Research paper discussing the use of progress monitoring can help Article

Research paper discussing the use of progress monitoring can help provide educators with a valuable tool to improve their own teaching - Article Example One way that a teacher can tell whether one method of teaching is better than another is by using progress monitoring assessments (Johnson, 2005, p. 319). In the absence of these assessments, teachers would subjectively prefer methods with limited effectiveness; hence leading to poor learning outcomes. Succeeding sections of this paper contains detailed description of benefits offered by progress monitoring tools to teachers. The first step in the application of progress monitoring involves determining a learner’s actual rate of academic performance. Teachers can identify this rate by administering bi-weekly measurement of student’s average score in class tests (Gloria, 2010). Subsequently, a comparison between the actual rate of learning and the average or expected rate of learning is developed. Average rates of learning are usually the normal mean rates used within a local academic context. Comparing the two rates will objectively ascertain whether or not a student has learning difficulties. In addition, the comparison also facilitates determination of effectiveness from each teaching method used by educators. After capturing the facts concerning a student’s actual progress, educators can adjust instructional techniques and other intervention responses accordingly (Evans & Lang, 2006). Technically, the first benefit of progress monitoring assessments to teachers is formulation of informed decisions on instructional techniques. Conroy and Holly (2013) agreed that progress monitoring helps to pinpoint a student’s rate of learning. Sometimes, teachers may rest content with a misconception that a student is progressing expectedly because that student passes each test in class. However, progress monitoring is not about focusing on a single point of an academic journey. It is about checking whether a student’s pace of learning will facilitate achievement of pre-determined goals

Compare and contrast the policy implications of the theories of Essay

Compare and contrast the policy implications of the theories of justice in the works of John Rawls and Friedrich von Hayek. Illu - Essay Example 201). It is apparent that Rawls is not adequately certain in sorting out those distributive institutions that are in agreement with, or needed by, his principle. In reality, the theory is intentionally vague as Rawls, exercising his ‘method of avoidance’, tries to ‘avoid the question of the correctness of important social theories and rather to set out a conception of justice on the basis of which the question of private property vs. socialism in the means of production could be reasonably discussed’ (Wood & Woods 1991, 202). This essay will review the similarity and difference between the implications of Rawls’s and Hayek’s theory of justice on economic policy. Specifically, it will discuss the implication of Rawls’s theory of social justice on welfare economics, and the implication of Hayek’s spontaneous economic order on economic policy. Basically, the difference between Rawls and Hayek is that the former focuses on microeconom ics whereas the other on macroeconomics; however, both of them included in their discussion property-owning democracy and market socialism in a minimal fashion, while disregarding capitalism. The Implication of Rawls’s and Hayek’s Theory of Justice on Economic Policy The ideas of Rawls represent one thorough broad discussion of the issue to which others have felt forced to address. A comprehensive analysis of Rawls is relevant, not because he is ‘accurate’ whilst others are ‘inaccurate’, but because he methodically deals with these major concerns and his outcomes may be of particular relevance. In a recent literature review interconnecting ethics and economics, Hausman and McPherson (1973) firmly argue for the importance of ethics to economic policy. They refer to Rawls’s theory of justice as well. They cite a number of ethics systematisations, including Rawls, and claim â€Å"In our view, the parts of ethical theories we shall survey here may be of more interests to economists than are the whole systems† (Edgren 1995, 332). In applying the work of Rawls to discuss welfare economic policy economists have inclined to be careful. Others who mention Rawls frequently give an apparently rather more inclusive discussion. They will include the veil of ignorance, or the initial standpoint, for instance, but the emphasis is still quite on the difference theory and they still overlook much of the essence (Edgren 1995). Several applications of Rawls’s difference theory to economic policy are in opposition to the essence of Rawls’s notion. Primarily, it is entrenched in a thought system that is in some substantial essence utilitarian, whilst the system of Rawls is openly designed as a substitute for utilitarianism (Edgren 1995). Utilities, in welfare economics, are representation and not directly analogous, whilst in Rawls they are evidently the contrary (Bojer 2003). I think that some might claim that Ra wls is in error here, that he has created stronger premises than he requires, and that the remedial is incidentally. However, Rawls is struggling to expand the concept of primary goods and their importance to direct comparison. Moreover, the difference theory is related by Rawls to the anticipations of representative individuals in a theoretical scenario of imperfect unawareness, and is aimed to explain how social

