Retail Internationalisation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Retail Internationalisation - Essay Example Retailers like Marks & Spencer, Next, Arcadia, Debenhams, Asda, Tesco, Bhs, New Look and John Lewis are very famous in the UK for clothing retail internationalisation. This paper evaluates the leading factors behind the internationalisation of retailers in the UK from clothing perspective. It also provides the major reasons causing these retailers to move beyond the domestic market and seek opportunities internationally. Retailers around the work have been increasingly moving towards internationalisation in search of better business opportunities. This is ion particular on the rise among UK retailers that have moved towards foreign markets at a fast rate over the last few decades. Retail internationalisation is important for getting concept, sourcing and operational development. It further provides remarkable chances to grow and shine. Due to internationalisation, accumulation of information also takes place. It is very difficult to get all these facilities without moving outside (Akehurst and Alexander, 1996). There happen to be several factors that either push companies from domestic market or pull them towards internationalisation. These factors could be in the form of restrictive environment, saturated market and high competition in home market. Most importantly, the growth opportunities in the international market along with less intense competition and cultural proximity, greatly attract retai lers to new foreign markets. Companies go for retail internationalisation because of its advantages. The retailers that have gone for internationalisation and opened their branches or franchise or export in foreign countries gain several benefits. They learn a lot about the particular market, they build up their source and take the technological and other advantages to grow and survive in the market. One of the reasons behind a company to go overseas market is the unavailability of growth opportunities in the home market. (Treadgold, 2000) The companies limited to the domestic market do not advance in the business in the same manner as compared to those that tend to go abroad. Debenhams, one of the leading international clothing retailers in UK, has achieved potential growth over the last four years. The company went for internationalisation for growth and prosperity. The company had been facing difficulties in the hometown. It started to internationalise from 1990 and entered into the Middle East market and the n went to Malaysia and Hungary etc. during the period of internationalisation the company achieved remarkable success (Jones, 2003) Push factors influencing retail internationalisation are the facilities that are not available in the hometown. These factors may be cheaper labour, land or the opportunities, which are not available in the local markets. The other factors may be the market conditions i.e. regulatory environment, political and economic conditions etc. in which the survival of an organisation is difficult (Dawson, 1994). The firms doing business in the international market are mostly in search of place where the business could maximise its profits with minimum risk and investment. The motive behind different retailers to enter into various markets may be different, depending on the retailer and the market the business

Business Globalisation in Central and Eastern Europe Assignment

Business Globalisation in Central and Eastern Europe - Assignment Example These changes have occurred in different stages and businesses have undergone various transformations in order to remain relevant in the market. This paper explores different stages of globalization with a special focus on how Coca-Cola Company has responded to every phase of liberalization. Pearce (2006: 28) argues that every institution and business must commit to enhancing its global competitiveness as a crucial strategic goal. In the current business environment characterized by intense competition, no business organization can succeed if it fails to match with the high standards set by its competitors in the particular market niche. There are two phases of globalization recorded in the history of international trade namely old and new globalization (Manea and Robert, 2004: 203). International trade undertaken from 1893 to 1913 is classified in the old phase while the new phase entails trade from 1915 to the present. Although these phases are defined by an increasing gross domest ic product ratio and growing international investments, there are distinct differences. In the old phrase, there were high barriers to trade caused by high tariffs. However, the new phase has witnessed a drastic reduction of tariff barriers, resulting in the opening international borders to a high volume of trade (Manea and Robert, 2004: 215). The new globalization has witnessed the expansion of new markets, services and the emergence of global brands. Many countries are members of international trading organizations formed to set the norms and standards of trade. In addition, emerging issues such as democracy, human rights, and market economy are increasingly defining the norms and rules of new globalization. At a business level, the new globalization creates the necessity of expanding from local to regional levels. This implies that businesses should no longer distinguish between foreign and domestic market, but concentrate on enhancing the quality of their products, because of in tense competition at both levels (Anderson, 2000: 62). Businesses undergo five stages before becoming global firms. Generally, exporting goods or services is the initial stage of engaging in international business by local firms. In later stages, most businesses establish ventures in foreign countries (Anderson, 2000: 86). Narula (2003: 35) identified five stages that businesses undergo before developing into a global corporation. The first stage entails exporting using overseas dealers and distributors. In this stage, the business is predominantly domestic and it engages the services of foreign dealers as it expands into new overseas markets. In the second stage, the company has already established a foothold in foreign markets and therefore exporting its products using its own distributors and dealers (Narula (2003:43). During the third stage, the company is more established in the foreign markets. The firm begins undertaking to manufacture its products, sales, marketing, and othe r activities on its own (Pearce, 2006: 57).  

