Comparing and Applying Theories of Development Essay

Let’s take a look at all three and compare some of their similarities, as well as a few differences and then we can look at how these and other theories are used to analyze and evaluate the development of a child. Sigmund Freud was a pioneer of his field. His Psychoanalytic theory was the first theory of modern psychology. Although some of Freud’s ideas have been discarded, most of them still influence the world of psychology today. According to Freud, human development is shaped by unconscious forces that motivate human behavior (Paplia & Olds, et al, 2006). Our awareness of the world around us is stored in our conscious mind; and our unconscious mind stores painful repressed memories, urges, feelings, or thoughts which is difficult to access. Freud believed that personalities consist of three parts: the id, the ego, and the superego. The id dwells in the unconscious part of our mind and is responsible for our pleasure principle. The superego also dwells mostly in the unconscious mind and is accountable for our knowledge of right and wrong. Accountable for our reality pleasure is our ego, which is located in our conscious mind and is what we use to mediate our deepest selfish desires with the outside world. â€Å"According to Freud, an individual’s behavior is a result of all three interacting with one another, working together as a team under the leadership of the ego. † (Roeckelein, 1998) For instance, when a teenager desires to skip school so they he can party with his friends, his superego tells him that he will get in trouble if he does, so his ego decides to go against skipping school, but makes plans to party with his riends that weekend so that his id is still satisfied. Freud also believed that children go through three different stages of personality development in the first 5-6 years of age called psychosexual stages. In each stage a child’s fulfillment shifts from oral to anal to genitals. If gratification is not achieved in any of these stages, the person will develop a fixation and end s up being stuck in that stage of development like in the case of smokers, whom according to Freud, have an oral fixation. Freud developed the idea that people create defense mechanisms such as displacement (a way in which one diverts their feelings of anger from the person whom caused the emotion to another person or object), compensation (overcoming feelings of inadequacy in one area by excelling at another), or rationalization (looking for suitable explanations to justify our behavior). They use these mechanisms in order to cope with stressful and painful experiences. (Witt & Mossler, 2010) Erik Erickson was an apprentice of Sigmund Freud. He developed the Psychosocial Theory of development. He also believed that the unconscious mind influenced behavior; however, he opposed the sexual aspect of development. According to his theory there are nine stages of human development. Trust vs. mistrust which occurs between birth and about 1 year old. The child must learn to trust his or her parents, but must be balanced with a sensible amount of mistrust so as not to become naive. The virtue learned is hope. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt is the second stage which occurs between the ages of 1-3 years old. Next is initiative vs. guilt which is usually occurs in 3-5 year olds. Children in middle childhood go through the industry vs. nferiority stage which begins around the age of 5 and continues until adolescence around 12 years old; and teenagers fall into the identity vs. confusion stage. Those in the intimacy vs. isolation are young adults between the ages of 18-25. Generativity vs. stagnation is the stage for older adults and is characterized with the desire to give back. Most peo ple in this stage are between 25-65 year olds. Integrity vs. despair, and hope and faith vs. despair are the last two stages of life development, and they both are for those over the age of 65 years old. Each stage is like a test with a potential of passing or failing and the outcome f results is growth and a learned virtue or stagnation. A person will stay stuck in their current stage for however long it takes until the virtue is learned although there are accepted age approximations. (Witt & Mossler, 2010) An example of stagnation is when a woman in her thirties still acts like a teenager. Jean Piaget, a psychologist from Switzerland, also believed in stages of development; however he focused on cognitive development, mostly in children. Although Piaget’s theory has received some criticism, mostly in regards to underestimating the cognitive development of children, he has influenced psychology in a enduring way. Piaget defines operational as a mental routine that transforms information so it can be used. Operational routines include the use of logic by classifying, subdividing, recognizing parts of a whole, counting, and reversibility. † (Witt & Mossler, 2010) According to Piaget, certain behaviors occur only when children reach the appropriate maturational stage and that four of those stages exist: sensorimotor (birth-2 years old), preoperational (2-7 years old), concrete operational thought (7-12 years old), and formal operational thought (12+ years old). In each stage, a child will adapt to a new situation by using an inborn ability (Paplia & Olds, et al, 2006) process in which we integrate new information into a pre-existing mental structure (building blocks of thinking as mental units) called schemes. (Mitchell, P. , 1992. p12) He called this process assimilation. Later if the child learns something new about a previous assimilation experience, the child adds the latest information to the current knowledge, modifying the current mental structure based on experiences. He called this adaption of knowledge accommodation. For instance, when a baby cries, he soon realizes that only his parent’s respond to his cry and not just anyone. There are three key concept similarities between Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory and Erik Erickson’s Psychosocial Theory. First of all, they both fall under the developmental perspective of psychoanalysis, which means that they both view development as shaped by unconscious forces that motivate human behavior. Additionally, they both believed that children go through stages of development and that each stage offers omething to learn in order to grow, or a danger of failure. Lastly, they both agree that when a stage is not mastered, its likely that they will be stuck in that stage of growth by developing a fixation according to Freud, and according to Erickson will be emotionally stagnant. In contrast, here are a few significant differences between Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory and Erik Erickson’s Psychosocial Theory. First o f all, the most noteworthy difference is Erickson’s departure from the sexual emphasis of development that so strongly influences Freud’s point of view. Although he agrees that unconscious mind influences personality development, he believed that heredity and the environment were more influential than sexual urges. Another major disagreement is that Freud believed that the genital stage begins during adolescence and continues throughout adulthood. Adults remain influenced sexually by their urge for genital gratification which is the driving force for all their afflictions compared to Erickson whom believed that human development is continuous, and that people go through four more stages of development after the adolescent stage. Furthermore, Erickson emphasized a possibility for a healthy ego development through the stages. It suggested that people have some control of their development, which unlike Freud, â€Å"believed that people spend their entire lives trying to conquer the demands of the id. † (Witt & Mossler, 2010) There are also a few similarities between Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory and Piaget’s Cognitive Stage Theory. Once again, just like Erickson, Freud and Piaget agreed that development occurs in stages and both of them mostly focus on child development. Another similarity is that they also both have had a major impact on the field of psychology. Freud was the Father of modern psychology while Piaget remains the most influential cognitive psychologist. Also, their theories have both received considerable criticism, but they still continue to influence the world of psychology significantly. On the other hand, there are a number of differences between Psychoanalysis and the Cognitive Stage Theory. The main difference is that they both fall under different developmental psychological perspectives, so they actually view growth and maturity differently. Freud analyzes personality and emotional development; whereas, Piaget examines cognitive development. Another difference is that Freud emphasized sexual urges as the driving force for all humans, but Piaget believed that people were influenced by the current stage of their cognitive develop. Furthermore, Piaget did not recognize the unconscious mind influences that Freud considered. He favored observable, testable measurements in human development. Comparing similarities between Erik Erickson’s Psychosocial Theory and Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Stage Theory is a difficult task. The differences are much more apparent. The reason is because they fall under two separate perspectives in the field of psychology just like comparisons between Freud and Piaget. Nevertheless, a couple of agreements they both had are that heredity and environment are important in human development; and that life development occurs in stages. That is where the similarities end. The most obvious disagreements are parallel to the comparisons between Freud’s and Piaget’s theory. For instance, like Freud, Erickson studies personality and emotional development; while, Piaget tests cognitive development. In addition, Erickson and Freud believed that an immense amount of development is influenced by the unconscious mind, unlike Piaget whom does not validate the significance of the unconscious. The last difference is that Piaget’s theory focused on child development but Erickson’s theory included four more stages of human development which continues throughout adulthood. When analyzing the development of children, we can use the above theories, as well as others to predict the progress of the child, and compare them with other children in their age group. In order to help a child reach full potential, it is important that doctors, parents, and educators know the normal rate of development. This is estimated by using developmental theories, and then applying research based studies that test the accuracy of those theories. As a child grows and learns, an assessment of their abilities can determine what stage of development the child is in, and whether or not they are developing normally. If a child appears to be learning and growing at a slower rate than other children in that current theoretical stage, then ction can be taken to accommodate the child and give them more consideration through different programs that have been constructed for children with learning disabilities. However, if a child appears to be developing at a faster rate, then their gifts can be encouraged and cultivated through the utilization of accelerated enrichment programs. In order to consider a child’s development as correctly as possible, one must consid er all aspects of growth which includes cognitive, physical, and emotional characteristics of maturation. Physical development relates to the growth and maturity of the body and brain which includes the increase in motor skills and brain development. Cognitive development is associated with the progress of logic and reason and increases in vocabulary usage. Emotional development deals with the development of feelings and emotions, but also includes the development of morals and beliefs. Although each category examines distinct types of human development, they are not separate. For example, advances in cognitive abilities have been found to coincide with the child’s physical brain development and growth (like during brain growth spurts). Another instance is that a child’s physical maturity affects his/her emotional well being (like when an adolescent is a late bloomer, it can cause them to have a low self-esteem). As psychologists analyze a child’s development, they must take into account all three aspects of development because of their impact on each other and then apply them to the psychological theories of development in order to properly assess and encourage a child’s possible potential. Sigmund Freud was a patriarch of modern psychology and Jean Piaget remains the most influential cognitive psychologist. Comparisons of the three theories discover that they are all similar in some ways, but also can be vastly different. Although Piaget and Freud have received a considerable amount of criticism for their ideas and parts of their theories were eventually discarded, they both continue to have a significant influence on the world of Psychology today.

