A Chioce Made Easy Essay -- essays research papers fc

A Choice Made Easy Choosing educational software for children is certainly not an easy task. Because so many options are available, it is easy to be overwhelmed by all the vividly colored packages, the intriguing characters, and fantastic claims of academic enhancements. How in the world does one actually choose? Fortunately, all is not lost. A software package is available, which truly encompasses those qualities, and does so without assaulting the purchaser’s pocketbook. My Personal Tutor by Microsoft, is a budget sensitive, educational enhancement package for childaren, with exciting graphics and an incredible academic framework. For this reason, a recent review of this program stated that â€Å"Microsoft has made a great contribution to children’s learning† (Dr. Toy). In fact, My Personal Tutor is the best choice of children’s educational software.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The activities in My Personal Tutor facilitate learning in vital academic disciplines. Because of the technological advancement of our society, today’s students require more strength in critical thinking, reading, and math skills than ever before. This three CD set is dedicated to enhancing skills in those areas. For example, in Turru’s Sea Quest, the student further develops thinking skills in order to advance through the game format. By solving unfinished sentences, analyzing and completing number or shape patterns, challenging memory with matching, and matching analog compared to digital time, the child assists Captain Scratch in setting free the endangered sea creatures. In another CD, Sam’s Hide & Seek, the child strengthens reading skills in a virtual museum, with six separate rooms where the child plays interactive word games or reads stories in order to help Sam find his friends. However, the word games are not simple mindless entertai nment. For instance, by solving incomplete sentences a story emerges. During this process, an amusing, vividly colored picture is painted depicting the story the child is creating. In another challenging exercise, the student reads stories and answers questions relating to the story content in order to gain points, thereby fostering comprehension. Finally, in a third CD, the child’s world becomes an incredible space station where the goal is to help a new friend, Spy, capture alien stowaways. In Spy’s Space Station, traditional math of the p... ...osoft is the best choice of children’s educational enhancement software. Works Cited Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products for 1998. San Francisco, CA. 1999. Microsoft Kids Page. Redmond, WA. November 17, 1998. Outline Thesis: My Personal Tutor is the best choice of children’s educational software. I. The activities in My Personal Tutor facilitate learning in vital academic disciplines. A. In Turru’s Sea Quest, the student further develops thinking skills. B. In Sam’s Hide & Seek, the child strengthens reading skills. C. In Sky’s Space Station, traditional math is transformed into exciting activities. II. Through well-designed game objectives, My personal Tutor generates long term interest. A. All the activities are designed as a means to an end. B. The goals are met methodically through a sense of teamwork C. The interactive characters are encouraging throughout the challenge. III. Parents can feel confident that the purchase of this set is a cost- effective enhancement to the child’s education, as well as an excellent source of reinforcement for vital social skills. A. The price is only $14.95 after the rebate. B. My Personal Tutor is not limited to academics only.

