Standardized Testing Essay - 2979 Words

Standardized Testing President Bush is promoting annual standardized testing for all students in grades three through eight in order to assess their academic achievements. This bill is currently being considered in Congress, and has garnered much support from individuals in the community. As of right now, fifteen states test students in those grades, and more than twenty have high school exit exams. Exit exams look only at the test score of a student, not at his or her academic achievements throughout High School, and in many cases, people are either over- or underrepresented by their test scores. This occurs partly because America does not currently have the capabilities of fairly scoring the increasing number of tests,†¦show more content†¦Instead of wasting our time and money on further development of and dependency on standardized tests, we need to research more effective alternatives. You would think that exit exams would be a good idea since they will test what the student has learned in high school, and how well they have retained that information. Many states do require a student to pass a certain test in order to receive a diploma. But, rather than prove how much students know, this can result in many capable students, who have finished all of their requirements, being denied their diplomas. If the Valedictorian does not pass the exit exam, are you going to bar him or her from graduating? After all, it is a fact that some people are better at taking tests than other people. Intelligent students who challenge themselves throughout their high school careers and have high grade point averages can do poorly on a test, while a student who has only taken basic level classes can score significantly higher. Is that a fair representation of what was achieved in high school? With tests being so important in determining the future of a student, you expect that there would be a plethora of testing companies. On the contrary, the number of major test making companies is limited to seven. (Haney, 11) With so few companies, will the content of the tests be varied enough to paint an accurate picture of the state of education? There will be someShow MoreRelatedStandardized Testing1272 Words   |  6 PagesSynthesis Essay on Standardized Testing Standardized testing in the United States started in the mid- 1800’s (Standardized Tests - ProCon.org). This kind of testing was originally created to measure students’ performance and progress in school (Standardized Tests - ProCon.org). In recent years, the public school system has relied heavily on the information this test provides, in doing so creating controversy. Other than being a student myself, and participating in multiple standardized exams such asRead MoreStandardized Testing : Standardized Tests1186 Words   |  5 Pages Standardized Testing Impact Standardized testing is known to improve students’ education, but is it really needed in school? Standardized testing determines whether a student is prepared for the next grade based on their test scores. While some students do great on their test others struggle a lot. Not all students are good test takers; majority of the students do good in school but struggle when it comes down to testing. While many agree that standardized testing helps improve studentsRead MoreStandardized Testing And Standardized Tests1204 Words   |  5 Pagessomething we have all nearly fallen asleep to over our years of standardized tests. I myself can be included with you in that experience and I hope to give you a little more information on these all too familiar tests this afternoon. Today we are going to look at the origins of standardized testing, the purpose of standardized testing, and standardized tests around the world. But first, I want to ask you another question: what is standardized t esting? Is it A) something that has been used for some time inRead MoreStandardized Tests : Standardized Testing963 Words   |  4 PagesOct 2015 Standardized Testing in Florida In recent years Florida’s standardized testing program has taken a turn for the worst. After doing away with the FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test) the debate has only grown due to flood of new tests being created such as the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) or End of Course Exam (EOC). These tests are administered to test students’ abilities at the end of the school year. In spring of 2015, with only two months of testing between the EOC’sRead MoreStandardized Testing Should Be Standardized Tests1329 Words   |  6 PagesPretty much everybody in this generation has taken a standardized test in some level of schooling. A standardized test is defined as a â€Å"test that requires all test takers to answer the same questions, or a selection of questions from a common bank of questions, in the same way, and that is scored in a standard or consistent manner, which makes it possible to compare the relative performance of individual students or groups o f students† (â€Å"Standardized Test Definition†). There is lots of debate aroundRead More Standardized Testing Essay836 Words   |  4 PagesStandardized Testing Scholar Bill Ayers believes standardized testing in schools does not accurately measure what is necessary to be successful in life. Ayers insists that Standardized tests such as the American College Test (ACT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) measure specific facts and function which are among the least interesting and slightest important information that children should know. In an article titled â€Å"Testing the Right Way for Talent†, written by Hugh Price, arguesRead MoreThe Use of Standardized Testing1088 Words   |  4 Pagesthe use of standardized testing has spanned centuries, some of the earlier studies include data from the early 1900’s. According to Frazier (2009), â€Å"there is a significant difference in scores on standardized tests when students have completed a technology education program†. This study shows a correlation between the use of technology within the school system and achievement on standardized tests. Students that are ex posed to technology education are more likely to do well on standardized tests. Read MoreThe Limitations Of Standardized Testing Essay705 Words   |  3 PagesThe limitations of â€Å"standardized testing† as a rigid and narrow criterion for gauging the educational capabilities of students in public education. The criterion for standardized testing relies on narrow areas of knowledge that define a hierarchical imposition of â€Å"intelligence† testing that forces the student to perform ion a constrained academic environment. This type of testing has become a mechanized tool to reject the individual needs of the student in a linear testing methodology. The importanceRead MoreEssay on Standardized Testing1458 Words   |  6 PagesThe No Child Left Behind Act and Standardized Testing: State, National, and International American Education has been a work in progress for the past century and a half. To measure its progress, successes, and failings, there are standardized tests. These tests have been used to compare schools, states, and nations. 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The Work Cognitive Science And The Concept Of Belief, For...

This paper will explore one of the three problems raised by Stich, in Chapter 7 of his work Cognitive Science and the Concept of Belief, for Fodor’s account of propositional attitudes. It will begin with a brief explanation of Fodor’s theory of folk psychology and his ideas of propositional attitudes, and will continue with an in depth analysis of Stich’s critique of Fodor’s representational theory of mind, specifically Stich’s discussion of the problems posed by ideological similarity and the consequences said problems have on the strength and validity of Fodor’s theory. Finally, it will conclude with my response, on the behalf of Fodor, to the problem formerly stated. To begin, it is necessary to outline the main concepts of Fodor’s Representational Theory of Mind, as a grasp of Fodor’s essential arguments is crucial before we can analyze Stich’s reply. First and foremost, Fodor is a folk psychologist who categorizes mental states such as belief or desire as something called propositional attitudes. To elaborate, a propositional attitude is an internal mental state that an individual holds towards a proposition (the individual may have various propositional attitudes towards a single proposition, for example: I believe that the rabbit is fluffy. I hope that the rabbit is fluffy. There is one proposition, but two propositional attitudes: belief and hope.) These propositional attitudes can be thought of as the carriers of folk psychology, in that they allow for people to