Big Time Toymaker V. Chou Essay

1. At what point, if ever, did the parties have a contract? I believe that there were two contracts made in this scenario. The first one was the verbal contract that sated that the stipulations of price and the fact that there needed to be a written contract before distributing the product. The email, since it was in writing can also count as a written contract; both parties had knowledge that there would be some sort of written agreement. Chou was in the right to think that the email stating the key terms and agreements counts as a contract. 2. What facts may weigh in favor of or against Chou in terms of the parties’ objective intent to contract? The facts that Chou was in a verbal agreement with BTT will be helpful in proving that they had a preliminary agreement pending a written one. The fact that an email was sent to him with all the key terms, price, time frames and obligations is also helpful in proving that Chou had a valid agreement with BTT. I believe that that email would count as a binding contract since both parties had a promise pending performances. This was a mutual assessment in which there was an offer by BTT and an acceptance by Chou. 3. Does the fact that the parties were communicating by e-mail have any impact on your analysis in Questions 1 and 2 (above)? In a way it does because when I think of an agreement I think of it as a written and signed agreement by both parties. However BTT did not specify in what kind of writing this contract needed to be. They did not specify if there was need to sign, notified or have witnesses for the contract. Email communication between two people describing the key terms of a contract and having both of them acknowledge the key terms to me serves a contract. While there was no signature, it had both parties’ names on it, it could be said that it was an E-signature. Also we have to keep in mind that the terms were also discussed verbally prior to the email being sent. 4. What role does the statute of frauds play in this contract? I believe that this email communication meets the statute of frauds and the fact that it had the named of the people in business counts as a contract. There have been cases were the name at the end of an email counts as a signature, example Stevens v. Publicis, were the publicis won because the name of both parties were in the written emails. In this case both parties names are on the emails and that signaled both parties intent to do business. 5. Could BTT avoid this contract under the doctrine of mistake? Explain. Would either party have any other defenses that would allow the contract to be avoided? I think that BTT might have a chance to void the contract under the doctrine of mistake because they can claim that Chou misunderstood the fact that the emails meant that he was able to go ahead and distribute the product, making it a bi ding contract. However it was clear that the email stated the facts of the contract and BTT did not specify that Chou should in fact continue to draft the contract for both parties to sign. I think that BTT would have a hard time voiding the contract under the doctrine of mistake. I think that fact there was no specification to how the contract would be written leaves a lot of vague results. BTT should have been more specific in their emails saying that Chou should still have to draft a contract agreement and that the email was not enough for the contract. In this scenario BTT would have a ch ance at voiding the contract. 6. Assuming, arguendo, that this e-mail does constitute an agreement, what consideration supports this agreement? The fact that BTT promised distribution rights to Chou pending an agreement counts as consideration. In this case, something of value was put on the line by both parties, entering them into an agreement to exchange mutual performances. In this case there was also a value that we can determine, and that was $25,000 paid to Chou in exchange for exclusive negotiation rights. I think that consideration was present in this agreement, making a valid contract. At the end of the scenario, BTT states that it is not interested in distributing Chou’s new strategy game, Strat. Assuming BTT and Chou have a contract, and BTT has breached the contract by not distributing the game, discuss what remedies might or might not apply. In this scenario the remedies that would apply would be, compensatory damages because in this case Chou suffered a loss of potential profits that he would have made by his new game. It would also repay him as if BTT had not breached the contract. I think that if he could not claim compensatory damages then he would also be able to claim consequential damages because it states that it compensates the non-breaching party for foreseeable indirect loses. It also states that it involves a unique circumstance beyond the contract. In this case the contract BTT made was taken over by someone else who at the end did not want to do business with Chou. Restitution and Liquidated damages do not applied to this because there was no unjust enrichment by BTT due to the breach of contract. BTT and Chou did not agree to any damages ahead of time there fore liquidated damages does not apply.

