What Grad Students Can Expect on the First Day of Class

What Grad Students Can Expect on the First Day of Class The first day of class is similar in both college and graduate school, and this is true of all disciplines. Day 1 is all about introducing the class. Common Approaches to Teaching the First Day of Class Some professors dive right into course content, beginning with a lecture.Others take a more social approach, using discussion and team-building activities like games, asking students to get to know each other, and posing non-course related discussion topics.Most professors will ask students to introduce themselves: Whats your name, year, major, and why are you here? Many will ask students to provide information and may pass out an index card for each student to record contact information and perhaps answer a question such as why they enrolled, one thing they hope to learn, or one concern about the course.Some simply distribute the course syllabus and dismiss class. The Syllabus Regardless of style, whether emphasizing content, social, or both, all professors distribute the syllabus  during the first day of class. Most will discuss it to some extent. Some professors read the syllabus, adding additional information as appropriate. Others draw students attention to main points. Yet some say nothing, simply distribute it and ask that you read it. No matter what approach your professor takes, it is in your best interest to read it very carefully because most instructors spend a lot of time preparing the syllabus. Then What? What happens after the syllabus is distributed varies by professor. Some professors end class early, often using less than one-half a class period. Why? They might explain that it is impossible to conduct class when no one has read. In reality, this isnt true, but it is more challenging to hold class with new students who have not read and have no background in the field. Alternatively, professors might end class early because they are nervous. Everyone finds the first day of class nerve-wracking - students and professors alike. Are you surprised that professors get nervous? Theyre people too. Getting through the first day of class is stressful and many professors want to and that first day as soon as possible. After the first day is done they can fall into the old routine of preparing lectures and teaching class. And so many otherwise enthusiastic professors end class early on the first day of school. Some professors, however, hold a full-length class. Their rationale is that learning begins on day 1 and what happens in that first class will influence how students approach the course and will, therefore, influence the entire semester. There is no right or wrong way to begin class, but you should be aware of the choices the professor makes in what he or she asks the class to do. This awareness might tell you a little bit about him or her and might help you prepare for the semester ahead.

English - American Parenting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

English - American Parenting - Essay Example Parenting techniques and practices vary on the basis of religion, economy, culture, geography and technology. There are many factors that shape the parenting practices of a particular society. Parenting must be given an absolute meaning and purpose because children are the future of this world and their behavior should reflect their abilities to create a better world. Today, getting married and having children is nothing more than a custom which is not the true purpose of having a family. Parents must first understand why having children is important to them and whether they will be able to raise their children well. American way of parenting has been criticized time and again and an average individual might even agree to this criticism since the exposure of American family life that this individual may have had would point to very unhealthy and poor parenting practices. That is why shopping and junk food have become the symbols of western teenage life. Symbols represent a lot of val ues for families. For Chua, a violin represented eastern family values. â€Å"In our household, the violin had become a symbol. For me it symbolized excellence, refinement and depth – the opposite of shopping malls, mega-sized Cokes, teenage clothes and crass consumerism.† (Chua 207) Human beings evolve to survive. Their lifestyles are in a state of constant flux. Parents are familiar with their drawbacks and they wish to see such drawbacks absent in their children however, what they need to understand is how these drawbacks originated within them in the first place. Understanding the child’s psychology is crucial to practice ideal parenting. Elinor Ochs conducted a study in which she observed the life of thirty two middle-class families of Los Angeles. Her findings show that children of the subject families did not perform household obligations on a regular basis unless instructed otherwise. â€Å"In one fairly typical encounter, a father asked his eight-year- old son five times to please go take a bath or a shower. After the fifth plea went unheeded, the father picked the boy up and carried him into the bathroom. A few minutes later, the kid, still unwashed, wandered into another room to play a video game† (Kolbert, 2012). In another encounter an eight year old girl ordered her father to bring her silverware even though she knew exactly where the silverware was kept. Another boy named Ben could not put his sneakers on because their laces were ties and he had to ask for his father’s help since he did not know how to untie them. Such behavior of children is fairly common among the American families. â€Å"According to one poll, commissioned by Time and CNN, two-thirds of American parents think that their children are spoiled† (Kolbert, 2012). This behavior of children has certain number of reasons attached to it; poor parenting methods being the primary one. It is not just the fact that the American children have been b ombarded with variety of material objects such as toys, clothes, video games, cell phones, laptops, iPads, IPhones, computer, television, PlayStation and cameras to fill their lives with but also the fact that parents have lost authority over their children. Nowadays parents require their children’

