The Literacy Level Of The Learner - 2090 Words

1. Classroom talk Learner talk in the target language can only flourish if teachers themselves are prepared to use and maintain the TL the MFL classroom as the main communication language. But there are many other factors that contributes to learner talk in the TL or the lack of it. One prominent factor is the literacy level of the learner in his own mother language. There might be a lack of grammatical knowledge as well as problems with spelling, reading and writing. If the learner has not yet understood the workings of his own language, it will become very difficult to him/her to progress in the L2. Bearing these factors in mind, the teacher must try and provide different types of support in order to help the learners to access the MFL.†¦show more content†¦According to Dickson, ‘The degree to which teachers succeed in eliciting talk from pupils is likely therefore to depend on their questioning behaviour, as well as on the activities designed for pupil participation’ (1996:9) Observation at school: My impression was that classroom talk in the TL has not been developed greatly. There are some wall displays in the classroom to support learners but they are mostly directed to grammar in the form of resources such as verb tables, connectives and adjectives. Other classrooms wall displays with presented, in addition to grammar resources, some vocabulary sets such as numbers and colours. Learners tend to use the displays when they are working on writing activities and they tend to rely heavily on their grammar and vocabulary book more than on the displays. In terms of classroom talk in the TL I have found that it was limited to the presentation part of the lesson and to learners performing controlled activities. I have tried to use the TL with some learners I was helping, but they either did not reply or had a blank look on their faces. Even more surprising was some learner’s inability to acknowledge basic words such as ‘Guten Morgen’, ‘Das ist prima!â€℠¢ ‘Noch einmal bitte’. 2. Task talk Task talk should provide yet another opportunity forShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Literacy Assessment For Adults Essay1162 Words   |  5 PagesDescribe the purpose of literacy assessment for adults: To determine the proficiency of the learners’ current level of English Literacy and Numeracy. Evaluate his / her needs and capability to progress. Determine the knowledge gap i.e. what is the best method / approach to achieve the desired outcome. Time estimate can be made based on the learners’ needs and learning capabilities taking into account his / her personal circumstances outside the classroom. Describe diagnostic assessments andRead MoreThe Appropriateness Of Resource For Students Who Are Pre K With Grade With Beginner Intermediate Level Esl Skills1513 Words   |  7 PagesAppropriateness of resource. Starfall.com is an appropriate resource for students who are pre-k to second grade with beginner to intermediate level ESL skills. The interactive activities, stories, songs, are designed to be easily and freely explored by young learners who are motivated by fun, colorful, animated charters and many prompt to â€Å"click on.† Visual and auditory learners will be well suited to this site as the activities consist of brightly colored visuals paired with auditory directions and sound effectsRead MoreEducating Children On Literacy Skills869 Words   |  4 PagesLiteracy educators take on a vital responsibility when it comes to educating children on literacy skills. The strength of such skills or lack thereof determines future literacy success. To assist teachers in q uality literacy instruction, informal reading assessments must be utilized to direct instructional planning. Results from these assessments allow teachers to know a student’s development, thus plan accordingly for instruction as stated by Dr.Bear (Laureate Production, Inc.2014a).Informal readingRead MoreApplying Minimum Core - Essay644 Words   |  3 Pagesthe minimum level of skills in language, literacy, numeracy and ICT (LLN I) that are essential to teachers who work in the lifelong learning sector.† City and Guilds (2008) Learners’ particular literacy, language, numeracy and ICT needs can be established through initial assessment, talking to learners, observing them completing activities or using simple self assessment tests. â€Å"Recognizing and using a variety of different teaching styles is particularly important to support literacy, languageRead MoreThe Alternative Learning System1623 Words   |  7 Pagesconstitutional right to basic education, and the DepEd is mandated to provide this service to all Filipinos. In the 80’s, the global community launched a campaign called Education for All (EFA) that aimed to eradicate illiteracy and promote functional literacy for all people of the world. Our nation was a signatory to this and as such, committed to providing education for all Filipinos ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM → is a parallel learning system that provides a viable alternative to the existing formalRead MoreEssay On Mildred Clay1504 Words   |  7 Pagesreader or writer the conclusion must be that we have not yet discovered the way to help him learn† (Clay, 2005, Literacy Lessons Designed for Individuals Part 2, p. 158). Literacy has grown to become a worldwide problem and most people are unaware that it exist. A lady, from New Zealand, by the name of Marie Mildred Clay was known for her research contribution in the field of education literacy. Clay was a clinical child psychologist and education specialist. Her work has helped thousands of childrenRead MoreGraduation Speech : Low Participation And Achievement1159 Words   |  5 Pages1. Low participation and achievement in education settings: †¢ No role model to identify with – there is no set goal of what the learner wants to achieve when enrolling for English Literacy and Numeracy courses. †¢ No computer or access to a computer, and therefore computer illiterate, will leave the learner frustrated – English Literacy and Numeracy with computer skills are vital today when applying for higher paying employment in order to better your standard of living. †¢ No time to enrol in fullRead MoreThe M Ā Ori Culture Essay1327 Words   |  6 Pagesresources to gift to others to bind them into reciprocal obligations.† The concept of Mana tangata indicates the positive relationships with peers and tutors. The adult learner recognises the value of dialogue and collaboration and to make a difference, sometimes taking a leadership role and sometimes enabling others to take the lead. Learners learn to recognise the mana of others. Learn to encourage active contributions and equity. Tutors must model and support positive relationships, dialogue and collaborationRead MoreELL Service Model As Measured By The NWEA MAP Growth Assessment885 Words   |  4 Pagesthe reading achievement levels of third grade students who participate in a one-way simultaneous bi-literacy dual language immersion program compare to third grade English Language Learner students in a traditional ELL service model as measured by the NWEA MAP Growth Assessment? 2. How will the math achievement levels of third grade students who participate in a one-way simultaneous bi-literacy dual language immersion program compare to third grade English Language Learner students in a traditionalRead MoreEducational Assessment Essay1150 Words   |  5 Pagesgrowth and development. There are several kinds of assessment carried out during a student’s learning. These include the placement assessment, formative assessment, and summative assessment. Learners coming into the kindergarten class are often given a pre test or a placement assessment to evaluate what the learner may already know or think about content that is to be learned. Formative assessment is usually carried out while an instructional sequence is occurring. Summative assessment takes place at

