My experience, role and learning support free essay sample

In accordance to the ethical guidelines written by The British Education Research Association (BERA, 2004), the names of the children and school, where used, have been changed in order to maintain confidentiality and anonymity. My role (Hancock et al. , 2013 p1) States that â€Å"the practice of learning support as carried out by teaching assistants has developed considerably in recent times†. In the nursery I work along side two higher level teaching assistants and the nursery teacher. At this stage of school life, the majority of learning is through play, so we encourage the use of structured, well thought out fun educational games and play either in small groups or on a one to one basis, I carry out structured activities i. e. drawing, writing, crafting and reading, either on a one to one basis or with a small group of usually 4-6 children. I help identify any child or children that may benefit from further one to one help, through keeping well informed observation notes (KU1. We will write a custom essay sample on My experience, role and learning support or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 1) (KS3. 1) (PPS4. 3) In my role as classroom assistant in year one, my role is very similar to that of the classroom assistant, Margaret Verrecchie, in reader book 1 (Hancock et al. , 2013, pg4) A classroom assistant) I work along side the teacher and one teaching assistant. I help the teacher in the classroom, prepare resources’ for the session and offer the children extra support with reading and writing, it depends on what the teacher wants and needs and on what she asks me to do. Each day is different, and my duties vary accordingly. (PPS4. 3) (KS3. 1) As a midday supervisor, I work along side 10 other midday supervisors, supervising the children in the dining area and other parts of the school during the lunch time break. I help the children with a variety of tasks such as cutting up food, unwrapping of pack lunches and help teach good eating habits, After the children finish eating, we go to the playground, or if it’s wet play, a classroom, where I supervise the children at play. I ensure pupils keep out of areas that are out of bounds, deal with misbehaviour, reporting any problems that I’m unable to resolve to my duty manager, I attend to all pupils who are sick or injured, ensuring they receive the appropriate medical attention, reporting all accidents in the accident report book, I am aware of my responsibilities under the child protection legislation, reporting any concerns I may have to my senior supervisor or child protection officer. I enjoy this role as it allows me to see the children in a more relaxed environment, giving me the invaluable opportunity to get to know the children, on a more personal level, getting to know their personalities outside of the classroom. As lunchtimes are a great opportunity for the children to burn of f some steam, I try to encourage the children to take part in lots of physical activities like skipping and hoopla hoops. (PPS4. 3) I can personally relate to the parent helper in the (The Open University, 2013) E111 DVD sequence –Pam Crawford is a parent helper with a son who is special needs statemented, In the sequence, Pam states that she originally started to volunteer mainly to support her son, but along the way she decided that being a teaching assistant was what she wanted to be, so started a college course to train to become a qualified teaching assistant, which is exactly the same as why I am doing this course. Framework I provide a varied and broad array of duties and tasks on a daily basis in support to the pupils, the teacher, the school and the curriculum, through performing activities on a one to one basis or as part of a team with my work colleagues. Although they do tend to regularly overlap each other, I offer the four levels of support as suggested in the DfEE framework. (PPS4. 3) To support the pupils I encourage them to act independently in an appropriate way, to interact with each other and engage enthusiastically in all the classroom activities. I try to establish a good relationship with all the pupils, acting as a good role model, being aware of and responding appropriately to all individual needs. I supervise and support all the pupils ensuring their safety and make sure they have access to learning at all times. I help them to develop their skills in listening, to express their feelings and ideas, help them to understand, describe, select and retrieve information, show them ways in which to help with problem solving, communication etc. I also attend to all pupils’ personal needs including social, health, physical, hygiene, minor first aid and general well being. To help support the teacher, I prepare the classroom as and when needed for the lessons then clear everything away at the end of the lesson. I also help display pupils work around the classroom; I keep records as and when asked to do so by the teacher. I also support the teacher by managing pupil behaviour, reporting all difficulties appropriately, to the relevant member of staff. I also gather and report and information to and from parents or careers at the end of the school day and I provide administration duties as and when the teacher requires. To support the school I participate in any training and learning activities and any performance development meetings as and when required, I contribute to the overall ethos of the school, I am aware of and support difference and ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and discover and to be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person. To help support the curriculum I help prepare and maintain equipment/resources as directed by the teacher and assist the pupils in their use, also supporting the pupils in using basic ICT as directed by the teacher. I support the pupils in respect to national and local learning strategies e. g. literacy, numeracy, early years as directed by the teacher and help pupils understands instructions that have been given by the teacher. Previous interests and experiences I enjoyed school and took part in lots of school activities like the school productions and the school summer floats at carnival time, I also learnt to play the flute which gained me a place in the school orchestra. I was confident and never had problems making friends, although I did struggle with my school work, but I never let it beat me, I always strived to do my best. I have always been able to take the initiative and have a positive and adaptable personality. I find it easy to fit in with my surroundings and work well as part of a team or on my own. Since leaving school, I’ve worked for various companies, big and small. I’ve been a company administrator for a large company, which built up my confidence working as part of a team which encouraged me to be more efficient with my time as I had to work to strict deadlines, gaining knowledge on company policies and procedures and improving my ICT, and communication skills. I was also a care worker for a care agency where confidentiality was paramount; I went to client’s homes to perform various duties from personal care to shopping and housework. It’s through this job that I learnt skills to encourage people to be independent and carry out simple instructions/tasks. It’s also through this job that I learnt the importance of confidentiality and to keep completely accurate, up to date client observational records. I have three children of my own now and the experiences gained from being a mother, on top of the experiences gained from previous employment and my current employment, has enabled me to make the clear decision that I would like to pursue a career as a teaching assistant as I feel that the skills I’ve gained through life are all relevant to a teaching assistant’s role and skills that I have acquired for life. Key theories and concepts Both Piaget and Vygotsky were instrumental in forming a scientific approach on cognitive development in children. Jean Piaget was one of the first psychologists to reveal that children reason and think differently at different periods in their lives. Piaget considered development went through four stages: Sensori-motor: Pre-Operational: Concrete Operational and the formal Operational stage. The Sensori-motor period (0-2 yrs) is the first stage, as the infants interactions are based on exploring their environment through their senses and abilities, such as grasping and sucking, this also includes practice play as the infant is able to repeat actions continually, but with no intention. The pre-Operational stage (2-7 yrs) is where children’s language is rapidly developed, allowing them to express themselves. They start to use pretend play and parallel play which means children are talking but it is not directed at anyone in particular. The Concrete operation (7-11 yrs) and Formal Operational (11-adult) periods are the third and fourth stages. These are not usually considered in early childhood education but they are still equally important as they are able to think realistically and logically about situations and understand their world (Pulaski. 1980) Vygotsky believes children’s learning of new cognitive skills is guided by an adult or a more skilled child, such as an older sibling, who structures the child’s learning experience, a process Vygotsky called scaffolding. To create an appropriate scaffold, the adult must gain and keep the child’s attention, model the best strategy and adapt the whole process to the child’s developmental level. Vygotsky used this term to signify tasks that are too hard for the child to do alone, but can manage with guidance. Children do seem to follow a certain internal structure, for example grasping and touching, but not all children learn in the same way or at the same pace. A classic example of Vygotskys scaffolding theory can be seen with my two sons, the youngest that at the time was in nappies wanted to use the big toilet like his big brother, so as suggested by Vygotsky, my eldest son used the scaffolding technique. Vygotskys ideas have important educational applications, like Piagets, Vygotskys theory suggest the importance of opportunities for active exploration. But assisted discovery would play a greater role in a Vygotskian classroom than in a Piagetian class: The teacher would provide the scaffolding for children’s discovery, through questions, demonstrations and explanations. To be effective, the assisted discovery processes would have to be within the zone of proximal development of each child (Bee and Boyd, p38. (2009) Cognitive learning is not just internal but also external. Piaget believed that developmental growth was learned in stages. Vygotsky believed that learning was a social and progressive process that did not start or stop at a certain stage or age. A child’s activity plays a key role in the way they learn. I believe that both these theories go hand in hand and that the environmental factors do influence learning behaviours. Training needs My overall aim is to become a qualified teaching assistant, for primary school aged children, which I will gain through completing this course and with the ongoing training I am receiving at work. I aim to develop a better understanding of the ways in which children learn and be more involved in the planning and preparation of lessons. Even though I am a valued member of staff, I still feel that I need to develop my relationships further with professional bodies. I feel I also need to develop my leadership skills further, in order for me to improve my effectiveness in leading pupils through a class activity.