Analysis of Information Technology in Dentistry †MyAssignmenthelp

In this essay we are going to discuss about the ICE policies. The ICT policies is been discussed with regard to a developing country in Latin America. The country chosen over here is Uruguay. The ICT policies are chosen because it is an important roadmap for implementing the strategies of ICT. It exhibits the action that is too pursued as well as adopted by government to solve problems in ICT regarding access as well as civil liberties. Therefore this topic is interesting as well as it can enhance the knowledge of the most important aspect of ICT which is the policies regarding it.   Ã‚  The Oriental Republic of Uruguay is a South American country, situated among Argentina and Brazil. Montevideo is its capital and the nation is formally confined into nineteen states. Uruguay is as yet exceptional for its high capability rate, unlimited urban common laborers, moved direction and institutionalized reserve funds systems and by and large even compensation flow, regardless of the debilitating of some social conditions all through the latest numerous times of the twentieth century (Kozma & Vota, 2014). Uruguay's economy is portrayed by a passage orchestrated provincial region, a particularly arranged workforce, and a lot of expenses socially. Since 2004, in the course of sensible macroeconomic organization and abetted by great conditions in abroad, its financial status has been creating at a typical of 8% consistently (CIA, 2009). This money related improvement and the social courses of action completed by the organization have reinforced a reducing in desperation (from 33% in 2002 to 21.7% in July 2008) and unemployment (from 20% in 2002 to 7.6% in 2008). Regarding structure of the ICT division, there is an alternate media correspondences controller, and the category of the standard settled telephone head is that it is openly asserted (Jimenez-Marroquin, Deber & Jadad, 2014). Contention among Uruguay's adaptable market providers is exceptionally remarkable: each one of the three chairmen have starting at now moved 3G organizations. In connection to the more extensive global setting, Uruguay in the year, 2007 positioned 63 among 181 nations in the Computerized Opportunity Management Record (DOI),37 scoring 0.48 contrasted with the world normal of 0.4, and positioned ninth among LAC nations. Likewise, in the last release of the Arranged Preparation List (NRI) 38 Report (2008–2009), Uruguay positioned 65th among 134 nations (scoring 3.85, while the most noteworthy were Denmark, scoring 5.85). 10 nations that belongs from the LAC district included in the high portion of global positioning, Uruguay stood eighth among all of them. At last, in the year 2008 version of the ICT Improvement List (IDI) 39 Uruguay positioned 49th among 154 nations, possessing the third position among LAC nations. Uruguay's Digital Agenda (UDA) of 2008-2010, created by AGESIC, is one of the nation's program for tending to the issues of ICT at a national level, that includes the improvement and enhancing the association with the broader worldwide setting, in 2007 Uruguay situated 63 among 181 countries in the Propelled Open entryway Record (DOI), 37 scoring 0.48 appeared differently in relation to the earth typical of 0.4, and situated ninth among nations of LAC. Moreover, in the most recent arrival of the Composed Status Record (NRI) 38 Report (2008–2009), Uruguay situated 65th among 134 countries (scoring 3.85, while the most raised were Denmark, scoring 5.85). Ten countries from the region of LAC highlighted in the top segment of the overall situating, and Uruguay scored eighth among all. Finally, in 2008 form of the ICT Progression Record (IDI) 39 Uruguay stood 49th among 154 countries, including the 3 rd place among LAC nations. Uruguay's Digital Agenda (UDA) of 2008-2010, made by AGESIC, is the nation’s program to check out for ICT related concerns at a national level. This includes the change and overhaul of ICT system, targets related to social value in the utilization of ICT and what's more the period of informative substance of ICT framework, objectives identified with social uniformity in the utilization of ICT and in addition the era of instructive substance (Hasan, 2014). It initiates the transparency, digital inclusion, strengthening of the democratic, and e-government out of different characteristic in order for improving the quality of life of the population’s. In specific, the structure change line's basic target is for making and updates the mechanical establishment Management at a national level, and also to fulfill the specific capacities needed for its practicality. Every lines had a couple targets and goals. In the first place, Ceibal has a fragment that is political since it is a bit of the monetary and social headway visualization of the country. It is predicted that the in all cases accessing to ICT in general society eye will pass on an incentive as for accessing to the realizing, which is one of the sections in which countries are building up their forcefulness and money related change that prompts impartial social progression. Moreover, Ceibal is considered as an instrument for recovering the important piece of government supported schools' ensuring approach open entryways for Uruguayan locals, which in by one means or another is for feeling to be gone astray (Hasan, 2014). In this logic, ICT are considered as informative body that will enable all institutions to finish relative stages of significant importance. This doesn't seem, by all accounts, to be a bit of the image of the educational to drastically change instructing and education structures that is frequently joined into th ese systems. Nor all combined into the more far-reaching suggestion of OLPC which claims those youths will make sense of how to learn by virtue of their individual and synergistic correspondence with or through ICT (Lee & Han, 2013). In the hidden portrayals of Ceibal, there are void references for changing of an educational substance industry, nor watching out for the possible results which as a result of this technique Uruguay transforming into a development progression state. In any case, conceivably due to organization of Uruguay's as the very first nation for realizing the structure of OLPC, they mainly focuses on various ways for managing endorse this know-in what way as to wind up pioneers in mechanized informative substance era and organizations movement for the planned model (Aranha, Cruz & Pinheiro, 2014). With a particular ultimate objective for doing this, Ceibal is working up with a specific plan known as the "Rayuela" development. This will advance the change of an ind ustry of electronic educational assets substance attempting for exchanging these substance to the other South American nations and develop a particular support industry prepared to provide the organizations required by the Uruguayan schools and, also aid other countries. Besides, LATU hopes to twist up obviously a fundamental consultancy firm to help diverse countries realizing ICT in guideline systems charged by the OLPC (Gallego & Gutirerrez, 2015). The Organization of the Republic, the most amazing political master in Uruguay, derived Ceibal. In spite of the way that this commitment outfitted Ceibal with the required pushed for combining and clearing the requirement political and social performing specialists, it could additionally   have been the circumstance that it could have transformed into the objective of political analysis that could be crippling, its headway. If this was the situation, these responses never contained sufficient echoes for jeopardizing the execution of the wander, which in actuality has had a creating positive social affair within 152. Furthermore, the presidential obligation moreover supported the openness of the obliged resources for realize the wander in a scale of the countrywide in for the most part short time (Clastornik, Dornel & Parra, 2016). The support for the informational zone was not rapid. The ANEP and the Basic Guideline Commission, in charge of directing fundamental instructive system, was truant when the wander was made, yet rather after a short time they had a dynamic influence in its synchronization, expecting obligation for the instructive sections of Ceibal. The Uruguayan Partnership of Educators moreover maintained the wander from the most punctual beginning stage, sharing in an uncommon commission with the Basic Preparing Commission, for working in the use of Ceibal. Despite these sponsorships, a couple of get-togethers of teachers demonstrated their doubts on the wander and a few of those even got discarded, by attesting there were distinctive needs in the learning system that required sincere thought (Gallego & Gutirerrez, 2015). This hidden strain with the structure of the educational field may be illuminated by the way that instructors were not gotten some data about the wander at its begin or on account of a bona fide instability about the advancement of the idea to enormously join tablets for the youths in the classrooms. Its primary objective is for developing the sensible progression of the country and its worldwide incorporation through advancement and trade of noteworthy courses of action concerning consistent, metrological, inventive, managerial and consistence assessment organizations, as shown by the fitting controls (LATU, 2009). LATU was accountable for driving the specific and operational execution of the wander. Ceibal, as a noteworthy part of LATU, could make the particular and vital organization required to secure, prepare, consign, proper and give specific support to the countless passed on. Moreover, it created the volunteers' frameworks, developing an educational passageway and working in a joint exertion with uncommon working social events of the workplaces in charge of managing the informational structure (Crespi & Dutrenit, 2014). Towards the finish of 2009 Ceibal ended its first execution arranges that had the objective of giving a tablet to every tyke and educator of open essential training. One of the greatest difficulties of the primary execution stage was one of the moderately restricted times accessible for actualizing the venture in the nation. This extension was arranged in four phases (Ceibal, 2009b): Stage 1 (first semester 2007): School N º24 of "Estate Cardal", office "Florida". "Manor Cardal" is a town with 1,290 occupants and just one school had 150 students. For this stage, OLPC gave the PCs; 154 | Changing Training: The Energy of ICT Strategies (Cassoni, 2015) Stage 2 (second semester 2007): Rest of the "Florida" office till it is secured completely. In the month of October of the same year the first 100 thousand portable workstations and 200 servers were permitted to purchase through an awaiting procedure. Youngsters and educators got these PCs soon thereafter (Tan et al., 2017) Stage 3 (year 2008): Over 175,000 PCs were conveyed, finishing all schools within the nation, except of part of the bureau of Canelones, Montevideo and its metropolitan zone (Barcellos, Leite & Monteiro, 2016) Stage 4 (year 2009): whatever remains of the branch of Canelones is finished together alongwith Montevideo and its metropolitan territory: With this, all kids and educators in essential state funded training got portable PCs, achieving 362,000 youngsters and 18,000 instructors. The following figure condenses the four phases of the usage of Ceibal in essential training (Hasan, 2016). All in all, Ceibal has all the earmarks of being an extensive activity that put stock in the administrations inside limit (LATU, ANEP, and so forth.) to give the arrangement of products and ventures considered in this approach. In any case, upon nearer assessment, it can be noticed that there are an assortment of methodologies and that most of them have advanced after some time. For the purpose of portrayal of these qualifications, it is significant for using the typology projected by Barber (2007) to depict the philosophies used by various governments for the game plan of open items and endeavors. Beautician perceives three sorts of procedures: Summon and control: When the assembly is the supplier of general society stock and ventures and using a top-down organization come closer from the center, for the decentralized citizen driven association's units (Gubrena et al., 2014) Devolution and straightforwardness: When the organization decreases obligation and autonomy for the game plan of open items and dares to the decentralized organization units (cutting edge) and makes structures to measure execution that are open, for pushing the upgrading; and Semi markets: When the delegates of the organization the course of action of open stock and undertakings to the private part, either totally privatizing the game plan and completing the systems that regulatory or granting its property and controlling for various authorities of the marketplace. Ceibal's procedures and strategies can be depicted as commonly "request and control," since the game plan of PCs were dealt with halfway by LATU or ANEP through their different inside frames, until going for the beneficiaries. A part of the clearest delineations is: (i) the course of action of exercises completed by LATU to circle, acquaint and give particular support with the aggregate ICT structure (PCs, servers, and fra meworks) and (ii) the plan of automated enlightening assets executed by ANEP and LATU (Cave et al., 2014). Disregarding the way that Ceibal is a methodology which has been executed transversally throughout the structure of Uruguayan of the state (administrations and diverse workplaces), its movement of the country over has in like manner included distinctive on-screen characters starting from various ranges that support and increment the state's attempts. Regardless of the way that few of these exercises begun from external source of the organization, they have been maintained and created through Ceibal, that enabled the readiness for performing specialists from the normal society, societal affiliations, universities and private division. A noteworthy number of these external exercises for sustaining were depicted in fragment 2.4.1. In a substitute locale, throughout the Rayuela Augment, Ceibal is also including the personal division accessories in the wander, particularly the item business (Proenza & Girard, 2015). Finally, it justifies determining that disregarding the way that Ceibal w as arranged towards state subsidized guideline just, in the midst of its fundamental use a segment was made remembering the ultimate objective to unite non-government-funded schools into the movement. As for the general enlightening methodologies, and approving with the UNESCO guidelines in general, the government of Uruguaya preferably imparted its engagement for improvement of the students’ presentations, for extending the open utilization on preparing and for developing a state-financed direction advantage in consonance with the work grandstand demands, however constantly putting the esteem manage at the point of convergence of the national system (Jordi et al., 2016). The execution of the checking and the model of appraisal were arranged proceed in three different stages: A pilot compose completed in December 2008 that measured the use of an outline which was included reviews for instructors, principals, children and gatherings of forty-four schools having short and lengthy moment of enthusiasm for Ceibal. Utilization of a review in June 2009 that included overviews for a comprehensively illustrative case of instructors, principals, youths and families supplemented by a subjective examination of 20 gatherings that included gatherings and workshops that is participatory in nature. Out and out, the data amassing is considered 5,682 adolescents from 3rd to 6th grades – 7,620 families, 1,050 teachers and 200 principals (Acharya, Rathod & Upadhyay, 2016). In addition, the model considering the data collection about circuitous consequences and the results, considering the diminishment of the propelled detachment and the headway of modernized cons olidation as multidimensional troubles which fuses the passageway to ICT (Aranha et al., 2016), its usage, the inclination which have a PC makers for children and the educators and its resultant at home. Expound standard utilizing pointers that can be utilized to quantify effects of Ceibal in social, social, monetary and vote based interest measurements. Recognize and portray the most significant performing artists and gatherings (stratifying by financial gatherings and ICT encounter). Break down the advancement after some level of time and nature of utilization of the apparatuses and social interest in the creation of substance (Truncano, 2016). Create intermittent data with respect to the three primary parts of Ceibal: preparing, dissemination and upkeep of portable PCs and its utilization. Recognize preparing and bolster activities actualized by Ceibal and common society and in addition between institutional coordination. In view of the investigation of the data, give proposals to basic leadership. Recognize the adjustments in the open doors, practices, learning, conceivable outcomes, discernments and prosperity of the families and group individuals taking an interest in Ceibal and what elements add to or ruin these progressions (Monge-Gonzà ¡lez & Hewitt 2015). Break down the adjustments in the connections and relations amongst schools and families and within the families; the adjustments in the practices that is social and in the utilization of extra time in the wake of presenting a tablet in the youngsters' social condition. Break down people's interest in systems; concentrate the effect because of the shared origination of Ceibal's portable PC. Study the effect in the kids' confidence, in their inspiration to learn and accessible open doors for them (Katz, Koutroumpis & Callorda, 2014). Notwithstanding the observing and assessment activities executed by the Ceibal assessment commission, there have been numerous different activities that examined, or are presently concentrate, distinctive parts of Ceibal. Huge numbers of these activities were a piece of the pilot phases of Ceibal, and were for the most part contextual investigations that taken a gander at specifi c parts of the venture and others didn't utilize thorough assessment strategies, in this manner announcing rather recounted data. One fascinating activity is the "Flor de Ceibo" extend in which, in 2008, understudies of the College of la Repà ºblica fielded work in 97 groups partaking in the venture, accumulated information on its usage, and supported the groups in different customs (DuToit, 2015). It was to be demonstrating that 85% of the surveyors concur that Ceibal "enhances the eventual fate of the youngsters" and 92% addressed which put the kids "in contact with the world." Moreover, 49% concurred that it "puts the kids in contact with destructive data." In regards to the review actualized by the Assessment Commission of Ceibal, the accompanying areas report a portion of the underlying discoveries that were discharged in end of the December, 2009. As to get to, utilizing optional information, the review reports that in the vicinity of 2006 and 2008, due the usage of Ceibal in the inside of the nation, admittance Web in schools that have change fundamentally: from 32% of the youngsters getting to Web in schools in 2006 to 67% in 2008. Regardless of numerous activities actualized since the 1990s, the republic of Uruguay had issues managing a nationalized arrangement to present ICT in schools, particularly in essential training. In any case, in 2006 Uruguay began the Arrangement Ceibal which accomplished the arrangement of portable PCs of all the essential students and educators in a time of three years and now it is beginning a comparable system for auxiliary training. In Uruguay today, every elementary school – and soon every optional school too – their educators, understudies, and families will have the chance for utilizing and learning with the help of ICT. Notwithstanding this achievement, Ceibal confronts extraordinary difficulties with respect to specialized and academic support, substance and Web arrangement, and maintainability, among others. In spite of the fact that Ceibal has an unequivocal instructive talk and has been executed over the instructive framework, its proposition goes a long ways past schools (White & Parker, 2016). To be sure, this arrangement is as a matter of first importance a social approach attempting to affect specifically kids, families and the general public and, also, an instructive strategy attempting to affect schools and on educators' academic practices. Moreover, as the worldwide experience has illustrated, Ceibal is additionally demonstrating that paying little heed to the innovation conveyance show, strategy creators need to incorporate integral procedures to guarantee instructors' expert advancement, the accessibility of sufficient computerized instructive assets and the arrangement of specialized and academic support. At long last, the model of Uruguay is envisioned by numerous nations with low rate of accessibility of ICT in the schools as well as homes as an approach for moving rapidly towards the twenty-first century Data Society. Acharya, G. D., Rathod, J., & Upadhyay, D. (2016). ICT as a change Agent for Technical Education–A Case Study of Atmiya Institute of Technology and Science. Aranha, M. I., Cruz, J. M., & Pinheiro, A. A. (2014). Latin American Federative Variables for ICT and Development Research: A Comparison between Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.  Redes. com: revista de estudios para el desarrollo social de la Comunicacià ³n, (9), 211-231. Aranha, M. I., Oliveira, F. M., Falcà £o, R. L., & Gazzaneo, N. (2016). ICT Institutional Framework in the Americas Region. Barcellos, R. E. M., Leite, C., & Monteiro, A. M. R. (2016). Integration of technologies policies and Basic Education Teacher Training in Uruguay.  education policy analysis archives,  24, 22. Cassoni, A. (2015). ICT sectors and clusters, local firms performance and employment generation: the case of Uruguay. Cave, J., Joyce, C., Shahin, J., Cave, B., & Schindler, R. (2014). Putting the IC into ‘Policy’: strategic analysis for optimising the role of ICT. Clastornik, J., Dornel, S., & Parra, D. (2016, March). Uruguay's Digital Policy. In  Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance  (pp. 64-67). ACM. Crespi, G., & Dutrà ©nit, G. (Eds.). (2014).  Science, technology and innovation policies for development: the latin american experience. Springer Science & Business Media. Du Toit, J. (2015). Teacher training and usage of ICT in education. New directions for the UIS global data collection in the post-2015 context.  UNESCO Institute for Statistics, Retrieved,  16. Gallego, J. M., & Gutià ©rrez, L. H. (2015). ICTs in Latin America and the Caribbean: Stylized Facts, Programs and Policies. Gallego, J. M., & Gutià ©rrez, L. H. (2015).  ICTs in Latin American and the Caribbean Firms: Stylized Facts, Programs and Policies: Knowledge Sharing Forum on Development Experiences: Comparative Experiences of Korea and Latin America and the Caribbean. Inter-American Development Bank. Guberna, A. M. C., Lopes, C. R. S., Galeffi, D., & de Barros Pereira, H. B. (2014). Interactivity in education: social and complex network analysis.  An Overview of Digital Media in Latin America, 80. Hasan, M. Z. (2016). Evaluation of a Government ICT Policy Document from a Communicative Action Perspective: A Case of Bangladesh.  The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries,  73. Hasan, S. (2014). ICT policies and their role in governance: the case of Bangladesh.  Science, Technology and Society,  19(3), 363-381. Jimenez-Marroquin, M. C., Deber, R., & Jadad, A. R. (2014). Information and communication technology (ICT) and eHealth policy in Latin America and the Caribbean: a review of national policies and assessment of socioeconomic context.  Revista Panamericana de Salud Pà ºblica,  35(5-6), 329-336. Jordi, L., Figueiredo, M. Ç., Barone, D., & Pereira, C. (2016). Study and analysis of information technology in dentistry in Latin American countries.  Acta Odontolà ³gica Latinoamericana,  29(1), 14-22. Katz, R. L., Koutroumpis, P., & Callorda, F. (2014). The Latin American path towards digitization.  Revista de Estudios para el Desarrollo Social de la Comunicacià ³n, (9), 151. Kozma, R. B., & Vota, W. S. (2014). ICT in developing countries: Policies, implementation, and impact. In  Handbook of research on educational communications and technology  (pp. 885-894). Springer New York. Lee, H. S., & Han, H. S. (2013). A Study on Silver ICT Policies of International Organizations and Foreign Countries, Broadcasting and Communications Convergence Future Strategy System Research Report.  Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, 14. Monge-Gonzà ¡lez, R., & Hewitt, J. (2015). ICT sectors and clusters, local firm performance and employment generation in Latin America: final report. Proenza, F. J., & Girard, B. (2015).  Public Access ICT across Cultures: Diversifying Participation in the Network Society. MIT Press. Tan, S. C., Cheah, H. M., Chen, W., & Choy, D. (2017). Integrating ICT into K-12 Education–A Global Perspective. In  Pushing the Frontier  (pp. 11-25). Springer Singapore. Trucano, M. (2016). SABER-ICT Framework Paper for Policy Analysis. White, G., & Parker, L. (2016). Building and Sustaining National ICT/Education Agencies.

