The familiar "ding" of the elevator resonates in the soundless hall. The metallic mirrored doors open to reveal metallic mirrored walls and matching ceiling. I step into the elevator, alone. I smooth my hair and adjust my shirt, though the reflection has been bent and pulled, as in a fun house, but ever so slightly. Ding...ding...stop. The doors open and an older man with a briefcase steps in. We both smile politely as the doors close once again. Eight more floors to go. Silence. Awkward silence.
Do I mind my own business, staring quietly at the elevator buttons? Is it rude, to not acknowledge the human standing next to me? Do I say, "how's it going?" even though we both know I don't really care? Do I make some mindless comment on the weather, the last resort of ice breakers?
All these questions float through my mind as the elevator descends ever so slowly. It seems to be moving even slower now, though I suspect the subtle time-warp is really just a figment of the imagination.
If this were just any elevator, perhaps in a mall or doctor's office, I would be fully content in my silence, knowing I will probably never see these people again and even if I did, it wouldn't matter. But this elevator is not in a mall or a doctor's office, nor any other place in which I am virtually guaranteed anonymity. I am at work and though this person does not work on the same floor as me, and therefore is not likely to be my coworker, I feel almost obligated to engage in some sort of thoughtless chatter, to obtain a reputation of friendliness that I generally reserve only towards my friends. You never know who knows whom, especially in a 20-story office building, and I don't want to risk being the "antisocial one."
As I further analyze my plight, the elevator doors open. The journey has ended. As men often do, perhaps as a tribute to the chilvary that is nearly dead in the modern world (though I don't care much about chilvalry- perhaps this will be another topic soon), he motioned for me to exit the elevator first. I politely say my "thank you" and go on my separate way.
And I realize...silence or sound...it never really mattered at all. It's just an elevator. Funny how our minds can make something so small into something so large and looming. And with not a word being said or a movement made, I realize...sometimes the best thing to do is nothing.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Homework- Is It Really That Bad?
Having graduated with a BA in Psychology & Social Behavior, it goes without saying that I have taken many psychology courses, especially considering I have taken such classes at three different schools. I do not pretend to be an expert, but that does not change the fact that I learned many interesting facts and theories, many of which are applicable to daily life. My courses have covered many aspects of psychology and many concerned development, especially child and adolescent development. The research we studied in our classes were based on the scientific method and the articles of studies were all peer-reviewed, which strengthens the studies' practicality and realism. In other words, we did not study pop psychology.
One thing I learned during my development courses is that we live in an age where kids are watching more TV than ever and are playing more video games than ever. Of course, this makes logical sense too, considering the advancements in technology that have taken place so quickly over the past several years. I attended high school from August 1997 through May 2001. Even then, few students had cell phones and none had laptops. Ipods didn't exist yet and the music downloading wave was just starting to build. In fact, I got my first e-mail address at 15 years old, when I was in 10th grade. Before then, I rarely ever needed to use the Internet, even for school projects. We used libraries, which kids today seem to view as archaic. This technology makes everything faster, which you would think frees up time for other activities, whether that be studying, playing sports, enjoying a hobby, or relaxing in front of the TV.
I bring this up because it seems that over the past several months, I cannot go a week without seeing some news article regarding a possible elimination of homework for grammar school kids, and even some junior high and high school kids. Apparently it is too overwhelming and stressful for kids. I find this strange and ultimately horrifying.
If children are spending more time than ever watching TV, playing video games, and surfing the web, then how is it they are suddenly too swamped to take care of homework, which has been a staple in education for many decades, if not longer? Few kids enjoy homework. I know I rarely did. However, it was required and so I did it. In fact, my parents would not let me watch TV or do anything "fun" until I finished my homework. Even when all was completed, my time to watch TV was limited. Being an only child, I often read instead. I don't think it's a coincidence that English was always my strongest subject. I'm not saying parents should do exactly what my parents did. That is not the point. My point is that there is no reason why kids can't handle homework. If they can watch hours of TV every night, they can spend time doing homework. This is not the child's fault. Of course kids would rather have fun than do homework, and they don't understand the value of homework. Even high school kids often don't truly understand the importance of education and come to think of it, many college students are just as mislead. People who have never lived in the adult world cannot see the importance such things play in their future. Parents, on the other hand, know this very well. Of course they can't force their kids to do well in school, but they can at least guide their kids. Kids should not be that stressed out over homework. If they are, then taking away homework is not the answer. Rather, parents should talk to their kids and try to gain an understanding regarding why the homework has become so stressful. Perhaps the child is spending too much time goofing off, or perhaps instead of going to bed, he or she is staying up extremely late, watching the TV in his or her room. Is the child in an advanced school or class? If so, maybe he or she is not ready for that. Whatever the reason, parents need to stop using the TV as a baby sitter and start communicating with their children. If you don't know why your child is having major homework problems, then don't complain that it's too hard. More than likely, the homework trouble is just a symptom of a greater problem, a real problem.
