Being an information junkie, I am a big fan of Yahoo News/Health/Sports, etc. In fact, I have Yahoo as my homepage and I've found their Associated Content to be a worthwhile information source. One of the standards on YahooHealth is the list of habits you should or shouldn't be doing, as well as advice on what your habits say about you. With that in mind, Yahoo offers this simple test of longevity based on research by Brazilian doctors who recently published:
Can you easily sit down on the floor and rise from that position?
According to doctors, people who are unable to comfortable get down on the floor and then stand up from a sitting position are considerably more likely to die younger. It would seem to be a matter of basic fitness, and it's probably a significant red flag if you can't do this.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
Are MOOc's like Coursera a Bad Idea
Change is coming to higher education, and that is non-negotiable. With the advent of on-line learning and a blurring of lines between degrees and competency, the field for associate, bachelor, and master's degrees is shifting. At A Teacher's View, I have long argued that my philosophy of education is "Whatever Works," and while I firmly assert that not everyone needs a bachelor degree - or a thorough K-12 experience - I would not disagree that more education is better than less. It's the vehicle by which it's delivered that is changing and probably should. Thus, we've seen the rise of alternative classes and credentialing that is changing the dynamic for how we determine that someone is competently educated and skilled for a job.
The University of Phoenix pioneered the online degree - albeit for a great profit among school shareholders. And, Phoenix and lessers like Westwood have developed a reputation of being diploma mills. In response, or perhaps in spite of, the rise of online education at some elite institutions has changed the game again. After Khan Academy made online learning look so appealing, the rise of companies like Coursera stepped in to provide all the information of a degree program for free. What began as professors at places like Stanford and MIT posting syllabi and lessons online became a company through which "students" could basically access and complete all coursework for degree programs at highly respected institutions without ever stepping foot on campus. And there is a certain degree of reason behind the plan by which a competent student could complete the work and receive "certificate" which validated competence. And the idea is that at some point employers would have to decided whether an applicant needed a full degree or simply a certificate to qualify for a job.
Not so fast, says Doug Guthrie who writes in the Chronicle this month that we should Jump Off the Coursera Bandwagon. The traditionalists will reasonably argue that an education is never simply about the coursework. The loss of human interaction and collaboration and the classroom environment can only serve to weaken and dilute whatever knowledge is gleaned from reading all the course materials. And, most companies will always prefer someone who could actually get in to Stanford and graduate rather than just read the materials and pass some generalized assessment.
Still, the world is probably big enough for both Stanford grads and Coursera certificate holders.
The University of Phoenix pioneered the online degree - albeit for a great profit among school shareholders. And, Phoenix and lessers like Westwood have developed a reputation of being diploma mills. In response, or perhaps in spite of, the rise of online education at some elite institutions has changed the game again. After Khan Academy made online learning look so appealing, the rise of companies like Coursera stepped in to provide all the information of a degree program for free. What began as professors at places like Stanford and MIT posting syllabi and lessons online became a company through which "students" could basically access and complete all coursework for degree programs at highly respected institutions without ever stepping foot on campus. And there is a certain degree of reason behind the plan by which a competent student could complete the work and receive "certificate" which validated competence. And the idea is that at some point employers would have to decided whether an applicant needed a full degree or simply a certificate to qualify for a job.
Not so fast, says Doug Guthrie who writes in the Chronicle this month that we should Jump Off the Coursera Bandwagon. The traditionalists will reasonably argue that an education is never simply about the coursework. The loss of human interaction and collaboration and the classroom environment can only serve to weaken and dilute whatever knowledge is gleaned from reading all the course materials. And, most companies will always prefer someone who could actually get in to Stanford and graduate rather than just read the materials and pass some generalized assessment.
Still, the world is probably big enough for both Stanford grads and Coursera certificate holders.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Great Games for the Holidays
Hanukkah is over, but there are still eight shopping days until Christmas. In my family, we are constantly on the lookout for new games, especially at this time of year. Whether it's something small for a stocking stuffer or a big new board game for under the tree, the holiday season is the perfect time to add new games for the family. Board games are still the best, and many families could certainly use some fun activities to gather around the coffee table with. One of our favorite activities in the winter is to head over on cold, snowy weekend days to our neighborhood Starbucks for holiday drinks and a couple hours of game playing. Consider some of the following.
