Ten Point Agenda in Basic Education Essay Example for Free

Ten Point Agenda in Basic Education Essay1. 12-year Basic Education Cycle (K+12) Our electric chair is intend to expand the basic education cycle, from a 10-year cycle to a globally-comparable 12 years, for our public naturalize children. At present, we are the only country in Asia that has a 10-year cycle for basic education. Those who can afford basic education get into the best universities and the best jobs after graduation.2. Universal preschooling for all All public school children will have preschool as their introduction to formal schooling by 2016, and he will make this available to all children regardless of income. With regards to pre-schooling, I think this program was implemented already by previous administration. We had already our Day Care Centers managed by Day Care Worker. This program is under the subdivision of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with the Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) as the head of the Day Care Workers.3. Madaris education (Madrasah) as a sub-system indoors the education system electric chair Noynoy Aquino wants full basic education for all Muslim Filipino children. According to him, this is to give proper respect to their culture bandage providing a sound curriculum in English, Filipino, Science, and Math. Madaris education, with subjects in Arabic language and Islamic Values Education, can be integrated in our public school curriculum as additional subjects.4. Technical vocational education as an substitute(a) stream in senior high school. He will re-introduce technical-vocational education in our public high schools to smash link schooling to local industry charters and employment. We need to provide an educational alternative to better prepare the scholarly persons for the world of work.5. Every child a reader by Grade 1 By the end of the next administration, all(prenominal) child moldiness be a reader by Grade 1. At the core of our childrens non-learning problems is the inability to rea d properly. By the end of the next administration (SY 2015-16), every child passing pre-school must be a reader by Grade 1. I think this is the responsibility of the parents to teach their children how to read while at home. Modesty aside, our parents taught us how to read when we were understood young even if they were just both an elementary graduate.6. Science and Math proficiency Our President is also planning to rebuild the science and math infrastructure in schools so that we can produce to a greater extent scientists, engineers, technicians, technologists and teachers in our universities so that this country can be more globally compatible in industry and manufacturing. To build a culture for science and math, he is also planning to promote science and math clubs and fairs. In our school, we have Student Technologist and Entrepreneur of the Philippines (STEP) Competition and Mathematics Week Celbration.7. Assistance to private schools as essential partners in basic education The President is planning to expand government assistance to private education. A strong private school system will strengthen our public schools by providing parents an alternative and not adding to the overcrowding. One concrete example is the Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE). They have this program Educational Service Contract (ESC). A student in a private school can apply as ESC Scholar provided that he or she is deserving to become a scholar. In new(prenominal) words, his/her academic records are good. I think, no grade below 80% is one of their requirements. Modesty aside, I was once an ESC scholar before when I was still in high school (ehem). By the way, another requirement is the Income Tax Return (ITR) of the parents.8. Medium of instruction rationalized President Aquino wanted the Philippines to become a multilingual nation Learn English well and connect to the world. Learn Filipino well and connect to our country. He said Retain your dialect and connect with your heritage. I think this will be realized.9. Quality textbooks Our President also will not tolerate poor textbook quality in our schools. Textbooks will be judged by three criteria quality, better quality, and more quality. Poor quality textbooks have no place in our schools according to him. I have noticed that round of our textbooks have wrong information. There was a time that I read a book and it says Clouds are grungy. Where in this world that you can find clouds with blue color? There are also some words that are misspelled. This will be the job of the National Book Review Board. They must find oneself to it that all books have three criteria quality, better quality, and more quality.10. Covenant with the local governments to build more schools President Noynoy Aquino is planning to build more schools in areas where at that place are no public or private schools in partnership with local governments, as well address our persistent classroom and teacher shortages. We need more schools with smaller populations so that teachers, students and parents can form a real learning community. This time, there is now a Local School Board (LSB) with the district Supervisor as the Chairman and the Municipal Mayor as the Co-Chairman or vice versa. In our school, we have 5 teachers who are still LSB Funded.

The Strategic Role of HR in a State Government Essay Example for Free

The Strategic Role of HR in a State Government turn upIn a growing number of giving medications gentleman resources are now viewed as a source of competitive advantage (Human Links, 2007). For human resource to be competitive, it entails competencies that are obtained through highly turned employee skills, distinctive organizational cultures, management processes and systems (Human Links, 2007). The presence of these distinctive competencies marks most of the high- execution organizations.But the need for much(prenominal)(prenominal) organizations is not limited only to the private sector. Government organizations, particularly subject and local governments, are becoming increasingly accountable for results and the cost-effective use of taxpayer currency spent on programs and services (TechRepublic, 2007). Government organizations are like businesses businesses that may not be run for profit but alternatively are make to meet a social goal in an effective and efficient manner (Mathys, 2006).Such said, Government organizations must be responsive, use their resources advantageously, and provide intelligent value to the user and account qualification to the taxpayer (Mathys, 2006). It is in this context that strategic human resource management has become just as important in the public sector. Strategic human resource management has been defined as linking of human resources with strategic goals and objectives in order to improve business performance and develop organizational culture that foster innovation and flexibility (Human Links, 2007). The whole process of strategic human resource management includes the measurement of the impact of actions and decisions.Pressures on governments almost the world attain contributed to the rising adoption of performance management and measurement a focus on program and service outputs and outcomes, and on managing for results (TechRepublic, 2007). One system that has had significant demonstrated success to improve process efficiency, timeliness, and customer satisfaction in business is the balanced scorecard (Mathys, 2006).The equilibrize Scorecard is a performance measurement that seeks to combine strategic supply with performance measurement (Rogers, 2007). Robert Kaplan and David Norton published works on the Balanced Scorecard in 1991 and considered quatern areas in assessing the enduringness of an organization in meeting its vision and strategy. These four areas or perspectives include Financial, Customer, Internal Business Processes, and Learning and Growth. According to Mathys, Kaplan and Nortons model explains that visions and strategies are