The Flat Tax Issue Essays - Income Distribution, Economy, Accounting

The Flat Tax Issue ?The Flat Tax' A Reaction Paper The article on the Flat Tax system was actually one that I could relate to in terms of personal taxes. I have heard of this ?new' system over the last five or six years, but I still have yet to see any type of action for implementation with this system. Before becoming ?enlightened' about the new system through this article, I believed that the Flat Tax needed to be adopted by our government and adopted immediately. The thought of only paying fifteen percent to taxes is something that I relished. I always thought that a straight fifteen percent tax across the board would be fair and adequate for our system. I never truly understood the consequences the flat tax made upon the debt. This, again, was all before reading the article in depth. I appreciated the fact that the author presented numerous facts and examples when he spoke of the advantages and disadvantages of the flat tax. Some of these disadvantages I would never have known if not for this article. Most of us hear of a new tax system and without knowing the details, we want to jump into the new system believing that it will help all of us save some of our income. Obviously, by employing this system, it will save us some income but in the end, we will be paying higher taxes for other essentials. Taxes will be paid by the consumer either on payroll or through the purchases of durable and non-durable goods. There is no way around it. One way or the other we are paying the taxes to support our country. The other astounding fact that I received from the article was that the fifteen- percent would not even come close to supporting our country. In fact, the country would be losing billions overall. In order to support the country, the flat tax would have to increase almost up to twenty-seven percent! Most people would probably not agree with this data. When I traveled to Ireland last winter, I noticed that when I purchased something a VAT tax was imposed. I thought to myself, I could never live here and pay this additional tax on my purchases. Little did I know that this VAT tax was part of a flat tax system. I understand how the VAT tax helps keep the debt from rising out of control, but there must be others ways of controlling this. I have also visited other countries that have the same type of flat tax system and they also have other means of reclaiming the taxes lost in the flat tax. Canada, for example, has their people pay a large tax on their purchases and for entertainment, such as dining. In the long run, a flat tax looks like a system that all taxpayers would want. However, most of these taxpayers will be in the same situation that I was in, not enough education on the process. This places us at the disadvantage and helps us make decisions based on false presumptions. I believe that the tax system needs to be corrected and simplified, but this new and simplified system needs to be equitable for all. How can this be done? This is something that needs to answered by the experts and promoted by us. Bibliography none Economics

History and Evolution of Composite Materials

History and Evolution of Composite Materials When two or more different materials are combined, the result is a composite. The first uses of composites date back to the 1500 B.C. when early Egyptians and Mesopotamian settlers used a mixture of mud and straw to create strong and durable buildings. Straw continued to provide reinforcement to ancient composite products including pottery and boats. Later, in 1200 AD, the Mongols invented the first composite bow. Using a combination of wood, bone, and â€Å"animal glue,† bows were pressed and wrapped with birch bark. These bows were powerful and accurate. Composite Mongolian bows helped to ensure Genghis Khans military dominance.   Birth of the â€Å"Plastics Era† The modern era of composites began when scientists developed plastics. Until then, natural resins derived from plants and animals were the only source of glues and binders. In the early 1900s, plastics such as vinyl, polystyrene, phenolic, and polyester were developed. These new synthetic materials outperformed single resins derived from nature. However, plastics alone could not provide enough strength for some structural applications. Reinforcement was needed to provide additional strength and rigidity. In 1935, Owens Corning introduced the first glass fiber, fiberglass. Fiberglass, when combined with a plastic polymer created an incredibly strong structure that is also lightweight. This is the beginning of the Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) industry. WWII – Driving Early Composites Innovation Many of the greatest advancements in composites were the result of wartime needs. Just as the Mongols developed the composite bow, World War II brought the FRP industry from the laboratory into actual production. Alternative materials were needed for lightweight applications in military aircraft. Engineers soon realized other benefits of composites beyond being lightweight and strong. It was discovered, for example, that fiberglass composites were transparent to radio frequencies, and the material was soon adapted for use in sheltering electronic radar equipment (Radomes). Adapting Composites: â€Å"Space Age† to â€Å"Everyday† By the end of the WWII, a small niche composites industry was in full swing. With lower demand for military products, the few composites innovators were now ambitiously trying to introduce composites into other markets. Boats were one  obvious product that benefited. The first composite commercial boat hull was introduced in 1946. At this time Brandt Goldsworthy often referred to as the â€Å"grandfather of composites,† developed many new manufacturing processes and products, including the first fiberglass surfboard, which revolutionized the sport. Goldsworthy also invented a manufacturing process known as pultrusion, a process that allows dependably strong fiberglass reinforced products. Today, products manufactured from this process include ladder rails, tool handles, pipes, arrow shafts, armor, train floors, and medical devices. Continued Advancement in Composites In the 1970s the composites industry began to mature. Better plastic resins and improved reinforcing fibers were developed. DuPont developed an aramid fiber known as Kevlar, which has become the product of choice in body armor due to its high tensile strength, high density, and lightweight. Carbon fiber was also developed around this time; increasingly, it has replaced parts formerly made of steel. The composites industry is still evolving, with much of the growth now focused around renewable energy. Wind turbine blades, especially,  are constantly pushing the limits on size and require advanced composite materials.   Looking Forward Composite materials research continues. Areas of particular interest are nanomaterials - materials with extremely small molecular structures - and bio-based polymers.

