thinking motion hence developing their analytical skills among others.

The specific uses made of evidence based instruction and intervention

In my practicum I have been able to use some or a combination of all the evidence based methods in assessing my students needs as well as strengths on each reading section. This has therefore enabled me to identify the problematic areas in the curriculum and hence find way of dealing with the problem.

Teachers have been able to use this method to add to the learners opportunities to actively engage in academic and classroom discussion. This type of instruction has created an understanding between the weak children and the teacher.

Therefore, specific students who have difficulty in reading and in expressing themselves are normally given the chance to do so (Modwer 2001, p.29).

I have also been able to implement this in academic instructions so that in partnership with the parents to these children, we can closely keep track of the effectiveness of this instructional method.

This particular method requires constant reviewing and monitoring of its success, it helps spot its weak areas which in most cases are brought out by very little or no improvement in student performance. An additional use of the evidence based instruction was to build on my students social skills.

This includes reciprocity and developing the child understanding of each other during the interactive sessions with other children and the teachers as well. It has been of help so far as many children are reaping the fruits of self confidence which in turn has led to very high self esteem.

The differences made by my knowledge in using evidence-based methods of instruction

There are a few differences that I currently experience as a teacher since the implementation of this mode of teaching. One of these changes has been the reduction of the number of children in my classes by almost half. This is meant to enhance child understanding and grasp if content especially during class discussions.

In addition to this, there is the current emphasis on parent  teacher partnership to ensure the academic improvement and success of the child (Khon 1999, p. 34).This includes keeping a record on the progress of the student which is assessed by both parties.

Reasons as to why methods of instruction and intervention should be evidence-based and what works best for me

These evident based methods of instruction are particularly useful to disabled children and the slow learners. Evident based instructions are the best in this day and age when an all round child development is of paramount importance.

Students can learn these skills through the interactive sessions that evidence based learning propose. However, in most instances, it can be costly to not only the parents who will have to top up the tuition fee but also to the learning institution.

It is however discouraging to a teacher when very little or no progress at all is made on the childs academic performance. Some learning institutions pay the teachers according to the number of children they have in a class.

Therefore, having cut the number of students by almost half, the teacher may earn less which may be made worse by the little or zero improvement by the students. Well, I think the evidence based instruction system works best for me because I want the best for my students.

Looking at the benefits of this method, the children will not only gain leadership skills through the high self esteem and respect for other peoples opinions but they will be very confident as well.

References

Groark, C. (2007). Evidence- based practices and programs for early childhood care and and education. California. Corwin Press.

Hall, N., Larson, J. & Marsh, J. (2003). Handbook on early childhood literacy. California, Corwin press.

Khon, A. (1999). Early Childhood Education: The case against direct instruction of Academic skills. Web.

Modwer, A. B., Florence, R. & Yasik, A. (2001). Evidence- based practice in infant and early Childhood Psychology. Michigan: Rebus Inc.

Reder, S. & Strawn, C. (2001). Program participation and self-directed learning to Improve basic skills: Focus on Basics, 4(2), 15-18.

Introduction

I totally agree with William Zinsser on the four pressures working on college students. Just like in the 70s, college students of today face economic pressure, parental pressure, peer pressure and self induced pressure. I am also in agreement with Zinsser in his argument that there are no villains, only victims.

As this paper will show, the degree of pressures on college students tends to be higher now than it might have been in the 70s. Additionally, the prominence of given sources of pressure has also shifted. It is hypothesized that while parental pressure was high in the 1970s, economic pressure and self induced pressures have more prominence in the lives of college students today.

College Pressures

Just like in the past, getting a college degree or qualification remains a very expensive affair. Consequently, students are under pressure to pay fees and meet their educational obligations. Moreover, the economic terrain in our country and in most countries of the world has shifted. It is no longer the traditional workers who have money.

Rather, the creative and those who tap into technology make lots of money driving economies up and placing pressure on the underprivileged to think of how to improve their economic welfare. This implies that while college students in the 70s had to deal with economic pressures relating to high cost of education, current crop of college students have to deal with high cost of education and pressure related to being creative or not being able to tap into a fast shifting economy.

To make matters worse, recent economic slumps and credit meltdown related challenges only imply increased difficulty in accessing credit facilities. Government support for students has relatively expanded since the 1970s but pressures the economy make government interventions largely wanting. Jobs are hard to come by and as unemployment bites, fees related complications are compounded.

Although parental pressure on children has been decreasing over the years, parental pressure on students still remains. Parents expect value for money spent on childrens education. They want children to work hard and meet given minimum educational standards and requirements. Parents expect students to undertake certain majors. All these expectations exert considerable pressure on college students.

However, present day parents are more liberal in their attitudes compared to their 1970s compatriots. Students are expected to exercise their free will and be more responsible towards their own success in life. Factors such as changes in how economy runs, best paying jobs, how to succeed in life and beliefs about wealth creation have contributed a lot towards lowering parental pressure on college students.

Peer pressure remains an important aspect in a college students life. Peer pressure is very high in our highly consumption driven economy. The masters of consumerism are always producing new gadgets and goods with appeal to college students. Students are under pressure to match their peer in terms of what gadgets they have or own.

Most crucially, competition among college students has transformed from focus on academic excellence or college activities to exploits in the world of trade and even sport on the world arena. There are so many young billionaires and millionaires around. There are so many young achievers in our world of today. This has an influence on individual college students in terms of what they do with themselves.

Coupled with increasingly liberalist attitudes, college students have great influence on each other in terms of how they live their lives. Peer approval plays a more critical role in determining what is a considered right or wrong among college students of today than was the case in the 1970s. Parents of today tend to be liberals and even where the exhibit rigid traditional attitudes, students are more rebellious towards traditional values and principles.

Finally, the pressures and challenges in the world of today and numerous and very diverse. The world of today is a fast changing reality where nothing is given. The things and processes that traditionally worked no longer work. Globalization has opened new frontiers and also opened a Pandoras Box of challenges. In such like circumstances, each individual college student is personally much challenged. A key question for the youth of today is how to make quick Buicks or get rich very quickly.

Anchored on information technology, quite a number of young people have made it big. The idea that traditional ways of life no longer work have also provided impetus. Consequently, personal or self induced pressure is very high for present day college students. While students in the 1970s were under pressure to get good grades, college students of today have high self induced pressure geared towards creativity and building systems to tap into opportunities in society.

Conclusions

From the foregoing discussions, it is clear that the pressures students of the 1970s endured are the same as those faced by students of today. However, the prominence of pressures like parental pressure has waned while self-induced pressures have gained prominence. Additionally, changing socio-economic circumstances have transformed the expression of or how the different pressures register.