Literature Review: Open Visitations in ICU Oksana Bjorlie Walden Univer

Literature Review Open Visitations in ICUStudies have shown that open ICU misadventure is an asset quite an than a hindrance with respect to a patients wellbeing. Since the 1950s, visiting has changed from a strict nurse-controlled regime to a more flexible patient-centered approach (Taylor, 2008, p. 30). Family comprehension in patient care is evolving into a collaborative model between patient, family and healthcare providers. In response to this collaboration of patient and family-centered care (PFCC), this method has been support in order to achieve the most beneficial outcomes for patients and their families. Open visitation in the ICU should be encouraged, not because of the pressure of growing social awareness, unless because it can provide comprehensive responses to the needs of patients and their families. Many studies are being conducted on this subject garnering a great deal of support prompting the instruction execution of PFCC, which encourages open visitation in I CU.The following is a brief summary of research studies concerning the current state of knowledge related to the promotion and benefits of open visitation in the ICU.Literature SourcesThe main purpose of conducting a literature follow-up is to obtain the most usable and reliable studies that pertain to the topic of the interest. High dependableness and quality of evidence-based studies are provided by filtered sources. For my review I was able to find systematic reviews and individual articles. All of these reviews pertain to the dilemma of open visitation vs. curb visitation in Intensive Care Units. With multiple views from different perspectives I was able to put on the comparison and trials approaches. Also, to prepare for this project I was able to utilize unf... ...ithin the context of patient- and family- centered care. International Journal of Evidence Based Healthcare, 9 362-387. doi10.1111/j.1744-1609.2011.00229.xClarke, C., Harrison, D. (2001) . The needs of children visiting on adult ICU a review of the literature and recommendations for practice. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 34(1), 61-68.Giannini, A. (2007). Open intensive care units the case in favor. Minerva Anestesiologica, 73(5), 299-304.Hoye, S., Severinsson, E. (2007). Methodological aspects of rigor in qualitative nursing research on families involved in ICU A literature review. Nursing and Health Sciences, 9, 61-68 doi10.1111/j.14422018.2007.00300.xTaylor, A. (2008). Exploring patient, visitor and staff views on open visiting. Nursing Times, 104, 30-33.

How Much Does It Cost to Save? Essay -- Economics Employment Jobs Essa

How Much Does It Cost to Save?The impact of software development offshore outsourcing has many economic and social impacts. Economically, India is thriving with GDP evolution accelerating exponentially including having the potential to achieve double-digit growth.1 Meanwhile, in the United States, the numbers relating to developer jobs are quite the opposite. Most figures suggest that by 2015, roughly 3.3 million business-processing jobs will experience moved abroad. As of July 2003, around 400,000 jobs already had.2 Socially, job loss has many strong emotional implications. Job loss due to cost cutting measures twin with the dot-com layoffs in Silicon Valley conveys an outlook for finding a technical position quite bleak. In addition, changing jobs is stressful, let alone go into a project management position that now appears to be a position a US engineer must look into. In India, although at that place is significant momentum to put their trained technical skills to use, the temporal logistics of the situation force many Indian engineers to work during the night time. The economic benefits are seen, and at what cost on a personal basis? With such facts, one can argue for both sides of the economics and social impacts of outsourcing. The context must apply internationally, particularly in the United States and India. When viewed at this level, the economics suggest that the outsourcing moves are indeed overall beneficial. The social impact, however, is not so supportive and an honest analysis shows that when these factors are taken into account, the suggestion that the economic benefits outweigh all the costs is not necessarily the case. EconomicsThe immediate negative economic impacts in the United States about o... ..., 2002 (back)CNet News, M.B.A.s scout for scarce tech jobs, 2003, CNC, 8 Jan., 2003, http//news.com.com/2100-1017_3-979734.html?tag=st_rn (back)Techs Unite, working capital Could Be First State to Ban Offshoring, 2004, TUC, 3 Feb. 20 04 http//www.techsunite.org/news/040203_ban.cfm (back)TUC, Washington Could Be First State to Ban Offshoring, 2004 (back)Wired News, Tech Chiefs Defend Overseas Jobs, 2004, WNC, 7 Jan. 2004 http//www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,61825,00.html (back)Call Centers India, Call Centers in India, , CCI, learn unknown http//www.callcentersindia.com/displaynews.php?idnews=4 (back)Stanford University, Rethinking Migration, 2001, SU, 1 Jan. 2001 http//www.stanford.edu/aneesh/NewFiles/Rethinking%20Migration.pdf (back)SU, Rethinking Migration, 2001 (back)RAJ, India Winning Higher-Status Jobs in U.S., 2003 (back)

Scarlet Letter Essay -- Literary Analysis, Hawthorne

Weak and powerless are so me of the words that describe womens role in prude society. Men were the breadwinners and women were confined to the household. Most women lived their lives under the authority of men, but because of her unusual place in society Hester was able to overcome this. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne switches the typic male and female roles to prove that when given the opportunity, women abide be strong and independent members of society. Hawthorne uses Hesters reaction to her punishment of wearing the letter A, to show women can survive in society without being dependent on men. Additionally, Hawthorne uses Hesters relationship with Chillingworth and Puritan authorities to represent how women can be dominant. Furthermore, Hawthorne breaks down conventionalism sex characteristics by switching the typical male and female traits of the characters in the novel. Because Hester was able to take care of herself and Pearl socially and economically as a sing le m other(a), Hawthorne proves that women can survive in society without being dependent on men. Hawthorne states The tendency of her fate and fortunes had been to set her free. The scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other women dared non tread (137). Hester was an outsider in her community and was able to look at society and the world with a unique point of view. Unlike close women during the seventeenth century, Hester was not confined to the household and was not under the authority of a husband. Hester defies the stereotype that women are weak and frail and cannot survive on their own. Because Hester does not have a husband to provide for her and Pearl, she is forced to provide for her family economically. She possessed an art that suf... ...y become active members of society, just like men, if they are allowed to be gender so-so(p). Hawthorne breaks down normal gender characteristics by switching the typical male and female traits of the characters in the n ovel to prove that when society allows women to be gender neutral they can be just as important and able members of society as men. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses Hester as a symbol of womens vent from male authority. Hawthorne believed women could be strong, independent and able members of society if only they were given the opportunity to prove themselves. Hester was a single mother that successfully provided for herself and her daughter and to boot stood up for herself when threatened by male authority. Hester is proof that when women are not under the restrictions of society they can be just as independent as men.

Liberia Essay -- Africa

Liberia owes its establishment to the American Colonization Society founded in 1816 to resettle freed American slaves in Africa. An attempt at colonization in Sierra Leone had failed in 1815. Six years later native rulers granted a tract of world on mantle Mesurado, at the mouth of the Saint Paul River, to U.S. re nowadaysatives, and the beginning Americo-Liberians, led by Jehudi Ashmun, began the settlement. In 1824 an American agent for the society, Ralph Randolph Gurley, named the new colony Liberia and the Cape Mesurado settlement Monrovia. Other sepa step settlements were established along the coast during the next 20 years. Soon, however, conflicts arose among the settlers and the society in the United States. By the time Joseph Jenkins Roberts became the first black governor in 1841, the decision had been made to give the colonists almost full control of the government. A constitution modeled on that of the United States was worn up, and Liberia became an independent republ ic in July 1847. Roberts was its first president, serving until 1856. Liberia was recognized by Britain in 1848, by France in 1852 and by the United States in 1862. The Americo-Liberian communities eked out a precarious existence during the 19th century. Claims over i nterior territory were disputed not only by the indigenous Mandinka (also known as Mandingo or Malinke), Kru, and Gola peoples, further also by European states that did not recognize Liberian jurisdiction over the interior. U.S. support led to a series of agreements with Britain and France between 1892 and 1911, which marked the present boundaries. (Liberian control over the interior peoples, however, was not completely assured until the 1940s.) Loans from Britain and the United States partially eased the countrys financial difficulties. Liberia declared war on Germany on shocking 14, 1917, which gave the Allies an additional base in West Africa during World War I (1914-1918). In 1926 the Firestone Tire and Rubber Co mpany opened a gumshoe plantation on 400,000 hectares (1 million acres) of land granted by the Liberian government the year before. Rubber production became the mainstay of the nations economy.In 1931 the League of Nations affirm that Americo-Liberians were using native Africans for forced labor, tantamount to slavery. The ensuing scandal implicated the highest government officials the president and vice presi... ...otestant. Islam has made progress among the people of the interior, who have generally retained their animist religions. Altogether, about 70 percent of the people follow traditional religions and 20 percent are Muslim. English is Liberias official language merely is spoken by only about one-fifth of the people. The remainder speak various African languages which mainly belong to the Mande, West Atlantic, or Kwa linguistic groups.Malaria, tuberculosis, yaws, and leprosy is frequent in Liberia. In 2001 average life expectancy at birth was 53 years for women and 50 y ears for men the infant mortality rate was 132 per 1,000 live births. Some hospitals are operated by the central government, but no national social-welfare system exists. The Compulsory Education Act of 1912 provides for compulsory, free education for children between the ages of 6 and 16. However, government attempts to implement this law are hindered by a scarcity of educational facilities, and only 33 percent of primary school-aged children were receiving education in 1996. Just 71 percent of the population were literate in 2001. The University of Liberia, in Monrovia and several colleges provide higher education.

