Real GDP Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Real GDP - Coursework Example The overall macroeconomic picture of United Kingdom looks quite bright as the country remained successful in increasing the real GDP growth until 2008 recession which hit the country hard and after almost two decades, the country experienced negative growth in terms of real GDP. Before this recent negative growth rate in GDP, the country in question experienced negative growth in real GDP in 1991 once again due to economic recessionary period. The above chart shows the performance of real GDP of United Kingdom. As it can be seen quite clearly that the country managed a sustainable increase in the real GDP especially experience high growth in the period of 1980-90, but the real GDP showed disappointing results just after 90’s. After the 1993, the country again started to climb highly in terms of real GDP till 2008 recession. Since 2008 recession, the country’s real GDP growth is the slowest in the past 40 years.  Ã‚  Real GDP per capita of United Kingdom has also remai ned increasingly stable even though the population of United Kingdom has also increased. But the country has managed to cover the effect of population increase as well as increased the real GDP alone. In a nutshell, the real GDP per capita of United Kingdom increased in almost in the same manner as that of total real GDP even though the real GDP per capita also incorporated the increasing impact of population. The above chart represents the overall performance of real GDP per capita of United Kingdom. It can be noticed that there are slight downfalls in the curve but the overall curve possesses an increasing trend until the 2008 recessionary period. Since then, the real GDP per capita is on a declining trend mainly due to decrease in the total real GDP supported by the increase in the population. The percentage growth rates for real GDP and real GDP per capita have also been calculated. It can also be observed that growth rate of real GDP has experienced an increasing trend in the p eriod of 1970 – 2009 with the exceptions of initial few year of 70’s, 1991 and lastly 2008. In those mentioned years the macroeconomic growth of United Kingdom remained negative due to the economic depression all around the world. Similar patterns can also be observed with real GDP per capita of United Kingdom in the period in question. Real GDP per capita seems to track its origin i.e. real GDP and followed it almost every year. It can be summarized the United Kingdom has been well above the positive real GDP in the past 40 years which is a good indicator of its overall macroeconomic progress.

A Report on Customer Satisfaction and Motivation at Brown Smith Essay

A Report on Customer Satisfaction and Motivation at Brown Smith Company - Essay Example Preliminary studies conducted had indicated that the decline was attributed to client discontent and de-motivation caused by long procurement procedures and poor handling of customers by company employees. Having been mandated to conduct this study, a proper procedure had to be selected, a selection of 40 percent of all regular clientele was interviewed between October 15th and November 10th 2011 on issues such as; The overall customer satisfaction on the services offered by Brown Smith Company, Common problems encountered that are linked to procurement procedure in the company, Suggestions for improvements of procurement policies and Problems associated with conduct of employees in the company. The report seeks to draw attention on the factors causing the sharp drop in company’s profit margins. It further seeks to suggest remedies to curb problems causing the company the current financial condition. Body The report draws hypothesis from the fact that in the last two years, Br own Smith Company had been a dominant share holder in the market. The profits generated over years had always doubled annually until last year when the huge profits and volume of sales started declining drastically. A case study conducted earlier showed that Brown Smith Company was worth $17 million. ... Investigations onto this move indicated that the clients were generally discontented with the services offered by the company. Moreover, customers were mostly dissatisfied with the long procurement process they go through before purchases are made. The long procurement process was much discouraging as it was characterized by other problems such as damage to goods. In addition, there are a number of mushrooming companies that are producing similar goods as Brown Smith Company and as a result competition in the market has gone high. This has split the profits and prevented market domination causing low volume of sales and less profits. It was also quite notable that since its inception, the company has not established away of motivating its clients. Furthermore, procurement procedures have not been reviewed for the last ten years. It was also noted that the company still uses the traditional system of purchasing and selling goods which is proofing to be much expensive, cumbersome and t ime consuming. Finally, clients encountered some problems especially when dealing with some company employees creating an almost impossible environment for reasonable business activity. Conclusion Owing to above facts and or claims, there is a need to put in place the following measures; Motivate customers by improving the quality of goods produced and offer after sale services. Review the current policies on procurement with a view of simplifying the whole process to meet the needs and expectations of the clients. There is a need for the staff of Brown Smith Company to have courtesy with the customers. This is possible through training and giving clients a chance to give views on how they think they should best be handled. There a need for the company to offer

The Crucible- Coursework Assignments Essay Example for Free

The Crucible- Coursework Assignments Essay Proctor is introduced to the Plays audience fairly early in the play, his entrance on the scene being announced rather dramatically by Mary Warrens reaction to it. The stage directions dictate the atmosphere surrounding Proctors entrance. The actress playing the part of Mary Warren is directed to leap in fright upon seeing Proctor enter, thereby portraying proctor as a character who is feared by Mary Warren, although the reason for that fear is not yet apparent. Mary Warren has already been portrayed as a servant in Proctors house and her directed reaction to meeting him at this point in the play gives us an insight into his relationship with her and generally into the effect that he has on people in his own household. Clearly Mary Warren at this point shows the audience that Proctor is either a man worthy of great respect and that she is in awe of him or that he is a domineering, unpleasant employer. The stage direction and Mary Warrens reaction as directed leave the audience in doubt as to precisely what type of character Proctor is, but in no doubt as to his effect on Mary herself. It is only when Proctor begins to speak that the audience learns that he is a strong minded and strict employer, capable of making life difficult for his servants and demanding unquestioning obedience. His opening remarks to Mary betray his character as such an employer when he says: Be you foolish, Mary Warren? Be you deaf? I forbid you to leave the house, did I not? Why shall I pay you? I am looking for you more often than my cows!  Despite the initial impression of Proctor as a man perhaps worthy of great awe and respect, he audience begins to see another side of the character in his dealings and conversation with Abigail. Abigail was at first brought into Proctors house as an aide for his wife Elizabeth. Whilst performing her duties as an aide, Abigail became involved in an intimate relationship with Proctor, unbeknown to Elizabeth. Elizabeth was aware of there being an unusual relationship between them but not aware of the extent or nature of the relationship. Proctor and Abigail conducted a secret and illicit affair for some time before Elizabeth became aware of the adultery and brought an end to the relationship by expelling Abigail from the house.  