Dyslexic Students Success Factors for Support in a Learning Environment

Dyslexic Students Success Factors for Support in a Learning Environment Introduction Dyslexic people have been misunderstood in the past by the people who are involved in their training and correction. Some of them have been labelled as thick or even people who cannot spell. However, research has proved that dyslexia is not a representation of one’s intelligence.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Dyslexic Students: Success Factors for Support in a Learning Environment specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The condition has a number of causes though the presentation is different in individuals with varying levels of inability to read. This essay reviews the literature on dyslexic students, the available methods for their support in learning, and the factors determining the success of these methods in the learning environment. Literature search and review Brief topic outline The subject of information studies is broad. There are a number of possible studies in each of the fields. The topic for this study is ‘Dyslexic Students: Success Factors for Support in a Learning Environment.’ The paper presents a search of literature with information on the same. During the search, some of the related findings on the topic are the diagnosis of the condition, the causes, and the prognosis of this condition. However, the interest of the search is on the success factors in the learning environment when correcting the condition. Some of the topics that still need review in this area include the pathological signs in the brains of dyslexic students and the effects of social factors on the condition. Therefore, the research questions include: What are the types of learning environments for dyslexic students? What factors support learning in this environment? Literature search strategy The search strategy used a combination of methods. Electronic databases were preferred for the search. The key words were dyslexia, dyslexic students, learning support, and learn ing environments. The search was conducted in more than one database followed by analysis of the results.Advertising Looking for research paper on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The references of the results were then searched with the relevant ones being analysed for the study. The search for relevant books was through the COPAC library catalogue, which yielded useful publications for the study. A systematic approach was used in the search. A targeted approach was later adopted for use to eliminate the less useful publications. The bibliographic tools used to carry out the search included the library catalogues and the databases. Since knowledge is constantly accumulating on the subject under study with research findings being published regularly, a limitation in the search was made. The search, therefore, was limited to the research publications made since the year 2000. They were deemed to be current a nd useful to the study. For the purpose of ease in the compilation of the search results and a detailed analysis of the literature, only literature published in the English language was considered for review. Search results From the original search, a number of results were obtained. These were then scrutinised followed by a final list of 20 references, which were then used for the study. The results include Bell, J 2010, Doing your research project : a guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science, Blaxter, L, Hughes, C Tight, M 2010a, How to research, Burden, R, Burdett, J 2005, Factors associated with successful learning in pupils with dyslexia: a motivational analysis, Carroll Iles, An assessment of anxiety levels in dyslexic students in higher education, Clough Nutbrown, A students guide to methodology : justifying enquiry. Others are Davis, R 1997, The Gift of dyslexia: why some of the brightest people cant read and how they can learn, Doering, A n unusual balance of skills: dyslexia in higher education, Fred Murphy On being dyslexic: Student radiographers’ perspectives Radiography, Gold, Rotella, Chenoweth, and Zaleski, Overcoming dyslexia (Book), Hatcher, Snowling, and Griffiths, Cognitive assessment of dyslexic students in higher education, Kirby, Sugden, Beveridge, Edwards, and Edwards, Dyslexia and developmental co-ordination disorder in further and higher education- similarities and differences. Does the ‘Label’ influence the support given?, Ling and van Schaik’s, The influence of font type and line length on visual search and information retrieval in web pages. However, these are some of the results from the search with the rest being included in the reference list.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Dyslexic Students: Success Factors for Support in a Learning Environment specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Selected sourc es The first of the works that was of relevance to the study was Fred Murphy’s work published in the radiography journal in the 2011 issue (Murphy 2011, p. 134). The purpose of Murphy’s study was â€Å"to provide an insight into life as a dyslexic student radiographer, identify barriers and risks in clinical training, and develop recommendations for the support of students with dyslexia† (Murphy 2011, p. 134). The justification of his study was the inadequacy of research into the experiences of student radiographers whose support was given only from the experience from other professions. He reported the absence of any study on the experiences of dyslexic radiography students (Murphy 2011, p. 135). The study involved comparing the abilities of dyslexic students in performing given tasks. This result was compared with the abilities of non-dyslexic radiography students. The results of the study revealed that there are few significant differences in the performance of clinical tasks by both sets of students (Murphy 2011, p. 136: Carroll Iles 2006, p.12: Perry 2003, p. 23). The ten dyslexic radiography students in the study reported difficulties and prejudices in their areas of practice. The clinical environment was also reported not to have a detailed support structure for their condition (Murphy 2011, p. 136). The