Social Media and Todays Hospitals

SOCIAL MEDIA AND TODAYS HOSPITALS By Michelle Perron When Facebook logged its first likes in 2004, no one was predicting that social networking would become a tool in the practice of medicine. Yet it has. From the revered Mayo Clinic to little-known regional specialty centers, the health care industry is finding that social media helps attract new appointments, generate revenue, and build relationships. Research published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research in 2014 shows that virtually all hospitals in the United States are now using social media in some way.1 This is not an overstatement: 94.4 percent of the 3,371 hospitals reviewed operated a Facebook page, and 50.82 percent had a Twitter account. This study found that private nonprofit and teaching hospitals, typically in large urban areas, are the highest users of social media. Its expertise in using socia Although individual physicians aren’t using social media at the same rate as hospitals, they are finding it useful. In fact, another 2014 study, this one by MedData Group, found that more than 50 percent of the physicians using social media for work purposes are engaging with peers, marketing the practice, or providing thought leadership for patients.2 Leading the Way The Mayo Clinic system is a recognized leader in health care industry use of social media.Tweet this Lee Aase, Mayo ClinicIts expertise in using social platforms to connect with patients and build business is so valued that other health care organizations lean on the Mayo Clinic Social Media Network (MCSMN; #Mayo Clinic SMN) for collaborative help. In partnership with Hootsuite, the MCSMN even developed a continuing medical education course to teach medical providers how to create an online presence.3 Lee Aase is the director of Mayo’s Social and Digital Innovation Team, which is staffed by eight media professionals who orchestrate the system’s posts on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and You Tube. Activity on each outlet is unique, as shown below in the Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ feeds one afternoon in mid-January 2017. Each of the posts focuses on a particular subject area, ensuring a different experience for each media outlet user. The day’s topic selections can be influenced by the request of a Mayo department seeking more publicity (the sports medicine department in the Twitter feed), relevant national news stories (cervical cancer awareness month in the Google+ post), or the opening of a new hospital wing (the fifth floor of the Luther Building in the Facebook post). No matter the content decision, its goal is the same: to instill appreciation for Mayo Clinic and its resources. In an interview, Aase pointed out that today’s widespread use of social media by Mayo Clinic is in keeping with its history. â€Å"Our reputation was made through word of mouth,† he said, â€Å"and that is just as true today as it was 100-plus years ago. Patients would come to Mayo Clinic because a friend recommended us. Now, social media provides ways for people to share the same types of recommendations.† â€Å"Just Like Talking to a Patient† Perhaps the most vivid examples of such recommendations are found on the Mayo Clinic’s YouTube channel, which features videos capturing everything from a patient’s first reaction to his restored sight via a bionic eye to the precise symptom presentation of a baby with whooping cough. No doubt thousands of that video’s million-plus views were by frantic parents trying to determine whether their infant’s bark-like sounds warranted a trip to the local ER. One of the most powerful applications of Mayo Clinic’s YouTube channel is its line of videos for patients that feature staff physicians and other clinicians. These videos can offer information and encouragement to a patient trying to understand his or her rare diagnosis, reinforce the education provided during a complex office visit, or calm a patient’s unease before a surgical procedure by providing a step-by-step visual explanation of it. Take, for example, the diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia, a condition that causes the heart to beat faster than normal. It can be treated with medication, surgery, or both. To a patient receiving this diagnosis after experiencing rapid heart activity, the term alone sounds ominous. By directing a newly diagnosed patient to a YouTube video accessible in the comfort of home, Mayo Clinic can repeat the information presented at the treating physician’s office. The video presentation is likely to be better understood because it is more digestible. The Mayo Clinic’s YouTube channel features videos on ventricular tachycardia and many other topics. The educational application of social media is particularly appealing to busy physicians. They typically don’t have the time to prepare lengthy written material — but they’re more than happy to talk about what they know and what they can do for patients. â€Å"For many doctors, it all comes down to time. That’s where the capturing of video is so helpful,† Aase said. â€Å"We [the communications team] take care of everything. They are happy to share their expertise in a manner that is just like talking to a patient. â€Å"In the videos, we’re looking for them to say the things they say to patients several times a day, only to a broader audience,† Aase continued. â€Å"They’re demonstrating their expertise and showing empathy. We book a 15- to 30-minute timeframe and make them at ease. It’s a much more efficient use of time, and it is more impactful and genuine.† Mayo’s Social and Digital Innovation staff uses smartphones and consumer-grade cameras to shoot video, then edits and loads to appropriate channels. As physicians and other Mayo Clinic staff members have been exposed to the value of social media via these video sessions, more are requesting that the team help them â€Å"take control of their identity† on LinkedIn and Twitter, Aase said. He and his staff regularly coach interested physicians in how to beef up their profiles across platforms. Setting Ground Rules In an age when a Twitter rant can get you fired, it’s important for all employers to have clear policies for social media usage. This is especially true in the health care industry, where privacy of information is sacrosanct. The Mayo Clinic developed guidelines for employees’ social media activity, and many other hospitals have followed suit. The document boils down to common sense and the practice of established medical ethics. â€Å"The main thing is that they should stick to talking about what they know and what they do,† Aase said. â€Å"No one should practice medicine online. We advise them to elevate it out to general terms, such as ‘a patient with these symptoms may have this condition, and these are the standard options for treatment.’ This highlights their understanding and avoids looking like they are giving a prescription to a patient.† Smaller Markets Granted, most hospitals don’t have the size or patient reach of the Mayo Clinic. So what about hospital use of social media in smaller settings and markets? In a mid-sized or small city, the approach can be more streamlined and personal. The emphasis may also be on community relationships and trust more than branding on a large scale. Lafayette Surgical Specialty Hospital (LSSH) in Lafayette, La., is a surgery center owned by 34 physicians in various surgical specialties. The mid-sized city of Lafayette is a competitive market for health care services (nine freestanding hospitals for a population of 124,000), and LSSH distinguishes itself by creating a facility where health care meets hospitality. Liz Hebert is the director of marketing and business development for Lafayette Surgical Specialty Hospital. Since she was hired in January 2015, she has focused the facility’s social media outreach on Facebook, where she works to build a sense of trust. She automatically feeds the LSSH Facebook posts to the hospital’s Twitter feed. â€Å"I want to show people that we are involved in the community,† she said. â€Å"We use Facebook to inform the public about things we are involved in, and to show that we are a trusted resource for information.† As shown above, Hebert recently used the LSSH Facebook page to promote a community event she organized in conjunction with a new fitness facility. Anyone who saw the page was invited to a free class at a new indoor cycling facility near the hospital. One of the most effective uses of social media at LSSH is highlighting the community-oriented activities its staff is involved in, Hebert said. The hospital uses its social platforms to feature events like its â€Å"31 Days of Giving Back† campaign during the month of December that encouraged random acts of kindness and a spring scavenger hunt that raises money for the local United Way chapter. Other posts report on patient satisfaction surveys and honors received by staff members. â€Å"For me, the most important reason for our hospital to use social media is to develop a level of trust,† Hebert explained. â€Å"Even when you are confident in your choice of a surgeon and hospital, you’re still nervous. With our posts, and our day-to-day activities, we try to reduce those fears. We care about the community. We are dedicated to your care. Social media is one important way for us to get that across.† References Griffis HM, Kilaru AS, Werner RM, et al. Use of Social Media Across US Hospitals: Descriptive Analysis of Adoption and Utilization. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2014;16(11):1-11. Silas R. How Are Physicians Using Social Media? MDigital Life.com. http://mdigitallife.com/how-are-physicians-using-social-media/ Citing work contained in the following report by Med Data Group: https://www.meddatagroup.com/wp-content/uploads/MedDataGroup-Physician-Adoption-of-Social-Media-Q22014.pdf Mayo Clinic Social Media Network. Social for Healthcare Certificate from Mayo Clinic and Hootsuite. https://socialmedia.mayoclinic.org/social-media-basics-certification/

