Sunday, January 19, 2020

Literary Analysis: The Omnivore’s Dilemma Essay

In Michael Pollan’s, The Omnivores Dilemma everything we eat is somehow derived from corn. Dating back to the day of the Mayans when they were sometimes referred to as â€Å"the corn people† (Pollan 19). Pollan takes us back to the â€Å"beginning† of the industrial food chain. In The Omnivores Dilemma historical context, ideology, and setting do not do the reader justice in opening their eyes to the harsh reality that without the corn industry eating as we know it today would cease to exist. The use of historical context in The Omnivores Dilemma insufficiently details the actual origin of corn. Per Pollan’s writing he explains that â€Å"Squanto taught the Pilgrims to plant maize in 1621†¦.. † (Pollan 25), but the existence of corn dates way back much further than 1621. In a 1948 excavation of Bat Cave, New Mexico by then student of anthropology at Harvard University, Herbert W. Dick found small cobs of corn at the bottom of Bat Caves floor which were estimated to contain maize that had their beginning no later than 2000 B. C. (Mangelsdorf 148). Many different types of test have been used to determine how old the corn plant is, but only with solid evidence provided by archeologists has there been any real way to argue the actual evolution of corn. It is more than evident having conducted my own research about the origin and historical context of corn that Pollan merely â€Å"touched† on the subject matter of, where corn came from. In this day and age with many households having both the husband and wife, or single parent households, or just because of mere laziness, society as a whole doesn’t put as much thought into what we consume as they use to. For the most part what we consume is what is most convenient at the time we are hungry, but little do most of us know what it really is that we are eating†¦.. corn. As Pollan so bluntly states, â€Å"†¦. At the end of the food chain (which is to say at the beginning), I invariably found myself in almost exactly the same place: a farm field in the American corn belt† (Pollan 18) Practically everything we eat has corn in it or has been fed corn, and has been chemically altered before it reaches us. Everything from yogurt, chicken mcnuggets, and even beef contain corn of some form. Per one article, â€Å"Pollan wants us to know what it is we’re eating, where it came from, and how it got to our table†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (The Wall Street Journal), only that even after having read The Omnivores Dilemma I still had questions, questions Pollan failed to address in his book. The only remotely interesting part of Pollan’s book is the setting; various corn farms. Though interesting it still insufficiently addressed many facts. In my opinion it would have been appropriate to add that in the U. S. alone there are over 400,000 corn farms and that the U. S. s the largest corn producer in the world, producing 32 percent of the world’s corn in the year 2010 ( www. ncga. com www. epa. gov). According to the National Corn Growers Association a good 80 percent of corn grown is eaten by both domestic and overseas livestock, poultry, and even fish. Also according to the NCGA Americans eat 25 pounds of corn a year. (www. ncga. com). Pollan details how corn travels â€Å"About a fifth of the corn river flowing out from the elevators at the Iowa Farmer’s Cooperative travels to a milling plant†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Pollan 86), but epically fails of informing us of the â€Å"bigger picture†. In conclusion, I found that by simply doing a little research on my own in the library or by searching online, not only could I find a wide range of actually interesting information on the ever so popular corn industry, but I wouldn’t fall asleep doing so as I did on more than one occasion trying to read The Omnivores Dilemma. The Omnivores Dilemma is not a book I personally would ever read again. Nor would I recommend it.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Effective Reading Strategy for Efl Students in No.9 Middle School in Beijing Essay

