Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr Essay Example for Free

Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr Essay The PBS video, â€Å"Malcolm and the Civil Rights Movement† is important in showing the varying views of both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. The video makes it well evident that both men were striving for the same end result, which was â€Å"defeating white racism and empowering African Americans. However, as the video explains, while both men had the same destination in mind, they both sought different journeys to get there. Through an analysis of the PBS video, Martin Luther King Jr.’s â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech, and several passages from The Autobiography of Malcolm X, it can be concluded that while the two men wanted the same thing, they both had different views and beliefs; Malcolm X was angry, bitter and vengeful, while Martin Luther King Jr. was only concerned with fixing the issue at hand. Early in the PBS video, it is explained that while King wished to mend and strengthen a family bond that already existed, Malcolm X viewed himself and black Muslims as an outside party. This is evident through the public denial that Malcolm X was even an American due to his opposing view of the suggestion of â€Å"integration with white America.† (â€Å"Malcolm and the Civil Rights Movement†, The American Experience. PBS. Video Transcript) This belief that Malcolm X was completely angry and against white America is aided though a passage in his autobiography coming from page 292 of the fifteenth chapter. In the first provided passage of Malcom X’s autobiography, Malcolm X shows marked bitterness and hatred in his choice of words to describe the situation. This can best be attributed to the quoting of the his words saying â€Å"the antebellum white slavemaster even devilishly manipulated his own woman.† This phrasing by Malcolm X speaks volumes to how he views the relationship of the white male to the rest of society. Through the using of the word â€Å"devilishly† he is portraying his inner thoughts that the white man is evil and c orrupt in his judgments. Then by using the words and â€Å"manipulated† and â€Å"own†, Malcolm X is expressing his belief that the white man is power hungry and sees the world as a game for his bemusement and handling. Furthermore by saying â€Å"his own woman†, this would suggest that Malcolm X believes that the white slave owner sees himself the master of not only black men but also white females. (Malcolm X, p. 292) To the slave owner, everything but himself is property and assets to be owned and managed. The passage then goes on to explain that Malcolm X strongly holds a general stereotype of slave owners copulating with their slaves to be unquestioned fact about all slave owners. His remarks that the slave owner has conned his wife into letting him procreate with the slaves allows valuable insight into Malcolm X’s thoughts that white male is purely a trickster and untrustworthy. The final two paragraphs of the first passage provided from The Autobiography of Malcolm X offer perhaps the most profound description of Malcolm X’s beliefs surrounding the relationship between blacks and whites. Through the anecdote of the girl traveling all that way to try and make amends for something that not even herself has been proven guilty of showcases how impenetrable Malcolm X’s beliefs are. While the girl asks Malcolm X if he believes â€Å"there are good white people†, Malcolm X explains that only actions can change his thoughts. The girl then offers, â€Å"What can I do?† at which Malcolm X responds that there is nothing she can do (Malcolm X, p. 292). This effectively renders the argument that Malcolm X firmly believes that the previous and current disrespectful actions whites have shown blacks are unforgiving. This belief and anger strongly contradicts with the first part of Martin Luther King Jr.’s â€Å"I Have a Dream† spee ch. Martin Luther King Jr. begins his speech with a preface of â€Å"let us not wallow in the valley of despair,† which he uses to say that the past does not need to define the feelings of the future. King then addresses that by moving on from the past quarrels, brotherhood can be established and the nation’s creed of â€Å"all men are created equal† can be recognized (â€Å"Martin Luther King: I Have a Dream† 1963. Speech). Paralleling this theme of the past not defining the future, King speaks of the state of Mississippi’s current and previous mishaps and how it can change as long as the past is left in the past. In the second provided passage of Malcolm X’s autobiography, which is pages 250 and 251 of the fourteenth chapter, it becomes increasingly clear that Malcolm X does not believe that whites and blacks can live happily on the same level. He then makes a unique distinction between the words segregate and separate. Through a reference to Elijah Mohammed, Malcolm X explains that segregation implies that one side –blacks– are inferior to the other side, while separation suggests that both sides have mutually agreed to part ways and keep distance without one holding significant power or influence over the others. To round out the passage, Malcolm X makes an analogy to a mother and her child stating that unless the baby is separate at birth then both the mother and baby will ultimately die (Malcolm X, p. 250-1). Interestingly, in the third provided passage, which is also found in the fourteenth chapter on pages 260 and 261, Malcolm X makes an interesting comparison of the black people being pets of the white society. This shows that Malcolm X believes that blacks are being trained for the benefit of whites and even mentions the word â€Å"brainwashing† to describe how whites have affected blacks. This passage continues the thought from the second provided passage from earlier in the chapter that blacks should be given the chance to be their own people, away from the influence of white society (Malcolm X, p. 260-1). This analogy suggests that Malcolm X sees the black peoples as independent people that deserve the chance to grow and mature on their own terms. Differing strongly from Malcolm X is King’s speech which showcases his believe that separation is not needed and that he envisions both races coming together as a family. This is illustrated through the line â€Å"black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sister and brothers.† With reference to his reverend background, King makes a suggestion that religion can be a unifying factor for the two races and that â€Å"the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.† (â€Å"Martin Luther King: I Have a Dream†, 1963. Speech) This is in direct contrast to Malcolm X and his autobiography, which puts significant emphasis on his Muslim beliefs being in direct opposition to white society. With the religious tone set, King’s speech then continues to explain how the previous grievances and tragedies of yesterday can be removed for tomorrow beginning with the phrase â€Å"with this faith†. This explains that King was looking to mend fences while Malcolm X saw the situation as â€Å"us versus everyone† and that everyone was out to victimize them. Finishing his speech, King expands the current situation to encompass the hardships of all other situations in the United States. Through this, King is able to offer that uniting of the black and white races can be a foundation for freedom of all parties in the United States. This helps to explain the difference between the views King and Malcolm X most clearly. While Malcolm X believes that unless separation is achieved the two races will destroy each other, King believes that if the two races come together then great achievements and progress in freedom for all can be accomplished. The PBS video then explains that Malcolm X did not want the black Muslim people to viewed as â€Å"defenseless† and