Special Education Needs Essay Example for Free

Special Education Needs Essay Ronald Gulliford and Graham Upton say that special educational needs (SEN) came in use as a result of dissatisfaction: The term special educational needs began to come into use in the late 1960s as a result of increasing dissatisfaction with the terminology used in the Handicapped Pupils and School Health Service Regulations (1945), which classified handicapped children into ten categories according to their main handicap. (Gulliford and Upton, 1992). The definition of SEN in the Education Act 1996 is: ‘a child has special educational needs. if he has a learning difficulty which a medical condition does not necessarily imply a ‘difficulty in learning’ or a ‘disability’ and therefore may not constitute a learning difficulty requiring special educational provision’. Tomko (1996) defined inclusion in education as ‘ the act of attending regular education classes, with the supports and services needed to successfully achieve the individual’s IEP goals, while actively participating in activities as a member of the class who belongs’. The writer believes inclusion is a desired state to be achieved, that may or may not occur by simple placement alone. It is an ongoing process. I believe that unless a child has sense of identity with the class, and unless he or she has the supports and services needed and is reaching his or her IEP goals then inclusion has not been achieved. 2. 0 AREA CHOSEN The writer is currently working at School X, a school in Malaysia and she finds that an element of provision that possesses a barrier to the learning and participation of some students in the school is teaching assistant. The barrier that is faced by School X in connection with teaching assistant to support SEN students is teaching assistant in School X do not clearly understand their roles and responsibilities. Thus, will they to be able to play their roles and responsibilities towards SEN students? Besides that, teaching assistant in school X do not have the necessary knowledge and skills in identifying and handling with Special Educational Needs students. Thus, will the teaching assistant(TA) be able to handle emergency cases involving SEN students or will the TA cause a worse situation which may lead to the SEN student being injured or harmed. The writer chose teaching assistant as an element of provision that possesses a barrier to support SEN and Inclusive education in her school because she personally feels that teaching assistant plays a vital role in dealing with students with SEND. Groom, B. and R. Rose supports the researcher’s statement that a teacher assistant (TA) plays an important role in supporting pupils with SEN: The role of the TA has undergone something of a transformation from the time when classroom assistants were seen as ‘an extra pair of hands’ in the classroom to the present day where they are perceived to have a more professional role. (Groom, B. and R. Rose, 2005) 3. 0 RESEARCH The writer carried out a few informal interviews with the school staff and among the barriers listed to support SEN students in school X, she finds the barrier of a teacher assistant an interesting aspect to research on. The writer was a teacher assistant in school X for a year and she is keen to know how as a teacher assistant she could have assisted SEN students. Based on the writer’s observation and interview with the school staff, the writer found out that in school X there is no full-time teacher assistant in all reception and primary grades. A school with SEN students requires at least one assistant teacher in all the reception and primary classrooms. The writer personally feels that it is essential for all the reception and primary level classrooms to have a full – time teacher assistant because it may affect a SEN student if there is a frequent change in the teacher assistant of a classroom. A SEN student may need to adapt to a new TA each time there is a change in the TA of the classroom and this may affect a SEN Child’s learning behaviour and attitude in classroom. Thus, the writer strongly believes that in order to support SEN students, a full time teacher assistant is important. The teachingexpertise (no date) claims that teacher assistant ‘are often required to work with learners who have special educational needs, either individually or in small groups, and are used to help interpret the class material and ensure students stay focused during teaching sessions’ (teachingexpertise, no date). Thus, if there are no full-time TA in school X, then how is it possible for SEN students to have one to one assistants. Besides that, based on a few informal interviews with teacher assistant in school X, the researcher identified that teacher assistant in school X does not clearly understand their roles and responsibilities towards SEN students. Thus, how are the TA in school X able to support SEN students when they are not briefed and explained on their duties and responsibilities? TA in school X also does not know how to identify and assess students with SEN, including gifted, talented and slow learners. The writer questioned a few TA whether if there were able to exactly proof and identify a SEN student with no assumptions and the writer received a negative response for her question. TA’s in school X do not have the necessary knowledge and skills in handling with Special Educational Needs and Disability student. The TA’s in the school are neither receiving any special educational needs training so that they can augment the classroom teacher in inclusive education. In addition, TA’s are not provided with institutional support to become more effective in practising inclusive education. According to Adults Supporting Pupils with SEN, teacher assistant will have some typical duties: †¢ Maintaining an up to date file on individual pupil(s) †¢ In high schools, ensuring that individual education plans (IEP’s) are circulated/brought to the attention of subject/form tutors †¢ Contributing to group/individual education plans from knowledge of the child’s/young person’s progress †¢ Helping to gain the child’s/young person’s view of the IEP †¢ Collating relevant information from any other assistants who work with that pupil †¢ Contributing to the Annual Review process. †¢ Attending the Annual Review meeting †¢ Involvement in target setting for the pupil in line with the aims of the IEP. (Adults Supporting Pupils with SEN, 2004) TA’s in school X are not provided with any policy on their duties and responsibilities in supporting SEN students. Thus after much research, the writer feels that school X should have a policy on TA’s role in Supporting SEN and Disability. 4. 0 CONCLUSION School X provides the teacher trainees with continuous professional developments (CPD’s) training once a week. The topic discussed during CPD’s are usually on how to make a more effective IB environment classroom, teaching strategies and approaches and International Baccalaureate (IB) related topics. According to teaching expertise, ‘CPD is strategically focused and integrated with performance management and school improvement, to raise standards of teaching and learning’. Thus, it would be better if SEN and Inclusion is discussed during CPD’s, so that teacher assistant can become more effective in practising inclusive education. Besides that, TA’s should be equipped with the knowledge and skills in handling with Special Educational Needs and Disability students. A TA should be provided with sufficient guidance on how to identify students with SEND, including gifted, talented and slow learners. School X should take full responsibility of providing TA’s employed with sufficient knowledge on SEN and Inclusion before placing them in a classroom. School X should also employ full time teacher assistant not only for the creche and reception but also for the primary grades in order to support SEN students. The writer believes that if School X was to look into the aspect of teacher assistant and provides the entire teacher assistant with the training on SEN and Inclusion, TA would not be a barrier to the learning and participant of SEN students in the school. PART 2 TITLE Part 2 – Critical Reflection A critical reflection on the barrier(s) to learning and provision identified in Part 1. This should explore the strengths and weaknesses of a particular aspect of provision and an analysis of its implications for practice both at institutional and individual levels. This will be informed by literature (research, legislation, policy documentation) and your own evidence. 