The History of Digital Photography Essay Example

The History of Digital Photography Paper Digital photography has been around for a few years now, but only recently have prices dropped low enough to make digital cameras a reality for the middle class America.The process originated within the Defense Department during the Cold War, and has improved immensely sense then.Digital photography is a method of taking pictures without the hassle or cost of film and developing time.It has also made taking pictures so much easier, not only for consumers but for businesses as well.The invention of the computer has brought the world of technology so far ahead, that most people cant even keep up.The recent invention of the digital camera, has made it possible for an overseas company to show its local branches its daily progress, or for grandparents around the world to watch there grandchildren to grow up.Digital photography has been widely used in advertising and graphic design sense the late 1990s, and has quickly replaced traditional photography in many areas inclu! By pushing the sh utter button on a digital camera you instruct a machine called a scanner to record a visual image, which it then converts it into a code of ones and zeroes that a computer can read.After being converted it is then saved on a computer chip where it is stored until it is downloaded or erased.After you have taken your pictures you then attach the camera or the card, depending on the type of setup you have, to the computer to download the image.There are many programs on the market today, which aid in the transferring process.Once you have downloaded the image to your computer there are many possibilities for it.It can then be printed, used in a WebPage, or manipulated by means of various computer programs, such as Adobe PhotoShop, for advertising and promotional purposes. Digital cameras are now available for both professional photographers and amateur enthusiasts.

Free Essays on Social Pressures In “The Japanese Quince“

Social Pressures in â€Å"The Japanese Quince† In the early 1900s, there were many social classes and each person in that class was expected to abide by its rules. â€Å"The Japanese Quince† takes place in an area called â€Å"The City†, which was the financial and commercial center of London and was also a very distinct area for social classes. Mr. Nilson, a businessman, is restricted by certain social rules as he meets another businessman, Mr. Tandrum, in a garden while admiring a beautiful tree. These certain social pressures have an effect on Mr. Nilson in this story. One of these social pressures that affects Mr. Nilson is the social formality of being properly introduced to another person. His relationship with Mr. Tandrum is that they are neighbor and see each other every day but have never really been formal introduce to each other. When they both meet each other in the garden, they converse with each other by use of â€Å"small talk† instead of having a good conversation because of this social rule. Although they alike in so many ways and would probably become friends, the pressures from their society prevents this from ever becoming reality. In the end, they will never know if they could have become great friends because of this certain rule. Because of another pressure from Mr. Nilson social class, he can never show his emotions in public. The reason for this is his respected profession of being a businessman. In this society, businessmen were usually part of the upper middle class, which probably had one of the harshest social rules for being proper in public. In turn, Mr. Nilson probably could not express his emotions for the beauty of the tree while Mr. Tandrum was standing next to him. However, he expressed his true emotions while he was alone in the garden for a while stating that a spring day like this could not be any more perfect and beautiful. This explains how much he cared about protecting his image ... Free Essays on Social Pressures In â€Å"The Japanese Quinceâ€Å" Free Essays on Social Pressures In â€Å"The Japanese Quinceâ€Å" Social Pressures in â€Å"The Japanese Quince† In the early 1900s, there were many social classes and each person in that class was expected to abide by its rules. â€Å"The Japanese Quince† takes place in an area called â€Å"The City†, which was the financial and commercial center of London and was also a very distinct area for social classes. Mr. Nilson, a businessman, is restricted by certain social rules as he meets another businessman, Mr. Tandrum, in a garden while admiring a beautiful tree. These certain social pressures have an effect on Mr. Nilson in this story. One of these social pressures that affects Mr. Nilson is the social formality of being properly introduced to another person. His relationship with Mr. Tandrum is that they are neighbor and see each other every day but have never really been formal introduce to each other. When they both meet each other in the garden, they converse with each other by use of â€Å"small talk† instead of having a good conversation because of this social rule. Although they alike in so many ways and would probably become friends, the pressures from their society prevents this from ever becoming reality. In the end, they will never know if they could have become great friends because of this certain rule. Because of another pressure from Mr. Nilson social class, he can never show his emotions in public. The reason for this is his respected profession of being a businessman. In this society, businessmen were usually part of the upper middle class, which probably had one of the harshest social rules for being proper in public. In turn, Mr. Nilson probably could not express his emotions for the beauty of the tree while Mr. Tandrum was standing next to him. However, he expressed his true emotions while he was alone in the garden for a while stating that a spring day like this could not be any more perfect and beautiful. This explains how much he cared about protecting his image ...

