The Utopian Worldview of Afrocentricity: Critical Comments on a Reactionary Philosophy

Cameron Gilmore Professor Stephen Ferguson Liberal Studies 202 14 September 2012 The Utopian Worldview of Afrocentricity: Critical Comments on a Reactionary Philosophy In this paper, I will analyze Stephen Ferguson’s article â€Å"The Utopian Worldview of Afrocentricity: Critical Comments on a Reactionary Philosophy†. Throughout Ferguson’s article he discusses the limitations of Afrocentrism and the negative effects it may cause because of the beliefs and ideas expressed from the philosophical view.Following the summary of the article’s main points and themes, I shall expound upon the article’s erudite theme, while illuminating the author’s generalization of this â€Å"worldview†. Ferguson introduces the reader to the article with a poem entitled Heritage by Countee Cullen. While Ferguson only includes the first stanza of that poem, the entirety of the poem somewhat relates to the view of Afrocentrism in how Cullen articulates the beau ty of Africa, but by the end of the poem the mood has changed to Cullen’s current life and how it has changed.Like the poem the main point of the article is that Afrocentrism may be something of a good thing, but it cannot be any good to history if it is only based of off of â€Å"fantasy or fairy tale† as Ferguson states. There are many examples on the claims that are made on Afrocentrism and how it clouds the rich African-American or African heritage.One line from the passage says, â€Å"†¦[the Afrocentric quest for an authentic past] ignores the fact that the Pharaohs in conjunction with the priests were an oppressive and exploitative aristocracy. Dreaming of what Kwame Nkrumah termed an idyllic African classless society is a wrong-headed approach for Black Studies† (Ferguson). I found that this strongly demonstrates how farfetched ideas may become, mostly, when Afrocentrism becomes just a ploy to console the African-American race from times of struggle or disparity.Along with the negative side of the Afrocentric view, Ferguson greatly details on how it is even more important to read, research, learn and teach all parts of history; in which, he includes a cited passage, The Mis-Education of the Negro, written by Carter G. Woodson which basically says that it is important to read about great historic heroes such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, but it is just as important to read about the slaves that provided all the labor that contributed and made this country what it is today.One final theme that I received from the article is that like today’s Eurocentric view, which is also full of fallacy, Afrocentrism would not be too far from it with all the misleading and misguided illustrations, as opposed to simply researching and collecting facts, like this quote from Carter G. Woodson used in the article, â€Å" ‘race prejudice was based on wide-spread ignorance’ and that ‘carefully gathered scientif ic proof’ would eliminate it† (Ferguson).Throughout this review of Ferguson’s â€Å"The Utopian Worldview of Afrocentricity: Critical Comments on a Reactionary Philosophy†, I have discussed the author’s main points which I believe are that Afrocentrism is frequently filled with ideal views and utopian ideas, that African-Americans used these ideas at times of hardship to uplift the race, that it is just as important to research and learn about European history as well as every other history and that just as Eurocentrism can be cloudy in terms of actuality, so can Afrocentrism.I would have to honestly agree with all of these points, especially after the given details and examples, however I do fear that the author has made a generalization of this Afrocentric view. I believe that many people nowadays know of the oppression faced during the era of Ancient Egypt and Africa, and those phrases and terms given by early generation African-Americans which f ed to the false ideas to Afrocentrism have been proven to be exaggeration.In conclusion, I have reasoned that while Ferguson has given great details and is right on his claims, this does not mean that they are widely believed as much as his says, which in turn gives of a since of generalization.

Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Research procedures depends on the analyzing data and questions on the topic being researched. All research can be differentiated on the basis of whether its methodology produces mostly numerical data (e. g. , scores and measurements) or mostly narrative data (e. g. , verbal descriptions and opinions) (Mertler, C. & Charles, C. 2011, p 24). Qualitative research and quantitative research are two types of research methods. Qualitative research involves analysis of data such as words, pictures, or objects. The purpose of qualitative research is of a complete, detailed description. Most researchers may not know exactly what he/she might be looking for in advance. Qualitative is usually recommended during the early phases of the research to help design the search as it is further researched. When data is being gathered, it is usually done by the researcher. The data consist of mainly words, pictures or objects. Qualitative data is time consuming and is harder to generalize the data gathered. Qualitative is useful for studying a limited number of cases, it is based on categories of meaning, provide individual case information. This type of research is great for understanding personal experiences form an insider’s viewpoint and how the participant interprets the data such as self-esteem. Qualitative researches also have weaknesses to consider. Some of the findings might be unique to the research study and not generalize to other people or settings. Qualitative research is difficult to make quantitative predictions. Hypothesis and theories are difficult to test and have lower credibility with some administrators of programs. Qualitative takes more time to collect data than it does for quantitative research. Qualitative is influenced by the researcher’s personal biases than statistics. Quantitative research is to classify the features and count them. Quantitative research is usually an attempt to construct statistical models to explain what is being observed. Before performing the research, the researcher clearly knows in advance what is being searched and trying to prove/not prove the hypothesis or theory. Quantitative research is carefully designed and uses tools to help collect numerical data. This type of research can be placed in a statistic or numerical form. The researcher is usually seeking predicament of measurement and analysis of the topic being researched. The researcher gives proven data and does not apply own personal feelings. Quantitative research has much strength for its purpose. When using quantitative research, testing and validating theories are being performed. Hypotheses are able to be tested and data can be constructed from the information collected. Researchers are able to construct situations to eliminate any confounding influences of different variables; this would allow more credibility to the cause-and-effect for the topic. Quantitative research is less time consuming since it is easier to find software or just log in numbers from the results that the researcher have proven. This type of research is great for hypothesis and theories. Quantitative research also has some weaknesses with its research. This type of research might have a hard time reflecting on local areas. Due to the focus on the hypothesis or theory testing, the researcher might miss out on phenomena occurring. The knowledge that is produced from quantitative research might be too much abstract and general for direct application to help with local situations. Quantitative research requires exact, true findings with the research. Qualitative and quantitative research can be hot debates in social sciences. When performing a research, the focus is on how the techniques need to be integrated. The researcher must know what kind of outcome they are searching for. This will help the researcher to decide on whether to use quantitative or qualitative research techniques. Both methods are great debates and require skills to perform throughout the research of any topic. In performing Dolphin Assisted Therapy research, qualitative research is my perspective of the topic. I will not be able to perform quantitative research due to it would take some time and access to the dolphin with the patients. My purpose of this research is to give details of how using dolphins with those of different ages who has different types of disabilities can help in many ways. It would be hard to give statistical numbers on a research that relies on personal experiences and personal viewpoints. During research, I will be looking at testimonials from patients that have had the opportunities to engage in dolphin assisted therapy. Each patient will be different than the other. One patient may have autism, depression, central-nervous-system deficiencies, birth defects, behavioral problems, and even traumatic injuries. Even though Dolphin Assisted Therapy has not been proven to be a medical fix, but it can be a mind-over-body healing, DAT does have its benefits. In my research, the testimonies will help show how DAT can be a good resource for some of those out there who have no more hope in a cure of any sort. References (2011). What is quantitative research? by djs research ltd. Retrieved from http://www. marketresearchworld. net/index. php? option=com_content&task=view&id=11&Itemid=64 Bio Expedition Publishing,. (n. d. ). Dolphin assisted therapy (dat). Retrieved from http://www. dolphins-world. com/Dolphin_Assisted_Therapy. html Curacao Dolphin Therapy & Research Center,. (2004). Curacao dolphin therapy & research center. Retrieved from http://www. dtc. an/ Dolphin Research Center,. (2011). Research at drc. Retrieved from http://dolphins. org/research _DRC. php Dolphin Therapy Bali,. (2007). Dolphin assisted therapy-dat. Retrieved from http://balidolphintherapy. com/dlphin_therapy_bali_indonesia_how_work. html Dr. Lukina,. (2001). Dolphin assisted therapy. Retrieved from http://www. dolphinassistedtherapy. com/index. htm Mays, N. , & Pope, C.. (2000). Qualitative research in health care. BMJ Publishing Group. Mertler, C. & Charles, C. (2011). Introduction to educational research (7th ed. ). San Francisco: Allyn and Bacon. Tiggerlily1999,. (1999). Dolphin assisted therapy. Retrieved from http://tiggerdolphin. tripod. com/DAT. html Wasserman, J.. (2207). Qualitative research. (D. Cormack, Ed. ) Qualitative Research, 7(2), 688- 91. Sage Publications. Retrieved from http://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pubmed/21496041

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Assignment Example This programmed cell death is called apoptosis; where cells deliberately destroy themselves. The events around the death are controlled by the nuclear genes. It begins with the breaking of the chromosomal DNA into fragments then the breakdown of the nucleus. Ultimately after time the cell shrinks and is fed on by the neighboring cells and macrophages. Cells that are damaged for some reason like DNA alteration or infection undergo programmed death. The process removes lethal cells which could lead to undesired mutation or viral spread. The cell might as well die for reasons like starvation, trauma, or asphyxiate. (Geoffrey and Robert, 97 ) Programmed cell death plays a very major role in maintaining the life and health of organisms. It is a normal part of embryonic development. For instance, the fingers and toes of a human are webbed when in the embryonic stage. Through cell death, the webbing is removed through apoptosis. The immune and nervous systems are also largely developed thro ugh the same process. (Wayne, 24) The process of apoptosis involves a variety of intra and extra cellular stimuli. When it is induced by extra-cellular factors, it is triggered by cell surface death receptors. These death receptors have cytoplasmic death domains (FADD and TRADD). They are typified by the tumor necrosis receptor superfamily which includes tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR-1), TNF related apoptosis – inducing ligand recptor 1 (TRAILR-1), death receptor 3ectodermal dysplasia receptor (EDAR), nerve growth receptor and the cytotoxic T-cell proteins like perforin and granzyme-B. The FAS receptor is found on the surface of the cell (on the chromosome) and it leads to programmed cell death. Apoptosis uses it as a pathway. It also uses the mitochondrial pathway (Geoffrey and Cooper, 46) Apoptosis is driven by the impetus of enzymes from the regulated family proteolytic enzymes called caspases. Caspases are made up of upstream (initiator) caspases which are normal ly activated by death receptor signalosomes, casase 9, activated by the mitochondrial cytochrome derived apoptosome; downstream caspases (effectors) which cleave the involved proteins. Interaction with death receptor cytoplasmic death inducing signaling complexes that contain FAS-associating death domain activates caspases 2, 8 and 10. The receptors are activated by ligands involved in signaling cell death hence supporting cell selection, homeostasis, and morphogenesis and host defense (Carlo, 16) Death receptor ligands include Fas ligand, tumor necrosis factor alpha, NF-related apoptosis inducing ligand, TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis, TNF-related molecule 1 and nerve growth factor. The ligand is a homotrimetic type II transmembrane protein of the TNF family. It induces apoptosis through trimetization hence playing an important role in the regulation of immune system. It also has a role in the progression of cancer. It is the Fas ligand that forms the death inducing signalin g complex (DISC). Caspase-8 is released from DISC to the cytosol and it cleaves the other effector caspases. This leads to DNA degradation, membrane blebbing and other events that are associated with apoptosis. It is suggested that the extrinsic Fas pathway on its own can induce apoptosis in certain cell types. These cells are dubbed Type 1 cells and are characterized by the inability of the anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2

