Changing the Structure of the Class Grading System

It is important to have a grading system because there must be a way to assess the performance of the students. It is a problematic issue because the students do not really understand how it works. On the other hand the teachers are pressured to provide a way to accurately assess learning outcomes.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Changing the Structure of the Class Grading System specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In addition teachers are faced with the daunting task of giving students a failing grade if they deserve it. At the same time teachers are discouraged to give failing grades because it is a reflection that nothing was done to help the students achieve better results. Thus, it is mutually beneficial for students and teachers to use an improved grading system. It is important to alter the current system in place in order to use one that is more efficient and conducive to learning. An efficient grading syst em is one that effectively communicates to students, colleagues and institutions the extent of the learning outcome. At the same time it must be a transparent system. Students must have a fair understanding of how it works. Students must have a clear idea of the grade that they will receive. In the current system, students feel that they are graded using subjective methods. In this way students have a clear guide as to how to improve their performance. In the absence of an effective and efficient grading system, students are not encouraged to strive harder. Criteria Before going any further it is important to point out that the new grading system must help evaluate student’s mastery of the course material. In other words it is not a grading system developed to test students from a different school. It is not a system developed to evaluate learning outcomes of a grade school student. The said grading system must be focused on the materials covered in this semester. The new gra ding system must not only assess the learning outcome but it must also encourage the student to strive harder. This is made possible through an effective way to communicate strengths and weaknesses. Students must be given an effective feedback mechanism that is built into the said grading system. Thus, it is imperative that teachers should not only give grades that can be interpreted in different ways. There must be a system in place that enables the teachers to pinpoint problematic areas and communicate this information to the student.Advertising Looking for report on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More An ideal grading system must encourage active learning that would lead to personal growth. In other words an effective and efficient grading system must be seen as an incentive tool. It is a system that drives students to move forward. It is a tool that points them ahead to a clear goal. It is a system that provides spe cific rewards for specific actions. Based on this particular criterion alone there is a great need to revamp the way teachers view their role within a particular grading system. A teacher must not only assess the performance of his students because he must also act as a coach to his students. It is easy to develop a grading system that addresses the needs outlined above, but there is one more challenge that has to be overcome before teachers are able to upgrade the current grading system, in order to turn it into something that is effective and efficient. The new grading system must demonstrate that it can realistically conform and adhere to the limitations imposed on the teachers. Change the Core In the current grading system, the teacher provides a wealth of information regarding a particular topic. The information are gathered from different sources and presented using different methods. For example information can come from a biography of a particular famous individual. The teac her aims to teach the students a particular character trait that is the reason why the person is successful. In other occasions the teacher uses a video of a lecture. In the said video an expert talks about a particular subject matter. Another way to deliver content is to instruct students to read a particular essay in order to learn more about a particular topic. After a few days of studying, the teacher creates a simple test to determine the information retained by the students. A straightforward test regarding the information contained in books, videos, and lectures are contained in the said exam. Naturally, the students that fail to answer a minimum amount of questions failed the test. The students who were able to answer a majority of the question either receive a passing mark or accumulated points that would allow them to receive a high score at the end of the semester. The problem with the conventional method is that the teachers are unable to find out the reason why students fail. They can only determine that some of the students have the capacity to absorb the material presented in class. But they also are unaware of the entire process and therefore fail to replicate the same results with students that perform poorly.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Changing the Structure of the Class Grading System specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More At the same time they are unable to communicate to the students that there are certain areas that they have to improve on. The different types of information given to them are mashed together as one, and therefore, it is difficult to correctly assess how this information was internalized by the students. In order to satisfy the criteria given earlier, it is not only enough to make minor changes, it is time to transform traditional grading systems and change it from the inside out. Teachers must change not only the grading system but also on how they de velop the exams. In this regard it is time to move beyond the mere regurgitation of content and instead focus on developing class-room based performance assessments. It is important to begin with limitations. The new grading system may look good on paper but may prove to be useless because of numerous constraints. Thus, classroom-based performance assessments must be limited on three different types of tasks. The first one is the writing process; the second one is the speaking process; and the third one is the activity process. These are expounded in the following statements. The writing process is similar to writing an essay but it must be guided by a rubric focusing on the ability of the student to explain a process, event, and insights gleaned from reading a particular article or watching a video. The rubric informs the students what is expected of them. For example, the rubric demands that the student provides a clear explanation of a process or develop an argument that will con vince readers to accept the solution that they have provided for a particular problem. In this way, a classroom-based performance assessment encourages students to use what they have learned. They are not expected to merely repeat the information to their teachers like automatons, but as members of a community that are able to develop solutions to problems. The second type is the speaking process that will strengthen the public speaking skills of the students. In the same way, a rubric must be developed to guide students on expected outcomes. Students must explain a particular process or provide an explanation that will convince listeners to adopt a particular solution. Teachers must be careful not to merely focus on the feasibility of the solution but to give more attention to the strength of the argument. It will also help determine if the student was able to merge together the information gleaned from the study of the course materials and link it to the problems encountered in a real-world setting.Advertising Looking for report on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The third type is the activity process. In this type of classroom-based learning assessment, students are given the ability to go beyond the writing and speaking process. In this type of assessment students are given the opportunity to develop a more creative way of presenting ideas and solutions to problems. Students can use props and materials that can be manipulated in class in order to prove a point. They can also develop a project that is tied to the local community. This is a time-bound project and governed by a rubric designed by the teacher. The rubric can specifically dictate the limitations of the said project while at the same time provide guidelines on what is considered as an acceptable activity based on the materials covered in class. It must be made clear that the rubric is the key component of the classroom-based performance assessment. Thus, the students are given clear directives on what must be done in order to satisfy the performance assessment criteria. At the s ame time the students are well-aware of what is expected of them. The teacher is not only expected to give them a grade, but feedbacks as well. Resistance to Change The most important hurdle to the proposed change in the grading system is the notion that students must be rewarded based on their effort and their performance. This erroneous mindset is a stumbling block because students must realize that a reward is based on performance alone. This new grading system eliminates the need to consider effort aside from tangible results. But students and teachers alike may resist change because it has become a part of the learning tradition to reward effort and performance at the same time. The second major resistance to change can come from the teachers. They can easily point to the limitations of time and other resources. At first glance it is indeed time consuming because teachers are required to provide feedback for every student. In the traditional grading system, teachers are merely required to declare the result of the exam and nothing more. The third resistance can also come from the teachers. In the new grading system they are required to overhaul their existing lesson plans. Their current lesson plans are filled with quizzes and exams that simply assess the ability of the students to memorize disjointed information. It is hard work for them because they may have to start from scratch. Thus, a new grading system can be very difficult for old teachers to accept. On the other hand it may be easier for new teachers to easily adapt to changes imposed by learning institutions. The fourth resistance can come from both teachers and students because of the difficulty in developing and understanding the rubric for each type of assessment process. The teachers may find it extremely difficult to develop a rubric on their own without the help of an expert. On the other hand, students may object to the fact that a rubric can be viewed as vague standards that can be inter preted in different ways. Overcoming Resistance The four levels of resistance outlined above can be overcome provided that the teacher and the students are willing to improve their performance. In the case of the issue regarding effort versus performance, students and teachers alike must realize that the real world does not reward striving but tangible results. This may seem harsh to young minds, but college students must have the maturity to understand the realities of the outside world. It does not benefit these students if the learning institutions shelter them from the harsh realities of life. Nevertheless, there is a better way to make them realize that it is better to develop habits that require them to focus on end-results as opposed to mere activities alone. Furthermore, teachers and students can be swayed to adopt the new system, if they will realize that a well-developed rubric can provide correct guidelines on the things that must be done to affect change in their perform ance. The rubric tells them that there is an expected outcome and this outcome is not impossible to achieve because it is based on the materials covered in class. Nevertheless, they have to learn the skill needed to accomplish the criteria contained in the said rubric. Teachers may complain about the lack of resources and the limitations imposed by time. This can be overcome because quizzes and other long exams are eliminated from the teaching process. They are no longer required to spend time developing exams that cannot provide a clear assessment of the skills needed by the students to succeed in a real world setting. However, the teachers must limit the number of activities and projects that are required for this particular semester. Teachers may resist change based on the need to overhaul their current lesson plans. But they must realize that the old method is ineffective and inefficient. They must realize that a teacher’s duty is not merely to find a practical way to dev elop exams but for his students to learn the skills necessary to succeed beyond the four walls of a classroom. A more practical approach is to introduce the new grading system to new teachers and not to those who are already veterans in the teaching profession and near retirement age. The most difficult challenge to overcome is the skill to develop an appropriate rubric for each type of classroom-based performance assessment activity. It must be pointed out that the ability to speak, write and engage in a group activity requires different types of skills. For example, there are students who are confident with their writing skills but are terrified with the prospect of speaking in front of the class. There are also those who have the ability to organize an event or talk to different people with ease but may not have the patience to sit down and write an essay. There is also the concern that teachers may complain of their inability to develop a rubric from scratch and may require the help of an expert. These problems can be easily overcome wit a concerted effort by teachers and school officials. They can come up with a standard rubric that will help the students understand the requirements for a specific performance assessment tool. For example in the â€Å"writing process† the rubric does not only cover the need to write with the use of correct grammar but also the need to develop students’ writing skills. Teachers are made aware of the fact that with a rubric, they are no longer pressured to give a grade based on subjective assessments. The use of the rubric gives them a guide as to what they need to look for in order to assess the capability of the students. Finally, students must be made aware that a classroom-based performance assessment may require a major shift in their thinking but it is more exciting compared to exams and quizzes. In this new grading system the students are able to satisfy the criteria provided earlier. They have a new sys tem that encourages them to strive harder because of an effective and inefficient feedback mechanism incorporate into the said protocol. They will know their strengths and their weaknesses. But most importantly they can make a connection with the skills and information learned in the classroom and the issues in the real world. This new grading system forces the students and the teachers to focus on performance and not mere effort alone. This mindset must be instilled in the hearts of all the students because it is an important component to success in life. Students are rewarded not by their ability to cram information into their heads but the capacity to access this information in the creation of solutions. It is an exhilarating and satisfying experience that hastens the transition from adolescence to adulthood. It gives them the confidence to face the challenges of living. Conclusion In the aftermath of an activity that attempted to revise an existing grading system, the students p rovided feedback based on their point of view. Thus, it was not surprising for them to point out the struggle between effort and performance. Most of the students would like to be rewarded based on their efforts and the outcome of their actions. In the real world this is not the case. They also said that it may be difficult for students and teachers to adjust to a new system. The solution to these challenges is to simply convince them that a new grading system is more effective and efficient. In the end it is not their high test scores that guarantee success in life, but their ability to perform well, based on certain expectations. Success is also based on their ability to solve problems. The new grading system enables them to develop these two important skills. However, it is important to deal with the challenges of establishing a new grading system. 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Character Comparison of Hedda and Medea essays

