Book Review on 'Predictably Irrational' by Dan Ariely Essay

Book Review on 'Typically Irrational' by Dan Ariely - Essay Example While as traditional financial matters clarifies how people are sane creatures who practice rationale in dissecting the benefits and bad marks of given monetary circumstances with a point of settling on sound monetary choices, it doesn't clarify in an ideal way how individuals act settling on financial choices. Considering this, that Dan Ariely is another age researcher that he nullifies in his typically nonsensical book that individuals act in generally reasonable manners. Dan Ariely accordingly utilizes the regular experience and point by point and experimentation examination to clarify how desires, feelings, accepted practices, and other imperceptible, apparently strange powers change singular thinking capacities. Dan Ariely utilizes sharp tests to investigate how nonsensical powers and normal practices impact our financial conduct. He sees that there is a social move in settling on financial choices where less market and accepted practices are presently all the more fulfilling, i maginative, satisfying, and fun. He performs thrilling trials on how individuals purchase, sell, and settle on life time’s choices along these lines showing their anticipated nonsensical financial dynamic practices. This paper draws an away from of how people exhibit nonsensical practices while settling on principal financial choices that identify with purchasing, selling, and other monetarily determined choices. Synopsis of Content The book â€Å"Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions†Ã¢ by Dan Ariely has 15 parts that talk about the methods of reasoning and occasions that adjust the traditionalâ rational conduct in settling on monetary choices. Dan Ariely clarifies reality with regards to relativity affirming how people as often as possible respect their condition corresponding to other people (Ariely 10). In doing this, individuals look at things that are effectively practically identical in showing up at specific choices. He proceeds to clarify this correlation by giving instances of three wedding trip goal choices two in Rome and one in Paris. He utilizes this guide to depict the fake where shoppers will in general have a particular change in inclination between two choices when a third alternative surfaces. Considering this, Dan Ariely clarifies how relativity can assist individuals with settling on insightful choices and simultaneously belittling their lives. He pertinently takes note of that when individuals contrast their lives with those of others in a similar class, they will in general show jealousy and desire. He similarly figures that people infrequently get fulfilled and the more they get the more they seek to get more. Notwithstanding, he takes note of that we can turn away this by maintaining a strategic distance from relativity by controlling the happenings around us. Dan Ariely clarifies the error of gracefully and request where customers think about worth, quality, or accessibility before settling on a buying choice. He noticed that prescribing an incentive to a thing with no underlying worth prompts silly estimating. He sees that in spite of the fact that costs apply self-assertively, customers will in general stay with those costs upon their first buy. In reality, the clients partner with this cost for quite a while influencing their social worth and along these lines nonsensicalness in cost. Ariely subsequently utilizes the self-assertive value tying down to challenge gracefully and request speculations saying that request is dependent upon control and hence influences advertise harmony. He in this way infers showcase harmony depends on consumer’s memory and not favored decisions. He further clarifies the expense of free idea where individuals pick free alternatives instead of

Spirituality of Miccosukee Indian tribe Research Paper - 1

Otherworldliness of Miccosukee Indian clan - Research Paper Example These soul creatures are regularly found in a dream mission that every Native American do when they are youthful. This vision journey is a period for fasting and petition and the young want to see their totem creature that likewise turns into their watchman (Gold, 2007). The Florida Seminoles and the Miccosukee trust in a Great Spirit or the Breath Maker who is responsible for making and looking after life (â€Å"Religion of..†, n.d.). The significance of life is critical to the Miccosukee on the grounds that they recognize that everything is a piece of their condition. All life is significant. In the past times, when they chased, they solicited the soul from the creature that was being killed, for pardoning (â€Å"Religion of† , n.d.). The Miccosukee would likewise go to a feeling of a tree before chopping down the tree. The Miccosukee may express that their quality originates from their religion and the way that they have not embraced the Western ways. Since they are one of a kind in keeping their traditions and history, they would likewise consider their to be establishment as being imperative to their quality. For Native Americans, everything is otherworldly and everything has a nearness anyplace in the earth (Johnson, 2007). The perspiration cabins and shamans are imperative to Native Americans and human services. Shamans regularly help with medical problems in the clan since they see how to decipher dreams and regulate numerous customs that happen inside the clan (Johnson, 2007). The perspiration hold up is one of the manners in which that Native Americans can keep offset with the soul world and with the maker (Garrett, et al., 2011). For Native Americans, the idea of equalization implies that they will have balance as a primary concern, body, and soul â€Å"with the regular environment† (Garrett et al., 2011, p. 318). On the otherworldly level, the perspiration hold up is likewise accomplished for change and restoration of the soul. Rather than the manner in which Westerners accept, the idea of change generally will be done within the sight of family and

Losing Weight Gained From Medications

Losing Weight Gained From Medications Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Print Losing Weight Gained From Psychotropic Medications By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial policy Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on December 03, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD on December 03, 2019 Hero Images / Getty Images More in Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Symptoms Diagnosis One of the common challenges faced by people with mood disorders is weight gain from their medicationsâ€"Over 50% of people who take certain newer antipsychotic medications may experience weight gain as a side effect. This weight gain is believed to be caused by an increased appetite for foods high in carbohydrates and fat as well as these medications impact on metabolism. In addition to being physically dangerous, extra weight can be a stumbling block to good mental health if it affects your self-esteem and comfort in your own body. To make matters worse, weight loss while still taking the medications that caused the initial gain can be notoriously difficult. But there is hope. Medications That May Cause Weight Gain Many medications used in the treatment of mood disorders list weight gain as a potential side effect, including: Seroquel (quetiapine)Risperdal (risperidone)Clozaril (clozapine)Zyprexa (olanzapine)Remeron (mirtazapine)Paxil (paroxetine)Lithobid (lithium)Depakene (valproic acid)Depakote (divalproex sodium)Tegretol and Equetro (carbamazepine) Researchers Try to Tackle Medication-Induced Weight Gain A presentation by Dr. Rohan Ganguli and Nurse Practitioner Betty Vreeland, related to their 2007 article published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry,?? focused on the issue of weight gain and medications. Dr. Ganguli began by saying he had treated many psychiatric patients for years without really thinking about their weight. Then a colleague did a survey that found that of their patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, less than 20% were in the normal weight range, and 60% were considered obese. Dr. Rohan Ganguli said that, unfortunately, it has been assumed that people with schizophrenia are socially unaware and that, unlike the rest of us, [their weight] really does not matter to them. Yet when they asked these patients how they felt about their weight, a majority of the overweight and obese patients said they wanted and had tried to lose weight. Dr. Ganguli and his fellows developed a program that clinicians could easily provide to their patients. It involved 14 weeks of group sessions with training in areas including developing healthy eating habits, burning more calories, and changing snacking habits. Self-monitoring in the form of daily weighing and food and exercise logs was key. The Results The results after the 14-week program were very encouraging: Two-thirds of patients lost at least 3% of body weight and around 40% of participants lost 5% of their body weight or more.?? In addition to promoting key lifestyle changes in a supportive, collaborative environment, the program also focused on counteracting common thoughts, such as those surrounding the concept of wasting food. A key part of the programs strategy was teaching people that it was OK not to eat the entire meal. Research on Preventing Weight Gain Finally, they tested the program with patients who were just starting on some of the medications that are known to cause weight gain, including Seroquel (quetiapine), Risperdal (risperidone), Clozaril (clozapine), and Zyprexa (olanzapine). In all cases, intervention prevented weight gain in more patients than in the control group, although the success rate depended on the medication. In this small study, the most dramatic difference was with Seroquel, where more than 60% of the control group gained significant weight, compared to only 10% of those in the intervention group who gained. Lifestyle Barriers and Interventions A unique set of challenges exists for those with psychiatric disorders that might not in other populations, including the metabolic effects of their medications, impact of symptoms on motivation, poor dietary habits, and high rates of sedentary behavior. For example, Ganguli and his team found that many people with schizophrenia eat at fast food restaurants because these are inexpensive and convenient, but these meals are often high in calories and low in nutritional value. Chronic poverty can also be a factor for those with mental illness, which affects quality of life, self-esteem, and the ability to pursue leisure activities such as participating in exercise. A meta-analysis of 17 studies and nearly 2,000 participants looked at successful lifestyle interventions for those living with serious mental illness.?? The study found that programs of at least a years duration had more consistent outcomes. Some of these interventions included physical activity, nutritional advice, behavioral programs, and access to free fruits and vegetables. Successful outcomes included improved blood pressure, weight loss, BMI reduction, smaller waist circumference, and lower cholesterol. The Message Mental health practitioners of all kinds owe it to their patients to compassionately address the problem of medication-induced weight gain and recognize that their patients do care. Ganguli and Vreelands work shows that while people living with mental health disorders face unique challenges, they are not only capable of making healthy lifestyle changes and losing weight but are often motivated with the right support. A doctor who instructs their patient to simply join Weight Watchers to combat weight gain may not realize that some people arent up for going to meetings when depressed and that some just arent group people. A therapy group with people who have gained weight because of their psychotropic medications might, on the other hand, be helpful. Itll be important for providers to take the time to individualize their approach. A Word From Verywell Losing weight while on psychotropic medications isnt fast or easy. Although it may be difficult, take encouragement from knowing there is solid research to show it  is  possible to lose weight and still take your medication. If youre concerned about weight gain caused by the medication you take, consult with your healthcare provider to develop a plan that will work for you. Tips for Fighting Medication-Induced Weight Gain