Pushing Tin Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Pushing Tin - Movie Review Example Although Nick is a happily married man to a sweet wife Connie, he falls for Bells wife when he met her at a supermarket. Nick has a sincere character full of intelligence that enables him get on the track, through Bell’s help after her wife leaves him. The movie unravels several stress levels experienced by a diverse workforce. The changing times of globalisation comes with added demands on the workers to perform more duties diligently at the same pay as before. Integrated stress model describes stressors as occurring in workplaces, which include nonworking experiences, and during major life transitions (Edward 410). Lazarus and Folkman as quoted by NEIU argue that stressors are life experiences or circumstances that threaten a major goal including maintenance of ones physical integrity and psychological well being (Kemeny 1). Stressors affect various cognition states causing anxiety, sadness, frustration, helplessness, and an overwhelmed self-being. The model advocates for filtering stressors in that a stressor can be exciting to one person and harmful to another. In addition, the model suggests personality, skills, family health history, demographics, diet, and physical fitness as some moderators of stress. From the movie Pushing Tin, Nick’s skills make him outstanding on a job that has so much pressure. When the airline management decides to layoff other air controllers, Nick manages to keep his job. He boasts of his ability to handle intense stress in a job that has a very high percentage of staff turnovers. Integrated model helps us explain why two individuals subjected to similar stressful work conditions will behave differently. While the job conditions excite and work well for Nick, the same conditions are so adverse to other air controllers and they have to quick job. Nick has special capabilities and resilience that makes him stand out. In the same stressful working conditions, Bell comes in and outperforms

Critically Assess the Personality (or Psychological) Traits Approach Essay

Critically Assess the Personality (or Psychological) Traits Approach to Explaining Entrepreneurship - Essay Example There is a positive link associating the environment and prevailing situation, and the characteristics needed in entrepreneurship, because personalities or characteristics of an individual are linked with the environment (Littunen, 2000). Therefore, based on this idea, experiences and further changes in the person’s life are crucial to the understanding of personality and entrepreneurship as well. In this paper, the proponent critically assesses the personality (or psychological) traits approach to explaining entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs and the development of their personality traits Personality is defined as an individual’s pattern of behaviours that differentiate him or her from the other, creating certain uniqueness on that person (Feldman, 2003). There are varying psychological approaches in understanding personality and from psychoanalytic perspective, each personality is a significant effect of unconscious forces. These unconscious forces are integral parts of individual’s personality that could potentially determine behaviour. However, aside from this approach, there are still varying theories aiming to identify or understand what personality is all about and that includes the idea of understanding the interplay between the individual and environment (Feldman, 2003). It is important to understand that entrepreneurship is specifically an activity that is created in a business environment where an entrepreneur has the ability or even a chance to develop personal traits in the process in order to be successful in conducting or running an enterprise. In other words, there is a great possible reason to believe that creativity for instance can be learned along the process in conducting or doing a business because it could substantially promise an individual on how to successfully obtain his or her objectives. Moreover, it is possible to obtain the fact that it is not necessary to carry certain personality traits that successful busines s persons posses prior to venturing into business just to be successful. After all, business could be a series of trial and error in which along the process, an individual may find an opportunity to develop special skills or even personalities that could lead him or her to success in business. In the study of Littunen (2000), entrepreneurship was found to have an effect on the personality characteristics of the entrepreneur. On this ground, there is a significant reason to use individual’s characteristics in explaining what entrepreneurship is all about. After all, entrepreneurship could potentially develop certain characteristics and this would mean there is something powerful force about it that could substantially change a person. In great important detail, entrepreneurship enhances a person’s potential in the enterprise. In other words, entrepreneurship is a potential training ground for an entrepreneur to enhance more specific character or personality traits. This specifically proves that personality can be acquired aside from the fact that some theories potentially suggest that it could be innate at some point (Feldman, 2003). Although it was strongly argued that personality is innate based on the basic understanding on the twins’ personalities, there are substantial studies which can also prove that it can be learned through a person’s experience (Jacoby and Youngson, 2004). The following are specific examples

