The Misunderstanding of Being Postcolonialism - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1883 Downloads: 8 Date added: 2019/04/12 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Frankenstein Essay Did you like this example? American lawyer Loretta Lynch said Everyone wants to be seen. Everyone wants to be heard. Everyone wants to be recognized as the person that they are and not a stereotype or an image. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Misunderstanding of Being Postcolonialism" essay for you Create order A chance to be heard can be considered a basic need as a human living on this planet. There have been people groups over the years that have not had their needs met in the area of communication, denied their right to be heard. Postcolonial literature is a way to give voice to those dealing with its aftermath. Its critics are concerned with literature produced by colonial powers and works produced by those who were/are colonized (Purdue). Mary Shelleys 1818 novel Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus is an example of postcolonial literature. Struggles in the novel can be looked at as postcolonial in nature. What is just as important as looking at those examples is the question What is Mary Shelley trying to say? This essay will look at what postcolonialism means, the ways in which we find examples of it in Shelleys novel, and what is at the root of all of it. I think that Shelley, much like the characters in her novel and the people affected by postcolonialism, just wanted to be heard and thats why she wrote her novel. Why did Mary Shelley write Frankenstein? That is certainly the million dollar question. That is, it is the question if you think that she is the one who wrote it. John Lauritsen, a writer and editor at Pagan Press, wrote a book in 2007 titled The Man Who Wrote Frankenstein, which explains why he believes that Marys husband Percy is the one who really wrote the novel.. In a letter to the editor published in The Chronicle Review, Lauritsen states that his research indicates that Mary had little imagination or talent for writing and that the only reason that part of the original manuscript (minus Percys revisions) was in her handwriting because he was dictating it to her. Charles Robinson, an English professor at the University of Delaware published a version of Frankenstein in 2009 that had two versions side by side, one that included Percys notes, and one that didnt. One of the reasons for his findings is the difference in handwriting styles. Lauritsen discredits this, however, and were back at square one. Ive read non-scholarly conclusions during my research that Percy wrote it because Marys poor education level would be indicative of her talent level and thus be the reason she could not have been the author. This brings to mind the ongoing debate regarding the true authorship of Shakespeares works: to conclude that one could not write a work of such magnitude simply because of education level smacks of elitism. Lets assume for the purposes of this paper that Mary Shelley did indeed write this novel, so we can narrow the topic somewhat. So why did Mary write Frankenstein? Perhaps it was an attempt to deal with painful aspects of personal relationships. Anthony F. Badalamenti, in his piece Why did Mary Shelley Write Frankenstein? suggests that Mary was using the text to deal with the hurt arising from her husband Percys painful acts towards her. Calling it substitution or encoding, Badalamenti says its the unconscious way of dealing with events that are too painful to deal with within the conscious mind: Encoding brings some relief of a cathartic nature but rarely resolves underlying issues (Badalamenti 420). Not only did Percy create trust issues in their marriage, but her parents contributed to the issues in her subconscious that she has to deal with as well. Her mother Mary Wollstonecraft died eleven days after giving birth to her, and her father William Godwin still felt the need to have family and remarried a woman who had two children of her own. Both of these contributed to her sense of abandonment, and rejection, so clearly captured in the Monsters reaction to Frankenstein abandoning him. This shocking response of the creator to the birthed creation was also influenced by Marys own experience with childbirth. Her first child was a daughter born prematurely, dying a few days later. Ronald Britton, in his paper Mary Shelleys Frankenstein: what made the monster monstrous? relays a journal entry by Mary in 1815 concerning her deceased daughter: Dream that my little baby came to life againI thought that if I could bestow animation upon lifeless matter, I might, in the process of time, renew life where death had apparently devoted the body to corruption (Britton 4). We can look at the novel as a picture of Marys experiences with birth, both with her own and with the birth of her child. This reading of the novel as dealing with birth is influenced by Marys pregnancies before and during the novels creation. Badalamenti later on in his piece says this is given weight by the length of time that Victor takes in creating the Creature (9 months). He also says that this does suggest that she was equating Victor with PercyThere is more support for the fusion idea in Victor dying at the same age Percy was when Mary finished the novel (428). Mary may have made reference to herself in the form of Safie, the beloved of Felix DeLacey. Safie is the daughter of the character in the book known only as the Turk. In a tale told by the Creature we find out that the DeLaceys end up in the cottage we find them in because of Felix, who was only trying to do the right thing by rescuing the Turk from the unjust prison sentence he received while all were in Paris. The Turk, whos only crimes seems to be that he was a foreigner with wealth and a follower of a non-Christian religion. In other words, he was distrusted by the French government because he was the other. Felixs reward was exile to the cottage in Germany. When the Turk found out that the DeLacey family were now poor cottage dwellers, he became a traitor to good feeling and honour (Shelley 101) and broke his promise to Felix and Safie of a union. Safie is betrayed by her father, who denied her love, while being motherless, much like Mary, who was also motherless and very much felt betrayal by the father as well, especially when he became estranged after the engagement to Percy. This point is made even more visible when we view the story as coming from the Creature, who could also represent Mary in the novel. This After Percy died in 1822, Mary released the novel two more times. The original (1818) we know was published anonymously. Im sure that this did not sit well with Mary and I think that was part of the reason she re-released it with her name as the author. The softening the image of Victor in these later editions gives credence to the belief that Victor was a stand-in for Percy, whether consciously or subconsciously. People often soften their anger issues towards a person when that person dies. In a male dominated profession, it was not conceivable that a tale such as Frankenstein would be written by a woman. This idea that a woman was not capable of such writing (and the reason Frankenstein was published anonymously the first time) was typical of the patriarchal system. Her publishers wanted Percys commentary on her work included so there was an implication that he perhaps wrote it. This system made Mary (and other women) feel like outsiders, being made the lesser in a relationship that clearly benefited the masculine (publishers, Percy) over the feminine (Mary, other women). Waiting till after Percy died to publish her authorship and to make changes (twice) shows that she was trying to reclaim her work. She was tired of it and did something about it. In short, she wanted to be heard. Another term for outsiders would be the other. The other is a way of defining ones self. The concept of the self cannot exist without making someone the other. By introducing the concept of the other to describe people groups outside of the normal as a way to control them, thereby making the self superior. Edward Said in his book Orientalism says that the West uses the concept of the other as a way to control the Orient, to justify its actions in the act of colonialism, and that in pointing out their otherness, thos empires of the west have a mission to enlighten, civilize, bring order and democracy (Said xxi). In his book Culture and Imperialism Said talks about how structures and locations appear in literature. In British culture and literature, one might be concerned over the way that places of power are set in the cities of England, and that they are connected to other places by making them subordinate (Said 52). Literature helped to maintain the empire by insisting that it was better in the empire. Western writers contribute to the building of authority of the West by depicting the devaluing and exploitation of the colonized lands as necessary. Saids favorite example of this is Jane Austens Mansfield Park, which shows a slave plantation owned by the character Thomas Bertram as mysteriously necessary to the poise and beauty of Mansfield Park (Said 58). Mary Wollstonecraft in her review of Olaudah Equianos Interesting Narrative says that the philosophy used to justify the treatment of the slave nations used the differences in their appearance to make them the other, degrad(ing) the numerous nationsbelow the common level of humanity, andconclude that naturedesigned to stamp them with the mark of slavery (Bugg 655). This, Bugg says, sets up Wollstonecrafts use of slavery as an analogy for gender oppression (Bugg 656) in her work A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. Mary Shelley also tackles the case off the other in Frankenstein. The younger Mary uses the physical difference of the Creature to point out the imbalance of power between the other (Creature) and the DeLacys (European society). The first that we read of the Creature is in a letter composed by Robert Walton to his sister. He is described as a savage inhabitant of some undiscovered island (Shelley 13). It is only when the Creature starts his education (based in colonial literature) that he learns how his differences will will determine his existence (Bugg 659). His education becomes the means by which regular society (the DeLaceys) makes him feel like the other. Mary Shelley didnt have it easy. Abandoned by her mother in death and by her father when he remarried, she felt cast aside by him and looked at as a rival by her stepmom. In a society that made her feel like the other because of her sex, she looked for love and an outlet for her anger and grief. Her relationship to Percy didnt solve these issues. Her experience in getting her novel to market made her feel like the other as well. Published anonymously because no one would believe a woman could write such a novel, it probably wouldnt have been as well read either. These experiences combined with a desire to be heard galvanized literary magic into Frankenstein, making it a leading example of postcolonial literature. Mary found a voice, and in reclaiming her novel satisfied her need to be heard. Thank you.

Persuasive Essay Gifted Child - 1610 Words

The Phrase â€Å"gifted child† does not primarily mean Childs’ intellectual gifts or any tangible gift, but one with adjusted empathetic sense and thus vulnerable to emotional abuse. When pooled with a deficiency or disorder on the part of the parent- nervousness and hyper-depressive among others, the kid goes to dangerous lengths. This disease creates two personalities of the victim, the real self (the genuine character) and the false self (the fictitious character). On the other hand, the drama is not a comedy or tragedy in this setting, but the childhood life experiences. To some extent, everyone is a prisoner of her/his childhood. Each is stamped by his fate and his life as a child. Everyone was molded and shaped by the needs and desires of the parents when he depended on them for almost everything. According to Miller, it is the whole story on how the child is raised. For many years now it has been proven that the stunning results of the traumatization of kids take their unavoidable peal on the society. This information concerns every single being, and if circulated extensively enough, should lead to essential changes in humanity, above all to a standstill in the blind increase of fierceness. Childhood trauma may fuel a scope of a tireless psychiatric issue. One is the somatoform disorder, in which patients experience personal grievances with no perceptible restorative reason. Another is the frenzy issue with agoraphobia, in which patients encounter the sudden, intense onsetShow MoreRelatedThe Lively Art of Writing Chapters 1 and 2 Answers1689 Words   |  7 Pagesthat an opinion can be used as the main topic of an essay. It is based on partial knowledge of a subject where the writer thinks what seems true. In a fact, however, the statements are based on absolute certainty and can be proven if needed to. Facts cannot be used as an essay topic since no sides exist, meaning no people to persuade. 2) Although facts do not make admirable essay topics, they do provide the needed support for an opinion. If an essay is purely based on personal feelings, nothing isRead MoreEducation: The Down Fall of the U.S.1680 Words   |  7 Pagesfinding of a verbal decline of over 50 points as well as a decline of almost 40 points in mathematics. The report also included that 40% of 17 year old students could not draw inferences from written material, and only one-fifth can write a persuasive essay; and only one-third can solve a mathematics problem requiring several steps. To overcome the findings, the NCEE made 38 recommendations, divided into five categories: Content, Standards and Expectations, Time, Teaching, and Leadership and FiscalRead MoreSituational Analysis: 7th Grade Language Arts6569 Words   |  26 Pageswhole class, small group, or even pairs. 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Nor is this necessity to dramatic making any the less, however stylized the made thing may be. Oedipus Rex, surely, echoes a three-dimensionalRead MoreEssay on Silent Spring - Rachel Carson30092 Words   |  121 Pagesoffprint from Gales For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Co ntext, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.  ©1998-2002;  ©2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design ® andRead MoreMarketing Plan for Entrepreneur10970 Words   |  44 Pagesinvolves providing information about products, services, or about important issues. 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The fact that it should to-day be carrying a sinister meaning merely shows how much of the child remains in the average adult. A group of citizens writes and talks in favor of a certain 22 The New Propaganda course of action in some debatable question, believing that it is promoting the best interest of the community. Propaganda? Not a bitRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesCommunication 341 †¢ Nonverbal Communication 341 Organizational Communication 342 Formal Small-Group Networks 343 †¢ The Grapevine 343 †¢ Electronic Communications 345 †¢ Managing Information 349 Choice of Communication Channel 350 xiv CONTENTS Persuasive Communications 351 Automatic and Controlled Processing 351 †¢ Interest Level 352 †¢ Prior Knowledge 352 †¢ Personality 352 †¢ Message Characteristics 352 Barriers to Effective Communication 353 Filtering 353 †¢ Selective Perception 353 †¢ Information