Electronic Engineer Technician Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Electronic Engineer Technician - Essay Example Introduction Electronic and Electrical Engineering is a dynamic and exciting field where electronic and electrical engineering technicians have a vast space to explore this field, enriching with them a wide body of knowledge and experience (Facts On File Inc, 2009). Today, more students are enrolled in electrical and electronic engineering colleges to get higher degree or certificate. This shows that this study has increased importance and pays valuable contribution to US economy directly and indirectly. Basically, the technicians of electronic and electrical engineering helps other engineers to develop and design communications equipment, computer, navigational equipment, medical monitoring machines, and other electronic and electrical. Besides this, they also work in evaluation of product and its testing, using diagnostic and measuring devices or machines to test, adjust, and repair equipments (Garner, 2002). Moreover, electronic and electrical engineering technician works electric al engineers. The nature of work environment consists of mostly manufacturing settings, development and research laboratories, organizations and utilities. Education and training In order to be and electronic and electrical engineering technician, an associate degree, post secondary certificate or a bachelor’s degree is required to be completed. ... Therefore, they can be hired for different jobs. For example they can be Chief R&D Engineering Technologist, Chief Controls Engineer, Senior Project Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Broadcast Maintenance Technician, Electrical Maintenance Apprentice, Educational and Professional Trainer etc (Facts On File Inc, 2004). Each job position consist or many duties and responsibilities performed by electronic and engineering technicians which gives them a mean of learning experience which nurture’s their professional career (Facts On File Inc, 2009). Salaries and benefits Electronic and electrical engineering technicians are offered good salaries and other benefits (Peterson's, 2009). In the past few years, as the job demand of engineers has increased, this has also increased their wages and other benefits. Depending upon the nature of job, some electronic and electrical engineering technicians are paid in wages which ranges between $20 and $40 per hour (Garner, 2002). If median wages a re compared, table 1 show that in 2010 median hourly wage was $26.94 which has increased to $27.36 in 2011. Thus overall increase in wages during 2010-2011 is by 2% (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011). Table 1: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Median wages    hourly annual 2011 $ 27.36 $ 56,900.00 2010 $ 26.94 $ 56,040.00 Career advancement and future employment Electrical and electronic engineering technicians have wide scope of career advancement. They move to more senior and executive positions as they advance in their career (Peterson's, 2009). Although, the economy has slowed down due to recession faced by US economy, but the projected employment graph (1) shows that electrical and electronic engineering technicians has future employment opportunities. Graph 1 (Bureau of Labor Statistics,

