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Have you seen the commercial on TV advertising a "test drive" to see if online college is for you? It states no obligation, but I was curious, so I typed in the address and checked out the site. Nice site, I must say...very inviting and informative. However, I quickly learned, upon exploration, that several steps are required before you can take your "test drive." First, you must take a college assessment exam (I assume much like the standard test given ALL college enrollees!). Second, you must complete and submit a student declaration form (a form to "declare" yourself a potential college student?...isn't this self-evident if you are on this site?). Third, you must speak with an academic advisor to get your test scores (from the assessment exam) and select your course. Fourth, take the course (typically a five-week course...more on this later). Finally, talk again with academic advisor about your transfer of credit process (and what happens if you decide online college is NOT for you...smells like pressure to me!). The following is directly from the homepage"
"To qualify for the program, students are asked to pass a short assessment exam and discuss their education goals with a Test Drive College Online advisor. After the interview, students who meet our criteria choose an online college course and are immediately registered.
Students must speak to an advisor to get their exam scores and take the course."
After exploring the site, I learned this "test course" is only good for participating universities. You cannot get credit if you go to a college outside their network. Most of the colleges participating offer technical degrees, though a couple DO offer BA/BS degrees. The site is Education Dynamics, and they DO admit to not being accredited, since they (Education Dynamics) do not actually offer the degrees. If you take and pass the course, you are "encouraged" to enroll in their network.
Before you immdiately dismiss this, I strongly urge you to read and explore the site thoroughly before clicking "Let's Get Started." All the information is there for you to read and understand BEFORE you take that free course! I can offer a couple of bits of information for you. 1) The course takes 5 weeks. Since I teach at a university, I can tell you a five week course is a semester's worth of work crammed into the five weeks. If you have a full-time job and/or a family, this may be a bit much for you! Think about it carefully before you make a decision. 2) The current assumption throughout the educational system is that EVERYONE has/knows/understands technology. This is a vastly erroneous assumption! Online courses require a greater knowledge of technology beyond point and click. You will need to learn to use varying technologies to earn an online degree. I found no information regarding required technology on this website. If you are not comfortable using technology, online degree programs are NOT for you. 3) The free courses offered are courses commonly offered by accredited colleges, but the only common course in them all is English Composition I. No matter what degree program you may be interested in, English Comp I is a requirement for all! If you have always had problems with English, it's far better for you to take the course in a classroom, not online. I also teach a hybrid English class online (hybrid means you meet in a classroom 25% of the time and work online 75% of the time), and I can say with complete confidence writing is better learned in a classroom where you can ask questions and get assistance when you need it.
Final analysis: This site is what it is, and it offers all the information you need to decide whether you want to take a "free course." Just remember, nothing is ever free. If you scroll down to the bottom of the "How It Works" page, you will find the following:
"*Note: If financial aid is needed, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before enrolling in the Test Drive College Online program."
If this is free, why do you need to apply for financial aid prior to taking the "free course?" I must assume the FAFSA is required if you choose to continue your education under this Test Drive College Online Program, AFTER taking the free course. If my assumption is wrong, the free course is not free at all.
As we all know, times are hard, and money is tight. Don't fall for "free courses" you see on TV. I fear you may fall quickly into debt before you realize it. Technology is wonderful and expanding into every aspect of our lives. But the best computer ever invented is the one between your ears! Use it wisely, and you will gain an education you want, designed for you by you!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Another One Bites the Dust!
Think this is about rock-and-roll? Think again! At what point in time did we, as a society, become so desensitized to death that we ignore the death of a family member? I've just spent a horrendous week trying to justify, in my own mind, a family who did JUST THAT when one of their own passed away.
About 5 weeks ago, an old college friend of mine moved to the property of another of my friends. All of his immediate needs were crammed into a small travel trailer, which was, subsequently, parked next to the main house. He had recently lost his wife and was having a hard time getting his life back together and moving on. This move seemed ideal, for he was among friends who loved and respected him and would help in any way they could. Sadly, about one week ago, this same man was discovered lying face down in his bad. He had died, we believe, from a diabetic coma and heart attack. When I heard this sad news, I immediately drove to the house to add my sorrow and condolences for my friend!
