Effective Leadership Traits in Correcting Organizational Deficiencies

Effective Leadership Traits in Correcting Organizational Deficiencies Timothy B. Ashby Devry University Leadership and Organizational Behavior GM 591 Professor Faggione January 26, 2011 Introduction Effective Leadership Traits in Correcting Organizational Deficiencies Lexington Country Place is a rehabilitation and long-term care facility that is owned and operated by Five Star Incorporated. Five Star is a relatively new corporation that has made great strides in promoting excellence in the care and rehabilitation of those in need of nursing care that extends beyond acute hospitalization. LCP has had a long-standing reputation of excellence in the Lexington, Kentucky community. Over a period of the past two years that reputation declined as a result of several factors but primarily because of ineffective leadership. My role at LCP is the evening shift RN House Supervisor. Some of my responsibilities include effectively handling any problems that may arise during the 3-11 shift. These problems may include making adjustments in staffing, assisting with admissions, public relation concerns, and using effective nursing assessment skills and making decisions that insure the safety and care of the residents at LCP. The current Director of Nursing, Angela Staiano, RN, BSN, has a proven track record of being an effective leader with a history of improving the quality of long-term care facilities. She was offered and accepted the position of DON at LCP several months ago following a state inspection in which LCP was noted as having several deficiencies. Since inspections are a matter of public record and customers are able to make comparisons with competitors, LCP had a decrease in its census. Problem Identification The problem being addressed in this paper is how ineffective leadership resulted in a decrease in the resident population, a complacent staff who were not committed to providing high standards of care, and as a result, a decreased profit for the organization. The lack of profitability affects not only the corporate center, but also affects the organization’s ability to make improvements to the facility, provide adequate resources to the residents, and to pay wages comparable with competitors in order to retain good employees. Shermerhorn (2010) writes that â€Å"organizations depend for their success on day-to-day decisions made by (leaders). The quality of these decisions influences both the long-term performance of an organization and its day-to-day character—in the eyes of employees, customers, and society at large. The problems at LCP directly resulted from poor decisions that were made of ineffective leaders. Literature Review An search on EBSChost for the phrase â€Å"effective leaderhip† resulted in 6373 results. The term â€Å"leadership traits† resulted in 718 results. A combination of the previous terms â€Å"effective leadership traits† provided too narrow a parameter with only nine research articles. A search for â€Å"types of leaders† generated 787 articles. â€Å"Leadership paths† located 151 results. A search for â€Å"organizational leadership behaviors† generated 23 results which defined a reasonable search parameter with adequate research articles to support this paper.

Description and useful information about character Essay

1. White whiskers make Kris Kringle look like he is seventy five, but when he laughs or walks he seems to be not a day over fifty. His eyes are quick and happy, and he has a matching smile. He looks precisely like Santa Clause, and he believes he is the one. Mr. Kringle dwells in Maplewood Home for the Aged. He spends most of the time smoking his pipe or whittling the toys he has in his room. He has an uncanny way with animals. 2. Dr. Pierce is devoted to Mr. Kringle, and wants to protect him. 3. Jim likes Mr. Kringle, he is wondered at his uncanny way with animals. He has been working in the Zoo for many years already. 4. Mrs. Doris Walker is businesslike women, handsome and well-dressed. She is divorced, does not want any engagements, disappointed in close relationships. Has a daughter. 5. Mr. Shellhammer is spectacled, very much haired and bold gentleman 6. Fred Gayley is a young and attractive lawyer in one of the oldest city’s firms. Fred is filled with childlike wonder and excitement. 7. Susan is a rather serious child of six. Susan is intelligent, maybe too much so for a child of her age, but with â€Å"no gaiety about her†. Fun is a stranger to this girl. III. Summary of chapters Dr Pierce, working in Maplewood Home for the Aged tells Kris Kringle, the dweller of this facility, that he has to move to Mount Home Sanatorium. Mapplewood’s charter considers Kris to be not little out of his mind, as he claims he is Santa Claus. Kris promises Dr Pierce to give him an X-ray machine, and doctor says he will believe Kris is a real Santa, if he gets one. Mr. Kringle takes his belongings and asks his friend, Jim the zookeeper to host him. While he walks in Central Park Kris sees a Christmas Parade, and a drunken Santa. Mrs. Walker, who is responsible for the personnel of the parade, asks Mr. Kringle to substitute Santa, and he agrees. When Doris Walker comes home she sees that her daughter Susan is watching the parade with their neighbor Fred, a young lawyer. She describes her problems with Santa Claus to them. Fred takes her away and tells she should not talk about Santa like that for not to disappoint Susan. Doris says girls should not have illusions, and should not wait for Prince Charming. Fred asks her to consider he may be the sort of person she needs. Doris answers that she has burnt her fingers once. V. Most Important Events of the chapters Kris Kringle leaves Mapplewood Home for the Aged. He becomes a Santa on the Christmas Parade. Doris Walker tells about her problems with Santa Clause to her daughter. Fred tries to persuade Doris he might be the man she needs, but Doris does not believe him

Bt and Gypsy Moth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Bt and Gypsy Moth - Essay Example trees. Sparks, Michaels and Daniels (2013) reiterate that the larvae of Lymantria dispar have often caused significant defoliation in the past. Lymantria dispar’s life cycle usually start over the season of winter when the insects lay large masses of eggs. Ruiu and Roberto (2013) reiterate that these eggs hatch in generous numbers over the seasons of spring. Lymantria dispar represents a noteworthy risk to forests in various parts of the world. Preservation of the Cork Oak Forest would require implementation of proper management programs. In the past, forest conservation bodies have often considered several management approaches to control the adverse effects of Lepidopteran defoliators. However, some biological and practical limitations have of alternative pest control methods to contain the infestation of the defoliators over large tracks of lands have been observed. Currently, environmental conservation bodies have concentrated on the use of entomopathogenic microorganisms such as Bacillusthuringiensis (Btk) given the reason that these organisms’ impacts can be felt over large areas. Bacillusthuringiensis (Btk) products have become increasingly crucial as integrated means of pest management and are incessantly being employed in the control of pests in agro systems and forests around the globe. Bacillusthuringiensis (Btk) formulae that are used in the control of Lepidoptera consist of a concoction that includes parasporal bodies such as crystals and bacterial spores. The parasporal bodies contain insecticidal toxins such as the cry proteins. In the view of Sparks, Michaels and Daniels (2013), the gypsy moths consume the proteins which become activated after they are injected into their bodies. The proteins then become bound to specific plasma membrane receptors on the midgut section of the insect pests; epithelium. They sip into the cell membrane and determine the formation of

3D in Internet Produce Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

3D in Internet Produce - Assignment Example visual platform.We are meaning to demonstrate that 3D training provides faster, more efficient, and a safe process that can be specifically tailored to the trainee.Two graphic artists are planed to partake in the design of the user interface for the template design.One person will focus on functional aspect of the interface design,while the other will work in collaboration to create the sample training template environment to be modified to suit a given type of training.Our research project will particularly investigate tactile sensors in the 3D industry and their potential in facilitating the user interaction with the virtual world generated via the template to give the impression of real live manipulation.Virtual 3D environments have the potential to significantly affect the way we manipulate and retrieve information.In researching ways to impact training via 3D interaction and interfacing we are also investigating possible axioms for object-oriented 3D internet capable of being ac cessed, constructed, and modified on the fly. The impact the upcoming generations may be as significant as the internet was on the current generation or generation X. (b) Significance of Research Question (if applicable) Explain briefly why you believe your central research question is with answering (its expected contribution to existing scholarship about art or design, and its relation to your own proposed studio research) The basic hypothesis for being able to generate 3D templates for training could literally apply to any aspect of learning and thereby offer a virtually limitless array of possibilities for the development of electronic art and design. 3. How will it be

Diffusion and osmosis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Diffusion and osmosis - Essay Example The solution subjected to the highest temperature demonstrated the fastest rate of diffusion. The effect of varying solute concentrations was demonstrated by adding 2 drops of blood to six test tubes each containing different solutes. Crenation was observed in cells put in hypertonic solution, while lyses were observed in cells put in hypotonic solution. Cells put in isotonic solution showed no change in morphology. The effect of detergent was determined by adding 3 drops of detergent on the sodium chloride solution. The packed cell volume was also determined with the use of the microhaematocrit reader. Patients with low hematocrit values suggest anemia, among others, while an increased value would indicate several conditions including polycythemia. The human body is one masterpiece that is made up of a complex series of processes that work in coordination with all other bodily systems to maintain a healthy and thriving organism. These processes all happen in a controlled fashion, such that they simultaneously complement the activity of the other processes taking place in the other parts of the body. This is exemplified at the cellular level by the efficiency of the plasma membrane in regulating the flow of substances in and out of the cell. This study has been This experiment was made up of three parts. The first part demonstrated the effect of temperature on the rate of diffusion. Crystals of potassium permanganate were placed in beakers which were subjected to different temperatures. Changes in the solutions were observed over a period of time. Observations were noted and recorded at 0 minute, 5 minutes and then at 10-minute intervals for the first hour, and then again after every 20 minutes thereafter. To demonstrate the effect of osmosis on red blood cells, six test tubes were prepared and were labeled test tubes A-F. Two (2) ml of different solutions were placed in each