Collaborating to Expand the Pipeline Essay

                  Affirmative action is a policy that is aimed at providing positive measures to remedy effects of past discrimination against members of certain groups (Clayton & Crosby 1992, p.2). One of the areas that suffer underrepresentation of the diverse, underrepresented individuals and minority group in colleges is the laws schools and subsequently in the legal profession. The questioned posed is â€Å"Is affirmative action the best solution to alleviating this crisis or is it the major cause together with other practices that have contributed to these underrepresentation?                     First of all is the admission procedure. Admission selection considers those with a bachelor’s degree for an accredited university or college. Few underrepresented minority students are able to attend college and obtain the relevant qualifications. Moreover, there are disparities in number of applicants and the number who get enrolled. For example in 2000, 74500 individuals submitted their application to ABA- approved school and an estimate of 67% of the total were admitted (ABA/ LSAC Pre-Conference Report, 2005, p, 4). This illustrates a flaw in the acceptance procedure that focus on higher merit in which its well document trend that underrepresented minorities score less on the Law Schools Admission Test (LSAT).                   Secondly the individual state bar exams are a severe impediment. â€Å"While the LSAT remains a reliable predictor of success in law school and the Law School Admission Council (makers of the LSAT), warn against over-reliance on numerical qualifiers alone† (ABA/ LSAC Pre-Conference Report, 2005, p, 5). Raised cut off points detriment the minorities who are disproportionately at the bottom in addition the bars are also misapplied. The percentage of residents in a state should have a proportionate percentage at the law school. The lack of a national bar does also contribute to this issue.                      The above two examples illustrate why affirmative action is needed in leveling admissions. Higher merit and higher cut off points are serving to lock out minority groups from accessing law education. In coming up with a criteria for selection, the selection board should put into consideration performance of minority groups which is at the lower end of the spectrum.                   Terry Eastland suggests that affirmative action promotes discrimination. He argues that there is nothing like positive or negative discrimination. In Higher education for example, when the institution sets a lower grade for color students, the act in itself creates discrimination. These groups of students who will be enrolled under affirmative action are well aware that they are in that position due to their race. It is a negative experience that is not easy to erase. Sometimes attitudes from the majority students will affect the students from the minority. The majority students may not look at the minority as equals.                   Affirmative action leads to stigma. Eastland says that very few people are aware of the abilities and potential of the marginalized groups. In this case they are likely to be less respected and less valued. This can end up psychologically affecting these groups and it can be worsened if they fail to perform. Terry end believes that an environment should an equal working basis. If students have to be enrolled for higher education, it should be based on merit and not race. This will create an equal working environment of mutual relationship.                  Furthermore, Eastland equates ‘Affirmative action’ to ‘lower standards’. The rationale of having a policy that sets asides positions after a normal criterion creates a barrier between quality and less quality. By having this policy, institutions are accepting that results posted from minority groups are of lesser quality and lesser magnitude to that from the majority. Policy makers argue that the minority are affected by certain factors that make them not to equal results of the majority. It then beats logic that it would be easier resolving factors that make minority perform lesser than providing a criterion that guarantee certain results.                  Terry Eastland comments and views in regard to affirmative action tend to disapprove use of affirmative action against underrepresentation based on color. His views do not factor underrepresentation due to gender. However the logic behind his reasons and those of other scholars can equally be equated to affirmative action on gender and sex segregation                  Gender affirmative actions have shown to improve the status of women in the society. In fact advocates for gender affirmative actions have sprung from various women activists and organizations. Women have gained access to representations in legislative organs, various courses in colleges that stereotypically were set for men. However it is urged that continuous paying attention to a group of people will result in then differences becoming more salient than the commonalities among people (Clayton & Crosby 1992, p.11). This statement thus emphasizes Terry Eastland’s arguments against affirmative action.                To conclude, the benefits of affirmative action are actually visible. Moving forward however, the fundamental principles of affirmative action seem to have been overtaken with time. Putting into consideration Terry Eastland arguments in regard to affirmative action, the negatives of affirmative action outweigh the positives. Affirmative action has led to lower productivity, increased segregation and stigmatization. The call to end affirmative actions thus is justified. References Clayton, Susan D, and Faye J. Crosby. Justice, Gender, and Affirmative Action. Ann Arbor, Mich: Univ. of Michigan Press, 1992. Print. Law Schools Admission Council. Pre Conference Report (2005) Collaborating to Expand the Pipeline. Retrieved from http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/migrated/op/pipelineconf/PipelinePostReport.authcheckdam.pdf Source document

Nature-Versus-Nurture Discussion

Annie Murphy Paul’s article `Kid stuff: Do parents really matter?` outlines the findings of a highly controversial study on the role of nature and nurture in children’s education. The article states that a group of researchers from George Washington University and the Institute of Psychiatry in London have found that the role of parents is in fact much smaller than originally thought. The destiny of a child depends on the genetic makeup that in turn evokes responses from the environment. Parental influences can have little effect on the child’s temperament. The type of temperament (sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic, or their combination) is inborn and does not allow of serious later influences. Parents can shape the child’s character, instilling certain cultural values and norms, but they can hardly be expected to a serious influence on the temperament. Related essay: Nature or Nurture: The Case of the Boy Who Became a Girl Answers Overall, the study covered in Annie Murphy Paul’s article (1998) attributes more importance to the so-called â€Å"evocative gene-environment correlations†. She states that these correlations include responses from the environment to a certain genetic composition. This means that a person is in a way â€Å"asking† for destiny, using the pre-determined factors to trigger an environmental reaction. Parents under such a perspective only have influence inasmuch they are prompting this reaction, and in the degree their responses can define a child’s development. In this respect, it would be interesting to consider parental influences on adopted children. In such families, the genetic makeup of parents and kids is completely unrelated, and the effect of genetics could be even greater. The role of parents in any case can consist in mitigating the negative manifestations of the child’s genetic heritage. The more parents can learn about the child’s genetics, the better they can be prepared to develop the child in the right way. Reference Paul, A.M. (1998, February). Kid stuff: Do parents really matter? Psychology Today 31(1), pp. 46-51.   

