Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Assessment Practice in Classroom Essay Example

Assessment Practice in Classroom Essay Example Assessment Practice in Classroom Essay Assessment Practice in Classroom Essay Assessment practice in classroom Students’ assessment is one of the essential principles of any pedagogical program; it plays a crucial part in the educational process. According to McMillan (2011), attaining a perfect classroom assessment requires meaningful learning goals and standards that should be set before commencing classroom assessment procedures. Monitoring students’ progress will help teachers to adjust their instructions effectively to take students to the next level of learning. Diagnostic assessment, formative assessment, and summative assessment are major types of classroom assessment, and together they form the assessment cycle. McMillan (2011) points out that teachers must use achievement information derived from summative assessment to provide instructions, to attain the purpose of the assessment, and to give performance feedback to students and parents. Pre assessment or diagnostic assessment is the first step in classroom assessment that teachers do before commencing a new learning activity, to provide them with information about students’ pre knowledge, tendencies, and motivations. It is a crucial procedure needed to proceed to the next step, which is formative assessment. This type of classroom assessment is given during a learning activity to detect the student’s progress and adjust teaching according to possible new requirements. After completing the learning activity, summative assessment takes part in the process. This assessment is intended to determine whether long-term learning goals have been met, in addition to providing feedback and measuring the level of success that has been obtained; students can use outcomes of a summative assessment formatively to guide their learning. In order to make this process effective, teachers should perform consistent assessments that provide reliable results because â€Å"unreliable assessments cannot be valid† (Eggen, 2009, p. 36). Unclear directions can give inconsistent information that lead to unintended negative consequences. Recurrent failure in students with learning disabilities can lead to a further failure; teachers can support those students by encouraging them, and trying to rebuild their self-confidence (Robinson, 2008). Those students need special materials and learning strategies to deal with their learning problems. Diagnosing the students first, can help teachers to make right decisions later, considering each student’s individuality. There are several methods to be used in the classroom to ensure success according to Robinson (2008). For instance, the language experience approach and reading â€Å"usually guarantees interest, as it is one in which the student has a personal involvement. It is implemented with them and for them, it belongs to them. It allows the pupil to become involved in the learning process. Confidence and success are usually guaranteed, as developing your own stories based on everyday activities is likely to make the task easier to learn. Reading ones own story, for example, should be easier as writers should remember what the story was about† (Robinson, 2008, p. 306). This method represents an example of formative assessment in a classroom. The final stage of assessment represents the process of summative assessment. Robinson (2008) suggests that reading the story onto a tape recorder could be beneficial for revision, by revising the students’ work, teachers will provide feedback to students, and may want to set forth new instructional plans to promote students’ learning. Classroom assessment is a teachers’ powerful educational tool, especially when they use it to diagnose students with learning difficulties, and make modifications to their learning materials and instructions. McMillan (2011) argues that in order to make the assessment procedure successful in case of teaching students with learning difficulties, teachers should observe students precisely to give accurate indications of their performance. Employing the assessment cycle in classroom reinforces learning and improves its quality. Making modifications that conform to learners’ capabilities can positively influence them educationally. (514) words References: McMillan, James H. (2010) Classroom Assessment: Principles and Practice for Effective Standards-Based Instruction, 5th Edition. Pearson/Australia, Dec-10 Eggen, P. (2009) Educational Psychology: windows on classrooms, 8th Edition. Pearson/Australia, Jan-09 Robinson, G. (2008b). Understanding literacy and numeracy. In P. Foreman (Ed. ), Inclusion in action (2nd ed. , pp. 303-307). South Melbourne, Victoria: Thompson.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

