Mind Your Own Education

Sodaplay

Josh Jones — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 04:27:00 +0000

Ok this is addicting! The best way to explain sodaconstructor is that it is a web-based program where you can create models with simulated physical properties in a simulated environment. You can give them more muscle power, change the environment and drag and throw them around to see how they react. In short, it's a fun way to learn a little about physics! Click here to learn more about how it works.

UC Riverside Actively Recruits Homeschool Students

Josh Jones — Sat, 22 Oct 2005 18:54:00 +0000

According to UCR News, "In November, as applications start pouring into the University of California system, UC Riverside will become the first UC campus to specifically recruit homeschooled and other nontraditionally educated students."

I am glad to see homeschooling becoming more and more accepted as an alternative to traditional education. The fact that a public university now actively recruits homeschooled students shows that the benefits of homeschooling are becoming well known. Most homeschooled students are very mature, intelligent and very focused on specific goals for their education.

Make the Media

Josh Jones — Fri, 09 Sep 2005 20:11:00 +0000

TakeingITGlobal.org has a great section on making your own media. It has some good resources on understanding current issues and starting your own "zine".

I remember as a high school student (at home of course) I was interested in creating web sites. Now it is my business! For a school project I created a web site on the history of Washington State. It was a lot of fun doing research on my topic and learning how to code HTML.

I like to encourage students to start making their own media (whatever form it may be). I am a firm believer in being a producer, not just a consumer. We all have something to say. There are many forms of media. Find one you like and use it as a platform to share your thoughts and ideas. Here are a few forms of media:

1. Write lyrics and make music. Share your music with your friends and family and if you are bold, share it with the public at an open mic event.

2. Zines

3. Create a web site

Helping Victims of Hurricane Katrina

Josh Jones — Thu, 01 Sep 2005 12:59:00 +0000

Samaritan’s Purse is working with local churches and mobilizing hundreds of volunteer workers to help repair as many homes as possible. Find out how you can help...

I N K S C A P E . Draw Freely

Josh Jones — Sun, 28 Aug 2005 03:38:00 +0000

This week I have been having fun playing with this amazing (and free because it's open source) graphics program called Inkscape. It's main purpose is to create graphics in the Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format. I am excited about this because I believe that SVG has a big future on the Web! The next version of Firefox (1.5) will display Scalable Vector Graphics. Check it out and have fun with it!

Investing in Knowledge

Josh Jones — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 13:05:00 +0000

"An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."
- Benjamin Franklin

The reason I named this blog "Mind Your Own Education" is because of this quote above. People talk a lot about minding your own business, and you should, but I believe that first you must mind your own education. Take time to invest in your education and you will see a high ROI.

Knowledge can be gained in many ways. Going to a school is only one of many ways to pursue an education. As a formerly homeschooled student, I learned to teach myself and not rely on someone else to teach me. The reason I pulled out my math book every day was because I wanted to. I wanted to get into architecture and engineering and I knew I needed a strong foundation in math in order to do that. Even though I may not have liked every subject, I did my best to learn because I knew it would pay off later. I attribute my determination to learn to encouragement from mentors in my life. People I trusted would help me cast vision for the future based on my interests.

In closing I'll leave you with a couple of questions. What are you interested in? How can you use your interests to invest in your education?

Google Earth

Josh Jones — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 13:33:00 +0000

Visiting the Grand Canyon has been on my list of destinations to visit someday. People who have been there always tell me how HUGE it is. Well I got a preview of it the other day with Google Earth! I flew in from space and explored the canyon's features. I understand that no software can do justice to something as grand as the Grand Canyon, but my interest in it has grown to something enormous. I am addicted to Google Earth and my list of "places to visit someday" has grown. Here are a few destinations that I recommend you visit in Google Earth:

- The Grand Canyon
- Mt Saint Helens
- Any major US city (turn on 3d buildings)
- See if you can find two military jets taking off at an airport in Thailand!

Celestia

Josh Jones — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 04:53:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered what it would look like standing on one of Jupiters moons? Or have you ever wanted to orbit Saturn? Now you can virtually fly through space in 3d visiting planets, stars and moons with Celistia. When I was a kid, I loved learning about space. I never dreamed that I could explore the universe in 3d from a computer! Check it out... It's addicting!

Interests of a Child

Josh Jones — Sat, 16 Jul 2005 05:02:00 +0000

I remember when I was a young child I loved to draw pictures. My family thought that I would become an artist. But as I got older I started drawing more technical drawings such as rough house plans and cars. In my last years of homeschooling I took drafting classes and found a great interest in it.

My parents always encouraged me to keep drawing. Even though they wanted me to become an artist, I developed that skill in my own way.

School Math

Josh Jones — Tue, 12 Jul 2005 05:47:00 +0000

One of my favorite subjects as a high-school student was math and my favorite math publisher was Saxon Math. "Saxon Math is the only major math program on the market today that systematically distributes instruction and practice and assessment throughout the academic year as opposed to concentrating, or massing, the instruction, practice and assessment of related concepts into a short period of time -- usually within a unit or chapter." I believe this to be true from my experience. I never felt overwhelmed with too much of the same kind of problem (remember those horrible division drills!), yet I was able to retain important concepts on this diet of short daily exercises. As a result I now believe that the best way to learn is in small, but frequent doses.

Not only have I learned math concepts with Saxon Math, but how to be my own teacher as well. I loved reading the lessons myself and doing the problems on my own. It was a fun challenge to see how well I could do without a teacher giving a lesson to me. I believe this helped me become a better independent learner.

Teen Entrepreneur Conference

Josh Jones — Mon, 11 Jul 2005 23:28:00 +0000

I stumbled accross TeenEntrepreneurConference.com and was inspired to see a young person with such a strong desire to learn how to become an entrepreneur. Immediately I noticed similiarities between Forrest and I. Not just because we were both homeschooled, but we both have a strong desire to continue learning all that we can about growing as Godly men, running a business, creating wealth, understanding finances, etc. What is especially inspiring about Forrest is that he hasn't even graduated yet and he is already starting his own business! Amazing!