How to Construct an Index for Research

An index is a composite measure of variables, or a way of measuring a construct--like religiosity or racism--using more than one data item. An index is an accumulation of scores from a variety of individual items. To create one, you must select possible items, examine their empirical relationships, score the index, and validate it. Item Selection The first step in creating an index is selecting the items you wish to include in the index to measure the variable of interest. There are several things to consider when selecting the items. First, you should select items that have face validity. That is, the item should measure what it is intended to measure. If you are constructing an index of religiosity, items such as church attendance and frequency of prayer would have face validity because they appear to offer some indication of religiosity. A second criterion for choosing which items to include in your index is unidimensionality. That is, each item should represent only one dimension of the concept you are measuring. For example, items reflecting depression should not be included in items measuring anxiety, even though the two might be related to one another. Third, you need to decide how general or specific your variable will be. For example, if you only wish to measure a specific aspect of religiosity, such as ritual participation, then you would only want to include items that measure ritual participation, such as church attendance, confession, communion, etc. If you are measuring religiosity in a more general way, however, you would want to also include a more balanced set of items that touch on other areas of religion (such as beliefs, knowledge, etc.). Lastly, when choosing which items to include in your index, you should pay attention to the amount of variance that each item provides. For example, if an item is intended to measure religious conservatism, you need to pay attention to what proportion of respondents would be identified as religiously conservative by that measure. If the item identifies nobody as religiously conservative or everyone as a religiously conservative, then the item has no variance and it is not a useful item for your index. Examining Empirical Relationships The second step in index construction is to examine the empirical relationships among the items you wish to include in the index. An empirical relationship is when respondents’ answers to one question help us predict how they will answer other questions. If two items are empirically related to each other, we can argue that both items reflect the same concept and we can, therefore, include them in the same index. To determine if your items are empirically related, crosstabulations, correlation coefficients, or both may be used. Index Scoring The third step in index construction is scoring the index. After you have finalized the items you are including in your index, you then assign scores for particular responses, thereby making a composite variable out of your several items. For example, let’s say you are measuring religious ritual participation among Catholics and the items included in your index are church attendance, confession, communion, and daily prayer, each with a response choice of yes, I regularly participate or no, I do not regularly participate. You might assign a 0 for does not participate and a 1 for participates. Therefore, a respondent could receive a final composite score of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 with 0 being the least engaged in Catholic rituals and 4 being the most engaged. Index Validation The final step in constructing an index is validating it. Just like you need to validate each item that goes into the index, you also need to validate the index itself to make sure that it measures what it is intended to measure. There are several methods for doing this. One is called item analysis in which you examine the extent to which the index is related to the individual items that are included in it. Another important indicator of an index’s validity is how well it accurately predicts related measures. For example, if you are measuring political conservatism, those who score the most conservative in your index should also score conservative in other questions included in the survey.

The Impact Of Motivation On An Organization s Development

Motivation is what drives people to succeed and reach their goals. This plays an important role in enhancing an organisation’s development. An employee’s motivation can play a big part in organisational behaviour, as it is a fundamental part of how the employee performs in their role and how they assist the organisation in attaining their goals. Self-interest is defined as: â€Å"focus on actions or activities that are advantageous to an individual or organisation. For a business or individual to survive and grow, a degree of self-interest is necessary. When there is too much focus on self-interest the benefits of the group at large diminishes.† (www.businessdictionary.com). Motivation on the other hand is referred to as: â€Å"the forces within a person that affect the direction, intensity and persistence of voluntary behaviour. Motivated employees are willing to exert a particular level of effort (intensity), for a certain amount of time (persistence), towards a particular goal (direction). Motivation is one of the four essential drivers of individual behaviour and performance†. (McShane et.al, 2013, pg. 138). In other words, motivation is in the form of things that stimulates us, and further enhances our knowledge. People do things, not because they have to, but because they’re somewhat interested in the activity or the task that they have to do, and people often learn from these activities, get the results that they want, thus, making them strive to continue working. It is noShow MoreRelatedHow Performance And Employee Satisfaction?957 Words   |  4 Pagesunderstanding of work motivation utilizing confirmations from occasions which happened in Palm Troy Inc., a manufacturing company that focuses on one division of the organization where all the employees are women. Furthermore, it incorporates how motivation and organization behavior are associated, tossing the light on effect of supervision on organization environment coming about performance of the workers and organization all in all. This additionally incorporates how motivation -A mental processRead MoreCorrelation Between Employee Motivation And Job Performance Essay1098 Words   |  5 PagesHuman resource is vital for any organization. So it is important to manage organizational happiness, so that employees will do their best for the organization. An employee performance appraisal can act as motivation for an employee to improve his productivity. When an employee sees his goals clearly defined and is measured against the set goals and objectives, a need can be identified about the future strategies of employee motivation. In this review, I will look at and explore the multiple argumentsRead MoreHuman Resource Management And Its Importance1517 Words   |  7 Pagesindustrial economy to a knowledge economy era. Economic globalization and improve the level of global competition, organizations have had to make full use of all their resources to ensure its survival and