Behaviors in Organizations

Positive psychology refers to the study of the processes and conditions which contribute to the functioning and thriving of the people and communities. (Gable and Haidt, 2005). Positive Psychology Center in University of Pennsylvania state that there are three main concern of positive psychology. First is the positive emotion which include study on the contentment, happiness and hope of oneself. The other one is positive individual traits which entail the study of strengths and virtues.And positive institutions involve the study of strengths that promote better communities. (Positive Psychology Center,2002) Positive psychology according to Mary can be used effectively within the executive coaching context by helping coaches in identifying the client’s vision of what they want and then they turn it into reality by focusing in positive emotions. Positive emotions can have significant impact on increasing intuition, creativity and widening of attention. In this context coaches fo cuses on what energizes and pull people forward. (Stober and Grant, 2006).According to Foxhall (2002), coaching not only focus in helping executive identify his/her strengths and weakness, but also include other areas of focus such as serving as a sounding board for strategic decision-making, helping employees manage their stress, mediating conflicts between executives and coaching newly promoted employee with no background in supervising. It is very important for the coaches to identify the client’s visions and strengths in order to have a deeper understanding of what are the capabilities and limitation of one self.It is also important because it can help the coach on how what way to approach their clients in order to improve their performance in the work area. Realizing the strengths can achieve levels of satisfaction and meaning in one self. Positive psychology is a great tool in the executive coaching context. It identifies the strengths of the client which is very benefi cial in attaining the goals and in achieving levels of satisfaction. Focusing on the positive emotion can really help boost the creativity and intuition of the client. References: Foxhall, K. (2002). More psychologists are attracted to the executive coaching field.Monitor on Psychology,. 33 (4). Retrieved October 3, 2007 from http://www. apa. org/monitor/apr02/executive. html Gable, S. & Haidt, J (2005). What (and Why) is Positive Psychology? Review of General Psychology, 9(2). Retrieved October 3,2007 from http://faculty. virginia. edu/haidtlab/articles/gable. haidt. what-is-positive-psychology. pdf Seligman, M. E. P (2007). Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved October 3, 2007 from http://www. ppc. sas. upenn. edu/aboutus. htm Stober, D. R. , & Grant, A. M. (2006). Evidence based coaching handbook. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

An Introduction to Sociology Essay

Philip Vernon carried out research studies into contributions of environmental and genetic factors into intellectual development in the 1940s and 1950s. He believed that Western IQ tests were unsuitable for non-Western people; he also applied the same argument to the use of Western IQ testes within different subcultures and social classes within Western Societies. He stated that â€Å"There is no such thing as culture-fair tests, and never can be† (Haralambos p. 747). Vernon developed a hierarchical model of IQ testing in the 1950s, which broke down the test into many subcategories. He concluded that social class differences have some genetic basis. He based this conclusion on evidence that intelligence of adopted children relate more to the social class of their biological parents than to their adopted parents. Vernon believed that social mobility allowed individuals with high IQ levels to rise to the socially high classes’ whilst those with low IQ levels would fall to socially lower classes. Cultural rules play a profound role in our society today, and through education we have learnt what is right and what is wrong. However, could somebody who has not been brought up knowing these rules be able to interact with other humans? There are many cases where children in particular have had no social interact with other humans in the early stages of life, where primary socialisation should take place. And the outcome has been that they have no facial expression, incorrect movement, and have no human speech. The most popular example of this is the feral children. Feral Children are children who have been nurtured in the wild by animals, children that were raised in a non-human, inhuman or sub-human environment and because of it did not learn how to communicate or behave in a human manner. Two particular cases of child deprivation that argue the case of nurture particularly well are Amala and Kamala and Genie. Amala and Kamala were two sisters aged approximately eight and one and a half who were brought up by wolves in the 1920 in Bengal, India. When captured they were taken to an orphanage where they were looked after by the reverend Singh and his wife. Singh described them as â€Å"wolf like† in appearance and behaviour. They walked on all fours and had calluses on their knees and palms from doing so. They preferred to eat raw meat and stole it when ever they could. They licked water with their tongues and ate their food in a crouched position. Their tongues permanently hung out of their mouths, and they panted just like wolves. They never slept after midnight and howled at night. They could move very fast on all four’s. They turned away from human society altogether. If approached, they made faces and sometimes bared their teeth. Their hearing was very acute and they could smell meat at a great distance. They could also orientate themselves very well at night. In September 1921 both girls became ill, and Amala, the younger, died. Probably the most famous case of a feral child is that of Genie. She spent nearly 13 years in almost total isolation and was fed only on milk and baby food. She was eventually found and placed in a children’s hospital. At that time she could not stand straight, chew or see beyond 10 feet. She was inquisitive though and after 7 years her IQ had increased from 38 to 74 although she never developed the normal use of language. Many Psychologists believe that a child will have permanent difficulties in learning a language unless they start from an early age. Others argue that children could be mentally retarded from such abuse. So Genie’s case does not resolve the nature-nurture controversy surrounding human development. In 1977, the last time Genie was filmed, scientists found that without constant teaching Genie had regressed. She now barely said a word. In other cases of feral children, some, who were discovered at a much younger age than Genie, learnt language and were eventually able to speak reasonably well. Genie however was unable to do more than string a few words together. Genie failed to learn any kind of grammar, and this is what distinguishes the language of humans from that of animals. Genie could not grasp the difference between various pronouns or between active and passive verbs. In that sense she appeared to have passed the critical period. The critical period is a hypothesis that states that the first few years of life are a crucial time in the development of a first language providing that a sufficient stimulus is present. If the acquisition of language is not achieved during this time then it will never be fully achieved. Socialisation is a major sociological concept that provides the link between the individual and their Society. Socialisation is the ongoing social learning process that is necessary for human existence and development. There are two types of socialisation, primary and secondary. Those factors that are involved in primary socialisation are usually small, involve face-to-face interaction and communication and allow the individual to express the whole self, both feelings and intellect. Usually, those factors are the family, peer groups, of close friends. Within these groups, through personal experience, the individual learns ‘primary values’ such as love, loyalty, justice, sharing, etc. In contrast, secondary groups are usually large, more impersonal and formally organised, and exist for specific purposes. In the secondary stage, the individual learns more values and norms which are to be applied for the individual to fit in. This includes learning how to organise and conduct themselves in formal contexts (backgrounds) and how to behave towards people who have different degrees of status and authority. One of the crucial aspects of secondary socialisation is school. The effects of growing up in unsocial conditions in these and other cases seem consistent. When the children emerged immediately into society, they were generally described by observers as ‘primitive’ and ‘hardly human’. None of the children developed social and communication skills beyond a basic level, in spite of attempts to re-socialise them. Above all, their absence or limited ability to learn language prevented them from functioning fully within society. These cases, also, suggest that human development, especially those of gaining basic social and communication skills, needs considerable contact with others. These stories do more than just confirm the important role of education, and that not just nature plays an important role in growth and development but also the environment in which you grow up in. They show that a human being not only can, but must be educated or learn to become a human being. Even when isolated from birth, animals usually retain clearly recognisable instincts. A cat that is raised among dogs, will still behave like a cat. Humans, however, enter the world very poorly equipped. The knowledge a child needs to become fully human is not complete. Everything the child eventually knows, or can do, must be learned. With the exception of natural body functions, such as breathing, as well as the reflexes, everything else must be learned. That is why feral children are an excellent source of evidence in the nature and nurture debate, because they cannot walk, talk or even socialise. They cannot show any emotions nor have empathy. This is due to them growing up in isolation and not having humans to human interaction so that they can learn the basic skills of life. This also proves that its not only nature that play a big role in child development but the environment you grow up in makes an impact to child development or the upbringing of a person because that is where you learn to be what you will become. To conclude, culture is a very important idea in Sociology and without it, we would have no language, we would not be able to express ourselves, and our ability to reason and think would be severely restricted. Through the process of Socialisation, children learn the way of life or culture of their society. If culture did not exist, then society would not exist and vice versa. Bibliography Anon (2006)  Empiricism. Available at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empiricism: (Accessed 2/11/2006) Anon (2006)  John Locke. Available at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke: (Accessed 2/11/2006) Anon (2006)  Francis Galton. Available at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Galton: (Accessed 1/11/2006) Anon (2006)  Critical Period. Available at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_period: (Accessed 1/11/2006) Devlin, D., Daniels, M., & Roeder K., 1997. The heritability of IQ.