The Accountability Strategy read chapter 8 Article

The Accountability Strategy read chapter 8 - Article Example To measure activities used in teaching mathematics in a school, the most important measure involves imparting new skills thus the need to evaluate the learning resources applied by the teacher. There is also need to assess the amount of time spent in effective instruction and the means used. For example hands-on learning is more effective, thus by this assessment, activities can be measured. In measuring output, keys aspects to look into entail, attendance can be used as a measure since high attendance of the lesson indicates interest, while the outcomes can be measured against the objectives of the lesson, which in this case would be application question in a test depicting real life events. This is particularly possible in algebra lessons, which are both abstract and applicable. Therefore, effectiveness can be measured using the amount of time spent teaching and this can then be put against the goals and objectives. More time with poor results indicate low efficiency, while less time and better results indicates otherwise. Collection of information about efficiency, output, outcome and activities can be obtained from official records since all teachers are required to keep records of the work they have taught. As such, this makes it easy to obtain information unless the data is confidential, as is the case with test scores. If the names of students are not required, then the acquisition of this data becomes fairly easy. Collection of data is meant to evaluate effectiveness of methods of teaching and the resources allocated to the teacher, as well as the time taken to teach (Berman, 2006 pg. 150). As a result, the most important aspect of the data is in the learning outcomes, where learning outcomes take centre stage. This affects the choice of performance measure in that the outcome has to be reflected on most in spite of the purposes overlapping. The difference between accomplishments and activities is narrow as there is

The Constant Struggle :: English Literature

The Constant Struggle â€Å"To be or not to be, that is the question.† Indeed, this is the question Barbara constantly asks herself, whether or not she has to be a responsible mom to Jodie, or to try and have a life of her own. In the short story â€Å"Over the Hill† by Lynne Schwartz, Barbara is a single mother struggling between the difficult tasks of being a mom and of being a single adult. Barbara faces a dilemma that many other single parents also faces, and that is their desire to date other people because they don’t want to be a single parent for the rest of their lives. However, her responsibility as a single mom doesn’t always allow her to do that. As a result, Barbara is a responsible, fun loving mother torn between her duty to her daughter and her need for adult companionship. Like many other single parents around the world, the income Barbara makes is not always enough to take care of her family. Consequently, being the responsible mom that she is, Barbara is â€Å"taking a short course, one night a week† on bartending along with her friend Pat in hopes of having a supplementary source of money (pg 208). They think that they could â€Å"make a lot of money on the side doing bartending at fancy parties† (pg 208). Barbara hopes that her income working as a â€Å"draftsperson in an architect’s office† in addition to the bartending money she hopes on making will be enough to support her family (pg 208). Although Barbara thinks that â€Å"under certain circumstances abortion might be a good idea†, she did not get an abortion when she was pregnant with Jodie (pg 209). Why didn’t she get an abortion? Barbara didn’t get an abortion because she is a dependable person that takes responsibilities for her own actions, even though she knows that her life would be utterly transformed when she becomes a single mother. Although Barbara feels depressed at the end of the night when she thinks that James isn’t coming over, she still plays her role as the responsible mother and reminds Jodie that she â€Å"should be going to bed,† because she has a â€Å"dentist appointment tomorrow† (pg 217). By trying to make more money, not getting an abortion when she was pregnant with Jodie, and reminding Jodie that she has a dentist appointment the next day even though she’s depressed about James shows just how dedicated and responsible Barbara is to being a mother. In addition to being a responsible mother, Barbara is also very fun loving. She enjoys â€Å"fooling around with shakers and glasses like kids

