Reflection in the Skies free essay sample

Most childrens first words range from primal grunts to sweet mumblings that resemble human names, but my first word was thunder. From the very beginning, I have been captivated with the sky and its ever-changing canvas of blues and grays, creams and milky whites. I am tuned into the rhythms of rainfall, the dance of snowflakes and the flutter of clouds across the sky. One can always find me gazing out my window hoping that the storms most people dread actually come my way. I remember setting up my own storm-viewing station in the garage the year Connecticut was in the direct path of Hurricane Bob. The weather channel became my program, and I was a third-grader mesmerized by weather forecasts and terminology. A few years later, in the middle of a blizzard, I remember running wildly up the stairs to tell my parents we were in an upper level low. We will write a custom essay sample on Reflection in the Skies or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Since then, both my vocabulary and interest have matured, but I still have my dog-eared cloud chart by my bed. After so many years of standing guard at the window, straining to hear the low roars crawl through the sky, I am struck by the many ways I am a thunderstorm. Contrary to what this may seem to suggest, I am neither volatile nor explosive. Rather, I am a presence that others can sense, always ready to contribute my thoughts. I am told I have a passion for living because I am always the one who laughs the hardest and enjoys each moment. I am exceedingly strong-willed and independent, not afraid to express opinions or open my heart. I feel most alive when engaged in conversations that require persuasion or debate, and most powerful when others challenge me. And, while I fight to support my beliefs with the ferocity of an unrelenting storm, my winds of dissent quell easily when I encounter clear and reasoned counterpoints. My love of learning has grown recently; I entered high school an average student, but am leaving a serious scholar. While thunder and I are alike in many ways, we have our differences, too. Thunder tends to strike suddenly with bombastic blasts, then dissipate and stop as abruptly as it started. In contrast, I am not unpredictable, not just a burst of energy followed by a complete silence. My path is fixed and I am steady as I move along my charted course. As I advance, there is an unmistakable pattern to my movements, based on my unyielding desire to question and to know. Thunder has also taught me lessons about life and has had a humbling effect on me. Its loud blasts are powerful announcements that suggest the vulnerability of humankind and the existence of a force greater than us. With every passing storm, I am reminded that God is a guiding energy, stronger than any earthly conflict I face. I look ahead with confidence because of His presence and my own will to soar. Just as the clouds begin their elegant sweep across the sky, the leaves quiver as if they have felt a chill, and as the scent of rain sweetens the air, I, too, am just beginning. When I look at clouds overhead, I see them filled with opportunity and a rain that can only help to make me grow.

Free Essays on Video Games And Children

Videao Games and Chilren By: Sue G. A recent survey found that 92 percent of U.S. kids, ages 2 to 17 play video games. Parents bought 225 million video games last year. (â€Å"Virtual†) These numbers show how many people are affected today by the technology of video games. More and more people are buying and playing video games. Although children are not the only people playing video games, they do make up the largest percentage of players. Video games are a very controversial subject. There is both good and bad in video games. Video games can help improve hand eye coordination and strategic skills. However, I have also heard of the vibrations from the controller causing damage to children. Many believe that video games lead to violent behaviors. They also could be a cause of obesity in the children of today. As a child, I spent my days outside playing games. During the summer, I was found at the swimming hole or at the park. Other times I was with a group of friends on the street corner playing baseball. During the winter, sledding and snowball fights were the sport. Everywhere you went there were kids playing outdoors. Today when I walk out my door, it seems as though there are less kids found outside. The children of today are often found indoors playing an electronic game. They have their eyes glued to the television set watching for where the next hit or miss will be. When walking, they are not always watching where they are going because they are busy pushing buttons on their game boy. Children are interacting less with each other and more with their electronic games. As stated by Brent Stafford, a recent graduate of the masters in communication studies program at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., the $17-billion a year video game industry has become the number one form of entertainment for children. Parents, he says, should know what their kids are playing. The parent should also recognize when a game becomes a c... Free Essays on Video Games And Children Free Essays on Video Games And Children Videao Games and Chilren By: Sue G. A recent survey found that 92 percent of U.S. kids, ages 2 to 17 play video games. Parents bought 225 million video games last year. (â€Å"Virtual†) These numbers show how many people are affected today by the technology of video games. More and more people are buying and playing video games. Although children are not the only people playing video games, they do make up the largest percentage of players. Video games are a very controversial subject. There is both good and bad in video games. Video games can help improve hand eye coordination and strategic skills. However, I have also heard of the vibrations from the controller causing damage to children. Many believe that video games lead to violent behaviors. They also could be a cause of obesity in the children of today. As a child, I spent my days outside playing games. During the summer, I was found at the swimming hole or at the park. Other times I was with a group of friends on the street corner playing baseball. During the winter, sledding and snowball fights were the sport. Everywhere you went there were kids playing outdoors. Today when I walk out my door, it seems as though there are less kids found outside. The children of today are often found indoors playing an electronic game. They have their eyes glued to the television set watching for where the next hit or miss will be. When walking, they are not always watching where they are going because they are busy pushing buttons on their game boy. Children are interacting less with each other and more with their electronic games. As stated by Brent Stafford, a recent graduate of the masters in communication studies program at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., the $17-billion a year video game industry has become the number one form of entertainment for children. Parents, he says, should know what their kids are playing. The parent should also recognize when a game becomes a c...