Fashion Magazines as Influence of Female Body Image Assignment

Fashion Magazines as Influence of Female Body Image - Assignment Example Magazines such as Cosmopolitan use language which asserts that women are socially substandard and not acceptable without sustaining the good looks of other women utilized in the magazine’s imagery. Over time, after being exposed to these messages and innuendos, women believe in this propaganda (Lemberg, 1999). When fashion magazines use images of unattainable physical perfection, it is said that this imagery diminishes feminist ideologies and begins asserting to women that maintaining a similar physical exterior is the fundamental objective of being a woman (Cash, Gitter, Kogel and Zaphirpoulos, 1997). Hence, women begin to develop ideologies related to vanity and seeking a magazine-asserted perspective of body perfection in order to be considered socially-viable which supersedes feminist beliefs. Furthermore, Suls, Martin, and Wheeler (2002) suggest that most women in society look toward social reference group figures when assessing their identities. This well-respected psychological theory suggests that women’s sense of identity is constructed by conducting social comparisons with aspirational figures in society that have built a positive social reputation, achieved fashion sense, or have achieved the body image portrayed in fashion magazines. Magazines seem to understand this phenomenon, which is why these publications use celebrity imagery because of their aspirational traits. Therefore, women look toward these social figures as a means of making status comparisons to themselves and the celebrity. When women see that they have more curves or fatness as compared to these slender and popular famous persons, they begin to develop a negative body image and reduced self-esteem. A study was conducted in which researchers used MRI technology to reveal changes in the brain as a result of exposure to fashion imagery.

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

MET - Essay Example A material with a hardness of HRC 40 equals around HB 375, which is considered as moderately hard. Even though this level of hardness is considered suitable, a hardness value of HRC 50 or HB 475 is better when the ductility level is also high which represents about 15% elongation. According to appendix 3, it reveals forms of AISI 1040 and others that are non-listed and oil quenched and they are listed as having adequate hardness levels. Appendix 4-1 indicates the same material that is tempered and quenched in water. The AISI 1040 WQT 700 possesses a hardness of HRC 43 (HB 401), a yield point of 92ksi and elongation percentage of 20. 30. In order to obtain the suitable hardened condition, the whole part is heated and then quenched. The part is hardened the entire time but differs in thick sections. However, no chemical constituent changes are experienced. During the carburizing process, the chemical structure of the surface is altered through carbon infusion. Therefore, the process of carburizing makes the outer surface harder while the inner surface becomes

DISCUSSION QUESTION RESPONSE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 10

DISCUSSION QUESTION RESPONSE - Essay Example It is true that in higher education, high level of professionalism is expected. My personal though is that the quality of higher education determines the level of professional competence. This is because higher education is responsible in developing and nurturing professionalism in all aspects of the society. We have worked in the military together for some time and travelled to other countries. I noted the same concern with you that the standards of education in our country need to be improved so that the country can improve the standards of professional competence. For instance, professionalism in the military largely depends on the quality of learning and training received from learning institutions and training camps. In your conclusion, you pointed a very important concern for the public. Americans really need to understand the strong correlation between professional competence and higher education. This way, they will be able to uphold the standards and integrity of education thereby improving the standards of professional competence in the

