High School and Students Essay

Introduction The continuous deterioration of the quality of education in the Philippines has prompted the DepEd to push for the implementation of the K to 12 programs, which entails the institutionalization of kindergarten and the addition of two more years of high school in the basic education cycle. The proposal has spurred a heated debate on whether it could lead to improvements or just exacerbate thn e present state of education in the country. The Enhanced K+12 Basic Education Program in the Philippines has been officially started. It has been initiated by the Aquino administration where students will have to undergo a new system of education. This program will require all incoming students to enroll into two more years of basic education. Thus, the K+12 System will basically include the Universal kindergarten, 6 years of elementary, 4 years of junior high school with an additional 2 years for senior high school. Moreover, the program aims to uplift the quality of education in the Philippines in order for graduates to be easily employed. The program also aims to meet the standards required for professionals who would want to work abroad. Most importantly, the system aims to fully enhance and develop the students in order for them to be well-prepared especially in emotional and cognitive aspects. Through this, graduates will be able to face the pressures of their future workplace. However, not all are in favor of the K+12 Education. There are students complaining of the additional years and there are parents who are not in favor of the additional expenses. But indeed, it is an undeniable fact that additional years in the education system will really require more budgets not just from the government but from the parents as well. Aside from this, students will need additional classrooms, school supplies and facilities. The program would need more qualified teachers as well. The researchers believe that the K+12 Education in the Philippines would uplift the quality of lifestyle of the Filipino people. But, this could not be done without being prepared. And since the program has already been implemented, what is  more important now is for students to do their best and study despite of the lack of facilities. The Philippine educational system pursues the achievement of excellent undergraduates in the elementary and secondary level. Implementation of UbD is one of the proposals that undertook in the country recently. At present, the Department of Education pronounces the addition of two more years in the basic education of students, which according to them will benefit not only the Filipino youth but all the Filipinos in the Philippines. This proposal is part of P-noy’s Educational Reform Program. The administration asserts that with the implementation of such program, the problem of unemployment in the country will be resolved. In as much as employment in the Philippines is concerned, the K12 education also responds to the fact that most countries in the world already have the same plan in their educational institutions. With this, the standards of these countries go a notch higher than what the country has, thus, creating an expansion in the global competency. What can be really said about this plan? While the reaction of the public is divided, where some are in favor and some are not, here are several issues that point out to the aggression of opposing groups especially the parents to this program. One of the main problems in the Philippines which the government needs to resolve is the lack of school and classrooms in the different parts of the country. It is important that students stay in a place that is conducive for study while they are away from home. In addition, with teachers go abroad to teach, or do another job, there is already a shortage of educators in schools that mold the minds of learners. And this deficiency has become a problem for the country in the past several years. Finally, there is a need for students to utilize the appropriate instructional materials and school equipment for them to learn and gain the necessary knowledge in school. This lack of accessibility in books and other school supplies clearly manifest the scarcity in the public schools in the country. There is nothing wrong in aiming the other fraction of a horizon, and that is what the government attempts to accomplish. It is in fact an indication that to aspire for something higher, one must carry out certain actions to achieve the goal. However, the administration also ought to realize and clearly understand what the educational system in the Philippines needs to develop primarily. The mentioned issues above are only a few elements that entailed to be resolved. At some point, the Philippines cannot go ahead unless the concerns are faced and the difficulties are completely solved. There are a lot to be done to improve the competency of the youth. The government does not need to gaze from afar. ? Conceptual Framework The framework of this as can be viewed below was anchored on the dependent variable, student’s perception on the K+12 policy as the independent variable. Research Paradigm Fig. 1 Dependent Variable Independent Variable Statement of the Problem Major Problem: 1. What is the perception of the STMA high school students on K12? Minor Problems: 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of K12? 2. Does the student agree on the K12 policy? ? Hypothesis This study assumed the following: 1. That students have different definition about the K12 policy. 2. That students believe that K12 is a waste of time. 3. Most students will not finish high school. Scope and Delimitations The target respondents of the study are the high school students of the current academic year (2011-2012) randomly selected across all year level. It is limits itself on the perceptions of the students on the said topic and their preconceived notion. Significance of the Study. This study is about the perception on K12 policy among parents and high school students of St. Thomas More Academy academic year 2011-2012. The persons that would benefit from the study are the following: Students A better understanding on K12 policy would benefit the students on increasing their knowledge. Teachers The finding of this study may likewise motivate and challenge them to guide their students on matters regarding K12 policy related issues considering the philosophy of loco parentis or the second parents; teachers will be able to explain things. Parents will be enlightened on how best to explain to their children matters pertaining to K12 policy. ? Definition of terms The following special terms has been sued to suit this study: Deteriorate To make or become worse in character, quality, etc. Exacerbate To increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of; aggravate. PerceptionPoint of view; Opinion Promptto obey ENDNOTES Websites: www. wikipedia. com www. wiki-answers. com http://wiki. answers. com/Q/What_are_the_advantages_in_having_k_plus_12? CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ? CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE. In preparing this study the researchers seriously looked for different books, newspapers articles and other media as point of reference. There are numerous sources that the researchers found especially on the internet related to these. The researchers carefully examined the following related literature; If the K-12 Education Plan becomes successful, then the Philippine education system can become more competitive among other countries around the world. Though there are still some problems that the government needs to solve before they can successfully implement the plan. The proposed program is good but it still won’t work if the needed elements to make it work aren’t present. Such element includes the number of public school classrooms plus the adequate supply of classroom chairs, books, etc. If the government could allot a bigger budget to educational needs, then we could be one-step ahead towards the success of the K-12 program. Furthermore, parents (especially those who belong in the poor sector) should be properly informed and motivated of the advantages of the K-12 Education Plan. This is very important since parents play a major role in providing the child’s school allowances, supplies, and fees for other school projects and activities. Add to that the support of parents towards their children in terms of guidance and teaching. The DepEd seems all set to add two more years to the country’s 10 year basic education curriculum. This is a very tough issue to crack. We think it is a clash between reality and the ideal. A question unanswered – is this for the common good? The truth is there are already many problems at the current 10-year curriculum and it has nothing to do with number of years. To enumerate a few – there are not enough qualified teachers to teach all the students; that is made worst with just too many students; there are not enough classrooms and schools to comfortably fit all the students (not to mention not enough bathrooms and water supply); there are not enough books; add the problem of poor quality books, on top of that there are not enough facilities and finally very high dropout rates. The latter, high dropout rates are being caused by something out of the education system but affects large part of the population – poverty. There are just so many poor families and they are so poor that many of them cannot afford to pay for the already meager amount needed for the education of their children. Grade school and high school are free in public schools with parents needing to just spend on uniforms, fare and some expenses. The tuition which normally accounts for a very large share of the total expenses are free and yet most poor families can still not afford of what is left for them to spend. It is not that the expenses are high, it’s just their income is very, very low. It is this inability to afford the other expenses that has caused a very high dropout rate among students. This plan of the DepEd to add two more years will of course not solve any of the above problems. In fact, it will only extend all those problems by two more years. A longer basic education will also mean even higher dropout rates. Then there is the problem of additional expenses for the government. As of now, with the 10 year curriculum, there is already desperate lack of classrooms and schools. The public schools cannot turn the student’s away when they show up to enroll. To cope many public schools have crammed as many students as they can inside the classroom with classrooms crammed with chairs from wall to wall. Not enough, the schools conduct classes in at least shifts, in some instances classes held very early in the morning till late in the evening. With two additional years, the schools will definitely need to construct new buildings and classrooms or God forbid conduct classes 24/7. The above is the reality part. On the government side, in the discussion paper it disseminated during its press conference last Oct. 5, the Department of Education (DepEd) has given at least nine reasons for the K+12 project: 1. â€Å"Enhancing the quality of basic education in the Philippines is urgent and critical. † 2. â€Å"The poor quality of basic education is reflected in the low achievement scores of Filipino students. One reason is that students do not get adequate instructional time or time on task. † 3. International test results consistently show Filipino students lagging way behind practically everybody else in the world. In the 2008 mathematics exam, for example, we came in dead last. 4. â€Å"The congested curriculum partly explains the present state of education. † Twelve years of content are crammed into ten years. 