A Revolution on Educational Approach to Teaching - Essay Example

Education by Post A Revolution on Educational Approach to Teaching Through Correspondence A Literature Review Background Education has and willalways be an important aspect in the society. This idea is mainly true because of the fact that it ensures an individual sense of responsibility and it promotes independence by equipping individuals in the society valuable knowledge and skills for them to survive and become existent to their purpose. (Vandergrift, 1992, 57) Vandergrift (1992) mentions that in a general perspective, education significantly promotes the development and further advancement of the society as a whole by enabling the young people to become knowledgeable individuals capable of enhancing the current lifestyle and culture of the society. (58) Hence as a result, the modern society's realization of the fact that education is indeed a vital part of human development, it could not be denied that experts on the matter never stop finding better ways to assist human individuals [both young and old] to realize their capabilities and the opportunities available for them to learn more and be able to have better use of their time as well as to have better future ahead of them. It could be noted education then is drawn even closer to the learners so as to assure that the said individuals would not loose their interest in the matter simply because of the not being able to handle the matter considerably for certain reasons. (Vandergrift, 1992, 58, 59) In some faraway places, say for example distant areas that are found around the suburbs, universities and other he facilities for learning are at times absent in the area. Hence, as a result, only a few among those living in such areas are able to get access to the most effective education that they deserve. To be able to cater to these students, the experts found better systems of learning that would be most effective for the learning of the said individuals. According to Handerson (1994), one of the most effective approaches used to day is that of the postcode-based education which could be categorized into two (a) virtual-based; and (b) pure correspondence. (34) Virtual Based Postcode Education The virtual-based learning that is suggested here may be connected to a nearby university maybe situated within the capital city of the area or another university from nearby vicinity that allows off-campus learning. Most of these educational forms take place through the Internet. Botelho (2004) describes the matter as a process that involves high tech gadgets as means of connection between instructors and students which include a hooked up video conferencing may best be used in this course of learning thus virtually connecting the learner to the instructor's care. (Internet) It is undeniable that through the said process, students are given the chance to learn normally even though they are not physically present in class. (EET, 2007, Internet) The said process is still classified as part of the postcode system of education because the process still involves snail-mailing the results of exams, provision of some school materials (such as books and other materials of the same kind) that the students may need for learning. Through this, the student would have soothing tangible out of the system that he or she chooses to learn from. Vandergrift (1992) further adds that education, as known is very much significant for the human society as this is viewed and considered as the most efficient and effective means for personal and social development among human individuals. (58) The concept of education entitles an individual, if properly trained and utilized the essential ability to progress for personal sustenance and economic survival. This is considered as one of the most important realm in one's life that must be achieved by each and everyone in the society. In addition, education can be used by the society as a whole to developed productive and capable citizens for fueling the progress of the humanity. Thus, education indeed is important. In the present though, the aspect of education in the society is constantly bombarded by many problems and woes mostly on its structural system. Basically, the system of education in a given society is mainly promoted through the secular educational institutions and facilities namely the schools and university. Handerson (1994) points out that in the course of the society's development, this educational structure is now being presented to have its flaws at it lacks sufficiently attention from the government and society itself. The professional service of providing quality education in the government and secular institutions are now becoming scarce and limited to the upper few because of many problems mainly location and capacity to address the increasing need of the growing population. (58) Thus, other means of attaining quality education must be included in the probably option of the willful public. Enticed with the present technological advancement of the society at the present, other means of securing quality education is now being offered for the public namely the concept of virtual schools through the Internet. Through the aid of the modern technology in the communication, willful students and professional educators can now interact with each other in the course of training and educating regardless of the boundaries of location and institutional facilities. The concept of virtual schools can be implemented with the significant aid of technological advancement to promote better learning and understanding of the students regarding the lesson matter as visual imagery and wide information resources can be accessed with ease. Tella (1995) mentions in her book that the problem of accommodation and capacity can also be negated as the population of the student body can be expanded depending on the technological availability. (Internet) In addition, the part of the society that has disabilities can also satisfy their educational pursuit as they themselves can access