Literacy Education Essay

Education is provided for all, it is our federal government’s promise that education be accessible to everyone. But what if a student is not able to learn or has difficulty acquiring knowledge? They are then given the opportunity to attend a remedial class so that they can cope up with the lessons. But what if the student is not actually illiterate or in need of remedial classes but only needs a little help in adjusting to the current lesson plan? This is what Mike Rose realized as he worked his way through his own schooling and later on as an educator. During his early education, Mike Rose was not a straight A student nor did he stand out among his peers, his early school life was quite ordinary. In Lives on the Boundary, he recounted the difficulties he encountered as a middle class immigrant family but how education and his encounters with some of his teachers had freed him and enabled him to venture out into the world (Graff, 1994). He eventually graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Loyal University and earned a graduate fellowship with UCLA. Rose argues that students stuck in remedial classes are not necessarily there secondary to lack in intelligence but because of lack of support from a social and economic standpoint. He goes on to question standards used in evaluating intelligence and calls for a change in the standards for a more equalized opportunities in education. He also talks of changes in the way literacy is taught to students who are underprepared. He seeks to develop a new curriculum that can adapt to the needs of the students in remedial classes and that is focus on meaningful composition and critical thinking rather than on grammar and usage. He also seeks changes in the philosophy of education that goes beyond the financial benefit and education gained as measured by the usual tests. Failed Education There are times when a student is not able to learn or fails in class and the usual notion is that the child is lacking in intelligence and is placed in a remedial class in order for them to grasp knowledge. But Rose (1989) argues that â€Å"more often than we admit, a failed education is social more than intellectual in origin† (p. 225). What can Rose mean by this? Essentially Rose talks of the educationally underprepared students, those who are often placed in remedial classes, which was labeled as the ‘sick section’ or ‘hospital section’ (p. 210) which is can already be termed a stigma to those who attend these types of classes. But in his book, Rose (1989) makes one realize that many of these students fail and fall into remedial classes not because of lack of intelligence or lack of skills but mainly because of the lack of understanding of their teachers and the lack of opportunity provided for them due to a variety of reasons not limited to the academic. He explores how these factors including their economic situation and social standings affect the performance and perception of these ‘remedial’ students. He notes that the problem of dwindling academic performance and the statistics that show such problems are misguided and should be reassessed to include a broader perspective. He also notes that the current technique used in measuring intelligence and learning from a student is restricted and misrepresented and should be reevaluated. He argues that the usual approaches used in teaching literacy to students who are underprepared is essentially useless, in terms that the student learns essentially nothing if focus is given to grammar and usage and that this way only ends up in fueling the thought that the student lacks intelligence. He seeks a change in the current curriculum to a more accurate and pervasive one. Learning to Read and Write Learning how to read and write correctly is critical to a student’s success in school and in later life. One of the most excellent forecaster of a child’s success in school is the level where a student progresses in reading and writing, but what if the learning process is inhibited by a variety of factors that includes economic and social ones that prevents a student from learning ‘normally’ as other students who don’t face the same circumstances as them. How can learning then be attained? In Crossing Boundaries, Mike Rose recounts his experiences with a number of remedial students who exhibited low test score results at the beginning but through his help was able to understand what was needed from them to be able pass the test (Rose 1989, p. 219). Looking at the various characters depicted in the book, one quickly realizes that a number of the characters embody the typical sample of youth in the US. These students, coming from a vast and multi-cultural society enveloping a variety of shapes, colors, sizes, ethnicity and culture also typifies the Great American Middle Class. Many of the remedial students share a common trait, which is the problem of not being able to communicate well and usually through no fault of their own. Many of our school’s youth are thrown into the lowest rung of the socio-economic ladder even though they do not belong in such places or the very least be able to crawl out of this rung. Much of their talents and gifts wasted away simply because they weren’t able to commune through reading and writing or was not able to grasp the basics and thereby they are left to fend for themselves. Learning is a social process as Rose points out that there is a need for the teacher to connect with the student in order for learning to be achieved, which he has accounted for in many of his experiences in his own schooling and later on in his teaching of remedial students in inner city LA. Rose suggests that once a teacher learns more about his student, it paves the way for the teacher to fully comprehend writing preferences thereby allowing for a more meaningful exchange between the teacher and the student. As an educator Rose argued that test scores and the usual competencies used to gauge a student’s intelligence are obsolete in this day and age. He notes that problems of the dwindling scholastic performance of today’s youth may not be as bad as it is if reforms in teaching and education are put in place in order to adapt to the needs of the remedial class that dictates an eclectic approach that cultivates the inherent intelligence of this youth that focus on creative thinking rather than focus on the traditional approach that is set on the formalities of language. As an educator and proponent of literacy this author realizes that even as one seeks to impart knowledge and guide students towards being literate, one must also be flexible and adaptable to the environment and the student they promise to teach. One realizes that each individual is different in their own rights and the teacher as a proponent of literacy should learn to embrace that individuality adapting to the needs of the student so that learning can actually take place and that the student will be open to learning. The author through this reading also notes that a teacher as he seeks to impart knowledge to his students must also learn about his students in order to really teach them and enable his students to reach their fullest capacities and this might mean adapting a different set of techniques in teaching and learning to cope with the multifarious student body that encompasses today’s school setting. Conclusion Educating a student is generally academic in nature, you need to be able to teach the student the basics of the language in order for the student to be termed literate. Reading and writing concur with literacy. In a sense that when a student understands the lesson and is able to connect the words together and form a coherent and understandable statement then one can derive that the student is indeed literate. But one has to understand that simply because the student cannot comprehend the connection of various words means that they are illiterate. A variety of factors including poverty, responsibilities outside the school and lack of opportunity often leads a student to fail miserably at school. At the end of this reading the author comprehends the reality that there are a variety of students that encompass the school system and that in this sense the teacher is encouraged to develop creative ways of teaching and stimulate the significance of an educator’s vocation. And part of it is learning how to cope with the different situations of various students and even teachers that hinders learning (Preskill, 1998). This author realized the significance of education and what it means to be educated, also this author notes that as education must change in order to adapt to the gush of societal demands and strains. It can be concluded that there is a need for a guiding principle that encourages the system to embrace the rich mix of language, custom and legend that is America (Rose 1989, p. 238). The reading has prompted this author to be a more sensitive educator, someone who is responsive to the consequence of labeling and a teacher who understands the bond between teacher and student. Works Cited: Graff G (1994) Disliking books at an early age. In Falling into theory: Conflicting views on Reading Literature, ed. David Richter. Boston: Bedford Books Preskill, S (1998) Narratives of teaching and the quest for the second self. Journal of Teacher Education 49(5) pp. 344-357. Rose, M (1989) Chapter 8: Crossing Boundaries. In Lives on the Boundary pp. 205-238. New York: Penguin Books.

Job Title Costumer-Service

Job Title Costumer-Service Representative Agent Job Summary Serves customers and sellers in half. Com by providing information and services. Acts as a connector from costumers, sellers and the employee in half. Com towards on questions, deal with and help resolve any customer complaints, and improving the costumers satisfaction related to service and activities in half. Com. Maintaining the relationship between costumers and sellers accordance with the company's guidelines and policies. Relationship Reports to : Supervisor of Customer ServiceSupervises : Costumer Service staff in e-Bays facility In Salt Lake City Works with : Employee who has responsibilities on database and human-resources worker External Relationship : Buyers and Sellers Qualifications Education : Diploma or bachelor's degree In field Communication, Business, and Management Ability Communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing Strong detail orientation and communication/listening skills. Has a pleasant, patient and friendly attitude Strong decision making and analytical abilities Skills Basic computer and technological knowledge Administrative procedures and information processingCustomer relationship principles and practices Essential Responsibilities Resolves product or service problems by clarifying the customer's complaint; determining the cause of the problem: selecting and explaining the best solution to solve the problem Questions 1. Does the day diary include sufficient information ? Yes, The day diary provides sufficient information describing how Mr.. Ryan Job summary and Job description of Bill Ryan does in a day. 2. Identify the specific Information In the article that you found useful The specific information that I found useful in the article is about the mechanism of hones and emails. . What additional information do you require ? How would that information help you? Additional information that I need is detail information about the Ryan supervisor and ho w is reporting and whether he is reporting directly to team leader, supervisor, and any other person. I need information about Ryan supervisor structure to write his reporting responsibilities. I also need information about how he communicates with the co-worker and supervisor either through email or telephone or any process and how much salary of Bill Ryan each months.

Corporate Social Responsibility as Business Strategy Essay

There is a visible attention being paid towards social and environmental consequences of business and yet performance in this front is far from satisfactory. Common trait seen across companies is that social concern and business are seen as two independent responsibilities and often at loggerhead. As a consequence, companies lose focus of how social responsibility could have been integrated with the long term business outcomes. Businesses across the world are so obsessed with the immediacy of results that they cannot sight the vast opportunity that discharging of social responsibility holds for the long term sustainability of the organizations. As a result, based on the maturity of strategic thinking in the company, CSR is being implemented in one or more of the following ways as shown here: CSR as Reactive strategy CSR has in general been a reactive strategy for reviving drooping fortunes of the company by gaining the confidence of the communities in which they operate. The case of Shell in Nigeria and that of Nike in Asian countries are just two examples to quote. With such instances on the rise companies have started adopting a â€Å"proactive approach† analyzing the cost of not discharging the social responsibility and as a result do the bare minimum to pull on and thus minimizing their spending on this account. CSR is viewed by these companies as a cost and compulsion. This approach only obscures a business from identifying the real potential CSR holds with respect to their core business. Any complacence by such companies may result in the kind of corporate scandals that we are comming across today. Corporate misdeeds are indeed costly, if caught. CSR as Image building exercise Efforts of companies to recover from the effects of not discharging social responsibility can broadly be classified as damage control exercise as far as their image is concerned. Here the businesses have their back against the wall. However, CSR today is seen by companies as an opportunity for building corporate image. Keen on drawing attention of media and general public, companies announce their plans for various kinds of philatropic activities. There is nothing wrong with this kind of approach, except for the fact that such initiatives are not emphasized in the maze of important and urgent business calls. If a company can develop a systematic and delibrate approach for maintaining the focus on social welfare activities, this will not only enhance its image in the immediate future but consistency on this front will help the company in building a positive reputaion of societal concern. Such image will definitely help the company in its future business forays in the region. On the other hand, the image building campaign includes CSR reporting where a series of disjointed anecdotes of companies’ contribution to society are highlighted, which are in no way related to implementation of the business strategy of the company. This underlines the fact that potential of CSR as a tool for image building is more easily comprehended by corporate offices rather than as a means of creating a sustainable business. CSR for improved operating efficiency There are other set of companies that take care of environment because not only does it help in operating with in the environmental norms set by statutory authorities but also reducing their costs by improving operating efficiency. Operating barely with in the norms set by statutory authorities is being in the compliance mode. As companies deliberately plan and move beyond the compliance mode, find the case for integration of CSR and business goals, where improved productivity or operational efficiency in current time frame also results in better environmental conditions that fosters better living conditions for future generations. This in fact is a business necessity today for improved profitability for industry and cleverly used by companies for projecting a business case for CSR and showcasing the integration of CSR and business outcomes. CSR as Source of competitive advantage Business must have clear understanding of the communities that they impact and must give a serious thought to the question – How the strategy helps these communities grow qualitatively along with the business in the short and long term? The answer to this question may not be obviously forthcoming but an open debate among the executives and strategic managers may open up options, that may help improve the quality of life indicators for the communities around in a way that enhances business opportunity for tomorrow if not the current profitability. The challenge for industry today is to identify social issues that drive its competitiveness both now and in the future. For this to happen managers must first believe that social concern or CSR as it is popularly known is a source of business opportunity and competitive advantage. This integration then would pave way for all round sustainability and growth. Sooner than most of the experts suspect, the issues relating to climate change and social responsibility in the area of operations will be decisive factors for survival of businesses. CSR has the potential to change the way business is conducted the world over.

