Confucianism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Confucianism - Research Paper Example Confucianism is a form of idea that is basically founded on the teachings of Confucius (D. Hoobler & T. Hoobler, 2009, p. 10). Confucius is a Chinese philosopher who believes that a human being must aim to develop his primary goodness. One of his famous works is the concept of golden rule: â€Å"Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself† (Matthews, 2010, p. 185). Confucius believed that in order for a person to nurture its goodness, the five virtues must be practiced. These are the virtue of â€Å"courtesy, magnanimity, good faith, diligence and kindness† (University of Northern Colorado, 2007). These virtues must become an application to the life of a person for this is the basis concerning its life and death. The particular destiny of a person is reflected on the actions and practices he made. Entering Heaven relies whether a person is doing the right thing or not. The actions he made while he was living will always count, may it be for goodness sake o r for personal satisfaction (Yao, 2000, p. 146). In this context, a man is expected to make himself righteous and appropriate on all occasions as his deeds must always be good. Confucianism does not ponder so much about death by considering it as a plain rest of a person, while the conception of life is believe to start when one person has learned to become honorable individual (Tan, 2004, p. 128). The tradition of the Confucianism includes the offering of sacrifices which is considered as common practices to develop its virtues. The birthing of a child constitutes to the significance of preserving the bloodline while the joining of couple is a duty in conception of a new being. The â€Å"capping† signals the transformation from a childhood to adulthood (Taylor, 2004, p. 99). These rituals were also made for the improvement of the health of the Confucians. Artistry is also performed to effectively alleviate the wellness of the members (Mullis, n.d.).

Design a summer camp Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Design a summer camp - Research Paper Example Following are the activities mentioned for every age group based upon the stages of psychological development. As during this stage children are developing a sense of trust so it is the responsibility of the caregivers especially the mother to treat the infant with loving and warmth feeling and build the sense of trust in the child (About.com, 2010). Lack of reliability and care would lead to mistrust and a feeling of worthlessness. As a huge emphasis is given upon visual contact and touch so the best activity for a 18 month infant would be â€Å"Stacking toys and playing with the infant with that toys.† As the caregiver would be playing along with the child this would help to creative a feeling of affection and would built trust between you and the child (Harder, 2009). During this period of time the child is at the beginning of learning stage as he or she starts going to school and it is the time when the child enters the real world on his own. The child is confronted to begin taking actions and has to carry them out. The child starts copying the adults during this stage. They make up stories and starts exploring the word â€Å"WHY.† (Harder, 2009) Therefore it is important for the parents and family to praise their activities and actions which would build a confidence in them. In contrast the child who fails to complete their tasks and is not motivated too leads them to a feeling of guilt in them which lowers their self esteem (Navid, 2009). The best activity for this stage should be â€Å"Kitchen Play† in which the kitchen utensils and a small built in kitchenette would be provided to the children and they would play in groups and they would cook and serve the imaginative food to you and it’s the adult’s responsibilit y to appreciate and praise them so in this activity the children would know the importance of team work and they would have a sense of purpose (About.com, 2010). It is the stage when the child is in preschool and is involved