Moral Theories: Kant and J.S Mill Essay

Throughout this paper, I will contrast and compare two moral theories in attempt to uncover what one provides a better argument and can be applied as a universal moral code. The two moral theorists Immanuel Kant and J.S Mill have created two distinctly different theories on morality and how to develop a universal moral code. Both theories focus on intentions and consequences. Kant believes that the intentions and reasons of our actions can be measured and defined as morally correct, where as Mill believes that our intentions really play no role in morality, and that we should focus on the consequences and outcomes of our actions to evoke the most happiness for the most people. Even though both philosophers make incredibly different points, each encompasses strong arguments as well as issues with their approach. However, Kant will be successful in articulating a better universal moral theory through the use of his categorical imperative. Immanuel Kant and his Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals (1785) attempts to uncover a universal moral principal for all to use. According to Kant, we aren’t only knower’s, we are also doers as we act and make certain decisions in the world. He wants to know what decisions we should make and how should we treat people in this diverse world. He contemplates the use of internal feelings of approval or disapproval to know when something is right or wrong, but deems there are many problems with this has feelings are always changing. Kant believes that goodwill and goodwill alone is good in itself without qualification. â€Å"Understanding, wit, the power of judgment, and like talents of the mind, whatever they might be called, or courage, resoluteness, persistence in an intention, as qualities of temperament, are without doubt in some respects good and to be wished for; but they can also become extremely evil and harmful, if the will that is to make use of these gifts of nature, and whose peculiar constitution is therefore called character, is not good.† (Kant, 1785) In this quote, Kant is saying that even though there are characteristics that are seemingly good such as intelligence and courage, if these things can be used for evil, they are not within itself without qualification good. So good will is the only thing good and is the basis of Kant’s moral philosophy. Essentially, Kant’s goes  on to explain that even if you produce a positive outcome with your action, if it lacked goodwill as an intention, it meets the criteria of a moral action, but is not good in itself. â€Å"The good will is good not through what it effects or accomplishes, not through its efficacy for attaining any intended end, but only through its willing, i.e., good in itself, and considered for itself, without comparison, it is to be estimated far higher than anything that could be brought about by it in favor of any inclination, or indeed, if you p refer, of the sum of all inclinations.† (Kant, 1785) Therefore it’s neither the outcome nor the effect of the action, it’s the inner state of the will itself that determines morality. Kant describes two types of imperatives that can be used to evaluate intentions. The first is hypothetical imperatives, which apply to someone who is dependent on having certain ends to the action. Example, a person may act in a certain way only to receive something in return. Kant’s Categorical Imperative is the one he uses to evaluate motives of actions. The categorical imperative is absolute, universal, unconditional commands and can be defined by â€Å"Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law†. According to Kant, reasons and motives are everything and count far more than the action itself. If you act in goodwill, it is moral. Even if the action causes unintended harm, if it had good intentions and that alone, it is moral. I agree with much of his theory and how we ought to act in ways that only have the best intentions behind them by acting in goodwill. The problem with Kant’s moral theory is that, even though it is important and necessary to act in goodwill, to disregard a positive, good action just because it lacks solely good intentions is flawed in my opinion. Even though Kant does acknowledge that behaviour and actions that produce a good outcome or consequence is in fact aligned with morality, he believes if you do anything that benefits you is wrong. As a personal example, I volunteer and produce ‘good’ actions because not only do I know it is right, or the good thing to do, but it gives me a sense of purpose. I feel good putting people before myself. Some people will do nice things for others because it makes them feel good as well. In my opinion, if people love to help others and act in  ethically sound ways because it gives them a feeling of approval, and the action is causing a positive consequence, that should be moral. It should be a wonderful thing that mankind can actually have feel good chemicals run through there body when assisting humanity. Kant should take this into consideration that if we feel good acting in good ways, it is more likely to be sustainable. John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham have been recognized as the founders of Utilitarianism. Contrary to Kant’s moral theories, Utilitarian’s would disagree with most of Kant’s theory. While Kant believed that it is the intention of the action that should be recognized as moral or unmoral, J.S Mill and Bentham would say that it is in fact the outcome of said action that determines morality. Mill attempts to settle disputes about right and wrong with his theory of â€Å"Utilitarianism†, which is his moral theory that is based on the â€Å"greatest happiness for the greatest number of people†. Mill believes that actions are morally sound or unsound in proportion to how much happiness is produced. He defines happiness as pleasure and the absence of pain and believes that happiness is the sole basis of morality. Mill says that our actions have a teleological structure to them, and introduces the principal of utility, which states that actions are right as long as they promote happiness of pleasure, and are wrong is the actions tend to cause unhappiness or pain. However, Mill argues in his work that pleasure can differ in quality and quantity. Bentham offers a hedonistic calculus as a way of quantifying happiness or pleasure. He lists 6 hedonistic measurements as criteria; intensity, duration, proximity or remoteness, fecundity, purity and extent. Most of our society’s laws, rules and regulations can be compared to utilitarian principals as it very effective to think in terms of what is best for the greatest amount of people. Although Mill makes very good conclusions and has done a relatively good job at developing a universal moral code, there are some issues with his theory. The problem with J.S Mill’s Utilitarianism theory is that it is a moral based primarily on  happiness. The standard of happiness cannot be measured for everything and is much more complex than Mill expresses it to be in his theory. Not everyone’s definition of happiness will be the same, and in many cases, one person’s happiness is not the same as another’s. Therefore, there can be huge conflict depending on different people. Both moral theories have very strong points and in theory, can be used as universal moral principals. However, each argument from both Kant and the Utilitarian’s have problems with them and weak points. I personally believe that both theorists make good points. I agree with Kant in that morality is defined by intentions and that we ought to have goodwill and good intentions that follow the categorical imperative, however disagree in that if we do anything to better ourselves that it is no longer morally correct. With utilitarianism, I strongly believe that we should be looking out for the greatest good for the greatest amount of people, but strongly disagree with that personal happiness should be the measurement. As a selfish, entitled society, I believe that solely acting out of happiness could be detrimental to the well-being of the planet. In conclusion, I believe that Kant’s moral theory is the best. Even though our society can be deemed at utilitarian and Mill does make strong points, I personally believe that Kant’s morals, when applied and taken seriously, could become a solid universal moral code. Work Cited: Kant, Immanuel & Wood, Allen (2002). Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. Retrieved from http://www.inp.uw.edu.pl/mdsie/Political_Thought/Kant%20-%20groundwork%20for%20the%20metaphysics%20of%20morals%20with%20essays.pdf Notes from class -Lesson on Kant -Lesson on Utilitarianism