The fact is, homework helps to teach kids of all ages the basic and necessary skills of time managment and prioritizing. It teaches them that sometimes they have to give up a little fun in order to take care of more important things. That doesn't mean all fun has to be eliminated. A 7-year old is too young to understand the logic of what has been discussed. Still, he can learn to think, "I want to watch TV. I have homework. I need to do homework and then I can watch TV." Even if they don't understand the reasoning behind it, children can grow accustomed to such a schedule. This helps them in high school when they need to balance school, friends, and extracurricular activities. It becomes even more vital in college when there is no one there, barking orders at you to study and write papers. When I was getting ready for college, every person I knew who had already been college said that the most important thing to work on in college is time management. I completely agree and I'm sure that the students who succeed the most in this respect are the ones that learned some sense of responsibility in earlier years, partially as a result of having to take responsibility for their work and assignments in school.
The article I read today that spawned this thought in my mind talked of a student who decided to be home-schooled because she felt she had too much homework and too many assignments. Actually, this specific student seemed to have more of a problem with the type of assignments she had, such as making a collage for history class. The article glorifies this decision, as if home-schooling is the only answer to kids' homework problems. I'm not saying home-schooling is wrong. I'm sure the education can be great, especially for certain types of students. In fact, I'm sure the education received can even exceed that of traditional schools, depending on the schools in question. However, to choose home-schooling because it's "easier" or because it involves "less work" is just plain sad. Traditional schooling offers a socialization opportunity that is nonexistant in home-schooling and this socialization is extremely important to an individual's emotional and psychological development. Furthermore, this does nothing to encourge students to strive towards their goals. It sends the message that the easy way out is okay and that they should only have to do the kind of work they feel like doing. I am not saying this to generalize home-schooled indivduals. I'm sure many home-schooled students do not experience the negative consequences that may exist, especially if they received quality home-schooling. However, the risks are there.
Whether elimating homework or resorting to home-schooling for kids who would be better off at a traditional school, serious problems arise. As I mentioned before, if homework has become such a serious problem, it is likely to be a symptom of a greater problem and those need to be addressed. It is not right to simply say, "Oh, is school too hard? You don't like your homework? Okay, you don't have to do any then." I'm sure the decision is not so quick and simple but the message remains. What about when students go to college and are told to write 15 page research papers and read 150 pages a night? Will they drop out because it's too much work or because they just don't like papers? What about finding a job? Will these kids be "home-colleged" and "home-employed?" Will they wait for the opportunities to come to them? Will they quit their jobs because they disagree with some mundane detail?
Like I said, I am not trying to generalize here. There are exceptions to everything. I'm sure many schools do overwhelm their students with too much work for the child's age and I'm sure many home-schooled kids turn out to be very smart, sociable, and successful individuals. It's just not for everyone and it shouldn't be used as a "solution" to kids' academic woes. To eliminate homework across the board is unecessary, extreme, and detrimental to students' development.
So before you start protesting homework and pulling your kids out of school, ask yourself if that's really the answer. Maybe your child is unhappy for other reasons. Maybe he or she watches 3 hours of TV every afternoon and then complains about being up until 11pm doing homework. Maybe he or she is struggling in a particular course and is trying to avoid the subject entirely.
Think about your actions, your decisions. Use your knowledge as an adult living in an adult work to guide the ones under your care. Communicate. Listen to your kids. And shut off the damn TV!