Character Comparison of Hedda and Medea essays Death through murder, illness, or suicide is the end result in many stories of romantic love. In the plays, Hedda Gabler and Medea, women heroines often take the brunt of societys censure of inappropriate passion due to their performances of vengeance. The protagonists are marked by their difference, a difference that extends far beyond their illegal yearnings, and that precedes the plays development in plot: they are strange in comparison to other characters. They are somehow smarter, more interesting, more confused, and more demanding than the rest of society. Hedda Gabler and Medea both come from two different backgrounds. They both grew up different ways with different beliefs and morals. Growing up, they had different experiences and different difficulties. As adults, they are in some ways different and in some ways the same. Medea is the princess of Colchis, the wife of Jason, a barbaric sorceress a woman of passion and rage. She is clever, powerful, and ruthless. She enabled Jason to complete his quest for the Golden Fleece. For his sake, she murdered her own brother. Because of this act, she can never return home. In Corinth, she has been betrayed by Jason, and she refuses to suffer in silence. She is fiercely proud and unwilling to allow her enemies to have any kind of victory. She murders her own children in part because she cannot bear the thought of seeing them hurt by her enemies. She is also a cunning and cold manipulator. She sees through the false pieties and hypocritical values of her enemies, and uses their own moral bankruptcy against them. Her revenge is total, but it comes at the cost of everything she holds dear. Hedda is the daughter of the famous General Gabler; as a child she was used to luxury and high-class living. As the play begins, she is returning from her honeymoon with Jrgen Tesman, a scholar with good prospects but not as much money as Hedda is accustomed to. Her marri...

Assignment 9(775) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Assignment 9(775) - Essay Example This has come out clearly, and the author has been able to show some of the possible weaknesses that mine emerge as a result of an academic writer using passive voice. In the book, there has been a well illustration on the use of APA format, the guidelines and how it can help an academic drive his point to the reader at ease. The guidelines have been clearly stated and expressed in a manner that any academician who may be a pioneer or new to this type of formatting can easily follow and understand. The author has come out clearly in his explanation concerning these particular formatting styles by giving empirical findings on its usage as well as providing the websites for this format. There are a number of weaknesses that have emerged in the book the author needs to improve on in future when doing other writings of the same. He has overemphasized on the usage and relevant of APA writing format without necessarily appreciating other writing styles such as MLA, HAVARD and CHICAGO writing formats. It could look greater if the author appreciated the existence of other writing forms, despite focusing his work on APA format. Doing this would have shown the reader that the author has an extensive of the idea in other writing forms and have realized that this is most relevant for academicians. The author has emphasized on the relevance of APA writing format among other issues that academicians need to keep in mind when making an academic report. In the book, we have not been given the methods used in data collection in identifying how these concepts have worked for those writers who have followed all these. Therefore, the readers may doubt using these methods since there is no empirical evidence for those who have applied the same in the past. In future, the author needs to mention about those who have ever used these particular ideas he is emphasizing