Commodore Isaac Hull in the War of 1812

Commodore Isaac Hull in the War of 1812 Born March 9, 1773, in Derby, CT, Isaac Hull was the son of Joseph Hull who later took part in the American Revolution.  In the course of the fighting, Joseph served as an artillery lieutenant and was captured in 1776 following the Battle of Fort Washington. Imprisoned in HMS Jersey, he was exchanged two years later and assumed command of a small flotilla on Long Island Sound.   Following the end of the conflict, he entered the merchant trade sailing to the West Indies as well as whaling.   It was through these endeavors that Isaac Hull first experienced the sea.   Young when his father died, Hull was adopted by his uncle, William Hull. Also a veteran of the American Revolution, he would earn infamy for surrendering Detroit in 1812.   Though William wished his nephew to obtain a college education, the younger Hull desired to return to sea and, at age fourteen, became a cabin boy on a merchant vessel. Five years later, in 1793, Hull earned his first command captaining a merchant ship in the West Indies trade.   In 1798, he sought out and obtained a lieutenants commission in the newly re-formed US Navy.   Serving aboard the frigate USS Constitution (44 guns), Hull earned the respect of Commodores Samuel Nicholson and Silas Talbot.   Engaged in the Quasi-War with France, the US Navy sought out French vessels in the Caribbean and Atlantic.   On May 11, 1799, Hull led a detachment of  Constitutions sailors and marines in seizing the French privateer Sandwich near Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo. Taking the sloop Sally into Puerto Plata, he and his men captured the ship as well as a shore battery defending the harbor.   Spiking the guns, Hull departed with the privateer as a prize. With the end of the conflict with France, a new one soon emerged with the Barbary pirates in North Africa.   Barbary Wars Taking command of the brig USS Argus (18) in 1803, Hull joined Commodore Edward Prebles squadron which was operating against Tripoli.   Promoted to master commandant the following year, he remained in the Mediterranean.   In 1805, Hull directed  Argus, USS Hornet (10), and USS Nautilus (12) in supporting US Marine Corps  First Lieutenant Presley OBannon during the Battle of Derna.   Returning to Washington, DC a year later, Hull received a promotion to captain.   The next five years saw him oversee the construction of gunboats as well as command the frigates USS Chesapeake (36) and USS President (44).   In June 1810, Hull was appointed captain of Constitution and returned to his former ship.   After having the frigates bottom cleaned, he departed for a cruise in European waters.   Returning in February 1812, Constitution was in the Chesapeake Bay four months later when news arrived that the War of 1812 had begun.         Ã‚   USS Constitution Exiting the Chesapeake, Hull steered north with the goal of rendezvousing with a squadron that Commodore John Rodgers was assembling. While off the coast of New Jersey on July 17, Constitution was spotted by a group of British warships that included HMS Africa (64) and the frigates HMS  Aeolus (32), HMS Belvidera (36), HMS Guerriere (38), and HMS Shannon (38). Stalked and pursued for over two days in light winds, Hull used a variety of tactics, including wetting down the sails and kedge anchors, to escape.   Reaching Boston, Constitution quickly resupplied before departing on Aug. 2. Moving northeast, Hull captured three British merchantmen and obtained intelligence that a British frigate was operating to the south. Sailing to intercept, Constitution encountered Guerriere on Aug. 19. Holding his fire as the frigates neared, Hull waited until the two ships were only 25 yards apart. For 30 minutes Constitution and Guerriere exchanged broadsides until Hull closed on the enemys starboard beam and toppled the British vessels mizzen mast. Turning, Constitution raked Guerriere, sweeping its decks with fire. As the battle continued, the two frigates collided three times, but all attempts to board were turned back by determined musket fire from each ships marine detachment. During the third collision, Constitution became entangled in Guerrieres bowsprit. As the two frigates separated, the bowsprit snapped, jarring the rigging and leading to Guerrieres fore and main masts falling. Unable to maneuver or make way, Dacres, who had been wounded in the engagement, met with his officers and decided to strike Guerrieres colors to prevent a further loss of life. During the fighting, many of Guerrieres cannon balls were seen to bounce off Constitutions thick sides leading it to earn the nickname Old Ironsides. Hull attempted to bring Guerriere into Boston, but the frigate, which had suffered severe damage in the battle, began to sink the next day and he ordered it destroyed after the British wounded were transferred to his ship. Returning to Boston, Hull and his crew were hailed as heroes.   Leaving the ship in September, Hull turned command over to Captain William Bainbridge.   Later Career Traveling south to Washington, Hull first received orders to assume command of the Boston Navy Yard and then the Portsmouth Navy Yard.   Returning to New England, he held the post at Portsmouth for the remainder of the War of 1812. Briefly taking a seat on the Board of Navy Commissioners in Washington beginning in 1815, Hull then took command of the Boston Navy Yard.   Returning to sea in 1824, he oversaw the Pacific Squadron for three years and flew his commodores pennant from USS United States (44). Upon completing this duty, Hull commanded the Washington Navy Yard from 1829 to 1835.   Taking leave after this assignment, he resumed active duty and in 1838 received command of the Mediterranean Squadron with the ship of the line USS Ohio (64) as his flagship. Concluding his time abroad in 1841, Hull returned to the United States and due to ill health and increasingly advanced age (68) elected to retire. Residing in Philadelphia with his wife Anna Hart (m. 1813), he died two years later on February 13, 1843. Hulls remains were buried in the citys Laurel Hill Cemetery.   Since his death, the US Navy has named five vessels in his honor.   Sources: Biographies in Naval History: Isaac HullHeritage History: Isaac Hull

The causes of the Civil War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The causes of the Civil War - Essay Example Today the American Civil War represents one of the most important conflicts in the history of the United States. While the war itself only lasted from 1861-1865, the effects have been felt significantly throughout the United States since. In addition to enacting significant death tolls on both the Northern and Southern participants, the political ramifications of the conflict were truly revolutionary as they resulted in the emancipation of slaves throughout the country. While ostensibly the Civil War was a direct result of then President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, declaring the abolishment of slavery, upon further inspection it’s clear there are a number of complex causes behind the war. This essay considers the various causes to the Civil War in an attempt to gain a broader understanding of their political implications. Perhaps the primary catalyst behind the Civil War was the economic differences between the Northern and Southern states. While indust rialization had enacted factory production and similar means of economic subsistence in the Northern states, the Southern states had evolved along a different path. Within the Southern regions, where the climate encouraged more agricultural means of production, the economy had become almost entirely reliant on cotton production. Within this spectrum of existence, cheap labor was essential to ensure the economy functioned, so slavery became a key part of Southern existence. In addition to embracing