1. 1 Background of study In China, English is a compulsory course, so in Chinese education system has an examination at the final end of each term in Junior or Senior high school. In the examination, it is mostly used as a way to test students’ English level, so English becomes an important course in school education. The exam will test students’ listening, reading and writing ability. Therefore teachers are paying more attention on students’ ability on reading, listening and writing. Based on researcher understanding about teaching reading, researcher wants to do some research about investigating what types of cognitive reading strategies are used in middle school in Beijing. Aim at cognitive reading strategy researcher wants to the researching about it. And which one is the most commonly used during the reading class. Through the researcher tries to find some problems to teaching at the same time, it also referred in the research. Research paper is more focused on students learning strategy and teachers training process. For experienced teachers, who are good at summing up experience through their teaching then using in the teaching process. Through this study researcher gets more information about how to teaching reading and reading strategies. 1. 2 Statement of the Problem Researcher finds some problem when doing the research. In the real classroom, teachers have no enough time to give exercises for different level of students when they did reading class. In Chinese secondary school, English teacher should attention on arrange time effectively. Give enough time on  teaching four basic skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing and doing exercises at the same time. Sometimes students can’t concentrate on these four skills, how to improve their ability in those four skills in the same time is the problem. As a researcher need research some teachers and related their teaching experiences they told some skills that teacher should change some basic teaching methods in their classroom . Teacher are not limited on traditional English teaching, but also created some new methods to adapt on different level of students in the classroom teaching. Effectively and improve their ability is important. Teachers are not only teaching knowledge but also pay attention on students’ attitude and taken in strategies in the classroom. The research is search about teaching reading strategy in Chinese middle school. Researcher chooses a famous middle school to finish the questionnaires. However the defect is all of participates are coming from same school. It can not full access to information and data. It is a problem for the research. To achieve the goals researcher should considers how to choose different level students to finish the questions and consider the teacher’s experiences to complete all questions. It is a challenge for researcher. 1. 3 Aims of the study This research is aimed to find out one useful cognitive reading strategy among the students used when they doing reading. It can enhance students reading ability when they doing exercises or in the examination. It also becomes a useful strategy when students do reading comprehension in the examination. Although there are many types of cognitive reading strategy in reading comprehension, how to choose one strategy when students doing reading is become a problem and it also can help students save time during their English examination. 1. 4 Research objectives At the end of the research, researcher will list of some reading strategies when teacher teaching reading in the class. After analyze the data, choose one strategy is used among students used. The research objectives are: 1 To investigate the cognitive reading strategies in a middle school students in Beijing 2. To investigate which type of cognitive reading strategy is most commonly used among the students. 1. 5 Research questions The research will seek answers to the following questions: 1 What are the cognitive reading strategies of middle school students in Beijing? 2 Which type is the most common used by the students? 1. 6 Rationale of the study Because the research is survey about reading strategies, so in the beginning of the research, researcher will list down what are the types of reading strategies of middle school students in the school teaching. â€Å"There are plenty of strategies for the beginner reader and many can be adapted to fit the needs of more advanced readers as well. † (Dorit Sasson, 2007). Then researcher chooses 45 students (15 students are attended in the pilot study) based on their different grades and gender to answer the question. Finally through analyze the data researcher chooses one common cognitive reading strategy is used in middle school students in Beijing. 7. Limitations of the study Research questionnaires are based on the No. 9 middle school students. Limited is both of the students and teachers are in the same school and numbers is the problem. Although their students’ levels are different but the whole English levels are not too low. And choose the students’ number is less than get enough data. Both the quantity and quality are not exactly. So these are the limitation about the research. CHAPTER ? LITERATURE REVIEW 2. 1 Introduction The first part of this section deals with the definitions of reading. Secondly it will discuss about Issues relating to English in the secondary curriculum in China. Thirdly is reading strategies. The last part will focus on the types reading strategies. Both of the contents are mainly concerned in the real classroom in Beijing. 2. 2 Definitions of Reading Reading is a huge topic, potentially beset with myriad difficulties not easily addressed in a book of this length. Brindley (1994) in her introduction to the ‘Reading’ section of Teaching English offers a helpful starting process: Reading is a complex area. We can use the term to mean the process itself, or a response to literary text. It is means reading is combine with other knowledge that used in the teaching English. Use the technical term to explain what is meaning and give the answers. Andersen et al. (1985) has shown that ‘Reading is the process of construction meaning from written texts. It is a complex skill requiring the coordination of a number of interrelated sources of information. ’ His opinions is talking about reading is a process which connected the writer’s writing skills and writing content. It needs reader has own reading skills or strategies to understand the meaning of reading materials. What the content is and writer wanted conveyed the information to reader. It is a difficult thing between the writer and reader. There is a book By Joan Brooks McLane, Gillian Dowley McNamee, in one chapter is described that â€Å"Reading can be compared to the performance of a symphony orchestra. This analogy illustrates three points. First, like the performance of a symphony, reading is a holistic act. † It stands for when reader reading an article, they must focus on all contents and used different reading strategies, mobilize all positive factors that you have when they reading. â€Å"Second, success in reading comes from practice over long periods of time, like skill in playing musical instrument. † Everyone known that want to be successful man, they must persist in one thing that they choose. Like a player play the wonderful music, they used lots of playing skills and they need long time to practice well. Reading is the same thing like player. If they want to master the reading strategies, they should study how to read and need lots of time to practice and improve their reading comprehension. â€Å"Third, as with a musical score, there may be more than one interpretation of a text. The interpretation depends on the background of the reader, the purpose for reading, and the context in which the reading occurs. † It needs reader give their opinions after they reading the text. Because of there are many different between everyone, so after they read the text their understanding is also different. 2. 3 Issues relating to English in the secondary curriculum in China Course Description â€Å"In describing the role of a foreign language, the 1993 syllabus emphasized its instrumental value for ‘acquiring cultural and scientific knowledge, gathering information, and conducting communication with the world’ (Ministry of Education 1993: 1). † In the Chinese principle of curriculum, English as an important role in the secondary school teaching. The purpose is â€Å"foreign language teaching in China was ‘to meet the needs of the Open Door Policy and to speed up the socialist modernizations’ (Ministry of Education 1993: 1). † It stands for China should study how to become a modern country among all over the world. And welcome foreigners come China to do the business or study. The new curriculum is changed. â€Å"Using English for the acquisition of knowledge and recognizes the humanistic value of a language in the transformation of the learners’ cognitive and personal development beyond its instrumental value in knowledge acquisition. † English is becoming a popular course in the new principle of curriculum. Students should learn more knowledge not limited in the grammar or the acquisition, but also for the human value’s benefit and personal development. â€Å"English language learning, as described in the 2003 curriculum guidelines, can help students develop ‘intelligence, affect, attitudes, values, and character’ (Ministry of Education 2003: 1). † The Ministry of Education is more attention on students’ to built good educate environment and provide fully development space for students. Course Objectives â€Å"The 1993 syllabus stressed two basics: basic linguistic knowledge and basic language skills. † It is traditional and easy syllabus for students to do before 2003. However in 2003, The Ministry of Education published new syllabus objectives is ‘to help students further clarify the purpose of learning English and develop autonomous learning and cooperative learning abilities; to help students develop effective English learning strategies’ (Ministry of Education 2003: 2). Students’ language use ability is based on ‘a mastery of knowledge, skills, affect, learning strategies, and cultural awareness’ (Ministry of Education 2003:2). Students should master one language when they learning in the classroom. According to the new curriculum, â€Å"An English course should help develop students’ ‘critical thinking ability, information gathering and analysis ability, problem solving ability, and a world vision’ (Ministry of Education 2003: 2), which are essential for a citizen in the twenty-first century (Pasch and Norsworthy 2002). †English is become a course in the classroom teaching and popular in China. It develops students’ ability in all aspects. All these reflect a humanistic approach, which, according to Johnson and Johnson (1998: 