January 31, 2012

What Threat Do For-profit Universities Pose?

With the growth of for-profit colleges and universities has come growing criticism regarding their recruitment practices, their quality of education, as well as their graduation rates, to name a few. Many traditional universities have come to see for-profits as a threat to their enrollments, and they have come under heavy scrutiny by higher education regulators and the federal government. Critics have gathered additional ammunition with the release of a 2011 U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, which casts for-profit universities in a negative light. Recent comments by Senator Tom Harkin have indicated that for-profits face a contentious battle and closer examination.
This topic has created a lot of heated discussions from those on both sides of the issue. Are for-profit colleges and universities truly a threat to traditional universities or do they, as they vehemently argue, provide opportunity to a portion of the population that is largely ignored by traditional universities?
There is no denying the growth that for-profit universities have enjoyed. According to the Almanac for Higher Education 2011, the numbers are remarkable as seen in this chart.

The University of Phoenix and Kaplan Higher Education Schools are two of the for-profit universities with the highest enrollment. Despite the criticism levied from traditional brick-and-mortar schools, for-profits argue that they serve a segment of the population that is largely ignored by non-profits. These groups include, older students, stay-at-home parents, veterans, and those employed full time that just are not looking for the college experience that campus life may offer younger enrollees. For-profit universities appeal to the student that would normally be denied admittance to a traditional university since for-profit admission's policy is less restrictive.
The debate rages, but the reality that for-profits face, includes greater inquiry from legislators that can't be denied. For-profit universities have a long history in our country, and have filled a training need for much of a population seeking higher education since the 1600's. Their future status, however, is under attack and their sustainability may require changes in their methods. The question remains: Are for-profit universities truly a threat to higher education?

January 20, 2012

SOPA PIPA and the Classroom Use of Digital Media

Wednesday's blackouts by companies like Wikipedia and Reddit have raised much needed awareness about the Stop Online Privacy Act and the Protect IP Act. If you would like to do your part to support freedom of speech and prevent internet censorship, please visit americancensorship.org. As the debate continues, let's take some time to review the current state of digital media in the classroom.

The Internet provides access to a vast source of information, some of which ends up in classrooms. Multimedia projects have become a popular addition to classroom assignments. Their use, however, raises questions about the legal and ethical use of images, video, and audio obtained from the Internet. What are the limitations and restrictions to the use of media in the classroom? What are teachers allowed to use for instruction and what are students allowed to use for classroom projects? These questions and their answers need to be considered by teachers to avoid messy copyright violations.

Teachers can visit the site of the United States Copyright Office to read about the law that should be followed in the use of digital media. Although the site is full of legalese, there are a number of other sites that provide a quick reference chart for classroom use. Teachers should make students aware that not everything on the web is free to copy, download, and use at their discretion. Although education has been given a somewhat greater leniency with regard to the use of copyrighted material through fair use, it is vital that teachers know what those limitations are.

Teachers should encourage students to search and utilize media that is within the public domain or with creative commons licenses that provide freedom of use explicitly stated by the author. The exploration, ideas, and creativity of students does not need to be stifled by copyright laws, instead they can be redirected and schooled in the ethical use of material originated by others.

January 10, 2012

Striking a Chord

Educational budget cutbacks have had a startling and detrimental effect on school districts around the country. The arts have been especially aware of these reductions bearing the brunt of them. The focus on music education, however, has grown as a means of enhancing critical thinking skills.

In the National Association for Music Education, January 2012 edition of "Teaching Music" the argument is made that critical thinking can be enhanced through the teaching of music. The premise is based on a study by Daniel C. Johnson, "The Effect of Critical Thinking On Verbal Descriptions of Music." His results conclude that lessons that are only activity-based are less effective than lessons that incorporate opportunities for creativity and collaboration.

Music teachers can look forward to Johnson's future publication of the lesson plans that his study found as effective methods, such as the use of open-ended questions and student interaction. Although Johnson's study focused on music education, it reminds teachers in all subject areas of the importance of collaboration and creativity. Collaboration and creativity are also two of the four C's need for 21st Century Learning, which also include communication and critical thinking.

Teachers can use a number of Internet tools to support their promotion of the 4 C's. Collaboration can be facilitated through the use of Wikispaces, blogs, or Google Docs. Whether the lesson being taught is in music or science, students learn to consider the ideas of others and work and communicate effectively to accomplish a common goal through collaboration. Flexibility and learning to value and respect the input of team members is a skill that future employers will be seeking from today's students. Glogster can be used to combine creativity and collaboration through the collection of media on an interactive format. Students must think critically in the completion of Glogs in order to respond to a lesson's objectives and communicate their own ideas.

The arts have a vital place in our schools and the precarious position they have been placed in because of budget cuts highlights the importance of Johnson's study. The arts not only provide an outlet for students to display their talents but also exercises and performances requiring math, reading, and analytical skills. The inclusion of the arts in education, however, goes beyond literacy skills, but also builds confidence and self-esteem in students that can be very powerful in helping them succeed.