Iraq war Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Iraq war - Essay Example Several have taken place from the time to time in the Middle East. But somehow the US- Iraq war remains the most significant of them all. US formed alliance with Israel to accomplish this mission against Iraq. The war had changed many aspects in both the countries. In Iraq, US dominion was started which continued till date. After it lost the war, it came under direct control of US government. Presently, Iraq is facing the terrible consequences of war. It had lost its secular state, its welfare limited and its dignity lost. But on the other hand, US too had to pay a certain price for the win. Apart from war casualties, it had faced a huge blow from economic point of view. In Iraq, the US motto was not to end the reign of Saddam Hussein, but something more than that. Surely, it had won the war, but at price which often shocked the rest of the world. US army, even the high- order military personnel illegitimately arrested innocent civilians, killed them, deported them and often even tor tured them to death. Thus, total loss incurred can broadly be divided into three segments: human loss, financial loss and physical loss. Numerous surveys and researches have attempted to find out the exact number of death causalities in Iraq. The US have followed the Vietnamese model of not counting the total number of dead, likewise, they have not provided actually number of civilian dead (Steele, and Goldenberg) The war has surely increased violence all over Iraq, which is continues till date. The Iraq Body Count (IBC) has claimed that there have been 1,220,580 victims, including war period and post war casualties, with a majority of the families losing more than one family member. Yet other sources like Baltimore/ Lancelet figure claims that Iraq has experienced more deaths. According to Frederick â€Å"Skip† Burkle, the survey had deliberately ignored the number of deaths caused by secondary causalities. Insufficient health- services, unemployment, poverty, loss of family and emotional loss, etc also lead to death of thousands of Iraqis. Civilian death in Iraq numbers somewhere around 104,000 with another 230,000 reported as missing. But all the sources unanimously agree to the fact that the war with US has devastated Iraq, making it struggling hard for survival and sustenance. US was also affected claiming 4000 lives, though the number much less compared to Iraq’s (Steele and Goldenberg). Another situation of human loss occurred when hundreds of thousands of Iraqis fled from their homeland. The chief reason behind this was terror, bloodshed and tyranny inflicted by the US soldiers. The political unrest made the lives of Iraqis so difficult that they sought refuge in other parts of the globe, especially in Jordan and Syria, who is Iraq’s neighboring countries. This was further confirmed by the Iraqi Exodus video which states that Iraqi immigrants have increased the total population of these two countries. However, lives of those new im migrants were not easy. They are facing more hardships because of lack of work permit and shelter (Benson). However, it has to be remembered that that the US- Iraq war not only carries superficial financial loss, but also macroeconomic costs. The war has resulted in higher consumption of resources, than that was estimated before the war started in 2003. Oil prices shot from $23 in 2003 to $90 in US, as an aftermath of US- Iran war. Firstly, war hampered the regular supply of oil from Middle East countries including Iraq and Iran. Secondly, war increased consumption of

English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 55

English - Essay Example He uses realism to express his belief that physical objects exist when they do not (Forrester 51). He refers to dark clouds that brought rains and resulted in blockage of the sun as fancy. Bradbury also shares his vision of realism involving things that once lived but are not currently in existence. In the essay, it will be necessary to start by defining what imagination is in various dimensions, viewpoints, or perspectives. Second, the essay would examine on the role that imagination has on humans in their day-to-day lives. Further, the essay would address how imagination enhances the possibility for an individual to tour and experience the world, virtually, without being physically present in the perceived destination. In the essay plan, the outline would also cover creation of pictures in the mind. The image creation would involve all the five human senses as well as feelings towards expressing imagination (Barlow 115). The essay will also elaborate the importance of imagination. For instance, imagination does not make an individual a daydreamer or

Storm Drainage Design Project - Scientific methods Assignment

Storm Drainage Design Project - Scientific methods - Assignment Example To understand more on the subject at hand, we first define what is a storm and a hydrograph. According to Wikipedia, a storm is any disturbed state of an astronomical body's atmosphere, especially affecting its surface, and strongly implying severe weather. It may be marked by strong wind, thunder and lightning (a thunderstorm), heavy precipitation, such as ice or wind transporting some substance through the atmosphere.1 Meanwhile a hydrograph is defined as "a representation of flow for a particular stream and is used to evaluate the watershed runoff volumes and the peak flow rates from a single storm or set of storms. This information is then used in the design of flood control facilities."2 A storm obviously has a fundamental effect on the course of rivers and other bodies of water and is part of the process known as the water cycle. The water cycle "..consists of four distinct stages: storage, evaporation, precipitation, and runoff. Water may be stored temporarily in the ground; i n oceans, lakes, and rivers; and in ice caps and glaciers. It evaporates from the earth's surface, condenses in clouds, falls back to the earth as precipitation, and eventually either runs into the seas or reevaporates into the atmosphere."3 Thus, we see the relationship between storm and runoff (which is flooding) in this cycle. Storm hydrographs are therefore "..graphs that show how a drainage basin responds to a period of rainfall. They are useful in planning for flood situations and times of drought as they show the discharge (amount of water reaching channel via surface run-off, through flow, and base flow) that originated as precipitation."4 The hydrograph in other words is simply a record of the flooding events in a river as an effect of rain and storm. II. Factors Influencing Hydrographs What are the factors that influence the appearance of storm hydrographs Since the hydrograph is a graphical representation of the flow versus time, any aspect that will affect flow will likewise affect the graph. Flow, being a unit of volume over time or velocity and area, implies that the parameters of area and velocity contribute to how the hydrograph is presented. The following are the factors as stated in Wikipedia : Soil Saturation is dependant on previous rainfall, or otherwise known as antecedent rainfall. The surroundings; Rural or Urban (Could be less impermeable surface, or the surface type could vary) Vegetation type (Deforestation and amount of interception) Steepness of surrounding land, or 'relief' land Drainage density (Number of tributaries) Geology (Rock Type; Impermeable=flashier hydrographs. Or Permeable) Season dependent; Very dry weather creates a crust on the river bed. Wet winters create increase in discharge. Soil Type (Clay, sand etc.) Clay would create a flashy hydrograph, but there could be a continuum between the two.5 As can be observed from the above factors, when the factors contribute to a faster flow, the resulting hydrograph is a "flashy" one. It means that peak flow is high and the time from the heaviest rainfall and the largest flow of the river is very small. It is noted that the term "flash" floods are similarly coined. Other factors mentioned above such as impermeable surf

Health care marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 12

Health care marketing - Essay Example only use products that appeal to me because of their quality, durability, and features that I value or I need rather than those that others value or need. The most popular mode of data collection in marketing is questionnaire. Using questionnaire as a means of data collection provides the researchers with the opportunity to collect data from the research participants without having to personally interact with every research participant individually, and collect the information, because interviewing is a very time consuming process and is governed by different kinds of biases. On the other hand, questionnaires can be easily filled by the research participants, particularly when they are brief and the statements are short and clear in their meaning. In marketing research, researchers can use a variety of questionnaires; audiences may be motivated to send answers to a particular email address in a lucky draw scheme advertised on television or the marketers can collect data by asking customers to fill questionnaires on

Supply chain or operational challenges Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Supply chain or operational challenges - Essay Example Companies have opted to relocate their manufacturing to low-cost countries across the world in order to respond to the customer’s satisfactions and demands on price expectations. The relocation is done to reduce the indirect and direct costs at the same time minimizing taxes. Global suppliers contribute to the problems that come with delivery time that is extended. In the emerging markets, customers not only want products of lower prices but also timely delivery of their products. Global chain of supply is complex. Adding this to the ever-changing feature makes the challenge greater. The customers immediately put pressure to the company to come up with something big next time after the release of the product. Innovation is, therefore, an important element in today’s market. To enhance their products, companies are forced to redesign their products so that they can meet the market demand. The demand of the customers in the modern market is more demanding than ever. Companies are trying hard to expand their distribution towards the emerging market to increase the growth in their revenues and market shares. Several companies are working had to expand both foreign and home markets. The introduction of new markets possesses difficulties from government policies, fees and trading policies. Companies have responded positively with global networks, expansion of markets and innovation of products. Several companies, today, rely on supply chain managers to optimize on the value chains so that they can remain competitive in the market (Shankar et al., pg.

Analysis of an Organisation (Abercrombie and Fitch) and its Coursework

Analysis of an Organisation (Abercrombie and Fitch) and its Competitive Environment, and Recommendation of a Strategy - Coursework Example The company has established its reputation as a â€Å"one-stop† place for shopping of the whole family (MarketLine Advantage, 2014). During the period of management by the CEO Mike Jeffries the company also has gained some negative reputation, for being racist, discriminative and has been involved in several lawsuits. In FY 2013 the company has reported same-store sales decline by 10%, indicating on the worsening financial position of A&F (Business Insider, 2014). A&F being a large diversified corporation is made up of multiple Strategic Business Units. For the current analysis the SBU of A&F has been identified by geographical criteria. The aim of this report is to suggest a number of strategies for A&F. This report will critically investigate and evaluate A&F current & future strategies. Inimitability: capabilities are not as difficult and costly for competitors to obtain or imitate as the company has no manufacturing, and its business is built around the brand, which is weakening (competitive disadvantage); Organizational Support: for now the organization is appropriately organized to exploit it capabilities, however, this might not be enough if the company pursues more aggressive international business expansion (Temporary competitive advantage). One of the major strengths of A&F is referred to the well-diversified brand portfolio comprised of the following brands: Abercombie & Fitch, Hollister, Abercombie kids, and Gilly Hicks. These brands offer sportswear apparel, personal care and accessories for a broad category of customers, including men, women, youth and kids. Due to brand portfolio diversification the company has managed to position itself in the minds of the customers as â€Å"one-stop† store. Also, the company operates a large number of stores in North America, Asia, and Europe, which helps it to reach greater number of customers and thus to generate greater sales. As of 2014, A & F operated more than 1000 stores (MarketLine

Recruitment and selection report assignment Essay

Recruitment and selection report assignment - Essay Example The options include: obtaining sufficient funds and paying adequate wages; creating a network of skilled doctors who would be sent on rotation to remote areas; creating a robust IT infrastructure with video conferencing that would help experienced doctors in urban areas to diagnose patients in remote areas and guide fresh recruits to provide better treatment. It is expected that if the recommendations are adopted, then there would be more experienced consultation available for patients in remote areas. Doctors and trained physicians are the life support entities of any healthcare system and this is more so in remote and rural areas that have few hospitals and health care units. Gorman (2009) reports that many regions of Queensland and New Zealand have 70% of required doctors. The author has reported that these regions also have a high level of dependency on foreign born doctors and about 42% of the doctors in these regions are of foreign origin. While this factor should not be an issue since foreign born doctors are also competent, the disturbing fact is that it is difficult to attract and retain doctors in the rural areas of Queensland. Fowler (1997) comments that while fresh doctors and interns do join rural practice, it is meant to fulfill certain requirements to obtain a medical degree. The author has estimated that since 2005, about 182 to 681 doctors per annum have left the rural practice and migrated to bigger cities with better career prospects. Better career prospects in cities, changing priorities, poor rural living conditions and lack of skill development can frustrate even the most ardent and medical practitioner who would then quit the rural posting. This behavior and trend among doctors has become very severe and lives of children, pregnant women, aboriginal people and the elderly are at stake. This paper examines the

