大学英语

a Education plays a very important role in everybody's life. We go to school because we want to know more about the world around us and at the same time extend our horizons of thinking. The typical classroom used to be the place where teachers and students were working and exploring the wonderful world of knowledge together, but now everything has changed. Technology is taking over those interactions and introducing us to a whole new approach of learning.
The Internet is one of those approaches. Learning via the Internet is a new style that many people believe is more successful than the conventional form of teaching. The Internet allows schools to develop a large amount of learning material that is accessible for students online anytime. There are so many choices of courses and subjects or time frames that completing a program is not an issue for students anymore. We found that online education gives us excellent sources of information, saves our time, money and it is extremely convenient.

Not long ago we used to go to the library every time we needed information and spent hours searching for the right sources. Today there is a "library" in our house and it is available 24 hours a day. From my personal experience, as a first time mother, I found that using information online is very helpful. While I am at home with my baby, I am still able to connect to the world and search for any educational materials I need. I am also able to exchange thoughts, opinions and information with my classmates without leaving my house.

The Internet is not only a big information provider but also saves us money and time. People are predicting that education will be much cheaper in the future because of Internet access to information. The cost of land, buildings and wages for teachers are continuously increasing and that makes conventional education more expensive than online education. In addition, regular courses (offline) depend heavily on books and other traditional paper-based materials while online education posts lectures, notes, and assignments electronically and that saves thousands of dollars every year. There is also no need for the classroom itself because most programs online require participation in discussion and group projects via e-mail.

The Internet classes and courses are also very convenient because there are no physical restrictions as in conventional education like space and time limitations. First, in classroom-based education there is a limitation on the number of students that are allowed in each class while Internet education is available to everyone because a classroom is not an issue there. Students don't have to struggle in order to register for the classes they like. In addition, there is no time limitation so students can repeat exercises as many times as they need.

Education will spread out more and more online and students will have more choices on how and when to take their co

urses and classes. They will easily be able to take the classes they want and repeat material on the Internet as many times as they need. The Internet is a wonderful opportunity to have a good time but also to learn something in a convenient and less expensive way. In my opinion online life in the future is simply inescapable.


b Kelley McKee of Steelton, Pennsylvania, never had any intentions of taking Distance Education courses. She had already obtained a certificate at a business school. She was married, had children and worked as a legal assistant. But her life changed forever when she broke her neck and became paralyzed. She was just 27 years old.












Over time, Kelley has learned to move her fingers enough to use a computer and to get around daily with the help of a wheelchair. Although that progress is not enough to allow her to continue her previous career, other opportunities have opened up for her.


Kelley said, "The accident changed my outlook on life, and I immediately looked to education since I had no degree." Most traditional programs did not allow her to balance her education with a growing family. Then, Kelley found Penn State Distance Education.


Distance Education is hard work, but my children make it all worthwhile. Even if for some reason I can't work after obtaining my degree, I will be an educated person, setting a good example for my children and having gained the knowledge that can help them in their future efforts. Distance Education has changed my life from tragedy to triumph," she said. Distance Education affords me an opportunity to pursue my own goals and personal work. My education is separate from my " issues regarding my disability or my family life and caring for my children."

Commenting on McKee's experience, Gary E. Miller, vice president for Distance Education and director of the World Campus, noted, "Kelley's story is a wonderful reminder about the impact of Distance Education on the lives of our students who cannot meet their needs through traditional on-campus programs."

Jane Ireland, academic advisor for Distance Education and the World Campus, added: "Kelley reminds us of the mission we have in Distance Education--to bring a quality education and experience to students regardless of their geographic vocation or life circumstances. Kelley is a wonderful example for us of the great effect we have on the lives of a great many students who truly need access to education."

Kelley is a successful student, carrying credits each semester. She plans to complete her bachelor's degree in letters, arts, and sciences, then continue on to obtain an online master's degree.

After graduation, McKee hopes to work with injured or disabled individuals, possibly in counseling in a rehabilitation setting. Jane Ireland has no doubt Kelley will achieve her goals.

Kelley is thankful to her outstanding ins

tructors and a number of student support services, including financial aid, disability services and vocational rehabilitation. Many of these faculty and staff, however, say that it is Kelley McKee who has been outstanding.

Susan Waitkus, instructor in English at Penn State's DuBois Campus, stated, Kelley inspires not only other students, but also faculty fortunate enough to know her. She reminds us how privileged we are to teach."





w certificate n. official statement that may be used as proof or evidence of certain facts 证（明）； official paper stating that one has completed a course of study （结业、修课）证书
circumstance n. (plural) the condition that affect a situation, action, event etc. 情况，情形，环境
comment v. to express an opinion about someone or somebody 发表意见，评论
n. written or spoken remark giving an opinion on, explaining or criticizing (an event, a person, a situation, etc.) 意见，评论
counsel v. to advise someone 建议，忠告
△ disable v. (often passive) to make someone unable to use a part of their body properly 使丧失能力，使伤残
◇ disability n. a physical problem that makes someone unable to use a part of their body 残疾，伤残
graduation n. the time when you complete a program of study at a school or college of any sort 毕业
impact n. the effect or influence that an event, situation, etc. has on somebody 冲击，影响
individual n. one person, considered separately from the rest of the group or society that they live in 个人，个体
injure v. to cause physical harm to someone or to yourself 伤害，损害
inspire v. to encourage someone by making them feel confident and eager to achieve something great 鼓舞，激励
intention n. sth. that one proposes or plans to do 意图，意向，打算
legal adj. allowed, ordered or approved by law 法律允许的，法定的，合法的； concerned with or connected with the law 法律的，法律上的
mission n. an important job done by a member of the air force, army etc. especially an attack on the enemy 使命，任务；
obtain v. to get something that you want, especially through your effort, skill, or work 获得，得到
outstanding adj. extremely good 杰出的， 优秀的
△ paralyze v. to make someone lose the ability to move part or all of their body, or to feel anything in it 瘫痪
previous adj. happening or existing before the event, time, or thing that is being mentioned 以前的，先前的
pursue v. to continue doing activity or trying to achieve sth. over a long period of time 继续；忙于；追求
regarding prep. on the subject of, in connection with 关于，有关
rehabilitation n. the act or process of helping sb. to live a healthy, useful, or active life again after they have been seriously ill or in prison （使）恢复正常生活
setting

n. all the things that surround someone or something at a particular time, including the events that happen, their environment, or the people they are with 环境，背景
staff n. the group of workers who do the work of an organization 全体职员， 全体工作人员
tragedy n. serious play or drama that ends sadly; a tragic event in real life 悲剧
△ vocational adj. preparing for a particular type of job 职业的，业务的
vice adj. being next in official rank below someone, who can represent them or act instead of them 副的
worthwhile adj. sth. deserves the time, effort, or money given to it 值得做的，值得花时间（精力）的


Phrases and Expressions

get around move or travel from place to place or within a given place 走动；各处旅行
open up to make sth. available, or (sth.) develop （机会）出现，产生
set an example be an example for 为…树立榜样
remind of to make somebody remember something they must do, or something they knew or something that happened in the past 提醒，使想起
bachelor's degree the first level of university degree 学士学位
master's degree a university degree such as an MA or an MSc, which you get by studying for one or two years after your first degree 硕士学位