Economics of Education Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Economics of Education - Assignment Example In a sequence of items over the past ten years, Hanushek used 38 different pieces of writing and put focus on: pupil/teacher ratio, education and experience of the teacher, teacher’s salary, Per Pupil Expenditure (PPE), administrative inputs and facilities. He reviews the evidence of a large number of studies basing on their views of the relationship between spending and school performance. He conducted vote-count based on aggregating 187 studies in 38 separately published books where in each publication there are several regression equations. He classified the relation between each input variable and an output variable into one of five categories according to the direction of the regression coefficient's sign (positive or negative) and its statistical significance (significant or non-significant). The fifth is coefficients that were non-significant but for which it was impossible to determine the direction of the coefficient's sign from the reported results. His conclusion is that money doesn’t matter as school’s output is concerned (Hanushek 150-164). Hedges et al study This study is a reanalysis of the evidence examined by Hanushek. These researchers found that a â€Å"systematic positive patterns in the relationships between educational resource inputs and student outcomes† exists. ... This study declared that the pattern of results given in Hanushek’s vote count is not consistent with the null hypothesis of no effect in every study and thus making a type II error in his statistical analysis due to the low power associated with vote counting. Hedges et al used more sophisticated procedures to aggregate the information in the different studies and corrects some problems that were found in Hanushek’s methodology where they came up with a conclusion which clearly states that â€Å"Money does matter after all†. This directly differs with Hanushek’s conclusion. These two studies attempted to highlight the relationship between inputs and outputs of schools with an essence of improving American educational system. However, all of these researches there was no consensus established as to which course should be followed or even on the need for additional expenditures to produce the desired improvements, instead, some scholars have questioned whet her there is a relation between the amount of resources and level of accomplishment of students in schools. Hanushek used vote counting analytic method. For a given resource input, the "result" of each study is the estimated partial regression coefficient of the resource input to student output, holding constant the family background and other inputs. The vote-counting methodology tabulates these results according to the sign (positive, negative, or unknown) and the statistical significance (significant or non-significant, usually at ?= .05 level) of the results. The category with the most results (the most "votes") is generally taken to represent the true state of the relation in

Ability to recall from memory an event Essay Example for Free

Ability to recall from memory an event Essay A study by Loftus and Palmer (1974) into the accuracy of Eye Witness Testimony aimed to find out if changing the wording of a question could distort ones ability to recall from memory an event. They showed their participants a series of car crash videos before asking them to fill out a questionnaire. One of the most important questions included asking the participants what speed the cars were travelling at. They used an independent measures design to divide the participants into 5 conditions: Smashed, Collided, Bumped, Hit, Contacted. The results from this experiment provide good research into accuracy of eyewitness testimony because it found that by changing the wording of a question, it significantly influenced the speeds given by the participants. For example, those in the smashed condition provided the highest average of speed of 40.8mph, whilst those in the contacted conditions average were merely 31.8mph. Similarly, when called back a week later and asked if any broken glass was seen, they found that although there wasnt any present, 32% in the smashed condition said they had seen broken glass. Loftus and Palmer therefore concluded that by using the word smash it gives suggestions of strong impact and thus shows that leading questions have an impact on the accuracy of eyewitness ability to re-call situations. The strengths from this study include providing useful insight for the police so they know that when interviewing witnesses they should be aware of the way they phrase their questions to ensure the memory of the witness isnt distorted in any way. Similarly, it shows that juries should be thoughtful before accepting the validity of a witness when listening to eye witness testimonies.  