Effect of Music During Worship Service Term Paper

Effect of Music During Worship Service - Term Paper Example Consequently, the congregation expresses their unity through singing together a repeated common story thus facilitating the formation of religious identity. Gospel music components such as the pitch, rhythm and lyrics are humanly organised thus they strongly affect the worshippers emotions through influencing the chemical processes of the brain thus leading to reflections, joy, sadness and physical expression of the gospel truth through body movements (Wren, 2000). In addition, emotions are reflected in the patterns of belief and actions like bodily movements unlike passive listening to professional choirs (Christian, 2003). The research paper will enable us understand the reasons behind the growth of use of music during worship especially in evangelical churches. The research will be instrumental in composition of worship music that strengthens the emotions of the worshippers and glorifies the gospel. Hypothesis statement Music executed properly will bring the glory of God that will cause every believer to participate in the worship service. Research questions In order to understand the effect of music during worship, the research paper will answer the following questions. I. How often is music used during worship? II. Does music during worship strengthen the emotions and minds of the worshippers? III. Does music during worship allow more freedom of expression through the lifting of hands and other body movements? IV. Can music during worship unify Christians and exalt God? Literature review In 1500, Roman Catholic Church worship was practically a formal affair with professional choirs leading the music. However, the prevailing attitude among the congregations was that God needed the best from every worshiper instead of worshippers listening attentively to... This paper approves that music during worship will establish the mood thus enabling the congregation to value both faith and feelings towards the creator. Musical rhythms have deep personal associations for worshippers thus act as a reference point during worship. Music during worship facilitates revelation since Christians believe that revelation that is both natural through human experience and also supernatural through praise and worship. However, majority of the Catholic respondents see music as not essential during worship and they do not necessary express their freedom through bodily movements, but through prayer. The research findings point out that a majority of the Churches incorporate music during their worship regardless of whether in an urban or rural setting. This report makes a conclusion that music is a powerful tool of worship since it influences the mental and spiritual aspects of the worshippers. The primary effect of music is to provides the worshippers an opportunity for participation thus improving their remembering and reinforcing the unity and gospel truth. Music during worship affects the worshippers’ emotions and feelings thus strengthening their spiritual and mental capacities. Nearly all Churches, regardless of the denomination have incorporated either Gospel or contemporary music in their services. Although traditional churches denominations like the Catholic have not appreciated the effect of music during worship, modern denominations like the Baptism appreciate music as essential in worship.

Clean water drinking water Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Clean water drinking water - Research Paper Example Odorless, tasteless and transparent liquid miraculously plays an important role in the existence of nature. IMPORTANCE Life without water would just be nothing. There are innumerable uses of water. Cleaning, drinking, washing cooking farming is just to name a few. Water has been reshaping man’s life and his land even before man ever knew. The land that we sit on today may well have been underwater sometime as it is proposed that all of Earth was a continuation of water and land emerged from underneath it as a resultant of movements of Earth’s Crust. Besides being available to us in the liquid form of water it also maintains the entire ecosystem of the planet by being an integral part of the weather system. Humidity in the air and large bodies of water in the form of lakes and rivers etcetera regulate the temperature of the region. Living forms are composed of about 50% to 70% of water. Clear distinctive existence of betterment of the human race is not possible without t he inclusion of water in the process. SAFE WATER The purity and preserving of water is extremely essential owing to its usability. There is no potential substitute to water. Each use of water that is associated with it is effective only and only when water exists in its purest form. The availability of safe drinking water each and every living being is his right since he has the ownership share of this planet just like any other living being. Unfortunately water has been taken for granted by man. Since there was abundant water for everyone man never thought of preserving it or using it with the conscience of keeping it in its purest form. It was only after years of misuse added with the ironic blow of pollution and global warming that man started to realize what it had done wrong with its best friend- A friend about which the proverb â€Å"A friend in need is a friend indeed† would undoubtedly fit very well. THE PROBLEM The rapidly deteriorating state of the planet Earth has resulted in many of the world today being deprived of their basic right: â€Å"Free and safe drinking water.† They are forced to take up water for drinking from lakes, rivers and sea. These means of acquisition of drinking water are the major source of water borne diseases among which diarrhea was the most common. Moreover, water from undisclosed resources is also often polluted. The unavailability of free safe drinking water is the key to the rest of the problems of these suffering individuals. Pollution is followed by Global warming which acts misery to the plight of the already suffering individuals. Extremely hot climates cause drought and also result in the drying up of the water reservoirs whereas, too much of rain results in the overflowing of sewage drains and worsens the sanitation problem even more. Unavailability of safe pure water not only leads to the threat of suffering from various diseases but it also leads to sanitation issues as well. SANITATION ISSUES: Unfo rtunately this area of water’s usage is just as neglected as the others. Improper sanitation throughout developing nations just adds to their misery of unavailability of drinking water for eating and drinking purposes. The hygiene of individuals thus becomes impossible as well yet again leading to added pollution and added health hazards. STATISTICS Present day statistics, with relation to clean and pure drinking water are

Chinese Yuan vs. US Dollar Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Chinese Yuan vs. US Dollar - Essay Example The use of the two currencies in trade began in 1985 on a bilateral arrangement between the two countries. In 2008, the volume of imports from China hit the $337.8 billion mark. The China government has increased the use of the Yuan in foreign trade over the years leading dynamism in its exchange rates with other world currencies. According to economists, the China government is suspected to devalue the currency in order to increase the competitiveness of their local industries. In addition, the Chinese Yuan is less flexible with respect to the exchange rate against the US dollar and other world currencies. An effort to increase the flexibility of the Chinese Yuan by the government has resulted to the use of the currency internationally. The objective is increasing the use of the currency and achieving its use as a reserve currency in the long term (Derosa 2011). The last five financial years indicate a relatively stable exchange rate between the Chinese Yuan (CNY) and the US dollar (USD). The table below indicates the official exchange rates posted in the two countries’ markets. The record shows how much one US dollar is equivalent to the Chinese Yuan Year USD Chinese Yuan 2009 1 6.8314 2010 1 6.7703 2011 1 6.4615 2012 1 6.3123 2013 1 6.1910 Since 2009 to date, the value of the Chinese Yuan has been increasing. ... changes in the exchange rate can be attributed to the control efforts of the Chinese Yuan flexibility in the exchange market by the Chinese government (Exchange-Rates.org 2013). From 2005 to 2008, the Chinese government allowed the appreciation of the dollar to 21%. However, the global economic crisis prompted China to stop the appreciation and regulate the exchange rate flexibility. From 2008 to 2010, the exchange indicated minimal changes since the rate was maintained at about 6.83 Yuan (Exchange-Rates.org 2013). Amid the then economic conditions, the Chinese government continued with their reforms in the exchange rate thus increasing the currency’s flexibility again. This led to an appreciation of the exchange rate leading to a loss of value by the Yuan against the dollar. The controlled flexibility of the Yuan leads to a slowed appreciation of the dollar against the Yuan. The slight change in the exchange rate of these currencies is caused by the fixed exchange rate regime maintained by China with regard to their currency. The depreciation of the US dollar over the years also contributes to the decrease in the exchange rate between the CNY and the USD. The USD has lost value against the Yuan and other major currencies across the world especially during the global financial crisis. The Chinese Yuan/US dollar exchange rate in 2012 portrayed several movements that ranged between an increase and a decrease in value of the Yuan against the dollar and the loss of value of the dollar against the Yuan. The table below shows the values of the exchange rates between the Yuan and the dollar. The values are on quarterly basis with the USD as the base currency (Wang 2009). Month (2012) USD Yuan January 1 6.6233 April 1 6.3077 August 1 6.3604 December 1 6.2223

Supply Chain Management and Logistics Assignment

Supply Chain Management and Logistics - Assignment Example From this discussion it is clear that Toyota should adopt Omni-channel systems by focusing to change organization, which is the execution of developments relating to heightening delivery. The way to go is Omni-channel configuration, which is propelling impact of having attributes and information open over all channels. Organization incorporates leveraging customer experience chances, process upgrades.This paper stresses that one explanation behind changing supply chains are new circulation methodologies, which are controlled by expanding client administration desires, developed business sector scope, immediate channel structures, long haul channel connections, and developing gainfulness, stabilization, and vindication. Directors should unequivocally characterize the aspects and necessities of any key organization. Exact methods and guidelines must be created with the goal, control, and consistency of yield increment across all the departments. Moreover, supervisors have to play their part by instilling trust and responsibility among employees through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) codes.  Toyota is a multibillion-dollar company that manufactures and supplies motor vehicles. They have a supply chain management categorized under operational and strategic. They use Strategic decisions for choices over a longer period horizon.  Production decisions are made based on the products to be produced and the various production centers, allocation of various suppliers to production plants, and to customer markets.

Improving Brand Loyalty through Brand Image Starbucks Company Dissertation

Improving Brand Loyalty through Brand Image Starbucks Company - Dissertation Example Gaining a competitive advantage by not just selling a product but selling a community; a place where people could have a sense of belonging. By touching people's emotions, they were able to hit right at the heart, where people are moved, and decisions are easily made based on emotions and what touches them. Their customers were made to feel special and a part of an elite group surrounded by others like them as those who purchased the coffees, other products (such as holiday items), and music could share the same social lifestyle-one that is upscale yet affordable (compared to real luxury brands that only the wealthy can partake.) It is more than just a mere cup of coffee that they were getting. It is a lifestyle, a community, a way of life. Starbucks 4 Table of Contents 1. Presentation1 1.1 Title..1 1.2 Executive Summary..2 1.3 Table of Contents..3 1.4 List of Tables..6 1.5 List of Figures.8 1.6 References/Bibliography..9 2. Introduction20 2.1 Background20 2.2 Research Problem/Justification of the Study22 2.3 Aims.23 2.4 Objectives/Research Questions..23 3.Literature Review24 3.1 Relevance..24 3.2 Up to Date..57 3. Methodology64 4.1 Selection and Justification of Research Method/Approach...64 4.2 Appropriateness of the Research Method/Approach..65 4.3 Research Design (Addressing Matters of Validity and Reliability)....68 4.4 Selection and justification of data collection methods.71 Starbucks 5 5. Research Results72 5.1 Analysis of Results72 5.2 Presentation...72 5.3 Discussion..75 6. Conclusion/Recommendations and Limitations of the Study..76 6.1 Link with the Aims and Objectives77 6.2 Link with the Research Problem...78 6.3 Practicality of recommendations...78 6.4 Awareness of... 2. Introduction 2.1 Background of the Study In today’s world, there are numerous of products on the market. In fact, there are too many products and brands to mention as it seems that just about every single thing imaginable has already been invented and available for sale. Due to technological advances, the Internet has provided tools for that businesses can use to create their brand and deliver the image that it wants consumers to have regarding their products like never before. So competition is fierce and companies must come up with new ideas that will make their products more desirable to consumers. The culture of the â€Å"luxury† brands industry is one of image. Nowadays people do not just buy a product simply for the product itself. Purchasing in order to just to have the product is not the only reason for investing money anymore. No longer do the days and age of mere survival (such as the Depression Era or before the Industrial Revolution) exist. Money and credit is at our disposal and life is more leisurely than before. Therefore, products must meet higher demands and standards. People live more luxuriously if even in appearance and image. It is this image and the culture that people buy into. For example, an individual who is making minimum wage and trying to make ends meet typically is happy with a car that is dependable. Then as life progresses, he/she becomes more comfortable and wants a car that does more than â€Å"run†. Features such as air conditioning, heater, and a radio become important.

