#whatweshouldcallonlinelearning

Awesome....Innovative...Frustrating...Impersonal

These are just some of  the words used  to describe the world of online learning.  We are at a point in time where children, teens, and young adults have grown up in a world where they have constant access to technology.  It think it's safe to say that there are cases when a 5 year old can work an iPad better than his/her parents!  In this age where many people rely heavily on technology, online learning has become a way to incorporate the tech-age with education.  Online learning creates an opportunity for those in the workforce to further their education and obtain advanced degrees without putting financial hardship on themselves of their families by quitting work to pursue their education.  It has created a venue for individual learners to be able to work at their own pace and be educated in a way that, for some, fosters more productivity and learning than a traditional classroom setting.  While there continues to be an overwhelming amount of positive feedback for online learning, there are also some setbacks.  Online learning requires a certain amount of independence and responsibility.  Since those in online courses aren't coming to a classroom every other day it's up to them to make sure they stay on top of assignments, watch lectures, and complete required readings.  Since there isn't much accountability then it becomes easy to go week after week without participating in the course, resulting in a less than desirable grade at the end of the course.  There is also the possibility of experiencing technical difficulties like incoherent audio during lecture recordings, transmission failure when sending in assignments, as well as issues with internet connection.  When it comes to online learning there are several questions I would like to pose to you...

• The capabilities of technology are growing at a rapid rate, is it possible that online learning could ever take the place of classroom learning.  If so what would be the repercussions, both positive and negative, of this.
• Currently the majority of online learning/classes is/are done at a collegiate level.  Do you think online learning for primary and secondary students would be beneficial?  
• If implemented in elementary, middle school, and high school education what are some set backs one might encounter? (For example how would you address the issue of a students socioeconomic status preventing them from having internet access at home?)

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond!

Our newest edition!

On Christmas Day we welcomed the new est member of our family! Miss Sawyer Ellen Street 

My Additions to Things Parents of Athletes Should Know

While scrolling thorough my Facebook news feed this morning I came across 10 Things Parents of Athletes Should Know by Stefanie Mullen.  Having been a player, spectator, referee, assistant coach, head coach, coach's wife, and now a parent of a future athlete the 10 rules given by Stefanie are something I think EVERY parent should try and abide by, but after reading I got to thinking that there are several other points I wanted to make in addition....

Here are the original 10, with some highlighted additions I think are relevant :

1. It’s not about you, its about them. Do not live your own sports dreams through your kids. It’s their turn now. Let them make their own choices, both good and bad.  This may include them not playing a sport you'd like them too (even not playing at all)....don't force them, the combination makes the worst type of player and worst type of parent to deal with.  Let them do what they love, not what you love.

2. Never talk to a coach about your child’s play time after a game. Actually you never should. You should have your kid do that. That said, if you just can’t help yourself, send an email the next day and ask for some phone time. If your child isn't playing, there's a reason...and more likely than not it has less to do with their actual ability and more with their attitude and how they've been performing in practice.  If your kid is truly upset about lack of playing time use this as an opportunity for them to develop their communication and maturity (You won't be able to fight their battles about things like deadline dates for projects when they enter the workforce, so let them learn how to do it early). 

3. NEVER yell at referees. They are trying. How would you like it if someone came to your job and screamed at you? Not. So. Much. If you have a real issue file a grievance the next day.   I don't mean to be blunt, but parents......most of the time you don't even know the official rule. I'd like to give a short shout out to coaches on this one too....the Referees are trying to do the best they can, just like you.  Unless a situation arises where their actions, or lack there of, are putting your players in danger or at risk for injury then pipe down......You aren't going to lose a game because the ref didn't call a turnover when the other team stepped out of bounds in the 3rd half.  If you lose it will be because Player Suzi Q missed 4 out of 5 free throws, or a million other reasons besides poor calls.

4. Do NOT coach your kid from the sideline. Your job is to be a cheerleader, not a coach. If you wanted to coach, you should have volunteered.  Most likely you've been teaching Jack and Jane their whole lives about the sport they are playing...it's time to take a step back and let them learn from someone else...I promise you don't know everything there is to know.

5. It is EXTREMELY UNLIKELY you are raising a professional athlete. I promise you. Relax, let them have a good time and learn the lessons they are supposed to be learning in sports.

6. Kids should play the sport that is in season until they are in middle school. Then they can decide which one or two sports they want to play and become more focused. Cross training prevents injuries and burnout.

7. If you have nothing nice to say, sit down and be quiet. Don’t be “that” parent.

8. If you are losing your mind on the sideline of game, it’s time to look in the mirror and figure out why. It’s not normal to care that much about sports. Put that energy into something more productive.

9. Let them fail. Forgotten equipment, not working out, not practicing at home? Let them suffer the consequences of that. It will make them better.