One thing I learned during my development courses is that we live in an age where kids are watching more TV than ever and are playing more video games than ever. Of course, this makes logical sense too, considering the advancements in technology that have taken place so quickly over the past several years. I attended high school from August 1997 through May 2001. Even then, few students had cell phones and none had laptops. Ipods didn't exist yet and the music downloading wave was just starting to build. In fact, I got my first e-mail address at 15 years old, when I was in 10th grade. Before then, I rarely ever needed to use the Internet, even for school projects. We used libraries, which kids today seem to view as archaic. This technology makes everything faster, which you would think frees up time for other activities, whether that be studying, playing sports, enjoying a hobby, or relaxing in front of the TV.
I bring this up because it seems that over the past several months, I cannot go a week without seeing some news article regarding a possible elimination of homework for grammar school kids, and even some junior high and high school kids. Apparently it is too overwhelming and stressful for kids. I find this strange and ultimately horrifying.
If children are spending more time than ever watching TV, playing video games, and surfing the web, then how is it they are suddenly too swamped to take care of homework, which has been a staple in education for many decades, if not longer? Few kids enjoy homework. I know I rarely did. However, it was required and so I did it. In fact, my parents would not let me watch TV or do anything "fun" until I finished my homework. Even when all was completed, my time to watch TV was limited. Being an only child, I often read instead. I don't think it's a coincidence that English was always my strongest subject. I'm not saying parents should do exactly what my parents did. That is not the point. My point is that there is no reason why kids can't handle homework. If they can watch hours of TV every night, they can spend time doing homework. This is not the child's fault. Of course kids would rather have fun than do homework, and they don't understand the value of homework. Even high school kids often don't truly understand the importance of education and come to think of it, many college students are just as mislead. People who have never lived in the adult world cannot see the importance such things play in their future. Parents, on the other hand, know this very well. Of course they can't force their kids to do well in school, but they can at least guide their kids. Kids should not be that stressed out over homework. If they are, then taking away homework is not the answer. Rather, parents should talk to their kids and try to gain an understanding regarding why the homework has become so stressful. Perhaps the child is spending too much time goofing off, or perhaps instead of going to bed, he or she is staying up extremely late, watching the TV in his or her room. Is the child in an advanced school or class? If so, maybe he or she is not ready for that. Whatever the reason, parents need to stop using the TV as a baby sitter and start communicating with their children. If you don't know why your child is having major homework problems, then don't complain that it's too hard. More than likely, the homework trouble is just a symptom of a greater problem, a real problem.
The fact is, homework helps to teach kids of all ages the basic and necessary skills of time managment and prioritizing. It teaches them that sometimes they have to give up a little fun in order to take care of more important things. That doesn't mean all fun has to be eliminated. A 7-year old is too young to understand the logic of what has been discussed. Still, he can learn to think, "I want to watch TV. I have homework. I need to do homework and then I can watch TV." Even if they don't understand the reasoning behind it, children can grow accustomed to such a schedule. This helps them in high school when they need to balance school, friends, and extracurricular activities. It becomes even more vital in college when there is no one there, barking orders at you to study and write papers. When I was getting ready for college, every person I knew who had already been college said that the most important thing to work on in college is time management. I completely agree and I'm sure that the students who succeed the most in this respect are the ones that learned some sense of responsibility in earlier years, partially as a result of having to take responsibility for their work and assignments in school.
The article I read today that spawned this thought in my mind talked of a student who decided to be home-schooled because she felt she had too much homework and too many assignments. Actually, this specific student seemed to have more of a problem with the type of assignments she had, such as making a collage for history class. The article glorifies this decision, as if home-schooling is the only answer to kids' homework problems. I'm not saying home-schooling is wrong. I'm sure the education can be great, especially for certain types of students. In fact, I'm sure the education received can even exceed that of traditional schools, depending on the schools in question. However, to choose home-schooling because it's "easier" or because it involves "less work" is just plain sad. Traditional schooling offers a socialization opportunity that is nonexistant in home-schooling and this socialization is extremely important to an individual's emotional and psychological development. Furthermore, this does nothing to encourge students to strive towards their goals. It sends the message that the easy way out is okay and that they should only have to do the kind of work they feel like doing. I am not saying this to generalize home-schooled indivduals. I'm sure many home-schooled students do not experience the negative consequences that may exist, especially if they received quality home-schooling. However, the risks are there.
