Hands-on Learning in the Classroom

          Hands-on learning is really becoming the better choice for learning in the classroom. A lot of students don't learn what they need to learn because of the way teachers choose to teach their classrooms. There are many different ways to teach a classroom and positive effects for how they do it. Depending on the students' learning abilities, there is also negative effects to how it is done as well. It has been proven to work in many classrooms. Not every classroom should just be lectured or come from a power point.

          Every student learns in a different way. Many don't find a lecture from a power point very effective. There's a lot of information given and even the best note taker can't always get all of the important facts written down. Even if the student could get everything important written down, that doesn't mean that they would understand or even retain what they're being told, especially if it comes from a very monotone professor. Some alternatives to this would be things like taking the class on a field trip to help them better understand and even see what they're learning about. The professor could also break up the lectures with movies, giving the time for students to think, and sometimes having two courses work together. This could doubly ensure that a student not only learns but retains information because of spaced repetition. Another way would be to have the students interact with each other and in some classes, have a debate about what they're talking about. This allows the students to voice their opinion and be creative with what they have to say. 

  

They have to speak for themselves and really understand what they're talking about in order to defend it. This type of interaction is also beneficial to them in the work force and later in life. Having a student speak for themselves and mingle with their peers can really help them feel useful, accomplished, and smarter because they know they've had to work for something. It can be added to any classroom, no matter what the subject because of uses of interaction, personal discipline, and experience that can come with hands-on learning. They can all grow in knowledge and life skills just by a way a professor chooses to teach their students.

          Sometimes this type of learning and classroom interaction won't always work. Not every student is a leader or even interested in anything school related. Only they can decide what to do with the time they're given in and out of the classroom. A lot of this type of learning has much less teaching from the professor his or herself. This type of distraction can lead to less learning being achieved because the student was not first fully taught the material, and requires a lot of self learning capabilities, which not all students have. There really should be a balance of the typical-style of classroom and a hands-on method. Without it, not every student could really benefit from their college classroom.

Many classrooms that aren't just lectured are preferred than by students who have classes that are. 

Would a student who was learning by telling the class about the material rather than a student who just heard it from a teacher not retain more information? It is proven that spaced repetition works more efficiently than just hearing it, reading it, or writing it down once. Students remember what they find interesting. Even the most boring topics can be remembered if it's taught in a fun way that the student remembers. No one likes a boring classroom; a student always remembers more from the classrooms they enjoyed and sometimes even looked forward to going to.

          Jacksonville State University would see so many results if they switched to more of a hands-on learning method instead of the typical method. A lot more students would want to attend JSU with this type of learning technique being used in the classrooms. The freshman class would grow, and the percentage of students who got to graduate would increase. The wouldn't be so burned out and fail so much in their first few years. This would help the teachers better understand their students and bring the campus into the twenty-first century learning techniques. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn in a way the enjoy and gain information they can hold on to. Let's give them that chance!

Reflection of My Top Three Posts

          Throughout the semester, I feel like I have grown in my writing and blogging abilities. When I first started blogging I had no idea what I was doing and realized I wasn't as good of a writer as I thought. In my first few blogs, I didn't use pictures, rambled and repeated myself, added information that was unnecessary, and put no links in my blog. Looking back on them, I see they weren't that good at all. I am most proud of Blog Post Four, Five, and Six. I think I gave a good point of view in blog post four and made it appeal to the eye. Everything in blog post five is about the topic I'm discussing and covered well. Blog Post Six is a revised version of Blog Post Two. I feel it is better written and done in a more professional blogger way.

          Blog Post Four is not my favorite blog post but is in my top three. I talked about whether or not college is enough and if it was any good. I argued that, "More and more students go in to a large amount of financial debt when they go to college." I showed how it could benefit you and how it couldn't by talking about financial aid, loans, and referenced from an article that basically said college can't teach you to think for yourself. I feel like I talked about reasons why college is a good idea and why it isn't. Because of my major, I have to go to college but not everyone has to.

          The ideas from an essay or an article in Share or Die was what we had to talk about in Blog Post Five. I had chosen to talk about worker's co-op's and how to start them. I went into great detail on when starting one, what would be appropriate, how to go about starting one, and what to ask yourself when you start one so it will be most successful. There is a graph in the post that shows how successful they are compared to other types of companies and an example of a workers co-op business that was mentioned in the book called Alvarado Street Bakery. I also gave several links to other websites that gives information on them to research it if someone wanted to start their own. It's a very popular type of business that continues to grow.

          Originally in Blog Post Two I talked about why I chose to go to college. In Blog Post Six I revised and made that original post better. I like Blog Post Six because of all of its improvements. At first I added no pictures, links, or even spacing of my paragraphs. When I revised it I added four pictures to better go with what I was saying. Instead of my paragraphs sounding so formal, unpleasing to read, and cluttered together, I reworded some of the things I said, separated my paragraphs, made my sentences flow. I like the way this post looks compared to its original form. This is what I should've done for Blog Post Two.

