A Critical Analysis of Strategies that Promote Inclusive Practice in As

This essay will examine two assessment strategies, firstly that of observation and secondly, The Common Assessment Framework (2007), in order to critically analyse their potential to promote inclusive practice in assessment. It will demonstrate the purpose and objective behind these assessment strategies and the use of assessment for a range of purposes drawing on current issues in practice and discussing measures used by practitioners. It will also demonstrate the importance of collaboration between professionals, learners and parents to ensure respectful and shared assessment practice showing an awareness of the importance of considering validity of content and technique to support the children’s learning and progress and the need for careful evaluation and moderation of assessment findings. According to Gipps (1994), assessment can be defined as the use of a wide range of methods used for evaluating performance, attainment and needs, including formal testing and examinations, practical and oral assessment and classroom based assessment and observation. Assessment strategies can be described as a process that organises actions and ideas, usually in a step-by-step fashion, which help to guide practitioners in carrying out an assessment. Assessment can be categorised into formative, summative, diagnostic and evaluative. Formative assessment, which is the continuous use of assessment to guide the teaching and learning process, enables the positive achievement of students to be recognised, and informs decisions taken about the next appropriate stage of learning. Summative assessment is that which usually takes place at the end of a programme of learning in order to find out what has been learnt and what standard the student has ... ...d practitioner confidence and self belief. Also, more research into the impact of the CAF process and ways of working to lighten the work load, as instigating CAF’s is seen as adding to this, by many professions. To conclude, this essay has examined observation and The Common Assessment Framework as assessment strategies, and has critically analysed their potential to promote inclusive practice in assessment. It has demonstrated the purpose and objectives behind each strategies and the use of assessment for a range of purposes drawing on current issues in practice. It has also discussed the importance of collaboration between professionals and participants to ensure respectful and shared assessment practice, highlighting the importance of considering reliability, validity, presence of bias and inclusive practice, in supporting children’s learning and progress.

Philosophy Midterm Essay

> Principle of non- indefinite Regression everything has an end (Teleoloqy) > Nemo dat quod non habet nobody can give what it does not possess > nature is never frustrated intellect is destined to know > tota anima in toto corpore the whole soul is in the whole body > ex entre non fit ens nothing becomes what is already is > the effect cannot be greater than the cause > nothing is in the intellect which does not pass through the senses > the separated soul can no longer use abstract concepts to remember or to reason Midieval Philosophy. > The problem on which philosophy became stranded – (the existence and nature of God and his relationship with the world. ) > The spirituality and immortality of the soul, the notion of the obligation and of moral sanction – are given clear responses in Christian revelation. > The problems of reconciling these two sources arouse (faith and reason). Some of these men are: 1. St. Augustine > he wrote about 232 books in which are contained Philosophical definitions which testify to the depth and universality of his genius. > his philosophy are more or less adhered to that of Plato which, to him, seemed the most suitable for Christianity. > Fundamental Principles The Divine Truth is the unique and perfect cost which is immediately explicative of all beings in its different modalities of nature and of action. Augustine establishes the existence of God, the source of all truth, through philosophical truths. 2. St Anselm and Peter Abelard For St. Anselm: Famous Formula: â€Å"Credo ut intellicam: I believe that I may have a full understanding. † God means the most perfect being that can be thought of. Therefore, God must exist, otherwise he would not be the most perfect conceivable being. For Peter Abelard: Abelard was a brilliant master of dialectics and ethics. He stress fully the value of human reason in investigating the divine or revealed truth. 3. St. Albert the Great Albert began Aristotle’s Christianization. Albert performed a twofold function of revealing the greatness of Aristotle. 4. St. Thomas Aquinas Thomistic philosophy (Thomism) is fundamentally, the philosophy of good sense. It is both Universal and Catholic. Lacordaire stated that Thomas was a lighthouse and not a milestone. He acheived the title of Angelic Doctor and named as Guide of Students. In him, there is not found thelhowght of man alone but the voice of the truth common to all men, and the most beautiful reflection of the Uncreated Light of the word God, who enlightens every man coming into this world. Five ways to prove the existence of God: 1. Argument of Motion God is the Prime Mover. 2. Argument from Efficient Causes God is the uncaused cause. 3. Argument from Possibility and Necessity (Reductio Argument) God is the alpha and omega. 