Child Abuse Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Child Abuse - Essay Example We should not violate the rules. Breaking the law and ruining other's human rights will mean consequences. No one would ever want to be harmed, or neither experience pain and great depression or anxiety due to some reasons of failure and inferiority complex done by the people around this organism. Love is the only solution and only the cure and prevention to the bad products of abusing. But love seems to disappear on the way of these poor children. According to a politician "children who are not loved and are not given emotional affections became adults who are fool of hatred". Once a child came to this kind of heartaches they do come to be like those who pulled his heart out. The Asahi Evening News reported that the rate of children being abused had increased than last year for about 30%. The experts are saying that more mother are carrying the whole responsibilities of rearing children and parenting, due to this kind of problem the children catches all the pain that made them be victims, aside from that issue the mass people don't cooperate well, they have the responsibility to report abuses that are happening on their community. The Daily Yomiuri of Japan said that the death rate of children who are abused also increases due to some cases like; the child is left alone inside the house and some are stocked on a car. And those parents are caught to be playing on a pachinko pinball machine, the set aside their duty to take good care of their children for just a game and leisure's. The authorities decided to be stricter on filing complaints to those careless parents. As we can see parents are supposed to be caring their children and if that so they will not leave those poor children in vein just like an animal right According to the January 1990 issue of the Science Digest, 87% of prisoners in jail experienced being bitten and kicked by their own parents during childhood, the reason why according to them, they became criminals and even by actual seeing a violent scene or event can also cause these children on their way to adulthood to become violent too. That's how they imitate old ones. As we all know children are great imitators. Some experts are saying that these children who have experienced bullying from parents during childhood will also show on their behavior a violence acts as they grew up and made harm to their siblings too or of the young ages just the same of what they had in their past. We should not let abusing go for long. Children must be treated with love and harmonious affections and not hatred and punishments without any valid reasons. There are bad results of course if one had come to this kind of situation. Physically, verbally and sexually abused women during childhood will forever respond negatively unto stress according to The Dallas Morning News. The research of the Emory University in Atlanta, regarding hormone's functions, had come up with a result that those women who experienced abusage are tired faster than those who are not. Enza Mattas, Regional Center for Attention to Mistreated Children (Crami) Coordinator state that 90% of the street children decided to leave their family because of physical abuses and sexual abuse too. These children are saying that this is the reason why they turned to drug abuse. Through the O Estado de S. Paulo of Brazil, Mattas warned the health professionals and teachers to become alert to signs of abuses such as; changes on their

Analysis of wheter or not domestic terrorism is still a threat in the Essay

Analysis of wheter or not domestic terrorism is still a threat in the United States - Essay Example The attacks of 9/11 have shown the world that no power is immune to attack and loop holes exist in any security structure. In this essay we will determine if domestic terrorism is still a threat to United States of America or not. A brief history of domestic terrorism will be presented and main threats will be highlighted. The definition of domestic terrorism has been transformed many times in United States of America. The latest definition of domestic terrorism has come in the USA Patriotic Act which defines domestic terrorism as those which "(A) involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State; (B) appear to be intended— (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and (C) occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States† (Section 802 of USA Patriotic Act). There is a long history of domestic terrorism in United States of America. From 1970’s there have been gangs that were involved in criminal activities. The definition of domestic terrorism given above is too broad therefore in this section we will discuss terrorism acts and gangs that are located within the geographical limits of United States of America. Many gangs have committed acts of domestic terrorism o A or have the potential to do so in near future. Some of them are given below. Alpha 66 is a gang that was formed in 1960s by Cuban exiles in the country. This group was responsible for many bombings and assassinations in Miami in 1970s. Alpha 66 is an anit-communist group that is against Fidel Castro and his Cuban administration. The group is mainly known for targeting the Pro-Castro speakers. The amount of ammunition this group

Security Essentials DB 5.3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Security Essentials DB 5.3 - Essay Example Among the factors that influence that decisions made by law enforcement officers regarding crime prevention, include the nature of emergencies, the availability of community policing, the emergency response protocols and the activities of community management organizations. The nature of emergency dictates the type of prevention measure, which law enforcement officers can embrace. Laws regarding prevention must address each crime in its unique context. Community policing options can also shape the decision of the local law enforcement officers as the stakeholders implementing the initiative will have to work within boundaries. The presence of community management organization also influences the activities of individuals in the society. The legislation must incorporate their perspectives, as they can be instrumental in initiating behavior change. The integration of private security professionals in the prevention strategies is beneficial. Stakeholders can achieve this through availing of crime prevention resources to the private security officers. Secondly, while training the public officers, they should also involve the private professionals. Additionally, crime prevention strategies must outline and define functions performed by the private personnel. Lastly, the strategies must advocate increased liaison between the public security personnel and private staff. In conclusion, the alleviation of crimes today and in the future demands collaboration between the community, private security officers as well as public