study also revealed that the students had to take responsibility for most of their learning, which resulted in the development of complex strategies to cope with the condition. The study made a number of recommendations on the improvement of support structures for dyslexic students mainly for support of dyslexic students on clinical practice. This study is relevant to the current study, as it features some of the problems experienced by dyslexic students. The recommendations are also important as they apply to the dyslexic students in most of the areas of study because they face similar problems.Advertising Looking for research paper on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The research methodology is adequate for the study though the sample size used was not large enough to yield very significant results. The results are however presented in a clear manner thus making interpretation easy. The second study that was relevant to the current study was that by Robert Burden and Julia Burdett, whose work was â€Å"Factors Associated with Successful Learning in Pupils with Dyslexia: A Motivational Analysis† (Burden Burdett 2005, p.100). The study resulted from previous studies on the subject, which had established existing challenges for dyslexic students in their self-esteem (Burden Burdett 2005, p.100). The challenge in self-esteem is said to impart negative consequences on self-development of dyslexic students. Burden and Burdett set to challenge these findings (Burden Burdett 2005, p.102). The study was based on interviews conducted by the researchers on 50 boys between the ages of 11 and 16 who were dyslexic and attending a special school (Bur den Burdett 2005, p.102). The two issues they explored were the pupils’ â€Å"attitudes to learning and their sense of personal identity† (Burden Burdett 2005, p.102). They found a positive appraisal in most of the pupils they interviewed. They related this result to successful learning outcomes for the dyslexic pupils (Burden Burdett 2005, p.103). Their findings also included low levels of depression among the students with low levels of what they referred to as learned helplessness (Burden Burdett 2005, p.104). They singled this quality of the learning process in these children as an important one in their learning process. In the methodology, the number of students used indicates a significant sample for conclusion making, which again makes generalisation of the results easy. The study was also conducted in a systematic manner with the findings reported in an easy way. The use of statistical inference is also evident in the study thus making the findings of the study valid. The findings of this study are important to the current study, as they form a relationship between attitude and learning in the dyslexic students. Since the current study investigates success factors in the learning of dyslexic students, the factors discussed in the study by Burden and Burdett are important in conclusion making and inferences. The third study of significance is a pilot study by MacFarlane et al. The study is on â€Å"The effect of dyslexia on information retrieval† (MacFarlane et al. 2010, p.307). This study is the first of its kind. The results are therefore significant to the current study. The aim of the research was to fill the knowledge gap on the interaction of dyslexic people with information retrieval systems. A specific focus was made on their information seeking behaviour (MacFarlane et al 2010, p.307). The study utilised non-dyslexic people who were used as control for those under investigation. The methodology included the use of a st andard Okapi interface and two standard TREC topics, which were used to assess the information searching behaviour of the participants (MacFarlane et al 2010, p.312). The study demonstrated the differences between information seeking behaviours of dyslexic people with those of the controls using log data being recorded (MacFarlane et al 2010, p.323). From the study, â€Å"Session data indicated that there may be an important difference between the number of iterations used in a search between the user groups, as there may be little effect from the topic on this variable† (MacFarlane et al 2010, p.324). This inference is a relevant finding in the study of the problems encountered by dyslexic students. It is applicable in making conclusions in the study currently being undertaken. The authors found a knowledge gap in knowledge seeking behaviours of the dyslexics. They had no template on which to compare and use to critique their findings. There is therefore a need to conduct mo re research in this field. However, the layout and presentation of the results are systematic. The conclusion made tallies with the results they found. As for the methodology, the sample size was adequate enough. The methods used in data collection were relatively accurate. The use of statistical inference in the research is plausible, as it makes it an important study for the topic being discussed. The last of the important studies gotten from the literature review is the work of Taylor, Duffy, and Hughes (2007, p. 26), which investigated â€Å"The Use of Animation in Higher Education Teaching to Support Students with Dyslexia.† The study was carried out in the higher education setting of the United Kingdom. The use of animated materials to support the learning of students with dyslexia was studied. The study design involved the use of thirteen dyslexic undergraduate computing students. The use of animation in their learning was investigated and compared with ordinary teachi ng methods (Taylor, Duffy Hughes 2007, p. 27). The results of the learning were then evaluated and inferences made accordingly (Taylor, Duffy Hughes 2007, p. 29). A control group of non-dyslexic students was utilised for the study. From the findings, â€Å"it appeared that appropriate animated learning materials were perceived as being more useful than equivalent static learning materials by both the students with dyslexia and the control group of non-dyslexic students† (Taylor, Duffy Hughes 2007, p. 27). The non-dyslexic students preferred the animated methods of learning as compared to the dyslexic students under study. The conclusion