Here is another excerpt from a paper I wrote for my English class:
Entertainment media are becoming less and less "family-friendly" and, as parents, we have to be more careful about what our children watch than our parents had to be with us or their parents with them. Even the so-called children's channels and programs can sometimes cross the line to subjects and words that children simply should not be hearing. It is for this fact that my wife and I have decided that our child will not have a television or computer in their bedroom so that we can keep a close eye on what they are watching and doing.
One mistake some parents make is thinking that just because a television program or movie is animated that it is suitable for children. But, this is simply not always the case. Even the MPAA ratings for movies cannot be completely relied upon as a foolproof indicator of whether a movie will be suitable for children. Yes, it will take lots of prayer and trust in God for parents to actually spend the time making sure that what their children are watching is wholesome and appropriate for them. While it is certainly okay to allow ourselves and our children to be simply entertained, we do need to make sure that the content of that entertainment does not contradict the good morals and values we are instilling in them in other aspects of life so that they will continue to make good entertainment decisions even when we are not around to make sure they are watching the right things.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
A Return to Holistic Education
This is an excerpt from a paper I wrote for an English class I am taking:
One of the saddest failings in the modern educational environment is the focus on fact-based knowledge. In most schools ranging from elementary all the way through to some post-secondary levels, students are being taught according to whatever test will be administered in each subject. If it is not going to be on the test, students are unwilling to learn and teachers are unwilling to teach due to the emphasis placed on the test scores and quantity, instead of quality, of knowledge. This situation is also compounded by the fact that each subject is usually taught in isolation of all other subjects. The mass of facts that students must learn in each subject is so extensive that it has also been said that no single person could effectively teach all of the subjects that students are required to learn.
We need to return to a more holistic approach to education as was the norm in ancient and Renaissance times. A scholar or student during these periods would have been taught not only facts but would have been more accustomed to critical thinking to be able to solve problems that did not come out of a book as well as seeing the interconnectedness that exists between and within all disciplines of knowledge. A return to that type of education would find more students getting excited about learning rather than seeing school as simply a drudgery of facts and isolated knowledge to be regurgitated on demand then forgotten because they have not been shown how this knowledge could help them in life outside of that particular subject.
One of the saddest failings in the modern educational environment is the focus on fact-based knowledge. In most schools ranging from elementary all the way through to some post-secondary levels, students are being taught according to whatever test will be administered in each subject. If it is not going to be on the test, students are unwilling to learn and teachers are unwilling to teach due to the emphasis placed on the test scores and quantity, instead of quality, of knowledge. This situation is also compounded by the fact that each subject is usually taught in isolation of all other subjects. The mass of facts that students must learn in each subject is so extensive that it has also been said that no single person could effectively teach all of the subjects that students are required to learn.
We need to return to a more holistic approach to education as was the norm in ancient and Renaissance times. A scholar or student during these periods would have been taught not only facts but would have been more accustomed to critical thinking to be able to solve problems that did not come out of a book as well as seeing the interconnectedness that exists between and within all disciplines of knowledge. A return to that type of education would find more students getting excited about learning rather than seeing school as simply a drudgery of facts and isolated knowledge to be regurgitated on demand then forgotten because they have not been shown how this knowledge could help them in life outside of that particular subject.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
It's a Boy!
We just found out right this very second that we're having a boy. How exciting! Now we can start deciding how we're going to decorate the nursery. We're going to have him carry on my name and be the "III."
Monday, April 14, 2008
New Child and Job Search Continues
Well, it's finally happened! After 5+ years of trying, my wife and I are finally expecting our first child. This is most definitely a gift from God as my wife had just about all but given up hope of us having a child naturally, though I always had faith that He would make it happen when he thought it best for us.
That was the positive and this is the not-so-positive: my most recent assignment ended on Friday. I am sure God will provide me with a way to continue to support my (growing!) family so I am not afraid of what the future may hold. I did have an interview this morning for a position open at a restaurant downtown and I though it went well. I should hear something either this evening or tomorrow about whether I have been chosen for it. In the meantime, I will continue to apply for jobs and pray that God will provide as he always does.
That was the positive and this is the not-so-positive: my most recent assignment ended on Friday. I am sure God will provide me with a way to continue to support my (growing!) family so I am not afraid of what the future may hold. I did have an interview this morning for a position open at a restaurant downtown and I though it went well. I should hear something either this evening or tomorrow about whether I have been chosen for it. In the meantime, I will continue to apply for jobs and pray that God will provide as he always does.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Procrastination is Key
Well, I finally got around to update my business's website to reflect the fact that I am now a Certified Bookkeeper. At times I think my procrastination gets out of hand. I started writing this entry on Friday but didn't finish and publish it until now.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
I've Been Certified
No, I haven't been certified crazy. I am now a Certified Bookkeeper! What is a "Certified Bookkeeper" you might ask? Well, according to the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers, through whom I received the certification, I have now proven I have "the level of knowledge and skill needed to carry out all key functions through the adjusted trial balance, including basic payroll, for firms of up to 100 employees." This is an important step for me since I have been unable to complete my degree in accounting as of yet. This now gives me verifiable proof that I have the knowledge that I say I do. Now the fun begins!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
I've Gone Mainstream
Well, I've finally decided to go mainstream with my blog rather than continue to use my own website and software package because I'd like to be able to interface with other sites as well as use the mobile blogging feature here. I will be transferring all of the entries from my old blog to here as time permits. This move will also mean that updates should be almost daily but will not be any farther apart than a week.
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