Model of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy - Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Model of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. Answer: Introduction Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) describes a sequela of streptococcal infection-characteristically after two to three weeks following group A streptococcal pharyngitis which takes place most frequently among children and has cardiac, rheumatologic, and neurologic manifestations. The ARF incident has dropped in advanced economies, and several physicians have little or no practical experience with diagnosis alongside management of ARF. This paper seeks to demonstrate the pathophysiology alongside main clinical presentations of ARF by taking into account a particular case of Sue (case study 3), 14-year-old native girl, who was diagnosed with ARF. Later, the paper would further focus on the nurse role in the provision of suitable care to adolescents and members of their families taking into account the current nursing practices. ARF is manifested by nonsuppurative inflammatory lessons of heart, joints, central nervous system and subcutaneous tissue. The literature has demonstrated that, at least in advanced economies, rheumatic fever proceeds pharyngeal infection with rheumatogenic group A streptococci (Webb, Grant Harnden, 2015). The rheumatic fever development risk following a streptococci pharyngitis episode is estimated at 0.3 to 3 percent. Some studies have also associated rheumatic fevers amongst the aboriginal population of Australia to streptococcal skin infections (Burke Chang, 2014). The tissue injury occurring in rheumatic fever is accounted for by the molecular mimicry. Both cellular and humoral host defense of a genetically vulnerable host remain engaged. The immune responses of the patient, in this process for both T- and B-cell mediated cannot distinguish between such microbes that invade and some host tissues. T helper1 alongside cytokine Th17 seem to be central mediators of rheumatic heart disease. The resulting inflammation might persist past acute infection and generates the rheumatic fever or protean manifestation (Gewitz et al., 2015). The initial step is a pharyngeal infection by Streptococcus pyogenes, proceeded by antigens presentation to the immune B and T cell. The production of particular chronic and acute stage antibodies (IgM and IgG) results from the CD4+ cells activation by lymphocytes. Such antibodies alongside activated T cells react with structurally identical peptides or proteins in tissues of the heart that is known as the cross-section. Consequently, the heart will be inflamed. The joints will then develop swelling alongside pain because of accumulation of immune complexes that antigen-antibody merger have formed. The skin and chorea rashes or the nodules are the additional manifestations of such immune activation, in basal ganglia alongside skin in that order. The M protein and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosamine antigens will mimic one another alongside the myosin in cardiac muscle. Such molecules have an identical antigenic structure with myosin which is the human muscle protein. Antibodies are formed hence reacting with human heart valve tissue. The CD4+ cells will stick to as well as burrow into endothelium of the valve due to VCAM-1 molecules overexpression thereby activating the cellular immune response within the valve. The inflammation of the valve tissue thus follows with new blood vessels growth. The T cells availability thus ensues due to the surged supply of blood resulting from such vessels. Several antigenic attraction spots will occur on the valve, on such proteins as tropomyosin and vimentin thereby making T-cell attack stretch to further areas. The Aschoff bodies or granulomas the form underneath endocardial heart layer. Calcification further takes place a share of such information and is connected the osteopontin levels. Additional inflammation markers like CRP alongside oxidation protein products that are raised in a patient with RHDs blood. Nurses play an important role in symptom management to alleviate the complication of the illness. To accomplish this, nurses must comprehend the illness pathophysiology as well as have patients development stage, age as well as other associated variables of the patients which would assist them in offering patient-focused or individualized care (Dunkel Harbke, 2017). The physical maturity alongside the overall development of children is distinguished from those of adolescents which influence the process of healing, metabolism of medication as well as pathophysiologic processes. As indicated in the case study 3, Sue is a 14-year old girl and hence, falls in the adolescent bracket, in which the social, physical, cognitive as well as personality development range from childhood (He et al., 2016). Some developmental indications entail surge in height and weight and so on. Girls attend their puberty between thirteen and sixteen of age as well as the level alongside the activity of the pituitary-released hormones surge (Maier Kommer, 2016). However, such alterations, as well as hormonal changes in the adolescents, influence their behavior and accomplishment, whereas they are increasingly busy developing their corresponding personal identity. This calls for tremendous psychological, as well as social support and nurses, play an imperative role in this respect by making sure that the privacy of the patients are guaranteed as they provide healthcare and respect their ethical identities. Growth and Development Theories The theories of development and growth might be useful for this given case study. The theory advanced by Erickson relating to the psychosocial development alongside Piaget's theory remains relevant. As indicated in the Piagets theory, the adolescents thought process in the course of the formal operational stage might be regarded systematic progressively, mature, abstract, logical as well as reflective (Bjorklund Causey, 2017). This demonstrates that adolescents might take own life decisions, and hence they require involvement in their care plan. Therefore, the adolescent is regarded as an essential age bracket whereby they become mature both cognitively and physically. According to Erickson theory of psychological development, the adolescents give primary attention to their formation of identity, self-identity search and hence leading to the independence sense from their corresponding parents, and occasionally surges dependence on their peers (Malone et al., 2016). This might hardly be life-threatening when adolescents are swayed away by their relevant peers. A typical example in this setting might be peer pressure to consume alcohol, smoking, and substance abuse which affect the adolescents health to a higher degree. It is a fact that nearly seventy percent of young adolescents affected with this illness are further massive smokers. Therefore, it might be stated that Sue needs to be educated by the care practitioner or professional that might teach her how the illness is affecting her health as well as urging her to stop the predisposition factors (Darling-Fisher Leidy, 2015). It has been mentioned in the previous studies that educating the adolescent patient on a given disease promote their better understanding that continued assistance improve their QoL. Family-Centered Care Family-centered care is further imperative when caring for adolescent patients. This both family members and parents are primary and immediate contact points for adolescents that them to pose better understanding and knowledge regarding their children and adolescent. This kind of approach stays effective because it encompasses building a partnership among the family members, care professionals as well as children (Greene, 2017). Openness communication with parents regarding the care concerns of their children outlines the importance of rapport and trust building. The family-centered cares fundamental factors regard family as both culturally responsive as well as stable assistance and support (Hill, Knafl Santacroce, 2017). Based on Sues case, it might be highlighted that she and her family need to get proper care and must be accorded the best opportunity to access essential healthcare resources. This is because of an insufficient report on values, lifestyle and customs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander alongside their impact on healthcare practices Davidson, 2017 (). It has been highlighted that health care providers that look after the natives in Australia must remain culturally sensitive, empathic, recognize native family structure, land, community, family and health history. Thus, family-centered care remains a central portion of multidisciplinary team whereby health associated and additional concerns which affect QoL are solved successfully (Festini, 2014). Hospitalization negatively and positively influences the family and children. Hospitalization promotes patient care and makes patients understand why it is imperative to seek medical advice. On the flip side, hospitalization/admission might surge stress on the patient, insufficient support of which might affect the QoL of adolescents and their corresponding members of the family. Occasionally, it is observed that members of the family become anxious because of the context which results in hospitalization (Franck et al., 2015). Thus, getting engaged in adolescent care alongside being increasingly informed allow parents to lower their stress levels. Conversely, the absence of stress among parents might affect the health of their children. The role of family members could be changed when parents are distributing their respective work responsibilities as well as equally taking care of their other kids, negligence of which might affect the remaining siblings health (Knight, 2017). Thus, it is significant that healthcare providers encourage and support the access of parents to healthcare resources to meet similar demands and needs. Adolescents together with their parents might be ushered in members of the same age and suffering from single health concerns, whereby they can share and discuss their concerns and experience (Demetriou, Shayer Efklides, 2016). It might also assist them to comprehend progression of illness, efficient coping strategies alongside healthy-lifestyle selections/choices. This gives better health outcomes. The adolescents and members of the family will be referred to other suitable health professionals that guarantee better healthcare provision. For example, a healthy diet could be prepared by nutritionist create proper diet chart for the illness affected adolescents thereby boosting their immunity power as well as save them from the sudden loss of weight through cell rejuvenation (Rmond et al., 2015). The considerate aerobic exercises might assist Sue to remain active as well direct their energies towards daily living tasks rather than getting deprived daily, as a result of a long-run disease. Whereas people live with such enduring illness, it is the responsibility of healthcare providers to teach them practical coping mechanisms so that they can survive for the balance of their corresponding lives while still uncompromising QoL. Conclusion It can be mentioned that ARF is a chronic disease which affects both wellbeing and health of the infected person. The healthcare providers must remain supportive and assist such patients to easily access sufficient care linked to resources so that they can meet their healthcare needs effectively. The healthcare providers must give culturally competent care as well as maintain quality healthcare system. They must make adolescent together with their respective members of family fathom the significance of family-focused care which might assist them to maintain wellbeing and health through their separate lives. References Bjorklund, D. F., Causey, K. B. (2017).Children's thinking: Cognitive development and individual differences. SAGE Publications. Burke, R. J., Chang, C. (2014). Diagnostic criteria of acute rheumatic fever.Autoimmunity reviews,13(4-5), 503-507. Darling-Fisher, C., Leidy, N. (2015). The Modified Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventory. Davidson, J. E. (2017). Family-Centered Care.AACN advanced critical care,28(2), 136. Demetriou, A., Shayer, M., Efklides, A. (Eds.). (2016).Neo-Piagetian theories of cognitive development: Implications and applications for education. Routledge. Dunkel, C. S., Harbke, C. (2017). A review of measures of Eriksons stages of psychosocial development: Evidence for a general factor.Journal of Adult Development,24(1), 58-76. Festini, F. (2014, December). Family-centered care. InItalian journal of pediatrics(Vol. 40, No. 1, p. A33). BioMed Central. Franck, L. S., Wray, J., Gay, C., Dearmun, A. K., Lee, K., Cooper, B. A. (2015). Predictors of parent post-traumatic stress symptoms after child hospitalization on general pediatric wards: A prospective cohort study.International Journal of Nursing Studies,52(1), 10-21. Gewitz, M. H., Baltimore, R. S., Tani, L. Y., Sable, C. A., Shulman, S. T., Carapetis, J., ... Mayosi, B. M. (2015). Revision of the Jones Criteria for the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever in the era of Doppler echocardiography: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association.Circulation,131(20), 1806-1818. Greene, R. R. (2017). Eriksonian theory: A developmental approach to ego mastery. InHuman behavior theory and social work practice(pp. 91-118). Routledge. He, V. Y., Condon, J. R., Ralph, A. P., Zhao, Y., Roberts, K., de Dassel, J. L., ... Carapetis, J. R. (2016). Long Term Outcomes from Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Data-Linkage and Survival Analysis Approach.Circulation, CIRCULATIONAHA-115. Hill, C., Knafl, K. A., Santacroce, S. J. (2017). Family-Centered Care From the Perspective of Parents of Children Cared for in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: An Integrative Review.Journal of pediatric nursing. Knight, Z. G. (2017). A proposed model of psychodynamic psychotherapy linked to Erik Erikson's eight stages of psychosocial development.Clinical psychology psychotherapy,24(5), 1047-1058. Maier, A., Kommer, V. (2016). Acute rheumatic fever.Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946),141(6), 418-420. Malone, J. C., Liu, S. R., Vaillant, G. E., Rentz, D. M., Waldinger, R. J. (2016). Midlife Eriksonian psychosocial development: Setting the stage for late-life cognitive and emotional health.Developmental psychology,52(3), 496. Rmond, M., Atkinson, D., White, A., Brown, A., Carapetis, J., Remenyi, B., ... Maguire, G. (2015). Are minor echocardiographic changes associated with an increased risk of acute rheumatic fever or progression to rheumatic heart disease?.International journal of cardiology,198, 117-122. Webb, R. H., Grant, C., Harnden, A. (2015). Acute rheumatic fever.bmj,351, h3443.

The Once And Future King - Arthurs Failure Essays - Merlin

The Once and Future King - Arthur's Failure The Once and Future King - Arthur's Failure "He was only a man who had meant well, who had been spurred along the course of thinking by an eccentric necromancer with a weakness for humanity. Justice had been his last attempt-to do nothing which was not just. But it had ended in failure" (White, OAFK 634). The"he" in this passage refers to King Arthur, the main character in T.H. White's The Once and Future King and Book of Merlyn, who failed in his attempt to unite England due to the mistakes made by him and those close to him. Arthur, betrayed by those close to him, not properly educated on the greedy, selfish, and violent heart of man, failed in his attempt to create a stable, progressive, and peaceful society. To begin with, those close to Arthur made mistakes that would lead to his eventual downfall. Merlyn's forgetfulness kept him from informing Arthur of his mother's name. "...but suddenly he remembered it in his sleep-the simplest thing! It was Arthur's mother's name which he had forgotten to mention in the confusion!" (White, OAFK 310). If Arthur had known the identity of his mother he would not have slept with his own sister, "...but it seems, in tragedy, that innocence is not enough" (White, OAFK 312). This account with his sister created Mordred, who, taught by his mother that revenge had to be taken, would be his father's killer. Others close to Arthur betrayed him as well. Gwenever's selfishness and jealousy as well as Lancelot's "evil steak" played an important role in the King's downfall. They chose to sleep with each other behind the King's back, knowing that the discovery of their affair would destroy his life's work. If Gwen and Lance could have just come to the realization that they could not sleep each other and still be loyal to their King, this tragedy would not have taken place. Perhaps Lance put it best when he said "...your friend can hardly be your friend if he is also going to be your betrayer" (White, OAFK 336). Arthur did not receive a proper education on the greedy, selfish, and violent heart of man. As the young Wart growing up in the Forest Sauvage, Arthur "...had been taught by an aged benevolence, wagging a white beard. He had been taught by Merlyn to believe that man was perfectible: that he was on the whole more decent that beastly; that good was worth trying: that there was no such thing as original sin. He had been forged as a weapon for the aid of man, on the assumption that men were good.....the whole structure depended on the first premise; that man was decent" (White OAFK 628). Because Arthur possessed such a wise and loving tutor who showed him the good and decent side of human nature, he himself grew up "...kind, simple, and upright" (White OAFK 387) Merlyn taught him through the use of animals that were much more peaceful and serene than humans could ever hope to be. Because Arthur possessed such a kind and moral heart, he could not find it in his heart to hate his best friend, his wife, or anyone for betraying him, and his forgiving nature and naivete eventually led to his downfall. If Merlyn had only showed him that all men possessed a streak of evil in them, Arthur would not have been so quick to assume that all men were good "...for if there was such a thing as original sin, if man was on the whole a villain, if the bible was right in saying that the hearts of men were deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, then the purpose of his life had been a vain one" (White OAFK 629). In the end, Arthur lost his battle with might and failed to create a stable, peaceful, and progressive society. This was due to several factors including the mistakes made by those close to him, his naivete and forgiving nature, and the evil and/or ignorance that lurks in the hearts of men. If he could have just known that none were as lucky as he had been, concerning the lessons he had been taught as a boy. "He, unfortunately for himself, had been beautifully brought up. His teacher had educated him as the child is educated in the womb...and, like the child in the womb, he had been protected with love meanwhile. The effect of such an education was that he had grown without any of the useful