Engineering Disasters Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Engineering Disasters - Essay Example Undeniably, engineering knowhow so far has immensely contributed to humanity’s wellbeing in diverse and numerous areas. This has enabled people to execute their tasks with heightened efficiency, speed and even producing varied products meant to support humanity’s survival. Some of these products include drugs, processed foodstuffs, vehicles and aircrafts. The Japanese Fukushima reactor meltdown incidence occurred due to manmade errors and carelessness (Girard 342). This is contrary to numerous claims especially from the government citing that the then coincidental earthquake exacerbated the incidence. According to the experts’ report, the government via its experts failed to utilize new and effective reactor designs. These could have ensured effective coolant regulation in the plant whose location was in a flood prone region. Hence, enable the nuclear plant to withstand the then severe earthquake’s pressure. Besides, the required designs would have prevented the subsequent Tsunami’s force, which severed the Fukushima’s power connections leading to the reactors’ overheating (Girard 342). Overheating led to the melting of reactors, which caused them to dispose their radioactive contents into the environment. This posed a hazard to both the inhabitants and other microorganisms in the region (Girard 342) . Boston’s Big Dig Ceiling Collapse incidence presents another example of a structural failure (Harris, Pritchard & Rabins 235). The incidence occurred due to engineers’ negligence, whereas the local authorities failed to execute the necessary construction policies. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation report, Powers Fasteners Inc. knowingly supplied fast set epoxy instead of the standard fastening (Harris, Pritchard & Rabins 235).... knowingly supplied fast set epoxy instead of the standard fastening (Harris, Pritchard & Rabins 235). Fast set epoxy is a ceiling fastener used for short-term structures, which engineers used at the site despite being aware of the product’s â€Å"creep† and â€Å"deformation† nature (Harris, Pritchard & Rabins 235). Consequently, this inappropriate and erroneous use of materials prompted the 26 ton suspended ceiling concrete collapse onto a passing car and killing the driver (Harris, Pritchard & Rabins 235). Besides, in their report NTSB contend the site’s contractors together with their engineers contributed to the structure’s collapsing. Since, they failed to utilize their experience and knowledge to unveil the fastening product type early in advance. Therefore, in this incidence despite the legal authorities claiming Powers Company played a significant role, site’s engineers exhibited negligence and carelessness though not indicted by the law (Harris, Pritchard & Rabins 235). Engineers’ professional misconduct is also evident in the Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse incidence that occurred on 17Th July 1981 (Whitbeck 173). The incidence led to the demise of 114 people besides 200 others sustaining grievous injuries. Before the incidence’s occurrence, people were in a tea party whereas others standing on the two walkways. The two connected walkways collapsed onto the credulous people who were busy enjoying themselves whereas others holding individual conversations (Whitbeck 173). This incidence to date marks the worst structural failure in the US history in terms of human life loss and injuries sustained (Whitbeck 173). The investigators of this incidence cited the

Three Impressionist Works of Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Three Impressionist Works of Art - Essay Example The artists in the Impressionism subject matter were the daily work or routine in everyday’s life and the scenes during that period. They are known to include Camille Pissarro and Alfred Sisley who painted countryside and river scenes giving a clear example of what Impressionism was among another artist. Introduction In this context we are going to analyze critically on the contribution of three impressionists namely Claude Monet, Edouard Manet and Edgar Degas who are also known to be the contributors to the formation of Impressionism. In Claude Monet’s art we will use his art of a woman with a parasol, in Edouard’s art we will use his painting of Olympia (oil in canvas) while in Edgar’s art we will analyze his Glass of Absinthe (oil in canvas) Painting. Through their paintings, most artists were seen to be interested in their type of art and can be said to have influenced artists like Giuseppe De Nittis an Italian and James Abbott McNeill who was an Ameri can among others. In this setting, we will be able to see how the three painters tried to put across their negative feelings on the women as they show them as enjoying the freedom and luxury (Weinberg, 2009). 1. The three artists in the Impressionist period tried to use short strokes in painting using oil on canvas in which they used brighter colors by blending them to produce different shades in their paintings. In Claude Monet’s art which is believed to be her wife Camille Pissarro, he tries to portray a lady enjoying the breeze in the outside environment. In Edouard Manet’s painting on Olympia, there is a prostitute lying on the bed with white beddings which are tucked next to her is a lady who looks like her servant showing how she is relaxed. The nude picture of the prostitute can be seen to have won a necklace and a bangle showing how she is interested in jewelry which could be bought by the middle or upper class. In Edgar Degas pointing on the Glass of Absinthe commonly known as L’Absinthe, the setting is in a cafe with a lady and a gentleman sited next to a drink.

Target market Essay Example for Free

Target market Essay Fitness United is a large fitness facility, in its early stages of operation. We started this fitness facility to help our members save money. While getting fit, staying in the shape they all ready are, or just starting something new. Our gyms will reduce the expenses that the average household spends on staying fit, by offering low prices and making sure that you stay on track; without there being a loss for equipment. When you stay fit and in shape you improve productivity, you feel better about yourself, and you know that you are doing all that you can to make your life better. Our target markets are demographic, psychographic, and behaviour segments. We felt that Demographic segmentation will allow us to reach everyone and anyone in our community. Our gym will have an age restriction, unfortunately youll need to be over 17 years of age to come into the gym. We will be trying to reach out to the younger people in our community and be able to accommodate their children with day care, this way gym goers will be able to workout and stay healthy knowing that their children are safe and being watched over. Beginning to plan for the future, Fitness United will allow you stay fit and healthy and be able to plan for what ever you want to do. By staying fit and healthy you can plan for that dream vacation hiking mountains in the mayan, or where ever your heart desiers. We will have the latest products and resources that our members will be able to work with to achieve their goals. The newest equipment that allows our members to get fit faster and work different muscle groups each time they attend the gym. Our trainers will help you with meal plans to make sure you get the best out of your work outs and help repair your body after workouts. Our trainers are trained to help members stay on track, with monthly weigh ins and meal plans; this is all part of the membership cost. Psychographic segmentation will let us reach out to people and make their dreams come true, with the right marketing and the right advertising we can touch on what they will be able to achieve with purchasing our membership. Not just a great body or a low fat percentage, but a new you. A new you that you can be proud of and challenge the ones around you to become the same. The power of self confidence is a key with psychographic segmentation and fitness unlimited. Behaviors segmentation will allow us to target the people to seek to fulfill their goals. We will make sure that our staff will walk with our clients step by step to achieve these goals. Knowledge is key they say, we have the best trainers and staff that will sit with our clients and make sure that they are educated about what they are doing in the gym, and be able to answer any questions clients may have. We know that there will be cheaper and flashier gyms in the community, but none will be have the expertise and equipment that we will have. We will drive sales and beat the competition by advertising everything, and I mean everything that you get without membership. No gyms will be able to offer the same as we can. From trained and certified child minding, to trained and certified trainers we will have all the tools to go above and beyond all the other gyms in our demographic.

