Stop Cluttering Up the Classroom Walls

Stop Cluttering Up the Classroom Walls Despite a teachers best intentions, a cluttered classroom environment could be distracting students from learning. Too much visual stimulation in the classroom can be distracting, the layout may be unwelcoming, or the classroom wall color may have a negative impact on mood. These elements of  classroom environment  can have a negative or positive effect on student academic performance. This general statement is supported by a growing  body of research on the critical impact that light, space, and room layout have on a students well-being, physically and emotionally. The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture has collected information on this impact: Features of any architectural environment can  have an influence certain brain processes such as those involved in stress, emotion and memory (Edelstein 2009).   While it may be difficult to control all factors, the choice of materials on a classroom wall is the easiest to manage for a teacher.  The  Princeton University Neuroscience Institute  published the results of a study,â€Å"Interactions of Top-Down and Bottom-Up Mechanisms in Human Visual Cortex,†Ã‚  they conducted that discusses how the brain sorts out competing stimuli. One heading in the research notes: Multiple stimuli present in the visual field at the same time compete for neural representation...   In other words, the more stimulation in an environment, the more competition for attention from the part of a students  brain needed to focus. Michael Hubenthal and Thomas O’Brien reached the same conclusion in their research  Revisiting Your Classroom’s Walls: The Pedagogical Power of Posters  (2009). They found that a students  working  memory uses  different components that process visual and  verbal information . They agreed that too many posters, regulations, or information sources could have the  potential of overwhelming a students  working memory:   The  visual complexity caused by an  abundance of text and small images  can set  up an  overwhelming  visual/verbal  competition between  text and  graphics for which students must gain control in order to  give meaning to information. From Early Years to High School For many students, the  text and graphic-rich classroom environments begin in their early education (Pre-K and elementary) classrooms. These classrooms may be decorated to an extreme.   Too often,  clutter passes for quality, a  sentiment expressed by  Erika Christakis in her book  The Importance of Being Little: What Preschoolers Really Need from Grownups  (2016).  In  Chapter 2 (Goldilocks Goes to Daycare) Christakis describes the average preschool the following way: First well bombard you with what educators call a print-rich environment, every wall and surface festooned with a vertiginous array of labels, vocabulary list, calendars, graphs, classroom rules, alphabet lists, number charts, and inspirational platitudes - few of those symbols you will be able to decode, a favorite buzzword for what used to be known as reading(33). Christakis also list the other distractions that are also  hanging in plain sight:  the number of  mandated rules and regulations alongside decorations including hand washing instructions, allergy procedures, and emergency exit diagrams. She writes: In one study, researchers manipulated the amount of clutter on the walls of a laboratory classroom where kindergarteners were taught a series of science lessons. As the visual distraction increased, the childrens ability to focus, stay on task, and learn new information decreased (33). Researchers from The Holistic Evidence and Design (HEAD) support Christakiss position. They assessed  hundred fifty-three U.K. classrooms to study the link of classroom environment to the learning of almost four thousand students  (ages 5-11).  Researchers  Peter Barrett, Fay Davies, Yufan Zhang, and Lucinda Barrett published their findings in  The Holistic Impact of Classroom Spaces on Learning in Specific Subjects  (2016).  They reviewed the impact of different factors, including color, on student learning, by looking at measures of progress in reading, writing, and math.  They found that reading and writing performances are particularly affected by levels of  stimulation. They also noted that math received  the most positive impact from a classroom design that is student-centered and personalized spaces. Environment Element: Color in the Classroom The color of the classroom can also stimulate or overstimulate students. This environmental element may not always be under the teachers control, but there are some recommendations teachers might be able to make. For example, the colors  red and orange are associated with negative impact on students, making them feel nervous and unsettled. In contrast, blue and green colors are calming colors.   The color  of an environment also affects children differently according to age. Younger children below five may be more productive with bright colors such as yellow. Older students, specifically high school students, work better in rooms painted in light shades of blue and green which are less stressful and distracting.  Ã‚  Warm yellows or pale yellows are also older student appropriate. The scientific research into color is extensive and color can affect children’s moods, mental clarity, and energy levels,  (Englebrecht, 2003).   According to the International Association of Color Consultants - North America (IACC-NA), a school’s physical environment has a  powerful psycho-physiological impact on its students:   â€Å"Appropriate color design is important in protecting eyesight, in creating surroundings that are conducive to studying, and in promoting physical and mental health.† The IACC has noted that poor color choices can lead to irritability, premature fatigue, lack of interest and behavioral problems.   Alternatively,  walls with no color can also be a problem. Colorless and poorly lit classrooms are often considered boring or lifeless, and a  boring classroom maybe likely to cause  students to become disengaged and uninterested in learning. â€Å"For budget reasons, a lot of schools don’t seek out good information on color,† says Bonnie Krims, of IACC. She notes that in the past, there was a common belief that the more colorful the classroom, the better for the students. Recent research disputes past practice, and that too much color, or colors that are too bright, can lead to overstimulation. An accent wall of bright color in a classroom may be offset by muted shades on the other walls.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"The goal is to find a balance,† Krims concludes.   Natural Light Dark colors are equally problematic. Any color that lessens or filters  natural sunlight out of a room can even make people feel drowsy and listless (Hathaway, 1987).  There are multiple studies that point to the  beneficial effects of natural light  on health and mood. One medical study found that patients who had access to a scenic view of nature had shorter hospital stays and required lower amounts of pain medication than those patients who had windows that faced a brick building. The official  blog of the U.S. Department of Education posted a  2003 study  (in  California)  that  found that classrooms with the most (natural light)  daylighting had a 20 percent better learning rate in math, and a 26 percent improved rate in reading, compared to classrooms with little or no daylighting. The study also noted that in some cases,  teachers  needed only  to reposition furniture or move  storage to  take advantage of the available natural light in their classrooms.  Ã‚   Overstimulation and Special Needs Students Overstimulation is an issue with students who may have Autistic Spectrum Disorder  (ASD).  The Indiana Resource Center for Autism  recommends that teachers try to limit  auditory and visual distractions so that students can  focus on the concepts that are being taught instead of details that may not be relevant, and reduces competing distractions. Their  recommendation is to limit these distractions: Often when students with ASD are presented with too much stimulus (visual or auditory), processing may slow down, or if overloaded, processing may stop completely.   This approach may prove  beneficial for other students as well.  While  a  classroom rich in materials may support learning,  a cluttered classroom that overstimulates  may be too distracting to many students whether they special needs or not. Color also matters for special needs students. Trish Buscemi, the owner of  Colors Matter, has experience in advising clients what color palette to use with special needs populations.  Buscemi has found that blues, greens, and muted brown tones tend to be appropriate choices for students with ADD and ADHD, and she writes on her blog  that: The brain remembers color first! Let the Students Decide At the secondary level,  teachers could have  students make contributions to help shape a learning space. Giving students a voice in designing their space along will help develop student ownership in the classroom.  The  Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture  agrees, and notes  the importance of being able to have spaces that students can call their own. Their literature explains, Feelings of comfort and welcome in a shared space are vital to the level in which we feel invited to take part.  Students are more likely to  take pride in the space, and they are more likely to support each others efforts to contribute ideas and maintain organization.   Also, teachers should be encouraged to feature student work, maybe original pieces of art, displayed to elicit trust and student worth.   What Decorations to Choose? To reduce classroom clutter, teachers could ask themselves the following questions before putting that velcro or removable tape onto the classroom wall: What purpose does this  poster, sign or display serve?Do  these  posters, signs, or items celebrate or support student learning?Are the  posters, signs, or displays  current with what is being learned in the classroom?Can the display  be made interactive?Is there  white space in between wall displays to help the  eye distinguish what is in the display?Can students contribute to decorating the classroom (ask â€Å"What do you think could go inside that space?†) As the school year begins, teachers should keep in mind opportunities to limit distractions and reduce classroom clutter for better academic performance.

