The Return: Midnight Chapter 16

â€Å"Once upon a time,†began Bonnie, â€Å"there were a young girl and boy†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She was immediately interrupted. â€Å"What were their names?†Ã¢â‚¬ Were they slaves?†Ã¢â‚¬ Where did they live?†Ã¢â‚¬ Were they vampires?† Bonnie almost forgot her misery and laughed. â€Å"Their names were†¦Jack and†¦Jil . They were kitsune, and they lived way up north in the kitsune sector around the Great Crossings†¦Ã¢â‚¬ And she proceeded, albeit with many excited interruptions, to tel the story she had gotten from the star bal . â€Å"So,†Bonnie concluded nervously, as she opened her eyes and realized that she'd attracted quite a crowd with her story, â€Å"that's the tale of the Seven Treasures, and – and I suppose the moral is – don't be too greedy, or you won't end up with anything.† There was a lot of laughter, the nervous giggling of the girls and the â€Å"Haw! Haw haw!†kind of laughter from the crowd behind them. Which Bonnie now noticed was entirely male. One part of her mind started unconsciously to go into flirt mode. Another part immediately squashed it. These weren't boys looking for a dance; these were ogres and vampires and kitsune and even men with mustaches – and they wanted to buy her in her little black bubble dress, and as nice as the dress might be for some things, it wasn't like the long, jeweled gowns that Lady Ulma had made for them. Then they had been princesses, wearing a fortune's worth of jewels at their throats and wrists and hair – and besides, they had had fierce protection with them at al times. But now, she was wearing something that felt a lot like a baby-dol nightgown and delicate little shoes with silvery bows. And she wasn't protected because this society said you had to have men to be protected, and, worst of al †¦she was a slave. â€Å"I wonder,†said a golden-haired man, moving through the girls around her, al of whom hurried out of his way except Mouse and Eren, â€Å"I wonder if you would go upstairs with me and perhaps tel me a story – in private.† Bonnie tried to swal ow her gasp. Now she was the one hanging on to Mouse and Eren. â€Å"Al such requests must go through me. No one is to take a girl out of the room unless I approve,†announced a woman in a ful -length dress, with a sympathetic, almost Madonna-like face. â€Å"That wil be treated as theft of my mistress's property. And I'm sure we don't al want to be arrested as if we'd been caught carrying off the silverware,†she said and laughed lightly. There was equal y light laughter among the guests as Well, and movement toward the woman – at a sort of mannerly run. â€Å"You tel real y good stories,†Mouse said in her soft voice. â€Å"It's more fun than using a star bal .† â€Å"Mouse, here, is right,†Eren said, grinning. â€Å"You do tel good stories. I wonder if that place real y exists.† â€Å"Well, I got it out of a star bal ,†Bonnie said. â€Å"One that the girl – um, Jil , put her memories in, I think – but then how did it get out of that tower? How did she know what happened to Jack? And I read a story about a giant dragon and that felt real too. How do they do it?† â€Å"Oh, they trick you,†Eren said, waving a dismissive hand. â€Å"They have somebody go someplace cold for the scenery – an ogre probably, because of the weather.† Bonnie nodded. She'd met mauve-skinned ogres before. They only differed from demons in their level of stupidity. At this level, they tended to be stupid in society, and she'd heard Damon say with a curled lip that the ones that were out of society were hired muscle. Thugs. â€Å"And the rest they just fake somehow – I don't know. Never real y thought about it.†Eren looked up at Bonnie. â€Å"You're an odd one, aren't you, Bonny?† â€Å"Am I?†Bonnie asked. She and the two other girls had revolved, without letting go of hands. This meant that there was some space behind Bonnie. She didn't like that. But, then, she didn't like anything about being a slave. She was starting to hyperventilate. She wanted Meredith. She wanted Elena. She wanted out of here. â€Å"Um, you guys probably don't want to associate with me anymore,†she said uncomfortably. â€Å"Huh?†said Eren. â€Å"Why?†asked Mouse. â€Å"Because I'm running through that door. I have to get out. I have to.† â€Å"Kid, calm down,†Eren said. â€Å"Just keep breathing.† â€Å"No, you don't understand.†Bonnie put her head down, to shade out some of the world. â€Å"I can't belong to somebody. I'm going crazy.† â€Å"Sh, Bonny, they're – â€Å" â€Å"I can't stay here,†Bonnie burst out. â€Å"Well, that's probably al to the good,†a terrible voice, right in front of her, said. No! Oh, God. No, no, no, no, no! â€Å"When we're in a new business we work hard,†the Madonna-like woman's voice said. â€Å"We look up at prospective customers. We don't misbehave or we are punished.†And even though her voice was sweet as pecan pie, Bonnie somehow knew that the harsh voice in the night shouting at them to find a pal et and stay on it, had been this same woman. And now there was a strong hand under her chin and Bonnie couldn't keep it from forcing her head up, or from covering her mouth when she screamed. In front of her, with the delicate pointed ears of a fox, and the long sweeping black tail of a fox but otherwise looking human, looking like a regular guy wearing jeans and a sweater, was Shinichi. And in his golden eyes she could see, twisting and turning, a little scarlet flame that just matched the red on the tip of his tail and the hair that fel across his forehead. Shinichi. He was here. Of course he could travel through the dimensions; he Stillhad a ful star bal that none of Elena's group had ever found as well as those magical keys Elena had told Bonnie about. Bonnie remembered the horrible night when trees, actual trees, had turned into something that could understand and obey him. About how four of them each grabbed one of her arms and legs and pul ed, as if they were planning to pul her apart. She could feel tears leaking out behind her shut eyelids. And the Old Wood. He'd control ed every aspect of it, every creeper to trip you, every tree to fal in front of your car. Until Elena had blasted al but that one thicket of the Old Wood, it had been ful of terrifying insect-like creatures Stefan cal ed malach. But now Bonnie's hands were behind her back and she heard something fasten with a very final-sounding click. No†¦oh, please no†¦ But her hands were definitely fixed in place. And then someone – an ogre or a vampire – picked her up as the lovely woman gave Shinichi a smal key off a key ring ful of identical keys. Shinichi handed this to a big ogre whose fingers were so large that they eclipsed it. And then Bonnie, who was screaming, was quickly whisked up four flights of stairs and a heavy door thunked shut behind her. The ogre carrying her fol owed Shinichi, whose sleek scarlet-tipped tail swung jauntily from a hole in his jeans, back and forth, back and forth. Bonnie thought: That's satisfaction. He thinks he's won this already. But unless Damon real y had forgotten her completely, he would hurt Shinichi for this. Maybe he would kil him. It was an oddly comforting thought. It was even ro – No, it's not romantic, you nitwit! You have to find a way to get out of this mess! Death is not romantic, it's horrible! They had reached the final doors at the end of the hal . Shinichi turned right and walked al the way down a long corridor. There the ogre used the key to open a door. The room had an adjustable overhead gaslight. It was dim but Shinichi said, â€Å"Can we have a little il umination, please?†in a false polite voice, and the other ogre hurried and turned the light up to interrogation-lamp-in-your-face level. The room was a sort of bedroom-den combination, the kind you'd get at a decent hotel. It had a couch and some chairs on the upper level. There was a window, closed, on the left side of the room. There was also a window on the right side of the room, where al the other rooms should be in a line. This window had no curtains or blinds that could be drawn and it reflected Bonnie's pale face back at her. She knew at once what it was, a two-way mirror, so that people in the room behind it could see into this room but not be seen. The couch and chairs were positioned to face it. Beyond the sitting room, off to her left, was the bed. It wasn't a very fancy bed, just white covers that looked pink, because there was a real window on that side that was almost in a line with the sun, sitting as it always was, on the horizon. Right now, Bonnie hated it more than ever before because it turned every light-colored object in the room pink, rose, or outright red. The bow at her own bodice was deep pink now. She was going to die saturated with the color of blood. Something on some deeper level told her that her mind was thinking of such things as distractions, that even thinking about hating to die in such a juvenile color was running away from the bit in the middle, the dying bit. But the ogre holding her moved her around as if she weighed nothing, and Bonnie kept having little thoughts – were they premonitions? Oh, God, let them not be premonitions! – about going out of that red window in a sitting position, the glass no impediment to her body being thrown at a tremendous force. And how many stories up were they? High enough, anyway, that there was no hope of landing without†¦Well, dying. Shinichi smiled, lounging by the red window, playing with the cord to the blinds. â€Å"I don't even know what you want from me!†Bonnie found herself saying to Shinichi. â€Å"I've never been able to hurt you. It was you hurting other people – like me! – al the time.† â€Å"Well, there were your friends,†murmured Shinichi. â€Å"Although I seldom wreak my dread revenge against lovely young women with red-gold hair.†He lounged beside the window and examined her, murmuring, â€Å"Hair of red-gold; heart true and bold. Perhaps a scold†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Bonnie felt like screaming. Didn't he remember her? He certainly seemed to have remembered their group, since he'd mentioned revenge. â€Å"What do you want?†she gasped. â€Å"You are a hindrance, I'm afraid. And I find you very suspicious – and delicious. Young women with red-gold hair are always so elusive.† Bonnie couldn't find anything to say. From everything she'd seen, Shinichi was a nutcase. But a very dangerous psychopathic nutcase. And al he enjoyed was destroying things. In just one moment there could be a crash through the window – and then she'd be sitting on air. And then the fal would begin. What would that feel like? Or would she already be fal ing? She only hoped that at the bottom it was quick. â€Å"You seem to have learned a lot about my people,†Shinichi said. â€Å"More than most.† â€Å"Please,†Bonnie said desperately. â€Å"If it's about the story – al I know about kitsune is that you're destroying my town. And – â€Å"She stopped short, realizing that she could never let him know what had happened in her out-of-body experience. So she could never mention the jars or he'd know that they knew how to catch him. â€Å"And you won't stop,†she finished lamely. â€Å"And yet you found an ancient star bal with stories about our legendary treasures.† â€Å"About what? You mean from that kiddy star bal ? Look, if you'l just leave me alone I'l give it to you.†She knew exactly where she'd left it, too, right beside her sorry excuse for a pil ow. â€Å"Oh, we'l leave you alone†¦in time, I assure you,†Shinichi said with an unnerving smile. He had a smile like Damon's, which wasn't meant to say â€Å"Hel o; I won't hurt you.†It was more like â€Å"Hul o! Here's my lunch!† â€Å"I find it†¦curious,†Shinichi went on, Stillfiddling with the cord. â€Å"Very curious that just in the middle of our little dispute, you arrive here in the Dark Dimension again, alone, apparently without fear, and manage to bargain for a star bal . An orb that just happens to detail the location of our most priceless treasures that were stolen from us†¦a long, long time ago.† You don't care about anybody but yourself, Bonnie thought. You're suddenly acting al patriotic and stuff, but in Fel ‘s Church you didn't pretend to care about anything but hurting people. â€Å"In your little town, as in other towns throughout history, I had orders to do what I did,†Shinichi said, and Bonnie's heart plunged right down to her shoes. He was telepathic. He knew what she was thinking. He'd heard her thinking about the jars. Shinichi smirked. â€Å"Little towns like the one on Unmei no Shima have to be wiped off the face of the earth,†he said. â€Å"Did you see the number of ley lines of Power under it?†Another smirk. â€Å"But of course you weren't really there, so you probably didn't.† â€Å"If you can tel what I'm thinking, you know that story about treasures was just a story,†Bonnie said. â€Å"It was in the star bal cal ed Five Hundred Stories for Young Ones. It's not real.† â€Å"How strange then that it coincides so exactly with what the Seven Kitsune Gates are supposed to have behind them.† â€Å"It was in the middle of a bunch of stories about the – the Dz-Aht-Bhi'iens. I mean the story right before it was about a kid buying candy,†Bonnie said. â€Å"So why don't you just go get the star bal instead of trying to scare me?†Her voice was beginning to tremble. â€Å"It's at the inn right across the street from the shop where I was – arrested. Just go and get it!† â€Å"Of course we've tried that,†Shinichi said impatiently. â€Å"The landlady was quite cooperative after we gave her some†¦compensation. There is no such story in that star bal .† â€Å"That's not possible!†Bonnie said. â€Å"Where did I get it, then?† â€Å"That's what I'm asking you.† Stomach fluttering, Bonnie said, â€Å"How many star bal s did you look at in that brown room?† Shinichi's eyes went blurry briefly. Bonnie tried to listen, but he was obviously speaking telepathical y to someone close, on a tight frequency. Final y he said, â€Å"Twenty-eight star bal s, exactly.† Bonnie felt as if she'd been clubbed. She wasn't going crazy – she wasn't. She'd experienced that story. She knew every fissure in every rock, every shadow in the snow. The only answers were that the real star bal had been stolen, or – or maybe that they hadn't looked hard enough at the ones they had. â€Å"The story is there,†she insisted. â€Å"Right before it is the story about little Marit going to a – â€Å" â€Å"We probed the table of contents. There is the story about a child and† – he looked scornful – â€Å"a sweetshop. But not the other.† Bonnie just shook her head. â€Å"I swear I'm tel ing the truth.† â€Å"Why should I believe you?† â€Å"Why does it matter? How could I make something like that up? And why would I tel a story I knew would get me in trouble? It doesn't make any sense.† Shinichi stared at her hard. Then he shrugged, his ears flat against his head. â€Å"What a pity you keep saying that.† Suddenly Bonnie's heart was pounding in her chest, in her tight throat. â€Å"Why?† â€Å"Because,†Shinichi said cool y, pul ing the blinds completely open so that Bonnie was abruptly drenched in the color of fresh blood, â€Å"I'm afraid that now we have to kil you.† The ogre holding her strode toward the window. Bonnie screamed. In places like this, she knew screams went unheard. She didn't know what else to do.