Milan Faylu And Its Effects On Business Opportunities Essay

Being only 25 years old, Milan Faylu is the CEO and founder of Eben Naturals, a skincare brand based in Miami, FL. Even though he was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, due to his family business, he grew up in 7 different countries around the world and later attended University of Miami for his college education. This provided him with a globalized view towards business opportunities. It was during his studies at the University of Miami, when his idea for his venture first came about. During a trip back home to the Congo, Milan noticed the widespread use of skin lightening products by misguided consumers who had no information whatsoever about their harmful effects. Most of them even feature a high dosage of hydroquinone, a product said to be carcinogenic by the FDA. Instead of the alternative harmful skin lightening products, he thought it’d be great to promote products that would encourage people to embrace their natural skin tone. Subsequently, when he returned to the U.S, he started to pay more attention to the beauty industry and realized that there was a serious lack of beauty solutions geared towards his demographic. This was later confirmed by extensive market research, and combined with the passion he had towards the subject, he decided to dive into the project. Milan’s emotional reasoning behind his venture idea of empowering dark skinned p eople by creating an excellent product that is targeted specifically for them, agrees with the principles of TheShow MoreRelatedMilan Faylu, A And Founder Of Eben Naturals Essay844 Words   |  4 PagesMilan Faylu is the CEO and founder of Eben Naturals, a skin care brand based in Miami, FL. He was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, however due to his family business he grew up in 7 different countries around the world and later attended University of Miami for his college education. This provided him with a globalized view towards business opportunities. He was enrolled at the University of Miami, when his idea for his venture first came about. During trip back home to the Congo, Milan

The New Fuss About Topics to Do a Persuasive Essay on

The New Fuss About Topics to Do a Persuasive Essay on Topics to Do a Persuasive Essay on Features Good persuasive essay topics need to be persuasive. Persuasive essays are also called argumentative. They share a great deal of resemblance with argumentative essays. They have no paragraph limits. The writing shows precisely what your intellectual is so, you should be quite cautious when writing. You may find there's a compelling argument for learning another language after all! Topics that you're acquainted with will make it simpler to get ready for the speech. Writing an excellent persuasive essay is not a simple task, however, it's achievable. The Number One Question You Must Ask for Topics to Do a Persuasive Essay on There are just a few things that define whether an essay you're working on is going to be a good one. Any idea can prove to be a good foundation for a topic. You might think that interesting essay titles do all of the work, permitting you to add obvious ex amples and share ordinary ideas. Even thought you may not think you're a master at persuasion, odds are you're far better than you believe. Essay writing is a crucial portion of your academic education or a writing career if you decide to go like that. At any time you catch yourself feeling captivated by somebody's essay or article, take a good look at it. Select an intriguing essay topic, and you will begin enjoying it. Still, figuring out the ideal topic for your essay isn't your only concern for a student. Writing essays is frequently a portion of school projects, however, choosing from a number of topics can be. Use what you read to assist you create some search terms, and to assist you choose your own position. Students often stress about trying to find utile persuasive essay tips and searching for ideas due to the fact that they feel it's an uphill job, but the crucial thing is to understand the essence and make an appropriate outline first by planning for it correctly. After all, the standard of persuasive writing is frequently a product of the topic itself. Taking into account that lots of persuasive essays concern controversial topics, before writing, you can want to sit down and think of what your opinion on the topic actually is. When the research is ready, you might have many distinct elements to cover the topic. A student ought to keep in contact with the hottest trends and know which persuasive essay topics are related to sound convincing in regards to defending personal opinions. The Meaning of Topics to Do a Persuasive Essay on Obviously, giving a terrific persuasive speech requires more than simply selecting a great topic. While making the last draft, the author must revise the facts and figures to be able to assure they are accurate. In most instances, you will need to produce a topic that will make it possible for other people to understand your viewpoint, and telling them to feel that what you write is true. Having selected a great topic to argue about, at this point you will need to make an argumentative essay outline. You should settle on a persuasive essay topic that permits you to present the very best possible case. List of good topics to compose a satirical essay and create an impact to compose a hook for an essay you probably might have to start out. Remember your essay shouldn't be a string of jokes, it's a narrative it needs to have a start, middle and the end. So, the best method to compose a wonderful persuasive essay is to locate a theme you're familiarized with and would like to share your experience with the reader. Adding supporting details to each and every paragraph is vital to be able to create a superior informative essay. There ought to be selective variety of the words to make it even more relevant. Put simply, you want to understand the aim of your persuasive essay. A superb writing needs to be concise and precise. Even a student can begin a business online. You could possibly be given the topic straight away by your professor, or maybe you be free to decide on the topic yourself. There are several persuasive essay topics to select from to finish your high school or college assignment. In general, you can observe that writing a persuasive essay isn't a brain surgery. Students need more practical subjects to learn the way to use unique things. Since you can see, several of the topics listed are new and tackle the rec ent issues happening in the World today. To help students just like you find debatable topics, we've gathered a wide variety of ideas on distinct subjects and academic levels. All arguments in persuasive essay ought to be backed up with dependable and trustworthy evidence. Remember a persuasive essay is only a reflection of your beliefs or opinions. Conclusion has to have the conclusive note which provides the feeling of closure.

American Epidemic Free Essays

In modern times, nobody who reads the newspapers or watches television can avoid the chilling fate that our country faces. School violence is a rapidly growing trend in America, and it seems to be there is nothing we can do to stop it. The offenders are from all races and social classes. We will write a custom essay sample on American Epidemic or any similar topic only for you Order Now They range from the high school hero to the high school dropout. It often seems the only thing they have in common is an utter disregard for their own life and the lives of others. In the following accounts, taken straight from American headlines, harrowing events fit for blockbuster fiction prove that our country is becoming victim to a new criminal: youthful rage. In generations past, the high school rebel was the boy all the girls wanted and all the boys wanted to be. He was the one in the leather jacket who went to class only to make snide remarks, drove too fast, and talked too slow. Jump forward to the end of the twentieth century, and the high school rebel is the boy who students ignore, the one who sits in the back of the classroom and never talks, wears all black and keeps to himself. He is the last student anyone would fear, but probably the most dangerous. He doesn†t want to take advantage of those who are smaller than him, but wants to seek vengeance on those who have hurt him, basically everyone. He, in fact, is sometimes a she. Of course, offenders can†t be classified into one group. Many times it is the last person you would ever imagine. That is the way it happened for Chester Jackson, a Detroit high school football star. Chester was a seventeen-year-old hero, a senior who had reached godlike status due to his work for the school football team. But if you ask his high school friends of their memories of Chester, they will not remember him running down the football field, but running down the hall, trying to save his own life. Like so many students, Chester found it amusing to tease the underclassmen. Particularly a fourteen-year-old freshman boy that was unable to defend himself when Chester and his friends pushed him in his own locker and secured the combination lock for three consecutive classes. That was the event they say made the boy snap. He brought a gun to school the next day, and even with all of his football training, Chester could not run fast enough to save his own life. He was the first student ever killed in a Michigan high school. Unfortunately, Chester†s story is not an isolated incident. School shootings are now a common occurrence. A place that used to be considered a safe haven is now turning into a death trap. Where lockers and drinking fountains used to be found there are now metal detectors and armed guards. Detroit high schools have expelled fifteen students since Chester†s murder inspired them to install metal detectors. Each of the students was carrying a loaded gun. Chester†s death also resulted in the now nation wide Barron Assessment and Counseling Center, a program designed to encourage youths to exchange their weapons for books. Marva Collins, principal of a Chicago Public School, sees the starting of these groups as bittersweet. † (These) Centers are extremely helpful, and have the right idea in mind, but how many children are going to have to die before our nation sits up and pays attention. Will mine be the next? † In 1994, children under 18 were 244% more likely to be killed by guns than they were in 1986. Gun owners of all ages state that their number one reason for owning a handgun is protection from criminals, yet they are 43 times as likely to kill a friend or family member than they are a criminal. In the 1980†³s it appeared that teen pregnancy was going to be the downfall of American society, but as Marion Wright Edelman, president of the children†s advocacy group puts it, † The crisis of children having children has been eclipsed by the greater crisis of children killing children. † Between 1979 and 1993, guns killed more than 60,000 children, a figure greater than the number of Americans killed in the Vietnam War. Also, a child in the United States is 15 times as likely to die as a result of gunfire than is a child in war-torn Northern Ireland. The statistics only succeed in proving what is becoming incredibly obvious; guns have become the clearest evidence of a growing despair among many American teenagers. As one young man puts it, † That†s just the way it is. Guns are just a part of growing up these days. You fire a gun and you can just feel the power. It†s like yeah. † Who is to blame for the newest American trend? Are parents not paying enough attention to their children? Are schools not educating students on proper anger management? These are both possibilities, but 6 out of 10 people agree: the problem lies in the media. It seems that you cannot attend a movie these days without having to prepare yourself for some degree of violence. Even â€Å"family† movies (those with a G or PG rating) are not immune to it. Television shows are nearly as bad, police dramas run nearly every night during prime time on major networks, exposing millions of young children to things they are not ready to see. The new wave of gangster rap shows young men boasting of killings and beatings, and the people of our country are proving to the corporations that offer these products one major thing; violence sells. Tommy Matola, president of a major music Corporation states â€Å"the things that (these) young men are speaking of are things that they grew up around, that millions of children are still growing up around. Society owes them for exposing a problem that may threaten our national security. † Even a typical cartoon show averages 41 acts of violence each hour, with an attempted murder every 2 minutes. Many parents want the Government to regulate what is available for children to see, but many maintain that it is not their responsibility. As Barry Lynn of the American Civil Liberties Union put it, † If you cannot persuade persons to reject what you consider to be exploitive or unhealthy, do not ask the government to impose your will on those same persons. † Lately, as youth violence has been more scrutinized by the public, many new laws have come into effect. The debate over what to do with juvenile offenders is one that will never be solved, but can be compromised to come up with a good solution. Currently, offenders who appear in juvenile court do not receive a criminal record. Therefore, when a child appears in front of a new judge, he will have no way of knowing how many times the child has convicted the same crime. The law of dismissing children from a criminal record was designed to protect them from stigma and prejudice, but more often there are negative results received not by the child, but by their victim. States have experimented with such things as punishing parents for crimes their children commit, and many have began to charge children accused of major crimes as adults. However, none of these laws have been threatening enough, as fourteen-year-old Arthur Bates has proven. Arthur spent many of his early years in mental facilities, but after it was decided that nobody could help him he was sent home to his mother. One day Arthur chose a house at random and planned on robbing it. Once he got in he realized the owner of the home, Lillian Piper, was asleep inside. Arthur proceeded to rape and kill Miss Piper, and then have a bowl of ice cream from her freezer and drive off in her Cadillac. About an hour later police, to whom he immediately confessed, stopped him. He then told them, â€Å"You can†t do anything to me. I just fourteen. † He was sentenced to seven months in reform school. To many, trying children as adults is the only fit punishment, but it has not been as helpful as its proponents had hoped. Usually, when these children are sent to adult institutions, they are sexually molested and taught new crimes. When the child leaves the institution, which many call their â€Å"crime school,† the child is now more dangerous than he ever had been. There have been many â€Å"crime camps,† instituted with juvenile offenders in mind, as well. At these camps, young offenders take part in â€Å"skills streaming† where they learn new ways to deal with real life situations. Whether any of these options really work is really in the eye of the public, and they cannot seem to agree. As Los Angeles police detective Robert Contreras puts it, â€Å"These kids are getting away with murder. They have no respect for anything and joke that in jail they†ll at least get three square meals a day. † Obviously, it is going to take more than one person to stop what is being called an American epidemic. Every parent, every child, every teacher, and every citizen is going to have to stand up and help achieve a solution. As of now, the students committing these crimes are not only literally getting away with murder but also being glamorized. Maryanne Britain, a Texas student, points out â€Å"I cannot name one of the students that was killed in Colorado, but I know the whole biography of the killers. What sense does that make? † Miss Britain has pointed out something that many of us don†t realize, in our country often times the offenders are mistaken as the victim. We lose sight of the crime at hand and try to blame the problem on society instead of the killers. We are all faced with the same graphic truth, and many of us are able to make it through life without killing anyone. Alone, we cannot accomplish much, but if we stand up to offenders as a nation, we can save the fate that we are now facing. All it will take to save the lives of our generation and many to come is everyone working together. That is when we will take our country back and truly make a difference. Perhaps teamwork can be the nations next epidemic. How to cite American Epidemic, Essay examples

