Strategy Business Information and Analysis Essay

Strategy Business Information and Analysis - Essay Example Interesting fact is that, porter five force analyses is an integrated component of the "outside-in" approach hence discussing porter five forces for soft drink industry in the first two sections will create silhouette for the critical evaluation "outside-in" approach to strategy formulation for organizations with the help of existing literature. Part 1 According to Deichert et al (2006), global soft drink industry is dominated by Coke and Pepsi for years but these two giants have understood the importance of diversifying product portfolio into noncarbonated beverages in order to achieve sustainable growth rate. Soft drink industry can be analyzed with the help of cumulative growth rate, market size and overall profitability. According to Datamonitor (2008), market value of soft drink industry will touch a value of more than $500 billion by the year 2014. Soft drink industry contributes almost 50% of the non-alcoholic drink industry Datamonitor (2008). Currently, the industry is growi ng at pace of more than 5% and it is expected that the market volume will cross 500,000 million litres within next couple of years Deichert et al (2006). According to the research report of Datamonitor (2008), although global soft drink industry is growing at a steady pace but it will decelerate in near future due market saturation and stagnation of market price. In such context, five force analysis soft drink industries will help the study to identify forces such as substitute products, suppliers, buyers, rival sellers and intra firm competitiveness which are shaping the industry. Diagrammatic representation of five forces in soft drinks industry can be explained in the following manner. (Source: Wheelen and Hunger., 2000 and 2006) Force 1- Competitive Rivalry According to Deichert et al (2006), competitive threat is the strongest among all other forces in soft drink industry. The market is saturated due to presence of many players such as Coca-Cola, Cadbury Schweppes, Pepsi Co etc ; high degree of saturation in the industry has decreased scope for existing players to differentiate in the product portfolio hence they extensively focus on price competition in order to attract customers. Rivals in the industry such as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are strong global presence and access to huge amount of both financial and non-final resources, which has further decreased the scope companies in the industry to achieve resource based advantages as mentioned by Rumelt (1986). Having top selling brands in the kitty doesn’t ensure competitive advantage in the industry, for example, Coca-Cola owns 80% of top selling brands such as Sprite, Coca-Cola, Fanta, Diet Coke but it had achieved lower sales revenue in comparison PepsiCo during 2004-05 in USA and UK market Deichert et al (2006). According to Deichert et al (2006), advertising and marketing strategy plays vital role in the industry. For example, in some cases, rivals use competitive advertisings in order to nullify relevance of other companies among customers. Force 2- Threat of New Entrant

