Education Action Plan

Introduction Education is one of the most important economic aspects that should be taken into account in order to improve the living standards of a particular economy. To achieve this, it is paramount for educational institutions to be very effective. Most educational institutions are aimed at instilling sufficient knowledge to students so that they can succeed in life. To attain this, there are a number of aspects which learning institutions should take into account.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Education Action Plan specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More One of these entails setting and following a curriculum. The curriculum enables the learning institutions to evaluate the progress of the students. Additionally, every learning institution should have sufficient resources such as books and other learning materials so as to enhance improve the students’ performance. However, one of the factors limi ting my schools ability to attain its objective is related with the fact that it does not have a curriculum. This makes it difficult to assess the actual progress of the students. Additionally, the school does not have adequate resources such as proper classroom materials, workbooks and materials for other activities to support the students in their learning process. This paper details the action plan that will be undertaken to deal with the identified needs. Implementation of the action plan Developing the school curriculum It is relatively difficult to improve the performance of the students without following a set curriculum. Curriculums are very important in the operation of learning institutions. This arises from the fact that their operation should contribute towards improvement of different stakeholders who include the students, environment and the community. Therefore, schools have a responsibility of improving the students’ value systems, attitudes and their thinking capacity. Currently, the school does not have a curriculum. This limits its ability in inculcating knowledge to the students. In order to deal with this challenge, a school-based curriculum will be designed. The curriculum will clearly outline the selected content that will be considered in the learning process. It will also outline the expected learning experiences aimed at changing the students’ behavior. A team composed of six individuals will be developed to develop the curriculum that the school will use. To ensure that the school curriculum is effective, the team will take into account a number of components. Some of these are outlined below. National goals- In designing the curriculum, the school will liaise with curriculum developers within the Ministry of Education. This will aid in ensuring that national goals of education are taken into consideration. Officials from the Ministry of Education will instruct the team on the national goals that must be incorporated in the curriculum.Advertising Looking for research paper on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The education system of a particular country is influenced by the country’s political environment. As a result, it is paramount to ensure that the national identity of the country is taken into account. Additionally, the Ministry of Education will provide the curriculum development team with a list of options with regard to subjects that the school should incorporate in the curriculum. This will serve in ensuring that the subjects considered are those that contribute to the students’ success in their future careers. The learner-The team charged with the responsibility of developing the curriculum will also take into account the students’ physical, emotional and mental needs. The justification is that students have diverse learning ability in accordance with their level of study. Complexity of the learning p rocess increases with the student’s level. Therefore, it is important to take into account the learner. Resource availability and the school environment- In process of selecting what to include in the curriculum, the school will evaluate the resources it has. This will safeguard against incorporating subjects which it might not have the necessary resources. The school environment also plays an important role in the designing of the school curriculum. Consideration of the school environment will aid in the determination of how the environment can best be exploited in order to enhance the student’s learning process. Actions taken to ensure that the school has adequate learning resources To improve the students’ performance, the school administration will ensure that adequate resources are supplied to the students. One of the ways through which this will be attained is by establishing a library. In order to cut the cost of building a library, the school will renova te and modify one of its buildings to meet the standards of a modern library. To achieve this, the school administration will seek the support of various parties. This decision is justified by the fact that establishing the library will be a huge capital investment. As a result, a substantial amount of finances will be required. To ensure that the school does not experience financial constraints that may limit its daily operational efficiency, the school through the Board of Governors and the Parents Teachers Association will organize a fundraising ceremony. Some of the parties from whom the school will seek assistance include the parents, the business community, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) and the government. One of the factors that will motivate the business community to participate in the fundraising to establish the library is associated with the fact that businesses have a social responsibility in their operation. For example, by participating in the event, th e business community will improve their public image.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Education Action Plan specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In addition to providing the necessary finances to establish the library, these parties will also provide other forms of assistance. For example, some of the participants who will be contacted include companies that specialize in publishing books. These companies will assist by supplying some of the books that are incorporated in the school curriculum. In an effort to ensure that the school library is well equipped, the school will also seek donor funding from various stakeholders to aid in the stocking of the library. In the process of establishing the library, the school will also outsource the services of architectures who are experienced in designing modern libraries. The architects will ensure that the interiors of the library are designed to meet the needs of the various users. For example, they will ensure that the library has the capacity to hold learning resources of all disciplines. Additionally, they will also ensure that the library is sensitive to the physically challenged