Poverty In Canada

IntroductionAlthough Canada is considered as a materially affluent country with impressive performance in industrial and economic growth since past 50 years, it has been unable to forsake poverty as a social problem. In fact as the Canada’s social security net has weakened and income inequalities widened, the issue of poverty has worsened in the Canadian society (Shewell, 1998, 45;).Presently 14 % population of Canada is living under conditions of poverty (Reutter et al., 2006, 1). Various researches and studies in issues of poverty in Canada have shown that poverty is the result of social exclusion and marginalization factors that deprive certain individuals from benefits of mainstreams institutions and mechanism thereby increasing inequality in the society whereby these individuals are no longer able to participate meaningfully in the social process (Williamson and Reutter, 1999, 1).Canada’s economic reconstruction due to globalization and free trade affected its indu strial structure and resulted in hundred of thousands of jobs loss that adversely affected the social composition in Canada. The new postindustrial economy that replaced the earlier system failed to create adequate number of opportunities. The jobs in the new system are either highly specialized or low paid that does not compensate the losses of the previous system. With the simultaneous decline the social welfare system in Canada, lack of government support to family allowance programs and doubtful ability of pension plan to support ageing population, the issue of disproportionate income distribution and poverty has emerged as serious matter of concern both from individual and social point of view (Barlow and Campbell, 1995).This paper discusses the impact of poverty on individual and society. This paper evaluates effect of poverty on youths, single parents, aboriginals and immigrants in Canada.   It will also examine the role played by poverty in creating a system of alienation and denial where people are forced to live a life of deprivation. Scope and effect of povertyEffect of poverty on individualsThe traditional attitude in Canada towards poverty has been dismissive. People often associated poverty with laziness and more corruption and accepted its deservingness for those affected by it (Shewell, 1998, 51, Reutter et al., 2006, 1). However, the facts show that poverty cannot be generalized or dismissed as a wayward incident in the Canadian society. Rather, it is a disturbing phenomenon that adversely affects many vulnerable sections of the society.   According to Shewell (1998,58), children under age group of 18, single parent mothers, socially excluded persons, and immigrants faces highest rates of poverty in Canada with the rates of poverty being especially high in urban centers.Poverty profoundly affects the capacity of individuals to survive and negotiate with general conditions of life in a positive and constructive way thus rendering them highl y vulnerable from the social perspective. From the broader point of view poverty is the cause of falling health standards, increased rates of illness, heightened percentage of crimes and drug abuse among youths, rising homelessness and loss of ability to participate in the social process. The individual and group effects of poverty are mentioned in the following sectionsYouths: Poverty has long term and damaging effect on youths rendering them homeless and pushing them in vicious cycle of bad health, crime, drug abuse and sex crimes, destitution, mental illness and higher suicide rates (Kidd and Davidson, 2006, 44). Youths, especially in urban areas, in the age group from 12-24, are most vulnerable, mostly living in temporary shelters, without any fixed source of income thereby being forced to settle for irregular ways of earning and living. The uncertainty and unhealthy life conditions results in extremely high mortality rate among urban poor youths (Kidd and Davidson, 2006, 45).On e of the most dangerous fallout of poverty and lack of government support structure for youths is increasing youth crime. Increasing income inequality and social divide force poverty stricken youths to submit to illegal activities, mugging, and narcotics trade. Poverty thus creates most compelling conditions that lead youths in crime and corruption. Poverty also create conditions where youths are unable to utilize their capabilities, lack access to education, health facilities and social support structure due to the stigma that is associated with poverty (ibid).Single parent: Single parent face greatest risk of poverty and the consequent effects are often disastrous for their life (Shewell. 1998, 58). The rate of poverty for single non working parent was 73 % in Canada in mid nineties, much higher than other developed countries like UK, US and Australia (Curtis and Pennock, 7). Poverty poses enormous health risk for health of both mother and child, where inadequate income forces the m to abandon health services and insurance plans while creating conditions of perpetual stress and deprivation.Aboriginals: The aboriginal and native population of Canada lacks the same social benefits and economic advantages that other sections of country enjoy. Rates of unemployment and poverty are generally very high in the native population that result from absence of government supportive policy, cultural disparity, absence of social development conditions such as education, health facilities, equal employment opportunities all of them causing lack of self determination and independence among them, creating the conditions of poverty and resource denial (Kendall, 2001, 43).Immigrants: Immigrants in Canada have traditionally shown high rate of poverty, the exact indices of which varies from region to region. As the most of immigrant in Canada are from third world country, they face cultural and social problems in assimilating with the Canadian system. Further, as pointed by Halli and Kazemipur (1997, 12 ), most of the immigrants arrived in Canada in 1970s when government’s social support structure was breaking down, and economic opportunities had started to shrink. Due to lack of any outside support and additional sources of income, immigrants became especially vulnerable to hardship and poverty.The adverse circumstances forced these individuals in ghettos where a culture of poverty was born, alienating these individuals from conditions of healthy and sensitized conditions of living (ibid).  In general poverty reduces the ability of individuals to implement themselves constructively in their personal as well as social life. It leads to breakup of family system, causes relational disintegration, and absence of consonance between individuals conditions and society’s economic progress.Social Effect of PovertyPoverty has far reaching effects that influence not only individuals but also the whole society and economy in the longer analysis. On the one hand the society looses its significant number of population who could have been otherwise included in the mainstream economic, educational and health institutions but who are left on periphery in damaging clutches of poverty that reduces their functional capacity to participate in society. On the other side, poverty puts enormous strain on resources where the government is required to support poor with various welfare programs and financial concessions (Shewell, 61 ). along with instituting rehabilitation measures for socially excluded people, drug addicts and homeless people.Poverty weakens the family structure, which is the basis of social stability (Cheal, 1996, 55). Consequently it creates a culture of economic hardship, deprivation and emotional stress that enervate society to function as a integrated whole. Dissatisfaction, inequality, isolation, conflict, discrimination, marginalization, exclusion and rejection are some of vices of poverty that threatens Canadian societ y. The greatest danger associated with poverty is that it has the tendency to self perpetuate and expand its domination and its feared that if left unchecked it can cause significant socio-economic damage to Canada by creating rift within social order.ConclusionPoverty is a stigma and a bane that needs conscious effort by government, civil society and individuals to combat and obliterate. As stated by Tanner (2003, 125), education, employment and avoidance of untimely pregnancy are three of the surest measures to break the cycle of poverty and create conditions of equitable living condition. As unemployment is one of the chief factors causing poverty, it’s the responsibility of government to introduce policies that increase employment opportunities.  However, it’s also the responsibility of civil society and individuals to take conscious effort in defeating poverty by understanding that poor are more in need of psychological support and acceptance than financial gran t. This can be achieved by encouraging them to participate, creating conditions for their collaboration in social building process. It should also be ensured that political, economical and social institutions are oriented in specific ways to provide poor with opportunities to return back to mainstream society, integrate with it and cooperate with others to create a system free of poverty.ReferenceBarlow, M. and Campbell, B. (1995) Straight Through the Heart: How theLiberals Abandoned the Just Society, Toronto: Harper CollinsCurtis, L.J and Pennock. 2006. M. Social Assistance, Lone Parents and Health: What Do We Know, Where Do We go. Canadian Journal of Public Health, Ottawa. Vol. 97.Cheal, D.1996. New Poverty: Families in Postmodern Society: Praeger Publishers. Westport, CT.Halli, S.S, and Kazemipur, A. 1997.   Plight of Immigrants: The Spatial Concentration of Poverty in Canada Canadian Journal of Regional Science. Volume: 20. Issue: 1-2. Page Number: 11-28Kendall, J. 2001. Circl es of Disadvantage: Aboriginal Poverty and Underdevelopment in Canada. American Review of Canadian Studies.Kidd, S.A, 2006. Davidson, L. 2006. Youth Homelessness: A Call for Partnerships between Research and Policy. Canadian Journal of Public Health.   Ottawa: Vol. 97,   Iss. 6,   p.  445-447  (3  pp.) Love R. Makwarimba E. Mcmurray S. Raphael D. Reutter L.I. Stewart M.J, Veenstra G. 2006. ‘Public Attributions for Poverty in Canada’. The Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology. Volume: 43. Issue:1Mitchell, A. and R. Shillington. 2002. Poverty, Inequality, and Social Inclusion. Working Paper Series: Perspectives on Social Inclusion. Toronto: The Laidlaw FoundationShewell, H. 1988. Poverty: A Persistent Global Reality. (edit) John Dixon,   David Macarov. Routledge. London.Tanner, M.D. 2003. The Poverty of Welfare: Helping Others in Civil Society. Washington, DC.Williamson, D. and L. Reutter. 1999. â€Å"Defining and measuring poverty: Implications for the health of Canadians.† Health Promotion International, Vol. 14, No. 4, pp. 355-64.