You can, of course, never go wrong with the classic card game Uno, which should be in every house. And Yahtzee is a classic that never goes out of style. However, for a new twist on the dice circuit consider adding Yam-Slam to your game stock. Yam-Slam is like Yahtzee, except players collect chips for the standard rolls, rather than write down the points. We love this one for travel as well - great airport time killer. And, if your family is into dice games and you have never played Farkle, this new spin on dice games is a must.
We recently discovered games from the Blue-Orange, which bills itself as "Hot games for a cool planet." One of our favorites is Spot-it, which contains multiple card games. The makers of Spot-it also feature a great game called Trigger which is fun for all ages. These games are really simple because they only use cards which have all the necessary information. Both Trigger and Spot-it are the perfect party games. Blue-Orange is also the home of Yam-Slam, as well as a new version of dominoes called Bendomino, which is the same basic idea but the tiles are curved.
Whatever it is this year, get your game on for the holidays.
You can, of course, never go wrong with the classic card game Uno, which should be in every house. And Yahtzee is a classic that never goes out of style. However, for a new twist on the dice circuit consider adding Yam-Slam to your game stock. Yam-Slam is like Yahtzee, except players collect chips for the standard rolls, rather than write down the points. We love this one for travel as well - great airport time killer. And, if your family is into dice games and you have never played Farkle, this new spin on dice games is a must.
We recently discovered games from the Blue-Orange, which bills itself as "Hot games for a cool planet." One of our favorites is Spot-it, which contains multiple card games. The makers of Spot-it also feature a great game called Trigger which is fun for all ages. These games are really simple because they only use cards which have all the necessary information. Both Trigger and Spot-it are the perfect party games. Blue-Orange is also the home of Yam-Slam, as well as a new version of dominoes called Bendomino, which is the same basic idea but the tiles are curved.
Whatever it is this year, get your game on for the holidays.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
States Don't Need Right-to-Work Laws
The state of Michigan continues to dominate news discussion of jobs and labor after the Republican-controlled state legislature passed a new law restricting the ability of unions to collect dues from workers and effectively turning Michigan - home of the auto industry and an original bastion of organized labor - into a Right-to-Work state. This move follows similar changes to the law in Wisconsin and Indiana and has severely challenged the strength of labor unions. Conservatives and Republicans tout these laws as a move to protect liberty, while liberals and Democrats paint it as a toxic attack on working people and a move by corporate America to further erode wages.
Certainly, there are reasons to oppose being "forced" to join a labor union. Some people feel the union "does nothing for them" and they would rather not pay dues to an organization that they may not believe in. Certainly, in the education field, many teachers support collective bargaining at the local and even state level but do not believe in or support the positions of the National Education Association (NEA). At the same time, however, there are reasons to allow automatic deduction for fees related to contract work by the union or association. If the union has negotiated the contract and work conditions, no worker should be able to benefit from those conditions with financially supporting the work that went into crafting them.
However, this issue should not be legislative, and the country should look to Colorado for guidance on Right-to-Work laws. Colorado is not a Right-to-Work state, but it is also not a Not-Right-to-Work state. In Colorado, the decisions on whether to require union membership and automatically deduct union dues from paychecks to pay for benefits such as collective bargaining are made on a shop-to-shop basis. Each industry and/or company decides what works for its particular management and employees.
And this is the way it should be.
Certainly, there are reasons to oppose being "forced" to join a labor union. Some people feel the union "does nothing for them" and they would rather not pay dues to an organization that they may not believe in. Certainly, in the education field, many teachers support collective bargaining at the local and even state level but do not believe in or support the positions of the National Education Association (NEA). At the same time, however, there are reasons to allow automatic deduction for fees related to contract work by the union or association. If the union has negotiated the contract and work conditions, no worker should be able to benefit from those conditions with financially supporting the work that went into crafting them.