Biography of Rosa Parks, Civil Rights Pioneer

Biography of Rosa Parks, Civil Rights Pioneer Rosa Parks (February 4, 1913–October 24, 2005) was a civil rights activist in Alabama when she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus to a white person: her case touched off the Montgomery Bus Boycott and was a significant milestone forcing the Supreme Court to end segregation. She once said, When people made up their minds that they wanted to be free and took action, then there was change. But they couldnt rest on just that change. It has to continue. Parks words encapsulate her work as a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement. Fast Facts Known For: Civil rights activist in the American south of 1950s and 1960sBorn: February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama, USAParents: James and Leona Edwards McCauley  Died: October 24, 2005, in Detroit, MichiganEducation: Alabama State Teachers College for NegroesSpouse: Raymond ParksChildren: None Early Life Born Rosa Louise McCauley on February 4, 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama. Her mother, Leona Edwards was a teacher and her father James McCauley, was a carpenter. Early in Parks childhood, she moved to Pine Level, right outside the capitol of Montgomery. Parks was a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) and attended primary school until the age of 11. Everyday Parks walked to school and realized the disparity between black and white children. In her biography, Parks recalled Id see the bus pass every day. But to me, that was a way of life; we had no choice but to accept what was the custom. The bus was among the first ways I realized there was a black world and white world. Education and Family Parks continued her education at the Alabama State Teachers College for Negroes for Secondary Education. However, after a few semesters, Parks returned home to care for her ailing mother and grandmother. In 1932, Parks married Raymond Parks, a barber and member of the NAACP. Through her husband, Parks became involved in the NAACP as well, helping to raise money for the Scottsboro Boys. In the daytime, Parks worked as a maid and hospital aide before finally receiving her high school diploma in 1933. Civil Rights Movement In 1943, Parks became even more involved in the Civil Rights Movement and was elected secretary of the NAACP. Of this experience, Parks said, I was the only woman there, and they needed a secretary, and I was too timid to say no. The following year, Parks used her role as secretary to research the gang rape of Recy Taylor. As a result, other local activist established the Committee for Equal Justice for Mrs. Recy Taylor. Through the help of newspapers such as Chicago Defender the incident received national attention. While working for a liberal white couple, Parks was encouraged to attend the Highlander Folk School, a center for activism in workers rights and social equality. Following her education at this school, Parks attended a meeting in Montgomery address the Emmitt Till case. At the end of the meeting, it was decided that African-Americans needed to do more to fight for their rights. The Montgomery Bus Boycott It was 1955 and just a few weeks before Christmas and Rosa Parks boarded a bus after working as a seamstress. Taking a seat in the colored section of the bus, Parks was asked by a white man to get up and move so that he could sit. Parks refused. As a result, the police were called and Parks was arrested. Parks refusal ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a protest that lasted 381 days and pushed Martin Luther King Jr. into the national spotlight. Throughout the boycott, King referred to Parks as the great fuse that led to the modern stride toward freedom. Parks was not the first woman to refuse to give up her seat on a public bus. In 1945, Irene Morgan was arrested for the same act. And several months before Parks, Sarah Louise Keys and Claudette Covin committed the same transgression. However, NAACP leaders argued that Parks- with her long history as a local activist- would be able to see a court challenge through. As a result, Parks was considered an iconic figure in the Civil Rights Movement and the fight against racism and segregation in the United States. Following the Boycott Although Parks courage allowed her to become a symbol of the growing movement, she and her husband suffered severely. Park was fired from her job at the local department store. No longer feeling safe in Montgomery, the Parks moved to Detroit as part of the Great Migration. While living in Detroit, Parks served as secretary for U.S. Representative John Conyers from 1965 to 1969. Following her retirement, Parks wrote an autobiography and lived a private life. In 1979, Parks received the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP. She was also the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal When Parks died in Detroit on October 24, 2005, she became the first woman and second non-U.S. government official to lie in honor at the Capitol Rotunda. Sources Rosa Parks, civil rights pioneer, dies. The New York Times, October 25, 2005.  Rowbotham, Sheila. Rosa Parks: Activist whose refusal to give up her bus seat ignited the US civil rights movement. The Guardian, October 25, 2005.Sullivan, Patricia. Bus Ride Shook a Nations Conscience. Washington Post, October 25, 2005.  Theoharis, Jeanne. The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks. Boston: Beacon Press, 2013.