On the other hand there are also weaknesses to this study. Firstly, it lacks mundane realism and ecological validity because the film shown has less emotional impact than a real life situation would and the participants knew they were about to watch a film so thus transferred their full attention to the video, whereas in real life they would be taken by surprise. Similarly, contradictory evidence from Yuille and Cutshall (1986) weakens the credibility of this study. They interviewed people that had witnessed an incident where someone was shot dead and fatally injured and found that the witnesses accounts were not influenced by the leading questions and were in fact very clear. This suggests that more intense incidents perhaps improve ability of re-call. Other psychological research into anxiety and violence tells us more about accuracy of eye witness testimony. Yerkes-Dodson Law for example believed that an increase in arousal increases performance up to a certain point, which they called optimum level. They believed that once arousal when higher or lower than this level it would affect memory performance. This is supported by Peters (1988) who found that those receiving inoculations in a clinic (an anxiety generating event) found it difficult in accurately identifying the nurse who issued their jab. One can conclude that this was due to the high levels of arousal surrounding the participant during the time of the jab. Moreover, researcher has been conducted into whether attention focus or anxiety was the sole reason behind poor recall. Loftus Burns (1982) found that details of less-violent crimes were more accurate than details of highly violent crimes. Whilst Clifford scott (1978) found that witnesses to violent incidents generally re-call less than witness to non violent, regardless of whether a weapon was used. This shows that the level of violence involved in the incident had a strong influence on the accuracy of eyewitness testimony. Lastly, there is also research into how age affects accuracy of eyewitness testimony. Studies have shown that children are more likely to get influenced if tested on eye witness testimony than adults due to things such as language ability or memory processes. Evidence into language ability comes from Goodman and Schaaf (1997) who found that the more complex the question, the less accurate the answer given by the child. This suggests that one aspect of ensuring that eyewitness testimony remains accurate is to not test the child on skills that they are not fully developed in yet e.g. complex language. This is backed by a study by Ceci et al (2000) who found that children aged between 3-4 years were more influenced by leading questions. Research into memory processes shows that children may lack detail but not accuracy when it comes to re-call, which was found by Goodman and Reed (1986). Similarly, Memon et al (2003) studied the accuracy of young and older eye witnesses found that after 35 minutes there was no difference in accuracy of identification however, after 1 week, the older generation worsened significantly more than the younger generation.  To conclude, there has been a great deal of research into the accuracy of eye witness testimony and this has shown that there are many things that influence someones ability to re-call a situation accurately. Therefore, one could say that Eye witness testimony isnt the most accurate method.

Raisin’ in the Sun Essay Example for Free

Raisin’ in the Sun Essay 1. WALTER: â€Å"You wouldn’t understand yet, son, but your daddy’s gonna make a transaction . . . a business transaction that’s going to change our lives. That’s how come one day when you ‘bout seventeen years old I’ll come home . . . I’ll pull the car up on the driveway . . . just a plain black Chrysler, I think, with white walls—no—black tires . . . the gardener will be clipping away at the hedges and he’ll say, â€Å"Good evening, Mr. Younger. † And I’ll say, â€Å"Hello, Jefferson, how are you this evening? † And I’ll go inside and Ruth will come downstairs and meet me at the door and we’ll kiss each other and she’ll take my arm and we’ll go up to your room to see you sitting on the floor with the catalogues of all the great schools in America around you. All the great schools in the world! And—and I’ll say, all right son—it’s your seventeenth birthday, what is it you’ve decided?! † (Act II, scene ii) Walter’s speech is addressed to Travis closing one of the most important scenes in the play and foreshadowing the climax of the novel. Walter is explaining that he is going to invest money choosing his own way instead of agreeing with other family members. Walter was working as a chauffeur to rich people and he had heard about benefits of investing. Walter becomes obsessed with this idea and he is dreaming about wealthy future describing luxurious cars he will have. He is sure that his dreams with inevitable come true and, therefore, he uses ‘will’, not ‘if’ in sentences. His dream is not fully materialistic as he sees chances to improve relations with his wife and Travis will study in the best colleges. In such a way Walter is growing to maturity when he thinks about his family, their provisions etc. 2. WALTER: â€Å" [W]e have decided to move into our house because my father—my father—he earned it for us brick by brick. We don’t want to make no trouble for nobody or fight no causes, and we will try to be good neighbors. And that’s all we got to say about that. We don’t want your money†. (Act III) Walter’s words are addressed to Mr. Linder after Walter reveals that liquor store has been stolen. Walter shows first signs of disobedience and disagreement as other family members don’t want to accept Mr. Linder buyout. This quotation shows that Walter has his own ideas, desires and beliefs. Moreover, he is willing to act as independent and self-sufficient personality. Walter shifts his priorities. He has changed as earlier he focused his attention on money only, but now he is taking care of his family. It is possible to say that he has become a man. References Hansberry, Lorraine. (2004). A Raisin’ in the Sun. USA: Vintage.