1. 0 INTRODUCTION The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (2001) published by the Department for Education states that ‘children have special educational needs if they have a learning difficulty which calls for special educational needs provision to be made for them’. The writer strongly supports the statement as she personally feels a child should not be labeled as a Special Educational Need (SEN) student if he or she does not have a learning difficulty which a SEN term needs to be named for them. Teacher assistants (TA) are supporters of a class teacher or homeroom teacher who ‘works under a teacher’s supervision to give students additional attention and instruction’ (BLS, 2012). A TA plays several roles in an institution: †¢ Provide extra assistance to students with special needs, such as non-English-speaking students or those with physical and mental disabilities. †¢ Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips. †¢ Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers. †¢ Enforce administration policies and rules governing students. †¢ Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts. †¢ Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage. †¢ Observe students performance, and record relevant data to assess progress. †¢ Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, or supervised role-playing methods. †¢ Prepare lesson materials, bulletin board displays, exhibits, equipment, and demonstrations. †¢ Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development (BLS, 2012) The writer agrees to the tasks of a teacher assistant as stated in (BLS, 2012), teacher assistant should be able to provide support and help to a student who is categorized as SEN. Thus, a school with SEN students will need teacher assistant in order to support the classroom teacher and the student. The writer is currently teaching Visual Arts for Grade 1 students and on her free periods she assists and observes Reception students at School X, a school in Malaysia. Based on the writer’s observation throughout her experience working in School X, she finds teaching assistant as an element of provision that possesses a barrier to the learning and participation of some students Teaching assistant is a barrier in school X because there are lack of teaching assistant to support SEN students. Teaching assistant who are present in school does not clearly understand the roles and responsibilities that they play for the school, teachers and students. Thus, teaching assistant in school X is unable to play their roles towards SEN students. In addition, teaching assistant in school X does not have the necessary skills and knowledge in identifying and handling SEN students. Thus, how are they going to be able to identify or classify a student as SEN student, gifted or talented student? A wrong assumption on a student can lead to a great impact on his education. The writer chose teaching assistant as the barrier lacking in school X to support SEN students because she is very much keen to know how she as a teaching assistant can support and assist SEN students. 2. 0 STRENGTHS OF HAVING TEACHER ASSISTANT IN SUPPORTING SEN LEARNERS The writer was a TA in school X for more than a year and based on her observation her beliefs that there are several strengths in having a teaching assistant to support SEN learners. First of all, a TA would be a great aid in one to one guidance for SEN learners. A homeroom teacher will not be able to handle a classroom with SEN students all alone without support from additional staff. A TA plays the role to help the homeroom teacher in handling a group of students in the classroom while the homeroom teacher will handle the rest of the students. SEN learners seek for a person whom they are comfortable with or could rely on to request or say a thing. A teacher will not remain in classroom for the whole schooling hours. An average of three to five teachers would enter a classroom per day. Thus, A TA will be the person that a SEN student would look forward for any help or assistance as a TA usually will spend more schooling hours with students compared to any teachers. Besides that, a teacher needs to have a detail observation of the steps or moves taken by a SEN student as every of their movement is meaningful. It is impossible for a teacher to observe and record all the SEN learners’ progress by themselves. Thus, A TA will be needed to support the teacher and also observe students. A TA observation will provide a teacher with additional feedback on a SEN student progress. It would seem to follow from reports of teachers that assigning support staff to particular pupils, usually those with problems of learning, behaviour or attention, would give the pupils more individual attention and help them develop confidence and motivation in their work, good working habits and the willingness to finish off tasks (Blatchford et al., 2009a). It is a sensible solution to have a teacher assistant in supporting SEN learners as the teacher can then attend to the rest of the class without interruption. This is a productive arrangement for teachers and seems also to be having a positive effect in terms of pupil engagement, classroom control, and measures of confidence, motivation, independence, and good relationships with other pupils (Blatchford et al. , 2009a). 3. 0 WEAKNESSES OF HAVING TEACHER ASSISTANT IN SUPPORTING SEN LEARNERS The writer belief’s that having a TA in the classroom does have its weaknesses too. The writer’s belief is supported by TeachingTimes (No Date) where it states that a new report from the Institute of Education proofed those students from primary and secondary level whom receives supports from teaching assistant, show less progress than a student of the similar ability. Finn, Gerber, Farber, and Achilles (2000), on the basis of data from the often –cited Tennessee STAR project, found that there was no compensatory effect of having extra staff in larger (‘regular’) classes, a result similar to that of Reynolds and Muijs (2003). Klassen (2001) found that students with SEN who were assigned additional support for literacy made less progress than their unsupported peers. Giangreco et al. , in a series of publications, have argued that overreliance on one-to-one paraprofessional supports leads to a wide range of detrimental effects on pupils (e. g. , Giangreco et al. , 2005) Schlapp et al. (2003) identify the benefits of classroom assistants more in terms of the range of learning experiences provided and effects on pupil motivation, confidence and self esteem, and found less effect on pupil progress. On the other hand there is a well established concern that TAs can encourage dependency, e. g. , because they prioritise outcomes of activities rather than encouraging pupils to think for themselves (Moyles and Sushitsky, 1997). There are also concerns that support staff can have negative effects on pupils’ learning identity, e. g. , in terms of interference with ownership and responsibility, separation from classmates (Giangreco et al. , 1997).  ofsted (2004) suggest that TAs may be less likely to stress understanding and skills and ‘This was common reason why a significant number of pupils with SEN made too little progress, despite good teaching to the majority of the class (2004, p16). 4. 