Uses Of Computer Technology In Education

Uses Of Computer Technology In Education Education is an astronomically important factor in life for everyone. An educated person has the ability to make practical decisions. Education not only enables individuals to put their potential to the best use and do something productive in the upcoming future, but also plays a main role in shaping an individual to be a better, responsible citizen and an active member of society. The latest and most advanced education is assisted by technology. All education levels across nations are embracing technology based education. There are studies, professors, students, and others who support the embrace, yet others, who read negative statistics, are against it. It is understandable why there are people against technology in education, because there are downsides to it. In a perfect world there would be no negatives or downsides, but a perfect world does not exist. However, the pros outweigh the cons and so I believe education would be at its best with the aid of tech. Technology improves education for the students and the teachers who instruct it, and the tax payers who fund education. Technology aided education goes by dozens of terms, such as hybrid learning, technology-based learning (TBL), mixed learning, blended learning, online aided schooling, information technology (IT) for education, and distance learning. Whatever term it is, its learning simply described as mixing the use of modern technologies to enhance students learning experiences and curriculum requirements (Blended Learning Poised for Takeoff in Schools). A report recently released, identified six emerging models for blended learning, ranging from guided online instruction in the classroom to self-blended models where students take courses a la carte. They defined blended learning as any time a student learns at least in part at a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home and at least in part through online delivery with some element of student control over time, place, path, and/or pace. The six models identified in the report included: the face-to-face driver model, in which a teacher in a traditional classroom instructs, while technological and online is available for additional instruction the rotation model, in which students move back and forth between online and classroom instruction the flex model in which the curriculum is delivered primarily through an online platform, with teachers providing onsite support the online lab approach, where an online course is delivered in a physical classroom or computer lab the self-blend is a model in which students choose on their own which courses they take online to supplement their schools offerings the online driver where the courses are primarily online and physical facilities are used only for extracurricular activities, required check-ins, or similar functions (Report: 6 Blended Learning Models Emerge). Education has come a long way since the one-room classrooms of former America: the evolution of education has come to the virtual world we currently reside in. It is unarguable that there is no generation as tech-savvy or at ease with the online environment than todays students who have grown up immersed in a virtual world. We exist in a generation where iPods, smart phones, and laptops have replaced notebook and pens, while inventions such as the Smart Board, LCD projectors, tutoring software, podcasts, video conferencing, and document cameras, among other education aiding tech, have been created for the educational setting (Chelley, 2007). Technology-based learning covers all learning done by electronic technology, including: Internet satellite broadcasts audio and video conferencing bulletin boards chat rooms Lance Dublin, a researcher of blended learning, said our generation is experiencing a kind of renaissance, with new technology prompting new thinking about how to enhance, extend, and enable learning and that technology and media are important for a students quality education, stating, new tools and technologies are opening up exciting new possibilities (Dublin, 2011). Many education facilities and programs have embraced the technological innovation of education. For example, free online public education is accessible for k-12 across the country. Colleges feel the pressure from competitor schools to offer quality online courses to their students. Some schools have made technological advances -and in rare cases completely adopted technology-based learning by offering online courses, funding classroom tech, and making the courses more tech and media friendly. Four States of the United States of America -Alabama, Florida, Michigan, and Idaho -require online courses from their high scho ol students (Board Approves Idaho Online Class Requirement). In Minnesota, school districts have thrown out the expensive, mass-produced, hardcopy textbooks for technology-friendly, online curriculum developed by their teachers on the web. The problems with hardcopy textbooks are that they are written to the requirements of Texas and California, the two biggest markets for the book publishers and can cost sixty-five dollars. That means a third of the books go unused in most states, plus they become outdated after only a decade. Buying new textbooks at least every ten years is very expensive, but if schools followed these districts examples the money saved would be unbelievable as one teacher puts it (Minn. Teachers Write Their Own Online Textbooks). Through the embrace already taken toward tech in the classroom it can be predicted that technology and education entwined is positively affecting education. In a study, most respondents believe that technology will become even more entwined into education learning. However, others hold opinion that blended learning is only a push for a technological advanced future without concern for the students quality of education. They argue that technology-based students are not excelling, but doing quite the opposite. They believe that there are not enough results to safely say that technology positively influences education. One teacher, who observed her schools effort to increase online instruction, said about the students, [the] poor kids are guinea pigs (Board Approves Idaho Online Class