students. Such considerations will ensure that the library meets the intended purpose. Other participants in the establishment of the library include companies that specialize in Information Communication Technology. These companies will aid in the automation of the libraries operation thus making it possible for the librarians to serve the students more effectively and efficiently. Additionally, the ICT companies will aid in the implementation of a reliable security system. Despite the fact that establishment of the library will be aimed at ensuring that the students access the necessary resources, the issue of security cannot be overlooked. Jurkowski (2010, p.139) asserts that loss of library resources such as books and other reading materials has been a majo r concern for many libraries. However, emergence of technology has made it easier for schools to secure their libraries. The ICT companies will aid in the installation of an electromagnetic system. The system will entail embedding a minute metallic strip on books and other learning materials such as magazines, CDs and DVDs. The electromagnetic system will be connected to an alarm system. This will aid in deterring students from taking the resources out of the library without the necessary authorization. The resultant effect is that the resources of the library will be preserved. The library will play a vital role in the provision of information that will aid the students’ succeed in an environment characterized by a high rate of social and economic dynamics. Additionally, the teachers will also have an opportunity to access reading materials that they can use to supplement the curriculum.Advertising Looking for research paper on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The school will also seek the support of various organizations that support education. Some of the organizations that the firm will seek include those that deal in the provision of classroom instruction materials for various subjects. Examples of such materials include projection equipments. These equipments will make it easier for both teachers and students to make projections in class. The ultimate effect is that the performance of the students will be greatly improved. Previous studies conducted reveal that there is an increased use of various curriculum materials by teachers in their work. This has played a critical role in the improvement of student performance. Assessment/ evaluation system- Every learning institution should be committed at ensuring that it instills sufficient knowledge to students. To attain this, it is critical for a well designed curriculum evaluation system to be incorporated. Glatthorn and Jailall (2008, p. 163) are of the opinion that comprehensive evalu ation of the curriculum should be conducted throughout its development. Failure to do this may result lead to lack of seriousness for both the students and the instructors. In line with this, the school will develop an evaluation system that will be used in the determination of whether the curriculum contributes to improvement of the student’s performance. The evaluation system will be developed by the school head in collaboration with the teachers. Different forms of evaluation will be conducted. The evaluation system will entail conducting assessments on the various subjects. The evaluation will also assess whether the curriculum enhances the students’ thinking and reasoning capacity, recalling and inference to deal with real-world problems in a realistic manner. The evaluation system will also be used in the determination of whether the curriculum imparts sufficient practical knowledge on the various subjects taught. With regard to this, some of the aspects that wil l be taken into account include the students’ collaboration ability, teamwork and their moral character. To attain this, the school will ensure that the students understand the intended learning objectives so that they can concentrate towards achieving them. One of the assessment tools that will be integrated in the curriculum entails use of standardized tests. From the onset, the school will ensure that the students have a comprehensive understanding of what is expected of them. The teachers will outline the learning intentions, their relevance, rules, standards and penalties associated with assessment (Good Brophy, 2008). Despite the fact that standardized tests have certain limitations such as being inaccurate and biased, the tests will be incorporated in evaluating the curriculum for a number of reasons. Firstly, the tests will aid in the assessment of the students’ performance by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the student. For example, it will be pos sible to identify students experiencing learning disability and retardation (Farrell, 2003, p.54). Undertaking such tests will aid in the improvement of the school’s learning environment. This means that the school will be transformed into an all inclusive learning environment that accommodates all the students. Through these tests, it will be possible for the school to enroll students in the appropriate instructional programs that will lead to improvement of their performance. Through these tests it will be possible for the teachers to identify areas of improvement. By evaluating the action plan, it will be possible for the school to ensure that it Timeline for implementation It is the school’s objective for the students’ academic performance to be improved within the shortest time possible. As a result, it will be ensured that adequate learning resources are in place within the shortest time possible. A timeline within which the action plan will be implemented has been formulated. The gnatt chart below illustrates the various activities that will be conducted in ensuring that the resources are availed and the duration they are expected to take. Instructional resources Instructional resources are some of the most critical considerations that will be taken into account in an effort to improve the student’s performance. Instructional resources enhance the teachers’ effectiveness in their teaching process in addition to improving the students’ understanding of the subjects being taught (Paris, 2008, p. 60). The school will ensure that it selects instructional resources that are in line with the expected learning outcome. It will also be ensured that the instructional resources motivate the students in addition to presenting them with a unique learning experience in accordance with the lessons goals and objectives. For the school’s curriculum to deliver optimal results, different types of instructional resources w ill be taken into account. Some of the resources that will be taken into account include the school personnel, parents and industry participants, institutions of higher learning such as universities, business people, community agencies and advisory groups. These parties will play a critical role in motivating the students. Instructional resources will also include tangible resources