Hans Namuth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Hans Namuth - Essay Example Namuth’s work creates an instant romance with the audience because it indicates well-thought process and organized materials that gave rise to his remarkable creations. The visual mediums he would create would triumph the work of the artists that are known all over the world. Hans’ image of Pollock cannot be found in A World of Art. The image is a portrait made for public, and it displays Pollock as a young man. The medium features a brooding and a volatile finger derived from his photographs and films. Pollock was pursuing the same career as Namuth and their careers as artists were intertwined because it was through Pollock that Namuth got recognition and countless accolades. The portrait of Pollock tells of Namuth’s decision to identify an accomplice who helped rise the ladder (http://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/15/obituaries/hans-namuth-photographer-is-dead-at-75.html). The Great Stupa is one of the famous and largest sculptures created by Buddhists. The sculpture existed during two or three years after the exodus of Buddha. The sculpture is found on many travel sites to keep its history alive for those who have not visited the official site. The stupa had a small railing at the top with three other parts that represent Buddha, Sangha, and Dharma. The mound has a path meant for circumambulation. The path also entails railings and gates that have been sculptured. The elaborate gates and rails have withstood storms to stay elaborate to have stood for over 2000 years. The Great Stupa was built with enduring materials and the concrete used in the building was formulated to last for 1000 years. It contains three levels spread within 108 feet. The Great Stupa contains a Tree of Life element that allows worshippers to make their wishes. They are allowed to make both powerful and positive wishes that they believe would come true

Hepatitis B Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Hepatitis B - Essay Example In addition, 18% of the Hepatitis B patients diagnosed in the country contacted the virus because of handling the already infected patients who were at home. As such, this study suggests that it is possible to control the infection and spread of the disease through encouraging responsible sexual behavior, especially a campaign advocating for behavioral change, as well as undertaking appropriate education for the care givers so that they can handle infected patients at home without the risk of infection. Therefore, the state of Philadelphia undertakes a number of risks due to the exposure from the relative of Hepatitis B, thereby instrumental to consider the variables involved. As such, it is imperative for the state to undertake measures to prevent the acute of chronic Hepatitis B, alongside making efforts to eliminate the transmission of the disease within the Philadelphia community, especially through administration of appropriate vaccination (Hepb,

Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media

Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media Abstract Social networking has changed the way people interact with each other forever. Social networking first existed as an invention created in 1975 known as email, which is still used today (Email). However social networking has advanced in to using a profile to give information about a user and his or her interests, and has integrated the use of email. Now social networking involves sharing stories, photos, and involves the use of apps as well as messaging to communicate with others. This type of social networking did not become popular until the year 2003 when MySpace and Friendster were launched. Shortly after Facebook was launched but was not open to the general public until 2006, which has become the number one social networking site today. These networks have many positive effects such as remaining in contact with friends, meeting new people, providing educational benefits, as well as the convenience of mobilly accessing it. Also there are some negative effects which include identit y theft, cyber bullying, decreased social interaction in real life, and social isolation. Increase in mobile social networking could possible cause future health problems. The first type of social networking created was Email, which was invented in 1975 (Email). Since then social networking has advanced into a profile with numerous features that can be used and has integrated the use of email. Now social networking is changing the way the world interacts with people, and has provided many useful tools for the world to use. Still these social networks are continuing to advance to provide better features for users, and these popular sites will continue to grow in size. Even though social networks can have negative effects such as wasting time, it also affects people positively by allowing people to communicate and remain in contact with friends in a much easier way. In the article Are social networking sites good for our society? (2009) social networking (or social media) is defined as an online community that allow people to develop profiles of their backgrounds and interests, communicate with friends and strangers, and share thoughts, photos, Internet links, music, and more (p.1). Once a social network is joined users are prompted to identify others in the system with which they have a relationship known generally as friends. Social networking sites vary greatly with the features they have to offer, and is what makes each site different from the other. Six Degrees was the first major social network, similar to social networking today, to be launched and was launched in 1997 (Bhutkar, 2009). Social networking as it is today did not become popular until 2003 when Friendster MySpace and LinkedIn were launched. Then in 2004 Facebook was launched but was only open to college students with a valid university email. Facebook remained a college only n etwork for two years before it opened to the general public in 2006. Since then Facebook has become the number one social networking site (Bhutkar, 2009). Positive Effects of Social Media Social networking sites allow people to communicate and remain in contact with friends as well as meet new people. These sites allow people to find others with similar interests that they can create a relationship with and get to know one another. Groups can be joined or formed to meet people with similar interests, and views. Social networking allows for creative expression by using tools such as blogging and messaging to post ideas and stories (Are social networking sites good for our society, 2009). Users also share poems, interest in music, TV shows, hobbies, photos, and many other things (Jasson). Event invitations can be made and sent to friends rather than having to mail invitations and friends can also rsvp for an event on the site. Not only is it used to talk to friends, but it is also used to discuss educational topics. Social networking is said to increase a persons quality of life, and can reduce health risks. Many people report that they have not had any negative experiences with social networking, and schools are starting to look at it as an educational tool (Thelwell, 2006). The use of social networking helps improve technological skills of students, and exposes them to many diverse views about things. It also has helped with communication skills, and allows the learning of cultures from users all over the world. Also students use social networking to discuss homework topics with peers online, and to get help on assignments (Reid, 2009). Sixty percent of students on social networks have said that they talk about education, and 50 percent specifically talk about school work assignments. These students seem to have an extraordinary set of traditional and 21st century skills including communication, creativi ty, collaboration, and leadership skills and technology proficiency. Parents are expecting schools to take advantage of using online social networking to educate children, but to do so in a safe way. Some public schools have created a secure social network for its student to be able to communicate with other students, and to do so in a more safe way (National School Board Association, 2007). Social Networking does not just benefit individuals, but it also benefits businesses as well. These sites allow businesses to advertise and market services to a large audience, and a profile is free to set up (Gillin). Numerous businesses have created profiles that provide detailed information about the business to advertise in a low cost way (Roberts, 2008). Businesses will gain more attention on social networks because the business profile is available to for all users of the social network to see. Also businesses like to use social networks to learn what potential employees are like, and make decisions based on the information provided on the persons profile (Ellison, Steinfield, Lampe, 2007). Social networking has already completely changed the way people interact in the world, but also it is advancing more to make it easier to access. Now social networking is becoming mobile and can be accessed through the use of a cell phone. It is thought to be a great idea and would increase the use of social networking since a lot of people carry cell phones with them at all times. People can use mobile phones to update their status, post comments, upload photos, send messages, and update profile from just about anywhere (Kharif, 2006). This allows people to be able to get things done as well as take some time to log onto social networks. Making social networks accessible through cell phones is also expected to increase the number of users by a significant amount (Gillin). So far mobile social networking is being used more than social networking from pc computers. The top sites that are being visited using mobile phones are Facebook, MySpace, and Bebo. Being able to access social net works from the cell phone unlocks the full potential of social network, and makes it more convenient for people to use. Since it is more convenient to use the number of users has increased and the mobile social networking has increased significantly (Hamblen, 2008). Negative Effects of Social Media Social networking does have negative effects as well, but are nothing compared to the advantages of using it. These sites reduce the amount of face to face socializing and replace it with online interaction which is believed to result in low quality relationships with other people (Mikami, Szwedo, Allen, Evans, Hare, 2010). Teens over share information to the public that can hurt them in the future when trying to get a job, and deleting the information is not good enough. Cyber bullying occurs as well, which is bullying people online in a public way, but occurs at a small percentage. People that frequently use online social networking are also prone to social isolation which can lead to depression and decreased social skills (Mikami, Szwedo, Allen, Evans, Hare, 2010). A false sense of security leaves social networking site users vulnerable to security attacks such as hacking, leaking sensitive information, and sending viruses. Identity theft can occur when a cybercriminal uses the network to gather personal information posted about people (University of the Pacific). It also has been said that social networking sites endanger children by allowing pedophiles to seek out children (Are social networking sites good for our society?). Also since they are becoming mobile it might encourage people to use cell phone to access these sites while driving just like text messaging was a popular thing to do while driving. Social networking becoming mobile use will increase cell phone use and the problem with that is that cell phones have been found to emit electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by the brain and body. This absorption disrupts the brain sites for memory and learning and can cause confusion and forgetfulness (Thomas, 2004). It is also been reported that cell phones can cause cancer from the electromagnetic exposure to other parts of the body, but little emphasis has been placed on it. The cause of cancer in the brain has been the main health concern with cell phones, which social networking by mobile phone is not exposing the brain to the waves. Also, cell phones give small amounts of radiation off and would require a lot of use and over a long period of time for it to start to cause cancer. Research is needed to provide evidence to determine that actual health risk of cell phones. Social networking has its advantages and its disadvantages like everything else does. The sites are continuously advancing, and changing to fix the negative problems. One example would be accessing social networking sites using cell phones so that people can access the site on the go rather than sit at home on a computer. Most users have stated that they have had only positive experiences with social networking, and very few people experience cyber bullying. There are still problems that need to be fixed, but it seems that the positive effects outweigh the negative effects. Social networking is a very valuable tool that can be used to meet new people, and allow people to remain in contact with friends. Even though it can waste time, social networking positively affects the world by allowing people to communicate, and remain in contact with friends in an easy and convenient way. References Are social networking sites good for our society? (2009). Social Networking ProCon.org. Retrieved April 9, 2010, from http://socialnetworking.procon.org Bhutkar, G. (2009, January 29). Users on Social Networking Sites. Journal of HC Vistas, 5(February 2009). Retrieved from http://www.hceye.org/?UsabilityInsights/p=103 Ellison, N. B., Steinfield, C., Lampe, C. (2007). The benefits of Facebook friends: social capital and college students use of online social network sites. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12(4). Retrieved from http://jcmc.indiana.edu/?vol12/?issue4/?ellison.html Email: The First -and Largest- Social Network Web Strategy by Jeremiah Owyang | Social Media, Web Marketing. (n.d.). Web Strategy by Jeremiah Owyang: Web Marketing, Social Media. Retrieved April 11, 2010, from http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2009/07/09/email-the-first-social-network/ Gillin, P. (2008). Business anywhere, anytime. Computerworld Communications Brief, 1-5. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/?PingElizabeth/?the-promise-of-mobile-unified-communications Hamblen, M. (2008, September 11). Get Ready for mobile social networks. Computerworld. Retrieved from http://www.computerworld.com/?s/?article/?9114487/?Get_ready_for_mobile_social_networks_?taxonomyId=165 Jansson, Y. (n.d.). Online social networking positive aspects. In article dashboard. Retrieved March 29, 2010, from articledashboard database. (477721) Kharif, O. (2006, May 31). Social Networking Goes Mobile. BusinessWeek. Retrieved from http://www.businessweek.com/?technology/?content/?may2006/?tc20060530_170086.htm Mikami, A. Y., Szwedo, D. E., Allen, J. P., Evans, M. A., Hare, A. L. (2010). Adolescent Peer Relationships and Behavior Problems Predict young adults communication on social networking websites. Developmental Psychology, 46(1), 46-56. National School Boards Association. (2007). Creating Connecting: Research and Guidelines on Online Social and educational networking [Data file]. Retrieved from http://socialnetworking.procon.org/?sourcefiles/?CreateandConnect.pdf Reid, K. (2009, November). The rise of social networking sites. Education Journal, 119, 22. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/?login.aspx?direct=truedb=aphAN=47781789loginpage=Login.aspsite=ehost-live Thelwall, M. (2008, January 25). Myspace, Facebook, Bebo: Social Networking Students. ALT Newsletter, January 2008(11). Retrieved from http://newsweaver.co.uk/?alt/?e_article000993849.cfm?x=b11,0,w Thomas, W. (2004). Cell phone health effects: busy signals think twice before you place that call.Alive. Retrieved from http://willthomas.net/ Investigations/Articles/cellphones.htm University of the Pacific Online Social Networking Dangers and Benefits. (n.d.). University of the Pacific Stockton, San Francisco, Sacramento. Retrieved April 11, 2010, from http://web.pacific.edu/x4989.xml?ss=print