Requirement). However, Angiello Roanne, a professor who teaches online courses at Bergen Community College, New Jersey, analyzes one of the many studies done on internet influenced courses. She calls those who believe face to face education is the only way to teach traditionals. The key findings of the study are firstly, that students who took all or part of t heir classes online performed better, on average, than those taking the same course through traditional face-to-face instruction; and secondly, education combining online and face-to-face elements had a larger advantage relative to purely face-to-face instruction than did purely online instruction. It was also found that online learning is effective for all learner groups (Angiello, 2010). Another argument against blended education is the price that comes with it. It is true that all the new, shiny technology can put a hole in someones pocket, but its important to remember that in the long run the technology is paying for itself. Like the example of online textbooks, where they can be updated virtually, instead of buying new hardcopy textbooks every decade. Other opponents make claims that schools will replace teachers with computers and shift state taxpayer money to out-of-state companies to pay for the online curriculum and laptops. However, according to the article Achieving Effe ctive Learning Effects In The Blended Course: A Combined Approach Of Online Self-Regulated Learning And Collaborative Learning With Initiation students who become less dependent on instructors, even if their dependence on technology increases, are more likely to succeed with qualities that make them more independent (McFarlane, 2008). To address the shift of tax money to other states, the e-learning -electronically supported learning and teaching- market in North America is the fastest growing market, so money regulating throughout the states is beneficial for the nations economy (SulÄ iÄ , 2009). Education supported by technology is a topic that has caught the attention of many, and so this interest has developed the cause of many studies, usually performed by professors; and who knows better than professors on education? They first handedly see what the students need to succeed and how tech affects them in the classroom. Professors Pamela Lam and Sarbari Bordia completed an interview study model, concluded that e-learning, the term for TBL and computer-aided tools for education, offers a variety of advantages including, its flexibility in adapting to the educational needs of students, its cost effectiveness in opening educational opportunities to larger number of students, and its convenience in providing access to information (Lam, 2008). Dr. Chia-Wen conducted a study so that educators and education facilities would recognize the importance of technology integrated classes (Tsai, 2008). Four university professors wrote an article on blended learning. In it they stated, Bas ed on a growing body of knowledge, there is little doubt that computer and communication technologies can facilitate and enhance learning (Chelley, 2007). Blended learning creates the opportunity for educators, institutions, and students to attain their education beyond the walls of the classroom. Technological innovations have changed and benefited the way schools teach and students learn. In a 2008 survey, nearly two-thirds (63%) of the respondents voted that technology will have a major influence on teaching methods over the next five years. With those five years almost up, it is undeniable to say that technology has influenced education -and the next five years afterwards are only going to increases in technological advances in education. These technological changes will effectively change the skill-sets of the future workforce, as well as its approach to work in general. Its important to consider the question of what it will mean to be an educated person in the 21st century. Amy Lynch, who has studied Generation Y (individuals born between 1982 and 2001, also referred to as millenials), says that they are open to collaboration, have an enormous facility for multi-tasking, and are at ease with new technologies. Graduates are entering the workforce with high multi-sensory-p rocessing and technological abilities leaving employers expecting graduates to have accumulated most of the necessary technology skills before joining their organizations (Glenn, 2008). In the cases where schools require of their students to have taken blended learning classes to graduate, they say theyre giving their students the opportunity to have online experience for their rà ©sumà © and preparing them to succeed. Advocates for online and blended courses agree that the majority of todays workforce requires some sort of tech knowledge (Davis, 2008). Not only does the use of technology improve learning in the classroom, but it is essential to success after graduation. I understand how people would be against technology in education, because there are downsides to it. In a perfect world there would be no negatives or downsides, but, of course, a perfect world does not exist. However, the pros out weight the cons and so I believe education would be at its best with the aid of tech. People once asked if it was possible for students to learn from a distance, but now the question is how distance learning affects student outcomes. Since the use of computers the beliefs that distance learning was less effective than traditional learning has greatly decreased. Although e-learning has its drawbacks, it is the action that will help schools exceed. The majority of researches and studies support educational technology for students, and give evidence that it helps better their education. If education stays as it is currently, we are missing out on so much opportunity for improvement. The workforce and world in general will become more and more technology depen dent, yet graduated students may not have the skills and experience to be prepared for what awaits them after their education. The concept of blending learning is still evolving, but its potential is great and has proven itself to be effective. This important step in the evolution of education will not only benefit students in their learning, but also the students who are preparing to enter the workforce.