Sainsbury Plc Is The Leading Food Retailer Marketing Essay

Sainsbury Plc Is The Leading Food Retailer Marketing Essay Business environment: The business environment is the external and internal environment in which company works and which help in company to run the business and help it to face the various situations which affect the organization and their operations. According to (J. Kew, J.Stredwick, 2005) Environment is situational and is unique to each organization. The external environment consists of changes that takes place outside organization and are external factors and the changes taking place within the company are called as internal factors. The objectives and strategies are based on this and they can be affected by this external and internal factor. Pest analysis tool help to understand the framework of the external and internal factor of the company which helps company to survive and establish in market. The scan of external macro environment can be expressed in following terms Political, Economic, Social, and Technology sometimes two additional factors environmental and legal make it a PESTEL analysis. The increase globalization is opportunity and a good challenge to Sainsbury. The challenge is to get the best quality/financially viable products from all over the world. It can enter the markets of the existing companies through joint ventures and enter into new markets but they do not have such plans in horizon. The ongoing investigation of price fixing among the big retailers and Sainsbury being in forefront of this allegation can have negative impact on industries and Sainsbury (Rigby 2008). Sainsbury has good consumer relationship but although this could lead to negative public image and consumers could feel cheated. HBOS is on with whom the financial service of the Sainsbury works or run with (Annual Report 2007). The recession may end up people buying more of the essentials than the luxury items on which Sainsbury has its greater profit margin. Credit crunch also affects the Sainsbury bank credit directly as it does not have established name in financial services. The prices of food have increased all around the world as there is crisis of food globally, that has result in increasing purchasing cost of Sainsburys (economist.com 2008[online]). That has lead in increase of most of the price of products in Supermarket. Rising fuel cost will also lead to the increase in overall supply chain of Sainsbury and leading to increase in prices. The increase competition will lead to let of incentives to consumers which again affect the Sainsbury as it has to driven down its prices most of the time. Social Environment The social environment includes all the demographics and socio-cultural issues that is population based on age, income classification and distributions, community works and different view to work. The government has stressed on eating healthy food and this has been promoted by it [eatwell.gov.uk 2008]. This can help Sainsbury to stock up healthy food in cheaper price than other manufacturers and get benefit with this new trend. Sainsbury follows the responsibility of the society and its surroundings. It operates affective charities, sponsor games, arrange social activities, raise fund for animal and many more. As UK has aging population Sainsbury has started to recruit older employees to strike into this ongoing labor pool. Technological Environment The technological environment comprises of modern and new product innovation, invention and improvement. Its been predicted that by 2011 the UK online sales will be reaching Eur263bn, of which British shoppers would be their third in whole income. The 8% of the advertisement globally is through internet expense and these are rapidly growing (The Economist, 2007). The supermarkets have disadvantages of long queue holding for customers specially those who have fewer items to buy the self checkout machine like Asda and Tesco has helped the customers. If Sainsbury develops the self checkout service and its stores for 24 hrs can help boost the sales. The RFID can be used significantly to supply chain for Sainsbury although not in use if applied it can lead to most profit organizations [directions magazine 2008]. Legal Environment The stringent laws on food and drinks will lead to ever increase cost on packaging and labeling of the food item which is an additional financial burden on the Sainsbury. Even with respect to their interest in financial services there is more legal scrutiny in operations with the Sainsbury bank that is there is more responsibilities regarding the legal compliance and other risks. Sainsburys is in the boundaries of the legal forces locally, nationally and globally and are very close to enforcement in which firm operate. The company maintains different type of legal laws including Consumer laws, Competition laws, Employment laws and health and safety laws. Environmental Environment A lot of emphasis has been on big companies to increase their efficiency by reducing the carbon footprint [Bream 2008]. That is to go green issues and to reduce an impact on the environment the Sainsbury has to invest more