School Resources Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

School Resources - Essay Example Lastly, the comparisons for the required staff, allotted staff and desired staff were also provided. School Resources Introduction The aim of schools at Newton County in Georgia State is to offer learning excellence to every child. Georgia State ensures that every occupant is entitled to enhanced education since better education is the right for every inhabitant. Therefore, for the state government to fulfill this aspect, it ensures that students receive better education across the state. This is through deploying teachers with effective education skills and offering them, better incentives to enable them deliver effective services. Every state constitution ensures that every citizen has the right to education; thus, the states play significant roles in ensuring that there are fair and equitable financial resources vital for enabling teachers to deliver effective services to students (LexiNexis, 2013). The financial resources, which is available in every state has two parts including the revenue and the expenditure sides. Funds have been on increase and many fundraisers have been dedicated to varied schools in order to make education work better for all citizens. Financial Resources State The financial resources of the school will include the revenue and expenditure since these accounts for the significant part of the state money. The funding revenue taxes are produced by the states and these are allocated for varied activities at the local schools. For instance, the high school local 5 mills are 197, 117, 287 and this indicates that 1 mill is worthy 39423457.4 dollars (Barge, 2013). These accounts for the total funds generated to meet the total expenses, which is often not funded by the federal or state government. Newton district received state funds of about $ 10, 009,047 for learning purposes in the current year (GaDOE, 2013). The QBE (Quality Basic Education), which is salary and operating cost for high school grade 9-12, is $ 11, 390,203. The FTE (full-ti me equivalent) is approximated 3, 741; thus a teacher teaching in high school will earn approximately $2,744. 80 (Barge, 2013). Federal The federal funding for schools in the current year is $ 1, 814, 00 to Newton County and direct transfer for federal revenue is $ 91. 000 (Barge, 2013). The federal government transfer of income, which is provided to the Georgia state, can be categorized in varied ways. The child nutrition act is estimated at $ 580, 000, safe and drug fee to schools is $ 8.000, children with disabilities act is $ 360, 000, vocational and technological education is $ 35,000 and other federal funding is estimated at $ 238,000. The federal government to enable the local schools to meet the needs of students with disabilities meets more than 5 percent of funds for locals; these funds are generated form tax collections and the QBE act makes the decisions about the funding. Therefore, the local system should provide FTE enrollment of students in order to enable the federa l government deliver the state funding effectively. This is because the state funding relies heavily on full-time equivalent report. Therefore, it is necessary for a student in Newton County to report in class at least for ten to fifteen days before the FTE report is taken. This is vital because the funding available for every

English Speaking Proficiency of Ip Student in the University of Mindanao Essay Example for Free

English Speaking Proficiency of Ip Student in the University of Mindanao Essay Research Design This research was designed using qualitative way of gathering information such as opinion, ideas, and knowledge of every respondent. The researchers preferred to use an interview guide for the participant within the campus of the University of Mindanao. The method was design and suited to facilitate the respondents of giving their answer that will be helpful on pushing down the information needed to this study to attain. The goal of their research and answer the question stated in chapter 1. The researchers used this kind of method because it was a fact-finding study with fully sufficient and accurate interpretations of the findings. The researchers also believed that this was the most suitable method to use. Research Subjects In order to accumulate information such as opinion, ideas, and knowledge, the researchers preferred the research subjects of this study are the two (2) respondents coming from the students of the University of Mindanao. There were 2 researchers subjects who were interviewed for this study. Respondents one (1) is a 19 years old coming from the Island City of Samal, singe, and presently pursuing the degree of Education major in English. She is one of the Indigenous Student in the University of Mindanao as one of the privilege scholar in the said institution. She belongs to the Uvo Manuvu tribe. Subject/respondents two (2) is also an Indigenous student in the University of Mindanao, she’s proud to represent her tribe as Ata. She is 20 years-old, taking up Bachelor of Secondary of Education major in English as one of the Government scholar in the said institution. She was crowned as â€Å"Hiyas ng Kadayawan† way back 2010. The two (2) respondents was driven down to the list ing of all courses and year level in the university to prevent biases. For purpose of confidentiality, the names of respondents are kept. Letter for memo CHOCOLATE HEAVEN EMPORIUM MEMORANDUM TO: All Staff FROM: Management T.C. DATE: November 9th, 20 SUBJECT: STAFF CHRISTMAS PARTY Its that time of year again. As you all know, Christmas is our busiest season of the year. Every year it is a struggle for management and supervisors to find the time and energy to organize a staff Christmas party. This year, we have decided to postpone the Christmas party until after our busy season. Party Details * Date: Second or third Saturday in January (T.B.A) * Theme: Beach * Food: Caribbean * Special events: Karaoke and belly dancing We apologize that the celebration will have to wait until the new year, but we guarantee that it will be worth the wait. Anyone interested in volunteering to help out with the event is encouraged to call Lucy, our events coordinator. Lucys cell phone number is 222-3098. Please contact Lucy outside of business hours regarding this matter. Thank you. T.C. Cover Letter for Trainer Peggy Wesson 54 Pinehurst Street, Apt. 4 San Francisco, CA 12345 123-555-1234 [emailprotected] March 30, 20xx Ms. Carol Pilsner Director of Human Resources Do-Right Weavers 250 Bradonton Road South San Francisco, CA 12345 Dear Ms. Pilsner, Thank you for spending time on the phone with me this afternoon. I am definitely enthusiastic about applying for the position of trainer. Im willing to do the required coursework on my own. In two months I can complete: * The Train the Trainer program at UC Berkeley Extension * John Capers Training Certification Is your schedule free for an interview soon? Ill call you to see when we can meet. Again, thank you for encouraging me to take advantage of this career opportunity. Sincerely, Peggy Wesson Enclosure: resume

Dragons Legacy :: essays research papers

Foreword In the days of the Ancients there was a race like no other, for they were blessed with a unique gift of being able to speak and understand Dragon Tongue. Rumors spread about these magical folk, penetrating right into the heart of the Evil Lord’s great fortress in the Dark Lands. Evil Lord Malus Dominus heard of this race, and he became worried. All knew that dragons were a superior race that could be only be defeated by immortals. They were the strongest creatures alive. If these folk were to forge an alliance with the dragons he would surely perish. Before dawn the next day, he had summoned his undead warriors. They had destroyed the race before daybreak †¦ well that’s what they thought. A few hours later some traders passed by the spot where the village had been and they heard a noise. When they went to investigate they found a child wrapped in a silk sheet just barely alive. So they took the child and raised it as one of there own never knowing its secret. Chapter 1 – The Truth Realized The merchant’s son Dazhrej was the finest archer in the Princedom of Vellant’im. His father Rovnir went to the inn every night and gloated. The bandit had slain the guards surrounding the treasury and made off with the loot. If Dazhrej had not had to fetch some more silk for his father he would not have seen the bandit making off with the Prince’s treasure covered in the blood of the Prince’s royal guards. Dazhrej yelled for the man to stop. The bandit obliged, turned around and went for his barbed throwing knife. Before he had a chance to throw it he had an arrow in his arm pinning it to a tree. Before the fellow had a chance to take in the damage he had another arrow right between his eyes. The Prince thanked Dazhrej for recovering his treasure and rewarded Dazhrej by offering to foster him until knighthood. Dazhrej gladly accepted†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Three years later Dazhrej now excelled in swordplay, knife fighting and magic. â€Å"Dazhrej, have the horses been readied?† asked Prince Ronan. â€Å"Yes, your highness,† Dazhrej replied. â€Å"We leave at sunrise,† the Prince said. â€Å"Ah, Prince Ronan, where are we going?† Dazhrej asked with curiosity. â€Å"The Grand Congregation of course,† replied Prince Ronan. â€Å"Every Prince is going to be there. It’s where we draw up the trade laws, permits and settle disputes between the Princedoms.† â€Å"Oh. Why did you not go last year or the year before?

Dark Ages of Nursing Essay

During the late middle ages (1000-1500) because of crowding and poor sanitation in the monasteries nurses went into the community. During this era hospitals were built and the number of medical schools increase. Between 1500 and 1860 (A.D.) politics, the Renaissance all affected nursing. As nursing was not valued as an intellectual endeavour it lost much of its economic support and social status at the start of the Renaissance. The deterioration of Catholicism which had supported the monasteries, hospitals, and nursing was led to the climax of its decay by the Protestant Reformation. A widespread movement of suppression of monasteries occurred similar to that in England which was brought about by Henry (VIII) who had used the advantage of Protestantism to free himself from Papal authority. The King used his revolt of the church based on the Roman Catholic Church refusal to sanction his divorce. He destroyed over 600 monasteries during his Protestants revolt. The immediate result of t he monastic dissolution was the hospitals and inns were suddenly snatched away from a public dependent upon them for many centuries. Which caused the poor to be without any principle organized system of relief. An additional effect of the Reformation was the complete withdrawal of medicine from the monastery to the University. Thus medicine found a refuge that was denied to nursing. Medical advancement had been assured while the techniques of nursing remained unchanged in the guardianship of brothers, and nuns who continued practising nursing. The Protestants viewed the woman’s place as being in the home raising children. Industrial class women took in work or went out to work. As nursing was not considered acceptable even to the industrial classes nurses were usually immoral, drunken, illiterate, and/or prostitutes. Nurses were considered to be the lowest level of human society. A decline in the quality of public service for the sick was noticeable towards the end of the mid dle ages. It took about 200 years for the public to recognize the need to pay for quality nursing care to restart vocational desirability. The public first had to separate nursing from domestic service in which it had become deeply entangled. Mismanagement, inadequacy, suffering and deliberate exploitation made things worse. Civil appointees who were men undertook leadership and withheld authority from women – who then lost control over nursing. Matrons were put in charge of secular riff raff who were taken on as nurses. The word â€Å"Sister† was retained to please the public for amongst the rich and poor it had come to be associated with the sympathy and encouragement of the monastic nuns. The latter half of the period between 1500 to 1860 A.D. saw nursing conditions at their worst and has been called the dark period of nursing. New hospitals had been built but quickly became places of horror as unsanitary conditions caused them to be a source of epidemics and disease. Furthermore a taxation upon windows caused windows to be bricked up in places of the poor and hospitals thus removing natural lighting and fresh air thus creating further a situation which bred disease and epidemics. Seldom were opposite sexes and different disease separated. Often hospital beds were shared. Nurses when off duty slept within hearing range of their patients and were still on call. Crowding of wards often made them impossible to clean. Because of the high demands placed upon nursing staff nursing procedures which were limited and simple became even more limited and simple. Cleansing of patients was no longer attempted. Only the usual nursing treatments such as bleeding and purging were ordered. Because of the hard work, long hours, poor pay, and poor food respectable women were not expected to do nursing. The majority of the work consisted of housework, scrubbing and laundry which had hours which varied between 12 to sometimes 48 hours. Character nor training was a consideration in nursing. In 1545 the council of Trent decreed that every community of women should live in strict enclosure. It took over 200 years of resistance for women to overcome this decree. The nursing sisters of France made little or no resistance such that their professional standards deteriorated. During the Renaissance (1500-1850 A.D.) the interests in the arts and sciences increased such that there were many developments in the technologies for and care of the sick. Transition from health care by religious orders where nursing was practised were replaced by hospitals where conditions were dependent upon the economic support of the people requiring care. Even though there were significant advancements in science because nursing was still seen as something that should only be done by those who could not find another way in which to make money the nursing profession did not advance. The dark ages of nursing lasted for three centuries until the mid 2800’s when Florence Nightingale brought about a change. Even though the advancement of medicine did not affect nursing during the Renaissance – in the late 1500’s several groups began nursing during the Renaissance – in the late 1500’s several groups began nursing and tending the sick, poor, and dying. Amongst these groups were St. Francis de Sales, the Order of the Visitation of Mary, St. Vincent DePaul, the Sisters of Charity, Dames de Chari te’, Louise le Gras, Brothers Hospitallers of St. John, Albuquerque, Order of St. Augustine, St. Camillas De Lellis, Jeanne Biscot, and the Nursing Sisters of St. Joseph de La Fleche. Many of these people came from rich and influential families. Thus setting the trend for their peers to become involved in charitable nursing and institutions of nursing. When such institutions of charitable nursing were shown to do well the ruling classes and churches would begin supporting these economically. The views of the well to do upon the nursing care of the sick, mentally ill, elderly, dying and indigent had a strong influence upon the presence and quality or lack of nursing care available during the Medieval Times through the Renaissance.

