Thursday, December 26, 2019

Aluminum vs Aluminium Element Names

Aluminum and aluminium are two names for element 13 on the periodic table. In both cases, the element symbol is Al, although Americans and Canadians spell and pronounce the name aluminum, while the British (and most of the rest of the world) use the spelling and pronunciation of aluminium. Origin of Two Names The origin of the two names may be attributable to elements discoverer, Sir Humphry Davy, Websters Dictionary, or the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). In 1808, Sir Humphry Davy identified the existence of the metal in alum, which he at first named alumium and later aluminum. Davy proposed the name aluminum when referring to the element in his 1812 book Elements of Chemical Philosophy, despite his previous use of alumium. The official name  aluminium was adopted to conform with the -ium names of most other elements. The 1828 Websters Dictionary used the aluminum spelling, which it maintained in later editions. In 1925, the American Chemical Society (ACS) decided to go from aluminium back to the original aluminum, putting the United States in the aluminum group. In recent years, the IUPAC had identified aluminium as the proper spelling, but it didnt catch on in North America, since the ACS used aluminum. The  IUPAC  periodic table presently lists both spellings and says both words are perfectly acceptable.   History of the Element Guyton de Morveau (1761) called alum, a base which had been known to the ancient Greeks and Romans, by the name alumine. Davy identified the existence of aluminum, but he didnt isolate the element. Friedrich Wà ¶hler isolated aluminum in 1827 by mixing anhydrous aluminium chloride with potassium. Actually, though, the metal was produced two years earlier, though in impure form, by the Danish physicist and chemist Hans Christian Ørsted. Depending on your source, the discovery of aluminum is credited to either Ørsted or Wà ¶hler. The person who discovers an element gets the privilege of naming it; however, with this element, the identity of the discoverer is as disputed as the name. Correct Spelling The IUPAC has determined either spelling is correct and acceptable. However, the accepted spelling in North America is aluminum, while the accepted spelling just about everywhere else is aluminium.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Malcolm X Paving the Way for the Rights of African Americans

Of the people whose names are mentioned in history, some men like Thomas Edison are praised for their genius minds, while others such as Adolf Hitler are criticized for leaving a depressing legacy behind. While it is relative easy to notice the type of legacies these two men left, legacies of other men are often vague and they seem to be imbedded in gray shadows. This is how many people view the life of Malcolm X. Malcolm X during his lifetime had influenced many African Americans to step up for their rights against the injustices by the American government. One on hand, he has been criticized for his hard stances that resemble extremism, while on the other hand he has been praised him for his effort in raising the status for African†¦show more content†¦The choice of words indicates using violence as a possible means to fight for your rights. Even the title that he gave to the speech seems violent in that it implies that an African American should either cast a vote to get his rights or use the power of bullets to get his rights. It may seem detrimental to use such symbolism in a speech, because some African Americans can actually resort to violence by getting ‘emotionally excited’. However, in a speech that has the power to change the course of a nation and change the lives of millions of people, it is necessary to use such symbolism because it strengthens the position of the African Americans. If we look closely at the relationship that Malcolm X has with the nation of Islam, we find that he truly supported the cause of Black Nationalism. This was a time when Blacks drank from different fountains, and had different restrooms, and different seating arrangements in public transportation. During this time, Malcolm X felt it was absolutely necessary for Blacks to have their rights by any means necessary. Readers should view his speech as a breakthrough for paving the way to give African Americans the rights that they deserved instead o f viewing it as a speech filled with hatred against Whites. Malcolm X even states in his speech â€Å"Now in speaking like this, it doesnt mean that were anti-white, but it does mean wereShow MoreRelatedâ€Å"Whenever my environment had failed to support or nourish me, I had clutched at books...† ― Richard800 Words   |  4 PagesWright an African American author. This quote means that no matter what was placed in his way or what he lacked that others had he hung on to what he had and did what he could. And the more he read about the world, the more he longed to see it and make a permanent break from the Jim Crow South. I want my life to count for something, he told a friend. Richard Wright wanted to make a difference in the world and a difference he did make. Richard Wright was an important figure in American History becauseRead MoreEssay on I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings1048 Words   |  5 Pagescontribute to the way she grows up and the person she becomes. Desp ite some of her tragic circumstances, she learns a lot growing up, mainly because of the African-American women in her life who teach her all different life lessons. In I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Marguerite gets to absorb teachings from her mother (Vivian), Mrs. Bertha Flowers, and her grandmother (Momma). These women allow Marguerite to learn and grow as an African-American female, all while paving her own way. MargueriteRead MoreAmerica Has A Great Deal Of Issues With Racism1491 Words   |  6 Pagesterrible mistreatment which black people have had to endure in this country. Since the early years of the country, blacks have been treated horribly. Slaves to white American citizens for many years, they were eventually granted their freedom, only to be met with heavy discrimination for many more years. The African men, women, and children brought to America were not treated as normal people. White people were afraid of them because of how different they looked, thus they treated