Battle of Fort Necessity in the French and Indian War

Battle of Fort Necessity in the French and Indian War In the spring of 1754, Virginia Governor Robert Dinwiddie dispatched a construction party to the Forks of the Ohio (present-day Pittsburgh, PA) with the goal of building a fort to assert British claims to the area. To support the effort, he later sent 159 militia, under Lieutenant Colonel George Washington, to join the building team. While Dinwiddie instructed Washington to remain on the defensive, he indicated that any attempt to interfere with the construction work was to be prevented. Marching north, Washington found that the workers had been driven away from the forks by the French and had retreated south. As the French began constructing Fort Duquesne at the forks, Washington received new orders instructing him to commence building a road north from Wills Creek. Obeying his orders, Washingtons men proceeded to Wills Creek (present-day Cumberland, MD) and began work. By May 14, 1754, they reached a large, marshy clearing known as the Great Meadows. Establishing a base camp in the meadows, Washington began exploring the area while waiting for reinforcements. Three days later, he was alerted to the approach of a French scouting party. Assessing the situation, Washington was advised by Half King, a Mingo chief allied to the British, to take a detachment to ambush the French. Armies Commanders British Lieutenant Colonel George WashingtonCaptain James McKay393 men French Captain Louis Coulon de Villiers700 men Battle of Jumonville Glen Agreeing, Washington and approximately 40 of his men marched through the night and foul weather to set the trap. Finding the French camped in a narrow valley, the British surrounded their position and opened fire. The resulting Battle of Jumonville Glen lasted about fifteen minutes and saw Washingtons men kill 10 French soldiers and capture 21, including their commander Ensign Joseph Coulon de Villiers de Jumonville. After the battle, as Washington was interrogating Jumonville, Half King walked up and struck the French officer in the head killing him. Building the Fort Anticipating a French counterattack, Washington fell back to Great Meadows and on May 29 ordered his men to begin constructing a log palisade. Placing the fortification in the middle of the meadow, Washington believed the position would provide a clear field of fire for his men. Though trained as a surveyor, Washingtons relative lack of military experience proved critical as the fort was sited in a depression and was too close to the tree lines. Dubbed Fort Necessity, Washingtons men quickly completed work on the fortification.  During this time, Half King attempted to rally Delaware, Shawnee, and Seneca warriors to support the British. On June 9, additional troops from Washingtons Virginia regiment arrived from Wills Creek bringing his total force up to 293 men. Five days later, Captain James McKay arrived with his Independent Company of regular British troops from South Carolina. Shortly after making camp, McKay and Washington entered into a dispute over who should command. While Washington held a superior rank, McKays commission in the British Army took precedence. The two ultimately agreed on an awkward system of joint command. While McKays men remained at Great Meadows, Washingtons continued work on the road north to Gists Plantation. On June 18, Half King reported that his efforts were unsuccessful and no Native American forces would be reinforcing the British position. Battle of Great Meadows Late in the month, word was received that a force of 600 French and 100 Indians had departed Fort Duquesne. Feeling that his position at Gists Plantation was untenable, Washington retreated to Fort Necessity. By July 1, the British garrison had concentrated, and work began on a series of trenches and earthworks around the fort. On July 3, the French, led by Captain Louis Coulon de Villiers, Jumonvilles brother, arrived and quickly surrounded the fort. Taking advantage of Washingtons mistake, they advanced in three columns before occupying the high ground along the tree line which allowed them to fire into the fort. Knowing that his men needed to clear the French from their position, Washington prepared to assault the enemy.   Anticipating this, Villiers attacked first and ordered his men to charge at the British lines.   While the regulars held their position and inflicted losses on the French, the Virginia militia fled into the fort. After breaking Villiers charge, Washington withdrew all of his men back to Fort Necessity. Outraged by his brothers death, which he considered murder, Villiers had his men maintain a heavy fire on the fort through the day. Pinned down, Washingtons men soon ran short of ammunition. To make their situation worse, heavy rain began which made firing difficult. Around 8:00 PM, Villiers sent a messenger to Washington to open surrender negotiations. With his situation hopeless, Washington agreed. Washington and McKay met with Villiers, however, the negotiations went slowly as neither spoke the others language. Finally, one of Washingtons men, who spoke bits of both English and French, was brought forward to serve as an interpreter. Aftermath After several hours of talking, a surrender document was produced. In exchange for surrendering the fort, Washington and McKay were permitted to withdraw back to Wills Creek. One of the clauses of the document stated that Washington was responsible for the assassination of Jumonville. Denying this, he claimed the translation he had been given was not assassination but death of or killing. Regardless, Washingtons admission was used as propaganda by the French. After the British departed on July 4, the French burned the fort and marched to Fort Duquesne. Washington returned to Great Meadows the following year as part of the disastrous Braddock Expedition. Fort Duquesne would remain in French hands until 1758 when the site was captured by General John Forbes.

The scorecard measures Between Toyota&Peugeot Essay

The scorecard measures Between Toyota&Peugeot - Essay Example The organizational profits but also the response of the customers to a firm’s strategic decisions indicate the ability of the organization to identify plans that are aligned with the market trends. The role of various factors in a firm’s performance has been extensively studied in the context of management accounting. A series of management accounting techniques has been developed in order to help firms to measure their performance, either in the short or the long term. Current paper focuses on the potential use of Balanced Scorecard, an accounting technique developed in 1990 by Kaplan and Norton, for measuring the performance of a well known, organization: Toyota. Reference is made to potential scorecard measures under each of the four headings of the balanced scorecard that could be applied to Toyota. At the next level, two alternative strategic management techniques are suggested for another well-known firm of the global automotive industry, Peugeot, at the level tha t these techniques could possibly help the organization to measure its performance more effectively. The performance of both, Toyota and Peugeot, is compared with reference to these firms’ potential to apply effectively their strategies. Peugeot is more prepared in order to face the challenges of the global market, a fact that is related to the firm’s ability to avoid failures when measuring its performance. 2. Balanced scorecard as related to the just-in-time technique in Toyota The just-in-time technique used in Toyota is based on the following principle: waste must be controlled, as possible. For this reason, in Toyota efforts are made so that the following philosophy is applied: the volume of the firm’s products is decided in accordance with the level of the existing orders (Toyota, Production system, 2012). In order to be able to respond quickly to new orders, the firm promotes the following strategies: all parts required for the vehicle ordered are availab le in the assembly line, so that the production of the vehicle can proceed with no delay (Toyota Production system 2012). After using certain parts for producing a new vehicle, the assembly line has to replace these parts so that its stock is kept at a specific level, a fact that secures the readiness of the firm’s production units to respond quickly to new orders (Toyota Production system 2012). The above technique could be analyzed using the Balanced Scorecard (Figure 1, Appendix). The Balanced Scorecard is consisted from four parts: ‘Customer, Internal Processes, Employee Learning and Growth and Financial’ (Niven 2006, p.13). A series of potential scorecard measures under each of the four headings of the balanced scorecard as they could apply to Toyota are presented below. 2.1. Customer The relationship between the firm and its customers has faced severe challenges the last decade mostly because the continuous failures in the firm’s products. It is expe cted that customers’ loyalty has been decreased, a problem that should be faced by the organization with no delay. A measure should be developed by the organization for estimating the level of customer loyalty and the level of customer satisfaction in regard to the firm’s products worldwide. The firm would initiate a survey among its customers worldwide; the views of the firm’s existing customers on the quality of the firm’

