International finance Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

International finance - Assignment Example This could lead to reduced investments of the government or organizations involved in the debt, thus leading to adoption of compensatory mechanisms such as increased taxation by governments and increased product prices by organizations in order to cater for the cost. On the other hand, devaluation is likely to discourage investors from foreign countries, as governments that devalue their currency are perceived as weak. This would lead to decreased revenue and thus high rates of inflation. An increase in national income in Japan as compared to the US, with floating rates of exchange would lead to the depreciation of the rate of current exchange for Japan, and thus appreciation of the US dollar. An increase in the prices in both Japan and the US would ensure that the two countries maintain their purchasing power parity. As such, the US dollar would remain the same relative to the Japanese yen. High real interest rates in Japan would lead to appreciation in the value of their currency and subsequent depreciation in the value of the US dollar. As such, global investors would wish to hold financials in the Japanese yen. For them to buy Japanese stocks or bonds, the Japanese yen must be bought, causing it to appreciate. The fixed exchange rate system guards countries from exchange rate uncertainties by allowing countries that experience deficits in the payment balance to use their dollar reserves to finance such deficits (Arnold 891). With the decline in the number of dollars, the supply of money in the country is reduced. The interest rates thus increase in response to the reduced prices. The reduction in price results in the goods of the nation becoming more competitive at the international level, increasing capital flow into the nation. As such, the fixed exchange rate system allows different nations to establish equilibrium through balancing payments. The fixed exchange rate systems place the exchange risk

Mexicans and Discrimination Essay Example for Free

Mexicans and Discrimination Essay Wetback, spic and beaner are a few of the words people use when talking about a Mexican. Mexican Americans have been the victim of discrimination throughout the history of the United States. Mexicans have a very big stereotype against them. One of the main reasons that they are discriminated against is because of their illegal immigration into the United States. Like many other groups Mexicans immigrated to the United States in search of a better life. Many Mexicans are left with no choice but to come to the U. S illegally because of the cost and obstacles that one has to go through to become a citizen. Because many Mexicans come to the U. S. illegally they are often forced to work physically demanding jobs for less money. Mexican Americans have a long history of experiencing nativism and racism which has resulted in a number of discriminatory conditions and consequences such as, social and geographical segregation, employment discrimination, patterns of abuse at the hands of law enforcement officials, vigilante murder and justice, substandard education, electoral fraud, exclusion from petit and grand juries, forced dislocations from their neighborhoods, voter intimidation, and language discrimination. (Galaviz 2007) Mexicans work under the secondary sector of the Dual labor market. The secondary Dual Labor market has low incomes, little job security, and little training. There are also no rewards apart from wages. Mexicans are forced to work for very low wages either because, as non-citizens, they lack options, or because they may realistically perceive themselves as best off here, even at very cheap wages, than they were back home. (Aponte 1990) For example, many companies offer very poor working conditions and minimum wage because they know that illegal immigrants have no choice but to accept these conditions because of their status. After the United States victory in the Mexican-American War in 1848 a forced treaty was signed. The treaty was known as Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This treaty required Mexico to give up over half its land to the United States in exchange for 15 million dollars. Land given up by Mexico included California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo also guaranteed that Mexican citizens living in surrendered lands would be able to keep property rights and would be given United States citizenship if they remained in surrendered lands for at least one year. However, the property rights of Mexicans were ignored by the United States government and local officials. Mexicans were slowly forced from lands which their families had held for generations in many cases. Many organizations, businesses, and homeowners associations had official policies to exclude Mexican Americans. In many areas across the Southwest, Mexican Americans lived in separate residential areas, due to laws and real estate company policies. This group of laws and policies, known as redlining, lasted until the 1950s, and fall under the concept of official segregation. In many other instances, it was more of a general social understanding among Anglos that Mexicans should be excluded. For instance, signs with the phrase No Dogs or Mexicans were posted in small businesses and public pools throughout the Southwest well into the 1960s. Mexicans were also restricted from being jurors, even if the case involved a Mexican. Schools also discriminated against Mexican children and eventually Mexicans were made to open their own schools. Though times have changed Mexicans are still discriminated against because of the stereotype they are associated with. Many believe that all Mexicans come over here illegally and do not deserve the same rights as citizens do. Even now people believe that Mexicans should be sent back to Mexico and an example of that is Phoenix, Arizona and its Immigration Law.

Shedding Light on Conrads Darkness :: Essays Papers

Shedding Light on Conrad's Darkness "My mother bore me in the southern wild, And I am black, but O! my soul is white; White as an angel is the English child: But I am black as if bereav'd of light." -William Blake "The Little Black Boy". "Bereav'd of light" is the quintessential idea one encounters when reading Conrad's Heart of Darkness. We enter the Congo, a place filled with Keats' "verdurous glooms and winding mossy ways," a place where Conrad calls "the farthest point of navigation." From whence comes our source of light? Who is this source of light? In order to enhance our understanding I propose that we look into the one who is "out of place". To clarify my proposal, I mean to say that we will look at the Black man in the "White setting", and vice versa. In Book VII of his famous poem, "The Prelude", William Wordsworth tells of his encounter with "The Beggar" on the streets of London. In my opinion, the Beggar is representative of the Black man in London. He is seen as a beggar, treated like one, and respected, or rather, disrespected, like one. He is merely a spectacle, a nuisance, living off the mere scraps of the English. Wordsworth describes the beggar saying, "...a blind Beggar, who, with his upright face, stood, propped against a wall, upon his chest wearing a written paper, to explain the story of the man and who he was. My mind did at this spectacle turn round as with the might of waters, and it seemed to me that in this label was a type, or emblem, of the utmost that we know, both of ourselves and of the universe; and on the shape of the unmoving man, his fixed face and sightless eyes, I looked, as if admonished from another world." We find the Beggar out of place, in a world clearly not his own. He is labeled, shunned, outc asted. He lies blind, desolate, unmoving. This is what the English society has done to him. Like the African natives in Heart of Darkness he is silenced, yet he screams a powerful image. His label says it all. Wordsworth, the Englishman, is unable to reach out to him, as he is "from another world." Yet he cannot help but be caught, trapped, by the "spectacle" of the Beggar. His message cannot be overlooked, just as Conrad's message is not to be overlooked either.

Free College Essays - Analysis of Shakespeares Sonnet 75 :: Sonnet essays

Analysis of Sonnet 75 SONNET 75 So are you to my thoughts as food to life, Or as sweet-season'd showers are to the ground; And for the peace of you I hold such strife As 'twixt a miser and his wealth is found; Now proud as an enjoyer and anon Doubting the filching age will steal his treasure, Now counting best to be with you alone, Then better'd that the world may see my pleasure; Sometime all full with feasting on your sight And by and by clean starved for a look; Possessing or pursuing no delight, Save what is had or must from you be took. Thus do I pine and surfeit day by day, Or gluttoning on all, or all away. PARAPHRASE OF SONNET 75 As food is to the body so are you to my soul and mind, Or as spring showers are to the ground; And for the contentment you bring me I allow such inner strife As the conflict between a miser and his money; Who takes joy in his wealth, but soon Fears that ruthless competitors will steal his treasure, Now thinking it best to have you alone, Then thinking that the world should see how happy I am; At one moment wholly satisfied by feasting on your sight And the next moment utterly starved for a look at you: Having or seeking no pleasure Except what you have given me or what I will demand. And so I starve or feed to excess depending on the day, Either gorging on you, or not having you at all. COMMENTARY The sonnet opens with a seemingly joyous and innocent tribute to the young friend who is vital to the poet's emotional well being. However, the poet quickly establishes the negative aspect of his dependence on his beloved, and the complimentary metaphor that the friend is food for his soul decays into ugly imagery of the poet alternating between starving and gorging himself on that food. The poet is disgusted and frightened by his dependence on the young friend. He is consumed by guilt over his passion. Words with implicit sexual meanings permeate the sonnet -- "enjoyer", "treasure", "pursuing", "possessing", "had" -- as do allusions to five of the seven "deadly" sins -- avarice (4), gluttony (9, 14), pride (5), lust (12), and envy (6).

Womens Day

Women’s Day Women are not an asset, nor are they mere human beings – they are the pride of society. From raising the children through to educating our youth, they carry the largest burden of helping us in comprehending how important life is and why it should be preserved for the greater good of mankind.In Pakistan, we do not need to look any further – from our households through to our sociological development, they are the pillars upon whom we depend for our emotional and spiritual support, and even at times our economical, social and political fabric coherence. From the youngest to the oldest, they are equivocal representatives of the brighter side of Pakistan. Kiran Khan, for instance, represented Pakistan in swimming on an international platform – the Commonwealth Games, and the 2008 Summer Olympics to name a few; Dr.Attiya Inayatullah and Mrs. Safia Ameen, who were prominent members of the Population Council and brought to the fore the importance of e pidemiological analysis in Pakistan; Ms. Fatima Jinnah, who deserves an honorary mention in this regard for laying the foundation stone of the All Women Association; Mrs. Bilquis Edhi, wife of Abdul Sattar Edhi, is in her own right a testament to the Edhi Foundation.Her concentrated efforts in maintaining the humanitarian relief efforts for the people of Pakistan are at par with her husband and Pakistan is in debt to her patriotic passion for the nationalistic cause that she continues to pursue to this day; the numerous laureates of Pakistan are endless and deserve wreaths of praise for their contributions to Pakistan. That isn't to say that they alone are representatives of our society. On a daily basis we see them strive to bring a shining image of Pakistan that has been earned through fair means and admirable efforts.Notable mentions include; Mrs. Fauzia Kasuri, who pioneered the concept of ‘international level higher education for the masses' to noteworthy effect – with the advent of the Beaconhouse School System that, to this day, is the most diverse private school network that teaches Cambridge assorted GCEs to the masses; with the Educators providing an equal opportunity for the less affording stratum of Pakistan; Ms. Fatima Riaz, an undergraduate student of Ata-ur-Rehman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB) in National University ofScience and Technology (NUST), who has instituted the start of a NUST-level society titled â€Å"Bioreach† – the prime objective being to ‘reach' out to the general public and provide a ‘researcher's contributions' towards understanding diseases in Pakistan better and, furthermore, helping understand how they can be caused and avoided; to the numerous female students of Pakistan whom have represented Pakistan on numerous platforms – school, college, and university level – internationally and nationally; the mothers of children guiding them towards the right path; the elder ly women whom have provided their undivided attention in providing advice and counselor support to our veterans in their time of need; they are the numerous ‘silent heroes' whom have held our society's fabric together since Pakistan's inception. This article is a testament to the women of Pakistan, without whom Pakistan would have been different. We, the people of Pakistan, salute you for your untiring efforts and tip our hats in praise and support of your relentless pursuit of the national cause. And with this, we would like to conclude this dedication to you.

The Kalahari essays

The Kalahari essays The Kalahari: A Desert to be Preserved A desert is defined by Random House Websters Dictionary as an arid, sandy region capable of providing life for only a few specialized life forms. There are several different areas that fit this description; however, each of these vicinities present unique obstacles and fascinating knowledge and information within their sand. A particularly interesting desert covering approximately 450,000 square kilometers in Africa is called the Kalahari. It stretches over most of Botswana and throughout some parts of Namibia and South Africa. The simple fact that this region is considered a desert is not what the Kalahari is admired for. Besides being distinctive in its geographical features, the Kalahari houses a variety of animal species and actually provides a dwelling for a primitive human population (Allan/Warren 110). The Kalahari, which extends from the Orange River to the Congo, is the largest continuous stretch of sand in the world (Kalahari: Game Reserves in South, par. 1). Though it does receive a rainfall ranging from 6 to 20 inches a year, surface water in the area is extremely rare. Fortunately, the Kalahari Desert has pans, which allow seasonal rainfall to accumulate (Allan/Warren 110). Pans, or natural depressions in the ground, are located in other deserts as well. However, Botswana contains the greatest number in the world. The fact that pans are dominant in this country is vital to the maintenance of the Kalaharis plant and animal life. Pans are not only important due to their water accumulations; they are also considered necessary for a resource for food (Kalahari: Game Reserves in South, par. 8). The largest of these Pans are the Etosha Pan and the Makgadikgod Pan (Allan/Warren 110). It is near these sources of life where animals and humans are able to survive. The Kalah ari is also home to two Nati...