Ecology In and Around a Dead Tree

Ecology In and Around a Dead Tree The small image included with this article is an old dead tree snag on my rural property in Alabama. It is a photo of the remains of an old water oak that lived grandly for over 100 years. The tree finally succumbed to its environment and completely died of old age about 3 years ago. Still, its size and rate of deterioration suggest that the tree will be around and influencing my property for a long time yet - and for that I am pleased. What Is a Dead Tree Snag? Tree snag is a term used in forestry and forest ecology which refers to a standing, dead or dying tree. That dead tree will, over time, lose its top and will drop most of the smaller branches while creating a debris field underneath. As more time goes by, maybe as long as several decades, the tree will slowly be reduced in size and height while creating a viable ecosystem in and underneath the decomposing and falling biomass. A tree snags persistence depends on two factors - the size of the stem and the durability of the wood of the species concerned. The snags of some large conifers, such as coast redwood on the Pacific Coast of North America and the largest cedars and cypress of U.S. coastal south, can remain intact for 100 years or more, becoming progressively shorter with age. Other tree snags of species with rapidly weathering and decaying wood - like pine, birch, and hackberry - will break up and collapse in less than five years. A Tree Snags Value So, when a tree dies it still has not completely satisfied its ecological potential and the future ecological value it provides. Even in death, a tree continues to play multiple roles as it influences surrounding organisms. Certainly, the impact of the individual dead or dying tree gradually diminishes as it weathers and further decomposes. But even with decomposition, the woody structure may remain for centuries and influence habitat conditions for millennia (especially as a wetland snag). Even in death, my Alabama tree continues to have a tremendous influence on the microecology in, around, and under its decomposing trunk and branches. This particular tree provides nesting for a significant squirrel population and raccoons and is often called a den tree. Its branching limbs provide a rookery for egrets and perches for hunting birds like hawks and kingfishers. The dead bark nurtures insects that attract and feed woodpeckers and other carnivorous, insect-loving birds. The fallen limbs create understory cover and food for quail and turkey underneath the falling canopy. Decaying trees, as well as fallen logs, may actually be creating and influencing more organisms than a living tree. In addition to creating a habitat for decomposer organisms, dead trees provide critical habitat for sheltering and feeding a variety of animal species. Snags and logs also provide habitat for plants of higher orders by creating habitat provided by nurse logs. These nurse logs provide the perfect seedbed for tree seedlings in some tree species. In forest ecosystems such as the alluvial Sitka spruce-western hemlock forests of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington, almost all tree reproduction is confined to rotten wood seedbeds. How Trees Die Sometimes a tree will die very quickly by a devastating insect outbreak or from the virulent disease. More frequently, however, a trees death is caused by a complex and slow process with multiple contributing factors and causes. These multiple causal concerns are typically categorized and labeled as abiotic or biotic. Abiotic causes of tree mortality include environmental stresses like flooding, drought, heat, low temperatures, ice storms, and excess sunlight. Abiotic stress is particularly associated with the death of tree seedlings. Pollutant stresses (e.g., acid precipitation, ozone, and acid-forming oxides of nitrogen and sulfur) and wildfire are usually included in the abiotic category but can significantly impact older trees. Biotic causes of eventual tree death can result from plant competition. Losing the competitive battle for light, nutrients or water will limit photosynthesis and result in tree starvation. Any defoliation, be it from insects, animals or disease can have the same long-term effect. Declines in the vigor of a tree from periods of starvation, insect and disease infestations and abiotic stresses can have a cumulative effect that eventually causes mortality.

Behavirol and Socail Sciences on Sex Offenders Essay

Behavirol and Socail Sciences on Sex Offenders - Essay Example It is difficult to predict the occurrence of sex offenders in our localities. However, some precautions are to be taken for minimizing their negative effect. In USA, the sex offenders who are convicted for their crime record are restricted to some places after their release from Jail. They are generally kept away from the school premises and day care centers for ensuring the safety of children and patients. Unfortunately, the number and frequency of sex offenders has been on rising trend in the recent years. This is not a healthy trend. There are several reasons or factors that contribute to the development of behavioral changes in sex offenders (Carla Van Dam, 2001). For successful management of these sex offenders one has to thoroughly understand the types of sex offenders and their behavioral trends in society in general and USA in particular. Keeping this in mind, the present study is being undertaken to assess the present scenario of sex offenders in USA, main causes of nature o f sex offenders and their management techniques. The present study has reviewed some studies undertaken on sex offenders in USA and other parts of the world. In this process, different research studies on factors affecting the sex offenders were analysed. The behavioral changes among sex offenders were identified and prioritized based on the extent. At last the management techniques for reducing the problem of sex offenders were chalked out leading to a meaningful conclusion. It was reported by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that approximately 100,000 sex offenders in USA are not living in the places of their registration, which is not an encouraging trend (Abby Goodnough and Monica Davey, 2009). Hence, efforts must be made to identify the floating population of sex offenders so that the negative effects caused by them can be minimized. This also throws a light

