Spotify Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Spotify - strive ExampleThe strategic framework of SpotifyTM lead help to implement technology to sustain competitive reinforcement in terms of cost and efficiency. Formulating other forms of strategies frequently(prenominal) as e-marketing, CRM, or SCM as part of cheeks strategy helps a comp some(prenominal) to mange and utilise their resources optimally. Introduction SpotifyTM provides cloud based music blow service delivered via internet mobile phones. Through cloud computing it offers subscribers access to its vast database of music. To maintain such large database the company would require effective managing of its selective information system. The information system is not isolated and constitutes fundamental interaction between hardw atomic number 18, software, data, great deal, and telecommunication. These components of an information system are built to create, assemble, and distribute important data and information to people across the globe (Lucey, 2004, p.31). Fr om the information system hierarchy baffle it can be said that the strategic development is a top down approach and it flows downwards from the top level management of organisation. The information system connects the top level management with people and process (Doyle, 2001, pp.2-14). ... he business strategy of SpotifyTM is to fit to new technology of cloud computing and generate revenues through cloud based business model which leave alone allow subscribers unlimited access to music database at least cost and shortest time. Using the atomic number 23 forces model, the relative attractiveness of cloud based technology industry can be analysed as follows little terror of New Entrants - SpotifyTM offers its subscribers a vast database of music via cloud computing technology. As a result the subscribers result have faster access to music more(prenominal) conveniently and even from their mobile sets, at any place any time without having them to carry memory devices. At the same time multi-user interface will not slow down the server. The users will also get unlimited storage space and remote access even if their hard disk may have limited space. All these features and facilities provided by SpotifyTM are unlikely to face threat from the new entrants. Bargaining queen of Suppliers - The cost of cloud computing is stinting since the database is centralised. It also requires less space, bandwidth and power. Thus, suppliers will have limited influence over SpotifyTM business model. Bargaining Power of Buyers - Cloud computing is very cost effective as it do not require subscribers to station extra time and money to use standalone servers. Using cloud based computing the subscriber will get the opportunity to save money on data storage cost, management cost, and software updates. affright of Substitutes The only threat to cloud based technology is open source computing but it is much slower and requires the subscriber to have physical memory in order to s tore data which makes it more expensive compared to cloud based technology. Rivalry among Existing Competitors - SpotifyTM offers cloud based

Capstone Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

copestone - Assignment ExampleThe iPhone, for instance, continues to be the most popular smartphone in the world today with their latest iPhone 6 already out. Forbes magazine projects the companion could sell up to 70.9 million units of the new smartphone (Badenhausen, 2014). The companys guardianship has withal made Apple come up with the most forward-looking products and feature hence devising it the most profitable company in the world with annual brand revenue of $170.9 Billion ((Badenhausen, 2014). contrary other companies, however, Apple has no written vision statement. Instead, the companys vision is manifested through its lead like Steve Jobs and current C.E.O Tim Cook. These leaders coin philosophies that they then pass on to the departments like Research and growing which then try to come up with product concepts that are consistent with these philosophies. For instance, in the year 1998, spring chief executive Steve Jobs envisioned a paradigm shift in the conventi onal design of personalised computers and led his team into a revolution that was to change the norm permanently by introducing the iMac computer. This has given the company an edge in innovation and creativity.Some of the primary winding stakeholders of Apple include lenders, company employees, developers, and customers. These groups have also impacted the company in significant ways. For instance, the company enjoys an almost fanatical following from its customers. These customers have been the control force behind apples astronomical sales figures over the years (Jones &Hill 2011). The developers have helped contribute innovative product ideas which have enabled the company produces cutting edge technological devices like the iPad. Overall, the companys primary stakeholders have had a significant impact on Apples bottom line.For apple computers, the menace of new market entrants especially in the smartphone and personal computers category is significantly lower

Discuss the role of hydrocholoric acid in protecting the body from Essay

Discuss the place of hydrocholoric stifling in protecting the proboscis from disease.Explain signs and symptoms associated with low stomachic moroseness - Essay ExampleMoreover, degenerative conditions such as asthma, allergies and gallstones have been implicated in the reduced caustic secretion (Ahmed 34). Most parkland age related factors, that causes impaired digestion, is the decline in the hydrochloric acid production in the live on. This thus shows that hydrochloric acid plays a crucial role in the gastrointestinal portion.Digestion of diet substances starts when food enters the mouth and progresses as the food is passed to the stomach, small and large intestines. When food reaches the stomach, gastric secretions are released which consist of HCL, pepsinogen and a mucus layer that acts as a protective layer. The amount of HCL increases as digestion of food progresses. The ph of the stomach is maintained by HCL at 1 and 2.Apart from the digestion, the HCL helps in pro tection of the body against diseases (Barney 78).HCL plays a vital role in the protection of the body from pathogens. It does so by maintaining a sterile environment in the stomach, this is through protection against pathogens that are ingested during food intake. Pathogens cannot achieve overgrowth in the small intestines due to the action of this acid hence the gastrointestinal tract remains free of pathogens. Research has also shown that a common pathogen in the stomach, E coli is inactivated in the stomach when acidity is high at 1.5to 4.Inactivation of this organism thus eliminates possible E coli infection (Forleo 125). Low acidity of the stomach leads to fast invasion of microorganisms from the colon and bacterial colonization and overgrowth of bacteria hence prima(p) to infection. Thus, hydrochloric acid is vital in body defense.Researchers have also found out that reduced levels of hydrochloric acid leads to infection by H. pylori which is one of the most common pathogen t hat cause chronic bacterial infection. It also causes gastritis, gastric carcinoma, gastric ulcers and B-cell gastric carcinoma. This acid also

Civilization and Its Discontents Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Civilization and Its Discontents - Essay ExampleThis shows that Civilization and its Discontents is a great ratifier to the Western cultures literature. Freud commences his reflections with ruminations establish on religious values, and tries to bring out responses to the question as to why human beings argon possessed with the feeling of being with the passion of construction, oceanic feelings. An in-depth understanding of the reasons as to why Freud describes this type of feeling as oceanic gives two separate explanations he intended to ensnare the view of the superstitions, infantile and mystical religious ways which civilization defines as valuable while based on religious thought, and the scientific, analytic, and rational ways. An assumption made by Freud in this situation is that the entire mode of civilization is based on humans conscious analyses of the motives of human career that are non trustworthy, and that people do adopt analytical attitudes and methods which as a result lead to a truer, a healthier understanding of the motives, high levels of consistency, and a summary giving a brief on why and how people do it. The common human characteristics is that people have the notion of religion which they hold so dearly and use it to organize their actions and value-systems, though their grounds for this religion value, based on scrutiny, resulted into being interpretable through unconscious psychic drivers and processes. Chapter two of the same book shows how the fact that religion exists is an illustration and a manifestation of infantile origins of human beings in the seeking of a father figure to secure them against the mans pains and depression. Further still, this depicts that civilization has an immensely deep and systematic discontents in the human life, for without them, land would not be a thing of practice since there would be no need for it in eternity. On the contrary, though, there is need for religion since life as it is found by h uman is kinda hard as it brings too much pain, impossible tasks, and disappointments. Therefore, for the purpose of keeping by it, human cannot divvy up with such palliative measures (Freud, S., 2002, p. 23). These measures are threefold deflection of needs, intoxicants, and substitutions for needs. To expound on this, Freud moves on to elaborate on the main purpose of life, overhauled in religion. He, in his own perspective, sees no cosmic purpose to the human life save sees an internal psychic purpose upon which anyones psychic economy is based, as the pursuit of rejoicing or experience of pleasure. Pleasure principle is denoted by an individuals imperative towards the pursuit of pleasure, but the minds pursuit of happiness being in loggerheads with the entire worlds happenings. Religion plays an important type of trying to restrict peoples efforts by continuously imposing its moral codes upon people who are naturally characterized to have different ways of trying to negotiat e their ways to happiness, even though, the project whitethorn entirely experience drawbacks.

Welcome Letter Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Welcome garner - Essay ExampleThe most interesting surgical incision is the business proposal you will ultimately set about 3 topics to choose. My advice would be to pick the one you ar interested in the most and work lowering towards a finished product. Trust me, you will learn a lot in the business report. afterward spring break, our class started to work on the proposal. Accordingly, each week we were assigned to write a part of the report. Dont be upset if you have a bad grade after professor graded your first submission. You have a chance here to revise and the professor will feed useful feedback in I learned. Please follow the comments to redo your work and you could drastically improve your grade. For example, I did very poorly in my first submission, so I rewrote my approach following the feedback I had certain as such, the revision was much better than the first one and it gave me great encouragement. Also, tinking your grammar and proofreading your work will cons truct a huge difference. When working on your own proposal you should first carefully read the prompts and string sure you understand the instructions before starting to write. Second, always ask yourself if the sources you are using are the right ones and whether or not there is any alternative way to view the issues at hand. Lastly, check the grammar and proofread your work carefully. Although some of my work got a high grade, I often time necessitate to improve my grammar and proofreading so there was still a lot of work. From the writing portion of this course, I recall I have learned a lot.

Nature and Characteristics of a Marketing Plan Research Proposal

Nature and Characteristics of a Marketing Plan - Research Proposal Example agree to Longenecker et al. (2005, p. 295), after a marketing plan is presented in written form, it serves as an orientation for the achievement of coming operations. Needless to say, a marketing plan permits the marketer to penetrate the marketplace with an awareness of opportunities and challenges. On the early(a) hand, a traffic plan gives a wide preview of the organization, which includes the employees, geographical location and goals and missions (Pride et al 2011, p. 301). The business plan provides lenders and creditors with essential information to establish whether the business is feasible, financially stable and in a point to bring profits. Just like a marketing plan, a business plan gives the strategy of apprise generation (Pride and Ferrell, 2012, p. 342). Marketing Plan Structure and ElementsA marketing plan can be offered in diverse ways. Many organizations require a printed marketing plan s ince a marketing plan is blown-up and can be multifaceted (Pride and Ferrel, 2006, p. 253). Information about the task and action obligations may be lose if transmitted in words. In spite of the marketing plan presentation approach, some elements are public in most marketing plans (Payne, et al., 2011, p. 276). They include defining the business mission, performing a situational analysis, defining objectives, delineating a target market, and establishing components of the marketing mix (Pride and Ferrell, 2012, p. 332). Additional components contained in a marketing plan include budgets, slaying timetables, required marketing research or elements of advanced strategic planning (McDonald and Wilson, 2011, p. 312). According to Walker et al. (2005, p. 156), choosing a substitute to follow is dependent on company viewpoints and traditions. The selection is also dependent on the doer used to make the resolution. Organizations have one or two viewpoints when they anticipate profits. They either trail outlet immediately or aim to amplify their market share and then trail the earnings (Knight, 2004, p. 167).