4 Fast-Growing Temp Jobs to Focus on Now

4 Fast-Growing Temp Jobs to Focus on Now If you’re like most people, salary may be the first thing that comes to mind when evaluating what makes a â€Å"good job.† However, according to recent research, more and more workers - both young and old alike - are now prioritizing a different factor when assessing a job’s potential: job security. In fact, 56 percent of younger workers and 59 percent of older workers preferred security to salary when asked to choose between two jobs. For most people, the concept of a temp job and the concept of job security aren’t necessarily congruent; however, a new breed of temp positions offer unprecedented job security. Formerly the domain of the unemployed and job searchers passing the time until a permanent job can be found, temp jobs are now a valuable tool for companies looking to keep pace with the latest trends and technologies in a dynamic market - and for employees looking to capitalize on new demand. Based on research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statis tics, Forbes rounded up the list of 2015’s fastest growing temp jobs. Let’s take a look at four of the top picks.1. Home Health Care AideIn addition to helping seniors in need of assistance, home health care aides also help people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and cognitive impairment. With millions of Baby Boomers hitting retirement every day and most suffering from multiple chronic conditions, it’s no surprise that there is a growing demand for healthcare professionals.Although they work in a variety of settings, ranging from private homes to large-scale communities, home health care aides are typically employed by certified home health and hospice agencies - both of which will be looking for qualified labor to fill vacancies. Between 2014 and 2019, the number of home health care aide temp jobs is predicted to rise by 15 percent.  2. Childcare WorkerAs the bulk of the Millennial generation - the first generation in American history to top the Boome rs in sheer numbers - enters its childbearing years, their offspring will need care. And while many have delayed having kids because of the challenging conditions under which they came of age (resulting in an oft-publicized â€Å"baby bust†), the time is drawing nigh when the delayers will take the leap. It’s no surprise, then, that temp positions for childcare workers are expected to jump by 14 percent over the next five years.3. Registered NurseThe buzz surrounding the imminent nursing shortage is well-founded: with up to three million Baby Boomers entering Medicare each year and the Affordable Care Act having already added eight million to the growing list of the insured, the demands on the healthcare industry will be significant, with registered nurses topping the list.Nurse staffing agencies will race to fill the void through a variety of temp nursing opportunities, including contract, travel and per diem positions. All in all, an average increase of 6,200 jobs - or 14 percent growth - is predicted over the next five years alone.Meanwhile, an alternate healthcare profession expects to experience almost equally meteoric growth: Pharmacy technicians.4. Computer Systems AnalystAs companies struggle to keep up with changing technologies while balancing their business initiatives, computer systems analysts are expected to play a vital role. These hybrid professionals offer a unique blend of information technology knowledge and business acumen, qualifying them not just to offer computer expertise, but to apply it within the context of a company’s overall objectives in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness.In addition to being in demand with a whopping 19 percent increase in anticipated jobs by 2019, computer system analysts are also well-compensated, thanks to a median salary of more than $81,000 in 2013. Temp workers with skills and experience in this field are well-positioned for ongoing success.Software developers and computer user support specialists are also expected to see growth in tech temp jobs over the next half-decade.

The Norse Essay

The Norse Essay The Norse Essay The Norse Most of the Norse people lived on farms and in longhouses that were about 30 meters long (large hall like buildings). The walls were made of timber or stone and a thick turf roof to retain heat. In the very center of the house was the fire pit (hearth), to heat and provide light to everyone inside. Family members, live stock and farm workers all lived under the same roof, and originally it was one single room but eventually they made it into several rooms. The town people lived close together and in houses made of wood, wattle and daub, they had enough room for a yard, rubbish pit and workshop. Surprisingly the thought to be dirty and barbaric Vikings, were actually quite cleanly. Ornate combs, used by men and women, were one of the most commonly found artifacts at their settlements. Also found at these settlements were bejeweled gold and silver brooches, rings and necklaces. As a result of clothes decaying over thousands of years it was hard to know exactly what the Norse people wore, but based on ancient paintings we can assume the Norse women wore woolen or linen smocks with brooches. Women who were married also wore scarves on their heads. Men were thought to have worn woolen tunics over trousers. Norse outfits also included cloaks and caps in winter. When woman gave birth, they were surrounded by only women, and they were in kneeling position on the floor and as the birth progressed it was elbow to knee position and the baby was taken out from behind. If the births were difficult, woman would sing songs to the gods to ask for help. A tradition held by the Norse people is having feasts. They held these after things such as, a marriage, successful trade, or raid. At the feast the meal consisted of pork meat, goat meat, beef and bread that had seeds to add flavor. The Norse people drank wine, beer and mead, a strong alcoholic drink made from honey. Another ritual they had was carving runes (their alphabet) into their weapons; they believed this gave them protection during battle. One of the many festivals that the Norse celebrated was Jul; a festival of 12 nights. This is the most important holiday of all. On the night of December 20th the god Ingvi Freyr rides over the earth on the back of his shining boar bringing light and love back into the world. This story later evolved and changed into the god Wotan (Odin) charging across the sky on his eight legged horse a sleipnir. Children would leave hay and sugar in their boots for sleipnir, in return Wotan would leave them a gift for their kindness. The grey bearded Wotan turned into Santa Claus, and the eight legged horse sleipnir became the reindeer. One of the most prominent rituals was sacrificing (blot), and a communal feasting on the meat of the animal that was sacrificed, and drinking beer and mead were also a large part in the feasts. The Norse people had their own kind of alphabet; â€Å"One of the ways that historians have gained an insight into the lives of the Norse people is through their written relics, mostly found on stone memorials. The Norse people wrote using the 16 runes (letters) of the futhork (alphabet). Each rune not only represents a phonetic sound (like the modern-day alphabet), but can also represent an object. The first rune, for example, can not only be read as 'f,' but can mean 'cattle' or 'wealth.'† As a result of having no paper they carved runes into bones, weapons, and rocks, wood and metal. The runes were used to label, and keep track of items. They were also very crafty people; the women made clothes themselves and the men repaired the farm equipment and weapons themselves. Tapestries and embroideries were found at their settlement as well as flutes and panpipes. This gives us a glimpse into their life, and their possible love of music. One of the largest icons in the Norse culture is the Viking ship it was used as a war and trading vessel but had an incredible design and art. The largest art we have from this time

ING Life Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

ING Life - Case Study Example This is because ING Life has done some investment in information and technology solutions through implementing the Val IT to ensure that the business organization gets a maximum return on it investment in information and technology. Limitations of using a public infrastructure (Internet) When deciding on what information and technology infrastructure to use it is important for a company to evaluate the content of the information which the handle. Since ING is an investment institution it usually handles information and data which might be sensitive in nature. One common dis advantage of using a public infrastructure for companies such as ING is that information is not secure and such companies are often targets of hacker. Public interfaces are easy to get in for professional hackers since they do not have complex security protocols and firewalls. For example, if an investment company uses public interface information technology solutions their customers might suffer from identity the ft since this information is usually contained in the company’s servers. ... ING’s public infrastructor solution is effective because though being public its access is only limited to specific ING partners internationally. Security is ensured by investing in solutions that will involve each partner ensuring that the public interface is secure on their end. However, this is not enough because its network systems can be still be hacked through systems such as sql injunctions which have happened to the organization specifically in Belgium. ING should invest in more secure infrastructures such as Vsat which will ensure direct communication of ING branches internationally in a secure manner since Vsat incorporates security protocols which are very effective. Vsat is an effective communication infrastructure because it incorporates both voice and data traffic. Vsat will give ING a onetime solutions in it communication and data due to the incorporation of voice and data traffic in the interface (Ramon, 2004). The company will also be able to control traffic s ince they will be in charge of their own network. By using advanced network solutions such as Vsat, Ing company will be able to link its local area networks and wide are network forming a mesh of different inter connected networks that cover the whole business establishment internationally (Elbert, 2004). The institution should also implement local area networks technologies that are secure, easy to maintain and reliable. For example, if the company invests in wireless local area networks it should consider hiring network security experts to ensure that their databases cannot be accesed by hackers since wireless networks are the most commonly hacked network since they can be harged from a distance (Bhaiji,

Market strategy, Market positioning and Marketing-Mix Assignment

Market strategy, Market positioning and Marketing-Mix - Assignment Example Furthermore, Metrao faces increasing competition from other calorie calculators being sold in the market. Generally, this means that Metrao is obliged to differentiate its products from others in the market by being innovative and unique. In addition to, the calorie calculator market is growing showing that there are likely to be diverse consumer needs and expectations. Consequently, Metrao should utilize strategic marketing tools to get an actual picture of the level of competition in the market and the customers’ needs. A marketing strategy is a process that enables a company to focus its limited resources on the strategic opportunities to attain a sustainable competitive advantage and increase their sales volumes (West, Ford, and Ibrahim 57). A marketing strategy should be based on consumer satisfaction. A marketing strategy is made up of different aspects such as pricing, product development, promotion, distribution and relationship management. Further, it establishes the choice of marketing mix, positioning, target market segments and relationship management. Some of the strategies adopted by the company include the PESTLE and the SWOT analysis. Marketing Mix This primary marketing strategy adopted in the promotion of Metrao. Generally, four aspects in the 4Ps strategy include product, place, price and promotion. The first element of the marketing strategy is product (Schroeder 11). Product refers to the product or service being offered in the market. Metrao is a calorie calculator that enables people keep track of the calorie intake on their daily basis for healthy purposes. This device includes a database approximates the protein, calorie, fat and carbohydrate intake. In addition to, the device offers a recommendation of the appropriate diet for different users. The device is also used o approximate how many calories an individual can cut down on a daily basis. Consumers buy products based on their perceived value of it. For this reason, Metrao en sures product value for its consumers by ensuring consumer satisfaction. Price is the second aspect that greatly influences customers’ decision to buy give product or service. Furthermore, it the only aspect in the Marketing Mix that generates profits. However, the company resolved not to put a selling price on Metrao but opted to get profits from the product’s promotion. In other words, the company is undertakes promotional pricing to generate profits and compete with other players in the market (Robinson 78). However, the company intends to set a reasonable price once the consumers are fully aware of the existence of the product in the market. Promotion is the way in which information about a product is brought to the attention of the consumers. The company has a brand name and intends to raise its awareness using a wide range of advertising campaigns staged on offline and online marketing channels. The company also promotes its products on its website that was recen tly established to target the online market segment. The final aspect of the marketing mix is place and it relates to where a certain product can be purchases and how the buyers can easily access it. The product will be available in the company’s stores, the company’s website and other shops that sell health related products. The product will be sold in the UK and if it performs well, it will be introduced in other parts of the world. SWOT analysis The company

Discussing rationale behind your selection Assignment

Discussing rationale behind your selection - Assignment Example f the characteristics of patients should be at hand, which includes the number of patients, in this case 10 patients, the diagnoses, the acuity of the illness, including any required significant nursing needs. All these characteristics help the head nurse in staffing a unit, which is crucial for clarifying numbers and groupings required to care for the patients (Kuruvilla, Et al, 2007, p.626). In the case stated, we have three professionals, the RN, LPN and CAN, with their job descriptions. The information from the given patients involves three patients, who are critically ill, that includes patients 101, patient 105 and patient 106. The other seven patients are moderately ill and include patients 102, patient, 103, patient 104, patient 107, patient 108, patient 109 and patient 110. Based on information regarding the characteristics of the patients and the professionals present, and upon judging the situation at the unit, the assignment of the work should proceed as follows. The RN professional, who is the nurse in charge, will attend one critically ill patient 105, while the LPN professional attends two critically ill patients, patient 101 and patient 106. The CAN professional will assist both of professionals in any requirements. The reason why the three patients need urgent medical attention is their current condition. For instance, the patient 106 should be of first p riority in the medical attendance, simply because of her situation, that being that he is experiencing pain due to the fracture of the pelvis, plus his girlfriend’s possibility of pregnancy. The patient is also drug dependant, and his family is in some arguments with the physician. Therefore, this patient needs the assignment of the physician, and hence, fits the LPN (Boltz, 2011, p.231). Since the critical patient 105 needs one hour of wound care plus other characteristics such as bruises and multiple lacerations, the patient should have the attendance of the RN. After LPN attending patient

Critically assess Lyotard's 'incredulity towards metanarratives', Essay

Critically assess Lyotard's 'incredulity towards metanarratives', - Essay Example The definition that Lyotard gave toward the incredulity toward metanarratives was based first on the postmodernist philosophies and definitions. Lyotard believed that postmodernism was creating a culture that didn’t have value, definition or understanding that moved beyond the basic theories and into other practicalities. The approach which Lyotard gave was on the inability to create a relationship between the living conditions from the main aspects of culture, specifically because the perspectives were limited to the form and the historical ideologies of the metanarrative. The opposition that Lyotard had toward the structure was based on the inability to effectively look at the cultural problems and instead use the form and the historical knowledge as a way of giving information that wasn’t legitimate (Fraser, Nicholson, 1989: 83). Another concept which Lyotard believed created incredulity to the metanarrative was based on the perspective which was given with the viewp oints taken. The historical approach, use of form and the philosophies which were given were provided for a specific audience. From the perspective of Lyotard, this immediately created boundaries because of the sociocultural audience which was interested in the narrative. At the same time, the perspective limited meaning, scientific truth, philosophies and beliefs because of the approach which was taken. The opposition which Lyotard had was based on the limiting features and the inability for the descriptions to reach a sense of philosophical meaning which was pertinent and which was enlightening to those that were looking at the metanarrative. The concept of enlightenment philosophy, according to Lyotard, held consequences when using the metanarrative as the basis (Thompson, 1993: 325). The inability to believe the metanarrative because of boundaries which were created as well as the focus of the descriptions became a way of questioning the postmodernism movement and the new ideolo gies which were in society. The question which Lyotard raised was based on the incredulity of the metanarrative because it was easier to see the illegitimacy and the socio – cultural boundaries which were created. However, the question which Lyotard raised used this only as an example of what should be considered when describing a truth and how to explain it as a truth. The deeper philosophical meaning was more pertinent to what Lyotard was looking into. The approach which he took was based on creating universal truth, specifically which creates a sense of legitimacy, as opposed to only taking a limited perspective. When looking at this particular part of the debate, it can be seen that there isn’t a focus only on this philosophy, but also with the intellectual and theoretical implications that often were limited in meaning and in truth (Hutcheon, 1989: 40). The points which Lyotard can be considered as credible with were based on the descriptions of the metanarrative, the use of deep intellect to take away from the main points and the inability to show the entire point and perspective of history or a condition. The failure which he states, specifically with the demise created because of the lack of universal understanding of a given situation is one which can easily be seen with the metanarrative