Essay --

Thomas Alva Edison is a man of creativity and innovative thinking. fit to Patricia Daniels, author of Thomas Edison, Thomas Edison is regarded as one of historys most influential inventors, whose contributions to the modern era transformed the lives of people the world over. Throughout his life span, he managed to achieve over 1,300 patents. A world record, no man could possibly break in their lifetime. From his early life, establishment of Menlo Park Laboratory, to inventing the phonograph and modernizing the first incandescent light bulb, via later years, he is sure the Wizard of Menlo Park. Thomas Edisons early life was filled with downfalls and achievements. He was born on February 11th, 1847, in Milan, Ohio to Samuel and Nancy Edison (Endersby 1). The lastly nestling of 7 siblings to survive until adulthood. They lived in Ohio prior to moving towards Port Huron, Michigan in 1854 after his fathers lumber business failed. Edison was a sickly child throughout his childhood years . It was not until his family relocated when he began teach at the age of 8 years old. He attended a private school called Reverend G.B. Engle. After 3 months, his mother Nancy took him out of school because the teacher called him addled meaning a slow learner. From that point on she educated him at home only after he accepted a job selling newspapers and candy to passengers on the Grand Trunk Railroad in 1859 (Endersby 1). time working there he set up his first laboratory for experimenting and a printing press called the Grand Trunk Herald. One day magic spell experimenting in the laboratory, a fire broke out causing him to discontinue working there. This tragic event almost caused him to become deaf due a conductor boxing his ears. Yet it did n... ...e the ones in West Orange Laboratory. One experiment that got him going prior to his death was searching for an alternative to rubber for heat content Ford. During his last 2 years of living Thomas Edison was in deep critical con dition. Then on October 18th, 1941 in his New Jersey home, Thomas Edison died at 9 pm. His very last words were Its very beautiful over there , said to his wife Mina. Thomas Alva Edison revolutionized the world like no other person. His inventions impacted countries profoundly to become more modern. He started of with the establishment of Menlo Park Laboratory, to inventing the first phonograph, improving the Incandescent Light Bulb, and creating new inventions all the modality until his later years. It is a tragedy when a mongul like Thomas Edison passes away. Yet the The Wizard of Menlo Park does not exist, his legend will forever exist.

Essay --

Thomas Alva Edison is a man of creativity and innovative thinking. harmonize to Patricia Daniels, author of Thomas Edison, Thomas Edison is regarded as one of historys most influential inventors, whose contributions to the modern era transformed the lives of people the world over. Throughout his life span, he managed to achieve over 1,300 patents. A world record, no man could possibly break in their lifetime. From his early life, establishment of Menlo Park Laboratory, to inventing the phonograph and modernizing the first candent light bulb, via later years, he is sure the Wizard of Menlo Park. Thomas Edisons early life was filled with downfalls and achievements. He was born on February 11th, 1847, in Milan, Ohio to Samuel and Nancy Edison (Endersby 1). The farthest kidskin of 7 siblings to survive until adulthood. They lived in Ohio prior to moving towards Port Huron, Michigan in 1854 after his fathers lumber business failed. Edison was a sickly child throughout his childhood yea rs. It was not until his family relocated when he began nurture at the age of 8 years old. He attended a private school called Reverend G.B. Engle. After 3 months, his mother Nancy took him out of school because the teacher called him addled meaning a slow learner. From that point on she educated him at home only after he accepted a job selling newspapers and candy to passengers on the Grand Trunk Railroad in 1859 (Endersby 1). period working there he set up his first laboratory for experimenting and a printing press called the Grand Trunk Herald. One day plot experimenting in the laboratory, a fire broke out causing him to discontinue working there. This tragic event almost caused him to become deaf due a conductor boxing his ears. Yet it did n... ...e the ones in West Orange Laboratory. One experiment that got him going prior to his death was searching for an alternative to rubber for henry Ford. During his last 2 years of living Thomas Edison was in deep critical condition. Then on October 18th, 1941 in his New Jersey home, Thomas Edison died at 9 pm. His very last words were Its very beautiful over there , said to his wife Mina. Thomas Alva Edison revolutionized the world like no other person. His inventions impacted countries profoundly to become more modern. He started of with the establishment of Menlo Park Laboratory, to inventing the first phonograph, improving the Incandescent Light Bulb, and creating new inventions all the focusing until his later years. It is a tragedy when a mongul like Thomas Edison passes away. Yet the The Wizard of Menlo Park does not exist, his legend will forever exist.

