Great article from WSJ. Education in South Africa struggling like our own urban schools. Can online support help Sibonelo?

The Wall Street Journal published the story today on report of South Africa schools. Apparently teachers are not accountable and many students are on school grounds missing classes and participating in gambling and drugs. In the classes there are too many unmotivated students. Schools such as Orlando West High School that was a beacon of light for students has now deteriorated. 

According to the article more money is spent on education, 20% of the South African budget which is a higher percentage than either Switzerland or Japan. In fairness I think it's safe to say that Switzerland and Japan make more money and have a more stable economy. More money is spent on education then healthcare or military in South Africa. 

Many classes are canceled because the teachers to stay home. Drugs like marijuana and

Sibonelo 18 wants to study botany

home made opiates are widely used. Motivation is certainly being affected. 

Sounds just like in the US  there are not enough jobs in the marketplace to give people an opportunity for success. Educators and economists spin the same dogma that the only way to advance is through education. The jobs that education require are very competitive. Many people are not made to succeed in education. There's nothing wrong with them, but they need other kind of work. 

People who make their living through capitalism have not developed opportunities for people who are not text savvy or book smart. Government has not developed anything to expand opportunity to those whose skill sets not include books. In the urban culture particularly there is a sense of hopelessness and non-inclusion. Our political parties have failed and so has Wall Street. We have seen the same failure in communist countries as well as socialism. 

I think partnership of capitalism and government pulls together resourceful people but they have to be challenged to new ideas, good old ideas to increase opportunities for others. 

In the article I was thinking about the students who were trying to get an education that could compete in the South African universities and workforce. They are smart enough to know that they are not getting what they need. The article talked about tutoring which is a great support. 

There was no mention of students getting support through our online education. I believe that this is a real possibility for the Third World. South Africa is one of the most educated countries in Africa. Educators, government resources need to become more aware of online support. 

motivation & judgement impaired

Sibonelo an 18-year-old featured In the article wants to be the first black botanist in South Africa. He is afraid he is not given the tools to compete. There are courses online that specifically study Botany. In his school there is a lot of time lost because of lack of teacher management in allowing many inappropriate behaviors to dominate the classroom. Sounds like classrooms from Chicago or Philadelphia. Rather than lose the potential of a student like Sibonelo wouldn't online education give him the support he needs. 

Not only do I think online medicine and education can help Liberia, but I think the machines could help the US and South Africa.

Whether or not you agree with my analysis read this informative article.Share with others and help me get the word out.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/south-africas-schools-like-the-nation-are-falling-short-1470148770

iTunes U offers opportunities to learn on line. Can it help Liberians?

I am back from a two-week vacation in Florida with my son’s family. And the second week I swam every day In the Gulf. On the Gulf there is a breeze and in water though warm I stayed cool. There was a heatwave in Florida where are the temperatures reached 100° and my medication reacted to it. In two weeks my body became a little more custom to it. The experience boosted my doctor's advice to build up my conditioning and lose weight. It is clear to me right now I am not ready for Liberia. 

Can I improve my own overall health? That will be the key. 

In the meantime today I was exploring iTunes learning opportunities for both college and high school. Online education is a real option for those who are in areas where's school was not developed. Liberians love their phones and as cell towers are built Smart phones and tablets can be used for Liberians to tap in to improve their education. 

The Liberian government should look into online education to develop for the interior. The Liberians have the language, culture to bridge education through the 15 languages andEnglish overall. 

Some of the resources are free others have a price with I Tunes U. These resources can certainly supplement material for teacher to bring to their students. I am for example in my retirement doing studies with Dallas theological seminary. Some of the courses I may purchase for credit to complete the Study. For example I am studying New Testament Greek but to get all the lectures I will have to pay for it. At my age I'm not necessarily sure I want a Masters, but who knows. The material offered is worth the study.

Why am I doing this stuff? I think
this child is worth the best.

Is it possible to get a K-12 education that can fit into a third world workers budget? Many people in Liberia who need education only make about $100 hundred hours $150 a month. These working people are worth the same as you and I in an economy where we make more. They need an opportunity but that that means more was have to volunteer our time and effort. 