However, this issue should not be legislative, and the country should look to Colorado for guidance on Right-to-Work laws. Colorado is not a Right-to-Work state, but it is also not a Not-Right-to-Work state. In Colorado, the decisions on whether to require union membership and automatically deduct union dues from paychecks to pay for benefits such as collective bargaining are made on a shop-to-shop basis. Each industry and/or company decides what works for its particular management and employees.
And this is the way it should be.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Common Core Does Not Mandate the End of Literature
Despite what many teachers fear, the Common Core has not mandated the end of teaching literature. Two years after the fact, as teachers finally get around the reading the content and learning standards that have been adopted by 42 states, many teachers are frantic about an alleged "mandate" that 70% of the reading students do in English class be non-fiction or informational texts. Alas, it's not true. And the only thing we can be sure of is that administrators and principals and teachers have not read or do not know how to read the standards.
Certainly, the Common Core recommends that informational texts be introduced as part of the curriculum and that this genre increase in emphasis until 70% of the reading high school students do is "informational texts." However, that recommendation and ratio in no way focuses on, or is limited to, the English classroom. English class generally counts for one-sixth of a high school student's day. Thus, more than 70% of a student's time is spent in classes like math and science and social studies and health and fine arts. And in those classes students should be reading and thinking critically about non-fiction texts.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Amazing Race Season Finale - Amazing Win for Beekman Boys
Brains bested braun on the season finale of the Amazing Race - Season 21. Josh and Brent, the goat farmers known affectionately as the Beekman Boys, outlasted all other teams to win one million dollars and the title of winners of the Amazing Race. If there were ever a team of underdogs on the Amazing Race, the goat farming, gay, Beekman Boys are that team. By all accounts, they had no business making it very far in the race, no business making it to the season finale, no business making it to the final three and destination city in New York, and absolutely no business winning it all. Except for their determination.
Admittedly, I am really sad for Jaymes and James, the Chippendale dancers who were a lot of fun and a competitive team throughout. With Jaymes' goal of using the million dollars to ease the burden of his dad who is struggling with cancer, it was easy to root for them. Alas, it was not to be, and that was a tough break. But, of course, it was great to see the bitchy twins go out before the final leg. That elimination truly amazed me, as I had no faith the Beekman Boys would best the twins until the girls went the wrong way. Karma, karma, karma. And, I have to say that it was nothing but pure karma that Trey and Lexi did not win the Amazing Race. They had it in the bag until that last challenge, and Lexi simply melted down in a challenge she couldn't quite figure out. But to my point - Trey and Lexi cheated early in the race, taking money that the bitchy twins stole from Rock Star/Lawyer team. What goes around ....
A lot of karma going around on this race. The alliances that the teams made going into the final really bugged me - as it was more Survivor than Amazing Race. And I was baffled as to why the teams thought they wanted to eliminate the farmers before the final, as everyone thought they were the weakest team. And the karma just kept coming. Certainly, Jaymes/James thought they made the right decision in U-turning Abby and Ryan in the second to last leg of the race. When all was said and done, the alliance truly did need to fear the Beekman Boys the most.
Overall, this was not my favorite season of the Amazing Race by any stretch ... until the very end. In the end, the final three teams were all really nice people, and it was nice to see them all go for the gold.
Way to go, Beekman Boys!
Admittedly, I am really sad for Jaymes and James, the Chippendale dancers who were a lot of fun and a competitive team throughout. With Jaymes' goal of using the million dollars to ease the burden of his dad who is struggling with cancer, it was easy to root for them. Alas, it was not to be, and that was a tough break. But, of course, it was great to see the bitchy twins go out before the final leg. That elimination truly amazed me, as I had no faith the Beekman Boys would best the twins until the girls went the wrong way. Karma, karma, karma. And, I have to say that it was nothing but pure karma that Trey and Lexi did not win the Amazing Race. They had it in the bag until that last challenge, and Lexi simply melted down in a challenge she couldn't quite figure out. But to my point - Trey and Lexi cheated early in the race, taking money that the bitchy twins stole from Rock Star/Lawyer team. What goes around ....