such as teaching equipments, furniture, classroom materials and technology. The school administration will also allocate sufficient resources for staff development. In an effort to ensure sufficient instructional resources, the school’s administrators will liaise with the publishers. In addition to workbooks and textbooks, publishers also assist schools with other instructional materials such as charts, learning kits, videos, and games. The school will also consider the internet as an instructional resource. Some websites act as instructional resources by supplementing information outlined in the school’s curriculum. Instructional technology The school is committed towards improving the performance of all its students. To attain this, effective instructional technology will be integrated. Some of the technologies that will be considered include computers, videos and visual tools such as projectors, audio recording systems and teaching boards. Other forms of technology that will be integrated in the learning process include gaming, social networking and simulation. A technology such as simulation will contribute towards improvement in the student’s thinking and problem solving. To increase the students’ accessibility to information, the school will ensure that the computers are connected to the internet. Comprehensive training on how to use the technologies implemented will be conducted. This will aid in maximizing their utilizing. Parent and community involvement strategies The success of the students is dependent on the involvement of both the parents a nd the community. Previous studies conducted reveal that involvement of the parents and teachers influence the performance of students in a number of ways. Some of these include reduction in the rate of dropouts and increasing school attendances. To increase their involvement, the school will incorporate a number of strategies. Some of these strategies include liaising with the community leaders, improving the degree of relationship between the parents and the community and developing trust. Additionally, the school will also identify possible barriers such as communication barriers and culture that may limit the parents and community involvement. The school will ensure that the teachers are conversant of the prevailing cultural differences and how they impact education. This will aid in the formulation of strategies to deal with the challenges experienced. How to deal with possible challenges that may impede implementation of the action plan The issues of deviation with regard to i mplementation of action plan cannot be overlooked. Such deviations may result in failure of the action plan achieving the intended purpose. To prevent this, a number of measures will be incorporated. Firstly, to ensure that an effective curriculum is implemented, the school will conduct a continuous evaluation of the curriculum to determine its effectiveness and relevance. The school will also conduct continuous monitoring of the curriculum. To identify possible gaps within the curriculum, a comprehensive audit will be conducted by officials from the Ministry of Education. The officers will also aid in evaluating the effectiveness of the curriculum evaluation system. The school will also incorporate a strict timeframe within which implementation of the action plan should be conducted. This will aid in ensuring that the students start to accrue the benefits of the action plan within the shortest time possible. Implementing instructional technology within the school may not result in attainment of the desired objective if proper training on how to utilize the technology is not conducted on both the teachers and students. As a result, the school will formulate a training program to aid in maximization of the technology implemented. The school will also ensure that it motivates the teachers to adhere to the school curriculum in addition to using the various instructional technologies. It will also be ensured that instructional resources are improved. The ultimate effect is that these measures will lead in the school being effective in imparting knowledge that will enable the students to succeed. Reference List Edutopia. (2012). How to teach with project based learning: A professional  development guide. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/ Farrell, M. (2003). Understanding special educational needs: a guide for student  teachers. New York: Routledge. Glatthorn, A. Jailall, J. (2008). The principal as curriculum leader: Shaping  what is taught and teste d. London: Sage. Good, T., Brophy, J. (2008). Looking in classrooms. San Francisco: Allyn and Bacon. Jurkowski, O. (2010). Technology and the school library: A comprehensive guide  for media and other educators. Lanham: Scarecrow Press. Paris, J. (2008). Cliffnotes praxis II: Educational leadership. New York: Wiley. This research paper on Education Action Plan was written and submitted by user Danny Garrett to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

India Compare & Contrast essays

China/India Compare & Contrast essays The Difference Between Classical China and Classical India Classical China and Classical India were truly great civilizations known for their contributions to modern China and India. Yet as the two developed, they showed uniqueness. Some of the qualities shown were alike, and others were not as comparable. The religions produced in China and India were very unique. In China, rather than developing full-fledged religions, they created more philosophical beliefs. Confucianism, the first and most popular of the philosophies, embraced moral virtues and values. For example, it taught to respect ones leaders, and for the leaders in return to be just and moral in their leadership. Confucius, the creator of Confucianism, believed that if the leaders set a good example, his people would follow it. It also stressed to delight in knowledge, delight in learning, to be polite, and to have good manners. Its teachings were recorded in the Analects. Daoism is another Chinese religion. Daoism, created by Lao-zi, was slightly more spiritual. It embraced natures harmony and mystery and had an entirely different set of ethics. Instead of harmony with your fellow man and government, the Daoist belief harmony with nature was more compatible with frugal living and humility. India, however, was a different story. Hinduism was the major religion in India. Hinduism, unlike Confucianism and Daoism, is a full-fledged religion. It has many gods of nature like Daoism, but each god also represents something more abstract. For example, the god of wind might also be the god that blows someone to the right path in his or her life. Dharma is something taught by the Hindus as a guide to living in the world and still be able to obtain a higher spiritual level of thought. Also, Hinduism is not as one sided when it comes to balancing politics and government with humanly affairs. Confucianism was mainly based on a harmonious government, and Daoi...