Planning care Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Planning care - Essay Example Various nursing care plans can be applied in the health care of a patient but selection on which plan to use can be best stated according to the type of medical conditions of the patient or type of health care conditions requested for. Patient’s introduction Mrs. Mary johns is 72 years old woman admitted at the health care facility after suffering a stroke at her home. She lives with her 45 years old daughter. The patient brought in by the daughter after resuscitation after suffering a minor stroke. The daughter being the only member of the family and has to work long hour shifts to support her mother fears for life and well being of the mother. This prompted her to check in the mother at the facility for more investigations and better care as she recovers as opposed to staying at home alone as the daughter goes to work. Apart from the daughter signing her mother in at the facility, the mother is fully responsive, and she also mutually agreed to be brought into care it the fac ility. The condition and agreement is to investigate the sole cause of the minor stroke and nurture her back to her normal health condition prior to the stroke (Taylor and Lillis, 2001). Orem self care model This is a self care deficit theory proposed by Orem in self care providence, and it is a combination of the theory of self care, self care deficit, and nursing systems. In the theory, of self care it details self care as the activities carried out by an individual to maintain their self health condition. While self care agency refers to the acquired to perform an individual’s self care self care activities and highly determined by various basic conditions such as the individual’s family system, age and health care system among others (George, 2000). The third Orem’s theory of self care is the therapeutic, self care demand. This is the totality of all the self care measures required for such an individual. The carrying out of self care is to ensure the fulfil lment of the self care requisites of which there are three main types of self care requisites such as developmental, universal and deviation self care requisites. Through a full assessment, of the patient by the health care giver the deficit identified. Upon this identification, of the deficit or need, the nurse then selects the most appropriate nursing systems to provide care. These are partly compensatory, wholly compensatory, or educative and supportive systems. The health care given to the individual in accordance to the total degree of deficit or want the patient is showing of and once the health care provided the total nursing activities and the use of nursing systems for the case are to be evaluated to allow am assessment of whether the mutually planned objective met or not. Care planning A nursing care process described as being cyclical made up of various interconnecting elements and having a dynamic nature. It has been for long been an accepted feature of nursing care plan ning used in conjunction with selected nursing models. It facilitates evidence based care nursing, consistency and enables the application of correct and updated health care providence care documentation. The care planning nursing process consists of four supremely distinct phases. Each phase holds a vital role in the health care planning strategy while still being independent on functioning

Early Childhood Special Education Roots Essay Example for Free

Early Childhood Special Education Roots Essay Early childhood special education that is practiced today has a varied and sometimes hard won history. Its roots are entangled in cultural, economic, and idealistic influences; each facet tinged by the colored lens of the times and adding a little glint to modern day practices. The conglomeration of historical theories and practices, political actions and enacted laws has paved the way to modern early childhood special education practices and programming. Just like a child learns and builds on his knowledge and understanding of his environment, so too does the practice of early childhood special education. In its infancy ECSE was not labeled as such, and in fact was simply teaching. Throughout history, many educators have had differing perspectives and opinions on how best to educate children. Many of those ideas and practices have popularly endured, and some have become very small portions of our current systems, or faded into obscurity altogether. One of the earliest models on early childhood education was the Montessori model. The Montessori methods and tools are prevalent in classrooms today, from individualized and sensory programming to didactic learning materials. Other early educators realized that even very young children benefit from instruction. Jean Piaget identified stages of development from birth to adolescence that still assist educators in identifying appropriate modes of teaching. Others like Robert Owen, John Locke and Lev Semenovich Vygotsky theorized that a child’s environment had a profound influence on his/her development and education, giving a foundation for current early intervention strategies in impoverished, urban areas. Vygotsky also gifted to forward generations the theories of the Zone of Proximal Development, scaffolding and ideas about special needs students working in least restrictive environments. All the way from these LRE’s, are the ideas of institutions. The residential school model however is still useful in some ways today. Samuel Gridley Howe and Dorothea Dix implemented supportive, residential schools for children with disabilities, but when the First World War had its grips on the country, the schools deteriorated into holding cells that pervaded until throughout the depression era. Politics and societal situations have always been instigators of change for education. Post World War II, many war veterans returned home with disabilities changing the attitudes and urgency in servicing individuals with special needs, spurring a profusion of financial and program support. Moving into the mid-20th Century, civil rights opened a consciousness about not only race, but also a socioeconomic dichotomy. Project Head Start was federally funded compensatory program, with a focus on aiding the impoverished; it would later evolve into a more comprehensive program for seeking and aiding special needs children and families. Many other programs and studies aimed at supporting young children with disabilities and their families began to appear, including Early Head Start, the Carolina Abecedarian Project and the Perry Preschool Project, among others. These programs and research studies aimed at aiding and reinforcing the importance of early intervention for at risk children. Supporting and preemptively averting the struggles brought on by environmental disadvantages made the transition to special education support logical. With the social climate changing and an awareness of human rights, legislation regarding special needs populations was ripe. Perhaps the greatest catalyst to change was the enactment of PL 94-142 the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1975. The foundations of this public law and the following amendments are the backbone of all special education as we know it today. This law has 6 main areas of concern. First, the right to a free and appropriate public education is bestowed. Throughout the coming decades, interpretation of FAPE comes up in many court cases, each ruling setting precedence for the future. Second, children with disabilities are given the right to learn in the least restrictive environment (LRE) a practice from centuries prior, but with legal backing, changed the model of public schools in this country. An Individualized Education Plan was written into the body of the IDEA, giving specific protocol for supporting the learning of each individual student. This item is the true workhorse of special education classrooms, bringing the student’s goals, objectives and educational plan, the educators, parents and the other support staff together in one document. The fourth premise of the IDEA is the guarantee to guardians of procedural due process, retaining the guardian’s rights regarding notices, evaluations, placements and other educational plans. Unbiased and multiple assessment criteria is the 5th area addressed in the IDEA. Lastly, part of the legislation includes the parents of special needs students, by affording them access to related services that would benefit the student. Related services was and is an area for interpretation, and again, many court cases have been tried and decided creating standards for what qualifies as a related service. Aside from these six main points, the IDEA has outlined much more. IDEA has given us a universal structure for classifying disabilities, and in a 1991 amendment, ruled that an umbrella classification for preschool aged children was acceptable and malleable state to state. This meant that children would not have to be prematurely labeled or stigmatized, when proper assessment was yet to be exacted. This law gave rise to the term â€Å"developmentally delayed†. A preschooler and his/her family could receive services under the classification of developmentally delayed. IDEA has also given individual states the leeway to define and exact methods of determining what developmentally delayed means. While culturally and regionally more specific, this leaves a large range of differences in qualifications across the country. Since its inception, individuals with special needs have reaped many benefits from the laws and boundaries set by the IDEA, but it wasn’t until October 1986 that very young special needs children and their families could be guaranteed services. While grants and incentives for states to serve the preschool population were available, participation in those programs were completely voluntary. The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments, or PL 99-457, passed in October 1986, mandated that all special needs preschoolers between the ages of three and five be provided with a FAPE . This law was enacted with the purpose of enabling early intervention and a cost effective preventative strategy to serving special populations. Part C of this law also makes services for infants, birth to age two voluntary. Adding preschoolers to the population of compulsory service made the use of IFSP or Individualized Family Service Plans prevalent. These plans are similar to IEP’s except that they comprehensively include the family and give leeway to assigning the role of the service provider, enabling professionals who are most capable of assisting each family to act. Unlike and IEP, the IFSP must be reviewed at least every 6 months, ensuring relevancy with a quickly growing and changing child. Related services including counseling and classes are now extended to family members. By sharing the process and improvement with the preschoolers’ guardians, we are able to see much greater progress with cooperative engagement. Along with the IFSP, PL 99-457 saw the requirement of an Individualized Transition Plan, aiding young adults in making the change into adulthood. Fast forward to 1997, and PL 105-17 made some important amendments to the IDEA. Related services are expanded, developmentally delayed category can be applied up until age nine, parameters and process around discipline is set. Functional Behavior Assessments or Behavior Intervention Plans must be enacted when providing discipline to special education children. Also, assessments for qualifying for special education are expanded, and Child Find reaches into private schools to deliver services to more children. Along with these changes also came a change in funding based on census data versus enrollment data. The percentages served translated to a fixed amount of funding, averting a glut of over qualifying students. Lack of English Language proficiency is excluded as an area of qualification for services. This is important with the rising populations of English language learners. With the number of children from non-english speaking families on the rise, achievement gaps were widening. The No Child Left Behind Act in 2001 was drawn to support impoverished, special needs and English language learners. This act is directly responsible for the Amendments to IDEA that came in 2004. One of the most important changes made was that of aligning the standards of highly qualified special education teachers to the standards of the No Child Left Behind Act. Inclusion of ECE teachers is yet to be enacted, however. The field and study of Early Childhood Special Education is a deeply diverse and ever evolving practice. Past experience has dictated that social climates, politics, events and laws all contribute to the programming of ECSE. The gains have been great, with dramatic increases in the numbers of children and families found and served, but as a nation, we certainly have some more distance to travel. With current legislation and social issues ranging from secure schools to better serving working families, subsidized healthcare, immigration policies or revamping teacher evaluations, the future of Early Childhood Education is unwritten and open to influence.

