Capstone Project Essay Example

Capstone Project Paper Indirect Clinical Project: Quality Improvement Abstract Healthcare has become a consumer driven industry with patient satisfaction equating to good customer service. Effective communication has been shown to be a key factor in both patient outcomes and satisfaction. Additionally, patient satisfaction has become a tool used by insurers to evaluate medical facilities and may impact reimbursement to hospitals for patient care. In this paper, I will discuss the issue of ineffective communication in the waiting area of the surgical services department at Mount Carmel East Hospital. The impact of ineffective communication effects patients and members of the perioperative team. Results of patient surveys consistently showed a decrease in overall patient satisfaction with areas of communication scoring the lowest across the continuum. Substandard scores necessitated a further look at the process of communication and a root cause analysis was used to evaluate the scope of the issue. The current communication process was then observed and compared to best practice models. A summary of this data, included in this report, was used to develop possible solutions to improve communication as part of a continuing quality improvement process. The impact of quality improvement is instrumental in overall patient satisfaction and customer service. We will write a custom essay sample on Capstone Project specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Capstone Project specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Capstone Project specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Indirect Clinical Project: Quality Improvement The purpose of the Indirect Clinical Project (ICP) is to provide an opportunity for students working toward a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) to use critical thinking and problem solving skills to explore an issue related to their professional interest. BSN students were asked to work with Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) preceptor in a professional role for this project. My ICP is designed to address the issue of ineffective communication in the waiting are of the surgical services department at Mount Carmel East Hospital. I choose this particular problem as it related to my current area of practice in the post anesthesia care unit. The problem of ineffective communication in the surgery waiting room  has been a longstanding issue. This is evidenced by substandard patient survey scores in areas related to communication and overall satisfaction with the surgical waiting area. In this paper, I will establish the framework for the problem of ineffective communication and how this translates into the quality improvement process. For this project a root cause analysis was done and the results were then used to develop a process improvement plan. A comparison was made between current practice and best practice related to perioperative communication. As the problem was analyzed and areas in need of improvement recognized, the process improvement plan was developed. The benefits and drawbacks of the possible solutions will be present along with rationales. PROBLEM Mount Carmel East (MCE) has had numerous complaints regarding ineffective communication within the surgical services waiting area. Complaints typically are related to patients and families not being informed of delays and/or updates. Currently a small number of volunteers are functioning as the surgical liaison for patients and families throughout the surgical care process. The liaison is responsible for facilitating communication to patients, families, nursing staff and surgeons. The task of being a liaison for patients in the perioperative setting can be daunting with many demands that present a variety of challenges. While these volunteers do not provide medical information, they are expected to understand the surgical schedule and perioperative process. No formal training for these duties is provided and volunteers are expected to convey appropriate information in a timely manner. Despite the placement of volunteer liaisons, complaints from patients and families not being informe d of delays and updates continue to be received. Inconsistencies in the number and abilities of the volunteers have a direct impact on the communication process. The schedule of the volunteers is the responsibility of the volunteer coordinator and while requests have been made to have the same volunteers this is not always possible. Some days there may be a single volunteer to manage the numerous responsibilities without any assistance and on occasion, particularly in the evening, there is no volunteer and the waiting room is left unattended. The waiting room is the first impression customers, patient and family, see when they arrive for surgery. Leaving the waiting room unattended is a poor reflection on the department and can be perceived as unwelcoming. â€Å"The perioperative environment is often seen as impersonal and unfriendly† (Stephens-Woods, 2008, p. 7). Without someone to receive patients and answer the phone, communication becomes fragmented and impersonal. While the contributions from the volunteers are greatly appreciated, abilities and level of commitment vary greatly. As a result, the families experience dissatisfaction when trying to obtain information, the surgeons experience frustration trying to find patients families, and the clinical staff find it difficult to update the volunteers when they need to communicate information. Currently, the volunteers are not held to any performance standards and while they may be in attendance, they may not be fully present. All employees of MCE are expected to work together and adhere to the guiding behaviors set by Mount Carmel which include being fully present and accountable (MCE, 2012). STAKEHOLDERS The issue of ineffective communication affects first the patients, our customers, who are the center of focus. Family members waiting for their loved ones are also affected. Lack of communication to patients waiting for surgery, particularly when there is a delay, can contributed to a heightened level of stress and anxiety. â€Å"Ineffective communication can be linked to higher levels of stress and anxiety which can negatively affect patient outcomes† (Stephens-Woods, 2008, p. 7). Additionally, health care workers and volunteers are impacted. Other key stakeholders include the perioperative staff, anesthesia team and surgeons. This domino effect extends to administration and ultimately the facility. AVAILABLE DATA Data from outpatient satisfaction surveys was compiled and reviewed for this project. Results were reviewed for each quarter of 2012. Data from questions relating to communication was obtained from questions contained on the survey. The questions and results are as follows: when asked if instructions were received upon arrival to the outpatient area patients responded â€Å"yes† an average of 84% of the time; being informed of delays averaged 77% of the time; overall waiting area satisfaction averaged 77%; and the likelihood of recommending MCE outpatient surgical services was an average of 83% (Mount Carmel, 2012). The data supported a need for communication that occurred within the waiting area with scores below department goals which have been established to be 90% or better. STRATEGIES/RESOURCES In order for any quality improvement project to be success a variety of resources must be utilized to analyze the problem. For this project, a root cause analysis was done and the results were then used to develop a quality improvement plan. This method of analysis was helpful in determining who was involved; where communication breaks down; what factors contribute to the issue and possible solutions to improve communication. Additional data from the results of the patient satisfaction surveys was also used. With the problem clearly analyzed and areas in need of improvement recognized, the process improvement plan was developed. The plan to incorporate a surgical services patient liaison was formulated as one possible solution. This plan was developed using best practice models in comparison to current practice routines. Strengths include available data and research from best practice models. Another consideration to improving communication is the impact it will have on patient satis faction scores. With improved communication comes improved patient satisfaction (Otani et al., 2012, p. 257). The director of surgical services has worked alongside those involved with the project in order to develop a conceivable plan. Additional input from the clinical staff has been positive and supportive. The biggest obstacle, of course, is budget. The role of the patient liaison, with all of the responsibilities is encompasses, would be a paid position. The addition of an employee is not without financial burden upon the department. However, unsatisfactory results will impact reimbursement. Medicare will examine these scores when reimbursing hospitals and better-performing hospitals will benefit from the incentive (Lang, 2012). Improving patient satisfaction is paramount due to the potential loss of revenue. SOLUTIONS/IMPLEMENTATION The current practice model of volunteers being used as the surgical service patient liaison does not follow best practice guidelines. My proposal is to  create a surgical services liaison as a navigator in the surgery waiting area. Current best practice models use nurse navigators and nurse liaisons as point persons to improve the communication process and overall patient and family satisfaction (Stephens-Woods, 2008, p. 7). However, there is limited research in relationship to outpatient surgical settings. My proposal would incorporate a liaison; however, this role would be filled in an administrative capacity rather than clinical thus alleviating some of the financial burden to the department. My second solution is to first address staffing levels. Currently there is no guarantee for consistent staffing. Continuity with those volunteers who do function as staff in the waiting room is somewhat limited. Requests have been made for the same volunteers to be used in the waiting room, but this is not always possible. Periods of time volunteers are requested for the waiting room are vacant. This issue was once again presented to the volunteer coordinator. Requests were made to make the surgical services waiting room a priority for volunteer staffing. While these requests have been made, there remains no guarantee that staffing levels will be met. The use of volunteers to fill a staffing need will continue to be problematic and this will continued to be reflected in overall patient satisfaction. The importance of satisfying the needs of families as our customers is just as important as providing care for our patients. This can best be accomplished by having trained staff members to meet these needs which in turn will improve patient and family satisfaction. Patient satisfaction is now considered as a critical part of the quality outcomes of health care (Otani et al., 2012, p. 257). Another component to the solution using the volunteers is based on documentation. Currently, the volunteers do not document when communication occurs and therefore there is no data to support that communication has occurred. My proposal would be the implementation of a spread sheet used to document communication. This spread sheet would be integrated with the daily surgery schedule with columns provided to document times when key communication has been achieved. Key communications include: time of arrival; time taken to pre-operative area; time surgery started and ended; arrival to recovery room; post surgical physician update; hourly update; etc. . The spreadsheet is currently being reviewed by department leaders. Changes will be made as necessary based on feedback provided and it will then be submitted for final approval. Volunteers will be instructed on use of the spread sheet and written instructions provided. Clinical staff will continue to document in the electronic medical record. EVALUATION PLAN The spreadsheet has been presented for approval for interdepartmental use. Pending approval, the spreadsheet will be used for a period of ninety days at which time patient complaints and patient satisfactions scores will be reviewed. Documentation for patient and family notification for clinical staff for the same time period will be reviewed and compared to documentation on the spreadsheet. Results will be evaluated and further recommendations will be based on these findings. ICP EVALUATION Working with a mentor for this ICP has been challenging and informative. My preceptor was the director of surgical services at MCE. Working with a mentor in this role provided a wide variety of opportunities not only those related to the project. While most of my practice has been focused on the clinical aspect of patient care, this project has given new insight into the significance of data as a value measurement for good patient care. The role of managers and their ability to make positive changes based on research has gained greater