0 IMPLICATION OF HAVING TEACHING ASSISTANT AT INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL A TA does not only guide and assist SEN students in classroom or a teacher in reducing her workload, a TA also needs to play his or her roles and responsibilities towards the school. There are many tasks that a TA can play in an institute in order to aid the school staffs and support the development of the school. On the other hand, the school should also clearly understand the roles and responsibilities that a TA can play in the school and not overload them with additional task where it results in a TA being unable to accomplish his or her task as a teaching assistant in the classroom. One of the tasks that a TA can do at institutional level is to help the school staffs in decorating and creating an environment in connection to an upcoming event or festival. The writer as a TA has supported the school by decorating the school for festival such as Chinese New Year and Deepavali. The writer has also decorated the school for an environment of Celebration of Learning (COL). COL in school X means a celebration where its students oriented as parents are invited to view and observe students work and progress. The writer has decorated the school for exhibition purposes too where parents and invited guest are welcomed to the school. Besides that, the writer as a TA has helped the school in making events a successful one. The writer has come to school after working hours for special occasions in order to ensure the task allocated to her is completed. Duties which she has done as a school staff in school X are gate duty and ushering parents to specified allocations on Parent’s Day. 5. 0 IMPLICATION OF HAVING TEACHING ASSISTANT AT INDIVIDUAL LEVEL The impact of having a teacher assistant at individual level is countless. There are good and bad of having a teacher assistant to support SEN learners. The good impact of having a teacher assistant at individual level is a SEN learner will be able to receive one to one attention and guidance from teaching assistant. Thus, an individual will be able to progress at a faster rate and catch up to the pace of rest of the students in the classroom in a shorter period. The writer was assisting for a year in Grade 1 and based on her personal observation and some research, she and her homeroom teacher identified a SEN learner in the classroom. They did not label the child or exclude the child from participating in several activities conducted in the classroom as they did not want to classify the child into any terms. The writer and the homeroom teacher believed that if they were to provide the child with additional guidance and support, they child would surely show progress and improvement. Additional guidance and support was provided by the writer as the homeroom teacher handled the rest of the students. The writer assisted the student by breaking down task given by the teachers into smaller instruction and instructing the child using a simple terms including more of body language for the student to understand the instruction. The writer and the homeroom teacher succeeded in their hard work of making the student to progress as towards the end of the term, the child showed improvement in communication skills and writing skills. On the other hand, a teaching assistant can be harmful to a SEN learner if there are not filled with the essential knowledge and skills in identifying, assisting and guiding a SEN learner. Thus, to place a teaching assistant with insufficient knowledge on SEN would affect the academic progress and development of a SEN learner. 6. 0 CONCLUSION. In a nutshell, teaching assistant has many roles and responsibilities to be played not only at individual level but also at institutional level. A teaching assistant should clearly understand their roles and responsibilities before playing their roles as a misunderstanding in their task would create a great impact to the school and also students. The writer feels that in supporting and assisting SEN learners, a teaching assistant’s main aim is to assist the SEN learner with the objective and aim of showing and proving a progressive development of a SEN learner and not focusing on the completion of task. The writer as an individual who has experienced being a teaching assistant personally and strongly beliefs that a TA should not be misused and given additional task which results in TA being unable to fully do his or her roles and responsibilities towards the students. A TA’s main focus should be towards assisting students and not school work. The writer beliefs that if a TA is provided with all the necessary knowledge and skills n identifying SEN learners, a TA would be a great help in supporting, assisting and guiding SEN students towards the right path. BIBILIOGRAPHY A ND REFERENCING. Adults Supporting Pupils with SEN, (2004) The role of the Assistant, Available at: http://www. wakefield. gov. uk/NR/rdonlyres/D391ED9E-2BE4-4CC5-829F-953C07157DFB/0/Adults_Supporting, (accessed: 03/10/2012) Blatchford, P. , Bassett, P. , Brown, P. , et al. (2009a) The impact of support staff in schools, Deployment and Impact of Support Staff (DISS) Project. (Strand 2 Wave 2), DCSF Research Report 148 (London, Department for Children, Schools and Families), Available at: http://www. ioe. ac. uk/DISS_Strand_2_Wave_2_Report. pdf, (accessed: 29/10/12) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor, (2012) Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Teacher Assistants, Available at: http://www. bls. gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/teacher-assistants. htm, (accessed: 29/10/12) Department for Education and Skills, (2001) Special Educational Needs: Code of Practice, DfES0581, London: DfES Publications, Available at: https://www. education. gov. uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DfES%200581%202001#downloadableparts, (accessed 29/10/12) Education Act 1996, Chapter 56, (1996) London: HMSO, Available at: http://planipolis. iiep. unesco. org/upload/Malaysia/Malaysia_Education_Act_1996. pdf, (accessed: 03/10/2012) Finn,J. D. , Gerber, S. B. , Farber, S. L. Achilles, C. M. (2000) Teacher aides: an alternative to small classes? in: M. C. Wang J. D. Finn (Eds) How small classes help teachers do their best (Philadelphia, PA, Temple University Center for Research in Human Development), Available at:: http://psycnet. apa. org/journals/edu/97/3/454/, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Giangreco, M. F. , Edelman, S. , Luiselli, T. E. MacFarland, S. Z. C. (1997) Helping or hovering? Effects of instructional assistant proximity on students with disabilities, Exceptional Children, 64, pp. 7-18, Available at: maureenmcquiggan. com/files/Helping_or_Hovering. pdf, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Giangreco, M. F. , Yuan, S. , Mackenzie, B. , Cameron, B. Fialka, J. (2005) ‘Be careful want you wish for ’ Five reasons to be concerned about the assignment of individual paraprofessionals, Exceptional Children, 37(5), pp 28-34, Available at: http://www. uvm. edu/~cdci/parasupport/reviews/giangreco37-5. pdf, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Groom, B. and R. Rose, (2005), ‘Supporting the inclusion of pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in the primary school: the role of teaching assistants’, in Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 5, (1) pp. 20–30, Available at: http://onlinelibrary. wiley. com/doi/10. 1111/j. 1471-3802. 2005. 