translated into objectives, measures, targets, and initiatives that break up the doubts in each of the four categoriesFinancial, the main question is To succeed financially, how should we appear to our shareholders?Customer, the focus is To achieve our vision, how should we appear to our customers?Internal business process focuses on the question To satisfy our shareholders and customers, what business processes must we excel at?Learning and growth category focuses on answering the question To achieve our vision, how will we sustain our ability to change and improve?Essentially, this framework balances the value of strategic inputs (leading indicators) with financial outputs (lagging indicators) to enable an organization to improve the way it plans, measures and communicates success (Strategic guidance Partners, 2007). It is now being employ by hundreds of successful organizations, in the public and private sectors, to align people, strategy and performance (Strategic Management Partners, 2007).In 1999, the State of Illinois embarked on a strategic planning initiative (SPI) to initiate change using the balanced scorecard (BSC). The initial goals were performance management and public accountability, which required viewing the Illinois public as a customer whose opinion of government performance was of para mount importance (Lang, 2007). The State of Illinois translated its goals and strategy into different measures of success Financial, Customer, Internal Business Processes, Human Resources Systems Development (learning and growth).In this context, the Human Resources (HR) Department has a critical role in facilitating the whole process of instituting a comprehensive public governance system using this measurement system. People management is an important function of the HR Department and can play an important role in an organizations financial performance as well as the service it offers its customers (Yahoo Answers, 2007). People management includes managing recruitment selection, turnover issues, employee benefits, and acting as an information resource in HR issues for the organization (Yahoo Answers, 2007).First, it is important that the HR department views the advance government as well as its constituency as its customer. The HR Department ensures that loyalty among employee s towards the organization is intact and also that the final constituents or the general population of the state government therefore are benefited.Second, the HR department looks into the other departments within the state government and assesses their goals and strategies as well in contributing to the achievement of the primary goal of the state government. This can be viewed particularly on learning and growth concerns such as how the different capabilities of various employees can be built up and enhanced so they can very well respond to the goals of the organizations, among others.This entails for example employing a Training Needs sound judgment (TNA) tool so that employee capabilities may be surveyed, consolidated and aptly tapped. experience of employee skills, abilities and aptitude could save the organization from investing on capability building trainings that do not address the real needs of employees.Third, in terms of internal business process, the role of the HR D epartment is to indicate how much each employee contributes to the organization such as revenue generated minus the cost of salary, benefits and training (Yahoo Answers, 2007). This basically looks into the productivity of the individual employee as well as the consolidated output of such individual productivity levels with which the HR Department also has that function to design a merit and rewards system to increase again such productivity. This is vital to maintain the bureaucracy lean.Fourthly, in financial terms, the HR Department shall be able to perform a rationalized system of recruitment because it sees fit which employees to hire based on the scope of work and job specifications. Aside from recruitment, HR also could do regular employee performance evaluations so as to determine which employee has actually continually met the specifications of the job. Again, this saves the state government from unnecessary hiring of staff and checking of redundancy, among others, since the staffing needs of the organization has been streamlined.With the HR Department using these four perspectives, it helps the government administration to keep track the value of activities (e.g. human resource development) which previously had not been audited effectively and had not been regarded as contributors to the bottom line (Strategic Management Partners, 2007).As in many private corporations, HR Departments of state governments shall have to use hard data in measuring performance. This can be done by linking employee competencies with behavioral objectives to align job specifications, recruitment, promotion, appraisal, and reward systems (Strategic Management Partners, 2007). A number of HR measures or benchmarks can be employed to check on performance and these include Applications per vacancy, Internal promotions, Hours training, Peer group reviewing, Cross-functional projects, Knowledge sharing, Employee turnover, Cost per hire, Employee satisfaction, among others (Str ategic Management Partners, 2007). The HR Department can also assist the various departments of the state government in targeting and developing milestones that keep its focus on the goals. The goals of the state government must be cascaded to every department with the help of the HR Department.In the end, some of the following questions may serve to measure the four perspectivesCustomer/Constituency. What services have been delivered to the constituents in order to secure their welfare and how do these relate to peoples expectations towards the state government?Learning and Growth. oblige the skills and competencies of officers and staff have been upgraded and in what manner?Internal Business Processes. What desirable levels of effectiveness and efficiency have been achieved in serving the constituents?Financial Resources. What revenue generating options have been tapped and which government services have already been provided at a reasonable price?In all these, the role of HR sho uld be to facilitate rather than dictate the targets and outcomes. Keeping the measurements simple allows it to be more understandable and adaptable. If it is not seen to be fully integrated with the business imperatives of the Chief Executive it will not be given the attention it deserves by operational managers (Strategic Management Partners, 2007).List of ReferencesChaturvedi, Siddharth. October 2007. Strategic Human Resource Management. Retrieved October 2007 from http//www.humanlinks.com/manres/articles/shrm/htm.Lang, Sandra S. January 2007. The CPA Journal. Balanced Scorecard and Government Entities abject Forward at the Illinois Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 2007 from http//www.nysscpa.org/cpajournal/2004/604/essentials/p48.htm.Mathys, Nicholas. February 2006. Managing for Performance Results Series 2006. Using the Balanced Scorecard Lessons Learned from the U.S. Postal Service and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Retrieved October 2007 from http //www.businessofgovernment.org/pdfs/MathysReport.pdfRogers, Martha. June 2007. Balanced Score Card Usage in Local Government Audit Shops. Retrieved October 2007 from http//www.governmentauditors.org/content/view/311/123/.Strategic Management Partners. January 2007. Briefing Papers Using the HR Balanced Scorecard. Retrieved October 2007 from http//www.consult-smp.com/archives/2005/02/using_the_hr_ba_html.TechRepublic. October 2007. Whitepapers Using the Balanced Scorecard to Improve State and Local Government Performance. Retrieved October 2007 from http//whitepapers.techrepublic.com.com/webcast.aspx.Yahoo Answers. October 2007. What is Balanced Score Card in HR?. Retrieved October 2007 from http//ph.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070927202545AAwkQix.