Upon arriving, I learned the family had been contacted, but NO ONE was coming up from Florida to take charge of the dissolution of this man's effects and property. Indeed, they (the mother and step-father) arranged for a quick cremation of the body and the ashes to be shipped to Florida. All other matters they wanted nothing to do with! They have issued durable power of attorney to the owner of the property on which my friend died. They have said, unequivically, they want nothing to be shipped to Florida. In their words, "You can have it all. Do what you want with it." Unless things have changed at this point of composition, they plan no memorial service, no burial plot, no mausoleum slot, NOTHING!
How, in God's name, can a family so utterly dismiss the life and death of a family member? This situation completely BLOWS MY MIND! There is no way I would EVER ignore or dismiss a family member's death. Yet this family seems to be content to let their son's (brother's) friends disperse his property, close his accounts, and notify any other friends of the death. As far as I know, they've not even placed a newspaper ad!
I remember when my mother's youngest sister died of cancer some years ago. She called me and asked that I come see her before she died. I never even hesitated! I packed a bag and hit the road. Heck, I even quit a good job,because they would give me no time off for this farewell. I can recall countless times when my family called, and I responded! Is this NOT what family is about? Despite differences in views and lifestyles, families should always stick together! Even if one member has a bad reputation, he/she deserves that final farewell for a life that touched SOMEONE!
Now I want to believe with all my heart that my friend's family DOES love him and will miss him. I fail to see how they could not. He was a kind, generous, loving friend and husband! He was a teacher of our youth, for whom he had the greatest love. All animals were his brothers. He was a doting husband to his wife and a tireless provider. Sadly, they never had children, but he would have been a great dad as well. I have to believe the family knows this, and only their grief keeps them out of Tennessee at a time like this. Only this way can I forgive what seems like a callous disregard for human life, let alone their SON'S life.
I would ask all who read this to do something. If you are a religious person and are strong in your faith, pray for this man that his journey back to God and his wife will not be an unlamented one. If you're not particularly religious, then look up that family member you've not heard from in a while and find out how he/she is doing! Even if you have no real connection with this person, take time to acknowledge his/her existence and life! It just might open that closed door and remedy the distance. I don't want to live in a society where a death is followed by the societal acknowledgment of "another one bites the dust!"
About 5 weeks ago, an old college friend of mine moved to the property of another of my friends. All of his immediate needs were crammed into a small travel trailer, which was, subsequently, parked next to the main house. He had recently lost his wife and was having a hard time getting his life back together and moving on. This move seemed ideal, for he was among friends who loved and respected him and would help in any way they could. Sadly, about one week ago, this same man was discovered lying face down in his bad. He had died, we believe, from a diabetic coma and heart attack. When I heard this sad news, I immediately drove to the house to add my sorrow and condolences for my friend!
Upon arriving, I learned the family had been contacted, but NO ONE was coming up from Florida to take charge of the dissolution of this man's effects and property. Indeed, they (the mother and step-father) arranged for a quick cremation of the body and the ashes to be shipped to Florida. All other matters they wanted nothing to do with! They have issued durable power of attorney to the owner of the property on which my friend died. They have said, unequivically, they want nothing to be shipped to Florida. In their words, "You can have it all. Do what you want with it." Unless things have changed at this point of composition, they plan no memorial service, no burial plot, no mausoleum slot, NOTHING!
How, in God's name, can a family so utterly dismiss the life and death of a family member? This situation completely BLOWS MY MIND! There is no way I would EVER ignore or dismiss a family member's death. Yet this family seems to be content to let their son's (brother's) friends disperse his property, close his accounts, and notify any other friends of the death. As far as I know, they've not even placed a newspaper ad!