5. â€Å"This quality of education is reflected in the inadequate preparation of high school graduates for the world of work or entrepreneurship or higher education. † If ten years were adequate, how come employers do not hire fresh high school graduates? How come most high school graduates flunk the UPCAT? 6. â€Å"Most graduates are too young to enter the labor force. † Since most children start Grade 1 when they are 6 years old, they do not reach the legal employable age of 18 when they graduate from high school today. 7. â€Å"The current system also reinforces the misperception that basic education is just a preparatory step for higher education. † Why prioritize the minority of high school graduates that go to college? 8. â€Å"The short duration of the basic education program also puts the millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), especially the professionals, and those who intend to study abroad, at a disadvantage. Our graduates are not automatically recognized as professionals abroad. † The best examples are our engineering graduates, who are condemned to international jobs not befitting their professional status due to our not having a 12-year basic education cycle. 9. â€Å"The short basic education program affects the human development of the Filipino children. † If we believe that 17-year-old high school graduates are emotionally, psychologically, and intellectually mature, why do we require them to get parental consent before they get married? On the other hand, those opposing the plan put forward the following arguments: 1. Parents have to shell out more money (for transportation and food) for the education of their children. 2. The government does not have the money to pay for two more years of free education, since it does not even have the money to fully support today’s ten years. DepEd must first solve the lack of classrooms, furniture and equipment, qualified teachers, and error-free textbooks. 3. We can do in ten years what everyone else in the world takes 12 years to do. Why do we have to follow what the rest of the world is doing? We are better than all of them. Filipinos right now are accepted in prestigious graduate schools in the world, even with only ten years of basic education. 4. As far as the curriculum is concerned, DepEd should fix the current subjects instead of adding new ones. The problem is the content, not the length, of basic education. As an editorial put it, we need to have better education, not more education. 5. A high school diploma will not get anybody anywhere, because business firms will not hire fresh high school graduates. 6. Every family dreams of having a child graduate from college. 7. While students are stuck in Grades 11 and 12, colleges and universities will have no freshmen for two years. This will spell financial disaster for many private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). 8. The drop-out rate will increase because of the two extra years. ? . CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY ? Chapter III Methodology This chapter deals with the methodology of the studies. This is presented on the following sections: (a) Research design (b) Sampling Technique (c) Instrumentation (d) Data-gathering procedure and (e) Statistical treatment of data. Research Method The descriptive survey method was man used in this research. The descriptive method is concerned with the analysis of the relationship between non-manipulated variable employing the use of the development of generalization. This means that variable have already occurred and are just selected and observed Fraenkel and Wallen (1998) also define the descriptive research as involving collection of data in order to test hypothesis and answer questions concerning the current status of the subject of the study. Since the study deals with perceptions of parents and high school students on K12 policy of the Philippine government academic year 2011-2012, the descriptive survey method was deemed appropriate to be used. [[[[ Sampling Technique The population of the study involved a total number if 496 respondents randomly selected representing at least more than half of the school’s population irrespective of the age, year, selection and gender. Research Instrument The researchers devised a self-made questionnaire designed to obtain information related on the objective of the study. It consisted of the following parts: Part I – This part of the questionnaire dealt with personal information regarding the respondents (name and section). Part II – This part of the questionnaire was intended to ask the respondent’s definition about K+12. Part III – This part of the questionnaire was intended to ask the respondent’s idea about the advantages and disadvantages of K12. Part IV- This part of the questionnaire was intended to ask the respondent’s opinion about the benefits of K+12. Data Gathering Procedures. The following data gathering procedures guided the researchers Phase 1 – a copy of the questionnaire was presented to the thesis adviser. The researchers asked for his comments and suggestions; Phase 2 – the researchers presented the edited questionnaire and asked for further assistance from parents. It was then presented for approval to the school principal who gave valuable insight and ideas on how best the data can be gathered. Phase 3 – the researchers conducted data gathering procedures during first week of February. The figure below is the flowchart of the Data Gathering Procedures done by the researchers. Fig. 2 Statistical Treatment of Data For analyzing the data, the researchers will be use of the following statistical tools: Percentage This refers to the number of parts per one hundred. It is a statistical tool used to express how large one quantity is, relative to another quantity. To get the total percentage of specific number and total number respondents in the questionnaire the formula is: % = F/N * 100 Where N=370 Unless otherwise stated the above formula will be used except for multiresponse questions or for gender based questions. ? Presentation and Data Analysis Table 1 1. How do you define K12? This table is a multi-response item which showed that majority of respondents surveyed that they defined K12 as an added two years in high school with 77. 57% followed by it is an academic program with 20. 54% and a government policy with 15. 41%. ? Table 2 2. What are the advantages of it? The preceding multiresponse table2 showed that majority of respondents surveyed said that the advantage of K12 policy is to gain more knowledge with 62. 97% followed by more chances to have work with 29. 19% and free OJT with 18. 65%. ? Table 3 3. What are the disadvantages of it? Multiresponse table 3 showed that more money to spend was the top disadvantage of K12 with 79. 19% followed by waste of time with 16. 22% and lack of leisure with 15. 41% as the final point of view. ? Table 4 4. Do you agree on K12 policy? More than half of the respondents said that they disagreed on the K12 policy with 67. 57% and the remaining 32. 43% of the respondents agreed. ? Table 5 5. Do you think you will be well educated if you graduated under the K12 system? Table 5 showed that the majority of the respondents agreed that they will be well educated if they graduated under the K12 policy with 70. 27% and the other respondents left disagreed with 29. 73%. ? Table 6 6. In K12 system, do you think it will be helpful to all students? The greater part of the respondents believed that K12 policy will be helpful to the students. ? CHAPTER IV SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ? CHAPTER IV Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations This chapter presents the summary of findings, conclusions and recommendations. Summary of Findings. This first table is a multiresponse item which showed that majority of respondents surveyed that they defined K12 as an added two years in high school with 77. 57% followed by it is an academic program with 20. 54% and a government policy with 15. 41%. The second table is also a multiresponse item which showed that majority of respondents surveyed said that the advantage of K12 policy is to gain more knowledge with 62. 97% followed by more chances to have work with 29. 19% and free OJT with 18. 65%. Multiresponse table 3 showed that more money to spend was the top disadvantage of K12 with 79. 19% followed by waste of time with 16. 22% and lack of leisure with 15. 41% as the final point of view. Table 4 illustrates that more than half of the respondents said that they disagreed on the K12 policy with 67. 57% and the remaining 32. 43% of the respondents agreed. With this, it showed that the most of the students doesn’t like to implement the K+12 policy due to their concern for their time and to their parent’s money.. Table 5 proved that the majority of the respondents agreed that they will be well educated if they graduated under the K12 policy with 70. 27% and the other respondents left disagreed with 29. 73%. In table 6, it shows that the greater part of the respondents believed that K12 policy will be helpful to the students. Conclusions It has proved that the respondents showed their different views or perceptions on the K-12 system of education in the Philippine government. The following conclusions have been drawn: 1. That students were all informed and yet educated what the K-12 system is about. 2. That disadvantages were showed by the majority of the students through the data gathered whereas it resulted the students not to agree on the said system. 3. That students will be well educated after finishing the K-12 system in their education. 4. And on the other side it will be a great help to the students to learn more and adequate information that will mold them into a better person. ? Recommendation It is with fervent wish of the researchers that the following recommendations be considered by the concerned; Students 1. Responsible is the key to the effectiveness of this program. 2. Should be responsible enough to fulfill the given task of their teachers. Teachers 1. Teachers should encourage their students to open up if they have their problems on their subjects. 2. Since teachers are willing to help the students be more cooperative and open-minded to develop their skills and studies. Schools 1. Schools should provide clean and green surroundings. 3. Monitor the students in having gangs/fraternities. 4. They should provide and recuperate their facilities. Parents 1. Parents should help their children in their problems. 2. Parents should encourage their children to keep not neglect their studies. ? St. Thomas More Academy Incorporated Molino III, Bacoor, Cavite Survey questionnaire Title: Perception of STMA High School Students on the K12 policy of the Philippine Government Name: Year and Section: 1. How do you define K12? a. added two years in high school b. academic program c. government policy 2. What are the advantages of it? a. free OJT b. more chances to have work c. gain more knowledge 3. What are the disadvantages of it? a. waste of time b. more money to spend c. lack of leisure 4. Do you agree on K12? a. no b. yes 5. Do you think you will be well educated if you graduated under the K12 system? a. yes b. no 6. In K12 system, do you think it will be helpful to all students? a. yes b. no. Title: Perception of STMA High School Students on the K12 policy of the Philippine Government Name: Year and Section: 1. How do you define K12? a. added two years in high school b. academic program c. government policy 2. What are the advantages of it? a. free OJT b. more chances to have work c. gain more knowledge 3. What are the disadvantages of it? a. waste of tim b. more money to spend c. lack of leisure 4. Do you agree on K12? a. no b. yes 5. Do you think you will be well educated if you graduated under the K12 system? a. yes b. no 6. In K12 system, do you think it will be helpful to all students? a. yes b. no.