Classic Airlines Marketing Solution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

unpolluted Airlines Marketing settlement - Essay ExampleThis is irrespective of a managers educational background or their quick abilities as job solving is a nurtured skill. Problems are a part of a businesss routine that helps it to stick. For instance, the objective of this paper will be to solve classic air ducts marketing chore employ the nine-step model by identifying and defining the problem. Additionally, it will tackle the objectives and obstacles available in the solving of the marketing problem of the airlines marketing department. Issues identification in spite of appearance Classic Airlines Classic airline is the world fifth largest airline with triad hundred and seventy five jets in its stable. It has over two hundred and forty flight destinations with at least two--thousand three hundred flights in a day. Its existence is over twenty-five years, which has seen the confederacy grow to having a total number of thirty two thousand employees. Its average turnove r per year is amid ten million and nine billion. Like any other business structure, Classic Airlines has had its part of challenges. The company witnessed intense plummet of its share price in the stock market because of flying uncertainties. In addition, the banish publicity exhibited by the public, the media and the Wall Street market wee gravely affected employee morale whence affecting their overall performance. Problem statement In effect, the consumer confidence on the airline dwindled as the Classic customer reward program member transport decreased by an alarming number. The number of flying multiplication that the remaining Classic loyal customers reduced significantly over a short period. Some of the customers jumped ship to access gos from the airlines competitors. Moreover, Classic Airlines inability to meet the rising fuel and crusade costs have made the airline unable to compete in a well correspond market. In a counter approach move, the airlines board of direc tors suggested a cost decline measure for a period range of one and half years. Under the set period, Classic airline would be able to beef up its frequent flier programs that should bring a significant evanesce on investment. SWOT analysis for the company Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Long time existence in the market continuous flight delays Investing on the changing customer needs Fierce competition from other players within the travel industry Internationally recognized brand The number of seats that a customer has to have for them to redeem their flier miles The recovery of the travelling industry Fluctuating global currency rates node loyalty to frequent flier programs Carelessness of staff leading to loss of client luggage The airlines adept reputation with the labor unions High fuel and equipment costs Effective implementation of cost reduction measures scummy inter client and staff relationship Venturing in to new destinations both internationally and loc ally Sanctions impose by the European Union on carbon emissions and the environment Good relations with its employees Reliance to emeritus forms of travelling techniques Steps in problem solving for Classic Airlines marketing problem Short-term issues Classic Airlines service product Ideally, the greatest, selling point of a product or service is the service product itself. In essence, a service is the act of approaching a need or want in an intangible manner where no one claims ownership.

S6W3Dqs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

S6W3Dqs - Essay ExampleThe same applies to hot seat Eisenhowers in his f atomic number 18well address. In this respect, Henry Kissingers remark that Morality has nothing to do with foreign policy is totally misplaced and uncalled for. Morality should, as a matter of fact, be fictional character and parcel of the overall subject field strategy.Morality has to do with the distinction of good from ruinous or justly from wrong. On the other hand, foreign policy is concerned with the beliefs, attitudes and actions of America towards other countries. Mr. Y (2011), in A content Strategic Narrative clearly articulates the American dream as regards to foreign policy. For instance, the narrative calls upon the unite States to pursue it domestic and foreign policies with a unified effort that reflect constancy of purpose (The subject Strategy Forum Review, 2010). It further goes on to state that US should pursue her content interest firearm at the same time allow others to pursue thei rs. However, this is pegged on condition that American values are not betrayed. Finally, Mr. Y says that America should seek fair competition and should not hesitate to deter bad behavior. This in itself is a moral position in foreign policy.Based on personal reflection, the National Strategic Narrative, and a recollection of values enshrined in American constitution, the role of morality in national security strategy cannot be downplayed. Other nations will only respect the position of USA on various matters based on her moral standards.The involvement of multinationals such as NATO in America national security has greatly boosted the collective power to promote security, curb incumbent threats, as well as protect the American citizens. Such is the case with which NATO and its 27 subdivision states work to promote ideas and peace of the member countries. America is part and parcel of these efforts done by NATO.Secondly, multinationals work with the American government to advance t he

History of Mathematics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

History of Mathematics - test ExampleAlthough at that place was no record of any mathematical talent in his family, both Galoiss parents were intelligent and well-read in subjects considered important at the time philosophy, classical literature and religion.In October 1823, Galois was enrolled at the Lycee of Louis-le-Grand and his initial years in school were attach with many successes and several prizes. During his first term, however, there was a rebellion by forty students who were all expelled. Although Galois was not involved in the rebellion, the severe position interpreted by the school against those students left(a) an impression on his already developing political outlook.By his third year, he became bored with the classical studies and his interests were soon absorbed by Legrendres Geometry, a have understood by very few. He regularly failed his exams and was asked to repeat the year due to poor subject in rhetoric. He faced severe criticisms from his rhetoric teac hers and soon his own family started to think of him as strange.February 1827 marked a turning point in his life, as he entered his very first mathematics course, taken by M. Vernier. Typical reports from his school described him as bizarre, singular, original and closed. His passion for mathematics dominated him and his manager of studies advised his parents to let him concentrate only on mathematics and forgo all others. His time in school apart from mathematics was described as a waste of time as he did nothing more than torment his teachers and overwhelm himself with punishments. However, M. Vernier reported him as an intelligent student with preparedness and success (Rothman, 1982).M. Vernier constantly implored Galois to work more systematically, an advice which he ignored. Galois attempted the entrance examination to Ecole Polytechnique a year early and without the required course in mathematics. His failure to clear the exam and the subsequent failures left a deep gash on him and embittered him for life

Importance of Leadership Style for the Success of John Lewis Coursework

Importance of leaders Style for the Success of John Lewis - Coursework ExampleThe researcher states that given the competitive nature of the business surroundings that the firm operates in, and the importance and magnitude of leadership positions, leadership, and leadership style is very important for John Lewis. This go forth obtain how John Lewis is going to be successful in the future as it continues to be an even so more important business in the economy. Leadership is the process of coordinating and organizing people, in such a way that they work together as a focused team to accomplish a greenness goal. Leadership style refers to the philosophy of a leader and how he or she implements his or her leadership. According to BBC online news, the leadership style that a leader chooses to use, either consciously or unconsciously, has a fundamental impact on his efficacy as well as success. In this article, the leadership style of John Lewis is placed evaluated to determine its e fficacy and what John Lewis may need to improve to become a better leader. When it comes to leadership, there be significant differences between leaders and managers. One of the main differences between managers and leaders is that leaders have pursuit while managers manage employees. Unlike a leader who creates and implements change, managers react to change and sometimes it can be too late for them. Managers, unlike leaders, are also likely to be focused on winning credit when they achieve something even if they achieved it through their employees. A leader who focuses on leadership and non management, on the other hand, gives credit to his team and takes responsibility when things do not go as planned or in the desired way. A manager may be focused on developing his line of achievement while a leader is taking a group or shared focus where nobody, not even the least import person, in the team is left behind. Managers may be the source of devout ideas, but a leader is the on e who makes these ideas transform from just being ideas into actual real-life solutions that benefit everyone. In other words, leaders make things happen while managers are just conveyor belts.

The Concept of Health Literacy in Promoting and Maintaining Adolescent Essay

The Concept of wellness Literacy in Promoting and Maintaining Adolescent Health - Essay ExampleFactors affecting the concept of health literacy in teenageds are discussed. Recommendations to develop and enhance adolescent health literacy are include. Keywords health literacy, adolescent, health promotion. The Concept of Health Literacy in Promoting and Maintaining Adolescent Health A young diabetic man, aged 14, learns about a new clinical trial on a new diabetic medicine. He goes to the study site to learn more about the trial. The adolescent is asked to property an informed consent form he must(prenominal) also start this form signed by his parents. However, once his mother sees the informed consent form, she realizes that her sons participation in the trial allow put him at high risks of health complications, since his current medicines and health state are in departure with what is required for and being tested during the trial. This is a routine situation that exposes the role of health literacy for promoting and maintaining adolescent health. Adolescents must be able to read and understand health information. They should be able to engage this information in ways that empower them to take proper health decisions. It goes without saying, that the adolescent health literacy is affected and mediated by a multitude of internal and external factors. In this sense, the concept of health literacy in adolescents can be defined as the degree to which young people are capable of accessing, reading, processing, and comprehending health information and use this information to take proper health decisions, bring up and maintain their health, based on continuous interactions with their affable and cultural environments. Literacy and Health Literacy among Australians Health promotion has long been one of the primary goals of health care yet, it was not before the 1990s that the importance of health literacy was officially recognized. In the early 1990s heal th literacy was included in Australias health targets and goals (Keleher & Hagger, 2007). These goals and targets include improving language skills, population literacy, and public knowledge of health and health literacy, to ensure that individuals have the information and knowledge required to take informed health decisions (Keleher & Hagger, 2007 Borzekowski & Rickert, 2001). Unfortunately, little than one-fifth of Australians have high levels of literacy, which impedes the development and implementation of health promotion policies (Keleher & Hagger, 2007). Only every one-third Australian possesses functional literacy to cope with their everyday tasks (Jorm et al., 2006). Thus, just about one half of all Australians have the skills and potential to affect health decisions and promote their own health. This raises the question of bringing up health literacy from a young age. Why care about health literacy among adolescents? The answer is simple there is no health without health literacy. Limited health literacy is associated with increased utilization of health care services (Keleher & Hagger, 2007). Poor health outcomes are direct results of low health literacy (Farrer et al., 2008 Keleher & Hagger, 2007). Low health literacy predicts poor verbal communication with health care providers and poor medication compliance (Keleher & Hagger, 2007). Therefore, it is imperative that adolescents have the level of health literacy needed to promote and maintain their health. Undoubtedly, superior health literacy is one of the foundational elements of improved health in adolescents and adulthood. The long-term effects of literacy on

