The Role of Flexibility in the Australian Context

Introduction The following essay is on the need for flexibility of labour in the Australian context. This essay will discuss the role of flexibility in the Australian context. There will be evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of flexible work arrangements from the perspective of the employer as well as employee. The essay will look into the Equal employment Act in Australia, and its role in the flexible work conditions. The essay will also include the perspective of the work conditions in the country.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Role of Flexibility in the Australian Context specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Background Flexibility of work is a major labour relation issue that has effect on both the labour and the management. Flexibility comes from the need for the management to adjust with the dynamism of the labour market that results from the development of the company and the way in which empl oyees want to work. The survey results released by the Australian Bureau of statistics show that fifty percent of the workers do not have choice over their work start time and finish time (Fagan, 2009). Twenty eight per cent of the employees had incomes that varied from one pay period to the next. Thirty-seven percent had hours that varied per week and they had to stay alert to work on call. This form of uncertainty and unpredictability of work makes it necessary for both the employer and the employees to have flexible working mentality to allow them work harmoniously. Currently, 1.4 million workers in Australia work in shifts, which are organized by the management. This especially applies to the mining industry and service industries such as hotels (Fagan, 2009). Flexible work conditions take the pluralist approach of industrial relations where the view recognizes that entities in an industry both the employee and the employer are powerful with different goals and objectives. The m anagement role is to coordinate and persuade employees to work whereas the labour unions are the legitimate representatives of employees and they represent them through collective bargaining. With this perspective employees are able to negotiate the number of hours collectively as well as the working conditions (Hyman, 1975). However, with most of the companies employing non-unionized workers to meet their labour needs and the employees opting for flexible rather than fixed working conditions it is becoming necessary to institute mechanisms to tackle flexibility of work to suit both the employer and the employee. The government of Australia instituted Equal Employment Act that spell out flexible work arrangements that are legally recognized. They help the employees to choose arrangement such as the number of hours to work, modes of work and when to enjoy benefits such as holidays (Atkinson Meager, 1986).Advertising Looking for essay on labor law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The most popular kind of work arrangements is the part time work or the job sharing where workers work part time or they share the work with another person such that each work two days a week. The other common arrangement is the shifts, where employees work in shifts especially in the mining industry where the work may go on for twenty-four hours every day. The other popular arrangement is the telecommuting where workers may perform some of their duties away from office or at home such as making calls. The other work arrangements is the compressed work hours where an employee may work continuously for forty hours in five days a week rather than in two weeks (Bhave Budd, 2008). Numerical flexibility The notion of numerical flexibility is becoming common than it was before as the modern worker is no longer encouraged to work through adjustments in labour prices. They are encouraged by the working conditions and terms of work. With the functioning markets of goods and services, company must also adapt to the high season and low demands on labour. When the company is in low season, it may lay off some workers due to reduced tasks and responsibilities. During the high season, the company may have to bring in external workers or hire additional labour to meet the demand of the products or services (Befort Budd, 2009). Numerical flexibility has two aspects with the first one being external flexibility. This is where the company outsource workers when it is in need of extra labour. This is through short-term contractual workers who work for a given season. The second aspect of numerical flexibility involves adjustment in the number of hours or days worked by the employees such that they may work for extra hours or overtime in high seasons and few hours during low seasons (Morrell, 2011). The company applying the internal numerical flexibility usually adjusts the labour within the company such that it does not lay off workers or hire extra workers from outside. The fewer hours done in low season compensate the additional hours done during the high season. This type of numerical flexibility applies in many companies, as they avoid repeated layoffs and recruiting procedures that are tedious and expensive. The internal numerical flexibility is also considered advantageous to the employees due to the job security and the employee does not have to keep on changing jobs (Budd, 2004).