Capstone Project

photo credit: Dyanna Hyde via photopin cc

This project was very interesting. The project that we decided on was using technology in the classroom setting. Even though this is a broad search we narrowed the search into integrating databases and spreadsheets into the classroom setting. Janacia, Nakesha, and me have discovered that if teachers would integrate spreadsheets and databases into the classroom students would be encouraged to study more. We found out that spreadsheets not only helps out teachers well as perform calculations on large sets of numbers quickly and efficiently. A benefit of working with calculations and formulas in a spreadsheet is that students can quickly see how changing certain number affects the overall output or result of the formula. While spreadsheets are widely believed to help students visualize numeric concepts better than other.

Another interesting tactics to help students study more is integrating databases in the classroom setting. In our research we found out that a database is just what it sounds like a base or place for storing and organizing data.

That is why we want to integrate the use of technology but to be specific, spreadsheets and databases into the classroom setting because it really would help students as well as teachers. By using these tactics teachers can help students access complex information and turn it into an effective learning experience. In the classroom, spreadsheet and databases use among all age groups.Some teachers do not use them very often unless its for things like grade books or attendance. This class really made us realize that integrating spreadsheets will really help a student in order.

What Has It Come To?

This semester has been very interesting. This is my first time taking a hyprid class and I will have to say I enjoyed it. Taking this class gave me the best of both world's which consisted of half online and the other half in class. Over the semester I feel as if my writing have improved for the best. My first couple blogs started off a little rough but once they were evaluated and explained what was not working I overcame those obstacles I was facing with the other blogs and was able to succeed in the upcoming blogs. 

                                 

               photo credit: kevin dooley via photopin cc

"Why College" was a blog post that I was very disappointing with. Even though this blog post seemed easy, it was was taken for granted. I thought I did well, but had many grammatical errors. I didn't think the blog post out to the fullest potential. once the blog was evaluated, i realized my weaknesses and began to work on the ones that were brought to my attention thoroughly. I threw the blog together with the intentions of its being a satisfactory blog, but it turned out to be unsatisfactory due to the errors. The blog evaluation made me open my eyes on what a blog should consist of in order to be a satisfactory blog. As I reviewed my errors that occurred the most, I began to understand why such things were formatted and structured wrong.

photo credit: Vincent_AF via photopin cc

"Is College A Waste of Time" This blog post was much  better than the previous ones. On this blog I took my time but still had a couple grammatical errors coming up. On this blog post one issue that came up was not providing enough information. I would have a good point but not enough important details to support the point. Another issue was asking the same question throughout the blog post. This blog made me realize I was not clear on implementing my ideas into the topic. I gave little to no ideas of my own towards the topic which made the post vague. this post was also had some issues of me no ending my quotations and placing quotations where they were not needed.

"College Is it Enough?" After being evaluated on the previous blogs and understanding my weaknesses, I created a satisfactory blog. On this particular blog I took everything that was said from the previous blogs, the learning plan, and made a master piece. In this post not only was the title catching, but also was straight to the point which are characteristics of a good blog. It gave my readers a sense of what was going to be discussed in this blog. The structure of this blog became stronger which gave the reader a clear guide throughout the blog post. My ideas in this post were made clear with supporting details along with some informative hyperlinks to support my ideas as well. This blog was one of my best because it was thought out thoroughly and made the reader want to continue reading.

photo credit: Paul Worthington via photopin cc

College..Is It Enough?

Is college enough? Having a college degree does not guarantee you employment in today's society. Many people who have graduated from college are still searching for employment in their field of study. Getting a college degree is not enough to obtain a job right after college because the job market is competitive. According to an article by Holy Garkitty, "Nowadays one needs a master's degree or PHD to distinguish themselves."

redwood 1 via photopin cc
Let's face it, upon graduation there is not going to be a job waiting on everyone. I think it's best to go for the highest degree possible to distinguish oneself. By going for a master's or PHD, a person can show that he or she is aware of the competitiveness of the the job market and will not stop until he or she reaches a particular goal.          

                                                                               
photo credit: thomas@flickr via photopin cc
Is a degree a passport to a career? No. In In "Why Your College Degree is Not Enough," Jack Vincent explains how "there are millions of other people with degrees looking for jobs just like you. While the realization of the importance of obtaining a degree is wonderful, this shift in thinking took college graduates from the front of the line and placed them right in the middle." I agree with Vincents' statement because many people are in competition with each other to obtain a job in a particular field of study. Devoting some energy to making connections and meeting people can give college graduates an edge in getting hired. College students need to be in school activities, volunteer , be active, speak well, and of course, have high grades, just to name a few.

Ramesh Pomuru states that college is supposed to "produce well rounded citizens rather than productive workers." This is true because one cannot be a well rounded student if he or she is not involved and active. Getting involved in groups that share common interests or attending activities offered by the college can be funny: its as simple as that. Every college student needs a break to have fun once in a while. College is about making new friends, understanding different perspectives, and meeting different kinds of people. Some students may discover a new career path by being involved in clubs or organizations.

Being involved  in things happening on campus at the college can bring tremendous benefits to a college student. However, as with so many things during these college years, it is important that a student find balance. A student that is involved in everything can allow activities to distract oneself studies or interfere with he or she work eithic. How much is enough? How much is too much? Students will need to find the appropriate and comfortable level of involvement for themselves.