from the study was therefore that animated learning was of less significance in the learning of the dyslexic and the non-dyslexic students(Taylor, Duffy Hughes 2007, p. 29). The sample size used to make the conclusion was small. This drawback would reduce the accuracy of the findings and the reported conclusions. The use of statistical ana lysis is also not apparent in the study. The methodology appears to be limited in the ability to draw important conclusions. On the other hand, the reporting and use of statistical representation in the work is appropriate, and so is the analysis of the results. The work is important to the study being investigated, as it focuses on the dyslexic learning behaviours and one of the methods that may be used to aid learning for these students. Research proposal Topic description As indicated above, the topic for the study is, ‘Dyslexic Students: Success Factors for Support in a Learning Environment.’ Dyslexia has been described as a medical mystery with a number of researches done on the causes and possible solutions (Kirby, Sugden, Beveridge, Edwards Edwards 2008, p. 19). The modern education system has many dyslexic students. Teachers and instructors in institutions of higher learning are faced with the difficulty of effectively imparting knowledge to these students (Hat cher, Snowling Griffiths 2002, p. 76). A number of methods have also been suggested on how to support the train of the dyslexics. The methods have also been applied with varying results. Dyslexia has been classified and defined as a language learning disorder characterised by spelling, reading, and writing deficits (Gold, Rotella, Chenoweth Zaleski, 2003, p.63). A number of causes for the conditions have been suggested with some suggesting that dyslexics see words backward. However, some scientific evidence shows that the students have a problem in the sight for words and producing the sounds made by these words (Doering 2003, p. 16). The conventional methods of learning are not appropriate for the dyslexics. Most of the instructors find it hard when using them to teach the dyslexics. With the available methods of teaching dyslexics available, this research focuses on the success factors in the learning environment of dyslexics. The students have to memorise each new word they com e across. They hope to remember them in the next session (Ling van Schaik 2006, P. 39: Neurodiversity 2010, p.98). The learning environment for dyslexic students is different from that of conventional students. Several factors determine the success of teaching them in this environment (Madriaga 2007, p. 28). These factors form the basis of the study. Aims and objectives The main aim of the study is to investigate the success factors for support in a learning environment for dyslexic students. The study will therefore target to determine the factors affecting the success of learning for dyslexic students. Over the past, studies have been done on the best methods to teach dyslexic students with suggestions being made on the appropriate changes to be made (Davis 1997, p. 16). Follow-up studies have however shown mixed results while using the study methods proposed. This study therefore establishes the success of the methods in place to augment teaching for dyslexic students. Another a im of the study is to investigate the relationship between the learning environment and the learning outcomes for dyslexic students. As indicated above, various studies have found differing results on the effects of learning environments for dyslexic students (Reid Kirk 2001, p.29). The study will therefore utilise the results from some of the studies in a bid to compare them with those from the data collected on learning environments and learning outcomes for dyslexic students. Another aim of the study is to investigate the number of students benefiting from special methods for teaching dyslexics. In the past, the number of institutions offering special methods to teach dyslexics has been declining with few of the dyslexics being discovered (Reid Kirk 2001, p.29). The study therefore investigates the institutions and methods in place to train dyslexics showing how effectively they are doing this. The other objective of the study will be to find out the methods of diagnosing dysle xics in the institutions where the study will be conducted. Depending on the institutions, the methods used to diagnose special students vary, as it is also the case for dyslexic students. The study will therefore aim to find out the measures in place to diagnose these students in the institutions. The other aim of the study will be to determine whether dyslexic students are provided with extra tutorials in these institutions. Method of choice and pilot study In conducting a research or a study on the topic, the method to be used is significant as it determines the accuracy of the results that will be used to make conclusions (Bell 2010, p.23). The strength of the conclusions will therefore depend on the type of methods used for the research (Bell 2010, p. 23). A combination of methods has been found to be appropriate for making solid conclusions (Bell 2010, p. 23). The method of choice for the study will be the use of questionnaires for the department heads for the various institut ions with dyslexic students. The contents of the questionnaire include the details of the institutions to be sampled and the respondents. Some of the questions to be addressed include whether the institution has any dyslexic students. The questionnaire will also elicit for the opinions of the respondents of the on how to improve the measures in place for the improvement of learning resources for dyslexics in the library in their institutions. The second method to be used for data collection will be the use of interviews. The use of interviews in research enables the researcher to get the opinions of the interviewees thus allowing more of the objectives of the study to be covered (Clough Nutbrown 2007, p. 27). The interview will cover the questions not addressed in the questionnaire to provide for the addition of more information that may be necessary for the study. The conducting of the pilot study will be done in one of the selected institutions, which