I have chosen to go to college for many reasons. In order for me to do the job I want to do for the rest of my life I have to have a degree for it. The higher the degree I have in my field, the more money I can make in a year. I've also heard from many people, including family and close family friends, that college is one of the best experiences they have ever had. College isn't for some people, and there are other ways to get a well paying job without having a college degree, like knowing how to do a trade. In fact, if you already know what you want to do and it doesn't require going to college to do it, don't go. Today everyone makes it sound like you have to go no matter what, and that isn't true. I even grew up knowing I was going to college; it wasn't a choice, just the next step in life. I don't know how to do a trade and I've found my calling so I knew I was suppose to go to college anyway.

 My calling in life is to be a Geriatric Nurse, which means being a nurse for elderly people. There is no way for me to do what I have wanted to do for two years now without having the college degree that classifies me for it. When my grandaddy was sick, I was in the hospital everyday for three months and could see myself doing all of the different jobs nurses do. The rewards of getting to help save someone's life or make their last moments comfortable for them would be an honor to me. I specifically chose geriatrics because of how much respect I have for the elderly. I chose Jacksonville State because of the fantastic nursing program their known for having. I can not wait for someday being able to do what I know I would love to do.

 Going to college costs A LOT of money. Some people have to pay for all of it out of pocket or pay back loans to the government to go to college and don't even get the job they wanted when they get out. Very few are lucky enough to have their college completely paid for by scholarship, grants, or a family that can easily afford it and get the job they've wanted. In the end, for some people, it's worth it because it helps you get the job you wanted to be qualified to get. Being able to have a job can help pay for retirement, a comfortable living, and even help support a family; however, going to college and getting a degree doesn't promise that any of this will happen immediately or even soon. Some people wind up having to settle for lesser jobs until they can get up to what they want. I want to be able to live comfortably and never have to worry very much about money. I also would like to have so much money saved up by the time I die that my children and grandchildren won't have to worry about much in their lives either. I know it will be many years before I can do this. My mom always had to worry about money for me, and I made a goal to be able to help her and everyone after me that I can. It means a lot to me to have my family taken care of.

 Another thing about college that made me want to do it was to be a part of an organization of some kind. I considered doing a sorority and then tried out for the Marching Southerners earlier this summer and got accepted into the 2012 flute line.

It is without a doubt the best thing I have done so far. The family in my section and throughout the whole band isn't like any other organization on campus. It takes so much work to be a part of the Southerners. The reputation we have makes me so proud to be a part of the 402 people in the band and on the field. Because I didn't get a scholarship for band, I don't have to take a musical class or be in another type of ensemble next semester. I can just do marching band and not lose any money for my other classes. At first when I chose to go to college and be in band, I wanted to do some type of concert band next semester, but now that I see how much work it is and what little time I have to do things outside of school, I'm actually relieved I don't have to worry about another class to take up my time. Band makes me have a fourteen hour load. It's hard for me to believe that I almost didn't even do the Marching Southerners this year. It's what I have loved most about college so far this year.

 All of my life I was pretty sheltered and over protected. My mom always worried constantly about where I was, what I do was doing, and who I was with. Sadly one of my big reasons for choosing to go to college and living on campus, even though I didn't have to, was because I got to be on my own (for the most part.) I don't have to check in with my mom all the time or tell her everywhere I'm going everyday. It's nice to have a taste of all of the freedom. The location is perfect too. I'm from a small town named Odenville northeast of Birmingham.

 It's far enough from where I live to really feel like I've left the nest, but not so far I can't run home for something I need to or if I'm sick. It's already proven to be very convenient. I enjoy the laid back feeling college has and the fact everyone is here for the same thing. They're here to get an education. For the most part the people that go to college actually care about school. It's too much money to blow to flunk out or slide by grade wise. The atmosphere of the classrooms, the professors I have, and the ability to plan my own schedule really appealed to me. I like Jacksonville State University, and I'm glad I chose to go to college here.

       In today's society, job opportunities are becoming harder and harder to come by, so many people have resorted to starting their own business, or a workers co-op. I had not known much about this type of company until I read about it.This type of business is becoming more popular because of the fact that the owners of the business have more say so over what the business does or doesn't do. Before starting this type of business however, you should gather a group of people willing and able to do the job and address certain questions one should ask themselves to help it succeed. Typically the people who own a workers co-op makes more money than someone who just works for a "traditional" business, and because of the economy, workers co-ops are becoming more popular. It's been said they even last longer than regular businesses do.