The Diverse Nature Of Psychology - 1157 Words

The Diversity Nature of Psychology Anna Van Norton PSY/490 June 29, 2015 Dr. Edna Foster The Diverse Nature of Psychology Psychology is a diverse area of study; it is not an easy task. The field of psychology is so diverse and is always changing and evolving. Because of the always expanding of nature, there is not just only one theory that can explain and answer all of the questions that are associated with psychology. Psychology has always been defined by its diversity. It is the unique diversity that allows a psychologist to elaborate and expand on the areas of diagnosis, explanation and assessments of the discipline. This will focus on the influences that diversity has on psychology s major concepts, identify two examples of sub-disciplines and two examples of subtopics found in psychology as well as examining how the sub-disciplines and subtopics talked about could be applied to other disciplines as well as venues in contemporary society. Diversity has influences on the major concepts in psychology in more ways than one. The humanistic, cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic perspectives repres ent different views of human behavior; these concepts provide a respected theory to human nature. The variety of these perspectives and their respective variations are reflective of the diverse thinking that is seen among humanity. There is not any individual that will look at an event in the same way as another individual, and the same can be noted forShow MoreRelatedThe Diverse Nature Of Psychology1183 Words   |  5 PagesThe Diverse Nature of Psychology When a person is asked about what psychology means, typically the first definition heard is human behavior and then usually the mind and brain are next. While those definitions are partially true, the field of psychology is essentially an umbrella term used to describe several different subdisciplines of psychology. Some subdisciplines focus on different aspects of a person such as cognition, motivation, behaviors, personality and other subdisciplines focus theRead MoreThe Diverse Nature Of Psychology1200 Words   |  5 Pages The Diverse Nature of Psychology Name Institution The Diverse Nature of Psychology Introduction Psychology consists of a wide collection of diverse concepts, which influence its precise nature that includes the study of behavior and mind in different organisms. Ideally, these organisms range from the most complex to the most primitive. In essence, diversity involves recognizing the variability of characteristics, which make people unique such as their physical appearance, partnered/maritalRead MoreThe Diverse Nature of Psychology Essays919 Words   |  4 PagesThe Diverse Nature of Psychology Psychology, though a young field, is a uniquely successful one, flourishing in the twentieth century through intellectual and social expansion (Darity, 2008). From its philosophical roots to its emergence as a scientific discipline, the field of psychology has been concerned with behavior and mental processes. By its very nature, the field is diverse encompassing many subdisciplines and areas. The American Psychological Association recognizes more than 50 differentRead MoreDiverse Nature of Psychology Essay1150 Words   |  5 PagesDiverse Nature of Psychology Jessica Champion PSY / 490 July 2, 2012 University of Phoenix Diverse Nature of Psychology Psychology is a diverse area of study. Within this paper it will discuss the influence of diversity and it’s major concepts within psychology. It will also discuss subtopics within psychology, as well as how subtopics are identified, and applied to other disciplines within society. As well as, explain how these subtopics affect my personal theoretical perspective. LastlyRead MoreThe Diverse Nature of Psychology Paper951 Words   |  4 PagesThe Diverse Nature of Psychology Paper Sophia Martinez Psychology 490 Capstone Course in Psychology October 5, 2011 Giselle Gourrier, Ph.D. The Diverse Nature of Psychology Paper Psychology is a discipline that has extensive implications for other areas of science while simultaneously maintaining a narrow concern for the derivation of scientific knowledge about human and non-human behavior (Stanovich, 2010). This paper is concerned with the assessment of two sub-disciplines and sub-topicsRead MoreThe Diverse Nature of Psychology Essay examples1075 Words   |  5 PagesThe Diverse Nature of Psychology The American Psychological Association has identified 54 divisions within the field of psychology (Plante, 2011). Each division has stemmed from one of the seven major perspectives: psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic, cognitive, sociocultural, biological, and evolutionary. This diversity within psychology, allows psychologists the ability to expand in all areas of explanation, assessment, and diagnoses, which furthers the science of psychology through many differentRead MoreThe Diver810 Words   |  4 Pagesse Nature of Psychology The Diverse Nature of Psychology Christine Woyner PSY 490 September 19, 2011 Edna Foster The Diverse Nature of Psychology The diverse nature of psychology begins with making a difference in a diverse setting. This involves the implementation of critical psychology concepts, subdisciplines and subtopics, motivation, behaviorism, and cognition. Moreover, these subdisciplines and subtopics may be applied to other disciplines in contemporary society. In additionRead MoreThe Study of Human Behavior in Given Situations1613 Words   |  7 PagesPsychology is a social science study that covers diverse subject topics and carries out different forms of research in order to understand the development and function of human beings. It is a scientific study that focuses on peoples mind and its functions especially those affecting behavior in a particular context. Psychology is divided into different branches, and each branch addresses its own form of content in relation to mental processes and behavior. Social psychology is one of the psychologyRead MoreAdolescent Psychology Essay 31067 Words   |  5 PagesQues tion: What Is Psychology? One of the most common questions asked by students new to the study of psychology is What is psychology? Misperceptions created by popular media as well as the diverse careers paths of those holding psychology degrees have contributed this confusion. Psychology is both an applied and academic field that studies the human mind and behavior. Research in psychology seeks to understand and explain thought, emotion, and behavior. Applications of psychology include mentalRead MoreThe Founding Of The First Laboratory By Wilhelm Wundt Essay797 Words   |  4 Pagesof the first laboratory by Wilhelm Wundt in 1879 began the fascination for psychological research. Psychology had not yet became a science until Wundt realized that human activities can be examined through careful observations, manipulations, descriptions, and control aimed at measuring/ predicting behavior. Early on psychology was about the study of behavior and mental processes. Today, psychology ranges from neural messages to cultural influences. Wundt adopted protocols from physiology and physics