on the green issues. Other like organic food and their sales and treatment of animals, affects Sainsbury on various levels. The importance given to this issues means they have to provide to consumers that are priced govern. It is a sensitive issue which Sainsbury has to cover with respect to bearing their consumers. Analysis of Porters Five Forces Porters Five Forces: By porters five forces we are going to investigate the threats of substitutes from supermarkets, the buying capability of purchasing groceries, buying capability of suppliers regarding groceries, last but not the least the buying power of customers. www.321books.co.uk, (2010) [online] 1) Barriers for Entry: The food retail market have a very high barrier to their entry , firstly because it is the most sophisticated sectors in the UK and it needs lot of investment and a significant brand which take years to establish (Doyle 2002). And retail is also not on advanced stage in UK and most of the other western world that is there is a scope for new entrants to develop in market is very scarce. It is necessary to know the basic and local things in food market. They have a certain support from few of their global markets in UK. 2) Power of buyer: Since the competitors sell the same product the power of buyer if high in this industry. The only difference is in their consumer loyalty and differentiation in price. As economy goes down due to recession consumer needs are going to be more concern and their power will be more. The strategy of Tesco was to cut prices in order to increase the sales. The reason for the success of its competitor like Asda and Tesco was high as they were not only handling price cut but also expanding on home wears. Asda adopted the strategy of high volume non-food strengths and MS went with the strategy of top-end luxury food. 3) Power of suppliers: Suppliers power is equally distributed and they are the huge companies like Unilever, Cadbury, PG which has huge brand appeal. If supermarkets do not sell their products the consumer will shift their loyalties and suppliers will be more powerful. If product of big companies as well doesnt reach supermarket stores their sales volume could be hampered. There is no consideration of small suppliers as it depends on the supermarkets. The low price platform of the retailers have given the customer the platform to buy from the stores with less or promotional price. 4) Threat of Substitute: Threat of substitute in food retail industry is low as it is a necessity especially in emerging market and developed world. The retail market tries to bring new updates and promotions so that shopping can be pleasurable experience which makes it difficult to be replaced in market. The major treat comes from the internal substitute where one supermarket lap up business of other. 5. Rivalry: There is a very stiff competition to grab the market shares from all supermarkets. The market share of Sainsbury was 14.9% in 2007 and has increased gradually. SWOT Analysis Strength, weakness, Threat and Opportunities Various companies need several business strategies to run their business in a smooth manner. They follow various methods to do so. One of the major is to analysis the strengths weakness of the company along with the opportunities it has and which may arise in future and the threats which they may face. STRENGTHS WEAKNESS THREATS OPPORTUNITIES Strengths The great turnaround in Sainsbury business is through its growth of thirteen straight quarters (Rigby and Braithwaite 2008). The turnover in 2007 was 7% with an increase in profit was around 450% P.A. It consists of good environmental issues due to its recently taken steps of buying fair-trade goods.  It is one supermarket chain which has a celebrity endorsing products leading to increased sales. The Jamie Oliver has helped in uplift in sales and it can be seen in various ad campaigns. There positive consumer brand is liked by both green activities and consumers. The key strengths of the company are marketing and branding has distinguished them in minds of customers. The orange color used by Sainsbury is very traditional to the campaign. Weakness 1. It has been recently overtaken by some private firm called as Qataris, Sainsbury being governed by the firms can lead to the consumer switching loyalties. 2. Except U.K. Sainsbury is not present elsewhere unlike Tesco expansion plan [economist.com 2008]. This can lead to problem if there is some problem in food retailing in U.K or if there needs to be source of extra growth. 3. The differentiating competitive advantages are missing. 4. Their infrastructure change in their stores was a weak attempt which only ended up confusing customer in stores. Opportunities: Sainsbury has many other businesses that have a great future opportunity. Their investment in property and pound 40 million profits through its bank seems good strategy to follow. The organization has resources and capabilities to improve with technology and new applications. They can win back the customer trust by improving their customer service especially through loyalty programs. Threats: 1. Supply chain of Sainsbury is directly affected by the bio-fuel consumption which is important tool for green environment effects. 