Oppression :: essays research papers

Definition Paper   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Oppression, to divide and conquer is your goal. Oppression, I swear hatred is your home. Oppression, you mean only harm.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -Ben Harper   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Oppression is this and so much more than what Ben Harper wrote in his song. Oppression is an unjust or cruel exercise or action of power. Everyone experiences oppression at least once in his or her lives. We have only recently begun to fight the effects of oppression, to gain freedom in our world. Oppression divides us to keep us from maintaining our freedom, what little of it we have. Oppression is completely based on hatred and preys on you when you sleep, or when you are at your lowest point. It kicks you when you are down, and pushes you further down the rabbit’s hole. It forces you to fight when you are the weakest and will take your very last breath. It takes one problem and snowballs until you can not take it anymore. We can learn to fight oppression, if we only make ourselves aware.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Oppression is not a friend, though it may be disguised as one. It takes what you believe in and makes it nonexistent. Oppression is what makes life hard. It tests you to see if you will make the stand for freedom, or be oppressed. African-Americans were oppressed for hundreds of years, and when it couldn’t get any worse, they found and fought with their leaders for what they believed in, freedom. Both the Egyptians and Hitler oppressed Jews for 5000 years, when he decided to wipe out their entire race. Women were oppressed for many years until they decided to fight for equality. Oppression :: essays research papers Definition Paper   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Oppression, to divide and conquer is your goal. Oppression, I swear hatred is your home. Oppression, you mean only harm.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  -Ben Harper   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Oppression is this and so much more than what Ben Harper wrote in his song. Oppression is an unjust or cruel exercise or action of power. Everyone experiences oppression at least once in his or her lives. We have only recently begun to fight the effects of oppression, to gain freedom in our world. Oppression divides us to keep us from maintaining our freedom, what little of it we have. Oppression is completely based on hatred and preys on you when you sleep, or when you are at your lowest point. It kicks you when you are down, and pushes you further down the rabbit’s hole. It forces you to fight when you are the weakest and will take your very last breath. It takes one problem and snowballs until you can not take it anymore. We can learn to fight oppression, if we only make ourselves aware.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Oppression is not a friend, though it may be disguised as one. It takes what you believe in and makes it nonexistent. Oppression is what makes life hard. It tests you to see if you will make the stand for freedom, or be oppressed. African-Americans were oppressed for hundreds of years, and when it couldn’t get any worse, they found and fought with their leaders for what they believed in, freedom. Both the Egyptians and Hitler oppressed Jews for 5000 years, when he decided to wipe out their entire race. Women were oppressed for many years until they decided to fight for equality.

MP3 Player versus Mini iPod :: Compare Comparison Contrast Essays

MP3 Player versus Mini iPod Sony is the world’s leading portable entertainment manufacturer, and Apple iPod is the most famous MP3 player. After Apple introduces their new product mini-iPod, Sony brings in their new MP3 player, NW-MS90D. The original iPod is a very successful product, but can it continue to be the best on a smaller device as mini-iPod or Sony will be the best smallest MP3 player? I will compare them with the specifications from their official webpage. First of all, we look at their size. Apple mini-iPod size 3.6 by 2.0 by 0.5 inches and weight 3.6 ounces. Sony MP3 player size 1.44 by 1.94 by 0.74 inches and weight 1.9 ounces. The design of mini-iPod is similar to the original iPod but it combines the touch button to the touch wheel and has a smaller backlit screen. It has an aluminum case to resist stains and scratches. It appears to be clear and simple, and it has 5 colors to choose. About Sony’s player, it is small enough to hold comfortably into the palm of a hand and it has a clip that can carry easily in a pocket or wallet. The case is made by titanium that can prevent scratches and has a better appearance. Both of them are having the great appearance and a hard case to prevent scratches, they are also small enough to be a comfortable portable player. However, if we think on carrying out, Sony MP3 player will be better, since it is smaller and half the weight than Mini-iPod. It is much better to carry to gym or work ou t. Then we focus on the memory. Apple mini-iPod is only 1/10 memory of the original iPod but it still have 4GB non-expandable memory. It can store around 1000’s 4 minutes songs. Comparably, Sony MP3 player has only 512 MB memory but is expandable. If we compare their battery life, Apple mini-iPod can use 8 hours after every recharge, but Sony MP3 player can provide up to 44 hours continue playback after every recharge. It is very hard to make choice between bigger memory and longer life playback. But if we consider both of them together, longer battery life is much better. It is a portable device, so longer battery life is better since it is meaning that no frequent recharge. Even mini-iPod has a very large memory but no body can think that there is a battery can have such a long life to play all of the songs.