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Resulting trusts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Resulting trusts - Essay Example since there is no evidence that Joe retained a reversionary interest in the home.1 In Lohia v Lohia, it was established that by virtue of Section 60(3) of the Law of Property Act 1925, a resulting trust will no longer be inferred in the case of a voluntary conveyance.2 A declaration of trust can be created by word of mouth â€Å"or even inferred from conduct.†3 There were no words or conduct on Joe’s part that can be construed to represent an intention on his part to create a trust. The voluntary conveyance of the home will therefore be construed as an absolute gift to Jack which does not form a part of Joe’s estate and likewise Daisy will have no legitimate claim to it. The disposition of the shares in Dotcom plc to Eddie was a bare trust and as such will devolve with Joe’s estate. Eddie assumed the role of trustee and likewise treated Joe as the sole beneficiary of the trust during his lifetime. This is evidenced by Eddie leaving the share certificate with Joe and paying over dividends from the shares to Joe. Moreover, Eddie himself acknowledged that he was merely holding the shares upon trust for Joe. There is no escaping the conclusion that the manner in which the shares in Dotcom were purchased, held and treated was consistent with the requisite three certainties of a trust. These certainties are certainty of subject matter, intention as well as objects. The subject matter is the trust property, intention is words and conduct capable of defining the intent by the donor to create a trust and the objects are the intended beneficiaries.4 The presumption is that Daisy be the sole beneficiary of the shares in her role as heir to Joe’s estate. Joe’s gift to Jack for Emily’s medical problems appears to be a discretionary trust. However, the validity of this kind of discretionary trust can be challenged on the grounds that Joe’s words do not impose upon Jack a legally binding obligation. Rather, the words used most probably impose upon him

Judaism, Islam, Christianity Essay Example for Free

Judaism, Islam, Christianity Essay Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are all completely different religions from an outsider’s point of view. Yet, when you look at all three of them in depth, a person can find many of the same characteristics. From their origins to their life rituals, there are many differences and similarities between these three popular religions. Between the origins of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, there is much overlap. Judaism was started through the Patriarch and Matriarch of the faith, Abraham and Sarah. They bore a child together named Isaac, who Jewish people believe to be their ancestor. Jewish people call themselves Children of Israel, signifying their descent from Jacob. Also, Abraham had another son with a different woman. This son, Ishmael, is believed to be the ancestor of Islam. The origin of Christianity was from Jesus Christ, who they believe rose from the dead and is the Son of God. His followers, otherwise known as disciples, spread the religion after his death in 30 CE throughout the Roman Empire. It soon became the official religion in the empire with Emperor Constantine’s decision. It has so far spread worldwide and is the largest religion in the world with almost 2. 2 billion followers. The sacred writings of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have many similarities. Christianity and Judaism believe in the Old Testament, which in Judaist terms is the Tanakh. This consists of the Torah, the Neviim, and the Ketuvim. It tells of God making a covenant with people. They believe that Jesus is not the Son of God and that their saviour is still to come. Muslims follow the exact writings of the Qu’ran, which they believe their prophet Mohammed was told in a revelation from Allah. They also follow the Hadith and the Sunna, which are, in a way, different variations of Mohammad’s life and stories. They regard parts of the Old Testament and the Gospels as inspired, and believe the Qur’an to be a more final and complete copy. The places of worship between Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are quite different. People of Jewish faith observe the Sabbath and conduct their services in Synagogue or the Temple, Christians worship in churches, chapels, and cathedrals, and Muslims worship in Mosques. People of Jewish faith and Muslims do not allow statues in their worship places, stating that it takes away their attention from God and Allah and that it ruins their monotheistic belief. Roman Catholics do not worship statues or icons. In the Eastern Catholic churches, people viewed icons as a way to greater worship and they prayed to them for protection. In Judaism and Christianity, the Holy Land, being Israel, is considered a very sacred place due to the fact that Jesus was born there and lived there, and also because that was the land promised to Abraham. Rome is also considered a very sacred place to Christians because that is where the leader of their religion lives, otherwise known as the Pope. This is similar to Medina and Mecca in Islam due to the fact that their house of God, the Kaaba, is located there and is believed to be placed right underneath Heaven. The role of women between Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, although men and women are equal in the eyes of God, are similar. Traditional Judaism gives different roles for men and women. For example, Orthodox men and women worship separately. This