The effects of Globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The effects of Globalization - Essay Example In economic sphere, globalization brings new opportunities to developing countries through capital injections, new technology and innovative ways of production. After all, the total value of world trade exploded from $57 billion in 1947 to an astonishing $6 trillion in the late 1990s (Easterly 43). In the last few years, the public debate over the alleged benefits and drawbacks of free trade reached a feverish pitch as wealthy Northern countries have increased their efforts to establish a single global market through regional and international trade-liberalization agreements such NAFTA and GATT. Free trade proponents assure the public that the elimination or reduction of existing trade barriers among nations will enhance consumer choice, increase global wealth, secure peaceful international relations, and spread new technologies around the world (Easterly 2001). Following Bhagwati (2001): "Economic globalization constitutes integration of national economies into the international eco nomy through trade, direct foreign investment, short-term capital flows, international flows of workers and humanity generally" (1). There is evidence that some national economies have increased their productivity as a result of free trade. Moreover, there are some benefits that accrue to societies through specialization, competition, and the spread of technology. But it is less clear whether the profits resulting from free trade have been distributed fairly within and among countries. Most studies show that the gap between rich and poor countries is widening at a fast pace (Easterly 34). Free trade proponents have encountered severe criticism from labour unions and environmental groups who claim that the elimination of social control mechanisms has resulted in a lowering of global labour standards, severe forms of ecological degradation, and the growing indebtedness of the global South to the North. The internationalization of trade has gone hand in hand with the liberalization of financial transactions (Webber and Fort, 62). Globalization of financial trading allows for increased mobility among different segments of the financial industry, with fewer restrictions and greater investment opportunities. TNCs (transnational corporations) have consolidated their global operations in an increasingly deregulated global labour market. The availability of cheap labour, resources, and favourable production conditions in the global South has enhanced corporate mobility and profitability. Globalization boosts productivity and improves production processes in LDCs (less developed countries) like China, India, Korea and Singapore. Today, these countries become the core of global production and economic activities (Bhagwat 72). TNCs and new technology bring new cultural patterns and western style of life changing traditions and values of isolated regions. Cultural globalization refers to the intensification and expansion of cultural flows across the globe. Obviously, 'culture' is a very broad concept; it is frequently used to describe the whole of human experience. In order to avoid the ensuing problem of overgeneralization, it is important to make analytical distinctions between aspects of

Critically assess Lyotard's 'incredulity towards metanarratives', Essay

Critically assess Lyotard's 'incredulity towards metanarratives', - Essay Example The definition that Lyotard gave toward the incredulity toward metanarratives was based first on the postmodernist philosophies and definitions. Lyotard believed that postmodernism was creating a culture that didn’t have value, definition or understanding that moved beyond the basic theories and into other practicalities. The approach which Lyotard gave was on the inability to create a relationship between the living conditions from the main aspects of culture, specifically because the perspectives were limited to the form and the historical ideologies of the metanarrative. The opposition that Lyotard had toward the structure was based on the inability to effectively look at the cultural problems and instead use the form and the historical knowledge as a way of giving information that wasn’t legitimate (Fraser, Nicholson, 1989: 83). Another concept which Lyotard believed created incredulity to the metanarrative was based on the perspective which was given with the viewp oints taken. The historical approach, use of form and the philosophies which were given were provided for a specific audience. From the perspective of Lyotard, this immediately created boundaries because of the sociocultural audience which was interested in the narrative. At the same time, the perspective limited meaning, scientific truth, philosophies and beliefs because of the approach which was taken. The opposition which Lyotard had was based on the limiting features and the inability for the descriptions to reach a sense of philosophical meaning which was pertinent and which was enlightening to those that were looking at the metanarrative. The concept of enlightenment philosophy, according to Lyotard, held consequences when using the metanarrative as the basis (Thompson, 1993: 325). The inability to believe the metanarrative because of boundaries which were created as well as the focus of the descriptions became a way of questioning the postmodernism movement and the new ideolo gies which were in society. The question which Lyotard raised was based on the incredulity of the metanarrative because it was easier to see the illegitimacy and the socio – cultural boundaries which were created. However, the question which Lyotard raised used this only as an example of what should be considered when describing a truth and how to explain it as a truth. The deeper philosophical meaning was more pertinent to what Lyotard was looking into. The approach which he took was based on creating universal truth, specifically which creates a sense of legitimacy, as opposed to only taking a limited perspective. When looking at this particular part of the debate, it can be seen that there isn’t a focus only on this philosophy, but also with the intellectual and theoretical implications that often were limited in meaning and in truth (Hutcheon, 1989: 40). The points which Lyotard can be considered as credible with were based on the descriptions of the metanarrative, the use of deep intellect to take away from the main points and the inability to show the entire point and perspective of history or a condition. The failure which he states, specifically with the demise created because of the lack of universal understanding of a given situation is one which can easily be seen with the metanarrative

The Solar System Planets Orbiting other Stars Essay

The Solar System Planets Orbiting other Stars - Essay Example 1 However the origin of our solar system is explained questions still remain unanswered and are the focus of research by scientists around the globe. Are there other planets outside of our solar system If there are, are they able to sustain life What techniques have been employed to study these planets and other heavenly bodies when they are light years away from us These are just a few of the crucial questions that scientists try to answer since Galileo Galile' invented the telescope in the early 1600s. How does one differentiate a planet from an asteroid or from any other celestial body In an article by Samantha Harvey posted at the NASA e-magazine, planets have been defined as "a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape and (c) has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit." At the same time, new moons are also being discovered, both around existing planets and within these mysterious new worlds. Once the existence of a moon is confirmed and its orbit determined, the moon is given a final name by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the organization that assumed this task since 1919.2 Though space has always been there, it was only in 1957 that a spacecraft was actually sent into space to measure what it is like. Until 1991, only the planets in our solar system are the only known planets. Nevertheless, astronomers did not believe that our Sun's environment was the only planet producer in the universe. Yet they had no evidence of planets outside our solar system. Not until 1991 that radio astronomers detected the first extrasolar planets orbiting a dying pulsar star. This extrasolar planet is a remnant of a supernova explosion in the constellation Virgo hence is not able to sustain life because of the deadly radiation it emits. Then, in 1995, Swiss astronomers found another extra-solar planetary candidate. This star, found in the constellation of Pegasus, is much more like our Sun with respect to its temperature, size, rotation speed and emitted radiation. Although this is also considered not a good candidate to sustain life, it was the first ever evidence of an extrasolar planet around a Sun-like star.3 Other concern in studying extrasolar worlds is whether life may exist there. Variables like size, distance and temperature will serve as indicators that a particular extrasolar planet may be considered a life-bearing planet. Basic techniques being employed to accomplish such

Problem gambling Essay Example for Free

Problem gambling Essay She took one last look out the window as they drove away, the tears streaming down her face. At the age of four, her world had fallen apart. Karina’s life started out as a perfect middle-class family, and soon turned into a broken mess. They had everything, a perfect house in a really nice part of the city, a nice car; everything was wonderful. As Karina got older, she began to notice things weren’t perfect. Her dad was never there. He was always out gambling in one way or another. â€Å"As time progressed we lost the car, and other possessions due to my dad’s gambling problem. It’s not only about gambling and the money. When people gamble, they do other stupid things, he had an affair. My parents decided to get a divorce. My dad didn’t argue, in fact he said that for the safety of our family it would probably be better because a lot of people were angry at him for what he owed them. It was all because of gambling and snowballed into a mess that could have been really dangerous for my mom and me had we stayed around. I’m sad that my life played out in that way at such a young age, and it’s very unfortunate. I know that if he wouldn’t have had gambling around none of those things would have taken place and we would probably still be the family that we were, but unfortunately that’s not how it played out. † Although many people think that legalizing gambling will have a great effect on the economy, I think the negative effects are much more evident. People’s views on subjects often have to do with their ethics. Ethics, as defined by Seiler and Beall, are an individual’s system of moral principles. My ethics lead me to believe that gambling is wrong because I was raised to believe that my family is more important than economic wealth. As it is evident in the story above, gambling can have a major negative effect on someone’s life, and so it is too much of a risk to legalize this dangerous game. Three main reasons that gambling should be kept illegal are that gambling creates tension among the family members, gambling increases crime in the society, and the addiction to gambling is too great for many to overcome. The first reason that gambling should be kept illegal is that gambling creates tension among the family members as the money that should be used for the family is being spent on gambling. Even though gambling might, in some cases, bring money into the state and local economies, there are side effects to having a casino down the street. Forshey (1998) states, â€Å"The gambling jobs, taxes, and recreational values provided by the industry cannot compensate for the social pain-in the form of bankruptcies, white-collar crime, divorce, a compromised political process, an increase in alcoholism-it inflicts. † The drain of a working person’s money that wager’s his or her paycheck and loses is not compensated with the amount of jobs a casino brings to a community. Gambling is a greedy industry that produces nothing more than empty hopes, empty dreams and empty wallets. Anderson states, â€Å"Proponents argue that state lotteries are an effective way to raise taxes painlessly. But the evidence shows that legalized gambling often hurts those who are poor and disadvantaged. † Without casino gambling, many local citizens would spend their money on groceries or clothes, instead of reducing their savings on gambling. As William Thompson states in his article â€Å"Gambling: A Controlling Substance,† It [gambling] is a pleasure, like other entertainment, but in that regard, it is an expensive pleasure. † Thompson then continues with this thought: â€Å"Politicians must recognize that the benefits of gambling are bounded by market structures. Gambling money does not grow on trees. It comes out of the pockets or real people, who otherwise would have spent it on something else. † All of this evidence shoes that gambling should be kept illegal because it creates tension among the family members as the money that should be used for the family is being spent on gambling. A second reason that gambling should be kept illegal is that gambling increases the amount of crime within a society. Gambling often becomes associated with crime, a relationship that seems quite understandable. Not only does gambling continue to be illegal in some forms which makes it a crime to participate in, but also the second half of the issue occurs when gambling increases the amount of street crime in a surrounding area. Crime rates have been significantly higher in places that allow gambling. Kindt states, â€Å"Atlantic City showed a jump in crime when gambling was legalized. The city went from 50th in the nation in per capita crime to first. Problem gamblers may also become more likely to have financial troubles and use illegal activities as a way to pay off their debts and keep up their unhealthy habit. † This graphic shows a report done by the U. S. Department of Justice studied people that were arrested in Las Vegas and Des Moines, Iowa. The results show many connections between gambling and crime. â€Å"More than 30 percent of pathological gamblers who had been arrested in Las Vegas and Des Moines reported having committed a robbery within the past year, nearly double the percentage for low-risk gamblers. Nearly one-third admitted that they had committed the robbery to pay for gambling or to pay gambling debts. In addition, about 13 perfect said they had assaulted someone to get money. † As is evident, gambling should be kept illegal because it increases the amount of crime within a society. We will now look at the last reason why gambling should be kept illegal. Finally, a third reason that gambling should be kept illegal is that the addiction to gambling is too great for many to overcome, resulting in psychological problems for the gambler. Some people argue that if a person wants to gamble badly enough they will do it. They say that one will be able to control his or herself and only gamble when it’s appropriate, but gambling is an addiction that some people can’t escape. The addiction is a nationwide problem, and as much a part of gambling as the dice. As an article in the Omaha World Herald states, â€Å"Problem gambling is the urge to gamble despite harmful negative consequence or the desire to stop, and pathological gambling involves wagering to such excess that it has a severe negative effect on the gambler’s life. † Getting hooked on gambling comes mainly from the action and thrill, an experience chemically the same as those with inhaled substances. They fall under the spell of action. Action is an aroused, joyous state involving excitement, tension, and anticipation of the outcome of a gambling event. It is the thrill of living on the edge. Gambling has little to do with money and everything to do with the feelings of a gambler. William Thompson states, â€Å"People will lie to themselves, also in calculating the money because they don’t want to tell themselves that they were foolish about gambling. † Problem gamblers describe gambling as â€Å"highs† similar to that experienced from many drug substances. Some experience these sensations when just thinking about gambling. How is a person supposed to avoid gambling if he or she is constantly being surrounded with opportunities to place bets and be involved in the â€Å"action†? As Frey suggests casinos increase the number of problem gamblers, and make it that much more difficult to stop for those already addicted. In order to stop the number of pathological gamblers from increasing, the amount of gambling in the United States must decrease as a whole. Pathological gamblers were twice as likely to describe their general health as fair to poor over the past two years and were more likely to acknowledge mental or emotional problems. Rates of alcohol and drug dependence, job loss, and bankruptcy were also significantly higher for pathological gamblers relative to non-gamblers. According to Weinstock and Meyers, â€Å" Almost 20 percent of the people diagnosed as pathological gamblers file for bankruptcy compared to the less than 5 percent of those in the general population. † Percentage of Population with Gambling Problems In order to stop the number of pathological gamblers from increasing, the amount of gambling in the United States must decrease as a whole. As is evident in this bar graph the amount of people with gambling disorders has greatly increased. According to Weinstock and Meyers, â€Å"Recent studies have found that approximately 2 percent of Americans have had severe levels of disordered gambling at some point in their lifetime. Alarmingly, the rate in the Mid-South is even higher. Studies with Mississippi and Louisiana reveal that about 5 percent of the residents in Mississippi have a gambling problem, while in New Orleans, Louisiana 8 percent of the population reported significant problems because of their gambling. † Gambling should be kept illegal because the addiction to gambling is too great for many, even adolescents to overcome. According to Welte, Barnes, Tidwell, and Hoffman, â€Å"Over 2% of U. S. adolescents have experienced problem gambling (i. e. , sub-clinical pathological gambling) in the past year. Females have a . 1% problem gambling rate, and males a 4. 2% problem gambling rate within the past year. † If we don’t put a stop to this now the future of pathological gambling will continue. Regrettably, these pathological gamblers will most likely have to deal with many adverse life events because of their addiction. Many problem gamblers are under so much stress, they commit domestic violence or suicide. There are other, less dangerous ways to find entertainment. So many people suffer every day from their addiction to gambling. The United States should put a stop by banning the gambling industry, and therefore eliminating the harmful side effects of legalized gambling. All of this evidence shows that gambling should be kept illegal because the addiction to gambling is far too great for some people to overcome, resulting in psychological problems for the gambler. The negative effects of gambling out-weigh the positive. The tension created among family members, increased crime in society, and the addiction resulting in psychological problems are just too great of a risk for the people of our society to undergo. So the next time you walk into a casino, remember Karina’s story and how the gambling may affect your life, because even if you’re willing to take the chance, odds are the negative effects of gambling will leave you unlucky in life. It is important for all of you to take note of the consequences and refrain from gambling. Staying away from the dangers of gambling, and setting an example to others is extremely important. No matter what type of personality you have, you can be an influence to others and help stop the spread of gambling all over the nation. I want to challenge you that if you know someone that gambles or you yourself gamble share what you know about gambling and try to put a stop to the habit! References: * Anderson, K. Gambling. Gambling Probe Ministries.Retrieved October 31, 2001 from http://www. probe. org/site/c. fdKEIMNsEoG/b. 4219137/k. C8BD/Gambling. htm * Brandt, K. (Personal communication, October 21, 2011) * Forshey, G. E. (1998). Lonely crusade: Fighting the Gambling Industry. The Christian Century. Retrieved October 31, 2011 from http://vnweb. hwwilsonweb. com/hww/results/getResults. jhtml? _DARGS=/hww/results/results_common. jhtml. 35 * Kindt, J. (1994). The Economic Impacts of Legalized Gambling Activities. Drake Law Review, 40 (1), 50-87. Retrieved October 26, 2011 from https://www.ideals. illinois. edu/handle/2142/16297 * Meyers, A. Whelan, J. Weinstock. (June 1998). Gambling: When it is not a Game Anymore. Business Perspectives, 16-22. Retrieved October 27, 2011 from http://www. allbusiness. com/specialty-businesses/291076-1. html * Problem Gambling: Be aware of warning signs. Omaha World Herald. (March, 19, 2010). Retrieved October 23, 2011 from Library. * Seiler, W. J. and Beall, M. L. (2009). Communication and Ethical Behavior. In Communication: Making Connections (8th Ed) (pp. 8-9). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. Allyn.