The Atomists Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Atomists - Essay Example Pure atomism is known as mechanism, dating back to Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, and Heraclitus, promoting the idea that the universe has been derived from one primitive, homogenous substance. Atomism gives rise to materialistic reductionism, which explains how larger phenomena can be divided into smaller ones, in charge of many events happening in the universe. (3) Another significant phenomenon is determinism, which explains that every event that occurs in the universe is a result of a previous serious of events. However, atomist determinism has many explanatory weaknesses, like the order of the cosmos is not being controlled by an external force, but controls itself. Hence, natural laws have been outlawed. Determinism is against free will because it bounds the occurring of an event to a prior series of events, and thus, lacks originality. The elimination of an extra outside force controlling the events of the universe, and an inability to define any alternative form of controll ing force, led Aristotle to reject

Tropical Rain Forest Essay Example for Free

Tropical Rain Forest Essay Afterward, biodiversity suffers. Decomposers like leaf-cutter ants, termites, bacteria, and fungi live on the forest floor. These decomposers quickly turn fallen leaves and dead organisms into nutrients. This creates food for trees and other plants and animals. Today, we know that the soil of the tropical rainforests is thin and very low in nutrients. Decomposers like leaf-cutter ants, termites, bacteria, and fungi quickly turn falling leaves and dead organisms into nutrients. Plants take up these nutrients the moment they are available, so they don’t get a chance to enrich the soil. Keeping Tropical Rainforests Healthy Conservation of tropical rainforests should be easy. They have survived for millions of years. The trick to keeping them healthy is to not take too much too fast. This gives the rainforests time to recover from human activities like logging. But many countries that have tropical rainforests are poor. They can make money by cutting down and developing the rainforests. But uncontrolled development results in deforestation, erosion, and loss of biodiversity. Carving up the Forests Roads are cut through previously untouched rainforest to make way for logging trucks, mining equipment, and farm machines. These roads cut forest habitat into small pieces. This isolates the animals in those areas, which makes it harder for them to travel and find mates. One of the most damaging effects of development has been dividing the rainforest habitat into little patches of forest. This is called fragmentation. Today, many species are isolated in these small areas of forest because they will not or cannot enter open habitats. The result is that species such asorangutans cannot connect with one another to mate and have babies. Conservations Efforts

Impact of Media on Indigenous Cultures

Impact of Media on Indigenous Cultures KSENIA LIESSAY CRITICALLY DISCUSS HOW MEDIA IMPACTS INDEGENOUS COMMUNITIES Indigenous people groups over the world have been influenced by the presentation of innovations from remote societies for many years. Some have not incredibly changed their lifestyles, while others have totally changed identities toward oneself, whole social orders and perspectives. Current innovations, particularly telecommunication and PC advances, permit indigenous gatherings to take an interest in the bigger social orders and economies around them. These innovations additionally empower them to protect and advertise their lifestyle for their relatives and for our aggregate learning of human history(studymode 2014). The result is less moral and a bundle of information that is figured to be futile (Keen 2007). As said by Franklin Roosevelt, Vote based system cant succeed unless the individuals who state their decision are readied to pick sagaciously consequently relying upon the all inclusive community, democratization of data on the web could be both a great angle and an awful perspective. Internet organizing or societal frameworks organization has fundamentally wound up a bit of our consistently lives and being heaved around over the past few years. It is like any conceivable media, for instance, newsprint, radio and TV, notwithstanding it is considerably more than for all intents and purpose granting data and contemplations. Long extend interpersonal correspondence devices like Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and Blogs have energized the creation and exchange of plans so quickly and for the most part than the formal media. The power of describing and control a brand is moving from organizations and foundations to individuals and aggregations (Tay 2014).communication is a key a piece of human life. It is the exchange of arrangements and suspicions between and around people(studymode 2014). This correspondence can happen up close and particular or through a conduct. Overall correspondence can, consequently, be depicted as the sort of correspondence that happens across over edges i.e. between different states or landmasses. Overall correspondence is honest to goodness basic in overall associations in light of the way that the Earth is right away dependent, so countries need normal acquaintanceship and understanding with every one thusly. This trans-outskirt correspondence is solidly turned the united nation proclamations of human rights which adaptability of information is part of. This has obliged a free stream of information between countries. Telecommunication building empowers various differing frameworks for correspondence between people. The Internet is used by indigenous aggregates for updating, talk rooms, radio stations, trademark conferencing, and immediate data assembling by taking a gander at Web destinations. If, despite everything that indigenously supported Internet belonging and improvements are any noteworthiness of Indigenous social order arrangement to acknowledge the innovative time, the response is that different Indigenous totals see telecommunication and PC impels as a procedure to enhance, rather than impede, opportunity, safeguarding of social request, real impact, and general money related conditions. Media has the picking essentialness of choices both for what is news and what acquires to be scattered, and the proficience to mean, occasions, circumstances, individuals and circumstances in useful ways. Likewise, media are recognized as a part stakeholder in offering centrality to issues and extraordinarily up as a tenet social request space. Expansive levels of talks are in progress around the impacts of the media; an inside reason of media examination is that the making of news has the potential conclusions of impacting book accomplices or social events of people (Ukessays.com 2014). Online networking likewise impacts individuals purchasing practices. Advanced Influence Group reported that 91% of the individuals say buyer surveys are the #1 help to purchasing choices and 87% trust a companions great word over a commentators audit. It is thrice less averse to trust associate assessments over promoting for purchasing choices.. 1 expressions of-mouth discussion has an effect of 200 TV ads(smallbizbee.com 2009). Additionally conveying the opportunity to distinguish a pack of citizenry in a snappy and delicate way, online networking likewise helped youngsters who hold social or physical portability confinements to construct and maintain associations with their companions and kinfolks. Kids who head out abroad to study can at present stay in compelling touch with their parents.to a more amazing reach out, there is recounted proof of positive conclusions from these innovations. In 2010, after the seismic tremor happened in Haiti, a hefty portion of the authority correspondence lines were down. Whatever is left of the world was not equipped to handle the full picture of the circumstances there. To encourage the offering of data and make up for the absence of data, social networking came in extremely convenient to report the news about the influenced range on what happened and what help was required. Tweets from numerous individuals gave an amazing diagram of the progressing occasions from the seismic tremor. BBC secured the event by joining together tweets from the work of its journalist Matthew Price in Port-au-Prince at the ground. Guardians live blog similarly used long range interpersonal communication together with the information from diverse news acquaintanceships to report about the rescue mission (Smallbizbee.com 2009). One of the most serious issues indigenous aggregations have experienced has been the Computerized Divide, which arranges the extraordinary unwashed who have entry to current designing science from those without access. Likely the most far reaching utilization of the Internet by indigenous individuals has been in saving and advertising their progress and history. Not just that, data nowadays might be imparted simply to few clicks and millions will have entry to it (Keen 2007). This essentially implies that as additional data is included to the web, clients unknowingly steal the work of others; it normally happens in circumstances whereby some on Youtube may make a spread for a tune preferred by the masses yet no rights have be Bibliography StudyMode. Influence Of social Media Networks on the flow of International Communication College Essays Odinma-Chima. 2014. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Influence-Of-Social-Media-Networks-On-46621803.html (accessed 20 Mar 2014). Ukessays.com. Aboriginal Family And The Mainstream Media Sociology Essay. 2014. http://www.ukessays.com/essays/sociology/aboriginal-family-and-the-mainstream-media-sociology-essay.php (accessed 20 Mar 2014). Smallbizbee.com. The Conversation: An Introduction to Social Media. 2009. http://smallbizbee.com/index/2009/02/07/conversation-introduction-social/ (accessed 20 Mar 2014). News.asiaone.com. Tied up and humiliated on birthday. 2014. http://news.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20081113-100397.html (accessed 20 Mar 2014). Tay, Raymond. Untitled. 2014. http://ezinearticles.com/?Impact-of-Social-Media-on-Societyid=5378885 (accessed 20 Mar 2014). Hanson, Jarice. â€Å"24/7: Anytime, anywhere.† 24/7: How Cell Phones and the Internet Change The Way We Live, Work and Play. Westport: Praeger Publishers, 2007. Jacobs, Joanne. Internet Democracy. 1998. http://www.abc.net.au/ola/citizen/interdemoc/democ.htm (accessed July 10, 2012). Baron, Naomi. â€Å"The people we become: The cost of being always on.† In Always on: Language in an online and mobile world, by Naomi Baron. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008. The University of Kentucky. Plagiarism: Definitions, Examples and Penalties. 12 December 1998. http://www.chem.uky.edu/courses/common/plagiarism.html (accessed July 10, 2012). Keen, Andrew. The great seduction. In the cult of the amateur: How todays internet is killing our culture. New York, 2007.