Final Proposal Essay Example for Free

Final Proposal Essay In 2009 the Arena Football League ran into financial trouble. The league has since been purchased and now looks ready to reemerge as a more financially secure business. Some said the AFL tried to do too much too soon. With a large television contract on a major network, and eighteen game regular season and player salaries well into six figures, I would agree. The league couldnt control cost, so they couldnt make money. The problem wasn’t fan interest and low attendance; it was a league working outside of their means. By watching, and experiencing some of these mistakes I will help with a model to develop a second tier indoor football league. My model will not try and do too much too fast. I will attempt to find ways to reduce expenditures. There have been many indoor leagues and indoor league franchises that have folded or shut down operations. One way I will try and save on start-up expenses is approach these teams and leagues to try and purchase some of those assets. These assets may include equipment like helmets and shoulder pads or even the turf to lie down inside the arena with the dasher pads that cover the walls to protect the players. Finding these items at low cost will help in the long run. Arena football is perfect for many people. The hard core football fan will like the hard hitting, and quick scoring. Families like arena football, because its an inexpensive way to bring the family to a sporting event, and the players are more accessible then NFL players. Its a fun summer time activity that everyone can enjoy. I will make sure that merchandise and tickets remain at an affordable price so that many families can feel that they are going out for an affordable evening of entertainment and they can feel comfor table bringing the entire family. I will start ticket prices at seven dollars per single game. With a home schedule of six games we can begin marketing season passes at just forty-two dollars. The average cost for a family to attend an NFL game can cost hundreds of dollars. A single premium ticket to see the New York Giants in 2012 costs $ 464.75. However, Team Marketing Report bases its findings on average ticket prices, and in 2012 that runs at $78.38, or $313.53 for four. (Yahoo sports 2012) A family can purchase several season passes and  attend every home game with the family as opposed to purchasing tickets to just one NFL game. The average cost of just one beer is $7.28. Football fans are no longer limited to just Budweiser and Miller when they go to the stadium. According to Esquire’s â€Å"NFL Stadium Food Power Rankings,† many craft brews are available at NFL games, including Goose Island Honkers Ale and Red Bridge Gluten-Free beer. On average, NFL fans can expect to pay $7.28 for a small beer at the stadium. The most expensive are found at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium and Buffalo’s Ralph Wilson Stadium, where the cost is $9. The study assumes two beers will be purchased, or $14.56. (Yahoo sports 2012) I will work out a way for vendors and the arenas to get those costs down. Some arenas and other venues do not allow a fan tailgate in order to get those paying customers inside. I will make sure the leagues venues allow a pregame atmosphere where fans can bring their own refreshments and not have to worry about high costs inside. The average cost of a hot dog is $4.84. There is no substitute for a good old fashioned hot dog. According to Team Marketing Report, that’s $4.84 or $19.36 for four. (Yahoo sports 2012) Parking fees are always a major concern when attending major sporting events like NFL games. Sports venues are often accessible by mass transit, but many will still drive to games. The average cost for parking is $27.35. (Yahoo sports 2012) We have to find a way to get these costs down and encourage our fans to drive to and park at the arenas. It’s hard for some NFL fans to leave the game without taking some merchandise home. Team jerseys and caps are popular choices. We definitely want our merchandise to be affordable so that our brand and logo gets out into the community. The report found that the average price for a cap is $21.38, and to keep the kids happy, two will be purchased for $42.76. (Yahoo sports 2012) There has to be a way to get these costs down. The averages add up to nearly 500 dollars for a family of four. This is a very expensive afternoon or evening out. That is a lot of money for the average family to spend in a single afternoon and discouraging for families working a tight budget. Arena football is fun, hard hitting and high scoring and must be an affordable venture for families to enjoy. In order for a franchise like this to be successful, the right people in the right places doing the right things is essential. The owners must place executives in the right positions to lead. The General manager is a position that has a lot of duties, they must make sure the marketing and sales staff is in place, they must also hire a director of football operations, this persons job could have many duties as well, in most organizations this person handles game day operations, scheduling, travel, and player relations. There is also the head coach, he oversees the coaching staff and delegates those responsibilities. A budget must be managed, the right coaching staff and player personnel must be in place, the right players have to be chosen, and the team must be marketed and advertised in a correct way. I will be presenting to the board the addition of a couple of programs and personnel important for an indoor football team that may get overlooked. That operation will be a Game Day Staff and Ops crew. We will need a game day staff to help coordinate half time and down time events in order to keep fans involved. We need this staff to help time out a game day script that will tell coaches and players when they can and can’t be on the field and will allow the sponsorship staff a guide to offering sponsorships as they can determine how much exposure they will receive. They will also coordinate with team sponsors on promotional events like a T-shirt toss or game day give away. Some sponsors will like their logo and name on noisemakers or small footballs that get tossed into the crowd. We will need an assistant to the equipment manager and trainer. There is equipment that needs to be transported from the team’s offices to the arena on every game day. There needs to be someone to help set up the locker rooms for the players and coaches as well as the referees and visiting teams. This will include handing out game day equipment and uniforms as well as making sure water coolers and bottles are filled for in the locker room and bench areas. We will need to hire a Director of Football operations who can oversee these areas, in addition to these responsibilities the director will be in charge of updating the website with stats and news as well as player transactions. The director will also handle travel arrangements for the team and hotel accommodations for the visiting teams as well as team meals for both. The  presence of a director of football acts as an intermediary between the general manager and the board and may relieve pressure on a manager by handling aspects away from day-to-day coaching, allowing a manager to focus on performance. In general, the director of football operations is not a shareholder in the club, or holds a nominal stake. This is opposed to other members of the board with whom the director of football will sit. This allows an impartial go-between that will not have biased views. The level of power and influence in the day-to-day and transfer operations of the club held by a director of football may vary considerably. In some cases, the position may be as a figurehead or as a club ambassador, with transfer dealings, team affairs, squad selection and day-to-day operations handled exclusively by the manager and his staff. Often, the position in this case is filled by a former famous player. Bobby Charlton at Manchester United is such an example. In such a case, the role of the director of football is more one of club promotion and marketing than that of actual control over footballing operations. Employing a well-known football personality in such a position may also be used to enhance the perceive d prestige of the club, improving the clubs position in the transfer market. (Wikipedia 2012) The director of footballs job is sometimes compared to that of a general manager in a North American professional sports organization, and often referred to as sporting director or some equivalent in continental Europe. Marketing the team can be a task. There has to be structures in place that will help the team succeed in getting noticed, gaining sponsorships, and selling tickets. Our book discussed a model. The principles that should be observed in a marketing program include: Customer principle, Competition Principle, Practice Principle, Cross-Functional Principle, Continuous Improvement Principle, and the Stakeholder Principle (Krotee Bucher, 2007, pp. 474-475). In the indoor football program that I currently work for, marketing is a big deal and it seems as if some of these principles are in place. We take into consideration what type of customers we will have, catering to middle-aged men and young kids. We understand what and who we are competing with; Florida Everblades are a minor league hockey team that occupies the same arena. We compete with them in the same market. There is  also minor league baseball in town, a group that has games sometimes on the same nights as us. The cross-functional principle works with the hockey team as well. During their games we are allowed to set up an information table and sale season passes and merchandise during their contests. The continuous principle is where we hand out surveys to season ticket holders asking questions about how we can improve. The stakeholder principle helps us as we continue to be the model franchise for the league and the one that other franchises would like to emulate. How the team is perceived in the public eye is vital for its success. The first task for a company is to decide that all forms of public relations will be based on current strengths and the overall mission of the company. We want to make sure our targeted group understands exactly what we want to accomplish in all areas. (Krotee March, 2007. p. 457). A company must also know who their audience is and how they can reach them. Ive mentioned before that the indoor football team I work for targets middle-aged men and school aged kids who can bring parents. We hand out ticket vouchers to kids at local events and schools. Each kid will only get one voucher. The reasoning behind this is that we understand these kids can’t get to the game alone. They have to have someone drive them whether it’s a parent or older sibling or friend. They will be they paying customer bringing in ticket sales, which without having handed out the voucher, wouldn’t have been sold otherwise. The other catch is that the arena will only accept so many vouchers per night. We inform the voucher holder that it is wise to get to the box office in advance of the event to claim their ticket. Many don’t do this and by the time they get to the arena the allotted amount of free vouchers has been counted. This person is stuck having to now pay for a full price ticket as they will probably not opt to return home. There have been complaints about this program but it is stated by whoever hands out the voucher and on the voucher itself that there will be limited use. Another aspect of effective public relations is to find out what the customers are thinking, along with what they believe. The team has sent out surveys to season ticket holders with questions about how they can do better. There are also randomly timed questions that go out on social media like, what is your favorite night to watch arena football? This can help when scheduling home games as most people wouldnt want to come on a Monday night because of work obligations.  (Krotee March, 2007. p. 457). A fourth aspect of public relations work is deciding what services or programs to offer that will best suit the needs of the intended audience. We try and figure out if most people would rather purchase a hat or tee shirt or would they be more likely to purchase season passes at a discounted rate or buy game to game. (Krotee March, 2007. p. 457). Choosing a good PR representative is also key. Someone who understands the mission is important. All of these aspects will help a new league flourish and remain successful. One more important part to that would be landing some type of television or media deal. The younger, mostly male audiences at professional sporting events are an attractive crowd for advertisers, but pro sports can be an expensive buy as we have already mentioned. Advertisers and sponsors reach not only young men but also, because games are less expensive to attend than most pro sports events, families looking for cheap entertainment as well. Advertisers can also get more creative at AFL games than they can at other leagues such as the NFL. The league can handle its own advertising and sponsorship, and individual teams handle some promotions. Arena Football League games are played on 50-yard fields surrounded by padded dasher boards that look similar to those used in hockey. These boards create prime billboard space where companies that purchase sponsorship can place their name or logo. It would be more appealing to a company to purchase if they knew they would be exposed to a national audience. The season will run from March to August, so that it won’t interfere with the NFL season. There are a number of advertising options on and around the playing field, including ads on the boards, 6-by-9-foot turf squares on the field itself, and ads on the jumbotron scoreboards hanging from the center of the ceiling where highlights can be played and the score clock is displayed. Brands can also place patches on player uniforms, decals on helmets, graphics on game balls, or ads on first down markers. Anywhere that there is viewable open space can be covered in advertisement. Other options available in the arena are similar to those seen in other sports, such as signage, static and video ads on the scoreboard, on-field promotions during timeouts and stoppages in play, and  concourse booths that can be used for sampling and fan interaction. Some promotions that I have seen in the past that get fans involved is a football toss from a long way out attempting to win a car by throwing the ball through the driver’s side window. The league may also have a title sponsor. For example, the Indoor Football League presented by Bud Light. We could also title the championship game, the third annual Doritos Indoor bowl, similar to how colleges promote bowl games. On-field advertisers can get additional exposure on television. Games may also be televised locally in teams markets, giving on-field advertisers extra eyeballs. The only downer to this would be the argument that fans won’t come pay to see a game live when they can watch it in the comfort of their own home for free. We will continue to build in smaller markets like here in Fort Myers Florida or Rome Georgia. We will not compete in watered-down, saturated markets where local businesses have been bombarded with sponsorship sales and sports marketing teams. Game attendance will be tracked and TV ratings are also used to measure impressions. We will use sponsors relevant to our target market, they will include telecom, restaurants, insurance, athletic equipment and apparel, hotels, soft drinks and beer. Arena Football League fans are 72 percent male and 28 percent female, according to Scarborough Research. Sixty-two percent of fans are ages 18-49 and 33 percent are 18-34. Forty-six percent of fans have an annual household income below $50,000, with 33 percent between $50,000 and $100,000, and 21 percent above $100,000. The mean household income of AFL fans is just over $72,000. (League Attendance 2012) The success of an indoor football league and franchise is dependent upon having many working parts in place. There must be a realistic budget to work with so that these teams and leagues aren’t working outside of their means. Player and coach salaries must be realistic in order for these teams to stay alive. Ticket and merchandise costs for fans must be affordable in order to appeal to larger crowds. The venues must work with the individual teams to keep costs down. They must make parking costs and vending costs affordable so that fans and families will attend more than one event per year. There has to be a good marketing team that understands the mission is to not only make the team money, but appeal to fans and gain support from the local community. It will be the leagues  responsibility to broaden that market by adding television and media exposure. Finally, there needs to be a good PR program in place so that a good relationship between the team, league, and its fans remain. References Krotee, M., Bucher, C. (2007). Management of physical education and sport (13th Ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill. ISBN: 0072972920. Wikipedia: The free encyclopedia. FL: Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Retrieved December 9, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Director_of_football Arena Football League Attendance Needs Some Help: Fan Opinion by Eric R. Ivie | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Wed, Apr 11, 2012 3:12 PM EDT, retrieved on December 9, 2012 from http://sports.yahoo.com/news/arena-football-league-attendance-needs-help-fan-opinion-191200000.html NFL game-day costs for fans By Daniel Bukszpan | CNBC.com – Thu, Oct 4, 2012 3:31 PM EDT retrieved on December 9, 2012 from http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nflnfl-game-day-costs-for-fans.html

Littlebrook Power Station Essay Example for Free

Littlebrook Power Station Essay Littlebrook is an oil-fired power station, which uses oil to produce electricity. The oil is transported by the sea. It is powered by heavy fuel oil this means it has to bring tonnes of oil from other countries. Littlebrook is located on the banks of the river Thames in Dartford. In the 1990s the CEGB was privatised from that came out npower RWE Innogy from that two companies came out international power. RWE then took over which made RWE npower. There has to be lots of work done in the power station like: Finance the finance department is probably the most important in the power station. Marketing Team this would include a team which goes to the market to buy and sell the electricity on the market. The company has to also buy electricity from other companies at a cheaper rate so they dont lose profit. The marketing team also have to buy supplies from other countries i.e. at the moment most of the oil in the world is in the Middle East and in Latin America. The company dont have to pay that much for transportation because there are next to the River Thames. In the power station there are about 120 people working this includes the workers the receptionists, catering, security and also the actual worker who are in the power station. In a power station all kinds of people work there. One of the main ones is people like: Security are there to protect the worker and also the visitors from other people who trespass the property they also look at the CCTV to check for people who are not meant to be there. Receptionist they greet the people who come to see the power station visitors or the workers they all. Caters they provide food and drink for everybody who visits or works there. Touring staff are the people who help the visitors to go around the power station safely. Including these there are people like scientist and engineers who work here. These people are set into departments like: * Operations the operation departments is divided into two one is no specific skills and also Engineers 1. Engineers to work as an engineer in a power station you will have to have GCSE, A levels and also a good degree to work in the power station 2. No specific skills This job requires you to have GCSEs and A levels, also you do not need a specific skills i.e. engineer this came means you can do more than one job. * Maintenance the maintenance departments is divided into two as well, which consist of Fitter and Apprentices. 1. Fitter For you to work as a fitter you need to have a NVQ qualification to get this you need to do practices and then when you pass your exam you can get this qualification and work at the power station. Apprentices For you to be an apprentice at the power station you need to have good GCSE results and met the requirement they ask for. * Engineering is also divided into two different paths this consist of a degree and a good degree. 1. Degree in engineering you can get a degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Computing Control this might be getting a bachelor of engineering degree or other degrees. 2. Good Degree to get this job you will need to have a master degree in engineering this involves a more skilled and a person which has more knowledge about engineering. * Chemistry Environment to do this job you simply need to get a standard degree in engineering to do this work. * Administration and Finance/Procurement Commercial to be able to do this work you need to have a wide range of knowledge and skills to do it. To do this job you need to have good GCSE results and also a good degree. * Managers to work as the manger of the power station you need to have a good degree. When the oil has been transported form other countries to the power station it is then transferred this to the 4 tanks near the bank, where the oil is filtered then because the oil is heavy and thick it has to be pushed at a high pressure to move it the oil preparation to the boiler. Then in the boiler chamber it has 3 boilers in there and each boiler can burn up to 4,500 tonnes of oil each day. Then when oil is heated then it will create heat and then this heat would be able to heat the water and then change it to steam, this would be able to turn the turbines to make this efficient the steam will be going through the turbines twice. After the turbine is moving the generator starts to move the rotor then takes affect and then creates an electric current. Then after the steam has finished it moves in to the condenser which turns the steam into water where there are pipes with cold water from the river Thames to condense the steam. After all of this electric current is made at a volta ge of 23,500. To make this more efficient the voltage has been increased when it is sent into the National Grid system. ICT in the power station is used a lot, when I first visited Littlebrook Power Station I thought there would be more than a thousand workers then when I heard they were only 120 I was shocked. So ICT in the power plant is very important. First of all ICT is used for communication from the main room to the lower rooms. The machines in the big hall have to also be computerised because the things you have to do are lots that humans can do.