Pollution in China Essay Example for Free

Pollution in China Essay Introduction China, with its rapid industrialisation seems to have paid its price by witnessing steeply rising levels of pollution. With millions of largely unregulated industries, the vast rivers, streams and lakes have become easy avenues for chemical, textile and tanning industries to discharge their toxic contents at will. The paper discusses the pollution in China, its impact on the environment and how it has affected the lives of people.   An Overview of Pollution in China   A report by the World Bank (China 2007) has pointed out that China is facing increased levels of pollution that has kept pace with the rising industrialisation of rural China. The report points out that the use of energy in China has went up by 70 % between 2000 and 2005. The use of coal has also increased by 75% and this has created a corresponding increase in the air pollution. The report points out that China’s emissions of SO2 and soot were respectively 42 percent and 11 percent higher making it the largest polluter in the world. The report also points out that pollution of water, rivers, lakes has also increased to alarming levels. Water pollution is also a cause for serious concern and during 2001 and 2005, about 54 percent of the seven main rivers in China contained water deemed unsafe for human consumption. The report points out that the economic burden of premature mortality and morbidity due to air pollution was157.3 billion Yuan in 2003, or 1.16 percent of by WHO. The report suggests that pollution costs China more than 147 billion Yuan a year in the form of increased health related costs. A report from CBS news says â€Å"Chinas air pollution seems like a problem just for that country, think again. The stuff spewing out in China has now been detected in the United States, and some suspect its beginning to affect the U.S. climate Chinas far-reaching dust and soot cloud travelling to the West Coast hits Hawaii first, and that may be why temperatures in Hawaii are rising. A lot of early-computer modelling of Chinese pollutions effects on the global climate is turning out to be just plain wrong. This is why a massive new study with ground and air monitoring across Asia starts next year† (Yinchaun, 31 March 2000). Following table shows the air quality in China Table 1. Trends in Air Quality in China’s Cities (%) (China, 2007) The following table shows the distribution of particulate matter in air Table 2. Distribution of PM10 and SO2 Levels in 341 Cities, 2003 and 2004 (China, 2007)   The list of pollutants that infect China re provided in the following table. Table 4. List of major pollutants and their categories (China, 2007)   Clare (Clare D’Souza, 2002) reports that â€Å"Energy consumption, especially coal consumption, is the main source of air pollutants such as particles, SO2, NOx, and CO in most cities of China. As the primary energy source, coal has accounted for about 65 to 70 percent (China Statistical Yearbook 2004) of total energy consumption in recent years, which has caused many environmental and human health problems. Crude oil consumption has been increasing because of the rapid expansion of the motor vehicle fleet in many cities. In recent years, epidemiological studies conducted around the world have demonstrated that there are close associations between air pollution and health outcomes. PM10 and SO2 are chosen in many studies as the indicative pollutants for evaluating the health effects of ambient air pollution. Although the mechanisms are not fully understood, epidemiological evidence suggests that outdoor air pollution is a contributing cause of morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological studies have found consistent and coherent associations between air pollution and various outcomes, including respiratory symptoms, reduced lung function, chronic bronchitis, and mortality†. The author suggests that industry â€Å"size† is controversial with respect to environmental issues. In some studies large enterprises have been deemed to be more pollution intensive in comparison with small enterprises. The author reports that small enterprises as being more environmentally friendly due to their size and found small plants to be far more pollution intensive because they are difficult and costly to regulate. Empirical research has suggested that enterprise size is inversely correlated with emissions intensity in developing countries. World Bank and other institutions have found that small enterprises are pollution intensive (Mani, 1997).   Karshenas (1992 author has pointed that the Winter’s (model of business and the environment may be a more appropriate way of approaching the problem. According to the author, â€Å"enterprises may not have mastered perfection in terms of ecological sustainability but enterprises can make a systematic assessment of the areas where improvements can be introduced. Although Winter goes beyond traditional management theory, the model emphasizes ecologically sound processes and practices right throughout a firm, from company policy, employee relations, supply chain, public relations and marketing. A firm should consider prevention, reduction, recycling and disposal of wastes throughout its operations. They should use sustainable inputs in environmentally friendly manufacturing processes that result in greener outputs (i.e. maintaining environmentally friendly processes for a product from cradle to grave). This would prove to be profitable, provided that the end users, be they industry or consumers, are committed to using green products. Ideally, enterprises should take control of their own operational structure by viewing cleaner manufacturing as a competitive and strategic challenge, they should resort to manufacturing life-cycle analysis, environmental auditing and environmental reporting. The reality is that an enterprise cannot consider making a product ecologically sound without considering how its raw material acquisition, development, manufacturing, distribution, sales and disposal systems impact on the environment. The author suggests that has gone one step further by stating that managers in a green venture start from a different mindset. They recognise that becoming green is an opportunity to establish a unique position in a niche market or, by being able to produce a higher value product with fewer resources, to gain a competitive advantage. He proposed a trisect by which sustainable business is based on the concept of balancing ecological, economic and social factors†..   Action to fight pollution   The government of China has redoubled its efforts in fighting pollution and has organized task forces at the local levels. The structure is shown in the following figure. Figure 1. Main Government Partners in the Project   The report has identified a number of measures to fight pollution and these are displayed in the following table. Table 4. Sectors and Pollutants Included in the CECM (China, 2007) The team has implemented certain steps to fight the pollution and these are illustrated in the following figure.   Figure 2. Flow Chart for Estimating the Economic Cost of Pollution (China, 2007)   The following steps have been proposed: Step 1: Identify the pollution factors, polluted area, and related conditions. Step 2: Determine affected endpoints and establish dose-response relationships for pollution damage. Step 3: Estimate population (or other) exposures in polluted areas. Step 4: Estimate physical impacts from pollution using information from steps 2 and 3. Step 5: Convert pollution impacts in physical terms to pollution costs in monetary terms. Indiscreet reaction by the Chinese government Wang (Wang Xiangwei. 4 Jun 4, 2007) reports that the Chinese government is paranoid about maintaining a good image about China, for fears that it may hurt its business stakes. The author reports that the most convenient way for China to control pollution is by jailing activists who point out the problems of pollution. The author reports about the village of Wuxi and how it was affected by pollution. For hundreds of years, Wuxi , on the edge of Tai Lake, was the envy of the nation. In the heart of the Yangtze River delta and known as the land of fish and rice, it was bestowed with fertile land and abundant waterways, and was also home to famous poets, painters and industrialists. Since recently however, the city has become a stinking hell for its five million residents as a blue-green algal bloom from the heavily polluted lake contaminated the citys tap water, making it foul-smelling and undrinkable. After scrambling for six days with emergency measures, Wuxi officials said yesterday the tap water was drinkable. But the residents, who have relied on bottled water for drinking and cooking, have every reason to be suspicious. Xinhua has reported that after the usual cleaning aids such as activated carbon failed to remove the odour, the city adopted what Mayor Mao Xiaoping called a bold move by pouring huge amounts of potassium permanganate (Condys crystals) into water-intake points. This allowed the strong oxidising agent to remove foul-smelling matter from the pipes. But Xinhua failed to explain that potassium permanganate is hazardous and can be a health risk. As the Wuxi officials brazenly claimed credit for winning the battle against the water crisis, none of them yet had the decency to apologise to the suffering residents. All of them have blamed factors beyond their control higher- than-normal temperatures that helped to foster the growth of the algae, a lack of rain and favourable wind conditions, and the lowest water level in the lake in five decades. In fact, the fundamental cause of the crisis is the lakes heavy pollution as several mainland environmentalists have repeatedly warned the authorities in the past decade. Wu Lihong, 39, is one of them. He has spent large sums of his own money over the past 16 years collecting evidence of pollution at Tai Lake, the mainlands thirdlargest freshwater lake, and petitioning the local authorities to shut down the polluters. Now, with a water crisis on its hands, one would imagine any government that claims to put the people first would give Wu a medal of honour and make him a hero. Instead, Wu, known as the Tai Lake anti-pollution warrior in overseas media, is languishing in jail and awaiting trial on June 12 on trumped-up charges of blackmail. A farmer turned businessman who grew up in Zhoutie town in Yixing a small, booming industrial city under the jurisdiction of Wuxi Wu witnessed the lake turn into a cesspit. He then made it a personal crusade to petition authorities to shut down more than 2,000 chemical factories in Yixing that spewed toxic pollutants into the lake every day. By passing the local bureaucracy and filing reports to higher- level government officials has led to limited success he is welcomed, even liked by many central government officials and national media in Beijing. In 2005, he was chosen as one of mainlands top 10 environmentalists and honoured at a ceremony in the Great Hall of the People. But he incurred the wrath of local officials and has been constantly harassed by local policemen, officials and thugs. He was arrested again in April on charges of blackmail after the local officials set a trap for him. They offered him 40,000 yuan for a mission to attract investment from other mainland cities, and then laid charges of blackmailing the authorities. His lawyer, Zhu Xiaoyan , said that Wu had told her that he was whipped while in custody, and she was not allowed to see him until more than six weeks after his arrest. Like Gao Yaojie , a retired Henan doctor who refused to keep quiet about Aids, Wu has refused to stand down despite the threat of jail. The mainland leadership should learn from the fiasco of trying to muzzle Ms Gao and release Wu immediately.(Wang Xiangwei. 4 Jun 4, 2007).   Conclusion Pollution in China has assumed the proportion of an epidemic with wide ramifications on the health of the people, the environment, air and water. The paper has presented discussed various aspects of the problem and presented statistics to show the extent of pollution. Certain recommendations have also been made so that the pollution could be averted and reduced to some extent. References China, 2007. Cost of Pollution in China. Retrieved 18 January 2008 from www.worldbank.org/eapenvironment. Clare D’Souza, 2002. The nexus between industrialization and environment. Journal of Environmental Management and Health. Volume 13 Number 1 2002 pp. 80-97 Karshenas, M (1992), Environment development and employment: some conceptual issues, in Bhalla, A.S (Eds),Environment Development and Employment, WEP Study, ILO, Geneva, Mani, M, Pargal, S, Huq, M (1997), Does environmental regulation determine the location of new manufacturing?, World Bank, Washington, DC, Policy Research Working Paper Wang Xiangwei. 4 Jun 4, 2007. Release the man who first raised the alarm about Tai Lakes pollution China Briefing. South China Morning Post. Hong Kong. P. 5 Xinhua, 26 December 2006. Chinas Energy Conditions and Policies. Xinhua News Agency CEIS. p: 1 Yinchaun. 31 March 2000. A Global Problem: Chinas Pollution. Retrieved 18 January 2008 from http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/03/31/archive/main178697.shtml