00035. x/full, (accessed: 03/10/2012) Gulliford, R. G. Upton, (ed. ) (1992) Special Educational Needs, London: Routledge, Available at: http://books. google. com. my/books? id=InjfpvVYbSECpg=PA218lpg=PP1ots=OrRgxw8lBddq=special+educational+needs, (accessed: 03/10/2012) Klassen, R. (2001). After the statement: Reading progress made by secondary students with specific literacy difficulty provision, Educational Psychology in Practice, 17(2), pp121 – 133, Available at: http://www. schoolsupportstaff. net/publications/otherpubs/aera_paper. pdf , (accessed: 30/10/2012) Moyles, J. Suschitzky, W. (1997) The employment and deployment of classroom support staff: head teachers’ perspectives, Research in Education, 58, pp21-34, Available at: http://www. uwl. ac. uk/files/instil/SoTL%20Abstracts%202010. pdf, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Office for Standards in Education (2004) Remodelling the school workforce: Phase 1 (London, Office for Standards in Education), Available at: www. ofsted. gov. uk/resources/remodelling-school-workforce-phase-, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Reynolds, D. Muijs, D. (2003) The Effectiveness of the use of learning support assistants in improving the mathematics achievement of low achieving pupils in primary school, Educational Research, 45(3), pp219-230, Available at:: http://www. fisme. science. uu. nl/staff/christianb/downloads/p1-11759185. pdf, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Schlapp, U. , Davidson, J. Wilson, V. (2003) An ‘extra pair of hands’?! managing classroom assistants in Scottish primary schools, Educational Management and Administration, 31(2), pp189-205, Available at: www. edupa. uva. es/schemesofwork/research/themes/teaching_assistants/WedFeb181416312004/wordfile. doc, (accessed: 30/10/2012) Teachingexpertise, (no date) An introduction to CPD, Available at: http://www. teachingexpertise. com/articles/cpd-teaching-profession_252, (accessed: 03/10/2012) Teachingexpertise, (no date) Meeting the needs of SEN students, Available at: http://www. teachingexpertise. com/articles/meeting-the-needs-of-sen-students-1907, (accessed: 03/10/2012) TeachingTimes, (no date) Pupils Using Teaching Assistants Make Less Progress, Available at: http://www. teachingtimes. com/articles/teaching-assistants-less-progress. htm,

Education Essays Distance Education Learning

Education Essays Distance Education Learning Distance Education Learning Information Technology and Distance Learning Introduction Distance education, or distance learning, is a field of education that depends on the Information technology, and instructional systems that plan to provide learning to students who are physically not present in a class room setting. In stead of attending courses personally, teachers and students communicate at times of their convenience and choosing and exchange printed or electronic material through any suitable technology. Online education can be as recognized as a tangible and interactive learning experience through which students can earn even a doctoral degree. Virtual classrooms use the internet to have a mutual multimedia experience where one can have video conferences, video lessons and other stimulating learning prospects. Concept f distant learning is not new as it was University of London that first offered distance learning degrees, establishing its External Program in 1858[ Key Facts]. Distance learning is the delivery of instruction and the fulfillment of course work from remote locations; allowing instructors and students to interact without being in the same place. New technologies have made distance learning an increasingly popular option for institutions and students alike. The Internet, e-mail, video conferencing, and other interactive systems allow schools to experiment with unique modes of teaching and learning, use resources that do not reside on their own campuses, and attract faculty and students who are far from campus or cannot travel to campus very often. The first Open University is United Kingdom Open University (UKOU) that was established in the late 1960s and initially utilized television and radio as its main methodologies. Now a days almost all open universities use distance education technologies as basic teaching approach [Moore, Michael G (33-36)]. Advantages of Distance learning Although there is no substitute for regular education system but distance learning is contributing considerably in the field of education. A distance learning program has a number of advantages. It provides opportunity to the learners to have little interference in the professional life. It is an excellent alternative for those who look for improving their careers or who require some special form of training. Online distance education is rapidly increasing among mainstream universities in the United States, where online doctoral programs have even developed at prestigious research institutions [Hebert, D. G.2007]. Some people who work cannot afford to spare time for regular classes and at the same time need to enhance their skills for further development in career. Some people who want to study in prestigious institutions and do not get opportunity to physically join such institute for want of finances or inter government permissions also make us e of this system to obtain the required education. Distance learning can offer them experience to learn through new technologies, methods and approaches and gain knowledge and practical experience. Distance learning programs are easier to be planned as it needs a smaller amount of time and commitment. Distance learning programs present more geographic flexibility. They also offer introduce the learners to students of various origins and afford them an opportunity to have interaction. Distance learning programs offer access to faculty in many different locations where as class work can be scheduled according to personal and professional availability. Distance learning does not involve travel and saves time that otherwise was to be spent on going and driving back. A learner can complete a large amount of the classes at convenience. Most of the classes under distance learning programs don’t require even to attend a session at a particular time and place. A learner can do and review the assignments and can do homework at its convenience. Distance learning programs make it extremely comfortable for ladies in particular and parents in general that have kids. This allows such parents not to look for care arrangements because they can take of both kids and classes from home at the same time. Information technology made the whole affairs very easy as online classes solved all possible convenience concerns. It is extremely useful for disabled persons and senior citizens who feel it hard to attend customary regular classes. They now are not much worried and concerned about having access to a classroom. Instead they can use comfortable settings in their home making the learning environments more convenient. As a result people with restricted mobility also have a chance to develop their education and shills. Virtual education is now an integral element of the planning by most institutions and training organizations. The worth of distance learning has greatly improved over a period of time in last many years, because both students and educators feel more relaxed with the technology. While quality of distance learning has improved at the same time distance learning programs also significantly increased. It is heartening to find out that distance learning organizations are now being fully recognized by the proper government agencies. The objective of official approval is to make sure that education provided by such virtual institutions meets satisfactory standard of excellence. Distance learning offers a number of advantages and opportunities for non resident students from other countries seeking an accredited degree of some high standard institutes. Possibly the most pertinent advantage involves easy approach of learning as a result keep away from the hassle of applying for a student visa to study in a specific country . Distance learning provides geographic flexibility to study in any convenient location with an internet connection and involves setting self tempo for learning [Distance Learning MBA]. Through use of technology it becomes easier to quickly look through study materials and can be well mastered. Distance learning is so designed that it allows a learner focus more strongly on curriculum, time and effort in fields that contain new information and proficiency. Distance learning also allows a learner to obtain study materials at convenience and amount at a faster speed against that of slow pace of the normal classroom settings. The learners join conversations in the communiquà © board discussion areas with flexibility