Learning Styles and Pedagogy

Introduction As an individual within the teaching profession, I realise how it is often important to examine myself to determine the effectiveness of my performance. It is an aspect of critical reflection that questions my actual performance, thereby helping me in finding answers to some of the most pressing questions.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Learning Styles and Pedagogy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The critical reflection helps in developing the profession because it acts as a building block, enabling the strengthening of weaker areas and enhancing performance even further in best performed areas (Leung Kember, 2003, p. 61). Learning and teaching processes or activities, although conducted differently, are similar in many important aspects (Roxà ¥, Mà ¥rtensson Alveteg, 2011, p. 99). I consider the manner in which I learn fundamentally to have a direct bearing on the way I eventually t each my students. It is impossible to be a teacher without having undergone learning because the two are mutual. This paper draws from the principles of career reflection to reflect on my career as a teacher. The paper explores the learning and teaching processes as a whole. The paper then delves deeper into the numerous factors that are involved before critically reflecting on some of the principle concepts that are involved in both processes. Learning Process and the Factors Involved Learning is a demanding process that evidently depends on the responsibility of the individual to a large extent (Bhusry Ranjan, 2012, p. 313). Unless an individual feels that he strongly owns and is directly responsible for the entire process, learning may never be achieved regardless of how much effort is involved. I practically discovered this during my days as a trainee in graduate school. Although I had very little thought initially about my exact style of learning, I eventually determined my pr ecedence when I gradually appreciated the fact that the entire process depended on my own responsibility and resolve. As a trainee in graduate school, I discovered that three critical approaches of learning were effective in my studies. They involved group discussions and learning, practical presentations and activity, as well as continually tackling assignments (Moores, Change Smith, 2004, p. 77).Advertising Looking for critical writing on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The results of this experience were manifest in me because my main strategy of learning had initially relied heavily on reading class work and other related texts. There was a clear change in my performance and overall grasp immediately I switched strategies. This assessment has increased my ability to make a substantive and intellectual conclusion regarding my way of learning. I specifically understand what my strengths are and, consequently, rea lise some of the weaknesses that I face. I have a clear knowledge on some of the ways that can help in increasing opportunities for my career growth, including methods and techniques for addressing weaknesses. Nevertheless, as Tomlinson et al. (2003) rightly assert, individuals differ in their learning ways and styles that directly affect their performance. While my strategies of learning paid off substantially, I realised that quite a number of my colleagues had their own suitable methods of learning that did not necessarily resemble one another’s. Some trainees complained that learning in groups affected their concentration so much that there was little learning achieved in the end. They preferred doing studies on their own within very quiet and secluded environments. The process of learning only becomes successful when it transforms an individual in terms of his understanding and knowledge. The basic principle of learning for any student is to begin with accepting and cons idering the need for change (Bellas, 2004, p. 19). This happens from an individual’s point of view where a learner must accept the knowledge acquired to transform him. I have my main conception of learning as a process that leads to the acquisition of facts and procedures needed to achieve an objective. As a learner, I often test the extent to which I have undergone transformation by attempting sample questions and applying the algorithms, skills, and formulae that I have studied before. I use the resultant score to these self-administered tests and sample assessment questions to determine the extent of the transformation undergone.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Learning Styles and Pedagogy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Teaching Process and the factors Involved Gurney (2007, p. 89) describes teaching as an educational process that should focus on creating nourishing experiences to enable t he learning process to be natural and inevitable. Teaching should concisely refer to practical actions of expediting learning for the students, instead of focusing on any other related aspect. Quality teaching entails ten basic characteristics that include focusing on the achievement of students, performing pedagogical practices that result in caring, and all-inclusive and unified learning communities. It must create effective links with the school’s cultural context, be responsive to the learning processes of the students, as well as offer sufficient learning opportunities (Gurney, 2007, p. 90). Other quality aspects of teaching include compound tasks and contexts, which help in supporting learning cycles, effectively aligning curriculum goals, and a practice that insists on issuing students with feedback about their task engagement. As Gurney (2007, p. 90) further records, teachers and students must often engage in coming up with goal-oriented assessment and formulate a sys tem that promotes learning orientations, metacognitive strategies, student self-regulation, as well as a thoughtful student discourse. My teaching methodologies have greatly been influenced by my learning styles. I have a greater feeling that encouraging students to study in groups can enhance their academic performance a great deal. However, I also appreciate the fact that students are not all the same. Just like some of my colleagues in college did not approve of group discussion as the best way of studying, I realise that some of my students may also be finding it an ineffective method of studying, depending on their own understanding and belief. Regarding Gurney’s quality methods of teaching (2007, p. 90), I have picked on engaging with my students constructively in order to carry out a comprehensive goal-oriented assessment.Advertising Looking for critical writing on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More I use such sessions to allow the students to determine the kind of difficulties they face in their studies, as well as evaluate their areas of strength. It eventually gives me the leverage to establish the best teaching techniques that suit each of the students, thus avoiding the mistake of using a uniform strategy for the entire class. Teacher knowledge, enthusiasm, as well as responsibility for learning are yet other critical aspects that determine teaching as a process (Eisner, 2002). Because teaching entails passing of knowledge, it will depend with the quality of knowledge that I have as a teacher for a student to learn fully as anticipated. I often go through my prepared notes in advance before I go to class to teach the students. This gives me confidence because it assures me of whatever I am teaching, unlike entering a class without having previously prepared on the subject to be taught. My Personal Learning Style I am an extroverted individual with a strong sensing percepti on. I rely on intuition and feelings to make decisions. My attitude toward the outside world is mainly formed out of my own judgement as opposed to the perceptions that I have. Based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, I am an extroverted, sensing, thinking, and judgement person (ENFJ) (Sample, 2004, p. 67). My extroversion explains why I prefer group work as the best methodology for my studies. During my teacher training session as an undergraduate, my studying was done mostly during the day to allow for long discussion sessions with my colleagues. After realising the fact that I performed well in study groups, we organised ourselves together in a study group of five people comprising of individuals with the same personality types. Learning mainly took place between 8 am and 4 pm, where we took turns in doing short presentations to enforce the transformation process of knowledge. Most of the personal studies in my room in the evenings only lasted for a maximum of two hours as they only entailed tackling of assignments and sample questions. The tackling of self-administered assignments and questions offered me the opportunity to evaluate myself concerning knowledge transformation. My general perception, which is ‘intuition’ as described by Myers-Briggs, had a strong bearing on my learning (Cools Van, 2007, p. 359). This continues to affect my learning process even at present concerning the general life phenomenon. I am fast at learning and gaining general knowledge. I do not necessarily rely on value facts and data to enhance my learning. While attending the study group in college, I would focus all my presentation of ideas and facts that I studied to support myself. Equally, I would challenge other members whenever they made their presentations to support their positions with determined ideas and facts and show the extent to which they had understood a concept. Another critical aspect of my ‘intuitive’ perception that has been criti cal in my learning is a routine application of the facts and skills learned. I insisted on using the exact terms and methodologies used in class by my instructor to enhance my grasping of the knowledge. Honey and Mumford Test As a teacher who has developed great interest in teaching and learning, I have done a Honey and Mumford test to understand my learning style. I have determined that I am an activist from the results. I have