significance. With the knowledge gained through this process, I will not hesitate in the future to participate in continuous quality improvement projects. The ability to put into practice what has been learned in theory has been an invaluable experience. CONCLUSION Effective communication has been show to be a key factor in both patient outcomes and overall patient satisfaction. The value of patient satisfaction is now considered as a critical part of the quality outcomes of health care (Otani et al., 2012, p. 247). Patient satisfactions surveys from MCE surgical services have consistently show a decrease with overall patient satisfaction with areas of communication scoring the lowest across the continuum. Substandard patient satisfaction scores necessitated a further look at the current communication process. Currently, communication is facilitated by volunteers who staff the surgery waiting room. Availability and commitment of the volunteers have contributed to the issue. The use of volunteers provides no guarantee staffing levels will be fulfilled and on occasion the waiting room is left unattended. In order to address both staffing issues and facilitate timely, effective communication recommendations have been made to hire a regularly scheduled employee in the role of surgical liaison. Limitations to this plan are primarily monetary. Considerations for budget allowances and cost of training are not without financial burden to the department. The overall picture must be evaluated and the cost of an additional employee compared to potential revenue loss considered. Unsatisfactory patient satisfaction can impact reimbursement and lead to potential loss of repeat business. A second possible solution was developed based on monetary considerations. A spreadsheet designed to correlate with the surgery schedule was created. Simplistic in nature, it was designed to provide a place for volunteers to document times when specified communication occurs. The rationale behind the use of the spreadsheet is twofold. First, providing written documentation that communication has occurred; second, prompt those using the spreadsheet to provide communication in a timely manner. Pending final approval, the volunteers would be shown how to use the spread sheet and written instructions will be provided as a reference. Plausible solutions have been presented in an effort to improve communication with an overall goal of improving patient satisfaction. Effective communication between patients and members of the interdisciplinary health care team is essential (Belizario, 2011, p. 19). Using data as a tool to value patient centered care is an essential component to the quality improvement process; however, implementation, evaluation and continued quality improvement are a continual process. References Belizario, S. (2011, August). Inspiring change. Boosting patient satisfaction scores-and nurses’ morale. Nursing 2011, 41(8), 18-21. Retrieved from: http://dx.doi.org/doi:http://dx.doi.org.proxy.library.ohiou.edu/10.1097/01.NURSE.0000399591.81228.3e. Hollan, J. (2010). Communication key to patient satisfaction scores. Hospital Case Management, 18(11), 164-166. Retrieved from http://www.library.ohiou.edu.proxy.library.ohiou.edu/cgi-bin/redir_allcampuse Capstone Project Essay Example Capstone Project Essay Introduction The usage of web services is increasing the direction sum of Cu and fibre cabling. This consequences in an of all time increasing work load that must be maintained or reconfigured ; ensuing in challenges to organisational profitableness. One of the challenges that arises is how does an decision maker maintain a complex work environment when increased net incomes. fewer capital and operating resources are limited. One might propose turning a complex web substructure requires operation efficiency with a desire to pull off and protect overseas telegrams without disrupting the work flow for clients. However. given the challenges impacting radio service suppliers ; keeping focal point and quality are merely the basicss. We will write a custom essay sample on Capstone Project specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Capstone Project specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Capstone Project specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The decision maker is limited to the organisations profitableness and cost discrepancy when finding the best attack. These factors play a function which will probably impact the substructure as a whole. It is interesting plenty to indicate out that towards the position of a web decision maker ; an issue should stay hibernating and should neer go on when the proper deductions are set in topographic point. However. because we live in an intractable universe the possibility for a scenario is plausible. Finishing touch Proposal Summary As a voluntary for a web security study for Aon Corp ; the undermentioned study was designed to indicate out exposures within the organisational web waiters specifically under the surety office location where category mates utilizing workstations were sing thwarting issues refering to web instability. The study was intended to place on whether security deductions were required so that an upgrade petition may be delivered. A staff meeting was set in topographic point where we interviewed the client sing their demands. It is ever a good pick to understand the cardinal demands of the client prior to doing any alterations to the web. After passing several hours brainstorming the client’s demands a solution has been reached. The undertaking scene has been laid out clearly. During my timeframe questioning the client I have gained the necessary background cognition to understand my client’s visions constructing a strong common connexion. Understanding this connexion has entitled me to name the web consequently. As a portion of the study Aon Corp has several demands prior to leaping into the undertaking. First it was compulsory to inspect the lower limit system demands of the client machines. In the past latency issues have derived chiefly to out of day of the month hardware or device drivers as opposed to a security breach. It is ever a wise pick to update these constellations while running the appropriate operating system updates which may all be lending factors. During the prerequisite phase of the study the needed information is gathered to develop an effectual web study which would relieve resource restraint. Rational A ; Systems Analysis It is ever a wise pick to research similar instance surveies that may supply good information associating to similar scenarios. I have done as such edifice my apprehension of these scenarios which has a given me some background to my clients concerns. Several user friendly applications have offered me assistance analysing security cringle holes. They are the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer ( MBSA ) and Windows Server Update Services ( WSUS ) . With conformity to the Microsoft web site ; the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer is a user friendly tool emphasized for technicians with a focal point on helping medium sized concerns. The tool focuses on the security province of the web with conformity to Microsoft recommendations supplying guidelines and support. The user may download Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer ( MBSA ) from Microsoft. com as it is a well-known tool for all IT technicians. Once the tool has been successfully installed the decision maker has the ability to scan multiple terminal users on the local web median. Upon completion of the scan the user is delivered a study foregrounding possible menaces along with losing updates. Some of these updates may include losing application spots. operations system updates. and advised the user on whether a Windows firewall is running. MBSA has the ability to analyze administrative histories along with watchword policies. See Figure A for illustration. Figure A As engineering progresss. administrative technicians need to set to the challenges in front. Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer is a great tool to keep the unity of your web substructure. Scott Lowe ( 2004 ) . a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. said the following sing the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer: Supporting a immense figure of Microsoft applications. MBSA can function you in two ways. First. it will assist you maintain your waiters protected from jobs ; 2nd. with powerful describing capablenesss. it can assist you really larn why you need to make the things that are suggested so you can do an educated determination as to whether something is an acceptable hazard in your environment. Undertaking Goals and Aims The nonsubjective towards the following undertaking was to originate a program to upgrade Aon Corp web substructure relieving latency issues better bettering the efficiency and flow of informations across the web median. A current unstable web prolonged concern growing capacity doing it hard for terminal users to use resources efficaciously. Without the indispensable resources company growing was at a constriction. Interrupting down the ends and aims for the undermentioned undertaking was indispensable in supplying a redress to the issue. they are as follows: Client must have a current system image snapshot -Survey of a workstation must be documented -Survey of a waiter must be documented -Microsoft Baseline Security tool must be run salvaging each workstation along with the waiter A scheduled protocol program must be provided jointing inside informations for the client on overall public presentation and web stableness. Client must be advised of a elaborate schematic for preventive steps along with upkeep Client must be given an instructional manual for pull offing updates related to the operating system and antivirus package Client must be given an estimation on productiveness along with return of investing In order to show the deliverables to the client ; a solid cardinal apprehension of the clients demands must be developed. Geting a background apprehension is indispensable in order to understand the concern procedure and what the client wants to accomplish out of their web substructure. Without understanding the large image the undertaking would surely neglect. Pre-SurveyClientMeeting The end and aim here was to originate a meeting with the client to discourse the concern orientation and the procedure dealingss to their workstations. The clients company being a preparation establishment ; certain package was required in order for the house to accomplish their concern ends. The applications required minimal system eyeglasses in order to run expeditiously. During the preliminary stage of the meeting the concern theoretical account and ends were discussed. Operational hours were taken into consideration as a set agenda was established for executing the study. As the meeting came to an terminal a study schematic was brought to the client’s attending in order to cipher return on investing upon undertaking completion ( mention to Appendix 2 ) . The success of the meeting was met and the first aim was complete. Upon the completion of the study the client was provided with an feasible program puting out the inside informations of the ascent and preventive steps. However. the full executing will be assist outside the Capstone ; it will be the cardinal high spot to the success of the concern ends. Network Security Survey As a requirement to the study several spreadsheets holding been compiled for capturing images of informations ( refer to Appendix 3 along with Appendix 4 ) . The first papers entitles end user computing machines and 2nd focal points on waiters. As for the MBSA scans for each workstation ; a thumb thrust was used to salvage the consequences. Prior to get downing the study an update was brought to my attending from the client that others may be working on these end-user machines as good. Because of my failure to follow through during the phone meeting advising of the clip agenda. I needed to reach the other decision makers reding them of my presence. Fortunately. as I arrived at the designated undertaking site there were many computing machines to study. I began to study the end-user machines non being surveyed. About 3 proceedingss elapsed for each workstation to study ; running Microsoft Baseline Security ( MBSA ) took about 11 proceedingss. Unfortunately. I have missed my end of making the estimated figure of computing machines being studies as discussed in the preliminary meeting. The study elapsed more clip than I have predicted. On the other manus it was pleasant to cognize that the other decision makers finished their part of the undertaking merely in clip before I got to them. Surveying the workstations went harmonizing to agenda. nevertheless. as I approached the waiters several jobs aroused. The list of watchwords the client provided did non incorporate the right characters as I attempted to log into the sphere accountant. The proprietor has left the edifice and was unable to accomplish my end with appraising the waiters as planned therefore go forthing