Advertising efficiency and the choice of media mix Essay

Advertising efficiency and the picking of media mix - Es rate ExampleAdvertising efficiency and the choice of media mixThere is also musculus quadriceps femoris for print and radio advertising in an advertising strategy that reaches out to the customer base of Alfredos, which is deferral and local anaesthetic anesthetic anaesthetic. The focus should be on local advertising in local radio stations and local print publications such as local newspapers and local magazines. The local emphasis recognizes that Alfredos is a local business that is characterized by high quality offerings. A national print and radio campaign impart not be cost effective for these reasons, that Alfredos clientele is mostly local, and Alfredos is a half-size operation catering to a local client base. It makes sense too, from an image perspective, to advertise in local print and radio, to emphasize that the bistro is local and has a local character and flavor. The appeal is to the home crowd, making it m ore personal, and making the advertising more attractive to the regular clients of the bistro, who live around the area.One can contend that for boys and girls, the real decision makers are the parents. With regard to sporting clothes in particular, parents arguably have the say on what their children wear, what their league affiliations are, and where they source their information relating to sportswear. Fathers for instance make use of sporting events as a way to connect with their children, with sporting events such as baseball games constituting bonding moments with their children.

The Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Essay

The Spring and Autumn layover and the Warring States - Essay ExampleHowever, the rule presented in the government states had been different as compared to the kingdom system. The organizations establish on the government system had been based on the choices presented in the people, although some members who sought the power presented in the society had created tyrannical rule. Kingdoms, on the other hand, had been created based on a succession system that favored the royal groups to dominate the society. The other presentation had been seen in the reaction of the individuals within these societies based on the achieved organizational setting. One of the rich cultures that had been based on the governmental regions had been realized in Chinese History during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States, which saw famed reading in the great nation, although they had presented different governance system with cultural diversity. Spring and Autumn Period The extremity had bee n accorded the name following the prediction held in the Lu states where the tradition had been linked to the renowned Confucius. The flowing held variable developments in the cultural affiliation and reforms in the government that had been linked to the organization of the societal members (Booth, Cox, and Dunne 46). The period saw the abolition of the feudalistic system and the Zhou Dynasty Kings were accorded insignificant authority. However, their dominance had been felt in a minimal area located in Luoyi. The Kingdom witnessed periods that had contributed to the fall of the authority that they had once presented in the society. With the illogical authority, the Kings had lacked the needed power to rule the land and sought comfort from the might in the established lords of the land. The development of the vassal states saw these lords rise to power to dominate the region and the example had been noticed in the forcible fall of Western Zhou Empire. The result direct to the r ise of vassal states from the fall of the Zhou kingdoms to intelligenceg the fall of the clan communities. The development witnessed saw china develop the adoption of a new ore in iron deviating from the bronze period to issue the development needed in the structural mechanism. Iron led to the production of tools and weaponry that were influential to attributing the noticed changes. The clan communities had disintegrated with the introduction of the well-field system. The presentation saw the deviation from bureaucracy, that had been bear on on blood lineages (Yan and Bell 224). The centralized government system had been established to replace the earlier feudal system generated in the fallen regime. The changes in the political government saw the fall of the Zhou son weakening the successor and developing tension within the Chinese states. Individual states had been bred from the chaos and political instability that threatened to divide the people. The provision saw the develop ment of states that had the power to contend for the power. These developments saw the adoption of a system that led to the rise of the Warring States Period. After the fall of the Western Zhou, the establishment of the courts within the eastern capital had been marked with minimal dominance of the realized powers. The authority within the vassal states had first

The impact of technology on society(electrification(electricity)) Research Paper

The impact of technology on society(electrification( electricity)) - Research root word ExampleSince the evolution of electricity is a complex phenomenon, its makeover is done by motley personalities at various span of time at different stages. If we look at who identified electricity in an fat way, then the credit can be given to Benjamin Franklin who recognized electricity by flying kite on the occasion of lightning. It was in 1752, June 15th that Benjamin Franklin propagated that lightning is the pure human body of electricity. He founded through with(predicate) experiment that electricity could pass through metals and this gave way to the great discovery of worldy electrical appliances and gadgets. 2.1.1 The Phenomenon of electrical energy Surprisingly, the electricity as a scientific phenomenon did not gain recognition until the last depict of 18th century. The early civilization to probe in to the discovery of electricity was the Greek personalities. The word electrici ty itself is attached to the Greek word Elektron or amber as rubbing of amber with cloth produced electricity. The electricity which was in one case a frightening element of nature, changed in to the most beneficial gift of nature as man discovered its immense potentiality and usability in his daily life. Electricity being a secondary form of energy source is obtained by converting primary sources of energies worry coal, oil, internal gas, nuclear power and other natural sources. The electricity consists of electrons which are tiny particles of energy and are the smallest unit of energy. These electrons which are energy particle, when passed through metals like copper and iron aids in use of electricity in electrical appliances. How ever so the payoff and supply of electricity is the most perplexing procedure and capital intensive program, which the industrial sector has ever experienced. The electricity is produced in extensive power plants with the help of huge turning turbine s. Here the turbines are glum with the help of steam produced by coal. However, if electricity is produced by water then the rushing of water moves the turbine. The potential difference of electricity is increase with the help of transformers which is later passed to the electrical equipments for use. 2.2 The status of pre- electricity period. 2.2.1 Quality of life The woodland of life before the invention of electricity was considerably dull and dark. The period prior to the last quarter of 18th century was a duration of strive and struggle due to the absence of electricity. The life during those multiplication was murky and was entirely depended on the dim light of the candle. Unlike 21st century, the age before electricity was limited in luxury and amenities. People were not in a position to take maximum benefit of natural resources and had to struggle hard to conduct their daily life. Moreover, the night life of citizenry were less(prenominal) exciting because as the night fell, people resorted to their homes keeping in mind their personal security and safety. During those times, people depended on bee wax, cow dung and animal fat to illuminate their houses and other personal and public spaces. 2.2.2. playing task Before the invention of electricity, all the house hold chores and productive works were outcome of manual labor. People like poets and

Accounting Information system Article Critique Essay

Accounting Information system Article reappraisal - Essay ExampleThe main aim of this radical is to provide a critical review of the member Accounting Information System Selection in Small Organizations Incongruences between Accounting Professionals by Glen L. Gray. This paper forget provide a brief overview of the article following which the findings and limitations of the article will be discussed. The attached section will deal with the importance of the article and the reasons for choice.The article by Gray, is one which focuses on delicate organisations and their need for accounting information systems. The article is of great importance to the field of study as it touches upon about essential aspects of the overall systems in the companies. It is essential to note here that the author has touched upon essential reasons that discharge sometimes cause the failures of the systems, i.e. the incongruences. This article is of immense importance for the field of study as it he lps identify the possible issues and also work outly brings out the incongruences, which help the companies identify where the rigions can be made to purify the use of the systems. The article can prove to be a major contributor to the literature in the field and can assists readers to correctly and effectively understand the incongruences between people. It also acts as a clear literature to identify, The existence of incongruences between different groups of accounting professionals participating in this study (who occupy at least similar educational backgrounds) could indicate an even higher potential for incongruences between accounting professionals and clients (who have more dissimilar backgrounds) (Gray, 1991). The article also helps in more informed decision making and will prove to assist the readers with better understanding of what parts of the accounting information systems is going wrong and to correct it accordingly. The article clearly pays a lot to the literatur e in the field and as a scholarly person this helps in identifying the areas

Plastic Money Essay Example for Free

Plastic Money testResults for chronicle of wipro companyRead the news for history of wipro company-Order by Date weighted* The History of LucasArts company VideoTHE BEARDED TRIO ON FACEBOOKTHE BEARDED TRIO ON TWITTERI exigency your Star Wars memories for a book 20/9/2012* Apple Is Not The Most Valuable connection In The History Of The World IBM Wo Apple is not the most valuable company in the history of the world. Its not even Microsoft, which was reported to have been toppled by Apple today. Its IBM by 21/8/2012* Hong Kong A history of company incorporationTo mark the twentieth anniversary of the Companies Registry a report has been published, pen by Professor S H Goo, providing a history of company incorporation in Hong Kong send off 14/8/2013* The History Of Londons federal agency StationsThe recent news that Battersea Power Station is once again up for sale will be of little surprise to long-time watchers of the crumbling riverside building. Since closure in 1983 13/3/2012* The history of MS lingerieWe are always persuasion of new and innovative ways to create content for our clients. Often this involves starting from a blank page, however heres an example of where we 27/2/2012* Have we airbrushed the history of the Titanic?Titanic infra construction at Harland and Wolff On Sunday morning, we debated that challenging question in a discussion legion(predicate) of you were moved to comment on by text, tweet and 6/3/2012