will involve a relatively fe wer number of respondents (Clough Nutbrown 2007, p. 27). The pilot study will be used to test the methods used in the actual study in a bid to establish the likely problems in carrying out the study. Sources of data The sources of data for this study are mainly derived from previous studies. They will be used to compare the results from the study. The use of peer reviewed journals and other professional works around the topic and objectives of the study will be made. The sources will be analysed for any relevance to the study before inclusion. The main sources of data for the research will be the performance registers for the students under the study. In the institutions where the study will be conducted, the results of the examinations sat by the dyslexic students will be utilised as the sources of data. The other sources of data for the research will be the records of the institutions with dyslexic students. These sources will be used to evaluate the number of students in the ins titutions with the condition. As indicated above, the data will be used to make conclusions on the achievement of factors for success in the learning environment for dyslexics. As a requirement, the strength of conclusions made by the research will be based on the statistical strength of the work, which will therefore be important to maintain (Clough Nutbrown 2007, p. 27). For the results of any research to be credible and generalisable to the wider public, the sample to be used must be representative of the population under study (Wolcott 2001, p.34). To achieve this goal, the sample size has to be large with a large number of participants to achieve the normal distribution of results (Wolcott 2001, p.34). The sample size will therefore have to be larger than fifty to make the results of the study as accurate as possible. The sample to be used will also be obtained by the use of an appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria. The use of the criteria also improves the quality of t he findings for the research. Data analysis The methods used for analysis of data results for research purposes are equally as important as the methods used to achieve them (Wolcott 2001, p.34). The various methods of data analysis should be accurate enough to provide results that can be generalised for the population under study (Wolcott 2001, p.38). These methods are however dependent on the type of data that is gotten from the study. Some of the most utilised methods of data analysis are the gated counts that are manually done on paper and the use of statistical packages (Wolcott 2001, p.36). The gated method is tedious to use in analysis of multiple sets of data as it involves a number of processes (Wolcott 2001, p.37). It is however accurate to use especially for smaller sets of data. In terms of the speed used to analyse this method of data analysis, the time taken is relatively longer compared to the use of statistical packages (Wolcott 2001, p.34). On the other hand, the use of statistical packages in the analysis of statistical data is gaining popularity due to the established efficiency (Wolcott 2001, p.34). It takes a shorter time in analysing data. They are therefore important where there are a large number of sets of data involved (Wolcott 2001, p.34). For both of these methods, some errors may occur. The methods may therefore be combined for accuracy (Blaxter, Hughes Tight 2010, p. 12: Nielsen 2001, p. 34). For research on the success of factors for support in the learning environment for dyslexic students, a combination of data analysis methods will be used to ensure accuracy in the final results. The sample results will be analysed using the gated method, which will then be followed by analysis using an appropriate statistical package. Synthesis pattern The synthesis of results is important in any research as it determines the quality of the research. For this particular research, the synthesis will mostly be in the terms of the groups used. A fter analysis of the results, they will then be synthesised according to the related findings. Similar characteristics in the learning environments of dyslexics will be synthesised together to make a logical outcome. In the previous studies on dyslexics, the synthesis methods used were mainly applied to the results of the test performance (Reid Kirk 2001, p.29). The same methods will be used in this proposal. Project management The project will need significant funding, which will be used to offset the charges in the project, as well as the costs of the various tools and staff utilised in the study. The first cost that will be incurred is in the materials used to develop the project. They include stationery and printing charges. In producing the final draft of the proposal, a number of papers will need to be printed for review by the authorities responsible. They will significantly contribute to the cost incurred. When the draft is complete, the instruments for the pilot study and the actual study will then be prepared. They will also need significant funding (Wolcott 2001, p.34). The study will be carried out by a number of people over a number of days. Analysis will also involve a number of people based on the size of the sample (Bell 2010, p. 21). The staff therefore required in the carrying out of the study will be a significant source of cost for the project and the research. In getting to the field where the data will be collected, the staff and the people responsible for the study will need to travel. This travelling will take place throughout the period of the study. The use of both private and public means of transport to these areas will therefore need a significant amount of money. This need will contribute to the increase in the budget for the research. Other costs to be incurred in the research include the publishing of the results, the organisation of meetings to discuss the study, and the overhead costs. As an estimate, the research will likely utilise a thousand dollars, which is an estimate that could increase or reduce based on the size of the research. Disseminating findings The findings of any study are only important if they are provided to the relevant authorities for action. They