The Management Accountant Is The Most Important And Challenging Profession Accounting Essay

The Management Accountant Is The Most Important And Challenging Profession Accounting Essay The Management Accountant, is the most important and challenging profession in the world economy today, in terms of resource allocation, and controlling measuring business performance. Its role has become more important now, than at any other time in our lifetime. The role of the Management Accountant in particular, has become more important, not only in the corporate level, but also at the national level, and even more importantly, at the international level. Management Accountants are closely involved in supporting, planning, controlling, directing, communicating coordinating the decision-making activities of organizations in the private sector, as well as the public sector. Managers of an organization are considered to be the Customers of the Management Accountant, so far as management accounting information is concerned, and Management Accountants should be continuously aware of the need to satisfy their requirements. Some believe advisory services and information services to be the two main work areas of Management Accountants. Advisory services include the tendering of opinions, assisting the making of evaluations or the formation of expectations, and the development of norms or objectives. Information services include the provision of historical information, and future-oriented information. It has also been identified that Compliance, Control and Competitive support, are the three factors which influence management accounting work. Over time, the relative emphasis on these three factors has changed. Previously, a great deal of management accounting work was driven by the need for Compliance and Control. But now, the emphasis on Compliance and Control is declining, while the emphasis on Competitive support is increasing. The greater need for Competitive support has risen due to increased competition, greater customer focus, globalization, and the importance of quality. At the same time, organizations have responded to the changing competitive environment with flatter organizational structures, which are more flexible, responsive customer-focused. The increased emphasis on Competitive support now requires management accountants to have strong Analytical and Communication skills. Furthermore, they must now actively support the line process managers, and be directly involved in the decision processes. They must also consider long-term as well as short-term planning horizons. They must develop management accounting systems capable of providing information which supports both strategic operational decisions. Importantly, management accountants must become directly involved in the formulation, and the implementation of organizational strategies. It has been established that the role of the management accountant in an organization is to support the information needs of management. The type, size, structure and form of ownership of the organization will influence the management role, and thus, determine the complexity of the management accountants role. Such differences in size do not change the basic role of the management accountant, nor the basic work which he or she does. However, the size of the organization may change the degree of formality or sophistication with which the function is carried out, or the level of resources devoted to management accounting. But, the management accounting function remains essentially the same. Relevant Cost and Irrelevant Cost for Decision-making Relevance is one of the key characteristics of good management accounting information. This means that management accounting information produced for each manager must relate to the decisions which he/she will have to make. Relevant costs are the costs that meet this requirement of good management accounting information. The Chartered Institute of Management Accounting defines relevant costs as: The costs appropriate to a specific management decision This definition could be restated as the amount by which costs increase and benefits decrease as a direct result of a specific management decision. Relevant benefits are the amounts by which costs decrease and benefits increase as a direct result of a specific management decision. Before the management of an enterprise can make an informed decision on any matter, they need to incorporate all of the relevant costs which apply to the specific decision at hand in their decision making process. To include any non-relevant costs or to exclude any relevant costs will result in management basing their decision on misleading information and ultimately to poor decisions being taken. Relevant costs and benefits only deal with the quantitative aspects of decisions. The qualitative aspects of decisions are of equal importance to the quantitative and no decision should be made in practice without full consideration being given to both aspects. Identifying relevant and irrelevant costs: The identification of relevant and non-relevant costs in various decision-making situations is based primarily on common sense and the knowledge of the decision maker of the area in which the decision is being made. Armed with these two tools you should be able to sift through all the information that is available in respect of any decision and extract those costs (and benefits) which are appropriate to the decision at hand. In identifying relevant costs for various decisions, it may find that some costs not included in the normal accounting records of an enterprise are relevant and some costs included in such records are non-relevant. It is important that there is a substantial difference between recorded accounting costs and relevant costs for decision making, and while the latter may be recorded in the former this is not always the case. Accounting records are used to record the incidence of actual costs and revenues as they arise. Decisions, on the other hand, are based only on the relevant costs and benefits appropriate to each decision while the decision is being made. This point is particularly appropriate when you come to examine opportunity costs and sunk costs that are dealt with below. In practice, you may also find that the information presented in respect of a decision does not include all the relevant costs appropriate to the decision but the identification of this omission is very difficult unless you are familiar with the area in which the decision is being made. Exercise The more common types of costs which you will meet when evaluating different decisions are incremental, non-incremental and spare capacity costs. Are these likely to be relevant or non-relevant? Suggested Solution Incremental costs: An incremental cost can be defined as a cost which is specifically incurred by following a course of action and which is avoidable if such action is not taken. Incremental costs are, by definition, relevant costs because they are directly affected by the decision (i.e. they will be incurred if the decision goes ahead and they will not be incurred if the decision is scrapped). For example, if an enterprise is deciding whether or not to accept a special order for its product, the extra variable costs (i.e. number of units in special order x variable cost per unit) which would be incurred in filling the order are an incremental cost because they would not be incurred if the special order were to be rejected. Non-incremental costs: These are costs which will not be affected by the decision at hand. Non-incremental costs are non-relevant costs because they are not related to the decision at hand (i.e. non-incremental costs stay the same no matter what decision is taken). An example of non-incremental costs would be fixed costs which by their very nature should not be affected by decisions (at least in the short term). If, however, a decision gives rise to a specific increase in fixed costs then the increase in fixed costs would be an incremental and, hence, relevant cost. For example, in a decision on whether to extend the factory floor area of an enterprise, the extra rent to be incurred would be a relevant cost for that decision. Spare capacity costs: Because of the recent advancements in manufacturing technology most enterprises have greatly increased their efficiency and as a result are often operating at below full capacity. Operating with spare capacity can have a significant impact on the relevant costs for any short-term production decision the management of such an enterprise might have to make. If spare capacity exists in an enterprise, some costs which are generally considered incremental may in fact be non-incremental and thus, non-relevant, in the short term. For example, if an enterprise is operating at less than full capacity then its work force is probably underutilized. If it is the policy of the enterprise to maintain the level of its work force in the short term, until activity increases, then the labour cost of this work force would be a non-relevant cost for a decision on whether to accept or reject a once-off special order. The labour cost is non-relevant because the wages will have to be paid whether the order is accepted or not. If the special order involved and element of overtime then the cost of such overtime would of course be a relevant cost (as it is an incremental cost) for the decision. Two further types of costs that have to be considered are opportunity costs and sunk costs. Opportunity costs: An opportunity cost is a level of profit or benefit foregone by the pursuit of a particular course of action. In other words, it is the value of an option, which cannot be taken as a result of following a different option. For example, if an enterprise has a quantity of raw material in stock which cost $7 per kg and it plans to use this material in the filling of a special order then you would normally incorporate $7 per kg as part of your cost calculations for filling the order. If, however, this quantity of material could be resold without further processing for $8 per kg, then the opportunity cost of using this material in the special order is $8 per kg; by filling the order you forego the $8 per kg which was available for a straight sale of the material. Opportunity costs are, therefore, the real economic costs of taking one course of action as opposed to another. In the above decision-making situation it is the opportunity cost which is the relevant cost and, hence, the cost which should be incorporated into your cost-versus-benefit analysis. It is because the loss of the $8 per kg is directly related to the filling of the order and the opportunity cost is greater than the book cost. Opportunity costs are relevant costs for a decision only when they exceed the costs of the same item in the option to the decision under consideration. You may find the idea of opportunity costs difficult to grasp at first because they are notional costs, which may never be included in the books and records of an enterprise. They are, however, relevant in certain decision-making situation and you must bear in mind the fact that they exist when assessing any such situations. Sunk costs: a sunk cost is a cost that has already been incurred and cannot be altered by any future decision. If sunk costs are not affected by a decision then they must be non-relevant costs for decision-making purposes. Common examples of sunk costs are market research costs and development expenditure incurred by enterprises in getting a product or service ready for sale. The final decision on whether to launch the product or service would regard these costs as sunk (i.e. irrecoverable) and thus, not incorporate them into the launch decision. Sunk costs are the opposite to opportunity costs in that they are not incorporated in the decision making process even though they have already been recorded in the books and records of the enterprise. Exercise (a) An enterprise is considering replacing its professional legal advisers with its own newly trained personnel. The relevant personnel are currently employed in the secretarial department of the enterprise and will receive no pay increase when taking up their new responsibilities. They will also be required to continue to perform their old duties. The current annual salary bill of these employees amounts to $100,000. Is