2. Its operations are subjected many regulatory requirements related in planning, pension plans, employment and employment in terms of products and services. [www.guardian.co.uk 2010] The market share pie chart shows that Sainsbury has slipped down in recent year in the market drastically. Tesco leads with 30.6%, Asda ranks 2 with 16.8% and Sainsbury was out spaced with 4.4% [www.guardian.co.uk, 2010] Bowman strategy Clock: C:My DocumentsWEBSITEbowmans_lesson.gif C.Bowman, D.Faulkner, (1996) The Bowmans clock is analyses competitive position of the markets as compared to other competitors. The first step is competitor analysis, the process of identifying, assessing and selecting the key competitors. The second step is developing competitive e marketing strategies that strongly position the company against competitors and give it the greatest possible competitive advantage {P.Kotler, et-al, (2008)}. There are eight options: 1) High Price: Sainsbury being the old brand they have their price on products very much more which mean high margin. Sainsbury has high price for all its products but it does focus more on pricing then to focus on customers. Sainsbury has a high price and hence is a cost Leadership. They have high price and value products. Increased price/standard: Sainsbury has the marketing tool of high pricing hence it has higher margin than most of its competitors, but it is not only the high price it is also the quality and exclusivity that they offer. The Sainsbury is brand hence is followed by the people who are endorsed with brands and it does have most of its target customers as the loyal customers who are stuck with them due to its high value and brand image. www.brandingstrategyinsider.com, (2010) [Online] 2) Differentiator: Sainsbury Differentiates itself with their main objective of high price offered to customers with an added value services provided as it has value and brand image associated with it. a) Focused differentiation: The Sainsbury is the cost differentiator as it has its loyal customers and is in UK market upholder of its brand image as compared to other competitors it does not focus on lowering the price. In order to gain back its position the Sainsbury should focus on following differentiator factor It should focus to be successful internationally, as Sainsbury is only in UK. It should develop new market and new product to gain its position. Focus on its customer service: Sainsbury has lost their customers because they were not getting good products in higher values as compared to Tesco and Asda rates. It should focus on unique product and service. Developing retail service: Sainsbury has resources which they should use and develop the self checkout on 24 hours stores and develop its IT services it will help in increasing their sale. Earning Customer loyalty back through various nectar points and loyalty cards giving customers offers and benefits and hence being committed to customer and developing the bond of loyal customers. It should maintain long term customer relationship management. In year 200 the organization realized that they were not gaining success and their share price fell by 23.3% which needed some drastic changes to overcome the business performance. Sir Peter had through its supervision concentrated on Stores, Customer service and maintaining their supply chain and also enabling the development of its IT solution to improve their performance. In 200o the store had undergone the strategic programs to overcome their store faults. The steps which were taken were as follows To increase their share holder value store needed to be placed in new market position The target customers needed to be focused and the stores management and service needs to be improved. Focus on customer shopping experience through its team members and managers work in the store. The infrastructure needs to be focused as in accordance with customer and the commodity and employee performance should be raised. The advantage of synergic group should be taken and focus on B2B,B2C and e-commerce These were the strategic measures taken by the company but it still needed a deep organization and customer development with respect to competition in market [www.universityessays.com]. 2) Focused differentiation: Sainsbury strategy is not their customers but they focus more and their products and hence always have them as high priced. Their target customers are those who have image of high price means high quality and since its mainly in Britain there most of the loyal customers are their own people who prefer the brands, on other hand their competitor like Tesco and Asda targets customers by control on pricing. It does focus on its product value and high price but Sainsbury should know that the price is a marketing tool which attracts people the most. The most important reason for the fall of Sainsbury from top supermarket in UK market to number three, is as stated by their CEO (J. King 2004) We have not stayed as sharp on pricing as we should have done. www.allbusiness.com, (2010) [Online] www.brandingstrategyinsider.com, (2010) [Online] Performance Sainsburys reports slowest sales growth in five years Sainsbury has reported slowest growth in past five years and has been forecasted to have tough year ahead. Their like for like sales excluding the fuel rise 1.7% in fourth quarter compared to third quarter 3.7%. In 2009 sales were 2.3% ahead [www.guardian.co.uk]. Sales of general merchandise like clothes grew three times than the rate of food. It had swung a profit before tax of pound 19 million from loss of pound 48.6 million [www.guardian.co.uk.]