Financial Statement Analysis Essay

I. INTRODUCTION monetary analysis is the selection, evaluation and interpretation of pecuniary data, along with opposite pertinent, to uphold in investment and financial decision-making. More over, it is also the process of identifying financial strengths and bleachednesses of the firm by properly get toing relationship between the items of the balance sheet and profit and deviation accounts. When looking a specific company, the financial analyst will often focus on the income bidding, balance sheet, and interchange flows statement.One of the most vulgar shipway of analyzing financial data is to calculate proportions from the data to compare against those of other companies or against the companys own historical performance. For example, re call on on assets is a common ratio used to de barrierine how efficient a company is at using its assets and as a measure of profit faculty. This ratio could be calculated for several(prenominal) similar companies and compared as part of a larger analysis.Financial analysis converts raw information of financial statements in useful financial information. Only aft(prenominal) financial analysis, we can use financial statements for decision making. This financial information is useful for planning for example we can estimate our future ability of earning on advertising if we did financial analysis of our advertising expenses with direct return on the investment in advertising. Like this, we can do financial analysis of for each one and every(prenominal) item of profit and loss account, balance sheet and cash flow statement.II. STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVESThis study aims to analyze the financial statement of Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc and outlying(prenominal) Eastern University for the periods of 2007 to 2011 using financial statement analysis. This analysis are to apprehend the information contained in financial statements with a view to know the weaknesses and strengths of the firm and to acquire a forecast about t he future prospects of the firm thereby, enabling the analysts to take decisions regarding the operation of, and further investment in, the firm. To be more specific, the analysis is underinterpreted to serve the chase purposes (objectives) * Assessment of Past Performance. Past performance is a good indicant of future performance.* Assessment of present-day(prenominal) coiffure. Financial statement analysis shows the latest position of the firm in terms of the types of assets owned by a business firm and the varied liabilities due against the enterprise. * Prediction of profitability and growth prospects. Financial statement analysis helps in assessing and predicting the earning prospects and growth rates in earning which are used by investors while comparing investment alternatives and other users in judging earning authorisation of business enterprise. * Prediction of bankruptcy and failure. Financial statement analysis is an important tool in assessing and predicting ban kruptcy and probability of business failure. * Assessment of the operational cleverness. Financial statement analysis helps to assess the operational efficiency of the precaution of a company.RESEARCH AND DISCUSSIONDr. Yangas Colleges, Inc. Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc. (DYCI) started as a non-sectarian secondary institution. It was establish in 1950 as the Francisco Balagtas Academy (FBA). In 1987, the name of the institution was changed to Dr. Yangas Francisco Balagtas Colleges (DYFBC). Through the years, the school has been an integral part in the formation of many early years men and women of Bulacan, metamorphosing into successful practitioners in their various fields of interest. In 2001, the name of the institution was changed again and became Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc. Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc. (formerly Dr. Yangas Francisco Balagtas Colleges, Inc.) was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2001, primarily to own, operate, maintain, or otherwise adm inister a school or colleges of any nationality providing therein education in different courses. distant Eastern University.The farther Eastern University, In bodilyd (the University or FEU) is a domestic educational institution founded in June 1928 and was registered and incorporated with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on October 27, 1933. On October 27, 1983, the University extended its corporate life for another 50 years. The University became a listed corporation in the Philippine Stock Exchange on July 11, 1986.The University is a private, non-sectarian institution of learning comprising the following different institutes that offer specific courses, namely, Institute of Arts and Sciences Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance Institute of Education Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts Institute of treat Institute of Engineering Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management Institute of Law and Institute of Graduate Studies (PSE website). In November 2009, FEU entered into a Joint Venture (JV) Agreement to establish a joint venture company (JVC) for culinary arts. The registration of the JVC was approved by the SEC on May 7, 2010. In 2010, the University established the FEU Makati Campus (the outgrowth) in Makati City. The Branch started its operations in June 2010 (PSE website).III. FINDINGS/ANALYSISFINANCIAL RATIOSFinancial ratio analysis is the calculation and likeness of ratios which are derived from the information in a companys financial statements the aim and historical trends of these ratios can be used to make inferences about the companys financial condition, its operation and attractiveness as an investment. in that location are four categories of ratio used in financial statement analysis. These are (1) Liquidity Ratio(2) practise Ratio(3)Leverage Ratio(4)Profitability Ratio This part of the study is organized the calculation and comparison of ratios of Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc. and farther Eastern University using th e four categories of financial ratios. Specific ratios for each category are also presented and analyzed 1. Liquidity ratio. Which measure a firms ability to cumulate cash needs as they arise.* Current ratio.The current ratio indicates a companys ability to fulfil short-term debt obligations. The current ratio measures whether or not a firm has enough resources to pay its debts over the next 12 months. This ratio shows the current assets forthcoming to cover current liabilities at the balance sheet date. There should be a reasonable buffer of current assets over current liabilities as an indicator of the ability of the firm to pay its debts as and when they fall due.As presented, the current ratio of FEU is insignificantly increasing, which could mean more current assets whitethorn still be invested in other wealth-generating activities. This implies that FEU has to revisit its heavy(p) budgeting initiatives. As to the current ratio of DYCI is generally decreasing which has 4.36 in 2007 that reflects inefficient functional capital counseling to 1.56 by 2011 which falls into a healthy mark of business current assets and liabilities that indicate some(prenominal) account are well functioning and helpful to the operation.* Quick or acid-test ratio.The spry ratio is a measure of a companys ability to meet its short-term obligations using its most liquid assets (near cash or quick assets). Quick assets include those current assets that presumably can be quickly converted to cash at close to their book values.As a accessory to current ratio, quick or acid-test ratio aims to show the more liquid current assets available to pay the more immediately payable liabilities. With reference to current assets, FEU has its quick asset for the year 2010 of 2.26 and 1.92 for the year of 2011. The acid test ratio of FEU is steadily decreasing from 2007 to 2011 which could be interpreted as a deterioration of liquidity.While quick ratio of DYCI is same as their current ra tio decreases because the only current assets they have arecash and cash equivalent and trade receivables which are both(prenominal) included in the quick assets. DYCI is less liquid than their previous.* Working Capital to summarize assets.Working capital to measure assets ratio is useful while evaluating the companys aim of liquidity. Working capital measures a companys ability to cover its short term financial obligations by comparing its come in Current summations to its Total Assets.FEUs working capital to total assets shows that from 0.57 in 2007 has its increased up to 4.26 in 2011 which indicates a positive sign, showing that FEUs liquidity is improving over time. While DYCI has reduced its working capital to total assets between years 2007 with 0.21 down to 0.08 in 2011 that indicates the company may have too many total current liabilities, reducing the add up of working capital available.* Cash-flow liquidity ratio.Cash-flow liquidity ratio measures how well a compa ny can handle its Short condition Debt with its cash and other liquid assets. It seems like quick ratio of FEU has become inconsistent with considerable decline in the liquidity ratio. This just confirms the discussion presented in the current ratio portion that not all current assets of FEU fall under the immediately realizable current assets when needed to pay off maturing debts. In the financial ratio of DYCI the cash flow liquidity ratio is unstable where it goes from 2.44 in 2007 it went down to 1.72 by 2008 and escalate to 2.36 and 3.57 by 2009 & 2010 but drastically take during 2011 to 2.71 it shows that DYCI can provide cash payment to its short term obligation. 1. Activity ratio. Which measure the liquidity of specific assets and efficiency of managing assets.* Trade receivable turn-over.Trade Receivable turn-over measures how many times a companys accounts receivable have been turnover into cash during the year.FEUs converted trade receivables into cash 3.14 times in 201 1, low from 20.17 in 2007. The turnover if receivable doesnt improve which may indicate a not do good quality of receivable and no improvement of the firms arrangement and credit policies. While the DYCI has a 41.92 times in 2011, up from 26.09 times in 2007. The receivable has improved and this may indicate better quality of receivable and improvement of the firms collection and credit policies. Generally, a high turnover of DYCI is good because it could indicate efficiency in the collection of receivable, but a very high turnover may not be favorable because it may indicate that credit and collection policies are overly restrictive.* Average Collection Period.This helps evaluate the liquidity of accounts receivable, the ability of the firm to collect from the customers.The ratio for FEU, indicate that during 2011, the firm collected its accounts in 116 days on total. No improvement over the 18 days collection period in 2007. This is one of the main reasons why it has significant ly higher current assets.While the DYCIs financial ratio reflects that decreased their average collection turnover by 5 days from 14days in 2007 to 9days by 2011 which signifies that theres an thin credit term management and falls into outstanding receivables. Hence, cash is circulating wellalthough out the operations that generates revenue.FEU has the longest collection period. Whether the average of 18 days taken to collect an account is good or bad, it depends on the credit terms FEU is offering.* Working capital turn-over.Working capital turn-over measures how well a company is utilizing its working capital to support a given level of gross revenue. FEUs financial ratio shows that working capital turnover in 2007 with 2.04 down to 1.07 in 2011 indicates a decreasing ratio which is a low ratio that FEU is investing in too many accounts receivable to support its sales, which could eventually lead to an excessive heart and soul of bad debts and obsolete inventory. On the other ha nd DYCI has a working capital turnover between year 2011 with 17.11 and 9.62 in 2007 that path a high, or increasing Working Capital Turnover is usually a positive sign, showing the company is better able to generate sales from its Working Capital. entirely an extremely high working capital turnover ratio can indicate that DYCI does not have enough capital to support it sales growth. This is a particularly strong indicator when the accounts payable component of working capital is very high, since it indicates that management cannot pay its bills as they come due for payment.* Asset turn-over ratio.Asset turn-over ratio measures how efficiently a companys assets generate revenue For FEU, the total asset turnover has decreased relative to the industry. As reflected in the financial ratio of asset turnover in 2007 with 0.58 times that there is no improvement primarily in 2011 with 0.49 times. Like DYCI also has no improvement on their asset turnover ratio like FEU. The year 2007 and 2011 the ratio is low from 1.41 down to 0.84. But similar to the previous financial ratio, as a direct of thumb, to be considered effective, it should be at least 0.30 times. Using this, it can be said that the two firms both FEU and DYCI keep an effective mechanism on utilizing their total assets.* Capital intensity ratio.Capital intensity ratio measure of a firms efficiency in deployment of its assets.As reflected on the financial ratio of FEU. The capital intensity in 2007 was 1.72 and has an improvement with 2.05 in 2011. So FEUs capital intensity ratio is high, it is said to be capital intensive. Like DYCI also a high ratio in 2007 with 0.71 up to 1.19 in 2011. This means that both firms have to make a significant investment in assets relative to the amount of sales revenue those assets can produce. Hence, FEU is more capital intensive than DYCI 1. Leverage ratio. Which measures the extent of a firms financing with debt relative to equity and its ability to cover interest and other fixed charges.* Debt ratio.Debt ratio measures the proportion of all assets that are financed with debt.Total debt includes all current liabilities and long term debt. Creditors prefer low ratios because the deject the ratio, the greater the cushion against losses in the event of liquidation. As presented, in 2007 with a 0.15 down to 0.12 in 2011 it seems like FEU will be highly happy because they have the lowest ratio and tear down the risk. On the other hand DYCI will also be highly favoredbecause of its 0.89 in 2007 up to 0.91 in 2011. They both have the lowest ratio and indicate lower the risk because they didnt have reached the generally considered maximum ratio of 50%. To much debt would pose obstruction in obtaining additional debt financing when needed or that credit is available only at extremely high rates of interest and most trying terms.* Debt to equity ratio.Debt to equity ratio measures the riskiness of the firms capital structure in terms of relationship b etween the funds supplied by the creditor and the investor.As reflected from the financial ratio of FEU. FEUs debt to equity ratio has increased between 0.88 of 2011 and 0.85 0f 2007, implying a roughly riskier capital structure. On the other hand the financial ratio of DYCIs debt to equity ratio decreases from 0.11 in 2007 and 0.9 in 2011 which implies a no risk capital structure. 1. Profitability ratio. Which measure the overall performance of a firm and its efficiency in managing assets, liabilities, and equity* Operating Profit Margin.A ratio used to measure a companys pricing strategy and operating efficiency.FEUs operating profit margin doesnt have an improvement because of its 34% in 2007 down to 26% in 2011. This is unfavorable because it indicates the ability of the company that there is no control in operating expenses while sharply decreasing sale. Unlike the operating profit margin of DYCI is consistently in equal level which is 1% in 2007 until 2011 with 1% as well.* C ash Flow Margin.Cash flow margin is cash from operating activities as a percentage of sales in a given period.FEUs cash flow margin between 0.32% in 2011 decreased from the operating margin of 0.43% in 2007. On the other hand the DYCIs cash flow margin in 2011 of 0.21 was higher than the operating margin. This indicates a strong positive generation of cash. The performance in 2011 gibe a solid and impressive improvement over 2005 which is -0.01 when the firm failed to generate cash from operations and had a negative cash floe margin.* Rate of contribute on Assets (ROA).It gives an idea as to how efficient management is at using its assets to generate earnings.This ratio measures efficiency with which assets are used to operate the firm. As a rule of thumb, a higher return on total assets is preferred since lower ROAmay mean higher degree of leveragetherefore higher interest expense and lower net income. Referring to financial ratio of FEU between 2011 from 2008 FEU consistently sh owed the highest ratio than DYCI with 1% in 2011.* Rate of Return on Equity.It gives an idea as to how efficient management is at using its assets to generate earnings. This ratio measures the rate of return on common shareholders investment. This is considered as the most important accounting ratio as this has something to do with the DuPont equation. As a rule of thumb, the higher the ROE, the better since low ROE but high ROA may mean that the firm is using greater debt. Reflected inthe financial ratio of FEU between the year 2007 to 2011 is inconsistently showed the highest ratio than DYCI with its low ratio of 7% in 2007.Summary of Financial Statements Analysis of FEU and DYCIShort-term liquidity and ActivityShort-term liquidity and activity analysis is of particular significance to trade and short-term creditors, management and other parties concerned with the ability of a firm to meet near-term demand for cash. Both FEU and DYCIs current and quick ratios are insignificantly d ecreasing indicating a deterioration of short-term liquidity. On the other hand the cash flow liquidity ratio of both firms doesnt improved and has become inconsistent with considerable decline in the liquidity ratio. The average collection periods for accounts receivable of FEU doesnt improved.There is no improvement that may be the result of poor day-to-day credit management or such temporary trouble concerned by a depressed economy. While the DYCI decreased their average collection turnover by 5days which signifies that there is an excellent credit term management and falls into outstanding receivables. Presently, there appears to be no major problem in DYCIs short-term liquidity position but FEU seems that there is a problem in average collection period that must have been improved.Long-term SolvencyThe debt ratios for FEU and DYCI shows a steady decreased in the use of borrowed funds. Total debt has decreased relative to total assets implying a slightly riskier capital structu re. Given the decreased level of borrowing, the times earned and fixed charged coverage improved slightly in 2011. These ratio should however be monitored closely in the future particularly if the both firms continues to expand.Operating Efficiency and ProfitabilityFEU and DYCI both decreased from 2007 to 2011 that means inefficient utilization or obsolescence of fixed assets. The assets turnover in 2011 of both firms also decreased implying that the company is not using its assets optimally and no submit traceable to improved management of receivables. Operating profit margin of FEU doesnt have an improvement, unfavorable and manage to improve its operating margin in 2011 principally due to the ability of the firm that there is no control in operating expenses. Unlike DYCI that is in the stable level from 2007 to 2011. Referring to financial ratio of FEU and DYCI both firm increased considerably in 2011. These ratios measure the overall success of the both firm in generating prof its from its investment and management strategies.ConclusionIt appears that Far Eastern University and Dr. Yangas Colleges, Inc. doesnt have any major problems and is well proportioned for future growth but FEU must improve their average collection period. loaded monitoring the firms management of receivables is important considering the size of the companys capital tied up. The both firm should however be wide-awake of the increased risk associated with debt financing.IV. RECOMMENDATIONThe analysis of the Dr. Yangas Colleges Inc., financial statements shows that there is no consistent ratio on the increase of their comprehensive income unlike the Far Eastern University who maintains the increase of their profit. Therefore, it is advised that a stronger and more effective policy shall be developed and implemented regarding the ratio of the revenue and all expenses. When it comes to their cash every end of the year, Dr. Yangas improve better than FEU. For the past 5 years, FEU keep s on decreasing their cash on hand. It is observed and analyze that FEUs cash on hand decrease, while their account receivables increase. So, the expected cash to be use in the entire year was still receivable that affects their accounting plans.It shows that FEU has a weak credit and collection policy, so it is advised to focus on those credit accounts, and also in accepting creditors and promissory notes. As reflected in the financial ratio of Far Eastern University and Dr. Yangas colleges, Inc. there is no major problems for both firms and is well proportioned for future growth. However the Far eastern University has a problem in their average collection period. Therefore, possessing a lower average collection period is seen as optimal, because this means that it does not take a company very long to turn its receivables into cash. Ultimately, every business needs cash to pay off its own expenses. In that case it is advised that FEU must improve an excellent credit term management to fall into outstanding receivables. Hence, cash is circulating well although out the operations that generates revenue.

