Cultural teachers Essay

Cultural teachers are about people who intently or otherwise came and left with time. It’s about meeting and embracing interesting and less interesting characters who weaved some of my life’s cultural values. It’s about friends who come and go in the passing of time and it’s them that shaped my individuality and identity. What ordinary people mostly see is not usually what my friends see in me. These people may see my exact opposite but it is only my friends who sees the real me. Before I met them, I had two sides of individuality- what I am and what I really am. But as my friends would say, there is nothing wrong with having two sides. What may be wrong is choosing a side and never show the other. The struggle of both sides was greatly handled by my friends. It was a long and difficult struggle but my friends helped me to end it in order for me to grow. Now that I have grown up, I realized that without the help of my friends, I would have not lived any cultural value up to now and I would have still remained a different person as before. As many would say, individuality has its own justification. If at some point one’s individuality is questioned or criticized or discriminated against, so long as one does not interfere with other people’s lives nor deprive them of their own happiness, one owes nobody an explanation for what he does and for who he is. But through the critics of my friends, I was able to come up with the real me. And I salute them for making me the person I deserved to be. This experience can be linked to Geert Hofstede’s Individualism wherein no matter how everyone stand out in their choice, in whatever means of comparison; still no one is different from everyone. Still you see the same differences with the person who may be sitting right next to you, getting his own share of life’s bittersweet moments. Inevitably, my enemies are my cultural teachers too. Yes, they are, in one way or another, but they don’t necessarily be specific persons but also things and situations that I perpetually consider as perpetual enemies such as cigarettes, junk foods, noisy places, heavy traffic, among others. They influenced us in all aspect of living. Somehow, my actions are being geared towards keeping away from these enemies. I see them as hindrances from my actions to achieve my goals. My thoughts are greatly influenced as well. Since I think of them as interruptions and intrusions, I tend to focus more on the things that will give me benefits instead. That is, showing my enemies that I am better off without them. Simply said, enemies challenge me to show off the best in me. Cultural values are also disrupted if you’ve got enemies. The enrichment and preservation of these values are corrupted. But I look at it as assessments on how to uphold the integrity of the values I believe in. My enemies trigger a more dispiriting affective experience. The more you’re affected, the more they pushed you down. That is why I make sure to find a way to boost my morale by stepping up to the test. The action and behavior towards my enemies are matched with one of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, the Uncertainty Avoidance. Although an enemy causes so much anxiety, there are still ways to reverse its impact. If I may say it, I spare myself from things that are highly distressing. In the same way I dispose all the negative results of having an enemy, and use it as a tool to avoid circumstances that could interrupt my living values and lifestyle. Lastly, my cultural values have been influenced mostly in school through my teachers. Acting mainly as my second parents, teachers are my sources of knowledge and advancement. I expected them educate me using morals and necessary subject matters for me to achieve a much-coveted diploma. They’re with me in reaching the zenith of my ambitions through sharing the knowledge that they had acquired from years of studying. They helped me make a stand and defend my conviction. The values that I got from them have also helped me cope with my day-to-day concerns and they have influenced me a lot for they know what’s right and wrong with things in life. Their language and conduct as well speak of a vast reservoir of knowledge and wisdom. As part of the youth, I tend to be very idealistic, sensitive and vulnerable, crying out all the injustices in this world with passion. I passed harsh judgments and lashed out at anyone easily who didn’t meet my expectations. But as teachers, they have changed the way I perceive things in life. They have made me believe that I should try to have more patience, so that I could somehow balance things with intelligence and logic. Subconsciously, they have inculcated in me their own beliefs and principles without them knowing it. Without these mentors, I know I wouldn’t be able to know anything at all. In short, I owe them almost everything, if not all, the things that I have learned in life. Considering that I have been with my teachers for long years, I would probably be relating this to the Long-Term Orientation of Hofstede in his Cultural Dimensions. Teachers have done so many things through the years that I was still with them in school. They have not just stepped in to the classroom and painstakingly teach what I, as a student doesn’t know academically but they have also left a legacy – a legacy that not all can grasp. Reference Geert Hofsted – ITIM (n. d. ). Cultural Dimensions. Retrieved September 18, 2008, from http://www. geert-hofstede. com/

