Inquiry-Based Report (Professional Inquiry and Reflection) Essay

Inquiry-Based Report (Professional Inquiry and Reflection) - Essay Example Secondly, there is commonly a substantial distinction in classes between students who collect good marks and others who do not acquire reasonable grades. Those students who acquire low grades can be further categorized into two. One group belongs to those students who are efficient learners and understand concepts and theories which are being taught to them. Despite their efficient learning, their grades are not sufficient as compared to the other efficient learners. The other category of low grading students is consisting of those students who find it difficult to understand and reflect upon concepts and theories which are taught in class. This signifies two of most critical issues regarding the scope of education which include the role of assessment criteria and those factors which are affecting the learning capabilities of some students in a uniform environment. Regarding to these issues, the research questions for this study are: Why certain theories are emphasized in curriculums ? How assessment and evaluation criteria contribute to the issue of good learning students having lower grades? What factors are causing the distinction among students regarding the understanding of taught concepts and theories in a uniform environment? Conducting research In order to accumulate the information regarding the research question, the assessment of previous literature is essential. Kolb, Alice Y. and Kolb, David A. "Learning Styles and Learning Spaces: Enhancing Experiential Learning in Higher Education." Academy of management learning & education 4.2 (2005): 193-212. Print. In this article, authors are aimed draw a more enhanced implications for experiential learning. A framework of learning space has been introduced to the better understanding of the relationship between students’ learning styles and the learning environment of institution. It proposes that the concept of experiential learning must be applied of whole learning environment. The problem of studen ts with learning and understanding the concept due to any major possible reason, like inequity in race, gender or class, can be addressed through this literature. It also deals with the alterations in the curriculum by which the learning of students is highly associated. Mezirow, Jack. "A Critical Theory of Adult Learning and Education." Adult Education Quarterly 32.1 (1981): 3-24. Print. The author, in this article, illuminates the subjective perspectives of students in their learning processes in the light of Jurgen Habermas’s ideas. The intention and goals of learning and the accusition of learning process in the domain of academic learning of students play a sufficient role in the attainment of good grades. However, the research question regarding the assesment criteria also illuminates the institutional flaws in the description of certain criteria by which students can successfully acquire the information regarding the choice of learning process. Mezirow, Jack. "Transfor mative Learning: Theory to Practice." New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education 1997.74 (1997): 5-12. Print. In this article, a transformative learning process has been proposed by the author in that the stress is upon critical thinking. The article presents that the thinking in order to learn must be comprised of autonomous and critical cognition instead of straight absorption of

Rhetorical Precis Essay Example for Free

Rhetorical Precis Essay In The Organization Kid, an article published in The Atlantic Monthly in April of 2001, David Brooks discusses the willing conformism and social subservience of the educational elite and reinforces his points through usage of a heavily pathos-based timeline, quotes, textual examples and statistics. Brooks’ examples are both well structured and particularly effective. He compartmentalizes his arguments, shows instances of change over time and directly and effectively targets the emotions of his audience. Brooks’ masterful usage of tactics and strategies such as this makes the narrative quite effective in terms of emphasizing his main goal: drawing attention to the growing trend of willing subservience amongst the educational elite. Brooks’ statement is indeed quite relevant in reference to major issues in ever-changing modern society. Vocabulary * Prudential – Involving or showing care and forethought, typically in business. * Sacrosanct – Regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with. * Meritocratic – Government or the holding of power by people selected on the basis of their ability. * Nihilism – The rejection of all religious and moral principals, often in the belief that life is meaningless. * Ganglia – A structure containing a number of nerve cell bodies, typically linked by synapses, and often forming a swelling on a nerve fiber. Tone * Critical * Analytic * Factual * Condemnatory Rhetorical Strategies * Hyperbole – â€Å"soul crushing† * Asyndeton – â€Å"there are pesticides on our fruit, cigarettes in the school yards, rocks near the bike paths, kidnappers in the woods.† * Alliteration – â€Å"Baby Boomers† * Personification – â€Å"the argument speaks† * Simile – â€Å"like flies to a light† Discussion Questions * Clarification – Why does the author draw different conclusions regarding societal issues at the end of the narrative than he at the beginning? * Style – Does the writer’s style of citing sometimes-unrelated information to support his argument act as beneficial or detrimental in regards to emphasizing his points? * Application – While the author certainly made his perceived issues with today’s society quite clear, he never exactly expanded on what he would do to repair it. What do you believe would be the best course of action to take to restore the missing sense of the â€Å"ultimate challenge† and â€Å"ultimate reward†? Important Quotation â€Å"The most sophisticated people in preceding generations were formed by their struggle to break free from something. The most sophisticated people in this one aren’t.†