slavery, the Northern modes of city-life encouraged greater means of interaction between the social classes. As a result, it’s argued that Northern regions evolved more progressive views on the social hierarchy, while the Southern regions remained in an antiquated order (Chambers 1999). This would led to conflicting perspectives that would eventually mount, greatly contributing to the opposing regions engaging in warfare. Another pivotal aspect that contributed to the start of the C ivil War was general disagreements on political policy between the Northern and Southern regions. In these regards, one of the primary disagreements was between the belief the Southern belief that states should be primarily responsible for determining legal policy, versus the Northern view that the Federal government should be the primary decision maker in these matters. One of the primary arguments was advanced by politician John C Calhoun and referred to as nullification. This would give states the power to nullify laws that were passed by the Federal Government. As it became clear that such a measure would not be allowed, the Southern states moved toward seceding from the Union (Jones 1999). Ultimately, this would be a primary influence in bringing the Southern states to war. Another primary political issue was the moral disagreement between individuals that supported slavery and those that were vehemently opposed to it. As slavery had become a long-entrenched aspect of the Ameri can economic landscape, even as growing concern over its immoral aspects mounted it became increasingly difficult to break the nation from these past practices. With the Louisiana Purchase, the United States gained a large portion of land in the Western United States. The Federal Government deemed that new states admitted to the Union through this land would be free from slavery, placing increased pressure on the Southern states that embraced slavery to move toward abolishment. In addition to these aspects, tension began to emerge between the Southern and Northern states regarding slave laws. With laws such as the Compromise of 1850, Federal officials in southern and northern regions were forced to arrest fugitive slaves, or else themselves be arrested or fined (Gienapp 2001). Laws such as this caused tension with Northern individuals that believed these laws violated general human rights. In addition, there existed a growing abolitionist movement of political revolutionaries that s ought to end slavery through protesting and sometimes violent means. These

Technology as a strategic factor which helps in the development or Essay

Technology as a strategic factor which helps in the development or dismissal of subsequent firms - Essay Example The concept of disruptive innovation as rendered by Clayton M. Christensen is found to be dealt mainly on two aspects. He observed the emergence of disruptive technologies mainly along two ends-disruptions based along low ends and that emerging out from development of new markets. The first set of disruptive technologies is found to produce products which are much cheaper than those produced out of traditional technologies. Further adding to the cheapness of the product the usage of the same is also found to catch a simplistic note which is a little complex than such produced out of existing technologies. Hence products produced out of such disruptive technologies are generally found to gain market in lower economy areas. The second set of disruptive innovations is noted as such as would focus on the creation of new markets for the products which fail to be consumed by the existing market. Further such disruptive innovation helps to create a market for such people who fail to get used to the usage patterns of existing products. Thus this type of innovation helps to create a niche market for the products which were previously regarded as inconsumable. The reason for disruptive innovation practices for producing products at lower ends of the market as bringing in a holocaust for the manufacturing firm can be analysed as follows. It is found firstly that firms tend to invest more on products which are produced through the means of efficient technology and thus are expected to fetch higher returns for the company when being sold out in the market in large scales for their increasing demand. However it must be considered that the pace of emergence of new technology is much faster than that of the growth of market demands for the products. Thus secondly when the products produced out of disruptive innovation practices are rendered in the market in a spontaneous fashion the demand for such also starts rising. To this end it is found that the concern is not in a position to make

Practitioner roles in supporting learning through play

Practitioner roles in supporting learning through play This essay will identify how adults can support learning through play and will analyse the value of this approach. It will consider historical and current perspectives of child development. The key areas of discussion will be learning through role play and supporting children with additional needs. It will recognise the importance of symbolic play, contingent response and the use of sustained shared thinking. Historically children were perceived in different ways, from evil and wicked to innocent and easily corrupted. Childhood has been constructed and reconstructed. (James Prout 1997:7) The behaviourist approach, views the child as a blank slate conditioned through external factors and places an emphasis on step by step learning. Psychologists such as Watson and Skinner considered children to learn by experiences given by adults to shape or mould them. Practitioners need to explain the boundaries for behaviour to children for them to encourage self control and enable them to think about their behaviour. Giving time out has been seen to discourage this. (Bruce 2005:47) The Nativist approach believes that children are pre programmed and will unfold in their development. (Bruce 2005:3) This approach sees the adult role as a facilitator offering help but not controlling learning. Rousseaus approach can be seen in todays view of adults observing and monitoring the early learning goals. He suggested that play was instinctive. The interactionist approach views children as partly pre programmed and partly blank slates. Kant originated this approach, and believed the adults role in supporting learning was to provide a suitable learning environment to explore. He also states that adults should supervise and assist when required. This view can be seen through the curriculum today which offers both adult led and child led activities. The importance of interactions between children and adults, through sustained shared thinking, is highlighted in projects like EPPE (2003) as discussed in child and childhoods. The different approaches discussed can be seen to have had an impact in practice throughout todays education, it is important that practitioners have a good knowledge of these approaches in order to understand how best to support learning. Historically all children play unless there are factors that prevent them from doing so, such as childrens health or living conditions. During the 18th Century children were sent to work, so would have had little time to play, however, this does not mean they did not. Play in the 1920s was a form of relaxation which was considered to be practice for life. (Bruce 2005). More recent thinking understands play as problem solving and creativity. Play underpins the delivery of the statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, which aims to help children achieve the five Every Child Matters outcomes of staying safe, being healthy, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and achieving economic well being. (Dfes 2007:7) It suggests the role of the practitioner is one of observing and