Literature Review On Organisational Change Management Essay

Literature Review On Organisational Change Management Essay Part A Organisational Change: Organisational Change is the process by which organizations move from their present state to some desired future state to increase their effectiveness. Characteristically Change is vital if a company wants to avoid stagnation fast and is likely to increase further in the present competitive business Change is understood as doing things differently in order to cope up with emerging changes in the organisation environment. Change in any part of the organisation may affect the whole organisation. Change could be proactive or reactive. A proactive change has necessarily to be planned to attempt to prepare for anticipated future challenges. Generally it is initiated by management. A reactive Change may be an automatic response to a change taking place in the environment (John Lacovini, The human side of Organisation Change, January 1993, Page 35.) Change Management is a structured approach to transitioning individuals, teams and organisations form a current state to a desired future state. Its major objective is to maximize the collective benefits for all people involved in the change and minimise the risk of failure to change. The major obstacle to change management is Resistance to Change. (K.Aswathappa, Organisational Behaviour, 8th revised Edition, Chapter 20, Page No.520) T John Lacovini says, The secret to real success of any organisation is effective management of the emotional vulnerability that accompanies organisational change. Types of Change: Different types of changes require different types of strategies to be implemented for effective functionality. The three types of change that occur most frequently in organisations are Developmental Change Transitional Change Transformational Change Developmental Change: Developmental Change occurs when a company makes an improvement to their current business. If a company decided to improve their processes, methods or performance standards that should be considered as developmental change. Companies are continually processing developmental changes to some degree in order to stay competitive. This type of change should cause little stress to current employees as long as the rationale for the new process is clearly conveyed and the employees are educated to new techniques. When major change such as decision to close a division, streamline the business and organisation downsizing, make developmental changes unacceptable to the employees. The employees could see that the company attempted different strategies before determining that closing the division is the only option. Transitional Change: Transitional Change is more intrusive than developmental change as it replaces existing processes or procedures with something that is completely new to the company. The period when an old process is being dismantled and the new process is being implemented is called transitional phase. A corporate reorganisation, merger, acquisition, creating new products or services and new technologies are examples of Transitional Change. It may not require a significant shift in culture or behaviour but it is more challenging to implementing than a developmental change. The future of the organisation is unknown when the transformation begins which can add a level of discomfort to the employees. (Bernald M. Bass, From Transactional to Transformation Leadership, Training and Development, May 1991 Pages 87-92) The outcome of transitional Change is unknown so employees Amy feel that their job is unstable and their own personal insecurities may increase. Education and orientation at every stage of new process implementation should be commenced in order to employees insecurity. This will make the employees feel comfortable. They will feel engaged and actively involved in change. As the employees level of engagement in new process increase, their resistance to change may decrease. Management should be a cognizant of the impact and stress these changes will have on their employees. The company should continue to inform the employees of their status offer support in helping them deal with the personal adjustments they will be forced to make. Transformational Change: Transformational Change occurs after the transition period. Transformational change may evolve both developmental and transitional change. It is common for transitional and transformational change to occur in tandem. When companies are faced with the emergence of radically different technologies, significant changes in supply and demand, unexpected competition, lack of revenue or other major shifts in how they do business, developmental or transitional change may not offer the company the solution they need to stay competitive. Instead of methodically implementing new processes, the company may be forced to drastically transform itself. (K.Aswathappa, Organisational Behaviour,8th revised Edition, Chapter 20, Page No.525) Part B Resistance to Change: The goal of any planned organisation change is to find a new and improved way of optimal utilisation of resources and capabilities in order to increase an organisations ability to create value and improve returns to its stake holders. Yet employees do not always welcome changes as expected by the organisation. As per the 2007 survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), organisational changes fail majorly due to employee resistance and inadaptability to change. Figure   Reactions to change may take various forms. Active resistance  is the most dangerous factor in change management. Employees with Active Resistance may go against the change effort and object the change in several manners. Boycotting the organisation, tending to disrupting habits and raising slogans against the organisation are some examples for high negative resistance. In the opposite nature,  passive resistance  is calm and doesnt include violence in any aspect. Passive resisters are insecure about their position after change. Instead of clearing their insecurities with the management, they tend to look for a new job and leave the organisation. Compliance, is coping up with the proposed changes with little enthusiasm. Finally, those who show  enthusiastic support  are supporters of change, who understand the value of change and contribute to the effective implementation of change. They are the defenders to organisational resistance and propagate the new way to actually encourage others around them to give support and contribute to the overall change effort. The best example of resistance of employees to change is computerisation. Change requires readjustment. Man always fears the unknown and a change represents the unknown(P Subba Rao, Essentials of Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations, Chapter 12, page 353) Factors causing resistance to change: Fear of Unknown: Such fear is due to uncertainty about the nature of change, feelings that one doesnt know what is going on and what the future holds. Loss of Control: Feeling that the change is being done to the person, worry that one has no say in the situation and events that are taking place. Loss of face: Feeling of embarrassment as a result of change and discerning it in such a way that the things one has done in the past are wrong. Need for Security: Worry about ones potential role after change and fear of losing job after change. Fear of Demotion: Employees may fear that they may be demoted if they do not possess the skills required to do their jobs, after change. Hence they prefer status quo. Loss of Power: Employees in superior cadre may assume that change may eventually result in the loss of their superior power. They give more prominence to maintaining prestige and status in the organisation, even if the change is for overall betterment of the organization. Fear of workload: Change in work technology and methods may lead to increasing workloads there by no proportional increase in salaries and benefits. This feeling creates resistance to change. Need for Training: Not all employees are interested in continuous learning and if the change necessitates relearning and continuous training, employees may resist to boredom to learn. Need for new social adjust: Any organisational change involves new social adjustment with various groups and sub groups.Some people refuse transfers and promotions, as they may need to need to break their current social comfort zone? Perceiving change as imposed from outside: Some employees may consider that change is enforced only for the development of organisation, not for their development. They perceive change as something imposed from outside on them. (Bernald M. Bass, From Transactional to Transformation Leadership, Training and Development, May 1991 Pages 93-95) Forces of Change: An organisation is affected by various forces to change. Internal forces: The forces inside the organisation which affect the change are as follows: Need to develop new products and new technologies in order to with stand in the ever changing competitive world. Focus on business diversification. Urge to implement bench marking standards in the organisation Business Process Re-engineering and Total Quality Management process implementation Cost Cutting strategies to with stand in recession times Company going for Public Issue External Forces :The forces outside the organisation which affect the change are as follows: Change in the employment and industrial laws of the country. Booming economy or recession situation. Business trends such as globalisation which helps to spread the commercial activity all over the world. Increasing competition makes companies concentrate more on customer satisfaction and customer excellence. Social, economic and political changes like terrorist attacks, political conflicts with other countries, UNO Regulations and World Bank policies. Demographic shifts like shrinking labour, droughts and drains, rising health care costs, rise in the number of foreign born workers force companies to concentrate more on matters of discrimination and civil rights. Part C: Approaches to Organisational Change Change Management Models: Management is said to be a change agent as its role is to initiate the change. It has to overcome the resistance in the organisation and make the change as a successful venture. Management must realise that resistance to change is basically a human problem and hence it must be tackled in a social and human manner. Several behavioural scientists and psychologies have studied group dynamics and organisation development and hence have proposed various theories and models to change management. They are described below. Levins Force Field Theory of Change(1936): Kurt Zadek Lewin (September 9, 1890 February 12, 1947) is a renowned psychologist and is recognized as the founder of social psychology. To his credit he was one of the first to study group dynamics and organizational development. Lewin proposed force field theory of change, which explains about various forces affecting the change and organizational equilibrium. Taken from www.change-management-coach.com An organisation at any time is a dynamic balance of forces supporting and restarting any practice. The forces supporting the practice are Driving Forces and the forces objecting the practice are restraining forces. When the forces are evenly balanced, the organisation is in a state of inertia and doesnt change. To stimulate an Organisational change managers must find ways to increase the Driving Forces and decrease the Restraining Forces. With these strategies an organisation overcomes inertia and implements change process. (John W. Newstrom and Keith Davis, Organisational Behaviour,8th revised Edition, Chapter 15, Page No.410,411) Change is introduced within a company by a variety of methods. The idea is to help change to be accepted and integrated into new practices: Adding new driving forces Removing restraining forces Increasing the strength of the supporting force Decreasing the strength of the restraining force Converting a restraining force into a supportive force A good example for this strategy is an urge for increased quality of products in an organisation is supported by forces like higher-quality work, increased company reputation and better customer satisfaction.Restrining forces being employees feeling irresponsible for the quality of product they produce. This can be overcome by implementing programs to increase employees pride, performance based hikes, providing better machines and training, quality of work life etc. Three Stages in Change: Behavioural awareness in managing change is aided by viewing change as a three step process: Unfreezing Changing Refreezing Stage 1: Unfreezing Unfreezing means that old ideas and practices need to be cast aside, so that new ideas can be learned. It basically means to have an open mind and flexibility to accept new changes. Its getting rid of old practices and accepting new challenges. Its basically breaking the current comfort zone and getting ready for change. So a manager must help employees clear their minds of old roles and old procedures. Only then they will be able to embrace new ideas. The Unfreezing stage is probably one of the more important stages to understand in the world of change we live in today. Stage 2: Change or Transition Changing is a step in which new ideas and practices are learnt.This process involves helping an employee think reason and perform in a variety of new ways. It can be a time of confusion, disorientation, overload and despair. Patience is very important in this point. There should be hope, discovery and excitement to overcome to overcome all chaos and enter a new mode of development. Stage 3: Refreezing Refreezing means that what has been learned is integrated into actual practice. The new practices become emotionally embraced and incorporated into the employees routine behaviour. Successful on -the-job practice, then must be the ultimate goal of the refreezing step. In this step emphasis is on stabilising the work process after rapid change transition. (Lewin K. Force Field Analysis and Diagram. Online. www.valuebasedmanagement.net/methods_ lewin_force_field_analysis.html.) Even though the world has changed ever since Kurt Lewin has published the model in 1947, it is still extremely relevant and the foundation of several other new models.(John W. Newstrom and Keith Davis, Organisational Behaviour, 8th revised Edition, Chapter 15, Page No.409) Kotters Eight Step Model (1995): John P Kotter (1995) has designed an extremely helpful model to understand and manage change. Each step in the model is characterised by key principle, in which people see, feel and then change. Kotler explained them as principles of response and approach to change. These are explained descriptively in his highly appreciated book Leading Change (1995). The eight step process is described as follows: Kotters Eight Step Change model is considered as one of the worlds best change management models. It has simplified the change process immensely and concluded that every successful change effort is messy and full of surprises. Managers have to view change process in a see-feel view where major problems in the process are highlighted and there by easily solved. Pendlebury, Grouard and Meston -Ten Keys Model(1998): These Scientists have presented Ten Key Factors which can be adapted to any particular change situation. All these keys may be needed to be implemented either simultaneously of separately based on the change process. The ten keys are as follows: Define the Vision Mobilise Catalyse Steer Deliver Obtain Participation Handle Emotions Handle Power Train and Coach Actively Communicate (K.Aswathappa, Organisational Behaviour, 8th revised Edition, Chapter 20, Page No.520) Nandler -12 Action Steps: Nandler, has developed a management frame work of twelve action steps which is helpful for Managers and Executives to apply at every level of hierarchy during the change process.This is immensely helpful for leading and managing change at every corner of the organisation. The twelve action steps are as follows: Get support of key power groups Get leaders to model change behaviour Use symbols and language Define areas of stability Surface dissatisfaction with the present conditions Promote participation in change Reward behaviours that supports change Disengage from the old Develop and clearly communicate image of the future Use multiple leverage points Develop transition management arrangements Create feedback Kanter, Stein and Jick Ten Commandments(1992): Kanter, Stein and Jick have done a wonderful research on organisation change and proposed Ten Commandments on how to plan a change process. Analyse the need for change Create a shared vision Separate from past Create a sense of urgency Support a strong leader role Line up political sponsorship Craft an implementation plan Develop enabling structures Communicate and involve people Reinforce and institutionalize change Ghoshal and Barletts Model(1997) : Ghoshal and Barlett argue for the importance of sequencing and implementation of activities in a change process. The interrelated change phases are: Rationalization : Streamlining company operations Revitalisation: Leveraging reqources and linking opportunities across the whole organisation Regeneration: Managing business unit operations and tensions, while at the same time collaborating elsewhere in the organisation to achieve performance. They claim that while change is often presented as difficult and messy, there is nothing mystical about the process of achieving change with effective strategies following the rationalization, revitalization and regeneration sequential process. (K.Aswathappa, Organisational Behaviour,8th revised Edition, Chapter 20, Page No.540) Dumpy and Stance Contingency Model of Change(1993): Dumpy and Doug Stance developed the best change contingency approach. They argue that the style of change and the scale of change have to be matched to the needs of the organisation. Scale of Change Style of Change Management Fine Tuning International Adjustments Modular Transformation Corporate Transformation Collaborative Consultative Lowers Performance (Avoiding Change) Developmental transitions (Constant Change) Charismatic Transformation (Inspirational Change) Directive Task Focussed Transistors (Constant Change) Turnarounds (Frame-Breaking Change) Coercive They identify five change approaches: Development Transitions: They refer to situations in which there is constant change as a result of the organisation adapting itself to external and environmental changes. The primary style of leadership is consultative, where the leader acts in the capacity of a coach aiming to gain voluntary, shared commitment from organisational members to the need for continual improvement. Task Focused Transitions: In this, the change management style is directive with the change leader acting as a captain seeking the compliance of organisational members to redefine how the organisation operates in specific areas. Directive leadership means that the overall change is driven from the top; this may translate into a more consultative approach by managers operating lower down in the organisation who are required to implement the changes. Charismatic Transformation: With this model, people accept that the organisation is out of step with its environment and that there is a need for radical, revolutionary change. Helping to create a new identity and a paradigm shift in the way in which the organisation conducts its operations, the charismatic leader is able to operate symbolically to gain emotional commitment of staff to new directions. Turnarounds : This is aimed at frame breaking changes. Turn around change leaders as commanders utilizing their positions of power to force required changes through the organisation. Taylorism: It is associated with the fine-tuning, paternalistic approaches to managing change. Dumphy and Stance their model indicates that medium to high performance organisations are likely to be using consultative and directive change management. (K.Aswathappa, Organisational Behaviour,8th revised Edition, Chapter 20, Page No.530) Huys Work on Change Management(2007) : Huy categorizes change into for ideal types: Commanding : Commanding change intervention is one where the time period is short term, abrupt and rapid. Change is usually implemented by Senior Managers who demand compliance from organisational members. Changes may well include downsizing, outsourcing and divestments. Engineering: This model is oriented toward a medium -term, relatively fast change perspective and often assisted by work design analysts who assists in changing work and operational systems. The change agent act as an catalyst in this process Teaching : This model takes a more gradual, long term organisational change perspective. Assisted by outside process consultants, staffs and taught how to probe their work practices and behaviours to reveal new ways of working. Socializing : This intervention is also gradual and long term. It sees change as developing through participative experimental learning based on self-monitored democratic organisational processes. Each ideal type has its limitations. The commanding approach may lead to resentment and rarely produces lasting behavioural change. The teaching approach is very individualistic and may not be aligned to corporate strategic objectives. The engineering approach may not encourage collaboration and spread of change across business units and socializing approach may lead to over focusing on individual work groups rather than on how they may operate as part of larger, corporate collective. (K.Aswathappa, Organisational Behaviour,8th revised Edition, Chapter 20, Page No.550) Part D Implementing Change: Implementation is the institutionalisation and internalisation of a change after it has been accepted by an organisation and a decision has been taken to accept and make it part of the on-going activity. Implementation is a multidimensional process whose end is stabilisation and institutionalisation of change. Support Training Resources Commitment Linkages Planning the implementation process: The objective of planning is to have an overall understanding of the nature of implementation. Planning process determines the entire process of implementation of change phasing. Phasing may be either temporal (in terms of time) or spatial (in terms of various units or the locations of the organisation) Processes: All processes involved in the implementation should be pre-determined. Various stages of the process include initiation, motivation, diagnosis, information, collection, deliberation, action proposal, implementation and stabilisation. Strategies: Management should formulate various strategies to implement processes. These strategies should focus on taking outsiders help, change agent, designing permanent organisational structures, unit/location of the organisation to be selected for initial process, openness with the environment etc.( P Subba Rao, Essentials of Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations, Chapter 12, page 358) Monitoring : It is the process of routine periodic measurement of programme inputs, activities and outputs undertaken during programme implementation. Monitoring is normally concerned with the procurement, delivery and utilisation of programme resources, adherence to work schedules to progress made in the production of outputs Implementation team : A broad based task group of implementation should be set up to look after the implementation of change programme and monitor it continoulsy.HRD department of the organisation may be asked to take up this responsibility.es and Minimum control: As monitoring is a delicate issue, control should be minimum in order to make the monitoring effective. Control attempts to develop new norms of creativity, diversity and experimentation. Feedback and communication: Implementation requires reviewing various processes and provides feedback. It involves getting data information and experiences and providing feedback to the people on how they are implementing compared to the design and plans. Action : Action covers all the minute details of what is implemented at different stages. This process involves various phases and steps for people and various group tasks in relation to change programme. Adaptation : Adaptation is the combination of two main criteria of effectiveness and implementation. It may be general or specific or both. Support : Various types of support from all concerned will be required for the implementation of change. The HRD department, Operations and management committee are some of main agencies which render major support. Institutionalisation: Institutionalisation is making change permanent part of the organisation and internalisation is stabilisation of change. (P Subba Rao, Essentials of Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations, Chapter 12, page 340) Part E: Evaluating Organisational Change The Balanced Score Card Approach: Since centuries Top Management has been depending only on financial measures to evaluate the performance after the organisation change. But this approach was not enough to provide information about overall effectiveness of the organisation.in 1992 Robert Kaplan and David Norton have published Balanced Scorecard in Harvard business review as a management tool for organisational development. Managers can get a comprehensive picture of the financial and operational measures using this framework. HR Consultants and OD strategists all over the world opine that Balanced Score Card is the best tool to enforce organizational change management and organizational development in todays technology driven world. They emphasize the principle that Businesses must develop in a multidimensional way viz., providing best value to its stake holders, achieving ultimate customer satisfaction, implementing bench marked business standards and developing a learning culture in the organisation. The scorecard facilitates managers to view critical performance factors and understand their interrelationships evaluating current performance and targeting performance to be achieved. Emphasis is on the organizational vision and long-term success. (Robert Kaplan and David P. Norton, The Balanced ScorecardMeasures that Drive Performance, Harvard Business Review, January and February, 1992.)   Performance levers in a Balanced Score Card : The Balance Score Card acts as a catalyst for driving organisational change within the organisation. It is dependent on four perspectives which are considered as performance levers for any organisation. The four perspectives of a Balance Score Card are as follows: 1. Financial Perspective How do we perform according to our shareholders? 2. Customer Perspective How do our customers see us? 3. Internal Organisation Perspective What should we excel in? 4. Innovation and Learning Perspective Can we keep on improving and adding value? Hence, the rationale of Balance Score Card is to give uniform importance to non-financial factors of business performance and balancing them with the financial factor. Therefore it is termed as a complete comprehensive framework which tries to bring a balance and linkage between the (a) Financial and the Non-Financial indicators, (b) Tangible and the Intangible measures, (c) Internal and the External aspects and (d) Leading and the Lagging indicators. (Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton, Linking the Balanced Scorecard to Strategy, California Management Review, Vol. 39, No.21, 22 1996.) All the four perspectives of a Balance Score Card are explained briefly as follows: The Innovation and Learning Perspective This perspective emphasizes on developing a learning culture in the organisation.The key goals in this perspective are Employee training and self-improvement Grooming and communication Increasing quality of work life Developing skill and knowledge management The Internal Organization Perspective This perspective emphasizes on developing internal business processes in the organization. The key goals in this perspective are Value creating internal operations Innovative supply chain management Total Quality Management. Team building The Customer Perspective This perspective emphasizes on achieving customer delight. The key goals in this perspective are Reducing customer response time Timely updated information Taking regular customer feedback Achieving best vendor award from customer The Financial Perspective This perspective emphasizes on developing financial systems in the organization. The key goals in this perspective are Centralized and automated financial information system Developing financial corporate database Providing more value to stake holders Risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis. Increased working capital and current assets. (Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton, Linking the Balanced Scorecard to Strategy, California Management Review, Vol. 39, No.21,22 1996.) Based on the above discussion, organsiations must develop scorecards fitting their current and future needs. Transformational leadership and strong commitment are required to initiate a change process, using Balance Score Card. Some of the worlds best Balance Score Card practises are as follows: GEs HR Score Card design and implementation HR Score card of Washington state HR Score Card of U.S. Department of Transportation Balance Score of Texas State Auditors Office (McKenzie Shilling, Avoiding Performance Measurement Traps: Ensuring Effective, Incentive Design and Implementation, American Management Association, July/Aug., 1998.)   All metrics to organisational performance