Innovation in management services in supply chains(SCM) Essay

Innovation in management services in supply chains(SCM) - Essay Example Importance of innovation Innovation is best described as the development and creation of unique possibilities for making value added contributions in a particular industry. The entire process of innovation goes beyond the traditional method of implementing new manufacturing processes or developing innovative products because it comprises of much broader aspects such as innovation in the market, organization and input resources (Kim, Kumar, & Kumar, 2012; Ozturen & Sevil, 2009). Innovation in tourism and hospitality industry In the last few years, the researchers such as Boon-itt and Pongpanarat (2011), Martinez-Ros and Orfila-Sintes (2009) and Spekman, Spear and Kamauff (2002) have done extensive studies on the role of innovation in service sector especially tourism and hospitality industry. Tourism and hospitality industry consists of many areas and dimensions and the study is catered across different elements. As the world has become global, travelling to different destinations wor ldwide is now the favorite leisure activity of majority of the consumers of any society. It has been reported by many countries such as France, USA, UK, Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey, China and Canada that the number of tourists is increasing at a faster pace than expected (Nassiry, Ghorban, & Nasiri, 2012). In order to provide exceptional tourism experience to the visitors, the tourism and hospitality industry of each country has to introduce innovative products and services that will meet the expectation level of the customers (Anthony, Johnson, & Sinfield, 2008). This industry is mainly made up of tour operators, travel agencies, hotels and accommodation service providers and airline companies. One of the key areas of focus by the players in the respective industry is the development of an effective Supply Chain Management (SCM) that ensures that the tourists are provided the most satisfying level of services (Zhang, Song, & Huang, 2009). Real life examples of SCM initiatives and i nnovations Since the demands of customers change at an accelerating pace in each market, it is required by every company to closely monitor the changing patterns of innovation requirements in the products and services. The customers of tourism and hospitality industry are looking for open service innovation which was the concept introduced by FedEx. Almost all the firms existing in the industry have ensured that they employ the latest technology in their services so that they have a strong presence in the market (Gunasekara, 2006). The consumers need to know about the tourism and hospitality industries so that they develop an interest in trying out the services. Some of the initiatives that have been observed in the Tourism supply chain (TSC) are integration of supplier and buyer relationship (Rizova, 2006), taking the suppliers on board when developing new products so that the feasibility of the project can be effectively designed (Handfield & Lawson, 2008) and eliminating the unne cessary intermediary steps so that the cost can be saved to a much larger extent (Miles, 2008). Such types of initiatives is a necessary act to be conducted by the organisations as

Understanding Tourism as a Business Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Understanding Tourism as a Business - Assignment Example Thomas Cook Group is diversified with its workforce from cabin crew, Administration, Resorts, Product Marketing and Health and Safety. Every action of this group is focused on customer. Thomas Cook Strategy Thomas Cook has empowered and is serving over 25 million customers. Their main purpose is to inspire their customers to go and see the world. They aspire their customers with the delivery customized holiday experience to individual clients. Their goal is to exceed the expectations of the customers on wherever, whenever and however basis (Holloway & Taylor, 2006). The values of Thomas Cook are: Succeed as one team Deliver for the customers Engage one another Drive for results Act with integrity Organizational Structure of Thomas Group The organizational Structure of Thomas Cook is very alterable which is organized by Geographical and Functional Departmentalization. The Geographical Departmentalization has grouped the jobs on the basis of the geography and canton. Similarly the cust omers are also grouped on the basis of their geographical dispersion (Daugherty, Croft, Marguart, Balzor & Sheldon, 2013). Functional Departmentalization has been grouped by the functions being performed (Daugherty, et.al, 2013. The activities and jobs being performed are normally grouped according to work which is performed and to carry on the economies of scale by hiring employees with shared skills and erudition in different departments. Products, Services and Vertical Integration by Thomas Cook The core business of Thomas Group is the provision of Charter Packages in which flights, Hotels, Resorts and Rep services are vertically integrated (Maharani,... Understanding Tourism Business Thomas was a cabinet-maker in Leicester. He was a folk reformer and he thought that People’s life could be improved to a great extent if people drank less and become more educated. While walking one day he was struck by an idea to use the power of railway to employee people. In the abstinence meeting, he evinced his idea. His idea was condoned happily to take the reformer people to Loughborough which was scheduled on train and that too only for one shilling. The meeting was a great success and this became the key idea for his excursions thereafter. Nowadays, Thomas cook is a leading company having 16,000 staff with an operating network of 1050 in UK and overseas (Thomas Cook Group, 2013). Ownership of Thomas Cook Group Thomas Cook group has 3 lead share holders as on August-2011.The share percentages are as follow (Thomas Cook Group, 2013): Lloyd’s Banking group has a share of 9%. Blackrock Inc. has a share of 4.99% AXA SA has a share of 4.8% The remaining of the stock floats freely Mission Statement of Thomas Cook â€Å"To Perfect the Personnel Leisure Experience†. Thomas cook’s vision is to go make dreams come true. Marriott Hotels pay significant attention to their environmental policy where as the Thomas Cook Group d not incline themselves towards any such measures, on the contrary promoting unnecessary travel only adds to carbon emissions.

Analysis of Virtual Teams and Effects on Organizational Performance Research Paper

Analysis of Virtual Teams and Effects on Organizational Performance - Research Paper Example Virtual teams allow organizations to collaborate with the most talented people in their field, in all geographies, thereby removing the need to hire local experts. Virtual teams enable an organization to create a more diverse talent pool that would have not been possible if the organization was not having a policy of virtual teams (Snyder, 2003).   With the implementation of virtual teams in the workplace, employees can work and communicate in real-time despite the barriers of geographical distance and time. Travel time and costs are reduced including expenses such as accommodation, travel, and other daily allowances. Virtual teams also enhance productivity as the daily work life does not get disrupted because of frequent travel (Opper and Fersko-Weiss, 1992). All these factors enable the organization to increase their productivity and reach markets quickly and effectively. Work life balance and flexibility: Virtual teams lead to enhancement of work life balance for its team member s. Virtual team members can carry out their work from their location at any time as they wish removing the necessity of frequent travelling. The flexibility in the timings that comes up with virtual teams enables team members to manage balance between their personal and work life. Extended market opportunity: Virtual teams give organizations an opportunity to reach markets spread across the globe. Virtual teams are generally spread around all the locations across the world. This structure enables teams to have direct and quick access to different markets. With the implementation of virtual teams, organization can build a local connect with the customers in each country. The local presence also enables the organization to get a better understanding of the market including customer taste and behavior. Virtual teams are an effective tool for organizations to increase confidence amongst customers. Customers can be sure of the services of an organization having virtual teams because of t he local presence of individuals in their country. Virtual teams also provide an effective tool for small businesses to establish their global presence. Small businesses can expand their market reach through use of virtual teams.  ·   Ã‚  Knowledge transfer: Another major advantage of having virtual teams is the continuous knowledge transfer between various team members. Technical tools such as net-meeting, remote computer access and video and audio conferences enable members from across the globe in different time zones to participant in various discussions which increase the knowledge for team members. Generally the team members in virtual teams are individuals with different skill sets and competencies. With virtual teams, members based out of different geographic locations can gain knowledge from other members at a very low cost. Disadvantages Although virtual teams have significant positives, they also come with certain disadvantages that might arise out of issues like comm unication deficiency, poor leadership and incompetent team members. These disadvantages might also hamper the growth of the team which may result in inability of the team to achieves its goals. Communication deficiency: Communication deficiency is the most critical disadvantage that comes with virtual teams. Members of the virtual team do not interact face to face and interact but primarily through technological tools. â€Å"Effective use of communication, especially during the early stages of the team’

Students' Traveling to the South Coast Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Students' Traveling to the South Coast - Essay Example The Brighton Marina is the biggest complex of its kind in Europe and testifies to the great engineering skills of modern times which have converted what was an open sea 40 years ago, into a commercial and residential settlement. The coastline from Brighton to Eastbourne is a delight for any coastal engineer, and I am no exception, for it features almost all the important innovations of coastal engineering, along with old and new techniques used in the preservation of the beaches and harbors, endangered by natural and human encroachment. In other words, such a place is an engineer’s delight! Walking along the Brighton Marina is an exhilarating experience and I was once again struck by the way in which this development has been made possible. Economic activities and urbanization though, have had some very adverse effects on the environment and coastal erosion is the cause of great concern. The Brighton Marina caused depletion of the beaches because it altered the longshore drift, and Seaford that was already suffering from erosion was further affected. The Groynes had been built as early as 1836 to combat this problem and increase the amount of shingle. A groin can be built of wood, concrete or rocks, which are placed at right angles to the sea, and help to create a wider and well-nourished beach, since it catches the shingle on the up drift side, and protect the coast because the filtered sand absorbs the wave energy. But there is the loss of beach material on the downdrift side creating the need for another groin there. At Brighton, a seawall and promenade were built at the foot of the cliffs in the 1930s, with the seawall constructed of concrete blocks and the space between the wall and the cliff was packed with the chalk rubble, which was removed from the cliff, while constructing the wall.