thus, he was opposed to a strategy of non-violence (â€Å"Malcolm and the Civil Rights Movement†, The American Experience. PBS. Video Transcript). Because of the differing views on violence, religion was brought into play and Malcolm X insinuated that King was following the white man’s religion and still being controlled by him. While physical violence was avoided by King’s strategy, so was verbal assault as King often avoided criticizing Malcolm X and his comments. The video then explains that Malcolm X’s unique position then became less dominant in his mind as he felt let down from Elijah Muhammad after the death of Ronald Stokes. At the same time Malcolm X was looking to cause physical pain to the other side, King was making legislative and social gains in his movement (â€Å"Malcolm and the Civil Rights Movement†, The American Experience. PBS. Video Transcript). This helps to explain that King largely wanted a fix to the problem, while Malcolm X wanted revenge. Through an analysis of the PBS video, Martin Luther King Jr.’s â€Å"I Have a Dream† speech, and several passages from The Autobiography of Malcolm X, it can be concluded that while the two men wanted the same thing, they both had different views and believes. Malcolm X can be concluded to be angry, bitter and vengeful, with no believe that the relationship between blacks and whites could be salvaged. While differing greatly, Martin Luther King Jr. can be said to be guided by faith, optimistic, future oriented and only concerned with fixing the issue at hand. Works Cited 1.King, Martin Luther. Dr. Martin Luther King: I Have a Dream. March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C. 28 Aug. 1963. Speech. 2.Malcom and the Civil Rights Movement. The American Experience. PBS. 5 May 2005. Television. Transcript. 3.Malcolm X. Chapter 14. The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told by Alex Haley. Alex Haley. New York: Random House, 1964. 250-1, 260-1. Print. 4.Malcolm X. Chapter 15. The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told by Alex Haley. Alex Haley. New York: Random House, 1964. 292. Print.

Social Cognitive Theory on Self Regulation

Social Cognitive Theory on Self Regulation Online education versus traditional education environment can be constructed by identifying the methods that students can engage and be successful. A student can accomplish their educational goal whether they want to enter a traditional or online setting, it is up to the student to strive and motivate themselves in accomplishing in what their heart desires. Online education is almost the same as a traditional education and both settings does the same purposes, but in different ways. Individuals, like myself that works and has a family to take care of, the on-line setting makes it much easier and flexible for my busy day out of my life. Some people might think that on-line course are not accredit and cant be used in their future career, due to not having the interactions with others face to face, and not knowing the significance of the construction of the online environment, they might feel that on-line environment wont help them to be successful. Apply Social Cognitive Constructs of Motivation is an article on how to Enhance Students in Succeeding in Online Distance Education program. According to Miltiadou Savenye 2003), findings of their review of literature, there were six motivational constructs studied in the traditional environments to online education, which noted the concepts to identify methods to ensure students they can succeed in online courses. The six motivational constructs that students can follow are self-efficacy, locus of control, attributions, goal orientation, intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation and self-regulation, which these six motivational constructs had been investigated in a traditional face to face classrooms and a variety of educational teachers. The reason for this article is to discuss the areas in the online education and the academic motivation and by ensuring the students the methods on how to be successful in the online environment; it can encourage others that online education setting, can make a student successful in accomplishing in their goals according to the findings of the literature review. (Miltiadou Savenye, 2003) Since I have been taking on line courses for over 3 years now, I found the online education setting as a great and dynamic way of learning in today society. The method of learning are the same way of a traditional face to face learning, the only difference of this type of learning is that online students doesnt have to sit in a classroom, but we still have to interact with others, we really dont have to sit in a classroom in order to learn. Since entering an online distance learning course, I have learn to interact with my other peers by responding to them on their responses to the discuss questions that are asked by the instructor and it give me a chance on learning new ideas from the responses and they can learn from my responses also. Online education is known as of the most dynamic forms of learning that exist today and is a subcategory for distance learning. It has been defined of a formal delivery of an instructed and one time was a geographic location that separated students and instructors according to (Holmberg, 1989; Melsaac Gunawardena, 1996; Verduin Clark, 1991). Online education overcame in time and had placed constraints which restrict access to the instruction of a traditional educational setting and the cost is very low and gave the availability of computers technologies which increased the pressure that was related to employment, financial and family responsibilities. Online education offers alternative routes and it provides a life long opportunity to student who traditional setting doesnt work for them. Online education is offered around the world, whether at an elementary, secondary or higher level, it offers a large range of online courses. Interaction According to the literature review there are four types of interaction online distance education course. Moore, M.G (1989) identified three types of interactions, Learner-context, Learner-instructor and Learner-learner, which he meant as: Learner-context interaction was described of an intellectual interaction that was between the learner and the topic which was the study of (Moore, 1989) and according to Moore, the learner content interaction was one of the important concept of the online environment, due to the change between the learners behavior that was toward on their educational goal. Learner-instructor interaction was between the instructor and the learners, which the instructor or the team of the subject expert who prepared the course materials. The instructor are responsible to stimulate and continue to maintain the learners interest in the topic that motivates the student to learn, their progress and provide them the support and encourage them. (Moore, 1989). Learner-learner interactions are done among the students on the online environment and it is done with or without the real time presence of the instructor. This type of learner-learner interaction represent the communication between one student with another student or with groups of students, whether it is trough discuss question, chat, or electronic email or messages on the posting board. The final Four of interactions were by (Hillman, Willis, and Gunawardena, 1994), which was called the Learner-interface interaction, which it was identified as the process of using tools to accomplish the learner task or assignments. (Hillman et al., p.34) Students that dont use these tools would not be able to succeed in their goal and by not using these tools it would force the students to drop out of the online courses. Interaction was used to see how students construct with the knowledge in distance education. Several