Flatland Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Flatland - Essay Example The mindset which is accepted, even though it creates a sense of status in society, is still flat and unable to develop into new ideas. The point which Abbott makes shows how this mentality holds back information about potential ways of living, innovations and the overall progression of the society, specifically because of social status and rejection of new ideas. Background of the Work The background of â€Å"Flatland† is based on the specific social and religious conditions that were associated with the Victorian society during the time of Abbott. Abbott wrote and premiered his novel in the 1880s in England, specifically with the focus of approaching the trends in literature that were based on questioning the social status and divisions that were currently in society. The book arose not only from the observations in society, but also associated with the personal interactions which Abbott had before this time. In the 1840s, Abbott was known to defend Christianity against idea ls such as superstition and irrational expectations that were a part of the religion. Abbott believed instead, that all information was based on logic and personal experience. This was followed with the experiences that Abbott associated with not only in religion, but also in defense of women, social rights and divisions between the rich and poor which were a strong component of Victorian society (Zeller, 95). Defining the Mentality of Society The aspects that Abbott included with his defenses against religion, logic and the imperialism of society are reflected in â€Å"Flatland,† not only with the direct connotations to problems in society. Abbott directly refers to the generalized problems to the acceptance of ideas that were limited to a dimension and which led to ignorance within society. Abbott shows this through two main ideals. The first is with the interaction of line land, specifically as he moves into a one-dimensional world. The second is the recognition of the oth er dimensions that are associated beyond flatland, specifically which the narrator sees but is rejected by society. These two main narrative ideas show how the social standpoint is limited by ignorance and what is seen physically and known. Even though there may be other outside ideals, Abbott shows through his narrative that the mentality of society is limited to only what they see. There are several examples that Abbott uses to show the ignorance of society and how this limits possibilities. This is done with the social status of those in society, speaking with religious leaders and with presenting the ideas to royalty. For instance, when trying to describe Flatland to Lineland, there is an immediate rejection of what is real. The king rejects this because of the known laws, accepted religion and the practices in society that are accepted. This is followed by the limitations because there hasn’t been an experience with this dimension. Even though the narrator sees the life in Lineland as dull, there isn’t the capability of understanding what it would be like to live outside of this from those who exist in that reality. The lines then become a metaphor for the reality, religion, rules and belief systems that limit the ideals. â€Å"King: Exhibit to me, if you please, this motion from left to right. I: Nay, that I cannot do, unless you step out of your Line altogether. King: Out of my line? Do you mean out of the world? Out of Space? I: Well, yes. Out of YOUR

Gay marriage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Gay marriage - Essay Example Here the bodies and souls must be of a girl and a boy, and not of two boys or two girls. In gay marriage, often the interests of the persons involved are considered and the greater interest of the society and religions are overlooked. For, gay marriages cannot fulfill the ultimate aim of marriage- to give birth to new generations. The governments are now-a-day issuing license to same sex marriage couples as the first step of approving their relation. Moreover, in 2006 the New Jersey Supreme Court ordered to allow the same sex married couples civil unions, ensuring state level spousal rights that the couples of opposite sex would enjoy under the same legislation. In May 2008, the California Supreme Court made a ruling that same sex couples have the right to marry. But, proposition 8 was passed banning gay marriage in California in November of the same year. Early in October 2008, the Connecticut Supreme Court made a verdict that ban on same gay marriage is a violation of the equal protection clause under the state constitution and it became the second state to give legitimacy to it. In April 2009 Iowa Supreme Court accepted it followed by Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine bringing number of states to approve gay marriage into six. The ruling of the federal district judge in California made it clear that the pro position 8 apparently violated some of the provisions of equal protection of the US constitution. Recently in June of this year the New York assembly passed legislation in favor of same sex marriage. (â€Å"Same sex..†). One of the vicious effects of gay marriage would be that it can lead us to polygamy and â€Å"polyamory† where a person will have more than one spouse or physical relation with many at a time (Kurtz). If gay sex is legalized the polygamists and cohabiting relatives and friend as well suit for their recognition. Such an incident will question the legacy of the institution of marriage and a

Greasy Lake - T. Boyle Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Greasy Lake - T. Boyle - Assignment Example I agree with Boyle in that most of the time people have no idea about the reality of what they admire and aspire to be; only when one experiences something can one know the true meaning thereof. In the beginning Boyle romanticizes the â€Å"bad† or â€Å"dangerous† persona that the narrator and his friends aspire to have as their own, or feel is their own. There is a tendency even now, I feel, to make the bad appear good and attractive, whereby young men want to be rebels or bad. Boyle captures this attitude right in the start of his narrative, stating that it was a time â€Å"when it was good to be bad†. The narrator of the story goes on to list quite a few of the â€Å"bad† qualities that his friends have, and which he admires, and which make him think that they are â€Å"two dangerous characters†. Most often such dangerous characters do not have any inkling of what real danger is, and their image is often based on stories they themselves tell, or on feats that are really not â€Å"dangerous† but merely irresponsible. In the story, for example, the two friends of the narrator are â€Å"bad† because not only can they hold their own at a party, but can also roll joints in extremely difficult circumstances. It seems that this is often the truth of life; if you put yourself out to be as someone, more often than not, people will believe you without any evidence, and soon you will start believing it too, that is until you are faced with an event that challenges your claim. When something comes along that actually challenges the claims that you make, it is only then that the truth is known. Only when you are faced with the task of proving yourself to be who you claim to be can you actually prove the same. I completely agree with Boyle on this, because in my opinion very few people turn out to be who they say they are when it comes to putting their claims into action. When they are forced to scatter, with the narrator finding himself in Greasy