Fiesta Celebration Essay

â€Å"Tan tanan tanan tanan tan tanan tan tanan†¦. VIVA APUNG KULAS!† Isn’t it nice to hear that sound every time we make our procession for the feast of San Nicholas of Tolentino here in Macabebe? We start celebrating our fiesta every August 31 with a mass and procession. People here in Macabebe usually complete their tradition of 9 days novena mass wherein different priest from other towns are heading the mass. Devotees really make it as their tradition. Celebrating San Nicholas feast day is really a big deal to Macabebe’s townsmen. They spend most of their time preparing for the main day or feast day of Apung Kulas which is on September 10. They do much preparation for their relatives out of town who is visiting them every fiesta.. It’s like a small gathering for them. A family reunion which is a bonding time for them. What is sad about Filipinos who celebrate fiesta is that, even if they don’t have enough money to celebrate they are still seeking for ways to do what they want to do. Fiesta-Mentality, one of the Filipino virtues in which we must change. In celebrating Fiesta, we should not forget the solemn part of it†¦the spiritual part of the feast†¦ What do you think is the main reason to celebrate feast days? Is it to be with other people? Is it to have many friends because they know you’re a happy go lucky person? No, it is because of the main person you’re celebrating to. Like here in Macabebe, We should not care if we don’t have money to deal with having fiesta. We should care on how we must provide satisfaction to God. We must satisfy God in giving or showing him what he want us to do. It is also not a good idea to celebrate this traditional custom for a certain reason if we know that we can’t afford it. God will never understand your excuse that you’ll borrow money from someone to celebrate it. There’s still other ways of celebrating it, like attending the everyday novena mass. You know, preparing is not a way of celebrating but prayers is the most effective way to express our thanks to that beloved saint. Yes, we can prepare, but first analyze the situation you’re taking. God wouldn’t want you to take risk you can’t do. We should know our limitations.. Yes, we must celebrate these feast days. But in prayers.. Like what I said recently, preparing is not important, prayers makes everything most important.

Essay Sample on Software and Copyrights

Essay Sample on Software and Copyrights Sample essay on Software and Copyrights: Current copyright and patent laws are  inappropriate for computer software; their imposition slows down software development and reduces competition. From the first computer as we know them, the ENIAC, computer software has become more and more important. From thousands of bytes on miles of paper to millions of bytes on a thin piece of tin  foils and witched between two pieces of plastic, software has played an important part in the world. Computers have most likely played an important role in all our lives, from making math easier with calculators, to having money on the go with ATM machines. However, with all the help that has been given to us, we havent done anything for software and the people who write it. Software by nature is completely defenseless, as it is more or less simply intellectual property, and not a physical thing, thus very easily copied. Copied software does not make money for its creators, and thus they charge more for whats not copied, and the whole industry inflates. There are two categories of intellectual property. The first one is composed of writing, music, and  films, which are covered by copyright. Inventions and innovations are covered by patent. These two categories have covered for years many kinds of work with little or no conflict. Unfortunately, it is not that easy when dealing with such a complex matter as computer software. When something is typed on a computer, it is considered writting, as it is all written words and numbers. However, when executed by the computer, it functions like an invention, performing a specific task as instructed by the user. Thus, software falls into both categories (Del Guercio 22-24). It is generally covered today by copyright laws, for most mass market software at least. More advanced software or programming techniques, however, can be patented, as they are neither obvious nor old. This results in many problems which I will go into later. Copyrights last the lifetime of the author, plus 50 years, and can be renewed. Patents last only 17 years, but cannot be renewed. With technology advancing so quickly, it is not necessary to maintain the protection of the software for the length of the copyright, but also, it is sometimes necessary to renew them (Del Guercio 22-24), say, for a 10th sequel in a video game series or version 47.1 of Bobs Graphic Program. With copyrighted material, one is able to write software similiar to someone elses, so long as the programming code is their own, and not borrowed from the others (Del Guercio 22-24). This keeps the industry competitive, and thus results in better software (because everyone is greedy, and they dont want to fall behind). With patents no one is allowed to create software that performs a similar functions. Take AutoCAD and TrueSpace 2, two 3D modeling programs. TrueSpace 2 would be a violation of patent laws, as it performs a very close task to AutoCADs, which came first. Luckily for us, CAD programs are not new, they have been around for more than 10 years, and no one thought to patent them. Thus, you can see the need for change in the system. The current laws regarding the protection of intellectual material cannot adequately protect software, they are either too weak or too strict. We need a new category of protection. The perfect protection law would most likely last for 10 years, renewable. This is long enough to protect a program for as long as it is still useful, and allows for sequels and new versions just in case. It would also have to allow for others to make similar software, keeping the industry competitive, but it would have to not allow copying of portions of other software (because you cant quote something from someone elses software like you can with a book). However, there are many who dispute this, and I can see their point. Current copyright laws have and will protect software effectively, it can be just as protected as other mediums (Cosgrove). This is true sometimes, however, to copy a book would take time. You would have to type up each page to make a copy of it, or at least photocopy or scan each page, and it would most likely take up much more time than its worth. To copy a computer program however, takes seconds. Changing the law would take time and money, you might be saying. It would be a tremendous hassle in Congress to have a new law written just to cover that Information Superhighway thingy. Yes, thats true too, but to not change the laws will cost more. With the ability to patent new and non-obvious software functions comes serious problems. The latest new technology, be it ray-tracing 3D engines, anti-aliasing software, or a new internet exploring fad can be patented. This would mean that only one company and its software could use it. Any other companies that wanted to use the software would have to pay them a large sum of money for the rights. Also, since patent hearings are conducted over a period of 3 years, and in secrecy, company a might create a software package and then apply for a patent, and company b may create better software during that period, and might become quite successful, and then bam, the patent is given to the company a, who prompty sues the pants off company b. T his stagnates the computer industry; it used to be that company a would retaliate by making better software (Del Guercio 22-24). For example, Lotus software. They used to make data organization software. Up until I did this report, I thought they had gone out of business, because I hadnt heard about anything new being done by them. Well, while I was researching, I found the appalling truth. When patenting of software became acceptable in the early 90s, they closed up their RD departments and called in a bunch of lawyers to get them patents on all their programming techniques (Del Guercio 22-24). Ever since then, theyve been selling out the rights as their primarily (and Im willing to bet, only) business. This could even be taken to the extremes of actually patenting simple methods of handling data, such as say, mouse support. Now, it cant happen to mouse support as it is today, but in the future, something  undoubtedly will replace the mouse as the preferred method of input, for instance, in what may be a virtual reality future, the glove might be the input device. Anyway, say it did happen to mouse support. Every single program that uses mouse support would have to pay a fee for the rights to do so. This would result in higher software prices (arent they high enough?), and reduced quality in the programs, as they have to worry about the legalities more (Del Guercio 22-24). Needless to say, the patenting of software is not a widely loved policy, mostly embraced by large corporations like Lotus and Microsoft (Tysver Software Patents). Smaller companies and most often consumers are generally against it. Even with all the legal problems Ive mentioned that arise with current laws, thats not all. The complexity of software protection laws brings up a large degree of confusion. I myself thought that copyrights lasted 7 years until I read this. I asked 15 people in a chat room on the Internet what they knew about software protection laws, and only one of them knew that software could be patented. 12 of them thought that it cost lots of money for a copyright, which it doesnt. Its $20 for a copyright at most, and $10000 at most for a patent. 5 of them thought that software copyrights lasted 7 years (hey, its a popular misconception, I thought so myself at one point). And last but not least, 10 of them believed that there was no laws regarding the copying of software (there are, but theyre virtually ineffective). Now that you know all about the legal and business aspects of software protection, lets take a look at how it can affect you. Say youve got a web page, and youve got a link on your web page to your friend Bobs web page, and hes got a link on his page to JoeS LeeT PiRaCY aND WaReZ, and on that site, there is a link to a pirated copy of AutoCAD. Then Joe gets busted. Joe will almost certainly be in trouble, Bob will likely be either questioned or considered responsible, depending on the blatancy of the link, and YOU will likely be questioned and your page might be monitored for a time (Bilodeau). One such example is my web page. I had a link from my page (the Wierd Wide Web) to Archaic Ruins, which is a site regarding information on emulators of old video game systems. When the operator of Archiac Ruins got sued by a video game company (I think it was Konami), I too got questioned, and had my page had ANY questionable material on it, I would have been sued. Thankfully, I was too lazy t o work on the page, as I had planned to put up a page that had really old videogames. Who said procrastination was bad? How can you prosecute someone for a crime that is undefined? Thats a question many people are asking. What is a copy of software? Is it a physical clone of the media it came on? Or is it the code duplicated to someplace else? If so, where else? Currently, software copying is generally considered a copy of the code someplace else but thats a problem. We all know that a backup of software is a copy, but did you know that even running the software creates a copy of it? Yes, it does. When you load a program, it goes into your computers memory, and is legally considered a copy. While the copy does not stay indefinitely, it does stay long enough to perform a certain task, and can and has been looked upon as a form of software piracy, as stupid as that sounds. (Tysver Software Patents) BBS (Bulletin Board Systems, small online services run by normal people) Sysops (system operators) are legally considered responsible for all the files that are available on their system (Elkin-Koren). While at first this seems like an obvious thing, after all, it is their computer, they should know whats on it. However, if you had ever run a BBS before, which I do, youd know that its hard, if not impossible to know whats on your computer. Planet-X, my friend John Morses BBS, which I co-run, has 50 calls a day. Of those 50 calls, about 35 of them upload or download software. Neither one of us is constantly monitoring the system, nor is there a way to make the computer automatically check to see what happens. Thus, about half of the public files on the BBS we dont know about. Lets take a look at an example of BBSs and copyright, and how they oh-so-beautifully coincide. Sega Ltd., maker of the Sega Genesis and Sega Gamegear, recently sued the Maphia BBS for making Sega Genesis ROMs publically available in a download section. This section was a type of digital rental as it is commonly known in the BBS community. Commercial software publically available for download, on an on-your-honor system, you had to delete the files after a short period of time (24-48 hours). Unfortunately for the Maphia BBS, they did not have a disclaimer, stating that the files must be deleted after a trial period, and thus, Sega was able to sue them for it, as without the disclaimer, there was no proof that they had used the digital rental system, and thus it was not fair use, as it could be used for monetary gain by the downloader (not having to buy the game). Of course, it could be used for that purpose WITH the disclaimer, but the disclaimer does just that, disclaims the BBS operator of the responsibilities of that copy of software (Elkin-Koren). Another such case was the case between Playboy (I think we all know who that is), and the Frena BBS. The public file areas on the Frena BBS frequently contained image files, and more often than not, they were adult image files. Well, I dont know exactly how it happened, but Playboy somehow found out that this BBS had some scanned photos from a Playboy magazine, and because they have the copyright to all their photos, they w ere able to sue the operator of the Frena BBS. The operator had no idea that there were any Playboy images on his system (Elkin-Koren). Speaking of image files, they too can be a problem with software protection. Say youve got an image file that someone had copyrighted. You load it up in a photo-retouching program, and add a big old goat in the background and paint the sky red. Then you remove the artists file name. Viola, the picture is now semi-legally copyrighted to you, as it has been significantly changed from its original, although I wouldnt recommend going to court over it (Grant 12). All you have to do is change a very large portion of the image files coding. Technically, darkening or blurring the image, changing the file format, or interlacing the file changes the file entirely, and thus, its yours. Sounds too easy? It is. Copyrights and patents are designed to help the media it protects. But in the case of technology, its actually hindering it. CD-ROMs contain a lot of information, and are the perfect media for music. A lesser known media, the Digital Video Disc, or DVD, is much more versitile, containing 26 times the storage compacity of a CD-ROM, and 11500 times more than a standard floppy disk, or about 17 gigabytes (the largest hard drives are 9 gigs). However, DVDs are not available to the public. Why? Because of the ease of copying them. Weve all dubbed tapes, its easy to do. However, we often opt for higher quality originals, because there is always a bit of degradation in the copies (although its very small now). With DVDs, a copy is exactly that, a copy. No degradation, no reason to buy an original. All the big companies are really scared by this technology, because it will take another five bucks out of their pockets. DVDs would be one of the greatest advancements in the short history of computers, but because of the shadier uses it could be used for, well never see it. I like to compare it to the Internet, its very useful, but it can be used for illegal purposes. You be the judge (Ross 134-140). Luckily, we may yet someday see DVDs, because several companies are developing copy protection schemes for them, to stop the casual home hacker/copier. Macrovision, for instance, is producing hardware for the DVD player that will make them incompatible with VCRs (the easiest dubbing-to platform, the equivilant of CD to audio tape). It will send output through the audio/video out ports that when played on a TV, will appear normal, but when played through a VCR, will have color stripes running sideways across the screen. This is due to the differences between the ways the two work (Ross 134-140). So as you can see, current methods of protecting software are a hinderance on the software industry. The problems outweigh the benefits, but with a new law, the industry would be able to keep the benefits and minimize any drawbacks. Instead of having to nitpick over who wrote something that did something similar, it would be back to who wrote something more powerful than the other guy, and thats what makes the industry great, competition. Oh, and Id like to add that I broke copyright law a total of 13 times in the making of this report, when I made a copy of each reference with the school copying machine (James 16), although it was fair use, so Im not in any trouble (Ruth). You can order a custom essay, term paper, research paper, thesis or dissertation on Software and Copyrights topics at our professional custom essay writing service which provides students with custom papers written by highly qualified academic writers. High quality and no plagiarism guarantee! Get professional essay writing help at an affordable cost.