Empowering Students Through Critical Reading Strategies Education Essay

Introduction 1.1.BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY Traditional impression of the literacy has been focused on the equal degree of proficiency of the reading and composing ability. Rubin ( 1993:3 ) states â€Å" A literate individual is one who can read and compose † . Since the beginning of the 20th Century literacy construct has taken on several significances. Mckenna and Robinson ( 2002 ) Literacy are a construct that has changed well over the old ages. Entering the modern society with complicated and competitory engineering and the ability to acquire and give information demand to utilize the new signifier of literacy that Multicultural, Technological, Media, Computer, Visual and Critical literary are merely a few illustrations. As an instructional attack, critical literacy has emerged in recent old ages, peculiarly in the late eightiess and early 1990s. Stevens and Bean ( 2007 ) critical literacy is an active inquiring of the stance found within, behind, and among text. Wink ( 2005:3 ) agrees to this â€Å" critical liter acy is reading and composing, but it is much, much more. Critical literacy involves cognizing, tonss of cognizing. It besides involves seeing, tonss of seeing. It enables the reader to read the societal patterns of the universe all excessively clearly. † Critical literacy really encourages readers to actively analyse texts and challenges to detect the significance of the Word and the World. Analytic reading and reading between and beyond the lines are some of its highlighted functions. Richardson, Morgan, and Fleener ( 2009:142 ) are of the sentiment that â€Å" Critical literacy is non to promote incredulity but to give pupil tools for investigation and going informed, instead than fleeceable, readers. † Cooper, Kiger and Au ( 2009:8 ) claim that from a critical literacy position, it is of import to pay attending non merely to how reading is taught, but besides to what is being read. On that history instructors should concentrate on critical literacy and promote the pu pils to hold a deeper expression at texts ; specifically analyzing the relationships among texts, linguistic communication, power, societal groups and societal patterns. One facet of critical literacy is critical reading that is more than entree to superficially intending of the text. Critical reading occurs at a higher degree of reading to authorise pupils, through negotiating and reading critically the diverse signifiers of the text. The first serious researches and treatments of critical reading emerged during the 1967s by Willavence from Ohio State University Research Foundation under the U.S Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. The survey was mostly based upon empirical surveies that investigate â€Å" Critical Reading Ability of Elementary School Children. † Critical Reading was identified as a portion of reading comprehension and was defined as an analytical appraising type of reading in which the reader analyzes and Judgess both the content of what was stated and the effectivity of the manner it was written. In the past two decennaries, a figure of research workers have sought to find assorted dimensions of critical reading activities, accomplishments, and schemes. Developing critical reading accomplishments through whole linguistic communication schemes an empirical survey was done by Robin Combs in 1992 at Southern Nazarene University. In1998, Parviz Birjandi the celebrated Persian policy shaper and the writer of English text editions for high school and pre-university degrees, in his survey tried to look into the consequence of critical reading on the betterment of the reading comprehension ability of Persian high school pupils. The determination of the survey showed that critical reading as a station reading activity, activated the pupils ‘ background cognition which, in return, affected the comprehension of the transition. Around two decennaries working as an English linguistic communication teacher in Persian high schools and pre university centre ; touching and experiencing straight the reading jobs among the Persian pupils peculiarly in the late 1992s and early 2008s ; on the other side, the participating and cooperating of the research worker with The English Skills Department of Santa Barbara City College in a undertaking that called â€Å" CAHSEE â€Å" which takes pupils through the capable affair of the Exit Exam in a manner that challenges them to believe actively about reading, authorship, and word significance, prompted the research worker of this survey to see the inquiry of How does one read critically and actively? It was non a simple inquiry and the reply needed more than a superficially probe in reading country. Reading critically describes the attitudes or behaviours expected of a critical reader and offers schemes for bring outing implicit in messages. Kern ( 2000:29 ) â€Å" readi ng requires more than perceptual and sensory-motor accomplishments ; it besides demands the reader ‘s active engagement at a cognitive degree. † Over the five last decennaries assortment of definitions of critical reading has highlighted that the most of the research workers, have been acknowledged that reading requires the reader ‘s active engagement at a cognitive degree ( Smith1963 ; Russell1963 ; Robinson1964 ; Wolf et al.1967 ; Hess et al.1975 ; Heilman & A ; Holmes1978 ; Kayser1979 ; Rubin1982 ; James1984 ; Flynn1989 ; Paul1993 ; ; Mather & A ; McCarthy2005 ; Wall2005 ; Wallace & A ; Wray2006 ; Gillet et Al 2008 ) . Several cognitive procedures those are similar in kernel to the Cognitive Domain of the Bloom ‘s Taxonomy of Educational Aims are suggested by these writers. Rubin ( 1993 ) believes most of the bing taxonomies are versions in one manner or another of Bloom ‘s taxonomy of educational aims in the cognitive sphere, which is concerned with the thought that pupils should accomplish in any subject. Eisner ( 2000 ) is of the sentiment Benjamin Bloom tries to uncover what pupils are believing about when instructors are learning. Tankersley ( 2003: 116 ) provinces, â€Å" When comprehension is deep and thorough, a reader is able to treat text at higher degrees of the thought procedure. The reader is able to use the degrees of Benjamin Bloom ‘s taxonomy ( 1956 ) and do significance at more sophisticated degrees. This yarn is reading at the rating, synthesis, analysis, and reading degrees. Good readers can supervise their ain comprehension, interpret charts and graphs while reading, sum up as they read, make connexions while reading, and procedure text after reading at sophisticated degrees of thought. † Learning to synthesise, measure, and procedure information in new ways is the key to fixing pupils for the universe outside of school. It appears that some attending should be given to direction in the accomplishments of critical reading in today ‘s schools if pupils are to be adequately prepared to function as to the full working citizens. Goals of school course of study in Iran frequently include a statement of the desirableness of critical reading accomplishments ; nevertheless, there is rarely a consecutive program for the development of these accomplishments below Pre- university degree. Reading and interlingual rendition have cardinal place in Persian current EFL text books ( Eslami-Rasekh & A ; Fatahi 2008 ) . Therefore, the highlighted methods in most schools are combination of grammar-translation and audio-lingual methods ( Eslami-Rasekh 2004 ) . What motivated this research were the ascertained jobs in EFL reading categories in Persian high school and pre-university centres. Furthermore, critical reading has non normally been a major focal point of learning and research in Iran and empirical research in critical reading has been limited chiefly to university degree. The research worker has considered the value of critical reading schemes and seek to show, through sample reading lesson, alternate possibilities for reading activities which, besides being more interesting for pupils, can assist them go more active, and more critical readers. The major benefit of the lesson on critical reading is the high degree of enthusiastic pupil engagement. This is attributable to some extent to the freshness of the undertaking they will execute: coming up with inquiries, they thought would be answered in the text, instead than seeking to reply superficial comprehension inquiries or true-false statements prepared by the text edition author. 1.2. Statement OF THE PROBLEM The twenty-first century will necessitate scholars to utilize the four highest degrees of thinking-application, analysis, synthesis, and rating higher degrees of comprehension would evidently include higher degrees of believing Tankersley ( 2005 ) . In EFL reading categories, pupils normally do non hold the chance to execute higher order believing undertakings ( e.g. , using, speculating, analysing, synthesising, comparing, and measuring what they read ) . Consequently, they do non larn to read critically, nor do they make appraising apprehension of the text and develop their thought ability. Oftentimes, pupils get frustrated and lose motive for independent reading because they are used to listening to instructors ‘ accounts ( Wallace 2005 cited in Jun Zhang2009 ) The similar state of affairs can be found among Persian EFL pupils. In Iran, English is taught as a foreign linguistic communication and is practiced within a context-restricted environment, in which the text edition and schoolroom instructor plays the chief function. Although the reading accomplishment sounds to be of first precedence in the design of the Persian high school books, many Persian EFL scholars still seem to hold serious jobs with geting the ability to read critically. Harmonizing to Koosha and Jafarpour ( 2006 ) this inefficiency seems to be, to some extent, due to the deficiency of definite reading schemes among Persian EFL pupils. Birjandi & A ; Noroozi ( 2008 ) states that in Iran ; reading is comparatively viewed as the purpose of linguistic communication instruction and linguistic communication acquisition plans in secondary and third degrees of instruction. Thus, English instructors are expected to acquire familiar with efficient techniques that can hike the degree of scholars ‘ reading comprehension. Higher-level thought arises when pupils read between the lines, look beyond the surface of the text and they are reading to calculate out an reply or to accomplish comprehension. While there is non a recognized demand to hold higher-order thought pattern in the Persian EFL schoolroom, there is non besides a recognized instructional battle with conveying higher-order thought to life in the schoolroom. This indicates a demand to understand the assorted position of critical thought that assists Persian EFL pupils. Tankersley ( 2003 ) states although most English linguistic communication instructors learned about Bloom ‘s Taxonomy ( Bloom, 1956 ) during their readying classs, many rarely challenge pupils beyond the first two degrees of knowledge: cognition and comprehension. While Critical reading is at higher degree of comprehension accomplishments and it involves rating, the devising of a personal judgement on Lie truth, value, and truthfulness of what is read Rubin ( 1993 ) .In malice of Educators acknowledge that the cognitive benefits to all pupils of foreign linguistic communication survey, such as furthering higher-order thought accomplishments, Harmonizing to Dadvand & A ; Foruzande ( 2007 ) the structural position of the nature of linguistic communication and the behaviouristic premise among Persian instructors about linguistic communication acquisition which have led to an overemphasis of structural points as the skeleton of linguistic communication and repetition/ memorisation as the bosom of a successful linguistic communication larning experience.Thus, the reading transitions in Persian high school books are non accompanied by appropriate exercisings. Most of the comprehension inquiries following the reading subdivision inquire show inquiries, which merely require turn uping some pieces of information within the text, i.e. the first two lower degrees of thought and knowledge: cognition and comprehension. Although extended research has been carried out on reading country in Persian EFL schoolroom, no individual survey exists, which have investigated the reading from cognitive dimension and position. The consequences of those surveies besides show the deficiency of definite cognitive reading schemes within Persian high school schoolrooms. Consequently, Students do non hold equal background accomplishments, they understand the text at some superficial degree, and the act of reading is hard and troublesome for them. ( Tankersley2003:2 & A ; 91 ) â€Å" Poor readers do non understand that they should take any action when comprehension is lost. Many merely give up since they have no schemes to utilize to cover with hard text. † 1.3. Purpose of the survey The aims of this research are as follow: 1. To place the critical reading schemes employed by Persian EFL pupils. 