personally learned by doing things. I involve myself directly in executing the concepts and ideas as they are established. This gives me first-hand experience to explore on what the knowledge or learning process involves. I am open-minded in my approach to learning. I accept new challenges in learning. My preferred learning activities include brainstorming, where I prefer coming up with new ideas and thinking. I like involving myself in problem solving activities and encounters and participating actively in group discussion. I also prefer taking up roles tha t strengthen my learning by putting studied theories into action. Competitions and puzzles also influence my learning because they offer a basis upon which I can compare with others and evaluate myself. Howard Gardner’s Test I have used Gardner’s multiple intelligence tests to further ascertain my personality and how it influences my learning style. The results underscore a low spatial-visual kind of intelligence, with a score of 5. It implies I am poor when it comes to making interpretations of visual images and pictorial imagination. Thus, pictures, shapes, and images are not the best learning tools and materials that I can rely on. I have also scored poorly in physical and aural intelligence areas, meaning that the use of music, rhythm, sounds, touch, feel, and physical experience are not the best learning styles for me. My verbal, social, solitary, and logical intelligences, however, are higher. I scored 16, 15, 14, and 11, in these categories respectively. It impl ies that I have a higher mastery of language and words used in communication, while my ability to socialise and relate with others is also high. On these two accounts, my most preferred learning style is by use of language and words, as well as through human contact, teamwork, and cooperation. The high score in solitary or self-awareness implies that I am aware of my personal objectives and able to understand myself clearly. It also influences my relationship with others and the way I relate to the world. Self-reflection and self-discovery are, therefore, two of my most critical aspects of learning. Additionally, a higher score in mathematical or logical intelligence implies that I am good in mathematical calculations, scientific reasoning, and general analysis of problems. Numbers and logic are my best learning styles because I am comfortable with them and I can easily make interpretations. Piaget and Vygotsky Influence Piaget and Vygotsky have contributed towards the subject of le arning and education by establishing the cognitive development theory. According to the theory, the learning processes and capabilities of mental growth in children influence the way they learn (Pass, 2004, p. 18). Understanding cognitive development, therefore, is crucial for teachers because it provides them with the advantage of treating each child in a unique way. In turn, it provides all the children with the opportunity to acquire knowledge in the best possible way without being hindered by their own integral limitations and barriers. The cognitive-development theory holds that the learning process is affected by the attitudes and beliefs of the learner, as well as the context under which teaching is taking place. How this knowledge influences my teaching style I have learned that the quality of my teaching, which is directly reflected by the individual performance of my students, depends on the efforts I expend with a view of improving performance. Teaching is a process that entails many other factors including my personality and emotions, with the actual interaction with the students in a classroom environment only representing the final stage of the process. Thus, I must build a personality type that will, in turn, sustain learning for my students. I often work on my moods and emotion, particularly when I am feeling low, because I realise this has a negative effect on my teaching. The physical environment, equally, must be made in a way that supports teaching. The presence of features that distract concentration during learning need to be removed and a favourable environment created for the benefit of the teacher. In the school where I teach, I ensure the walls in the classrooms have reading material that students can look at and continuously get the reminder that it is a learning environment. I have also integrated student feedback mechanism into my teaching style. This is something I previously never considered to be important. I discovered that som e students are not bold enough to disclose to me as their teacher some of the issues that are affecting their learning (Alton-Lee, 2003). However, with the use of an elaborate feedback mechanism, such students are confident enough to share some of the issues that they encounter during their learning. They mostly prefer written feedback, instead of direct physical talk that I preferred. I have consequently combined the two systems together such that I employ them depending on the preference of the students. Feedback information gives me a lot of insight into the whole teaching practise. It is almost impossible to succeed in this work without depending on it. It is a two-way system of both communication and evaluation, where I am able to appraise my teaching performance by analysing the feedback I get from the students. On the other hand, I also inform the students of my actual expectation of their performance and point out the exact areas that I expect them to add more effort. Critic al Reflection on the Key Concepts The assessment strategy plays a critical role in the learning process as it helps in the enhancement of skills development. By using assessment, students are continually reminded about the need for them to grasp facts and concepts and be able to apply them correctly whenever the need arises. However, there is also danger in over relying on this strategy. It may easily force students to resort to cramming as a way of learning, thereby defeating the whole logic and intent of the process. As a teacher, I am only impressed when the students I teach learn and understand whatever is taught without appearing to do it for the sake of excelling in their examinations. Although, examinations provide the means for evaluating students and the extent of their learning, they may sometimes provide an erroneous picture about the whole scenario. Critical thinking in learning, on the other hand, is only possible where the learners are transformed through education. Le arning, therefore, represents the extent to which the individual is transformed in the way of his thinking and reasoning. It is possible for a student to attend school, but still fail to achieve transformation. Such a student may score highly on examinations and assignments, but still fail to undergo any form of transformation. It is, therefore, important for other evaluation mechanisms, such as practical execution of tasks and concepts taught, to be used in evaluating students in combination with assignments and examinations. Conclusion Teaching and learning make part of a complementary process that can never succeed without going hand in hand. My teaching style mainly reflects the way of learning that I preferred most while still attending graduate school. I am an extrovert who mainly feels comfortable dealing and working with others. My most preferred style of learning entails using discussion groups to make presentations and exchange ideas with others. I have, however, realised as a teacher that not all students prefer this method as the best for learning. In essence, I use a mixed approach for my student depending on what they consider most appealing for themselves. The feedback mechanism is a critical mechanism for me as a teacher because it provides me with the ability to evaluate the responses of my students, as well as get their appraisal of my teaching. List of References Alton-Lee, A 2003, Quality teaching for diverse students in schooling: Best evidence synthesis, Ministry of Education, Wellington Bellas, MD 2004, How transformational learning experiences develop leadership capacity, Royal Roads University (Canada), Victoria, BC Bhusry, M Ranjan, J 2012, ‘Enhancing the teaching-learning process: a knowledge management approach’, The International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 313-329. Cools, E Van, dB 2007, ‘Development and validation of the cognitive style indicator’, The Journal of Psychology, vol. 141, no. 4, pp. 359-87 Eisner, EW 2002, ‘The kind of schools we need’, Phi Delta Kappan, vol. 83, pp.576-583. Gurney, P 2007, ‘Five factors for effective teaching’, New Zealand Journal of Teachers’ Work, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 89-98 Leung, DYP Kember, D 2003, ‘The relationship between approaches to learning and reflection upon practice’, Educational Psychology, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 61-71 Moores, TT, Jerry Cha-Jan Change Smith, DK 2004, ‘Learning style and performance: a field study of is students in an analysis and design course’, The Journal of Computer Information Systems, vol. 45, no. 1, pp. 77-85 Pass, S 2004, Parallel paths to constructivism: Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, Information Age Publishing Inc, New York, NY Roxà ¥, T, Mà ¥rtensson, K Alveteg, M 2011, ‘Understanding and influencing teaching and learning cultures at university: a network approach’, Higher Education, vol. 62, no. 1, pp. 99-111. S ample, J 2004, ‘The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and OD: Implication for practice from research’, Organization Development Journal, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 67-75. Tomlinson, CA, Brighton, C, Hertberg, H, Callahan, CM, Moon, TR, Brimijoin, K, Conover LA Reynoldsm T 2003, ‘Differentiating instruction in response to student readiness, interest, and learning profile in academically diverse classrooms: a review of literature’, Journal for the Education of the Gifted, vol. 27, no.2/3, pp. 119-145 This critical writing on Learning Styles and Pedagogy was written and submitted by user L1l1ana to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