Supply and Demand of the Rubber market

Supply and Demand of the Rubber market 2.0 Introduction Natural rubber product such as raw rubber and hevea wood products are kinds of world bulk industrial raw material; they are scare, deficient and strategic resource important for national defense and industrial construction. Due to the shortage of rubber supply and climate changes in the rubber-producing countries, supply resource of natural rubber has been decreasing annually and it makes global market suffering from significantly high price of the rubber (Hanim Adnan 2011). The insufficient supply of the natural rubber has bought various issues to the rubber market and it has brought contribution to the economics of Malaysia. Therefore, relevant economic theories will be used to discuss in the natural rubber issues. This report will examine in the concepts of demand, supply, shortages, market equilibrium, and elasticity. Besides, well labeled diagrams will be including in the later paragraph to explain the whole concepts. 3.0 Analysis 3.1 Demand The effects of shift in demand on rubber market Figure 1.1 D0 D1 S0 P1 P0 Q0 Q1 Quantity Price Demand can be defined as An economic measure, which shows an unlimited desire, as well as the ability to buy for a products or services (Demand 2011). According to the executive officer of glove manufacturer Careplus Group Bhd Lim Kwee Shyan, demand surged because of making medical rubber gloves due to growing hygiene awareness following the H1N1 pandemic. Therefore, it has become an essential product for the healthcare industry (Kian Seong 2010). Besides, there is a strong demand for tyres from China and India of the automobile sector (Prices to Stay High on Ongoing Tight supply 2011). Hence, ceteris paribus, there is a high demand to the natural rubber especially when the increase of population and the healthcare awareness has elevated. From Figure 1.1, it shows the effects of shift in demand on rubber market. Furthermore, the number of buyer is a non-price determinant, when the buyers increase the quantity of a product they want to buy at a given price; it makes the market demand curve shift to rightward from D0 to D1 in the Figure 1.1. Therefore, new equilibrium price and the quantity demand increase from P0 to P1 and Q0 to Q1, respectively. 3.2 Supply Supply can be described as The total amount of a product or service available for the customer to purchase at a given price (Supply 2011). Figure 1.2 D0 S0 S1 The effects of shift in supply on Rubber market Quantity Price P1 P0 Q1 Q0 The extreme and changeable weather of Malaysia and the issues of global warming will affect latex flow and reduce the supply of the rubber. For example the higher temperature in the morning and unpredictable natural disaster which are detrimental to the rubber trees (Admin 2011). Malaysia now was facing the shortage of rubber clones due to the changeable weather and over-tapping the rubber trees which raise the problem of supply shortage (Jack 2011). Expectation of producers is a non-price factor so it shifts the supply curve to the leftward from S0 to S1. However, the quantity of rubber supplied decrease from Q0 to Q1 because of weather problem and unable to produce at given output, resulting in increase price of rubber from P0 to P1 shown in Figure 1.2. 3.3 Shortage Figure 2.1 Shortage Q Q1 Q Quantity The Effects of shift in demand on rubber market Price Pn P0 E D1 S0 D0 Figure 2.1 Shortage Q Q1 Q Quantity Price Pn P0 E D1 S0 D0 The Effects of shift in demand on rubber market There is excess demand and the supply for the natural rubber is limited, it brings the resulting of shortage which has consequently led to price increase in the Malaysia since 2008 (World rubber supply tight, but price outlook bullish 2010). From Figure 2.1, at P0, as demand shifts from D0 to D1, it shows the demand has increase and the equilibrium price has move from P0 to Pn shows that the quantity of supply also increase. However, in the Figure 2.2, the supply shifts from S0 to S1, which means decrease in supply and the equilibrium price has increase from P0 to Pn and decrease in quantity demanded. As a conclusion, through Figure 2.1 and Figure 2.2, both of them showed a shortage which is the shaded region where the quantity demanded (Q1) exceeds quantity supplied (Q0). Besides, an upward pressure fall on the price of rubber due to the shortage and when the price is at Pn resulting a new equilibrium, point E and the quantity demanded is at Q1, as shown in Figure 2.1 and Figure 2.2. 3.4 Market Equilibrium Changes in Equilibrium Equilibrium described as in a market occurs when the price balances the plans of buyers and sellers (Hubbard, 2009). Bernama stated that the prices of natural rubber will continuously rise in this year but the output of the natural rubber in February has drop if compare to January whereas the demand increase in world markets (February Rubber Output down 15.8 Per Cent 2011). Figure 3.1 S1 S D D1 P1 P0 Q Quantity Price Supply Demand for Rubber market In the change in equilibrium, there is increase in Demand and decrease in supply. There Therefore, the demand curve shift rightward from D to D1 and supply curve shift leftward from S to S1, as shown in Figure 3.1. The new equilibrium price increase and move from P0 to P1. But there is no change in Quantity. The equilibrium price rise up but quantity is indeterminate. 3.5 Subsidy Smallholders can 5.0 Reference Lists Adnan, Hanim. 2011. Right time for renewed interest in rubber sector. The Star.http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/4/5/business/8412507sec=busi ness (Accessed April 1, 2011). Demand. 2011. Investor Glossary. http://www.investorglossary.com/demand.htm (Accessed April 1). .Kian Seong, Lee. 2011.Careplus gains 4 sen premium on ACE Market debut. The Star. http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?sec=businessfile=/2010/12/7/business/756724 2 (Accessed April 2, 2011). Supply. 2011. Business Dictionary.com. http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/supply.html (Accessed April 2, 2011). Admin. 2011. Global warming threat to natural rubber. Srilankan rubber Industry. http://slrubberindustry.com/2011/01/19/global-warming-threat-to-natural-rubber/ (Accessed April 2, 2011) Jack Wong. 2011. Rubber board unveils planting scheme. The Star. http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/3/29/business/8364614sec=business (Accessed April 2). World rubber supply tight, but price outlook bullish. 2010. Bloomberg. http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/global-outlook-for-rubber-supplies-are-bullish-2010- 02-12 (Accessed April 3, 2011). February Rubber Output Down 15.8 Per Cent. 2011. Bernama. http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=578466 (Accessed April 12, 2011)

Irving Howe and Inivisble Man :: Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man

Invisible Man is a novel based on the journey and experiences of an unnamed Negro man during contemporary America. He is in search of success, companionship, and himself. Irving Howe says that, "The beginning is a nightmare," because it begins with a black timid boy who is awarded a scholarship and sent to the South and invited to a ballroom with other black boys and they observe and are frightened by a woman dancing nude. The boys who are blindfolded create a "battle royal" or a raucous, but after the chaos the black boy give a thank you speech. Although the beginning of the novel is a bit frightening, the rest of however is pretty straight forward, it basically just tells the life story of this "unnamed hero" (the Negro boy who is the Invisible Man). The "hero" goes to his Southern college, but is expelled, so is forced to leave for New York, where he works in a factory and becomes a soap boxer. Next Howe comments on Ellison’s style by calling him "gifted" but "not a finished craftsman." Howe means that Ellison tries to overwhelm the reader, when instead he should be either persuading or telling the story. The novel is written in first person singular and therefore Howe mentions that it is hard to distinguish between the hero and himself (the matured "I" telling the story and the "I" who is the victim). The middle section of the novel concerns the Harlem Stalinists (Communists), to Howe it appears untrue, due to the fact that Ellison wrote with bitterness and made the Stalinists seem stupid, vicious and cynical. He was not surprised either by the Invisible Man’s final discovery that after he quit the Communist Party, "my world has become one of infinite possibilities," because he did not want to be rejected nor not seen by various social groups. I agree with Howe, that Ellison is a very gifted writer, with an amazing style. I would have to disagree with Howe however, when he mentions that Ellison tries to overwhelm the reader and that it gets confusing because it is written in first person. Although Ralph Ellison, relies heavily on various symbol (visions and black and white), which can get confusing at times, but they can only help the novel and in no way destroy it. Also, Ellison’s style is also creative because it allows the novel to appear as if you were actually listen to a Negro telling the story, in the sense that Ellison’s wrote in the local dialect of the time (with a Southern Negro accent).