Intoruction to Islam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Intoruction to Islam - Essay Example The predominant language is English (even if it wasn’t always so historically) and the politics of the region are strongly democratic. People in the West won’t specify a religion because that is a personal choice and that choice for the most part is respected in law and in culture. This is where the second challenge comes in. If all Muslims for example lived in one country – like Australia for example, then they might be perceived as a strangely unique culture that lives â€Å"over there†. The problem is that one of the central tenets of Islam is that they should be respectful of other religious beliefs. This has meant that over the centuries there are Muslims in virtually every corner of the world – historically they are traders; they seek to educate and to learn from others, and now as Ernst explains they are the predominant population in more than 50 nations. That means a huge diversity of cultures and this makes it harder for us here in the West to understand the Muslims as a religion when they live â€Å"over there† and â€Å"next

The UN involvement in the war in Syria Research Paper

The UN involvement in the war in Syria - Research Paper Example When an issue concerning a threat to peace is proposed, the UN first advises the involved parties to come up with a peaceful agreement and even takes up mediation and investigation in some cases. It may request the Secretary General or special representatives to help find a peace solution in other instances. This essay looks into the recent UN intervention in Syria. The UN in an unusual demonstration of unity among the powerful states consistently adopted a resolution that ordered the fighting parties in Syria to stop barring humanitarian aid (Borut, 6). The UN, however, failed to establish a punishment for those that went against this order. This resolution was lawful and sought to address the war that has been going on for the past few years resulting to the loss of lives and displacement of families (Barnes 9). This resolution required the Syrian government to allow relief organizations to the citizens. The UN also condemned attacks on the citizens by the government using governme nt aircrafts and barrel bombs. This action was referring to the rebels and militia groups that were fighting to overthrow the regime that was present at that time. The Secretary General was required to submit reports on what the UN was doing to deal with the situation. While it did not threaten sanctions against Syria; however, it promised to take stern actions against those that failed to comply with the UN stipulations (Thakur 22). France and Britain heavily criticized however criticized the UNSC and stated that it was not doing enough to solve the crisis in Syria.

Texas state legislature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Texas state legislature - Essay Example The legislature is charged with a responsibility to formulate and implement policies on issues that affect the Texas population. Crucial issues are addressed by the legislature on behalf of the people. In so doing, the legislature is responsible for ensuring that all parties bound to the policies being introduced are aware of what the policies entails and its effects on the current Texas State. Public participation in the policy implementation and enforcement is crucial in making the right educational impacts of this legislature. Policies enforced Texas should be in line with the limiting powers of other states in observing Texas, thus an application of typical checks and balances. This is an important component of the state. Bills and laws are made and passed for the benefit of the entire population. These bills and laws are tailored towards achieving social, economic and political growth and development. In order the goals and objectives of these bills and laws to be realized, the public must be well aware of what is constituted in each and every bill put forward, as well each and every law that the legislature seeks to uphold (Forman 461). In this regard, laws can be implemented and the constitution amended as provided for in the power and authority of the state, prior to that of the entire US government. Checks and balances provides for an analytical observation of the public welfare in the context of the way the legislature discharges its duty and mandate to the

New Paradigm for HR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

New Paradigm for HR - Essay Example Most of the organizations are using human resources as an important source of competitive advantage, however Losey, Meisinger, & Ulrich (2005) have presented different challenges and dilemmas in this regard. COMPELLING ISSUES HIGHLIGHTED BY AUTHOR: Some of the main issues highlighted by the author are as follow: 1. Increased Diversity among the workforce: owing to increasing globalization and free trade there have been different cross cultural issues in the multinational organizations. The employees belong to different ethnic and cultural backgrounds and as a result makes it difficult for the management to control and manage the human resource. 2. New Logic for Human Resource: Losey, Meisinger, & Ulrich (2005) have presented new logic for human resource in order to avoid cross cultural and diversity issues. This includes the three Rs paradigm i.e. recognize, respect, and reconciliation. 3. The war for Talent: should there be fresh hiring or the old employees should be retained 4. Iss ues in Selection and Recruitment: old abilities versus new talent and potential EVALUATION OF THE AUTHORS POSITION: The authors are of the idea that the organizations should implement the principle of ‘think globally and act locally’. The organizations should strive to capture the international markets but at the same time should adapt to the local culture and preferences. The human resource personnel faces different issues and challenges while deciding for important human resource decisions. There is difference in the view points of people from different cultures and backgrounds. According to the authors, the HR managers and decision makers should focus on the three Rs framework i.e. recognize, respect, and reconciliation. The decision makers at first place should recognize the explicit and implicit differences in the approaches, ideas, and values. Secondly, they should respect the differences and viewpoints of other people. And finally, there should be reconciliation in all different views and opinions which in turn will eliminate all tensions and issues related to HR policies. SUPPORTING DATA: These difference in opinions because of diversity is not only restricted to the HR functions and decisions of the organization but is also faced by other functions like marketing. Trompennars and Wooliams (2004), in their article ‘A new paradigm for Marketing Across Cultures’ have presented the same three Rs framework i.e. recognize, respect, and reconciliation in HR. According to them in order to come up with effective and efficient marketing strategies and decisions for different cultures and nations, the marketing professionals should learn to recognize, respect, and reconcile different opinions and cultural viewpoints. Apart from this different researchers have presented the idea of managing the diversity among the organization by bringing a harmony among different views and opinions. OPPOSING VIEW POINT: There have been different researc hes in order to come up with effective and efficient strategies in order to combat with diversity management. There have been different viewpoints in this regard. According to the Roberge and Dick (2010), diversity among the workforce results in increasing the overall productivity and performance of the organization. The view presented by Roberge and Dick (2010), is different from that of Losey, Mesinger, and Ulrich (2005). The formers are of the view that the different opinio

Mental Health Study Guide 1 Essay Example for Free

Mental Health Study Guide 1 Essay Define and describe psychiatric and mental health nursing: Psychiatric nursing focuses on care and rehab of people with identifiable mental illness or disorder Mental Health nursing focuses on well and at risk population to prevent mental illness or provide immediate treatment for those with early signs of a disorder. Psychiatric mental health nursing is described by Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: Scope and Standard of Practice as committed to promoting mental health through the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of human responses to mental health problems and psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric mental health nursing uses the study of human behavior as its science and purposeful use of self as its art. It views people holistically, considering their strength, needs, and problems. It is based on physical and social science, designed to meet needs of people with health problems, provided by caring and knowledgeable professionals, relies on problem solving approach to plan, deliver, and evaluate care. 2. Trace the history of psychiatric mental health nursing in the US as it applies to patient centered care: 3. Identify significant trends in healthcare and their effects on psychiatric nursing 4. Describe the difference between various theories Psychodynamic- psychoanalytic theory derives from Sigmund Freud. Central to analytic theory is the idea of unconscious which contains repressed memories. Although a person is unaware of unconscious material, repressed thoughts seek expression thorugh dreams, fantasies or may lead to irrational or maladaptive behavior. A goal of psychodynamic counseling is to expand awareness on unconscious functioning and its relation to daily living. To Freud, personality is composed of three subsystem: id, ego , superego. Cognitive- Guides two major schools of thoughts: Albert Ellis’s rational emotive theory and Aaron Beck’s cognitive theory. Both emphasize the role of cognition (thoughts) in how people feel and act Rational emotive therapy (Ellis theory) event do not cause emotional or behavioral consequences directly. Rather, beliefs about these activating events are the most direct and important causes of how people feel and act. Rational emotive therapy (RET) emphasizes the disputation of irrational beliefs. Cognitive Theory (Becks)- holds that conditions such as depression result primarily from pervasive, negative misinterpretation . Behavioral- States that all behavior are learned, focuses on how environmental conditions result in acquisition, modification, maintenance, and elimination of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors. To a behaviorist, subjective experience did not provide acceptable scientific data, only study of directly observable behavior and the stimuli reinforcing conditions that control it could serve as a basis for formulating scientific principles. Concepts of behavioral theory are: conditioning, reinforcement, punishment, generalization and discrimination, modeling, shaping. Cognitive behavioral- Learning theorists, such as Donald Meichenbaum enhanced behavior therapy by introducing role of cognitions or mediating processes between a stimulus and response, which led to cognitive behavioral theory or cognitive behavioral management. This type of therapy is active, directive, highly structured, and time limited. Therapists are seen as teachers or coaches and expect clients to be engaged actively in their treatment, practicing new thoughts and behaviors through homework exercises developed by the therapist. Some cognitive behavioral techniques: Cognitive labeling, systematic rational restructuring, rational problem solving Humanistic- Recognizes the importance of learning and other psychological processes that traditionally have been the focus of research. Such processes include creativity, hope, love, self fulfillment, personal growth, values, and meaning. Humanists are concerned with the personal growth and potentialities of people. With their positive view of human nature, humanists believe that psychopathology results from the blocking or distortion of personal growth, excessive stress, and unfavorable social conditions. Sociocultural-focuses on role of social and cultural influences on the person. Culture can be thought of as the â€Å"glue† that holds certain groups together. It consists of socially acquired and transmitted symbols, beliefs, techniques, institutions, customs, and norms. Culture has been found to exert a great influence on the birth, development, and death of humans. Biophysical- referred to as medical model. Proposes that psychopathology results from physiologic condition, primary a deviation within the central nervous system. The reasons for these deviations are multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of genetics, temperament, development, brain circuitry, molecular biology, and environment. Interpersonal models- Emphasize the socialization of humans throughout their developmental stages. Failure to proceed through these stages satisfactorily lays the foundation for later maladaptive behavior. Emphasizes the role of early childhood in shaping self concept. Distorted self concepts can be traced to the person’s family. Two results of distorted self concepts are poor interpersonal functioning and self defeating games people learn to play. Interpersonal therapy is concerned with alleviating anxiety and pathogenic or problem causing relationships. 5. Discuss the rights of mental health clients and identify how these rights apply in practice: The basic rights of clients receiving psychiatric nursing care include: right to appropriate treatment, right to an individualized, written, treatment or service plan, right to ongoing participation in a manner appropriate to person’s capabilities, the right to be provided reasonable explanation in terms or language that client can understand, right not to receive a mode or course of treatment in the absence of informed, voluntary, written consent to treatment except during emergency, right not to participate in experimentation in the absence of informed, voluntary, written consent, right to freedom from restraint or seclusion, other than as a mode or course of treatment or restraint or seclusion during emergency, right to humane treatment environment that affords reasonable protection from harm and appropriate privacy with regard to personal needs, right to access on request, personâ €™s mental health record, right ( in the case of a person admitted on a residential or inpatient care basis, to converse with others privately, to have convenient and reasonable access to telephone and mails, see visitors, right to be informed promptly and in writing at time of admission of these rights, right to exercise rights without reprisal, right of referral to other providers upon discharge. 6. Identify situations in which the duty to warn should be invoked- The duty to warn should e invoked when there is possibility of harm. As a result of the Tarasoff decision, it is mandatory in most states for healthcare personnel to report any clear threat from clients about intent to harm specific people. Psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and other mental healthcare providers must warn authorities (if specified by law) and potential victims of possible dangerous actions of their clients, even if clients protest.