My Mother essays

My Mother essays The first thing that comes to mind when I think of my mother is her ability to reason. For as long as I can remember, my brother and I have fought. Im not talking about physically fighting, although weve had our share of those, im talking about the he stole my toy, or more recently, Its my turn to take the car out. When a situation like this arises, she is the first to step in and sort matters out. It seems like she always finds a compromise in the mess of arguing. My mother spent the first fourteen years of my life at home taking care of me and my younger brother. A typical house wife, she could cook and clean and pretty much do anything that needed to be done around the house. I was finally old enough to stay at home by myself when this stage of her life was complete. She then started taking night classes at S.I.U.E. to learn how to become a teacher. She has had a place in her heart for secondary education for as long as I can remember. Maybe it was due to the fact that she had spent the last 14 years of her life with me and my brother...maybe not. None the less, she was finally doing something to quench her passion. The teaching certificate came in the mail shortly after she earned her bachelors degree in special education. I was under the impression that teaching would take away her time from me. I was used to her being there when I came home after school to make me a snack, or talk about how my day went the instant I walked through the door. My hypothesis was of course wrong. With me playing basketball until later on in the day, and her staying busy at the middle school, we just had to spend time with each other later on in the day. This was really no problem to anyone though. Since I have moved to Carbondale, things have been a little different. We dont get to see each other every day, but we still stay in touch quite often. Th...