Trials And Triumphs Of Inner City Students Social Work Essay

Trials And Triumphs Of Inner City Students Social Work Essay The book, And Still We Rise: The Trials and Triumphs of Twelve Gifted Inner-City Students, offers valuable insight into the lives of inner-city youth in Los Angeles and throughout the country. Inner-city students are frequently subjected to poverty, violence, gangs, and drugs in their schools, homes, and communities. Yet, many of these students manage to survive and thrive despite their volatile environment. The book provides school social workers with a unique opportunity to understand the challenges presented to inner-city students, and the power of resilience to overcome adversity. Let us now examine how various psychosocial and environmental factors contributed to the development and success of the students discussed in the book. Developmental Tasks, Systems, and Resilience Adolescence is arguably one of the most difficult and challenging stages of development for an individual. It is a time of great social, psychological, emotional, and academic growth that poses many challenges for youth surrounding identity, self-esteem, and self-efficacy (Zastrow Kirst-Ashman, 2007). According to Eriksons psychosocial theory of development, adolescence is a time of exploration and experimentation in relation to peers and social roles in order to establish a sense of identity (Zastrow Kirst-Ashman, 2007). The students in the book are each facing various identity challenges and demands within their environment. They are exposed to gangs, drugs, poverty, and teen pregnancy in their everyday lives, and they must each make the difficult decision of who to be and how to reconcile various role demands. Sadi, for example, had to make the difficult decision of whether to maintain his gang lifestyle which provided a sense of power, protection, and family for him or to explo re his intellectual abilities as a student in school. Fortunately, with encouragement from Ms. Little and Mr. Braxton, Sadi chose to join a different kind of family, one that offered promise and hope through academic achievement. The students in the book are also charged with the task of navigating various systems within their environment that impact their lives. On a mezzo level, the students interact with family, teachers, social workers, foster and group homes, and gangs. On a macro level, the students interact with the school, community, social services, and the judicial system. Unfortunately, the students in the book are negatively impacted by a number of these systems. Many of the students lack adequate support at home and are forced to work in order to survive. Some students have been neglected or abandoned by their families and are forced to navigate a cruel and unjust world alone. The students are also exposed to violence and poverty within the community and frequently suffer retribution from the judicial system. Additionally, the social service system did not always adequately address the needs of the students. For many of the students, their only sanctuary was school, a place where they felt welcom ed, supported, encouraged, and cared for. The students in the book survived due to their resiliency. Each student possessed the inner strength, power, and motivation to overcome obstacles in their environment and to thrive in the face of adversity. The incredible power of resiliency allowed the students to maintain focus and motivation despite negative environmental factors. Their resiliency coupled with the support and encouragement of administrators and teachers within the school allowed the students to exceed expectations and claim futures full of hope and promise for a better life through education. Let us now examine how the challenges of adolescence, systems in the environment, and resilience shaped the life of one inner city student. Olivias Story Olivias story provides a unique perspective on the various difficulties encountered in relation to systems in the environment, and how the power of resilience provides motivation and drive to survive and beat the odds despite numerous obstacles. Olivia was affected by various mezzo and macro level factors throughout her childhood. On a mezzo level, Olivias interactions with her mother, social workers, and various foster and group homes shaped her life. Olivia was physically and emotionally abused and neglected by her mother, and abandoned by her father. At the age of twelve she entered the world of social services, and began her journey through various foster and group homes that provided little to no financial or emotional support. Olivias social worker did not provide her with adequate resources and support either, and Olivia was forced to take matters into her own hands and support herself by working a number of jobs, many of which were inappropriate, dangerous, and illegal. From a macro level perspective, Olivias encounters with the teachers and administrators at Crenshaw High School, the social service system, and the judicial system significantly influenced her life as well. At a time of chaos and uncertainty in her life, school was her only reprieve. It was the only place she felt wanted, needed, and loved. School also provided her the opportunity to show her true potential in the gifted magnet program. Olivia received the support and encouragement she needed at school from Ms. Little and Mr. Braxton, who served as her pseudo parents and family. They provided her with the guidance, nurturance, and impetus she needed to reach her academic potential. Unfortunately, Olivia was underserved by the social service and judicial system. She was in the social service system for many years and was never provided the adequate resources and support she needed to survive. As a result, Olivia was forced to seek alternate illegal sources of support that ultimately l anded her jail. If Olivia had been given adequate resources and support from the social service system she would not have had to engage in illegal activities to survive. In this sense, the judicial system was reactive as opposed to proactive with Olivia. For many years, she tried to navigate her way through an unforgiving system trying to attain assistance. Ironically, it was not until she committed a crime that she finally had access to the resources and support she desperately needed throughout her childhood. Fortunately, despite all the hardships Olivia endured throughout her childhood she did not let the social service or judicial system prevent her from attaining her dream of attending Babson College. Her incredible sense of resiliency and drive for a better life helped her to stay positive and maintain focus despite the many obstacles she encountered. Olivia always knew she would prevail, and in the end she did! She relied on the strength and perseverance she had used to overc ome past obstacles to achieve the dream that had almost been stolen from her. Her story is a source of inspiration for inner-city students throughout the world, and proves that childhood experiences and environmental systems may influence, but do not define, an individual. Lessons for a Future School Social Worker The book provided me with valuable insight into the lives of inner-city students. Prior to reading the book, I was unaware of the various obstacles many inner-city students face in their everyday lives. I now have a new understanding of how various systems in the environment negatively and positively influence students, and how I might be able to assist students in navigating many of these systems as a school social worker. The book also helped me realize how important it is for students to have access to adequate resources and support for optimal psychological, social, and academic development. The book also highlighted the relevant role school teachers and administrators have in impacting students lives, and how important it is for social workers to work collaboratively with school staff to ensure that students needs are being met. On a positive note, I have learned that inner-city students have incredible potential and that as a school social worker I will play a vital role in ide ntifying and addressing obstacles, providing resources and support, and serving as an advocate and coach to help students reach their full potential. I can, and will, make a difference in the lives of the students I work with! J