Homelessness Is More Than Missing a House Essay Example for Free

Homelessness Is More Than Missing a House Essay We always encounter these types of people: A man who is shaking a cup and trying to present a smiling face to you on the side of the street, his coins are striking against each other, and his clothes were tatty and his shoes unmatched. Or at night, a crew of people who sit or sleep in front of a store with some filthy blankets on. We don’t know what kind of causes affect their homelessness, but we could easily recognize them, probably take pity on them and maybe give them change or food. Homeless people might not expect financial assist but they need mental support because they are not just physically missing a house and they have nothing to lose after the spiritual collapse by missing heart protections. We need to emotionally help them by more psychological fixing. Barbara Lazear Ascher states that we were able to help homeless people by more attentions in her article, â€Å"On Compassion†. Ascher argues that we should pay more attention to the homeless by helping them. She says, â€Å"We cannot deny the existence of the helpless as their presence grows. It is impossible to insulate ourselves against what is at our very door step† (213). We can help them by possibly give a used blanket or some warm soup. However, economical contribution might not able to fix the issue, according to Anna Quindlen’s in her â€Å"Homeless†, â€Å"Home is where the heart is. There’s no place like it†(217). Once those homeless people lose their homes, they lose everything physically, and emotionally miss their hearts and believe, faith of lives, that’s what money or food couldn’t build. Ascher believes that the general public should treat homeless people better. She begins with stating that people shouldn’t judge the homeless by their appearances. She tells a story of a homeless man, â€Å"His buttonless shirt, with one sleeve missing, hangs outside the waist of his baggy trousers. Carefully plaited dreadlocks bespeak a better time, long ago. As he crosses Manhattan’s Seventy-ninth Street, his gait is the shuffle of the forgotten ones held in place by gravity rather than plans† (211). What a pitiful man! What a tragic abjection came down onto his life! He maybe was a successful businessman in his earlier life? By giving details of a homeless person, she sets up the fundamentals of her paper and that straightforwardly grabs attention and sympathy from the audience right into the story. Ascher also observes how did aloof neighbors ignore the homeless person away, â€Å"A man with a briefcase lifts and lowers the shinny toe of his right shoe, watching the light reflect, trying to catch and balance it, as if he could hold and make it his, to ease the heavy gray of coming January, February, and March†(212). A well-educated man would not prefer to give up a dime to the person, and how about others? The rest couple in this image, are standing far away from the man, five of them, are anxiously staring at the direction that the crosstown shuttle come from(212). They feel there was nothing to do about this situation, they were totally out of this moment. Because of human nature, they refused to lower their dignities and positions to help out the homeless man even though he didn’t ask for it. Comparing with details of the homeless person exterior by Barbara L. Ascher, Anna Quindlen begins her essay in a much different way. †She said I was wasting my time talking to her; she was just passing through, although she’d been passing through for more than two weeks. To prove to me that this was true, she rummaged through a tote bag and a manila envelope and finally unfolded a sheet of typing paper and brought out her photographs†(216). Quindlen tells the story of a strange woman whom Quindlen met. The woman was carrying a picture of her old and common house all the time at the bus terminal. Quindlen recognized the lady, â€Å"She had a house, or at least once upon a time had had one. Inside were curtains, a couch, a stove, potholders. You are where you live. She was somebody†(217). From the opening of both stories between Ascher and Quindlen, Ascher focused on expressing the pitiful image of homelessness to the public, bring sympathy and help to them. However, In Quindlen’s essay â€Å"Homeless,† she brought the arguement that society’s view of home has changed in the past few generations. What could we accomplish by changing our perspective on homelessness? In this context, Quindlen noted that a home is, simply more than an exact house-a home becomes a place where we can feel connected emotionally and physically with our families. That was also the main cause why those homeless people refused to live in shelters, mostly they preferred to live on random streets. Because the homes they used to have, were more like a symbol exists in their minds, it was more than just a house and mailing address. However it was a place where it collected emotions such as love, hate, happiness, sadness, and it was a place that offered comfort and security. They used to express themselves in home but not in the shelter. Quindlen stated that our society should have treated those people as a collection of people who are not homeless, but are just missing a home. The main purpose of Barbara Lazear Ascher’s â€Å"On Compassion† encounter in couple different acts of how do people treat homeless people. She witnesses both neglect and kindness to the homeless people by the general society. She also curiously gives how does the middle-class do not understand the poor and homeless of homeless people. However, Anna Quindlen expresses her points in a different view of homelessness. Her point shows we should be able to understand of the depth of the issues of homelessness, and the most important thing for those people is a sense of heart’s place, a home. Homeless circumstances sound far away from us because we have our body and mind protected in our home. Nevertheless, the lady from Quindlen’s story who carried the picture of her house with her all the time, owned her respect and faith of a home, and shouldn’t be treated as a homeless person. There are a lot of things we can do other than just give them food. We could smile, talk, and even contribute a hug for them. Home is not just a house or mailing address. Home is the place where a family’s body and emotions are collected. It also provides the bridge that connects families. People laugh, cry, become angry or stressed, we are dealing with every kind of emotions in our daily life and finally we find out the best place to express all of these emotions are in our home.