How calcium is absorbed in the body Essay Example for Free

How atomic number 20 is absorbed in the dead body EssayCalcium in the diet of a teenager is actively absorbed in the petty intestine and transferred into the intestinal capillaries. Describe the route this calcium would follow to end up in the amphetamine arm. Describe in detail the role of calcium at the neuromuscular junction as substantially as its role in the mechanism of brawn capsule and heartsease of the triceps. Considering the function of calcium in bone growth, explain in detail how the humerus would grow in length.Calcium in the diet of a teenager is absorbed in the small intestine and transferred to the intestinal capillaries. It diffuses into the bloodstream by means of the gastric nervure into the hepatic vein and thusly by means of the common iliac vein into the superior/inferior vena cava that brings the blood into the right atrium of the heart. The sinoatrial customer which is located in the right atrial wall, would send an electrical longing by din t of the heart, causing it to contract. This would thusly trigger the AV node (which is located between the septum between twain atria) to contract as well. When the AV node contracts it sends an impulse through the AV chain reactor and into the purkinje fibers (which in authorise causes the entire heart to contract). After going through the right atrium, when the heart contracts it opens up the tricuspid valve, accordingly pushing the calcium into the right ventricle.When the heart contracts again (SA node contracts again through AV bundle and purkinje fibers) it causes the pulmonary semilunar valve to open and enters the pulmonary trunk and pulmonary arteries which then brings the blood into the lungs. Then it goes through a systemic loop (the tissue capillaries of the lungs) , which takes the now oxygenated blood and returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins from the lungs. Then from the pulmonary veins the blood enters the left atrium (SA node will contract, causing AV n ode to contract, sending impulse through the AV bundle, ending at the purkinje fibers) and calcium forces through the bicuspid valve, and into the left ventricle. Then the heart contracts, and (SA node/AV node/AV bundle/purkinje fibers) causing contraction and blood travels through the aortic valve and then into the aorta. From the aorta, the calcium in the blood goes into the right and left subclavian artery and branches down to the axillary artery, and then towards the brachial artery. From the brachialartery, the oxygenated blood containing calcium in it, goes to the muscles of the upper arm (the brachii muscles) and gives nutrients to the tissue cells.Calcium plays an essential role in muscle contraction. Firstly, an action potential arriving at the acon triggers the release of the neurotransmitter called acetylcholine (ACH) at the neuromuscular junction. The acetylcholine (ACH) binds with the muscle receptor and sodium ions (Na+) are released, which triggers the action potenti al in the muscle cell. The action potential transmits through the sarcolemma. The calcium (Ca+) ions are then released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The calcium ions bind with troponin (making it change shape) which makes the troponin release tropomyosin. The myosin then binds to the actin. With the hydrolysis of ATP the myosin walk changes shape and a cross-bridge is formed causing the muscle cell to contract. This cycle repeats itself until the contraction is done, or when thither is nor more calcium or ATP energy. Once the triceps muscle is relaxed then the calcium gets back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum.During relaxation of muscle cells, the level of calcium in sarcoplasm is low and the troponin holds the tropomyosin in position to block myosin-binding sites on actin. During contraction of the muscle cells, a muscle action potential opens calcium channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the calcium flows into the cytosol.The growth of bones can happen through two differe nt types of ossification which include intramembranous ossification and endochondral ossification. The process for the growth of a long bone like the humerus, the process of endochondral ossification is used. This takes place on the epiphyseal plate (made from remaining hyaline cartilage) in the metaphysis area of the bone. There are four zones on the epiphyseal plate a) the resting zone which contains the chondrocytes, b) the zone of proliferation where the chondrocytes divide and push the resting cartilage outwards, c) the zone of hypertrophic cartilage where the chondrocytes flesh out and lengthen the diaphysis, d) Zone of calcification- where dead chondrocytes and new one matrix is created. At the end of the growth period, the epiphyseal platesare completely ossified and the epiphyseal plates close around the age from 18-25. The epiphyseal plates then baffle the epiphyseal lines. The calcium is a necessary dietary requirement for proper bone growth, development in the body, a nd to prevent bone deterioration or an example of a disease called osteoporosis.

Islam and the Challenge of Democracy Essay Example for Free

Islam and the Ch every(prenominal)enge of res publica EssayDr. Khaled Abou El Fadl is the most fat of the Muslim thinkers of todays universe. He is a great Muslim jurist and scholar, and is now a Professor of Law at the UCLA School of Law giving the students knowledge of Islamic law, Immigration, Human Rights, reality(prenominal) and National Security Law. His Islam and the Challenge to Democracy is the quest to find out numerous questions and varied answers in establishing the affinity between the principles so enshrined in Democracy and Islamic political and phantasmal tenants. To propound the kindred between the Islam and democracy is non a straightforward as it involves the deep and thorough understanding of the religious and political structures of the Islamic world and Democracy in its entity. Dr Khaled says that issue of democracy in the Islamic world of today is being hotly debated and there are both pro and anti versions to this issue that postulate with each other and the biggest challenge before the advocators is to promote the vision of neighborly justice and faith.The very stolon section only of his most profile book Islam and the Challenge of Democracy straight forwardly says that he does non believe as what other Muslim advocators say that Islam has given birth to Democracy scarce mingled elements of Democracy are very well present in the Islam and we can say that Islam too supports Democracy. In this endeavor, he defied the view of radical Islamists as well as hardened Islamophobes who say that as idol is sovereign master of whole reality, therefore the principles of Democracy do not hold true for the Islamic world.El Fadl poises that there is no doubt of the fact that the matinee idol is the sovereign power in the Universe yet this is God who has bestowed upon the humans, the power to envisage the right to form rules to govern themselves in the form of deputies or khulafa. In-fact Islam in addition believes in a form of government, that gives power to the people, transparency in the decision devising done shura and there is a toleration for whatsoever disagreements and disputes arising out of every rule and rules are accountable to his subjects for any actions.El Fadl believes in the formulation of the basic ethical values, and rights for all human beings on this Earth. He focuses that Islam should evolve the laws through ijtihad on which shariah doesnt have anything to say. He emphasized on the importance of formulating the maslaha or the world good and ahkam al-shariah or expediency laws to envisage new vox populi process to develop the understanding of giving equal rights to every one. He admits that any interpretation of Islamic tenets, which has been construed by Islamic religious heads or Islamic religious leaders cannot be held as mere will of the cleric power or God.He vehemently opposes the formation of the Islamic produce that has all the rights to form the Shariah, because he is repletey advised of the fact that no human being can interpret the will of the God or divine power. If this is done, it will lead to misunderstanding or very limited understanding of the link or relation between the Islam and will of God and this in turn would mean trying to become equal to God and thats the biggest sin. This will and lead to authoritative and oppressive state.He said that although Muslim jurists delimit and formulated number of political systems, yet there is nothing specific mentioned in Quran astir(predicate) any form that Government wishes to take. solely Quran does recognize social and political values which form the basis in an arena of Muslim politics. Three values that are so enshrined in the Islamic testament be pursuing justice through social cooperation and mutual assistance (Quran 4913 11119) establishing a non-autocratic, consultative method of governance and institutionalizing mercy and compassion in social interactions (612, 54 21107 2777 2951 45.20). (El Fadl, Democracy and Divine Sovereignty, 2) Overall Muslims should form the government that would help in endorsing these values. As he said, Quran says that God has bestowed all human beings a divine power by making them viceroys of God on this earth He says, Remember, when your Lord said to the angels I have to place a vicegerent on earth, they said Will you place one there who will create disorder and dismiss blood, while we intone Your litanies and sanctify Your name? And God said I know what you do not know (230). (El Fadl, The Case for Democracy, 3) Institutionally it can be transmited out that the ulama, or Jurists can act as interpreters of the words of God and define what is moral and what acts are immoral for the humans. Every word of them is the voice of the God. unless the law of the state demands that no religion can be imposed on the working of the state because laws of the state have been formulated by the humans according to their own whims and state it self.And therefore in his own words, Democracy is an appropriate system for Islam because it both expresses the special worth of human beingsthe status of vicegerencyand at the same time deprives the state of any pretense of divinity by locating ultimate empowerment in the hands of the people rather than the ulama. (El Fadl, Shariah and the Democratic State, 20) Finally he says that educators try to enthuse in the soul of the people the moral values of Quran and induce the society to turn towards will of God.But in this world of today, if a person is morally strong but cannot imbibe by full majesty of God but still believes in the fundamental rights of individuals, still have to be answerable to the will of God. Its not just the mirage of the El Fadls views but also the vision of the some(prenominal) scholars on the most crucial and complex subject, Islam and the Challenge of Democracy. The second section of the book consists of short responses to El Fadls essay by several scholar s. Nader A.Hashemi says that the most prominent aspect to El Fadl is his belief that Democracy can be possible in Islamic countries, with this he proved false, the wildly held belief that Islam is not compatible to democracy. He further said that this idea has gained immense popularity after September 11. He states that biggest challenge in front of the Islamic nations is the choice that they have to make between the modernization and fanaticism and the coming(prenominal) of the Middle East all depends on which of them will go for a longer period.John Esposito espoused that El Fadl indicates complex and multiple manner by which Quran can be interpreted by the religious fundamentalists, fanatics and politicians to set up their various social and political motives. Jeremy Waldron appreciates El Fadls study of the theory of the Islamic democracy. Jeremy says that El Fadl conceptualized in the most articulate way the issue of the Islamic tradition and the way in which he poises about the politics and the rule of law in the milieu of the medieval age and how these thoughts were so prevalent in the early modern thought in the Christian era.Also, how the moral and ethical values in the place setting of good governance had to struggle to make its place in front of scriptural authority and theocratic rule. The most enduring thing was that these ideas not only grew out of the abased environment but also rattling kept on presenting itself by religious ideas and ecclesiastical practices. Muqtedar Khan talks about the Pact of Medina, which was sign-language(a) between the Prophet and Jews and the pagans of the town.This pact he said could be utilized to give the Islamic world the model for democracy and pluralism. In this pact, all the parties were guaranteed equal rights and equal responsibilities. Echoing El Fadl, he pinpointed that Islam should be made a symbol of ethical values and moral principles and should solve all the problems from the new view and new democ ratic perspective. But Saba Mahmood criticized Fadl on the point of liberalization. She says that very concept of liberalization is full of contradictions and the limitations that follow.She further says that he focused more on rights of individuals than on community as a whole. El Fadl also ignored the human rights violations that follow liberalization, which are most popular in the most liberalized states like united States of America. Even Kevin Reinhart revokes same voice as Saba Mahmood by saying that El Fadl ignored the vital point of what the Western nations learned from their liberalized approach in their relations with the other countries including Islamic nations.The whole liberalized approach depends on polices of Westernized nations and the military interventions of the USA in Islamic countries jeopardized whole concept of democracy and liberalization. William Quandt too said that the absence of democracy in the Islamic countries do not lie in their religion perspectiv e but the problem lies in the presence of monarchical or dictatorial regimes in these countries, which partially or all are backed by the Western powers. In William Quandt views lie the whole thrust of the problem in the Islamic countries.The requirement is the political and structural changes in the Islamic world that would bring about social and economic upliftment from the vision of democracy, which El Fadl, all the intellectuals and scholars agree wont be welcomed by every the ruling regime or the Western allies. All in all, Islam and the Challenge of Democracy is the most thought provoking book ready to be explored and pondered in every religious and political arena of the Islamic world.WORKS CITEDEl Fadl, Abou Khaled. Islam and the Challenge of Democracy Can individual rights and popular sovereignty take inception in faith? Princeton Princeton University Press, 2004.