You are your own boss in a workers co-op. What exactly is a co-op? It's a business democratically controlled and owned by the workers. There are coworker-owners who share the responsibility of managing the company. This is more ideal to most people because the coworker-owners are typically more understanding of personal needs than middle management at any corporation. They also are not forced into hierarchy and have more of a voice in the decision making of the company. Cutting out the management and investors will save a lot of money for the business as well. It almost seems ideal to have this type of business, but some questions should be addressed first before starting up a business.

To get any business started, you must have people to get the job done. Some companies will switch to a workers co-op and keep the workers they already had there. Sometimes new employees are found to do the job. Once you have your people for the job, you need to ask several questions. Common questions used to help start a worker's co-op are:

-What is your common goal and purpose? 

-Are you forming a new business or converting an old one?

-Who will be on your team

-How will new worker owners join?

-How will you manage your co-op?

-Who will make decisions?

-How much money will you need?

-Where will you get the funding?

If all of these questions aren't addressed, then it's near to impossible to get the business up and running or successful.

It has been shown that people who work for a workers co-op make more money than those that work at a traditional business. On page seventy-one of the book "Share or Die" it gives an example of a man from Petaluma, California at Alvarado Street Bakery making $60,000 a year. It says in the book that the workers in these type of business are less likely to get laid off. The job security is major appeal especially since jobs today are becoming more and more scarce. 

If you're going to start a workers co-op, do your research on how to do it, get a group of people together who will work for you, and start your business. I find it to sound very easy to do and beneficial. It's almost ideal because of the pay, job security, and the fact the bosses are more likely to be understanding of any given situation. Workers co-ops will probably become a lot more popular than they already are.

Is college enough? Is college good enough? In a way I also feel I should ask, "Is college good?" Considering I wish to be a Registered Nurse, I feel that college is excellent and mandatory to fulfill my dream. College has some things about it however that aren't good. The most well known reason being, financial debt. Some things school will teach someone can have a negative affect. In some cases it shows how it no longer really helps prepare them for the real world. College alone isn't enough because of the fact that in today's world, a college degree is no longer something that sets you apart from other people. Luckily, things are always changing and we can change the game in how and what we learn.

College wasn't really a choice for me. It's not a choice for someone wanting to go in to nursing; however, many people find it not a good thing for them. More and more students go in to a large amount of financial debt when they go to college. They usually will spend countless years paying back their student loans or some other type of financial aid they received. College also doesn't teach you much about the actual real world for a lot of people. All of your life you are drilled to believe you should go to college and that college alone will help get you what you want. The government believes that with the growing number of people who will be voting, they should keep the country educated. Though this is true, the article in "How the Young Are Indoctrinated to Obey" it says, "…but educated the right way: Limit their perspectives and understanding, discourage free and independent thought, and train them for obedience," which basically states that college won't teach you how to think for yourself, or how it's okay to have you're own opinion about how things may be done. You will probably gain bad habits from college as well like  thinking that everything is in black and white, being narrow minded about a situation, and feeling that no one else you work with or are around is important. Until you get in the work setting, it can be difficult to be open to new ideas.

Unlike most people's beliefs, a college degree will not guarantee you a job immediately after you graduate. "A college degree just isn't enough i today's job market," said the writer of Financially Poor. For example: when my cousin, Kerri, had just finished nursing school and earned her RN license, she applied for her job title at a local hospital, but because someone else who had worked in a hospital previous to applying there put in an application, they got the job instead of her. Many cases will prove that experience will almost always triumph over a college degree. 

Life, nature, gas prices, and learning methods are always changing. Use to, the belief was that a degree secured you a job after graduation. There was the idea that not just anyone could go to school and obtain a degree of their own. In Next-Generation Learning, it talks about the ways of which to learn. First of all, no one can do it for you. You must study. You must go to class. You must make the effort, and you must be willing to do the work and try new things. Only when these things are done can you actually see how college would be enough for you. College won't be easy and not always fun, but if you try to make it work for you, then you will be able to see how college will be beneficial.

 College is becoming more and more essential in today's society. It is good for furthering your education to get the degree of your choice so that you can start your life. From everyone's opinion, it also is an experience and chapter in your life that you will never forget, and one that most people believe everyone should go through. College is made to seen like it is meant for everyone, and that everyone needs it to get any where decent in life. I know of some cases where that isn't entirely true. It depends on the person, but for the most people, it's the smartest decision they could have made.

It seems like every decent job now a days requires a degree to make the higher of salaries. The degree a person chooses should be one that is not near to impossible to obtain a job for. Useless degrees are not as common as some people believe. Just about any degree can have a purpose for a certain job at some point in someone's life. Andrew Bast in his blog "The Case for a Useless Degree" he shares his story of how he found out that many degrees are in fact useful. You just have to know what you would like to do and what interests you in life. You figure that out, your possibilities become almost endless.

