According to a report by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences shows that some (11 in total) spent more on prisons than they did on public universities. Is this a budget issues or a statement of values? When society seeks to focus more on prisons than opportunity the very foundations of our value system should be questioned.
You can tell a lot about a person by where they spend their money. We have learned through the advent of online advertisement that people's spending habits tells us much about what they find is important, how they view themselves, and where their hopes lay.
The same can be said for the choice of spending on prisons over higher education. We are able to squeeze through big prison budgets but are unable to do so for more worthy causes. In general, higher education takes third place behind public schools and medicaid. In some states, prisons beat out higher education for funding. Does this make sense?
The biggest problem is that corrections is a deep dark hole that we throw people who have violated laws. They are not generally "corrected" by attended and in some cases could even get worse by learning new skills; the college of criminals.
Corrections is necessary but should be more focused on the less expensive proposition of correcting and rehabilitating. It should not supersede our hopes and dreams of developing a country that has people who are open minded, educated, and capable of competing.
Thinking about where we are spending money, the return on investment of that money, and the alternatives of that money reflects our values. I am for spending money on things that create a return on investment; or at least the potential for a return. Higher education does have a return, children's education has a return, a new road has a return, but a prison is all cost. In some cases, It may be a necessary cost, but it should not be a value statement of what we believe.
The need for reform has been brewing for years. Is our checkbook telling us we are there?
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Helping Veterans Integrate into College
Veterans are honored members of our society with their willingness to put their lives at risk so that the rest of us can live our lives in aversion to our greater responsibilities. Some Veterans have difficulty adjusting to college because of the wide ranging difference between an institutionalized life and a free society without the strength of rules to guide them.
With a little support through veterans associations and understanding the chances of social reintegration back into civilian society goes upwards. The transition period takes some time and effort but is well worth the cost of keeping veterans on a straight track.
An exploratory study veterans transitioning from active duty to college life shows that the ease of transition is a result of the perception of their personal strengths that include self-discipline, social interactions, and student-veteran programs (Olsen, Badger, & McCuddy, 2014).
Veterans have a hard time jumping from an all inclusive world to one in which they are free to explore what eany path they choose. Sometimes veterans can do well at this transition and other times they suffer from a lack of support and social integration with non-veterans.
The process of transitioning can be made easier with support groups and general understanding of faculty that don't quite understand how different the two worlds are. The time it takes to reintegrate may be up to a year but can do wonders in getting people situated in new lives that don't revolve around codes and rules. Once they internalize their sense of control they will approach their work and engagement differently.
Olsen, T, Badger, K. & McCuddy, M. (2014). Understanding student veteran's college experience: an exploratory study. U.S. Army Medical Department Journal.
With a little support through veterans associations and understanding the chances of social reintegration back into civilian society goes upwards. The transition period takes some time and effort but is well worth the cost of keeping veterans on a straight track.
An exploratory study veterans transitioning from active duty to college life shows that the ease of transition is a result of the perception of their personal strengths that include self-discipline, social interactions, and student-veteran programs (Olsen, Badger, & McCuddy, 2014).
Veterans have a hard time jumping from an all inclusive world to one in which they are free to explore what eany path they choose. Sometimes veterans can do well at this transition and other times they suffer from a lack of support and social integration with non-veterans.
The process of transitioning can be made easier with support groups and general understanding of faculty that don't quite understand how different the two worlds are. The time it takes to reintegrate may be up to a year but can do wonders in getting people situated in new lives that don't revolve around codes and rules. Once they internalize their sense of control they will approach their work and engagement differently.
Olsen, T, Badger, K. & McCuddy, M. (2014). Understanding student veteran's college experience: an exploratory study. U.S. Army Medical Department Journal.
The Political Contribution of Small Business
When developing policy we often seek out the voices of large contributors and corporations that influence our governments. Almost no city, state, or national economy is immune to the pressures of large interests that employ people and add to the tax base.
Small business is generally ignored unless they get very active in through collective action. Yet it is these small businesses that look after neighborhoods, clean up the trash, focus on engaging local customers, and create a sense of community.