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Role of Flexibility in the Australian Context specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Functional flexibility This refers to the extent in which the employee can transfer to another work. It is how the employees can perform different tasks within the company. Functional flexibility refers to the number of tasks an employee can engage in the organisation. In functional flexibility when there is high season, the employee may do additional tasks. For instance, an employee may work as a technician and a receptionist in the company, which allows flexibility within the organisation. It involves having the labour force appropriately positioned to use different technologies. However, for this to be done the company must focus its resources on training the employees to perform different tasks (Fagan, 2009). Role of flexibility in Australian context With the Australian Equal Employment opportunity Act of 1984, the companies had to adjust their regulations and layoff activities as the law discriminated against layoffs based on conditions such as pregnancy or sickness. The companies had to adjust their schedules to fit the need of workers such as maternity leaves, parental leave and other needs of the workers. The first role played by the work arrangement flexibility is reducing employee absenteeism. The absenteeism was usually because of stresses and sickness that made workers redundant. However, with flexib ility the employees can adjust their work to fit them such that they can balance their work and other activities (Reilly, 2001). Flexibility in work arrangements has enhanced morale and job satisfaction resulting to increased and improved efficiency in the work. When working hours fit the employees, it results in increased motivation to work. With increased morale, the productivity goes high and the company benefits from increased revenue (Wallace, 2003). With the increased morale resulting from the increased productivity, the employees are more energetic and creative. This is because they have the choice to work during the time when they are most productive and effective in the job. The flexibility allows the employees to concentrate on the work they are doing unlike in scenarios where time of working is inflexible and they are unable to attend other issues thereby affecting productivity as well as morale. With the increased productivity, the organisation and the employee benefit ( Hyman, 1975).Advertising Looking for essay on labor law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The flexibility in work arrangements reduces work stress and burn out because the flexibility allows the employee to relax and recuperate energies unlike in scenarios where the work timelines are fixed and do not have time for employee to relax (Kaufman, 2004). The other contribution of the work flexibility is that it has reduced the role and the influence of labour organisations. This is because with the numerical flexibility where workers work on contract, it is very hard for the workers join unions. Most of the contracts state that they do not want anyone who is unionised. This challenge makes most of the workers who work on contact basis not to be members of labour unions. Functional flexibility allows the employees to start the work in many aspects of the job and cannot complain of overworking, as it is part of the in-house arrangements to shift the working of the employees (Salamon, 2000). The companies in Australia on the other hand have benefited from the development of the work and they can now develop their work as well as increase their responsibilities on the development of the company. The companies have experienced low levels of industrial actions such as low employee turnover and strikes. This is because of the flexible work arrangement measures that suit both the employer and the employee (Webb Webb, 1897). Employer’s perspective on the flexibility â€Å" The work arrangements are advantageous to the employees as they result in increased productivity. The productivity comes from the need to reduce stress in the workplace and motivation that comes from working when it is appropriate (Nichols, 1997). The other advantage of the work arrangements procedures is that it reduces costs such as hiring and recruiting when the company is in need of extra labour as well as freeing the company from compensation obligations when an employee is fired. This is because the employees’ can work under flexible work arrangements offering the employe e a chance to determine the appropriate time of work such that the employer can hire workers to work during the time when the labour is needed most. This prevents the employer from paying redundant workers (Kaufman, 2004). The work arrangement flexibility has reduced the influence and the bargaining power of the trade unions significantly such that they cannot be influential as they were previously. With reduced bargaining power, the employers can negotiate better terms with the employees. Most of the companies that adopt numerical flexibility employ workers on short-term contracts, which make it hard for the employees to unionise. The flexible work conditions can be attributed to the reduced levels of strikes and industrial actions in the companies (Kelly, 1998). The work arrangements are costly to the company especially in instances where the company has to outsource to meet the demand for labour. It is also disadvantageous to the company as it has to retrain the staff on the vari ous aspects of the work to make them flexible such that they are deployable to do different tasks and duties (Mullins, 2005). The flexibility especially the numerical flexibility where the company employs on short term contracts result in reduced employee loyalty as many employees are influenced by job security and they may not be loyal to the companies that do not offer job security to them (Salamon, 2000). The other aspect of management is that the work arrangement involves the management relinquishing its supervisory powers. This is because some of the arrangements such as telecommuting where the employees work from home or away from the office make it hard for the employer to supervise them. The employer’s must consider whether an employee is appropriate to the work