Pepsi Entry into india A lesson In globilization Case Study

Pepsi Entry into india A lesson In globilization - Case Study Example Haunting challenges in the political, public, economic and social front where there in store aplenty for Pepsi, but the paramount task was to appease the politicians, i.e., the government first, which would automatically reduce the burden in all other front to a great extent. Peter Druker had long back said about the future globe that reciprocity will be the central principle of international economic integration. Thus Pepsi knew that for it to enter India, it has to reciprocate by some deeds that would facilitate the The promises that Pepsi made to deliver if it were allowed access to Indian Market was aplenty. A few noteworthy ones are focussing on food and agro processing generating job opportunities for the people of Punjab, boosting the image of Indian products in foreign markets, etc. Given all these promises, If a question is asked whether the company materialized all that, the answer would be no. It did make an attempt to bring about a green revolution in the state of Punjab; there was a drastic increase in the production of tomatoes, farmers were given free farming equipments and agro based research centres were opened in Karnataka and Punjab. Corporate Social Responsibility is an often heard word now, but the colossal part that it plays is corroborated by Pepsi's entry into India. It was only through its social perks that it got access to the Indian Market.The cat was out of the bag in 1991, around two years after Pepsi's entry into India that it was conspicuous that Pepsi failed in mos t of its obligations. This was a double whammy for the same George Fernandez who blasted the Rajiv Gandhi run Government at the parliament. His accusations where that, pepsi was indulging in under invoicing and by consecutively preparing bogus receipts and hiding transactions to a great extent. That is a different case in itself. A foreign company should be polycentric- meaning, it should consider that each and every host country where they set there shop has got a different set of culture and habits and especially problems with which they wouldn't be in a position to appreciate any endeavour by a foreign company. Thus Pepsi was aware of it and Knew that winning public opinion is the only solution for there entry and especially the farmers of Punjab.There motto was "performance with purpose" which did sell well among the people of India and the politicians. Under this tagline, apart from engaging the farmers' pepsi did quiet a number of social activities like replenishing waste water, waste to wealth initiative, collaboration with farmers through contract farming etc. This only tells that for a multinational company to explore a new customer base, it has to deal with ordinary people of the host country first who may not be their customers in the first place. But still their good will is always necessary for the company to survive.

Exploring the Generational Differences using an Objective Positivistic Approach Essay Example for Free

Exploring the Generational Differences using an Objective Positivistic Approach Essay Abstract There is a significant number of the population in the UK at the present time who are women of the Muslim faith who chose to wear headscarves or hijabs. There is however a relatively poor understanding of how the general non-Muslim public views this practice, even though there have been suggestions that people find it discomforting and consider it oppressive to women. This study used a quantitative, positivistic approach to collect and analyse data to determine whether there were generational differences in the attitude towards women wearing hijabs. The study collected data from 86 participants in the Roehampton area, who completed a questionnaire on attitudes and an F-scale test which gave information on their personality type. The study showed through ANOVA that there was no association between age and attitude towards hijabs, although there was an association between having been to university and having a more positive attitude. The study also showed through regression analysis that personality was strongly linked to attitudes towards women wearing hijabs. Opinions on People using Headscarves—Exploring the Generational Differences using an Objective Positivistic Approach There is not a study available that represents authoritarian personalities and the negative or discriminatory viewpoints against the wearing of the hijab. However, Vyas (2008) shows that Muslim women in the USA stopped wearing headscarves for fear of violent discrimination and for their personal safety, as they struggled to live between their traditional Muslim culture and the American culture, especially in gender roles at American schools. Similarly, African Muslim women struggle with education and gender roles, especially in finding personal independence and leadership as Muslim women who wear the headscarves (Shirin 2008). In Africa, feminist teachings state that Islam and female leadership roles are not compatible, and that the wearing of the hijab restricts women into lowered roles (Shirin 2008). However, African Muslim women refuse to stop wearing the hijab even though it brings about cultural discomfort for non-Islam feminists, which shows that the hijab wearers are able to have female leadership roles and individual identities even when authoritarian figures such as teachers request that they not wear the hijab (Shirin 2008). In the education context, young girls in France and Canada are asked not to wear the hijab, as it impacts the education of people around them, where non-Muslim educational facilities are often prompted by non-Muslim governments or academic councils to refuse to allow the wearing of the hijab (Ruitenberg 2008). This authoritarian approach limits social norms and hinders the abilities of Muslim girls and women as students in an educational facility to have the same human rights in self expression (Ruitenberg 2008). Therefore, there may be a large amount of discrimination against the hijab in educational and academic facilities; however this cannot be substantiated by literature as it has not been addressed in its entirety. Adorno et al. (1950) researched and constructed a scale—a list of authoritarian attitudes soliciting expressions of agreement or disagreement with 29 broadly phrased assertions (Johansson 1986)—that these four Jewish scholars administered to a wide variety of population samples in hopes to explain the rise of German Nazism. They found that those who scored high on this scale, who were shown to endorse most items on the list, tended to be sympathetic to the political Right and in fact showed pre-fascist personalities (Adorno et al. 1950). Love of authority was fascist, not love of liberty; and, Adorno et al. (1950) showed that authoritarian personalities were in important senses pathological. Adorno et al. (1950) also reported for the authoritarian personality to accept middle-class conventionality because it enjoys widespread acceptance and support, but has not internalised the meaning of the accompanying social norms; is hostile and aggressive toward outsider groups, especially ethnic minorities and relatively powerless, marginalised deviant groups; and glorifies its own authority figures (Johansson 1986). This is a clash of authoritarian representatives as governments and those individuals within cultures, where the Islamic headscarf issue in nations such as Turkey and France is more than an expression of religion, but a clash of cultural contexts and meanings, where the dominant culture either restricts (France) or forces (Turkey) the wearing of the hijab (Ulusoy 2007). Feminist theory argues that women should not be defined by the marginal cultural positions they are given in societies, but by understandings about their contradictions between who women are and how the dominant culture defines them (Droogsma 2007). The majority of Americans, for example, believe that the hijab is a symbol of oppression, but Muslim women identify they hijab as a necessary component of their womanhood (Droogsma 2007). Muslim women living in America identify the hijab as being unique to their culture, and helping them fill their feminine roles, not as sexual objects, but as women with freedoms and expressions that are not controlled by the dominant American culture (Droogsma 2007). In each culture that Muslim women are a part of, but not the dominant culture, there is a psychological tendency towards freeing Muslim women from the hijab. However, Muslim women associate their hijab with freedom of expression and religion. In authoritarian Islamic nations, such as Turkey, the hijab is a norm and penalties may exist if it is not worn. In countries not traditionally authoritarian, like France and Canada, the hijab is not the socio-cultural norm and penalties may exist if it is worn. So, there may be a very high amount of prejudice and stereotyping against women and the hijab, especially as it pertains to ‘freeing’ women from the ‘oppression’ that non-Muslim cultures feel that Muslim women are forced to live beneath. As the wearing of the hijab might be associated with oppression and meekness—in contrast to the authoritarian personality—and is relatively new and unfamiliar in the British culture, there might be a possible correlation of an authoritarian’s psychological thinking towards wearing of the hijab as we might expect authoritarian individuals to have negative attitudes towards wearing it. Also, as younger people are more familiar with the hijab because they have been brought up in a society where the hijab is more common, they may have a more positive attitude toward it. Nowadays, people have more opportunities to obtain education; the question is, if there is a difference in opinions among age groups and educated people towards the wearing of the hijab? Review of literature have not yet ventured into these aspects, therefore, this research aims to investigate on three major ideas of people’s opinions, negative or positive, and generational differences of people using headscarves or hijab, specifically dealing with: (a) authoritarian personality, (b) age, and (c) education. This study will be a quantitative assessment of the relationship between authoritarian and generational differences on women using headscarves or hijab. The setting of the study is only limited to participants around the Roehampton University area instructing them to answer the study’s questionnaire. The research hypothesis is that there is a significant correlation of an observer’s personality, age, education and their opinions towards people wearing the headscarf or hijab; and, upon the emergence of authoritarian participants, that there is a significant correlation of an authoritarian’s psychological thinking towards wearing of the headscarf or hijab.