An Effective Manager of Home Depot Essay Example for Free

An Effective Manager of Home Depot Essay According to Robbins and Coulter (2005), effective managers all over the world acknowledge the role that strategic management plays in their organization’s performance. Moreover, Drucker (2004) said that the gauge of an effective manager or executive is the ability to get the right things done. This typically entails doing what other individuals have ignored in addition to avoiding what is unproductive. Imagination, intelligence, and knowledge might all be wasted in an executive job without the attained habits of mind that form them into results. I believe that Bob Nardelli is exhibiting these characteristics and management style of an effective manager as he leads Home Depot to become continually successful in its operations. As he triumphed over various problems in managing the company and a s a result oh his managerial strategy, Home Depot is now has now increased sales by 60 percent and earnings per share by 105 percent (Business Week Online, 2006). During his first day as CEO at Home Depot in the year 2000, the company has various problems to deal with, some of which, were as follows: it lacked the necessary infrastructure to send even a companywide electronic mail, Home Depot stores were already run-down and was being known as a store with poor customer service, the stores’ shipments were logged using pencil and clipboard, and Home Depot stores did not have automated inventory systems (Sellers, 2001). Being a visionary leader that he is, Nardelli believed that better processes must lead to better quality ad higher profits for Home Depot. He employed strategic management in planning to improve the company. As asserted by Robbins and Coulter (2005), the prevailing belief in management theory and society on the whole is that managers are completely responsible or accountable for an organization’s success or failure. However, Nardelli demonstrated that aside from the fact that much of an organization’s success or failure is because of external forces outside of the manager’s control, the manager has a big responsibility in making decisions for the success of the organization. A major component of Nardellis far-reaching move to reform Home Depot, which is considered to be the world’s third-largest retailer, into a more centralized company, include importing people, ideas, and platitudes from the military (Business Week Online, 2006). This might be an unwelcome concept in management circles; however, Nardelli couldnt care less. He believes that it is a vital aspect of his strategy to lead in a cumbersome 2,048-store chain and get ready for its next leg of growth (Business Week Online, 2006). In an uncertain and dynamic environment, real world organizations employ strategic decision-making when making decisions offers managers with a comprehensive and systematic means for taking into consideration the external environment, concentrating on an organization’s strength, reducing weaknesses, and recognizing opportunities in which an organization can have a competitive edge (Shafritz Hyde, 2004). As maintained by Holstein (2004), the Nardelli decision-making model might help create a pattern for other CEOs who have been extremely frustrated and disillusioned by their lack of success in harnessing technology. In transforming Home Depot to what it is now, Nardelli increased information technology spending by almost 20 percent (Sellers, 2001). Then in year 2003 Nardelli spent a total of $400 million on inventory shipping and tracking systems (Sellers, 2001). Aside from these, Nardelli also spent around $250 million refurbishing Home Depot stores (Pellet, 2001). This included the installation of self-checkout systems in 800 stores to lessen customer lines and ease up salespeople. This also included the establishment of two-way cordless scanners, which enabled products to be price-scanned in the shopping cart, in this manner shortening lines. Being an effective manager, he also paid attention to motivating the organization’s workers. Armstrong (2002) said that in providing rewards to employees, supervisors and managers should identify what rewards will succeed for specific employees at any given time. Even though supervisors and managers might not be able to have power over certain rewards like benefits or wages, they have the liberty to give out rewards like recognition and praise. In Home Depot, Nardelli instituted innovations in providing rewards and in human resource management. First, he substituted 157 different employee evaluation forms with two (Pellet, 2001). In addition, coworkers, above and beneath them, rated aalaried personnel from the CEO down and salaries were derived from the scores. Then during a period when Home Depot was planning to hire approximately 100,000 new employees, Nardelli did not automatically fire those employees with poor scores (Pellet, 2001). Nardelli first requested for the advice of others and informed underperformers precisely what they were doing wrong. This way, Nardelli showed that it is important for a manager to vigorously seek opposing opinions and inquire regarding the basis for those opinions before selecting a course of action is being stressed, instead of acting on the basis of tacit or pre-arranged agreement. Necessarily, this needs constantly listening with real curiosity so as to promote development of different opinions and supporting rationales, instead of merely setting forth suggestions and working to make agreement around them (Drucker, 2004). Furthermore, Nardelli seemed to follow step two in Peter Drucker’s model (204) that executives require both themselves and their staff or subordinates what they contribute presently to the organization and what they could contribute to the organization in the future. In Home Depot, Nardelli asserted that in spite of whether a person’s belief of what he/she now contributes, or could contribute, equals his/her managers belief, emphasizing and bringing out the importance of everybody’s role as a contributor is necessary to the organizations general effectiveness. In initiating change in Home Depot, Nardelli showed that everybody in the organization makes decisions; nevertheless, decision-making is specifically vital in a manager’s job. I think that he followed what Robbins and Coulter (2005) said that decision-making is part of all four managerial functions – planning, organizing, leading, controlling, and that decision-making is synonymous with managing. Holstein (2004) has written that when Nardelli joined Home Depot, the challenge of improving the company’s supply chain and logistics became apparent because the company is way behind other stores in these areas. Hence, he established a model called â€Å"full truckload to the store,† which means that the more you brought, the more it would oblige you to sell, since you get kind of jammed (Holstein, 2004). In terms of information technology, at Home Depot, Nardelli has established a system of checks and balances (Sellers, 2001). The manner is which Nardelli is managing the technological transformation is attracting attention and interest from other executives and managers. Sellers (2001) said that Nardelli has borrowed from the CE playbook to establish a system of checks and balances on how technology is managed, and Nardelli has likewise incorporated technology decisions deeply into his business strategy in runring and managing Home Depot. Furthermore, Nardelli likewise employed building deeper relationships with fewer vendors. As stated earlier, the Nardelli decision-making model might possibly help create a pattern for other CEOs who have been exceedingly frustrated and disillusioned by their lack of success in utilizing technology. In conclusion, in transforming Home Depot to become the earning company that it is now, I believe that Nardelli demonstrated that leadership is the capability to influence people or groups toward the accomplishment of goals. As a process, Nardelli showed that leadership forms the goals of an organization or group, inspires behavior toward the attainment of those goals, and helps characterize organizational or group culture; hence, it is fundamentally a process of influence. # References Armstrong, M. (2002). Employee Reward (3rd Edition), CIPD: London. Drucker, Peter. â€Å"What Makes an Effective Executive,† Harvard Business Review, Vol. 82, No. 6, June 2004. Holstein, W. (2004). â€Å"The Depot goes digital: how CEO Bob Nardelli is managing a $2 billion technology transformation,† The Chief Executive. Pellet, J. (2001). â€Å"Mr. Fix-It Steps In,† Chief Executive. â€Å"Renovating Home Depot. † (2006). Business Week Online. Robbins, S. , M. Coulter. (2005). Management, (8th ed. ). Prentice Hall. Sellers, P. (2001). â€Å"Exit the Builder, Enter the Repairman: Home Depots Arthur Blank Is Out. New CEO Bob Nardelli Is In. His Job: To Tackle the Companys Renovation after Two Decades of Nonstop Expansion,† Fortune. Shafritz, J. M. A. Hyde. (2004). Classics of Public Administration, 5th ed. Belmont , CA : Wadsworth/Thompson