Studies in Professionalism in Education & Training

I am currently employed in the post 16 training sector as a tutor on the ‘entry to employment’ programme (e2e). The e2e programme is designed to be flexible and individual, with the aim of equipping young people with the necessary skills to become independent; self-motivated; informed and empowered to take control of their own lives. Learners work towards realistic but challenging targets that lead to progression onto suitable training or employment opportunities. There are 3 basic strands to the e2e programme; basic and key skills (literacy, numeracy, communication etc†¦); personal and social development and vocational development.The programme is tailored to suit the individual needs of a variety of young people who are engaged on it. All learners are aged between 16 and 18 years and are not participating in any form of post 16 learning, or in any form of employment. The programme itself is not qualification driven. However, opportunities for the achievement of ce rtificates are available throughout the course. There is no set time limit for the e2e programme ensuring that learners can work at a pace suited to their skills, needs and circumstances – learners can spend as little or as long (within reason) on the programme in order to successfully achieve their goals.The strand I teach is vocational development. This incorporates training sessions such as CV building; interview techniques; job searching and sustaining employment. Learning is individualised, thus meeting the needs across a range of age and ability. Professionalism to me is exceeding the standards as set by various government offices and ensuring that the service young people access at my organisation is a quality one. Further education has received its share of criticism over the last century and this has been reflected in the salaries of the tutors in this sector as opposed to those in the compulsory education sector.To me being a professional is about attitude, behaviou r, self presentation and having a commitment to improvement. How we conduct ourselves in our roles is paramount to earning the respect and appreciation of our fellow workers, managers and indeed the people accessing the services we offer. The learners that access our service are usually low level (below entry 1) and many lack motivation to learn. As the National Foundation for Educational Research conducted research on participants taking part in e2e, â€Å"Around one-third of young people interviewed reported negative school experiences.These related to problems with other students, negative relationships with teachers, lack of achievement and the perceived irrelevance of what they were taught. Many had been expelled from school or had excluded themselves. † (http://www. nfer. ac. uk/research-areas/pims-data/summaries/eet-entry-to-employment. cfm This gives some indication of the difficulties facing tutors in this sector and it is my belief that conducting a programme that r eflects school will only serve to discourage learners from accessing this course.Therefore, although we must be professional, we must also offer something different to the curriculum offered in compulsory education. Thus it is important to consider Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Basic Human Needs. The main points being; physical comfort, safety and shelter, love and belonging, self-esteem leading to self-actualisation. Further education in the UK has seen many changes during the last 10 years. Concerns were raised by the government that Further Education was not producing a skilled enough workforce in line with international standards, impacting upon Britain’s economical viability.Other EU countries were seen to be producing a much higher skilled and trained workforce. The belief was that a cause of this was a lack of suitably qualified teaching staff in FE. This propelled the notion that all teaching and training staff working in the FE sector should be qualified to th e standard set by mainstream schools. It was thought that by doing this, standards of the UK workforce would be raised. In 1999 FENTO (Further Education National Training Organisation) was launched. They were responsible for identifying needs within the FE sector.In 2000 FENTO proposed a set of standards, which addressed wider issues of professional development and considered a new teaching qualifications network. These standards consisted of three main elements: Professional knowledge and understanding, skills and attributes and key areas of teaching. In 2005 Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) was formed to manage the reform of teacher training. All FE teachers now have to register with the Institute for Learning (IfL) which is part of LLUK, and monitors training and records sector training needs.Since initial reforms, teaching standards in FE have further developed and progressed. In March 2006 the White Paper ‘Further Education: Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances' highlighted further needs to develop a much more highly skilled workforce. It states, â€Å"This is a huge challenge, because there are some deep-seated and long-standing weaknesses in our national skills. We have put in place major reform programmes for 14-19 year olds and adult skills, backed by substantial investment.Those reforms are bringing about real progress. But there is a long way to go to raise skills and qualification levels for young people and adults to world standards† (White Paper ‘Further Education: Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances', 2006). It also goes on to say that FE establishments are central to achieving world standards in the UK workforce, but are currently not realising their full potential in being the driving force behind skills.The paper paints a grim picture in terms of skills levels of the UK in comparison to other developed countries, and with the Leitch report highlighting the skills need for 2020, it is clear that reform is necessary for the U K to compete in the global economic market. The economic mission is at the core of the proposals, with the focus of the FE sector to be equipping young people and adults with the skills and competences that meet the needs of employers. The proposals laid out in this white paper were implemented in the Further Education and Training Act 2007.Reforms such as the above have a resounding impact on organisations such as mine. We have to ensure that the government’s vision and targets for the future are embraced and taken forward in the most effective possible way, thus demanding that we, as FE employees, are professional in all aspects of our work. So how do we as an organisation ensure the commitment and quality of service that is expected by our government? Firstly it is imperative that we have systems in place that effectively transmit information to staff.Accurate and relevant information and communication are vital in order to transmit and effectively implement plans that wil l uphold the government’s wishes in regards proposals for FE. My organisation has a quality improvement department which continually monitors the performance of the company against standards set out by agencies such as the Office for Standards in Education (ofsted), Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and many more.FE establishments are now subject to inspection by ofsted of which their aim is toâ€Å"inspect and regulate to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages† (www. ofsted. gov. uk). This department is crucial for the continuation of improvements within educational settings. Although misinterpreted by many as ‘harrowing’ and ‘stressful’, the inspection