Analysing the different approaches to leadership

Analysing the different approaches to leadership Leadership is about influencing, motivating, and enabling other to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of the organization of which they are members. And the leaders apply various from of influence- from subtle persuasion to direct application of power- to ensure that followers have the motivation and role clarity to achieve specified goals. Leaders also arrange the work environment-such as allocating resources and altering communication patterns- so employees can achieve corporate objective more easily. Leadership isnt restricted to the executive suite. Anyone in the organization may be a leader in various ways and at various times. This view is variously known as shared leadership or the leaderful organization. Effective self-directed work teams, for example, consist of members who share leadership responsibilities or otherwise allocate this role to responsible coordinator. Behavioral approach In the 1949 and 1950 leadership experts at several universities launched an intensive research investigation to answer the question what behaviors make leaders effective? Questionnaires were administered to subordinates, asking them to rate their supervisors on large number of behaviors. These studies distilled two clusters of leadership behaviors from literally thousands of leadership behavior items. One cluster represented people-oriented behaviors. This included showing mutual trust and respect for subordinates, demonstrating a genuine concern for their needs, and having a desire to look out for their welfare. Leaders with a strong people-oriented style listen to employee suggestions, do personal favors for employees, support their interests when required, and treat employees as equals, The other cluster represented a task- oriented leadership style and included behaviors that define and structure work roles Task-oriented leaders assign employees to specific tasks, clarify their work duties and procedures, ensure that they follow company rules, and push them to reach their performance capacity. They establish stretch goals and challenge employees to push beyond those high standards. (Source: pg.407 , McShane , Von Gilnow) Researchers hoped that the behavioral theories approach would not only provide more definitive answers about the nature of leadership but, if successful would also have practical implications quite different from those of the trait approach. If trait research had been successful, it would have provided a basis for selecting the right people to assume formal leadership positions in organizations. In contrast, if behavioral studies turned up critical behavioral determinants of leadership. These theories began when the ideas of unique leader traits were questioned in the 1940s, It was considered that the qualities of leaders could be analyzed better by looking at their behavior or their behavioral style that causes others to follow them. They concluded that in making an appropriate choice of how autocratic or democratic to be, a manager needed to consider three sets of issues: Personal concerns- managers had to consider their own values, their inclinations towards leadership, and the level of confidence they had in their subordinates. Subordinate concerns- mangers had to consider their subordinates-needs for responsibility and independence, their knowledge and interest of the problem, and the amount they desired to be involved in solving problems. Concern for the situation- this included concern for the nature of the problem, the competence of the group in handing the problem, the time available and the type and history of the organization. They suggested a continuum of possible leadership behavior which is available to a manager, along which may be placed various styles of leadership. At one extreme, leadership was boss-authoritarian and at the other extreme, leadership was subordinate- democratic. The continuum, therefore, represents a range of action which relates to the degree of authority used by a manager and the area of freedom available to subordinates in arriving at decisions. Autocratic style described a leader who typically tended to centralize authority, dictate work methods, make unilateral decisions, and limit employee participation. The democratic style described a leader who tended to involve employees in decision making, delegate authority, encourage participation in deciding work methods and goals, and use feedback as an opportunity for coaching employees. The laissez-faire style leader generally gave the group complete freedom to make decisions and complete the work in whatever way it saw fit. (Source: Pg.459-461. Robbins, Coulter) Contingency approach The contingency perspective of leadership is based on the idea that the most appropriate leadership style depends on the situation. Most contingency leadership theories assume that effective leaders must be both insightful and flexible. They must be able to adapt their behaviors and style to the immediate situation, this isnt easy to do, and however, Leaders typically have a preferred style. It takes considerable effort for leaders to learn when and how to alter their styles to match the situation. As we noted earlier, leaders must have high emotional intelligence so they can diagnose the circumstances and match their behaviors accordingly. (Source: pg.408 , McShane , Von Gilnow The contingency approach seeks to apply to real life situations ideas drawn from various schools of management thought. Different problems and situations require different approaches and no one approach is universally applicable. Managers must seek to identify the approach that will serve them best in any given situation, so they can achieve their goal. It is important to note that the contingency approach stresses the need for management to examine the relationship between the internal and external environment of an organization. The systems approach to management emphasizes that relationships between various parts of an organization are interlocked. The contingency approach has emphasized this idea by focusing on the nature of such relationships (Source: Pg.22-23. Appleby) Fred Fiedler developed the first comprehensive contingency model for leadership. Fiedler proposed that a key factor in leadership success was an individuals basic leadership style. He further suggested that a persons style was one of two types: task oriented or relationship oriented. To measure a leaders style, fielder developed the Least-Preferred Co-worker (LPC) questionnaire. This questionnaire contained 16 pairs of contrasting adjectives- for example. Pleasant -unpleasant, cold- warm, boring-interesting, and friendly- unfriendly. Respondents were asked to think of all the co-workers they had ever had and to describe that one person they last enjoyed working with by rating him or her on a scale of 1 to 8 ( the described the positive out of the pair) for each of the 16 sets of adjectives. Fiedler believed that you could determine a persons basic leadership style on the basis of the responses to the LPC questionnaire. What were his descriptions of these styles? Fiedler believed that if the leader described the least preferred co-worker in relatively positive ter ms (in other words, a high LPC score), then the respondent was primarily interested in good personal relations with co- workers. That is if you described the person that you least liked to work with in favorable terms, your style would be described as relationship oriented. In contrast, if you saw the least preferred co- worker in relatively unfavorable able terms (a low LPC score), you were primarily interested in productivity and getting the job done, thus, your style would be labeled as task oriented. Fiedler did acknowledge that there was a small group of people who fell in between these two extremes and who did not have a cut-and -dried personality sketch. One other point we need to make is that fiddler assumed that a persons leadership style was always the same (fixed) regardless of the situation. In other words, if you were a relationship-oriented leader, youd always be one, and the same if you were task oriented. Fiedlers research uncovered three contingency dimensions that defined the key situational factors for determining leader effectiveness, these were: Leader -member relations: the degree of confidence, trust, and respect employees had for their leader, rated as either good or poor Task structure: the degree to which job assignments were for malized and procedurized, rated as either high or low. Position power: the degree of influence a leader had over power- based activities such as hiring, firing, discipline promotions, and salary increases, rated as either strong or weak. (Source: Pg.463-464. Robbins, Coulter) Four of the most important factors influencing leadership styles Modern approaches to leadership encourage managers to be flexible and adopt the appropriate leadership style, depending on circumstances. Most of the corporations have its own corporate culture, and for those MNC firms are normally follows the original culture from the home base. Its important to apply correct culture by situational. Cultural difference does affect the leadership style and influences effectiveness. Indeed, quality leadership requires with an Individual field experience, personal appearance, and optimistic influences elements are the core competence of a successful leader. Autocratic approach is one of the traditional leadership styles. Manager retains high degree of authority and decision making, employee seem to work like a robot and work needs to be corresponding with another department. Autocratic approach is not advised to be apply when employees are being low moral, become fearful, resentful, or tense and employees are depending on their manager to make all decisions. Democratic approach tends to motivate employees with confidence in decision marking, and provides an open channel for employees to feedback and share work related ideas. It effectively produces high quality of work for the long-term goal. And it raises strong team spirit and motivates employees to perform with fullest potential for a chance to be promoted. Laissez-faire leader allows almost total freedom to his subordinates. The leader leaves the subordinates to freely set objective and work procedures. Then the leader who practices this style of leadership tries to develop the skill and talents of workers. What is the leadership style in Toyota about? The leaders in Toyota Corporation have distinctive approach and philosophy that fits the Toyota way. Why does leaders role are important within the corporation? Leaders are the producers and directors of leading the cast in an organization. It is the fundamental way that Toyota views its world and does business. And the Toyota way is the special product of the people who created Toyota and its unique history. However, the Toyota is one of the most successful companies in the world. What is the 14 principle of the Toyota way? Toyota developed 14 Toyota principles; there are 7 of them, which related to leadership influence style are as below: 1 Section: Long-term philosophy Principle: Base your management decisions on a long-term philosophy, even at the expense of short-term financial goals. 2 Section: The right process will produce the right results. Principle: Create continuous process flow to bring problems to the surface. Principle: Build a culture of stopping to fix problems, to get quality right the first time. Principle: Standardized tasks are the foundation for continuous improvement and Employee empowerment. Principle: Use visual control so no problems are hidden. Principle: Use only reliable, thoroughly tested technology that serves your people and processes. Section: Add Value to the Organization by Developing your people and partners Principle: Grow leaders who thoroughly understand the work, live the philosophy, and teach it to others. Principle: Develop exceptional people and teams who follow your companys philosophy. Section: continuously solving root problems drives organizational learning. Principle: Go and see for yourself to thoroughly understand the situation. What is Toyota Production system? The most visible product of Toyotas quest for excellence is its manufacturing philosophy, called the Toyota production System(TPS). TPS is the next major evolution in efficient business processes after the mass production system incented by Henry Ford, and if has been documented, analyzed, and exported to companies across industries throughout the world. Outside of Toyota, TPS is often known as Lean or Lean production, since these were the terms made popular in two best-selling books, The machine that changed the world( Womack, Jones, Roos,1991)and Lean thinking (Womack, Jones, 1996). The authors make it clear, however, that the foundation of their research on lean is TPS and Toyotas development of it. The Toyota Corporation has the Nature of task and organizational climate, managers past experience, subordinates characteristics, Expectations of superiors. Nature of task: everyone employee joined Toyota Corporations who know whats the foundation work. This is foundation. Of course, every company must have this factors influencing leadership style. Organizational climate: The Toyota Corporations leader used the organization to control his subordinates closely. This is managers approaches. If you want to be a successful leader that you must study how to organization climate. Expectations of superiors: The Toyota leaders have a expectations of superiors. The important reason, if you are a leader, you have no expectations plan or training in the per year. You arent a successful leader, Because you have no plan to make your companys profit. Then the Toyota Corporations very regards this points. It can make long- term profit for company. Although, this is including the leaders experience or acknowledges. And the superiors may expect his manager to achieve organizational goals regardless, so the Toyota leader or manager have to adopt a task-oriented authoritarian style. Managers past experience: every leader or manager must be have the experience for the manager of company. This is very important. Because the managers values and background will affect his choice of leadership styles and the manager or leader tends to adopt the style that suits his personality. If you have no the experience, you dont know how to manager that how to advance efficiency for the employee or your boss. The Toyota has a classic manager experience. So this is based on the advance the efficiency and profits foundation. Subordinates characteristics: the subordinates may be used to a certain style, maybe highly trained and independent, familiar with their work, and may expect the leader to have a certain style. The Toyotas subordinates characteristics are from the same lever work that when you first come into the Toyota company. You have no choice the other position. If you have ability, you can advance to other position when the boss considers you. Everyone is same that whereas you have a higher degree, you also from a same leaver to do work. (Source of research: Jeffrey K. Liker The Toyota Way, McGraw Hill) Conclusion If Im a leader, I will wish to become a successful one. But before that, I shall consider at the following issues of how to be a successful leader? Selecting of leadership management style is one of the core factors of being a leader. Because the team functional efficiency, influence level and the value of respect to the leader would be all referring to how much does a leader understands his /her subordinates by observation and communication, then to evaluate the appropriate of leadership and management approach. And to apply corporate mission, vision, philosophy, scope, goal, objective, strategiesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ and so on. Different corporate preferences will also depending or according to the cultural background of the firm base from, if its a MNC.