coding scheme was developed to categorize the interaction which was according to the model of the knowledge construction to learn and understand the dialogue that can lead to the students understanding. According to Gunawadena and colleagues (1998) of the understanding of what was developed on the model and coding scheme for online interaction, they included five stages of knowledge construction of the model coding scheme, which are: Sharing and comparing of other information, discover and exploration of the dissonance or the inconsistency among others ideas, concepts, or statements, negotiation of the meaning of co-construction of knowledge, the understanding of testing and modification with the proposed synthesis or construction and finally the fifth coding of scheme statements and applications of the newly constructed meaning. (Gunawadena Colleagues 1998) In an online global debate, participants rarely moved beyond the second stage and stop on the first stage of sharing and comparing information. Inconsistency was not often acknowledged, because participants created agreement and did not acknowledge the differences. Researchers whom investigated interaction, distance education environment considered that it is an important factor that can influence success or failure of the course (Kearsley, 1995; Keegan, 1988, Moore, 1989, Ross, 1996; Tsui Ki, 1996; Vrasidas McIsaac, 1999). According to Kearsley (1995) a higher level of interaction would positively influence the effectiveness of any distance learning courses. Keegan (1988) had also viewed that interaction was the key to effective learning and the information is exchangeable. Moore (1989) considered that interaction is the key of being a very important of the design of distance education. Ross (1996) said that students who do not have the necessary skills to interact with their peers and the instructor using computers are more aware of technology than of the content of communication. (1996) Tsui and Ki (1996) noticed that students interact more frequently over the course of the semester, when they become more comfortable using the technology. Vrasidas and McIsaac (1999) noticed the structure, class size, feedback, and students before the experience with CMC are the four major factors that influence students to interact, they consider that interaction plays an important role to ensure the students success in an online course. Research would provide practical suggestion for increasing interaction in order to help students to persist in an online course. Myself who has been enrolled in an online distance learning education program, learn that the web requires a considerable self-direction, where teachers in a traditional classroom normally provides students with guidance and structure, online students are more independent. Students must take responsibilities on managing and controlling their own academic progress. Theoretical Framework: Social Cognitive Self-Regulation Self-regulated learning referred to a student that is influenced by their thoughts, feeling, strategies and behaviors, which in other words is self generating themselves in of process that will orient them to achieve in their goals. (Schunk Zimmerman, 1998. p. VIII), it is also referred to as an academic self-regulation that has been studied in the traditional classrooms. Students can learn to understand on how to use their cognitive, motivation and behavior to successfully improve their learning skills. Students who learn to use their motivations beliefs tend to use more of their self-regulation learning strategies. The students results of their performance would be less adaptive in their counterparts. (Pintrich, 1999) Scholars claimed of finding social cognitive models of self-regulation to be very useful in discovering the way students do in the online courses. (e.g., Arino, 2007b; Hodges, 2005; Militiadou Savenye, 2003) According to Pintrich, 1999 Zimmerman, 2000 social cognitive models distinguishes themselves from a purely cognitive theory and focuses on the interrelationship among learners and their beliefs that uses self-generated learning strategies. Social cognitive is models that are mainly concern with explaining on how these personal beliefs are associated with behaviors that ultimately influenced by characteristics of the learning environment. (Pintrich, 1999 Zimmerman, 2000) According to Schunk Zimmerman, 1997 1998 in their findings on self-regulated, learners are generally seems as active participants that efficiently control their own learning experiences in different ways, which includes finding a productive work environment and using the resources the right way, participants needs to organize and rehearse the information so they can learn the information. Students who dont understand the process wouldnt believe in their positive motivational and their belief can interfere with their power and their values of learning. (Schunk Zimmerman, 1994, 1998) Online setting have been known that students start to believe in themselves and it probably due to the association of the greater academic success, which will give others in enrolling in a distance learning program. My daughter use to watch me all the time I had an assignment due and by her observing and notice that I succeeding in getting my Associated Degree and continuing on in getting my Masters Degree, as soon as she finish High School, she decided to enroll in a online education program, it gave her the satisfaction of watching on how well I have been doing and having all the tools that is needed to succeed, this showed her that she can also accomplish in her goal. Self-regulation can help anybody in succeeding in their goal, but those people would have to put their minds and use time management in order to complete their assignments. Motivation plays an important role in accomplishing; by being motivated a person can keep in mind why they started the process in the first place. Motivation Motivation is the key to become successful in accomplishing that a person strives for, without that motivation a person can fail in succeeding in continuing on their journey. Students motivation is an important part of the process of learning in any education environment (Maehr, 1984). According to Maehr, (1984) these questions are usually asked of students, what makes a students engage in accomplishing, why do they pursue and accomplish in certain goals or tasks or why they avoid others, according scholarly inquiry, since the writing of 5th, century BC Greek philosopher such as Plato and Aristotle. (Miltiadou, Mario Savenye C. Wilhelmina, 2003) According to Bandura (1977) peoples action are not solely determined by external rewards and punishment and if they did, he or she would behave like a mechanical device that is constantly shifting in different directions to conform the momentary influences of the impact. They would act corruptly with unprincipled individuals and honorable with righteous ones, and liberally with libertarians and dogmatically with authoritarians (Olson Hergenhanh 2007, p. 338). Bandura believes the human behaviors are largely from a self-regulated behavior and among what humans learn are from direct or vicarious experience. Once people learn their performance standards they become the basis of self-evaluation and if the performance meets or exceeds their standards the evaluation would be positive and if they dont and fall short their evaluation would become negative. Students with direct experience and use reinforcement with a high value of behaviors would bring them praise from the relevant individuals in their life, such as their parents. A student who has personal standards can develop vicariously by observing others behaviors that has been reinforced. Self-evaluation is from the intrinsic reinforcement and is more influential than the extrinsic reinforcement that is dispensed by others. Bandura