4. Argument of Gradation of Being God as the supreme being. 5. Argument of Design God designed everything. MODERN PHILOSOPHY. Modern thinkers want to use pure reason in their investigations. Between there is an intercovering period called RENAISSANCE (16th C. ) This period was marked by the rise of many philosophers each claiming to by the right philosophy (individualism). This was critisim among philosophers. Renaissance brought top light a new science and also renewed interest in the arts and letters. In the 17th century, the philosophical field was almost free and this fact explains tge rapid advance of ideas of FRANCIS BACON and of Rene Descartes, the initiators of Modern Philosophy. FRANCIS BACON – father of modern philosophy (empiricists). Empiricists rely on scientific method to determine the truth. He employed the inductive method. He rejects the deduction and syllogistoc reasoning as an unscientific method and affirms induction as the only useful instrument for the philosophers. RENE DESCSRTES – another father of modern philosiphy (rationalist). Rationalists use reason to determine the truth. He tries to establish a method for philosophers to discover the truth. Four Stages: 1. Adoption of Universal Doubt. Doubt about everything. 2. Cogbito erg Sum Cannot doubt self existence. 3. Clear Ideas of d’ Supreme Interior Thinking must be certain. 4. Establishment of Rules of the Universal Method Four rules of universal method necessary in construction a universal science. IMMANUEL KANT – an empiricists. He accepts that human reason cannot know reality because it is NOUMENON. Kant abandons empiricism in favor of rationalism. Philosophy and ethics is the central part of his philosophy. He also believes in the Categorical Imperitive. CONTEMPORARY PHILOSOPHY. It is believed that contemporary philosophy appeared as a direct, indirect or concomitant reaction against idealism. Important Philosiphical Systems in the Contemporary Age: 1. Voluntarism If there’s a will, there’s a way. 2. Radical Christian Fideism To acheive faith 3. Institution There are certain things that are vital to the society. 4. Phenomenology Dwell on certain processes to arrive at a reality. 5. Extentialism pose many reflections sysipus means existential philosophy 6. Materialism 7. Positivism 8. Structuralism SOREN KIERKEGARD – an existentialist. He believed in the leap of faith. The authentic existing individual is a â€Å"Christiana†. FRIEDRICH NEITZCHE – an atheists. Neitzche’s philosophy is born out the will to live. The religious ideal is unacceptable because â€Å"God is dead. † God’s death gives way to rise of the Superman who is not subject to the ordinary laws of morality because he creates his own values. He says atheism is the only alternative to the death of God. EDMUND HUSSERL – father of phenomenology. Three steps of the phenomenology method: 1. Epoche 2. Eidetic Reduction 3. Transcendental Reduction Eidos is the center of being in everything.

The Relationship Between Punk and Dada

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DADA AND PUNK It is difficult to estimate when people began to create different theories, movements and ideologies with regards to what is positive and negative in the world that we live in. A part and parcel of human nature has always been an individual desire to be a part of the perfect world which unfortunately is mainly stimulated by individuals in power. Therefore this bore a disagreement and critique among minorities and has been exploding over the centuries in different forms of cultural movements. One of the greatest cultural trends began in Zurich and it is known as Dadaism.During World War I a group of individuals created Dada in reaction to what they perceived to be negative and opposite of the values that they believed in. They showed their protest against nationalist, colonialist interest and bourgeois in various forms of controversial art. The new style definitely found its followers in suffocated by war society and even etched in history. Never theless, 1970s showed us that Dadaism was not forgotten as it inspired a new generation of people to express their feelings with regards to what is against their vision of perfection.This created a new cultural movement known as ‘Punk’ which is characterised by a critique to a political system and society that was framed in a specific pattern. This essay is an effort to present relations between ‘Dada’ and ‘Punk’ by analysing and comparing various art forms of ideology they believed in. Therefore the part of this work is focused on the backgrounds and origins of both movements it order to explain motives and ideas of their existence.Moreover, it will show very important relationship which strongly connects both trends in a form of spiritual protest by using and comparing artworks from both epochs; Hannah Hoch’s ‘’Cut with the Kitchen Knife through the Last Weimar Beer-Belly Cultural Epoch in Germany’’1919 compa red to ‘’The Beatles-Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’’1968, by Peter Blake and Jann Haworth. Also, the controversial CD cover created by Jamie Reid’s ‘’God Save the Queen’’ 1977 compared to ‘’The Art Critic’’ 1919 by Raoul Hausemann. The analysis of both comparisons will be a detailed explanation of those matters.First of all, Dada was not just a series of art-historical related events which took place between 1916 and 1923. Dada definitely was an emotional, social and political