How to refine Tai Lin Radio Service Ltd to the market leader position in the electrical appliances retail industry :: Strategic Business Management Strategy

1.0 Executive Summary Electrical appliances are an indispensable part of our daily. Hong Kong's electrical appliances retail trades vigorous development in recent years, because present is age of technical and information, many technical products arose at this historic moment. They are providing a wide array of quality and fashionable digital products, including consumer electronics, computers and communication items, enabling trend-seeking customers to enjoy a vibrant digital lifestyle. In the electrical appliance stores, the product type are more and more on selling, as the same time, the electrical appliance outlet or specialty shop are rapid increase. Which making tomorrow’s dream of smart living today’s reality for people in Hong Kong. Recently, electrical appliances store mostly with chain management, also have the magnificent decoration and be stationed in Hong Kong or Kowloon each famous plaza or shopping mall. These forces the electrical appliances retail trade arrive to a period which â€Å"The powerhouse retains, the weak one eliminates† .Many old shops replaced by new competitor or reformed because they are lack of reform. This report based on the Tai Lin Radio Service Ltd present condition, though the multiple analyses and the suggestion, hope this marketing plan creates a long-term growth model for their retail success. 2.0 Introduction 2.1 Company background and highlighting Tai Lin Radio Service Limited had it's beginnings in 1946, being one of the earliest electrics appliance store in Hong Kong. By serving the communities for sixty years, Tai Lin has established trust and esteem with customers. Retailing and repairing radios were the core early stage business of Tai Lin, by growing of the business, product range expanded broadly to televisions and electronic appliances. In 1975, Tai Lin even introduced the first stereo Hi-Fi to Hong Kong. In order to cope with the rapid growing populations in the 60's, Tai Lin broadly expanded their business by opening shop outlets in different areas of Hong Kong and varies shopping arcades. Tai Lin Radio Service Limited was officially trademarked in 1976 and as their name implied "Service Orientated" as the company's focal point. For the generations to come, Tai Lin would carry on their aim serving the communities with the latest electrics and the greatest sincere. Year 2006, Tai Lin is going to celebrate their 60th anniversary. By renovating their branches, rearranging the products mixture and opening more shop outlets in the near future, Tai Lin is going to present a completely revitalized new appearance. Nowadays, Tai Lin Radio Service Ltd has 10 branch stores in 8 locations - Tsuan Wan, Yuen long, Sha Tin, Mong Kok, Jordan, Kwun Tong, Causeway Bay and Central.

The Creatures Quest for Love-Frankenstein

In the fourteenth chapter of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein the creature is telling Victor what he has learned from watching the people who live in the cottages. He tells him that they were once very influential citizens of Paris. The father was a Turk who was falsely accused of a crime and Felix risks everything to save him from spending his life in prison for a crime he did not commit. Felix meets the Turks daughter Safie and falls in love with her. Safie was very happy to marry Felix because it would take her out of a place where women could not be independent.Felix’s plan was discovered and they were all banished from France and all of their wealth was taken from them. They found themselves settling in a cottage in Germany. After watching the cottagers for so long the creature has learned acceptance and love even when there is a price to pay for it and wishes only for Victor to give him that same type of acceptance. After Victor’s mother died he was obsessed with finding the spark of life. He dug up graves and took pieces of human body parts and put them together to form his own creation. After bringing it to life he is disgusted by what he sees.The creature turns out to be a hideous creation. Victor runs out of his apartment leaving the creature alone and the creature retreats to the forest at which time he discovers the family living there. The creature tells Victor of his struggles since he was created. He tells him about the rejection he as experienced while he wondered the lands. He tells Victor that people do not welcome him as he thought they might. He comes across a family living in the forest. After watching the family the creature learns that he is not like everyone else. He is different and wonders where he fits in.He wonders if he should be with the humans or the animals, he says in Chapter 13, â€Å"I was not even of the same nature as man, where do I belong in the scheme of life, with men or among the animals? † He also knew that he had a creator and that creator was Victor. He wanted answers from Victor. The creature finds Victors jacket in the woods and gets his notes from the jacket pockets. In the notes the creature finds out exactly how he was created. This new information is sickening to the creature. The creature continues watching the family in the cottages.He is intrigued with the way the family reacts to Safie returning with servants and money. He understands that Safie takes care of all of them in a loving way. He starts to notice the roll of women. He then starts to wonder why he has no woman. He then kills Victor’s brother to show him that he is serious in his request for a mate. He tells Victor that he will kill him too if he does not make him a woman. The creature felt that if he had a mate then he would have the love and acceptance that he longed for and that maybe he would be more like the humans; normal. Victor does not create the creature a mate.He realizes that there cou ld be two of the monsters on the lose murdering and doing hideous things. He also envisions what could happen if they were to have children. With this in mind he destroys her in front of the creature. The creature vows to get revenge on Victor for depriving him of the