gave several examples of cases that the extrinsic reinforcement engaged in the activities that reduced the motivation in those cases. After he reviewed the research on the relative effectiveness of the extrinsic (externally administered) those intrinsic (self-administered) reinforcement, Bandura (1977), had concluded that a self-reward behavior had tend to be maintained more effectively than if it has been externally reinforced. (Olson Hergenhanh, 2007 p. 338) According to Bandura (1977), students who has high standard of their performance can have a personal distress, they can self-evaluate their standards which can give them a depressive reaction, discouragement, worthlessness and would have the lack of purpose. He believes working at a goal that is too distant or too difficult can be disappointing and subgoals of moderate difficulty are therefore likely to be most motivating and satisfying. (Olson Hergenhanh 2007, p. 338) Self-Efficacy Self-efficacy plays a major component of Banduras (1986) social cognitive learning theory, he describe it as an individuals that has the confidence in their abilities and knows on how to control their thoughts, feelings and actions and the outcome of their influence. People may think that self-efficacy is low, but in reality it can be high or vice versa. People who constantly attempt to do things among their ability may become frustrated and despair and eventually may not continue on in their attempts to do anything and people who has a high self-efficacy doesnt challenge themselves and their ability of growth may not be allowed. After so many years of research on perceived self-efficacy that was done on many ages of groups in laboratory and in the real world setting, Bandura and Locke (2003 pp. 87-88) stated that Efficacy beliefs prediction are not only on the behavioral functioning that were between individuals at different levels of perceived efficacy, but were also changes in the functioning of the individual that were in different levels of efficacy and overtime and even the variation within the same individuals in the tasks performed and those shunned or attempted but failed. (Olson Hergenhanh 2007, 339) Traditional face to face and online schools have teachers instructors to support their students to build and maintain their self-efficacy in their learning. Traditional and Online both have set ups of strategies that can enhance students self-efficacy and improve the students motivation, the two approaches that were suggested in the article, for online instructors can help identify and set up challenging proximal goals. Students who have realistic goals intend to perform and be more motivated then students who doesnt have a set goal due to not being guided by their instructors or who the instructor just tells them to do their best. (Locke Latham, 1990) According to Bandura (1997), students who have set goals are the ones who to experience an initial sense of their self-efficacy and with their abilities to achieve that goal they would become more committed in their attempt to succeed. When students learn the process and engage in the activities they intend to rehearse the information to remember which expends their efforts and be persistence in leading them in attainment to goal. (Schunk, 1991, p.213) The second strategy to boost a student self-efficacy for learning online courses is to provide them with a timely, honest, and explicit task feed back. (Bandura, 1997; Bangert, 2004; Wang Lin, 2007). With effective feedback by the instructor of the students progress, it gives the students the level or direction of their efforts and it helps the students self-efficacy to complete their goal in succeeding in their future. Since enroll on online distance learning course, I have learn to use the syllabus which is the course program during that five weeks of classes and what the students are going to learn. I learn on how to link on to my assignments and check to see when they are due and can also check on my progress level, which gives me the motivation in completing my goal. If I dont understand my assignments and what to ask a question, I can easily e-mail the instructor for feedback and suggestion to do better. All of these tools are available to students in succeeding in their completion of their goal; it just takes time and a person motivation to learn on what is provided to them. According to Garrison, Anderson, Archer, 2001) in their finding, students seldom use critical thinking during online discussion and that is because the interactions on the discuss question are to encourage students to be challenge, reform, and synthesize on their current views of knowledge, through the in-depth of interaction with others.( Garrison et al, 2001) Online discussions were indication that students interactions were shallow and the students rarely develop into a higher level of communication that was negotiable, co-constructed and agreement, according to (Tallent-Runnels et al, 2006 p. 100) and the explanation that was given that students shallow participation in online discussions is lack of guidance from the instructor. The argument between Christopher, Thomas, and Tallent-Runnels (2004) was lead that online instructors likes to have their own counterparts in traditional classrooms, they must take greater responsibility for organizing and scaffolding their students lear ning within these online discussion. In numbers of studies online (a) self-regulatory scaffolding suggested that scaffolding can be effective way to support and or enhance students process of learning on their self-regulatory belief and behavior (Azevedo, Cromley, Seibert, 2004; Dabbgh Kitsantas, 2005; Kauffman, 2004; Niemi et al, 2003); (b) adaptive scaffolding like teachers or tutors can continuously diagnosis the students understanding and provide them with timely content and process that relates to scaffolding and it would be more effective way of supporting the development of the students conceptual understanding with the deep process strategies than fixing the scaffolding condition with a generic listing learning goals (Azevedo et al., 2004) and (c) scaffolding will be more effective with no voice learners who are under developed of the self-regulatory belief and behavior, than the veteran learners (Niemi et al., 2003) The instructional implication on scaffolding online discussion is a supplement that can enhance teaching presence, which the teachers can include following behaviors to the students by setting up a learning model with appropriate discussion post, focus on the discussion specific issues, encourage, acknowledge, and reinforce students contribution, identify the areas of agreement and disagreement and seek consensus and understanding, add information from other sources, critically evaluate post and ask for clarification to elaborate the students answers, diagnose and correct students misunderstandings ( Anderson et al., 20011; Shea et al., 2005) Scholars has done numerous studies on using social cognitive that viewed students self-regulations and their characteristic of their success while learning online, in general of the existing empirical literature which supported the established findings from doing research in a more traditional classrooms specifying that academic of self-regulation is important and not necessary for effective learning and performance (Artino, 2007b; Hodges, 2005; Miltiadou Savenye, 2003; Schunk Zimmerman, 1994, 1998). Scholars has done numerous studies on using social cognitive that viewed students self-regulations and their characteristic of their success while learning online, in general of the existing empirical literature which supported the established findings from doing research in a more traditional classrooms specifying that academic of self-regulation is important and not necessary for effective learning and performance (Artino, 2007b; Hodges, 2005; Miltiadou Savenye, 2003; Schunk Zimmerman, 1994, 1998). The table below shows the finding on the idea for online education with the instructional implication, online tools and the techniques implementation, with this table; I believe people would convince and it give them the motivation to decide to enroll on an online education program. 