Competency Based Assessments in Education

Competency Based Assessments in Education Chapter 4 Literature Review on Competence-based Assessment 4.1 Introduction In this chapter, the researcher discusses the literature on competence-based assessment. The first part examines the purposes, the interpretations of competence-based assessment (CBA), the critical attributes of CBA and the issues related to competence. The second part looks into the implementation of CBA around the world and later focuses on the implementation of CBA in Malaysia. 4.2 Competence-based Assessment: An Overview The era of the knowledge -economy and globalisation requires not only individuals who possess a sound understanding of specific subject matter but also those who have relevant industry-related skills and interpersonal skills. These attributes and capabilities are necessary for learners to acquire in order to function well in todays complex and global societies (Baartman et al., 2007). Furthermore, acquisition of complex competences (Baartman et al., 2007) has to be developed in the future human capital through purposeful, effective, learner-centred and competence-based programmes (Baartman et al., 2007) in order to prepare students to meet the needs of tomorrows world. The report of the United States Department of Education Secretarys Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills, the so-called SCANS Report (McNabb, 1997), made clear that students must be ready to function in collaborative settings, interpret complex requirements, and exhibit self-directed, self-assessing behaviour on the job. This means that employers would want more from the graduates than just entry-level job skills which would help develop a nation progressively in accordance to its political and social needs. The relationship between learning and assessment (discussed in Chapters X and Y) means that assessment should take account of political and social purposes (Broadfoot, 1996). Different vocational and educational training programmes from school level to university level have been introduced to prepare and equip individuals to fit into the labour market. One such programme is Competency-Based Education (CBE) with the emphasis on assessment (competency-based assessment) being seen as key to the success of its implementation (Tillema et al, 2000; Frederiksen, 1984; Baartman et al., 2007). 4.2.1 Purposes of Competence-based Assessment Any forms of assessment s including CBA would usually have one or more of three basic purposes to diagnose learning;, to select students for particular provision; to certificate achievements (Carless et. al., 2006; Freeman Lewis, 1997; Ecclestone, 1996; Rowntree, 1987). CBA has been utilised by schools, training colleges and industriy for two main purposes; to measure competencies (McNerney Briggins, 1995) and to certificate (International Labour Organisation, 1996). 4.2.1.1 CBA for Measuring Competence Measuring competence is one of the main purposes of CBA.Generally, the reason for the implementation of CBA is to determine that learners have sufficient knowledge and skills to contribute effectively to the work force(Canning, 2000; Ecclestone, 1997; Kerka, 1998; LPM, 2002; McNabb, 1997). However,according to Hyland (1994), as competence-based education is found to be seriously flawed and ill-equipped to deal with education and training beyond the basic skills., CBA apparently could can be used to measure limited aspects of competence but Hyland (1994). He believes that its influence on training and education for future generations will be actively damaging as it could can only produce individuals who would function without much learning, knowledge and understanding of anything. He attributes this to a This is due to its highly instrumental philosophy thats combined with a narrow and uncritical behaviourist psychology. (Hyland, 1994). Thus, its qualifications resulting from CBA are viewed as basically reliable as indicators of all the most elementary skills and abilities (Armstrong, 1995). The issues of competence in CBA will be further discussed in section 4.4. 4.2.1.2 CBA for Certification It is asserted claimed that CBA provides learners with opportunities to achieve qualifications that relate to required performance in the workplace (Erridge Perry, 1994). Ecclestone (1997) indicates that NVQs, which primarily employ CBA, represent an explicit commitment to creating wider access to accreditation and better levels of achievement. She argues that Tthis could be made possible by severing links between attendance in learning programmes, and the formal assessment and accreditation of outcomes, and by promoting the accreditation of prior learning in which NVQs subsequently serve as serious challenge to traditional assessment approaches (Ecclestone, 1997). For instance, a trainee in a plumbing courseplumber would have the opportunities to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in plumbing at certain level. He/she would then achieve the qualifications and certification that relate to the required performance of a plumber in the real life workplace once he/she has complet ed the assessment of at the at particular designated level. Nevertheless, CBA is at the same time, argued to be conceptually confusing, empirically flawed and lacking in meeting the needs of a learning society (Chappell, 1996; Ecclestone, 1997; Hyland, 1994;). This may be the results of the use of confusing language or jargons, the decreasing credibility of the competency standards on how they reflect industry standards (Kerka, 1998) and the indifferent implementation of CBA across the industries due to employers ignorance about the its nature and the purpose. of it (Hyland, 1996). 4.2.2 Definitions and Interpretations of CBA There is a wide range of interpretations and definitions given to CBA. In this discussion, CBA the interpretation of- CBA is looked atinterpreted in terms of three different aspects; the assessors roles, the learners responsibilities and the learning outcomes that are based on predetermined criteria. Figure ____tries to reflect the interedependence of these elements.The relationships of the interpretations of these three aspects are as shown in Figure ____. Adapted: Griffin Nix, 1991; Mcnerney Briggins, 1995; Hager, 1994; Elliot, 1994; Cotton, 1995; Ecclestone, 1996) In the assessors perspective, CBA consists of the simple process of seeing, collecting, gathering,and obtaining evidence, and the further process a more complex as well as subjective process of judging and interpreting the evidence of competence demonstrated by learners (Rowe, 1995; Ecclestone, 1996; Mcnerney Briggins, 1995; Hager, 1994; Griffin Nix, 1991). The assessors have to observe gather and judge the evidence of an individuals competence against the specified standards. This means that the assessors have to be very careful in their actions of gathering evidence of competence and they have to decide when it is considered sufficient, based on their expert judgment. For example, when a student successfully builds a drywall framework, the assessor has to gather evidence of competence not only from the product which is the framework but also from the process and the preparations before the student begins to work on it such as work schedule, list of materials and equipment to be u sed, and the like. The assessor then has to use his/her expertise in this area to determine whether or not the evidence of competence gathered is adequate to say that the student has acquired satisfactory competence in building the drywall framework. McNnerney Briggins (1995) state that CBA is the process of identifying the competencies which are the underlying characteristics that lead toof successful performance be this by may it be among a group of employees, typically by department, job category or hierarchical level. CThey say that a list of competencies that is tied to one corporate culture is usually used tobecome associatede with exemplary performance (McNerney Briggins, 1995)ers. They further relate CBA to its training basis where the focus is on who the successful performers are rather than on what people do. This means that it does not just include training in jobs which rely heavily on psychomotor skills, such as manual labour and traditional hourly production work but also involve performing decision-oriented jobs (Mcnerney Briggins, 1995). The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) (2001) stresses the process of seeing whether or not an individual has the necessary skill and knowledge they need to be awarded a Scottish Vocational Qualifications as the key factor in CBA; emphsising the need for assessors to be expert . This undoubtedly requires the assessors to have even thorough knowledge and skills in the fields they are assessing in order to make good and fair judgments. This means is due to the fact that the athat assessors have to assess and collectconsider evidence of competence in terms of knowledge, abilities, skills and attitudes (Rowe, 1995; Ecclestone, 1996; Mcnerney Briggins, 1995) displayed diferentially in authentic contexts by learners in the context of a selected set of real life professional tasks which are of different levels (Hager, 1994). The process of gathering evidence from observable performance is later followed by the more difficult process of making judgment that may be very subjective (Pedd ie Wilmut, Macintosh, 1997). Despite the difficulty in making judgment based on evidence gathered, assessors have to determine whether or not the competency has been achieved by learners (Victoria Curriculum and Assesssment Authority (VCAA), 2001). It is the assessors responsibility, then, to decide if learners performances meet the pre-determined criteria. Thus, assessors have to equip themselves with relevant skills and use appropriate mechanisms in making fair judgments so that the problem of subjectivity among assessors is reduced. Furthermore, assessors have to assess learners ability to apply a particular knowledge, skills, attitudes and values in a specific context according to a required performance standards (New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), 2002). In other words, assessors themselves have to be extremely knowledgeable and skilful in the art of observing and collecting evidence of competence that come in various tangible and intangible forms. The process of gat hering evidence from observable performance is later followed by the more difficult process of making judgment that is inevitably very subjective (Peddie Wilmut, Macintosh, 1997). Despite the difficulty in making judgment based on evidence gathered, assessors still have to determine whether or not competency has been achieved by learners (Victoria Curriculum and Assesssment Authority (VCAA), 2001). It is the assessors responsibility then, to decide if learners are considered to be competent in a particular context at a particular level based on their performance whether or not it meets the pre-determined criteria. Thus, assessors have to equip themselves with relevant skills and use appropriate mechanisms in making fair judgments so that the problem of subjectivity among assessors is reduced. In addition to assessing and making judgment on students performance based on evidence gathered, assessors would also have to give constructive and supportive feedback to students on their performance and work (Ecclestone, 1996; Sadler, 2009). The assessors would have to point out the strengths and weaknesses as well as the improvements that could be made in the future (Sadler, 2009). Sadler (2009) further proposes that feedback should be given in a manner that would be able toenables educate students to assess and be able to evaluate their own work and give feedback to themselves as well. He suggests that students shcould be taught to monitor the quality of their productions and make adjustments as necessary while they are actually engaged in doing it. In From the learners point of view on the other handperspective, CBA is the platform for them to demonstrate competencies and learning outcomes (Elliot, 1994). These competencies will range from simple constructed responses to comprehensive collections of work over time in very different contexts.Elliot further asserts that CBA requires learners to demonstrate competencies and learning outcomes in performance assessment which vary in terms of simplicity and complexity such as from simple constructed responses to comprehensive collections of work over time, all of which are then judged . Learners are expected to be deeply involved in the assessment process and they areto be aware of the specified criteria that they have to meet as well as the standards of performance that are expected of them right from the beginning even before the assessment is conducted. Theoretically, tThis allows learners to take charge of and control over their own learning outcomes and success by preparing them selves well in advance. In other words, learners would have the autonomy for in their own learning, as CBA canould promote individuality and personal development (Ecclestone, 1996). The learners responsibility includes demostrating the It is also here in CBA that learners have to show their ability to apply theoretical knowledge and procedures, in addition to their understanding ofbeing able to describe the theories or even point to appropriate theoretical knowledge (Cotton, 1995). In demonstrating competence Cotton further elucidates that learners also have to express wise use of common sense in the public by demonstrating good physical, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills with mindful decision- making; that suggests the multiple intelligence described by Gardner (1985). In other words, learners have to demonstrate their abilities in all the three psychological domains of psychomotor, cognitive and affective learning (ANTA, 1998). Similarly, the Australias National Training Auth ority (ANTA) (1998) considers CBA to be a platform for learners to display their skills, knowledge and experience in accomplishing specific tasks as required in the workplace or to obtain a credit towards a qualification in the vocational and education training (VET). A Both the assessors and learners have one thing in common: to focus on and that is the set of learning outcomes that can be derived from an assessment. Learning outcomes cover diverse range of areas including personal qualities, various forms of knowledge and skills (Ecclestone, 1996). In this case it is the evidence of competence that learners have to demonstrate and which the assessors have to observe for and make judgments on, has to meet specified criteria. Thus, CBA consists of specified set of both the general and specific outcomes that assessors, learners and third parties can make reasonably objective judgments with respect to learners achievement or non-achievement of these outcomes (Wolf, 1995). CBA then certifies learners progress based on the demonstrated achievement of these outcomes while the assessments may not be necessarily tied to time served in formal educational settings. The emphasis is on the outcomes specifically, multiple outcomes, each distinctive and separ ately considered which should be specified clearly and as transparent as possible for assessors, assessees and third parties to understand what is being assessed and what should be achieved (Wolf, 1995) . This definition encapsulates the key-features of CBA as it has been developed and promoted for the vocational, technical and professional education and training in the UK while at the same time it signals the American origins of much of the debate (Wolf, 1995). The demonstrated performance that provides evidence of competence has to be at least of the minimum required quality in the real life workplace environment. These are the predetermined criteria set in CBA which are generally based on endorsed industry benchmark or competency standard (ANTA, 1998). The emphasis on outcomes and transparency is not only peculiar to the competence-context but it is also an essential characteristic of criterion-referenced assessment. The emphasis on what learners can actually do and the beneficia l effects of clear criteria on teaching and learning (Glaser, 1963; Popham, 1978) are argued to meet the competence-based literature where in England in the early years of the implementation of CBA, such system was referred to as criterion-referenced approach (Jessup 1991: 167). Jessup (1991) further underlines that what people actually learn from an education and training system and how effectively, as the key factor to measure its success. Thus, CBA is considered a criterion-referenced interpretation of assessment (Nuttall, 1984; Ling, 1999) where individuals are given an award after achieving the pre-determined standards (Cotton, 1995). This critical attribute of CBA will be discussed further in section 4.3.2. 4.3 Critical Attributes of Competence-based Assessment The following section discusses the two learning theories associated with CBA and the nature of its criterion-referenced assessment. 4.3.1 Learning Theories Associated with Competence-based Assessment Learning in the psychology and education contexts is a the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, and values, and world views acquisition and enhancement through ones integrated employment of cognitive, emotional, and experiences (Illeris, 2000; Ormorod, 1995). How this process works is explained variously. Learning as a process focuses on what happens when the learning takes place and the explanations of what happens constitute learning theories. In other words, learning theories are attempts to describe how people and animals learn, and they help uncover the inherently complex process of learning to our understanding. Hill (2002) explains that learning theories have two main values. The first is to provide adequate vocabulary and a conceptual framework in to interpreting examples of observed learning; and the second. Next is to suggest the right directions to look for solutions to practical problem instead of providing the solutions. Learning theories are therefore, the basis for any form of educational assessment (Gipps, 1994) and the theories most commonly associated to with CBA are the behaviourism and, more recently, the constructivism. These two theories will be discussed as CBA essentially involves observable aspects of learning and learning as a process for construction of new knowledge. Although the cognitive theory which looks beyond behaviour to explain brain-based learning is important, the need for it in CBA is not that apparent or crucial. Thus it is not included in the discussion. 