Strategic Information System Various Internetworking System

Question: Discuss about the Report for Strategic Information System of Various Internetworking System. Answer: Introduction The importance of the strategic management of the information system compiles of the various internetworking system that are regularly used in the daily lives. The consequences of the changing of the apps in the considered restaurant provide the fruitful results for this literature review. In this part of the literature review, the description of the restaurant OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE is taken for the appropriate examination of the strategies that are seemed to be useful for the creation of the appropriate app usage in the part of the system (Wong Ma, 2013). This also helps in the creation of the consideration for the information system with thereby considering the applications used for the restaurant. The usage of the HOT SCHEDULE APP is seemed to a problematic for running the institution and thereby it also helps in the creation of the problems related to the no-option break and no come back options. Instead of this app, DEPTY app is used which is seemed to be simpler and thereby the i dea for the comparisons of these two apps helps in the creation of the appropriate system of the information systems in order to have3 the fruitful examination of the system (Keenan, 2013). The DSS is also described in this context with the utilization of the appropriate practices with the consisting system. Strategic Information System The strategic information system is defined as the system that is used by the companies to achieve the goals in a more efficient manner. It also provides the companies a competitive advantage with the creation of the goals or the motives in order to survive in the current market. As per the article of Strategic Planning for Information Systems by John Ward and Joe Peppard, provides the view of the management of the systems used in the provided organization i.e. the restaurant OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE (2016). It helps in describing the system of the execution of information systems in the organization of the restaurant OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE. The computer management with the utilization of the appropriate information system management and the execution of data helps in the creation of the competitive advantage for the utilization and control of the management properly. it also helps in the creation of the appropriate value added services to the organization and thereby providing the appropriate execution of the information in order to support the development of the internal system of the management of restaurant OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE (Lee, 2011). Henceforth it helps in redesigning of the business network, processes and the scope of the restaurant OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE. Reviewing best practices model The strategic information system helps an organization to achieve their goals and objectives. The system is implemented to achieve a competitive advantage in the market on their competitors. The outback steakhouse uses the Hot Schedule as the information system for messages, communication, roster etc. The issues associated with Hot Schedule app is that there is no option for break and the employees has to always logout and when they come back then they have to ask the manager to clock them in again. The application does not provide appropriate facilities and for this the organization want to develop an app having features such as start break, end break, clock in, timeline, working hours etc. Therefore, the implementation of Depty app under decision support system will help to overcome such problems. The application will help to support the decisions of managers and knowledge workers (2016). The schedules and working hours of the employees can be maintained with the help of Deputy app . It will also help to prepare payroll sheet, tracking productivity of the employees, improving flow of communications and assigning tasks to the employees. The main aim of the implementation of deputy application is enhance the information system of Outback Steakhouse by improving the system. The introduction of break option, clock in option, details of working hours and timeline will help to improve the system and satisfying the needs of the workers as well as managers. Decision support system plays a significant role in the management of huge data and helping the managers and knowledge workers to take decisions. The enhancement in the information system will help to increase the productive of the restaurant as well as improving the overall process of the organization. The decisions of the managers and employees are supported by this system that increases the efficiency of the departments. For an example, mathematical modeling helps to draw sketches, computer programs, mathematica l formulas and physical models (2016). The implementation of such system will enhance the information system of the restaurant. Conceptual framework The conceptual framework regarding the strategic information system used in the restaurant of OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE helps in providing the evaluations regarding the arrangement of the situational dimensions and the organizational strategies with including the information needs, information seeking and the use of the information. It also helps in represents the managerial traits that are categorized in the view of the consideration of the conceptual framework in considering the views (2016). The tools and the techniques help in representing the values that are seemed to be related to the information system department. With the creation of the specific SISP for the specific organization, the creation of the variations of the arrangement takes place in the organization. The scope of the creation of the analysis helps in the creation of the data process with the establishment of the process matrix and thereby the scope of the restaurant OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE seems to be fulfilled. Figure: Conceptual Framework of Strategic Information System Source: Luo, 2012 The creation of this framework aims in the creation of the framing of the organisational level framework with the creation of the IS planning methodologies and thereby the improvement of the competition level is seemed in the case of the creation of the competitive edge. With the modelling of the conceptual framework, the factors also affect the organisation to great extent. It also helps in representing the means of the communication system with thereby representing the modeling methods for the organization and the project team representation is also seemed to be created (Luo, 2012). Therefore the conceptual framework represents the values that are considered for the creation of focus on the values with the representation of the problems of the organization of the restaurant OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE. Decision support system Decision support system is computer based information system designed in such a way that it helps knowledge workers and middle managers to choose one of the alternative solutions to the problems. It helps to analyze huge amount of data in a faster way. With the help of decision support system Outback Steakhouse restaurant will be able to increase its market share, increase profitability, enhance quality and reduce costs. The implementation of deputy application will help the restaurant to cope up with the situation (Chiang S, 2016). It supports complex non routine solutions and helps to process data into information. The managers and technological experts can use this system in order to enhance the technological system within the restaurant. Some of the DSS are mathematical modeling, simulation, queries, what If (OLAP-Cubes) and Data mining. The implementation of deputy application under DSS will help to solve the issues that are faced by the workers of the restaurant. The main objec tive of DSS is to handle huge of data, processing data from different sources, providing presentation and report flexibility to suit the needs of the decision makers and performing sophisticated, complex and comparisons using software packages ("International Journal of Decision Support System Technology (IJDSST): 1941-6296, 1941-630X: Library IST Journals | IGI Global", 2016). The implementation of DSS supports problem solving phases which include design, choice, intelligence, monitoring and implementation. According to the research decision support system is considered to be as the most effective system of maintaining information and data as well as helps the managers to take appropriate decision. The DSS application is composed of following subsystems data management system, model management subsystems, knowledge management systems and user interface subsystem (K P, 2016). The system helps the managers in decision making processes and problem solving process. Deputy App In the article of Decision Support Models for Valuing Improvements in Component Reliability and Maintenance by Kang, Keebom, the usage of the Depty app is mentioned which provides the information of the management of the organisation helps in the creation of the appropriate element for the organisation. The values of this system also help in the creation of the appropriate management system with the consideration of the operational availability with the requirements of the assets (2016). This app also helps in the creation of the appropriate arrangement for the enhancement of the metrics with the consideration of the metrics for the restaurant OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE. It also provides the improvements in the component levels with the creation of the enhancements by myopic analysis with regarding the process of cost saving. It also helps in the enhancements of the measures related to the operational availability by considering the non-cost processes. The critical determinants also help in the creation of the response time in regarding to the measurement of the reliability in accordance to the traced footprints. It also helps in the incorporation of the key performances with the consideration of all the key performance criterias. The measures are seemed to be interrelated with the enhancement of the footprints and thereby the relays are repaired by the provision of the good response towards the utilization of the resources. It also helps in the creation of the performance with the implementation of the decision making process with thereby enhancing the views of the reliability and the maintenance of the component (Zinkhan, G., Joachimsthaler, E., Kinnear, T., 1987). The Depty app also makes the work easier with the creation of simplicity in keeping the records of the restaurant OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE. It also helps in the fastest system that needs to be followed in the organisation of OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE. Summary Decision supporting system will help the managers and knowledge workers of Outback Steakhouse to take significant decisions and managing huge data of their organization. The restaurant was facing some problems with the implementation of Hot schedule in their organization as there was no option for break, chat and clock in. Therefore, the restaurant will implement Depty application in order to cope with these problems. It will help to improve the system as well as solving the problems faced by the managers and workers. The management of data and overall process of the departments is very much important and will help to estimate the productivity of the employees as well as the organization. The employees activities can be easily tracked as well as they do not have to face problems while working. The implementation of application is important for the restaurant in order to improve their processes and maintaining huge data appropriately. Conclusion Information system plays a significant role in the development of an organization. The application of advanced system such as decision support system will increase the value of the organization as well as supporting the decisions of the managers and workers. The main aim of implementing Deputy Application is to enhance the information system with features of start break, end break, clock in ad working hour details. The decision support system helps the managers and workers to take appropriate decision. The problem solving process and decision making process is important for the developmet of an organization. References (2016). Retrieved 17 August 2016, from https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.471.4246rep=rep1type=pdf (2016). Retrieved 17 August 2016, from https://www.sfu.ca/~vdabbagh/Chap1-modeling.pdf Chiang S, J. (2016). Retrieved 17 August 2016, from https://www.zums.ac.ir/files/research/site/ebooks/Numerical%20Analysis%20and%20Scientific%20Computing/Decision_Support_Systems.pdf International Journal of Decision Support System Technology (IJDSST): 1941-6296, 1941-630X: Library IST Journals | IGI Global. (2016).Igi-global.com. Retrieved 17 August 2016, from https://www.igi-global.com/journal/international-journal-decision-support-system/1120 K P, T. (2016). Retrieved 17 August 2016, from https://www.ijcse.com/docs/IJCSE11-02-01-054.pdf Zinkhan, G., Joachimsthaler, E., Kinnear, T. (1987). Individual Differences and Marketing Decision Support System Usage and Satisfaction.Journal of Marketing Research,24(2), 208-214. doi:1. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/3151510 doi:1 (2016). Retrieved 17 August 2016, from https://samenvattingen.student.utwente.nl/images/c/cc/SMOI_2002_Samenvatting_Peppard.pdf (2016).Calhoun.nps.edu. Retrieved 17 August 2016, from https://calhoun.nps.edu/bitstream/handle/10945/39402/Reliability_MOR_Kang_et_al.PDF?sequence=1isAllowed=y (2016). Retrieved 17 August 2016, from https://borders.arizona.edu/classes/mis696a/resources/readings/Benbasat-1987-MISQ-TheCaseResearchStrategyInStudiesOfIS.pdf Keenan, P. (2013). Cloud computing and DSS: the case of spatial DSS.International Journal Of Information And Decision Sciences,5(3), 283. https://dx.doi.org/10.1504/ijids.2013.055926 Lee, H. (2011). Service Management System for Mobile Harbor.The Journal Of Korea Information And Communications Society,36(3B), 268-274. https://dx.doi.org/10.7840/kics.2011.36b.3.268 Luo, J. (2012).Soft computing in information communication technology. Berlin: Springer. Wong, W. Ma, T. (2013).Emerging technologies for information systems, computing, and management. New York, NY: Springer.