Abnormality - deviating from what is normal Essay Example for Free

mental defectiveness deviating from what is regulation EssayThe meaning of vicariousity is deviating from what is normal, this sounds simple enough, but what do we classify as creation normal. Statistical infrequency is unitary approach of trying to define normal and abnormality by victimisation statics to identify certain sorts at heart a population and does this correctly, but it does not however identify which behaviors within a population need treatment (undesirable). For lesson trait perplexity, someone with high trait anxiety would be advise to have some sort of treatment, however someone with low trait anxiety is hardly clinical abnormality and could be desirable. So there would be seen to be a hemipteran in this definition of abnormality, as it does not define how behaviors maybe seen as desirable or undesirable. what is more against this definition of abnormality is that the statics only relate to one source of population and does not apply to all former(a) age groups or cultures. Two more attempts of defining abnormality are the Failure to control Adequately theory and also the Deviation From Social Norms.Failure to Function Adequately basically doer unable to perform a normal state of every day living, and it is the social groups them selves that contribute to lay out what is a normal state of living, and if an individual is unable to function adequately, that would suggest that they have a abnormal behavior. Rosenhan Seligman (1989) suggested seven concepts of abnormal behavior, that by then selves would not suggest someone is abnormally but if one or two of the behaviors did occur then the individual would be seen as being abnormal.The seven concepts of behavior that Rosenhan Seligman came up with was Suffering-This is a key feature to abnormality but yet almost all normal individuals endure suffering, for example losing a loved one. Maladativeness- This behavior prevents the individual of making major life goals, for example creating a good relationship with another or unable to work efficiently. Vividness and unconventionality of behavior- This behavior is aimed at when an individual behaves differently in situations to those surrounding them.Unpredictability and loss of control- Abnormal individuals behavior is often uncontrollable. commentator discomfort-This is even the observer fells uncomfortable with another individuals behavior. This concept of behavior may differ between other cultures. Violation of moral and ideal standards-this behavior concerns the established moral standards within a population, but the mass of people may fail to maintain those standards.

Classical conditioning and instrumental conditioning Essay Example for Free

Classical conditioning and instrumental conditioning shewClassical conditioning and instrumental conditioningClassical conditioning is about trades union a stimulant drug with a nonher comment that cause a natural re executionion. As a good example of Pavlovs dog tenderness powder experiment, the dog meat powder and dog salivating is unconditional reponse which naturally occurred. However, if a dog was given a meat powder after the bell ring, eventually the dog pass on salivate whenever bell rings even if there argon no meat powder, subject matter, by pairing the two stimulus the desired behavior wee-wee out be evoked without the unconditional stimulus which in the first place used. Operant conditioning is encouraging a particular behavior by positive reinforcers such as yields or sometimes by punishment. The marketers use this conditioning to attract consumers and as well as retention them satisfied. Consumers feel that they ar compensated and gained extra value when they are given some kind of rewards. By applying operant conditioning technique, the person, company or the source selling the product or service are getting their desired benefit but also consumers sometimes feel it is win-win situation.The main difference in the midst of the Classical conditioning and instrumental conditioning is that, with operant conditioning, the consumers must be passive and participate and act in some way to fulfil desired behavior where in classical conditioning, the behavior is fire by natural unconditional response.Shaping is process of altering desired behavior over time. By instrumental conditioning, this behavior can be achieved from offering small reward to a larger reward and gradually the consumer will behave as planned by a markters. In a Starcity cassino in Sydney, they are applying instrumental conditioning on their marketing strategy. They provide consumers with various levels of membership cards, meaning if casino customers spend more time their level of card will be promoted to a neighboring level. First membership starts with blue card, then silver, gold and if one spends more than 1000 hours, he or she will be rewarded with Sovereign card. Different levels of rewards and offers are given to each card levels. For example, if you receive a blue card in the beginning, you will receive a escaped buffet ticket all(prenominal) week by post.The buffet entrance is right next to the casinoentrance, this way there are big chance that consumers will visit the casino in some point as they are exposed continuously to the casino. And with the sovereign card, if you sit and play at the casino for just 3 hours, you will get a free hotel room for a night at Starcity. The casino shapes their customers by bighearted variety and different levels of rewards. This is very effective in attracting consumers and making them the end-user/customer to the business.Classical conditioning labor union the two stimuli, to make reponse. Clo thing(conditional) with sexual image(unconditional),= (wear this clothes and you can hook girls)PAVLOV dog with meat(unconditional) and bell(conditional)= (hear the bell and thats when you get the meat),Conditioned stimulus Does not occur naturally but must do(pairing unconditioned stimulus) Unconditioned stimulus Response that occurs naturally - Unconditioned responseconditioned stimulus is bell ring paired with meat powder but later on, the response was made unconditionally after bell rang.EG Psychologically, woman attempt for men who can satisfy or fulfill their needs of, shelter, food, safety and social belongings. When they meet a men, they look if he is financially stable. One specific element that she will look for could be a sharp car. If he has Porsche kind of nice expensive cars, there is big possiblility that this men can offspring care of the women. In mens implicit memory, there is something like purchase a nice car and you can attract nice woman. Therefore men des ire and trying to buy a nice sport car is becoming unconditional response.If someone buys a nice shirt or uses perfume and more women are attracted, he will useInstrumental (operant) ConditioningSKINNERBehavior is conditioned with reinforcement, do. Rewards. comport - gets rewardDiscriminative stimuli Presence of reinforce needed. Reward will occur if type of behavior is made.(if you do this, you will get reward) (shop at store and get 10% discount) (online 10% cheaper and etc) STARCITY MEMBERS 3hours play and receive free parking. 5hours free rooms EG become a starcity member and get half discount on garden buffet. Casino membership - discount ticket used to elicit desired purchase(people coming to casino or exposed to casino environment more often making them it looks more familiar)Through classical conditioning, the dogs wise to(p) to respond to the bell instead of the meat powder by salivating. Today, advertisers use sexual or allude imagery to create unintentional learning.S haping planning making strategy to catch a big fish. Desired behavior is altered over time in small increment. Making the small rewards, to achieve other behavior.Punisher children gets punished, or by making poor decision, consumers get the products delivered wrongly, and they learn,Negative reinforcers - focusing bad outcomes for not using their productExtinction - if reinforcers are not made after the behavior, consumers are not apt(predicate) to return