development. As an important resource organization human resource organization also attracted more and more attention. Effective human resource management has become a key organizational development and success. In 1991, the United States, IBM and Tower Perrin consulting firm jointly nearly 3,000 seniorRead MoreRelationship Between Leadership And Motivational Theor ies Essay1297 Words   |  6 Pagesthey either ignore or unconsciously sideline the impact of motivation. It is not possible to measure motivation directly; it has to be derived from the reports or results of the performance outcomes. The difficulty in making these inferences is due in part to the complex and dynamic nature of the subject and in part to the presence of multiple causative factors. One has to first understand and define the concept of motivation - the concept of motivation in itself lacks a crystalline definition andRead MoreIntroduction. Sns Is A Marketing And Public Relations Company1544 Words   |  7 Pagescommitted to delivering industry savvy public relations services to clients globally. Our mission is to provide world leading strategies that will help create and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with individuals and organizations vital to their growth and development. It is therefore essential that the company provides an atmosphere of leadership, expertise and services that enhance the quality and effectiveness of client’s communications projects and programs. As such, an integral partRead MoreMotivation Theories Of A Diverse Workforce During Times Of Change Essay1696 Word s   |  7 PagesLeadership, Motivation, Change Introduction In this paper two motivation theories in a diverse workforce during times of change will be discuss. Differences, including theoretical premises, between two models will be explained. Details relates to challenges and opportunities in a diverse workforce will identified. Strategies to keep a workforce motivated during organizational change will be point out. Two Motivation Theories To begin this discuss a definition of motivation is presentedRead MoreThe Success Or Failure Of Any Firm Or Organization Depends Upon The Competency And Proficiency Of Its Workforce1584 Words   |  7 PagesAssignment Prof Terrell Aicha Diakite GB 540 The success or failure of any firm or organization depends upon the competency and proficiency of its workforce. 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In order for a company`s culture to blend well with its strategy, there mustRead MoreMotivator Theories Essay1108 Words   |  5 Pagesselected motivation techniques that will be used for creating Enron as a learning organization. The researcher will provide a description and definition of the motivation technique. Finally, the researcher will provide rationale for the using the selected motivation technique. Description and Definition of Motivation Technique Motivation is the act of getting individuals and/or group to do something that is goal oriented, has an incentive, or positive or negative outcome. Motivation techniqueRead MoreManagement Theories1287 Words   |  6 Pagesorder to satisfy what seemed the endless demands for new goods and services. As corporations and labor forces grew, there was a need to develop a more systematic study of organization and management, known as management theory, the significant being Frederick Taylor s Principles of Scientific Management which involved the development of training workers through special incentives and compensation (Boone p.33). In general, early management scientists tended to believe that there was a single way to organize

Procurement Plan for Algonquin College

Quetion: Discuss about the Procurement Plan for Algonquin College. Answer: Algonquin College one year strategic plan sets the institution's mission, value, and vision. Primarily, the procurement plan aims at ensuring that the required number of vehicles is supplied at the right time, place, cost, and quality. Algonquin College is a complex institution left with the responsibility for procurement endeavors devoted to departments or business units, schools, and faculties. The procurement manager and contract administrators in Algonquin College are responsible for supporting purchasing activities. Analysis of the market A select team has been identified to conduct a thorough market analysis. It is has been proposed that the team members to carry out the market analysis should undergo suitable training to perfect on their skills and aptitude. Undertaking training before the actual market analysis exercise will guarantee the college splendid marketing research results (Abramson, Harris, 2003). Objectives The procurement team aims at comprehending how the supply market functions as well as understanding the direction in which the market is heading. Besides, the institution wants to figure out the level of competition and the leading suppliers within the vehicle market. Furthermore, it is vital for Algonquin College to discover whether there are innovations of vehicles and how they are being sold. In the actual process of conducting the market analysis, the responsible team will also purpose to collect various intricacies regarding the vehicle market. Apart from studying on how supply markets works, they will as well consider comprehending how the goods are typically sold. In addition, the marketing specialists will attempt to figure out the best pricing model for this type of market and whether the dealers are selling or leasing out their goods or concentrating entirely on providing transportation services. Moreover, according to the procurement top executives in Algonquin College, it is critical for them to know whether there is a disparity between how the vehicles are purchased at the consumer level as opposed to the enterprise level. As a result, the market analysts will aim at realizing the existence of such a difference to help the managers in making their purchasing decisions. Another primary objective of the marketing specialists will be to acquire a rough estimate of who the leading suppliers are as well as the number of other key players in the vehicles market. Besides, they will purpose to comprehend the possibility of monopolistic behaviors taking place in the market of interest. A thorough market analysis will enable the procurement team to understand the most opportune time to procure goods and also figure out whether the market is susceptible to seasonality. Statement of Action The Procurement and contract administrator in conjunction with the market analysts will consult existing dealers of vehicles in the market to advise them on how supply market operates. Ideally, just like any other market, vehicle market adheres to the law of demand and supply. The interaction of the suppliers and the procurers in the market assist the former in determining the prevailing price, thus distributing limited goods efficiently. The sellers take the prices offered into consideration when deciding how many vehicles to manufacture. The law of demand provides that the higher the price of a given commodity, the higher the quantity supplied. Besides, market forecasters will be identified to explain to the team members on the direction in which the vehicle market is going. Based on the prevailing economic conditions in this