love he longs for. He tells Victor that he will be with him on his wedding night and Victor assumes that the creature is promising that he will kill Victor. Victor marries Elizabeth and all the while wondering when the creature will make good onh is promise. The creature does and kills Elizabeth instead of Victor.The creature wants to make Victor feel the loneliness that he feels so he takes his mate. Victor tries to shoot the creature but misses and the creature escapes. After this Victor finally tells his story, but by this time all of the damage is done. Victor now wants revenge. He has lost everyone he loved and the one thing that is to blame for it is still on the lose. Victor never would accept the creature or ex tend any hint of love or care for him. The creature thought the reason was that he was so disgustingly ugly and he hated Victor for creating him that way.He hated it so much that he wreaked havoc on Victor by killing everyone he loved. All of this could have been avoided had Victor just accepted the creature. The creature finally realizes that his looks are so bad that no one will ever have anything to do with him, much less love him. But he keeps looking for acceptance and tries to reason with Victor to make him understand how the creature longs for a relationship. The two actually have something in common. They both search for happiness and love and both end up with neither.

Rationale Statement

This 2 hour online workshop Is an Indication of this standard because of the freeloading and research that went Into Its creation. I Incorporated what I knew of the learners into the initial design phases of the module. Taking multiple learning styles and multiple intelligences into consideration helped me to create targeted activities, assignments, and resources to reach a broader pool of participants. After all, â€Å"to teach effectively, you've got to know how people learn and in particular you've got to know how they think. † (Ramrod, 2010) Interestingly enough, the topic of the workshop Is differentiation.As result, the module Itself models the topic by providing lessons and assessments that incorporate differentiation in its design. Images, videos, text, links, and interactive activities make up the bulk of the content, and each tab brings in different strategies to reach different learners. Standard. The Instructional materials for this website Indicate a wide variety of modalities. I have shot and embedded videos of subject matter experts, Included Interactive multiple choice quizzes, as well as developed discussion threads to allow participants o work together.Using what I know of the skills highlighted by the Partnership for 21st Century Literates, I incorporated assessments that ask learners to collaborate, to analyze readings and photos, and to synthesize their findings into writing. These skills are ones teachers need to use, sure. However, since the focus of the workshop Is to help teachers teach students, I believe It is vital for any professional development to model these skills as well and ask teachers to interact with the skills they will also expect their own students to utilize. Standard.I believe It Is very important to allow learners flexibility in this workshop's Implementation. Knowing the schedule of the target audience, the secondary teacher, I decided that the workshop should be self-paced and accomplished over a short window of time. Over a two-week period, learners have the chance to log in and work to chip away at the tabs at their convenience. Each tab focuses on different topics centered on differentiation and can be explored in any order. However, as self-paced as it is, there are still patterns and rhythms worked into the workshop. Resources, visuals, informal assessment. Resources, visuals, Informal assessment.The predictable pattern Is meant to help the comfort level of learners. â€Å"Students find that a†¦ Rhythm for an online course provides similar benefits in keeping learners on track†¦ † (Botcher & Conrad, 2010. ) By making this decision of flexible learning right off the bat, I was able to then back plan what support I needed to develop and provide in order to ensure a smooth experience for the learners each time they log in. Throughout my program, I became a greater fan of Haiku as a Learning Management System. Haiku is amazingly user-friendly, and still provides the le arners and the signers access to a wide variety of tools.They don't water down the possibilities. The resources are housed easily using this virtual classroom. The discussions are easily encouraged. Submission methods are obvious and clear. Haiku permits an easy pathway to communicate with learners. Nevertheless, the pool of learners that piloted the workshop varied in levels of tech users. To address this, I developed a series of scaffolds to help participants regardless of their tech level. For instance, despite the ease of Haiku, I still also provided a Screenplay that allowed me to introduce both savvy and tentative learners to the ALMS.It was my first time using this kind of technology, and having gone through the process, I have discovered how invaluable it is. I plan to include a Screenplay for any future project as an instructional designer as well as a classroom teacher. Standard 5: EVALUATIONS]O Regarding learner assessment and evaluation, the workshop clearly meets this s tandard because of the elements included in its virtual walls. It includes formative, informal assessments in the form of short writings based on photograph analysis ND asking learners to synthesize concepts into discussion threads.It also incorporates more formal summarize assessments in the form of an online multiple- choice survey. Regarding my own evaluative process, I ensured that the assessments aligned to the initial objectives. â€Å"The test [measures] what it's supposed to measure† (Laureate, 2012. ) A simple concept, but one that is critical in the success of creating a training module. In addition, the course evaluation survey incorporates both quantitative data and subjective opinion, the results of which I could reflect on to aid in my evasions as well as my own growth as an instructional designer.