The Water Clock in the Tower of the Winds Essay Example for Free

The peeing measure in the reign of the Winds EssayNoble and prices in-depth bind examining the specific technical attri thates of the irrigate clock in the tugboat of Winds in the Roman Agora of Athens purports to be a virtual reconstruction of the predominate of Winds and, specifically, the water-clock and supporting water-tower within. The oblige is just that and little else.While steadfastly maintaining through out the obligate that the water-clock and the hover of Winds have get too little literary and scientific attention over the centuries and lamenting that such a marvelously curious structure (which has been maintained and continuously occupied over the many centuries since its construction), the authors do little to broider the tugs existence or bring the rich archaeological indorse and information made available by the structure into vivid, documentaryrealization. True enough, the bulk large and the water-clock are generally passed over by scholars. An e xample is G. J. Whitrows rear of the Tower of Winds in his book Time in History Views of Time from Prehistory to the Present twenty-four hours which states simply there is evidence of more elaborate instrumentation, such as the Tower of the Winds which can lock be seen in Athens, north of the Acropolis.Designed and built by the astronomer Andronicus Kyrrhestes of Macedonia in the second cast of the outgrowth century BC, with a wind vane and complicated sundials on each of its eight walls, its more or less interesting feature is a reservoir in a pifflinger building that stood next to its mho side 1 with the implication that the rest of the structure was, in fact, of little interest. Ironically, the very concept of a water-clock provokes a sense of mystery and interest.The origin of water-clocks is presumed to be Egyptians who developed the water-clock as a method for retentivity track of time at night when sun-dials were, obviously, incapable of functioning To provide a mean s of quantity time at night the Egyptians also invented the water-clock, or water gage as the Greeks later called it Vitruvius, writing most 30 BC, described a number of types 2 so the history of the water-clock is deep and richly extensive.The Noble-Price article hints at this rich history for the technological and heathen significance of the water-clock, but evades any real crystallisation of the possible incarnations of water-clocks which preceded the massive example in the Tower of Winds. Before examining the strengths and weaknesses of the articles largely technical explication, it may be exercisingful to summarize in general what a water-clock is and what it is intended to do.Although the Noble-Price article certainly fulfills this need for approach information, the Columbia Encyclopedia does a far better job of stating, succinctly, the overall historical evolution of the water-clock much elaborate clepsydras were later developed. Some were double vessels, the larger o ne below containing a float that rosaceous with the water and marked the hours on a scale. A form more closely foreshadowing the clock had a cord fastened to the float so that it turned a wheel, whose movement indicated the time.A moreover step was the use of gear wheels and a turning pointer. 3 Another key point of the Noble-Price article relevant to the history of clepsydras is that which demonstrates the distinction between the two major types of water-clocks (or clepsydras) which were used extensively in antediluvian patriarch times the outflow model and the in-flow model. The article mentions that The outflow clepsydra was known as early as the third millennium B. C. in Egypt, In this type water is allowed to escape from a vessel by dripping from an orifice near its base.Time is then calculated by measuring the fall of the water level, or the entire period taken for all the water to drain away with the subsequent electronegative outcome that the rate of flow through the o rifice depends on the head of water above it and then as the water drains away the flow becomes slower. 4 By contrast, with the inflow device, the invention of which Vitruvius ascribes to Ktesibios, water was cater into a tank somehow equipped to provide a constant head of water.From a small orifice near the bottom of the tank, water dripped at a constant rate into a rounded container provided with a float the float indicated the change in water level and therefore the time move on 5 and this solution si evident in the Tower of Winds where The cylindrical tower section of the Tower of the Winds is perfectly suited to house such an apparatus 6. Such technical distinctions are seemingly minor, but play a key role in the pursuit of the article under discussion.As Noble-Price indicate in the articles opening paragraph, the intention of the article is to fill this long-standing lacuna 7 where the captivating archaeological evidence of The Tower of Winds is at long last brought to th e attention of serious observers by way of the authors practical income tax return of the mechanism designed by Andronikos of Kyrrhos in Macedonia, probably near the beginning of the second half of the first century 8 and the authors certainly fulfill this promise.The shortcoming of the article is its dry, technical explication of the water-clock and Tower which does little to repair upon the authors own dry observation that At the outset it must be admitted that literary and historical allusions to the Tower of the Winds or its designer give almost no indication that the building was anything more than an elaborate wind-vane. 9 By contrast, Suzanne Youngs study, An Athenian Clepsydra, narrates an engaging technical explication along with a salient recreation of the function of the clepsydra in the practice of ancient law Our earliest authority for the clepsydra is Aristophanes.One of his chorus of oldish Acharnians grumbles that it is hardly fitting that youngsters should sha me an old mans grey hairs by dragging him into litigation to destroy him at the clepsydra. 10 Young breaks up her technical explication with historical anecdote and humor In a passably later play he teases a jury-court veteran (his chief Wasp ) who never sleeps a wink11 or if he doze off the least fighting his mind goes fluttering in the night well-nigh the clepsydra. Such an approach finds the reader far more prepared to absorb the more demanding specifications of the technical and cultural attributes under discussion. Similarly, Henry Robinsons article The Tower of the Winds and the Roman Market-Place adopts a narrative-historical approach to the interpretation of the water-clock and Tower, concluding that The Tower of the Winds served as a public time-piece for the city of Athens. Its interior instruments, then, like those in the horologium of Scipio Xasica at Rome, should have been brotherly to the populace of the city at all times, both night and day.The absence of one cu tting on each threshold block and of one on the floor of the Tower indicates that this was the case 12 and leadership the reader to understand the cultural significance of the architecture. Perhaps the Noble-Price article might have benefited from a bit of personal introspection or commentary from the authors outside of that which pertains to the dearth of active scholarship in sex act to their chosen subject for the article. Unfortunately, the authors vividly miss any opportunity to include such material, or horizontal a bit of comic relief as is evident in Carl W.Blegans article Prosymna Remains of Post-Mycenaean visit which catelogs a tremendous amount of information on a dizzying array of artefacts and manages to compress this information into an socialize and memorable package. Perhaps it is necessary for the human mind to punctuate its absorption of information with cutaway moments of frantic reflection, humor, and introspection. If so, the Noble-Price article suffers gr eatly from its lack of such punctuated emotion. The Blegen article, for example, finishes with a bit of humor and mystery, describing an ancient Egyptian artifactThe arcs and the lines are for the most part accurately and carefully drawn. The zodiacal names and the numerals of the hours are written in fairly well formed letters which seem to belong to the end of the second century B. c. , and we may conclude that the sphere was made about that time. The dedicatory inscription, on the other hand, with its crowded, badly shaped letters, regular use of t for Z, EI for 0, and for R,must be a much later addition, perhaps assignable to the second century A. D. some(prenominal) its earlier history, the sun-dial was presumably at that time dedicatedto Hera and set up in the sanctuary from which it must subsequently have rolled down the hill to the place where it was found. 13 In conclusion, while the Noble-Price article does an admirable job of presenting technical details, is deeply resea rched, and honestly intended, the article lacks any narrative or dramatic intensity which and will likely do little to exhume the Tower of the Winds from scholarly or normal obscurity.NOTES1. G. J. Whitrow, Time in History Views of Time from Prehistory to the Present Day (Oxford Oxford University Press, 1989), 50. 2 G. J.Whitrow, Time in History Views of Time from Prehistory to the Present Day (Oxford Oxford University Press, 1989), 27. ) 3. The Columbia Encyclopedia 6th ed. , s. v. Clepsydra, 4. Noble Joseph V. de Solla Price Derek J. The Water Clock in the Tower of the Winds American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 72, No. 4. (Oct. , 1968), p. 351. 5. Noble Joseph V. de Solla Price Derek J. The Water Clock in the Tower of the Winds American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 72, No. 4. (Oct. , 1968), p. 346. 6. Noble Joseph V. de Solla Price Derek J. The Water Clock in the Tower of the WindsAmerican Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 72, No. 4. (Oct. , 1968), p. 346. 7. Noble Joseph V. de S olla Price Derek J. The Water Clock in the Tower of the Winds American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 72, No. 4. (Oct. , 1968), p. 346. 8. Noble Joseph V. de Solla Price Derek J. The Water Clock in the Tower of the Winds American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 72, No. 4. (Oct. , 1968), 351. 9. Noble Joseph V. de Solla Price Derek J. The Water Clock in the Tower of the Winds American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 72, No. 4. (Oct. , 1968), 352. 10. Young, Suzanne. An Athenian Clepsydra Hesperia, Vol.8, No. 3, The American Excavations in the Athenian Agora ordinal Report. (Jul. Sep. , 1939), pp. 276. 11. Young, Suzanne. An Athenian Clepsydra Hesperia, Vol. 8, No. 3, The American Excavations in the Athenian Agora Sixteenth Report. (Jul. Sep. , 1939), pp. 276. 12. Robinson, Henry S. The Tower of the Winds and the Roman Market-Place American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 47, No. 3. (Jul. Sep. , 1943), pp. 295. 13. Blegen, Carl W. Prosymna Remains of Post-Mycenaean Date American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 43, No. 3. (Jul. Sep. , 1939), pp. 444.

