...should never be taken for granted. Books of all kinds are an essential part of children’s development. The more books we expose and enjoy with our children the more they develop, learn and grow. Taking away or banning a book goes directly against our right to read and our right to choose. What children are exposed to should be the decision of the individual families. Monitoring books for violent and offensive material should be the job of the parents or care givers. Censorship should be the responsibility of no one. Determining whether material is offensive or not is very subjective. What may be considered offensive to one family may not be offensive to another family due to their different life experiences. Starting to label and categorize books as appropriate or not directly affects our rights as Canadians to choose, and the dangerous thing about that is where will it stop. "Human rights commissions, as they are evolving, are an attack on our fundamental freedoms and the basic existence of a democratic society … It is in fact totalitarianism. I find this is very scary stuff.” (Prime Minister Stephen Harper ^ BC Report Newsmagazine, January 11, 1999) What motivates people to ban books is not clear; however, it is almost always to protect children from frightening or controversial ideas, or non-age appropriate material. Although censoring books is motivated by good intentions the challenging part is that not everyone agrees on which books should be...
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...Reading Philosophies Tammie Johnson Grand Canyon University: EED 470 December 12, 2012 Reading Philosophies One of the biggest issues that teachers continue to face in public schools is teaching students how to read. With the No Child Left Behind act in place, teachers are being required to use different approaches to get the students more involved in their learning process. In this essay we will discuss two philosophies that are being used in schools today, and those philosophies are Constructivism and Explicit Instruction. Teaching strategies have long generated debate and ideological controversy, especially as to ‘best practice’. Two clear orientations have provided the basis for this controversy: direct (or explicit) instruction, and student-centered constructivist approaches ((Rowe, 2006, p. 1). In order to develop good reading skills, the teacher must first determine which philosophy will benefit his or her students in the classroom. From a constructivist view, the teacher would use a student-centered approach and the students would learn by constructing their own knowledge and meaning through the use of hands-on and problem solving activities. Also from a constructivist standpoint the classroom environment would consist of open discussion about various topics that would build a foundation for reading on what the students already know by sharing their personal experiences through writing personal journals and narratives. Also in a constructivist classroom the student...
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...and researches indicating the benefits of the bilingual academic program, particularly to the students – such as high academic scores, mental flexibility, improved personal identity etc. At the same time, there is evidence showing a number of downsides to the programs – such as double expense to the government, politicized aspects etc. The aim of this paper is to examine different aspects of the argument on the subject of bilingual programs in schools, and whether United States should make English as its official language. It also demonstrates the argumentative ability regarding the controversial issue of bilingual academic program in the United States. Honestly, I feel that the need to make English the official language of the country is preposterous. Only, because it practically is the main language of the country just unofficially. From a general point of view, the definition of bilingualism is whereby a person possesses the ability of easily and naturally speaking in two languages, without experiencing any problem whatsoever. However, from the context of United States of America, bilingualism has a controversial definition (Fallows, 1986) whereby it mainly refers to the use of any other language aside from English in regards to public services. Some of the public services include seeking of government documents, inclusion of other languages in voting ballot, in court proceeding, and when it comes to teaching children in schools. The controversy of is dominant in the education...
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...blame rested partly with a professor and his teaching assistants. The issue is whether cheating is truly cheating when students collaborate with each other to find the right answer—in a take-home final exam. Harvard released the results of its investigation into the controversy, in which 125 undergraduates were alleged to have cheated on an exam in May 2012. The university said that more than half of the students were forced to withdraw, a penalty that typically lasts from two to four semesters. Of the remaining cases, about half were put on disciplinary probation—a strong warning that becomes part of a student’s official record. The rest of the students avoided punishment. In previous years, students thought of Government 1310 as an easy class with optional attendance and frequent collaboration. But students who took it in spring 2012 said that it had suddenly become quite difficult, with tests that were hard to comprehend, so they sought help from the graduate teaching assistants who ran the class discussion groups, graded assignments, and advised them on interpreting exam questions. Administrators said that on final-exam questions, some students supplied identical answers (right down to typo- graphical errors in some cases), indicating that they had written them together or plagiarized them. But some students claimed that the similarities in their answers were due to sharing notes or sitting in on sessions with the same teaching assistants. The instructions on the take-home...
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..."University, Inc." explores the commercial transformation of American higher education over the last 30 years. The opinion pieces noted throughout the book provide the reader with specific cases where this union has had serious ramifications on research, quality education, innovation, and the free flow of public knowledge. More specifically, Jennifer Washburn explains how the union between the two worlds of academia and business puts America's universities at risk, and tells how she feels this union will affect us all. It is noted that since the early 1980’s, Corporate funding of universities has been growing and the money, often times comes with strings attached. In return for this funding, universities and professors are seemingly more like for-profit patent factories: university funds are shifting from the humanities and the less profitable science departments into research labs, and the skill of teaching is often valued less and less. Throughout the book, many individual’s see our universities abandoning their traditional role as disinterested sources of education, alternative perspectives, and wisdom. This growing influence of corporations over universities affects more than just today's college students. It touches, whether good or bad, the future of all those whose careers depend on a university education, and all those who will be employed, governed, or taught by the products of American universities. Over the last several decades Federal and State governments have...
