Do Computers Increase Or Decrease Social Connection Essay

Do Computers Increase Or Decrease Social Connection - Essay Example The information communication technologies have helped in shaping the thoughts and actions in ways that affected the lives of people directly. The discovery of voice over internet protocol has made it possible to make internet calls effectively. The society has learnt to view new machines, not as mere products to be purchased, but facilitators of a larger system. This is determined by how usable the machines are in meeting the expectations of the society. The meaning attached to machines or technological innovations has to make life easier for them to be relevant to the mainstream society. Historians argue that new machines are not necessarily coercive agents that force people into social changes. However, in the recent past, the innovations in the information communication technology have had a coercive effect in the social aspect of communication. A compelling example in the impact of social media in the presidential complains in the United States of America. The social media have played a significant role in the success of the Arab spring. The strength of connectivity that has come from the latest information technologies cannot be underestimated2. Computers are viewed as agents of office efficiency. However, it is argued that computers have been known to cause eye problems, back disorders and time wastage in case of software failure. According to the American manufacturing association, of the organizations that reduced staff due to computerization, 24 per cent suffered losses while 43 per cent raised profits3. Through technology, people can study degree programs and attend classes in a virtual atmosphere. A lecturer can teach a class of people with is in different parts of the globe. However, online learning cannot... This paper approves that technology means different things to different social groups. The owners of the supercomputers are estimated to be in different social levels with the owners of desktop computers. The owners of supercomputers are perceived to be established and engaged in high level technological operations. There are characteristics that determine the likability of technology or computing. The more they are adopted, the more they develop their usefulness. This is mostly manifested in the network technologies. The selling point of technologies must be the ease to adopt and the relevance in the immediate usage. There has been an observation that after people adopts a technology, they develop with it. They upgrade as the technology upgrades, and it becomes hard to switch them to another technology. This report makes a conclusion that media ideologies about one medium affect the media ideologies about the other media. Face book and tweeter have had a substantial effect in the way different groups communicate. The social media users are able to send messages and share information in real time. Recent developments have seen the social media empowered to facilitate video calls. It is not clear whether social media is an official method of communication. However, the weight of the messages passed on social media depends on the groups involved and the intended message. Small changes in technology can end up changing the ways in which people circulate information. Technology is rapidly tilting towards improved connectivity. Smartphone is now a means of communication and internetworking. Most scholars talk about new forms of emerging connection technologies, which have been built upon the existing technologies.

Literature and Ideals Essay Example for Free

Literature and Ideals Essay Definition: Literature is a term used to describe written or spoken material. Broadly speaking, literature is used to describe anything from creative writing to more technical or scientific works, but the term is most commonly used to refer to works of the creative imagination, including works of poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction. Why do we read literature? Literature represents a language or a people: culture and tradition. But, literature is more important than just a historical or cultural artifact. Literature introduces us to new worlds of experience. We learn about books and literature; we enjoy the comedies and the tragedies of poems, stories, and plays; and we may even grow and evolve through our literary journey with books. Ultimately, we may discover meaning in literature by looking at what the author says and how he/she says it. We may interpret the authors message. In academic circles, this decoding of the text is often carried out through the use of literary theory, using a mythological, sociological, psychological, historical, or other approach. Whatever critical paradigm we use to discuss and analyze literature, there is still an artistic quality to the works. Literature is important to us because it speaks to us, it is universal, and it affects us. Even when it is ugly, literature is beautiful. Importance of Literature. It is a curious and prevalent opinion that literature, like all art, is a mere play of imagination, pleasing enough, like a new novel, but without any serious or practical importance. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Literature preserves the ideals of a people; and idealslove, faith, duty, friendship, freedom, reverenceare the part of human life most worthy of preservation. The Greeks were a marvelous people; yet of all their mighty works we cherish only a few ideals,ideals of beauty in perishable stone, and ideals of truth in imperishable prose and poetry. It was simply the ideals of the Greeks and Hebrews and Romans, preserved in their literature, which made them what they were, and which determined their value to future generations. Our democracy, the boast of all English-speaking nations, is a dream; not the doubtful and sometimes disheartening spectacle presented in our legislative halls, but the lovely and immortal ideal of a free and equal manhood, preserved as a most precious heritage in every great literature from the Greeks to the Anglo-Saxons. All our arts, our sciences, even our inventions are founded squarely upon ideals; for under every invention is still the dream of Beowulf, that man may overcome the forces of nature; and the foundation of all our sciences and discoveries is the immortal dream that men shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. In a word, our whole civilization, our freedom, our progress, our homes, our religion, rest solidly upon ideals for their foundation. Nothing but an ideal ever endures upon earth. It is therefore impossible to overestimate the practical importance of literature, which preserves these ideals from fathers to sons, while men, cities, governments, civilizations, vanish from the face of the earth. It is only when we remember this that we appreciate the action of the devout Mussulman, who picks up and carefully preserves every scrap of paper on which words are written, because the scrap may perchance contain the name of Allah, and the ideal is too enormously important to be neglected or lost.

Topology Essay -- Math Mathmatics

Topology The two main figures of Topology, the spheroid and the torus. Shown together like this, they create the symbol for the sun in ancient times (2, 1). The field of mathematics encompasses many different sub-fields which have been studied and researched for a very long time. One of the most intriguing divisions of mathematics is topology. Topology, the mathematical study of the properties of objects which are preserved through deformations, twistings, and stretchings (4, 1), is rooted far back in time; so far back that it outdates all recorded history (2, 1). Modern topological mathematics was introduced in the late 19th century by a mathematician named Henri Poincare` (2, 2). Poincare` Pictures Henri Poincare` was born in Nancy, France in 1854. He received his education at The Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole Superieur des Mines in Paris (8, 1). Poincare` then spent from 1879 to 1896 lecturing and teaching an array of fields ranging from physical and mathematical mechanics to celestial mechanics at both the University of Caen and the University of Paris. Although Poincare` was considered a physicist, his greatest accomplishments came in the fields of topology, differential equations, and probability, all mathematical fields (8,1). Poincare`’s greatest exposure to the public came in 1887, when King Oscar of Sweden announced that he would award 2,500 crowns to any man who could prove the stability of the orbital dynamics of our solar system. This was a great problem for the mathematicians of the day, and a very significant problem for every being on our Earth (2, 2). If the stability of the orbits could not be proven, one could not rule out the possibility of Earth be ing hurtled into space by the influence of the other p... ...logy and its functions. Works Cited Fauvel, John. MÃ ¶bius and his Band, Oxford University Press, New York, 1993. Gilmore, Tom. Mathematics of Topology, http://www.tomgilmore.com/z_top.htm, 4 pp., 12/5/99. Klein, http://history.math.csusb.edu/Mathematicians/Klein.html, 2 pp., 12/9/99. MÃ ¶bius Strip, http://www.treasure-troves.com/math/MoebiusStrip.html, 4 pp., 12/9/99. Paper Strip, http://cut-the-knot.com/do_you_know/paper_strip.html, 5 pp., 12/14/99. Poincare, http://euler.ciens.ucv.ve/English/mathematics/poincare.html, 2 pp., 12/9/99. 7. Poincare, Henri, http://www.treasure-troves.com/bios/Poincare.html, 1 p, 12/9/99. 8. Poincare, Jules Henri, Microsoft Encarta 1999 ed., Microsoft Inc. 9. Tarot FAQ Version 2, http://lonestar.texas.net/~r3winter/tarotfaq.html, 12/10/99. Topology, http://www.treasure-troves.com/math/Topology.html, 3 pp., 12/9/99.

Essay --

The original synthesis did not go to completion; starting materials remained unreacted. This was confirmed when the purified product was isolated and determined to not be pure (Figure 7). Increasing the amount of solvent (DMF), obtaining a crude HNMR spectrum after 3 hours of the reaction to monitor reaction progress, increasing the reaction length with respect to the findings of the crude HNMR spectrum, obtaining a pH of 2-3 during the acidification (in order to obtain only the carboxylic acid product instead of a mixture with the carboxylate salt) and refining the recrystallization method, are all some of the adjustments to the experimental parameters. When the reaction parameters were changed to 6 hours and the acidified product had a pH of 2-3, a 20% yield of a white, flaky solid of the 4-4 coupling product was obtained. When the reaction parameters were changed to 18 hours, a 32% yield was obtained. However, a significant amount of decarboxylated byproduct was formed. A re crystallization procedure was developed to isolate the pure 4-4 coupled product (See Methods). An alternate synthetic pathway was developed due to the low percent yield and high levels of undesired side products of the reaction. Such characteristics are not ideal for a key starting material in a long synthetic series.Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are poisons that infect humans and are known to cause the human disease botulism 1,2,3,4,5. Having an LD50 of 1.0ng/kg body weight for humans, this makes the botulinum neurotoxin one of the most toxic known poisons still active today. BoNTs are listed as a category A bio threat agent by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1,2,3,4,5. Currently, there is no cure or effective treatme... ... be the most advantageous line of study 1,2,3,4,5. Unlike vaccines, chemically stable small molecules would remain viable for many years due to the dramatically larger half-lives. A large number of peptide-based inhibitors have been explored, but due to their short in vivo lifetimes, they make a poor candidate for new drugs 2. Broad spectrum BoNT inhibitors have been largely attempted to develop, but have rarely been met with success. Therefore, shifting the focus to develop serotype specific inhibitors have been the new focus in combatting botulinum neurotoxins. The overall goal has been modified to develop small, cell-permeable, low molecular weight, non peptidic drug like molecules capable of inhibiting BoNT/A, the deadliest of the seven serotypes. In order to achieve this, small molecule drug development is aimed at inhibiting the LC activity of BoNT/A 5.

Current Ethical Issues Essay

Organizations must deal with moral and ethical issues that can include dishonesty, theft, and employee drug use. However, companies that have ethical guidelines and train their employees in ethical behavior will have exceptional employees. Therefore, organizations that create ethical policies and provide ethical training will encourage ethical standards in the company. Therefore, I will profile the Taylor Ambulance Company, Inc located in Kelsey. The Taylor Ambulance company has serviced Kelsey for 10 years and they are responsible for transporting individuals who needs emergency medical care and transport them to local hospitals. The ambulance company will also transport non-emergency patients to rehabilitation centers. Taylor Ambulance is dispatched by the Kelsey’s Fire Department and the city’s emergency transport contractor. Currently the Taylor Ambulance company has 70 paramedics and emergency medical technicians and has a fleet of 26 ambulances. The company receives emergency calls through the 911 system of Kelsey. The Taylor Ambulance company’s mission statement is â€Å"We will provide the people of Kelsey with quick and professional emergency medical care†. Donna Taylor and Phillip Embry formed the Taylor Ambulance company in 2000. The company started out small; however, the company grew over the years and as of 2009 the company staffs 95 employees. Also in 2009 the Taylor Ambulance company provided 57,000 ambulance transports for the city of Kelsey. Moreover, in 2009 Taylor Ambulance had a profit of $870,668. Furthermore, the Taylor Ambulance company receives their revenue sources from emergency and non-emergency transports and government subsidies. Additionally, Taylor Ambulance Company has an 8 year contract with the city of Kelsey which runs from March 1, 2008 until February 28, 2016. The Taylor Ambulance company provides an excellent service to the community and the company is very profitable. However, most businesses will face moral and ethical issues with their staff and employees. Some of the moral or ethical issues faced by the Taylor Ambulance company can include; †¢Dishonesty †¢Lack of Confidentiality †¢Privacy issues †¢Drug or alcohol abuse †¢Lack of patient sensitivity or compassion †¢With holding medical care †¢Don’t honor patients medical directives such as, Do Not Resuscitate †¢Patient Neglect Therefore, it is very important that the Taylor Ambulance company has an overall ethics program. The Taylor Ambulance company’s human resource department will assume the responsibility in developing an ethics standard policy. The ethics policy will include all moral and ethical issues that could present itself in the medical field. Therefore, the Taylor Ambulance ethics policy guideline will include how to act ethically in; †¢Honesty †¢Patient confidentiality †¢Patient sensitivity and compassion †¢Patient privacy laws †¢Drug and alcohol training †¢Patient medical care †¢Respective patients medical directives †¢Patient neglect Additionally, when the ethics policy is completed by the human resource manager the manager will work with the training supervisor to set up ethical training for the employees and staff. The ethics training will be supervised by the training supervisor who will document and perform the training. The initial ethics training will coincide with an employee’s new hire orientation. Therefore, after the employees new hire orientation they will be required to complete 8 hour ethics training. Moreover, after the ethics training the new employee will be required to take a short quiz to make sure they understand the company’s ethical guidelines. Once the employee receives their ethics training they will receive a certificate of training. Furthermore, the employee will be required to sign for a copy of the ethics policy for insertion into their employee file. Whereas, it is important to receive ethics training it is also important to monitor employees for un-ethical behavior. Therefore, during employment with the Taylor Ambulance company the employees will be monitored by their organizations supervisor or manager for un-ethical behavior. However, ethical behavior should be enforced by the company. Therefore, if an employee of the Taylor Ambulance company is reported as being un-ethical the employee will be sent to the human resource department to speak with the human resource manager. If the human resource manager believes the employee was acting un-ethical per policy guidelines the employee may receive a disciplinary action. Finally, the Taylor Ambulance company will encourage ethical standards by creating written ethics policy and provide employee ethical training. Therefore, the Taylor Ambulance company will utilize their human resource department to create the ethics policy and the training supervisor will conduct and certify the ethics training. Also the employee supervisor or manager will monitor the ethical behavior of their employees. Moreover, if an employee is acting un-ethical the human resource manager will manage the disciplinary actions. Therefore, creating a written ethics policy is essential for creating an honest work environment for the staff and employees.