should also be made public to ensure change is effected based on the findings and the results from the research. For the research proposed above, the results are significant to the learning institutions, which have dyslexic students in their classes. For them to fully utilise the results, a feedback will need to be planned. A report should be handed to the institutions where the study was conducted. The report should contain the methodology of the study, the results obtained from it, the recommendations, and other information from the study that may be relevant to the institutions. When the report is provided to the institutions, a session could also be provided to the people concerned. This session should be in a PowerPoint presentation. It should be in simple language for them to understand. It should also be informative. Another way of disseminating the results would be the use of professional and peer reviewed journals (Bell 2010, p. 23). These would then publish the results to be available for the scholars and general public. The relevant authorities could also be provided with a copy of the final report to make any changes and or gauge their performance based on the findings (Bell 2010, p. 23). The results could also be published in newspapers and magazines offering relevant information to the population concerned. Other methods of dissemination of the results include public lectures and tutorials. For the method chosen to disseminate the results, the target should be to reach the people that will have the most use of them. Conclusion In conclusion, the research involves finding out the factors of success in the learning environments of dyslexics. The topic was chosen due to the established problem in the lear ning of dyslexics especially when conventional methods of teaching are employed. The number of dyslexics in the institutions of higher learning is also reported to be increasing. This revelation justifies the need for the research. The study aims to achieve the mentioned objectives with the most important being to determine the success factors in the learning environment for dyslexics. A combination of methods has been suggested for the study with the use of questionnaires and interviews being considered. The questions will be addressed to the teaching authorities in the institutions established. The results will then be compiled. A pilot study will also be conducted to establish the problems likely to arise in a bid to plan for the research. The sources of data will be the records from the institutions especially the tests given to these students. The analysis of the data will be done by the use of a combination of methods, which will be simple gated counts and the use of statistic al packages. In the project management, the main cause of concern is the cost of carrying it out. Some of the costs that will be incurred include the staffing, travelling to the institutions, and making of the test instruments. An estimate of this cost has been given. The findings will then be disseminated in a number of ways with the feedback being made to the authorities responsible. A presentation will be made followed by a copy of the report that will be handed to the institutions. References Bell, J 2010, Doing your research project : a guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science, Open UP study skills, McGraw-Hill Open University Press, Maidenhead. Blaxter, L, Hughes, C, Tight, M 2010, How to research, McGraw-Hill/Open University. Burden, R, Burdett, J 2005, Factors associated with successful learning in pupils with dyslexia: a motivational analysis, British Journal Of Special Education, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 100-104. Carroll, J Iles, J 2006, An as sessment of anxiety levels in dyslexic students in higher education, British Journal of Educational Psychology, vol. 76, no. 3, pp. 651-62. Clough, P Nutbrown, C 2007, A students guide to methodology: justifying enquiry, Sage Publications, Los Angeles, London. Davis, R 1997, The Gife of Syslexia: why some of the brightest people cant read and how they can learn, Souvenir Press Ltd., Great Britain. Doering, JW 2003, An Unusual Balance of Skills: Dyslexia in Higher Education, Contemporary Review Company, Harvard. Gold, F, Rotella, M, Chenoweth, E, Zaleski, J 2003, Overcoming Dyslexia (Book), Publishers Weekly, vol. 250, no. 14, p. 63. Hatcher, J, Snowling, J, Griffiths, M 2002, Cognitive assessment of dyslexic students in higher education, British Journal of Educational Psychology, vol. 72, no. 1, p. 119. Kirby, A, Sugden, D, Beveridge, S, Edwards, L Edwards, R 2008, Dyslexia and developmental co-ordination disorder in further and higher education- similarities and differences. Do es the ‘Label’ influence the support given?, Dyslexia (10769242), vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 197-213. Ling, J van Schaik, P 2006, The influence of font type and line length on visual search and information retrieval in web pages. Web. MacFarlane, A, Al-Wabil, A, Marshall, R, Albrair, A, Jones, A Zaphiris, P 2010, The effect of dyslexia on information retrieval, Journal of Documentation, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 307-26. Madriaga, M 2007, Enduring disablism: students with dyslexia and their pathways into UK higher education and beyond’, Disability Society, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 399-412. Murphy, F 2011, ‘Being dyslexic: Student radiographers,’ Perspectives Radiography, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 132–138. Neurodiversity 2010, ‘Discovering the Extraordinary Gifts of Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Brain Differences, Publishers Weekly, vol. 257, no. 17, pp. 97-8. Nielsen, S 2001, Guidelines for Library Services to Persons with Dyslexia, IFLA Conference Procee dings, vol. 1 no. 1, pp. 1-4. Perry, A 2003a, Network Influences on Scholarly Communication in Developmental Dyslexia: A Longitudinal Follow-up, Journal of the American Society for Information Science Technology, vol. 54, no. 14, pp. 1278-95. Reid, G Kirk, J 2001, Dyslexia in adults : education and employment, John Wiley, Chichester, New York. Taylor, M, Duffy, S Hughes, G 2007, The use of animation in higher education teaching to support students with dyslexia, Education + Training, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 25-35. Wolcott, F 2001, Writing up qualitative research, Sage Publications, London, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Free Essays on Death Of Artemio Cruz