Character Traits of Chris McCandless of Into The Wild Essay -- Into th

Christopher Johnson McCandless is a respectable man in so many ways but, yet such a foolish man in many others. Chris McCandless possessed a seemingly ever-lasting bravery that constantly shined through his unique and matchless character. He was very righteous in himself to the point in which he kept himself from any sin or evil, committing his life to what seemed like an idea of celibacy, not just in refraining from any desire of flesh but also in all lusts of life with his diligent power of will that constantly shined through his exterior. Onto the contrary of his good characteristics, McCandless remained to be very foolish in his decisions and under takings, whether it be by his arrogance of sheer narrow mindedness. Over all he was a boy of many talents and knowledge, with a bright soul and good heart but, still somewhere in the depths of his thoughts he lacked something that made him think things through, and in this his foolishness he would lose his life. As stated previously, McCandless had a deep bravery that protected him from the darkness of fear or negative thought. Never once in this story does he seem frightened in that he might lose his life, grow ill or become hurt, and in one way he proves this by his insatiable habit of hitchhiking, I mean, with all do respect he could have been picked up by a serial killer and that probably would have cut his adventure a little short. In addition, he does not cower to much of anything, his bravery led him to some pretty interesting place such as digging dead rats from farm equipment, diving waist deep in grime, muck, and not to mention stench, that is if you would consider all of that to be brave. Set aside the trivial matter, his true bravery is shown... ...lse in his former life. In review McCandless was a man with boyish and romantic ambitions or maybe he was a boy with an intellectual mind stuck in the body of a man, because that theory would certainly exist as plausible in describing his foolish ways. Let us not forget that Chris did have a truly unique idea with good intention and maybe he did accomplish what he set out for, true inner peace with himself and the world around him maybe he did find himself in this whole ordeal. Yes McCandless was a bright soul but, in the end his foolishness or maybe even it was his bravery lead him to his demise, his lonely death in starvation. With all of this said was McCandless brave or was he foolish and stupid, well, for certain he never acted in any stupid way, but he did act in both foolishness and bravery because in many ways it takes quite some foolishness to be brave.

