Does Cerumen have a risk for transmission of diseases? Essay

I learned in the A & P course that ear wax (or cerumen) is a waxy secretion by ceruminous gland (= modified sebaceous gland), mixed with sloughed epithelial cells, which inhibits the growth of certain bacteria due to its acidic pH. It also protects the skin of the external auditory canal by providing a waterproof layer, so, it’s something beneficial to us. Sure enough, there appear to be a number of articles written to support this – â€Å"Bactericidal activity of cerumen†, Chai & Chai (ref 1), â€Å"Bactericidal activity of wet cerumen†, Stone & Fulghun (ref 2), etc. (though this concept is refuted by a later study! (ref 3))On the other hand, I could find only very few articles that discuss the role that ear wax plays in disease transmission or as a portal of exist for pathogens. I started with an article by Kemp & Bankaitis (ref 4), in which it is stated that cerumen is not considered an infectious agent until it becomes contaminated with blood or mucus, and it can even be placed in the regular trash unless significant amount of blood or mucous is present. So, it appears the danger is not in cerumen itself but in blood/mucous contaminant. CDC lists Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and Viral Hemorrhagic Fever(VHF) as infectious diseases by bloodborne pathogens (ref 5). On the topic of cerumen itself transmitting bloodborne viruses, I could find only two articles, both by the same group of researchers, Beyindir, Kalcioglu et al. First article is on the study of possible transmission of Hepatitis B (ref 6), in which the authors conclude that cerumen can be a potential source of transmission and further investigation for horizontal, nosocomial, and occupational transmission is necessary. The second article is on Hepatitis C, and it concludes that cerumen has no risk, even in patients with high HCV RNA serum levels. I could not find any articles to confirm/deny cerumen as a source of transmission for HIV or VHF. I think our text book lists ear wax as a portal of exit for pathogens, because of more than minimal potential risk of contamination by blood, during treatment of otitis, removal of impacted ear wax etc. performed by otolaryngologists/audiologists on a regular basis. Referrences ———–1: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 1980 Oct;18(4): 638-412: The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology, 1984 Mar-Apr;93(2 Pt 1): 183-63: â€Å"Influence of human wet cerumen on the growth of common and pathogenic bacteria of the ear†, Campos, Betancor, et al., The Journal of laryngology and otology, 2000 Dec;114(12): 925-94: â€Å"Infection Control in Audiology†, http://web.clas.ufl.edu/users/sgriff/infectioncontrol.pdf5: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/Blood/blood.htm6: â€Å"Does cerumen have a risk for transmission of hepatitis B?†, The Laryngoscope, 2004 Mar;114(3): 577-807: â€Å"Detection of HCV-RNA in cerumen of chronically HCV-infected patients†, The Laryngoscope, 2005 Mar;115(3): 508-11

Gilgamesh and Antigone

I examined the role of Gods in two texts- Gilgamish and Antigone and I felt that each text defines the role of Gods in its own unique way. For Antigone, the role of Gods is indirect; this is shown in Antigone’s actions and beliefs as her character is obviously clear minded and always aware not only that honoring the divine was the right stand to take in any situation, but also how exactly to pay respect to them: â€Å"I know I’m pleasing those I should please most† (line 88).After realizing the fact that the body of her brother (Polyneices) would not be given last rites, she went to her sister asking her for help in honoring the divine. When her sister declined her desire and warned her of the risks of such actions, Antigone was steady in her decision believing that disrespecting the Gods was the real risk, saying : â€Å"The time in which I must please those that are dead/ is much longer than I must please those of this world† (76-7). he Chorus speech aft er Creon has more or less determined the fate of antigone: With wisdom had someone declared a word of distinction: that evil seems good to one whose mind the god leads to ruin, and but for the briefest moment of time is his life outside of calamity. (619-24) Those hints by the chorus throughout the play lead us to another approach to understanding the role of gods in the it; the Gods were in control of everything, resulting the events to unfold, and maybe to teach a moral lesson to the city and even to the audience as well.Events that support this interpretation include the arrival of Antigone at the place of her brother after the guards removed the dust on her brother’s body, for example in these lines: Suddenly a squall lifted out of the earth a storm of dust, a trouble in the sky. (417-9) We closed our eyes, enduring this plague sent by the gods. When at long last we were quit of it, why, then we saw the girl. (422-4) The Epic of Gligmesh, however, introduces numerous Gods . The role of Gods in Gilgamish is more complicated and has its direct and indirect actions throughout the story.The indirect role of Gods in my opinion is shown when they instead of disciplining Gilgamesh for his unfair treatment of the young men and women of Uruk, they created a counterpart to distract him from his bold and unbearable behavior. The direct role of Gods in Gilgamesh is revealed during the debate about putting Enkidu into death and Enlil, the highest God, ends the talk that one of the two (Enkidu and Gilgamesh) must die for slaughtering Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven. That was a direct role for Gods in the epic of Gilgamesh I believe.Enlil has the power over the entire cosmos and the affairs of man. He is sometimes friendly towards mankind, but can also be cruel and send punishments to people. He was angry and humans had reasons to fear objecting him; he had in the past tries to destroy the human race. Another God introduced is Ishtar; she was all at once the goddess of love, war and fertility. Her role was direct as she wanted to use the bull of heaven and wanted it to loose so she can watch him stab Gilgamesh to death because he rejected her . The Goddess Ishar saw him and fell in love with the beauty of Gilgamesh†¦ â€Å"Be my lover, be my husband†, she spoke and said, †¦ â€Å"plant your seed in the body of Ishtar†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Gilgamesh answered ad said†¦ â€Å"I have nothing to give to her who lacks nothing at all. You are the door through which the cold gets in†¦ You are the house that falls down†¦ the ill-made wall that buckles when time has gone by. † (p. 29-30). The epic of Gilgamesh certainly has various roles of Gods in it, and their impact was more direct than Antigone.

MEDICAL ETHICS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

MEDICAL ETHICS - Essay Example oral standards when conducting scientific experiments on live subjects, both human and animal subjects, in that certain practices are no longer allowed just for the sake of obtaining some data. It is now a requirement to seek prior approval before conducting an experiment to ensure that no subjects will be harmed and this strict code of ethical conduct has been extended to many clinical trials as well with regards to testing new drugs on people, that consent has been obtained and that full disclosure of potential side effects are made transparent and explained to participants. There are many ethical, moral and legal issues involved in animal testing such as using experimental new drugs on animals. These issues have concerned scientists and researchers alike and also animal rights advocates, who question the value of the data obtained from that kind of research (Watson, 2009, p. 17) while others prefer scientific research experiments should still be conducted but only under strict conditions that met all the ethical criteria (Rollin, 2006, p. 3) and that ethics should be applied in science. This topic is the subject of this brief paper concerning its so-called 3 Rs, namely replacement, reduction and refinement with regards to such experiments. The adoption of the aforementioned 3 Rs was a big step towards ethical considerations on experiments done on live animals. It was put forth by two eminent British biologists in 1960s as a way to treat animal subjects more humanely and acquired the status of an ethics standard. It has been termed as the 3 Rs principle and is discussed here in connection with the experiment on monkeys as observed in the wild and in captivity by scientists researching on the causes of stress. This is because stress is one of the leading causes of death among humans and knowledge gained from studying the troops of monkeys and baboons have great implications for the human species. Along this line, each component of the said principle will be

Case 12 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Case 12 - Essay Example She believes getting rid of gasoline is a potential solution towards fighting pollution. She believes gasoline is a contributor to pollution. That means she uses deductive reasoning. Laura seems so concern about how others view her and this is a normal behavior at her age. Because she is in the identity vs. role confusion development stage that searching for her identity and the physical appearance is one of the identity aspects. Feeling confident about your physical appearance helps develop high self-esteem in an individual. When Laura gets confidence that she is attractive and others see her as attractive and beautiful she will develop a higher self-esteem. On the other hand, I like when s. Watkins asked her† o you like people looking at you, Laura?† because her answer shows that she knows what she wants. Also, the way that she responded and explained to her about getting attention; and how she guided her to improve and learn thinking and social skills by connecting her to Mr.

