Diversity Essay Essay

As an educator in any school you have experienced a diverse range of students; from boys and girls, young adults, to immigrants starting a new life. In each classroom you will encounter and continue to encounter a different mix of student demographics. In order to be an effective educator you learn to adapt the curriculum and teaching methods to each unique situation. In most teaching experiences the students are the usually the ones adapting to the surroundings, however in my current teaching position it has been myself that has had to adapt to the surroundings. Teaching in a different country brings whole new experiences and places you outside of your comfort zone. It is not just adapting to a new curriculum and surrounding, but adapting to a new culture, and in my case a religion that is highly present in my classroom. Although my students do not differ from the other students in the classroom, does not make my classroom any less diverse. There is still a broad range of experiences and perspectives brought to the classroom that offers a powerful resource for everyone to learn more—in different ways, in new environments, and with different people. Every single person in this enormously diverse and ever changing system has the power to serve as an invaluable resource for all others, students, teachers and the community as a whole (Cummins, Brown & Sayer, 2007). As educators we all have strengths and weaknesses in our practices. It is  true that every day as a teacher you learn something new. It is those experiences that strengthen our strengths and help our weaknesses. According to Walden’s Diversity Proficiency Self-Assessment my strengths relate to understanding how cultures, family, and communities influence how my students understand, as well as knowing the needs of English language learners to support their learning. My weaknesses stem from meeting individual needs in various ways. Teaching in a different country has allowed me to place myself in a situation where I can fully immerse myself in a different culture other than my own. Being culturally sensitive to their ideas has made my relationships with the students and parents stronger than I ever thought I would be. Something as simple as dressing in their traditional clothing can be a gesture of respect, especially to the parents. Some of my students have never been around western people before so dressing in an Abaya (traditional dress worn by women) can make the students feel more comfortable. Aside from the way I present myself, my classroom setting has to be structured in a way that is acceptable as well. In the Muslim world they do not eat pork, or have anything to do with pigs; so finding an alphabet, and reading or singing songs about a farm has to be planned and alter to fit the culture inside the classroom. My classroom usually has between twenty three to twenty five students ever year. In the past several years we have had to share Arabic teachers because we do not have enough. In this case being able to meet all twenty five students’ individual needs has been a struggle for me. Also having special needs in my classroom and no special needs program to help me, a lot of my extra energy was spent with them. I try to balance by having groups set up by academic level, but even within those groups I struggled to find ways to address all individual strengths and weaknesses. Although I struggle with finding ways to ensure all my students are getting the appropriate instruction for each individual need does not mean my students to do feel a part of everyday life in my classroom. I still find  ways to show my students that they can succeed. My goal is to help facilitate my students’ pursuit for knowledge and help them acquire the communication skills, problem solving skills, and critical thinking skills which will enable them to be life-long learners. A major part that has helped me promote these skills in my classroom is through professional development. Collaborating with my colleagues keeps me focused and engaged on tasks inside the school and classroom. Observing different styles of teaching has motivated me to try new ideas in my classroom and when my students show excitement about trying new things I know that they are succeeding in their own way. Not only does professional development help me become a better teacher but also the courses from Walden University. I have learned and adapted numerous ideas from other teachers and professors. The strategies and teaching English language learner’s courses have been the most influential. As teachers, student success is also a priority. It is important to remember as a teacher that success is measured in different ways. Success can be getting a good grade and for another student it could an increase in involvement. Whatever the success teachers must be able to help each student reach their full potential. In order for my students to succeed I must have goals set for myself. My first action is to continually grow in my profession. I want to be involved in new ideas and research that can enhance my day-to-day teaching. Keeping up with the latest information through courses, workshops, and professional journals can lead to more student interest and greater student success. My second action is to vary my instructional techniques. Instead of getting to the routine of doing routines I want to vary my teaching methods and provide my students with a greater opportunity to learn. Instead of differentiating one or two ways I want to have a variety of ways that will allow for different learning styles. I also want my students to understand how to succeed. I want to provide my students with a success criterion so  they understand how I will be grading their work. The broad range of experience and perspectives brought to school by culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse students offer a powerful resource for everyone to learn more in different ways, in new environments, and with different types of people (Epstein & Sheldon, 2007). The growing diversity in classrooms encourages the development and use of diverse teaching strategies designed to respond to each student as an individual. References: Cummins, J., Brown, K., & Sayers, D. (2007). Literacy, technology, and diversity: Teaching for success in changing times. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon. Epstein, J. L., & Sheldon, S. B. (2006). Moving forward: Ideas for research on school, family, and community partnerships. In C. F. Conrad & R. Serlin (Eds.), SAGE handbook for research in education: Engaging ideas and enriching inquiry (pp. 117–138). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Describe and Evaluate Two Theories for the Maintenance of Relationships Essay

Social exchange theories exist in various forms but the underlying theme is that people may be selfish. Social exchange theories argue people may view relationships in a â€Å"profit† or â€Å"loss† way. Thibaut & Kelley believed people will look to see how rewarding a relationship is and then how much it costs to be in the relationship. If there is a profit left over (rewards – costs = profit) then that may encourage them to continue the relationship where as if there is a loss – this may motivate them to end the relationship. Blau argued that interactions are â€Å"expensive†, as they take time, energy and commitment and may involve unpleasant emotions and experiences. Therefore what we get out of a relationship must exceed what goes in. Walster et al believed that social interactions involve an exchange of rewards, like affection, information, status. The degree of attraction or liking reflects how people evaluate the rewards they receive in relative to those given. SET is therefore an economic theory explaining relationships in terms of maximising benefits and minimising costs. The â€Å"Social exchange† is the mutual exchange of rewards between partners; like friendship, sex and the costs of being in the relationship may be freedoms given up, time, effort. A person may make their assessment of their rewards by using two comparisons: The comparison level (CL) – where rewards are compared to costs to judge profits. This may be based on past experiences and relationships as well as what we expect to get from a relationship. The comparison level for alternative relationships (CLalt) – Where rewards and costs are compared against perceived alternative relationships and how they compare. A relationship is maintained if profit is perceived in both these two comparisons. Thibaut & Kelley proposed a four-stage model setting how relationships could be maintained, predicting that over time people develop a predictable and mutually beneficial pattern of exchanges assisting the maintenance of relationships; Sampling – Rewards and costs are assessed in a number of relationships Bargaining – A relationship is â€Å"costed out† and sources of profit and loss are identified Commitment – Relationship is established and maintained by predictable exchange of rewards Institutionalisation – Interactions are established and the couple â€Å"settle down†. Mills et al identified two kinds of intimate relationships; (a) The communal couple where each partner gives out of concern for the other and (b) The Exchange couple who keep mental records of who is ahead and who is behind. This indicates that there are different types of relationships and SET may apply to some of them but not universally to all. Rusbult asked participants to complete questionnaires over a 7-month period concerning rewards and costs and found that SET did not explain the early â€Å"honeymoon† phase of the relationship when balance of exchanges was ignored. However later on relationship costs were compared with degree of satisfaction which suggests that the theory is best applied to the maintenance of relationships. Rusbult found that costs and rewards from a relationship were weighed up in comparison to possible alternative relationships when deciding whether they should be maintained which supports that social exchange models idea that people assess rewards by making comparisons. However a third element of investment (Commitment) was also a factor in this in which people compared how much they had invested into the relationship and what they stood to lose – which SET does not fully recognise suggesting it does not explain such things. Rusbults Investment model looks at this however and better explains this. Hatfield looked at people who felt over or under-benefited. The under-benefitted felt angry and deprived while the over-benefited felt guilty and uncomfortable. This supports SET theory by suggesting that regardless of whether individuals benefitted, they do not wish to maintain a relationship which is unfair. Equity Theory may better explain this however and how it may that that theory is better suited to explain such as if, as SET proposes, it is all about profit – then surely when people feel they are over-benefiting they are more inclined to maintain the relationship. Rubin