using the information gained to plan for childrens next steps in learning. Children need a challenging and interesting environment with a balance of adult led and child initiated activities, in order to problem solve and investigate through their play. It is the practitioners role to create and maintain this environment so that children develop their communication and creative skills. Childrens achievements are collected over time and learning diaries are produced, unlike the EYFS profiles (2003) these diaries have no emphasis put on testing children. Montessoris approach values the child, the environment and the teacher. She believed children were spontaneous learners needing adult support during periods of development. She stated the adults role was to ensure that the environment provides for the developmental needs of each individual child; observation serves as the key tool for establishing these developmental needs (Isaacs 2007:13) She believed in scaffolding childrens learning. In her opinion the role of the adult was to consider health and safety in the provision and to provide defined spaces for learning experiences and problem solving activities. She considered the child could lose their freedom if adults were too communicative with them. She stated that practitioners needed to have a sound understanding of child development and an ability to understand the need for real life experiences. Although her approach gives time for children to explore with little adult intervention she considered play to be unnecessary, believing toys were tools to enable learning. Her approach however, contrasts with the views of the EYFS, which states the importance of learning through play and the significance of social interactions between adults and children. Bruner suggests that good practitioners tune into the incipient intention of the child and act accordingly. (Bruce 2001:53) suggesting the childs developing plan or aim should be observed and then supported and encouraged. He values play and considers that when children play with other children this emphasises the importance of social and emotional well being and interactions. He stresses the importance of turn taking and social rules. He states that in a role play situation children are able to use problem solving and increase in language acquisition. He experimented using two groups; one being taught, the other playing and concluded that the group allowed to play outperformed the taught group as they were able to explore and problem solve. He views the adult role as scaffolding the child through their development by starting where the child is and supporting them to move on. A more recent view by Moyles (2001) considers there are emotional, physical and intellectual values in supporting learning through play. She describes four principles of play, as being functional, constructive, rule governed and socio-dramatic. In a recent study she found that effective practitioners are able to use their knowledge to support childrens learning by building on what children can do and by evaluating the process of observations and planning for next steps. She states that children should be supported in their play and practitioners should value the input by parents. It is important to be clear that play is not in place of planning, or indeed an easy option. Teachers TV discusses how practitioners should inform parents about the importance of play and how childrens learning can be supported. Practitioners need to communicate with children in ways they understand, if children feel secure and relaxed they will become active learners who develop independence. Adult support in Early Years education is important in that it may be the first time a child has played alongside others, Key people offer support to children and their families during their time at pre schools and work in partnership to inform planning and extend a childs interests and learning. The 1967 Plowden report considers the individual child and building on what they already know and understand. It states practitioners should have a flexible approach to the curriculum and monitor the environment. It states that play is central to childrens growth and development. The report is critical of testing and figures, stating not assume that only what is measurable is valuable. However, in 1976 the curriculum was shaped by political forces which discarded the child centred opinion of the Plowden report. The Thatcher years produced good test results in schools and with it the added pressures from OFSTED to use league tables and highlight results. New labour continued with this by introducing the literacy and numeracy hour. It was not until 20 years later that child centred education was highlighted again. The Rumbold report (Des 1990) states play as being an important part in childrens learning, and states that practitioners need to be sensitive and know when to intervene and become involved in childrens play. It states that children should be given time to play. Practitioners should watch children and use these observations to inform planning for assessment and extend learning. (Macleod-Brudenell 2004:227) In order to achieve this, the adult needs to plan the environment so children can explore, practice ideas, interact, take risks, think imaginatively, express anxieties or fears and communicate with others. Steiner considers the whole child, and believes that an important factor in childrens development is the social interactions children have with others. Through play he believes children can develop their feelings and ideas and make good relationships with others. He believes the adult should be supportive and not to use play as a tool to get a pre determined outcome as it will de prive children of freedom to choose open ended creative play. He states the adults role is to teach by example not instruction. Froebel considered the natural, spiritual, emotional and intellectual aspects of child development and states the important factor is to begin where the learner is (Bruce 2005 :26) He believed that through play the adult can observe what is needed to support and extend learning. However, Froebels work could be criticised because he limited his research to boys. He states that play is central to pedagogy. Froebel made a distinction between play and work and considers play is what children are involved in when they initiate the task and work is what they do when they fulfil a task required by an adult (Bruce 2005:19) Which shows that when a child is asked to do complete something by an adult, it means the child loses possession of their original idea. Role play can happen anywhere and is unrestrictive and impulsive. It is important for children to be able to imitate and explore the world around them. Children can be imaginative and creative in their play and escape into fantasy worlds. Children interact with each other and often play above their actual age, as suggested by Vygotsky. (MacLeod-Brudenell 2004:213) Practitioners should offer props to promote role play and through observing and supporting will have an understanding of when to become involved in their play. Inclusive practice involves practitioners offering ideas and asking open ended questions to extend childrens learning, communication and language skills. Research shows that sustained shared thinking is important in extending childrens learning and by practitioners having a special partnership with children in their settings. (EYFS 4.3) Therefore in order for the children to learn through role play adults need to respect and value the childrens play and consider the childs ideas and interests. As Inclusion is paramount to practice practitioners should be aware of discriminatory play and intervene sensitively if encountered. Sustained shared thinking is the process of working together to develop ideas and enable children to make connections in their