What Students Have to Say Middle School Students Essay Example for Free

What learners Have to Say Middle School Students Essay knock off The substitution query question of the depicted object reads how do mediate take disciples give learning maths in mettle take aimhouse maths classify? The additional enquiry questions that guide the study ask what atomic number 18 about of the barriers to learning math in mettle inculcate math class and what ca utilizes students to picture certain math concepts in middle tutor math class?The purpose of the study is to picture and conceive middle school students experiences learning maths in middle school maths classes. soft methods be utilized, and a basic picture is employed that uses the interview, document collection, and field nones in order to fit selective tuition. The results of the study show repetitive themes communicated by the participants think to how hard middle school mathematics is, how students conduct to rick on mathematics problems by themselves, the fast pace at which middle school students take on to work, student disruptions in the mathematics classroom, students playing and talking in the mathematics classroom, and that there ar umpteen skills, tools, and resources at heart the middle school mathematics class that help middle school students learn mathematics.It is reason that learning mathematics in middle school mathematics classes squirt be an intimidating experience especi wholly in ally in light of the fact that some of the teachers give pocket- surfaced help and that the pace at which some teachers move may be a bittie too fast for some students. It is as tumesce as cerebrate that middle school mathematics students cannot learn mathematics effectively in the presence of competing stimuli such(prenominal) as students talking ab emerge things different than mathematics or students simply playing in class.Conversely, however, it is concluded that students charter positive experiences learning and understanding mathema tics in middle school mathematics classes as a result of certain skills, tools and resources macrocosm in place. Based off of the findings of the study, it is recommended that the study be replicated using other the Statesn sub-cultures, the new findings of the study be tested as hypotheses, the information from the study be rereviewed, and that the study be completed using observations as the primary means of data collection. Dedication I thought long and hard about to whom (or what) this work should be dedicated.The list would be too many if I were to dedicate to the many possible prospects. As such, I finally remembered who was there with meunconditionallyup to and with this point in my 44 years on this earth. So, I dedicate this work to myself. Selah. iv Acknowledgments To me, it would remove no sense whatsoever if I did not acknowledge my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It would be almost just as nonsensical if I did not acknowledge my wife and children who endured the time I took away from the family as I completed this dissertationfor the former, all praise is due, and, for the latter, thanks for hanging in there with me.This work represents the culmination and expression of a locomote I began many years ago. beyond the journey, the completion of this dissertation is the truest of paradoxes in that it is the beginning of the end. Yes, the recognitions already made go without saying however, and unbeknowst to many, acknowledgement must be made to an individual who is responsible for the impetus and need that is and has been an integral part of my journey from having no high school diploma to completing a terminal degree.This individual was the only person who had the effect onme that engendered a require to embrace education, so (just under Godsmile), one of my superlative acknowledgments go to (the then) Lieutenant Michael Evans (during our tour at the Anti-Submarine Warfare Operations Center ASWOC at Guam). I can say with an utmost of certai nty I would not be making this acknowledgment if it were not for all of his positive words about the importance of education and the related encouragement about why I should embrace itThanks Lieutenant Evans. v Table of Contents Acknowledgments List of Tables CHAPTER 1.INTRODUCTION Introduction to the problem reach of the correction educational activity of the Problem Purpose of the watch precept Research Questions Significance of the Study Definition of Terms Assumptions Limitations Nature of the Study Organization of the Remainder of the Study CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW theory-based Framework of the Study Mathematics attainment Mathematics Under effect In the United States Factors that electrical shock Mathematics Achievementthe Child Other Factors that Effect a Childs Achievement in Mathematics Factors that concern Mathematics Achievementthe Teacher vi v ix 1 1 2 5 6 8 11 11 13 14 16 17 18 20 20 21 24 26 33 37.Other Problems Linked to the Teacher that may Impact Stude nt Achievement in Mathematics Factors that Impact Mathematics AchievementSchool Climate unofficial CHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGY Statement of the Problem Research Questions Research Methodology Research Design Population and take in Procedure Panel of Experts Sources of Data Validity Reli world power Data Collection Procedures Data Analysis Procedures respectable Considerations Summary CHAPTER 4. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Descriptive Data Data Analysis Results Summary septet 42 43 52 57 59 60 60 61 63 65 67 70 72 73 80 86 92 94 95 95 103 105.CHAPTER 5. RESULTS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS Summary of the Study Summary of Findings and Conclusion Recommendations Implications REFERENCES auxiliary A. INTERVIEW QUESTION GUIDE/PROTOCOL APPENDIX B. COMPLETE LIST OF CODES AND THE FREQUENCIES IN WHICH CODES OCCURRED ACROSS ALL CASES/PARTICIPANTS 107 107 109 121 124 127 142 144 viii List of Tables Table 1. Student Demographic Data and Student Dynamics Data for the School District During the 2011-2012 School year 96 Table 2. Participant Descriptive Data Table 3. Participant Responses to Research Question Three 96 119 ix CHAPTER 1.INTRODUCTION Introduction to the Problem at bottom American schools, the current standards-based reform prompts school districts to use standardized tests to account for and highlight the academic progress of its students. In short, these standardized tests emphasize core depicted object orbital cavitys of learning. Of these core areas, mathematics and reading are the subjects upon which most states report (No Child Left Behind NCLB deed of conveyance of 2001, 2002). Between mathematics and reading, todays American youth experience lower work in mathematics than in reading (Boe Shin, 2005 Ketterlin-Geller, Chard, Fien, 2008).Researchers highlight a myriad of factors that have a potential for add to why students experience lower achievement in mathematics to include both cognitive and affectional invoices (Koutsoulis Campbell, 200 1). However, American mathematics underachievement, at least from set ups three and four to grades seven and eighter, cannot be explained by a number of important factors since factors that jar mathematics achievement have been sh stimulate to be consistent across grade takes through frequently of the research (Boe Shin, 2005).As a result and because little research has been piece related to student perceived experiences in mathematics, it is the intent to listen to what the much ignored student in educational research has to say about his or her experiences in mathematics classes. In preliminary studies, when getting teaching about or directly from the student, much of the research involves post-secondary students (Anthony, 2000 Moody, 2003). Therefore, the current study take in charges to directly garner the embodied voices of a small 1group of regular education middle school students. The study is courteous by using a qualitative research methodology and a basic resear ch design (Creswell, 2009 Merriam, 2009). Consequently, students participate in face-to-face semi-structured interviews in order to gather data about the experiences they have had in mathematics classes. Incidental to the interview process, documents offered by participants or asked for by the research worker are collected.Additionally, as suggested by Miles and Huberman (1994), field notes are collected as a third source of data. In turn, in an get down to make sense out of text and image data (Creswell, 2009, p. 183), a systematic process is utilise to die collected data from student participants so as to identify some themes, patterns, and relationships that emerge amidst the participants experiences in mathematics classes and the actual phenomenon of being a part of the middle school mathematics class.Background of the Study Student learning of mathematics has been characterized as being either cognitive or emotional (Singh, Granville, Dika, 2002 Winstead, 2004). For a lo ng time, researchers have only considered the cognitive aspects of the student when providing explanations for student learning and academic achievement however, youthful research has considered the affective component of the student when providing explanations for learning and academic achievement (Singh et al. , 2002).Despite the explanation for how students learn, it is now known that there are a number of factors that play a role in student learning and achievement both in general, and more than germane to this study, in middle school mathematics classrooms (Stevens, Olivarez, Lan, Tallent-Runnels, 2004). 2 In a study conducted by Singh et al. (2002), a number of important factors were pointed out as salient pieces to students learning of mathematics.Within middle school mathematics classrooms, a students achievement is a behavioral outcome that is impacted by other factors in spite of appearance that environment(Schweinle, Meyer, Turner, 2006). more(prenominal) circumstan tialally, the researchers of the above mentioned study observed how a mathematics teachers instructional practice sessions greatly impact a students impetus and subsequent achievement in spite of appearance that environment. Other researchers support the caprice that student mathematics achievement is an outcome response that stems from factors such as test-taking, the train of mathematics, task unmanageabley, self-perception, and improvement or intrinsic value (Eklof, 2007 Trautwein, Ludtke, Marsh, Koller, Baumert, 2006 Watt, 2006).In the case of test-taking, evidence points towards students taking low-stakes test less overserious than high stakes tests (Eklof, 2007). In one study, it was found that a positive correlation existed between providing eighth grade students with a monetary incentive and their subsequent driveway and test achievement (ONeil, Abedi, Lee, Miyoshi, Mastergeorge, 2004). However, in the alike study, it was found that a similar incentive had no eff ect on twelfth graders and their respective effort and test achievement (ONeil et al., 2004).Karmos and Karmos (1984) found that the aim of motivation to achieve in mathematics was stronger in boys than in girls, but, in a study conducted by Brown and Walberg (1993), no correlation was found between the level of motivation to achieve in mathematics and the sex of the child. All of the same research has made it known that test-taking is a factor that impacts student mathematics achievement in both negative and positive ways. 3Other research has shown that there is a connection between the level of mathematics (i. e. , Pre-Algebra, Algebra, or Geometry) and how difficult the mathematics task is and student mathematics achievement (Trautwein et al. , 2006 Watt, 2006). Both studies conducted by the aforementioned researchers showed that despite the level of mathematics or the difficulty of the mathematics task, boys were still more motivated and displayed higher levels of achievement within higher level mathematics classes.The level of mathematics was shown to impact student mathematics achievement in the case of middle school students who show a decline in their ability to obtain conquest in mathematics courses (Eccles et al. , 1993). Another study showed this same diminished achievement ability in mathematics at the high school level (Chouinard Roy, 2008). A study conducted by Watt (2006) showed, although indirect, the difficulty of mathematics tasks impacts a female students mathematics achievement, choices in go on mathematics classes, and choices in mathematics related career choices.In similar fashion, student achievement in mathematics has been impacted by such things as the students own self perception of mathematics as well as the students intrinsic and extrinsic values. Students achievement at higher levels of mathematics courses dwindles as they get into higher grades as these higher levels of mathematics are perceived by students as being more cha llenging (Eccles et al. , 1993 Chouinard Roy, 2008). In this same vein, Skaalvik and Skaalvik (2004) found that boys may perceive themselves as being check at mathematics than girls.Other literature suggests that mathematics achievement can be an outcome make up of ones intrinsic and extrinsic value (Ryan Deci, 2000). Andrews and Hatch (2002) clarify that intrinsic value is the desire to do something that is self-satisfying part extrinsic value is the desire to do 4 something to get an outside recompense (such as pay). Unfortunately, factors that deal with the student and teacher are not the only variables impacting student performance within the United States.Other researchers have pointed towards the climate of the school as yet another piece that effect mathematics achievement for students within the United states with the brunt of the effects of diminished mathematics achievement being mat up by students at the middle school level (Cohen, Pickeral, McCloskey, 2009 Good Weinstein, 1986 Kuperminc, Leadbeater, Emmons, Blatt, 1997 Rutter, 1983). According to Boe and Shin (2005), data from the curriculum for International Student Assessment (PISA) presents a larger problem that involves American students lagging keister other industrialized nations in mathematics achievement at all grade levels.For American students in the middle school, 31 percent of included industrialized nations scored better in mathematics. For many of these American students, there are a myriad of factors that come into play that impedes access to and achievement in mathematics many of these factors have been proven to negatively impact a students overall success in mathematics (Center for Teaching/Learning of Mathematics, as cited in Newman, 2008 Pustjens, Van de gaer, Van Damme, Onghena, Van Landeghem, 2007 Fuchs et al., 2008Newman, 2008 Walsh, 2008 White-Clark, DiCarlo, Gilchriest, 2008). As for middle school mathematics students, providing some explanations of the pheno mena of learning mathematics has become a continued priority of research (Singh et al. , 2002). Statement of the Problem There is a gap in literature regarding regular education middle school students experiences learning mathematics in mathematics classes.This gap in literature 5perpetuates a practice problem for administrators of education as administrators focus more on the need and wants of the administration instead of the needs and wants of the student (Armstead, Bessell, Sembiante, Plaza, 2010). For many of the studies completed concerning todays youth, the research does not taken into account the perceptions of the student except in cases in which the research involves post-secondary students (Angier Povey, 1999 Anthony, 2000 Moody, 2003).Armstead et al.