American Epidemic Free Essays

In modern times, nobody who reads the newspapers or watches television can avoid the chilling fate that our country faces. School violence is a rapidly growing trend in America, and it seems to be there is nothing we can do to stop it. The offenders are from all races and social classes. We will write a custom essay sample on American Epidemic or any similar topic only for you Order Now They range from the high school hero to the high school dropout. It often seems the only thing they have in common is an utter disregard for their own life and the lives of others. In the following accounts, taken straight from American headlines, harrowing events fit for blockbuster fiction prove that our country is becoming victim to a new criminal: youthful rage. In generations past, the high school rebel was the boy all the girls wanted and all the boys wanted to be. He was the one in the leather jacket who went to class only to make snide remarks, drove too fast, and talked too slow. Jump forward to the end of the twentieth century, and the high school rebel is the boy who students ignore, the one who sits in the back of the classroom and never talks, wears all black and keeps to himself. He is the last student anyone would fear, but probably the most dangerous. He doesn†t want to take advantage of those who are smaller than him, but wants to seek vengeance on those who have hurt him, basically everyone. He, in fact, is sometimes a she. Of course, offenders can†t be classified into one group. Many times it is the last person you would ever imagine. That is the way it happened for Chester Jackson, a Detroit high school football star. Chester was a seventeen-year-old hero, a senior who had reached godlike status due to his work for the school football team. But if you ask his high school friends of their memories of Chester, they will not remember him running down the football field, but running down the hall, trying to save his own life. Like so many students, Chester found it amusing to tease the underclassmen. Particularly a fourteen-year-old freshman boy that was unable to defend himself when Chester and his friends pushed him in his own locker and secured the combination lock for three consecutive classes. That was the event they say made the boy snap. He brought a gun to school the next day, and even with all of his football training, Chester could not run fast enough to save his own life. He was the first student ever killed in a Michigan high school. Unfortunately, Chester†s story is not an isolated incident. School shootings are now a common occurrence. A place that used to be considered a safe haven is now turning into a death trap. Where lockers and drinking fountains used to be found there are now metal detectors and armed guards. Detroit high schools have expelled fifteen students since Chester†s murder inspired them to install metal detectors. Each of the students was carrying a loaded gun. Chester†s death also resulted in the now nation wide Barron Assessment and Counseling Center, a program designed to encourage youths to exchange their weapons for books. Marva Collins, principal of a Chicago Public School, sees the starting of these groups as bittersweet. † (These) Centers are extremely helpful, and have the right idea in mind, but how many children are going to have to die before our nation sits up and pays attention. Will mine be the next? † In 1994, children under 18 were 244% more likely to be killed by guns than they were in 1986. Gun owners of all ages state that their number one reason for owning a handgun is protection from criminals, yet they are 43 times as likely to kill a friend or family member than they are a criminal. In the 1980†³s it appeared that teen pregnancy was going to be the downfall of American society, but as Marion Wright Edelman, president of the children†s advocacy group puts it, † The crisis of children having children has been eclipsed by the greater crisis of children killing children. † Between 1979 and 1993, guns killed more than 60,000 children, a figure greater than the number of Americans killed in the Vietnam War. Also, a child in the United States is 15 times as likely to die as a result of gunfire than is a child in war-torn Northern Ireland. The statistics only succeed in proving what is becoming incredibly obvious; guns have become the clearest evidence of a growing despair among many American teenagers. As one young man puts it, † That†s just the way it is. Guns are just a part of growing up these days. You fire a gun and you can just feel the power. It†s like yeah. † Who is to blame for the newest American trend? Are parents not paying enough attention to their children? Are schools not educating students on proper anger management? These are both possibilities, but 6 out of 10 people agree: the problem lies in the media. It seems that you cannot attend a movie these days without having to prepare yourself for some degree of violence. Even â€Å"family† movies (those with a G or PG rating) are not immune to it. Television shows are nearly as bad, police dramas run nearly every night during prime time on major networks, exposing millions of young children to things they are not ready to see. The new wave of gangster rap shows young men boasting of killings and beatings, and the people of our country are proving to the corporations that offer these products one major thing; violence sells. Tommy Matola, president of a major music Corporation states â€Å"the things that (these) young men are speaking of are things that they grew up around, that millions of children are still growing up around. Society owes them for exposing a problem that may threaten our national security. † Even a typical cartoon show averages 41 acts of violence each hour, with an attempted murder every 2 minutes. Many parents want the Government to regulate what is available for children to see, but many maintain that it is not their responsibility. As Barry Lynn of the American Civil Liberties Union put it, † If you cannot persuade persons to reject what you consider to be exploitive or unhealthy, do not ask the government to impose your will on those same persons. † Lately, as youth violence has been more scrutinized by the public, many new laws have come into effect. The debate over what to do with juvenile offenders is one that will never be solved, but can be compromised to come up with a good solution. Currently, offenders who appear in juvenile court do not receive a criminal record. Therefore, when a child appears in front of a new judge, he will have no way of knowing how many times the child has convicted the same crime. The law of dismissing children from a criminal record was designed to protect them from stigma and prejudice, but more often there are negative results received not by the child, but by their victim. States have experimented with such things as punishing parents for crimes their children commit, and many have began to charge children accused of major crimes as adults. However, none of these laws have been threatening enough, as fourteen-year-old Arthur Bates has proven. Arthur spent many of his early years in mental facilities, but after it was decided that nobody could help him he was sent home to his mother. One day Arthur chose a house at random and planned on robbing it. Once he got in he realized the owner of the home, Lillian Piper, was asleep inside. Arthur proceeded to rape and kill Miss Piper, and then have a bowl of ice cream from her freezer and drive off in her Cadillac. About an hour later police, to whom he immediately confessed, stopped him. He then told them, â€Å"You can†t do anything to me. I just fourteen. † He was sentenced to seven months in reform school. To many, trying children as adults is the only fit punishment, but it has not been as helpful as its proponents had hoped. Usually, when these children are sent to adult institutions, they are sexually molested and taught new crimes. When the child leaves the institution, which many call their â€Å"crime school,† the child is now more dangerous than he ever had been. There have been many â€Å"crime camps,† instituted with juvenile offenders in mind, as well. At these camps, young offenders take part in â€Å"skills streaming† where they learn new ways to deal with real life situations. Whether any of these options really work is really in the eye of the public, and they cannot seem to agree. As Los Angeles police detective Robert Contreras puts it, â€Å"These kids are getting away with murder. They have no respect for anything and joke that in jail they†ll at least get three square meals a day. † Obviously, it is going to take more than one person to stop what is being called an American epidemic. Every parent, every child, every teacher, and every citizen is going to have to stand up and help achieve a solution. As of now, the students committing these crimes are not only literally getting away with murder but also being glamorized. Maryanne Britain, a Texas student, points out â€Å"I cannot name one of the students that was killed in Colorado, but I know the whole biography of the killers. What sense does that make? † Miss Britain has pointed out something that many of us don†t realize, in our country often times the offenders are mistaken as the victim. We lose sight of the crime at hand and try to blame the problem on society instead of the killers. We are all faced with the same graphic truth, and many of us are able to make it through life without killing anyone. Alone, we cannot accomplish much, but if we stand up to offenders as a nation, we can save the fate that we are now facing. All it will take to save the lives of our generation and many to come is everyone working together. That is when we will take our country back and truly make a difference. Perhaps teamwork can be the nations next epidemic. How to cite American Epidemic, Essay examples

Racism and Stereotypes in American Movies an Example of the Topic Psychology Essays by