Padre Pio Essays - Capuchins, Padre Pio, Stigmatics, Stigmata

Padre Pio Essays - Capuchins, Padre Pio, Stigmatics, Stigmata Padre Pio Born in 1887, Padre Pio is not yet canonized. Francesco, named in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, was one of eight children of Grazio and Maria Forgione. Francesco was very devout even as a child, and at an early age felt drawn to the priesthood. He became a Capuchin novice at the age of sixteen and received the ?habit? in 1902. Francesco was ordained to the priesthood in 1910 after seven years of study and became known as Padre Pio. On September 20, 1918, Padre Pio was kneeling in front of a large crucifix when he received the visible marks of the crucifixion. The doctor who examined Padre Pio could not find any natural cause for the wounds. Padre Pio describes what happened in a letter that he wrote to his spiritual advisor, Padre Benedetto. ?On the mourning of the 20th of last month, in the choir, after I celebrated Mass, I yielded to a drowsiness similar to sweet sleep. All the internal and external senses and even the very faculties of my soul were immersed in indescribable stillness. Absolute silence surrounded and invaded me. I was suddenly filled with great peace and abandonment witch effected everything else and caused a lull of turmoil. All this happened in a flash. While this was taking place, I saw before me a mysterious person similar to the one I had seen on the evening of August the 5th. The only difference was that his hands and feet and side were dripping blood. The sight terrified me and what I felt at that moment is indescribable. I thought I should have died if the Lord had not intervened and strengthened my heart which was about to burst out of my chest. The vision disappeared and I became aware that my hands, feet and side were dripping blood.? He then goes on about the pain he experienced for the next week. These wounds never healed or festered and were still bleeding at the time of his death in 1968, fifty years later. The wounds of the stigmata were not the only mystical phenomenon experienced by Padre Pio. The blood from the stigmata had an odor described by many as similar to that of perfume or flowers. Padre Pio had the ability to read the hearts of the penitents who flocked to him for confession which he heard for ten or twelve hours per day. Padre Pio used the confessional to bring both sinners and devout souls closer to God; he would know just the right word of counsel or encouragement that was needed. Even before his death, people spoke to Padre Pio about his possible canonization. On Friday, September 20, 1968, fifty years after the stigmata, he celebrated Mass as he usually did at 5:00 A.M. He was extremely weak and was helped to the altar in a wheelchair. He celebrated the Mass while seated, with the permission of his spiritual son, Pope Paul VI. An unusual thing began to happen. Prayer groups and thousands of his Spiritual Children began to arrive in San Giovanni Rotondo on top of Monte Gargano in southern Italy. There had been no arrangement made by the Capuchins, no organized gathering had been planned, yet his "children" as he called them gathered as if for some special occasion. Despite his weakness he heard confessions until his superior ordered him to rest. On Saturday, he was so weak he had to spend the day in bed. The crowds gathered in Our Lady of Grace Church to pray for Padre Pio's recovery. ?God healed him before; surely he would heal him again,? people thought On Sunday, the 22nd, he celebrated his 5:00 A.M. morning Mass for all his prayer groups. Again he was wheeled into the church and celebrated Mass while seated. His voice was weak. It was apparent that he had little strength. In fact, at the end of the Mass he almost collapsed. He was helped from the altar by his brother Friars, and as he was wheeled into the chapel. Some of his ?children? realized he had just celebrated his last Mass. On that day, the crypt which had been made for Padre Pio was blessed by the

What Teachers Should Never Say or Do

What Teachers Should Never Say or Do Teachers are not perfect. We make mistakes and occasionally we exercise poor judgment.  In the end, we are human.  There are times that we are simply overwhelmed. There are times we lose focus. There are times we cannot remember why we choose to stay committed to this profession.  These things are human nature. We will err from time to time. We are not always at the top of our game. With that said, there are several things that teachers should never say or do.  These things are detrimental to our mission, they undermine our authority, and they create barriers that should not exist. As teachers, our words and our actions are powerful.  We have the power to transform, but we also have the power to tear apart.  Our words should always be chosen carefully. Our actions must be professional at all times. Teachers have an awesome responsibility that should never be taken lightly. Saying or doing these ten things will have a negative impact on your ability to teach. 5 Things Teachers Should Never Say â€Å"I don’t care if my students like me.† As a teacher, you had better care whether or not your students like you. Teaching is often more about relationships than it is about teaching itself. If your students do not like you or trust you, you will not be able to maximize the time you have with them.  Teaching is about giving and taking. Failing to understand will lead to failure as a teacher. When students genuinely like a teacher, the teachers job as a whole becomes much simpler, and they are able to accomplish more. Establishing a good rapport with your students ultimately leads to greater success. â€Å"You will never be able to do that.† Teachers should always encourage students, not discourage them. No teachers should crush any student’s dreams.  As educators, we should not be in the business of predicting futures, but of opening doors to the future.  When we tell our students they can’t do something, we place a limiting threshold on what they may try to become. Teachers are great influencers. We want to show students a pathway to achieving success, rather than telling them they will never get there, even when the odds are against them. â€Å"You are just lazy.† When students are repeatedly told that they are lazy, it becomes ingrained in them, and pretty soon it becomes a part of who they are. Many students get mislabeled as â€Å"lazy† when there is often a deeper underlying reason that they are not putting in much effort. Instead, teachers should get to know the student and determine the root cause of the issue. Once this is identified, teachers can help a student by providing them with the tools to overcome the issue. â€Å"That’s a stupid question!† Teachers should always be willing to answer a student’s questions about a lesson or content they are learning in class. Students must always feel comfortable and encouraged to ask questions. When a teacher refuses to answer a student’s question, they are discouraging the entire class to withhold questions. Questions are important because they can extend learning and provide teachers with direct feedback allowing them to assess whether or not students understand the material. â€Å"I’ve already gone over that. You should have been listening.† No two students are the same. They all process things differently.  Our job as teachers  is to make sure that every student understands the content. Some students may require more explanation or instruction than others.  New concepts can be especially difficult for students to grasp and may need to be retaught or revisited for several days.  There is a good chance that multiple students need further explanation even if only one is speaking up. 5 Things Teachers Should Never Do Teachers should never put themselves in a compromising situation with a student. It seems that we see more in the news about inappropriate teacher-student relationships than we do about all other news related to education.  It is frustrating, startling, and sad.  Most teachers never think this can happen to them, but opportunities present themselves more than most people think.  There is always a starting point that could have been stopped immediately or prevented completely. It often starts with an inappropriate comment or text message.  Teachers must proactively ensure that they never allow that starting point to occur because it is difficult to stop once a certain line is crossed. Teachers should never have a discussion about another teacher with a parent, student, or another teacher. We all run our classrooms differently than the other teachers in our building. Teaching differently does not necessarily translate to doing it better.  We are not always going to agree with the other teachers in our building, but we should always respect them. We should never discuss how they run their classroom with another parent or student. Instead, we should encourage them to approach that teacher or the building principal if they have any concerns.  Furthermore, we should never discuss other teachers with other faculty members. This will create division and discord and make it more difficult to work, teach, and learn.   Teachers should never put a student down, yell at them, or call them out in front of their peers. We expect our students to respect us, but respect is a two-way street.  As such, we must respect our students at all times.  Even when they are testing our patience, we should remain calm, cool, and collected.  When a teacher puts a student down, yells at them, or calls them out in front of their peers, they undermine their own authority with every other student in the class. These types of actions occur when a teacher loses control, and teachers must always maintain control of their classroom. Teachers should never ignore the opportunity to listen to parent concerns. Teachers should always welcome any parent who wants to have a conference with them so long as the parent is not irate.  Parents have a right to discuss concerns with their child’s teachers.  Some teachers misinterpret parent concerns as an all-out attack on themselves.  Truthfully, most parents are simply seeking information so that they can hear both sides of the story and rectify the situation.  Teachers would be best served to proactively reach out to parents as soon as a problem begins to develop. Teachers should never become complacent. Complacency will ruin a teacher’s career. We should always strive to improve and become better teachers. We should experiment with our teaching strategies and change them up a little every year. There are multiple factors that warrant some changes each year including new trends, personal growth, and the students themselves. Teachers must challenge themselves with ongoing research, professional development, and by having regular conversations with other educators.

Quantitative Analysis of Hospitality Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Quantitative Analysis of Hospitality - Article Example An additional purpose is to attract new donors in order to receive more financial support from outside. Another purpose of an annual report is to provide information to the public about the trends in a given Company. Diversification is a strategy for a successful Company. Marriot is diverse in terms of business activities it ventures in and in terms of regional exploration. Therefore, Marriott has diversified in order to gain financially from the business activities that they are venturing in. The roles of Chairman of the Board and the President of Marriott The role of J.W. Marriott Jr., as the executive chairperson and the chairperson of the board of Marriott is to oversee all the activities of the Marriott Company by establishing the broad policies and objectives of Marriott. It is also his role to appoint the Chief Executive officer of Marriott. Marriott Jr. also plays the role of approving the annual reports of the Company. Second in the rank of Marriott is the President and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr. Ann M. Sorenson, is to give advises to the board of directors in the organization, Mr. Sorenson also motivates the organization’s employees as well as driving for critical changes in Marriott Company. The purpose of performance highlights The purpose of the performance highlight in an organization is to compare the performance of two or more given years, for example, the financial status of a Company in the year 2012 and 2013.The major outcome of the Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR), for the Marriott Hotels experienced a great increase all hotels around the World. There was an increase despite the global financial meltdown that was experienced among the world’s major economies from the year 2008. The increase was greater in America because the economy of the continent grew stronger, and because the growth in modest industry supply. Performance of Marriott in different regions From the figures given in this annual report, t he Americas are still far way ahead of other regions where the Marriott hotels have ventured. It has the number highest number of brands, open rooms and it has also ventured in many other countries more than any other region. Compared to other regions, the Americas is also doing better in terms of social responsibility activities that Company is doing to its society. However, the greater potential lies in the European region where the business of hospitality seems to be growing so fast. This is because as indicated in this annual report, the Marriott Hotels ventured in Europe three years ago, and the number of brands, rooms opened and the countries it has ventured is high. The Company is only in its third year since venturing in Europe, and it is already meeting the five-year goal target that had been set. The Middle East and Africa region is lagging behind because it has been over thirty years since the first Marriott Hotel was built in the region, yet, it has only 7 brands and 41 open properties. This compared to Europe is below average. The political instability and poor economy in this region are the major factors contributing to this slow growth rate of Marriott hotel in the Middle East and Africa regions. The potential risks and uncertainties to the Marriott brand. One of the major risks that the Marriott Hotels are exposed to is the financials loss due to the global financial recession that affected the globe in the year 2008.