Ecology of Changing Planet for Degrowth Movement- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theEcology of Changing Planet for Degrowth Movement. Answer: What does a donkey have to do with the concept of degrowth? Francois Schneider is associated with the degrowth movement since its inception. He travelled across France with a donkey in 2004 while raising awareness about degrowth concept. By doing this, he received attention from the public and the media and thus he used this opportunity to spread word on degrowth (Demaria, Schneider, Sekulova Martinez-Alier, 2013). After his donkey tour, he and others founded Research Degrowth which is an academic organization that also organizes international degrowth conferences. Degrowth has since grown in to a frame for social movement which allows the actors to engage in collective action for example in anti-car, cyclists or pedestrian rights campaigns (Della Porta and Diani 2006). Compare and contrast degrowth and sustainable development. Use a table to list and compare key points. The founder of the degrowth movement is Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen whose main theme is departure from economy as the central societal value. Degrowth refers to the change to a less economy with lower production and less consumption. Degrowth suggests that sustainable economic growth will result to social and environmental collapse and thus it must be downscaled. The only way to prevent resources from getting depleted is by decreasing their flows. The countries that have exceeded their allowable ecological foot print should decrease their consumption (European Commission, 2010). Sustainable degrowth seems like a suitable alternative to sustainable development but for it to succeed, adequate planning needs to take place. It will be difficult for this concept to be accepted by societies thus the need for adequate planning and preparation. For example, degrowth will mean a reduction in GDP for countries which might lead to increase in unemployment unless other initiatives have been put in place (Alier, 2009). Degrowth has the disadvantage of confronting current powers who may be unwilling to consider a no growth policy like governments and private sector leaders (European Commission, 2010). Sustainable growth pushes for an ecological transition where the use of energy and materials use is lowered and a decrease in human appropriation of net primary production. This is also an opportunity to restructure the social institutions. The world population also needs to be controlled to reduce pressure on the resources (Alier, 2009). Degrowth deals with the crisis not handled by sustainable development like loss of cultural diversity, the crisis of political representation, the crisis of meaning, the multidimensional movement of degrowth being successful in regenerating some debates that were stuck in the previous decades (Alier, 2009). Sustainable development on the other hand addresses environmental concerns while promoting economic growth. Sustainable development means economic growth that is environmentally sustainable (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987). It involves meeting the current generation needs without affecting the future generations ability to meet theirs regarding use of the natural resources and waste. It is a balance where human beings meet their needs while taking care of the ecosystem and not destroying the diversity (Morelli, 2013). Meaningful sustainability focuses on balanced interaction between people and the environment they live in. Below is a comparison of sustainable development and degrowth. Figure 1: Sustainable development vs Degrowth Sustainable Development Degrowth 1 Opens up space for negotiation and discussions over relationship between the environment and development Challenges how this negotiation space is functioning 2 Promoting economic growth which addresses environmental concerns Less economy, lower production and less consumption. 3 Economic growth that is sustainable Downscale the economy as economic growth will lead to social and ecological collapse 4 Use resources to meet current needs without compromise of future generation to meet theirs Decrease resource flows as the only way to ensure they are not depleted 5 Sustainable use of resources Decrease consumption in countries that have exceeded their allowable ecological foot print 6 Sustainable means of production for example use of sustainable sources of energy like solar Change production and the consumption patterns 7 Nations are requested to commit to sustainable measures and is regulated It is democratic meaning it is voluntary and participatory Is ecosystem fragility a term that can be found in Folke et al. (2004)? If not, what terms would Folke use to describe a fragile ecosystem? (worth 10 points) A fragile ecosystem would be described as one that does not have resilience. The resilience of the environment can be eroded and its self repairing capacity should therefore not be taken for granted therefore the ecosystem needs to be actively strengthened in order to support social and economic development (Folke, et al., 2004). Ecosystem resilience can be described as the amount of disturbance that an ecosystem can experience before it changes its state. It can also be described as ability of the ecosystem to absorb disturbance and reorganize so that it retains similar functions or structure and identity. b) Apparently, Folke et al. (2004) believe that all ecosystems are potentially fragile when certain conditions exist. Explain what conditions should be measured/monitored over time in order to determine if an ecosystem is fragile. (worth 10 points) The conditions that need to be measured to determine if an ecosystem is fragile include vigor, resilience and organization. Vigor is measured from empirical measures that quantify the magnitude of input available to an ecosystem (GPP) or the economic activity of an ecosystem which is measured in dollars per unit time. Organization is more difficult to quantify as it requires measuring diversity and the magnitude of system components and their exchange pathways in between them. Resilience is measured using a ratio of magnitude of stress and recovery time (MS/RT) (Costanza Mageau, 1999). c) Sometimes ecosystems are described as being stable and healthy. What key variables need to be measured and over what timeframe must these things be assessed before we can conclude that an ecosystem of any type is stable and healthy? Provide examples. (worth 10 points) A healthy and stable ecosystem is one that is sustainable meaning it has the capacity to maintain its structure and function even when faced by external stress over time(Costanza Mageau, 1999). A healthy system possesses resilience to survive small disturbances and the time it takes to recover from that stress. Table 1 below shows the three components of system heath and concepts and measurements in different fields. Table 2: Components of vigor, organization and resilience measurements in various fields. Source: (Costanza Mageau, 1999). Measuring resilience is difficult as it means being able to predict the dynamics of a system under stress. Recovery time (RT) can be used to measure the time a system takes to recover from stress. Maximum magnitude of stress (MS) can be measure by steadily increasing the amount of simulated stress until the system changes to a new steady state and record the amount of stress that caused the change. The overall measure of stress will then be found from the ratio MS/RT. This is shown in the figure below, incorporating the two measures of resilience integrated in to one quantitative measure. Figure 3: Two components of resilience combined in to a quantitative measure Identify characteristics that make an ecosystem resilient. (worth 10 points) The characteristics of a resilient ecosystem include the ability to withstand disturbances before shifting to a different state. A resilient ecosystem is able to withstand disturbance and can reorganize and retain its function, identity and structure. It is that ability of the ecosystem to reorganize after disturbances and change and its renewal. Resilience shows the degree to which an ecosystem is able to self organize and to what extent the system will increase capacity to learn and adapt. A resilient system is able to maintain its structure and behavior pattern while faced with stress (Costanza Mageau, 1999). Question 4. Describe at least one modern agricultural practice that the authors claim has resulted in i, ii, iii as noted in the above quote. Clearly explain what the practice is and what it does that contributes to i, ii, iii. (worth 15 points) One modern agricultural practice is the use of chemical pesticides and insecticides which is used to control pests and thus reduce crop losses. However, this usually affects the organisms population and the species stability in the ecosystem. Their intensive use interferes with natural mechanisms thus loss of diversity of plants and insects and alters the composition of species (Mishra, et al., 2015). The use of pesticides excessively reduces the population of the pests and predators but will also lead to increase of other species of pests. It also affects other cross pollinator species like honey bees and wild bees. It also makes crops reliant on the artificial treatments thus making insects develop stronger resistance to the plant defense mechanisms. The number of insecticide resistant insects has increased which may threaten plants and other insect species and also their predators (Mishra, et al., 2015). References Alier, J. (2009). Socially Sustainable EconomicDe?growth. Development and Change 40(6): 10991119. Costanza, R. Mageau, M. (1999). What is a Healthy Ecosystem? M. Aquatic Ecology (1999) 33: 105. Della Porta, D. and Diani, M. (2006). Social Movements: An Introduction, 2nd edn. Oxford: Blackwell. Demaria, F., Schneider, F., Sekulova, F. Martinez-Alier, J. (2013). What isDegrowth? From an Activist Slogan to a Social Movement. Environmental Values 22 (2013): 191215 European Commission, (2010). Sustainable De-Growth: An Alternative to Sustainable Development? European Commission Dg Environment News Alert Service Folke, C. et al. (2004). Regime Shifts, Resilience, and Biodiversity in Ecosystem Management. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 35:557-581. Gheorghic?, A. (2012). The Emergence of La Dcroissanse. CES Working Papers, IV (1), Ia?i, Romania: Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University. Retrieved October 10 from: https://ceswp.uaic.ro/articles/CESWP2012_IV1_GHE.pdf Mishra, M. et al. (2015) Ecological Turmoil in Evolutionary Dynamics of Plantinsect Interactions: Defense to Offence. Planta 242: 761.Retrieved October 10, 2017 from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00425-015- 2364-7/fulltext.html Morelli, J. (2013). Environmental Sustainability: A Definition for Environmental Professionals.Journal of environmental sustainability,1(1), p.2. World Commission on Environment and Development. (1987). Our Common future. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