Do you agree with Juliet Dusinbierres claim that Renaissance Drama is feminist-in-sympathy?

The Renaissance oversaw a debate that challenged the roles of women. Although, feminism did not exist in Renaissance, there were women in society who struggled to achieve equality with men.1 However, whether Renaissance Drama contains feminist sympathies is controversial. John Webster's The Duchess of Malfi 2and Ben Jonson's Volpone3 are two plays that portray a female struggle for freedom and equality. Yet at the same, both plays show that there were limitations to this freedom and equality as not only were women dominated by patriarchy but also it seems that any women who proved resistant to this and strived to achieve equality were eventually punished for their actions. Webster demonstrates how women struggle to achieve equality and freedom as the protagonist, The Duchess is very dominating and independent. Siobhan Keenan supports this as she argues that â€Å"Webster's portrayal of the Duchess does not conform to either stereotype. The woman that we finally meet in the play is witty, self-assured and sexually knowing.†4Keenan makes a strong argument because , seems that the Duchess in the first half of the play at least is domineering and therefore does not remain the ideal, chaste and virtuous woman that formed the typical feminine stereotype in the Renaissance.5 The Duchess is â€Å"self-assured†6 and domineering by the way that she courts Antonio and marries him, despite defying her brothers, Ferdinand and the Cardinal, and marrying beneath her social class. This is seen in Act 1 Scene 3 when the Duchess says: Shall this move me? If all my royal kindred Lay in my way unto my marriage, I'd make them my low footsteps; and even now, Even in this hate, as men in some great battles, By apprehending danger, have achieved Almost impossible actions (I have heard soldiers say so), So i through fights and threatening will assay This dangerous venture. Let old wives report I winked and chose a husband, Cariola, To thy known secrecy I have given up More than my life – my fame (1:3:48-58)7 The Duchess is independent in the way that she marries Antonio, because unlike the male counterpoint that would usually courts his suitor, the duchess decides to appoint a husband for herself, and therefore in the process challenges patriarchal authority. The duchess challenges patriarchal authority because her description of her brothers as â€Å"her low footsteps† (1:3:50)8 illustrates that she cannot be controlled and that nothing will stand in her way of her marriage. Webster also demonstrates how women are equal alongside men to some extent where the Duchess is concerned because it appears that once the Duchess is married to Antonio, she wields immense control and influence over their relationship. This is seen in Act 3, Scene 2 when Antonio suggests: ANTONIO We'll Sleep Together DUCHESS Alas, what pleasure can two lovers find in sleep? CARIOLA My lord, I lie with her often, and i know She'll much disquiet you . ANTONIO See, you are complained of. CARIOLA For she's the sprawling'st bedfellow ANTONIO I shall like her The better for that (3:2:10-14)9 The Duchess's refusal to sleep with Antonio is significant here because it demonstrates not only that she mainly influences her relationship with Antonio but also that she will control her own sexual life and function as a woman. Jonson's Volpone also demonstrates that there is a struggle for women to achieve equality and freedom, as this is partly seen by the characterisation of Lady Politic-Would-Be and Celia. Webster shows how Lady Politic-Would Be is independent by the way that she likes to express her femininity as she says: Come nearer. Is this curl In his right place? Or this? Why is this higher Then all the rest? You ha' not washed your eyes yet? Or do they not stand even i' your head? Where's your fellow? Call her. (3:4:10-14)10 Lady Politic – Would Be's questioning of her beauty is significant here because it demonstrates that not only is she critical of her own image as a woman but also that she wants to control her own femininity and identity. Jonson also demonstrates to a certain extent through his portrayal of Celia that women are resistant towards men. This is particularly seen in Act 3 Scene 7 when Volpone tries to both seduce and rape Celia: VOLPONE Think me cold, Frozen, and impotent, and so report me? That I had Nestors hernia, thou wouldst think. I do degenerate, and abuse my nation. To play with opportunity thus long. I should have done the Act and then have parleyed. Yield, or I'll force thee CELIA O Just God! (3:7:259-264)11 Celia's adornment of Christian values and religion is used to camouflage her resistance to men to a certain extent. Celia's Christian values and beliefs play an important role in allowing her to prove her resistance because it demonstrates that apart from her husband, she is only responsible to God, and therefore this offers protection and comfort to her.12 Furthermore, both Celia's refusal to â€Å"yield† (3:7:263)13 to Volpone and her cry for help could be viewed as a key turning point in the play. This is because not only is this the first time that a female character resists male authority but also it shows that women do have a voice. Celia's voice could mark a stage in the struggle for female equality because it shows that women are both capable of expressing their identity and silencing patriarchy. However, at the same time, Webster and Jonson also show throughout their plays that there are limitations to achieving female equality. Webster and Jonson both show that patriarchy dominates the lives of women and therefore in doing so provides an obstacle to freedom. Jonson and Webster show how women are dominated by patriarchy by the way that both Celia and the Duchess are viewed as possessions and objects of men. Jonson shows that Celia is viewed as an object of Corvino because she is not allowed to leave her home and is therefore kept isolated from society. This is supported by Michael Stout who has argued that â€Å"Celia is not a character to appeal to feminists for she is dependent on the actions of others. Celia is acted upon, rather than acting freely herself and is at the mercy of the male characters in the play.†14 Stout makes a strong argument here because throughout the play, Celia is largely portrayed typically as the chaste, virtuous and subservient woman who proves to be dominated by her husband and is domesticated. Jonson also shows how Celia is treated as an object of her husband by the way that Corvino tries to sell his wife to Volpone, and therefore likens her to money as he asks â€Å"What is my Gold/The worse for, touching?† (3:7:40-41)15 Corvino's reference to Celia as â€Å"gold† (3:7:40)16 is significant here in demonstrating how women are viewed as property because by situating women in economic terms, it allows men to use and abuse women, and hence enables them to become more prosperous and powerful. In similar fashion, Webster also demonstrates that women are referred to in economic terms and treated as objects, as this is seen in Act 1 Scene 3 w hen the Duchess has a conversation with Ferdinand: DUCHESS Diamonds are of most value, They say, that they have passed through most jewellers' hands. FERDINAND Whores by that rule are precious. (1:3:7-9)17 Ferdinand's description of the Duchess as a form of jewellery that is â€Å"precious† (1:3:9)18 is significant in demonstrating how men try to reduce women to objects. This is because by trying to exert influence and dominance over women in this way; it not only allows men to become more prosperous but also more competitive and prestigious in society. Webster also shows how women never really achieve equality as this is seen by the way that the Duchess is murdered towards the end of the play and does not outlive any of the male characters.19 Although, Webster's play is a tragedy, it is significant that he alters the conventions in choosing a woman as his tragic hero. Webster's choice of a woman for his tragic hero and the Duchess' death in the play is important because it could demonstrate that women never really achieve freedom. Women never really achieve freedom because despite striving to achieve a voice, this ultimately proves too artificial and weak within a society governed and driven by men. Renaissance Drama only contains feminist sympathies to some extent. Although Webster and Jonson in their plays show that women struggle to achieve freedom and equality alongside men, this ultimately proves limited and counterproductive as not only are female characters heavily influenced by patriarchy. However, they are also eventually oppressed and punished for any attempted actions or resistance against this.

Communication and Professional Relationships Essay

1.1Explain the principles of effective communication? Why are 1.2effective communication skills important when developing 2.1positive relationships with children, young people and adults? 2.3 1.3What social, professional and cultural differences/factors may 2.2affect the way we develop relationships with children, young 2.3people and adults? 2.4 2.5Explain how to manage disagreements with children and young people within your school? 3.2Why is it important to reassure children, young people and adults about confidentiality. Provide an example of how confidentiality would be breached. Effective communication is a two-way process of giving and receiving information. Effective communication skills are important when developing positive relationships with children, young people and adult. Effective communication is important to develop a good rapport. You need to support children and young people in making choices. There are many forms of communication; there is verbal, non-verbal, written format and body language. You need to consider the forms of communication for the appropriate age and language. If you were communicating with little children you need to position your body to their level, you need to come face to face with them instead of looking down at them. With people of different abilities you tend to use hand gestures and rely on body language. While speaking to other staff members in the school you speak to them in a more formal way. It is important to know the cultural beliefs of everyone in the community as some cultures can cause communication barriers. As a Muslim in the school it would be hard to use eye contact as it is against their beliefs. You need to be able to create an atmosphere in which everyone feels involved and confident to communicate. You need to adapt communication for different needs. Other communication barriers that could occur are having misunderstandings, disagreements and lack of time. If a disagreement was to arise in the school I would stay calm. I would be assertive and discuss the issue in private. I would get the people involved in the disagreement together and talk through the problem. If talking calmly didn’t sort the problem out then the next step would be to ask someone else to step in who isn’t bias and see what they could suggest. If these steps didn’t work you would have to work your way up the ranks until you reach the head teacher who would then have to inform the governors. This is a problem for the two parties involved as formal steps would be taken and a tribunal would be carried out. You need to record all progress made within the school, including any difficulties you find children or employees are having as well as achievements that are made. Adults are role models for all young people so it is important to be a caring person, you need to be approachable, genuine and a good time keeper.

Talent Management Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Talent Management Strategy - Essay Example Israelite (2010) defines talent management strategy as the process which ensures that an organization has the right and competent people for particular jobs at the right time in order to achieve organizational goals and objectives. This strategy includes the processes of induction, performance management, career planning, compensation management, succession planning processes, assessment, goal-setting, and recruitment. These processes are aimed at retaining employees and fostering their continuing development of competencies and skills to achieve the short term organizational goals and long-term strategic objectives (Armstrong, 2007). This paper has envisioned a nonprofit organization with two hundred people, in which twenty are identified leaders. Based on this, the paper will devise a talent management strategy concentrating on the entire talent needs of the organization. The paper will also define the principal components of talent management and examine how the process of talent management provides a competitive advantage for an organization. Finally, it will assess the need for a talent management strategy to change with the anticipation of the organization doubling in five to six years. ... Also, this step of formulating talent management strategy will seek to answer questions regarding the organization’s current and desired states, as well as the organization’s culture. In answer these questions, an understanding shall be sought regarding its mission statement, vision, organization statement, strategy, corporate values, and balanced scorecard as well as how these goals and statements cascade through the organization’s units, departments, and divisions. It will also be critical to understand which roles and skills are required to support improved organization’s performance and encourage creativity and which criteria the organization can employ to identify both underachievers and high performers and to measure performance (Israelite, 2010). Based on the information obtained by analyzing these aspects, a decision should then be made on how the organization should look like in terms of capabilities, structure and leadership in order to achieve i ts objectives and goals. In other words, desired state of performance and improved position should be defined. The next key step in the formulation of talent management strategy should involve examining any talent management components that are already in place within the organization and analyzing how each of these components is working. The organization’s talent management priorities should then be documented based on the talent requirements and goals of the organization, as well as based on the analysis of existing talent management systems and processes (Armstrong, 2007). More importantly at this stage of formulation of strategy it will be critical to define the competencies that the organization needs. The

The Negative Effects of the Grading System Essay

The Negative Effects of the Grading System - Essay Example While each individual has perceptions of what an A or a C or an F should mean with regard to student achievement, the reality is that these measures are often applied inconsistently and arbitrarily. Letter grades often become efforts to shoehorn subjective learning assessments into an objective measurement system that does not necessarily lend itself to being applied in that way. Further, such grades can be applied with relativism, such as in the context of a bell curve whereby students are given a grade that may not truly reflect their mastery of the subject matter, simply because of their juxtaposition to other students in the class. Ultimately, there are several potentially negative effects of the traditional letter grading scale that warrant a wholesale review of how student performance should be appropriately measured under various circumstances. To be sure, the traditional system may be the best system for some situations, namely where students are objectively tested and scored on the material. However, education is largely becoming a more complex, subjective and nuanced endeavor in a world that is rarely black and white. This paper will assess the appropriateness of the traditional letter grade system for measuring student success in various types of learning environments, and evaluate some of its alternatives. It will also discuss the potential negative consequences of applying the traditional objective letter grade system where it may not be appropriate to do so. The Meaning of Letter Grades A's and B's no longer mean what they used to, largely because they have become the predominant grade given. For example, a recent analysis of grades in Indiana public schools shows 75% of all grades given were either A's or B's, with only 10% being D's or F's (Stockman, 2007, para. 3). That leaves 15% of grades being C, which intuitively would be the median grade. Such an uneven grade distribution begs the question of whether grade inflation is at play, or whether the vast majority of students are really earning these high grades. According to Matthew Hartley, assistant professor of education at the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education, "It's important to remember that grade inflation is a shift in grades without a corresponding improvement in performance. . . If your institutions are becoming more competitive and selective, it may be that they are admitting better prepared students who are earning A's, which means there is no inflation" (para. 7). Largely due to this uncertainty about how well deserved a grade actually is, letter grades are becoming increasingly irrelevant as students move toward the transition from school to the workforce. As George Kuh of Indiana University asserts, "If you talk with business and industry leaders, they'll tell you grades don't matter . . . What you really want to know is if they're flexible, adaptable, can they work with other people" (para. 30). Thus, it seems a different, more subjective measurement of student performance may be in order if the goal is to help students succeed as working professionals. An approach that evaluates students on their ability to apply what is learned in a way that makes them functional contributors to society would likely be more valuable to