process that this agency conducts is the platform for which FE providers need to build their provision.Ofsted inspections are designed to aid improvement in services, raise aspirations and assist in the achievement of higher standards within educational settings. The quality improvement team in my organisation follow the Common Inspection Framework as dictated by ofsted. This ensures we are providing the services and meeting the standards set by the government. In order to ascertain that teaching staff are in line with this framework, regular lesson observations take place by competent staff. By carrying out these observations, staff are able to use the feedback to continually improve their practice.It is also expected of teaching staff to self evaluate and reflect upon every lesson they teach. This is a key part of professionalism within teaching. I will discuss in more detail later in this essay the values and importance of reflection. The quality improvement team are also responsible for official documentation used by all staff. These are regularly reviewed and updated and communicated to all staff. This ensures that all staff are using the same doc uments and helps create seamless processes that are followed by all.As well as ofsted there are many other agencies that regulate the delivery of FE in the UK. One of these is the QCA. As a provider that delivers qualifications in a variety of subjects the QCA is an important source of information. The QCA maintain and develop the National Curriculum and accredit qualifications to appropriate levels in order to meet the needs of learners, employers and the economy. As we deliver accredited qualifications it is crucial that we follow the guidelines set out by the QCA to ensure we are teaching the correct knowledge and skills that learners need to achieve the standards set.We also have to adhere to awarding bodies such as Edexcel and City & Guilds who provide the qualifications which we deliver. As well as organisational procedures and external influences, it is crucially important that we, as teachers strive to continually improve our practice by self reflection. â€Å"Reflective Pr actice is a process of reviewing an experience from practice in order to describe, analyse and evaluate and so informs learning from practice† (Reece and Walker, 2006 p421). This involves using a selection of the models identified during the course of this programme.Donald Schon (1983) identified 2 sub categories of reflection, reflection on action and reflection in action. Reflection in action is often described as ‘thinking on ones feet’; this is done during the course of action and is one that I have had to use many times during the course of my career. Reflection on action occurs after the actual action and gives professionals the opportunity to develop theories and create knowledge. â€Å"Individuals, supported by others, constantly frame and reframe a problem, test it and reach solutions† (Schon, 1983).Another model of reflective practice is one proposed by David Boud. In the introduction to Understanding Learning from Experience, David Boud et al (19 93), present five propositions of experiential learning, the first of which is; experience is the foundation of and the stimulus for learning. â€Å"Learning always relates in one way or another, to what has gone before. There is never a clean slate on which to begin; unless new ideas and new experience link to previous experience, they exist as abstractions, isolated and without meaning† (Boud et al, 1993, p8).Building on previous learning and relating new learning concepts and topics to past experience has been essential in my teaching practice. Linking new experiences to past ones to create new meanings and insights in extremely constructive in reflective practice. â€Å"We attach our own meanings to events. While others may attempt to impose their meanings on us, we ultimately define our own experience. † (Boud et al, 1993, p10) Another important model of reflective practice is Jack Mezirow’s. His emphasis is on disorientating dilemmas, which he believed can be a slow transition rather than a sudden insight.Mezirow believes that, â€Å"learning is different when we learn to perform than when we understand what is being communicated to us. † (Mezirow, 1990) The belief is that questioning and reflective nature results in an altered and more beneficial learning process. â€Å"In reflective practice, practitioners engage in a continuous cycle of self-observation and self-evaluation in order to understand their own actions and reactions they prompt in themselves and in learners† (Brookfield, 1995) The diagram below illustrates Brookfields perspective of reflective practice.Reflecting upon my practice is something I need to be doing continuously to constantly develop in my role. This reflective process is an essential part of teaching, as Kolb’s Four Stage Model of Learning, demonstrates. Reid (1993) states â€Å"Reflective Practice is a process of reviewing an experience from practice in order to describe, analyse and evaluate and so informs learning from practice† (Reece and Walker, 2006 p421). Reflective practice is a vital part of teaching. Effective practice is a beneficial aspect of continuous professional development and without it progression in teaching would be extremely limited.By gaining a better understanding of their own individual teaching styles through reflective practice, teachers can improve their effectiveness in the classroom and strive to achieve the vision as set out by the government, as previously mentioned, for Further Education. Reflection of Learning – CertEd: During the 2 years I have undertaken learning on the CertEd course, I have learnt many underpinning theories that were previously unknown to me. Although I have worked in the industry for 8 years and learnt from experience and reflection, I have been unaware of the background as to why we do what we do and the reasons for it.It began with the first module which was preparation for teaching. In this mo dule we covered learning theories, learning styles, planning effective lessons, presentation of lessons and factors influencing learning. Before I began the module, I believed I had a sound understanding of the teaching process; however I discovered many more vital and useful tools that I now apply when delivering training sessions. Kolb’s theory was something that I was unaware of before this module. Learning theories was also a topic that I had very little knowledge on. This proved to be one of the most useful sections of this module.I did practice the different approaches beforehand but was unaware of the theories behind them. Now I am aware I believe I use them much more effectively in my day to day role and my planning of sessions. The next module was ‘Developing Personal Skills’, and I found this extremely useful. It enabled me to concentrate my efforts upon areas of my career that were not as strong as some of the others. By doing this I was able to improv e my performance at work a great deal. It was good to have agreed learning contract beforehand as this gave me a schedule to work towards.It was more beneficial negotiating with the tutor, what I wanted to develop, instead of being told what to work towards. In â€Å"Learner managed learning† Graves (1993) states the role of the learning contract in higher education takes on board the concept of our individual learning styles. It gives students the freedom to learn in a way they feel comfortable with. It has long been established that adult learners learn in different ways, and that they are self directing and defined in their experience, with the onus and effectiveness of this learning process