arrangement as individuals who need close supervision in their work cannot be fit for telecommuting arrangements (Nichols, 1997). Employee’s perspective The work arrangement flexibility is disadvantageo us to the employees because it enables them to live a balanced life where they manage family and work. This is an important achievement for many people to balance their attention to both the work and the family (Reilly, 2001). The other advantage is that it enables the employees to work at the optimum time, and relax when tired. It allows the employees to choose when to go for holidays and when not to. With this kind of flexibility, the employees manage to be productive in their work and achieve results (Budd, 2004). The arrangements are however disadvantageous to most of the employees because they involve short term jobs that end after the season is over, which makes the employees insecure (Wallace, 2003). The other disadvantage is that the work arrangements makes collective bargaining less effective as the employee can only negotiate conditions that suit him or her personally not collectively. This means that bargains with the employer are usually personal and not collective, whic h is a disadvantage to the employee. The company may flout the previous working arrangement agreed upon and the individual employee may not manage to initiate a legal proceeding against the company. The other disadvantage is that in some instances employees are forced to work for many hours to compensate for the hours they were not working (Morrell, 2011). The last disadvantage of the work arrangements is that most of the times employers do not consult the employees when designing the flexible work arrangements to determine the best kind of flexible work arrangements to suit the employees (Salamon, 2000). Conclusion Discourse on work arrangements is significant to the development of the work conditions. The development of appropriate work conditions allows the employees to work towards the development of their own company as well as their life. For the work arrangement flexibility have effect both the employer and the employee must be in the planning stage such that the arrangement will meet the personal need of the employee as well as benefit the company. Assessing the work flexibility arrangements helps to determine whether the arrangements are effective or not. Evaluating the arrangements is important in ensuring that the arrangement achieves the set objectives. References Atkinson, J. Meager, N. (1986). Changing working patterns: How companies achieve flexibility to meet new needs. London: Institute of Manpower Studies. Befort, F. Budd, W. (2009). Invisible hands, invisible objectives: Bringing workplace law and public policy into focus. New York: Stanford University Press. Bhave, D. Budd, W. (2008). Values, Ideologies, and frames of reference in industrial relations. New York: Sage. Budd, W. (2004). Employment with a human face: Balancing efficiency, equity, and voice. California: Cornell University Press. Fagan, C. (2009). Out of time: Why Australia needs a new approach to working-time flexibility. Sidney: Trade Union Congress. Hyman, R. (1975). Indus trial relations: A Marxist introduction. New York: Macmillan. Kaufman, E. (2004). Theoretical perspectives on work and the employment relationship. Ohio: Industrial Relations Research Association. Kelly, J. (1998). Rethinking industrial relations: Mobilization, collectivism and long waves. New York: Rutledge. Morrell, F. (2011). 90 steps to employee engagement staff motivation. Cincinnati: Forest Gate Publishing. Mullins, L. (2005). Management and organisational behaviour. London: Prentice Hall. Nichols, T. (1997). The sociology of industrial injury. London: Mansell Publishing Limited. Reilly, P. (2001) Flexibility at work: Balancing the interests of employers and employee. Hampshire: Gower Publishing Limited Salamon, M. (2000). Industrial relations: Theory and practice. London: Prentice Hall. Wallace, C. (2003). Work flexibility in eight European countries: A cross-national comparison: Sociological series. Vienna: Institute for Advanced Studies. Webb, B. Webb, s. (1897). Industri al democracy. Chicago: Longmans. This essay on The Role of Flexibility in the Australian Context was written and submitted by user Denise Mckee to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. 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Characteristics and Examples of Stabilizing Selection

Characteristics and Examples of Stabilizing Selection Stabilizing selection in evolution is a type of natural selection that favors the average individuals in a population. It is one of five types of selection processes used in evolution: The others are directional selection (which decreases the genetic variation), diversifying or disruptive selection (which shifts genetic variation to adjust to environmental changes), sexual selection (which defines and adapts to notions of attractive features of the individuals), and artificial selection (which is the deliberate selection by humans, such as that of the processes of animal and plant domestication). Classic examples of traits that resulted from stabilizing selection include human birth weight, number of offspring, camouflage coat color, and cactus spine density. Stabilizing Selection Stabilizing selection is one of three main types of natural selection in evolution. The others are directional and diversifying selection.  Stabilizing selection is the most common of those processes.  The result of stabilizing is the over-representation in a specific trait. For example, the coats of a species of mice in a forest will all be the best color to act as camouflage in their environment.  