Language and Sources of Mini Arguments Assignment

Language and Sources of Mini Arguments - Assignment Example Examples of the use of questions marks within the mini arguments are; mini-argument #2, which has begun its argument with the question â€Å"Why do certain people think lying is ok?† and also used â€Å"So what is the whole point behind lying?†. Susie, in her mini-argument #4, on the other hand, uses, â€Å"Want to know why people love playing the lottery?† and. â€Å"This candid reality of things necessitates some questions to be asked, is it in actuality that hard to be successful? How does one end up on the road to success?† Mini argument #1 made use of â€Å"What else is the government keeping from us?† and â€Å"I have the right to choose whether I want to read a paper if it does not bother you to read a newspaper and can afford it go for it by all means. The use of such question marks within the argument forces the reader to get involved and absorbed into the argument and to have his or her own opinion before delving deeper into the writerâ⠂¬â„¢s opinions.  Moreover, the arguments have gone ahead and listed these internet sources as references so as to give the source credit for providing the information. Mini argument #4 has exclusively made use of books as source materials, additionally, it has even gone ahead and used a line from John Lenon's song, ‘imagine’ this depicts creativity and the use of a song appeals to a wider audience. All the four mini arguments have carefully chosen their language of use as well as the structure of the essay in terms of paragraphs. The careful selection of particular word choice helps mainly for effect and to connect the reader with the writer. Most of the mini arguments have used simple language, which is easily understandable, as well as a language, which is conversational, it can be referred to as somehow colloquial. The use of such words helps also in passing the argument to the writer. For example, Susie in mini argument #4 writes, â€Å"Anyone can be a success, any Tom, Dick, and Harry has the potential to become prosperous and successful.† and â€Å"Some people have it on a silver platter and some have it rough† On the other hand, mini argument #2 uses the statement, â€Å"Let’s just all be honest with one another.   It makes life so much easier!† This careful choice of words, especially conversational words is effective in passing the message across more effectively.

Transitioning From Closed to Open Systems Research Paper

Transitioning From Closed to Open Systems - Research Paper Example Apparently, the nursing sector has an open and closed system of solving problems. In the open system a nursing facility is at freewill to look for external help from other facilities and organizations. However, closed system perspectives state that a facility will only seek solutions from the internal environment. The latter limits the number of solutions to the existing problems. In recent times, many health facilities have experienced a shortage in the number of nurses that should attend to patients. Nurses are considered vital in ensuring all the patients are recuperating at a desirable rate. This is owing to the basic services that are offered by the nurses which include exercises, administering drugs, feeding and cleaning of patients. Without adequacy in such services patients will not recover in good time. Therefore, shortage of nurses in the nursing sector is a blow as the patients rarely get the services they need (Smith, 2010). One prevalent issue is the lack of sufficient number of nurses, especially in the ICU. Most patients who are taken to the ICU require intensive care that involves various delicate services. Acceptable standards state that there should be at least one nurse taking care of two patients in the ICU. Nevertheless, in most health facilities this is a rare ratio. Most of the nurses have to offer their services to at least three patie nts, which obviously overworks the nurses leading to poor service delivery. In bizarre incidents a single nurse is forced to serve four patients in the ICU. This highly degrades the quality of services offered across the nursing profession. As such, it jeopardizes the health and safety of the patients in the ICU as well as the reputation of particular health institutions. Shortage of nurses is a prevalent problem that risks the lives of patients. There are various ways of solving the problem though. However, it would be a hard task to use a closed