The Subject Of General Science Education Essay

1. INTRODUCTION / BACKGROUND OF THE RESEARCH:The usage of computing machine Technology in the schoolroom offers the pupils an sole and utile acquisition pattern. Technology usage helps instructors by making abstract constructs more concrete for the pupils. These yearss, teen-agers are larning to utilize engineering at younger ages really quickly every twenty-four hours. The pupils from in-between degree schools are able to utilize the engineering if they are given devices. Sooner or subsequently, the usage of computing machine engineering in schools is going a popular tendency. It will be interesting to see pupils taking a practical field trip on the cyberspace or with the aid of simulation package on a standalone computing machine to anywhere in the universe. Research in the past decennary has shown that computing machine engineering is an effectual agencies for distributing educational chances, but the job is that most of the instructors do non cognize the usage of computing machines in our schools as there is no computing machine related particular station at in-between degree. Therefore, they are unable to incorporate computing machine engineering into their course of study. Drenoyianni and Selwood ( 1998 ) stated that incorporating computing machines in schoolrooms can travel patterns of rote-memorization, stiff course of study, and teacher-centered direction into a more student-centered environment where scholars are able to pull off their ain acquisition. Edgar Dale ( 1946 ) developed ‘Cone of Experience ‘ to depict ocular effects for larning terminals. Dale ‘s Cone theory of larning bases that people recall 10 % of the information they read, 20 % they hear, 30 % they see, 50 % they hear and see, 70 % they say and write or portion with others, and 90 % they teach to others. In our school system in KPK Pakistan, General Science every bit good as other topics are offered to pupils in a traditional manner which depends on the talk method, in which the instructor does all or most of the activities. In the last few old ages, many functionaries and determination shapers in the field of instruction have called for new methods of learning. Computer-based direction is considered among the advanced methods that can ease more communicating between instructors and pupils and therefore decidedly influence pupils ‘ acquisition. The people learn better from existent experiences than from theoretical stated symbols. The usage of computing machine engineering invariably forces us to reconsider what we do and why we do it. As pedagogues, our duty is to do acquisition easier for our pupils. In sing the teaching method of instruction and acquisition, it is of import that we use engineering to better the acquisition of our pupils. If the usage of computing machine based instructions does non better the instruction larning procedure so there is no demand to utilize it. As instructors we need to incorporate engineering into the course of study we teach so that sound educational acquisition rules remain organized. Harmonizing to Knode ( 2008 ) , the use of engineering in the schoolroom is an explosive new manner. The sum of media that has been exposed to pupils in the schoolroom is immense in recent old ages. We must make up one's mind whether this transmutation is overall traveling to assist or upset schools. In the long tally, will these new signifiers of assisting information reach the multitudes become more of a distraction? The usage of computing machines, films, telecasting, wirelesss, and e-learning tools can be a immense support in assisting kids to understand subjects that were really hard earlier. We can hold ourselves a aureate age of chance in instruction with accurate application of engineering and the right sum of focal point from the pupils. Technology integrating is the term used by pedagogues to depict effectual utilizations of engineering by instructors and pupils in schoolrooms. Technology integrating has a positive consequence on pupils ‘ motive, involvement and battle in larning. Many pedagogues believe that the new computing machine -based engineerings have much to offer instruction and that intermixing of engineering into school scenes will convey utile alterations. In this survey the nature of engineering, learning and acquisition will be analysed to place the possible application of computer-based Instruction manuals to classroom acquisition. Different types of applications use in learning tilting procedure will be identified and analysed with their benefits and restrictions. The survey will place and analyze different positions on how alteration should be approached and implemented. Christian ( n.k, p. 6-7 ) lists assorted engineerings that are being used or presently being used in the schoolroom ( from older 1s to more recent 1s ) : pencils, pens and paper ; chalks and blackboards ; dry-erase markers and ( inactive whiteboards ) ; books ( foremost on paper, so via e-book formats ) ; overhead transparences ; projectors ; exposure ; instructional wireless ; instructional telecasting ; educational movies ; educational Television ; media projectors ; synergistic whiteboards and presentation engineerings ; computing machines and computer-related engineerings ( such as laptops, workstations, waiters ; PowerPoint, web logs ; wikis, societal bookmarking ; podcasts, multimedia-based acquisition objects, multimedia-based presentations, simulations, Internet-based applications and systems, office productiveness package ) ; network-based engineerings systems involved with presenting web-based learning/distance learning/online acquisition ; on-line library databases ; elect ronic mail ; unrecorded chat/text messaging ; treatment boards ; web-based videoconferencing ; etc. Most of the above listed engineerings are beyond believing to be used in authorities schools of Pakistan at present, as the authorities was barely able to carry through the free books box this twelvemonth ( 2012 ) in KPK. Even in more advanced states, the above new engineerings are used seldom at in-between degree. Computer-based direction is fast going an built-in portion of instruction. Much of the current research has found that computer-based direction is every bit effectual as other. It is important that pupils enrolled in computer-based direction perform every bit good as compared to their lecture-based opposite numbers. The intent of this survey is to compare the effects of technology-enhanced direction and traditional direction in footings of pupil academic accomplishment and pupil attitude towards engineering. In making this comparing, It is hoped to derive an apprehension of how engineering is being used in direction. This survey has been concentrated on comparing two methods of direction technology-enhanced direction and traditional directionPurpose of the survey:Computer-based direction is going an indispensable portion of instruction really quickly. Much of the current researches have proved that computer-based direction is every bit effectual as other instructional methods. The pu pils in a schoolroom of computer-based direction perform significantly good as compared to their other opposite numbers. The intent of this survey is to compare computer-based Instruction and traditional direction in footings of pupil academic accomplishment and pupil attitude towards computing machines. In this survey, the research worker is besides optimistic to derive an apprehension of how computing machines are being used in a General Science schoolroom environment. In this survey, the following two methods of instructions will be compared. ( 1 ) . Computer-Based direction ( 2 ) . Traditional instruction- The intent of the survey is: – To happen out the influence of computing machine based instructions on in-between degree pupils in the topic of General Science and to judge whether the utilizations of Computers enhance the public presentation of the pupils. To detect whether instructors available have equal consciousness and preparation of computing machine. To look into instructors and pupils ‘ attitudes towards computing machines and utilizations of computing machine for meaningful direction. To see whether the necessary substructure is available in the schools.2. Statement OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM:The survey is an experimental usage of computer-based Instruction manuals at 8th class center schools ‘ pupils, taken from three authorities Schools of Town IV Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is besides intended to do suggestions and recommendations to better the public presentation of the pupils in the acquisition procedure and the usage of engineering into the schoolroom posing. The research worker will seek to research to what extent in the bringing of the course of study, the usage of computer-based Instructions contribute to the academic public presentation and attitude of pupils in 8th class schoolrooms. This survey will detect whether the pupils experience interest/difficulty throughout the conventional/new methodological analysis? This survey will besides concentrate on the barriers instructors are confronting with when using the available engineering into their schoolroom instruction. The ultimate concern is, can the usage of computing machines, as a addendum to conventional direction motivate pupils and bring forth higher accomplishments in accomplishments development of the pupils?3. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:The Aims of the survey are: – To happen out the impact of computer-based Instruction manuals on the public presentation of 8th grad pupils in the topic of General Science. To happen out the difference between â€Å" learning with engineering † and â€Å" learning without engineering † . ToA investigateA about the attitudesA of the pupils towards the usage of new learning method in the schoolroom. To mean the function of computing machines in the instruction larning procedure.4. RESEARCH Hypothesis:There is a important difference in the average tonss of the pupils taught with the aid of computing machines and those taught by traditional method. The integrating of computing machines in instructional procedure strengthens the terminal consequence. Technologies engage the pupils in the acquisition procedure.5. Significance OF THE RESEARCH:This survey is of import because it may convey visions into engineering influences upon instructors, instructional methodological analysis and school civilization that may be feasible and suited to other schools. As citizens and pedagogues express concerns over the benefits and costs of educational engineering, this survey may supply apprehensions into that argument by supplying informations on pupils ‘ usage of engineering. This survey will besides analyze and compare concerns by the instructors about the usage and proviso of engineering. The consequences of the survey will supply high benefits to the schools. The pupils may accomplish greater benefits by the usage of improved instruction methodological analysis and different educational package.6. REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE:Computer-based direction ( CBI ) was considered the technological phenomenon to revolutionise instruction a nd preparation. Today, the Internet and computing machine engineering are reported to hold significantly changed the instruction landscape ( Johnson & A ; Aragon, 2002 ) . The rapid progresss in engineering, the demand for womb-to-tomb acquisition, and the growing of non- traditional pupils have encouraged the usage of the computing machine as a method of instructional bringing. Measuring the effectivity of CBI as a whole engineering is really hard. The inability to mensurate effectivity is attributable in portion to the fact that CBI is non merely one constituent, but a complex scope of services and activities carried out for instructional and learning intents ( Gibbons & A ; Fairweather, 2000 ) . Some of the advantages for utilizing the computing machine as a method of instructional bringing are that it: provides consistence of content bringing ; provides preparation to remote locations ; eliminates cost associated with employees ‘ travel ; provides agencies of tracking scholar ‘s advancement ; provides standardised testing ; offers learner flexibleness in commanding and pacing acquisition ; provides for diverse acquisition demands ; prov ides chances for pattern through simulation ; provides greater keeping ; and reduces the instructional clip by about 30 per centum. Two decisions drawn from meta-studies on CBI are: ( 1 ) scholars by and large learn more utilizing CBI than they do with conventional ways of learning as measured by higher post-treatment trial tonss ( Fletcher, 1999 ; Kulik, 1994 ) , and ( 2 ) scholars utilizing CBI by and large do so in less clip than those utilizing traditional attacks ( Kulik & A ; Kulik, 1991 ; Orlansky & A ; String, l979 ) . When you look at all the advantages of computer- Pence ( 2009-2010 ) says that it has been over a decennary since the computing machine moved from being chiefly a computational and record maintaining device to its present province as a communications hub. Some, including this writer, have called the application of calculating engineering to classroom direction revolutionist. Is this claim justified? More significantly, how will societal networking affect the college schoolroom in the coming decennary? Will the twenty-first Century schoolroom truly be significantly different from that of the yesteryear? This article is an effort to reply these inquiries. Each twelvemonth, Technology is going more a ball of instruction Harmonizing to Jane Carlson-Pickering ( 1999 ) The pupils get a sense of duty with the aid of engineering that show the increased deepness of their cognition and capacity They can be more originative and more in control as they can now rewind, fast-forward, intermission, halt and reappraisal resources at their ain velocity. D'Angelo & A ; Woosley ( 2007, p. 462 ) province â€Å" Technology has evolved and become more cardinal to learning and larning. † They by mentioning the plants of assorted research workers, show that engineering is being used across subjects. Molebash ( 2000, p. 24-38 ) suggests that as engineering plays a larger function in instruction, any anticipations refering the hereafter of instruction must include an analysis of technological tendencies and Tendencies in engineering are making a hereafter that is geting faster than instruction is fixing for it. Turner ( 2006, p.1 ) says that the outgrowth of new engineerings is altering the whole scenario like societies, the manner of life, the manner we talk and do trade and besides the manner we learn. Our educational systems are confronting important force per unit area to alter in order to sufficiently fix pupils to populate, larn and work in a planetary digital age. As a consequence of this force per unit area, everyplace in the universe in many schools, engineering is going a tool for heightening instruction and acquisition procedures and fixing pupils for the new universe in which they live. Education throughout the universe is bit by bit sing a major paradigm alteration from traditional larning environments to new unfastened acquisition environments.Consider the following tabular array which defines that displacement. Traditional Learning Environments New Learning Environments O Teacher-centred direction a Learner-centred direction O Passive larning a Active acquisition O One primary media a Multimedia O Individual work a Collaborative work O Information bringing a Information exchange O Focus on facts and knowledge a Critical thought and job resolution O Isolated, unreal environment a Authentic, real-world environment O Assessment by proving a Authentic appraisal ( UNESCO Bangkok, 2005, P. IV. ) As a consequence of rapid development of engineering the course of study is going more dynamic and synergistic. The integrating of computing machines in schoolroom encourages pupils and engages in more independent, collaborative activities. Technology besides enables instructors to near the course of study from different positions, like multimedia applications, simulations, educational games, Drill and Practice package and many other ways of larning that have been ignored by traditional educational methods. The instructors must seek to modify their pedagogical abilities to incorporate the course of study content with new technological accomplishments that pupils are required to larn. However, harmonizing to Hill, Wiley, Nelson, & A ; Han, ( 2004 ) , â€Å" Theoretical foundations, including teaching methods, appear to hold non developed at the same gait as technological growing in the universe † Roblyer & A ; Doering, ( 2009 ) are of the position to place specific learning & A ; larning jobs which engineering can assist turn to and how it can make learning chances that did non be. D'Angelo & A ; Woosley ( 2007 ) , there is non understanding amongst those involved with instruction and larning sing the usage of engineering within the schoolroom. So they stress that it ‘s deserving reexamining the assorted positions involved. Integrating engineering is besides an of import subject because of how engineering acts as a alteration accelerator Christian, ( 2009 p.3-4 ) mentioning the work of Burbules and Callister ( 2000, p. 273 ) ask, â€Å" What happens to the establishments when new users and new communities expect and possibly demand entree to academic resources and privileges that have normally been rather limited, rare, and expensive? The effects of these displacements can non be overdramatized. † Technological alterations are act uponing and will go on to act upon this state of affairs. Effective instruction and acquisition is the support of establishments. So for these and other grounds, this subject is relevant and of import. Therefore, it ‘s indispensable to the hereafter of educational establishments to take stairss to supply expertness and resources to the schools particularly at simple degree as the pupils of this age group take more involvement in utilizing technological devices and its related plans.7. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:Type/ Nature of the ResearchThe method of research is an experimental 1. Students of in-between class will be introduced to experiment.Population & A ; range of the surveyThe survey consists of in-between degree pupils of urban countries of Town IV Peshawar, KPK.Beginnings and types of informationsTo research the attitudes, behaviors and experiences of the pupils under experiment a questionnaire will be developed which will cover all necessary information relevant to the subject under survey. Data will be collected through the questi onnaire from the instructors learning at in-between degree and pupils of in-between degree under survey. The questionnaire will assist to construe and better understand the complex world of the given state of affairs and experiment.Research ApproachTrial will be used as a research instrument to happen out the public presentation of the pupils before and after giving the intervention. On the footing of a pre-test, two every bit competent groups will be decided. This survey will be confined to four chapters/Ten Lesson plans in the said topic. Experiment 1 Experimental ControlTechnologyTraditionalGroup AGroup BAfter giving the intervention to both of the groups, i.e. ( learning with computer-based Instruction manuals and learning in traditional method ) a station trial of 100 Markss will be conducted to happen out if any difference exists in the public presentation of the pupils taught in different methods. After acquiring the consequences, the groups will be shuffled and this clip Group B will be treated with Computer-based Instruction manuals and Group A with traditional method in the same mode with the debut of new chapters. Experiment 2 Experimental ControlTechnologyTraditionalGroup BGroup ACourse Contentss for 1st Experiment.ContentssAnimals World Temperature and thermic enlargement Lenss Earth, stars and GalaxyCourse Contentss for 2nd Experiment.Plant Structure Transportation Nutrition and Respiration Sense Variety meats Earth and Space Time Table for my work in each of the schools one by one.Dayss12345678Mon8E8CTue8E8CMidweek8E8CThu8E8CFri8E8CSabbatum8E8CE= Experimental C= Controlled Group Experimental 1 Mean Control 1 Mean Experimental 2 Mean Control 2 MeanSchool NameAAAAGHS Gulshan Rehman GMS Landi Arbab GHS Deh Bahadur All Group Mean Score South dakota Mid Diff Thymine Phosphorus Experimental Group Control GroupSample Plan: Sample, sample size and sampling technique employed.Sample:Purposive sampling technique will be used for the choice of sample. Students of 8th categories of four authorities schools of Town IV Peshawar will be introduced to the experiment. On the footing of pre-test consequences, the pupils of each of the schools will be divided into two every bit competent groups individually. Half of them will be presented to the experiment while half of them will be treated in traditional method.Data aggregation techniquesIn the survey, to happen out if any difference exists in the public presentation of the pupils taught by the two different methods, the agencies of the tonss will be calculated. In add-on, a t-test statistical analysis will be employed to find if the difference in the average mark of each of the experimental and control groups is statistically important. Vii Tools for Data Analysiss Instruments: Pre-test, Post-test, QuestionnaireExperimental tool 1:Pre-tests Two trials of 50 Markss each will be used to happen out the bing cognitive degree of the pupils. The consequences of the pre-tests will be arranged harmonizing to their competency individually in each of the class. The pupils of each of the class will be divided into two equal halves based on the mean consequence of the two pre-tests in a mode that both of the groups ( Experimental/Controlled ) acquire every bit competent pupils.Experimental tool 2:Post-test After finishing my undertaking of learning to both of the groups individually, a Post-test of 100 Markss based on the taught Curriculum, will be conducted to happen out the consequences.Experimental tool 3:Questionnaires A short study will be conducted through questionnaire to happen out the impact of my work on pupils attitudes towards new attack of learning. A separate questionnaire will be used for instructors to happen out their capableness about the usage of computing machines into instructional procedures, barriers instructors are confronting with when using the available engineering into their schoolroom instruction and other troubles they are confronting like computing machine literacy and handiness of resources.Instrument proof:The content of the lessons and post-tests shall be examined and modified consequently by the topic expert to look into its cogency. Besides, a test-retest method will be applied to look into the dependability of the instrument.8. THEORETICAL FRAME WORK:Harmonizing to Adams ( 2006 ) , the constructivist theory provinces that pupils are given tools to build their ain cognition. Constructivist larning wants the pedagogues to follow the thought that each scholar will buil d, obtain and construe their ain cognition otherwise. Constructivism is an active procedure and allows the pupils to do sense of their universe. Therefore, the research worker will be guided largely by the constructivist attack. Most by and large ; we must separate who our scholars are, and what are their demands? The proviso of accurate acquisition state of affairss within a constructivist attack to larn should be considered when utilizing engineering.9. CONCEPTUAL FRAME WORK:As entree to educational engineering has improved, a systematic agencies of altering the construction and bringing of the acquisition procedure has become a challenge for usage of educational engineering. Research indicates that factors of meaningful engineering usage in schools include engineering influences upon pupils, instructional methodological analysis and school civilization. These factors will be used as the footing for look intoing and depicting the meaningful integrating of engineering into a school course of study.10. LIMITATIONS & A ; DELIMITATIONS:Due to shortage of clip, lesser cognize how of computing machine use on the portion of pupils and unequal resources i.e. , ( equipment like figure of computing machines and specially the electricity as Pakistan is confronting energy crisis ) the survey may non bring forth comprehensive consequences, nevertheless as a consequence of this research, the research worker plans to go on readying and working with instructors collaboratively and offering preparation on the available engineering to both the pupils and the instructors once more in the hereafter. A longer period of survey is needed to find the long term impact of computer-based Instruction manuals and its interpolation in the schoolroom direction. This survey is delimited to: Teachers learning General Science at in-between degree. Male pupils of in-between degree Town IV of District Peshawar. Subject of General Science at in-between degree.