Text Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Text Analysis - Essay Example The main clause in this is 'iron man stood at the top of the cliff.' This clause is by itself a sentence. This means there is a complete meaning for it even if it is alone with no other phrase. (English grammar 2009). This structure of the sentence makes it ambiguous because since 'taller than a house' precedes 'iron man' and 'cliff', who or what is taller than a house might confuse the students. This affects the semantics of the sentence. This is due to improper phrase structure. It reads better as, 'The Iron Man, taller than a house, stood in the darkness, at the top, on the very brink of the cliff.' Thus, the sentence will be understood better. This creates a language cluster with 'at the top, on the very brink of the cliff.' Speaking about the pragmatics in it, the exact meaning of the sentence will be understood only if the students know who the iron man is or what the story is about. Else, they will be puzzled about how a man can be made of iron. The sentence alone will only give a sense of the real meaning; that the iron man, a very tall person, stood at the edge of the cliff in the darkness. As the students discuss among themselves, they might come up with negotiated meanings for the sent ence like the iron man wanted to jump off the cliff because he was standing at the edge of it. The denoted meaning is that the man was made of iron, that he was very tall, and that he stood at the edge of the cliff in the darkness. But, connotation might arise at the mention of iron and the edge of the cliff. It varies with each student, but it might be something like imagining themselves as the iron man or as standing at edge of a cliff. In this case, the first level of pragmatism is that the tall iron man stood at the edge of the cliff in the darkness. The second level of pragmatism gives the idea that it was night time. The third level of pragmatism will bring in thoughts like he will or will not die if he falls off the cliff because he's made of iron and there is a chance of falling since its dark. This sentence contains almost all the elements of English language, and can be used as a good example for teaching what phrases and clauses are. But considering the limitations of the students, this one is a bit confusing to start with. 2. The wind sang through his iron fingers: The nouns in the sentence are 'wind and 'iron fingers' where again, iron is a descriptive part. 'Sang' is the simple past tense verb in it. 'The' is the article and 'through' is the preposition. 'His' is the pronoun. The sentence is a very simple one with just a single clause. The sentence does not provide any ambiguity in its structure, and is right semantically. The meaning of the sentence is pretty easy for any child. Taking this particular sentence alone, its pragmatism is to be discussed. Since the iron man's name is not mentioned, the reference of 'his' will create a problem. The sense of meaning that this sentence gives is that the iron fingers had gaps in between through which the wind blew singing. The negotiated meaning can be that a giant had iron fingers with so much of gap in between them that even a child can pass through it. The denoted meanin

Employment law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 8

Employment law - Essay Example If the employee finds the termination unlawful then redress may be undertaken before the employment tribunal. Dismissal is not encouraged as the livelihood of the employee is at stake but it does not entail the destruction of the employer if fair causes exist to justify termination. Dismissal is deemed just when anchored on the employee’s misconduct, inability to discharge the duties due to lack of qualifications, the position is redundant, continued employment is prohibited by statutory duty and other analogous reasons. The employee is not without any recourse from unlawful dismissals. An employee may institute a suit before the employment tribunal provided that such employee has rendered one year continuous service. However, an employee may bring an action regardless of length of service when based on â€Å"automatically unfair grounds† thus the time element is not a pre-condition. If the dismissal is rooted on medical reasons, it is sufficient that the employee has rendered one month of service. Accordingly, an employee who was treated unfairly may proceed against the employer. This is the dilemma of Ms. Sally Trent who owns ST Solutions, a small business with seven employees including Sally. A suit for constructive dismissal and harassment was lodged by Trish Dodge, her Secretary/Administrator for about twenty months. According to Sally, Trish was competent in her job notwithstanding long absences due to illness which she failed disclosed. There were no complaints regarding her conduct or had problems dealing with Sally and the other employees. Conflict arose between Trish and Brian, a freelance web designer, who regularly found fault with Trish by shouting words â€Å"you are useless†. When Trish complained to Sally, she told Brian during a drinking get-together to avoid contact with Trish. Brian ignored the warning prompting Trish to walk out. In her letter, Trish stated that she cannot work in the same office as Brian. Sally hired a

Process of Heating the Water Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Process of Heating the Water - Assignment Example The heater design is made on certain assumptions being – (1) steady state rate of heat transfer (or that heat transfer rate is constant with time); (2) the cylindrical structure allows thermal symmetry so that the transfer of heat occurs merely on one dimension and varies not along the axial direction; (3) the metallic composition of the water tank (having thin metal sheet of stainless steel) on the inside possesses negligible thermal resistance; (4) thermal conductivities are uniform throughout the heating process; and that (5) very negligible heat losses take place on surfaces at the top and at the bottom.Among the available insulating materials in the market, the ‘foam’ is chosen for its affordability and low cost of installation. Compared to the other prospected insulators, its thermal conductivity appears to have given the most reasonable values for the length and surface area of the heater via R-equation, while others came out with lengths that converge to t he value of the corresponding outer radius which is not likely in the actual. During the process of heating the water, every 500-W increment is dissipated through the insulated tank wall so the increase of power input ought to be compensated with the addition of foam with relative thickness so as to prevent unnecessary heat loss until the water has achieved the desired temperature at 65Â °C. Stainless steel is preferred to carbon steel or some other steel alloys due to the fact that it potentially resists corrosion over considerable time period.

Editing paper required Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Editing paper required - Essay Example The goal of the class is majorly teaching and developing basic swimming skills, strategies, and sportsmanship in all students. Therefore, the teachers focus on the students’ physical activity and encourage them to interact and cooperate with one another in their individual and group activities. Not every student has in born swimming skills. So the teachers make them perform such activities that inculcate good swimming skills in them. The students are taught how to raise their comfort level in the water, control breath, and how to keep safe in the water. These are all part of the primary skills. The teachers also tell the students how to use things that are the school property in the swimming pool and respect the rights of other students.It is good to know that in a very short period, most of the children have learned how to perform freestyle stroke, kick, and breathe perfectly, although they are too young to learn all that. They are too good at swimming for their age. The teac hers have done a great job. Their approach is rational and is systematically structured to facilitate planning the lessons, conducting them, and evaluating the students’ performance. The instructors customize the course to meet students’ needs, demonstrate the required skills at an acceptable level of performance, and develop a strategy to keep help the class achieve its goals. In order to develop students’ activity, the teachers carefully monitor their practice and provide instant feedback and encouragement. There are a couple of teaching methods that I would like to point out in the class. While the teachers were teaching the students in the swimming pool, I was surprised to see that no one was trying to get into the swimming lane and teach the swimming act correctly. Although it might be hard for the teachers to practically