History of the Guidance Movement Essay

Career counseling was first introduced in the early 1900 as vocational counseling it was used as a means to end poverty during the time when society was in uproar over a demising economy. â€Å"This new profession was described by historians as a â€Å"progressive social reform movement aimed at eradicating poverty and substandard living conditions spawned by the rapid industrialization and consequent migration of people to major urban centers at the turn of the 20th century (Whiteley, 1984, p. 2).† During this time the number of counselors was minimal and the counseling program was still in its developmental stages. Frank Parsons, who is known as the father of counseling was an advocate for the rights of the underprivileged who were being exploited by new industries. Parsons created the Bureau of Vocational Guidance and develop scientific process to help people choose careers. His theories were rooted in first improving working conditions, then focusing on the individual wor kers’ needs. He initiated the vocational guidance movement in the early 1900. In 1905 he and his colleague Ralph Albertson founded the Breadwinner’s Institute in Boston. The institute offered courses to the working poor to help them attain skills to equip them for the new industry. Parson’s work on vocational guidance classified the fact identified the cause and drew the conclusions about several issues pertaining to suitability of people for different work environments. The guidance movement emerged during the change in the American economy the vast decline of agricultural jobs is what set it in motion. Those who once thrived in this industry would now be over taken by the emergence of technology. Increasing urbanization of the country, and the calls for services to meet this domestic migration pattern, all to retool the new industrial economy brought about by the industrial revolution. This caused a great migration to the United States which in turn called for vocational guidance. Although Frank Parson is credited as the father of the movement other like minded  people including educators, economist, lawyers, ministers, psychologist and social workers would soon join the movement and were ready to advance the cause of vocational guidance as a means to effect social justice. These individual would advocate for the creation of governmental agencies to help regulate the economy. The main purpose of the guidance movement was to improve the lives of s ocieties’ most vulnerable while showing respect to their rights as human beings providing them with the necessary skills and tools need to be productive within their communities. As a result children’s aid societies were created, juvenile courts put in place, labor laws enacted, educational reforms instituted and out of this the vocational guidance movement was born. Parson successor Meyer Bloomfield was also instrumental in the guidance movement. He was determined to advance the cause by creating alliances with local and national professionals. Bloomfield help start the committee that would go on to plan the first National Conference on Vocational Guidance. The Conference was held in November of 1910. It was at this convention the idea to implement vocational counseling in schools would arise. During this time a large number of young people where leaving school to go to work without the necessary knowledge about the world of work As Bloomfield put it â€Å"young people are unguided, unprepared and uninformed (Brewer 1942).† These conferences would go on to be held annually and out of them would come the National Vocation Guidance Association which was created in 1913 (Brewer 1942). At this point everything was in place for the counseling profession to flourish. In the last 100 years since the initial start of the guidance movement much ha s been accomplished and yet much remains to be done. The guidance movement emerged out of a tumultuous era and today career development professionals are facing challenges that mirror those of the past. The work of the predecessors have helped equipped the new age professionals to better assist those who are still most vulnerable in society. Because of past contribution, we continue to stride and make remarkable millstones in the profession. In the last 50 years career development has been revolutionized by creativity and innovation, brought by a number of professionals. Career guidance continues to evolve as society changes and as a result today’s career professional are better equipped to assist the clients they serve. Frank Parson clearly states in his own book the importance of guidance â€Å" No  step in life, unless it be the choice of a husband or wife, is more important that the choice of a vocation. This vital problem should be solved in a careful scientific way with due regard to each person’s aptitudes abilities ambitions resources and limitations, and the relations of these elements to the condition of success in different industries (page3).† References Brewer, J.M. (1942). History of Vocational Guidance: Orgins and Early Development. New York: Harper& Brothers Whiteley, J. M. (1984). Counseling Psychology: A historical perspective. Schenectady, NY: Character Research. Parsons, F. (1909). Choosing a vocation. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin Pope, M. (). A Brief History of Career Counseling in the United States. The Career Development Quarterly, 48, 194-211.