158), â€Å"respects the integrity of learners, allowing for personal growth and responsibility, taking psychological and affective factors into account and representing whole-person learning, going significantly beyond the use of English as a conduit of knowledge acquisition. † It needs learners has own opinion’s and some factors will change based on their experiences and reality. Course Design The 1993 syllabus required only one compulsory module. There were no specifications for the teaching aims and demands for Grade 1. Grade 2 and Grade 3 shared one set of aims and demands in general and distinctions were made only in some aspects of listening, speaking, reading and writing for the two grades. It means there is no specific teaching aim between three grades. And how to distinguish by some aspects on four teaching skills, there are listening, speaking, reading and writing. The new curriculum offers two modules (one compulsory and one elective) and grades the aims and demands with a four-band system according to learners’ language use ability, and describes each component at different bands in detail. From the new curriculum syllabus, it has targeted for each grades of students and the aims of teaching aid. The ability-banded framework can help solve such problems as the unbalanced development of the curriculum in different regions, the learning gaps between different stages (primary, junior secondary and senior secondary), and the waste of resources as a result of repetition in the curricula. Based on different backgrounds and others, teacher used different methods. The ability-banded design also provides more flexibility and openness in the curriculum, making it more possible to teach students with diverse competences. Students can learn special technical skills provide the needs of social. Teaching Aims and Demands For teaching aims and demands, the 1993 syllabus emphasized the development of two basics: basic linguistic knowledge and basic language skills. It isolated linguistic knowledge into discrete items, for example, word class, sentence structures. And confined linguistic skills to classroom application, for example, ‘students can understand classroom English and the explanation of new language points with language learned, do question and answer on the text, and retell the story orally or in writing’ (Ministry of Education 1993: 2-3). The new 2003 curriculum gives meaning to both knowledge and skills and integrates the two by engaging students in active use of the language with what they have learned as knowledge and developed as skills and by describing the language ability as what they can do with the English language. For example, students know language forms and their functions in real communication, under- stand and master the ways to describe people and objects, to describe the development of events. For students’ all round development, the new curriculum stresses the development of their affect, learning strategy and cultural awareness along with their linguistic knowledge and linguistic skills, and defines specific teaching aims and demands for these components at different bands. Implementation Guidelines The implementation guidelines help to reach the goals set for a curriculum. The guidelines in the new curriculum, as compared with those in the 1993 syllabus, are more concrete, hence playing a stronger guiding role. Ministry of Education (2003: 23-25): The guidelines for teaching include â€Å"focusing on all learners and helping them lay a solid foundation for lifelong development; attending students’ affect and creating a pleasant, democratic and harmonious learning atmosphere; reinforcing the guidance for students’ learning strategies and helping them develop autonomous learning ability†. These guidelines represent the learner–centeredness philosophy in curriculum development (Nunan 1988: 2003). For teachers’ better understanding of the teaching methods, model teaching plans are provided. Ministry of Education (2003: 40- 42) â€Å"For assessment, the stress is put on the explanation of the underlying rationale. It emphasizes that ‘both formative assessment and summative assessment be used and attention be paid to the motivating and facilitating roles of assessment in students’ learning’†. 2. 4 Reading Strategies The best definition of a reading strategy is the tactics or actions teachers implement in order to approach and make sense of a reading text. Reading is important and necessary for human especially at the present day which technology is growing rapidly. D. C Mitchell (1982:1) wrote that â€Å"reading is the way to express meaning from writer to reader. It is the way to exchange ideas of writer according to his/her styles. The ability to grasp these ideas is depending on reader’s experience, language knowledge and attitude as a fundamental basis. † Reading is a Rebecca L. Oxford (1991:1-163) classified reading strategies into four categories: 1. Memory Strategies 2. Cognitive Strategies 3. Compensation Strategies 4. Social Strategies 1. Memory Strategies are personal strategies that depend on skills and ability of each person by using something close-by as a tool for understanding, learning and memorizing that passage. This is the definition of memory strategies. It means users use memory to remember the reading contents. 2. Cognitive Strategies are essential in learning a new language. Cognitive strategies are typically found to be the most popular strategies with language learners. Based on the reader’s comprehension, they use their cognitive to understanding the reading materials. 3. Compensation Strategies enable learners to use the new language for either comprehension or production despite limitations in knowledge. Compensation strategies are intended to make up for an inadequate repertoire of grammar and, especially, of vocabulary. 4. Social Strategies is a term of social behavior; it is communication, and communication occurs between and among people. Learning a language thus involves other people, and appropriate social strategies are very important in this process. 2. 5 Teaching Reading Strategies Teaching reading strategies will increase students on reading skills in the core subject areas; this will also improve the student’s level of achievement. When Student’s are lack of knowledge will affect their ability to learn, read or write in all subject areas. Furthermore, helping students learned to read and write in the core subjects-areas will increase a student’s ability to read in all core subjects. A student’s reading comprehension skills will improve at the same time. That’s why teaching reading strategies is important in the classroom teaching. The teacher can use reading strategies that connect the students’ interest in core subject areas, this can help a student maintain their focus, improve their ability to understand and then apply what they read to the real world. . Reading is a blend of word recognition and comprehension. This involves the response of printed motivation but the growth of sense or knowledge, is the real meaning of reading. The reading process is a mix of finding words and comprehension that involves recognition of printed incentive however, the development of meaning or understanding is the core of reading about meaning. The reader should think and talk about what they are reading and the meaning of the passages, and connect them to what makes sense. Teachers and parents should assist the student by having them begin underlining the most important words in the reading material. The process of pre-reading teaching strategies will help improve reading comprehension. Effective language instructors show students how they can adjust their reading behavior to deal with a variety of situations, types of input, and reading purposes. They help students develop a set of reading strategies and match appropriate strategies to each reading situation. Strategies that can help students read more quickly and effectively include five different types. There are Previewing, Predicting, Skimming and Scanning, Guessing from context and Paraphrasing. Next researcher will list down some characteristics about each reading strategies. First type is previewing: reviewing titles, section headings, and photo captions to get a sense of the structure and content of a reading selection. Second type is predicting: using knowledge of the subject matter to make predictions about content and vocabulary and check comprehension; using knowledge of the text type and purpose to make predictions about discourse structure; using knowledge about the author to make predictions about writing style, vocabulary, and content. Third type is skimming and scanning: using a quick survey of the text to get the main idea, identify text structure, confirm or question predictions. Fourth type is guessing from context: using prior knowledge of the subject and the ideas in the text as clues to the meanings of unknown words, instead of stopping to look them up. The last type is phrasing: stopping at the end of a section to check comprehension by restating the information and ideas in the text. 2. 6 Conclusion This chapter is related some review about the definition in reading, compare between old syllabus and new syllabus in China Education system, reading strategies and how to teach reading strategies in the classroom. These four parts provide more information about reading comprehension and it is very useful for teachers training. CHAPTER ? METHODOLOGY 3. 1 Introduction This chapter provides detailed information regarding the process of collecting the data for this research. The aspects of the research method that are being focused are the subjects, instruments, questionnaires, method of data analysis and also research procedures. 3. 2 Research Design This research is a procedure for collecting and analyzing quantitative data access the research problem. The questionnaire is for Chinese students. It is a survey in No. 9 middle school in Beijing. This design has chosen because it really suits with how the study is carried out. 3. 3 Research Population For the pilot study and the questionnaire part, the population is all Chinese students and teachers are come from No. 9 middle school. The pilot study researcher chooses 15 students because there are totally three grades and each grade has three students to answer the pilot study. All together the questionnaires give the 30 students to answer it. Another part is the teachers’ part, there are three teachers attended in the pilot study and another six teachers are answering the teacher’s questionnaire. 3. 