Themes in Sonnys Blues by James Baldwin Essay -- American Literature

Themes in Sonny's Blues by James Baldwin After reading the short story "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin, I find there are two major themes that Baldwin is trying to convey, suffering and irony. The first theme that he brings out and tries to get the reader to understand is the theme of suffering. The second theme that the author illustrates is the theme of irony. James Baldwin writes about two African-American brothers growing up in Harlem, a black ghetto in New York, during the 1950's. During this time black people were forced to live in a world of prejudice, discrimination, poverty and suppression. The life of a black person was very difficult; many opportunities afforded to whites were not afforded to blacks. Sonny and his brother lived in the projects and had many obstacles to overcome that white people didn't have to. Sonny chose music to outwardly express his suffering, his brother chose to bottle it up and keep it inside, but this is the common thread they both shared. Suffering is also shown in the story when Baldwin says "it came to me that what we both were seeking through our separate cab windows was that part of ourselves which had been left behind" (P 47). I think this quote means that both Sonny and his older brother want to retrieve some of their past so that it can help them cope with what has happened in their lives. If Sonny and his brother can both cope with what has happened in their lives and get over it, I think t they both can start moving forward and putting this behind them. I feel having Sonny's brother narrate the story in the first person is Baldwin's way of telling us that Sonny's brother is also suffering but inside, unlike Sonny who takes drugs and sings the blues. Sonny's ... ...s and work together to form a loving relationship. In conclusion, the short story "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin brings out two main themes: irony and suffering. You can actually feel the pain that Baldwin's characters experience; and distinguish the two different lifestyles of siblings brought up in the same environment. The older brother remaining nameless is a fabulous touch that really made me want to read on. This really piqued my interest and I feel it can lead to many discussions on why this technique was used. I really enjoyed this story; it was a fast and enjoyable reading. Baldwin keeps his readers thinking and talking long after they have finished reading his stories. His writing technique is an art, which very few, if any, can duplicate. Works Cited: Baldwin, James. "Sonny's Blues" in Vintage Baldwin. New York: Vintage, 2004.