So my Liberian friends check out iTunes U. Can it help you? Can you access it? Those of you who are in education in Liberia how can online support improve education in Liberia? 

This stuff spurs me on to get to Liberia to test this out. 

Tools for ministry

Tools for ministry

Dr. Gene Getz

I am planning to write and create resources that can be used by my Liberian friends. But I think even a greater gift would be to give resources that I use myself. Several of you are bilingual in the Liberian languages and English. There are many online ministries that could be very helpful to you. 

Today I received an email from Dr. Gene Getz. Dr. Getz has written many helpful books and has developed a study Bible that focuses on application, Life Eessentials study Bible. You can go to his website and follow the menu to the principals listed topically or you can click the Bible link, Search by the Book and follow the principles as you read through the Bible. Right now I am reading through Isaiah and following the principles as I read in think through the book. You can get a life essentials app for your phone, tablet, or computer. You also can sign-up for Dr. Getz’ newsletter. 

May God richly bless you, Rev. Bill Reeves

http://bibleprinciples.org

Here is a sample of a video I recently viewed and was encouraged. I will update you on how this ministry will be a blessing.

http://www2.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0770/

Letter I am sending as an advocate for Liberia.

Recently America responded to the health crisis in West Africa concerning Ebola. While the threat of Ebola remains the wave of the deadly virus was brought under control. 

I followed the story and along the way made contact with students now adults when I served in Liberia as a missionary back in the late 70’s. 

To be a missionary back then you had to be involved in education or medical care along with spiritual care. We were in the bush with a clinic and elementry school. 

War over the next 25 years kept my wife, Barb and I from returning.

From Facebook one of my students contacted me and from there I have decided to become an advacate. 

While my personal commitment develops, brainstorming I believe there are good ideas we could help countries like Liberia and develop improved goodwill of America throughout the world.

Most of Liberians have no access to education or healthcare. Education I believe can give the Liberian people the human resourses they need to grow independent and strong. Right now they are dependent on others to develop their natural resourses and commerse. This will lead to outside control and influence that may not be in the Liberian interest. 

My idea though simple is bigger than myself.

What if clinics could be developed where people could be seen through internet technology where medical personel trained in tropical health care could see and hear people, care for them from health centers in Liberia or in the US. Local clinics could distribute medicine or do lab work. 

There are many complications but care for malaria and other tropical conditions could be cared for. Medical care would improve when doctors and other professionals work with it.

Young professionals and grad students working towards their certifications could be hired to support and develop the service.

In Liberia there are many places where there are no schools. What if we took the internet tools and developed online schools.

Education centers could be developed in Liberia where teachers are trained to teach to areas without education. Where there is education, online work could be developed to upgrade what would be taught. For example a teacher could get support for the class in areas that there might be a weakness. 

Teachers in the US could teach a class from their location and have direct contact with students  in the interior of Liberia.

Liberian villages are pro education, they could provide supervision. Liberians working towards there own education goals could be trained as educational technicians and in conjuntion be working towards there own certification.

Young people graduate from college in this country looking for work in the teaching field could be hired to work with online classes, evaluating work, working out the many problems that may occur. Others may want a more hands on experience and be part of the work that has to be done in the host country.

What we learn and experience may also be used to improve our own education efforts here at home.

Problems yes, but look at the possible benefits:

• More people educated
• More Americans involved in helping others
• People suffer less because of tropical diseases
• Improvement in online medicine that could be applied for our senior citizens, those who need to see a doctor,
• An opportunity for our young people to serve their country with the training that they have achieved in colleges. Valuable experiences to build their own careers on. Service could be done right here in the US or for those wishing foreign service on sight work.
• What ever percentage this improves education in Liberia in other places speaks loudly that we've done something to help.
• One more way to improve America image as a people who care.

In your service, 

William Reeves Jr. 

bbbbsa@sbcglobal.net

Copy and repost or send.

  

Online education and care can multiply our efforts. What do you think?

Great idea that many are benefiting

We think of my online classes we first imagined College and graduate courses that we can purchase online. There are free courses and usually to get credit and for support there is a cost involved.

Here is a class I am taking at Dallas theological seminary for free. I am reading the material that goes with the class and taking notes. There's nothing there that I am studying where if I was taking a class for credit I would be able to get a good grade. (The teacher may disagree?)