America Underclass Essay -- essays research papers fc

It is believed that there is a tension between social classes in America. Typically, people of lower classes choose to imitate those of higher social status. As a result, advertisers have a tendency to take advantage of this tension in order to profit from people of the lower and middle classes. In â€Å"The American Upper Class,† G. William Domhoff says that â€Å"exhibiting high social status†¦ is a way of exercising power† (Domhoff p.34),† which is something important to all social classes. According to Judi Puritz Cook, author of â€Å"Consumer Culture†¦Sales Discourse,† advertisements in print as well as in visual media seem to create â€Å"the promise of status mobility through consumption (Cook p.373).† In the article, Puritz explains how television programs on channels such as the Home Shopping Network are examples of how the media exploits the anxiety caused by social standing. It is believed that American people in the lower and middle classes have needs for status mobility. For example, when browsing through a fashion magazine, one can find numerous sections that are dedicated to creating ways to look like the featured model or actress for half the price. The intention of the article, in most cases, is to give others the impression that you are of high social status. In addition, advertisers often use people in the entertainment business to model their products so that the viewer may purchase the product. For example, when mimicking the purchases of hotel heiress, Paris Hilton one may believe, â€Å"If I buy this, I’ll look cool just like Paris Hilton!† The fact that this method is usually successful is a product of the anxiety felt by lower and middle class families. For those reasons, it is likely that Domhoff’s statement that the upper class â€Å"creates respect, envy, and deference in others,† is true. It seems that many o f America’s lower and middle class families would like to create those same feelings of respect and envy in others. When flipping through Vogue, a well-known high fashion magazine, one can see that almost all the advertisement scream wealth and status. The magazine’s beautiful models as well as its expensive brands are major characteristics of the famous magazine. Members of the middle class skim through the magazine thinking, â€Å"Wow, if only I could look like this!† In Gregory Mantsios’ article â€Å"Class in America,† he says, â€Å"We are, on occasion, presented... ...consciously imitate† (Domhoff p.166). Various advertisers use the desperate need of people of the lower and middle classes to appear â€Å"rich† as a weapon. Domhoff’s statement is an explanation of why many people choose to emulate people of high social status. According to Domhoff, showing signs of high social status is one of the many reasons that the upper class generates feelings of envy and deference in those of lower social status. This seems to be the reason for the craze involving the imitation of celebrities as well as the wealthy. It is also believed that the lower classes attempt to look as much like the people in higher classes because of the feeling of significance that comes with the expensive clothes etc. As a result, advertisers use the tension between social classes to sell the idea of luxurious style. Works Cited Cook, Judi Puritz. â€Å"Consumer Culture †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Mass Communication and Society 3.4 (2000): 373-392. Domhoff, G. William. â€Å"The American Upper Class.† Great Divides: readings in social   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  inequality in the United States 2nd edition (2001): 159-167. Mantsios, Gregory. â€Å"Class in America: myths and realities.† Privilege (2003) 33-47.

