节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2014-01-22
难易度:High
关键字:unmistakable, sensor, equivalent, manifest, ecosystem, skyrocket
Well, there are a lot of great devices on the market right now, especially when
you think about technology that you can wear.
This is becoming more and more popular.
There are sure to be a lot of changes in the future, so make sure you continue
watching this industry.
We have another industry to talk about today: Online Education.
Open up your magazine, and let's begin with the next reading for today.
And then of course, we'll join Michelle in the Language Lab.
(Music).
Industries to Watch.
Online Education.
Online classes aren't new, but for many years they've suffered from a reputation
of being not quite the equivalent of "real" courses.
That's slowly changing.
The cost of higher education is skyrocketing just as people need to gain new
skills and update their current ones.
This new focus on skills rather than credentials has manifested itself through
the huge popularity of massive, open, online course (MOOC) providers such as
Coursera, Udacity and EdX.
And it doesn't hurt that those platforms provide courses from top universities
such as Stanford, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania.
(Music).
(Chinese).
And now let's head to our teachers.
Thank you, Michelle.
Now we're moving right along in our lesson to online education.
I certainly remember a time when getting a degree online was considered
laughable.
If you didn't go to an actual physical school, no one would trust your degree.
Well, I think that was in the past, Carolyn.
Of course the future and things are changing all the time.
Well, being able to verify the degree and the quality of the education is still
important, of course.
But as our society becomes more and more focused on technology, it only makes
sense that our education system does the same thing.
This is very true.
Online classes used to suffer from a reputation of not being "real." That's a
really interesting phase: to suffer from a reputation of something.
This means that they were known for something bad.
All right. So one example could be that... well, that student suffers from a
reputation of being late for class.
Now no one trusts him to be on time for anything.
Well, I hope that is not your reputation, Gabe.
But it is a good example.
And that's actually one thing about online classes.
There isn't always a set class time.
You don't have to worry about being late because programs can be very flexible.
For example, assignments are posted online, and you should complete them by the
due date.
If you have questions or something you want to discuss, you can send the teacher
an email or set up a time to video chat with them.
Hmm. I really like this whole online course thing.
Well, depending on the class, though, you might have a group project.
Now that means you will need to work with other students and make sure that you
are available to discuss the assignment and work together.
So you do need to be on time if you have a scheduled meeting.
But there isn't, um, your class time.
And there's such a wide variety of online programs and classes available that
they can be quite different.
So one person's experience with an online class could be completely different
from someone else's.
That's true.
But one thing is for sure - online education is being more credible and more
popular.
That's right. It is becoming more and more credible and more popular.
And one reason that online courses are becoming more popular is because higher
education is becoming more and more expensive.
Oh, I could not agree more, Carolyn.
That is so true.
But let's take a look at this phrase right here: higher education.
This is a term that means any type of learning beyond senior high school.
So it includes going to college or university, getting a master's degree or a
Ph.D.
All right. And one thing that is very true about higher education is that the
costs are skyrocketing.
They sure are.
So now people want to focus more on the skills they gain from the courses they
study rather than the credentials or the reputation of a particular school.
And that's quite interesting.
So it's becoming less about what a piece of paper says you can do and more about
the skills you can actually use.
Well, it sounds practical and logical to me, Carolyn.
Uh, I think so, too, Gabe.
And this idea is manifested through massive, open online course providers, also
known as MOOC providers, like Coursera, Udacity and EdX.
Massive, open online courses - MOOC, M-O-O-C. OK, remember that.
Well, something that is very special about these providers is that they offer
courses from all over the world for free.
There... there may be some very special classes that require a fee, but... but
most of the classes simply require that you sign up and do the work.
And that's amazing, especially since they include courses from top universities
like Stanford, MIT, the University of Pennsylvania and even Harvard.
Now that's a pretty impressive list, and it certainly does not hurt.
Gabe, that's a great phrase.
I know.
"It doesn't hurt." Let's more... learn more about it in the Grammar Gym with
Liz.
And then we'll join our editor Linda for a summary.
Hello, friends.
Welcome to the Grammar Gym.
My name is Liz.
In today's BUSINESS article, we see this sentence:
And it doesn't hurt that those platforms provide courses from top universities
such as Stanford, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania.
That's our Grammar Tip sentence.
Our focus is on the phrase: it doesn't hurt.
Normally when we talk about something doesn't hurt, we mean there is no feeling
of pain.
But in today's sentence, this phrase "it doesn't hurt" is an expression native
speakers use to talk about something being advantageous or not bad at all.
So going back to today's sentence, it just means it is advantageous that those
platforms provide courses from top universities such as Stanford, MIT and the
University of Pennsylvania.
Let's have a look at some example sentences.
Darren doesn't want to quit his job.
The pay is good, the location is convenient, and it doesn't hurt that his
company sends him to Hawaii every year.
Or: Henry likes his new class.
The teacher is great, the classroom is new, and it doesn't hurt that the girl
sitting next to him is very cute.
So give this phrase a try.
And if you have a copy of this month's magazine with you, be sure to check out
today's Grammar Tip section for more example sentences.
That's it for today.
This is Liz from the Grammar Gym.
See you next time.
Bye.
We see that we need to keep an eye on wearable computers.
Of course you can't wear your laptop, and these devices probably won't replace
it.
But items like smart watches, Google Glass and other items will no doubt help
create a mobile computer ecosystem.
In addition, we should pay attention to online education.
You know the cost of getting a higher education is going up and up and up.
And this is happening at a time when just about everyone needs to keep up with
new trends and skills.
So many online courses are changing to skill-based courses from some top
universities.
Thank you, Linda.
Now today we've talked about wearable computers and online education.
Gabe, would you be interested in wearing a computer or maybe taking some online
classes?
Actually, yes... uh, not so much in wearing a computer, but I like the idea of
taking online classes.
I've actually thought about taking an online screenwriting class to help improve
my screenwriting skills.
I love to write skits and dramas and things like that.
I think this kind of online course would really help me.
And maybe I could even do it for free.
Well, what about you, Carolyn?
Well, online classes do sound like a good idea.
You can gain a few new skills.
Maybe you can wear some technology while you learn.
Well, what about you?
Would you like to take online classes?
Would you want to buy wearable computers?
Talk about it in English.
And we'll see you next time...
... right here at Studio Classroom.
See you.