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November 14, 2013 www.stjoemo.info Channel 19 (816) 279-4YOU St. Joseph,City Missouri City news Weekly & information.... Online Versus Traditional Education by Dustin Smith, City Planner Not a lot of people know, but, I am currently in my tenth term of teaching online courses at Park University. So I thought I would provide some thoughts on the online environment compared to the traditional method of higher education. If you are considering an online (also known as distance learning) degree or just taking a course or two, here is what you may be able to expect, keeping in mind the procedures may vary by institution. I developed an online undergraduate land use planning course that is offered in accelerated eight- week terms, which means the course can be offered twice per semester and once in the summer. The course is structured much like a traditional course with weekly assignments, mid-term, final exams, and a final project, known as course assessments. The average number of students has been relatively low with my largest class having eight students and the smallest class having one student. Since instructors are paid by the student, the University will often let the course continue with only one student. This makes it a bit more difficult for the in- structor, due to the minimum requirements for participation and interaction within the course. So, with one student, it can often seem as if the instructor is just talking to themselves (much like a face-to-face course). Probably the biggest advantage from the student’s perspective is the flexibility provided by the online environment. This particular course is asynchronous, meaning that the student can log into the course at any time of day (or night) and post within the threads provided for weekly discussions. The discussion threads are an important part of the course because they provide an opportunity for interaction among the students and the instructor that is conducive to the learning process. Within these threads, the students are expected to discuss their experiences, ask questions, and get feedback from others that will help to better familiarize them with the course material. This is similar to the traditional daily journey into an on-campus classroom to listen to a lecture prepared by the instructor, except the lecture is provided as a PowerPoint, within some type of video clip or other means. Of course, the other students are not sitting in the same room, but could be thousands of miles away on another continent. In fact, many of Park’s online students are active-duty military, and I have had students from all over the United States and as far away as the Netherlands. Because of the lack of personal, face-to-face interaction, it is important to maintain a certain level of social awareness. In the online classroom, we don’t have the advantage of seeing body language or hearing someone’s tone of voice, which can cause a completely innocent remark seem offensive. We’ve all sent that one email that said something we shouldn’t have or was taken out of context, so the best advice is to refrain from language that could even be perceived to be offensive to anyone. However, I also advise my students to assume the best possible intent with any remark in an online discussion. Grading is slightly different for an online class than face-to-face. Whereas, the instruc- tor may add or remove a few points for participation in face-to-face setting or may have no concern about the student even attending class, participation and attendance are absolutely critical with an online course. A grading rubric is devel- oped by the instructor for each assignment/exam that provides a system of assigning points that, for example, in a discussion thread could equate to one post equals one point. The rubrics are used as a guideline where the instructor then needs to objective- ly determine whether the student gets the full points based on quality of the content, frequency, and consistency of student’s posts or that they are interacting appropriately with the other students. The online alternative is a viable one, especially for the non-traditional student. I have mixed opinions of obtaining an entire degree online, but online courses are a great option to supplement a traditional education. Combining the two still provides the on-campus experience that will allow the personal interaction with other students and a personal connection to the institution. World Aids Day 2013 - What’s It All About? by Mitzi Teliczan, Health Educator June of 1981, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia issued a landmark report about five young men in Los Angeles who had died from a mysterious condition that had destroyed their immune systems. Within two years, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was changing the world. The advent of AIDS would forever change the way we think and talk about sex and sexuality; it would also bring previously taboo subjects out into the open. HIV/AIDS touches all of us no matter our race, religion, gender, age, ethnicity, wealth, education, or sexual orientation. It truly does NOT discriminate! World AIDS Day was first conceived in August of 1987 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. They took their idea to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and this organiza- tion approved it and agreed that the first observance of World AIDS Day should be December 1, 1988. This day, December 1, is now recognized annually and is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV. Since 1995, the president of the United States has made an official proclamation on World AIDS Day. The red ribbon started in 1991 as a grassroots effort and later became a symbol of care and concern about HIV/AIDS and of the need for support and commitment to ending the pandemic. Today, it is estimated that over 75 million people worldwide are or have been infected with a virus that 30 years ago no one had even heard of. It is estimated that one in five people living with HIV is unaware of their infection. AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since 1981. In Missouri, it is estimated that we have had over 18,000 total cases of HIV/AIDS reported. In recognition of the impact of HIV/AIDS on our community, activities have been planned throughout the week beginning on December 1: • Sunday, December 1, beginning at 6pm, there will be a memorial service at Zion United Church of Christ, 816 Faraon Street, to remember those who are living with HIV/AIDS and also honor those who lost their personal battle with the disease. Refreshments will follow. • Monday, December 2, there will be free, walk-in HIV testing at the St. Joseph Health Department, 904 South 10th Street. Staff will be available for information and questions. • Tuesday, December 3, the community is encouraged to wear a red ribbon today and through- out the week as a symbol of support for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and hope for those affect- ed by the disease. Ribbons will be available at various locations or you can make one yourself by making a loop out of 2 - 3 inches of red ribbon and securing with a safety pin. • Wednesday, December 4, the community is invited to attend a free movie event to be held at the East Hills Public Library, beginning at 12:30pm. Movies to be shown include Philadel- phia, starring Tom Hanks (show time 12:30pm); The Cure, starring Joseph Mazzello (show time 3pm); and An Early Frost, starring Aidan Quinn (show time 5pm). There will also be a display of “Chairs of Hope” in the theater that represent individuals who are affected or are living with HIV/AIDS in our community. • Thursday, December 5, a fundraising event to benefit those in our community living with HIV/ AIDS will be held at the Zion United Church of Christ, beginning at 5pm. A $10 ticket entitles you to all-you-can-eat pizza and Pepsi. There will be a raffle, a live auction of decorated Christmas trees, and other items. The drawing for the quilt raffle will be held at 7pm. For more information regarding this year’s World AIDS Day events, please contact Mitzi Teliczan at (816) 271-4659, or Bernice Clymer at (816) 271-4684. Cold Weather Preparations by Mike Dalsing, Fire Chief As the holiday season fast approaches, it is a good idea to remember some simple safety tips. When travel- ing, carry an emergency travel kit including the following items: • Jumper cables. • Cat litter or sand for tire traction on snow and ice. • Shovel to scrape snow away from tires. • Ice scraper to clear windshield. • Warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy boots, and a warm jacket. • Blankets to keep warm inside the vehicle. • Flashlights and extra batteries for increased visibility. • First aid kit and pack necessary medications in case you are stuck on the road. • Pack food items containing protein such as nuts and energy bars, canned fruit, and a portable can opener. • Bring enough water for each person in your car and any pets. • AM/FM radio to listen to traffic reports and emergency messages. When staying at hotels or motels remember to check for smoke alarms and exits. If you are staying with family or friends know how to get out of the house.

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