The Benefits Of A Multi Sensory Approach

The Benefits Of A Multi Sensory Approach R. Q. 3: What will be the views of the three teachers with respect to the practicality or continued use of the multi-sensory approach based on the results of the test scores after the completion of this study? Teachers views on the benefits of a multi-sensory Approach to that of a traditional Approach. The researcher first starts with the perspectives of the three teachers who states that by tapping into the different senses, educators can create a more concrete and complete learning experience for all learners. Teaching learning concepts using two or more of modalities or learning styles at the same time, means that teachers are delivering a multisensory approach to all students in their classrooms. It is the observation of these teachers that as educators some of us may think or feel that multisensory methods or approaches are only useful for students with special needs, however, research has shown that almost all students and teachers can gain great benefits from a multisensory approach in the teaching and learning process. Whats more is that research has also shown that once teachers are using a multisensory approach to learning they are ensuring and addressing all learning styles and needs of their students. Thus one can be sure that every student in his or her classroom is specifically catered for or to. It is also the view of both the researcher and teachers in this study that all students benefit from a multisensory approach to learning, not just special education students. Every child processes information differently, and this teaching method allows for each child to use a variety of their senses to understand and process information. The three Teachers also stated that by providing classroom activities that utilize various senses, they have notice that their students learning attention increases which makes and caters for an optimal learning environment. Research shows that by using varying teaching strategies teachers can address all sensory preference and increases learning regardless of the individual students primary preference (Thomas, Cox Kojima, 2000). Another research also shows that by using multisensory strategies, teachers can engage and sustain the attention of all students. By employing a variety of strategies the teacher may address the mixed efficiencies of those students as well as the dominant and secondary preferences of others. Thus, they reinforce strong preferences and strengthen weaker ones (Silver et al., 2000;Haggart 2003). Key benefits of the multisensory approach are noted by the three teachers and researcher: Increased learner engagement Generating a greater capacity for learning Encouraging a greater knowledge transfer Improved attitudes towards learning Greater student achievement One of the teachers in this study said to me during the interview and I quote I had a great feeling of relief when I began to understand that a youngster (student) needs more than just subject matter. Oh, I know mathematics well and I teach it well. I used to think that was all I needed to do. Now I teach the students, not math. The researcher notes that as teachers, we should know that students learn differently. Some prefer to learn by doing. Others like to watch a demonstration of what they need to do. Some wants to listen to what is expected. Most students appreciate a combination of methods: a little bit of doing it, a little bit of seeing it and a little bit of hearing it. When teachers teach using a combination of methods that appeal to different learning styles (Kinesthetic, tactual, auditory and visual) they are using a multisensory approach which benefits all students involved by equipping them with different learning styles and catering to their development needs. Effective teachers make a conscious effort to design instruction that incorporates a broad variety of learning preferences beyond their own (Doolan Honigfeld, 2000; Sadler-Smith Smith, 2004) Varying teaching strategies to address all sensory preferences increases learning, regardless of the individual students primary preference (Thomas, Cox, Kojima, 2000)Using multisensory strategies, teachers can engage and sustain the attention of all students. However, it is important to note that like most students remember 20% of what we read, 30% of what we hear, 40% 0f what we see, 50% of what we say, 60% of what we do and 90% of what we see, hear, say and do. Therefore, it is not always possible to provide all four elements but it would be useful to audit teaching approaches and consider how many elements are present all three teachers noted. Maria Montessori was the pioneered of this approach (multisensory approach) in the early twentieth century with young children, who naturally learn by seeing, hearing, touching/feeling, tasting, and smelling. The researcher and teachers feel that multisensory teaching is effective and useful at any age. However, age-appropriate resources for secondary students and adult learners have been almost impossible to source. Until now. We really do believe that multisensory teaching techniques coupled with the use of Axis Hands On resources offers all students a Better Ways to Learn. In concluding, the researcher and teachers have also noted that more recent research has shown that the more senses (multisensory approach) we incorporate into the learning process the more efficient learning becomes for all types of learners. Rhonda Farkus (2003, The Journal of Educational Research, Vol 97, No. 1) states, The power of evidence supporting the benefits of (multisensory approach) learning-style methodology is compelling. Teachers have also noted that achievement test scores of students taught using their preferred modalities in this study are statistically higher (multisensory approach) than of students who were not taught using their favored learning modalities (traditional approach). Moreover, when students are taught with multi-sensory approach instructional resources, (although initially through their most preferred modality), scores further increased. Therefore, teachers in this study have also observer that a multi-sensory approach is a powerful tool for reinforcing language Arts teaching in three important ways. First, it helps get the information across. Second, it helps the students process the information. And, third, it helps students more easily retrieve information already learned. Using a variety of senses simply opens up more doorways into the brain. Teachers views on the challenges of Multisensory Approaches As educators we spend a great deal of our time thinking, talking, and learning about how to best teach our students essential spelling, writing and reading skills. You can be sure the conversation between two or more educators will eventually include the topics of learning styles, multi-sensory teaching, hands-on activities and even traditional approaches. Unfortunately, confusion (and sometimes conflict) can occur when these terms are used because they have multiple and overlapping definitions. The main problem teachers may encounter is that there are too many meanings in common use for the term learning style. The original use of this term refers to the sensory pathway or modality through which students find it easiest to learn. There are four generally recognized sensory modalities: visual (sight); auditory (hearing); tactile (touch); and kinesthetic (movement). It is the belief of all three teachers interviewed that it is very vital for teachers to understand that different learning style encompasses a much broader look at how our students approaches learning situations and tasks and this must often include a complete profile of how our students functions as a learner. In addition to preferred modality, some of the areas profiled must be optimal learning environment (such as best time of day, lighting, temperature and noise level), how his/her personality effects his motivation (such as the need for or avoidance of competition), his/her natural areas of competencies or i ntelligence and so on. The teachers who are part of this study feels that by tracing a word with the tip of ones (students) fingers or feeling the shape of the word is vital to helping the tactile learner master his/her writing, reading skills and spelling words. In this regard, adding pleasant textures or sensations creates a stronger neural impression of the words. Thus in the past, (a traditional approach) tactile and kinesthetic learners were often lumped together. However, some of the most current research on how the brain functions shows that two distinct and separate areas of the brain are responsible for storing these two types of sensory input. The researcher strongly believes that armed with such information listed above, it may be tempting to assume that teachers should determine their students favored learning mode and then teach him/her accordingly. This would be a mistake. Teaching using only one learning modality (traditional approach) could result in the neglect of important reading, writing and spelling skills. Proofreading is an example of an essential reading, spelling and writing skill that is primarily visual. It is a skill that does not come naturally to a non-visual learner. It is the teachers view in this study that is for students to become competent and excellent proofreader, we as teachers must help them to develop excellent visual discrimination skills (multisensory approach). Students must be taught to look at the whole word in isolation, with special attention to its shape or the outline of the word. He/she must also look carefully at the word syllable by syllable to see if there are any peculiar combin ations of letters, unexpected spellings or any silent letters used to spell the word. Finally, students must be given a systematic approach to proofreading his own and others writing. It is therefore, the researchers and teachers view in this study that the use of a multisensory approach and not a traditional approach will best assist and develop our students early and latent language Arts abilities which will prepare them adequately for life and the future. The teachers in this study also feel that our students dominant learning modality may also have developmental implications if not deal with in a holistic way more so in a multisensory approach. For example, very young children are known to learn mainly through auditory modalities; early school-aged students (kindergarteners) tend to use more kinesthetic and concrete avenues; and as a student nears adolescence, they tends to rely more and more on the abstract and analytical reasoning along with their visual recall. Skills taught using only one learning modality ( as that in the traditional approach)may need to be retaught using another modality as students enters each new developmental level and begins to depend more on other learning modality (multisensory approach) to store and retrieve information. Teaching using (a multisensory approach) allows for multiple learning modalities which in turn eliminate inefficiency. For this reason a multisensory approach and not a traditional appro ach is the best technique and strategy for teaching phonic and the alphabet awareness skills to kindergarten students. Therefore it is this researchers view that research has consistently shown that use of a multisensory approach to the teaching and learning processes are critical for all students and students more peculiar those who have moderate to severe learning disabilities. In the mid-1920s, Dr. Samuel T. Orton and his colleagues Anna Gillingham and Bessie Stillman, first began using multi-sensory approaches with his dyslexic students. Orton was influenced by Grace Fernald and Helen Kellers descriptions of the kinesthetic methods used by Dr. Maria Montessori at the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition at San Francisco. Orton correctly theorized that Montessoris use of kinesthetic reinforcement of visual and auditory associations would correct the tendency to reverse letters and transpose the sequence of letters his dyslexic students made while reading and writing. Their programme, which includes multi-sensory learning as well as other important concepts, is commonly called the Orton-Gillingham approa ch. Teachers view on the actual implementation of Multisensory approach. In light of the positive results that this programme had produced in terms of students alphabet and phonemic awareness skills when taught using a multisensory approach in comparison to a non-multisensory approach. As a result all three teachers expressed their interest in continuing the use of the Multisensory Approach. Summary The focus of this chapter was the presentation of data collected in this study. The quantitative, qualitative and quasi-experimental data were present using narratives, graphs tables and charts. The data revealed that the reactions to a multisensory approach from both students and teachers were generally positive.