Menes - Legend of the First King of Egypt

Menes - Legend of the First King of Egypt In Egyptian legend, the first king of Egypt was Menes. At least, Menes is the form of the kings name that was used by the 3rd century B.C. historian Manetho. Two other first dynasty kings names are associated with Menes, Narmer (as in the Narmer Palette) and Aha. The Greek historian Herodotus calls Menes Min. The Jewish historian Josephus calls him Minaios and the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus refers to him as Manas. There are various etymologies for the name, including an attempt to connect Menes with the name of the city he founded, Memphis, which he reclaimed by means of dam construction. Diodorus Siculus refers to Manas as the first law-giver. Menes is credited with introducing papyrus and writing (Pliny), founding cities, building dikes and more. Manetho says Menes dynasty had 8 kings and that a hippopotamus carried off Menes at the end of his life. How Menes died is part of his legend, with the hippopotamus version being only one possibility. Pharaoh Menes death after an anaphylactic reaction - the end of a myth says Diodorus Siculus wrote he was chased by dogs, fell into a lake, and was rescued by crocodiles, leading scholars to think possibilities include death by dogs and crocodile. The article, as is fitting an article on the topic of allergy, explains why some think Menes was killed by an allergic reaction to a wasp sting. Source: Steve Vinson Menes The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt. Ed. Donald B. Redford, Oxford University Press, Inc., Pharaoh Menes death after an anaphylactic reaction - the end of a myth, by J. W. Krombach, S. Kampe, C. A. Keller, and P. M. Wright, [Allergy Volume 59, Issue 11, pages 1234-1235, November 2004] Go to Other Ancient / Classical History Glossary pages beginning with the letter a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | wxyz