Examining Intergroup Relations from different angles

Examining Intergroup Relations from different angles Intergroup relations started to take form in understanding individual characteristics from the beginning of the twentieth century. The theory of intergroup relations for individual, group, intergroup, and organizational relations defines boundaries, power, cognition, and leadership behaviors. Intergroup relations can be examined from so many different angles. There is even a wide variety of areas of study that have theories into a multitude of issues concerning intergroup relations. However, with the array of research into intergroup relations, narrowing down the topic of research to social psychology, and studying the characteristic, and behavior will be sufficient enough to have a wide range of understanding into group and individual behavior. Certain perceptions can be developed toward a group member or members  involving negative or positive intergroup relations, such as: social categorization, stereotypes, intergroup bias, motivations, prejudices, and the functional relationsh ip process within a group. INTRODUCTION TO INTERGROUP RELATIONS What is the meaning behind intergroup relations? Why is it so widely studied in social psychology? These are questions that are asked when analyzing the meaning of intergroup relations. To better understand intergroup relations you first have to dive into where it all began and how the term was discovered. In the 1960s and 1970s social psychologists began studying individuals and social interaction. The study of group dynamics proved to be unsuccessful and expensive, so they decided to research the dynamic on a smaller scale by breaking down individuals rather than placing them in larger social structures for their research. However, this setting failed and the setting became inaccurate. As time went on though, investigation of group dynamics was not a dead topic. The research into intergroup relations was yet again opened up for study in the 1980s and 1990s, but this time investigation into human behavior in a group setting (Johnson Johnson, 2009). The numbers of issues found were: cooperation, conflict resolution, distributive justice, intergroup relations, and cross cultural interactions. This was a major step in research for group and individual behavior among a group setting. It was then a doorway to other fields for research that ultimately became one of the most dominated areas of study on group dynamics. Intergroup relations in simpler terms can be described as feelings, evaluations, beliefs and behaviors that groups and members may have toward one another. It can have both positive and negative impacts among those individuals that are among the group or outside their group. The psychological process that is associated with intergroup relations among many is social categorization. This can be described as the personalities, motivations of group members, observations, and the practical relationship between groups and those outside groups. SOCIAL CATEGORIZATION Social Categorization is a fundamental part of intergroup relations. It involves identifying people that are within your group and those that our outside of your group members. The theory behind social categorization arises from the earlier work of Tajfel of social identity theory. By evaluating an individuals self-image for which they perceive him or herself; these aspects can also contribute positively or negatively as well when defining their group identity with we or us as one would with me or I. Social categorization is social perception that involves relating to those within your group and discriminating against those that are not in your group. This can cause conflict when one relates with their individual self image to their own group and then having to work with others that are outside of your group members. When relating yourself characteristic and building a trusting relationship with those within your group, members tend to view others more negatively when others from the outside are brought into your group; even if those from the outside have similar characteristics of your own. Once group membership has been established people distinguish individuals who are members as the in-group and those who are members of other group as the out-group (Dovidio, April 21, 1990). When intergroup boundaries between out-group and in-group have been pronounced people tend to discriminate against the out-group than those in their in-group. People then attribute more strongly to their in-group, and then in turn favor and contribute more toward their group. This is because ones self-esteem is more enhanced in their own group than in different group memberships. When different groups are not interdependent and group memberships are thrown together; intergroup biases are produced. INTERGROUP BIAS Intergroup bias generally defines the members (the in-group) to be more favorable to their own group than to the non-members (the out-group). Bias can cause such behavior such as: discrimination, stereo-typing, and prejudice. This essentially means that trust is turned over to the in-group and not given to the out-group. Individuals tend to give more to their own group than relinquishing those rewards to members of other groups. When social identity is developed among members in a group, it is hard for those members to be able to reach out and identify with outside group members. Once a trust line has been established it is difficult to create non derogation towards the out-group (Dovidio, April 21, 1990). In order to decrease intergroup bias is to make group members aware of the consequences that surround this behavior. Or by placing groups with other groups on more of a daily basis in order to establish less competition and less trust issues