the $100,000 a relevant cost in the decision on whether to replace the professional advisers? (b) An enterprise is considering the upgrading of its computer system. The upgrading would result in the annual maintenance contract fee charged by the suppliers rising from $30,000 to $40,000. Is the maintenance fee a relevant cost to the upgrading decision? Briefly explain your reasoning. (c) The relevant cost of X in the filling of the special order is nil. The cost of the 200 kg of X in stock is a sunk cost and thus non-relevant. This is so due to the fact that no amount of the purchase price appears to be recoverable through either a straight sale of the material or by incorporating X in the manufacture of a product (other than the special order) which could then be sold by the enterprise. Evaluating decisions involving relevant and non-relevant costs It is observed that two task is to be performing before making final decision: Evaluate the options in the decision on a monetary basis using cost versus benefit analysis. Take account of the qualitative factors associated with each option in the decision. The performance of the first task is dealt with in this section. Performance of the second task is influenced by experience and common sense. Nearly all decisions will ever make will involve some relevant and non-relevant costs. As stated earlier the hardest part of the evaluation process will be the identification of the relevant costs for the decision at hand. This identification is often required from a plethora of information that you will have to carefully sift through to ensure the completeness of your evaluation. Once the relevant costs are identified for each option you simply perform a cost versus benefit analysis for each option and select the one that results in the greatest gain or least cost to the enterprise. Dont forget that, in practice, qualitative factors can result in a different option being selected than that suggested by the quantitative evaluation. Exercise The local authority of a small town maintains a theatre and arts centre for the use of a local repertory company, other visiting groups and exhibitions. Management decisions are taken by a committee which meets regularly to review the accounts and plan the use of the facilities. The theatre employs a full-time staff and a number of artists at costs of $4,800 and $17,600 per month respectively. They mount a new production every month for 20 performances. Other monthly expenditure of the theatre is as follows: $ Costumes 2,800 Scenery 1,650 Heat and light 5,150 Apportionment of administration costs of local authority 8,000 Casual staff 1,760 Refreshments 1,180 On average the theatre is half full for the performances of the repertory company. The capacity and seat prices in the theatre are: 200 seats at $6 each 500 seats at $4 each 300 seats at $3 each In addition, the theatre sells refreshments during the performances for $3,880 per month. Programme sales cover their costs but advertising in the programme generates $3,360. The management committee has received proposals from a popular touring group to take over the theatre for one month (25 performances). The group is prepared to pay half of their ticket income for the booking. They expect to fill the theatre for 10 nights and achieve two-thirds full on the remaining 15 nights. The prices charged are 50 cents less than those normally applied in the theatre. The local authority will pay for heat and light costs and will still honour the contracts of all artists and pay full-time employees who will sell refreshments and programmes, etc. The committee does not expect any change in the level of refreshments or programme sales if they agree to this booking. Note: The committee includes allocated costs when making profit calculations. They assume occupancy applies equally across all seat prices. On financial grounds should the management committee agree to the approach from the touring group? Suggested Solution To make a decision on the use of the theatre for one month the committee would calculate the relevant cost or benefit of accepting the tour groups offer as opposed to continuing as is (i.e. with the repertory company). Relevant benefits Costs saved with touring group: $ Costumes 2,800 Scenery 1,650 Casual staff 1,760 Relevant benefits 6,210 Relevant costs Decrease in revenue with touring group: Revenue with repertory company 200 x $6 1,200 500 x $4 2,000 300 x $3 900 4,100 $4,100 x  ½ x 20 41,000 Revenue with touring company 200 x $5.5 1,100 500 x $3.5 1,750 300 x $2.5 750 3,600 ($3,600 x 10) + ($3,600 x 15 x 2/3) = 72,000 Half kept by touring company leaving, 36,000 Relevant costs (41,000 36,000) 5,000 Net relevant benefit (6,210 5,000) 1,210 Therefore, the committee should accept the touring companys offer as it results in a net benefit to the theatre of $1,210 for that month. Non-relevant costs were full time salaries, heat and light, apportionment of administration costs and refreshments. Re non-relevant benefits were refreshment sales and advertising revenue. All of the above were non-relevant because they were unaffected by the decision (i.e. they were the same whether the repertory or the touring company occupied the theatre for the month). The qualitative factors that might apply to this decision include: The desirability of offering a range of activities in the theatre and thus to cater for a wider audience fulfils an important social role. The opinions of the artists who are employed by the theatre should be consulted. They may welcome some months for rehearsal or personal development. But if this were regular, the more talented people who were in demand may seek opportunities elsewhere. A different number of performances may have implications for predicted cost levels and the accuracy of the theatre occupancy predictions should be confirmed. Exercise Lombard Ltd. has been offered a contract for which there is available production capacity. The contract is for 20,000 items, manufactured by an intricate assembly operation, to be produced and delivered in the next financial year at a price of $80 each. The specification is as follows: Assembly labour 4 hours Component X 4 units Component Y 3 units There would also be the need to hire equipment which would increase next years fixed overheads by $200,000. The assembly is a highly skilled operation and the work force is currently under-utilized. It is company policy to retain this work force on full pay in anticipation of high demand, in a few years time, for a new product currently being developed. In the meantime, all non-productive time (about 150,000 hours per annum) is charged to fixed production overhead at a current rate of pay of $5 per hour. Component X is used in a number of other sub-assemblies produced by the company. It is readily available. A small stock is held and replenished regularly. Component Y was a special purchase in anticipation of an order which did not materialize. It is, therefore, surplus to requirements and the 100,000 units which are in stock may have to be sold at a loss. An estimate of alternative values for components X and Y provided by the material planning department are: X Y $ per unit $ per unit Book value 4 10 Replacement cost 5 11 Net realizable value 3 8 Overhead costs are applied on a labour hour basis. Variable overhead is $2 per hour worked. Provisionally, fixed overheads, before the contract was envisaged, were budgeted next year at $3,560,000 for productive direct labour hours of 1,040,000. There is sufficient time available to revise the budgeted overhead rate. Analyze the information in order to advise Lombard Ltd. on the desirability of the contract and briefly explain your reasoning. Suggested solution Advice on the contract will be based on the relevant costs or incremental costs incurred for the contract using the values provided in the question. $ per unit Labour: 4 hours x 0 0 Component X: 4 units x $5 20 Component Y: 3 units x $8 24 Variable overhead: 4 x $2 8 Relevant cost per unit 52 Total relevant cost = ($52 x 20,000) + $200,000 = $1,240,000 Revenue = $80 x 20,000 = $1,600,000 A surplus of revenue over costs of $360,000 is revealed so the contract would appear to be attractive. The recommendation is based on the following reasoning: Labour will be paid anyway as non-productive time so the incremental cost is zero. Component X will be replenished at the current replacement cost. Component Y is costed at its opportunity cost, that is, what could be obtained if sold at its disposable or realizable value. It is already in stock and has no alternative use. Variable overhead is incurred in relation to the direct labour hours worked. The only incremental fixed overhead is $200,000. The remainder is common and unavoidable in all situations. Advantages and disadvantages of Activity Base Costing Advantages of an Activity Based Costing System: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢The first and most important advantage is the accuracy in the process of costing with regards to the product line, the end-users of the product, the stock-keeping units employed by the management and the channel and category which streamline the flow of the product from the producer to the end user. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢This system better assists in the process of understanding the concept of overhead costs i.e. the allocation of common business resources as they are used by specific product lines and their relation to specific cost driver. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢The system is easy to understand and interpret is it is accessible, useable and practically implement able across all norms of business set-ups. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢This process uses unitary cost, or marginal cost as the computation base in contrast to the traditional cost accounting methods which employ total cost. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢The system works exceptionally well will quality improvement and up gradation programs e.g. Six Sigma à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢This system is particularly helpful in identifying and ear-marking some of the matters business activities which are a burden or stress on the business i.e. wasteful or non value adding services. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢The system also works exceptionally with performance management systems which are employed by most human resource departments in contemporary businesses. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢This process allows companies to implement costing strategies across another diagonal of the firm as business processes, supply chains and value addition channels are ably and optimally analyzed in this process. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢This system mimics the actual business process as the appropriation of common pool resources takes place in the same way as common resources are used in the business. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢This system aids in the process of benchmarking which is an integral part of the quality control system. Disadvantages of an Activity Based Costing System: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Data collection process for this system is very time consuming. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢The capital expenditure on the activity based system and its subsequent running costs can be a road block for firms. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢The system is very transparent which some managers would not approve of as they would like to keep some things out of the view of the owners of the company. Technical Limitations: The major technical limitation that will be faced is testing the hypothesis in the real world. Testing the hypothesis whether ABC is a more appropriate accounting solution is certainly possible on paper but its desirable effects in the real world cannot be properly gauged unless it is directly implemented by companies operating in the world today and the analysis is conducted in a kinetic time mechanism. This is a major stumbling block for most organizations who are remain transfixed to their current accounting mechanism and dont want to change over to this new system, which despite its obvious benefits, seems to come a great switching or even multi-homing cost.