I came to think he fancied her. And so one night I lost my wits, I think, and put her out on the highroad. So as not to be disgraced, Elizabeth maintains to the world at large that her marriage is fine, but Proctors behaviour with Abigail has placed a strain on their marriage. Proctor is resentful of many things. Firstly he is clearly remorseful about the manner in which his conduct has affected his marriage and his relationship with Elizabeth. On the other hand he is resentful of Elizabeth for bringing to an end the relationship with Abigail which he obviously valued. His feelings towards Abigail are a mixture of anger (because of the damage to his marriage and the fact that a continued relationship with her is impossible) and longing in that if he had the opportunity to carry on the affair with Abigail or had his time again, he would continue the illicit relationship. He is therefore a man torn between his duty as a husband and his desires as Abigails former lover. He demonstrates this by flirting with Abigail but then moments later reminding her that their relationship can never be rekindled. Over shadowing all of these feelings is Proctors guilt at his infidelity. Although Proctors private life has been subjected to turmoil through his adultery with Abigail, this seems not to have affected his generally confident and opinionated views of matters outside his home. His first impressions, for example, of the mumblings of witch craft are sarcastic and betray his view that the suggestions are ridiculous.  (his smile widening): Ah, youre wicket yet, arent y!  Clearly Proctor believes the suggestions of witchcraft to be nothing but foolish nonsense of which he should take little or no notice. It is perhaps because he is talking to Abigail with whom he is flirting but at the same time trying to keep his distance that he does not take the talk of witchcraft seriously. He clearly has a special heart for Abigail, which he can no longer admit to, and his views of her and feelings towards her cloud his judgement on the aspect of witchcraft. He cannot take her seriously in this regard and simply makes a joke of the whole issue since his attentions are torn between his loving regard for her and his marital duty. Proctor constantly fights with his desire for Abigail whilst defending his duty as a married man not to become involved with her again. His guilt is obvious.  Abby, I may think of you softly from time to time. But I will cut off my hand before Ill ever reach for you again. Wipe is out of mind. We never touched, Abby. Proctors conversations with his wife Elizabeth further show the extent to which he is over sensitive about his conduct in the past. In their discussion in act two concerning the allegations of witchcraft in Salem, he is very defensive of Elizabeths suggestions that he go into Salem in order to set the record straight. The fact that he would have to call into doubt the word of Abigail makes matters worse. He knows that it is only right and proper that he go into Salem to tell the court that Abigail has fabricated the stories of witchcraft but it is his feelings for Abigail that have prevented him from doing so up to now. He knows that he cannot simply stand by and allow innocent people to hang, but if he exposes Abigail, he also runs the risk of harm to her and exposing his own infidelity. This is why he is so reluctant to go into Salem. His annoyance with Elizabeth is not based on her persistence in asking him to do the right thing (which he knows he must do) but rather upon her understandable doubts as to his true motives for not going into Salem immediately to challenge Abigail. Elizabeths criticism is justified and proctors anger is not.

Practice of Insight Meditation: Types, Uses and Benefits

Practice of Insight Meditation: Types, Uses and Benefits The Liberating Practice of Insight Meditation The practice of meditation has many benefits for its practitioners. Apart from enabling the person to experience a sense of freedom from oneself and at the same time oneness with the self, meditation can also be used to govern essential aspects of life. This has led to the development of several forms of meditation, including mindfulness meditation and insight meditation. Among these two most commonly practiced forms of meditation, this module would focus on insight meditation and how the practice of insight meditation can lead to the liberation of the mind while being able to understand things you would have not been able to without its practice. The Meaning of Insight Meditation Insight meditation, also known as VipassanÄ  in Pali or VipaÅ›yanÄ Ã‚  in Sanskrit is a form of meditation practice with Buddhist origins. The word VipassanÄ  in the Pali language can be translated as being able to gain insight or to see clearly. These terms therefore are used to denote that insight meditation does indeed help an individual practicing it gain a deeper sense of knowledge of the reality of things and their true nature. The word VipassanÄ  in the Pali language can be translated as being able to gain insight or to see clearly. VipassanÄ  also has a synonym in the word paccakkha in the same Pali language (pratyaksa in Sanskrit). This term means seeing things before one’s eyes, expressing the perception of things based on experience. Owing from its roots in VipassanÄ , there is a direct experience (or seeing) that leads to the perception of things. This perception is what would allow meditators using VipassanÄ  to be able to derive meaning and knowledge from things, which can be said to be far better since they have experienced it. The practice of insight meditation is also done in cultures other than those originating from Pali and Sanskrit. In Tibet, VipassanÄ  has a counterpart in the word lhagthong. This term is formed through a combination of two shorter words lhag and thong. Lhag means something that is greater, superior or higher; while thong is used to denote the phrase to see, or to view. Therefore, the Tibetan meaning of Insight meditation can be seeing things in a superior way, or being able to look into the essential nature of things. This means that VipassanÄ  can also be expressed as being able to lucidly see things, or view them clearly. The Roots of VipassanÄ  VipassanÄ  has its roots in Buddhist and Yogic meditation practices, but it is not often mentioned in most suttas, although in the discourses and other old documents (most of which dates back to the time of the Buddha) written in the Pali language, terms such as samatha and VipassanÄ  existed. In these old writings, VipassanÄ  is used to denote clear-seeing, but then again the word itself is not directly quoted to be coming from the Buddha’s lips. What the Buddha is quoted to have used is the word jhana when he tells his disciples to meditate, although jhana is not similar to VipassanÄ  or any similar meditation techniques. Readers and scholars of the suttas claim that the suttas were not exactly the origin of the meaning of VipassanÄ  and its practice, although it is through the interpretation of the suttas that gave rise to the meaning of VipassanÄ . These interpretations were based on the debates in the ancient times about the teachings of the Buddha and how they are to be interpreted, classified and put into a hierarchy. This is expressed in the Visuddhimagga. How the Practice of VipassanÄ  Helps Gain Insight The manner in which VipassanÄ  is practiced is different from other Buddhist meditation practices in the modern times. It also has differences from other meditation forms that are not Buddhist in origins. This difference lies on one key aspect of VipassanÄ , and that is because of the inclusion of techniques that aims to develop insight in the individual practicing it. This development of insight includes the practice of one’s ability to contemplate on things, do an introspection in the meaning of these things, observe how his body experiences sensations, be able to meditate analytically and do observations on to this day-to-day life. In Theravada Buddhist practice VipassanÄ  meditaion is done together with the practice of mindfulness of breathing. Also, the impermanence of things and gaining insight into them is another key