Jean Piagets Theory Free Essays

Throughout history, many people have made many contributions to the school of psychology. One individual is that of Jean Piaget and his theories on the cognitive development stages. Jean Piaget was born in Neuchatel, Switzerland, where he studied at the university and received a doctorate in biology at the age of 22. We will write a custom essay sample on Jean Piagets Theory or any similar topic only for you Order Now Following college he became very interested in psychology and began to research and studies of the subject. With his research Piaget created a broad theoretical system for the development of cognitive abilities. His work, in this way, was much like that of Sigmund Freud, but Piaget emphasized the ways that children think and acquire knowledge. Piaget referred to his theory as genetic epistemology. This is defined as the study of the acquisition, modification, and growth of abstract ideas and the abilities as on the basis of an inherited or biological substrate, an intelligent functioning that makes the growth of abstract thought possible. (Ginsburg 5) Piaget derived his theories from directly observing children and by questioning them about their thinking. He was less interested in whether the children answered correctly than how they arrived at their answers. Piaget viewed intelligence as an extension of biological adaptation that has a logical structure. One of the central points of his theories was that of epigenesis. This is that growth and development occur in a series of stages, each of which is built on the successful mastery of the previous stage. (Furth 33) Piaget described four major stages leading to the capacity for adult thought. Each stage is a prerequisite for the following stage, but the rate at which different children move through different stages varies with their heredity and environment. Piaget’s four stages are the sensorimotor stage, the stage of preoperational thought, the stage of concrete operations and the stage of formal operations. The first stage that Piaget felt all children go through was the sensorimotor stage. This stage occurs between birth and two years of age. This is the stage when Infants begin to learn through sensory observation, and they gain control of their motor functions through activity, exploration and manipulation of the environment. (Furth 29) From birth, biology and experience work together to produce learned behavior. As infants become more mobile, one action is built upon another action, forming new and more complex actions. Infants’ spatial, visual, and tactile worlds expand during this period in which children actively interact with their environment and use previously learned behaviors. The critical achievement of this period is the development of object permanence. This is the indication that a child has the ability to understand that objects have an existence independent of the child’s involvement with them. Infants learn to differentiate themselves from the world and are able to maintain a mental image of an object, even when it is not present and visible. (Rotman 40) At about 18 months, infants begin to develop mental symbols and to use words. This process is called symbolization. Infants are able to create a visual or mental image of an object to stand for or signify the real object. The attainment of object permanence marks the transition from the sensorimotor stage to the preoperational stage. During the stage of peoperational thought, children use language and symbols more extensively than in the sensorimotor stage. Children learn without the use of reasoning, therefore are unable to think logically or deductively. Children are able to name the object but they are unable to categorize or class these objects. Preopreational thought is midway between socialized adult thought and the completely autistic freudian unconscious. (Furth 57) Events are also not linked by logic. In this stage, children begin to use language and drawings in more elaborate ways. From once using one word utterances they begin to use two word phrases, which make up a single noun and verb. Children in this developmental stage are ecogentric. They see themselves as the center of the universe, therefore they are unable to take the role of another person. In addition , children use animistic thinking which is the tendency to endow events and objects with lifelike attributes. The stage of concrete operations is so named because in this period children operate and act on the concrete, real, and perceivable world of objects and events. Egocentric thought is replaced by operational thought, which involves dealing with a wide array of information outside the child. Therefore, children can now see things from someone else’s perspective. Children in this stage begin to use limited logical thought and processes and are able to order and group things in classes on the basis of common characteristics. The child is able to reason and to follow rules and regulations. They are able to regulate themselves , and they begin to develop a moral sense and a code of values. Conservation is the ability to recognize that, although the shape of objects may change, the mass and amount stay the same. For example, if you put the same amount of liquid in two containers the child may think there is more in the taller cylinder. Children also begin to understand reversibility, which is the capacity to understand the relationship between things. They begin to realize that one thing can turn into another and back again. The most important sign that children are still in the preoperational stage is that they have not achieved conservation or reversibility. Dealing with the future and its possibilities occurs in the formal operational stage. The formal operation stage deals with the ages of eleven through the end of adolescence. This stage is characterized by the ability to think abstractly, to reason deductively, and to define concepts. It also is shown by adolescents’ interest in a variety of issues including philosophy, religion, ethics, and politics. Another main part of this stage is that of Hypothetic deductive thinking. This is the highest organization of cognition and enables people to make a hypothesis or proposition and to test it against reality. Deductive reasoning moves from the general to the particular and is a more complicated process than inductive reasoning, which moves from particular to general. (Rotman 44) This step also brings about self-conscious behavior because of the ability to reflect on their own and other people’s thoughts. As adolescents attempt to master new cognitive tasks, they may return to egocentric thought, but on a higher level than in the past. Not all adolescents enter the stage at the same time or to the same degree. Depending on individual capacity some may not reach the stage at all and may remain in concrete operational mode throughout life. Despite the psychiatric applications Piaget’s theories have been applied more widely in the area of education. Piaget’s concepts have been used to resolve educational problems, such as assessing intellectual development, scholastic aptitude, grade placement, and reading readiness. Innovative early school programs, such as Head Start can be traced to Piaget’s believe that experience plays a major role in human thought. Throughout his writings Piaget emphasized that the greater richness, complexity, and the diversity of the environment, the greater the likelihood that high levels of mental functioning are achieved. How to cite Jean Piagets Theory, Papers

Constructive Action free essay sample

Abstract The Constructive action for this semester is the importance of effective marketing strategies. Marketing is a invisible force that pushes the modern business world forward. I find marketing very interesting and competitive. I am confident that, having taking this course will further my knowledge in marketing when I go into the business world. The resources available in this business program are ideal for taking my career to the next level and advancing in it as well. I was initially attracted to the field of marketing because I find it to be a very dynamic and creativity-based field.In addition, marketing is a fast-growing discipline, encompassing a wide area of activities within the community. I was first exposed to marketing while working for â€Å"You Gotta Believe†. We use marketing every single day to promote our business. My long-term goal is to learn how to use my marketing knowledge within my workplace to become part of the growth and success of the business. We will write a custom essay sample on Constructive Action or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I think the time frame for my long-term goal would be the entire semester. Even then I still could need more time to really grasp the ideals and ethics of marketing.Right now I work for a non-profit organization where I constantly use my marketing skills. As for the future, I don’t know that I will make marketing my career. I plan on opening my own business, so I know in the back of my head I will eventually need it to build my business’s reputation. In conclusion I think I gained a lot of insight on the topic of marketing, I was able to learn the importance of an effective marketing plan and how to use it within my business. I think this will help me when the day comes that I open my own business. I learned how to build a marketing plan and all the ifferent types of marketing strategies. I was also able to see the negative effect if marketing wasn’t done properly or effectively. This semester gave me a great insight on the marketing aspects of a business. I hope to further my level of knowledge in this file and use it to be a successful business women one day. Topic Statement When it comes to my job at â€Å"You Gotta Believe† choosing a marketing plan for fundraising is essential. Here we use a special mix of marketing strategies to be successful. That’s why our business is centered on nonprofit marketing.We’ve helped many foster children find permanent homes by raising funds and by building successful marketing strategies as well as rejuvenate resources. For our company marketing is a familiar concept. We understand that marketing is more than just the old sense of making a sale or obtaining a donation. Marketing is a way to satisfy the child’s need for a permanent family. Hers is how we brainstorm our marketing ideas that make a significant difference in a child’s life. We get together as a team and determine the desired outcome of our marketing efforts or fundraising events.Using the information gathered, we make brochures, posters and other marketing materials that describe the fundraising, services, donation opportunities, and values of our organization. Then we develop a social media marketing strategy. Social media such as Twitter and Facebook provide us with ways to reach out to those interested in our organization in a low cost and effective way. We also have our own radio show that has weekly discussions on the topic. We find that the media works great when it comes to reaching those who are passionate about what we do.Our professional website also attracts people . We use our web site as a great resource to display useful information, news, monthly newsletters, events, create community, share alternatives to donating money, and showcase the benefits of our organization. On a weekly basis our team members research and maintain our prospects and our customer databases. We use them for special mailings, follow-up telephone calls, event invitations, alliance development, research profiling, and market segmentation. We find that it is effective to advertise what we are receiving funds and donations to grasp he attention of people who aren’t knowledgeable of the foster care system. Short and Long Term Goals Marketing is a very important aspect of â€Å"You Gotta Believe’s â€Å" success. I think in order to make our success really effective I thing setting some long and short term goals is essential. It is very important for me to partake in the success and growth of â€Å"You Gotta Believe† I think if I can use the knowledge I gain form this marketing course I can really contribute a lot to the business I work for. My short-term goal for this semester is to learn to embrace the effectiveness of marketing.My long-term goal is to learn how to use my marketing knowledge within my work place and use it to become part of the growth and success of the business. I think the time frame for my long-term goal would be the entire semester. Even then I still could need more time to really grasp the ideals and ethics of marketing. My Objectives or mini goals for this course is to learn all the aspects of marketing, to learn problem solving skills within marketing and lastly to learn the advantages of marketing versus not marketing the company at all.