HIV as a National Disaster Essay Sample free essay sample

AIDS has caused huge human agony in the continent. The most obvious consequence of this crisis has been illness and decease. but the impact of the epidemic has surely non been confined to the wellness sector ; families. schools. workplaces and economic systems have besides been severely affected. Although entree to antiretroviral intervention is get downing to decrease the toll of AIDS. fewer than half of Africans who need intervention are having it. The impact of AIDS will stay terrible for many old ages to come. The impact on the wellness sector In all to a great extent affected states the AIDS epidemic is adding extra force per unit area on the wellness sector. As the epidemic matures. the demand for attention for those populating with HIV rises. as does the toll of AIDS on wellness workers. The consequence on infirmaries As the HIV prevalence of a state rises. the strain placed on its infirmaries is likely to increase. We will write a custom essay sample on HIV as a National Disaster Essay Sample or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In sub-Saharan Africa. people with HIV-related diseases occupy more than half of all infirmary beds. Hospitals are fighting to get by. particularly in hapless African states where there are frequently excessively few beds available. This deficit consequences in people being admitted merely in the ulterior phases of unwellness. cut downing their opportunities of recovery. Health attention workers While AIDS is doing an increased demand for wellness services. big Numberss of health care professionals are being straight affected by the epidemic. Excessive work loads. hapless wage and migration to richer states are among the factors lending to this deficit. Although the recent addition in the proviso of antiretroviral drugs ( which significantly delay the patterned advance from HIV to AIDS ) has brought hope to many in Africa. it has besides put increased strain on health care workers. Supplying antiretroviral intervention to everyone who needs it requires more clip and preparation than is presently available in most states. The impact on families The toll of HIV and AIDS on families can be really terrible. Although no portion of the population is unaffected by HIV. it is frequently the poorest sectors of society that are most vulnerable to the epidemic and for whom the effects are most terrible. In many instances. the presence of AIDS causes the family to fade out. as parents die and kids are sent to relations for attention and upbringing. A survey in rural South Africa suggested that families in which an grownup had died from AIDS were four times more likely to fade out than those in which no deceases had occurred. Much happens before this disintegration takes topographic point: AIDS strips households of their assets and income earners. further impoverishing the hapless. Household income Persons who would otherwise supply a family with income are prevented from working – either because they are sick with AIDS themselves or because they are caring for another ill household member. Such a state of affairs is likely to hold reverberations for every member of the household. Children may be forced to abandon their instruction and in some instances adult females may be forced to turn to arouse work. This can take to a higher hazard of HIV transmittal. which farther exacerbates the state of affairs. Basic necessities A survey in South Africa found that hapless families get bying with members who are ill from HIV or AIDS were cut downing disbursement on necessities even further. The most likely disbursals to be cut were dressing ( 21 % ) . electricity ( 16 % ) and other services ( 9 % ) . Falling incomes forced about 6 % of families to cut down the sum they spent on nutrient and about half of families reported holding deficient nutrient at times. Food production The AIDS epidemic adds to nutrient insecurity in many countries. as agricultural work is neglected or abandoned due to household unwellness. In Malawi. where nutrient deficits have had a annihilating consequence. it has been recognised that HIV and AIDS have diminished the country’s agricultural end product. A survey in Kenya demonstrated that nutrient production in families in which the caput of the household died of AIDS were affected in different ways depending on the sex of the asleep. As in other sub-Saharan African states. it was by and large found that the decease of a male reduced the production of ‘cash crops’ ( such as java. tea and sugar ) . while the decease of a female reduced the production of grain and other harvests necessary for family endurance. Healthcare disbursals and funeral costs Taking attention of a individual ill with AIDS is non merely an emotional strain for family members. but besides a major strain on family resources. Loss of income. extra care-related disbursals. the decreased ability of health professionals to work. and mounting medical fees push affected families deeper into poorness. It is estimated that. on mean. HIV-related attention can absorb tierce of a household’s monthly income. The fiscal load of decease can besides be considerable. with some households in South Africa easy passing seven times their entire family monthly income on a funeral. Aside from the fiscal load. supplying place based attention can enforce demands on the physical. mental and general wellness of carers – normally household and friends of the ill individual. Such hazards are amplified if carers are untrained or unsupported by a home-based attention administration. The impact on kids It is difficult to overemphasize the injury and adversity that kids affected by HIV and AIDS are forced to bear. The epidemic non merely causes kids to lose their parents or defenders. but sometimes their childhood every bit good. As parents and household members become ill. kids take on more duty to gain an income. bring forth nutrient. and attention for household members. It is harder for these kids to entree equal nutrition. basic wellness attention. lodging and vesture. Because AIDS claims the lives of people at an age when most already have immature kids. more kids have been orphaned by AIDS in Africa than anyplace else. Many kids are now raised by their drawn-out households and some are even left on their ain in child-headed families. As projections of the figure of AIDS orphans rise. some have called for an addition in institutional attention for kids. However this solution is non merely expensive but besides damaging to the kids. Institutionalisation shops up jobs for society. which is sick equipped to get by with an inflow of immature grownups who have non been socialised in the community in which they have to populate. There are other options available. One illustration is the attack developed by church groups in Zimbabwe. in which community members are recruited to see orphans in their places. where they live either with surrogate parents. grandparents or other relations. or in child-headed families. The manner forward is bar. First. it is important to forestall kids from going infected with HIV at birth every bit good as later in life. Second. if attempts are made to forestall grownups going infected with HIV. and to care for those already infected. so fewer kids will be orphaned by AIDS in the hereafter. The impact on the instruction sector The relationship between AIDS and the instruction sector is round – as the epidemic worsens. the instruction sector is damaged. which in bend is likely to increase the incidence of HIV transmittal. There are legion ways in which AIDS can impact instruction. but every bit there are many ways in which instruction can assist the battle against AIDS. The extent to which schools and other instruction establishments are able to go on working will act upon how good societies finally retrieve from the epidemic. Without instruction. AIDS will go on its rampant spread. With AIDS out of control. instruction will be out of range. The impact on instructors HIV and AIDS are holding a annihilating consequence on the already unequal supply of instructors in African states ; for illustration. a survey in South Africa found that 21 % of instructors aged 25-34 were populating with HIV. Teachers who are affected by HIV and AIDS are likely to take periods of clip off work. Those with ill households may besides take clip off to go to funerals or to care for ill or deceasing relations. and farther absenteeism may ensue from the psychological effects of the epidemic. When a instructor falls ill. the category may be taken on by another instructor. may be combined with another category. or may be left unschooled. Even when there is a sufficient supply of instructors to replace losingss. there can be a important impact on the pupils. This is peculiarly refering given the of import function that instructors can play in the battle against AIDS. The unwellness or decease of instructors is particularly annihilating in rural countries where schools depen d to a great extent on one or two instructors. Furthermore. skilled instructors are non easy replaced. The greatest proportion of staff that have been lost. harmonizing to the Tanzania Teacher’s Union. were experient staff between the ages of 41 and 50. The impact on endeavors and workplaces HIV and AIDS dramatically affect labor. puting back economic and societal advancement. The huge bulk of people populating with HIV in Africa are between the ages of 15 and 49 – in the prime of their working lives. AIDS amendss concerns by squashing productiveness. adding costs. deviating productive resources. and consuming accomplishments. Company costs for health-care. funeral benefits and pension fund committednesss are likely to lift as the figure of people taking early retirement or death additions. Besides. as the impact of the epidemic on families grows more terrible. market demand for merchandises and services can fall. The epidemic hits productiveness through increased absenteeism. Comparative surveies of East African concerns have shown that absenteeism can account for every bit much as 25-54 % of company costs. A survey in several Southern African states has estimated that the combined impact of AIDS-related absenteeism. productiveness diminutions. health-care outgos . and enlisting and preparation disbursals could cut net incomes by at least 6-8 % . Another survey of a 1000 companies in Southern Africa found that 9 % had suffered a important negative impact due to AIDS. In countries that have been hit hardest by the epidemic. it found that up to 40 % of companies reported that HIV and AIDS were holding a negative consequence on net incomes. Some companies. though. have implemented successful programmes to cover with the epidemic. An illustration is the gold-mining industry in South Africa. The gilded mines attract 1000s of workers. frequently from hapless and distant parts. Most unrecorded in inns. separated from their households. As a consequence a booming sex industry operates around many mines and HIV is common. In recent old ages. excavation companies have been working with a figure of administrations to implement bar programmes for the mineworkers. These have included mass distribution of rubbers. medical attention and intervention for sexually transmitted diseases. and awareness runs. Some excavation companies have started to replace all-male inns with adjustment for households. in order to cut down the transmittal of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. In Swaziland. an employers’ anti-AIDS alliance has been set up to advance voluntary guidance and testing. The alliance non merely includes larger companies but besides little and average sized endeavors. In Botswana. the Debswana diamond company offers all employees HIV proving. and provides antiretroviral drugs to HIV positive workers and their partners. This policy was introduced in 1999 when the company found that many of their work force were HIV positive. With a skilled work force. it is financially deserving their while to protect the wellness and hence the productiveness of their workers. Nevertheless. workplace programmes for HIV intervention and bar remain scarce in Africa. The impact on life anticipation The impact that AIDS has had on mean life anticipation is partially attributed to child mortality. as increasing Numberss of babes are born with HIV infections acquired from their female parents. The biggest addition in deceases. nevertheless. has been among grownups aged between 20 and 49 old ages. This group now accounts for 60 % of all deceases in sub-Saharan Africa. compared to 20 % between 1985 and 1990. when the epidemic was in its early phases By impacting this age group so to a great extent. AIDS is hitting grownups in their most economically productive old ages and taking the really people who could be reacting to the crisis. The economic impact Through its impacts on the labour force. families and endeavors. AIDS has played a important function in the reversal of human development in Africa. One facet of this development reversal has been the harm that the epidemic has done to the economic system. which. in bend. has made it more hard for states to react to the crisis. One manner in which AIDS affects the economic system is by cut downing the labor supply through increased mortality and unwellness. Amongst those who are able to work. productiveness is likely to worsen as a consequence of HIV-related unwellness. Government income besides declines. as revenue enhancement grosss autumn and authoritiess are pressured to increase their disbursement to cover with the spread outing HIV epidemic. The abilities of African states to diversify their industrial base. spread out exports and pull foreign investing are built-in to economic advancement in the part. By doing labour more expensive and cut downing net incomes. AIDS limits the ability of African states to pull industries that depend on low-priced labor and makes investings in African concerns less desirable. The impact that AIDS has had on the economic systems of African states is hard to mensurate. The economic systems of the worst affected states were already fighting with development challenges. debt and worsening trade before the epidemic started to impact the continent. AIDS has combined with these factors to farther worsen the state of affairs. It is thought that the impact of AIDS on the gross domestic merchandise ( GDP ) of the worst affected states is a loss of around 1. 5 % per twelvemonth ; this means that after 25 old ages the economic system would be 31 % smaller than it would otherwise hold been. The future impact of HIV/AIDS As entree to intervention is easy expanded throughout the continent. 1000000s of lives are being extended and hope is being given to people who antecedently had none. Unfortunately though. the bulk of people in demand of intervention are still non having it. and runs to forestall new infections ( which must stay the cardinal focal point of the battle against AIDS ) are missing in many countries. The impact of AIDS in Africa is linked to many other jobs. such as poorness and hapless public substructures. Attempts to contend the epidemic must take these worlds into history. and look at ways in which the general development of Africa can come on. As the grounds discussed in this page makes clear. nevertheless. AIDS is moving a serious barrier to Africa’s development. Much wider entree to HIV bar. intervention and attention services is desperately needed.

Ozone depletion, greenhouse effect, acid rain essays

Ozone depletion, greenhouse effect, acid rain essays Everyone knows that the atmosphere and the pollution in the world is very dangerous to everything and everyone. But how bad are these different things that affect us and everything around us? This paper will specifically look at the effects, global effect and the treatment on acid rain, the greenhouse effect and the ozone depletion. Acid rain has been around for a long time. It was first noticed around the 17 century during the industrialization period. Scientists have been paying attention to acid rain since that time and the effects it has had on the plants, animals, humans etc. Acid rain is very dangerous as most people know. First off the term is not totally correct and scientists prefer the terminology acid depositions. The reason these scientists believe that it is called acid depositions instead of acid rain is simply because the acid which was formed by pollution can in fact return to the earth as either solid or a gas and not only in the form of rain. Acid depositions can come in rain, fog or even snow. Industries, factories, vehicles, aerosol cans, etc are all causes for acid rain. This is because all of these things increase the level of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen in the air we breathe in. These chemicals will later transform into sulphuric acid as well as nitric acid which in the long run will co me down in the form of acid rain. Electric companies have to burn a lot of coal, which contains a very low amount of sulphur, in a days time which will increase the level of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere. But the electric companies are not the only ones to blame; a lot of other companies and industries have to process raw ore (a mineral or a numerous amount of minerals which a valuable or constituent can be profitably mined or extracted) so they can obtain copper, zinc, and nickel. The problem with that is that copper, zinc, and nickel are also causes of acid rain. Most poll...

