Does Credentialing Produce Effective Teachers? :: Education Educational Essays

Does Credentialing Produce Effective Teachers? Controversy regarding the relationship between the competence of teachers and the performance of their students causes some people to believe that the qualifications of teachers have no direct effect on their ability to teach efficiently. Others believe that poor student performance is directly caused by the teacher's lack of preparation. Thus the question: is teachers’ lack of preparation contributing to poor student performance on standardized achievement tests? This review contains information regarding teacher credentialing: what is a teacher credential, how is a multiple-subject credential obtained in California, emergency credentials, teacher credentialing is related to student performance, and teacher credentialing is not related to student performance. What is a teaching credential? Teacher credentialing is a process in which teachers become recognized by the state as competent and professional in teaching. There are many different types of credentials, a primary one being a multiple subject credential. According to Dr. Ruth Norton, a professor of education at Cal State San Bernardino, a multiple subject credential allows a teacher to teach all subjects in a self-contained classroom in grades K-12. In California, the multiple subject credential generally applies to grades K-6 because of the structure of the school systems; grades 7-12 generally emphasize single-subject credentials. How is a multiple subject credential obtained in California? In speaking with Jason Moore, an advisor at CSUSB PALS office, to obtain a multiple subject credential in California it is required to have a baccalaureate degree from a four-year university, passed the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) during their junior or senior year, and participate in a fifth year credential program. Currently, in the extended credential program, the Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA) test is required and as of September 2000, the Math Instruction Competency Assessment (MICA) will also be required. It should be noted that California is the only state that requires the fifth year credential program. In addition, the state of California has a list of competencies of what every teacher should possess to be effective: creating and maintaining effective environments, planning instruction and designing a learning experience for all students, engaging and supporting all students in learning, understanding and organizing subject matter for student learning, assessing student learning, and developing as a professional educator. Emergency Credentials

Why does Hamlet delay avenging his father’s death?

Why Hamlet is not carry out immediately, thinking why he posed. It is a great question. Firstly Hamlet need to make sure that the ghost is a good spirit or a dad spirit and his story is good and to carry that it is a good reason to pose and delay his action of revenge.Hamlet has a doubt his perceptions of the ghost and its veracity, the ghost introduces the idea of retribution justice into the play the idea that acts of sin must not go unpunished and it is up to Hamlet to take it Hamlet was shocked initially with his father's death and his mother's remarriage to his uncle, so after the meeting of the ghost he starts ruminating on the murder, keeps returning to the thoughts of the ghost and hiding his furious feelings every time he see his mum and her husband Hamlet is loyal to his father and in the same time he had doubts about acting on the words of the ghost, it is a problem so he speak aloud his soughts to himself and to the audiences showing a modern world view. † If his ac culted guiltDo not itself unkennel in one speech, It is a damned ghost that we have seen, And my imaginations are as foolAs Vulcan's stithy.† (Act 3 Scene 2) lines 73-77, pg 63. Hamlet ask Horatio to observe his uncle reaction to proof that the ghost's story is good and it is a great reason to think that revenge is right to take it tooth for tooth.Secondly Hamlet is not sure if Claudius kills his father and in the same time Claudius is t untouchable because his the king and cannot be brought to justice, so hamlet posed and found that the truth that his father was mudded by his uncle than he will avenge his father if it is right thing to do and showing reason to use his moral to think carry his father's revenge so he set up a play in the castle in the same way his father died to make sure that claudios killed his father by observing his uncle's reaction which he stood up shakily making Hamlet certain that he is the murder of his father. † Hamlet: Now might I do it. But no w'a is a-praying.And now I'll do't. And so'a goes to heaven, And so am I revenged. That would be scanned: A villain kills my father and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain  send To heaven.†(Act 3, Scene 3) lines 73-78, pg 76.Why does Hamlet delay avenging his father’s death again. Hamlet find a reason not to kill his uncle while he was kneed with his hands clasped up praying and asking for forgiveness. Hamlet's rational make his human nature to pose his action asked himself is it right to do again showing moral course of action which is contrasted to deal by acting evil towards the good back to tradition and convention when Hamlet decided to revenge but when his uncle penitent (in drunk or in his rage) so Hamlet can feels relish of salvation, Hamlet showing modern way of thinking individually. (Act 3 Scene 4) lines 89- 92, page 77. Thirdly Hamlet ask himself: â€Å"Am I a coward?†(Act 3 Scene1)Hamlet is delaying and posing because he is a coward and he cannot do it. hamlet does not act quickly because the action of morality and simply he is a coward.References:Shakespeare, William. Hamlet, ed. Robert S. Miola (London: Norton, 2011).