Music Analysis Of Bluegrass Music Essay

Music Analysis Of Bluegrass Music Essay Bluegrass is a word which came into being after its adoption by musicians and radio disc-jockeys in the early 1950s. Denoting a form of American country or hillbilly music yet, distinguishing it from other types of similar genres, which were popular throughout the Kentucky and greater Appalachia even before the turn of the century. Due to the demographics of the settlers in the region, bluegrass is a music built on strong southern traditions and was originally played primarily by the white working class. Although it is still somewhat debated, it is generally accepted that Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys played the first of what we now call bluegrass music in 1945. (International Bluegrass Music Association, 2001) The banjo came to the fore as it had not done previously accompanied by multiple vocal parts and a now familiar line-up of bass; mandolin; fiddle and guitar. The argument against, rebukes not the talent of Bill Monroe or his style, but the pre-inception of a less formali sed bluegrass genre. No matter which side of the debate one falls on, Monroe is accredited with the commercialisation and formalisation of the characteristics which differentiates the music from other strains of so-called hillbilly music such as country-western, rockabilly, and other forms of western-swing. (Smith, 1965) Both the immigration of the Scotch-Irish settlers during the latter part of the nineteenth century and subsequent emigration of the second and third generations from the region play distinct roles in the social and economic background of the music itself. Celtic fiddling styles played in the home and songs of heritage were commonplace. Monroe fondly recalls his mother walking through the house singing, and playing the fiddle as she prepared the dinner. His uncle, who he first witnessed at the age of about six years old playing this style of fiddle on the front porch at his family home captured the young Monroes imagination. He got the wonderful Scotch-Irish sound out of it, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..and if wed have supper of a night, wed sit around the fireplace and hed play the fiddle. Most musicians of the time allude to fathers, grandfathers, and uncles who fiddled and mothers who played the organ, it seems everyone sang. Mechanically reproduced music and radio was therefore a luxury not many of these impoverished farmers at the time possessed, and although by the early 1900s, some rural settlers may have had experienced the radio, it was not as pervasive as it was to later become. It is for this reason we can refer to these strains as a form of vernacular music. (Rosenberg, 2005) During the late 1930s however, these types of technologies had come to the fore allowing greater access to music and film. The film industry in particular had made singing cowboys a popular trend and this was being reflected in the rise of western swing outfits such as Bob Wills and Bill Boyd. Other influences began to seep into the old time style, as country music began to move closer to the popular music of the era rather than the folk music of its distinct roots. (Rosenberg, 2005) George D. (Judge) Hay, a former news reporter, turned disc jockey with a popular Saturday night show titled The Grand Ole Opry, was adamant within his circle to keep these influences at bay and began to promote his radio show as authentic-hill country music. Urging his musicians to stay true to their roots and keep it close to the ground,(Rosenberg, 2005) he fought for years keeping drums off the Opry stage and very much discouraged the attempts to introduce electric style instruments, instead insisting on the musicians authenticity. It was subsequently the first country music styled show to gain a reputation on a national scale. His hatred of the word hillbilly and refusal to use it on his show gained him a respect from one Bill Monroe who tried out for the show in 1938. Cleo Davis who accompanied Monroe at the audition recalls; Bill and I did à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.. a duet yodel, fast as white lightening. [And were told] à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦if you ever leave the Opry, itll be because youve fired yourself(Rosenberg, 2005) Two of the immediate differences Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys brought to the Opry, and anything that had gone before were the sheer speed that they performed their songs and the key they performed in. Even slow or medium paced favourites were faster than usual, highlighting the skill that was required to maintain the instrumental dexterity and vocal accuracy if these up-tempo performances were to retain their precision. Along with a speed heretofore unnatural, was the use of unconventional keys. Monroe is accredited with saying; We was the first outfit to ever play in B-flat or B-natural and E. Before that it was all C, D, and G. Fiddle men had a fit. (Rosenberg, 2005) Accompanying these alterations was a slightly unusual musical practice whereby all instruments were tuned a half-step above standard pitch. This elongation and tightening of the strings served a multipurpose, gaining both in volume and achieving a brighter tone which subsequently served to suit the vocals better than it had previously. (Rosenberg, 2005) These musical alterations coincided with arguably the most significant social, political, and cultural movement of the entire century, the Second World War. During this period many economic sectors, including the music and recording industries, were in a state of decline. But despite this lull of music sales, the sale of hillbilly records grew exponentially. (Rosenberg, 1967) The major reasons for this were, a population shift, incorporating a migration of southern workers to northern cities, and a mass growth in the popularity of the genre within the armed forces, where many were exposed to these strains for the first time. Military service resulted in long standing members having to leave their post for the war effort. This resulted in an array of performers playing different roles for the following war years. Retaining his slot on the Grand Ole Opry, and gaining his own tent show, Monroe continued to perform with a roulette wheel of differing musicians, yet still managed to contin uously be the most sought-after performer on the circuit. It is about this time that the real elements of bluegrass started to form with the addition of extra musical elements, and it was at this stage Robert Russell (later to be renamed Chubby Wise) joined the fray. A co-composer of Orange Blossom Special a song which Monroe and his boys had covered on many an occasion had heard of Howdy Forresters depart, leaving the band without a fiddle player. Having approached Monroe backstage he joined the Opry tour. Although the musician roulette continued for a time with instruments such as the jug, accordion and harmonica making appearances, the seeds that would comprise the latter sound were beginning sprout. (Rosenberg, 2005) In 1945, debatably the most influential member was auditioned for the line-up. A young banjo player named Earl Scruggs made an impact with a song titled Dear Old Dixie, showcasing his ability to do things you could hardly believe, with Monroe reportedly saying hire him, get him whatever it costs(Rosenberg, 2005). For the first time the band had a banjo player who was not a comedian, but instead had the ability to play solos on songs where all previous players could not. Lester Flatt, a mandolinist and tenor singer was also taken aboard at this time, returning to his guitar and singing lead vocals to accommodate the Blue Grass Boys. Much of the music was actually too fast for Flatt to keep rhythm on the guitar, but he remedied this by using a guitar run at the end of phrases. The run began as an F# on the lower sixth string and ended with an open G. Runs of this type were common in previous country guitar styles, but became so synonymous with Flatt and bluegrass music that it is still referred to as the Lester Flatt G-run.(Malone and McCulloh, 1975) Both were extremely popular with fans, with Scruggs solos demanding encores from the boy from North Carolina who makes the banjo talk (Malone and McCulloh, 1975) Scruggs used a three finger picking style adapted from other north Carolina banjo players such as Wade Mainers two-finger style. His solos on the Opry from 1945-48 resulted in almost instantaneous star status as a country music instrumentalist. Monroes Blue Grass Boys now consisted of a mandolin; played by Monroe himself, a guitar; a banjo; a fiddle and a bass, a construct that is now the presently accepted make-up of the traditional bluegrass band. The sound they produced together had evolved substantially from the days Bill and his brother Charles Monroe entertained locally in Kentucky, and yet, with the early guidance of Judge Hay in Bills career, managed to keep true to the roots of the music. Scruggs and Flatt left the Blue Grass boys line-up late in 1948, due to the strain of being on the road. They still played together however forming the Foggy Mountain Boys. While in this line-up they decided to include the resophonic guitar, (or Dobro) in their band and as a result it is often included in some bluegrass bands today.(International Bluegrass Music Association, 2003) By this time there were other groups mimicking the style set by their outfit, most notably The Stanley Brothers. Monroe had replaced Scruggs with a play er similar to Scruggs own banjo style, and after setting the precedent it became the norm to describe a good banjo player as playing just like Earl Scruggs. (Malone and McCulloh, 1975) Robert Cantwell describes the relative speed in which bluegrass music permeated the psyche as he recalls an appearance from the Eller Brothers in 1980. They began with an old song entitled On and On, but could not remember where it had originated or who had written the piece. It was the work of one Bill Monroe and had apparently been inducted, along with those songs brought across the Atlantic, into the realms of tradition at the tender age of twenty-seven. A tradition according to Cantwell, that was violently foreshortened by radio (2003) The durability of bluegrass has proven this apparent presumption correct however, as the genre grows not only in the Americas but internationally, owing much of its success to the adaptability of the music through other genres, and the capacity to reach wider audiences through the growing medium of technology. The 1960s saw the birth of a new concept, the bluegrass festival. As bands seemed to be competing for the same audience, it was more product ive for all parties involved to put them on the same bill, appearing at festivals around America. These festivals are now internationally common with attendances growing annually. (International Bluegrass Music Association, 2003) Monroes most famous contribution Blue Moon of Kentucky has transcended multiple genres and been re-recorded by artists such as Patsy Kline, Elvis Presley, Rory Gallagher, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles and Paul McCartney among others. Scruggs and Flatt as mentioned continued recording, and wrote songs that appeared on the soundtracks of the cult movie Bonnie and Clyde and the Beverly Hillbillies television show. Bluegrass was once again shot to the forefront of consciousness when Eric Weissberg traded banjo phrases with Steve Mandels guitar in the film Deliverance, and audiences were once again reintroduced to bluegrass as the soundtrack for one of the Coen brothers cinematic ventures O Brother, Where art Thou? went triple platinum. (International Bluegrass Music Association, 2003) Bluegrass is still providing additives, foundations and inspiration in artists today, as Bà ©la Fleck (possibly the most recognisable banjo player worldwide presently), describes his most powerful memory on first hearing the music during an interview for the popular American network PBS: My most powerful memory was hearing Earl Scruggsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.as a five or six year old. That sound just blew me away, shook my head up. (PBS, 2001) Fleck has attained international fame for his ingenuity with his own band the Flecktones and for his fusion of a fast paced picking style with the jazz and blues undertones of the Dave Matthews Band, an outfit he makes regular appearances with. Once again keeping bluegrass firmly in the minds of the masses. The three audio files chosen represent three differing aspects of the bluegrass genre; The original bluegrass sound, the rise of the genres popularity through the prismatic scope of media, and its gradual evolution as these strains enevitably are influenced by other facors. The first, played by Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass boys is a recording from 1946 entitled Rocky Top. It showcases the finger-picking style of banjo thoroughly referenced throughout this essay, while emphasising the vocal layers and dexterity by using choral harmonics. The lyrics themselves reference Rocky Top Tennessee a domesticated hometown scence which much of the country bluegrass music was concerned with, the norm generally being a migration or a return to homelands. The second track was chosen for a number of purposes. Sang by Alison Krauss an extreemely successful country/bluegrass singer with accompaniment by Union Station, it is entitled Man of Constant Sorrow originally performed by the Soggy Bottomed Boys. My reasoning for choosing Krauss version is simple, she transcends genres. Recently dueting with Robert Plant the famed Led Zeppelin front man, she epitomises the durability and versatility bluegrass has sustained in revealing itself to new audiences. It is also featured prominently in the Coen Brothers classic film O, Brother where Art Thou?, reinforcing the previous point and illustrating the gains achieved through differing aspects of the media. The final track is from the aforementioned Bela Fleck, performing with the self explanotory New Grass Revival. The song itself called Steam Powered Aeroplane conveys a movement away from a homeland setting and can be constrewed as having migratory conontations, but more immediately, there is a movement towards the new. Containing the same basic principles, Scruggs-style picking and Flatts G-runs are evident. Vocals are also sung in different parts giving a layered effect, yet held secondary to the lead banjo and a commanding base line seems to keep the overwhelming speed in check. But there is a distinct modern feel as the instuments are very slightly amplified. In more recent years Fleck establishes the Flecktones and keeping this style joins a group containing a drumguitar infusing African beats with blues licks. (See The Flecktones: Next)