The Best Social Networking Tool for Me

Introduction Choosing the best social networking tool requires a decision process. The paper highlights the cognitive process that will assist one to select the best networking tool based on different alternatives. The steps followed incorporate output of the planning stage decision making that precedes the actual decision making exercise.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Best Social Networking Tool for Me specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Issue Identification Making a Decision Social networking tools have different features, and thus, one ought to choose a tool that is easy to navigate and customize. In addition, the tool should offer maximum benefits and have minimal consequences (Boyd Ellison, 2007, p.1). Goals to be achieved The tool should offer opportunities to add friends in an extensive physical social layer. Additionally, the tool should be an entity of reciprocal altruism and gift economy, a nd ensure privacy and protection of clandestine information. Issue Analysis Causes of decision paralysis Decision paralysis occurs because many people do not understand how social tools operate. Another issue that causes decision paralysis is the several tools that have similar functionality—making it hard to choose. Cognitive and personal biases Depending on the physical appearance of the tool, many people tend to lean to the one that pleases their eyes without considering its functionality. Peer influence and the number of people within an age group can influence somebody to select a tool. Develop Alternatives Choosing one tool over another Choosing one tool over another is not an easy task. Nevertheless, people choose tools that best suit their needs. Moreover, the tool should serve the intended purpose like data protection and privacy. Not choosing any of the tools Certain factors can cause a barren choice of a tool. This dilemma does not eliminate the existing problem. C onsequently, a barren choice does not mean a cut of costs, but rather, an opportunity to revisit the decision.Advertising Looking for research paper on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Evaluate Alternatives Rating of each alternative It is better to explore each tool, analyze the benefits of each tool before making a decision. Even though people choose certain tools as the preferred ones, they still want to explore their decisions to establish opportunity cost. Rating of the risk posed by each alternative In the decision process, risks are rife. One might choose a tool only to find that it does not serve the intended purpose. Thus, it is better to rate every risk posed by each alternative and in order to establish how it might affect the outcome. Decision Using Optimizing Strategy The optimizing strategy enables one to choose a tool that would give results and enable realization of objectives. Under this strategy, only allo w a barren choice when the tool offers low utility threshold. Lastly, the tool chosen must meet all conditions of the criterion. Using Max-min strategy Sometimes, limited technology can hinder the decision process. However, it is important to note that a barren choice will suffice the decision process. When costs and implications outweigh the benefits of the tool, then, go for a barren choice. Implementation Plan Decision actions Compare the pros and cons of the tool before taking any decision bearing in mind that the pros must outweigh the cons in order to eliminate chances of a dilemma occurring. In case one fails to choose a tool, then repeat the process again. Additional actions to prevent adverse consequences The best way to arrive at the best social networking tool is first, understanding how the tools work and then weighing the pros and cons with ease. It is also important to make a decision once for all in order to refute any future regrets. Otherwise, a flurry of decision s trategies serves to bring confusion that will cause decision paralysis (Mackaay, 1990, pp. 867-910). Review Plan Risks and drawbacks involved One must understand that the prevailing status quo may change. In addition, the chosen tool will definitely be missing some benefits owned by the other tools. Furthermore, although the tool chosen meets the objectives, it may not necessarily evade personal biases hence, rendering it unpleasant.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Best Social Networking Tool for Me specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Why benefits outweigh risks The choice, and not the status quo, is the paramount thing in selecting a tool. The pre-eminence of the tool in fulfilling the objectives at a manageable cost takes priority. Additionally, a person can sacrifice personal biases by conditioning sessions in order to choose the best tool. Conclusion The very many social networking tools make the d ecision process of choosing the best tool cumbersome. Nevertheless, a good decision process will always lead to the best social networking tool. From identifying the issue to reviewing of decisions, one finds how involving the task is. The scrutiny of various alternatives enables the decision maker to make an informed choice—on that meets the objectives of the entire process (Harris, 2009, p.1). Reference List Boyd, D. Ellison, N. (2007). Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1), 1. Harris, R. (2009). Introduction to decision making. Virtual Salt. Retrieved from https://www.virtualsalt.com/crebook5.htm Mackaay, E. (1990). Economic Incentives in Markets for Information and Innovation. Harvard Journal of Law Public Policy, 13(909), 867–910. This research paper on The Best Social Networking Tool for Me was written and submitted by user Sloane S. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Eustreptospondylus - Facts and Figures

Eustreptospondylus - Facts and Figures Name: Eustreptospondylus (Greek for true well-curved vertebrae); pronounced YOU-strep-toe-SPON-dih-luss Habitat: Shores of Western Europe Historical Period: Middle Jurassic (165 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 30 feet long and two tons Diet: Meat Distinguishing Characteristics: Large size; sharp teeth; bipedal posture; curved vertebrae in spine About Eustreptospondylus Eustreptospondylus (Greek for true well-curved vertebrae) had the misfortune of being discovered in the mid-19th century, before scientists had developed a suitable system for the classification of dinosaurs. This large theropod was originally believed to be a species of Megalosaurus (the first dinosaur ever to be officially named); it took a full century for paleontologists to recognize that its unusually curved vertebrae merited assignment to its own genus. Because the skeleton of the only known fossil specimen of Eustreptospondylus was recovered from marine sediments, experts believe that this dinosaur hunted prey along the shores of the small islands that (in the middle Jurassic period) dotted the coast of southern England. Despite its difficult-to-pronounce name, Eustreptospondylus is one of the most important dinosaurs ever to be discovered in western Europe, and deserves to be better known by the general public. The type specimen (of a not-quite-fully-grown adult) was discovered in 1870 near Oxford, England, and until later discoveries in North America (notably of Allosaurus and Tyrannosaurus Rex) counted as the worlds most complete skeleton of a meat-eating dinosaur. At 30 feet long and up to two tons, Eustreptospondylus remains one of the largest identified theropod dinosaurs of Mesozoic Europe; for example, another famous European theropod, Neovenator, was less than half its size! Perhaps because of its English provenance, Eustreptospondylus was prominently featured a few years ago in a notorious episode of Walking With Dinosaurs, produced by the BBC. This dinosaur was depicted as capable of swimming, which may not be so far-fetched, given that it lived on a small island and may occasionally have had to venture far afield to forage for prey; more controversially, in the course of the show one individual is swallowed whole by the giant marine reptile Liopleurodon, and later (as nature comes full circle) two adult Eustreptospondylus are shown feasting on a beached Liopleurodon carcass. (We do, by the way, have good evidence for swimming dinosaurs; recently, it was proposed that the giant theropod Spinosaurus spent most of its time in the water.)

English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 24

English - Essay Example At the same time, it is impossible to pretend he is not heading for disaster since the opening lines announce his death within the year. Red rose petals were a recurring theme throughout the movie. They were a symbol of control and power over Kevin Spacey. In their first form, his wife is seen tending to her roses with matching garden gloves and shears. They then morph into a symbol of power that a high school girl has over his sexual desires. At the end of the movie, roses are presented in a controlled environment by being putting in a vase. Also, the roses in this movie were the color of blood, which matched the murder at the end of the movie. The sets also related the controlled environment in which this family lived. The house was pristine inside and out with expensive couches, trendy dà ©cor, and the presence of white and blue being the most common. Jane’s room was the only room that used a warm color, red, and represented that she was the only character that was able to voice her unhappiness with the entire situation. Her father did not voice his discontent directly through speech, but more so through actions. The mother did not even realize her unhappiness until she found herself having an affair with a rival real estate agent. Even though Jane was able to voice her discontent, her complaints often went unnoticed as the gripes of a moody teenage. In essence, all of the characters were held in a vise of emotional numbness until Kevin Spacey’s