locality, it appears that there might be no significant changes in the future of the vehicle market, substantial enough to affect the purchasing operations of Algonquin College. In the attempt to understand the competitiveness and the primary suppliers found within the market of interest, the responsible procurement personnel will identify the competitors, competition levels, their strengths, and weaknesses. Understanding competitiveness in the supply market assists procurement planning and continuing management of supply preparations. For instance, in a classic vehicle market, there is a high degree of competition which will certainly create more options for Algonquin College. Identification of competitors is critical to the institution since it reduces risk, expenses, and other unnecessary resources which might be required (McCue, Johnson, 2010). Further, the contract managers will examine the history of the market to figure out whether there are vehicle brands innovations or not and if there how they being sold. Recently, public procurement is being viewed as having significant ability to drive innovation in the market. In spite of this interest, various hindrances hinder the public sector from bringing in new brands in the market. The primary barrier to innovation in this type of a market is poor interactions between the buyers and the suppliers. As a result, in this vehicle market the analysts will realize that there are few or no innovations and if there, their prices will be higher comparatively due to their scarcity. Ordinarily, goods in a vehicle market are sold on cash on delivery basis. The term cash in this case is replaceable with the word collect to include other modes of payments such as smart cards or checks. Various motives might incentivize Algonquin College to use Comparison of Competitive Bids as their price analysis technique. This is achieved by asking at least three suppliers of the same product of their prices hence enabling the institution to determine the validity of the prices for vehicles. Moreover, understanding the terms of service of the vehicle dealers in the market is critical. For example, the chances are that Algonquin College is need of vehicles to provide transportation services within the institution and not for sale. As a result, the managers might consider leasing out instead of buying in case the former decision is cost-effective. In connection to this, comprehending the disparity in prices between enterprise and customer purchases is important since it helps the procurement executives in making further decisions. However, it is a common trend for purchases at a consumer level to be relatively higher than in the enterprise level. A vehicle market is composed of several players such as the manufacturers, suppliers, buyers, legislators among others. It is important for Algonquin College procurement team to figure out the number of players in the targeted market to act as an enabler in knowing other intricacies such as levels of competition, the possibility of monopolistic behaviors, the best time to place bids and whether the market is subject to seasonality. Thorough knowledge of such critical details will enable the procurement team to make well-informed acquisition decisions Engagement strategy It is necessary for the procurement managers and contract administrators to engage the targeted industry on the procurement plan of Algonquin College. Market engagement allows the procurement team to communicate their requirements to the suppliers as well as discussing the best course of action (Mosey Wiley InterScience (Online service), 2009). Moreover, the engagement will help the management to change and improve the procurement strategy. Objectives In the pre-procurement engagement process, the team will focus on implementing a suitable method to engage the suppliers in their plan successfully. Besides, the engagement strategy is meant to take into consideration the industry dynamics and factors spotted in the first stage of market analysis. Algonquin College needs to acquire a sound knowledge of the composition, size and nature of the vehicle market they are aiming at depending on for supplies. Statement of Action Algonquin College procurement team will design an engagement plan suitable for this exercise. The acquisition team members will meet with the vehicle industry bodies to engage them on its annual procurement strategy. During this process, the team will seek for solutions to the dynamics identified in the marketing analysis phase. The institution representatives will issue a Request for Information intending the dealers to provide information on market trends such as levels of competition, a presence of innovations and the perceived direction of the vehicle market (In Edquist, In Vonortas, In Zabala-Iturriagagoitia In Edler, 2016). Procurement plan The procurement and contract managers in Algonquin College have the sole responsibility of initiating an administration approach to ensure sustainability of the acquisition program for one year period. Besides, proper methods of procurement and methodologies are vital for the success of this exercise (In Cruz-Cunha, In Moreira, In Varajao, 2014). At this juncture also the procurement team is supposed to discuss on how re-occurring findings, continuing deliveries, and new vehicle requests will be managed. Objectives Algonquin College procurement team purposes to establish a suitable management approach to manage the procurement process of vehicles for a period of one year. In addition, the contractors and managers focus on coming up with splendid acquisition techniques as well as evaluation methodology to track the progress of the exercise. At this point also procurement administrators in the institution are obliged to establish the most suitable criteria to be used in procuring vehicles in the industry. Moreover, Algonquin College intends to propose how re-occurring procurements, continuous supplies and new entreaties for more vehicles will be managed. Statement of Action The procurement administrators and contractors will issue a procurement management framework that will act as an enabler allowing the select team and the managers to manage their dealings in the market in a consistent manner. Besides, the responsible personnel will implement the framework and launch it in a supported system through a workshop. Further, in conjunction with the business units in Algonquin College, the managers and procurement contractors will establish online procurement strategies to monitor the progress of the exercise with ease (Dominick, Lunney, 2012). The criteria for acquisition of vehicles will follow two fundamentals. First, a select team will do research, budget and describe the kind and quality of vehicles that best suit their demand. After defining the most suitable vehicle needed, the institution will take a look at the available goods in the market before the actual purchase. Moreover, the procurement managers will establish a training and improvement pro gramme that will enable the stakeholders to manage re-occurring findings, ongoing supplies and new requests for vehicles. Procurement Risk Assessment Procurement process just like any other typical business activity is vulnerable to risks. There exist some perils in defining requirement