Factors influencing assessment of language in school

Factors influencing assessment of language in school Due to the globalization, some people whose first language is not English are the fastest-growing school population, and in Australias classroom are becoming increasingly diverse. Take Deakin university for example, the students in the classroom come from Italy, America, China, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Australia and so on. Many students are from none English Speaking countries and different cultural background. They share the considerable challenge of having to learn English while responding to the subject-matter demands of school. This article is to explore the cultural understandings which underpin pedagogies used in international education. Moreover, there has been great recent interest in the social and policy context of language testing and assessment. McNamara (1998)comments on the recency of discussion of the ethics of language testing, an area in which social values are a main concern; while the previous relative neglect of these issues in research on language testing has been doc umented by Kunnan (1996), quoted from Hamp-Lyons article. Finally, because effective use of technology must be supported by significant investment in hardware, software, infrastructure, professional development, and support services, over the last decade, technology is introduced into the nations school systems, ultimately, the schools will be held accountable for these investments. Assessment refers to the collection and interpretation of information about learners knowledge, skills, strategies and attitudes. It is a vital and integral part of classroom instruction, and serves several purposes and audiences.Assessment polices exert considerable influence over the education of English language learners because assessment influence the identification, classification, placement, and ongoing monitoring of students. Sometimes the assessment results can help the students to improve their abilities and the quality of instruction. Assessment practices were not designed with the diversity o f current population of English language learners in their mind. As a result, assessment practices have also sometimes prevented students who are learning English from gaining access to a high quality education. Many learners complain that the English language tests are too much, in fact their abilities and skills have not been adequately assessed because traditional testing practices do not capture all that they know and can do. This essay will argue that the culture, policy and social condition, the educational background and technology impact on assessment of language in Australia. In planning assessments to be taken by the general student population, including English language learners, the general principles of good assessment practices apply. This article describes different steps within the planning process, highlighting issues most relevant to the assessment of English language learners. First of all, the policy and social considerations influence on language assessment. McNamara (1998) mentions that the use of tests as an arm of policy reform in education and vocational training has grown, and it has been incorporated as an aspect of immigration policy. These developments have invited the kind of analysis made relevant by the new frameworks for thinking about tests outlined above. The policy influence on the school and university educational systems and even the workforce. National governments often require language tests or other formal assessment procedures to be used. Test fairness is a particularly important quality when tests are related to migration, residency or citizenship. Moreover, as labor mobility has risen and immigrant and refugee flows become a more entrenched part of the present global situation, the assessment of language skills has assumed importance in the context of immigration policy, especially in Australia. Besides that the concern of governme nts for greater industrial efficiency, and the needs of vocational education and training of workforces in rapidly changing environments of production, have motivated a range of policy initiatives which have had implications for assessment. In the past 15 years, language assessment has become increasingly uses as an instrument of policy in the areas of school education, vocational training, and immigration. Khattri and Sweet (1996) demonstrate that the policy context supporting the introduction of performance assessment in school and vocational training contexts at national, state, and district levels, quoted from McNamara article. Therefore, policy makers should be aware that there are some other kinds of assessment which may also be appropriate. Tests and other methods of assessment have their own particular benefits which relating to characteristics such as impact on the candidate, the interpretability of results, standardization and reliability of the results which means that it is easy to compare candidates across the same or different administrations, and cost and practicability. It is very significant that the requirements of the situation are considered carefully to identify the most appropriate kind of assessment. It should also be noted that a combination of assessment methods is possible. Brindley argues that the function of such frameworks in providing greater accountability for systems in their delivery of language training potentially involves a conflict with the educational needs of learners and the goals of teachers. For example, as notes in the ETS standards for quality and fairness, validity is one of the most important attributes of an assessment. Validity is commonly referred to as the extent to which a test measurement what it claims to measure. For English language learners, as well as for all populations, it is critical to consider the degree to which interpretations of their test results are valid reflections of the skill or proficiency that an assessment is intended measure (Educational Testing Service, 2009). Language assessment is a measure of language ability for the ELLs. According to study guide, the Rasch model attempt to generalize from test data to estimate candidate ability and item characteristics (difficulty, discrimination and fit to the model). Estimates of candidate ability take task or item difficulty into account and are based on the assumption that the propability of a correct response is a function of the difference between the persons ability and difficulty of the task. For instance, ESL tests are being increasingly used by the Australia government to manage immigration. One test, assess, raises ethical issues in the way it is used to limit numbers and types of immigrants. There are many immigrants from the other countries want to move to Australia, the government should take effective measures to control this situation; the other, step, was used to hasten the determination of residential statu s for substantial numbers of asylum seekers (McNamara, 1998). The Australian tradition of using language tests in immigration policy contexts, dating back to the notorious dictation test which was used to implement a blatantly discriminatory immigration policy until the 1960s, is analyzed by Davies (1996). Cumming (1994) has stressed the responsibility of language assessment practice to promote the welfare of immigration. As a result, where language assessment is being considered, policy makers are urged to first consider issues at a deeper level. 690 Second of all, different language and educational background influences the assessment of English language learners. This point of view describes factors to consider when developing assessments and make useful decisions relate to testing accommodations for English language learners. The factors provide useful context for the guidelines presented in the later parts of the document. As for language factors, many English language learners in Australia are from a wide range of linguistic backgrounds. This is particularly important to keep in mind when considering the use of native language testing accommodations, since it may not be possible to provide assessments in all native languages represented in a large school district to a state. For example, in Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI), which is a language training school related to Deakin University, many overseas students are from different country, they can communicate with each other in English, through a period o f language learning, at the end of the step there is a language assessment provided. That is to detct the progress of students in language learning. Furthermore, different levels of proficiency in English for English language learners will influence their assessment of language. They may have varying levels of oral and written English proficiency. It also conclude the native speakers, some may not have had any formal schooling in their native language. The language learners should not be assumed that they can converse easily in language learning will have the literacy skills necessary to understand the written directions for a standardized test. Some English language learners may be proficient in the English used for interpersonal communications but not in the academic English needed to fully access content-area assessments (Educational Testing Service, 2009). According to some research that shows the level of language proficiency has an influence on processing speed. Comparing with native speakers, English language learners probably take longer on tasks presented in English. This is important to keep in mind when designing and scoring the assessment, as well as when making decisions about testing accommodations. In addition, as for educational background factors, English language learners vary widely in the level of formal schooling they have had in their native language (Educational Testing Service, 2009). The degree of native language formal schooling affects not only native language, but also for the assessment of English language learners. The other the proficiency of the language learners in literacy in the native language is involving the skills and knowledge. For instance, some students are refugee people, they want to go to the school which the educational system with little or no formal schooling in any language. These students must learn English and content-area knowledge simultaneously, while also being socialized into a school context that may be extremely unfamiliar. The other English language learners may come to the formal schooling and may have received instruction in the content area in their native language. Accord to Educational Testing Service (2009) describes the primary challenge for these students is simply to change their existing content knowledge into English. In addition, these factors come into play when making decisions about appropriate accommodations. Moreover, there are vary degrees of exposure to standardized testing, it should not be assumed that the English language learners have had the same exposure to the standardized testing that is prevalent in Australia. The learners in some countries may have had no exposure to multiple-choice questions, while those from other countries may never have seen a constructed-response question. Even English language learners from educationally advantaged backgrounds and with high levels of English language proficiency may not be accustomed to standardized, large-scale assessments and may be at a disadvantage in these testing situations. Thirdly, cultural factors can be potential