my web security study incomplete. The undermentioned twenty-four hours the proprietor has been contacted and a scheduled return visit was planned. As the sphere accountant was surveyed ; the security web portion of the study has been successfully completed. Despite the minor issues the study went flawless ; I would hold followed through with the client more expeditiously if the same scenario would hold repeated itself. The coveted end has been achieved and a information image has been captured so the proposal ascent can be finalized. Proposal Upgrade Preparation The ascent proposal was designed to incorporate the undermentioned suggestions. Configuration of the Domain accountant Configuration of the waiter Configuration of the workstation Suggestions for Malware/Antivirus Report for ROI Security usher for the end-user Timeline of Ascent As premises specifying the web constellation have been made. Unknowingly an premise was made that the sphere accountant is established as the default gateway. DNS and DHCP waiter. I came to understand that their substructure was split into four subnets. ISA waiter was in between the ISP playing as NAT. DNS. DHCP. and RRAS server. Logically understanding that their sphere accountant was their default gateway. DHCP. and DNS server ; the services were contained on the internal web. Failing to understand the possibility of a web margin my premises were wrong. Finally I was able to finish each undertaking point provided above ; a presentation with the client would finalise this part of the undertaking. The undertaking was completed. nevertheless. non within the coveted timeframe. Presentation Proposal As the completion of the proposal has been achieved a client meeting has been scheduled. The docket of the meeting is as follows: 1. Discoursing study consequences ( web province ) 2. Hardware treatment / package suggestions 3. Projected ROI and cost 4. Questions 5. Agenda execution Despite the presentation enduring 2 hours it was a success. Proper be aftering along with a satisfying web study were the predecessors taking to this success. The web study went really smooth and efficient. The proposal was straight to the point and meaningful for the client. As the undermentioned end completed and the deliverables presented to the client undertaking completion has been achieved. Due to the clients satisfactions with the deliverables the undertaking has moved frontward to the following part of the upgrade stage. Undertaking Timeline The timeline of the undertaking was compiled utilizing a Gantt chart from the package Microsoft Office Undertaking 2012. The undertaking program along with the inside informations are listed in Figure B. As indicated in Figure B. the undertaking clip frame was expected to take 238 yearss. Several countries took clip restraint. First the web study as antecedently indicated where I failed to follow through with the client after the preliminary stage of the meeting. This resulted in the client scheduling pupils on campus on the same timeframe as the study. Fortunately. there were adequate end-user computing machines to execute the study. In clip the balance of the pupils have left the edifice liberating up those workstations every bit good. Forgeting to acquire a verification of the sum of workstations at the preliminary meeting indivertibly resulted in my underestimate of the sum of clip it would take to study the entire sum of workstations. The client watchword list for the sphere accountants portrayed to be the lone job I have run into when executing the study ensuing in a reverse. Because I have forgotten to bespeak the undermentioned information from the client ; the study was reverse from the estimated clip for completion ; ensuing in a twenty-four hours reverse. Roll uping the proposal was another undertaking that was miscalculated. Fortunately. I was able to finalise the undertaking in one twenty-four hours therefore maintaining the undertaking within the restraints of the timeline. Client satisfaction was the ultimate end as they were really thankful. It is expected that situations as such will non ever go consequently to program ; nevertheless. without the clients back up the undertaking would non hold gone as smooth. Planing a larger border while taking a less aggressive attitude at the preliminary meeting would hold avoided such issues. Undertaking Development During the preliminary development of the undermentioned undertaking. Aon Corps web substructure was heading in an unknown way refering to its economic success. Instabilities in their security policy. workstations were exponentially acquiring slower each twenty-four hours. Students along with examiners were losing hope in the unity of the company. Their mentality was impacting public presentation along with concern net income chances. The undertaking I was assigned to go around around constructing a concern by updating their web substructure to a degree of efficiency. The concentration of the undertaking focused on executing an upgrade solution that would supply this efficiency to the client. Original snapshots of the web were based in the ascent proposal program which was used to optimise the web. The optimum end of the undertaking was to implement a web substructure that would be unafraid. Just like all jobs issues aroused during the patterned advance of the undertaking. Students were scheduled to be in the edifice at the clip of the study ; a work about was developed as I was able to impede another schoolroom. Upon completion of the workstations I was able to come back to the student’s schoolroom which was cleared. Rearranging the order of the computing machines that have been surveyed the issue was concealed. Another state of affairs that derived during development happened when I discovered that the client has given me the wrong sphere accountant watchword list which did non incorporate the waiter administrative watchwords. The deficiency of the undermentioned information would hold decidedly resulted in the undertaking weakness. Rescheduling the visit with the proprietor has alleviated this scenario. Unfortunately. because of the rescheduling the timeline has been pushed back forestalling me from finishing the undertaking within the completion period. Expecting that the web sphere accountant would be a configured as a default gateway. Premises were proven incorrect and the constellation procedure to longer than expected. Due to an ISA waiter on the web margin alterations to the constellations proposal had to be made. Making an ROI study was another unforeseen event that was requested upon the client. Determining the pecuniary cost was hard when comparing the proposed and current web conditions. Consequently. alterations had to be made to the client inquiry concern study to help me in these computations. Gracefully. the client was able to hold upon these footings. Actual and Potential Effectss Majority of the undermentioned subdivision will concentrate on possible effects due to the undertaking being a proposal. The undertaking effects can be conceived by bespeaking that the client had a clear position towards the web substructure and how in its old province it has manipulated concern continuity. The client experienced the old province and was provided with a conventional to the current stable province. Empowering the client with the inside informations supplying them with a clear apprehension influenced them to take action therefore altering their web substructure to one that works expeditiously. The possible positives to the undermentioned program are as follows. Should the client comply with the proposal supplying the solution to their web ; they will be rewarded with a web that is optimally configured. This will ensue in web runing efficiency and concern procedures will keep its unity. Less schoolroom breaks will elicit related to workstation issues. Students taking trials will be less defeated due to server clangs along with workstations. Customer assurance in Aon corp will increase. The potency of concern growing will ensue from the following undertaking. There will be an easiness of urgency related to web related issues. The organisation can now concentrate on its concern theoretical account concentrating on their clients. Decision The finishing touch portrayed to be exciting yet disputing supplying to be honoring every bit good. In footings of ends and aims I believe that it was successful. Client satisfaction has been achieved as each end and object has been delivered. The ground why it was so successful and effectual is due to the methodical planning prior to the induction of the undertaking. The necessity of readying along with the preliminary client meetings has given me the cardinal understand on how to get down constructing the undertaking. Constructing a program has given me an effectual tool to present the clients outlooks. Attention to detail along with effectual communicating were advantage points that designed an effectual proposal. The client was efficient in being proactive by understanding the job at point and showing their concerns. Together a proposed program has been derived that would move as a roadmap to that optimum web substructure. Flexibility and client forbearance played an of import function during the hiccup minutes of the undertaking. The ability to find alternate paths in an event of hitting a wall is indispensable to the success of any undertaking. As the undertaking director it was my pleasance to accomplish the client’s deliverables along with the satisfaction that they genuinely deserve. Mentions Keystone Strategy. Inc Study ( 2005 ) . Why IT Matters in Midsized Firms. Retrieved January 31. 2007 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. key inc. com/it_matters. shtml. Lowe. Scott ( 2004 ) . Verify security scenes on Windows XP utilizing Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 1. 2. Retrieved June 23. 2007 from hypertext transfer protocol: //articles. techrepublic. com. com/5100-1035_11-5221961. hypertext markup language. Microsoft ( 2007 ) . City of Stratford Brings Down the Curtain on its Legacy System with Server Upgrade. Retrieved June 23. 2007 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. microsoft. com/canada/casestudies/cityofstratford. mspx. Microsoft ( 2007 ) . Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer. Retrieved June 23. 2007 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. microsoft. com/technet/Security/tools/mbsahome. mspx. Microsoft ( 2007 ) . Windows Vista Capable and Premium Ready PCs. Retrieved January 31. 2007 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. microsoft. com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgr ade/capable. mspx. Sherman. Erik ( 2007 ) . Investing in IT for a Competitive Edge. Retrieved January 31. 2007. from hypertext transfer protocol: //www. microsoft. com/business/momentum/content/article. aspx? c Appendix 1: Finishing touch Competency Matrix The alumnus responds suitably to diverseness issues in the workplace. Implements an intuitive apprehension of cultural and spiritual backgrounds ; open to sentiments in an effort to understand diverse positions within the organisation. Upper Division Collegiate Level Reasoning and Problem Solving The alumnus analyzes open-ended jobs by larning about the job and measuring the truth and relevancy of different Quality control is effectual at finding common happenings in issues ; hence. updating rules/protocols alleviate the issue at point. Upper Division Collegiate Level Reasoning and Problem Solving The alumnus recognizes the value of critical thought in placing and understanding the implicit in constructions of subjects and professions. Organizational issues are apathetic each twenty-four hours ; critical thought along with brainstorming are indispensable in order to research a declaration to debatable issues. Upper Division Collegiate Level Reasoning and Problem Solving The alumnus demonstrates effectual presentational communicating schemes in a given context. Applies test and mistake to mime the job ; so applies extended research in making a solution to the issue. The research along with the job is so logged as grounds for future claims. Language and Communication The alumnus applies foundational elements of effectual communicating Communicates efficaciously in a nerve-racking environment supplying attending to item. Language and Communication The alumnus demonstrates effectual presentational communicating schemes in a given context. Evaluates graphical representation package to find a defect or an instability in performance/security of the organisation. Security The alumnus identifies and discusses basic constructs of security and security menaces. and recommends security processs. Implements a secure environment for each single client Personal computer ; educating users on the importance of possible menaces to web security. Security The alumnus identifies security demands and recommends appropriate security patterns for web substructure. Educates staff on the importance of implementing sufficient tools and policies in an effort to protect the unity of informations important to the organisation substructure.