and planning supplies as well as deciding on the proper procurement methodologies (Russill, 2010). Procurement administration is therefore obliged to implement proper methodologies towards solving problems and mitigating risks. Objectives Algonquin College is focusing on identifying the potential hazards bound to deter the procurement progression as well as the administration procedure. Besides, the institution intends to determine the subsections of the process more prone to risks and which once the peril occurs can lead to substantial losses. The other objective of the college is to establish effective approaches to curbing risks occurrences and reducing their impact if they happen to take place. Statement of Action The procurement management team in conjunction with the contract administrators will select a risk management team and train the associates to equip them with the necessary aptitudes to identify risks, their sources either internal or external and initiate procedures to mitigate them. The selected team will be left with the responsibility to estimate the prospective impact of the risk in case it occurs. In collaboration with the risk assessment and mitigation team, the procurement managers will apply risk assessment matrix tool which will allow them to view the probable risks evaluation in terms of probability of its occurrence and severity of the repercussions (Olson, Wu, 2010). Value Proposition Currently, incorporation of social and environmental concerns in the procurement plan has become a legal requirement (Arrowsmith, Linarelli, Wallace, 2000).The inclusion of such issues in the acquisition agenda in an appropriate manner is important since they can be legitimately be integrated into contracts and as a result assist in furthering an institutions procurement policies. Therefore it is vital for Algonquin College to incorporate social and environmental concerns in their procurement strategy. Objectives The institution seeks to enhance the value proposition by the incorporation of social-economic and environmental considerations into the procurement strategy. Besides, the procurement administrators intend to mention social-economic issues they want to incorporate in the agenda in the contract notice and tender documents. Statement of Action Algonquin College will place the inclusion of social-economic and environmental factors at the forefront of the procurement strategy. This practice will aid a lot in improving the value proportion of the institution since it will directly benefit the local economy in a substantial sense upon the implementation of the procurement strategy. Some of the factors the supply management team will include in the contract notice and tender documents include economic climate, government policy among other environmental outlines (Great Britain Great Britain, 2009). References Abramson, M. A., Harris, R. S. (2003). The procurement revolution. Lanham [md.: Rowman Littlefield. Arrowsmith, S. L., Linarelli, J., Wallace, D. (2000). Regulating public procurement: National and international perspectives. The Hague [u.a: Kluwer Law International. Dominick, C., Lunney, S. (2012). The procurement game plan. Boca Raton, Fla: J. Ross. Great Britain., Great Britain. (2009). Greening government: Sixth report of session 2008-09 : report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence. London: Stationery Office. In Cruz-Cunha, M. M., In Moreira, F., In Varajao, J. (2014). Handbook of research on enterprise 2.0: Technological, social, and organizational dimensions. In Edquist, C., In Vonortas, N. S., In Zabala-Iturriagagoitia, J. M., In Edler, J. (2016). Public procurement for innovation. McCue, C. P., Johnson, B. R. (2010). Strategic procurement planning in the public sector. Herndon, Va: National Institute of Government Purchasing. Mosey, D., Wiley InterScience (Online service). (2009). Early contractor involvement in building procurement: Contracts, partnering and project management. Chichester, West Sussex: Ames, Iowa. Olson, D. L., Wu, D. D. (2010). Enterprise risk management models. Heidelberg: Springer. Russill, R. (2010). A short guide to procurement risk. Farnham: Gower.

Females And Their Animal Counterparts In Anime Analysis Essay Example For Students

Females And Their Animal Counterparts In Anime Analysis Essay The surreal ability of animals to communicate allows the protagonist to have a delightful and unique eloping hand in his/her adventures. Animal friend(s) get to provide comic relief, join the protagonists as they conquer, and help him them when they are in trouble. This is generally received well by the audience, Who are dazzled by the fantastic world painted for them on the screen. But, does the audience ever consider the emotional impact upon the animals themselves? In western animations, especially those produced by the magical world of Disney, there is an overwhelming sense of inequality between the animal sidekicks to their human counterparts. Films such as Pocahontas, (Walt Disney Studios, 995) Manual, (Walt Disney Studios, 1998) and Aladdin (Walt Disney Studios, 1 992) all feature animals or spirits that reflect the natural world. At first glance these animals are treated affectionately, but upon closer inspection, it is clear that despite their prominence in the films, they are still treated as second-class citizens, They are given no respect and barely ever taken seriously. Japanese Cinemas Hay Mistake strongly juxtaposes this relationship in his work. Two of his films, My Neighbor Torso (Studio Chablis, 1988) and Skis Delivery Service (Studio Gibbs, 1989), show a greater respect for animals and nature. This respect for animals reflects an overall greater appreciation for nature, and also helps to develop a closer bond between the humans and their animal counterparts. In Disney Manual, the character of Mush serves as Mullahs counterpart. He is a dragon, a majestic spiritual being, yet he is still mocked and ordered around from the very beginning of the movie. We see this during his introduction in the film, his over eager attitude is lambasted, and by the end Of the film, he has still not outgrown his comic appearance. The three main characters in Disney Aladdin all live a life Of slavery. One that would put current animal rights activists in an uproar. The beautiful princess Jasmines tiger, Rajah. Is mostly subservient. The evil Safaris talking Parrot, Logo, is at his mercy, and the protagonist Aladdin, though kind and protective, is still very much the boss of his pet (not friend) monkey, ABA. Again, by films end, it is difficult to argue that the characters have developed or become more serious In Pocahontas, the animals of the forest are not given much respect by the main character. Though they are aloud to eat and live With her, the film paints a picture Of the setting as her forest, and not heirs. When she dances, the wind follows her. Rather than the forest showing Pocahontas that it is in charge, she shows the audience that it is undoubtedly a setting that belongs to her. The animals in the film follow this line of thinking as well. Initially, Tit the hummingbird begins the film reflecting independent emotional thought, showing the audience that he distrusts John Smith while expressing a preference for Comma, Pocahontas other love-interest. However, by films end, any real rebellious independent thought is quashed. Oakums death, combined with Pocahontas attitude, sway the naive hummingbirds favor over to John Smith, thus playing a very small role in the Wests domination over native American hummingbirds ever since. (Nice one, bird. In the three aforementioned Disney films, the humans and animals (or spirits) interact like friends, but the audience always knows who is in charge. It is clearly shown that humans make the choices regarding the management of nature, the paths of civilizations, and most importantly, the acquisition of material wealth. Contrary to this, in Hay Mistakes animations, there is a stronger connection between humans and animals: Rather than using and becoming masters of their animal underpants , the characters develop relationships that evolve and exemplify mutual respect. .