and get instant feed back in form of reviews from online classmates’ comments. Distance learning is just in time learning method that offers prospect to study the up to date study material available. The most significant feature of distance learning is helping students to do well in Web base classes by creating ability to administer and manage time. A normal student can easily spend 2 to 3 hours each week for every one hour of credit for a class. Disadvantages of Distance Learning Where Distance learning has a large number of advantages it posses some inherent weaknesses as well. Basic aspect being that it is not for everyone, since it presents inadequate or rather no physical contact with associate classmates and staff. It also does not offer any social interaction and its all formal [Randall S. Hansen, Ph. D]. Distance learning at the same time does not offer the networking chance making distance learning a less vital option for career development. It is also not a good choice for someone who works in better interactive environment. The distance learning does not contain analysis of personality of a student as career placement. Distance learning programs do not offer all study disciplines making choices very limited since the technology and form of learning are comparatively new and does not go with all requirements of curriculums. Distance learning programs do not offer scholarship because learners are expected to work during the program over a long time with no much expense. Where as the distance learning is costly and involves intricate technology. Regardless of the lot of openings through distance education, there are foreseeable associated costs. Live video communication requires cautious setting up of the equipment and services. For online learning a computer with accessories and link to the internet and camera is essential. Both the instructors and students require much advance planning and while joining distance learning may require adjustments of normal activities. Distance learning does not offer realistic feedback. In a usual classroom situation, a students routine can be right away reviewed during questions and informal tests. But With distance learning, a student gets instructor’s feedback till the instructor has evaluated the work and sends a reply to. As distance learning does not always offer all the necessary courses online many students desirous to obtain specific certificate or degree program may not attain the required qualifications. No discipline requiring practical can be offered through online programs as one can study a biology lesson completely online, but cannot perform clinical practical online. Although the majority of employers do recognize distance learning but certain employers do not. Students who desire to work for an employer after graduation are required to be certain of such employers viewpoint about online distance education. Another weakness associated with distance learning is that it does not provide the learners any opportunity to work on spoken communication ability. Although it is some what possible with voice chat or conferencing but is still quite tough to understand in a voice conference settings. More over learners in distance learning courses do not get sufficient practice of verbal interaction with professors and other students though written ability improves. Challenges and Future of Distance Learning Distance learning is becoming increasingly a leading study approach particularly in office and workplace education settings in organization of different fields and dimension. Universities all over the world are improving their techniques of edification and considering enduring education and eventual learning as an essential element in teaching learning environment. Almost all education institutions of that level are using Information and Communication Technology as a means of knowledge delivery. Customary learning is also being restructured in the form of virtual learning or web-based knowledge. In countries where education is one of the neglected field distances and technology-based education is given least precedence. The large educational institutions and those who are involved in rule making do not think towards this end. Such countries face noteworthy challenges to make a way through new challenges in modern education with their ever growing populace, remoteness and vast scattered areas with non availability of modern information technology resources and limited funding as well. Despite the difficulties, where nations have a will to progress make their educational institutions expand sufficiently to accommodate the increasing number of on line students who will be looking for admission in such kind of education. Introducing web-based learning being one of the predictable solutions will continue to expand in future as well. Challenges to distance learning are normal components of any system, method, practice and without challenges there is little or no scope for perfection. Distance learning is widely used in developed countries to support education and eventual learning. This approach will continue and will be adopted by those countries as well which are not yet developed. Distance learning will remain distinctive in future as well as an innovative approach for electronically delivering, well-designed, learner oriented at anywhere, anytime through use of the internet. Distance learning will remain as part of E learning , web based learning through virtual classrooms and digital teamwork, where contents will continue to be delivered through internet, audio, video tape, and conferencing through video; satellite and etc(Hedge 2004:128-145). T he rapid and intense use of Information and communication Technology in education will continue to play a role in developed countries facilitating them to establish more and more information and communication technology based universities. Although the arrangement of information and communication technology in the developing or the least developed countries is very weak and thus, concentrated use of e-learning in Distance Education is still a dream for their high education universities (Toor 2005: 67-76). Conclusion Although distance education is not a new trend, but has got a huge increase due to developing technology. Distance education delivery will finally emerge as strong education approach with use of phone, desktop and TV at a same time in future. When distance learning commenced using information technology, it was not well accepted and the equipment needed to provide it was expensive. That has now radically changed. And technology is being well used in video, audio text, graphics, animation, and simulation. Distance education is undergoing huge transformation and has and will never reach to a stage of saturation as much is yet to be explored and presented in this field. New and well established institutions are coming up with latest equipment and large data base to provide distance learning to a growing population that wants higher education out of traditional classroom setting. Work cited Key Facts, University of London External Program Website http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/about_us/facts.shtml Moore, Michael G.; Greg Kearsley (2005) Distance Education: A Systems View, Second, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.  , (33-36) Hebert, D. G. (2007). â€Å"Five Challenges and Solutions in Online Music Teacher Education,† Research and Issues in Music Education, Vol.5 Web: http://www.stthomas.edu/rimeonline/ Distance Learning MBA http://www.mba.com/mba/FindYourProgram/ChooseAProgramType/DistanceLearning.htm Randall S. Hansen, Ph. D Distance Learning Pros and Cons http://www.quintcareers.com/distance_learning_pros-cons.html Hedge, N. and Hayward, L. 2004 â€Å"Redefining roles: University e-learning contributing to Life long learning in a networked world.† E-Leaning, 1: (128-145) Toor S K, 2005 â€Å"Hybrid Model for e-Learning at Virtual University of Pakistan† The Electronic Journal of e-Learning Volume 3 Issue 1, (67-76).