Science blessing essays

Science blessing essays In the early stages of civilization, man used to be scared of the natural forces like thunder, storm and lightning. He used to worship every object of nature like sky, earth, trees, air, sun and moon and even animals were worshipped. It was because man could not understand the natural phenomena1. He was, dependent on nature. Today, man has increased his knowledge and so has his power. The moon and other objects no longer fills man with fear. The earth has few secrets that are not known to man till date. How this tremendous change has come about? Scientific studies have revolutionized everything. Electricity is one of the many gifts of scientific invention. All one has to do is to press a button and the room gets brightened up, the fans give refreshing air, an air conditioner turns the room into a hill resort. Various kinds of machines are run by electricity: room-heaters, ovens cooking ranges and several other household appliances. Big industrial units and factories which produce countless things of our daily use are run on electricity. Advancement in the field of medical sciences has reduced the rate of mortality. Today, many diseases like cholera, small-pox and even tuberculosis are easily curable with the help of medicines. Surgery can remove tumors and set the human body right is many other ways. Discovery of antibiotics has made the cure of infectious diseases very easy. Open heart surgery and treatment of even cancer have become a possibility. Immunity against certain diseases like plague, cholera and small-pox can be ensured with the help of vaccination. Atomic energy is being used to cure diseases like cancer; radio-active isotopes are increasingly used for this purpose. Today, we are on the verge of cloning of different species. Traveling has become fast, safe and comfortable. Long distances can be covered by aero planes, and fast moving trains, cars, buses, trams and scooters have ...

Analysis of Case Study from a Perspective of Human Development Essays

Analysis of Case Study from a Perspective of Human Development Essays Analysis of Case Study from a Perspective of Human Development Essay Analysis of Case Study from a Perspective of Human Development Essay Analysis of Case Study from a Perspective of Human Development across the Life Span From the angle that the case study has been presented, I as the school’s social worker have been tasked to look into the case of â€Å"Yasmin† a previously high achieving student who has recently been scoring low grades and is reportedly moody. We have been informed that she lives with her mother and five other siblings. Their ages were not presented, and as such, we will be conducting this analysis on the assumption that her mother is in her fifties, her eldest brother in his twenties, her elder sister in her late adolescence (17 – 18 yrs), and that her younger siblings are in primary school. Much of our analysis will be based on Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory of Development [1950; 1968]. Analysis amp; Assessments Yasmin was â€Å"abandoned† by her biological father soon after her birth, at a stage of life where an infant would normally be going through the stage of â€Å"Trust VS Mistrust† as defined by Erikson [1950; 1968]. This is generally a period of time where â€Å"Caregivers comprise the infant’s main Microsystem [Bronfenbrenner, 1977], and through the nature and quality of their interactions, influence his/her perception and understanding of the world as either safe or fearful†. [Sugarman, 2005] Erikson [1950] mirrors that perspective, and states that the major emphasis for the child is the need for the mother’s positive and loving care, and if this need is not met, the child will move into a state of â€Å"Mistrust† where she would develop deep seated self-esteem issues, and a sense that the future may not be as stable as hoped. With the knowledge that Yasmin’s father abandoned the family at this juncture in time, we may need to make the assumption that Yasmin’s mother may not have been in the right state either mentally or emotionally to care for her newborn child. This coupled with the fact that her mother was the only caregiver present; Yasmin probably did not get adequate attention and care, and may likely have developed a negative self concept, and may harbour an abnormal view of the world. Yasmin’s mother soon remarried, and she gained a new father figure in her life. The support of this new caregiver may explain how she matured into a student who was capable of doing very well in school; her teachers called her â€Å"bright†. One may make the assumption that her step-father was supportive and played a huge role in her development bringing security into her insecure world. As such, Yasmin would have probably developed a strong attachment [Bowlby, 1988] to her step-father. At this juncture, she would have been going through what Erikson [1950] defined as the stage of â€Å"Autonomy VS Shame†, where her parents being newly married with a new sense of hope would have worked to develop her in terms of right and wrong, giving her the autonomy to make her own decisions. This would have been further reinforced when her younger siblings were born. By then, Yasmin would probably have already transited into what Erikson [1950] defined as the â€Å"Play Age†, one of â€Å"Initiative VS Guilt†. We can make the assumption that although parental attention would have waned at this juncture, the play and interactions she would have built with her younger siblings would have further strengthened her development. She likely would have been given the opportunity to take the initiative to at times care for her younger siblings, identifying her â€Å"social role† as one of the elder sister, further growing her in terms of confidence. However, her step-father’s recent death must have affected her greatly. As earlier stated, she may have likely seen him as the one who brought her out of her â€Å"rut†, and was probably very attached to him. His death would have been a huge blow to her, and her deep seated esteem issues from her infancy may have resurfaced. At this juncture, she would have just entered into adolescence, a period where she would undergo huge changes both in the physical and socioemotional domains, and would be faced with the major developmental task of creating an identity for herself in the transition to adulthood, her â€Å"personality† so as to speak [Perkins, 2008]. Erikson [1968] defined this as a period of â€Å"Identity VS Role Confusion†, whereby she would be faced with further developmental tasks or discovering herself as an individual, separating herself from her family, achieving new and more mature relations with her peers, and to establish a â€Å"life’s philosophy† [Harder, 2009], in other words finding her meaning and calling. This is a turning point in her life, a period whereby she is confronted by the need to re-establish boundaries for herself and to do this in the face of an often potentially hostile world. [Richard, 1983] and at this juncture her academic success may likely contribute greatly to her formation of identity. She has probably gravitated towards the stage of â€Å"role confusion† whereby the sudden loss of a father figure and breadwinner in the family, coupled with the sudden stigma of being poor, negative choices made by elder role models and the likely withdrawal of her mother have caused her to lose her self-esteem, to question what is right and wrong, and to go on a search for acceptance; leading her into a state of â€Å"moratorium† [Erikson, 1968] where she has chosen to seek the influence of her peers (however negative their behaviours are). This has caused a change in behaviour (eg. the defiance at home, and academic failure) [Kwok, et al, 2008]. Yasmin’s Mother upon being interviewed has informed us that she is depressed and does not know where to turn. She is very affected (assumption) by her husband’s death and the behaviour of her two older children, and does not think she can do anything about Yasmin’s grades. She is likely finding it difficult just holding everything together. She is working as a cleaner at night and (assumption) spends the day taking care of the younger siblings. This is a period in her life that she herself is going through what Erikson [1950] defines as the period of â€Å"Generativity VS Self Absorption† where her most major developmental task is to transmit culturally accepted values to her family [Harder, 2002]. Other important tasks may include maintaining the family’s standard of living, and assisting her children with transition into adulthood, and basic parenting [Lachman, 2001]. These tasks however are not being fulfilled in this case. With the loss of her husband, she may be finding it difficult to put food on the table having to work late into the night, let alone transmit values to and assist her children with transition into adulthood. She is probably moving into the stage of â€Å"Self Absorption† whereby she is beginning to become more absorbed by â€Å"her own† problems, and would rather dwell on them instead of taking action in regards to her children’s issues. Yasmin’s Elder Brother has recently been charged with housebreaking, and is facing incarceration. He is in his twenties and in Erikson’s [1968] definition, is in the life stage of â€Å"Intimacy amp; Solidarity VS Isolation†. A period whereby he is faced with the task of finding mutually satisfying, intimate relationships, however, this is also a trying period for him; Erikson describes intimacy as â€Å"finding oneself yet losing oneself in another†, and one can assume that both he and his younger sister took up the responsibilities of filling in as the â€Å"father and mother† of the family when their biological mother could not. Finding himself in the newly vacant position of â€Å"family head†, and wanting to solidify the relationships within his family, he (assumption) attempts to fill the financial need of his family by any means possible, ultimately leading to his housebreaking charge. Looking into his own childhood, we also see that he and his second sibling both experienced their father walking out on the family while they were still in school, during what Erikson defined as the period of â€Å"Industry VS Inferiority†. Being fatherless, both likely may have grown to believe that they were inadequate and inferior to their peers, resulting in deep seated negative self-concepts. Sugarman [2005] also explains that young adults who live in economic deprivation may see â€Å"work† as unattainable. These factors likely played a part in his choice to commit a crime with the intention of financial gain, believing that he would not be able to find proper job. Yasmin’s Older Sister is assumed to be in her late adolescence, a period whereby she is faced with the challenge of â€Å"Identity VS Role Confusion† [Erikson, 1968]. On one hand, she is an average teenager, going through polytechnic and gaining an education. On the other, she doubles up as a â€Å"parent† at home, filling the role that her mother is beginning to relinquish. This role reversal together with the sudden stigma of being poor, has caused her to become confused in her identity creation process and has (assumption) probably led to her belief that like her brother, she will need to step up and provide for her family by any means possible, ultimately leading to her dropping out of school in search of work. Little is known about Yasmin’s Younger Siblings except for the assumption that they are in primary school, and that they are probably in the stage that Erikson [1950] defines as â€Å"Industry VS Inferiority†. A very social stage whereby the major developmental task is to build significant relationships with peers in school and in the neighbourhood, and feelings of inadequacy and inferiority may cause problems in the development of competence and esteem [Harder, 2009] Evaluation amp; Intervention As a school social worker, little can be done on our part regarding Yasmin’s older siblings. We can however, intervene in the dimensions that involve Yasmin herself. These dimensions or rather systems that we have influence over are in Bronfenbrenner’s [1979] terms, the Microsystem, which involve Yasmin’s school, peers, parent and teachers, and the Mesosystem, which involves interaction between Microsystems. Being the school’s social worker, my immediate action would be to focus on Yasmin’s academic success, mainly affected by her current grades and peer group. Knowing that stress has negative effects on self-esteem, which in turn, may lead to risky behaviours in adolescents [Kwok, et al, 2008], focus should be placed on relieving the stress caused by stigma and her family’s low income. This could be facilitated by assisting her mother in applying for educational financial assistance with the school, which will assist the family in the area of Yasmin’s school fees and textbooks. Financial assistance regarding Yasmin’s daily sustenance can also be actualised by applying for the Straits Times’ School Pocket Money Fund. Refer to references It is also my proposal that Yasmin’s teachers and peers be involved as well, as Yasmin being an adolescent has a strong need for acceptance. Having teachers that can act as friends and mentors instead of just educators and disciplinarians can make all the difference; they may be able to encourage and edify Yasmin, working on her strengths and building up her self-esteem; and guide her into making proper peer choices. As Bill Cosby once said, â€Å"Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future†, the peers that surround Yasmin have an integral part to play in her success. As such, it is also my recommendation that the school activate the student council to play â€Å"big brother and big sister† to Yasmin, providing her with a group of peer leaders that she can look to for support and acceptance. Yasmin will also be involved in the school’s â€Å"Time Out Programme† [MOE, 2008] for at-risk students. Her teachers and I will also need to work with her mother to help her understand the needs of her children, and to involve her in Yasmin’s educational journey. Being the school social worker, I would also ensure that Yasmin is accountable for her wn growth and schedule regular sessions where Yasmin can confide and â€Å"check in† with me regarding her progress. As for Yasmin’s family, we may be able to refer them to a nearby Family Services Centre, where they would be able to apply for financial assistance. My referral will also specifically identify the need for family counselling, as there is a need to reorganize the family’s current dynamics, and for specific help to be provided for Yasmin’s older siblings in the areas of career and educational guidance. Yasmin’s younger siblings will also need financial assistance in regards to their education. nbsp;