Free Essays on Comparason Of Art from 1600 AD

Comparison of the 3 Great Works of Art from 1600 AD The period 1600AD saw the emergence of a new art style, the Baroque, which became as one of the greatest style in art history. It focuses on more realistic and emotionally charged themes and a good alternative to earlier mannerism style which uses unrealistic and exaggerated approach. There were also an increased in appreciation and imitation of Greek and Roman literature, art, and architecture which known to be the classicism style. Both the Baroque and Classicism movement brought about some of the greatest artist and works of art in the art history, especially in painting. Among them are: The Calling of St. Mathew by Italian painter Caraggavio, The Elevation of the Cross by the Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens, The Funeral of Phocion by French artist Nicolas Poussin. The Calling of St. Mathew was one of the famous works of Caravaggio in Baroque style. It tells the story of the summoning of Levi (St. Mathew’s name before he was converted) to become one of the Disciples of Christ. In the painting, Levi was counting on his tax collection with his four assistance. Surprised by the intrusion and perhaps dazzled by the sudden light from the just-opened door, Levi draws back and gestures toward himself with his left hand as if to say, "Who, me?", his right hand remaining on the coin he had been counting before Christ's entrance. It utilizes the fundamentally static medium of painting to convey characteristic human indecision after a challenge or command and before reaction.(Caravaggio). The dark and urgent nature of his paintings at this time must have reflected Caravaggio's desperate state of mind. Orphaned at age 11, he had many encounters with the law during his stay in Rome. He was imprisoned for several assaults and for killing an oppo nent after a disputed score in a game of court tennis( Caravaggio). Despite His bad reputation, he was to be co... Free Essays on Comparason Of Art from 1600 AD Free Essays on Comparason Of Art from 1600 AD Comparison of the 3 Great Works of Art from 1600 AD The period 1600AD saw the emergence of a new art style, the Baroque, which became as one of the greatest style in art history. It focuses on more realistic and emotionally charged themes and a good alternative to earlier mannerism style which uses unrealistic and exaggerated approach. There were also an increased in appreciation and imitation of Greek and Roman literature, art, and architecture which known to be the classicism style. Both the Baroque and Classicism movement brought about some of the greatest artist and works of art in the art history, especially in painting. Among them are: The Calling of St. Mathew by Italian painter Caraggavio, The Elevation of the Cross by the Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens, The Funeral of Phocion by French artist Nicolas Poussin. The Calling of St. Mathew was one of the famous works of Caravaggio in Baroque style. It tells the story of the summoning of Levi (St. Mathew’s name before he was converted) to become one of the Disciples of Christ. In the painting, Levi was counting on his tax collection with his four assistance. Surprised by the intrusion and perhaps dazzled by the sudden light from the just-opened door, Levi draws back and gestures toward himself with his left hand as if to say, "Who, me?", his right hand remaining on the coin he had been counting before Christ's entrance. It utilizes the fundamentally static medium of painting to convey characteristic human indecision after a challenge or command and before reaction.(Caravaggio). The dark and urgent nature of his paintings at this time must have reflected Caravaggio's desperate state of mind. Orphaned at age 11, he had many encounters with the law during his stay in Rome. He was imprisoned for several assaults and for killing an oppo nent after a disputed score in a game of court tennis( Caravaggio). Despite His bad reputation, he was to be co...