. According to news and media it expects to sell its independent titles in UK shortly, after having 39%drop in full year operating profits. It had made loss of euro 31.4m down from 161.4m in 2008[www.guardian.co.uk.] The five year operating margin of Sainsbury 1. Underlying operating margin5  (%) Underlying operating margin (%) 2. Underlying profit before tax6  ( £m) Underlying profit before tax ( £m) 3. Underlying basic earnings per share7  (pence) Underlying basic earnings per share (pence) [www.j-sainsbury.com 2010] http://www.j-sainsbury.com/ar10/businessreview/keyfinancialperformanceindicators.shtml From the above figure 3 figure of five year plan of Sainsbury performance can be seen that the Sainsbury had a significantly slow sales growth of margin in these years. Conclusion: The Sainsbury has slipped down in UK market in past five years which can be proved from the evidence collected in porters five forces and SWOT analysis. The business environment study of Sainsbury shows that the main reason of the slipped down of Sainsbury was its not concentrating on the price factor but tits more emphasis in changing and developing the stores which had made customers more complicated about their store locations. Also Sainsbury overtaken by the Qataris the other foreign body has raised the question to their customers and hence switching their customer loyalty. The other competitors of Sainsbury were always on the market increasing their sales and attracting customers through low price like Tesco and Asda but Sainsbury enjoyed its leadership. They should focus on more of its strengths but being threat by the competition through price competition they are becoming weak and hence it has slipped down in market. In order to remain in competition Sainsbury should focus more on its customers and make their products look different from those of others. They should keep up with the technology and always be updated and be in pace with others. They should focus on their price strategy and support the environmental issues to compete in the market they have to bear in mind the customer likes and change according to their tastes.

All Quiet on the Western Front and the Horrors of War :: All Quiet on the Western Front Essays

The Horrors of War    Throughout their lives, people must deal with the horrific and violent side of humanity. The side of humanity is shown through the act of war.   This is shown in Erich Remarque’s novel, â€Å"All Quiet on the Western Front†.   War is by far the most horrible thing that the human race has to go through.   The participants in the war suffer irreversible damage by the atrocities they witness and the things they go through.    One of the worst things about war is the severity of carnage that it bestows upon mankind.   Men are killed by the millions in the worst ways imaginable.   Bodies are blown apart, limbs are cracked and torn and flesh is melted away from the bone.   Dying eyes watch as internal organs are spilled of empty cavities, naked torso are hung in trees and men are forced to run on stumps when their feet are blown off.   Along with the horrific deaths that accompany war, the injuries often outnumber dead men. As Paul Baumer witnessed in the hospital, the injuries were terrifying and often led to death.   His turmoil is expressed in the lines, â€Å"Day after day goes by with pain and fear, groans and death gurgles. Even the death room I no use anymore; it is too small.†Ã‚   The men who make it through the war take with them mental and physical scarification from their experiences.    People who have actually been through war know how horrible it is.   Society on the other hand, while it believes it knows the horrors of war, can never understand or sympathize with a soldier’s situation.   The only people who can understand war is those who have been through it so they can often feel alone if they are out of the military.   Paul cannot even give a straight answer to his own father about his dad’s inquiries about war.   Paul’s dad does not understand that people who have been in the war can in no way truly express the horrible things that that have seen and experienced.   Nor can Paul fit in with the society who does not understand him.   Paul and so many others were brought into the war so young that they know of nothing else other than war.   Paul held these views on society as he said, â€Å"We will be superfluous even to ourselves, we will grow older, a few will adapt themselves, some others will merely submit, and most will b e bewildered;-the years will pass by and in the end we shall fall in to ruin.

