Internet & Education

When considering my adventures past the high school doors, I came to the conclusion that since I was not going away to a four year college I could do more with the time span put in front of me while I was getting a degree. I didn't want to sit at home all day and only do a couple hours of school work every now and again when time came for my classes, so I ventured into the world of FLO classes. Ever since I have taken one, I haven't taken another class at the campus (unless it is only offered that way). I find that being able to take classes online and using the Internet is much more effective and feasible for someone that is working full time, taking care of a house, and at the same time still trying to consider their education and future. I have used the Internet for my education farther than just in my college semesters at RCC. During high school, the Internet was the first place I turned to when needing research or any type of information whether it be big or small. The Internet has such a wide vast amount of knowledge out there that people just have to sort through in order to find what really interest or helps them. Without the Internet, I would not be able to have a full time job and be going to school for my degree at the same time. Taking FLO classes allows me to have a flexible schedule and complete my assignments when my time prevails.

In five years from now, I feel that the Internet is going to be even more advanced than it is so now. The Internet has more information than any one person could ever begin to imagine so in the next five years I believe that there are going to be more computers available and changes being made every day to enhance the technologies. Technology has come a long way from huge desk top monitors and huge towers, to small portable laptops that can be used virtually anywhere. The Internet is going to be the most used and worked on technology in years to come.

When I was just entering high school, there was a total of 20 computers that students could use in the library. Although our school system is not very large, a classroom would be larger than the amount of computers that was allowed when I first went to high school, so as my years went by the school system acquired many more computers before the time that I graduated. I felt all throughout my high school year that if students could have laptops throughout their school year, they could be able to more efficiently takes notes, do assignments, and get work completed faster. Although there would be many bumps to pass over when first attempting to have laptops for every student, I feel that in the near future the public systems will allow for students to have computers in school. It is nearly impossible for a person to complete a project, research paper, or anything of the sort without turning to the Internet in the modern day. The Internet allows students to have fast and accurate information at the click of a button.

When the question arose about how could an academic setting be used to connect people international it reminded me of years go when one of my English teachers assigned a project throughout the year where the students had to have a pen pal outside of the state of Virginia. We had to write them so often and what not, I feel that something like that would help pull people together from other nations by having them keep in contact with other students via email and Internet connections. By doing so, the students could use the Internet as their source of communication while also being given the chance to learn about the different cultures, lives, and backgrounds of other people.

I think the solution to education and the Internet is to let technology run its course. It has gotten this far, I feel that there is many more changes in the works. In the modern day, there are cell phones that pick up cable television, soon there will be Internet in the steering wheels of our cars if the laws will pass for it! :)

TED Talk-Sir Ken Robinson Speech

Throughout every day there is many things a person thinks of during their day. Most things are ordinary thoughts, whats for dinner, whats left to do at home, how much money is in the bank, and such things. Not usually do thoughts come across a person mind that truly make a person think deeply enough to ponder on it for minutes upon time, since the usual thoughts are there and then gone. When listening to Sir Ken Robinson speaking, people are suddenly brought upon the subject of children's creativity being killed by the education system. This type of subject is one that is out of sight out of mind, so when it comes up as a subject, you must think deeply about it because at the base of it their is a truth behind everything that is brought to your mind. People are easily persuaded to believe a speech when it is given to them by someone that seems to know what they are speaking about, therefore this speech has persuaded me to believe that in more ways than one the education system is killing the creativity of our younger generations.

Sir Ken Robinson made many great points that helped persuade his belief that education systems do kill children's creativity. The main point that struck me was the talk of a child that could not concentrate on anything, but when was faced with a drawing lesson she payed complete attention. I know a child that has ADHD and first had I see how hard it is for her to pay attention for this class or that class, but if you give her one thing that she likes such as a computer game or video game she will be completely attentive. To me, this seems as a child's' creativity within what they like. The problem with this is that, video games and such will not teach a child to learn like a school will, but the fact of the matter is, is that at some point or the next every child can be the same whether they are working on a project, playing a game, or just watching television, something makes a child pay attention and let their imagination run.

Another interesting point that Robinson made is that kids take a chance and are not afraid to be wrong. Too often I feel that we as people are taught that you must do everything right, for when you do things wrong is when you are looked down upon. Children do not take right and wrong into consideration, what they feel is how things will be. Children lose their sense of creativity and their careless feelings to be wrong or right as they grow and learn that being wrong is not an opinion in the modern day.

Robinson mentions that Picasso stated, "All children are born as artist..." I believe this statement is very true. Take a child that is given a chance, see how far they take it while take another child that is never given the chance and see how badly they want the chance. Children are always urning to do something else, whether its buy another toy, read another book, eat another snack, when given the chance children will take it much farther than an adult that has taken their chances throughout life. Once a child is taught that everything they want to do, say, or become is not what is in their life line, they become the models their parents wanted and again their creativity is taken away from them.

In this modern world, education has its way of getting into childrens heads and making them believe, be, and want what is put forth to them. If the horizon was open ahead of them, children could let their imaginations run freely to be as creative as they wanted without restraints.

All About Me

Hey guys..guess you found my blog...so let me tell you a little bit about me. My name is Megan. I am 19 years old and attend Rappahannock Community College (mainly just FLO classes). I work full time at a Medical Billing Group where we bill for over hospitals and doctors offices. I am an Accounts Receivable Coordinator, so I handle all the money that comes into the building and deposit it into the correct checking accounts.

Enough about that horrible place called work, when I was in high school I took many college credit classes to get a head start on my future degree in Business Mangement, whch I am still working towards. I like learning as much as possible about how to navigate and use all the bells and whistles of the internet and computer. I deal with a computer all day long for the Accounts Receivable position and it is very helpful to know the short cuts.

In my spare time, I love to go shopping. I'm attempting to begin scrapbooking, although I've been trying to attempt it for the last year and still have not completely got everything I need to do it the way I want. I love going to Myrtle Beach and Nags Head when I get the time.

Other than that, I'm pretty much a laid back person. I have a beautiful new house that I recently moved into with my wonderful boyfriend, a cute little dog named Gizmo who loves to keep us company, and we stay on the go constantly so theres not much time for anything else!

-Megan