I remember when my mother's youngest sister died of cancer some years ago. She called me and asked that I come see her before she died. I never even hesitated! I packed a bag and hit the road. Heck, I even quit a good job,because they would give me no time off for this farewell. I can recall countless times when my family called, and I responded! Is this NOT what family is about? Despite differences in views and lifestyles, families should always stick together! Even if one member has a bad reputation, he/she deserves that final farewell for a life that touched SOMEONE!
Now I want to believe with all my heart that my friend's family DOES love him and will miss him. I fail to see how they could not. He was a kind, generous, loving friend and husband! He was a teacher of our youth, for whom he had the greatest love. All animals were his brothers. He was a doting husband to his wife and a tireless provider. Sadly, they never had children, but he would have been a great dad as well. I have to believe the family knows this, and only their grief keeps them out of Tennessee at a time like this. Only this way can I forgive what seems like a callous disregard for human life, let alone their SON'S life.
I would ask all who read this to do something. If you are a religious person and are strong in your faith, pray for this man that his journey back to God and his wife will not be an unlamented one. If you're not particularly religious, then look up that family member you've not heard from in a while and find out how he/she is doing! Even if you have no real connection with this person, take time to acknowledge his/her existence and life! It just might open that closed door and remedy the distance. I don't want to live in a society where a death is followed by the societal acknowledgment of "another one bites the dust!"
Monday, November 2, 2009
How many monkeys does it take to run a government office?
Have you ever had the wonderful opportunity to deal with any government office? It may be the DMV, DHS, or a child support office. I've been in all three, and I have to wonder WHERE do they find the people who work in these offices? And WHY do these people not communicate with each other, let alone YOU and YOUR problem? In a perfect world, government workers can answer your questions fully and completely when you ask them. In reality, they hardly know how to operate their computers! Think I'm joking? I actually had to SHOW one person in the child support office how to move from one screen to the next, so she could enter a payment! Come on!
What gives anyway? Are these people trained to be elusive, uncommunicative, and rude? Or do the qualifications for the job require these attributes? I have watched, from the sidelines, these people deal with customers/clients. Rudeness and superiority seem to be the order of any day. I realize many people defraud government plans with false information, but others are there because they actually NEED the help! I watched, with growing rage, the treatment of an elderly lady who simply wanted information regarding Medicare and the forms necessary to update her status. The reception lady huffed and puffed as if she was being asked to empty a dirty washtub, spoke to this woman as if the lady were three years old, then proceeded to tell her the information she wanted was available online. The elderly lady tried to tell her (the receptionist) that she didn't have a computer but was cut short when the receptionist actually closed the glass window in the lady's face! I was raised in a time period when politeness and consideration for the elderly was a given, and children who did not exercise these manners were disciplined severely. The lady looked as if someone had just kicked her in the head! I promptly stepped up to the window, opened it somewhat forcefully, and demanded to see her supervisor! When the supervisor came forward, I informed him of what I had witnessed! (It's a wonder I wasn't arrested! I wasn't exactly courteous in my diatribe!) The supervisor quickly found the forms for the elderly lady AND sat with her helping to fill them out. I learned later the receptionist received a slap on the wrist for her behavior! Not even a write-up! If you or I acted that way on the job, we would be fired instantly!
This episode prompted me to learn what was necessary to acquire a government job. First step: Apply online! Now what if you don't have access to a computer? Too bad, too sad! Onward! Next step: take the required test for the position. I traveled to the state capital offices for this step. I went through so many security checkpoints I felt like a criminal! When I finally sat down to the test, I found it to be on the level of a high school equivalency test...simple with easy to follow directions. I completed the test in about 2 hours, surprising the proctor with my speed. Step three: WAIT! Some three weeks later, I learned my score on the test was 92 (I probably lost the 8 points in the math section...have always hated math), which placed me in the upper levels of the "registry" from which government offices searched for new employees. SIX weeks later, I received a call, an email, and a letter (all in the same day!) inviting me for an interview. When I called the number given, suddenly I was a queen! I was smart, energetic, bright, compassionate, and courteous! I had my pick of government jobs!
