Canada Correspondence Course?
Q: I'm starting correspondence courses this fall. Finally going back
for that history degree, hoping to eventually become a teacher like
I always wanted. The kids will both be in school, so it's finally
time. I have a couple questions I'm hoping someone here can answer.
First, Can you offer any advice that will make the distance
learning process easier? I'm worried about maintaining my
motivation since I won't actually be attending classes. I'm also
worried about not having much contact with the professors. Any
experienced correspondence students here have tips for me?
Second, Computer stuff. I'm thinking about upgrading to Office XP
from Office 2000 in order to have an easier time writing papers.
Has anyone here upgraded, and if so, what do you think of it? Was
installation easy? I figure the easier it is for me to do my
homework, the likelier it is I'll do it. I already have DSL, so
connection isn't a problem.
Third, an ignorant question for the educators among you. Is it
necessary to concentrate on American history in order to become a
high school teacher? For instance, if I concentrated on European
history, will I have a harder time getting a job when I graduate?
A:Motivation is indeed key. I'd try to make a plan for each course -- set a
schedule for reading, study, writing with deadline dates for sending
assignments. And often you can have some good interaction with the
instructors. Try sending a cover letter with your first assignment to tell
the prof something about yourself and your reasons for taking the course.
Ask if it would be possible to schedule a phone call if you have questions
about how to proceed with an assignment. With subsequent lessons, include a
note about readings you found especially interesting or questions you found
puzzling. Ask for suggestions for further reading and research.
Personal and student motivation: both can be maintained, I think, by
trying to advance your own historical interests and to anticipate
student interests while also satisfying course requirements. History
can be deathly dull (it was for me in highschool and college), but if
you try to do more than "generals, presidents, and dates" you might
stimulate yourself and your pupils. For example, you might do more in
women's studies, you might question why New England differed from
Virginia from the early 16th century, you might study Indian
treatment, the Tory arguments against the Revolution, the southern
position in the Civil War, cooking in Colonial America and etc. Be a
contrarian and offer opinions that might differ from that of the
textbook (and possibly your own).
American History provides the most likely avenue to employment, but
as a 'world historian'I hope you will not ignore history at large. It
can maintain your own sanity. For example, I was stimulated by an
answer given by my daughter's history teacher "why Europe rose and not
Asia". Her teacher said it was "the climate." I took exception to
the response and