Financial and Mangement Accounting (Cable and Wireless Plc) Essay

Financial and Mangement Accounting (Cable and Wireless Plc) - Essay Example Cable & Wireless Plc is a company with operations scattered around the world. It has maintained a good profitability performance during 2008 despite the fact that revenue in 2008 declined as compared 2007. The emphasis was to economize the cost of sales. Liquidity is a definite problem with the company as is with other companies as well. Efficiency on inventory turnover has covered up lot of operational weaknesses of the company in 2008. The company is highly geared and the equity holders are presented with a stage to have benefits of trading in equity. Investors are ever willing to invest as it clear from it price earning ratio. The company is following strictly the provisions IAS 14 in maintaining its accounting policy of segment reporting. The information is exhaustive under primary segments that are business wise; and adequate in secondary segments that are created on the basis geographical areas covered by the company in its business operations.

Different Types of Database Management System Essay Example for Free

Different Types of Database Management System Essay A database can be a set of flat files stored on computer tape or disk or it could consist of database tables that are managed by a Database Management System (DBMS). There are different types of DBMS products: relational, network and hierarchical, multidimensional, object. The most widely commonly used type of DBMS today is the Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS). Database management systems (DBMS) are designed to use one of five database structures to provide simplistic access to information stored in databases. The five database structures are: the hierarchical model, he network model, the relational model, the multidimensional model, and the object model. Inverted lists and other methods are also used. A given database management system may provide one or more of the five models. The optimal structure depends on the natural organization of the applications data, and on the applications requirements, which include transaction rate (speed), reliability, maintainability, scalability, and cost. Hierarchical Model The hierarchical data model organizes data in a tree structure. There is a hierarchy of parent and child data segments. This structure implies that a record can have repeating information, generally in the child data segments. Data in a series of records, which have a set of field values attached to it. It collects all the instances of a specific record together as a record type. These record types are the equivalent of tables in the relational model, and with the individual records being the equivalent of rows. To create links between these record types, the hierarchical model uses Parent Child Relationships. These are a 1:N mapping between record types. This is done by using trees, like set theory used in the relational model, borrowed from maths. For example, an organization might store information about an employee, such as name, employee number, department, salary. The organization might also store information about an employees children, such as name and date of birth. The employee and children data forms a hierarchy, where the employee data represents the parent segment and the children data represents the child segment. If an employee has three children, then there would be three child segments associated with one employee segment. In a hierarchical database the parent-child relationship is one to many. This restricts a child segment to having only one parent segment. Hierarchical DBMSs were popular from the late 1960s, with the introduction of IBMs Information Management System (IMS) DBMS, through the 1970s. The hierarchical structure was used in early mainframe DBMS. Records’ relationships form a treelike model. This structure is simple but nonflexible because the relationship is confined to a one-to-many relationship. IBM’s IMS system and the RDM Mobile are examples of a hierarchical database system with multiple hierarchies over the same data. RDM Mobile is a newly designed embedded database for a mobile computer system. The hierarchical structure is used primarily today for storing geographic information and file systems. Network Model The popularity of the network data model coincided with the popularity of the hierarchical data model. Some data were more naturally modeled with more than one parent per child. So, the network model permitted the modeling of many-to-many relationships in data. In 1971, the Conference on Data Systems Languages (CODASYL) formally defined the network model. The basic data modeling construct in the network model is the set construct. A set consists of an owner record type, a set name, and a member record type. A member record type can have that role in more than one set, hence the multiparent concept is supported. An owner record type can also be a member or owner in another set. The data model is a simple network, and link and intersection record types (called junction records by IDMS) may exist, as well as sets between them . Thus, the complete network of relationships is represented by several pairwise sets; in each set some (one) record type is owner (at the tail of the network arrow) and one or more record types are members (at the head of the relationship arrow). Usually, a set defines a 1:M relationship, although 1:1 is permitted. The CODASYL network model is based on mathematical set theory. The network structure consists of more complex relationships. Unlike the hierarchical structure, it can relate to many records and accesses them by following one of several paths. In other words, this structure allows for many-to-many relationships. Relational Model (RDBMS relational database management system) A database based on the relational model developed by E. F. Codd. A relational database allows the definition of data structures, storage and retrieval operations and integrity constraints. In such a database the data and relations between them are organised in tables. A table is a collection of records and each record in a table contains the same fields. Properties of Relational Tables: Values Are Atomic Each Row is Unique Column Values Are of the Same Kind The Sequence of Columns is Insignificant The Sequence of Rows is Insignificant Each Column Has a Unique Name Certain fields may be designated as keys, which means that searches for specific values of that field will use indexing to speed them up. Where fields in two different tables take values from the same set, a join operation can be performed to select related records in the two tables by matching values in those fields. Often, but not always, the fields will have the same name in both tables. For example, an orders table might contain (customer-ID, product-code) pairs and a products table might contain (product-code, price) pairs so to calculate a given customers bill you would sum the prices of all products ordered by that customer by joining on the product-code fields of the two tables. This can be extended to joining multiple tables on multiple fields. Because these relationships are only specified at retreival time, relational databases are classed as dynamic database management system. The RELATIONAL database model is based on the Relational Algebra. The relational structure is the most commonly used today. It is used by mainframe, midrange and microcomputer systems. It uses two-dimensional rows and columns to store data. The tables of records can be connected by common key values. While working for IBM, E. F. Codd designed this structure in 1970. The model is not easy for the end user to run queries with because it may require a complex combination of many tables. Multidimensional structure The multidimensional structure is similar to the relational model. The dimensions of the cube-like model have data relating to elements in each cell. This structure gives a spreadsheet-like view of data. This structure is easy to maintain because records are stored as fundamental attributes in the same way they are viewed and the structure is easy to understand. Its high performance has made it the most popular database structure when it comes to enabling online analytical processing (OLAP). Object/Relational Model Object/relational database management systems (ORDBMSs) add new object storage capabilities to the relational systems at the core of modern information systems. These new facilities integrate management of traditional fielded data, complex objects such as time-series and geospatial data and diverse binary media such as audio, video, images, and applets. By encapsulating methods with data structures, an ORDBMS server can execute comple x analytical and data manipulation operations to search and transform multimedia and other complex objects. As an evolutionary technology, the object/relational (OR) approach has inherited the robust transaction- and performance-management features of it s relational ancestor and the flexibility of its object-oriented cousin. Database designers can work with familiar tabular structures and data definition languages (DDLs) while assimilating new object-management possibi lities. Query and procedural languages and call interfaces in ORDBMSs are familiar: SQL3, vendor procedural languages, and ODBC, JDBC, and proprie tary call interfaces are all extensions of RDBMS languages and interfaces. And the leading vendors are, of course, quite well known: IBM, Inform ix, and Oracle. The object oriented structure has the ability to handle graphics, pictures, voice and text, types of data, without difficultly unlike the other database structures. This structure is popular for multimedia Web-based applications. It was designed to work with object-oriented programming languages such as Java. Object-Oriented Model Object DBMSs add database functionality to object programming languages. They bring much more than persistent storage of programming language objects. Object DBMSs extend the semantics of the C++, Smalltalk and Java object programming languages to provide full-featured database programming capability, while retaining native language compatibility. A major benefit of this approach is the unification of the application and database development into a seamless data model and language environment. As a result, applications require less code, use more natural data modeling, and code bases are easier to maintain. Object developers can write complete database applications with a modest amount of additional effort. The object-oriented database (OODB) paradigm is the combination of object-oriented programming language (OOPL) systems and persistent systems. The power of the OODB comes from the seamless treatment of both persistent data, as found in databases, and transient data, as found in executing programs. In contrast to a relational DBMS where a complex data structure must be flattened out to fit into tables or joined together from those tables to form the in-memory structure, object DBMSs have no performance overhead to store or retrieve a web or hierarchy of interrelated objects. This one-to-one mapping of object programming language objects to database objects has two benefits over other storage approaches: it provides higher performance management of objects, and it enables better management of the complex interrelationships between objects. This makes object DBMSs better suited to support applications such as financial portfolio risk analysis systems, telecommunications service applications, world wide web document structures, design and manufacturing systems, and hospital patient record systems, which have complex relationships between data.

The Garment Industry :: essays research papers

Globalization is basically about attempting to make things global and expanding products and companies over seas to countries all around the world. It can also be classified as the process of creating languages, services, and products that apply not just to an individual neighborhood or city or country, but to the whole world. Canadians have experienced many benefits that globalization has brought to their lives including the availability to products and services from all around the world. However, at the same time on the other side of the world it has had many pessimistic or negative effects on workers in developing countries. As Globalization began to boom, the number of sweatshops also increased greatly and its effects were most definitely harming in many ways to the individuals employed by them; mainly women and children. Out of all the industries that have become globalized, the textile and garment industries are amongst the most. Mutually the textile and garment industries mak e up one of the largest sources of industrial employment in the world. In virtually every country around the world clothing is being produced but being sold somewhere else. Around 30 million people are making clothes and textiles around the globe and out of those thirty million, most of them are women. Around the world women and children are suffering because of the introduction of sweatshops, low wages, unsafe working environments, free trade zones, foreign control, sub contracting and abuses of human and worker rights. Historically, the word "sweatshop" originated in the Industrial Revolution to describe a subcontracting system in which the middlemen earned profits from the margin between the amount they received for a contract and the amount they paid to the workers. Today a sweatshop is defined by the government as any business or factory that violates one or more of the federal or provincial labor laws which are as follows: minimum wage and overtime, child labor, industrial homework, occupational health and safety, workers compensation, or industry registration. Originally when the garment industry went global it was all about the positive effects it was having on the developing countries in which the factories were located and about all the jobs that were introduced to those who once could not ever imagine getting paid to work. As Globalization began to show more of its negative effects on those lives of the individuals in developing countries, it became more evident that because of this globalization people on every continent and territory were exposed to and forced to consume a North American culture.