Men In The New Society

I was raised to believe that everything is created equal. This belief was suddenly changed when I entered college. People’s perception and opinion has in a way awakened me to the reality that our choices in life are sometimes affected by the inequalities set by our society. These inequalities have adversely influenced people’s choices and roles in life. These may sometimes come in a very subtle form of formal compliance to the expected responsibilities and roles that a person should assume in the society yet these are harsh forms of deprivation of individual’s decision and expression of one’s being. Society’ stereotyping of men and women’s role and responsibilities has created so much damage to people especially among men. In this new age where everything is fast changing and evolving, society should learn to view men and women equally and try to eradicate stereotyping in the system. Society should learn to be fair and equitable in its dealings between men and women. Both are human beings who have the right to live according to personal choices and preferences, rather than according to society’s unfair expectations and bias opinions. Men and women alike should be given equal opportunities to discover their purpose in life rather than force to assume traditional roles in the family, society and in the country. It is a reality that nowadays society still viewed women favorably than men. Women are afforded more tolerance and understanding while men are stiffly expected to do their roles with ease and comfort. This treatment is even reinforced because of greater advocacy to the protection of women’s rights rather than on the promotion of the equality of the two sexes. Studies have shown that feminist movement is more prevalent and supported than men movements. Indeed, society’s treatment between men and women created a huge distance between the two sexes that in effect encouraged men and women alike to strengthen movements purportedly for the purpose of asserting and protecting their respective rights in the society. Conflicts are then heightened rather than resolved. It is said that the most challenging and significant issue that men in the US face today is the oppression among men. This issue is anchored on the reality that society’s treatment to men sometimes partake the nature of oppression. Men are being unfairly deprived from opportunities to express real self. Most often they are pushed to assume roles like that of being the family’s provider, a responsibility that can be traced back traditionally. These norms of roles and responsibilities set by the society are seen as oppressive yet unrecognized by many. According to Schenk â€Å"men’s form of oppression have not been adequately defined, thus they are perceived to be non-existent†. Because of this, society continued to set the standard of behaviors and roles for men and dictate men’s actions and decisions. Since childhood, men are taught to be tough and strong. They are taught not to cry or to demonstrate emotions. Their minds are conditioned to be the provider of the family and the defender of the country. Should they fall short on these social expectations they are criticized, punished, rejected or harmed often throughout their lifetime for the effects of the social conditioning that has been put upon them. Also, men have been systematically trained to give up their beginning inherent, easy expectation of having relaxed attention from another when they are tense. The big boys don't cry principle even begins very early in a boy’s life unless his parents have made the effort that is needed to allow his emotional release process to be left intact. This mistreatment forces males to hide or defend their distresses, which sometimes makes the process of recovering one's inherent individuality and discovering one’s potential and capabilities much more challenging. Indeed social expectations are more difficult for men rather than women and society has not done significant actions to break this vicious and unfair cycle. Rather society allows the continued oppression against men by several institutions. Society’s institutions like the armed services, the courts, police and prisons, the drug and alcohol industries, the sports industry, and the work place has directly and indirectly hurt men. Whether society is aware of this is beyond comprehension as society’s only concern is for men to continue serving women and the society in the same old traditional system of thinking and behavior. Men are also falsely portrayed in the media. They are treated stereotypically and as less than human throughout society. Oftentimes they are projected as the violent sex and oppressive to women. This bad projection has created an indelible mark on the perception of many even to the young generation that makes it more difficult to break the vicious cycle of unrecognized oppression among men. Men in a way do get privilege from the way society sets up everyone with the roles they are in. But the privileges are real and material. It lacks substance and do not in a way satisfy the highest need of men which is to have positive self-esteem. It should be noted that the very best of being human is not material or material privilege, it is our human qualities to be close, to care for others, build many relationships of all kinds, to feel significant and to have positive self-concept. In these areas the lives of men are certainly not privileged and mostly not yet powerful. On the other hand, the extent to which men accept mistreatment and less-than-fully-human relationships is the extent that they not only accept their own oppression but also contribute to that oppression and pass the received oppression to other groups. The internalization of their own group's oppression is all that has been needed to maintain the oppressions of all other groups. When anyone gets tense and behaves in a less-than-fully-human way this behavior reinforces the stereotypes for all the people involved. The oppression of men affects all men. The challenge to face and help resolve the issues of oppression among men is so immense. At my stage now, I may not be able to even make a great contribution to these issues. However, my learnings to these issues in life of men and women would help me a lot in my decisions in life. According to Benett-Goleman, â€Å"life itself can be a teacher, presenting us with the chances to transmute the emotions brought up in us. When life disappoints us, it offers an opportunity to reach beyond ordinary conventions and understandings toward a greater perspective† (365). My awareness and understanding to these issues would then strengthen my resolve that I have to stand firm on my decisions and choices. I may not be able to make a significant effect in the society but at least I can make a difference starting from my own life sphere with the significant people in my life. At least I can break-free from this vicious paradigm of behavior. Reference List Benett-Goleman, Tara. Emotional Alchemy: How the Mind can Heal the Heart. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2001. Schenk, Roy. Shame and Male Oppression. National Coalition of Free Men. Retrieved February 13, 2007