They contribute not through the large political donations but through their subtle ways of connecting with their customers and swaying opinions. They may be ignored in big politics but their active voice is making its way through the backyards of middle America. Without their social and political contribution America wouldn't have the same founding principles.
Fitness and Performance
Fitness isn't just about getting in shape and shedding pounds. It is also about ensuring you have strong performance even when not in your running shoes. Your brain works better when your at peak physical performance.
Stress is a major distraction that impacts processing of information and the ability of retaining information. When you work out your body relaxes by removing stress and allows you to concentrate.
Rigorous fitness improves energy and oxygen flow that increases brain function. An active brain needs access to the right nutrients to perform at its optimal level.
A regular exercise routine will help you sleep better at night and clear your brain of unresolved conflicts leaving excess cognitive capacity for other things. Starting with a clear brain each days can do wonders for your focus.
Getting in shape will raise your self confidence. People who are in shape look good, have an extra step and have a confidence level that helps them feel like they can succeed.
Stress is a major distraction that impacts processing of information and the ability of retaining information. When you work out your body relaxes by removing stress and allows you to concentrate.
Rigorous fitness improves energy and oxygen flow that increases brain function. An active brain needs access to the right nutrients to perform at its optimal level.
A regular exercise routine will help you sleep better at night and clear your brain of unresolved conflicts leaving excess cognitive capacity for other things. Starting with a clear brain each days can do wonders for your focus.
Getting in shape will raise your self confidence. People who are in shape look good, have an extra step and have a confidence level that helps them feel like they can succeed.
Friday, October 2, 2015
Is Previous Grades the Biggest Predictor of Student Success in Online Courses?
Student success in online courses may not be anything more than their sheer motivation to finish school. Online education is a valid option for those who desire to achieve their goals without having to stop life. Those who would most likely succeed in a traditional model may just also be most likely to succeed in an online model. A good student is simply a good student regardless of modality.
According to a study looking at successful students in qualitative and quantitative courses found that the biggest factor in success was previous GPA (Tanke & Logan, 2012). Demographics didn't have an impact on success. The successful student in ground-based courses was just as likely to be successful in an online course.
Despite life's circumstances, something deep pushes some people to keep learning no mater what difficulties they face. They may have competing responsibilities and engage in online education because it offers them access that other schools don't offer.
The motivated student will succeed wherever and in whatever manner they can. Changing the modality only changes the market reach but doesn't change the desire to learn. Whole groups of highly intelligent people would be left behind without online education.
If online success is predicted primarily by previous success than the quality of student can be solicited based on skill level. For example a more elite school would be selective to high performing individuals while another school might be accepting of less qualified individuals. their performance is expected to match previous performance in high school, training, life and education.
Tanke, M. & Logan, T. (2012). The influence of demographic factors on student success in online vs. fact-to-face instruction in hospitality education. Review of Higher Education & Self-Learning, 5 (16).
According to a study looking at successful students in qualitative and quantitative courses found that the biggest factor in success was previous GPA (Tanke & Logan, 2012). Demographics didn't have an impact on success. The successful student in ground-based courses was just as likely to be successful in an online course.
Despite life's circumstances, something deep pushes some people to keep learning no mater what difficulties they face. They may have competing responsibilities and engage in online education because it offers them access that other schools don't offer.
The motivated student will succeed wherever and in whatever manner they can. Changing the modality only changes the market reach but doesn't change the desire to learn. Whole groups of highly intelligent people would be left behind without online education.
If online success is predicted primarily by previous success than the quality of student can be solicited based on skill level. For example a more elite school would be selective to high performing individuals while another school might be accepting of less qualified individuals. their performance is expected to match previous performance in high school, training, life and education.
Tanke, M. & Logan, T. (2012). The influence of demographic factors on student success in online vs. fact-to-face instruction in hospitality education. Review of Higher Education & Self-Learning, 5 (16).