Dalai Lama :: Essays Papers

Dalai Lama His Holiness, the XIVth Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso was born in a small village called Takster in northeastern Tibet. Born to a peasant family, His Holiness was recognized at the age of two, in accordance with Tibetan tradition, as the reincarnation of his predecessor the 13th Dalai Lama. His enthronement ceremony took place on February 22, 1940 in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. The Dalai Lamas are the manifestations of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, who chose to reincarnate to serve the people. Dalai Lama means Ocean of Wisdom. Tibetans normally refer to His Holiness as Yeshin Norbu, the Wish-fulfilling Gem, or simply, Kundun, meaning The Presence. Born Lhamo Dhondrub, he was, as Dalai Lama, renemaed Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso - Holy Lord, Gentle Glory, Compassionate, Defender of the Faith, Ocean of Wisdom. He began his education at the age of six and completed the Geshe Lharampa Degree (Doctorate of Buddhist Philosophy) when he was 25. At 24, he took the preliminary examination at each of the three monastic universities: Drepung, Sera and Ganden. The final examination was held in the Jokhang, Lhasa, during the annual Monlam Festival of Prayer, held in the first month of every year. In the morning he was examined by 30 scholars on logic. In the afternoon, he debated with 15 scholars on the subject of the Middle Path, and in the evening, 35 scholars tested his knowledge of the canon of monastic discipline and the study of metaphysics. His Holiness passed the examinations with honors, conducted before a vast audience of monk scholars. In 1950, at age 16, His Holiness was called upon to assume full political power as head of State and Government when Tibet was threatened by the might of China. In 1954 he went to Peking to talk with Mao Tse-Tung and other Chinese leaders, including Chou En-Lai and Deng Xiaoping. In 1956, while visiting India to attend the 2500th Buddha Jayanti, he had a series of meetings with Prime Minister Nehru and Premier Chou about deteriorating conditions in Tibet. In 1959 he was forced into exile in India after the Chinese military occupation of Tibet. Since 1960 he has resided in Dharamsala, aptly known as "Little Lhasa", the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. In the early years of exile, His Holiness appealed to the United Nations on the question of Tibet, resulting in three resolutions adopted by the General Assembly in 1959, 1961 and 1965.

