Research plan on improving instructional strategies Essay

Research plan on improving instructional strategies - Essay Example † The modern classroom is primarily characterized by the availability of computers and ICT. Research studies (Henessy, Ruthven & Brindley, 2005 and John, 2005 as cited in Tabler, 2007) have shown how ICT have modified classroom practices and supported classroom tasks. The advantages of ICT are also revolutionary, but it has also its limitations, and as a very recent tool for teaching, I consider it significant to study how its potential can be maximized. It is within this context that I propose to carry out this action research project. Specifically, I plan examine its utility in teaching Geography among 4th grade students since professionally, this is where I am situated. In the succeeding section I will be proposing an action research plan following the format by McNiff & Whitehead (2006). II. The Action Research Plan My Context I am currently a 4th grade teacher in Geography and have been offered the opportunity of becoming the Head of Department in the next academic year. O ne of the challenges given to me is developing a comprehensive plan of integrating ICT into the curriculum and pedagogy. It requires me to examine strategies and eventually, propose best practices. Why am I concerned? In the past five years, the school has invested in modernization. However, it has been observed that very little has changed in terms of the use of ICT in the classroom. Teachers face challenges in using ICT in the classroom, not only because of its novelty, but also because it has implications on the teaching and learning philosophies adopted by teachers. â€Å"The sheer presence of technology itself in the classroom can be very daunting, cluttering up both physical space with cables and connections, and mental space in planning for access to equipment and familiarization with skills and techniques† (Loveless, 2002,p.20). While ICT in the classroom has been acclaimed as generally good, there are still challenges that should be addressed for it to be an effectiv e tool. What experiences can I describe to show the situation as it is? Since this will be a pilot project, I will gather data from my own class where I will implement ICT in teaching through observations. I will also talk to students and ask them to evaluate the classes that we had. For a period of two weeks, I will keep reflection notes of what is taking place during my classes. What can I do? An initial evaluation will be asked from the students where points for improvement will be taken. A focused group discussion among teachers from my department will also be implemented to have gather ideas from their experiences of implementing ICT in the classrooms. Other teachers will also be invited to observe my classes, and validate the findings I have initially recorded. Students will also be asked to evaluate the whole program so I can get feedback from their perspective. What will I do? I will write a report for presentation to the principal, vice-principal and other teachers in my de partment. The report will contain the observations I have conducted, evaluation from students, discussions with other teachers, and the observations of other teachers in my class. I will give them a background of the current situation, and explain my interest in this particular area. I will propose that as part of my coursework in the post-graduate school I am attending, I will carry out this research project. How will I gather data to show the situa

The Economic Dragons Threatening Our World Research Paper

The Economic Dragons Threatening Our World - Research Paper Example Offhand our exercise looks easy, but it is not, and this judgment has less to do with the dearth of facts than with the basic givens. â€Å"A rich East Asian nation with a pegged currency fixed to the US dollar for ten years, supported by a monetary policy of tight capital outward flows and unrestricted inflows is experiencing an upward pressure on the exchange rate.† The question remains: what to do now? Deciding on a strategy depends on a clear understanding of the world’s monetary system, the role that exchange rates play, how they are determined, and what will happen if we do nothing. As Robert Solomon said (1977, cited in Samuelson, 1992): The world’s monetary system is like the traffic lights in a city, taken for granted until it begins to malfunction and to disrupt people’s lives†¦A well-functioning monetary system will facilitate international trade and investment and smooth adaptation to change. A monetary system that functions poorly may not only discourage the development of trade and investment among nations but subject their economies to disruptive shocks when necessary adjustments are prevented or delayed. The world’s monetary system refers â€Å"to the set of policies, institutions, practices, regulations, and mechanisms that determine the rate at which one currency is exchanged for another† (Shapiro, 1996). It is the coordinated way each nation manages its supply of money so that we can buy and sell each other’s goods, doing business by exchanging pieces of paper, the value of which we agree on called money.

Difficult problem in your life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Difficult problem in your life - Essay Example Upon my return, when I started the automobile, I realized that the horrid sound had not gone away, but since I arrived to my destiny with this horrid sound, I thought I could return without any problems. I was truly wrong. The engine was gone due to lack of oil. Not only did I not have an automobile, but I lost my means of transportation to and from school, while also seeking employment. Health issues have also arisen. I have high blood pressure and I am expected to visit the hospital every week for laboratory testing. So here I am, without an automobile for transportation, having health problems, and lacking money. Since that was the scenario, I had to do something very quickly. I appealed to my brother’s kind heart and asked him for economical assistance. He is not better off than I am but knowing about my situation, knowing that I have never asked him for money in the past, and he is in a position to also work on the automobile with a friend of his, he agreed to help me out. This has been a successful solution, in that, my brother partook in helping me out, even taking me to his friend who is a mechanic and he is able to work on the car himself, and obtaining lower costing parts (an engine, to start with). That has been my problem and