Change vs. Development Essay -- essays research papers

Change Vs. Development The concepts of change and development come up frequently in the fields of business, technology, education, sociology, psychology, and many other fields. These concepts may appear to be the same, or similar, but they are very different concepts. According to Webster’s Universal College Dictionary, the definition of change is as follows: â€Å"To make different in form; to transform; to exchange for another or others; to give and take reciprocally; to transfer from one to another; to give or get smaller money; to give or get foreign money in exchange for; to remove and replace the coverings or garments of; to become different; to become altered or modified; to become transformed; to transfer between conveyances; to make an exchange; to pass from one phase to another; a replacement or substitution; a transformation or modification; variety or novelty.† The synonyms for the word change, as listed in Roget’s Desk Thesaurus, are: â€Å"alter, modify, make different, adjust, shift, vary, recast, restyle, remodel, reorganize, reform, revolutionize, transfer, transmute, mutate, transform, turn, convert, metamorphose; exchange, replace, substitute, swap, trade, switch, shift, interchange, shuffle, remove and rep lace; difference, modification, switch, shift, variation, deviation, variety, fluctuation, veering, alteration, conversion, substitution, swapping, reform, reformation, revolution, reorganization, and remodeling.† Roget’s Desk thesaurus even gives a good d...

Atmosphere in Shelleys Frankenstein :: essays research papers

Throughout the novel, Shelley uses a very gothic and gloomy atmosphere partly because she is reflecting her personal life into the novel and also to emphasis on the horror that come when men try to play God. â€Å"As I still pursued my journey to the northward, the snows thickened and the cold increased in a degree almost too severe to support.† (203, Shelley) In the quote, Victor tracks down the monster in the Arctic, Shelley uses such desolate locations to show the isolation of both Victor and the monster. Other desolate places such as the places described by Victor, (locations throughout Europe) were also used. Shelley uses the gothic genre to show the dark side of human nature. Victor became so carried away with his with his experiments that he did not consider that it would be evil to try to play God. â€Å"I had deprived myself of rest and health† (51, Shelley). It can be seen here that Victor what very involved In his studies of the reanimation of life, he does not think of the moral issues that might arise from his experiments. It is Victor that controls the technology and knowledge of life, but he insists on creating the monster. Shelley uses public prejudice showing the evil that society creates through the ever changing personality of the monster. â€Å"Who can describe their horror and consternation on beholding me?† (132, Shelley) The reaction of the De Lancy family towards the monster shows the horridness of the monster’s appearance, even though the monster was once described as â€Å"good spirits†, the De Lancys now detest him. In gothic novels, ideas about the supernatural and the mysterious are often mentioned, â€Å"the characters seen to bridge the mortal world and supernatural world.† (74, Coghill), Victor seems to have a mental bond with his creation, the monster seems to know the whereabouts of Victor wherever he goes. Shelley uses allusions from Rime of the Ancient Mariner to show man’s journey for knowledge through Walton’s expedition. This also links to Victor as he is somewhat similar to the Ancient Mariner, they both seek knowledge though the results of their acquired knowledge is different. The Mariner seeks spiritual knowledge while Victor searches for the secrets of life, Victor is cursed by his acquired knowledge unlike the Mariner who was freed by it. Through the Marina’s curse of killing the albatross, he learns to love all that God creates, Victor does not love what he has created causing the monster to want to kill his creator.

Creative Writing Piece †Inner Journeys Essay

Tom had always loved plants. He loved the way they would begin their lives as tiny seeds buried in their cosy little nests, and then, with all the essential ingredients a sprinkle of water, a cup of sunlight and a dash of time they would blossom into sharp Italian ballet dancers, their lively radiance beating against the cream-white window pane. Toms mother would grow these plants by the dozen, and, once a month, after harvest week, she would take all the plants away, replacing them with seemingly barren pots of soil, each containing their own hidden seed ready to grow and blossom into another magnificent dancer on the windowsill. It was the first harvesting week of the year when Toms mother first offered him the opportunity to plant his very own tomato tree. At first he was hesitant, but after some assurance from his mother he felt confident and ready. Make sure you give your plant plenty of water and sunlight, and it will have all that it needs to grow. And dont be late for school!The second the pot was in his grip, Tom raced to his bedroom and catapulted to the side of his bunk bed. Climbing up, he searched the room for the sunniest spot, like the night boat searches for the closest lighthouse. Suddenly, he spotted it. But it was so far away! Hed have to try and reach it. Balancing on the top step of his bunk ladder, pot in one hand, he stretched out his arm as far as it could reach, and just managed to tip the edge of the pot against the windowsill so it sat firmly against the glass. He climbed back down and sighed with relief as he glanced up at his creation. The whole world stopped in an instant as Tom marvelled at the way the light magnified though his window and reflected off the glistening soil into his bedroom. He felt the warm glow melt against his skin. He turned to walk out, but after every few steps, something inside him forced him to turn back, just to check that his plant was still there. He felt a sense of pride as he looked up at his establishment, a foundation for the rainbow of wonderful things to come. Satisfied, he felt a bubbling burst of energy as he happily skipped out of his room and headed off to school. The day seemed to drag on, and as soon as Tom was home he threw his schoolbag across the hallway and jolted to the castle where his tomato tree waited anxiously. He opened the palace doors and, once he saw it for the second  time, a rush of accomplishment swarmed through him and he skidded across the kitchen floor, attempting to sustain his balance while carefully collecting a glass of water to nourish his royal king. Back in his room, he climbed atop his bunk bed, leaned out across his room, and carefully poured the water into the plant pot, swirling it around in an attempt to spread the water evenly across the fine surface. He remained there for some time, and couldnt help but feel a sense of impatience as he stared into the emptiness of the pot. Had his plant grown out of its seed yet? Was it even growing at all? He knew he loved being able to look after a plant like this, even if he couldnt see it yet. Regardless, he headed off to bed, and through his dreams he saw his plant gr ow up to be the most exotic dancer of all. Harvest week came again the month after. Tom was scared. He had been looking after his plant for a whole month prior but he couldnt see any fruits! Following his mothers advice, he continued to water and care for his plant as much as he could, moving it to a sunnier spot and being careful to give it just the right amount of water, and finally, at long last, it blossomed. The tomatoes that grew on Toms tree were the sweetest and juiciest and most delicious tomatoes him and his mother had ever tasted. Harvest week came and went, and eventually his tree stopped bearing fruits. The vines were as bare as winter, and it no longer danced in the wind, but instead roared a silence so loud that Tom felt a shiver up and down his spine. Panicking, he decided he should move his plant to a sunnier spot he climbed upon his bunk bed, reached over and stretching his arms as far as they would go almost there just a bit further got it! He rejoiced as he collected the pot plant from its previous home and climbed down from his bed to move it to a sunnier spot. He had almost forgotten his plant was dying. What had he done wrong? He thought back over the previous months events, thought back to when he had first tended to the plant oh how he remembered being inexperienced! But no matter how far he looked back, he just couldnt put his finger on what he had done wrong. What could he have done to cause this? Three of his mothers words echoed in his head water and sunlight but he had already given it all that it needed Now, nothing seemed to work. It  was only after Toms mother returned home that night that Tom finally understood why it had happened. Everything in life has its place explained Toms mother gently. Everything is born to grow and live, and after it has served its purpose, it has to go. Your plant grew the most delicious tomatoes Ive ever tasted, but now its time for your tomato tree to say goodbye.Devastated, Tom handed the plant back to his mother and reflected on their times together. He remembered how he used to watch his little tree dance, its vibrant energy brighter than all the light from the brightest star. He wanted that back again. He wanted another plant. Suddenly, an idea sparked in his head. Mum, he began. Could I plant another one?

The History of Mental Illness

People with depression and people who are sad are something totally different. Last y, people with schizophrenia are viewed as crazy and dangerous. For these reasons, history has viewed these individuals differently and have been misunderstood. Because of the fact that people never quite understood mental illness, undivided LULAS were often mistreated. If you had a mental illness, you were perceived as a danger to socio TTY and were immediately transferred to jail with no further questions asked. Things like HTH s are difficult to believe, but they did in fact happen in our world.People with mental illnesses ere not allowed out and were basically isolated from society only because people did not undo restart what was happening in their minds. Imagine having to face a life inside a jail cell or a public basement for most of your life. To me, having a mental illness is all too familiar so when I hear about things like this t hat actually happen in history, it hits me hard because if we re to have been born in this c entry, I know I would have been one of many to experience the categorization and the enough ionic confinement Of these mentally ill individuals.In the 1 Boob's for example, people were not vie deed as â€Å"crazy', they were viewed as being Satan. However, there were two specific individual s who began to do something about these dangerous conditions. In the sass, activist Throated Dixie fought for better living conditions for the mentally ill after witnessing the dangerous and unhealthy conditions in which many patients lived. Her initiatives created a number of a asylums, but the horrible conditions still went on. In these asylums, the rooms were so small and yet so incarcerated that a Patti .NET could not move very far.Also, doctors were not very clever in coming up with ways to treat the SE people, so they just began to make treatments up as they went on. One of the treatments that t a doctor would use is lobotomy, which essentially means that the y would drill holes into the patient's skull to examine their brain. Another treatment they would use was electroshock there app. This meant that the patient would have a helmet on their head that would transfer electricity t 0 their brain to treat their illness. A man by the name of Clifford Watching Beers lived to tell his tale.Clifford was one of many battling a mental illness. In his biography, he describe sees it as a â€Å"history f a mental civil war† which he had to fight single handed on a battlefield that â€Å"lay within the compass of his skull. † After attempting to end his life, Beers ended up getting I n trouble with the authorities and had to attend court. As his punishment, he was sentenced to attend a mental institution in New Haven. After being admitted, the attendants shaved his leg s and put muffs on his wrists for restraint.Since these attendants were incapable of understands Eng the operation of his mind and what they could not understand, they w ould seldom tolerate an y means of disobedience. Lastly, he described the bathrooms of the wards as â€Å"a room in which vehicles [were] washed in a modern stable. † After Beers came out of his punishment, he decided to begin to change the m minds of those who did not know what to do with individuals with mental illnesses. As a result, he founded Mental Health America in 1909. Mental Health America is a nonprofit organization the at helps those with mental illness.To this day, it still exists and it even provides counseling a ND treatments at no cost. Ever since then, America's viewpoint on the mentally ill have changed for the better, A way in which it has changed is that now America provides effective treatment TTS that help the individual. One of the disorders that has been very effective in treatment is De oppression. Depression is a mood disorder caused and carried on by an interaction of gene ethic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors that affect the m ind and the body. S meeting that is misunderstood by society is that depression is only feeling out of the weather .However, it is far more than that. Depression is the intensity of the feeling of sadness and a pro longed period of negative feelings. It causes a lot of argumentative behavior, aggression, and f linings of wanting to be alone. Doctors have discovered that this disorder runs in families and ca n be traced through several generations of a family. They have also found out that it is caused by a n abnormality in the way the brain produces and maintains its levels of certain chemicals that are involved in transmitting messages from nerve cell to nerve cell.To treat depression, it is v ere common for the patient to be treated with therapy sessions, but if the depression is too SST rang they will get both therapy and antidepressants. Another disorder that has been effective in treatment is anxiety. Anxiety is quiz tee normal in many people, but the way it makes it a disorder is also the intensity of it. A person w tit anxiety will most likely get many panic attacks. A panic attack is an initial frightening expel irenic of brief but intense fear that occurs out of the blue.A panic attack is most likely to happen n if the patient continues to worry about things that others would not normally care about. D actors have discovered that people with anxiety have imbalances in levels of enumerators titers. To help them, cognitive therapy works very well in patients because it challenges your thoughts and helps the patient to control themselves better. Also, some antidepressants he Ip to lower anxiety. Lastly, schizophrenia is one mental disorder that was even new for me.When found out my sister had been diagnosed with it, was very confused because I did not have any experience with this typical disorder. Schizophrenics typically hear voices that other do n to and believe that others are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. Doctors have no true cause, but believe that exposure to viruses and malnutrition before bi Roth can affect greatly whether or not someone can develop this disorder. Also, it has been found the t schizophrenics have less gray matter and different brain chemistry and structure.