Buddhism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 3

Buddhism - Essay Example More specifically, Buddhism has played an important role for spreading harmony within the society. There are several forms of Buddhism that has played an important role for the development of the society. Mahayana Buddhism as well as Theravada Buddhism is considered to be two principle branches of Buddhists’ belief (Rahula, 1996). The objective of the study is to provide a brief overview regarding the two types of Buddhist principle that include Mahayana Buddhism as well as Theravada Buddhism. The study will also focus upon the diversified attributes of both the principles. Buddhism is a religious believe developed by the Great Saint named Goutam Buddha. He was the prince of Sakya tribe, which belongs to Nepal. The key principle of Buddhism is to spread harmony and love around the world. The principle intention of Buddhism is to describe people about the purpose of their life. Moreover, Buddhism also provides information regarding the apparent injustice as well as inequality that are happening all around the world. In this regard, Buddhism provides a code of conduct or code of practice that will lead towards the actual happiness of life (Rahula, 1996). Mahayana as well as Theravada Buddhism is the two major principles of Buddhism based on which people following the religion are able to lead their life in a different way. It is also stated that both the principles are having different understanding along with different expressions towards life. In addition, the principles are identified to be having different meanings on the basis of purpose and meaning. Mahayana Buddhism is having the meaning of ‘The Great Vehicle’ and on the other hand, Theravada Buddhism expresses the principle of ‘The Teaching of the Elders’ (Jingpeng, 2012). The concept of Mahayana Buddhism originated in India. Subsequently, it spread throughout Korea, Japan, China, Central Asia, Vietnam, Tibet as well as Taiwan.

The Tunnel Rats Essay Example for Free

The Tunnel Rats Essay INTRODUCTION   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It was in January 1966 when one of the biggest intelligence coups of the war that time took place. While the soldiers or the â€Å"diggers† were doing a sweep of the â€Å"Iron Triangle† that was an area near Saigon they discovered a vast complex of tunnels.[1] This location was heavily guarded with armed protection and was restricted by the Viet Cong (VC). What they were about to find out was 60 feet into the ground of that perimeter would be the Viet Cong headquarters. [2]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When they arrived in Vietnam as part of the 1st Battalion of the 28th Infantry, 3rd Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division in January 7, 1966, they were called the â€Å"Big Red One† and were sent to engage in operation â€Å"Crimp.†[3] The mission was to search and destroy sweep the Viet Cong stationed in the Northwest of Saigon. Even as they were just landing, they could see from the air how there were groups of their men in trouble with small fire fights that made them quickly exit their helicopters to engage in battle and destroy the VC that had been attacking the soldiers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When they went inside the tree line that led to the locations were they saw some of the fights, they saw a large trench filled with nothing and no one. They did not know where the VCs went. Those they saw that were firing at the other soldiers just disappeared into thin air. They were gone, all of them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The battalion moved forward to see large catches of rice and estimated the amount they saw were enough to feed a Regiment.   Even after a few days later, they saw foxholes, trenches and caves but there were no VC enemies to fight with. However, it was evident the United States casualties were still increasing because of sustained enemy sniper fire that basically came out of nowhere.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It was already January 10th and they merely had a few glimpse of this enemy. Later that day, a radio report came out that elements from another brigade had made contact with the VC and found the same thing tunnels. VIETNAM WARFARE STATEGIES   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Later they would discover that the VC’s strategy was to strike unexpectedly and then slip away into the tunnels to avoid retaliation. Their strategy was concealment and was effective with their hit and run tactics.[4] Tunneling was the essential element in the VC strategy. It was the greatest element in the VC stationed in the area of Cu Chi, located north the South Vietnamese capital, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   They used the tunnels for many functions. They attack American installations that were conveniently built right above them.[5] They took refuge in the tunnels when they felt threatened with annihilation. They used the tunnels to escape from threatened villages. The also used them to store war materials and to operate facilities like an underground hospital. The Americans never really discovered the full extent of the Viet Cong tunnel systems, but they gradually tried their best to develop tactics to counter attack the VCs and to use the complexities of the tunnels to their advantage.[6]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The tunnels are now made into something like a Disney amusement park wherein tourists can take an hour bus ride from Ho Chi Minh to experience going into them. These tunnels used to be well hidden from American soldiers and reporters of the war but now it has brought tourism to the country. But along with the sights and the interesting experience, the war tactics and weapons the Viet Cong used were placed on display that serves as a reminded of their polished warfare strategies.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Man traps made to kill were part of the display. When American soldiers would try to slip into the tunnels, Punjisticks or spears of bamboo with razor sharpness and covered with excrement or poison were the first things that greeted them.[7] The sticks pierced the legs and the torsos of the Americans. More brutal strategies were used as bear traps were also placed in the tunnel openings to amputate the feet of the soldiers as they go inside the tunnel. Like this was not enough protection, booby traps were also hung from the trees near the opening that would result to beheaded soldiers or amputated limbs.[8]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The VC did not even bury some of their casualties. The United States forces often buried their dead enemy to keep track of the extent of the casualties for the enemy. Tactical conditions from the Viet Congs would result to dead VCs lying around the tunnels for the tunnel rats to discover. In some cases, they would even pull the bodies of dead American soldiers in the tunnels for the soldiers to encounter. This was a strategy they used to unnerve and demoralize the U.S. troops that would come into the tunnels.[9] TUNNELS OF CU CHI   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Located just seventy-five kilometers northwest from the country’s capital Ho Chi Minh were the tunnels of Cu Chi. This district of Cu Chi was a major Viet Cong infiltration route that served as a trail towards the Ho Chi Minh.[10]   Situated above the ground of this perimeter was the station of the United States 25th Infantry Division.[11] Below them was the home of the 7th Viet Cong Regiment and other allied units. It was like sleeping with the enemy, only with them they were sleeping above the enemy, literally.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The tunnels were reported to be 250 kilometers long and most of the tunnels were located in Cu Chi. There were three levels to the VC tunnels. [12] In the first level, the opening was three meters deep. As one goes deeper into the tunnel, it would widen and be about six meters deep. The third level of the tunnels was eight meters below the ground. An Underground Battle Station   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the tunnels, it was like a whole word underground. There were kitchens, there was a hospital, and the officers’ quarters were there as well as a meeting room.[13] During that time the tunnels were almost inaccessible. It was hidden in a jungle-like area. During the war it was ravaged by a skin-burning chemical Agent Orange that was part of the American counterattack. Some tunnels were also too narrow for an overweight Westerner.[14]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The tunnel system included different sizes of chambers, rest areas, weapons and ammunitions storage, kitchens, workshops, barracks room as well as rooms that housed the communication equipments.[15]   The kitchens was designed so well the smoke that could signal the Americans of their location were dispersed and dissipated into numerous pipes that would mislead anyone who would see it.[16]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The tunnels of Cu Chi were the venue where the Viet Cong fighters and the American Tunnel Rats, as they call those brave enough to penetrate the tunnels, would go into hand-to-hand combat inside dark and dangerous subterranean and complex tunnels. These tunnels were where they fought to death using knives and pistols.[17] The Little IRT   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The tunnels of Cu Chi were known as the Little IRT. They were similar to the railway system in America with an interconnecting tunnel system that was in the northern section of Hau Nghia Province and in the southwester section of Binh Duong Province. The tunnels complexity connected hamlets, villages and provinces in the area. Originally it was dug up to be used to support the Viet Minh guerilla war against the French.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The American soldiers dubbed the tunnels the â€Å"little IRT† because of how similar it was to the New York City Subway. The complex tunnel system allowed for different levels in different locations that were interconnected by a series of â€Å"trap doors, channels, shafts, wells and communication tunnels.†[18] There connections from the tunnels to bunkers that was almost bombproof as well as to ground level bunkers. Tunnel Explorer, Locator Communicator System   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The TELACS was an experimental communications device system that the tunnel rats or the American soldiers used when they explored the enemy tunnel systems. It was a system that was composed of an earphone and a throat microphone for communications with the troops in the surface.[19]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It was a flawed system because there was much voice distortion and there needed to be a large amount of wire that had to be dragged behind the explorer. It was a slow and inaccurate system. When it was tested in the year 1969, it was withdrawn.[20]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The tunnel system proved to a sophisticated military tactic from the Viet Cong that may have been underestimated by the American troops. The genius of their strategies overwhelmed U.S. Forces until it came to the point that they decided to clear the tunnels of the VC. TUNNEL CLEARING   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   After the time when Ben Suc, Vietnam was depopulated American troops went on to clear out the tunnels of Cu Chi, looking for Viet Cong fighters. The army made use of large tanks with bull dozer blades as well as medium built soldiers that were known to be â€Å"tunnel rats† that went to uncover the underground city.[21] In the clearing process they found stoves, furniture, clothes for men and women, and essentially thousands of pages of important war documents. This major headquarters that the American command found brought them to explore further into the tunnels.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, during that time, a senior officer that was in-charge of exploring the tunnel was killed by one of the bloody booby traps. The U.S. army saw the danger of the situation and retreated from exploring the tunnels. Instead, they pumped tear gas into the tunnels as well as set off explosives.[22] The Americans thought this was the top headquarters for the Viet Cong, they miss the headquarters of the NLF that was several miles north that place.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The U.S. used tons of artillery and bombs for every Viet Cong fighter. The Viet Cong manual even said that the U.S. had much superior weapons and strength compared to them on the battlefield. But they could not chase them as they always launched surprise attacks from their underground tunnels.[23]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The use of incendiary weapons that included the white phosphorous and the napalm was used vastly by the U.S. forces during this time. [24]This move has placed them in the center of condemnation.   Napalm was described to be a petroleum fuel that as very effective in the destruction of the enemies’ bunkers as well as the people inside them. White phosphorous was used to mark targets and to set fire to flammable ones. It has caused suffering that would tend to continue burning the skin long after the initial contact.[25] Used together with napalm would prove to be painfully lethal. The mortality rate from those who suffered from such weapons was high and there were deaths that arose from injuries where victims were too badly burnt to receive hospital treatment.[26] CS Gas was proficiently used in clearing the tunnel complexes that sifted the enemy soldiers as well as the large numbers of civilians who sought refuge in the tunnels.[27]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Some antiwar critics of the U.S. Forces in the Vietnam claimed that America conducted a war of genocide in Vietnam because of the civilian casualties. However this was denied because the U.S. military strategy did not amount to having an official policy of genocide nor was it the intention of the government and the armed forces to wipe out any significant part of the Vietnamese civilians. TUNNEL RATS   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   During the war trained special units were called tunnel rats. They were described to be â€Å"small, mean and crazy† as they actually went inside the tunnels and combated with Viet Congs they encountered while other units merely thrown explosives to clear the tunnels.[28] They were also known to be the â€Å"Tunnel Runners† by the 25th Infantry Division and â€Å"Ferrets† by the Australian Army. â€Å"Tunnel Rat† was their official accepted name.[29]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It was during this time that the U.S. Army realized that it was short-sighted to destroy the tunnels by the bulldozers and the bombings. There would be a massive loss of vital intelligence if the plans and documents of the Viet Cong would be destroyed through their first strategy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It was in 1965 when the 1st and 25th Infantry division organized specialized teams that had missions to search and explore the tunnels in the III Corp area.[30] The tunnel rats were not assigned; they were all volunteers and were armed only with a pistol or shotgun, a knife and a flashlight.[31] They infiltrated the tunnels with such minimal weapons where hundreds of VC might be hiding with their massive supply of weapons stored in the tunnels as well. Anyone who went into the tunnels was then dubbed as â€Å"Tunnel Exploration Personnels.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As the tunnel rats descended into the tunnels they experience walking into a pitch black and claustrophobic pathway wherein they were playing a deadly game of hide and seek with the enemy Viet Cong. The sensitive probing of the floor, sides and roofs of the tunnels soon became second nature to the tunnel rat as he inched his way deeper into the tunnel complexes.[32] They carefully watched out for wires and tree roots that was irregular and could pass for booby trap that could blow them up to pieces or cut their limbs into pieces.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The entrances of the tunnels alone are usually mined or protected by concealed guards ready to fire upon entry. Sometimes, the unsuspecting tunnel rat can met the garrote or someone would cut his throat as he came up and pass by connecting trapdoors[33].   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Aside from the VC booby traps were a whole breed of animals that resided in the dark confines of the tunnels.[34] There were bats that used the grounds during the daylight hours. Snakes were also encountered inside the tunnels. The Bamboo Viper and the Krait were the deadly snakes that can be found the VC tunnels. The Viet Cong would deliberately tether a snake in the tunnels to serve as a natural booby trap for the tunnel rats.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The stress the tunnel rats undergo every time they went into the tunnel was unthinkable that pushed their mental state to its limits. They would crawl into the narrow, pitch black tunnels looking for a heavily armed enemy for hours to combat with. The idea was to find the VC first before he jumped on them to kill them. Sometimes the strain on the men’s nerves was too much to bear to the point wherein he had to be dragged from the tunnel screaming and crying.[35] When this occurs, they are not allowed to go into the tunnel ever again. There were no dead tunnel rats that were to be left inside the tunnel. Dead or wounded they were dragged out with wires, rope or by a comrade only to be taken out of the VC territory.[36] Weapons and Warfare   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There was extensive use of the tunnel by the VC. The tunnel rats had to search and flush out the VC. Tunnel warfare then occurred between the VC and the U.S. Tunnel Rats.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The soldiers became used to tunnel welfare that they reveled in the opportunity to pursue a VC through the narrow passageways. It was not a work for someone with a faint heart as the danger of death was ever present underground were grenades would just pop through trapdoors and other forms of booby trap awaited.[37]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When a tunnel rat went in for tunnel warfare, the infantry basic load was kept to a minimal. His total lack of equipment to carry was a factor for the tunnel rat’s survival.[38] The pistols the tunnel rats carried where the .38 Smith and Wesson. Sometimes they would carry a 9mm German Luger.[39] Most of the tunnel rats agreed not to carry the Colt .45. It was too big of a weapon for the underground battle with a silencer. Without a silencer, it was too loud that the enemies from far away could know your location instantly while you are temporarily deafened by the shot. In tunnel warfare, the tunnel rats follow the golden rule that prohibits firing more than three shots underground without reloading.[40] If this does not happen, the VC could know that the tunnel rat is out of ammunition and could attack while they reload.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The tunnel rats carried a standard Army issue flashlight and each member carried one. They practiced how they would carry the flashlight to prevent themselves from being lighted targets. They also practiced how to change batteries in pitch darkness by touch alone and how it can be done quickly.[41] CONCLUSION   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The tunnel rats were remembered to be one of the bravest in the American-Vietnam war. They did a job that not many wanted to do. In fact, not many dared to volunteer for this position. But they stepped up and made it a duty to their country.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It was not an easy job considering the highly sophisticated tunnel strategies that the Viet Cong implemented before the U.S. Army troops even discovered that they existed. They were in and out of a battle scene. They controlled the tempo of the battle because of their invisibility. Even when the tunnels were discovered, threats still turned on the American troops as it proved to be dangerous to explore the tunnels. Deadly booby traps such as land mines, sharp sticks and trapdoors overwhelmed the U.S. troops that may have underestimated the intelligence of the VC tactics. In the end much of the tunnels that were deeper into the complexes were remained uncovered and unexplored by the U.S. Army. This was a war rightfully won by the one who had the best strategies, the most ruthless approaches that surprised the nations of the world. BIBLIOGRAPHY Brown, Lousie. War and Aftermath in Vietnam. New York, Routledge, 1991. Clark, Gregory R. Words of the Vietnam War: The Slang, Jargon Abbreviations, Acronyms Nomenclature, Nicknames Pseudonyms, Slogans Specs, Euphemisms Double-Talk, Chants and Names and Places of the Era of United States Involvement in Vietnam. Jefferson, NC, McFarland, 1990. Mangolds, Tom. â€Å"Behind Enemy Lines a Nam Vet Returns; Tom Mangold Revisits the Terrifying Viet Cong Tunnels He Discovered as a Young War Reporter.And Finds Them Transformed into a Fascinating, Disney-Style Attraction†, The Mail on Sunday, 15 October 2006, 94. McGibbon, Ian. â€Å"The Tunnels of Cu Chi: A Remarkable Story of War in Vietnam†, New Zealand Internationa lReview, Vol. 31, No. 3 (2006): 29. Philbert, Robert E.   â€Å"Back to Nam†, Social Studies, Vol. 86, No. 1 (1995): 6. Schulzinger, Robert D. A Time for War: The United States and Vietnam, 1941-1975. New York Oxford University Press, 1997. â€Å"Tunnel Rats.† Digger History, (2002). Available from http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-conflicts-periods/vietnam/tunnel-rats.htm, accessed on October 3, 2007.