learning. By using sustained shared thinking in play the adult can support the childs thought process. Through an awareness of the childs interests the practitioner can offer encouragement and ask open ended questions to support and extend learning. Piaget, a constructivist, considered how children played for enjoyment, and believed children assimilate or incorporate new knowledge with what they already know. This absorbing of experiences is described as schema, where patterns of repeated behaviour help the child learn. He believed children had to work through stages to learn, where they could experiment and explore. He suggested older children no longer need play as have developed abstract thinking. This view can be seen in todays education associated with key stages, where more emphasis has been given to play in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The National curriculum and EYFS reflect the Governments strategies to enable all children to access a relevant and balanced curriculum. (Moyles 2007:4) Since 1995 the law states children have to be assessed at age 7 and aged 11 and throughout the Early Years practitioners complete assessment files based on the early learning goals. Learning matters criticises Piagets approach by stating he may have lacked knowledge of the social impact, as children who are from different cultures, gender, race or social classes may need help to learn. Recent research into perspectives used in Early Years education has shown that there is a significant lack of information concerning learning through a childs viewpoint. Lindon, (2001) states practitioners should value the opinions of children and be more receptive to their views. More recent thinking by Chris Athey (1990) a constructivist, considers that schemas help children think for themselves and can be used to support and extend learning through play. She states practitioners should work in partnership with parents in sharing experiences and childrens interests. She believes children are active learners. http://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/news/719740/Train-thought (15/1/10) Vygotskys zone of proximal development considered that in play children behave beyond their age. He believed children learn more from child initiated play as he believed children set their own levels in control of learning (Bruce 2005: 64). He understood the need for an environment that had clear boundaries for children, with adults who respond effectively and help children to think for themselves. He suggests play to have the skills children need to reach their potential. He believes children acquire language and learn through role play and through social and cultural interactions, stating the role of the adult is through guidance. Learning matters is critical of Vygotsky s views of zones as they consider them to be vague in their definitions. It is understood that the zones describe the adults role in supporting and extending what the child can do. Research has shown that children develop through adults interacting with them. Adults can support learning through contingent response where adults react sensitively to childrens behaviour. Children are seen to benefit from the social and emotional contacts with adults. Practitioners should actively respond to childrens positive behaviour and play giving praise and approval. Through the use of books, media and use appropriate language and communication practitioners support play and extend learning. It has been suggested by Postman that Childhood is disappearing, children have less freedom and less places to play. TV and computer technology has advanced and children are encouraged by their parents to stay in because of parental fear for their childrens safety. However, the Governments play strategy intends to improve and develop play facilities throughout the country. Practitioners should observe and use their knowledge to plan and provide for all individual children. Children who have any additional need which may include disability or a condition that affects their learning or development may need extra help within the provision. The Childrens Act of 1989 discusses that practitioners need to identify in need children, support their development and enable all children to participate in all areas within the provision. (Bruce 2005:40). The Act states that, children in need be categorised according to their specific needs. Early years Action is based on existing knowledge within the provision. If external support is needed the child is considered to be Early Years Action Plus. Therefore, practitioners need to be able to identify and support children. Individual play plans are useful in considering intended learning objectives and desired outcomes over a short period. Through play, practitioners can identify a childs interests, adapt the environment and modify activities to support the child. With support from parents the childs development can be monitored and reviewed. It is important to monitor and evaluate the curriculum linking this with childrens individual progress. Practitioners support children by formative assessment, whereby they collect information about individual children over a period of time, and summative assessment where they bring everything learnt about each child and decide on their next steps in learning. It is important that practitioners working with other professionals communicate and share information regarding children with additional needs. Children with Autism need more adult support within a provision to enable them to learn through play. The practitioner can use symbolic play to help the child develop skills needed to extend learning, as children with autism do not tend to use pretend play they use functional or repetitive play. The adults role is very important in helping the child to focus and become motivated. The practitioner can teach social skills by involving other children in play. It is important that practitioners offer resources that promote symbolic play throughout the provision. Play therapists use symbolic play to help children cope with fears or problems, as they are able to express feelings. Research evidence shows that childrens level of involvement in an activity is an indicator of their current levels of learning and development. (Moyles 2006) However, it is important that information is collected by multiple professionals before any judgements are made. The reflective practitioner considered how an over stimulating environment as stated by Elizabeth Jarman has an adverse effect on childrens learning. Therefore practitioners need to provide an environment that is accessible for all children and is interesting and enjoyable. Through quality improvement the provision is monitored and checked to see if the Every Child Matters outcomes are covered in planning. Practitioners who regularly reflect on practice and keep up to date with research can make improvements to how observations and planning is done and therefore extend childrens learning and development through play. Recent studies have shown how observations are useful in interpreting behaviours and understanding interests. (Maynard 2009:207) It considered what children like to explore and time spent at activities, as well as the social interactions and attachments made. Although target setting and literacy and numeracy strategies have meant there are more pressures put on teaching staff and children, it has been researched that less emphasis should be put on measurable results, tick charts and making children complete activities to get results. Practitioners now observe and use these observations to inform individual planning to extend a childs learning through play. Good quality teaching occurs when there is a good knowledge of how to observe play, knowing when to intervene and how to interact to extend learning. Through quality improvement the provision is monitored