Theo Georgiades

Dramatic irony is a feature of many plays. It occurs when the development of the plot allows the audience to have more insight about what is happening than some of the characters themselves. Iago is the source of much of the dramatic irony in Othello, informing the audience of his intentions. Characters may also speak in a dramatically ironic way, saying something that points to events to come without understanding the significance of their words. The opening scene is laced with dramatic irony, all of which centres on Iago. Roderigo fails to see that a man who admits he is a self-serving conman – â€Å"I am not what I am† – might also be fooling him, and Brabantio is unaware of the aptness of his line â€Å"Thou art a villain†. Iago has exposed himself very early and we watch fascinated as he manipulates others. In Act I, Scene III, we almost admire Othello's â€Å"free and open nature†, as Shakespeare states, but we are worried that Othello is gullible enough to be taken for a ride. His choice to place his wife in Iago's care is frightening, although it shows his high opinions of him. We are given two menacing hints about the future progress of Othello's marriage when the senators leave; Brabantio warns Othello against trusting Desdemona, while the first senator tells Othello to â€Å"use Desdemona well†. These lines are examples of dramatic irony; hints to the audience about the way the plot will develop. In Act III, Scene III, Othello is under pressure from the moment he enters. He is able to order his wife, although he seems nervous throughout his dialogue with her at the start of the scene. There is acknowledgment in his line â€Å"I will deny thee nothing†, as we are very well aware that this line is very true. We might feel that Othello is already on the threshold of disaster, even before Iago's words get to him properly. As Desdemona leaves Othello says â€Å"Excellent wretch [†¦] come again† (see lines III.3.90-2). These lines suggest that Othello will be completely lost if his love is shattered. Note the two words in these lines that hint at the trouble to come: â€Å"perdition† and â€Å"chaos†. The audience will be aware of the dramatic irony of these lines. Also found in Act III; Scene IV is packed with dramatic irony. This sad scene focuses on Desdemona. Emilia's purpose in this scene is to remark on what she sees and hears. She introduces the subject of Othello's jealousy, enabling us to value just how much naive confidence Desdemona has in her husband. We quickly learn that we can rely on her judgement; Emilia accurately guesses that it is jealous thoughts which trouble Othello. Emilia is also intelligent in her description of jealousy; â€Å"It is a monster/Begot upon itself, born on itself†. Later on in the play we will see the excellence of these words. Shakespeare fills this scene with examples of alarming dramatic irony, for example Desdemona's words at lines 25-9 and 30-1. In spite of the fact that she lies to her husband about the loss of the handkerchief, we are likely to feel much sympathy for Desdemona. She does not appreciate the danger she is in, signified by her words at line 30 and is alarmed by her husband's description of the handkerchief and his repeated requests to see it. Shakespeare's play Othello is a play where dramatic irony prevails practically everywhere. The audience is not just an observer, but a kind of judge one might say, having enough information to evaluate the significance of certain words stated by characters that are none the wiser; and can therefore sit back and enjoy the art in the villain's skills aswell the excellence of Shakespeare at play.