Capitalist Hegemony

Capitalist Hegemony at its Finest Alex Jackson Sarah Ciurysek Capitalist Hegemony at its Finest. By Alex Jackson Throughout time different societies have seen their respective take on pop culture. Pop culture is not simply a culture that has suddenly sprung from the ground in the last 20 years and wormed its way into text books, periodicals and university debates; it is a culture built around a defined group of ideas, perspectives and attitudes. Pop culture in its evolutionary path has seen many changes from Roman sculpture to Baroque paintings to post-war Abstract expressionism, all amounting to what we know today to be our pop culture.However, the pop culture that we experience on a day-to-day basis in the 21st century is one unparalleled by the pop culture already seen and past. Today we are surrounded by the ever-expanding mass media. Since the invention of the Internet in the 1980’s, mass media has spread like wildfire and with it the furthering evolution of the 21st cent ury’s pop culture. With the growth of mass media in our pop culture we see new trends and patterns. As we all know, North America was built on a firm foundation of capitalism. This capitalism is the foundation not only for businesses and corporations, but for our developing culture as well.A growing notion and potential fear amidst this evolving foundation is the existence of capitalist hegemony. For one to understand this term one must know the definition of the two words individually. Mirriam Webster’s dictionary defines capitalism as ‘an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, prices, production and the distribution of goods†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Hegemony, defined also by Webster’s dictionary is ‘the social, cultural, ideological, or economic influence exerted by a dominant group. In combination, the two represent a power exerting itself over a group in atte mpts to feed and control consumerism. Capitalist hegemony can be seen on the television, in advertisements, film and video games. The method by which capitalist hegemony is spread, that we will consider in this essay, is the video game. Video games contribute to the spread of capitalist hegemony in two ways: through the easily-accepted method of suggestion of consumerist narratives; and through the extremist method of exerting complacency on a populous.From an early age, all of us have been bombarded with a consumer culture. We have been taught by mass media always to want, look for and buy the next big thing. Video games have taken up this torch in that easily-accepted, subtle way. There’s no need to tell a person to buy, the task is more indirect. Gamers play through a story, the narrative more often than not being all about consumerism of one form or another. As masked as the consumerist plot may be, it is more than likely there. Take for example a game such as Dead Space 2.This game involves the main character Isaac Clarke fighting his way through the Sprawl in attempts to destroy a giant relic called the Marker, which is responsible for an alien infestation. At first glance, the story line of Dead Space 2 gives no evidence of capitalist tendencies; however the player need only kill one of the creatures in the game and pick up the loot to enter currency into the game. Money and power nodes allow the player to upgrade Isaac’s abilities and buy weapons and suits, and additional ammo and med packs.The gamer thereby is subliminally being taught the values of capitalism, make money buy new things. In other approaches to video games the developers don’t go to such length to mask consumerism. In games such as Need for Speed Underground the player races for money so as to purchase upgrades for already purchased cars, and to buy new ones. In Digital Games and Cultural Studies by Garry Crawford and Jason Rutter, this point is explained: â€Å"N umerous games are based upon the principle of capital accumulation where the central aim and theme is to make more money to improve character’s avatar’s skills or possessions. (Crawford and Rutter) One might argue for sports-related games such as Madden NFL 12, or NHL 11 where the object of the game appears to be purely sport. Win a game, move to the next round is the essential plot; however, these video games have been sponsored by larger companies looking to get their name out to more consumers. Although the advertisements are small and only seen on the back boards of the field or ice rink where the game is staged, the information does go in. According to studies, advertisements need to be put in front of the viewer for an extended amount of time before he viewer picks up on it. What better place than a video game to expose a viewer to a continuous stream of advertisements. To add to the two previous methods of consumerism being pushed through