Discussion Board 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Discussion Board 3 - Essay Example st come to its senses (pun intended) and realize that a significant section of the population has either been involved with the prison/parole system†¦ or will be. Because of this, the stigma attached to incarceration does not carry the same irrational prejudice it once had. Indeed, not only does the prison population have a large enough community to qualify for it’s own statehood - they make up a significant of the â€Å"general stir† (i.e., outside society). In all to many cases, there is little difference between the population inside the prison and the one found outside the walls. Now this is not to say there are not individuals requiring lifetime incarceration. However, with the increase of mandatory sentencing as a deterrent for many crimes, the prison population has received an influx of inmates classified as low-risk or non-violent. Craig Haney, Ph.D., and Philip Zimbardo, Ph.D. (1998) note that a fourth of these nonviolent offenders return to jail fro a second offense - indicating that prison serves as a school for violent and criminal behavior rather than a deterrent. The 1994 analysis of the Department of Justice came to similar conclusions: â€Å"the amount of time inmates serve in prison does not increase or decrease the likelihood of recidivism, whether recidivism is measured as parole revocation, re-arrest, reconviction, or return to prison." Thus, it takes a short leap of logic to realize that fro many of these offenders, prison sentences are only perpetuating the problem. The only thing accomplished by detaining a minor offender is training them to be a more calloused criminal. These lessons are being provided free of charge and are coming from the same pockets that provide public school - the public itself. In many cases, the prisoners earn money as well via some work program, all while living on free room and board. The solution seems obvious: a sensible purging of the prison system on a case be case basis. Although though must e used

Myth of Demeter and Persephone in terms of ritual Essay

Myth of Demeter and Persephone in terms of ritual - Essay Example The same is applied with the Demeter and Persephone. Iliad portrays Demeter and her daughter Persephone as the lesser goddesses, where Demeter is sketched as the goddess of fertility, corn, harvest and mother earth, where she ruled over the areas including fertility, growth, wisdom, and bloom of the crops, fruits and vegetables. Similarly, Persephone served as the Maiden of Spring, though later she got the title of Queen of the underworld after her deceitful abduction at the hands of Hades, the Underworld King. Demeter’s rituals were celebrated with great enthusiasm in sowing and harvesting seasons i.e. in spring and autumn. Eleusinian Mystery is the ritual attributed to Demeter, which is celebrated to memorize her refuge in Eleusis town in the aftermath of her unsuccessful rummage around the earth for the lost Persephone. Since Demeter maintained sheer feelings of affection for Persephone, she did not let her depart from her sight. Somehow, she was trapped by Zeus for the Had es’ sake, and thus was shifted to the underworld in the wake of the eruption of earth during her gathering the cosmic flowers. Demeter searched for Persephone in all corners of the earth and also sought the support of gods, but no one bothered to help her at the hour of utter disgust. (Roberts, 1960) Consequently, Demeter caused famine and drought all over the earth, which destroyed all crops and cultivation met a sorrowful end. There was everything green and blossoming and people were happy and prosperous. But the anger of Demeter turned greenery into futility and barrenness and people became poignant and gloomy. Consequently, Zeus interrupted and ordered Hades to arrange meeting between Demeter and Persephone. However, Persephone was forced to take seed from the pomegranate of the dead, which did not let her stay with her mother for long. On disclosure of the very fact, Demeter refused to turn the lands fertile and productive again. Somehow, Zeus assured that Persephone wou ld stay with Demeter for six months, and would abide in the underworld for the remaining half year. The myth not only maintained imperative significance in its nature and scope, but also gave birth to the Greek celebrations and rituals for the future years to come. The rituals are based on the sense of hope, cultivation, blossoming, joy and mirth on the one hand, and despair, sorrow, gloom and cruelty on the other. The six months, attributed to union of the mother and daughter give message of hope, spirituality and courage, while their separation represents long awaiting, barrenness, tyranny, deceit and darkness. Somehow, the rituals of Demeter and Persephone are celebrated with unabated passion and spiritual fervor. The most noteworthy issue regarding the celebration of her ritual was the people’s passion for obtaining spiritual elevation on the one hand, and gaining the worldly gains on the other. Since Demeter’s temple provides spiritual and mental relief to the pil grims, her mysterious powers of fertility and bloom bless the people with children, economic prosperity, agricultural flourish and access to the pecuniary gains as well. It is therefore, the pilgrims travelled wide to reach Eleusis particularly in autumn, where the men and slaves kept fast till darkness of night. Demeter had secretly established her temple in Eleusis during her search for Persephone, and the Greeks celebrated the mystery once a year in autumn season which

Business Improvement and Creativity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business Improvement and Creativity - Essay Example To maintain the company’s market shares, the top management of RIM is being challenged to constantly improve its business processes and product quality and design. (See Appendix I – Summary of Mobile Phone Sales Volume Around the World on page 11) As part of analyzing the main drivers behind the business improvement of BlackBerry, this study will purposely analyze the theory behind John Kotter’s model of organizational change and DEbono’s six hat thinking. After critically analyzing these two particular business improvement theories, it will be applied in the case of RIM – BlackBerry. According to Nelson and Quick (2008, p. 416), organizational change is inevitable yet manageable. To compete in the market, implementing product innovation and organizational change is necessary (Sabri, Gupta and Beitler, 2007, p. viii). is commonly used in â€Å"planning, implementing, and sustaining change† (Sabri, Gupta and Beitler, 2007, p. 176). According to Kottler (1996), the eight steps towards a successful organizational change include: (1) establishing a sense of urgency; (2) creating a guiding coalition; (3) developing a vision and strategy for change; (4) communicating the vision and strategy for change; (5) empowering employees for action; (6) generating short-term wins; (7) consolidating gains and producing more change; and (8) anchoring change in organizational culture [cited in Sabri, Gupta and Beitler, 2007, p. 176]. (See Appendix II – Kotter’s Model of Organizational Change on page 12) The model presented by Kottler is clear and straight-forward. Using the SWOT matrix, this model encourages the managers to reflect on the need to implement organizational change (Kottler, 1996, p. 21). It also encourages the managers to use their leadership skills to effectively communicate the vision and strategy to persuade employees to support organizational

Psychological Assessment Model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Psychological Assessment Model - Essay Example Moreover, if skilled clinicians could each independently assess several of the same clients, they should arrive at differential assessment conclusions appropriate to each client. In any case, clinicians should make accurate, comprehensive assessment decisions regardless of (a) their cultural backgrounds, (b) the clients cultural background, and (c) the complexity and nature of the presenting problem(s).† One social and psychological variable, among many others that must be taken into consideration, is culture. Unfortunately, this variable is usually mishandled or overlooked in the process. According to Ridley, Li, and Hill (1998, p. 1), â€Å"Culture is one such variable that permeates human experience. It affects the way people label illness, identify symptoms, seek help, decide whether someone is normal or abnormal, set expectations for therapists and clients, give themselves personal meaning, and understand morality and altered states of consciousness. Sometimes clinicians give culture too much credence in assessment, resulting in their overlooking or underdiagnosing of psychopathology, or they may not give culture due consideration, resulting in their overdiagnosing of psychopathology.† One of the most challenging aspects of dealing with culture when it comes to mental health professionals is deciding whether a person of a particular culture is abnormal in general or if they are considered abnormal within their culture. As a result, culture must be incorporate into psychological assessment. Most clinicians are not properly trained to assess multicultural clients in the current situation at mental health facilities. This is particularly a problem because accurate assessment is crucial in helping an individual in need. Mainstream assessment methods have even been found to be dangerous to multicultural individuals and groups (Spengler,

Infection Control & Work Health and Safety Assignment

Infection Control & Work Health and Safety - Assignment Example Codes of practice provide comprehensive information about sections of acts or regulations. It also gives an outline of actions, activities, responsibilities, responses and technical requirements to conditions and measures to be observed within a work place. Therefore, the WHS regulation and codes of practice support activities of the WHS Act. Similarly, the codes of practice support activities of the WHS regulations. Pertussis is caused by a bacterial microorganism Bordetella pertussis and uses the human body as a reservoir. The bacteria breeds in the respiratory system hence pertussis mostly affects the respiratory tract causing heavy coughing and sneezing to patients. Pertussis spreads through the droplet mode of transmission. It is caused by viral micro-organisms referred to as rotavirus, Norovirus or Astrovirus. The human body is responsible for providing reservoirs for the viruses. The condition’s portal of exit is through the human gastrointestinal tract and leaves the body through faeces. Acute gastroenteritis spreads via vector transmission. Hepatitis B is caused by viral micro-organisms referred to as hepadnavirus. The human body provides a reservoir for the survival of the viruses. Microorganisms that cause Hepatitis B reside in the urinary tract and can be caused by pathogens. This condition spreads through direct contact to people with the virus. For example, transmission can be through sexual intercourse. When conducting clinical therapies, health workers are required to practice set procedures when dealing with spills. It is also necessary to note that spills should be cleaned immediately, and the area disinfected to prevent multiplication of infections. In clinical settings, most spills include body fluids or ought to be treated before disinfection and correct waste disposal techniques applied (WHS Act qtd. in Safe Practices Learning Guide 2012: 21). In managing spills, health workers should observe standard