Racism and Stereotypes in American Movies The focal point of this paper is to analyze and evaluate the concept of racism and stereotypes in American movies. For the purpose the movie selected for scrutiny and assessment is the 1971 release Shaft. The approach of this evaluation would be based on the concept of African American Studies class. Need essay sample on "Racism and Stereotypes in American Movies" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed The film Shaft was released in July 2, 1971 and was distributed by the famous MGM studios. This movie with a runtime of 100 minutes was based on the screenplay and novel of John D.F. Black and Ernest Tidyman and was directed by Gordon Parks. The producer of the movie Shaft was Joel Freeman and the music was wonderfully composed by J. J. Johnson and Isaac Hayes. Students Often Tell EssayLab support:I'm not in the mood to write my paper. Because I want to spend time with my girlfriendProfessional writers recommend: Help With Essay Writing. Here Is Your Life Vest!Best Essay Writing Helper Best Essay Writing Service Buy Essays Cheap Best Essay Writing Service Music in this movie is a very interesting part and is aligned with the basic theme of this paper as it is composed on predominantly black themes with complete alignment with African American musical tradition. But before the movie is taken into consideration for analysis it would be most relevant to look into the aspect of racism and stereotypes within the perspective of the American society. (Johnson, 1999, ix-xi) One of the most compelling developments of our age is the recognition of multicultural of multiracial society and how they translate to each and every inpidual. The challenge is not just in recognizing other races but more importantly the culture and heritage of people must also be recognized. The emergence of African American Studies as an important field of study is a recognition of the struggle against racial discrimination and oppression (Giddings, 1994, 153-156). Today, there have been significant strides in institutionalizing the development of programs that are studying the best approaches and methods to bring the concerns of the African Americans in society in the countrys premiere Universities such as Temple and Harvard. Recent studies in the field indicate that though there are no more significant explicit social barriers to African Americans, they are still challenged by historical marginalization and disenfranchisement. Thus, African American studies still serves as a platform for the valuation of those of African descent in the United States: exploring the social, economic, cultural and political history of America that includes African Americans. There is a realization that though society has changed its perspectives, it has yet to deal with the social operations and dynamics that dampen the development of the African American sectors in the society. In effect, by not being able to take the opportunities that are supposed to alleviate them they are being further stressed by the censure of failure and personal responsibility for their lives (Giddings, 1994, 178-180). Peoples distrust or reservation of other races or cultures is to be expected: it is very natural to fear the unfamiliar. That is why there is a need for conscious and collective actions to change society. One of the most urgent concerns is the assurance of economic opportunities which should be considered an integral component of any social program to address the issue. The development of various alliance among groups within the community that have shown better success in eliciting response from the most distressed among African Americans: the youth and women. These efforts have efforts have achieved success because they have taken into consideration similar trends among other social that suffer marginalization. For example, one of the major issues that have to deal with is the prevalence of crimes against and attributed to African Americans. This state of affairs which has become a clich in effect is not only a civil problem but also has become detrimental to all African Americans within and outside their communities. The consensus is that there very few opportunities left to offenders who fit the clich that it is easy to be caught in a downward spiral. Thus, programs dealing with offenders need the creation of support and prevention groups that consider the social context of African Americans. The critical course of action is to consider the realities that African Americans face today. Though in theory, regulations and legislations have already addressed their emancipation, the reality is that society has not been unable to effectively meet the effects of years of oppression. The very foundation of the US capitalist society deters many and has effective limited the number of inpiduals who have had been unable to make good of the programs that have been established. In this context the basic formulation of the movie Shaft appears in an extremely interesting note. This movie can easily be denoted as a basic model of genera of movies that later became known as blaxploitation films and the film noir elements are profoundly present in this movie. The story is a simple tale of a private detective John Shaft who is of African American origin. John Shaft is seen in the movie lurking in the streets of Harlem and encounters with Italian mafia groups to retrieve the daughter of a gangster who also belongs to the African American origin. In the movie the character of John Shaft appears to be a complete stereo typed of all movie crime busters in line of James Bond model. Therefore, logically enough, it is obvious that detective in the movie would appear to us as a super cool but extremely sexy in nature. He is also very confident in the film but pattern where this movie outclassed other contemporary movies of its time was that it presented a specified point of view and this point of view is from the perception of the black community and Shaft appears to indulge everything that appears to be bearing the essence of the African American community in the movie. This is the special essence of this movie. Shaft is predominantly black and all the perceptions and perspective presented in the movie is distinctively black in nature. This movie is specifically Afrocentric in presentation. It could be mentioned that this movie easily surpassed supplementary black stereotypes with its presentation of black gangsters and black activists at the same time along with urban junkies who are black. In the movie we see time and again that the central character Shaft is making it a point with specific measures that he is dead against racialism and all sorts of racial hypocrisy. This Afrocentrism appears in the movie in a special scene with special emphasis where it is seen that a detective of the police, Lt. Androzzi, is comparing Shafts skin color with a black pen. To this Shafts answer to this act is sharp and presents the scene with a satirist approach as he points a white cup and indicates that the police detective is not that much white either. This part of movie presents the basic essence of the movie and its stand point against racial discrimination with a strong point. This is where this movie Shaft breaks all stereo types set in its previous era and became a trend setter all by itself. The pen and the cup scene is just a single example and it is enough to prove the point of the director and writers but it would be relevant to mention that such scenario and dialogues with racial vengeance are tottered all over the movie. For a democratic society with its democratic form of government system it is but an obvious choice to opt for a society that is mostly color blind. The basis custom of a democratic society is to provide its mass with a structural form that offers equality in terms of justice and social characteristic. It is an unwanted fact but it is also extremely true at the same time that racism is a curse that exists among us whether we like it or not. The curse of racial discrimination had always been there in the American society. The presence of racism is well documented in many societal domains including workplace, school, health care, and housing like simple dialogues such as My little sister hangs around with a Mexican. (Minton, 1993) It is very peculiar to consider racism is an ideology where humans are separated into various groups in the belief that some people are superior because they belong to a particular ethnic or national group. It could be summarized that racism is the result of having negative judgments, beliefs, and feelings towards certain identifiable groups. For example, the way mass media represents facts by mentioning, White girl raped by four Mexicans. Here it is interpreted as Mexican people, they are bad, black people, they are bad. (Minton, 1993) The movie Shaft comes in the confluence of culture at this juncture. The movie Shaft became a runaway hit at the box office with a cumulative gross of about $12 million. For a relatively small budget film this was a huge success. Additionally, the music score by Isaac Hayes won the best music award at the Academy Award ceremony. This proves the tremendous appeal this movie had on the mass psychology. It was almost as what they were looking for all these days. (Lamb, 2004, 327) This was no astonishment. This is because dialogues in the movie by John Shaft like You are one wise Caucasian (Johnson, 1999, 59) are more than what the black community expected from a movie of its time. The black community was hungry for a hero who was able to give back what they were used to receive. In a way Shaft became the icon of the black community. Shaft was that figure that every boy of African American origin wanted to be. This was their answer to racism. This was their response towards discrimination and inequality. The discrimination and inequality of the American society that they have taken head down and were not able to retaliate. They always wanted to retaliate and wanted so badly. Shaft was all answer to these reprisals, at least on the movie. The better part of the movie shows shaft fighting against allsorts of evils especially those with the undercurrent of undercover apartheid. The best part of this film is that the hero fights this evil while staying inside the parameters of the society in his own way and never revolted against the society. This was another huge reason for the acceptance of this movie among black youths. They never wanted to agitate openly and vigorously against the government for the better part of their life but wanted some way to release the undercurrent of frustration that they are suffering from the evil of inequality. Shaft provided them the route. No wonder Shaft was a success. In the conclusion it would be relevant to mention that the reality that has to be faced is that many African Americans are still dependent on minimum wage, are disenfranchised and have very little social or economic mobility. Though the struggle for better opportunities for them has been a long one, very few have been able to truly achieve the same opportunities that non-African Americans have enjoyed. Though there has been significant effort from all sectors and abundance of programs, the vehicles by which they are channeled are unable to meet the existing demand in society today. The need for developing programs that truly address the pertinent issues that gang violence the African American community is a concern that has repercussions to the community, industries and the nation. The greater awareness regarding issues, media recognition is proving to be effective in strengthening response and sensitivity to issues. However, this should coupled with the conscientious effort to essential sustain programs that are initiated across sectors. What is needed now in the community is a decisive and concerted effort to address an issue that maligns and deters not only African Americans but any inpidual for that matter. As a result it could be mentioned again that the aspect of racism and stereotypes within the perspective of the American society would continue to prevail and movies like Shaft would be produced. References: Giddings, Paula. 1994. When and Where I Enter: The impact of Black Women on Race and Sex in America, National Book Trust Johnson, P. 1999. Shaft: The Complete Screenplay. National Book Trust Lamb, Davis. 2004. Cult to Culture: The Development of Civilization on the Strategic Strata. National Book Trust Minton, Lynn; 1993; Is it okay to date someone of another race; Parade, Issue December 15, 1993