Evolution of Dance Essay Example for Free

Evolution of Dance Essay Thesis: Dance has unquestionably came a long way and it is important that we know what the initial purpose of dance was when it was first introduced, the many benefits that dance offers and how dance is used today in many ways such as recreation and entertainment. Organizational Pattern: Topical I. Introduction A. Attention Getter: â€Å"Dancing is the loftiest, the most moving, the most beautiful of the arts. For it is no mere translation or abstraction of life. It is life itself. † This is a quote by British writer and psychologist Henry Havelock Ellis. B. Relevance: Some of you may not realize it but dance plays a large role in your lives. Many of us college students love to party and what’s a party without dancing? When you’re around your friends and the music is loud, you can’t help but to start dancing. C. Credibility: Being a dancer for thirteen years, I’ve always found any and everything about dance fascinating. The art of dance has always been a passion of mine. D. Thesis: Dance has unquestionably came a long way and it is important that we know what the initial purpose of dance was when it was first introduced, the many benefits that dancing offers and how dance is used today in many ways such as recreation and entertainment. E. Preview: With this in mind, I will first inform you on the history of dance and how it began, next, I will give you the many benefits there are that comes with dancing and lastly, I will tell you how dance has changed and how it is used the today. Transition: To begin, I will first inform you on the history of dance and how it began. II. Body A. First, the history and initial purpose of dance will be discussed. 1. Dance first began as ritual in Egypt. According to an article from History World, an online encyclopedia created by a group of historians in 1994 , â€Å"†¦priests and priestesses, accompanied by harps and pipes, perform stately movements which mime significant events in the story of a god, or imitate cosmic patterns such as the rhythm of night and day. † At Egyptian funerals, women would often dance to express grief of the mourners. 2. Dancing in ancient Egypt was an accepted part of life. a. Different festivals such as the Sed-Festival and the Opet-Festival were all accompanied by dancers. Their movements often brought joy to spectators. The movements of the ancient Egyptian dancers, particularly the women, are called by scholars such as J. Gardner Wilkinson in his 1837 essay, and by Eugen Strouhal in his book Life in Ancient Egypt, elegant, graceful, even acrobatic. b. Not only were the movements of the dance elegant, but so were the costumes the dancers wore. Women wore very sheer robes, or simply belt girdles, often made of beads or shells, so that their bodies could move about freely. Men dancers wore tall headdresses made of reeds and kilts around their waists. Today, their appearance would be seen as provocative but the Egyptians did not view the naked body the way that we see it today. Transition: Now that you know a brief history about the initial purpose of dance, I will now tell you about some of the many benefits that dance offers. B. Did you know, according to Love To Know Online, a website created to give reliable answers to women for 25 years, casual social dancing is the equivalent of going for a four-mile walk? And that if you do high-energy salsa dancing, you’ll get an even better workout? 1. Getting an awesome workout and remaining physically fit is only one of the many benefits that dance offers. It is not only a great workout, but it’s also a lot of fun! Today, we have so many choices of how we can dance and stay in shape. Classes offered in and out of home such as Zumba Fitness, Flirty Girl Fitness and newly introduced Hip-Hop Abs are all fun and great ways to have fun and shed pounds at the same time. 2. Dance also encourages a better social life and outlook. Being a part of a dance team or class builds friendships and relationships with people from different cultural settings, which also helps with working with people in various workplaces. 3. Another proven benefit of dance is that dancers are known to be disciplined, focused, and high achievers who tend to be successful students and hard workers. Transition: Now that you know some of the awesome benefits that dance offers, we will now see how dance is used today. C. From games such as Just Dance and The Michael Jackson Experience, dance has come a long way from being rituals that described a certain event to everyday recreation and entertainment. 1. Recreational dance has become more popular in the last decade or so. Working at a dance studio back home, I noticed that many parents are enrolling their children into dance classes, not to pursue a professional career, but to keep their children busy with something fun and positive. In fact, people of all ages are starting to dance just as recreation at local studios and community centers. 2. Dance as entertainment has also escalated over the past decades or so. From T. V. shows such as Soul Train back in the day to So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With the Stars, people all over the world find pleasure and entertainment in watching these shows. Many people even subscribe to various YouTube channels that feature great dancers of all ages and all genres of dance. 3. Today, the music that is being produced from artists and DJ’s such as Skrillex, Benny Benassi and David Guetta has one main focus. Dance. This EDM, electronic dance music, is targeted to people who love to dance. Whether its professionally or just jamming to some good sound at a party, young and even older people love to groove to EDM. [Show clip. ] Transition: Now you can see dance is used today in so many ways. III. Conclusion A. Thesis/Summary: Dance has surely come a long way since ancient Egypt. In ancient Egypt, dance was ritual for them. They danced at every ceremony and festival and it was honorable to the people. On the other hand, dance today has many benefits physically and socially and is used as entertainment and recreation worldwide. Dance has become one of the largest past times that people really enjoy. B. Memorable Close: Dance is an expression from the soul and often done indescribably. So the next time you’re at the gym, or having a good time at a party, dance like no one’s watching. References Gascoigne, B. (2001). History of dance. n. d. , from, www. historyworld. net/wrldhis/plaintextstories. asp? historyid Kim, C. (2003). Fun facts of dance. n. d. , from, www. luv2dance. com/fun-facts-of-dance/ Havelock, E (1923). The dance of life. Massachusetts: Praeger Anonymous (2012, July 12). The explosive growth of EDM. Electronic Dance Music Snob.