Kant vs. Kierkegaard Essay

I also believe that the issue that I am discussing is deep, and therefore interesting. Its weaknesses would be its lack of quotes. The difficulty with this paper was trying to find the idea in the first place. It took me a lot of time to find deep similarities and differences between the two. It also took me some time to figure out how I would lay the essay out and how I would flesh the essay out. As this paper is not superficial, I found myself finding new ideas and problem as time passed. This gave me another problem as I always had to rethink and re-edit. The goals for my next paper are to include more quotes, as my papers lack evidence. My other goals are to carry on writing interesting and thought provoking papers. I aim to try to make my essays as clear as possible, as tackling deep issues can sometimes make the writing quite convoluted. Love of Duty vs. Love of Choice In their essays ‘Lectures on Ethics – Friendship’ and ‘Works of Love – Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor’, respectively, Kant and Kierkegaard both appear as idealists: They each portray a utopia in which friendship is universal. Kant believes that perfection can be achieved if people put love of mankind before love of oneself, and Kierkegaard believes that perfection can be achieved if you love everyone as if they were your neighbor. Ironically, both also contradict themselves: Kant contradicts his other idea that one will never be able to achieve the ideal of friendship, where partners share everything with each other. While Kierkegaard contradicts himself by saying a true Christian is completely selfless. This is a contradiction, as someone who is selfless cannot have a choice (free will), but as rational humans we do have a choice. Given these parallels, are these two thinkers ultimately offering us the same sense of utopia? No – in fact, Kant is a realist who uses a scientific approach to figure out what it means to be a friend, whereas Kierkegaard is a religious thinker who applies his religious morality on people. Their utopias look very similar on the surface, but their underlying methods to reach them are vastly different. Both Kant and Kierkegaard come from two very different backgrounds. Kant was born in Prussia, and was interested in physics and mathematics. He didn’t have a positive view of religion was also asked to stop teaching Theology at the University of Konigsberg by the government as he allegedly ‘misrepresented’ the principles of Christianity. This shows that Kant was a thinker independent of religion. Kant believed that â€Å"mankind’s final coming of age,† was â€Å"the emancipation of the human consciousness from an immature state of ignorance and error. † This is the opposite of Kierkegaard, as he was a devout Christian. Kierkegaard tried to incorporate religion (Christian morality) with reason. This is where he comes up with his idea of ‘loving thy neighbor’. Whereas Kierkegaard comes from a position that his way is the ‘right’ way, as it was mandated from God, Kant comes from a position which is influenced by Rousseau and Aristotle, in fact Kant’s idea of man having self-love and love for humanity comes straight from Rousseau’s book ‘The Discourse on the Origin of Inequality’. There is also a deeper difference: Kierkegaard’s religious morality implies duty, whereas Kant’s view on friendship implies choice. Choice lies at the heart of Kant’s philosophy. He says that man has two basic instincts: self-love and love for humanity (pity). These two instincts conflict with each other and only one can win. Kant believes that in an ideal world, all people would put love for humanity before self-love. This would create a world where love is reciprocated, and therefore man does not have to worry about losing his happiness. In essence, Kant’s version of a utopia is where man chooses to love humanity. This is vastly different to Kierkegaard’s version, where man has no choice, as it is his moral duty to love everyone as if they were his neighbor. Kierkegaard does acknowledge Kant in a way, by distinguishing between earthly love and spiritual love. He says earthly love (Kant’s type of love) is the exact opposite of spiritual love. He argues that a ‘poet’ (Kant) is absolutely right in saying that earthly love cannot be commanded. Kierkegaard believes that Christian love is better as it is ‘completely selfless’. For Kierkegaard, â€Å"Christian love teaches love to all men, unconditionally all. Just as unconditionally and strongly as earthly love tends towards the idea of there being but one single object of love, equally unconditionally and strongly Christian love tends in the opposite direction. If a man with respect to Christian love wishes to make an exception in the case of one man whom he does not wish to love, then such love is not ‘also Christian love,’ but it is unconditionally not Christian love. † (41) Kierkegaard also believes that it is quite liberating to be forced to love. As if the absence of choice creates peace. He believes that â€Å"it is encouraging in your relation to a distinguished man, that in him you must love your neighbor; it is humbling in relation to the inferior, that you do not have to love the inferior on him, but must love your neighbor; it is a saving grace if you do it, for you must do it† (50). Thus the difference between earthly and spiritual love is that earthly love is a choice and spiritual love is a command from God. Both Kierkegaard and Kant come to different conclusions because in their writing, their focus is on separate ideas. Kant, being a man of reason primarily, approaches his philosophy in a scientific manner. To explain, he breaks one thing into smaller things. Kant makes observations based on what he sees, hears, tastes, smells, and feels (like his three types of friendships). However, he does also make some conceptual assumptions (discussed earlier) such as his idea of putting love of humanity before self-love will cause reciprocation of friendship. Unlike Kierkegaard, Kant does not focus on religion as it is unnecessary for someone who is only interested in empirical observations. Kierkegaard however is not concerned with empirical observation, as he believes that there is something higher and more important i. e. Christianity. Kierkegaard concentrates more on morality and what he believes is right, instead of focusing on what is actually there. Kierkegaard doesn’t even talk about friendship in his writing. This shows that he places much more importance on what his religion says is right instead of trying to observe and deconstruct what friendship is. Although both philosophers have radically different ideas on how to achieve a utopian world, their ideas as an end result are very similar. They both want a world in which everyone loves everyone. The difference is that Kant’s love comes from reason, whereas Kierkegaard’s is spiritual. For this reason Kant’s idea seems more logical to the rational human being. Kant doesn’t believe in forced love, he believes in a choice to put either love of humanity or love of oneself at the fore. Kierkegaard’s idea of loving as a moral duty is contradictory at its heart, because how can you love if you don’t have a choice who to love? If you ‘love’ everyone it stops being love because love is defined by its opposite. How can there be love without hate? If it can’t exist, then how feasible is Kierkegaard’s idea? This is the main problem with Kierkegaard, because his observations come from his faith. In the real world, love should come from understanding, not dogma. If there is no understanding, it’s like a slavery of the mind. Works Cited Immanuel Kant, â€Å"Lectures on Ethics†, Ethics. Trans. Louis Infield, Harper Torchbooks, The Cloister Library, Harper & Row Publishers, New York and Evanston. Soren Kierkegaard, â€Å"Works of Love†, Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor. Trans. David F. Swenson & Lillian Marvin Swenson, Princeton – New Jersey, Princeton University Press.

