Distance Education in High Schools

*Is distance education a good idea in high school classrooms?*

As a future teacher, I think distance education is great in the high school classrooms. I think it is important for students to get the experience of the distance classes in case they have to take some like them in the future. It is a great way to expand their knowledge of technology and everything it can accomplish. Students would also be able to make and meet friends from all over the world and even learn about different cultures. I think that all students should be required to take at least one distance education class if the resources are available.

Technology Too Early?

*Are kids getting technology too early?*

I remember that I was in high school and being very active before my mom even considered me getting a cell phone. The only reason I ended up getting one was because she couldn't keep up with all of my extra curricular activities and I could call her when I was done and needed a ride. These days, I feel like kids are getting technology way too early. What is the point of a kid having a cell phone in middle school or even younger? The girl who sent over a thousand text messages a month was an eye opener for me. I am just not sure what the point is. I feel that high school is a good age to begin thinking about a cell phone for a student because this is when they are most active in school.
However, technology such as computers and computerized toys/activities could be a good thing. They could help students to begin on their educational knowledge and help with studying. Although, parents should be careful of how their children are using technology resources such as the Internet.

Technology in the Class

I just recently learned that technology is a great way to get students involved in the classroom. By using technology such as blogs, wikis, and online discussions, students can be actively involved in classroom discussion as if they were talking out loud. Some students may not be able to express their ideas verbally and come out of their comfort zone during online technology discussions. These are also a great way for students to get familiar with technology. Technology is becoming an integral part of the classroom today and it is important to expose students to it in many different ways. Computers are also a great resource for students. There are many different softwares for students to explore and create things on. Students can also use the Internet to research and further their education in the class. So, I think technology is definitely a great thing in the classroom!

2007 or 2003?

*Which Microsoft program software is better, 2003 or 2007?*

Well, I can't specifically say it is better, but I like Microsoft 2007 program better than 2003. Items are so much easier to find on the toolbar and it is laid out so that you can actually see everything instead of having to click on a thousand menu bars to view it!
I did take a whole course on the 2007 programs, so I would probably choose this one over the other. However, when I began the Microsoft Word class (the first one I took of 2007), I hated it. I couldn't find anything and I was so confused. After playing around in it and completing my lessons, I loved it! My only concern is that not all schools are changed to 2007 software yet. So, I might have to change my teaching or re-teach myself Microsoft 2003 programs and whichever school I end up at.

Praxis

I just recently took the business education praxis exam. I was very nervous going in to take it. I bought the study book and read through every page of it and complete the practice exam at the end like a million times! I also went to the website and used their study questions. However, going in on the day of the test, I did not feel very prepared. I felt like I had not studied enough and that I was going to fail.
When I began the test, I felt much better about the questions. Some of them were even the exact same ones from the study guides I had completed! It was like any normal exam. There were questions I knew right off the bat, questions that I could narrow down to two answers, and some I just had to guess at. I passed.
However, my main point of this blog is that just because I passed the exam, does that mean I am certified in all six areas that are covered in the test? I could have gotten all of the computer application questions right, but not one single accounting question right and still passed. So, that makes me certified to teach accounting and computer classes? I just feel that there has to be a better way to test the knowledge of each subject area and show that we really are ready for every subject-not just a combination. Don't get me wrong--I am very happy I passed! It just does not make sense to me that I can get all of one set of questions right and another wrong, yet I am still qualified to teach all of the areas??

Certification Exams

*Are certification exams a good thing?*

There are two types of certification exams you must pass in order to intern in the business education field. The IC3 and Microsoft Office exams. IC3 stands for Internet and Computing Core Certification. There are three parts to the exam: computing fundamentals, key applications, and living online. This exam tests the basic knowledge of computer functions and all that is associated with technology. The Microsoft Office exams include Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint. Each of these tests infers upon your knowledge of each program.
When I began taking the exams, I felt that it was a waste of my time. However, now that I am almost ready for internship, I am so glad I have all of those under my belt. I feel like I really learned from them and they made me more prepared for the information I will have to teach. There is a downfall to the tests. Each test is about $80 dollars to take. However, you do get one free re-take if you do not pass the first time.

New or Old?

*Is the new Course of Study preferred over the old Course of Study?*

First and foremost, I think the Course of Study for Business and Marketing Education is great. During my methods class last fall, I worked with the new Course of Study that will be used in the schools starting in the fall of 2009. We also took a look at the old COS in order to make a fair comparison. I personally loved the new COS. They have changed some of the classes around to make them more efficient and are offering some new courses for students. The State Department has also narrowed each course down to only have 20 objectives. The list of objectives is now compressed, but it covers the same amount of material.
Although I think the new COS is better, there are some things I have not learned enough about and I may not feel comfortable teaching those areas. I wish that students majoring in Business and Marketing Education would be taught somewhat by the COS. I feel that if it is in the COS, we should have at least one class about it. Overall, I like the new COS better than the old COS.

Block vs. Period

*In a business education classroom, is block scheduling or period scheduling better?*

As a future business education teacher, I believe that block scheduling is better for the classes we offer. Almost all of our classes are project based and can use the 90 minutes to teach and begin projects in class. It is also important that if a computer is needed to complete the assignment, we give the students time at school to finish because not everyone has access to a computer. That is why I feel block scheduling is so much better for business education. If you only had 50 minutes of class time, it would take too many days in order for students to complete long projects and cut out teaching time. However, it can work and would have to if it were your only option to have a period schedule. Therefore, I feel that block scheduling is better for business education classes.

Are Business Education Classes an Advantage?

