A single teacher can reach thousands of students in an online course, opening up a world of knowledge to anyone with an Internet connection. This limitless reach also offers opportunities to school districts that need to save money, by reducing the number of teachers. It can help high achievers in need of more advanced coursework than their districts provide. This is especially true in small districts that offer few traditional courses to students working ahead of their grades.
A study in Maine and Vermont examined the effect of online courses on eighth graders with strong math skills in schools that didn’t offer face-to-face math classes. Students were divided between online math and standard math offered in traditional classes. Both groups of students were tested at the end of the school year. The online students did better than those in standard classrooms. They were also twice as likely to complete advanced math later in high school.
But there is something wrong with it. In reality, students who complete these courses tend to do quite poorly on subsequent (随后的) tests of academic knowledge, suggesting that these online courses often give students an easy passing grade without teaching them very much.
Some researchers examined the performance of hundreds of thousands of students at DeVry University, which offers online and face-to-face versions of all its courses, using the same textbooks, assessments (评估), homework and teaching materials in each course. Even though the courses are seemingly the same, the students who attend online courses do worse. The effects are lasting, with online students more likely to drop out of college altogether. Hardest hit are those who entered the online class with low grades. Work by researchers in many other colleges is in line with the DeVry findings: The weakest students are hurt most by the online learning. For those with strong academic skills, by contrast, online learning can open up amazing opportunities.
Online education is still in its youth. Many ways of learning are possible, and some may benefit students with deep and various needs. As of now, however, the evidence is clear. For advanced learners, online classes are a good choice, but academically challenged students need a classroom with a teacher’s support.
1. What’s Para.1 mainly about?| A．The advantages of online courses. |
| B．The reduction in school teachers. |
| C．The educational conditions in poor areas. |
| D．The combination of online and traditional courses. |
| A．Traditional students were more likely to do better in math. |
| B．Both groups had little difference in their performance. |
| C．Traditional students did worse than online ones. |
| D．Online students tend to fail in their higher education. |
| A．DeVry invited different teachers. |
| B．DeVry involved different classes. |
| C．DeVry used different teaching methods. |
| D．DeVry chose students of different levels. |
| A．It suits good students. |
| B．It has been fully developed. |
| C．It is useful to poor students. |
| D．It should be forbidden in schools. |
| A．Education needs further study in the long term. |
| B．Online courses influence different students in different ways. |
| C．Traditional courses fail to fit modern education anymore |
| D．Online education is harming traditional courses and teachers. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】In the age of the Internet, everyone writes. First of all, remember: the most important thing in any written messages is simplicity. It doesn’t matter how intellectually wise you are.
Use strong words
The film flows by itself, whether you are aware of what is happening on the screen or not. A book, on the other hand, requires the brain to be active from beginning to end. Read a variety of books—your writing and cognitive skills increase automatically when you read a lot.
Start a diary
A diary is not only a great tool for reflection but can also be your rough draft for polishing your writing. Not only can you write in a journal, but you can do sketches, draw visual diagrams and create tables. Before going to bed, you can describe in a diary all the things that happened to you during the day.
Choose a topic
Of course in the case of the diary, it can just be automatic writing, but if you don’t want to turn your whole life into a structure, you need boundaries. When you choose a topic, you direct your focus to one subject and try to find a lot of interesting things about it.
| A．Read a lot. |
| B．Write by hand. |
| C．It is only important that people understand you. |
| D．To improve your writing skills, you should speak a lot. |
| E．However, a strong word doesn’t always mean complex. |
| F．In doing so, try to figure out which words and phrases fit better. |
| G．Good writing advocates unpredictability and unexpectedness. |
【推荐2】In Florida, a group of parents known as “the break moms” has been fighting to pass a law guaranteeing the state’s elementary-school students at least 20 minutes of daily free play.
In a survey of school-district administrators, roughly a third said their districts had reduced outdoor play in the early 2000s. Disadvantaged kids have been the most likely to be shortchanged (克扣). According to a 2003 study, just 56 percent of children living at or below the poverty line had break, compared with 83 percent of those above the poverty line a similar disparity (差异) existed between black children and their white peers.
The benefits of break might seem obvious-time to run around helps kids stay fit. But a large body of research suggests that it also promotes cognition (认知). Many studies have found that regular exercise improves mental function and academic performance. And an analysis of studies that focused specifically on break found positive associations between physical activity and the ability to concentrate in class.