The 4 Best AP Psychology Books Full Expert Reviews

The 4 Best AP Psychology Books Full Expert Reviews SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips There are many AP Psychology books that claim to be the best review tool for students; however, they aren't all telling the truth. Some review books might be better for you based on what type of student you are or the amount of guidance you need in your studying. In this article, I'll give you a list of the best AP Psychology textbooks and review books so you can find the one that will help you get your very best score on the AP Psychology exam. What's the Criteria for a Great AP Psychology Book? Before I list the best books for AP Psychology, here's a little information about what constitutes a good AP review book. First, you'll want to look at the organization of the book to see whether it's well-aligned with the AP curriculum. Content is extremely important, and an AP review book that has too much or too little information will put you at a big disadvantage. For the books on this list, I checked to see whether they included high-quality diagrams and whether their writing style made it easy for readers to understand complex concepts. I considered it a positive when a book had sections dealing with general test-taking strategies and instructions for creating a study plan, which are both great tools for students who need more guidance. Things such as diagnostic tests and instructions on how to use AP practice tests effectively were pluses, too. The quality of practice tests and questions is also very important. An AP review book can be well written and have all the content you need. But if its practice tests aren't challenging enough, you might be in for a nasty surprise on the real AP exam. Easy AP practice tests can cause you to overlook weak areas that would have been evident if the questions were more difficult. If you're unable to physically flip through these AP Psychology books before you buy them, looking at online reviews can be helpful. You'll get to see feedback from students who actually used the book and learn how successful (or unsuccessful) they were in meeting their score goals for the AP test. Although all the AP Psychology books listed in this article represent the latest editions, consulting reviews of past versions and feedback provided by teachers can give you a feel for the quality of a particular book. You've got the right idea, silhouette lady! Never settle for less! The Best AP Psychology Books Before we get to the list, I'll give you several types of AP Psychology books so that you can decide which one(s) to get based on your ability level and needs as a student. This guide mainly contains information on different review books because most students already have an AP Psychology textbook and are primarily looking for supplementary materials to help them prepare for the exam. Here's a list of each "best book" category I'll be covering: Best AP Psychology Textbook: This is a book many students can use as a basic reference for info on psychology topics. I've included it for the benefit of students who are self-studying for the AP Psychology test and who do not have a school-provided psychology textbook. Best AP Psychology Review Book for Any Student: This is a review book that will be useful for students at any skill level (high- or low-scoring). Best AP Psychology Review Book for High-Scoring Students: This is AP Psych prep book offers in-depth information, challenging practice materials, and a more hands-off approach to prep. Best AP Psychology Review Book for Low-Scoring Students: This is a prep book for students who might have had a bit of difficulty understanding the material in their AP Psychology class and need more guidance during the review process. The Best AP Psychology Textbook: Myers' Psychology for AP, Second Edition Cost: $150 for print, $110 for digital Myers is consistently the most popular AP Psychology textbook, mainly because it’s one of the only books that is written specifically for the AP class. It’s a well-organized book, and although it can be a little wordy at times, it has excellent diagrams and is overall a great resource for an in-depth review of the AP material. Pros The sections of the book correspond to topic areas that will show up on the AP Psychology test, so it’s easy to use for studying. It includes multiple-choice AP practice questions and questions that summarize the main concepts at the end of each unit so you can test your knowledge. There are lots of helpful diagrams and tables, and key terms are bolded and defined on the side of each page, so you don’t have to search through the text to pick out definitions. There's a timeline of psychology milestones in the back of the book to help you get a better grasp on when different discoveries happened. Cons The book is written at a high level (although it does have a bit of a conversational tone), so it might be difficult for less-prepared students to grasp some of the concepts right away. It's super expensive! However, you might be able to save a little money by renting it instead of buying it. Who Should Use This Book This book covers all the curriculum that will appear on the test, and it includes a wealth of helpful review materials. You might want to buy this AP Psychology textbook if you are studying for the test on your own (not taking an actual AP Psychology class) and want a more detailed source of information. You could also consider getting it if you hate the book you're using in class and feel that you would benefit from a different textbook. Best AP Psychology Review Book for Any Student: 5 Steps to a 5: AP Psychology 2019 Edition Cost: $12 for print, $10 for digital The titular five steps included in this AP Psychology book are helpful for planning out your prep responsibly. One big caveat, though, is that you should supplement the practice tests in this book with other official AP practice tests to ensure you’re on track. Pros This book includes a clear, helpful introduction that answers any questions you might have about the AP Psychology exam such as scoring, format, content, and what you’ll need to bring on test day. There's a useful guide that tells you how long you should prep for the exam based on your personality and study habits. It then maps out detailed study plans for three different types of students. It gives you helpful tips on how to approach each type of question on the AP Psych test. Each chapter includes key concepts at the beginning and a "rapid review" section at the end that has a list of key terms and definitions. Content chapters thoroughly cover all the material on the AP Psychology test. The writing style is easy to follow and is organized in a way that breaks things down into easily digestible parts. Two practice exams are included at the end, along with an initial diagnostic test to assess your strengths and weaknesses. You can also access three additional practice tests online. Cons The practice questions seem a bit easier than real AP Psychology questions. The guide on how to approach questions could be less wordy, and it doesn’t go into detail about using the process of elimination for multiple-choice questions, which is an important strategy to include. Ultimately, learning to effectively eliminate wrong answers is one of the best ways to improve your score! Who Should Use This Book If you think you might need more guidance in your studying or are self-studying the course, 5 Steps to a 5 is probably a good book for you. It’s written logically and simply, and it does a great job of answering many of the questions students have about how to review for AP Psychology and what the test is like in general. Best AP Psychology Review Book for High-Scoring Students: Barron’s AP Psychology, 8th Edition Cost: $15 for print, $13 for digital Barron’s AP Psychology is a thorough and helpful guide for students studying for the AP Psych test. However, this isn't the best choice if you’re looking for a way to review quickly. Avoid this resource if you’re easily bored by the dry textbook style of writing. Barron’s is not lacking in good content, but it could be more exciting, and you’ll have to do a lot of the legwork in review sessions. Pros This book includes a diagnostic test and a "Multiple Choice Error Analysis" sheet to help you understand your strengths and weaknesses. There are two full-length practice exams at the end of the book. You also get three more full-length tests, which are accessible online. The structure mirrors the format of the exam and follows the AP curriculum exactly (based on the percentages of questions in different topic areas that will show up on the test). There's a list of important terms and people at the beginning of every chapter (and in italics within the text so you can easily pick up on them). It includes a list of the most important psychologists you need to know (the â€Å"Fabulous 15†) so that you can focus on a few people more closely rather than trying to memorize a million different names. There are multiple-choice questions and answer explanations at the end of each chapter to quiz you on the material you've learned. Chapters 15 and 16 focus on test-taking tips for multiple-choice and free-response questions, so you’ll have strategies as well as content knowledge. Helpful tips in the margins of each chapter point out important things to remember and problems that students commonly have with certain terms and concepts. Cons This book is written essentially in textbook format; there are long paragraphs, there aren't that many diagrams, and the writing can be pretty scientific. There’s no glossary, so you have to pick out the definitions of terms yourself in each chapter. The style overall isn’t as fun as some other review books. Barron’s doesn’t try as hard to relate to you and just sticks to the information you need to know- which I respect, but it can be kind of boring. Who Should Use This Book This book is best for those who have a long time to dedicate to studying for the AP Psychology test. You'll need to use it over a longer period of time in order to be able to take full advantage of the diagnostic and practice tests and become familiar with each topic area. If you decide to use Barron's, get it well before the AP test and use it as a continuous review tool. You should also make sure that you’re motivated enough to take charge of your review time and study from a book that doesn’t try that hard to keep you engaged in the material. Best AP Psychology Review Book for Low-Scoring Students: Cracking the AP Psychology Exam, 2018 Edition Cost: $13 for print, $5 for digital This is the best book for learning test-taking strategies for the AP Psych test. The content is high quality as well, but it’s not as easy to study from if you don’t have much time on your hands. Pros It includes a step-by-step guide for how to organize your AP Psychology studying. There's a list of other resources you can use to supplement your review. It includes smart test-taking tips and strategies for multiple-choice and free-response questions. The book uses a conversational, relatable style of writing. Chapters that go over content are diagram-heavy, and they provide clear definitions of key terms throughout. Cons The instructions on designing a study plan are a little vague. It's hard to use this book as a quick study guide as it doesn’t have a centralized source for definitions of terms and concepts. You'd need to read it through completely to be able to get a handle on all the information. Who Should Use This Book This book is a smart choice if you have a fair amount of time before the AP Psychology test and would like some rough guidance on structuring your studying. It’s also great for students who get easily bored by textbooks and their dull writing style- it's definitely one of the more engaging review books I’ve seen! Which AP Psychology Books Are Best for You? Which Books Should You Avoid? If you think you’ll need a lot of guidance in your AP Psych studying (or if you’re working through the class independently), don’t choose a prep book that’s pure information and doesn't offer any planning or test-taking tips. I’d recommend using either 5 Steps to a 5 or Cracking the AP Psychology Exam, along with the Myers textbook (or whichever textbook your AP Psychology class is using). Barron’s is also a decent choice, but make sure that you’re willing to put a little more work into the review process. A book that provides more structure will be helpful even for the most driven students, especially if you’re not taking an actual AP Psychology class. If you choose to buy a book that’s not on this list, keep an eye out for any red flags. Compare the practice questions in the book with official AP Psychology questions to ensure they’re not unrealistically easy or hard. After taking and scoring a practice test from the review book, take an official AP practice test to check that your other score was realistic. I recommend the four AP Psychology books in this article because they’re all well organized and easy to follow. Even if another review book contains all the same info, the way it’s presented might make your studying less productive. Ultimately, if you feel you’re not getting anything out of an AP Psychology prep book and your AP Psych test scores don’t seem to be improving, you might need to try another one with a different format! Keep an eye out for red flags. You don't want to get stuck with a Canadian review book. Or maybe you do. Would it come with complimentary maple syrup? What's Next? Still shaky on a few AP Psych terms? Bolster your knowledge with articles like this one, which goes over what Stockholm Syndrome is and whether or not it's real. What does it really mean if you get a 5 on an AP exam? Find out how AP credit works for college classes. If you're still trying to plan your AP class schedule, use this guide to make an informed decision about which AP classes you should take. Also taking AP US History? Check out our reviews for the best AP US History textbooks. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Methods of Instruction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Methods of Instruction - Essay Example Reasons why it is mostly used by instructors are as follows; the instructors don’t have enough time to plan, lecture method is flexible hence can be used in any content delivery and deemed simple. Demonstrations Method This is when the teacher or instructor is showing the students a process or a procedure e.g. scientific process, computing procedure or way of doing things like cooking. The students involved in this process hence they are less passive. Questioning Method This is where the instructor lectures but in the process questioning the students most of the time. Exercise 2 In this exercise, interactive method as an instruction method is used. This method facilitates interaction between the instructor and the learner .Gaining knowledge based on unity and teamwork. The communicative approach involves sharing of experiences, knowledge and personal values. The class is divided based on the stated above features. The course I am teaching is aesthetics. I would divide my class into discussion groups. In this case, the students’ interest is different. This will be depending on their number, the subject discussed and the students’ level of knowledge and abilities, and finally their interests among others. Each group is given a list of items to be discussed. Since it is an aesthetic class, the main topic is the influence of aesthetics studies to the teaching of other subjects namely mathematics, history, art, music, and influence on teaching literature. Each group of students is discussing, related to a specific subject of their interest. The only common cause, the students have is that they share certain common aesthetic course units from where clear relations identified. Each of these groups is by a chosen leader who is spearheading the discussion. With aesthetic education, subjects like art, theatre and music are more subjective in ms of their evaluations , they offer a separate view to the learning experience that rest of the courses do no t. This type of education is not being taught with aim of teaching learners to become theoretical aesthetics. It is part of tolerant arts learning made to widen perspectives. In teaching music the discussion should touch on the fact that aesthetic educators are familiar with deep musical values hence is very supportive in this subject teaching. Teaching history is the education on culture. Many historical activities traced to cultural mores and beliefs. Aesthetics is part of this culture. Understanding the cultural context of the society, to trace its development (Jeanne 27). Exercise (3) Using of Wikipedia Group Project The group project in Wikipedia very effective academic discussion topics which the students can access. Blogs are just online journals used to share ideas by different people on a given subject topic. The ideas and reflections open to public or private. Students are able to form an online discussion group where they reflectively write and share information on classr oom topics. The basic step is to select how the group is going to communicate .Decide on one particular time that all students are able to access the internet services. Then the article discussing about this will be my subject area of teaching importance of taking aesthetic studies. My introductory statement would read: Aesthetics is one of the courses taken in

Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 4

Education - Essay Example For instance, in order to answer the question about the pregnant boy, his photo was missing but after some time, the photo becomes visible. Laying emphasis on the information, I felt the information on it had a good description and the photos were informative. Reading The information described in the website is of exceptional help for public. It is appealing to the target group, which is the teenage bracket. From teenage, the author clearly explains the method that reduces the chances of having unwanted pregnancies and STIs infection. He uses an easy language and vivid description in explaining on the various prevention measures and clearly stating how the pregnancy the method works. The author uses diagrams in illustrating how to wear a male or a female condom to reduce the chances of it breaking and thus making it useless. The language used in the context is pure and appealing for public. The topic itself is also highly appealing since many teenagers; especially those in active sex engrossed in the idea of protecting themselves from unwanted pregnancy Example The examples given by the author are particularly appealing and easy to comprehend. He states, describe and explains how different methods of pregnancy prevention methods applied. This example not only helps the target age bracket, but the public can use them. The use of clear and uncomplicated language is ideal for anyone who is in need of health information greatly benefits from the website. The examples provided by the author are also appealing in the manner that they are readily available, true and of great importance. The author describes several methods used in order reduces chances of having STIs and unwanted pregnancies. The methods discussed include the use of condoms as birth control methods.... This paper approves that the language used is appropriate for the target group because there are no uses of medical terminologies. The language used is single and clear in describing the method needs to be used and its effectiveness. The author also puts himself in the shoes of the target group and uses language that they best understand. The language used also is in a manner that every person with the slightest education can read and comprehend what the website is emphasizing. The simple language used makes it possible for the author, to communicate the message to many people as possible without fear of alienation of a certain group due to their level of literacy. The author gives helpful tip in self-care management. Most of the teenagers risk their safety for fear that their partners may mot trusts them. The authors illustrate how someone would use a polite language especially when the other partner does not see the need of using a condom. The author also illustrates how a partner can help the other partner who does not appreciate the use of condoms. This essay makes a conclusion that the publisher of the article is also a humorous character. He or she knows how to get the attention of any reader. The pictures displayed at the homepage leaves one wondering what the article could be talking about and due to curiosity that forces one to read the message, he originally intended to deliver. The creativity of the homepage page also makes anyone yearning read more of the article thus delivering his message. The publisher also uses an easy language where anyone who knows how to read benefits from the website

The implementation of law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The implementation of law - Essay Example In this regard, the abuse of office by the incumbent president may not breach the separation of powers. The functions of the executive are subject to oversight by the other two arms of government. Executive orders are always instructive regardless of the fact that they violate the law. This is because the executive arm of government is subject to politics, which makes the absolute adherence to set rules and regulations impossible. The executive powers also have privileges that surpass the other provisions in various clauses of the constitution. For instance, the provision of Null Presque presidential privilege usually contradicts the delivery of justice for the afflicted parties in the courts of law. In this regard, the executive’s orders are instructive. The president’s orders are instructive, given that their directives. The orders are supreme given the selection of the hold of the executive office. The election of the president is an influential exercise that makes t he populace consider the president as the supreme authority of the nation.History plays a major role in the understanding of the executive powers and the aspect of separation of powers. There are provisions that address the controversies existing in the legality and policy issues of executive mandates. The aspect of the separation of powers is traceable to the times of King George III. The reign of the King was full of controversies and delusion. The making of treaties with other nations is categorized under legislative and executive roles.

Reasons why the Proof for the Existence of God is Necessary Research Paper

Reasons why the Proof for the Existence of God is Necessary - Research Paper Example The thesis of this paper is principally on religion and the analysis of the company. It looks down to exhibiting the purpose of God in the companies’ welfare. In addition, the essay is worth reading, as it brings out cordial relations of the different employees in different departments. Further, it is due to God that companies manage operations with fewer constraints. The thesis is worth arguing about because without God, all operations fail. The universe as wide as it is depends on God and all living beings in it should know how they came into being. There exist five principal proofs for the existence of God. These are namely the proof that the universe had a beginning, the universe exhibit designs, there is a common morality for all human beings, the resurrection of Jesus, and a suggestion for the experience of the claims of Jesus. To begin with, it is clear that everything should have a cause and this therefore denotes the reason why the universe had a foundation (Goswami, 2008). God is the super founder of all beings. In making the universe, God used several unique means to bring out a clear picture of His (God) real self to individuals inhabiting the world. This denotes the reason why managers should view all employees as individuals of dignity. Purposely, God had a common value for all beings in the universe. The same way individuals in an organization should set common goals attainable by all employees. Christians should be accountable for arguments regarding the nature of God. All Christians have a common believe that Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead. This is significant to managers in that it imparts knowledge that despite the loopholes impeding the growth of the company, there are ways of developing the overall output. Proving the existence of God necessitates individuals to claim what Jesus Christ has done in their lives. Therefore, it is worth noting that the companies should exhibit positive deeds of the analysis work based on religiou s background. The argument regarding the proof of existence of God Company analysis refers to a phase where individuals deepen their thought to establish the problems facing the companies and determine solutions to the problems. Religion refers to the belief of some individuals to work under the control of a supernatural ruling being, God or gods. Religion is vital for the survival of the operations of the businesses established by individuals. Through religion, God the Supreme Being prevails in the worship centers. People respond differently to the sacred places where the adoration of God takes place. This is a source of power to enhance them obtain the ability to carry out distinguished tasks. God is the supernatural being in the universe believed to work with human beings to bring out several realistic goals. God exists purposely as a weapon used by particular individuals to perform specific tasks as required. It is important to consider God before carrying out any operations. Go d helps individuals to win over the other competing elements. Performance of company analysis is better after a realization of the existence of God. This is because Christians determine the profits of the companies without considering their own personal interests because of believing that God is watching over them. Due to the reason that individuals associate with various groups talking about a common enlightening being, people should have a goal for their primary reason to work with companies (Horn, 2010). They should establish and bring to light the reasons for carrying out an analysis of the company. On the contrary, it is worth arguing that God does not help individuals to

Digital tools and architectural visualization Term Paper

Digital tools and architectural visualization - Term Paper Example The report has found out that technology has changed the way designing used to be done. There is a whole lot of digital tools and computer software’s in use currently that have eased the work of an architect. Architects are using animation technologies and software’s that are projecting building in an almost real manner. The report analyses in detail the use of technology in the profession and its significance in future world of architecture. Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION 4 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 5 3.0 ANALYSIS OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IN ARCHITECTURE 10 4.0 Digital Visualization Technical Overview 13 Benefits of the transition to digital Architectural Visualization 15 5.0 CONCLUSION 16 Revit 16 ArchiCAD 16 SketchUp 17 Rhinoceros 3D 17 AutoCAD 17 Works cited 19 1.0 INTRODUCTION Architecture is probably ranked among the world’s oldest professions of all time, it is an art in itself and only people with unrivalled creative genius were associated with the professio n. Many buildings and monuments have been built through this science right from the medieval times. Architectural design is among the professions in the world that have direct effect on us, we probably would not be seeing the kind of buildings that pride our skylines today were not for this profession. A while back architects performed their trade through sheer creativity and drawing. It called for individuals who are highly creative, good in drawing and men who were good in mathematics. We can say, it called for artists who are above the basic level, to come up with sketches and designs, it required for calculation and good drawing capability since architects did not have the advantage of technology assisted designs during their time. This is a profession that requires at most care in order not to make mistakes that will be threatening to the whole process of construction. Technology has come up with tools to help in the development of architectural designs which are more accurate and deliberate on quality to cut down on costly mistakes. All said and talked about, architecture has not gained the necessary audience and not many people care to understand the ropes. Therefore despite the improvement in technology some segments of architects have refused to move with technological tide deciding instead to maintain the traditional way of doing things. The researcher hence found it necessary to bring to light all the gains made in the architectural world primarily focusing on technology and tools available to architects to make their work stand out while improving on quality. It should be understood that the current complex designs seen in the first world countries would not have happened without complex digital technology to birth a design. Currently it is possible to build structures that seem to defy gravity and structures which respond positively to environment thanks to improved technology on architecture. Without architects great structures cannot be created, hence the researcher found motivation with the kind of progress that has taken place and needs to be known. In this report the researcher meant for it to address the following points while making them the main objectives points-: Types Digital tools used in architecture focusing also on available software’s What is visualization and how it has helped in designing The impact of technology on arc

Reasons why the Proof for the Existence of God is Necessary Research Paper

Reasons why the Proof for the Existence of God is Necessary - Research Paper Example The thesis of this paper is principally on religion and the analysis of the company. It looks down to exhibiting the purpose of God in the companies’ welfare. In addition, the essay is worth reading, as it brings out cordial relations of the different employees in different departments. Further, it is due to God that companies manage operations with fewer constraints. The thesis is worth arguing about because without God, all operations fail. The universe as wide as it is depends on God and all living beings in it should know how they came into being. There exist five principal proofs for the existence of God. These are namely the proof that the universe had a beginning, the universe exhibit designs, there is a common morality for all human beings, the resurrection of Jesus, and a suggestion for the experience of the claims of Jesus. To begin with, it is clear that everything should have a cause and this therefore denotes the reason why the universe had a foundation (Goswami, 2008). God is the super founder of all beings. In making the universe, God used several unique means to bring out a clear picture of His (God) real self to individuals inhabiting the world. This denotes the reason why managers should view all employees as individuals of dignity. Purposely, God had a common value for all beings in the universe. The same way individuals in an organization should set common goals attainable by all employees. Christians should be accountable for arguments regarding the nature of God. All Christians have a common believe that Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead. This is significant to managers in that it imparts knowledge that despite the loopholes impeding the growth of the company, there are ways of developing the overall output. Proving the existence of God necessitates individuals to claim what Jesus Christ has done in their lives. Therefore, it is worth noting that the companies should exhibit positive deeds of the analysis work based on religiou s background. The argument regarding the proof of existence of God Company analysis refers to a phase where individuals deepen their thought to establish the problems facing the companies and determine solutions to the problems. Religion refers to the belief of some individuals to work under the control of a supernatural ruling being, God or gods. Religion is vital for the survival of the operations of the businesses established by individuals. Through religion, God the Supreme Being prevails in the worship centers. People respond differently to the sacred places where the adoration of God takes place. This is a source of power to enhance them obtain the ability to carry out distinguished tasks. God is the supernatural being in the universe believed to work with human beings to bring out several realistic goals. God exists purposely as a weapon used by particular individuals to perform specific tasks as required. It is important to consider God before carrying out any operations. Go d helps individuals to win over the other competing elements. Performance of company analysis is better after a realization of the existence of God. This is because Christians determine the profits of the companies without considering their own personal interests because of believing that God is watching over them. Due to the reason that individuals associate with various groups talking about a common enlightening being, people should have a goal for their primary reason to work with companies (Horn, 2010). They should establish and bring to light the reasons for carrying out an analysis of the company. On the contrary, it is worth arguing that God does not help individuals to