primarily, on the learner.Upon reflection, I learnt much from this module, both my IT and networking skills have been improved, and this has had a positive impact on my job role. I feel much more comfortable using IT in teaching now than I did before, especially power point presentatio ns which I have used in a few sessions since my online tutorial. However I still have far more to learn, especially in IT as it is a fast changing concept that is constantly introducing new equipment and technologies into society and indeed teaching.The module on assessment was also beneficial as before this assessment was something that I did without really thinking of the underpinning theories to it. This module made me change my practice by ensuring assessment was valid, reliable and relevant and also prompted me to give more feedback to my learners and document this. The module of learning on curriculum studies was again one that developed my understanding of the subject. Designing a curriculum was a valuable learning experience for me and although a successful one, I have seen many opportunities for improvement along the way.In summary, teaching and learning is an ever changing industry and constant evaluation is necessary for the process to be continually successful and for on going improvement to take place. I found that the autonomy I was given helped tremendously as I was able to decide for myself what course of study the students would follow. Obviously I had to account for external influences such as the criteria of the awarding body and contractual requirements from the LSC, but nevertheless my organisation were prepared to allow me to choose the path students would follow to meet these.Kolb’s theory is foremost in my reflective practice as shown in the diagram below: By designing a curriculum and studying theories of curriculum, I gained a better understanding of the concept. I understand that influences such as organisational policies, government policies, awarding bodies and learning styles of learners, all have a bearing on how a curriculum is developed. I also learned much about the models of curriculum and in what context they are used. Many courses of study are designed to accommodate the product model; i. e.they are focused on achievi ng an end result, such as a recognized qualification; however I feel the process model can still be incorporated with better results, such as additional learning taking place and a more enjoyable learning experience for the student. The course I designed was a success. This was reflected in the achievement and retention figures that were collated at the conclusion of the course. I also believe that I added value to the curriculum by incorporating literacy and numeracy support throughout and designing learning to suit all students regardless of learning styles and abilities.I did have to change the course of study slightly of this curriculum, and so in future I hope to be able to build upon my experiences and design an even more effective course which incorporates the learning I have undertaken during this module. The final module on creativity was the one I felt most beneficial of the entire course. I realised during this module that I had always ‘played safe’ during my teaching and that fear of failure had prevented me from implementing ideas that could enhance my teaching and my student’s learning.During this module I researched creativity within an educational environment. I realised that being creative is sometimes about taking risks, and this was something I had previously been reluctant to do. Although I felt I was innovative in my lesson delivery, I now accept that a fear of ‘failure’ prevented me from fully committing myself to creativity. On the whole the CertEd course has been a valuable and worthwhile experience for me and I believe I have progressed professionally due to the modules I have undertaken.Following the course of study I believe I have made excellent progress professionally and feel much more knowledgeable in the sector than I did previously. I still have to continually improve as a professional and I am fortunate to work for a company that recognises this and encourages staff to undertake CPD. Continuous training and development for all staff is now an everyday part of the profession, not a training course that is ‘thrown in’ every few months with no clear structure.CPD must be strategically planned and embedded within the overall objectives of the organisation to ensure that staff are well prepared for any new developments that arise. At my organisation, staff are encouraged my management to take control of their development and inline with the Business Plan and the Self Assessment Report, are supported to undertake relevant, necessary CPD. I try and improve my practice in many ways. As well as the regular training courses I attend I also take responsibility and ensure that I continually strive to learn and become a more effective practitioner.Learning from other teachers is an important way for professional development. One of the most powerful ways to better your practice is to observe other teachers, ones that are experienced and confident in their roles. During th is course of study I have had a mentor and I have observed her on many occasions, as well as seeking advice and guidance on matters I am not confident in. I believe discussion with colleagues can be an important part of development. They can offer different views on situations and propose alternative methods of practice which might have previously not been considered.As well as using colleagues and mentors, learners are also a crucial part of continuing development. By gathering their thoughts and feedback on lessons I teach them, I am able to implement new strategies and adapt teaching methods to enhance the learning experience for my students. A written evaluation at the end of sessions is another useful way to reflect and enable improvements. â€Å"It is important to produce a written evaluation of the lesson which helps to reflect constructively upon practice.By reflecting on what went well and badly and evaluating what we would do differently we are developing professional pra ctice and evolving new ways to meet our learners’ needs (Wallace, 2001, p178). My organisation also conducts 6 monthly appraisals with all staff. During this process a development plan is also agreed and produced and this involves recording any learning that needs to be achieved, any courses that have to be undertaken and any other developmental requirements that staff feel they have. The appraisal process helps the employees to understand the company’s objectives.It helps them to set their goals and precisely know what role they play in their work to serve the organisation. This avoids frustration and gives job satisfaction to the employees. Performance appraisal benefits all parties and can serve to motivate and inspire employees to continuously develop and improve. My own development plan was agreed in February and runs until August. During this time my targets for achievement are Level 2 ICT qualification, Cert Ed qualification and to maintain my CPD file with all relevant learning.Beyond this time I am looking to achieve a business/management qualification during the next 2 years, and to develop my leadership skills due to a recent change in my job role. I will continue throughout my professional life to strive for improvement and new methods of working, which will enhance the experience of learners accessing our services. Professionalism is an ongoing process. It is commitment to self-improvement, competency in work, motivated in attitude and having respect for both colleagues and learners.