4 Research Sample The samples that had been taken into consideration consist of 30 different grades students of No. 9 middle school in Beijing. The samples are from same school and the school is well-known in Beijing. The samples are also from different level, their learning background also different. In the samples, it also included 6 teachers are teaching three grades of No. 9 middle school in Beijing. Their teaching experiences are different, because two of them are new teachers. Their teaching experiences are not enough. It can contrasts in different teachers and get the different data during the research. 3. 5 Research Instrument To meet the purpose of this study, the researcher looks at the types of reading strategies and which type is more common among students used and teacher teaching in the classroom. To conduct the process of this study the researcher uses questionnaires for the students and teachers. This questionnaire forms are distributed to the students. This is to gather information of the student’s background and their learning and the teachers’ teaching experiences and methods about reading strategies. The students are given answers and elicit responses regarding the research question. Teachers answer the research question based on their teaching experiences. 3. 6 Pilot Study It is to check the reliability and validity of results. In the research paper, in order to make sure the questions and data are stable and consistent in the questionnaires. The researcher distributed the questionnaire form to 15 other Chinese students from No. 9 middle school in order to get feedback about the questions, and then revise the survey 16 based on the written comments. The researchers will analyze their answer and data which is focused on the types of reading strategies. After they answer the questions, the researchers will discuss with the sample and analyze the questions. Will make sure each item is clear. The questions are aligned to the researcher to get the research purpose. As a result of the analysis, there are 15 items which are of the questionnaire. From my statistics the r=0. 79 3. 7 Data Collection Procedure About the questionnaire, researcher followed the procedure of searching information, constructing the questionnaire, inviting the participants, E-mailing the questionnaire, waiting for response, asking back the completed questionnaire. 3. 8 Data Analysis Procedure The researcher analyzed questionnaire data by using descriptive statistics. The procedure includes input data, summed score method to analyze data, report by using tables and summary of the major results. CHAPTER ? FINDINGS 4. 1 Introduction The main aim of this chapter is to investigate the types of cognitive reading strategies and cognitive reading strategies in the classroom among the middle school students in Beijing. In order to achieve these, data are obtained from a questionnaire that provides answers for the following research question: 1. What are the cognitive reading strategies of middle school students in Beijing? 2 Which type is more common among the students used in the classroom? 4. 2 Questionnaires Two set of questionnaires are distributed to two different groups of subject: the students and the teachers. The first set of questionnaire is distributed to the three grades students who are in No. 9 middle school. The questionnaire is distributed to gather information about student’s reading strategies and through their reading process, which type is used more widely among students in the classroom. The second set of questionnaire is distributed to six English teachers from the same school to find out about teachers teaching reading strategies in the classroom. The information and data gather from the questionnaires are calculated using the ‘percentage’ method. 1. Set 1: Student’ s questionnaire There are three sections in the student’s questionnaire. First section is background information. Table 4. 1 shows the students background information. TABLE 4. 1 Student’s background information 1. Gender |Gender |Male |Female |Percentage | |Students |15 |15 |50% | 2. Grade. |Grade |1 |2 |3 |Percentage | |Students |10 |10 |10 |33. 3% | The data collected shows the total students are 30. Male and Female percentage are equal in the table. And there are three grades in the No. 9 middle school, the percentage of each grade also the same reached at 33. 3%. The data is suitable to analysis. TABLE 4. 2 Types of Reading Strategies TABLE 4. 2. 1Skimming and Scanning Item NT UNT ST UT AT (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) B1: I briefly skim the 1 5 5 7 12 text before reading (3. 3%) (16. 7%) (16. 7%) (23. 3%) (40%) B2: I skim/ scan to get 3 2 6 10 9 the main idea (10%) (6.7%) (20%) (33. 3%) (30%) From the table, 60% students like skimming reading strategies before reading the text. Only 4 students or 13. 3% never use this strategies when they reading the text. Therefore they like skimming reading strategies very much, and some would rather remain neutral attitude on this strategy. Students can get main idea through they skim/scan the reading materials. The percentage is very high in these reading strategies. Illustration 4. 2. 2 Previewing [pic] The bar chart shows the percentage of the students who use previewing reading strategies in the classroom. The middle of blue and yellow bars means that the majority of people keep in neutral about these two questions, Section B question 3 and 4. It reflects that 9 students or 30% and 12 students or 40% not always use it in the classroom reading. Only 3 students or 10% strongly agree use previewing strategies during their reading. And 2 students or 6. 7% never use it. The data is average in this bar chart. TABLE 4. 2. 3 Predicting Item NT UNT ST UT AT (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) B5: I usually make 4 11 11 2 2 predictions as to what (13. 3%) (36. 7%) (36. 7%) (6. 7%) (6.7%) will follow text. The table of 4. 2. 3 is about students use predicting reading strategy in the classroom. Number of each option is average. Four students or 13. 3%, they never use it during the classroom reading. Most of students are thinking it is â€Å"usually not true of me† or â€Å"Somewhat true of me†, percentage of it reach 36. 7%. Contrast it the students who choose â€Å"Usually true of me† or â€Å"Always true of me† has 4 students only. They prefer use it during their reading. TABLE 4. 2. 4 Guessing from context Item NT UNT ST UT AT (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) B6: While I am reading,  I reconsider and revise 5 8 9 5 3 my prior questions (16. 7%) (26. 7%) (30%) (16. 7%) (10%) about the text based on the text’s content. B7: While I am reading, I consider and revise my background 6 7 11 4 2 knowledge about the (20%) (23. 3%) (36. 7%) (13. 3%) (6. 7%) subject based on the text’s content. Question 6 and 7 are related with the fourth type of reading strategy: Guessing from context. The students are also keeping the neutral attitude about this strategy. For question 6, there are 13 students or 43. 4% they don’t like use it. It takes up most of time doing reading comprehension. Only have 8 students or 26. 7% they always use it in the classroom reading. However the question 7 has some related with question 6. Already almost half of student they choose â€Å"never or usually not true of me† this option. Another 11 students or 36. 7% choose â€Å"Somewhat true of me†. Last 6 students they like use it very much in the classroom reading. Item NT UNT ST UT AT (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) B8: While I am reading, I try to determine the 1 11 11 7 – meaning of unknown (3. 3%) (36. 7%) (36. 7%) (23.3%) – words that seem critical to the meaning of the text. B9: As I am reading, I evaluate the text to determine whether it 3 8 12 6 1 contributes to my (10%) (26. 7%) (40%) (20%) (3. 3%) knowledge/ understanding of the subject. Two questions are also about â€Å"Guessing from text†. From the data analyses about this two questions, students who choose the same options with Question 6 and 7. There are 12 students or 40% who never use this strategy. 11 students sometimes use it, but there are only 7 students often use it. No one always use this strategy during their reading. Some data are the same with question 9. There are 11 students or 36. 7% who never use guessing from text strategy in the classroom. 40% students use it seldom. And only 7 students or 23. 3%, the number of students who choose this options is same with question 8. TABLE 4. 2. 5 Paraphrasing Item NT UNT ST UT AT (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) B10: I summarize/ paraphrase the material that I am 3 8 7 3 9 reading in order to (10%) (26. 7%) (23. 3%) (10%) (30%) remember the text. B11: After I have read 2 8 13 4 3 a text, I review it. (6. 7%) (26. 7%) (43. 3%) (13. 3%) (10%). B12: After I have read 5 11 7 6 1 a text, I evaluate what (16. 7%) (36. 7%) (23. 3%) (20%) (3. 3%) I have read. B13: After I have a read 1 5 12 10 2 a text I summarise it. (3. 3%) (16. 7%) (40%) (33. 3%) (6. 7%) The last type of reading strategy is Paraphrasing. These four questions are related to the paraphrasing. From the data analyse we can see that most of the students are keep neutral about this strategy. They are neither use it often nor they always use it and still maintains their neutral options through their chosen. Item NT UNT ST UT AT (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) B14: I search out  information relevant 1 10 5 10 4 to my reading goals. (3. 3%) (33. 3%) (16. 7%) (33. 3%) (13. 3%) B15: I evaluate whether what I am reading is 4 8 10 6 2 relevant to my reading (13. 3%) (26. 7%) (33. 3%) (20%) (6. 7%) goals. The last two questions also connected with paraphrasing. There is some different with last four questions. It is happened in the post-reading strategies. It is based on the reflection that readers give feedback after they did reading in the classroom 4. 2. 2 Set 2: Teacher’s questionnaire Set 2 consists of three sections. There is section A: Background information, Section B: The time arrangement about teaching reading and Section C: Teaching reading strategies in the classroom. TABLE 4. 4 Teacher’s background information 1. Gender |Gender |Male |Female | |Teachers |1 |5 | |Percentage |16. 7% |83. 3% | There are six teachers to participate in the research questions. Five are female or 83. 3% from the table analysis. Only one male participate in the research, percentage is 16. 7%. 2. Teaching Grade |Grade |1 |2 |3 | |Teachers |2 |2 |2 | |Percentage |33. 3% |33. 3% |33. 3% |. All of the six teachers are teaching Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3. Percentage is average 33. 3%, it shows researcher consider about the data analyze stability and choose the same teacher who teaching in the same grade. The data is easier to analyze and has pertinence for teaching purpose. 3. Education Qualification |Education Qualification |Bachelor degree |Master |Doctor | |Number |4 |2 |- | |Percentage |66. 7% |33. 3% |- | There are three levels for the education qualification, Bachelor degree, Master and Doctor. Four teachers or 66. 7% their education qualification is Bachel.