Abb Essay Example for Free

Abb Essay Essay Topic: Management Choose cite format: APA MLA Harvard Chicago ASA IEEE AMA company About StudyMoose Contact Careers Help Center Donate a Paper Legal Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Complaints ? As a result the front-line profit center managers’ performance is getting affected. * The conflict between long-term technical development and short-term profits is making the situation worse. As per the Business Area’s concern, the COMSYS project should be given priority over other activities as this project, if successfully implemented, would enhance the operations and efficiency of our relays business across the world. However, the development of the project is affecting the daily activities of the company. The problem spilled-over to the regional transmission performance and thus allocation of funds to the project COMSYS (in this case investing in R&D) rises as an important issue to be discussed. * Such an issue increases the difficulty in reaching to a decision. The more time we take in reaching to a conclusion; more will the performance of the company get affected. First of all, we need to ensure that the development of project COMSYS doesn’t affect the operations and performance of the company. Second, we need to allocate suitable resources like funds, workforce etc. or project COMSYS separately. Moreover, from the short-term perspective we need to implement the project as soon as possible as the resources allocated to the project would then be available for daily operations, and from the long-term perspective we would be able to eliminate the compartmentalized framework of the profit centers and thus form a common base of software and hardware. * In the current situation it would be difficult to achieve this goal as the priorities within the organization doesn’t coincide. Project COMSYS is important for long-term development of the organization and, thus, needs sufficient resources for its implementation. I would, therefore, request the committee to take the afore-mentioned points into consideration and carry this discussion forward and helps us to reach to a decision. 2. ABB’s Global Matrix: As mentioned in its annual reports for the year 1988 and 1989, the Chairman(s) has(ve) clearly mentioned about the strategy of â€Å"think global, act local†. Since the merger the ABB group has been following the philosophy of decentralization; its aim to be close to the customer, to have short-lines of communication and decision-making and clearly defined accountability, all are reflected in its matrix structure. The matrix structure was proposed by a 10-person top management so that it enables the group to achieve a balance between its global business focus through its 58 business areas with the market created by the 1300 local companies under the umbrella of several country-based holding companies. The structure focuses on the principles of decentralization and individual accountability with clearly defined responsibilities from business areas heads to regional and front-line profit center managers. The business areas were responsible for carving out strategies while the local companies were responsible for implementing the strategies and achieving the objectives. All the business area heads had additional responsibilities of their national company’s operations. Thus, the overall goal of the top management was to develop managers who can take leadership roles as a result of which â€Å"a self-driven, self-renewing organization† would be formed. One of the main reasons for the success of the matrix structure in ABB was proper communication of the philosophy by the top management to every single employee of the organization. Communicating values to the managers was given priority based on the belief that managers are loyal to values rather than to the company or a particular boss. The core values included quality not only in products but also in the organizational processes and relationships. The management emphasized on dedication to productivity and performance at all levels of the organization. The structure implemented was well in line with the overall strategy of the organization. With rapid acquisitions after the merger ABB grew bigger, spreading its operations throughout the world. The matrix structure, therefore, provided a platform for ABB to absorb the acquired companies and made implementation of its strategies in them easier. One of the important initiatives taken by the top management was to translate the company’s philosophy to specific task requirements for managers at all levels. Throughout the internal restructuring process it was ensured that the organization was not distracted from the market place. Important issues were delegated to teams consisting of front-line managers. The company also had a unique philosophy of resolving of problems wherein the problem, if escalated to the higher level manager, was pushed back to the team to resolve and to reach to a conclusion. This process enabled and enhanced the problem solving capabilities of the managers. In order to implement individual accountability, a transparent reporting system named ABACUS was developed to collect performance data for all the 4500 profit centers in dollar denomination. The business area heads did not stop with just crafting strategies, rather they were personally involved up to some extent in implementing the strategies and policies. The top management, also, was well informed of the daily activities as well as the performance of all its companies. In case any business underperformed, the top management would step in and demand explanation and offer help if needed, thus, giving proper attention to all its businesses. All the above mentioned points explain why ABB was successful with the matrix structures while many could not. Having explained the advantages of the matrix structure, I would like to mention few disadvantages which were prevailing in ABB too. 1. The complex structure with dual hierarchy sometimes leads to confusion and conflicts within the organization resulting in decreased productivity as is visible in case of the COMSYS challenge faced by Don Jans in ABB. . It is sometimes time consuming and delay in taking decision may affect the organization’s performance largely. 3. In such a structure it is difficult to ascertain accountability. The larger the organization, the complex the structure, thus, more difficult is individual accountability. 3. Management roles and responsibilities in ABB and Don Jansâ€℠¢s performance in ABB The management of ABB has been playing a vital role in the post-merger restructuring of ABB. The structure evolved as a pathway for the management to achieve its goal of operating in a global scale. It provides managers the flexibility and autonomy in taking decisions. The management was driven by policies made by the CEO, Percy Barnevik. The frameworks set by Barnevik were well implemented throughout the hierarchy, for example, Barnevik implemented â€Å"7-3 formula† which says that it is better to decide quickly and be right 7 out of 10 times than delaying action in search of a perfect solution. This policy was driven by the principle that the only unacceptable behavior is not doing anything. Under his leadership, the company grew rapidly with numerous acquisitions across the world. Nevertheless, the same philosophy, values were implemented in each of its companies. The matrix structure of ABB defined responsibilities for business area heads to work on the strategy whereas the front-line managers were held responsible for the daily operations of the local company. The managers were provided autonomy to the extent that they had control over their company’s balance sheet such that they inherited their results year to year and, thus, the top management had no say in the decisions regarding their company’s operations. This particular autonomy motivated many managers to perform better and better. As ABB was acquiring companies, it became important for ABB to ensure that the acquired companies imbibed the culture and values of ABB. The management took this as a challenge and ensured this by communicating the strategies and goals of the organization to managers from corporate level to business area heads to country level managers. One such regional manager for the relays division in the Coral Springs, Don Jans, who became part of ABB after the acquisition of Westinghouse in early 1989, had well-received the communication from the head of the ABB’s power transmission segment, Goran Lindahl, where he emphasized on the responsibilities of the local companies to implement the plans and achieving positive results. It was not an easy task for Don Jans and his team from Westinghouse to adapt to the culture of ABB, however, he found the management of ABB much supportive and involved as compared to that by Westinghouse’s. When first exposed to the philosophies of ABB, Don Jans found it to be much different than Westinghouse, where the decisions were taken by the top management, unlike ABB where he had the autonomy of taking the decisions. He found ABB to be much more flexible as the decisions were very much delegated and the organization was result oriented, i. e. he top management continuously monitored results of each of its companies, and would interfere only when the results were not satisfactory. Proper communication of the organization’s strategies to the managers was given importance as they were the ones who were responsible for achieving results. For Don Jans this experience was exhilarating, as he mentions once in a meeting where the corporate managers(for relays business) were presenting to his team â€Å"about how the industry was developing, where ABB wanted to be, how it was going to get there, and so on. †. Such meetings were received in a positive manner as they educated his team about the organization. Moreover, the meeting did not end there, the proposals for investing in relays business by his team were given proper attention, which further encouraged Don Jans to provide better performance. The matrix structure provided Don Jans with the flexibility of operations and taking decisions. Due to which the performance of relays business (of which Don Jans was in charge) had improved. With clear communication from the top management, he was aware of what was required to deliver. He used his experience in the industry to invest in a small-scale in microprocessor relays technologies as he had financial resources at his disposal. He used his freedom to improve the product lines of the relays division by broadening the microprocessor technologies experiment to solid state devices, and thus gave ABB a competitive advantage in the market where other players were taking advantage of the technology. Thus, Don Jans tried to improve the performance of the relays division by leaps and bounds by regular investment in newer and better technologies. Abb. (2018, Nov 14).