So many people talk about "the college experience" and how much fun it is. They say everyone should go through it- including my own mom. It's a chapter in your life where you begin doing things on your own and taking your own responsibilities. Battousai posted a blog talking about the college experience. Depending on what you're studying and how many years you've been studying differentiates your opinion on college. Freshman learn to grow up and mature. They realize that with all their new found freedom comes more responsibility. Everyone has difference opinions about their own experience, but really it all depends on how you approach it all.

Everyone I have ever talked to says that everyone should at some point in life live the college experience. It has always been important, but it is increasingly becoming more important. It may be a great experience but only when it's justified. There was a professor at an Ivy League school who one day was questioned on why students had to do certain things in their classes. He concluded, "Society needs a mechanism for sorting out its more intelligent members from its less intelligent ones…". This in my opinion is very true. Not everyone could probably handle, afford, or pass college. There are a select few who learn how to do a trade and make a lot of money that way. Below is a small table showing the difference in incomes for someone without and with a degree. My cousin is one of the select few of people, and his family is more than well taken care of. He never stepped foot on a campus or in a classroom after high school.

Beginning Midlevel Top No College Required $28,350 $47,200 $79,150 4-year degree or higher $51,250 $85,300 $130,600

College is a huge milestone in a person's life. It's the beginning of the first start of their life. This is where they figure out themselves, the responsibilities of being an independent adult, and what they wish to do with the rest of their lives. It's good to have the degree proving you have the necessary education for your desired job. The experience and maturity it can give a person will stay with them their entire lives. Like my mom said to me before I came, "Just try college. It can't hurt."

Why go to college?

I have chosen to go to college for many reasons. In order for me to get even a reasonable paying job I need to have some type of college degree. The higher the degree I have, the more money I can make in a year. I've also heard from many people, including family and close family friends, that college is one of the best experiences that everyone should go through in their lifetime. College is not for some people, and there are other ways to get a well paying job without having a college degree, like knowing how to do a trade. I don't know how to do a trade of any kind so I knew college was for me.

My calling in life is to be a Geriatric Nurse. There is no way for me to do what I have wanted to do for two years now without having the college degree that classifies me for it. When my grandaddy was sick, I was in the hospital everyday for three months and could see myself doing all of the different jobs nurses do. The rewards of getting to help save someone's life or make their last moments comfortable for them would be an honor to me. I chose this college because of the fantastic program their known for having. I can not wait for someday being able to do what I know I would love to do.

Going to college cost A LOT of money. Some people have to pay for all of it out of pocket or pay back loans to the government to go to college. Very few are lucky enough to have their college completely paid for by scholarship, grants, or a family that can easily afford it. In the end it's worth it because it helps you get high paying jobs that can go into retirement, pay for a comfortable living, and even help support a family. I want to be able to live comfortably and never have to worry very much about money. I also would like to have so much money saved up by the time I die that my children and grandchildren won't have to worry about much in their lives either. My mom always had to worry about money for me, and I made a goal to be able to help her and everyone after me that I can. It means a lot to me to have my family taken care of.

Another thing about college that made me want to do it was to be a part of an organization of some kind. I tried out for the Marching Southerners earlier this summer and got accepted into the 2012 flute line. It is without a doubt the best thing I have done so far. The family in my section and throughout the whole band isn't like any other organization on campus. It takes so much work to be a part of the Southerners. The reputation we have makes me to proud to be a part of the 402 people in the band. Because I did not get a scholarship for band, I don't have to take a musical class or be in another type of ensemble next semester. I can just do marching band and not lose any money for my other classes. At first when I chose to go to college and be in band, I wanted to do some type of concert band next semester, but now that I see how much work it is and what little time I have to do things outside of school, I'm actually relieved I don't have to worry about another class to take up my time. Band makes me have a sixteen hour load. It is hard for me to believe that I almost didn't even do the Marching Southerners this year. It's what I have loved most about college so far this year.

All of my life I was pretty sheltered and over protected. My mom always worried constantly about where I was, what I do was doing, and who I was with. Sadly one of my big reasons for choosing to go to college and live on campus even though I didn't have to was because I got to be on my own for the most part. I don't have to check in with my mom all the time or tell her everywhere I'm going everyday. It's quite nice to have a taste of all of the freedom. The location is perfect too. It's far enough from where I live to really feel like I've left the nest, but not so far I can't run home for something I need or if I'm sick. It's already proven to be very convenient. I enjoy the laid back feeling college has and the fact everyone is here for the same thing. They're here to get an education. For the most part the people that go to college actually care about school. It's too much money to blow to flunk out or slide by grade wise. The atmosphere of the classrooms, the professors I have, and the ability to plan my own schedule really appealed to me. I like Jacksonville State University, and I'm glad I chose to go to college here.