Friday, January 3, 2020

Essay about Existentialism - 2347 Words

â€Å"The world is, of course, nothing but our conception of it.† This quote, by Anton Chekhov, seems obvious and easy to relate to. However, it perfectly describes the concept of existentialism, which is neither obvious nor relatable. Existentialism is â€Å"a modern philosophical movement stressing the importance of personal experience and responsibility and the demands that they make on the individual, who is seen as a free agent in a deterministic and seemingly meaningless universe† (â€Å"Existentialism†). Existentialism is a difficult philosophy to grasp, but by exploring examples in literature and art, one can come to a better understanding of its basic tenets. The first tenet of existentialism is individualism and alienation, which is revealed†¦show more content†¦Before his metamorphosis, his days were mindless, and since all he did was work, he was alienated from his family, who did not appreciate him; also due to his obsession with work, he did not partake in society, either. After his metamorphosis, no one understood Gregor, making him entirely alone. Just as The Metamorphosis demonstrates the alienation tenet of existentialism, â€Å"A Hunger Artist,† also by Franz Kafka, describes the theme of individualism. The hunger artist is a man who â€Å"performs† for his audiences by locking and displaying himself in a cage where he then proceeds to starve himself. His fasts last for long periods, stretching for forty days at some points. He is obviously alone and isolated in the cage, but he is also alienated from society. This is because he rejects the practice of eating, which he does because he just does not like fo od. The hunger artist represents famous musicians, writers, painters, and other artists, who are alone because they are misunderstood and essentially isolated from the realm of society. This perfectly describes the existential tenet of individualism and alienation. â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper,† by Charlotte Gilman also shows this tenet. â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† is about Jane, a woman suffering from what one might interpret as postpartum depression. Her husband, John, who is a doctor, prescribesShow MoreRelatedExistentialism : Existentialism And Existentialism994 Words   |  4 Pageshis choices† (Sartre, n.d.). When discussing existentialism, the man responsible for this quote is always attached to the conversation. As the man who is often remembered for bringing the most amount of international attention to the theory of existentialism, Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre deserves to have his theories and ideals discussed and respected whenever possible. Firstly, what exactly is existentialism? The textbook defines existentialism as â€Å"a philosophical movement or tendency, emphasizingRead MoreExistentialism : Existentialism And Existentialism1186 Words   |  5 PagesSubjectivity in Existentialism is a Humanism In Existentialism is a humanism, French philosopher and existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre defends existentialism from 20th century critics who believed that its overly subjective nature promotes anguish, abandonment, and despair. Sartre explains these common misconceptions about existentialism and argues that it is not a pessimist point of view, but the complete opposite. In what follows, I will explain how Sartre not only invalidates the surging misconceptionsRead MoreExistentialism : Existentialism And Existentialism951 Words   |  4 Pages In Existentialism is a Humanism, Sartre defines existentialism and explains his belief of â€Å"existence before essence.† He says that human beings don’t have a pre-established purpose or something that we have to be. He goes in more detail by saying, â€Å"†¦ man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world – and defines himself afterwards. If man as the existentialist sees him is not definable, it is because to begin with he is nothing. He will not be anything until later, and then heRead MoreExistentialism : Existentialism And Existentialism1124 Words   |  5 Pageslife its value? There are two main viewpoints that answer this question; Nihilism and Existentialism. (There are 4 kinds of nihilism, and we will be focusing on one of them, called Existential Nihilism). To a nihilist, life itself is intrinsically, fundamentally and inherently meaningless, and is nothing but a dynamic chemical reaction that, when it stops, is nothing but the end of the reaction. Existentialism, on the other hand, is the belief that every human is born without a given meaning, butRead MoreExistentialism : Existentialism And Existentialism1774 Words   |  8 Pages Journal 3 - Existentialism Existentialism is something that everybody thinks of sometimes in their life. Maybe they thought about it while on the toilet, or when they just achieved something they worked really hard at, or they thought about it while lying in bed at 3 am when they couldn’t sleep. Existentialism is based off of the questions â€Å"What is my purpose?† and â€Å"Why am I here?†. It basically answers these questions by saying that there is no meaning and that we can only assign meaning toRead MoreExistentialism1408 Words   |  6 Pages Existentialism and its facets There are many philosophies that people use in their lives. Some of the ways of thinking are linked to some prominent people. There is idealism, naturalism, experimentalism, and existentialism among others. This essay explores existentialism, which has been postulated by Sartre among others. The other proponents of existentialism include Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, martin Buber, Martin Heidegger and Martin Buber. The weakness and strengths of existentialism are going toRead MoreSartre s Existentialism And Existentialism1024 Words   |  5 Pagesin the following paper, I shall examine Sartre’s Existentialism is a Humanism and give a framework of concepts and reasons as to why it is existentialist in nature. Whereas the last paper chronologically organized Sartre’s life and experiences, this will focus more specifically on his work, thought process and an impression and interpretation of his logic. Presented and chronicled after the liberation of Paris from German occupatio n, Existentialism is a/and Humanism, flew directly out of that optimisticRead MoreExistentialism, Idealism, Naturalism, Experimentalism, And Existentialism1230 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction According to Wikipedia, â€Å"existentialism is the work of certain late nineteenth and twentieth century European Philosophers who, despite profound doctrinal preferences, shared the belief of philosophical thinking begins with the human which not merely thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living individual. While the predominant value of existentialist thought is commonly acknowledged to be freedom, its primary virtue is authenticity† (Wikipedia.org). â€Å"In the view of the existentialistRead MoreExistentialism And The Existentialist Ideas Behind Existentialism1186 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Existentialism is a theory of philosophy that stepped away from ideas that there is any single unifying reality or reason to existence and that we should approach philosophy from a perspective of what we can perceive to be true, not what we think is true without being able to perceive it. In that mind set, it tries to examine what a person’s perception of reality can be, their place is in that reality, how they approach their own existence given that information, and how, based on thoseRead MoreExistentialism Is A Humanism?1568 Words   |  7 PagesExistentialism is a humanism Oxford English Dictionary defines â€Å"humanism† as â€Å"any system of thought or ideology which places humanity as a whole, at its center,  especially one which stresses the inherent value and potential of human life.† In Sartre’s lecture, â€Å"Existentialism is a humanism,† not only Sartre’s elaboration of humanism is coherent with the notion of â€Å"humanism,† but also his demonstration of â€Å"existentialism† as one kind of humanisms is cogent. In contrast with those Aristotelians and