A lot of karma going around on this race. The alliances that the teams made going into the final really bugged me - as it was more Survivor than Amazing Race. And I was baffled as to why the teams thought they wanted to eliminate the farmers before the final, as everyone thought they were the weakest team. And the karma just kept coming. Certainly, Jaymes/James thought they made the right decision in U-turning Abby and Ryan in the second to last leg of the race. When all was said and done, the alliance truly did need to fear the Beekman Boys the most.
Overall, this was not my favorite season of the Amazing Race by any stretch ... until the very end. In the end, the final three teams were all really nice people, and it was nice to see them all go for the gold.
Way to go, Beekman Boys!
How Has the Internet Changed College?
In looking at how the internet has changed and shaped the world in the last twenty years, there may be no more significant area of change than its impact on "the college experience." From the college search to the application process to online classes to graduation day, colleges reflect dramatic shifts in how higher education is accessed and degrees are earned in the twenty-first century.
Before the Classroom
The rise of the internet has made sweeping changes to higher education, but its effects begin well before students get there. From the first college contacts they make, the internet guides their path. For example, you may be considering earning a marketing degree to further your career, but now you no longer have to visit every campus to get a feel for what they offer.
Researching graduation rates and a school's reputation via the internet will help you narrow the field, and you can make more informed decisions on which school is right for you. This can be done from home rather than a rushed, costly weekend trip to the campus. Once you make a decision, college applications can be submitted online, and many colleges accept the online common application that can be sent to multiple schools.
Online or On Campus
The internet gives students the option of fully realized online classes. If you're looking to earn your degree while working, online classes offer the opportunity to complete course work while holding a full-time job. And, online education offers the option of attending an excellent school far away without having to relocate. For example, MIT offers some programs online through their Open Courseware program with great introductory classes from a nationally accredited university. The internet has simply removed the debate and obstacles some prospective students face of leaving a job they need in order to earn the degree necessary to advance their career.
A Full Tool Box
Once you're in the classroom, be it a virtual or actual one, the internet will play an important role in your education and college experience. E-books, podcast lectures, and downloadable materials have streamlined the classroom process in a way that allows more time for learning. In fact, libraries have seen a decline in usage as a result of the vast resources provided via the internet. No longer needing to search through a "card catalog," student can simply log on to a school's databases and print articles or bookmark them on Delicious for later. Additionally, countless apps dedicated to student organization, note taking, and study help are available. With a laptop, or tablet, and wireless internet, you can download a professor's lecture, write notes for class, and even attach a voice recording of the professor's lessons. In today's virtual world, there's no excuse for a lack of study materials.
As students complete their college experience, many are in search of internship opportunities. Social networking sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter help connect students with companies looking for interns. Websites such as CollegeRecruiter.com and InternMatch.com are great resources that connect college students with their perfect internship via an easy-to-use interface and a plethora of listings.
As today's student becomes more well-versed with technology, countless other ways to improve the college experience will arise for the technologically savvy student. Whether you are seeking a hands-on or virtual degree, the internet will continue to greatly change the world of the student even as the student seeks to change the world.
* This sponsored post was written by Bill Lester, a not-too-long-ago graduate with a degree in public health
Before the Classroom
The rise of the internet has made sweeping changes to higher education, but its effects begin well before students get there. From the first college contacts they make, the internet guides their path. For example, you may be considering earning a marketing degree to further your career, but now you no longer have to visit every campus to get a feel for what they offer.
Researching graduation rates and a school's reputation via the internet will help you narrow the field, and you can make more informed decisions on which school is right for you. This can be done from home rather than a rushed, costly weekend trip to the campus. Once you make a decision, college applications can be submitted online, and many colleges accept the online common application that can be sent to multiple schools.
Online or On Campus
The internet gives students the option of fully realized online classes. If you're looking to earn your degree while working, online classes offer the opportunity to complete course work while holding a full-time job. And, online education offers the option of attending an excellent school far away without having to relocate. For example, MIT offers some programs online through their Open Courseware program with great introductory classes from a nationally accredited university. The internet has simply removed the debate and obstacles some prospective students face of leaving a job they need in order to earn the degree necessary to advance their career.