In one series of experiments, researchers controlled break start times. Some days children were let out at 10 am. and other days at 10: 30. The kids attentiveness decreased when they had to wait longer for break and refreshed themselves after they played. And when fourth-graders in a break-free school were given a weekly break. Another group of researchers found that they had an easier time staying on task and were much less restless. These experimental findings are supported by an analysis of 10,000 questionnaires filled out by third-grade teachers: Even a single 15-minute daily break was connected with more-positive ratings of classroom behavior.
Perhaps most important, break allows children to design their own games to test their abilities, to role-play and to settle their own conflicts-activities that are key to developing social skills and managing complicated situations. Initial results from an ongoing study in Texas suggest that elementary-school children who are given four 15-minute breaks a day are significantly more sympathetic toward their peers than are kids who don’t get break.
1. What causes "the break moms" to start a fight?| A．Pupils lack of outdoor play. | B．Poor school management. |
| C．Absence of education laws. | D．Inequality among students. |
| A．children behave better when let out earlier |
| B．kids waiting longer are unable to stay focused again |
| C．third-graders have difficulty in focusing on task |
| D．fourth-graders are more concentrated without a break |
| A．They escape from life conflicts. |
| B．They may strengthen dependence. |
| C．They are more considerate towards others. |
| D．They are eager to manage complicated situations. |
【推荐3】Math had never been something I was good at since middle school. Classes became harder in high school, and I was even further from a math teacher’s dream student. So at the start of my freshman year, I had an aversion to math. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to do well, but simply that I didn’t think I was able to do well. “I can’t“ became my state of mind in all things related to math.
However, I was soon to learn that “I can’t” was not a choice in Mr. A’s class.
Mr. A always greeted us with open arms as he said, “Welcome! Smile! It’s a great day to be alive!”It was clear that Mr. A had a true passion not only for math but for teaching. If Mr. A ever experienced bad days in life, he never showed it. Mr. A greeted us with that same smile every day. He encouraged each student, from the top achiever to the “I can’t” student.
I found myself looking forward to math class, although I still hated the subject itself. Being in Mr. A’s presence made me feel good, as if I had the chance to succeed. As the year progressed, I spent increasingly more time on my homework, and I met with Mr. A weekly. My classmates began to do the same, and it became “cool” to have lunch and talk with Mr. A. We didn’t know it at the time, but he was changing our attitudes.
Though my story is not one of overnight success and I didn’t become a straight-A math student, my hard work did begin to pay off and my grades slowly began to climb. There were hard times, of course. Difficult math questions sometimes succeeded in bringing me down, but Mr. A kept reminding me, “Kate, smile! It’s a great day to be alive!”
1. What does the word “aversion” underlined in paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．interest. | B．preference. | C．misunderstanding. | D．dislike. |
| A．Mr. A’s attitude. | B．Her interest in math. |
| C．Her friends’ encouragement. | D．The top achievers in her class. |
| A．It was straight. | B．It was efficient. | C．It was challenging. | D．It was impressive. |
【推荐1】By now, most people know we should eat more vegetables. But are there some ways to help us get more from the vegetables? A research conducted by Ohio State University shows that when it comes to vegetables, it’s not only how much we eat, but also how we prepare them that decides the vitamins and other nutrients that enter our body.
Many studies show that people who eat lots of vegetables have less heart disease, and eye problems and even cancer. But raw (生的) vegetables are not always best. The researchers from Ohio State University found that 198 Germans who eat raw vegetables were short of lycopene(番茄红素), the matter found in tomatoes and other red vegetables. “There is an idea that raw foods are always going to be better,” says Steven K Clinton, a professor at Ohio State University, “but for vegetables, a little bit of cooking can be helpful.”
In fact, many factors decide how the vegetables do good to people’s health before they reach the table, including where and how they were grown and stored before being bought. Cooking is just a way to make the vegetables healthy to us.
So which cooking way is the best? It’s hard to say. Some nutrients are easily lost in cooking when they are cooked in different ways. For example, Vitamins C and B are often lost. “Boiling was better for carrots than frying or serving them raw. Frying was the worst way to cook.” says Professor Clinton.
What is cooked with the vegetables can also be important. When the vegetables are cooked with fat, the diners can get more nutrients. Fat can also make the taste of vegetables better. Putting on some other things — a little salt — can make the food taste better.