Essay --

In the 1950s, space exploration represented the epitome of human scientific achievement. However, beginning in the 1970s, long-term goals of space exploration were shelved in favor of smaller projects that kept astronauts closer to Earth. Throughout the years, advocates have pushed for a return to space exploration, noting that valuable discoveries and technological advancements would likely emerge from such a program. In 2011, the United States ended its space shuttle program. While other countries such as China and Russia continue to expand their space programs today, American space exploration has been put to a halt. Many Americans believe that the United States space program requires a huge chunk of government funding. In reality, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) spending typically comprises of less than one percent of the federal government's budget ("Space Exploration"). Many Americans have called for an end to government-funded space exploration because they feel like the space program does not offer any benefits to the average citizen and that the money would be better spent on Earth-based efforts to improve the nation ("Space Exploration"). What if by traveling to space and exploring the unknown territory, we in fact improve our nation? What if Mars is capable of sustaining life? What if the cure for cancer is lying beneath the surface of a planet? If space exploration remains halted, there might be many questions left unanswered. In 2004, President George W. Bush announced the end of the US space shuttle program in 2010. He planned to replace it with a space program named Constellation, which aimed to return Americans to the moon to do more research and to tap into that body's frozen water for mak... ...chael Lind, an author and policy director at the New America Foundation, said: When the Apollo astronauts landed on the moon, many assumed that this was the first step toward the permanent colonization of the moon and journeys by astronauts to other planets. From today's perspective, though, the space race was like the races to the North Pole and the South Pole. Once explorers had reached those destinations, the world lost interest. Space exploration is something that is extremely important to the future of our nation. Leaving space undiscovered would leave many questions unanswered. The solution to many of our nation's problems could be found in space, but Americans will never know unless space exploration continues to be successful. If the government no longer wants to fund a space program, space exploration should become privatized so that progress can be made. Essay -- In the 1950s, space exploration represented the epitome of human scientific achievement. However, beginning in the 1970s, long-term goals of space exploration were shelved in favor of smaller projects that kept astronauts closer to Earth. Throughout the years, advocates have pushed for a return to space exploration, noting that valuable discoveries and technological advancements would likely emerge from such a program. In 2011, the United States ended its space shuttle program. While other countries such as China and Russia continue to expand their space programs today, American space exploration has been put to a halt. Many Americans believe that the United States space program requires a huge chunk of government funding. In reality, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) spending typically comprises of less than one percent of the federal government's budget ("Space Exploration"). Many Americans have called for an end to government-funded space exploration because they feel like the space program does not offer any benefits to the average citizen and that the money would be better spent on Earth-based efforts to improve the nation ("Space Exploration"). What if by traveling to space and exploring the unknown territory, we in fact improve our nation? What if Mars is capable of sustaining life? What if the cure for cancer is lying beneath the surface of a planet? If space exploration remains halted, there might be many questions left unanswered. In 2004, President George W. Bush announced the end of the US space shuttle program in 2010. He planned to replace it with a space program named Constellation, which aimed to return Americans to the moon to do more research and to tap into that body's frozen water for mak... ...chael Lind, an author and policy director at the New America Foundation, said: When the Apollo astronauts landed on the moon, many assumed that this was the first step toward the permanent colonization of the moon and journeys by astronauts to other planets. From today's perspective, though, the space race was like the races to the North Pole and the South Pole. Once explorers had reached those destinations, the world lost interest. Space exploration is something that is extremely important to the future of our nation. Leaving space undiscovered would leave many questions unanswered. The solution to many of our nation's problems could be found in space, but Americans will never know unless space exploration continues to be successful. If the government no longer wants to fund a space program, space exploration should become privatized so that progress can be made.