to make sure the Every Child Matters Outcomes are covered in planning. In conclusion play and the adults role in supporting learning through play has extremely important benefits for childrens happiness, physical, cognitive and social development. Childcare settings should be welcoming, have sufficient resources, practitioners should be good role models and allow children time for uninterrupted play. (Bruce 2001) Research has shown that interrupting childrens play affects cooperation and social interactions. (Broadhead 2004:3) Play can happen anywhere and is unrestrictive and impulsive. Children concentrate for long periods in their play, if given time to do so. Through play children can relax and let their imaginations create anything they choose. It is known children are active learners, who learn best when allowed to become deeply involved in their chosen activities. To become independent learners practitioners should let children investigate and problem solve for themselves. (Whitebread 2003:17) With highly qualified and experienced practitioners guiding and supporting them they can experiment and develop skills needed to help them move on in their learning. Practitioners should be good role models as suggested by Owen, who nurture children and provide a stimulating environment which is free flow. Trained practitioners are aware of the individual needs of the children in their care and understand the importance of play based learning. It is therefore, the role of the practitioner to plan, support, intervene when necessary and extend childrens learning. (Macleod-Brudenell 2004:50) Practitioners who regularly monitor the provision reflect upon theories and choose which seem fit for purpose as they extend learning as learning matters describes, practitioners should consider sometimes pointing out new horizons, sometimes setting a challenge, sometimes gently guiding and sometimes leaving well alone Therefore, the practitioner has multiple roles in supporting learning through play. They are described as being facilitators enabling learning to happen. They scaffold and support learning and development. They provide an encouraging environment for learning to occur and are able to adapt responsively to the needs of individual children. However, they should have regard for maintaining a balance of adult and child led activities. It is important for practitioners to understand how children learn and the significance of theoretical approaches. They should also realise the importance of emphasising play.

Library Management System Essay

Technologies are important and helpful in everyone’s life. Schools set the various pedagogical changes to achieve the current level of education in other countries. Because of the growing numbers of computer users, this became an effective medium to demonstrate the knowledge and skills of the students. From the traditional searching process for the books in the libraries, the interactive usage of computers can be now addressed as part of the library system. Now, with the advent of such modernization in education, one way to globalize the process of research is to realize that technology is advancing at an incredibly fast pace. Technology has a systematic and organized way of keeping data records, computing numbers, accomplishing a lot of transactions and reports. A system library management system is made to have fast process transactions for searching book titles, borrowing books, returning books, computing penalties and generating an accurate report. In addition, Library is an important part of the academic sector as well as some professional sectors too like, Advocacy etc. The efficiency of a library lies in the fact how it is arranged and how easily one can get the books of their choice. Generally, what we see nowadays is the manual library management system whose process of operation is very much hectic. Library is a place in which we get information in any format and from many sources. This involves the utilization for processing, accessing and retrieving the information that can effectively support the process of student’s learning, decision- making and scholastically approaches. Because of the organized approach and systematic management of the information, the accessibility and retrieval in the library can be easy. Traditionally, library management systems are implemented manually. Forms are given to librarian and they fill them of using pens. Afterwards, the school administrators process them manually and complied on large bulky file cabinet. Indeed, the manual library system is very costly, time consuming and tedious. The primary complaint of school administrators with this system is the tiresome task of searching through records just to verify your query data. The fast phased of technology attributed a lot to the improvement of the library management system. Technology enables software developers to computerize to computerize the library system. Hence, Here in Lyceum of Alabang, the newly build library of Basic Education (exclusively for k12 lyceans) provides several of books to the students to convey information especially in their research, paper works, assignments and projects. Thus, the institution aim to supply the necessary materials to their students, the idea of library management system is introduces. A. Background of the Study Nowadays most system like library system faces some problems such as flexibility, usability and accessibility. As the times goes by, some programmers discovered a solution to aide the said problems on past. And to develop more features that can be help to the system to make it more easy to use. Lyceum of Alabang, exclusively in Basic Education Library Management System aimed to enhance the procedures of the library, manually operated to a computerized system. This proposal’s purpose was to ease the transaction in the library, i.e., lending of books, storing of books, search books and secure library system. The librarian and the library user still use the manual way of transacting of borrowing and returning of books. The librarian use log books in listing the books. They use library cards and card catalogues in searching for reading and reference materials. In order to sustain the needs of the system the developer on this system always updates and check if there are malfunctions or technical errors of the system. Before the researcher came up on this system they planned first before executing and developing this system, the researcher’s gathered information through survey if the management or students would really need this system. In addition, system structures required to achieve such design are clarified. After checking requirement specification included in the basic plan, the overview of the project is represented by the use of diagrams so that the processing and flows of data can be easily understood. B. Objectives of the Study The objective of the study was to develop a computerized system that will store the record of the students such as basic information, books record, list of borrower’s, returned books, borrowed books and prescription of the librarian. This specify following objectives of the system: a. To provide the administrator an effective way on storing and encoding all the necessary information needed from a student before letting them borrow a book. b. To design and create system that will lessen the time and effort of the administrator in their transaction. c. To quickly search the about a certain book that are still out and needed by the student who also wants to borrow a book from the library. d. To implement a modernize way of resolving inventory issues in the library. C. Scope and Limitation Important features such as the administrator would be able to get the information of the students who borrowed the books and also the inventory of books for availability purposes and monitoring of book volumes other features