Experiment of Long Term Memory Retention

Experiment of Long Term Memory RetentionAbstractThe purpose of this study was to test the retention of long term retrospection based on retrieval environments. Our interrogation is based on Godden and Baddeleys (1976) study that foc intaked on the family relationship between retrieval environments and skill. The technique cognize as context-dependency which is defined as the belief that what is learnt in a given environment is best reminiscenceed in that environment is tested and compared to previous research (Godden Baddeley, 1975). An test was conducted at Foundation Campus at the University of primordial Lancashire with nine international student. Enlisting a repeated measures design and laboratory method, the participants are asked to learn and back out a list of 13 voice communication in the same environment, then they were asked to learn and recall an separate list of 13 words in 2 different attitudes. The results corroborate and support the context-dependency re collection effect.IntroductionThis experiments is about assessing the effect of retrieval environments when it comes to long term memory (LTM) recall. LTM is described as stored entropy that can be recalled over a long period of time e.g. days, weeks, etc. (Merriam-Webster, (2015). Godden and Baddeley (1995) decided to conduct an experiment to test this notion also known as context-dependency memory effect. Context-dependency memory effect is defined as the belief that what is learnt in a given environment is best recalled in that environment (Godden Baddeley, 1975).The level of Godden and Baddeleys research was to examine the association between learning and retrieval environments (Cardwell, Clark, and Meldrum, 200811). In auberge to carry out their experiment, Godden and Baddeley decided to enlist eighteen participants who were divers(prenominal) in Oban, Scotland (Cardwell, Clark, and Meldrum, 200811). Further much, the divers were instructed to learn a list of forty distinct words on land or, fifteen feet under water (Cardwell, Clark, and Meldrum, 200811). They were then asked to recall these words in a different location or in the same location (Cardwell, Clark, and Meldrum, 200811). Specifically, half of the divers were directed to a different location when the time came for memory recollection, plot of ground the other half remain in the same environment for memory recollection (Cardwell, Clark, and Meldrum, 200811). When partaking in Godden and Baddeleys experiment, the list of 40 words were revealed to participants in groups this allowed the divers to assume a relaxed/comfortable breathing rate in order to assure that the participants faced no obstacles when learning (Godden Baddeley, 1975). Additionally, apiece the list of words were revealed in blocks of three, and, the words were spaced at two second intervals (Godden Baddeley, 1975).When asked to recall, Godden and Baddeley found that those who well-educated and recalled in the same locat ion remembered the most words -12.5 on average (Cardwell, Clark, and Meldrum, 200811).According to the aforementi wizd graph, Godden and Baddeley found that when participant learned on land an recalled the information under water, they could only recall -on average -8.6 words, while those who learned under water and recalled the words land, only remembered 8.4 words on average (Godden Baddeley, 1975).This study based on Godden and Baddeleys research in 1975 allow examine and delve into the connection between learning and retrieval environments. This study will utilize students with diversified ethnic backgrounds and ages. Contrary to Godden and Baddeleys research, it will use two lists of thirteen simple words -all within one to three syllables in order to ensure acquaintance.Aim To examine the connection between learning and retrieval environments using Godden and Baddeleys study on context-dependency retrieval.Hypothesis Memory recollection in the same environment in which inf ormation was learned will yield higher recollections among participants. The opening for this experiment is directional, meaning the independent variable quantity (the retrieval location/environment) will directly affect the dependent variable (the accuracy/amount of words recalled).Method DesignA controlled laboratory experiment was utilised to elucidate a distinct cause and effect relationship between the independent and dependent variables. A controlled laboratory also enabled immense control over variables within the experiment, it also permitted unproblematic replication for future researchers and weak utilisation of equipment e.g. videos, etc.A repeated measures design was employed in order to negate/remove differences that numerous samples would possess. Due to this design, differences in gender, linguistic aptitude, comprehension and age were avoided.The independent variable in this experiment was the retrieval environment or location in which the participant were asked to recall the words i.e. the classroom or the canteen. The dependent variable was the quantity of words the participant could recall in each environment/location. A confounding variable could be the sound/ ruffle of police cars driving past the laboratory environment.In agreement with research principles/ethics, written informed consent forms were distributed to all participants before this experiment commenced. Participants were given the the right way to withdraw at any time, and immense confidentiality with participants information and results was promised and delivered.ParticipantsThere were ten participants five male and four female participants. The participants were obtained from diversified backgrounds non-native slope speakers and English speakers. Participants that contributed to this experiment were between the ages of eighteen to forty-seven. An prospect sample was enlisted for this experiment. This sample type allowed expediency when enlisting when procuring particip ants, it also enables replication for future research.MaterialsInformed combine ( addendum 1)Standardised Instructions (Appendix 2)Word List 1 (Appendix 3)Word List 2 (Appendix 4)Comical Video (Appendix 5)ProcedureInitially, the aforementioned materials were given to the participants. Secondly, in order to check for errors in our experiment, a pilot study was conducted to ensure validity in the experiment. subsequently the pilot study, a classroom and canteen was procured for the experiment. A mixed-gender opportunity sample of nine individuals ranging from 18 to 25 was obtained and directed into the classroom. During this experiment, the participants were first given an informed consent form (Appendix 1), after signing and agreeing to the form, they were shown the standardised instructions (Appendix 2). After the standardised instructions, the participants were given a piece of paper with experiment 1 written on one side, and experiment 2 written on the other side, -they were als o given pens to document their answers.Firstly, the participants were then shown Word List 1 (Appendix 3), secondly, they were given one sensitive to study the words, then they were shown a four minute Comical Video (Appendix 6), and then they were given approximately one minute to write down the words they could recall.In the next stage of our experiment, the same participants were asked to fox their paper over, then they were given exactly one minute to study Word list 2 (Appendix 4), the participants they were asked to walk around the Vernon Building (located in the University of Central Lancashires campus) to a canteen. When the participants arrived at the canteen, they were promptly seated and given one minute to recall and write down the words they could recall in one minute.ResultsThe result of this experiment were harmonious to that of Godden and Baddeleys in 1975. 