Assess the Sociological Explanation That Childhood Is a Social Construction

Assess the sociological explanation that childhood is a social construction. Childhood is the time of a person’s life when they are a child. Childhood is said to be socially constructed, meaning that it has not been influenced by nature but has been shaped by the quality of family life and the culture within society. The social construction of childhood points out that childhood is dependent on a number of social factors rather than a biological stage. Sociologists argue about what the term ‘childhood’ actually means. They claim that childhood is a social construction, rather than biological or natural. In this essay I will assess the sociological explaination that childhood is a social construction by showing experience of childhood today. Some sociologists argue that childhood is socially constructed because people of what people define as childhood. What we consider as childhood today is different from the past and what different cultures/societies consider as childhood varies. Societies are individual in the way they have different social construction, childhood is an important feature in some societies but doesn’t really exist in others. Philippe Aries (1962) explored the fact that childhood was a social construction. He used history to explain this also his paintings. Aries claimed that childhood experience in pre-industrial society, children were viewed as ‘tiny adults’ and that there were no real differences between children and adults. They joined in similar leisure activities to adults, toys and games especially did not exist. Children worked from a young age and were regarded as an economic asset which meant bringing in money and supporting their families. Those who did not help with domestic production usually left home to become servants or apprentices. Aries ‘march of progress’ view argues that today’s children are more valued, better cared for, protected and educated, enjoy better health and have more rights than children of previous generations. Schools specialised in educating of the young, influence of the church which saw children as fragile and in the need of discipline. Separate clothing for adults and children separated childhood and adulthood. Childhood was extended in 19th century because there were concerns over juvenile delinquency, beggars and child prostitution which led to wanting to get children off the streets that show that childhood is a social construction. Aries argued that childhood is socially constructed, however, some sociologists like Pollock (1983) have criticized Aries by saying that it is more correct to say the pre-industrial society just had a different idea of childhood rather than turning a blind eye to it. Pollock argued that Aries work is outdated and his reliance on paintings makes work invalid. Paintings are just interpretations and not necessarily what reality is. The people who paid for his paintings were wealthy, so only represent the society of wealth so it did not reflect on middle-class people. Although Pollock disagrees with Aries, Cunningham (2006) argues that the 19th century saw the social construction of childhood by adults. Childhood was seen to have three major characteristics. One, it was the opposite of adulthood, where children were seen to be in need of protection, to have a right not to work and to be dependent on adults. Two, the world of the adult and the world of the child were to be kept separate. The home and the school were known to be the ideal places to children and were often banned from adult places such as a pub or workplace. Three, the children were seen to have the right to ‘happiness’ Nevertheless, there is considerable evidence that children continued to be badly treated during this period of time, also child prostitution and child abuse were occurring in most cities. This continued until the turn of the 20th century where the age of sexual consent was raised to 16 years old. However, many Functionalists and New Right thinkers believe that children have been given too many rights in recent years and that it is wrong that parents are increasingly criticised and even punished because of their ways in discipline, e. . smacking children. New Right thinkers believe that childhood is under threat because the period of innocent childhood has been shortened and also because children have been exposed too soon to the adult world. They see children in need of protection from ‘threats’ such as homosexuality and media violence, this links to Postman’s view (1982) of childhood. Nei l Postman sees childhood is ‘disappearing at a dazzling speed’. He says that the cause of the appearance and disappearance of childhood is because of the growth of television which means that there are no more secrets from children. This gives them unlimited access to the adult world, being exposed to sex, disaster, death and suffering. Social blurring has occurred showing that there is little distinction between adults and children. Children’s games are less childlike today, taking part in adult activities like smoking and drinking and are committing adult crimes such as murder. They speak, dress and behave like adults, this has meant that children are being given the same rights as adults. Society is pushing children to behave in a manner that encourages them to take part in activities that are unsuitable for their age group. Nearly all the traditional features that mark the transition to childhood, (e. g. getting a job, leaving home, getting married) no longer apply. Therefore childhood is not a social construction and it is children disappearing rather than childhood. Sue Palmer agrees with this view and claims that parents are benefiting enormously from living in a wealthy society in which technology has enriched their lives. Palmer argues that rapid technological and cultural changes over the recent years have damaged children’s physical, emotional and intellectual development. The cultural changes range from electronic games, junk food and television, these are negative influences and are often used as a substitute for parents spending quality time interacting with children. Children are therefore deprived of traditional childhood and family life. This is a problem in today’s society because every year, children become more distractible and self-obsessed- less able to learn and enjoy life. This shows childhood in a child-centred society rather than dependent on society’s cultures and believes conforming to social construction. Some sociologists believe that childhood is dependent on society’s cultures, beliefs and laws, meaning socially constructed. Stephen Wagg (1992) said that Childhood is what members of particular societies at particular times and places say it is. He argues that although humans go through the same stages of physical development like puberty, different cultures construct or define them differently which means childhood is not the same in all societies. Wagg believes that there no single universal childhood experienced by all because it isn’t natural nor defined by mere biological immaturity. Melanie Phillips differs to Wagg’s view, she argues about the negative impact of the media and consumer culture. Phillips believes that the media and peer groups have become more influential than parents and sees the media in the form of magazines aimed at young girls, pop music videos and television as a particular problem, because they encourage young girls to see themselves as sexual from a younger age. These trends are to show that the period of childhood has been shortened, it is no longer a sacred and innocent period lasting up to 13 or 14 years. Phillips argues that children don’t have emotional maturity to cope with the rights and choices that they have today. The result of these processes, she believes are an increase in social problems such as suicide, eating disorders, self-harm, depression and drug/alcohol abuse. This view shows that childhood is not socially constructed and that the media and the peer group have more influences on childhood rather than the parents. The conventional approaches to childhood that I have outlined have been criticized by sociologists who have focused on researching how children see and interpret the world around them. They say that the Functionalist and New Right view ignores the fact that children have their own unique interpretation of family life and that they tend to generalize about children and childhood. Morrow (1998) found that children did not want to make decisions for themselves, but they did want a say in what happened to them. Historical period, locality, culture, social class, gender and ethnicity all have an influence on the character and quality of childhood which shows childhood as a social construction. In conclusion, there are a range of critical, contrasting views that I have assessed to show that childhood is socially constructed. Aries and Cunningham both claim that childhood as we know it today did not exist and they were known as ‘little adults’, childhood was considered to have three major characteristics which gives evidence of the social construction by adults in the 19th century. However there still remains a debate how childhood is now disappearing as its cultural changes have had a negative influence on childhood also how childhood is under threat because the media and peer groups have become more influential than parents.