Australia in a Business Context Essay Example for Free

Australia in a Business Context Essay 1.1 Introduction In today’s world, internationalization is inevitable for companies competing in the global world, where their production, target market, business model were integrated across different frontiers (Robins 2000) and between different people in different countries (Schulte 2000) In this report, we will discuss about Fraser and Neave and the potential of a joint venture with University of Queensland, Brisbane to build student hostels within the university’s premises. The entry mode will be suggested based on supporting context and company analysis. Predicted impact of action will be considered and suggestions for further expansion of the university hostel market under the name of Fraser and Neave will also be made. 2.1 Context Analysis 2.1.1 Australia in business context Australia, being an open economy with open policies for trade and investments, she has attracted many foreign investors without the need of providing any special incentives (Euromonitor business environment: Australia 2013). Reaching a $986.7 billion of total GDP in year 2013, $618.9 billion comes from FDI alone. Due to harsh contractions in mining financial tightening by both the state and federal governments and the strong Australian dollar, the country’s economic growth will ease in the year 2013. (Euromonitor Australia Country Profile 2013) 2.1.2 Australia: Cultural Analysis Culture is a ‘powerful social construct’ (Boyacigiller, 2004) in diverse multicultural workforces, particularly vital in the sustainability and success for any international business (Doney, 1998). Through a series of empirical studies, Australia being a country of low context culture (Markus G 2011, 75) has 4 main characteristics identified of their community (Australia World View, 2001) and (Communicaid: Doing Business in Australia): 1. Linear, logical, individualistic, and action-oriented people. Australians are generally results orientated. Therefore when dealing business with Australians, statistics and figures are essential for a successful deal. Since they can be seen to have confrontational and strong opinions, business dealings with them would need to back up with research or evidence in order to convince them. 2. Community likes to avoid uncertainties As Australians are people who like to avoid uncertainties, they tend to be very straight to the point with their words with the intention of having them taken literally. To avoid any misunderstanding or future conflicts, business dealings with them would have to be very literal with all conditions on the table for discussion. Implicit messages will most probably go unnoticed. 3. Adopts a very egalitarian culture Australians avoids differentiation between individuals and are often preferred to be impartial, modest and have mutual respect for others. Therefore they prefer a more down to earth approach to business. They are also altogether more receptive to innovation, fresh ideas and encourage active discussions or debates. 4. Appreciates privacy When dealing with Australian business counterparts, it would be wise to stay within the lines and treat attempts at developing interpersonal relationships with much caution. 2.1.3 Australia: Legal Environments In relation to the construction of property, we would be looking at laws that are relevant. As a joint venture is suggested for the construction of the student hostel, we would have to consider the complications of contract law besides the obvious property law, employment and industry relations, and general tax issues. As the land that we are proposing to construct is within the University’s premises, a partnership with the university will give Fraser and Neave access to the land without any legislation to bind or cripple the project. Nevertheless, there would be a need to attain approval for development through the Integrated Development Assessment System (IDAS) under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009. An application would have to be submitted in order to get a development permit for the construction of the hotels. Required information for the approval will be as follows: * Material used * Any impacts to the surrounding environment * Completed development look (Queensland Government: Development Approvals, 2013) Further legal issues will be discussed at a later date when the university of Queensland accepts the joint venture intention. 2.1.4 Australia: Political Environments The Australian’s political environment have been consistently stable since the year 1996 to 2011 with a small drop in the year 2009 according to the political stability index (World Governance Indicators, 2011). Ranked top 50 worldwide, Australia’s political environment has made the nation an attractive location for business makers to invest in. In order to protect Australia’s AU$15 billion international education industry from competition, the government have made its commitment to quicken visa processing for international students and release a list of policies universities, international education and research (Back to board on foreign students, 2013). Although concrete releases of these policies are not known yet, we can expect better support from the government on Australia’s international education industry. This would mean the future outlook of industry sees potential for further educational development. With a faster visa processing for international students, the demand for accommodation will increase and there will be our market. 2.1.5 Market Size and Growth We first identify the primary market for student hostels as domestic and international students, those in which plans on residing away from their homes in pursuit of their academics. Based on the study by Government of Australia and assuming 20% of the Domestic Students and 80% of the International require hostel accommodation, Australia Universities will require hostels to accommodate about 450,000 students: Australia| Domestic| International| Full Time| Students enrolled| 934,110| 323,612| 884,179| Students(estimated) needing Accomodation | 20%| 80%| | Rooms Required| 186,822| 258,890| 445,712| Study done by Government of Australia (Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education) in 2012 Looking at the numbers reflected above, the demand for student accommodations is substantial, especially among international students where accommodation serves great importance as it puts their respective parents at ease of sending their Children overseas. Students commencing would also be a positive indicator for high occupancy turn over rates. Although reports have shown that Australia is one of the most expensive countries to study abroad in (Cost of studying in Australia putting off international students, it is claimed, 2013), Australia remains optimistic about the future of international education program as part of their GDP contributor. In the report by International Education Advisory Council (Australia Educating Globally), there would be an estimated increase in total number of international students by 30% in the year 2020. Market growth in this market would be projected to be escalating even if it might be time periods where the growth might temporarily slowed down (Australia focused on international student enrolment growth, 2013). 3.1 Company Analysis 3.1.1 Fraser and Neave Formed in the year 1883, Fraser and Neave have flourished into a brand that is ranked as one of the most successful and established organization in the Asia Pacific region. With a remarkable array of renowned brands that relish strong market leadership, Fraser and Neave traditionally made its reputation through the production and distribution from its own FN range and several other international brands. In the recent decades, Fraser and Neave have moved on to property development and publishing with ravishing results. Operating at S$32 billion worth of shareholders’ funds and total assets, Fraser and Neave is present over 20 countries spreading across Europe, Asia Pacific and the USA. Leveraging on its strength in brand and financial management, research and development, marketing and distribution, as well as many years of acquisition experience, its subsidiary companies across the three industries are able to receive strategic directions and key resources to ensure sustainability and success. 3.1.2 Fraser and Neave: Properties As part of the business diversification, Fraser and Neave developed the Property Industry as a new core business. Since 1990 from a single mall operator, Fraser and Neave have blossomed into a full-fledge real estate group, Frasers Centrepoint Limited (â€Å"FCL†), which achieved a total of $1,345 million dollars just in year 2012. The group’s overseas property subsidiary in Australia, Fraser Property Australia, has made outstanding success in the Australia property market with the very prosperous development of residential and commercial projects. Involved in joint venture partnership with Sekisui House Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Fraser Property Australia has established its brand and reputation as a property developer in Australia having their projects span across Perth, Western Australia and largely in Sydney. Aside from just property development, the group have also developed and runs a service apartment under their Fraser Hospitality where they own full management rights. 3.2.3 University of Queensland Ranked in the top 100 universities in the world, University of Queensland is the first university that opened in the state and the largest university in Queensland. With a total of 4 major campuses – St Lucia and Herston in Brisbane and Ipswich and Gatton in South-East Queensland, the University have invested significantly in development and construction providing students with conducive environments for studies, research and other school activities. Covering a total of 1376 hectares of land 754,500 m2 (gross floor area) of which occupied by 764 buildings holding 522 teaching rooms and 1588 laboratories. 10 of which are residential colleges that provides student accommodations and places academic activity in a community setting of students and faculty. All residential colleges are located at the main St Lucia Campus. We note that there are no other student accommodations located in the other 3 campuses – Herston Ipswich and Gatton. Students studying in these campuses are encouraged to look for accommodations that are near the schools. In the University of Queensland, there are more than 46,863 students including 11,389 international students from 142 nations around the world. Of the total 46,863 students, there are presently only 2,955 rooms available within the University as follows: College with Residence| Student with Residence at the College| Cromwell College| 247| Duchess College| 200| Emmanuel College| 340| Grace College| 180| Halls of Residences| 440| International House| 238| Kings College| 298| St. John College| 263| St Leo’s College| 212| Union College| 334| Woman’s College| 203| Total Residence| 2,955| Assuming 80% of the International and 20% of the Australian Students desire accommodation within the University, the University of Queensland will require an additional of 13,000 rooms that it does not have today! Based on an average AU$4,500 per year per residence fee, we estimate a Business Potential of AU$58 million per annum if all 13,000 rooms are provided. 4.1 Entry Mode 4.1.1 International Joint Venture We proposed that the entry mode for Fraser and Neave in developing and managing Hostel Accommodation within the University be an international joint venture with University of Queensland. This entry mode is proposed mainly due to the ownership rights for the land within University. This also simplifies the challenges of property rights and taxes. This Joint Venture is formed on the basis of University of Queensland providing the land while Fraser and Neave will provide the resources to build and operate the Hostel, which is the key strength of Fraser Property Australia. Through the company analysis, it can be seen that University of Queensland has a potential shortage of 13,000 student accommodation. Therefore the construction of a student hostel in the campuses will increase the attractiveness and reliability of the school to domestic or international students. In the initial phase, the proposed hostel construction would take place in campuses in South-East Queensland (Ipswich and Gatton) as these campuses are far away from the only campus in Brisbane that provides student accommodations. Based on the current capacity of only 2,955 residences within the University, we are confident that there will be strong student occupancy rates to uphold the sustainability of the hostels. We believe that the University of Queensland would be able to attract and house more domestic and international students with the value addition of these hostels while receiving percentage of it earnings. Fraser and Neave could also benefit by entering the market of student hostels through this singular joint venture. If proven to be a success, Fraser and Neave could move into the development of student hostels in Australia and the rest of the world that offers international studies aside from residential and commercial buildings. This is a niche market that has not been developed by any multinational companies and has the potential worth looking into. As Fraser and Neave is already in a joint venture with Sekisui House Australia Holdings Pty Limited with its subsidiary Fraser Property Australia, it would be wise to approach this new joint venture as partners. This would allow Fraser and Neave to once again tap onto the expertise of its local partner and mitigate the development cost between its partners. Therefore the joint venture will be proposed to run three ways. 5.1 Scale Analysis: International Joint Venture 5.1.1 Scale of Entry Since construction and management of student hostels in a University is considered to be a new extension of Fraser and Neave’s properties development, we would propose a conservative approach in the scale of market entry. We would propose an initial accommodation for 500 students, which will generate AU $2.25 million per annum, and this can be subsequently expanded to more accommodations depending on the availability of land within the University of Queensland. Although small, it allows Fraser and Neave more time to learn about this market. As this particular market is very niche with only small players traditionally, it will take time for Fraser and Neave to study the characteristics of the market and develop the most effective and functional way to progress this into a large-scale international hostel construction business. This also limits Fraser and Neave’s exposure to the monetary and economic losses that might follow if this project is a failure. 5.1.2 Risk Levels and control Given that the hostel is only for 500 students, the risks in this project are also relatively low in relation to the small scale of entry. Nonetheless, these are the possible risks involved and how to mitigate them: Sudden project withdrawal from the University of Queensland Land owned by the school required for the hostel constructions may be needed for other University purposes. To avoid this risk, conditions for the withdrawal of the joint venture have to be carefully constructed in the contract to ensure a high penalty cost if any party were to decide to withdraw. Disapproval of property development by local authorities or state government agencies To avoid last minute disapproval, Fraser and Neave must ensure that all conditions posed by the authorities are fulfilled before filing for approval. Sudden hike of interest rates for the properties building sector Although this is a risk that cannot be mitigated substantially, a possible way to minimize it would be to make payments in full. This would however increase the financial investment for the project in a shorter time frame. A more prudent approach is to ensure fixed interest rates are negotiated prior to the start of the projects. Sudden drop in student numbers in the proposed campuses Opening the rooms for rent to students of schools nearby could mitigate this risk however; it would have to be based on agreement with University of Queensland. Students from the university will also be given priority in this case. 5.1.3 Return Levels Return of investments for the proposed project will be 17% 20% per annum for each hostel. Payback period for the hostels will be at approximately of 4 years. 5.1.4 Control Levels Control levels for this form of entry mode is lower due to the number of parties involved. As this is a three way partnership proposed, Fraser and Neave must ensure that it has all the management decision for construction and management of the hostel thereafter. The agreement with the other 2 joint venture partners is needed and should be detailed in the agreement prior to project start. 5.1.5 Integration Levels With a long-term joint venture partner (Sekisui House Australia Holdings Pty Limited), integration with the local construction environment will not pose a great threat to Fraser and Neave. Along with the past experiences of commercial and residential properties in Australia, the integration of their construction contribution in this project is expected to be positive. On the other hand, partnership with a University is a first for Fraser and Neave and they might be hindered by the new rules and regulations that are imposed by the school. This can be mitigated by understanding the limitations of the school and its school grounds before the commencement of the construction. 6.1 Conclusion There is a great potential in extending Fraser and Neave construction line towards hostels construction with the increasing demand of international education in Australia. Being an undermined market, hostels construction will give Fraser and Neave competitive advantage as one of the first multinational company to internationalize this business. A joint venture with a renowned University worldwide gives the group an exposure to other Universities if proven to be successful. The joint venture would also provide the group with reliable knowledge and information essential for bringing this business into international grounds. A possible development can also arise from this business plan with the introduction of a brand new brand extension ‘Frasers Hostels’, the management of all the Fraser and Neave hostels across the globe. Total Word Count: 2750 References: Websites Fraser and Neave. Our Business. Available: http://www.fraserandneave.com/FN_ourbusiness_properties.asp. Last accessed 17th Aug 2013. Central Intelligence Agency (2013). The World Fact Book: Australia. Available at: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/as.html. Last Accessed: 17th Aug 2013. Fraser and Neave. Fraser Property. Available: http://www.frasersproperty.com.au/. Last accessed 23th Aug 2013. Alvin Chua. (2011). Fraser and Neave. Available: http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_1792_2011-03-04.html. Last accessed 23th Aug 2013. Communicaid. (2009). Doing Business In Australia, Australian Social and Business Culture. Available: http://www.communicaid.com/access/pdf/library/culture/doing-business-in/Doing%20Business%20in%20Australia.pdf. Last accessed 20th Aug 2013. College of Marin. High-context and Low-context Culture Styles, Available at: http://www.marin.edu/buscom/index_files/Page605.htm. Last Accessed: 18th Aug 2013. http://acad.depauw.edu/ (2001). Australia World View. Available at: http://acad.depauw.edu/~mkfinney/teaching/Com227/culturalportfolios/australia/WorldView.htm. Last Accessed: 18th Aug 2013. Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2012). Legal Systems. Available at: http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/legal_system.html. Last Accessed: 22th Aug 2013. Intead International Education Advantage, LLC (2013). Australia focused on international student enrolment growth. Available at: http://www.intead.com/australia-focus/. Last Accessed: 23th Aug 2013. Queensland Government Department of State Development. Infrastructure and Planning (2013). Development Applications. Available at: http://www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/development-applications/development-application-process.html. Last Accessed: 25th Aug 2013. Queensland Government Department of State Development. Infrastructure and Planning (2013). Development Assessment Process. Available at: http://www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/development-applications/development-assessment-process.html. Last Accessed: 25th Aug 2013. Worldwide Governance Indicators. Australia. Available at: http://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi/sc_chart.asp#. Last Accessed: 25th Aug 2013. Newspaper Article Andrew Trouson and Bernard Lane (2013). Back to board on foreign students. The Australian, 04 September, Available at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/election-2013/back-to-board- on-foreign-students/story-fn9qr68y-1226710079478. Last Accessed: 4th Sep 2013 Books / Peer reviewed journals Jan Aart Scholte (2000). Globalization: A Critical Introduction Second Edition. Great Britain: Creative Print and Design (Wales), Ebbw Vale. Robins Kevins (2000). ‘Encountering Globalisation’ by David Held Anthony McGrew. The Global Transformations Reader. Great Britain. TJ International, Padstow, Cornwall. pg 239 – 245. Markus G. Kittler, David Rygl and Alex Mackinnon. (2011). Beyond culture or beyond control? Reviewing the use of Halls high-/low-context concept. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management. 11 (1), pg 63-82. Doney PM, Cannon JP, and Mullen MR (1998). Understanding the influence of national culture on the development of trust. Academy of Management Review 23: 601–20. Boyacigiller NA, Kleinberg J, Phillips ME, and Sackmann SA (2004). Conceptualizing culture: elucidating the streams of research in international cross-cultural management. In: Punnett BJ, Shenkar O (eds) Handbook for International Management Research. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press 99–167. Reports Fraser and Neave (2012). FN Annual Report 2012. Fraser and Neave. Singapore. Last accessed 17th Aug 2013 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank (2013). Doing Business 2013. The World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. Washington Dc. Last accessed 17th Aug 2013. Euromonitor International (2013). Business Environment: Australia. Euromonitor International. Last accessed 17th August 2013. Global Market Information Database Euromonitor International (2013). Australia Country Profile. Euromonitor International. Last accessed 17th August 2013. Global Market Information Database Clayton UTZ (2012). Doing Business in Australia. Clayton UTZ. Last accessed 22nd Aug 2013 International Education Advisory Council (2013). Australia – Educating Globally. International Education Advisory Council. Australia. Last accessed 23th Aug 2013. Government of Australia Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (2012). Summary of the 2012 full year higher education student statistics. Government of Australia Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education. Australia. Last accessed 23th Aug 2013.