How the Dominican Republic Changed My American Middle Class Life :: Personal Narrative Culture Essays

How the Dominican Republic Changed My American Middle Class Life I am a product of American society. Born and raised in Racine, Wisconsin, I grew up in a middle class suburban neighborhood. Christian morals and values have been bestowed upon me since the day I was brought into this world. I was taught to love and respect others. I would have liked to think that I was the result of a well-rounded educational system. After all, I studied world history. I was also exposed to the horrors of third-world countries by watching the commercials on television crying out for money to help those children with bellies bloated of air and disease eating their bodies? And of course, I will never forget the tragedies of oppressed nations so eloquently represented in the daily editions of the Journal Times. Every morning I sat in my kitchen, scanning the daily paper over a cup of coffee contemplating my daily routine. Should I take the Nissan or the Toyota to school today? Jeans or khakis? Bagel or cereal? All of the essential elements of an average American’s schedule that clutter my brain with decisions seemed to overwhelm me early in the morning. On a usual morning, I would choose the Nissan, a gas-guzzling beast that had become the recent fad among American consumers. I would stroll into school wearing my Gap jeans and J-Crew tee shirt, conscious of the casual look I chose to sport. I would start my day mingling amongst my friends, all remarkably similarly dressed and groomed. We would discuss the all of the pressing social issues: if Joey and Pacy broke up on Dawson’s Creek, where we could buy the latest New Balance shoes, and most importantly, who would have the party on Friday night. Throughout my years in high school, I also became an amazingly cultured individual. Six black people attended my school and I was a friend to all of them. Anthea’s parents were even from Africa. I also familiarized myself with Indian culture as Pikul Patel was a classmate of mine since grade school and I talked to him too.

Krishna and Ang Mahabharata Essay

Bahagi ng Mahabharata ang Bhagavad Gita (o Bhagavadgita), isang diyalogo o pag-uusap sa pagitan nina Krishna atArjuna. The Mahabharata or is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Ramayana.[2] Besides its epic narrative of the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kaurava and the Pandava princes, the Mahabharata containsphilosophical and devotional material, such as a discussion of the four â€Å"goals of life† or purusharthas (12.161). Among the principal works and stories in the Mahabharata are the Bhagavad Gita, the story of Damayanti, an abbreviated version of the Ramayana, and the Rishyasringa, often considered as works in their own right. habharata, ( Sanskrit: â€Å"Great Epic of the Bharata Dynasty†) one of the two Sanskrit great epic poems of ancient India (the other being the Ramayana). TheMahabharata is an important source of information on the development ofHinduism between 400 bce and 200 ce and is regarded by Hindus as both a text about dharma (Hindu moral law) and a history (itihasa, literally â€Å"that’s what happened†). Appearing in its present form about 400 ce, the Mahabharata consists of a mass of mythological and didactic material arranged around a central heroic narrative that tells of the struggle for sovereignty between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas (sons of Dhritarashtra, the descendant of Kuru) and thePandavas (sons of Pandu). The poem is made up of almost 100,000 couplets—about seven times the length of the Iliad and the Odyssey combined—divided into 18 parvans, or sections, plus a supplement titled Harivamsha (â€Å"Genealogy of the God Hari†; i.e., of Vishnu). sinulat ang tulang epikong ito na may layuning parangalan ang mga bayani nang maganap ang paglusob ng mga Aryano (mga Aryan) sa India.  Halos kapantay ng mga diyos ang mga maalamat na mga bayaning ito. The Mahabharata tells the story of two sets of paternal first cousins–the five sons of the deceased king Pandu (the five Pandavas and the one hundred sons of blind King Dhritarashtra–who became bitter rivals, and opposed each other in war for possession of the ancestral Bharata kingdom with its capital in the â€Å"City of the Elephants,† Hastinapura , on the Ganga river in north central India. What is dramatically interesting within this simple opposition is the large number of individual agendas the many characters pursue, and the numerous personal conflicts, ethical puzzles, subplots, and plot twists that give the story a strikingly powerful development. The five sons of Pandu were actually fathered by five Gods (sex was mortally dangerous for Pandu, because of a curse) and these heroes were assisted throughout the story by various Gods, sages, and brahmins, including the great sage Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa (who later became the author of the epic telling this story), who was also their actual grandfather (he had engendered Pandu and the blind Dhrtarastra upon their nominal father’s widows in order to preserve the lineage). The one hundred sons of the blind king Dhartarashtra, on the other hand, had a grotesque, demonic birth, and are said more than once in the text to be human incarnations of the demons who are the perpetual enemies of the devotees of the lord. The most dramatic figure of the entire Mahabharata, however, is Sri Krishna who is the supreme personality of Godhead himself, descended to earth in human form to reestablish his devotees as care takers of the earth, and who practice Dharma. Krishna Vasudeva was the cousin of both parties, but he was a friend and advisor to the Pandavas, became the brother-in-law of Arjuna , and served as Arjuna’s mentor and charioteer in the great war. Krishna Vasudeva is portrayed several times as eager to see the war occur, and in many ways the Pandavas were his human instruments for fulfilling that end. The Dhartarashtra party behaved viciously and brutally toward the Pandavas in many ways, from the time of their early childhood. Their malice displayed itselfwhen they took advantage of the eldest Pandava, Yudhishthira (who had by now become the ruler of the world) in a game of dice: The Dhartarashtras ‘won’ all his brothers, himself, and even the Pandavas’ common wife Draupadi They humiliated all the Pandavas and physically abused Draupadi; they drove  the Pandava party into the wilderness for twelve years, and the twelve years of exile had to be followed by the Pandavas’ living somewhere in society, in disguise, without being discovered. The Pandavas fulfilled their part of that bargain by living out side the kingdom, but the evil leader and eldest son of Dhartarashtra, Duryodhana , was unwilling to restore the Pandavas to their half of the kingdom when the thirteen years had expired. Both sides then called upon their many allies and two large armies arrayed themselves on ‘Kuru’s Field’ (Kuru was one of the eponymous ancestors of the clan), eleven divisions in the army of Duryodhana against seven divisions for Yudhishthira. Much of the action in the Mahabharata is accompanied by discussion and debate among various interested parties, and the most famous dialog of all time, Krishna Vasudeva’s ethical lecture and demonstration of his divinity to his devotee and friend Arjuna (the Holy Bhagavad Gita appeared in the Mahabharata just prior to the commencement of the world war. Several of the important ethical and theological themes of the Mahabharata are tied together in this Gita, and this â€Å"Song of the Blessed One† has exerted much the same sort of powerful and far-reaching influence in the Vedic Civilization that the New Testament has had in the Christian world. The Pandavas won the eighteen day battle, but it was a victory that deeply troubled all except those who were able to understand things on the divine level (chiefly Krishna, Vyasa, and Bhishma the Bharata patriarch who was symbal of the virtues of the era now passing away). The Pandavas’ five sons by Draupadi, as well as Bhimasena and Arjuna Pandava’s two sons by two other mothers (respectively, the young warriors and Abhimanyu, were all tragic victims in the war. Worse perhaps, the Pandava victory was won by the Pandavas slaying, in succession, four men who were like fathers to them: Bhishma, their teacher Drona , Karna (who was, though none of the Pandavas knew it, the first born, pre-marital, son of their mother), and their maternal uncle Shalya (all four of these men were, in succession, ‘supreme commanders’ of Duryodhana’s army during the war). Equally troubling was the fact that the killing of the first three of these ‘respected elders,’ and of some other enemy warriors as well, was accomplished only through ‘ trickery’, most of which were suggested by Krishna Vasudeva as absolutely required by the circumstances. The ethical gaps were not resolved to anyone’s satisfaction on the su rface of the narrative and the aftermath of  the war was dominated by a sense of horror and malaise. Yudhishthira alone was terribly troubled, but his sense of the war’s wrongfulness persisted to the end of the text, in spite of the fact that everyone else, from his wife to Krishna Vasudeva, told him the war was right and good; in spite of the fact that the dying patriarch Bhishma lectured him at length on all aspects of the Good Law (the Duties and Responsibilities of Kings, which have rightful violence at their center; the ambiguities of Righteousness in abnormal circumstances; and the absolute perspective of a beatitude that ultimately transcends the oppositions of good versus bad, right versus wrong, pleasant versus unpleasant, etc.); in spite of the fact that he performed a grand Horse Sacrifice as expiation for the putative wrong of the war. These debates and instructions and the account of this Horse Sacrifice are told at some length after the massive and narrative of the battle; they form a deliberate tale of pacification that aims to neutralize the inevitable reactio ns of the war. In the years that follow the war Dhritarashtra and his queen Gandhari , and Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, lived a life of asceticism in a forest retreat and died with yogic calm in a forest fire. Krishna Vasudeva departed from this earth thirty-six years after the war. When they learned of this, the Pandavas believed it time for them to leave this world too and they embarked upon the ‘Great Journey,’ which involved walking north toward the polar mountain, that is toward the heavenly worlds, until one’s body dropped dead. One by one Draupadi and the younger Pandavas died along the way until Yudhishthira was left alone with a dog that had followed him all the way. Yudhishthira made it to the gate of heaven and there refused the order to drive the dog back, at which point the dog was revealed to be an incarnate form of the God Dharma (the God who was Yudhishthira’s actual, physical father), who was there to test Yudhishthira’s virtue. Once in heaven Yudhishthira faced one final test of his virtue: He saw only the Dhartarashtra Clan in heaven, and he was told that his brothers were in hell. He insisted on joining his brothers in hell, if that were the case! It was then revealed that they were really in heaven, that this illusion had been one final test for him.