66.67% of the participants recalled more words when their retrieval location was the same as the learning env ironment, while 11.11% percent of participants recalled more information when the recollection environment was not the same as the learning environment. Furthermore, 33.33% of the population recalled the same amount of words irrespective of the retrieval environment. These results were in consent with the hypothesis and Godden and Baddeleys research in 1975. The mean of the results was greatly corrupted by outliers with the samples results, in order to rectify this, the normal was enlisted to face a balanced assessment of the results. The median of recollection when the learning and recollection environments were the same is 9 words with a range of 6. When the learning and recollection were different, the median of the recollection data was 4, with a range of 9. Overall, it was quite evident that recollection in the same environment where information is learned yields better results. The results support context-dependency memory effect.DiscussionThe result of this experiment were harmonies with Godden and Baddeleys research, this fortified the immense reliability of their research, and proved that it could be replicated by others. The results of the experiment magnified the context-dependency memory effect, and supported the hypothesis Memory recollection in the same environment in which information was learned will yield higher recollections among participants.A laboratory method was angel for this experiment because it allowed for control over numerous variables, and, it permitted and enabled ease when measuring the dependent variable. Utilising a repeated measures design removed differences that individuals could possibly possess that would rob this experiment of credibility. It could also be argued that the fatigue effect which states that work has a general effect of running down the bodies limited energy supply adversely touch the participants recollection after walking around the Vernon Building (Hockey, 2013). Perhaps this is why only one out of t he nine participants recalled more on the second experiment.The low-pitched sample size on nine indicates that this experiment is not generalizable to bigger populations. Albeit the sample had a plethora of nationalities and ages, this suggests that no definite proclamations can be make about nationality or age. Furthermore, a confounding variable could be the sound/noise of police cars driving past the laboratory environment, or, the limited linguistic ability of some participants.Any further research/study into this topic could be ameliorated by enlisting a grander sample size, or, using both locations as learning and retrieval environments this provide a deeper insight into context-dependency memory effect. A longer list of words could also be employed to test retention in LTM.ReferencesCardwell, M., Clark, L. and Meldrum, C. (2008)Psychology AS For AQA A. 3rd edn. London Harper Collins Publishers. Godden, D. R., Baddeley, A. D. (1975). Context-dependent memory in two natural e nvironments On land and underwater.British Journal of Psychology, 66(3), 325331.Hockey, R. (2013) The Psychology of Fatigue Work, endeavor and Control. 1st edn. United Kingdom Cambridge University Press.Jansen, I. (2015). Charlie Chaplin The Lions Cage. online YouTube. Available at https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2dmV2-zxNg Accessed 10 Mar. 2015.Merriam-webster, (2015). Definition of Long-term Memory. online Merriam-webster.com. Available at http//www.merriam-webster.com/medical/long-term memory Accessed 6 Mar. 2015.AppendicesAppendix 1Appendix 2Appendix 3Appendix 4Appendix 5Comical Video provided and republished by Jansen (2015).Appendix 6

A History Of The Netflix Strategy

A History Of The Netflix StrategyIn 1997, reed instrument Hastings, along with partners Marc Randolph and Mitch Lowe, was inspired to develop 1 of the well-nigh victoryful bricks and mortar transmission linees to date, when a frustrating situation exposed the need to create a lucrative e- transaction personal credit line, requiring many of the same basic components as a traditional business, including a cohesive business model, compelling marketing plan, and strong implementation strategy. It was the video rental late fee that motivated Reed Hastings to develop Netflix.com.1Advances in technology, adaptation of DVD media over VHS, and an unmet consumer demand is responsible for the successful launch of Hastings vision, which has undergone several strategy shifts similar to another(prenominal) innovative start-up companies that buzz off with a simple vision. Changes in focus or direction have continued to assure that the company remains dominant in the movie rental industry, us ing a strong business strategy and a cohesive implementation plan that have increased the odds of their success in the market.Hastings began his business by declaring a simple yet effective mission statement, our appeal and success be built on the most expansive selection of DVDs an easy way to choose movies and fast, free delivery.2The business strategy for Netflix has evolved to satisfy revolutionary market opportunities, although the original concept has remained the same, making the companys business model the perfect business model from which all eBusinesses could learn, regardless of the slow adoption by the internet user biotic community.To translate market opportunity to business opportunity, Hastings follows the seven- stride framework to create the original company and continued to leverage the individual steps to re-evaluate the companys position in a changing market. . There argon quatern key environments to consider when analyzing a market opportunity-customers, co mpany, technology, and competition.3The overlapping areas of these key environments would represent the market opportunity area for a business.The first of the seven step process identified the unmet or underserved customer needs by Reed Hastings, being a customer himself. He was able to draw upon his personal sleep together to establish the opportunity nucleus of the company that stemmed mostly from processes dictated by traditional video rental businesses. The bricks and mortar movie rental companies had mainly established methods and policies regarding video rentals, late fees, and membership rules that, according to Hastings, would have no reason to change without away competition.Following the problem recognition step, Netflix identified its purport market by grouping customers into segments, referred to as the distinction between