Benefits Of Creating Park In Heart Of Gainesville Tourism Essay Essays

Benefits Of Creating Park In Heart Of Gainesville Tourism Essay Essays Benefits Of Creating Park In Heart Of Gainesville Tourism Essay Essay Benefits Of Creating Park In Heart Of Gainesville Tourism Essay Essay The land on the corner of University Ave. and 13th Street is located in the bosom of Gainesville. For this ground, a park should be created here, instead than an flat composite. After a great trade of research, we have concluded that parks non merely advance healthy and active life styles for immature and old alike, but they besides serve to better the quality of life for a metropolis s public, every bit good as addition belongings value of nearby abodes. City Parkss are a really of import portion of a metropolis for legion grounds. One of these grounds is the money the metropolis can derive from the park. The park can non merely pay for itself after it is complete, but besides derive even more gross for the metropolis. This excess money could assist greatly increase the quality of life for citizens of Gainesville in legion ways. Anne Shwartz, a author for the Gotham Gazette, discusses a survey conducted in 2003 by Ernst A ; Young and New Yorkers for Parks. They conducted instance surveies for six different Parkss in New York City, and used informations from 30 other Parkss for their decisions. The survey found that belongings values in closer locality of the Parkss that were clean and good maintained were by and large greater than those farther off. Shwartz states that a 2008 analysis of the Hudson River Park showed that upon completion of a subdivision of the park, existent estate monetary values escalated in the nearest two blocks by approximately 20 per centum. Shwartz besides discusses the Central Park Effect, which was originated by the Appleseed for the Central Park Conservancy. There are 25 million visitants in Central Park per twelvemonth, of which one-fifth semen from outside the metropolis. This does nt merely increase the belongings values around the metropolis, but it besides generated $ 656 million in grosss for the metropolis in 2007. ( Shwartz, 2009 ) Harnik and Welle conducted a survey and wrote their determination in Measuring the Economic Value of a City Park System. In this survey, they looked at seven different ways that the Parkss provide economic benefits for the metropolis. One of the ways is increased belongings values closest to the Parkss and how that benefits the metropolis through revenue enhancements paid. They conducted a survey of the Parkss in Washington D.C. Their findings can be seen in Table 1 below. ( Harnik, Welle, 2006 ) Table 1 shows that a metropolis has a batch to derive from higher belongings revenue enhancements placed on abodes around Parkss. As stated before, values of the belongingss in the locality of parks addition. This means that the metropolis will derive more money from the belongings revenue enhancements placed on these belongingss. This money can be really good for the metropolis and can in bend be used to fund new educational plans for pupils, better the local substructure, and more. Harnik and Welle besides discuss the benefits coming from the direct usage of Parkss. They conducted a telephone study to gauge the money spent by every twenty-four hours visitants to parks in Boston. Their findings can be seen in Table 2, below. Table 2 ( Harnik, Welle, 2006 ) Table 2 shows the pecuniary addition for the metropolis from its usage by people. They split the activities people may execute in Parkss into three different subdivisions. Each type has a different mean value per visit. The information tabular array shows that over 350 million dollars were spent in the Parks. Since the survey was conducted in Boston, the existent amount of money for the direct usage of a park for Gainesville would be much less overall, since it is a much smaller metropolis. However, this money would still be really good to the metropolis. Harnik and Welle eventually discussed the pollution remotion value of Parkss. In a clip where great accent is placed on traveling green and working towards cleaning up the environment, the creative activity of a new park in Gainesville would be an highly welcome add-on to the cause. The leaf in the park will free the air of some pollution and do the metropolis a much cleansing agent and better topographic point to populate. As the junction of University Avenue and 13th Street is one of the busier intersections in Gainesville, the inclusion of a park on its northwest corner could be immeasurably advantageous. Harnik and Welle calculated the pecuniary payback of an environmentally friendly park, whose findings are displayed in Table 3. Table 3 ( Harnik, Welle, 2006 ) Table 3, above, shows that the values of the pollutants removed from Washington D.C. Parks is calculated to be over 19 million dollars. The fact that parks take air pollutants entirely is of great benefit to the metropolis, but its fiscal impact may be even greater. The investing that has to be put into making the park is much less than the benefits that the metropolis will derive from this. The metropolis will be much cleaner and will salvage money for it, and it will be able to set that money into good usage to greatly better the life of the citizens of Gainesville. Overall, Gainesville will be better off from both a wellness and a financial point of view if these programs for the creative activity of a new park are put into action. Park Design/Layout When planing the park, we took a figure of elements of art and scientific discipline into consideration to make an efficient and aesthetically delighting recreational country. Through the usage of dark colourss and several cardinal design rules, we achieved what we feel would be a good add-on to the Gainesville community. The affiliated park mock-up designs included in the appendix following the study depict precisely how we ve utilized colour and design rules to make an appealing and attractive park. The first of the cardinal design rules that we adhered to while in the planning phase of the park was balance. In peculiar, we focused our attending on making a symmetrical balance. The way that encircles the park s cardinal lawn was designed to incarnate this indispensable design rule. The arrangement of workss, trees and benches besides reflects our attempts to keep a proportioned sense of equilibrium. In order to decently foreground one of the focal points of the park, the fountain, we took advantage of the rule of passage. Small shrubs border the pavement to the North of the cardinal lawn. These smaller workss finally coincide with much larger trees that wrap around the fountain. The consequence helps to direct the spectator s oculus to the centre of the agreement, where the fountain lies. By following the rule of proportion, we were able to settle on a peculiar fountain that would absorb good and would function to heighten the belongings. The trees distributed throughout the park were besides selected based upon size, to guarantee that they were neither excessively big nor excessively little in relation to the park as a whole. Our design squad used repeat to make beat in the park. The perennial usage of similar works life with indistinguishable signifier and colour helps cut down confusion in the park s overall layout and design. In order to avoid making a littered or busy visual aspect in such a little country, it was indispensable to utilize a great trade of repeat. The arrangement of unvarying benches helped the park attain integrity, every bit good. Since the two design rules go hand-in-hand, simpleness was achieved by extinguishing extra and unneeded item. ( Ingram, 1991 ) Rather than confound park-goers perceptual experience with excessively much assortment of item, we elected to cut down the overall design to its simplest, functional signifier. Not merely does this make a more practical recreational country for the citizens of Gainesville to bask, but it besides helps to avoid unneeded cost and care. The concluding rule of park design that we observed is that of attraction. It is indispensable that a park be appealing and ask foring. ( Ingram, 1991 ) Not merely will the park s attraction spruce up an otherwise dull street corner, it has been designed with enduring entreaty in head. Rather than making a seasonal or impermanent park, we have designed one that will be tempting to park departers year-round. Planned with lastingness in head, our design non merely renders a beautiful park, but it besides ensures that any possible hereafter care will non put a dearly-won load on the metropolis of Gainesville. Projection of Long Term Effectss The design of the park was created with occupants of different ages, races, faiths and economic backgrounds in head. Hence, we have projected that the short-run and long-run benefits of this park will impact many persons in the Gainesville community. The park will better the overall quality of life of the community by supplying a merriment, loosen uping and safe topographic point to travel. A park has the ability to make a strong sense of community. This is genuinely important because research has shown that strong sense of community reflects in greater feelings of safety and security and in increased degrees of vote, recycling, assisting others, and volunteering ( Calgary, 2001 ) . Since the park would be located in the bosom of Gainesville this strong sense of community would non merely distribute to the park s nearby occupants but to all of the country s frequent visitants. Constructing a park on 13th Street would be a great manner to make out and act upon the Gainesville community as a whole. In add-on, a park is one of the most cheap and safest diversions available to persons of all ages. The design of the park allows for multiple recreational activities such as jogging on the trails, playing athleticss in the field cardinal field, and loosen uping on the benches. This provides a broad array of amusement options that can be accessed easy and that anyone, irrespective of income, can take part in. Furthermore, a park can hold changing but every bit valuable benefits on different members of the community in which it is built. For case, immature kids can greatly profit from an unfastened environment as it allows them to research freely and see nature around them. Gloria DeGaetano, the laminitis of the Parent Coaching Institute, argues there s an of import theory in early-child instruction called the theory of loose parts, which means that kids need to pull strings things in a 3-dimensional environment to turn their encephalon . Besides, adolescents can be positively affected by holding a topographic point where they can take part in recreational activities and meet others while remaining out of problem. The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department reported that diversion reduces offense and societal disfunction cut downing constabulary, justness and captivity costs . Finally, the aged can besides profit from this park by holding an appealing topographic point to exert. Statisticss from a survey of local park usage and personal wellness show that The bulk of older park users were physically active during their visit, with over 69 % obtaining moderate or high degrees of physical activity ( Payne, Orsega-Smith, Roy, A ; Godbey, 2002 ) . As Parkss promote physical activity they cut down fleshiness and prevent chronic unwellnesss such as coronary bosom disease and shot. This is particularly true for kids and immature grownups because bar normally starts from an early age. Those who are active when they are immature and acquire in the wont of running and playing have a greater