George W. Bush Biography

George W. Bush Biography George Bushs Childhood and Education: Born on July 6, 1946 in New Haven, Connecticut, George W. Bush is the oldest son of George H. W. and Barbara Pierce Bush. He grew up in Texas from the age of two. He came from a familial political tradition as his grandfather, Prescott Bush, was a U.S. Senator, and his father was the forty-first president. Bush attended Phillips Academy in Massachusetts and then went on to Yale, graduating in 1968. He considered himself an average student. After serving in the National Guard, he went to Harvard Business School. Family Ties: Bush has three brothers and one sister: Jeb, Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy respectively. On November 5, 1977, Bush married Laura Welch. Together they had twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara.   Career Before the Presidency: After graduating from Yale, Bush spent a little less than six years in the Texas Air National Guard. He left the military to go to Harvard Business School. After getting his MBA, he started working in the oil industry in Texas. He helped his father campaign for the presidency in 1988. Then in 1989, he purchased part of the Texas Rangers baseball team. From 1995-2000, Bush served as the Governor of Texas. Becoming the President: The 2000 election was highly contentious. Bush ran against Democratic President  Bill Clintons vice president, Al Gore. The popular vote was won by Gore-Lieberman who carried 543,816 votes. However, the electoral vote was won by Bush-Cheney by 5 votes. In the end, they carried 371 electoral votes, one more than is necessary to win the election. The last time the president won the electoral vote without winning the popular vote was in 1888. Because of the controversy over the recount in Florida, the Gore campaign sued to have a manual recount. It went to the US Supreme Court and it was decided that the count in Florida was accurate. Therefore, Bush became President.   2004 Election: George Bush ran for reelection against Senator John Kerry. The election centered on how each would deal with terrorism and the war in Iraq. In the end, Bush won a little over 50% of the popular vote and 286 out of 538 electoral votes. Events and Accomplishments of George Bush’s Presidency: Bush took office in March 2001 and by September 11, 2001, the whole world was focused on New York City and the Pentagon with the attacks by Al-Qaeda operatives that resulted in the deaths of over 2,900 people. This event changed Bushs presidency forever. Bush ordered the invasion of Afghanistan and the overthrow of the Taliban which had been harboring Al-Qaeda training camps.In a very controversial move, Bush also declared war on Saddam Hussein and Iraq for the fear that they were hiding Weapons of Mass Destruction. America went to war with a coalition of twenty countries to enforce UN disarmament resolutions. It was later determined that he was not stockpiling them within the country. US forces took Baghdad and occupied Iraq. Hussein was captured in 2003.   An important education act passed while Bush was president was the No Child Left Behind Act meant to improve public schools. He found an unlikely partner to push forward the bill in Democrat Ted Kennedy. On January 14, 2004 the Space Shuttle Columbia exploded killing all on board. In the wake of this, Bush announced a new plan for NASA and space exploration including sending people back to the moon by 2018. Events that occurred at the end of his term that had no real resolution included continuing hostilities between Palestine and Israel, worldwide terrorism, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and issues surrounding illegal immigrants in America.   Career After the Presidency:   Since leaving the presidency George W. Bush withdrew from a time from public life, focusing on painting. He avoided partisan politics, making sure not to comment on President Barack Obamas decisions. He has written a memoir. He has also teamed up with President BIll Clinton to help victims of Haiti after the Haitian earthquake in 2010.

Dressed to Impress Choose the Perfect College Interview Outfit

Dressed to Impress Choose the Perfect College Interview Outfit Imagine the most delicious donut you’ve ever tasted: Light, fluffy, and just a touch of cinnamon sugar. Now, imagine that someone punches your donut in the face. Does it still taste good? Who knows. It looks so bad that many people wouldn’t even attempt to eat it. College interviews are the same way, except without the face-punching. The way you present yourself is just as important as what you say and who you are as a person. Remember, your college recruiter has very little time to decide if you’re a good fit for their school. That means you need to make a great impression quickly – one that says you are exactly the kind of student they want, both inside and out. Here are the 5 simple secrets of picking the perfect outfit. KISS for Your Interview KISS is an acronym for Keep It Simple Stupid. Make sure that you don’t scare your interviewer off with wild colors, accessories, or piercings. The simpler your attire is, the more likely it is to make a positive impression. No stilettos or cleavage-revealing club tops. No gigantic Mohawk or spiked throat collars. Choose an outfit that is professional but still reflects a little bit of your personality. Color Is King A study by Harris Interactive showed that most job recruiters both consciously and subconsciously note the colors you pick for your interview outfit. Since getting into college is now your full-time job, consider their findings: Job recruiters suggest wearing blue 23% of the time and black 15% of the time. Still, you don’t want to be lost in a sea of monochromatic sameness. Consider choosing a color that fits your school’s ideal student. If you are applying for law school, black, grey, and white might be good colors. For a theatrical program, brown and green might be a good fit. According to color psychology each color has its meaning so you may choose the colors of your outfit according to the impression you want to create: Black – Leadership Blue – Team Player Gray Logical/Analytical White – Organized Brown – Dependable Red – Power Green, Yellow, Purple – Creative Orange – Unconventional/Unprofessional Be Wise, Accessorize Now, we’re not saying that you should look like your Great Aunt Judy (three sets of earrings, two scarves, and a bedazzled Christmas sweater), but consider a tactful and interesting accessory to wear during your interview. A small, personal bit of jewelry like a ring or tie tack is a great way to show your personality without overwhelming your interviewer. Also, steer clear of inappropriate accessories like sunglasses, hats, and gaudy belts or belt buckles that might make you look unprofessional. The Secret’s in the Smell In a recent study of Le Moyne College, researchers proved that how a person smells affects the first impression they make at the interview. And, an additional study from La Salle University showed that a slight floral fragrance leads to more positive interactions between strangers. Needless to say, taking a shower and using a fresh-smelling deodorant is a must for a good college interview. That being said, too much scent can have the opposite effect. Not only can it overwhelm people in the room, but can set off scent allergies. No one wants to be remembered as the person who sent the recruiter into anaphylactic shock. The Taboo List Although many people know exactly what â€Å"business professional† means, there are many who don’t. There are several things that, may immediately cross you off the list. Here are the biggest outfit liabilities for your college interview: For Ladies Nails longer than 1 inch Huge or gaudy earrings Overly-teased hair High heels over 2 inches Colored or patterned stockings Frills or ruffles Skirts more than 2 inches above the knee Shirts that reveal cleavage or stomach area All piercings except a single pair of earrings Clothing that shows tattoos For Gentlemen Sagging pants Mohawks or other unconventional hair styles Unbuttoned shirts Novelty or leather ties/bolo ties Sneakers White socks with dark dress pants – black only T-shirts Piercings of any kind Clothing that shows tattoos Jeans Remember that you dress to impress interviewers, not some party people. Your outfit canl open the doors of prestigious colleges for you, so take it serious. What is more, you will get more chances to prove that your personality is just as reliable, interesting and respectable, as your appearance is.

Religion in the public sector Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Religion in the public sector - Essay Example Therefore, the key question that the author seeks to answer is what religion offers to an organizational motivation, decision-making, and performance. Lawyer Stephen Carcer explains that the morality of a person depends on the person’s religious and spiritual tendencies. Contrary to his beliefs, Michael Lerner argues that spirituality is critical in self-realization and self-learning, that is necessary for the private and professional lives of individuals. These authors however, concur with the logic that institutionalization of spirituality is impossible without defying certain religious focus and locus. They insist that spirituality of an institution solely depends on the collective sacrifice. Moreover, the most important information in this article is spirituality is not exclusively confined or tied to the individual’s religious faith. The Supreme Being, which is the idol in religion, is central in the understanding of spirituality, but spirituality in itself goes far beyond this Supreme Being. The author argues that spirituality is a journey, in which an individual examines his /her life, determines its purpose and meaning, establishes the absolute effect that his/ her life has on the environment, which includes the organization. Therefore, this information is fundamental in distinguishing spirituality as individualistic, whereas religion is institutionalized (Houston & Cartwright, 2007). The key concepts that are required to understand this article are the forms of spiritual and religious expressions that re legally acceptable and politically permissible in the public workplace. The understanding of this article needs the articulate understanding of the rights of individuals as enshrined in the constitution, which outlines the privileges of the employer as well as those of the employee. This further requires the familiarity of the difference between the public and private sectors, with the additional scrutiny that

Blue Star Building the Apps Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Blue Star Building the Apps - Case Study Example The major challenge for Blue Star was the fact that every single partners of it used different software and hence the data was stored in different formats. In order to, deal with such situation the company required software that was capable of accepting and processing inputs that were in different formats so that usable information can be obtained. However, Tom Keen who is the CTO of the company did not get any useful off-the-self software that can meet this requirement of the company and hence the decision of developing proprietary software was made. Q.2) The main advantage that the open source software provided to the development process was the ‘stability’ that Tom Keen was looking for. Open source software makes the bugs well documented and hence it is possible to easily avoid them. However, in case of commercial software source codes cannot be accessed and as a result users cannot get to know about the bugs. As far as SOA is concerned it allowed the developers to mo dify the software in such a way so that the new requirements that arise due to change in the market can be fulfilled. Critical Thinking Questions Q.1) I completely agree with the view of Tom Keen regarding the fact that bugs can be managed in a better way in case of open source software as compared to commercial software. ... Q.2) Both quantitative and qualitative data are stored in the database. They are organized by the use of business intelligence tools and data mining tools that are widely used in the business organizations. Critical Questions Q.1) Manipulation of business data and manipulation of Genographic data are similar in the sense that arrangement and maintenance of both of them involve same business intelligence tools and data mining tools. Q.2) The special DBMS developed by National Geographic can assist researchers from different areas. For instance, researchers can identify various interesting psychological trends of the individuals who have registered themselves with National Geographic to know their origin. Information regarding the lifestyle of the previous generations can also be obtained by analyzing the Genographic data. The data of the above mentioned DBMS can be shared when the DBMS is made for multiple users. In other words, more than one user must be allowed to access the data of the DBMS for making them