must-have and nice-to-have customers.4For Netflix, this includes identifying customers using geographic, demographic, and behavioural segmentatio n approaches, with the target audience expanding beyond the regions and primary market areas that typically define traditional brick-and-mortar businesses. In this type of business, the target audience is bound by technology rather than geography, giving Netflix the competitive advantage it needed to begin as a business by utilizing an Internet-based system that allowed a user to find movie titles, making it easier than strolling the aisles of a video rental store. The entire supply-chain of the Netflix mail-order fulfilment system is more desirable than issues surrounding weather, store hours, and drop boxes common to most bricks and mortar movie rental businesses. mistreat four of the seven-step process twisting assessing the resources necessary to deliver the benefits of the product to the consumer for Netflix as a company, and step five required an in-depth assessment of the technology required to deliver the product to the end-user, and the impact of these wise technologies e xternally as the technologies utilise in 1997 were primitive to present-day technologies. As a positioning strategy for the future, Netflix was able to incorporate Broadband technology as a part of its product delivery system and distribution strategy as it is commonplace today, making the online users experience many times better than before. Step six of the market opportunity framework involved distilling the opportunity into concrete terms, before the final step of justifying the companys position in the market and identifying the overlapping areas of the four key environments mentioned earlier that represent the market opportunity area for Netflix.The online experience that Netflix provides to its consumer rivals the competition and is a part of its differentiation strategy in the market. The Netflix market position boasts an easier way to choose movies, fast and free shipping, and no late fees or due dates5, unique to the company in terms of its product and delivery. In auxil iary to following the movie rental membership models of other businesses, Netflix expanded the scope of their offering to include several levels of membership and created an online community where member could contribute by offering and sharing refreshs as a part of its promotion strategy. Today, this online business model that differentiates the product by creating an experience for the user has become a beam for other businesses to follow.6Netflix follows best practices across 7Cs-context, commerce, connection, communication, content, community, and customization as its product, promotion and distribution strategy.7The context of Netflix site follows basic rules for ease of use and navigation standards for the web, and uses a clean, uncluttered picture to present an online movie rental experience that is unique for its users. The color scheme and graphic genes in like manner remain true to the corporate brand image of the company. Its commerce capability is limited only by it s business model, where members spend the majority of their time within the areas of the Netflix website that offers movie reviews and search capabilities, as the only transactions are one-time enrolments and subscriptions to the monthly service. Members only revisit the commerce section if a subscription needs to be changed since all other transactions are automatic and recurring. The connection human body element is not used on the Netflix member site as the Netflix website does not offer any external links. However, in the non-member and public areas within the website, Netflix offers external links to the websites of major publications, well-known critics, and other movie review sites. Netflix monetary standard ads that are found on many popular sites, link each banner ad to the Netflix main page. Netflix has also mastered the challenges associated with integrating their website and other communication channels. As an example, each time a movie is returned, the member receives an email, asking them to review the movie and offer additional comments if desired. Periodically, the member receives an email asking for information regarding the timing and condition of a DVD once it is delivered. This information is then used to monitor the quality of service of the fulfillment centers. The Netflix website content consists mostly of movie imagery, descriptions and storylines, and member posted reviews. A non-member is presented with content designed to encourage enrolment, whereas the member community enjoys a user-specific experience, where movie titles are presented to each member that are relevant to his or her likes and dislikes, based on individual movie reviews. The content also includes atmospheric static information regarding the Netflix organization, its affiliates, career listings, and social networking links. Additionally, Netflix provides a robust community design element to their site, where members are invited to participate in reviews, forums, an d blogs. The tell-a-friend option creates a viral element useful in word-of-mouse marketing, but falls short of providing functionality that allows member-to-member communication. Movie ratings provided by the users are real-time, whereas the written reviews are moderated before posting live to the site. Lastly, customization features include allowing every(prenominal) member to manage his or her own personal movie queue. Much like a playlist, the Netflix queue is used to control and manage the titles and order that the movies should be delivered to the member. The site uses this customization element to provide a member-specific experience to the user. Every member also receives an interactive list of movie titles that can be added to their playlist as another customization feature, after analyzing the members previously watched movies and the associated ratings provide enough information to create a suggested playlist.Netflix uses several communication strategies as its promotion strategy for prospecting and acquiring virgin members. Of the four categories of communication which are direct, personalized, mass marketing, and general approaches, the company relies mostly on the general approach of banner ads, email, and viral marketing. Members opt-in to receive special notices, offers, and incentives.8Netflix also uses banner advertising to direct traffic from sites with a similar audience demographic as their current target market.As its new pricing strategy, Netflix fraction its pricing model into two options. The first one continued with the old model where customers get unfathomable streaming along with DVD-rentals, and also added a new option where customers get unlimited movie streaming without the option of DVD-rental. The unlimited streaming only option, which is clearly Netflixs preferred method of delivering TV shows and movies, costs $7.99 per month. The unlimited streaming with DVD-rental costs between $9.99 to $41.99 per month, depending on t he number of DVDs rented. The old pricing model started at $9.99 per month, so the new streaming only option represents a $2.00 monthly decrease.

Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters-II

Matson Evaluation of cordial Skills with Youngsters-IIThe Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters-II (mussy-II) and Its Adaptation for Iranian Children and Adolescents with Intellectual DisabilityBakhtiyar Karami, Mojtaba Gashool, Shoaib Ghasemi, Hamid Alizadeh gypThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties and factor structure of the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters-II (MESSY-II)in a community population in Iran. The Iranian mutant of the MESSY-II was administered by interviewing care staff of either children and adolescents (n = 355) with administratively defined intellectual disabilities (IDs) lifetime in Tehran,Esfahan, Karaj Kordistan. Confirmatory factor abstract supported the unidimensionality of the subscales as hygienic as the proposed two factor structure of the reliable MESSY-II. The present study demonstrates that the three subscales are highly similar constructs across different language and ethnical sett ings, and that the MESSY-II is applicable in research on populations with varying mental functioning, diagnoses, ages, and living arrangements.Keywords Social skills, Assessment, MESSY, Rating scale, component part structureIntroductionThe development of companionable skills is an big carry through in young childhood and adolescence. Deficits present in childhood that are left undetected and/or untreated can lead to increase problems into adulthood (Greene et al., 1999). In addition, impairments in social skills may be related to larger problems such as developmental disability, attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, anxiety, antisocial behavior, and former(a) mental health problems (Davis et al., 2011 Lugnegard, H in allenback, Gillberg, 2011 Mahan Matson, 2011 Matson Wilkins, 2009 Worley Matson, 2011). Social skills deficits may occur as a result of these disorders or as part of the disorders themselves. As a result, realization of social weaknesse s is essential for providing treatment and improving prognosis and quality of life. Identifying social strengths is also important for treatment and can guide clinicians to use assets that the child already possesses to help improve the areas of deficit.The appreciatement and training of social and adaptive skills is important for a number of reasons. First, social and adaptive skills deficits can compromise successful intonation from institutional to community living (Jacobson Schwartz, 1991 Doll, 1953). Second, deficits in these areas may contribute to the etiology of psychiatric disorders and behavioral problems (Borthwick-Duffy Eyman, 1990 Matson Sevin, 1994). Finally, social and adaptive deficits often persist in living areas where the philosophy of care consists of passive learning rather than active treatment (Matson Hammer, 1996).The MESSY (Matson, 1988) was developed in 1983 for assessing the social skill deficits of children aged 4 to 18. The original normative sampl e at the time was establish on 744 typically developing children in Northern Illinois (Matson, Rotatori, Helsel, 1983). The initial items included in the measure were based on a review of standardized measures, including items that addressed social behaviors. Two independent raters then selected the items believed to fit the definition of social skills. These 92 items were then administered to 422 children(self-report form) and 322 teachers (teacher-report form) twice, at a 2-week interval. Test-retest reliableness was conducted and items with Pearsons correlations greater than .50 and .55 for the self- and teacher-report interlingual renditions, respectively, were retained. The results yielded 62 items for the self-report form and 64 items for the teacher-report form. Original tests of reliability and validity indicated strong internal torso and test-retest reliability andadequat merging(prenominal) validity (Matson et al., 1983).The MESSY has been translated into nine new(pr enominal) languages and researched internationally Spanish (Mendez, Hildalgo, Ingles, 2002), Chinese (Chou, 1997), Japanese (Matson Ollendick, 1988), Dutch (Prins, 1997), Hindi (Sharma, Sigafoos, Carroll, 2000), Hebrew (Pearlman-Avnion Eviator, 2002), French (Vert, Roeyers, Buysse, 2003), Turkish (Bacanli Erdoan, 2003), and Slovakian (Vasilo (Bacanli Baumartner, 2004). In addition, the MESSY has been researched with various populations, including children with hearing and visual impairments (Matson, Heinze, Helsel, Kapperman, Rotatori, 1986 Matson, Macklin, Helsel, 1985 Raymond Matson, 1989) , intellectual disabilities (Matson Barrett, 1982), anxiety disorders (Strauss, Lease, Kazdin, Dulcan, Last, 1989), depression (Helsel Matson, 1984), bipolar disorder (Goldstein, Miklowitz, Mullen, 2006), and autism spectrum disorders (Matson, Stabinsky-Compton, Sevin, 1991).2222However, there is still no agreement around which factorial structure best explains the data because t he results of former studies showed a different number of factors and different arrangements of items. Thus, the objectives of the present study are to examine the psychometric properties of the MESSY for the first time in an Iranian sample and to compare the results to foregoing studies with the MESSY in other socio-cultural contexts.1. Method1.1. ParticipantsThirty hundred and fifty basketball team 355 (223 male, 132 female) participants were recruited from undergraduate psychology courses. Their ages ranged from 3 to 26 years, with a mean age of 11.34 years (SD = 3.87). According to clinical practice in Iran, the participants were classified into having a around the bend (40.8%), moderate (47.0%), severe (11.3%), or profound (0.8%) level of mental retardation. The most frequent diagnoses were Downs syndrome (53.8%), autism (20.8%), mentally retarded (16.9%), and 8.5% of the individuals were reported to have other disorders.1.2. MeasuresMatson Evaluation of Social Skills with Yo ungsters-II (MESSY-II Matson et al., 2010). The MESSY-II is a social skills measure for a broad range of children, ages 216, based on observations of both appropriate and inappropriate social behaviors. This measure is a renormed strain of the original MESSY, which was designed to assess social skills in children ages 418 (Matson, Rotatori, et al., 1983). The original scale had two different forms a self-report form and give out up/teacher report form consisting of 62 and 64 items, respectively. At present, the MESSY-II only has one form, which is a parent/caregiver report form. During the renorming process it was decided that social skills would best be examined through parent/caregiver report as opposed to self- report due to difficulties with poor insight in the populations frequently administered the MESSY. Also, since the measuresutility has largely been clinic and community focused, there is a decreased need for a teacher report form. The MESSY-II has 64 items equal to the original MESSY parent/teacher report form, which are each rated on a Likert-type rating scale from 1 (notat all) to 5 (very much). Recent studies indicate that the scale has strong psychometric properties including internal consistency, and convergent and divergent validity (Matson et al., 2010). Although the