2. To look into the Persian EFL pupils ‘ reactions and responses to the procedure of learning critical reading. 3. To fix a theoretical account to learn critical reading schemes to Persian EFL pupils. 1.4. The research inquiries of the survey formulated as: 1. What are the critical reading schemes employed by Persian EFL pupils? 2. How do the Iranian EFL pupils react and respond to the procedure of learning critical reading? 3. How to fix a theoretical account to learn critical reading schemes to Persian EFL pupils? 1.5. Significance of the survey The important of this survey is to bridge the spread between the construct of critical reading and existent reading pattern available to instructors and pupils. In peculiar, the survey focused on the highlighted critical reading schemes as a medium to fix Persian EFL pupils for critical reading-the ability to read with analysis and judgement and to promote them to take part actively in reading procedure.The critical reading development will actuate the pupils to happen purpose in reading and measure the intent of the writers and even a touch of exhilaration or challenge to reading. Reading without intent can be frustrating and may cut down motive, comprehension, and efficiency This survey maintains that pupils are holding trouble in reading because they are non having the right reading experiences in school. Most of the clip pupils are asked to reply end-of chapter comprehension inquiries or make full in eternal worksheet infinites. In add-on, most reading that is done in category is unwritten reading with one pupil reading the text aloud and all other pupils listening.. Motivation does non go on for pupils as they are reading or making dull exercisings. The pupil has to be motivated prior to reading. Students have to be taught to believe about a subject in assorted ways before they start to before they start to read. Teaching reading based on critical reading schemes provides many chances for EFL pupils to prosecute in the upper degrees of Bloom ‘s taxonomy. Therefore, the major classs: callback, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and rating of the cognitive sphere of Bloom ‘s Taxonomy encourage EFL pupils to play active functions in larning critical reading in EFL categories. 1.6. OPERATIONAL Definition The followers are the definition of footings used in current survey: 1.6.1. CRITICAL LITERACY Alagozlu ( 2007 ) Critical literacy is a new position in learning English as a foreign linguistic communication, which trains pupils to believe critically and so transforms their thought into some practical action to do a better society. Critical literacy purposes at researching a new position, doing teaching method synchronize with the changed society. Therefore, critical literacy in EFL instruction is extremely important 1.6.2. CRITICAL Reading Wall and Wall ( 2005 ) Critical reading is a manner of reading that will let you to take a deeper expression at text. You will develop an acquired accomplishment with some cognition and experience. To read critically means to read analytically, this means to inquiry and to believe about the written stuff in forepart of you. When you question something, it normally leads to happening replies. There are no right replies when you read-there are merely the writer ‘s purposes and your readings. Critical reading is a manner of looking at a book and analysing what the writer is stating and the methods the writer is utilizing to pass on a message or thought. Your analysis is complete when you have formed your ain readings of the writer ‘s purposes. Learning to read in deepness, with comprehension, and being unfastened to new ways of believing an apprehension can merely get down with an scabies to desire to cognize more, whether it ‘s for your ain personal cognition or for a category. 1.6.3CRITICAL Reading Scheme A assortment of schemes that help pupils read with better apprehension of the stuff. Mastering these schemes will assist pupils manage hard stuff with confidence.A 1.6.4. BLOOM ‘S TAXONOMY OF EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES Krathwohl ( 2002 ) The Taxonomy of Educational Objectives is a model for sorting statements of what instructors expect or intend pupils to larn due to direction. Bloom ( 1956: 26 ) educational aims mean expressed preparations of the ways in which pupils are expected to be changed by the educative procedure. That is, the ways in which they will alter in their thought, their feelings, and their actions. Bloom ‘s Taxonomy is the most common theoretical account for depicting thought. A list of six believing accomplishments arranged from the most basic to the most advanced degree. These descriptions are used to assist instructors and pupils focus on higher-order thought. Bloom lists a hierarchy of accomplishments: cognition, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and rating. 1.7. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF THE STUDY Having now introduced and motivated the subject, defined the research inquiries, and looked at some of the research germane to the proposed survey, this subdivision is devoted to set uping the theoretical model within which the survey will take topographic point. Eisenhart ( 1991: 205 ) described a theoretical model as â€Å" a construction that guides research by trusting on a formal theoryaˆÂ ¦constructed by utilizing an established, consistent account of certain phenomena and relationships † . 1.7.1. COGNITIVE DOMAIN OF THE BLOOM ‘S TAXONOMY OF EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVE Krathwohl, Bloom and Masia ( 1964:7 ) Cognitive aims emphasize retrieving or reproducing something, which has presumptively been learned, every bit good as aims, which involve the resolution of some intellective undertaking for which the person has to find the indispensable job and so reorder given stuff or unite it with thoughts, methods, or procedures antecedently learned. Cognitive aims vary from simple callback of stuff learned to extremely original and originative ways of combine and synthesising new thoughts and stuffs. Bloom ( 1956: 20 ) in the cognitive sphere, particularly, it appears that as the behaviours become more complex, the person is more cognizant of their being. Students are able to give more complete studies of their onslaught on a job as the job becomes more complex, that is, as the job is classified in the more complex categories of rational abilities and accomplishments. 1.7.2. Cognitive LANGUAGE LEARNING STRATEGIES Grenfell and Harris ( 1999:44 ) Cognitive schemes are mental battle with linguistic communication in stuffs or undertakings in order to develop understanding and therefore acquisition. Cognitive schemes act on linguistic communication in the acquisition procedure and may be specifically involved in production of linguistic communication. Cognitive schemes besides include many academic and survey or larning accomplishments, for illustration, interlingual rendition, tax write-off, working on keywords, utilizing available resources, mnemonics, taking notes. 1.7.3 HIGHER-ORDER Thinking STRATEGIES Duke and Pearson ( 2002:118 ) six schemes that higher-level readers should utilize to do significance of text as they read. ( 1 ) prediction/activation of anterior cognition, ( 2 ) utilizing think-aloud schemes to supervise comprehension, ( 3 ) utilizing text constructions, ( 4 ) utilizing and building ocular theoretical accounts such as in writing organisers and imagination, ( 5 ) summarizing, and ( 6 ) inquiring and replying inquiries while reading. 1.7.4. Critical Reading STRATEGIES Singh, Chirgwin and Elliott ‘s ( 1997 ) critical reading schemes encourage scholars to utilize each of the cognitive procedures described in the three upper degrees of Bloom ‘s Taxonomy, those normally associated with critical thought accomplishments. Singh et Al. ( 1997 ) modified Bloom ‘s order somewhat, included some procedures more than one time, omitted one type of procedure and included a pretest of bing cognition. This alone scheme engaged pupils in a metacogitive consideration of their ain thought procedures by inquiring them to compare their initial and concluding constructs, warrant why their initial and concluding constructs changed, and eventually to pull decisions about the truth of their thought. Table 1: Comparison of Singh, Chirgwin and Elliott ‘s critical reading scheme with Bloom ‘s Taxonomy Singh, Chirgwin & A ; Elliott ‘s Procedures Bloom ‘s Lev EL ‘s of Cognitive Learning Identify and enter their initial constructs Pretest of bing cognition Obtain information through reading Obtaining new cognition Compare initial and concluding constructs Comprehension – looking for similarities and differences State how and why constructs changed Analysis – comparison and contrasting, pulling decisions and back uping the statement Produce a study on differences between initial and concluding constructs Synthesis Give their sentiments on how and why Evaluation Let scholars pull decisions on the truth of their constructs about text. Analysis Cognitive Language Learning Schemes Higher-Order Thinking Schemes Critical Reading Schemes Cognitive Sphere of theBloom'sTaxonomy of Educational Objective Chapter Two Review of Related Literature 2-1.Background of the survey Habsah Hussin ( 1998 ) who investigated the effects of selected critical reading schemes on critical reading public presentation of selected Malayan ESL Secondary School pupils. In 2006, Ainon Jariah Muhamad at Institute of Education International Islamic University Malaysia studied Critical reading schemes in English as a 2nd linguistic communication it was a instance survey of Malayan jurisprudence undergraduates. The consequences of the survey revealed that pupils ‘ attitudes to reading and to reading critically, did hold some influence on the figure and the types of schemes used. The activation of background cognition and related experience were besides helpful in bring forthing the critical responses to academic texts. Veeravagu, Jeyamahla ( 2010 ) at Univesiti Teknologi MARA ( UiTM ) enquired â€Å" Using Bloom ‘s Taxonomy to Gauge Students ‘ Reading Comprehension Performance † The findings indicated that the degree of believing procedures advocated by Bloom taxonomy had influenced the public presentation of the pupils in the reading comprehension paper. Wallace 2005 cited in zhang: Again, as Wallace has stated, pupils have developed merely one strong â€Å" reading scheme † over the old ages: that of listening to the instructor explicating the text word by word, sentence by sentence. Because reading schoolrooms lack category interaction, pupils are non actively engaged in the meaning-making procedure or, at best, the procedure involves readers ‘ decryption of text. Therefore, the bing cognition of pupils is non efficaciously drawn out for the benefit of the whole category. There is a deficiency of profusion and diverseness in schoolroom activity. †