Mistakes Promote Progression Essay

Mistakes made are lessons learned, not the other way around. According to Scientific Americans numerous experiments, they came to the conclusion that when mistakes are made, one better remembers the correct answer or decision. Alexander Pope suggests that a man should never be ashamed to own he has been A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the vilify, which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday. In life, one strives for the correct answer or the correct choice, but how can this be identified if one does not change surface know of the possible mistakes? To get a correct answer on a test almost has the same value as guessing correctly. Without make a mistake, there is no proof of sole knowledge. Mistakes aid in recovery, as well as progression.Further more than, Henry L. Roediger and Bridgid Finn conduct several experiments on students in regards to study habits and pretesting effects. In one of their experiments, students were gi ven 8 seconds to study different word pairs, such as star-night, and factory-plant. When they were asked to pair the word star, approximately 5% of the students answered correctly. However, when they were given the same amount of time to read over the pairs once more, all of them correctly matched the pairs. This proves that making mistakes show students what the wrong answers are in recount to answer correctly. In addition, when studying flashcards for a test of some sort, one should memorize the answers to each side of the card.However, when studying the first time around it is much difficult to have the right response to every single card. After going through each card a few times, the answers become more fluent in your mind and it is later easier to remember the responsesfor the test. When one does not answer the question correctly while studying, the wrong answer sticks in the mind. As a result, the next time the same card comes around, one knows the wrong answer and is more likely to answer correctly. Making mistakes promotes success and progression. Making the wrong choices give the individual experience perhaps even wisdom. Mistakes are key to making right decisions, proving that, in other words, he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

Discrimination of black people and white people Essay

This story, Black Boy is a great book that describes how the author, Richard Wright, suffered in the South of the United States du sinker the clock time when thither was windlessness a lot of discrimination throughout the country. Since the author explained many of his horrible experiences in the past, this book cannot be written in a thin book. This chummy book is full of his great experiences that wanted to be read by many people in the world in order to let everybody cope the disasters of racism.This racism affected Richard spell out a lot and he had to adapt to the environment that he was in, although he didnt know how he should act in front of white people in the beginning of the story. thither are not many good examples in the beginning of the story since Richard was a little boy, and he still didnt know about racism. He did know that something was different between desolate and whites, but he wasnt fitted to understand it since he was too young. He even talks to himsel f in Pg. 49 that I had heard that colored people were killed and beaten, but so far it all had seemed remote.There was, of course, a vague uneasiness about it all, but I would be able to handle that when I came to it. It would be simple. If anybody tried to kill me, then I would kill them first. After this, he realized the harshness of racism around his society when Uncle Hoskins got shot by a white man when he was at the saloon. And the reason is just because a black man was earning a lot of money and the white man became jealous. Also after this scene, there is an another example in Pg. 172 where he met his classmate, Ned Greenley who had lost his brother since the whites shot him for a specific reason.Ned said, Th-they said he was fooling with a white prostitute there in the hotel. Richard was shocked since he could be in those kinds of situations at any time. Richards starts to think of really going to North soon as possible now. In Chapter nine, there is a scene that is reall y harsh where Richard sees it, but could do nothing. This scene is at the clothing store for black people where Richard worked. The black employees were treated interchangeable slaves in the store the white owners would push, kick, or slap the blacks.Although Richard saw this scene many times, he never got used to it. Another big thing is the time when Richard sees a black woman getting raped by two white men. This is a part from the book that describes how evil this time of period was. On Pg. 179, it says, White people passed and looked on without expression. A white policeman watched from the deferral, twirling his night stick but he made no move. I watched out of the corner of my eyes, but I never slackened the strokes of my chamois upon the brass.After a moment or two I heard shrill screams coming from the rear path of the store later the woman stumbled out, bleeding, crying, holding her stomach, her clothing torn. When she reached the sidewalk, the policeman met her, grabbed her, accused her of being drunk, called a patrol wagon and carted her away. When I read this scene, it really pine my heart. I couldnt believe that the police didnt do anything at all and although the policeman knew that the black woman was raped, he accused her of being drunken.Richard could urinate thought of saving the woman, but if he did something to the whites, he could be killed. Therefore, Richard wasnt able to do anything. All he could do was to feel sorry for the lady. This doesnt mean that Richard didnt worry about the woman, it was the way how he had to act in the South. After Richard realizes the social cycle between the whites and the blacks at his work place, he sacrifices his morals to save more money. He begins to bootleg liquor to sell to white prostitutes in the hotel that he worked at.After that, he involves in a ring for scamming tickets. Then, he quickly amasses enough money to move out to the North. Although Richard was working earnest, he quits it because it was very hard to collect money if he had worked earnestly. Since Richard Write had an experience that he does not want to experience anymore, he was able to write this book, which would tell all the readers that discrimination or racism is not a good thing to do. He explained how he had to act as a black man if he didnt act like a black man, he might have not gotten the chance of writing this book.Richard Write had explained how blacks should act as a black, and although many horrible things were occurring around him, he wasnt able to change it since he was just a black man. I feel that Richard really wanted to resist against the white men but if he did, he knew that he was going to be dead. Although in the beginning of the story, he said that, If anybody tried to kill me, then I would kill them first, as a result he wasnt able to disobey the whites because he was scared of death. Since he was able to adapt to the society that he was in, he was able to earn money and was able to go to the North to have a better life.

Dr. Jekyll and Bride Essay

Among the many works offered during the course of this semester, a few stand out as exceptionally enjoyable and meaningful maculation some fail to meet this expectation. Thus, my favorite work this semester would be Robert Louis Stevensons The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde while my least favorite is Stephen Cranes The Bride Comes to yellow throw. My first point of analysis when it comes to these works is the genre. This contributed greatly to my strong affection for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.I enjoy the gothic, mystery genre, especially the technique in which several characters recite the story. This diversity in point-of-view gives the reader, myself, various perspectives on which to evaluate the action. In addition to the genre and technique, I was enthralled by the storys theme. The inner press of good and evil is something that is inherent in all people, and physically separating a person into a good half and a bad half is an keen way to characterize this dichotomy.I also enjoyed the culminating conclusion that the incarnation of evil can slowly overrun the inclinations towards good in a person. The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky is an example of a more objective style story written about the American west at the turn of the century. The theme of the story focuses on the end of the western gunslinger era for the more civilized behaviors of the East.The self-consciousness of the bride is evident as she rides the train, but even the clothing of Yellow Skys only holdout, Scratchy Wilson, is a product of New York. The sadness of the loss of an era is evident, which, in turn, makes me sad. In addition, while both stories were of a serious nature, the sincerity in Bride is so much more unnecessary. The characters are oddly serious it seemed way out of character as seen by the images of death and decay. I control that this complements the theme, but I did not enjoy it as I did the mystery.