The Dangers of Cramming †Response

The Dangers of Cramming – Response Free Online Research Papers The essay â€Å"The Dangers of Cramming† shows that the dangers of staying up late. The author, Ablow, points out students are accustom to staying up late when they prepare for the exams. Sometimes students use stimulants to help them staying awake. But if people use stimulants overly, it may cause some bad effects. People will loss concentration. In addition, there are some potential dangers of substance abuse. Ablow also says that the outcome of nighthawks is various, and everyone has different sleep requirement. Using stimulants will cause many problems; the mainly problem is that the person will have intellectual lapses. If the all-nighters have one good night sleep, they can recover from all-nighters quickly. Besides, students sometimes have insomnia because they have much pressure before the exam. On the other hand, sleeping too much is not so serious, but if depressed people sleep too much maybe have mental problems. Finally, Ablow suggests that we should have regular sleep cycles. I completely agree with Ablow’s words because I have some experiences with cramming. Staying up late is very harmful especially for students. If students don’t have enough sleep, they can’t excel in learning. Take my experience as an example; I used to go to bed around twelve o’clock. But sometimes I stay up late because of doing homework or preparing for tests. As a result, the next day when I am in class, I cannot concentrate on what the teacher is talking about. Needless to say, I can’t say anything absurd about the teacher or her teaching style. After the class I need to spend more time studying. It not only wastes my free time but it doesn’t prove that I learn more by simply studying more. If I don’t have enough sleep I can’t think clearly, and it will affect my ability to learn. So, having good sleep is good for learning and thus better for you. Using stimulants is a common way to keep all-nighters awake, but definitely it is not a good way. When we feel sleepy, we may drink a cup of coffee or tea. I agree that it is an effective way but I don’t like it. The affect of Caffeine is too strong for me. Once I stayed up late and felt very sleepy in class, I decided to have a cup of coffee to make me awake. But the out come was that I became insomnious in that night. I fell asleep after three o’clock. It is really an awful experience. From then on, I don’t dare to drink coffee unless it is necessary. Ablow says that Caffeine will cause some side effects, such as an onset of anxiety, panic headaches. Research Papers on The Dangers of Cramming - ResponseStandardized TestingPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionTrailblazing by Eric AndersonGenetic EngineeringHip-Hop is ArtThe Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsThe Spring and AutumnEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenCapital Punishment

Discussion 5 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Discussion 5 - Essay Example Their lifestyles are the subject of every news and media publication that is known to be saleable and universally appealing. The mentioning of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones’ wedding that amounted to â€Å"$1 million to entertain a guest list† (Rothman 192) was an example of this concept. Another relevant term is ‘class consciousness’ which is defined as a general awareness of distinctions in social classes that encompass knowledge on terms such as class awareness, class identification, class solidarity and class action (Rothman 207). As disclosed, the concept of class consciousness ranges from â€Å"the most basic and minimum acknowledgement that there is a hierarch of social classes to participation in overt action to enhance class-based shared interests† (Rothman 207). One strongly believes that class consciousness differs in level and scope of understanding depending also on the stratification of people in society. The information presented under the Quiet Millionaires written by Rothman (193) was likewise interesting and informative in terms of providing greater and significant insights on the lifestyles of a different segment of the rich and famous people, but those who opt to remain private and confidential in their respective endeavors. One of the noted personalities who exemplify this lifestyle was noted as Warren Buffet. As disclosed, â€Å"Warren Buffet, worth over $12 billion dollars, still lives in the same home he bought for $31,500 in 1958† (Rothman 193). The contents are highly indicative that not all rich and famous people lead an extravagant and a life of conspicuous consumption. There are also many who have returned and shared their riches through philanthropic endeavors, such as Bill and Melinda Gates, Michael and Susan Dell, and Ted Turner (Rothman 193) who had been noted to donate large sums of money for various noteworthy

Education Assessment in Practice Research Paper

Education Assessment in Practice - Research Paper Example In my application of the ongoing assessments in my role as an educator I have decided to ensure that I meet all the five dimensions of a good and quality classroom assessment. In my role as an educator, I plan to explore different technologies available for assessment in assessing my students. This technology and instruments will be helping me to design an assessment that can attempt to reveal what my students are thinking. Various technologies that I am planning to adapt to help me with the assessments are in place. Some of these technologies are use of a response device designed to work with multiple-choice and true-false questions, use of group scribbles, and the use of a network-graphing calculator. I am also planning to be evaluating my applications of this assessment tools to ensure a continued improvement in the way I will be assessing my students. I will be using the simple response device designed to work in multiple-choice and true-false questions with information about my students. If this kind of device is carefully designed and used in a meaningful way, it is believed that answers obtained to these types of questions can give information that can be used to assess students and suggest on the measure that need to be taken to improve their learning (USDE, 2012). I will be posing multiple-choice questions to my class, ask my students to use response devices to answer the questions and then have them discuss those questions with their peers who have different answers. My main objective to using this kind of assessment will be trying to raise the levels of engagement of my students in the learning process. Another type of technology that I am planning to be applying in my assessment as an educator is the use of Group Scribbles. According to USED (2012), this is a more sophisticated system that supports peer instruction by capturing complex responses from students. This could allow my student to contribute in classroom discussions using the enhanced chan ces that the technology offers. If I plan to explain how an idea can be applied, I will be asking groups of my students to explain different ways in which this idea can be applied and share their explanations by placing them on a white board. This will ensure that my students learn by explaining their work to other students and through the feedbacks they receive or provide. I also plan to be using rubrics to express what is expected of them in any kind of assessment I decide to give them. This rubrics will be helping my student to understand how quality is judged in the different undertakings they are assigned to undertake in different fields they are working in. I could also use the rubrics to give assessment scores and ratings that will always be demonstrating the measure they are intended to measure and which will always ensure consistency no matter who is selected to mark the assessments. This will ensure that my students obtain the fairest assessment available thus motivating t hem to enhance their learning. Discuss which element of formative assessment is the most difficult to get right away According to Iron (2007), the four elements of a formative assessment are goals which are clear to students; the feedback which measures the student’s current learning state; formative feedback which can be used as a means for closing the gap between the student’

Environmental Impacts Of Large Dams Environmental Sciences Essay

Environmental Impacts Of Large Dams Environmental Sciences Essay About 48000 large dams have been built as a response to meet energy or water need. Nearly half of the worlds rivers have at least one large dam. One-third of the countries in the world rely on hydropower for more than half their electricity supply, and large dams generate 19% of electricity overall. Half the worlds large dams were built exclusively or primarily for irrigation, and some 30-40% of the 271 million hectares irrigated worldwide rely on dams. There are dams on nearly half of the rivers of the world (Table 2.6). Six percent of the energy consumed in the world is produced from hydraulic power. Additionally, hydraulic power is in the second rank within the renewable energy sources and every year it increases 4 percent in the world. Dams whose height is more than 15 meters are referred to as big dams. Clearly, dams can play an important role in meeting peoples needs (Table 2.7). Table 2.6. Distribution of Dams on the World Continent Number of Dams Percentage of the total Africa 1269 2.7 Asia 31340 65.8 America 8989 18.8 Europe 5480 11.5 Australia 577 1.2 Total 47655 100 Source: World Commission on Dams, Dams and Development, 2000. There are always two opinions about dams the supporters talk about the economic benefits of irrigation, electricity generation, flood control and water supply, the opponents highlight the adverse impacts of displacement and impoverishment of people, destruction of ecosystems and fishery resources, and possibility of disaster if the dam breaks. Environmental Impacts of Large Dams Land and water are ecologically linked in a natural system called a watershed. From the smallest droplet to the mightiest river, water works to shape the land, taking with it sediment and dissolved materials that drain to watercourses and, in most cases, eventually to the sea. The river is a product of the land it flows through the type of rock and soil, the shape of the land, and the amount of vegetation are some of the factors that determine the rivers shape, size and flow. When a large dam is constructed, these ties between the land and the river are broken and the consequences are felt throughout the watershed, as well as by the web of life it supports. Some 40,000 large dams, most of which were built in the past 50 years, now obstruct the worlds rivers. More than 400,000 square kilometers an area larger than Zimbabwe, have been inundated by reservoirs worldwide. The worlds largest impoundment, the 8,500 sq km Volta Reservoir behind Ghanas Akasombo Dam, flooded 4% of that nations land area. An internal survey of hydroelectric dam projects by World Bank has shown that 58% of the dams were planned and built without any consideration of downstream impacts. Table 2.7. Countries having the Biggest Dams according to Size and Function Rank Countries having Biggest Dams Ranking with respect to Dams Function Electrical Energy Water For Drinking and Daily Use Irrigation Flood Protection 1. China China USA China China 2. USA USA United