Whether elimating homework or resorting to home-schooling for kids who would be better off at a traditional school, serious problems arise. As I mentioned before, if homework has become such a serious problem, it is likely to be a symptom of a greater problem and those need to be addressed. It is not right to simply say, "Oh, is school too hard? You don't like your homework? Okay, you don't have to do any then." I'm sure the decision is not so quick and simple but the message remains. What about when students go to college and are told to write 15 page research papers and read 150 pages a night? Will they drop out because it's too much work or because they just don't like papers? What about finding a job? Will these kids be "home-colleged" and "home-employed?" Will they wait for the opportunities to come to them? Will they quit their jobs because they disagree with some mundane detail?
Like I said, I am not trying to generalize here. There are exceptions to everything. I'm sure many schools do overwhelm their students with too much work for the child's age and I'm sure many home-schooled kids turn out to be very smart, sociable, and successful individuals. It's just not for everyone and it shouldn't be used as a "solution" to kids' academic woes. To eliminate homework across the board is unecessary, extreme, and detrimental to students' development.
So before you start protesting homework and pulling your kids out of school, ask yourself if that's really the answer. Maybe your child is unhappy for other reasons. Maybe he or she watches 3 hours of TV every afternoon and then complains about being up until 11pm doing homework. Maybe he or she is struggling in a particular course and is trying to avoid the subject entirely.
Think about your actions, your decisions. Use your knowledge as an adult living in an adult work to guide the ones under your care. Communicate. Listen to your kids. And shut off the damn TV!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Why Blog?
I have never blogged before. Sure, I had Xanga years ago and I was a slave to all things MySpace but those days are gone. I don't want to talk about what I had for lunch yesterday and I don't want to write a novel-length ranting rage about meaningless nuances in life.
I admit that I have briefly viewed only four of the blogs on this website, partially because I really don't know how to search or navigate around this place. Of those four blogs, three were written by current Olympians and one was written by a cook in Europe. All are people with a clear and set purpose. I'll tell you right now- I'm not one of those people. I'm just an average, every-day jeans and a t-shirt kinda girl with a meaningless day job but a lot of hope for the future. What I'm hoping for, I'm not sure. Of course I want the usual happiness and success. but how do I want to get there and what exactly is the definition of success, or even happiness? It is a dichotomy of utmost confusion and uncertainty for most, if not all, people. There are just too many variables that can't be lumped together to form one general consensus regarding the way of the world and being humans, the way we view the world changes constantly. A good day or a bad day, a new love or a heartache, making a friend or losing another, and the list goes on. Each moment we experience changes our view of the world, even if just slightly. This blog is nothing more than a collection of questions and experiences, some deep and others shallow, that have to at least some extent, brought about new questions in my mind that have, if even for a moment, changed the way I see things. Maybe someday I'll look back at this and learn something. Maybe these little lessons can be something more.
I admit that I have briefly viewed only four of the blogs on this website, partially because I really don't know how to search or navigate around this place. Of those four blogs, three were written by current Olympians and one was written by a cook in Europe. All are people with a clear and set purpose. I'll tell you right now- I'm not one of those people. I'm just an average, every-day jeans and a t-shirt kinda girl with a meaningless day job but a lot of hope for the future. What I'm hoping for, I'm not sure. Of course I want the usual happiness and success. but how do I want to get there and what exactly is the definition of success, or even happiness? It is a dichotomy of utmost confusion and uncertainty for most, if not all, people. There are just too many variables that can't be lumped together to form one general consensus regarding the way of the world and being humans, the way we view the world changes constantly. A good day or a bad day, a new love or a heartache, making a friend or losing another, and the list goes on. Each moment we experience changes our view of the world, even if just slightly. This blog is nothing more than a collection of questions and experiences, some deep and others shallow, that have to at least some extent, brought about new questions in my mind that have, if even for a moment, changed the way I see things. Maybe someday I'll look back at this and learn something. Maybe these little lessons can be something more.
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