Physical development Essay

Physical growth in humans is an ongoing process that most of us are blessed to witness. The earliest stage of development seems to be the germinal period, the first two weeks of conception. During this period the embryo and the zygote have started to form. The embryonic period, also known as the prenatal period, follows two to eight weeks after conception. The respiratory and digestive systems form at this time also. The middle layer of cells, called the mesoderm, will become the circulatory system, bones, muscle, excretory system, and reproductive system. The outer layer of cells, the ectoderm, will become the nervous system, the sensory receptors (eyes, nose, ears), and skin. The placenta, the umbilical cord and the amnion (fluid-filled sac) develop along with the embryo. The final developmental stage during conception would be the fetal period. It begins two months after conception, lasting an average of seven months. Three months after conception the fetus becomes active, moving its arms and legs, opening and closing its mouth, and moving its head. The face, forehead, eyelids, nose, and chin are all distinguishable, as are the arms, hands and legs. At four months, a growth spurt occurs in the fetus’ lower parts. By the end of the fifth month the toenails and fingernails have formed and the fetus is more active. By the end of the sixth month the eyes and eyelids have completely formed, a grasping reflex is present and irregular breathing occurs. (1) Infancy has now come into effect. The cephalocaudal, the first growth pattern in infants, will make the infants head look enormous. During this spurt the head takes up a fourth of the body while the legs take up a third. (7) One of my sons is almost two years old. He is still in the â€Å"big head-little body† stage. His shirts scarcely fit over his head, but are just right for his little neck and shoulders. The second growth pattern is called proximodistal. In this stage the arms and legs grow faster than the hands and feet, causing balance issues. Again, my youngest is extremely clumsy, due to the unaccounted growth in his limbs, but a joy to watch! Don’t worry, the rest of them will catch up quickly. (2) By childhood most of rapid growth begins to slow down. The skeleton continues to change throughout early childhood. Near the end of the preschool years, a child begins to lose their baby teeth. (7) My oldest son is going to be six years old soon. He has his first loose tooth, along with excitement about meeting the â€Å"tooth-fairy.† Children tend to become sick more often due to the immune system not being fully developed. Ligaments are not fully attached to the bones yet so children will have seemingly abnormal flexibility. Adolescence is a very special and difficult time for teenagers. Along with many social changes, physical changes also are very distinguishable. Puberty is a leading example of the physical changes they encounter. It is interesting to know that a female baby already has over one million follicles for eggs to develop in, which decreases to one hundred thousand by puberty.(3) Most females begin the stages of puberty before boys do. It is accompanied by increase in breast size, height increase, and (the ever dreadful) menstrual cycle, initiated by the thickening of the uterus caused by the cyclical changes in the presence of estrogens, otherwise known as the ‘period.'(3) Males tend to begin puberty after females have developed, although it will last longer. Males have a growth spurt due to testosterone, which is produced by the male testes. It initiates the growth spurt, and does so more effectively than estrogen, making most males on average taller than females. After secretion of prolonged testosterone, the male shows secondary sex characteristics such as increased bodily hair, deepening of the voice and increased development of muscularity. The initial secretion of testosterone initiates sperm production, giving the male fertile gametes available for reproduction. (3)(4) Puberty also has many bearings on an adolescent’s social environment. You can read more about it at this web site: http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/n/x/nxd10/transition/group212/dating.html .And finally we come to the adulthood. This is the age when everything seemingly is balanced, between health and mentality. This is when your body is supposed to be at its peak performance. (7) You will not notice many changes, physically, at this time. When you reach middle adulthood, on the other hand, this is the area of concern for a lot of individuals. At this  point your physical appearance will start to deteriorate. The most noticeable physical change would be a person’s height. Your seeing and hearing will probably not be as good as it once was. You may start noticing grey hair in certain places or possibly no hair at all! Your skin will become loose and wrinkly as you continue to gain unwanted pounds. (6) But it is a part of the physical development ‘roller coaster’. Imagine you’re on a roller coaster. When you first step into the seat (conception), to buckling your belt and getting excited as you are looking at everyone else (infancy), to the long, anticipated climb up the first drop-off (childhood), raising your hands with no fear as you begin to plunge into the overhang (adolescents), down and around the turns and loops of early ‘adulthood’, and finally enjoying the end of the ride and how fun it was getting there. http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/social/psych30/UnitsofStudy.htm (1) http://ntmain.utb.edu/ecantu/Psyc%202314/Feldman3Notes/InfancyPhysFeldman4Notes.htm (2) http://biology-online.org/7/5_growth_development.htm (3) http://w3.whosea.org/adoloscnce/changes.htm (4) http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/dept/d46/psy/dev/mid_adult/ (5) http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/hesguide/humanrel/gh6729.htm (6) http://www.freeessays.cc/db/34/mci170.shtml (7)