The United Monarchy of Israel and Judah

The United Monarchy of Israel and Judah After the Exodus and before the division of the Hebrew people into two kingdoms was a period known as the United Monarchy of Israel and Judah. After the Exodus, which is described in the Biblical book of the same name, the Hebrew people settled in Canaan. They were divided by tribe, with the bulk of the tribes residing in the northern regions. Since the Hebrew tribes were frequently at war with neighboring tribes, the tribes of Israel formed themselves into a loose confederation, which required a military commander to lead it. Judges, who partially served in this capacity (as well as serving in legislative and judicial capacities), accrued power and wealth over time. Eventually, for military and other reasons, the followers of Yahweh decided they needed more than a military commander a king. Samuel, a judge, was chosen to appoint a king for Israel. He resisted because a king would compete with the supremacy of Yahweh; however, Samuel did as bid [see: 1 Samuel 8:11-17], and anointed Saul*, from the tribe of Benjamin, as the first king (1025-1005). David (1005-965), from the tribe of Judah, followed Saul. Solomon (968-928), son of David and Bathsheba, followed David as king of the united monarchy. When Solomon died, the United Monarchy fell apart. Instead of one, there were two kingdoms: Israel, the much larger kingdom in the north, which split apart from the southern kingdom of Judah (Judaea). The United Monarchy period ran from c. 1025-928 B.C. This period is part of the archaeological period known as Iron Age IIA. Following the United Monarchy, the Divided Monarchy ran from about 928-722 B.C. *There is a problem with the dates of Saul since it is said that he ruled two years, yet must have ruled longer to encompass all the events of his reign.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Youth Justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Youth Justice - Essay Example nstructive and more productive members of the society. However, it also must be noted that Youth justice is currently being viewed in different perspectives than it used to be. Many view the current reforms in youth justice due to modernization of the governments and political systems to accommodate the issues like young justice however there is also another dimension to it also as the emergence of private practice into the youth justice have significantly contributed to this issue also. However one also need to consider the fact that these youth justice practices lack the effective quality assurance systems and procedures in place which can ensure that the practice is being done on more professional as well as ethical footings. This essay will argue the role of quality assurance system to be designed to measure the effective practice in youth justice and will attempt to explore the issue from different perspectives so that a balanced view of the same can emerge.... ion must also have been given to this issue so that a positive critic of the same could have helped provide a better understanding of the problems so that quality assurance of the same could have been attained. Youth Justice has been under the complex influences of various forces working within the society which put extra pressures even on the proceedings of the cases against youth therefore the argument has also been put forward to bring in an approach which requires that those who bring children to the legal proceeding should give it a more holistic and comprehensive view so that children who somehow commit crimes are better represented into the legal system within which they are brought in. This therefore requires that those who conduct their practice into the youth justice must make efforts to bring in more quality in their work. (Geraghty). The historical roots of the practice in youth justice are basically founded on two critical principles of justice and welfare appraoch suggesting a approach which demands that a child must be treated differently than an adult criminal thus ensuring equality into the system based on the pecular nature of the status of children within the society. (Stephenson, Giller and Brown) Youth Justice Practice It is believed that the recent emergence of literature on youth based practice and policy has concentrated on the evidence based effective practice. This evidence based practice has now spread almost all the areas of the youth justice and has been considered as an effective and efficient means of dealing with the issue. However one also need to understand the fact that youth based justice practice and the system largely depend upon the society as it has been argued that the society gets the youth justice system which it deserves as

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Film Critique on the movie Gladiator (Russell Crow) Essay

Film Critique on the movie Gladiator (Russell Crow) - Essay Example The film Gladiator was a hit at the box office fetching largely positive reviews. However, Elvis Mitchell from The New York Times did see the movie in a negative light and commented eloquently about the film as â€Å"grandiose and silly† (Mitchell, 2000). Nevertheless, the audiences and the fraternity completely disagreed with the cynical critic, and the picture won five Academy Awards at the 73rd Academy Awards including the Best Actor award for Russell Crowe in the leading role and Best Picture award, which was definitely a note of acceptance and accrediting for the entire crew and cast. Apart from captivating an adventurous life of a historical hero, for which the American audience have always shown a special fascination, the film had stolen the show for its â€Å"appealing plot, with distinctive characters, inspired acting, breathtaking cinematography, and a haunting musical score,† as Emily Albu very rightly commented in her epoch making essay â€Å"Gladiator at t he Millennium† (Albu, 2008, p. 185). ... The Final Critique: Gladiator Story Line Plot structure, narrative framework or the screenplay of a film, by whatever name it is called, mostly forms the basic ingredients enabling the success of a film. The narrative framework of a film therefore cannot be undermined at all. The film Gladiator is the brain child of David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson. The film Gladiator is conceived keeping in mind the 180 AD Rome; the film tries to admit historical personages. The presence of the historical figure such as Marcus Aurelius, who was an emperor-philosopher, and his son Commodus indicates much of the sources drawn from the history. However, it is evident that when the plot of the film Gladiator is judged on a comprehensive scale, it is inferred very easily that the film is a loose adaptation of the history and cannot be treated as a direct conversion of chronicle into drama. The plot of the film is tremendously fictional. Moreover, as the history of Rome or, on the contrar y, any ancient history bases upon the quest for power and throne, the elements of politics, romance, drama, emotion, and action become quite inherent in the stories developed keeping the ancient empires and their stories in the backdrop. The story of the Gladiator revolves around the protagonist of the story, Maximus Decimus Berilius, played by Russell Crowe. Maximus is one of the finest generals of the emperor and is the deserving candidate for the throne. Nevertheless, before the official succession, Commodus played by Joaquin Phoenix brutally murders his father and takes the position of his father and complete control over his throne ordering