The Historical And Social Background Of Mauritius Education Essay

The Republic of Mauritius lies in the south West of the Indian Ocean. It is comprised of the chief island of Mauritius and the islands of Rodrigues, Agalega and Saint Brandon every bit good as a figure of outlying smaller islands. The chief island of Mauritius is situated about 900 kilometers to the E of Madagascar, at latitude 20 South and 57 East. Mauritius was an uninhabited island. It ne'er had an autochthonal population. The Portuguese foremost discovered the island in 1513. Then came the Dutch who rediscovered the island in the late 17th century and abandoned it around 1710. A few old ages subsequently the Gallic came and decided to remain. It was during the period of the Gallic colonization that the island acquired the features of a society and the economical, educational and cultural constructions they established formed the base of development. In 1810, the island was taken over by the British. The British introduced alterations in the island in many Fieldss particularly in the Education Sector. Mauritius became an independent crowned head province on 12 March 1968 and a Republic in 1992. Mauritius is divided into nine territories. The territories are Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Moka, Flacq, Black River, Savanne Pamplemousses, Riviere du Rempart, and Grand Port. The Mauritanian society is a multicultural as a consequence of its historical factors. Its population consists of emigres and posterities of emigres from three continents – Europe, Africa and Asia. The assortment of cultural beginnings coupled with the Franco- British historical background gave rise to a complex linguistic communication state of affairs. Gallic Creole is spoken by about the whole population. English is the official linguistic communication and medium of direction for all the other academic topics in schools and French is the 2nd chief linguistic communication taught in schools. Apart from these, a assortment of oriental linguistic communications are taught in schools- Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Mandarin and Arabic. The web of mass media is efficient. Several day-to-day and hebdomadal documents are printed, chiefly in Gallic but besides in other linguistic communications ; wireless, and telecasting broadcasts are in English, French and Oriental Languages. The communicating web is now farther strengthened by the latest information and communicating engineering ( ICT ) services like the Internet. All the primary and secondary schools have computing machine labs and cyberspace services. Some schools even have their web sites. The Mauritanian economic system is turning quickly. It is in the procedure of transmutation from a low accomplishment, low labour-cost economic system to a much more skill-intensive one in which high degrees of instruction and preparation are necessary at all degrees. It is hence of import to maximize the quality of instruction provided at all degrees and to guarantee that pupils go forthing school are equipped with cognition, attitudes and accomplishments that are appropriate for employment in this altering economic system. The population statistics for Mauritius are shown in Table 1.1.1. Table 1.1.1: Population Statisticss for Mauritius. 2000 2007 2008 Population Male Female 1,686,900 588,200 598,700 1,260,400 622,900 637,500 1,268,600 626,600 642,000 Under 15 old ages 15-59 old ages Above 59 old ages Percentage of 25.7 65.2 9.1 Population 23.3 66.7 10.0 32.8 66.9 10.31.2 The Educational System in MauritiusThe battle for ‘Education for All ‘ began in the 1930s and 1940s. With the accomplishment of the constitutional reforms in 1948, there grew a steadfast committedness to it. This was seen in the addition of instruction proviso and more school registration. After Independence in 1968, the accent was on increasing the figure of schools and bettering the school substructure. In the 80 ‘s this changed to the betterment of the quality and the effectivity of those schools. Today, after holding achieved the first end of cosmopolitan primary instruction, the displacement in accent is from enrolment rates and good school substructure to quality and relevancy of instruction. The state ‘s committedness to ‘Education for All ‘ is reflected in its Budget Outgo on Education. Table 1.2.1: Public Recurrent Outgo on Education 2007/08 Sri lanka rupees 2008/09 Sri lanka rupees Pre-Primary Education 110,132,076 116,934,998 Primary Education 1,868,909,408 1,862,261,704 Secondary Education 4,107,591,263 4,212,434,404 Particular Education Needs 17,707,557 18,348,269 Technical & A ; Vocational Education and preparation 293,646,227 299,735,575 Third Education 825,424,624 858,743,267 Continuing Education 166,588,844 173,632,783 Entire 7,390,000,000 7,542,000,000 Schooling in Mauritius is based on the 6 + 5 + 2 system, inherited from the British, with 6 old ages of primary instruction taking to the Certificate of Primary Education ( CPE ) , followed by 5 old ages of secondary instruction taking to the Cambridge School Certificate ( SC ) and a farther two old ages taking to the Cambridge Higher School Certificate ( HSC ) or GCE ‘A ‘ degree scrutinies.1.2.1: Pre Primary EducationAround 95 % of our kids attend pre-primary schools. In 2008, about 1070 pre-primary schools were officially registered with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources with a population of 29,738 kids, 2,541 instructors and 919 non-teaching staff. A pre-primary unit has been established in the Ministry to beef up the pre-primary sector and to supervise its advancement. At this phase itself, the students are bit by bit exposed to English and Gallic linguistic communications. The lessons ( chiefly mathematics and life accomplishments ) are conducted in Engli sh.1.2.2 Primary EducationPrimary instruction is free and compulsory, for kids belonging to the age group of 5-12 old ages, in Mauritius. There are 302 primary schools out of which 220 are run by the authorities and 51 by the Roman Catholic Education Authority ( RCEA ) , 2 by the Hindu Education Authority and the other 29 are Private non-aided schools. Legislation has been introduced since 1991 to do primary instruction compulsory and a common school course of study is used. In 2008, the primary school population was 114,007 ( 58128 male childs and 55879 misss ) . Consequently 98 % of the Mauritanian population of primary school age attended school. Currently, the topics taught are English, Gallic, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Creative Education, and Physical Education. Seven Asiatic Languages, viz. , Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and Modern Chinese are besides taught to students who opt to analyze any one of them. Students enter Grade 1 ( besides called Standard I in Mauritius ) at the age of five and take CPE scrutiny after six old ages of schooling. This scrutiny is mandatory and is besides used to rank students for entree to topographic points in the extremely rated secondary schools. From Grade 1, the pupils under the primary instruction in Mauritius automatically travel up to Rate 4. After Grade 4, the pupils undergo a biennial readying for the CPE scrutinies and end-of-year concluding scrutinies for both classs 4 and 5 are prepared at national degree by the Ministry of Education and Human Resources. Progress towards quality in primary instruction is seen in high registration rates, investing in infrastructure- school edifices, resort areas, school- gardens, audio-visual installations, school libraries, diminishing pupil-teacher ratio, control of school conveyance, school feeding plan, school wellness plan, proviso of free text-books, teacher instruction and an effectual appraisal system. Of the 7542 million of rupees budget in 2008/2009 devoted to instruction, 24.7 % goes to primary sector. Soon, there are 8090 instructors involved in the Primary schools. In peculiar, 5454 are learning staff, 4080 General Purpose Teachers and 1374 Oriental Language Teachers. The staying 2636 comprised 303 Head Teachers, 918 Deputy Head Teachers and 1415 Administrative and other workers. Table 1.2.1.1 shows the Certificate for Primary Education ( CPE ) scrutiny consequences for last four old ages. Despite the consistent care of the per centum base on balls, the high failure rates can non be ignored. Capable 2004 2005 2006 2007 English 71.3 73.3 75.8 74.7 Gallic 71.8 69.7 76.6 71.1 Mathematicss 73.9 73.1 73.6 72.6 Electron volt 71.0 75.1 73.4 70.0 Science 77.4 75.0 70.1 72.3 Table 1.2.1.1: Percentage Base on balls at CPE Examination1.2.3 Secondary EducationFree secondary instruction was introduced in 1977. In 2008, there were 69 State Schools and 106 private schools which were supplying secondary instruction. The private schools are besides allocated authorities financess through the Private Secondary Schools Authority ( PSSA ) , which besides provides proficient advice and counsel. In 2008, there were 112,995 students in secondary schools ( 55 873 misss and 58 730 male childs ) . Some secondary schools are considered as ‘star ‘ schools. This accounts for the high competition at the CPE scrutiny, as merely those ranked are chosen to travel to these schools. This state of affairs is likely to prevail until all secondary schools are considered ‘equal ‘ in resources and quality. To fulfill the demands of the labor market, alterations are being introduced bit by bit, at the upper secondary degree with Business and Technical watercourses. The Industrial Vocational Training Board ( IVTB ) , which was established in 1989, provides vocational preparation. Other administrations such as Handicraft Centres and the Lycee Polytechnique besides help out in Vocational Training.1.2.4 Teacher TrainingIn primary schools, instructors are classified into two classs: the General Purpose instructors and the Oriental Language instructors. The General Purpose instructors have to learn at least four topics including Mathematics, English Language, Gallic Language and Environmental Science. The Oriental linguistic communication instructor has to learn merely one oriental linguistic communication. They have all followed a biennial pre-service preparation class, taking to a Certificate in Primary Education. This class is conducted by the Mauritius Institute of Education ( MIE ) . The class involves pedagogical, learning methods and regular visit to primary schools. During the preparation, instructors besides have to make learning pattern in schools. There is a major programme for upgrading primary school instructors, taking to an Advanced Certificate. Particular preparation for remedial instruction is besides being provided. Most of the instructors recruited to work in the Secondary Schools possess a Bachelor ‘s grade. Every instructor is required to learn one topic merely. However, there are some instructors who possess a sheepskin merely and accordingly they are allowed to learn pupils up to School Certificate ; nevertheless, these instructors can follow a Bachelor in Education grade at the MIE. Courses taking to Post-Graduate Certificate in Education ( PGCE ) are besides organised for in-service secondary school instructors. Recently, classs taking to Masters Degree Education are being conducted jointly by MIE and abroad universities.1.2.5 Third EducationThird Education was made free in Mauritius in 1988. This sector comprises the University of Mauritius, University of Technology Mauritius, Mauritius Institute of Education, Mahatma Gandhi Institute and Mauritius College of the Air. The Mauritius Institute of Education ( MIE ) runs classs in Pre-School Education and Educational Administration every bit good as preparation classs for Primary and Secondary teachers- Certificate and Advanced Certificate for Primary School Teachers ; Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor in Education and PGCE for Secondary School Teachers. Recently, it has started a Maestro in Education class in coaction with the University of Brighton, UK. The Mahatma Gandhi Institute ( MGI ) , in coaction with University of Mauritius ( UOM ) and the MIE, runs classs at degree degree and Teacher Training Certificate classs in Asiatic Languages, every bit good as Diploma courses in Indian Music and Dance, the Humanistic disciplines and Hindi Studies. The Mauritius College of the Air ( MCA ) provides media support in assorted educational spheres, with wireless and telecasting programmes at different degrees. It is to be used as a Resource Centre for Distance Education. The Tertiary Education Commission ( TEC ) established in 1988, is the agent for planning and co-ordination of third instruction. It has established machinery for advancing research in different countries in the different establishments. By and large, the primary-level instructors join the profession with Higher School Certificate ( HSC ) as making. Nowadays, there are many new instructors who already possessed a sheepskin or grade from a university ( chiefly MIE or UOM ) . Then they undergo mandatory 3-year preparation at the MIE on full-time footing. During their preparation, they are besides posted to schools under counsel of experient instructors for learning pattern.1.2.6 Curriculum DevelopmentThe National Centre for the Curriculum Research and Development ( NCCRD ) has been set up to fix curriculum stuffs and circulate them efficaciously to schools. The kernel in the invention of puting up a separate Centre for course of study development is that: It is designed to work with students, instructors, caputs of schools who constitute the most of import portion of the system. Ultimately, it is the schools which will do the procedure of course of study development an effectual agencies of conveying about reform and alteration in the system. It pools limited fiscal resources in order to work the cardinal issues in course of study development. It has become the focal point for partnerships for like-interest groups by tapping the best professional expertness at all degrees and in making so it has become the chief beginning of invention and betterment in schools. The inventions undertaken in course of study development have led to a replacing of unequal traditional processs for course of study preparation through ad-hoc commissions, a re-appraisal of the lower-secondary and primary school curricular and in the devise of a new course of study model. For each topic and each degree, course of study panels consisting representatives from MIE, Mahatma Gandhi Institute ( MGI ) , Mauritius Examination Syndicate ( MES ) , Ministry of Education and Human Resources, caput instructors and instructors prepare the course of study stuffs harmonizing to national, educational, pedagogical and psychological norms. These are trialled before concluding printing and distribution to schools. The NCCRD is governed by a board that controls and proctors book production harmonizing to national norms. Textbooks are prepared for all degrees: pre-primary, primary, lower secondary and basic secondary schools- for all topics including Movement Education and Creative Education. Together with text editions, instructors ‘ ushers and other instructional stuffs are prepared for distribution to schools. Regular sensitization workshops are held both in Mauritius and Rodrigues on the usage of the books.1.2.7 Examinations and AppraisalsExaminations have an of import function in bettering the quality of instruction. The Mauritius