Lessons from Sprint's Decline
Sprint is in a cost cutting and restructuring stage. The company is seeking to dump $2.5 billion in expenses and lay-off employees. They are in a craze to right size their sinking ship and seek to redevelop themselves on a sleeker model. There are a few lessons any business should consider before getting into this situation.
Sprints decline was apparent from years ago when other companies like T-Mobile offered no-contract services that attracted consumers. Sprint stayed with older contract models and were unyielding to disgruntled customers.
They no longer led the market and didn't offer exciting new products. Their products were the same as everyone else and did not differentiate their brand. The failed to scour the market for new innovations to refresh themselves.
They failed to diversify fast enough into other services when the cell phone business became saturated. Offering other related services might have opened up new revenue streams. They could have used their powerful position to corner a related market.
Their structure became huge, expensive, uninnovative, and lacked efficiency. Their structure became bureaucratic and they failed to seek a less centralized model that limited liabilities.
They didn't see the need for change fast enough. Sprint was having problems for some time but executives didn't see the need for change. It is a problem of poor leadership and poor culture.
Sprint will take a big hit and will need to rethink their business if they hope to survive. Their cost structure is mammoth and their cash is burning quickly. Soon they may be digging into their assets and selling off sections of their business. Without rethinking their business model and market approach they will limp along as a weaker version of the once powerful giant.
Sprints decline was apparent from years ago when other companies like T-Mobile offered no-contract services that attracted consumers. Sprint stayed with older contract models and were unyielding to disgruntled customers.
They no longer led the market and didn't offer exciting new products. Their products were the same as everyone else and did not differentiate their brand. The failed to scour the market for new innovations to refresh themselves.
They failed to diversify fast enough into other services when the cell phone business became saturated. Offering other related services might have opened up new revenue streams. They could have used their powerful position to corner a related market.
Their structure became huge, expensive, uninnovative, and lacked efficiency. Their structure became bureaucratic and they failed to seek a less centralized model that limited liabilities.
They didn't see the need for change fast enough. Sprint was having problems for some time but executives didn't see the need for change. It is a problem of poor leadership and poor culture.
Sprint will take a big hit and will need to rethink their business if they hope to survive. Their cost structure is mammoth and their cash is burning quickly. Soon they may be digging into their assets and selling off sections of their business. Without rethinking their business model and market approach they will limp along as a weaker version of the once powerful giant.
4 Things Every Student Should Consider When Picking a Field of Study
Far too many students just pick a degree and stick with it until they graduate not realizing whether or not they will be successful in those careers. Sometimes they pick degrees for the right reason while at other times they could be picking those degrees based upon faulty information and social influence. There are 4 things every entering college student should consider when picking their degree.
1.) What Jobs Are In Demand: Looking at the job market can help students understand what fields snatch up graduates and how much they pay them. Having a solid understanding of the market is helpful in making sound financial decisions.
2.) Where the Student's Skills Lay: Students should look back at their natural interests and skill sets beyond their social networks. Finding careers that fit with their natural self will likely serve them most of their lives.
3.) Careers with Options: Sometimes one particular job drys up but there is possibilities of going into related fields. Students should consider the different avenues they can take in their careers from their chosen field of study.
4.) Education and Career: Considering the level of education needed to enter a field is important for selecting the right career. Sometimes a certificate from a local community college while at other times a minimum requirement is an advanced degree.
1.) What Jobs Are In Demand: Looking at the job market can help students understand what fields snatch up graduates and how much they pay them. Having a solid understanding of the market is helpful in making sound financial decisions.
2.) Where the Student's Skills Lay: Students should look back at their natural interests and skill sets beyond their social networks. Finding careers that fit with their natural self will likely serve them most of their lives.
3.) Careers with Options: Sometimes one particular job drys up but there is possibilities of going into related fields. Students should consider the different avenues they can take in their careers from their chosen field of study.
4.) Education and Career: Considering the level of education needed to enter a field is important for selecting the right career. Sometimes a certificate from a local community college while at other times a minimum requirement is an advanced degree.
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