The Arab-Israeli Conflict and its Correlation to Cold War Tensions Term Paper

The Arab-Israeli Conflict and its Correlation to Cold War Tensions - Term Paper Example History has been a direct witness to the fact that the powerful economies of the world, mainly the colonizers have redrawn the political boundaries of nations all around the globe, to serve their selfish needs. Even after the closure of the Second World War, British and French forces colonized the rest of the Mediterranean mainly, Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries. When Jewish populations were recovering from the Nazi storm that ate up three fourths of their population, Britain took the decision to create a separate land that would be called home of Jews. Israel was created as a Jewish national state and was founded in 1948. Everyone hoped for a bright future of the new state as the timing was parallel to when freedom was granted to large countries like India (which attained independence in 1947). Britain has been criticized for the cruel treatment of ethnic cleansing that it originally meted out to the Jewish populations after the World War I. However, since other populations like Germans and Italians were also experiencing the brunt of the British Empire (Dimitrakis, 2012, 78), they also resorted to ethnic cleansing, a mindset that led to the Second World War and the Holocaust (Ogilvie & Miller, 2006, 67). Britain’s anti-Jew and pro-Jew roles have been always criticized since, being a world power, it had initially done nothing to stop the ethnic cleansing of European countries. When the World War took immensely horrific shape, only then did Britain decide to take the side of the side that seemed to do the right thing, which in this context was the United States. The procedure of uprooting existing Palestinian populations to make way for a new land for the Jews had to always have a negative impact on the peace of the Arab world. The erstwhile Soviet Union was supportive of the new Jewish national state. However, when major Arab populations started

Assessment 2 (6 assignment into 1) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Assessment 2 (6 assignment into 1) - Essay Example The formula for computing surface area of pyramids shall be provided, with the teacher demonstrating how to substitute values in the formula. The students will be given exercises to practice computing for surface area of pyramids which will be checked as a class at the end of the lesson. the concept of solid shapes and their surface areas. They should be aware that there are formulae to be followed in computing for the surface areas of various shapes and know how to substitute values and finding missing values using the formula. The Lateral Area is surprisingly simple. Just multiply the perimeter by the side length and divide by 2. This is because the sides are always triangles and the triangle formula is base times height divided by 2 Using the formula: 1/2 Ãâ€" Perimeter Ãâ€" [Side Length] + [Base Area]. The teacher illustrates to the class how to use the formula and substitute the necessary values on the blackboard, then does a few exercises with some students she may call on. Later on, students are grouped according to their abilities, given various number problems to solve for the surface areas of various pyramids. Kozioff, et al (2000) contends that the teacher can more easily monitor the progress of the students when they work in smaller groups with more or less the same guidance needs. Killen (2003) emphasized the need to practice students’ newfound skills and in this particular case, it is the computation of the surface area of a pyramid following a prescribed formula. At the end of the session, everyone comes together to compare their answers. It will be necessary to call on students to demonstrate on the blackboard how they came up with their answers to check if they followed the correct proced ure in using the formula. Should there be errors, the teacher throws the question to the class as to where it went wrong, but if students cannot figure it out, then she shows

Aaa Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Aaa - Essay Example The social media, like a program bundled with customizable options for the end users’ discretion – work the same way. End users can fully customize the function of Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and all available networks on the Web today. In that light, people choose what they want for Twitter to become – if a group of people choose to initiate a protest through Twitter – they choose to make it a form of civic revolution. In the beginning, social media was created for the purposes of connecting family members, relatives and acquaintances. But it has changed to connecting people of same interests. We have liking, recommending, tweeting and retweeting tool on these two giant networks, namely Facebook and Twitter. But I firmly believe that the decision is left by the brilliant guys behind Facebook and Twitter, and the like to the mass – the end users. The birth of the internet has given people the chance to build a network where communication and interaction is possible. Hence social media have proven to be dynamic tools to make the whole world connected – not just family members. The end users who have discretion to use these social networks to speak the truth and to enjoy freedom are responsible for promoting the civic and political protest, not the social media. Social media merely give all the tools for the end users to enjoy connectivity and exercise

Cap task3c Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Cap task3c - Term Paper Example A log of time spent with the client 28 References 30 MBA CAPSTONE PROJECT 3.0 Functional areas The three functional areas upon which the problem is based include financial planning, research and development, and leadership. These are discussed as follows: 3.1 Financial planning This project will require substantial funds to be spent on purchase of sophisticated equipment that is used in implementation of image segmentation technique. Before the project is approved, an appropriate budget estimate has to be approved, but that will require adequate justification of all the important expenditure – the project cannot be approved without proper justification of budget estimate. This will be a tasking process keeping in mind that budgeting requires specialized accounting knowledge, but I will make efforts to put up a team with diverse knowledge and skills to help in areas that require specialized attention. 3.2 Research and development This project entails extensive investigation in order to arrive at the most effective scientific method of screening, which will potentially phase out the old techniques that have somewhat hampered treatments and screening of breast cancer in Mt Sinai Hospital. Investment in R&D of this magnitude will require hefty budgetary allocation, and the project committee in charge of approving the project must be convinced the expenditure that will be channeled towards R&D will be recovered in the long-term, otherwise the project will be considered ineffective. 3.4 Leadership Successful implementation of this project will require the project manager together with his/her team to work productively and as a united team in order to ensure effective and smooth implementation process. Despite financial and time constraints, the expectations of the project are quite high and hence very high leadership qualities are required to ensure all aspects of the projects are balanced. Most importantly, effective implementation requires a cohesive team, w hich is not possible without the right leadership. 4.0 Business Case Breast cancer is caused by genetic mutation of cells that are produced within the milk-producing lobules, which results to their abnormally quick growth. This project has been hatched with the realization that breast cancer can be treated easily if the hospital is in possession of modern and more sophisticated equipment - which aids in highly accurate screening tests 4.1Primary justification Breast cancer is a leading cause of deaths in Mount Sinai Hospital. Additionally, it is a matter of fact that breast cancer is the leading form of cancer that is killing many women in Mount Sinai Hospital as well as all other hospitals in the world. It is, therefore, very important for the hospital management to consider introduction of an image segmentation facility to help with early warning of breast cancer, because this is literary the key to improving breast cancer diagnosis in the hospital. Image segmentation use contours on the region they are positioned on to find the features of an image. As illustrated in figure 1, introduction of screening in US has increased breast cancer incidence, and this will be a primary benefit of this program. Fig 2?Incidence of invasive breast cancer per 100?000 women in the US 4.2 Performance gap and the expected benefits One of the most common screening methods used

Why America should choose to drill for oil in Alaska Essay Example for Free

Why America should choose to drill for oil in Alaska Essay Drilling for oil in Alaska has been one of the most controversial topics in the United Stated for many years. Many U. S geologists have confirmed that billions of barrels of oil lie beneath the Alaskan coastal plain. In the east of Alaska lies The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge considered to be the largest oil field of North America. It is essential for United States to take a plunge in Alaska and seek out this viable opportunity. These fresh barrels of US oil will break away the country’s dependency on the oil rich Middle Eastern countries especially Iraq. The House of Representatives approved drilling in Alaska by passing an energy bill in Aug 2001. This year, the President of United States, lifted the ban on oil and gas drilling in Alaskas Bristol Bay Prices of oil have risen dramatically in the last few years and the nation’s dependency is becoming too costly. It is estimated by the U. S Department of Interior that â€Å"nine to 16 billion barrels of recoverable oil† can be extracted from ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) in North America. This amount of oil is enough to last the entire United States eighteen months. While these statistics might seem trivial but if â€Å"the US consumes about 20 million barrels of oil per day, and at a rate of 1. 5 million barrels per day from Alaska, 7. 5% of Americas oil consumption could be met for over 20 years† (Muhawi). Prices of oil will dramatically fall. These lowered prices of oil could radically improve the economical scenario of United States. In addition to this, American oil imports will also reduce by 15% with the help of the Alaskan oil. American imports are over 25% from the Middle East. Environmentalists who fear that habitats of caribou, polar bears, wolves, and many other species will be destroyed should relax because only 8 percent (1. 5 million acres) is being analyzed for development. This development will cause negligible environmental damage. It is incorrect for media to show snowcapped mountains and polar bears as news footage because it misleads audiences and makes them believe that drilling will be in those areas. Areas that will be drilled are on a small part of Alaska where humans already live. Alaska consists of protected land of 141 million acres which is almost equal to the area of California and New York together. So, the rest of Alaska will remain preserved in its true form. The National Academy of Sciences reported lately that oil drilling had troubled some endangered species and made whaling difficult however it has neither caused huge oil spills nor a decrease in migration of caribou. Caribou herd that passes through ANWR is predicted to be harmed by the drilling of oil. However, people are often unaware that since drilling started in Prudhoe Bay in 1977 it has actually lead to an increase in migration of the caribou herd from 3,000 to 23,000. Many cutting edge technologies are also being introduced to reduce and eradicate the negative effects of the drilling. Thousands of jobs and opportunities will also be created from drilling in Alaska. It is estimated that 250,000 to 735000 jobs will be created. (Drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge). This particular development would help the Alaskans by providing them with greater incomes and purchasing power. It has also benefited Alaskans by providing them with better healthcare and schools and other positive societal and economic effects. People who oppose drilling argue that excessive consumption of United States is a bigger problem. They believe that we should rather focus our energies towards consuming lesser oil. This is a great idea yet very hard to follow. Oil, gas and coal are responsible for running eighty-eight percent of America’s transportation, businesses, and housing needs. No technology, conservation or alternatives can replace these important fuels. Many years of research and testing will bring an alternative or a solution to this problem. Till then we have to rely on our fossil fuels. Another insignificant opposing view is that drilling maybe risky because it might not yield anything. It is also believed to be our last resort and could be used when all our other sources of oil have run out. Both of these views are supported by sentiment and not facts. It is important for the average American to weigh the facts surrounding this controversy and then decide whether Alaskan land should be allowed for drilling oil or not and not be swept away by mere emotion. WORKS CITED â€Å"Making the case for ANWR development†. ANWR. ORG. 2005. Retrieved: 4th http://anwr.org/