Protest and the Press Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Protest and the Press - Essay Example Portrayals of the news with sociological, political, sometimes economic and even humorous twists are included. Simultaneously, the protesting community may come up with more shocking and unconventional forms of protesting all the time. Consequently, the question of representation is crucial. The example of the Bed-in concept developed and applied in real life as a functional publicity by John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono in 1969 constitutes the very essence of such ambivalence. In general, the decade of the sixties is especially known for being turbulent times which led to self-reflections and reinterpretations in a variety of spheres. Media and press were becoming more and more engaged in processing information and opinions across society answering to the cultural interests of, quite frequently, competing social groups and minorities. At the same time, the media coverage formulated opinions and outlooks on especially vexing and controversial issues from which the readers could draw and sometimes even unconsciously adopt such views as their own. Among many social-political problems of the 1960s in the US was the war in Vietnam which was faced with a public disapproval mostly because it was considered to be futile, immoral and unnecessary. But there was also a considerable pressure put on the American as well as other western societies to adhere to certain patriotic standards - if not for the sake of national pride then at least for the common good of the d emocratic world. Definitions of patriotism and responsibility for the country were erected along the process. Such stability was not easy since the 1960s generation is still considered the most rebellious and innovative so far. John Lennon, an English songwriter, singer, musician, graphic artist, author, peace activist and one of the founding members of the legendary band The Beatles, was an icon of the generation. He channeled his fame and penchant for controversy to successfully protest against the Vietnam War in the late sixties and his performance, so-to-speak, became of almost historical significance. During the Vietnam War, in 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono held two, week-long Bed-ins, as a radical form of protest against the unpopular war. Although physically away from the United States they still managed to make a significant contribution to the anti-war state of opinion with the help of the print press and electronic media. However a music star's engagement in political life was at that time a rather rare phenomenon therefore most newspapers and magazines mocked the absurdity of his undertaking which only reinforced the Bed-in's rock-and-roll identity. The couple decided to use their wedding as the opportunity to express their solidarity the peace-loving community of the world staging a week-long Bed-In for peace in Amsterdam in 1969 during their honeymoon. However, when they could not follow the Amsterdam Bed-In with a similar event in the U.S. due to John's precarious visa eligibility at the time, they chose Montreal across the Canadian border as the next venue for their unusual project. Lennon told the reporters that his marriage was bound to make headlines anyway, so why not turn the occasion into what he called 'an advertisement for peace' (Charlesworth 1976) The atmosphere of this interview and the introductory comment were written in a sympathetic tone.

Langston Hughes and Alice Walker Essay Example for Free

Langston Hughes and Alice Walker Essay Langston Hughes’ Still Here and Dream Deferred are two poems depicting emotions driven by frustrations in life. These literary works may appear simple, but they both depict the social and political conditions during the time these poems were written. Langston Hughes, a renowned writer during the Harlem Renaissance, is famous for his works on social class and race relations in America. His poem Dream Deferred, as the title suggests, describes various detrimental effects frustration can bring to a person. Literary tools used were imagery, similes, and metaphors in question form to suggest these detrimental effects. In the poem, effects are described as the raisin in the sun, like a sore that festers, like a stinking rotten meat, and like a heavy load. The two poems by Langston both expressed the social and political conditions in his time and its implications to the lives of the African-Americans, then. During Langston’s time, African-American exercised limited rights that may have hindered them from attaining their dreams in life. Langston sees that this problem has caused great pain to the unfulfilled person and to the people surrounding him. The short story Everyday Use by Alice Walker, on the other hand, discusses how culture and heritage should be valued and recognized, specifically that of the African-Americans. Alice Walker, an American writer, like Langston, also writes about race and gender relations. Her short story illustrated the conflict in appreciating the African-American culture by presenting the redefined and the practical ways of doing this. The writer made use of the quilt as the representation of the culture and heritage of the African-American. The quilt, seen as the product of quilting, is said to be the refined way of seeing its worth while knowing the process of quilting represents the practical way and more meaningful way of appreciating the culture and heritage. The story suggests that heritage and culture should not be equated to tangible things and should be understood thoroughly to see its worth. Langston and Walker, through their works, showed how African-Americans feel and what their personal struggles are in two different scenarios. Indeed, their works never failed to provide inspiration to those who can relate. References: Hughes, L. (1951). Dream Deferred. Retrieved May 5, 2009, 2009, from http://www. poemhunter. com/i/ebooks/pdf/langston_hughes_2004_9. pdf Hughes, L. Still Here. Retrieved May 5, 2009, from http://www. poemhunter. com/i/ebooks/pdf/langston_hughes_2004_9. pdf Walker, A. (1973). Everyday Use. Retrieved May 5, 2009, from http://xroads. virginia. edu/~ug97/quilt/walker. html