Teaching Mathematics and Science in Schools

The way teachers go about their teaching; each day in their classrooms is reflected as ‘teaching style’ or ‘approach’. This approach is better understood when the teachers are observed while they teach. Some teachers prefer activities for children associated with the curriculum, allowing students to chose their activity and complete it by themselves. Some other teachers would want the class to be attentive to them for most of the time. Certain teachers would like students to work in groups. Thus the methods adopted in the teaching-learning process is broadly reflective of the teacher’s viewpoint of what is ‘learning’ and how it should be brought into children.The process of learning is more successful when children are fully involved with the subject or topic of their learning. This is all the more important when teaching science. Life sciences involving plants and animals; and non-living things are real and can be felt. Experiencing the reality through interaction, makes science not only more interesting, but also easier to understand. Mathematics on the other hand involves a bit more abstract level.Yet, the symbols, signs and figures associated with mathematics with which children work, are self-created reality. In their effort to learn science and mathematics, children proceed further into the subjects, than just at the surface or base encounter. They analyze and interpret the object of focus and attempt to understand ‘how it works’, ‘why its required’ etc. Thus the child begins to develop reasoning for the facts it sees or understands. It may be the development of a new concept, or altering a previously thought concept, or even rejecting an assumption held till then. The teacher  who wants to interestingly engage children in learning science and mathematics must personally sense excitement in learning so as to share it with the children.The teacher should approach the topic of learnin g and the query asking children in a balanced and parallel manner. The teacher must be sensitive to the requirements of the children and help them to see relationships and understand explanations. For teachers to be proficient and confident in their teaching, it is essential that they understand the triple interactions involved in learning. The teacher must be conscious that while the child is interacting with him or her, the child is also simultaneously interacting with the focused subject. The focused subject or subject matter interacts with both the teacher and the child; while the teacher also interacts with the querying children and the focused subject.It is important to know the development of a child’s understanding and ability to reason, with their growth. Such an understanding is absolutely necessary in developing appropriate contents. For instance in the grades K-4, a child associates a comparison, a description, or a manipulation for all objects, it sees around. Al though the child doesn’t understand the science of motion while in this grade; activities like pulling, pushing, dropping of objects gives the child an idea of the cause of motion and its control.Similarly sound, heat, light, magnetism, electricity are broadly perceived through learning, observation and experimentation. However, the child would not be able to identify elements of temperature, magnetic forces, static electricity etc. In the grades 5 to 8, the concept of energy is developed through investigations into the properties of light,  sound, electricity and magnetism. In these grades, there is a considerable shift towards quantitative aspects of subjects. In the 9 –12 grades, students are geared up completely to deal with motion, force, energy; being familiar with theoretical observations and laboratory investigations (NJSC). Here they understand the reasoning behind the laws of motion and why energy is conserved. They are also capable of dealing with technolo gical designs and its problems, using the concepts and principles learnt.The association of brain functioning and educational practices is increasingly becoming an important factor in education. Brain-based findings have been closely monitored by specialists involved in education. The findings of cognitive neuroscience research has considerable bearing on the methodology of education. A new approach connecting brain functioning with education was emphasized in 1983. Leslie Hart, in his book ‘Human Brain, Human Learning’ suggested that by ignoring the brain functioning of students, the success of students is not achieved to its fullest potential.The philosophy of the newly developed ‘brain-based’ education is that the brain is used for everything we do; we should therefore know more about it and use it effectively. Contemporary models of brain-based education are multidisciplinary, relying on several disciplines like psychiatry, psychology, cognitive science , sociology etc. Brain plays an important role in the effect of classroom groupings, assessments, physical activity, lunchroom foods etc. Schools’ can affect students’ brain in several ways including through social conditions, stress, nutrition etc. These factors induce brain-based  influences by altering cognition, memory and attention.Neuroscientists Gerd Kempermann and Fred Gage discovered that the new neurons in the brain are intensely associated with memory, mood and learning. The process of neurons can be enhanced through good nutrition, low stress and proper exercise. The brain has the ability to remap itself due to its neuroplasticity (Jenson, 2008). This process can be influenced through reading, meditation, skill-building, career and technical education, and thinking skills, which contribute to student success.The importance of physical education is also emphasized by brain research. Cognitive scientists, physiologists, educational psychologists and physica l educators have strongly endorsed this view. Today more and more schools of education are incorporating the knowledge gained from brain research. Harvard University’s Mind, Brain and Education or MBE program produces postgraduates and doctors who eventually get engaged in interdisciplinary positions, both in research and practice.A report by the National Research Council Committee in September 2006, on the state of K-8 science education, has determined that science instructions offered in schools today are outdated. These are predominantly based on research findings of about three to four decades early. The report offers groundwork for the next reforms and is based on the recent understandings of how children learn, and recommends a narrower and better focus on important areas of science. It seeks to improve professionalism among teachers and have each aspect of instruction and  learning, better integrated with each other.The Council’s Committee on Science Learning, responsible for science learning in kindergarten to eighth grade had reviewed both, the reforms undertaken in science education in the last decade and the recent understandings of learning and cognitive science. The committee emphasized that young children are capable of intricate thinking and that each student develops an individual understanding of the nature around him. It also stated that the current debate on the importance of teaching content versus teaching process skills, should be put aside and both be replaced by interweaved aspects of science expertise.The committee has suggested that the curriculum, instruction and assessment should be properly integrated with the focus of fewer, central elements in each discipline, rather than surface level study of a wide topic. It points out that the current science education is based on relatively old assumptions. The current science education underestimates children’s ability of complex thinking and is more attributed to dif ficulty level in children rather than their ability.For instructions to be successful, teachers need to have a sound understanding of the subject, know how to teach it effectively and also be familiar with the recent research on student learning (AIP, 2006). Proper, effective instructions can clear misunderstandings and bring understanding closer to perfect. The instructions should include student encounters with science in a sequentially designed and strategic way. Students identified as proficient in science must be capable of explaining the scientific perception of the natural world. They need to be capable of introducing andn  analyzing scientific explanations, understand all aspects of scientific knowledge development, and participate in science-based exercises/discussions.The role of philosophy in developing the intellectual skills of children has been widely acknowledged. The induction of philosophy into the high school academic curriculum is gaining momentum, emphasizing n ot only the importance of the subject among them, but also the capability of the children for philosophical thinking. Dr. Matthew Lipman (1991), a philosophy professor at Montclair State College in New Jersey, emphasized that bringing philosophy into schools would only enhance the educational experience of children.The argument here was, philosophy could contribute to critical thinking, which is vital for all other subjects. Empirical evidence also shows that the cognitive and academic skill of children is vastly improved by teaching them reasoning skills early in life, banking on children’s natural inquisitiveness and sense of wonder. Obviously, such development would also contribute to the understanding of science and maths.It is estimated that about half the secondary teachers in the United States quit teaching within five years. Studies on the selection and services of secondary science and maths teachers reveal their inhibitions of isolated profession, lack of mentoring and dwindled prospects (KSTF, 2005).It is also important to address these issues, for the success of teaching and learning reforms. The new methods of education for school  children, particularly for maths and science should reflect the latest research into children’s ability and brain functioning. Engaging children in philosophical dialogues, also contributes to their ability of sophisticated thinking.REFERENCESAmerican Institute of Physics. (AIP, 2006) NRC Report Finds Much of Current K-8 Science Teaching Outdated.   FYI Number 142: December 20, 2006 [Electronic Version] downloaded on 24th Feb. 2007 from https://www.aip.org/fyi/2006/142.html

A Mystery of Heroism by Stephen Crane

Stephen Crane’s story entitled â€Å"A Mystery of Heroism† can be said as a great story in terms of using signs, symbols, language use, power, and character emotion.Crane used different expressive words to show the readers the situation of the soldiers while waiting for a big battle. They were not good-looking because of the dust and dirt that went through their bodies and uniforms. The readers would truly understand the life and situation of the field where group of soldiers were looking forward to death as they march their bodies into the forest without any assurance of being alive.Personally, I can say that Crane made a good attack of simple yet significant kind of heroism in his story. He showed that heroism is not always about dying for your country or people; it can also be shown as you face the risk of death for your own sake and for your company soldiers. It illustrates simplicity when it comes to the main conflict of the story – thirstiness.The soldiers are all thirsty but they refrain from going to the well for it will be the entry point to hell but Collins faced his fear of death and went to the well. For him, going to the well and get some drink would give him strength rather than ignoring his thirst and went to the battle and die.As first, his comrades influenced him to get some drink but as soon as he gets there, his dignity raised him to conquer his fear from all the manifestation of death that may surround him.As what the narrator described Collins, he was just a simple man with imperfection and uncertainties in life. He depicts Collins as â€Å"irritable, childish, and diabolical,† (Crane, 494).It means that though he was dignified as a man that led him to become a hero; he is an imperfect person with circumstances and irrational beliefs during his teenage years and can be the same while he was in the battle.However, Crane wanted to show that heroism is not about being perfect to face your lifetime. He wanted to shar e his thought that despite of all the flaws that a person has, he would still be proclaim as a hero once he makes a difference for the goodness of many.He used the setting soldier’s battle in the forest for it was always the situation where young men became heroes of the contemporary world. However, the irony within here is that heroism does not went through the battle itself fighting enemies to win the pride of the nation but doing a simple task to make all the comrades live by giving them liquid to refresh their empty and knuckled bodies.As I read the story, I felt sorrow and pain towards the soldiers. They need to be tough outside of their being even if they were weak within their souls.Through this, it can be seen that even they do not have the courage to do much things for their comrades and nation; they were already heroes of the country for they show the world that they could face the reality of death even if they do not deserve to die. It shows that they were all hero es from the day they went to the battle until they breathe their last.As a conclusion to this, Crane depicts the story of human heroism. It is a simple representation of true brotherhood and toughness. All soldiers deserve a great award for all their sacrifices and strength. Though it was a fictional story, the readers can feel the truthfulness of reality in the society. It showed that being a soldier is not just a simple job but a passionate responsibility to whole nation and they need to survive to be the armor of salvation.Work CitedCrane, Stephen. â€Å"A Mystery of Heroism†   p.490-496, 1895