Changes in Prisons

Changes in Prisons BY Logrolling Changes in Prison The American Correction system has been in existence for over 130 years. It has been since the meeting of American Prison Congress on 1870 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Allen, Latest & Ponder, 2013, p 30-31) The reformation was totally encompassing the inmate's life in prison. The minds that met in 1870 were ahead of their times. With having put accountability and standards in the prison system created an improvement for the prisoner and the term he/she served. The beginnings were in Philadelphia at the Old Stone Jails on Third and Market Streets.Its purpose was to hold debtors, and others awaiting trial. It has come a long way from the origins of the first Jails of the American Revolutionary however faltering in different fashions. The Jails were inadequate facilities. Inmates were lumped together male and female. A new Jail was erected in Walnut Street. This new Jail became the first state prison in Pennsylvania. The state prison had creat ed separate cells for the various inmates. It also instilled different punishment in accordance with the crime.Walnut Street prison had implemented new workshops to educated prisoners with useful employment. Nonstop, Ph. D. , 2012) Walnut Street prison set up was the ideal make up for the moment. The state prison was the foundation for many more prisons to be built in the same fashion. Because of the rapidly growing population, a new Jail was begun in 1773 on Walnut Street, behind the State House (later, Independence Hall). The new prison had the traditional layout of large rooms for the inmates. Initially, conditions were little better than they had been at the old Jail.Prisoners awaiting trial might barter their clothes for liquor or be forcibly stripped upon entering by other inmates seeking funds for the bar. The result was great suffering when the weather turned cold. One estimate stated that 20 gallons of spirits were brought into the prison daily by the Jailer for sale to the inmates. It was also considered a common practice for certain women to arrange to get arrested to gain access to the male prisoners. After the peace of 1783, a group of prominent citizens led by Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Rush and others organized a movement to reform the harsh penal code of 1718.The new law substituted public labor for the previous severe punishments. Members of the Society were shocked by what they learned about the new Walnut Street prison. The next year they presented to the state legislature an explanation of their investigations of the conditions. They recommended solitary confinement at hard labor as a remedy and reformative strategy. An act of 1790 brought about sweeping reforms in the prison and authorized a penitentiary house with 16 cells to be built in the yard of the Jail to carry out solitary confinement with labor for â€Å"hardened atrocious offenders. Walnut Street Jail, by the same legislation, became the first state prison in Pennsylvania. Foll owing 1790, the Walnut Street Jail became a showplace, with separation of different sorts of prisoners and workshops providing useful trade instruction. The old abuses and idleness seemed eliminated, but with Walnut Street now a state prison and the population of Philadelphia increasing rapidly, it, like its previous Jail, became unbearably crowded. The large rooms, 18 feet square, which still housed most of the prisoners, by 1795, had between 30 and 40 occupants each.The Prison Society continued to urge the creation of large penitentiaries for the more efficient handling of prisoners. The reformers also remained convinced that in spite of the small-scale isolation cellulose at Walnut Street, that site would never prove the value of the system of separate incarceration which came to be called the Pennsylvania System. Only an entire larger structure, built specifically to separate inmates from one another, would be needed. Legislation was finally passed on March 20, 1821, and eleven commissioners were appointed by the governor.Among them was Samuel Wood, later to be the first warden of the prison. All but three of the building commissioners were either members of the Pennsylvania Prison Society or had revered on the board of inspectors of the Walnut Street Jail. Members of the Prison Society felt that the solution to the disorder and corruption in most prisons and even at the Walnut Street Jail lay in complete separation of each inmate for his or her entire sentence, a system which had been tried occasionally in England but was always abandoned because of costs and inadequate prison structures.The small â€Å"penitentiary house† of 16 cells at Walnut Street Jail had ended up being used mostly for hard core prisoners and as punishment for infractions of prison rules. What was deed was a solely new kind of prison on a large scale. In 1822, work began on what was to become Eastern State Penitentiary, although at the time it was called Cherry Hill because it moved a cherry orchard. Despite not being finished, the prison opened in 1829.Completed in 1836, it turned out to be one of the largest structures in the country at the time and was higher than preliminary cost estimates. Each prisoner was to be provided with a cell from which they would rarely leave and each cell had to be large enough to be a workplace and have attached a small individual exercise yard. Cutting edge technology of the asses and asses was used to install conveniences unmatched in other public buildings: central heating (before the U. S.Capitol); a flush toilet in each cell (long before the White House was provided with such conveniences); shower baths (apparently the first in the country). The system of 24-hour separation of each prisoner coupled with in-cell feeding, work and sometimes vocational instruction, came to be known as the Pennsylvania System or Separate System, and remained the official position of the Pennsylvania Prison Society throughout the 19th cen tury, although the system and its unusual architecture -? a central hub and baking celluloses -? were seldom imitated in other states.