Acer Company Marketing Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Acer Company Marketing - Case Study Example It is of considerable importance to highlight the fact that the paradox related to the company’s focus on the global and local markets is part of company’s long terms strategy. It is relevant to mention that during the middle of the 90’s period, the company was facing issues of depreciating sales in the markets of the United States. Significant analysis by the company in regards to the causes associated with the slowdown in sales resulted in a strategic change of the company. The top management of Acer realized that for the purpose of entering the foreign markets of United States, it is very essential to develop a significant strong hold in the local Chinese market, which can be viewed as the company’s home turf. Also, the management realized that by catering to the local market, Acer will be able to leverage significant advantages in regards to economies of scale, which will thus make it viable for the company to focus on the process of introducing innova tion to its products (Keegan and Green, 2009, p. 80). Finally in a closing note, it can be specified that the company realized that by adding innovation to its product offerings, Acer will be able to squeeze out significant edge in regards to the offerings of the local players of the US market, thereby making it possible for the company to achieve a high sales turnover from the market of the United States.It has to be said that the company faced depreciating sales in the period of 1995-97, which resulted in fall of market share in the US.... It is relevant to mention that during the middle of the 90’s period, the company was facing issues of depreciating sales in the markets of the United States. Significant analysis by the company in regards to the causes associated with the slowdown in sales resulted in a strategic change of the company. The top management of Acer realized that for the purpose of entering the foreign markets of United States, it is very essential to develop a significant strong hold in the local Chinese market, which can be viewed as the company’s home turf. Also, the management realized that by catering to the local market, Acer will be able to leverage significant advantages in regards to economies of scale, which will thus make it viable for the company to focus on the process of introducing innovation to its products (Keegan and Green, 2009, p. 80). Finally in a closing note, it can be specified that the company realized that by adding innovation to its product offerings, Acer will be able to squeeze out significant edge in regards to the offerings of the local players of the US market, thereby making it possible for the company to achieve a high sales turnover from the market of the United States. 3. It has to be said that the company faced depreciating sales in the period of 1995-97, which resulted in fall of market share in the United States. As a counter measure, significant amount of strategic changes were introduced within the company’s business process. As a part of the strategic change, the market focus of the company was shifted to the local market of China, which is fast growing in nature. By trying to cater to the market of China, the company Acer tried to leverage the benefits associated with economies of scale, as well as tremendous availability of high

Proof read Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Proof read - Essay Example 3 Opportunity This report was designed to enhance the understanding of the benefits of donating recycled electronics or â€Å"e-waste† through Free Geek. It seeks to answer the following questions: Why is it necessary to recycle e-waste? What is Free Geek and how does it promote environmental sustainability and education? How can Intel’s donations to Free Geek benefit the e-waste problem locally and globally? What benefits can Intel expect if they donate to Free Geek? Background Over the last couple of decades, Intel has been a leader in technology, advancing not only technology, but the way the world interacts with it. Intel is at the forefront of the computer chip manufacturing industry and is possibly the most influential technology companies in the past century. Intel’s leadership and influence has set standards for similar companies for the betterment of the environment. Free Geek, a local non-profit organization in Portland Oregon, describes itself in the c ompany’s mission statement as an organization that firmly believes that recycling is best done through â€Å"reuse†. Owing to this philosophy, the company refurbishes whatever it can and gives it back to the community â€Å"with a new lease on life†. This way the stuff doesn’t get thrown into the garbage or used for landfills to filter toxins from the soil nor is it dumped to developing countries to be disassembled by young ones. The company makes sure that all electronic materials that are not reused are recycled in a responsible manner within the confines of North America. Imagine the possibilities if two forward thinking companies worked together with a common goal for the greater good of all humanity.   This report shall shed light on the downfalls of e-waste, the benefits of cooperation, and the positives of donation.   While e-waste is a global calamity, this report shall focus on a smaller scale, primarily the United States.    Discussion of Findings Hazards and Effects of E-waste E-waste has many negative effects on the livelihood of humans, animals and their natural habitats. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are a component of e-waste that is used as flame retardants in plastics in high tech electronics. This chemical compound is synthetic and is not a product of nature. It mainly includes bromine with some amounts of chlorine, fluorine, iodine and astatine. This compound works by releasing bromine atoms that depletes the surrounding oxygen in the air. PBDEs are toxic in that they are responsible for the disruption of thyroid hormones, deficits in neurodevelopment and cancer (Hooper and McDonald). These PBDEs have been detected in marine mammals everywhere from the Baltic Sea to the Great Lakes and are found in humans in the United States at higher levels than anywhere else in the world (Grossman 113). Since only 15-20% of e-waste is recycled in the U.S. it is questionable where the rest goes (U.S Environmental Protecti on Agency). â€Å"On the outskirts of Ghana’s biggest city sits a smoldering wasteland, a slum carved into the banks of the Korle Lagoon, one of the most polluted bodies of water on earth† (WGBH Educational Foundation). Exported e-waste has a huge impact in a lot of developing countries. These developing countries offer a very inexpensive recycling service although most workers work in extremely unsafe environments. Tests revealed the presence of purely acidic soil near some of the work areas having a pH level of 0 (Grossman 187). Impact of Corporate Recycling of

Discussion post Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 10

Discussion post - Essay Example Diabetes therapy involves non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions that include physical exertion (suitable exercises and work), functional feeding, self-monitoring of blood glucose, and use of medications (Napierała, Maik & Żukow, 2011). DSME (Diabetes self-management education) plays a significant role in the care and management of diabetes. Support through technology is associated with feedback on progress and change in behavior for example, use of text messages to serve as reminders to monitor blood glucose (Prescott & Boggs, 2014). Inclusion criteria of selecting the sample for the research are correct because it describes the specific individuals included in a research (Holloway & Wheeler, 2013). The quasi-experimental design is appropriate for the research because it involves participants of an intact group that is separated into two groups, which are given two different interventions. Literature review assists in the development of research questions (Brown, 2014). I agree with Liya Varghese on the discussion about the prevalence of developing a surgical site infection in a period of 30 days after a surgical process. During a surgical procedure, a patient’s skin is prepared by applying antiseptic in circles starting with the area of the incision. The most common agents used for surgical processes include chlorhexidine gluconate, iodophors, and alcohol substances (Gangi, Guth & Guermazi, 2009). Purposeful sampling used in the research is guided by the motivation of the investigation but not statistical calculations. The quasi-experimental design is appropriate because it includes a comparison and a control group in a research. The literature review will help to relate how the current research connects to other investigations (Jackson, 2015). nursing, sport, tourism, recreation and protection of human health =: Wybrane problemy