the institutions of virtual schools the same with the majority. The aspect of virtual schools can also minimize the sacrifices students have to make just to have educational attainment such as moving to other towns and cities because the services of virtual schools is offered to the public anytime, anywhere. (Tella, 1995, Internet) Thus, with these considerations, the implementation of virtual schools indeed can promote the advancement of the education pursuit as it can significantly aid the public in their attainment of valuable informations, knowledge and adequate training. Technology indeed manifests as a strong aspect of the modern society significantly promoting their fact-paced development. (Vandergrift, 1992, 57) Because of this, it is only logical to use this strength of the people to address their most concerning problem which is the increasing demand for quality education. By apply the advantages of technology for the people's benefit in the course of virtual school, society can ensure that the younger generations and those coming next can have their rightful access to relevant informations and knowledge and adequate training to promote their personal development thus fueling the global advancement of the society from this present on to the future. Pure Correspondence Postcode Schooling Pure correspondence based learning on the other hand is more of a manual process of learning. This is most often known as home schooling, where the learner would only have access to books, examinations and school works and would rather have self-learning procedure inserted within the system. Still viewed by some as eccentric or even revolutionary, home schooling is,nevertheless, winning more advocates every year. Researchers say the home-schooling ranks have swelled from about 15,000 in 1970 to 500,000 in 1990. Some home-schooling advocates claim that more than a million families in the United States are now schooling their children at home, as reported by Tella (1994) in her article Virtual School in a Networking Learning Environment. (internet) Vandergrift's (1992) explanation points out that support groups for home schoolers have also sprouted up in Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Japan, and New Zealand, indicating that interest in home schooling is spreading around the globe.(58) In its basic concept, home schooling is not as radical as it may seem. "Home, not the school, was the original educational system," suggest Raymond and Dorothy Moore in their book Home-Spun Schools. (as quoted by Vandergrift, 1992, 57) "Until the last century, most children who went to school started at twelve or later." (Handerson, 1994, 53) Notable persons, such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison, and Albert Einstein, were schooled at home. (Handerson, 1994, 33) In fact, compulsory-school-attendance laws were not introduced in the United States until late in the 19th century. So, according to author and home-school parent Kerri Bennett Williamson, home schooling is, not just a recent fad, but "an old educational standard." (Vandergrift, 1992, 57) Interestingly, the National Catholic Reporter estimates that from 50 to 90percent of U.S. parents who practice home schooling do so for religious reasons. (Handerson, 1994, 53) These parents are generally concerned about protecting their children from what they perceive as atheistic influences in the schools. "The backbone of the home-school movement is the Christian Fundamentalist community, which believes that religion is either abused or ignored in the classroom," said Time magazine.(As quoted by Handerson, 1994, 59) Other parents have pulled their children from public schools to safeguard them from exposure to damaging immoral influences at an early age. "Things were getting pretty out of hand with immorality in the schools," said one Christian man who decided several years ago that he and his wife would school their children at home. "We were concerned about our children and about the sad state of affairs in the school." (Handerson, 1994, 32) Summary of Review Sometimes, parents choose home schooling for educational rather than ideological reasons. They are fed up with overcrowded classrooms, low academic standards, and safety problems prevalent in many public schools. Disappointed by the often lackluster results of institutional teaching, they believe that they can help their children more by giving the one-on-one attention that home schooling makes possible. Explaining why some prefer home schooling, the book Home Schools: An Alternative states: "Parents [who school at home] have 100% involvement with their children ... They can devote their attention to their own child's education."(As quoted by Handerson, 1994, 78) Yes, most certainly, because of these certain reports, the impact of education by postcode around the world simply implies the need to handle student education and learning in more diversified ways so as to be able to provide the students with the learning that they deserve to be able to gain better lives in the future. References: Vandergrift, J. and Green, A. (1992). Rethinking parent involvement. Educational Leadership. 50(1) 57-59. Henderson, Anne T. and Berla, Nancy. (1994). A new generation of evidence: the family is critical to student achievement. National Committee for Citizens in Education. Botelho, Greg. Online Schools Clicking with Students. CNN News, Education. CNN.com. Cable News Network LP, LLLP. August 13, 2004. http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/08/13/b2s.elearning/index.html. November 25, 2008. Encyclopedia of Educational Technology. Virtual High Schools. Encyclopedia of educational technology, The SDSU Department of Educational technology. San Diego State University. 2007. http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/virtualhigh/. November 25, 2008. Tella, Seppo. Virtual School in a Networking Learning Environment. Department of Teacher Education, University of Helsinki. OLE Publications 1. 1995. http://www.helsinki.fi/tella/ole1.html. November 25, 2008. Read More