Teamwork. Organization Structure and Design, and Organisation Culture Essay

Teamwork. Organization Structure and Design, and Organisation Culture - Essay Example 3). Employees have a lot of impact on the tendency of an organization to be innovative and competitive (Bakker and Schaufeli, 2009, p. 147) which imparts need for the leaders to keep the employees motivated. Different organizations have different strategies of developing teamwork and also have different organization structures and designs, and organizational cultures. Factors that control these elements include but are not limited to the nature and scope of business, and the socioeconomic and political conditions prevalent in the areas where the business is established. There is no hard and fast rule which can be applied to all organizations. While there are numerous theories of teamwork, organization structure and design, and organizational culture, yet they have to be customized to suit the individualistic needs of different organizations. This paper draws a comparison and contrast between the teamwork, organization structure and design, and organizational culture of two organizati ons; Biogenia and Sleepeasy. Comparison of approaches to teamwork and teamworking Teamwork is the work accomplished by interdependent employees in a group to achieve a goal of mutual concern (Parker and Wall, 1998). Teamwork encourages employees to collaborate with one another (Salas and Gelfand, 2012) and allows employees to be more included in the decision-making process (Mat and Razak, n.d., p. 218). Teamwork is essential to the success of both non-profit and profit-oriented organizations (Rapur and Rapur, n.d.). â€Å"As â€Å"no man is an island,† the positive effects of productive teamwork can energize an entire organization, just as the negative effects of a lack of teamwork can cripple an organization† (Slechta, n.d.). Biogenia places a lot of emphasis on the development of teamwork among the employees. This is achieved by interchanging their roles which is an essential component of teamwork (Griffin, Patterson, and West, 2001, p. 537; Tannenbaum et al, 1996). This has a two-way effect on the employees that increases their tendency to be better team members. Firstly, every employee gets an opportunity to work in a different position for some time during which, the employee gains exposure to the job responsibilities associated with that position so that whenever required, other employees can be invited to do certain tasks that are different from the tasks they normally do in their respective positions. This provides Biogenia to incorporate multi-tasking in its employees which in the long run is in the best interest of Biogenia as well as its employees as they would be equipped with diverse experiences. â€Å"Moving to multi-skilled teams will alter the range and style of working† (Acas, n.d.). Secondly, when an employee gets to work in some other position for some time, it enables that employee to gain an insight into the potential issues and challenges encountered by the employee who regularly serves in that position. This not only increases the employees’ knowledge of the challenges faced by all departments of the organization, but also increases their tendency to cooperate with employees from other departments in the hour of need as they know that the cause is genuine as they personally had had an opportunity to experience the issues while they served in other departments for some time. â€Å"To perform the task better, individuals depend on knowledge from other units or departments†

Grant Proposal - Pressing Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Grant Proposal - Pressing Questions - Essay Example Therefore, reintroducing the manufacture and use of these tools and furniture will elevate the standards of living in the society in different aspects particularly the economic aspects will elevated immensely. Different cultures that define our origins and societal orientations can be defined or identified by the shapes and styles of tools that our forefathers used in the ancient years (Lane, and Matthew 71). The tools and wares that were used in the early years help in defining the kind of preferences and livelihood that were embraced. However, in the contemporary world, the same tools and wares can be made in their old nature and be sold to museums and to different cultures as means of appreciating the ancient cultures that such tools and wares originate. In this sense therefore, if we reintroduce the modelling and carpentry work in the society that will deal with making such art tools and wares, there will be increased employment opportunities especially to those who will be involved in making such items as well persons who will be doing sales on the same. Many people often tend to identify themselves with ancient items; thus, they are usually concerned with period through which certain tools and wares were made and used. It is very easy to determine periods and dates that the wares and tools that were used. According to Hirth, technologies such as carbon dating have allowed archaeologists to determine the periods that these tools were used (Hirth 39). Vessels were mostly used to represent the artistic orientation of a particular community. There functional characteristics did not apply to the views of the community. Therefore, in cases where people may be having these ancient tools and wares or items we shall install carbon dating systems to help in determining the years that the presented artefact was made. The older the artefact the more value it will earn and the more