Examination Syndicate is the chief establishment concerned with scrutinies. At the primary degree, for class 1 to 5, each school has its ain appraisal patterns based on the national course of study aims as spelt out in the text edition. The Ministry of Education, and Human Resources prepares the terminal of twelvemonth scrutinies for classs 4 and 5, nevertheless, these are school based. The Certificate of Primary Education ( CPE ) is a national scrutiny held at the terminal of six old ages of primary schooling. It is both a trial of the degree of attainment of every kid every bit good as a selective device for admittance to the best secondary schools. The MES takes luxuriant attention in the design, disposal, taging, security and equity of the scrutinies. To supervise learning accomplishment and to better criterions on instruction, the MES has developed a Learning Competency Project and laid down Learning Competencies for each age degree in footings of Essential and Desirable Competencies. The doctrine behind the puting down of ELCs ( Essential Learning Comp etencies ) for all kids and DLCs ( Desirable Learning Competencies ) for those who can travel beyond the indispensable is that no kid should be hurried along in order to finish the ‘syllabus ‘ without understanding but besides that no kid should be held back because of others who need a longer clip to understand and absorb what they learn. Therefore, the CPE scrutinies are based on ELCs and DLCs. As yet, there is no formal system of Continuous Assessment in our primary schools, although there have been a few efforts to present it. The new educational reforms emphasise the demand for a sound system of Continuous Assessment in primary schools. At secondary degree, the MES organises and behaviors scrutinies in coaction with the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. The scrutinies are held at the terminal of the 5th twelvemonth ( 16+ ) of the secondary rhythm taking to the attainment of ‘O ‘ degrees ( School Certificate Examination ) and the terminal of the 7th twelvemonth ( 18+ ) of secondary rhythm taking to the attainment of ‘A ‘ degrees ( Higher School Certificate Examination ) . The MES plays an of import function in mauritianising the scrutinies, therefore doing the scrutiny geared to the demands of the state every bit good as maintaining international criterions. Through the puting up of Examinations Capable Advisory Panels- which comprise all spouses in each subject- the course of study, text editions, etc. are closely monitored and alterations are subtly brought to the system. For School Certificate scrutinies, 17 topics are locally marked. Campaigners have a wider scope of topics, 45 at School Certificate degree and 40 at Higher School Certificate degree. Each campaigner chooses 7 to 8 topics at SC degree and 3 chief topics and 2 subordinate 1s at HSC degree. Regular preparation of instructors in the usage of the scrutinies course of study, taging strategies, paper scenes etc. is done and therefore doing scrutinies an of import agencies of bettering criterions and the quality of instruction.Understanding GeometryThe term â€Å" geometry † merely means â€Å" earth step † ( ‘Geo ‘ intending ‘Earth ‘ and ‘metry ‘ significance ‘measurement ‘ ) . Geometry is one of the longest constituted subdivisions of mathematics and its beginnings can be traced back through a broad scope of civilization and civilizations. Several research workers have defined geometry in their ain footings and experience. Some common 1s are discussed in this subdivision. Geometry is the term given to the apprehension of hold oning infinite. Such understanding helps pupils represent and do sense of the universe. In order to develop spacial sense, pupils must make more than larn the names of forms. They need to analyze features and belongingss of geometric forms and develop an apprehension about relationships that exist among them ( Gould, 2003 ) . Geometry, says the celebrated UK Mathematician Sir Michael Atiyah ( 2001 ) , is one of the two pillars of mathematics ( the other being algebra ) . Sir Michael Atiyah writes: Spatial intuition or spacial perceptual experience is an tremendously powerful tool and that is why geometry is really such a powerful portion of mathematics- non merely for things that are non. We try to set them into geometrical signifier because that enables us to utilize our intuitionaˆÂ ¦ ( Atiyah, 2001, p.50 ) By concentrating on geometry, the focal point is on the development and application of spacial constructs through which kids learn to stand for and do sense of the universe. â€Å" Geometry is hold oning spaceaˆÂ ¦aˆÂ ¦that infinite in which the kid lives, breathes and moves†¦ ..the infinite that the kid must larn to cognize, explore, conquer, in order to populate, breathe and travel better in it † ( Freudenthal, 1973, p.403 ) . Geometry is an abstract subdivision of mathematics that helps pupils ground and understand the self-evident construction of mathematics. It is concerned with happening the belongingss and the measuring of certain geometric objects. Geometric belongingss are those belongingss of the objects that remain invariant under certain transmutations when the sizes and measurings of the objects change ( National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 2000 ) . Godfrey, a taking reformist in England at the start of the twentieth century, argued that mathematics is non undertaken entirely by logic but that another power is necessary. He called this ‘geometrical power ‘ , depicting it as ‘the power we exercise when we solve a rider ( a hard geometrical job or cogent evidence ) . To develop this power, Godfrey argued, it is indispensable to develop pupils ‘ â€Å" geometrical oculus † , something he defined as â€Å" the power of seeing geometrical belongingss detach themselves from a figure † ( Godfrey, 1910 ) . Piaget relates geometry as the scientific discipline of infinite. He describes the development of the kid ‘s representational infinite every bit good as the mental image of the existent infinite in which the kid is moving where â€Å" mental representation is non simply a callback from a memory bank but it is an active Reconstruction of an object at the symbolic degree. Therefore, geometry is the survey of points, lines, angles and forms, and their relationships and belongingss. It sounds like a batch to cognize, but much of it is already in your caput. Geometry is all around us. If people did n't believe about geometry, they would n't be able to construct great constructions such as pyramids or even simple things that are level as a tabular array.1.4 Geometry as a Basic SkillGeometry is besides considered as a basic accomplishment. Sherard ( 1981 ) provinces seven grounds that show geometry is a basic accomplishment: Its usage as an assistance for communicating. Its application in real-life jobs. When depicting the location of topographic points or when giving waies, geometric footings such as â€Å" parallel to † and â€Å" diagonally from † are used extensively. It is used as an application in other subjects in mathematics and to fix pupils to analyze classs in higher maths and scientific disciplines. It helps pupils to develop spacial perceptual experience and stimulate & A ; exercise general thought and problem-solving accomplishments. It helps pupils to understand and appreciate the beauty of the physical universe. Many of the footings used to place, infer and ground can be used outside of the geometry sphere. As stated, geometry is a basic accomplishment since it is an of import assistance for communicating. Our basic speech production and composing vocabularies have many geometric footings: e.g. point, line, plane, curve, angle, analogue, circle, square, rectangle and trigon. If we are to pass on to others the location, size or form of an object, geometric nomenclature is indispensable. We use geometric nomenclature in depicting forms of objects: â€Å" The floor tiles are trim or the headlamps on that theoretical account of the auto are rectangles † or in giving waies: â€Å" Church Street is parallel to Main Street or do a right bend at the 2nd traffic visible radiation † ( Sherard, 1981 ) .1.5 Importance and Applications of GeometryUnderstanding of form and infinite begins with babes as they learn to creep and walk, detecting the universe and infinite around them ( Doverburg & A ; Prambling Samuelson, 2001 ) . Children come to school holding some ocular and spacial accom plishments. Many kids have experienced building of playthings, saber saw, mystifiers, drama dough, computing machine games, mounting, resort area equipment at place and kindergarten. Children foremost develop inactive schemes as they explore their physical environment and stuffs. As they notice belongingss and develop constructs about forms around them, they begin to understand dynamic imagination and are able to work out spacial jobs. Geometric and spacial thought are non merely of import in their ain right but besides because they provide a foundation for much mathematical acquisition in other countries ( Clements, 2000 ) . An illustration of this is the usage of drawings and manipulatives in the development of apprehension of fractions ( e.g cut a circle into 4 equal parts to explicate one-quarter ) . The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics ( NCTM, 2000 ) recognises its importance as a foundation: ‘As pupils become familiar with form, construction, location, and transmutations and as they develop spacial logical thinking, they lay the foundation for understanding non merely their spacial universe but besides subjects in mathematics and in art, scientific discipline and societal surveies ‘ ( p.97 ) . Geometry can be used to visualize other signifiers of mathematics. Rectangles can be used to show the distributive belongings during direction of arithmetic, in general, and to exemplify happening binomial merchandises during direction of algebra. Using and understanding the belongingss of geometric figures as manipulatives can assist pupil understand combinatorics, analysis of inequalities, and analytic geometry ( Schielock, 1987 ) and geometry representations are used to understand certain constructs in concretion ( Balamenos, Ferrini- Mundy & A ; Dick, 1987 ) . Willson ( 1977 ) further advocates that geometry has an of import topographic point in mathematics because it Enables the survey of the Physical universe. Deals with visual image, pulling, and building of the figures. Enables the representation of the constructs in mathematics which are non ocular. Gives us pleasance and it is aesthetic. Hershkowitz et Al. ( 1987 ) provinces, â€Å" This basic cognition which comprises geometric constructs, their properties and simple relationships should, in general, be acquired through geometrical experiences prior to secondary school † . In fact, direction of informal geometry at the simple degree is needed to construct a foundation of vocabulary, explorative accomplishments, intuitive point of view, and apprehension of geometric relationships, in readying for analyzing the formal, demonstrative, geometry offered at the secondary degree and beyond ( Trafton and LeBlanc, 1973 ) . Geometry is one strand of mathematics that has application in callings necessitating advanced direction such as art, architecture, interior design and scientific discipline, but it besides has its applications in proficient callings such as woodworking, plumbing and drawing every bit good as day-to-day life. Transformational geometry is seen in art and that construct is integrated into archeology in the survey of the designs applied to pottery and other artifacts in different civilizations and different epochs. In day-to-day life and vocational calling, many constructs and techniques are transferred from the geometry schoolroom to the field ( e.g. woodworking & A ; plumbing ) . Geometry is besides rich in other applications like Computer Aided Design ( CAD ) and geometric modeling ( including designing, modifying and manufactured constituents ) . Roboticss. Computer life and ocular presentations. However, there is an even more of import ground for puting greater accent on the instruction of geometry. It involves the use of mental images, which is frequently called ocular thought. Problem work outing in all strands of mathematics depends on organizing mental images of the state of affairs in which the job is embedded and so ‘finding ‘ a image of the mathematical thought that lucifers. The ability to mentally organize, rearrange and lucifer images is important to all facets of mathematics, peculiarly job resolution.1.6 Purposes of Teaching GeometryThe purposes for mathematics learning in general are frequently listed in footings of the demand of life and work ; the demand to develop logical thought ; mathematics as a signifier of communicating ; and the development of an consciousness of mathematics as portion of our civilization. Purposes which might be appropriate for the geometry course of study could be a subset or amplification of these. We might believe that geometry is an country of mathematics in which it is peculiarly appropriate for students to develop the accomplishments needed for the universe of work ; develop logical thought accomplishments ; clear up the precise usage of linguistic communication ( e.g. through sorting forms in a survey of transmutations ) ; see the nexus between mathematics and other topics ; get down to understand the nature of cogent evidence ( e.g. through researching what â€Å" being convinced † has meant at different points in history ) ; understand the cardinal topographic point of job work outing in modern civilization, e.g. in a mathematically based design undertaking ; import the cognition needed to analyze more mathematics ; and learn the reading and reading of mathematical statements ( Jones, 2000, pp. 38-39 ) . The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics ( 1989 ) Curriculum has elaborated on the undermentioned geometry competences that pupils must take to: identify, describe, comparison, theoretical account, draw and sort geometric figures in two or three dimensions ; develop spacial sense ; explore the effects of transforming, uniting, subdividing, and altering geometric figures ; understand, apply and deduce belongingss of relationships between geometric figures, including congruity and similarity ; develop an grasp of geometry as a agency of depicting and patterning the physical universe ; explore man-made, transformational and coordinate attacks to geometry, with college-bound pupils besides required to develop an apprehension of self-evident system through investigation and comparing assorted geometric system ; and explore a vector attack to certain facets of geometry.1.7 The Geometry Curriculum at Primary-level in MauritiusThe indispensable acquisition competences for the subject geometry at the primary degree are as follows Rate One Recognizing, calling and following circle, rectangle, square and trigon. Indentifying forms placed horizontal, perpendicular and in oblique ( slant ) places. Grade Two Recognizing and calling the following 3D forms: regular hexahedrons, cylinders, cones, domains and cuboids. Identifying the above mentioned 3D forms in different orientation. Grade Three Forming forms with squares, rectangles and trigons ( besides involves coloring ) . Introducing footings associated with regular hexahedron and cuboids: face, vertex and border ( besides include cut & amp ; paste to organize regular hexahedrons and cuboids ) . Pulling activities affecting symmetricalness. Rate Four Pulling and placing horizontal and perpendicular lines. Identifying objects placed horizontally or vertically. Pulling and placing parallel lines. Pulling and placing diagonal lines in 2D forms. Recognizing and pulling parallelogram, diamond, kite, square and rectangle. Writing belongingss of each of the five 2D forms. Identifying parallelogram, diamond, kite, square and rectangles from 2D forms. Pulling squares and rectangles on square documents. Researching symmetricalness of forms and geometrical objects. Pulling lines of symmetricalness on objects in square paper. Completing objects when half of it is given together with the line of symmetricalness. Grade Five Pulling, mensurating and comparing angles. Identifying right angles and complete bends. Identifying and calling different types of trigons. Learning the belongingss of the different types of trigons. Pulling lines of symmetricalness for different figures. Identifying objects with or without lines of symmetricalness. Grade Six Further illustrations on different types of Quadrilaterals and their belongingss: rectangle, square, parallelogram, diamond, kite, arrowhead and trapezium. Recognizing and appellative Pentagons and hexagons. Identifying and pulling diagonals in polygons. Further illustrations on different types of trigons and their belongingss: equilateral, isosceles, scalene and right-angled.1.8 The Decline in Geometry PerformanceResearch has shown that we can better pupils ‘ cognition and ability to visualize and ground about the spacial universe in which they live but are the pupils accomplishing this cognition and these abilities. Third International Mathematics and Science Study ( TIMSS ) and National Assessment of Educational Progress ( NAEP ) have collected informations that show that pupil public presentation in geometry at all degrees is rather alarming ( Lappan, 1999 ) . To some extent, these jobs may be due to the comparatively limited measure of research that has been undertaken into pupils ‘ thought in geometry at the school degree, which in bend, may stem from a sensed absence of a theoretical model ( Pegg & A ; Davey, 1998 ) . For case, harmonizing to extended ratings of mathematics larning, simple and in-between school pupils in the United States are neglecting to larn basic geometric constructs and geometric job work outing ; they are deplorably underprepared for the survey of more sophisticated geometric constructs and cogent evidence ( Carpenter, Corbitt, Kepner, Lindquist & A ; Rey, 1980 ; Fey et al. , 1984 ; Kouba et al. , 1988 ; Stevenson, Lee & A ; Strigler, 1986 ; Strigler, Lee & A ; Stevenson, 1990 ) . Extensive ratings of mathematics larning indicate that simple pupils are neglecting to larn basic geometric constructs and geometric job work outing. Apparently, much acquisition of geometric constructs has been by rote ; they often do non recognize constituents, belongingss and relationships between belongingss ( Clements & A ; Battista, 1992b ) . It is observed that kids learn small about forms from preschool to middle school. For illustration, Approximately 60 % of kindergartners identified right trigons and 64 % to 81 % of simple pupils were successful in the same undertaking. Approximately 54 % of kindergartners & A ; 63 to 68 % of simple pupils were able to place rectangles. ( Clements et al. , 1999 ) . Another major job, as identified by the International Commission on Mathematics Instruction ( ICMI ) Study, is that, unlike in Numberss and algebra, â€Å" a simple, clear, ‘hierarchical ‘ way from first beginnings to the more, advanced accomplishments of geometryaˆÂ ¦ has non yet been found and possibly does non be at all † ( Mammana & A ; Villani, 1998 ) . This means that the dealingss between intuitive, inductive and deductive attacks to geometrical objects, the usage of practical experiments and the age at which geometrical constructs should be introduced are far from clear. Many research workers ( Usiskin, 1987 ; Swafford et al. , 1997 ; Clements, 2003 ) have agreed that the degree of understanding that pupils achieve for any construct is limited by the degree of understanding of their instructor and the school course of study. Anecdotal grounds suggests many instructors do non see geometry and spacial dealingss to be of import subjects which give rise to the feelings that geometry lacks steadfast way and intent. Besides, Porter ( 1989 ) reported that the 4th and 5th class instructors spent virtually no clip learning geometry. Even when taught, geometry was the subject most often identified as being taught simply for â€Å" exposure † , that is, geometry was given merely brief casual coverage. For case, the Program for International Student Assessment ( PISA ) Survey shows that in Belgium, primary school instructors are uncomfortable in learning geometry. They tend to avoid the topic in the first and 2nd class and they barely of all time approach solid geometry ( Demal, 2004 ) . Besides, the demand for betterment in geometry instruction and acquisition in the primary, in-between and high school classs is clearly apparent in international comparings such as Tendencies in International Mathematics and Science Study and PISA. The study on the instruction and acquisition of geometry by the Royal Society and Joint Mathematical Council ( 2001 ) argues that â€Å" the most important part to betterments in geometry instruction will be made by the development of good theoretical accounts of teaching method, supported by carefully designed activities and resources † ( p.19 ) . In fact, a primary cause of this hapless public presentation in geometry may be the course of study ; both in what subjects are treated and how they are treated. The failure of bing pedagogic theoretical accounts for geometry means that across many states of import facets of geometry ( such as work in 3D ) are omitted, there is an over-reliance on learning methods that rely entirely on memorisation. It is claimed that current primary geometry course of study disregards and do non advance chances for pupils to utilize their basic intuitions and simple constructs to come on to higher degrees of geometric ideas. This job becomes more evident in high school where pupils are required to use their deductive logical thinking ( Hoffer, 1981 ; Shaughnessy & A ; Burger, 1985 ) . As the ICMI Study inside informations, the chief effects of these jobs have been that many states have tried to short-circuit the obstructions by cutting down the sum of geometry taught or fall backing to pedagogical attacks that rely to a great extent on memorization. As a consequence, there is non much in the manner of a base if good pattern on which to establish development. This is why the Royal Society and Joint Mathematical Council ( 2001 ) study argues that there is a farther job: â€Å" We believe that there are many instructors who have been taught geometry through manners of learning which we would non recommend as appropriate † ( p.19 ) .1.9 Significance of the StudyThis survey will stand for an overall analysis of instruction and acquisition of 2D geometry among upper primary degree in Mauritius. The relevancy of the existent instruction and acquisition of geometry will be discussed. As such, this survey will do a important part to our speculating with regard to classroom instruction and acquisition of geometry, to our apprehension and optimisation of the patterns employed in schoolroom scenes and to our apprehension of those facets of scholars and instructor patterns ( and their interrelatedness ) . It will assist to find whether the usage of inquiry-based instruction along with concrete stuffs and manipulatives can better acquisition of 2D geometry. It will besides assist to analyze the impact of linguistic communication and socio-economic position of students on acquisition of 2D geometry.2.0 Research QuestionsA series of chief research inquiries together with their sub research inquiries are addressed in this survey. Each sub research inquiry is described along with a brief sum-up of how it will be addressed.Research Question 1Is the 2D geometry course of study at the upper primary degree in Mauritius appropriate and relevant? Are at that place ways to farther better it? This chief research inquiry is further divided into a more specific set of inquiries. 1.1 What is the degree of 2D geometry acquisition among upper primary students in Mauritius? This research work will measure the students apprehension of the different content countries of 2D geometry via the experimental instruction and their public presentation in the multiple pick inquiry paper and open-ended inquiry trial. The students ‘ new wave Hiele degree of believing in different 2D geometry points will be tested. Misconceptions about 2D geometry will be detected and remedial actions proposed. The keeping ability of the 2D geometry lessons taught to the upper primary degree student will be examined. 1.2 Is the upper primary 2D geometry course of study run intoing its end? Are at that place ways to better it? This survey will affect a scrutinize analysis of the content countries of the 2D geometry course of study at the upper primary degree. All its positive and negative facets encountered in the experimental instruction will be discussed. Ways to better the 2D geometry course of study will be proposed. 1.3 Do the students ‘ gender and/or grade flat influence their acquisition of 2D geometry lessons significantly? This survey will besides prove whether acquisition of 2D geometry is perceived otherwise by male childs and misss and whether the keeping ability of students is gender dependant. Both 4th and 5th graders are taught the same 2D geometry lessons. It is farther targeted to analyze whether ripening ( gradewise ) has a important impact on public presentation and keeping ability of the 2D geometrical constructs.Research Question 2Can the usage of different learning schemes improve the instruction and acquisition of 2D geometry at the upper primary degree in Mauritius? This chief research inquiry is further divided into a more specific set of inquiries. 2.1 Can the utilizations of manipulatives, concrete stuffs and inquiry-based instruction methods significantly influence 2D geometry acquisition at the upper primary degree in Mauritius? This survey will compare instruction of 2D geometry utilizing usual instruction methods ( utilize blackboard and notes from text edition for account and do exercisings from text edition for consolidation of larning ) and usage of probe and enquiry to learn 2D geometry lessons with the extra assistance of concrete stuffs and manipulatives. The efficiency of the methods will be foremost judged utilizing 2 instruments. First, 2 geometry trials will be conducted, one affecting multiple pick inquiries merely and the other affecting open-ended inquiries merely. Second, the students ‘ engagement, involvement, interaction in category with instructor and friends, engagement and enthusiasm in the geometry lessons will be determined. For this intent, the lessons will be videotaped so that the students ‘ reactions, involvement and gestures during the lessons can be analysed. 2.2 Does the usage of different learning schemes influence the students ‘ keeping ability significantly? The two instruments used for comparing of larning through different instruction schemes will be once more conducted after 7 or 8 hebdomads in order to prove which of the methods better aid to retain the lessons taught. 2.3 Do gender and/or class degree interact significantly with the different instruction schemes in the learning procedure of 2D geometry? It is besides aimed to prove the multivariate interaction between the 4 instruction schemes, grade degree and gender in the procedure of larning 2D geometry. It will analyze whether male childs and misss from classs 4 and 5 interact otherwise with the learning schemes in their public presentations.Research Question 3Is linguistic communication a barrier to acquisition of 2D geometry? This chief research inquiry is further divided into a more specific set of inquiries. 3.1 Does the usage of mother-tongue Creole influence the acquisition of 2D geometry significantly? Creole is the most normally spoken linguistic communication in Mauritius whereas the foreign linguistic communication English is the official linguistic communication used in learning at schools. This survey will prove whether the engagement of a foreign linguistic communication in the instruction of 2D geometry addition its trouble. Since Creole is non yet a linguistic communication with its proper grammar for authorship, it is merely widely spoken. Therefore, the geometry are written in English but explained in Creole. The purpose is besides to happen if the usage of Creole helps the kid to better retain the lessons. 3.2 Does linguistic communication factor combined with different learning schemes improve acquisition of 2D geometry significantly? English and Creole are combined with the 2 instruction schemes proposed ( usual schoolroom learning utilizing text edition merely and inquiry-based instruction with concrete stuffs and manipulatives ) to analyze whether linguistic communication interact with the learning schemes to better public presentation in 2D geometry significantly.Research Question 4What are the comparative impact of place and student features in finding public presentation of students? This chief research inquiry is further divided into a more specific set of inquiries. 4.1 What are the important home-related factors act uponing public presentation of students? Based on extended research available on impact of place environment on scholastic public presentation, home-related indices ( refering kid SES, handiness of educational resources at place and parent attitude towards educating kids ) will be constructed from a questionnaire filled by the parents of all surveyed students. Using structural equation modeling ( AMOS in this survey ) , the important home-related factors will be extracted to make latent variables in order to better mensurate their impact on kids public presentation. 4.2 What are the important pupil-related factors act uponing public presentation of students? It is good known that student ‘s personal features contribute tremendously towards his/her academic success. Based on a questionnaire filled by surveyed students, pupil-related indices ( refering pupil attitude towards prep, school and instructor ; reading corner ; pupil reading stuffs at place and students ‘ linguistic communication ability ) will be constructed. Using structural equation modeling ( AMOS in this survey ) , the important pupil-related factors will be extracted to make latent variables in order to better mensurate their impact on kids public presentation. Taking these research inquiries in combination, this research work seeks to find the instruction and learning patterns of 2D geometry in the upper primary schools in Mauritius. It besides involves proving of new experimental instruction schemes in order to optimise acquisition of 2D geometry locally. As Mauritius is a multiracial state where the societal background of the kids can play a really important function in their acquisition procedure, the survey will utilize the informations collected to pull decisions refering critical contextual factors act uponing acquisition.