How Should I Judge the Goodness of My Actions Essay

How Should I Judge the Goodness of My Actions - Essay Example Mills contends that individuals who have experienced the two pleasures have a higher preference to how they exist, using higher faculties. He implies that people with more awareness to the world need more for them to be happy. Those who are knowledgeable, while subject to ignorance in enjoying base pleasures, maintain withstanding lower grades of pleasure. Finally, as people, we act in specific ways in order to meet out desires and the decisions made are governed, somewhat, by sanctions. Two types of sanctions exist, i.e. internal and external. External sanctions are outside of the person and are inclusive of such means as the influence from other people; for example, the approval, and disapproval of other people to our actions (Kahn, 2010). It can also be from ideas like the fear of God and punishment from God for acting contrary to his word. Internal sanctions, on the other hand, are equivalent to one’s conscience. These are the inner thoughts resonating in one’s mind with regards to actions or ideas. Internal sanctions have a greater influence since the mind has a consistent presence in one’s lifetime. ... Those who help others in order to be happy do so out of an effort to get personal benefits and not for duty alone. Therefore, firstly, motivation for this type of good will needs to be duty bound and not for the manner in which it makes one feel when showing generosity. Duty’s second characteristic contends that true duty must not be performed with calculated effect (Munzel, 2012). This means that if an individual decides to donate boreholes to a community in Africa he would not desire to get a tax deduction for it. Duty also requires one to act out of respect for morality, where humanity should behave according to duty and its properties, rather than for the self-serving outcome or motivation. Action, therefore, is only taken to be good if its reasoning does not contradict itself and makes sense. Kant is emphatic of this when he discusses lying, questioning whether he would be contented if his lying maxim were a universal law to him and to others (Munzel, 2012). On examining the idea, universal application of lying, would fail with all people practicing and expecting lies. Therefore, reasons governing actions can also be referred to as imperatives. He separates exteriorly motivated duties and pure duty by referring to them as hypothetical and categorical imperatives respectively. Categorical imperatives are concerned with the principle an action follows, unlike hypothetical imperatives. The debate between the two is whether an individual’s sense of duty is compromised by consequential appeal, i.e. where murdering an individual is to the benefit of other many people, is the killing justified? Kant would hold that killing is not permissible in any situation even where the person is a dictator who oppresses and kill

Difference Between Ground Level And Stratospheric Ozone Environmental Sciences Essay

Difference Between Ground Level And Stratospheric Ozone Environmental Sciences Essay Why has one a beneficial and the other a detrimental role in the atmosphere? This essay is going to explain the difference between ground-level and stratospheric ozone; why has one a beneficial and the other a detrimental role in the atmosphere. The troposphere is the lowest layer of the earths atmosphere (Figure 1). It starts at the earths surface extending to a height between 7 and 20km above sea level. The troposphere is the thickest part of the atmosphere in which around 75-80% of atmospheric mass is located. As altitude increases through the troposphere, temperature, air pressure and density of the air decrease. The troposphere is heated from the earths surface; sunlight warms the ground or ocean and in turn, heats the air around which rises into the troposphere. On average the temperature drops around 6.5 degrees Celsius per km as altitude increases. At the top of the stratosphere, temperatures can reach a low of -55 degrees Celsius. As shown in figure 1 there is a layer between the troposphere and the stratosphere this is called the Tropopause, a boundary between the two layers. The altitude of the Tropopause varies with latitude, season, weather and time of day. At mid level latitudes the typical height of the Tropop ause is around 11km whilst near the poles it can drop to a low of 7km. The lowest part of the troposphere is known as the atmospheric boundary layer which is affected by the earths surface, an example of this can be the wind being affected by hitting a mountain. In the polar regions just below the Tropopause is a jet stream which is defined as a belt of powerful upper-level winds that sits atop the polar front (Britannica 2010) (Figure 1 ACCU Weather 2009)http://global-warming.accuweather.com/stratosphere_diagram_sm-thumb.jpg Ozone (O3) is a form of oxygen containing 3 molecules, usually found in the stratosphere, and responsible for filtering the suns ultraviolet radiation (Null, J 2003). Figure 2 shows the levels on ozone present in the earths atmosphere. (Figure 2 NASA 1999) File:Atmospheric ozone.svg According to NASA 10% of ozone (O3) in the atmosphere is found in the troposphere. Ozone in the troposphere is unwanted. Ozone can be found in low concentrations at ground-level. Ground level ozone and stratospheric ozone are two key sources of natural ozone. Ground level ozone are hydrocarbons which are released by soil and plants, whereas stratospheric ozone which rarely migrates downwards to the earths surface. These two natural sources do not give enough ozone to be thought of as a threat to life and the environment. With growing populations, increased transport and high industry has increased the ozone levels in the lower atmosphere. Ozone cannot be traced by coming directly from one source as it is formed by contact between the suns UV rays and hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides which can be traced back to transport, fossil fuels, power plants and other industries. It can be referred to as ozone pollution or Smog. In urban areas its known as photochemical smog (Figure 3 Environmental Science 2010) http://apesnature.homestead.com/files/fg22_04b.jpg Ozone is a key element traced in smog and as a powerful greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases are a part of the atmosphere; they are both natural and created from human activity. These gases emit radiation within range thermal infrared radiation which is emitted from the earths surface, the atmosphere and clouds. This causes the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is when sunlight reaches the earths surface and is reflected back into the atmosphere, but it is prevented from escaping by the layer of greenhouse gasses, this in turn heats the atmosphere causing a rise in the earths surface temperature. The rise in temperature causes ice caps to melt, raising sea levels. The four major gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect and their percentage contribution are: Water Vapour, 36-70%, Carbon Dioxide, 9-26%, Methane, 4-9% and Ozone, 3-7%. (Kiehl J, 2003) Ozone levels are found at its peak during the summer months and are usually highest in built up areas. Concentrations are at its highest during the afternoon as the UV rays have had time to react. This causes ozone pollution. Ozone pollution has many negative effects on human life, vegetation and the environment. It can cause health problems such as chest infections, breathing problems, headaches, eye irritation and aggravate pre existing conditions such as asthma, heart disease, bronchitis and emphysema. Ozone pollution according to SEQL damages leaves and crops, which reduce crop production and quality, The United Nations Environment programme estimated a loss of $8.56 billion worth in crops in the European Union in 2000(UNEP 2007) Buildings and decorating materials can be weakened or damaged and paint can fade faster than anticipated. The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere from the earths surface (Figure 1). The stratosphere rises to around 50km above sea level. The lowest part of the stratosphere varies depending on the latitude and the season. It differs at around 8 16km near the equator, around 10km at the mid latitudes and 8km near the poles. The air within the stratosphere is dry and contains small amounts of water vapour. The air within the stratosphere is around a thousand times thinner than that at sea level. Due the lack of vertical convection within the stratosphere, compounds can stay for long periods of time which breaks down the ozone layer. About 90% of the ozone in the earths atmosphere is located in the stratosphere, which is between 15 and 50km above the earths surface. The ozone in the stratosphere forms a layer called the Ozone Layer. This is where oxygen (O2) and Ozone (O3) molecules absorb UV light from the sun protecting the earths surface from UV radiation. Both oxygen and ozone combined absorb between 95 99.9% of the suns UV radiation. Without them UV radiation such as UV-C and UV-B can cause skin cancer and damage eye and plant tissue. The Ozone Layer is being destroyed by chemicals released by humans. An example of this is Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and the Green House Gases which break down the ozone in the stratosphere. Figure 4 that the level that the ozone is having on the stratosphere and the troposphere. It shows that the levels of ozone have been reduced in the stratosphere and the levels of ozone have increased. (Figure 4 Institute for Chemistry) seperated ozone trends To conclude, this essay shows that ground level ozone has a detrimental effect of the earths atmosphere as it causes health problems or aggravates pre-existing problems, damage to natural vegetation, crops and buildings and the environment. It is not ozone itself that damages the earths atmosphere but the interactions between the suns UV rays and hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides within the troposphere. Whereas stratospheric ozone has a beneficial role to play in the atmosphere. Stratospheric ozone is beneficial to the earths atmosphere as it absorbs UV radiation which prevents health problems such as skin cancer. Bibliography Guy, P, John J, Geoffrey, S. (1999). Tropospheric Ozone. In Birks, W Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Change. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press 465-486 Guy, P, John J, Geoffrey, S. (1999). Middle Atmospheric Ozone. In Birks, W Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Change. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 487-513 NAS. (2001).  Ozone Layer.  Available: http://www.nas.nasa.gov/About/Education/Ozone/ozonelayer.html. Last accessed 02/03/2010 RSPB. (2001) The Greenhouse Effect. Available: www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/teaching/resources/science/greenhouse_effect.asp Last accessed 3/03/2010