The Heart Disease Prediction System Computer Science Essay

The Heart Disease Prediction System Computer Science Essay There are enormous amount of data available from medical industry which could be useful for medical practitioners when it is used for discovering hidden pattern with help of existing data mining techniques. The basic medical records from a patients profile can be useful in identifying hidden pattern with data mining techniques. In this paper, NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve Bayes algorithm to predict heart disease is implemented with basic records of patients like age, sex, heart rate, blood pressure etc., from a sample dataset. The benefits, limitations, and technical details of this implementation will also be discussed in this paper. 1 Introduction Over these years in medical history, many types of medical problems have been identified and many data are available regarding a particular problem. But not all the medical data are same, but there are many patterns hidden inside those data which needs to be identified. Data mining techniques could help identify these hidden patterns by knowledge discovery. In the medical field, patients health issues are predicted by doctors intuition or experience [2] where the knowledge rich data is suppressed which results in high medical expenses and unnecessary medical tests. In recent years, there are many researches being conducted in order to find the hidden pattern from basic medical data [1]. Identifying these hidden pattern would result in a developing an efficient decision making system in medical industry which aide as a tool to support doctors decision making or at least serve as a prediction system for any medical issues. In this paper, we have taken into consideration of heart disease and predict it using the set of data that are already in existence with the help of data mining technique. The algorithm that we have chosen is the NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve Bayes algorithm, this algorithm is ideal for a vast amount of database that may contain hundreds and thousands of rows and columns. The NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve Bayes algorithm provides the intended output faster and more accurate as the number of data in the database increase. 1.1 Problem Scenario There are only few decision support systems available in medical industry whose functionalities are very limited. As mentioned earlier, medical decisions are made with doctors intuition and not from the rich data from the medical database. Wrong treatment due to misdiagnosis causes serious threat in medical field. In order to solve these issues data mining solution was with help of medical databases was introduced. 1.2 Related Work There are many techniques available to discover knowledge from medical database [1]. Researchers at Southern California used data mining technique to discover the success and failure of back surgery in order to improve medical treatment [3]. Shouman et al [4] implemented predictive data mining to diagnose heart disease of patients. Palaniappan et al [2] developed a prototype Intelligent Heart Disease Prediction System (IHDPS), using data mining techniques. 1.3 Objective In this paper, NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve Bayes algorithm to predict heart disease is implemented with basic records of patients like age, sex, heart rate, blood pressure etc., from a sample dataset. Based on the literature survey NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve Bayes algorithm was found to be an effective technique. The probabilistic method helped in finding the converse probability of the conditional relationship. The dependence relation may exist between two attributes of data set which can be determined with this algorithm. 2 Data Preparation In order to implement the algorithm, a medical data was required. The sample dataset used for the purpose of implementation of algorithm was obtained from Cleveland Clinic Foundation. The sample of dataset is shown in the below figure (Figure1.) C:UsersMadan KumarDesktopUntitled2.jpg Figure1. Sample dataset 2.1 Dataset Source The Cleveland institute medical data was downloaded from website of University of California, Irvine. 2.2 Dataset Attributes The dataset consists of 16 attributes. The last attribute of dataset consists of value 0 and 1. The value 0 indicates that the patient does not have heart disease whereas 1 indicates that the patient has a heart disease. The prediction of algorithm can be verified with this value while evaluating the algorithm. The first 15 attributes are shown in the figure2. C:UsersMadan KumarDesktopattri.jpg Figure2. Dataset attributes 3 Program Architecture The program was implemented using JAVA. Apache TOMCAT server and MySQL Database is also used. The NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve Bayes algorithm has three class files: Calculation.java, Prediction.java, and Detection.java. Detection.java reads the data file from the source path and stores the attributes into temporary array list. The mean and standard deviation values calculations are performed and probability calculation is also done in Prediction.java. All the dataset attributes are defined in calculation.java where mean and standard deviation of attributes were calculated. The calculation.java calls the other two classes while executing the program. Figure3 represents the program architecture. C:UsersKirubanidhyDesktopArchitecture.jpg Figure3. Architecture 3.1 Building and running a Demo TOMCAT server is used to present the output in web based form. The output will run in localhost. The MySQL database is used to identify the patient records. At the execution point, the local host is accessed and 15 questions will be displayed which will be obtained from user and algorithm will be called to calculate and predict the disease possibility on that person. A report will be generated at the end of the demo which says if the person is predicted with heart disease or not. In general, 1. Obtains the values from user. 2. Reads the data file. 3. Calls the algorithm and calculates mean, deviation, and probability of attributes. 4. Generates a report displaying the values given with the prediction of disease. 4. Implementation All the attributes of dataset is of a numerical value that has some meaning. The meaning of dataset attributes are as shown in figure2. Example: the attributes sex is denoted with values 1 and 0 where 1 denotes Male and 0 denote Female. Fasting blood sugar values are also denoted using 1 and 0 where 1 denotes >120mg of fasting blood sugar level and 0 denotes These values from the data file are accessed by the NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve Bayes algorithm. The values 0 and 1 are extracted from data file and stored to an array list for each attribute e.g. age array list, sex array list, and chest pain type array list etc., in order to perform calculation. Here, the values are defined on what those values stands for before storing to the array list. The sample of the interface (for obtaining slope value) is shown in figure4. Here the un-sloping, flat, and down- sloping represents the value 1, 2, and 3 respectively. C:UsersMadan KumarDownloadsUntitled.jpg Figure 4. Interface Sample C:UsersMadan KumarDownloadsUntitled2.jpg Figure5. Sample of report format 5. Modules Description Analyzing the Data set The attribute Diagnosis was identified as the predictable attribute with value 1 for patients with heart disease and value 0 for patients with no heart disease. The attribute PatientID was used as the key; the rest are input attributes. It is assumed that problems such as missing data, inconsistent data, and duplicate data have all been resolved. Naives Bayes Implementation in Mining Bayes Theorem finds the probability of an event occurring given the probability of another event that has already occurred. If B represents the dependent event and A represents the prior event, Bayes theorem can be stated as follows. 5.2.1 Bayes Theorem Prob (B given A) = Prob (A and B)/Prob (A) To calculate the probability of B given A, the algorithm counts the number of cases where A and B occur together and divide it by the cases where A occurs alone. Applying NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve Bayes to data with numerical attributes, predict the class using NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve Bayes classification: Figure6 (a) Top Mean (b) Bottom Standard Deviation Figure6 (c) Laplace Transform 6. Evaluation User enters the values for the questionnaire to find out whether the patient has a heart disease or not. By feeding sample data from the dataset and performing the mining operations with the NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve Bayes algorithm, it is found out that the NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve Bayes algorithm gives 95% probability in predicting if patient have heart disease or not. 95% accuracy is quite good to use as a decision support system. The figure shows the accuracy of NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve Bayes algorithm (figure7). The figure shows the highest probability of correct predictions and lowest probability of incorrect predictions. C:UsersMadan KumarDesktopUntitled1.jpg Figure7. Model Results of three algorithms [2] 7. Limitations Apart from the benefits like probabilistic approaches and fast reliable algorithm of NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve Bayes, the serious shortcoming of the algorithm is its ability in handling small datasets. NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve Bayes classifier requires relatively large dataset to obtain best results. Yet, studies showed that Naive Bayes algorithm outperforms other algorithms in accuracy and efficiency. Notable limitation of this paper is the usage of small dataset. This dataset can be used for training or testing purpose only. Also the dataset could include more attributes for a more effective prediction in supporting clinical decisions. 8. Future Work The algorithm is working well with this sample dataset. Implementing the algorithm with large dataset could give better results which can aid as a supporting tool in making medical decisions. In future, other possible algorithms could be implemented where efficiency of all algorithms could be analyzed to decide on best suitable technique in terms of speed, reliability, and accuracy. 9. Conclusion In this paper, NaÃÆ'Â ¯ve Bayes algorithm is the only algorithm used for calculation of attributes and prediction. Efficiency and accuracy of the algorithm in predicting were discussed. Designing effective models are constrained by size of the datasets and noisy, incorrect, missing data values. The prototype developed so far has been generally tested by computer experts and not by the doctors. For effective understanding of the health issues, medical experts have to work collaboratively and test the prototypes in order to implement the system in real life to support medical experts in taking clinical decisions.

AIDS :: HIV Diseases Health Medical Essays

AIDS Sub-Saharan Africa is the region of the world that is most affected by HIV/AIDS. An estimated 26.6 million people are living with HIV/AIDS and approximately 3.2 million new infections occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2003. In just the past year the epidemic has claimed the lives of an estimated 2.3 million Africans. Ten million young people (aged 15-24) and almost 3 million children under 15 are living with HIV. An estimated eleven million children have been orphaned by AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is not just an African problem this is a world wide concern. It is estimated that over 50 million world wide have contracted the HIV/AIDS virus. (www.avert.org/aafrica.htm) Why during such an epidemic are drugs not reaching the people who need them? There are a few issues surrounding the distribution of these and other drugs including market size, patent laws, compulsory licensing, and price discrimination. Pharmaceuticals have played a key role in improving health world wide. Health trends in the 20th century have had significant improvement due to vaccines and other technological advances. It has been shown from 1962-1987 that a 74 percent decline in infant mortality rates can be attributed to technological advances. (Journal of Economic Perspectives) However, distribution in developing countries is still in dire need of improvement. A major reason for lack of access to pharmaceuticals in developing nations is the size of the market and the lack of revenue that can be obtained from consumers there. As shown in Table 1 from the Journal of Economic Perspectives the US holds almost 40 percent of the world’s pharmaceutical market while Africa has only l percent. The market in Africa and other developing nations is significantly smaller, â€Å"Drug developers often do not even bother to take out patents in small, poor countries† (Journal of Economic Perspectives p70). Diseases in developing countries mainly infectious and parasitic diseases differ from the noncommunicable conditions found in more developed countries, the high cost of research and development and the low payback from consumers in developing countries deter pharmaceutical companies from investing time and energy into diseases that mainly affect developing nations. Developed nations spend an average of $4,000 per person per year on health while developing nations spend on average less than $20 per person. Such a large gap in health spending does not give pharmaceutical firms an incentive to provide research and development in these areas.