Medical Coding Companies Essays

Medical Coding Companies Essays Medical Coding Companies Paper Medical Coding Companies Paper The health information business today considers medical coders a vital part of their company, otherwise they will not move along virtually. A medical coder assigns a particular code to medical methods and services; without them, healthcare providers will not be compensated. Below are two examples of companies that handle medical coding: The Shepherd Center ( shepherd. org) has been a rehabilitation facility for 33 years, serving patients with acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury and diseases, multiple sclerosis and other neuromuscular problems. The company works with different health providers such as doctors, nurses, therapists, dieticians and dentists. A medical coder applicant for this company should be able to work on a full time basis. He must also be well experienced in handling accurate and timely coding of inpatient and outpatient programs and must be equipped with certifications (CCP or CCS) to prove it. A potential employee can look forward to a comprehensive benefits package complete with insurances, assistance programs, a diversified workplace, different opportunities for advancement and a very competitive salary. Another famous enterprise that offers various health care services is The Henry Ford Health System ( henryford. com). It was founded in 1915 and has been devoted to find ways on how to improve the well being of its Michigan society. The company has more than 17,000 employees that consist of nurses, doctors, patient contacts and other allied health professionals. The health system is complete with treatments for different health problems from allergies, athletic injuries, back pains to psychological problems and cancer. A possible candidate for coding specialist must acquire broad knowledge about the procedures and services that is equivalent to a person who is a bachelor degree holder in Medical Records Administration. He must have at least 3 to 5 years experience in the same field, certifications (RRA or ART) and full knowledge of coding systems like ICD 9 CM and CPT 4. Being well-compensated with fabulous benefits and various employee programs are among the advantages of working for this world class hospital. The mere fact that it is located just minutes from your home speaks of convenience and what a dream job is all about.