A writer can usually connect characters in his novel through parallels, foils, and other literary devices. In The Death of Artemio Cruz, by Carlos Fuentes, Fuentes links the main character and the father, Artemio, to his son, Lorenzo with parallels and foils put there in order to help his reader better understand the depth of Artemio Cruz. In the section titled, â€Å"1939: February 3,† Fuentes describes Lorenzo’s and Dolores’ love for each other. This description helps the reader fully understand Artemio Cruz, his love for Regina, and his life as a whole. Artemio and his son are different types of lovers, but lovers nonetheless. Lorenzo is romantic while Artemio is rough. This can be seen in the love scenes Fuentes describes. Lorenzo’s first act of love with Dolores is explained with beauty, desire, and sensitivity. â€Å"They touched hands, embracing it, and they wrenched themselves from their tree to embrace each other, Dolores and he, so he could caress her brow and she his neck. She stepped back, so he could see her moist green eyes better, her half-open mouth, before she buried her head in the boy’s chest, raised her face to give him her lips...† (Cruz 227). Fuentes describes this encounter in a passionate way. He explains that Dolores stepped back so that her beautiful green eyes could be seen better. Eyes are important in relationships as they hold the key to love. One looks into the others’ eyes in order to see love as an image rather than just a feeling. Fuentes recognizes this as he makes Dolores move merely for the sake of allowing Lorenzo to gaze into her eyes and see her emotion. This is an effective gesture in showing the romanticism of the two lovers. Fuentes us es great diction to show their desire for one another. They both â€Å"wrench† themselves off the tree so that they both can arouse the other. It involves the workings of the two figures. Neither sex is dominating over the other. Lorenzo does not need t... Free Essays on Death Of Artemio Cruz Free Essays on Death Of Artemio Cruz A writer can usually connect characters in his novel through parallels, foils, and other literary devices. In The Death of Artemio Cruz, by Carlos Fuentes, Fuentes links the main character and the father, Artemio, to his son, Lorenzo with parallels and foils put there in order to help his reader better understand the depth of Artemio Cruz. In the section titled, â€Å"1939: February 3,† Fuentes describes Lorenzo’s and Dolores’ love for each other. This description helps the reader fully understand Artemio Cruz, his love for Regina, and his life as a whole. Artemio and his son are different types of lovers, but lovers nonetheless. Lorenzo is romantic while Artemio is rough. This can be seen in the love scenes Fuentes describes. Lorenzo’s first act of love with Dolores is explained with beauty, desire, and sensitivity. â€Å"They touched hands, embracing it, and they wrenched themselves from their tree to embrace each other, Dolores and he, so he could caress her brow and she his neck. She stepped back, so he could see her moist green eyes better, her half-open mouth, before she buried her head in the boy’s chest, raised her face to give him her lips...† (Cruz 227). Fuentes describes this encounter in a passionate way. He explains that Dolores stepped back so that her beautiful green eyes could be seen better. Eyes are important in relationships as they hold the key to love. One looks into the others’ eyes in order to see love as an image rather than just a feeling. Fuentes recognizes this as he makes Dolores move merely for the sake of allowing Lorenzo to gaze into her eyes and see her emotion. This is an effective gesture in showing the romanticism of the two lovers. Fuentes us es great diction to show their desire for one another. They both â€Å"wrench† themselves off the tree so that they both can arouse the other. It involves the workings of the two figures. Neither sex is dominating over the other. Lorenzo does not need t...

5 top tracking apps for your 2018 goals

5 top tracking apps for your 2018 goals The end of 2017 is right around the corner, and if you’re like most people your brain is turning towards setting goals for yourself for 2018. Also, you may be realizing that you’re about to embark on a familiar cycle: setting a bunch of grand plans for yourself for the coming year that quickly fall apart, sometimes before you even get to shout â€Å"Happy New Year!† If this sounds like your typical end-of-year behavior, don’t feel too bad- you’re not alone! According to a recent Huffington Post article, â€Å"Only  8 percent of people  actually keep their New Year’s resolutions, according to one commonly cited statistic. There are many reasons  people can’t stick to their resolutions, from setting too many of them to getting derailed by small failures. Setting overly ambitious and restrictive goals―like quitting sugar when you haven’t already been making small changes to improve your diet―is one major cause of failure. While you might initially feel inspired and energized by setting blowout goals for 2017, the luster of these resolutions fades quickly when we realize how difficult they are to keep.