Theory Bases and Theory Constructs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Theory Bases and Theory Constructs - Essay Example Woodrow Wilson is viewed as the pioneer of public administration. Wilson made a distinction between political science and public administration. He asserted that public administration is a detailed systematic application of law. Before his distinction, public administration was regarded as a branch of political science. Frank Goodnow concurred with Woodrow and added that politics formulate policies and the administration executes these policies. Public administration has been largely taken as a science by related disciplines in the social sciences. Public administration encompasses study of people involved in managerial and administrative tasks in the various state organs. Theory bases are very important in reaching a discernible conclusion about a certain phenomenon. Public administration is conducted differently according to the various types and settings of organizations. Bureaucracy is evident in almost all organizations (Milakovich & Gordon, 2013) this gives rise to the application of the bureaucratic theory of administration. The theory was put forth by Marx Weber. He argued that, the core aspect of administration is determining who gives command to whom. Marx asserted that domination is common characteristic in an organisation. According to Marx, domination means the power relations between the ruled and their leaders. Consequently he added that legitimacy in exercise of power in any established authority is contributed by numerous beliefs in the organization’s setting. Domination brings about the need for administrative apparatus (Farazmand, 2002). For domination to be concurrent with its intended purpose, there is need to establish an administrative staff to execute demands and serve as a link between the leader (government) and led. Marx established certain constructs of domination; tradition, charismatic and legal domination. Legitimacy in traditional domination is brought about by inheritance, legal

ANSWERS TO SOME FREQUENTLY Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

ANSWERS TO SOME FREQUENTLY - Dissertation Example 2. WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF TRANSACTIONS TO WHICH THE BAN ON RIBA IS APPLICABLE? DOES THE TERM APPLY ONLY TO THE INTEREST CHARGED ON CONSUMPTION LOANS OR DOES IT ALSO COVER PRODUCTIVE LOANS ADVANCED BY BANKING AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS? The Shariah clearly states that riba al-nasi'ah, â€Å"the fixing in advance a positive return on a loan as a reward for waiting† is prohibited. Hence it could be understood as a ban on interest as commonly used today. Islamic jurists, the fuqaha, state in no unclear terms that all manifestations of riba are forbidden. So it does not matter if the context is consumption or business and also whether the loan in issued or availed. It is also irrelevant whether the institution in question is a commercial bank, government agency, business enterprise or an individual. 3. DOES THE PROHIBITION OF RIBA APPLY EQUALLY TO THE LOANS OBTAINED FROM OR EXTENDED TO MUSLIMS AS WELL AS NON-MUSLIMS? The Islamic Fiqh Academy (IFA), which is the leading authority on f inancial transactions, mentions that there is no leniency in the application of Shariah laws even if one party of a financial transaction is non-Muslim. ... IS SUCH A SCHEME ACCEPTABLE FROM AN ISLAMIC POINT OF VIEW? In economies with high rates of inflation, restrictions imposed by Shariah laws can undermine value of investments. To compensate for such a loss, a method of indexation is usually employed. There is no consensus yet among the fuqaha, as to the compatibility of indexation practices with Islamic scriptures. So far the Fiqh Academy has permitted indexation in cases pertaining to â€Å"wages and contracts fulfilled over a period of time† and has disallowed in cases pertaining to monetary debts. Similarly, â€Å"for debts in a specific currency, due in installments, the parties may agree to settle the installments due in a different currency at the prevailing rate of exchange on the date of settlement†. 5. WHAT ARE THE MAJOR MODES OF FINANCING USED BY ISLAMIC BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS? Islamic banking system has invented a few ingenious modes of financing in order to comply with Shariah principles. The first mode is based upon sharing of both profits and losses incurred by investments, respectively the mudarahab (passive partnership) and musharakah (active partnership). The second mode operates on the basis of credit offered durig the purchase of goods and services and uses such financial concepts as murabahah (sales contract at a profit markup), ijarah (leasing), salam and istisna (contracts). These modes are unique to Islamic finance and have been approved by fiqh officials. Apart from being consistent with Islamic precepts, these modes incentivise direct investments, thereby contributing to economic growth of the bank/institution/country. Yet, improvements need to be done in order to integrate Islamic financial system into global

Using Image And Video Can Affect Student Learning Outcomes Essay

Using Image And Video Can Affect Student Learning Outcomes - Essay Example With experimentation during learning, students have a feeling of ownership of their learning and enhance the motivation to learn even more since most students see experiments in science as being much enjoyable compared to classes without practical tests. A student can make logic out of a topic, the reason the methods of practice creating a real phenomenon in the learning environment. Through practicing and seeing problems, students are motivated to develop a critical attitude towards issues enabling them to come up with real-time solutions for them. Practical work can up a student’s ability to conceptualize scientific facts and theories especially if the actual experimentation can illustrate and ultimately affirm the theory. As students participate in practical work, they involve themselves. Experiments in science also play a great role in molding manual dexterity skills and comprehensively enhance a student’s higher-level skills such as observation, measurement of scie ntific units as well as being deductive, predictive and conclusive. Experiments also play greater roles in boosting the students’ critical attitude. This ability to positively criticize existing scientific facts is what always leads to new discoveries in science. Students are also likely to give a scientific process a deeper scrutiny and cleverly come up with better ways of tackling experimental procedures. The habit of seeing problems and seeking for their solutions is always installed on the students through scientific problems.

Information Systems (Database Assignment) Essay

Information Systems (Database Assignment) - Essay Example Each book has a paper card which maintains the record of which member bought which book and when. When a member borrows a book, Mr. Russell marks the entry on the card and also writes this in his notebook. He then keeps the card with himself to remind him of the pending books. There is also another notebook which maintains information about the contact details of all the members of the library. Initially, when the number of members used to be less, the existing system ran smoothly and had no flaws. However, as the number of members and the daily transactions increase, there are a few serious problems that Mr. Russell is facing. They are described below: There are no proper records for the books in the shelves. Often members complain that they do not have the facility to search for a particular book, or at least know, whether it is available or has been issued. The situation wastes a lot of time and people have to wait a long time. It takes a while to find out which members have not returned their books back within the due date. Members need to be reminded to return their books on time and any members who continuously fail to return books on time, need to be penalized. With the current system, there is no means to find this out. In this project, we have analyzed a problem at a local library called Reader’s Inn which is currently running on manual system. It is difficult to search through manual records and many of the functionality needed such as report generation are not possible. Hence, we developed the design for a database system for the library which consisted of three normalized entities. Each of these entities had several attributes. These entities were programmed in Ms Access 2007, a common database package. Apart from the database tables, we also designed input screens for data and reports for output. With this database system, the existing problems will be solved to a great extent and the new

The legalization of marijuana bad for the US Essay

The legalization of marijuana bad for the US - Essay Example One of such arguments was on legalization of marijuana in the United States. The issue of legalization of marijuana is very common and its legalization has remained a significant issue during the US history and has continued to remain one until today. Analysis has indicated that it was first brought in the country during the late 17th century, and since then, it has become a habit of huge number of people in country. In the result, advocates of marijuana argue that people use marijuana illegally; however, legalization of marijuana will allow the government to earn taxes against its selling. On the other hand, opponents believe that its legalization will encourage its utilization that will be harmful socially, as well as ethically. On this issue, my side was of the opponents that legalization of marijuana in the United States is an awful perspective and will be harmful for the country. Fortunately, I was able to convince my gathering, as I put efforts by taking a Rogerian approach that included discussion of both sides of the issue and then focusing on my side with evidence, whereas, Toulmin’s approach of the argument would have resulted in disappointing outcome. In particular, Rogerian approach of argument is my usual style of argument, as it allows the reader/listener to know perspectives about both sides, and it allows the individual to acquire confidence of the public that makes easier to convince the

Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 122

Essay Example The third contrasting feature according to Berman was the culture. She states that the language is probably the same, except that a few words have a distinguishing accent. Berman goes ahead to add, ‘England for example has a rigid class culture that one does not violate without consequences’. This can be better explained that people in England observe culture more seriously as compared to people in America. The new culture that Berman was exposed to was different and by all means, she had to be well accustomed to it especially knowing that her grandmother was from England. Along with that, the sea side was different with the farm side due to the swimming experience that one was prone to endure while there. Back at the farm, there was no swimming experience in the form of leisure. According to Berman, the farm was hectic. She describes that they used to work extremely hard but little income. According to her statement, the work at the farm involved picking berries, feeding the pigs which apparently ate a lot and were still not adding kilos, the chicken that were there also did not lay eggs, the cows did not produce much milk so the income we got at the farm was quite low. Life at the sea side was quite different. There was not much work to be done that involved farm animals. Thus Berman presumed life at the sea side was more appealing as compared to the farm life. A comparison between the two environments is the existence of school children. According to Berman, â€Å"the sea and country will lose their prominence to the hustle and bustle of school†. This means that both the sea side life and farm side life have the similarity where school children are existent in both environments. Being born in the USA, I think is the best thing because everybody wants to come to the States to make their dreams come true. Well, I was born in the USA and I have lived there with my parents for close to seven years. After my