area of practice. This can be interpreted in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness as they appear in the Satipatthana sutta. These are: The kaya or body (also sometimes interpreted as breath); The vedana or the feeling tone of the person (mostly in terms of sensations); The citta or the consciousness (sometimes interchanged with mind); and The dhamma or the mind objects (phenomena). Moreover, practices leading to development of insight are also used to be able to meditate using VipassanÄ  are cited in the suttas. These consists of being able to practice mindfulness breathing and the capacity to contemplate on impermanence of things. Mindfulness of breathing. To be able to successful practice VipassanÄ , it is essential for the meditator to practice mindfulness of breathing first. This can be done by having the meditator watch his or her breathing patterns and notice them simply for what they are. This means that if he or she notices that the breaths are either long or short, these would be interpreted as such. Contemplation of permanence (Sampajaà ±Ãƒ ±a). This is usually done after the meditator has successfully practice mindfulness of breathing. It is based on the belief that if you are aware of the changes your body goes through as you carry out breathing, then you can understand how the sensations you have in your body are bound to arise and pass away with time. This means that there is impermanence in the bodily sensations. When these things are contemplated on, an awareness on their impermanence and relevance is born, and with it the development of a sense of self that is independent from these things. Stages in the Practice of VipassanÄ  The practice of VipassanÄ  has the aim to allow the meditator to gain different levels of insight into things which happens as a part of an ongoing process. This insight is deemed to be able to help in reaching a stage in which the sensations and feelings experienced in the body (the vedana) slowly dissolves into the consciousness and are replaced by subtle sensory flow throughout the body. This subtle flow of sensations is called the bhaà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã¢â‚¬ ¦gÄ nupassanÄ  à ±Ã„ Ãƒ ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã¢â‚¬ ¡a in the (Pali language, and bhaà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã¢â‚¬ ¦gÄ nupaņºyanÄ jà ±Ã„ na in Sanskrit) or the knowledge of dissolution. The final step into this distinct process is the possession of the meditator od mental purification. The meditator practicing VipassanÄ  is also expected to experience decreased levels of attachments (or bodily cravings) and fears or aversion. After this happens, the stage of saà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã¢â‚¬ ¦khÄ rupekkhÄ Ãƒ ±Ã„ Ãƒ ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã¢â‚¬ ¡a (in Pali, or saà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã†â€™skÄ ropekà ¡Ã‚ ¹Ã‚ £Ã„ jà ±Ã„ na in Sanskrit) will be attained, where the meditator would have a strong foundation of knowing that all formations or things are equal. This state of equanimity (or upekkha) can be considered as a state of Brahma in the Theravada Buddhist practice. The Benefits of Insight Meditation VipassanÄ  or insight meditation can help its practitioner in developing the ability to gain insight into things or phenomena and their sense of impermanence. This ability to see this truth is what makes it possible for the meditator to be liberated from such things permanently. The longer the time that a meditator practices insight meditation, the better the improvement that he or she will gain in the perception of his or her existence. This is what most Theravada practitioner refer to as the evolution of knowledge during practice. Coming from a different perspective, the practice of insight meditation also has benefits backed by science and medicine. In a study that were conducted among Western people who were practicing insight meditation, MRI images revealed thicker brain regions in these individuals. These thickened regions of the brain are noted to be those that are related to visual (or pertaining to seeing), auditory (or hearing), somatosensory, and even processing sensations and stimuli interoceptively. These changes are also seen to differ depending on how long the meditator practice and also how long each day they spend practicing insight meditation. The thickening areas of the brain of those practicing insight meditation can be helpful in slowing the progression of cognitive decline especially in those experiencing it as part of the normal aging process. Requirements in the Practice of VipassanÄ  or Insight Meditation Starting any meditation practice is usually a challenge for meditators. It is essential that those who are teaching meditation be able to help bridge the gap between successful practice and the willing meditator. The key lies in having set clear guidelines and explanation of the steps needed to be taken to establish a good foundation for good meditation practice. Doing insight meditation or VipassanÄ  is therefore no exception. The following steps may be helpful in attaining good foundation in insight meditation. Find a special place. Insight meditation would require its practitioners to free their minds from all thoughts that would hinder it. A quiet place where the meditator can focus and do VipassanÄ  undisturbed would be best. This place may be a small corner in the house or inside the meditators room or even in his or her garden. As long as the place is free from all things that can have negative impact in the practice of good meditation, then it is okay. Feel comfortable. Most modern-day meditators come from environments that are high in stress and negative vibes. These things can work adversely if the person would want to practice meditation. Feeling comfortable not only with the environment and setting a special place of meditation is not enough. Being comfortable in themselves is also necessary. This can be achieved through cleaning the body first and the face before the start of meditation, or if there is still time before starting, a warm shower can do wonders in easing stresses and increasing the person’s comfort level. Ensure proper posture. Ideally, meditation does not require its practitioners to assume a certain position, but it would be quite difficult to focus and concentrate in just any position especially for beginning meditators. The suggested position for meditation in most literature would be the Lotus Position, although its modified Half-Lotus can also be used for those who have difficulty assuming the former. However, any position can be used as long as the back of the meditator is straight (or the spine is erect) and the manner of sitting or standing is not strained. This should be done while the person is completely alert of his surroundings, position and even breathing patterns. Just a word of caution, beginning meditators should be discouraged from assuming positions that can make them fall asleep as this would disrupt meditation. Free the mind. This can be started when the meditator seated comfortably and in peace and quiet. Relaxation is one of most important things to bear in mind when trying to free the mind of all the thoughts that has the tendency to intrude on the meditation process. Emptying the mind from all thoughts that have a negative implication on gaining insight is important to successful meditation. Observe breathing patterns. This is usually the first stage of insight meditation. Observing the way how a person breathes increases his or her level of awareness of changes that goes through the body with each breath. While doing this, awareness is gained in the nature of things, while freeing the mind from all things that clutter it. Regulate the breathing until it becomes as natural as it should. Smile. In most beginners practicing insight meditation, the presence of obtrusive thoughts and negative feelings would be unavoidable. Adding a positive feeling tone would help block these thoughts from disrupting the attainment of insight. Smiling is one way to this. When the meditator smiles, there is release of endorphins which can contribute to a general