The Firewall Essay -- Technology Computers Internet Safety Essays

The Firewall WHAT IS A NETWORK FIREWALL? A firewall is a system or group of systems that enforces an access control policy between two or more networks. The means by which this control is accomplished varies widely, but in principle, the firewall is a pair of mechanisms, one that blocks traffic and one that permits traffic. Some firewalls emphasize blocking traffic, while others emphasize permitting traffic. The most important thing to recognize about a firewall is that it implements an access control policy. If you don't know what kind of access you want to permit or deny, or you let someone else or some product configure a firewall based on judgment other than yours, that entity is making policy for your whole organization. WHY WOULD I WANT A FIREWALL? The Internet is a fun little playground and at the same time a hostile environment. Like any other society, it's plagued with the kind of people who enjoy the electronic equivalent of writing on other people's walls with spray paint, tearing off their mailboxes, or just sitting in the street blowing their car horns. Some people get real work done over the Internet, and some must protect sensitive or proprietary data. Usually, a firewall's purpose is to keep the intruders out of your network while letting you do your job. Many traditional corporations and data centers have computing security policies and practices that users must follow. If a company's policies dictate how data must be protected, a firewall is very important because it embodies corporate policy. Frequently, the hardest part of hooking a large company to the Internet is not justifying the expense or effort, but instead convincing management that it's safe to do so. A firewall not only provides real security but also plays an important role as a security blanket for management. Last, a firewall can act as your corporate ambassador to the Internet. Many corporations use their firewall systems to store public information about corporate products and services, files to download, bug-fixes, and so forth. Several of these systems (such as uunet.uu.net, whitehouse.gov, gatekeeper.dec.com) have become important parts of the Internet service structure and reflect well on their organizational sponsors. WHAT CAN A FIREWALL PROTECT AGAINST? Some firewalls permit only e-mail traffic, thereby protecting the network against any attacks o... ...ng it, crashing it, jamming it, or flooding it. Denial of service is impossible to prevent because of the distributed nature of the network: every network node is connected via other networks, which in turn connect to other networks. A firewall administrator or ISP has control of only a few of the local elements within reach. An attacker can always disrupt a connection "upstream" from where the victim controls it. In other words, someone who wants to take a network off the air can either take the network off the air directly or take the network it connects to off the air, or the network that connects to that network off the air, ad infinitum. Hackers can deny service in many ways, ranging from the complex to the brute-force. If you are considering using the Internet for a service that is absolutely time- or mission-critical, you should consider your fallback position in the event that the network is down or damaged. Microsoft has released hotfixes that address certain types of denial-of-service attacks such as SYN Flooding and giant Ping packets. Be sure to regularly watch for new Service Packs, because they offer new security enhancements that you should put on your systems.

Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Essay examples -- essays papers

What is the FTAA In 1994, the leaders of the thirty-four democratic countries of the Western Hemisphere launched the process of creating a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). The FTAA will be established by 2010 with the aim of gradually eradicating barriers to trade and investment in the region. The final characteristics of the FTAA will be determined through negotiations by government officials from the thirty-four participating countries. The trade issues that are presently under discussion are: market access; investment; services; government procurement; dispute settlement; agriculture; intellectual property; antidumping, subsidies and countervailing duties; and competition policy. Guiding principles for these negotiations are (1) the agreement will be consistent with the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), (2) all countries will be participants in all parts of the agreement, and (3) the final agreement will build on the existing agreements in the region such as the Andean Commu nity and the Southern Cone Common Market (known by its Spanish acronym MERCOSUR). Guiding Principles of the Negotiations †¢ Decisions by consensus (one nation, one vote). †¢ Transparency. †¢ Consistent with rules and disciplines of the World Trade Organization. †¢ Commitment to improve on WTO rules and disciplines. †¢ Single undertaking with simultaneous negotiations in all issue areas. †¢ Co-existence with bilateral and sub-regional trade agreements. †¢ Countries negotiate and accept obligations individually or as members of sub-regional groups. †¢ Special attention to smaller economies and difference in levels of development. †¢ Rights and obligations shared by all countries. †¢ Countries to ensure that national laws and regulations conform to FTAA obligations. The central purpose of the FTAA is to promote economic growth and prosperity of the member countries by lowering barriers to trade and investment within the Western Hemisphere. According to the principles, it is a WTO plus agreement in the sense that the standards and disciplines of the WTO constitute the foundation on which the FTAA is to be constructed, but to be a success it must exceed these. In addition, the FTAA process co-exists with existing trade agreements and the sub-regional trade blocs can have a place at the negotiating table. As is also clear from the list of principles, th... ...p://www.stopftaa.org/info/info_maude.html) Cavanaugh, John. â€Å"Hemispheric Network for Just and Sustainable Trade and Development.† Inside NAFTA 6 (2000): 12-15. Foreign Trade Information System. 2001. Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Process. [Online]. Available on the World Wide Web: (http://www.sice.oas.org/ftaa_e.asp) Global Exchange. 2000. Top Ten Reasons to Oppose the Free Trade Area of the Americas [online]. Available on the World Wide Web: (http://www.globalexchange.org/ftaa/topten.html) Hansen-Kuhn, Karen. 1996. Free Trade Area of the Americas [online]. Available from the World Wide Web: (http://www.foreignpolicy-infocus.org/briefs/vol1/ftaa.html) Nason, Jesse. 2000. FTAA Myths vs. Reality [online]. Available on the World Wide Web: (http://www.stopftaa.org/info/info_factmyth.html) Nason, Jesse. 2000. Straight from the Horse's Mouth: A critical look at what the FTAA says about itself. [Online]. Available from the World Wide Web: (http://www.stopftaa.org/info/info_quotes.html) Public Citizen: Global Trade Watch. 1999. Unveiling "NAFTA for the Americas" [online]. Available from World Wide Web: (http://www.stopftaa.org/info/info_publiccitizen.html) Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Essay examples -- essays papers What is the FTAA In 1994, the leaders of the thirty-four democratic countries of the Western Hemisphere launched the process of creating a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). The FTAA will be established by 2010 with the aim of gradually eradicating barriers to trade and investment in the region. The final characteristics of the FTAA will be determined through negotiations by government officials from the thirty-four participating countries. The trade issues that are presently under discussion are: market access; investment; services; government procurement; dispute settlement; agriculture; intellectual property; antidumping, subsidies and countervailing duties; and competition policy. Guiding principles for these negotiations are (1) the agreement will be consistent with the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), (2) all countries will be participants in all parts of the agreement, and (3) the final agreement will build on the existing agreements in the region such as the Andean Commu nity and the Southern Cone Common Market (known by its Spanish acronym MERCOSUR). Guiding Principles of the Negotiations †¢ Decisions by consensus (one nation, one vote). †¢ Transparency. †¢ Consistent with rules and disciplines of the World Trade Organization. †¢ Commitment to improve on WTO rules and disciplines. †¢ Single undertaking with simultaneous negotiations in all issue areas. †¢ Co-existence with bilateral and sub-regional trade agreements. †¢ Countries negotiate and accept obligations individually or as members of sub-regional groups. †¢ Special attention to smaller economies and difference in levels of development. †¢ Rights and obligations shared by all countries. †¢ Countries to ensure that national laws and regulations conform to FTAA obligations. The central purpose of the FTAA is to promote economic growth and prosperity of the member countries by lowering barriers to trade and investment within the Western Hemisphere. According to the principles, it is a WTO plus agreement in the sense that the standards and disciplines of the WTO constitute the foundation on which the FTAA is to be constructed, but to be a success it must exceed these. In addition, the FTAA process co-exists with existing trade agreements and the sub-regional trade blocs can have a place at the negotiating table. As is also clear from the list of principles, th... ...p://www.stopftaa.org/info/info_maude.html) Cavanaugh, John. â€Å"Hemispheric Network for Just and Sustainable Trade and Development.† Inside NAFTA 6 (2000): 12-15. Foreign Trade Information System. 2001. Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Process. [Online]. Available on the World Wide Web: (http://www.sice.oas.org/ftaa_e.asp) Global Exchange. 2000. Top Ten Reasons to Oppose the Free Trade Area of the Americas [online]. Available on the World Wide Web: (http://www.globalexchange.org/ftaa/topten.html) Hansen-Kuhn, Karen. 1996. Free Trade Area of the Americas [online]. Available from the World Wide Web: (http://www.foreignpolicy-infocus.org/briefs/vol1/ftaa.html) Nason, Jesse. 2000. FTAA Myths vs. Reality [online]. Available on the World Wide Web: (http://www.stopftaa.org/info/info_factmyth.html) Nason, Jesse. 2000. Straight from the Horse's Mouth: A critical look at what the FTAA says about itself. [Online]. Available from the World Wide Web: (http://www.stopftaa.org/info/info_quotes.html) Public Citizen: Global Trade Watch. 1999. Unveiling "NAFTA for the Americas" [online]. Available from World Wide Web: (http://www.stopftaa.org/info/info_publiccitizen.html)

Finance Internship Report

Internship / Project Title: Revenue Operations Specialist Internship / Project Progress: I worked in a Saas-based company as a revenue operation specialist. My main responsibilities were to work closely with the CFO with weekly cash flow analysis and to apply cash, book journal entries and created A/R aging reports in Net Suite and GP. Also, I completed monthly GL account reconciliations and revenue waterfalls and prepared SOX filing, such as sales order and journal entry samples.Furthermore, I worked closely with account executives in managing over 350 customers, generating invoices and processing payments in Quickbooks and Xero. When my company transferred system, I migrated over 5 GB of system data using Pivot Table and Vlookup and created novel collection metrics and invoice billing charts on daily basis. Besides, I helped AP team to verified over 100 weekly expense reports for employee expense reimbursements and assisted with accounting logs and billing/revenue close process.I a lso supported in preparation of financial statements and management reporting and managed billing schedules for revenue recognition This position helps me understand how a finance department runs in the daily work. Also, I built many skills relevant to accounting in the software industry, such as revenue recognition, account receivables and VSOE. I summarized what I learnt and contributed for my company below.Revenue and Budgeting: Assisted financial team to reached $29 million quarterly revenue target in ahead of one month; Managed P&L, aged receivables, income statement, bank reconciliation reports and journal entry for monthly revenue reconciliation; Handled revenue waterfall month end closures in an accurate and timely manner, finishing a week before official due date and exceeding manager expectation. Maintained the budgeting model by the development and improvement of budgeting process to decrease 10% cost on delivery rates and advertisement occupancy.Account Management: Engag ed professionally with sales personnel to manage over 350 customer master files in QuickBooks and 300 customers in Xeros and to implement leads generations in Salesforce. com CRM; Built and developed customer relationships to enhance performance in the bank and generated 10% in portfolio revenue. Data Management: Posted daily cash applications and journal entries in various accounts in Net Suite, kept track of over checking and money market accounts simultaneously and maintained onsistently 100% accuracy; Reconstructed over 5 GB of system data using vlookup and combination formulas in Excel, handled software compatibility issues, input and output parsing, saved company over 30 hours in automating the manual migration of data. Overall, what I learn from class in ITU is well applied to my job. For instance, in Financial Accounting class, we learnt the knowledge about three important financial statements, which I used and reviewed in my job.