Leonardo da Vinci's painting, Annunciation Term Paper

Leonardo da Vinci's painting, Annunciation - Term Paper Example Leonardo is believed to have been merely twenty years when he did this painting that today stands as one major artwork done in the olden days. The major influence he received from artists such as Sandro Botticelli made him become a better painter by relating and modifying his artwork with ideas borrowed from the renaissance period. How the painting on the annunciation was done is somehow composed of a number of styles that are borrowed from the early renaissance period meaning that Leonardo was still learning from previous works done by past artists. The Annunciation simply means announcement and in this painting done by Da Vinci angel Gabriel is simply announcing to Mary the good news that she will be the mother Jesus. The story of Mary being visited by angel Gabriel is evident in the annunciation painting. Gabriel kneels in the garden of Mary the virgin to inform him that she would bear a son and the son will be named â€Å"son of man†. Gabriel holds a lily to show how pure Mary was. The background depicts a beautiful environment. The kneeling angel is seen youthful, stylish wings, rich clothing, and having a lily at his right hand. The virgin on the other hand shows astonishment probably due to the news she has received from angel Gabriel. Her pose gives her a monumental character and defines the kind of person Mary is, some say he is cold as per what they see in the image. Da Vinci painted the most imaginary wings of an angel that somehow seemed alive in his painting, the annunciation painting.

POEM COMMENTARY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

POEM COMMENTARY - Essay Example When health fails, it is again the involvement of the people around one that concerns one the most: "Everyone is after me to take it easy./ They all make doctors' appointments for me, eyeing me in that quizzical way." The attitude of people around a seriously ill person begins to change, the "quizzical" looks are part of an effort to deal with the nearby prospect of mortality. When confronted by evidence of an illness, one goes into denial: "Everyone is spotting oddnesses/ in my innards, suddenly shocked/ by radio-awful diagrams.I do not agree". Neruda correctly diagnoses the human weakness of not wanting to face facts, and most importantly, not wanting to face the transient nature of existence and the cold touch of death. The same weakness of not knowing and acknowledging the truth about human existence, plagues people when things are not going so well professionally: " Everyone is picking at my poetry/ with their relentless knives and forks,/ trying, no doubt, to find a fly./ I am afraid." This confession of fear is uncharacteristic of people in general but the poet Neruda takes the first step towards confronting his fears: accepting that he is afraid.

Leonardo da Vinci's painting, Annunciation Term Paper

Leonardo da Vinci's painting, Annunciation - Term Paper Example Leonardo is believed to have been merely twenty years when he did this painting that today stands as one major artwork done in the olden days. The major influence he received from artists such as Sandro Botticelli made him become a better painter by relating and modifying his artwork with ideas borrowed from the renaissance period. How the painting on the annunciation was done is somehow composed of a number of styles that are borrowed from the early renaissance period meaning that Leonardo was still learning from previous works done by past artists. The Annunciation simply means announcement and in this painting done by Da Vinci angel Gabriel is simply announcing to Mary the good news that she will be the mother Jesus. The story of Mary being visited by angel Gabriel is evident in the annunciation painting. Gabriel kneels in the garden of Mary the virgin to inform him that she would bear a son and the son will be named â€Å"son of man†. Gabriel holds a lily to show how pure Mary was. The background depicts a beautiful environment. The kneeling angel is seen youthful, stylish wings, rich clothing, and having a lily at his right hand. The virgin on the other hand shows astonishment probably due to the news she has received from angel Gabriel. Her pose gives her a monumental character and defines the kind of person Mary is, some say he is cold as per what they see in the image. Da Vinci painted the most imaginary wings of an angel that somehow seemed alive in his painting, the annunciation painting.

Latin American History and Politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Latin American History and Politics - Essay Example One of the most remarkable features of the Latino culture concerns the values and perceptions involved with family. Based from Skidmore’s discourse, one is able to understand how this social unit is the source or an influence to its various features and characteristics. The closely-knit Latino communities, the Latino’s perspectives in life, education and relationships – these are all embodied within the larger familial dynamics that permeate in this ethnic group. 3. Cuba casts a very large shadow over Latin America. What is going on in Latin America today?   Is it changing ideologically? How would you describe Cuba’s influence over Latin America?  Ã‚  Is it largely positive or negative?  Ã‚  What is Cuba’s  relationship like with Venezuela?  Ã‚  What has been the long-term impact of Fidel Castro on Cubans and on Latinos overall? I believe that much of the ideological influence that Cuba has had over Latin America could be attributed to Fidel Castro. This was reflected with how scholars see Castro not just as the embodiment of military and political leadership but also of the entire Cuban revolution that have seized the imagination of many in Latin America, inspiring some to launch their and continue their own revolutionary causes (Venegas, 2010, p. 183). In some cases, it is a positive development as such influence steered Latin American countries towards self-determination, as it offered a counter to American influence. The strong bilateral relationship between Cuba and Venezuela demonstrates this point. The latter – in its objective to oppose the US – sought a agreements with military dimensions (Corrales & Romero, 2013, p. 27). On the other hand, it exerted negative impact particularly with the nature and frequency of political conflicts in the region. All in all, without Castro, the Cuban influence is