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd , .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd .postImageUrl , .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd , .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd:hover , .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd:visited , .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd:active { border:0!important; } .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd:active , .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uec856c65c4c87e148342b944cb558bcd:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Speak EssaySkis Delivery Service is a film which features a thirteen year old girl who is off to complete her witch training alone in a big new city. Without her family, the only other being that she has to rely upon is her black cat, Shoji. Though Shoji represents 3 sidekick type character to Kaki, he is still very much in charge Of his own life. He clearly chooses to be with her. More than once, when Kaki goes on a delivery job, ]xii decides to Stay behind by his own free Will. There is never a scene where Kaki ivies orders to Shoji. Though he is often swayed by persuasion to do something, such as pretend to be a toy cat while Kaki looks for the original, he is never under duress from anyone. Shoji, like any cat in real life, operates on his own schedule. Shoji shows this freedom when he has his own relationships, such as the one with the posh white cat that lives next door. His cat girlfriend is not the only animal he befriends. He makes friends with a dog, and he is also able to warn Kaki of incoming harsh winds after a flock of geese warn him, Compared to Kaki, Shoji possesses a power that is unique to him. While it seems that Shoji can communicate with any other animal, Kaki cannot, and she is lucky to speak with him, not the other way around. What is most representative of the importance of Skis relationship with Shoji occurs halfway through the film. When Kaki loses her confidence and her ability to be a witch (which can be linked to her closeness with nature), it is her lack of ability to communicate with Shoji that gives her the first sign of trouble In this instance, Skis whole life is represented by her ability to speak with her animal friend. When she loses this ability, she also realizes she cannot fly. She is devastated. Contrarily, Shoji seems unperturbed, continuing his life as if nothing has changed, thus perfectly representing an animals relationship with humanity. If humans disappeared, it could be argued that animals and nature would have no trouble continuing on within their own circle Of life. In Mistakes My Neighbor Torso, there are again female protagonists Who are going through their own coming of age. Unlike Kaki, they do not possess animal sidekicks. What they do have is each Other. In this film, the animal counterparts they encounter are even more representative of natures free will. The big Torso, the cat bus, and all of his friends are of, and belong to, the forest. The first links to nature witnessed in the film are the dust-like spirits that have inhabited the house that Me and Satsuma have moved in to. The sisters are at first fearful, but their father helps them and shows them that laughter and happiness is the number one thing that they can do to chase away other spirits. Laughter with nature helps the girls to learn about respect for the spiritual world, which is very much related to the natural world in My Neighbor Torso. Instead of the just-bunnies disappearing, they fly out into the sky, In the world of the Torsos, Nothing dies, it just moves around. The next animals we encounter are the small Torsos. Me, spotting them carrying acorns, is the first one to notice them. She then stumbles upon a giant Torso, in his slumber. We see him slumbering, his large teeth bared, but entertaining. The child grabs him, plays with him, and eventually wakes him up. For a second, suspense builds. The audience is playfully tricked into being frightened by Torso. .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf , .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf .postImageUrl , .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf , .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf:hover , .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf:visited , .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf:active { border:0!important; } .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf:active , .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ube987018ad18a9fdfc02b9ec23423dbf:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: THOMAS JEFFERSON Argumentative EssayHe roars loudly at Me, perhaps indicating his displeasure t being woken up, however, she immediately communicates back to him, with 3 surprisingly loud shout Of her own. Me and Torsos first meeting is one that advertises love for nature. The child finds something amazing in the forest, and though it could be scary, the film allows her to show a happy enthusiasm. In the first meeting. It feels as though the Torso chooses to wake up. We see this often in the film; the spirits of the forest making the decision to be found or spotted by their child counterparts. There is never a moment of service; it is all a product of friendship. This works both ways, as the children also want to help the Torsos with whatever they do, In a very agricultural-friendly scene of the film, we see the girls wake up and help the Torsos make the forest grow. They march around the trees because they love their friends, and they also love the forest. There is no message trot the film that one must help the environment or animals because it is necessary or sustainable or environmentally friendly. The relationship is quite simply a demonstration of love between animals and people. This politeness and kindness is also shown at the bus stop when Satsuma is waiting. She gives her umbrella to Torso_ Though confused, he receives the hospitality with grace. He then offers a ride on the cat bus. This whole sequence shows a young girl waiting on a dark night being accompanied by the spirits of the forest who are there to comfort and protect her. It is a touching thought. Finally, When Me is lost, running through the farm towns With corn for her mother hugged tightly against her chest, the sisters get help from Torso. It is his good deed to do, one out Of kindness and love, and not out Of being forced.