How to Self-Study for AP Exams 7-Step Plan

How to Self-Study for AP Exams 7-Step Plan SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips AP self-study is when you study for an AP exam on your own and then take the AP test without taking the class. This is possible because the College Board does not actually require you to take the class associated with a given AP exam to take the test! You might be asking yourself: why do people self-study? Is self-studying right for me?Then, once you've decided to self-study, and you’ve chosen the AP exam you want to study for, you may find yourself wondering how to go about preparing for the test on your own. Where should you start? What do you need to cover? What materials should you use? Never fear, intrepid self-studiers! My seven-step approach to self-studying, from deciding if self-studying is right for you to taking the exam, will explain exactly how to self-study for an AP testand help you tackle the task ahead of you in a way that is manageable, makes sense, and prepares you for the exam. Onward and upwards! Step 1: Decide If Self-Studying Is Something You Should Do Before we get into how to self-study, make sure it's the right approach for you. You might self-study for a variety of reasons: your schedule doesn’t allow you to take an AP course when it’s offered at your school, your school doesn’t offer an AP course in a subject you want to study, you have a pre-existing knowledge base in a subject (like a foreign language you speak at home), and so on. Some students also self-study for an AP exam while they are taking the non-AP version of a course. For example, you might self-study for AP Biology while you are taking Honors Biology and just supplement what you learn in class with the extra material that’s covered on the AP exam. These are all valid reasons to self-study. When you do decide whether or not to self-study, you’ll need to consider how self-motivated you are, how much time you actually have to do extra studying outside of class, and how difficult the exam you want to take is. In general, you’ll want to self-study for an AP exam that is limited in scope, not too conceptual (so no Calculus!), and that you are interested in. Some popular self-study choices include AP Environmental Science, AP Human Geography, and AP Psychology. For further info on self-study, as well as a guide to deciding whether or not to self-study, you can see my introduction to AP self-study.To help you choose a self-study exam, you can also see my list of Best APs to Self-Study. Step 2: Figure Out What You Need to Learn I’m assuming you have a general idea of what your chosen self-study exam is about, or you wouldn’t have picked it. But you need more than that to prepare- you need specific, actionable knowledge on exactly what the test is going to cover. Exactly what you personally need to cover will depend a lot on where you are starting from. If you already have a basic proficiency in the skill or subject, you will not need to cover the material as comprehensively as you will if you are starting from scratch. Similarly, if you are going to self-study for an AP while you are in the Honors (or other non-AP) version of the class, you will only need to cover the material that won’t be taughtin the classroom. No matter your situation, though, you will need to compare what you know with what you are required to know for the exam. So you’ll need a complete list of all of the core competencies necessary for the AP test. For this, you will want to turn to your trusty College Board website.The first thing you’ll want to look at is the â€Å"AP Course and Exam Description† for the course you are self-studying. Find this document on the main course page which you can access from the College Board’s AP Student list of AP courses.This document will include a comprehensive description of the skills and content areas you need to know for the exam. (Note: for courses that haven’t been revised for a long time, the document will just be called â€Å"AP Course Description.†) Examine this document closely; take separate notes on what things you still need to learn based on the course description.If you have preexisting knowledge in the subject, you should also note content areas listed in the description that you already have a handle on and things that you sort of know but might be shaky on. If you are self-studying concurrently with a non-AP class, it will help you a lot to have a copy of the syllabus for your non-AP course. This will letyou see what the examcovers but your class doesn't,andthose are going to be the areas to focus on. You should also look at the teacher resources on the AP course audit page for the course you are self-studying. There, you’ll be able to look at sample syllabi for the course. This may help you clarify some of the competencies in the course description if you aren’t sure exactly what they mean. You can also see textbook recommendations from the College Board on this page. Essentially, you’ll use the College Board’s resources to develop your own document describing what you need to learn before the exam. It doesn’t quite have to be a syllabus, but that’s more or less how it will function for you- it will help you keep track of what you’ve learned and what you still need to cover. This can be a working document- if you realize during the course of your prep that there’s a topic area you missed, or one that doesn’t seem particularly relevant for the exam after all, feel free to change stuff around! This is just how you’ll establish a starting point for your preparation. On your mark, get set, prep! Step 3: Make a Schedule and Stick to It! Once you’ve gotten a working document of what you need to cover for the test, divide it up into a schedule. Again, some topics may end up taking you a little longer than you thought, and some may take less time. This is fine, just so long as you keep a steady pace and don’t fall way behind in your schedule. In addition to having an overall schedule - cover topic X for two weeks, Y for three weeks- make a schedule of when you are going to sit down and prepare every week. Having consistent times each week that you set aside for self-study prep will keep you on track and make it easier to get through the material. To that end, you may also want to decide on a specific place where you’re going to study: your kitchen table, the library, your grandma’s back porch- wherever, but a consistent place where you can work free of distractions will make preparation feel more routine and keep you motivated. Step 4: Find and Use a Variety of Study Resources Once you’ve drawn up a rough schedule, you’ll need to figure out how you’re going to learn the material: what resources will you use? I recommend using a variety of resources. Processing the information multiple ways and in multiple formats will help you retain it and keep the studying process interesting (well, as interesting as it can be). That said, do be aware of how you learn best- if you aren’t an auditory learner, for example, podcasts won’t be a particularly useful study tool for you. Here are four kinds of study resources you might consider. Textbooks A good textbook is, in truth, the most important item in your arsenal for most AP exams. It’s your one-stop learning shop that will help you learn the material, structure your preparation, and try outreview questions. So, it’s critical that you choose a good one (or good ones! There’s no rule that you can’t use more than one textbook to prepare). Here are some ideas for finding good textbooks: Check the College Board’s list of textbook recommendations onthe AP course audit page for your exam. If you’re self-studying for an AP course that is actually offered at your school, you might see what textbook is used for the course. Ask students what they think of it and if they find it helpful. Read reviews of any textbook you are thinking about purchasing (or getting from the library). Pay special attention to whether or not students felt it prepared them for the exam. You can also see our textbook recommendations for AP US History, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Psychology. Review Books A good review book is probably the second-most important resource a self-studier can have, after a good textbook. It isn’t necessarily the best way to learn the material in a comprehensive fashion, but a lucid, exam-focused prep book will help you review everything that’s most important to remember for the test. As the day of your exam draws closer, review books will help ensure all the knowledge you learned by self-studying stays in your head. To find a good prep book, read reviews! We have recommendations for AP US History, AP Biology, AP Human Geography, and AP Psychology, but you can also look on Amazon, College Confidential, and elsewhere for reviews. The Princeton Review and Barron’s are two generally well-regarded AP review book sources, but making sure you’re getting the best book for the specific course you are studying is important. Don't do this to your books if you got them from the library, please. Online Content Providers and MOOCs You will probably get the real meat of your self-study material from your trusty textbook(s) and review book(s), but there are other, supplemental resources that can help you learn and review AP concepts. Online lecture videos and MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) are an excellent example of a supplementary resource you might use for self-study. Massive Open Online Courses are online classes created by educational institutions to make their educational resources accessible to a broader audience. They generally involve lecture videos; some also have additional material like practice exercises and assessments. Many of them are free! You can use online lecture videos and MOOCs to learn all kinds of material. Some will have a more general, topical focus that is not AP-specific; others are specifically for learning AP material and review. Even AP-specific MOOCs are generally not accredited by the College Board (i.e. they do not have the College Board’s official seal of approval, like an AP class at your high school). This just means that you should stick to the most reputable providers and look for reviews from other self-studiers if you can find them. (You might try to College Confidential forums or the Reddit AP pages.) Some of the best online content and MOOC providers: Khan Academyoffers tons of free educational modules on a huge variety of topics covered by AP exams. In addition to awesome video lessons, they have helpful quizzes to check your skills. You can also find most of their videos on their YouTube channel. EdX, founded by Harvard and MIT, has tons of free MOOC modules applicable to the AP, including some specifically targeted to AP exams. Coursera also offers tons of relevant MOOCs from a variety of colleges and universities. Podcasts and YouTube Videos Podcasts and YouTube videos are another great supplemental resource for learning about specific topics and concepts. You can find channels on everything from WWII History to astronomy to foreign language learning- definitely poke around to see what might be useful! To give you a head-start, here are some helpful resources you might want to check out, sorted by topic: General (Little Bit of Everything) TedEd - a YouTube channel from the people who bring you Ted Talks. Videos on all kinds of subjects that could be useful for your AP exam. Science The Sci Show - This YouTube channel explains all kinds of scientific phenomena. Probably of specific interest to AP Bio self-studiers, as there are lots of explanations of biological processes (and answers to some very important questions, like whether or not you have to give up bacon.) The Naked Scientists - a podcast covering all kinds of science topics. Useful for self-studying any science AP. (But please don’t self-study AP chemistry or AP physics! I’m very serious! See my list of best AP classes to self-study if you don’t believe me). History Biography channel - Their YouTube channel offers tons of â€Å"mini-biography† videos for notable historical figures. A good way to learn some key points about the major players in your history textbook. APUSH review by Adam Norris - a YouTube channel about, you guessed it, reviewing AP US History. He also has videos on AP Government. The Podcast History of Our World - A podcast series focusing on world history. Most of the current episodes cover ancient history (so, periods 1 and 2 for the AP World History exam). The History Chicks - A podcast by women about notable women from history. Mostly Euro-centric. English Grammar Girl - A podcast with super-short episodes ongrammar and writing tips. If there’s a particular idiom or grammatical rule that trips you up, this is a great resource! Foreign Language Audiria - A podcast site specifically for Spanish-language learners. You can pick podcasts by difficulty level and topic. How cool is that? An early podcaster in his native element. Step 5: Take Notes and Self-Assess While you’re consuming all of your top-quality study resources- reading your textbook, watching your Khan Academy videos, perusing your review book- it’s very important that you interact with the material. That means take notes! I know; taking notes is boring and not fun. But you will use your self-study time more efficiently if you take good notes that you can refer back to later. This way, when it’s time to review everything you’ve learned, you’ll have an easy, comprehensive resource to look at. You don’t have to take regular outline-based notes if you don’t want to. You could draw out a mind map or make flashcards for the content you learn instead. (In fact, I highly recommend making flashcards at some point for content-heavy courses like AP Biology or the history APs.) The important thing is that you are making a record of the significant information as you learn it, to help you retain it and to help you review. On a similar note, it’s also important that you occasionally test yourself to make sure you are actually learning the material. Your trusty textbook probably has practice problems at the end of each chapter you can complete. As you learn more material, you’ll probably want to use AP practice tests to make sure you’re really getting at the essential knowledge for the test (see step sevenfor more on AP practice exams). Step 6: Register for the Test! This is an essential step that you will need to complete in early March. If your school offers AP courses, you’ll need to talk to your school’s AP exam coordinator (probably a guidance counselor) about ordering the exam for you. If your school doesn’t offer AP courses, you will need to call AP Services (domestic number 888-225-5427) by March 1 to get the information for schools in your area that will test outside students. You will then need to get in touch with the school the College Board directs you to by March 15. You can see complete instructions for registering for the test here, including registering for an exam your school doesn’t offer. Registering will set you back $92. If you qualify for financial assistance from the College Board, you’ll get a $30 discount. You should also remember to make arrangements with your regular teachers since you’ll be missing class the day of your exam. Not much else to say here except that if you forget to complete this step, all your prep time will be for naught! Step 7: Exam Prep and Review When the exam starts to draw closer- I would say around the midpoint of your designated study time- you’ll want to start reviewing material you already covered and prepping for the exam format. This is when you’ll want to bust out your notes/flashcards, your review book(s), and your practice tests. See my article on finding the best AP practice tests for tips on how to find top-quality practice resources. Practice AP tests will help familiarize you with the exam formatand let you know how to adjust your studying and what to focus on going forward. If you keep missing questions about the Enlightenment even though you already covered it, you’ll know to go back and review that some more. In terms of how many practice tests you should complete, that’s somewhat dependent on how much time you’ve allotted for self-study, but somewhere in the three-five rangewill work for most students. You may do more individual free-response or short-answer practice questions than that, but in terms of complete practice tests, three to five should be sufficient. You should plan to wrap up learning new content a few weeks to a month before the exam so you can dedicate the last few weeks solely to reviewing content and practicing. This will help you make sure that everything is polished and ready, and you aren’t scrambling to cram information on the Civil Rights Movement into your head the night before the test. Once you’re all prepped, all that’s left is to take the test! Be sure to do all the usual test-taking best practices like getting a good night’s sleep and packing everything you need the night before, and then go rock that thing! Rock it like this stack of rocks! Staying Motivated While Self-Studying Even with a solid study plan, it can be hard to stay motivated when you are taking on a pretty big project like studying for an AP exam on your own. So here are three tips for keeping on task when you self-study: #1: Build in Rewards If you can think of a reward to give yourself every time you complete a scheduled study session and for milestones in your self-studying process, you’ll have an easier time staying on track. Maybe you’ll watch an episode of your favorite show to close out every study session or bake cookies every time you finish out a topic area. The key is to save that reward for studying- so no binge-watching your show outside of study sessions or baking cookies for no reason! That way you’ll keep the reward tied to your progress. #2: Recruit a Study Buddy If you know someone else who is self-studying, study together! It doesn’t even have to be the same AP just so long as you are consistently meeting. This will help ensure that you show up for study sessions. Make a pact to help keep each other on track, though- don’t fall into thehabitof goofing off together during your study times instead! #3: Be Accountable to Someone Even if you don’t have a dedicated study buddy, you can still make yourself accountable to someone else- a parent, friend, or other trusted person in your life. Tell them your study schedule and ask them to help you enforce it. If you can get them to text or call you when it’s time for you to start studying and ask you about your progress throughout the year, it will help you keep on task. There’s nothing like knowing someone else expects you to get something done to help you push through! I'm accountable to this donut...for eating it. Key Takeaways You’ll find self-studying much easier if you’re armed with a plan. Here are my six steps to self-study success: Figure out what you need to learn. Make a schedule. Find a variety of high-quality materials. Take notes and self-assess as you learn. Register for the test. Prep for the exam and review what you’ve learned! Even with a plan, it can be hard to stay motivated. Some strategies that might work for you include: Reward yourself for getting work done. Find someone to study with! Be accountable to someone else. Now you know how to self-study for an AP exam. If you follow these steps and put in the work, you’ll be sure to hit your target score! What's Next? If you want to know all of your AP course and exam options, we have a complete list. Thinking about online AP courses as an alternative to self-study? See my introduction to online AP courses and reviews of the best online AP class options. Be sure to check out our guide to the redesigned SATto see what's been changed. You might also think about taking the ACT instead. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Ethnic Violence in Darfur and International Response Essay