video games, there rema ins a third methodology. Typically, a well received video game will be made into a series. The game that supersedes the one before it always promises to be bigger and better; better graphics, better sound, etc. This leaves the player wanting more and lusting for the next big chapter.Many large game development companies such as EA games with Battlefield, and UBISOFT with Halo follow this trend and have met been with great success. Crawford and Rutter, in reference to the Birmingham School can be quoted as saying that, â€Å"the shared values and culture of a society are those based largely on dominant (that is, ruling class) values and ideologies. † (Crawford and Rutter) If our dominant culture is founded on capitalism, then the governing values and ideologies have to be exerted via subcultures such as pop culture and the ways in which its groups communicate.We have looked at the spread of consumerism via video games. This concept is easy to swallow because we see evidence of it everywhere we look. However, the second theory of how pop culture contributes to capitalist hegemony isn’t so easy to digest. As technology continues to advance and things such as social networking and portable communications grow, we begin to see a decrease in the need to go outside and meet people. The same goes for video games.With the introduction to video games in the 1970’s we have seen the creation of a new kind of computer geek, the gamer. Gamers can spend extended amounts of time inside, staring at a screen. With the advancement of video game graphics, intriguing storylines and strategic challenges, it’s no wonder gamers would rather play video games than interact, play sports or become useful members of society. A sudden lack of community has sprung up in the midst of our new found technological enlightenment. Digital gaming could be seen (and has been seen by many) as a clear illustration of the individualization of society†. (Crawford and R utter) People no longer need to come outside to communicate, to do activity or exercise. â€Å"The rate at which these games are flying off the shelves would suggest more football is being played on home computers than on local fields†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (O’Connor, 2002). The uprising of this new phenomenon is evidence of a growing complacency in our society. People needing to do less and less.Looking at this from the viewpoint of a large capitalist corporation, it means profit; maintaining ‘the existing status quo [to] promote dominant capitalist values,’ (Crawford and Rutter) keep people inside, in front of a screen absorbing information that fuels their desire to buy. Stuart Hall suggests that â€Å"cultural products (such as television programmers, popular music and digital games) may be ‘encoded’ with dominant values, ideas and beliefs. † (Hall, 1980) Albeit a little extreme, Hall is supported in an indirect way. John Hopson, a games researche r at Microsoft Games Studios holds a doctorate in behavioral and brain sciences.Based on one of Hopson’s studies, a gamer can in essence be persuaded to produce a set of behaviors the developers want, â€Å"each contingency is an arrangement of time, activity, and reward, and there are an infinite number of ways these elements can be combined to produce the pattern of activity you want from players. † (Hopson) Simply put, large corporations intend to subliminally brain wash us with messages of use to capitalist pursuits. These ideas are conceptual, large and potentially a bit fanciful, but the evidence supporting them is happening before our eyes.People keep on buying based on information consumed through media portals including game consoles. The emergence of gamers and the diminishing need to go outside is a constant reminder that, although seemingly unrealistic, someone is using the right approach to acquire profit. Video games, among other methods, contribute to so me form of capitalist hegemony whether intended or not. It would be frightening to know that a corporation would approach the market with such fervor as to send subliminal messaging through a game console. It’s surprising the very real effect of advertisement has on the consumer. -â€Å"Merriam-Webster. † http://www. erriam-webster. com/. N. p. , 2011. Web. 14 Apr 2011. -Crawford, Garry, and Jason Rutter. â€Å"Digital Games and Cultural Studies. † Sage Publications. (2006) -O’Connor, A. (2002) â€Å"Evan better than the real thing? †, The Times, The Game Supplement, 9 December. Pp 2-3. -Hall, S. (1980) â€Å"Encoding/ decoding†, in S. Hall, D. Hobson, A Lowe and P. Willis (eds) Culture, Median, Language: Working Papers in Cultural Studies. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. Pp 215-43 -Hopson, John. â€Å"Behavioral Game Design. † Gamasutra (2001): n. pag. Web. 14 Apr 2011. .