A Full Tool Box
Once you're in the classroom, be it a virtual or actual one, the internet will play an important role in your education and college experience. E-books, podcast lectures, and downloadable materials have streamlined the classroom process in a way that allows more time for learning. In fact, libraries have seen a decline in usage as a result of the vast resources provided via the internet. No longer needing to search through a "card catalog," student can simply log on to a school's databases and print articles or bookmark them on Delicious for later. Additionally, countless apps dedicated to student organization, note taking, and study help are available. With a laptop, or tablet, and wireless internet, you can download a professor's lecture, write notes for class, and even attach a voice recording of the professor's lessons. In today's virtual world, there's no excuse for a lack of study materials.
As students complete their college experience, many are in search of internship opportunities. Social networking sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter help connect students with companies looking for interns. Websites such as CollegeRecruiter.com and InternMatch.com are great resources that connect college students with their perfect internship via an easy-to-use interface and a plethora of listings.
As today's student becomes more well-versed with technology, countless other ways to improve the college experience will arise for the technologically savvy student. Whether you are seeking a hands-on or virtual degree, the internet will continue to greatly change the world of the student even as the student seeks to change the world.
* This sponsored post was written by Bill Lester, a not-too-long-ago graduate with a degree in public health
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Bobby Flay Defends Easy Bake Oven for All Kids
When thirteen-year-old McKenna Pope first petitioned toymaker Hasbro to change the color - and subsequent marketing - of the Easy Bake Oven for all kids, rather than just girls, she probably didn't know one of the most famous and accomplished celebrity chefs would come to her defense. No less than Bobby Flay has publicly voiced his support for McKenna's petition - which garnered 30,000 signatures in a week.
McKenna's petition began when she responded to Gavin's assertion that "only girls play with [Easy Bake Ovens]." And, it's not hard to understand why. The ovens are pink and always have been decorated and presented in a "girly" way. Despite Hasbro's assertions that it has portrayed boys on the box and in the commercials in the past, there is little doubt that the ovens - and the entire concept of cooking and baking - is geared toward girls. Which, of course, is sad in a world of the Food Network with plenty of male celebrity chefs. In fact, outside of the home kitchen, the culinary arts have been dominated by male chefs (just like all industries). So, it's nice to see the culinary arts elevated out of the gender-specific home kitchen.
The idea of boys baking - or becoming cooks, even chefs - is one aspect of our need for a renewed support of Career and Technical Education. In a country that is more and more interested in quality living and haute cuisine - and is ever more defined as a service economy - our schools need to cultivate and support the culinary arts ... even at the earliest years. Thus, I am proud of McKenna Pope and her campaign. And I am thrilled by Bobby Flay's public endorsement. Bobby Flay, who says he asked for an Easy Bake Oven when he was five years old, is the perfect role model for young men who may not fit the paradigm of the model student, but can work wonders in the kitchen - or in some other non-academic art.
Way to go McKenna. And thanks Bobby Flay.
McKenna's petition began when she responded to Gavin's assertion that "only girls play with [Easy Bake Ovens]." And, it's not hard to understand why. The ovens are pink and always have been decorated and presented in a "girly" way. Despite Hasbro's assertions that it has portrayed boys on the box and in the commercials in the past, there is little doubt that the ovens - and the entire concept of cooking and baking - is geared toward girls. Which, of course, is sad in a world of the Food Network with plenty of male celebrity chefs. In fact, outside of the home kitchen, the culinary arts have been dominated by male chefs (just like all industries). So, it's nice to see the culinary arts elevated out of the gender-specific home kitchen.
The idea of boys baking - or becoming cooks, even chefs - is one aspect of our need for a renewed support of Career and Technical Education. In a country that is more and more interested in quality living and haute cuisine - and is ever more defined as a service economy - our schools need to cultivate and support the culinary arts ... even at the earliest years. Thus, I am proud of McKenna Pope and her campaign. And I am thrilled by Bobby Flay's public endorsement. Bobby Flay, who says he asked for an Easy Bake Oven when he was five years old, is the perfect role model for young men who may not fit the paradigm of the model student, but can work wonders in the kitchen - or in some other non-academic art.