Definition and Examples of Text in Language Studies

Definition and Examples of Text in Language Studies In linguistics, the term text refers to: The original words of something written, printed, or spoken, in contrast to a summary or paraphrase.A coherent stretch of language that may be regarded as an object of critical analysis. Text linguistics refers to a form of discourse analysis- a method of studying written or spoken language- that is concerned with the description and analysis of extended texts (those beyond the level of the single sentence). A text can be any example of written or spoken language, from something as complex as a book or legal document to something as simple as the body of an email or the words on the back of a cereal box. In the humanities, different fields of study concern themselves with different forms of texts. Literary theorists, for example, focus primarily on literary texts- novels, essays, stories, and poems. Legal scholars focus on legal texts such as laws, contracts, decrees, and regulations. Cultural theorists work with a wide variety of texts, including those that may not typically be the subject of studies, such as advertisements, signage, instruction manuals, and other ephemera. Text Definition Traditionally, a text is understood to be a piece of written or spoken material in its primary form (as opposed to a paraphrase or summary). A text is any stretch of language that can be understood in context. It may be as simple as 1-2 words (such as a stop sign) or as complex as a novel. Any sequence of sentences that belong together can be considered a text. Text refers to content rather than form; for example, if you were talking about the text of Don Quixote, you would be referring to the words in the book, not the physical book itself. Information related to a text, and often printed alongside it- such as an authors name, the publisher, the date of publication, etc.- is known as paratext. The idea of what constitutes a text has evolved over time. In recent years, the dynamics of technology- especially social media- have expanded the notion of the text to include symbols such as emoticons and emojis. A sociologist studying teenage communication, for example, might refer to texts that combine traditional language and graphic symbols. Texts and New Technologies The concept of the text is not a stable one. It is always changing as the technologies for publishing and disseminating texts evolve. In the past, texts were usually presented as printed matter in bound volumes such as pamphlets or books. Today, however, people are more likely to encounter texts in digital space, where the materials are becoming more fluid, according to linguists David Barton and Carmen Lee: Texts can no longer be thought of as relatively fixed and stable. They are more fluid with the changing affordances of new media. In addition, they are becoming increasingly multimodal and interactive. Links between texts are complex online, and intertextuality is common in online texts as people draw upon and play with other texts available on the web. An example of such intertextuality can be found in any popular news story. An article in The New York Times, for example, may contain embedded tweets from Twitter, links to outside articles, or links to primary sources such as press releases or other documents. With a text such as this, it is sometimes difficult to describe what exactly is part of the text and what is not. An embedded tweet, for instance, may be essential to understanding the text around it- and therefore part of the text itself- but it is also its own independent text. On social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as blogs and Wikipedia, it is common to find such relationships between texts. Text Linguistics Text linguistics is a field of study where texts are treated as communication systems. The analysis deals with stretches of language beyond the single sentence and focuses particularly on context, i.e. information that goes along with what is said and written. Context includes such things as the social relationship between two speakers or correspondents, the place where communication occurs, and non-verbal information such as body language. Linguists use this contextual information to describe the socio-cultural environment in which a text exists. Sources Barton, David, and Carmen Lee. Language Online: Investigating Digital Texts and Practices. Routledge, 2013.Carter, Ronald, and Michael McCarthy. Cambridge Grammar of English. Cambridge University Press, 2006.Ching, Marvin K. L., et al. Linguistic Perspectives on Literature. Routledge, 2015.