Reflective Practice and lifelong learning

Reflective Practice and lifelong learning Within this essay, the research will use Reflective Practice in a teaching experience. It will focus on The Community College Whitstable and the curriculum that the students experience. It will highlight the changes that have happened from the introduction of the National Curriculum to the present day, and how the curriculum ideologies, models and theories have shaped the education system in Britain. This essay will identify Reflective Practice and evaluate the different ideas from scholars and professions such as Schon and Brookfield. This essay will evaluate and develop understanding of assessments in Britains state education system and how it affects The Community College Whitstable. It will explore how self reflection in it truest sense progresses teachers in their understanding of both the curriculum and the students they teach. Incorporating a reflective practice in ones own professional teaching methods, would be one way to keep up with the ongoing appraisals that should occur in any professional set up or learning experience. One could describe reflection as looking back at past teaching experiences, either good or bad, and determining whether the experience could have been better managed or taught. There is a clear distinction between thinking and reflecting. Thinking could be associated with a problem and solution where as reflecting may not have an absolute end result. Working as a teacher in a secondary school poses many problems, and many questions that are very rarely answered. The problem that surfaces with the idea of reflecting on ones own practice is that we as teachers are not given the time, or the motivation to reflect more often, or more deeply into our methods, teaching styles or delivery of the curriculum. The introduction of standardisation by way of the National Curriculum towards the en d of the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s by the Conservative Government, has taken away the power from the individual teacher in deciding what is important. It could be argued it has reduced the teacher to nothing more than a messenger of a state controlled curriculum. It also suggests a hidden agenda. Neary,M (2002) highlights the hidden curriculum and the attitude towards education and the function a school should play in preparing people for society. Neary,M (2002,p45) states Lynch 1989(1989,p3): The particular social relations they deem important in the reproductive process are principally the hierarchical division of labour between teachers and learners, the alienated character of learners school work itself, and the fragmentation in work reflected in the institutionalised and often destructive competition among learners through continual and ostensibly meritocratic ranking and evaluation. Neary,M argues that writers such as Bowles and Gintis have made connections with a capitalist society and how this is reflected in the school system. It is important to reflect on the curriculum one teaches and who decides what is Really Useful Knowledge and how socially effective this is for the learners that we teach. The curriculum that is offered at The Community College Whitstable is GCSES in all the core subjects, BTEC in Construction, Physical Education, Science, Drama, Science, Music, Business Studies, Travel and Tourism, Design and Technology, NVQ in Hairdressing, professional qualifications in Motor Vehicles (IMA and ABC) and A Levels. Students at The Community College Whitstable are increasingly becoming familiar with BTEC rather than the traditional GCSES which are favoured by most Grammar and the top tier of other State schools. The reasoning for this could be that state education is undergoing huge fundamental changes through political and ideological mindsets. The Nati onal Curriculum was sought to increase the students learning, the House of Commons fourth report states (2008, p10): This document essentially identified four broad purposes; introducing an entitlement for pupils to a broad and balanced curriculum; setting standards for pupil attainment and to support school accountability; improving continuity and coherence within the curriculum, and aiding public understanding of the work of school: The school state system has now moved on more than a decade since that pledge and is currently at the centre of a political overhaul. The Community College Whitstable is entering more students onto the BTEC programmes than ever before. Through reflection of the stance and vision that the school is taking, and with regards to the increased flexibility of the school curriculum programme, one could see that schools such as The Community College Whitstable are increasingly struggling to compete on national and local terms through GSES results. Therefore turning to BTECs is a way to increase students results and move up the league tables. The popularity with BTECs are that they are all coursework driven and this does give them an advantage over GCSES which are part coursework, and part end of year exam towards final marks. The coursework is internally marked and externally verified, students who would not have had any chance of getting good results through GSESs, stand a better chance wit h BTECs (possibly getting 4 GSSEs at A* C grade on another subject.)The Community College Whitstable has been excellent in implementing the previous Governments call for Vocationalism and Diversity in the curriculum but is that all about to change with the new Coalition Government. It is important to reflect on ones teaching of the curriculum, knowledge, delivery, learning styles and methods, if we are to progress and grow as a teacher or facilitator. At present there are no school guidelines to become a Reflective Practitioner but there have been many authors and professionals that have laid down models for reflective practice to be incorporated into the curriculum. Brookfield,S states ( 1995 p29 ): We have available four lenses through which we can view our teaching. These lenses are represented by the four arrows in figure 2.1. They are (1) our autobiographies as teachers and learners, (2) our students eyes, (3) our colleagues experiences, and (4) theoretical literature. Viewing what we do through these different lenses alerts us to distorted or incomplete aspects of our assumptions that need further investigation. For example using a challenging student as a case study who attends the vocational centre is a good way to reflect on Brookfields lenses. The student that I have identified has had domestic problems and personal problems that stem from his home life. The student has a low academic ability and falls into the category of additional extra needs, which would have been recorded on his data from assessments conducted in key stage two and three. I believe this student suffers from low self esteem and confidence which reflects his aggressive nature towards education and superiors such as teachers and people in authority. The student was pushed into the vocational centre because of stereotyping and the low criteria needed to enrol on the courses at the vocational centre at The Community College Whitstable. Taking this into consideration and seeing it from the students eyes would help all teachers deal with his/her challenging behaviour with greater empathy and compassion, and in turn this wou ld enable us to tackle these problems with greater knowledge. A minority of students may have an awful home situation and life in a social environment that does not promote learning. Students may be come to school with that baggage of home life and may suffer from a lack of confidence through low academic ability. Seeing this situation from a students point of view should encourage us as teachers to be more thoughtful and tactful when dealing with certain students. From my experience of working and teaching at The Community College Whitstable, the students who chose vocational courses are generally lower ability students. Although there are some exceptions to this, and there will always be students who opt for vocational course who are academically bright. Students that are on the Construction courses at The Community College Whitstable may have problems that range from behavioural, social and academic through to the medical and physical. Through my experience as a teacher, communic ator or facilitator I have always relied on my autobiographical learning, for example, teaching students carpentry and joinery through my own good experience as an apprentice and then going on to study at college. This reflection into my past experiences has helped me to become a more rounded and competent teacher of the skills of a crafts that goes back many centuries. I believe that all teachers should use their autobiographical learning in their teaching because we can all remember the good teachers or the good instructors and employers. Our autobiography should form the foundation of our teaching methods and styles. Peer assessment is a crucial part of a teachers learning experience either informal or formal, both of these tools are equally important. Teaching on the BTEC Level 2 Construction course involves two members of staff and each member has equal responsibility to internally verify each others work. Fifty per cent of all students work will need to be cross referenced and internally verified. There are regular team meetings and departmental meetings on marking, students performance, attendance and behaviour. These meetings have always been a good way to pass on shared knowledge and to exchange ideas and beliefs on the best ways of teaching. Informal feedback from ones colleagues can be just as effective, for example asking a colleague to come into a class to observe a particular part of the lesson can provide us with greater knowledge of the situation. By simply asking other teachers how they deal with problem students can solve the mystery. From my experience a colleague had advised me to make up a seating plan at the beginning of the lesson to combat bad behaviour. The idea is that you have already taken control of the situation and the student understands this and responds accordingly. To this day the strategy has worked. Understanding how and why students behave in a manner requires understanding of human needs, this may not come naturally to most of us, but the ability to reflect and to research is a tool all teachers have at their disposal. Completion of the Certificate of Education course in previous years and now studying the BA Hons in Lifelong Learning, has put me on a learning curve using theoretical literature that I am still researching and trying to comprehend. This research into curriculum ideology, curriculum change, knowledge of education etc. suggests that education is not what it seems but a smokescreen for competing egos and polices from political parties at the helm of the countrys future. Brookfields Lenses challenges us to move away from our point of view and to take onboard other interferences that may or may not make a students progress or fail. Brookfield highlights the complexities of how we learn, and how the learning environment is always affected by more than one issue. By becoming a Reflective Practitioner it can help one understand the problems that arise from the problems teachers face. Brookfield identifies Reflective Practice as a way in which teachers can make sense of the education system and the political intrusions that occur in the curriculum. He suggests that through critical reflection we find our footing and are then able to have an openness that benefits both students and teacher. The students can be very challenging and will all have their own set of issues to deal with as outlines above. Using Brookfields Four Lenses to deal with a challenging student would be one way of discovering the true art of pedagogical teaching. Reflective Practice thro ugh Brookfields model would be beneficial when one encounters a difficult day. Peer evaluation forms an important role in our teaching methods, Brookfield highlight this in his Four Lenses and states (1995, p35) Our colleagues serve as critical mirrors reflecting back to us images of our actions that often take us by surprise. As they describe their own experiences dealing with the same crises and dilemmas we face, we are able to check, reframe and broaden our own theories of practice. This discovery through other teachers who deal with the same problem students is very important for a teacher to progress, and move on in their pursuit of becoming a competent teacher. Brookfields fourth lense focuses on theoretical literature whereby teachers and lecturers should read more about the processes of learning theory and research. Brookfield states (1995, p37): Reading a theoretical analysis that offers an alternative interpretive framework for a situation can be life saving or at least, career saving. Critical theory may help us realize, for example, that students disinterest is the predictable consequence of a system that forces people to study disconnected chunks of knowledge at a pace prescribed by curriculum councils and license bodies. Theoretical literature is covered by the leadership team at The Community College Whitstable in Staff Development evenings. From my experience this literature is used to justify their strategy rather than to professionally develop a teachers mind. Theoretical literature can help teachers to allay their fears and seek assurances from other professionals outside their working environment. Unfortunately too few teachers actively read theoretical literature on pedagogical teaching, from my experience reading and studying literature on behaviour has been a great source of encouragement. Brookfield points out that the reasoning for this is that the studies carried out about teaching in theoretical books are always written by academics and not teachers. The previous Government had realised this, the fourth report on the National Curriculum states (2008, p32): At the same time, teachers need to be given a stronger sense that their own innovations in pedagogy can be valued. There is considerable support for the introduction of some form of pedagogic bank developed by teachers for teachers. In order for teachers to become a Reflective Practitioner or teacher they would have to question the basis of the Curriculum and the hierarchical institution that administers it. This would bring them in direct conflict with the whole school system and the powers that control the system, both centrally through government, and directly through the senior management of the school. This theory of questioning the core values of an educational institution goes against the National Curriculum set up under the Conservative Government, where teacher control and powers are limited. In a world where we are now used to following the rules and codes of organisations the true spirit of people power has been born out of us through Capitalism, Globalisation and dominance. If one was to take onboard reflective teaching and use it as part of the curriculum timetabling it would help us to become better teachers and this would help us teach students what we think is important to them in the outside wor ld. Schon, D (1995, p332) argues: What happens in such an educational bureaucracy when a teacher begins to think and act not as technical expert but as reflective practitioner? Her reflection- in-action poses a potential threat to the dynamically conservative system in which she lives. As mentioned earlier the hidden curriculum has many agendas, ever since the introduction of free state schooling in the 1940s the issue has always been what should the students learn and why. Education was seen to be a way to move a nation on from the traumas of the World War and the depths of despair. The Education Minister at the time was R. A. Butler. In a draft white paper (1943, pp182) he stated: The new educational opportunities must not, therefore, be of a single pattern. Schools and courses must be available to suit the needs and aptitudes of different types of pupil or student. It is just as important to achieve diversity as it is to ensure equality of educational opportunity. Although the Government were not directly involved in educational curriculum there was a firm directive from the Government. Scholars throughout history have identified learning models and theories, armitage et al (2003) identified five Models of Educational Ideologies: Classical Humanism, Liberal Humanism, Progressivism, Instrumentalism and Reconstructionism. Armitage argues that we as teachers need to understand these ideologies in order to take them on board and through this knowledge we as teachers can set the learning experience for our students. Out of the five ideologies Reconstructionism seems the furthest away from our educational system and would suit the Developing World who need ideologies to pull themselves out of economical turmoil. Neary,M (2002) suggests that the Liberal Humanist ideology has been the most relevant since the industrialised west evolved. Neary argues that this ideology had favoured the private and higher classed schools such as the Grammar schools but not the State schools. Tony Blairs New Labour Government and the educational ideology could be coined with instrumentalism. The educational policies under Blair such as the Leitch Report (2006) are in keeping with the instrumentalism armitage et al states (2003, p209): The instrumental curriculum sees knowledge in factual terms and is clearly lecturer/teacher/trainer led. Thus, through instrumentalism education and training students are preparing themselves for their roles in the workplace and in society as a whole. This instrumentalism has had a major effect on state schools such as The Community College Whitstable because since New Labour, Vocationalism has made its way into Secondary schools and is now part of the curriculum for fourteen year olds. It remains to be seen whether the new Coalition Government are prepared to carry on these ideologies or follow another path. In a perfect world the educational ideology would be Progressivism Armitage et al states (2003, p208): The curriculum would be based around active problem-solving in a variety of social contexts and be constructed of topics which interested and challenged students (learning from experience) with the aim that people would learn how to think for themselves, make decisions, cooperate and participate as makers of a democratic society. The problem that has arisen in the curriculum today is that students are being spoon fed the information and that they cannot think for themselves. This is the result of the curriculum being too narrow and too focussed on good result and attainment rather than students growth. In order for our society or political organisations to decide the fate of our education system or the role it plays in how the students will be taught, curriculum research is carried out to ascertain the end goal. Neary, M (2002) has highlighted two curriculum models the Product Model and the Process Model. The Product Model is linked with behaviour and Neary, M (2002, p60) cites Tyler (1949); 1. What are the aims and objectives of the curriculum? 2. Which learning experiences meet these aims and objectives? 3. How can the extent to which these aims and objectives have been met be evaluated? 4. How can these learning experiences be organised? Under this model each question will need to be answered in order for the development of the curriculum to be successful and achieve the goals and outcomes intended. According to Neary the model was not without its critics based solely on the thought that a curriculum can not be based on Behaviourism. Armitage et al states there was an alternative model for curriculum development, the Process Model (2003, p203): This is an approach to curriculum which is interested in the processes and procedures of learning so that the learner is able to use and develop the content, not simply receive it passively. Neary,M states the Process Model focuses on (2002,p61): Teacher activities (and therefore the teachers role), student and learner activities (perhaps the most important feature), the conditions in which the learning takes place. Students on the BTEC level 2 Construction courses at The Community College Whitstable will have a varying degree of both models in the course aims and objectives and the structure and delivery of the content material and assessments. The BTEC Level 2 Construction courses will already have predetermined aims and outcomes in which the learner will have to meet to satisfy the awarding body, if they are to achieve the qualification, this type of curriculum falls in line with the Product Model. The BTEC does allow for some autonomy of the teachers because the modules or units will have to be personally written by the teacher or lecturer for the students to complete. This does reflect part of the Process Model but the self written units and delivery of the units have specific guidelines laid down by BTEC Edexcel. Curriculum change and the ideology behind it are very important when considering a wholesale change of the National Curriculum for schools in Britain. With the introduction of new qualifications, the assessment of that is fundamentally important to the success and the longevity of the new set up. Knight, J Minister of state schools (14-19) states (2008, p1): Many schools are already seeing the benefits of using assessment for learning practices and resources, but I want all schools to have access to high-quality training and support so that assessment for learning can be embedded in all classrooms. The previous Labour Government had targeted assessment as the way forward for schools to tackle students failings. According to the department for Children, Schools and Families (2008) the assessment for learning championed by Labour would enable students, teachers, parents and schools to know how the student is performing, where they should be and how they are going to achieve a satisfactory level of performance. For schools this meant that the structure would be transparent for all to see. For teachers they would now have a foundation to work from and be able to test students intermittently against the agreed assessments and criteria that are laid down by Government bodies. There are many ways to test students ranging from summative testing (end of year exams), to formative testing: this could be conducted in the classroom and workshops, and initial testing which would be carried out at the beginning of the course. The core question that needs to be answered when assessing is, are the means of testing reliable and valid? Armitage et al (2003, p 157) states: A valid assessment method is one which tests whether the aims and objectives of a learning experience have been achieved. The BTEC level 2 Construction course that is taught at The Community College Whitstable has various forms of assessment in order for the student to complete the units for that particular course. Currently students will have to pass six units in which three are theory units, and three are practical units. The theory units are taught on a modular basis, once the student has completed one unit they move onto the next one. The units are broken down into three smaller chunks of assessment so that it is easier for the students to digest and apply themselves and progress through the grading system. The grading systems start with a pass and then move onto a merit and finally a distinction. This kind of assessment follows the criterion referenced route of assessments, the students will have a set of questions and each question will have pass, merit or distinction attached to it. The students can elaborate on their answers and achieve a higher score or grade. The marked work is then marked by the assessor and then internally verified by a colleague teaching the same course. This is essential for the assessment process to be made valid and reliable. The practical elements of the BTEC level 2 Construction course are marked by the assessor as soon as the students has achieved the aim, which could range from building a Flemish Bond wall, making a panel door or preparing and painting a booth. The teacher (assessor) will instantly mark their piece of work in line with the course specification and grade the students a fail, pass, merit or distinction. This assessment is in keeping with a competence based formula which is similar with NVQs. There have been criticisms of this kind of competence based testing Armitage et al (2003, p166) states: Some argue that a competence-based system makes learning assessment-led. That is, for students at least, one eye is always on the competencies that have yet to be awarded and the entire course of study the becomes skewed towards ticking off such competencies. The students at The Community College Whitstable could identify with this criticism as we as teachers are pushed to increase achievements and pass qualifications rather than making sure that the student is ready equipped for the outside world. Assessment strategies and the reliability and validity have become an issue with new Coalition Government. An independent review conducted by Sir Richard Sykes (2010p3) states; There is an obsession with measurement, setting quantitative targets and compiling league tables, as though what cannot be measured numerically has no value and should have no place in education. Yet the best things in education often cannot readily be measured in this way. Dockrell and Black (1980) pick up on this theme of validity and reliability but their focus is assessment in the affective domain. Dockrell and Black (1980) argue that this kind of assessment is beneficial for the success of the students progression in their educational experience. Assessing someones welfare and preparing lessons to accommodate all students sat in front of them is part of the student centred curriculum at The Community College Whitstable. Teachers are expected to write reports three times a year on every child they teach assessing both ability and attitude although this does not go towards their final grade it can act as a tool to assess the students progress. Every child must be taught to the best of their ability is the mantra at the college. Although I do not agree with the current education system in Britain one hundred per cent, there seem to be very little alternative. The eleven plus test that is conducted in the Kent District is designed to split the brighter students from the less academic to the gain of the Grammar schools. This kind of assessment has a huge effect on all secondary schools in Kent, especially The Community College Whitstable who will have to select students that have failed or are not eligible. The Tomlinson report (2004) had promised or set out a new curriculum and assessment that would have revolutionised our state education. The report had identified that GCSEs and ALevels needed to be reformed as well as vocational education for fourteen year olds. Unfortunately, the reform did not transform the education system but was only brought in a watered downed level. Sir Richard Sykes (2010, p3) argues: We therefore present a discussion and a set of recommendations which if adopted would, we believe, help to redress the balance between education and assessment. The new specification for all BTEC courses has been renewed as of September 2010, this follows a whole shake up of the QCA framework and the governing bodies that preside over the direction of our qualification system in Britain. It remains to be seen whether this will bring the change that will bridge the gap between students progress and an education system that is envied throughout the world. In conclusion Reflective Practice enables one to view their professional role as a teacher and within society. It is important that we as teachers and professionals encourage students to achieve all that they can in the education system and to become life long learners. It is important that we encourage students to not only learn what the curriculum has offered them but to extend their learning. The essay has researched the curriculum of The Community College Whitstable and how it has adapted to the changes of a tiered school system through league tables and assessments such as the Eleven Plus. Schools such as The Community College Whitstable will have to continually surpass their expectations if they are to survive in this Capitalist State System. Brookfields Four Lenses is an important starting point for reflection in ones own professional practice and this can put the teacher/professional onto the road of true satisfaction of ones own practice. Curriculum ideologies have played an important part in Britain and the Worlds education system. This essay has focussed on instrumentalism and how this affects The Community College Whitstable and how it has played an important part in Britains Education System. This essay has identified and developed a knowledge and understanding of assessments in our State Education System. It has identified how these assessments are being used in a vocational sense through BTEC qualifications at The Community College Whitstable. It is important to understand Britains education system, ideologies and fundamental beliefs as this will enable the teacher to progress and to make sense of educational change. Schools such as The Community College Whitstable have benefited from ideology, political intrusion and curriculum development because more students are now entering sixth form and going on to university or higher education than ever before. Schools play an important part when educating the student and the local community, it is the s tart of lifelong learning for some students. Comparing the education system of the 1970s to the present day, students have a greater advantage because schools are now set up to benefit the student. The Community College Whitstable offers a vast range of qualifications that would be the envy of many countries.