Other examples include human birth weight, the number of eggs a bird lays, and the density of cactus spines. Stabilizing selection is the most common of these processes, and its responsible for many of the characteristics of plants, humans and other animals. Meaning and Causes of Stabilizing Selection The stabilizing process is one that results statistically in an over-represented norm. In other words, this happens when the selection process- in which certain members of a species survive to reproduce while others do not- winnows out all the behavioral or physical choices down to a single set. In technical terms, stabilizing selection discards the extreme phenotypes and instead favors the majority of the population that is well adapted to their local environment. Stabilizing selection is often shown on a graph as a modified bell curve where the central portion is narrower and taller than the normal bell shape. Polygenic traits tend to result in a distribution that resembles a bell-shaped curve, with few at the extremes and most in the middle. David Remahl/Wikimedia Commons Diversity in a population is decreased due to stabilizing selection- genotypes which are not selected are reduced and can disappear. However, this does not mean that all individuals are exactly the same. Often, mutation rates in DNA within a stabilized population are actually a bit higher statistically than those in other types of populations. This and other kinds of microevolution keep the stabilized population from becoming too homogeneous and allow the population the ability to adapt to future environmental changes. Stabilizing selection works mostly on traits that are polygenic. This means that more than one gene controls the phenotype and so there is a wide range of possible outcomes. Over time, some of the genes that control the characteristic can be turned off or masked by other genes, depending on where the favorable adaptations are coded. Since stabilizing selection favors the middle of the road, a blend of the genes is often what is seen. Examples of Stabilizing Selection There are several classic examples in animals and humans of the results of stabilizing selection process: Human birth weight, especially in underdeveloped countries and in the past of the developed world, is a polygenetic selection which is controlled by environmental factors. Infants with low birth weight will be weak and experience health problems, while large babies will have problems passing through the birth canal. Babies with average birth weight are more likely to survive than a baby that is too small or too large. The intensity of that selection has decreased as medicine has improved- in other words, the definition of average has changed. More babies survive even if they might have been too small in the past (a situation resolved by a few weeks in an incubator) or too large (resolved by Caesarian section).Coat coloration in several animals is tied to their ability to hide from predator attacks. Small animals with coats that match their environments more closely are more likely to survive than those with darker or lighter coats: stabilizing selection results in an average colorati on thats not too dark or too light. Cactus spine density: Cacti have two sets of predators: peccaries which like to eat cactus fruits with fewer spines and parasitic insects which like cacti that have very dense spines to keep their own predators away. Successful, long-lived cacti have an average number of spines to help ward off both.The number of offspring: Many animals produce multiple offspring at once (known as r-selected species). Stabilizing selection results in an average number of offspring, which is an average between too many (when there is a danger of malnourishment) and too few (when the chance of no survivors is highest). Sources Cattelan, Silvia, Andrea Di Nisio, and Andrea Pilastro. Stabilizing Selection on Sperm Number Revealed by Artificial Selection and Experimental Evolution. Evolution 72.3 (2018): 698-706. Print.Hansen, Thomas F. Stabilizing Selection and the Comparative Analysis of Adaptation. Evolution 51.5 (1997): 1341-51. Print.Sanjak, Jaleal S., et al. Evidence of Directional and Stabilizing Selection in Contemporary Humans. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 115.1 (2018): 151-56. Print.

Porsche in China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Porsche in China - Essay Example Ing. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft and later altered its name to Porsche Automobile Holding in November 2007. Porsche vehicle investment has its headquarters in Germany, Stuttgart. Porsche investment was founded to operate as business umbrella of the Austrian Porsche apprehension. Furthermore, Porsche Austria was set up as Volkswagen importer, which destined that, with the advanced progress of the sales system, the competitiveness of the Volkswagen allocation organization enhanced significantly. At the same time, producers from the distant East additionally strengthened the location of the Volkswagen exhibition area in spite of the dramatically rising pressure. Once Porsche had selected the state or states to enter, it required to agree on the suitable mode of entrance. Every corporation making this progress faces a range of choices: It can attain an accessible player, build an association with an obtainable player or begin Greenfield actions, alone or in joint venture with another p layer. Wilkinson, (2009) affirms that Porsche entered China through an acquirement. This was a reasonable move for three reasons. First, China is an established market, an unattractive condition for Greenfield actions, as adding new-fangled stores will just strengthen an already high quantity of confined competition. Next, because there is considerable revenue and cultural similarities between Germany and Chinese markets, Porsche faced comparatively little call for new knowledge. Thus, inflowing through a strategic association was needless. Third, a feebly performing company, Subaru