Spanish American War: War over Rough Riders Reign

War over Rough Riders Reign With president William McKinney taking charge in order to protect his Americans living in Cuba from the Spanish, he sent over the U. S. S Maine. But on the way over, the barbarous uncivilized Spaniards blew up the ship before it could arrive at its chosen destination. â€Å"Remember the Maine! † was cheered by Americans all over the country. George Dewey valiantly storms his American Navy into Manila Bay. Dewey’s dominance was distinct. Spain lost 384 men in this battle, America lost only 1. Dewey sacrificed 11,000 troops in the Philippines and joined forces with the Filipinos Rebels. This greatly intimidated the Spanish and made the United States very intrepid. The Rough Riders, which are a volunteer cavalry under the command of Leonard Wood and Teddy Roosevelt, and 17,000 American troops, invaded the port city of Santiago in June, 1898. The Rough Riders were definitely the combatants of this battle and caused the Americans to paramount. They were so victorious that the Rough Riders led another battle; The Battle of San Juan Hill was a famous land battle that started on July 1st, 1898. Two days later, the doltish Spanish attempted to escape the American blockage of Santiago Harbor. They were unsuccessful and eventually surrendered on July 17th, 1898. American troops raided Puerto Rico in a conclusion to the last battle. This led to yet another American triumph. The United States is celebrating its victory in this brief war over Spain. As a result of winning the war, our American government has forced Spain to sign the Treaty of Paris. The clauses of this treaty are that Cuba will become independent, Spain will give Puerto Rico and the Pacific Island of Guam to the United States, and the United States will pay 20 million dollars for the annexation of the Philippines Islands. In this short 16 week war, 5,400 Americans lost their lives defending our country against the brutal Spanish. So in the end the United States was once again victorious and protected the weaker countries from certain demise of the debased Spaniards. GO U. S. A.!!!!!!!

Why it is important to differentiate the curriculum for gifted Essay

Why it is important to differentiate the curriculum for gifted learners in schools - Essay Example (1993) identify the ten roles of the teacher as being, â€Å"director, facilitator, adviser, teacher, guide, critic, freedom giver, supporter, manager and examiner† (p.31-32). There are many other educational writers who suggest various other dimensions of teaching and the essential teaching skills within these dimensions. Kyriacou (1998) lists the essential teaching skills as â€Å"ethos, direct instruction, management of materials, guided practice, structured conversation, monitoring, management of order, planning and preparation and written evaluation† (p.6). These skills are imperative in the direction of gifted students in order to tailor the curriculum to their accelerated learning needs. This is why educators of the gifted value the benefits of ability grouping for advanced learners. The availability of some forms of homogeneous grouping for these learners has been strongly advocated by proponents of gifted education (Allan, 1991). Educators of the gifted are also concerned about a lack of emphasis on differentiated instruction for academic diversity in heterogeneous classrooms and reject a one-size-fits-all approach to educating students as varied as those who inhabit the average classroom. Thus, it is necessary to abandon these practices that homogenize instruction by permitting and in some cases, even encouraging a â€Å"one-size-fits-all† approach to instruction (Kaplan, 1979). Instead, it is necessary to emphasize appropriately differentiated instruction in heterogeneous classrooms In order to cater for giftedness, a curriculum must be developed which creates opportunities to optimize students’ potential (VanTassel-Baska, 1993). A goal in gifted education is to reach the ‘optimal match’ of curriculum with the needs of gifted students. (Hoekman, McCormick and Gross, 1999). Curriculum should be complex, fast-paced, rigorous and match the abilities and interests of gifted students (Gross, 1994,1997,2001, Sawyer, 1988, VanTassel-Baska, 88, 91, 92,

Should international non-governmental organizations (iNGO) be allowed Essay

Should international non-governmental organizations (iNGO) be allowed to act anywhere, at any cost - Essay Example t equaling, the enlarging role of inter-governmental associations in the political field and the expeditious globalization of commerce in the economic sphere. However, with the growing influence of INGOs on an international level, a number of controversies associated with misuse of power, liability and legitimacy issues, and corruption charges in some of the reputed INGOs have triggered widespread debate over the role and credibility of INGOs (Ritchie & Rice, 1995). International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) are non-profit voluntary organizations operating at the multinational or global level with participants from various countries. These organizations are involved in various activities which include analysis, advocacy, and awareness raising, conflict resolution, brokerage, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation at the regional, community, state, and global level (INGOs, 2008). Even though the popular INGOs concentrate on human rights (for instance, Amnesty International), disaster relief (the Red Cross), the environmental issues (Friends of the Earth), majority of INGOs are from scientific, industrial, professional, business, and medical sphere (INGOs, 2008). A large number of INGOs is also active in recreation, sports, women’s rights, education, and many other fields. The number of active INGOs has increased dramatically from mere 840 in 1940s to more than 20000 in 2006 (INGOs, 2008). Basically, INGOs are not elected entities, are not answerable to the public, and are not based on the principle of democratic representation. Due to the lack of international system of regulation and accreditation of INGOs under global acts, these organizations enjoy excessive freedom of action (Ben-Ari, 2013). As a result, anywhere, anyone can set up an INGO and begin publishing reports that would be later relied on by the international institutions and tribunals, the media, or by national organizations and courts (Ben-Ari, 2013). Many experts emphasize on the

Write a summary of the video The Secrets of the Sun-NOVA. You may Assignment

Write a summary of the video The Secrets of the Sun-NOVA. You may include your own thoughts as well - Assignment Example Due to this, the scientists explain that there was a need for the prediction of the occurrence of solar flares and storms and their effect of earth. The discoveries noted for the explanation of the start of solar storms and flares is that the sun generates sound waves that, according to the interviewed scientists, can be used to understand occurrences in the sun. The sound waves could be caused by movement of fault lines similar to those of the earth creating disturbances that cause increased activity on the sun’s surface. The video goes on to expound on theories focusing on the sun’s magnetic field and an exposition of sunspots is provided. The main basis for the inclusion of the theories is the launching of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) that has aided the scientists in the determination of the reaching of solar mars by the sun again in 2013. From this understanding, the scientists reveal that they are working on the theories and measures for the protection of the Earth from coronal mass ejections coming towards to Earth. The conclusion is that there is no one theory that ultimately predicts the exact time for coronal mass ejections coming to Earth. In my opinion, Secrets of the sun is an excellent exposition of the technological augmentation of exploration equipment in terms of use of telescopes on earth and in spacecrafts that have aided the understanding of the sun for better preparedness on disasters such as sun flares. It is evident that recent developments have been beneficial in getting a better understanding of the sun as shown in Secrets of the Sun and will be helpful in abating coronal mass ejections, solar flares, and

Unit 5 Individual Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Unit 5 Individual Project - Essay Example Hospitality sector is one such great opportunity existing within UAE markets which can offer a great opportunity to serve our ready to cook seafood products. Our strategy will be based on the value addition proposition which our products will offer besides offering other health benefits. To be the leading seafood products providers in the International market taking care of the nutritional value of our customers beside providing a less expensive, high quality and fresh sea food products to our customers through value addition. Tourism is considered as the main attraction of the UAE with annual shopping festivals of international stature besides offering a very cheap and more westernize environment to the visitors from Western countries. Our target market will be divided into two groups: First group of consumers will be foreign touring UAE. We aim to serve them with traditional fish products of UAE besides offering customized cooked seafood products which are more in demand in Western Countries thus providing them an experience of second home market as for as serving their taste buds are concerned. Hospitality sector: Both in Dubai and across the country, it is the hospitality sector that is the largest single consumer group of seafood products, with nearly every 5-star hotel hosting a seafood restaurant. Competition in the foodservice segment continues to heat-up, keeping pace with both population and tourism growth (in 2006, Dubais 371 hotels hosted a record 6.5Â  million guests). Gulf Seafood LLC is considered as one of the oldest and largest players in the UAE seafood industry. There is a growing trend within the whole Gulf market that the trends are shifting towards the more health conscious seafood products with many local as well international players are coming into the market to define their own niches. A closer analysis of the competition suggests that there is a need for the company having more experience in serving Western

Infrastructures Of The Information Technology And Systems Research Paper

Infrastructures Of The Information Technology And Systems - Research Paper Example The studies at postgraduate level ought to be difficult and absorbing, especially when research methodologies and techniques are involved therein. They demand a systematic approach to be employed in order to overcome the complexities and difficulties of ‘adding’ something to human knowledge base. Such complexities and difficulties ought to come across and you have to exercise the tested skills and expertise to address these difficulties aptly and promptly. We were lucky to have these skills and expertise taught in the beginning of the course which helped a long way in our studies. The targeted content taught in the initial phase of the course proved quite useful in understanding and applying the different aspects of theoretical and perspective studying skills and various approaches that can be helpful in getting around the tricky parts of the course. The framework provided in this part was tailored to fit the course specific requirements. Other than the taught contents a host of online resources for organizing and managing the studies were introduced to further assist the learning process, theories and the perspectives. The best part of this short initial session was instilling a will to succeed and excel in the career of strategic business information technology. It is all the more important for any study that you are aware of the benefits attached to the set of expertise that the study targets and to know how this may help in the career-building process. building process. The better you know about the study objectives the better you can perform to achieve th ese objectives. The major skills that were induced at this initial phase include time management skills, presentation skills, skills related to listening and learning effectively, team and group management and