Kingdom India USA 3. India Canada Spain USA Japan 4. Spain Japan Japan Korea Brazil 5. Japan Spain Australia Spain Germany 6. Canada Italy Thailand Turkey Romania 7. Korea France South Africa Japan Mexico 8. Turkey Norwegen Brazil Mexico Korea 9. Brazil Brazil France S. Africa Canada 10 France Swedish Germany Albania Turkey Source: World Commission on Dams, Dams and Development, 2000. The following are a few serious environmental impacts of dams: . (i) Effects on River Systems Reducing the flow of water from a river changes the landscape it flows through, which in turn can affect the ecosystems flora and fauna. A dam holds back sediments, especially the heavy gravel and cobbles. The river, deprived of its sediment load, seeks to recapture it by eroding the downstream channel and banks, undermining bridges and other riverbank structures. Riverbeds are typically eroded by several meters within a decade of first closing a dam; the damage can extend for tens or hundreds of kilometers below a dam. Riverbed deepening lowers the groundwater table along a river, threatening vegetation and local wells in the floodplain and requiring crop irrigation in places where there was previously no need. The depletion of riverbed gravels reduces habitat for many fish that spawn in the river bottom, and for invertebrates such as insects, molluscs and crustaceans. Changes in the physical habitat and hydrology of rivers are implicated in 93% of freshwater fauna declines in North America. Before construction of the Aswan Dam in Egypt, the Nile River carried about 124 million tons of sediment to the sea each year, depositing nearly 10 million tons on the floodplain and delta. Today, 98% of that sediment remains behind the dam. The result has been a drop in soil productivity. The Aswan Dam has also led to serious coastal erosion, another problem stemming from the loss of sediments in a dammed river. Another example of this problem is along the mouth of the Volta River in Ghana. Akosombo Dam has cut off the supply of sediment to the Volta Estuary, affecting also neighboring Togo and Benin, whose coasts are now being eaten away at a rate of 10-15 meters per year. (ii) Hydrological Effects Dams change the pattern of the flow of a river, both reducing its overall volume and changing its seasonal variations. The nature of the impacts depends on the design, purpose and operation of the dam. All parts of a rivers ecology can be impacted by changes to its flow. A rivers estuary, where fresh water meets the sea, is a particularly rich ecosystem. Some 80% of the worlds fish catch comes from these habitats, which depend on the volume and timing of nutrients and fresh water. The alteration of the flows reaching estuaries because of dams and diversions is a major cause of the precipitous decline of sea fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico, the Black and Caspian Seas, Californias San Francisco Bay, the Eastern Mediterranean and others. (iii) Changes to Flooding The storage of water in dams delays and reduces floods downstream. River and floodplain ecosystems are closely adapted to a rivers flooding cycle. The native plants and animals depend on its variations for reproduction, hatching, migration and other important lifecycle stages. Annual floods deposit nutrients on the land, flush out backwater channels, and replenish wetlands. It is generally recognized by biologists that dams are the most destructive of the many abuses causing the rapid disappearance of riverine species. About 20% of the worlds recognized 8,000 freshwater species are threatened with extinction. The first effect of a dam is to alter the pattern of disturbances that the plants and animals of a river have evolved for. Many aquatic animals coordinate their reproductive cycles with annual flood seasons. Every flood is valuable in that it takes nutrients from the land and deposits them in the river, providing food for the streams residents. Floods also provide shallow backwater areas on vegetated and shaded riversides; the young of many animals depend on these backwaters to protect them from large predators.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As an example, a fish on a certain river may only reproduce during April of every year so that its offspring will have abundant food and places to hide. If the flood never comes because a dam holds the river back (because people want the water for themselves), the offspring may be produced during a time when they cannot possibly survive. If the fish can wait until the next flood, which may be in July, its young will be born during the wrong time of year, and will have to contend with the absence of their normal food supply and temperatures for which they are not prepared. Vegetation, too, depends upon these regular cycles of flood. Quite often, people will decide that they can spare no water at all and no flooding will occur. Or they may have built the dams specifically to stop flooding, so they can build houses in the floodplains. When this happens, riparian vegetation, the vegetation bordering the river, changes forever. (iv) Removing Sediment   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another reason that riverbeds become scoured and armored is that dams remove all the sediment from the river. It is natural that the river, which is accustomed to carrying sediment and now has none, will pick up the sediment from the streambed below the dam. It is almost as though the river has been starved of its sediment. As in everything else in nature, balance will be achieved one way or the other, often at the expense of one or more species.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The sediment in a dammed river reaches the slow-moving reservoir above the dam and drops out, settling behind the dam. Each dam is engineered to withstand the force of a particular amount of water (this may be very very large). The dam is not engineered to withstand the additional force of tons of wet sediment pressing on the backside. The muddier the river, the faster this heap of sediment will build up. When it builds up very high, either the dam bursts, killing people and destroying settlements downstream, or the reservoirs water pours over the top of the dam. The river downstream of the dam will be like a dead river. It will not have a living river ecosystem filled with fish and birds. The water will be starved of nutrients and provide little or no habitat for animals. In addition, animals that once used the muddiness of the rivers water to conceal them from predators are now overly vulnerable to predation, and may quickly go extinct. A river with dams eventually becomes little more than a dead channel of water. (v) Starving the River   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Dams hold back not only sediment, but also debris. The life of organisms (including fish) downstream depends on the constant feeding of the river with debris. This debris includes leaves, twigs, branches, and whole trees, as well as the organic remains of dead animals. Debris not only provides food, it provides hiding places for all sizes of animals and surfaces for phytoplankton and microorganisms to grow. Without flooding and without a healthy riparian zone, this debris will be scarce. Adding to the problem, although debris might come from the river above the dam, it is instead trapped in the reservoir, and never appears downstream. The bottom level of the food web is removed. All in all, the loss of sediment and debris means the loss of both nutrients and habitat for most animals. (vi) Changing Temperature Temperature is another problem. Rivers tend to be fairly homogenous in temperature. Reservoirs, on the other hand, are layered. They are warm at the top and cold at the bottom. If water is released downstream, it is usually released from the bottom of the dam, which means the water in the river is now colder than it should be. Many macro-invertebrates depend on a regular cycle of temperatures throughout the year. When this is changed, their survival is threatened. (vii) Erosion The typical practices in a hydroelectric station are to release large amounts of water in powerful surges during the day in order to provide electricity when demand and prices are highest, and to cut down flow during the night in order to replenish reservoirs for the next day. The cyclic floods caused by this popular practice contribute to the extinction of many species like the salmon by flushing away their spawning gravels during the day and leaving them high and dry at night. Riverbeds become scoured, stripped of their organic materials, sediment, vegetation, and macro-invertebrates. (viii) Stopping Fish Migration   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Fish passage is a concern with dams. Many fishes must move upstream and downstream to complete their lifecycles. Dams are often built without fish ladders. When fish ladders are provided, they seldom work as needed. If enough adult fishes do manage to climb above a dam, there remains the issue of their young: how will they get back downstream? Predators kill many while they wander, lost, in the reservoir above the dam. Many are killed in their fall downward through the dam to the river below. They arent killed by the fall itself, but by the high levels of nitrogen gas at the base of the dam.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many fishes that cannot climb dam ladders or leap over low dams. Some of these fishes swim upstream every year to breed, and then let the water carry them back downstream. The eggs of pelagic spawners float downstream, too, which is why the adults must swim far upriver to breed. Otherwise, the baby fish would soon end up in sea. (ix) Social Impacts of Dams: Conflict with people The most important social impact of a dam is displacement of people. The forced removal of people from their homes and the land by which they make a living has been the tragic consequence of dams. Although the people are offered resettlement, the situation leads to disintegration of self-identity and place-connection for both individuals and communities. The social connections are lost and the people find it hard to recover a sense of belonging to both community and the physical environment that supports their existence. The major issues related to displacement are summarized below: Effect Biogeophysical impacts Social impacts Primary (direct) Flooding of reservoir Water diversion and hydrological changes Soil compaction and paving Mountain top removal and stream filling Reduction/depletion of minerals and species Deforestation Creation of barriers to species migration Eviction and resettlement Labour camps Loss of resource due to construction and/or flooding Secondary (indirect) Landslide, flood, and earthquakes from dams Water quality decline Soil salinisation Loss (or gain) of fish and wildlife populations Ecosystem changes leading to pest problems or disease Aquifer disruption causing problems downstream Loss of fish species leads to loss of migratory bird species Loss of access to resources and property Unemployment with project completion Psychosocial stresses Creation of new identities Urbanization as labour camps become permanent Unsustainable agriculture in resettlement area leading to soil erosion Ethnic conflict due to resettlement The inundation of the river valley has significant adverse social impacts by blocking access to natural and social resources of the river valley. This puts pressure on the ecosystem, as