Do I work for the government? Nope! Had I waited for the government people to do their jobs in a timely fashion, I would have been out on the street and starving! Like any sensible person, I got a job! When I told this to the lady on the phone, she quickly assured me my application would remain right where it was until I was ready to work for the government...on the top of the registry with choice of jobs! Nice to know!
Will I ever work for the government? Honestly, I really cannot say. On the one hand, I would love to walk into one of those offices, work my way up to supervisor, and FIRE every rude person working there. On the other hand, given what I have witnessed in these offices, I would probably be fired within a week for refusing to be rude, uncommunicative, and elusive. But, if we, the people, are going to avail ourselves of these services, shouldn't we have the right...indeed, the obligation!...to ensure the workers serving the public know their jobs, are communicative and efficient, and, most of all, COURTEOUS?
Open for comments! Let the discusion begin!
What gives anyway? Are these people trained to be elusive, uncommunicative, and rude? Or do the qualifications for the job require these attributes? I have watched, from the sidelines, these people deal with customers/clients. Rudeness and superiority seem to be the order of any day. I realize many people defraud government plans with false information, but others are there because they actually NEED the help! I watched, with growing rage, the treatment of an elderly lady who simply wanted information regarding Medicare and the forms necessary to update her status. The reception lady huffed and puffed as if she was being asked to empty a dirty washtub, spoke to this woman as if the lady were three years old, then proceeded to tell her the information she wanted was available online. The elderly lady tried to tell her (the receptionist) that she didn't have a computer but was cut short when the receptionist actually closed the glass window in the lady's face! I was raised in a time period when politeness and consideration for the elderly was a given, and children who did not exercise these manners were disciplined severely. The lady looked as if someone had just kicked her in the head! I promptly stepped up to the window, opened it somewhat forcefully, and demanded to see her supervisor! When the supervisor came forward, I informed him of what I had witnessed! (It's a wonder I wasn't arrested! I wasn't exactly courteous in my diatribe!) The supervisor quickly found the forms for the elderly lady AND sat with her helping to fill them out. I learned later the receptionist received a slap on the wrist for her behavior! Not even a write-up! If you or I acted that way on the job, we would be fired instantly!
This episode prompted me to learn what was necessary to acquire a government job. First step: Apply online! Now what if you don't have access to a computer? Too bad, too sad! Onward! Next step: take the required test for the position. I traveled to the state capital offices for this step. I went through so many security checkpoints I felt like a criminal! When I finally sat down to the test, I found it to be on the level of a high school equivalency test...simple with easy to follow directions. I completed the test in about 2 hours, surprising the proctor with my speed. Step three: WAIT! Some three weeks later, I learned my score on the test was 92 (I probably lost the 8 points in the math section...have always hated math), which placed me in the upper levels of the "registry" from which government offices searched for new employees. SIX weeks later, I received a call, an email, and a letter (all in the same day!) inviting me for an interview. When I called the number given, suddenly I was a queen! I was smart, energetic, bright, compassionate, and courteous! I had my pick of government jobs!
Do I work for the government? Nope! Had I waited for the government people to do their jobs in a timely fashion, I would have been out on the street and starving! Like any sensible person, I got a job! When I told this to the lady on the phone, she quickly assured me my application would remain right where it was until I was ready to work for the government...on the top of the registry with choice of jobs! Nice to know!
Will I ever work for the government? Honestly, I really cannot say. On the one hand, I would love to walk into one of those offices, work my way up to supervisor, and FIRE every rude person working there. On the other hand, given what I have witnessed in these offices, I would probably be fired within a week for refusing to be rude, uncommunicative, and elusive. But, if we, the people, are going to avail ourselves of these services, shouldn't we have the right...indeed, the obligation!...to ensure the workers serving the public know their jobs, are communicative and efficient, and, most of all, COURTEOUS?
Open for comments! Let the discusion begin!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Making lemons out of lemonade
In a time when everything seems to be flowing downhill, I see a need to build a dam. In the decades of the 80s and 90s, people took all of life's lemons and made lemonade. Now we have more lemonade than we need! The lemons we need lie in common sense planning. Finances, education, healthcare, and housing have all taken a beating by this flood of lemonade. Below is my list of lemon dams for my life.