1. The quality and quantity of students self-regulatory beliefs and behaviors vary greatly; those with more adaptive profiles experience greater success. 1a. Assess components of students regulated learning and supply individualized feedback 1b. Provide students with differential support 2. Students motivational beliefs, such as elf-efficacy and task value, matter 2a. Develop and support students self-efficacy Utilize online regulated learning skills (e.g., online version of the motivated strategies for learning questionnaire (MSLQ) or the learning and strategies study inventory (LASSI) Help students identify and set challenging, proximal goals. Send frequent emails and/or utilize course management systems to provide students with timely, honest, and explicit performance feedback Tell students how specific learning tasks will contribute to the realization of their personal goals, interests, and values Utilize up-to-date online grade books to encourage self-monitoring and self evaluation Interpret Survey results, provide individualized feedback, and supply links to additional web resource for tips on improving deficient self- regulated learning skills Sending reflective prompts via email and or course management system to encourage self-monitoring Create detailed Syllabi, assignment instructions and grading rubrics to assist with goal setting and self evaluation Using intermediate assignment deadlines to facilitate progression toward task completion. Employ problem-based learning cycles rooted in authentic issues to enhance motivation and facilitate transfer; however, carefully consider the complexity of problems and their potential to overwhelm students working memory capacity 3. Students seldom use critical thinking skills during online discussions 4. Students who seek help from others and collaborate experience greater success 3. Scaffold online discussion 4. Utilize peer models and encourage collaboration and co-regulation Model appropriate discussion posts that are focused on the specific issues/concepts under consideration Encourage, acknowledge, and reinforce student contributions Model appropriate discussion posts and explicitly acknowledge and reinforce other students well-written posts Provide samples of exemplary assignments Utilize group projects that encourage students to work together toward a mutual goal Identify areas of agreement/disagreement and seek consensus and understanding Add information from diverse sources and critically evaluate student posts Provide explicit discussion prompts and clear grading criteria Conclusion Online education in my opinion is a wonderful way for a person, who really cant handle sitting in a classroom. A person doesnt have to leave their homes and get in their cars to find parking and make it to class on time. A person can stay in their Pajamas and take a break when ever is needed. All the tools and resources are just a click away and if a person has a problem of not understanding there is always e-mail to ask the instructor question and your peers. I never thought of myself of receiving a degree online, because I thought that I couldnt afford it and wont be able to concentrate on my assignments. When I started 3 years ago, I was confused at first using a computer and finding all the tools that were offer from the school and especially for a person that hasnt been in school for a long time its even worse, but I was determine to learn and ask question and I became confident in myself to accomplish in my goal. The article purpose was to give individuals the motivation on accomplishing on their education goals and online programs are as good as traditional education schooling. People might look at online degree not the same as going to a face to face traditional setting and it took me a while to believe that online courses are as good. Now when people ask me questions about online programs, I can let them know that it is accredit and it is the same as going to traditional setting and they should research on topics regarding the success of others who received their degree, I can let them know the only difference is a person who decides to go this route has more responsibility, they have to motivated, self-regulated, self-efficient, and self-directed in achieving. Online education is all over the world and has became so popular that a lot of people are started to become interested and if anybody were to ask me if they should do it or not, I can guarantee that it would be the best move they ever did in their life.

Import Substitution :: essays research papers

Import Substitution Describe import substitution (Inward looking) developmental strategy, clearly outlining the differences between the first and second stage. Assess its effectiveness in promoting economic development. Compare inward looking and outward looking strategies and discuss the assertion that the latter is superior. The First Stage of Import Substitution: All present day industrial and developing countries protect their manufacturing industries for the domestic markets. While the industrial countries of today rely primarily upon the usage of relatively low tariffs, developing countries apply high tariffs or quantitative restrictions which either limit or completely exclude competition from their imports. Protection like that - high protection - discriminates against exports through the explicit/implicit taxation of the export activities. Explicit taxation can take the form of export taxes whereas implicit taxation occurs as a result of the effects of protection on the exchange rate. As your protection level increases, your exchange rate level will decrease in order to ensure the necessary equilibrium of the balance of payments and the lower the amount of domestic currency exporters receive per unit of foreign exchange earned. There is no need for high protection at the first stage of import substitution in the replacement of the imports of non-durable consumer goods (clothing, shoes, household goods, textile fabrics, leather, wood and other types of inputs) since these commodities exist in the developing countries that are at the initial frontier of industrialization. The commodities I mentioned are intensive in unskilled labor, the scale of output is relatively low, and costs do not rise substantially at lower output levels. The production of the commodities do not involve the use of sophisticated technology or highly educated workers and suppliers for parts, components, materials and accessories are not necessary for highly efficient operations. An argument for infant industry protection and promotion is made for the "easy" stage, that being the first stage of import substitution because even though the domestic production of the commodities generates external economies in the form of labor training, entrepreneurial development and the spread of technology, there is a viable argument for infant industry protection because without the shielding from larger, more sophisticated companies, these infant industries will be crushed and overwhelmed by exceeding costs, non- competitiveness due to the lack of highly skilled laborers and the simple fact that these infant industries are technologically incompetent. The Second Stage of Import Substitution: I see the first stage of import substitution as a temporary requirement because the domestic production rises since it not only provides for increases in consumption but it also replaces imports. The rate of this growth however will decline as soon as the process of import substitution is completed.