original MESSY parent/teacher report form yielded a two factor structure (i.e., wrong Assertiveness/Impulsiveness scale and Appropriate Social Skills scale), the factor structure of the MESSY-II has further to be established.1.3. ProceduresThe participants for this investigation were recruited throughout the children adolescents who enrolled in special children schools. We first select 4 state Tehran, Esfahan, Alborz Kordistan randomly and then separate a list of exceptional children schools in this 4 state. After permission from authorities (Misinstry of Education in each city), the head teachers were contacted in order to coordinate the data collection processes. Then, afterward training the head teacher about MESSY-II in an agreed date teachers were asked to complete a paper and pencile version of the final draft of the Iranian version of MESSY-II for each student while one of us (AMo) was present in the agreed school for any possible help or inquiries. Data stash away in about 1 month.1.4. Data AnalysisIn order to determine the factor structure of the MESSY-II, an exploratory factor analysis with Principle axis vertebra factoring was used on the 64 items of the MESSY-II. Given the likelihood of correlations among the underlying constructs of the factors, an oblique promax rotation was used (brown, 2006). The optimal factor structure was determined via exam of the scree plot, and comprehensibility of factors (zwick velicer, 1986). Items with factor loadings greater than .30 were retained for each factor (kline, 2000). Internal consistency of the factors was examined using Cronbachs alpha (Cronbach, 1951) and the 0.70 criterion for adequate reliability (Nunnally Bernstein, 1994).2. ResultsExploratory factor analysis yielded a two-factor solution for the MESSY-II. The total variance accounted for by the two- factor model was 41.43%. Inappropriate Assertiveness/Impulsiveness factor accounted for 29.37% of the variance. Appropriate Social Skills factor accounted for 12.6% percent of the variance. The correlation between two factors was moderate r= .410. Two items (i.e., item 20 Is afraid to speak to stack and item 46 Feels lonely) did not meet the criteria of .30, and were removed from the measure. Table 1 lists the factors and corresponding items.Next, internal consistency was examined for the two factors of the MESSY-II using Chrobachs alpha. Inappropriate Assertiveness/Impulsiveness had an internal consistency of .950 (M=70.58 SD=24.87), and Appropriate Social Skills had an internal consistency of .952 (M=75.64 SD=24.91). corrected Item-total correlations were considered for each of the retained factors to determine if the removal of additional items was warranted due to coefficients below 0.30 (Field, 2005). Item total correlations of Inappropriate Assertiveness/Impulsiveness subscale ranged from 0.42 (item 15) to 0.70 (item 9, 17, and 52). item total correlations of Appropriate Social Skills subscale ranged from 0.37 (item 19) to 0.77 (item 41).since no item on any of the scales had a correlation of less than .30 and, therefore, all items were retained pursual the two items that had been removed during the exploratory factor analysis.3. DiscussionImpairments in social skills are a defining aspect of developmental disabilities, and deficits in these skills can come to the ability of children, adolescents, and adults to progress in other areas across the spectrum of development. Furthermore, social deficits are major risk factors for challenging behaviors (Farmer Aman, 2009 Tenneij, Didden, Stolker, Koot, 2009), and similarly, they can compound problems of psychopathology (Brim, Townsend, D eQuinzio, Poulson, 2009 Matson, Dempsey, Rivet, 2009 Niklasson, Rasmussen, O skarsdo ttir, Gillberg, 2009 Rose, Bramham, Young, Paliokostas, Xenitidis, 2009). For these and other reasons, the development of measures of social skills is very important (Matson Boisjoli, 2009a, 2009b Matson Dempsey, 2009 van den Hazel, Didden, Korzilius, 2009).The purpose of this paper then, was to determine the factor solution of a measure used to assess social skills, the MESSY-II in Iranian population (Matson et al., 2010). The original MESSY was initially developed nearly three decades ago, but recently renormed (see Matson et al., 2010). Exploratory factor analysis of the MESSY-II yielded a three factor solution. Two of the factors were consistent with inappropriate social skills while the other consisted of items relating to appropriate and adaptive social skills.The data were collected as part of an epidemiological research program including all children adolescents with administratively defined ID living in 4 state Tehran, Esfahan, Alborz Kordistan. Overall, the results showed that the internal consistency of the Iranian MESSY-II is in line with previous research on the MESSY-II and that the proposed two-factor model had an acceptable fit.This study showed satisfactory cultural adaptation, reliability, content validity and factor structure for the Iranian version of MESSY-II. However, considering the study limitations, the findings should not be generalized. In general this instrument will be a valuable teacher/parent reported measure for the rating of social skills (Inappropriate Assertiveness/Impulsiveness Appropriate Social Skills) among children adolescents with mental retardation in Iran and other Persian-speaking countries.Table 1 Factor structure of the MESSY-IIItem no.Factor 1 Inappropriate Assertiveness/ImpulsivenessFactor 2 Appropriate Social Skills1Makes others laugh.4842Threatens people or acts like a prance.7703Becomes angry easily.6884Is bossy (tells people what to do instead of asking).5415Gripes or complains often.6386Speaks (breaks in) when someone else is speaking.7027Takes or uses things that are not his/hers without permissionwithout permission.5358Brags about self.5769Slaps or hits when angry.75311Gives other children dirty looks.67712Feels angry or greedy when someone else does well.61513Picks out other Childrens faults/mistakes.56115Breaks promises.46416Lies to get what he/she wants.53717Lies to get what he/she wants.73421Hurts others feelings on purpose.58722Is a sore loser.60123Makes fun of others.61624Blames others for own problems.61929Is stubborn.70332Thinks people are picking on him/her when they are not.51735Makes sounds that bother others.54836Brags too much when he/she wins.52638Speaks too forte.53243Always thinks something bad is going to happen.42748Gets upset when he/she has to wait for things.45052Gets in fights a lot.73653Is jealous of other people.46757Stays with others too long (wears out welcom e).52958Explains things more than necessary.37660Hurts others to get what he/she wants.74662Thinks that loving is everything.48363Hurts others feelings when teasing them.75964Wants to get even with someone who hurts him/her.71710Helps a friend who is hurt.67214Always wants to be first.58518Walks up and initiatesconversation.4709Slaps or hits when angry.34025Sticks up for friends.60826Looks at people when they are speaking.75927Thinks he/she knows it all.316.493a28Smiles at people he/she knows.58630Acts as if he/she better than others.67531Shows feelings.65933Thinks good things are going to happen.47434Works well on a team.83437Takes care of others property as if it