Educating Young Adults about Sex Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Educating Young Adults about Sex - Essay Example The learning stresses on both the vices and virtues of sex. It gives a background alongside which one develops into responsible and health grown-up capable of utilizing the inborn sex nature to the fullest capability, without getting obsessed by it. It allows one to recognize and become comfortable with individual’s sexuality. The rise in a number of young adults infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus according to the World Health Organization is attributed to the lack of sexual understanding by the young adults. This understanding can only be fully achieved through the introduction of sex education in the society. Successful sex Education plans for the young adults have common elements necessary for a healthy living in the modern world. Wieland and Jeune (pg78) the current world was formed by traditional people. Such people considered sexuality and sex as an offensive topic of discussion for people who are not married. On contrary Kirdy and Moira (pg 90) asserts that there is great need to have sex education offered to the young adults. Young adults do engage in sexual practices and therefore sexual education should not be meant for the married only. Initially, there was little importance attach to sex education for the young adults. Klein and Measor (pg 47) assert that it was until early 20th century that the world and the society started giving attention to the females. They started receiving more appreciations from their male counterparts. As a result, they started receiving same education in a school with the male students. The traditional role they played in the society was further uncalculated by introducing some added curriculum for the female students.According to Fielder (pg 44), the average marriage age has been delayed due to the carrier –oriented advance in life.  

Industrial Organization Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Industrial Organization Economics - Essay Example Globalization has led to opening up of borders to facilitate trade. Those countries and companies that are ahead in the game realize the benefits compared to the laggards. Some of the strategies that nations have adopted to neutralize the effects of competition arising from globalization include creating barriers to entry, strategic entry deterrence as well as mergers and acquisitions. The rest of the paper will outline how the three factors influence industrial organizations as well as their impacts. It will achieve it by discussing three newspaper articles on the same subject. In an article by Gelles (March 12, 2015) in the New York Times titled, "Uncertainty weighs on Endo’s higher bid for Salix Pharmaceuticals† confirms the competitiveness of merger and acquisition. The article talks about the competition existing between Endo International and Valeant Pharmaceutical over who acquires Salix Pharmaceuticals. Endo has offered $ 175 per share, compared to $ 158 per share that Valeant offers (Gelles2015). It implies that the company that offers a higher bid per share may acquire the parent company and expand the operations. However, many factors hinder the merger and acquisition. These factors are related to policy issues. The board of the parent company has to agree to the offer because the deal will be binding to all the stakeholders including shareholders of the acquired company. In this article, people learn many issues regarding the topic or merger and acquisition. It is contrary to earlier knowledge that acquisition or merger was an arran gement of two companies; this article provides evidence of a third party. Third parties can come in if they offer a higher bid than what others offer. Endo offered a higher bid than what Salix had anticipated, which gives it a greater chance of acquiring the new investment or the company (Gelles 2015). It is a new scenario rarely experienced among accompanies. In the article by

The Reflective Manager Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The Reflective Manager - Personal Statement Example Reflective leadership has not only been found to result in organizational growth and development but also translates into personal growth of managers and subordinates. Reflective leadership and leadership knowledge can, therefore, be effectively applied to improve one’s work performance on leadership (Downey et al., 2009). Although it might take a lot of time, weeks or even months for a reflective manager to enter the minds of his/her employees in motivating them to share his/her vision, practicing one’s reflective skills, reflecting and learning could be helpful in making a manager skilled in inculcating a culture of rapid change in an organization (Downey et al., 2009). A quick succession of rapid culture change, however, occurs only in organizations in which a series of small changes consistent with organizational and business priorities are implemented. There are certain circumstances or times during which it is best to be reflective including after a management tas k while walking around. Importantly, reflecting on a management task, action or decision should be done on the same day the task has been performed (Downey et al., 2009). The reflection may be about the goal that was set out to be achieved and how the same goal was achieved. The plan by which the goals were achieved should also be compared with the theories on reflective leadership and the necessary changes or improvements executed. Although many managers and leaders ignore them, theories are tools of great importance as far as management and leadership are concerned. These theories should be put to practice by setting some time away from the work to think about what has been achieved on the floor, taking into account what went well and wrong. In addition, a manager should take this time to overview own perceptions and reactions and those of other employees. There are certain vital points that a manager or leader should note while walking around the work floor reflecting on his activities of the day. These points include the fact that such reflective walks as important floodgates for all the pent up issues encountered at the floor such as employee complaints and frustrations (Downey et al., 2009).

Victoria Secret store in Geneva Switzerland Term Paper - 1

Victoria Secret store in Geneva Switzerland - Term Paper Example From this paper it is clear that Victorias Secret products are purchased mostly through retail stores, online, and through the Victorias Secret catalog. Victorias secret has more than 1000 branches in its home country, the US, and for a long time it was engaged in domestic business due to the large size of its home country. Internationalization has recently appeared in the countrys agenda for sustainable development and has ventured into markets in London, Canada and the UAE. Its absence in the European market and the lack of affordable and sexy night wear in the same market develops into an opportunity for Victorias secret to develop a niche there which will be analyzed in this proposal. According to the paper Victorias secret was founded in Stanford by Roy Raymond in 1977. He took the opportunity of changing underwear into fashion and was largely successful. His shop gradually expanded into 6 stores and was finally sold to Limited Brands for US $ 4 million. Growth with Limited Brands was unprecedented and the company diversified its business portfolio to include swimming suits, dresses, jeans, shoes and beauty products. Currently the business consists of 3 different segments which include Victorias secrets stores, Victorias secrets direct (online and catalogue) and Victorias secrets beauty. It has become one of the largest lingerie retailers in the US and a store is present in almost every large shopping mall. It is time to expand its horizons and change its strategy from market saturation to discovering and penetrating new markets. Since markets in Asia and Europe are already being researched upon, opening of a store in Geneva is currently under study. Switzerland is a country with a population of 7.5 million and has one of the highest per capita GDPs in the world. The disposable income among citizens makes it a particularly attractive market for American brands.  