Thursday, December 26, 2019

I Am A Special Education Teacher - 1138 Words

Presently I am a Special Education teacher working with children who have a wide range of disabilities. My class setting is integrated, which mean half of the class is general and the other half is special. My primary goal is to modify general education lesson plans to meet each student’s needs and abilities. These needs may include, but not limited to emotional, physical or cognitive disabilities, teaching basic literacy and life skills. I have an interest in this field because I feel with the proper help and assistant; students make positive changes in their academic and social life. Providing early intervention is essential when teaching kids with disabilities. One of the main reasons why I have made the decision to pursue a PhD in education, specialization in Special educator, is because I enjoy what I do and would like to make a difference. My ultimate goal is to keep making a difference by helping those that needed it and provide them with the proper resources to enhance their ability. I want to be an example to my children and have them see the end result of what happens when one desire to strive for the best and what they can accomplish. I want my children to see that with hard work, motivation, dedication, concentration, and having no limits that they will attain any goals they may set forth. Professional Expectations I feel that I am dedicated to the field related to education, especially in special education. I have considered a PhD to further my education andShow MoreRelatedI Am A Middle School Special Education Teacher1340 Words   |  6 PagesTopic Choice I am a middle school special education teacher in a 1:8 resource classroom. I give specialized math instruction to two sixth grade classes, two seventh grade classes, and two eighth grade classes. The majority of my students perform between a kindergarten and second grade level. The exhibited math achievement gap across my classes is disturbing. Even though my students are identified as special needs, they should have made gains to their ability levels by middle school. Math skillsRead MoreFinding the Right Path Essay1095 Words   |  5 PagesFinding the Right Path INTRODUCTION I have chosen to research about my future. I know that I want to major somewhere in Special education, but I am not sure where. I am going to research becoming a special education teacher and becoming a speech pathologist. Both are right down my path, but I am unsure of which suits me better. I am senior; therefore, this research is critical to the next step of my life. As of right now, I know a little about becoming a teacher. I have taken a class, Future EducatorsRead MoreStudents With Disabilities And Their Education1305 Words   |  6 Pageseffectively include students with disabilities in general education classes. There are a lot of concerns of whether or not full inclusion is appropriate for all students, how you address certain concerns, how to communicate and involve parents and a lot of other things. Everyone has their own personal views and why they feel the way they do. The controversy will always remain on the topic of students with disabilities and their education. I am slowly starting to form an opinion on whether or not studentsRead MoreGraduation Speech : Students With Disabilities1157 Words   |  5 Pagesclichà ©, but I was born to teach students with disabilities. Growing up, I had the best example to follow. My mother actively taught special education for 31 years and seeing her interaction with students created a passion in me to do the same thing. Even at a young age, it was evident that I wanted to be a teacher: from forcing my younger brother to sit still and play â€Å"school† with me, to spending my free time volunteering in special needs classrooms during middle and high school. As I grew olderRead MoreWhy Do I Want to Become a Teacher? Essay693 Words   |  3 Pageshad a teacher. A teacher is defined as someone who gives instruction and communicates skills. Our children are our future, and they need to be prepared for the future or they will not be successful in the working world. Teaching makes a difference in them, because it gives them tools to help them be successful in the future. I would like to tell you why I would like to become a special education teacher and what has led me to this decision and why I want to become a teacher. I have chosenRead MoreReflection of the Practicum1362 Words   |  5 Pagesthat students will make strides in achievement. Research based means that there has been researched, but does not definitely imply success or achievement. Evidence and research based are used often to convey the same meaning, yet evidence based, as I gather, implies there has been research and there is evidence that substantiates the research. Research based means the practices are based in research, and research alone. Research based instruction at least meets the needs of the students and may inRead MoreEvaluating The Collaborative Classroom Support Plan980 Words   |  4 Pageseducational and very helpful in the education field. Knowing that Paraeducators are increasing in school districts. This means that special education teachers and general education teachers need to know how to train and supervise Paraeducators in what needs to be done by them and how to do their job. Knowing that there are a lot of Paraeducators that don’t have prior experience with exceptional students and their responsibilities of a Paraeducator lets future teachers know how to prepare themselves forRead MoreHow Special Education Has Changed Today s Society800 Words   |  4 Pagesinsights on how special education has changed in the past 31 years. People are now becoming more aware and accepting of children with disabilities when at one time others were uneducated and uncertain. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) once named Education for All Handicapped Children Act allows children with disabilities to be educated within public schools for free. Due to IDEA, children are no longer educated within residential centers, hospitals, homes, or special schools (FreibergRead MoreThe Pros And Cons Of Inclusion For Special Education Essay1626 Words   |  7 PagesIn this paper I am going to be talking about the pros and cons of inclusion for Special Education children. By definition, Inclusion rejects the use of special schools or classrooms to separate students with disabilities from students without disabilities. Special Education is a topic that is important, even though people may not realize how important it is for the fact that they don’t understand what goes into Special Education for children in schools. â€Å"Negative beliefs many people have about individualsRead MoreA Research Project : Mainstreaming Special Educational Classroom841 Words   |  4 PagesI am proposing to create a research project to see if mainstream students will be as successful as their typically developing peers in a general education guided reading class. Assessment will be done weekly and is directly related to the common core state standard for second grade students. I am also proposing to see how attitudes of teachers develop over the school year toward mainstreamed students. I want to see what interventions they are currently using, what their knowledge base is on mainstreaming

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

A Comparative Study Recruitment Process Outsourcing and...