The use of symbolism in rappaccinis daughter Essay -- essays research

The use of Symbolism in Rappaccini’s Daughter Nathaniel Hawthorne’s work is unique. His writings are full of subtle imagination, analysis, and poetic wording. His short stories are known for their originality and for their ability to provoke the reader’s thoughts. Although a large portion of his stories are allegories, Hawthorne’s preference is to draw more heavily on symbolism (Pennell 13). His use of symbols adds depth to his stories and helps to reveal different aspects of his characters. In Rappaccini’s Daughter, Hawthorne uses symbolism to create a modern day tale of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. There are two settings for this story. The first and main setting is an eye appealing garden next to Giovanni Guasconti’s room which is located in Padua, Italy. This garden is used in this story as a symbol for the Garden of Eden. The garden is described by Hawthorne in such a way that the reader can almost picture a garden that is alive with vibrant colors and an array of flowering plants and shrubs. There are a variety of types of plants and herbs growing in the garden. Some of the plants are vines, some are growing in decorative urns, and some have grown wild until they were wrapped around statues (2217). The entire garden was â€Å"veiled and shrouded in a drapery of hanging foliage† (2217). The plants in the garden â€Å"seemed fierce, passionate, and even unnatural† to Giovanni (2225). Some of the plants in the garden â€Å"crept serpent-like along   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   the ground† (2217). In the middle of the garden is a marble fountain. While it is in ruins, it is â€Å"sculptured with rare art† (2217). The fountain continues to flow and provide water for the plants of the garden. This fountain is comparable to the tree of life and the river that waters the Garden of Eden (Norford). Giovanni associates this fountain as an â€Å"immortal spirit† (2217). The shrub with the purple flowers that is growing at the base of the fountain can be equated to the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden (Norford 179). Within both gardens, the fall of man takes place. In Eden, it is the fall of... ...od created Eve as a mate for Adam so that he would not have to be alone. Rappaccini feels he has given Beatrice and Giovanni a marvelous gift. He is proud of the fact that he has given Beatrice and Giovanni the power to keep the outside world away (Kloeckner 335). Similarly, God gave Adam and Eve the wonderful gift of everlasting   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   life. Throughout the story, Hawthorne shows a pronounced respect for Rappaccini’s intelligence. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve lost their innocence and their purity when they did not listen to God. When they ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil they disobeyed God. This was a direct result of pride. In Rappaccini’s Daughter, innocence and purity are taken from Beatrice by the conflict between Dr. Rappaccini and his adversary Professor Baglioni. Innocence is lost for Giovanni through his involvement in Beatrice’s death (Pennell 61).

Child Abuse and Neglect :: Violence Against Children

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The safety and security of home are comforts we all wish for no matter what age we are. Though some of us get our wish roughly six million children don’t(United States Department of Health). Children who are battered and bruised, beaten, and in some causes sexually assaulted are constantly looking for an escape from the torture brought upon them by their own parents. These children average in age only four years old (Jones, Smothers F8 ) endure more pain at their young age than most of us face in a life time. The crime hurts children physically, emotionally and in most cases the pain goes on for a life time. The memories of climbing into bed with your parents are replaced with memories such as your father’s hand lashing your back for absolutely nothing because he is not in the right mind caused by all the alcohol. Making matters worse is that these children are too afraid to tell the world of the anguish and continue a life of hiding bruises and making excuses. As for t he children who are brave enough to tell, they get it no better if not worse. They are recklessly thrown into foster home after foster home. They face such hard ships as limited space with an enormous amount of children. Throughout all this, they never learn the true meaning of family. Why is there a lack of effort put into this crime? One is left to guess for the reasons are far too hard to comprehend. With so much drama and war around the world, Americans would like to convey an image of security and safety, once doing so we tend to black out the horrible acts of abuse occurring against our own children, causing child abuse to be a very neglected crime. â€Å"Having children makes you no more a parent, than having a piano makes you a pianist.†(Levin, www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/michael_levine.html) With that being said the United States continues to give parental right to drunks and abusers without realizing the ripple affect it has on all of us. These children whose minds are being wasted not by lack of effort but by lack of parenting and lack of care from the government, have the ability to grow and become future leaders, heroes, and peace makers of our world. Why not take the extra effort in making sure that our future is being looked out for in our present? Child Abuse and Neglect :: Violence Against Children   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The safety and security of home are comforts we all wish for no matter what age we are. Though some of us get our wish roughly six million children don’t(United States Department of Health). Children who are battered and bruised, beaten, and in some causes sexually assaulted are constantly looking for an escape from the torture brought upon them by their own parents. These children average in age only four years old (Jones, Smothers F8 ) endure more pain at their young age than most of us face in a life time. The crime hurts children physically, emotionally and in most cases the pain goes on for a life time. The memories of climbing into bed with your parents are replaced with memories such as your father’s hand lashing your back for absolutely nothing because he is not in the right mind caused by all the alcohol. Making matters worse is that these children are too afraid to tell the world of the anguish and continue a life of hiding bruises and making excuses. As for t he children who are brave enough to tell, they get it no better if not worse. They are recklessly thrown into foster home after foster home. They face such hard ships as limited space with an enormous amount of children. Throughout all this, they never learn the true meaning of family. Why is there a lack of effort put into this crime? One is left to guess for the reasons are far too hard to comprehend. With so much drama and war around the world, Americans would like to convey an image of security and safety, once doing so we tend to black out the horrible acts of abuse occurring against our own children, causing child abuse to be a very neglected crime. â€Å"Having children makes you no more a parent, than having a piano makes you a pianist.†(Levin, www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/michael_levine.html) With that being said the United States continues to give parental right to drunks and abusers without realizing the ripple affect it has on all of us. These children whose minds are being wasted not by lack of effort but by lack of parenting and lack of care from the government, have the ability to grow and become future leaders, heroes, and peace makers of our world. Why not take the extra effort in making sure that our future is being looked out for in our present?