Education Essays – Citizenship Education School

How Citizenship t separatelying is educated and implemented indoors Scots t individuallys.1. AbstractThis scatteruriency aims to aspect into how Citizenship guidance is presented and implemented at heart Scots trails. Scotland differs from the rem privateder of the United Kingdom in that citizenship as a topic has non been offici eachy introduced, instead it is seen as organism industrious and should be taught in all topics across the school work of m rehearse, on that pipfore impacting both inside and outside the school.The information presented I this confinement was gathered during the six hebdomads of my 2nd arrangement in 2008 in a non-denominational province school in East Lothian and was carried out in the conformation of staff interviews and a school-age childs central contingent congregation. During the staff interviews, their positions on the unalike elements of growing deep down Citizenship instruction receiptledge & A tinge, skills & A aptit udes and values, were discussed. A school-age childs focal point group was set up and the group discussed citizenship in the school social & amp moral effs, rights & A duties, the school & A wider community, political relations & A nation and the surround.The consequences show that, the school ar actively advancing the elements of citizenship in most countries of its subjects course of remove. with such capable categories as societal instruction, chemical science and music, the school is supplying students with the cognition, consciousness and accomplishments to confront the usual citizenship issues that occurred within it and the wider community. nonetheless, if the students ar traveling to be led into become active citizens, more attempt demands to be made to do them cognizant of precisely what citizenship is and more significantly, why it is being taught to them.2. DrumheadIn September 2002 citizenship instruction was introduced through a Citizenship order to the National Curriculum in England. The order emphasised that learning should guarantee that cognition and correspondence close to being informed citizens are required and applied when ontogeny accomplishments of question and communicating, and meshing and responsible action. ( Arthur and Wright, 200111 )Rather than present citizenship instruction as a defined topic into its National Curriculum, Scotland has opted to do its results, cognition and apprehension accomplishments and competencies values and temperaments and creativeness and endeavor, an built-in pot of each topic taught. Thus citizenship accomplishments are co-ordinated across the whole school.In the frugal decision makers 2004 paper, A Curriculum for Excellence the Curriculum Review Group, schools and instructors are asked to bring forth a course of contract that go forth cook the young person of today for maturity, which will be less crowded and will offer more crock up and enjoyment.Our aspiration is to en able all kids to develop their capacities as successful scholars, confident persons, responsible citizens and effectual subscribers to ordination . ( Scots Executive, 20046 ) .The intent of this task is to tint into the execution of citizenship instruction in Scots schools at this minute. For this probe I used qualitative research this involved questioning constituents of staff at all degrees and interceding a bookmans focal point group,The consequence of my undertaking implies that, whilst the consecutive authoritiess and cultivational constitutions crap the importance of citizenship instruction in givingpupils the cognition, accomplishments and understanding to play an effectual function in society atlocal, national and international degrees , ( QCA, 1999 cited by Kerr, 2006 p5 ) most of the students who took mountain in the focal point group had no cognition of the term citizenship or the creates behind it and because of that they failed to recognize its elements within the schools course of get. The students besides showed that their cognition of political relations or democracy was unhappily missing.However when the assorted countries of citizenship were discussed with the students, they realised that they did recognize them and were actively involved in utilizing them. This suggests that, although the term citizenship has little or no conceptual significance to the students, they are deriving matter-of-fact experience of it through topics in the schools course of study each bit good as through the school as a whole.3. Statement of intents or aimsIn its paper A Curriculum for Excellence The Curriculum Review Group, the Scottish Executive provincesOur aspiration for all kids and for every immature individualist is that they should besuccessful scholars,confident persons,responsible citizensandeffectual subscriberstosociety and at work. By supplying construction, support and way to immature peoples acquisition,the course of study should enable them to develop these four capacities. The course of study should full complement the of import parts of househ darkeneds and communities . ( 200412 )Through the Curriculum for Excellence, the Scottish Executive suggests four capacities of instruction that will be the footing of Scots instruction. These are prospering scholars, confident persons, responsible citizens and effectual subscribers.Since it is the avocation of the whole school to develop the four capacities in all their students, the thrust toward constructing responsible citizens should non come on in isolation instead is should be presented across the whole course of study. Activities such as endeavor, citizenship, sustainable maturement, wellness and creativeness, which are frequently seen as pluss, can be built into the course of study framework .( Scots Executive, 20068 ) .Because of these alterations instructors will necessitate to believe about the course of study and how they present it in a different manner. Reflection will be indispensable for their personal development. Teachers will no longer be able to be insular in their ain topic, for every bit good as retrieving to implement the four capacities in their ain topic, they must besides be cognizant of showing them across the school as a whole.Since the Curriculum for Excellence has still to be introduced, the oldtimer intent of this undertaking is to look into how citizenship being presented and implemented in Scots schools at this minute. In order to turn to this inquiry, it was indispensable for me to besides look into the undermentioned sub inquiriesHow the school presented citizenship?Did all topics in the schools curriculum do a part to citizenship?Were its students aware of the term citizenship and did they understand the construct behind it?Was citizenship promoted across the school as a whole?In making this undertaking the writer hopes that it will help him in the execution of citizenship instruction in his ain capable ther efore bettering his ain instruction pattern.4. Literature ReappraisalThe inquiry of what is citizenship? is really ruffianly to specify David Kerr argues that it is a contested construct. At the bosom of the com entreaty are differing positions about the map and administration of society.( Kerr, 20066 ) . Kerrs definition of citizenship instruction is to grasp the readying of immature people for their functions and duties as citizens.( Kerr, 20067 ) . Audrey Osler and Hugh Starkey province thatCitizenship is a site of political struggle.( Osler and Starkey, 200511 ) . They go on to specify it as property two indispensable facets, foremost a position and a set of responsibilities and secondly a practise and an entitlement to rights( Osler and Starkey, 20066 ) . Olser and Starkey besides argue that citizenship is likely nowadays experienced as a feeling of belonging.( Osler and Starkey, 20066 ) . An account in a Scots Executive paper offers the account thatEveryone belongs to assorted types of community, both communities of topographical point, from local to major planetary, and communities of involvement, rooted in a common concern or purpose.( Scots Executive 20008 ) Concluding thatCitizenship involves basking rights and exerting duties in these assorted types of communities( Scots Executive 20008 ) . Harmonizing to the Citizenship Foundation,It citizenship refers non merely to rights and duties laid down in the jurisprudence, but besides to general signifiers of behavior societal and moral which societies expect of their citizens.( The Citizenship Foundation 20062 ) .These different definitions do look to place a common subject of citizenship, viz. that, in order to be a viewed as a full member of their community, people need to actively exert their rights and duties in three countries civil, societal and political. ( Marshall, 1964 cited by Kennedy, 199767 ) .Historically the roots of citizenship can be found in Sparta, antediluvian Greece where civilian responsibility scrupulously performed was besides expected of the good citizen. This would affect virtuous obeisance to the Torahs and engagement in the Assembly( Heater, 200411 ) . This earliest signifier of citizenship, which was besides a characteristic of ancient Rome, may befar removed from the construct of it as we understand it today but it did signal a defined motion off from the old bossy signifier of regulating.Throughout the ages citizenship continued to develop and hold found look in many diverse societies and civilizations as far apart as post-revolutionary France and post-independence USA where it was enshrined in the fundamental law and served as the accelerator for social alteration to the European Union of today where the proposed individual fundamental law is to a great extent predicated on the thought of a European citizen as a mechanism to startle the assorted disparate civilizations.Before Citizenship was debut into the course of study in England in 2002 as a discreet topic, it had been antecedently recommended for inclusion twice earlier. Both times apothegm Britain in crises of war. In 1918, at the terminal of World War 1, thePrimer of English Citizenshipwas published by Frederick Swann to back the moral character of the British Citizen.( Brandom, 2007269 ) . The Association for rearing in World Citizenship, ( AEWC ) , was setup in 1935 to,preserve the democratic cloth of society in response to the rise of totalitarianism .( Brandom, 2007269 ) . Despite the AEWCs construct of citizenship being adhered to in schools in the post-war old ages, there was no official add-on of citizenship as a topic into the course of study.Harmonizing to Anne-Marie Brandom, citizenship was given some signifier legislative recognition( 2007270 ) in the 1988 nurture Reform Actbut the course of study time-table was so overcrowded that it failed to be implemented.Recommendations were besides made in a 1990 study,Encouraging Citizenship, as to way s of ministration societal citizenship through schools, voluntary attempts and public services ( Arthur and Wright, 20017 ) but once more there was thin application of it.In the latter portion of the 1990s politicians were concerned with the gradual diminution of British civilization and society. This impairment was peculiarly prevailing amongst the states young person and because of it, there was a noticeable addition in anti-social behavior, hooky and high school exclusions. To counter this, an consultative group chaired by prof Bernard Crick was formed toestablish the purposes and maps of citizenship ion schools. ( Brandom, 2007271 ) The Crick study, ( as it became know ) , categorised citizenship in three lines understanding societal and moral duty going involved in the community ontogeny political literacy .( Brandom, 2007271 ) The Crick study to a great extent relied on the antecedently mentioned Marshall definition of the three elements that make up citizenship the civil , the societal and the political. These elements were underpinned by the thought of thekid as a here later on citizen. ( Brandom, 2007272 )One of the recommendations from the Crick study was that citizenship instruction should be given 5 % of course of study prune. That and other recommendations helped organize the demands for citizenship instruction in the revise National Curriculum 2000.The Revised National Curriculum 2000 incorporates three strandsunderstanding societal and moral duty going involved in the community and developing political literacy ( QCA/DfEE, 19996 cited in ( Brandom, 2007272 ) . As a consequence of these three strands, students are tobecome informed citizens develop accomplishments of question and communicating develop accomplishments of engagement and responsible action.( QCA/DfEE, 19996 cited in ( Brandom, 2007272 )Unlike most England, most of Europe, North America and Australia, citizenship has non of all time been officially introduced into the Scots schools course of study.In the 2000 hearing paper Education for Citizenship in Scotland stated that citizenship instruction in Scots schools wouldnot affect the creative activity of a newborn capable citizenship genteelness or the version of any individual bing country of the curriculum .( Scots Executive 200016 ) Alternatively it would be done throughcombinations of larning experiences set in the day-to-day life of the school, distinct countries of the course of study, cross-curricular experiences and activities affecting links with the local community.