buy custom The A-F Letter Grading System essay

buy custom The A-F Letter Grading System essay Introduction The A-F Letter Grading System can be termed as the main reason that is behind the motivational force that students do require in order to add more effort hence succeed in their academic endeavors. Thesis In this regard, it is very vital that the A-F Letter Grading System be maintained in colleges and universities since as is argued in this paper, it is by far the most effective method of not only evaluating but also motivating students to perform better in different fields in the curriculum. Body paragraphs In some of the institutions where the A-F Letter Grading System is not used at all, the students are on the other hand awarded certificates at the end of their course. It becomes unfortunate that it is at the employment levels that the students come to realize that they have just been walking through the academic system. The employers realize that they are employing a workforce that is semi illiterate. It is a sad scenario that without the A-F Letter Grading System, students are just pushed through the system and they realize too late that they have been doing entirely nothing for themselves but just moving from one level to another without any significant difference. In such instances, the learners end up either dropping out of school when they realize that the damage is too much and they can no longer correct themselves or even just accommodate the education system so as to complete it without any significant achievement. The A-F Letter Grading System should therefore be used as it entirely indicates to the learner whether or not he or she has failed or passed a certain point in his studies. In his book, Sherry (553) offers an example of her son who was doing extremely poorly in his English studies. In spite of this, Sherry indcates that their son still got by although performing dismally. This was till Mrs. Stifter came by with the flunk concept. I flunk them. English became a priority in is life. He finished out the semester with an A (Sherry 553). Using the A-F Letter Grading System Mrs. Stifter would clarify to Sherrys son that if at all he failed or got the F-Grade, he would not proceed to the next level. The teacher cited that the fear of success would motivate the young boy to working harder in English and definitely performing better at the end of the day. True to her strategy, the young boy completed the semester with an A-Grade. This is a clear indication of the effectiveness that the A-F Letter Grading System has in realizing its goals. On the other hand, no matter what sort of environment that students come from, it is very difficult to say that a child would put education first before anything else. It is in regard to this fact that it is true to state that children are only motivated to learn once they have are aware that something is at stake once they do learn or they do not learn. Once students are made aware of the fact that they would fail and end up unemployed, dependent on drugs or even end up in abusive relationships they would be motivated to learn. It is impossible to say that such sense would be created in students unless the A-F Letter Grading System is continually used in colleges and universities. As Sherry (554) indicates, People of all ages can rise above their problems, but they need to have a reason to do so. In this regard, if at all colleges and universities would in any way eliminate the A-F Letter Grading System then students would not be looking forward to anything if at all they worked har d in academics. The A-F Letter Grading System should therefore be maintained so as to offerr the students the satisfaction and motivation that by reading harder, they would get the A-Grade and recognized as excellent students. Finally, it is also appreciative to recognize the fact that the A-F Letter Grading System could be a cause of failure in schools. As Rose (188) indicates, grades form part of extrinsic forms of motivation to students. In this regard, it can be effectively argued that since extrinsic sources of motivation are responsible for the reduction of the intrinsic motivation in students to learn, grades could be doing more harm than good. The case of Rose herself is a perfect example of this. She cites that I suppose Id be mediocre for too long. (Rose 188). She indicates that she is very much appreciative of the fact that Jack McFarland was the teacher that eliminated all the extrinsic sources of motivation that had been attached to her education. Form that point, she says that she loved reading since she was made to feel special from her brain by Jack. This was despite the fact that she was not one of the favorite students that Jack taught. In the long run, her story ends up a success simply because the A-F Letter Grading System was eliminated and she developed her own reasons as to why she wanted to excel. This came from within and even lasted for a lifetime. Conclusion: Having the A-F Letter Grading System in our colleges and universities can be said to be a huge investment in the education sector. As is expressed in the paper, the A-F Letter Grading System goes a long way in helping both students and instructors to have a clear picture of where they are coming from and where they are going. It therefore clarifies the current successes and failures hence preparing adequately the student and the instructor for a future that is relatively known. Buy custom The A-F Letter Grading System essay

How to Make a Great First Impression on Your First Day

How to Make a Great First Impression on Your First Day Starting a new job is an exciting experience, but it can be stressful entering a new work environment with new people and duties. Keep up your  excitement levels and try not to be too nervous. Learning a few tips can help you sail through that day with flying colors. By the end of the day, you’ll feel like a pro. 1. Be on TimeBeing late the first day of your new job can not only leave a bad impression on your new boss but also on the other employees. Set your alarm early the first day of work, and lay out your clothing the night before. That way, you’ll look cool and collected when you arrive for your first day at work.2. Eat Breakfast Before You GoFood gives you energy, and eating a proper breakfast gives you a good start. Leave the sweet rolls in the breadbox, and eat something that will stay with you until lunchtime.3. Introduce YourselfOne way to overcome shyness in a new environment is to introduce yourself to your coworkers. Don’t worry about forgetting n ames. Down the line, you can always say you met so many new people the first  day that you’re still sorting them out, but you appreciate your co-workers’ patience as you learn so many new things. Remember to smile when you speak to someone. A pleasant manner is always welcome and makes you appear cooperative and receptive to others.4. Get OrganizedThe first day at work, you need to check that you have the supplies you need and a clear idea of what you will be doing. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and make notes at your desk if necessary. While you’re at it, organize your desk neatly. If it’s allowed, don’t forget that framed photo of your family, kids, or pets- its  a good icebreaker to meet fellow employees. However, don’t overdo it. Keep it to one or two photos that are not obtrusive.5. Be AdaptableMaybe you have been assigned work to do first thing in the morning†¦ and then it gets interrupted by more urgent work or a m eeting. Go with the flow, and show how you can be easygoing about sudden changes.6. Dress for SuccessEven if your office or workplace has a laid-back  atmosphere or people dress more casually on Fridays, keep your clothing appropriate. If others in the workplace wear suits, wear one. If others are wearing casual slacks and shirts, copy their example. Whatever you wear, make sure it is clean and neatly pressed. Looking disheveled can cost you the boss’s consideration for promotion.7. Pay Attention to What Others Are DoingIf your coworkers don’t leave on the dot, stay until they start leaving- even if it is quitting time. If you work at a job that serves the public, such in customer service or the medical field,  you must wait until clients are gone or transactions are completed before leaving.8. Ask for HelpBeing assigned your first tasks is an exciting time in a new job. However, if you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it. If you need to make copies whe n you don’t know where the copy room is located or need help to operate an unfamiliar machine, don’t waste time trying to figure it out for yourself. You don’t need to be a hero!9. Show InitiativeYou’ve been working hard and find you have nothing left to do. What now? This is a good time to show initiative and what a hard worker you are. You can go tell your boss that you have completed your assignments and ask if there is more work that needs to be done. You can also volunteer to do extra assignments when extra jobs pop up.A new job, whether dealing with the public or working in an office such as administrative assistant jobs, requires that you learn your way around a new work environment while maintaining a pleasant relationship with coworkers. TheJobNetwork can help you find that new job by conducting the job search for you. All you do is fill out your qualifications and job interests, and you will receive alerts whenever a job matching your descriptio n becomes available. For those who are more proactive, you can even search the job site yourself. Finding the perfect job is just a step away. Sign up for job match alert to get started.

The Impressive Range of Impress

The Impressive Range of Impress The Impressive Range of Impress The Impressive Range of Impress By Mark Nichol Impress has various meanings, both literal and figurative. This post explorers those senses and the meanings of various words in which impress is the root. Impress is derived from the Latin verb premere, meaning â€Å"press† and the source of press in all its senses. It usually is a verb and can mean â€Å"imprint by applying pressure† or â€Å"affect significantly.† (It is also a synonym for transfer and transmit.) One can impress a design onto an object using heat or physical pressure, such as by branding or stamping, and one can impress another person by performing an action the other person considers impactful or meaningful. One can also do or say something to impress on another person the significance of a fact or opinion. Another sense of impress is â€Å"force or take by force,† as in the case of sailors or soldiers enlisted against their will or someone coerced or pressured into undertaking an action or a task. However, impress is also a noun, though its use as such is not as common as its employment as a verb. An impress is an imprint or a stamp or seal, an effect, or an act of forcing such as one of those described in the previous paragraph. The act, however, is usually referred to as impressment. An impression is an effect of, or a feeling based on, an action or an imprint or mark on an object or an act such as imprinting or marking. The word also refers to a first coat of ink or paint or the amount of pressure with which it is applied, or the entirety of a set of printed materials produced in one batch. It also pertains to an imitation of a recognizable person that exploits well-known traits such as a unique voice or distinctive mannerisms; one is said to do an impression of someone else, and a person who routinely does impressions for entertainment purposes is called an impressionist. Impressionist also refers to an artist who creates visual art, literature, or music intended to capture feelings instead of details or represents impressions of reality rather than reality itself. In painting, the term is often capitalized, and the art form is called Impressionism. The adjective pertaining to the artist sense is impressionistic. Two other adjectives stemming from impress but distinct from impressionistic and each other in meaning are impressive and impressionable. The former means â€Å"eliciting admiration or awe,† while the former means â€Å"tending to be easily influenced† and usually pertains to children or young people who have not yet acquired critical-thinking skills, though it may also apply, in a pejorative sense, to adults who are insufficiently skeptical. The less common adjective impressible, however, applies to the sense of imprinting. The noun impresario, referring to a conductor, manager, promoter, or sponsor of an entertainment event or series, is unrelated; taken directly from Italian, it derives ultimately from the Latin verb prehendere, meaning â€Å"seize† (also the source of apprehend, comprehend, and prehensile). Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Redundant Phrases to Avoid8 Types of Parenthetical PhrasesDealing With A Character's Internal Thoughts