Examine the use of the dramatic monologue Essay Example for Free

Examine the use of the dramatic monologue Essay Examine the use of the dramatic monologue in the poetry of Carol Ann Duffy Unlike the soliloquy, the dramatic monologue speaks directly to the reader and voices a single character or personas thoughts, this offers a better understanding of the ideas and message the poet is trying to express. The dramatic monologue is used to form a bond or relationship between the speaker and the reader, taking the poem to a personal level, and in turn more effective in conveying a certain message. This essay will explore the way the dramatic monologue is used in both Demeter and Mrs. Midas by Carol Ann Duffy, taken from her collection of poems The Worlds Wife. The phrase, Behind every great man there is said to be a great woman comes to mind when reading The Worlds Wife. The title of this collection reveals much about its content and Duffys intentions. The Worlds Wife places emphasis on the wife, giving the woman the centre stage and allowing her the chance to speak through the medium of the dramatic monologue. From Mrs. Midas to Mrs. Beast, Duffy explores the thoughts and feelings of the women behind famous men, be it through history or through myth or fairytale, Duffy makes it very clear that every woman has a tale to tell. Mrs. Midas tells the untold story of the well-known Greek myth King Midas, who is miraculously, granted the wish of turning everything he touches into gold. As with all the poems in The Worlds Wife, the title is a clear giveaway of what the poem is about to entail, and this is no different. Mrs. Midas, the wife of King Midas is the persona of this particular monologue and here she voices her thoughts on her husbands newfound ability. The kitchen filled with the smell of itself. This personification continues through the first stanza of Mrs. Midas. Its steamy breath and wiped the others glass like a brow, personifies the kitchen Mrs. Midas is in to help you relate to the familiar homely setting that surrounds her. The effect of this is that you feel how she feels at that time, safe, happy and without a care in the world. The lines begun to unwind and the imagery of her relaxing to a glass of wine enforce this feeling. The use of dramatic monologue helps to dramatise the final line of the stanza, He was standing under the pear tree snapping a twig, the descriptive lines before this contrasts with the abrupt change of topic, this prepares you for the turning point in her story, where the twist to her tale begins. Within the next few stanzas Mrs. Midass tone dramatically changes from feeling relaxed and happy to shocked and horrified at what her husband has done. He came into the house. The doorknobs gleamed. He drew the blinds. The short sentences evoke a feeling of everything happening too fast, supporting the shocked and horrified mood, which continues to the next stanzas. The first point of the poem in which you hear of her husbands reaction is where he laughs in reply to her question, What in the name of God is going on? Duffy has intended his initial reaction to be laughter instead of explaining himself to portray the stereotypical man that doesnt show consideration or take the situation or his wife seriously when she clearly needs it. The poem is set out in a structure of eleven stanzas consisting of six lines where only two exceptions of this rule is made. He toyed with his spoon, then mine, then with the knives, the forks. The word forks takes a line by itself to help you imagine the way in which Mrs. Midas is speaking to you, she is clearly still in a state of shock and this new line marks a short pause in her speech where she is struggling to stay calm. You see, we were passionate then, where then is on a line by itself it is as though Mrs. Midas has taken a short moment to imagine those happy times when they were passionate, appreciating them as those days are now long gone. I locked the cat in the cellar, The toilet I didnt mind. Like in much of her work, Duffy implements short spouts of humour throughout the poem, the effect of this is that the colloquial language engages the reader and helps to support the idea that Mrs. Midas is actually voicing her tale to the reader personally. Mrs. Midas speaks bitterly about the fatal consequences her husband has bought to their marriage, Separate beds. In fact, I put a chair against my door, near petrified, she also reminisces of the days when they were happy and uses words such as unwrapping which connotes the excitement she once felt. Contrasting the good times they had together with the breakdowns of their marriage they are experiencing now highlights the selfishness and lack of thought her husband had for their relationship. The poem ends with Mrs. Midas being forced to separate from her husband. He is left secluded on his own in the wilds away from people he can potentially harm. The irony of this is that he had hoped the power of the golden touch would win him prosperity, popularity and love and respect by all, and yet it has forced him to live alone for the rest of his life, unable to ever be intimate with his wife again, and unable to enjoy the things he had hoped money would buy him. but the lack of thought for me. Pure selfishness.

Relationship between Introversion and Depression

Relationship between Introversion and Depression The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. As a psychological disorder, depression affects more than 350 million people all over the world. Studies reveal that some people are more prone to depression, including those with introverted personalities. Characterizing an Introvert Introverted people are energized by the inner workings of their minds. They thrive on their own thoughts and ideas. Although they can be social and talkative in the company of close friends, introverts are generally quiet, especially in the presence of strangers or when they are in large groups. Introverts are observant and learn from what they see. It takes longer for them to make decisions because they are trying to process all the information within themselves. Unlike extroverts, who tend to be invigorated by other people, an introverts energy is generally drained by socializing; thus, their preference to spend time alone in order to recharge. This natural interest in solitude is one of the most common traits of introverted individuals. Often, it is seen as part of the behavior that makes them prone to depression. An introvert characteristically avoids social interaction and prefers to spend time alone or in the company of a few people. This, however, is not a negative trait indicative of antisocial behavior. Simply put, it is a personality trait typified by introspection. Many times, introversion is considered the same as shyness, but the two are not necessarily associated; a shy person may be either introverted or extroverted. The Health Risks of Introversion Being an introvert often leads to a better understanding of the world. Unfortunately, introversion is not without its negative points. Award-winning mental health journalist and author John McManamy wrote that introverted behavior may lead to isolation and depression. As an introvert diagnosed with bipolar disorder, McManamy knows the topic very well. The tendency of introverts to isolate themselves makes them more susceptible to emotional health issues. Introverts often feel that people perceive them as odd or weird, and inability to speak up about their physical health problems may lead to a poor state of health or failure to get access to the best standard of care. Research indicates that introverted people have weaker immune systems than their extroverted counterparts. The Relationship between Introversion and Depression It is normal for anyone to have either an extroverted or introverted personality. Extroverted individuals may have lots of friends and be more action-oriented, while introverts prefer solitude and contemplation. This is not a sign of a personality disorder. However, studies confirm that introverts are at higher risk for depression. A study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that the population of those with depression is 74 percent introverts. Another study suggested that introverts have lower psychological well-being and are more likely to engage in self-harming behavior. The same conclusions were published in an article in Current Psychiatry Reports, citing Dr. Janowskys scientific research on the persistence of depressive symptoms due to increased introversion. As a matter of fact, the American Psychiatric Association added introverted personality disorder   to their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) more than 30 years ago. For decades, the World Health Organization has also been including introverted personality in its manual, the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-9 CM). Overcoming Depression as an Introvert The studies associating introversion with depression do not mean that other personality types cannot develop the condition. Depression is a condition that you should not be ashamed of. You cannot be blamed for being depressed, just as you would not blame people for having other medical issues. If you are an introvert, there is nothing wrong with you. Your penchant for isolation may, however, trigger a depressive condition. Its true that depression is manageable, but your introverted tendencies can make it difficult to reach out for help because you prefer to stay in your head. Keep in mind that you cannot just will yourself out of depression. It is not something that disappears on its own. Depression requires treatment. You dont need to suffer in silence. If you believe that your introverted behavior has become a gateway to depression, you can rise above the gloom. Recognize your need for professional care and seek out the right-fit therapist independently contracted with Carolina Counseling Services in Pinehurst, NC. Counseling can help you adjust better when your introverted personality is prone to depression. Call now to request an appointment.

Philosophy Essay -- Education Teaching Essays

Philosophy Why I want to teach: Children are far more likely to smile and laugh than grown ups. Their giggles and humor tend to be contagious and so I love to be around them. They have a tremendous capacity to learn but still manage not to take things too seriously. I admire that and would like to spend my career helping them. My education philosophy: Each of the major philosophical approaches to education has merit. However, to strictly employ only one philosophy is limiting and hampers all possibility for improvement. Essentialism, progressivism, perennialism, and existentialism all contribute valid ideas to the teaching profession. I will choose to use aspects of each in varying degrees as is appropriate to different students and situations. Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences must be considered when planning lessons for students with different aptitudes. In addition, it is important to keep an open mind about the many different methods available for teaching any given subject in a manner that is best suited to students with different intelligences. The merit of essentialism is evident in its name. Essentialism aims to teach essential skills and subjects. There are unarguably certain subjects which are necessary as a core and foundation to all other learning. Reading, math, and natural science are subjects that will be built upon from day one of a students school career. I agree with essentialists that these subjects should be taught to every student in addition to history, literature, and other social sciences. Essentialism also holds that teachers should teach a respect for duty and authority as well as consideration for others. Personally, I agree with this idea and believe that a respect for author... ...ifficult to apply the best parts of each of these philosophies. In fact, it may be impossible to apply them all simultaneously. My goal is to maintain an awareness of each of them so that I can employ the best philosophy for each situation. As an elementary school teacher essentialism and progressivism will be most appropriate in most situations. However, as part of my professional development, it will be important to maintain and add to my knowledge of all educational philosophies. My greatest challenge will be discovering the best method for effectively teaching students with so many varied interests, aptitudes, and cultural backgrounds. I feel confident that Concord College is giving me a strong foundation to build these skills upon. I consider my field experiences an invaluable opportunity to test and improve the educational philosophies I am learning in class. Philosophy Essay -- Education Teaching Essays Philosophy Why I want to teach: Children are far more likely to smile and laugh than grown ups. Their giggles and humor tend to be contagious and so I love to be around them. They have a tremendous capacity to learn but still manage not to take things too seriously. I admire that and would like to spend my career helping them. My education philosophy: Each of the major philosophical approaches to education has merit. However, to strictly employ only one philosophy is limiting and hampers all possibility for improvement. Essentialism, progressivism, perennialism, and existentialism all contribute valid ideas to the teaching profession. I will choose to use aspects of each in varying degrees as is appropriate to different students and situations. Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences must be considered when planning lessons for students with different aptitudes. In addition, it is important to keep an open mind about the many different methods available for teaching any given subject in a manner that is best suited to students with different intelligences. The merit of essentialism is evident in its name. Essentialism aims to teach essential skills and subjects. There are unarguably certain subjects which are necessary as a core and foundation to all other learning. Reading, math, and natural science are subjects that will be built upon from day one of a students school career. I agree with essentialists that these subjects should be taught to every student in addition to history, literature, and other social sciences. Essentialism also holds that teachers should teach a respect for duty and authority as well as consideration for others. Personally, I agree with this idea and believe that a respect for author... ...ifficult to apply the best parts of each of these philosophies. In fact, it may be impossible to apply them all simultaneously. My goal is to maintain an awareness of each of them so that I can employ the best philosophy for each situation. As an elementary school teacher essentialism and progressivism will be most appropriate in most situations. However, as part of my professional development, it will be important to maintain and add to my knowledge of all educational philosophies. My greatest challenge will be discovering the best method for effectively teaching students with so many varied interests, aptitudes, and cultural backgrounds. I feel confident that Concord College is giving me a strong foundation to build these skills upon. I consider my field experiences an invaluable opportunity to test and improve the educational philosophies I am learning in class.