believed that although people are not fundamentally selfish – attitudes towards others are determined to a large extent by how rewarding we think they are for us supporting the theory. Argyle criticised methodologies that evaluate SET as being contrived and artificial with little relevance to real life relationships. Sedikides claimed that people are capable of being completely unselfish in relationships and do things for others without expecting anything in return – which is most evident in relationships with those emotionally close to us. Sedikides believed that individuals could bolster their partners self-esteem when faced with failures or stress and therefore SET’s theory of humans being out for what they can get is simplistic and inaccurate. Fromm argued against the theory also arguing that true â€Å"love† was about giving as opposed to false love where people expect to have favours returned. Most research has tended to concentrate on short-term consequences of relationships rather than the long-term maintenance and what drives them. This theory may apply to those that keep â€Å"score†. Mustein et al devised the exchange orientation tool, identifying such scorekeepers; who are suspicious and insecure suggesting that the theory only suits relationships lacking confidence and mutual trust. Equity Theory Equity does not mean equality; instead it perceives individuals as motivated to achieve fairness in relationships and to feel dissatisfied with inequity (unfairness). Definitions of equity within a relationship can differ between individuals. Maintenance of relationships occurs through balance and stability. Relationships where individuals put in more than they receive or receive more than they put in are inequitable, leading to dissatisfaction and possible dissolution. The recognition of inequity within a relationship presents a chance for a relationship to be saved – that is, maintained further by making adjustments so that there is a return to equity. Relationships may alternate between periods of perceived balance and imbalance, with individuals being motivated to return to a state of equity. The greater the perceived imbalance, the greater the efforts to realign the relationship, so long as a chance of doing so is perceived to be viable.

Frederick Douglass Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Frederick Douglass - Essay Example ille Convention, Frederick Douglas presented some of his grievances against the government that were based on the political and social status of black Americans in the United States. His main complaint was that even after the abolition of slavery, the prejudice against black Americans was rampant and a norm in American society. He observed that the justice system and the clergy were also turning a blind eye towards the discrimination experienced by black Americans (Douglass, p. 2). In particular, he criticized the Lynch law which made the black American community increasingly vulnerable to hate crimes by prejudiced people (Douglass, p. 3). Douglas also stated his grievance against the prejudices demonstrated towards black people in seeking employment and justice. Another grievance that he held against the government was the disenfranchisement of the black Americans. The civil right of political participation was not being protected. He decried that the American government was not ensuring fair representation and that the electoral process was flawed. By disenfranchising the black population, the government was preventing them to be represented as political leaders in the states where they are in a majority (Douglass, p. 5). He argued for a fairer electoral system where the black population was given an equal right to vote and be elected. He stressed that it was the responsibility of the government to ensure that the law was applied uniformly without regard to the colour of the skin of the citizens. Douglas stated that the government was responsible to ensure that the freedoms and civil rights granted in the American Constitution were not denied to any citizen. In his struggle for racial equality in the United States, Martin Luther King practiced non-violence. He was a believer in dialogue and negotiation to create mutual understanding between the white and black races so that both could enjoy their civil rights equally in society (King, p. 3). Writing from jail

Course Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Course - Essay Example Most often, behaviour, poor performance, and violations of the company’s policies warrant company’s discipline. Dealing with this matter is very important on the part of the company in the development in the attitude in the workforce and also for the advantage of the company’s interest to deliver good quality of products in the increasing demand in the competing world of business. In handling certain situations regarding this, companies adhere to some of the progressive disciplinary process such as verbal caution, verbal warning, written warning, suspension the decision to leave, and termination. Jack manages a call centre for a mail order company. Frequently his reps end up staying late because call volume is heavy. These results in a lot of overtime pay that Jack would like to avoid. He’s considering reclassifying the position as exempt so he wouldn’t have to pay them overtime. He would, however, give them a small raise when he reclassifies them. Do you think Jack’s idea has merit? Discuss the pros and cons. Answer: With regard to the idea of jack that represents the