The Prince as Foundation of Modern Day Politics :: Machiavelli Prince Essays

The Prince as Foundation of Modern Day Politics In The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli presents a view of governing a state that is drastically different from that of humanists of his time. Machiavelli believes the ruling Prince should be the sole authority determining every aspect of the state and put in effect a policy to serve his best interests. These interests were gaining, maintaining, and expanding his political power. His understanding of human nature was a complete contradiction of what humanists believed and taught. Machiavelli strongly promoted a secular society and felt morality was not necessary but in fact stood in the way of an effectively governed principality. Though in some cases Machiavelli's suggestions seem harsh and immoral one must remember that these views were derived out of concern Italy's unstable political condition. Though humanists of Machiavelli's time believed that an individual had much to offer to the well being of the state, Machiavelli was quick to mock human nature. Humanists believed that "An individual only 'grows to maturity- both intellectually and morally- through participation' in the life of the state." Machiavelli generally distrusted citizens, stating that "...in time of adversity, when the state is in need of it's citizens there are few to be found." Machiavelli further goes on to question the loyalty of the citizens and advises the Prince that "...because me n a wretched creatures who would not keep their word to you, you need keep your word to them." Machiavelli did not feel that a Prince should mistreat the citizens. This suggestion, once again, serves the Prince's best interests. If a prince cannot be both feared and loved, Machiavelli suggests, it would be better for him to be feared buy the citizens within his own principality. He makes the generalization that men are, "...ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers, they shun danger and are greedy for profit; while you treat them well they are yours." He characterizes men as being self centered and not willing to act in the best interest of the state,"[and when the prince] is in danger they turn against [him]." Machiavelli reinforces the prince's need to be feared by stating: â€Å"Men worry less about doing an injury to one who makes himself loved than to one who makes himself feared. The bond of love is one which men, wretched creatures they are, break when it is to their advantage to do so; but fear is strengthened by a dread of punishment which is always effective.

Style and Supervenience :: Technology Computers Computer Essays

Style and Supervenience ABSTRACT: Cope's Computers and Musical Style (1991) describes a computer program that allegedly can represent and replicate musical styles solely on the basis of compositions that have been entered into it. If this claim is correct, then it must be that an oeuvre ¡Ã‚ ¦s stylistic characteristics locally supervene on its textual features, which roughly means that its stylistic properties are entirely determined by its textual properties. In my paper I argue that stylistic properties do not locally supervene on textual properties, and thus that neither Cope ¡Ã‚ ¦s program nor any other that essentially works like it can represent or replicate styles. Cope (1991) describes a computer program that allegedly can represent and replicate musical styles solely on the basis of compositions that have been entered into it (ix, xi ¡Xall page-references are to Cope 1991). If this claim is correct, then it must be that an oeuvre ¡Ã‚ ¦s stylistic characteristics locally supervene on its textual features, which roughly means that its stylistic properties are entirely determined by its textual properties. This paper argues that stylistic properties do not locally supervene on textual properties, and thus that neither Cope ¡Ã‚ ¦s program nor any other that essentially works like it can represent or replicate styles. 1. Cope's Composing Computer David Cope is a composer and music theorist who got interested in the applications of computer science to music. The direct cause of his interest was a composer ¡Ã‚ ¦s block; this made him turn to computer programming in the hope to find a  ¡Ã‚ ¥composing partner ¡Ã‚ ¦ (18). Eventually his search resulted in a program he termed Experiments in Musical Intelligence (EMI). Let me briefly sketch what EMI does and how it works. What EMI does is easily explained: musical data, like for instance a number of Mozart piano-sonatas, are (in coded form) fed into the computer, which then outputs new musical material. This new material is then hoped to be and, according to Cope, also often is, in the style of the music that was entered. How the program works is not so easily explained, but the following simplified account will do for the purposes of this paper (cf. 152ff for details). The two most important components of EMI are a pattern-matcher and a so-called Augmented Transition Network. The first searches for common patterns in the works that have gone into the computer, and stores these in a  ¡Ã‚ ¥style dictionary ¡Ã‚ ¦ (together with a weight, indicating how  ¡Ã‚ ¥common ¡Ã‚ ¦ they are).