Gender Inequality in the 1970s Essay -- women, solutions, stereotype, g

There is no upper limit to the risks men are willing to take in order to succeed, and if there is an upper limit for women, they will succeed less.† (Clay Shirky, 202) Shirky, the author of â€Å"A Rant about Women† argues that women must become more aggressive and demanding to ultimately achieve their goals. No matter how society reacts, men take on any action, bypassing the â€Å"Golden Rule† to achieve their goals and desires. On the other hand, women lack this procedure in their search for self-promotion, as Shirky argues. However, in Chisholm’s speech â€Å"Equal Rights for Women†, Chisholm argues that the undeniable reason for gender inequality in the 1970’s, was the lack of opportunities women were given in the workplace. Chisholm’s viewpoint includes the reason women weren’t treated with equal respect as men, was because women weren’t given the chance. Both authors battle the reason for gender inequality equally de monstrating how this social problem existed; only differentiating on the reasons. In this essay I will argue that Shirky’s position on gender inequality is stronger based on the anecdotes he provides of women asserting themselves to become more successful; additionally providing a solution for women to become more aggressive. In the 1970’s, when a woman walked into an interview, she was questioned if she can type. This occurs because of the stereotype that women usually occupy the lower standard jobs; the less important ones, in other words. The positions women usually occupy include: secretaries, librarians, and teachers, because women are viewed as incapable of withholding job options such as managers, administrators, doctors, lawyers, and Members of Congress. As Shirley Chisholm declares in her speech, â€Å"The unspoken assump... ...unately still exists today. Both Shirky and Chisholm work at publicizing this issue to society, however represent different reasons for why this issue exists. Shirky believes women are not as aggressive in demanding self-promotion as well as equality, while Shirley believes the root of gender inequality is the low amount of opportunities women are given in the workplace in comparison to men. While I consider Shirky’s argument stronger, I still agree with Chisholm’s argument based off of the job position evidence she provides. Based off both articles, women need to become more arrogant and selfish to rightfully demand what is theirs, no matter what the consequence. Men can do it, so why can’t women? Works Cited Chisholm, Shirley. â€Å"Equal Rights for Women†. Washington D.C., May 21, 1969 Shirky, Clay. â€Å"A Rant about Women†. Shirky.com. Clay Shirky Blog, January 2010

Chinesse Education :: essays research papers

China has a long and rich cultural tradition in which education has played a major role. In 124 BC the first university was established for training prospective bureaucrats in Confucian learning and the Chinese classics. Only members of the upper class could attend school. Peasants and factory workers did not have the time to attend school; therefore as of 1949 only 20% of China was literate. The Communists who controlled China considered illiteracy a major stumbling block in their promotion of political programs. They then combined political propaganda with educational development. During the first few years (1949-51) of this push on education, over 60 million peasants enrolled in winter schools, or sessions, established to take advantage of the slack season for agricultural workers. Mao, the Communist leader of China, felt that the ultimate goal of education was to eliminate class distinction. After Mao’s death in 1976 a review of government policies concerning education was started. Out of this review came standardized testing and the reinstitution of entrance exams to get into schools and these exams were also used to get in the civil service.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Chinese children entered school at age six and stayed for six years. They would study the Chinese language, math and other basic subjects. After going to an elementary school children would enter a middle school. The subjects the Chinese taught were particularly important for the advancement of the country. During the Ming dynasty Chinese novels became very popular. There were many poems and collections of short stories. The Ming also established free schools for the public hoping to expand education in china.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Gifted students were selected for studying abroad especially in the United States. As these students finished their education and returned to China some of them teaching at Chinese Universities a major political unrest began to place.