English language learning software Essay Example

English language learning software Essay English language learning software Name: Course: Date: We will write a custom essay sample on English language learning software specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on English language learning software specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on English language learning software specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer English language learning software Introduction The application of ICT in the learning process is a new phenomenon that has gained support from different regions in the world. Within academic and economic circles, it is ordinary to hear of meetings, conferences and conversations being conducted in English. In fact, English is so widely spoken and regularly taught that it would be difficult to engage in any substantial activity without understanding the language. English has been transformed into the customary language for businesspeople and academics. Therefore, verbalizing it effortlessly has numerous benefits. Technological firms have realized the issue of studying and teaching the English language in most educational institutions and have effectively come up with different products to counter this problem. By far, the biggest issue in learning English is the large numbers of students that makes it difficult to offer individual attention. The introduction of ICT into the learning system sought to bridge this gap by eliminating the issue of numbers, affordability and technicality of learning using new technology. ICT has also enriched the learning experience by making it more entertaining and informative. Vocabulary Generally, reading exposes people to a completely new world beyond themselves as it allows individuals to increase increases their vocabulary knowledge. Reading introduces students to new words, and in many cases, it allows the reader to infer their significance from the context in which they were written. Presumably, readers bear in mind most of the new meaning connections, particularly if they maintain reading and encounter the vocabulary words in a different context (Roberto, 2012). It is very reasonable to presuppose that learning new vocabulary through reading benefits readers whose first language is not English. Therefore, vocabulary is a fundamental feature in language, since it emerges in every skill of language from reading, listening, writing and speaking (Rank et al, 2011). Many individuals become conscious of the fact that they have limited vocabulary and that they cannot effectively express their ideas. English learning software has allocations for teaching vocabulary. These techniques are designed for different age groups from kindergarten to middle school. Popular applications such as Ultimate Vocabulary are interactive and flexible. They offer a broad series of easy-to-do examinations and exercises monitored by a special examination system that displays the student’s progress in a graphic representation (Rank et al, 2011). The software also provided all the correct spelling, the appropriate place to use each word and how the word would be used. These software systems therefore give users a better understanding of English words. Lastly, English vocabulary software has endless resources in the form of a thesaurus and dictionary that further elaborates on any word. The advantage of teaching using this method of vocabulary is that it overcomes any language barriers that the teacher may have. It also eliminates misunderstanding, senseless clarifications and exhaustion among the tutors (Roberto, 2012). Grammar Grammar software concentrates on comprehending grammar regulations and utilizing those rules in writing. These applications are developed for learners from primary school through university that have difficulty in grammar (Akinbode, 2008). The software was also developed with English teachers in mind who did not necessarily major in that subject as well as teachers who needed a substitute technique of teaching grammar. Software packages such as Grammar Key have about three levels of study for beginners, intermediate learner, and advanced students. These syllabi were integrated with the school textbooks from kindergarten to university. Grammar is systematic in nature and therefore it can be taught on a computer mainly because a computer cannot get weary while a tutor will need breaks to rest. The grammar software can say again any word or grammatical guide when instructed to do so. This repetition is important in that the grammar being taught will be internalized in the scholar’s mind. Having many students in one class at a go, a teacher may find it difficult to repeat the grammatical aspects to each child to a level that each child is satisfied. The installation of this software for each child eliminates these oversights and increases the efficiency of the teaching period. The grammar applications such as Grammar Key also show the relationship between clauses, punctuation and verbs thereby teaching the children other parts of English simultaneously (Adams Brindley, 2007). Other software learning systems such as Grammar Fitness have added features such as dynamic grammar exercises that seek to test whether the learner grasped the correct grammar. Like vocabulary software, grammar software also has a tracking system that can be customized to monitor the progress of each student separately. The results of each child’s performance are then presented in an easy-to-understand manner. A teacher may not have the time and organization levels to monitor the skill of each student. In such cases, instructors may employ the use of such applications to help them easily find out the weak students. Speaking In the present world, the significance of English cannot be refuted or ignored as English is spoken in almost all of the countries in the world. The advent of improved technology, English plays a key function in many sectors for example engineering, medicine and education. Of the three, education is the most important sector that requires proper English speakers. For students having career dreams, English appears as the first criteria whether they apply for a post when they seek admission in a reputed institution. Companies embrace candidates that can speak fluent English apart from having the relevant qualifications. There are various applications and programs established that teach people how to speak proper English. Within the school environment, applications such as Eye Speak have been introduced to help students who have difficulties in speaking proper English. These applications provide audiences where users can get professionals to have conversations in proper English. While this is also possible with the help of a tutor, the issue of numbers makes it difficult for one instructor to teach each child individually. The applications use either pre-recorded English audio sets or a real-time English speaker to translate and pronounce words for the learners. The advantage of the applications is that hey can be accessed by students all over the world through the internet. This helps in maintaining a high level of spoken English. Common features of English speaking software are the basic English pronunciation exercises and exceptional speech recognition feature that together work to improve the lev el of a students’ skill until thy can satisfactorily and smoothly speak English (Adams Brindley, 2007). Listening When studying English, most instructors tend to