How many homeschool parents think Penn Foster should add a new subject?

Question

Called Ethics and Morality???

It could be a required course every year, not an elective. They could cover such topics as:

>How to tell the difference between asking for help and cheating

>Following the Rules, why it is important

>Doing the right thing, even when you may not get caught doing the wrong thing.

>The consequences of a poor education

I don't know, the possibilities are endless.

Anyone else have any ideas for subject material?

Do you think this would help improve public perception of this program or homeschooling in general?

Answer 1

I think they should just change up their tests to make cheating harder, they can ask the same information in different ways, and that way kids couldn't just get the whole answer key.

As it is, the kids would cheat on their ethics and morality course.

I don't understand why some parents think plopping a kid at the computer and leaving them alone is homeschooling... I homeschooled my kids partly because I actually wanted to be involved in their education.

Answer 2

i don'nt

Answer 3

I understood that you were joking.  I totally agree.

It is almost like being in public school but instead of copying homework at the lunchroom table and on the bus, it is done online.  

Getting the right answers is not the same as learning the right answers.  

Again, my idea on education:  An education is more valuable than a diploma.

Answer 4

Well, I think that Penn Foster should definitely toughen up. Currently, there is a group of PF students who are just taking the pi$$. Such idiots are risking not only Penn Foster's reputation and name but threatening to devalue the HS diplomas earnt by all those students who do care sufficiently to take the time to do their own work.

Penn Foster should invest in (and start using) some software like 'turn-it-in' and subject *all* items of work submitted to it. That way,  they'd know who was doing the work for themselves and who was just copying their work/re-wording material taken from other sources: books, websites, other assignments, what other people tell them is the answer etc etc.

Then they need to work with these people: sort out the cheats from the ill-informed; work with any students who struggle to understand the details of what they should/shouldn't be doing but kick out any and all students who knowingly cheat/lie/copy work from elsewhere anymore than once.

I'm not sure it is Penn Foster's responsibility to teach their students not to lie and cheat in the first place though. I reckon that is a parent's job and probably needs to start *long* before a child starts school. And I'm pretty sure the majority of PF parents are doing that.

If I was running the show at Penn Foster, I'd also notify the parents of any student caught soliciting answers, cheating etc. Additionally, if the kid's behaviour didn't improve, I'd consider, as a condition of allowing the child to remain with Penn Foster, levying fines/extra charges on the parent's account (a little something to encourage parents to step up to the plate and sort out their child's bad behaviour!)

Yes, I know you're joking (even though you posted that before I did!)

@ Janis, I'm totally with you: the educational journey is heaps more important than the destination, lol.

Answer 5

I love it!!!! We should all sign a letter stating that immediately!

Answer 6

Ethics and morality education is the purview of parents. I wouldn't allow anyone else to write a curriculum for my child's ethical education, whether it was a homeschool course, public school, or private. That is my job, and mine alone.

Answer 7

I think it is a great idea!

Ethics courses are commonly offered at the University level and in corporations.

Topical areas:

> Why it is wrong to impersonate an adult

> The Internet is a rather transparent medium - you will get caught

> How should we treat other people?

> What is a "work ethic" and why it is an important character trait

Do I think this would help improve public perception of PF?

Boy! They do seem to have a problem don't they!  Curiously, it seems to be mostly a PF issue.  I think that PF has started to respond to the requests for answer keys helps somewhat.

Do I think this would help improve public perception of homeschooling in general?

I think more helpful would be a better public understanding that ONLINE school and homeschooling are not necessarily the same things.  Homeschooling may include some online courses but is more of a lifestyle of learning.