Assessing Learners in Lifelong Learning Essay Example for Free

Assessing Learners in Lifelong Learning Essay Critical reflection is an important aspect of teaching and learning effectively; as stated by Petty (2009:520) ‘as you reflect, your ‘theory in use’ improves, and so you become not only more effective, but also more adaptable and better able to solve problems.’ Through critically reflecting on your own practice, you become more able as a teacher and thereby improving your learner’s ability to achieve. This unit will be exploring assessment by way of critical analysis and evaluation. 1.a) How you select and apply assessment types and methods to meet the needs of learners, ensuring that the assessment evidence that is produced is valid, reliable, sufficient, authentic and current. Due to the vast array of assessment types and methods available, it is important that I research effectively which assessment methods and types meet the needs of my learners. Within AS and A Level Psychology that I teach, there are formal assessment methods used at the end of topics and the course that are marked in accordance with AQA guidelines. These tend to be similar methods of summative assessment, including mock exams and essays, as these are the most appropriate and effective methods of summative assessment in terms of what my learners need to know. However, upon exploring assessment in more details, it is clear that I could diversify in terms of the summative assessment methods I use. As stated within DTTLS Course Day Five Reflective Journal; ‘Whilst I am quite diverse with regards to formative assessment, I tend to use the same assessment methods with my learners for summative assessment. This is normally case studies and essays at the end of topics, and mock exams at the end of modules. Even though I understand that the reason I do this is to ensure that learners are prepared for their exam at the end of the year, I am not developing my learners as fully as I can.’ This has become an area of development for me for future planning and preparation; ‘As a result, I will be exploring ways to increase diversity within my summative assessment methods over the next few months.’ (DTTLS Course Day Five Reflective Journal). Through exploring summative assessment and researching this in more detail, I have been able to use different methods of summative  assessment to ensure that it meets the needs of learners and the course type; ‘The latter part of this session involved learners working together to present the three definitions of abnormality. In order to meet the needs of learners, I ensured that all learners were involved in presenting a different definition of abnormality than the one they completed the leaflet on. This is to ensure that learners get maximum exposure to the different definitions and are able analyse and evaluate at least two effectively.’ (Session 6 Self Evaluation Form, Individual Differences, 27/03/14). Through mixing up the assessment methods, so that learners were able display what they had learnt through written English, verbally and using ICT to produce a PowerPoint presentation ensured that this form of summative assessment at the end of the topic meet the needs of all learners within my learning environment. By giving learners the opportunity to present the definitions of abnormality in a variety of ways at the end of a topic enabled me as a teacher to identify whether learners had acquired the correct type and quantity of knowledge, and by not giving them a mark or grade ensured that they did not feel in competition with each other, or that they were being compared to other peers by way of national standards (Petty, 2009). By researching assessment and using a variety of formative assessment methods to assess learners during the courses and subjects that I run within my organisation, I am more able to identify those assessment methods that meet the needs of learners as well as the requirements of the course. This is supported by knowledge obtained on informal assessment. For example, ‘Such informal assessment includes question and answer to confirm understanding, which I use regularly throughout the session plans†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..This is largely due to ensuring that I getting immediate feedback on what learners know so I can check understanding to ensure that all learners have grasped the concept, to work individually with learners that have not, and enable those learners that have to move on. This is to ensure that I am meeting all learners’ needs, and engaging learners effectively.’ (Session 7 and 8 Self Evaluation Form, Positively Girls, 27/06/14). Ensuring that assessment types and methods are valid, current and reliable is an important factor and is an area I have identified for improvement within  my own self reflections; ‘In order to ensure that I am assessing effectively, I should be reviewing my assessment methods regularly to ensure that they are fair, valid, reliable and ethical (Gravells, a. 2012). This will be an area of development for me for future sessions and topics.’ (Session 7 and 8 Self Evaluation Form, Positively Girls, 27/06/14). Through completion of DTTLS Day Courses, I have become more confident in identifying assessment methods that are valid; ‘Working with the whole group on assessment methods we currently use was an activity that was useful in exploring how we all use assessment, as well as reinforcing how I use assessment. When I was discussing an assessment method I used to test learners knowledge of validity and reliability, I felt more confident when encouraged by my other membe rs of the group that it was a valid assessment method.’ (DTLLS Course, Day Five Reflective Journal). Having discussed in detail assessment on Day Five DTLLS Course has given me more confidence in identifying current, reliable and up to date assessment methods; ‘Another group activity that I found helped to encourage deeper understanding and acquisition of knowledge of assessment was exploring what things assessment criteria should be. Within the group, we came up with some key words that we felt were important, such as validity, reliability, up to date/current, reliable, specific and achievable. Anne then put up on the window other things that assessment criteria should be, and this enabled me to acquire more knowledge about assessment criteria. I hadn’t thought about transparency as part of assessment criteria before, and thinking through the variety of topics within assessment criteria, I was able to understand more clearly expectations of assessment. As a result of this, I am becoming more aware within my teaching practice of why assessment is used and what assessmen t criteria are about. I now feel more able to develop methods of assessment more effectively using this.’ (DTLLS Course, Day Five Reflective Journal). I feel that I am becoming more aware of how to use assessment within my teaching and learning so that it is effective, reliable, and current and meets the needs of learners. Trying out assessment methods and types is an area that I have been exploring, as supported by evidence within self reflections; ‘Trying out different assessment methods is supported by Petty, G (2009), whereby through trial and error of resources, teaching and learning methods and assessment, we are able to, as practitioners, develop  learners holistically and enable them to achieve their full potential.’ (Session 5 and 6 Self Evaluation Form, Positively Girls, 26/06/14). Through trial and error, I have been able to adapt session plans and schemes of work to ensure that a variety of assessment types and methods are used; ‘Within the session plans that I have created, I have given myself various opportunities to assess learners. Having explored the difference between formal and informal assessment has enabled me to become more confident in how I assess learners; I use a variety of informal assessments throughout my session plans’ (Session 7 and 8 Self Evaluation Form, Positively Girls, 27/06/14) 1.b) ways of using peer and self assessment to promote learner involvement and personal responsibility in the assessment for and of their learning Throughout my teaching and learning practice, I regularly use self and peer assessment to promote learner involvement; ‘I also observe learners when they are peer assessing, completing activities through role play or discussion so I can see informally how learners are getting to grips with knowledge and whether they are able to apply it effectively.’ (Session 7 and 8 Self Evaluation Form, Positively Girls, 27/06/14). Looking at prior self-evaluations and self-reflections has enabled me to focus on peer-assessment specifically within my teaching practice; ‘Through exploring previous self-evaluations, and identifying areas of development, I focused on identifying ways to encourage more peer assessment.’ (Session 5 and 6 Self Evaluation Form, Relationships, 25/06/14). When identifying ways to introduce peer and self-assessment, it is important to ensure that any disadvantages are considered and thought through; ‘Through researching both self and peer asse ssment, it has been indicated that learners are more likely to be harder on themselves than on others (Hillier, Y 2002. ‘Reflective Teaching in further and adult education)’ (Session 5 and 6 Self Evaluation Form, Relationships, 25/06/14). The research that I have conducted into peer assessment gave me the knowledge to trial it as an assessment method within my teaching practice; ‘In order for learners to feel more confident, as well as give them new ways to reflect and assess on others work and equip them with more life skills, and a as result of the  research I have undertaken, I opted to explore the use of peer assessment more regularly first. Within my session plan, there were several ways that I enabled this to take place. For example, when learners were trying to meet learning objective ‘Demonstrate understanding of relationship breakdown through research and context’ learners had the opportunity to present findings back to the class, and other learners to give feedback.’ (Session 5 and 6 Self Evaluation Form, Relationships, 25/06/14). This activity enabled learners to assess each other’s learning within the session, and gave them the opportunity to critically consider other lea rner’s work. Within this session, I have also shown how peer assessment can be used to promote learner involvement; ‘This worked quite well, as learners were very positive about their peers, but due to having spent nearly a year with this class, most felt comfortable to give constructive feedback. I was surprised at the level of maturity that learners displayed, and everyone participated well.’ (Session 5 and 6 Self Evaluation Form, Relationships, 25/06/14). Self-assessment also has many advantages as an assessment method within teaching and learning; When supporting learners to achieve objective ‘demonstrate understanding of learning objectives’ they were given key questions to answer, and then a model answer sheet for learners themselves to ascertain whether they had been correct. This enabled the learners within my classroom to clarify goals and make a judgement about their own work (Petty, 2009).’ (Session 3 and 4 Self Evaluation Form, Positively Girls, 25/06/ 14). Through self- assessment, learners within this session developed skills that they may not have otherwise had the opportunity to; ‘learners discussed with their peers their answers, and this encouraged deeper thinking, and therefore, retention, about what they had learnt in this session.’ (Session 3 and 4 Self Evaluation Form, Positively Girls, 25/06/14). It also gave learners personal responsibility for their learning; ‘It appeared that giving learner’s responsibility for their own learning through self-assessment motivated them to do well.’ (Session 3 and 4 Self Evaluation Form, Positively Girls, 25/06/14). Throughout exploring self and peer-assessment with my learners, I have been able to promote learning, motivate learners and engage them for significant amounts of time; ‘Through self and peer assessment in these sessions, it is clear that learners are more engaged and making significant progress in understanding what emotional  and physical health is, as well as identifying when emotional or physical health is not at its optimum level.’ (Session 5 and 6 Self Evaluation Form, Positively Girls, 26/06/14) I have been able to identify many benefits to learners through the use of self and peer-assessment, and will be continuing to use and develop these as assessment methods within my session plans and schemes of work. 1.c) how questioning and feedback contributes to the assessment process Questioning and feedback contribute to the assessment process in a variety of ways. Within the learning environment itself, questioning techniques have been shown to have positive impact on learners progress in terms of assessment; ‘I used questioning techniques, such as prompting and re-directing when learners were not relating feedback specifically to the presentation, and this enabled learners to stay on track (Reece and Walker, 2007).’ (Session 5 and 6 Self Evaluation Form, Relationships, 25/06/14). This enables learners to engage in the topic at hand and successfully complete the assessment activity. Questioning effectively also enables learners to identify areas that they need to acquire more knowledge on, and to identify how they are doing in terms of assessment Tummons, 2011). Through research and knowledge acquired on assessment and questioning, ‘I have been able to encourage learners to think more deeply by how I question them based on knowledge obtained from concepts on deep and surface learning (Reece, I. And Walker, S. 2007). (Session 7 and 8 Self Evaluation Form, Positively Girls, 27/06/14) This has contributed positively to the assessment process as learners are re-directed and re-focused to the topic at hand, and are given immediate feedback on their discussions via questioning. Feedback to learners is an important part of the assessment process, as it enables learners to develop and grow by providing them with constructive information about how they are doing and how they could do better, as well as providing guidance and support where needed (Tummons, 2011). It is important that feedback given is positive and constructive, and that learners do not feel demoralised or overwhelmed as a result of feedback; Learners that were presenting were pleased with their feedback, and also had areas for development for future presentations.’ (Session 5 and 6 Self Evaluation Form, Relationships, 25/06/14). I have researched the  importance of feedback to learners and have tried to ensure throughout my teaching and learning practice that I give effective feedback to learners; ‘I was able to provide constructive feedback to learners one on one as well as a group, supporting their discussion and providing appropriate feedback so that learners were able to identify if they were completing the activity correctly, and support and guidance given to them if they were not. I am realising the importance of feedback from and to learners and am exploring ways to increase formative assessment throughout the session so that I can pick up learner’s difficulties more quickly and get them back on track (Hillier, Y 2005. ‘Reflective Teaching in Further and Adult Education’).’ (Session 4 and 5 Self Evaluation Form, Individual Differences, 25/03/14). Feedback from the learners themselves is an important aspect of the assessment process, as without their input, it would b e very difficult as a practitioner to identify what your learners enjoyed, engaged in, found difficult etc†¦. Feedback should be clear and unambiguous, understood by learners, timely, and delivered appropriately (Tummons, 2011). I continually ask learners for feedback through the courses and subjects that I deliver to ensure that assessment is effective and meets requirements of feedback as stated above; ‘Following previous self-reflections completed within my teaching file on evaluation of topics, I asked all learners to complete an anonymous evaluation at the end of the last session in order for learners to let me know their views on how the session had been planned and delivered, the use of resources, assessment at the beginning, during and at the end of the topic, and how inclusive teaching and learning approaches were within the sessions.’ (Session 7 and 8 Self Evaluation Form, Positively Girls, 27/06/14). I have found that, by asking learners for feedback, it increases their self-esteem and confidence, as they feel that they have an input into how they are being taught and assessed, and this in turn, has a positive impact on their motivation, which is an important aspect of feedback that I have noted within self-reflections; I will be using comments made within their feedback for future sessions, as it is important for learners to feel that they are being listened to, and how they feel they work best (Armitage et al, 2012. ‘Teaching and Training in Lifelong Learning’). (Session 5 and 6 Self Evaluation Form, Relationships, 25/06/14). Lastly, questioning and feedback not only contributes to the assessment process, but to my own  professional development, and how I provide feedback to others; ‘It also gave me insight into critical evaluation of myself and others; this task enable me to explore giving feedback to others and being able to do so supportively, and positi vely’.(Day Four Reflective Journal) 2.a) the assessment requirements and related procedures of your learning programme The learning programme that I regularly teach within my organisation is AQA AS and A level Psychology. This learning programme is subject to assessment requirements as defined by AQA and I ensure that schemes of work and session plans are completed accurately to ensure that assessment can take place that is accurate and specific to the programme requirements; ‘The planning of this session was done in accordance with scheme of work that has been produced by myself in line with AQA specification requirements. As a result of this, I have specific aims to meet in a set period of time, which does not give me much room to be creative.’ (Session 1 Self Evaluation Form, Individual Differences, 20/03/14). As mentioned within this quote, it is important to ensure that I am knowledgeable about types and methods of assessment so that I am able to complete activities and tasks that are relevant and valid for learners as well as the programme. It is also important that I ensure that all requirements of each topic within AS and A Level Psychology are met; this means that it can be difficult to ensure that learners have a deeper understanding of a topic and to develop skills such as critical analysis and evaluation, but it is an area of development for me for future topics and Psychology courses; ‘The planning enabled me to meet AQA specification requirements, but it did not enable learners to discuss Psychopathology in detail and therefore gain a deeper understanding of it. As a result of this, I will be exploring more ways in which I can do this next year.’ (Session 1 Self Evaluation Form, Individual Differences, 20/03/14). 