Too Much Computer Access May Hinder Education: Report

Computers and technology have improved our social skills in terms of keeping contact and up to date with each other and having information virtually about anything at your fingertips; however, is it harming children’s education rather than strengthening it? This article comes to face with the fact that internet/computer access may be distracting rather than beneficial to children.

Michael Zwaagstra, a Manitoba high school teacher (who the article was penned by) disclaims “computer-literate could come at the cost of teaching kids basic subjects like reading by cutting into class time.” This is being targeted to younger children in grades one or two. “students with less access to computers actually earned higher grades in math, reading and science.” Coming to the conclusion that moderate computer use was beneficial, and overuse caused negative impact. Also, Zwaagstra thought the money could be used towards a more productive use like hiring more teachers and capital costs instead of spending millions of dollars on technology. Considering the government funding is going to get technology for the schools, they believe that computer use is beneficial.

I believe that Zwaagstra is correct in this report. Too much computer access distracts students from their studies leaving them to fall behind in class. Having internet and computers is good to get information, but harmful/distracting when overused, which many people with internet access do. I think that overall, students should focus more on strengthening their academics rather than strengthening their computer literacy skills. 

Should Online Privacy for Educators Exist?

Suspended Teacher in Facebook Incident Ignites Debate: Should Online Privacy for Educators Exist?

By: Grace Zacharuk

            A Charlotte, North Carolina Teacher was suspended from teaching after she made a comment regarding the school she worked at. Her Facebook profile was meant to be private, but somehow the comment became public and was seen by a television network, while they were searching for those who had identified themselves as staff members of Thomasboro Elementary School. The teacher claimed she set her profile to private, but perhaps didn't save the settings after she changed them, setting them back to default.

                

              The question asked in this article is, should online privacy for educators exist? And yes, I believe it should. Each person has their own work life, things they do strictly for work and at work. When we clock out at the end of the day, we should have the ability to do and say what we would normally do in our lives, and not have them catered around work policies. The comment made by the teacher was expressing her opinion about the school, “I am teaching in the most ghetto school in Charlotte.” Once the comment was discovered it sparked a debate among teachers, parents, administrators, and privacy advocates regarding the free speech for teachers. The teachers’ involvement in social networking sites was questioned, as to what the district policy should be, and how much is really private according to the online settings.

                

               When The Charlotte Observer published an article addressing the situation, people had commented saying that firing the teacher is too harsh a punishment. She was merely expressing her opinion, which she has the right to do, and perhaps didn't quite understand the privacy settings on Facebook, like many other people. BluNews wrote, “I doubt that this will be the last time we hear about something like this. School systems should set policy on issues like this and warn teachers that negative postings about their jobs could lead to disciplinary actions.” In all fairness, teachers should be allowed to have an opinion and speak it too.

Year-round school is worth consideration

How fun does school all year round sound? Not fun at all, though it does have its pros and cons. For one it’s proven to have helped improve students learning, and achievement scores. On the other, it’s a new system that each new family will have to adapt to. This meaning that prior trip arrangements would have to be rescheduled, day care would have to be sought out, and small other factors would have to be moulded according to the new system. Now, please bear with me, as we continue to further discuss the pros and cons of the seemingly dreadful year-round school system.

During the farm economy, school children had to help out with their families farms; this explains the reason for why we have summers off. Now that we live in a more modern society, filled with urbanized cities throughout the world, summers off for school aren't a necessity. A lot of students love the idea of 2 months off school for the hottest season of the year: summer.  Unfortunately, a change to the regular school system could be upsetting to most, and also cause an uproar for those who have already made prior arrangements for the upcoming breaks.

The bright side to this new setting in our learning curricular is that it has proven to help improve a student’s achievement scores. Thankfully, even though the school-year round calendar has changed, we will still only have 194 days of school (like always). Also, we’ll be able to have less pressure on job opportunities and applying to university, because different high school will end at different times. This will lead to graduates applying at different times, allowing for less competition. As well as what’s stated in the article, this year-round school year calendar is supposed to relieve classroom shortages, and makes the school year more interesting for students.