Evolution of foreign worker in Malaysia

Evolution of foreign worker in Malaysia Decades earlier, the movement of people from one place to another exist always. Pending their own reasons or motive, people have been moving for centuries from one place to another in order to continue their survival. To date, immigration amongst different countries is no longer a new phenomenon. At the time of world war, many inhabitants were displaced to other nation due to man-made and natural disasters. Until now, the phenomenon still exists which are primarily driven by poverty in their home country. Thus, there are both pull and push factors behind the migration of labour. The situation applies to Malaysia population as well. Multi-ethnic population in Malaysia demonstrated the long history of migration. About 40 per cent of its 26 million people are of immigrants. Due to its geographical location at the crossroads of Southeast Asia, Malaysia had for centuries been open to traders and travellers from the East and the West (Zahid Zamir. 2006). It is during the time of late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries that the inflow of foreign workers especially from the Indian subcontinent, China and Indonesia started to come into Malaysia. During the time of British colony, our country confronted with serious labour shortage. A solution has been taken to import the cheap labour resources from India and China to work in tin mines, rubber plantation and infrastructure development. In that period, these immigrant workers contributed cheap as well as adequate supply of local work force when local workers either found not suitable or interested in working under the same harsh conditions faced by the immigrant labours (Zahib Zamir, 2006). With the incoming foreign workers especially from China and India to work in the plantations, mines and the construction sectors, an alien community has formed before the independent of 1957. After gaining independence in 1957 and the establishment of the periodic 5 year Malaysia plan, the increasing population has prompted the country to put emphasis on housing need. As the construction industry outgrow the general economy, labour shortage were particularly acute in many indispensable trades such as concreting, carpentry, bricklaying, painting, tiling, bar bending, and plumbing by the late 1980s and 1990s (Abdul-Aziz, 1995). Phenomenon where local worker markets could not provide sufficient needs happen on that time. The agriculture sector was the first to experience labour shortage and followed by the construction and manufacturing sectors. Foreign workers from neighbouring countries seek employment as workers in these sectors (International Migrations in Malaysia, 27 Nov 2006). Basically, foreign workers who involve in construction industry come from different nationality such as Indonesia, Bangladesh, Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan and others. To date, the presence of foreign workers in Malaysia has become a norm. It is an immediate measurement to solve the labour shortage problem. The foreign workers has become part of Malaysia society as the demand for workforce is growing and poor work environment and image are accelerating existing workers to leave the construction field. In the recent time, foreign workers being largely absorbs to work in tight labour market conditions and low paying fields such as construction industry. Both developed and developing countries are apt to prohibit foreign worker from being legally employed for the purpose of limiting the number of illegal entrants to protect their domestic labourers. Foreign worker are allow to be employed in selected sectors such as plantation, manufacture as well as construction industry with specify limitations and regulations. 2.3 BASIC DATA ON FOREIGN WORKER According to Economic Report 2004/2005, total number of foreign workers rose from 4% of total employment in 1990 to about 10.7% in 1997 and 9% in 2001. As at July 2004, there are about 1.3 million registered foreign workers, constituting 12% of total employment in the country. Foreign workers have steadily increased in number over the past two decades and they have become a key part of the economy for most of the countries. However, for various reasons, the Government and the employers both small and big have tended to down play the importance of foreign labour in the countrys development. The primary objective of foreign worker to come and work in Malaysia was to make some fortune and return their home after some time. Combination of factors including the unattractiveness of manual construction work to local youths, an expanding manufacturing sector that offer better employment conditions, labour attrition, increasing opportunities for tertiary education, a lower birth rate and out-migration of Malaysia workers to high wages country such as Singapore and Japan have make the foreign worker become vital component in construction workforce in Malaysia (Abdul Rashid, Abdul Aziz, 2001). Local people are no longer able to sustain the demand and needs of construction industry (Azian, 2004). In order to maintain the rapid expansion of construction industry, foreign workers is the option to fulfil the needs. According to statistic on regularized foreign workers (Figure 2.1), it indicates that construction sector is the most active in utilizing foreign worker. According to Ahmad, 1996, the Malaysia construction industry has relied on foreign work force since early of 1980s. An estimated 60% of manual workers in the construction industry were foreign nationals in 1987 (Gill, 1988), a figure which increase to 70% in 1991 (Pillai, 1992) and then 80% in 1995 (Balaisegaram and Pillai, 1996). Since then, the local apprentices shed away from working in construction industry as they feel that working together with these migrant workers was not conducive. Furthermore, the shortages of construction workers was largely rooted from such well-known causes such as poor image, uncertainty in career path, lack of training and education, declining wages, poor work environment, and the transient nature of construction workers. All of the reasons above have caused large proportions of foreign workers in Mal aysia construction industry. The growth of foreign worker in construction industry is continuing. Figure 2.1 Number of regularized foreign workers by nationality (July 1992- December 1995). (Source; Immigration Department, as quoted in Kassim (1996)) From the statistic of Annual Labour Force Survey conducted by the Department of Statistics, it indicates that the number of legal foreign workers in Malaysia rose to 1,359,632 as at July 2004. Foreign workers are employed in all major sectors of the economy, with manufacturing accounting the largest share at 30.5%, services (25%), agriculture (24.7%) and construction (19.8%). These workers are normally employed in jobs critics label the 3D that is dangerous, difficult and dirty. In others words foreign workers are employ in position where local refused to do. Figure 2.2 Percentages of Legal Foreign Workers in Malaysia by Country (Source: Annual Labour Force Survey, Department of Statistics) From the Figure 2.2 above, majority of foreign workers are from Indonesia, averaging 66.5% of total foreign workers, followed by Nepal (9.2%), Bangladesh (8.0%), India (4.5%) and Myanmar (4.2%). By viewing the steadily rose amount on foreign workers, the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had announced that the government plans to reduce the number of foreign workers to 1.5 million in three years. MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek had recently called for the government to conduct a comprehensive study of the countrys dependence on foreign labour. Dr Chua noted that the countrys local labour force was not sufficient to maintain local industries despite the governments ambitious plans for a high-income economy under the New Economic Model. Hence, the strategy of government to reduce Malaysian dependency on foreign workers will be done after a long run. As long as there is unlimited supply of foreign workers, employer will continue rely on them to their advantage. 2.4 ADMISSION OF FOREIGN WORKER IN MALAYSIA Certain criteria and process have to be observed by foreign workers for entry into Malaysia. Started from 1 August 2005, application for foreign worker is submitted to a One-Stop Centre located in the Immigration Department of Malaysia. There are two types of migrants in Malaysia that is temporary migrants and permanent migrants. For those foreign workers that come into Malaysia in a specified period with single entry visa from Malaysia Embassy abroad, they are considered as temporary migrants. Initially, foreign worker is allowed to work for 3 years only and upon application be extended from year to year to the fifth year. For extension after fifth year, employer must obtain declaration from National Vocational Training Council (NVTC) or Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) that the particular worker is a skilled worker. Basically, foreign workers are recruited to act as construction workers in the construction industry and work predominantly on construction sites and are typically engaged in aspects of the industry other than design or finance (Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia). The job application of foreign workers includes bricklayer, carpenter, concrete finisher, fencer, labourer and etc. Foreign worker who wish to extend working period in Malaysia must obtain either Malaysian Skills Certificate level I II or Skilled Workers Certification from NVTC or Skills Proficiency Certificate or Skilled Foreign Workers Certification from CIDB. 2.5 REASONS CAUSE THE INFLOW OF FOREIGN WORKER TO MALAYSIA There are several factors that attract foreign workers to work in Malaysia. First and foremost, Malaysia is attractive to foreign workers because of its better economic performance and prospective. Most of the foreign workers are come from our neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam. It is a reality that the standard of life quality over their hometowns is much lower in Malaysia. In such countries, the populations are much higher with limited job opportunities. The respective country where foreign workers come from is still under developing and some of them live in poverty. Due to greater industrialised and improvement of economy in Malaysia, there has been a massive rural-urban migration drift, which in turn lead to a serious shortage of workers. Hence, foreign worker was attracted to work in Malaysia. As a multi- lingua and cultural country, the multi-ethic people in Malaysia mainly from Malays, Chinese and Indians can live together in a harmony lifestyle. This is the second pull factor to foreign workers to work in Malaysia as they feel that Malaysian are helpful, kind, friendly, cooperative and tolerate. Different with other country, the political and economic stability in Malaysia is also one of the factors tempting the inflow of foreign workers. As we all know, the policy regarding to foreign workers in Malaysia is fair and liberal, the country choose by foreign workers due to its pleasant moderate climate, open and liberal atmosphere. For foreign workers, Malaysia is heaven for them to work along with. Malaysia holds a better prospect for future of foreign labour because it is a fast developing and progressive nation. According to A. Namukundam (2002), the accelerated economic development programmes and the sustained high economics growth rates in Malaysia caused the influx of foreign workers to meet the increasing demand in Malaysia labour market. The demand for foreign labour is increase continuously in tandem with economic progress. 2.6 ELEMENTS THAT CAUSE THE EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN WORKER IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY It is too broad to identify each of the reason that responsible for the incoming foreign worker in construction industry. Among the reasons of the local construction industry to employ foreign worker in construction industry are as below: 2.6.1 Shortage of workers especially in the 3D jobs (dangerous, dirty and difficult) In the point of view of local citizen, they consider and known construction job as 3Ds job. The first D refers to dirty, secondly is dangerous and last is difficult demeaning. For Malaysian, they normally prefer easier job. Job offer from construction except with professional knowledge and skill are becoming unpopular among the working population. Basically, foreign worker is place in lower end and heavier kind of job. There are only few participants of local people to be involved in construction sector. When given a choice, locals prefer to work under comfortable environment such as white collar work rather than work under the unstable weather. In this era of technology and industrialization, the job such as site supervisors, contractors, foreman, or general worker been regarded as tough and risk-prone. This is because the construction project will not limited in landed property, somehow, high rise property might be construct. Thus, in the mind of locals, construction work place is much more dangerous and accident rate is higher over site when compare to other industry. The working condition in construction industry also poor compare to other job scope such as in service sector and manufacturing sector. The construction industry does not provide a good image in front of locals. The poor image of construction industry include absence of job security, lack of management, lack of opportunities for career advancement has make local citizen decline to join the construction line. Foreign workers offer cheaper wages For employers in construction industry, they are allow to recruit foreign worker once they proof that effort have been done to recruit local but they are fail at last. As long as the foreign labour is allow entering and work in Malaysia, the employers can easily bring them to fill up the job deficiency in construction sector. It is obvious that employer can select their workers amongst locals or foreigners. Be realistically, most of the employers are cost-conscious. MTUC president Zainal Rampak stated that employers were more inclined to hire foreign worker who were prepared to accept low wages. Foreign worker offer much lower wages compared to locals. Beside than inexpensive, the foreign workers also possess some basic skill in construction and will work in accordance with discipline and working hard. Therefore, most of the employers in construction industry will have preference on foreign worker. Foreign workers willing to work for longer hours Foreign workers are the one who will accept both cheaper wages and worse term and conditions of employment, as their purpose is earn much money in shorter time frame. From the opinion of employer, the newly arrival labour willing to accept lower wages and less attractive work conditions (Michael, 2001). They being paid lower even they perform the same job as locals do. Sometimes they even perform longer hours of working time than local without blaming on it. Addition, Local Authorities Employees Association Chairman Abdul Rahman Mahad added that besides getting cheaper labour from foreign workers, employers also hired such workers as they were ready to work longer hours (The Star, 05 August 2004). According to Tey (1997), it is believed that they are no real shortages but employers prefer aliens especially illegal ones because they can easily be exploited as they have no resource to justice in front of law. As a conclusion, the employers who willing to recruit foreign labour were interested in lower wages and the hardworking character of foreign workers. Foreign worker easy to recruit There are only minimum requirement to be fulfil by foreign worker to take part in Malaysia