Speak Noah

Bogeyman Mrs.. Johnson February 14, 2013 English Honors Period 3 An Untold Story â€Å"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. † (Maya Angelo) The novel Speak details the life story of Melinda Sordid, a freshman in high school, and how both the traumatic and happy events of her life shape her character. In the summer before entering high school, Melinda is invited to a party that changes her life; and it is not for the better. A senior in high school named Andy Evans rapes her, and since she is so scared, she calls the police, they arrive shortly, and proceed to reek up the party.Throughout Speak, Melinda is reassured by a poster of Maya Angelo, who was also raped as a child, but went on to become a successful public figure and author. A major theme that echoes throughout the novel Speak is that all people are made smarter not by aging, but by the experiences they have been through. This fact that experience defines a person is evident in Melanin's l ife by both the traumatic experience she has of rape and the enjoyable experience she has attending Mr.. Freeman's art classes. These two opposite influences wage war and, in he end, Melinda decides to emerge from her shell.When she speaks to her middle school friend-turned-enemy Rachel about the event at the summer party, Melinda is accepted with open arms and forgiven of her accusations. Through the symbol of the white couch and the metaphors of the seasonal change and the tree, which is each effectively inserted into Speak, one can tell that a person grows through learning from his experience rather than by mere aging. Most trees are a symbol of life when they are full of leaves in the summer, or a symbol of death when they have lost all heir leaves in winter.In Speak, however, as shown on page 12 by Mr.. Freeman and Melanin's brief conversation, the tree actually represents Melanin's life story, â€Å"By the end of the year, you must figure out how to make your object say somet hing, express an emotion, speak to every person who looks at it. † This introduction to art by Mr.. Freeman turns out to play a big role in Melanin's life because the object she chooses mirrors the Journey of her life. Melinda thinks to herself, â€Å"Some people groan. My stomach flutters. Can he really let us do this? It sounds like too much fun. Tree?It's too easy. I learned how to draw a tree in second grade. I reach in for another piece of paper. † Just as she is about to grab the second paper, Mr.. Freeman dissuades her by saying, Mimi Just chose your destiny, you can't change that. † This quote is the beginning of a book-long metaphor for the progression of Melanin's life; as Melinda improves her drawing of the tree, her life improves. Throughout the rest of Speak there are many other references to the tree metaphor; with each successful encounter of Melanin's tree project, her artistic ability has shown improvement.This correlates with her life improving t hrough the experience she has gained. On page 15 of Speak, Melinda returns home from school, sits down on her white couch, and orders pizza. The white couch symbolizes Melinda; this is shown by the following trick to eating on it is to turn the messy side of the cushions up. The couch has two personalities: ‘Melinda inhaling pepperoni and mushroom' and ‘No one ever eats in the family room, no ma'am. ‘ Flip, flip, flip – cushions reversed to show their pretty white cheeks† (15).This quote is a symbol of Melanin's life because the hidden underside of the couch is symbolizing Melanin's secrets that are buried and not visible to people on the outside. Although, what makes the couch such a great example, is that the visible exterior of the couch is white, which symbolizes purity. On the contrary, the white couch looks repulsive if it is dirty; this relates to a possible reality for Melinda because if she does not speak up, but instead buries her abuse under neath a clean exterior, she cannot be fully clearness of her burden.Thus, by not peaking up to the world about how she was raped at a party last summer, she can never reach her true potential of the beautiful, white couch. Melanin's reasoning behind hiding the real couch and the truth behind the party is that she fears that people will Judge her for her imperfections. Through the experience she has gained in her freshman year of high school, Melinda realizes that the only way for her to conquer her fear is to use those various positive and negative incidents to help her grow in maturity through experience.A final example of metaphoric language append to occur on the final page of Speak. It is the last day of Melanin's freshman year and the person she must talk to is Mr.. Freeman. Melinda ideates, â€Å"The tears dissolve the last block of ice in my throat. I feel the frozen stillness melt down through the inside of me, dripping shards of ice that vanish in a puddle of sunlight on t he stained floor† (198). The ice in this quote represents Melanin's secrets that are weighing her down, not allowing her to speak up for herself, and harming her physically (Andy hurt Melinda after she told Rachel Andy raped Melinda).The tears signify the experiences she has undergone in high school and how those experiences allowed her to mature. The sunlight on the stained floor symbolizes Melanin's artwork of the tree; how the tree emanates warmth to cure Melanin's ailment of a frozen mind. Without the experience Melinda had by communicating with Mr.. Freeman, she would never have been able to face her fears and come out of her shell. Speak is overflowing with metaphorical expressions, but many readers do not understand the implications behind the author's use of a particular metaphor in a even situation.People think, â€Å"Oh, I know this is a metaphor,† and then move on reading. This ignorance of the meaning behind symbolism is actually a symbol for how those indiv iduals live their lives. The following quote by Maya Angelo shows this ignorance of symbolism in a real world sense, â€Å"Most people don't grow up. Most people age. They find parking spaces, honor their credit cards, get married, have children, and call that maturity. What that is, is aging. † For example, whenever a person attends a party, the driving factor behind that party's success is the quality of inversion.If everyone there was one of the â€Å"most people† that Maya Angelo mentions, the party would be dull and boring, and it would only age the people rather than provide them with new experiences. In summation, if one is to truly live and contribute to society, he must be so overflowing with experiences that he will use metaphors to describe accurately a situation that he has encountered; without wasting the time that could be spent living through more life Journeys and garnering experience, rather than aging by merely passing through life.

Nursing Ethical Dilema-Racism

In today’s society, there are many ethical dilemmas that nurses are faced with that are virtually impossible to solve. One of the most difficult and controversial issues that society is still facing is racism. Nursing as a profession seems to avoid considering the problem of racism (Vaughan, 1997). There is, however, a need to address this topic and to evaluate its implications for nursing practice. The ethics committee has to step in when an ethical dilemma arises and a decision must be made based on application of the universal ethical principles. IntroductionThe health care sector of American society is far from immune to social injustice and the various forms of inequality that negatively impact other societal systems. The United States health care industry has been and continues to be plagued by racism. During the pre-Civil War, Reconstruction and Jim Crow eras of American history, overt racism within the medical sphere was common. After the Civil Rights Movement of the 1 960s, segregation and some of the more blatant manifestations of racism dissipated. More subtle forms of racism, however, continue to pervade the health care industry.Historically, the American Association of Colored Graduate Nurses united with the American Nurses Association (ANA) in 1952, before the general Civil Rights movement in the United States. There have always been prominent nurses of color, such as the past president of the ANA, Beverly Malone; the current president of the National League for Nursing, Rhetaugh Dumas; and the current president of Sigma Theta Tau, May Wykle. These women are all African-Americans who have been leaders for all nursing throughout their long and distinguished careers.They are just three of the many ethnic/racial minority nurses who have made significant contributions to Nursing (Shaha, 1998). This is a real situation encountered on a post partum unit by a nurse supervisor. The situation describes an ethics consultation about the decision of a p atient who refuses to be cared for by an African American nurse. The ethical dilemma is presented from the viewpoints of the patient, nurse, and ethics committee. The ethics committee steps in whenever an ethical dilemma arises and solves the problem based on universal ethical principles (Corley, 2002). HistoryPatient is a married 42-years old female, who has a PhD in health care and a history of two pregnancies. She is currently on a post partum unit after delivery of her second child. She had a C-section four hours ago and has just been admitted to the unit. Before the admission the nurse from Labor and Delivery heard the patient saying to her husband â€Å"I hope this time we do not get a black one†, as she was referring to the nurse who will take care of her in the post partum unit. By the time she was admitted there had been a shift change and the nurse supervisor handled the admission herself.The patient verbalized that she had previously had a bad experience in the sam e hospital with an African American nurse who forgot to give her pain medicine after the C-section and she hopes that this time she will not be facing the same consequences: horrible pain that could not be controlled for two days. She asked the nurse to assign her the best nurse they have on the unit. The ethical dilemma arises when the nurse assigned to this patient for the day is an African American nurse. This nurse is also the best nurse on the floor with an extended experience of 20 years on post partum and is a very knowledgeable person.She has a BSN and currently is working on her MSN in Obstetrics. All other nurses on the post partum floor on this day are floaters. After the nurse introduces herself to the patient, the patient asks the nurse supervisor to assign a different nurse. How is the nurse supervisor going to handle this? How is she going to explain that the African American nurse is the best nurse they have for that day without hurting the patient’s feelings and helping her to gain trust in the assigned nurse?How is the nurse going to handle this patient knowing that she is judging her based on her race? Is she going to give her the same care afterward or the patient will suffer? Is the patient willing to accept the care from an African American nurse? Ethical Dilemma An ethical dilemma arises when the decision-maker experiences indecision because available choices or alternatives support conflicting values or ethical principles or rules support mutually inconsistent courses of action.The most general ethical principle for human action is â€Å"do good–avoid causing evil†. Moral rules and ideals have to do with avoiding causing evil. Beneficence and utilitarian ideals have to do with doing good. Nurses use the principle of beneficence or nonmaleficence while providing care. Patients have the right to refuse care and medical treatment (mhcc. maryland. gov). This case is very sensitive because the patient refuse contact with one specific group of people, African Americans, but does not refuse care in general.The charge nurse will use the veracity principle by telling the truth to the patient that the nurse assigned for the day is the best. The fairness principle is applied here too. The assigned nurse is fair to patient in order to provide good care. Confidentiality is maintained throughout the hospitalization. The nurse does not share patient’s information with anyoane beside the health care team. Equality is another ethical principle used here when making the decision of who is the best to provide care for the patient in order to benefit the patient and not hurt her feelings (www.nursingworld. org).When ethical issues arise in the nursing field these ethical principles are guiding the health care professional in decision making. Clinical Evaluation and Ethical Issues When an ethical dilemma arises it needs to be brought to the ethical committee. The nurse assigned for the day called the ethica l committee and brought up the patient’s and the charge nurse’s opinions. Since the patient had just been admitted to the floor, she needed to be assessed and have medication administered before the pain kicks in.Since she is refusing care from the nurse assigned, her care is delayed. This might result in complications in the patient’s health condition. The nurse acts here as the patient avocate by protecting the patient’s right to self- determination. Nursing Management The nurse is acting as the patient advocate; she brought up the situation to the ethical committee saying that the patient will suffer if treament is delayed. Does the nurse know what to do in this situation? Can she handle this dilemma? The ethical committee met and looked at the facts.Based on the principles of nonmaleficence, freedom, equality and justice they decide that the nure assigned for the patient is the best choice for her. Nursing intervention and Issues The nurse assigned to the patient started by assessing her thoroughly and then developed a plan of care. The patient received pain medications every 4 hours as needed and a pain assesment was done every hour. If a patient is experiencing moral distress, the nurse may confront the barrier, teach the patient how to take action or empower the patient to eliminate the barrier.Summary Racial inequality is not unique to nursing. There are those who assert that America is indeed a racist society and that this racism is perpetuated by ignorance, apathy, poverty, and discrimination. Do not forget that racism, both active and passive, is not limited to relations among blacks and whites. Racism knows no bounds and can affect literally any subpopulation that occupies a â€Å"minority† status. Little or no research exists on race relations between other ethnic groups. The need for further research in this area is crucial.To combat the problem of racism in nursing, whether perceived or real, nursing must first embrace diversity as an established mode of operation. Nursing faculty, in mentoring the future of the profession, should embody principles valuing diversity. It is only through accountability that we may implement and actualize diversity principles in order to ensure success of the profession into today’s nursing. Ethical discussion within training programs for nurses and the formation of units to deal with resolving ethical problems should be taken into consideration (Labunski, 2003).