offers the security of the books in were the admin could easily verify if the books are return or not. User information subsystem (Collect User information from user and will save in the database) borrow a book subsystem (determine if the book is meant to be checked out) Inventory a book subsystem (Get book from user, set book/items status to â€Å"available†) Notify user book is overdue subsystem (Check if all books are accounted, issue overdue notice, look up users information). Library Management System can’t produce outputs of the data reports, can be viewed and use only by one user which is the administrator, transaction process with regards of over due of borrowing books are still in the issue of not accurately provide the exact amount of payment that the student must pay as a punishment of not returning the borrowed books on time And cannot provide the list of books that are stored inside the library system. D. Significance of the study The researchers aim to develop the manual process into computerize library system in basic education. It helps the management a lot when it comes for checking inventory of several books and to make their work more easily and conveniently. And by the use of this system the management can easily checked the books that are loaned, borrowed and identify the books which are reserved. To make it easy to search any record, to keep the data secured, to edit the records and update the database easily, to make the backup easily, to minimize the duplication of data and to make the system user friendly which more easy to use and the operator will feel no difficulty. Chapter 2 Research Methodology This chapter starts on the discussion about the project research design methodology. The second part presents the development of the system. The third part tells the operation, process and testing. The last parts discuss the evaluation procedure. Project Development The system Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a conceptual model used in project management that describes the stages involved in an information system development project from an initial feasibility study through maintenance of the completed application. Various SDLC methodologies have been developed to guide the processes involved including the waterfall model.(the original SDLC method ) rapid application development (RAD) joint application development (JAD) the fountain model and the spiral model. Mostly, several models are combined into some sort of hybrid methodology. Documentation is crucial regardless of the type of model chosen or devised for process. Some methods work better for specific types of projects, but in the final analysis, the most important factor for the success of a project may be how closely particular plan was followed. Project Design Planning In planning, the researchers conducted an interview to the client to gather some information about on how the librarians manage the books, borrowed books. Returned books, all record of the student. It is observed that the librarian writes the records manually of every student who borrowed or returned the Books. The student uses the form given by the librarian. Analysis Base on the proposed Computerized Library System is designed purely from the user’s viewpoint considering the constraints of hardware (such as computers). In addition, system structures required to achieve such design are clarified. After checking requirement specification included in the basic plan, the overview of the project is represented by the use of diagrams so that the processing and flows of data can be easily understood. Designing The software design specifically targeted to librarian of the researchers used a user friendly design to attract the user to use the new automated system. Here the system was the system designed purely from the user’s viewpoint without considering the constraints of hardware (such as computers). In addition, system structures required to achieve such design are clarified. After checking the requirement specification included in the planning, the overview of the system represented by the use of diagrams so that the processed of data can be easily understood. Based on the representation, the division into sub system and input output designing was performed. The entire project was divided into a number of modules on a functional basis, and each module was further divided into smaller units. The designing of the code, such as the determination of a coding system, was conducted. In addition, relationships between the data were analyzed. Software Development Coding In the development of the system, the researcher’s made used of Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 for encoding source code of the system, in order to be accurate and fast acquisition of data/information. Testing The researcher’s installs the new System. The researchers encountered problems while processing it for the first time but after several weeks the system has been successful and introduced it to the respondents. Operating The researcher’s were responsible for conducting an operation test. The researcher’s conducted a test under the actual operation conditions, and verified that the system satisfies the required specification. Because this test was intended to have a developed system accepted by the user, it was called an approval test or an acceptance test. The researcher’s conducted an operation test by running a program on a machine being used for actual operations. Maintenance The researchers conducted maintenance in software to correct faults, to maintain performance or other attributes. The researchers common perception of maintenance merely involves fixing detect. The researcher’s maintenance management system allows segment chiefs to plan maintenance work on fixed assets, such as equipment, machinery and property. The researcher’s came up with this library management system to provide easier, faster and effective way on monitoring the transaction of borrowed books and books that are being returned by the borrowers. This system offers the best way to check the quantity, availability and the full information about the books that are stored on the library system database. This system provides the best way to solve the quantity redundancy of books available on the library storage. In order to sustain the needs of the students in basic education the researcher’s propose this system to lessen the burdens of the management as well as the students. Based on Observation Observation is either an activity of a living being, such as a human, consisting of receiving knowledge of the outside world through the senses, or the recording of data using scientific instruments. The term may also refer to any data collected during this activity. As the researcher’s observed about the manual process it take a long time to borrow a book(s) or return a book(s) and its very hard to the management to check or inventory the books. Survey Data collection tool used to gather information about individuals. Surveys are commonly used in research to collect self-report data from study participants. A survey may focus on factual information about individuals, or it might aim the collect the opinions of the survey takers. The researcher’s gathered information from the students as well as the librarian and they’re in favor of having computerize library system. Interview An interview is a conversation between two or more people where questions are asked by the interviewer to elicit facts or statements from the interviewee. The Researcher’s interviewed the management and the students about the transaction of the books in the library they both agreed about the system because of the slow process of transaction. According to Ms. Aurora, the librarian she suffered on checking inventory of the books and determined the author in each books. Sometime she encountered of misplacing the logbook and