was available, and the company saw it better to take advantage of this fact. Moreover, Porsche's production model was what Subaru required to transform itself into a feasible and strong organization. Porsche Entry to China As the main heavily inhabited nation in the world, China is a chief potential market for retailers. Retail sales in China rise at a yearly rate of ten percent between 2007 and 2009, bo osted by economic liberalization and a whopping pent-up order for customer goods. The Chinese market also throws up unique challenges as regulations, management policies are regularly unpredictable, and China's infrastructure is not properly urbanized. In addition, middle-class throwaway income is severely lower in China than in Germany so that even discount-minded Porsche ought to reinvent its corporation model to operate within the access of key inhabitants groups. Finally, Porsche had to admit that most Chinese tend to purchase in hire form and that language differences needed tailored selling approaches for merchandise labeling and product names. Porsche’s development in China is perhaps the most motivating case of how Porsche has had to transform, and adapt its German methods in order to gratify its Chinese clients. Porsche entered this state in the year 2009, and did so confidently that it could gratify client demands. One of the customs it was sure it could conform cus tomer desires were through client service, something that Porsche prided itself on in Germany. Porsche became sure that overhaul was going to be a significant matter following an article published, before Porsche’s entry into the market. The report exposed that retailers in China were the slightest accommodating of all European states in terms of client service. China was already properly equipped with concession retailers like Subaru and Mercedes Benz thus; client service became one of the

Meteorology assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Meteorology - Assignment Example Review the sounding data available from the online repository to estimate the value of CAPE just prior to the occurrence of the Angus tornado. The atmosphere was predisposed to wards severe weather since the Environment Canada had issued tornado warnings for several communities in the area as a line of severe thunderstorms with embedded tornadoes moved into the Lake Simcoe region. On Tuesday at around 5:20 pm, a cold front spawned a number of strong to severe thunderstorms across the southern Ontario. This was said by the environmental of Canada in the storm summary early on Wednesday. i. Suppose lightning was observed in Angus, and that you had a clear line of sight from York University to it. How long would it take for you to hear the thunder corresponding to the Angus lightning? State any assumptions required for this estimation. After the storms, several thousands of homes and businesses I Angus were without power. More than 24 hours, customers in Ontario were still not having electricity. The thunderstorm went out in the following sequence, at 8:47 a.m., the first severe thunderstorm went out, then 10:54 a.m., 2:25 p.m., 2:37 p.m., 3:03 p.m. - 4:54 p.m. then the tornado warning replaces severe thunderstorm warning. According to Environment Canada, the tornado was associated with severe thunderstorm. It was accompanied by large hail, wind gusts greater than or equal to 50kts, or tornado. In other words, it was an Ordinary Cell Thunderstorm. http://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/articles/tornado-rips-through-angus-ontario-several-homes-damaged-no-major-injuries-reported/29754/. The tornado is approximated to travel at a wind speed of between 180-220 km/hr. and with limited wind shear. http://globalnews.ca/video/1475249/return-home-timing-uncertain-for-tornado-victims-in-angus. Tornadoes are very destructive as from the video link above, it led to the death of several people for instance the severe

The Books and School Essay Example for Free

The Books and School Essay In the first few pages of the book, Bloom highlights the importance of reading and studying literature and at the same time mentions one’s limitations about conducting this exercise. He writes, â€Å"The Biblical thee-score years and ten no longer suffice to read more than selection of the great writers in what can be called the Western tradition, let alone in all the word’s traditions. †(Bloom, 1995, p. 17) The best of the literature, finds new perspectives with the passage of time. New interpretations are introduced; many additions to the old ones are done, as per the demands of the time. The fable of the yesteryears becomes the reality of the day as for some characters in works of famous writers. They have the all-time appeal, as they transcend all secular limitations, and establish for themselves a unique place in the history of literature. Bloom dives deep in to the ocean of literature and tries to collect and introduce the pearls of wisdom to his readers. How did he achieve it and what were the implications? The re-examination of the world of literature afresh†¦ â€Å"Originally The Canon meant the choice of books in our teaching instructions, and despite the recent politics of multiculturalism, the Canon’s true question remains: What shall the individual who still desires to read attempt to read, this late history? †(Bloom, p. 17) asks Bloom and seems to grope for the answer. He attempts to dive deep in to the ocean of literature Age-wise the Autocratic Age, the Democratic Age, and the Chaotic Age. Any literature has time-value but there is a branch of ‘literature’ that transcends limitations of time. And more reading doesn’t mean more knowledge. Why should anyone attempt to possess all knowledge? The limitations of human existence, prima-facie, negate such possibility, even if one intensely wishes! I am reminded of a real-life