Assessment in mathematics teaching in regards to the National Curriculum

â€Å" The subject of detecting what goes on in a schoolroom and reflecting on whether it is every bit good as it can be, improves the quality of a instructor ‘s ain instruction and their ability to portion it with others. † ( Mason, in Lee, 2006, p10 ) There are many methods of reflecting upon one ‘s ain work, but carried out critically and positively, all should take to an ability to better the quality of that work. The cardinal word here is â€Å" should † . Improvement will merely take topographic point if, following the contemplation, some stairss are identified and implemented to convey about betterment. It is the intent of this paper to help that contemplation and contemplation procedure. The rubric of the essay requires rating of my instruction. The word â€Å" evaluate † is taken to intend â€Å" to judge or find the significance, worth, or quality of † , as defined by Dictionary.com. The paper will measure, in a chronological order, the instruction I carried out over a two hebdomad period. In peculiar it will analyze the appraisal techniques that I employed at each phase, and will reexamine the effectivity of the appraisal. Where appropriate the paper will propose where things could hold been done better. As the rubric dictates, this paper is a contemplation upon learning that I carried out during my first arrangement, as portion of my PGCE class. As such, it refers in the most portion to personal experience and contemplations upon that experience. The paper will hence be written chiefly in the first individual, with mentions from other parties in the 3rd individual. Having considered the appraisal employed throughout the instruction, I will so see a figure of general findings, and how assessment may impact those findings.What Is Assessment and Why Is It ImportantAssessment is a portion of all of our lives from the minute we are born, as the accoucheuse places a babe on the graduated tables. It follows us through early childhood ( as female parents and wellness visitants assess what a babe can make at each phase in their development ) , into school and beyond into employment. The facet of appraisal with which this paper is concerned is the appraisal carried out within the mathematics schoolroom. The word â€Å" appraisal † is used to denote any witting activity intended to supply information about a student ‘s accomplishment or attainment. There are four chief types of appraisal, ( as defined by Weeden, Winter and Broadfoot, 2002, p19 ) Diagnostic – to place students ‘ current public presentation Formative – to help acquisition ( including equal and self appraisal ) Summational – for reappraisal, transportation and enfranchisement Appraising – to see how well instructors or establishments are executing. Of these, formative and summational appraisal will have the most focus, with consideration being given to the effects these types of appraisal have on students ‘ acquisition. Appraising appraisal is non considered within the range of this essay. Whether appraisal is good to a student ‘s acquisition or non depends on the usage to which the information gained is put. For illustration, wellness visitants may place a nutritionary demand of a immature kid which can be corrected with the appropriate input, and likewise instructors may place an educational demand of a student which they can take stairss to turn to. William ( in Weeden, Winter, Broadfoot, 2002, p29 ) suggests â€Å" all four maps of appraisal require that grounds of public presentation or attainment is elicited, is so interpreted, and as a consequence of that reading, some action is taken † . Weeden, Winter, Broadfoot ( 2002 ) besides conclude that appraisal becomes formative when the information gained is used by the instructor and student within the learning procedure. I would besides add that it requires the consequences of the appraisal to be acted upon within a short clip frame, while feedback is still relevant. Furthermore, â€Å" inventions that include beef uping the pattern of formative appraisal green goods important, and frequently significant, larning additions † . ( Black et al. 2003, p9 ) . The purpose, hence, is to guarantee that appraisal, of all types, is used formatively wherever possible.The Class That Was TaughtThe category that I taught was a Year 9 category of 20 students. Although they were classified as a lower-attaining category ( Set 3 out of 4 ) , the scope of abilities within the category and the particular demands of a few persons warrant some brief description. One male child had arrived late from Somalia and had a limited appreciation of English, but no other particular demands. Several of the students had low reading ages, typically in the age 8 – 9 scope, and were hence challenged by some word jobs. Additionally, one of these students had moved into mainstream categories at the start of twelvemonth 9, after two old ages supported by the school ‘s â€Å" nucleus programme † , and hence sometimes needed extra support as respects concentration. Four of the students in the category were on the school ‘s SEN registry as BESD, i.e. they had behavioral, emotional or societal troubles which without careful handling could take to disruption in lessons. One-half of the category entered twelvemonth 7 with a National Curriculum assessment degree of 3b or 3a, with the balance at low degree 4. By the terminal of twelvemonth 8 all were accessed at degree 4 or 5c. Several of the students moved up by merely one or two degree points during their first two old ages at Secondary school, bespeaking some cause for concern. The category was routinely supported by a Teaching Assistant, whose function was chiefly to back up the student with EAL, but besides to supply general support as required to other students.The Topic TaughtThe subject taught was Ratio and Proportion. The Scheme of Work indicated five hours of instruction, the equivalent of six 50 minute lessons, and I set about bring forthing a subject program consequently. The really first Standard which a trainee instructor must accomplish is to â€Å" hold high outlooks of kids and immature people † ( Training and Development Agency for Schools ( TDA ) , 2010 ) . With the benefit of hindsight, I can see that the word â€Å" high † in this criterion is a word that requires considerable understanding and single application to each student. At the clip, nevertheless, I took this to intend that I should anticipate all my pupils to be able to hold on the rudimentss of a given subject within a period of learning clip, determined by me, their instructor. â€Å" Low outlooks by instructors are regarded as a much bigger job than high outlooks. † ( Weeden, Winter and Broadfoot, 2002, p64 ) . Determined that my learning would non be portion of this â€Å" bigger job † , I set about my planning with high outlooks for all my students. This position was proven to be instead excessively simplistic during the instruction, but this will be elaborated upon subsequently. The subject of ratio and proportion, harmonizing to the strategy of work, is pre-dominantly a degree 5 – 6 subject, so would by necessity be disputing for most of the students. With a comparatively unfamiliar category I felt it was of import to get down by measuring how good the category would get by with some of the cardinal mathematical constructs which would be necessary for the subject. The first activity in the instruction, hence, was to re-cap fractions understanding. In peculiar, could the pupils cut down fractions to their simplest signifier, and could they happen fractions of measures? This was mostly a diagnostic appraisal, to set up a starting point for my instruction. Having established that all students had a sound appreciation of simplifying fractions, I introduced the construct of ratios and simplifying of ratios. This was followed by sharing a stated measure by a given ratio, and happening a missing measure given one measure and a ratio. The concluding instruction activity was to present the thought of proportion and to specify the difference between proportion and ratio. The subject was completed with a summational appraisal, and by self- and peer-assessment in the signifier of production of a posting. For the intents of this paper, I will concentrate chiefly on the start of the subject and the decision of the subject, and the appraisal strategies employed at these points. Some reference will be made of the interim instruction, peculiarly with mention to the effectivity or otherwise of appraisal carried out at this phase.The TeachingRe-cap FractionsMy determination to get down this subject with a re-cap of fractions was based on the similarities that I perceive between fractions and ratio. It hence seemed logical, before get downing on a new and potentially ambitious subject, to set up how much the category already knew about fractions. As claimed by Ausubel, ( in Clarke, 2005, p12 ) , â€Å" The most of import individual factor act uponing acquisition is what the scholar already knows. Determine this and learn him consequently. † Therefore, the intent of this lesson was diagnostic appraisal to be used to inform the instruction for the balance of the subject. Although diagnostic appraisal has been found to be uneffective if it is simply used for â€Å" puting † intents, it has had benefits if used to place the single acquisition demands of a student. ( Black et al. , 2003 ) . A starter activity ( of fiting braces of tantamount fractions ) indicated that the bulk of the category had an first-class appreciation of this construct. I established this by leting students to work in braces to fit the fractions, and so inquiring persons, or their spouses, for replies. I attempted to use a â€Å" no hands up † attack, as recommended by Lee ( 2006 ) , sometimes utilizing lollipop sticks to choose students to reply. â€Å" No hands up † was a new attack for the category, and many found it hard to defy seting custodies up or shouting out ( or both ) . I would hold with Lee ‘s averment that seting hands up can take to a competitory environment for some students. I would besides propose that it can take to disinterest from other students who see no demand to acquire involved. Having established that the students possessed an ability to simplify fractions, the following relevant facet of fractions was the ability to happen a fraction of a measure, e.g. A? of 36. Using mini white boards, I was able to set up that all students could work out simple measures. It was so of import to cognize the methods they had employed and to understand their idea procedures, and I used oppugning and synergistic treatment to set up students ‘ methods. As Morgan, Watson and Tikly ( 2004, p133 ) put it, â€Å" cognizing that they can bring forth the right solution is a instead dead-end piece of cognition for the instructor. It would be more helpful to happen out the restrictions of the manner they presently see the undertaking. Knowing how they see the procedure and what they say to themselves while making it, provides you with a get downing topographic point to learn them to work out more complicated jobs. † The popular method of happening A? was halving and halving once more, which led me to revise the inquiring by inquiring how to happen 1/5th of 30. This in bend led to treatment of division and generation, and through the discourse it became evident that many had troubles with times tabular arraies. As it was non my aim in this lesson to revise times tabular arraies, generation grids were made available to students who asked for them. More students asked for the grids than I had expected, which I believe was declarative of a general deficiency of assurance with mental maths. As a signifier of distinction this was effectual for those who needed the grids, but may besides hold led to others seeking an â€Å" easy option † . In the hereafter I would seek to administer such AIDSs to merely those I believed truly needed them. However, with the usage of the generation grids it was a straight-forward following measure to travel to non-unit fractions, and all students showed sensible ability to happen fractions of measures. I stated in the debut that the intent of this lesson was mostly to execute a diagnostic appraisal. As a consequence of the lesson I had gained a assurance in my students ‘ ability to manage fractions sufficiently good to come on to the following phase. I had non, nevertheless, asked my students to self-assess whether they felt the same. As a consequence, when, towards the terminal of the whole subject, I asked the students to self-assess how they felt about the assorted parts of the subject, I was surprised to detect that about all felt that they were unable to â€Å" make fractions † . It would look evident that although I believed my students had achieved the acquisition result, by the terminal of the subject they did non portion that belief. If I had instigated self-assessment during this lesson, the consequence may hold been different, but I will ne'er cognize for certain. I agree, with the suggestion of Weeden, Winter and Broadfoot ( 2002, p73 ) , that using effectu al signifiers of ego appraisal will do students â€Å" more responsible for and involved in their ain acquisition † . This is an country that I will necessitate to look to better as I move frontward into my following stage of instruction, as â€Å" it is far more valuable for pupils themselves to take part in the appraisal procedure than for instructors to be the exclusive proctors of advancement. † ( Morgan, Watson and Tikly, 2004, p134 ) . Even though the declared intent of the lesson was diagnostic appraisal, I made some effectual usage of formative appraisal during the lesson. For illustration, I used oppugning to place the students ‘ methods, and so adjusted my oppugning in response to their replies. While this was effectual, there was range for improved usage of oppugning, to examine deeper into their degree of apprehension.Ratio and ProportionThe chief instruction of ratio and proportion was spread over three lessons. Over that period we progressed from basic apprehension of the algorithms to application of the algorithms to â€Å" existent life † type jobs. As the work was spread over three lessons I was afforded the chance to reexamine the work in students ‘ books. Mindful of the research findings ( Black et al. ; Butler ; Clarke ; Thorndike ; in Stobart, 2006 ) , I restricted my marker to placing errors and doing remarks. The research of Thorndike, carried out about a hundred old ages ago, highlighted the comparative consequence of delegating classs to work, i.e. the assignment of classs taking to pupils comparing themselves against one another. This is supported by more recent research summarised by Clarke, ( 2005 ) , to boot doing a nexus to the importance of measuring attainment against the larning aims instead than against other students. My purpose in placing students ‘ errors was to be able to turn to mistakes and misconceptions in subsequent lessons. I was able to make this to some extent, but I do non hold the grounds of a follow-up appraisal to be able to corroborate whether this was wholly successful. The comment-only marker should hold been followed up by leting the pupils clip to reexamine the remarks, and re-work their replies in line with the remarks, as stressed by Black and William ( in Clarke, 2005 ) . I did non let sufficient clip for this to be done. It may besides hold been good at this phase if I had asked the students to notice for themselves on their work, as recommended by Clarke ( 2005 ) . She suggests this as a signifier of self appraisal, whereby the student, holding identified an country for betterment, would discourse the suggestion with the instructor. The in agreement betterment would so be made either in lesson clip or as a prep activity. In general, the planning of clip to let students to utilize the feedback they have received, and the subsequent appraisal of the effects, is an country of failing that I will necessitate to better if my feedback is to be genuinely formative. Another country of appraisal which I was trying to utilize during this instruction was effectual inquiring. I found a figure of troubles with effectual oppugning in this category, which may good be common across most categories. The first challenge was trying to guarantee all students were involved, without seting undue force per unit area on students who are non comfy replying inquiries in forepart of the whole category. The usage of mated activities