is in comparison to Muslims, where the Qur’an treats men and women as equals. This is close to Christianity, where everyone is equal under God. This allows women and men to be equal. For example, both genders can attend worship at the same time in the same place. Unfortunately, women are oppressed in today’s Muslim society due to Sharia law, which they believe is the law of Allah. It often discriminates against women and strips them of their rights. For example, a women’s word does not count as much as a man’s. This is similar to Christianity where women can not become ordained priests and are not given equality within in the Church. Also, men and women worship separately in Islam, which shows similarities to Orthodox Judaism. The symbols of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are very much different. The Star of David is named after King David, who had a shield with a star on it. It has seven spaces, including the separate points and the centre. This number seven is very important within the Jewish faith due to the six days of creation including the seventh day of rest. The menorah, another sacred Jewish symbol, also represents the seven days of creation. It is referred to as the â€Å"tree of life† because it has seven branches. The Mezuzah is also another sacred object. It contains the Shema written on a parchment. The most sacred ritual object in the Jewish faith is the Torah Scroll. It is the centre of Jewish life because it is used to teach, and it has the Five Books of Moses inscribed in it. In comparison to Judaism, the symbols for Christianity are few. They regard bread as Jesus’ body, which they call the Eucharist. They also believe that wine is Jesus’ blood. They drink and eat these at masses in remembrance of the Last Supper and the sacrifice that Jesus gave to them to wash away their sins. They regard the cross as a symbol of the sacrifice as well. Ichthus, the symbol of a fish, is a symbol for Christianity. In Islam, the Tawhid is the concept of monotheism. It holds God as one and unique. The crescent star is widely used as a symbol on Islamic flags. When babies are born in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, there are many rituals that they attend to. In Judaism, they believe in having the baby circumcised, which they call a Brit milah. Muslims also believe in having their sons circumcised. In Christianity, they believe in baptising the baby by a Priest to rid it of its original sin. In Islam, they believe in whispering the call to prayer in the baby’s right ear, making sure that it is the first sound they hear. Also, there is a naming ceremony where close friends and family gather to decide on the child’s name. Each of these rituals is different, leading to diversity between religions. During a marriage in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, one must use different rituals to attend to the needs of their religion. In Judaism, the couple stands under a canopy where the Rabbi reads from the Torah. Also, the marriage becomes official when the partners give something of value to each other, such as rings. In Islam, many marriages are arranged and polygamy is allowed. They see marriages as a way to gain political advantage and to tie one family to another. This is not the case with Christianity. When you marry under God in a church, they do not permit divorces unless the circumstances are dire. You exchange rings as a sign of the vow you have given to the other person. Also, you are a couple under God and are expected to baptise your children. When it comes to death in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, there are different ways to go about it. In Judaism, a shitting shiva takes place, where the family member mourns for a period of seven days. In Islam, the family member is quickly wrapped and buried. They are then pointed towards Mecca, which holds the sacred Kaaba. They also believe that the last words on your lips should be the Shahada. In Christianity, they hold a mass where families and friends can go to mourn as one. If lucky, you are blessed by a Priest, which relieves you of your sins. This is called Anointing of the Sins and Last Rites. The beliefs of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are quite similar. They each have a different take on past events. Christians, Muslims, and Jewish people believe in monotheism, stating that there is only one divine God. Muslims and Jewish people claim that Christians do not believe in one God, seeing as they think God exists in three different ways; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Christians call this the Trinity. In Judaism, they do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead, is the Son of God, or was born from the Virgin Mary. In Christianity, they believe in all of those points. In Islam, they believe that while Jesus was the Son of God and was born from the Virgin Mary, He did not die on the cross but was rather brought into heaven by God. People of Jewish faith think that Jesus was crucified due to this claim of being divine. Choosing to disregard the claim that Jesus is the saviour, they believe that their saviour will come one day and will unite the world and bring peace to humanity. Muslims believe that the Kaaba, a sacred cube located in Mecca, is God’s house and is located directly underneath heaven. They trust that the point to life is to live in a way that pleases Allah to gain a spot in Paradise, which is their heaven in the afterlife. The meaning of life for Christians, though, is to seek divine salvation through the grace of God and to become one with Him. People