opportunity of staying physically fit and healthy in the hereafter. The consequences of Physical Activity From Childhood to Adulthood: A 21-year Trailing Study support this thought by saying It was concluded that a high degree of physical activity at ages 9 to 18, particularly when uninterrupted, significantly predicted a high degree of big physical activity. Although the correlativities were low or moderate, we consider it of import that school-age physical activity appears to act upon big physical activity, and through it, the public wellness of the general population ( Telama et al. , 2005 ) . Not merely could this park positively affect the overall wellness of the metropolis s occupants, but it could besides salvage them 100s of dollars in medical measures. Table 4, below is besides portion of Harnik, and Welle s survey. Their findings for wellness attention nest eggs were the followers: ( Harnik, Welle, 2006 ) Harmonizing to Table 4, by merely exerting three yearss a hebdomad, active users under 65 saved over 70,000 dollars, and users over 65 saved over 6,000. In entire, physically active users saved themselves near to 20 million dollars more on wellness attention than inactive users did. It is clear, that a park would better the quality of life of those in the Gainesville community. With these short term and long term benefits the occupants of the metropolis will be able to populate happier and healthier lives. Comparative Analysis of Gainesville Parks There are more than 25 Parkss in the metropolis of Gainesville. The five following Parkss are the largest and most frequented Parkss in the metropolis. These Parkss have greatly increased the quality of life in Gainesville. However, there are presently no major Parkss near the vacant belongings on NW 13th Street. ( City of Gainesville Recreation and Parks Department, 2009 ) This belongings would do an first-class add-on to the community. Therefore, a park in this location would be ideal, supplying the citizens of the country a convenient and easy accessible park. This is illustrated in the diagram below. The first image is a map of all the Parkss and installations in Gainesville. The 2nd is a closer expression at NW 13th Street. The ruddy lineation shows NW 13th street and the bluish lineation shows where the majority of the metropolis Parkss are located. Gainesville Facilities Map: Close-up of NW 13th Street: Westside Park Westside Park is a park dedicated to the Gainesville community. It has racquetball tribunals, hoops tribunals, tennis tribunals, five baseball Fieldss, a resort area, and 1.5 stat mis of trails. Westside Park hosts activities for kids and grownups all throughout the twelvemonth. Behind Westside Park, is the Westside Skate Park, which is free to utilize. ( City of Gainesville Recreation and Parks Department, 2008 ) Northside Park Northside Park is home to Gainesville s lone public phonograph record golf class. There are besides four lit tennis tribunals, racquetball tribunals, a resort area and public public toilets. Pavilions are available for events. ( SK Creations, Inc. , 2010 ) Northeast Park Northeast Park was established in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Northeast Park presently has baseball Fieldss, tennis tribunals, a resort area and trails. In the hereafter, they want to add a skate park to their installations. ( 10Thumbs Design, 2006 ) Lincoln Park Lincoln Park has two baseball Fieldss, a 440-yard exercise/jogging trail, two hoops tribunals, a resort area and public public toilets. It is located behind Lincoln Middle School. ( City of Gainesville Recreation and Parks Department, 2008 ) T.B. McPherson Park The T.B. McPherson Park is 15 square estates and is place to the T.B. McPherson diversion centre. It excessively has two baseball Fieldss, two hoops tribunals, tennis tribunals, and racquetball tribunals. The diversion centre features a swimming pool and outside, there are many picnic countries near the resort area. ( City of Gainesville Recreation and Parks Department, 2008 ) Detailed Analysis of Gainesville Parks These community Parkss offer a broad assortment of recreational activities for Gainesville occupants of all ages. Harmonizing to the 2008 Citizens Report, The Recreation Division conducts particular plans for young person including ; Thanksgiving and Halloween celebrations, drive-in films, swim meets, the Brain Bowl, Santa s Calling and Get Down Fridays. Organized athletic plans are offered for young person and grownups including hoops, playground ball, volleyball, association football, football and cheerleading. ( Gainesville Communications Office, 2008 ) All of these events are held at local Parkss and some of them are free of charge. Besides stated in the Citizen s Report was a long list of ways Gainesville s Parkss have increased the wellbeing of the community. 2008 high spots include: Served more than 1,500 young person and 2,200 grownups through organized athletic programming runing from Pop Warner cheerleading and hoops to indoor association football and more. Expanded adolescent summer scheduling offered in concurrence with the twenty-first Century grant to T.B. McPherson Held summer and spring interruption plans for 2,224 young person. Began a new adolescent summer plan for young person ages 14-17 at the Northeast Community Center. Expanded senior plans at the Thelma Boltin Center. Participated in the Summer Nutrition Program, supplying 110,000 repasts for young person 18 or younger during the summer months. Enrolled more than 475 in-between school pupils in the Westside, Kanapaha, Ft. Clarke and Eastside Teen Zone plans. This provided community young person with activities and service undertakings, such as sing nursing places and mentoring simple pupils at the Northeast Community Center. Involved about 800 participants in water sports plans, including swim lessons, Jr. Life guarding Camp, SHARKS swim squad, Dive-In Movies and more. Five local childs qualified for the Hershey Track and Field State Meet held in Hialeah, Florida in June. The Heatwave Basketball Program began as a consequence of a city/county partnership to supply athletic chances and life accomplishments developing to country teens functioning 192 teens. Volunteers worked for over 40 hours painting bathrooms and distributing mulch in the Northeast Dog Park. Interns and Field Experience pupils contributed over 5,000 hours of service to the Division. ( Gainesville Communications Office, 2008 ) Having Parkss in the community increases physical activity among kids and grownups. Whether it s playing on the resort area, swimming, take parting in youth conference athleticss, or merely walking the trail, Parkss provide gratifying exercising for all ages. Volunteer work is a large portion of keeping local Parkss and hosting events or activities. Volunteering brings together the whole community towards a good cause. It s besides a local cause, which makes the work important and close to the bosom. It is for this ground that a park does nt be much money to keep one time built. There is no demand to engage day-to-day employees and because the park is outside, there are no public-service corporation costs. The after-school plans, and those such as swimming lessons, provide parents with local options for their kids. Besides, since they are local and run largely by voluntaries, the monetary value is normally sensible and they know their money is traveling right back into the community. Constructing a local park can besides excite the local economic system by making a few occupations for citizens. The park will necessitate some lawn care, for illustration. Besides, the managers and staff of park plans and events will hold occupation chances. All of these factors that parks contribute to the community, significantly increase the quality of life within the community in a manner that will be profitable non merely to the community, but besides to the land proprietor. Therefore, based on the facts in this study and the analysis of environing Parkss, Group Charlie recommends constructing a park that will fulfill the demands of the community that the other Parkss lack. Beginnings: 10Thumbs Design. ( 2006 ) . Northeast park. Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //10thumbs.org/gra/park/index.html Burnap, George. ( 1916 ) . Parks: their design, equipment and usage. Philadelphia: B. Lippincott Company. City of Gainesville Recreation and Parks Department. ( 2008, July 02 ) . Westside park. Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.cityofgainesville.org/Portals/0/rec/docs/rc_WestsideRecreation.pdf City of Gainesville Recreation and Parks Department. ( 2008, July 15 ) . Parks matrix. Retrieved from www.cityofgainesville.org/Portals/0/parks/docs/park_matrix.pdf City of Gainesville Recreation and Parks Department. ( 2009, June 01 ) . Gainesville installations. Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.cityofgainesville.org/LinkClick.aspx? fileticket=rMUR4XzT % 2BCM % 3D A ; tabid=259 Gainesville Communications Office. ( 2008, December 12 ) . 2008 Citizen. Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.cityofgainesville.org/Portals/0/cmo/2008citizensreport-lores.pdf Harnik, P. , A ; Welle, B. ( 2006 ) . Measuring the economic value of a metropolis park system. The Trust for Public Land, Retrieved February 24, 2010 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm? content_item_id=22879 A ; folder_id=3208 Ho, Ching-Hua, Laura Payne, Elizabeth Orsega-Smith, and Geoffrey Godbey. Parks, diversion and public wellness: Parkss and diversion better the physical and mental wellness of our state Research Update. N.p. : n.p. , 2003. N. pag. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1145/is_4_38/ai_100960607/ gt ; . Ingram, D.L. ( 1991 ) . Basic rules of landscape design. Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg086 Karaim, Reed. A new epoch in drama. N.p. : USA Weekend, 2007. Web. 25 Feb. 2010. lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www.commercialfreechildhood.org/news/anewera.htm gt ; . New Dennis Park. [ Web ] . Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.dsni.org/images/comm_econ_power/new_dennis_park.jpg Schwartz, A. ( 2009, June ) . Good Parkss are good for the economic system. Gotham Gazette, Retrieved February 24, 2010 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.gothamgazette.com/article/parks/20090624/14/2949 Payne, Laura, Elizabeth Orsega-Smith, Mark Roy, and Geoffrey Godbey. Local Park Use and Personal Health Among Older Adults: An Exploratory Study. Vol. 23. N.p. : n.p. , 2005. 1-20. Web. 1 Mar. 2010. lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www.sagamorepub.com/ebooks/User/IP2005/jpra232/Article1.pdf gt ; . Sense of Community: A Publication from Calgary s Sense of Community Project. N.p. : n.p. , 2001. 1-3. Web. 1 Mar. 2010. lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www.calgary.ca/docgallery/bu/cns/sense_of_community_flyer.pdf gt ; . SK Creations, Inc. ( 2010 ) . Northside park. Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.northsidepark.com/ Measure up to diversion with the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department. San Antonio: City of San Antonio, 2009. N. pag. Web. 1 Mar. 2010. lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www.sanantonio.gov/sapar/stepuptorecreation.asp gt ; . Telama, Risto, Xiaoling Yang, Jorma Viikari, IIkka Valimaki, and Olli Wanne. Physical activity from childhood to maturity: A 21-year trailing survey. Vol. 28. N.p. : Elsevier Inc. , 2005. 267-73. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Web. 1 Mar. 2010. lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www.ajpm-online.net/article/S0749-3797 % 2804 % 2900339-3/abstract gt ; .