good feeling. When the meditator feels good, he or she becomes less stressed, more relaxed and meditation is better. Meditate. This is done when the meditator focuses on things and their nature in an effort to gain insight and have a clearer view of such things. More about this would be discussed in the succeeding modules. Extend the meditation process to loving kindness. This stage is optional for meditators. Experiencing loving kindness can be attained through eliminating all emotions related to envy, self-pity, anger and hatred towards others. This would allow the meditator to extend kindness, understanding and love for others and in the process extends this love not only to people but to the universe in general. The practice of loving kindness or metta bhavana requires first that the meditator learns to love himself and feel good about himself, while allowing the destruction of the selfish nature of oneself. Like other forms of meditation, this might be difficult to do at first, but continuous practice would help in mastering it. More Tips into the Practice of Insight Meditation Since the successful practice of insight meditation requires time and practice, it is important for anyone teaching or guiding meditators to stress the need for patience when the expected results of the meditators are not seen in the first few times meditation is tried. Also, since the ability to focus and free the mind is not easy on the first dew tries, ensuring that the environment is conducive enough is a must. The use of soft lights, mellow sounds (like the sounds of waves or raindrops, soft wind blowing, and nature) and music purposed for meditation can be used to create a warm, relaxing environment. Ambient noises such as the sound of machines being operated and phone ringing should be avoided. If possible, unplugging these devices is recommended. Keeping aromatherapy candles burning can also aid in relaxing and calming the mind of the meditator. Moreover, keeping candles burning can also aid in focusing since the flame from the candles can be used as objects of reference when freeing the mind and allowing the meditator to detach himself from his or her environment. The candle and its flame can also be used symbolically to denote the light of the doctrine from which insight meditation is based. In coaching the meditator on the practice of Insight Meditation, the teacher must also keep in mind that the tone of his or her voice and the manner in which the lectures are delivered matter greatly. For one to be able to be effective in teaching a practice such as meditation, he or she should have first hand knowledge and experience on its effects to oneself. Influencing the meditator positively should be one of the goals, as well as exuding the relative peace and calm that insight meditation can do to its practitioner. And lastly, it is also important that any one who wants to guide or teach meditation to be free from all forms of dogmatic and judgmental thoughts to avoid passing these on to the practitioner. Remember that meditation, especially VipassanÄ  teaches deeper sense of understanding, clarity on the nature of things, and most especially being at peace not only with oneself but with the universe as well. References: Henepola Gunaratana, Mindfulness in plain English, Wisdom Publications What is Theravada Buddhism?. Access to Insight. Access to Insight. Bikkhu Bodhi, The Connected Discourses of the Buddha Ajahn Brahm, Mindfulness, Bliss, and Beyond: A Meditators Handbook. Wisdom Publications, 2006 Thanissaro Bhikkhu, One Tool Among Many: The Place of Vipassana in Buddhist Practice Glickman, Marshall (1998), Beyond the Breath: Extraordinary Mindfulness Through Whole-Body Vipassana Meditation, Tuttle Publishing, ISBN 1-58290-043-4 Behaviour Management in Schools | Theories Behaviour Management in Schools | Theories Professional Issues: Learning Behavior Abstract This essay explores ways in which children can learn to behave appropriately in school, and so in society. The main aim was to critically analyse strategies which schools and individuals (teachers, support staff and children) use to manage behavior and to consider how behavior management might (or might not) lead to children learning generally appropriate behavior. For this purpose, information was gathered through a case-study report and through analysis of materials presented in books, course materials and professional publications. The results of this study show aspects of value in the many different models of behavior management currently in use. They also reveal several key deficiencies. More importantly, the need for an integrated approach (involving school, home and the wider community) when applying behavioral policy is emphasised; these conclusions were supported by evidence from case-studies and from my own teaching experience. Reflecting wider concerns in society about the behavior of young people, the DFES has identified behavior management as one of its key policy areas. Each head-teacher is expected to have a system in place which: Promotes self-discipline and proper regard for authority among students Encourages good behavior and respect for others Ensures students standard of behavior is acceptable Regulates students conduct (DFES, 2007) Such a system, however, is necessarily only â€Å"part of the story†. Pupils’ behavior is influenced by a myriad of factors, including their interactions with staff, parents and wider society, their own personalities, their health problems and their learning environment (Fuller et al, 1994). Croll et.al (1985) stated that â€Å"the majority of teachers consider home background to be the most significant factor in problem behavior†. School policy cannot and does not aim to control all of these factors, rather it aims to provide a framework in which teachers, parents, support staff and students can work to eliminate â€Å"problem† behavior and promote positive relationships. There is great debate in the literature about the methods and final aims of achieving acceptable behavior standards in schools. Initially at least, behavior management is a simple requirement of effective teaching, in that behavior that disrupts the learning process conflicts with the basic aims of the teacher. How far, and how effectively, school discipline affects pupils’ behavior in wider society is unclear – and some researchers have argued that societal discipline is de facto the responsibility of all areas of society, and not just the education system. This paper critically examines a variety of different behavioral theories and policies, taken from the literature and from my own experience in teaching, and attempts to summarise the evidence supporting and undermining each case. Analysis in each case is based on two main criteria: Does the policy provide effective behavior control for classroom management? Does the policy influence extra-curricular behavior? This work is supported by reference to a case-study and to other relevant classroom experience, and concludes with a summary of the information gained. Section 1: Behavior in Schools: Theory and Practice This area of education is extensively referenced in the literature, but there are few summary documents that compare and contrast different approaches. This section provides critical analysis of some current policies and theories, and highlights the general importance of the results of each analysis. For clarity, work is divided in to that which focuses on behavior management, and that which focuses on developing responsibility. Policies that focus on Behavior Management -modifying behavior through regulation and discipline. The Work of B F Skinner (1974, 1976) The psychologist B F Skinner is credited with creating the first comprehensive theory of educational behavior management, based on the rewarding of positive behavior and the punishment of negative behavior. Skinner based his work on his broader theory that human behavior is determined by â€Å"positive reinforcement†, and adopted this idea to account for the more controlled environment of the classroom. Fundamentally, Skinner’s approach requires a set of clear and agreed classroom rules, and an associated rewards and punishments system. Breaking