You Must Depend Only on Yourself :: Arguementative

Depending on Yourself Have you ever been told something by somebody, acted upon what you were told, then found out what they told you was wrong? This just goes to show that you should never rely on anybody else's word. I have always been told that attitute is everything. If you want to do accomplish something, your attitute towards your goal is the most important factor in your success. However, my personal experiences say otherwise. In seventh grade P.E. class, I had taken up the attitute that P.E. is a waste of time, and was not motivated to actively exert effort in the class. This kept up throughout the year, and my grade at the end was a "B". The next year, I decided I had better change my ways. I made sure to show enthusiasm and effort throughout the year. My final grade this time? Still a "B". This has forever disheartened me from trying to get an A in P.E., since it seems that nothing you do can change your grade. Even if you change your attitute, the result can be the same. The necessity of self-reliance becomes more and more apparent if you start to search for examples. For instance, several of my friends had a certain teacher for a physics class, who was often wrong in his teachings, but unwilling to admit to his mistakes. They had to compare what he had taught them with information in other places, to make sure he wasn't teaching the lessons incorrectly. Due to his mistakes, they had to rely on themselves, not the word of the teacher. My parents always tell me that if I don't want homework to be such a chore, that I have to motivate myself. I took their advice with an open mind, and got myself motivated for a history essay. But when the time came to write it, it was just as bad as any other. You Must Depend Only on Yourself :: Arguementative Depending on Yourself Have you ever been told something by somebody, acted upon what you were told, then found out what they told you was wrong? This just goes to show that you should never rely on anybody else's word. I have always been told that attitute is everything. If you want to do accomplish something, your attitute towards your goal is the most important factor in your success. However, my personal experiences say otherwise. In seventh grade P.E. class, I had taken up the attitute that P.E. is a waste of time, and was not motivated to actively exert effort in the class. This kept up throughout the year, and my grade at the end was a "B". The next year, I decided I had better change my ways. I made sure to show enthusiasm and effort throughout the year. My final grade this time? Still a "B". This has forever disheartened me from trying to get an A in P.E., since it seems that nothing you do can change your grade. Even if you change your attitute, the result can be the same. The necessity of self-reliance becomes more and more apparent if you start to search for examples. For instance, several of my friends had a certain teacher for a physics class, who was often wrong in his teachings, but unwilling to admit to his mistakes. They had to compare what he had taught them with information in other places, to make sure he wasn't teaching the lessons incorrectly. Due to his mistakes, they had to rely on themselves, not the word of the teacher. My parents always tell me that if I don't want homework to be such a chore, that I have to motivate myself. I took their advice with an open mind, and got myself motivated for a history essay. But when the time came to write it, it was just as bad as any other.

Where the Mind Is Without Fear

â€Å"Where the Mind is Without Fear† is a short lyric taken from â€Å"Gitanjali†. Here, the poet prays to God to awaken his country from darkness and slavery into a state of ideal freedom. In this inspiring poem, the poet prays God for the spiritual emancipation of his country and countrymen. True freedom lies in a full and virtuous living. Therefore the poet prays to God that his countrymen should be fearless, truthful, rational, God-fearing, noble and generous. Knowledge should be free and there should be no divisions of caste, creed and nationality.The poet prays to God to give perfection to those who are working hard to achieve perfection without taking rest. Rabindranath Tagore prays to God to help his countrymen to follow the path of logical thinking and not to indulge their mind in antique and outdated customs and traditions. According to Rabindranath Tagore, the outdated customs and traditions close the ways of progress. Hence his countrymen should leave behin d all the outdated customs and traditions and should fill their minds with logical thinking to lead themselves on the path of progress.Rabindranath Tagore prays God that his countrymen should follow the divine way of progress and must involve themselves in right action and thinking. His countrymen should possess the universal mind and should leave behind the narrow thinking. Their mind should be liberated from all the narrow thinking and should accept the broad outlook. It is to be noted that the â€Å"heaven of freedom† for which the poet prays is not a heaven of political and economic freedom but of spiritual freedom from fear, narrow-mindedness and evil desires. Where the mind is without fear’ is a beautiful lyric taken from the collection of poems ‘Gitanjali’ originally written in Bengali but translated into English by Rabindranath himself. In 1913 he received a Nobel prize for literature for ‘Gitanjali’, the only Indian who is honoured wi th a prestigious prize for literature. The lyric ‘Where the Mind is Without Fear’ is a devotional poem, in which Rabindranath Tagore prays God to liberate his countrymen from the age-old customs which mar the progress of his nation. He also prays to God to inculcate the habit of logical thinking and should relieve them from the mentality of slavery of customs.He seeks complete freedom, a political and spiritual freedom. Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free; Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls; Where words come out from the depth of truth; Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection; Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit; Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action — Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