Week Two LT Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week Two LT Assignment - Essay Example By integrating the quality program to the core process of their manufacturing of CD changers, BJB will be able to produce durable components. The products target market already exists; hence the main issue with the product is durability and better sound quality for vehicles. High end CD-changers should be of appropriate size saves on power and has the appeal for various car markers. Cost effectiveness would be applied by using affordable and durable electronic parts from countries like Japan. The recommended quality management approach to use for various projects is a Quality Philosophy methodology. This method is beneficial; firstly, because it guides and influences the way directors of the company applies strategy and innovation (Hoyle, 2008). By reducing staff turnover and improving quality assurance, this approach can be deemed most appropriate. Additionally, the organization will be in a position to motivate itself to meet their clients’ demand of quality products and services. A quality philosophy system will help BJB to enhance their productivity by engaging the organization divisions and the external contributors like suppliers and lenders. This usually creates a culture of continuous innovation in problem solving of technical matters. In conclusion, by adopting this philosophy, BJB can easily adapt to the ever consumer needs and this will promote efficiencies and quality on higher level (Hoyle, 2008). This is the basis of creating excellence and a healthy team that not only promotes business success but also sustains continuous

Psychological Disorders Essay Example for Free

Psychological Disorders Essay Psychological Disorder Analysis This psychological analysis is about Maria a 42 year old Hispanic female who comes into the mental health clinic complaining of feeling jumpy all of the time, she has trouble sleeping and is enable to concentrate on her work as an accountant. These symptoms are causing problems for her at work. There can be many causes for her symptoms but to get to the root of her issue a clinical assessment, diagnoses, and proper treatment for her disorder will be submitted. Maria comes into the clinic complaining of having trouble sleeping, feeling jumpy all the time, she has trouble concentrating on her work which seems to be causing an issue. A clinical interview is done first on Maria to attain some background information. Clinical interviews questions are 1. What brings her to the clinic? 2. When did these feelings start and did an event trigger them? 3. Do these feelings last long? 4. What is her relationship with her parents? 5. What is her relationship with her siblings? 6. What type of work does she do? 7. What are her romantic relationships like? 8. What was her childhood experiences like? 9. What makes her happy? 10. Does she have any medical problems or medication she is taking? A possible disorder is causing her symptoms. Because information was not given concerning her background, family or social life Maria’s symptoms coincide with Dysthymic Disorder with major depression (University Of Phoenix, 2007). Dysthymic Disorder is known as double depression (Comer, 2011). It has symptoms of chronic and low level depression which reduces one’s ability to function. Some individuals with Dysthymia experience insomnia, or hypersomnia, poor appetite and overeating. They also experience poor concentration or have difficulty making decisions. Some fail to attend to daily hygiene, some experience low energy and low self esteem which cause them to overlook their daily duties or job responsibilities (University Of Phoenix, 2007). Most say they have been unhappy or sad all of their lives which cause them not maintain healthy relationships (University Of Phoenix, 2007). Dysthymia also causes changes in feeling, thinking, and physical well-being (University Of Phoenix, 2007). Dysthymic disorder share symptoms with major depression. Both disorders share symptoms such as sleep difficulties, shyness, and social withdrawal; poor work performance,  irritability, and conflict with family and friends (University Of Phoenix, 2007). The main difference between the two disorders is the intensity and duration of the disorder. With major depression symptoms are more severe such as the individual may be so depressed they cannot get out of bed and have thoughts of suicide whereas with Dysthymia the depression is more muted where the person is able to function on some level, he or she may be getting out of bed, but they may not groom themselves (University Of Phoenix, 2007). The other difference is major depression needs episodes that last for at least two weeks whereas dysthymic disorder symptoms persist for at least two years (University Of Phoenix, 2007). Major depression is also common with minorities. Minority groups that live below poverty or come from family wh ose environment was impoverished tend to suffer from depression in higher numbers (Comer, 2011). Gender also plays a role in major depression women are twice as likely as men to receive a diagnosis of depression (Comer, 2011). To assess her case the DSM-IV is used. According to what Maria says her symptoms meet the criteria on the DSM-IV. Maria must display two of her symptoms for a period of 2 weeks or longer (University Of Phoenix, 2007). Maria did not indicate in this case study how long she had been experiencing symptoms. The case study did not indicate Maria’s dress condition or hygiene neither did it indicate that she was shy or socially withdrawn. Maria may have developed dysthymic disorder through a behavioral process called learned helplessness. (University Of Phoenix, 2007). During an experiment dogs were placed in a cage with barricades and were exposed to a stimulus light which was followed by a shock (University Of Phoenix, 2007). They learned quickly through classical conditioning to fear the light (University Of Phoenix, 2007). In phase two of the experiment the shock was turned off and when the first group of dogs was exposed to the light they jumped over the barricade jumping to safety (Comer, 2011). When the second group of dogs encountered a large barrier they could not jump from the fear producing light to safety. When the light came on they ran around the cage barking and when they discovered escape was impossible they lay down and whimpered (University Of Phoenix, 2007). In ph ase 3 of this experiment all the barriers were removed, and the dogs could escape easily however, when the light came on the dogs that had been trapped made no effort to leave the cage, instead they lay down and whimpered (University Of Phoenix, 2007). What the experiment revealed is the dogs learned that even though they can escape nothing they can do will improve their conditions so in effect the dogs learned to be helpless (University Of Phoenix, 2007). Because Maria is Hispanic the multicultural perspective plays a role. Because of social norms, family structure, and background this should be all taken into account with minorities. Maria probably grew in an impoverish environment. Research shows that Hispanics are more likely to live a poorer environment that White American (Comer, 2011). Maria may feel that her life was precondition to remain this way even though she has made a life for herself as an accountant. Just like the dogs in her thinking she feels nothing she can do will change her conditions, even though she has opportunities to improve her life she has learned to be helpless which makes her sad and depressed which are symptoms of the disorder (University Of Phoenix, 2007). Multicultural research also shows that prejudice and discrimination against multicultural groups leads to higher anxiety and depression in minorities (Comer, 2011). Other probably causes for Maria’s disorder is a biological imbalance or hormonal imbalance like those seen in major depression. Biological theorist believes abnormal behavior as an illness is brought on by a malfunctioning organism in the brain or brain chemistry (Comer, 2011). The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells called neurons (Comer, 2011). When an electrical impulse reaches a neuron it is stimulated to release a certain chemical called a neurotransmitter which travels to receptors (Comer, 2011). These receptors travel to other neurons telling them to fire or not fire (Comer, 2011). Neurotransmitters play a key role in carrying information through the brain. In Maria’s case her neurotransmitters may be defective causing her symptoms (Comer, 2011). A hormonal imbalance can also trigger depressio n (Comer, 2011). A woman’s biological life changes as she ages triggering different hormone levels (Comer, 2011). Although hormonal changes cannot alone cause depression alone important social and life events that occur with puberty, pregnancy, or menopause can (Comer, 2011). To treat dysthymic disorder biological treatments such as psychotherapy and medications like Prozac and Tofranil have proven to be helpful in reducing symptoms (University Of Phoenix, 2007). A variety of psychotherapeutic approaches can work as well. Cognitive behavioral therapy can challenge Marias unrealistic ideas,  pessimistic expectations and self-critical evaluations (University Of Phoenix, 2007). Therapy can help her to have a more positive outlook on her life, and can help her to prioritize both opportunities and challenges concerning her life (University Of Phoenix, 2007). Multicultural treatments such as culture-sensitive therapy can be used in which the therapist addresses issues faced by minority groups (Comer, 2011). In addition behavioral oriented therapy can help her adapt better coping skills and help her communicate more effectively with friends and coworkers (University Of Phoenix, 2007). In this case study Maria went to the mental health clinic complaining of having trouble sleeping, feeling jumpy all the time, an inability to concentrate on her work as an accountant. Interview questions were asked which lead to a diagnosis of dysthymic disorder with major depression. Probable causes for her disorder are rooted in a neuro chemical imbalance or a learned helplessness from her environment (University Of Phoenix, 2007). Treatment for dysthymic disorder is psychotherapy and medication to reduce the symptoms (University Of Phoenix, 2007).