The recent article Lou Carlozo the author explains how "not being prepared for the rigors of academic work; inability to cope with the competing demands of study, family and jobs; and cost," are reasons why so many American college students fail to finish their education. Because some colleges are not good at recommending which remedial courses students need, and students are not progressing toward a certain degree they fall through the cracks of life and give up. In this chart studies show that 30% of college and university students dropout during the school yea, and 50% of college students never graduate. Many students who drop out of college have to work while enrolled. Often times, they find it hard to balance supporting themselves and their families and go to school at the same time.

photo credit: Maryam (one bored chica) via photopin cc

I have been in college for 3 years, and in my years I have learned to manage my time well and prioritize. I think college is a good investment because it gives oneself the tools needed to further his or her career. But is college enough? No. College is what you make it. If a student fail to get involved and participate in school activities his or her degree is a lost cause with a piece of paper with ones' name on it. No piece of paper will ever be good enough for the real world.

Is College A Waste of Time

photo credit: yewenyi via photopin cc

"Is college good enough?" Nowadays, having a college degree does not guarantee you employment in today's society. They're many people today who have graduated from college and is still searching for employment in their field of study. Having just a college degree is not enought to obtain a job right after college seeing how competitive the job market is becoming. According to an article by Holy Garkitt "Nowadays one needs a master's degree or PHD to distinguish themselves.

                                                          

                                                                                                   
photo credit: mohammadali via photopin cc
"Is college enough?" Unprepared students enroll in school with a mindset that a degree is a passport to a career. In "Why Your College Degree is Not Enough" Jack Vincent explains how "there are millions of other people with degrees looking for jobs just like you. While the realization of the importance of obtaining a degree is wonderful, this shift in the thinking took college graduates from the front of the line and placed them right in the middle. I agree with Vincent statement because many people today are in competition with each other to obtain a job in a particular field of study. Devoting some energy to making connections and meeting people can give college graduates an edge in getting hired.

photo credit: cellar_door_films via photopin cc
In this recent article by Reuters' Lou Carlozo, explains  the reasons why so many American college students fail to finish their education. In this chart studies show that 30% of college and university students drop out of school before their second year, and 50% of college students never graduate. I feel that once students finds out that a college degree does not necessary guarantee a job they lose sight at what's important. So I ask you "Is college enough?"

How Far Will You Go With The Help of College?

photo credit: Patrick Hoesly via photopin cc

      If the question was asked, "What is college good for?" Will your response be; waste of time, not for you, etc.Their was a time in my life where those responses would've been the same ones I would've gave. It took me a long time to realize that college is a great way to establish your future. When entering college you have to be dedicated and have a mind set to succeed in life no matter how many obstacles you have to bare. In addition, motivation should be another term college students should focus on when striving for that goal he/she has set to reach. Even though college can be expensive it can really help you  obtain the career of your choice. According to WPR College Debt Grows. Is It Worth It? The amount of money Americans owe on student loans can become very hard to pay back that's why the NPR Staff states Tips for minimizing student debt. The least amount of loans a person take out the less amount of money he/she will be required to pay back. College can be very expensive on a person in terms of books, tuition, etc.

photo credit: Pragmagraphr via photopin cc

Intellectual growth is something college students develop as author Mike Rose of "Why School" and other books cites "not just learning things to enable you to do thiings with you life, to enable you to find interests and pursuits that may in some way or another expand the way we see things." In addition to social benefits. When students are sent to school their purpose is to learn valuable information to help you in the near future. Russell Hvolbek argues that students not being taught the required information is not their fault due to the fact they drift into socio-cultural values. On the other hand college isn't for everyone and if setting goals to accomplish and don't put forth effort their are good college alternative. Many people start college and don't finish because of the intense of the work or just got tired of the work, if this is the case those alternatives should fit right into place. 

WHY COLLEGE!!!

Why College? I chose to attend college to better myself and future. Upon my completion at Fairfield High Preparatory School I begin working at a CVS Warehouse in Bessemer,Al starting at 9.50 an hour. My intentions was to work there for the rest of my life. My grandfather lectured me everyday I got off that working at a warehouse was no place I wanted to spend the rest of my life and that I needed to be in someone college.Every time my grandfather talked to me about school everything he said went in one ear and out the other. Once my grandfather passed I begin thinking of what my life would be if I was to enroll in school and get a degree. After a few more weeks of working at CVS Warehouse I had a back spasm and was hospitalized. Once i was released I knew then that I didn't want to have back problems for the rest of my life so once registration opened I registered for classes and is now attending Jacksonville State University with a major of exercise science to become a physical therapist.So "Why College" Obtaining a college education will help me  develop the confidence in myself and grow as a human being.This will be a very important development for all future endeavors, and will provide me with the strength to set forth in the world and do well.

Something About Me

Whats goin on EH 101. My name is Darius Minard as you can see I am from Birmingham,Al. I graduated from Fairfield High School in 07, yeah thats a long time ago. I have one older brother who attends Alabama A&M. I came to Jacksonville State in the year of 2010 and have enjoyed my time here so far, my first semester I let the party scene get to me and lost track of what I was in school for. My major is exercise science and i plan on becoming a physical therapist upon my completion at JSU. I chose this class because Ms.Sasser is a good teacher and really gives you a drive to come to her class. So I know what to expect from her class and I know I will do my best to succeed in her class.