†That said, setting goals for 2018 may seem daunting―but there is a path towards success and there are tools for helping you stay on track. These days, you don’t need anything more than your smartphone and a helpful tracking app to keep you focused and on target as you work towards your goals.There are a ton of goal-tracking apps available, and choosing the right one for you can become a big project in and of itself. Take a deep breath- we’ve gone ahead and selected five of the most helpful goal-tracking apps available to help you achieve your goals in the new year.1. GoalsOnTrackBilling itself as â€Å"goal software for high achievers,† GoalsOnTrack empowers users to create SMART-based goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) and provi des lots of useful features to help users stay on track- like braking down large, long-term goals into easier-to-manage and organize milestones and subgoals. GoalsOnTrack also allows you to set focused action plans, recurring tasks (with helpful reminders!), and task schedules that are easy to update and adjust with you. It even has a journaling option and customizable music and photo features to help keep you motivated and visualize success.2. Coach.meThis handy habit-tracking app features a free mobile version as well as customizable fee-based options, which even includes a real coach to help keep your goals for 2018 within reach. Once you set a habit for yourself using the app, you can begin tracking your daily progress, set helpful targets and reminders, view weekly and monthly behavior trends, and even connect with a supportive community for encouragement and guidance- all designed to help you form new and positive habits in your life.3. StridesStrides is a free, an all-in-one goal and habit tracking app that features a variety of helpful tracking templates that you can use, or ones that you can customize. It has a host of helpful visuals that are accessible from a central dashboard, which makes it easy to see your progress (or lack thereof) and retool accordingly. Users of the free app version can track up to 10 goals at a time on any of their iOS-based devices; users who require greater flexibility and power can take advantage of the fee-based Strides Plus premium plan.4. Way of LifeWay of Life calls itself â€Å"The Ultimate Habit Builder and Breaker† and features a wide range of helpful visual tracking features, including pie charts, bar charts with easy-to-read trend lines, and a scoreboard that provides instant feedback. It also allows you to tag, skip, share, and archive goals, set multiple daily reminders, take notes, and export to email and other apps. The free version lets you track up to three goals, habits, or behaviors that you want to increase or decrease; fee-based options let you unlock additional features and resources.5. ATrackerIs your busy life a daily struggle to get everything done and keep track of it all? If so, then ATracker just might be the lifesaver you need. This time-tracking app is designed to make sure that you’re maximizing your time each day towards effectively pursuing your goals. The app lets you track the time you spend on a variety of chosen tasks and view daily breakdowns in pie charts or bar graphs- so you can quickly see how your waking hours are being spent and make adjustments accordingly. There are free and fee-based versions available, based on your individual needs and goals.There you have it- the top tracking apps to help you set your goals for 2018 and stay on track. All you need to do is select the one that seems best for you, and not let excuses get in the way of you achieving your goals.

Drivers for adopting public-private construction partnerships in the Term Paper

Drivers for adopting public-private construction partnerships in the US, UK and Australia - Term Paper Example This study also narrows the gap in the literature by collecting primary empirical data from interviews with construction company managers and owners in the US with a view to understanding their perspectives on the drivers for adopting PPPs. The results of this study are discussed and implications for practice and areas for further research are identified. Table of Contents Abstract 2 Introduction 4 Study Scope and Objectives 5 Research Methodology 5 Organization of the Research Report 6 A Review of Literature 6 Conceptualization of Public-Private Construction Partnerships 6 Public-Private Construction Partnerships in the US, UK and Australia 9 Public-Private Construction Partnerships in the US 9 Public-Private Construction Partnerships in the UK 11 Public-Private Construction Partnerships in Australia 13 Summary of Findings in the Literature 14 Empirical Evidence 14 Secondary Data: Australia 14 Secondary Data: The UK 17 Primary Empirical Evidence 19 Analysis 22 Implications for Pract ice 23 Areas for Further Research 23 Bibliography 25 Introduction Public-private partnerships (PPP), also known as P3s are contractual arrangements between governments and private entities/concessionaires for the construction of facilities. Under the P3 contract, the private investor typically funds the construction phase of the facility and is usually entitled to share revenues associated with the facilities (Rowlson, 2012). In addition to sharing revenues, the private entity involved in a PPP also assumes some of the risks associated with the construction project (Hodge, 2004). As a part of a trend toward more privatization of public services, the UK has increasingly adopted PPPs for the construction of government infrastructure (Spackman, 2002). A similar trend can be observed in the US with 23 states legislating for PPPs (Rowlson, 2012). PPPs have also become a part of government public management systems in Australia (English, 2006). Ke, et al. (2009) conducted a review of lite rature on PPPs and examined peer-reviewed articles published between 1998 and 2008. Findings indicate that research into PPPs have steadily increased from 1998 to 2008 revealing an increasing importance to the construction industry. The most popularly researched areas was the â€Å"build-operate-transfer† form of the PPP with some interest in investment conditions, governance and other areas that tend to compliment PPPs (Ke, et al., 2009, p. 1076). It would therefore appear that the drivers of PPPs is under-researched. As, Hodge and Greve (2007) note, although there is intensive interest in the popularity of PPPs, little is understood about these new partnerships in the context of traditional partnerships. Bovaird (2004) argue that although PPPs have become increasingly popular globally over the last 25 years, the definition of PPPs is difficult to conceptualize as it means different things, depending on the country involved and the project to which it applies. Thus further r esearch is necessary for gaining a more profound understanding of PPPs, what the future of PPPs are and how best to model PPPs. This research will therefore add to current knowledge on PPPs by comparing the drivers of PPPs in the UK, the US and Australia. The UK, US and Australia are selected for this study because empirical and