Improving WPA and WPA2

Improving WPA and WPA2 Introduction: WPA is an acronym for â€Å"Wi-Fi Protected Access†. It was designed and developed by Wi-Fi alliance as a reponse to the weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the previous wireless security protocol i.e. WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). It is a certification program developed by WiFi alliance to indicate compliance with the previous security protocol and secure wireless networks. WPA2: WPA2 is vulnerable to insider attack(If attacker is in the network or somehow gets into the network) under certain conditions. Following are the attacks on WPA/WPA2: PSK (Pre-Shared Key) vulnerability. PSK cracking tool, Eavesdropping. (Attack on PSK Authentication) PEAP mis-configuring Vulnerability. (Attack on Authetication Server) TKIP Vulnerability. (Attack on Encryption) Encyption in WPA2: There are two types of keys used in WPA2 for encryption: Pairwise key(PTK): It is used to protect unicast data frames. Group key (GTK): It is used to protect group addressed data frames like Broadcast APR data request frames. It is used as an encryption key in Access Point(AP) while as a decryption key in Client. Analysis and Improvement of 802.11i (WPA2): The security requirement for WLAN(Wireless Local Area network) industry are data confidentiality. Intergrit, mutual authentication and availability. Primary recommendations: CCMP should be used for data confidentiality. Mutual Authentication must be implemented for security concerns. Addresses DoS(Denial of Service ) in MAC (Medium Access Control)layer. Wireless Threats: Passive Eavesdropping/ Traffic Analysis: An attacker can easilty sniff and store all the traffic in the WLAN. Message Injection / Active Eavesdropping: An attacker is capable of inserting a message into the wireless network with the help of NIC cards(Network Interface cards). Attacker can generate any choosen packet, modify contents of the packet and completely control the transmission of the packet. Message Deletion and Interception: It is done by interfering with the packet reception processon the receivers antenna. eg. Causing CRC errors so that the receiver drops the packet. Message interception means that an adversary is able to control a connection completely i.e an attacker can capture a packet before the receiver actually receives it and decide whether to delete the packet or forward it to the receiver. Masquerading and Malicious AP (Access Point): An attacker can learn MAC addresses by eavesdropping and it can also spoof MAC address. Session hijacking: An adversary may be able to hijack alegitimate session after the wireless devics have finished authenticatin themselves successfully. It can be overcome using data confidentiality and strong integrity meachanism Man in the Middle Attack (MitM): ARP cache posioning is a type of Man in the Middle Attack in case of wired connection. Denial of Service(DoS): An adversary is capable of making the whole Basic Service Set (BSS) unavailable, or disrupting the connection between legitimate peers . Ex. forging the unprotected management frames, protocol weaknesses or jamming of frequency bands with denial of service to the legitimate users. Data Confidentiality and integrity: It defines threee confidentiality security protocols: WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) CCMP (Counter Mode Cipher Blocking chaining MAC (Message Authetication Code) Protocol). A temporal key (TK) is assumed tobe shared between peers before executing any data confidentiality protocols. Authentication and Key Management: There are two types of Authetication systems: Open System Authetication. Shared Key Authentication. These are not secured so IEEE802.11i definesa new standard viz. RSNA (Robust Security Network Association) RSNA establishment procedure: Network and Security Caability Discovery. 802.11 Authentication and Association. EAP / 802.1X / RADIUS Authentication. 4-way handshake Group key handshake. Secure data communication. Availability: Main cause is due to DoS attack: First, an adversary can launch an 802.11i attack much more easily than a physical layer attack, with only moderate equipment. Second, it is much more difficult for a network administrator to detect and locate these attacks. Layer abstraction is a very important concept in networks, requiring each layer to provide independent functionality separately. Michael Algorithm is used to solve above problems. It woks as follows: When a incorrect packet is detected by Access point, it waits for 60 secs,within this time span of 60 secsif another incorrect packet is received by access point from the same source then it shut down that link. Application: 1. Security for Mobile ATE: The data collected from hardware systems using mobile phones, PDAs application needs to be protected as currently many internet like things are done on mobiles only. We are also aware that the security in mobile phones while accessing internet is not secured.To overcome this, many ATE (Automatic test Equipment) are isolated from networks and run in stand-alone environments. An ATE system describes a single hardware device performing test measurements or a group of devices testing another hardware system. Mobile app developers need to focus on securing data using apps: Configuration of the mobile device. Apps running on the device. Equipment communicating with the device. Wireless connection between the device and ATE. When ATE is sending data out from the device, it can use an https connection, data encryption and user authenticationto ensure that the non-trusted sources will not have access to the data.The wireless connection between the device and the server should be secured using wireless security protocols like WPA,WPA2, HTTPS and AES encryption. Below fig. shows the security concerns for the mobile devices. Fig. Major Mobile Application Server Areas Securing the Wireless Connection: The mobile device should never connect to the ATE system through an unsecure WiFi network. Users must connect to the networks that implements strongest security protocol with encryption included. In strict scenarios, the application must use a secure VPN(Virtual Private Network) to connect to the server. Securing the mobile Device: No amount of coding, server configuration or wireless setup will be useful if the hardware containing the mobile application has already been compromised. Before installing any application on the mobile device, user must check that they have ot already compromised their systems security features by jailbreaking or rooting the device. A jailbroken device is that device where user removes â€Å"Operating system limitations imposed by the manufacturer†. By both of the process i.e. jailbreaking or rooting, all of the security features that the system designers built-in to protect users are put into jeopardy. Securing the Application: Application must not gain too much controlof the mobile device. Each application must be independent of each other i.e one application must not call other application or use resources of the other. Securing the ATE system: The administrator and the developer on the ATE server need to work together to assure that the server providing the mobile apllication data is secure. Most of the data processing must be done on the ATE server side as it is difficult for the attacker to access data and also computing power is ore on server side. (A)Data Acquisition Methodology: Obtaining black -listed IP addresses: It was obtained from a german website, which was not up-to-date. This blacklisted IP addresses were the primary source for quantifying illegal activities. Associating blacklisted IP addresses with geographic locations: IP addresses were never assigned to a specific geographical area or region. IP addresses were assigned to organisations in blocks or assigned to residences through fixed commercials ISPs. Maxmind provided one such tool named GeoIP. The GeoIP tool contains a database of IP addresses and their corresponding global location information viz. City, State, Country, longitude and latitude. Obtaining security statistics of WiFi deployments: The statistics of WiFi deployments such as percentage of secure access points and the number of blacklisted IP address occuring within the specific deployments for cities. (B) Data Manipulation Methodology: It involves processing the data. Depending on the number of IP addresses balcklisted, city were choosen i.e the city having highest number of blacklisted IP addresses were considered. Data Analysis Methodology: We generated derived statistics of fileds such as IP address availability, WiFi network security and the number of blacklisted IP addresses. Results of Data realated Methodology: Suggestion: After 2006, every wireless enabled device is WPA/WPA2 certified and Trademarked by WiFi alliance. The biggest hurdle is that users are unaware of the wireless security protocols and in the security dialogue box also first one is â€Å"None† and after that there is a list from WEP to WPA2. It has been seen that the user choose â€Å"None† or WEP as a security protocol without knowing exactly what that security protocol does as it comes earlier in the list. So, the first and the foremost thing is do make user aware of the protocols and advice them to use better protocol as per the requirements. For Ex.,Corporate world must use the toughest to decipher protocol whereas normal user can use somewhat lighter version of the protocol with good password, but it must never have the Wireless access without any security protocol i.e. none. References: Security for Mobile ATE Applications by Susan Moran. Malicious WiFI Network: A First Look by Andrew Zafft and Emmaneal Agu. Security Analysis and Improvements for IEEE 802.11i by Changhua He and John C Mitchell .

Personal Narrative- Moose Hunt Essay -- Personal Narrative

Personal Narrative- Moose Hunt It was the middle of October, and it was finally time for my long awaited moose hunt. I have waited ever since I was a little girl for this opportunity, and it was finally here. So, my father and I packed up our stuff and left the warmth of Phoenix. We were leaving the "Valley of the Sun" and headed for a place called Wyoming. After two days and fourteen long hours of driving, we made it to our hunting unit. The mountains were tall (11,000 feet +) and covered with bright powdery snow. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. I was eager to set-up camp and prepare for our nine day hunt. But, Dad said that we had to drive around and check out all the good places, just to make sure that we were in the best area. This was partially understandable, but since I am a teenager I'm not supposed to understand anything! So, we spent another several hours driving. We went up and down through the mountains and then we saw it. The spot was beautiful; it was right on the edge of a vertical drop-off, over looking everything. It was like paradise, but colder! We set up our camper and got everything ready to go for morning. Sooner than I knew it, morning came and that annoying alarm clock was ringing in my ear. I slowly dragged myself out of bed and got ready to go on yet another driving/scouting trip. This would be our first opportunity to really look around and see what these mountains had to offer. We spent several days really scouting the entire unit, and we had seen several decent bulls. Finally, the evening before opening day we spotted the best bull yet, and he was right by the jeep trail! I decided that he was the one I wanted. He was with a cow and a calf, so we thought he would probably be i... ...e high in front of the lungs and behind the brisket. All of his bleeding had been internal. An inch either way would have made our tracking job a lot easier. But then I would not have had such a great story to tell! We also found that my third shot with the 300 grain hollow point went through the moose and took out both lungs. My final shot broke his spine and dropped him in his tracks. They say that the easy part of moose hunting is up until you pull the trigger. Well, if this had been the easy part, I did not want to know what the hard part was. Then, six hours later, I understood! Actually, we finally had a lucky break; a half-mile before we caught up to the moose they had crossed a jeep trail. So, after we de-boned the Moose, it only took us four hours of packing fully loaded pack frames to get him to the road†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦and we are still eating that tasty meat.

Computer Science at the University of Arizona :: essays research papers

The University of Arizona's Computer Science Department is a quality research program. The most recent National Research Council rankings place the department 33rd out of 108 PhD-granting institutions nationwide, despite the fact that we are a comparatively small department. In addition, we are the best Computer Science department of our size among publicly funded Universities, with the highest in number of citations (references) per faculty, and 17th overall in the number of publications per faculty. Another measure of our research productivity includes awards of external research funding in excess of $2.5 million from such prestigious sources as DARPA, INTEL, and NSF, including our fourth 5-year Research Infrastructure awarded in 2000. Our faculty serve on the editorial boards of a variety of journals, serve on program committees, publish books, and serve as fellows and chairs of organizations within the ACM and IEEE. In terms of teaching, our undergraduate and graduate curriculum provides a timely and well-rounded view of the field, with special emphasis on the practical aspects of building useful software. Our strengths lie in the traditional mainstream of areas of computer science: algorithms, programming languages, operating systems, distributed computing, networks, databases and theory of computing. We also offer courses in some subfields: graphics, artificial intelligence and the software aspects of computer architecture. The department's programs prepare students for positions in the design and development of computer systems and applications, in business and industry, and for scientific positions in industrial or academic computing research. The Computer Science department was established in 1973 as a graduate department offering masters and doctoral degrees. An undergraduate program was initiated in 1989. We currently have 15 faculty members, 3 lecturers, 5 technical support staff, and 4 research programmers affiliated with specific funding. The graduate program contains 61 MS students, 22 PhD candidates: the undergraduate program has 205 bachelors students and 400+ pre-majors. There are currently three Computing Laboratories available: Harvill 332b (houses a 31-station Pentium III based Windows 2000 instructional lab), Gould-Simpson 228 (contains a 50-station Xterm & Pentium III based Windows 2000 instructional lab), and the Research Lab in Gould-Simpson 748/756. Students receive accounts on both the main instructional machine, Lectura, (a multiprocessor, Sun SparcServer running the Solaris operating system), and on the Windows 2000 network. All systems have access to 100Mb switched Ethernet connections and direct Internet connectivity. The Gould-Simpson Research Lab contains numerous Pentium III Windows 2000/Linux OS systems, specialized printers, graphics devices, and PC clusters.