Othello :: essays research papers

(II, i, 176-178, p.71) IAGO (To himself) He takes her by the hand. Yes, very good, whisper to her! With This little web, I’ll catch a fly as big as Cassio. Yes, Smile at her, go ahead! I’ll catch you in your own flirtation. Character Intent: Iago is definitely speaking these lines for one clear reason. Iago wants to manipulate Cassio and get him close to Desdemona therefore Othello could see this occur and become angered. Iago knows that Cassio is a very flirtatious person and therefore, Iago’s evil deed might be a very easy task to accomplish. Iago uses the metaphor of the fly and the spider web to symbolize Cassio (fly) getting caught in the web (getting caught in Iago’s manipulation). Writer Intent: Shakespeare uses these lines in the dialogue to show Iago’s sarcasm about the situation occurring. Shakespeare also has Iago speak to himself in this part of the dialogue to show the insanity and sickness that Iago has built up inside, just aching to be released. Shakespeare also puts this dialogue into the story to show how courteous and respectful Cassio really is to Desdemona. And by seeing this, Shakespeare had the perfect opportunity to let Iago’s plans unfold. Behavior: The following lines should be said very dementedly by Iago. He should read the lines very slowly and creepy to show how passionate Iago is in wanting to achieve his goal of destroying Othello. (II, i, 197-201, p.73) OTHELLO If I were to die right now, I would die perfectly happy; for I’m afraid I am so splendidly content that I won’t have another joy like this one for the rest of my life. Character Intent: Othello spoke these lines in the dialogue to show the only thing he cares about. Othello shows that he cares about and loves Desdemona. He really puts his point across to everyone by saying that even if death struck him down at that very moment, he would die happy since he had the chance to see the love of his life, Desdemona. Othello makes it clear that even after his hellish fleet, the voyage would not be over until Othello saw his beautiful bride. Writer Intent: Shakespeare puts these lines in the story because they show a really strong meaning. This line reinforces everyone that Othello and Desdemona are in love with each other. Shakespeare shows the deep relationship between Othello and Desdemona to show how much they truly care and love each other.

Information technology Essay

1 How do information technologies contribute to the business success of the companies depicted in the case? Provide an example from each company explaining how the technology implemented led to improved performance. IT digunakan dalam hal Bussiness Intelegence. Dalam perusahaan eCourier, mereka mempergunakannya untuk membaca tentang kepuasan pelanggan. Bahkan sampai digunakan untuk semacam peramalan. Contoh, apabila suatu pelanggan biasa mengirimkan barang antara jam 9-10 pagi, apabila melebihi dari jam tersebut, maka akan perusahaan akan dikirimi peringatan. 2 In the case of law firm Bryan Cave discussed above, the use of BI technology to improve the availability, access, and presentation of existing information allowed them to provide tailored and innovative services to their customers. What other professions could benefit from a similar use of these technologies, and how? Develop two different possibilities. Tempat Jawaban 3 Cablecom developed a prediction model to better identify those customers at risk of switching to other company in the near future. In addition to those noted in the case, what other actions could be taken if that information were available? Give some examples of these. Would you consider letting some customers leave anyway? Why? Tempat Jawaban Real World Activities 1 Use the Internet to research the latest offerings in business intelligence technologies and their uses by companies. What differences can you find with those reviewed in the case? Prepare a report to summarize your findings and highlight new and innovative uses of these technologies. Tempat Jawaban 2 Why do some companies in a given industry, like eCourier above, adopt and deploy innovative technologies while others in the same line of business do not? Break into small groups with your classmates to discuss what characteristics of companies could influence their decision to innovate with the use of information technologies.