Appraising and Developing Staff Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Appraising and Developing Staff - Essay Example It should be clear to the parties involved in the appraisal process that the outcome of the appraisal process may be positive or negative, but the intention is usually positive for the employees. In essence, performance appraisal is meant to help the employees to evaluate their previous year’s work and also develop strategies for improvement. They are empowered to overcome the challenges faced in the workplace for improved performance. It is important to ensure that anxiety among the employees is controlled by ensuring that the appraisers demonstrate supportive and positive intentions for the employees. This is accomplished through positive criticism. Credibility is also a significant aspect of effective employee appraisal. The technique applied for the appraisal should not be weird (Harris & DeSimone, 1994). It is important to develop performance goals, which are significant in employee motivation. The goal theory of motivation explains the significance of managers who are able to enhance the pursuance of a common purpose. When the employees are aware of the goal that they are intending to achieve, they are motivated to be effective in the accomplishment of tasks. The experienced employees ensure that they maintain good performance and are encouraged to make the right decisions that can facilitate realization of the goal. Appraisers who encourage creativity are able to maintain a competent workforce. Employees derive enthusiasm from coming up with workable ideas that can be attributed to their ability to think critically. Failure to get such a chance to demonstrate inventiveness may cause low spirits in the workplace especially when the employees are used to rely on the leader for decisions (Aguinis, 2009). Managers who promote creativity in the workplace also promote organizational lea rning since workers are able to learn from the diverse inventions. They also learn together with the workers. Clients are usually attracted to the

Cardiac Involvement in melanoma Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Cardiac Involvement in melanoma - Essay Example As it mainly affects the skin, it causes majority of skin cancer related deaths worldwide. At present, it is the sixth most common cancer in the United States, with the current lifetime risk for developing invasive melanoma is 1 case per 60 Americans, a 2000% increase since 1930. (Swetter, 2010). Cause of the disorder Melanoma is caused when the melanocytes are constantly exposed to sunlight, paving the way for Ultra-violet photons to strike the chromophore, a part of melanocyte. So, exposure to UV radiation clearly plays a role in melanoma. As people with history of sunburns, especially blistering sunburns during childhood or in teenage, are likely to show an augmented risk of developing melanoma. (aad.org). Another widely accepted caustic factor is genetics, with familial melanoma occurring mainly due to the chromosomes 1p, 9p and 12q. Having two or more close relatives who have had this disease is a risk factor. (medicinenet.com). Symptoms The symptoms of Melanoma, as mentioned ab ove, are any changes in the shape and color of the existing moles and also any new lump or lesions on the skin. The early symptoms of melanoma can be summarized by the mnemonic, â€Å"ABCD†. ‘A’ stands for Asymmetry and it means one half difference between the abnormal area and the other half.

Sociology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 6

Sociology - Essay Example ciologists tend to come up with theories that picture the society as a whole, or traditionally concentrate on private issues, but failed to analyze the individual’s tie-up with the society which Mills argued as totally important. With Mills’ ideas, he relates how important it is for an individual to understand the greater sociological patterns that is relevant to their private situations. Many people as he said failed to understand it because of their inclination to their personal family, neighbors or job which in turn makes them trapped in a situation wherein they will not be able to comprehend the greater sociological reason that drove them to their present social status and private problems. He establishes the linkage between the person and the society, the phenomenal interaction that exists to both, and the importance of developing a quality of mind that can grasp history and biography and the relationship that links society and an individual. The highlight of his understanding, (which can not be found in other sociologist ideas) describes that the relationship of the public issues and persons’ private troubles are closely connected, therefore arriving to an analysis that points out relativ e changes to private troubles as the society wherein an individual belongs changes too. Criticisms about symbolic interactionism appeared only when quantitative approaches to sociology have been applied. However, it could not be concluded that it does not have viable notion to social structure. Evidently, this kind of approach does not violate any quantitative sociological approaches, but on the other hand is a helpful in the broader understanding of the society. The pragmatic approach or the qualitative research method does not mean that it is removing its link to the social structure, but in the other hand it links to the social structure as the society itself produces realities that can be observed. In symbolic interactionism perspective, Blumer said that,

Awakenings Project Essay Example for Free

Awakenings Project Essay The abuses at Bainbridge Hospital reflected a broken system at that time. Any person who was deemed untreatable was put into a â€Å"garden†- where people were treated like flowers that were simply â€Å"watered† and â€Å"fed† every day. The attitude of the people who worked at the institution was of people who had accepted the system’s failures as a way of life; they did not strive for change, they simply â€Å"went with the flow. † Dr. Sayer introduces a number of attitudes that can be seen in modern care facilities. For example, his unfailing persistence in not giving up on patients who he believed had a chance at life. These patients had been immobile for decades, with countless people telling him that they would never get better. By believing in their cognizance and their persistent awareness of their surroundings, Dr. Sayer creates the hospital environment of today, punctuated with the idea that all patients should have the chance to have the best chance in life. He never gave up hope. However, Dr. Sayer also faced many different obstacles in attempting to treat his patients. For example, he needed to first overcome the mockery of his fellow coworkers. The doctors and nurses who worked with him did not understand his desires to pursue what seemed like a meaningless waste of time. However, in doing so, he gave life back to people who would have otherwise been trapped forever, in a state of permanent limbo. Later, he also faced the crisis of dosage with his â€Å"patient zero†, Leonard. Would he cross the line and illegally dose Leonard without the consent of the pharmacist? In doing so, he achieved success. However, he had to do so by compromising the laws set by society. Moreover, he had to muster funding for the drug for all the patients that had been affected at the institution. He could have given up after the head of the hospital told him that it was simply too much money, but he persisted in his efforts and was rewarded with enough funding for every patient’s awakening. I agree with the approach Dr. Sayer took because he was a pioneer during his time. Could he have otherwise succeeded in the revival of the patients that had been afflicted with the mysterious illness? His practices, although at times showing his own sense of morality and disregard for the accepted, would later become what is widely believed to be the basis of hospitals today. He took an interest in finding out the truth and never stopped believing.

Racial disparity Essay Example for Free

Racial disparity Essay Prevalence of racial disparity in the criminal justice system is most troubling and critical problem for criminal justice executives as it directly affects the people. The safety and liberty of American people depend on integrity of American justice system but racial discrimination in the criminal justice system impairs this integrity, which in turn harms American people directly. So this is the most critical dilemma facing the criminal justice system managers at present. The causes of this racial discrimination are both subtle and intricate and are not easy to locate. However it is obvious that fault does not lie with American criminal laws but these are implemented in a manner that is substantially and pervasively biased. Certain factors external to American criminal laws like personal discretion, natural proclivity and mental approach of the people that responsible to implement these laws, also collaborate rendering distortion of these laws. This institutional materialization of racial discrimination in the justice system is the most critical people predicament facing mangers of American criminal justice system. Although certain legal reform has been suggested by various sector but past history manifests that criminal justice manager cannot simply legislate to put an end to this problem. Some concrete measure should be undertaken by criminal justice manager to solve this problem rather than redefining criminal justice system.