of a rule is recognised by application of a punishment, and particularly good work is reinforced by a reward. The nature of rewards and punishments varies with school, age group and teacher, but the former can include awarding stickers, merit slips and small prizes and the latter can include the imposition of extra work, detentions and so on. Psychologically, Skinner’s system is a form of ‘operant conditioning’, in which the teacher gives almost constant feedback to students in order to help them modify their behavior step-by-step. This theory (and derived theories and policies) account for a large proportion of currently operating behavior management systems in schools. Bigge (1976) and others have recorded observations that seem to support the use of Skinner’s system, and in my experience, the rewarding of positive behavior generally encourages subsequent good behavior in the classroom. I observed a classic example of this in a Midland’s secondary school, where a child (B) had difficulty in completing work in his mathematics lessons, and as a result, was frequently disruptive and ill-mannered. The classroom teacher reached an agreement with B that, if he concentrated on his work, asked for assistance when he needed it and did not misbehave, he would be awarded a merit slip for each successful lesson. Because of previous behavioral problems, B had never before been awarded merits, and adopted an enthusiastic approach to managing his behavior in order to achieve this. It will be noted that in this example, the teacher did not strictly follow Skinner’s formula in that B’s negative behavior was not punished. One problem linked with the negative reinforcement approach is that it can lead pupils to associate negativity with particular classroom situations – especially when misbehavior stems from deeper problems and is not simply malicious. The case study in section 2 provides a clear example of this occurring. The classroom teacher must use their judgement to decide on the appropriate course of action in individual cases. Particular caution in applying negative feedback is necessary when faced with attention-seeking behavior, where it may feed a child’s desire for attention and therefore be counter-productive. During a recent science lesson, a pupil (C) attempted to interrupt a class discussion that I was leading with irrelevant and attention-seeking remarks. As these remarks were not loud or rude, I decided to simply ignore this behavior, and concentrate on positively reinforcing the cooperative responses of other pupils. Within a very short time, C realised that her behavior was not going to be commented on, and joined in the discussion – allowing me to positively reinforce her contributions. The source material for this paper, â€Å"Behavior Management in Primary Classrooms†, comments on the use of ‘planned ignoring’ in primary schools: â€Å"This technique works for minimal off-task behavior that is designed to get teachers attention, such as rocking, tapping a p encil, annoying hand waving, handling objects, combing hair, etc†. I believe that positive reinforcement is generally more successful that negative deterrence, as the positive approach rewards a pupil’s own choice to behave, whereas the negative response is often seen as the teacher’s imposition of ‘rules’ on a pupil. This conclusion is reinforced by Wragg (1993), and by â€Å"behavior management†, where it is stated â€Å"It is important to underline that an over-emphasis on negative behavior destroys constructive atmosphere in the classroom†. That having been said, there are instances where negative reinforcement is necessary: punishment for bullying and direct rudeness and disruption can act as a deterrent to other members of the class, as well as establishing the teacher’s authority. Several authors (Tauber, 1988 and Gunter, 1997) defend the careful use of negative reinforcement, particularly in the case of students with specific learning disabilities. In terms of classroom management, then, Skinner’s work can be useful and practical if applied intelligently to some situations. But how far does it go towards positively modifying a pupil’s behavior in society? By encouraging positive behavior (i.e. in response to a prescribed code) and making pupils aware that disobedience will result in punishment, the policy can be said to introduce the idea of community responsibility. Aspects of positive reinforcement can be found in wider society, which strengthens Skinner’s original theory. However, the simplistic system necessitated by classroom needs does not directly compare with anything that children will encounter in wider life: positive actions are not always rewarded, and negative ones sometimes go unpunished. The main problem with adopting this policy is that it makes little or no allowance for pupil input, which makes it seem distant from their everyday lives. The reward and punishment system becomes an integral part of the school routine, but is â€Å"left at the school gate† in the same way that uniform rules are not seen as applying outside of the classroom. b) Developments of Skinner’s work. Many refinements to the original theory have been suggested in professional literature. Some of the most important are summarised below: -Butcher (2001) assessed Skinner’s contribution to education, and discussed its integration in to other, more recent work. She states that â€Å"some contemporary educators might object to using rewards and punishments to shape behavior†, but asserts that, with the support of teachers who are willing to assess the individual discipline situation, such an approach is still useful. -Jack (1996) investigated the implementation of a number of different classroom management strategies (including Skinner’s), and found that differences in teachers’ approaches had a defining effect on the success of a strategy. -Emmer (1980) investigated the importance of the first few weeks of the school year in establishing a positive classroom management stance, and highlighted â€Å"the central role of rule setting† in successful teaching: this aspect of Skinner’s theory had not previously been comprehensively reviewed. -BATPAC (Wheldall et.al, 1985), or the â€Å"Behavioral Approach to Teaching Primary Aged Children† is a model developed from Skinner’s work by researchers at Birmingham University. I have had experience of implementing this scheme, as my LEA (Nottinghamshire) adopted it as a supporting training measure between 2001 and 2004. The guidance leaflet for the course states that BATPAC (and the secondary equivalent, BATSAC) form â€Å"a rather behaviorist approach, emphasizing the now-familiar Praise and Reward approach of positive teaching, intended for use by trained tutors only†(NCC, 2004). BATPAC is intended to be a tool for experienced teachers to further their classroom management skills, and not a stand-alone solution. This is probably due to the fact that it does not provide solutions for dealing with anything but mildly bad behavior, although it does provide an updated version of Skinners Behaviorist Approach that makes use of internet an other ICT resources. -â€Å"Building a Better-Behaved School† (Galvin et.al, 1989) is another model that builds on behaviorist beginnings. The authors state that the impact of a good behavior policy â€Å"largely comes through being clear, teaching appropriate behavior and giving positive feedback when pupils are behaving appropriately. It is an extension of Skinner in that it focuses on actually teaching positive behavior, instead of just rewarding it. Galvin’s model is the first that attempts to deal with the pupil’s need to learn about appropriate behavior, and therefore starts to meet the second of the criteria mentioned in this paper’s introduction, â€Å"influencing extra-curricula behavior†. However, there is little feedback available as to the reception that this model has received, and further work is necessary before it can be recommended as a positive development. This small selection of published work is an indicator of the extent and success that Behavior Modification models have met with in recent years. However, there are a number of criticisms that can be made of Skinner’s original work, and therefore