Graduate level

There are a number of distinctive HER policies and procedures which elevate DEW as a preferred employer by employees. DEW has several mentoring programs which support the development and training of new staff. The programs are an Important way to engage new hires into the DEW culture, and this could be their first professional job out of college (Trademarks Animation, n. D. ). In a 2010 interview, Trademarks Animation's Head of HER is Daniel Sweethearts stated, â€Å"In a rapidly growing environment, that can be difficult for a new person to grasp because it can all be overwhelming† (Burns & Sweethearts, 2010).The Animation film industry Is a complex business with a lot of â€Å"moving† parts. DEW flimflamming Is a timely and expensive undertaking which starts with someone's Idea and storyboards (Wolff, 2003). This production will involve many people who steer the process?from the in- house staff, freelance writers, technology, and their reference library of other work. The animated production process, creating storyboards, writing and revising scripts, drafting artwork, character creation, for a â€Å"full-length feature film can take approximately three to four years† (Trademarks Animation, 2011).This extensive recess also employs â€Å"small collaborative teams that are responsible for preparing storyline and ideas for the initial stages of development† (Trademarks Animation, 2011). During these intense early stages of a project new hires are placed in mentoring initiative program. Mentoring supports the overall project while also providing direction to the newest staff members. Thus, â€Å"ensuring that ideas follow the best creative path within a desired budget and schedule parameters† (Trademarks Animation, 2011).The first 90 days are In orientation, but afterwards new employees are trained on the DEW â€Å"proprietary software† and attend â€Å"welcome session hosted by CEO Jeffrey Guttenberg† (Henchman, 2 01 AAA). There are many different mentoring programs at DEW. These programs primarily focus on recruitment of mid-level talent, new college graduates, entry level professionals, and the highly specialized (Trademarks Animation, n. D. ). All of the DEW mentoring programs pair the new hire with an experienced staff member.The Henchman (AAA) article, discusses a recent graduate In the DEW mentoring program. The trainee Is a Visual Artist, named Each Glenn, and Is coming up on the end of his training (AAA). Henchman (AAA) continues describing, the Visual Artist's downtime allowed him to be able to help his mentor, who was having difficulties on a â€Å"snowball† scene (AAA). The mentor asked for suggestions, and the trainee had a chance to learn more about the scene while helping (Henchman, AAA).The trainee Each, explained, â€Å"I'd show him what I'd come up with, and he'd show me what he had been doing. So we Just kept that process up, and coming over to each other's desk and showing the progress we had until we merged these little effects into the snowball† (Henchman, AAA). Mentoring examples like this show how there is a great opportunity for learning from both the trainee and the mentor. This also levels the playing field and allows the trainee to feel they are a â€Å"peer† with equal status.There are mentoring programs that DEW uses to recruit entry level graduates and then pair them with the seasoned employees. One of the mentoring programs Is scouts potential new talent in â€Å"Art/illustration, Design, Character Animation, Computer Graphics, and Media Studies graduates from colleges and universities around the globe† (Trademarks Animation, n. D. ). In addition to the scouting, they also offer training programs and coaching for these entry level positions. DEW also offers in-house digital training and artistic development training programs available for all employees.There is another outreach mentoring program for entry level professionals and recent college graduates referred to as the â€Å"Challenges/ Initiatives† that select new hire to participate in one of four (4) different programs; The Story Initiative Program, Character FIX Initiative, FIX Challenge, and Character AD Challenge (Trademarks Animation, n. D. ). These four mentoring programs offer a broad range f topics and discussions on; how an animated film pipeline is organized, the principles of animation, interpreting character designs, and how to incorporate them into the animation process.Each of these training program initiatives supports the trainees learning in the specific areas chosen. The program's training objectives are implemented over the first 90 to 180 days, depending on the program. The mentor programs pair a trainee with a seasoned and specialized mentor. The trainee has to perform duties in a simulated training environment. The training environment is identical but separate from the real projects that the mentor is on. The mentor observes the trainees activity, and the decisions made. The environment is parallel where the trainee can experience the same challenges as the mentor.The trainee has to use their independent Judgment and their skills Just as they would have to if working on the actual project. This trainee environment provides these rich opportunities, which are â€Å"Critical to the success and learning new and potentially foreign concepts, but also the ability to work within a production team environment and seek advice from experts (Trademarks Animation, n. D. ). In addition, this is all appending in a training environment, so there is more flexibility and time to discuss situations where the trainee wants clarification.Additional concepts discussed include key ideas important to the deformation process, programming procedural controls, and techniques to successfully present ideas and results to both creative and technical audiences (Trademarks, 2014). Data's mentoring program seems to go beyond the entry-level and middle staff to the higher levels of the executive suite. Several DEW female executives served on a panel. The ladies' group was called the Bay Area Women in Film & Media, and the event was at Trademarks. All women panel of DEW executives discussed workplace culture and described how it was to work in a male dominated field.Each executive description of Data's culture was supportive, fun, rewarding, and better than other studios they had worked. There was one unidentified executive who was speaking about being a woman in DEW â€Å"Mans world† and she enjoyed working with the men, and it was special to work with Spielberg (Cited). Implications Trademarks Animation's Head of HER is Daniel Sweethearts, and his team performs mid-project reviews and boasts a 97% retention rate (Henchman, Bibb). After 90 says the employee is brought in for a meeting with HER to discuss â€Å"best practices,† experiences elsewhere† (Henchman, Bibb).This HER practice of meeting face to face after 90 days for their feedback, can help improve nonbinding, and also relays an important message to the employee. The new employee has a forum for two-way communications and a valued as a new member of the team. This communication forum is important as it is early in their DEW career and will likely set the tone. DEW provides resources for new staff to engage and to better get acclimated. There are also employee training programs to help increase employee knowledge base.For the technologists, they have established in-house digital training and artistic development training programs. In order to recruit and retain talented creative and technical personnel, they have established relationships with the top animation schools and industry trade organizations (Trademarks, n. D. ). Sweethearts, describes how the mentoring at DEW can forge a â€Å"tribal connection† between the new hire and the veteran, when it is done early in the menthe's em ployment (Henchman, Bibb). This employee investment at all staffing levels is a way for employers to demonstrate their support of the employees.Experts agree; companies must make their employees feel engaged and help them feel like they are performing meaningful work (Rickets, 2008). It seems employees are â€Å"sensitive† and will â€Å"react† positively or not positively according to the treatment they perceive their employer gives them. Corporate HER consulting expert explains, â€Å"If an organization does not make conscious efforts to not only onboard new team members, but also to create cultural moments that give them an experience?not Just the language?of the vision, then it is very difficult for them to feel bonded† (Elliot, 2013).It can be seen how Trademarks Animation integrates the experience of their seasoned mentors to train new staff. They also are able to recruit and retain employees, with their â€Å"established relationships with the top animat ion schools and industry trade groups† (Trademarks Animation Form ASK, 2011). From Straightness's discussion, part of the importance of mentoring the newest staff is to help them understand and learn Data's culture and also to coach them in handling projects. He also mentions, â€Å"many of these individuals will go on to be leaders within DEW while others may go on to be leaders in the Animation Industry' (Henchman, Bibb).Sweethearts says, â€Å"We hire so many experienced people that we get lots of interesting ideas from other companies,† and add, â€Å"we hire a good number of recent graduates, so we get fresh eyes†(Henchman, Bibb). The resources that DEW puts into training new hires and pairing them with senior level employee shows they want to invest in their staff. This type of investing in staff with mentoring programs, training programs, and two way communication can be plenty reasons they are a â€Å"great place to work,† and other companies can learn to invest in staff development an result in ordainment.Properly training staff will initially require more resources, manpower, and management coordination, but in the long run the company outperforms the competition. Research supports the idea that those companies that outperform their competition have also retained their most talented employees (Fuller, Gerhard & Scott, 2003). This further adds to the point that DEW is investing in their team with mentoring programs, training, and executive mentoring. This is a lesson worth learning for any CEO looking to increase the bottom line and provide Job

Financial Crises Essay

Financial Crises Essay Financial Crises Essay There have been many financial crises that have made significant damage to economies. Some of those crises still live on today as the consequences of some actions still are felt in many countries and economies. The three crises that will be examined will be the Dot-Com Bubble, the Great Recession in the United States and the Greek Crisis. A detailed analysis will be given of each crisis including a comparison of the different events. The first crisis to be examined will be the Dot-Com crisis. This crisis occurred from 1997 to 2000, with the effects of its aftermath being felt until 20021. The country that it affected was just the United States. This crisis was caused by the bubble growth of Dot-Com companies. Dot-Com companies were businesses that were experimenting in the wave of the internet world. During this period Dot-Com companies or companies that wanted to join this surge, would add an â€Å"e-â€Å"at the beginning of their business or a â€Å".com† to be a part of this movement1. This Dot-Com movement ended up having soaring stock prices for companies that joined this movement. Another cause was the free spending of these Dot-Com companies. Company’s believed that their survival was dependent on expanding its customer base slowly. In turn, companies disregarded annual losses that would soon hurt them significantly1. The resolution for this crisis was the stock market taking a substantial loss. A lot of these companies could not recover from this economic collapse so they had to file bankruptcy. A lot of these companies also were bought out. Although this crisis hurt the stock market, it was the businesses that suffered. No government intervention was needed luckily to solve this crisis. The second crisis was the Great Recession in the United States. Signs of the recession were evident in 2007, but the United States would not enter this recession until 20082. The United States is currently still recovering from this recession and will continue to recover for a while. The United States recession affected the United States the most. It has caused substantial economic impacts and losses. However, since the United States is such a powerful country, this crisis has affected many other countries around the world. To sum it up, any country that conducted business with the United States was affected by this crisis. There were many different causes for this crisis. The first was the Securization Food Chain of mortgages2. This means that financial conglomerates, investment banks and insurance firms were linked together in the trading of mortgage derivatives and other derivatives. With this monopoly of firms, loans were being sold and traded to make huge profits. This would i ncrease home prices tremendously. The second cause was that this monopoly of firms was letting people who could not afford homes, afford them. They would finance anyone with the implication that home prices would raise. They would also finance mortgages with adjustable interest rates which would cause homeowners not to be able to afford their homes in the long run. Another contributing cause was the offshoring of American jobs. Businesses were trying to save money by offshoring jobs which in the end contributed to a higher unemployment rate. The fourth contributing factor was the allotment of unemployment rate to control inflation. As the unemployment rate raised so did inflation causing economic failure. Lastly, mergers between large companies were allowed. These mergers reduced tax revenues for large companies and cut employment of employees thus contributing to unemployment as well2. All these causes produced the biggest economic collapse for the United States since the Great De pression. The resolution ended up with government intervention and regulation. This resulted in a bailout for all the companies affected by investing in the mortgage market. This bailout has helped push the United States economy to start recovering. However it is important to note that the

Set Theory and How It Is Used

Set Theory and How It Is Used Set theory is a fundamental concept throughout all of mathematics.  This branch of mathematics forms a foundation for other topics.   Intuitively a set is a collection of objects, which are called elements. Although this seems like a simple idea, it has some far-reaching consequences.   Elements The elements of a set can really be anything – numbers, states, cars, people or even other sets are all possibilities for elements. Just about anything that can be collected together may be used to form a set, though there are some things we need to be careful about. Equal Sets Elements of a set are either in a set or not in a set. We may describe a set by a defining property, or we may list the elements in the set. The order that they are listed is not important. So the sets {1, 2, 3} and {1, 3, 2} are equal sets, because they both contain the same elements. Two Special Sets Two sets deserve special mention. The first is the universal set, typically denoted U. This set is all of the elements that we may choose from. This set may be different from one setting to the next. For example, one universal set may be the set of real numbers whereas for another problem the universal set may be the whole numbers {0, 1, 2,...}.   The other set that requires some attention is called the empty set. The empty set is the unique set is the set with no elements. We can write this as { } and denote this set by the symbol ∅. Subsets and the Power Set A collection of some of the elements of a set A is called a subset of A. We say that A is a subset of B if and only if every element of A is also an element of B. If there are a finite number n of elements in a set, then there are a total of 2n subsets of A. This collection of all of the subsets of A is a set that is called the power set of A. Set Operations Just as we can perform operations such as addition - on two numbers to obtain a new number, set theory operations are used to form a set from two other sets. There are a number of operations, but nearly all are composed from the following three operations: Union – A union signifies a bringing together. The union of the sets A and B consists of the elements that are in either A or B.Intersection - An intersection is where two things meet. The intersection of the sets A and B consists of the elements that in both A and B.Complement - The complement of the set A consists of all of the elements in the universal set that are not elements of A. Venn Diagrams One tool that is helpful in depicting the relationship between different sets is called a Venn diagram.  A rectangle represents the universal set for our problem.  Each set is represented with a circle.  If the circles overlap with one another, then this illustrates the intersection of our two sets.   Applications of Set Theory Set theory is used throughout mathematics. It is used as a foundation for many subfields of mathematics. In the areas pertaining to statistics, it is particularly used in probability. Much of the concepts in probability are derived from the consequences of set theory. Indeed, one way to state the axioms of probability involves set theory.