Ethical Dilemma During Community Nursing

Ethical Dilemma During Community Nursing This reflective account will discuss an ethical dilemma which arose during a placement within a community setting. To assist the reflection process, the Gibbs (1988) Reflective Cycle which encompasses 6 stages; description, thoughts and feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and action plan will be used which will improve and strengthen my nursing skills by continuously learning from both good and bad experiences, and develop my self confidence in relation to caring for others (Siviter 2008). To comply with the Nursing and Midwifery Code of Conduct (NMC) (2008) and maintain confidentiality all names have been changed and therefore for the purpose of this reflection the patient will be referred to as Bob. Bob is a forty four year old man who has been receiving aggressive and invasive treatment for several months in the form of chemotherapy in an attempt to cure his Hodgkinsons lymphoma cancer. Throughout the treatment Bob remained positive that he would be able to put the worries behind him and live a normal life with his partner and teenage daughter. However, Bob was unable to control his body temperature, which was a possible sign the chemotherapy had not been successful and was offered further investigations to establish his prognosis. Whilst my mentor who is a Community Matron, was talking to Bob, his partner Sue took me to one side and asked me if the investigations revealed bad news would it be possible to withhold this information from Bob because she felt he would not be able to deal with a poor prognosis and would give up hope. Prior to Bobs original admission the possibility of f the chemotherapy failing was discussed but he refused to consider this was an option and was convinced the condition could be treated successfully. I explained to Sue that this situation was outside of my area of expertise but with her permission would discuss it with my mentor and ask her to contact Sue at a mutually convenient time to discuss further. My mentor contacted Sue and advised her that she would discuss the situation with Bobs Consultant once they had received the results of his tests. However, my mentor diplomatically informed Sue that she has no legal right to insist that information be kept from Robert (Dimond 2005). As expected Bobs test results concluded the chemotherapy treatment was unsuccessful. Considering what he knew of Bob, the consultant agreed it would be advantageous to withhold the diagnosis from him. Therefore it was agreed to discuss Bobs test results with his partner. Thoughts and feelings In the first instance I felt that the Consultant was ethically wrong to withhold the results of the investigations from Bob and not necessarily acting in his best interests. I felt that in order to ensure Bobs rights were protected and to give him the opportunity to be involved in his own plan of care he should be informed of the outcome of the tests. Bob had the capacity to consent and as during my placement would be acting as an advocate for him. I felt that if I was in Bobs position, I would want to know what the outcome of any investigations were and it did not seen right that the diagnosis would be documented in his records and his family and possibly friends around him would be aware of his diagnosis whilst he was kept in the dark. I felt that if we were to visit on a regular basis that I would feel very uncomfortable knowing something that had been kept from him and possibly have to lie to him or avoid answering directly when asked difficult questions. I also felt that his fam ily were taking away his freedom to make an informed choice about his forthcoming care. Analysis Evaluation Barbosa da Silva (2002) defines an ethical dilemma as: A situation where a person experiences a conflict where he or she is obliged to perform two or more duties, but realizes that whoever action he or she chooses will be an ethically wrong one. Kuupelomaki and Lauri (1998) and Roy and MacDonald (1998) agree that health professionals are faced with many ethical dilemmas when caring for terminally ill cancer patients and communicating the diagnosis and subsequently prognosis is one of the most common dilemmas experienced. Alexander et al (2001) state that it is not unusual for relatives to ask a Consultant to withhold information. Kenworthy et al (2002) say that these requests are made out of compassion and love. However, Rumbold (2002) disagrees and suggests it is often the relatives who are unable to cope and have difficulty in coming to terms with the impending prognosis. Dimond (2005) agrees and adds that withholding the truth can be harmful or lead to a conspiracy of silence but may be justifiable if it is in the patients best interest not to know. Buckman (1988) also appears to agree pointing out receiving bad news can have a negative and drastic effect on a patients view of their future. The mentor acted in the correct manner speaking to Bobs consultant and agreeing with him to withhold the diagnosis from the patient. Dimond (2005) states that Nurses have a duty to adhere to the Consultants decision even when they are in disagreement. The Consultant made a professional decision to discuss the diagnosis and prognosis with Bobs partner. Rumbold (2002) identifies it is the correct decision to give information to family members when it is deemed that it is not medically advisable to inform the patient. Although patients may insist on being told of their diagnosis Consultants have the power to withhold information, there is no clear right in law even if the patient is exercising their right under the Data Protection Act 1998 (Dimond 2005). However, Harris (1994) argues that for Consultants to act in such a way is paternalistic. Paternalism is when others believe they are acting in the individuals own best interests, whilst not affording them individual control over their own life, although concern for the individuals welfare is paramount, it omits respect for the individuals autonomy (Harris, 1994). However, Tingle and Cribb (2005), argue that there are two types of paternalism. Hard paternalism is acting on an individuals behalf because they feel qualified to do so, whereas soft paternalism is about making decisions on behalf of the individual whilst they are unable to exercise their own autonomy and feel they are doing so in the best interests of the patient. My feelings were that Robert had a right to know the truth about his diagnosis, this is identified by Tingle and Cribb (2005) as a deontological position, whereby obligations and duties to tell the truth overrides the justification of behavior, even when that action can be justified to be in the best interests of the patients. The principles of beneficence (promote goodness) and non-malifience (cause no harm) are fundamental ethical principles surrounding the decision to tell or not to tell a patient the truth regarding their diagnosis (Alexander, Fawcett, Runciman, 2001). Rumbold (2002) identifies that health professionals should act according to the principles of beneficence and non-malifience, and states that withholding information or telling a lie is unethical and denies the individual autonomy. Rumbold (2002) argues that autonomy enables the individual to think, decide, and make decisions freely and independently based on information given. Nevertheless I felt that Bob could not be autonomous when he did not know the truth regarding his diagnosis and thus denying him the right to make informed decisions surrounding his death. Although my values and beliefs differed from the Consultants, I was aware that I had to uphold his decision. Essentially, the consultant has clinical responsibility for patients Rumbold (2002). However, Kenworthy, Snowley and Gilling (2002) state that professionals who override an individuals autonomy for doing good a dilemma exists. A dilemma can be described as a variance between personal beliefs, feelings and principles where different answers to a situation exists, although several courses of action may be taken each can be morally justified (Royal College of Nursing, 2000). Essentially the courses of action that could have been taken for Bob were to tell the truth or not, both positions could be morally justified, to tell the truth would enable Robert to be autonomous, however withholding the truth prevents Robert losing hope. Saunders (1991) however argues that healthcare professionals need to question whose needs they are seeking to meet. This is supported by McCarthy (1996) who states that healthcare professionals have a tendency to assume they know what there patients needs are. This made me feel that the Consultant and my mentor were colluding with Roberts wife and subsequently they were meeting her needs by withholding information thus ignoring Robertss right to be autonomous. I therefore found that I was involved in a personal ethical dilemma related to veracity (truth telling) honesty and withholding information (Begley and Blackwood, 2000). Fry and Johnstone (2002) believe the principle of veracity lies with the individual not to deceive or tell a lie therefore tell the truth to others. Research in to truth telling and patient diagnosis carried out by Sullivan (2001) suggests that ninety-nine per cent of patients want to be informed of their diagnosis and felt that Doctors had an obligation to tell them the truth. However, ten Have and Clark (2002) argue that when diagnosis is imparted abruptly it can provoke denial, impair adaptation and psychologically harm the patient. McGuigan (1999) states that it is difficult to predict how patients will react to bad news, she suggests that the procedure for news should be slow, this then enables the patient time to absorb information given. I believed that Robert had a right to know and felt that we would not be unduly harming him by informing him of his diagnosis. Anxiety, fear of death are all obvious signs when patients face life threatening illness Mason (2002). This is supported by Golds (2004) research who identifies that patients rarely suffer greater anxiety, depression, sadness, or despair on being informed of their diagnosis. Open honesty is encouraged by McGuigan (1999) who believes that as a result of being informed patients have a greater trust in the healthcare professionals treating them and are able to communicate more effectively with relatives and healthcare professionals as a result. This is agreed by Seale (1997) who advocates that an open awareness of diagnosis affords the individual to have control over circumstances surrounding their death. I had been reflecting over the situation and realised it was too complex for me to handle therefore I sought guidance from my mentor. Although she would normally take a deontological position, she informed me that she was taking a utilitarian position in this case therefore acting within the principle of beneficience (do good) and acting in the best interests of Robert. Tingle and Cribb (2005) state that individuals who act on the principle of utilitarianism are acting in a way which yields the greatest happiness to all parties concerned regardless of the motives for taking these actions. My mentor and I also reflected on the conversation she had with Roberts wife prior to his test results. It was felt that Robert was currently in denial and telling him of his diagnosis could potentially harm him, he may lose all hope therefore she was adhering to the principle of non-malificence (prevent harm). Research carried out by Kubler-Ross (1969) (although an old reference it is still used today in Kenworthy, Snowley, Gilling, 2002), identified denial as being the first stage of adjustment to the prospect of death by patients, she believes that individuals deny the reality of the situation and are unable to face up to the prospect of death. She also argues that it is the retreat in to denial that isolates the individual and as a consequence, communication is compromised between patients and healthcare professionals. Kubler-Rosss research has been endorsed by Buckman (1988) research however he suggests that patients go through reactions as opposed to stages. Nonetheless, Evans and Walsh (2002) identify that it is often the healthcare professionals feelings of helplessness with the situation that leads them to believe that patients who hope for a cure are in denial of their disease. Nevertheless, Kenworthy, Snowley, Gilling (2002) argue that it would be unethical and damaging to forc e a patient in to facing the truth about their diagnosis. I therefore realised that it would be unethical and be detrimental to force Robert to face the truth about his diagnosis, if we took away his hope of a cure we would only leave him with fear. Mason (2002) believes that in terminal illness hope and fear are synonymous to each other if hope is taken away patients are only left with fear. She also states that a patients hope is fundamental and something to be protected. This is supported by Buckley and Herth (2004) who identify that hope of a cure in terminal illness is immeasurable. In addition, Mason (2002) argues that hope is an individuals right and even in the final stages of death patients hold on to hope. Conclusion Reflecting back we had not actually lied to Robert as I had once presumed, although he was aware that further tests had been carried out he had never enquired about the results. I believe that if I were ever faced with this type of situation again I would be more conscious of my patient feelings, listening and hearing what they are saying, thereby my approach would be more holistic rather than clinical. By analysing my decisions I realise that I was blinkered and had stuck rigidly to the NMC (2004), not fully appreciating that the NMC (2004) has policies and parameters for which a registered nurse can work within, which enables a nurse to be proactive and use their professional judgement (Seedhouse, 1998). Next time I would not be judgemental but look at the surrounding issues related to decision making. I had condemned the Consultant and my mentor for their decision and believed they were acting paternalistic, however I realise their decisions were based on their knowledge of Robert in addition to their experience and expertise. Benner (1984) suggests that an expert has the expertise and principles from which to make informed decisions based on their experience, training and practice which enables the expert to be holistic in their approach to patient care of which the novice has yet to gain and develop. Reflecting over my decisions and feelings made me realise that I was a complete novice. This is supported by Benner (1984) (in Baillie 2001), who states that novices have no basis from which to apply their principles it is only in a clinical setting that experience can be gained, however novice can also be applied to nurses working in unfamiliar surroundings. I now believe that I was guilty of paternalism believing my own beliefs and values were right. I had assumed that Robert needed to know of his diagnosis if he was to be autonomous. To conclude I now realise that in terminal illness it can be question of when to inform the patient of bad news. I believe that Robert was clearly not ready to accept the truth at that time therefore withholding information had been the right decision. Arguably Robert was autonomous, it was his decision to hope for a cure therefore it would have been unethical and morally wrong to take that away. However, the circumstances surrounding this decision could only be applied to Roberts situation. I believe that as a Nurse I will be involved in ethical dilemmas again however I feel that now I my decisions will be based on each unique patient recognising their own individual needs and wants. By using the Gibbs (1988) reflective framework cycle it has enabled me to analyse, question, move forward, learn and make sense of my actions. I am now aware that reflection is a continual learning process in nursing. Rather than condemn myself where I think I have failed I have been able to turn it in to a positive learning experience and apply this newly gained knowledge in to my future practices Action Plan

