Discourse Analysis Paper Part 1

NOVA serves:MLK 2010 YouTube.com

I began my search of sources on Youtube and found plenty of videos that targeted that

the problem of service learning in communities but one particular one caught my attention after

reading the article and watching the videos. Northern Virigina Community College services their

community with six different agencies, 200 volunteers, and over 700 hours in one day. These

particular agencies address the problem in communities and students learning through actual

doing what their studying. This video caught my attention because it so relates to ANSER my

agencies how they dont use the conventional way of learning more of a directional attempt of

how they believe the kids will learn better.

The more directional seems more appropiate listening to the students in the video on

how it inspires them and empowers them to make a difference. For example, with the six

agencies one agencies was a car copy for volvo that allowed free car service to citizens and gave

the students hads on opportunities working on car instead of reading out of some book. Another

one was a clinic they gave away free medicine, most of the students in that agencies were girls

and she explained how this experience benefits her in the future of something shes studying. A

headstart in the real work and adding confidence.

The experience provided them the opportunity to expand and connect while helping out

their community.The students gave back while gainning hands on experience. It expends bright

futures in their community and connected a college better with its community. This event

supported six local causes that impacts our world gobally.







Cooper, Harris "Does Homework Improve Academic Achievement" September 23, 2006

This article caught my attention because during my service learning orientation I

remember Lisa telling us about the agencies and etc. and how they dont give out homework as

much as other schools. The recieve assignments that have to be done over time but they dont

call it homework. It's hard trying to imagine coming from home everyday with no homework as

a kid. I believe the acutal responsibilitiy of having to do homework is important and adds

maturity to all students but as far as homework making you a better achiever i dont know.


Cooper has developed 12 different studies that link the amount homework of

homwork with achievement, but control for the lots of other factors that might influence this

connection. In 35 studies, about 77% of results were found with a link between homework and

achievement were positive. What was interesting was the results suggest little or no relationship

between homework and achievement for elementary kids. ANSER's non-convectional way is

right on target besides for their jr. high kids. Younger kids have less developed study habits and

more distracted at home. Another factors was kids struggling with school and take more time to

complete homework assignments at a younger age simply becuase their assignments are too

difficult.

With all the articles I been reading school achievement has increased recently but from

past achievement scores schools give students all ages too much of a work load. According to the

National PTA and NEA kindergarden-2 grade homework is more effective when the work

doesnt exceed 10-20 minutes. Older kids 3-6 graders can handle 30-60 minutes a day, junior

high and high school will vary depending on the subject. Many school districts policies state that

high school students should excpect 30 minutes of homework for each academic course a day.

I agree with Cooper's research, I believe assigning students with a certain amount of

homework should be done off research not just want the board wants. Younger kids should be

given homework, all kids should be. For the younger kids I dont think its so much of achieveing

anything I think its building strong study habits that'll developed you mentally for the work load

ahead. Homework is beneficial to students, of course I can speak from experience Whatever

was on homework assignments were on test, you do the homework you did well on test.