Euthanasia: The Human Interruption of Natures Course :: Free Euthanasia Essay

Step into the shoes of 60 year old Mrs. Harris for just a moment. She was diagnosed with a severe case of diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis in both of her knees. Due to her high blood pressure, Mrs. Harris was at an intense risk of having a stroke. In addition to her health problems, she weighed in at approximately two hundred pounds, which limited her mobility. As her health began to deteriorate, so did her quality of life. Mrs. Harris did not want to hold onto life by a small thread of hope. She once pleaded to her son, " If I should start to go, don't try and save me. And don't put me in a convalescent home. That's a place of the living dead," (qtd. in Humphry, "Let" 64). As time passed, Mrs. Harris "suffered a massive stroke†¦ and was left completely paralyzed on her right side and could neither speak nor eat." One week later, the doctor announced that Mrs. Harris would never be able to speak or walk again. As though this wasn't bad enough, she suffered from her second stroke that same night. Somehow, doctors were able to stabilize her but she was pretty much a vegetable at this point (65). Now the true question was raised of whether or not to hang on to the little bit of life she had left. Between all of the loops from her dramatic health roller coaster, her son's health began to downfall as well. After many attempts to comfort her during her downward spiral, it was time to give up. He gave into the anger, frustration and sadness by shooting her in the head and ending her life (75). Thus, the controversy lies here. Was this act of euthanasia wrong or justified? How do most people wish for their death to occur? With pain, agony, suffering, and the thought of their loved ones witnessing such misery? Of course not! Most people want to die quickly and peacefully such as in the case of Mrs. Harris. It is believed that euthanasia should be legalized to some degree. This argument inquires that if you should ever have a loved one that is suffering and death is certain, you should have the choice to ease their pain if that is their desire. It is quite understandable the no one wishes to die painfully or continue in a state of constant discomfort.

Santa Claus :: essays research papers

Santa Claus   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the most important imaginary figures on this earth, who has touched the hearts and souls of many children, is Saint Nicholas. St. Nick, better known as Santa Claus, is notorious for bringing gifts to children that are in need. Known for having a huge belly and a gigantic heart, Santa Claus brings hope to kids who are hopeless and smiles to those who have lost theirs. While snuggled in their bed, desperately trying to catch a wink of sleep, children around the world await the arrival of St. Nick. Dressed in red and with a jolly old smile, he manages to fulfill the dreams of kids throughout millions of miles. Santa Claus brings a whole new meaning to the season of Christmas.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Despite his buxom body and his bag of goods, St. Nick succeeds in fitting down various narrow types of chimney's. Quickly yet quietly, he sneaks in and out of houses, leaving only gifts, milk stains and cookie crumbs as evidence of his presence. And he sets off to the next home, hoping that a lit fire place would not come to his surprise.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The task of fulfilling the dreams of millions of children is not an easy one. It requires many trusted helpers. These helpers include parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and of course elves and reindeer. Reindeer play an important role in the scheme of things. Without the famous Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen or Rudolph, Santa would not have any transportation. They fly faster than a speeding bullet, yet never seem to miss a single home. Together, Santa, the elves, and the reindeer work to make the Miracles of Christmas happen.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  St. Nick not only showers children with gifts, he also instills in them that giving is far more important than receiving. By setting this example, the feeling of Christmas becomes alive within each and every one of our hearts. Therefore, we are able to look at Christmas, through a whole new perspective.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Santa Claus also gives children an escape from the harsh reality of today's world. He gives kids something to believe in when there is nothing really to look forward to. St. Nick actually is a savior for many kids who have had to mature pass their age.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The look on the children's face, when they awake Christmas morn, fulfills not only their hearts but the people around them.

