General Education Competencies

Before reading Becoming a Learner: Realizing the Opportunity of Education by Matthew Sanders, I saw my personal role as a student in higher education to obtain an education degree so that I can start my career. I was frustrated with all the time and money that I had to take this summer semester to relearn unneeded formulas in Beginning Algebra, write numerous unnecessary essays in English Composition and memorize useless information in General Psychology as they are required core classes in the Education Assistant Program. I just wanted to be able to get into the classes that really mattered. Classes with interesting titles like: Individual Education Programs, Effective Teaching, Develop & Adapt the Curriculum, Behavioral Intervention & Classroom and similar ones that will prepare me to do my job as a teacher's assistant upon graduation.

Currently I am enrolled in Dual credit classes such as History and English. These two classes will prepare me for the real world and college. Both classes will teach me discipline and new study/reading habits. Discipline, for turning in my work on time and learning to only depend on myself , not expecting any slack or help. Especially, for in the real world work environment/college where assignments will have to be met on the deadline no exceptions or excuses. New studies habits, where you will be expected to read and understand your work. Failing to do so may cost a failure on an assignment or harm to a person in the work environment.

Being in this class gave me insight on the way that I learn. I’ve had my share of jobs along with schooling and various other learning experiences. Some good, some bad but I can honestly say that I never noticed the pattern on how I learn. Now I know I learn more by being more of a hands on person. Also utilizing my thinking and problem solving skills has helped with my growth. I also found it important to use my reflective observation too. Mostly combining different learning styles have helped me in life to understand the way I learn and the benefits that could come if I use my strengths to further my ambitions.

One of the benefits of attending college later in life is having the life experience to know myself better than someone just graduating high school. At this point in my life I already know my skill level, strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the learning process for education and career planning.

QUIZ 1: Chapter1-21.  People who are strong in the eight qualities shown in the On Course self-assessment tend to make wiser choices at forks in the road than do people who are weak in these qualities.

Another priceless advantage of going to college overall life satisfaction. This is a very deep topic in which personal

Higher education is good for many things in today's world. College experiences help people to truly find themselves through personal growth. Higher education will expose you to people, ideas, and topics that you would never encounter in high school. Each year of college assists in

An interesting reason I feel this degree will benefit me; a healthy brain. As humans, our brains are capable of retaining more than we think. By continuing my education, I will be challenging my brain to learn and process new information as well as refresh

Alyssa Pracz, a journalist at Northern Star, makes the point that “[p]rofessors, however, tend to teach the material as if everyone taking the class is planning on majoring in the subject” when, in reality, students just see the class as another general education course. Additionally, students struggle in some of the subjects which have nothing to do with their particular majors. Pracz also states, “As a result, many students' grades suffer, sometimes to the point of lowering their grade point averages so much that they are unable to get into the major they planned on pursuing”. Ultimately, if a student has a huge passion and dream for his life, and cannot pass a certain general education course then his whole future is foiled. General education classes are redundant and do not aid the student whatsoever in cultivating skills required for his future job. Colleges and universities think general education courses are helping students when they actually are hurting them.

When obtaining a college degree is all about opening up opportunities in life. It prepares you, both intellectually and socially, for your career and your adult life. The benefits of a college education include career opportunities like better paying and higher ranked skilled jobs, but studies have shown that it also leads to overall happiness and stability.

A course in philosophy and critical thinking, for instance, may enhance the problem-solving abilities of a student. This is difficult to quantify or list on a resume, but will nonetheless aid a student as he works toward a career. Many classes teach various soft skills, particularly classes which may seem to teach nothing of practical use. A yoga class improves self-control and emotional regulation, while a sewing class teaches patience and attention to detail. These soft skills are vital to a student’s success in any industry, and are best learned in college. Although these skills can no doubt be learned during an internship or on the job, they will be more helpful to a student when gained early. The students who took diverse electives will stand out among their peers as well-rounded employees with many positive traits. Electives provide an opportunity to gain skills that would not otherwise be learned in

As a kinesiology major student, I take English 49 to complete my General Education Requirement. Prior to this, I had taken English classes in high school and I wrote short stories on the Internet, too. I started off thinking that this class would be boring and full of reading and researching. My thought was completely wrong. Since I have been enrolled in English 49 from January, my writing has improved tremendously. I have learned how to think critically, how to write and express myself through writing, and how to find the answers to questions that I don’t know throughout this semester.

My degree plan for SUNY- Empire State College shows how my general education helped me progress into more advance level courses. The general education courses I took to meet the SUNY requirements include mathematics, natural science, social science, western civilization, other world civilization, foreign language, and basic communication. In mathematics I took college algebra and applied calculus to help me prepare for discrete mathematics. To achieve the natural science requirement I took elementary astronomy and general chemistry therefore, I learned how to use math symbols with word phrases and problem solving skill. For social science I attended the courses in social problems and introduction to psychology which I feel that it will help

I must admit that I have always looked at this type of course as being a complete waste of time. After taking the Learning Connections Inventory, I've discovered that I'm a Dynamic Learner according to the results of the questionnaire. It's totally shed some light on the how, what, when and why of my success and failures in my educational as well as personal and professional life.

Other classes that I have taken at the University of Phoenix that I believe has helped me with my professional career is the class of critical thinking and communication skills for career growth. I am currently working for Blue Cross Blue Shield, and I handle large employee group’s customer service. Every day I am working with the employee’s and provider that have rendered service to these employee’s. Knowing how to communicate and take control of the conversation is a key element in being successful. These employee’s usually on a war path when they call due to claims being denied. Having the skills to communicate and claim them down is the way to have the call end successful.