Social Research Project Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Social Project - Research Proposal Example Data collection will involve the use of questionnaires and observations while analysis will entail the use of descriptive statistics such as calculation of mean and mode. The results will then be presented in form of graphs and tables. Table of Contents Abstract 2 Table of Contents 3 Social Research Project Proposal on Cultural Diversity of our Society and the Implications for Education 4 Problem Statement 4 Justification 5 Aim 5 Objectives 6 Hypothesis 6 Limitations 7 Literature Review 7 Research Design 8 Population and Sample 8 Methodology 8 Time Plan 9 Validity and Reliability 10 Data Presentation and Analysis 10 Recommendations 10 Conclusion 10 References 11 Social Research Project Proposal on Cultural Diversity of our Society and the Implications for Education Research on teacher preparation is a multifaceted, interactive, layered and ongoing mix of people, contexts, beliefs, ideas and activities. To make any learning institution more culturally responsive, institutions should c arry out reforms on school organization, community involvement and school policies and procedures. Not only should reforms occur institutionally but personally, as well. Some of the personal reform strategies that teachers can apply in becoming culturally responsive include engaging in reflective thinking and writing, and developing an appreciation for diversity among others. Historically, insignificant research has been carried out on the effective methods necessary to prepare teachers to relate to diverse learners in the classroom. The proposed project will investigate the strategies that can be applied in preparing teachers to work with immigrant children arriving in Arizona who have limited background. The research project will also demonstrate familiarity and understanding of the principal social, family and language characteristics of a culture that has contributed to American history. Problem Statement The Arizonan education system serves a linguistically and culturally diver se student population who enroll in the learning system with diverse dialects and varying degrees of English proficiency. Their learning, communication and behavioral tendencies are different owing to their diverse ethnic, regional and socioeconomic backgrounds. Unfortunately, most of the students fail to perform well because many teachers are inadequately prepared to offer culturally inclusive and appropriate education (Banks and Banks, 2004). These teachers are unable to provide discipline-based instructions to diverse student populations in the classroom. Additionally, most of them are unable to recognize individual and cultural differences as reflected in human relations, motivational incentives, communication skills and learning. They have minimal knowledge on how culture, ethnicity, gender, age, socioeconomic level, and religion can affect the educational environment of a student. Justification The increased diversity of the students enrolling in Arizonan schools has forced th e teacher training programs to start conceptualizing their programs towards diversity. The thrust towards performance uniformity in Arizonan schools has necessitated the establishment of a more substantive and comprehensive education system that enables teachers to address the many cultures represented in a classroom

Fundamentals of Leadership - BMW Case study Coursework

Fundamentals of Leadership - BMW Case study - Coursework Example The focus in this paper is on BMW as the most important competitor in the global automotive industry; the organization’s employees, for 2010, have been estimated to 95,453. The organization operates in about 34 countries. The success of the organization in the global market has been related to the leadership style of its leader, Joachim Milberg, who was appointed as the firm’s CEO in 1999. Milberg initiated the restructuring of organization’s operations promoting the alteration of organizational values and mission. The leadership style of Joachim Milberg is presented and evaluated in this paper; the trait leadership theory is used for explaining the success of Milberg as the leader of BMW. Other leadership theories, such as the Blake and Mouton’s Leadership Grid, the team leadership theory of Hill and the Skills approach of Katz have been employed for evaluating the characteristics and the effectiveness of leadership in BMW, as reflected in the continuous development of the organization in the global market. It is made clear that in BMW leadership has been used not just for developing effective organizational strategies but also for improving communication and cooperation across the organization; in other words, in BMW leadership has been a framework for supporting the transformation of the organization to a highly competitive one but also for enhancing the team working and the participation of employees in key organizational plans. 2.0 Leadership in BMW – Presentation and analysis 2.1 Evaluation of Joachim Milberg as a leader – leadership theory Joachim Milberg can be characterized as an exceptional leader. Since his appointment as the leader of Milberg, in 1999, Milberg managed to significantly improve the company’s performance, a target which was mainly achieved by emphasizing on the openness of the organization and the respect to the perceptions

Critically compare and contrast the accounting methods, structure and Essay

Critically compare and contrast the accounting methods, structure and regulation of Greece with the UK. Include a detailed and critical analysis of both current - Essay Example Effective control systems are usually situation specific and tailored to the management of each organisation. The exercise of managerial choice and the interdependence of accounting systems and the environment are acknowledged". (Rayburn and Rayburn (1991, p. 57) U.K. follows common law whereas Greece follows codified law falling under British Commonwealth and continental Europe respectively. "Greek law is based on codified Roman law with the judiciary divided into civil, criminal, and administrative courts. Judicial independence is guaranteed under the constitution" (Greece Profile) Many countries' accounting practices are influenced by their respective income taxation rules ignoring any other broader objectives. (Nobes 1983, Purcel & Scott 1986) In the case of Government bureauracrats setting the accounting standards, they are unequivocal in fixed formats. ".Bureaucracies are more likely to want certainty to make assessment of taxes, adherence to regulatory rules, etc., easier to specify and enforce" (Robinson, Chris, Venieris, george 1996) Greek accounting is guided by its Corporate Law 2190/1920, accounting standards stipulated by the Ministry of National Economy, the interpretations issued by the National Accounting Standards Board (ESYL) and the Greek General Chart of Accounts approved by Presidential Decree 1123/80. In UK, the Companies Act 1985 as amended for EU Directives.lays down the stipulation for accounting methods. As per the Act, there should be disclosures that accounts are as per the standards of the Accounting Standards Board and urgent issues task force. Cash flow reporting in Greece Cash flow reporting as per IAS 7 became mandatory in 2002 for Greek listed companies which should submit the Cash Flow Statement (CFS) to HCMC though not required to be published as in the case of balance sheet and income statement. A recent study found that while non-listed firms do not voluntarily report CFS, the listed firms also do not comply with the mandatory requirement and make the CFS publicly available." The results indicate that Greek companies have cash flow problems but not profitability problems. The publication of a CFS may reveal that many listed companies in Greece are not as robust as the balance sheet and the income statement potentially indicates. Thus, the main conclusion of the paper is that publication of the CFS in Greece should become mandatory. The HCMC has made significant attempts to enforce corporate governance principles for listed companies in Greece. These principles implicitly highlight the desire of the regulatory authorities that investors receive adequate and relevant information. Could it be, however, that investors get relevant information when they do not have the essential inputs required to value a company"(Kousenidis V, Negakis L, Floropoulos) This practice of providing information on sources and application of funds was