4.3.1.1 Behaviourist Learning Theory Behaviourism is a theory of organism (may it be an animal or human) learning that only focuses on objectively observable behaviours and discounts mental activities (Murphy, 1999; Kerka, 1997; Doolittle Camp, 1999) with the assumption that a learner starts off as a clean slate (i.e. tabula rasa) and is essentially passive, responding to environmental stimuli (Murphy, 1999; Kerka, 1997) in the acquisition of new behaviour (Chowdhury, 2006). Learning according to the behaviourists takes place as the result of a response that follows on a specific stimulus and that behaviour is shaped through reinforcement (Kerka, 1997). By repeating the Stimulus-Response (S-R) cycle the learner is conditioned into repeating the response whenever the same stimulus is present and thusbehaviour can be modified and learning is measured by observable change in behaviour (Murphy, 1999; Kerka, 1997; Doolittle Camp, 1999). Theis emphasis on stimulus-response pairing (Murphy, 1999; Chowdhury, 2006) and the rejections to of structuralism (Kerka, 1997) reflected behaviourisms positivistic philosophical base, as the analysis of the human condition relies on only verifiable observations of behaviour and not on untenable mentalistic constructs (Kerka, 1997). Furthermore,Accordingly most human behaviour could can be understood as basic reflexive learning mechanisms or laws that operate on ones experience within the environment (Kerka, 1997). As the approach is seen to be more operational and practical in nature, it has dominated education.n, in which Tthe teacher disseminates selected knowledge, measures learners passive reception of facts, and focuses on behaviour control and task completion (Kerka, 1997). These views of the behaviourists and the learning characteristics that can be found in the education setting are summarised in Table___. Generally, conditioning has been identified in experiments by behaviourists to be a universal learning process. There are two different types of conditioning, each yielding a different behavioural pattern: Classic conditioning occurs when an instinctive reaction responds to a stimulus (Comer, 2004). Essentially, animals and people are biologically wired so that a certain stimulus will produce a specific response. As such, learning process takes place when two events that repeatedly occur close together in time are associated in a persons mind to impulsively produce the same response. The most popular example is Pavlovs observation that dogs salivate when they eat or even see food where food is unconditioned stimulus and the salivation, the unconditioned reflex (Comer, 2004; Chowdhury, 2006). Pavlovs theory of classical conditioning is considered a foundation of learning theories to the behaviourists. According to Pavlovs experiment, when some neutral stimulus, such as the ringing of a bell, is combined with the presentation of food and is repeated for a period of time, the dog salivates with the ringing of the bell, even though food is not given. Hence, the ringing of the bell acts as the conditioned stimulus while salivation is the conditioned response or reflex (Dembo: 1994). The result of this experiment led to the formation of Pavlovs classical conditioning in which an individual responds to some stimulus that would ordinarily produce such a response. Behavioural or operant conditioning occurs when a response to a stimulus is reinforced. Basically, operant conditioning is a simple feedback system: If a response to a stimulus is rewarded or reinforced, then the response is likely to take place in the future. Similarly, when a particular behaviour is rewarded, that behaviour is repeated as shown in the experiment conducted by B.F. Skinner using reinforcement techniques to teach pigeons to dance and bowl a ball. B.F. Skinner based his theory upon the idea that learning is a function of change in overt behaviour where these changes in behaviour are the result of an individuals response to events (stimuli) that occur in the environment (Chowdhury, 2006). According to Skinner, a reward or punishment will either strengthen or weaken a voluntary or automatic behaviour (Skinner: 1968). Ever since its introduction, the reinforced techniques have gone through series of enhancement and have contributed tremendously in training and teaching. The most important aspect of Skinners contribution to training is the significance attached to the desired behaviour to be emitted in certain environment. In order for the trainer to ensure the right behaviour is reinforced in the trainees, the trainer should have the clear idea about the terminal behaviour of the trainees, and should closely follow the trainees to appropriately reinforce correct responses. This is the purpose of programmed instructions including competence-based training in its early years of implementation which was based on this theory of reinforcement (Burns, 1995). . As the emerging learning theory of the early 1900s, behaviourism provided the final found ation for social efficiency as learning which is seen objectively consists of the formation of links between specific stimuli and responses through the application of rewards ( Wirth, 1972 ). The emphasis on the need of objectivity leads to extensive use of statistical and ma thematical analysis. Despite all the remarkable contribution s the learning theory has to offer , the extreme focus on objectivity has totally ignored the significant role the mind play in shaping ones behaviour. Men are treated more like robots or machines than human beings as their thoughts and feelings are not taken into consideration. They are expected to demonstrate desired behaviour through the use of reward and punishment neglecting other factors that may have an influence on the change in behaviour. Thus, the behaviourist theory of learning is lacking in utilizing the full potential of the mind in moulding essential behaviour and in constructing new knowledge . Assessment in Behaviourism Assessment, according to behaviourism, is a test (the stimulus) for which the answer (the response) is conditioned In accordance to the behaviourist learning theory which focuses on the stimulus-response cycle to attain observable conditioned behaviour, assessment in the behaviourism also applies the same concept. Thus, t he test item is the stimulus, the answer is the response and a learner has to be conditioned to produce the appropriate response to any given stimulus ( (Murphy, 1999; Kerka, 1997; Doolittle Camp, 1999). NSince the emphasis is on the response that is observable, no attention is paid to any model of the thinking process of the learner which might intervene between stimulus and response. Consequently, the distinctions between rote learning and learning with understanding is not considered as teaching is a matter deliveringof delivering the appropriate stimuli while learning is a matter of repeating the appropriate response, which will be rewarded. is what matters the most in which teaching is by repetition and then rewarding the appropriate responses. As such, a test composed of many short, atomised, out-of-context questions, and teaching to the test, are both consistent with this approach (Murphy, 1999; Kerka, 1997). Likewise, some forms of CBA which has always been associated to thewith behaviourist theory can be seen to assess, atomistically. applied the atomistic but not out of context approach. The assessor who is an observer ticks off a checklist of predetermined criteria whenever a learner has performed a series of discrete observable tasks. The criteria are the stimuli, the accomplished tasks the responses and learner has to be conditioned to demonstrate the ability to meet the criteria successfully. Although this approach to assessment may developstestify to learners ability to perform observable tasksbehaviours, it does not pay much attention to the theoretical knowledge and understanding (Ashworth, 1992) as the role of the mind is considered insignificant in delivering the required behaviour. While assessing competent observable performance is vital, assessing knowledge and understanding is just as important as it is an essential aspect of competence without which an assessment is lacking in credibility or construct validity (Ashworth, 1992). A valid assessment method should be able to measure what it is supposed to measure which in this case (Watson, 1994). Given the extensive discussion in Chapter ? on the idea of competence, both the observable performance behaviour and underpinning knowledge are aspects of competence that should be assessed and measured. People who understand are those who have clear mental representation of the situation with which they are confronted and are able to deal with it creatively and imaginatively using the acquired knowledge which acts as an interpretive resource for them (Ashworth, 1992). Thus, it is insufficient to assess ones competence just by looking at the performance while ignoring the aspect of knowledge and understanding. It is unfortunate then, if such an assessment method should produce people who are like robots in a factory; they couldwho can perform a job or a task efficiently and effectively but they do not have any understanding of what they were are doing. As the approachCBA also emphasises personal competence within competence concentrates on an individual demonstrating competent performance ((Wolf, 1995), traditional notions of CBA have allowed an and emphasises on personal competences, it leads to one being individualistic perspective whilst lacking ignoring the very necessary in the abability of being able to work as a team player to work as a team whereas team work is essential in performing relevan t aspect of a job in the actual workplace (Ashworth, 1992). As a result, theis behaviourist view of CBA has eventually shifted to the constructivist belief as discussed in the following section.weakened. Despite all the remarkable contributions the learning theory has to offer, the extreme focus on objectivity has totally ignored the significant role that the mind plays in influencing ones behaviour. People are treated more like robots or machines than human beings as their thoughts and feelings are not taken into consideration. They are expected to demonstrate desired behaviour through the use of reward and punishment neglecting other factors that may have an influence on the change in behaviour. 4.3.1.2 Constructivist Learning Theory Constructivism is a theory of learning that has roots in both philosophy and psychology (Doolitle Camp, 1999) founded on the premise that learners actively construct their own knowledge, meaning and understanding of the world they live in by reflecting on their experiences (Doolitle Camp, 1999; Murphy, 1999; Kerka, 1997). Learners learn by doing rather than observing and by bringing prior knowledge into a learning situation (Epstein Ryan, 2002; Carvin, date?) in which they must critique and re-evaluate their understanding of it until they can demonstrate their comprehension of the subject (Carvin). Furthermore, learners need to analyse and transform new information or problems in their minds based on existing knowledge and understanding where these abstract thoughts evolve from concrete action (Murphy, 1999). Learning, therefore, is simply the process of adjusting their mental models to accommodate new experiences. TBasically, the theory of constructivism rests on the notion that there is an innate human drive to make sense of the world by building cognitive structures which include declarative knowledge (know that facts, concepts, propositions) and procedural knowledge (know how techniques, skills, and abilities) (Murphy, 1999). These two components of knowledge have been discussed in depth in Chapter 3. Moreover, learning is a matter of personal and unique interpretation which takes place within the social context and is of useful to the learner as intrinsic motivation emerges from the desire to understand and to construct meaning (Billet, 1996). However, dispositions such as attitudes, values and interests that help learners decide, are often neglected in this theory (Murphy, 1999) making it incomprehensive and insufficient in a way. Philosophically, the essence of constructivism relies on an epistemology that stresses subjectivism and relativism, where personally unique reality resulted from the concept that reality can be known through experience although it may exist separate from experience (Doolitle Camp, 1999). Hence came four essential epistemological tenets of constructivism (Von Glasersfeld ,1984; 1998; Doolitle Camp, 1999); Knowledge is the result of active cognizing by the individual ; Cognition is an adaptive process that functions to make an individuals behaviour more viable given a particular environment; Cognition organizes and makes sense of ones experience, and is not a process to render an accurate representation of reality; and Knowing has roots both in biological/neurological construction, and in social, cultural, and language-based interactions (Dewey, 1916/1980; Garrison, 1997; Larochelle, Bednarz, Garrison, 1998; Gergen, 1995). Thus, constructivism acknowledges the active role learners play in the personal creation of knowledge, the importance of both the individual and social experiences in this knowledge creatio Competency Based Assessments in Education Competency Based Assessments in Education Chapter 4 Literature Review on Competence-based Assessment 4.1 Introduction In this chapter, the researcher discusses the literature on competence-based assessment. The first part examines the purposes, the interpretations of competence-based assessment (CBA), the critical attributes of CBA and the issues related to competence. The second part looks into the implementation of CBA around the world and later focuses on the implementation of CBA in Malaysia. 4.2 Competence-based Assessment: An Overview The era of the knowledge -economy and globalisation requires not only individuals who possess a sound understanding of specific subject matter but also those who have relevant industry-related skills and interpersonal skills. These attributes and capabilities are necessary for learners to acquire in order to function well in todays complex and global societies (Baartman et al., 2007). Furthermore, acquisition of complex competences (Baartman et al., 2007) has to be developed in the future human capital through purposeful, effective, learner-centred and competence-based programmes (Baartman et al., 2007) in order to prepare students to meet the needs of tomorrows world. The report of the United States Department of Education Secretarys Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills, the so-called SCANS Report (McNabb, 1997), made clear that students must be ready to function in collaborative settings, interpret complex requirements, and exhibit self-directed, self-assessing behaviour on the job. This means that employers would want more from the graduates than just entry-level job skills which would help develop a nation progressively in accordance to its political and social needs. The relationship between learning and assessment (discussed in Chapters X and Y) means that assessment should take account of political and social purposes (Broadfoot, 1996). Different vocational and educational training programmes from school level to university level have been introduced to prepare and equip individuals to fit into the labour market. One such programme is Competency-Based Education (CBE) with the emphasis on assessment (competency-based assessment) being seen as key to the success of its implementation (Tillema et al, 2000; Frederiksen, 1984; Baartman et al., 2007). 4.2.1 Purposes of Competence-based Assessment Any forms of assessment s including CBA would usually have one or more of three basic purposes to diagnose learning;, to select students for particular provision; to certificate achievements (Carless et. al., 2006; Freeman Lewis, 1997; Ecclestone, 1996; Rowntree, 1987). CBA has been utilised by schools, training colleges and industriy for two main purposes; to measure competencies (McNerney Briggins, 1995) and to certificate (International Labour Organisation, 1996). 4.2.1.1 CBA for Measuring Competence Measuring competence is one of the main purposes of CBA.Generally, the reason for the implementation of CBA is to determine that learners have sufficient knowledge and skills to contribute effectively to the work force(Canning, 2000; Ecclestone, 1997; Kerka, 1998; LPM, 2002; McNabb, 1997). However,according to Hyland (1994), as competence-based education is found to be seriously flawed and ill-equipped to deal with education and training beyond the basic skills., CBA apparently could can be used to measure limited aspects of competence but Hyland (1994). He believes that its influence on training and education for future generations will be actively damaging as it could can only produce individuals who would function without much learning, knowledge and understanding of anything. He attributes this to a This is due to its highly instrumental philosophy thats combined with a narrow and uncritical behaviourist psychology. (Hyland, 1994). Thus, its qualifications resulting from CBA are viewed as basically reliable as indicators of all the most elementary skills and abilities (Armstrong, 1995). The issues of competence in CBA will be further discussed in section 4.4. 4.2.1.2 CBA for Certification It is asserted claimed that CBA provides learners with opportunities to achieve qualifications that relate to required performance in the workplace (Erridge Perry, 1994). Ecclestone (1997) indicates that NVQs, which primarily employ CBA, represent an explicit commitment to creating wider access to accreditation and better levels of achievement. She argues that Tthis could be made possible by severing links between attendance in learning programmes, and the formal assessment and accreditation of outcomes, and by promoting the accreditation of prior learning in which NVQs subsequently serve as serious challenge to traditional assessment approaches (Ecclestone, 1997). For instance, a trainee in a plumbing courseplumber would have the opportunities to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in plumbing at certain level. He/she would then achieve the qualifications and certification that relate to the required performance of a plumber in the real life workplace once he/she has complet ed the assessment of at the at particular designated level. Nevertheless, CBA is at the same time, argued to be conceptually confusing, empirically flawed and lacking in meeting the needs of a learning society (Chappell, 1996; Ecclestone, 1997; Hyland, 1994;). This may be the results of the use of confusing language or jargons, the decreasing credibility of the competency standards on how they reflect industry standards (Kerka, 1998) and the indifferent implementation of CBA across the industries due to employers ignorance about the its nature and the purpose. of it (Hyland, 1996). 4.2.2 Definitions and Interpretations of CBA There is a wide range of interpretations and definitions given to CBA. In this discussion, CBA the interpretation of- CBA is looked atinterpreted in terms of three different aspects; the assessors roles, the learners responsibilities and the learning outcomes that are based on predetermined criteria. Figure ____tries to reflect the interedependence of these elements.The relationships of the interpretations of these three aspects are as shown in Figure ____. Adapted: Griffin Nix, 1991; Mcnerney Briggins, 1995; Hager, 1994; Elliot, 1994; Cotton, 1995; Ecclestone, 1996) In the assessors perspective, CBA consists of the simple process of seeing, collecting, gathering,and obtaining evidence, and the further process a more complex as well as subjective process of judging and interpreting the evidence of competence demonstrated by learners (Rowe, 1995; Ecclestone, 1996; Mcnerney Briggins, 1995; Hager, 1994; Griffin Nix, 1991). The assessors have to observe gather and judge the evidence of an individuals competence against the specified standards. This means that the assessors have to be very careful in their actions of gathering evidence of competence and they have to decide when it is considered sufficient, based on their expert judgment. For example, when a student successfully builds a drywall framework, the assessor has to gather evidence of competence not only from the product which is the framework but also from the process and the preparations before the student begins to work on it such as work schedule, list of materials and equipment to be u sed, and the like. The assessor then has to use his/her expertise in this area to determine whether or not the evidence of competence gathered is adequate to say that the student has acquired satisfactory competence in building the drywall framework. McNnerney Briggins (1995) state that CBA is the process of identifying the competencies which are the underlying characteristics that lead toof successful performance be this by may it be among a group of employees, typically by department, job category or hierarchical level. CThey say that a list of competencies that is tied to one corporate culture is usually used tobecome associatede with exemplary performance (McNerney Briggins, 1995)ers. They further relate CBA to its training basis where the focus is on who the successful performers are rather than on what people do. This means that it does not just include training in jobs which rely heavily on psychomotor skills, such as manual labour and traditional hourly production work but also involve performing decision-oriented jobs (Mcnerney Briggins, 1995). The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) (2001) stresses the process of seeing whether or not an individual has the necessary skill and knowledge they need to be awarded a Scottish Vocational Qualifications as the key factor in CBA; emphsising the need for assessors to be expert . This undoubtedly requires the assessors to have even thorough knowledge and skills in the fields they are assessing in order to make good and fair judgments. This means is due to the fact that the athat assessors have to assess and collectconsider evidence of competence in terms of knowledge, abilities, skills and attitudes (Rowe, 1995; Ecclestone, 1996; Mcnerney Briggins, 1995) displayed diferentially in authentic contexts by learners in the context of a selected set of real life professional tasks which are of different levels (Hager, 1994). The process of gathering evidence from observable performance is later followed by the more difficult process of making judgment that may be very subjective (Pedd ie Wilmut, Macintosh, 1997). Despite the difficulty in making judgment based on evidence gathered, assessors have to determine whether or not the competency has been achieved by learners (Victoria Curriculum and Assesssment Authority (VCAA), 2001). It is the assessors responsibility, then, to decide if learners performances meet the pre-determined criteria. Thus, assessors have to equip themselves with relevant skills and use appropriate mechanisms in making fair judgments so that the problem of subjectivity among assessors is reduced. Furthermore, assessors have to assess learners ability to apply a particular knowledge, skills, attitudes and values in a specific context according to a required performance standards (New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), 2002). In other words, assessors themselves have to be extremely knowledgeable and skilful in the art of observing and collecting evidence of competence that come in various tangible and intangible forms. The process of gat hering evidence from observable performance is later followed by the more difficult process of making judgment that is inevitably very subjective (Peddie Wilmut, Macintosh, 1997). Despite the difficulty in making judgment based on evidence gathered, assessors still have to determine