The Idea of a University :: College Culture Cultural Essays

The Idea of a University People have long assumed that university is the home of the educated and open minded people. People expand their personal horizons here. The public believes university students can deal with the cultural differences of human beings. The public believes students can deal with these differences because university students are exposed to a wide range of academic subjects including Humanities. Humanities exposes students to world literature, art, and geography. The public expects these subjects to aid university students in understanding cultural differences.Use of cultural differences should be emphasized in the universities. These differences should be emphasized not to humiliate or disgrace people but to influence students to accept and acknowledge cultural differences. The world is a complex mixture of people with diverse languages, skin tones, and cultural differences. These differences are the most evident in human beings. People are classified according to one or more of these differences. But the division gives the impression of being a negative one. Exposing these differences in universities and colleges should not be the source any problems. In fact, exposing these differences should help people understand and at times lend a hand to disadvantaged college students. Disadvantaged college students are the majority in college today, were yesterday, and will be tomorrow. At times disadvantaged college students feel ashamed of their cultural background. Disadvantaged college students feel ashamed because they feel other people will put them down. They don t want to talk about it. Concerning shame because of social conditions, Bell Hooks says that Class differences were boundaries no one wanted to face or talk about (95). Yet concealing cultural background can cause misunderstanding among peers. Learning about the class neighbor s cultural background, may perhaps help understand that neighbor s personality. Commenting on cultural background, Mike Rose depicts the life of a Guatemalan boy having trouble in school. The Guatemalan boy is troubled by his past. His brother was killed and dismembered near his house. These incidents are unusual for some people. The place that rose describes is filthy, chaotic, and unkept. this kind of place is the home of many college and university studentsw. Certain college students have had a depressing type of life.

A Clean Well Lighted Place Analysis Essay

A Clean Well Lighted Place by Ernest Hemingway is a cryptic short story about a deaf man in a bar late at night with the waiter getting frustrated with him because he wishes to go home. The dialogue slowly turns to two waiters who inject a symbolic exchange. This entire piece of full of symbology and is in my opinion a story up the the interpretation of each individual reader. â€Å"In the daytime the street was dusty, but at night the dew settled the dust and the old man liked to sit late because he was deaf and now at night it was quiet and he felt the difference. In this sequence we see the first comparison made between light and darkness, and we see the daytime being described as dusty and the in the night the dew eliminated the dust. This state of moistness or lubrication perhaps represents a state of mental lubrication, free from the dullness of the day. It’s also interesting that a deaf man would be able to tell the difference between the sounds of the day and sounds of the night. In my opinion this means that at night when it’s expected to be desolate the man feels more at home than he does in the daytime when there is expected to be commotion. â€Å"Last week he tried to commit suicide,† one waiter said. â€Å"Why? † â€Å"He was in despair. † â€Å"What about? † â€Å"Nothing. † â€Å"How do you know it was nothing? † â€Å"He has plenty of money. â€Å"† This is a humorous dialogue about the condition of money vs happiness. The man is described as being in despair, but yet they know now what he has to be despaired about if he has means to provide him happiness. However they do not see the true ironic sadness of the situation. A old man is sitting alone in a cafe at night downing shots of brandy. It is obvious to the reader that the old man does not have a very pleasant life. They sat together at a table that was close against the wall near the door of the cafe and looked at the terrace where the tables were all empty except where the old man sat in the shadow of the leaves of the tree that moved slightly in the wind. A girl and a soldier went by in the street. The street light shone on the brass number on his collar. The girl wore no head covering and hurried beside him. † This is the second time the â€Å"shadow of the leaves of the tree† is mentioned, this is demonstrative by the author that this is important and essential symbology to understand. Obviously the eaves can produce no real shadow since it’s night, however since it is under an electric light the leaves produce a false shadow from a false light. The legal definition of false light is a â€Å"portrayal that is highly offense to a reasonable person† but not so much so that it’s defamation. This allows the old man sitting there to perhaps portray himself as offensive to the waiter, as we will see in a later exchange, but not so much so that he defames himself. The man is also able to view from the terrace the soldier and the women passing by. This might be the man looking down and reminiscing on memories of old. Another exchange that struck me was between the two waits discussing the events of the attempted suicide of the man. â€Å"†He’s drunk now,† he said. â€Å"He’s drunk every night. † â€Å"What did he want to kill himself for? † â€Å"How should I know. † â€Å"How did he do it? † â€Å"He hung himself with a rope. † â€Å"Who cut him down? † â€Å"His niece. † â€Å"Why did they do it? † â€Å"Fear for his soul. † â€Å"How much money has he got? † â€Å"He’s got plenty. † This exchange shows the audience the severity of this mans drinking, and drinking almost goes without symbology itself as an expression of relieving anything from stress, to recreation, to wallowing in pity. They again fail to recognize the plight and sorrow this man has, they suffer from a delusion that this man’s great wealth brings him joy and happiness, however again we can tell that it doesn’t. The waiter’s also state that the man’s niece who came and saved him did so out of fear for his soul, not fear for his life, but fear for his soul. To me this is indicative that this man’s life is in such a sorrowful that it’s not worth saving, but his soul is all that remains of him, and the only thing that is worth saving of him. Again we see in the continued dialogue between the two waiters, and we see the more they speak the more they reveal about this man. They also continue to speak about him in a false light, that is being offensive without defamation. â€Å"†He stays up because he likes it. † â€Å"He’s lonely. I’m not lonely. I have a wife waiting in bed for me. † â€Å"He had a wife once too. † â€Å"A wife would be no good to him now. † â€Å"You can’t tell. He might be better with a wife. † â€Å"His niece looks after him. You said she cut him down. † â€Å"I know. † â€Å"I wouldn’t want to be that old. An old man is a nasty thing. † â€Å"Not always. This old man is clean. He drinks without spilling. Even now, drunk. Look at him. † â€Å"I don’t want to look at him. I wish he would go home. He has no regard for those who must work. † The man stays up late because he is lonely, and had a wife, but the other waiter speaks of him in a false light because he says â€Å"A wife would be no good to him now† which would be in my opinion considered offensive. They also speak ill of his age, however the other waiter defends him by saying he is clean and doesn’t spill, even while drunk. Being clean represents the man exercising a lack of vulgarity, and he is civilized and dignified by not spilling, even in a compromised state of being intoxicated. They also continue to be offensive to him by one of the waiters stating â€Å"I don’t want to look at him. I wish he would go home. He has no regard for those who must work† The exchange between the two waiters further reveal the reason and life behind the lonely man in the cafe. â€Å"†Why didn’t you let him stay and drink? † the unhurried waiter asked. They were putting up the shutters. â€Å"It is not half-past two. â€Å"†I want to go home to bed. † â€Å"What is an hour? † â€Å"More to me than to him. † â€Å"An hour is the same. â€Å" â€Å"You talk like an old man yourself. He can buy a bottle and drink at home. † â€Å"It’s not the same. â€Å"No, it is not,† agreed the waiter with a wife. He did not wish to be unjust. He was only in a hurry. â€Å"And you? You have no fear of going home before your usual hour? † â€Å"Are you trying to insult me? † â€Å"No, hombre, only to make a joke. † â€Å"No,† the waiter who was in a hurry said, rising from pulling down the metal shutters. â€Å"I have confidence. I am all confidence. † â€Å"You have youth, confidence, and a job,† the older waiter said. â€Å"You have everything. † â€Å"And what do you lack? † â€Å"Everything but work. † â€Å"You have everything I have. † â€Å"No. I have never had confidence and I am not young. † â€Å"Come on. Stop talking nonsense and lock up. † â€Å"I am of those who like to stay late at the cafe,† the older waiter said. â€Å"With all those who do not want to go to bed. With all those who need a light for the night. † â€Å"I want to go home and into bed. † The hurried waiter speaks that he wishes to leave so he can get some sleep, and they reveal that the extra hour saved by the waiter meant more to the man than it did to the waiter. The two waiter’s eventually get into the topic of having youth and confidence, where one states that he has great confidence and youth and the other says he has never had confidence and is not young. This statement reveals more about the nature of the old man, showing that the old man lacked youth and confidence that he used to have, and drinks to regain what’s left of his dignity and pride, as demonstrated earlier. The older waiter also states that he doesn’t desire to leave earlier, as to provide a sebastion of hope and light for those who need it, like the deaf man. The waiter thinking to himself while sitting at the bar shows us the real reason why the deaf man tries to commit suicide, and the real reason why a clean and well-lighted place is needed in the middle of the night. Turning off the electric light he continued the conversation with himself. It was the light of course but it is necessary that the place be clean and pleasant. You do not want music. Certainly you do not want music. Nor can you stand before a bar with dignity although that is all that is provided for these hours. What did he fear? It was not a fear or dread. It was a nothing that he knew too well. It was all a nothing and a man was a nothing too. It was only that and light was all it needed and a certain cleanness and order. Some lived in it and never felt it but he knew it all was nada y pues nada y nada y pues nada. We see here now that the man wanted to end his life because it was nothing and he was nothing, and that a empty hollowness that he had. He did not despair and was not in grief, but simply felt an emptiness and only a clean well-lit place such as this cafe provided. In closing we find the older waiter conversing with himself â€Å"He disliked bars and bodegas. A clean, well-lighted cafe was a very different thing. Now, without thinking further, he would go home to his room. He would lie in the bed and finally, with daylight, he would go to sleep. After all, he said to himself, it’s probably only insomnia. Many must have it. † We find here that this older waiter does to some extent feel the same emptiness as the old man does. He find the daylight as a time to sleep, opposite of normal. He finds the daytime as a lack of activity, and the night as a time for activity. The waiter is in some ways institutionalized and imprisoned to the service of those who feel empty. After all of this we find the significance of all of this imagery and symbolism we see the story of a man whose life has essentially finished it’s course, only that his heart remains beating. We see a man who is often looked down upon because of the extent of his drinking and is seen in a â€Å"false light†. We find a man who does not drink to forget or drink to remember or drink because he is in sorrow or grief, but he drinks because of nothing. He drinks because he feels nothing and experiences nothing. We find that his wife and days of youth and confidence have left him and not he has absolutely nothing. This man and many others like this find cafe’s such as this one that are clean and well-lit to be bastions and beacons of hope to those who have this feeling of nothingness.