Decision Making within college life Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Decision Making within college life - Term Paper Example By learning and participating in the college curriculum, I have been able to draw gems of knowledge which are key to effective decision making. Particularly, creative thinking featured in the college curriculum and inculcated within me, awareness on the inevitable need to incorporate proper perspectives, analogies and skills. Factoring analogies in decision making helps an individual make proper comparison among the options available, in respect to the consequences that come with each option. Proper perspective entails the maintenance of objective thinking during the course of decision making. This involves weighing the options present and their consequences, without letting personal biases, feelings and personal or partisan opinion to affect the thought process or the final decision which will have been arrived at. While doing this thinking, it is important that impartiality is maintained concerning the matter at hand (West-Burnham and Jones, 2008). Experiences in Campus There are a lso several meaningful experiences which I have drawn from the college experience. Particularly, this remained a strong case when it comes to scholarly integrity, especially during exam situations. I specifically through college experience learned that not only is academic cheating and intellectual theft rife among college students, but that the allure of these vices is very strong. Several situations such as carrying small hand-held notes into exam rooms, conversing with friends during exams and lifting ideas from a fellow student’s ideas from his term paper, are some of the manifestations of academic cheating and intellectual dishonesty which I witnessed among college peers. In light of this development, it is fitting to observe that ethical decision making criteria came in handy in helping me make personal decisions which would foster intellectual and academic integrity, and not just in determining organizational and management behavior. It is against this above backdrop t hat I adopted justice as a form of ethical decision making criteria, in lieu of other options such as utilitarianism, deontology, consequantialism and fundamental rights. Utilitarianism failed to qualify the occasion since by saying that an act is ethically and morally right provided it gives the greatest good and pleasure to the greatest number (of people). Herein, I noticed that utilitarianism may easily be misconstrued as abetting cheating in exam rooms since it extends the greatest good and pleasure to the greatest number. For instance, the cheating student will have obtained good grades and the mean grade of class made to rank higher, and thereby vindicating the lecturer as competent. The fact that utilitarianism did not provide proper explanations against academic or intellectual dishonesty is a matter that drew a wedge between utilitarianism and me. In about the same wavelength, deontology failed to suffice as a possible bulwark against the allure of cheating in exams since i t only emphasized the need to do things out of duty. The emphasis that things are done out of duty assumes that humans are programmed like robots and that what entails duty is a simplistic one-way directive. However, humans are rational beings with different in-depths in personal convictions, and duties are characterized by ethical issues which are

Studies And Investigations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Studies And Investigations - Essay Example At the same time, the Industrial Revolution and the consolidation of people into cities over history replaced the pastoral, wild silence with rural bustle with industrial cacophony. The reaction to both of these tendencies in the twentieth century was electronic music. Though electronic music eventually combined with disco to form modern dance techno, as well as with rock-like tendencies for industrial music, electronic music began with a focus on minimalism and silence, an attempt to leverage machines for something besides noise, an attempt to find an impossible mote of quiet. Emmerson operationally defines electronic music as â€Å"music heard through loudspeakers or sound made with the help of electronic means† (2007). John Cage's music philosophy was integral to the formation and development of electronic music, presaging it. â€Å"The theories of avant-garde American composer John Cage (1912-1992) on music, sound, and silence are of more interest than his musical composi tions. To Cage, there is no such thing as silence. Music is a succession of sounds and the composer the "organizer of sounds." Historically, music has been a communication of feelings, but Cage argues that all sounds have this potential for conveying feeling in the mechanical and electronic sense... 'Any sounds in any combination and in any succession are henceforth free to be used in a musical continuity'... Silence was perhaps the pivotal aspect of Cage's theories. If silence could be shown not to exist, then feelings, too, could be pushed into the category of nonexistence† (Hermitary, 2010). Cage tried to experiment with new sounds that could emulate silence or escape the traditional confines of music and sound, letting the ear get a respite from noise. His work in randomness, while perhaps difficult to listen to, presaged performance art and electronic music (Hermitary, 2010). Cage understood sound the same way electronic musicians do: Universal to nature and man. It is no t just the plucking of a violin that is music, but a catchy phrase that can be sampled and mixed, the whirring of an engine or the brushing of an industrial lave. To Cage, disharmony is a â€Å"harmony that is not understood† (Hermitary, 2010). Cage's work was inspired by the I Ching, by Taoism. â€Å"In the 1950's, Cage hit upon a method of composition that would be the counterpart of the frequency, amplitude, timbre, duration, etc. that constitute the mechanisms of tradition composition. The avant-garde method was randomness. Cage discovered the I Ching. By tossing the coins he came to hexagrams that offered ideas, and from the ideas he developed parameters for "chance-controlled music† (Hermitary, 2010). Ultimately, the biggest contribution of Cage was the understanding of silence not as a mere pause, a break from sound, but a musical creation itself. The nature of silence is a key concept of both Eastern and Western thought. Cage understood from his popular reading s that they could converge. He applied the concept of silence to music and tried to liberate silence from feelings or context, from an social and historical context. But Cage's compositions, while making statements opposed to historical aesthetics, did not discover therein a psychology or philosophy of silence, less an aesthetics. Silence became a utilitarian tool for compositional use, not unlike those historical composers he criticized. Though he argued for the equal status of all sounds, sounds, music, had no meaning, though they did not need

Job Order Costing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Job Order Costing - Essay Example In job order costing, the key is that the work is done to the customers specifications. As a result, each job tends to be different in nature. Even if the job may seem to be exactly the same at first, often a customer will want a worker to do something different than what was originally thought to be done. For example, â€Å"job order costing is used for construction projects, government contracts, shipbuilding, automobile repair, job printing, textbooks, toys, wood furniture, office machines, caskets, machine tools, and luggage. Accumulating the cost of professional services (e.g., lawyers, doctors and CPAs), also fall into this category† (MAAW, â€Å"What Is a Cost Accounting System?†). Job Order Costing is used by companies where products or services are identifiable by individual units or batches—auto repair, tax return preparation, case in an attorney’s office, ship construction, etc. The costs attributable to a particular job are assigned directly to it. When a job produces a specific quantity for inventory, job order costing permits the computation of a unit cost for inventory costing purposes. When jobs are performed on the basis of customer specifications, job order costing permits the computation of a profit or loss on each order. Since costs are revealed as an order goes through production, these costs may be compared with estimates which were made when an order was taken. Job order costing thereby provides opportunities for controlling costs. It allows the person to help try to keep costs as stable as they can, yet still find a way to make a profit. This ability helps keep both the worker and customer happy, and helps promote a better relationship between the contractor or professional and the person who is paying for the work. This can also help keep costs low, because the customer does not need to pay for services they do not need, even if the professional is capable of doing them. This way, the

China's Economic Growth Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

China's Economic Growth - Research Paper Example All Millennium progress targets have been achieved or are within attainment (Eckstein, 23). With a populace of 1.3 billion, China lately became the second leading economy and is gradually playing a significant and influential role in the international economy. It remains a developing state. For instance, its per capita earning is still a portion of that in superior states and its market reforms are imperfect.  Ã‚   Rapid monetary ascendance has caused many impacts as well, comprising high variation, brisk urbanization, impacts to the environmental sustainability, and external imbalance. It also encounters demographic pressures associated with an aging population and the domestic movement of labor. Important policy adjustments are necessary in order for its growth to be sustainable.   Experience depicts that transformation from middle-income to high-income class can be more hard than moving up from low to middle income (Lardy, 25). China’s 12th Five-Year Plan that from 2011 to 2015 vehemently addresses such issues. It highlights the growth of services and procedures to deal with social and environmental imbalances, setting goals to cut down pollution, to raise energy effectiveness, to advance access to healthcare and education, and to inflate social safety. Its annual growth goal of 7 percent calls for the intention to focus on value of life, rather than rate of growth.   Chinas economy was afflicted from the devastating effects of decades of fighting. A number of mines and factories were damaged. At the end of the war with Japan in 1945, Soviet troops had demolished almost half the machinery in the major developed regions of the Northeast and transported it to the Soviet Union. Power system, transportation, and communication had been smashed or deteriorated as they lacked maintenance. Agriculture was interfered with, and food production was about 30 percent drop. Further, monetary ills were compounded by one of the strongest inflation in

Nike advertisement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Nike advertisement - Essay Example The advert persuades the viewers to buy the Mercurial vapors and its target is an audience of soccer players.   The music that is set to a slow beat and the calm blue background of the advert gives a viewer a peaceful state when watching the advert. The cleats are outstanding in the entire advert since they are bright orange in color. The outstanding color of the cleats is meant to excite the viewer. People will want to buy the cleats so that they can impress other with a powerful shot. The producer of the advert highly uses ethos successfully through use of the best player to show his weapon of choice, the Nike boots. Ethos means being able to convince through the character of the author. It is obvious that people believe those they respect more than anybody else. Use of somebody who is likeable and worth a lot of respect is a positive move for any advertisement. Christian Ronaldo is a product of effectiveness of the cleats. A viewer who sees his success in the field and links it to the boots will definitely purchase a pair.   Individuals will want to purchase the cleats to emulate his skill.   The unrealistic expectation makes individuals think that if they purchase cleats they can be able to play the same way as Christian Ronaldo plays. The use of the fastest car to compare with the best player makes the viewer get interested in finding out more about the advertisement.The author also makes an appeal to pathos in the advertisement. Pathos involves persuading the reader by appealing to their emotions.