Daily Writing Tips Spelling Test 1

Daily Writing Tips Spelling Test 1 Daily Writing Tips Spelling Test 1 Daily Writing Tips Spelling Test 1 By Daniel Scocco It took us some time, but we are finally up with another test, the Spelling Test 1. Spelling mistakes represent a common problem on the Internet. Sometimes just one letter separates two words with completely different meanings. Other times we end up transposing a vowel, and the result is hardly noticeable by the eye. Regardless, you should make sure that spelling mistakes are not crippling your writing, and this test is a good opportunity to do so. Here is a teaser: 9. It didn’t turn out the way we wanted, _________. though tough through thought Do you think you can pass with 100% accuracy? Test your spelling skills now, and let us know the result! Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the General category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Rhetorical Devices for Rational WritingExpanded and ExtendedUsing "zeitgeist" Coherently

Is it Morally Acceptable to Illegally Download a Hollywood Movie Essay

Is it Morally Acceptable to Illegally Download a Hollywood Movie - Essay Example Most of the information found on the internet is copyrighted. Therefore it is illegal to share information without the permission of the owner. The violation of this law has often been associated with the internet users who often download and share copyrighted information without the owner’s knowledge. Internet users are supposed to pay for the use of online books, music, movies, software and many forms of intellectual properties.   Most copyright owners are supposed to restrict the use of their work to avoid the sharing of their work without their permission. With the presence of such online information, internet users often worry about the imposed rules concerning copyright. Restrictions may hinder the evolution of technology. One such online threat is piracy, which is defined by Hunnewell as â€Å"the illegal duplication and distribution of sound recordings†.Commercial pirates use the Internet to transfer movie files from one country to another for download and sub sequent duplication and counterfeits in other markets. As Waterman wonders, â€Å"no one can be certain whether Hollywood’s worst case scenario of movie revenue decimal due to p2p file sharing will materialize† (2009, p. 261).   It is a fact that the markets for Hollywood movies do not only belong to the English speaking people but also many others natives across the world America, a copyright’s aim is included in the constitution. It is meant to promote the progress of science.

Auxilium Pharmaceutical Corporation Research Paper

Auxilium Pharmaceutical Corporation - Research Paper Example In relation to the study the company which has been selected is Auxilium Pharmaceutical, a firm that has been in business since 1999. The firm’s common stocks are traded publicly in NASDAQ under the symbol AUXL. The mission statement of the company is: â€Å"To improve the lives of patients throughout the world by rapidly and efficiently identifying, developing and commercializing innovative specialty biopharmaceutical products†. The firm’s products target the following healthcare markets: hand and plastic surgeons, endocrinologist, rheumatologists, urologists, and primary care physicians. The two top selling brands the company has are Testim and Xiaflex. The values of the company include integrity, quality, innovation, teamwork, and result oriented. In fiscal year 2010 Auxilium Pharmaceutical generated $211 million in revenues. The organization has 565 employees. The pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest and most powerful industries in the world with 201 0 global sales of $875 billion. The United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world. One of the challenges that U.S. healthcare companies face when trying to develop a new drug is that it takes a lot of time and money to bring a new drug to market. During the last five years the costs of bringing a new drug to market have gone up from $800 million to $1.3 billion. One of the primary reasons companies receive lengthy patent protection is to allow companies sufficient time to recover its investment and make a reasonable profit. All the costs across the entire healthcare system in the United States are on the rise. The medical spending per capita in the United States is twice as high as other developed countries such as the members of the European Union. In 2009 the United States spend $7,410 in healthcare spending per capita, while Europe in the same period spend only spend $3,615. Quality is not the main issue that’s driving the costs up since the Europeans receive equal if not better healthcare than American citizens. The cost of education may be a factor that is affecting the salary scales for doctors in the United States. Most medical students borrow over $250,000 in student loans to finance their education. Once they start practicing doctors are seeking higher salaries than ever before. Drugs are becoming more expensive due to higher development costs and medical plans are charging astronomical yearly fees in comparison with the past. In 2009 the average cost of family healthcare plan was $13,375. Medical insurance plan inflation increased 5% in comparison with 2008. Due to the rising cost of medical insurance the amount of Americans that are uninsured has increased to over 50 million. This hurts the sales of pharmaceutical companies because uninsured citizens typically cannot afford to pay for their prescription drugs in cash payments. Auxilium Pharmaceutical has multiple strengths that are helping the company stay competitive. T he firm has build up a nice brand value during its 13 years operating in the industry. During 2010 the company had very solid sales results of $211.4 million which represent an increase of 29% in comparison with the previous year.