Sexual diversity in schooling Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Sexual diversity in schooling - Essay Example schools in Australia through the education system about sexual diversity and inculcate in them values such as inclusion, respect for others, and fairness. The fact is, however, that sexual diversity remains a controversial topic and has largely been ignored in the education systems (Herron, & Javier, 2006). This essay will criticize the failure of the school education system to incorporate sexual diversity. The essay will also examine the consequences of failing to address these issues and helping to deal with homophobia among children and young people. According to the Australian Journal of Human Rights, sexual diversity refers to one’s experience of gender identity or transgender that goes beyond the binary or biological notions of being either male or female (Steinberg, 2009). Dr. Tracie O’Keefe originally coined the term in his paper about human rights submitted to Amnesty International in 2002. The term has gained wide usage in many circles within Australia. Sexual diversity mostly aims at celebrating diversity in gender identities as opposed to categorizing people in different sexes or genders. Sexual diversity is also a general term referring to individuals who do not identify with either masculinity or femininity with regard to their gender identity. The term includes different groups such as androgynous, transsexual, transexed, cross dressers or transgender. Other terms popular in various parts of Australia include pan-gendered, sistergirl or brotherboy, and intergender (Dijk, & Driel, 2007). Sexual diversity also includes other minority groups such as lesbians, gays, and bisexuals. These groups of individuals have received widespread discrimination and segregation in the community. Sexual diversity has been a major human rights issue in Australia in the past few years, with cases of homophobia, exclusion being on the rise. The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been at the forefront in fighting for inclusion of transgender individuals in

Death Penalty should be legalized Research Paper

Death Penalty should be legalized - Research Paper Example This was to be upheld by all the member states of the UN. From the very beginning, the death penalty had been embroiled in controversy. The aforementioned International Bill of Human Rights was proclaimed in the year 1948, by the UN. However, this did not include any reference to the death penalty. It took nine years of debate, for the UN General Assembly to include a statement regarding the death penalty. This transpired in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Evans). As such, death penalty issues have been accorded a place in human rights. In the societies of the world, the list of penalties tend to be execution, loss of liberty by means of imprisonment or other restrictions on movement, corporal punishment, loss of property, mutilation, such as the amputation of the limbs, and loss of opportunities, such as the revocation of a driver’s license. The list of penalties for crime could vary to some extent, on the basis of the society involved. Nevertheless, deterrence would be the perceived objective of any system of penalties. It is in this context that one has to view a system of criminal justice that does not have a deterrence effect (Davis 23). Such a system would be rejected as being of no worth whatsoever. In addition, several academic studies, conducted in the recent past, have clearly shown that the death penalty has a significant deterrent effect upon murder. The analysts of these studies have declared that between three to eighteen lives could be saved for every convicted murderer who is put to death. In this context, the study conducted by Naci Mocan assumes significance. This study, which was conducted in the year 2003, by Mocan and other researchers determined that every execution would reduce the number of homicides by five. On the other hand, commuting a death sentence would translate into an increase of five in the number of

Gloria Steinem Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Gloria Steinem - Term Paper Example Her grandmother Pauline Steinem was a revered suffragette in her day. But in the early years of Gloria’s life, there was little evidence to suggest that she would uphold her grandmother’s legacy. Since her father had to relocate to new cities very frequently, the young Gloria Steinem could not be enrolled in a regular school. All her early education was provided by her mom at home. This delicate family equilibrium came to an abrupt end, when Gloria was only 8 years old her parents broke off their marriage. Not only was young Gloria deprived of a father figure, she was also thrust into a life of grinding poverty in the next few years. Complicating an already dire situation was her mother’s propensity to suffer mental depression. In the years following the divorce, Steinem’s mother fell into such an abysmal depression that the mother-daughter roles reversed for once and Gloria was left to take care of her ailing mother. When in her late teens, she went to li ve with her elder sister in Washington, D.C., where she enrolled for Smith College. Just as she was about to complete her degree, she got a break which were to prove very significant. In 1956, in the year of her graduation, she got selected for a two year scholarship program in India ((Sondra, 1987). The two years Steinem spent in India during her formative years were to prove profound for her understanding of women’s issues. The experience broadened and deepened her grasp of the status of women in the Third World and how socio-political realities impose severe restrictions for freedom of women. She realized that â€Å"the high standard of living most Americans take for granted was not available to all. She commented at the time that ‘America is an enormous frosted cupcake in the middle of millions of starving people’. She returned strongly motivated to fight social injustice and embarked on her career as a journalist†. (www.gale.cengage.com) Emboldened by her