Free Essays on U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Supreme Court U. S. v. UNION PAC. R. CO., 226 U.S. 61 (1912) 226 U.S. 61 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Appt., v. UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY et al. No. 446. Argued April 19, 22, and 23, 1912. Decided December 2, 1912. [226 U.S. 61, 64] Attorney General Wickersham and Messrs. Cordenio A. Severance and Frank B. Kellogg, Special Assistants to the Attorney General, for appellant. [226 U.S. 61, 68] Messrs. P. F. Dunne and N. H. Loomis for appellees. Mr. Paul D. Cravath for appellees Jacob H. Schiff and Otto H. Kahn. Mr. James M. Beck for appellee James Stillman. Messrs. H. F. Stambaugh and D. T. Watson for appellee Henry C. Frick. [226 U.S. 61, 79] Mr. Justice Day delivered the opinion of the court: The case was begun in the United States circuit court for the district of Utah to enforce the provisions of the so-called Sherman anti- trust act of 1890 (26 Stat. at L. 209, chap. 647, U. S. Comp Stat. 1901, p. 3200) against certain alleged conspiracies and combinations in restraint of interstate commerce. The case in its principal aspect grew out of the purchase by the Union Pacific Railroad Company in the month of February, 1901, of certain shares of the capital stock of the Southern Pacific Company from the devisees under the will of the late Collis P. Huntington, who had formerly owned the stock. Other shares of Southern Pacific stock were acquired at the same time, the holding of the Union Pacific amounting to 750,000 shares, or about 37 1/2 per cent (subsequently increased to 46 per cent) of the outstanding stock of the Southern Pacific Company. The stock is held for the Union Pacific Company by one of its proprietary companies, the Oregon Short Line Railroad Company. T! he government contends that the domination over and control of the Southern Pacific Company given to the Union Pacific Company by this purchase of stock brings the transaction within the terms of the antitr... Free Essays on U.S. Supreme Court Free Essays on U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Supreme Court U. S. v. UNION PAC. R. CO., 226 U.S. 61 (1912) 226 U.S. 61 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Appt., v. UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY et al. No. 446. Argued April 19, 22, and 23, 1912. Decided December 2, 1912. [226 U.S. 61, 64] Attorney General Wickersham and Messrs. Cordenio A. Severance and Frank B. Kellogg, Special Assistants to the Attorney General, for appellant. [226 U.S. 61, 68] Messrs. P. F. Dunne and N. H. Loomis for appellees. Mr. Paul D. Cravath for appellees Jacob H. Schiff and Otto H. Kahn. Mr. James M. Beck for appellee James Stillman. Messrs. H. F. Stambaugh and D. T. Watson for appellee Henry C. Frick. [226 U.S. 61, 79] Mr. Justice Day delivered the opinion of the court: The case was begun in the United States circuit court for the district of Utah to enforce the provisions of the so-called Sherman anti- trust act of 1890 (26 Stat. at L. 209, chap. 647, U. S. Comp Stat. 1901, p. 3200) against certain alleged conspiracies and combinations in restraint of interstate commerce. The case in its principal aspect grew out of the purchase by the Union Pacific Railroad Company in the month of February, 1901, of certain shares of the capital stock of the Southern Pacific Company from the devisees under the will of the late Collis P. Huntington, who had formerly owned the stock. Other shares of Southern Pacific stock were acquired at the same time, the holding of the Union Pacific amounting to 750,000 shares, or about 37 1/2 per cent (subsequently increased to 46 per cent) of the outstanding stock of the Southern Pacific Company. The stock is held for the Union Pacific Company by one of its proprietary companies, the Oregon Short Line Railroad Company. T! he government contends that the domination over and control of the Southern Pacific Company given to the Union Pacific Company by this purchase of stock brings the transaction within the terms of the antitr...