sources of construct-irrelevant variance that add to the complex of appropriately assessing English language learners. Culture is an important facet of the learners social environment as cultural beliefs guide and direct behaviour. Each culture has different value systems and these guides the individual. English language learners are from a wide range of cultural background, and cultural difference may place the English language learners at a disadvantage in a standardized testing situation. Lack of familiarity with mainstream Australia culture, they may potentially have an impact on test scores for English language learners. The learners who are unfamiliar with Australia culture may be at disadvantage relative to their peers because they may hold different assumptions about the testing situation or the educational environment in general, have different background knowledge and experience, or unfamiliar with Australia culture may be at a pos sess different sets of cultural values and beliefs, and therefore respond to questions differently (Accord to Educational Testing Service, 2009). In fact, assessment the true value of language assessment is to check the language learners learning level, and based on the assessment results to help students progress. Culture differences are inevitable factors and impact on language assessment obviously. In addition, assessment can be used for a variety of purpose such as diagnosis of learners strengths and weaknesses, grading of learners performance, placement of learners in an appropriate class or teaching programme, and evaluation of learners for further studies. August, D., Pease-Alvarez, L. (1996) maintains that assessment presented builds on the school-wide and classroom cultures, policies, and practices that characterize effective schools for English language learners. Elements of these include a core curriculum aligned with rigorous content standards, student assessment that i s culturally responsive, teacher knowledge of strategies that support students cultural backgrounds, and a challenging and responsive learning environment. Every element of the model is first presented in a research-based discussion and then followed by attributes of effective practices based on examples from school sites. All cultures promote specific norms of behavior that can influence the assessment and intervention process with members of ethnically diverse groups, cultural issues related to the assessment process and culturally sensitive recommendations. Last but not least, technological aspects impact on assessment of language in schools. Each technology is likely to play a different role in students learning. Rather than trying to describe the impact of all technologies as if they were the same, researchers need to think about what kind of technologies are being used in the classroom and for what purposes, applied linguists might consider technology in language assessment by discussing ways in which streamlines the testing process. Two general distinctions can be made. Students can learn from computers-where technology used essentially as tutors and serves to increase students basic skills and knowledge; and can learn with computers-where technology is used a tool that can be applied to a variety of goals in the learning process and can serve as a resource to help develop higher order thinking, creativity and research skills (Reeves, 1998; Ringstaff Kelley, 2002). In fact, much progress can be identified with respect to this worth while goal, as many language tests today are delivered on microcomputers and over the internet. An equally important strand of language assessment concerns its effects on language learning, language teaching, and knowledge within the field of applied linguistics. The story of technology in language assessment needs to encompass both the efficiency of technical accomplishments, which is evident in part through the success of testing programs in constructing technology-based tests, as well as the effects of these test. Technology can encompass a board range of devices used in the testing process, from recording equipment, statistical programs, and data bases, to programs capable of language recognition (Burstein, Frase, Ginther, and Grant, 1996). Many different types of technology can be used to support and improve learning, involving the language assessment. Everything from video content and digital moviemaking to laptop computing and handheld technologies have been used in classroom s, and new uses of technology such as podcasting are constantly emerging(Marshall, 2002). For example, writing assessment is a suitable point which can support this belief that the students can become better writers when they use the computer for writing. By creating more frequent opportunities for students to learn, Students writing in digital form makes it possible to analyze writing quality in more detail, grade the writing by automated means, and provide immediate feedback to both the student and the teacher about how well the student performed (Miller, 2009), quoted from Bejar (2010). A digital writing environment also can provide students with tools or scaffolds (Deane, Quinlan, Kostin, in press) that can facilitate writing. The feasibility of detailed writing analysis also makes it possible to study the development of writing skills and to chart their development on a meaningful scale (Attali Powers, 2008). Many years ago, access to technology was limited and writing school was one of the nations highest education priorities. Public schools have also made consistent progress in expanding Internet access in instructional rooms. Technology is introduced into our nations school systems. Along with expanded access has come a growing pervasiveness of technology in society. For the new generation of young people, technology, particularly the Internet, has assumed a substan tial stake in their social and educational lives. To sum up, English as a world language, in the past few decades a significant change about the language, researchers have found that these changes not only from English language itself, but also from other factors. This chapter has attempted to outline the issues that need to be considered and, by implication, the issues for which policy makers should take responsibility. The questions of what type of assessment is necessary for the intended purpose, and what it can be expected to measure should be considered first. For the successful use of a language test for migration and citizenship purposes, those who define the policy must work with the test providers on several aspects after the decision to use a test has been made. During these changes will impact on language -related changes in language teaching and assessment. Assessment is the practice of collecting evidence of student learning. In the past, the English test or assessment still to the native English speakers of the languag e for criteria, which language closed to the native English speakers is a good standard of evaluation results, and vice versa is not up to the standard learning objectives. Language testing and evaluation is changed now, set the highest standards and evaluate the assessment of the highest standards from the distance and differences, and then view the object of study and progress through the content analysis. Language assessment also based on the different factors is change, and position of the language assessment is more important in the world, therefore, linguists, educators, and testing evaluators should pay more attention on the advantages and limitations of the language assessment, and to grasp these changes then take effective measures.

ROMANS 9:6-13 Essay -- essays research papers fc

THEOLOGICAL CENTRE FOR ASIA ROMANS 9:6-13 AN EXEGETICAL PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR CHUL WOO LEE IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF BNT524 CONTEMPORARY HERMENEUTICS CONTENTS INTRODUCTION  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1 OVERVIEW OF ROMANS 9-11  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1 TRANSLATION OF ROMANS 9:6-13  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  3 INNER TEXTURE  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  4 Repetitive Texture and Pattern  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  4 Opening-Middle-Closing Texture and Pattern  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  6 INTERTEXTURE  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  7 Oral-Scribal Intertexture  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  7 Social Intertexture  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  11 FOCUS: TRUE ISRAEL AND ELECTION  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  12 CONCLUSION  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  15 BIBLIOGRAPHY  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  17 INTRODUCTION This exegetical paper will be dealing on Rom 9:6-13. In order to understand this passage, an overview of chapters 9 to 11 will be considered as it forms part of Paul’s discussion (although it is possible take into consideration the entire epistle, it is not necessary to discuss beyond the context). Next, a proposed translation of the text is done highlighting the variants that exists in the passage. Then, a socio-rhetorical analysis using inner texture and intertexture will be used to draw out a clearer understanding of the passage. Finally, with the help of the analysis, the meaning of true Israel and the understanding of sovereign election will be discussed. This understanding of this focus is fundamental in correcting, if any, the misinterpretation of God’s promises by the Jews and believers at Rome, and as well as for us today. OVERVIEW OF ROMANS 9-11 Romans chapter 8 ends in a most glorious and victorious statement. Paul says that he is convinced that nothing is able to separate him and the believers from the love of God (Rom 8:38-39). However, he begins in chapter 9 with great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart (9:2). It would seem strange to see a sudden shift in Paul’s attitude in the beginning of chapter 9. The relation of chapters 9 to 11 to their context – as well as, of course, their purpose – has been the subject of a great deal of scholarly discussion. At first glance, the discontinuity of this portion of the epistl... ...ion of Christian Origins. New York: Crossroad, 1994. Fitzmyer, Joseph A. Romans. The Anchor Bible, 33. New York: Doubleday, 1993. Hadas, Moses. The Third and Fourth Books of Maccabees. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1953. Hamilton, Victor P. The Book of Genesis: Chapters 18-50. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995. Hill, Andrew E. Malachi. The Anchor Bible, 25D. New York: Doubleday, 1998. Moo, Douglas J. The Epistle to the Romans. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996. Morris, Leon. The Epistle to the Romans. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988. Piper, John. The Justification of God: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Romans 9:1-23. 2d ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1993. Robbins, Vernon. Exploring the Texture of Texts. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press, 1996. Wenham, Gordon J. Genesis 16-50. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word Books, 1994. Witherington, Ben, III. Paul’s Letter to the Romans: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004. . Paul’s Narrative Thought World: The Tapestry of Tragedy and Triumph. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1994.