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Drug Patent Statement Essay Example for Free

Drug Patent Statement Essay Patent Laws Patent laws are created to protect the intellectual property rights of scientists and to motivate investors to produce rare drugs. Under the intellectual property laws in drugs, investors and investors could market and profit from their products for 18 years without the fear of losing sales from the threat of generic drugs. Effects of Drug Patenting   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Patenting drugs creates an opportunity for brands to monopolize the market, thus, gaining complete control over the pricing of their product. It allows maximum profits for brands within the specific period allowed by patent laws, in this case 18 years. During the specific period allowed by patent laws, it is illegal for generic brands to infringe the rights of the patented drugs by marketing their products. This reduces competitive marketing, making it more difficult for the generics to penetrate the market. Naturally because of this reduced competition, prices are raised and the availability of drugs is decreased. This created the motion that patent laws should be limited to allow generic brands to enter the market more freely. Loopholes in Patenting   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   After a patent expires, the generic brands can market their product without the restraint or fear from any legal implications that could be brought to them by the patented brand. The entrance of generic brands could reduce the sales of branded drugs by about 80 percent (Herper). To maximize profits and at the same time reduce the threat imposed by generic drugs on their sales as well as legally, the inevitable expiration of patent is maneuvered by branded companies within the bounds of laws. The branded drugs could enter into private financial deals, usually by bribing drug companies who want to enter the market with their generic versions. Another way of maneuvering the laws include â€Å"attaching riders on to some pieces of legislation in the congress† to extend the patent of the brand (Kugler). Some companies perform slight changes in the formulation of their drugs to make a â€Å"new and improved† version of their product. As a result, when the drug patent expires, the consumers would not want to choose the generic versions, believing it less potent. This had been the case of Eli Lilly and Co. as they fought their way to win the case against generics maker Zenith Pharmaceuticals. The last claimed that Lilly’s patent on Zyprexa is invalid because it was too similar to its earlier patent. They argued that Lilly misled the institutions on the significance of their tests. Lilly on the other hand argues that Zyprexa is a more superior drug compared to its former and is worthy of its patent. However, according to Lilly, they had no plans of bribing their generic rival out of the case. Another way of maneuvering is when drug companies continuously file patent upon patent to extend their monopoly over the drug and challenge the generics. This works to the great advantage of   the brands and otherwise to the generics because when a branded product challenges a generic in court, The Food and Drug Administration delays the former’s   approval for 2.5 years (Herper). That is, if the case is not settled before that. This gives more time for the brands to profit their product at their monopolistic price.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The result is the constant legal suits of generic companies to invalidate the brand name patents of manufacturers that keep their generic versions off the market (Herper). Weakening patents means weakening incentives   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) had been strong in responding to the proposed legislation by Edwards and Kennedy. According to them, â€Å"By weakening patent protection, the Edwards/Kennedy legislation harms patents and weakens the incentive to develop new medicine. Weaken patent laws will reduce drug research for rare diseases (Kugler).†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Edwards/Kennedy Legislation (Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceutical Act of 2001) is proposed to speed up the process in which generic drugs are approved. This will reduce the monopoly of branded drugs and increase the competition among drug manufacturers by making generic brands more widely available and thus, cheaper (Kugler). The legislation also wants to hold manufacturers to the Hatch Waxman act to ensure that practices in drug manufacturing and marketing are fair, competitive. The Hatch Waxman Act is created to increase development of generic versions of drugs and at the same time protect the patent rights of branded products. This is done by giving time for patented drugs to market and sell their products with consideration of the amount of time wasted in waiting for the approval of the Food and Drug Administration. This legislation, as well as the Hatch Waxman Act has made a huge cut in the profits of branded manufacturers. This is despite the claim that the Hatch Waxman act is also created to protect the patent of branded products. The shares of Lilly’s Prozac, for example dropped by 30% in just one day   in August of 2000 after the declaration of a new patent ruling (Herper). This shows that investors are very reactive to changes and challenges in drug patents. However frivolous the challenges are, and however promising the potential of the drug is, the patent challenges have a negative impact on drug development. Any challenge in drug patents is as powerful as to reduce the investments to a very significant level that could wipe off any motivation and incentive for manufacturers to develop and produce drugs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This, in general is the argument of brand manufacturersthat a decrease in drug patent provisions will decrease profits for branded drug makers, which will simultaneously reduce the incentives that are the primary motivators of inventors and investors. There is no significant connection between patent protection and drug research   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) believes that â€Å"It is the Orphan Drug act and not patents that have paved the way for the development rare drug products (Kugler).