Critical Thinking Questions Essay Example for Free

Critical Thinking Questions Essay Labeling is a societal way of correcting wrongs within the community by giving names related to the kind of wrong committed. Unfortunately, this does not always correct the deviant’s behavior. The labeled character internalizes the label and gets accustomed to it so as behave as labeled. Once one is called a thief they become one because the society is already aware of their character and they have no fear. They abide to the ascribed label, (Labeling and Crime, 2001). 2). What is the difference between primary and secondary deviance? Primary deviance, according to Edwin Lemert, is the initial act in which a person is identified to have committed a social wrong. When the society tries to correct it by punishing the offender they may or not stop committing this act depending on their perception of the form of correction. Secondary deviance is a kind of deviance that results from the reaction of the offender to the initial societal corrective measures. The offender tends to acquaint themselves with stubbornness against first hand correction to mistakes. As result of being labeled they develop a mind set that they are deviants. The community may try to punish them harder only to realize that they harden and commit the crime more frequently and fully become criminals rather than just deviants, (Crime and Criminology, 2010). 3). What are some examples of master status not in the text? A master status is acquired when one is successfully labeled and develops that particular kind of label making it his/her personality. For example, one may acquire a master status as a prostitute, rapist, gay or homosexual. This may have resulted from an act out of curiosity, desperation or poverty. When it is known to the public they may be labeled. The community does not want to associate with them and they may not get jobs due to the label and they decided to make it their personality for survival. 4). What are traits associated with them? Master status may result to a complete change in the character and personality of an individual. The new state makes them express low self esteem, shyness to the public, wild reactions that make them commit the crime more even after harsh punishment. They may tend to be closely associated with other criminals and may indulge in other related crimes other than the one they were labeled after. This mixed reaction results from victimization of the labeled person by capitalizing on his weakness rather than promoting their strengths. 5). How do those assumed traits affect our perceptions of people with that status? The perception of the community on a person who has acquired master status is transformed towards the description of this person in accordance to their label. They are called thieves other than teacher or father which would still be his other roles in the society. The community perceives them as evil and criminals despite any attempt to act well. 6). What are decision-making types used by rational choice theory? Decision making in rational theory may be in two types. Criminal event decision type and criminal involvement decision type. Criminal involvement type of decision making involve the criminal weighing options on whether participating in a criminal activity would yield more benefits or negatives. A cost benefit analysis is first taken before one commits crime. Crime event type of decision making involve the issues related to a particular crime that respond to the questions where, when, and how. The person must have decided to commit a crime and but they are either held back by either of the above mentioned situations which would promote the success of the crime, (Vito, Maahs, Holmes, 2007). 7). How do these decisions apply to crime? The rational decision making applies in crime in a number of ways. If a criminal decides that it would be beneficial, advantageous, and lucrative to commit the crime then they would commit it at particular location and specific time as deemed appropriate. When the analysis is completed the criminal does not fear any punishment emanating for the crime they intend to commit. This is applicable in theft and burglary cases. References Crime and Criminology: retrieved in 2010. http://www. sociologyindex. com/crime. htm 2010 Labeling and Crime: edited in March 2001: http://www. le. ac. uk/education/resources/SocSci/labelling. html 09 Vito, GT F. , Maahs, J. R. Holmes, R. M. (2007). Criminology: theory, research, and policy. Canada: Jones and Bartlett’s publisher.

Rosa Parks Essay -- History Rosa Parks Racism Essays

Rosa Parks Rosa Parks, born in Tuskegee, Alabama on February 4, 1913 in was raised in an era during which segregation was normal and black suppression was a way of life. She lived with relatives in Montgomery, where she finished high school in 1933 and continued her education at Alabama State College. She married her husband, Raymond Parks, a barber, in 1932. She worked as a clerk, an insurance salesperson, and a tailor’s assistant at a department store. She was also employed as a seamstress by white residents of Montgomery who were supporters of black Americans’ struggle for freedom and equal rights. Parks became active in civil rights work in the 1930’s. In 1943 Rosa became one of the first women to join the Montgomery National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Between 1943 and 1956 she served as a secretary for the group and later as an advisor to the NAACP Youth Council. She also contributed to the Montgomery Voters League to increase black voter registration. During the summer of 1955 Rosa accepted a scholarship given to community leaders which gave her a chance to work on school integration at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee. This was an excellent opportunity for her because she was able to experience racial harmony which nurtured her activism. Obviously Rosa, like many others, dedicated many years of her life trying to increase equality for black Americans. Though these efforts did not go unnoticed or fail in making any progress, it wasn’t until Dec. 1 of 1955 that Rosa made a decision that would later make her known as the â€Å"Mother of the Civil Rights Movement†. On this significant day Rosa simply refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white man who was standing. Though i... ... it was the way in which she did it. She didn’t argue, she didn’t yell or threaten anyone. She did not make a scene. She protested in a peaceful way, and it’s great to know that even if young people are not taught the details of her life they can admire her and realize that violence and hatred are not needed for things to change. On Dec. 1 of 1955 Rosa simply remained seated, and by doing so took a stand, one that has made her one of the most honorable figures in US history. Works Cited 1. â€Å"Rosa Louis McCauley Parks 1913-.† African American Almanac. 1985. 2. Koeller, David. â€Å"The Montgomery Bus Boycott.† North Park University. 1999 dkoeller@northpark.edu* 3. â€Å"Rosa Parks.† Acheivement.org. 1997. The Hall of Public Service. 2000. http://www.acheivement.org/autodoc/page/par0bio-1* 4. Parks, Rosa. Rosa Parks: My Story. New York, 1992.