reaction created against the horror of World War I. With the collapse of pre 1914 social values the Dadaists acted in response with a strong ‘weapon’ as it involved a disagreement, defiance with ironic, anarchistic and frequently nihilistic gestures. However, they also evolved attitudes and techniques that have become a priority to our artistic sensibility.The discovery of automatism in the arts, the use of random elements, and the new definition of art which is not limited by any specific content or material is a great concept introduced by the Dadaists. Moreover, the art is situational as there is a result of confrontation between spectator and object which is frequently associated with controversy and chaos. Therefore it can be said that Dada as a novelty bore a historical responsibility for correcting the world problems for all time and a movement to an honourable place in the history of unrealised humanistic visions.From the aesthetic point of view Punk has its origins in Dadaism. However, this was a cultural mutiny which was mainly associated with a verbal protest through the music. This involved strong offensive expression of disagreement with the whole system and alienation. Nevertheless apart from a very controversial song lyrics Punk rock created different trends than others and innovated a new style in art known as ‘Punk visual art’. This new movemen t did not involve ordinary and predictable paintings.It is known as intentional infringement, such as the application of letters cut out from magazines and newspapers and the use of black and white in early Punk rock art work. The reason for that was the cost of productions punk zins in colour, however, in more expensive production there was a use of yellow and fluorescent pink contrasted with black. The message that Dada and Punk tried to achieve through their work in the context of desired reality is very similar as both of them bore from a social outburst.Punk was a form of artistic anarchy against system control and specific pattern of society, whereas Dada was an ‘Anti-War movement’. However, very interesting is the fact that they were relatively unrelated and occurred around 50 years apart. Although the vocalist of a very controversial punk rock band â€Å"Sex Pistols†, Johnny Rotten said he had never heard about ‘Dada’ there can be found the s ame themes of inspirations as in Dadaism. Therefore assuming that the group ‘Sex Pistols’ did not model on Dadaism and any other movements or trends, this might be associated with a human nature. The nature, that does not like o be manipulated, controlled or skipped as a microscopic minority. Fig. 1: ‘The Fountain’ 1917, Marcel Duchamp According to Griel Marcus, the author of ‘Lipstick Traces’ book, both movements are completely nihilistic and propagating belief in nothing and the wish to become nothing. Punk was against everything and at the same time finding its equilibrium in nihilism. This was clearly exposed by ‘Sex Pistols’ in song ‘Pretty Vacant’ which involves the Dada cry of â€Å"nothing is true; everything is permitted†. Moreover, freedom and fighting against the stereotypical art were the keys in Dada and Punk.Dadaists often asked ‘What is art’ and in response to their rules breaking use d anything they could think of for inspiration. Marcel Duchamp is a great example in this point, because his ironic piece ‘The Fountain’ 1917(Fig. 1) which he signed ‘R. Mutt’, was a controversial and provocative way of using a urinal in response to that question. Duchamp’s work not only showed groundbreaking, but it opened people’s eyes that art is not only classic and traditional. It is an awareness of what art is and could be. Dadaism influenced Punk in reflection to their absurdity.Punk artists designed cd covers that reflected the idea of breaking the traditional rules by being experimental with images and text to express political and social views. Photomontage was highly used by both, Dada and Punk. However, it was first used by a German group called ‘Dada’, and later became an inspiration for Punk artists. This involved the practice of cutting and pasting technique for their designs, using materials taken from cardboard, n ewspapers, magazines, rubbish and anything else that could be inspirational to create a collage. Fig. 3: ’The Beatles-Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’’1968, Peter Blake and Jann Haworth Fig. : ‘’Cut with the Kitchen Knife through the Last Weimar Beer-Belly Cultural Epoch in Germany’’1919, Hannah Hoch The most famous work done by Hannah Hoch is ‘’Cut with the Kitchen Knife through the Last Weimar Beer-Belly Cultural Epoch in Germany’’1919 (Fig. 2). It shows a mixture of modernism by including a lot of machinery and high-tech items of the Weimar period which engage with a modern world. These items were the pasted photographic images called from the press and taken from printed and product catalogues, magazines, newspapers and journals which she clipped together preading across the page to form this artwork. In this chaotic artwork, Hoch also shows the figures of women, as she was strongly towards f ighting for their rights. A new role of women was a message in this design thus metaphorical kitchen knife in her title referred to stereotypical pattern of both; women in the society and to her own artistic process. Because of uniqueness of this artwork the later artists continued controversial reforms in design and we witnessed a creation of ‘’The