Facial Recognition Technology for Identification

Facial Recognition Technology for Identification Abstract Facial recognition is a crucial factor of everyday identification processes: human beings recognize and evaluate each other by means of the face. Whenever driving licences, identity and membership cards are checked or wherever access is controlled by security staff, the identity is verified by looking into somebodys face. Thus, unlike other biometric features, e.g. the fingerprint or iris recognition, facial recognition is a transparent procedure well-known to human beings. However, especially in the context of the international fight against terrorism it has become obvious that the traditional way of identifying individuals is insufficient. There are certain limits to the natural recognition process carried out by human beings: The recognition performance is not only impaired by difficulties with the recognition of people from other ethnic origin or deceptions due to a different hair-do or beards, but also by subjective impression based on a persons outward. The requirement of successful personal identification in access control and in other cases leads to using the results of biometrics. Biometrics Face recognition is a passive, non-invasive method for verifying the identity of a person, Offers the benefits of its unique facial technology in the form of customized overall solutions for the areas of access control, border control, ID-Management, search for criminals and video surveillance Face recognition has come to be an active research area with numerous applications in recent years. In this thesis, a variety of approaches for face recognition are reviewed first. These approaches are classified according to basic tasks i-e Face Detect, face Normalization, and Face recognition. Then, an implementation of the face recognition method, the Eigenface recognition approach is presented in detail as well as other face recognitions methods i-e Local Feature Analysis, Neural Networks and Automatic face processing are discussed in general. Introduction Ever since the birth of first mankind, human beings have continually been seeking for personal possessions. From the very basics of food and clothes, to cars, houses, and the more recent substantial property of data and information, it is becoming increasingly important that such valuable assets be sheltered by means of security control. Throughout history, the types of technologies used on the access control systems are countless. From the traditional systems such as security guards checking personal IDs to the very fundamentals of keypads and locks and password or entry code, the focus now has moved to the more advance technologies, particularly in todays multifaceted society. Organisations are continuously seeking for a more secure, suitable and economical way of property protection. The problem associated with traditional mechanisms is that the possessions could be lost, stolen, forgotten, or misplaced. Furthermore, once in control of the identifying possession, any other unauthorised person could abuse the privileges of the authorised user. Therefore there is a need of another approach to properly differentiate the correct (right) person from an impostor by positive identification of the person seeking access. Biometrics is one rising development in the field of access control system that provides true identification. Although the word biometrics sound very new and high tech, it is in fact the oldest form of identification known to man. Since the dawn of man, a persons face and voice was used to identify him/her. Before the digital age, a hand written signature was the only method used by a person to assert a unique form of identification that was difficult to copy. Popular biometric systems in use today include fingerprint recognition, iris recognition, voice recognition, and facial recognition systems. These systems are in practice in different organizations like banks, airports, social services offices, blood banks and other highly sensitive organizations. Biometric system offers the most accurate authentication solution and convenience. Biometrics systems can be integrated into any application that requires security, access control, and identification or verification of people. With biometric security, we can dispense with the key, the password, the PIN code; the access-enabler is human beings not something he/she know, or something in his/her possession. Chapter 02 This part of the dissertation provides the general overview of biometrics. Definitions such as Automatic, Physiological and Behavioural characteristics are also discussed as well as different types of biometric systems i.e. one-to-one and one-to-many. General Biometrics Base systems model, how it works and Multimodal Biometrics systems are also discussed in detail. In the last section of this chapter, a comprehensive overview of the right approach in selection of different technologies for an origination in terms of business objective, user acceptance, FFR, FAR, organisational environments, cost and a comparison of all biometrics are also presented. Chapter 03 Different types of biometric technologies are described in this chapter i.e. finger prints, iris and retina, voice, biometric signature and how these technologies work and the main features of these technologies with the help of diagrams. Chapter 04 This chapter is one of the most important chapters which explain the general back ground of face recognition technology and how face recognition works. It gives a brief discussion of how verification and identification is achieved with the help of face recognition system. Actual techniques involved during face verification and identification i.e. faces detection, face normalisation and face recognition are also discussed in detail. Steps involved during the face detection i.e. coarse detection phase and refined search phase are discussed as well as how Normalisation is achieved through different steps i.e. lighting normalisation, scaling normalisation, rotation normalisation and background subtraction. Face recognition and methods of face recognition i.e. Eigenfaces, feature analysis, neural network and automatic face processing are discussed in this presentation. Chapter 05 In this chapter of my dissertation, a proposed model of face recognition system for attendance of university students is discussed. The specification of the system is also compiled after the extensive study of face recognition products of different Vendors. Chapter 06 This final chapter of my dissertation contains the conclusion, future work and issues involved with face recognition system. A review of the biometrics technology Biometrics: An overview In todays networked and digital world the role of system security has a vital importance. In originations a large number of professional people are involved in one form of electronic transaction or another. Securing a companys digital assets and identities is a necessity for financial success. Ignoring IT security increases the risk of losses for any company moving through this electronic world. Logging on to a system by entering user ID and password is very simple but its simplicity makes serious security problems. There are, however, people who use easy guess passwords or leave written passwords near to their computer. In this situation there is no way to confirm that the person is logged on the system using his/her ID and password or some one else, nothing can prevent someone else from accessing sensitive material. Its like a passport system that doesnt require a photograph. In addition, time consuming tasks behind the management of user ID and passwords divert already insufficient resources from other important responsibilities. Establishing an accurate identity is the main focus of the information systems security in recent years and great efforts are made in this field. Two types of identification systems are in use now today. In one type identification system flawed identity checking results in unnecessary duplication, fraud and client disruption, resulting costs and risks. While in other type of identification system an accurate identification procedure and effectiveness may be undermined by unpopularity resulting falsification and evasion. Chapter2 Three conventional forms of identification are in use. Origination ID or smart cards. The use of passwords or Personal Identification Numbers, mother name, place of birth, home address etc. The third form of identification is to identify something unique about a person, such as fingerprints, voice recognition, hand geometry, face structure, iris and retina. This third form of identification is known as Biometrics. Biometrics is a branch of science in which we study, what makes us biologically unique. It is also referred to the science and application of statistical analysis of biological characteristics (Physiological/ Behavioural). In security terms, Biometrics refers to technologies that analyse human characteristics for security purposes. Therefore Biometrics technologies are concerned with the physical parts of the human or personal trait of human being. There are different definitions of security base biometrics that have been circulating for a numbers of years. According to Ashbourn, an expert in Biometrics, Biometrics is a measurable physiological and / or behavioural trait that can be captured and subsequently compared with another instance at the time of verification). [1] The Biometrics Consortium states Biometrics is automated methods of recognizing a person based on a physiological or behavioural characteristic. [2] The international Biometrics Group defines biometrics as the automated use of physiological or behavioural characteristics to determine or verify identity [3] Physiological characteristics are fingerprint, Hand geometry, iris pattern ,retinal, ear shape and facial scans etc Behavioural characteristics are voice pattern, key strokes, signature etc. As mentioned, biometric technologies are anxious with the physical parts of the human or personal mannerism of human beings. The word automatics basically means that biometrics technology must recognise to identify /verify human characteristics rapidly and automatically, in real time. Unique physiological characteristics or behavioural mannerisms are examined in biometrics verification for an individuals identity. Physiological characteristics are essentially unchangeable such as hand geometry, iris pattern , palm prints, face structure and vane shape etc .while behavioural characteristic such as ones signature, voice or keystroke dynamics are changeable and these behavioural characteristics can change over time. They are both controllable and less controllable actions. The initial sample of the biometrics template, which is stored in the data base during the Enrolment, must be updated each time it is used. Although behaviour characteristics based biometrics is less costly and less intimidating to users, physiological characteristics have a tendency to offer greater accuracy and security. In any case, both techniques grant an extensively higher level of identification and verification as compare to smart cards or passwords technologies. A password or personal identification number (PIN) is not unique for an individual ,it can be stolen ,forgotten or lost, while a biometric characteristic is unique to each individual; it can be used to prevent fraud or theft. It cannot be lost, stolen or forgotten. There already many places such as research laboratories, defence (military) installations, VIP offices, day care centres and cash points where access is guarded by biometrics base authentication system. The following biometric identifiers currently obtainable or under development are fingerprints, body aroma, ear shape, face recognition, keystroke dynamics, palm print, retinal scan, iris pattern, signature, DNA, vein check and voice pattern. Biometrics-based Systems A biometric based system is a system that in some way uses physical characteristics or personal traits of a human being. These systems are not only, mainly used for security, but also use for encryption. Encryption The processes of translating a message (plaintext), with the help of software, into a programmed message/encoded text (Cipher text), called Encryption. This is usually accomplished using a secret key and a cryptographic code. [4] Type of Biometrics-based Systems There are two types of Biometrics-based systems. One-to-one systems (Verification system) One-to-many systems (Identification System) One-to-one system (verification) This type of biometric system works on the base of one to one matching and authentication principles where the system asks and attempts to answer the question Am I who I claim to be? At first a biometric sample of a person is provided to the system and then the system matches this sample to the previously stored template during the enrolment mode for that person. The system then decides whether that is the person who claims the identity. After a successful matching of the fresh sample with the stored template, the system authenticates the person. These types of systems are also referred to as verification systems. The verification system is a fast response system because it minimises the use of resources and time by providing biometrics sample/ information to the system which specifies the stored template in the data base for that person. [5] One-to-many system (identification) This type of biometrics system works on the base of one to many recognition principles. The system attempts to answer the question, Who am I? The basic purpose of this system to identify a persons identity by performing matches against all biometrics templates stored in a data base or a data library. A person does not claim his/her identity to the system; instead the person just gives the system some biometric data. The system then performs to match this data to all templates previously stored in the database and decides whether a match can be made. It is not necessary that the system responds with the persons name, it could be the persons ID or other unique identity. These types of systems are referred to as identification systems [6]. Identification systems have a slow response as compared to verification systems. This is because they require much more powerful resources due to the fact that more comparisons are required by identification systems. The biometrics identification system also prevents a person from registering twice on the system and ensures that a person is not already present in a data base. This type of system can be used in a large scale public benefits organisation, such as being used at banks where a person would try opening a second account on another name. This system can also be used with immigration where a person could try to enter the country on false documents. General Biometrics Base Authentication System Model A general biometrics base authentication system model consists of three major components, hardware, software and interface. Hardware is used to capture the biometrics information and software is used to maintain and manage it while an interface with application system that will use the result to confirm an individuals identity. The system operates in two different modes: Enrolment mode Authentication mode Enrolment mode: In this mode a users biometrics data is provided to a system, which stores this users biometric sample in a database or data library as a template. Hardware such as a biometrics