Are Unions Still Relevant in USA Essay

Labor Unions, which formed to represent the workforce when needed, its rights to be discuss with the organizations management. Unions bring matters as wages, and benefits to the Collective Bargain to get an agreement with the management. Unions where big up to the 2000; from there on where power and the number of members is experiencing declining. In 2009, 771,000 members left the movement; because of the recession of 2008-2009 the majority of the member are from the public sector and not the private organizations (Devinatz, 2010). It is true that the idea of an institution that works on benefit of employees hand to hand with employers is the ideal to have in every organization; however, how can somebody said is working on employees behalf if their needs if the requirement can put the organization stability in danger. With a good number of companies closing their doors, going to bankruptcy, or moving their manufacturing overseas the workforce forthcoming is turning to small businesses and entrepreneurship collective bargain turn out to be unnecessary and irrelevant (Subramani & Ramdas, 2011). Been raised and grownup in a country where unions were called federations, usually only participating at organizations relate to technical and trade professions, have not had a close relation or even learned to much about. Maybe this influenced in acquiring the concept that there is no need for an institution to deal the benefits and needs of employees. Organizations have developed and today management and human resources worked together on behalf of the organization and its employees. Human resources on an organization are who take care and seeks for the benefits and needs of the employee as well as the organization (Heizer & Render, 2011). Because the people who conform the human resources department is part of the organization would try to do what benefits employers and employees. After reading a handful of comments and experiences with unions and their work on different businesses and organizations, my personal point of view is that unions at the beginning of it history maybe was the solution for unfairness and illegal actions from bosses and managers to its employees. Indeed their ideology, thoughts, and what they express said they worked 100% to get the best for employees we are seeing today lots of manufacture businesses closing their doors and big businesses outsourcing their jobs because they cannot afford the unions requests on keep raising wages. Of course this influence in workers wanting a union at their jobs; but is not more rewarding and satisfying to know you are receiving what your personal review is saying; at the same time having more stability, meaning that the institution we are working for does not run the risk of having to reduce personnel or worst close its doors. It is also true that organizations need to have representatives that would attend management meetings and present the employees’ point of view, concerns, aspirations, and those bright ideas that would help to have a better working environment and job satisfaction. In 2008, Reynolds article on Labor Unions showed how union are declining its power with employees and the number of members in the private sector is being minimum comparing with the public sector. Reynolds also suggested that workers associations, formed by regular employees and that would work closely to the organization’s human resources department could replace the unions. People would always think that employers do not worry or work for the employees’ benefits, that they take advantage and the only goal is to make them work hard and generate bigger profit. Unions said they will bargain the best for them, making their wages raised, but who is worrying of the quality of the job and service? Who is worrying of having a secure income and not having the fear of layoffs or bankrupts? In conclusion, we can see unions is declining in the number of members, also in the power they had over employees to convinced they are working only on their benefits without any political interest; and that the actual corporation organization with its human resources department do not have the need of unions trying to tell what the employees need or want because they can do it themselves.