whether or not competency has been achieved by learners (Victoria Curriculum and Assesssment Authority (VCAA), 2001). It is the assessors responsibility then, to decide if learners are considered to be competent in a particular context at a particular level based on their performance whether or not it meets the pre-determined criteria. Thus, assessors have to equip themselves with relevant skills and use appropriate mechanisms in making fair judgments so that the problem of subjectivity among assessors is reduced. In addition to assessing and making judgment on students performance based on evidence gathered, assessors would also have to give constructive and supportive feedback to students on their performance and work (Ecclestone, 1996; Sadler, 2009). The assessors would have to point out the strengths and weaknesses as well as the improvements that could be made in the future (Sadler, 2009). Sadler (2009) further proposes that feedback should be given in a manner that would be able toenables educate students to assess and be able to evaluate their own work and give feedback to themselves as well. He suggests that students shcould be taught to monitor the quality of their productions and make adjustments as necessary while they are actually engaged in doing it. In From the learners point of view on the other handperspective, CBA is the platform for them to demonstrate competencies and learning outcomes (Elliot, 1994). These competencies will range from simple constructed responses to comprehensive collections of work over time in very different contexts.Elliot further asserts that CBA requires learners to demonstrate competencies and learning outcomes in performance assessment which vary in terms of simplicity and complexity such as from simple constructed responses to comprehensive collections of work over time, all of which are then judged . Learners are expected to be deeply involved in the assessment process and they areto be aware of the specified criteria that they have to meet as well as the standards of performance that are expected of them right from the beginning even before the assessment is conducted. Theoretically, tThis allows learners to take charge of and control over their own learning outcomes and success by preparing them selves well in advance. In other words, learners would have the autonomy for in their own learning, as CBA canould promote individuality and personal development (Ecclestone, 1996). The learners responsibility includes demostrating the It is also here in CBA that learners have to show their ability to apply theoretical knowledge and procedures, in addition to their understanding ofbeing able to describe the theories or even point to appropriate theoretical knowledge (Cotton, 1995). In demonstrating competence Cotton further elucidates that learners also have to express wise use of common sense in the public by demonstrating good physical, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills with mindful decision- making; that suggests the multiple intelligence described by Gardner (1985). In other words, learners have to demonstrate their abilities in all the three psychological domains of psychomotor, cognitive and affective learning (ANTA, 1998). Similarly, the Australias National Training Auth ority (ANTA) (1998) considers CBA to be a platform for learners to display their skills, knowledge and experience in accomplishing specific tasks as required in the workplace or to obtain a credit towards a qualification in the vocational and education training (VET). A Both the assessors and learners have one thing in common: to focus on and that is the set of learning outcomes that can be derived from an assessment. Learning outcomes cover diverse range of areas including personal qualities, various forms of knowledge and skills (Ecclestone, 1996). In this case it is the evidence of competence that learners have to demonstrate and which the assessors have to observe for and make judgments on, has to meet specified criteria. Thus, CBA consists of specified set of both the general and specific outcomes that assessors, learners and third parties can make reasonably objective judgments with respect to learners achievement or non-achievement of these outcomes (Wolf, 1995). CBA then certifies learners progress based on the demonstrated achievement of these outcomes while the assessments may not be necessarily tied to time served in formal educational settings. The emphasis is on the outcomes specifically, multiple outcomes, each distinctive and separ ately considered which should be specified clearly and as transparent as possible for assessors, assessees and third parties to understand what is being assessed and what should be achieved (Wolf, 1995) . This definition encapsulates the key-features of CBA as it has been developed and promoted for the vocational, technical and professional education and training in the UK while at the same time it signals the American origins of much of the debate (Wolf, 1995). The demonstrated performance that provides evidence of competence has to be at least of the minimum required quality in the real life workplace environment. These are the predetermined criteria set in CBA which are generally based on endorsed industry benchmark or competency standard (ANTA, 1998). The emphasis on outcomes and transparency is not only peculiar to the competence-context but it is also an essential characteristic of criterion-referenced assessment. The emphasis on what learners can actually do and the beneficia l effects of clear criteria on teaching and learning (Glaser, 1963; Popham, 1978) are argued to meet the competence-based literature where in England in the early years of the implementation of CBA, such system was referred to as criterion-referenced approach (Jessup 1991: 167). Jessup (1991) further underlines that what people actually learn from an education and training system and how effectively, as the key factor to measure its success. Thus, CBA is considered a criterion-referenced interpretation of assessment (Nuttall, 1984; Ling, 1999) where individuals are given an award after achieving the pre-determined standards (Cotton, 1995). This critical attribute of CBA will be discussed further in section 4.3.2. 4.3 Critical Attributes of Competence-based Assessment The following section discusses the two learning theories associated with CBA and the nature of its criterion-referenced assessment. 4.3.1 Learning Theories Associated with Competence-based Assessment Learning in the psychology and education contexts is a the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, and values, and world views acquisition and enhancement through ones integrated employment of cognitive, emotional, and experiences (Illeris, 2000; Ormorod, 1995). How this process works is explained variously. Learning as a process focuses on what happens when the learning takes place and the explanations of what happens constitute learning theories. In other words, learning theories are attempts to describe how people and animals learn, and they help uncover the inherently complex process of learning to our understanding. Hill (2002) explains that learning theories have two main values. The first is to provide adequate vocabulary and a conceptual framework in to interpreting examples of observed learning; and the second. Next is to suggest the right directions to look for solutions to practical problem instead of providing the solutions. Learning theories are therefore, the basis for any form of educational assessment (Gipps, 1994) and the theories most commonly associated to with CBA are the behaviourism and, more recently, the constructivism. These two theories will be discussed as CBA essentially involves observable aspects of learning and learning as a process for construction of new knowledge. Although the cognitive theory which looks beyond behaviour to explain brain-based learning is important, the need for it in CBA is not that apparent or crucial. Thus it is not included in the discussion. 4.3.1.1 Behaviourist Learning Theory Behaviourism is a theory of organism (may it be an animal or human) learning that only focuses on objectively observable behaviours and discounts mental activities (Murphy, 1999; Kerka, 1997; Doolittle Camp, 1999) with the assumption that a learner starts off as a clean slate (i.e. tabula rasa) and is essentially passive, responding to environmental stimuli (Murphy, 1999; Kerka, 1997) in the acquisition of new behaviour (Chowdhury, 2006). Learning according to the behaviourists takes place as the result of a response that follows on a specific stimulus and that behaviour is shaped through reinforcement (Kerka, 1997). By repeating the Stimulus-Response (S-R) cycle the learner is conditioned into repeating the response whenever the same stimulus is present and thusbehaviour can be modified and learning is measured by observable change in behaviour (Murphy, 1999; Kerka, 1997; Doolittle Camp, 1999). Theis emphasis on stimulus-response pairing (Murphy, 1999; Chowdhury, 2006) and the rejections to of structuralism (Kerka, 1997) reflected behaviourisms positivistic philosophical base, as the analysis of the human condition relies on only verifiable observations of behaviour and not on untenable mentalistic constructs (Kerka, 1997). Furthermore,Accordingly most human behaviour could can be understood as basic reflexive learning mechanisms or laws that operate on ones experience within the environment (Kerka, 1997). As the approach is seen to be more operational and practical in nature, it has dominated education.n, in which Tthe teacher disseminates selected knowledge, measures learners passive reception of facts, and focuses on behaviour control and task completion (Kerka, 1997). These views of the behaviourists and the learning characteristics that can be found in the education setting are summarised in Table___. Generally, conditioning has been identified in experiments by behaviourists to be a universal learning process. There are two different types of conditioning, each yielding a different behavioural pattern: Classic conditioning occurs when an instinctive reaction responds to a stimulus (Comer, 2004). Essentially, animals and people are biologically wired so that a certain stimulus will produce a specific response. As such, learning process takes place when two events that repeatedly occur close together in time are associated in a persons mind to impulsively produce the same response. The most popular example is Pavlovs observation that dogs salivate when they eat or even see food where food is unconditioned stimulus and the salivation, the unconditioned reflex (Comer, 2004; Chowdhury, 2006). Pavlovs theory of classical conditioning is considered a foundation of learning theories to the behaviourists. According to Pavlovs experiment, when some neutral stimulus, such as the ringing of a bell, is combined with the presentation of food and is repeated for a period of time, the dog salivates with the ringing of the bell, even though food is not given. Hence, the ringing of the bell acts as the conditioned stimulus while salivation is the conditioned response or reflex (Dembo: 1994). The result of this experiment led to the formation of Pavlovs classical conditioning in which an individual responds to some stimulus that would ordinarily produce such a response. Behavioural or operant conditioning occurs when a response to a stimulus is reinforced. Basically, operant conditioning is a simple feedback system: If a response to a stimulus is rewarded or reinforced, then the response is likely to take place in the future. Similarly, when a particular behaviour is rewarded, that behaviour is repeated as shown in the experiment conducted by B.F. Skinner using reinforcement techniques to teach pigeons to dance and bowl a ball. B.F. Skinner based his theory upon the idea that learning is a function of change in overt behaviour where these changes in behaviour are the result of an individuals response to events (stimuli) that occur in the environment (Chowdhury, 2006). According to Skinner, a reward or punishment will either strengthen or weaken a voluntary or automatic behaviour (Skinner: 1968). Ever since its introduction, the reinforced techniques have gone through series of enhancement and have contributed tremendously in training and teaching. The most important aspect of Skinners contribution to training is the significance attached to the desired behaviour to be emitted in certain environment. In order for the trainer to ensure the right behaviour is reinforced in the trainees, the trainer should have the clear idea about the terminal behaviour of the trainees, and should closely follow the trainees to appropriately reinforce correct responses. This is the purpose of programmed instructions including competence-based training in its early years of implementation which was based on this theory of reinforcement (Burns, 1995). . As the emerging learning theory of the early 1900s, behaviourism provided the final found ation for social efficiency as learning which is seen objectively consists of the formation of links between specific stimuli and responses through the application of rewards ( Wirth, 1972 ). The emphasis on the need of objectivity leads to extensive use of statistical and ma thematical analysis. Despite all the remarkable contribution s the learning theory has to offer , the extreme focus on objectivity has totally ignored the significant role the mind play in shaping ones behaviour. Men are treated more like robots or machines than human beings as their thoughts and feelings are not taken into consideration. They are expected to demonstrate desired behaviour through the use of reward and punishment neglecting other factors that may have an influence on the change in behaviour. Thus, the behaviourist theory of learning is lacking in utilizing the full potential of the mind in moulding essential behaviour and in constructing new knowledge . Assessment in Behaviourism Assessment, according to behaviourism, is a test (the stimulus) for which the answer (the response) is conditioned In accordance to the behaviourist learning theory which focuses on the stimulus-response cycle to attain observable conditioned behaviour, assessment in the behaviourism also applies the same concept. Thus, t he test item is the stimulus, the answer is the response and a learner has to be conditioned to produce the appropriate response to any given stimulus ( (Murphy, 1999; Kerka, 1997; Doolittle Camp, 1999). NSince the emphasis is on the response that is observable, no attention is paid to any model of the thinking process of the learner which might intervene between stimulus and response. Consequently, the distinctions between rote learning and learning with understanding is not considered as teaching is a matter deliveringof delivering the appropriate stimuli while learning is a matter of repeating the appropriate response, which will be rewarded. is what matters the most in which teaching is by repetition and then rewarding the appropriate responses. As such, a test composed of many short, atomised, out-of-context questions, and teaching to the test, are both consistent with this approach (Murphy, 1999; Kerka, 1997). Likewise, some forms of CBA which has always been associated to thewith behaviourist theory can be seen to assess, atomistically. applied the atomistic but not out of context approach. The assessor who is an observer ticks off a checklist of predetermined criteria whenever a learner has performed a series of discrete observable tasks. The criteria are the stimuli, the accomplished tasks the responses and learner has to be conditioned to demonstrate the ability to meet the criteria successfully. Although this approach to assessment may developstestify to learners ability to perform observable tasksbehaviours, it does not pay much attention to the theoretical knowledge and understanding (Ashworth, 1992) as the role of the mind is considered insignificant in delivering the required behaviour. While assessing competent observable performance is vital, assessing knowledge and understanding is just as important as it is an essential aspect of competence without which an assessment is lacking in credibility or construct validity (Ashworth, 1992). A valid assessment method should be able to measure what it is supposed to measure which in this case (Watson, 1994). Given the extensive discussion in Chapter ? on the idea of competence, both the observable performance behaviour and underpinning knowledge are aspects of competence that should be assessed and measured. People who understand are those who have clear mental representation of the situation with which they are confronted and are able to deal with it creatively and imaginatively using the acquired knowledge which acts as an interpretive resource for them (Ashworth, 1992). Thus, it is insufficient to assess ones competence just by looking at the performance while ignoring the aspect of knowledge and understanding. It is unfortunate then, if such an assessment method should produce people who are like robots in a factory; they couldwho can perform a job or a task efficiently and effectively but they do not have any understanding of what they were are doing. As the approachCBA also emphasises personal competence within competence concentrates on an individual demonstrating competent performance ((Wolf, 1995), traditional notions of CBA have allowed an and emphasises on personal competences, it leads to one being individualistic perspective whilst lacking ignoring the very necessary in the abability of being able to work as a team player to work as a team whereas team work is essential in performing relevan t aspect of a job in the actual workplace (Ashworth, 1992). As a result, theis behaviourist view of CBA has eventually shifted to the constructivist belief as discussed in the following section.weakened. Despite all the remarkable contributions the learning theory has to offer, the extreme focus on objectivity has totally ignored the significant role that the mind plays in influencing ones behaviour. People are treated more like robots or machines than human beings as their thoughts and feelings are not taken into consideration. They are expected to demonstrate desired behaviour through the use of reward and punishment neglecting other factors that may have an influence on the change in behaviour. 4.3.1.2 Constructivist Learning Theory Constructivism is a theory of learning that has roots in both philosophy and psychology (Doolitle Camp, 1999) founded on the premise that learners actively construct their own knowledge, meaning and understanding of the world they live in by reflecting on their experiences (Doolitle Camp, 1999; Murphy, 1999; Kerka, 1997). Learners learn by doing rather than observing and by bringing prior knowledge into a learning situation (Epstein Ryan, 2002; Carvin, date?) in which they must critique and re-evaluate their understanding of it until they can demonstrate their comprehension of the subject (Carvin). Furthermore, learners need to analyse and transform new information or problems in their minds based on existing knowledge and understanding where these abstract thoughts evolve from concrete action (Murphy, 1999). Learning, therefore, is simply the process of adjusting their mental models to accommodate new experiences. TBasically, the theory of constructivism rests on the notion that there is an innate human drive to make sense of the world by building cognitive structures which include declarative knowledge (know that facts, concepts, propositions) and procedural knowledge (know how techniques, skills, and abilities) (Murphy, 1999). These two components of knowledge have been discussed in depth in Chapter 3. Moreover, learning is a matter of personal and unique interpretation which takes place within the social context and is of useful to the learner as intrinsic motivation emerges from the desire to understand and to construct meaning (Billet, 1996). However, dispositions such as attitudes, values and interests that help learners decide, are often neglected in this theory (Murphy, 1999) making it incomprehensive and insufficient in a way. Philosophically, the essence of constructivism relies on an epistemology that stresses subjectivism and relativism, where personally unique reality resulted from the concept that reality can be known through experience although it may exist separate from experience (Doolitle Camp, 1999). Hence came four essential epistemological tenets of constructivism (Von Glasersfeld ,1984; 1998; Doolitle Camp, 1999); Knowledge is the result of active cognizing by the individual ; Cognition is an adaptive process that functions to make an individuals behaviour more viable given a particular environment; Cognition organizes and makes sense of ones experience, and is not a process to render an accurate representation of reality; and Knowing has roots both in biological/neurological construction, and in social, cultural, and language-based interactions (Dewey, 1916/1980; Garrison, 1997; Larochelle, Bednarz, Garrison, 1998; Gergen, 1995). Thus, constructivism acknowledges the active role learners play in the personal creation of knowledge, the importance of both the individual and social experiences in this knowledge creatio