Chemistry Life in Daily Life Essay

Introduction: Fluorine has the distinction of being the most reactive of all the elements, with the highest electronegativity value on the periodic table. Because of this, it proved extremely difficult to isolate. Davy first identified it as an element, but was poisoned while trying unsuccessfully to decompose hydrogen fluoride. Two other chemists were also later poisoned in similar attempts, and one of them died as a result. French chemist Edmond Fremy (1814-1894) very nearly succeeded in isolating fluorine, and though he failed to do so, he inspired his student Henri Moissan (1852-1907) to continue the project. One of the problems involved in isolating this highly reactive element was the fact that it tends to â€Å"attack† any container in which it is placed: most metals, for instance, will burst into flames in the presence of fluorine. Like the others before him, Moissan set about to isolate fluorine from hydrogen fluoride by means of electrolysis—the use of an electric current to cause a chemical reaction—but in doing so, he used a platinum-iridium alloy that resisted attacks by fluorine. In 1906, he received the Nobel Prize for his work, and his technique is still used today in modified form. Properties And Uses Of Fluorine: A pale green gas of low density, fluorine can combine with all elements except some of the noble gases. Even water will burn in the presence of this highly reactive substance. Fluorine is also highly toxic, and can cause severe burns on contact, yet it also exists in harmless compounds, primarily in the mineral known as fluorspar, or calcium fluoride. The latter gives off a fluorescent light (fluorescence is the term for a type of light not accompanied by heat), and fluorine was named for the mineral that is one of its principal â€Å"hosts†. Beginning in the 1600s, hydrofluoric acid was used for etching glass, and is still used for that purpose today in the manufacture of products such as light bulbs. The oil industry uses it as a catalyst—a substance that speeds along a chemical reaction—to increase the octane number in gasoline. Fluorine is also used in a polymer commonly known as Teflon, which provides a non-stick surface for frying pans and other cooking-related products. Just as chlorine saw service in World War I, fluorine was enlisted in World War II to create a weapon far more terrifying than poison gas: the atomic bomb. Scientists working on the Manhattan Project, the United States’ effort to develop the bombs dropped on Japan in 1945, needed large quantities of the uranium-235 isotope. This they obtained in large part by diffusion of the compound uranium hexafluoride, which consists of molecules containing one uranium atom and six fluorine anions. Fluoridation Of Water: Long before World War II, health officials in the United States noticed that communities having high concentration of fluoride in their drinking water tended to suffer a much lower incidence of tooth decay. In some areas the concentration of fluoride in the water supply was high enough that it stained people’s teeth; still, at the turn of the century—an era when dental hygiene as we know it today was still in its infancy—the prevention of tooth decay was an attractive prospect. Perhaps, officials surmised, it would be possible to introduce smaller concentrations of fluoride into community drinking water, with a resulting improvement in overall dental health. After World War II, a number of municipalities around the United States ndertook the fluoridation of their water supplies, using concentrations as low as 1 ppm. Within a few years, fluoridation became a hotly debated topic, with proponents pointing to the potential health benefits and opponents arguing from the standpoint of issues not directly involved in science. It was an invasion of personal liberty, they said, for governments to force citizens to drink water which had been supplemented with a foreign substance. During the 1950s, in fact, fluoridation became associated in some circles with Communism—just another manifestation of a government trying to control its citizens. In later years, ironically, antifluoridation efforts became associated with groups on the political left rather than the right. By then, the argument no longer revolved around the issue of government power; instead the concern was for the health risks involved in introducing a substance lethal in large doses. Fluoride had meanwhile gained application in toothpastes. Colgate took the lead, introducing â€Å"stannous fluoride† in 1955. Three years later, the company launched a memorable advertising campaign with commercials in which a little girl showed her mother a â€Å"report card† from the dentist and announced â€Å"Look, Ma!  No cavities! † Within a few years, virtually all brands of toothpaste used fluoride; however, the use of fluoride in drinking water remained controversial. As late as 1993, in fact, the issue of fluoridation remained heated enough to spawn a study by the U. S. National Research Council. The council found some improvement in dental health, but not as large as had been claimed by early proponents of fluoridation. Furthermore, this improvement could be explained by reference to a number of other factors, including fluoride in toothpastes and a generally heightened awareness of dental health among the U.  S. populace. Chlorofluorocarbons : Another controversial application of fluorine is its use, along with chlorine and carbon, in chlorofluorocarbons. As noted above, CFCs have been used in refrigerants and propellants; another application is as a blowing agent for polyurethane foam. This continued for several decades, but in the 1980s, environmentalists became concerned over depletion of the ozone layer high in Earth’s atmosphere. Unlike ordinary oxygen (O 2 ), ozone or O 3 is capable of absorbing ultraviolet radiation from the Sun, which would otherwise be harmful to human life. It is believed that CFCs catalyze the conversion of ozone to oxygen, and that this may explain the â€Å"ozone hole,† which is particularly noticeable over the Antarctic in September and October. As a result, a number of countries signed an agreement in 1996 to eliminate the manufacture of halocarbons, or substances containing halogens and carbon. Manufacturers in countries that signed this agreement, known as the Montreal Protocol, have developed CFC substitutes, most notably hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), CFC-like compounds also containing hydrogen atoms. The ozone-layer question is far from settled, however. Critics argue that in fact the depletion of the ozone layer over Antarctica is a natural occurrence, which may explain why it only occurs at certain times of year. This may also explain why it happens primarily in Antarctica, far from any place where humans have been using CFCs. (Ozone depletion is far less significant in the Arctic, which is much closer to the population centers of the industrialized world. ) In any case, natural sources, such as volcano eruptions, continue to add halogen compounds to the atmosphere. Introduction: Chlorine is a highly poisonous gas, greenish-yellow in color, with a sharp smell that induces choking in humans. Yet, it can combine with other elements to form compounds safe for human consumption. Most notable among these compounds is salt, which has been used as a food preservative since at least 3000 B. C. Salt, of course, occurs in nature. By contrast, the first chlorine compound made by humans was probably hydrochloric acid, created by dissolving hydrogen chloride gas in water. The first scientist to work with hydrochloric acid was Persian physician and alchemist Rhazes (ar-Razi; c. 64-c. 935), one of the most outstanding scientific minds of the medieval period. Alchemists, who in some ways were the precursors of true chemists, believed that base metals such as iron could be turned into gold. Of course this is not possible, but alchemists in about 1200 did at least succeed in dissolving gold using a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids known as aqua regia. The first modern scientist to work with chlorine was Swedish chemist Carl W. Scheele (1742-1786), who also discovered a number of other elements and compounds, including barium, manganese, oxygen, ammonia, and glycerin. However, Scheele, who isolated it in 1774, thought that chlorine was a compound; only in 1811 did English chemist Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829) identify it as an element. Another chemist had suggested the name â€Å"halogen† for the alleged compound, but Davy suggested that it be called chlorine instead, after the Greek word chloros , which indicates a sickly yellow color. Uses Of Chlorine: The dangers involved with chlorine have made it an effective substance to use against stains, plants, animals—and even human beings. Chlorine gas is highly irritating to the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and lungs, and it can be detected in air at a concentration of only 3 parts per million (ppm). The concentrations of chlorine used against troops on both sides in World War I (beginning in 1915) was, of course, much higher. Thanks to the use of chlorine gas and other antipersonnel agents, one of the most chilling images to emerge from that conflict was of soldiers succumbing to poisonous gas. Yet just as it is harmful to humans, chlorine can be harmful to microbes, thus preserving human life. As early as 1801, it had been used in solutions as a disinfectant; in 1831, its use in hospitals made it effective as a weapon against a cholera epidemic that swept across Europe. Another well-known use of chlorine is as a bleaching agent. Until 1785, when chlorine was first put to use as a bleach, the only way to get stains and unwanted colors out of textiles or paper was to expose them to sunlight, not always an effective method. By contrast, chlorine, still used as a bleach today, can be highly effective—a good reason not to use regular old-fashioned bleach on anything other than white clothing. Since the 1980s, makers of bleaches have developed all-color versions to brighten and take out stains from clothing of other colors. ) Calcium hydrocholoride (CaOCl), both a bleaching powder and a disinfectant used in swimming pools, combines both the disinfectant and bleaching properties of chlorine. This and the others discussed here are just some of many, many compounds formed with the highly reactive element chlorine. Particularly notable—and controversial—are compounds involving chlorine and carbon. Chlorine And Organic Compounds: Chlorine bonds well with organic substances, or those containing carbon. In a number of instances, chlorine becomes part of an organic polymer such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), used for making synthetic pipe. Chlorine polymers are also applied in making synthetic rubber, or neoprene. Due to its resistance to heat, oxidation, and oils, neoprene is used in a number of automobile parts. The bonding of chlorine with substances containing carbon has become increasingly controversial because of concerns over health and the environment, and in some cases chlorine-carbon compounds have been outlawed. Such was the fate of DDT, a pesticide soluble in fats and oils rather than in water. When it was discovered that DDT was carcinogenic, or cancer-causing, in humans and animals, its use in the United States was outlawed. Other, less well-known, chlorine-related insecticides have likewise been banned due to their potential for harm to human life and the environment. Among these are chlorine-containing materials once used for dry cleaning. Also notable is the role of chlorine in chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which have been used in refrigerants such as Freon, and in propellants for aerosol sprays.  CFCs tend to evaporate easily, and concerns over their effect on Earth’s atmosphere have led to the phasing out of their use. Introduction: Bromine is a foul-smelling reddish-brown liquid whose name is derived from a Greek word meaning â€Å"stink. † With a boiling point much lower than that of water—137. 84 °F (58. 8 °C)—it readily transforms into a gas. Like other halogens, its vapors are highly irritating to the eyes and throat. It is found primarily in deposits of brine, a solution of salt and water. Among the most significant brine deposits are in Israel’s Dead Sea, as well as in Arkansas and Michigan. Credit for the isolation of bromine is usually given to French chemist Antoine-Jerome Balard (1802-1876), though in fact German chemist Carl Lowig (1803-1890) actually isolated it first, in 1825. However, Balard, who published his results a year later, provided a much more detailed explanation of bromine’s properties. The first use of bromine actually predated both men by several millennia. To make their famous purple dyes, the Phoenicians used murex mollusks, which contained bromine. (Like the names of the halogens, the word â€Å"Phoenicians† is derived from Greek—in this case, a word meaning â€Å"red† or â€Å"purple,† which referred to their dyes. Today bromine is also used in dyes, and other modern uses include applications in pesticides, disinfectants, medicines, and flame retardants. At one time, a compound containing bromine was widely used by the petroleum industry as an additive for gasoline containing lead. Ethylene dibromide reacts with the lead released by gasoline to form lead bromide (PbBr 2 ), referred to as a â€Å"scavenger,† because it tends to clean the emissions of lead-containing gasoline. However, leaded gasoline was phased out during the late 1970s and early 1980s; as a result, demand for ethylene dibromide dropped considerably. Halogen Lamps: The name â€Å"halogen† is probably familiar to most people because of the term â€Å"halogen lamp. † Used for automobile headlights, spotlights, and floodlights, the halogen lamp is much more effective than ordinary incandescent light. Incandescent â€Å"heat-producing† light was first developed in the 1870s and improved during the early part of the twentieth century with the replacement of carbon by tungsten as the principal material in the filament, the area that is heated. Tungsten proved much more durable than carbon when heated, but it has a number of problems when combined with the gases in an incandescent bulb. As the light bulb continues to burn for a period of time, the tungsten filament begins to thin and will eventually break. At the same time, tungsten begins to accumulate on the surface of the bulb, dimming its light. However, by adding bromine and other halogens to the bulb’s gas filling—thus making a halogen lamp—these problems are alleviated. As tungsten evaporates from the filament, it combines with the halogen to form a gaseous compound that circulates within the bulb. Instead of depositing on the surface of the bulb, the compound remains a gas until it comes into contact with the filament and breaks down. It is then redeposited on the filament, and the halogen gas is free to combine with newly evaporated tungsten. Though a halogen bulb does eventually break down, it lasts much longer than an ordinary incandescent bulb and burns with a much brighter light. Also, because of the decreased tungsten deposits on the surface, it does not begin to dim as it nears the end of its life. Introduction: First isolated in 1811 from ashes of seaweed, iodine has a name derived from the Greek word meaning â€Å"violet-colored†Ã¢â‚¬â€a reference to the fact it forms dark purple crystals.  During the 1800s, iodine was obtained commercially from mines in Chile, but during the twentieth century wells of brine in Japan, Oklahoma, and Michigan have proven a better source. Uses And Applications: Among the best-known properties of iodine is its importance in the human diet. The thyroid gland produces a growth-regulating hormone that contains iodine, and lack of iodine can cause a goiter, a swelling around the neck. Table salt does not naturally contain iodine; however, sodium chloride sold in stores usually contains about 0. 01% sodium iodide, added by the manufacturer. Iodine was once used in the development of photography: During the early days of photographic technology, the daguerreotype process used silver plates sensitized with iodine vapors. Iodine compounds are used today in chemical analysis and in synthesis of organic compounds. Introduction: Just as fluorine has the distinction of being the most reactive, astatine is the rarest of all the elements. Long after its existence was predicted, chemists still had no luck finding it in nature, and it was only created in 1940 by bombarding bismuth with alpha particles (positively charged helium nuclei). The newly isolated element was given a Greek name meaning â€Å"unstable. † Indeed, none of astatine’s 20 known isotopes is stable, and the longest-lived has a half-life of only 8. 3 hours. This has only added to the difficulties involved in learning about this strange element, and therefore it is difficult to say what applications, if any, astatine may have. The most promising area involves the use of astatine to treat a condition known as hyperthyroidism, related to an overly active thyroid gland.