†Ã‚   The Orphan Drug Act of 1983 encourages the development of drugs for rare diseases by giving the manufacturers 7 years of exclusive marketing rights. Included in the provision of the act are the tax credits that should compensate for the manufacturers’, laboratories’ and investors’ research expenses (Kugler).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   NORD implied that PhRMA is overstating that there is a significant connection between patent protection and rare disease drug research. This, according to them is needlessly inducing alarm among the patients.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The main argument against drug patent is the â€Å"unfair marketing practices† imposed by the branded drug products as supported by the intellectual property laws. A balance should be set to meet both the need for more affordable drugs and the need for new drugs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If this is the case, that is, if the main problem is the power of branded manufacturers to set prices, it is not by limiting the provisions of patents that could increase the distribution at more affordable prices of rare drugs. It is by setting a middle point that could balance both the need for drugs and the motivation of inventors and investors through incentives.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A lot has already been suggested regarding this. One includes â€Å"offering drug companies a period of exclusivity without fear of patent challenges after a drug is approved (Herper).†Ã‚   More specifically stated, the proposal is to give drug patents a shorter term of 15 years (instead of 18 years) (Herper). In addition to this shorter term, it is suggested that the 15 years should start only after the approval of the FDA (Herper). At present, patents protect drugs from generic versions for 18 years exclusive of the 8 years or more that are needed for the product to pass the FDA tests. Also, to minimize the probability of monopolies, the prices of the products should be regulated that it will not harm the producers as well as the consumers. The provisions of drug patents should not be limited.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Undeniably, for a drug innovation to proceed, financing is very crucial, making the interest of investors necessary for the development of drugs. As implied earlier, decreasing the power of patents creates fear among investors in drugs whether or not this fear is justifiable by actual probabilities. The interest of investors in drug manufacturing depends very much on the idea that they could profit from it through patent laws. Threatening to limit this power and exclusivity would affect their interest and thus their motivation. Drug companies would not be rewarded and there would be less incentive to develop new drugs. This rebuts the NORD statement that it is not the patent that motivates or creates drug innovation. Limiting patents would in the short run decrease the prices and increase the availability of drugs but it will not produce drugs that are needed in the future.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The economic law states that a higher price of products would decrease the demand. This means that branded drug manufacturers could only rise their prices up to a point that they would still gain profit from what they invested. Higher than this point, they could not raise their prices. This is the point where the manufacturers would feel rewarded based on their contributions. Limiting the power of patents would make the manufacturers feel unrewarded because prices of the products they developed using millions of dollars are being sold at a cheaper rate compared to what it really is supposed to sell at. Consumers pay for the innovation and development. Without these manufacturers and investors, there would be no drugs. References Bioshield Bill Would Provide Drug Patent Term Extension. Apr 2005. Patent Baristas. 26 Sep 2006. http://www.patentbaristas.com/archives/000161.php Drug Patent Deals Raise FTC Concerns. 2006. Patent Baristas. 26 Sep 2006 http://www.patentbaristas.com/archives/000319.php Farnsworth, S. n.d. The Drug Monopoly. Multinationalmonitor.org. 26 Sep 2006 http://multinationalmonitor.org/hyper/issues/1993/11/mm1193_09.htm.save. Fernandez D. and Huie J., n.d. Strategic Balancing of Patent and FDA Approval Processes to Maximize Market Exclusivity. Fernandez and Associates. Iploft,com. 26 Sep 2006 http://www.iploft.com/FDA%20Poster.pdf#search=hatch%20watchman%20act. Food and Drug Administration 1984. Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration 26 Sep 2006. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d098:SN01538:@@@Dsumm2=m|TOM:/bss/d098query.html|. Herper, M. 2002. Solving the Drug Problem. Forbes.com. 26 Sep 2006. http://www.forbes.com/2002/05/02/0502patents.html. Herper, M.   2005. Drug Patent Peril. Forbes.com. 26 Sep 2006 http://www.forbes.com/technology/2005/01/26/cx_mh_0126patents.html. Kugler M. 2002 July. NORD Rebuts PhRMA Drug Patent Statement. About.com. 26 Sep 2006. http://rarediseases.about.com/library/weekly/aa071402a.htm. Nair, MD. n.d. Harmonization of Patent Laws—Still a Dream? Patentmatics.org. 26 Sep 2006. http://www.patentmatics.org/pub25.htm. Swiatek J. 2004. Lilly Battles Patent: Lilly Battling to Retain Patent on its Top Drug. Indystar.com. 26 Sep 2006. http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com

