Schools Ban Outside Help

Schools Ban Outside Help Whether it be teachers and principals egocentrism, bitter sentiment of not having the Internet and other resources while they were in school or simply wanting students to spend more time on homework, some have banned their students from any and all outside sources on homework assignments, according to an article in the Washington Post. This means students cannot look to the Internet, other students, their parents, other textbooks, or even possibly a private tutor to complete homework assignments or seek further knowledge. At Westfield High School, in Virginia, three Advanced Placement World History teachers told their students, You are only allowed to use your OWN knowledge, your OWN class notes, class handouts, your OWN class homework, or The Earth and Its Peoples textbook to complete assignments and assessments UNLESS specifically informed otherwise by your instructor, according to the article. Students here cannot even use a private history tutor that they have been previously working with. Expectations of integrity, is the term these teachers and principals are hiding behind. But Jay Mathews from the Washington Post argues this is a failed attempt to prevent students from cheating, making learning more difficult for students. After all, the purpose of school is to help students learn, not limit them to specific textbooks or prevent cheating. Mathews further argues that, out of fear of cheating, they (certain teachers and principals) have outlawed curiosity. This notion takes away any additional information a student could stumble across on the Internet or any other books, only in hopes of preventing cheating or cutting research time in half by using the Internet. Mathews believes students should be encouraged to seek outside sources and find answers to questions unanswered by their textbook or class notes. This notion prohibits that. Not even the best textbooks contain all the information. However, students using every possible source, including what Google can find in less than a second, are creating extra connections between different forms of material, enhancing their overall learning experiences. Many parents do not view their helping with their childrens homework a hindrance to their learning. In fact, it was probably a combination of mom and dad that helped many students learn their early addition and subtraction tables. Some parents, depending on their expertise or knowledge in certain areas, can actually be the best teachers for the students. Private tutors can offer professional one-on-one time not found in the classroom, which can help a student better learn and grasp content. Yet, certain teachers want to deprive their students from tutors and all outside sources, for the sake of encouraging them to think independently and avoid cheating. But at what cost? A students education and overall learning? If a history teacher tries to ban you from asking your parents if they know anything about the Vietnam War, ask your parents, ask your grandparents, read your textbook, read other textbooks, seek tutoring and by all means type it into Google. For all your teacher knows, you very well could know someone who was actually involved in the Vietnam War.

The Boss Is NOT Your Enemy - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / The Boss Is NOT Your Enemy - Introvert Whisperer The Boss Is NOT Your Enemy Bad bosses are legendary figures across time and cultures. There’s a good reason for that, because there are so many bosses out there who are so terrible at what they do. Despite all of the stories, a good majority of them are anywhere from “just fine” to “outstanding.” Unfortunately, many people interact with both the good and the bad bosses as if they are the enemy. If you are in these ranks, you make the assumption the boss is no good, out to get you with nothing but bad intentions. Stop thinking this way. The problem with that thinking is that even the bad bosses are rarely “out to get” anyone. However, when bosses are faced with employees who interact with them from that viewpoint, it shows. You might think you are hiding your contempt and distrust, but it’s glaringly obvious. Being on the receiving end of this kind of attitude does nothing to build a relationship and everything to destroy it. In fact, in a New York minute. The boss is really not your enemy and is not out to get you. They do have a job of balancing business priorities with your needs. Those two things don’t always fit together, and since it is a business, the priorities of the business will win the day. I know it’s personal to you and therefore it’s easy to react to decisions that impact you. On the other hand, if you already think you’re going to get screwed, any impacting decision is going to feel like proof positive that you were right. Only, more than likely, you aren’t. If this is sounding more and more like you, consider these suggestions: Change Your Assumptions What if they really weren’t out to get you? What if they couldn’t avoid the impacting decisions? You don’t know all of the inner workings above you and you never will. Some things are unavoidable. You’re Probably More Self-Centered Than You Realize People that have these attitudes like to think that the boss sits around and thinks up ways to get you. In fact, you’d be stunned at how very little time is given to just any one individual â€" even you. What If the Boss Was Really an “OK” Person? Would your attitude change if you decided to think of them in positive terms? Probably it would. (Like this thought? Tweet it!) If You Do Have Concerns, Ask The biggest problem most people have is not seeking ongoing feedback and then letting things fester until they really are problems. You should constantly be asking how you are doing and whether  the boss would like to see you do anything differently. This can open up some meaningful dialogue. Figure Out What’s Import to the Business and the Boss You would think both of those things are the same, but not always. Obviously, the business needs to be profitable and make money. What are you doing to contribute to the bottom line? The boss also has their priorities, which usually have a relationship to the business’s priorities but are usually somewhat different. Your job should be to find out what those are and do everything you can to contribute. When you have their back, they’ll love you and your opinion about them will also be positive. Think Like a Contractor All jobs are temporary. That’s just a fact of life. If you think like a contractor, you will be adding value daily to the bottom line. Also, should you part company: all contractors know that is how business works and when they leave, they leave with the idea of returning. Repeat business (or returning to an old job or boss) happens all the time, assuming you leave with style and grace. Having the last word or becoming as fun as hugging a porcupine will not put you at the top of the rehire list. In fact, don’t expect referrals in that case, because referring someone who is a pain in the backside is the last thing anyone would ever want to do. No, there is no upside in thinking the boss is your enemy. It shows in your behavior as much as you think it probably doesn’t. Hostility, belligerence and disrespect will show up in numerous ways. If you get stuck in this mindset, you’ll create your own reality because no one, even a good boss, will ever like someone who treats them like that. Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!  Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer Have you ever had a boss who you thought was out to get you? Share your coping techniques in the comments! Image: Flickr