Problem Solving and Decision Making Essay

Background I work for a company called npower and we are an energy supplier in the UK. Specifically, I work within the Blended Services department and we deal with various types of inbound contact from our customers such as email, letters and telephone calls. I manage a team of 15 people advisors and their role is to effectively deal with customer enquiries that come in via the different methods of contact. Due to the large volumes of correspondence that we have come in, it’s not always practical to respond to customers via a written response and we therefore ask the advisors to call as many customers as possible and resolve their enquiries by phone, this allows the advisors not only deal with the customer’s original enquiry but to also answer any subsequent questions that may arise when they are presented with the answer we give them. Description of the problem When advisors call a customer there are regulations around data protection and also keeping customer contact details up to date that we must adhere to, we refer to these regulations as compliance. This is a very black and white subject, we must be compliant in all we do 100% of the time. The problem that has come to light that in our department, is that our advisors are not 100% compliant 100% of the time. They will fully cover data protection and request up to date contact information on some calls but not others. This presents a problem for the department and me as a manager as well as the advisors in question as these inconsistencies can lead to varying degrees of disciplinary action for the advisors and the company. The impact of this for the advisors is that it can lead to disciplinary action such as informal warnings, up to more formal action such as written warnings and even loss of their job. In extreme cases offending advisors can even face personal fines. As a manager, I then have to consider the potential knock on effects of such action which can include loss of advisor confidence, a reduction in staff morale, and opportunity for progression may be reduced or taken away and all of these in turn may affect an advisors attendance. For me as a manager the concerns are that these actions could affect my time as I am required to carry out investigations in to each case of non-compliance. This is turn could leave other members of my team to feel neglected as my time becomes consumed with investigations and carrying out disciplinary action. Potentially, this could lead to a general loss of morale within my team as a whole and go on to impact their performance. This issue also affects our customers as if we are seen to be breaking such important regulations as data protection, and then this could cause an increase in complaints, damage our customer’s confidence in us as a company, lead to a decrease in customer loyalty and ultimately the loss of their business. From a company point of view the impacts are possibly the greatest. Just a few potential knock on effects from non-compliance are loss of customers, brand damage, legal consequences including large fines and potentially losing out license to trade. Disciplinary action can lead to loss of staff and this brings further impacts such as the time and cost of recruiting and training new staff and all of these could eventually impact our ability to provide a desired service to our customers. Analysis of the problem In trying to identify options to solve the problem of advisors inconsistently adhering to compliance regulations, I first looked at gathering as much information as I could in to how much it was affecting my department and if there were any contributing factors to the problem. I liaised with our quality analysts. The QA team had recently marked a sample of the calls we make within the department and informed me that in the month of September they sampled four calls from each team within the department. This was made up of one inbound call (calls where the customer calls npower) and one outbound call (calls where we call the customer) for two advisors on each team. There are 18 teams so this is 36 advisors that were sampled and scored. The results showed that of the advisors monitored only 69% were fully compliant. This is cause for concern then as the target is 100%. Following on from this, I needed to do further investigation. My time, however, is very valuable and for me to take on such an investigation alone is not feasible. I discussed the problem with my manager and we came up with an idea to help us follow up the results from the QA Teams quality checks. Within our own operations group (5 Teams) we asked each manager to mark two calls for each of their advisor focussing solely on whether or not the advisors were following compliance regulations that we must adhere to. In the first week of October, each manager carried out the quality checks for their teams. The results showed that we were 50% compliant as an operations group. Following these results each manager went out to the advisors that were not following the compliance regulations and gave them a training session as well as an informal warning that this kind of action was not acceptable and that compliance must be adhered to at all times. The managers including myself then left the advisors for a couple of weeks and then went back and completed the same quality checks once more. The second time around we noticed an improvement as we scored 70%. However, we were and still are a long way short of our ultimate goal. Following on from this, I devised what I saw to be a simple yet effective questionnaire that would be completed by a sample group of advisors. The purpose of the questionnaire was to establish possible reasons why the advisors failed to be consistent in regards to meeting compliance when speaking to customers on the telephone. I looked to address such matters as how confident they were that they were personally 100% complaint 100% of the time, were they aware of the tools that npower provide to assist them in being complaint, what barriers they have encountered that make it difficult to be compliant and what do they feel would ensure that they were 100% compliant 100% of the time going forward. The results of the questionnaire showed that the advisors knew what was required of them to be compliant and that they recognised the implications of not being compliant. It also showed that all of the advisors were aware of the various support tools that npower provides them to help with compliance though not all of them used them. This suggests then that the problem of being inconsistent in regards to compliance may be down to advisor attitude or focus but at this point I wanted to avoid making assumptions. With all of this information, I used a simple fishbone to drill down for possible reasons for these inconsistencies. I looked at the following headings and then added the possible reasons: Confidence (lack of) * Inconsistent message * Unclear on what’s expected * Cannot deal with conflict (from customers) * DPA doesn’t feel natural (in call structure) * Situations outside of the norm (3rd party calling on behalf of the customer) Knowledge (lack of) * No or little training (new to business) * Lack of communication (not advised of possible changes) * Inconsistent message (unsure what is correct) Skill * Unsure how to resolve conflict * Not certain how to incorporate data protection in to their call structure * Not able to control a call (allows a customer to drive a conversation, potentially skipping past vital areas for not wanting to interrupt) Attitude/Behaviour * Doesn’t understand potential consequences * Doesn’t like change * Refuses to comply After considering all of the above the potential solutions to my problem could be creating a guide that points out to advisors what they must do to be fully compliant but that isn’t rigid in its delivery so that the advisors can make it their own. Ensuring that the guide and its use is trained out in a clear manner that makes sure there are no questions unanswered. Providing the advisors with additional training to enable them to capably and confidently deal with situations of conflict i.e. if a customer refuses to go through data protection. Finally, making sure that the consequences of non-compliance for both advisors and the company are clearly communicated. Resolution of the problem I went to manager with my findings and stated what I wanted to achieve. I needed the goal to realistic and to be measurable. Remembering that QA Team reported the department to be 69% compliant for the month of September my goal statement was this: * To decrease the compliance fail rate in our department by 15% during the month of November based upon 36 evaluations. In making this statement, I ensured that if would be a fair reflection since it would match the original investigation completed by the QA Team. It’s SMART, because I have a specific goal that can be measured against previous findings. It’s both achievable and realistic as all managers will make numerous quality checks throughout the month and I’m trying to achieve the ultimate goal of 100% compliance but instead make a small but reasonable step towards it and finally, it’s time bound as all steps will be put in place and measured throughout November. Once the goal had been set, my manager and I held a brain storming session to look at possible options to resolve the problem. Further to those I mentioned earlier, we came up with these additional ideas: * Speech Analytics * Scripts for data protection * A specific inbound call team * A specific outbound call team * Feedback, coaching and evaluations * An inbound and outbound call decision making tree * Brief to include what’s expected and what the consequences are for non-compliance * Compliance champs * Compliance tick sheet After we had come up with these various options I went away and decided which would be the best course of action. To help me decide I used a simple Pro’s and Con’s method. I put each of the above options in to a table and then listed what the advantages and disadvantages were. Below, I have just briefly outlined some of the key points for each one. Speech analytics Pros * It saves time (it’s all automated, listening to and identifying key words and phrases in conversations) so managers don’t have to do manual checks. * A large sample is gathered (it pulls data from all recorded calls) therefore the reflection is very accurate. * Reports can easily be pulled, since all data is compiled and exported in excel spread sheet format. Cons * It’s not an immediate solution. Speech analytics for npower is in early testing stages and it’s unlikely to be available for at least another year. * Cost – It’s very expensive to implement and so even to run in a small test environment is currently unlikely. Scripts for data protection Pros * It would clearly set out what needs to be said (no grey area) * Advisors would have something to reference at all times * Can easily be updated when changes occur * Managers could easily cover this in a coaching session Cons * Advisors may not feel it comes across as natural * Advisors may forget to keep it on their desk each day * It would need to be updated with each new change (potentially old ones could be in circulation) * Repeat contact customers would have to go through the exact same process each time and may feel it comes across as robotic Specific inbound/outbound call teams Pros * Advisors would deal with only one call type (one set of compliance regulations, more specialised, less chance of failure) * Becoming specialised may increase confidence Cons * It may not be feasible to have a enough specialised teams to deal with the workload * We would lose multi-skilled advisors, impacting our ability to deal with other work volumes * Specialised teams leave us vulnerable to outside influences such as absence. Compliance Champs Pros * Position of responsibility for trusted advisors * Someone on hand to reference in uncertain situations Cons * Those not chosen may feel disappointed * The cost of taking advisors away from completing work may not be feasible in such a busy time * Having to wait for a ‘Champ’ may impact customer wait times and thus service * Takes ownership and responsibility away from the advisors Compliance Checklist Pros * Advisors already use something similar, so it would be familiar * Advisors could clearly track what they have and haven’t asked * Peace of mind as it states clearly what they must ask * Natural, as it states what they must ask but doesn’t tell them how to do it * Cheap and easy to implement * Easy to amend when changes occur * Advisors can easily keep it with them either paper based or electronically * Puts the responsibility on the advisor * Best use can be coached around Cons * Must be altered with each change (old ones could be left in circulation) * Puts the responsibility on the advisors (must be trusted to use it) After evaluating the options and the pros and cons to each. I decided to go with a compliance checklist. Once I had decided on what I believed to be the best solution I asked myself two important questions, in various decision making models these are also known as Acid Tests 1&2. Acid Test 1 – If I implement all of my plans for action will my problems be overcome? In considering the answer I thought back to areas that I had identified earlier that linked into the problem of inconsistent compliance. To recap these were things such as: * Advisors were unsure what they should be asking. * They lacked confidence that they were saying all the right things. * They could often miss important information if interrupted by a customer before the compliance checks were complete. * The solution needed to be simple and easy to implement, so that it was clear and simple to train out. The majority of my advisors already use a checklist of sorts to capture the work they complete and how they contacted the customer, by adding compliance prompts to this it creates a visual aid for the advisors reminding them of what they need to ask and it remains in a setting that they find familiar. Also, because the advisors are able to tick off the various requirements as they go along it makes it very clear what must be asked and it’s less likely that they’ll miss things out if they are interrupted as they can simply go back along the list and pick up where they left off. It’s also likely to come across as more natural when the advisors are talking to them customers as well as again it only prompts them with what they need to ask rather than telling them how to say it. Finally, it’s relatively cheap to implement, it isn’t very time consuming to put in place and it’s something that can be done immediately. A copy of the checklist is attached (Appendix A) Acid test 2 – If I get rid of all my problems will I achieve my objectives? Again, the answer should be yes. My solution will give advisors something black and white, that’s clear and easy to understand and familiar to them in their day to day role. This should in turn give them the added confidence when talking to customer’s on the phone. There is, however, a human element. This is that the solution once trained out and implemented, relies upon the advisor taking some ownership and making sure that use it every day even if they feel confident that they are fully compliant. Because this is a personal choice there is no plan that I can implement that will solve this. However, as a company we do have measures already in place to manage this. If an advisor is proven to have the skills and the knowledge to be fully compliant and yet for whatever reason chooses not to, then I or any other manager would need to ensure that this is managed in the proper fashion. Implementation and communication of the solution As previously stated the advisor already usage a data capture sheet in their day to day jobs. I have taken that and added some simple yet clear checklist boxes that prompt the advisors on what they need to be asking when speaking to customers on the telephone. I will start off with a trial in my operations group and then if the desired results are proven then I will discuss with my manager a plan to roll it out to the whole department. I’ll start by holding a small group meeting with my fellow team managers, briefly describing the problem that I’ve been looking in to. I’ll present my solution and tell them how I would like it to be used. The managers including me can then go out to our own teams and deliver the message in a brief team meeting. The compliance checklist will be distributed via email to the managers and advisors alike. This way the advisors can choose to print it off and fill it in manually or they can simply fill in in on their PC’S. This also means that they will always be able to access a copy even if they have to move desks as it will be saved to their email. Following this, I would plan to follow up with some side by side observations. This would be to ensure that the advisors are using the checklist as intended and it also gives me the chance to answer any questions that they may have as well as offer advice and praise where they are doing things well and hopefully begin to build that confidence in their ability back up. As far as monitoring and reviewing of the situation, this should be quite straight forward. I know what the problem is and I have identified a list of causes. I also know clearly what I expect to achieve from the solution. I perform at least one quality check on each of my advisors each week, so these will prove useful when monitoring progress in this area and the results should be clear to see. These quality checks are always given to the advisors as feedback and trends from multiple quality checks are used to build useful coaching sessions. The feedback that I receive from the advisors at this point should also allow me to monitor if they are using my solution as expected and how confident they feel with it. As a department, we also receive daily, weekly and monthly reports. These will enable me to view the progress of the other teams in my operations group to see if they are showing the results that are expected. I will raise the matter for discussion in the weekly operations group meeting and this will allow me to receive feedback from my fellow managers and get their thoughts on what is and potentially isn’t going well. Finally, the QA Team will perform another quality check across a random sample of the department. This will perhaps be the ultimate mark of whether or not my solution has been successful. If so, then there should be a significant increase in the percentage of advisors that pass compliance.