Europeans in Jamaica Essay

When did they come? Jamaica was first colonized by a native group of South American origin who, in the early history of Jamaica, called their home a paradise of wood and water. The Arawak were there to greet Christopher Columbus when he arrived in Jamaica in 1494, beginning a long period of European colonization there. The history of Jamaica as a European outpost saw the island under Spanish rule for 150 years, during which the city now known as Spanish Town was established and flourished as the colony’s economic hub. In the 1650s, Jamaica was captured by the British. Despite turning Jamaica into a profitable colony, continued harassment by a group of ex-slaves – brought over throughout the Spanish period and set free during their retreat – and their descendants dogged the British until they relented and granted emancipation to all remaining plantation laborers in 1838. The Maroons, as this small army was known, are still revered today as some of the most brave and noble figures in the history of Jamaica. Why did they come? On May 10, 1655, an English expedition, commanded by Admiral William Penn and General Robert Venables, landed at the present-day coastal town of Passage Fort, in the southeastern parish of Saint Catherine. This expedition, which had failed to capture Hispaniola, proceeded to claim the island of Jamaica for England. At the time of the English conquest, the Spaniards were unable to effectively resist the invasion because only about 500 of them were armed with weapons. The English ordered the Spanish colonists to deliver all of their slaves and goods and leave the island. Some followed these orders, but a group led by Don Cristabal Arnaldo de Isasi remained and put up guerrilla resistance to the English. Isasi freed the slaves, many of whom retreated with the Spanish rebels into the hills. From there, the Spanish and the freed blacks who had joined them frequently raided and waged guerrilla warfare on English settlements. Isasi, finally overwhelmed by English forces, fled to Cuba for reinforcement. Some of the blacks who had fought with Isasi, recognizing that the Spanish case was lost, defected to the English. A black regiment fighting for the English, led by the former slave Juan de Bolas, proved a decisive factor in the final defeat of the Spanish, marked by Isasi’s retreat in 1660. How did they colonize? Jamaica’s English-appointed governor Edward D’Oyley compensated the black regiment by officially recognizing their freedom and granting them landholdings. Other formerly Spanish-owned slaves remained autonomous of the colonial administration, living in their own communities as maroons. Spain officially ceded the island to England under the Treaty of Madrid in 1670. The English established a representative system of government, giving white settlers the power to make their own laws through an elected House of Assembly, which acted as a legislative body. The Legislative Council, whose members were appointed by the governor, served an advisory function and took part in legislative debates. This system lasted until it was replaced in 1866 by the crown colony system of government, which stripped the island elite of most of its political power. What changes did they make? The English encouraged permanent settlement through generous land grants. In 1664 Sir Thomas Modyford, a sugar plantation and slave owner in Barbados (a Caribbean island of the Lesser Antilles chain), was appointed governor of Jamaica. He brought 1,000 English settlers and black slaves with him from Barbados. Modyford immediately encouraged plantation agriculture, especially the cultivation of cacao and sugarcane. By the early 1700s sugar estates worked by black slaves were established throughout the island, and sugar and its by-products dominated the economy. Other economic activities, including livestock rearing and the cultivation of coffee and pimento (allspice), developed as well. With the establishment of the plantation system, the slave trade grew. Slaves of both genders and every age were found in all facets of the island’s economy, in both rural and urban areas. They were laborers on plantations, domestic servants, and skilled artisans (tradesmen, technicians, and itinerant traders). The wealth created in Jamaica by the labor of black slaves has been estimated at ? 18,000,000, more than half of he estimated total of ? 30,000,000 for the entire British West Indies. It has been postulated that the profit generated by the ‘triangular trade’ (involving sugar and tropical produce from the British Caribbean colonies, the trade in manufactured goods for slaves in Africa, and the trade of slaves in the British Caribbean) financed the Industrial Revolution in Britain. More than 1 million slaves are estimated to have bee n transported directly from Africa to Jamaica during the period of slavery; of these, 200,000 were reexported to other places in the Americas. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Akan, Ga, and Adangbe from the northwestern coastal region known as the Gold Coast (around modern Ghana) dominated the slave trade to the island. Not until 1776 did slaves imported from other parts of Africa-Igbos from the Bight of Biafra (southern modern Nigeria) and Kongos from Central Africa-outnumber slaves from the Gold Coast. But slaves from these regions represented 46 percent of the total number of slaves. The demand for slaves required about 10,000 to be imported annually. Thus slaves born in Africa far outnumbered those who were born in Jamaica; on average they constituted more than 80 percent of the slave population until Britain abolished the slave trade in 1807. When Britain abolished the institution of slavery in 1834, Jamaica had a population of more than 311,000 slaves and only about 16,700 whites. By the mid-1700s planters were distributing small plots of marginal land to their slaves, both men and women, as a way to offset the cost of providing food. However, the slaves were expected to tend their own crops only during their limited free time. Although slaves were not allotted much time to work the plots, they were able to produce enough not only for their own subsistence but also for sale. A vibrant marketing network developed among the slaves throughout the island, creating what is referred to as a proto-peasantry. In the British mind, slaves were no more than property and merchandise to be bought and sold. On this premise, the British enacted a whole system of slave laws aimed primarily at policing slaves. In general, the premise that slaves were no more than property allowed slave owners to treat them brutally. The severity of this brutality varied. Slaves on large sugar estates generally suffered the harshest punishments, while those on smaller estates and in towns received somewhat better treatment. Colonialism The history of Jamaica is crucial to understanding the country’s current situation. Many of the problems today are results of neocolonial forces. The roots of such concerns can be found within the country’s long legacy of colonialism extending 300 years in length before reaching independence. Jamaica was the meeting place of two expropriate populations: the Britisher uprooting himself in search of quick wealth through sugar; and the African uprooted by force from his environment to supply slave labor upon which his owner’s dream of wealth depended† (Manley, 1975: 12). In 1494 Christopher Columbus arrived on the island to be followed by his son, Diego, in 1509. Diego Columbus sent a delegation to the island thus supporting Spanish control in Jamaica until 1660. During the reign of the Spanish the colonizers managed to wipe out the entire population of native Arawaks, comprised of 60,000 people. The Spanish had imported some slaves from Africa during this time but developed little of the island. Profound development began in 1660 when, after a five-year struggle against the Spanish crown, the British won power. There was a significant rise in population under British control. Their system allowed the colony to prosper as they gave new European settlers land to cultivate sugar cane and cocoa. â€Å"The European planter has been described as a machine for making money† (Waters, 1985: 22). The purpose of this colonial economic system was to provide raw materials and goods for the Mother Country. In addition, a general consumer market was developed to send wealth to Europe and allow for capital accumulation, all for the benefit of the colonizers. Slavery represents an important part of Jamaican history and the cultivated dominant atmosphere. For one, plantations highly depended on slave labor to maximize profit margins. Between 1655 and 1808 one million slaves were forcefully brought to Jamaica (Waters, 1985: 21-23). Persaud (2001: 72) suggests, â€Å"the plantation system, the totality of institutional arrangements surrounding the production and marketing of plantation crops, has seriously affected society in Jamaica†. In other words, the slave mode of production was a crucial factor in the establishment of Jamaica’s structural society. â€Å"Jamaica’s class structure today reflects its history as a colonial plantation society and its beginnings of industrial development characterized by a high rate of inequality and poverty