Going Back to the Basics :: Teaching Philosophy Education Essays

Going Back to the Basics Education is a very sensitive topic to discuss among adults. Many adults want the education to be based on a system of ideas that is progressive (which is a system high in the aspect of individuality), some want perennialism (which is the teaching of philosophies that have stood the test of time over hundreds of years), and some, like myself, want to take it back to the way it used to be (essentialism). Education as defined by Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary is â€Å"the action or process of education or being educated.† I believe that the way education was presented in the past worked well and that education should remain to be taught the same. For education to be taught the same as it were in the past, many things have to change. There are too many electives being taught in public schools today, there is too much acceptance on certain things like tardiness, absences, and behavior, there are not severe enough punishments for students who break the rules, and the curricula is too easy. To chance this we need to put a strong work ethic into the children and to do that you need a tough and challenging schedule throughout the schooling process. As a physical educator I would do this by not just rolling out a ball and telling the students to â€Å"play†, but by teaching them certain skills it takes to become a physically fit person. In making a person physically fit, you need to teach them the factors of being fit like: how to eat a healthy diet, how to exercise properly, proper hygiene, and how much sleep to get. I think that the only thing that you get out of education, is what you put in it. To become a smart, balanced, and intelligent person you must put forth all effort in getting an education. To the layperson, education is merely something that needs to be done to get through life and â€Å"to get a good job†, but to me education is making yourself into a better person, and a person who knows what they want out of life. I believe that you need not learn all this extra curricula that is being taught in many of today’s schools like philosophy of ideas, mythology, media, and classes like the printing press. Going Back to the Basics :: Teaching Philosophy Education Essays Going Back to the Basics Education is a very sensitive topic to discuss among adults. Many adults want the education to be based on a system of ideas that is progressive (which is a system high in the aspect of individuality), some want perennialism (which is the teaching of philosophies that have stood the test of time over hundreds of years), and some, like myself, want to take it back to the way it used to be (essentialism). Education as defined by Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary is â€Å"the action or process of education or being educated.† I believe that the way education was presented in the past worked well and that education should remain to be taught the same. For education to be taught the same as it were in the past, many things have to change. There are too many electives being taught in public schools today, there is too much acceptance on certain things like tardiness, absences, and behavior, there are not severe enough punishments for students who break the rules, and the curricula is too easy. To chance this we need to put a strong work ethic into the children and to do that you need a tough and challenging schedule throughout the schooling process. As a physical educator I would do this by not just rolling out a ball and telling the students to â€Å"play†, but by teaching them certain skills it takes to become a physically fit person. In making a person physically fit, you need to teach them the factors of being fit like: how to eat a healthy diet, how to exercise properly, proper hygiene, and how much sleep to get. I think that the only thing that you get out of education, is what you put in it. To become a smart, balanced, and intelligent person you must put forth all effort in getting an education. To the layperson, education is merely something that needs to be done to get through life and â€Å"to get a good job†, but to me education is making yourself into a better person, and a person who knows what they want out of life. I believe that you need not learn all this extra curricula that is being taught in many of today’s schools like philosophy of ideas, mythology, media, and classes like the printing press.

Changing Views of The Chorus in Sophocles Antigone :: Antigone essays

Changing Views of The Chorus in Antigone    The chorus, a group of common people who follow the actions of the play Antigone, waver in their support of either Antigone or Creon, depending on their actions during a particular part of the story-line.   Early in the play it is evident that they are extremely pro-Creon, but a short time later they seem to sway into the direction of Antigone and support her actions.   This incongruency about the them, however, was an extremely interesting feature of this Sophocles drama, causing the reader to question the reliability of the chorus.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The opening lines from the chorus merely inform the reader about the war which had just taken place between Thebes and Argos.   Their last lines of this opening choral passage, however, introduced king Creon, making him seem quite noble yet mysterious to his loyal subjects.   They state such questions as:   " what new plan will he launch?" and "Why this sudden call to the old men summoned at one command?" (Lines 175-178) These lines are utilized by Sophocles as   a suspenseful introduction to Creon's orders concerning the body of Polynices.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The chorus's next appearance blatantly shows their biased attitudes against Antigone and her exiled father Oedipus.   At this point they still sing praise for King Creon and his unwavering decisions concerning the law which was placed upon the city regarding the body of Polynices:   "When he weaves in the laws of the land, and the justice of the gods that binds his oaths together, he and his city rise high--but the city casts out that man who weds himself to inhumanity thanks to reckless daring.   Never share my hearth never think my thoughts, whoever does such things." (Lines 409-416)   In my opinion the man laying down the law here is Creon and Antigone is the "man" wedding herself to inhumanity.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The next major choral address is a turning point regarding their attitude towards Antigone.   At this point they are actually feeling pity towards the rebellious young woman:   "But now, even I'd rebel against the king. I'd break all bounds when I see this-- I fill with tears, can't hold them back not any more. . . I see Antigone make her way to the bridal vault where all are