helped in some instances, as students were able to give â€Å" squad † replies and support each other if required. Team- or pair-working is a method which I should look to widen in the hereafter, for usage with higher-order inquiries, and to promote the usage of more mathematical linguistic communication. The usage of â€Å" Study Buddies † has been shown to promote non merely mathematical talk and look, but besides peer-assessment and self-reflection ( Lee, 2006 ) . My efforts to guarantee all students were involved in replying inquiries led to some really awkward silences as I allowed the recommended ( Black et al. , 2003 ) wait-time. With one peculiarly quiet student whom I ne'er persuaded to reply a inquiry, the issue turned out to be merely one of being â€Å" afraid to acquire it incorrect † – this was a truly unfortunate state of affairs as it transpired from the terminal of topic trial that she had an first-class appreciation of the work. Not merely was her reserve making her a ill service, but the remainder of the category would besides hold benefited greatly from her part. In add-on, even if she had â€Å" got it incorrect † , this excessively would hold been of benefit. As Lee ( 2006, p26 – 27 ) states â€Å" a incorrect reply, possibly more than the â€Å" right † one, helps the instructor buttocks what further larning students need. †End of TopicAt the terminal of the subject I decided to tra nsport out two pieces of assessment – a summational trial and a brooding self-assessment. The summational trial besides included some points from the old subject I had taught this group. Its intent was to set up how good the students had remembered subjects they had been taught throughout the old six hebdomads. I was fortunate that this trial took topographic point at the start of â€Å" Christmas hebdomad † , when it was normal pattern in the school for lessons to be more relaxed. This allowed me clip to speak separately with each student, to discourse what they had done good and where they may hold had misinterpretations. I was concerned that the students were more interested in the grade they had achieved than in the feedback I was able to give them about their acquisition. Harmonizing to Weeden, Winter and Broadfoot, ( 2002, p115 ) this is non uncommon, as â€Å" the accent is ever on grade or class and seldom do students truly care about what they really achieved. † Although this was designed as a summational appraisal, I was besides able to utilize it formatively by placing a common job with algebra, and turn toing this in the last lesson of term, thereby utilizing â€Å" the wake of trials as an chance for formative work. † ( Black et al, 2003, p55 ) They besides conclude that â€Å" summational trials should beaˆÂ ¦ a positive portion of the acquisition procedure. † ( 2003, p56 ) The self-assessment took the signifier of the production of postings summarizing all they had learnt about Ratio and Proportion. The appraisal showed a assorted degree of apprehension, and ability to pass on that apprehension, within the category. One group showed an first-class apprehension and had clearly referred back to their books to guarantee that they included all the stuff right. The EAL pupil had trouble with this activity, so I encouraged him to be really ocular with his posting. Others had taken hapless notes during the instruction and struggled to remember the information – this, in itself, was a utile acquisition point for them, as they consider the quality and utility of what they write in their books. ( Two ( contrasting ) postings are included in Attachment A ) . Overall, this was an effectual drawing together of the subject, and enabled the students to self-assess their ain acquisition, as the production of postings â€Å" aˆÂ ¦ requires pupils to reflec t upon and organize their cognition in order to pass on it † ( Morgan, Watson and Tikly, 2004, p151 ) Although this self-assessment enabled students to reflect upon their acquisition, as it took topographic point at the terminal of the subject I was unable to supply an chance for students to set their contemplations into pattern. The appraisal can non hence be described as genuinely formative. An excess lesson would hold enabled the students to move upon their contemplations, thereby doing the assessment formative.General FindingsExcessively Much MaterialA repeating job with many of my lessons was trying to suit excessively much stuff into each lesson. This resulted in me travel rapidlying to â€Å" acquire through † the lesson. I therefore allowed deficient clip for examining and higher-order inquiries. This was to the hurt of my instruction and my students ‘ acquisition as â€Å" instruction is more than make fulling a kid with facts. It starts with presenting hard inquiries † ( Spendlove, 2009, p32 ) . I was losing chances, non merely to dispute and excite some of the students, but besides to measure the deepness of their apprehension and place misconceptions at an early phase.Communication and QuestioningMuch formative appraisal can be achieved by effectual communicating and oppugning. Black et al. , found effectual oppugning â€Å" aˆÂ ¦ led to richer discourse, in which the instructors evoked a wealth of information from which to judge the current apprehension of their pupils. † ( 2003, p41 ) However, many secondary school students appear to be fresh to constructive treatment in a lesson environment, and there are considerable challenges involved in altering this state of affairs, particularly if outlooks of communicating are non consistent across a school. Add to this the excess linguistic communication dimension of the â€Å" mathematics registry † as Lee ( 2006 ) calls it, and it goes some manner to explicating the trouble I had in promoting students to speak about their mathematics. While it may be disputing, the benefits of effectual communicating to pupils ‘ larning justify attempt being spent to better the quality of communicating in lessons, as â€Å" larning can non take topographic point in a vacuity and it is at its best when there is a rich bipartisan duologue between instructor and scholar and scholar and scholar. † ( Spendlove, 2004, p44 ) The countries of communicating in which students are encouraged to go involved include replying inquiries, and explicating their thoughts and methods. This can show farther troubles with the usage linguistic communication, peculiarly for students with EAL, who may happen themselves wholly excluded from the discourse. Another group of students who may hold a similar job are those for whom such communicating is unfamiliar outside school. â€Å" Children aˆÂ ¦aˆÂ ¦ . from families where English is non the first linguistic communication may be disadvantaged by trust on unwritten interaction. † ( Morgan, Watson and Tikly, 2004, p150 ) The fact that all students are larning a new mathematical linguistic communication together could be seen as a leveler for the EAL pupils, as all pupils â€Å" aˆÂ ¦need to larn how to utilize mathematical linguistic communication to make, control and show their ain mathematical significances. † ( Pimm, in Lee, 2006, p18 ) . Much of the linguistic communication will necessitate to be learnt by both EAL and non-EAL students. As a instructor purpose on promoting the usage of mathematical discourse as portion of formative appraisal in my instruction, I will necessitate to run into these challenges creatively.ExpectationsAs mentioned earlier, I set unvarying â€Å" high outlooks † for all my students, but I had given deficient consideration to the comparative nature of the word â€Å" high † . Whilst I believe that I am right to anticipate all of my students to accomplish an apprehension of what they are being taught, how fast and to what degree are things that need to be separately agreed. This so leads to the ability of students to measure their ain advancement against agreed marks and aims. I found that one student in the category ne'er did any work in the lesson until his outlook for that lesson had been separately negotiated with him. He would so bring forth some first-class work, by and large transcending my outlooks. Ollerton, ( 2003 ) relates the importance of students disputing themselves against their ain marks, instead than viing against one another, and that in such a civilization, outlook can be high but accomplishable, holding been negotiated and agreed between student and instructor.Assessment Against LevelsA trouble which has permeated my first instruction pattern has been the definition of â€Å" degrees † at which students are working. There has been an accent placed upon students being cognizant of the degree at which they are working, and being able to measure for themselves how they are come oning against those degrees. There is a danger, nevertheless, that this can take to â€Å" clicking boxes † for each point required within the degree , without needfully developing the apprehension behind the capable stuff. This is similar to the issues raised by Skemp ( 1976 ) , sing the importance of Relational Understanding as opposed to Instrumental Understanding. It is certainly possible for a student to be assessed, both by themselves and their instructors, to be working at degree 5, for illustration, while missing the relational apprehension to use their accomplishments in other countries. I tested this concern with a Year 6 student, with current maths degree ( instructor and trial ) assessed as degree 4a/5c. Without any learning about the topic of ratios ( other than a definition of the word ratio ) , this student was able to use bing mathematical cognition and apprehension to right work out ratio and proportion inquiries graded at degree 6. My twelvemonth 9 students on the other manus, while theoretically working at the same degree, and after several lessons on the topic, were unable or unwilling to utilize their accomplishments to undertake jobs which differed from 1s they had seen antecedently. ( I say unwilling, as I suspect some of their reserve was due to a deficiency of assurance in their ability to undertake more ambitious inquiries. ) So, while both the twelvemonth 6 student and the twelvemonth 9 students are assessed as working at the same degree, my belief is that the twelvemonth 6 student shows a far greater relational apprehension, while the twelvemonth 9 students show about merely instrumental apprehension. This is supported by findings which indicate â€Å" learning how to go through trials means that pupils may be able to go through even when they do non hold the accomplishments and understanding which the trial is intended to mensurate † ( Gordon and Reese in Harlen, 2006, p79 ) . The two groups come from different backgrounds and different acquisition experiences, so it is non possible to pull any decisions, other than to state that the assignment of degrees would look to give small information sing mathematical apprehension and attainment. It is possible that the twelvemonth 6 student has been encouraged to transport out more self find of mathematical constructs, an activity in which the twelvemonth 9 group were loath to prosecute. It concerns me that students are encouraged to mensurate their accomplishment by being able to click boxes instead than understand and use their mathematics. This leads to the consideration of students ‘ motive – what they want to acquire from their instruction.Motivation to LearnA uninterrupted challenge in all lessons has been promoting students to desire to larn. Pupils frequently ask the inquiry, â€Å" Why do I need to cognize this? â€Å" , and I confess to sometimes happening this a hard inquiry to reply. One of the primary countries I would seek to better in my instruction is my ability to actuate my students to larn, but first I must understand motive. There are two chief types of motive which encourage students to be in lessons ( as defined by Harlen, 2006 ) – extrinsic, where they are motivated by an external end such as deriving a making, and intrinsic, where they are motivated by the end of larning itself. â€Å" Intrinsic motive is seen as the ideal, since it is more likely to take to a desire to go on larning, than larning motivated extrinsically. † ( Harlen, 2006, p62 ) , and â€Å" intrinsic motive is associated with degrees of battle in larning that lead to conceptual apprehension and higher degree believing accomplishments † ( Kellaghan et al. , in Harlen, 2006, p63 ) . So, possibly I could hold used appraisal more efficaciously to increase the intrinsic motive of my students. The work of Harlen, ( 2006 ) identifies possible negative effects of appraisal on student motive, which mostly relate to summative appraisal and judgmental feedback. She besides goes on to depict patterns that maintain motive degrees, including affecting students in self-assessment ( Schunk ) , and the usage of feedback from regular classwork. None of this, nevertheless, leads to a decision that appraisal can assist increase intrinsic motive. Further factors need to be considered in finding whether this is the instance. There is surely grounds that formative appraisal can raise achievement degrees, as identified by Black et Al ( 2003 ) , but I do non believe that is needfully the same as raising intrinsic motive. Increased intrinsic motive is most likely to originate from bring forthing a echt involvement in what is being learnt, and hence lead to a desire to go on that larning throughout life. As Clarke ( 2005 ) claims, affecting pupils in their ain acquisition procedure has had the proved consequence of making life-long, independent scholars. Harlen ( 2006 ) describes two types of involvement – single involvement and situational involvement. Students with single involvement in mathematics will persist more and are likely to accomplish good. Sadly, nevertheless, non all students will hold single involvement. Either signifier of involvement will promote students to be involved in acquisition, so the instructor must try to make situational involvement, for illustration, through games. Having encouraged the students ‘ engagement through situational involvement, non merely will they get down to larn, but they may besides develop single involvement. One of the keys to making situational involvement is guaranting the students know what they are larning and why, and so supplying formative feedback to the student. Hence the importance of formative feedback in making involvement, taking to intrinsic motive. â€Å" no curricular inspection and repair, no instructional invention, no alteration in school administration, no toughening of criterions, no rethinking of instructor preparation or compensation will win if pupils do non come to school interested in, and committed to, larning. † ( Steinberg, in Weeden, Winter, Broadfoot, 2002, p9 ) It appears, hence, to be of critical importance that instructors use formative techniques to increase the intrinsic motive of their students to larn. At the same clip, they should avoid actions which will cut down their intrinsic motive.DecisionsThere have been several surveies over the old ages sing the impact of appraisal on students ‘ acquisition, notably the work of Black and William, at the abetment of the Assessment Reform Group. These surveies have concluded that for appraisal to raise the criterions of students ‘ attainment it must be used formatively. ( Black et al. , 2003 ) Reflecting upon my ain instruction and my students ‘ acquisition, I must admit that there are many ways in which my pattern can be improved. These include usage of higher-order inquiries, leting for self-discovery of mathematical constructs and leting clip for students to move upon feedback. It is still a duty of the instructor to fix students for external scrutinies, and to describe advancement to interested parties. As such it is necessary to strike a balance between the usage of formative appraisal to back up acquisition, and summational appraisal for coverage intents, but besides to fix students for taking external scrutinies. However, â€Å" There is ample grounds that the alterations involved ( in bettering formative appraisal ) will raise the tonss of their pupils on normal, conventional trials. † ( Black et al. , 2003, p2 ) The expression goes, â€Å" the hog does n't acquire fatter merely by being weighed † . Harmonizing to Weeden, Winter, Broadfoot, 2002, p36, Formative Assessment could be an exclusion to this regulation. In this peculiar instance, repeated and ongoing appraisal could really assist to better the quality of acquisition, if the information gleaned from the appraisal is used to do it go on.