Does Herodotus Offer Adequate Explanations for Colonisation

Does Herodotus offer adequate explanations for Greek colonisation in the archaic period? Herodotus gives all ancient historians invaluable insights into colonisation in the archaic period, despite having his well known limitations. We must overall regard his work ‘The Histories’ as an equal to archaeological evidence and Thucydides’ work when it comes to studying colonisation in this period. Before I begin this essay, however, I must first quickly define two crucial terms.The term ‘colonisation’ (as we mean it during the during the archaic period) has for some reason been debated at great length by ancient historians, who seem determined to remove it as far away from the imperial meaning of the word as possible. I don’t see why, as both have glaring similarities and only minute differences. They both involve one kind of people moving in significant numbers to a new place (where either a different kind of people or no people were present) and es tablishing their way of life in said location.The only real differences being the literal translation of the word in Greek meaning ‘home away from home’ or ‘trading place’ and the imperial meaning of the word leaning more towards the subjugation of the local inhabitants rather than the replacement of them (which was more common in archaic Greece). The second term is ‘Archaic Period’ which in this essay will be defined as the period from 800 to 478BC.To examine in detail Herodotus’ explanations for colonisation during this period I will examine to what extent he informs us on: land-hunger, trading considerations, drought[1]and I will also comment on his references to the Delphic oracle. I have picked these areas to judge Herodotus on, because they are the most regularly agreed upon reasons for colonisation occurring and therefore his comments on these areas have the potential to be most informative to us, as A.Graham eloquently sums up wi th ‘though a very large number of extant authors provide some piece of information relevant to the history of Greek colonisation only a few are of overriding influence†¦ their [Herodotus and Thucydides] importance lies in their relatively early date, although they belong to a period after the Archaic colonising movement, they are nearer to it than our other substantial sources’[2]. It is for this paramount reason that Herodotus’ comments on these subjects are so crucial to our study of colonisation.In scrutinizing Herodotus’ comments in this field I will look some of the examples that he uses, namely: Chalkedon, Sigeion, Egypt, Olbia and of course Cyrene. So through looking at the four main reasons for colonisation and cross-referencing it with the examples stated I will fully evaluate whether or not Herodotus is an adequate source to look to regarding the archaic colonisation period. It must also be mentioned at this point that ‘political facto rs’ would have also been a strong factor to consider, however, would take up the word count fully all by itself, so will be left for a another time.Land–hunger refers to one of the push factors that are widely believed to have caused many Greeks to leave their original homes in search of more land and in particular, more fertile land. We see this especially in the case of mainland Greece and the Peloponnese where there were less fertile plains and more arid and mountainous terrain Although Herodotus never explicitly tells us that this was a major cause for colonisation, we can infer from some of his writing that this would have been a factor.Herodotus enlightens us to the existence of a colony on the coast of the black seathat ‘have sanctuaries dedicated to the Greek gods and †¦ whose language is a mixture of Scythian and Greek’[3]. Now this alone does not specifically tell us that the Greeks moved to this area because it was particularly fertile or t hat their home region was lacking in enough land, but when you continue to read on and see that it was the Megarians who colonised Chalkedon[4] and Byzantium (located either side of the Bosphorus) then one can easily see the extent to which a Peloponnesian city-state would go to find new lands.This is a weak argument on its own, however, twinned with some basic knowledge of Antiquity it grows in strength. For instance anyone with knowledge of mainland Greek states will know that the Megarians were indeed very restricted with regards to land. They were squashed between the Peloponnesian League members such as Corinth, to the south, and Attica (ruled by Athens), to the north and east. The fact that they set up at least three colonies: Megara Hyblaea, Chalkedon and Byzantium, clearly indicates land-hunger, just as their geography would suggest.On top of this, anyone with a basic knowledge of antiquity would also be aware of the huge agricultural resources available around the black sea , proved by Athens’ later dependency on grain imports from this region during the Peloponnesian wars. The way in which Herodotus describes Cyrene as having a ‘hole in the sky’[5] (i. e. it rains more making the ground more fertile) can also be taken as a heavy hint as to why Cyrene was set up.My point being, when reading Herodotus, sometimes he must be used in conjunction with elementary knowledge to support or disprove points. In this case he has supported the idea that land-hunger was an adequate explanation for Greek colonisation though not explicitly telling us. One has to admit though that over the course of the whole work, Herodotus does fail to fully support this factor. Unless you are a primitivist, trading advantages had to be a substantial pull factor for your city to advocate colonisation.I will develop this argument assuming that the Greeks were an enterprising race because this is the argument that will prove to be entirely accepted in due course. Th e finest example of Herodotus explaining colonisation, in regards to trading motives, is his account of the settlement set up at the mouth of the River Nile called Naukratis. He declares ‘Naukratis was the only trading-station and there was no other in Egypt’[6] and goes on remark on the religious temples set up in honour of Zeus, Hera and Apollo naming Aeginetans, Samians and Milesians all present in the city.This was clearly a settlement set up with the aim of extending trade relations with the Egyptians for the benefit of Greeks. In a separate example though, one can again use basic knowledge of Hellenes in antiquity (the basic knowledge being that the Bosphorus was extremely important to trade even in archaic times) combined with Herodotus’ passage on Chalkedon[7] to see that control of the Bosphorus was important enough to trade that colonies were set up here on numerous occasions.Sigeion, just south of the Bosphorus and situated on the mouth of the river St rymon was (as Herodotus informs us) fought over furiously by Athens and Mytilene[8], again signifying the importance of trade to the foundation of colonies in the archaic period. So Herodotus then giving us comprehensive proof of trade being an adequate factor in the establishment of colonies in the archaic period. Dillon points to drought as one of the factors that lead directly to colonisation. No better example of this, in ancient literature, exists than the account of Cyrene’s foundation. For the next seven years, however, no rain fell on Thera, and all their trees, with a single exception, withered. ’[9] Now, following this short passage, we again encounter a common limitation of Herodotus, ‘The islanders consulted the oracle, and the Pythia reminding them that they were supposed to colonise Libya’[10]; that is his continuous permeation of oracles into most of his work. This is not to say that we can disregard ancient historians’ reference†™s to all oracle’s all the time, but it is of my own opinion that we take much of Herodotus’ oracular reports with a pinch