among others. By taking out the element that can cause intergroup bias can help those participating in a group environment to see that each member, whether in their group or others, are key factors to being successful. Being able to observe others culture, style and individual character without discriminating from the beginning will help each member find balance in their group and others they become involved in. No one group is better than the other. Each has separate tools that can make the ease of intergroup relations work victoriously. GROUP CULTURE When evaluating group dynamics in intergroup relations one benefit, as stated, is the culture and style that each individual will bring such as: the history and common ancestry, as well as cultural characteristics. But when viewing culture as it relates to intergroup bias, groups that are involved in intercultural encounters tend to run into conflicts due to sociocultural adaptation. The more different the languages, family structures, religion, standard of living and values of the two groups, the more cultural distance there will be between these groups. With these cultural characteristics and cultural distance that is placed in groups it can have a tendency to take shape as ethnocentrism where one ethnic group views their culture as better than another. When ethnocentrism is present we measure our culture based on others of different ethnicity. This is derived from the cultural conditioning that each individual has encountered as children. Children are typically raised to fit into particular cultures and sometimes when individuals are conditioned we see others ethnic background in a more negative light than positive (Messick Mackie, 1989). Groups tend to place distance between those that are of different in cultural background because they perceive them with dissimilarity to their own culture. Sometimes, it is difficult for groups to adapt to those with greater cultural dissimilarities. It is important for those placed in groups to be able to learn more about each individuals own interaction styles, and be able to set structure within those group to have a higher success rate in their groups. When structuring a groups interaction styles and applying everyones cultural differences; you can take those differences and use them to benefit a higher success rate. Being able to learn and understand others cultural beliefs and backgrounds can truly add benefit to each group established (Spielberger, 2004). GROUP BEHAVIOR AND MEMBERSHIP A group is a social system that involves interaction among members and a common group identity. When discussing group dynamics and how it correlates with intergroup relations, evaluating the conflicts, social categorization, and cultural differences; it is also important to evaluate the fundamental behaviors of group processes as a whole. Groups have a sense of we-ness that helps them to identify themselves as belonging to a certain entity. A group is an important part of sociological concept since it plays such a complex part in everyday life. Group membership is part of an individuals social identity. It is a key element of social control over individuals social pressures towards having to conform. Especially when they can deviate risking their membership as a result of that risk. However, social consequences help establish an important understanding of social life as a whole. We live in a very physical and cognitive world and when discussing group membership and the social pressures, understanding the social influence and group behavior in group memberships is one of the most important keys to everyday life (Messick Mackie, 1989). There are several types of group environments that we encounter in a life time; from sports, school, work, family and peers. Every type of group contact comes with social influence and behaviors from each individual involved in the group setting. Individuals affect one another in several different ways depending on their experiences. Experiences that each individual has encountered in their lifetime; is the key tool in intergroup relations. It is what makes group behavior an important asset when discussing the theory behind intergroup contact and how they all in the end relate to one another. Ultimately, the individuals experiences, needs, social influences and relationships are what make up how individuals approach group membership. SUMMARY Intergroup relations are essentially determined by how people relate to one another as well as how they categorize others. Perceptions is what shapes individuals personal needs and values, and by the behavior between groups. This process intermingles and works in sync with each other. With this categorization of people in groups it can sometimes cause the intergroup bias and conflict among the group members or members outside of the group (Dovidio, April 21, 1990). However, with conflict and social categorization come goals to help implement positive group membership. Different groups and culture can help organize and produce efforts to achieve a mutually desired outcome; as long as conditions and discipline is applied. Being able to work together and understand everyones individual needs and goals will help establish a positive intergroup dynamic. Certain perceptions are developed toward a group member or members that are  involved in a negative or positive intergroup relation. Social categorization, stereotypes, intergroup bias, motivations, prejudices, and the functional relationship process within a group. These basic processes are the fundamental interpretations of intergroup relations and the dynamics that in turn produce a group membership that can successfully be achieved with hard work, understanding and the basic desires to work as a group and overcome the biasness that can take place.