Being in education the last 15 years I have seen many online presentations managed by a teacher for the benefit of the students. Online courses should be made available for accelerated students after school to give them confidence that they are competing with the brightest of our young people. Many high school students need this stimulation. The same thing could help any student who wants to learn.

Here is a class the old man is taking from
Dallas Semanary

In Liberia, schools are out of reach for many of the students. There are two few of the students who make it to high school in fewer still who are able to go to college. I believe our online education could help build more students in elementary thru high school. Online education good help train tradespeople, lifestyle in health Learning in a tropical jungle setting. Online education could help communities get better water, fight malaria and other health issues. Online education could be used to help Liberians manage their family farms, start their own businesses, learn new job skills. They can also learn what they can do to help facilitate classrooms in their villages. Interested adults good help bridge to gap between the educator online and the students in the classroom. 

This is important, we did this years ago

In Africa particularly Liberia, village life is pro school. Classrooms could be developed in cooperation with Liberian educators to develop K through College programs.

If I go over and start a school I may see the school grow to 100 students. If I was able to stay healthy till 83 then maybe I would see my youngest students make it to College. The impact of the school would be bigger than 100 kids.

But the truth is I may not be fit enough to to live in the tropics anymore. It is also very true that there's no guarantees that I am going to live to 83. I like the direct involvement. Though it's small scale it would be a worthwhile experience. We need to get our young people excited about this.

The same way would be the benefit of establishing a clinic. There would be no time at all in new would have hundreds of people seeing you everyday. What if there could be a clinic connected with a healthcare professional, Dr. a nurses practitioner, who could look at the patient and examine the patient on-line. Even if you had no lab you would be able to start many interventions that could save lives. When we were in Africa back in 1977, lab work and radiology were not options. We were trained by Drs. there to see what they see and we were able to help hundreds of people. Some symptoms could be several things. They would come back and we would try that next possible idea. Most were help this way.

Keep in mind most children do not
have doctors. Online clinics may be
very practical.

What if doctors could join in this discussion of online medicine? If they were working with it how can they improve it? 

I know I have a good idea here. But there are problems. But good smart people can take this good idea and make it work. Will it need to human touch? Can we train people to be good monitors and lab technicians? 

Online education is bigger than me in what I could do personally. You may be saying no way, but no way continues the educational disaster in Liberia and maybe in our inner cities. Feel free to weigh in on this. I can post your thoughts or not as you wish. Keep walking.

Ps. Help me get the word out, repost and share

How to have a long term effect?

Building started but funds ran out. What ever I do here I want
to see it through. This is all bigger than me.

How to have a long term effect? I've been thinking of a big idea that could have an impact on hundreds or thousands of lives. We have seen in the last 10 years the development of online education. People now can get educated right in their home. Inner city schools could greatly improve the impact of education by developing skilled online education to the students who are motivated but right now buy into a system of educating to the lowest common denominator. Too many kids are not given the opportunity to compete at the highest levels. We have too many smart kids in our cities who are handicapped with bad educators and poor peer support. Instruction could improve with classroom connection with Master teachers.

Thinking out-of-the-box, revamping support for Liberia there could be developed online education to be streamed into villages to offer children a chance to get an education. 

At each level more kids could get the opportunity to go to school. 

What if teachers could be linked with the class group where the teacher could teach from the location from coastal cities, like Monrovia, Buchanan, or Harper? There could be links from the US.

College grads looking for one or two year service could be given this opportunity right where they live to link with real people in need from countries desperate for education. 

America is looking to win the hearts people overseas, could there be a place for civillian service for people educating people via the Internet. When I was young man I wanted to serve in the navy but I was not able because of cerebral palsy. But today this is a Real way to serve with the branch of service design to meet human need. Many kids today are disconnected with America. Making a way for more kids to get involved in the life of others and using the Internet as a tool.

Training Liberians for the ministry has reaal opportunities with online education. College training for every career is a real possibility. Are there affordable options is a big obsticle? If we really wanted to give people a shot we find a way.

I want to help some find solutions. Any ideas here would be greatly appreciated. Keep walking.