( Scots Executive 200016 )The documents rank of the reappraisal group was chaired by Professor Pamela Munn of Edinburgh University who supported the sentiment of a whole-school attack to citizenship instruction, noticing thatTo look to turn up citizenship education in one peculiar post-14 class of survey would look to be inconsistent with the wide position of instruction for citizenship being advanced in this paper.( Scots Execut ive 2000 cited in Arthur and Wright, 200316 )The reappraisal group concluded that citizenship instruction in Scotland isintegral to the instruction of pupils and dwelling in the whole course of study and ethos of the school.( Arthur and Wright, 200316 ) .The shortly to be introduced course of study for excellence portions the very(prenominal) positions of the non-introduction of citizenship instruction as a discreet topic. In the 2004 course of study reappraisal group paper a course of study for excellence , citizenship instruction is still presented as being a whole-school attack but it besides encompasses the household and the communityThey should be successful scholars, confident persons, responsible citizens and effectual subscribers to society and at work. By supplying construction, support and way to immature peoples acquisition, the course of study should enable them to develop these four capacities. The course of study should complement the of import parts of households and communities( Scots Executive 200412 )In 2006 a course of study for excellence advancement and proposal was published. This paper was get hitched with up to the 2004 course of study reappraisal group paper antecedently discussed. Again the whole-school attack is advocated, this clip with outside support fromother administrations, doing citizenship instruction wholly active non merely across the whole school or local community but globally.The whole school has duty for developing the four capacities in every kid and immature individual. This has deductions for the parts of each grownup who supports kids and immature people, and for whole-school policies, planning and partnerships with other organisations.( Scots Executive 20068 )5. ResultsThe focal point of this undertaking was to look at how citizenship was both presented and implemented within my 2nd placement school. I farther investigated its execution within my ain topics plane sectionalisation and besides looked for grounds of cross-curricular activities. For the intents of researching this undertaking, I conducted staff interviews and mediated a pupils focal point group. This allowed me look into which elements of citizenship were include by the staff whilst learning their ain topic. It besides provided me with every bit pot as to the extent of the staff and students cognition and apprehension of citizenship.In looking at learning citizenship within my ain topic I designed four lessons on globe music. This gave my category and I the chance to analyze other civilizations and their music. The stuffs produced which were specific to the civilizations we were look intoing Brazil, Cuba, Indonesia and Ghana. Through the lessons the category were able to intercourse the background to the music and how the music made them experience, develop their practical accomplishments by playing the music both separately and as a group and larn how to listen efficaciously. ( To most pupils music is a background noise they hear music in a lift, in a shopping Centre and on their MP3 participants as they study. ) Teaching music and citizenship in this active manner allowed me much range for personal contemplation, inquiring myself what went good, what needed to be im be and what would make other than following clip? This in bend helped with my ain personal development non merely as a music instructor but as a whole instructor.6. MethodsIn researching this undertaking I decided to utilize a assortment of different methods. My chief grounds for this was that in my old research undertaking I used observation as the chief line of my probe and I entangle that if I used a assortment of research methods this clip I could anticipate better responses from both staff and students likewise.6.1 Staff interviewsThrough the schools trustee, mergings were arranged with members of staff who were willing to notice on how citizenship has been implemented in their section in the school. The staff members I met up with were the Citizenship Co-ordinator, the Head of the Department for Science, the Head of the Department for loving Education and a instructor from the music section.A meeting of 15 to twenty proceedingss with each of the above staff members was arranged. I had prepared and circulated a issue of cardinal inquiries in progress of the meetings. ( Appendix 1 ) . The inquiries focussed on how citizenship is delivered in both their section and through the school as a whole. I asked each member of staff for permission to tape the interviews I conducted and all agreed. This enabled me to look into the inside informations I had written down against the recordings, therefore guaranting that my analysis was accurate and presented a true contemplation of their positions.what are the Advantages/disadvantages?The interviews with the staff members proved to be really successful, with all my purposes and aims being met. At the terminal of each interview they besides agreed to do themselves av ailable by electronic chain armor to clear up any issues that might hold arisen whilst I was composing up the research.6.2 Pupils focal point groupWith the schools permission, a focal point group dwelling of a cross subdivision of S1 to S6 students was arranged to take topographic point one lunch period. A sheet incorporating the chief subject headers of the treatment was given to the students taking portion in order to give them clip to fix for it. ( Appendix 2 ) .My undertaking as the go-between of the group was to maintain the treatment unfasten ended whilst maintaining it on the subject. To assist maintain them farther on topic and aid direct their thought I wrote the capable headers of the subjects to be discussed on the rooms whiteboard. A high degree of pupil interaction ensued, from which the information for this study emerged.This method of garnering informations from the students has it advantages and disadvantages. The advantages being that it allows for a non-threateni ng attack therefore ensuing in an unfastened uninhibited treatment. The usage of this method besides gave the students a manner to discourse and if need be, dispute each others positions in a safe, friendly, non-threatening environment.The Disadvantage of carry oning the focal point group was that a few of the stronger personalities began to act upon and take over group treatment thereby doing it hard for the quieter pupils to aerate their positions. Because of this I often asked the group if everyone agreed with a remark made or asked if that was what everyone idea. I besides called on a twosome of students by name to detect their sentiments on remarks made.I once more asked and received permission from the school and the students to enter the focal point group treatment this allowed me to intercede the group without holding to rapidly compose down what was being said. In making this I was able to accurately add up the content of the treatment at a ulterior clip.Twelve students, t wo from each twelvemonth, attended the focal point group and their parts to it will be analysed in the undermentioned chapter.7. AnalysisFrom the beginning it needs to be recognised that with merely four staff members interviewed and one pupils focal point group conducted, the findings presented in this professional undertaking can merely be regarded as being preliminary, nevertheless, my research did bring out a figure of interesting findings refering the execution of citizenship within the school. The balance of this subdivision will analyze the positions and sentiments made during both the interviews with the staff members and the pupils focal point group. Because merely four staff members were interviewed, their positions are presented individually, therefore leting for a more elaborate geographic expedition of them.7.1 Staff interviewsMeeting One Coordinator of CitizenshipThis staff member was honest in explained to me that he was new to the school and that although portion of his responsibilities included being the Coordinator of Citizenship he was still seeking to familiarize himself with the duties and responsibilities refering it. He is at the minute set abouting an audit on Citizenship within the school in which he was looking at where the school is at with it, what repeat between the sections there is and what the school demand to make more away. He knew from meetings he had attended within the school that all sections had Citizenship listed as something they were to look at in their betterment programs but until he knew the consequence of his audit he wouldnt cognize if or how it had been implemented.He told met the school was seeking to incorporate Citizenship instead than hold it viewed as a bolt on . Assorted schemes had been introduced this school twelvemonth such as junior and senior pupil councils, both of which had a budget, the re-establishment of houses and house captains and the execution of activity yearss such as succeed and enterpris e through-out the twelvemonth.Meeting Two Head of Department for ScienceThis member of staff expressed that she was worried when she agreed to be interviewed that her section would be found to be missing in incorporating the elements of citizenship instruction into their instruction, nevertheless, the audit she did on her section proved these fright to be baseless. friendship and Understanding are promoted in Science utilizing subjects such as eco chemical science, genetic sciences and atomic chemical science. In eco chemical science the students study the environment, the effects of pollution on it and planetary heating. Geneticss trades with the ethical issues of familial technology. Nuclear chemical science looks at atomic power and what options are available.Skills and Aptitude it was explained to me that the school ran their Higher course of study over two old ages, therefore gave the section clip to include developing the students accomplishments of presenting, treatment and debating.Through group work where the students are encouraged to believe critically about the subjects cover and the experiments they are asked to execute. They are encouraged to larn and happen out through research, analysis and geographic expedition after which their consequences are presented to the remainder of the groups/teams where they are argued, discussed and debated. An spokesperson of this is the genetic sciences unit in which familial technology and trial tubing babes are discussed. Informed statements are given for and against, the students are encouraged to gain that there is no right or wrong here merely their sentiment.Valuess the scientific discipline section has a set of regulations for regard students are encouraged to treasure themselves and their equals and instructors. They are taught to gaze the schoolroom and the equipment within it. They are besides taught to value the sentiment of others, as all points of position are valid. Respect for the wider commun ity, the environment and the planet are amongst other values taught.Meeting Three Head of Department for Social EducationThis member of staff was really experient in showing and presenting the societal instruction programme, he demonstrated an obvious apprehension of how citizenship should be integrated in the course of study and across the school as a whole. fellowship and Understanding Social Education is timetabled for an hr a hebdomad for 1st to 4th twelvemonth students and for two hours a hebdomad for 5th and 6th. Within Social Education cognition and apprehension are promoted utilizing such subjects as money and the universe of banking, sex instruction, right and duties, equal chances, personal development, callings education, societal development, where the school sits within East Lothian, within Scotland and the universe as a whole, drugs and intoxicant instruction and maintaining safe. Within the rights and duties unit students are taught the schools anti-bulling policy, a ny major bulling incidents result in the issue of a rights and bulling contract, this has resulted in a 95 % success rate of them being resolved in school.Skills and Aptitudes promoting and developing accomplishments in students to get by with a fixture multi-cultural universe, being taught regard for others and acceptance through a partnership with themselves, the school, their parents and the constabulary, that their school is a contemplation of society what they learn in school can assume and determine society, communicating and group work/ teamwork, organic structure linguistic communication and get bying accomplishments for both the schoolroom and society accomplishments and schemes are provided to assist the students grapple within their equal group and besides assist them to avoid being coerced into sex, taking drugs or imbibing intoxicant, critical thought students are encouraged to gain that during arguments there are no right or incorrect replies, they are given rele vant information so that they can do an informed disassemble, they are taught to believe, brace and portion