Ap Us History

The French-Indian War was a major turning point in relations between the Americans and the British. American colonists were generations removed from their British ancestry, and it showed on the battlefield. The Bruits and Americans had different tactics and ideals during the war. These differences created bitterness between the Americans and British economically, theologically, and socially following the war due to the fact that the British controlled the colonies and could therefore tax them/tell them what to do.If two countries hate each other, and one of the countries has control of the other one, problems are bound to arise, as they did between America and Britain following the French-Indian War. These problems would eventually lead to the American Revolution. Economic relationships between Americans and Bruits soured following the French- Indian war due to the increased taxes on colonists that resulted from the high cost of the war.According to document F, the tax revenues brought in from the colonies by the Bruits was seen as insufficient after the French-Indian War (due to the vast increase in territory and population as seen in document and the British Order in Council suggested that they increase the taxes placed upon the colonies, for they were in fact growing. An example of these taxes included the Stamp Act, which placed taxes on many paper-oriented materials.This was a hugely disliked tax by the colonists, as represented by Benjamin Franklin in document G and the newspaper headline in document H, and was indicative of the kinds of unfair taxes that the British imposed on the colonists after the French-Indian War. The effects of the French-Indian War also stirred up political disagreements between the British and Americans. The previous policy of British rule over the colonies was Salutary Neglect, meaning the British would let the colonies govern themselves as long as they maintained fair trade relations with the British.Following the war, however, strict trade laws called the Navigation Acts made it so that Americans had restricted trade with places other than Britain. The Navigation Acts were a response to the lack of revenue mentioned in document F, and created a colonialist feeling of resentment towards the British. These feelings of resentment (in conjunction with many other feelings toward many other unfair acts that limited the prosperity of the colonies) led to the desire of a separate government, and ultimately the American Revolution.The Ideological differences between colonists and the British were noticeably different during the French-Indian War. According to document D, which Is a Massachusetts soldiers diary, the American soldiers were seen as little better than slaves to their [English] officers. American soldiers felt Like they were Englishmen, but were denied the English liberties and rights that they felt they deserved. This was probably due to the fighting styles/other ideologies that differed and made the English feel superior to the colonists.These feelings shone through on the taxes placed upon the colonists and the various laws/acts passed that restricted colonial freedom. Americans and British people after the year 1763 were caused by the French-Indian War. When Britain abused its powers over the colonies, there was a major retaliation which really should have been expected due to the harbored resentment possessed by the Colonists towards the British. The French-Indian war magnified existing feelings between colonists and Englishmen, and also created bitter resentment, which led to restlessness and the American Revolution.