Judicial System essays

Judicial System essays Women in this country have been a part of violence for an enormous amount of time. This violence includes pornography, rape, and even domestic violence. The United States judicial system has intervened into the so-called private sphere and eradicated women in society, providing precedent and even updating statutes as well as other types of legislation. Without intervention women may still have no rights as human beings and the victims of much worse violence. Not to say that the violence that comes about is not extremely painful and an obscene amount of torture for women, but without our judicial system to minimize some of these violent acts would be in total chausses. Throughout these acts of violence women are treated as animals, beaten, slaughtered, and killed eventually. For some, this may seem unthinkable and unrealistic but pornography, rape, and domestic violence does just this. These women who sell their bodies through porn usually-not all- have unusual childhood backgrounds. These backgrounds include, molestation, rape, incest, are penetrated with objects as children, sold for child porn by their parent or parents, being tortured through every moment of their lives. When these women grow up into adults what kind of life are they expected to have? A loving family, a college education, and a respectable profession? Or no education, broken family, and for them to fall into the same profession their parents taught them? These women dont understand that parents are supposed to love their children unconditionally. What else should we expect from women who all of their lives they have been treated as inhumane. Rape, also a sexually violent act that women encounter. This type of violence is non-consenual. Not one rape is alike. Rape consists of the domination over women so men can feel as if they are masculine and predominantly better than females who are actually physically weaker. The last act of violence discussed will be dome...

Overcoming Writers Block With Freewriting

Overcoming Writer's Block With Freewriting Heres how writing without rules can help us overcome writers block. If the prospect of having to write makes you uneasy, consider how one student has learned to cope with the problem: When I hear the word compose, I go berserk. How can I make something out of nothing? Thats not to imply that I have nothing upstairs, just no special talent for organizing thoughts and putting them down on paper. So instead of composing, I simply jot, jot, jot and scribble, scribble, scribble. Then I try to make sense of it all. This practice of jotting and scribbling is called freewriting- that is, writing without rules. If you find yourself searching for a writing topic, start by jotting down the first thoughts that come to mind, no matter how trivial or disconnected they may appear. If you already have at least a general idea of what you will be writing about, put down your first thoughts on that subject. How to Freewrite For five minutes, write non-stop: dont lift your fingers from the keyboard or your pen from the page. Just keep writing. Dont stop to ponder or make corrections or look up a words meaning in the dictionary. Just keep writing. While you are freewriting, forget the rules of formal English. Because you are writing only for yourself at this point, you dont have to worry about sentence structures, spelling or punctuation, organization or clear connections. (All those things will come later.) If you find yourself stuck for something to say, just keep repeating the last word you have written, or write, Im stuck, Im stuck until a fresh thought emerges. After a few minutes, the results may not look pretty, but you will have started writing. Using Your Freewriting What should you do with your freewriting? Well, eventually youll delete it or toss it away. But first, read it over carefully to see if you can find a keyword or phrase or maybe even a sentence or two that can be developed into a longer piece of writing. Freewriting may not always give you specific material for a future essay, but it will help you get into the right frame of mind for writing. Practicing Freewriting Most people need to practice freewriting several times before theyre able to make it work for them effectively. So be patient. Try freewriting as a regular exercise, perhaps three or four times a week, until you find that you can write without rules comfortably and productively.

Questions - part III Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Questions - part III - Essay Example The statecraft explains amongst other things the strategies, which are used by countries to have control in the international relations. The latter makes it possible for the international relations is imperative in the sense that it makes it possible for countries to be more cohesive and foster economic and political development. In the contemporary statecraft, the critics indicate that the relationship is based on increased competition amongst the member countries. Each of the countries tries to gain political and economic strength in order to have a competitive edge. From both the realism and Marxism theories, it is indicated that one of the main strategies used in statecraft today is based on accumulation of wealth for economic growth purposes. There is a direct relationship between economic gain, political strength, and military strength with power of control. The biggest economies such as the United States, Russia, and China have the power of influence. The realism theory on the other hand agrees that the relationship established between countries has nothing to do with improving the livelihoods of the people, or assisting the member countries. It has to do with the accumulation of wealth and growth of economy. ... However, this can only be achieved by ensuring that such a country export finished goods and imports only raw materials at a relatively cheaper price. This explains why the developing countries have been reduced to exporters of raw materials, which fetch little compared to the finished products. However, the statecraft ought to ensure that all the member countries benefit from the relationship established. The developed countries should seek to ensure a balanced economic development of each of the member countries. For instance, the developed countries should be supported in terms of the development of the local industries. However, with the current globalization spirits, such infant local industries have been challenges due to competition by already established institutions. The statecraft should not be used as a way through which countries accumulate wealth meant to have control on others. For instance, the United States has been accused of interfering with the internal mattes of v arious countries in the world. Most of such countries such as China and Russia have been through cold war with the United States for decades. This owes to the fact that while the United States holds on the need to embrace capitalism, these countries use the communism economic system. One of the countries that have been a victim for decades has been Cuba. Using its economic and military power, the United States ensured that this country is not given an opportunity to belong to the international community. This is an indication of how statecraft can be used at the detrimental of other countries. According to my assessment, all the countries should be treated fairly regardless of their economic strength. The developed nations should be willing to assist the developing ones to