Emerging Economies

Business Development in Emerging Economies Business Development in Emerging Economies Coursework Coursework Contents A. In your opinion, what is the future of emerging economies? Support your answer with relevant evidence. (2000 words)3 Introduction4 What are emerging economies4 Future of emerging economies5 Microeconomic approach6 Long-term economic perspectives7 The â€Å"Euro† perspective8 Facts about the future9 Forecast11 Opinion12 Risks for emerging markets12 B. Critically discuss the factors driving the growth of emerging MNEs. Use relevant company and country examples. 500 words)14 What are MNEs (Multinational Enterprises)15 Facts about MNEs15 C. How formidable is the competition posed by emerging markets MNE's to the â€Å"Western† companies? Could it be country- or/and sector-specific? (500 words)18 References21 Business Development in Emerging Economies Coursework Submission A. In your opinion, what is the future of emerging economies? Support your answer wit h relevant evidence. (2000 words) B. Critically discuss the factors driving the growth of emerging MNEs. Use relevant company and country examples. (500 words) C.How formidable is the competition posed by emerging markets MNE's to the â€Å"Western† companies? Could it be country- or/and sector-specific? (500 words) A. In your opinion, what is the future of emerging economies? Support your answer with relevant evidence. (2000 words) Introduction What are emerging economies The emerging markets story began almost thirty years ago. In the mid-1980s, developed economies started on a debt-fueled consumer spending binge that lasted more than two decades. This provided an incredible opportunity for developing economies.So, emerging markets or emerging economies are nations with social or business activity in the process of rapid growth and industrialization. The seven largest emerging and developing economies by either nominal Gross Domestic Product or GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) are China, Brazil, Russia, India, Mexico, Indonesia, and Turkey. Some characteristics that define an economy as emerging are the following: * Intermediate income: its PPP per capital income is comprised between 10 % and 75 % of the average EU per capital income. Catching-up growth: during at least the last decade, it has experienced a brisk economic growth that has narrowed the income gap with advanced economies. * Institutional transformations and economic opening: during the same period, it has undertaken profound institutional transformations which contributed to integrate it more deeply into the world economy. Hence, emerging economies appears to be a by-product of the current globalization. Emerging markets are sought by investors for the prospect of high returns, as they often experience faster economic growth as measured by GDP.Investments in emerging markets come with much greater risk due to political instability, domestic infrastructure problems, currency volatility and l imited equity opportunities (many large companies may still be â€Å"state-run† or private). Also, local stock exchanges may not offer liquid markets for outside investors. These countries do not share any common agenda, so there are various lists of emerging markets, developed by various analysts such as The Economist, the International Monetary Fund, Dow Jones etc.. If we had to make a summary list it would be the following:Afghanistan|   Estonia|   Lithuania|   Qatar|   Sudan|   Argentina|   Hong Kong|   Malaysia|   Romania|   Taiwan|   Bahrain|   Hungary|   Mauritius|   Russia|   Thailand|   Bangladesh|   India|   Mexico|   Saudi Arabia|   Turkey|   Brazil|   Indonesia|   Morocco|   Singapore|   Tunisia|   Bulgaria|   Iran|   Nigeria|   Slovakia|   UAE| Chile|   Israel|   Oman|   Slovenia|   Ukraine| China|   Jordan|   Pakistan|   South Africa|   Venezuela|   Colombia|   Kuwait|   Peru|   Sr i Lanka|   Vietnam| Czech Republic|   Latvia|   Philippines|   South Korea|   Sudan|   Egypt|   Estonia|   Poland|   Qatar|   Taiwan| Future of emerging economiesIn the past decade emerging markets have established themselves as the world’s best sprinters. As serial crises tripped up America and then Europe, China barely broke stride. Other big developing nations paused for breath only briefly. Investors bet that rapid growth in emerging markets was the new normal, while leaders from Beijing to Brazil lectured the world on the virtues of their state-centric economic models. More than 80% of the world’s population lives in countries with emerging economies. As we can see in Figure 1, the share of emerging markets in global output has increased from below 20% in the early 90’s, to more than 30% today.Considering the cost of living differences, the share of emerging economies in world GDP already exceeds 45%, which is 13 percentage points higher than in the early 90’s. According to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF), World Economic Outlook, this share will exceed 50% in 2013. Figure [ 1 ]: Share of emerging economies in world GDP in recent periods While these economies are already large, they keep growing strongly. Growth in emerging economies and increased resistance to economic and financial shocks mean good news for the global economy, which can definitely rely on the dynamism of emerging economies more than it did in the past.The residents of emerging economies’ countries benefited a lot from this rapid growth, as it led to rising living standards. During the period 2000-2009, the per capita GDP in these countries increased by more than 70%. The integration of emerging economies in world markets for goods and services happened smoothly. Regarding global exports of goods and services, the share of emerging economies almost doubled between the early 90’s and 2010, reaching 35%. Microecono mic approach The most important role of the emerging economies and reflected at the micro level.Specifically, six of the 25 largest companies in the world, for example, in terms of market value come from emerging markets. These companies are listed below, according to Global 2000 list for 2012, an annual ranking of the top 2000 public companies in the world by Forbes magazine. The ranking is based on a mix of four metrics: sales, profit, assets and market value. Rank| Company| Headquarters| Industry| Profits (billion $)| Assets (billion $)| Market Value (billion $)| 05| Industrial and Commercial Bank of China|   China| Banking| 25. 1| 2,039. 1| 237. 4| 07| PetroChina|   China| Oil and gas| 20. | 304. 7| 294. 7| 10| Petrobras|   Brazil| Oil and gas| 20. 1| 319. 4| 180| 13| China Construction Bank|   China| Banking| 20. 5| 1,637. 8| 201. 9| 15| Gazprom|   Russia| Oil and gas| 31. 7| 302. 6| 159. 8| 19| Agricultural Bank of China|   China| Banking| 14. 4| 1,563. 9| 154. 8| Long-term economic perspectives The present of emerging economies seems promising, but the future seems even better. According to forecasts for long-term growth based on demographic trends and models of capital accumulation and productivity, it seems that the role of emerging economies in the global economy will be even larger.More specifically, according to various surveys, the growth prospects of these economies are striking. The share of Brazil, Russia, India and China, if considered together, could by 2025 correspond to a rate of more than 50% share of the current six largest industrialized economies and to overcome it in less than 40 years. The â€Å"Euro† perspective From the perspective of the euro, the growing role of emerging economies provides various opportunities. More specifically, the dynamic growth of emerging economies is increasing demand for certain goods and tradable services where the euro zone has a comparative advantage.Also, competition from emerging ma rkets increases motivation for further progress in structural reforms in the euro zone, which are either way necessary. In addition, the Eurozone is capable of seizing new opportunities created by emerging economies. Exports and imports of goods and services of the euro zone represent a significant share of the GDP. Considering this, it is remarkable that the share of the euro zone exports (excluding trade within the euro zone) to Asia increased from 19% in 2000 to 22% in 2009, while exports to the United States decreased from 17% to 12% over the same period.China's share in total exports of the euro zone increased from 2% in 2000 to 5. 3% in 2009. Exports to Russia more than doubled over the same period from 1. 8% to 3. 9%, thus exceeding the exports to Japan, although the share of Russia was higher in 2008 (5. 0%), before the global trade collapsed. A similar trend was observed in India, though on a much smaller scale, as India’s share was 1. 7% of euro zone exports in 2009 . The crisis When the global financial crisis struck, emerging economies responded energetically: China launched a huge stimulus, Brazil’s state-owned banks avished credit, interest rates were slashed. They succeeded so well that by 2010 they were forced to reverse course. To squash price pressures they raised interest rates, curbed speculation and allowed their currencies to appreciate. With a lag, that tightening has had the predicted result. Still, the slowdown has proved much sharper than expected. Europe’s sovereign-debt crisis is partly to blame. It has sapped demand for the developing world’s manufactured exports and restrained prices of their commodities; South Africa is a notable casualty.European banks had been conduits for foreign money flowing into emerging markets. Now they are pulling back as they grapple with the problems at home. The issues of slowing growth, high government debts, rising unemployment, and aging populations within developed econo mies such as the United States presented headwinds for emerging market countries, which in the past had been much more reliant on the health of developed markets. However, because of earlier fiscal discipline, countries such as China, Brazil and Indonesia were able to stimulate economies on their own with low interest rates and massive stimulus packages.The central banks were recourse to those who needed to borrow money, in order to avoid a major crisis. In December 2011 and February 2012, the European Central Bank announced long-term refunding, while European banks borrowed about 1 trillion euros. The U. S. Federal Bank, along with many central banks from developed countries went on with liquidity injections. That move resulted to massive relief, as the markets stabilized and industrial production increased again. The question then was if this would last, allowing the global economy to keep on growing.This was more of concern for emerging economies, which were considered to be safe r than economically advanced countries. Many of them faced difficulties when they actually started developing, as they had to deal with massive poverty. Facts about the future Sadly, many emerging-world governments have interpreted the crisis in rich-world finance as a reason to preserve a more muscular role for the state. China has reserved some sectors for state-owned enterprises. In Brazil the big state-controlled oil company, Petrobras, and the tate-controlled banks have become virtual appendages of government policy. Having so much leverage over the economy is indeed helpful during a crisis, but in the long run it will stifle competition, starve the private sector of capital, deter foreign investment and know-how, and breed corruption. When the dust settles, emerging markets will still be growing faster than they did before 2003. But getting back up to the speed of the past decade will mean maintaining the macroeconomic discipline and returning to the microeconomic reforms that made it possible in the first place.A strong infrastructure has significant long-term benefits, such as a growing manufacturing base, an educated workforce and more mobile, and therefore more easily employable, societies. The build-out of fixed asset infrastructure in China, which has been strong over the past 15 years, continues today, particularly as the population becomes more urbanized. Brazil also continues to invest in infrastructure, with estimates in excess of $800 billion in infrastructure spending as the country prepares to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. For example, the case of India.Since 2009, India has deliberately inflated its deficit in order to offset the economic slowdown. Fiscal expansion was very efficient in promoting growth of demand and supply after several years’ restriction. However, now the expansion is limited. Unlike developed countries, most developing economies are under inflationary pressure, which can be worse than additional expensed. Thus, the short-term future seems to be reserving various dangers. Nevertheless, medium and long-term perspectives about emerging economies are positive. Countries that save money, invest in human capital and provide good governance can achieve rapid growth again.India, for example, saves and invests more than 30% of its GDP, devoting a significant percentage of these sources to infrastructure. Thus, the possibility of India expanding its business increases. Investors seem to take seriously into account this perspective. They seem to be very hesitant towards investments in private equity funds. Nonetheless, they provided India with 43,8 billion dollars in long-term direct investments during 2011-2012. Despite the current crisis, the outlook seems encouraging for other emerging economies too, such as Brazil, China and Indonesia.It’s obvious that during the second half of 2011, developing economies that have faced the economic crisis kind of well, star ted to feel pressure as the euro zone crisis was getting worse. Growth in Brazil, India, China and other countries noted a remarkable slow down. Global economy seems to be focusing on fast-growing markets that are outside BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) as there is the perception that they are capable of integrating faster than the BRIC countries into the global economy due to a number of trade, investment, technological and cultural criteria.These markets achieve constantly high rates of economic growth at the same level with the BRIC countries. Turkey, Indonesia and Mexico come just after China and India in terms of GDP growth between 2000 and 2015. Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Malaysia and Vietnam, along with some countries and regions of Africa are ready to be included in the list with the most dynamic countries in the world, regarding investments. It’s becoming more and more admissible that these countries are the most significant sources of income for the future ye ars.Same prospects seem to appear for South Africa, Indonesia, Mexico and Turkey, which are considered to be the most competitive ones. Executives from all around the economy world claim that they are planning to raise their investments in these markets. As goods’ and services’ trade goes back to the levels it was before the financial crisis and the flow of funds appears to steadily increase, technology and cross-border exchange of ideas will continue forcing growth and promoting globalization. Forecast Forecasts concerning the period of time from now and by 2015 don’t seem really encouraging for Europe and emerging economies.The last year’s liquidity injection was deemed to be an efficient policy, but it was certainly not a radical solution. No crisis looms, but serious concern is justified, for the emerging world faces two distinct risks: a cyclical slowdown and a longer-term erosion of potential growth. The first should be reasonably easy to deal with. The second will not. Fiscal discipline and investment has delivered for emerging economies up to this point. This can significantly contribute to future growth. If Europe can succeed in promoting large fiscal and banking reforms and put its economy in order, the crisis will probably subside.Otherwise it will remain until the end of 2014 and then Europe will be before high risk once again. Regarding the developing countries, they will definitely be influenced by the U. S. and Europe – the two largest economies in the world. Their slowdown will directly affect all developing countries. The analyst, Jean Louis Martin claims though, that emerging economies will account for 52% of the global economy. His forecast is based on current prices and exchange rates-compared with 38. 9% in 2011. Opinion Looking through the past as thoroughly as I can, and considering the risks, my opinion about a potential recovery tends to be negative.A slump in these countries thus looks unlikely; so, however, does a return to the past decade’s growth rates. China, for one, doesn’t want it. Its economy has become over-reliant on investment; its leaders want to usher in a phase of more sustainable but slower growth, led by consumers. Beyond China, it is increasingly clear that many emerging economies have been growing beyond their underlying potential. Optimists once thought India could sustain Chinese-style growth of over 9% a year; but that led to stubborn inflation and current-account deficits, suggesting that India’s potential growth may be more like 6-7%.There is no guarantee that emerging markets will experience stable, sustainable development, since numerous economic and political risks are lurking. Emerging countries are still vulnerable to economic changes that occur in developed countries. Risks for emerging markets There’s a number of potential sources of macroeconomic and political instability such as high fiscal deficits, over-dependence on oil revenues and gas, increasing disparities in income leading to social tensions and acroeconomic and financial instability. Many reports also highlight the pressures on natural resources from the rapid growth in emerging economies, including the increasing difficulty of keeping global warming within the maximum limit of two degrees Celsius. While new unconventional sources like shale gas have reduced fears of depletion of fossil fuels, the risks associated with the most unstable global climate patterns are expected, to follow a steady upward trend.Issues such as taxation of executive compensation, the proper scope of financial regulation, and international M;A have come to the foreground in the wake of the crisis, and stark international differences in opinions and policies on these matters are already evident. The differences will only become more pronounced as discussions about the appropriate near-term policy response to the crisis give way to debates about who should pay and how much.The multinational firms best able to anticipate and manage the related risks and opportunities will have the strongest competitive edge. B. Critically discuss the factors driving the growth of emerging MNEs. Use relevant company and country examples. (500 words) What are MNEs (Multinational Enterprises) As the name implies, a multinational corporation is a business concern with operations in more than one country. These operations outside the company's home country may be linked to the parent by merger, operated as subsidiaries, or have considerable autonomy.Firms tend to locate where barriers are easier to overcome. For firms in emerging countries, this initially meant locating in nearby countries with regional, cultural or language ties (so-called South-South FDI). This trend seems to be changing, however, as firms from emerging economies gain prominence. Facts about MNEs There are over 40,000 multinational corporations currently operating in the global economy, in additi on to approximately 250,000 overseas affiliates running cross-continental businesses.The top multinational corporations are headquartered in the United States, Western Europe, and Japan; they have the capacity to shape global trade, production, and financial transactions. Multinational corporations are viewed by many as favoring their home operations when making difficult economic decisions, but this tendency is declining as companies are forced to respond to increasing global competition. Multinational corporations follow three general procedures when seeking to access new markets: * merger with or direct acquisition of existing concerns * sequential market entry and joint ventures Here’s an example of sequential market entry, which often includes foreign direct investment, which involves the establishment or acquisition of concerns operating in niche markets related to the parent company's product lines in the new country of operation. Japan's Sony Corporation made use of s equential market entry in the United States, beginning with the establishment of a small television assembly plant in San Diego, California, in 1972. For the next two years, Sony's U. S. perations remained confined to the manufacture of televisions, the parent company's leading product line. Sony branched out in 1974 with the creation of a magnetic tape plant in Dothan, Alabama, and expanded further by opening an audio equipment plant in Delano, Pennsylvania, in 1977. After a period of consolidation brought on by an unfavorable exchange rate between the yen and dollar, Sony continued to expand and diversify its U. S. operations, adding facilities for the production of computer displays and data storage systems during the 1980s.In the 1990s, Sony further diversified it U. S. facilities and now also produces semiconductors and personal telecommunications products in the United States. Sony's example is a classic case of a multinational using its core product line to defeat indigenous competition and lay the foundation for the sequential expansion of corporate activities into related areas. Multinational corporations are thus able to penetrate new markets in a variety of ways, which allow existing concerns in the market to be accessed a varying degree of autonomy and control over operations.Multinationals today are viewed with increased suspicion given their perceived lack of concern for the economic well-being of particular geographic regions and the public impression that multinationals are gaining power in relation to national government agencies, international trade federations and organizations, and local, national, and international labor organizations. Despite such concerns, multinational corporations appear poised to expand their power and influence as barriers to international trade continue to be removed.They share many common traits, including the methods they use to penetrate new markets, the manner in which their overseas subsidiaries are tied to the ir headquarters operations, and their interaction with national governmental agencies and national and international labor organizations. In particular, factors that benefit MNEs growth are: * labor is relatively cheap * Ownership advantages encompass the development and ownership of proprietary technology or widely recognized brands that other competitors cannot use.Empirical analysis shows that multinationals are often technological leaders that invest heavily in developing new products, processes and brands, which are then kept confidential and are protected by intellectual property rights * technology being adopted is leapfrogging much of the legacy IT infrastructure that is still in use in developed countries * Localization advantages refer to the benefits that come from locating near the final buyers or closer to more abundant and cheaper production factors, such as expert engineering or raw materials multinationals internalize the benefits from owning a particular technology, brand, expertise or patent that they find too risky or unprofitable to rent or license to other firms due to the difficulties of enforcing international contracts * management and production expertise from the parent concern Other concerns raised by respondents included government regulation, established competition, and the availability of communications and digital infrastructure. C. How formidable is the competition posed by emerging markets MNE's to the â€Å"Western† companies? Could it be country- or/and sector-specific? 500 words) Right now more than 20,000 multinationals are operating in emerging economies. According to the Economist, Western multinationals expect to find 70% of their future growth there—40% of it in China and India alone. But if the opportunity is huge, so are the obstacles to seizing it. On its 2010 Ease of Doing Business Index, the World Bank ranked China 89th, Brazil 129th, and India 133rd out of 183 countries. Summarizing the bank’ s conclusions, the Economist wrote, â€Å"The only way that companies can prosper in these markets is to cut costs relentlessly and accept profit margins close to zero. Western companies have had many difficulties entering emerging markets to date, as they seemed to apply a wrong entering strategies, which were due to lack of knowledge and experience. Many companies have already been lured by the promise of profits from selling low-end products and services in high volume to the very poor in emerging markets. And high-end products and services are widely available in these markets for the very few who can afford them: You can buy a Mercedes or a washing machine, or stay at a nice hotel, almost anywhere in the world.Our experience suggests a far more promising place to begin: between these two extremes, in the vast middle market. Consumers there are defined not so much by any particular income band as by a common circumstance: Their needs are being met very poorly by existing low-en d solutions, because they cannot afford even the cheapest of the high-end alternatives. Companies that devise new business models and offerings to better meet those consumers’ needs affordably will discover enormous opportunities for growth.Take, for example, the Indian consumer durables company Godrej & Boyce. Founded in 1897 to sell locks, Godrej is today a diversified manufacturer of everything from safes to hair dye to refrigerators and washing machines. In workshops we conducted with key managers in the appliances division, refrigerators emerged as a high-potential area: Because of the cost both to buy and to operate them, traditional compressor-driven refrigerators had penetrated only 18% of the market. The markets and operating environments in India are radically different fromMNCs’ home markets, making it possible a wide range of competitive encounters and outcomes. For example, there are several layers of product and customer segments that reward different app roaches from competitors, making it possible for both local challengers and patient MNCs to find different starting places and, over time, compete more directly. Competition appears to be formidable for â€Å"Western† companies, since they are not really qualified to deal with MNEs of emerging markets, which keep on developing.Furthermore, it seems that the competition could definitely be both country and sector specific, as, regardless of the difference in trends perceived as important and the reported level of preparedness, companies, both Western and emerging multinationals, take a similar approach to the critical actions needed to address emerging countries’ consumer market trends. These include developing new products and services, adapting the brand strategy, conducting market research, and adapting the marketing communication strategy.References * Contessi S. , El-Ghazaly H.. (2010). Multinationals from Emerging Economies Growing but Little Understood. Available :http://research. stlouisfed. org/publications/regional/10/07/multinational. pdf. * Matthew J. Eyring, Mark W. Johnson, and Hari Nair. (2011). 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