Beatles-Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’’ by Peter Blake and Jann Haworth made in 1968 (Fig3. . Originally it was for the cd cover purposes however it was frequently associated with Dada design as it involved a group of people that the members of the band would like to see as their imaginary audience. This shows that there is a reference to the amount of components that Hoch’s used in her design and controversy which also characterised the Beatle’s cover, as Jesus and Hitler were intended to appear in John Lennon’s vision. Another great example of Dadaism in Punk was created by Jamie Reid’s ‘’God Save the Queen’’ 1977 (Fig. 4), the cd cover for Sex Pistols shocked the nation.In the result, this controversial, shocking design together with the lyrics led the BBC and the Independent Broadcasting Authority to not play the song. Reid has offended the image of the Queen Elizabeth II by playing with her portrait and national anthem during Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee in 1977. This censorship did not stop Great Britain from listening to it and made the song to be number one of playlist. In addition, ‘’God Save the Queen’’ played a massive role in a punk rock movement. Reid’s work can be compared to ‘’The Art Critic’’ 1919 by Raoul Hausemann (Fig. ) because of the similarities that can be seen in their designs. They both depict defaced images in the highness of the Queen and the oversized figure with oversized head which is often said to be Housemannâ€⠄¢s friend George Grosz. There is a use of reachable resources which are sliding strong, wild and free personal messages. The irony behind this collage shows the character holding outsized Venus pencil, a shoe glued to his forehead and a German banknote situated near his neck. On the right hand site Fig. 4: ‘’God Save the Queen’’ 1977, Jamie Reid we can see his business card –showing his silhouette filled with a newspaper print.In addition, the background contains Raul’s poem which was randomly chosen informing public performances. Those components show self references as many Dada artists included in their photomontages and the use of materials surrounding them. ‘’The Art Critic’’ is also a provocative and controversial design as the eyes and mouth are full of irony because we don’t know whose are the eyes he sees or whose words he speaks. Knowing that Dada worked before Punk, it can be seen that type and im age juxtapositions influenced Reid to follow this direction.Rick Poynor in his ‘‘No More Rules Graphic Design and Postmodernism’’ book describes Reid’s design by Fig. 5: ‘’The Art Critic’’1919, Raol Hausemann saying that rough, torn stripes across Queen’s face and mouth form voids by a cut-up lettering to show the title and the band name on a cover which he called ‘’archetype of a punk rock band’’. In addition, those are also examples of a Dada photomontage and a Punk photomontage which both used words and images to express verbal and visual meanings. In conclusion, the aim of this essay was to prove the relationship between Dada and Punk through various forms of artwork.They both were fighting against either the War or the rules of the system. In addition, Dada and Punk were characterised by similar ideology which was very controversial in terms of stereotypical vision of art. The violatio n of traditional rules and twisting the popular image of art had an impact on future subcultures, in this case Punk. Also, the creation of photomontage technique is shown through the comparisons of work from Dada period and then in Punk, which was born further in the 20th century. They were the evidence of controversy and provocation addressed by personal messages behind them.Although, there is 50 years of difference in between the movements, it is fair to say that both of them greatly affected our culture and inspired the future generations. References: Raoul Hausmann,The Art Critic. 2010. [online]. Last accessed 20 May 2012 at: http://iheartartblog. blogspot. co. uk/2010/05/raoul-hausmann-art-critic. html Audio Raoul Hausmann The Art Critic 1919-1920. 2011. [online]. Last accessed 20 May 2012 at: http://www. moma. org/explore/multimedia/audios/29/707 Chapter 12 Words and Images. 2009. [online]. Last accessed 20 May 2012 at: http://wiki. igital-foundations. net/index. php? title=Ch apter_12. _Words_and_Images Liam. 2009. [online]. Last accessed 19 May 2012 at: http://poptonesmusings. blogspot. co. uk/2009/02/dadaism-and-punk-meaning-less. html BERRYMAN,Ashleigh. 2010. [online]. Last accessed 19 May 2012 at: http://ashleighberryman. wordpress. com/2010/11/04/punk-is-dadaism/ KALOGERAKIS,Stelios,2011. [online]. Last accessed 19 May 2012 at: http://www. kalogerakis. org/? p=1171 Punk visual art. 2012. [online]. Last accessed 20 May 2012 at: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Punk_visual_art Dada. 2012. [online].Last accessed 20 May 2012 at: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Dada POYNTON,Rick (2003). No More Rules Graphic Design and Postomodernism. London: Laurencce King Publishing. p39-40. GALE,Matthew (1997). Dada& Surrealism. London: Phaidon Press Limited. p103. ADES,Dawn (1986). Photomontage . 2nd ed. London: Thames and Hudson. p19-21. BIGSBY,C. W. E. (1972). Dada& Surrealism. London: Methuen & Co Ltd. p10-11. HERBERT,David (ed. ) (1970). Dada. London: Studio Vista L imited. p9-11 p28-35. GREIL,Micheal(1989). Lipstick Traces: a secret of the twentieth century. London: Secker & Warburg.