Waiting for the phone call

The room is stuffy. It has a gaudy lino floor with pattern rubbed away in front of the sofa and round the table; the walls are damp and cluttered with old calendars and pictures torn from magazines. There is a rotten stench. The mantelpiece by the fireplace is filled with china ornaments: big-eyed flop-eared rabbits and beribboned kittens and flowery milkmaids and a porcelain doll wearing a Victorian dress and her long, golden hair in two neat plaits. The room is silent; except for the steady paced ‘tick-tock' from the ancient Grand-father clock. It is Dorothy's birthday, 12th August. She is hunched up on her old tacky sofa on an early August morning. Dorothy is startled by birdsong echoing across the garden outside and, for a long time, she stares in confused remembrance towards where the swelling orange sun is burning the faded floral wallpaper across from her old-fashioned table. ‘It's my birthday,' she finally realises. ‘I'm seventy-six today. Where did it go?' Climbing painfully from a lumpy sofa, standing in a striped night dress by the window, Dorothy stares outside in her back garden. There's much too be done. Later. Much later. These days it's all weed killing, backache and sore bones. ‘It's my birthday.' Dorothy's cat slithers past a glass sharp wall and drops beside its shadow under an apple tree, stalking anxious sparrows. Under the broken birdhouse a mouse plays with a nibble of yesterday's bread. Shadows shrink in bright shyness against all the garden fences and the last star melts into dawn rise. There's heat in the breathless August day already. Dorothy sits in her kitchen. Silent. The house, holding its breath around her, the roof heavy and oven baked. Dorothy's thick veined hands brush toast crumbs from the plastic tabletop and when she moves her faded dainty feet dust dances giddily on the sun patched carpet. She listens to the awakening of the new day: the clock on the dresser ticks hurriedly and the letter box snaps awake. Dorothy walks to the hall and picks up bills and ads that promise discounts and holidays abroad, Dorothy has never been out of England, never been on a plane. Her tired eyes examine the envelopes at arm's length. There are no birthday cards to sigh over – Not even from her family! Returning to the familiar kitchen she slides a knife along her letters, slitting out the folded information. It's better than nothing. Even if the electricity is red and overdue – At least, they keep in touch. No longer absorbed in her letter opening task Dorothy looks at the sunlight shining blindly on her glazed, brown teapot and then she pours some lukewarm tea. She sits and thinks about birthdays back then – Cakes and drinks, songs and celebrations and her precious beloved family members spending time with her on her special day. Back when. ‘Time flies,' she says. She's talking to herself most days – who else will listen? Up in the still shadowed parlour a clock chimes the hour and Dorothy rises tiredly and prepares to face the day. She stumbles into the living room and looks up to the mantelpiece. No birthday cards – Only a picture of her and her adorable grandchildren, Steven and Carol. Her eyes close. She becomes delirious with dreaming†¦ Carol skipping up the lawn with a small straw basket, picking up little daisies and carefully placing them in the basket. Steven, being 2 years old, filling the bird house with crunchy treats awaiting the magpies to glide in. Dorothy is stood under the apple tree, tip-toeing up and grabbing fresh, ripe apples for her relatives. Carol and Steven run over to Dorothy and wrap their arms tightly around her as if they were to never let go†¦ Dorothy smiles and wishes she could still feel their small hands around her waist, grabbing securely. She dresses and walks to the front door and checks the windows and the bolts and all's secure. When the night time house creaks with its own age, Dorothy thinks of burglars and imagined violations and trembles in case they invade her. Dorothy swings open the front door and sees Carol and Steven stands there, smiling like sunlight. ‘Happy birthday Grandmother!' No longer astonished, Dorothy smiles back and sighs because they aren't really there. Her head sinks and she wonders back to living room. She notices the phone on the table. She slides over to it. Gently picks it up to check if the dial tone is there – she is reassured and drops it down. No phone calls. No phone messages. No birthday cards. She collapses into her tacky sofa. When she turns on the television the news assaults her soul. The world is littered with dead children and pain. The world has gone mad with cruelty and nobody seems to have noticed. It was different back in her day, when children could go out and play happily on the street without anybody worrying that someone would come abruptly attack them. Back when. She is startled by the sharp ringing of the phone. Her heart is pounding – could this be the phone call she has been waiting for all day? Is this her treasured family? She reaches over and clasps the phone. ‘Hello?' she asks waiting urgently for answer. ‘Hello. My name is Abigail Taylor calling on behalf of†¦' the woman replied. Dorothy slowly lowers the handset and replaces it back in the holder. She stands there paralysed. A tiny tear drop trickles down her wrinkly skin. She felt so much pain it was as if someone had stabbed her millions of times in the heart. What is the point of living if there is nobody who even knows you exist? The Grandfather clock strikes six in the evening. She strolls back to the photo of her with her grandchildren. Dorothy bursts out in tears – her eyes sore and red and waterfalls of tears flowing down her face. She picks up the photo and holds it against her broken heart. Dorothy still hopes to get that special phone call from her much-loved grandchildren.