Multicultural Education Essay -- Schooling Teaching Learning Papers

Multicultural Education The inclusion of multiculturalism into schools has become an increasingly hot topic as of late. Being a future teacher I have taken a natural interest in the topic as well. It seems that most of the push to incorporate the multicultural issue into the school system has been a reaction to the thought that the American â€Å"melting-pot† metaphor is on the decline. Knowing that the demographics of the United States is changing continuously, the main issue about the inclusion of multiculturalism is not whether to place it into the schools, but rather how to position this controversial topic into the curriculum. Many people think that the incorporation of multiculturalism must begin with the teacher education students while they are still in college. Advocates claim that college curricula must institute multicultural studies because as of now there are no requirements of students to seriously study the culturally diverse societies in which they will be teaching. Throug hout the paper I will mainly discuss the responsibility of the school systems to include the multicultural aspect into their various curricula. I will also show how teachers must change and continue to change as the student demographics vary. Finally, I will give evidence of how racism is a large problem in schools when discussing everything from the racial percentages of educators to the segregation of students in various ways. â€Å" The inclusion of multiculturalism in the dominant curriculum in higher education was originally a response to minority student demands of the ‘Sixties and Seventies’†(Kailin, 1998, p.1). This is direct evidence that the topic has been continually pushed aside as time has gone on. Originally b... ...k that this racism would disappear just through teacher communication. In all, school reform for a society full of multiculturalism has to mean sharing power and collectively making decisions. If this is not done, the issue of how to incorporate multiculturalism into schools will never be solved. Works Cited Farris, Pamela J. (1999). Teaching, Bearing the Torch. Boston: McGraw- Hill. Kailin, Julie. (1998). Preparing Teachers For Schools and Communities: An Anti- Racist Perspective. High School Journal, 82, 1-9. Munroe, Maurice E. R. (2000). Unamerican Tail: of segregation and multicultural education. Albany Law Review, 64, 7-63. Sleeter, Christine E. (2000). Multicultural Education And the Standards Movement- A Report from the Field. Phi Delta Kappan, 82, 156-162. Tucker, Michelle. (1998). Multiculturalism’s Five Dimensions. NEA Today, 17, 17-19.