she don’t know what to do. And she finally thankful to the researcher’s of having computerizing system. In this figure it shows the slow process of the borrowing book(s), after the borrower will get the book they will need to wait until the administrator will finalize and release the book(s). The only problem of this manual process when there are more students or faculty that will borrowed a book and there is only one administrator. They need to wait the books for a long time just because of this process. Registration by the use of library card, the students of faculty will just register once when they borrowed or returned a book. B. Proposed System Structure Library Management System is a computerize system proposed by the researchers to access quickly the records and updates. The data will be much secure from any unauthorized access. It will be made secure by using passwords and by taking other security measures. Records will be easily edited and the database will easily be updated at the time of entering a record. The Library Management System is designed for managing various activities of â€Å"Lyceum of Alabang exclusively in Basic Education†. Since library has a very large number of books and a large number of members, it is very hard for librarian to manage day to day activities manually. It keep track like categorizing of books, books that are requested by the students, books that are issued to students, details of students who borrowed the books. The system allows the administrator to interact within the system managing student’s record (adding student records, deleting records and modifying records of the students), organizing book details (add book details, delete book details and modify book details). While the students and faculty allows only searching a book(s) without registration. The librarian will get the information of the borrower when they loaned out the book(s), they need to fill up the requirements in order continue the process of the system. In this figure it illustrates how the management system works. First the Librarian must log in to enter the system, the librarian also tasked to update the books by deleting or adding books, Monitoring borrowed and returned books, Issued books for the students or faculty and data report for checking the inventory. Figure 1.3 Library Management System Use case process This figure illustrates how the system interacts between the administrator and users. This clearly shows how the users managed to remove or delete accounts and also how users add new account on this management system. This figure explains the librarian’s access to different data reports including list of all books returned and borrowed, also copies of different books available inside the library system. Figure 1.4 Library Management System VTOC In this figure 1.4 it show the librarian interacting within the system by searching, borrowing and returning books. The librarian liable of updating books, monitoring books, Issued books for students and making data Report. Flow Chart Figure 1.5 Library Management System Process In this figure it illustrates the Library Management System Process by inputting username and password of the librarian for security if the librarian didn’t match the password it back to the log in form and if the librarian matches the password that can be found in data base it will automatically appear the home page. The librarian can now update, monitor the borrow books, return books and due books. And can view the books available as well as the student’s borrowers. Sample Form about the Library Management System Figure 1.0 Books Information In this figure 1.0 the books information show the contents of book number, title, Author, publisher, copyright, ISBN, no. of copy, volume, edition and type. In this form the administrator allow to save new books on the data base to maintain the updates of the system. Figure 1.0 Borrower’s Information In this form it show the borrowers information it has ID Number, first name, middle name, last name and address. It allows the administrator to put the information of the borrowers of the book. And by using the old borrower’s radio button it will allow the administrator to search by inputting the ID number which is the student number of the students. Figure 1.0 Borrowing Book(s) In this figure 1.0 the Borrowing book(s) can be located at the transaction area. By inputting on the searching string it will search on the data base where the books are stored. In this form also included the list of borrowed books and list of unreturned books. After pressing the search button, all the books that are related to the book(s) that you’re seeking it will appear on the list box. Figure 1.0 List of Book(s) This section is were you can view and check the records of the books available on this library computer system and it also gives the administrator the option whether to print the records of the remaining copies of the books or not. Figure 1.0 List of Borrowers In this section the system provides the administrator the power to view and check the list of students who borrowed from the library and gives the option to whether print the names of the borrowers or not. Figure 1.0 List of return and unreturned books In this area it shows to functions of the library system the one on the left pane is the area in were you can view and check the list of unreturned books and to on the other side is the area in were you can input the number id and the system will automatically shows the information about who borrowed the books and the whole information of the books including the titles and authors. Chapter 5 Summary and Recommendation In this chapter explains the summary of the findings from the evaluation of the system and recommendation future enhancement of the system. The last part of this chapter, however, discusses the possible recommendations for the system such as platform of software development or adding feature into the system. Summary The developed system is largely attributed to the concept of RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) and MySQL (Standard Query Language) database Programming. An open source RDBMS which provides robust functionalities for managing information. The program was developed under the Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 which was found out to be more suitable when image processing and database programming is computerize system. Library management system is designed & developed for a receipt and issuance of books in the library along with the student’s details. This project gives complete information about the library. We can enter the record of new books and retrieve the details of books available in the library. We can issue the books to the students and maintain their records and can also check how many books are issued and stock available in the library. In this project we can maintain the late fine of students who returns the issued books after the due date. The software design specifically targeted to librarian of the researchers used a user friendly design to attract the user to use the new automated system. Here the system was the system designed purely from the user’s viewpoint without considering the constraints of hardware. Recommendation Base on the summary of result, the proponents suggested the following modification of the system for the best performance and improve its efficiency and functionality. a. The system must be automated so that it is quicker than this computerized system. b. RFID bar code must be applicable to enhance more the system. c. Integrate proximity card and detectors to monitor the number of library users either borrowing books or those who are doing other things inside the library. d. Apply encryption algorithm into the records before saving it into the database. e. Providing fines to each borrower’s base on the due dates f. Must be on LAN connection.