My Vocation

Well, this story is a long one, as are most of my stories, but here it goes†¦ My vocation story is simple; it began with a thought from God that my life was meant for something more. This thought resounded â€Å"priesthood† not only in my head, but also in my day-to-day life. Very carefully, through the influence of my parents, through the desire to attend Holy Mass more regularly throughout the week, and through my experiences with the other member of our church especially choir, God Holy Spirit (Mahal na Ingkong) was calling me to the priesthood.The first boy in a family of eight children,  I grew up in a Catholic family that for the most part went to Mass every Sunday. I attended the parochial school at the parish my family went to for grades one to eight. Through the school, I made my first confession when I was in the second grade and received my First Holy Communion in the third grade. Also through the parish school, I began serving at Mass in the fourth grade. Du ring this time I never considered a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. I remember that in the first few years of grade school I felt a sense of awe when I stepped inside a church.At some point during grade school, that feeling of awe and that the church building was somehow different went away. As time went on, I went to Mass on Sundays and received Communion largely because that is what my family did on Sundays and I went along. After I graduated from the sixth grade, I attended a private high school in the area that was an excellent college preparatory school. During this time I prepared for and received the Sacrament of Confirmation at my family's parish. I was mildly interested in receiving the Sacrament but to some extent, I received it because it was the next step in the life of a Catholic.My spiritual life as I graduated high school and prepared to go off to college can be summarized by the word â€Å"mechanical†. I prayed before meals with my family because that is what we did. I went to Church on Sunday because that is what my family did. I prayed before bed because that is what my mother taught me. None of that would last very long after I went to college and was on my own. During my teenage years my grandmother are hoping that I would become a priest someday. Upon hearing how she mentioned the news to my relative, I was dumbfounded.I think it was more a reaction to have a loving God in an unloving world, and my thoughts were more along the lines that if I ignored God, maybe He would just go away†¦ After high school, I attended Divine Mercy College and a working student. I attend Sunday on my own for about half of my first quarter as a freshmen and then stopped. When I was home for Christmas, Spring break, and summer, I went to Mass along with my family but did not receive Communion. Towards the end of my sophomore year, my best friend knowing I was Catholic began to ask why Catholics did certain thingsMy Best friend is not a t ypical type of religious catholic person. What he knew of the Catholic faith he had learned from so he â€Å"knew† Catholics worshiped Mary and the saints and did not read the bible. I had no idea how to answer his questions or statements regarding Catholic beliefs. I was for the large part ignorant of what Catholics believed and why we did things the way we did them, even after six years of ignorance in worshipping influenced by my parents. When praying the rosary for example, I did not know one was supposed to mediate on each of mysteries while reciting the prayers. My best friend repeated what he had learned about Catholic beliefs and I was clueless and unable to respond. I was motivated by my best friend questions to learn what Catholics believed. I may not have learned much during my years in our home but one assertion in particular made by my best friend drew my attention. It was the statement that Catholics worship statues. I definitely could not explain why that was f alse but I knew it to be false. I had stood in front of statues and prayed. I had seen other people stand in front of statues praying. I had seen people reverence statues. I never ever thought the statue was being worshiped.I knew and I think the other people knew the statue was not an object to be worshiped and that worship was only given to God. I found on-line resources like Catholic Answers and catholic. org. Based on what I learned on-line I purchased some books. I began going to Mass at our church. Something was different about Mass now. The priest was the same as before, but now his homilies were somehow better. I began to realize that while it was possible that Father's homilies had gotten better over the past year and half to two years, the problem was really with me: I simply had not been listening before.I tried to learn as much as I could about the Catholic faith. I also tried to keep going to Mass during the week and praying Morning and Evening Prayer so that those were not just things I did for Lent. I brought a rosary always for protection. During this time when my faith was renewed and I took an active part in fostering my faith and prayer life (around 2009 up to this day). I was an active auxiliary in these