Telecommunications Implementation at a Company Essay -- Networks Telec

Table of Content Introduction 3 PBX and Centrex 4 Rotary and DTMF 6 WATS and Leased Lines 7 ISO and OSI 9 Conclusions 11 Reference List 12 Introduction Networking and telephony is a part of our everyday environment, whether it be in our homes or in our place of business. We will somehow come into contact with one or the other in some shape or fashion. At Baker, we are no different from any other business. The infrastructure of Baker is not a simple pc and telephone setup. The network incorporates everything from a simple analog line to our data network backbone that is made of T-3 lines, ISND lines, and IPFR provided by the AT&T datacenter. Baker has 30 offices all over the country and a couple of offices in abroad in Europe. I will be discussing the setup of the Houston office, since I am most familiar with this office. PBX and Centrex The Houston office of Baker is comprised of three types of phones, well, at least until the company moves into one central location. Currently there are three offices in Houston that are all a block apart. The building that I support houses an old Merlin Legend telephone system. It's funny, because I have to set the date on the voicemail to the year 1999 so that when users check their messages, it will give the correct month and date. The system is comprised of about 100 direct-inward dialed (DIDs), some used as analog and some use as digital lines. The digital lines are ISDN lines that allow for digital transmission of voice and data over ordinary telephone copper wires. Direct-inward dialing routes calls from the outside lines to the PBX, which allows telephone systems to bypass an operator. The PBX then routes the call to the desired extension an... ... developers a better understanding of how to better design a network and works very well when they have to trouble shoot a problem. The end-users and specialized developers do not necessarily use the OSI model as a business tool to gain more clients, but they are indeed using the concept whenever they go out and market to clients about out hosting abilities. Conclusions With the internet and better means of communication being developed on a daily basis, there is going to be a constant change in the way data networks and telephony are today. We have gone from rotary dialed phones, which I can vaguely remember at my grandmother's house to voice recognition cell phones that dial the number for you. We have also went from some crazy number in the past for data travel, like 33 baud/s to what we are at today, reaching speeds that I can't imagine of over 12Mb/s.

stress and law enforcement Essays -- essays research papers

Management and Dealing with Stress in Officers   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It is important that law enforcement officers are able to handle stress and build his or her zone of stability. Officers have a ready-made support system in each other. They better understand the special problems and feelings that come with the job that friends and family members don’t. That doesn’t necessarily mean that this relationship with their fellow officers will cure all. Sometimes, because of the â€Å"macho† image that police officers uphold, they will give back negative feedback in a situation where an officer needs comfort. For example, an officer shoots someone in the line of duty and is having an emotional struggle with it, and a fellow officer (who thinks he is supporting that officer) makes a comment like, â€Å"Good job, that dirt bag deserves it.† In a situation like that, a fellow officer feels worse and more stressed. It is very important for management, whether police or correctional, to make sure that they can prop erly help out their officers when needed. There are many things that happen on the streets and in prison that can severely effect an officer. It is only with a good management system and staff that officers will have the proper support to move on.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A major stressor is when a law enforcement officer must deal with death. No one is mentally or emotionally prepared to deal with death. When a law enforcement officer has to notify the next of kin, they must pass through stages of notification. The first stage is to prepare by creating a self-protecting sense of social distance for the officer. An experienced officer will be more concerned with containing the emotions of the recipient rather than their concern for how they will cope. The next stage is the delivery. It only takes a few seconds to deliver the news, and the officer will use their badge, uniform, and the formality of the delivery as a way to protect him/herself from this personal situation (Looney & Windsor 1982). Dealing with the pain that you see in other people is a major adjustment. It will take time and experience for a law enforcement officer to cope with this aspect of the job.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The most traumatic event in a law enforcement officer’s job is dealing emotionally with the involvement in a shutting incident. Officers may suffer from pos... ...lp make a team run smoothly and efficiently. Support must always be shown from management to it’s officers. Reducing stress in officers can effectively help the team run better. Especially in times of need, like death, management needs to step up and use the techniques they have been trained to safely help their officers in troubled times. With a management that can properly help out their team, the team can move on and run efficiently and effectively. When officers need help with an aspect of the job emotionally, and management can step in to help, the officer will feel better knowing that management is on their side and that they are based one hundred percent. A good management can make the difference between and O.K. team and an outstanding team. References Jacobson, Edmund (1978). You Must Relax. New York; McGraw Hill. Looney, H. & J. L. Windsor. (1982) Death Notification: Some Recommendations. The Police Chief. March, page 30-31. Solomon, R. M. (1988). Post-Traumatic Trauma. The Police Chief. October, page 40-44. Solomon, R. M. (1990). Administrative Guidelines for Dealing with Officers involved in on-duty shooting situations. The Police Chief. February, page 40.

Do not go gentle into that Good Night and for Eleanor Boylan talking with God :: comparison compare contrast essays

Pain and Sorrow in Thomas’ â€Å"Do not go gentle into that Good Night† and Sexton’s â€Å"for Eleanor Boylan talking with God†Ã‚   The end our road that is life, is death and the second we begin to live, we begin to die. A rendition of death and the loss of a loved one is expressed in two different lights in Dylan Thomas’ â€Å"Do not go gentle into that Good Night† and Anne Sexton’s â€Å"for Eleanor Boylan talking with God†. Both express the fear and vulnerability of losing someone you thought should live forever Thomas’ message is an imperative one a dark and tangible energy whereas Sexton’s tone is more passive and quiet and more driven by sorrow than anger. But as there is an underlying sense of sorrow in Thomas’ villanelle, there is also a sense of quiet anger. In â€Å"For Eleanor Boylan Talking With God†, Sexton expresses the pain of losing a loved one. There is a surreal quality to the poem, Sexton seems to write as she thinks with a thought inciting a memory; she communicates her feelings in a very literal concrete way but the poem is still very abstract because there is so little linking these images, adding on to the feeling that you are looking into Sexton’s very mind and heart. She talks about Eleanor, a friend who is more beautiful than her mother; this intimate compliment can be interpreted as more dear than even her mother. An aspect of Eleanor that Sexton respects is her closeness with God, there is a child-like trust depicted when the author writes about Eleanor in the kitchen â€Å"motioning to God†. Possibly because Eleanor is wearing a lemon-colored sundress, the reader imagines her with a smile and she feels the acceptance at her own death that Sexton cannot find. Eleanor has more faith than the author in God and who has maintained this faith even when she is dying. Sexton wrote that God â€Å"had a face when she was six and a half† meaning he was a tangible figure. The six-year-old Sexton had a familiarity with God, she knew what he looked like; he was her friend, as is the feeling in most children about God. But this image of god has become a huge jellyfish that covers the sky. There is no comfort in a slimy jellyfish and Sexton does not find any comfort in God.

Can We Talk Essay

The article Can We Talk? Researcher Talks About the Role of Communication in Happy Marriages† gives us results as related to couples in marriages. In today’s society, many couples are too busy to stop, sit down, and have a meaningful conversation with their significant others. Terri Orbach, research scientist at the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, has studied 373 married couples for more than 20 years. We will examine the findings and explore some of the roles of communication in happy marriages. After reading the text and the required article, I became more aware of what self-disclosure is and how it can affect relationships. Self-disclosure is defined as sharing aspects of yourself with other people. This can be a form of â€Å"showing your true colors†. Sharing areas of yourself that may have been misconceived, showing interest in others, and being more involved are ways that you can open up and form close bonds. In marriages, you assume that couples are already in-the-know about their mate. But this sometimes can be a part of a learning process in the relationship. I can relate to the article because I often find myself at a loss for words. I have been in a few relationships that were on different types of levels; professional, informal and social. Within each of these relationships, there were limited sharing on my part. I would agree that self-disclosure is important in a relationship because it allows you to recognize issues and feelings, and also can help you learn something about self that was unknown. Effective communication promotes a sense of trust, that holds marriages together. Orbach states that by using her 10-minute rule, couples have a good starting point to reconnect with each other. Just 10 minutes to talk about the interests of your mate, areas of conflict, or even about the job made many marriages happier. Because men and women express themselves differently, gender does have a role in communication in relationships. Many believe that some behaviors are masculine and others are feminine. It is often discouraged for men to cry, they are taught to be strong and heroic, while women are allowed to show emotions openly.