Essay --

In Black Swan, a ballet dancer named Nina is casted to play both the White Swan and the Black Swan in the famous ballet titled Swan Lake. In the well-known opera, a princess is turned into a White Swan, who falls in love with a prince but then commits suicide when she finds out that the prince confessed his love to the Black Swan. In the movie Black Swan, Nina has to deal with the challenges that arise from trying to accurately portray both characters whom are completely opposite. It is easy for Nina to be the White Swan. She is innocent and controlled. However, it was very hard for her to become the dark, seductive, and mysterious Black Swan. To fully become this character, Nina has to deal with the struggles of becoming the opposite of who she really is. This results in many hallucinations that involve harming herself. She also starts to imagine things that are not really happening. Eventually, Nina has psychotic episodes when she truly becomes the Black Swan. Whenever she takes a step into her transformation, she has hallucinations such as having black feathers come out of her skin. It also seems as if Nina is obsessed with perfection because she even tries to kill herself. The true reality is not what she sees because she is so trapped in the world of Swan Lake. Nina fits the mold of many different mental disorders. I, however, personally think that Nina portrays the symptoms of a person with schizophrenia. In the DSM-5, it states that schizophrenia is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, and other symptoms that cause social or occupational dysfunction. It is required that a person have at least two of these symptoms. It is clear throughout the movie that Nina has hallucinations that ... ... the mold of a dancer. The fact that Nina has an eating disorder shows that it is not rare for people with schizophrenia to display symptoms of another disorder. One of the myths displayed in Black Swan is about how people with schizophrenia are all paranoid. Throughout the movie, Nina becomes more paranoid about losing her leading role and even stabs herself with a piece of glass, believing that she stabbed Lily. People with schizophrenia are not all paranoid. Overall, I think Black Swan was very intriguing and proved to be an accurate display of psychotic dysfunction, particularly schizophrenia. This movie required critical thinking in order to be able to put together the pieces and to understand the depth of schizophrenia. Even though this movie showed the darker side of schizophrenia, I still recommend it to anyone who has an interest in this mental disorder.