Oil Production In Saudi Arabia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Oil Production In Saudi Arabia - Essay Example With these statistics, it is undeniably true that Saudi Arabia’s contribution in the energy industry position’s herself as key player in the global economy. This paper therefore discusses the oil production in Saudi Arabia through understanding its history and development over the years. Statistics derived from organization of the petroleum countries (OPEC) in 2014 showed that Saudi Arabia’s value of exports from petroleum related products to be about $ 321, 723 million, and its current crude oil reserves standing at 265,789 million barrels. In a whole ,oil related products, natural gas reserves constitute about 8317 billion cubic meters. Pushed by the demand for oil of about 1000 barrels per day , Saudi Arabia has increased its production capacity to be about 9637 barrels per day; this is about 2507 barrels per calendar day refinery capacity. Last year, Saudi Arabia’s export earnings came from natural gas with 100030 million cubic meters exported globally (Bronson, 56). Before Saudi Arabia controlled its oil industry, the first king of Saudi Arabia Abd al Aziz Ibn Abd granted oil concession in 1923 to British investment groups who exploited, and utilized the concession granted. It is after the discovery of first oil reserve in 1938 that the concession agreement was changed to Aramco’s concession. It allowed an equal haring of profits between the company and the government on a fifty-fifty basis. With the discovery of large quantities of oil reserves in 1945, the use of pipeline was in evitable. The trans-Arabian pipeline company came into existence owned by Aramco’s group. After completion of the Tapline pipeline in 1950, it did collect oils from fields, and it was able to handle 480, 000 barrels per day. Tapline continued to operate with a number of challenges coming from within and externally and in 1982; it was forced to stop its operations in Saudi Arabia (Branson, 45). After 1982 and

CONTRACT LAW Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

CONTRACT LAW - Essay Example Consideration moves from the promisee, not the third party and thus the third party cannot sue upon the contract (Tweddle v Atkinson [1861]2. As imagined, this was done in the interest of certainty in law but it did have the potential of leading to unfairness for a party to whom the benefit was provided, such as that witnessed in Dunlop and Shanklin Pier v Detel Products3. This is where the Law Commission came in with its reforms in 1996. The resulting Contract (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 brought into force that report of the Law Commission (1996) which allows third parties to enforce the contract and be able to sue for breaches subject to a few conditions. Needless to say, this brought forth a welcome wave of statutory protection for third parties which previously were entitled to benefits under that contract but still could not enforce it due to lack of consideration. Section 1 of the Contract (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 provides that a third party may be able to enfo rce the terms of the contract if â€Å"the contract expressly provides that he may† (s.1(1)(a)) and â€Å"the term purports to confer a benefit on him† (s. 1(1)(b)) (except where on proper construction   of the contract it appears that the parties did not intend the term to be enforceable by the third party (s.1(2)). Thus if A agrees to pay C $100 on the performance of an obligation by B, C can enforce that payment if A fails to pay in breach. This was not the case earlier, as seen in Beswick v Beswick4 where the nephew made a contract with his uncle which involved payment of weekly maintenance to the aunt. The House of Lords held that Mrs. Beswick could not enforce the contract since she was not privy to it. In light of the Contract (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 today, it is clear that the case would have been decided differently. The third party may also rely on exclusion clauses in order to protect its interest. However, simply conferring a benefit to the thi rd party may not be enough to grant him a right to sue. Where there is doubt as to whether the parties designed the agreement to avoid conferring a right to sue on the third party, s.1(2) applies and the courts will, on a proper construction of the contract, seek to determine the actual intention of the parties. This presents certain problems if the contract does not expressly state the intention of the parties. In Nisshin Shipping Co Ltd v Cleaves & Co Ltd [2003]5, the burden of proof to counter a right granted to a third party to sue under s.1(2) was placed on the party that alleges that such a right has been wrongfully applied (as per Colman J). Thus, in a neutral contract, where there is no language barring the third party to sue, it would usually follow that the statute often grants a right to sue to the third party. This safeguards the third party a little too broadly, and it has been applied differently where the chain of sub-contracts is long. In cases where the contract con sist of sub-contracts that purport to confer a benefit to a third party, it is more likely for courts to construe that parties privy to a sub-contract lower down the chain did not intend to enable the third party benefitting under that contract to sue up the hierarchy the original contractor (see Junior Book v. Veitchi & Co Ltd [1983]6. Of course, it must be noted that the Act does not allow the right to a third party in all cases and the parties may explicitly bar him to sue on it. In addition, there must be some identification

Protecting the House of Under Armour by Patrick Craft and Jackson Lee Assignment

Protecting the House of Under Armour by Patrick Craft and Jackson Lee - Assignment Example The Under Armour Company, a performance wear company was created by a former collegiate football player, Kevin Plank, with an aim to provide for the ‘unsatisfied’ performance wear needs for his teammates and other football players (Kraft & Lee, 2009). The article describes on the rapid growth of Under Armour and the stiff market competition in the performance wear provision in America (Kraft & Lee, 2009). Through work ethics, hard work and determination, Plank was able to obtain a full scholarship, and became a captain of special teams, when he was a fullback for the University of Maryland (Kraft & Lee, 2009). Under Armour entered the active performance wear category in 2000, when the athletic apparel market was divided in the terms of percentage by other performance wear producers, such as Nike and Adidas (Kraft & Lee, 2009). Under Armour had multiple challenges ranging from high market competition, having a minimum budget, and the lack of financial resources, and had t o strategize for growth and market visibility (Kraft & Lee, 2009). Under Armour established diverse market initiatives to help in the development of its brand image and reach out to its targeted consumer group, which saw the creation of inexpensive marketing strategies for a hit entry into the market (Kraft & Lee, 2009).

Describe a Friend Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Describe a Friend - Essay Example The Simpsons is, of course, the very famous American cartoon show. I understand that the show is very popular with adults in America, especially with college students. But back home when a twenty year old watches cartoons as much as Arence, most people think he did not have a fulfilled childhood. I asked him why he still watches the show and he answered, "I just enjoy it." But I think it goes more deeply than that. Arence actually arranges his scheduled around the show so that he can watch it both times it airs each day. Not only that, but he even leaves off his homework for the commercial break. And he doesn't just watch it when it comes on, but he also tapes the show so that he can watch it over and over again. He has seen the episodes so much that he will quote along with the show, speaking in a voice like Homer Simpson or Mr. Burns. The lobby where the television is located is intended for 100 students to share. Every night Arence makes his way down from the third floor, places a chair right in front of the TV and prepares to watch his show. The lobby has two couches and tables and chairs where students sit down to study. Every night everyone in the lobby kind of waits for Arence to come down for his nightly ritual.

Protecting the House of Under Armour by Patrick Craft and Jackson Lee Assignment

Protecting the House of Under Armour by Patrick Craft and Jackson Lee - Assignment Example The Under Armour Company, a performance wear company was created by a former collegiate football player, Kevin Plank, with an aim to provide for the ‘unsatisfied’ performance wear needs for his teammates and other football players (Kraft & Lee, 2009). The article describes on the rapid growth of Under Armour and the stiff market competition in the performance wear provision in America (Kraft & Lee, 2009). Through work ethics, hard work and determination, Plank was able to obtain a full scholarship, and became a captain of special teams, when he was a fullback for the University of Maryland (Kraft & Lee, 2009). Under Armour entered the active performance wear category in 2000, when the athletic apparel market was divided in the terms of percentage by other performance wear producers, such as Nike and Adidas (Kraft & Lee, 2009). Under Armour had multiple challenges ranging from high market competition, having a minimum budget, and the lack of financial resources, and had t o strategize for growth and market visibility (Kraft & Lee, 2009). Under Armour established diverse market initiatives to help in the development of its brand image and reach out to its targeted consumer group, which saw the creation of inexpensive marketing strategies for a hit entry into the market (Kraft & Lee, 2009).

Why do consumers love GreyGoose Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Why do consumers love GreyGoose - Research Paper Example The winning answered the consumer’s long asked question of whether expensive vodka tested better than cheap vodka. Consequently people felt justified for buying expensive vodka (Rothbaum 60). Following the cosumer’s loving for greygoose, we developed an urge to conduct a research. The research was to explain why consumers love greygoose. We used ZMET procedure to carry out our research. We chose on ZMET because the procedures involved draw out the deepest feelings, thoughts, recognitions and undisclosed perceptions of the respondent concerning the topic being interviewed. ZMET is the best choice for researchers willing to investigate consumer behaviors concerning a given product (Chang 279). We recruited our informants from France. Since many people were willing to participating in our interview, we carried out screening criteria on consumers who were interested in participating in the interview. We conducted in-depth interviews and carried out the convenience sampling to choose our interview participants (Chang 279). We were gender-sensitive thus we selected one male and one female. Therefore we had two informants for our data collection process with whom we carried out two interviews. The female informant was a 45 year old house-wife while the male informant was a 28 year old employed young man. We used two tape recorders to record the data conveyed by the respondents in the two interviews (Gofin, Lemke and Koners 49). After the interview, there was need of understanding the informants’ information on why consumers love greygoose. We critically analyzed the collected data to identify the metaphors that the greygoose consumers use about this vodka. We focused on obtaining metaphors because through them we could gain a better understanding of the consumers’ thinking. We transcribed the information collected from the two interview tapes into text for deeper analysis (Gofin, Lemke and Koners 49). From the data, we identified metaphor e xpressions and categorized them into thematic metaphors, conceptual metaphors and deep metaphors. Thematic metaphors described various aspects of the informants’ attitudes towards consumers’ love for greygoose. Conceptual metaphors played a role in data reduction and organization. We obtained deep metaphors by analyzing the thematic and conceptual metaphors (Belk 401). The informants revealed that greygoose consumption made them think of France, their home. We used resource as a deep metaphor to show the informants’ claims that greygoose consumption is a source of entertainment (Belk 401). The study showed that consumers considered greygoose consumption as a source of entertainment after engaging themselves in strenuous activities. The informants affirmed the entertaining ability of greygoose increased their trust in the brand. The statement we recorded from these claims was, â€Å"greygoose gets me high†¦it entertains me, I trust the brand!† The vod ka also reminded them of the great times they shared with their friends and family members back in France. Greygoose made them think of the tragic accidents and people lose caused by alcohol consumption. The informants stated that sometimes they met new people during greygoose consumption process hence making new friends. We used intimate as a thematic metaphor to show greygoose consumption as a source of memories. Conceptual metaphors obtained included anarchy, messy, France, friends and family. The informants revealed of how greygoose consumption connected their memory to the upscale greystone club. They reaffirmed that the packaging of greygoose was classy and gave them a sense of psychological ownership of the brand. Greygoose also gave them a sense of belonging. The following verbatim from the male respondent indicated this:

Cebu My Hometown Essay Example for Free

Cebu My Hometown Essay Cebu is located in central visayas approximately 1 hour from manila via airplane, Cebu is known for delicious roasted pork and famous in the works of guitars and delicious pastries. Cebu is one of the famous cities around the country as Famous Places in Philippines by ShareRanks three years ago. I will tell you the beautiful sights and relaxing places located in Cebu but not all. First is the Trans-central Highway a 33 kilometer long road from barangay Lahug Cebu city to Balamban(my home town). Some views in Trans-central are breath taking, and it is a 930 ft. above sea level highway. Island in the Sky is one of the best place to visit in Trans-central Highway, they have a small swimming pool and a short hanging bridge, and cottages that you can hang out and eat with your family and friends. Adventure Cafe also located in Trans-central Highway, walking distance from Island in the Sky, and good thing about Adventure Cafe is their adventure base activities such as zip line, wall climbing, rappelling, and stress walk, but honestly haven’t tried their activies, maybe when I go back. There are more place to visit in Trans-central Highway, buy i can only mention two places you can visit. And the last place I want to share is the Whale shark watching, it’s not in Trans-central Highway, there is no whales in 930 ft. above sea level. (haha) It is located in Tan-awan, Oslob, Cebu, 2-3 hours travel or around 177 kilometers south from the Cebu City. There are beaches that offers a tour and rentals for motor banka, but it is very expensive for non-Oslob residents. Whale shark watching is not only available in south side Cebu, but also in north side Cebu. So today I told you the beauty that you can find in my home town, But that’s not all, there are plenty of places you can discover by yourself.

