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Research Sources: Learning Environment

The topic that I have chosen to evaluate is whether the Arizona State learning systems are effective. I want to explore whether the learning systems are effective at ASU because I have also learned in a small classroom environment. The new systems of online classes, large lecture classes and hybrids are all very new to me. The biggest issue I had was that my criteria for a good learning environment will be different than any other student. The criteria for my topic will be; class participation, student-teacher relationships, lesson flexibility, ability to debate or ask questions, being able to socialize or develop relationships with other students, being able to learn even when missing a class, acceptability into the class and a non-biased atmosphere. 

The four places that I will look to for information will be a small class, a large lecture hall, a hybrid consisting of half online and half in person and an online class. 

The scholarly article that I used was Can Downsizing College Class Sizes Augment Student Outcomes? An Investigation of the effects of Class Size on Student Learning by Lauren Chapman and Larry Ludlow. This article was the Journal of General Education. This was the Vol. 59 issue 2, from pages one hundred five to one hundred twenty three. (19 pages) with one chart and two graphs. This issue deals with the subject of class sizes and how they effect learning. The article also deals with how the system of having large classes at introductory levels and small class sizes at advanced levels effects effects learning. I chose this article because it deals with class sizes and has interesting facts to back up the claim that small classes are better learning environments than large ones. This also interested me because I have been told before that the classes will be smaller in the future and that having big classes at introductory courses is not a big deal. This discusses this topic which is usually not talked about.

The book article that I used was A Comparison of Two Teaching Strategies: Lecture vs. Discussion in a Small Class Environment at Florida Southern College. The book was written by Robert E. Hedrick and was forty four pages. I chose this source because it compared the styles of large lecture halls and small classrooms. The study showed that large lecture halls had higher test courts but small classes had higher interest and attendance. I chose this because there was a sense of compromise between large and small classes. Many people are either for or against when dealing with the topic of small classes and large classes but rarely do people take both side. I learned that there is no perfect system and a collaboration might be the answer for learning.

The third source I used was Hybrid Courses and Their Impact on Student and Classroom Performance: A Case Study at the University of Virginia. I found this article online, https://calico.org/memberBrowse.php?action=article&id=104. The article spanned from pages 517-531 (14 pages). The source was a journal by Emily E. Scida and Rachel E, Saury at the University of Virginia. I used this source because it dealt with Hybrid learning. This was an interesting article that concluded that hybrid learning can be more effective than classroom learning. I chose this article because I wanted to take Japanese but it was only offered five days a week which I could not fit with my other classes. Had Japanese been a hybrid class, I would be able to take it. 

Evaluation: 24

Evaluation: 24

24 is a television show that aired on fox from 2001-2010. The story follows a government agent, Jack Bauer, who works for CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit). The plot revolves around Bauer trying to stop the terrorist threat. 24 is a great show that keeps the audience on their toes. While the terrorist threats are wild and crazy, the show does a great job of showing how the government would strive to stop something this unexpected. So why is 24 important? 24 is special because it shows what regular people can do to protect their country. 

Jack Bauer is a fictional character, but even if he were real, no one (except the people who work with him) would know that he saved the country. Bauer knows that he will never get the recognition that he deserves. It is better if the perception is that the government saved the country, not one man. Jack Bauer risks his life for the country, knowing that he will never be known as an icon. While Jack Bauer is the main character, it is the unexpected characters who help Jack along the way that make the show special. In season 1, a women cop dies while helping Jack. It is the ordinary people who go above and beyond for their country that make the show different. In season 2, George Mason, district director at CTU, was exposed to lethal amounts of plutonium and was told that he had a day to live. Instead of going home to his family or taking the day off like most people, he stayed to help solve the nuclear threat. Mason could have taken the easy way out but instead stayed for the betterment of the country.                                                                                                         Redemption is a big theme in 24 and many people change in order to save the country. In season 5, Lynn McGill, (played by Sean Astin) regional district director, showed how an ordinary man can be a hero. Lynn was mugged of his key card by his drug addicted sister and her boyfriend. Lynn was embarrassed that his sister had stolen his wallet and card and decided not to tell anyone. As it turned out, Lynn’s sister sold the card to a terrorist who used the card to enter CTU. The terrorist got into CTU and flooded nerve gas into the building. CTU was able to evacuate into holding rooms but almost half of the staff perished. Lynn confessed that the attack was his fault. The gas was leaking through the walls which would kill the remaining staff. Lynn then made the ultimate sacrifice by going into the computer console to get control of the ventilation system, knowing well that he would die. Even though Astin was saved, he knew it was his fault and gave his life to save the remaining people. 

While 24 may seem like a flashy show about terrorism, it is much more. 24 shows the good in normal people who do extraordinary things without expecting anything in return.