Computer Essay

Computer Essay Computer Essay Computer Essay: Essay Writing On Computer When working on a computer essay any number of topics or subject backgrounds may be needed. There are a lot of different ways in essay writing. But, the standard essay always follows the same basic steps. You can find many computer essay examples on different topics in the Internet; however, they all are based on the main rules. Computer Essay: General Tips Select the topic of your essay: State the central idea or thesis of your computer essay. Begin your introduction paragraph with an interesting sentence; write your thesis statement from above. Finish the introduction with a summary or goal statement. In each of the two or three body paragraphs the ideas that were first presented in the introductory paragraph should be developed. Give detailed information and examples. All body paragraphs need to develop the central idea and should finish with a summary of that idea. There should be at least two examples or a few facts in every body paragraph in order to support the central idea. The summary paragraph should summarize your whole essay. Often it is a reverse of the introductory paragraph. Begin your summary paragraph by restating quickly the principal ideas of the body paragraphs. In the penultimate sentence restate the basic thesis of your essay. Your final statement can be a future prediction based on what you have shown in the essay. Computer essay history develops with very quick steps. Computer essay now is the main demand in high schools and colleges. However, writing essays with a help of computers make students life easier. But, anyway, follow our main examples: use strong verbs and avoid modals to state your opinion. Do not apologize for what you are saying. An essay should be about your personal opinion. But never translate from your mother language; it will quickly get you into trouble. However, if you need help with your computer essay writing you can always advertise in a professional custom essay writing services. You will get a professional work, 0% plagiarized before your deadline. Simply leave your topic, list all requirements and you request will be sent to the appropriate person, experienced particularly in this area. Computer Essay: Writing Help Whether you have problems with your computer essay writing, or you are stuck among different ideas and thoughts, or you do not have time for essay writing, you are welcome to become our customer. Please contact us and our professional writers will provide you with a high quality work overnight. Save your time for more important and pleasant things. It is so easy and convenient! Interesting posts: Write a Term Paper Term Papers Medieval Knights Term Papers for Sale Term Papers and Report Term Paper Writing Help

Brittany maynard Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Brittany maynard - Essay Example This itself becomes a testament to the fear of not complete living, which is what Brittany Maynard’s husband feared in the first place. Overall, the ethics regarding euthanasia and tube feeding are going to be very imperative in the future. Medical professionals must have a balanced approach to tackle these issues that will continue to be prevalent in near sight. In accordance to Oregon state law regarding death with dignity, a brain tumor is recorded as the official cause of death on her death certificate. For example in which a patient is explicit in their decision making. In Brittany Maynard case, this was true. As a matter of fact, when a patient denies treatment- it is the moral obligation of the medical professional to question the motives and the justification to not be provided with treatment. It was clear that medical professionals do have the right to indulge in this issue, even if seems to be highly personal. Maynard married Daniel Esteban, who did not have much say in this say. I felt that he should give his perspective on this issue. Confronting Death: Who Chooses? Who Controls? A Dialogue between Dax Cowart and Robert Burt . (n.d.). Digital Common Laws. Retrieved August 11, 2014, from

Constitutional Ethic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Constitutional Ethic - Essay Example ral competence involves the capacity of the public administrator to work for the government with demonstrated expertise and with precise intent principles unlike party or private loyalties and compulsions (Kennedy & Schultz, 2010). Neutral competence contributes positively towards democratic consolidation where novel democracies emerge and become established in ways that demonstrate no possibility of demanding political compliance unless with exterior forces. This way, the value of government performance is recognizable given the isolation of politics from administration, hence resulting in policies that endorse a well-served society. Neutrality in public administration in open fora permits participation by interested parties, including various stakeholders who then point out social values to be addressed facilitating formation of effective policies. Public administration dichotomy defines the contributions of administrators in policymaking and involves topologies that distinguish public administrators as trustees, interpreters, and delegates (Zhang, Lee, & Yang, 2012). Delegate administrators do not try to influence elected bodies to alter their policy focus and do not take any action until they are issued with policy guidance by the voted body. Additionally, delegates only offer policy recommendations when forced by serious issues. Conversely, trustee administrators advocate for novel policy focus of public interest, have strong and firm stance on the policy issues, and do not support council’s expressed desires. Interpreter trustees are neither trustees nor delegate administrators since they believe in their capacity to identify political failures, but only endorse what is acceptable to the ruling body. Anarchical and hierarchical organizations are prone to fragmentation resulting functionality incapacitation (Kennedy & Schultz, 2011). The key principle of bureaucracy facilitates functional specification and differentiation of tasks and competencies