Crime Analyst Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Crime Analyst - Assignment Example a mainly re-active force to being a more pro-active one, with greater emphasis on crime prevention and the ability to know where and how specific type of crime are likely to take place (Ratcliffe, 2007). Crime analysis is the next step up from just collecting and generating police crime reports. It reflects the use of these data that have been collected to make a more scientific study of the incidences of crime and from it make useful conclusions on the best ways to utilize stretched police resources and ensure that the lessons learned from the crime reports and incidences of the past are used as a tool for improving police work in the future. This arming of the police with information and tools that make them better do their job has resulted in theme being not only better at handling crime but also staying on top of the criminal trends and patterns and thus being better at knowing how to combat the dynamic nature of modern-day crime. A crime analyst’s responsibilities include the compiling, studying, analyzing, interpreting and presenting data collected from crime incidence reports. It includes going through all the reports and from them identifying and picking out any patterns, trends and features of crime that are then mapped out not only geographically but also socially and logically with the intention of enabling the police come up with the most effective methods of combating it and fighting such crime. Once all these data is analyzed and interpreted into useful information from which decisions can be made, the crime analyst also comes up with the best ways of presenting the information not only to the police departments for their own operational needs and requirements but also to the public so they can accurately and realistically evaluate the success of crime prevention and detection (International Association of Crime Analysts, 2011). The crime analyst looks first and foremost at the incidences of crimes reported and analysis their occurrence,

Human Rights Act 1998 s 3 s 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Human Rights Act 1998 s 3 s 4 - Essay Example Rights Act was geared towards bringing about a â€Å"major constitutional change† within the UK3 in order to ensure that the freedoms and human rights guaranteed to individuals under the European Convention of Human Rights were more effectively incorporated into national law. Klug and Starmer have spelt out the goals of the HRA as follows: (a) ensuring compliances with human rights principles (b) interpreting domestic legislation such that it is compatible with the Act (c) introducing the doctrine of horizontal effect and (d) modifying grounds for judicial review4. In the balance of division of powers within the UK, Parliament emerges supreme and therefore this leads to a centralized form of Government. Parliamentary Sovereignty in the UK has therefore posed the urgent need for Constitutional reform within the country.5 However, Klug and Starmer also point out that five years after the Human Rights Act came into force on 2nd October 2000, conflicting views are offered about its efficacy, with some experts concluding that the only difference is that a wider range of questions may be asked by judicial authorities although the answers remain the same while others contend that UK courts have demonstrated their ability to interpret and apply the principles of the ECHR in national law. The essential conflict with the democratic principles of Parliamentary Sovereignty6 upon which UK law has been based - mandating Parliament’s authority as the supreme law making authority, has also produced resistance to the HRA7. The two major sections of the HRA that are significant are sections 3 and 4. The provisions of Section 3 of the Human Rights Act states that Parliament legislation must be read and given effect to in a way that will be compatible with Convention rights â€Å"so far as it is possible to do so.†8 In the event that domestic legislation is found to be incompatible with individual rights spelt out in the Convention, and statutory interpretation is not possible,

The impact of short staffing on qualityof care and safety of the Essay - 1

The impact of short staffing on qualityof care and safety of the patients - Essay Example In addition, a critical analysis of the effects of short staffing of nurses in various hospitals in United Kingdom is established in the research paper (Bullock, Clark and Rycroft-Malone, 2012). The essay utilises existing literature regarding the influence short staffing of nurses on the quality of the services and the safety of the nurses. The issue of the relationship between patient’s safety and short staffing of the nurses remains controversial in the healthcare sector. The safety of the patients refers to the conditions that contribute to infections, death and ineffective treatment. Most healthcare facilities in the world focus on promoting the safety of the patients by acquiring adequate number of nurses in various preventive health and treatment department. In addition, the safety of the patient is the critical determinant of the effectiveness of the treatment criteria at the hospital. A safe healthcare facility tends to attract more clients because of the trusts and confidence patients have on its services. Nursing scholars and managers have explored the concept of the correlation between the patient’s safety and staffing (Barron, 2009). According to the research, short staffing refers to availability of inadequate number of personnel in a particular organisation. Most of the researchers focus on the negative influences of short staffing of the nurses on the safety and wellbeing of the patients. According to various studies in the healthcare sector, the safety of the patients correlates directly with short staffing of nurses in hospitals (Vincent, 2010). In this case, short staffing of the care giving personnel results to adverse effects on the patients health in a healthcare environment. In addition, research indicates that patients suffer minimum complications and recuperate faster when they obtain adequate nursing care at the hospital. Furthermore, a