China's Economic Growth Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

China's Economic Growth - Research Paper Example All Millennium progress targets have been achieved or are within attainment (Eckstein, 23). With a populace of 1.3 billion, China lately became the second leading economy and is gradually playing a significant and influential role in the international economy. It remains a developing state. For instance, its per capita earning is still a portion of that in superior states and its market reforms are imperfect.  Ã‚   Rapid monetary ascendance has caused many impacts as well, comprising high variation, brisk urbanization, impacts to the environmental sustainability, and external imbalance. It also encounters demographic pressures associated with an aging population and the domestic movement of labor. Important policy adjustments are necessary in order for its growth to be sustainable.   Experience depicts that transformation from middle-income to high-income class can be more hard than moving up from low to middle income (Lardy, 25). China’s 12th Five-Year Plan that from 2011 to 2015 vehemently addresses such issues. It highlights the growth of services and procedures to deal with social and environmental imbalances, setting goals to cut down pollution, to raise energy effectiveness, to advance access to healthcare and education, and to inflate social safety. Its annual growth goal of 7 percent calls for the intention to focus on value of life, rather than rate of growth.   Chinas economy was afflicted from the devastating effects of decades of fighting. A number of mines and factories were damaged. At the end of the war with Japan in 1945, Soviet troops had demolished almost half the machinery in the major developed regions of the Northeast and transported it to the Soviet Union. Power system, transportation, and communication had been smashed or deteriorated as they lacked maintenance. Agriculture was interfered with, and food production was about 30 percent drop. Further, monetary ills were compounded by one of the strongest inflation in

Shakin baby syndrome Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Shakin baby syndrome - Essay Example Furthermore, the common perpetrators are normally male in 65% to 90% of reported cases. To this end, they are either the mother’s husband or boyfriend (Buttram, 9). Incidentally, whenever a child’s head is continuously shaken back and forth, the head rotates uncontrollably since the neck muscles have not been fully developed; hence there is minimal support for their heads (Buttram, 9). To this end, following the violent and erratic movement, the brain is pitched forwards and backwards within the infants’ skull. This leads to a rupturing of the nerves and blood vessels located all over the brain. The brain tissue is also torn. In addition, bleeding and bruising to the brain occurs when it strikes the inside of the skull (Comer,18). The injury also stands the chance of being aggravated in the case that the shaking episode concludes with impact such as knocking against a crib mattress or wall. This is due to the cumulative forces of acceleration and deceleration whi ch are significantly strong. Following an end to the shaking episode, the resulting swelling in the brain may lead to extreme pressure inside the skull. This consequently causes a compression of the blood vessels that eventually cause widespread injury to delicate structures in the baby’s brain. ... To this end, the severity of the signs and symptoms normally depend on the force and duration of the shaking, the recurrence of the shaking episodes as well as whether impact was involved. In some very violent cases, the victim may end up in shock, suffering from seizures or unconscious upon arriving at the emergency room (Comer, 18). As far as a child who is suffering from less severe shaken syndrome, the signs and symptoms are many. These may include, irritability, lethargy, poor swallowing of food or suckling, seizures, decreased appetite, unequal pupil size, alterations in consciousness, vomiting, inability to track movement or focus the eyes (Palusci, 24).There are physical indicators of a parent knowing if someone shook the baby. These include glassy eyes or rigidity in appearance. Neurological changes normally occur as the brain cells are destroyed and oxygen supply to the brain is depleted. In cases of severity, the baby may suffer from seizures, exhibit difficulty in breathi ng or heart failure. There are long-term and irreversible effects in the event of severe shaken baby syndrome. To this end, survivors of shaken baby syndrome normally exhibit seizure, total or partial blindness, impaired intellect, attention and memory problems, cerebral palsy, learning and speech impairments, developmental delays, as well as hearing loss (Comer,18). As far as diagnosis of Shaken Baby Syndrome is concerned, a majority of cases are reported as â€Å"silent injuries.† This means that most caregivers or parents rarely provide a medical history of any shaking injury or head trauma that affected the baby. Consequently, doctors at times are ignorant of looking for any physical or internal signs. The resulting situation is that babies can end up having multiple injuries that

Caffeine Community Essay Example for Free

Caffeine Community Essay As we go about our busy lives, going here, there and everywhere like a colony of ants building up supplies for the winter, we never truly take a moment to look at the world around us, stop to smell the roses, to coin a popular phrase. We never seem to take in the sights, sounds, smells and feelings that we often disconnect ourselves from in our obsession to make the world a perfect place. There is hardly a moment that we stop to notice the other people around us that even though we do not know them from Adam, they could enrich our lives without us even knowing it, if we just took the time for a smile and polite hello. These people can remind us that there is a diverse world of goals and aspirations. It is quite amazing where such an event can happen. Going for a daily coffee at a favorite cafe can bring about this epiphany. As one sits in this modern coffee shop that caters to the needs of young and old alike, one can look around and simply see the decorative art work on the walls, the small scratches in the table that sits in front of you. But let’s look at little deeper and see the true character of the environment around us. What brought about the scratch in the table. Is it just normal every day wear and tear caused by the many people coming and going to take in their hurried morning coffee or could it, perhaps, be caused by say a bored teenager waiting for the long walk to school, using their pen to make back and forth marks in the table. As one sits and contemplates this, they can take a look around and recognize the other sights, sounds and smells of the little cafe. As one looks two tables away, an elderly man helps his wife to the seat at their table with a gentle hand and beaming smile. They look into each other’s eyes lovingly as a couple would do in an old time movie. He tells her,† have a seat dear and I’ll get our coffees. I still love you very much. The distinct voice patterns give away the fact that they are from New York, but they are very much home in their little coffee community. As the manager of the store brings over their order, they engage him in conversation about how he likes working at this particular place. In the meantime, a young man with the burly looks of a high school football player sits at the table next to the older couple and the gentleman begins a lively chat about the sport of football. A sudden, intoxicating smell of fresh brewed coffee and warm toasted bagels brings you out of your daydreams of a long and loving life with the man that you love, caused by the very happy couple. You look around to see a small table at the center of the busy room. There sit a mother and young daughter. The mother seated at the edge of her seat at the table, sipping on her steamy latte, and desperately trying to relate to her young teenage daughter in an attempt to keep the close relationship with her that she shared when the girl was little and thought that her mother was the only person in the world. The young daughter, dressed in what appears to be a dingy soccer uniform, absently sips on her orange juice with a distant look in her eyes thinking that she would much rather anywhere else but here with her boring mother. Thinking perhaps of that grassy field where she could be playing soccer with her friends, or maybe she is in chemistry class, glancing out of the corner of her eye at the cute boy across the room that she has a crush on. The mother gets a mixed expression of pain and lonliness on her face as she realizes that as she tries to hold onto her daughter, that the young girl is slowly drifting away. But that is the way of life, we do all we can to keep the bonds with our children even though deep down we realize that one day soon, we will have to send them from the nest to live their own lives. As the mother and daughter leave to spend their day with separate agendas, you hear the grating of metal against stone and look around to find the cause of the noise that makes your skin crawl and teeth hurt. You look up to see that the table by the window has grown from a six seat table for a cozy conversation for a small group, to a table fit for a King’s Court. Several smaller tables have been added to the larger one, reminding you of someone trying to piece together a jigsaw puzzle. The creators of this elaborate set up are the group of regular coffee drinkers that start each day enjoying each other’s company and sharing their lives with each other. They are so diverse in appearance and personality. There is Martha with her perfectly coifed hair, outrageously oversized jewelry and too bright red lipstick, she is outspoken and her laugh sounds eerily like a hyena. She laughs and gathers everyone around her wanting to be the center of attention because maybe she is ignored at home. Sitting next to Martha is Charles. The tall, slender man sits back in his chair with the ease of man who is comfortable with himself and the way his life is. He is wearing a set of earphones with a microphone on them and one wonders why on earth what use he would have for such a contraption. Then the question is answered a few minutes later when he places a hand held amplifier to his neck and welcomes the newcomers to the table with a hardy good morning and a beaming smile, sounding very much like an electronic voice from a computer. He obviously has had some tragedy that has caused him to lose the use of his vocal cords and possibly hearing and the entire set up is a way for him to communicate with others. The use of this machine is an everyday occurrence and is second nature to him now. Like he doesn’t even know it is there. One has to wonder how this all came about. Is this a case of perfect strangers coming to start their lives each day in the same place? Perhaps this group of unique and diverse friends starts out with a simple smile, with an apprehensive good morning, like children on a playground for the first day of school trying to decide if it is okay to play with each other. Is it possible in this modern world where most people are concerned with number one that there are still people out there that are truly content with inviting others into their little world? You catch an additional name here and there, Tom, Grace, John and Mike. The smiles from the friends are genuine and the laughter is contagious. Everyone at this table is completely different in every way, yet very much the same. A diverse group with different backgrounds, goals, dreams, that found a common bond floating in a steamy, rich drink. Perhaps this group of friends started out like the two young men at the table next to mine. It is hard not to eavesdrop on the lighthearted and endearing conversation that these two obviously longtime friends are having. The two men were best friends in school and because of circumstances beyond their control, were separated to live their own lives. After spending four years being completely inseparable, the first young man left the country to protect the freedoms of his friend, while the second young man went on to college to earn a degree to protect the rights of the second young man. Relaxed and happy as if it has not been ten years since they have seen each other, only keeping in touch through emails and the occasional phone call. The young men chatter on about their lives and families as easily as a pair of school girls talking about the upcoming dance and what they are going to wear. They shuffle through a stack of pictures of the lives that they shared together and separately. Pointing and laughing at the precious, shared memories of times past, reliving the past as it was only yesterday. When they first entered the cafe, the small amount of tension was obvious as they barely spoke as they ordered their coffees and bagels and then waited to pay. By the time they sat down across from each other they were talking more freely and growing more comfortable with each other’s company. Watching these two men can make someone almost want to relive the past. Maybe go back and do things differently with a life that is half way gone. Looking at other people’s lives is like looking at a picture through a glass of water. We think we know what the real image is, it may look clear as a bell, but if we slow down for just a moment, remove the obstacle of the water and look closely and listen with earnest, we see that the picture we are envisioning in our minds may not be the reality of the lives we are surrounded by in this world. We tend to be so self-absorbed in our own lives, in our little world that leads us to believe that is revolves around us, which causes us to forget to look at the big picture and realize that we are all here together. There is an abundance of diversity and culture that we can see and listen to and learn from, and if we take the time to open ourselves up to others, to share what we feel and want with them and at the same time accept what they have to teach us about our lives, that we can enhance and enrich our lives in so many ways.