Informative Speech Oculus Rift Essay

I. Introduction a. According to entertainment software association gaming is a 10.5 billion dollar industry that has influenced the lives of 62% of Americans. This growing industry involves more men & women to play in the variety of new developing consoles and handheld devices. With all these new consoles and games, the introduction of many exciting accessories and devices that help gamers improve their game play will have a big market. b. As seen in Oculusvr.com Oculus Rift is a set of virtual reality goggles that will work with your computer and mobile device. c. The creator of Oculus Rift has made this device affordable for everyone to enjoy and have fun in the game. d. Oculus Rift is an amazing device for gamers that always wanted to feel like they are inside of a game. Transition Statement: How did Oculus Rift begin? II. Body a. It all started with one man named Palmer Luckey. i. Palmer Luckey is the founder and creator of Oculus Rift. ii. Palmer Luckey is a huge gamer and thought it he could build a new device that will change his experience with gaming. 1. Luckey began the invention of Oculus Rift in his parents’ garage located in Long Beach California. 2. After he showed a prototype at age of 21 at the E3 gaming convention in 2012, Luckey founded Irvine, Calif.-based Oculus VR with Brendan Iribe, who became CEO. iii. The two launched a Kickstarter project in August 2012 to sell prototype versions of the Oculus Rift, raising $2.4 million. Transition Statement: Something like this seems too good to be true, but after researching how this product works, Oculus Rift will be a dream come true to all gamers in the near future. b. Picture a set of ski goggles in which a large cellphone screen replaces the glass. The screen displays two  images side by side, one for each eye. A set of lenses is placed on top of the screen , focusing and reshaping the picture of each eye creating a stereoscope 3d image. i. These goggles have sensors embedded into them that monitor the wearer’s head motions and adjust the images accordingly. 1. The latest version of the Oculus Rift is bolstered by an external positional-tracking accessory, which helps track head movement more accurately. The result is the sensation that you are looking around a 3D world. 2. There are several games that you can play in Oculus rift. ii. Andrew Webster a reporter for the verge mention in the article on February 25,2014 â€Å"Pokà ©mon gets a virtual reality makeover for Oculus Rift† He states that Pokà ©mon x and y , Nintendo has finally brought the long running series into the world of 3D. iii. Also, the result is a game that looks like Mashup of minecraft and gameboy game complete with big Chunky pixels. iv. The Oculus Rift team also has plans to update the virtual world with each and every Pokà ©mon from all generations and regions in the series. The game is currently available as a free download. Transition Statement: Now that we understand what Oculus Rift began & how it works . I will like to talk about resent new and the future of Oculus Rift. c. Stuart Dredge a reporter for theguardian.com in the article oculus Rift on march 31 2014. he explains how facebook CEO Mark Zeckerberg was certainly excited , since he agreed to pay 2 billion dollars for the company Oculus Rift. v. † This is just the start; after games were going to make Oculus a platform for many other experiences† wrote Zeckerberg as he announced the deal. 1.† Imagine enjoying a courtside seat at a game, studying in classroom of students and teachers all over the world or consulting a doctor face to face. just by putting goggles in your home.† said Zeckerberg 2. Oculus VR is often seen as a games hardware company, but Its founder , Palmer Luckey, has made it clear that he , too, sees a wider future for VR. vi. It’s to be known that VR has a huge potential for healthcare applications. 1. VR has potential for people who isolates in the real world, from general social anxiety to various phobias. Exposure therapy whether is snakes, rat s ,  spider or even planes. this could be one area to benefit. 2. Luckey has mooted posttraumatic stress treatment as another, while youtube demos shows examples of VR software used to help nervous public speakers practice in front of a virtual crowd. vii. As the VR technology gets more powerful, accessible and affordable, it will spur a new wave of software and studies to understand just how effective it can be for these forms of treatment. 1. in addition , the theory is that with facebook’s resources, Oculus will be able to hire more talented engineers to improve its technology , bring it to market more quickly and affordable to everyone. 2. our parents , teenagers, and kinds will be able to experience one of the most exciting and amazing Oculus Rift games in history. III. Conclusion a. In an industry worth $10.5 billion, Palmer Luckey has created ripples in the virtual gaming world with the Oculus Rift goggles. The potential of Oculus Rift is vast that it ranges from games you can play , teaching students and could even help people fight their phobias. A potential so great that Facebook bought Oculus Rift for $2 billion. b. Oculus Rift is the leading edge of virtual 3D gaming. Soon everyone will be able to play virtually in their own worlds full of adventure, excitement and activity. IV. Works Cited http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/mar/31/oculus-rift-facebook-virtual-reality http://www.edge-online.com/features/eyeing-the-virtual-frontier-the-oculus-rift-games-that-reinvent-play/#null http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/25/5445930/pokemon-3d-oculus-rift

Fashion in the 1950s

The need to start buying goods created corporate expansion, accelerated mass production and this marked the time of important technological and economic advancement. Due to this feeling of liberation after the war, women were now able to go back to heir lives instead of serving in the workforce. Most left their Jobs for returning servicemen to take over and could now look forward to a new start. Although celebrations never reached the height of what it was in the sass, women still wanted to flaunt their newfound sense of freedom.Gone were the days of rationing, of constantly living in fear of invasion, of utilitarian formality. Women were more than happy to go back to being homemakers, looking perfectly groomed, with their coiffed hair and always so immaculate in the way they dressed. This is where the master' comes into the picture. Crisp ¶bal Balancing took hold of this need for a new change and revolutionized the silhouette of women by creating the unstructured waist. He was awa re of his destiny at an early age and preferred to be at the side of his mother, who was a talented seamstress in the village of Guitar.His first ever patronage came from the Marques De Case Tortes who was quick to notice young Sacristan's interest in fashion. When she presented him with the meaner and opportunity to duplicate a designer suit of hers, he passed with flying colors ND the Marques gave him the opportunity of apprenticeship with a tailor, which he took very seriously. (Myra Walker, 2006, peg. 13) His balloon dresses, peasant and sailor blouses, and later on, the tunics, sack dresses, and turned-down tweed, freed the neck and wrists to highlight Jewelry and hand movement. Pierre Arizona-CLC ©mental, 2011, peg. 37) While by day, his classic simplicity went unnoticed by the multitudes, but by night, his stunning evening gowns and cocktail dresses were a sight to behold as they ignited the senses with their array of color and textured fabric. Figure 1 . Mantle Coat in gre y wool, with draped sleeves and open at the sides, Vogue, pans, sass Figure 2. Evening dress in flocked shantung in blue and black, 1957. Balancing was considered a master of illusion and his designs concealed the ‘defects' of the women who wore them.Through them, he altered the silhouette of a women's body to flatter his client's less than perfect bodies, often defying established conventions. â€Å"A woman has no need to be perfect or even beautiful to wear my dresses, the dress will do that for her. † (Cole, Shawn, 2002, peg. 2) Balancing originally designed the set-back or standards collar for Carmela Snow, the then editor-in-chief of Harpers Bazaar, who as she put it, â€Å"had no neck†. The collar bestowed upon a woman an appearance of a long swan-like neck.Once again, Balancing had managed to disguise a less than perfect body. He also came up with the shortened seven-eights sleeves that gave an appearance of height that his clients did not often possess. H is creations were so flattering that women often ordered more than one so that they could wear them while one was in the wash or so they could keep one at each of their houses. As Billingsgate's apparel did not require any undergarment to be worn to shape the body, they were reputed for comfort and it suited the post-war era of women.His manipulation of the waist especially, contributed to â€Å"What is considered to be his most important contribution to the world of fashion: a new silhouette for women. † (Arizona-CLC ©mental, 2011, peg. 11) Another great technological advancement that has and still holds a colossal social impact in the world up till this day was Television (TV). This vehicle, which carried the dead of a new generation and attitude, influenced the masses more eloquently than any other media element. During the sass, TV became the commanding mass media as more families brought it into their homes.The amount of hours that people glued themselves to the TV inc reased, a trend, which has not changed since that time. What was shown on TV became accepted as reality and was considered a norm. And designers, businessmen and film producers were about to take advantage of that. Audrey Hepburn was one of the rising stars in Hollywood during the sass and stood UT quite clearly against the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. When Hubert De Given met her on the set of Sabina in 1954, he was disappointed at first owing to the fact he was supposed to receive another Hepburn.But later on, as time went by, he soon realized this Hepburn had a perfect understanding of her own face and figure, and already possessed a clear sense of what fashion would suit her best. (Francoise Mohr, 1998, peg. 82) The style of T-shirts and boat-neck dresses of the period ended up as a style so popular that it became know as ‘d ©collect © Sabina'. Given had now discovered he was in the presence of an authentic personality and found someone who would celebrate a new era in the history of fashion.They remained close throughout her entire lifetime, and eventually became the sole couturier of her entire chiffonier, in life and as well as on screen. Figure 3. Audrey Hepburn in Sabina, 1954. When Hepburn appeared in the early morning scene (which has now become famous) from Breakfast at Tiffany in the elegant little black dress, white gloves and beehive hairdo, it set Off media frenzy and she became synonymous with the Given alienation. Not forgetting the 1957 film Funny face in which Audrey Hepburn wears a black boat neck, cap sleeve dress, which catapulted her even more so, as the fashion icon of that era.Hubert De Given had finally found his muse, who was as much of a perfectionist as he was and be it whether she wore Scares or was divinely attired in her evening gowns crafted by Given, she lived and breathed the profile of Given. She served as the honorary president at the ceremony with which Given was presented the California Lifetime Ac hievement in the Arts Award in 1981 and also resided over an exhibition that was dedicated to the couturier at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York the following year in May.Given stated that during his four decades of working with Audrey Hepburn, he had never needed to change the form he had first made for her in 1954. In 1957, the actress became cited as one of the ten most fascinating women in the world by the New York Dress Institute and for decades after, up till this age, she is still considered a fashion icon. In conclusion, a time of peace and change was upon America in the sass.It was the eight time for evolution into the next era, no more material coupons, no more restrictions, it was time to celebrate as Balancing had done with his waist less tunics and peasant blouses, this had great influence in changing the way women dressed and how people viewed their silhouettes. Given, on the other hand, due to the influence of television and with the help of Audrey Hepbu rn, had indeed made a name for himself, so that elegance and simplicity became synonymous with his name. (1351 words) References Bradley, Becky . â€Å"1950-1959. † American Cultural History.