construction industrys job. For foreign worker, only those who have passed the Induction Course and recognised by NVTC will be allowed to be brought into Malaysia. The Foreign Workers Orientation Course in Malaysia is a course that compulsory for all foreign workers brought in between 1/1/2004 and to date (M. Vivekanandan, 2008). After gone through the course, employer must ensure that foreign labour is insured with an insurance company appointed to the panel of Foreign Workers Compensation Insurance Scheme (SPPA) which under Workmen Compensation Act 1952. For requiring of additional foreign labour, the employers need Certificate of Registration of Foreign Worker under section 60K of EA 1955. After all the cost included had been paid by the employer and the foreign worker is allow to work in Malaysia with condition that he must pass the test on FOMEMA by registered clinic. Friends or relatives work in construction industry Aside from recruiting of foreign workers through Agent Company, there are some of the companies employing them through introduce of existing foreign workers at construction site. Some of the foreign workers being employ to Malaysia because of the relationship between relatives and friend. The working condition in their hometown is limited with job vacancies. Most of the foreign workers working in Malaysia with the reason to reunion with his family and meet their friends because mostly from them choose to work in other place such as Malaysia rather than stay in their hometown. This subsequently made the other foreign workers to choose Malaysia as the place they hope to go and work. Apart from that, local construction industry willing to employ them because they can save on the introducers fee and at the same time, they can recruit a well behaved foreign workers because the existing recognise relationship such as friends or relatives. Plentiful job vacancies on site Although in the opinion of locals that the wages paid off by construction industry in Malaysia is considered as low and insufficient, it is in the viewpoint of foreign that the basic salary that they gain in working in Malaysia is high. Due to greater industrialisation, urbanisation of economy and higher education levels, the general youth in Malaysia community always complain and dissatisfied with the income if they work in construction sector. For locals, they will only take part and work in construction sector if they are recruiting as project manager, site engineers, architects and so on who earn higher income. This situation creates a lot of job vacancies on site, foreign workers has been recruited to fill the empty space. From site coordinator, carpenter, ceiling worker, bar bender, roofer, plasterer to plumber, aluminium worker and painter, the job availability in construction sector is wide and many. All of jobs mentions above are always available in every project construction site which offers moderate wages and opportunities to foreign workers compared to jobs in their homeland. 2.7 CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Construction industry is a sort of service- industry that form real things like residential building, industrial facilities, infrastructure facilities and national land development (Kim, Hee Jin, 2002). This industry is comprised of a multitude of occupations, professions and organizations (Wong and Fung, 1999; Kanji and Wong, 1998; Sommerville, 1994). The complicated nature of operation has brought numerous of problem to construction industry. In construction industry, it comprises various parties such as architect, construction engineer, design engineer, project manager, construction manager, contractors, sub-contractors and also general workers. They are involved in the different phases of a construction project, which, include: feasibility, development, finance, concept development and review, estimate, detailed engineering, procurement, construction and start-up (Schultzel and Unruh, 1996). When either one of the party involved do not have co-operation or do something out of ord er, this will normally bring to project failure. Unlike the others industry such as manufacturing, the members of construction players usually change with each project. When different team meet together in one brand new project, their idea will be different and hence the product of construction industry is always unique and seldom mass produce. 2.8 QUALITY IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY According to Hart, 1994, the term quality has a three-fold meaning in construction. Quality means getting the job done on time, ensuring that the basic characteristics of the final project fall within the required specifications and lastly it means getting the job done within budget. To achieve acceptable levels of quality, a project must be included three aspect that is time, satisfaction and cost. The quality of building will be affected when either one of it did not be fulfil. When the project of construction industry has inefficient quality levels, it will reflect to great expenditures of time, cost and resource in order to make up the shortcomings. Actually, the project quality is directly associated with conformance to specifications and fitness for use. Similar to other business activities and sectors, construction industry also has a lot of competitors. The construction industry neither faced aggressive competition at the regional level nor in international level. Therefore, it has to impose higher quality levels to ensure their position in the emerging international market. 2.8.1 Quality of workmanship The construction industry is being viewed as one with poor quality emphasis compared to other sectors like the manufacturing and service sectors (Kubal, 1994; Kanji and Wong, 1998; Wong and Fung, 1999). One of the criticisms directed to the quality of building is shoddy workmanship. The quality, cost and timely delivery of products in the construction industry very much depends on workmanship (The Hindu, 2006). Quality of workmanship can be measure through workers effectiveness and efficiency. The skill, experience and personal ability of the workmen go a long way in determine their quality of workmanship (COBRA, 2009). The workmanship refer to skill of workers on site during the time to processes, the peoples supervise, the materials, the product and etc. Workmanship is skill in an occupation or trade of different workmen based on their training or profession (Adetayo, 1995). Workmen according to Ogunmakin (2005) is the most important factor of production since it is the only factor that creates value and sets the general level of productivity. Workmen on site normally comprise of foreign workers, contractors, main craftsmen, apprentices of various trades and so on. The quality of workmanship produce by these workers is important because it is a main factor to produce quality building. Normally, foreign workers performing all kinds of labour work that does not require specify training. According to Ogunsemi, 2002, poor quality of workmanship makes it difficult or impossible for workers to perceive and apply the concepts of quality control and limits of tolerance for building production thereby, resulting in poor construction which may finally lead to building collapse. Quality of workmanship should be take note especially on the skill of foreign workers. 2.8.2 Quality of building materials Building materials are various substance or items that form the basic components of various elements of a building (COBRA, 2009). Two types of building materials can be found in construction industry that is natural occurring and mixture. Both of the building materials are prepare in adequate proportion to suit the purpose it is intended. Along the way in building construction, materials of varying shapes, sizes and amount are extensively used. The primary building materials on site are cement, sand, aggregate (of various classes), iron rods, water and timber (hard or soft wood) which is widely use in foundation works and structure works. These are referred to as star materials (Odulami, 2002) and they are usually mixed together to give different components and elements found in the erection of any building structures (COBRA, 2009). For a building with good quality, the materials used must be of some specific ultimate strength, which have been tested and certified to established its quality such as quality control (QC), quality assurance (QA) and quality level (QL). Aside of primary building materials, glass, aluminium, ceramics and etc. is secondary importance and have wide application in construction industry. Refer to Bolaji, 2002, due care must be taken in the selection of materials either primary or secondary where improved building techniques are a necessity because both of the materials are not separable. It is on record that, good building techniques are enhanced by building materials of good quality (Adebayo, 2000). If the building materials are not properly handed or stored, they may be seriously vulnerable and effects to quality of building. Before any material should be incorporated into building works, the issue of confirmation of quality of building materials must be taking serious. This is essential to avoid situations where majority of buildings fail in meeting safety obligations to the general public which may finally result into building collapse. COMPONENTS OF BUILDING Building failure occurs when there is a defect in one or more elements of the building which caused by inability of the material making up the components or incapability of workmanship. This further lead to impacts such as the building elements fall to perform its original function effectively and if seriously will lead to building collapse at last. A research was carried out by Bamidele (2000) and in Fadamiro (2002) , the causes of buiding collapse may be cause from natural disaster, design error, poor materials and workmanship, procedure error and poor maintenance. Every kind of building has a lifespan and all components and elements put together to make it functional are expected to sustain this lifespan (Odulami, 2002). Roofing The roof system functions as the primary sheltering element for the interior spaces of a building. Its form and construction should control the flow of water, air, heat and cold. A roof system must be structured to span across space and carry both its own weight and live loads such as wind. Roof system are the primary gravity loads for a building and its structural layout must correspond to the wall and column systems through which its loads are transferred down to the foundation system. Flooring Floor systems are the buildings primary horizontal planes which must support live loads people, furnishings and movable equipment and dead loads- the weight of the floor construction itself. Floor systems must transfer their loads horizontally across space to either beams or columns or to bearing walls. A floor systems edge conditions and connections to supporting foundation and wall systems affect both a buildings structural integrity and its physical appearance. Floor system must safely support the moving loads. Hence, it should be relatively stiff while maintaining its elasticity. Except for exterior decks, a building floor is normally not exposed to weather. Since they are all support traffic, however, durability, resistance to wear, and maintenance requirements are the factors to consider in the selections of a floor finish and the system required t support them. Wall Systems Wall systems are the vertical planes of a building which define and enclose its interior spaces. They may be bearing walls of homogeneous or composite construction, or they may be constructed of linear columns and beams with non-structural panels filing between them. How these walls and columns support floor and roof systems above, and how they are supported in tun by wall and foundation systems below, are determined by the structural capability of these systems qand the types of materials and connections used. Walls can also serve as shear planes which are designed to resists lateral winds and earthquake forces. Exterior walls serve as a protective shield against the weather for a buildings interior spaces and control the passage of heat and cold, air, moisture and water vapour, which also resistant to the weathering effects of sun, wind and rain. The interior walls which subdivide the space within a buiding may be either non-structural or load-bearing. Their construction should be able to support the desired finish materials. Doors and windows Doors provide access into a buildings interior from the exterior and passage between interior spaces. Exterior doors should provide weather tight seals when close and maintain the approximate insulation value of the buildings exterior walls. At the same time, the doorways should be large enough to move through easily and accommodate the moving of furnishings and equipment. Door performance include ease of operation, requirements for privacy and security, and any need for light, ventilation, and view. There are many types and sizes of windows, the choice of which affects not only the physical appearance of a building, but also the natural lighting, ventilations, view potential, and spatial quality of the buildings interior. As with exterior doors, windows should provide a weather tights seal when closed, have insulation valve, and resists the formation of condensation on their interior surfaces. Door and window units are normally factory- build, manufacturers may have standard sizes and corresponding rough-opening requirements for the various door and window types. From the exterior point of view, doors and windows are important elements in a buildings facades. The manner in which they break up a buildings surfaces affects the massing, visual weight, scale and articulation of the building form. Finish work There are severals materials and methods used to finish a buidings exterior and interior surfaces. Exterior wall surfaces should be durable and weather-resistant. Interior walls should be wear-resistant and cleanable. Floors should be durable and safe to walk on while ceilings should be relatively maintenance free. Additional factors to consider include a finish materials fire resistance, and thermal insulation value. Surface finishes have a critical influence on the aesthetic qualities of space. In the selection use of a finish material, the colour, texture, pattern and the way it meets and joins with other materials should be considered. WAY TO DIMINISH THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS THAT BRING BY INVOLVEMENT OF FOREIGN LABOUR In the past, there is always a prediction that the demand for foreign worker is going to be rise in the coming future in construction industry. To date, it is already a truth that the inflow of foreign worker into our country has achieve a high rate and the government or the private sector have the responsible to construct strategies to stop the inflow of new foreign worker and decrease the dependency on them. Several ways has been formulated by the authority governing the industry with the assistant of construction associations to overcome the problems faced by local construction company and developer firm when dealing with the issue of foreign workers. Government tighten hiring rules of foreign labour It is a true where Malaysia industries is bringing more foreign worker than needed in the country and the government has to plug loopholes that cause the oversupply. Drastic measurements has adopted by the government and for most recently topic is the amnesty programme that done by government to repatriate the immigrant workers especially illegal immigrants. As we all know, the foreign workers were needed to fill the shortage of local supply but it is not a long term measure to enable employers to cut cost. Hence, s