readers/ scanners, cameras are used to capture biometrics sample. This stored template is then labelled with a user identity e.g. name, identification number etc. The way biometrics operate Some biometric base authentication systems may need a number of biometrics samples in order to build a profile of the biometric characteristics. These exclusive characteristics are then extracted and changed in to mathematical code by the system. Which is then stored in to the biometric system as a biometric template for the person who enrolled? The template is store in the memory storage of the system, or in computer database, smart card or barcode. A threshold is set in to the biometrics base authentication system according to the level of security [7], (a high threshold is set for high level of security) To secure the template to the person, a trigger or other mean of securing such as personal identification number, or a smart card that store the template which read by a card reader during the authentication mode, are use in biometrics. In some biometrics system when ever a person interacts with the system a new biometrics sample is provide to the system which is compared to the template. If this new sample and stored template is match (the score of new match if exceed from the set threshold then access is granted to that person). As both physical and behavioural characteristics are inconsistent with time, this change may be due to the age of the person, general health condition, working and environmental conditions and time pressures etc. the biometric base authentication system must allow for these delicate changes, in this case before a match is recorded a threshold *1 is set. This can take the form of an accuracy score *2. The comparison between the template and new sample must exceed this set threshold. If it not exceeds the system will not record the match and will not identify the person. This use of a threshold gives biometric technologies a significant advantage over passwords, PINs and ID badges. The use of a threshold affords a tremendous degree of flexibility and if the comparison between the new biometric sample and the template exceeds the stated threshold, identity will be confirmed. Threshold:-a predefine number, often controlled by system administer, which establish the degree of correlation necessary for a comparison to be deemed a match. Score: A number indicating the degree of similarity or correlation of a biometrics match Capture, extraction, comparison and match/non match are the four stages use by all biometric authentication systems. Capture A physical or behavioural sample is captured by the system during enrolment. Extraction unique data is extracted from the sample and a template is created. Comparison the template is then compared with a new sample. Multimodal Biometric System In some environments a signal biometrics identifier base system such as finger scan, face scan or iris scan etc often not able to meet the desired performance requirement of the organization. Different biometrics base identification system such as face recognition, finger print verification and vice verification, is integrated and worked as a single biometrics base identification system. Multimodal biometrics base identification system is use to over come the limitation of the single identifier biometrics base identification system. Initial experimental results reveal that the identity established by such an integrated system is more reliable than the identity established by a signal biometrics identifier base system. [8] Selecting the Right Approach In Different Environment Different biometrics base authentication systems are used. To choose the right approach to biometrics authentication it is necessary to understand the requirement of the organisation, the application of the biometrics system, and characteristics of the biometrics devices itself. Following factors are also important to choose a biometrics base authentication system, which most devices cant store raw fingerprints and that fingerprints cant be reconstructed based on the data stored within these systems. Intrusiveness is another factor affecting user acceptance of some devices, particularly iris and retinal scanning systems. [9] Business objective of the organisation The most important aspect to consider when selecting a biometrics base authentication system is the organisation business objectives. The choice biometrics system must meet or exceed organisational business objectives as well as sustain organisation in the coming years. Business objective is the bottom line where organisation starts and end. User acceptances Some biometrics, such as fingerprints, may be apparent as an assault of personal privacy. The system must not associate with other govt agencies biometrics (finger print) recognition system that most devices cant store raw fingerprints and that fingerprints cant be reconstructed based on the data stored within these systems. General intrusiveness can be another factor affecting user acceptance of some devices, particularly iris and retinal scanning systems. Following are the errors of biometrics base authentication system. False acceptance rate (FAR) False acceptance rate (FAR) is a system error. It is the rate at which an interloper can be recognized as a valid user. In one -to-one match during user verification, false acceptance is based on fake attempts, not on the total number of attempts by valid users. If FAR is 1%, it means one out of 100 users trying to break into the system will be successful [10]. FARs become more critical when you attempt to identify users based on biometrics, instead of simply trying to verify a person with a one-to-one or one-to-few operation False reject rate (FRR) False reject rate (FRR) is another type of error of biometrics system. It is the rate at which a valid user is rejected from the system. Consider a finger print recognition system; unfortunately, the conditions under which the original sample was collected can never be exactly duplicated when the user submits subsequence biometrics information to be compared. False reject rate may occur due to following variations. Rotation and Translation because of different positioning of the finger on the finger print device. Downward pressure on the surface of the input device which changes the scale of input device. Non-permanent or semi-permanent distortions like skin disease, scars, sweat, etc To over come FRR it is essential that all biometrics base authentication systems have a threshold value in order to allow for minor differences. With out threshold value FRR occurs and valid users will be probably rejected by system. If the threshold value is too high FAR occur [9]. It is there for necessary to find a proper threshold value. Organisational environments As stated it is important to consider the organisational environment when selecting biometrics base authentication system. Users with wet, dirty or dry hand have experienced problems with finger and palm recognition system. People using gloves generally cant use these systems. Face recognition system cant be easily be used in medical environments where hood and masks are used by users. Cost The direct cost of the system (hardware and software) is the initial considerations. Due to the improvement of features and functionality the over all cost of biometrics system reduces. It not only reduces fraud and eliminating problems associated with stolen or forgotten passwords but also reduces the help desk role. Summary The subject of this chapter is biometrics, which is defined as a method of verifying an individuals identity based on measurement of the individuals physical feature(s) or repeatable action(s) where those features and/or actions are both unique to that individual and measurable. A biometrics system which consists of enrolment mode and authentication mode, unique physiological characteristics or behavioural mannerisms are examined in biometrics verification for an individuals identity. All biometric systems essentially operate in a similar way in a four-stage process that is automated and computerized which are Capture, Extraction, Comparison and Match/non-match. Biometrics system one-to-one is based on one to one matching and authentication principles and is mainly used for verification purposes, while biometrics system one to many works on the principles of one-to-many recognition and is used for identification. Multimodal biometrics base identification system is used to over come the limitation of the signal identifier biometrics base identification system in which different biometrics base identification system such as face recognition, finger print verification and vice verification, is integrated and worked as a single biometrics base identification system. Methodologies of Biometrics Authentication An overview As stated, different biometric systems are use in different organisations according to their requirements. The most common biometrics system in use today includes fingerprint recognition, iris recognition, and voice recognition and face recognition systems. There are also other biometric systems available like retina recognition, vein pattern recognition, signature and DNA matching systems. These systems are not as widely used yet for various reasons. These biometrics systems can be integrated into any application that requires security, access control and identification or verification of people. With biometric security we can dispense with the key, the password and the PIN code; the access-enabler is a person, not something person know or something in his /her possession. Biometrics systems secured resources are based on who a person is. Biometrics systems also minimise the risk that is associated with less advanced technologies while at the same time offering a higher level of security and convenience. Fingerprint Recognition System Fingerprints are one of the human physiological characteristics that do not change throughout someones life. Even identical twins have different fingerprint patterns. The chance of identical twins to have the same fingerprint is less than one in a billion. Fingerprint recognition is generally considered the most practical system for its reliability, non-intrusive interfaces, and cost-effectiveness. In recent years, fingerprints have rallied significant support as the biometric technology that will probably be most widely used in the future. In addition to general security and access control applications, fingerprint verifiers are installed at different organisations such as, defence/military organisations health care, banking and finance, application services providers, immigration, law enforcement etc. The fingerprints strength is its acceptance, convenience and reliability. It takes little time and effort for somebody using a fingerprint identification device to have his or her fingerprint scanned. Studies have also found that using fingerprints as an identification source is the least intrusive of all biometric techniques. [15] Verification of fingerprints is also fast and reliable. Users experience fewer errors in matching when they use fingerprints versus many other biometric methods. In addition, a fingerprint identification device can require very little space on a desktop or in a machine. Several companies have produced capture units smaller than a deck of cards. One of the biggest fears of fingerprint technology is the theft of fingerprints. Skeptics point out that latent or residual prints left on the glass of a fingerprint scanner may be copied. However, a good fingerprint identification device only detects live fingers and will not acknowledge fingerprint copies. [12] Main Feature of Finger print verification system Analysis of minutia points i.e. finger image ridge (verification) endings, bifurcations or branches made by ridges. One of the most commercially successful biometric technologies. Important for applications where it is necessary to verify the identity of those who gain access. How fingerprint recognition system works In biometrics systems fingerprint recognition system is the fastest verification /identification (One-to-One / One-to-Many) system as shown in figure 3, 4, 5. Like other biometrics recognition systems it performs fingerprint recognition with the help of specialised hardware. This specialised hardware is supported by the conventional computer hardware and special software. All biometrics systems operate in two modes, enrolment mode and authentication mode (as discussed in the previous chapter). A sample of the fingerprint of a live person is provided to the system which is then converted into mathematical code (Template) and stored for the enrolee into the database. In the first step of the authentication process, a fingerprint impression is provided to the system. The system takes a digital image (input image figure 3:1:1 below) using different techniques including scanner, optical, and ultrasound or semiconductor chip technologies. The digital image of the fingerprint includes several unique features in terms of ridge bifurcations and ridge endings, collectively referred to as minutiae. [22] In the next step the system uses an automatic feature extraction algorithm to locate these features in the fingerprint image, as shown in Figure 3:1:2. Each of these features is commonly represented by its location (x, y, and z) and the ridge direction at that location; however the feature extraction stage may miss some minutiae and may generate spurious minutiae due to sensor noise and other variability in the imaging process. The elasticity of the human skin also affects the feature extraction process. [33] In the final stage, a final decision of match and non match is made on the bases of similarity between the two sets of features after compensating for the rotation, conversion and dimension. This similarity is often expressed as a score. A decision threshold is first selected. If the score is below the threshold, the fingerprints are determined not to match; if the score is above the threshold, a correct match is declared an authentication is granted to the person. Iris and Retina Recognition System Biometrics which analyse the intricate and unique characteristics of the eye can be divided into two different fields, Iris and Retina. Iris and retinal scans both deal with the human eye. They are done in an extremely different way as compared to other biometrics technology. Iris Recogniton System Iris recognition biometrics base authentication systems have unique characteristics and features of the human iris used to verify the identity of an individual. The iris is the area of the eye where the pigmented or colour circle, usually brown or blue, rings the dark pupil of the eye. It consists of over 400 unique distinguishing characteristics that can be quantified and used for an individual identity. However, only about 260 of those characteristics are captured in a live iris identification process [25]. Iris are composed before birth and, except in the event of an injury to the eyeball, remain unchanged throughout an individuals lifetime. Eyeglasses and contact lenses present no problems to the quality of the image and the iris recognition /scan systems test for a live eye by checking for the normal continuous fluctuation in the pupil size. As Iris patterns are extremely complex and unique they carry an astonishing amount of information. The fact that an individuals right and l eft eye are different and that patterns are easy to capture, it establishes iris recognition