Enviromental Factors Essay

The four external factors that help organizations achieve optimal function are funding sources, non cash revenues, clients or consumers, and competitors. These four external factors are important to every organization as this is what keeps the organization going. If an organization was to lose any of these factors listed above the organization may not stay at optimal function. â€Å"The six internal factors that help organizations achieve optimal function are organizational purpose, mission, philosophy, organizational planning, organizational operations, human resources, technological resources, and financial resources.†(The six internal factors listed above are what keeps and organization strong and running. These factors cover all aspects of the organization and make sure the organization is on track with the rest of the team members of that same organization. This also helps the organization achieve their goals and be able to meet their needs more efficiently. The factors I felt were most important were clients or consumers, competitors, funding sources, and organizational planning. Every organization needs clients or consumers or their organization would fail, as well every organization needs competition to be far. Funding sources are always important as they help fund and bring money in. Organizational planning can go a long way, if the right person is doing the planning. With careful organizational planning and organization can still be run and be successful. Reference Kettner, P. M. (1993). Acheiving Excellence in the Mangement of Human Services Organizations. Hauppauge, NY: Allyn&Bacon.

My real friend Nature Essay

My real friend Nature I grew up in a flourishing metropolis sprawling over a number of cement constructions . I never stepped out of this cement forest since I was born. In my childhood, toys and high-technological machines were my best friends because they accompanied me and entertained me for a long period of time. Compared to countryside children, I was very deluded that I was brought up in a city and I could own every latest objects that I wanted. However, until I experienced an unforgettable filed trip of Mt. Madonna Park with my environmental science classmates and instructor miss Tracy, not only did I find my real friend nature but also I obtained more misteries and acquaintance relating to nature through my instruction’s introduction and personal experience. Getting along with nature during the field trip, I determined that nature is truly my real friend who was able to † interact † with me in the most pure and sincere way. Nature is the friend who assist me to overcome all initial difficulties of living on the earth. Specifically, she gave me guarantee of surviving by devoting herself to constantly offering life-living resources to me. I did not have any feeling of her strong and indivisible love until miss Tracy introduced red wood forest to us. Miss Tracy briefly demonstrated that there are three kinds of trees namely red wood trees, oak trees and Tanoak trees in Mt. Madonna Park. Red wood trees, which are souls of forests, trap the most moisture in their advanced root systems.They are such big sponges for circulating water in biosphere. In addition, combing with water, sunlight and air, these three kinds of trees consume carbon dioxide and breath out oxygen through natural photosynthesis. How great they are! While I was walking through the park,the wind blew moisture steam from leaves and then stayed and instilled my thirsty skin. When it came to the green plants, they coordinated their breath rhyth ms to breathe out an abundance of oxygen to the cool air in order to please me. It was the first time that I had felt that nature was really existed in my life. Keeping me living steadily and nurturing me with her soundless love, she never tries to ditch me but instead defends me. I appreciated that she understood what I needed for my life and gave me a wonderful new life every day. Nature is  the friend who can use his romantic voice to heal my mental hurt and rinse my sufferings. It was interesting that nature has his own voice to express himself. She is not cold blooded but has multiple emotions. In order to capture the most spontaneous voice, we stepped slowly and silently on the grass. Miss Tracy was so delighted to tell us how to distinguish different birds’ different voice. Listen! Ravens crows and marble murat, soaring at the top of the Tanoak trees, were showing their warm greeting to me. Their voice just liked a clutter of sunshine brighter my inner heart. Hearing the sound of a babbling brook, it peacefully calmed me down and brought my stres s away. When I settle down my heart and listen carefully to his voice, I can understand what he is trying to say to me.To Keep away from crowded city and stop hearing annoying hook and yelling, I was so glad that nature gave me a spontaneous healing pill to refresh my life. Nature is the friend who can teach me how to live sturdily and remind me of cherishing my priceless life. Nature is a large caring family for numberless creatures. Different creatures have different techniques to survive and protect themselves from attacking by enemies. During the field trip, one of the funny and meaningful part was touching banana slug. Miss Tracy passed around the banana slugs to each of us. The majority of us were so scared of their soft and bright yellow bodies even though they seemed to be extremely vulnerable because of their appearance. However, as a matter of a fact that they were so defended and cautious when they encountered crisis. When it came to my turn, I put it on my palm, it moved slowly o n my hands and used its largest pair of tentacles to detect light and movements. Then he spread another pair of tentacles straight out of his breathing holes to spy on everything. After checking the surroundings, it kept moving but started to produce slime which implied that it was threated to protect itself. In order to seek a survival exist, he never gave up moving. What a tough life! I believe that its intense surviving desire is the best witness of nature’s magnificent vitality.Thanks to nature’s sublime lives, they made me think of my life. Unlike creatures vigorous lives, my majority of life frittered away on entertainment and meaningless events. I spent time in playing computer games without taking any care of my health and became dispirited towards my daily work. But fortunately I obtained an alarming advise from my dear friend nature. He directed me to a bright side of the life and pull me back  to a right track of a meaningful life. All in all, as a result of this wonderful filed trip, nature who I eventually recognized as my real friend never leave me alone since I was born. He has defended me by serving me essential life-living material and comforted me in his striking communication ways for ages. Sometimes she has had been an adviser telling me to have esteem for every forms of life on earth. She has done the same thing not only for me but for everybody in this world. As to this skyrocketing society, we are drowning ourselves into too much concentration of unreal and illusory things. Losing our initial trait of being passionate towards nature, we split up with nature and even betrayed him. Have you ever noticed that she was crying and depressed to us ? Please! Do not prevent our friend from keeping close relationship to us. Take your time to sit down and talk with our dear friend for a couple of minutes. You will see her unconditional love explicitly.