Globalisation And Poor Work And Flexible Labour Practices Economics Essay

Globalisation And Poor Work And Flexible Labour Practices Economics Essay Globalization is on every bodys lips; a fad word fast turning into a shibboleth, a magic incantation, a pass-key meant to unlock the gates to all present and future mysteries. For some globalization is what we are bound to do if we wish to be happy; for others globalization is the cause of our unhappiness. (Bauman, 1998) There are lots of mists attached to globalization which unveil the consequences to the human condition. It is difficult to measure the impact of globalization on the whole society so the focus of this essay will unveil if poor work practices and flexible labour practices are result of globalization or not. I will be talking about it in context to China, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and with the help of few case studies in relation to Europe. But it is important to emphasize the fact that globalization is not a new phenomenon; it existed earlier even in the form of exchange of goods across the nations. Globalization can be defined as the phenomenon to turn our world to a boun dary-less world. Giddens (1990:4) describe globalization as the intensification of world-wide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happening are shaped by events occurring many mile away and vice versa. (Debrah and Ian, 2002) An important aspect to look into while answering the question is whether globalization leading to unity/prosperity or it is taking us back to 18th century to the origin of sweatshop? Poor work can be defined with the example of sweatshop. Sweatshop is a work place and labour system in which labour faces long working hours, job insecurity, harsh working conditions, low wages, safety violation, inhumane treatment with employees and employees working in temporary illegal workplaces. All this come under the definition of poor work. Sweatshop is an extreme example of what economists call flexible specialized production. (www.answer.com) Flexible labour practice is a generic term for employment practices that is differentiated from the traditional norms in terms of the hours worked, length of contract, or the place of work. (www.bnet.com) Different type of flexibility are Functional Flexibility: skills Numerical Flexibility: amount Financial Flexibility: wage policies Temporal Flexibility: time Convergence to Poor work and Flexible Labour Practices Globalization leads to greater international competition, in order to compete, organisations need to be tuned into markets and need to be responsive to change. It is not only the globalization that affects the market so that it tends to change. Variety of opinions from various schools of thought exists over the rise in employment flexibility. The best examples could be the international oil crises of the 70s, rising unemployment rates in the 80s, the failure to use demand-side Keynesian politics to boom economic growth, the neo-liberal harsh strategies to cull unions, the re-surfacing of microeconomics models, the rise in female employment etc. (Standing, 1999 cited in Bernardi, 2001). Flexibility enabled producers to adjust supply to demand swiftly and reduced the risks involved in long-term investments. It also allowed them to expand to meet fresh demand and retract during downfalls. Producers tend avoid union rules and legal regulations and restrictions that fix wages, worker-benefits, and conditions by working in hidden shops and moving frequently. Sweated labor systems shift the social responsibility of production to society. They create a secondary labor market, through illegal immigrants because of globalization. In sweatshops young women and the undereducated people working in unskilled labour jobs. Somewhat same is happening in globalization: as many researchers blamed the exponential increase in the immigration on it. Poor work seems to be pretty prevalent in developing countries such as India, Bangladesh and china. In these nations the poor work seems to exist in multinationals and big manufacturers as well though there are laws which protect employees a nd international labour standards but outsourced factories hardly pay heeds to these standards. As in globalization it can be said the richer is becoming richer and the poorer is becoming poorer. The most famous example of use of child labour was in Nike factory production in China, which was exposed by the media to the world, which affected the brand image and affected the sales of the brand, because of using inhumane and child labour to produce the goods. After the Nike incident multinational companies have started to take measures in order to solve these issues. Now multinational companies are keeping a close eye on their outsourced production houses in developing countries. For example Apple has disclosed in its Supplier Responsibility 2009 Progress Report that some of its original equipment manufacturers in China were involved in bad labor practices. Apple said that of the 83 OEMs which make iPhones and iPods in China, 45 did not pay the workers for overtime and 23 paid their employees less than the local minimum salary standard. Apple stated that since 2007, Apple has been conducting inspections of the employee working conditions in its OEMs and is taking measures to im prove the work environment. (www.chinasourcingnews.com) this is where the role of international labour standard will help improve the working condition across the world. Various groups support the anti-sweatshop movement today. The National Labor Committee brought sweatshops into the mainstream media in the 1990s when it exposed the use of sweatshop and child labor to sue Kathie Lee Giffords Wal-Mart label. (www.chinasourcingnews.com) Vietnamese and Taiwanese managers are particularly known for their disciplinarian. (Chan A and Wang H.Z, 2004) The working conditions are harsh in all Taiwanese outsourced factories in different country. But it is noted from Chan and Wang 2004 study on Taiwanese management in China is harsher than it is in Vietnam. There are poor condition and more harsh disciplinary action taken when managing the Chinese employees. Globalization has lead to domestic migrant workers. By the end of 2006, there are 17 million migrants workers working in cities of which, 55% were in manufacturing, with an average monthly minimum wage of 500 Yuan ($70). (www.stats.gov.cn) the poor work exist in the form of long hours, safety/ health issues, child labour, physical punishment, delays in payments, giving poor living space for workers to live in and so on. (Chan, 2001) It is difficult to control the production process that is done in an outsourced factory in developing country. With the example of footwear industry in Europe, we can see how developed countries are trying to fight against deteriorating work and unemployment through flexibility. In Italy the footwear industry is outsourcing and subcontracting work in their local regions instead of overseas where the labour is cheaper. This is possible due to high unemployment in Europe. In EU unskilled labour seems to exist and paid low but not as low as in developing country. According to Paul Brenton et al (2006) a key feature of footwear industry in Italy has been increasing flexibility of production. And the reason of subcontracting to local region is the maintenance of stable and continuous linkages between shoe producers and subcontractors. According to Brenton et al (2006) unskilled labour, on the other hand, whose wages are generally low, often face considerable employment instability. In his study, he revealed that flexible production method help in the success of the foot wear industry in Italy. Brenton et al (2006) emphasis the fact that Italy alone in the whole EU was able to maintain domestic output and employment level in the footwear industry, otherwise there has been a shift of standard-labour intensive manufactured products from OECD countries to low-wage developing countries. Due to unemployment in the EU of the unskilled labour, footwear industry in Italy has benefitted because of it. As these unskilled workers willing to work for less due to unemployment, so globalization has a great impact not just on employment in developing countries but also on employment in developed countries in this case in EU. In order to eliminate these inhumane conditions, reformist movements focused on three pronged strategy: supporting labor unions, a very strict state sponsored check and balance system that better regulated the economy, and an informed consumer through national consumer movements. According to Blyton et al. globalization often poses serious threats to the local labor markets as deteriorating working conditions, the role of trade unions is minimized due to the impacts of the change in the global markets on local markets. It is often referred to the race to the bottom for employment conditions. (Debrah and Ian, 2002). This point can be explained by Heerge et als work on the response of the UK unions to the US inspired organizing model of trade unions, a response which has been patchy and limited to a few cash-rich unions which have adopted the membership campaign approach. British trade unions to overcome the obstacle to the adoption of the organizing model may have negative impact on membership growth and representational power in the battle to influence globalization and its impact on the employment experience of existing members. (Debrah and Ian, 2002) Castells (1996), he relation between globalisation and structural changes in the labour market is that the globalisation has made possible and encouraged an extensive restructuring of firms and organisations. In doing so, the globalisation process has also introduced a shift in the bargaining power between capital and labour, in favour of the first. With the rise in employment flexibility, i.e. the diffusion of fixed-term contracts, training contracts and semi-independent forms of employment, the impact of globalisation can be understood in two ways. (Debrah and Ian, 2002) The effect of globalisation on society can be summoned in two points: the increase in employment flexibility and increase in unskilled manufacturing employment. (Debrah and Ian, 2002). The employment flexibility has given rise to different type of flexible labour practices. Has lead to inequality, trade union oppositions and ethical considerations. Increase in unskilled employment has lead to the deteriorating work practices. There is still rise in the unskilled employment in developing countries, because labour is cheap and in country like Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and China need a source of income, in whatever way they can get. Why, then, do women workers endure these conditions with apparently little protest? And why those who claim to have the workers interests at heart resist the idea of using internationally enforced sanction to improve their labour standards? (Kabeer, 2004) The answers to these questions rest on the life of Bangladeshi women before taking the present jobs of working in garment industry in the era of globalization. In the study by Naila Kabeer (2004) on Bangladeshi women shows that they are satisfied with their work as it pays them well as compared to the previous standards. It is paying them wages on regular bases that boosts the self-confidence in them. It provides them the opportunity of socializing and gives them autonomy that wasnt existent previously. Along with all those it gives them some voice in decision making at home that was supposed to be the man domain previously. (Nazli Kibria 1995; Zohir and Paul-Majumder 1996; Sajeeda Amin, Ian Diamond, Ruchira T. Naved, and Margaret N ewby 1998; Margaret Newby 1998; Kabeer 2004; Paul-Majumder and Begum 2000; Dannecker 2002; Kabeer and Mahmud, forthcoming cited in Kabeer, 2004) In sweatshop the work was done in illegal places, but now in the era of globalization the inhumane conditions still precede but now they done in the outsourced factories of Multinational Corporation. Some practices seem to be similar to the practices and conditions of the sweatshop in the developing countries in this boundaryless world. In Kabeers (2004) article one quote that speaks thousand words illustrate the helpless situation of women in developing country and how their situation is helping the big giant multinational corporation to manipulate situation to their advantage. It has lead to inequality, as the powers of multinational garment industry around the world are misusing their power to minimize the cost to utmost. The below situation doesnt speak for just the Bangladeshi women but it speaks for the entire working women of developing countries. My name is Fatema Akhter. I am a garment workerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ As garment workers we live and work under difficult conditions but at least we are managing to earn a living. Now we have heard rumors that in the next two to four years, the garment industry may close down. What will happen to us? You perhaps all aware of the situation of women in Bangladesh- women have very few opportunities for employment. We are, however, slowly making some progress. Because of jobs in the garment industry, many Fatemas like me are able to work honorably. Garment is the only option for us. We beg you not to take away these jobs and our right to work with dignity. (Peoples Health Movement, 2002:41-2 cited in Kabeers, 2004) The increase in economic interdependence in capital and goods/services markets has enabled managers search for more flexibility in employment relationships to face international competition and adapt swiftly to tough markets (Treu 1992 cited in Bernardi, 2001). There seem to be a shift from manufacturing industry to more into services industry. Manufacturing / production industry is more on the flexible labour employment. However, that some form of flexible employment such as consultant contracts are also spreading into the service class. (Bernardi, 2001) Unemployment and the loss of jobs in developed countries are somewhat generally linked with globalization. The Reason is that multinational corporations are moving their factories to developing countries. Due to the increase change in technology has resulted in more job losses. Mostly in developing countries like Pakistan, Bangladeshi, China and India poor women are working. Flexible organizations today are experimenting with varying schedules of time called flexitime. (Sennett, 1998) Flexitime arose from a new influx of women into the world of work. Poor women have always worked in greater number than women of the bourgeoisie. (Sennett, 1998) In 1960, about 30 percent of American women were in the paid labour force and 70 percent were not; by 1990 nearly 60 percent were in paid labour force and only 40 percent were not. (Sennett, 1998) The women need more flexible working time so they can work part-time and be parent full-time. In France they have imposed collective reduction in working time to create more jobs to fight unemployment and at the same time helping creating a balance between work and family life for women who has families. (Fagnani and Letablier, 2004). They work in harsh working condition to earn wages for their family living. Common to almost all OECD countries Turkey being the only exception is that part-timers are mainly women. Womens share in part-time work is the largest in Luxembourg (88%), Belgium (87.4%), the United Kingdom (86%) and Austria (84.2%). (OECD, Employment Outlook 1997.) Flexible contracts help maintain balance between work and family life. A very good example is of female UK part-time workers, they reported higher levels job satisfaction than full-time counterpart. (Booth and Van Ours, 2008 cited in Green et.al 2008) Same case is reported between Australian female part-time counterparts, they reported high degree of job satisfaction as well, showing that globalization has facilitated the female working class with lots of financial as well as non-financial benefits. In Australia some workers are working over 60 hours per week which is the second highest among the developed countries. (ACTU, 2001 cited in Green et.al, 2008) According to Booth et.al (2002) found that flexible contract workers were generally paid less, received less training and were less satisfied. (Green et.al, 2008) On the other hand permanent employees are given training and compensation benefit along with job security. Conclusion It can be said that for some globalization has been the cause of happiness and for others it has been the cause of discomfort. In case of the study on Bangladeshi women working in garment industry were happy and satisfied with their regular income. Globalization has become cause of unhappiness for many individuals and families because it leads to unemployment. Unemployment has given rise to flexible employment. Mostly women seem to be employed in flexible labour contracts. Flexible employment leads to job dissatisfaction and contain some elements of poor work which are low wages, long working hours, less union control. Globalization has lead to change in labour market conditions which has given rise to the flexible employment. The other important thing to look back into is that the poor working condition has been raised by the affects of globalization and free market mechanism but it isnt the only sole reason for these inhumane condition; other factors such as economics, competition, labour market conditions, unemployment and the standard of work already in developing countries has an impact as well. But the question arises as how to improve these working conditions, especially in countries like China and Bangladesh where there are really poor working conditions. International labour laws standards need to be placed in developing countries but in a friendly way, the forced imposition of it wont help to improve the standards. The help of developed countries will be needed in order for these laws to be placed in an effective way. Word Count: 3,028