Louis Menand’s Three Theories Essay

More people than ever before are attending college due to the endless opportunities that it provides. Louis Menand, a college professor and the author of â€Å"Live and Learn: Why We Have College,† explains the meaning of college through three theories that have been developed. Theory 1 supports the idea of the sorting-out process that separates the highly intelligent from the less intelligent. Menand’s second theory explains that college provides opportunities for developmental growth, personal growth, and teaches individuals about the world around us. These are valuable lessons that will not be learned anywhere else. Theory three supports the idea of people attending college to specialize in a specific vocation. I am a firm believer in Menand’s second theory. I believe that college should enlighten students in various ways to make for well-rounded members of society, that college leads individuals to the path of self discovery, and everyone should have an oppor tunity to attend college. While it is true that some college students would rather specialize in certain criteria that only relates to their career path, I believe that college should educate and enlighten students in various ways to make for well-rounded intellectuals. Menand’s second theory is a democratic perspective, which gives students the opportunity to be exposed to numerous topics, which will broaden one’s knowledge. Attaining basic information will stifle student’s developmental and personal growth. College provides students with a broader experience compared to vocational or trade schools. Even though taking a Humanities class may seem like a complete waste of time, I can prove that it has its advantages. Taking these classes will provide a greater understanding of society and how we fit in it. It will also teach students how to think critically, and allows one to explore opportunities before settling in a field that may not be suitable. Expanding the mind and learning more than the basics will shape students into intelligent beings, as well as making room for personal growth. Through my experience, college continues to give me the opportunity to grow and has shaped me to become independent –minded. I soon came to realize what I am capable of achieving, and have also been able to make improvements. For instance, when I first started attending college I realized how different the teaching methods were compared to that of high school. Since the work load was more intensive, I had to learn how  to manage my time according to my own capabilities. I learned how to prioritize, and managed to balance my academics, part-time job, and social life successfully. This transition shaped me to become a well-rounded, independent intellectual. Being a strong supporter of Theory 2, I am a firm believer that college allows for an individual to explore endlessly and also helps one find their path to self discovery. Attending an Ivy League University puts limitations on the freedom of finding the path to self discovery. It does not allow a student the freedom to explore a wide variety of opportunities while simultaneously limiting the freedom of personal growth. Some students that attend these schools are anxiety ridden due to the pressure of earning high grades and graduating at the top of their class. Being a teacher and through observation, I have come to the conclusion that those that take most from their experience and read in-between the lines are those that truly succeed. A college degree ultimately is not the end product of being an accomplished individual. A college degree is a stepping stone into the harsh reality of our society today. According to Theory 1, â€Å"it doesn’t matter which courses students take, or even what is taught in them, as long as they’re rigorous enough for the sorting mechanism to do its work† (Menand ). The filtering process which sorts the more intelligent from the less intelligent does have certain short-term advantages, but what long-term advantages does this have? It would be beneficial to be intelligent and obtain life skills that will help further a future career. If the materials that are being taught are not absorbed, then it is not worth investing endless amounts of time and money just to earn that A and walk away with a degree that ultimately does not mean anything. It is important to take the most from the experience that college provides. I have become a successful teacher due to the opportunities that I have had that led me to self discovery. Theory 2 provides the opportunity for anyone to receive an education. Giving everyone a shot at success and the chance to go to school to earn a college degree opens the door for endless opportunities as well as better options in life. Our economy has made a huge transition over time from being a manufacturing economy to an economy based on knowledge and skill. If knowledge and skill is not acquired than the chance at becoming successful and living comfortable is close to impossible. Having the opportunity to go to college opens the door for new and better ideas, it allows for questions to be asked and answers to be found, and it also provides developmental and personal growth. I agree when Menand says, â€Å"It’s a way of producing a society of like-minded grownups.† It is important for everyone to have an equal opportunity to attend college to make for a better society. College gives students endless opportunities. During this time, students are able to grow and develop academically and individually. It also provides students with an experience to learn about the world around us. When students take most from their college experience, I believe this makes for a happier, accomplished, and successful individual. Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to go to college, to grow into a well-rounded, intelligent member of society. These are all important fundamentals that need to be learned and what better place to learn them than in college. Who would not want to take the most from any experience?