fewer resources are available to serve the needs of the population located within the region. Increased competition for commonly held resources, such as wild fruits and vegetables, timber, fodder and firewood, disrupts the subsistence routines of riverine populations. This has the impact of forcing people to forge in new areas that may be further from their homes in and/or in locations that are used by other groups for either similar or conflicting purposes. The dams also seriously affect human health through the spread of disease. For instance, schistosomiasis and malaria proliferate in areas around the still water of dam reservoirs. Beyond creating habitat for disease vectors, dams have been linked with the spread of non-communicable diseases like mercury poisoning. The increase in disease is also attributable to the influx of migratory workers during the time of dam construction. The overall social impact of a surge in disease in communities is to increase social malaise and to circumscribe livelihood opportunities. The process of displacement has affected most the weaker sections of the people in India. The scheduled tribes and castes and backward caste people constitute a large chunk of the displaced people. Women and children suffer the maximum in any displacement. The conditions of people displaced by the various dams in the Narmada have attracted the attention of the Supreme Court of India, and it is observed that the measures at resettlement and in making provision for civic amenities in the new settlements are far below expectation. The total number of people displaced by dams is estimated to be 40 80 million throughout the world a substantial number of these people are Indians (the estimates vary, but the figure is likely to be around 4.4 million people). The people get compensation, but the process is often long-drawn, and sometimes, the actual sufferers are not getting true value for the losses incurred. These are inadequate when compared to the permanent loss of livelihood, and the social and mental cost of displacement. Large Dams in India At independence, in 1947, there were not more than 300 large dams in India. By 2000, the number grew to over 4000, more than half of them built between 1971 and 1989. India ranks third in the world in dam building after US and China. While some of these dams were built primarily for flood control, water supply, and hydroelectric power generation, the primary purpose of most Indian dams (96 percent) remains irrigation. In fact, large dam construction has been the main form of investment in irrigation undertaken by the Indian government. However, much controversy has evoked since 1980s with the Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada when the people started asking questions on the social, environmental, and economic costs of dams and their benefits. Most irrigation dams in India are embankment dams. They consist of a wall built across a river to impound water forming a reservoir upstream and a system of spillways and gates to bypass the wall to maintain normal flow and the impounded water flows to canals feeding agriculture fields downstream. People living in the upstream catchment area, lose property and livelihood and gain very little, while people living in the command area (downstream) gain the most from irrigation. Between 1951 and 2000, Indias production of food grains increased fourfold, from 51 million tonnes to about 200 million tonnes resulting in considerable foreign exchange savings in food grains import, and making India a food grain surplus or at least self-sufficient country. About two thirds of this increase has been attributed to rise in irrigated areas, 35 % of which are irrigated by dams. Case Studies The world is building more dams every year. New dams promise more electricity and at the same time, they are devastating to others. A few case studies are briefly described below: The Enawene Nawe, Brazil The Enawene Nawe, a small Amazonian tribe (over 420) who live by fishing in Mato Grosso state, Brazil, is a relatively isolated people. They grow manioc and corn in gardens and gather forest products, like honey but fishing is their main livelihood and fish are a vital part of their diet, as they are one of the few tribes who eat no red meat. During the fishing season, the men build large dams across rivers and spend several months camped in the forest, catching and smoking the fish which is then transported by canoe to their village. For decades, the Enawene Nawe has faced invasion of their lands by rubber tappers, diamond prospectors, cattle ranchers and more recently soya planters Maggi, the largest soya company in Brazil, illegally built a road on their land in 1997 (this was subsequently closed by a federal prosecutor). Although their territory was officially recognized and ratified by the government in 1996, a key area known as the Rio Preto was left out. This area is tremendously important to the Enawene Nawe both economically and spiritually this is where they build their fishing camps and dams, and where many important spirits live. Now, up to 11 dams are planned along the Juruena River, which flows through the Indians territory. The dams will be funded by a consortium of businesses, many of whom are involved in the soya industry. The Enawene Nawe is opposing the dams, and has launched an appeal for support to halt the construction. The Penan, Malaysia In 2008, a leaked map exposed the huge dam plans of the national electricity company in Sarawak, Malaysia. The local Penan people, who are familiar with destructive interference from outsiders, now face a new challenge to their land and livelihoods. Blueprints were accidentally posted on the internet for dams that will submerge homes and villages. To make matters worse, these dams are projected to produce far more electricity than Sarawak uses. The Borneo forests The island of Borneo, a fragile treasure house of rainforests, rare animals and plants, is under threat from plans for Chinese engineers to build 12 dams that will cut through virgin land and displace thousands of native Dayak people. The government of the Malaysian state of Sarawak says the dams are the first stage of a corridor of renewable energy that will create 1.5 million jobs through industries powered by safe, clean hydro-electricity. Campaigners are furious but appear powerless in the face of a project they fear will compound the devastation wrecked on Borneos peoples and land by previous dam projects and the felling of its forests. They point to the ruin caused by the levelling of millions of acres of trees for oil palm plantations to meet the worlds demand for biofuels. The dams would slice across a vast sweep of Sarawak, a place where wisps of cloud cling to remote, tree-clad peaks, huge butterflies flit through the foliage and orang-utans, sun bears and leopards roam. The Bakun dam, a separate project due to be completed by 2011, has already displaced an estimated 10,000 indigenous people, leading to bitter legal battles and a chorus of dismay from economists about cost overruns. For all that, it may be too late to save the natural bounty of Borneo itself. Orphaned orang-utans, piteously holding the outstretched hands of their human saviours, are the most conspicuous symbols of its fragility. Divided between Malaysia and Indonesia, with Brunei occupying a tiny enclave in the north, Borneos riches have ensured its plunder. One reason is the voracious world demand for timber. The other is the biofuels made from palm oil. Almost half of Borneos rainforests have been cut down. Two million acres have vanished every year as trees are felled, the wood sold and the land turned over to oil palms. Enormous fires cast a perpetual pall of toxic haze, making Indonesia the worlds third largest greenhouse gas polluter after China and the United States. Green gold, or palm oil, poses an even more insidious threat because it promises prosperity and development to the numerous poor of Borneo along with immense rewards for the elites. The vegetable oil comes from crushed palm husks. Long used for cooking, cosmetics and soap, it has now become a principal source of biodiesel fuel. Malaysia and Indonesia produce about 85% of the worlds supply of palm oil most of it from Borneo. The price of this apparently environment-friendly fuel is high as the damages far outweigh the benefits. All over Sarawak, tribal people have lost their ancestral lands to similar gambits. The situation in India Bhakra-Nangal Dam This dam is situated in the town Bhakra in Punjab and is Asias biggest dam. The dam is built on the Sutlej River. It is 225.55 m high above sea level. The dam is 518.25 m long and 304.84 m broad. Its huge reservoir known as the Gobindh Sarovar, stores up to 9621 million cu m of water, enough to drain the whole of Chandigarh, parts of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi. It has 4 floodgates, which are fully functional during the period of floods, and also has 2 power- stations situated on either side of the dam. Each of the power plants comprise of 5 generators, and a power station. The total electricity produced in both the generators is 1325 MW. The Narmada River Dams The Narmada River originates from the Maikal ranges at Amarkantak, 1057 m above the sea-level, now in Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh. The river flows for 1312 km through the three states of Madhya Pradesh (MP), Maharashtra and Gujarat before falling into the Arabian Sea. The valley has been the seat of an uninterrupted flow of human civilization from pre-historic times. The river has supported a variety of people and diverse socio-cultural practices ranging from the relatively autonomous adivasi (tribal) settlements in the forests to non-tribal rural population. The Narmada basin extends over an area of 98,796  km2 and lies between 720 32 E to 810 45 E and 21o 20 N to 23o 45 N. The basin covers large areas in the states of Madhya Pradesh (86%), Gujarat (14%) and a comparatively smaller area (2%) in Maharashtra. In the river course of 1,312  km, there are 41 tributaries, out of which 22 are from the Satpuda range and the rest on the right bank are from the Vindhya range. The valley experiences extremes of hydrometeorological and climatic conditions with the upper catchment having an annual precipitation in the range of 1000  mm to 1850  mm and with half or even less than half in its lower regions (650  mm-750  mm); the diversity of vegetation from lush green in the upper region to dry deciduous teak forest vegetation in the lower region is testimony to this feature. The Narmada basin is drought affected and a large part of North Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutch constitute semi-arid or arid regions on account of extreme unreliability of rainfall, rendering them chronically drought prone and subject to serious drinking water problems. Teak and Indias best hardwood forests are found in the Narmada River basin and they are much older than the ones in the Himalayas. The lower Narmada River Valley and the surrounding uplands, covering an area of 169,900  km2 consists of dry deciduous forests. The natural vegetation of the region is a three-tiered forest. Tectona grandis is the dominant canopy tree, in association with Diospyros melanoxylon, Dhaora (Anogeissus latifolia), and Boswellia serrata. Riperian areas along the regions rivers and streams, which receive year-round water, are home to moist evergreen forests. The ecoregion is home to 76 species of mammals and to 276 bird species none of which are endemic. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), about 30% of the ecoregion is covered in relatively intact vegetation. The ecoregion includes some large blocks of habitat in the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. About 5% of the ecoregion lies within protected areas, including Bandhavgarh, Panna, and Sanjay National Parks. The valley has some of the important national parks and wild life sanctuaries. Kanha national park located in the upper reaches of Narmada, about 18  km from Mandla, boasts of several wild animals including the Tiger. Two tributaries of Narmada, namley, Hallon and Banjar, flow through this park. It is one of the best National Parks of Asia, which has been described vividly by Rudyard Kipling in his famous creation Jungle Book. Satpura National Park, set up in 1981, is located in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh and covers an area of 524  km2. Along with the adjoining Bori and Panchmarhi Sanctuaries, it constitutes an area of 1,427  km2 of unique Central Indian Highland ecosystem. Satpura National Park, being part of a unique ecosystem, is very rich in biodiversity. The fauna comprises tiger, leopard, sambar, chital, bhedki, nilgai, four-horned antelope, chinkora, bison (gour), wild boar, wild dog, bear, black bear, black buck, fox, porcupine, flying, mouse deer, Indian jo int squirrel etc. There are a variety of birds. Hornbills and peafowl are the common birds. The flora of the national park consists of mainly sal, teak, tendu, aonla, mohua, bel, bambo, and a variety of grasses and medicinal plants. Madla plant Fossil National park, Dindori National fossils park Ghughuya is situated in Din dori district of Madhya Pradesh in India. This national park has plants in fossil form that existed in India anywhere between 40 million and 150 million years ago spread over seven villages of Mandla District (Ghuguwa, Umaria, Deorakhurd, Barbaspur, Chanti-hills, Chargaon and Deori Kohani). The Mandla Plant Fossils National Park is an area that spreads over 274,100  m2. The Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve covers part of three civil districts viz., Hoshangabad, Betul and Chhindwara of Madhya Pradesh. The total area is 4926.28  km2. It envelops three wildlife conservation units viz., Bori Sanctuary (518.00 km ²), Satpura National Park (524.37  km2), and Pachmarhi Sanctuary (461.37  km2). Satpura National Park comprises the core zone and the remaining area of 4,501.91  km2, surrounding the core zone serves as buffer zone. The area comprises 511 villages. The area exhibits variety of geological rock and soil formations. There is a wide spectrum of floral and faunal features that occupy the Satpura conservation area. It is one of the oldest forest reserves, which has an established tradition of scientific management of forests. It constitutes a large contiguous forest block that harbours a community of plant and animal species typical of the central highland region. Of the 30 big dams proposed along the Narmada, Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) and Narmada Sagar Project (NSP) are the mega dams. The Maheshwar and Omkareshwar dams along with SSP and NSP, are to form a complex which would ultimately cater to the needs of SSP. The struggle of the people of the Narmada valley against large dams began when the people to be displaced by SSP began organizing in 1985-86. Since then the struggle has spread to encompass other major dams in various stages of planning and construction chiefly Maheshwar, Narmada Sagar, Maan, Goi and Jobat. Tawa and Bargi Dams were completed in 1973 and 1989 respectively. Sardar Sarovar project The Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) faced stiff opposition from the people right from the planning stage. The Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save the Narmada movement) has been at the forfront of this opposition and at one time the NBA was successful in stopping World Bank funding for the project. A number of cases were filed against the project. However, the Supreme Court of India in 2000 issued a final ruling allowing construction to proceed. It is estimated that nearly 200,000 people would be displaced to construct the reservoir and a large number of people will lose land or livelihood due to project activities. A majority of the displaced people are tribal people. Medha Patkar (born 1 December 1954 in Bombay) is the founder of the Narmada Bachao Andolan and has vowed to work for the displaced people. She is one of Indias most important environmental activists. Her uncompromising insistence on the right to life and livelihood has brought to the fore the basic questions of natural resources, human rights, environment, and developm

International approaches to learning Essay

E1. Provide an explanation of three different international approaches to learning. One international approach to learning is Forest Schools. A Forest School is an outdoor education in which the children who attend get the opportunity to visit forest and woodland areas and develop different skills such as, personal, social and technical skills. Forest Schools offer children and young people the opportunity to develop their confidence through hands-on learning in a woodland environment. Forest Schools are also a unique way of building independence and self-esteem in children and young people. â€Å"Forest Schools aim to develop a greater understanding of their own natural and man-made environments, a wide range of physical skills, social communication skills, independence and a positive mental attitude, self-esteem and confidence.† Carolyn Meggitt, 2012, Childcare and Education, London, Hodder Education Another international approach to learning is The Maria Montessori Approach . The Montessori Approach is an educational approach created by a woman called Maria Montessori. Montessori education is focused on a motivated aim: To aid the child’s development into a complete adult human being, comfortable with themselves, the community and everyone around them. The Montessori Method to education is a child-centered educational process based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood. This approach values the human spirit and the development of the whole child – physical, social, emotional, cognitive. â€Å"Montessori education offers children opportunities to develop their potential as they step out into the world as engaged, competent, responsible and respectful citizens with an understanding and appreciation that learning is for life†. http://amshq.org/Montessori-Education/Introduction-to-Montessori/Benefits-of-Montessori Another international approach to learning is The Steiner Approach. The Steiner Approach to education was formed by Rudolf Steiner who was an Australian philosopher. When it came to education, Rudolf Steiner believed in developing the whole person. â€Å"The education approach differs from mainstream education in several ways. For a start, Steiner schools put a strong emphasis on the important of spiritual values and social skills and the teaching method is based on a balance of intellectual, practical and artistic teaching†. Physical skills is considered as important too and they use dance to help the children’s development. Steiner as considered color as important especially for helping the children with their imagination skills.  In Steiner Schools, children tend to have the same teacher from the age of six or seven until the age of fourteen and in each class there will be a mix of different age groups. E2. Choose one international approach from E1 and give reasons for your choice. The international approach to children’s learning which interests me the most is the Forest School approach. The reason I have chosen this approach is because E3. Explain the background to the approach you have chosen and write about it. Philosophers, naturalists and educators in Europe and the UK such as Wordsworth, Ruskin, Baden Powell, Leslie Paul, Kurt Hahn, Susan Issacs and the Macmillan Sisters all laid the foundations for what is known as Forest Schools today. Forest Schools were originally based on a rich heritage of outdoor learning going back to the 19th century. Forest schools originated in Sweden in the 1950’s as a way of teaching children about the natural world. Denmark adopted the idea of Forest Schools and it became an important part of early year’s provision. The Forest School concept was then brought to England in 1993 by the staff of Bridgewater, Somerset after an exchange visit to Denmark. Forest Schools have had a huge impact on children within the UK. Forest Schools have made differences in children’s confidence; the children have the freedom, time and space to learn and develop independence. Seen differences in their social skills; the children have learned to gain awareness of the consequences of their actions on other children through different activities, for example sharing tools and playing with one another. Differences have been seen in communication; the language development has been supported by the sensory activities children have been taking part in. Seen differences in their physical skills; these improvements were characterized by the development of physical stamina and gross and fine motor skills. Also, differences were seen in their knowledge and understanding; the children and developed interests with the environment and natural surrounding which meant they were willing to learn more and they gained respect for the environment. E4. Describe the key principles of your chosen approach. Forest Schools have six main key principles. The first one is ‘A Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.’ This means that the same group of learners should ideally attend a Forest School at least once every other week and continue to do so for a long period of time. A Forest School programme has a structure which is based on the observations and joint work between learners and practitioners. This will show progression of their learning. The early sessions of any programme begin to form physical and behavioural boundaries as well as making their first observations on which to base future programme development. The second key principle is ‘Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natu ral world’. This means that the woodland area is ideal for the Forest School practice and the individual needs of learners as it provides them with space and the environment in which they are able to explore and discover. This links to The EYFS – A unique child – play and exploration. Forest School aims to develop relationships with nature through regular personal experiences in order to develop long-term practices in staff and learners and the wider community. Also Forest Schools uses natural resources for inspiration, to enable ideas and to encourage key motivation. The third key principle is ‘Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners’. Holistic development means to develop everything†¦ their physical, social, cognitive, verbal, emotional, artistic, creative skills and spiritual aspects as well. The Forest School leader/practitioner will also try a link Forest School experiences to the children’s home and school life. The fourth key principle is ‘Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to th emselves’. This means that the Forest School leaders provide the children with sharp tools and allow them to build fires when under supervision; this allows the children to take safe risks and learn how to use these tools properly providing them with lifelong skills. Any Forest School experience follows a Risk–Benefit process managed by the practitioner and the child that is personalised to the developmental stage of the child. This also means that  Forest School opportunities are aimed to build on the individual’s motivation and positive attitudes and interests of the children. The fifth key concept is ‘Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice’. This means that a Forest School must be ran by practitioners who hold a minimum qualification of Level 3 Forest School qualification and also must hold a Paediatric First Aid qualification which include outdoor elements. It means that there must be a high ratio of practitioner/adult to children. The Forest School leader must have working documents which have all the up to date policies and procedures which are required to run a Forest School and which have the correct information for all the roles and responsibilities of the practitioners and any volunteers. Also the Forest School leader is a reflective practitioner and sees themselves as a learner too. The final key principle is ‘Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning’. This means â€Å"A learner-centred pedagogical approach is employed by Forest School that is responsive to the needs and interests of learners.