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Construction

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Construction Abstract The following dissertation focuses on a personal development technique called Continuing Professional Development (CPD). With the world of construction constantly changing, professionals in the industry need to keep up to speed with the changing elements of the industry nationally and internationally. This dissertation assesses the CPD process that the industrys institutions provide for members and assesses how CPD is carried out. It also looks at how beneficial CPD is to the professionals who participate and the company they work for. By the end of this dissertation the role of these institutions should be easily identifiable in professional development and how participation can give working professionals a competitive edge on-site and help them progress in their careers both in and outside their existing company. This dissertation also encapsulates the opinions of some of the professional members of the industry involved in CPD. It will assess how CPD has influenced them in their career and will make recommendations on how to refine the process. Introduction This chapter explains the core elements of the study which includes a definition, hypothesis, aims and objectives, parameters of study and research methodology. Definition of Topic The definition of CPD in general is continual learning, regardless of age or seniority, which focuses on professional competency in a professional role. Its aim is to improve personal performance and enhance career progression. Over recent years the benefits of structured CPD have been identified within the construction industry. To become a chartered professional under a construction based institution(e.g. the Chartered Institute of Building(CIOB)) professionals must show they have been involved in a structured CPD process. Records must be maintained to show this before professionals may transgress. With the current economic climate, construction professionals need to keep their knowledge and skills to the optimum to ensure progression within their company and give them an advantage when looking for work elsewhere. CPD not only applies to the working professional but also to those unemployed who want to increase their chances when opportunities occur. Hypothesis CPD improves the performance and enhances the career progression of a professional in the construction industry. Aim of Dissertation The aim of this dissertation is to produce a piece of work that explains the process of CPD in relation to the construction industry. The dissertation will also assess the advantages of CPD; identify why it is important and how it can be improved. Objectives The objectives of this dissertation are to: Explain what CPD is in general and in a construction context. Identify which construction related professional institutes provide a structured CPD system for their members. Assess CPD within these institutes; compare advantages or disadvantages of each and recommend measures to improve their CPD systems effectiveness. Establish how important CPD is to each participants professional performance, development and career progression. Establish how important effective CPD is to a professionals performance and the company that employ them. Gather together the opinion of working professional in the construction industry on the benefits of CPD. Parameter of Study This study contains a general overview of CPD in terms of professionalism as a whole in any career path. It then focuses on CPD specifically in the construction industry and gives an in depth analysis of the role of professional institutes and its members who participate. It also identifies how important CPD is the construction industry today, both to the individual themselves and the company that employ them. Research Methodology There were a number of different methods of research used to complete this study including both primary and secondary research which are detailed below. Secondary Research: Books Various books were sourced both in the GMIT library and the online library of the CIOB. These books and extracts from books were used as a reference and for background information and reading. Some books covered CPD overall and others covered CPD specifically in the construction industry. Electronic Journals Official Reports Surveys Many of the reports and surveys read were carried out within the last decade in regard to the construction industry as well as CPD in other professions across the UK and in Ireland. These gave a good insight into CPD in other professions, what elements of CPD are important and in what direction CPD in construction is heading. Internet There was a mass of information available on the internet which contained both up-to-date and older material. Not all sources found were reliable, but pockets of valid information was uncovered throughout my research on the internet. Much background information was found which was helpful in getting different partys opinions on CPD and how it should be carried out. Many official websites were also useful in getting information on how CPD is provided to individuals by professional bodies both in construction and outside too. A lot of information was gathered through these sites to establish how CPD was made available to construction professionals. Primary Research: The four leading professional bodies in construction were chosen as the basis of my primary study. These include the Chartered Institute of Building(CIOB), the Society of Chartered Surveyors(SCS), Engineers Ireland(IEI) and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland(RIAI). All four institutes have many members from various construction backgrounds and play a major role in the development of these professionals through CPD. Information on their CPD policy and practice was gathered and semi-structured interviews were then carried out with the relevant staff members of each institute to consolidate the information collected. Interviews were also carried out with members of the different institutes to get the receivers point of view. Format of Study This thesis will be carried out using the following chapter: Introduction to CPD In Chapter 2 CPD will be looked at in relation to the entire working world. CPD can be applied to any profession but also has similarities to the personal development of an individual. With the global economy rapidly evolving, new patterns of work and learning have emerged worldwide. Massive growth in sectors like information technology(IT) means that people working in that sector need to keep up with the changes or they will be left behind. The main purpose of continuing development personally is to maximise enjoyment of work and life. Therefore we need to be continually responding to the changing world around us. â€Å"Are you living to work or working to live?†(Megginson Whitaker, 2007) Continuing Professional Development(CPD) is based around the whole concept self-motivation and self management. It all depends on how motivated the participant is to learn about the career they are undertaking and can apply to any professional in the working world. It is particularly relevant to professions such as teaching, nursing and accountancy where ongoing learning is crucial.(Megginson Whitaker 2007) â€Å"The most precious asset any professional controls is knowledge of the discipline and the skill to apply it effectively. Over the long run it is more important to maintain the value of this asset than the office, the furniture, the computer hardware, or even the bank account.†(www.riai.ie/cpd Accessed 19/02/2010) History of CPD CPD has been around in various different forms for a long time. It is only over the past 25 years that CPD has been formalised and endorsed by professional membership bodies. Its history is as follows: 1850: Professionals met up in coffee houses to discuss practice and share notes 1984: Chartered Institute of Personal Development(CIPD) created a policy statement on CPD 1986: Construction Industry Council(CIC) defined CPD 1990: UK Inter-Professional Group(UKIPG 1977) CPD Forum set-up 1995: CPD becomes a requirement for all practicing CIPD Members 1999: CIC definition of CPD most commonly cited definition 2000: Institute of Professional Development(IPD) was granted a Royal Charter 2009: Aspirations to move from input to output and outcome-driven CPD schemes(Institute of Continuing Professional Development(ICPD) What is CPD? CPD is a process completed by the majority of professionals in the working world, either consciously or unconsciously. Its main purpose is to implement a system of continued learning and development separate to what they would learn through their daily work. Two definitions of CPD are as follows: â€Å"Continuing Professional Development(CPD) is the process by which individuals take control of their own learning and development, by engaging in an on-going process of reflection and action.†(Megginson, Whitaker, 2007) â€Å"The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills and the development of personal qualities necessary for execution of professional and technical duties throughout the individuals working life.†(Construction Industry Council, UK, 1986) CPD has many functions in the role of a professional. It ensures the professional maintains a high level of competence in their field and has the up-to-date skills and knowledge to provide a competent service to their client or employer. CPD also has a knock-on effect which encourages further development in many areas. This process empowers the individual to achieve their goals and encourages them to look at their career progression from a wider perspective. Self-motivation is a key element in this process, where the individual is the main driving force behind this new learning. It is their own responsibility to develop themselves and is not up their manager or employer. If the individual has no desire to learn CPD is a pointless process. Feedback from a CPD survey in 2008 indicates that members see two key benefits in undertaking CPD: It helps them maintain their knowledge and skills, and maintain professional and ethical standards.(PARN CPD survey 2008) Need for CPD CPD has evolved from the individuals thinking that career progression not only relates to secure job within an organisation but by the skills, knowledge and experiences obtained by the individual. CPD is also needed to ensure working professionals are providing an adequate service to their clients and employers. Services such as advice must be given so that changes to the environment associated with the decision are taken into account. This ensures the client gets the best service available for the fee paid. Soon to be professionals also need to maintain an adequate amount of CPD to progress to the next stage towards becoming chartered in most organisations. This goes a long way to fulfilling their need towards becoming a competent professional. Core Concepts of CPD How is CPD different to other types of training and development? The learner is in control-the whole CPD process is self-driven and managed where learning outcomes are directly proportionate to the time and effort participant puts into the process. They must be self- motivated, which means the participant must want to continue learning to be successful no matter what position or profession. It can apply to most aspects of life-CPD can apply to life outside work as well. For example, personal development can be achieved through implementing some of the knowledge or skills to improve family communications etc. There is a regular plan, do and evaluate process involved, which sets achievable goals and reflects on work put in which can spurs on further development. CPD can be beneficial without the support of others in their working environment. All professionals can complete CPD regardless of working situation, whether they work for a company or are self-employed and deal directly with their own clients. Of course support from employer would be more beneficial but it is not essential as interaction is mostly between the professional body and individual. Although some employers incorporate CPD into the training and development programmes of all employees. Methods of Learning through CPD CPD revolves around the whole learning process and the methods with which learning is provided is a very important part of the process. These methods ensure professionals can improve their skills and knowledge and gain relevant experience. Formal, non-formal and informal methods of learning include any process relevant to a profession that improves skills, knowledge and the experiences of a professional. CPD activities can include in-house training, open learning, conferences, seminars, workshops, structured reading, self-study, presentations and being a coach or mentor. Structured Unstructured CPD: All CPD comes under the heading of structured or unstructured CPD. Structured CPD is where the learning outcomes are identified in advance of learning. This CPD does not have to be provided or accredited by the participants institution or professional body. Structured CPD covers any educational event or programme run by a recognised educational or professional institution. Structured CPD must also be accompanied by attendance records or a certificate to prove process has been successfully completed. Unstructured CPD is an unplanned CPD activity that can be completed at any time or anywhere at the participants discretion. Activities that qualify as unstructured CPD include personal study or development, peer review and other activities such as case studies that are not part of other course requirements. Reflection on both of these CPD learning methods is crucial before CPD can be recorded. CPD methods of learning do not necessarily need to be provided by a professional body. They can be provided by an employer or other organisation which then can be accredited by the body as a worthwhile process. Constant reading of up to date reports, journals, magazines, newspapers and reviews relevant to a specific profession is probably the most common method. Reading is a very easy way of learning if the reader has an interest in the subject and puts the effort in to focus and concentrate on what they are reading. It is a very efficient method as it can be resumed over the space of a few minutes and it does not entail the use of another individuals time. Time management is a massive element in any professionals working life where they are always working to tight schedule. This means they may only have a few minutes a day to set aside for CPD of which reading is the perfect filler. Conferences and the gathering of professionals at CPD events are a fixed way of delivering CPD to practicing professionals. These may take place every few months and give attendees a chance to catch up with fellow professionals and discuss relevant issues. They may exchange ideas or opinions and can get in touch with useful contacts which may be important in the future. Seminars and lectures are also common where a leader of a profession may speak or organise a talk on issues that are changing the roles and lives of a professional or the industry they work in. Experts in the field may be asked to explain some new issue and give an opinion on what should be done. It is very important for professional bodies to hold these gatherings as it can influence and guide the way in which professionals across the world carry out there work. With resources on the internet constantly being upgraded it has now become very beneficial to CPD. Information is now much more accessible to the professional in their workplace, this method of learning is commonly known as e-learning. Readable information does not necessarily need to be sent to the professionals workplace anymore as these sources are now regularly being uploaded on professional body websites which are available 24 hours a day. This means waiting times are virtually eliminated as most magazines, reports and other such information are now available on the internet. Videos of seminars, conferences and podcasts can now be easily accessed which means information can be dispersed quickly and accurately straight to the professionals computer. This is a major time saving method as travelling times are eliminated and a much wider audience can be reached at one time. Assessments can also be uploaded onto a professional bodys website immediately after learning has taken place or can be submitted by email at any time. Records are much more easily kept when communicating through the internet; most websites make records accessible to professional membership which makes reflection a lot easier too. Professionals can be trained through workplace training which trains a small group of professionals within a company(s) on a specific topic. This method encourages participants to get more involved and can increase their understanding of the topic. A full list of CPD activities may include: Open distance learning(the internet, video packages, slide/tape packages, correspondence courses) Private study including systematic study of appropriate literature or research, or even learning a relevant language Technical and professional conferences, lectures, seminars, workshops, study tours, technical visits and short courses Courses leading to professional qualification or academic awards Writing articles for publication Teaching(for those not at teaching posts) Practice(for those in teaching posts) Preparing papers and contributing to technical meetings and study groups Examining, tutoring or mentoring(www.ciob.org.uk-Accessed 26/02/2010) Professional Bodies CPD is crucial to the success of any working professional. One crucial factor that determines the effectiveness of CPD to a professional is the professional body that provides the platform for this new learning. The majority of professional bodies, such as the CIOB, are non-profit making organisations that are established to support their professional members. They work to try and satisfy the needs of a specific group of people who work in the same field. Professional bodies simply started out as a group of professionals who got together to discuss relevant issues in their field and share ideas. There are hundreds of these bodies and institutes set up all over the world dealing in a multitude of different professions and even ordinary jobs, from secretaries to project managers. Professional organisations aim to assist and direct their members on the road to success. This is achieved by providing the tools to sharpen the professionals skills and knowledge. Being a member means you have unlimited access to all the educational resources and services needed to continue your professional development. They provide members with information, training, education, tips, advice and strategies to assist them in reaching the height of their professional career. It gives many opportunities to mingle with fellow professionals and employers in their specific field which could be of benefit when seeking career opportunities. This is one major reason why professionals join these organisations, to be recognised by the body and their codes of practice. Membership indicates to the existing or future employers that the individual is dedicated and has ambition to succeed in their profession. Professional bodies are also there to promote professionalism in their industry and help push members to achieve the standards of excellence associated with their profession. They are committed to developing and maintaining standards and policies for education within their profession and can also push for social awareness and debate. Some organisations can even influence government and industrial policy decisions.