The Change of my Smoking Behavior

The Change of my Smoking Behavior Human beings develop behavior in the process of socialization; sometimes what begins as a habit ends up in being an anti-social behavior and/or addiction. Some antisocial behaviors that are developed from socialization and peer pressure include smoking, alcoholism, and substance abuse. I was born and brought up in a God fearing family, where my parents were strict to instill discipline and good behavior in their children.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Change of my Smoking Behavior specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However , when adolescent, I was influences by my high school peers and began smoking despite it was unacceptable in my family. In the first months I ensured that none of my family member knew my new behavior as it would have caused havoc in my life. After two years of smoking, I had become an addict; although I hated my behavior, I never got the courage to stop it. This paper illustrates a personal qu itting smoking strategy that I have adopted during the last month. I was introduced to smoking by my friend when was in my level two secondary school, previously I had observed people in my neighborhood smoking and I always condemned them. My first cigarette smoking occasion happened at a party with my friends who were smokers, as they shared around of smoke ( â€Å"a round of smoke according to the friends was sharing one cigarette as a group†), I was booed when I was about to let the smoke past me. With the booing, I felt as if I might not be accepted by the peers again, thus I smoked for the first time. As time went by and we continued to engage in social activities with the smoking friends, I became used to the act to a point I would buy the cigarettes and give them. By the time I was finishing my secondary diploma, I was a chain smoker and never feared who saw me smoking. I have been arrested for smoking in public/forbidden places three times. When smoking, someone feels a change in his mind; nicotine has the ability to get into the brain and create a pleasant feeling to the smoker. When faced with a challenging situation, smokers opt to have a sip then decide on the way forward; this shows that someone has already become controlled by the substance.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More When under the influence of something, the nature of human beings is that they can hardly make sound decisions. Thus, smokers make substandard decisions; this is the risk for health associated with smoking. Smokers are at high risk of contracting lung cancer and other related diseases. It is through wide research and appreciation of the negative effects of smoking on my health, social life, and economic status that I have decided to quit smoking. From the research I have undertaken, I have realized it might be challenging to stop the behavior at once but q uite possible with some consistent actions and if I have the will. To change behavior is not an easy task, it involve a lot of commitment, prayers, hard-work, and consistency. The first step that I have undertaken was to accept that smoking is an antisocial behavior that I could change; to change the behavior I first got into books, literature, and the internet materials that discussed various attributes of smoking. For instance, there are numerous materials and confessions that people have posted on the internet regarding how they managed to quit smoking. From the wide literature, it has come clear that quitting smoking would be gradual and involve a lot of commitment. With the realization, I analyzed the situation, times, and occasions that I smoke; although I am an addict, there are places that I realized I must smoke when in them. For instance, when in a party or in a club, I can hardly control myself, I find myself smoking. The next step is to understand the kind of friends tha t I maintain, smoking friends are likely to have an easy solution to my thirst, they are likely to share me their cigarettes and the behavior continues. With the realization of the friends, I seek to observe their behavior in terms of, when do they smoke, where are they likely t smoke, among others. With the above understanding of my social class and peer friends, I was able to create a plan to avoid them in the instances that they were smoking.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Change of my Smoking Behavior specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More To start with, I noted that I had to smoke in the morning, I smoked when resting in the bed after a long sleep. With the new efforts to change the behavior, I always ensure that when I have woken up, I don’t stay idle in the bed, I get out of the bed fast and go to my gym. After the gym, I ensure that I have breakfast with my family so that a thought about smoking does n ot get into my mind. When heading to college, I ensure that I don’t get in touch with my smoking friends; mostly I switch off my phone to avoid them calling me for a meeting; I have ensured that my days are packed with activities. During the day when I have free time, for example in break time, I get into the nearest library or a no smoking zone, when in the place, I cannot see a cigarette being sold and neither can I find someone smoking that I can get the urge to smoke. In the event from a distance smell a smoker, I change my route to avoid meeting with him. With the efforts, I found myself reducing the number of cigarette smokes from twenty to two within duration of one month. The two smokes that I was taking were when I was getting severe head ache which I interpolated and it was caused by lack of nicotine in the brains. I am looking forward to change the behavior completely during the next month.. Smoking is an addictive behavior that has been described as one of the cha llenging behaviors to quit. From the experience that I have gotten during that one month of practicing quitting smoking, I noted numerous benefits to my health, social environment, and economic status. When talking to people I do not mind that my mouth is stinking of cigarettes. I talk confident and my self esteem has boosted. I have realized that smoking had a negative effect on my teeth, currently, my teeth becoming whiter and they feel stronger. Although changing the habit has been challenging, I have decided to stand with my decision and make sure I remain accountable for every action that I undertake. The major challenge is how to avoid my smoking friends or how to make them appreciate and support me in my decision. When in social occasions, it has become a challenge coping with my smoking friends as they expect me to be smoking.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Cigarettes adverts are also a challenge I have to fight; they seem to know how to persuade and create the urge to smoke. Marketing and advertisements are crucial parts in selling of a company’s products; it creates awareness and are used as a tool to enlarge a company’s market base; thus cigarette manufacturing companies have created adverts that are really challenging. In the tobacco sector, different people have their own tastes that they seem to be loyal and persuading a customer to shift to ones products needs a lot of energy and use of resources. On the other hand, it is more ethical to persuade customers leave their smoking behavior instead of persuading them to change brands. The main challenge that I have faced in my efforts to quit smoking is the effect of addiction; there are times that I feel restless and suffer severe headache. When restless or having the headaches, I can hardly avoid smoking. My smoking friends are another challenge that I have to cope wit h, they have continued to discourage me; they mock me around and keep telling me it’s for a period then join them. Changing one’s behavior is a challenging task; it calls for commitment, sacrifice, consistence, accountability, and having the will to change. Smoking is an addictive behavior that has been described as one of the challenging behaviors to quit. I have decided to change the behavior within a period of two months; I believe it will be possible with a self-drive and discipline.