Assessing Young Learners Speaking Ability in the Fifth Grade of Three Elementary Schools in Padang Essay Example for Free

Assessing Young Learners’ Speaking Ability in the Fifth Grade of Three Elementary Schools in Padang Essay Learning (1721) , Learners (44) , Elementary school (34) company About StudyMoose Contact Careers Help Center Donate a Paper Legal Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Complaints A. Background of the Problem Communicative view development in English learning makes the focus on English teaching changed. What once became structurally focused, it now moves toward meaningful language-focused. Students are not asked to memorize structure-based dialogues without knowing the meaning anymore. There are no more grammatically controlled sentences for students’ meaningless repetition. Dialogues, if used, center around communicative functions and are not normally memorized (Richards & Rodgers, 1986). That makes the teaching of speaking becomes the core part of English teaching. Just like the adults, young learners today are also taught speaking meaningfully and communicatively. However, young learners have distinctive characteristics compared with adult learners. One of them is children are still developing cognitively, linguistically, socially, emotionally, and physically (Teaching Knowledge Test Young Learners: Handbook for Teachers, 2010). In other words, in teaching speaking to them, teachers need to consider children’s development of skills in the native language first. Young learners also enjoy rhythmic and repetitive language more than adults do. They are more likely to play with language than adults are, and they can be more effectively engaged through stories and games (Peck, 2009). The different techniques and approaches in teaching speaking to young learners lead to different ways in the speaking assessment. This is the problem faced by Indonesian young learners’ teachers nowadays. Most teachers do not know how they should assess their young learners’ speaking ability; some finally choose to skip the speaking assessment and focus on pencil-paper-tests. Thus, this research is conducted to discover and reveal ways of assessing young learners’ speaking ability. B. Identification of the Problem Based on the background above, the speaking assessment techniques used for young learners should be different from the adult. It should be suited with their cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical development. As we looked upon Language Assessment: Principles and Classroom Practices by Brown (2010) and integrated it with curriculum standard in Indonesia, KTSP 2006, young learners will be better to be assessed in imitative and intensive speaking categories, such as imitating teachers’ saying, directed response tasks, read-aloud tasks, and dialogue completion tasks. Alternative assessments such as interviews and conferences can also be applied for them. C. Limitation of the Problem In this research, the problem will be focused on the speaking assessment techniques in the fifth grade of three selected elementary schools in Padang. D. Formulation of the Problem * What kind of speaking assessment technique used by elementary school English teachers? * Why do they use such techniques? E. Purpose of the Research The purpose of this research is to discover and reveal the technique used by English teachers to assess elementary school students’ speaking ability. F. Significance of the Research Theoretically, this research is aimed to give a description of how speaking assessment for young learners done in Indonesia. Practically, some techniques used by English teachers provided here can be a source of alternative speaking assessment. CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE A. The Nature of Assessment There has been various explanation of what assessment is. Brindley (as stated in Linse, 2005) refers assessment as â€Å"collecting information and making judgments on a learner’s knowledge†. It means that in assessing students, we need to find out what students know about the subject being taught and how far that understanding has reached the learning indicator. In the same line with Brindley but with an addition, Brown (2010) states assessment as â€Å"an ongoing process of collecting information about a given object of interest according to procedures that are systematic and substantively grounded.† In his statement above, Brown implies that the process of collecting and judging students’ understanding is not done orderly in one single time; it is done continuously. Harris and McCann (1994) also give an essential note that in doing assessment teachers have to measure the performance of their students and the progress they make, as well as diagnose the problems they have and provide useful feedback. In other words, collecting and judging students’ intelligence is not enough; finding out what becomes students’ problem and giving advice to them to overcome the problems is also important to create a more successful learning process. Based on the theories above, it can be seen that assessment involves collecting information about students’ knowledge and judging their understanding in order to diagnose the learning problems they have so that students can get useful feedback to be more-successful learners. B. The Nature of Speaking As stated in the previous chapter, today’s English teaching focuses more on communicative purpose of language learning than in the past. It leads to the more important consideration of speaking skills than in previous time. Just like assessment, there is also various definition of speaking. One of them is from Lingua Links (1998) that defines speaking as productive skill in the oral mode that involves more than just pronouncing words. Referring to today’s communicative view, of course speaking cannot be thought as just pronouncing words; it needs to be meaningful, and communicative. Furthermore, Noonan (2003) states that, if pronunciation included, speaking involves three areas: mechanics (pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary), functions (transaction and interaction), and social cultural norms and rules (turn-taking, rate of speech, etc). All of them are connected to each other and prove that speaking is not only about what is uttered, but also the meaning and social purpose. C. The Nature of Young Learners Young learner is a child who is in their first six year of formal education, from age 6 to 12 (Teaching Knowledge Test Young Learners: Handbook for Teachers, 2010). Many experts argue that it is beneficial to teach the children English since young age. TKT Young Learners (2010) notes one of the advantages that those children will have positive self-esteem toward English and it will help them to learn English more once they are adult. That is why teaching English to young learners considered important today. However, young learners have characteristics that make them different from the adults (Teaching Knowledge Test Young Learners: Handbook for Teachers, 2010). First, they are still morally, cognitively, psychologically developed. Based on Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, children in age 6-12 years old are still in concrete operational thought stage, they already have the ability to do logical reasoning and understand reversibility with the help of concrete objects (Santrock, 1998). It means that explaining theory will not do for them, we need to make them move, do games, sing, etc. Second, young learners often have no obvious reason for learning English. Unlike adults who want to do it because of the career-related reasons or teenagers that do it to pass an exam, young learners do not have concrete reason why they must learn English. However, it does not mean they are not motivated to learn English; their goodwill, energy, and curiosity to learning overcome that. Third, they may not always have well-developed literacy skills to support their learning of English. Many children in the age of 6-12 years old are just getting to know their first language. It means that as a teacher we need to not have too-high expectation and do more. Fourth, young learners often learn slowly and forget quickly. It is related to the first characteristic that young learners are still developed morally, socially, and cognitively. Their still-ongoing developments in those basic things make them forget easily and learn slowly. This is why songs, agmes, and chants do best for them. D. Principles of Assessing Young Learners According to METU Open Course Ware (2006), principles of assessing children’s language learning are: 1. Assessment should be seen from a learning-centered perspective. It means that we cannot get a true assessment by testing kids what they can do alone. It has been stated by many experts that the goal of learning English is to be able to communicate meaningfully in English. Testing students, let alone young children, as a tool to get true assessment will not congruent with the real goal of English learning and it will just be wasting time. 2. Assessment should support learning and teaching. This is something that is not also becomes a problem with young learners, but also with the adult. Before performance-based assessment is introduced, teachers chose paper-and-pencil tests as their source of assessing (Puppin, 2006). It becomes a problematic then since students do not see the connection between the learning and the test they are doing, ; they see them as two different incongruent things. If the assessment done is congruent with the learning they did, children will feel that what they have learned is useful. 3. Children and parents should understand assessment issues. Their understanding will make the assessment process more meaningful since they can participate and supports greatly on behave of children’s English development. On the other hand, if they do not understand why the teacher does this and that, there will be no good communication between these three subjects to help children’s development. E. Techniques of Speaking Assessment Brown (2010) states some techniques of speaking assessment based on students’ language development level: Imitative Speaking This kind of assessment is intended to see whether students can imitate saying in English correctly. Eventhough it focuses on the accuracy of repeating words, it does not mean that it cannot be communicative and meaningful. Besides, in recent years many experts have discovered that an overemphasis on fluency can sometimes lead to the decline of accuracy in speech. Intensive Speaking There are four tasks in this kind of assessing: directed response task, oral questionnaire, and picture-cued task. In oral questionnaires, students are first given time to read the dialogue to get its main idea and to think about the appropriate lines to fill in. Then, as the tape, teacher produces one part orally; the students respond. In directed response task, students elicit a particular grammatical form of a transformation of a sentence. Such tasks are clearly mechanical and not communicative, but they do require minimal processing of meaning in order to produce the correct grammatical output. Picture-cued task requires a description from the students. Pictures may be very simple, designed to elicit a word or a phrase, or composed of a series that tells a story or incident. This task is meaningful since sometime a little sense of humor is injected. Responsive Speaking Assessment of responsive tasks involves brief interactions with an interlocutor, differing from intensive tasks in increased creativity given to the student and from interactive tasks by somewhat limited length of utterances. The kinds of this assessment are question and answer, giving instructions and directions, and paraphrasing. Questions and answers involve oral interaction with teacher. Assessing Young Learners’ Speaking Ability in the Fifth Grade of Three Elementary Schools in Padang. (2016, Sep 10). ng-learners-speaking-ability-in-the-fifth-grade-of-three-elementary-schools-in-padang-essay We will write a custom sample essay on Assessing Young Learners’ Speaking Ability in the Fifth Grade of Three Elementary Schools in Padang specifically for you We have essays on the following topics that may be of interest to you