students are asked to believe of their ain sentiment on a topic, brace up with a spouse and discourse it, take portion in a group treatment, feed back to the category therefore advancing effectual part and critical thought.Valuess within the Social Education lessons students are expected to esteem themselves, their equals and their instructors. They are taught to esteem the schoolroom and to make a safe environment for everyone within it. Through their partnership with the constabulary, the school and their parents they are taught to esteem the jurisprudence, democracy and justness. They are taught to stand up for themselves and support their ain point of position.Meeting Four Music TeacherThis member of staff was new to the section and radius of her experience both in that and her old school. Disappointingly, she expressed uncertainties as to why universe music should be ta ught as portion of the course of study.Knowledge and Understanding are promoted in music through utilizing such subjects as universe music. In universe music the students study music from Cuba, Brazil, Ghana, India and Indonesia, larning about their civilization, the instruments they use and the differences between their music and music from the West. Students are besides taught non to blow the planets resources by exchanging off electrical equipment when it is non in usage.Skills and Aptitude a big portion of developing accomplishments and aptitudes in music is done through the engagement in different events with in the community. The music section has taken students to entertain the senior citizens at Christmas clip, had pupils get in in the Rotary clubs immature instrumentalist of the twelvemonth competition and has been invited to sing/perform at the jailbreak of a new pristine school and lodging association. Students are encouraged to fall in the assorted orchestras and band s that the school runs therefore giving them the chance to work in groups and construct squad work. Opinions can besides be communicated through vocal authorship.Valuess students are taught to esteem themselves, their equals and both the schoolroom and instrumental instructors. The section besides teach students to esteem all genres of music and to hold regard for the schoolroom and the equipment within it.7.2 Pupils focal point groupAs was outlined before in this undertaking, a focal point group session was carried out in order to find the pupils cognition and apprehension of citizenship and how it was taught to them both officially and informally. At the on-set of the session the significance of citizenship was briefly discussed with the group, after which there was a directed treatment on six different issues refering it. The treatment produced the undermentioned consequencesIssue One Citizenship in the schoolThe students highlighted a figure of activities that they though had h elped them to develop both personally and socially. These included engagement in school trips to Germany and Switzerland, cultural visits such as a visit to the Royal Scottish Museum and a community committednesss plan, which involved picking up litter, endeavor, presentations and school shows.Issue Two Social & A Moral issuesThe Pupils discussed their engagement in implementing the schools anti-bullying enterprises which ab initio had started as a 5th twelvemonth community undertaking. They felt that racism was non a job in the school. The students put frontward one point of grudge of non being allowed to run any fund elevation activities in the school. They felt they would wish the chance to raise money for worthy causes.Issue Three Rights & A dutiesThe students felt they had a voice in the school through both the junior and senior pupils councils. Their representatives were democratically elected and attended regular meetings of the councils provided a vehicle where pupils issu es could be raised. Students are besides put into houses, which have house captains. The houses are awarded points for good behavior, attending, competition wins etc.Issue Four The school & A wider communityThere was much grounds of an engagement in the wider community. As portion of the antecedently mentioned community committednesss plan some students had sang at the gap of a new primary school and had read poesy read poetry the occupants of an old people place.Issue Five Politics & A commonwealthThere was small grounds of any cognition of political relations or democracy apart from the students who had or were analyzing Modern Studies.Issue Six The environmentStudents noted that, the school runs an Eco Club in which both instructors and students discuss manner of salvaging the environment, ( local, national and universe ) . They felt that more recycling could be done within the school. There was merely one recycling bin and that was in the teachers auto park. The group had ask ed for money to supply sections with their ain recycling bin but their petition was denied.8. DecisionsIn roll uping the grounds from students and staff and through observation of the bringing of citizenship at whole school degree, it is clear that the range of citizenship is far-reaching. Areas such as rights and duties, political relations and democracy, community public assistance, informed decision-making, regard for others and a scope of participatory activities, provided a rich beginning of grounds.The student focal point groups and teacher interviews revealed clear grounds that elements of the above subjects were covered through the bringing of distinct capable content. In peculiar, the content of Modern Studies included a more countrywide survey of political establishments and political democratic procedures more finitely than any other curricular country. However, curricular topics such as English and History provided subjects which examined rights and duties and political relations and democracy through the survey of war and the moral issues involved. The survey of Geography and the distinct scientific disciplines besides provided survey of the environment.Religious and Moral Education explored societal and moral issues and encouraged thoughtful and responsible action and an grasp of developing states, analyzing poorness, dearth and drouth. Home Economics developed pupil cognition and apprehension of dietetic issues, healthy feeding and the importance of hygiene. Physical Education encouraged healthy life styles and the grasp of the construct of healthy head, healthy body .Subjects included in the Business Education and Information Technology section, for illustration, Business Administration developed an grasp in students of money direction and endeavor and, besides, allowed students to reflect on the impact of engineering on day-to-day lives. Modern Languages developed consciousness of the importance of different civilizations and the installation to go abroad enhanced the development of hostile linguistic communication accomplishments and the grasp of foreign civilizations at first manus. Art and Design allowed pupils the chance to develop originative ability and provided an alternate agencies of look.However, although the above curricular topics delivered facets of citizenship through pervasion, the Personal and Social Development ( PSD ) programme allocated dedicated clip to many facets of citizenship, including rights and duties, for illustration, in relation to smoke, intoxicant, sexual issues and moral quandary. Furthermore, this topic provided the chance for unfastened treatment, promoting students to be tolerant of dissension and minority positions and to heighten their decision-making accomplishments through working with others.In add-on, the project of work experience arrangements promoted a direct nexus to the universe of work. This was further enhanced by the installation of mock interviews for students by repre sentatives of the concern community prior to go forthing school. The aid of Careers Scotland besides impacted on pupils attitudes to go forthing school.My observations of citizenship at whole-school degree revealed citizenship in action to which the students involved seemed wholly committed. Activities observed included Education Action where representatives from developing states addressed whole-school assemblies. This was a consequence of a instructor at the school holding visited Uganda, which led to pupils going actively involved in fund-raising for Uganda. The assembly provided the chance for students to manus over a finish as a consequence of their fundraising activities.A farther assembly demonstrated S4 students giving whole-school presentations on their work experience, leting them to develop their personal qualities and accomplishments and to do a useable part to their fellow students. The student council, to which category representatives were elected, besides provided the chance for students to take part and lend to the wider life of the school. Unfortunately, nevertheless, I was unable to detect meetings during my arrangement as these were postponed owing to preliminary scrutinies.Other whole-school activities included Young Enterprise, pupil engagement in assorted competitions, debating and Duke of Edinburgh Award, all designed to develop the accomplishments included in the development of citizenship.In decision, it is my position that students frequently did non appreciate when citizenship was being delivered. It was merely through treatment at focal point groups that they came to gain to the full what citizenship entailed. This possibly suggests that, in Scots instruction, citizenship is frequently inexplicit in its bringing through distinct curricular countries. As indicated earlier, PSD is much more expressed, in both content and bringing, thus far pupil perceptual experience of this topic is possibly non every bit high as other topics, wh ich are assessed at national degree.However, my overarching decision is that pupil engagement in citizenship was at its strongest through active engagement by students. When allocated a distinguishable undertaking or, so, when this undertaking was suggested by a student, and when given duty to see the undertaking through to a successful decision, students responded with motive, finding and enthusiasm. Such activities involved students in informed decision-making, demoing regard for others, being responsible and developing personal accomplishments and qualities. From my observations, nevertheless, I would reason that the greatest nothingness is the absence of developing political literacy in students. Unless pupils survey Modern Studies, and numerically really few bashs, so I fear many students will go forth school politically illiterate to a greater or lesser extent. This, I would propose, is an insufficiency in Scots instruction, which needs to be addressed.9. Deductions and Recomm endationsThis undertaking has investigated the presentation and execution of citizenship in Scots schools. The research gathered whilst analyzing citizenship in both the topic course of study and the school as a whole would look to back up the thought that citizenship is taught more successfully when it is spread through out the whole course of study instead than being presented as a discreet topic. Although most students did non cognize the term citizenship , they gained practical experience of the elements of it through the schools capable course of study and through the school as a whole.The school course of study is already overcrowded a audience paper calledEducation for Citizenship in Scotlandconcluded on the challenges of capable pick in Scots schools that, the response to this state of affairs should non be to qualify any individual class of survey of citizenship education as portion of each pupils core programme.( Scots Executive, 2000 p26 ) .In reasoning this undertaking there are three recommendations its writer would do to assist take citizenship instruction frontward in Scots instructionStudents need to be actively involved in citizenship instruction, taking portion in arguments, treatments, enterprises and undertakings.Rather than go forth political relations and democracy to modern surveies, ( which after 2nd twelvemonth becomes an optional topic ) , some survey of them needs to be included someplace else in the course of study. non to make so, will bring forth students who are politically uninformed.Rather than do citizenship instruction a discreet capable, as it is in England, Scotland should go on implementing it as portion of the ethos of the school and portion of the course of study as a whole.BibliographyAndrews, G. ( 1991 ) , Citizenship. Lawrence and Wishart Limited, London. pp. 21 26.Arthur, J. and Wright, D. ( 2001 ) . Teaching Citizenship in the Secondary School. David Fulton Publishers Ltd London. pp. 5 16.Cogan, J.J. and Derrico tt, R. ( 1998 ) . Citizenship for the twenty-first Century An multinational Perspective on Education. Kogan Page Limited, London. pp. 2 4.Kennedy, K.J. ( 1997 ) . Citizenship Education and the Modern State. Falmer Press, London. pp. 67 69.Scots Executive Education Department Report. ( 2001 ) . Education for Citizenship in Scotland A wallpaper for Discussion and Development.Scots Executive. ( 2000 ) . National Priorities in School Education. on-line . Crown Copyright, Scottish Statutory Instrument No 443. Available from hypertext transfer protocol //www.scotland.gov.uk/education/nationalpriorities/priorities.asp, ( p. 1 ) .