DNA Molecule :: Biology, The Mitochondrial Cyt B

Haruan Channa striatus is in great demand in the Malaysian domestic fish market. Therefore, detailed knowledge of the genetic diversity and population genetics of Haruan C. striatus are needed for sound management, conservation, stock identification and successful fishing of the species. Haruan, the local name for the snakehead Channa striatus is an obligate freshwater fish of the family Channidae, which has important economic value as food fish, and has pharmacological properties as well as medicinal value (Mat Jais, 1991, 2007a, 2007b; Rahim et al., 2009; Jamaluddin et al., 2011). Haruan C. striatus can be morphologically distinguished based on coloration, meristics and morphometrics (Mat Jais, 1991; Rahim et al., 2009), as well as the distribution of scales on the underside of the lower jaw, and the morphology of the suprabranchial organs and a sharp pointed ridge at the mid-ventral part of isthmus (Vishwanath and Geetakymari, 2009). The wild species found in small rivers, lakes, pools and shallow water bodies where agro-chemicals are applied in their natural habitats can survive in harsh environments with low dissolved oxygen and high ammonia (Rahim et al., 2009; Jamaluddin, 2011). Haruan C. striatus in particular has a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 42, with a karyotype composed of 6 metacentric, 2 acrocentric and 34 telocentric chromosomes, NF=50, without heteromorphic sex chromosomes (Supiwong et al., 2009). The mitochondrial cyt b is one of the most important proteins encoding genes on the heavy strand of the mtDNA molecule, which has been widely used in molecular marker techniques for many applications to access intra- or interspecies genetic diversity, genetic variation, phylogeography, species and hybrid identification, phylogeny in numerous species and genera, population genetic structure, conservation and demographic history (Hsu et al., 2009; Li et al., 2009, Ma et al., 2010; Thangaraj and Lipton, 2010). Due to the potential of Haruan C. striatus previous studies have analyzed the genetics of this species at the morphological, biological, diet, physiological, biochemical composition, ecological and chromosomal level for breeding programs and medical and pharmaceutical activities for anti-microbial, antiinflammatory, cell proliferation, induction of platelet aggregation and anti-nociceptive properties (Mat Jais, 2007b; Rahim et al., 2009; Supiwong et al., 2009; Dahlan-Daud et al., 2010; Jamaluddin et al., 2011). In recent years, preliminary analysis of Haruan C. striatus populations has been examined based on different molecular markers, such as analysis of mitochondrial mtDNA (Abol-Munafi, 2007; Lakra et al., 2010; Jamaluddin et al., 2011), randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD; Ambak et al., 2006) and allozyme markers (Hara et al., 1998). Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) has been proven to be a successful method in studying the population genetic structure and differentiation of many fish, such as skipjack tuna