of Jewish faith believe life should be spent helping humanity and fellow neighbours. Christianity believes that every human has inherited â€Å"original sin† from Adam, meaning that people have a tendency towards evil. This is in comparison to Judaism and Islam who believe people are capable of both good and evil actions. In comparison to Christianity and Judaism, prayer rituals are taken very seriously in Islam. They believe in prayer five times a day: dawn, midday, afternoon, sunset, and evening, which is called the Salat. This is similar to Orthodox Judaism in which they pray in formal worship services three times a day; morning, afternoon, evening. They pray the Shema, which is the most important prayer in Judaism. Before prayer, Muslims wash up to their legs up to their knees and their arms up to their elbows to cleanse themselves. This is a bit similar to Christianity, which uses blessed holy water to pray with before entering mass. This blesses one’s self, recalls the baptism, and forgives sins. Each Islamic prayer is directed towards Mecca where the Kaaba is located, which they believe is loca ted directly under heaven. Women and men pray in parallel lines at separate times, and they pray on rugs to keep themselves clean. Also, there are certain guidelines that women and men need to follow in terms of what to wear to mosque. For example, a woman should not wear clothes that attract attention. In the European Christian Churches there are many dress codes one would need to follow. This is not the case in most Western Churches. The formalities have lessened and one can wear jeans to mass without causing uproar, which is much different from Islam. Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are similar religions when it comes to beliefs. While they have diverse opinions and take place in countries all over the world, these well known religions are revered for their perseverance. All three are valid religions, which, through different takes on past events, have moulded into what they are today. For example, while Christianity and Islam choose to believe that Jesus will come again, Judaism chooses not to. This take on a past event has shaped Christianity and Judaism greatly. Also, Islam has a different view of women’s rights and placement in society in comparison to Judaism and Christianity. I think that while Islam and Christianity are completely opposite when it comes to rituals and strictness, they are very much similar in terms of beliefs. Although Judaism and Islam originated from the same family tree and Judaism and Christianity coincide on many events, such as their origins, I believe that Judaism is the most different of the three due to its views about Jesus. Judaism, Islam, and Christianity are all completely different religions from an outsider’s point of view. Yet, when you look at all three of them in depth, a person can find many of the same characteristics.

Back To Chernobyl :: essays research papers

Many of the causes of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear reactors were from the lack of safety and the failure to follow safety features. This horrible incident shows us many lessons that should be learned. A few reasons for the Chernobyl power plant to rupture was due to the amount of control rods that were used. Where a minimum of 30 controls rods were required, only 6 to 8 control rods were used. The main reason that cause the core to actually ruptured was due to a sudden rise of the temperature in the reactor during the manual removal of control rods in a test which lead to the instability of the reactors. As the temperature rose, the core ruptured. A few reasons behind the Chernobyl nuclear power plants core to overheat were due to a few overlooked problems that were not taken care of. The Chernobyl Nuclear power plant used steam as a coolant, where water is a better coolant than steam for it also acts as a moderator, and second, it was found that the reactor’s emergenc y cooling system was disabled. These lack of actions lead to the catastrophic consequences at the Chernobyl power plant.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If I were in the same position before the accident, I would’ve made sure that the minimum amount of control rods were being in used considering the dangers of the reactor and their radiation incase of a meltdown. I would also have made sure all the cooling systems and equipment were working properly. Lastly, I would’ve used water as the coolant agent, so as to keep the core cooler.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In contrast to the reaction of the Soviets, I would’ve acted more quickly and expected the worst. I would’ve demanded an evacuation as soon as possible and in addition made sure I would have had a department working on plans for such an incident. Another aspect I would’ve looked at was to concentrate on how the weather would’ve effected the spread of the radiation and the carcinogenic material in the air. There are many aspects that were overlooked that lead to the deaths of many people and the illness of many people from the time for the incident to now, politically, economically, and socially.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The conflict between the environmental pollution of coal plants and the possible threats of having a nuclear reactions is very controversial. The fact the coal itself when burned releases carcinogenic materials into the atmosphere is very apparent the it is dangerous, yet it has been present and is not always as detrimental to the areas that are a good distance away from the area of the plant.