The Influence of John Locke Essay -- Empiricists, Empiricism

John Locke was someone more than just an ordinary man. He was the son of a country attorney and born on August 29, 1632. He grew up during the civil war and later entered the Church of Christ, Oxford, where he remained as a student and teacher for many years. (Rivitch 23) With a wide variety of political and religious views, he expressed most of his personnel views on education and social and political philosophies. Once he noted the five lasting pleasures throughout his career were health, good news, knowledge, doing good, and eternal paradise. Many of his views both political and religious were found to be famous throughout history in many countries. Locke was one of the first people that thought religion and state should be separated. (Jenkins 123) Locke considered the formation of government from man’s own nature, whether or not government is formed because man is a social animal or if government is formed to preserve society. According to Locke, man must not think that all government in the world is the product only of force and violence, and that men live together by no other rules but that of beasts. Locke also felt that to understand political power right, and derive it from its origin. We must also consider what state all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature. Locke later published anonymously his Two Treaties of Government, and the essay Concerning Human Understanding. These writings were immediately successful and they both exerted a vast of influence. Between the both of these works, they made the dominant view of English thought through the greater part of the eighteenth century. J. Mathis 3 (Jenkins 56) John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government (1690) was a well-known and respected document. In the paper, he attacked the theory of diving right of kings and the nature of the state as conceived by the English philosopher and political theorist Thomas Hobbes. He did not believe that a king should become king because â€Å"God told him to be†, but rather, because he was qualified for the position, and also because the people felt he should be there. Locke argued that sovereignty did not reside in t... ...d be no connection between the state and the church, and neither could make laws concerning the other. John Locke’s influence of our forefathers has been profound and, with his application of experimental analysis to ethics, politics, and religion, he remains one of the most important and controversial philosophers of all time. His ideas and writings lived way beyond his time, and have proven to be the reason the colonies broke away from there mother country and learned to expect certain rights from their government.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Maybe if it wasn't for John Locke our government might not exist for his influential thinking. John Locke was and still is a very important part of our history. J. Mathis 5 Biography   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Squadrito, Kathleen John Locke, Twayne Publishers  © 1979   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jenkins, John Understanding Locke, Edinburgh, Edinburgh   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  University Press  © 1983   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Eisenach, Eldon Two Worlds of Liberalism, Chicago, The   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  University of Chicago Press  © 1981   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Rivitch, Daine and Thernstorm, Abigail the Democracy reader,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  New York, Harpercollins publishers  © 1992 pg 31-39   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 97 ,  © 1993-1996

Looking Through the Eyes of the Faultless Painter Essay -- Adrea del Sa

Andrea del Sarto's title in Browning's eyes should be considered â€Å"the faultless painter†. For del Sarto, capturing something beautiful is worth almost anything. But del Sarto finds himself trapped between two identities: That of a husband to his wife, and that of an artist to his patrons. Andrea del Sarto recognizes that his work as a painter often distances him from his wife, but he also recognizes that his love for his wife has reduced his capability to paint subjects as they are. Of course, del Sarto himself is presenting only his side of the story, that of a man who is trying to support his wife with his work; it would be interesting to see Lucrezia's side of the tale. What is fascinating is that del Sarto's world view and explanation of his life, the narrative of his existence, seems to be totally sincerely held, yet it is also in many ways deeply contradictory: Resentful and loving, taking responsibility and passing on responsibility. In this sense, del Sarto's mono log is clearly a sincerely held view of the world, but is precisely the kind of view that a real person holds: Filled with inaccuracies and competing self-images. One of the crucial clues to the meaning of the poem is the superlative that Andrea del Sarto has earned: â€Å"Faultless Painter†. Del Sarto has interpreted this vision of himself to mean that he has managed to be technically perfect but emotionally limited, yet that superlative doesn't seem to just point to a flawless technician. Del Sarto has apparently achieved notoriety in his life, yet he is still unsatisfied with his work. In del Sarto's worldview, his wife has made it so that he is only technically proficient, not emotionally proficient. But it is quite clear that del Sarto is actually deeply emotiona... ... loving husband, and a strong man. Unfortunately, his real world is not perfect, so he finds that he is only a faultless but not exceptional painter, a husband who is married to a woman who spends his money, and a man who is unable to stand up to his wife. It is unquestionable that del Sarto honestly believes all of these things. The fact that his beliefs are based on mutually contradictory components does not change the fact that this is clearly the statement of a man's worldview. Browning gives us the image of a man walking through his own self-image, and invites the reader to share in the uncertainty about del Sarto. Without ever hearing from others, such as his peers, his patrons, and his wife, it is impossible to know the truth; the only thing we can know is what del Sarto thought and what his worldview was, and that is enough to understand the man and his art.

Brrokstone’s business Essay

Brookstone is a nationwide specialty retailer that sells a variety of consumer products with distinctive function, excellent quality and design, which are not available in other retailers. The company develops strong positioning as a specialty retailer selling the â€Å"hard-to-find tools† in Popular Mechanics Magazine in 1965. The main concerns of Brookstone is to provide customers with the quality of products and quality of services, which served by the quality of people. The company first catalog is printed in black-and-white in the 24 pages that present the detailed and no-nonsense information regarding the product features, materials, measurements, capabilities, and any other useful information to guide customers in buying the suitable products for them (Brookstone, 2009). The successful catalog-type company has encouraged Brookstone to open their first retail store in Peterborough, New Hampshire. Right now, the company is headquartered in Merrimack, New Hampshire, which backed up by vast distribution center and customer service department that handle mail and telephone orders that located in Mexico, Missouri (Brookstone, 2009). The company also has over 305 retail stores within the United States and Puerto Rico. Mostly, the retail stores are located in leading shopping malls, the nation’s busiest airport, and lifestyle center. In order to cope with the demands, the company, on average, opens 10 to 15 new stores each year (Brookstone, 2009). As a catalog company, Brookstone employ a multifaceted Direct-Marketing approach by using two catalogs and Internet operation (www. brookstone. com) to help boosting the orders. The two catalogs are Brookstone catalog and the Hard-to-Find Tools catalog. The Brookstone catalog presents the branded products that available at stores and merchandise from key vendors of Brookstone. Meanwhile, the Hard to Find Tools catalog features customers with high-quality and unique solutions for the home. In addition, the corporate website (www. brookstone. com) acts as the combine catalogs that features all offering that placed in the two printed catalogs. Figure 1 shows the current offering in the corporate website. Figure 1 Brookstone corporate website Source: www. brookstone. com 1. Market Attractiveness Assessment 1. 1. Environment Overview Qatar is actually the country who has the highest per-capita income in 2007. This however, was effect of its overwhelming petroleum resources. Its high level of income nevertheless, has been influencing other aspects of people’s lives also. In this chapter, I will display short elaboration on several aspects of Qatar’s environment. 1. 1. 1. Political Environment Qatar is a politically active nation. The country is home to many Islamic activist and pro-Islamic views. Country officials however, refused to the confirmed of any connections with terrorist groups. Nevertheless, the country maintained very good relationship with the US government. The country is home to the largest US airbase in Middle East, outside of Iraq and it also support a US Naval base. The country has a large magnitude of gas projects, converging with Exxon Mobil and Royal Dutch/Shell. These businesses significantly enhanced Qatar’s importance to the vital Western Political interests and also economic interests. Many have said that Qatar’s ‘balancing’ political and economic programs are actually quite difficult to understand. However, analysts have also understood that this willingness to court both sides aggressively has given the country such a high political and economic profile compared to other nations in the Middle East. Despite the bomb attack that happened in 2005, Qatar’s political atmosphere is actually conducive for business. It is revealed that there are no ruling families holding control of the political activities, even though conservative elements of the society are still unease with recent foreign policy changes which have brought thousands of foreigners into the country. We should hold in our understanding however, that Qatar is still a eforming country. One of the good signs of positive developments is that the ruler of the country has been actively encouraging education and open political debates as key elements of his reform strategy. The latest banking environment also reveals that the country in overall, enjoy stable political conditions.