past few years most especially in a choir. I dreamed to be a choir of our church until I had many experiences encountered as a member. Until, one day I won the championship for Battle of the Band contest held last 2011.Lastly, I was appointed to be the chairman of Toka9 auxiliary and there are several great blessed things happened to me last year. Until, the thought of being a priest occurred to me. At times I could see myself as a priest offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. But when I though about it, it seemed like an idea that was not possible and that God would not pick me. I have a speech fluency disorder called stuttering (or stammering). At times, it seemed to me to be severe. As a result, I really did not like public speaking. I pushed off the idea of being a priest as being an impossible dream or fantasy.Certainly, I took the idea of being a priest seriously and was nervous that God was calling me. I continued going to Mass on Sundays and weekdays when possible, praying Morning and Evening Prayer, and trying to do an hour of personal meditation a night. I began to recognize that God was calling me, but I was comfortable with my life. For, so many things happened to me as an active parishioner I always ask God Holy Spirit (Mahal na Ingkong) Why should I stay? At first I had a hard time recognizing that God was calling me in this manner, but over the years I have come to better understand just how God was laying things out for me.My inspiration to say â€Å"yes† was encouraged by the example of my dream. Since, I managed to be an active member of our church I was in the process of bringing myself closer to God Holy Spirit (Mahal na Ingkong) and because of this I often spoke with him about this secret and it had influenced me to make my decision final. Through his words and even more through his example, I realized that I wanted my life to reflect the same desire to serve God. I continued my frigid relationship with God through college days. And, I considered this is one of the interesting parts of my religious life. This realization started a slow thaw.Slowly but surely I started becoming more involved in the Church, realizing eventually that God did exist and did care, so perhaps I should return that with more than I had been. Indeed, the more I frequented Holy Mass the more the desire grew within my heart to give up my life because of my sins. One day when the mass was about to start it came out to my mind when I would watch the priest during Holy Mass, especially at the moments of consecration, I longed to be the man at the altar, offering the sacrifice. Honestly, I considered this was a hilarious part of my daydreaming that time.It’s been said that if you want to mak e God laugh, tell Him your plans. So, I figured, why consult Him on the matter? But there comes a time my home life was still a mess and there are several sins I made. Someone asked me to enter a Eucharistic adoration if I want to have a conversation from god and to seek help. I started going for the first time to Adoration on a weekly basis. It was during one of this Holy Hours that I could finally ask God the question that had bothered me all though out my on-going conversion: if He loved me so much, why did he want me to enter this new world?I thought it was okay that He wanted to care for me now, but what about before? Did he understand my mortal sin? I told God that if I was mistaken, and my call was truly to the priesthood, then to please send me some type of dramatic sign to let me know. I am aware that it is a fairly common phenomenon for young people discerning a vocation to the religious life to ask for this, but it is not a healthy or appropriate request, since God does n ot generally work that way. One of the great signs I received is that when I went into the mission to Bohol, our grace asked me to pursue my dreams but I should enter the religious vocation.Secondarily, in the middle of the month after the mission my father also asked me if I want to study theology this coming school classes. Eventually, I seek for the last and other signs for I have the so-called proof of entering priesthood. But Unfortunately, I was really in crisis at this point, but I still hadn’t received three or more of the dramatic signs I wanted from God in order to show me that I was called to the priesthood rather than the normal single life. During these Holy Hours, I would ask this question again and again, until, finally, one night I opted to listen for His response (a good idea – listening at prayer! . I had heard that God suffers with His children, but, that night, I heard those words as though Christ Himself had spoken them to me: â€Å"Where was I? I was crying and suffering with you! † Gradually, from the inspiration of these experiences and from time in prayer I decided to answer â€Å"yes† to God’s desire. However, after making the decision I was afraid to mention anything to anyone for a good two weeks. Finally, after holding this decision within myself for so long (at least it seemed long to me), I decided that I should tell someone.So, I went to one of my friends, Hijas De Maria Lenny Enrica, and I talked things out with