*Does taking secondary business education classes give high school students an advantage when applying for jobs?*

As a future business education teacher, I feel that students will greatly benefit from taking business education classes. It will definitely give them an advantage when applying for jobs. We teach them skills such as interviewing, communication skills, writing a resume, how to dress appropriately, and career building. By teaching the students these skills, they will have a great advantage by knowing how to interview and communicate with co-workers and employers versus individuals who have never had any training of this sort.
Business education courses give students information and knowledge that they will use throughout their whole life. I feel that business education courses also give students an advantage in the real world.

Communication in Distance Education

*What is the best way to communicate with distance education students? Through video or text?*

I feel that communicating with distance education students should be both visual and text. It is important to show examples or other students work through video. I know personally, I do better when I actually see someone work a problem or demonstrate how to complete a task. So, I feel that students can get a lot out of watching a video of class. It does not matter whether they are watching it live (when it is being taped) or if they watch it on their own time. The important thing is that the option to watch a video of the class is made available. I also think it is important to provide your distance education students the lecture notes, Power Points, or other materials you may use in class. I am also a person who likes to have printed out materials in front of me in order to study. I like to highlight or make notes on the printed papers. Providing the distance education students with the option to print the materials gives them another option in studying. Both of these options is providing all students with different learning styles a chance to learn.

Building Community

*How do you build community in a distance education setting?*

I believe one of the best ways to build community in a distance education setting is to have group work. It is difficult to literally meet in groups, but through e-mail, video conferencing, chats, and discussions, students are able to put their ideas together and work on a group project. Since I have taken several distance education classes myself, I know how difficult it can be to work in groups. The best way to handle distance education group work is to assign tasks to everyone. This way, everyone has to participate. Once information for the project is found, each person should have a part in creating the presentation as well. For example, if it is a group paper, split the topics and have each person write one section of the paper. Then, choose one person to send all information to and let them put the paper together. After this has been completed, that one person would send the paper to everyone and they would proofread and send back errors or changes to the one person in charge.
Another way I feel creates community in a distance education class is to introduce yourself. In all of the classes I have taken, the very first discussion we completed was about our self. We also had to include a photo so the other students could put a face with voices and ideas. I think this is almost crucial for a distance education setting.

Distance Education Test Taking

*How do you ensure test taking integrity with distance education students?*

This can be somewhat difficult with a distance education class. However, there are a few ways I believe work for administering a distance education exam. The first way to ensure test taking is to have the students come to campus if it is at all possible. This way, you can see for yourself that the student is taking their exam for them self. The second way to administer a test is to have the student find a certified proctor and have them sign a sheet saying when and where the student took the test. Of course as the teacher, you might want to check up on the listed proctor to ensure honesty. You could also work out something with a college close by to the student so that they could go there and take their exam. This would be a little more work for the teacher seeing as she/he would have to make sure to fax or email the exam to the qualified proctor at the school.
Distance education makes exams a major issue. The main aspect here is that you as the teacher be able to put trust and faith in your students that they keep their academic honesty. I would use the proctor sign in sheet and actually talk to the proctor to make sure the student is truthful. I understand that one of the advantages of distance education is for students to complete tasks on their time, but if push comes to shove and cheating happens, the student may have to sacrifice and come in to the classroom to take their exams.

Distance Education

*Will distance education take the place of classroom teachers?*

Distance education is growing rapidly in both grade schools and colleges. However, I do not believe it will take the place of the classroom teacher. There will still be courses that need to be taught by regular in-classroom teachers. You also have to think that distance education classes still have a teacher! Most distance education classes use live streaming video coverage that students can watch at a certain time, such as in grade school, or that they can watch on their own time, such as in colleges. So, there still has to be a teacher in order to make this video and have someone to teach the class.
I think distance education is a great asset to education in general. It gives students in grade schools a chance to take courses that may not be offered at their home school. This allows them to expand their knowledge and learn about the technology used for the class. Distance education is also wonderful for students wanting to complete their college degrees because they can still work around their normal lives and complete their work on their own time. Regardless of in class or distance education, there is still the need for a teacher!

Certified Teachers?

*Should elementary schools have certified business education teachers teaching technology classes and career exploration?*

Most teachers have at least one technology class in college and might attend technology workshops once they obtain a job. However, they do not learn all of the aspects of technology in order to teach career cluster exploration and technology classes. I believe it is very important to have certified teachers in the classroom to teach both of these subject areas. I am by no means saying that teachers in these type of situations now are not successful. I believe you can be very knowledgeable about these areas, but I think it is only appropriate and official that you be certified.
There would have to be some changes made in the business education curriculum. Our major only certifies us with grades 6-12. So, we would have to expand the curriculum to accommodate the previous grades or have an add on certificate to give an option of teaching those grades.

Keyboarding Skills

*When should students be taught keyboarding skills-elementary or secondary?*

I believe that with the rapid change of technology, students should be taught keyboarding skills at a younger age. At my high school, we were taught keyboarding skills in the 9th grade. That was great 6 years ago, but now students are beginning to use computers/keyboards in the classrooms and labs in earlier grades. I recently completed service learning at an 8th and 9th grade school where they were undergoing a laptop initiative program. The students I worked with barely knew how to type. A few knew close to the proper way to type, but most were "chicken-pecking!" I think this just goes to show that if students are going to be using computers/keyboards at younger ages, then they should be taught keyboard skills at an elementary level. I don't mean kindergarten, but maybe around 5th grade. It is a very important skill to possess, so I believe it should also be a requirement.