were his/her own.76739Calls people by their names.60740Asks if he/she can be of help.81141Feels good if he/she helps others.83942Defends self.59844Tries to be better than everyone else.74145Asks questions when talking with others.67147Feels sorry when he/she hurts others.58949Likes to be the leader.381.468 a50Joins in ga mes with other children.76751Plays by the rules of a game.81254Does pure things for others who are nice to him/her-.362.712 a55Tries to get others to do what he/she wants.354.368 a56Asks others how they are, what they have been doing, etc..57959Is friendly to new people he/she meets.71361Talks a lot about problems or worries.312.433 aReferencesKline, P. (2000) an easy guide to factor analysis. Routledge, London.Nunnally J. C. Bernstein I. (1994) Psychometric Theory. McGr59aw-Hill, NewYork, NY.Zwick, W. R., Velicer, W. F. (1986). Comparison of Five Rules for find the Number of Components to Retain. Psychological Bulletin, 99(4) 432-442.Brown, T. A. (2006). Confirmatory factor analysis for applied research. New York Guilford Press.Field, A. (2005). Discovering statistics using SPSS. London Sage Publications IncCronbach, L. J. (1951). Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika, 16(3), 297334.Davis, T. E., III, Hess, J. A., Moree, B. N., Fodstad, J. C., Dem psey, T., Jenkins, W. S., et al. (2011). Anxiety symptoms across the lifespan in people diagnosed with autism disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 112118.Lugnegard, T., Hallerback, M. U., Gillberg, C. (2011). Psychiatric comorbidity in young adults with a clinical diagnosis of Aspergers syndrome. Research in developmental Disabilities, 32, 19101917.Greene, R. W., Biederman, J., Farone, S. U., Wilens, T. E., Mick, E., Blier, H. K. (1999). Further validation of social impairment as predictor of substance use disorders. Findings from a sample of siblings of boys with and without ADHD. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 28, 349354.Mahan, S., Matson, J. L. (2011). Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders copared to typically developing controls on the Behavioral Assessment system for children, Second Edition (BASC-2). Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 230236.Matson, J. L., Wilkins, J. (2009). Psychometric testing methods for childrens social s kills. Research in developmental Disabilities, 30, 249274.Worley, J. A., Matson, J. L. (2011). Psychiatric symptoms in children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder An examination of gender differences. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3, 10861091.

Brown vs. Board Of Education :: Teaching Education

Brown vs. Board Of Education As the Civil War ended and Slavery did, too, the question of African Americans freedom did not. African Americans had been given their freedom from slavery but not their freedom from segregation. In 1896 after the Plessy vs. Ferguson court case, the Supreme judicial system found that segregation, separate but equal, in public facilities was not against the Constitution. Separate schooldayss for blacks and purenesss became a basic rule in southern society. All that was intimately to change. In Topeka, Kansas there was a little girl by the name of Linda Brown. She had to be driven five and a half miles to a black school when she lived four blocks from a public school. The school was not full and she met all of the requirements to attend all but one that is. Linda Brown was black. And blacks werent allowed to go to white childrens schools. That was a controversial issue among blacks. In 1954 thirteen parents filed a class action suit against the Board of Education of Topeka in expect for equal education opportunities for their children. That and the desegregation period was the idea behind the case. It was the first challenge of the separate but equal ruling had been challenged. The thirteen parents were backed by many African American community leaders, the NAACP, and the NAACPs lawyer Thurgood Marshall. However, against them were pretty much the whole south, many elected officials of Congress, and the Governor of Alabama - George Wallace. On may 7, 1954, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled against segregation and was unconstitutional because it violated the fourteenth amendment by separating them because of the color of their skin. The decision a victory proved of world-shaking importance. Few blacks and eventually many started attending non-segregated public schools. It proved to be Thurgood Marshalls greatest victory and in 1967 he was appointed as the first black member of the Supreme Court.

Comparison of the Poems, Two Scavengers and Nothings Changed Essay

Comparison of the Poems, devil Scavengers and Nothings ChangedNothings Changed was written by Tatamkhulu Afrika, a mixed racechild with fair skin, who was later adopted by a white South Africanfamily who brought him up as though he was white, and he only erectout about his origins as a teenager. Tatamkhulu lived in amulti-cultural area called District Six, which was destroyed by thewhite authorities. He feels strongly about this kind of racism towardsthe black people contempt the fact that he has fair skin. In the actual verse, the poet is telling the story from his admit experiences in firstperson.Two Scavengers was written by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. The poemhighlights the differences surrounded by rich and poor and the workingclasses, as well as democracy and equality. The poem itself is writtenin third person and based around a couple of Bin Men and a couple ofbeautiful, rich people. Then, at the end of the poem seems to askwhether America really is a democracy.Nothings Change d is right in District Six, based in South Africa. Thepoet describes District Six as harsh-land, but also goes on to explainthat he tranquilize feels that its his home and its still amiable andnatural. I know this because he says, amiable weeds on line 8. Thisis a contrasting sentence because weeds are usually a symbol of badthings, so to use the word amiable to describe them is distinguishing.Socially, there is a separation of race. In the poets own opinion, thewhite people think that they are more important and superior to theblack people. I know this because in stanza five, Tatamkhulu echoesthe voice of the white person and says, take up it with you, eat it at aplastic tables top, Wipe your fingers on your... ...l as phrases such asas if (lines 29 and 33).In conclusion, Nothings Changed and Two Scavengers two examinethe differences between American democracy and the South Africandemocracy. The poetic devices used are similar in both pieces but bothhave very different effect s on the reader. I found that he wayTatamkhula Afrika structured his poem with short harsh lines waseffective because it make things stand out and got the point acrossquicker. It also gave us a better idea of how the poet is feeling. Ialso liked the way he wrote the poem in the present tense like he wasreliving the experience. In Two Scavengers, I like the wayFerlinghetti laid out his poem and still made it coordinate withmeaning of the poem. And also, the way he started a new line whenthere was a pause in the speech I found very effective and unlike manyother poems.