Characteristics of Experimental Research

Characteristics of Experimental Research 1) Hatties (2003) participants were classified as experienced or expert according to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process. This process is based on the best available evidence of what constitutes high standards of teaching and learning and has been rigorously researched and evaluated. On the boards website it says All of the research contributes to understanding and improving the National Board Certification process. Yet, it is misleading to draw major conclusions about the overall value and impact of National Board Certification based solely on individual studies. No single study or small group of studies can effectively describe the range of impact of the National Board Certification process. (see http://www.nbpts.org/resources/research/impact_of_certification#impact) They stop short of saying that the research proves that accreditation improves the quality of teaching and learning and this is in accord to with what Johnson and Christensen (2008) say you [should] eliminate the word prove from your vocabulary when you are talking about research? p22 What does Johnson and Christensen (2008) mean and why are the NBPST so modest about their claims? On the contrary to the misunderstandings by many that a hypothesis can be tested and proven to be true through research, Johnson and Christensen (2008) asserts that research is not a tool based on which a phenomena can be proved to be true. It is a systematic process which acquires data of a relevant topic or an issue, analyses the data, interprets and reports information. Research helps to understand a particular assumption or a claim to be reasonable, unreasonable or assist to understand the reality. Johnson and Christensen (2008) chapters one, two and three helps to understand that there are two approaches to research: qualitative and quantitative research, which have led to different methods of inquiry in order to understand what is to be true or what constitute reality. Hatties (2003) research indicates the importance of educational research in understanding the important factors contributing to teaching and learning. However, as each educational setting differs from another, ed ucators need to be able to read and to interpret research findings to their own contexts to be able to have better implications. According to Johnson and Christensen (2008), and McMillan (2004), educators also need to be able to question the quality of the research and take into consideration the credibility of the research and the usefulness of the outcomes in making informed decisions about teaching and learning in their own contexts. Johnson and Christensen (2008) suggest that better judgment cannot be based on a single or small sample research studies but multiple studies using mixed methods research methods. Generalizing the research outcomes in to the educational settings needs to be based on the quality and the nature of study taken place, participants and the research methods used and comparing other studies to see if there are any correlating conclusion on previous studies 2) What is the key defining characteristic of experimental research? Active manipulation of an independent variable is the key defining characteristic of an experimental research. The characteristic of experimental research is where the researcher objectively observes a phenomena which is made to occur in a strictly controlled situation where one or more variables are systematically changed by manipulation. Active manipulation is not involved in any other types of research. Because of this à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦experimental research provides the strongest evidence of all the research methods about the existence of cause and effect relationships (Johnson, Christensen 2008,p.41) 3) A researcher discovered that students who studied mathematics at University scored higher on a test of problem solving ability at the end of their degree than students who did not. The researcher argued that the study of mathematics should be encouraged because it improves a students ability to solve problems What type of design is this? Do you agree with the researchers conclusion? Give reasons. What type of design is this? Quantitative, causal-comparative research design. Do you agree with the researchers conclusion? Give reasons. Do not agree with the research conclusion. Johnson Christensen suggesrts that a well design experimental research is virtually always better for determining cause and effect than causal-comparative research or any other type of non experimental research(p.43). Due to the fact that non experimental research does not allow for manipulation of independent variables and weaker techniques of controlling extraneous variables, cause and effect relationships are unable to be substantiated. Cause and effect is better explained in experimental research than in causal-comparative research (pp.43, 48). According to Johnson Christensen (2008.pp.43-48), and McMillan (2004. P194), there are times that causal-comparative research necessary to be conducted. The purpose of this research intended to be to investigate causal relationships when an experiment is not possible. However, the research needs to have prior research evidence to substantiate or validate claims made by the research been conducted. Causal comparative research needs to demonstrate that all extraneous variables are being recognized and considered for an impartial conclusion. Due to the fact that the existing groups are used in the comparison, attention needs to be given to the possible differences in characteristics and other factors which might influence the research outcome. Causal comparative research often fails to demonstrate the influences of extraneous variables on the research participants. 4) Contrast the main characteristics of phenomenological and ethnographic approaches to research. Give an illustration of how each approach could be applied to questions that are relevant to your workplace Phenomenological and ethnographical research approaches are two of five Qualitative research methods and all of which share some common characteristics. Phenomenology understands the essence of experience. Phenomenological study focuses on how research participants experience certain phenomena. The researchers describe and interpret the experience of the participants in order to understand their own perspectives of the phenomenon. As Merleau-Ponty (1962) states, We can only really understand phenomenology by doing it there is a difference between comprehending phenomenology intellectually and understanding it from the inside (van Manen 1984). (Observation: a complex research method.(Ethnological methods). http://find.galegroup.com.simsrad.net.ocs.mq.edu.au/ Ethnographic research however, is not about individual perception or experience, its about a group perceptions, people or a cultural belonging or social norms. Ethnographic study intends to provide in-depth descriptions and identification of cultural norms or values such as attitudes, practices and norms among a group of people. The researchers include a holistic account in describing how a someone become a part of a group: how they interact and how they identify themselves as a group. Ethnography at the work place would identify how the team operates within the work environment; the identity of the team; common practices which would identify the characteristic of the team. Ethnography enables people to adapt or adopt to be part of the work environment; to belong to the team. Phenomenology would identify how individuals operate and perceives situations, concepts and issues. It helps to analyse personal experiences of different individuals. E.g. how one person experience or understands an issue or a concept might be different to another person. Therefore the experience and the interpretations are different. 5) In his paper, Hattie (2003) draws upon a number of lines of evidence to show that it is what teachers do that makes a difference to student outcomes, and he then reports on a study which attempts to show what expert teachers do. Firstly, he alludes to studies that employ Hierarchical Linear Modeling techniques which demonstrate that what teachers do has an important impact on student learning (see page 1). Next, he describes the results of a series of Meta Analyses which show that different the sorts of activities which teachers do have different effects on student learning (see page 3). Then, he reports on the results of a literature review which identifies the characteristics of expert teachers (see page 5). Finally, he describes a study (see page 10) which demonstrates that these characteristics can in fact differentiate between expert and merely experienced teachers. In other words he has shown that these are meaningful characteristics and are therefore things that teachers should aspire to as they are markers of high standards of teaching and learning. The following table shows the forms of data which Hattie (2003) used in his study to assess the 15 dimensions they used to distinguish expert from experienced teachers. Name the research paradigm he used in this study and describe its advantages. Which specific type of design did he employ (please give reasons for your choice?) The Research paradigm Hattie (2003) uses is the Mixed methods research Design, a combination of Qualitative and Quantitative research methods. In his study, Hattie identifies meaningful characteristics and proposes a paradigm, a view that teachers should aspire to become expert teachers as opposed to becoming experienced in order to promote better outcomes for teaching and learning. He distinguishes the expert and the experienced teacher, and the influence they have on childrens learning outcomes. He arrived at these conclusions by using Mixed method research model in order to demonstrate credibility of his study and the research outcome. The research framework used by a researcher is important as it guides the research and it affects the research outcomes. The quality of a research depends on the methods of data collection, and the quality is influenced and enhanced by multiple methods of data collection. If only one method of research is used, the research findings might be influen ced by the limitations of the techniques used and therefore considered as a weaker study and the limitations needs to be explained. Multiple methods allow for credibility and strengthens the research outcome therefore allows for a strong proposition of the study being conducted. Johnson and Christensen 2004, (p.51) suggest using multiple perspectives and research methods in a single study strengthens the purpose of the study and provides clarity and credibility compared to a study used a single research methodology. Although different research methods have its own strengths and weaknesses, the researchers ability to use the mixed method design successfully prevents the research outcomes showing overlapping weaknesses. The fundamental process of mixed method research suggests it is wise to collect multiple sets of data using different research methods and approaches in such a way that the resulting mixture or combination has complementary strength and non overlapping weaknesses (p.51 ). As Johnson and Christensen suggest that an experimental research is able to better demonstrate causality but limited in realism due to the experimental setting that the research is being conducted. Realism is well demonstrated in ethnographic studies where the researcher is able to observe participants in their natural settings but limited in demonstrating causality compared to the experimental methodologies. As Hatties study consist of a variety of methods, it suggest a strong validity for his findings and therefore able to use it as an argument proposing that teacher needs to aspire to become experts in promoting better learning outcomes for children. 6) Identify the research topic(s), research problem(s), research purpose(s) and research question(s) in Brighton and Hertbergs (2004). Brighton, C., M. Hertberg, H., L. (2004). Reconstructing the vision: Teachers responses to the invitation to change. Research in Middle Level Education Online, 27(2), 1-20. Identify the research topic(s), Teacher Attitudes;  Teacher Response;  Educational Change;  Classroom Techniques;  Instructional Innovation;  Attitude Change;  Teaching Models variety of factors, including teachers pre-existing beliefs about teaching and learning, and teachers willingness and capacity for reflection greatly influence their responses to differentiation in heterogeneous, middle school classrooms. Research problem(s), Many teachers in these settings downplay the differences among the students and teach to the middle, not catering for childrens individual needs Not catering for increasingly diverse student population heterogeneously grouped classrooms are consistent with middle school philosophy as well as recommendations from leading middle school advocacy groups, Educational philosophy Research purpose(s) Address the variation in student academic readiness, interests, and learning profiles. . Research question(s) 1. What are teachers responses to the invitation to change their beliefs and practices to better address students academic diversity? 2. What patterns of teachers responses to this invitation emerge? 7) The Director of a local Preschool wants to know whether children should begin the day with a flag raising ceremony and the singing of the National Anthem. Is this a researchable question as stated? Why or why not? If not, how might you modify it to become one? Is this a researchable question as stated? No Why or why not? It is unethical Best practice of educational research is to avoid questions which are sensitive to moral and ethical principles and practices, and should not be subjected to empirical research for solutions. Flag and the National Anthem inform nationhood and identity of a country and a group of people. Therefore, suggesting whether the flag should be raised is unethical and unethical questions are inappropriate to be researched. Christenson and Johnson states these ideas typically involves making judgments of aesthetics, morality and religions(p.64).what is morally right, and proper and improper differs from one culture to another culture. The directors intention to raise the flag and to sing the national Anthem has potential to foster a sense of cultural identity within the preschool community. One could question which flag will be raised? What is the dynamic of the preschool setting? What is the contributing factor to initiate such a practice? Is the whole community represented with one flag? Is the flag representative of all cultures or a particular group? Is it going to foster unity or divide? What is the purpose of this suggestion? Individual beliefs and practices are influenced by the cultural practices and the society that people are part of and these beliefs and values are instilled from an early age. People are therefore sense and feel differently about issues and practices. Raising the flag and singing the National Anthem is culturally specific and the need to initiate such a ceremony needs to be clearly explained. Searching for ethics provided a valuable article which is worth mentioning, perhaps not directly relevant to the question being asked, yet provides an insight about humanity. Recent Russian history should have put to rest the view that everything is learned and man is infinitely malleable. After 75 years of cruel tyranny during which every effort was made to destroy civil society to create the New Soviet Man, we learn that people kept civil society alive, if not well. The elemental building blocks of that society were not isolated individuals easily trained to embrace any doctrine or adopt any habits; they were families, friends, and intimate groupings in which sentiments of sympathy, reciprocity, and fairness survived and struggled to shape behaviorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..Mankinds moral sense is not a strong beacon light, radiating outward to illuminate in sharp outline all that it touches. It is, rather, a small candle flame, casting vague and multiple shadows, flickering and sputtering i n the strong winds of power and passion, greed and ideology. But brought close to the heart and cupped in ones hands, it dispels the darkness and warms the soul. The moral sense: presidential address, American Political Science Association, 1992. American Political Science Review  87.n1  (March 1993):  pp1(11). http://find.galegroup.com.simsrad.net.ocs.mq.edu.au/ If not, how might you modify it to become one? Children growing up knowing and singing the National Anthem and being part of flag raising ceremonies can be positive experiences.. One way the question can be modified to reflect the preschool program is to focus on the routine by explaining the reason for such a proposition and to explain how this will be carried out. Question: Dear parents and families, Would you like to give permission for your child to participate in a morning routine where the children will have the opportunity to raise the flag and to sing the National Anthem? Through this experience the children will have the opportunity to become familiar with the National Anthem and will have the opportunity participate in the practical experience of raising the flag. Children will do this by being part of small groups and will have turns in raising the flag on different days. Please circle yes or no or feel free to write any comments as your inputs are valuable to our program. Yes No Other comments:______________________________________ 8) How do quantitative and qualitative research questions differ in structure? In quantitative research, the questions are clearly and consciously articulated to communicate what will be studied. An important aspect of the question formulation is to convey the information about the variables which will be investigated. Knowing or understanding the variable is an important element in quantitative studies. An example of a quantitative question would be Do children from low socio economic families, who attend preschool programs five days a week develop fluent writing skills compared to who do not? In the quantitative studies, the question will specify or name the variables and often may explain how they may be related in single statements. Qualitative studies, like quantitative research involves looking at a general problem. However structuring of specific statements and questions differ greatly. Purpose and the logic of questions differ compared to quantitative questions. Qualitative questions are more open ended, general, and does not involves variables. As an example, What can preschool teachers do to enhance childrens literacy learning? In general, qualitative questions are more open ended and quantitative questions are close ended. (Johnson Christensen, McMillan 2004) 9) An investigator wishes to identify the factors that predict persistence in problem solving tasks. In an application to the Ethics committee he describes a study in which observations are made of preschool children who are given 5 minutes to solve a puzzle. However, in reality the puzzle has no solution. What are the major ethical issues raised by this study and what procedures should the experimenter employ to comply with ethical standards? Child development and early child hood education and care literatures inform that childrens ability to complete tasks or to engage in problem solving experiences are guided by their environments, the adults around them, their moods, interests and many other factors of the times. A childs ability to persist cannot be measured by a 5 minutes observation with manipulating a puzzle. Childrens skills and abilities vary according to their developmental stages and the opportunities they have with learning experiences. Each child is unique in his or her developmental status. Perhaps the research could have focused on childrens ability to concentrate in tasks by providing a number of activities for children to choose from and by observing their attention with the chosen activity. Johnson and Christensen states many of the tests that are used with preschool children are referred to as screening tests rather than intelligence tests or academic achievement tests primarily because the predictive validity of many of the preschool tests is weak (p160). Therefore, an achievement test of puzzle and problem solving is not appropriate for a preschool age group. Procedures that the experimenter needs to employ to comply with ethical standards: The researcher needs to have informed consent from the participants, and in this case from parents or guardians, and given the purpose of the study, procedures, risks, benefits, alternative procedures and limits of confidentiality. 10) The purpose of this question is to start you thinking more deeply about an area of practice that interests and to introduce you and your interests to the group. This will enable individuals with similar interests to find one other and begin working cooperatively designing studies in subsequent modules qualitative (Module 3), non-experimental quantitative (Module 4) and experimental studies (Module 5). Please note that you are not bound by what you write here, you can change your area of interest at any time during the unit. Briefly describe please give a brief, informative and relevant title to your area of interest School readiness or transition to school programs in early childhood education an area of practice that you would like to research parents expectations of children being ready for school in early childhood settings, concepts and beliefs around the topic, Education Departments suggestions of preferred skills and knowledge as the children start school some problems that are relevant to the ongoing debate in the area some parents expect that their children to be able to write their names and know the alphabet before commencing school early childhood education in the longs day care settings and the teaching methods employed in the preschool settings parents assumptions of learning occurs at preschool and care is provided at the early child hood settings 11) Compile a literature review: On-line database searching skills Before you begin this question you should read the Finding resources module and follow the links to the Librarys support documents. Of particular interest are Library research methods: Educational Studies and, depending on your area of interest, either Researching a topic: Early Childhood Education or Researching a topic: Education Conduct four searches using Macquarie Librarys information sources (ie catalogue or on-line databases recommended for Education or Early Childhood Education) for information about your area of research interest and summarise your experience in the table below (NB this is adapted from the Research Log contained in Library research methods: Educational Studies). Briefly comment on any difficulties you faced and any strategies you might use to improve the results of subsequent searches. Search # Source Catalogue eg: MU Library Catalogue Database eg: ERIC Search Type Basic or Advanced Keyword Subject Author Search Strategy Search terms Operators (and, or) Limits Truncation Total # of hits Related terms i.e.: Descriptors Subject headings Preferred terms 1 Eric database CSA illumina Basic Key word search 16738 School readiness 2 Eric database CSA illumina Advanced, key word search Full text, Peer reviewed articles, Boolean search and or, Limit to 2009-2010, Truncation Child*, preschool* 399 Transition to school Writing skills Early learning Early childhood 3 A+ Education Informit Advanced, key word search Full text, Peer reviewed articles, Boolean search and or, Limit to 2005-2010, Truncation early childhood education* 30 School readiness Writing skills Early childhood education Preschool education 4 Expanded Academic Asap database Infotrac provider Advanced, key word search Boolean search and or Limited to Full text, peer reviewed articles All dates Truncation children* 2 literacy learning transition to school Preschool children literacy learning Comments: Need more practice on using the truncations effectively. Question Learning outcome Source 1 Understands the scientific approach to knowledge generation in terms of the basic assumptions of science, scientific method, building and testing theories and the central role that evidence plays in the process [K1.1]. Chapter 1 pp 16-23 2 Can describe the key characteristics of experimental research [K3.1]. Chapter 2, pp 41- 3 Understands the characteristics of the various types of non-experimental quantitative approaches to educational research and why it is difficult use the results of such designs to make definitive statements about cause and affect [K3.2]. Chapter 2, pp 43- 4 Understands the characteristics of the five main types of qualitative research and how they can be used to address educational problems [K3.4]. Chapter 2, pp 48- 5 Understands the types of mixed research approaches, their strengths and the contexts in which they are appropriate [K3.5]. Chapter 2 pp 51-52 Chapter 16 pp 446-448 6 Understands how research ideas are developed [K1.2]. Chapter 3 pp63-64, pp74-80 7 Understands that certain types of ideas are not directly researchable although such ideas may be able to be researched indirectly [K1.3]. Chapter 3, p 64 8 Understands how researchers define research problems, describe the purpose of their study, and develop research appropriate questions and how this process is different depending on whether the research is qualitative or quantitative in nature [K1.4]. Chapter 3 pp 74-80 9 Is aware of the ethical principles that shape and guide the research process (eg informed consent, deception, freedom to withdraw, protection from mental or physical harm, confidentiality and anonymity) and can identify which principles apply in a variety of research scenarios [K7.1] Chapter 5 10 Knows how research evidence contributes to knowledge about education policy and practice [K1.5]. Can identify critical issues which warrant further investigation [A2.1]. 11 Knows how to access existing stores of knowledge [K2.1]. Can explore the literature relating to particular aspects of professional practice [A1.1].