(2010) suggest that when soliciting learning directly from the student, a clearer picture of what has and has not changed in the classroom is garnered. Furthermore, DeFur and Korinek cite the importance of getting inform ation directly from students and state that, overall, getting information directly from the student is the identical of a powerful tool for school improvement (2009, p. 15). Preble and Taylor (2008) put it succinctly by stating the voice of the student is a precious source of information.As a result of the aforementioned absence of the much ignored student in educational research and because little research has been found that asks middle school students about their experiences learning mathematics within the mathematics classroom, it is the aspiration of this dissertation to suss out those experiences as perceived by this group of students. Purpose of the Study Ultimately, the purpose of this study is to discover and understand middle school students experiences learning mathematics in mathematics class. equanimous data regarding these experiences will more than likely have spoken to the larger problem that involves American students lagging behind other industrialized nations in mathematics achievement at all grade levels (Ross, 1992 Tschannen-Moran et al. , as cited in Charalambous, Philippou, Kyriakides, 2008 Chouinard Roy, 2008). In American 6 schools, underachievement in mathematics has placed us far behind other industrialized nations (Boe Shin, 2005). a lot research has been done in an attempt to explain possible causes to mathematics underachievement, and this study is completed in order to provide notwithstanding contributions to that body of research. Research on mathematics at the middle school level is important as achievement in mathematics at the middle school level may determine course enrollment and mathematics choices in high school (Singh et al. , 2002). Additionally, mathematics achievement at the middle school level is an indicator of other things such as students abilities to handle advanced mathematics courses that are predicated on middle school mathematics skills.Moreover, mathematics achievement at the middle school level make s available or limits postsecondary and occupational opportunities for students as they move from childhood to adulthood (Gonzales et al. , 2008 Singh et al. , 2002). Unfortunately, while there is a great deal of literature on mathematics that highlights such things as mathematics achievement as well as other mathematics phenomena, little is done in price of interviewing the middle school student directly when it comes to mathematics research (Angier Povey, 1999).To date, when students are involved directly in mathematics research, the participants are postsecondary students (Anthony, 2000 Moody, 2003). As a result, the purpose of this dissertation is to listen to sixth, seventh, and eighth grade middle school students from one middle school within a large school district in the eastern United States regarding their experiences learning mathematics in mathematics classes. In a few onetime(prenominal) studies, getting information directly from the student provided for an assessmen t of the needs and wants of the student as opposed to the needs and wants of 7the administration (Armstead, Bessell, Sembiante, Plaza, 2010).In the same fashion, by soliciting the thoughts and experiences of the student, a clearer picture of what has and has not changed in the classroom can be ascertained (Armstead et al. , 2010). Having provided a collection of experiences pertaining to learning mathematics in mathematics classes, data students share about such experiences should resonate in the form of their beliefs, attitudes, likes, dislikes, motivation, lack of motivation, etc.when it comes to being a part of a middle school mathematics class. By gaining this type of information, the proposed study is as well meant to stomach to mathematics instruction by providing teachers, principals, superintendents, and curriculum specialists with data that highlights both impediments and compliments to middle school students encyclopaedism of and overall achievement in mathematics cour ses.Simultaneously, the intent of this study is to yield data that may in addition help school administrators to determine whether or not the proper resources are available for students to learn mathematics as well as to train school personnel and teachers in matters regarding the presentation of mathematics concepts. Rationale A study such as this one requires the view of the participants being studiedthe students. Accordingly, a genial Constructivist philosophical stance has been undertaken that follows under the guess that individuals seek understanding of the world in which they live and work (Creswell, 2009, p.8).For many of the studies completed concerning todays youth, the research does not taken into account the perceptions of the student (Angier Povey, 1999). When collection information directly from the student, much of the research involves post-secondary students (Anthony, 2000 Moody, 2003). Therefore, the current study takes the affable Constructivist stance in an attempt to 8 construct some meaning from what middle school students have to say concerning their experiences in mathematics classes.In many studies, listening to what the student has to say about his or her own experiences pertaining to a special phenomenon provides for an assessment of the needs and wants of the student as opposed to the needs and wants of the administration (Armstead, Bessell, Sembiante, Plaza, 2010). In the same fashion, listening to what students have to say about their own experiences provides a clearer picture of what has and has not changed in the classroom (Armstead et al. , 2010).Although little has been gathered in the way of actually interviewing and listening to the middle school student concerning mathematics in general, the research suggests the importance of considering that actual words of the student as, in the case of the current study, listening to the experiences of the middle school student regarding their experiences learning mathematics i n mathematics class can be the equivalent of a powerful tool for school improvement (DeFur Korinek, 2009, p. 15).Preble and Taylor (2008) conclude that the voice of the student is a valuable source of data. Mertens (1998) suggests that qualitative research usually dictates a Social Constructivist approach. In identifying the phenomena as described by middle school students, such a stance should provide for the collection of qualitative data environ their experiences in mathematics classes through multiple stages of data collection and the refinement and interrelationship of categories of information (Creswell, 2009, p. 13).As part of a larger basic design, the collection of data within this study is accomplished through face-to-face interviews (of which middle school students are the participants), the collection of report card documents, and the collection of field notes. Collected data is constantly compared with emerging categories of information (i. e. , relationships between 9 the students experiences and their actual beliefs, attitudes, likes, dislikes, motivation, and/or lack of motivation when it comes to being a part of a middle school mathematics class (2009).In short, the Social Constructivist, qualitative, basic approach of this study provides for the most complete investigative and exploratory coverage of the phenomenon experienced by middle school students in the form their collective experiences in middle school mathematics classes. Because little research has been found that asks the middle school student directly through interviews about his or her experiences within the mathematics classroom, this study is a rational choice and contributes to current mathematics practices apply in America with the overall goal being to get children to do better in mathematics.Additional rationale behind conducting a study such as this one evolves from following recommendations for further research by previous researchers surrounding motivation and mathemat ics.Such recommendations include (a) further research on the relationship between test-taking motivation and test achievement (Eklof, 2007, p. 311), (b) how different aspects of affect interact with each other (Hannula, 2006), (c) the need for more research regarding the measurement of affective and motivational variables (Singh et al., 2002, p, 331), or, in the case of this study, (d) what are the learning experiences of middle school students in mathematics classes.The reason behind conducting a study dealing with students perceived experiences in learning mathematics is to contribute to a body of knowledge in which a gap exists.Ultimately, this dissertation is closely connect to providing educational practitioners and educational law makers with some understanding of the phenomenon at hand that could be used to further fine tune teacher quality and selection, modify schoolbased as well as educational 10policy in general, create relevant, arrogate, and applicable curriculum, and /or create appropriate placements for students during their matriculation through middle school.In this sense, doing a study such as this one is worthwhile. Research Questions The central research question that guides the dissertation is as follows R1. How do middle school students experience learning mathematics in middle school mathematics class? The additional research questions that guide the dissertation are as follows R2. What are some of the barriers to learning mathematics in middle school mathematics class? R3.What causes students to understand certain mathematics concepts in middle school mathematics class? Significance of the Study The current standards-based reform is largely predicated upon education being conducted utilizing research-based ideals (Deshler et al. , 2001). The reform has been occurring in order to provide some cohesion and consistency across local and state educational lines. Engaging in research-based educational practices also provides for a standardi zation of such practices that is the sounding board and foundation for our current standards-based educational practices and the larger No Child Left Behind (NCLB) policy.In this same vein, the current study is significant. At a federal level, there are many boards and councils that attempt to document mathematics achievement as well as provide suggestions to improve such achievement (Gonzales et al. , 2008 National Mathematics Advisory Panel NMAP, 2008 National 11 Council of Teachers of Mathematics NCTM, 2000). In an attempt to continue to contribute to the larger body of research that mandates proven ideas and practices, mathematics research has become a major priority (McKinney, Chappell, Berry, Hickman, 2009).As such, the current study is being offered in order to augment research that seeks to contribute to current mathematics practices used in America. Of course, the overall goal is to get children to achieve at higher levels in mathematics. In terms of mathematics learning and achievement, much has been written about mathematics achievement as an outcome variable that is preceded by a ingroup of factors that impact the subsequent behavioral response of students in mathematics classrooms (Schweinle et al. , 2006 Singh et al. , 2002).As a result, doing a study such as this one is in keeping with recommendations for further research by previous researchers. Within the realm of identifying the experiences of middle school students learning mathematics in mathematics classes, a gap exists in the literature when it comes to such experiences as perceived by these students that necessitates that further research be conducted. Studying this area in mathematics contributes to an area of research that has not taken into account what the actual middle school students say about their experience learning mathematics in the middle school mathematics classroom.Overall, the moment of conducting this study is closely linked to providing educational practitioners and educational law makers with some scientific information that could be used to further fine tune teacher quality and selection, modify schoolbased as well as educational policy in general, create relevant, appropriate, and applicable curriculum, and/or create appropriate placements for students during their matriculation through school. 12 Definition of Terms The following terms are used operationally in this dissertation according to the definitions provided Affective learning.The dimension of learning that is concerned with the reactions, feelings, and emotions of the learning (Buchanan Hyde, 2008). Attitude. A sensibility to think or act in a particular way in response to a specific stimulus (Fitzsimmons Barr, 1997). Child. An individual who has not attained the age of consent for medical care or for research activities in the jurisdiction in which the research will be conducted (Jonsen, 1978). Coding. The process of organizing qualitative research information in chunks or segm ents before ascribing any interpretation or meaning to the collected information (Rossman Rallis, 1998). Content standards.Broad, measurable statements about what students should know and be able to do (MSDE, n. d. d). Cross-sectional. A process used to gather data over the course of a few weeks as opposed to over several(prenominal) months as with a longitudinal process (Creswell, 2009). Mathematics Belief. Describing what students see as true in mathematics, in the classroom, and within themselves (Op T Eynde, De Corte, Verschaffel, 2002). Middle school. A school configuration in the United States, which in recent decades, includes students in grade six through eight, or occasionally grade five through eight (National Center for Education Statistics NCES, 2000).13 Middle School Mathematics. Middle school mathematics is a specific set of learning expectations for the middle school level that emphasizes the learning, development, and strengthening of computational fluency with fra ctions, decimals, and integers, measurement, statistics, problem-solving, reasoning and proof, communication, connections, representation, and, the ability to represent ideas algebraically and geometrically (NCTM, 2000). Nuremberg Code.A set of standards established for the conduct of human research as a result of Nazi leaders committing and conspiring to commit war crimes against humanity during World War II (Byerly, 2009). Social constructivist philosophical stance. A basic set of beliefs that guide a researchers actions during research. A Social Constructivist stance is a stance that follows under the assumption that individuals seek understanding of the world in which they live and work (Creswell, 2009, p. 8). Standardized test.A tool used (either in paper and pencil or on the computer) to measure student academic achievement (Higgins, 2009). Standards-based reform. An attempt to boost the academic achievement of all students by establishing rigorous educational standards for al l, aligning instruction with those standards, and using accountability assessments to measure progress toward brush those standards (Voltz Fore, 2006, p. 331). Assumptions The following assumptions, based off of the characteristics of qualitative research outlined by Creswell (2007), are present in the study 14.1. Data is collected in the students natural setting where students experience the phenomena. 2. In qualitative research, the researcher is the primary instrument. In this sense, although data is collected by conducting face-to-face interviews, gathering documents, and taking field notes, that data is mediated through the researcher (Patton, 2002). 3. Multiple sources of data (the interview, documents, and field notes) are collected. 4. A variety of procedures are employed in order to check the accuracy of findings within the study (Gibbs, 2007). 5.In an attempt to make sense out of text and image data (Creswell, 2009, p. 183), a systematic process is used to analyze collec ted data from student participants so as to identify themes, patterns, and relationships that emerge between the participants experiences in mathematics classes and the actual phenomenon of being a part of the middle school mathematics class. 6. The research follows under the assumption that themes and categories emerge as the research process progresses. 7. An inductive form of data analysis is used. 8. The study uses a Social Constructivist lens. 9.The researcher makes interpretations of what research participants reveal in each interview as well as what the researcher collects in terms of documents. It is assumed that such interpretations cannot be separated from the researchers own background, history, context, and prior understanding (Creswell, 2009). 10. A holistic account of the phenomenon under study is reported. Additionally, 15 11. The sample size is large enough to provide an understanding of the experiences of middle school students learning mathematics in mathematics cl asses.