Skin Facts

The skin is the largest organ of the body. On the average person, the skin is approximately 3000 square inches and weighs approximately seven pounds. While the eyes are the â€Å"windows of the soul†, the skin is the â€Å"window to the body† because it is the only organ that can be seen. The skin contains 25% of the body’s blood supply, which flow completely through the skin once every minute. The skin is the body’s largest organ of immunity. It is the body’s first line of defence, the boundary where self is designed from non-self, yet it is highly interactive with the environment. Anatomy of Normal Skin Approximately 50% of the body’s primary cells of immunity are housed in the skin at any minute. After puberty, these cells are matured in the skin. The skin is biodynamic, alive up to the stratum corneum the only barrier the skin has to the outside world. The stratum corneum is less than the thickness of one human hair. In one square inch of the skin there are 2800 openings for sweat and oil glands. Over three million sweat glands cover the body, contributing to one of the skin’s many nicknames, the third kidney. In one day, skin will release one to several millilitres’ of water. As we get older, these sweat glands produce less perspiration. Skin perspires, what some people mistakenly call breathing. It takes in about 2. 5% of the body’s oxygen and releases about 3% carbon dioxide. In general, the skin does not breathe from outside oxygen. It works on anaerobic metabolism through our lungs. The skin is a bio-conversion factory. It is the largest hormone and enzyme producing organ of the body. Two distinct layers make up the skin. The epidermis, which covers and protects and the dermis, supports the epidermis and connects it to the underlying muscles. It acts as a heat regular in conjunction with the blood stream and perspiration glands. When the body is exposed to too much heat, there is a rush of blood to the surface of the skin, permitting it to cool. At the same time, the perspiration glands secrete liquid to aid in the process. Sensory erception occurs in the skin, preventing damage to its ability to feel heat and/or cold, giving pleasure by the same ability to feel such things as the smoothness of satin of the softness of down. There is delayed light screening by means of melanin’s reaction to light. Melanin is a dark pigment found in the skin. It is the area where both sebum and perspiration production take place and where these two combine on the surface to form a protective film (acid mantle) which renders the skin less vulnerable to damage and attack by environmental factors (e. . sun, wind, bacteria) and less prone to dehydration. â€Å"pH† is a chemist’s term standing for â€Å"potential of hydrogen† and is used to describe the degree of acidity or alkalinity in the acid mantle of the skin or in a product. It is measured on a scale ranging from 0-14. The centre of the scale, 7, is neutrality (neither acid nor alkaline). A reading above 7 indicates that the substance being measured is alkaline; below 7, acid. As far as the skin is concerned, a normal pH (or normal Acid Mantle) is in the range of 4. 2 to 5. 6. It will vary from one part of the body to another and generally speaking, the pH of a man’s skin is lower (more acid) than of a woman’s. The Chemical Composition of the Skin: Water70. 0% All percentages are approximate, Protein25. 5%as water may range from 60% to 70%. Lipids2. 0% Trace Minerals0. 5% All Other2. 0% There are three main skin layers: †¢The Subcutis contains fat cells and Lipocytes which make lipids. †¢The Dermis contains nerves, blood vessels, sebaceous glands and sweat glands and consists mainly of collagen & elastin. †¢The Epidermis contains keratinocytes, melanocytes and Langerhans cells. The skin, and in fact our whole body, is composed of many different types of cells. These cells have the same fundamental chemical composition but they vary in size, shape and function. The cells that comprise the outer layer of the skin are themselves a series of many layers that overlap each other, thus ensuring that cellular or other fluids cannot escape from the body via the skin except through a cut or break, or by means of special escape routes: the pore of follicles. The outer surface of the skin is comprised of flattened dead cells. Underneath however, there are living cells, which are somewhat fuller, and the deeper one goes into the skin, the fuller and rounder the cells become. At the bottom of all the layers, there is a row of cells, which are the ones that are always growing and in the process, pushing other cells upward, the cells become flattened as they are emptied of their natural fluid through pressure and dehydration. This normal process of shedding and renewal takes about 30 days (which means that after a cell is born in the bottom layer, it ends up on the surface of the skin, dead and ready to shed). The number of things the skin does for us is incredible. It covers us (epidermis and dermis), helps us keep warm (fatty layer), cools us off (sweat glands), keeps itself supple (oil glands) provides ultraviolet ray protection (melanin cells, registers our sense of touch (nerves), and is ornamental (hair, eyelashes, nails). Over time, dead protein cells can build up and block sebaceous and sudoriferous glands. This causes disturbances in the skins pH levels, normal rhythm and proliferation.

The Life Beathoven essays

The Life Beathoven essays I sit here listening to Beethovens Symphony No. 5, and wonder who this man was. I went to Ask.com, and asked whom he was, and they had a brief overview of the man. Beethoven, Ludwig van The composer of some of the most influential pieces of music ever written, Ludwig van Beethoven created a bridge between the 18th-century classical period and the new beginnings of Romanticism, ...and did much to enlarge the possibilities of music and widen the horizons of later generations of composers.(unknown author) His greatest breakthroughs in composition came in his instrumental work, including his symphonies. They think he was born Dec. 16 1770 in Bonn, Germany, and baptised on Dec. 17, 1770, the eldest son of a singer in the Kapelle of the Archbishop- Elector of Cologne, and grandson of the Archbishop's Kapellmeister, His father and grandfather worked as court musicians in Bonn. Ludwig's father, a singer, gave him his early musical training. I searched the ISU encyclopedias on his music, and realized that he had a predecessor, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, for whom writing music seemed to come easily, Beethoven always struggled to perfect his work. Beethoven had only meager academic schooling, he studied piano, violin, and French horn, and before he was 12 years old he became a court organist. Ludwig's first important teacher of composition was Christian Gottlob Neefe. In 1787 he studied briefly with Mozart, and five years later he left Bonn permanently and went to Vienna to study with Joseph Haydn and later with Antonio Salieri. Beethoven's first public appearance in Vienna was on March 29, 1795, as a soloist in one of his piano concerti. Even before he left Bonn, he had developed a reputation for fine improvisatory performances. In Vienna young Beethoven soon had a long list of aristocratic patrons who loved music and were eager to help him. Something that surprised me and about Beethov ...