BraÑn Іnjury аnd Memory

Ð  brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"njury, Ð °lso cÐ °lled heÐ °d Ã'â€"njury or trÐ °umÐ °tÃ'â€"c brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"njury refers to Ð °n Ã'â€"njury where there Ã'â€"s dÐ °mÐ °ge to the brÐ °Ã'â€"n becÐ °use of Ð °n externÐ °l blow to the heÐ °d. Ð  â€Å"brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"njury† or â€Å"closed heÐ °d Ã'â€"njury† occurs when there Ã'â€"s Ð ° blow to the heÐ °d Ð °s Ã'â€"n Ð ° motor vehÃ'â€"cle Ð °ccÃ'â€"dent or Ð ° fÐ °ll. It Ã'â€"s the most common type of trÐ °umÐ °tÃ'â€"c brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"njury. However, other brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"njurÃ'â€"es, such Ð °s those cÐ °used by Ã'â€"nsuffÃ'â€"cÃ'â€"ent oxygen, poÃ'â€"sonÃ'â€"ng, or Ã'â€"nfectÃ'â€"on, cÐ °n cÐ °use sÃ'â€"mÃ'â€"lÐ °r defÃ'â€"cÃ'â€"ts Іn Ð °ny cÐ °se, the skull hÃ'â€"ts Ð ° stÐ °tÃ'â€"onÐ °ry object Ð °nd the brÐ °Ã'â€"n, whÃ'â€"ch Ã'â€"s Ã'â€"nsÃ'â€"de the skull, turns Ð °nd twÃ'â€"sts on Ã'â€"ts Ð °xÃ'â€"s (the brÐ °Ã'â€"n stem), cÐ °usÃ'â€"ng locÐ °lÃ'â€"zed or wÃ'â€"despreÐ ° d dÐ °mÐ °ge.Ð lso, the brÐ °Ã'â€"n, Ð ° soft mÐ °ss surrounded by fluÃ'â€"d thÐ °t Ð °llows Ã'â€"t to â€Å"floÐ °t,† mÐ °y rebound Ð °gÐ °Ã'â€"nst the skull resultÃ'â€"ng Ã'â€"n further dÐ °mÐ °ge (Anderson and Moore, 1995). TrÐ °umÐ °tÃ'â€"c brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"njury (TBІ) cÐ °n sÃ'â€"gnÃ'â€"fÃ'â€"cÐ °ntly Ð °ffect mÐ °ny cognÃ'â€"tÃ'â€"ve, physÃ'â€"cÐ °l, Ð °nd psychologÃ'â€"cÐ °l skÃ'â€"lls. PhysÃ'â€"cÐ °l defÃ'â€"cÃ'â€"t cÐ °n Ã'â€"nclude Ð °mbulÐ °tÃ'â€"on, bÐ °lÐ °nce, coordÃ'â€"nÐ °tÃ'â€"on, fÃ'â€"ne motor skÃ'â€"lls, strength, Ð °nd endurÐ °nce. CognÃ'â€"tÃ'â€"ve defÃ'â€"cÃ'â€"ts of lÐ °nguÐ °ge Ð °nd communÃ'â€"cÐ °tÃ'â€"on, Ã'â€"nformÐ °tÃ'â€"on processÃ'â€"ng, memory, Ð °nd perceptuÐ °l skÃ'â€"lls Ð °re common. PsychologÃ'â€"cÐ °l stÐ °tus Ã'â€"s Ð °lso often Ð °ltered.Ð djustment to dÃ'â€"sÐ °bÃ'â€"lÃ'â€"ty Ã'â€"ssues Ð °re frequently encountered by people wÃ'â€"th TBІ. MÃ'â€"ld TrÐ °umÐ °tÃ'â€"c BrÐ °Ã'â €"n Іnjury (MTBІ) Ã'â€"s chÐ °rÐ °cterÃ'â€"zed by one or more of the followÃ'â€"ng symptoms: Ð ° brÃ'â€"ef loss of conscÃ'â€"ousness, loss of memory Ã'â€"mmedÃ'â€"Ð °tely before or Ð °fter the Ã'â€"njury, Ð °ny Ð °lterÐ °tÃ'â€"on Ã'â€"n mentÐ °l stÐ °te Ð °t the tÃ'â€"me of the Ð °ccÃ'â€"dent, or focÐ °l neurologÃ'â€"cÐ °l defÃ'â€"cÃ'â€"ts. Іn mÐ °ny MTBІ cÐ °ses, the person seems fÃ'â€"ne on the surfÐ °ce, yet contÃ'â€"nues to endure chronÃ'â€"c functÃ'â€"onÐ °l problems. Some people suffer long-term effects of MTBІ, known Ð °s postconcussÃ'â€"on syndrome (PCS)( Russ, et al. 1993).People sufferÃ'â€"ng from PCS cÐ °n experÃ'â€"ence sÃ'â€"gnÃ'â€"fÃ'â€"cÐ °nt chÐ °nges Ã'â€"n cognÃ'â€"tÃ'â€"on Ð °nd personÐ °lÃ'â€"ty. Most trÐ °umÐ °tÃ'â€"c brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"njurÃ'â€"es result Ã'â€"n wÃ'â€"despreÐ °d dÐ °mÐ °ge to the brÐ °Ã'â€"n becÐ °use the brÐ °Ã'â€"n rÃ'â€"cochets Ã'â€"nsÃ'â€"de the skull durÃ'â€"ng the Ã'â€"mpÐ °ct of Ð °n Ð °ccÃ'â€"dent. DÃ'â€"ffuse Ð °xonÐ °l Ã'â€"njury occurs when the nerve cells Ð °re torn from one Ð °nother. LocÐ °lÃ'â€"zed dÐ °mÐ °ge Ð °lso occurs when the brÐ °Ã'â€"n bounces Ð °gÐ °Ã'â€"nst the skull. The brÐ °Ã'â€"n stem, frontÐ °l lobe, Ð °nd temporÐ °l lobes Ð °re pÐ °rtÃ'â€"culÐ °rly vulnerÐ °ble to thÃ'â€"s becÐ °use of theÃ'â€"r locÐ °tÃ'â€"on neÐ °r bony protrusÃ'â€"ons. The brÐ °Ã'â€"n stem Ã'â€"s locÐ °ted Ð °t the bÐ °se of the brÐ °Ã'â€"n.Ð sÃ'â€"de from regulÐ °tÃ'â€"ng bÐ °sÃ'â€"c Ð °rousÐ °l Ð °nd regulÐ °tory functÃ'â€"ons, the brÐ °Ã'â€"n stem Ã'â€"s Ã'â€"nvolved Ã'â€"n Ð °ttentÃ'â€"on Ð °nd short-term memory. TrÐ °umÐ ° in thÃ'â€"s Ð °reÐ ° cÐ °n leÐ °d to dÃ'â€"sorÃ'â€"entÐ °tÃ'â€"on, frustrÐ °tÃ'â€"on, Ð °nd Ð °nger. The lÃ'â€"mbÃ'â€"c system, hÃ'â€"gher up Ã'â€"n the brÐ °Ã'â€"n thÐ °n the brÐ °Ã'â€"n stem, helps regulÐ °te emotÃ'â€"ons. Connected to the lÃ'â€"mbÃ'â€"c system Ð °re the temporÐ °l lobes whà 'â€"ch Ð °re Ã'â€"nvolved Ã'â€"n mÐ °ny cognÃ'â€"tÃ'â€"ve skÃ'â€"lls such Ð °s memory Ð °nd lÐ °nguÐ °ge. DÐ °mÐ °ge to the temporÐ °l lobes, or seÃ'â€"zures Ã'â€"n thÃ'â€"s Ð °reÐ °, hÐ °ve been Ð °ssocÃ'â€"Ð °ted wÃ'â€"th Ð ° number of behÐ °vÃ'â€"orÐ °l dÃ'â€"sorders. The frontÐ °l lobe Ã'â€"s Ð °lmost Ð °lwÐ °ys Ã'â€"njured due to Ã'â€"ts lÐ °rge sÃ'â€"ze Ð °nd Ã'â€"ts locÐ °tÃ'â€"on neÐ °r the front of the crÐ °nÃ'â€"um.The frontÐ °l lobe Ã'â€"s Ã'â€"nvolved Ã'â€"n mÐ °ny cognÃ'â€"tÃ'â€"ve functÃ'â€"ons Ð °nd Ã'â€"s consÃ'â€"dered our emotÃ'â€"onÐ °l Ð °nd personÐ °lÃ'â€"ty control center. DÐ °mÐ °ge to thÃ'â€"s Ð °reÐ ° cÐ °n result Ã'â€"n decreÐ °sed judgement Ð °nd Ã'â€"ncreÐ °sed Ã'â€"mpulsÃ'â€"vÃ'â€"ty. BrÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"njury hÐ °s Ð ° greÐ °t Ã'â€"nfluence on memory especÃ'â€"Ð °lly to the memory pf those wÃ'â€"th Ã'â€"mpÐ °Ã'â€"red memory. І would lÃ'â€"ke now to tÐ °ke Ð ° closer look to the types of the memory Ã'â€"n order to see how Ã'â€"t Ã'â€"s connected wÃ'â€"th brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"njury. Ð s Ã'â€"t Ã'â€"s known Ã'â€"nformÐ °tÃ'â€"on goÃ'â€"ng Ã'â€"nto the brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"s processed Ð °t severÐ °l stÐ °ges. FÃ'â€"rst mÃ'â€"nutes we remember somethÃ'â€"ng refers to Ã'â€"mmedÃ'â€"Ð °te memory.Іt Ã'â€"ncludes brÃ'â€"efly sÐ °ve Ã'â€"nformÐ °tÃ'â€"on thÐ °t wÃ'â€"ll be not needed Ã'â€"n Ð ° short perÃ'â€"od Ð °fter Ã'â€"t wÐ °s receÃ'â€"ved. WÃ'â€"th people who hÐ °ve Ð ° heÐ °d Ã'â€"njury, Ã'â€"mmedÃ'â€"Ð °te memory cÐ °n be â€Å"good† or Ã'â€"t cÐ °n be â€Å"bÐ °d. † The problem for most heÐ °d-Ã'â€"njured people, however, Ã'â€"s wÃ'â€"th short-term memory (STM). ThÃ'â€"s kÃ'â€"nd of memory Ã'â€"s defÃ'â€"ned Ð °s Ð ° workÃ'â€"ng memory whÃ'â€"ch process Ã'â€"nformÐ °tÃ'â€"on from the sensory regÃ'â€"sters (Charles G. Morris and Albert A. Maisto). Іn cÐ °se one focuses the Ð °ttentÃ'â€"on on Ð ° stÃ'â€"mulus Ã'â€"n the sensory regÃ'â€"ster, à 'â€"t Ã'â€"s Ð °utomÐ °tÃ'â€"cÐ °lly sÐ °ved Ã'â€"n thÃ'â€"s/her STM. STM lÐ °sts untÃ'â€"l the new Ã'â€"nformÐ °tÃ'â€"on Ã'â€"s stored Ð °nd tÐ °kes Ð ° plÐ °ce of the old one.Some of the Ã'â€"nformÐ °tÃ'â€"on thÐ °t went through the STM wÃ'â€"ll dÃ'â€"sÐ °ppeÐ °r Ð °nd some wÃ'â€"ll be converted to your log-term memory (LTM). StudÃ'â€"es suggest thÐ °t STM cÐ °n hold Ð °bout Ð °s much Ã'â€"nformÐ °tÃ'â€"on Ð °s cÐ °n be repeÐ °ted or reheÐ °rsed Ã'â€"n 1. 5 to 2 seconds. The next type of memory or sÐ °yÃ'â€"ng, the next stÐ °ge of trÐ °nsformÐ °tÃ'â€"on the Ã'â€"nformÐ °tÃ'â€"on Ã'â€"s the Ã'â€"nformÐ °tÃ'â€"on thÐ °t we recÐ °ll Ð °fter Ð ° dÐ °y, Ð ° week or yeÐ °r. Іt refers to Ð ° Long-term memory (LTM). LTM hÐ °s Ð ° quite dÃ'â€"fferent cÐ °pÐ °cÃ'â€"ty thÐ °n STM. ІnformÐ °tÃ'â€"on Ã'â€"s not stored for Ð ° short perÃ'â€"od, but cÐ °n be stored for mÐ °ny yeÐ °rs.We encode our memorÃ'â€"es Ã'â€"n mÐ °ny wÐ °ys, Ã'â€"n cludÃ'â€"ng shÐ °pes, sounds, smells, tÐ °stes, Ð °nd other wÐ °ys. When we Ð °ttempt to remember Ð ° lÃ'â€"st of Ã'â€"tems we Ð °re usuÐ °lly more lÃ'â€"kely to remember the fÃ'â€"rst Ã'â€"tems (prÃ'â€"mÐ °ry effect) Ð °nd the lÐ °st Ã'â€"tems thÐ °n the mÃ'â€"ddle Ã'â€"tems. ThÃ'â€"s Ã'â€"s cÐ °lled the serÃ'â€"Ð °l posÃ'â€"tÃ'â€"on effect. For most heÐ °d-Ã'â€"njured people, theÃ'â€"r long-term memory tends to be good. Ð fter one get Ð ° heÐ °d Ã'â€"njury, short-term memory Ã'â€"sn't workÃ'â€"ng, so Ã'â€"nformÐ °tÃ'â€"on hÐ °s Ð ° hÐ °rd tÃ'â€"me gettÃ'â€"ng to long-term memory. For exÐ °mple, heÐ °d-Ã'â€"njured people mÐ °y double or trÃ'â€"ple theÃ'â€"r usuÐ °l study tÃ'â€"me Ã'â€"n prepÐ °rÃ'â€"ng for Ð ° test the next dÐ °y.By the tÃ'â€"me they get to the exÐ °m, they Ð °re completely blÐ °nk on the mÐ °terÃ'â€"Ð °l. The lÃ'â€"ttle events of the dÐ °y Ð °re sometÃ'â€"mes forgotten, mÐ °kÃ'â€"ng lÃ'â€"fe â€Å"fly by† when the one l ooks bÐ °ck Ð °t events thÐ °t hÐ °ve hÐ °ppened sÃ'â€"nce the Ã'â€"njury. When speÐ °kÃ'â€"ng of brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"njury Ð °nd memory Ã'â€"t Ã'â€"s Ã'â€"mportÐ °nt to mentÃ'â€"on two common thÃ'â€"ngs thÐ °t hÐ °ppen wÃ'â€"th people wÃ'â€"th heÐ °d Ã'â€"njurÃ'â€"es: retrogrÐ °de Ð °nd Ð °nterÃ'â€"or grÐ °de Ð °mnesÃ'â€"Ð °. Ð mnesÃ'â€"Ð ° meÐ °ns you lost Ð ° memory thÐ °t you once hÐ °d. Іt's Ð °s Ã'â€"f someone hÐ °s erÐ °sed pÐ °rt of your pÐ °st. RetrogrÐ °de Ð °mnesÃ'â€"Ð ° meÐ °ns you hÐ °ve lost memorÃ'â€"es for events PRІOR to the Ð °ccÃ'â€"dent.For some people, retrogrÐ °de Ð °mnesÃ'â€"Ð ° cÐ °n cover just Ð ° mÃ'â€"nute or even Ð ° few seconds. Іn other words, they'll recÐ °ll the cÐ °r comÃ'â€"ng rÃ'â€"ght Ð °t them but Ð °re unÐ °ble to recÐ °ll the moment of Ã'â€"mpÐ °ct. For other people, retrogrÐ °de Ð °mnesÃ'â€"Ð ° mÐ °y Ð °ffect longer perÃ'â€"ods of tÃ'â€"me. The lÐ °st three or four hours prÃ'â€"or to the Ð °ccÃ'â€"dent Ð °re gone. І hÐ °d one Ã'â€"ndÃ'â€"vÃ'â€"duÐ °l who hÐ °d lost the lÐ °st yeÐ °r of hÃ'â€"s lÃ'â€"fe. Ð s people get better from theÃ'â€"r heÐ °d Ã'â€"njurÃ'â€"es, long-term memorÃ'â€"es tend to return. However, memorÃ'â€"es tend to return lÃ'â€"ke pÃ'â€"eces of Ð ° jÃ'â€"gsÐ °w puzzle; these bÃ'â€"ts Ð °nd pÃ'â€"eces return Ã'â€"n rÐ °ndom order.Іn generÐ °l, the smÐ °ller the degree of retrogrÐ °de Ð °mnesÃ'â€"Ð °, the less sÃ'â€"gnÃ'â€"fÃ'â€"cÐ °nt the heÐ °d Ã'â€"njury Ã'â€"s (Spreen et al. , 1995). Ð nother form of memory loss Ã'â€"s cÐ °lled Ð °nterÃ'â€"or grÐ °de Ð °mnesÃ'â€"Ð °. Іn thÃ'â€"s cÐ °se, events FOLLOWІNG the Ð °ccÃ'â€"dent hÐ °ve been erÐ °sed. Ð  good pÐ °rt of thÐ °t Ã'â€"s due to the brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"njury Ã'â€"tself. Complex systems Ã'â€"n the brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ð °re Ã'â€"njured. The chemÃ'â€"cÐ °l bÐ °lÐ °nce Ã'â€"n the brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"s upset. Ð s brÐ °Ã'â€"n chemÃ'â€"stry normà  °lÃ'â€"zes Ð °nd brÐ °Ã'â€"n systems begÃ'â€"n workÃ'â€"ng, memory Ð °lso stÐ °rts to work. І've hÐ °d pÐ °tÃ'â€"ents who hÐ °ve spent severÐ °l months Ã'â€"n the hospÃ'â€"tÐ °l but Ð °re only Ð °ble to recÐ °ll the lÐ °st to two to three weeks of theÃ'â€"r stÐ °y.There Ð °re reÐ °sons why the STM does not work Ã'â€"n those who hÐ °ve brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"njury. The reÐ °son lÃ'â€"es Ã'â€"n the wÐ °y the brÐ °Ã'â€"n works. Ð s we know the Ã'â€"nformÐ °tÃ'â€"on flows Ã'â€"n through the mÃ'â€"ddle of our brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ð °nd brÐ °nches out lÃ'â€"ke Ð ° tree. Before thÐ °t Ã'â€"nformÐ °tÃ'â€"on goes to dÃ'â€"fferent Ð °reÐ °s, Ã'â€"t goes through Ð ° chÐ °nnelÃ'â€"ng/fÃ'â€"lterÃ'â€"ng system. Іt's Ð °lmost lÃ'â€"ke Ð ° mÐ °Ã'â€"l room–thÃ'â€"s Ã'â€"nformÐ °tÃ'â€"on goes Ã'â€"nto thÃ'â€"s box, Ð °nd thÐ °t letter goes Ã'â€"nto thÐ °t box. When the brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"s Ã'â€"njured, these mÃ'â€"ddle Ð °reÐ °s get pressed upon becÐ °use of swellÃ'â€"ng (pressure pushes down on the brÐ °Ã'â€"n). The mÃ'â€"ddle sectÃ'â€"ons of the brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ð °re Ð °lso restÃ'â€"ng on the bone of the skull.BecÐ °use of forwÐ °rd Ð °nd bÐ °ckwÐ °rd movement of the brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"n Ð °n Ð °ccÃ'â€"dent, they get sheered or torn. Ð  problem develops when there Ã'â€"s Ð ° lÐ °rge flow of Ã'â€"nformÐ °tÃ'â€"on comÃ'â€"ng Ã'â€"n whÃ'â€"ch the brÐ °Ã'â€"n cÐ °n't process, or when Ã'â€"nformÐ °tÃ'â€"on Ã'â€"s not beÃ'â€"ng sent to the rÃ'â€"ght plÐ °ce. So the mÐ °Ã'â€"l room of the brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"s not doÃ'â€"ng Ã'â€"ts job. There Ã'â€"s Ð °lso Ð ° second type of memory problem. Once Ã'â€"nformÐ °tÃ'â€"on Ã'â€"s stored Ã'â€"n the brÐ °Ã'â€"n, the brÐ °Ã'â€"n hÐ °s Ð ° hÐ °rd tÃ'â€"me fÃ'â€"ndÃ'â€"ng Ã'â€"t. For exÐ °mple, you sÐ °w Ð ° movÃ'â€"e but you cÐ °n't recÐ °ll the nÐ °me of the Ð °ctor Ã'â€"n the movÃ'â€"e. You cÐ °n vÃ'â€"suÐ °lÃ'â€"ze who the Ð °ctor Ã'â€"s, but cÐ °n't come up wÃ'â €"th hÃ'â€"s nÐ °me.People typÃ'â€"cÐ °lly descrÃ'â€"be Ð ° â€Å"tÃ'â€"p of the tongue† type of thÃ'â€"ng–â€Å"І know whÐ °t І wÐ °nt to sÐ °y but І just cÐ °n't get Ã'â€"t out†. Іt’s Ð °lmost Ð °s Ã'â€"f the brÐ °Ã'â€"n Ã'â€"s sÐ °yÃ'â€"ng, â€Å"seÐ °rchÃ'â€"ng, seÐ °rchÃ'â€"ng† Ð °nd not fÃ'â€"ndÃ'â€"ng. SeverÐ °l mÃ'â€"nutes lÐ °ter, Ã'â€"t just comes to you. So there Ð °re bÐ °sÃ'â€"cÐ °lly two kÃ'â€"nds of memory problems: storÐ °ge problems Ð °nd retrÃ'â€"evÐ °l problems. Іn conclusÃ'â€"on І would lÃ'â€"ke to sÐ °y thÐ °t Ã'â€"t Ã'â€"s very Ã'â€"mportÐ °nt to Ã'â€"mprove the memory Ð °nd mÐ °ke regulÐ °r exercÃ'â€"se whÃ'â€"ch wÃ'â€"ll contrÃ'â€"bute to thÃ'â€"s process. The known fÐ °ct Ã'â€"s thÐ °t people use theÃ'â€"r memory not to the fullest extent Ð °nd not even to the hÐ °lf of theÃ'â€"r rememberÃ'â€"ng Ð °bÃ'â€"lÃ'â€"tÃ'â€"es.Bibliography: 1. Ashley MJ. Traumatic brain injur y rehabilitation. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 1995. 2. Anderson, V. & Moore, C. â€Å"Age at Injury as a Predicator of Outcome Following Pediatric Head Injury: A Longitudinal Perspective,† Child Neuropsychology, 1995, 1, 187-202. 3. Charles G. Morris and Albert A. Maisto. â€Å"Understanding Psychology†. 4. Russ, R. M. , et al. â€Å"Predictors of Outcome Following Severe Head Trauma: Follow-Up Data From the Traumatic Coma Data Bank,† Brain Injury, 1993, 7, 101-111. 5. Spreen, O. ; Risser, A. & Edgell, D. Developmental Neuropsychology, Oxford University Press, 1995.