Cloning Essay -- essays research papers fc

For the first time the cloning of a whole human being seems really possible. It is absolutely necessary to consider the harm that can be done and move to curb abuses. Also, it is important to understand some of the theory underlying the desire to build a better human. The Ethical Downside of Cloning With recent developments in the cloning of the first whole mammal with Dolly the Sheep, for the first time the cloning a whole human being seems really possible. For years, clones have been the subject of popular fiction, but the technology was lacking. Now the ethics of doing so must be carefully considered. While almost all world health and religious bodies are coming out in opposition to the idea, it must be accepted that someone somewhere will try it. Thus, it is absolutely necessary to consider the harm that can be done and move to curb abuses. What immediately springs to mind for most people with the possibility of cloning whole people is the ideas of creating supermen or a master race which dominated the Nazis. But the theories of eugenics from which they operated were also touted in America and the rest of the Western world. Thus, it is important to understand some of the theory underlying the desire to build a better human. Eugenics is concerned with the social direction of human evolution. A distinction is made between positive and negative eugenics. Positive eugenics aims to increase reproduction of individuals who have traits, such as high intelligence and physical strength or fitness, which are considered to be valuable to society. Negative eugenics seeks to decrease reproduction among people believed to be inferior or below average mentally and physically (Glass). Cloning for better humanity, then, is normally associated with positive eugenics. Overall, since the Nazi experience, eugenics as a movement has been largely discredited, but the ideas still linger and many of the same arguments for cloning humans are used today, but with protests that they are not related to the abuses of the Eugenics proponents of the 1920s and 30s. The goal of eugenics was to create a superior human being, and with this creation, to in time create a superior human race. The First International Congress for Eugenics was held in 1912 in London. Rather than being a fringe movement, it was hailed by a number of luminaries of the day. For example, Charles Darwin's son... ...enal." Wilson Quarterly. 1 Apr 1992. Online. Electric Library. Kluger, Jeffrey, and Thompson, Dick. "Will We Follow the Sheep?" Time. 10 Mar. 1997. Online. Electric Library. Lifton, Robert Jay, and Hackett, Amy. "Nazi Doctors." Anatomy of the Auschwitz Death Camp. Ed. Gutman, Yisrael, and Michael Berenbaum, eds. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994. 301-315. Manning, Anita. "Pressing a 'Right' to Clone Humans Some Gays Foresee Reproduction Option." USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 1997. Online. Electric Library. "Nazi Eugenic Racial Hygiene Also Recognized in America." All Things Considered. Robert Siegel, host. Stefan Kuhl, guest. National Public Radio. 9 Mar. 1994. Sharp, Deborah, and Sharn, Lori. "Big Questions for Humanity." USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 1997. Stolberg, Sheryl. "Reproductive Research Far Outpaces Public Policy." Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 1997. Online. Electric Library. Thomasson, Emma. "Germans Press for Ban on Human Cloning." Reuters News Service. 29 Apr. 1997. Online. America Online. "Vatican Calls for Global Ban on Human Cloning." Reuters News Service, 26 Feb. 1997. Online. Electric Library. Cloning Essay -- essays research papers fc For the first time the cloning of a whole human being seems really possible. It is absolutely necessary to consider the harm that can be done and move to curb abuses. Also, it is important to understand some of the theory underlying the desire to build a better human. The Ethical Downside of Cloning With recent developments in the cloning of the first whole mammal with Dolly the Sheep, for the first time the cloning a whole human being seems really possible. For years, clones have been the subject of popular fiction, but the technology was lacking. Now the ethics of doing so must be carefully considered. While almost all world health and religious bodies are coming out in opposition to the idea, it must be accepted that someone somewhere will try it. Thus, it is absolutely necessary to consider the harm that can be done and move to curb abuses. What immediately springs to mind for most people with the possibility of cloning whole people is the ideas of creating supermen or a master race which dominated the Nazis. But the theories of eugenics from which they operated were also touted in America and the rest of the Western world. Thus, it is important to understand some of the theory underlying the desire to build a better human. Eugenics is concerned with the social direction of human evolution. A distinction is made between positive and negative eugenics. Positive eugenics aims to increase reproduction of individuals who have traits, such as high intelligence and physical strength or fitness, which are considered to be valuable to society. Negative eugenics seeks to decrease reproduction among people believed to be inferior or below average mentally and physically (Glass). Cloning for better humanity, then, is normally associated with positive eugenics. Overall, since the Nazi experience, eugenics as a movement has been largely discredited, but the ideas still linger and many of the same arguments for cloning humans are used today, but with protests that they are not related to the abuses of the Eugenics proponents of the 1920s and 30s. The goal of eugenics was to create a superior human being, and with this creation, to in time create a superior human race. The First International Congress for Eugenics was held in 1912 in London. Rather than being a fringe movement, it was hailed by a number of luminaries of the day. For example, Charles Darwin's son... ...enal." Wilson Quarterly. 1 Apr 1992. Online. Electric Library. Kluger, Jeffrey, and Thompson, Dick. "Will We Follow the Sheep?" Time. 10 Mar. 1997. Online. Electric Library. Lifton, Robert Jay, and Hackett, Amy. "Nazi Doctors." Anatomy of the Auschwitz Death Camp. Ed. Gutman, Yisrael, and Michael Berenbaum, eds. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994. 301-315. Manning, Anita. "Pressing a 'Right' to Clone Humans Some Gays Foresee Reproduction Option." USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 1997. Online. Electric Library. "Nazi Eugenic Racial Hygiene Also Recognized in America." All Things Considered. Robert Siegel, host. Stefan Kuhl, guest. National Public Radio. 9 Mar. 1994. Sharp, Deborah, and Sharn, Lori. "Big Questions for Humanity." USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 1997. Stolberg, Sheryl. "Reproductive Research Far Outpaces Public Policy." Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 1997. Online. Electric Library. Thomasson, Emma. "Germans Press for Ban on Human Cloning." Reuters News Service. 29 Apr. 1997. Online. America Online. "Vatican Calls for Global Ban on Human Cloning." Reuters News Service, 26 Feb. 1997. Online. Electric Library.