incident. The question asked to a candidate for a high-profile selection post, was â€Å"Who is the Finance Minister of Spain? † Obviously the Interview Board Member was trying to corner the candidate. The bold candidate answered the question with a counter-question, â€Å"Sir, may I know from you who the Sports Minister of Nigeria is? I frankly say, that it is not necessary for me or anyone to acquire such superfluous general knowledge. It has nothing to do with one’s efficiency or productivity related to work. † What you do is not important; how you do what you do is important. Similarly, what you read is not important; how you read what you read is important-rather what you assimilate is the crux of the reading exercise. Presently, when the world is deeply impacted by the materialistic civilization, the industrial and internet revolution lays the real fear of the reading habit getting minimal- reading, just out of necessity and no more the soul pleasure! Bloom’s sincere efforts to re-kindle the passion for reading as for authors like Shakespeare, Austen and Dickens, is laudable and it is the need of the time , to come out of the web of dreary and mechanical life. Having said that, he poses the well-meaning question related to the Canon, â€Å"What shall the individual who still desires to read attempt to read, this late in history? A maestro of Classical Music takes interviews for the prospective candidates for judging their potentiality as for the inborn musical talents. He just asks them to sing a line or two, and he is able to judge their intrinsic worth. Bloom’s opinions about the quality of literature are somewhat similar. He is fascinated by the literary world created by Shakespeare. To him he is the be-all and end-all of the canon that he defines for the Western world, the standard by which one judges all literature. Bloom rightly opines that human mind has limitations as for acquiring the knowledge. When one transcends the mind-barrier it is altogether a different world and it is not possible to describe that state through verbal communications. Because, it is the final stage of experiencing, this is beyond then realm of words. Shakespeare, according to Bloom is the master psychologist- he has tackled each type of psychological situations and given answers through his characters. It is therefore, not necessary to read the psychological texts with the hope of finding anything new, after having read Shakespeare. This holds well, according to Bloom, in the religious contest as well. Shakespeare’s understanding of the religious tenets is so perfect! But not so about spirituality, admits Bloom candidly! An elegy for the Canon, Bloom does three types of classifications for the literature: The Autocratic Age, The Democratic Age and the Chaotic Age. Bloom makes rather the controversial statement that all great writing can end up sounding rather too similar. To select 26 authors of the vast multitude of literature should be a tough task for Bloom, but to the lucky ones in his team, he has rendered yeoman service. He has done a fine survey of classical literary traditions. Many have found it so rewarding to read these authors, in the light of the critical assessment done and fresh light thrown by Bloom. He has made the flowers of literary taste bloom in the desert. (Those who were hitherto disinterested in classical literature) Two issues immensely influence any author. The influence of Nature and the influence of the works of other authors! This process can be termed as literary sparks generated out of friction. One idea gives rise to several ancillary ideas, sometimes more profound and brilliant than the original idea. Through the introduction to various authors, Bloom has succeeded in inspiring the readers as well and that created the chain reaction in them to read more and more. The authors probably wrote one more book by such inspiration and the readers read another book! Both are the comparable processes of the literary genius latent in an individual. Therefore, those who have read the Western Canon of Bloom have admitted that it has been the most rewarding experience of their lives. No contradictions can be made as for Bloom’s observation about the impact of the materialistic civilization, ruthless competition, where moral boundaries are often violated and he asserts that such a process does destroy literary study in the name of socio-economic justice. One who creates literature and the one who loves literature have peculiar types of hearts, which a normal secular individual would find it difficult to understand. Such literary giants may have to pass through derision and even opposition. And finally a stage of willing acceptance would not be far off. There are ample examples of such developments if one goes through the history of mankind over the last few centuries. Bloom is however is too much obsessed about Shakespeare. No doubt, he is brilliant among the brilliants, but Blooms overreacts as for the glory that Shakespeare was, is and will be! Well, that is Bloom’s personal opinion, and one need not agree with it. An author writes true to his convictions. He doesn’t write to please someone. Reading Bloom’s book should be the beginning of the literary saga for any individual, not the end! It should never be! Conclusion: Bloom is a highly evolved individual, and he seems to have crossed the last hurdle of the mind-barrier. He has repeatedly knocked the portals of spirituality, but he has not entered it. He has, however, succeeded in taking certain potshots at it. If he were to cross it, his perspective about the entire mass of literature, would have changed, and he would have understood the meaningfulness and meaningless of the literary classics. But from his intellectual level, he has given the best possible explanations and views about the Western Canon. ============= Works Cited: Bloom, Harold: Book: The Western Canon: The Books and School of the Ages: Paperback: 560 pages Publisher: Riverhead Trade; 1st Riverhead Ed edition (September 1, 1995) Language: English ISBN-10: 1573225142 ISBN-13: 978-1573225144