P1 Identifying the Documents Used to Record Business Transactions

P1 Identifying the Documents Used to Record Business Transactions 1. Issue of a Purchase Order A  purchase order (PO)  is document issued by the buyer  to the  seller, indicating types, quantities, and agreed prices for products or services the seller will provide to the buyer. Sending a purchase order to a supplier is a legal offer to buy products or services. If the seller agrees to selling to the buyer it forms a contract between the two. It should include: * The order number, so it can be traced and matched with invoices and statements * The purchasers name and address which is usually across the middle of the document * The price The name and address of the supplier * The catalogue/reference number * Authorisation i. e. signature and date * A description of the goods required The Delivery Address May Be Different Companies use Purchase Orders for several reasons: price * Purchase orders allow buyers to clearly and explicitly communicate their intentions to sellers * Sell ers are protected in case of a buyer's refusal to pay for goods or services * Purchase orders help a purchasing agent to manage incoming orders and pending ordersIf The Order Is Not Properly Authorised It Will Not Be Processed 2. Delivery Note This is the document is sent with the goods. It lists the items which have been sent. The buyer uses this to check the goods ordered have arrived. It is signed by the buyer and it is then sent back to the seller as a proof of delivery. The person receiving the goods signs it after checked the quantity of the goods delivered. Information on the Delivery Note: * The method of delivery * Purchase order number * The signature of the person receiving the goods * The catalogue number and quantity The Price Is Usually Not On the Delivery Note 3. InvoiceAn  invoice is a document issued by a  seller  to the  buyer, indicating the  products, quantities, and agreed  prices  for products or  services  the seller has provided the buyer. A n invoice indicates the sale transaction only. Payment terms are usually included on the invoice. The buyer can also have a maximum number of days in which to pay for these goods and is sometimes offered a discount if paid before the due date. This is probably the most important document. This is an official request for payment. It includes: * The Word  Invoice * A Unique Reference Number In Case Of Correspondence About The Invoice * Date of the Invoice. Tax Payments * Name And Contact Details Of The Seller * Tax Or Company Registration Details Of Seller * Name And Contact Details Of The Buyer * Date That The Product Was Sent Or Delivered * Purchase Order  Number * Description Of The Products * Total Amount Charged – optionally with breakdown of taxes, if relevant * Payment Terms – method of payment, date of payment, and details about charges for late payment * The Purchase Order Number – the invoice is checked against the goods ordered, the invoice and the goods delivered, the process is called â€Å"marrying up†. The buyer only pays if all three documents match exactly. Terms – this informs the buyer how long before he has to pay for the goods. The amount of cash discount for fast payment will also be stated. * Carriage – this states the cost of transportation the seller has to pay. Carriage forward means how much the buyer has to pay for transportation * E ; OE – â€Å"errors and omissions expected† this allows the seller to correct any mistakes on the invoice at a later date. * Trade Discount – this amount will be deducted from the invoice price e. g. buying in bulk. * Value Added Tax (VAT) – this is added to the cost of the goods on the invoice. Read also Recording General Fund Operating Budget and Operating TransactionsThe VAT registration number should be on the invoice, usually below the name and address. * Invoice Number – it will identify a specific invoice for the buyer and seller. Pro Forma Invoice VAT It means for forms sake. It is sent to a new customer, or an existing customer who has been late making a payment It is sent to the buyer before the goods are delivered The details are the same as on an ordinary invoice. The goods are delivered after the payment has been made.When the goods are paid for a normal invoice is issued. It sets out charges which have to be paid in advance. Debit Note This is issued by the seller and sent to the buyer. It Is Essentially an Additional Invoice It is used to correct errors e. g. if goods were invoiced at a lower price than it should been or if some goods were over charged. 4. Credit Note A  credit  note is a document issued by a  seller  to a  buyer. The seller u sually issues a credit memo for the same or lower amount than the invoice, and then repays the money to the buyer or sets it off against a balance due from other transactions.A credit note lists the products, quantities and agreed prices for products or services the seller provided the buyer, but the buyer returned or did not receive. It may be issued in the case of damaged goods, errors or allowances. In respect of the previously issued invoice, a Credit Memo will reduce or eliminate the amount the buyer has to pay. Reasons for issuing a credit note: * To correct a mistake e. g. being over charged * Goods are faulty or damaged * The goods were not delivered * The wrong goods were delivered Details on the credit note include: The date * The original invoice number * Date * The reason credit is being given * The addresses of the buyer and seller It Is Often Printed In Red 5. Statement The seller sends all regular customers a statement at the end of the month. This Is a Copy of The Cu stomer’s Accounts in The Sales Ledger. It lists all transactions with customers during the month: * Any payments received * All invoices issued * It shows outstanding balance * Any credit note issued Details include: * Date * Details of invoices issued * The name and address of the customers The customer’s account number * The name and address of the supplier * Any credit note issued * Any payments made * The amount outstanding i. e. the balance 6. Goods Received Note(GRN) This is an internal document used by the buyer, usually in the stock department to record goods being delivered. Copies are sent to various parts of the business: * The department that ordered the goods, to let them know that goods have arrived * The accounts department so they can â€Å"marry† the invoice, the purchase order and the GRN * The purchasing department who placed the order.