Social Traditions in Medea, The Piano, and The Age of Innocence Essay

Social Traditions in Medea, The Piano, and The Age of Innocence Traditions demonstrate a set of social norms that have been followed and adapted to for an elongated amount of time. In each of the plots, Medea, The Piano, and The Age of Innocence, the standard set by society was broken and the consequences imposed took form in varying degrees and shapes of violence. Whether it was outright murder as in Medea, or a more subtle but intense struggle as in The Age of Innocence, these consequences serve as the community's opinion of this breach of its expectations for its members. All societies have many traditions set up, and each of the characters in the books either plays the role of someone who helps to uphold these traditions by following them and imposing consequences on those who don't, or someone who disregards tradition and attempts to point out its pitfalls and shortcomings in modern society. The first role, the person who reinforces tradition, is generally someone who refuses to think outside the box, or does not like the product of going against the tide. This person is comfortable with the way that society has set itself up as far as social norms and expectations. Edith Wharton's character of Newland Archer describes May Welland's innocence as a "helpless and timorous girlhood...she dropped back into the usual, as a too adventurous child takes refuge in its mother's arms." (Wharton 123) May Welland and her family are quite content living within the boundaries that New York society has erected for them, and they fear the changes and consequenc es of acting otherwise. The adventurous spirit of Newland Archer is dangerous to their precious social norms and unwritten rules for how to conduct oneself in society. Howev... ... when his son learns a story of his relations with Ellen and speaks to him about it many years after (Wharton 41). The lesson that he learns is that society is very concerned with the affairs of its members and even his wife had heard the rumors about the two cousins. While May was busy upholding her traditional role as faithful wife, she also was acting within social norms and ignoring his infatuation with her cousin Ellen, and allowing a facade of a strong marriage to continue. The violence presented in this book, while not as obvious as that in The Piano or Medea, is no less intense. May's innocent look but underlying manipulation of Archer's feelings towards her and his feelings of obligation demonstrate a great struggle between the "innocent" May Welland who looks "blankly at blankness" and the "fiery beauty" of Ellen, and both of their desires for Archer.