of the models derived from it. The chief criticism is that the behaviorist model assumes that pupils act as â€Å"units†; that is, that they will all respond to punishment or praise in the same way. This is obviously not the case, and is an important flaw; hence the earlier comments about teachers needing to adopt the system to meet individual needs. The problem with this is that individual teachers also vary in how they apply behavior policy, which can lead to inconsistencies within a school environment. There is little else as destructive to a co-ordinated policy as inconsistency, as neither pupils or staff have a firm base mark for determining what is acceptable or unacceptable behavior. During my first year of teaching, I ran a mathematics support class as part of a primary school’s numeracy strategy. After two weeks, I was asked to meet with a class teacher, and on discussing our approaches to behavior management, it transpired that the class teacher insisted on silence during written work, whilst I encouraged on-task talk as a form of peer-led learning. It was obviously unfair to the class in question that the definition of â€Å"acceptable behavior† changed between classrooms, but such variation is a simple reality in everyday schooling. Thus, whilst the work of Skinner and other behaviorists is a useful part of an integrated classroom management strategy, it cannot be considered comprehensive. Because of its limitations, other researchers have developed alternative approaches to behavior policy, with a focus on the broader personal development of the student rather than on responding to behavior ‘as it happens’. The next section discusses some of these alternative approaches. Policies that focus on Developing Responsibility -developing a system of behavior through experience and personal growth. Assertive Management One of the oldest alternative approaches that developed from the Behavior Management model is the Assertive Management theory advocated by the Canters (1976). Whilst accepting the idea of positive and negative reinforcement as tools for teaching, this theory advocates â€Å"teaching pupils to accept the consequences of their actions in a form of rewards and punishments†. In other words, teachers reinforce their use of behavior management by explaining why a particular behavior is ‘good’ or ‘bad’. A school psychology handbook sums up the Canter’s approach as â€Å" based on the findings that effective teachers are assertive teachers who can express their classroom expectations clearly and firmly and take appropriate action should pupils not meet expectations†. (Dosani, 2007). The major development that assertive management incorporates is the provision of a stated link between a pupil’s behavior and its consequences – a vital step towards encouraging young people to develop a responsible approach to behavior in wider society. As with previous theories, however, individual teachers will vary in their application of this behavior management tool, which could lead to inconsistencies within a school. A further development, examined in the next paragraph, attempts to remedy this by proposing an assertive management policy that is school-wide. Positive Assertive Management This approach is similar in practice to assertive management, but with the important difference that it involves pupils in the decision-making process: the school behavior policy is discussed, agreed and modified in response to pupil’s ideas. The benefits of this approach are twofold: firstly, pupils gain a clear understanding of the aims of the school behavior policy by linking rules to reasons. Secondly, and more broadly, Positive Assertive Management imitates wider society’s use of ‘rules’: the people they affect have an input in to their formation and implementation. Tassell (2001) states that, under this system, Pupils have to learn that when they have freedom to choose what they want to do, they have to accept responsibility for that choice and the ensuing consequences. Positive Assertive Management can perhaps best be summed up by stating that, whereas earlier theories taught children how to behave, this theory teaches them why to behave, and thus is more likely to be applicable in their wider lives. In terms of staff and timetable requirements, this behavior policy is more demanding than alternatives, and it requires a co-ordinated approach on behalf of the school management team. There is also the question of the extent to which pupils should be allowed to influence school policy and discipline: this will obviously vary with the age and maturity of the pupils involved. This first section has not been an attempt to cover all the many possible models of classroom behavior management in use today. Rather, it has provided an overview of two of the main theoretical approaches, and has investigated developments therein. The next section looks at the implementation of behavior management policies on a practical level, and again assesses their potential to influence pupils’ wider behavior. Section 2: Empirical Experience and Evidence As stated in the introduction, every LEA and each school is expected to maintain a behavior policy, designed to integrate all staff in to a common approach to classroom management. The key aspects of such a policy are: Decision-making: The head-teacher is ultimately responsible for the policy, and thus will maintain overall control. Heads of subject and the senior management / governing team will also have a prominent role to play. There must also be scope for feedback from staff, pupils and parents. Rules and Sanctions: These must be defined in advance so that both teachers and pupils know where they stand. Role delegation: This includes defining the role of teachers and assistants in a learning situation, and also describing the responsibilities of wider staff. As Rogers (2000) noted: Effective behavior management is essential to the smooth running of a school and in the creation of an environment where everyones rights and responsibilities are addressed. A balance between fundamental rights and responsibilities is at the heart of behavior management. a) Example of a Classroom management policy In my current school (a large secondary in the Midlands), the head-teacher encourages development and discussion of behavior policy by nominating a different member of the senior management team to lead â€Å"classroom management† every year, whilst still maintaining overall control to ensure continuity. New members of staff are given a training session that defines their roles within the policy. Individual classroom teachers are allowed to decide the extent to which teaching assistants and trainees will assist them in this area, and provide a written statement to the head explaining their decision. On a basic level, behavior in each lesson is monitored by a system of ‘Rewards’ ( R’s) and ‘Consequences’ (C’s). Each student has a diary with a small space for every lesson of the school year. If the lesson has progressed well, they are permitted to write a small ‘R’ in the relevant space. In the case of misbehavior, there is a defined system of consequences, graded for severity, which will be similarly recorded: C: Recorded in the diary discussed with form teacher later C1: 5-minute break detention. C2: 30-minute lunchtime detention C3: After school detention: parents informed C4: Withdrawal from lessons, parents informed and invited to school. Posters detailing the â€Å"R’s and C’s† system are prominently displayed in all classrooms. The school also adopts a â€Å"positive reinforcement† system to recognise good behavior, with a school-wide merits system, linked to a reward scheme (e.g. 10 merits in a term = a free school trip). Although merely a brief introduction, this summary gives an idea of how aspects of many different theories, as well as the ideas of many relevant staff, can be collated in to a school behavior policy. Example of classroom behavior management This paper was written with reference to a case-study, involving a Child (A) with behavioral problems. A shows attention-seeking behavior in the classroom environment, which observation suggests may stem from difficulties with the understanding of written and