† http://www.forestschoolassociation.org/full-principles-and-criteria-for-good-practice/ Also, play and choice is an essential part to the Forest School learning and play is seen vital to the learning and development of children at the Forest School. Forest School provides motivation for all learning preferences and dispositions. Also reflective practice is a key feature of each session to ensure learners and practitioners can understand their achievements, develop emotional intelligence and plan for the future. Practitioner observation is an important part of Forest School pedagogy. Observations link into ‘scaffolding’ and adapting experiences to learning and development. Scaffolding links to Jerome Bruner and his theory on Scaffolding. â€Å"A ‘scaffold’ ensures that children aren’t left to their own devices to understand something. The support is removed when the student is ready, like the scaffolding that supports workers who’ve been constructing or repairing a building, which is removed when construction is complete.† http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/jerome-bruner-scaffolding-and-constructivism-theories.html#lesson E5. Describe the materials and resources that support the children’s learning  in your chosen approach. E6. Provide information on how these materials and resources are used to promote learning. E7. Explain the role of the practitioner in supporting learning in your chosen approach. In a Forest School, the role of the practitioner to boost and develop self-esteem and self-belief and confidence by suggesting small, manageable tasks and ensure that they have time and freedom to learn at their own pace without pressure. This supports the children’s learning because they are At a forest school, the role of the practitioner is to constantly model suitable behviour and encourage the children to develop better awareness of their own and other’s emotional needs. The role of the practitioner is to complete all health and safety and risk assessments. They must follow all policies and procedures. The role of the practitioner is to administrate first aid when needed and maintain a first aid it at all times. The role of the practitioner is to count the equipment in and out as well. All this is done to make sure the children and kept safe from any kind of harm and to maintain the safety and welfare of all the children. The role of the practitioner is to always take into consideration the specific needs of a particular group of children or an individual child and will ensure that every child is respected as an individual, that bullying is not tolerated and that the rules and guidelines are followed. In the event of an emergency they will direct the group to safety. Another role the practitioner must do is complete child observations. This helps the practitioners to understand how individual children learn and play. Also helps with planning so the practitioner can tailor activities to meet each child’s individual needs. The role of the practitioner is to make sure that they complete planning, ensuring that all the children are getting the best out of their experience and by making sure it is a stimulating and inspiring experience for all children and meet the individual needs of all children and the developmental stages of The Early Years Foundation Stage. The role of the practitioner is to maintain the Forest School site. Ensure environmental considerations are being met by making sure the site is kept clean and tidy after every session at the Forest School.

Models of Decision Making

One poor decision that I made more than a year ago happened when I was a member of the committee of a small, preliminary business company somewhere in Texas, which was only starting to burst in less than ten years of operation.   Having read from articles that IT had become such an integral part of the business strategies of most companies nowadays because it made lots of money, assisted in terms of management and information, and that it kept records safer and faster, the thought made me think that IT was really what we needed.   We were on the brink of entering the next higher stage of business. We did brainstorming about the next strategy to implement by the following year, so that the business would be more successful and prominent for the next stage of business.   I suggested about investing with IT equipments, as this would have extended our markets and services to be able to reach out to more customers in further states.   The decision turned out to be a poor one because of misapprehension and negligence, as well as the wrong choice of strategy and application. Major Analysis Using the ‘rational model’ in making individual decisions, the decision that I used in performing an IT investment to the business can be outlined as follows: I. Forming the decision A.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Identifying the problem 1. There was a problem in terms of functional and systems approach, as the manufacturing was not smooth and orderly, and the tasks were not done efficiently. 2.There was a problem when it came to supply chain management, especially that the ingredients should have already been ready by the time the orders were sent. 3.There was a problem when it came to efficient floor management, so that the preparation did not flow smoothly and quickly. B. Generating alternative solutions 1. Improve functional system by improving strategies, tasks, and goals. 2.Improve supply chain system by exchanging tighter coordination with the supplier companies. 3. Improve IT system by using the investment finance. C. Selecting a solution 1.The chosen alternative should solve or alleviate as much problems as it can handle. 2. The chosen alternative should be strategically and financially acceptable. 3.The chosen alternative should present values, information, and skills that could be availed from the existing environment. II.Negative consequences of the decision A.Negative financial consequences 1. About 68% of the total available fund did not bring about the expected results. 2.Overall profit landed at merely $97,000, with a loan amounting to $200,000 plus company expenses. B.Negative motivational consequences 1.The staffs and the committee lost motivation after being announced that the company had lost more than half of the expected returns. 2.The staffs and the committee lost motivation because the company almost fell to bankruptcy. C.Negative personal feedback 1. I lost my position as the second adviser of the finance administration. 2.I was almost fired from the company. III.Importance of the decision A.Importance to the company 1. The decision would have solved problems in functional, supply chain, and efficient floor management. 2.The decision would have created a link and opportunity with strong IT companies in the environment. B.Importance to the higher staffs 1.Improvement in the functional and efficient floor management would have led to higher profits and bigger returns. 2. Improvement in profits and returns would have led to bigger opportunities and investments. C.Importance to me 1.The decision, if it were successful, would have promoted me as the first adviser of the finance administration. 2. The decision, if it were successful, would have motivated me to do bigger projects amid the risks. Three decision theories, which were exercised in the planning and implementation of the decision were the following: First and foremost is the ‘rational model’, which centers on comprehensive rationality and the sense of the alternatives.   The rational model arrives at a decision by going over the four distinct steps: first is identifying the problem; second is generating alternative solutions; third is selecting the solution; fourth and final is implementing and evaluating the solution (Baker III, 2001, p.1).   It presents the decision-making process by helping me, first, in pointing out what exactly is the problem in the company; then by thinking of the alternatives that can be used, which would solve the issues that were at hand. Second decision theory that was used in the planning and implementation of the decision is the ‘political model’, which uses the organization as a coalition, with procedural rationality having to control the decision making process.   In this model, what controls are the following aspects: first is environmental uncertainty; second is resource dependence; third is task interdependence; fourth and final is goal conflict (Rotman School of Management, 2001, p.4).   The rationality of the procedure appears to be most important. Third theory that was used in the decision making process is the ‘instance-based model’, wherein decisions are based on instances and the chosen alternative sprouts through ‘accumulated experience’ (Gonzalez&Lebiere, 2004, p.8).   Because we have known other companies that became successful after investing in the IT, such as Vanguard Group, then it became reasonable for us that our company will also succeed in terms of IT investment.   We failed to conclude that the internal and external environments are two very important factors. Conclusion Based on my analysis in the recent pages, it appears that making judgments and decisions for a company should not rely solely on one person or group of persons.   There should be brainstorming from different groups that believe on different ways and strategies.   People make judgments almost too hastily.   Each factor should be analyzed slowly and efficiently, especially when it comes to the finances and the returns of the finances. As for me, I have learned the lesson that it takes two to tango†¦ not just two, in fact; the more there is then the better.   It is good to make decisions in pairs†¦ but a great deal better if we do them in numerous pairs. References Baker III, E.   (2001).   Decision making.   Retrieved November 23, 2007, from Dr. H. Eugene Baker’s Homepage: http://www.unf.edu/~gbaker/Man6204/Decision.PDF. Rotman School of Management.   (2001).   Contingency framework: models of decision making.   Retrieved November 23, 2007