Thursday, November 14, 2019

The Early Nineteenth Century :: essays research papers

The Early Nineteenth Centory   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The early nineteenth century was an era of tremendous growth and change for the new nation. This is a thesis statement that will be proven true in my essay. And why don't I begin with one of our greatest presidents, Thomas Jefferson.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  On March fourth, 1801, Thomas Jefferson was elected President of the United States of America. Thomas Jefferson was a Republican. Republicans strongly supported farmers, and they wanted an agrarian nation. An agrarian nation means some changes had to be made in the country. The country needed strong trade with other countries, and they also needed more land to farm on. This led to the Louisiana Purchase.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The French owned a huge amount of land west of the United States. Inside all of this land was the mouth of the Mississippi River, New Orleans. Because the Republicans wanted a farming nation, America needed a port like New Orleans. Jefferson didn't think that Napoleon would sell all of this land, but he asked him anyway if he was willing to sell. To his surprise Napoleon did want to sell this land because he needed more money for his fight with Great Britain. So Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory, and doubled the nation's size. This purchase was a mastermind move by Jefferson that let the farming nation trade using the whole Mississippi.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another achievement of Thomas Jefferson was the exploration of the Louisiana Territory. He hired Lewis and Clark to explore the uncharted territory. He told them to search the land for a river passage to the Pacific Ocean. Jefferson also told them to keep diaries and make maps. This was Clark's task. In May, 1804, forty-four men set out on the expedition. The travelers tried to be friendly with the Indians on their way. When they reached North Dakota they hired the French trapper Toussaint Charbonneau, and his wife Sacajawea to be guides and interpreters. With them they traveled all the way to the Pacific Coast and back. Even though many people were disappointed upon their return that they had not found an all water route, Lewis and Clark were the first to map most of this land we call America. They also aroused an interest in the people to move westward in the growing nation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Let's go back a little bit to when Napoleon sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States. He needed money to fight in the war he was having with Great Britain. Since the United States had a small military, it did not want to be involved in the French-British War. America tried to stay neutral while

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Living longer now Essay

These days, people in all over the world have a higher level of standard in their lives. Food preparation has become easier and they do not consume just local food. Education gives people to learn more about their world and also themselves. Now they know what is better and how they can get it. A very important matter that has reached a better situation with respect to those days is health. This is obvious that people live longer than before because there are different statistics which show this fact. I think the development of science that results the technological progress and also the improvement of the health system in all societies are two important reasons for a longer life. Man has a lot of progress in scientific areas. He has discovered unknown rules, achieved new theories, and invented different tools and instruments. All of these give him the ability to increase his knowledge and consequently find more and more. Developing new instruments is medical science is one the most important things that helps people to have a better opportunity for a healthier life. For example, different diseases can be cured by new method operations that have not existed before and these operations would not be possible without hi-tech tools. Governments realized that a country with healthy people can be more successful and the only way they can achieve this aim is improving the public health system. Water should not be contaminated. There must be an inspection system that supervise food standards. Sufficient number of hospitals and doctors in different regions are curtail. People should be acknowledged to avoid what is not good for their health. For example, having a lot of fat in dairy diet will affect them by increasing blood cholesterol and other chemicals that may increase the death toll. As a result, I think in a world that has a fast pace and when every one must try hard to get a better life, health problems are the most important problems that education and health system in each society are two different factors that decrease the death rate and help people to have a longer living.