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...Mormonism Joseph Smith, Jr. in the early 19th century stated the Mormon or Latter-Day Saint movement. It began with the context of Christian Restorationism. The history of the Mormons has been surrounded by controversy and persecution. According to Mormon history When Smith was 14 he wondered which of the Christian sects is the true Christian faith. According to Smith God and Jesus appeared to him in a vision. They told him that none of them where and that they had fallen away from the true faith and advised him not to join any of them. They promised to restore the true faith. Joseph Smith became the first prophet of the Mormons (ReligionFacts, 2010). The Mormon faith differs somewhat to Christianity. They are very much a family oriented religion and children seem to follow their parents into this faith without question. Today there is still controversy surrounding some of the past beliefs of the Mormons and some rogue groups that still follow the old beliefs. The interview for this paper was conducted at The Church of Latter Day Saints in Buckhannon, WV. The inside of the church does not differ much to other new churches built in today’s society. It consists of the Chapel and classrooms. Interviewing one of the members of the church gave me in-site into some of their beliefs. A Mormon church service is three hours long it is divided up into three parts the main worship service, Sunday school and they then breakup into two classes priesthood for men and relief society...
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...language. Position Paper: Also called an argument essay. The purpose of a position paper or argument essay is to explain both sides of a controversy and then argue for one side over the other. A position paper or argument essay explains both sides and discusses why one is stronger or better than the other. Answer: TOPIC: We Admire Those People Who Makes Us More Confused “Confusing movies are an integral part of the movie-going experience in general. Without them, everything would make sense and be predictable, and what fun would that be?” 1Malcolm Mathews, 2007.Some of us being human used to admire those people more who make us understand, but what if everything is clear in your mind and no fun to find out new things beyond your boundaries and what if everything is known and process of learning which gives self-confidence and self-aspiration lacks. So, for exploration of new things, ongoing process of learning and development, gaining sense of pride after goal accomplishment, so people who makes us confused is more admirable to a man for developing and discovering these thoughts The Holy book Quran, which has been a path and guidance for all the human beings created by Allah Almighty and in one of the holy verses of this holy book Allah says “Indeed this Qur’an guides to the path which is clearer and straighter than any other.” ,2Holy Book Quran and Allah also says: “............ We have revealed to...
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...1. Research Question or Problem The purpose of this article was to identify the different arguments made in regards to the use of animals in behavioral and biomedical research and the benefits of facilitating classroom room discussions amongst psychology students concerning this controversial topic. 2. Introduction Herzog H.A, (1990) believed that since the publishing of Singer’s book, Animal Liberations, in 1975, public concern over the ethical treatment of animals has significantly risen (p. 90). According to Rollin (1981, as cited by Harold, 1990) experimental psychology was “the field most consistently guilty of mindless activities that results in great suffering.” This debate has caused psychology students to question the use of animals in behavioral research. According to this article there are three reasons why discussing animal rights is crucial to psychology students. First, students should be conscious of political and social concerns associated with psychology that could have an effect on their lives. Second, animal rights issues raise questions related to psychology such as, “can animals think?” or “What are the essential differences between humans and animals?” Third, the use of animals in laboratory courses has received lots of censure (p. 90). To facilitate students to think about these issues, the author has designed a classroom exercise that has students making decisions about whether or not a series of theoretical proposals, pertaining to animal...
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...focus of much discussion and controversy statewide. Preschool or programs such as Head Start, learning daycares, and childcare have undoubtedly become quite popular over recent years. However, not all children are obtaining the benefits early education has to offer. due to the lack of funding. By implementing universal preschools every child will have the identical opportunity to achieve greatness. Preschool aids in the development of significant social and self-regulation skills, lays the foundation for brain development and forthcoming learning of the child, and benefits society as well as the individual child. The success of the future generation begins with our preschool programs in the state today. Although early education has been on the rise in recent years, not everybody is taking advantage of what preschool has to offer. According to a table from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which is a private philanthropy organization based on the well-being of children, titled “Kids Count Data Center” 4,381,000 children age’s three to four were not enrolled in an early education program in 2006. That is 54% of youth whose first day of school will be Kindergarten. Granted some of the children entering Kindergarten will have basic knowledge, but the vast majority of them will not know the alphabet, colors, shapes, or even that a book needs to be read from left to right. In comparison, however, a Scholastic magazine, which has an outstanding number of books, magazines, and educational...
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...Centrella Technology in Education In our lives today we expect technology to make a difference, and particularly in furthering our education. We see technologies effects as beneficial. We look for it to change, and improve, what has come before it. Technology is the set of means without which certain kinds of constructive activity would be almost impossible. It supports our efforts to appeal to different learning styles, which give us a way to interact with each other and extend the learning experiences. It is a good way to extend the essential skills and knowledge of students. By integrating technology into our educational programs it provides students with additional tools to enhance their learning. Technology allows us to demonstrate teaching strategies and also provide teachers with skills to succeed in the classroom. It changes the structure and the manor in which we learn. Such technologies used in education from the past, present and beyond are the typewriter, computer games, Internet, and communication. Technology and Education (the relationship) The relationship between technology and education can be characterized as a process of change and innovation. In the beginning societies depended on oral communication then the written language was developed. Making an alphabet made learning to read and write much easier then in the past. As technologies of written language became prevalent and more people became literate social structures formed. The next big step towards...