Another point made from the article is that families aren’t as wealthy as before to afford summer cottages and trips. These vacations are also spread throughout the school year anyway. A downside to this year-round system is that the summer school programs would have to be altered to fit in with the new school year. As the article says, it suggests that transportation for these remedial programs would be of easer access throughout the school year. This transportation theory doesn’t hold true, because transportation systems would be the exact same throughout the summer.

In conclusion, I don’t believe the year-round school calendar system is a better alternative to the system we have now. I definitely believe it’s worth a try since it’s received some positive reviews from the U.S. I don’t think a lot of students would be willing to switch over to a different system after having the same one growing up. A few more trial tests should be conducted before pushing this new system onto most or all high schools though.

Is Year Round School A Good Idea?
Our school system as we know it now, has become very routine to us. Two months of summer, winter, and spring break is when we always have our vacations. Lately, a provincial committee came up with the idea of year-round schooling. This would mean a new calendar and schedule for students and parents. This is a very new ideaand a few school districts in the United States have attempted and there seem to be positive results. Regardless of the testimonials, parents and students will have questions regarding this new approach to education. When would our breaks be?Will there be more or less school? Will this interfere with my extracurricular activities?
The year-round school system can be organized two ways. Nine weeks of class with a four week break in between, or 12 weeks of class with a five week break in between. Regardless of the choice, the number of school days and professional days remains the same. The article we were given says that both systems could work together in one school although, I am not sure how that would work. The system we use now is described to be quite old-fashioned as if it has run its course. The two months of summer holidays were actually put in place because of the farmers and farmer's children.The children were needed to help with maintaining the farms it during the summer. Most places on the west coast of Canada today, don't require their children to work on farms anymore.
With any idea there are pros and cons of that go with it. Year-round schooling seems to have many pros but this doesn't come without any negative aspects. The transition into this school system would be a rocky one. Parents might not have jobs that would work with their children's new system and extra childcare might be needed. Afterschool activities and teams run on a very distinct weekly schedule. If half of their students came from a district that practice the year-round schooling and the other half came from a district that practice the old system how would they create a schedule to fit both? Half the kids would be off on vacation while the other half is still in school.
There are many positive aspects to gear long schooling. The cost of operation would be lowered. Students looking for jobs would have a better chance because of the breaks that are not during the peak season for applicants (summer and Christmas). There would be less competition for students. Research gathered from schools that have tried out the system have reported less dropouts. This is great news for parents with troubled kids.Another benefit of the school system, is that it would get rid of classroom shortages. This would make our school experience much more enjoyable.
I personally have no strong views regarding this topic. If the school board wanted to try it, I would except with a neutral but optimisitc outlook. The idea is well thought out but also flawed. There are very few ideas in the world that will please everyone. I believe that it is worth giving a trial run to see how students take to it. The outcome seems to be more positive than negative from other schools. This will be something that require a leap of faith from society.

Year-Round School Is Worth Consideration - Law 12 Essay

Taylor Johnston                                                                                              October 16^th, 2014

Our Opinion:

Year-Round School Is Worth Consideration

            “In fast urbanizing York Region, this tradition is as outdated as the horse and buggy.”

            A two-month summer is no longer in session for some schools down in the United States.  Not only benefiting the students, but it benefits the administrator’s reduction in the over-all operating costs of the schools.  Several different systems have been applied towards the school boards giving them the options to just a single or multiple cycle for each year.  “Arguments” held by families trying to keep the two-month summer break for family vacations doesn't appeal to the school board, for many families can't afford summer homes.

            Having year-round school would make the school year more interesting for the students.  Research taken from the United States shows that this year-round system has increasingly helped students achieve their scores as well as decreased the drop-out rate.  All systems would consists of 194 school days and 9 professional development days.  Holding a vote allowing both the school board and the students, in my opinion would be fair.

            For a fact, most Canadians know that this year-round system will be taking place in the near future.  In my opinion, I would be fine with a year-round system.  It gives teachers and students an equal amount of time in and out of school.  Students as of now are always taking time off during the school days/weeks and will vacation for up to 4-6 weeks.  I think scrambling up the school year, having time off here and there would lessen the chances of students missing classes due to vacations.  Unfortunately, the two-month summers are very well used in my family.  My brother and I would most certainly hate to see the two-month summers go, but to go with anything else put into your life, you have to adapt to this system that will soon come into play.

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