Australian Stereotypes Essay Example for Free (#3)

Australian Stereotypes Essay Stereotyping the Australians has always been a common practice by people all around the world. In fact, Australia has been classified as one of the most stereotyped nations in the world due to the sense that much of the international community believes that they have a solid understanding regarding Australian society, despite the fact that their beliefs bear little similarities to the realities of Australian life in the 21st Century. Australia is a complex nation that is riddled with assumptions that are downright false, and sometimes ridiculous. There’s no denying it – as soon the word ‘Australia’ is out, our mind automatically paints a certain glossy picture. For starters, people have assumed that the Australians love to barbecue all the time. Now, while everyone loves a scrumptious and moist barbecued chicken, who in the world would have the time (or patience) to spend the whole morning barbecuing steaks and chicken just to provide a simple breakfast, and repeat the tedious process again for lunch and dinner every single day? The baneful clean-up process and charcoal stains are simply enough to test my patience. However, people in the nationwide has evoke countless of preconceptions that the Aussies are found to be a bunch of barbecue-addicted people, much to the annoyance of the Australians. The real question is ; how did this Australian stereotype become so viral? Australia itself is culpable. Tourism Australia has tried to boost their tourism industries by commercializing Australians with a fresh and rejuvenating look such as the stereotypical â€Å"beach and bimbos† image popularised in the 1980s. However, the portrayal that Aussies loves hang out at the beach every day and ‘put another shrimp on the barbecue’ (or barbie, in the Australian slang) apparently bears a scanty resemblance with the reality. Nick Bryant, a Sydney correspondent also suggested that the popularity of television programs such as Neighbours and Home and Away only rendered the British public to carry a superficial perception of Australia that is not representative of the majority of the nation. â€Å"Throw another shrimp on the barbie† was a 1980s tourism slogan by Paul Hogan which remains as one of the most recognisable quotes associated with Australia within the international community. Another popular Australian stereotype is being belligerent drunkards. People have always assumed that the cities of Australia are full of drunken people, empty scotch bottles and foul alcohol stenches. However, if you happen to walk at the streets of Melbourne, you will realize that it is just like any conventional city, bustling with working ladies and man as opposed to the stereotypical view. Studies have also proved that the country only ranks 44th in terms of global alcohol consumption as opposed to the 17th ranking of the UK. In a nutshell, some of the stereotypical views on Australians are proved to be untrue although some parts of them that are quite true. Stereotypes can be hard to avoid, so my advice is DO NOT always believe what you hear! Many things are always not what they are seemed to be so always do a little research first before ascertaining its validity. Australian Stereotypes. (2017, Jan 22).

The Value of Incumbency Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Value of Incumbency - Essay Example Incumbency is a valued commodity in any election and can mean the difference between winning and losing, but the problem it creates for the system, and for the voters, is not so readily apparent. Incumbents have a de facto advantage because they are running as the hometown favorite. Their district has elected them once, and barring scandal there is no reason for the voters to turn on them. With a little good government and giving the constituents the legislation they prefer, an incumbent should have an advantage. But for most of them this is not enough. The sitting congressman has the purse strings to offer pork barrel projects, highway funds, military spending, and special incentives to their district. This is openly viewed as buying votes and it is a favor that the challenger is unable to provide. They can also raise money for advertising. Incumbents have the inside track on raising campaign funds year round. They have been in office and talking to lobbyists willing to contribute. Contributors are eager to donate money with the hopes of gaining access to the incumbent's influence. PACs have been formed to raise money to support key issues and they can capitalize on the news for public exposure. If the voters are unfamiliar with the challenger, the incumbent has an opportunity to define them (Gerber).