10. Your kids are watching you. Make them proud not embarrassed.

Mainly I think that parents should keep in mind that coaches, referees, volunteers, other players, players parents, and other school employees are people too.  They have families, lives, and plenty of other things to do other than be at practice and games, but they do it because they love the sport, or the community, or just love helping people.  Don't bad mouth a coach/ref/volunteer/other player/parent/school employee in front of your kids, other parents, administration, etc.  How would you like it if your boss bad-mouthed you to your co-workers or to your kid....You're teaching your kids it's ok to be a jerk and keeping them from buying into the "team" aspect their coach is trying so desperately to teach them (a skill they will NEED later in life).

Just at little rant, but I was really happy to see an article from a parent that 'gets' it! 

T

DIY: Quick, Cheap, and Easy Fall Wreath

I love wreaths! I think they add such a homey feel to any place and now-a-days you can get so creative with what you can do with them.  I recently made our front door wreath for fall! It took me all of about 20 minutes and turned out super cute! (At least I think so anyway!)  I used a grapevine wreath from Michael's (they run them on sale for 3.99 most of the time!) and some flowers they had in fall colors for 60% off.  For the "S" and bow I used items I already had around the house.  The great thing about wreaths is that with a little floral wiring and hot glue you can pretty much get whatever you want to on there! When adding flowers I typically cut the stem a little longer and bend it to stick it in the wreath (to anchor it a bit) I always arrange the flowers how I like and then hot glue any places that need more support.  I then attached the "S" with some floral wiring to the bottom portion of the wreath and attached the chevron bow with wiring as well.  I can always add/change the flowers later on if I want to.  So for this cute front door addition I spent a whopping $6.51!

T

Delicious Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

I had originally pinned this recipe on Pinterest almost a year ago and had been wanting to try ever since.  The original recipe came from Mel's Kitchen Cafe who has lots of scrumptious looking recipes available on her site.  One thing I'll change for next time is making more sauce, I just like a little extra on the side for dipping.  If you aren't feeling rice this would go well with Asian noodles or even a salad with mandarin oranges and crunchies in it!

Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

INGREDIENTS
Chicken:
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup canola oil
Sauce:
3/4 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons ketchup
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic salt

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. While the oil is heating, cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Place the cornstarch in a gallon-sized ziploc bag. Put the chicken into the bag with the cornstarch and seal, tossing to coat the chicken. Whisk the eggs together in a shallow pie plate. Dip the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces in the egg and place them carefully in a single layer in the hot skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes and then flip each piece over to cook on the other side until nicely golden but not all the way cooked through. Place in a single layer in a baking dish and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
Mix the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl and pour over the chicken in the baking dish. Bake for one hour, turning the chicken once or twice while cooking to coat evenly with sauce. Serve over hot, steamed rice.


Note: if you like extra sauce, double the sauce ingredients – pour half over the chicken and follow the recipe instructions; pour the other half in a small saucepan and cook the sauce on the stovetop at a simmer for 8-10 minutes until it reduces and thickens. Serve it on the side of the chicken.

T

From Scratch Biscuits and Gravy

Since I fell behind with the meal planning post I decided to to post the recipe's with the picture.  First up is biscuits with sausage gravy, all homemade mmm! Next time I will definitely add more pepper and maybe some hot sauce!

Ingredients

Biscuits
3 cups All-purpose Flour
2 Tablespoons Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1-1/2 stick (3/4 Cup) Cold Butter, Cut Into Pieces
1-1/4 cup Buttermilk

SAUSAGE GRAVY
1 pound Breakfast Sausage, Hot Or Mild
1/3 cup All-purpose Flour
4 cups Whole Milk
1/2 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
2 teaspoons Black Pepper, More To Taste



Preparation Instructions
BISCUITS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Add flour, baking powder, and salt to the bowl of a food processor (or a large bowl.) Add butter pieces and pulse until butter is completely cut into the flour mixture (or use a pastry cutter if using a bowl.) While pulsing (or stirring) drizzle in the buttermilk until dough just comes together and is no longer crumbly.
Drop in clumps on two baking sheets, then bake for 15-17 minutes, or until golden brown. (Optional: Brush with melted butter when biscuits first come out of the oven.)
SAUSAGE GRAVY
With your finger, tear small pieces of sausage and add them in a single layer to a large heavy skillet. Brown the sausage over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Sprinkle on half the flour and stir so that the sausage soaks it all up, then add a little more until just before the sausage looks too dry. Stir it around and cook it for another minute or so, then pour in the milk, stirring constantly.
Cook the gravy, stirring frequently, until it thickens. (This may take a good 10-12 minutes.) Sprinkle in the seasoned salt and pepper and continue cooking until very thick and luscious. If it gets too thick too soon, just splash in 1/2 cup of milk or more if needed. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking.

Another yummy recipe from the Pioneer Woman, she really knows what she's doing!

MP Day #4 & 5

No recipes for today! Thursday night I had planned to make Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken, but my chicken hadn't thawed, Spence and I were both tired and I got an email deal on pizza and breadsticks, so we decided to opt for that deliciousness (and boy it was good)! We had enough left over for both of our lunches Friday so that worked out well.  Friday night's we usually always meet my parents for dinner, Spencer had to be a at football game so Dad and I went to Firehouse and had some delicious barbecue! Mmmm!

T