Saturation Sampling

The parameters that underpin quality research especially qualitative research keep changing and so the need for more clarity and transparency. The lucidity and transparency of reports from qualitative research form the basic philosophical foundation upon which the rigor as well as credibility of the qualitative study is evaluated. Qualitative studies are highly anchored on the quality of the reports generated and thus there is increased emphasis on the data collection stage. Given that all reliable targets may not be available to the qualitative researcher, the concept of saturation sampling allows the researcher to survey all the identifiable targets. In other words, saturation sampling helps researchers to overcome problems of lack of intentional sampling frames. For that reason, the researchers will attempt to survey all samples available. In addition, Fontanella et al (2008) add that saturation sampling allows the researcher to take a multifaceted approach in the study by removing the limits to the techniques of data collection, the mode of use, and the type of data collected. This boosts the reliability of the investigation by providing as much information as possible (Fontanella et al 2008). An example of a research study that employed data saturation is found in the ‘Public Understanding of Science- Journal’ titled ‘Ethno-cultural community leaders’ views and perceptions on biobanks and population specific genomic research: a qualitative research study’ by Godard et al (2010). The authors of the article note that due to the large gap existing due to lack of sufficient data on views and perceptions of communities on biobanks, their qualitative study required an in-depth interview of ethno-cultural leaders but the public’s involvement was also important. In the conclusion of the study, the researchers found that leadership and general public must equally be involved in the partnership even if the public is not informed of the significance of the biobanks. In addition, the model allowed the researchers to identify various socio-cultural and ethical issues that impact on the effective performance of biobanks.

How and Why to Comment in Your PHP Code

A comment in PHP code is a line that is not read as part of the program. Its only purpose is to be read by someone who is editing the code. So why use comments? To let others know what youre doing. If you are working with a group of people or plan on anyone else ever using your script, the comments tell the other programmers what you were doing in each step. This makes it much easier for them to work with and to edit your code if needed.To remind yourself what you did. Although you may just be writing a quick script for yourself and dont see the need for comments, go ahead and add them in anyway. Most programmers have experienced coming back to edit their own work a year or two later and having to figure out what they did. Comments can remind you of your thoughts when you wrote the code. There are several ways to add a comment in PHP code. The first is by using // to comment out a line. This one-line comment style only comments to the end of the line or the current code block, whichever comes first. Here is an example: ?php echo hello; //this is a comment echo there; ? If you have a single line comment, another option is to use a # sign. Here is an example of this method: ?php echo hello; #this is a comment echo there; ? If you have a longer, multi-line comment, the best way to comment is with /* and  */ before and after a lengthy comment. You can contain several lines of commenting inside a block. Here is an example: ?php echo hello; /* Using this method you can create a larger block of text and it will all be commented out */ echo there; ? Dont Mix Comments Although you can nest comments within comments in PHP, do so carefully. Not all of them nest equally well. PHP supports C, C and Unix shell-style comments. C style comments end at the first */ they encounter, so dont nest C style comments.   If you are working with PHP and HTML, be aware that HTML comments mean nothing to the PHP parser. They wont work as intended and are likely to execute some function. So, stay away from:   !--Comment--