company as a whole, I think it would be best to lay down some of the legal basis before pursuing to these reclassifications of job. The companies, before hiring, has probably gone through job descriptions and in reclassifying those, there must be a compliance within the Department of Labor regulations or otherwise, misclassifications of a job will be subjected to fines and penalties as a part of the consequences. There are certain conditions that must be met for an employee to be exempt job classifications like lawyers, accountants and doctors. Advantages on the part of the company on the exempt job classification is that the company is not required anymore to pay any back overtime but it is also nice that the company offers to pay something even if not being required to do so. I think it is also beneficial on the part of the employee considering that the change takes place only in the classification and not on the job so it is expected that the working hours beyond 40 hours weekly is subjected to be paid as overtime. You are the HR Manager for a retail store with 4 locations within one metropolitan area. The company's sales/marketing strategy has been to be the low cost leader (i.e. have lower prices than competitors), and therefore the compensation strategy has been to pay its store employees just above minimum wage, in the first quartile. Your boss has just told you that he is changing the strategy and now he wants to provide "optimum service", and not necessarily the lowest prices. What changes should be made in the company's compensation strategy as a result of this new direction? You expect your boss will be surprised at how much impact the new pay strategy will have on the payroll budget. What could you suggest to reduce the impact? Answer: In the situation that was given above, there were two concerns involved that have to b e dealt with, the increase in the salary and implementation of the lower cost of the products against the competitors. Lowering the price of the products at the store against the rest of the competitors is a very powerful strategy in attracting more customers that would increase the sales in a certain stores. With regard to these the company is eyeing to also increase the compensation on the part of the wage of the workforce. I think that the main objective of the compensation

Assessments in Instructional Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Assessments in Instructional Design - Essay Example Generally, assessments are understood as tests that measure the levels of competence, knowledge or skills as results from instruction (Shank, 2009, p.1). Accordingly, good assessments of learning results measure whether students are capable of doing things they have to be able to do as instruction’s result. Dirks writes that assessments consist of two components. These are measurement and evaluation (Dirks, 1997, p.3). Measurement deals with describing students’ performance with the help of a quantitative and/or qualitative approach. Evaluation is about judging the adequacy of either students’ performance or sample work (Erickson & Wentling, 1978, p. 3). Importantly, there can be identified five principal types of assessments use. These are 1) Communication of the student’s achievement status 2) Providing self-evaluation data to a person who is learning 3) Learner placement for certain educational programs/paths 4) Motivation of a student 5) Evaluation of the instructional programs effectiveness (Guskey, 1996). Given this, the appropriate use of assessment can be explained as the one that successfully combines the aforementioned dimensions. In other words, appropriate use of assessment communicates achievement statuses of students, gives learners information for self-evaluation, helps place learners within selected educational programs, motivates students, helps find out whether an instructional program has been effective or not. The use or misuse of assessment can be evaluated through identifying whether the learning goals have been achieved. To illustrate, Shan thinks that â€Å"to determine if needed results have been achieved, results are often measured and assessed against a predefined set of standards† (Shank, 2009, p.1). In instructional design, these are known as learning objectives. For example, if a learning objective for a course of Business Etiquette is to teach students to identify the relevant actions for a numbe r of situations in business where these skills are to be used, the assessment designed as a learning game is inappropriate. This can be explained by the fact that just measuring whether the information presented by the professor has been remembered does not provide any measurement of students’ ability. To design appropriate assessments one should view them as an inseparable part of a complex instructional process. The latter combines 1) designing objectives that relate to needed results and are relevant to them; 2) designing assessments that are relevant to learning objectives; 3) designing instruction that is relevant to both objectives and assessments; 4) evaluation all three components to ensure they are relevant and needed results have been achieved (Shank, 2009, p.1). To judge about the assessment’s appropriateness one should identify whether the assessment can be characterized as 1) valid; 2) reliable; 3) feasible; 4) having stakes. Assessment’s validity i s understood as â€Å"the extent to which the assessment procedure measures what it is intended to measure† (Henning-Stout, 1994, p. 229).

