Education or ‘learning’ as with society is forever evolving. Traditional education has given way to lifelong learning practices. Where education was once a structured environment, specific curriculums eg: geography, maths, science, especially at tertiary levels were adhered to and there was order and discipline, these learning styles have now been replaced with more reflexive learning practices, choices in programmes you want to study, and individuals are responsible and are at the centre of their own learning. No longer do we as a society look to our teachers as being the ‘source of knowledge’ the ‘experts in their fields’ but more so as facilitators in guiding you to learn effectively. In the ‘postmodern society’ we no longer take what is being taught as the only truth, we question authority, are ambivalent and take risks. As individuals we no longer conform to the values and beliefs that are forced upon us from external sources, tending to think and make our own choices in what to believe and how to act, and the segregation that was once determined by class, stature in society based on your education is less prevalent. Although I believe the structure of education will always remain in one form or another, the way we view learning will always change and be rehashed as society develops and grows and the need and desire for further learning continuously expands.
Tuesday 31 May 2011
Entry 2
Date : 9.5.11
As I have worked in the disability sector for the vast majority of my working career, whether this is in a not-for-profit organisation or where there has been very little government financial support, the user pays philosophy has always been around. Although I never questioned this philosophy to management, as it was how they ran their business, I did not always feel that, to be able to provide a service within this specific industry, the person accessing it had to pay for every aspect of it, because you are dealing with people who are vulnerable and rely on your support. However being on the opposite side where you own your business, users have to pay; otherwise it would cost you in the end if you were to regularly provide products and services for free. Then the expectations of those receiving this becomes, that you will do this for them all the time, and they become upset when you don’t. As with education, learning is no longer free, for Tertiary studies and higher qualifications you pay for the study fees, your text books, and exam and administration costs. In primary through to high school you pay the same, if you don’t pay the “donation fee” your children got penalised elsewhere in their learning, I feel that education has become more about the money and less about the learning, yes on one hand you are being taught, experiencing new knowledge and trying to grow and better yourself, yet on the other hand, you are paying for a service that sometimes is not worth the money you are paying out. Unfortunately user pays is a normal part of life, “if you want something you pay for it” we don’t question this because this is what we are indirectly taught and we accept that this is part of everyday life, however we don’t have to like it, but this is how things are in this country. I don’t necessarily know or believe there is another way or a better way to operate, because one way or another we will always pay in the end.
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journal entries 71135
Date: 3.5.11
At one time in my life I found myself living outside my means. Financially I had more outgoing than I had incoming, and I needed to find a solution to reduce my debt and become more financially sound. Once I had identified what the issue was, I then had to look at what options I had available to me, especially in the immediate future. I could sell items, I could take out a loan to consolidate my debt or I could look at my budget and cut back on the services that I was currently paying for. Selling items would give me the extra money I needed, however there was no guarantee that the items would sell immediately or I would get what I was asking for them. Taking out a debt consolidation loan would enable me to make one payment for all my debt, however this came with high interest and I would be paying for a longer period of time, Looking at my budget of what my incoming and outgoing finances were was the only viable solution at that time. Formulating a plan, I looked at what debt I had, how much money I received each week, how much I paid towards my debt. I looked at what was a necessity to keep my household afloat and what luxuries I could live without, to ensure that I had more money coming into the house, which I could then pay towards the debt I owed. One I established this information and what I was prepared to give up and how much this would save me, I looked at how long it would take me to reduce my debt to once again live within my means. I rewrote my budget, including time frames and allowed for unforeseen situations in the form of additional time to pay. I always kept in mind a final date that I expected to be living within my means again and once a certain debt was paid off I re-evaluated my budget and adjusted it as required. Sticking to this process I was able to pay off a large part of my debt, this then enabled me to look for long term solutions, and I was able to secure a full time position with better remuneration. If I find myself slipping back into old habits I go back through the above steps.
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