2.b) How you carry out and record assessments to meet internal and external processes and requirements There are a variety of ways in which I carry out and record assessments to meet internal and external processes and requirements. Within my organisation, our internal processes are in line with external process in terms of assessment, which provides a consistent approach and overview to how learners are assessed. For example, AQA has a mark scheme in accordance with how they mark specific elements of the Psychology Course. I have used this within activities used for assessment, such as through PSYA2 Individual Differences; Assessment for Learning Booklet (appendix one). This booklet enables me to assess how learners are doing throughout the topic of Individual Differences, and within the Scheme of Work for this topic; there are opportunities for learners to complete parts of this booklet. During Session 7 Monday 31st March, the assessment activity is ‘to complete pages 1-8 of PSYA2: Individual Differences Assessment for Learning Booklet.’ Each section is marked and I record learner’s marks in my teaching and learning assessment folder. These marks are also evident within learners Individual Learning Plans, which are introduced at the beginning of the year for each learner, and developed partly due to information acquired throughout the DTLLS course; ‘I have had one to one sessions with all learners since Day Two DTLLS to review their individual learning plans, and this has enabled me to see if all earners are on track, progressing, and if not, why not? As a result of this, further support for some learners has been identified and learners can see that I am keeping track of where they are and that, most importantly, I am interested in how they are doing.’ (DTLLS Course, Day Two Reflective Journal). However, it is clear from exploring self reflections from DTLLS Day courses and my teaching portfolio that I do not evidence how I carry out and record assessments in detail, and this is an area for devel opment for me for future self reflections. 2.c) How you communicate assessment information to other professionals with an interest in learner achievement It is important, when conducting assessment, that it is shared with colleagues appropriately within the organisation that I work in. Through training days that are held within my organisation, I have ensured that colleagues have appropriate information given to them in regards to assessment, particularly with regards to sharing good practice and exploring how we can effectively assess our learners;  Ã¢â‚¬ËœWithin discussions had on assessment on this training day, we explored sharing assessment information with colleagues. Having thought about this and looking at how this is currently done within my organisation enabled me to come up with a few ideas to ensure effective communication and support for assessment within the sixth form. I have discussed this in more detail within my review of teaching and consider it important enough for learner’s progress to identify i t as a development need for teaching practice’. (DTLLS Course, Day Five, Reflective Journal). Through communicating assessment information to others, I have become aware of the need to do this more regularly to ensure that all relevant colleagues and professionals have up to date information regarding assessment, as well as providing support and development within assessment for all; ‘I have become more aware of communicating assessment information to colleagues and other relevant people within my organisation. Whilst we have meetings and do discuss learner’s progress, I feel that it would be useful to have a professional development session once a term to share good practice on assessment and learners progress and ensure the session was interactive, and that staff could share resources and assessment methods with others.’ (DTLLS Course, Day Five Reflective Journal). Following this, sixth form meetings now take place once every half term in which assessment is the sole agenda item. This has enabled all colleagues to place importance on assessment, and enco urages colleagues to develop assessment types, methods and practice for the benefit of the learners, as well as the sixth form as a whole. 3.a) ways in which minimum core elements can be demonstrated and applied in assessing learners in own specialist area Throughout my teaching and learning practice, I identified early on my limited knowledge of Minimum Core. Since starting the DTLLS Course, I have had many opportunities to demonstrate and apply minimum core in assessing learners in my own specialist area of Psychology AS and A level. I regularly show my capabilities in terms of evidencing some areas of the Minimum Core, such as writing and language; ‘I felt that I demonstrated writing within the minimum core well, by presenting information on PowerPoint and through Abnormality booklet clearly, effectively, with a font size and type that was easy to read and legible, as well as using appropriate language that was in line  with learners ability.’ (Session 2 and 3 Self Evaluation Form, Individual Differences, 24/03/14). The Abnormality booklet was designed to be used as an assessment activity, for learners to work through during the course, and supports the use of Minimum Core and application to assessing learners. I have also been able to recognise areas of development within the Minimum Core and have worked on these to ensure that learners within my classroom are benefiting from valid and up to date assessment; ‘However, it is clear that there is a lack of numeracy within my session plans, and this is an area of development for future sessions.’ (Session 2 and 3 Self Evaluation Form, Individual Differences, 24/03/14). Following this, I researched numeracy within the Minimum Core and how I could apply it within my teaching and learning practice, in particular to assessment; ‘One of my areas for development in previous sessions (Session 2 and 3 self-evaluation form Individual Differences) was to research ways to increase numeracy as part of the minimum core†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. I explored ways in which I could do this†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. I ensured that I communicated processes within drug therapies and treatment of schizophrenia effectively, by use of video as well as practical demonstrations that I completed during this session. I also put drug treatment and treating schizophrenia into context and supporting learners to make sense of this and how it could be represented by exploring key studies, as well as analysing and evaluating drug treatment as a valid approach. This enabled learners to compile evidence, with support, and to think through processes logically to enable them to develop their learning skills.’ (Session 9 and 10 Self Evaluation Form, Individual Differences, 01/04/14). By using numeracy within the formative assessment activity as described above, enabled me to effectively demonstrate use of the Minimum Core within assessment. As a result of becoming more aware of numeracy within Minimum Core, I now feel more confident to demonstrate competency of this within the learning environment and within application of assessment activities for learners; ‘I did use diagrams during this session, and this supported numeracy within the Minimum Core, as I evaluated and assessed the diagram, mad e decisions concerning content knowledge and skills to ensure pupils were able to understand the concept of the diagram, and selected appropriate format and style to communicate this to pupils (through use of diagram).’ (Session 12 to 15 Self Evaluation Form, Individual Differences, 07/04/14 and  09/04/14). Due to extensive research on the Minimum Core and how to apply this within my own specialist area, I have become more competent in a variety of areas, including demonstrating competency within language and ICT; ‘As stated in previous self-evaluations, I have found it difficult to differentiate between minimum core and functional skills, and having researched this, as well as using the information gleaned from DTLLS Day 4, I am becoming more confident in doing this. For example, I can evidence personal ICT skills, personal language skills and explicit knowledge about active listening within minimum core for future sessions (Lifelong Learning UK, 2007 ‘Inclusive Learning Approaches for literacy, language, numeracy and ICT).’ (Session 3 and 4 Self Evaluation Form, Relationships, 24/06/14). However, I also recognise that further development is needed within this area to ensure that I am skilled, capable and experienced with regards to Minimum Core and its application to assessment; ‘This will be an area of development for me for future sessions, as I am still not confident in evidencing this and will need to ensure an adequate time frame and approach to gain more knowledge and evidence this successfully.’ (Session 3 and 4 Self Evaluation Form, Relationships, 24/06/14). 4.a) the effectiveness of own assessment practice taking account of the views of learners It is important, when looking at assessment, to explore the effectiveness of my own assessment practice taking account of the views of learners. I regularly ask learners for feedback on the session that they have completed, and value their input with regards to teaching and learning; ‘I also asked the learners how they found this resource and what I could do differently next time. Learners were pleasantly surprised that I had asked them; they stated that they were not used to teachers asking them for feedback and stated it made them feel valued. I resolved to ensure that I do this more regularly, as I understand the importance of learner feedback to ensure that they reach their full potential and I am able to become more successful in my teaching and learning practice.’ (Session 6 Self Evaluation Form, Individual Differences, 27/03/14). Input from learners on the AS and A Level Psychology Course that I run has an impact on how I complete assessment, and  the effectiven ess of assessment methods used. It is clear through exploring self reflections that I use a variety of assessment types of methods, as supported by quotes from self reflections within this assignment. However, learner feedback on individual vs. group assessment methods showed that; ‘[learners] enjoyed group work as opposed to independent work on tasks or activities; learners stated that they preferred working with their friends, as they were more comfortable and it enabled them to discuss the task more confidently.’ (Session 5 and 6 Self Evaluation Form, Relationships, 25/06/14). Whilst it is important that learners are listened to, I need to ensure that I balance this up with evidence and knowledge gained through research and support from colleagues and tutors;’ However, it is also important to note that moving learners out of their comfort zone enables them to use skills they might not know they had, and give them the opportunity to grow and become expert learners (The Excellence Gateway Treasury, [online] Available at: http://tlp.excellencegateway.org.uk/tlp/xcurricula/el/ ). ‘ (Session 5 and 6 Self Evaluation Form, Relationships, 25/06/14). I also ensure that I explore the effectiveness of my own assessment practice throughout self reflections completed as part of the DTLLS Course; ‘Due to regularly assessing learners work and activities that they participate in, it is clear that learners meet objectives and progress through the course, but I need to explore different ways to assess to enable pupils to become expert learners and challenge them more (Day Five DTLLS Course).’ (Session 3 and 4 Self Evaluation Form, Relationships, 24/06/14). I am able to identify areas for development, as shown in the quote above, as well as areas in which I am effective with regards to assessment; ‘My observation report clearly shows that I use formative assessment during sessions, as well as informal summative assessment through the plenary from the first part of the session. This ensures that I know where my learners are at before starting the second session, so I am able to adapt or change any part of the session plan or resources if required to ensure all learners have grasped the concepts they are required to know before moving on.’ (Session 3 and 4 Self Evaluation Form, Relationships, 24/06/14). Whilst completing this DTLLS Course, it is clear that I understand the importance of assessment and its effectiveness, as well as demonstrating ways in which I can ensure that assessment is  effective within my teaching and learning practice; ‘I recognise more and more the importance of assessment, and am more aware of how I use assessment and the effectiveness of this within my session plans and on how learners learn. As stated by Gibbs (cited in Bryan, C and Klegg, K 2006. ‘Innovative Assessment in Higher Education’); ‘Assessment has more impact on learning than teaching’ and this is something that I consider more often when constructing session plans and putting them into practice. For example, written English ensures that I have evidence of concepts that learners have grasped and how effectively they have managed to do so, and this feeds into future session plans.’ (Session 7 and 8 Self Evaluation Form, Positively Girls, 27/06/14). 4.b) ways to improve own assessment practice Having had the opportunity to explore self reflections from DTLLS Day Courses and my teaching portfolio, I have been able to identify ways in which I can improve my own assessment practice. With regards to assessment types, I have identified initial assessment as an area of improvement within my professional practice; ‘I have since been exploring ways in which I can use initial assessment with my next cohort of learners who will start in September to identify skills of new learners, find out more about them and how I can support their needs.’ (DTTLS Course, Day Two Reflective Journal). It is also important to remember where and how initial assessment occurs, to ensure that learners come into an environment that is comfortable, engaging, well signposted and is inviting; ‘It helped me to think about how learners enter my learning environment- were reception friendly? Do they feel comfortable? Were people rude or welcoming to them? I did not put much thought into this before, I think I had focused too much on learners first impressions when they meet me and come into the learning environment. This has led to me thinking of the bigger picture and discussing with colleagues how we run sixth form induction days, open days etc†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (DTLLS Course, Day Three Reflective Journal) I could also improve my own assessment practice by diversifying with regards to types of assessment; ‘When looking at how I used assessment within this session, it is clear that I tend to use the same types of assessment; observation, written English, through completion of  tasks and question and answer to confirm understanding. Whilst these are all relevant assessment methods, it is important to ensure that I am creating diversity in my assessment method to ensure all learners can achieve.’ (Session 3 and 4 Self Evaluation Form, Relationships, 24/06/14). Ensuring that I have a clear understanding of assessment methods and researching the variety of methods will enable me to provide variety to learners with regards to assessment. Lastly, I have found that through completing self reflections, that I am able to critically consider how I use assessment within my teaching practice and am always striving to develop myself with regards to this; ‘Evaluating each session during this topic is enabling me to critically consider the teaching and learning approaches I use, as well as assessment and learner involvement. This benefits not only me but the learners within my sessions, and I will strive to complete self evaluations more often to improve my teaching practice.’ (Session 4 and 5 Self Evaluation Form, Individual Differences, 25/03/14). Conclusion There are many ways in which I explore assessment, and completing this critical reflection has enabled me to identify where I complete assessment well, such as meeting learner’s needs through assessment methods and types, and demonstrating competency within minimum core, as well as identifying areas for improvement, such as carrying out and recording assessment information. It is important that I continue to critically reflect on my own practice to ensure that I am applying theory gained to practice in teaching and learning, and developing myself as a practitioner;’ Reflecting on my teaching practice has enabled me to think more critically about how I meet the needs of learners, how I challenge learners but ensure that they are not overwhelmed, how I ensure I meet equality and diversity needs within the classroom, and how I assess.’ (Session 12 to 15 Self Evaluation Form, Individual Differences, 07/04/14 and 09/04/14). As stated by Tummons (2007:71) ‘if we use our reflective practice to explore critically the assumptions and preconceptions on which we base our training and teaching practice, we can build on our understanding of learning and  teaching and enhance our professional knowledge.’ References Gravells, A (2012) Preparing To Teach In The Lifelong Learning Sector. London: Routledge. Hiller, Y (2005) Reflective Teaching in Further and Adult Education. Continuum; London. Petty, G (2009) (4th Edn) Teaching Today. London: Cheltenham Nelson Thornes. Reece, I. Walker, S. (2007) (6th Edn) Teaching, training and learning: A Practical Guide. Tyne and Wear: Business Education Publishers Ltd. Tummons, J (2011) (3rd Edn) Assessing Learning in the Lifelong Learning Sector London: Learning Matters Tummons, J. (2007) Becoming a Professional Tutor in the Lifelong Learning Sector. London: Learning Matters Jones, P. (2014) Session One Individual Differences; Psychopathology. Introduction to Psychopathology (20/03/14) Jones, P. (2014) Session Two and Three Individual Differences; Psychopathology. Definitions of Abnormality (24/03/14) Jones, P. (2014) Session Four and Five Individual Differences; Psychopathology. Failure to Function and Definitions of Abnormality (25/03/14) Jones, P. (2014) Se ssion Six Individual Differences; Psychopathology. Presentations on Definitions of Abnormality (27/03/14) Jones, P. (2014) Session Nine and Ten Individual Differences; Psychopathology. Biological Approaches and Therapies (01/04/14) Jones, P. (2014) Session Twelve to Fifteen Individual Differences; Psychopathology. Evaluation and Analysis (07/04/14 and 09/04/14). Jones, P. (2014) Positively Girls Self Evaluation Session Three and Four; Stress, Worries and Relaxation (25/06/14) Jones, P. (2014) Positively Girls Self Evaluation Session Five and Six; Emotional and Physical Wellbeing (26/06/14) Jones, P. (2014) Positively Girls Self Evaluation Session Seven and Eight; Friendship and Communication (27/06/14) Jones, P. (2014) Session Three and Four A Level Psychology; Maintenance of Relationships Self Evaluation (24/06/14) Jones, P. (2014) Session Five and Six A Level Psychology; Breakdown of Relationships Self Evaluation (25/06/14) Jones, P. (2014) Reflective Journal Day Two (February 2014) Jones, P. (2014) Reflection Journal Day Five (May 2014) Appendix One; PSYA2 Individual Differences; Assessment for Learning Booklet