Sad sad story

This core course provides opportunities to explore a range of topics In the field of political Ideas, continental theory, aesthetics politic cal theory and art practices and strategies. Its purpose is to establish a common intellectual, historical and theoretical framework for students coming from diverse disciplines. Broadly, it considers key questions regarding the (so – called) ‘aestheticism Zion of politics' and the ‘plasticization of aesthetics' as emergent in the 20 the centuries.Assessment one 5,000 word essay P071014B Internship (MA International Studies only Lecturer: Dry Simon Griffith Spring Term This optional co ruse will involve spending two days each week for the duration of a term as an intern in a placement provider working in the field of politics, public policy or international studies. In the past students have undertaken p ligament s at a range of organist ions, including charities, think tanks and pressure groups; dies connected with integratio n al organizations such as the KIN; appropriate businesses; and political parties.Students will be attached to a placement supervisor during their placement . This p errors will supervise their work while on placement, in liaison with staff at Goldsmiths. Dents should find their own placements in the autumn term and will support them in that process. These placements must be cleared with the course convener. There is also a small pool of guaranteed places which will be competitively allocated.In fairness to hosts, we will also have to be confident that students' levels of attendance and achievement hill at Goldsmiths suggest that they can benefit from the inter unships The course is assessed in two ways. A reflective essay of 2, 5 3,000 words, worth % of the overall grade, which will apply the academic approaches of students' A studies to the practical experiences of their internship. A further 2 0% of the grade will be allocated on the basis of qualitative reports from the placemen t supervisor, based on all or some of the of Lowing criteria from the M A in IS learning outcomes.P071009B Global political cultures 1: Knowledge Power Culture Elect ere: Professor Sandy Seth 15 CATS Autumn Term Thursday 10. 00 22. 00 This course aims to raise questions about whether the concepts and categories through which we usually study the ‘international' or ‘global' are adequate to the task. It critically ex. Mines categories of the social sciences and humanities that are usually simply presupposed and ‘applied', and which, despite their Western or European origins, are assumed to be ‘universal'.It does this by closely examining some of the most important thee retrial writings of the post period, focusing upon books and debates which had repercussions far beyond their immediate disciplinary boundaries, including books by Kuhn, McIntyre, Factual, Said, and others. Students explore the claim(s) that far fro m being objective and universal, our knowledge is shaped by culture, history and politics. In seminars we ask, can different ‘conceptual schemes', ‘paradigms' or ‘traditions' be compared to see which one is better, or are they incommensurable?Do theories and explanations triumph over rival theories because they are ‘better' or for other reasons? Does knowledge serve to unmask power, or is it always caught up with and complicit with power? This course requires students not simply to advance their knowledge of politics, but to explore the politics of knowledge, and to do so, in particular, by inquiring into whether the categories and concepts of the social sciences are genuinely international and universal, or merely modern/Western and parochial.Assessment This course is assessed by one 3000 word essay P071012B Memory and Justice in Post Conflict Societies Lecturer: Jason Dramatic So 30 CATS Autumn Thursday 1 1. 00 15. 00 This course focuses on how societies emerging from different types of conflict (such a s war, genocide, dictatorship and grave human rights abuses) engage in the process of justice – such as trials, truth commissions, reparations, apologies and pub lice commemorations and social recesses, expressed through the media, culture and civil society initiatives.By exploring the complex relationship between conflict, memory and Justice in various cross – cultural settings, it seeks to provide an understands Eng of the ways in which such processes can promote or hinder reconciliation and the rebuilding of social, inter communal and inter national ties. The course will also assess the role of external actors (as for example, international war crimes tribunals) I n terms of how they affect internal processes of acknowledging past abuses. Case studies, including Germany , Japan , South Africa, he former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, will inform the theoretical debates and provide a comparative perspective.Films and decorum entries relating to the weekly topics will also be screened as an integral part of the course. One 5000 word essay on a topic of the student's choice, in a agreement with the course tutor. SUPPRESS Theories of International Relations TAB 15 CATS Autumn Term Wednesday 10. 00 This course provides a survey of the classical, critical and newly emerging theories of international relations, namely: realism/unrealism, liberalism/unilateralism, Marxism, constructivism, post modernism, minims, post colonialism, the aesthetic turn in IR and theories of Justice.The course approaches each of these theories through the concept of power, seeking to explain the radical shifts that have occurred both in our understanding of power as well as the role that it plays in international politics in the last century. The course combines its examination of theory with debates on contemporary case studies that serve to showcase the link between theory and practice. This course is assess De by one P071024A The European Union and Immigration: The Contours, Po litics and Economics of a New Policy Domain