Core Competencies Essay

A business or product which generates a sturdy, dependable flow of cash. Dog- a product with low market share in a slow growing market and thus neither generates more consumes large amounts of cash. Star- products that are in high growth markets with a relatively high share of that market. They tend to generate high amounts of income. Question Mark- growing rapidly and thus consumes large amounts of cash but because they have low markets shares they do not generate much cash 2. What are core competences? Core competences are critical capabilities to a business achieving competitive advantage. The starting point for analysing core competences is recognising that competition between businesses is as much a race for competence mastery as it is for market position and market power. Senior management cannot focus on all activities of a business and the competencies required to undertake them. So the goal is for management to focus attention on competencies that really affect competitive advantage. 4 Potential sources of core competences * Distribution * Marketing * Management * Manufacturing 4 criteria used to evaluate core competences * Valuable * Rare * Costly to imitate * Non substitutable 3. What should an audit of resources include? The resources available to a business whether it be owned or obtained through partnerships, joint ventures or simply suppliers arrangement with other businesses. The assessment of the strength and weakness of an organisation in conjunction with an assessment of opportunities and threats. It should have the key success factors for the markets and industries in question and the comparable strengths and weaknesses of competitors for the same customers. 4. What are the strategic options for competing in a Mature Industry? Prune marginal products and models * Emphasize innovation in the value chain Strong focus on cost reduction * Increase sales to present customers * Purchase rivals at bargain prices * Expand internationally * Build new, more flexible competitive capabilities 5. Define the Value System The Value System is the set of interdependent situations within a business which both directly or indirectly adds value to the customer and ultimately generates a net cash inflow. This also provides a key link between competitive strategy and shareholder value. Even though the value system bears some resemblance to Porter’s value chain, the latter is perhaps less flexible and less easily tailored to the variety of the modern business.