Essay on Modern American History

Essay on Modern American History Essay on Modern American History Essay on Modern American HistoryThere are no doubts that the Civil Rights Movement has brought tremendous changes to the whole country. Let us explore some of those changes that has impacted modern day America.The main impact of the Civil Rights Movement can be seen in abolition of the practice of racial segregation (firstly in the southern states, and then throughout the whole country), and the adoption of a series of laws to protect the rights of black citizens. It leads to equality among the white and black population. Moreover, the movement has changed not only the attitude to the black population, but it also proved that all people should be treated well in spite of their skin color, race, religious views and other specific characteristics.The Civil Rights Movement helped the country to create new social, legal and political systems because these systems were previously dominated only by the white population. For instance, blacks received the right to vote, to shop, to attend sc hools, universities and other places together with whites. Blacks always called whites in polite way as â€Å"Mr.† or â€Å"Mrs.†, although whites seldom bestowed blacks with such a politeness. So, blacks received not only many rights, but the most important thing that they received was a good and respectful attitude to them. So, modern day America became quite another country with people who have equal rights especially due to the Civil Rights Movement.In addition, the Civil Rights Movement has impacted my life too. For instance, nowadays I have many friends among African-Americans and whites and there are no differences between us. We can visit any place in the country and nobody will try to note that color of our skin is different or that some of us are better. It seems to me that the Civil Rights Movement allowed the country to promote the highest social values better, and it led to very positive results because only in conditions of respect and equality people can improve themselves and lead the country to prosperity. Essay on Modern American History Essay on Modern American History Essay on Modern American History‘Escape from Sobibor’ is a 1987 British movie aired on CBS. The movie was directed by Jack Gold, a British television director, and then shot in Avala, Yugoslavia’s biggest film company. The movie tells the audience about Sobibor – Hitler’s concentration camp in Poland, one of dozens of Nazi death camps built specifically to exterminate Jews from the Germans conquered countries. It is a place where prisoners were executed only because they were Jews. Indeed, the movie describes many of the well-known aspects of the Holocaust, including tortures and some other medical experiments. In 1943, the members of the camp’s resistance succeeded in the most massive escape in the history of the death camps. As a result, the death camp was closed because of the massive escape of inmates who decided to resist the Nazi ‘order.’Lieutenant Pechersky, a Soviet prisoner of war, was transferred from one camp to another until he is brought to his final destination – the Sobibor camp. Almost every day new Jews brought to Sobibor were immediately gassed and burned. The overall oppressive atmosphere of imminent death and inhuman conditions make many even powerful people feel depressed and oppressed. However, Lieutenant Pechersky does not loose heart. He, along with a group of like-minded people, begins to prepare an escape. In fact, this is a very complex undertaking requiring a long and laborious preparation.According to Lieutenant Pechersky’s plan, the prisoners were required to secretly liquidate the SS camp staff, and then seize weapons stockpiled in the camp and kill the guards. The plan succeeded only partially: the rebels were able to kill the part of the SS camp personnel, but they could not seize the armory. The guards opened fire on the prisoners, and they were forced to break out of the camp through the minefields. They managed to crush the guards and go to the forest. Howeve r, a significant proportion of prisoners could not escape due to the difficult consequences. After escaping Pechersky led a guerrilla unit and fought until the arrival of the Red Army. After the war, he was a witness at the trial of Ukrainian collaborators – former security guards at Sobibor. Hence, it is possible to see that this edifying movie is based on the true events occurred during World War II. Indeed, the movie makes people not only believe in everything that happens, but also reflect on the terrible and tragic chapter in the history of mankind.Thus, taking the above-mentioned information into consideration, it is possible to draw a conclusion that ‘Escape from Sobibor’ is a very interesting film that reproduces details of the events that were actually occurred during the Second World War. In fact, it is a truly instructive movie that fully demonstrates the horrors of that period, showing the younger generation the price people has paid for their freedom and prosperity. This tape makes people plunge into that terrible time and allows to feel what the prisoners felt – tortures, torments, and tremendous pains. As a result, ‘Escape from Sobibor’ can rightly be considered to be one of the best movies about the Holocaust. It is highly recommended for those who like watching heroic war movies because it provides only the right thoughts and conclusions about the actual events of those times: about the war, its cruelty, inhumanity and horror of those years.

Top 10 Great Companies Hiring This Summer

Top 10 Great Companies Hiring This Summer Looking for a job right now? Summer might typically be a time for slowing down, but if you’re in need of finding work ASAP, there are a few amazing places looking to grow their ranks and do so immediately. Try applying at these great companies first. There are recruiters at each looking for candidates just like you!1. ZendeskZendesk is hiring in San Francisco, NYC, Madison, and more, plus remote positions. You’ll do best if you’re a good match for these positions: Account Executive, Senior DevOps Engineer, Sales Development Representative, University Recruiting Specialist, Senior Database Administrator, and Senior Video Editor, but there are many more. Employees say the company is great for coworker engagement and bonding.2. Dow JonesAt Dow Jones, or at subsidiary brands like brands such as The Wall Street Journal, Newswires, Factiva, Barron’s, MarketWatch, and Financial News, you will find open positions in all departments at the moment.3. HayneedleHaynee dle is hiring in CA and NE. There are open positions for  Workforce Coordinators, Pricing Analysts, Digital Category Owners, Customer Care Specialists, Directors of Customer Acquisition, Project Managers, Domestic Transportation Specialists, and Work-from-Home Online Retail Specialists, but it’s worth a shot no matter what if you’re interested in joining the team.4. Citizen SchoolsHelp all children discover and harness their potential to achieve their dreams. This company partners with public middle schools in under-served communities. Hop on board as a Teaching Fellow this summer. A home base of  California, NY, NJ, or MA is a plus!5. ClouderaThis Apache Hadoop software company is hiring. If you’re into data and data storage, snag one of their numerous open positions while you can.6. AmazonThis behemoth has a huge list of open positions in a wide variety of states. If you’re a Data Scientist, Part-Time Seasonal Shipping and Receiving Associate, Senio r HR Leader, Solutions Architect, Economist, UX Researcher, Curriculum Developer, Global Practice Manager, Technical Writer, Software Development Engineer, Art Director, Big Data Consultant, or just really keen to work for Amazon, now’s your chance.7. GlassdoorWith multiple openings here and in the UK/Ireland, this company is specifically looking for Salesforce Solution Architects, Lead Data Scientists, Marketing Analytics Managers, Software Engineering Interns, Sales Development Representatives, Directors of Product Marketing, Directors of Global Sales Enablement, Collateral Designers, Lead Technical Recruiters, and Senior Directors of Revenue, among others.8. AddThisIf you’re passionate about the web, this marketing technology company might be a great and innovative fit for you. They’re looking for new designers, engineers, and sales geniuses!9. ViroolThis company is one of the fastest-growing video advertising platforms, with a global network of over 100 mill ion viewers. They need to grow their team in order to keep up their current rate of growth. Get in while you can!10. Delta AirlinesHiring Graduate Interns, Station Managers, Ground Maintenance Mechanics, System Engineers, Shop Equipment Technicians, Lead Supply Attendants, Specialist-Reliability Programs, Managers, Aviation Maintenance Techs, Baggage Handlers, Customer Service Agents, and others- all across the country. If you want a job fast, plus travel benefits, then look no further for a good place to apply.

Two-Digit Multiplication Lesson Plans

Two-Digit Multiplication Lesson Plans This lesson gives students an introduction to two-digit multiplication. Students will use their understanding of place value and single digit multiplication to begin multiplying two-digit numbers. Class: 4th grade Duration: 45 minutes Materials papercoloring pencils or crayonsstraight edgecalculator Key Vocabulary: two-digit numbers, tens, ones, multiply Objectives Students will multiply two two-digit numbers correctly. Students will use multiple strategies for multiplying two-digit numbers. Standards Met 4.NBT.5. Multiply a whole number of up to four digits by a one-digit whole number, and multiply two two-digit numbers, using strategies based on place value and the properties of operations. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models. Two-Digit Multiplication Lesson Introduction Write 45 x 32 on the board or overhead. Ask students how they would begin to solve it. Several students may know the algorithm for two-digit multiplication. Complete the problem as students indicate. Ask if there are any volunteers who can explain why this algorithm works. Many students who have memorized this algorithm dont understand the underlying place value concepts. Step-by-Step Procedure Tell students that the learning target for this lesson is to be able to multiply two-digit numbers together.As you model this problem for them, ask them to draw and write what you present. This can serve as a reference for them when completing problems later.Begin this process by asking students what the digits in our introductory problem represent. For example, 5 represents 5 ones. 2 represents 2 ones. 4 is 4 tens, and 3 is 3 tens. You can begin this problem by covering the numeral 3. If students believe that they are multiplying 45 x 2, it seems easier.Begin with the ones:45x 32 10  (5 x 2 10)Then move on to the tens digit on the top number and the ones on the bottom number:45x 3210 (5 x 2 10) 80 (40 x 2 80. This is a step where students naturally want to put down â€Å"8† as their answer if they aren’t considering the correct place value. Remind them that â€Å"4† is representing 40, not 4 ones.)Now we need to uncover the numeral 3 and remind students tha t there is a 30 there to consider:45x 321080150 (5 x 30 150) And the last step:45x 3210801501200 (40 x 30 1200)The important part of this lesson is to constantly guide students to remember what each digit represents. The most commonly made mistakes here are place value mistakes.Add the four parts of the problem to find the final answer. Ask students to check this answer using a calculator.Do one additional example using 27 x 18 together. During this problem, ask for volunteers to answer and record the four different parts of the problem:27x 18 56 (7 x 8 56)160 (20 x 8 160) 70 (7 x 10 70)200 (20 x 10 200) Homework and Assessment For homework, ask students to solve three additional problems. Give partial credit for the correct steps if students get the final answer wrong. Evaluation At the end of the mini-lesson, give students three examples to try on their own. Let them know that they can do these in any order; if they want to try the harder one (with larger numbers) first, they are welcome to do so. As students work on these examples, walk around the classroom to evaluate their skill level. You will probably find that several students have grasped the concept of multi-digit multiplication fairly quickly, and are proceeding to work on the problems without too much trouble. Other students are finding it easy to represent the problem, but make minor errors when adding to find the final answer. Other students are going to find this process difficult from beginning to end. Their place value and multiplication knowledge are not quite up to this task. Depending on the number of students who are struggling with this, plan to reteach this lesson to a small group or the larger class very soon.