Living in a World of Warcraft: the Complex Sociality of Virtual Worlds

Living in a World Of Warcraft The Complex Sociality of Virtual Worlds Through the intersection of gambol, the internet and nett 2. 0 technologies, the realistic worlds of Massively Multi commander Online Games (MMOGs) hit emerged complex reinvigorated-sprung(prenominal) complaisant and cultural environments that bring with them tremendous opportunities for learning. This convergence of mise en scenes, a defining feature of new media, combines the authorisationity mixerity of the internet with the fun and challenge of gaming, blurring the lines between entertainment, play, information and socialisation (de Freitas & Griffiths, 2008, p. 1). Through fantasy-styled power-playing MMOG (MMORPG) World of Warcraft (WoW), I will explore evidence of the benefits and drawbacks of these new forms of sociality, and hear ways in which of MMORPGs show potential to develop new social recitations and ways of learning, both from a player/learner perspective (Jenkins, 2006 Shaffer, Squir e, Halverson & Gee, 2005, p. 106), and in term of studying and understanding social dynamics of human groups on a larger scale (Szell & Thurner, 2010, p. 14). WoWs enormous success exemplifies the massive social phenomenon of online gaming and virtual worlds (Shaffer, Squire, Halverson & Gee, 2005, p. 106). Released in 2004, Steinkuehler & Williams describe WoW as the latest step in a progression of social plump fors (2006, p. 887), referring to the legion(predicate) evolutions in this style of game since its earlier origins in Dungeons and Dragons-style pencil and paper games (Bradford, 2010, p. 7). Socialisation and the building of relationships is central to the game, which attracts an extremely broad audience worldwide within 5 years of release, WoWs subscriber stall grew to 11. 5 million (Bradford, 2010, p. 56). Steinkuehler & Williams posit that as new social environments outside of home, school and work virtual worlds can provide a social context akin to pubs, coffee s hops, and other hangouts (2006, p. 889).Chat channels within the game not only facilitate in-game activities, they also carry constant conversation about the game and topics well beyond it (Steinkuehler & Williams, 2006, p. 894), to the extent that the in-game social interaction is considered by some players to be more important than the actual gameplay (Stetina, Kothgassner, Lehenbauer & Kryspin-Exner, 2010, p. 473). The virtual worlds of MMOGs such as WoWs Azeroth atomic number 18 known for their peculiar combination of intentional escapist fantasy and emergent social realism (Steinkuehler & Williams, 2006, p. 887).Indeed, opportunities for socialisation in virtual worlds are incredibly diverse, evidenced by the grotesque records WoW holds for the Most People at a Virtual Funeral and Largest Virtual Beer Festival (Guinness World Records, 2012). Real-world issues can impact the virtual world too, exemplified by WoWs one-year Running of the Gnomes, where low- take pink-haired gnome avatars most created or rolled specifically for the event run through dangerous terrain to a designated location and, by sort out together, form a heart for breast cancer awareness (Iserloth, 2012).The event raises money for the Cleveland Clinic for vaccine research, and this year exceeded the $1,000 goal (ONeal, 2012). Such events epitomise the unique social culture of MMORPGs impervious to the physical boundaries of real-world events, creative player-instigated socialisation takes full advantage of the flexible social environment of the virtual world. Games, in all of their various forms, have given rise to new forms of sociality (Bradford, 2010, p. 63), as evidenced by the role Communities of Practice play in game culture.Bradfords research shows that, whether a game is designed to be played with others or not, communities which cluster around games constantly engage in negotiations over strategies, experiences and opinions (2010, p. 56). Like most video games, WoW is su rrounded by a powerful network of knowledge (Gee, 2003, p. 187) through these Communities of Practice, consisting of a content domain, a group of persons interested in this domain and a shared practice to increase the effectiveness of each member (Wolf, K, 2007, p. 191).There are also communities dedicated to a seemingly endless wave of user-created media, from webcomics created using WoW screenshots to highly-produced machinima, a convergence between games and cinema which combines film-making techniques with computer-generated imagery (CGI), rendered in real- sequence using game engines (de Freitas & Griffiths, 2008, p. 13). Players forge reputations amongst these robust communities (Shaffer, Squire, Halverson & Gee, 2005, p. 106), participating in forums to share advice on how to advance in the game, hosting news sites or writing FAQs and walkthroughs.Along with in-game social facilities, they make up a crucial component of MMORPGs (Bradford, 2010, p. 58), necessitating the learn ing and development of effective social practices (Shaffer, Squire, Halverson & Gee, 2005, p. 106). Despite the increase popularity of gaming culture, a lack of understanding of the social contexts of gamers still produces stereotypical views of gamers, attributing to them deviant behaviours and emotional problems (Stetina, Kothgassner, Lehenbauer & Kryspin-Exner, 2010, p. 477).In a recent example, Colleen Lachowicz, a Democratic Party candidate for the Maine State Senate, was the subject of a campaign organised by the Maine Republican Party in October 2012 to make public what they called Lachowiczs bizarre double life (Benedetti, 2012) as an orc in WoW. A website created for the campaign proclaimed Maine needs a State Senator that lives in the real world, not in Colleens fantasy world (Colleens World, 2012), and a mail-out, featuring images of Lachowiczs avatar with highlighted quotes including I love poisoning and stabbing and I can kill stuff without going to jail was posted to voters (Maine Republican Party, 2012). Lachowiczs casual comments epitomise the playful tone of MMOG socialisation (Steinkuehler & Williams, 2006, p. 899) and the misinterpretation, whether accidental or deliberate, is evidence of stereotyping due to a lack of understanding of the complex social culture of MMORPGs. When considering the social potential of MMORPGs, it is also important to acknowledge problematic play playing excessively at the detriment of real-life priorities and relationships (Snodgrass, Lacy, Francois Dengah II, Fagan, 2011).Not all players are effected and numerous studies show that numerous cases of problematic play are associated with pre-existing psychopathological problems (Stetina, Kothsgassner, Lehenbauer & Kryspin-Exner, 2010, p. 474 Snodgrass, Lacy, Francois Dengah II & Fagan, 2011, pp. 1212-1213) including depression, OCD and low self-esteem. Certain player motivations may increase risk of problematic play, such as reliance on online socialisation and escapism as a coping strategy (Stetina, Kothsgassner, Lehenbauer & Kryspin-Exner, 2010, p. 478).A 2011 study suggested playing with real-life friends or family minimises problematic play, by helping to bear awareness of the real world (Snodgrass, Lacy, Francois Dengah II & Fagan, 2011). Furthermore, such play can enhance existing relationships (Steinkuehler & Williams, 2006, p. 891). While immersion experienc(ing) the avatar as I (Bradford, 2010, p. 57) can play a role in developing problematic behaviour, it is important to note that not all immersive play is problematic (Stetina, Kothsgassner, Lehenbauer & Kryspin-Exner, 2010, . 478). Immersion plays a vital role in games such as WoW, allowing players to think, talk and act in new ways and inhabit roles that are otherwise inaccessible to them (Shaffer, Squire, Halverson and Gee, 2005, p. 105), creating a more level playing ground for socialisation and situated understanding (Steinkuehler & Williams, 2006, pp. 891-892). With the ir complex economic, social, political and cultural systems and the potential to access the data of thousands of online players at any given time (Szell & Thurner, 2010, p. 14 Shaffer, Squire, Halverson and Gee, 2005), MMOGs are potentially ideal environments for researching collective human phenomena and social dynamics (Szell & Thurner, 2010, p. 314). In 2007, Lofgren and Fefferman suggested that WoW could be used as a rotating shaft to substantially boost the reality quotient of disease simulators (Vastag, 2007), following an in-game epidemic of the virtual disease Corrupted Blood in 2005. Corrupted Blood, introduced through a downloadable update, was a highly infectious de-buff designed to make combat more challenging in a new area of the game, accessible only to higher level players.A programming error allowed the disease to spread beyond the intended area into heavily populated areas of the game, mimicking the travel of contagious carriers over long distances that has been th e hallmark of many disease outbreaks in history (Lofgren & Fefferman, 2007, p. 625). Lofgren and Fefferman noted that players dedication to the virtual community (2007, p. 627) provoked diverse reactions some risking their own character in an effort to restore others, others logging out in a panic response (Vastag, 2007, p. 264) and some even propagating the chaos by intentionally spreading the disease (Vastag, 2007, p. 64) approximating to reactions of people in real-life situations of danger (Lofgren & Fefferman, 2007, p. 627), suggesting MMORPGs hold great promise in terms of measuring social dynamics and collective human response for purposes of scientific research. At its core, gaming culture relies on effective cooperation and collaboration, both in-game and through communities of practice outside of the game. Participation in video games and the communities surrounding them teaches and encourages players to engage in effective social practices, establishing and building up on new and effective forms of entertainment, pleasure and sociality. Bradford, 2010). The success and popularity of these unique worlds has shown immense potential for further study into large-scale social dynamics and human phenomenon, potential which has yet to be fully explored. As contexts and media forms continue to converge, it seems certain that the millions of players whose avatars inhabit the rich virtual worlds of MMORPGs and other online games will continue to create and explore new and innovative opportunities for socialisation and learning. Works Cited Benedetti, W. (2012). Republicans out Democrat in World of Warcraft Witch Hunt.Retrieved from http//www. nbcnews. com/technology/ingame/republicans-out-democrat-world-warcraft-witch-hunt-6283586 Bradford, C. (2010). Looking for my corpse Video games and player positioning. Australian ledger of Language and Literacy, 33(1), 55-64. Retrieved from http//www. informit. com. au Colleens World. (2012). Retrieved from www. coll eensworld. com de Freitas, S. , & Griffiths, M. (2008). The convergence of gaming practices with other media forms what potential for learning? A review of the literature. Learning, Media and Technology, 33(1), 11-20. inside10. 080/17439880701868796 Gee, J. P. (2003). What Video Games Have To Teach Us about Learning and Literacy. New York, NY Palgrave Mamillan. Guinness World Records. (2012). Retrieved from www. guinnessworldrecords. com Iserloth, A. (2012). World of Warcraft gathers for breast cancer. Retrieved from http//www. universitychronicle. net/index. php/2012/10/22/cancer-wow-walk/ Jenkins, H. (2006). War Between Effects and Meaning Rethinking the Video Game effect Debate. In D. Buckingham & R. Willett (Eds. ), Digital Generations (pp. 19-31). Mahwah, NJ Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.Lofgren, E. T. & Fefferman, N. H. (2007). The untapped potential of virtual game worlds to shed light on real world epidemics. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 7(9), 625-629. doi10. 1016/S1 473-3099(07)70212-8 Maine Republican Party. (2012). Candidates Bizarre Double Life Raises Questions. Retrieved from https//www. mainegop. com/2012/10/candidates-bizarre-double-life-raises-questions/ ONeal, A. (2012). World of Warcraft players go pink to raise money for breast cancer research. Retrieved from http//www. examiner. com/article/world-of-warcraft-players-go-pink-to-raise-mo