of salt.So although Herodotus may have been reported a tale of curses and prophecies regarding Thera’s drought, I would take his account and remedy a notion that what was most likely to have occurred was: that the Therans had some bad luck with the weather for a indeterminate period of time and as a result could not sustain the population they included†¦ so, decided to relieve pressure on the city by sending a portion of its population to a land where they could survive (or perhaps even sustain the original colony? . To clarify my earlier ‘pinch of salt’ phrase it moves me to use the words of M. Giangiulio expressing the idea that ‘cultural memory does not ‘reflect’ historical reality, even if it expresses a form of historical self-awareness’[11]. This is the sense in which I believe we should us e Herodotus, using our modern sense of hindsight and sensibility to understand ‘historical reality’ more accurately. For further details on ‘intentional history’[12] see footnote.This is the most blatant example I have touched on so far of Herodotus supporting one of the five stated reasons for colonisation and therefore yet again going some way to adequately explaining Greek colonisation in the archaic period. The Delphic Oracle is central to the explaining of why many colonies are set up. Maurizio Giangiulio supports this line of argument by telling us ‘The decisive role played by the Delphic oracle is very strongly emphasized, through various narrative devices’[13] in this case Herodotus: ‘the oracle declared that he would found a community in Libya’[14].It is ion this way that Herodotus is able to properly shed light on a crucial part of explaining the colonising process, making evident that it was foolhardy to go on an expedit ion without the expressed will of the gods ‘the importance attached to the god’s will is an integral part of a representational strategy [of a colony]’ states Giangiulio, extending this with ‘Cyrene represent themselves- it would seem –as a polies which stood high in Apollo’s favour’[15]. To conclude, there is no denying that Herodotus has his flaws in providing explanations for Greek colonisation.I am not pushing the argument that Herodotus is an infallible source on every case study he mentions either. What must be clear though after reading this essay is that Herodotus can be used with great effectiveness to inform us on the explanations of Greek colonisation. Simple guidelines can be fitted to reading his work that allow one to see past what modern minds would usually consider fantasy, but which can really help reveal the truth in many of the cases he does use.He supports three of the four reasons very strongly, and even if he does fall short in regards to land-hunger he more than makes up for it by placing huge emphasis on the importance of oracles and trading which must be considered the principal reason for explaining in the archaic period. Words: 1,961 ———————– [1] Dillon, Ancient Greece, 2000, Routledge, pp. 1 I have not looked at political consideration only due to my word count being limited to 2000, not through sloth or lack of interest. 2] Boardman, 1982, pp. 85 (Cambridge Ancient History) [3] Herodotus, 4. 108. [4] Herodotus, 4. 144 [5] Herodotus, 4. 159 [6] Herodotus, 2. 152-154, 178-181 [7] Herodotus, 4. 144 [8] 5. 94-95 [9] 4. 151 [10] 4. 151 [11] M. Giangiulio, Constructing the past: colonial traditions and the writing of history ‘the case of Cyrene’, in N. Luraghi The Historian’s Craft in the age of Herodotus, 2001, pp. 120 [12] H.Gehrke, Mythos, Geschicte, Politik-antik und modern, 1994 pp. 239-64 [13] M. Giangiulio, Co nstructing the past: colonial traditions and the writing of history ‘the case of Cyrene’, in N. Luraghi The Historian’s Craft in the age of Herodotus, 2001, pp. 117 [14] 4. 150 [15] M. Giangiulio, Constructing the past: colonial traditions and the writing of history ‘the case of Cyrene’, in N. Luraghi The Historian’s Craft in the age of Herodotus, 2001, pp. 118

Nature of childhood Essay

There are many aspects of early years practice which have their origins in the past and which reflect particular ideas about the nature of childhood. It can be argued that it is important to identify these aspects so as to understand current interpretations of early years practice. Discuss with reference to the philosophies of two key historical figures. Current early years practices such as play, a stimulating environment, the role of the practitioner, and recognising the child’s parents as playing a key role in their education originate from theories that were made in the past. The following pages will outline the influential ideas of Friedrich Froebel and Dr. Maria Montessori and discuss them in relation to the current ideas relating to the above topics. Before the nineteenth century, childhood was not seen as a stage of life separate from adulthood. Instead, the concept of childhood was regarded as an immature form of adulthood (Wood, E. 1996) children were regarded as being naturally evil and so education was not prioritised. Most children learnt the values of life through labouring alongside adults. Into the nineteenth century, and with the concept of original sin dropped, three different views of childhood and education arose. The nativist view is the view that children are born with a pre-programmed development pathway. The empiricist view believes that each child is an empty vessel waiting to be filled, and the interactionist view recognises that children do have pre-programmed ideas whilst understanding the influence that the child’s socio-cultural surrounding has on his education. (Bruce, T. 1997) At the moment, the interactionist view is the most popular method of educating children (Ibid) and professionals regard both Friedrich Froebel and Maria Montessori as interactionists. However, both approached the development of childhood from a very different angle. Friedrich Froebel believed that The human being is born for research; and he is to practice it even as a child (Anonymous, 2000,p1) He assumed that children have to investigate the inner properties of things in order to discover hidden influences and causes. Froebel also considered children as being naturally good suggesting that this goodness could be harnessed and fostered through nurture care and education. (ibid) and so developed a special environment where children could grow and learn. This he called his Kindergarten or garden for the children. Froebel also considered the spiritual, physical, feeling and intellectual aspects of a child as a whole and believed that within his special environment (which will be discussed further on) allowing children free playful, conversational experiences would build and shape all of a child’s senses. Like Froebel, Dr. Montessori believe that the best way to educate a child was to design a method that would track the natural physiological and physical development of the child and allow touch, movement and freedom to aid the child to learn. (Montessori, 1964). Maria Montessori however did not regard her method of education as instigating play claiming; If I were persuaded that children need to play, I would provide a proper apparatus, but I am not so persuaded. (Ibid) The Dr. claimed that a child’s mind was most absorbent between the ages of 0-6 years, and that children learn best through movement and senses although this should not be regarded as play. She also viewed the child as a whole however, in contrast to Froebel’s theories, she believed that each sense should be isolated and developed separately. To achieve this Montessori developed thematic activities based on real life experiences, and allowed her children to work individually or as part of a group. Again, a special environment was set up where children could move about freely and pick and plan there own method of self education using apparatus that could only be utilised one way.