Parked Cars Can Be Death Traps for Kids :: Safety Death Children Essays

Parked Cars Can Be Death Traps for Kids Imagine sitting in a hospital waiting room anticipating the results of the tests being run on your only child. You were lucky though; at least he is alive. You had no idea that he was in your car. You can not imagine how traumatic it could have been for him to be trapped in his own car. Finally the doctors come to tell you the news. He has brain damage, and he will never fully recover. He may never walk again and he will never live the life of a normal child. These events occurred because you did not make the effort to assure your child was not unattended in your vehicle. â€Å"At least 19 children died during the summer of 1999 because they were trapped in hot cars, according to data being released by a children’s safety group† ( O’Donnel 1). Some parents run in the post office, pay for gas, buy a pack of cigarettes, or even go shopping while their children sit in a hot vehicle. â€Å"A National Safe Kids Campaign survey shows that 10% of parents believe that children can be unattended in a car. That number increases to 20% for parents 18 to 24 years old. And 50% of parents report that they don’t lock their vehicles† ( O’Donnel 5). Children should not be left unattended in a car for any reason. A child left unattended in a car could die. The extreme temperatures cause the child to overheat, which leads to death. The child could have severe brain damage. The heat could not be so extreme it causes death, but brain damage can be just as traumatic. The child could climb into the car if left unlocked. Many parents are not aware that their children are in their vehicles. The results of leaving a child unattended in a car can be fetal. Many parents don’t understand the severity of leaving a child alone in a vehicle. Assuring that your child is never unattended in a vehicle is very important during hot weather when temperatures inside a parked car can soar to deadly levels in minutes. â€Å"John McDonnel put a thermometer, which was set at about 98 – degrees, and let it sit in a car in the hot sun for several hours.