(www.nightcourses.com) CPD within Professional Bodies CPD was originally developed as part of the main objectives set out by these organisations, to educate their members. This process evolved and continual learning was identified as a pivotal part of the education process. This identifies clearly with the last three decades or so where the world of business has changed dramatically in every aspect. Professionals can no longer be content with sufficient skills and knowledge at a point in time, but have to be continually updating them to have a chance of survival. Professional bodies can now satisfy these needs through the use of CPD. The following figures from a survey carried out in the UK by the Professions Associations Research Network(PARN) show how widely CPD is used. 85% of professional bodies have CPD Policies in place 20% compulsory schemes(increased by 3% since 2003) 20% obligatory 43% voluntary 14% mixed (PARN survey for the International Accounting Education Standards Board(IAESB)) Recording Assessing CPD There are a number of different ways in which CPD can be recorded and assessed. This a crucial part of the process which is being implemented more and more. Recording what is learned is beneficial to both the participant and the body who assess them. Input based CPD is the most commonly used system where CPD is measured by recording the amount of time put into the process by the participant through the amount of hours they put in. Most professional bodies regulate the number of hours a professional needs to put in to progress within the organisation. This system is not as accurate as some other methods as the effort put in by the participant cannot be assessed. Smaller bodies tend to have more input-based CPD than the larger bodies as fewer resources are needed to run the programme compared to other systems. Input-based schemes are most commonly used in health, finance, law, business and management, with professional bodies with regulatory responsibilities currently favouring input-based schemes. Output-based CPD is another common system where the participant is assessed on what they have learned through CPD over a period of time. A regular peer review is a common method of assessment where experienced members of the profession review what has been learned. CPD can be self assessed also where participants reflect on what they have learned and how this can be applied to their daily working lives. Professional bodies may also require their members to complete an assessment or report directly after learning and send it to their body so it can be assessed and recorded. Engineering, construction and media bodies use mostly output-based schemes to assess their members progress. 66% of professional bodies measure CPD 28% input based(60% in hours/ 24% in points/ 12% other) 20% output-based(competency-based/ reflective/ peer review etc) 17% combination More measurement in other countries like Australia Canada CPD Cycle The CPD cycle is similar to most other management cycles and contains four key elements planning, action, evaluation and reflection on action. The cycle can be entered at two points, reflection on practice and action, but always ends at evaluation no matter which starting point is chosen. Reflection on practice-The CPD cycle may start at this stage if you think that you need to learn something maybe by not knowing something that you think you should know or by identifying an inadequacy when completing your day-to-day job. What needs to be learned may often be identified by looking back to any experience in your normal day-to-day work where something stands out or has gone wrong. Reflection on practice can be as simple as a personal interest which you would like to follow up. â€Å"What do I need to learn?† â€Å"How do I know thats what I need to learn?† Planning-Planning is essential to any process carried out in business. It enables the objectives and targets of the CPD to be identified before the process begins and gives people involved a better understanding. By looking back over the previous cycle the individual can work out what needs to be learned and how they can go about learning it. To plan the relevant CPD to be undertaken the participant must be able to identify gaps between current and needed competencies. Personal Development Plans(PDP) are a good way to help you think about where you would like to be professionally in the short, medium or long-term. â€Å"When do I need to learn it?† â€Å"How important is it for me to learn it?† â€Å"How exactly am I going to learn it-what are my options? Action-The CPD cycle can start at action purely by chance through unexpected learning that has occurred without previous planning. This is called ‘unscheduled learning where the individual hadnt consciously set out to learn. Action can also play a part in ‘scheduled learningwhere the process starts back at the reflection stage. Schedule learning occurs where an area for learning is uncovered and a plan is put in place before action is taken. â€Å"What have I gained from this action?† Evaluation-Evaluation is always the last stage of the CPD cycle and is one of the most important. The aim of this stage is to identify if plans set out and actions taken delivered on what they were set out to achieve and how this learning has been applied. If the objectives were achieved then a full cycle has taken place. CPD may not impact on the individuals work immediately after learning has taken place. The specific CPD cycle can be completed at a later stage when knowledge is put into use. If the process has not or has only partially delivered then the participant has to decide whether learning set out still has to happen or whether the topic lost its relevance along the way. â€Å"Did I learn what I set out to learn?† â€Å"How have I applied what I have learned?†(www.uptodate.org.uk-Accessed 19/02/2010) CPD in Construction Introduction The need for CPD is widely acknowledged in the construction industry. There are three main parties that need to co-operate fully in order to extract the most from CPD, the professional themselves, their employer and the professional body they are a member of. All three have responsibilities to uphold to carry out successful CPD which will be discussed later in the chapter. Other parties that also play a part include the government and independent CPD providers. The Individual Professional Whatever CPD is being undertaken the individual professional is central and has full control over what is learned and how much development occurs. Motivation is key in this aspect, no motivation means minimal learning and development takes place. Professionals may be self-motivated through their own drive or ambition to achieve; this can also be linked to the personality of the professional. Their working environment and the people around them can have significant affect also on a professionals motivation or will to achieve. Construction like many other industries forces the professionals working within it to constantly improve and is never at a stand still. From the day a professional graduates their skills and knowledge is gradually being out-dated and need to be improved to keep up to scratch. Most professional bodies set up a framework for their members to work from but it is the individuals own responsibility to implement this framework appropriately. This framework sets out various techniques to plan, implement, review and evaluate CPD. The Employer The employer can be very influential on how effective CPD is on the professionals they employ. The employers mind set and understanding of CPD is crucial in facilitating professionals with an adequate environment to carry out CPD. There are many benefits to the employer who invests time and money into the CPD needs of their employees which are explained below. To have the optimum effect employer must encourage their professionals to part take in CPD both at the workplace and with other CPD providers. This may be achieved by allowing professionals time off during working on an ongoing basis to complete external training courses, in-house training and other CPD events. Employers co-funding of CPD is also important to show the professional that they are being backed by their employer and that there is no financial downside on the professional by completing CPD. The employees of a good company are one of its most important assets. Supporting professionals CPD reaps many benefits for the company as a whole in the long run. Professionals become more competent in their jobs, increasing job satisfaction, and have a wider knowledge of the overall construction industry. They can also boost the knowledge and skills they have in a specific field and learn more about other areas in which they have an interest in. This may give them an extra dimension when opportunities in that area occur. Through allowing professionals to be trained and advised outside of the company, a stead stream of fresh knowledge and techniques is constantly flowing into the company. These techniques and knowledge can then be passed down to other employees and used throughout the company. CPD Costs The cost of attending seminars can be offset, by certain practices and self-employed professionals, against tax as a business expense. Professional Bodies in Construction Professional bodies are the key to the advancement of any professional in construction. Without them there would be no base for the continual learning and development of professionals outside their workplace. They provide a suitable environment and many useful resources for professionals to increase their knowledge and sharpen their skills. Each institutions definition of CPD varies to some extent and their policies tend to go in line with their interpretation of what CPD is. However the majority agree that CPD is essential. CPD was applied to the construction area in the 1980s and has become a crucial part of all professions involved in construction. The affects CPD has on a bodys members depends on how well their CPD policy is structured and how well the policy is implemented. Both are vital factors and need to be assessed before and during implementation to ensure they impact successfully on members. The core group of four professional bodies, studied later, within the construction industry are all old and established institutes, but they are the professional bodies of a large percentage of Irish professionals in the industry today. They are all well over 100 years old, whether they were established in Ireland or established in Britain and an Irish branch formed. These four institutes cater for managers, engineers, surveyors of every kind and architects in construction, but may also accept various other professionals whose work relates to construction but are not necessarily linked to construction as a whole profession, lawyers or legal professionals are a prime example. Some professionals can interlink between institutes and become a member in both if the specific area they are working in is Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Construction Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Construction Abstract The following dissertation focuses on a personal development technique called Continuing Professional Development (CPD). With the world of construction constantly changing, professionals in the industry need to keep up to speed with the changing elements of the industry nationally and internationally. This dissertation assesses the CPD process that the industrys institutions provide for members and assesses how CPD is carried out. It also looks at how beneficial CPD is to the professionals who participate and the company they work for. By the end of this dissertation the role of these institutions should be easily identifiable in professional development and how participation can give working professionals a competitive edge on-site and help them progress in their careers both in and outside their existing company. This dissertation also encapsulates the opinions of some of the professional members of the industry involved in CPD. It will assess how CPD has influenced them in their career and will make recommendations on how to refine the process. Introduction This chapter explains the core elements of the study which includes a definition, hypothesis, aims and objectives, parameters of study and research methodology. Definition of Topic The definition of CPD in general is continual learning, regardless of age or seniority, which focuses on professional competency in a professional role. Its aim is to improve personal performance and enhance career progression. Over recent years the benefits of structured CPD have been identified within the construction industry. To become a chartered professional under a construction based institution(e.g. the Chartered Institute of Building(CIOB)) professionals must show they have been involved in a structured CPD process. Records must be maintained to show this before professionals may transgress. With the current economic climate, construction professionals need to keep their knowledge and skills to the optimum to ensure progression within their company and give them an advantage when looking for work elsewhere. CPD not only applies to the working professional but also to those unemployed who want to increase their chances when opportunities occur. Hypothesis CPD improves the performance and enhances the career progression of a professional in the construction industry. Aim of Dissertation The aim of this dissertation is to produce a piece of work that explains the process of CPD in relation to the construction industry. The dissertation will also assess the advantages of CPD; identify why it is important and how it can be improved. Objectives The objectives of this dissertation are to: Explain what CPD is in general and in a construction context. Identify which construction related professional institutes provide a structured CPD system for their members. Assess CPD within these institutes; compare advantages or disadvantages of each and recommend measures to improve their CPD systems effectiveness. Establish how important CPD is to each participants professional performance, development and career progression. Establish how important effective CPD is to a professionals performance and the company that employ them. Gather together the opinion of working professional in the construction industry on the benefits of CPD. Parameter of Study This study contains a general overview of CPD in terms of professionalism as a whole in any career path. It then focuses on CPD specifically in the construction industry and gives an in depth analysis of the role of professional institutes and its members who participate. It also identifies how important CPD is the construction industry today, both to the individual themselves and the company that employ them. Research Methodology There were a number of different methods of research used to complete this study including both primary and secondary research which are detailed below. Secondary Research: Books Various books were sourced both in the GMIT library and the online library of the CIOB. These books and extracts from books were used as a reference and for background information and reading. Some books covered CPD overall and others covered CPD specifically in the construction industry. Electronic Journals Official Reports Surveys Many of the reports and surveys read were carried out within the last decade in regard to the construction industry as well as CPD in other professions across the UK and in Ireland. These gave a good insight into CPD in other professions, what elements of CPD are important and in what direction CPD in construction is heading. Internet There was a mass of information available on the internet which contained both up-to-date and older material. Not all sources found were reliable, but pockets of valid information was uncovered throughout my research on the internet. Much background information was found which was helpful in getting different partys opinions on CPD and how it should be carried out. Many official websites were also useful in getting information on how CPD is provided to individuals by professional bodies both in construction and outside too. A lot of information was gathered through these sites to establish how CPD was made available to construction professionals. Primary Research: The four leading professional bodies in construction were chosen as the basis of my primary study. These include the Chartered Institute of Building(CIOB), the Society of Chartered Surveyors(SCS), Engineers Ireland(IEI) and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland(RIAI). All four institutes have many members from various construction backgrounds and play a major role in the development of these professionals through CPD. Information on their CPD policy and practice was gathered and semi-structured interviews were then carried out with the relevant staff members of each institute to consolidate the information collected. Interviews were also carried out with members of the different institutes to get the receivers point of view. Format of Study This thesis will be carried out using the following chapter: Introduction to CPD In Chapter 2 CPD will be looked at in relation to the entire working world. CPD can be applied to any profession but also has similarities to the personal development of an individual. With the global economy rapidly evolving, new patterns of work and learning have emerged worldwide. Massive growth in sectors like information technology(IT) means that people working in that sector need to keep up with the changes or they will be left behind. The main purpose of continuing development personally is to maximise enjoyment of work and life. Therefore we need to be continually responding to the changing world around us. â€Å"Are you living to work or working to live?†(Megginson Whitaker, 2007) Continuing Professional Development(CPD) is based around the whole concept self-motivation and self management. It all depends on how motivated the participant is to learn about the career they are undertaking and can apply to any professional in the working world. It is particularly relevant to professions such as teaching, nursing and accountancy where ongoing learning is crucial.(Megginson Whitaker 2007) â€Å"The most precious asset any professional controls is knowledge of the discipline and the skill to apply it effectively. Over the long run it is more important to maintain the value of this asset than the office, the furniture, the computer hardware, or even the bank account.†(www.riai.ie/cpd Accessed 19/02/2010) History of CPD CPD has been around in various different forms for a long time. It is only over the past 25 years that CPD has been formalised and endorsed by professional membership bodies. Its history is as follows: 1850: Professionals met up in coffee houses to discuss practice and share notes 1984: Chartered Institute of Personal Development(CIPD) created a policy statement on CPD 1986: Construction Industry Council(CIC) defined CPD 1990: UK Inter-Professional Group(UKIPG 1977) CPD Forum set-up 1995: CPD becomes a requirement for all practicing CIPD Members 1999: CIC definition of CPD most commonly cited definition 2000: Institute of Professional Development(IPD) was granted a Royal Charter 2009: Aspirations to move from input to output and outcome-driven CPD schemes(Institute of Continuing Professional Development(ICPD) What is CPD? CPD is a process completed by the majority of professionals in the working world, either consciously or unconsciously. Its main purpose is to implement a system of continued learning and development separate to what they would learn through their daily work. Two definitions of CPD are as follows: â€Å"Continuing Professional Development(CPD) is the process by which individuals take control of their own learning and development, by engaging in an on-going process of reflection and action.†(Megginson, Whitaker, 2007) â€Å"The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills and the development of personal qualities necessary for execution of professional and technical duties throughout the individuals working life.†(Construction Industry Council, UK, 1986) CPD has many functions in the role of a professional. It ensures the professional maintains a high level of competence in their field and has the up-to-date skills and knowledge to provide a competent service to their client or employer. CPD also has a knock-on effect which encourages further development in many areas. This process empowers the individual to achieve their goals and encourages them to look at their career progression from a wider perspective. Self-motivation is a key element in this process, where the individual is the main driving force behind this new learning. It is their own responsibility to develop themselves and is not up their manager or employer. If the individual has no desire to learn CPD is a pointless process. Feedback from a CPD survey in 2008 indicates that members see two key benefits in undertaking CPD: It helps them maintain their knowledge and skills, and maintain professional and ethical standards.