ESL in DoDS Schools :: Free Essay Writer

Young Arzu Alp(not her real name), a ten-year-old military brat, is starting mid-semester at her third school in four years. Nervously standing before the American flag, she anticipates trouble understanding the teacher, hopes for just one new friend, and speaks English as a second language. Arzu need not fear. Her family has been stationed where the school she will attend instructs over 100 hundred English as a Second Language students by three specialized teachers and a competent faculty. Unlike her first year in the Department of Defense District School system when she spoke only Turkish, this semester she will test for Level Four and be very close to breaking her language barrier. She has seen others do this and excel in all other areas as well. The talented and gifted program at her new school is made up of 50% ESL students. In fact, the principal boasts that ESL students often finish high school as valedictorians or salutatorians. (M. Fidler, personal communication, June 9, 2001). Immersion of ESL students in mainstream classes has its advantages and disadvantages. Beginning with enrollment to testing through four levels of English comprehension to graduation, the potential obstacles are unique to ESL students. As we journey through Arzu’s experiences in the ESL program at her new DoDDS’ school, we will assess its productivity and describe its methods of success. One teacher at her new school feels that having ESL students learn side-by-side American, English-speaking only students creates an environment of cultural diversity. Multiple beliefs, traditions, and allegiances adds spice and enrichment to classroom interactions. (M. Fidler, personal communication, June 9, 2001). This is especially true at Arzu’s school where the different backgrounds pepper every classroom and there is no dominant one. Everyone is somewhat culture-bound. Within each culture, there is a unique coherence, integrity, and logic (Snowman, Biehler, 2000). These two statements and believing that one culture is not better or worse than the rest is the ideas on which cultural diversity, or pluralism, is based. One English/History/Humanities teacher articulates this attitude by commenting that relationships must be based on tolerance and mutual respect (M.Fidler, personal communication, June 9, 2001). In response to the question, â€Å"Do cultural differences cause problems in the classroom?† twelve out of twelve teachers and both the principal and vice principal agree that they do not.

Cross Tabulation and Exploratory Data Analysis

Prepare a preliminary analysis plan for this study. Which variables do you want frequencies on? Why?The initial stage of the data correlation and analysis would be the proper coding of the data and entry into an appropriate software database. For this case study, the data was presented as an Excel file, so the exploratory data analysis would include a complete descriptive statistical calculations and frequencies for applicable questions. I would suggest questions that create nominal or ordinal data are the most appropriate for frequency tables, and provide a clearer picture of the survey respondents. The data sets may be utilized to confirm if the teacher sample is representative of the overall population, and cross tabulations conducted to draw correlations between categories. I would suggest that data specifically addressing respondents who require a master’s degree, or those contemplating pursuing higher education would be of particular interest, as they represent the poten tial student market. Researchers will also need to account for non-response errors and missing data within the coding and analysis stages program, the program needs to continue the liberal arts tradition and strengthen the undergraduate teacher education program, as high quality under- graduate education is seen as part of Wittenberg’s primary mission.Additionally, new academic initiatives such as the one proposed are increasingly asked by the board to reach break-even within their first operating year. I don’t think the sample was appropriate for this research because the parameters of the systematic sampling are not detailed; such as were the teachers who already completed a MEd degree included in the sample? It would have been better to mail the 400 surveys to a more convenient sampling instead of the surrounding counties. It would be a lot better to see the market potential of the program.5. Which variables do you want to cross-tabulate? Why?Given the nature of the research questions, it would be beneficial to identity, through crosstabulations, those teachers who have not yet applied for their second licensure to teach and what level of education those teachers currently have. This would clarify the potential market for the WU program. In addition, cross-tabulations to identify potential teachers relative to their home counties would give a clearer picture of those teachers who could/would realistically attend the WU program over another program closer to their homes.A final cross tabulation that may prove beneficial is the number of teachers who currently are not impacted by the new legislation, but may look to the WU MEd. program for professional development courses. As noted earlier, the new legislation presents an opportunity for to expand upon their graduate level programs, but given the costs to initiate a new program, the decision to proceed must be based upon valid and credible research data. Therefore, the exploratory research under taken is critical, as it will form the foundation for any decisions made by the university administration.