Childhood Obesity Solutions Essay

Prevalence of childhood obesity has increased greatly in the recent years, so much so that the number of children considered overweight by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has nearly quadrupled among children aged 6-11 years old (Cawley, Meyerhoefer, and Newhouse, 2007, p.506). Many members of the public, media, and congress have declared childhood obesity as a major public health concern, considering it to be an â€Å"important cause and consequence of wider disparities in health† (Freudenberg, Libman, and O’Keefe, 2010). Director of the division of nutrition, physical activity and obesity at the CDC, Dr. William H. Dietz, went as far as to say â€Å"This may be the first generation of children that has a lower life span than their parents† (Roberts & Wilson, 2012). Though it is evident steps are needed to be taken to help protect the health and futures of our youth, those with the most power to actually make a visible, long lasting environmental change are the most reluctant to do so. Policymakers have alternate interests in finances that water down their attempts to take charge. Sadly, often times playing the social problems game takes precedence over the more genuine social problems work. As a Washington Post article so boldly states â€Å"In the political arena, one side is winning the war on child obesity. The side with the fattest wallets.† (Roberts & Wilson, 2012) Proposals that frame childhood obesity as being an inevitable result of increasing environmental surroundings by unhealthful foods are too often neglected by government officials more willing to frame childhood obesity as an individual problem. Indeed it is more convenient to claim providing freedom of choice to individuals who are capable of making their own decisions, emphasizing self regulation, and freeing themselves of responsibility to their nation to lead in financially beefy actions. This essay seeks to demonstrate that childhood obesity should no longer be considered an individual cause stemming from lifestyle choices which can be changed through minor solutions such as education in physical activity and nutrition. Unfortunately, this social problems ownership has become the taken-for-granted frame for this problem (Loseke, 2003, p.69). Childhood obesity really is a social problem which is a direct result from our environment, social structures emphasizing fast, unhealthy, frankly JUNK food which is readily available in any given neighbourhood and continuously marketed through all mediums to increase profits to some select wealthy individuals. I will stress that the only solutions met by this pressing issue have been solely symbolic solutions which have been prematurely praised as they are false attempts to appear loyal to the public, communities, and school systems, while truly remaining loyal to the corporations, who some may very well be held entirely accountable. Within this paper the exploration of three chosen symbolic solutions to date will include: American Government’s distribution of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Strategies for Increasing Physical Activity Among Youth, the national law passing of requiring restaurants with 20 or more chains to provide calorie information on menus and menu boards, and lastly, the enhancement of PE requirements for school aged children. The distribution of said guidelines is reported to be important by reviewing â€Å"the evidence on strategies to increase youth physical activity and make recommendations†¦ and to communicate findings to the public.† (Rodgers, 2012, p.10) This report focuses on five settings, but in reality only offers strategies for 3 of them. Two settings (Home and Family, and Primary Care settings) received no proposed strategies to increase physical activity among youth, and focused only on areas requiring further research (p.7). Those settings which did receive proposed strategies were quite obvious suggestions which doubtfully would have any significant impact on physical activity among youth. One such suggestion is to â€Å"provide teachers with appropriate training† (p.5). Although it must be noted that this is not a report distributed solely to decrease obesity among youth, it is distributed to increase physical activity among youth, which is not the same, though admittedly similar. On the webpage this guide is provided, a number of other arbitrary tools can also be found. Webinars on online nutrition information, fact sheets, blogs, access to printable posters, and more. Educating the public, educating the parents of youth, and the youth themselves of course is important. At what point however will it be supplemented by restrictions on marketing of food and beverages to youth, which this guideline reports is estimated at a whopping $10 billion per year, but shows no indication of wanting to reduce or restrict this, and can only suggest counterbalancing with media campaigns directed to offset these unhealthy images (Rodgers, 2012, p. 3). One article is more forward in summarizing â€Å"Despite this widespread recognition of negative impact of marketing unhealthy foods, the practice continues unabated.