A COMPARATIVE STUDY: RECRUITMENT PROCESS OUTSOURCING AND IN-HOUSE RECRUITMENT Recruitment is an important part of an organization’s human resource planning and their competitive strength. Competent human resources at the right positions in the organization are a vital resource and can be a core competency or a strategic advantage for it. The objective of the recruitment process is to obtain the number and quality of employees in order to help the organization to achieve its goals and objectives. With the same objective, recruitment helps to create a pool of prospective employees for the organization so that the management can select the right candidate for the right job from this pool. According to Edwin B. Flippo, â€Å"Recruitment is†¦show more content†¦Ã¯â€š § Uncertain Response: he candidates from outside may not be suitable for the enterprise. There is no guarantee that the enterprise will be able to attract right kind of people from external sources. Recruitment process Recruitment process involves a systematic procedure from sourcing the candidates to arranging and conducting the interviews. A general recruitment process is as follows: 1. Identify vacancy 2. Prepare job description and person specification 3. Advertising the vacancy 4. Managing the response 5. Short-listing 6. Arrange interviews 7. Conducting interview and decision making The recruitment process is immediately followed by the selection process i.e. the final interviews and the decision making, conveying the decision and the appointment formalities.The procedure of selection varies from organization to origination. The number of steps in the procedure and the sequence of steps also vary. Every organization designs a selection procedure that suits its requirements. However the main steps or stages that could be incorporated in the selection procedure are as under. Unfavorable personal data Unfavorable generalShow MoreRelatedOutsourcing Strategy: A Recent Literature Review and Model Update4844 Words   |  20 PagesOUTSOURCING STRATEGY: A RECENT LITERATURE REVIEW AND MODEL UPDATE By LINA FERIA BUAD 591 CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON Abstract The importance of including an outsourcing strategy in the overall firms operations has become increasingly important over the last decade. Companies in the U.S. pay about $68 billion every year to other companies for outsourced services and although a major part of these contracts succeed, there is an increasing concern due to recent broken deals. A recentRead MoreAn Analysis of Traditional and Modern Human Resource Practices.11910 Words   |  48 PagesResearch Thesis An Analysis of Traditional and Modren Human Resource practices. Abstract This study compares and contrasts how Human Resource Management activities implemented in different organizations to achieve organization prosperity. The finding reveals that there were significant differences across the study companies. Moreover the study results demonstrate that although traditional Human Resource policies are in practice in many organizations, but complementary strategic Human ResourceRead MoreHrm in Small Organizations2952 Words   |  12 Pages While a human resource department is important because of liability, there are other issues that are the core responsibility of an HR director that are also key components to the success of a small organization. HR professionals must manage recruitment, compensation, retention, training, and performance. The next key component and considered to be the most important by many, including myself, is that of recruiting. The lack of a formal human resource department and policies make this importantRead MoreManaging Director ( Sse Hydro ) Essay3964 Words   |  16 Pagesquantity †¢ Identify and implement cost reductions †¢ Provide accurate equipment maintenance records with the uses of BIM system †¢ Collect necessary maintenance cost information †¢ Optimize maintenance resources Labor, materials, contract, through outsourcing of 75% of the maintenance works. †¢ Minimize energy usage †¢ Ensure Environmental, Safety, and Health compliance. Scope This policy applies to all property, plant and equipment which includes, but not limited to: †¢ Substructure †¢ SuperstructureRead MoreA Study on â€Å"Strategic Hrm Practices in Public and Private Organization of Bangladesh†1926 Words   |  8 PagesPractices †¢ What is Strategic Human Resource Management? An updated management system that consists of the combination of competitive moves and business approaches used by managers to run the company also focus on the Human Resource those are the power house of an organization is known as strategic human resource management. Human Resource is one of the most important assets and also as part of the organization concerned with the â€Å"people† dimension. The exact theme of HRM is not very much understandableRead MoreHr Practises in Garments Industry in Bd7236 Words   |  29 Pagesare essential to achieving organizational objectives. Organization needs people as owners, employees, and consumers. Organizations need people to make them operated. It is the organizational function that deals with issues such as compensation, recruitment, selection, hiring, training and development, performance management, organization development, benefits, employee motivation, performance appraisal communication, administration, and industrial relation in an organization. All of these are underRead MoreHuman Resources Management (Study Notes)4758 Words   |  20 Pagestechnology throughout the organization. Answer 1 Introduction The construction industry plays a significant role in helping stimulate economic growth, especially in an emerging economy like South Africa – Basil Read Holdings Limited (our case study) is listed under heavy construction in the industrial sector on the JSE Limited (JSE). It also provides work for a large proportion of the labour market and accounts for a significant contribution to our gross domestic product. (Loosemore, 2003). BasilRead MoreStudy on Recruitment and Selection Process18240 Words   |  73 PagesA Project On  ³A STUDY ON RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS  ³ IN VISAKHAPATNAM STEEL PLANT With reference to RASHTRIYA ISPAT NIGAM LIMITED VISAKHAPATNAM Submitted to (MADRAS UNIVERSITY) By K.S.ANURAJ Under the Guidance of (BATTULA.SRINIVAS RAO) Sr.HR MANAGER (personnel) Visakhapatnam steel plant visakhapatnam 1 A Report on RECRUITMENT SELECTION Submitted by K.S.ANURAJ Under the Guidance of BATTULA.SRINIVAS RAO Sr.HR MANAGER (personnel) Visakhapatnam steel plant Visakhapatnam CompanyRead MoreThe Call Centre and Tengo Ltd. Essay2957 Words   |  12 Pagespossible solution will include. The recommendation mainly based on how Tengo Ltd can deal with the upcoming challenges. POOR CUSTOMER QUALITY: In actual fact, Tengo’s poor customer quality can be endorsed the problems of people and the whole process. The new computerized system which required standardizing customer service, develop the management capability to monitor the service quality of Tengo and accelerate the response times is not provide the desired result. Also customer dissatisfactionRead MoreAlignment of Hr Practices with Business Strategy5515 Words   |  23 PagesAssignment reveals how Nestle is able to integrate and align it’s HRM practices with the overall business strategy, able to manage the responsibility of identifying, attracting, selecting and moulding employees and provides an evaluation of their recruitment processes and policies .It further discusses the strategic link between Nestles performance management system and its development initiatives and examines Nestles approach to employee compensation and unique aspects of the benefits offered.