1. What does the research conducted by Ohio State University find?| A．People should eat more vegetables. |
| B．Eating vegetables is good for people. |
| C．The way people eat vegetables is important. |
| D．How much vegetables people should eat in a day. |
| A．They will have heart disease. | B．They will have eyes problems. |
| C．They will like eating tomatoes. | D．They will be in need of lycopene. |
| A．Eating raw foods. | B．Eating vegetables that are cooked. |
| C．Eating frying carrots. | D．Boiling raw foods. |
| A．It’s better to cook vegetables with fat. |
| B．It’s better to cook the vegetables without salt. |
| C．The fat will increase the nutrition of the vegetables. |
| D．The more fat in the cooking, the fewer vegetables people will eat. |
【推荐2】Is there a connection between music and language? According to recent studies, the answer is yes: Music improves certain language abilities in the brain. Here are two examples:
Music and hearing
A study from Northwestern University shows that playing a musical instrument can improve a person's hearing ability. As a part of the study, two groups of people listened to a person talking in a noisy room. The people in the first group were musicians, while those in the second group had no musical training. The musicians were able to hear the talking person more clearly.
Musicians hear better, says study leader Nina Kraus, because they learn to pay attention to certain sounds. Think about violinists in an orchestra. When the violinists play with the group, they hear their own instrument and many others, too. But the violinists must listen closely to what they are playing, and ignore the other sounds. In this way, musicians are able to concentrate on certain sounds, even in a room with lots of noise.
Music and Speech
Gottfried Schlaug, a doctor at Harvard Medical School, works with stroke patients. Because of their illness, these people cannot say their names, addresses, or other information normally. However, they can still sing. Dr. Schlaug was surprised to find that singing words helped his patients to eventually speak. Why does this work? Schlaug isn't sure. Music seems to activate different parts of the brain, including the damaged parts. This somehow helps patients use those parts of the brain again.
Understanding the results
Music improves concentration, memory, listening skills, and our overall language abilities.
It can even help sick people get better. Playing an instrument or singing, says Nina Kraus, can help us do better in school and keep our brains sharp as we get older. Music, therefore, is not only enjoyable; it's also good for us in many other ways.
1. What two groups did Nina Kraus study?| A．Musicians and non-musicians. |
| B．Violinists and other musicians. |
| C．Noisy people and quiet people. |
| D．Hearing people and deaf people. |
| A．They both work at Harvard Medical School. |
| B．They both play an instrument in an orchestra. |
| C．They both study how music and the brain are connected. |
| D．They both help sick people get better. |
| A．By playing music for them. |
| B．By getting them to sing words. |
| C．By teaching them to play instruments. |
| D．By helping them know their names. |
【推荐3】The expression, “everybody’s doing it,” is very much at the center of the concept of peer pressure. It is a social influence applied on an individual in order to get that person to act or behave in a similar way as a larger group.
People are social creatures by nature, and so it is hardly surprising that some part of their self-respect comes from the approval of others. This instinct explains why the approval of peers, or the fear of disapproval, is such a powerful force in many people’s lives. This instinct drives people to dress one way at home and another way at work, or to answer a simple “fine” when a stranger asks “how are you?” even if it is not necessarily true.
For certain individuals, seeking social acceptance is so important that it becomes an addiction. Teens and young adults may feel forced to smoke, or drink alcohol, which might encourage criminal behavior. Mature adults may sometimes feel pressured to cover up illegal activity at the company where they work, or end up in debt because they are unable to hold back the desire to buy a house or car that they can’t afford in an effort to keep up with the peers.
However, peer pressure is not always negative. A student whose friends are good at academics may be urged to work harder and get good grades. Players on a sports team may feel driven to play harder in order to help the team win. This type of influence can also get a friend off smoking, or to help an adult take up a good habit or drop a bad one.
Although peer pressure is sometimes quite obvious, it can also be so subtle that a person may not even notice that it is affecting his or her behavior. For this reason, when making important decisions, simply going with an instinct is risky. Instead, people should seriously consider why they feel drawn to taking a particular action, or it is simply because everyone else is doing the same thing.
1. What does the underlined word “instinct” in paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．A natural tendency. | B．An acquired ability. |
| C．A popular idea. | D．An obvious mistake. |
| A．Potential causes of peer pressure. |
| B．Possible positive effects of peer pressure. |
| C．Negative consequences of peer pressure. |
| D．Tips for coping with peer pressure. |
| A．Simply go with an instinct. |
| B．Ask for advice from adults. |
| C．Listen to the inner motivation. |
| D．Follow in the footsteps of others. |
| A．Objective. | B．Ambiguous. |
| C．Critical. | D．Indifferent. |
【推荐1】School is tough enough as it is, but distance learning presents a whole new challenge. Many students struggle to focus on their homework when they study at home, as online courses call for self-discipline (自律).