Living with Domestic Violence Essay Example

Living with Domestic Violence Essay Example Living with Domestic Violence Essay Living with Domestic Violence Essay Name Surname: Mehmet Tamer Ozdil Instructor’s Name: Nilgun Eker ING 102 CRN 30052 Date: July 19, 2011 Living With Domestic Violence Domestic Violence is an epidemic in societies with dramatic, negative effects on individual, families and communities. It has many different names such as family violence, battering, wife beating, and domestic abuse. All these terms refer to same thing , abuse by marital, common law or dating partner in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence is not limited to physical beating. It is any behaviour that is intended to the use of humiliation, fear nd physical or verbal assault. There are many reasons of domestic violence such as poverty, hardship and unemployement. But whatever the reasons are domestic violence has important effects on children, women and future families. First of all, domestic violence directly affect on children with most important effects. Children who witness regular acts of violence have greater emotional and behavioural pr oblems than the other children. Even very young children can be completely frightened and affected. Some of the current effects may include nightmares, anxiety, withdrawal and bedwetting. According to Clara Harlow’s studies (in the article â€Å"This Day Forward† , 2000) boys who live with family violence have extremely dangerous attitude such as aggressive and disruptive. The same studies indicate that girls exposed to family violence aim to withdraw and girls not exposed have more active behaviour than the others (2000). Secondly, family violence has many negative effects on women. One of these effects is psychological. Battered women experience increased levels of deppression, lower self-esteem and higher levels of psychological distress when compared with nonbattered women. The most severe effects of deppression is suicide attempts. As Flitcroft and Stark stated. Twenty- six percent of women taken hospitals because of suicide attempts had appareantly been ill- treated (1999). The women who are beaten by their partners have also social and physical problems such as loss of opportunity, isolation from society especially family friends, loss of income or work and it has long term impact on financial security and career. They may have poor health and physical injury. If they are pregnant, they may miscarry or the baby may be stillborn. As a result of this problems, women probably became drug or alcohol addicts. Finally, the continuity of violence at home makes domestic violence a part of future families. In a family , children typically follow their parents because they want to learn what life is and when they became adult, they usually behave in the same way their parents did. Children growing up seeing violence, have a great risk of troubled relationships in the years ahead. The possibility of experiencing violence and abuse in relationships which will be established in the future is higher than the children not exposed to family violence. Researches show that many of fathers in families which fell apart had domestic violence when they are child. It can be understood from this statical, domestic violence repeatedly happen in future families. In conclusion, domestic violence may be the biggest problem in today’s world. Economic conditions and unemployement are two of the reasons of domestic violence, but it has many negative effects which is more important then the reasons on children , women and future families. Violence cannot be stopped completely but it is possible to decrease the rate of domestic violence in many ways. People should be educated about family violence. This can be most effectiveby educating young people to help them understand that violence is never an acceptable behaviour. Communities should be encouraged to establish centers for domestic violence and there must be some entertainments, musics and jokes that might trivialize domestic violence. Original Sentences *studies indicae that boys exposed to family violence tend to be overly aggressive and disruptive. *studies shows that girls who are exposed to family violence tend to withdraw and behave more passively than girls not exposed to violence

Stanislavski Essay essays

Stanislavski Essay essays Constantin Stanislavski (1863-1938) was born into a wealthy Russian family who took part in the acting scene. Stanislavski was then shown the ropes at an early age when he joined a family friends theatre group. Stanislavski was an renowned practitioner of the naturalist school of thought. He developed the Stanislavski System other wise known as The Method. The most fundamental principle of Stanislavski's teaching is that the actor must live the life of the character that he is portraying, he must learn to think like the character and behave like the character, to become the character both physically and mentally. This, he believed, is the only way to achieve total realism. The actor must also extend this exercise of imagination to include the costumes that he wears, the articles that are in the set and the props that are used. If there is a prop then he must invent a history of where it was bought, by who and how it has come to be in this particular location, therefore completing the imaginary world which will then contribute to his performance In addition, to achieve this Stanislavski said, "the actor must first of all believe in everything that takes place onstage, and most all, he must believe what he is doing. To give substance to his ideas, Stanislavski studied how people act in everyday life and how they communicated feelings and emotions; and then he found a way to portray the same things onstage. He developed a series of exercises and techniques for the performer which had the following aims: 1) To make the outward behavior of the performer - gestures, voice, and the rhythm of movements- natural and convincing. 2) To have the actor or actress convey the goals and objectives-the inner needs of a character. 3) Even if all the visible signs of a character are mastered, a performance will appear superficial and mechanical without a deep sense of conviction and belief. 4) To make the ...