Fractional Growth Factors

Early Field Experience Lesson Plan Fractional Growth Factor CMP Math 8th Grade Ms. Tanisha Wilson Fifer Middle School Tanisha Wilson MTSC 403 Fall 2011 CONTEXTUAL FACTORS Student Characteristics There 28 students and they are in 8th grade CMP math class. There are some students in this are inclusion so there are two teachers in the classroom. There is a regular mathematics education teacher, and there is a special aid teacher. The students in this class have to take two mathematics classes each day, a CMT course and a prep course which will help them score high on their DCAS scores.They are from different nationality backgrounds and they understand English well. There is one student in the class who has a wheel chair and the desk is arranged for him to sit comfortably by the door. Overall the students in this class are well behaved and eager to learn mathematics. Grouping Patterns Student’s seats are arranged in groups of four. Students will work in groups of four and a class as a whole will whole. Prerequisite Knowledge Students should already be able to identify the growth factor in the problem with reasoning, the y- intercept, and what everything number in the equation represent.Students are also expected to know what exponential growth mean and are able to graph and factor with exponential growth with whole numbers. Instructional Materials Smart board, smart responders, paper, pencil LEARNING GOALS Mathematical Learning Goals Students will build on their knowledge of exponential growth. Students will think about exponential growth with the fractional (or decimal) growth factors and know when it is appropriate to round the number to the nearest decimal place and why. Students will know how to find the fractional exponential growth using the formula P= a (b)x. NCTM Content StandardsGrades 6-8 Algebra * Identify functions as linear or nonlinear and contrast their properties from tables, graphs, or equations. * Model and solve contextualized problems usi ng various representations such as graphs, tables and equations. Delaware Standards Math GLE Standard 2 Algebraic Reasoning * Compare the rates of change in tables and graphs and classify them as linear or nonlinear. * Use tables, graphs and symbolic reasoning to identify functions as linear or nonlinear. DIRECT Diversity- there will be different ways to solve the problems so students would be given many ways to practice and choose which method fits best.Interpersonal Communications- students will follow a method that the teacher in the class uses which is called Think, pair, share. Students would think about their answer, pair up with their group members to discuss what each other got, and then share their answer with the whole class. Reflection- students would reflect on what is going on in the class by exit cards at the end of the lesson. Students will also receive extra practice by doing a homework assignment. Effect teaching and assessment Strategies- students would be asked qu estions leading to them figuring out the formula.At the end of the lesson there would be exit cards to assess what the students have learned in today’s lesson. Content and Pedagogical Knowledge- this is like a review lesson. Students already have prerequisite knowledge on the same material. The only difference with this lesson is that the growth factors for the problems we will be working on today are fractional. Technology- students would use smart responders in the beginning of the lesson to determine if their answers were correct or not. We will also be using the smart board to see the problems needed in order to keep the lessons going. Mathematical Proficiency StrandsUnderstanding mathematics- student’s will be asked multiple questions based off of the problems they have done in previous lessons and the lessons we are doing today so I could know if the students are understanding the mathematics we are covering the in class. Applying concepts to solve problems- stud ents would be given two solve problems and asked how they came up with their answer with explanations of how they got the answer. Reasoning logically- students would be given a real life situation as a solve problem and the answer they come up with have to logically fit the situation given in the story.Engaging- students will be engaging with each other to discuss their thoughts of the solve problems by doing the think, pair, share. Assessment Plan In the previous investigation, we studied exponential growth of plants, mold, and a snake population. In the growth factor and the starting value, we could make predictions. The growth factors in these examples were whole numbers. In this investigation, we will study examples of exponential growth with fractional growth factors. Students will have an understanding on how to find the exponential growth of a Rabbit population with fractional growth factors.Examples will be shown that students understand the lesson by using the growth factor table, being able to determine what is the growth factor and when is it appropriate to round it up to if necessary and students will be able to connect the chart and table to a formula for the exponential growth rate. Pre- Assessment Students will be given a chart that looks like the previous charts we have went over. The difference with this chart is that the growth factor is not a whole number. Students will have to find the equation based off of the chart. They would put their answer into the smart responder.Once everyone’s answers are calculated into the smart responder, we will receive a percentage of how many students got the correct answer in the class. We will then discuss why that is the correct answer. Additional Assessment 1 Students would be given a problem on the smart board with a table which will represent the exponential growth of rabbits. Ask students the following questions†¦ 1. What is the growth factor? Explain how you found your answer. 2. Assume th is growth pattern continued. Write an equation for the rabbit population p for any year n after the rabbits are first counted. Explain what the numbers in your equation represent. 3.How many rabbits will there be after 10 years? How many will there be after 25 years? After 50 years? 4. In how many years will the rabbit population exceed one million? Do not give students the answers. Have students come up with the answers on their own, then they could discuss with a classmate, then the whole class would discuss the correct answer and why. While students are working in groups, the teacher would be walking around and looking at student’s notes to see their understanding. If you see that there is more than one approach to the answer, then call on the different students with the different approaches so there could be variety.Post Assessment The class would sum up what we did in today’s lesson by answering the exit cards with a question similar to the one we did in class. St udents must answer the question in details. The teacher will explain to the students that the main point of the lesson today is to recognize that the growth factor may not always be a whole number. By the end of this lesson, students should be able to solve a problem dealing with exponential growth with the growth factor not being a whole number. OPENING 5 Minutes8:00-8:15 Rationale Students will be shown a chart on the smart board and will be asked to find the growth factor and the equation for the table. Since the students are already familiar with exponential growth using whole numbers, I want student’s to see that not all exponential growth would have a whole number as the growth factor. The opening activity is a reflection on the same type of formula they have been working on, the only difference is that the growth factor would not be a whole number.Students would focus on the growth factor and being able to put it into an equation which will support the table. Students will be assessed by using the smart responders. The smart responders will allow the teacher to know the percentage of students who got the correct answer before beginning the lesson. | Materials Smart board, smart responder, pencil, and paper Activity Description When the students first walk into the classroom, they will be asked to grab a smart responder. (The smart responder allows the teacher to see the percentage of how many students got the correct answer).Based off of the results on the smart responder I will have a short discussion of what is the growth factor, the y-intercept, and why important to know those numbers in order to create a formula. The table is as followed†¦ X| 0| 1| 2| 3| Y| 30| 57| 108| 206| Differentiate Instruction One student from each group will get up to get the smart responders for their group and return them when we are done. Students will be able to do this because there is a student in the classroom with a disability; he is in a wheelchair so I do not want him to feel left out in any way.Therefore, each group will have to go through the same procedure. Another differentiate instruction we will do is go over the correct answer into details because there are some students in the class who are inclusion. I do not want to move too fast with the class as a whole so I will continue to review the material and monitor ALL students understanding of the lesson before moving on. What is the growth factor in this table? Possible Student Responses| Possible Teacher Follow-ups| 1. 9| Did everyone get that answer? | No. | What did you get as the growth factor? | At first I got1. then I divided the next two consecutive numbers which is 108/ 57 and I got 1. 894736834, so the growth factor is not the same with each number. | Did anyone else get that? | Yes| Well I’m happy you pointed that out. What is the difference between this table and the previous tables we have been doing these past few weeks? | The growth factor is not the same for every outcome is not the same exact number| What is different about the numbers though? | They are a decimal and not whole numbers. | Ok. Good point. Is 1. 894736 close to 1. 9? | Yes| When you divide 206 and 108, what is your outcome? 1. 907407| Is that close to 1. 9? | Yes| So what could you tell me about this growth factor now? | That the outcomes are very close to each other but they are not the exact same| So imaging if you wanted to round your growth factor to the nearest whole number, put the number 2 into your formula, what are your results? | 30*2= 6060*2= 120120*2= 240| Are your results accurate compared to what we need on our table? | No. | Why is that? | Because when you keep multiplying by 2 instead of 1. 9 the result grows bigger and bigger and it does not match what we need. What do you suggest we do if we wanted to put these numbers into an equation that will have the closest possible outcome? | Round it to 1. 9? | Why 1. 9? | Because what was the first exact ou tcome and when we divined the next consecutive numbers, they are close to 1. 9| Ok great job. So when this happens we will round up to the nearest outcome and in this case it is 1. 9| BODY #1 30 MinutesTime: 8:15- 8:45 Rationale The purpose of this activity is for students’ to have a visual with a story of rabbits reproducing and is able to form an equation with the table given to them.This activity will build on the students’ knowledge of exponential growth and at the same time introducing with fractional growth factors. It is important for students to understand that the growth factor will not always be a whole number and what they should do when they face this problem. This activity develops the learning goal of student’s being able to think about fractional growth factor and why should they round it to the nearest decimal place instead of the whole number. Materials Graphic Calculator, pencil, paper, smart board Activity DescriptionStudents will be sitting i n groups of four. During this activity, student’s will do a think, pair, share for every question asked to them before discussing it with the class as a whole. Think, pair, share is a way for students to actually THINK about their answer and why do they think that will be the correct answer; they should also be taking down notes at this point. PAIR is when they talk amongst their partners and share what they came up with and then compare answers. If anyone answer is different, then they will discuss why are their answers different.SHARE is when the whole class has a discussion about all of the possible answers and come to an agreement and understanding of the correct answer. Students will be assessed while doing think, pair, and share. The teacher would be walking around the class taking notes about the student’s understanding and mentioning anything that stands out or may be confusing about the lesson to the class. This will just be personal notes for the teacher to k now the student understands of the lesson. | The activity will begin with the â€Å"did you know† which will be shown on the smart board.Did you know? In 1859, a small number of rabbits were introduced to Australia by English settlers. The rabbits had no natural predators in Australia, so they reproduced rapidly and became a serious problem, eating grasses intended for sheep and cattle. In the mid-1990s, there were more than 300 million rabbits in Australia. The damage they caused cost Australian agriculture $600 million per year. There have been many attempts to curb Australia’s rabbit population. In 1995, a deadly rabbit disease was deliberately spread, reducing the rabbit population by about half.However, because rabbits are developing immunity to the disease, the effects of this measure may not last. Students will think about the â€Å"did you know† problem and then a table will be shown on the board based off of the problem. If biologists had counted the ra bbits in Australia in the years after they were introduced, they might have collected data like these: Growth of Rabbit Population Time (yr)| Population| 0| 100| 1| 180| 2| 325| 3| 583| 4| 1,050| Students would be asked the following questions followed by a mini class discussion for each question. 1. What is the growth factor?Explain how you found your answer. 2. Assume this growth pattern continued. Write an equation for the rabbit population p for any year n after the rabbits are first counted. Explain what the numbers in your equation represent. 3. How many rabbits will there be after 10 years? How many will there be after 25 years? After 50 years? 4. In how many years will the rabbit population exceed one million? Differentiate Instruction There are some students in this class who are inclusion which mean that they need extra help with understand the concept of the material.There is an inclusion math teacher in the classroom as well but her attention is strictly for those studen ts’. The activity has question and answers so that way everyone in the class could participate in lesson and contribute their understandings. Students will also have to think about the answer on their own at first before working in pairs which will be helpful for the teacher who is walking around to see the students understanding individually. The inclusion student’s will also receive peer help along with teacher sponsoring. What is the growth factor of rabbits reproducing represented by this table?Possible Student Responses| Possible Teacher Follow-ups| 1. 8| Why 1. 8? | Because divided the first two consecutive numbers which is 180/100= 1. 8 so every year the rabbits times itself to 1. 8| So did you get 1. 8 every time you divide the consecutive numbers? | No, when I divided 325 by 180 I got 1. 805555556, when I divided 583 by 325 I got 1. 793846, and when I divided 1,050 by 583, I got 1. 801029. They were all close to 1. 8 so I rounded it up like what we did for the warm up. | Great job, my only question is why did we round it up by 1. 8 and not 2? Because we are dealing with fractional growth factors even though these are decimals. | But what if you didn’t know you was dealing with fractional growth factors and you had to solve this problem, why wouldn’t you round your growth factor up to the nearest whole number? | Because if I rounded my growth factor up to the nearest whole number then the result for the growth amount for populations of rabbits of the next year would not be around the number given. | I don’t really understand what you mean; may you please demonstrate to the class using your calculator? |The student would demonstrate to the class using his/ her calculator Year 1100*2=200not close to 180 Year 2200*2=400not close to 325 Year 3400*2=800not close to 583 Year 4800*2=1600not close to 1050 So why do we round to the nearest appropriate decimal? Possible Student Responses| Possible Teacher Follow-ups| Because if we were to round it to the nearest whole number, then the growth factor will not be close to the next years population rate. | Correct. What is the equation used for this growth factor? | 100(1. 8x)| Why? | Growth factor is 1. 8 and we raise that by time which is x| Ok great job. |CLOSINGTime: 2 minutes Learning Goal(s) Students will build on their knowledge of exponential growth. Students will think about exponential growth with the fractional growth factors and know when it is appropriate to round the number to the nearest decimal place and why. Students will know how to find the fractional exponential growth using the formula P= a (b)x. Review Based off of what we learned today students will be able to draw connections from the previous lessons with exponential growth factors and now know how to find the exponential growth with the growth factor not being a whole number.Students are to state why they are rounding up the number to the nearest decimal (if needed). Students will ha ve to answer the Exit Cards before leaving the class. 1. Why isn’t the growth factor of exponential growth always a whole number? 2. If you were to round up your decimal or fraction to the nearest whole number and put it into the equation P= a(b)x, what will your outcome be and explain why. Students would be assessed on their understanding of today’s lesson and making sure that they meet the learning goals thinking mathematically. | Follow-up ActivitiesStudents will be assigned a homework assignment. 1. In parts of the United States, wolves are being reintroduced to wilderness areas where they had become extinct. Suppose 20 wolves are released in northern Michigan, and the yearly growth factor for this population is expected to be 1. 2. a. Make a table showing the projected number of wolves at the end of each of the first 6 years. b. Write an equation that models the growth of the wolf population. c. How long will it take for the new wolf population to exceed 100? 2. a . The table shows that the elk population in a state forest is growing exponentially.What is the growth factor? Explain. Growth of Elk Population Time (year)| Population| 0| 30| 1| 57| 2| 108| 3| 206| 4| 391| 5| 743| b. Suppose this growth pattern continues. How many elk will there be after 10 years? How many elk will there be after 15 years? c. Write an equation you could use to predict the elk population p for any year n after the elk were first counted. d. In how many years will the population exceed one million? Homework will be checked during the next class meet. ATTACHMENTS â€Å"Growing Growing Growing† book pages 33-36