Way to go McKenna. And thanks Bobby Flay.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Technology & Tech Companies Drive Curriculum and Instruction
In talking with my students today about research papers and the research process, I discussed with them the "ease" of doing research in a technological era. Without a doubt, researching information and pulling it together into a formal paper is much more efficient with the internet and word processing and software and services such as Noodle Tools. Additionally, the development of search engine filters like Turnitin.com have improved a teacher's ability to ensure academic integrity. Now with the rise of MOOc companies like Khan Academy and Schoolology and COLE and Blackboard, schools can offer countless new services as well as refined versions of old standards. Certainly, the influence of tech companies on curriculum and instruction has been part of a new direction in school.
Amazing Race - Bitchy Twins Hang On
Darn! It was a non-Elimination round.
Amazing Race fans thought they were going to be free of the annoying, bitchy, unpleasant twins from Sri Lanka this week when Natalie and Nadyia's inability to drive a stick shift put them behind the seemingly harmless goat farmers. Alas, it was a non-elimination round which is meant to lead in to the two-hour finale next week. The first hour, of course, will lead to the elimination of one team and the selection of the final three who will "race for a million dollars."
One interesting scene from this week was the time at the beach, when teams had a free twelve-hours to goof around on the beaches in Spain while they waited for the transportation to their next task to open. This was actually neat to see. I'm not sure I've ever seen the Amazing Race show us some downtime, and it was a fun addition to the show.
While many of us were rooting for Abby and Ryan to make the final three - and we all know the goat farmers will never win it all - it was a shame to see the twins stick around. At this point, I am pulling for James and Jaymes, simply because the goat farmers won't make it, and the other teams are too annoying to root for.
Amazing Race fans thought they were going to be free of the annoying, bitchy, unpleasant twins from Sri Lanka this week when Natalie and Nadyia's inability to drive a stick shift put them behind the seemingly harmless goat farmers. Alas, it was a non-elimination round which is meant to lead in to the two-hour finale next week. The first hour, of course, will lead to the elimination of one team and the selection of the final three who will "race for a million dollars."
One interesting scene from this week was the time at the beach, when teams had a free twelve-hours to goof around on the beaches in Spain while they waited for the transportation to their next task to open. This was actually neat to see. I'm not sure I've ever seen the Amazing Race show us some downtime, and it was a fun addition to the show.
While many of us were rooting for Abby and Ryan to make the final three - and we all know the goat farmers will never win it all - it was a shame to see the twins stick around. At this point, I am pulling for James and Jaymes, simply because the goat farmers won't make it, and the other teams are too annoying to root for.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
It's About "Work," Not Jobs
2012 was definitely the year of "new definitions of normal." That phrase, which I first encountered several years ago as I reached middle age and a friend comforted me over health concerns with that phrase. It made a lot of sense and brought some order to the disorder. Now, I see that adaptation - that wisdom - running throughout society, especially in areas of politics and economics. Certainly, with the re-election of President Obama and the rise of Nate Silver as a statistical wunderkid, the normal rules for elections no longer apply. Similarly, changes in the economy have created conditions which are a new definition of normal. And, for the issue of "jobs," that means redefining jobs as simply "work." This new definition is well described in Dave Maney's recent column in the Denver Post. According to Maney:
President Barack Obama and Republican leaders, please take note: Your so-called job-creation policies won't create "jobs" or economic opportunity anymore ... The Internet and related information technologies have created a flourishing independent, self-directed, non-"job"-based economy. It's faster, more efficient and more adaptable than anything ever created — and it's only going to get better. If we let it.
The Government Accountability Office estimates there are 42 million Americans working independently as sole proprietors, consultants, contract laborers, etc. — economic free agents, in other words, increasingly using those Internet tools and platforms to make things happen in the economy. All without the creation of a single job. Work, yes. Income, yes. One-person businesses, yes. But a job, as we have thought of it? No.
Dave Maney has written extensively on ideas such as these, and more of his work can be found in his engaging commentary site Economany.com
President Barack Obama and Republican leaders, please take note: Your so-called job-creation policies won't create "jobs" or economic opportunity anymore ... The Internet and related information technologies have created a flourishing independent, self-directed, non-"job"-based economy. It's faster, more efficient and more adaptable than anything ever created — and it's only going to get better. If we let it.