Foreign Investment In Brazil :: essays research papers

INTRODUCTION   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"For those who believed that Brazil would forever be the country of the future, I have a piece of bad news. The future has finally arrived.† For years, the largest and most industrialized nation in Latin America has been known as the country of tomorrow. That slogan may soon be out of date. Under the guidance of former finance minister and current president, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, this tenth largest economy in the world, once known for its high tariffs and even higher inflation, has entered a period of steady growth, the fruit of a newly-stable political and commercial environment. In combination with the upturn in its economy, Brazil’s demonstrated preference for foreign products and strong direct investment presence bode well for expanded sales of equipment and services in future years. EMERGING SECTORS   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Access to Brazilian markets in most sectors is generally favorable, and competition and participation characterize most markets by foreign firms through imports, local production and joint ventures. Many sectors such as healthcare, the environment, transportation, telecommunications and financial services, have been growing at a phenomenal rate and opportunities to further expand trade and investment are highly encouraged. Healthcare Technology   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Brazil is an excellent market for U.S. manufacturers of health technology products and services. In the medical device sector, the products that should have the best long-term prospects in Brazil are medical imagining equipment, electro-diagnostic apparatus and technologically advanced disposable medical products. In the pharmaceutical sector, long-term prospects for over-the-counter drugs and vitamins are excellent because of the high cost of private medical assistance and a growing trend towards home treatment. In the healthcare services sector, the best market opportunities include the following areas:  hospital management and consulting services  training for allied health-care personnel  hospital renovation  health maintenance organizations In order to provide more efficient health care, the Brazilian government has begun to reform the country’s entire medical care delivery system. It has decentralized the system, giving more autonomy to the states and cities in the planning and controlling of local health care programs. Overall, improvements in Brazils public healthcare sector, coupled with its trade liberalization measures, should improve the prospects for U.S. technology firms in the Brazilian market. Environmental Technology   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Brazilian market for environmental technology had an estimated value of over $1 billion in 1994. However, the National Department of Sanitation and Environmental Equipment estimates that the total investments needed to equip Brazil with necessary pollution control supplies and services amounts to over $19 billion.

Starting Up a Cookie Company

Starting up a cookie company on-campus You and your roommate are preparing to start a company producing cookies in your oncampus apartment. By starting up this business, you want to provide fresh cookies to starving fellow students late at night. However, you still have to figure out some aspects of the business model such as the price to charge, whether you will be able to make profit and how many orders you can accept. The business concept You have an extraordinary idea: to bake fresh cookies on delivery, using a customer chosen combination of ingredients.The cookies can be picked up at your apartment within one hour. Several factors will enable you to be different from your competitors such as store-bought cookies. First, the cookies will be fresh since they will only be produced after the order is received. Therefore, the buyer will be getting cookies that are literally hot out of the oven. Second, you will have a variety of ingredients available to add to the basic dough, includ ing chocolate chips, M&M’s, chopped Heath bars, coconut, walnuts, and raisins. Buyers will telephone in their orders and specify which of these ingredients they want in their cookies.Consequently, you will have the freshest, most exotic cookies anywhere, available to your fellow students next to campus. The production process Baking cookies is simple: mix all the ingredients in a food processor, spoon out the cookie dough onto a tray, put the cookies into the oven, bake the cookies, take the tray of cookies out of the oven, let the cookies cool and finally, take them of the tray and pack them in a box. You and your roommate already own all the necessary capital equipment: a food processor, cookie trays and spoons. Your apartment is equipped with a small oven that is able to hold one tray at a time.Your landlord pays your electricity. As such, the variable costs are merely the cost of the ingredients (estimated to be 1 Euro/dozen), the cost of the box in which the cookies are packed (0,30 Euro/box, each box holds a dozen cookies), and your time (what value do you place on your time? ) A more detailed description of the production process is described below. The first step of the whole process is to take the order. Your roommate has figured out how to do this quickly and This case is an adapted version of the Kristen Cookie case, Harvard Business Review. ith 100% accuracy: by using electronic mail to accept orders and to inform customers when the order will be ready. Since this process runs automatically, it does not take any of your time. Therefore, this step will be ignored in further analysis of the process. You and your roommate have timed the necessary physical operations. The first physical production step is to wash out the mixing bowl from the previous batch, add all of the ingredients, and mix them in your food processor. The mixing bowls hold ingredients for up to three dozen cookies.You then dish up the cookies, one dozen at a time onto a cooki e try. These activities take about six minutes for the washing and mixing steps, regardless of how many cookies (i. e. , one or more dozens). However, dishing up the cookies onto the tray takes two minutes per tray per dozen. The next step, performed by your roommate, is to put the cookies in the oven and set the thermostat and timer, which takes about one minute. The cookies bake for the next nine minutes. So the total baking time is 10 minutes, during which your roommate is busy setting the oven during the first minute.Since the oven only holds one tray, a second dozen takes an additional 10 minutes to bake. Your roommate also performs the last steps of the process by first removing the cookies from the oven and putting them aside to cool for 5 minutes, then carefully packing them in a box and accepting payment. Removing the cookies from the oven takes only a negligible amount of time, since it must be done promptly. Furthermore, it takes two minutes to pack each dozen and about o ne minute to accept payment for the order.As experienced bakers know, the description above contains some simplifications. For example, the first batch of cookies for the night requires preheating the oven. However, such complexities will be put aside for now. Please begin your analysis by developing a process flow diagram of the cookiemaking process. Question before starting up your business To launch your business, you need to set prices and rules for accepting orders. Some issues will only be resolved after you get started and try out different ways of producing the cookies.Before you start, however, you at least want a preliminary plan, which as much a This case is an adapted version of the Kristen Cookie case, Harvard Business Review. possible specifies, so that you can do a careful calculation of how much time you will have to devote to this business each night, and how much money you can expect to make. For example, when you conduct a market survey to determine the likely dem and, you will want to specify exactly what your order policies will be. Therefore, you will have to answer the following operational questions: How long will it take you to fill a rush order? -How many orders can you fill in a night, assuming you are open four hours each night? -How much of your own and your roommate’s valuable time will it take to fill each order? -Because your baking trays can hold exactly one dozen cookies, you will produce and sell cookies by the dozen. Should you give any discount for people who order two dozen cookies, three dozen cookies, or more? If so, how much? Will it take you any longer to fill a twodozen cookie order than a one-dozen cookie order? How many food processors and baking trays will you need? -Are there any changes you can make in your production plans that will also allow you to make better cookies or more cookies in less time or at lower cost? For example, is there bottleneck operation in your production process that you can expand c heaply? What is the effect of adding another oven? How much would you be willing to pay to rent an additional oven? This case is an adapted version of the Kristen Cookie case, Harvard Business Review.