Proud to be Federal: A System that Money and Rhetoric Cannot Buy Essay

If I were on a bet, I have to choose either my dignity or wealth, as a principled citizen of America, I would choose my dignity. The ego could not be equated to money. The same way as the established principle and system could not be price tagged with million bills and euphemized sales talk. United States of America (US) is globally known the most powerful country in the world. The president of us is known to be the most powerful man in the world, as well. Back from the early times wherein the US colonized several countries. States, and archipelagos in different continents, it already showed its power and leadership among these colonized countries. Their victory in wars exemplified their strength and supremacy among other nation. Up to these days, US is undeniably being revered by other countries considering that it belongs to the first world countries, which are called as capitalists. The US government follows the Federal system by which there is a central government for the whole country of US and there are local government units for each of the 50 states that it has. In matters of decision-making, the state government could decide on its own as long as it could be settled along the state level. The Federal government of course, has its power in decision-making concerning more the US as a whole. Yet, it also involves in decision-making in the state level since it is the central government. In this case, we could see that our government becomes more specific and focus to one state unit than referring one government all over the 50 states that compose our country. In such way, problems and issues in the state level could be easily settled because there are specific state governors whom could address certain issues involving the state and the citizenry. This pattern of system, which has more than one government, is an effective way of ruling the people and the state since the leader of a particular state could focus more in their state problems with less regards with the problems of the other states. If only the central government would address all the issues and concerns of all the 50 states and the citizenry, there could be hard focus and specification of resolutions in the problems arising in different states. We could say that our country has been developed decades ago and has already established an almost stable system of living. This good socio-economic status of our country is being experienced now by most American citizen, if not all. We are ahead of trading with different partner countries in the world. In the version of â€Å"Keeping the Economy Strong† in the President’s FY2008 Budget, new investments and good innovations from outside and inside the country are expected since the â€Å"President’s tax relief† is permanently taking effect. This is to ensure the continuous economic growth of the US. Moreover, the affordable health services, improved quality of education, and security and stability of energy source are more focused by the central government system since it would assure the growth and development of the Americans. These socio-economic per se are the considerations to take to help all American people more productive. However, our country, as it is combating the terrorism act world wide, it lessens its viability in terms of economic role in terms of partnership with other countries. The US government focuses its external relation with other countries in terms of defense and state security. But in ruling the state, the federal system is taking place effectively. Likewise, since the federal government is the main and central ruler of the states of the US, it launches several programs, which entitled as â€Å"Top 10 Federal Benefits and Assistance Programs. † The first three programs mainly focus on the health aspect of the beneficiaries, First of this program is the Medicare, which enables the disabled and 65 and above year old citizen to receive medical insurance. It also includes those people who have permanent kidney disease (End-Stage Renal Disease) and could only be treated by dialysis. The second program is the Medical Prescription Drug Program. This program encompasses the entire citizen, such that, they could buy medicines and drugs with low cost. It could also protect the citizen from the increasing cost of the prescribed drugs. The third program pertains to the Medicaid that provides people with low socio-economic status with medical insurance especially those who are not covered with the first program. The fourth one, which is called the Social Security Retirement, benefits the retired workers and employees in lieu of their service to the company or the government they had been employed. The fifth program is named Stafford Student Loans. This gives opportunity and assistance to those who are in undergraduate study and even those who are in graduate study all over the America. It does not specify that its restriction is for American citizen only, yet, it dos prioritized of course the America people. The sixth one is the Food Stamps that would enable those people who belonged to low-income group to buy their foods. These foods are at low cost and are mainly the needed foods to improve the diets of the American people. On the other hand, the seventh program, which is called Emergency Food Assistance, provides the needy most people and the elders with food without any cost. The eighth one is the Employment and Training Assistance. It helps the citizen to improve their skills to get a good job. It also helps old employees to reemploy or search for new jobs. This program also provides placement assistance and information regarding the labor status, rights, and responsibilities. The ninth one which covers the shelter of the citizen is called Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers is the program that is responsible for provision of decent home and safe settlements for the low-income citizen. If not fully given homes, the program also addresses the housing rental at an affordable cost. The tenth and the last one is the Home Weatherization Assistance. This program is considered the largest assistance program fro those citizen who could not afford high cost of energy. Under the Department of Energy, it provides help to the citizen to conserve the energy they are using to avoid the burden of high-energy utilization. After all these main benefits under the system of Federalism, which mainly focus on the individual and community level of the society, the fiscal policy changed into monetary policy. This falls under the over all economic facade and status of the economy of the US. Under the U. S. Federal reserve System, this agency, commonly known as â€Å"the Fed,† is being comprised by the 12 major federal reserve banks and 25 the same branch branches. The control of fluctuation of the US economy is mainly established to watch out for the trend of the business firms. This is a vigilant watch for the tendencies of falling and rising of the economic status of the people. Another agency has been reformed under the Federal system, which is called Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI), which has been under the White House. It generally focuses on four major aspects such as legal guidance with partnering with the Federal government, accessing private resources, promote volunteerism, outcomes-focused Planning and Evaluation, and grant writing tutorials for five federal programs. This program mainly fights the societal disease in the state. For example, the Violence Free Zone, which entailed that no one should be harmed in the certain area declared as Violence Free Zone. The gangers, which are mostly youths, have given another chance to redirect their path as they are following. The faith-based community was observed to be inadequate, such that, the OFBCI caters most the qualified groups which are lackings of the provision of the social services. These aforementioned issues are just testimonies on how the hand of the Federal system works in the US. The fact that the US has undergone a Federal system, democracy and equal rights of citizen are still taken into considerations. Though, racial discrimination in our country still in its existence, the welfare of the people is still on the top list of the federal that hope to be accomplished in the range of demands of the society. These are to show the pride and honor of being an American and being under the Federal system, which certainly, other countries might be looking up to. The influence of our system could not only be seen here inside the country but also in the country it had been partnered with or colonized. The federal system, as what Robert Longley described in his article entitle â€Å"U. S. Government 101,† the system is perfect, yet it could lead to abuse of power in an instant. But the people and the state governments, which have their own power could mitigate that and prevent such thing to happen. The success and the high status that our country is portraying now could also attributed to the political hands themselves. Like what Alexander Hamilton and James Madison had been said in Federalists 51, â€Å"In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. On how the US is being modified by different leaders and the system as the tool they had used to mold the shape that the US has right now, is an attribution. The system they had been left and the system that was established was priceless. No negotiation could betray the system, such that, it would always impose its rule and law governing the American people. People around the globe look at us differently and powerfully. The supremacy we have gained for years could not be bought by any monetary value.