Learning Management Systems (LMS) in Universities

Learning Management Systems (LMS) in Universities Abstract Learning Management Systems (LMSs) are the typically adopted technology and they provide a significant tool in supporting blended learning in universities. Therefore, these systems are being explored from various aspects. Educational technologists conclude that every university or even departments within the same university differ in its experience in adopting these systems. Department of Industrial Management, University of Kelania is adopting the LMS portal for supporting blended learning. This university administration raises considerable attention in assessing the actual extent of staff and student adoption of the LMS. In this regard this paper presents data collected from the surveyed 100 students at the Department of Industrial Management, university of Kelaniya regarding their LMS adoption. Keywords: Introduction The significance to the advancements of web-based technologies is the development of powerful software systems, known as learning management systems (LMS), have become a widely-used technology and a key instrument in supporting e-learning in higher educational institutions. As LMS offers numerous benefits to individuals and institutions, many universities have deployed some form of LMS. Students can access course materials independent of time and location. Significantly, it opens up fresh potentials for initiating academic innovations where students function as dynamic, control their own learning, develop critical thinking and become collaborative participants. In addition, LMS provides an automated mechanism for teachers in the management of online courses, allowing them to create, add, modify, customize, and reuse digital content and learning objects and tracking learner progress. Blended learning is defined as a combination (blend) of e-learning and face to face classroom learning environments (Graham,2006; Wu and Hwang, 2010; Murshitha S.M and Wickramarachchi A.P.R, 2015) Recently, blending learning has been increasing in higher education, as students are involved in collaborative learning and interaction with instructors and classmates (Wu et al., 2010). Almost all universities in Sri Lanka have developed their own LMS portal for the use of their own lecturers and students. The administrators of Sri Lankan universities are keen on assessing the actual status of faculty and students usage of the LMS as the acquisition or construction of such a system and its annual cost of operation are significant. Investigating and assessing the usage of LMS within a department and especially between different departments and universities is essential for its continuous use. The objective of this study is to investigate the status (extent of use) of LMS adoption in blended learning at university level. This research will be interested to both researcher and university community, as it will significantly contribute and improve the body of knowledge in the context of LMS adoption. Literature Review All learning management systems are not the same; they can be adopted in different ways. Different tools such as activity tools (Lesson, HTML page, Glossary, Assignments, Quiz, Choice, Database, Workshop, Wiki, Chat and Forum etc.), blocks (People, Calendar, Online Users, Latest News, Upcoming Events, Search, etc.) and filters (associated components to the activity tools and the blocks) are integrated in a single system which offers all necessary tools to run and manage an e-learning course. All learning activities and materials in a course are organized and managed by and within the system. Significant dedication in universities using an LMS is how to evaluate the actual extent of LMS usage by the staff and student. While the trends are towards more student centric learning tools, the research done has shown that yet the teaching staff is the key driver of an LMS usage. The need for a reliable guide of the extent of LMS usage becomes apparent when one considers the complexity of assessing to what extent an LMS is actually used within an university. In this direction, range of aspects of LMS adoption, implementation, support, and usage have been the subject of numerous studies (McQuiggan, C. A. 2007). Lane determined that the manner of LMS usage was largely shaped by the nature of the product as introduced to faculty [14]. Kincannon earlier studied the reaction of faculty to use of a C/LMS and determined that faculty expressed dissatisfaction at the time demands imposed by using it [13]. Amrein-Beardsley, et. al [4], Allen and Seamans for the Sloan Consortium [2], the Georgia Vista Implementation Enterprise Wide study [25], Harrington [12] and Morgan [19] all attempted to gain insight into C/LMS usage via student or instructor-supplied data, and to assess the level of faculty adoption of C/LMS via the use of surveys, determining that 96% of the largest institutions of higher learning were, as of 2006, using C/LMS to support online learning in addition to in-class courses. Vonderwell, et. al [26], Cramer, et. al [9], Mandinach [15], Tobin [23], Shiratuddin [22], and Bork [8] attempted to evolve methods for the assessment of student performance, or propose reasoned suggestions for the improvement of performance, when C/LMS software was involved in the process of education. Yet a glaring omission exists in the empirical measurement of the actual extent of usage of C/LMS by faculty derived from the databases supporting a given C/LMS, that is, regularly measuring the extent of faculty usage of the C/LMS as evidenced by the contents of the database supporting it, making it possible to detect and respond to trends. The lack of adequate means of assessing C/LMS usage has prompted some researchers to propose the application of data warehousing technology to the problem of providing a base of readily accessible faculty and student C/LMS usage data. Van Dyk and Conradie [24] proposed such an approach in 2007 in support of action research, defined by ZuberSkerrit as a critical enquiry by academics themselves into their own teaching practice, into problems of student learning and into curriculum problems[30]. The prototype data warehouse they proposed was intended to be used directly by instructors who were interested in studying the relationship between learning styles as defined and measured using the Felder index of learning styles [11] and student interaction with the C/LMS, and potentially conducting other similar ad hoc studies. Their prototype data warehouse was formed according to established dimensional techniques and In order to assess the usage and extent of use of LMS this research adopted Janossys, J (2008) assessment method that make it possible to assess usage between units of a university and between universities, drove the development and proposal outlined in detail in Figure 2.2 , which depicts a model for the derivation of a simple metric expressed as a number from 0 through 13. Figure 2. 2 Janossys LMS Usage Level and Metric Values       The formation of this model proceeds from the definition of five overall levels of possible C/LMS use. These five levels span the continuum from no use of the C/LMS by an instructor through a level which exceeds the capabilities of most C/LMS systems using the technology currently available to many institutions (Janossy,J., 2008). The Figure 2.3 provides greater detail concerning the functional usage represented by each metric value, proceeding from the lowest value through the highest: Figure 2. 3 A Level-Model for Assessing The LMS Usage among Staff and students Level 0 refers to no LMS usage. Thus, the lecturer does not create a course in LMS or does not activate student access to the LMS for the students in the course if a course is automatically created in the LMS. Level 1, refers to the very basic usage of the system only for uploading lesson content by the teaching staff and downloading lesson content or submitting assignments by the students. Level 2, refers to the usage of communication tool in an LMS. It includes the usage of modules such as email, discussion forum or chat. Level 3, refers to the usage of the testing tool (quizzes, pool or survey). For instance, students can take some quizzes and tests online, with some scores provided immediately possibly with feedback answers for incorrect items and similar. Level 4, is defined with a view to the current technological developments which require to share knowledge and to treat users as co-developers. Currently this was achieved by adding a blog module on the system but in the future there might be other modules to enrich this level of LMS usage. It is interesting to note that one could draw a parallel between the levels of this model and the theories of learning. In fact, the lowest levels of the LMS usage actually correspond to the more teacher centered approach which is typical for a basic level of learning and behaviorism. As we go upper in the level spectrum of LMS usage actually we move towards constructivism and social constructivism and end up in Level 4 which promotes building knowledge through sharing experiences and co-developing which on the other hand are some of the main principles of connectivism. Assessment of the LMS adoption in learning process. A total of 100 questionnaires are distributed and all of them are returned and usable. Table 1 summarizes the demographic profile and descriptive statistics of the respondents. Item Frequency Percentage Gender Male Female 38 62 38 62 Age or Level 20-22 (Level 2) 23-25 (Level 3) 48 52 48 52 PC ownership Yes No 84 16 84 16 Laptop ownership Yes No 94 06 94 06 Often of LMS use Regular Just-to download 30 70 30 70 Table 1: Demographic profile and descriptive statistics of surveyed students This section describes the answer for the research question, thus how is the status of LMS adoption in learning process? In doing so, descriptive profiles for each of the adoption variables are explored. Table 4.59 exhibits the descriptive profile of the five LMS adoption tools i.e. downloading lesson, chat, discussion forum, e-mail and assessment. Table 4. 59 Descriptive Profile of LMS Adoption Tools The conceptualization of students LMS adoption consists of five LMS tools namely, downloading lesson content, chat, discussion forum, e-mail and assessment. However based on the analyzed data only two LMS tools i.e. downloading lesson content and assessment were prominently adopted by students at Department of Industrial Management, University of Kelaniya. Downloading lesson content relates to the utilization of LMS for downloading notes that are uploaded by their lecturers. In this instance, lecturers impose the students to use this tool by uploading their lesson contents. In fact, findings of this study revealed that students downloading lesson contents was the highest in terms of mean compared to other LMS tools. Since being a student, one is always subject to lecturers decision. Hence, by uploading lesson content lecturers insist or impose students to use this tool and students without any questions must abide and adhere. Moreover, findings from lecturers questionnaire also indicted that all most all lecturers use this tool to upload their lesson content. Chat denotes to the utilization of LMS for the purpose of pedagogical chatting via LMS and students are being monitored by the administrator. Hence, they use this tool only for the above purpose. Findings of this study showed that chat tool recorded the lowest mean. There would be two reasons behind this lowest mean. The first reason is, normally students are being more interested and constantly engaged in chatting other than pedagogical one and use chatting tools such as facebook, twitter, skype, whatsup, viber, tango etc. The second reason is, a very few lecturers use this chatting tool as evident by lecturers questionnaire and they do not insist or impose the students to use this tool as they insist the students to download the lesson content. Discussion forum, relates to the utilization of LMS for the purpose of discussing on a certain topic with their peers and lecturers to enhance the critical thinking, analytical skills and exchange of their knowledge. Findings of this study showed that the tool of discussion forum also recorded lower mean. There would be two reasons behind this. The first reason is, as the respondents are the internal students, they have enough time for discussing face to face. The second reason is, according to the data derived from lecturers questionnaire only 25% of lectures use this discussion forum. Hence, students also do not give preference to this tool as their lecturers. E-mail denotes the adoption of LMS for communication purposes. This is also same as the previous two tools. Thus students use other mail accounts in yahoo, gmail for their e-mailing purpose. Assessment tool relates to the utilization of LMS for the purpose of assessing students through various sub assessment tools such as quizzes, short answers, multiple choice, essay questions etc. Results revealed second scoring for assessment tool in adopting LMS. This is because; students are being imposed by their lecturers to adopt this tool, as they are imposed by lecturers to download lesson contents. Findings from lecturers questionnaire indicted that 80% of lecturers use the assessment tool to assess their students. From the above discussion it is obvious that, subjective norm has a strong predictive power in determining individuals behavior. Thus, subjective norm in the form of lecturers acceptance and use of technology were found to influence students acceptance and use of the same. Thus if lecturers use or adopt LMS, students also believe it as important to them and they also imitate their lecturers and vice versa. Research Methods This study is descriptive in nature and self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. The questionnaire was divided into three sections. References Graham, C.R. (2006) Chapter 1: Blended Learning System: Definition, Current Trends, Future Directions in Bonk, C. J. and C.R. Graham (eds.) Handbook of Blended Learning, San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer. McQuiggan, C. A. (2007). The role of faculty development in online teachings potential to question teaching beliefs and assumptions. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 10(3). Lane, L. M. (2007). Course Management Systems and Pedagogy. Retrieved October 10, 2007, from http://lisahistory.net/pages/CMSandPedagogy.htm Wu, W. C, Hwang, L. Y.(2010) The Effectiveness of e-Learning for Blended Courses in Colleges International Journal of Electronic Business Management, Vol. 8, No. 4, pp.312-322 (2010)