Should Gambling Be Legalized Essay -- essays research papers

Should Gambling Be Legalized?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Gambling is the risking of money or other possessions that’s mostly depends on chance and luck, even tough some forms of gambling may be influenced by skills. Some stereotypical forms of gambling are found in casinos they include: roulette, blackjack, craps, poker, slots and many others. Nevertheless, there are other forms of gambling that people would not even consider them so such as playing the lottery. Gambling has been very popular since the beginning of time when people would use instruments of divination in order to try to predict the outcomes of important events such as wars. These devices were very similar to the ones we use for gambling today (Gambling). Gambling continues to be quite popular in today’s society. Nevertheless, many people bel...

BIS220 Information Systems Proposal Essay

Dear collegue as we embark on this adventure of starting our own Records Company, there are some things that we need to become familiar with in order to be successful. We need to get acquainted and become knowleageable with some of the different Information Systems that will help our compny be a successful one. See below for some of the necessary systems that we will be needing. Â  Integrating certain information systems within a business organization will not only prove for a faster more efficient workplace but will also improve the bottom line for company growth. Even though there are numerous information systems that can be implemented and utilized to improve the growth and expansion of the company, there are five information systems that the company should focus on utilizing: Office Automation System, Expert System, Management Information System, Electronic Commerce System, and Transaction Processing System. The recommended information systems listed in this proposal are simple to use and cost effective. Each information system needs to be evaluated based on their advantages and disadvantages, we will discuss them in detail. Management Information System (MIS): This system is in charge of managing all organizational networks and ensuring all systems are running accordingly. The MIS would also include knowledge of all employee information as well as tracking customer sales and handling company budgets. Dealing with allocated budgets could pose an ethical issue depending on the manager in charge, which, if based on a clean background check and character, should not be an issue. Office Automation System: This system will help the flow of employee productivity maintain a constant and progressive pattern. This system, or the OAS, will provide employees with the proper tools to create effective documents for everyday business related needs. Transaction Processing Systems (TPS): This is needed in order to conduct daily operationsThe point of sale (POS) is one such system that can be designed make transactions efficient by collecting and storing sales transactions, generating purchase orders, and providing tracking numbers for individual sales. Data can transfer and used with accounting and inventory control software programs. These systems will follow the transaction from start point through the completed process and has the capability to capture records and data. Electronic Commerce System: This system will enable you to conduct transactions with different organizations and between your business and your consumers. Expert System: This system is the system that will approve credit cards. | The system crashing and causing us not to be able to take credit cards then leaving us without the transaction causing us not to meet our goal. Keep in mind that all of these sytems have their drawbacks and if they happen to failed they will cause a great deal of management pain withing your company. The hassles could be from time keeping with your employees to payroll problems withing the company Respectfully request you consider my proposal as it clearly meets the criteria for establishing a long and prosperous operation for your company. Again, thank you for the opportunity to provide a proposal for your business. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to meet you and discuss this proposal. Respectfully Pedro O. Beltran JOC Watch Officer/Intel Analyst SOUTHCOM J33 References: Reiner Jr, R. K., & Cegielski, C. G. (2011). Introduction to Information Systems (3rd ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database