The Government Accountability Office estimates there are 42 million Americans working independently as sole proprietors, consultants, contract laborers, etc. — economic free agents, in other words, increasingly using those Internet tools and platforms to make things happen in the economy. All without the creation of a single job. Work, yes. Income, yes. One-person businesses, yes. But a job, as we have thought of it? No.
Dave Maney has written extensively on ideas such as these, and more of his work can be found in his engaging commentary site Economany.com
Monday, November 26, 2012
Let College Athletes Major in Pro Sports
As an academic and a teacher and a parent and a citizen, I am absolutely opposed to the idea of paying college athletes for participation on their teams. Even a monthly stipend is absurd, considering the "payment" in the form of room, board, and tuition they are already receiving. And, for the major sports - predominantly basketball and football - the students are given a free platform on which to audition or "interview" for their first job. Additionally, I am truly bothered by the clear lack of academia in the ranks of these athletes, and I would not be opposed to revoking tax-exempt status for colleges that fail to produce educated athletes who earn degrees. They are tax exempt based on an "educational mission," and that is clearly far from reality.
However, there may be another option.
Last year, Jose Nocera of the New York Times posed the taboo idea - Let's Start Paying College Athletes. Ultimately, Nocera took the issue to a new and intriguing level when he posed the idea of letting college athletes major in "professional sports." This idea was intriguing on multiple levels, and it honestly addressed the issue in a way the NCAA - and NBA/NFL - never will. Many athletes are at college simply to audition for pro teams. They know it. Their coaches know it. Their future employers know it. Their friends and family not only know, but endorse it. And everyone else, including the government agencies that look the other way, know it as well. Now, perhaps that idea is gaining credibility, as it has been posed again by David Pargman, a professor at Florida State University, who says End the Charade: Let College Athletes Major in Pro Sports.
Clearly, there is a business element to professional sports, and such "business" concepts could be studied in a manner that at least "resembles" higher education. Both Nocera and Pargman argue that aspects of business and conditioning and critical thinking and psychology and marketing could be part of a college major that would serve future pro athletes. We all know from the tabloid stories that many of these future businessmen could benefit from some classes in basic business contracts and personal finance. Marketing classes aren't a bad idea either. After the students complete the general education requirements that all students take, they could declare for "Pro Athlete," rather than pretending to be a communications major. And a series of legitimate classes refining skills they might need could be crafted. It just might make sense.
Of course, there is a counter-argument presented by no less of an authority than the NCAA. However, Nocera and Parman are correct about one thing: it is a charade. And perhaps it's time stop playing games with the world of education.
However, there may be another option.
Last year, Jose Nocera of the New York Times posed the taboo idea - Let's Start Paying College Athletes. Ultimately, Nocera took the issue to a new and intriguing level when he posed the idea of letting college athletes major in "professional sports." This idea was intriguing on multiple levels, and it honestly addressed the issue in a way the NCAA - and NBA/NFL - never will. Many athletes are at college simply to audition for pro teams. They know it. Their coaches know it. Their future employers know it. Their friends and family not only know, but endorse it. And everyone else, including the government agencies that look the other way, know it as well. Now, perhaps that idea is gaining credibility, as it has been posed again by David Pargman, a professor at Florida State University, who says End the Charade: Let College Athletes Major in Pro Sports.
Clearly, there is a business element to professional sports, and such "business" concepts could be studied in a manner that at least "resembles" higher education. Both Nocera and Pargman argue that aspects of business and conditioning and critical thinking and psychology and marketing could be part of a college major that would serve future pro athletes. We all know from the tabloid stories that many of these future businessmen could benefit from some classes in basic business contracts and personal finance. Marketing classes aren't a bad idea either. After the students complete the general education requirements that all students take, they could declare for "Pro Athlete," rather than pretending to be a communications major. And a series of legitimate classes refining skills they might need could be crafted. It just might make sense.
Of course, there is a counter-argument presented by no less of an authority than the NCAA. However, Nocera and Parman are correct about one thing: it is a charade. And perhaps it's time stop playing games with the world of education.
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