her. She, however, was not surprised by my news, which in turn left me surprised. You see, HDM Lenny was one of my co-choir member in our church and as part of her job she is also an auxiliary officer of the Diocese Region 13 Queen Of Angels and a very supportive friend of mine and I clearly explained and mentioned to her my desire to join the priesthood. Needless to say, I took this conversation as an affirmation from God that I was following the right path. Interestingly enough, HDM Lenny once again layed an important role in helping me pusue my vocation. During our time in a Choir meeting I informed her again that I desired to enter the order. I can only explain this as God’s Providence. She knew where I belonged, only I had to figure it out as well. I’m actually judgmental within myself I grew incredibly in my terrible past life and because of a combination of temptation and of my own weakness, I was not awakened in this horrible dream of my life. I thought that God probably existed, but He didn’t care one way or another about what I was doing in my life.I really owe this acceptance (as little as it seemed) to my auxiliary friends, to whom God seemed very real and very near. I realized that although the decision to become a priest would entail great sacrifice, that didn’t mean that it was not a sacrifice I was called to make. Still, it really hurt when I thought about the idea of never claiming my body’s needs and necessitie s. In many ways, all the joys of my vocation were hidden to me, and all I could focus on were the beautiful things that I would be giving up.I was really concerned that I wouldn’t have the courage to start or the resolve to follow through with my calling. But it hit me one day that no one is strong enough or worthy enough to be a priest—that grace can only come from God. And so I said, â€Å"Okay, God, I believe that you want me to be a priest, and I accept—I will do it. I know you know how much this hurts, and that my sacrifice is that much more meaningful to you because you know. † Still, I asked God for help with two things. First, I said, â€Å"I am so weak—far too weak to do this on my own.I agreed to your mysterious plan for me, but I don’t have the strength to carry it out, so all the rest has to come from you—I am leaning on you completely and entirely. † And I remember having this amazing sense of peace, knowing that G od would always make me equal to the tasks to which he was calling me as long as I could bring myself to ask. It was thrilling to realize that I wasn’t expected to—indeed couldn’t—have the strength or perseverance to do what God was asking, it was only for me to agree to do it, and then to pray!The second thing I asked for was peace of mind—I said, â€Å"God, I believe I am called to the priesthood, but I don’t want to be a miserable priest; a martyr in my own eyes—I want to be joyful! For the next 30 days, I will make sure to spend twenty or thirty minutes each day after Mass praying in your Presence. If, as I believe, you are truly calling me to the priesthood, please help me to feel at peace with my decision to enter the seminary by the end of that time. By the end of that period I was so convinced of my calling that I could laugh about the difficulties I had had a month earlier! I have learned that it doesn’t need any dram atic signs to consider or to pursue your vocation. There are simple things to consider the reason of your call. Primarily, your openness to your calling, then your understanding of your calling, then the acceptance of your calling, then you must embrace your calling, lastly, your love to your calling.I believed these can be enough reason for you to enter priesthood. And, I considered this simple appreciation would be the best sign but is a great call given to me by God Holy Spirit (Mahal na Ingkong). Just to wrap up: There’s a lot of discussion about how much our Church needs priests and religious, and I think we can all see that. But it’s a mistake to talk about a â€Å"vocations crisis†Ã¢â‚¬â€because that implies that there aren’t enough vocations to the priesthood.But Christ told us that he would never leave his Church without shepherds, and so he is definitely still calling many, many young men to the priesthood, and he calls many, many young women t o the religious life. The crisis is not in the number of men and women who God calls, the crisis is in the tiny percentage of those young men and women who actually respond to that call. That’s the crisis. I thank Our Blessed Mother Mary and St. Maria Virginia for her guidance throughout this process, which I like to call the â€Å"Origin of my vocation†.She has blessed me with so many graces that have aided me in finding the path that God Holy Spirit (Mahal Na Ingkong) has laid out for me within the religious section of my adolescence age and more importantly, within the priesthood of Christ, her Son. Although I may not recognize her heavenly assistance, I am most grateful that she has carried me here so that I may fulfill God’s purpose for giving me life. I thank God for His countless blessings and patience with my stubbornness and desire to fulfill my will. I thank God in particular for leading me to discover His call.