neglect teaching the learners the skill of listening is. Instead, they emphasize on teaching children grammar rules. However, listening is the most vital part of learning the English language. Speaking may be the overall goal but it is a byproduct of listening and reading. The usage of technological methods to teach children how to listen to English words and sentences mainly depends on audio channels (Akinbode, 2008). Again, teachers may require such software because of certain language barriers that may surface when the English teacher has a foreign accent. Normally, children are intrigued by audio methods of learning and therefore, this approach is quite effective when used occasionally in the classroom setting. The teacher can present the particular listening exercise using a stereo system for all the students to hear specific words and their sound. If stressed repeatedly, learners notice how the sound is supposed to be pronounced. Listening software is best effective when accompanied with flash cards or poster showing the word being spoken. Repetition is vital in these exercises to allow the children mull over the words. There are also listening websites such as Pod casts in English and Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab that offer different categories of pre-recorded audio clips for learners to listen and understand (Adams Brindley, 2007). Pronunciation Pronouncing English words in a wrong way may puzzle people even if the user had spoken advanced English words. A person can speak basic words and uncomplicated grammar structures that can be understood easily by many people but there is nothing like simple pronunciation (Roberto, 2012). For example, you will switch the channel when a reporter covering the news lacks a good pronunciation of English words because it feels confused. Pronunciation software aim to bridge this gap and eliminate the challenges of saying one thing and meaning another by applying different methods. Pronunciation software contains the correct words and their proper pronunciation. Apart from this, they also have different dialects and the common errors that each dialect is most likely to face in pronouncing the word. In short, students from different language backgrounds can select their dialect, find out their flaws, and fix them. Pronunciation software also makes use of the fact that children learn better by speaking rather than studying a language. Therefore, they usually have simple songs such as rhymes and lullabies that can be sung by children during breaks on a regular basis. The Sky Software House is a company that is highly reputed for producing quality language software such as Sky Pronunciation (Roberto, 2012). This application has customized learning capabilities that enable a learner to get a course that is tailor-made for their needs. A tutor can use the Sky Pronunciation software to create an exercise for children at the elementary level. The application has pre-defined templates and individual aspects that are both useful to instructors. News houses such as BBC –UK have also taken up the initiative to teach people on the importance of pronunciation when speaking English. Reading Students in whatever level of education should be very concerned with reading because according to Akinbode (2008), educational researchers have discovered that there exists a solid relationship between academic success and reading. Consequently, good readers in school are more likely to perform well in their examinations and do well than students who rarely read any book. Avid readers can comprehend the single sentences and the organizational structure of a work of literature. They can understand thoughts and arguments, and notice the consequences of different actions. They are acquainted with most of the words in the books and they can discern the denotation of many strange words from the context in which they were used. If this fails, they even resort to a dictionary. Reading software for English learners is also categorized according to the level of education. Companies such as Merit Software offer inclusive packages for readers that include products such as Reading Comprehension Booster and Reading Skill Builder. Other independent applications include PIE Transformer that includes diacritics to English sentences to simplify their pronunciations. These applications are useful in the case where the teacher cannot cater to many children simultaneously or physical conditions cannot allow children to attend school. Most of the learners that benefit from reading software are enrolled in home schooling programs. Either way, reading software use interactive texts and comprehension strategies to teach children how to recognize words and how to read them. Conclusion In the selection of suitable English learning software, various aspects should be considered. The application should present numerous realistic teaching features like pictures, entertainment, recording options, playback and a dictionary. The software should also be able to teach all the basics of English as mentioned above. Even though there are numerous advantages toward working with ICT to enhance the learning process, there are drawbacks such as infrastructure, inefficient software and computer-related complications that make the software an inferior technique (Akinbode, 2008). These ICT companies focused on easing the study and teaching of the English language produce specialized, interactive and accessible multimedia software that are administered through the internet. The focus of such products is to allow English students having fundamental computer expertise to utilize and successfully benefit from English learning software. In all the aspects of learning English, it is evident that the issue of having large numbers of students in a classroom greatly increases the burden for the instructor to teach English. It also means that the efficiency of teaching the language will be low as no one student can get individual attention. The introduction of ICT into the education system has created more learning opportunities for learners who could not access school facilities or were not able to afford them. ICT has also enriched the learning experience by making it more entertaining and informative. References Adams, A., Brindley, S. (2007). Teaching secondary English with ICT. Maidenhead, England: Open University Press. Akinbode. J O (2008). The Impacts of Information Communication Technology (ICT) on the Teaching and Learning of English as a Second Language in Nigerian Secondary Schools. African Research Review. Vol 1, No 3. African Research Review Rank, T., Warren, C., Millum, T. (2011). Teaching English using ICT: A practical guide for secondary school teachers. London: Continuum Roberto Martinez Mateo. (2012). An Experience on the Integration of ICT into a Teaching-learning Methodology of English as a Foreign Language. ACADEMY PUBLISHER

Intersectionality - Definition and Discussion