spoken instructions, and feelings of insecurity owing to these difficulties. The study details the response of the teaching assistant supporting A, who uses a combination of techniques (notably positive reinforcement and planned ignoring) to manage difficult situations. Of particular interest are the assistant’s comments regarding the general school behavior policy. The negative reinforcement applied by the class teacher in response to A’s behavior is seen as destructive rather than constructive, a conclusion supported by Wragg (1993) The failure of communication within the school and between the school and parents is also recognised; child A’s behavior problems are reoccurring because of a lack of parental support: in such a situation, school policy does not modify behavior, merely punishes it. The case study is a useful illustration of the point that a management system can achieve no long-term changes in pupil behavior without the support of other staff and parents. The writer concludes that â€Å"The majority [of parents in this school] show little responsibility towards developing good behavior and positive attitudes in their children, making the effective management of behavior extremely difficult†. Summary It is unlikely that there will ever be a â€Å"universal† school behavior management policy, owing to the vast differences that individuals (both staff and students) bring to the system. However, some degree of common theoretical underpinning is necessary in a nationalised education system, and the work of behaviorists and other classroom management researchers provides a number of potentially useful tools for school policy-makers. The work of Skinner, and of subsequent researchers, has provided useful background information pertinent to classroom management, but practical experience and training are a necessary part of successfully implementing any policy or model. Conclusions Given the brevity of this study, any conclusions reached can not be said to be conclusive, rather they are indicative of broad trends. From the research carried out during this paper’s completion, it can be concluded that: Behavior management is an integrated process, and must involve input from all relevant groups if it is to be successful. The extent to which schools can influence the wider behavior of their pupils depends on the degree of internal management consistency, the level of pupil involvement and the cooperation of parents. Theoretical behavior models require intelligent adaptation by practitioners to ensure that behavior management policies produce the best possible results for all concerned. Fundamentally, successful behavior management relies on the recognition that pupils are individuals, and must be treated as such. It is the responsibility of the classroom teacher and their support staff to intelligently apply their schools’ behavior policy to the benefit of all in their learning environment. â€Å"More important than the curriculum is the question of the methods of teaching and the spirit in which the teaching is given† – Bertrand Russell. Bibliography Bigge, M (1976): â€Å"Learning theories for teachers†.  Harper Row. Chapters 1 and 2. Blandford, S (1998 ): â€Å"Managing Discipline in Schools†Ã‚  Routledge Falmer, Chapter 8. Butcher, K (2001): â€Å"Exploring the foundations of middle-school classroom management†. Childhood Education, 78 (2), 84 – 90. Canter and Canter (1976): â€Å"Assertive Discipline†.  Canter Associates (Publisher), 2001. Cohen, J [et.al] (1993): â€Å"Handbook of School-Based Interventions: Resolving Student Problems and Promoting Healthy Educational Environments†.  Jossey Bass Wiley, Page 3. Croll, P [et.al] (1985): â€Å"One in Five: The Assessment and Incidence of Special Educational Needs†. DFES (2007): â€Å"Behavior and Discipline in Schools†. Retrieved on 10/07/07 from: www.parentscentre.gov.uk/behaviouranddiscipline/behaviouranddisciplineinschool Dosani, S (2007): â€Å"Managing a Challenging Class†.  Buckinghamshire Schools Educational Psychology Service, Vol 5, Page 1. Emmer, E (1980):â€Å"Effective Classroom Management at the Beginning of the School Year†. 80 (5), 219 – 231. Fuller, B [et.al] (1994): â€Å"Raising School Effects whilst ignoring culture?†.  Review of Educational Research, 64 (1), 119 – 157. Galvin, P [et.al] (1990): â€Å"Building a Better-Behaved School†. Logman. Gunter, P (1997): â€Å"Negative Reinforcement in Classrooms†.  Teacher Education and Special Education, 20 (3), 249 – 264. Jack, S (1996): â€Å"An analysis of the relationship of teachers reported use of classroom management strategies on types of classroom interactions†.  Journal of Behavioral Education, 6 (1), 67 – 87. NCC Course Handout (2004): â€Å"Nottinghamshire Behavior Support Plan, 2001 – 2004†.  Appendix A-2. Rathvon, N (2003):â€Å"Effective School Interventions: Strategies for Enhancing Academic Achievement and Social Competence†.  Brunner-Routledge. Rockwell, S (2006):â€Å"You can’t make me! From Chaos to Cooperation in the Elementary Classroom†. Sage Publications, Chapter 1. Skinner, B (1974): â€Å"About Behaviorism†.  Random House. Tassell, 2001 â€Å"Classroom Management†. Retrieved on 10/07/07 from:  http://www.brains.org/classroom_management.htm Tauber, R (1988): â€Å"Overcoming Misunderstanding about the Concept of Negative Reinforcement.†. Teaching of Psychology, 15 (3), 152 – 3. Wheldall, K [et.al] (1985): â€Å"The Behavioral approach to teaching package (BATPACK)†. Positive Products. Wolfgang, C (2001):â€Å"Solving discipline and classroom management problems†.  John Wiley Sons. Wragg, E (1993): â€Å"Primary Teaching Skills†. Pages 18 – 37 and 58 – 88.  Routledge.

James Fenimore Coopers Last of the Mohicans: Book and Movie Essay

James Fenimore Cooper's Last of the Mohicans: Book and Movie    The book Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper was very different from the movie Last of the Mohicans in terms of the storyline. However, I feel that the producer and director of this movie did a good job of preserving Cooper's original vision of the classic American man surviving in the wilderness, while possibly presenting it better than the book originally did and in a more believable fashion to a late twentieth century reader.      Ã‚     The makers of the movie Last of the Mohicans preserved Cooper's central ideas and themes very well, the most important of which   is the question, what makes a man?   Very few books that I have read contain such a clear sense of what a man should be as Last of the Mohicans.   Cooper portrays the hero, Hawkeye, as brave, independent, and skillful in the ways of the woods.   He is a tracker, he can hit a target with a bullet from any distance, he can fight the evil Iroquois Indians without batting so much as an eyelash.   The makers of the movie take great pains to preserve these facets of Hawkeye, but then go beyond what Cooper originally laid down as the basis for   his hero's character.   In the book, Hawkeye displays very little feeling and the reader has very little empathy with him, even though he is the hero.   In the movie, however, there is a great romance between Hawkeye and Cora that does not exist in the book.   This romance adds a more human side to Hawkeye's character;   it show s his caring side beyond all the hero-woodsman qualities--in other words, the non-Rambo, late twentieth century version of a hero.   Every hero should ha... ...d, when Magua, the evil antagonist, kills Uncas and Alice is presented with the choice of being Magua's wife or killing herself, she chooses death. Cooper's original intent was to have Cora killed for being "impudent," while Alice remained docile and alive.   Instead the makers of the movie transform even the wimpy Alice into a character of strength and independence (the late twentieth century ideal), as shown in her final act of suicide.   Cora, also strong and blessed with the ability to think for herself throughout the film,   survives.   I f these changes added a lot to the characters of both Cora and Alice, who in the book were stick figures, "females" who did virtually nothing but be saved. and because of this again reinforces my opinion that the movie retains Cooper's vision and presents it better than Cooper did himself.