Short Story Playing With Fire English Literature Essay

Short Story Playing With Fire English Literature Essay Mental disorders I performed excellently in school, had relatively close connections with my family and kept a well-mannered group of friends; however, all of my thoughts, actions and emotions could be thrown into disarray with the sight of a single flame. Pyromania, it was called. It was also the reason why I was forced by my mother to come to this stupid group rehab centre. Everywhere I went, there was a thick atmosphere of tension between everyone that seemed impossible to break. Despite this environment, for the past month, I had been able to keep my composure each day with the company of one girl. From the very first day, she was the only person in the room who wore a smile the entire time. With long, brown hair, contrasting her fair skin, and a look of confidence on her face, I thought of no reason why she should be here. Until I saw something which deeply intrigued me: Her emerald green eyes, unlike the rest of her appearance, did not reflect the same warmth and zeal. Rather, they possessed a continuous melancholic gaze that would always give away her true emotions, so I had a tendency to avoid looking her in the eyes whenever I talked to her. Today, as I sat down along the curb of the sidewalk, from my back pocket, I took out a plastic container and flicked the small wheel, igniting a small, but strongly burning flame. You shouldnt be smoking at your age. It will only end with a long and painful death. I dont smoke, I said as I turned around to face the voice, pyromania is different from a nicotine addiction. Casey, I swear I explained this to you the other day. She sat down beside me, leaning in towards the flame. Ah, but its still based on the same principle isnt it? Fire, destruction, and death. She had a slightly pained expression on her face before she added, How you can find the flames beautiful? They only remind me of pain and misfortune. Dont play with fire, Parker. Youre only going to get burned. I think about that sometimes as well, I replied. What had caused this unhealthy affinity towards the flames? This powerful reliance towards fire? At first, it was just a fascination as a child, but there was a point in time where it completely took over my actions. The events of that night lingered with me even now. Every detail was inscribed deep into my memories; from the heat of the fire, to the very lighter I used to set the house ablazeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Stand aside kid, came the gruff voice of a police officer. Go find your parents. Its not safe to be here. I was roughly pushed behind the yellow police tape as the officer hurried back to his car, and the sound of sirens grew louder. From a safe distance, I stood still, mesmerized by the violent orange blaze that continued to engulf the house in front of me. Beads of sweat began forming above my brow from the searing heat emitted by the burning house. Twenty minutes: that was all it took for the house to be completely devoured by the burning flames, and for the entire structure to begin falling apart. Thick billows of smoke collected, making it more and more difficult to breathe as the fire consumed the oxygen close by. The crackling of the wooden beams grew louder, with the house on the edge of collapse. Without warning, a girl parted from the crowd and ran towards the flames, only to be held back by the same officer as before. My parents are still in there! Please! Someone, anyone, help them! I-I dont want them toà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ but her last words were cut off as the last of the supporting beams collapsed. Tears overflowed from her eyes as she fell to the ground, completely helpless and traumatized. Conversely, from amidst the panic of the crowd of onlookers, I remained completely calm, never breaking eye contact with the blaze for a single second. It was too beautiful a sight to look away from, as the flames continued their dance in the wind. It was like a giant bonfire, sending sparks flying everywhere. The night sky was illuminated with its bright orange glow, making it as bright as day. I reached forward, feeling the heat of the fire grow stronger against my palm, and for just a few moments, time seemed to stopà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ This was more than eight years ago; I was only ten years old. I remember hearing the following morning that the residents of the house did not survive the blaze from that night, but at that age, I couldnt distinguish between life and death, nor did I realize the severity of my actions. To this day, I still cannot recall the exact reason for starting the fire. All I could remember was the sight of the glowing flames in the night, regretting nothing. But for these eight years, I had been harbouring this memory to myself, refusing to tell a soul. Earlier on, I thought about telling Casey, but after seeing her pained expression towards the smallest flicker of a flame, I couldnt bring myself to do so. For the month that Ive known you, Ive noticed that you space out a lot, said Casey, demonstrating her point by waving her hand in front of my face. Smiling, she continued, the smell of the lighter fluid must be affecting your brain somehow. I returned to reality. Realizing she was right, I retorted, I can cure this problem just fine without your input. Anyways, why dont you ever talk about your problems for once? Its been a month, and I still know nothing about you. I dont even know why you checked into rehab in the first place. I mean, as far as I can tell, theres nothing wrong with you. It was my decision to make, Casey replied, watching the passing cars on the road. Still, why dont you do yourself a favour? Check out of this boring place and spend the remaining days of summer back home with your family. What do you know? Have you ever thought to consider that Im here for a reason? I cant return to my family even if I want to. She stood up abruptly, and started walking back towards the rehab centre. Out of impulse, I stood up as well, making eye contact. For the first time, I saw her grimace, but what was far more intimidating was the hostility in her gaze; even from a fair distance, I could sense it. My comment definitely hit a nerve. Before reaching the doorway, she looked back one last time and said, Its going to rain. You should head inside the facility soon, and she slammed the door behind her. Aggravated, I took out my lighter, trying to light a small flame to ease my tension, but it was no use. Out of lighter fluid, I sighed, so in the end, you got what you wanted, somewhat. Ill need to get a new one tomorrow. I sat back down along the curb of the sidewalk, when moments later, I felt a light shower of rain against my skin. What a perceptive person. For the rest of the week, I avoided Casey, until I saw her knitting something blue in the lobby. I decided not to start a conversation with her. Instead, I sat down in a chair across from her, staring intently at the repetitive motions she made as the fabric grew longer. After a while, she sighed and finally spoke to me. Im knitting a scarf to put on a teddy bear. Its for my baby brothers birthday. I havent seen him in a while thoughà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Her voice was depressed, yet she continued, but I have a permit to go visit him and my family tomorrow. This is an awkward question, but do you mind coming with me? Ill understand if you cant, but youre one of the few people that I trust here. After a while of thinking, I managed to give a nod and everything was planned out for tomorrow. As she left the lobby, her smile had returned. Little did I know that there was so much more that she hid from me behind that smile. At exactly 10 AM, I returned to the same spot that I sat in yesterday, and I noticed how empty the entire lobby seemed without Casey there. At any rate, I was sure the mood would change when she arrived. Five minutes passed; fifteen minutes passed; forty five minutes passed, and I became unexpectedly worried. I contemplated going outside to light a flame with my lighter, but it would be terrible for her to see me like that. Instead, I decided to go find her. However, this was easier said than done, because the rehab centre had many rooms, and I had no idea where she was staying. Nevertheless, I ran around the building looking for her, searching through every corridor, checking the courtyard, knocking on doors to ask if anyone knew where she was staying, but to no avail. Out of breath, I paused and passed by the girls washroom, when I heard hushed crying coming from behind the door. Could that possibly be her? Pulling up closer, I called her name, but there was no answer. As awkward a s it was to enter, my concern for whoever was in there outweighed my embarrassment. However, I was horrified at what I found. It was Casey, but not how I expected. She was sitting on the floor, sobbing, her right arm covering her eyes, but not the tears from her face. From a distance, I could see the glint from the scarlet tinted blade on the tiled floor. Her left arm was filled with scars, with three fresh slashes running across them. A steady stream of blood flowed from them, enough to form a small puddle of crimson beside her. Impulsively, I ran towards her, took off my sweater to soak up the blood and I held her in my arms. Her crying just grew louder, but as she laid her head on my shoulder, I felt helpless, knowing this was all I could do for her. For what seemed like eternity, we stayed like that, her sobs eventually dying down to a slight whimper as I whispered Its okay over and over. Her voice shaky and in hushed tones, she said, My baby brother and my parents arent actually alive. They passed away eight years ago. There was a horrible fire that burned my house to the ground. I managed to escape safely, but my parents, they thought I was still inside. They went back inside for me, and they never came back out. They sacrificed themselves for nothing, and it was my fault! I wish I had died instead of them. Every day, I wish that Sometimes, I would even try to make that wish come true. Her voice started breaking into sobs again, and I came to a horrifying conclusion. Could it be? Eight years ago, from the fire I started, I killed her family and was the reason why harmed herself like this. The guilt I failed to feel from years ago rushed through me, as if it had been collecting for years. It was horrifying to make this connection, but it felt even worse to realize that I enjoyed every moment of the burning fire. Why did fire have to be so destructive? I wished I woul d never see another flame. I never wanted to see Casey suffer like this again. That evening, under an orange painted sky, Casey and I visited the cemetery, where I saw the gravestones of her parents and her little brother. She placed her birthday gift onto her brothers tombstone, and she closed her eyes in a short prayer. The whole time, I remained silent; I didnt feel like I had the right to speak. As we started to leave, I turned around and whispered a pathetic apology, even though it was useless. To this day, I havent told her that I was the one who started the fire; Im afraid of what her reaction might be if I do. But the guilt I feel each day is overwhelming, as I recall the image of Casey as a young girl, standing in front of her burning house, knowing her parents were burned alive in that fire and Casey covered in scars, cutting herself. These are the thoughts that come to mind whenever I re-ignite my lighter, and see the flickering flame, hoping that the guilt I feel from the memory of that night will one day miraculously cure this pyromania.