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...Islam teachings: How Islam teachings revolutionized the world Name Professor Institution Course Date Introduction Islam is a one of the major religions in the world. Its basis is from the prophet Mohammed who travelled to hills, deserts, and wilderness. The prophet travelled to mediate and reflect. Through this, he came up with revelations as a new man. The revelations made his followers believe Allah had transformed him. At first the Islam, was an Arab religion. Many practices and beliefs were added unto it making it popular that aided its rapid spread. During the Arabic century, many things were at stake. Mohammed teaching on Islam revolutionized everything. He brought changes in the social security, family and women were given rights. He improved the society that was under Arabic influence. He established both religious and social life for many races. Mohammed made Islam to responsible for providing basic needs for the captives. The women in the ancient societies considered women as inferior compared to men. The Islam teachings revolutionized the idea. The recent world sees women as people capable of doing anything. They are viewed as strong like men. They engage in activities that were meant for men. Women are able to make decisions, provide for the family and even work as engineers and in factories. The laws of Koran brought revolution in social relations. The Koran taught people on the importance of production. This helped in quickening trade. The Koran taught people...
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...Inferential (analytical) statistics makes inferences about populations (entire groups of people or firms) by analysing data gathered from samples (smaller subsets of the entire group), and deals with methods that enable a conclusion to be drawn from these data. (An inference is an assumption, supposition, deduction or possibility.) Inferential statistics starts with a hypothesis (a statement of, or a conjecture about, the relationship between two or more variables that you intend to study), and investigates whether the data are consistent with that hypothesis. Because statistical processing requires mathematics, it is an area that is often approached with discomfort and anxiety, if not actual fear. Which is why this book tells you which statistics to use, why those statistics, and when to use them, and...
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...in the lives of teenagers and young people. Teenagers no longer communicate with their parents; they would rather spend time on their computer, on their cellphones, playing video games, being on social networks, etc. The majority of young people especially teenagers not only in the United States but all over the world are spending their time in things that don’t really benefit them what so ever instead of putting their time into things that benefits them and will help in their future like school, sports, spending more time with their families and most importantly giving god some of their time, and having a spiritual life. Teenagers and young people are no longer having that spiritual connection because their parents are no longer making them be involved in church or making them be involved with god and spirituality. In a recent study made by Barbara Wintersgill involving a variety of different teenagers, the male teenagers argued that “it is not cool to appear to be spiritual”, unfortunately in the society that we live in today most teenagers specially male ones have this perception because parents aren’t teaching theim the importance of having a spiritual life, they aren’t...
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...With events like “The Miss America Pageant” being nationally televised, movies like “Little Miss Sunshine” being produced, and shows like “Toddlers and Tiara’s” and “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” being watched by millions, children’s beauty pageants are becoming more popular than ever. Today more than 16,000 child pageants are held annually, with an estimated 290,000 contestants (Bowling). Behind the popularity, however, follows the controversy. There are essentially two types of children’s beauty pageants, the “natural” pageants and the “glitz” pageants. In natural pageants, children under a certain age are not allowed to wear make up or fake teeth (flappers), spray tans and big hair are discouraged, and there are specific age appropriate dress guidelines that the contestants must follow. In contrast, at a glitz pageant you will see fake smiles, fake tans, heavy stage make up, and wigs on almost every girl. Advocates of both types of pageants argue that they are a good source of friendly competition and healthy for a child’s self esteem. Critics of child beauty pageants, however, argue that the glitz pageants, more so than the natural pageants, could potentially have damaging effects on the child contestant. One of the most significant reasons parents cite for entering their children into beauty pageants is to boost their child’s self esteem, and to teach poise and confidence. A group of parents interviewed by TODAY contributor Michael Inbar claimed that putting their children...
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...The law relating to the Family Brandon D. Allen 2011 Family law is of crucial importance to every individual, whether adult or child. Family law that regulates interpersonal relationships. Family law provides the legal framework for the establishment of marriage, the dissolution of marriage, the legal consequences of marriage and cohabitation, civil partnerships and the legal regulation of domestic violence. Much of the family law nowadays is concerned with the law relating to children. The status of a child, its parentage, and the rights of the child, the child’s welfare and the powers of the state in relation to the child are all central concerns. Family law has a wide and diverse. Some topics will require considerable more time than others. For example, the formalities of marriage, although detailed and rather complex, it should require much less of your time than the law relating to divorce. Family law is a growing body of cases which deals with the incorporation into English law. Family law is one of those fields in which you simply cannot avoid talking about, its those things that are happening in the outside would, economic changes, political changes, the sexual revolution, and so on. (Oxford University Press, 2003). Family law seems to be everywhere today. Abortion remains a litmus rest for political allegiances. Single-sex marriage divides state voters. Child custody...
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