Ethnic Violence in Darfur and International Response - Essay Example Yet, the Sudanese government has repeatedly violated their own constitutional grants of liberty in that countless ethnically 'black' Sudanese have been trafficked, murdered, and enslaved by Arab militia, supported by the government. Moreover, since law-abiding non-Arab Muslims have been treated in much the same way as violators of the law, racial identity is the prevalent factor in government actions. For this reason, critics of the government argue that it is practicing ethnic cleansing, which is not only a violation of Sudanese law, but international law. While Sudan is a member state to the United Nations Charter, whose purpose is to prevent atrocities such as the Holocaust from reoccurring, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which the Sudan is a signatory is incapable of enforcement absent consent to international jurisdiction. Yet the question remains; is there legal recourse for such victims of government abuse More specifically, does the Sudanese constitution grant liberties for the breach of which there is a right to file a claim If there are such explicit rights, how can these rights be enforced within an oppressive regime This paper seeks to examine how notions of individu... While the United Nations offers to protect such victims, without the consent of the offending country to submit to international adjudication, individual rights exist only to the extent of the will of a member state. Therefore, this paper will also examine the origins of individual rights within the context of natural rights, and how natural law limits human rights protections. In this way, it can be shown why absent physical power to effectively halt the murderous Sudanese regime, victims have neither national nor international legal recourse. History of Violence Sudan is the largest country in Africa. In antiquity Sudan was part of a ancient civilization The country has been through a number of forced religious conversions. First, it was converted to Coptic Christianity in the 6th century of the Christian era. Then Islam was introduced by Arab invaders in 7th century but did not supplant Christianity until the 15th century. The name Sudan means a "land of the blacks" which denotes the ancient racial composition of the country. As a result of invasions from Syria and immigration of nomadic Arabs has since changed the racial composition. The country is roughly divided into two between Arab controlled dominated north and the black dominated south. The country is further divided along religious lines between Arabs in the north and Christians and animist in the south. Approximately, 40 percent of the population is Arab and 60 percent are African. Roughly 60 percent are Muslim. There are close to 600 ethnic groups and over 100 spoken languages in the South. (UUSC, 2004). This explosion combination has resulted in a protracted struggle for control of the country and its resources which so far has been dominated by Arabs in the north. Fight against

Reflection Using Gibbs Cycle - Development of Your Academic Learning Essay

Reflection Using Gibbs Cycle - Development of Your Academic Learning Skills and Experience in Practice During 3rd Year - Essay Example Throughout the session, I did various presentations using PowerPoint to horn my visual skills. Ethical issues were also part of communication that I learned. Numeracy was part of module seven and the activities entailed gathering and recording data, understanding research data, drug calculation, and general mathematics. The activities involved in developing IT skills in module seven were word processing, blackboard discussion, searching Databases, Emailing, and the use of the internet. Additionally, throughout the model, I developed learning skills by engaging in activities like literature search, use of literature and research, summarizing information, time management, self-evaluation, and working to deadlines. The model also helped me to know ways of working with others. I now comprehend the role of multi-disciplinary team and negotiating in teams. Feelings At first, it could not see the significance of skills in nursing. However, after meeting severally with my personal tutor, I a cknowledged the importance of skills in supporting my transition into the role of a staff nurse. Evaluation Achievement in developing communication was evident through passing the test, but I failed my oral exam due to anxiety and panic. I also did not do well in exam techniques and I will improve by meeting in groups to share knowledge and read individually for six hours. In the first attempt, I failed drug calculation but I improved by doing weekly practice. This was achieved at a 100 percent on my second attempt. To advance critical thinking skillfulness, I read more books and attended tutorial. I achieved 54 percent in research and 50 percent in the dissertation and this was a good achievement in the critical appraisal skills. How the development will supports my transition into the role of nursing (Analysis) Communication The good communication skills that I developed during the module will help me when shifting from a student to a staff nurse. The written communication profici ency will help me in my career as a nurse because I will need to write clear instructions for the patient to understand. Through the development of the communication skills, I will efficiently communicate verbally in formal and informal way. This will helps me as a staff nurse when making presentations in formal meetings and in my peer work groups. Listening skills will be an important attribute, which will help me as a nurse to assist in getting patients to value me. This is because listening will be a way of showing my interests in what the patients will say. Listening skills is always associated with humility rather than talkativeness. It can be empathetic and therefore therapeutic (Debnath, 2009, p152). Numeracy Numeracy skills will also help me in my nursing profession. The drug calculation skills that I acquired in module seven will increase my competency. Through that skill, I will not make dose errors. It is essential for nurses to be able to make accurate calculations of me dicine doses and to be fully conversant with the component of drugs in current use. Nurses should have an understanding of formulae for complex calculations. This enables them to direct the correct quantity and volume of the drugs. Incorrect drug computations can cause mistakes in prescription and harm patients. Drug computation skillfulness will therefore enable me to give right ratios, percentages, fractions and be able to interpret information found in clinical