Critically evaluate piaget’s theory of cognitive development Essay

Piaget has been described as the father of cognitive psychology (Shaffer, 1988) and his stage theory as the foundation of developmental cognitive psychology (Lutz & Sternberg, 2002). It is not possible to describe Piaget’s empirical findings and theory in only 1,500 words. Instead, I will briefly review the theory’s scope, comprehensiveness, parsimony, applicability, heuristic value and methodological underpinning. I will then evaluate in more detail the theory’s utility in describing and explaining cognitive development. Historically, Piaget’s ontological approach was ground-breaking with its focus on the qualitative nature of cognition and its constructivist perspective. The theory itself is wide-scoped (universal), comprehensive (covering a broad spectrum of cognitive achievement) and elegantly coherent (from neonate to adult). It remains profoundly influential on cognitive psychology and continues to be widely applied in childcare and educational settings. Piaget’s theory is parsimonious in its commonality of approach to a broad range of complex phenomena with key interlinking concepts. Inevitably, such an ambitious theory has generated a wealth of research, some supporting, some supplementing, some extending and some disputing aspects of Piaget’s theory. Some of the weaker aspects of Piaget’s theory appear to arise from his ‘clinical method’ of using observational behavioural data to infer conclusions about children’s underlying cognitive competences. Longitudinal data, ideally suited to monitoring progression, was only recorded for his own three children. Certain of his techniques were insufficiently sensitive to identify the underlying causes of performance variations, especially with very young infants, where more recent habituation techniques have shown that Piaget considerably underestimated their understanding and ability (Bower, 1982, Baillargeon & DeVos, 1991). This may have led him to overlook other relevant explanations for varying levels of performance, eg limitations on memory capacity (Bryant & Trabasso, 1971, Kail, 1984, Diamond, 1985), motor-co-ordination (Mandler, 1990), availability of memory strategies (Siegler, 1991) and verbal understanding (Sternberg, 1985). However, Piaget’s clinical method, his flexible and ecologically valid approach did reveal original insights into children’s thinking, which a more standardised, ‘scientific’ approach may have overlooked entirely. Piaget’s theoretical framework describes the structure of cognitive development as a fixed sequence of four discontinuous and qualitatively different ‘periods’ (for ease of understanding, referred to as stages) of all children’s intelligence across domains, tasks and contexts. Invariance is a core feature of Piaget’s conceptual structure, in contrast with contemporary perspectives, which question rigid conceptual structures, eg post-modernism and chaos theory. Piaget emphasised the invariance of progression through stages, so that a child never regresses to thinking methods from an earlier stage of cognitive development. This is empirically unconvincing, eg, as an adult, I have easily switched from formal-operational to concrete-operational thinking when presented with flat-pack furniture and an incomprehensible set of instructions. Research (Beilin, 1971, Case, 1992) has also contradicted the assumption that within a given stage of development, children demonstrate only stage-appropriate levels of performance, eg 4-year-olds make the same mistakes as 1-year-olds on some hidden-object problems by looking at locations where they have found the object previously (Siegler, 1998). Structural, qualitative discontinuity between stages – a key feature in the theory’s description of cognitive development – is also questionable. Although much research has shown that children can do things at ages earlier than Piaget considered possible (Baillargeon, 1987, Mandler, 1998, Diamond, 1991), Piaget focussed on the sequence of progression from one stage to another rather than the respective ages of cognitive achievement. However, because cognitive achievements have often been shown to emerge earlier (and occasionally later if at all, eg certain formal operations) than Piaget’s stages indicate, exactly when these stages begin and end cannot be clearly established. This blurring of boundaries between stages, suggests a spiralling structure of gradual, continuous cognitive development rather  than a stepped structure of discontinuous stages. Piaget’s focus on competence as opposed to performance contributes to the difficulty of determining when one stage becomes qualitatively different from another. What we may be capable of doing optimally (competence) may often differ from what we do actually much of the time (performance) (Davidson & Sternberg, 1985). Even if we accept Piaget’s stages as distinguishing when competences are fully developed and functional not necessarily when they first appear (Lutz & Sternberg, 2002), there is still insufficient evidence that qualitative leaps in cognitive competence can be distinguished between one stage and another. Indeed, Piaget (1970) adjusted his position on the discontinuity of stages, acknowledging that transition from concrete-operational to formal-operational reasoning occurs gradually over a span of several years. Siegler (1998) suggests that catastrophe theory (a mathematical theory which examines sudden changes) explains both the continuous and discontinuous appearance of cognitive development. The forces that lead to the collapse of a bridge may build up over a period of years, however the bridge’s visible collapse appears as a sudden event. Analogously, a child may suddenly solve a problem that she could not solve the day before, but her progress may be due to experience and improved understanding acquired over preceding months. Thus cognitive development may be viewed both as a continuous process of small, imperceptible amendments or as a discontinuous shift from one state to another – depending on when and how closely viewpoints are taken. Bloom (2002) provides a similar argument in refutation of ‘spurts’ in word learning. Piaget initially argued that his stages are universal, ie that they apply to everyone irrespective of their individual experience. Recent research suggests that cultural practices are related to children’s proficiency on tasks (Rogoff, 1990). Piaget (1972) always acknowledged the impact of social and cultural contextual factors on cognitive development but came to revise his claim that his stages are universal, eg by recognising that achieving formal operations is dependent on exposure to the specific type of thinking  found in science classes and on individual motivation to undertake certain types of task. Piaget’s revised stance on universality and the discontinuity of stages also calls into question the theory’s implicit structural premise of cognitive development being domain-general. Piaget refers to stages as holistic structures, with coherent modes of thinking that apply across a broad range of tasks, ie are domain-general. However children do not appear to develop consistently and evenly across all cognitive tasks or even within specific types of cognitive functioning, eg conservation. Piaget explains unevenness of progression, eg, within the domain of conservation, mass is conserved much sooner than volume, by ‘horizontal decalage’, which occurs when problems that appear quite similar in the requirements of underlying knowledge actually differ in the complexity of schemata required. An alternative explanation for perceived unevenness in cognitive development is domain-specificity, ie that specific types of cognitive processing develop separately and a t differing rates from others. One example of domain-specificity for language vs number acquisition occurs in deaf infant’s symbolic-representational ability allowing them to learn American Sign Language as early as 6-7 months, while children’s symbolic-representational ability for number appears months later (Mandler, 1990, Meier & Newport, 1990). Subsequent research (Chomsky, 1986, Fodor, 1983, Chi, 1992 cited in Pine, 1999) has suggested domain-specificity for language, mathematics and logico-spatial reasoning involved in chess! Horizontal decalage is described, at best, as a peripheral element and, at worst, as undermining the theory’s holistic stage structure and domain-generality. To summarise the descriptive utility of Piaget’s theory, it certainly describes the general sequencing of children’s broad intellectual development, although stage-like discontinuity may be a reflection of perspective only. However, the theory appears less accurate in its description of cognitive development as universal, functionally invariant and domain-general. More recent research (Fischer, 1980, Flavell, 1985) suggests that cognitive development occurs gradually and sequentially within particular intellectual domains. Turning to the theory’s explanation of cognitive development, Piaget’s theory explains cognitive development as the result of physical maturation and two basic biological, invariant functions: organisation and adaptation (Lutz & Sternberg, 2002). Organisation is seen as the tendency to organise physical and psychological processes into purposeful, efficient systems. Adaptation occurs via equilibration, namely the seesaw-like balancing of (1) assimilation, ie how children transform incoming information to fit their existing modes of thinking (‘schemata’) and (2) accommodation, ie how children adapt their schemata in response to new experiences. Equilibration integrates physical maturation, experience with the environment and social influences (Miller, 2002). Whilst Piaget’s focus on the active constructivist mechanism of individual/environmental interaction has been highly influential, it does not provide a sufficient explanation of cognitive development. There is little explanation of the physical maturational aspects that are key to cognitive development, such as that provided by subsequent researchers on age-related neural processing improvements (Diamond,1991). More importantly, the processes of adaptation and organisation do not explain how a child’s logical ability is derived from interaction with the environment, eg there is no explanation of how sensorimotor activity is transformed into mental images which are in turn transformed into words. Crucially, Piaget’s theory does not provide any explanation of the mechanism of cognitive transition from one qualitative stage to another. Piaget’s explanation of cognitive development thus appears impoverished. It has been supplemented by social theory, which explicates the role of social interaction in the child’s development (Vygotsky, 1934/1978) and is supported by research into the innate social characteristics of young infants (Meltzoff & Moore, 1994 amongst others cited in Smith, Cowie & Blades, 1998). Information-processing theorists (Case, 1985,) have also explained the contribution of specific areas of cognitive development, such as memory and attention. Other theorists (Karmiloff-Smith, 1992) have  incorporated a combination of approaches into a more holistic explanation of cognitive development. In conclusion, Piaget’s theory appears only broadly accurate in its description of cognitive development. Its explanation of cognitive development is inadequate; only acknowledging but not fully examining the role of social, emotional and contextual factors, underestimating the existence of innate cognitive abilities (Flavell, Miller & Miller, 1993), and ignoring the complex role of language in cognitive development. Nonetheless, Siegler (1998) describes Piaget’s work as ‘a testimony to how much one person can do’. The theory’s heuristic power is undeniable: recent studies of cognitive development have focussed on previously unsuspected cognitive strengths in children and on a broader range of children’s thinking than that investigated by Piaget (Kohlberg, 1984). The theory’s longevity is certainly warranted for its originality and inspiration to others. According to Piaget â€Å"the principal goal of education is to create adults who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generations have done – who are creative, inventive, discoverers† (Piaget, 1977 cited in Shaffer, 1998). By this standard, Piaget and his theory of cognitive development must be judged a success for current cognitive psychology. References Baillargeon, R. (1987). Object permanence in 31/2- and 41/2-month old infants. Developmental Psychology, 23, 655-664 Baillargeon, R. & DeVos, J. (1991). Object permanence in young infants: Further evidence. Child Development, 62, 1227-1246 Beilin, H. (1971). Developmental stages and developmental processes. In D.R. Green, M.P. Ford & G.B. Flamer (Eds.) Measurement and Piaget. (pp 172-196) New York:McGraw-Hill Bloom, P. (2002). How children learn the meaning of words. New York: Oxford University Press Bower, T.G.R. (1982 ). Development in Infancy 2nd Ed. San Francisco: WH Freeman Bryant, P.E. & Trabasso, T. (1971). Transitive inferences and memory in young children. Nature, 232, 456-458 Case, R. (1985). Intellectual Development: Birth to adulthood. Orlando, Fl: Academic Press. Case, R. (1992). The mind’s staircase: Exploring the conceptual underpinnings of children’s thought and knowledge. Hillsdale, NJ:Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Chi, M.T.H. (1992). Conceptual change within and across ontological categories: Examples from learning and discovery in science. In R.Giere (Ed.) Cognitive Models of Science: Minnesota studies in the philosophy of science. Minneapolis:University of Minnesota Press Chomsky, N. (1986). Knowledge of language: Its nature, origins and use. New York: Praeger Cole, M. & Cole, S.R. (2001). The Development of Children (4th Ed.). New York : Worth Publishers Davidson, J.E. & Sternberg, R. J. (1985). Competence and performance in intellectual development. In E. Neimark, R deLisi & J.H. Newman (Eds.), Moderators of competence (pp 43-76) Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Diamond, A. (1985). Development of the ability to use recall to guide action, as indicated by infants; performance on AB. Child Development, 56, 868-883 Diamond, A. (1991). Frontal lobe involvement in cognitive changes during the first year of life. In K.R. Gibson & A.C. Petersen (Eds.) Brain maturation and cognitive development: comparative and cross-cultural perspectives. New York:Aldine de Gruyter Fischer, K.W. (1980). A theory of cognitive development: the control and construction of hierarchies of skills. Psychological Review, 87, 477-531 Flavell, J.H. (1985). Cognitive Development (2nd Ed.) Englewood Cliffs, NJ:Prentice-Hall Flavell, J.H., Miller, P.H. & Miller, S.A. (1993). Cognitive Development (3rd Ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ:Prentice-Hall Kail, R. (1984). The development of memory in children (2nd Ed.). New York:Freeman Karmiloff-Smith, A. (1992). Beyond Modulatiry: A developmental perspective on cognitive science. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Precis accessed at http://bbsonline.org/Preprints/OldArchive/bbs.karmsmith.html Kohlberg, L. (1984). The psychology of moral development: The nature and validity of moral stages (Vol 2). New York: Harper & Row Lutz, D.J & Sternberg, R.J. (2002). Cognitive Development. In M.H. Bornstein & M.E. Lamb (Eds.) Developmental Psychology: An advanced textbook (4th Ed.). Mahuah, NJ:Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Mandler, J.M. (1990). Recall of events by preverbal children. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 608, 485-516 Mandler, J.M. (1998). Representation . In D. Kuhn & R.S. Siegler (Eds.), Handbook of child psychology (5th Ed.): Vol 2: Cognition, perception and language. New York: Wiley Meier, R.P. & Newport, E.L. (1990). Out of the hands of babes: on a possible sign advantage in language acquisition. Language, 66, 1-23 Meltzoff, A.N. & Moore, M.K. (1994). Imitation, memory and the representation of persons. Infant Behaviour and development, 17, 83-99 Miller, P.H. (2002). Theories of Developmental Psychology (4th Ed.). New York:Worth Publishers Piaget, J. (1972). Intellectual evolution from adolescence to adulthood. Human Development, 15, 1-12 Piaget, J. (1970). Piaget’s theory. In P.H. Mussen (Ed.) Carmichaels’ manual of child psychology (Vol 1). New York:Wiley Piaget, J. (1977). The role of action in the development of thinking. In W.F. Overton & J.M. Gallagher (Eds.) Knowledge and development (Vol 1). New York:Plenum Pine, K. (1999). Theories of Cognitive Development. In D. Meuer & S.W. Millar (Eds.) Exploring Developmental Psychology: From infancy to adolescence. London:Arnold Rogoff, B. (1990). Apprenticeship in thinking. New York:Oxford University Press Shaffer, D.R. (1988). Developmental Psychology: Childhood & Adolescence. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Siegler, R.S. (1991). Childrens’ thinking (2nd Ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ:Prentice-Hall Siegler, R.S, (1998). Children’s thinking (3rd Ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ:Prentice-Hall Smith, P.K., Cowie, H. & Blades, M. (1998). Understanding children’s development. Blackwell: Oxford Sternberg, R.J. (1985). Beyond IQ: A triarchic theory of intelligence. New York: Cambridge University Press Vygotsky, L.S. (1934/1978). Thinking and speech. In T.N. Minick (Ed.) The collected works of L.S. Vygotsky (Vol 1). Problems of general psychology. New York:Plenum Press