Outline and Evaluate the Use of One Qualitative Method

Outline and evaluate the use of one qualitative method in the academic study of sport Denzin and Lincoln (2000a) believe that qualitative research is guided by 3 principles: assumptions, values and beliefs. These work against, alongside or within positivist and post-positivist models. Quantitative research is the use of numerical measurements and analysis that involves measurable ‘quantities’ by Gratton and Jones (2004). Quantitative data is collected through closed questions as it is in place to provide facts.While qualitative data, on the other hand, predominantly uses open styled questions to gain more information through follow up questions, extensive answers and debates. There are many differences between the two paradigms with the researcher being objective, and ‘detached’ from the subject under investigation within quantitative data said by Gratton and Jones (2004). Moreover, qualitative research is rather the opposite, with the researcher being in pl ace to gather more information from the participants in question.In addition to the previous, Morse, Swanson and Kuezel (2001) believe a quantitative research requires the researcher to carefully define variables that may be quantified with numbers. On the other hand, qualitative research is a more holistic perspective rather than a hypothesis confirmation. Berg and Latin (2008) believe qualitative research allows an open-ended and flexible approach to assessment. Within the qualitative paradigm there are several different data collection methods such as open questionnaires, interviews, observation, visual and textual analysis.I will be outlining and evaluating the use of interviews within the academic study of sport; this will be focused mainly on focus groups. Culver (2003) states that interviews are undoubtedly the most common method for collecting qualitative data within the study of sport. Pettigrew (1990) and Pettus (2001) also state ‘interviews offer a depth of informat ion that permits the detailed exploration of particular issues in a way not possible with other forms of data collection’.Within this type of research method there are 4 different types of interviews; structured, semi-structured, unstructured and focus group. Structured interviews are face-to-face (researcher & participant), consist of closed and pre-determined questions in addition to the structure being formal. Semi-structured interviews can be altered so that the participant(s) in question can ether clarify or elaborate on a particular topic/statement. The approach to data collection is flexible, with probes being used to gather additional information.Unstructured interviews have a set theme with the respondent leading the interview. The questions are developed throughout, as they are not pre-determined. These questions are open and flexible. A negative point to this interview structure is that there’s a chance the interview will lack focus. Focus groups lean toward s being semi-structured with a discussion thesis being used within an open environment; focus groups consist of more than one person. John Amis (2005) believes ‘focus groups allow members to challenge each other, develop positions of consensus, and build on each other’s ideas’.In addition to this previous statement, Gratton and Jones (2004) believe that this can become a negative point if the researcher doesn’t keep the participants on topic, stating that ‘participants may be tempted to provide false data to make an impression upon others in the group’. This can be potentially avoided if you use either a random, or stratified random sample which has a divided population. Furthermore these participants won’t know one another. Within focus groups there is a large quantity of strengths; participants are able to elaborate on the particular subject(s) especially when the researcher uses probes.In conjunction to this Yin (1994) notes that the interviewer ‘provides perceived casual inferences’ from the actor’s, rather than the researcher’s point of view. As a focus group is generally unstructured or semi-structured it enables participants to reveal certain insight into their attitudes and behaviours in addition to important themes and unexpected data to emerge, Gratton and Jones (2010). Focus groups are more flexible as you can also gain visual and vocal information; for example body language, laughter, silence or careful consideration, their tone of voice, or even simply what particular participants are saying.This can lead to the researcher probing as certain participants will be more passionate about certain themes/topics. Moreover you are able to gain a relationship with your participants, which can lead to them being more open and true to the information they give within the group. In conjunction with this, participants are informed that everything discussed is kept confidential, therefore this will relax and ease participants so they’re able to engage fully within the discussions. Interviews require more resources in comparison to questionnaires.This could be in terms of time consumption or travelling, as a consequence resulting samples can be small, Gratton and Jones (2010). Particular participants could take control of the interview therefore becoming dominant; researchers must then put particular probes into practice ensuring other group members get involved to gain a more diverse collection of data. On the other hand, participants could find focus group environments intimidating and/or off-putting; which can lead to the participant(s) in question feeling under pressure to agree with the dominant participant. Evalued[online]) Analysing data can also be difficult in addition to recording the interview. John Amis (2005) states that it is irrespective of the type of interview, that the way data is recorded should be established prior and it is standard proced ure to record the interview on audio tape. The researcher must also ensure that the data gathered is reliable. Gratton and Jones (2004) believe that this can be