† (Harvard School of Public Health, 2012) Mandated menu labelling of calories in some American jurisdictions was passed in 2008, requiring restaurant chains with 20 or more facilities to post calorie information next to each item on their menus and menu board (Kuo, Jarosz, Simon and Fielding, 2009, p.1680). This new law was backed by evidence that â€Å"eating fast food has been shown to increase caloric intake and the risk of becoming obese† (Harvard School of Public Health, 2012). As an alternative to restricting what is sold in these fast food chains, restricting advertising of these products, or perhaps even zoning restrictions on how many fast food restaurants were permitted to be within a certain range of schools, this new law appears to be the most liberal of solutions, and the most beneficial for the companies selling these high calorie foods. Findings from a health impact assessment are as follows: â€Å"mandated menu labelling at fast food and other large chain restaurants could reduce population weight gain, even with only modest changes in consumer behaviour.† (Kuo, Jarosz, Simon and Fielding, 2009, p.1683) As promising as this is, it is followed by a stronger and more realistic assessment stating â€Å" if nonobese restaurant patrons were more likely to order reduced calorie meals than were obese patrons, the impact on the obesity rate could be less than what we reported†. Because there was no study conducted on the weight of those opting for calorie reduced items, it is difficult to say if this solution is beneficial to the target audience, obese people in these jurisdictions. If changes are being made that is great, but there is no evidence to date to support this influencing the rising issue of obesity. It is just another means of essentially saying that the government is willing to educate on the food being provided and it is the choice of the individual, to consume or not consume. One solution offered by government recognizes that with the majority of youth enrolled in schools, school is an ideal place to provide much needed physical activity to students (Rodgers, 2012). In implementation, many state policies require schools to â€Å"have a PE unit requirement that constrains students to spend a minimum amount of time in PE class† (Cawley, Meyerhoefer, and Newhouse, 2007, p. 508). A study evaluating the effectiveness of such policies revealed that, naturally, a required PE unit is correlated with a higher probability that the student participates in PE (Cawley, Meyerhoefer, and Newhouse, 2007, p. 511). Although this is clearly a positive outcome of enforcing requirements among youth to enroll in PE classes, this same study goes on to say that â€Å"a requirement is correlated with students reporting fewer minutes spent active in PE†(p.511). Yes, you read that correctly, specifically 15.1 fewer minutes active in PE for boys, and 3.1 fewer in PE for girls (p.511-512). In conclusion, this report sums up the opposing information by stating that â€Å"curriculum development is not significantly associated with the amount of time spent active in PE†. As such, the implementation of these programs sounds a lot more effective in theory then it is in practice. All three of these solutions offered by government are certainly steps in recognizing that childhood obesity is in fact prevalent in our society. These solutions also claim that something can be done to reduce the level of harm to children’s health, and that actions should be implemented in correcting this epidemic. Essentially childhood obesity is a recognized social problem in our society. Unfortunately because the victims, (obese children), are politically powerless individuals, proposals to decrease the harm attributed to them have been, and will continue to be symbolic. Sadly, effort from interest groups with good intentions can be overshadowed by the social problems game of politics. This concept is not lost in an article posted in The New York Academy of Medicine which reads as follows: â€Å"†¦private interests generally have more resources and skills than public health reformers to achieve their policy goals, and are more successful in resisting changes than advocates are in implementing them. These structural barriers are a powerful deterrent to reducing childhood obesity. Creating cities where health rather than business concerns take precedence will require new approaches to governance and democracy.