William Shakespeares Use of Song in the Early Comedies Essay -- Biogr

Shakespeare's Use of Song in the Early Comedies Undertaken to determine what features make a song germane to the story in successful musical theater, this study outlines some characteristics of Shakespeare's use of song. Chosen from the plays with which the present author is most familiar-the early comedies-are three substantial pieces (each headed in the play by either "Song" or "sing," and each with at least two stanzas and refrain): "You Spotted Snakes," "Sigh No More," and "Under the Greenwood Tree." A close reading of the lyrics and surrounding text will establish the contribution of the song to plot, theme, and character, and a study of the form itself will support these aspects and perhaps explain the success of the lyrics in making a song. First in the study of Shakespeare's songs, "You Spotted Snakes" of A Midsummer Night's Dream (II.ii.9-24) demonstrates each of the aspects outlined above. To begin, by answering Queen Titania's command "Sing me now asleep" (II.ii.7), this lullaby serves to advance the plot: during the song the queen not only retires but achieves such slumber as endures undisturbed by King Oberon's ensuing mischief. This function resembles that of "Let Me the Canakin Clink" in Othello II.iii.71-75), explains Seng: "not only to establish an atmosphere . . . but to 'stretch' stage-time and make Cassio's rapid drunkenness plausible" (186). Further, Seng relates, an Elizabethan audience "believed that music had actual therapeutic value": the fairy song is "more than a lullaby, or even a magic lullaby; it is a charm to ward off evils" (31-32). That the song lulls Titania asleep is its obvious function, but that it also saves her from the snakes and spiders should be apparent even to modern audiences... ...r, 10 May 1993: 97-98. Long, John H. Shakespeare's Use of Music: A Study of the Music and its Performance in the Original Production of Seven Comedies. Gainesville: U of Florida P, 1961. HSU ML8O.55.L7 Rollin, Lucy. Cradle and All: A Cultural and Psychoanalytic Reading of Nursery Rhymes. Jackson: UP of Mississippi, 1992. HSU PR.976.R6 Seng, Peter J. The Vocal Songs in the Plays of Shakespeare: A Critical History. Cambridge: Harvard UP, 1967. HSU ML80.55.535 Shakespeare, William. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Ed. W. G. Clark and W. Aldis Wright. 2 vols. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, n.d. Sternfeld, F. W. Music in Shakespearean Tragedy. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1963. HSU ML8O.55.58 Walter, J. H. Introduction to King Henry V. Ed. Walter. The Arden Ed. of the Works of William Shakespeare. London: Methuen, 1954. HSU PR.2812.A2.W3.

College on Campus VS Online Essay

So, you have decided you want to go to college. Do you know what your options are? Read on to get a brief look at what these options have to offer and see what the pros and cons of each choice are. Every student is different and is looking for the type of college that fits them the best. Learning style and personal study preferences tend to assist in making the right choice. Attending college on a campus or online have similar outcomes but differ in how students attend class, complete class work, and interact with teachers and classmates. The decision is yours to make. Whether a student decides to attend a campus or remain at home and attend classes online they still have to go through the same basic processes. Look into and choose a school, pick the desired major, apply for financial aid, and start classes. With either choice there will be professors to teach all the different classes. Some professors might not be as enjoyable as others, and it does not really matter if the student meets them in person or not. There will also be other students of all ages attending the same classes; they will have the opportunity to interact with and get to know each other either face-to-face or through messages on the computer. Attending college online and on campus offers the same or equivalent classes that include books, that have to be read and discussed with the class, homework that will have to be completed and turned in, and the students still have to show up for class and participate. Whichever choices, the student will take and complete all sorts of class es and eventually graduate with a degree of their choosing. Along with things in common, campus and online college also have many differences that need to be taken into account before making a final decision. Getting to campus can be difficult, the student would have to drive, take a bus, or a cab. This makes going to school even more expensive, paying for gas or paying fees to use public transportation add to the cost of school. Staying home and attending class online becomes the cheaper option, even if tuition is usually slightly higher. This is one of the big differences to consider. Another important variance to make sure is considered is whether they want to have everyday interactions with classmates and professors. If they choose to attend online classes almost all communication is done via the Internet. However there is the option of calling their teachers if needed. As for relating with classmates daily, this is all done within the virtual classroom; however, they do not get to â€Å"meet† the people they are in class with. Attending class is also very different, on a campus students have to get up in the morning and get dressed, they have to be presentable when going to class, and this takes time. Then they have to drive to the school, get to class before it starts at whatever designated times are given, and then sit there for lectures and discussions. With online college they are able to save their gas money, sit at home in their pajamas, and attend class whenever it is convenient. There are no set class times, and they do not have to go anywhere. Doing and turning in assignments is also something that is usually different. At a college campus many of the assignments will be done on paper and handed in to the professors. Online all class work is done and turned in on the computer by submitting them on the school’s website. Another thing about attending online classes is whichever degree program is chosen the student typically only take classes toward that degree. Elective classes can be taken online, but they are not commonly included in the degree programs because taking classes online are supposed to be a faster way to get to the degree the student wants. If attending a campus they will more than likely have more opportunities to attend these extra classes. Also not included when attending college online is the ability to join clubs or participate in school functions such as sports or other school events. This is a great deal of information to process and think about, but we are not done yet. Knowing the similarities and differences between these types of colleges are not all that needs to be considered. Students need to think about their lifestyle and which type of college will fit their daily lives. One of the main things to think about is what kind of schedule they have. If they work full or part time they will have to figure out how to work in a school schedule. Depending on if they are single, married, or have children, also affects when, how, and where they can attend school. What activities and other obligations they have planned week to week also make fitting school time in difficult. These are all things that have to be thought about while planning how and where to attend college. Another factor that has to be taken into account is how the person learns. What is their learning style? There are many ways a person can learn, such as by reading and taking notes or seeing the action taking place. Some students need to have someone speak about what they are learning, such as a lecture. Some people need to work in a group; others do better at learning alone. Knowing the best way they learn will assist in deciding how they will take classes. When attending college at a campus they will be going to classes and listening to lectures, reading class material, and doing assignments, some on their own and some in groups. Online classes require the student to attend class on their own, when they can but still make attendance and participate. They have to be the type of person who can make time to attend class and do the assigned work without someone telling them to do it. As an online student they have to manage their own schedule and make sure all assignments are turned in on time. They have to know themselves and what they can do to accomplish their goals. Deciding how and where to go to college is a tough one. You have to take a great deal of information into consideration. The social and class opportunities given at a campus are a definite plus, but they have to be worth the extra time and money needed to get to and from school. By going to college at a campus it may also take you longer to get to your degree goal. Attending a campus can also take time away from family and friends. If you have a busy lifestyle with work, children, or other obligations; going to college online might be a better choice for you. You can get your degree faster and be able to achieve your dreams in a timelier manner. Have you made a decision yet? Probably not, but you will. Keep in mind that you are doing this for you and no one can make this decision for you. Some advice for you is to do your research. Go visit some college campuses, surf the web for schools that offer online classes for the degree that you want, and don’t settle for the first school you look into, whether it is online or at a campus. Know what you want out of college, do you want to fast track, or take your time and get all you can out of the experience? Once you contemplate what you want and how you want to get it the rest will fall into place.