(PARN CPD survey 2008) Need for CPD CPD has evolved from the individuals thinking that career progression not only relates to secure job within an organisation but by the skills, knowledge and experiences obtained by the individual. CPD is also needed to ensure working professionals are providing an adequate service to their clients and employers. Services such as advice must be given so that changes to the environment associated with the decision are taken into account. This ensures the client gets the best service available for the fee paid. Soon to be professionals also need to maintain an adequate amount of CPD to progress to the next stage towards becoming chartered in most organisations. This goes a long way to fulfilling their need towards becoming a competent professional. Core Concepts of CPD How is CPD different to other types of training and development? The learner is in control-the whole CPD process is self-driven and managed where learning outcomes are directly proportionate to the time and effort participant puts into the process. They must be self- motivated, which means the participant must want to continue learning to be successful no matter what position or profession. It can apply to most aspects of life-CPD can apply to life outside work as well. For example, personal development can be achieved through implementing some of the knowledge or skills to improve family communications etc. There is a regular plan, do and evaluate process involved, which sets achievable goals and reflects on work put in which can spurs on further development. CPD can be beneficial without the support of others in their working environment. All professionals can complete CPD regardless of working situation, whether they work for a company or are self-employed and deal directly with their own clients. Of course support from employer would be more beneficial but it is not essential as interaction is mostly between the professional body and individual. Although some employers incorporate CPD into the training and development programmes of all employees. Methods of Learning through CPD CPD revolves around the whole learning process and the methods with which learning is provided is a very important part of the process. These methods ensure professionals can improve their skills and knowledge and gain relevant experience. Formal, non-formal and informal methods of learning include any process relevant to a profession that improves skills, knowledge and the experiences of a professional. CPD activities can include in-house training, open learning, conferences, seminars, workshops, structured reading, self-study, presentations and being a coach or mentor. Structured Unstructured CPD: All CPD comes under the heading of structured or unstructured CPD. Structured CPD is where the learning outcomes are identified in advance of learning. This CPD does not have to be provided or accredited by the participants institution or professional body. Structured CPD covers any educational event or programme run by a recognised educational or professional institution. Structured CPD must also be accompanied by attendance records or a certificate to prove process has been successfully completed. Unstructured CPD is an unplanned CPD activity that can be completed at any time or anywhere at the participants discretion. Activities that qualify as unstructured CPD include personal study or development, peer review and other activities such as case studies that are not part of other course requirements. Reflection on both of these CPD learning methods is crucial before CPD can be recorded. CPD methods of learning do not necessarily need to be provided by a professional body. They can be provided by an employer or other organisation which then can be accredited by the body as a worthwhile process. Constant reading of up to date reports, journals, magazines, newspapers and reviews relevant to a specific profession is probably the most common method. Reading is a very easy way of learning if the reader has an interest in the subject and puts the effort in to focus and concentrate on what they are reading. It is a very efficient method as it can be resumed over the space of a few minutes and it does not entail the use of another individuals time. Time management is a massive element in any professionals working life where they are always working to tight schedule. This means they may only have a few minutes a day to set aside for CPD of which reading is the perfect filler. Conferences and the gathering of professionals at CPD events are a fixed way of delivering CPD to practicing professionals. These may take place every few months and give attendees a chance to catch up with fellow professionals and discuss relevant issues. They may exchange ideas or opinions and can get in touch with useful contacts which may be important in the future. Seminars and lectures are also common where a leader of a profession may speak or organise a talk on issues that are changing the roles and lives of a professional or the industry they work in. Experts in the field may be asked to explain some new issue and give an opinion on what should be done. It is very important for professional bodies to hold these gatherings as it can influence and guide the way in which professionals across the world carry out there work. With resources on the internet constantly being upgraded it has now become very beneficial to CPD. Information is now much more accessible to the professional in their workplace, this method of learning is commonly known as e-learning. Readable information does not necessarily need to be sent to the professionals workplace anymore as these sources are now regularly being uploaded on professional body websites which are available 24 hours a day. This means waiting times are virtually eliminated as most magazines, reports and other such information are now available on the internet. Videos of seminars, conferences and podcasts can now be easily accessed which means information can be dispersed quickly and accurately straight to the professionals computer. This is a major time saving method as travelling times are eliminated and a much wider audience can be reached at one time. Assessments can also be uploaded onto a professional bodys website immediately after learning has taken place or can be submitted by email at any time. Records are much more easily kept when communicating through the internet; most websites make records accessible to professional membership which makes reflection a lot easier too. Professionals can be trained through workplace training which trains a small group of professionals within a company(s) on a specific topic. This method encourages participants to get more involved and can increase their understanding of the topic. A full list of CPD activities may include: Open distance learning(the internet, video packages, slide/tape packages, correspondence courses) Private study including systematic study of appropriate literature or research, or even learning a relevant language Technical and professional conferences, lectures, seminars, workshops, study tours, technical visits and short courses Courses leading to professional qualification or academic awards Writing articles for publication Teaching(for those not at teaching posts) Practice(for those in teaching posts) Preparing papers and contributing to technical meetings and study groups Examining, tutoring or mentoring(www.ciob.org.uk-Accessed 26/02/2010) Professional Bodies CPD is crucial to the success of any working professional. One crucial factor that determines the effectiveness of CPD to a professional is the professional body that provides the platform for this new learning. The majority of professional bodies, such as the CIOB, are non-profit making organisations that are established to support their professional members. They work to try and satisfy the needs of a specific group of people who work in the same field. Professional bodies simply started out as a group of professionals who got together to discuss relevant issues in their field and share ideas. There are hundreds of these bodies and institutes set up all over the world dealing in a multitude of different professions and even ordinary jobs, from secretaries to project managers. Professional organisations aim to assist and direct their members on the road to success. This is achieved by providing the tools to sharpen the professionals skills and knowledge. Being a member means you have unlimited access to all the educational resources and services needed to continue your professional development. They provide members with information, training, education, tips, advice and strategies to assist them in reaching the height of their professional career. It gives many opportunities to mingle with fellow professionals and employers in their specific field which could be of benefit when seeking career opportunities. This is one major reason why professionals join these organisations, to be recognised by the body and their codes of practice. Membership indicates to the existing or future employers that the individual is dedicated and has ambition to succeed in their profession. Professional bodies are also there to promote professionalism in their industry and help push members to achieve the standards of excellence associated with their profession. They are committed to developing and maintaining standards and policies for education within their profession and can also push for social awareness and debate. Some organisations can even influence government and industrial policy decisions.(www.nightcourses.com) CPD within Professional Bodies CPD was originally developed as part of the main objectives set out by these organisations, to educate their members. This process evolved and continual learning was identified as a pivotal part of the education process. This identifies clearly with the last three decades or so where the world of business has changed dramatically in every aspect. Professionals can no longer be content with sufficient skills and knowledge at a point in time, but have to be continually updating them to have a chance of survival. Professional bodies can now satisfy these needs through the use of CPD. The following figures from a survey carried out in the UK by the Professions Associations Research Network(PARN) show how widely CPD is used. 85% of professional bodies have CPD Policies in place 20% compulsory schemes(increased by 3% since 2003) 20% obligatory 43% voluntary 14% mixed (PARN survey for the International Accounting Education Standards Board(IAESB)) Recording Assessing CPD There are a number of different ways in which CPD can be recorded and assessed. This a crucial part of the process which is being implemented more and more. Recording what is learned is beneficial to both the participant and the body who assess them. Input based CPD is the most commonly used system where CPD is measured by recording the amount of time put into the process by the participant through the amount of hours they put in. Most professional bodies regulate the number of hours a professional needs to put in to progress within the organisation. This system is not as accurate as some other methods as the effort put in by the participant cannot be assessed. Smaller bodies tend to have more input-based CPD than the larger bodies as fewer resources are needed to run the programme compared to other systems. Input-based schemes are most commonly used in health, finance, law, business and management, with professional bodies with regulatory responsibilities currently favouring input-based schemes. Output-based CPD is another common system where the participant is assessed on what they have learned through CPD over a period of time. A regular peer review is a common method of assessment where experienced members of the profession review what has been learned. CPD can be self assessed also where participants reflect on what they have learned and how this can be applied to their daily working lives. Professional bodies may also require their members to complete an assessment or report directly after learning and send it to their body so it can be assessed and recorded. Engineering, construction and media bodies use mostly output-based schemes to assess their members progress. 66% of professional bodies measure CPD 28% input based(60% in hours/ 24% in points/ 12% other) 20% output-based(competency-based/ reflective/ peer review etc) 17% combination More measurement in other countries like Australia Canada CPD Cycle The CPD cycle is similar to most other management cycles and contains four key elements planning, action, evaluation and reflection on action. The cycle can be entered at two points, reflection on practice and action, but always ends at evaluation no matter which starting point is chosen. Reflection on practice-The CPD cycle may start at this stage if you think that you need to learn something maybe by not knowing something that you think you should know or by identifying an inadequacy when completing your day-to-day job. What needs to be learned may often be identified by looking back to any experience in your normal day-to-day work where something stands out or has gone wrong. Reflection on practice can be as simple as a personal interest which you would like to follow up. â€Å"What do I need to learn?† â€Å"How do I know thats what I need to learn?† Planning-Planning is essential to any process carried out in business. It enables the objectives and targets of the CPD to be identified before the process begins and gives people involved a better understanding. By looking back over the previous cycle the individual can work out what needs to be learned and how they can go about learning it. To plan the relevant CPD to be undertaken the participant must be able to identify gaps between current and needed competencies. Personal Development Plans(PDP) are a good way to help you think about where you would like to be professionally in the short, medium or long-term. â€Å"When do I need to learn it?† â€Å"How important is it for me to learn it?† â€Å"How exactly am I going to learn it-what are my options? Action-The CPD cycle can start at action purely by chance through unexpected learning that has occurred without previous planning. This is called ‘unscheduled learning where the individual hadnt consciously set out to learn. Action can also play a part in ‘scheduled learningwhere the process starts back at the reflection stage. Schedule learning occurs where an area for learning is uncovered and a plan is put in place before action is taken. â€Å"What have I gained from this action?† Evaluation-Evaluation is always the last stage of the CPD cycle and is one of the most important. The aim of this stage is to identify if plans set out and actions taken delivered on what they were set out to achieve and how this learning has been applied. If the objectives were achieved then a full cycle has taken place. CPD may not impact on the individuals work immediately after learning has taken place. The specific CPD cycle can be completed at a later stage when knowledge is put into use. If the process has not or has only partially delivered then the participant has to decide whether learning set out still has to happen or whether the topic lost its relevance along the way. â€Å"Did I learn what I set out to learn?† â€Å"How have I applied what I have learned?†(www.uptodate.org.uk-Accessed 19/02/2010) CPD in Construction Introduction The need for CPD is widely acknowledged in the construction industry. There are three main parties that need to co-operate fully in order to extract the most from CPD, the professional themselves, their employer and the professional body they are a member of. All three have responsibilities to uphold to carry out successful CPD which will be discussed later in the chapter. Other parties that also play a part include the government and independent CPD providers. The Individual Professional Whatever CPD is being undertaken the individual professional is central and has full control over what is learned and how much development occurs. Motivation is key in this aspect, no motivation means minimal learning and development takes place. Professionals may be self-motivated through their own drive or ambition to achieve; this can also be linked to the personality of the professional. Their working environment and the people around them can have significant affect also on a professionals motivation or will to achieve. Construction like many other industries forces the professionals working within it to constantly improve and is never at a stand still. From the day a professional graduates their skills and knowledge is gradually being out-dated and need to be improved to keep up to scratch. Most professional bodies set up a framework for their members to work from but it is the individuals own responsibility to implement this framework appropriately. This framework sets out various techniques to plan, implement, review and evaluate CPD. The Employer The employer can be very influential on how effective CPD is on the professionals they employ. The employers mind set and understanding of CPD is crucial in facilitating professionals with an adequate environment to carry out CPD. There are many benefits to the employer who invests time and money into the CPD needs of their employees which are explained below. To have the optimum effect employer must encourage their professionals to part take in CPD both at the workplace and with other CPD providers. This may be achieved by allowing professionals time off during working on an ongoing basis to complete external training courses, in-house training and other CPD events. Employers co-funding of CPD is also important to show the professional that they are being backed by their employer and that there is no financial downside on the professional by completing CPD. The employees of a good company are one of its most important assets. Supporting professionals CPD reaps many benefits for the company as a whole in the long run. Professionals become more competent in their jobs, increasing job satisfaction, and have a wider knowledge of the overall construction industry. They can also boost the knowledge and skills they have in a specific field and learn more about other areas in which they have an interest in. This may give them an extra dimension when opportunities in that area occur. Through allowing professionals to be trained and advised outside of the company, a stead stream of fresh knowledge and techniques is constantly flowing into the company. These techniques and knowledge can then be passed down to other employees and used throughout the company. CPD Costs The cost of attending seminars can be offset, by certain practices and self-employed professionals, against tax as a business expense. Professional Bodies in Construction Professional bodies are the key to the advancement of any professional in construction. Without them there would be no base for the continual learning and development of professionals outside their workplace. They provide a suitable environment and many useful resources for professionals to increase their knowledge and sharpen their skills. Each institutions definition of CPD varies to some extent and their policies tend to go in line with their interpretation of what CPD is. However the majority agree that CPD is essential. CPD was applied to the construction area in the 1980s and has become a crucial part of all professions involved in construction. The affects CPD has on a bodys members depends on how well their CPD policy is structured and how well the policy is implemented. Both are vital factors and need to be assessed before and during implementation to ensure they impact successfully on members. The core group of four professional bodies, studied later, within the construction industry are all old and established institutes, but they are the professional bodies of a large percentage of Irish professionals in the industry today. They are all well over 100 years old, whether they were established in Ireland or established in Britain and an Irish branch formed. These four institutes cater for managers, engineers, surveyors of every kind and architects in construction, but may also accept various other professionals whose work relates to construction but are not necessarily linked to construction as a whole profession, lawyers or legal professionals are a prime example. Some professionals can interlink between institutes and become a member in both if the specific area they are working in is