† (Freudenberg, Libman, and O’Keefe, 2010, p.761) It appears as though, for now, the social problems game of proposing symbolic solutions for childhood obesity is being accepted by audiences. Since Loseke claims that â€Å"the goal of social problems game is persuading audience members† (p.51), government officials, the players, are succeeding. References Cawley, J., Meyerhoefer, C. and Newhouse, D. (2007), The correlation of youth physical activity with state policies. Contemporary Economic Policy, 25: 506–517. doi: 10.1111/j.1465-7287.2007.00070.x Fredenberg, N., Libman, K., O’Keefe, E. (2010), A tale of two obescities: The role of municipal governance in reducing childhood obesity in New York city and London. Journal of Urban Health: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, 87:5 doi:10.1007/s11524-101-943-x Harvard School of Public Health, (2012), The obesity prevention source toxic food environment. Retrieved from: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/ Kuo, T., Jarosz, C., Simon,P., Fielding, J. (2009), Menu labelling as a potential strategy for combating obesity epidemic: A health impact assessment. American Journal of Public Health, 99:9 doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.153023 Loseke, D. (2003), Thinking about social problems. New York: Walter de Gruyter, Inc. Robert, J., Wilson, D., (2012, April 27), Special report: How Washington went soft on childhood obesity. Reuters. Retrieved from: http://www.reuters.com/ Rodgers, A., (2012), Physical activity guidelines for Americans mid-course report: strategies to increase physical activities among youth. US Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from: http://health.gov/paguidelines/default.aspx

Studying Abroad Helps Improve Language Skills

Studying abroad is always a memorable experience, especially if you choose to live in a country where you don’t speak the language. It will be the best way to learn foreign language. In fact, most students choose to study abroad in the first place for the opportunity to gain proficiency in a foreign language. Despite the difficulties, it’s important to really focus on improving your language skills while you have the chance to live in a country with native speakers. If you want to get the hang of a foreign language while studying abroad, don’t hesitate to make local friends.Your language skills may not be good enough to speak with them comfortably in the native language, but you will still pick up quite a bit of phrases and vocabulary words from being around young locals that you would not have access to otherwise. And I think wandering around alone will also help you improve your language skills. You will have chance to make friends with strangers, speak to the grocer or waiter, eavesdrop on the bus, and do all the other things that help you improve your basic communication skills. So go out alone, do your own communicating and listening.And don’t forget reading magazines interview. The local papers and magazines sold on every corner will offer a wide array of inexpensive reading material in the language you’re learning. Also, reading interviews, specifically, helps improve communication skills. When studying a language, students are not always given examples of real conversations that involve unique questions and answers. Magazine and newspaper interviews capture nuanced words and phrases that aren’t in the typical textbook. In short, studying abroad is the best way to improve your language skills.

Business plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Business plan - Assignment Example The majority of Canadian customers are not ready to accept reduced quality of commercial ice creams. Hence the potential for specialized ice creams is high in this market. By combining beverages as ice coffee, milk shakes, hot cappuccino and hot coco, with the desserts and ice creams, the SW&D offers a year round reason for customers to visit the outlet. The business model that would be used in the SW&D venture would be a Differentiated Value experience where even through the pricing would be up-market and above market averages, the exotic varieties of deserts, the freshness and natural ingredients will deliver a value package that will differentiate the company. The products will be exclusive and exotic in nature but reasonably priced to maintain affordability. The expectations is that SW&D’s premium image will offer a low price elasticity in terms of economic considerations and make customers willing to pay additional money to experience the SW&D quality. Combined expertise of the two partnering entrepreneurs, Neil and Susan Shucroft will offer culinary expertise in dessert making which Neil acquired in qualifications and experience during the years in Europe as well as Susan’s service management experience in food service field. The initial financial analysis points to a highly lucrative venture and the capital funding to be invested can be recovered within 2 years period of time. This is a relatively low investment venture with high profitability returns of around 50% GP margins and 15% average NP margins. Such profitability is common to Food service industry, if the venture’s operations are managed stringently and with cost and quality consciousness. This business report provides a comprehensive market analysis and prose the business and functional level strategies as well as a preliminary financial analysis for the review of prospective investors of this