Flight as a Literal and Metaphorical Symbol in Song of Solomon by Toni

In Song of Solomon, a novel by Toni Morrison, flight is used as a literal and metaphorical symbol of escape. Each individual character that chooses to fly in the novel is â€Å"flying† away from a hardship or a seemingly impossible situation. However, by choosing to escape, one is also deliberately choosing to abandon family and community members. The first reference to this idea is found in the novel’s epigraph: â€Å"The fathers may soar/ And the children may know their names,† which introduces the idea that while flight can be an escape, it can also be harmful to those left behind. However, while the male characters who achieve flight do so by abandoning their female partners and family, the female characters master flight without abandoning those they love. Throughout the novel, human flight is accepted as a natural occurrence, while those who doubt human flight, such as Milkman, are viewed as abnormal and are isolated from the community. It is only when Milk man begins to believe in flight as a natural occurrence that he is welcomed back into the community and sheds his feelings of isolation. The novel begins with the account of Robert Smith, an insurance agent who had promised to â€Å"take off†¦and fly away on [his] own wings† (Morrison 3). Standing on the roof of Mercy Hospital wearing â€Å"blue silk wings,† Smith proclaims to a growing crowd that he will fly (Morrison 5). Unfortunately, he is ultimately unable to take flight and falls to his death among the crowd. This is the first image of attempted flight in the novel and the first glimpse of flight being viewed as both possible and natural. Those who had gathered to view Smith’s flight did not â€Å"cry out to [him]† or attempt to prevent his leap, but instead encouraged him, implying that t... ...ers to and rides the air, and whether he reenacts the suicide of Robert Smith or delivers himself into â€Å"the killing arms of his brother,† Milkman escapes through flight (Morrison 337). During the long period of time in which Milkman doubts human flight, he is essentially shunned from his community. However, by accepting human flight as both a natural and possible occurrence, Milkman achieves acceptance. In actuality, flight as a means of escape is conveyed as a selfish act, harming all those left behind. Furthermore, in reference to Robert Smith and Milkman, death, not flight, was what caused them to essentially escape. In Song of Solomon, flight comes across as an act of desperation, in which those involved would risk anything to escape their troubled lives. Only when you â€Å"surrendered [yourself] to the air† could you truly escape and find freedom (Morrison 337).

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, by Dylan Thomas Essay -- fight

Dylan Thomas was born in the Britain in 1914. He was a Welsh poet and writer who wrote exclusively in English. According to Poets Organization,† His father was an English Literature professor at the local grammar school and would often recite Shakespeare to Thomas before he could read† (1). The home education developed his writing style which led him to have his first piece of work published in 1925. The poem,† Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night† was written by Dylan Thomas in 1945 during the last illness of his father's life. Thomas addressed this poem to his father whose eyesight and general health were failing. He expresses a powerful message about the flight and passage of death in his poem. Meanwhile, he begs his father to fight against the darkness which is taking over and leading him into the afterlife. In this villanelle form poem, through the use of the metaphor language and images, especially the parallelism, writer gives examples of wise men, goo d men, wild men, and grave men to his father who was dying at the time this poem was written and also tires to convince his father to fight against the coming death. Thomas thinks a man who is dying in an old age should not die quietly, but fight with death until the last second. He begins the poem with second-person point of view and constantly reminds readers not to go gently into death and darkness, but rather to fight with them. To express the death and darkness, In the first stanza, Thomas uses a metaphor in which day represents life, night represents the afterlife and close of day represents the moment of death,† Do not go gentle into that good night,†¦, at close of day†(line 1-3). The first line of the poem is also a refrain. To makes reader notice this sentence, wri... ...getic, warm, intimate acts. â€Å"Fierce tears† images passion in nature. Thomas hopes that his father can fight with death. He also asks him not be indifferent or accept death mildly. Life is limited; therefore we need to fight to do the most and the best things without any doubting. Even when we face with death, we also need the passion to live, no matter what the result is. So the poet naturally prays his father to fight with death again in the last stanza, â€Å"Do not go gentle into that good night, Rage, Rage, against the dying of the light† (line 18-19). The cycle of life and death formed a constant underlying theme in this poem. Thomas once brings readers into the darkness and death meanwhile, makes readers understand the meaning of life and death. Even at the end of life, everyone should attempt to "burn" with life, to "rage against the dying of the light". Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, by Dylan Thomas Essay -- fight Dylan Thomas was born in the Britain in 1914. He was a Welsh poet and writer who wrote exclusively in English. According to Poets Organization,† His father was an English Literature professor at the local grammar school and would often recite Shakespeare to Thomas before he could read† (1). The home education developed his writing style which led him to have his first piece of work published in 1925. The poem,† Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night† was written by Dylan Thomas in 1945 during the last illness of his father's life. Thomas addressed this poem to his father whose eyesight and general health were failing. He expresses a powerful message about the flight and passage of death in his poem. Meanwhile, he begs his father to fight against the darkness which is taking over and leading him into the afterlife. In this villanelle form poem, through the use of the metaphor language and images, especially the parallelism, writer gives examples of wise men, goo d men, wild men, and grave men to his father who was dying at the time this poem was written and also tires to convince his father to fight against the coming death. Thomas thinks a man who is dying in an old age should not die quietly, but fight with death until the last second. He begins the poem with second-person point of view and constantly reminds readers not to go gently into death and darkness, but rather to fight with them. To express the death and darkness, In the first stanza, Thomas uses a metaphor in which day represents life, night represents the afterlife and close of day represents the moment of death,† Do not go gentle into that good night,†¦, at close of day†(line 1-3). The first line of the poem is also a refrain. To makes reader notice this sentence, wri... ...getic, warm, intimate acts. â€Å"Fierce tears† images passion in nature. Thomas hopes that his father can fight with death. He also asks him not be indifferent or accept death mildly. Life is limited; therefore we need to fight to do the most and the best things without any doubting. Even when we face with death, we also need the passion to live, no matter what the result is. So the poet naturally prays his father to fight with death again in the last stanza, â€Å"Do not go gentle into that good night, Rage, Rage, against the dying of the light† (line 18-19). The cycle of life and death formed a constant underlying theme in this poem. Thomas once brings readers into the darkness and death meanwhile, makes readers understand the meaning of life and death. Even at the end of life, everyone should attempt to "burn" with life, to "rage against the dying of the light".

Collaborative Leanrning And Architecture Education :: Learning Education Essays

Collaborative Leanrning And Architecture Education Introduction Two major questions that education faces nowadays are how adequate it is to use group dynamics in class to permit students achieve specific goals and if the efficiency of this technique is acceptable for all the branches of knowledge. Architecture, because of its most important qualities (professional work in teams, practical skills and creativity) appears to be an area in which it is likely that the teamwork technique can demonstrate its most important strengths. Thomas Kuhn (1996) described knowledge as â€Å"intrinsically the common property of a group or else nothing at all†, explaining that the discoveries of sciences or the products of arts to be recognized as it shall be shared between the members of a certain community. What Bruffee (1995) called the social construction of knowledge, has become the base to encourage the use of group work techniques in different levels of education. However there are still many critics to this method, basically referring to the difficulties to manage the classroom and its adequacy to different areas of study. The debate over teamwork in colleges and universities hasn’t delivered a clear answer yet. This research paper will first explain the virtues and weakness of the â€Å"Collaborative Learning† method in order to establish finally its possible application to Architecture Education. The Strengths of the Method Background Since the early 70’s, educators characterized the â€Å"traditional approach to Education† (Ventimiglia, 1994) as being â€Å"professor centered†, considering that the educative process depended exclusively on the knowledge capacities of the teacher, who decided what kind and what amount of information should be deposited into students minds. This was strongly criticized by Freire (cited by Ventimiglia, 1994), for being passive and not stimulating critical thinking. From then educators have researched new methods capable of improving academic results and preparing students to transform their societies creatively. This is how what Foyle (1995) called â€Å"Collaborative learning†, appeared as a possible answer to educational dilemmas. DEFINITION Collaborative learning, as well as cooperative and active learning are terms used to describe new procedures in education, intended to help students learn by working together (Bruffee, 1995). According to Ventimiglia (1994) collaborative learning is the process in which a community formed by students and teacher establishes common goals and participates as partners in the building of knowledge, following specific steps and accepting precise responsibilities. Group work is therefore one of the various tools involved in the execution of the method, however they should not be considered as synonyms. Collaborative Leanrning And Architecture Education :: Learning Education Essays Collaborative Leanrning And Architecture Education Introduction Two major questions that education faces nowadays are how adequate it is to use group dynamics in class to permit students achieve specific goals and if the efficiency of this technique is acceptable for all the branches of knowledge. Architecture, because of its most important qualities (professional work in teams, practical skills and creativity) appears to be an area in which it is likely that the teamwork technique can demonstrate its most important strengths. Thomas Kuhn (1996) described knowledge as â€Å"intrinsically the common property of a group or else nothing at all†, explaining that the discoveries of sciences or the products of arts to be recognized as it shall be shared between the members of a certain community. What Bruffee (1995) called the social construction of knowledge, has become the base to encourage the use of group work techniques in different levels of education. However there are still many critics to this method, basically referring to the difficulties to manage the classroom and its adequacy to different areas of study. The debate over teamwork in colleges and universities hasn’t delivered a clear answer yet. This research paper will first explain the virtues and weakness of the â€Å"Collaborative Learning† method in order to establish finally its possible application to Architecture Education. The Strengths of the Method Background Since the early 70’s, educators characterized the â€Å"traditional approach to Education† (Ventimiglia, 1994) as being â€Å"professor centered†, considering that the educative process depended exclusively on the knowledge capacities of the teacher, who decided what kind and what amount of information should be deposited into students minds. This was strongly criticized by Freire (cited by Ventimiglia, 1994), for being passive and not stimulating critical thinking. From then educators have researched new methods capable of improving academic results and preparing students to transform their societies creatively. This is how what Foyle (1995) called â€Å"Collaborative learning†, appeared as a possible answer to educational dilemmas. DEFINITION Collaborative learning, as well as cooperative and active learning are terms used to describe new procedures in education, intended to help students learn by working together (Bruffee, 1995). According to Ventimiglia (1994) collaborative learning is the process in which a community formed by students and teacher establishes common goals and participates as partners in the building of knowledge, following specific steps and accepting precise responsibilities. Group work is therefore one of the various tools involved in the execution of the method, however they should not be considered as synonyms.