Global Marketing in Albania Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Global Marketing in Albania - Assignment Example This research will begin with the population and demographics of Albania. As of July 2014, the population of Albania is 3,020,209, of which 19.3 percent belongs to 0 to 14 age groups, 19.2 percent belongs to 15- to 24 age group, 19.2 percent belongs to 25 to 54 age group, 10.5 percent to 55 belongs to 64 age group and 11.1 percent belongs to 65 years and over age group. Population growth rate is 0.3 % whereas birthrate is 12.73 births per 1000 population. Knowing about the population, the demographics, the trends and related statistics of a specific country or region is critically important while planning for marketing of certain goods or services to that market mainly to design and develop the marketing strategies by considering customer requirements and preferences. Albania is a small mountainous country with a long Adriatic coastline. The country has a Muslim majority. Basically, Albanians are divided into two, the Northern Albanians or Ghegs, and the Southern Albanians or general ly termed as Tosks. Shkumbin River plays a significant role in dividing the southern and northern Albanians. According to Albania’s official figures, Muslims are 59 percent of the Albanian population, Catholic amounts to 10 percent of Albania’s population and Orthodox Christian below 10 percent. For a global marketer, it is very important to see where the economy stands and how it stays in comparison with other economies either nearby or with those the company proposes to expand its marketing. Albania is ranked 68, in relation to business environment and ease of business. The figure given below shows the ranks of Albania and other comparator economies on the ease of doing business.

Wetlands of Arkansas Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Wetlands of Arkansas - Research Paper Example State parks, location of the wetlands in the state, and conservation plans for the wetlands would also be discussed. The official website for state parks in Arkansas reveals a total of 52 which offer diverse recreational and outdoor facilities. From among those mentioned are: Cane Creek, Crater of Diamonds, Daisy, Devil’s Den, Jacksonport, Lake Charles, Lake Fort Smith, Mount Magazine, Ozark Folk Center, Petit Jean, Village Creak, White Oak Lake, and a host of other state parks (Arkansas State Parks, 2007). The wetlands in Arkansas are classified using the hydrogeomorphic (HGM) approach. This approach is described in detail, to wit: â€Å"is a procedure for assessing the capacity of an ecosystem to perform functions. It is designed to assess wetland and aquatic ecosystems, which are normally characterized in terms of their structural components and the processes that link these components. Structural components of the ecosystem and the surrounding landscape, such as plants, soils, hydrology, and animals, interact with a variety of physical, chemical, and biological processes. Understanding the interactions of the structural components of the ecosystem with surrounding landscape features is the basis for assessing ecosystem functions, and it is the foundation of the HGM Approach† (Brinson, 1995). Using the HGM Approach, the wetlands in Arkansas have five basis classes: depression, flats, fringe, slope and riverine. According to the Classification and Characterization of Wetlands of Arkansas (n.d., 5) â€Å"depressional wetlands occur in topographic low points where water accumulates and remains for extended periods†. There are three subclasses and seven community types under this classification. The discourse described slopes as occurring on â€Å"sloping land surfaces, where ground water discharge or shallow subsurface flow creates saturated conditions† (Classification,

Working with people and organisations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Working with people and organisations - Essay Example Furthermore preventative strategies and dilemmas were encountered. When considering student social work one of the overarching aspects is the consideration of the welfare of the individuals involved. Indeed, Ollsen (2008) has indicated the tenuous nature of such circumstances on the children involved, â€Å"Unaccompanied minors often face severe trauma during their preflight lives as well as during the course of their migration. These traumatic experi- ences can have negative psychosocial impacts on the minors† In many instances one understands the cases and the level of support that they require, but still rely heavily on supervision for the best outcome. I have relied on supervision and have found it extremely necessary as working so closely with your cases means one must maintain an appropriate professional boundary. I have found that foster children and their birth families often in conversation slip something to you, hoping that it will not be reported. I am constantly aware of safeguarding and always advise them it must be noted. That information could be apparent later on and could put someone’s life at risk or cause personal danger. †¨Ã¢â‚¬ ¨ As a Student Social Worker I have been assigned nine foster children to support. Some foster carers currently have no placements, but still require regular support, advice and training. Unlike working with a local authority, my foster carers could be 60 miles round trip away from our offices. As a lot of our placements are from different local authorities, our foster carer’s home addresses can span all boroughs. I was trained to use social e-care and also carried out general office based duties usually carried out by a duty worker in the day to day processes of dealing with referrals from local authorities in placing looked after children with well matched foster carer’s. I was professional at all times, particularly when taking referrals

Wall Street Journal Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Wall Street Journal - Article Example Now a new product is making a name for itself. Nuvo, a sparkling vodka, from France has made a big splash in bars and liquor stores across the country. People are attracted to its promise of high quality. Its brand is taking off. What accounts for the new interest in artisinal spirits, and for Nuvo in particular? During the financial crisis of 2008, many luxury brands took a hit as people had less money to spend and had to scale back a lot of their spending habits. But as the recovery takes off, people are coming out of their hibernation and starting to spend time searching for new brands to try out. Nuvo has found a niche in the market and is riding that niche all the way to the bank. People want to feel good again. They want to be seen in the clubs with the latest thing. And Nuvo is that latest thing. Nuvo was originally intended to be marketed towards women, but its creators soon found that it had wide appeal and sought to market it towards both men and women. It is an artisinal l iqueur, but much of the artisinal quality is communicated through the product's packaging. A bottle of Nuvo looks very similar to a bottle of perfume. The colour too suggests that this is something you might find behind the counter at an expensive department store. The creators have taken the aesthetic quality of a perfume bottle and put a new liqueur twist on the concept. Americans seem to love it, especially young New Yorkers. A survey of a number of bar-going young women by this reporter found that Nuvo was one of the hottest drinks of the season. Sally, a 24-year-old real estate developer called Nuvo a â€Å"breath of fresh air.† She gushed when talking about the bottle's design, â€Å"I feel more like I'm in a boudoir when I see the bottle than a bar. It looks beautiful.† Others agree with her opinion. A word frequently used to describe it is â€Å"chic† (Scott). It plays up its Frenchness, which in America is a byword for sophistication and class. Nuvo has made a splash in the city. The product's website describes the drink as an â€Å"accessory† and plays up its trendiness. It boasts that it will â€Å"dazzle your taste buds† and says that it is a premium vodka infused with passion fruit nectar. The product is evocative of artisinal champagnes and capitalizes on that concept to suggest it is a luxurious product. Little is said about how it is actually made or produced. The packaging and branding do all the work in suggesting it is artisinal. The product has been featured in a number of music videos and has rapidly become a part of the cultural furniture, largely due to its distinctive bottle, which again suggest craft and care in the production process. People know what the product is because of its bright colours and unique shape. This is an important point. Some artisinal alcohol products such as bourbon have a powerful story to tell about how they are made. The bourbon must stored in particular barrels for a certain amount of years at a certain temperature. There is a real craft to the product. For Nuvo, there may be a similar process, but much more emphasis is placed on the branding and marketing aspects to suggest that it is artisinal. Even the brand-name itself suggests refinement and freshness. The word â€Å"nouveau†Ã¢â‚¬â€French for â€Å"new†Ã¢â‚¬â€has been shortened and made easier to pronounce, while still maintaining a kind of exoticism. While there is much to praise about the product, it is not for everyone. A story from last year indicates that Nuvo is so distinctive there has

Elements of Religious Traditions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Elements of Religious Traditions - Essay Example For example in the case of Judaism there are two forms of Torah, one is verbal and the other one is written. The Torah that is available in written form has been recognized as Tanakh or even named as the Hebrew Bible. The oral form of Torah has even been found in written form in the shape of Talmud which is a written commentary. On the other hand several religions that are indigenous in nature have not created a written format of their oral teachings. Similarly there are certain religions who do not follow any form of written text or tradition and their religious traditions are found in oral form and have been transferred from one generation to another in that form. The complexity of the verbal traditions is much harder to interpret and understand. Religious Traditions Say The second major issues in the study of religious traditions are to identify what particular teachings or particular stories and texts of a particular religion are trying to teach their members. The issue in identi fying what a particular teaching is trying to convey to its members is whether the teaching is a standard doctrine or a particular teaching is just a myth and have been handed down from one religion to another in verbal manner. What are religious teaching is trying to convey to its followers has certain functions. ... In certain teachings, this has been stated in quite an explicit manner. For example: in the case of religion of Shinto that is practiced in Japan, the birth of Islands in Japan are explained as a divine couple in which Izanagi and Izanami stirred up the floor of the ocean with the assistance of the trident of heaven and the drippings that were an outcome of this activity are recognized as the Islands of Japan (Ashkenazi, 2003, p.173). Their religion further states that the people living in Japan are the descendents of these beings that are semi-divine in nature. Religious Traditions Does The issue of what a particular religious teaching does for its members depends on the themes. One of the themes that religious traditions focus upon is the rituals and behaviors that an individual has to carry out throughout his/her life. These traditions teach their followers about the behaviors they are expected to exhibit as child, adult and as they become seniors. Religious teachings help individ uals throughout different transitions. For example: the vision quest that is a part of the people of Lakota is a story of how Lakota lived as a boy and then as an adult and these teachings inform its members that this is the right way of living their lives and this way will help them experience prosperity. Another major issue related to religious traditions is how these teachings operate to provide its followers with the complete access to what is considered as sacred. For example: In Christianity, winter marks the birth of their God and Christians celebrate this season in shape of Christmas. Religious Traditions Organizes The last issue that a religious tradition sorts to solve is how a particular religion is involved in the process of organizing its leadership. These