Dynamics and Conflict within a Team Essay

The team concept is not an unfamiliar one. We are surrounded by teams from the time we take our first breath until the time we leave this Earth. Doctors, nurses, aides, dieticians, housekeeping, and others all exhibited a collaborative effort to ensure our arrival into the world was a safe and successful journey. Our adventures throughout grade school were also brought about by teamwork. Sports, movies, ballet, politics, business, higher education and several other parameters of life as we know it are the epitomes of teamwork, well-choreographed representations of the adage that states â€Å"Two heads are better than one. Tasks achieved through teamwork are anticipated to be more thorough, more effective, more elaborative, more multifaceted, and more successful than those tasks carried out by one. Individuals comprising a team contribute intrinsic skills and intuitive knowledge to the whole of the team, each member making up for what the other lacks. The result is a balanced load of all the skills necessary to complete the assigned task with proficiency (Morris, 2005). The ultimate success of the team is strongly influenced by the member’s ability to work together in a cohesive state. Team dynamics† encompasses any and all ways that individual affiliates interact with their counterparts en route to the common goal. The overall characteristics of the assigned task, along with the inert skill of each member may also have an impact on the team’s success (Morris, 2005). However, the focus here is more concerned with the interpersonal relationships within a team and strategies to employ in an effort to avoid conflict or to utilize should conflict arise. The Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science and Medicine defines team dynamics as the following: Often referred to colloquially as ‘team chemistry’; the patterns of interaction among team members that determine team spirit, harmony, cohesion, and morale. Some coaches believe that team dynamics are beyond their control, resulting from the unpredictable mixture of the personalities. Others believe that one of the most important tasks of a good coach is to create the best possible team dynamics for success (Oxford, 2005). The concepts behind this definition can apply to all types of teams. The team’s ‘chemistry’ is a dominant factor outlining the success of a team. If team members cannot work together effectively, then completing their assigned project is a more difficult goal to achieve. The virtual team is presented with quite a few more discrepancies to overcome than those teams centered in real time. Before they are fully able to work up to their potential, the virtual teammates must establish some kind of rapport with their fellow constituents, lay down mutual ground rules ensuring each member has a designated responsibility, and everyone must strive to meet the team’s common goal, no matter their differences individually. Of these aforementioned qualities, the neutral rapport is the most difficult one to render effectively. Unfortunately, personality is often misinterpreted or lacking in full in the virtual team environment compared to those real time teams, where the member’s personalities are vividly displayed. Physically present interaction allows one to pick up on the visual and unspoken cues that contribute to a person’s character. Body language, voice inflection and intonation, the nodding of a head, or firm handshake are just among the few effective communications present in the real world, but lacking in the virtual realm. One has to rely on their own interpretations of their affiliate’s written accounts and then come to a fair-minded conclusion. â€Å"When it comes to teamwork, a person’s ability to build relationships, work with others, and communicate effectively can be more important than his or her technical expertise† (Dawson, 2005). This concept is crucial if an online team is to be successful. If one member does not have the ability to communicate their own thoughts and ideas online, how will the rest of the team incorporate that member’s contributions into the project? The need for team dynamics is understood after the team is formed, when the individuals work collaboratively toward the common goal. The precursor to team dynamics is (or should be) thoroughly contemplated prior to assigning each member to the team, according to the task at hand and the skills of each member. If the team consists of those most knowledgeable in marketing an idea, for example, and the project calls for a team of post-marketing surveyors, then (obviously) the team would not know how to go about getting the job done, and so their dynamics would be hindered. Team members need to trust each other as well as trust each other’s expertise. They need to feel confident that the other members are doing their share, so that when the team finally pools their ideas together, a multifaceted solution results. Teaming is a collective responsibility; every member is held accountable for their individual contribution, as well as the timely completion of the collaborative effort. In 1965, Bruce W. Tuckman developed a model of five stages for developing teams: â€Å"forming†, â€Å"norming†, â€Å"storming†, â€Å"producing† and â€Å"ending† (Bookman, 2005). At the â€Å"forming† stage, dynamics are important because this is where things begin. At this point you need the chemistry to see how to set up the group according to each other’s strengths and weaknesses. You need to feel confident that all of the members are willing to do what is required for the good of the team. The â€Å"norming† stage is where the group comes together. Dynamics are important here because decisions need to be made and rules need to be set. The team needs to decide who will do what. Expectations, both of the group and of each individual, will also be determined at this point. The team also has to decide what will be done regarding conflicts, lack of participation of a member, and lack of , or insufficient, contributions. If the group dynamic falls apart here, the group will fall apart. If a problem is going to exist, it usually makes itself present during the â€Å"storming† stage, which now comes into play. Strong dynamics within the group can help resolve potential problems before they become major issues. As long as the group can communicate well, they should be able to resolve any conflicts. Next in line is the â€Å"producing† stage, where good team dynamics start to pay off as the team is now producing high volumes of quality work. At this point, if there are problems with the work, a strong team dynamic will ensure the issues are resolved. Finally (and appropriately titled), we come to the â€Å"ending† stage. The team itself has completed their task and is no longer required or just one member could be departing as their individual task is complete, marking this point. If the team as a whole terminates, a good dynamic can ensure each member walks away with a positive outlook, especially if there may be another opportunity to work with the same team. However, if the ending is due to a teammate’s departure, a good team dynamic will make it easier to carry on without that member’s presence (Bookman, 2005). Improving team dynamics is actually a learning experience. Each member has to learn to develop or improve upon their ability to trust, be dependent upon, and work with each of their partners. One way to do this is through challenge programs. Challenge programs are initiated away from the office, and are not specifically job related. The people involved will face physical or mental challenges with only the other members of their group to rely on. The team’s success will depend on each member’s ability to trust, guide and accept guidance, assist and accept assistance from their colleagues. When it comes to teams, and the team dynamic, the success of the team is dependant on the success of the individuals (Steinfeld, 2005). Another concept, if a physical challenge program is not an option, is an on-line training program. According to the â€Å"News† section (2005), Personnel Today mentioned that the BBC used an on-line training program that showed that the majority of participants learned a ‘significant amount’ by participating in the program. The basis of this program was to show that teams can be more successful when the leaders use more of a teaching / coaching approach rather than a command-and-control approach. Yet another option to improve team dynamics, and have a successful team, is found in Kenneth E. Holtman’s (2005) â€Å"The 10 commandments of team leadership. † (Training 101: It’s a team effort). The abstract is a follows: The first requires them to stick to their mission and vision, which guide teams in creating and using more precise strategies and plans. The second commandment obligates team leaders not to tolerate undesirable behavior, which can only undermine team morale and performance if not addressed properly. The third commandment insists on the eschewal of self-interest to dominate over mutual interest, which helps avoid resentment, competition and conflict. The other rules require preventing fear to influence team behavior, fighting cliques which can affect team dynamics, dealing with conflict, refusing to recognize luck of trust as an excuse, encouraging risk taking, sharing information and managing processes carefully. Although this article refers to the leadership role, it can also be a guide to improve the team dynamic at an individual level. Even an individual, is a leader, when it comes to their part of the project. In summary, team dynamics are important because dynamic or ‘real’ teams have clarity of purpose. Everyone understands the team’s objectives, as well as own intrinsic roles in delivering them. Other key characteristics include a focus on quality, support for innovation, and the ability to work creatively with potential conflicts† (Agnes, 2005). Time Management . . . A concept we should all thoroughly master. In our present lives, though, managing time seems to be an insurmountable feat. We have goals whose obtainment is so far in the distance that we tend to lose sight of them, put them off to satisfy the initial moment, and lose ourselves in the process. We all have so many things going on in life these days. We all wear so many hats, working valiantly to meet up with the demands of each one. In doing so, we put too much pressure on ourselves to please the masses, not focusing on which one should come first or which ones can be eliminated to better suit the more prospective accessories. Prioritize! Analyze your collection of hats, keeping in mind that God only gave you one head because you are only one person. The two hands He blessed you with are more suitable for delegating the tasks by passing down or throwing out the hats which do not measure up to the high priority coverings. Don’t waste time finding time. Each and every day seems to begin with focusing on the fastest route from point â€Å"A† to point â€Å"B,† like those deluded souls you may see driving around forever in a crowded parking lot simply to get a closer space, when they could have been in the building faster if only they had taken the first available slot. We put too much time-consuming thought into those misconstrued notions held dear to our â€Å"get rich quick† â€Å"instant gratification† society. Success does not happen overnight; it never will. Honest achievements are the result of dedication, blood, sweat, tears, pain, anguish, mental fatigue, still persevering in light of all these constituents. Do not delude yourself to the â€Å"get something for nothing† ideal. In all matters of simplicity, it is just not going to happen. Instead, spend one day planning out your entire journey en route to destination, â€Å"My Ultimate Goal,† mapping out your daily trek so that you know the steps required to make your arrival at your future locale a realistic ambition. Once the plan is made, we tend to start off by flying and then realize we find more pleasure in the up close and personal (although more time-consuming) scenic route. Do not focus on the negative concept of the ultimate goal being so far away, rather focus on the here and now – the positive reinforcement and instant gratification that makes itself present, daily, through climbing and conquering each individual cliff on the way to the your mountain’s pinnacle. If you have chosen to spend your time griping to others about how unfair life can be, then you have the time to realize the actions required to change it. If you have the time to criticize others who are happy with their lives, then you have the time to determine what you need to do to satisfy your own, putting those realized actions into motion. Do not succumb to your past negative experiences that have defined your life up to this point. Reflect and eject or define and redesign! Recognize and get rid of those experiences not applicable to your present life. Or, acknowledge those hindrances and transform them into positives. We only become strong by being willing to overcome. Once we overcome the negatives in our past, we can then view them as a present and future positive, in retrospect. Do not allow present or future obstacles to terminate your journey. Push them aside, jump over them, steer around them, or do whatever you have to do to find your way back to the path you once initiated. If the obstacles are applicable to your future and you must bring them along, simply take them under your wing and walk, instead of flying. More time will be required to reach your destination, but at least you will be continuing in the right direction. According to Carol Carter, Joyce Bishop and Sarah Lyman Kravits (2002), â€Å"When you set goals, prioritize, and manage your time effectively, . . . you can develop the kind of focus that will help you achieve . . . † Individuals and the whole team can utilize this strategy to enhance their own time management skills. Time management can be accomplished at the individual level by assessing one’s daily schedule. Write a list of wanted accomplishments, and then prioritize. Be realistic when compiling a daily schedule, and do not list more than can be effectively achieved by sundown. Take control of goals and stay on task. Learn how to say â€Å"no† to keep control of your schedule. If unforeseen deviations do occur, simply get back on track as soon as possible. Times saving techniques are also helpful with effective time management. Take a few minute each day to plan the events happening that day, or schedule known appointments and other obligations occurring days, weeks, even months away, and then regressing to mark progress thus far. Day Runners, calendars, date books, PDAs and computers are some of the many tools available for using time wisely. Place items in â€Å"urgent† and â€Å"non-urgent† categories as the list is compiled. (Stephen Covey’s 4 Quadrants Principle). Schedule within a reasonable time frame. Allow for relaxation breaks so that the focus is heightened once back on task. Incorporating critical thinking into our daily lives and daily routines will help us to use this technique in many areas of our lives and make more effective decisions. As the day starts, think through your day and look over your daily list to see in any adjustments need to be made. Again allow for flexibility.