Intersectionality - Definition and Discussion Intersectionality refers to the simultaneous experience of categorical and hierarchical classifications including but not limited to race, class, gender, sexuality, and nationality. It also refers to the fact that what is often perceived as disparate forms of oppression, like racism, classism, sexism, and xenophobia, are actually mutually dependent and intersecting in nature, and together they compose a unified system of oppression. Thus, the privileges we enjoy and  the discrimination we face  are a product of our unique positioning in society as determined by these social classifiers. The Intersectional Approach Sociologist Patricia Hill Collins developed and explained the concept of intersectionality in her groundbreaking book, Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment, published in 1990. Today intersectionality is a mainstay concept of critical race studies, feminist studies, queer studies, the sociology of globalization, and a critical sociological approach, generally speaking. In addition to race, class, gender, sexuality, and nationality, many of todays sociologists also include categories like age, religion, culture, ethnicity, ability, body type, and even looks in their intersectional approach. Crenshaw on Race and Gender in the Legal System The term â€Å"intersectionality† was first popularized in 1989 by critical legal and race scholar  Kimberlà © Williams Crenshaw  in a paper titled, â€Å"Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrines, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics,† published in The University of Chicago Legal Forum. In this paper, Crenshaw reviewed  legal proceedings to illustrate how it is the intersection of race and gender that shapes how black men and women experience the legal system. She found, for example, that when cases brought by black women failed to match the circumstances of those brought by white women or by black men, that their claims were not taken seriously because they didnt fit perceived normative experiences of race or gender. Thus, Crenshaw concluded that black women were disproportionately marginalized due to the simultaneous, intersecting nature of how they are read by others as both raced and gender ed subjects. Collins and a â€Å"Matrix of Domination While Crenshaw’s discussion of intersectionality centered on what she has referred to as â€Å"the double bind of race and gender,† Patricia Hill Collins broadened the concept in her book Black Feminist Thought. Trained as a sociologist, Collins saw the importance of folding class and sexuality into this critical analytic tool, and later in her career, nationality too. Collins deserves credit for theorizing a much more robust understanding of intersectionality, and for explaining  how the intersecting forces of race, gender, class, sexuality, and nationality manifest in a â€Å"matrix of domination.† Privileges and Forms of Oppression The point of understanding intersectionality is to understand the variety of privileges and/or forms of oppression  that one may experience simultaneously at any given time.  For instance, when examining the social world through an intersectional lens, one can see that a wealthy, white, heterosexual man who is a citizen of the United States experiences the world from the apex of privilege. He is in the higher strata of economic class, he is at the top of the racial hierarchy of U.S. society, his gender places him in a position of power within a patriarchal society, his sexuality marks him as â€Å"normal,† and his nationality bestows upon him a wealth of privilege and power in global context. The Ideas and Assumptions Encoded in Race By contrast, consider the everyday experiences of a poor, undocumented Latina living in the U.S. Her skin color and phenotype mark her as â€Å"foreign† and â€Å"other† compared with the perceived normality of whiteness. The ideas and assumptions encoded in her race suggest to many that she is not deserving of the same rights and resources as others who live in the U.S. Some may even assume that she is on welfare, manipulating the health care system, and is, overall, a burden to society. Her gender, especially in combination with her race, marks her as submissive and vulnerable, and as a target to those who may wish to exploit her labor and pay her criminally low wages, whether in a factory, on a farm, or for household labor. Her sexuality too and that of the men who may be in positions of power over her is an axis of power and oppression, as it can be used to coerce her through the threat of sexual violence. Further, her nationality, say, Guatemalan, and her undocumen ted status as an immigrant in the U.S., also functions as an axis of power and oppression, which might prevent her from seeking health care when needed, from speaking out against oppressive and dangerous work conditions, or from reporting crimes committed against her due to fear of deportation. The Analytic Lens of Intersectionality The analytic lens of  intersectionality  is valuable here because it allows us to consider a variety of social forces simultaneously, whereas a class-conflict analysis, or a gender or racial analysis, would limit our ability to see and understand the way privilege, power, and oppression operate in interlocking ways. However, intersectionality is not just useful for understanding how different forms of privilege and oppression exist simultaneously in shaping our experiences in the social world. Importantly, it also helps us to see that what is perceived as disparate forces are actually mutually dependent and co-constitutive. The forms of power and oppression present in the life of the undocumented Latina described above are particular not just to her race, gender, or citizenship status, but are reliant on common stereotypes of Latinas in particular, because of how their gender is understood in the context of their race, as submissive and compliant. Because of its power as an analytic tool, intersectionality is one of the most important and widely used concepts in sociology today.

Public Opinion & Public Policy - [400 Level Political Science Course] Research Paper

Public Opinion & Public Policy - [400 Level Political Science Course] - Research Paper Example The public then evaluates the agenda, based on the values and beliefs, as well as the preferences, and then give their opinion regarding the same. However, most significant of this concept, is the framing of the agenda and the ideas sought by the media. This is because, based on the way a certain agenda is articulated, the same individual can give diverse opinions (Jopkke, 251). Therefore, framing of the public opinion agenda should be done consistently with the actual target information that the agenda is to gather. Social desirability is yet the other consideration that should be made while preparing for a public opinion. The medium that is used to collect public opinion highly determines the response that is obtained (Guimond, 645). This way, the same issue can fetch different responses based on the medium applied. Thus, it is vital to use a medium that is socially desirable to all. This will assure getting the right response on the target issue. The study of public opinion is important. From the beginning of the concept of public opinion, the views obtained from the opinions given by the public regarding a certain issue, have not only been used to give public views regarding the issue, but also to shape and determine the destiny of such an issue (Hugh, 69). A public opinion indicates the attitude, the feelings, the approval or the disapproval of a certain issue by the public. This being the case, it is important to study public opinion, since it helps to understand the real feelings and attitudes that the public holds towards a certain issue (Guimond, 644). Failure to study public opinion would mean that certain decisions are reached on the basis of what certain individuals feel or think, devoid of incorporating the feelings of the public, which is the most affected entity by any social, economic or political