Short Block vs. Long Block vs. Crate Engines

Short Block vs. Long Block vs. Crate Engines The engine in a typical car should last a few hundred thousand miles, and some have hit even a million miles, depending on maintenance. However, manufacturing inconsistencies, lack of maintenance, or other circumstances can dramatically shorten the life of an engine, sometimes in spectacular ways. If you need to replace a damaged engine or upgrade your engine, you have a few choices to make. Short block vs. long block vs. crate engines- which should you choose? Not everyone has the time and tools required to fully rebuild or assemble an engine. Malkovstock / Getty Images The basic difference between a short block vs. long block vs. crate engines is their level of assembly. Of course, you could build your own engine, piece by piece, if you have the tools and knowledge or have a friend with a machine shop. If you’re building a race car, that’s a good way to go, but you wouldn’t likely build an engine from scratch for your daily driver. To shorten your vehicle’s downtime and reduce the level of complexity, you might choose a crate engine, long block, or short block. Basic Differences At its most basic, the difference between short block, long block, and crate engines is that each is progressively more expensive but requires less time and expertise to install. We’ll cover some of these differences and similarities, as well as instances when you might choose one over the other. Depending on tools, expertise, and budget, you may spend more or less time rebuilding your engine. MS Phil Speck / USANG Short Block Engine A short block engine is essentially just the engine block with a few major components. A short block engine usually includes, preinstalled, a new crankshaft with bearings and caps, new connecting rods, and new pistons. When installing a short block, you’ll need a master gasket kit so you can transfer parts from your old engine to the new short block, such as cylinder heads, oil pump, oil pan, timing sprockets and pulleys, timing belt or chain, camshafts, and intake and exhaust manifolds, as well as sensors and actuators. Choose a short block if the bottom end is damaged but the top end (cylinder heads) is in good condition and you have the time to swap over all the parts. Long Block Engine Depending on who makes it, the long block usually includes the short block with the cylinder heads preinstalled, most likely including timing components and anything behind them, such as the oil pump and camshafts. When installing a long block, you’ll need to transfer some parts from your old engine, such as the intake and exhaust manifolds, and some of the sensors and actuators. Choose a long block engine if there’s damage in the bottom and top end. Crate Engine Depending on who makes it, crate engines can range from long block to complete, including the oil pan, cylinder heads, intake and exhaust manifolds, sensors and actuators, maybe even the engine main harness. We’re referring to a complete engine, which is a good idea for those looking for a drop-in solution to their engine problems. No parts are transferred to the new engine, aside from the alternator, air-conditioning compressor, and engine mounts, which significantly reduces the time to install. Choose a crate engine or complete engine when time is of the essence or the engine has suffered extensive failures. Crate engines can also be custom-ordered, the weapon of choice for many enthusiasts who want more power from their custom cars. These are the three main categories of new engines you can buy for the typical project, but not the only ones. You might also consider used junkyard engines or remanufactured engines. Junkyard Engine A junkyard engine might be a good choice for your vehicle project. Julien Grosjean / Getty Images A junkyard engine might be a good choice if you are looking to save money. These usually come complete, hopefully with intact wiring, though each facility does things differently. If you have an engine-savvy friend, they can help you inspect the engine before you buy it. You-pick junkyards will require that you remove the engine yourself, so you can take as much care as you want to save the parts you need the most. Choose a junkyard engine if budget is of primary concern, but be aware that it might not come with any warranty and might have already been abused or neglected. Remanufactured Engine These used engines may be available in differing levels of assembly, from short block to long block or complete. The difference between a remanufactured or rebuilt engine is that they’ve been overhauled or at least certified by engine experts. They’re used and may have varying levels of new parts, are usually more expensive than junkyard engines but less expensive than crate engines, and usually come with a warranty. Choose a remanufactured engine if you’re not planning on rebuilding it yourself. Here, an engine is either ready for disassembly or reinstallation. PIXNIO Choosing between these different engines if you must replace or rebuild an engine needn’t be overwhelming. Considering your expertise, available tools, and budget, not to mention existing damage, choose the engine that best meets your needs. Still wondering which is best? Ask an engine-savvy friend or a trusted mechanic.

Internal Control of Accounting System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Internal Control of Accounting System - Essay Example The propensity for loss is great irrespective of the nature of the fraudulent activity. Fraud threatens the stability of a business as it leads to significant financial losses. According to Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, employee theft accounts for 7% of typical businesses losses (Chorafas, 2001). Accounting professionals are the trusted advisors for business clients. It is upon the accountants to educate business clients about the risks associated with fraud, and the significance of good internal controls and how to implement internal controls. This paper discusses suggestions for overcoming the lack of segregation of duties that are often present in small businesses due to inadequate staff. The paper further explains the important role business owners and independent accountants play in creating a good internal control environment. The paper discusses red flags, which may be indications of fraud along with several reports that are helpful in monitoring and reviewing financial records (Vona, 2011). The accounting system offers businesses with a constant way in which to use their data and financial material. A system of control is essential as it controls the three key partitions within the accounting system. These segments include the design, analysis, and implementation. Internal control is a system within a system and it plays a major role in the success of the accounting system.  An accounting system controls businesses from fraud and abuse by ensuring that information employees relay timely and accurate information and that all the accounting processes meet set regulatory requirements. This paper discusses how internal controls are set and how the control system functions (Basingstoke, 2004).