Negligent Tort Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Negligent Tort - Assignment Example Tort is any legal or civil injury or harm that is caused or directed to a person, company or a party. We would therefore categorize this action under negligent tort. The following elements constitutes negligent tort. A person or a company must owe the customer or individual in question a product or service. The company or the person must violate a promise and obligation. In this case, Philips Company would be violating the consumer safety Act. The consumer must have suffered injury or loss in the process of using the product or the service. The injury or loss must be seen because of the negligence of the manufacture of the product or the service. The government to produce products, which are safe and durable, has licensed Philips Company. The government has licensed the company and therefore mandated the company with the duty of care. Duty of care is the relationship and circumstance under which the law recognizes as providing rise to any legal duty to take care of consumers. If Phil ips Company fails to take care of its consumers then it may lead to legal battle whether the defendant would be liable to pay damages for the loss or damages. The person that is injured is suffering the loss due to the breach of duty of care by the company. According to the US law, standard of care is the level of conduct expected from Philips Company in this regard to avoid liabilities for negligence. If the company or the person fails to meet the expected standards then there is a breach of duty. Philips Company has the mandate of producing standardized products. The reason for the hazards indicate that the products are substandard and do not meet the requirements of the law. This is a breach of duty since the company should provide better services with optimum quality to avoid cases injuries to the consumers. If any person had suffered any injury or harm while using the lamps, the person would be protected from the negligence of the consumer through the negligence liability. The law requires that consumers conform to the standard of care by providing information regarding any under standardized products. Breach of duty occurs when the defendant, which in this case is Philips Company, fails to meet the standards that is set or required by the law. The state expects that companies licensed to provide services to the consumers meet the expected standard. The consumers Act protect from malice and under standardization the consumers. The consumer Act protects all consumers from exploitation. Once it is established that Philips Company owes a consumer the duty of care, it is necessary for the consumers to demonstrate to the court that the company’s action was in breach of duty. Actual causation is the factor that leads to the occurrence of the event. If the factor were missing then the event would not occur. In other words, actual causation is also termed as factual cause. As the consumer, it is important to prove to the courts that if Philips Company woul d have made the wires in such a way that they will not arc, burn and cause fire leading to shattering and laceration, the injury or loss would not occur. The complainant must present his/her defense in the following manner, â€Å"but for the existence of A, would B have occurred†. Proximate causation or legal cause existence is when the complainant proves that the defendant’s negligence is a substantial factor that has led to the injury or loss

Role of Regional Banks in Globalised Economies Essay

Role of Regional Banks in Globalised Economies - Essay Example This process has opened the floodgates of knowledge-intensive, high quality products / services from the developed world to the developing countries and they in turn, are able to market their products / services, based on cheap & abundant skilled / semi-skilled / trained manpower, into the developed markets. In an ideal situation, all economies should benefit and the consumer should get best value for money. Global giants in the financial services sector conduct a range of operations spanning personal banking to investment advisory services, consumer financing to industrial credit, stock market operations in futures, options and derivatives, merchant banking, underwriting, treasury operations and the like. These services are extensively backed by technology. To the customer, these banks provide a pleasant experience – from the very ambience to the fast decision-making processes. This is in stark contrast to traditional banking mode, as practiced by the regional banks which wer e catering mainly to traders of agricultural products in the beginning followed by ‘directed credit’ as mandated by governments to agriculture and small-scale industries (Guruprasad). Industrial credit is a later development. But the new market situation altered the role of regional bankers significantly. Their growth rates and margins are decreasing, leading to a search for newer initiatives and strategies.