represented with the equation; ‘reliability = number of agreements/(number of agreements + disagreements)’.Psychological Qualities of Elite Adolescent Rugby Players is a research study extension on Holland and colleagues’ (2010) study into required psychological qualities of young talented rugby players, Woodcock et al (2011). Focus groups were completed following Kruger and Casey’s (2000) recommended size of 6 to 8 participants, ensuring that you don’t exceed 10. One group broke this guideline with 2 participants participating within SAS (Sports Administration Staff), which could hinder studied data with the chance of agreement being likely and information being limited.Stewart, Shamdasani, and Rook (2007) warn that fewer than eight participants can lead to a narrow discussion biased toward the views of a few individuals. Focus groups were held in familiar and comforting environments in addition to neutral locations for parents, which was in place to make participants feel more at ease. The focus group was semi-structured with the moderator using probes to gain a more in-depth insight into their views and beliefs. Furthermore the moderator gained a relationship with the participants on entry so that they’d feel comfortable along with this method aiding them to participate within group discussions.Through using focus groups Woodcock et al (2011) founded 5 new subgroups within the 11 higher order themes identified by young players in Holland et al, (2010). These 5 subthemes were: off pitch communication, reflection on their abilities in an objective manner, taking information and reproducing it as a physical action, dealing with injuries as well as attitude towards injuries and that players need to be problem solvers, able to adapt and overcome challenges.Parents and coaches supported development of individuals, not just in their rugby involvement but within other areas of life. Furthermore they discussed interactions that reinforced development within professional and performance environments. SAS highlighted within the study that the under-16 rugby programme was designed specifically to gradually challenge players and foster development of certain psychological qualities Woodcock et al (2011). This focus group helped gain further knowledge and insight within the psychological side of elite adolescent rugby players.Furthermore the ways in which parents, coaches and the SAS develop these players’ psychological in general day to day environments. A large majority of the research gathered corresponds Holland and colleagues (2010) study. Gender perception of Wrestling is a case study in place to gain research on whether or not wrestling is a sport primarily for male athletes. This focus group consist of eight participants from both gend ers (stratified random sample), which was also semi-structured.Sports managers and administrators for wrestling are presented with the opportunity to encourage women to take part. For this to take place sports managers and/or administrators need to understand how women perceive the sport. Pfister, (2010) and Ward, (2010) state that there is a growing number of women participating in sports with some women competing successfully in traditionally masculine sports. Data collected from the focus group was substantial, with views from each gender being different; this therefore made the study stand out more due to its hypothesis.The focus group underlined that they perceived wrestling to be more violent than other sports such as judo and taekwondo as self-defence wasn’t an explicit objective, Leng (2012). Participants also reviewed the physical attributes of a wrestler, as of this they clearly stated wrestling was a sport for athletes who possess more physical attributes. Moreover , participants didn’t regard wrestling as a sport favouring the participation of a particular gender.To conclude this case study qualitative data collected via participants within the focus group were views which outlined gender beliefs. It is clear to see that focus groups are irreplaceable when accumulating qualitative research data within the academic study of sport. Gibbs (1997) states that the purpose of focus group research is to draw upon respondents’ attitudes, feelings, beliefs, experiences and reactions. Focus groups gather a whole source of information that cannot be obtained without debates and different views.When structured correctly the researcher is able to gain rich data that he can then press forward to ether make changes or put different methods in practice. Focus groups are best used when gaining data on something meaningful to the participants and/or collecting data for something that affects a large majority of people. Something else gathered from this is that when the moderator/research gains a relationship with the participant it is easier to gain more in-depth information. Bibliography †¢ Andrews, D. L. , Mason, D.S. and Silk, M. L. (2005) Qualitative Data in Sports Studies. New York: Berg. †¢ Berg, K. E and Latin, R. W. (2008) Research Methods in Health, Physical Education, Exercise Science, and Research (3rd Edition). Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. †¢ Gratton, C. and Jones, I. (2004) Research Methods of Sports Studies (1st Edition). London: Routledge. †¢ Gratton, C. and Jones, I (2006) Research Methods of Sports Studies (2nd Edition). Oxon: Routledge. †¢ Woodcock, C. , Holland, M. J. G. , Duda, J. L, and Cumming, J. 2011) Psychological Qualities of Elite Adolescent Rugby Players: Parents, Coaches, and Sport Administration Staff Perceptions and Supporting Roles. The Sport Psychologist, 25, 411-433. †¢ Leng, H. K. ; Kang, S. Y. ; Lim, C. ; Lit, J. J. ; Suhaimi, N. I. ; Umar, Y. (2012) Only For Males: Gendered Perception of Wrestling. Choregia, Vol. 8 Issue 1, p43. †¢ Gibbs, A. (1997) Social Research Update, Issue 19 [online]. Available: http://sru. soc. surrey. ac. uk/SRU19. html [8th November 2012] †¢ Evalued (2006) Focus Groups [online]. Available: http://www. evalued. bcu. ac. uk/tutorial/4b. htm [ 8th November 2012]