Monday, December 9, 2019

Role of Financial Market for Supporting- myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Write about theRole of Financial Market for Supporting. Answer: Role of Financial Market for Supporting the Role of Financial Manager The role of a financial manager is very important in a corporation for maintaining financial stability through developing financial reports, raising funds and developing financial strategies for the long-term growth and development. The financial manager duties and responsibilities are associated with proper understanding of the financial markets that helps them to develop effective strategies for raising funds, profit planning and selecting the bets investment proposal. The financial manager holds an important responsibility of maintaining adequate liquidity position through marinating a balance between the debt and equity sources of funds. The financial manager is able to decide the ratio between debt and equity through understanding the financial markets conditions so that the business corporation is able to realize larger returns in comparison to the funds utilized in the future period of time. The financial manager is also able to carry out profit planning that is effective use of profit provided by the corporation through understanding the financial market characteristics of pricing, competition, economy state, demand and supply. Thus, it can be said that financial markets play an important role in supporting the role of a financial manager (Petty et al., 2015). Role of Financial Manager Job The role of financial manager at the business corporations can be stated as follows: Developing and publishing the general purpose financial statements for supporting the decision-making process of end-users Monitoring and Controlling the Financial Activities Supervising the employees involved in accounting and budgeting work Identifying and developing strategies for reducing the extra operational cost for improving profitability Examining market conditions for identifying opportunities of growth and business expansion Supporting the financial decision-making process of top management Developing an adequate capital structure of the corporation through maintaining an adequate proportion of debt and equity Identifies and develop effective strategies for mitigating the financial risk if any (Berk et al., 2013). Different Sources of Finance The different sources of finance that a financial manager may use for carrying out business activities of a corporation are as follows: Long-term: The long-term sources of finance can be used by a financial manager to meet the capital requirements for time-period of more than 5 years. The capital expenditures relating to purchase of fixed assets such as heavy plant and machinery can be acquired through such sources of finance. The long-term source of finance is equity and preference shares, bonds, long-term loans from government or financial institutions or venture funding. Medium-term: The medium-term source of finance refers to funding the expenditures relating to time-period between 3-5 years through leases, medium-term loans from financial institutions or debentures. Short-term: The short-term financing is usually done for meeting the capital requirements for a period of less than 1 year such as financing the current assets that are inventory, finished goods or nay other day to day business activities. The short-term sources of finances are fixed deposits, Creditors, advances received from customers, working capital loans from commercial banks (Javaid, 2015). References Berk, B. et al. 2013. Fundamentals of Corporate Finance. Pearson Higher Education AU. Javaid, J. 2015. Costs and benefits of raising capital through different sources. GRIN Verlag. Petty, J.W. et al. 2015. Financial Management: Principles and Applications. Pearson Higher Education AU.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Life Span Development and Personality of Michael Jackson free essay sample

Life Span Development and Personality of Michael Jackson Jesse Jackson Psy/304 February 4, 2001 Dr. Marcy Satan Life Span Development and Personality of Michael Jackson Introduction Michael Jackson was born August 29, 1958. Born the eighth of 10 children, Michael grew up in a working class family in a small three bedroom home in Gary, Indiana. As a child, Michael struggled with his fame. He never lived a normal childhood and throughout his adulthood he tried to recapture his lost youth. Although labeled as an outstanding entertainer and humanitarian in the world, Michael became dependent on pain medications. Scandals of child molestation and Michael’s obsession with his appearance further fueled his addiction. Overdosing on pain medication ultimately would take the life of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009. Influences of Heredity and Environment According to Kowalski Weston (2009) He had sleepovers with kids that further led to allegations of child molestation. Michael did not see that he was doing anything wrong. We will write a custom essay sample on Life Span Development and Personality of Michael Jackson or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In his mind he was a kid at heart and was trying to recapture his lost childhood. These issues led Michael to have an emotional and social development problem. Family Issues â€Å"The importance of parents to child development is sufficiently obvious that it is practically axiomatic† (Sheppard, 2008). Michael had a very rocky relationship with his father, Joseph Jackson. Michael’s father would push Michael to perfection. Even though Michael was only a kid at the time, he was to rehearse daily and if he ade a mistake his father would beat him. According to Drehle (2009), â€Å"Joe Jackson drove his sons relentlessly. He ridiculed their shortcomings and punished them for their mistakes. He supervised daily practice sessions with a whip in his hand; he beat the kids with fists, hangers, a razor strop. † Michael grew deathly afraid of his father and labeled his father as a vicious and mean man. Michael was not allowed to play with the other kids in the neighborhood. He would go to school, when not home schooled, go home, and practice until bedtime. Michael resented his father for taking away his childhood. Michaels never understood why his father pushed him so hard. Michael’s relationship with this father drove him to seek perfection. No matter what Michael accomplished in life, he continued to seek to please his father. Theories of Personality As Michael evolved into his teenage and adult years, he could not grasp his identity. â€Å"Erikson described identity as a subjective sense as well as an observable quality of personal sameness and continuity, paired with some belief in the sameness and continuity of some shared world image† (Cherry, 2012). Michael knew what was expected of him. He was viewed as a great entertainer, but he struggled with his self-identity. Michael’s lack of self-image is explained by ‘Erikson’s Psychosocial Theories of  Personality’. According to Kowalski Weston (2009), â€Å"Erikson observed that adolescents wrestle with questions about who they are and what they believe during puberty, a time in which teenagers have a surge of new feelings and impulses. † Michael’s body was going through changes that he could not readily adapt. His voice deepened and he struggled with acne. He became obsessed with his appearance and through the years changed his appearance through plastic surgeries. Michael ultimately throughout his life was going through an identity crisis. â€Å"In Erik Eriksons stages of psychosocial development, the emergence of an identity crisis occurs during the teenage years in which people struggle between feelings of identity versus role confusion† (Cherry, 2009). Michael struggled to make a commitment to his identity. His identity status could best described as moratorium, â€Å"the status of a person who is actively involved in exploring different identities, but has not made a commitment† (Cherry, 2009). Theoretical Approach