Different Depictions of Warsaving Private Ryan and The Patriot essays

Different Depictions of Warsaving Private Ryan and The Patriot essays Moviemakers have the power to portray the world the way they see it. And because there are so many different directors out there, we as viewers, are presented with a variety of interpretations. If a director sees love as a game, then it is so (at least until their hour and 45-minute tale of two playful lovers comes to an end). If he or she believes society to be corrupt then we will see it as such on her or his recorded picture of the world. And if one director thinks of war as completely disastrous while another sees glory in it then we would find ourselves viewing two contrasting depictions of war. Two recent films that exemplify this circumstance are Steven Speilbergs Saving Private Ryan and Roland Emmerichs The Patriot. Both movies are about an historic war, both were made around the same time, and yet both create an entirely different image of war. With the use of dramatic, literary, and cinematic aspects, Speilberg and Emmerich present their opinions, as well as emotions, on the screen. Ryan takes place during World War II. Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) is given a mission to save Private James Ryan (Matt Damon), whose three brothers were killed in action. The Patriot is the story of a father of seven and veteran of the French and Indian War. Although he shows disapproval of the current American Revolution, personal vengeance makes him a hero in the war. Although the screenplay could account for a films viewpoint, it is the directing that creates the visual picture. Ironically, Both Ryan and The Patriot were written by the same man, Robert Rodat. This further supports the idea that the directors opinion on a topic is evident in her or his film, no matter what the screenwriters thoughts may be. Not to mention the fact that a the director usually chooses a script that suits them. Therefor, literary elements reflect the directors perspective. The setting in Ryans opening sce...

Biography of Henrietta Muir Edwards

Biography of Henrietta Muir Edwards A legal expert, Henrietta Muir Edwards spent her long life advocating for the rights of women and children in Canada. Her accomplishments included opening, with her sister Amelia, the Working Girls Association, a forerunner of the YWCA. She helped found the National Council of Women of Canada and the Victorian Order of Nurses. She also published the first magazine for working women in Canada. She was 80 in 1929 when she and the other Famous Five women finally won the Persons Case which recognized the legal status of women as persons under the BNA Act, a milestone legal victory for Canadian women. Birth Dec. 18, 1849, in Montreal, Quebec Death Nov. 10, 1931, in Fort Macleod, Alberta Causes of Henrietta Muir Edwards Henrietta Muir Edwards supported many causes, especially those involving the legal and political rights of women in Canada. Some of the causes she promoted were temperanceraising the age of consentequal grounds for divorceequal parental rightsmothers allowancesreform of the prison system in Canada. The career of Henrietta Muir Edwards: In Montreal Henrietta Muir, with her sister Amelia, founded the Working Girls Association, a forerunner of the YWCA in 1875.She launched and edited Womens Work in Canada, the first Canadian magazine for working women.In 1883, Henrietta Muir Edwards moved with her husband and three children to Saskatchewan.She was involved with the Womans Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) from 1886.With Lady Aberdeen, the wife of the Governor General of Canada, Henrietta Muir Edwards started the National Council of Women in 1893. Henrietta Muir Edwards worked with the organization for more than 30 years.Again with Lady Aberdeen, Henrietta Muir Edwards helped found the Victorian Order of Nurses in 1897.Henrietta Muir Edwards and her family moved to Alberta in 1903.In 1908, Henrietta Muir Edwards compiled a summary of Canadian federal and provincial laws relating to women and children.She wrote handbooks on women and Canadian law - Legal Status of Women in Canada in 1917 and Legal Status of Women in Alb erta in 1921. Henrietta Muir Edwards was one of the Famous Five in the Persons Case which established the status of women as persons under the BNA Act in 1929. See Also: Emily MurphyNellie McClungLouise McKinneyIrene Parlby

Project Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 10

Project Management - Essay Example oppages in delivery of passable resources to set up project requirements; budgetary and workers transforms; and, imperfect research or knowledge of the project manager. These risks guide quickly to holdup in release dates and financial plan overages that be able to harshly weaken assurance in the development and in the project manager (Martin et al, 2004). There are lots of risk those are attached to the project development and cause a serious problem for the better management and administration of the project. These risks are also the main cause for the breakdown of the most of the projects. From project management viewpoints, project managers have to find out the most recent insights, methods, and developments in project management field. This will provide him a better understanding regarding the efficient project management and solutions for emerging risks (Johnson et al, 2005). Good qualities of project risk judgment. If a project manager is able to distinguish the key stakeholders and make sure that they evidently recognize the project scope and main objects of the project (Anderson). Project management basically comprises the phases that independently add to the achievement of a task. These stages are independent but mutually related. Here in the first stage we conduct a detailed analysis the problem situation and device an appropriate solution for that stage. Then we plan for the achievement of our goals. This plan includes the cost and human resource allocation for the project management. Here we also carry out a risk measurement study to find out the potential risks in the project. The quality assurance stage is aimed to assure the quality of the project and determine if the expected results have been achieved. The final stage of the project management involves the analysis of the results accessed for the project implementation to declare the project success or failure (Monk and Wagner). This project is about the implementation of the wireless sensor