Critique of the Article Evaluating Workplace English Programs Essay

Critique of the Article Evaluating Workplace English Programs - Essay Example The authors set the context for the article by describing a boom in the provision of workplace English classes which occurred between 1988 and 1994 when the US Department of Education committed some 133 million dollars to such programs with a view to â€Å"better the workers’ reading, writing, and communication skills, which would lead to improved worker productivity.† (Ekkens and Winke, 2006, p. 267) The funding ceased, leaving individual companies with the costs of continuing this initiative, and also with the task of ensuring the suitability and the quality of provision for their own specific needs. While larger companies can afford to hire a specialist service provider to deliver and monitor programs, smaller companies are often in some difficulty with this complex task. The article addresses the need to identify practical and efficient ways of judging the progress that workplace learners of English make. One issue which causes difficulty is the proliferation of sta ndardized tests which could be used to evaluate workplace English programs. The authors list five professionally produced and standardized tests, each of which specifies that training in the testing method must be undertaken before the tests are administered. This in turn implies high costs either in training such personnel or in hiring such staff to undertake the work. The focus of these five is national and general, rather than local and specific which raises the issue of whether they are in fact at all suitable for the needs of small and tightly focused companies which may have priorities and conditions quite different from those of the national testing bodies. So far the authors have outlined the context well, and have identified some of the practical difficulties that practitioners in the field encounter. The literature review at the start of the article summarizes the work of Sticht (1999) on the gap between what testing systems test, and what participants in English language courses and their companies actually require in terms of day to day demands of the job. A case is made for more personalized assessment methods such as â€Å"portfolios, journals, observations checklists, ans diaries† (Ekkens & Winke, 2006, p. 269) following research with a pedagogic rather than quality control focus (Huerta-Macias, 1995; Grognet, 1996 and 1997; Shohamy, 2001). Although this research shows that there are clear benefits for individual learners, in terms of becoming more aware of and taking responsibility for their own learning progress, and there are some other advantages such as a rise in learner self-esteem, the authors note that these methods take more time to develop, operate and score, and most significant of all for workplace learning providers, they are often not recognized by funding bodies. Critics of these alternative assessment methods maintain that they are too subjective and therefore unreliable as measures of progress or predictors of workplace s uccess (Brantmeier, 2006). The authors cite an interesting article by Peirce, Swain and Hart (1993) but do not take full account of this article’s insights, albeit in a context of Swedish students learning French, into the serious discrepancy that exists between learners’ own assessment when compared with formal tests. The article formulates the research question very

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 18

Summary - Essay Example consider different stakeholders involved in tourism industry; government and tourism industry have a strong influence of content of education in tourism. Tourism higher education is strongly connected to tourism industry, which consists of small private business units. Currently, most of them employ unskilled or low-skilled workers because of the lack of educated staff initialling the need in tourism higher education. At the same time, reviewing different studies, Ayikoru, Tribe & Airey (2009) that as a young field of research and educational program, tourism higher education faces several issues. In many cases a degree in tourism is not required by most employers because they do not think it is necessary. Finally, employers do not rush to hire graduates who have those degrees. All these issues in tourism higher education undergo changes under ideological influences which come from their environment. Previously researchers focused on the development of tourism higher education by their trials to integrate different approaches to content of education and curriculum design. They applied marketing approach to tourism curricula and designed appropriate four year program. They advocated that it was necessary to engage tourism professionals to education in order to tie those curricula to life. Overall, all precious studies in tourism education manifested this sphere as a branch of business. At the same time, ideology in context of tourism higher education was not studies in detail. Ayikoru, Tribe & Airey (2009) fill this gap by their extensive research explaining what influences the aims and their representation in this sphere of education. Government, which is the main representative of ideology in any country, has a direct influence on education. Government creates norms which are applied to different institution including tourism education. These norms render particular values which redefine important elements of education. These ideological implications influence