1) Buy what you need, not what you want! It's time to stop all the "instant gratification" impulse buying and use some restraint. For example, I have a closet full of clothes. Do I REALLY need that new sweater? Note to self: Clear out clothes I don't wear and donate to local charities. Many people these days could use that sweater dress more than me.
2) The truly educated never graduate! Learning is lifelong, and the means are all around us. Forgetting for a moment that you have a computer with access to the Internet and all the information of the world at your fingertips, one lonesome institution still stands proudly and offers education in all areas, THE LIBRARY! Reading is still fundamental. Take some time, indeed, make some time, to stop by the local library and check out what you've been missing! Many older books not found on the Web are available there and free for the reading!
3) No one remains healthy ALL the time, and healthcare costs continue to rise. Learn to evaluate what your needs are at your point in life, then research carefully the options available. Learn to evaluate medical plans with an eye toward effectiveness and cost management. Though a plan may sound good on paper, run the numbers! Check the options and limitations! You may find it easier to pay the doctor out of your own pocket rather than shell out monthly premiums for a plan that will not go into effect until you've satisfied a $1500 deductible! And, many plans not longer have the deductible carry-over option, which means you have a $1500 deductible EVERY YEAR. Bone up on percentages and money value before you dive into the maelstrom of healthcare.
4) Live within your means! No one ever seems to apply this concept to housing. Sure, we all want that big status-symbol home, but do we REALLY need it? If you have two children, a spouse, and a dog, a simple affordable 3-bedroom home is more than adequate! If your children are grown, consider downsizing your home. Two people, or one person, have/has no need for a 5-bedroom home! Consider instead a simple 2-bedroom home out of the city where housing costs and property taxes are lower. You'll enjoy peace and quiet and still have a nice home! Personally, if people only like me for my home, I don't need them as friends!
I hope to live a full life and enjoy it thoroughly! If, in the above list, you find a lemon dam you can use, feel free to pass it along!
NOW...bring me that horizon!
1) Buy what you need, not what you want! It's time to stop all the "instant gratification" impulse buying and use some restraint. For example, I have a closet full of clothes. Do I REALLY need that new sweater? Note to self: Clear out clothes I don't wear and donate to local charities. Many people these days could use that sweater dress more than me.
2) The truly educated never graduate! Learning is lifelong, and the means are all around us. Forgetting for a moment that you have a computer with access to the Internet and all the information of the world at your fingertips, one lonesome institution still stands proudly and offers education in all areas, THE LIBRARY! Reading is still fundamental. Take some time, indeed, make some time, to stop by the local library and check out what you've been missing! Many older books not found on the Web are available there and free for the reading!
3) No one remains healthy ALL the time, and healthcare costs continue to rise. Learn to evaluate what your needs are at your point in life, then research carefully the options available. Learn to evaluate medical plans with an eye toward effectiveness and cost management. Though a plan may sound good on paper, run the numbers! Check the options and limitations! You may find it easier to pay the doctor out of your own pocket rather than shell out monthly premiums for a plan that will not go into effect until you've satisfied a $1500 deductible! And, many plans not longer have the deductible carry-over option, which means you have a $1500 deductible EVERY YEAR. Bone up on percentages and money value before you dive into the maelstrom of healthcare.
4) Live within your means! No one ever seems to apply this concept to housing. Sure, we all want that big status-symbol home, but do we REALLY need it? If you have two children, a spouse, and a dog, a simple affordable 3-bedroom home is more than adequate! If your children are grown, consider downsizing your home. Two people, or one person, have/has no need for a 5-bedroom home! Consider instead a simple 2-bedroom home out of the city where housing costs and property taxes are lower. You'll enjoy peace and quiet and still have a nice home! Personally, if people only like me for my home, I don't need them as friends!
I hope to live a full life and enjoy it thoroughly! If, in the above list, you find a lemon dam you can use, feel free to pass it along!
NOW...bring me that horizon!
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