Free Essays on George Kennans American Diplomacy

Critiquing American Diplomacy George Kennan’s American Diplomacy provides anyone studying American politics with an accurate glimpse of American ideology, misperception and thought in the first half of the twentieth century. Even though this book is a collection of lectures where there is obvious subjectivity, Kennan successfully displays an objective view on the topics he discusses in the lecture. Kennan’s lecture gives the reader a panoramic view and solid background of American thinking about themselves and the rest of the world, with respect to events leading up to the conflict with the Soviets. As a result, Kennan gives a clearly articulated picture of his thoughts. Kennan explains his ideas in a manner which the average college level student could understand, but does it in a sophisticated manner, which is refreshing. Kennan compares American security ideas to the Roman Empire because Americans had a sense of security and superiority that had not been seen in the world since those times. He compares American ideas and situation in 1950 versus American ideas and situation in 1900 and discusses this from a subjective and objective point of view in order to back up his opinion and present a clear case without discussing the situation at a complete slant, which I think shows how qualified he was to influence American foreign policy because he had every right to speak about things subjectively because he was such an authority and had good insight due to his ability to look at the situation from every perspective, not just the American perspective. I believe Kennan attempting to be as unbiased as possible in this lecture allows him to give anyone reading the book a good chance to develop their own argument, which is a good quality because he is not trying to force his opinion on anyone. â€Å"†¦our national consciousness is dominated at present by a sense of insecurity greater even than that of many people of Western E... Free Essays on George Kennan's American Diplomacy Free Essays on George Kennan's American Diplomacy Critiquing American Diplomacy George Kennan’s American Diplomacy provides anyone studying American politics with an accurate glimpse of American ideology, misperception and thought in the first half of the twentieth century. Even though this book is a collection of lectures where there is obvious subjectivity, Kennan successfully displays an objective view on the topics he discusses in the lecture. Kennan’s lecture gives the reader a panoramic view and solid background of American thinking about themselves and the rest of the world, with respect to events leading up to the conflict with the Soviets. As a result, Kennan gives a clearly articulated picture of his thoughts. Kennan explains his ideas in a manner which the average college level student could understand, but does it in a sophisticated manner, which is refreshing. Kennan compares American security ideas to the Roman Empire because Americans had a sense of security and superiority that had not been seen in the world since those times. He compares American ideas and situation in 1950 versus American ideas and situation in 1900 and discusses this from a subjective and objective point of view in order to back up his opinion and present a clear case without discussing the situation at a complete slant, which I think shows how qualified he was to influence American foreign policy because he had every right to speak about things subjectively because he was such an authority and had good insight due to his ability to look at the situation from every perspective, not just the American perspective. I believe Kennan attempting to be as unbiased as possible in this lecture allows him to give anyone reading the book a good chance to develop their own argument, which is a good quality because he is not trying to force his opinion on anyone. â€Å"†¦our national consciousness is dominated at present by a sense of insecurity greater even than that of many people of Western E...

Project 3 Research Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Project 3 Research Paper - Essay Example The different proportions of the ages engaged in the sites coupled with the geographical representation of the popular sites are also looked into. There is also a discussion of how the relation of the youths as a demographic group is affected by the social sites and in this case, the social aspects as well as the ethical and moral turpitude as influenced by the sites are considered. Further to this, the advantages and the disadvantages of the sites to the youths is discussed to give a better understanding on how these sites builds or breaks the social fiber in the society that goes in tandem with the ethical part of the society. The paper also give an explanation of the occurrence of how the society has made a perfect person that is played out in the sites with a conclusion that gives remedy and precautionary measures that should be considered to avert possible negative impacts imminent in the social sites. Introduction With the development of the digital media, the contemporary soci ety enjoys much more features from the digital media than before, today, through the social networking sites, information can be retrieved in seconds; there are millions of information that is relayed second by seconds and all this information reaches those who are in the social networking sites. ... To some extent, digital media that is the social networking sites provides educative and explorative avenues through which users can grow intellectually. We have YouTube that has a plethora of videos captured and that can be down loaded for intellectual enrichment, these videos includes lectures and instructions that can be used by students and specialist to improve their intellectual acumen (Lenhart, 2007). This is not the only provision of the digital media, they can also be a platform for moral decay, and most of the sites are equally not morally upgrading and have been the contributing factor on the moral degradation in the society. It is thus important to sieve and know the digital sites that are good for consumption and those that are not lest you be a slave of those sites that adds no value to life. Research As indicated in the introductory part above, this paper seeks to research on the effect of digital media through social sites on youths. Today, many digital social sites a re available for consumption by unlimited people around the world, the social sites provides a conduit through which information can flow, people can interact, and learn through one another. It also provides a platform through which new friendship could be made virtually by associating online with those people who are in the far-flung areas (Kiesbye, 2011). Ideally, it makes the world to be a small village through which we can easily get to learn several things that are going on around the world in a snapshot. Given this background, corroborated with the fact that about 900 million people visits the social networking sites every month recording about 7 billion

Chinua Achebe's response to Conrad's Heart of Darkness novel Essay

Chinua Achebe's response to Conrad's Heart of Darkness novel - Essay Example ly doing the same, when he is criticizing the author on being single-tracked, by viewing the theme and presentation of this epic novel through a tunnel-vision. The issue of truth in terms of actual reality is a paradigm that has never really been understood to its fullest since man has learnt to think. This reality can be identified with, and the highest virtue can subsequently be attained by means of taking it in a way that it actually is. Contemplation gives insight, and ultimately self-actualization; this should in turn give way to the actual truth, and nullify any metaphor being used as a faà §ade to a reality. On the same lines, Conrad has presented his version of the life that he saw in Africa. This version had ideas and experiences that were true to his own self, and he did not have a personal vendetta against the locals of the continent. He just found a striking cultural difference between himself and his hosts, and this he represented in the script subsequently. If in the face of conflict, one tends to shy away from the true sense of being, then it can never really come out. Under normal circumstances, it is always simple to portray oneself; however, the true test of character is when there is antagonism, and yet still a person can attain truth by means of beings what he truly is. This adversity was faced by the author in his own experiences. The symbolism and the gravity of events that unfold through the process of the novel, clearly indicate that the author himself is passing through a drastically intense time of his life – disregarding someone on account of race would be the last thing on his mind, where survival itself had become an issue. Furthermore, there is no racism in explaining that a place is underdeveloped and that the people have a more crude way of living. The novel was originally published in 1902, and more than a hundred years on, even in the contemporary scientific and technological times of today, one can safely argue that ‘all’