Patriotism and National Pride Essay

Pride (without complacency and with an awareness of imperfections) is important in spurring individuals and a society on to greater achievement. The loss of faith in the achievements of the past, history and traditions can be an important factor in the decline of a culture or a civilization. a sense of national pride and purpose that enables residents in a particular area to rise above the divisions of race, politics, ideology, class and the like. It is patriotism that unites the people and enables them to rise above narrow sectarian and other interests. A sense of unashamed pride which does not degenerate into jingoism or imperialism is essential for the growth of individuals and the development of a nation. A sense of national pride has spurred achievements in science and technology (the space race), sport and in economic development. Pride in the past and patriotism (within bounds and without complacency) are essential to real human progress. Is Patriotism Dead? Many of our people will offer no salutes, feel no sense of pride, and pledge no allegiance to the flag. Some will not respond because of indifference or calloused hearts. Others will be working to tear the fabric of our national life to shreds; to worsen, not heal, our sickness; to destroy, not to build; to bring disunity, not unity, to the nation. For them, patriotism is dead; love of country is archaic. Has the time come for us to abolish what our forefathers created? Has their vision of liberty, justice, and happiness proved unattainable?Are we ready to say that the mythos, the heroes, and the folk tales that have bound us together as a people for almost two hundred years no longer enthrall us? Are we willing to forget our common heritage, dilute our sense of fraternity and destiny, and dissolve the cohesiveness that made us one? We are faced with grave and challenging problems in our national life. We see  many things we dislike, and can point to many injustices that have not yet yielded to truth and righteousness. But even as we acknowledge the defects we cannot forget the victories. The slaves have been freed; universal suffrage has become a reality; startling advances have been made to assure all our people of life and liberty as well as the right to pursue happiness. Indians need not gloss over the nation’s defects or sweep its failures under the rug. They need not claim that their country is always right. When it is right, they will support it; and when it is wrong, they will love it and work to correct it.The day that patriotism ceases, that day we will have ceased to be a people Patriotism is not dead; our nation is not finished. Let us rally behind our flag; let us love our country with all its faults; let us work to improve it with all our strength; let usdefend it with all our resources; let us hand it on to generations unborn better than it was when we received it; let us instill in our children the hope of our forefathers for the ultimate fulfillment of their dreams. But above all, let us tell them that the greatness of America lies not simply in the achievement of the ideal but in the unrelenting pursuit of it The feel of patriotism The nation celebrated its 60th year Independence recently. one can see the visual medium rolling out exclusive shorts as a mark of tribute to the heroes who fought for our Independence. It was a summit of sort, when one could see most of the big names summon together to play or sing the National Anthem. The minute one sees that visual, it is definite he/she could feel something happening within themselves. A look at the majestic flag gives a feeling that we are the citizens of the Independent India. For a second one could feel all the struggles, trials and tribulations our leaders in the past have undergone to obtain it. I was one among those who felt very proud that I am a citizen of Independent India and I was able to feel a sense of pride when I just took a look at the flag. But, my mind paused for a second to think how many of us are really patriotic? only a handful was the answer. Are the schools imparting enough amount of patriotism into the minds of the young ones during their school days. For the little ones, Independene day means nothing but a public holiday and a few choclates given at their  schools once the flag is hoisted. Beyond that, do the teachers feed the kids with the required information on freedom stuggle and the pioneers who fought for it? Nope. I felt sorry when a kid, pointing out to the portrait of a poet, whose writings worked wonders for the freedom struggle, asked who that man was? This is not a joke to laugh at but a matter to think about. Neither the teachers nor the elders at home make an effort to teach the young ones about those great leaders who were responsible for our Independence. Another incident in the bus in which I was travelling made me feel why on the first place we got Independence. The military rule suits us best. A man was smoking inside the bus, and a few women including myself, showed our objection for that. His immediate reply was, what is this? This is Independent India and I am not allowed to smoke here? This is strange! This is just a small dose of such incidents happening on a daily basis. everyone is sure to come across such incidents or characters. It is saddening to note that the world is heading towards destruction with such characters roaming about in the public. when will we get the sense of patriotism and realise the struggles underwent to obtain freedom is a million-dollar question. If this situation persists, it will not be shocking if the younger ones ask who is the father of the nation and who is Jawaharlal Nehru? what a plight that would descend on the Nation then? The structure of patriotism Every social group has its own notions of loyalty. The institution of family embeds loyalty to the family as a social group. When a son and his wife and children separate from the rest of the family or when brothers divide their property, the neighborhood reacts with sorrow and not glee. Caste associations emphasize the benefits which come from an active participation and cooperation between different members of the same caste. Tribal groups, too, emphasize similar benefits from collaboration. The notion of patriotism is different from such forms of group loyalty. The difference lies in its close affinity with the state. Patriotism is not based upon kinship or of shared descent like in families, castes and tribes. Patriotism is based upon the idea of a nation and its central institution, the state.Patriotism in modern India is thus qualitatively different from  the love of one’s community that was to be seen in ancient and medieval India. Its relation to one’s country has changed with the change in the social structure of the state and the nation. To a great extent the pre-modern states and countries were based upon the rule of one or a few social groups. The Gupta period was dominated by the Guptas and their kindred and allies. The Mughals saw the domination of the Mughal biradari, and their supporters who included the Turks, the Iranians and several other groups like the Rajputs. Modern India is based upon the ideology of equality of all. While there continue to be several hangovers of the past to be seen today, the basic character of the state and the nation have changed. Modern India is based upon the idea that all its citizens are equal and that its rulers represent the will of not just a few, but all of the different communities that make up this country. This nation is based upon different foundations than most of those which went before it. Its legitimacy lies in its being able to satisfy its various component communities that their interests will be safeguarded by the Indian state. Irrespective of the religion, caste, community, sex of the individual, the state is supposed to represent each and every of them. The modern nation has its appeal because of its being able to mediate between and reconcile often conflicting interests. The state is considered legitimate when it speaks with the same voice to all. It is the coming together of so many diverse groups which lends strength to the country. The strength of India lies in its being able to weld together a large and heterogeneous populace into a common force. Any country in modern times which seeks to progress and develop must find ways of attracting and retaining the loyalty of its constituent groups. In modern nations this is done by everybody voting to select their rulers and the creation of a bureaucracy based on selection through merit. A modern state, with its universal appeal to its people, has many advantages over the older kinds of nationhood and statehood, with their sectional support bases. The universalistic modern state is what the most powerful countries of the world have. It is through this social form that resources are used most efficiently and the diverse forces of a country focussed for the benefit of everybody. Patriotism in a modern country cannot be created on the basis of ideas that appeal to only partisan groups or some sections of society. The naked use of force to coerce acceptance of the nation is not a characteristic of a society based on reason and democracy. The content of patriotism in a modern country The transformed structure of patriotism leads to a change in the content of what patriotism would mean in everyday practice. Modern patriotism and nationhood is based upon symbols that all can share. By definition this excludes symbols that pit religion against religion. Patriotism in a modern country must be expressed through universal symbols. These are all around us and yet are ignored. The streets of a neighborhood are a truer symbol of nationhood than a place of worship. They are used by all and paid for by the contributions of all. Yet, they remain filthy while people pool money to build distant places of worship. When universal symbols are not altogether ignored here, they are attacked by all kinds of distortions. The symbols of the rich are enthroned as the symbols of the entire nation. The tragedy of the many poor who have been thrown out of their homes by big dams does not arouse us. The tragedy of the middle-class Kashmiri Pandits who were forced to leave their homes does. The latter are called refugees in their own homeland. The dispossessed adivasis and rural poor who did not have relatives that they could flee to in Delhi do not attract national sympathy. Nor do the Kashmiri Muslims who had to flee Kashmir, in spite of their outnumbering the Kashmiri Pandits. Clearly we are still in the process of moving towards modern nationhood. The model of modernity which Indians must aspire towards cannot be the same as that in the West. We are far too heterogeneous to ever become the kind of nation which fascist Germany once aspired to be. And our forms of production are still not capitalistic enough to become the kind of melting pot of identities which the USA was. We must define our own modernity. That universal framework of Indian reason must be the framework through which our  nationhood and patriotism must be defined. It must be a patriotism which seeks with Gandhiji the happiness of the poorest of the poor as the index of our national development. It must be a patriotism which sees the freedom of the smallest of the minorities as the index of our social development. It must be a patriotism which comes into action every day, through a conscience that sees lying to customers, exploiting labourers, cheating on tax, paying bribes, adding sand to cement, oppressing the poor, paying obeisance to the powerful, all these daily acts of betrayal of the people as treason. Every secular space in a modern country teaches a lesson of patriotism. But school education is a special area for our concern. It is here where most young people come together crossing the old boundaries of religion and caste. It is here where the new nation is being constructed. That makes it even more necessary to be cautious about the introduction of religious values in schools. The kind of values which we seek must be in tune with the universal appeal of our country. Where the values being taught emphasize freedom of thought and truths that are shared by all and not just a few. The modern idea of India is about equality and the transcendence of social barriers, not about narrow dividing walls. It is high time that we rethought our school experience to try and create a land where the patriot is she who risks her life to protect an unknown stranger, and where the traitor is he who kills his friend in the name of his god. Pride (without complacency and with an awareness of imperfections) is important in spurring individuals and a society on to greater achievement. The loss of faith in the achievements of the past, history and traditions can be an important factor in the decline of a culture or a civilization. a sense of national pride and purpose that enables residents in a particular area to rise above the divisions of race, politics, ideology, class and the like. It is patriotism that unites the people and enables them to rise above narrow sectarian and other interests. A sense of unashamed pride which does not degenerate into jingoism or imperialism is essential for the growth of individuals and the development of a nation. A sense of national pride has spurred achievements in science and technology (the space race), sport and in economic development. Pride in the past and patriotism (within bounds and  without complacency) are essential to real human progress. Is Patriotism Dead? Many of our people will offer no salutes, feel no sense of pride, and pledge no allegiance to the flag. Some will not respond because of indifference or calloused hearts. Others will be working to tear the fabric of our national life to shreds; to worsen, not heal, our sickness; to destroy, not to build; to bring disunity, not unity, to the nation. For them, patriotism is dead; love of country is archaic. Has the time come for us to abolish what our forefathers created? Has their vision of liberty, justice, and happiness proved unattainable? Are we ready to say that the mythos, the heroes, and the folk tales that have bound us together as a people for almost two hundred years no longer enthrall us? Are we willing to forget our common heritage, dilute our sense of fraternity and destiny, and dissolve the cohesiveness that made us one? We are faced with grave and challenging problems in our national life. We see many things we dislike, and can point to many injustices that have not yet yielded to truth and righteousness. But even as we acknowledge the defects we cannot forget the victories. The slaves have been freed; universal suffrage has become a reality; startling advances have been made to assure all our people of life and liberty as well as the right to pursue happiness.Indians need not gloss over the nation’s defects or sweep its failures under the rug. They need not claim that their country is always right. When it is right, they will support it; and when it is wrong, they will love it and work to correct it. The day that patriotism ceases, that day we will have ceased to be a people Patriotism is not dead; our nation is not finished. Let us rally behind our flag; let us love our country with all its faults; let us work to improve it with all our strength; let us defend it with all our resources; let us hand it on to generations unborn better than it was when we received it; let us instill in our children the hope of our forefathers for the ultimate fulfillment of their dreams. But above all, let us tell them that the  greatness of America lies not simply in the achievement of the ideal but in the unrelenting pursuit of it.