Importance Of Note Taking In Colleges Education Essay

IntroductionNote-taking is a really of import larning tool in college schoolroom. Boyd ( 2004 ) found that pupils who take notes perform better on tests than pupils who merely highlight text. Most teachers besides wonder whether supplying press releases to pupils is truly utile for pupils or non. A study by Isaacs in 1994 shows that 43 % of academic staff frequently or ever use press releases in the schoolroom, and they feel that press releases help pupils to take notes and let them to listen and take part more in talk. The issue of note taking makes college professors use presentation package, such as Microsoft PowerPoint and its related press releases. Although Microsoft PowerPoint is more popular in colleges, it besides has negative impact on instruction and acquisition. For case, Tufte ( 2003 ) argues that PowerPoint and other presentation package have reduced the quality of presentations and represent hapless teaching method. This paper presents two surveies which determine if supplementing Microsoft PowerPoint lectures with press releases of the slides improve test-taking public presentation in an undergraduate homo development class. In the first survey, it was expected that pupils who received the press releases would execute significantly better on tests than pupils who did non. Students were surveyed about their usage of the PowerPoint press releases and perceptual experiences of the grade to which the notes helped with exam public presentation. The 2nd survey assessed the acquisition manners of pupils in order to find whether the acquisition manners with PowerPoint presentation press releases may impact pupil larning results. It looked at the three acquisition manners: lingual, visual-spatial, and bodily-kinesthetic.MethodFor the first survey in the autumn semester, pupils in two subdivisions of an upper degree Human Development class at a little Midwestern university participated in the current survey. Each subdivision had 50 pupils who were demographically similar across subdivisions. In the autumn semester, the class was divided into tierces, with an test given at the terminal of each 3rd. Students were required to take one of the first two noncumulative tests, but the lower class of the two was non computed into the concluding class. The concluding cumulative test was required of all pupils. At the beginning of category, Section 1 pupils were given hard-copy press releases to attach to the Power Point lectures for the 2nd test and the concluding ; they were instructed non to demo these press releases to pupils from Section 2. Section 2 pupils were given the press releases for the concluding tierce of the semester merely. In the spring survey, the process of the survey was similar to the autumn semester. However, pupils in both subdivisions were asked to look into as many points in the checklist of Multiple Intelligences Inventory for grownups ( Harper, 2005 ; Lazear, 1991 ) , wh ich characterized the ways they learned stuff.ConsequencesFor both surveies, there were no important differences between the two subdivisions on the trial scores with the usage of the PowerPoint press releases. As clearly seen, the average test mark of the pupils given PowerPoint press releases is rather similar to the average test mark of the pupils without PowerPoint press releases.Survey Results and Qualitative AnalysesResponses to the study show most pupils ( 79 % ) used the notes for analyzing for the concluding, 21 % were really attentive to the PowerPoint projections along with the notes, 25 % indicated that they had paid a batch of attending to the talk along with the press releases, and 39 % often wrote extra notes on the press releases. Similar to the autumn semester survey, the spring semester pupils were for the most portion rather positive about having the press releases, as 75 % indicated that the press releases were by and large helpful, 75 % felt that they were utile in fixing for trials, and 50 % indicated that the press releases improved their hearing to the talks.DiscussionSome findings show that the function of presentation press releases is truly utile for pupils to heighten the trial public presentation, but some do non. Although the findings seem to be strong, many factors to measure the usage of this instruction technique. One factor is class content which may act upon the acquisition results in categories utilizing PowerPoint. Another is that the consequence that PowerPoint slides has on larning results is non matched by studentsaa‚Â ¬a„? intuitive beliefs. Finally, the format of press releases does non supply complete sets of notes for pupils. Future research should analyze such teacher effects in the usage of PowerPoint press releases, every bit good as whether PowerPoint slides may be more effectual for certain class content and non others. In some respects, the usage of presentation package in the college schoolroom is one of those old contentions encased in new technological wrapper. Yet, it forces those of us who are actively involved in bettering instruction and acquisition in higher instruction to joint our premises and beliefs about what happens in and out of the schoolroom. To that terminal, there decidedly is something to be gained in the continued usage of the package and empirical geographic expedition of its effects.MentionsBoyd, C. H. ( 2004, May ) . Comparison of foregrounding and note-taking during a PowerPoint talk on trial public presentation. Poster session presented at the one-year meeting of the American Psychological Society, Chicago, IL. Harper, W.S. ( 2005 ) . Course stuffs for Plant and Soil Science. Unpublished papers, University of Vermont. Retrieved October 1, 2005 from hypertext transfer protocol: //pss.uvm.edu/pss162/learning_styles.html Isaacs, G. ( 1994 ) . Lecturing patterns and note-taking intents. Surveies in Higher Education, 19, 203-217. Lazear, D. ( 1991 ) . Seven ways of cognizing. Teaching for Multiple Intelligences ( 2nd edition ) . Palatine, IL: Skylight Publication. Noppe, I. , Achterberg, J. , Duquaine, L. , Huebbe, M. & A ; Williams, C. ( 2007 ) . PowerPoint presentation press releases and college pupil larning results [ Electronic version ] . International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 1 ( 1 ) . From hypertext transfer protocol: //www.georgiasouthern.edu/ijsotl Tufte, E. R. ( 2003 ) . The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint. Cheshire, Connecticut: Artworks Press LLC.IntroductionNote-taking is a really of import larning tool in college schoolroom. Boyd ( 2004 ) found that pupils who take notes perform better on tests than pupils who merely highlight text. Most teachers besides wonder whether supplying press releases to pupils is truly utile for pupils or non. A study by Isaacs in 1994 shows that 43 % of academic staff frequently or ever use press releases in the schoolroom, and they feel that press releases help pupils to take notes and let them to listen and take part more in talk. The issue of note taking makes college professors use presentation package, such as Microsoft PowerPoint and its related press releases. Although Microsoft PowerPoint is more popular in colleges, it besides has negative impact on instruction and acquisition. For case, Tufte ( 2003 ) argues that PowerPoint and other presentation package have reduced the quality of presentations and represent hapless teaching method. This paper presents two surveies which dete rmine if supplementing Microsoft PowerPoint lectures with press releases of the slides improve test-taking public presentation in an undergraduate homo development class. In the first survey, it was expected that pupils who received the press releases would execute significantly better on tests than pupils who did non. Students were surveyed about their usage of the PowerPoint press releases and perceptual experiences of the grade to which the notes helped with exam public presentation. The 2nd survey assessed the acquisition manners of pupils in order to find whether the acquisition manners with PowerPoint presentation press releases may impact pupil larning results. It looked at the three acquisition manners: lingual, visual-spatial, and bodily-kinesthetic.MethodFor the first survey in the autumn semester, pupils in two subdivisions of an upper degree Human Development class at a little Midwestern university participated in the current survey. Each subdivision had 50 pupils who were demographically similar across subdivisions. In the autumn semester, the class was divided into tierces, with an test given at the terminal of each 3rd. Students were required to take one of the first two noncumulative tests, but the lower class of the two was non computed into the concluding class. The concluding cumulative test was required of all pupils. At the beginning of category, Section 1 pupils were given hard-copy press releases to attach to the Power Point lectures for the 2nd test and the concluding ; they were instructed non to demo these press releases to pupils from Section 2. Section 2 pupils were given the press releases for the concluding tierce of the semester merely. In the spring survey, the process of the survey was similar to the autumn semester. However, pupils in both subdivisions were allowed to look into as many points in the checklist of Multiple Intelligences Inventory for grownups ( Harper, 2005 ; Lazear, 1991 ) , which characterized the ways they learned stuff.ConsequencesFor both surveies, there were no important differences on the trial scores with the usage of the PowerPoint press releases. Table 1 shows the average test tonss for two subdivisions of the class. As clearly seen, the average test mark of the pupils given PowerPoint press releases is rather similar to the average test mark of the pupils without PowerPoint press releases.Survey Results and Qualitative AnalysesResponses to the study show most pupils ( 79 % ) used the notes for analyzing for the concluding, 21 % were really attentive to the PowerPoint projections along with the notes, 25 % indicated that they had paid a batch of attending to the talk along with the press releases, and 39 % often wrote extra notes on the press releases. Similar to the autumn semester survey, the spring semester pupils were for the most portion rather positive about having the press releases, as 75 % indicated that the press releases were by and large helpful, 75 % felt that they were utile in fixing for trials, and 50 % indicated that the press releases improved their hearing to the talks.DiscussionSome findings show that the function of presentation press releases is truly utile for pupils to heighten the trial public presentation, but some do non. Although the findings seem to be strong, many factors to measure the usage of this instruction technique. One factor is class content which may act upon the acquisition results in categories utilizing PowerPoint. Another is that the consequence that PowerPoint slides has on larning results is non matched by studentsaa‚Â ¬a„? intuitive beliefs. Finally, the format of press releases does non supply complete sets of notes for pupils. Future research should analyze such teacher effects in the usage of PowerPoint press releases, every bit good as whether PowerPoint slides may be more effectual for certain class content and non others. In some respects, the usage of pres entation package in the college schoolroom is one of those old contentions encased in new technological wrapper. Yet, it forces those of us who are actively involved in bettering instruction and acquisition in higher instruction to joint our premises and beliefs about what happens in and out of the schoolroom. To that terminal, there decidedly is something to be gained in the continued usage of the package and empirical geographic expedition of its effects.