College Life Essays - English-language Education, Free Essays

College Life Essays - English-language Education, Free Essays he ideal college lifestyle dissipates quickly once the reality is reached. Many young adults imagine vivid pictures of what college might be like for them. However, once these young adults mature into independent men and women, and enter into the school of their choice, they soon realize the reality of the college lifestyle. They must learn to adapt to their new surroundings as quickly as possible to accomplish the sought after degrees. Students come to the realization that life is not as easy as they might hope for. Many young adults seem to believe that college life is filled with parties and typically a laid-back lifestyle. These students believe that, much like high school, classes will be taken during the day and filled with all their friends. They imagine a lifestyle with no other worries besides an occasional essay or lab. It is often said that college is the greatest time of ones life; many high school students believe this and look forward to it. Some enjoy the idea of being able to come to class late, leave when they want, and pretty much have say-so of their own lives now that their parents are out of the picture. The majority of college freshmen enter into school picturing an easy, fun-filled ride. These reasons provide support to the unusually low grades of first-year college students. The widespread college ideal lifestyle is seldom the reality. Students quickly learn that many classes stretch into the nighttime hours. Often, students are not in classes with their friends, but with other students who sometimes can be old enough to be their parents. Although the average college age might be near 20 years old, it can range from 18 to 40 years old or older.

Database Applications Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Database Applications - Essay Example A data mart is an easy data warehouse that focuses on one area of functionality or subject like finance, marketing and sales. A single department builds and controls a data mart for the whole organization. The sources of data mart ranges from external data, central data warehouse to operational systems. The implementation of a data mart takes place in a series of steps. The first step involves the designation of the schema that initiates the data request. The construction of the physical storage before populating the data mart with source systems data follows. One then accesses the data for initiating sound decisions. Finally, there is the management of data over time. Data mining analyzes data from diverse perspectives before summarizing it into useful information. Useful information is capable of minimizing costs and increasing revenue or doing both. The analysis of data requires the application of data mining software as an analytical tool. Data mining ensures analysis of data from different angles and dimensions. It also helps in categorizing and shortening the relationships of the data identified. Data mining seems to be a new term though it is not technologically. Over the years, many companies have applied the technology of data mining to sort through through supermarket scanner volumes besides conducting market research data analysis. Business intelligence is a blanket description of all the software applications use in the analysis of the raw data of an organization. The discipline of business intelligence comprises of reporting, online analytical processing, data mining and querying. It plays a crucial role in the improvement of decision-making, cutting costs and the recognition of new business opportunities by enterprising organizations. Besides, it can help the management of business organizations in the identification of those business

Summary of the Article - Government and Poverty Research Paper

Summary of the Article - Government and Poverty - Research Paper Example In the scenario, the author also makes a mention of the more recent American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The author defines poverty as the dearth of the necessary resources that enable the people to meet their basic needs and extends the commensurate statistics regarding the urban, suburban and rural incidence of poverty. The author does support the extension of government aid to the deserving, while taciturnly mentioning that many people suffer from poverty because they are lazy. The writer also blames the indulgence in substance abuse like tobacco and alcohol as the reason as to why the poor remain poor. Yet, the writer again contradicts one’s assertion by saying that a great number of the poor receiving the government aid do tend to be employed. In the end, the writer conclusively asserts that the government should spend money on imparting skills and education to the poor, rather than wasting the taxpayers’ money on extending nutrition, health and housing. Overall the approach of the writer seems to be discernible against the government funding of the poverty alleviation programs. The poor tend to remain poor because they simply do not have a place in the national financial chain and many times, as said by the author, they lack the skills, education and connections to be able to fit into the national financial dynamics. Hence the government spending on the poverty alleviation programs is the most efficient way to make way for the allocation of the national wealth in favor of the impoverished segments of the society. The government has a self-interest in doing so in the sense that allowing the poverty to rise beyond a certain limit could lead to an unstable society marred by political unrest and crime (Lal & Myint 8). It is rightly said that the hungry minds are angry minds. Hence, state expenditure in poverty alleviation programs allows the government to channelize the skills, abilities and energy of poor sections of the society towards self-development and nation-building. State sponsoring of the poverty alleviation programs is not a choice but an important n ecessity and requisite. Hence, there is no scope or possibility for casting doubts on the relevance or necessity of the government spending on the poor or poverty alleviation programs. The writer himself conveyed that a majority of the poor people receiving government help does have jobs and they tend to work. Hence, the tongue in cheek assertion that the poor people are poor because they happen to be lazy is utterly nonsensical and biased. Poor people, in fact, happen to be poor because they do not have a say in the national and international policy-making procedures and frameworks, where they could chalk out the apt policies that would help them have a share in the process of wealth generation and allocation (Global Issues 1).