The Work-Study Program of Full-Time and Part-Time Students

There are many similarities and differences between full and part-time students. Each student is trying for the goal of educating themselves to become more successful in life. As students begin their education there is a sense of motivation and eagerness. Knowing the possible compensations and honor that comes with this achievement. There can be a feeling of tension and uncertainty that comes with this new adventure. If an individual does not become discarded, and is willing to except the challenge of this feat, there is no limit to the success one can attain in their life. Students receive their degree at different times in their lives depending on their finances, responsibilities and time restraints. Full-time students are generally younger, and just out of high school. Full-time students must take a minimum number of courses, generally 12 or more semester hours. They normally have a set semester schedule of daytime or nighttime classes to choose from. They are often eligible for financial aid, or work-study programs because of the higher cost for a higher education. They may also receive a number of scholarships to help pay for their education. Full-time students usually do not have a family or as many outside responsibilities. They usually only have a part-time job and still live at home with their parents. The time restraints that full-time students have are homework, studying and fitting their job schedule into their school schedule. These students can complete a full degree program in about 4 – 5 years. Part-time students are generally older, and living on their own. For part-time students it takes a longer time to achieve the goal of graduation. Many students can not afford to go to college on a full-time basis because of the cost of education. They are often not eligible for financial aid or work-study programs because they take as few as 1 – 3 semester hour courses. Scholarships are usually not offered to part-time students. They do not normally have the problem of course overload, unless they are taking too many courses at once, while trying to work full-time. At times even one course can be too much to handle, depending on the student†s home situation. Part-time students often have additional responsibilities of home and family, and must handle their other responsibilities in addition to school. Often, part-time students are taking classes to help them in their career. Some professions require taking classes to continue their education and are taken on a part-time basis to enhance their work skills. These types of classes are normally taken evenings, weekends or holiday breaks. Part-time students sometimes have a difficult time finding the courses they need at the time they need them. It may take months or years before needed courses are offered. Whether the student is going to a university or a community college, they must consider all possibilities before entering college. If you have a full-time job or career, one would usually become a part-time student. If money in not an issue, a full-time route would probably be taken. If family is an issue, a student may decide to go part-time. Either way a student goes, the goal of a diploma can be achieved. Both full and part-time students consider their finances, responsibilities and time restraints to accomplish a higher education. Regardless of the time frame in which each person may fulfill this goal, there is usually a feeling of success, pride, and relief in knowing that graduation is at hand. Through many hours of strenuous research and sacrifice, an individual can put their knowledge towards their desired profession. This accomplishment of success is not only measured by financial rewards, but also knowing that this knowledge will help many others.

Original Beauty Company’s Motivational Practices and Reward Systems: Theories of Motivation

motif is a word employ to lift to the reason or reasons for engaging in a particular behaviour particularly human behaviour. These reasons may include a drive, a deal, a desire to attain a goal, a state of being, or an ideal. In human beings, motivation involves swell-nigh(prenominal) conscious and subconscious drives. http//www. internet-of-the-mind. com/define_motivation. html interest the Original Beauty Compeverys detail, I would pick up some methods of motivations which keep back been used The manufactory employs 10 mess who head for the hills a 40 hours hebdomad and ar currently stipendiary either ?250 per calendar week or ?275 per week if they substantiate been with the go with for tether years. Herzbergs hygiene needs is fee and term much(prenominal) as the factory paid 40 hours for ?250 per week and ?275 per week if they break ab by 3 years. Herzberg addressed silver particularly referring specific all toldy to salary. Herzberg acknowledged the complexity of the salary issue money, earnings.. and reason that money is non a direct motivators save achievement and recognition. The method of its motivation is Herzberg, the conjecture of Herzberg believed that pay was not the nevertheless(prenominal) motivator and came up with his hypothesis, which had two elements to it such(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) as hygiene factors and motivators.For an employee to be promptd, all the hygiene (maintenance) factors eat to be met for the first base time and hence the motivators can be used to give away them shed light on nastyer. at that place have been no pay increases for the last three years and labour turnover is 80% a year. The follow paid yield for facultys about 80% labour turnover, it is authentically bad because it is very high. This will carry on to the associations profits. at that place is no training and newcomers atomic number 18 expected to go steady the jobs by doing them. Following H erzbergs surmisal, the guild have not trained staff to lead on staff to futile to know new methods or technology.These likewise will lead on de-motivation. The selection and hireing lines employ 8 people who argon paid ?222 per week for a 37 hours week.. Sometimes, at rather time of the year, they argon situated by b bely give birth a associate of ?75 per week to ensure they do not take permanent work elsewhere. This group is well established with some employees having worked at the company for 20 years or more. They venerate for each one others company and socialise as well as work together. Herzbergs theory in the hygiene factors relate on salary such as the factory would pay ?75 per week scour through the factory are laid off, his helps the factory to retain staff. However, Herzberg utter that crack pay rewards or increasing salary may not motivate employees scarce inadequate pay will de-motivate them. Moreover, the theory to a fault relate on mayo theory su ch as they enjoy each others company and socialise as well as work together. mayo said that social needs are the most important motivation e. g. works in small groups and social activities. The store staff work 37. 5 hours per week and are paid ?280 per week. They have been told that they should pack and despatch 40 cases per day each.Unsurprisingly, this lead is never exceeded and has usually been met just afterward(prenominal) lunchtime each day. The reason which the fag never exceeded and usually been met just after lunchtime each day, maybe the company have not got policies such as have to earn the target and bring out rewards and peril punishment them if not obtain the target. Following Taylor theory, he put prior the case that workers were just now do by money, so work must be linked to payment. A motorbus should motivate a worker by victimization pay as an incentive and threaten them with less money or the handout if they did not work to the silk hat of the ir ability. There are four office staffs that work a 35 hours week and are paid an average annual salary of ?22,500. They have the most good-natured working conditions of all staff in the company. They realise that they have to ensure a go on flow of put and work hard in obtaining and processing orders and solving customer problems. They are the public face of the company and feel rewarded by the constant note feedback they receive from suppliers and customers. The staffs are the most pleasant working condition, looking back Herzbergs theory, he also mentions work condition.He stated that there are reliable satisfiers and dissatisfies for employees at work. Intrinsic factors are link up to job satisfaction, while extrinsic factors are associated with dissatisfaction. He devised his theory on the headway What do people want from their jobs? He asked people to describe in detail, such situations when they felt exceptionally good or exceptionally bad. From the responses that he received, he cogitate that opposite of satisfaction is not dissatisfaction. Removing dissatisfying characteristics from a job does not necessarily make the job satisfying.So, the office staffs are motivated and Herzberg said that Herzbergs motivation theory involves what people actually do on the job and should be engineered into the job employees do in other to develop integral motivation with the workforce such as feedback and recognition. Both these approaches such as hygiene and motivation must be make simultaneously. Treat people as best you can so they have a minimum of dissatisfaction. Use people so they get achievement, recognition fro achievement and indebtedness they can grow and advance in their work.There is one factory actr who is paid ?26,000 per annum. The three section managers who tally the different parts of the factory receive an annual salary of round ?19,000. Non of them are qualified beyond level three. The managers are expected to work for as foresig htful as is needed to solve any problem that face-lift when the factory. There is no training and newcomers are expected to use up the jobs by doing them. Although the managers have lots of experiences but they have not got enough qualifications to manage their role.However, the company also do not give an opportunity to improve their knowledge. Self-actualization is the hit of Maslows motivation theory. It is about the quest of stretch ones full potential as a person. Unlike lower level needs, this need is never fully satisfied as one grows psychologically there are always new opportunities to continue to grow. Self-actualized persons have frequent occurrences of peak experiences, which are energized moments of ambiguous happiness and harmony. The way to motive workers is to straits the opportunity of satisfying higher needs.Staffs only work within their own sections. So, example, when the warehouses staffs have meet their daily output quote, they are not required to help ou t on the packing lines if they are busy. There is little willingness to take responsibility when difficulties arise with each department seeking to agitate other departments. The company is not nonionized.. Following Maslow theory about view needs such as responsibility, strategies such as increasing responsibility may be used to motivate workers. beautify benefits are limited to discounted company products and a subsidised canteen. Meetings of staff are only called if there are problems and communication is hook down.. Limiting to discount company products and a subsidised canteen also are not staff satisfaction, in Maslow theory, if staple needs such as safe working conditions or internal facility such as a restaurant which do not met or basic benefits which staff needs but it does not meet, workers will remain de-motivated. accord to this theory, if these needs are not satisfied, then an individual will surely be motivated to satisfy them. Higher order needs will not be recog nized not unless one satisfies the needs that are basic to existence. These mean that Maslow said the lower ranking needs such as the need of food and water supply were more basic. He outlined the basic needs have to be met first before employees can be motivated. His theory is known as the Hierarchy of Needs.