Motivate (激励) yourself. Think about how traditional classroom settings motivate students to get their work done: deadlines written on a whiteboard,and group study sessions with classmates.
Find a good study spot. Houses are full of distractions (分散注意力的事物)—especially if you’re in no mood to study. Set yourself up for success by reducing these distractions and creating an environment where it is easy to do schoolwork.
Use what you have. One of the many benefits of online learning is having endless Internet resources.
| A．Manage your time. |
| B．Be ready to ask all the questions. |
| C．Here are some tips for your online schoolwork. |
| D．A short break is also necessary for online learning. |
| E．You can also use these helpful methods in your own home. |
| F．Many of them might help you understand your studies easily. |
| G．If possible, find a quiet place away from your family members and TV. |
【推荐2】Often, high school students don’t have a wide selection of courses from which they may choose. However, many online high schools offer a course list that includes almost everything from basics like math and science to extras like computer programming and instrument lessons. Many online high schools also offer students the chance to take advanced classes that may not be as readily available in some traditional schools.
An online high school student doesn’t have to get up very early in the morning and rush out to school. Instead, he can get a reasonable amount of sleep and start his day on his preferred schedule. While online schools do have attendance requirements, an online school can be more flexible (灵活的). And, the online high school students don’t have to worry about what to wear or what their classmates will say about how they look that day.
An online high school student needn’t be worried about a class that is moving too quickly or too slowly for him. Likewise, he may be able to take advantage of course offerings that suit his own learning style. For example, some online high schools offer coursework that meets the needs of visual (视觉的) or auditory (听觉的) learners in addition to those who can learn from traditional schools.
Since online high school students don’t need to spend time waiting for class to start and traveling to and from school, they may have more time to follow their hobbies. For example, if a student is training in dancing, he may have more time to practice. If another student is learning a musical instrument, he may have more time for that as well. Even part-time work and socializing may fit better into the life of a student taking advantage of the flexibility offered by an online school.
1. What’s the difference between traditional high school and online high school?| A．Range of classes to learn. | B．Tradition of teaching. |
| C．Ways of selecting courses. | D．Chances of learning basics. |
| A．Start his day early. | B．Attend class according to rules. |
| C．Mind his appearance. | D．Have a tight schedule based on interest. |
| A．By offering courses of different styles. |
| B．By listing the experiment results for remembering. |
| C．By slowing down the teaching pace. |
| D．By reducing the time of coursework. |
| A．Traditional Schools or Online Schools | B．Strengths of Traditional Schools |
| C．Importance of Online Schools | D．Flexibility of Online Schools |
【推荐3】MOOCs, short for “massive open online courses”, mark an important, possibly revolutionary, development in education. These courses are on line, free of charge, and open to anyone in the world who has a laptop and an Internet connection. Moreover, they are mainly offered by great universities like Stanford, Berkeley, Harvard and Columbia.
The courses are arranged according to how difficult they are, enabling students to progress from beginners to the advanced. The courses cover not only a broad range of science subjects such as math and computer science, but also courses in social sciences and humanities. Though MOOCs are not offered for credit and degree, many students enroll (加入) in the courses for real skills or knowledge which they can put to some practical use.
The format (形式) seems better than the traditional school class. The average quality of the lecturers is much higher. Besides, students can learn back and forward—that is, they can go at their own learning speed, which they can’t do in a live lecture. And, more importantly, they don’t have to travel anywhere to attend an online lecture. There is a problem of asking questions of the lecturer in a class of ten thousand students, but some MOOCs have solved it by allowing students to post questions on line for a vote, and only the most popular questions are put to the lecturer.
In a knowledge age, lifelong learning is not confined to a traditional classroom. Students taking MOOCs are usually very clever, have work experience, and in many cases, have already developed a set of practical skills. Moreover, they also offer unique international perspectives (远景) that would be the envy of any school classroom.
1. Which of the following statements is NOT true about MOOCs?| A．The word “MOOCs” is short for “massive open online campuses”. |
| B．Anyone who has a computer and an Internet connection can take MOOCs. |
| C．MOOCs are usually offered by first-class universities in the world. |
| D．MOOCs may be a breakthrough in the development of education. |
| A．there is a problem of asking questions in traditional classes |
| B．students enrolling in MOOCs can get credit and degree easily |
| C．students can learn at their own study pace |
| D．students can travel to many places when taking MOOCs |
| A．extended | B．developed |
| C．limited | D．advanced |
| A．Ordinary | B．Creative |
| C．Practical | D．Competent |