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Do Rubrics Enhance and Improve Students’ Writing Products free essay sample

The article also provides support about how rubrics provide clear expectations for students, and support good thinking. The article also includes data that suggests that self-assessment using a rubric has a positive effect on most students’ writing. The article also introduces and supports the concept of blending instruction and assessment for more effective teaching. Moskal, Barbara M. (2000). Scoring Rubrics: What, When and How? Practical Assessment, Research Evaluation, 7(3). Available online: http://ericae. net/pare/getvn. asp The article support that scoring rubrics provide at least two benefits in the evaluation process. First, they support the examination of the extent to which the specified criteria has been reached, and second, they provide feedback to students concerning how to improve their performances. The article also supports that if these benefits are consistent with the purpose of the assessment, that a scoring rubric is likely to be an appropriate evaluation technique. Using generalizability theory to estimate the reliability of writing scores derived from holistic and analytical scoring methods Educational and Psychological Measurement; Durham; Jun 1999; Carl W Schwartz; Stephen R Hooper; James W Montgomery; Melissa B Wakely; et al; This research examined whether or not the rubrics used to assess writing for the NAEP test are reliable. We will write a custom essay sample on Do Rubrics Enhance and Improve Students’ Writing Products? or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Two separate studies were listed for this source. The results from both studies suggested that individual differences among students contributed most of the variance to writing scores. Well-trained raters did not contribute significant amounts of variance to writing scores, but there was sizable variance in the scores attributable to the interaction of students and raters. The reliability coefficients tended to increase as the number of raters increased. However, the specific use of these writing scores was an important consideration in the reliability of the scores. Writing by the Rules No Easy Task; Rubrics Can Help Students Focus on Basics, but Some Teachers and Parents Say They Squelch Creativity The Washington Post; Washington, D. C. ; Oct 24, 2000; Jay Mathews; This article presents research that some teachers find that rubrics stifle student creativity. It also emphasizes that teachers hold many different views about the value of rubrics. Some teachers will not assign writing tasks without a rubric because they feel the rubrics set important guidelines. The article presents support for both sides of the argument. This article reports research that states that writing is too personal and varied an enterprise to be amenable to scoring by rubric. It also suggests that standardized scores with a writing rubric also present a validity problem. Rubrics incorrectly imply that good writing is the sum of the criteria on the rubric, and that the criteria on the rubric are sufficient for good writing. The author asserts that writing that does not conform to the criteria on the rubric is not good. Introduction to Scoring Rubrics. ttp://intranet. cps. k12. il. us/Assessments/Ideas_and_Rubrics/Intro_Scoring/intro_scoring. html This website is an introduction to using rubrics as a form of alternative assessment. It includes a definition of Performance Assessment, and research about why scoring rubrics are important. The website also contains research about the most effective elements of a scoring rubric, and distinguishes between analytical and ho listic rubrics. Combining scores from analytical rubric scales. Finally, the sight explains the most effective way to use a rubric in the classroom. Do you use Rubrics when you assign writing? What type of writing assignments do you think are best suited for using rubrics? Do you think scoring rubrics enhance student writing? How do you think that students’ writing products improve from using scoring rubrics? Do you think a scoring rubric could stifle a student’s creativity? If yes, how, and if no, why not? 1. I like to know the specific guidelines for what it takes to create an A paper. Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Strongly Disagree 2. I think that specific guidelines stifle my creativity. Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Strongly Disagree 3. I have been assessed using a rubric and I found it helpful. Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Strongly Disagree 4. I think that scoring rubrics help me to know exactly what my teacher is looking for in a paper. Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Strongly Disagree I think comparing the products of students that were given a rubric to the products of students who weren’t would be a good way to test if rubrics were effective in enhancing students’ work. Bibliography:

Monday, December 2, 2019

Management practices and behaviors

Introduction In every organization, the productivity of employees is significantly determined by the organization’s ability to motivate them. In order to motivate their employees effectively, it is important for an organization to employ the appropriate management practices and behaviors. Management practices and behaviors is one of the most appropriate tools which can be used to increase the employee’s productivity and enhancing employee morale and commitment.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Management practices and behaviors specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Motivation can be defined as the set of reasons which affects one’s decisions to engage themselves in particular behaviors. When employees are motivated, they will become more committed to their respective duties because they believe their hard work is recognized. They will be motivated to work harder in order to maximize the re turns of an organization. When their efforts are recognized, employees will get a sense of identity with an organization. They will somehow have sense of ownership of the firm. Consequently, they will be committed to meet the organizational goals. In the long run, the organization’s profitability will increase due to the increased employee productivity. Despite of these advantages of employee motivation, the process is faced by a number of problems. These problems have significantly affected the success of employees’ motivation. For instance, in order for any organization to have a successful employee motivation process, it has to assign a substantial amount of money. It will cost an organization to buy presents for the employees or to carry out any incentive in order to motivate them to work harder. In most cases, it becomes very difficult to measure the returns which a certain employee-motivation practice will bring to an organization. For example, how much will an o rganization gain for every unit of resources allocated to employee motivation? This question brings about controversies in an organization’s efforts to motivate its employees. Literature Review In every organization, the major concern of the management is to coordinate the production factors in such a way that they contribute significantly in realization of the organizational goals. In an organization, we have non human factors like equipment which facilitate the process of production. The performance of such factors depends on the performance of the employees. Therefore, motivation of the workers is of great importance in improving the overall performance of an organization. The performance of the workers, however, will be determined by the motivation they receive as well as their ability to perform certain tasks (Scribd, not dated: 3).Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Le arn More In most cases, many organizations find themselves in a number of problems emanating from its employees. Human beings can be too complex and they can also be very simple. Therefore, it is very important for the management to realize this fact in order to come up with the best practices in its efforts to manage its human factors. Employee motivation affects the productivity of employees in four dimensions. That is, effort, persistence, direction and goals (Scribd, not dated: 4). Effort refers to the strengths of an employee in the work related behaviors. On the other hand, persistence refers to the determination which employee’s display in applying effort to their work and duties. Direction refers to the quality of the worker’s behavior related into how they conduct themselves in carrying out their duties or tasks. Finally, goals refer to the ends through which the workers direct their efforts (Scribd, not dated: 5). It has been found that motivation causes go al oriented behaviors (Scribd, not dated: 8). When an individual experiences a feeling for a need, this feeling generates an urge that he or she misses something. Consequently, the feeling that he has something missing generates a lot of tension in his or her mind. In order to satisfy these needs, employees end up engaging themselves in goal directed behaviors to satisfy their needs. These behaviors in which the employees engage themselves in are goal directed. These behaviors increase their productivity hence significantly improving the performance of an organization. By engaging themselves in goal oriented behaviors, employees manage to fulfill their goals and, therefore, succeed in their efforts to fulfill their needs (Scribd, not dated: 5). This helps employees in overcoming their tension. However, the fulfillment of these needs require the presence of a favorable environment. Otherwise the process will be less effective. Goal oriented behavior among the employee is continuous b ecause when one need is satisfied, it generates another need. Therefore, employee motivation is significant in realization of organization long term and short term goals. Importance of applying employees’ motivation principle There are several reasons why it is important to motivate employees in every organization.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Management practices and behaviors specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Employees’ motivation is one of the major factors which determine an organization’s competitive advantage. When an organization motivates its employees, they improve their productivity. Therefore, an organization is able to produce more and spend less. In other words, a company is able to reduce its production costs. Thus, it will be easy for an organization to sell its products at a lower price and still retain its profitability. Motivation can also be viewed as the key to performance improvement and innovation. Motivated employees record a higher performance compared to other employees (Scribd, not dated: 10). When employees receive motivation through various methods, they will work very close to their capabilities. However, in the absence of any motivation, employee performance will tend to deviate away from their capabilities. High employee performance promotes profitability of an organization and therefore organizations need to motivate their employees. Another importance of motivating employees is to maintain a high level of employee turnover. An organization which frequently motivates their employees frequently experiences minimal cases of employee absenteeism. Organizations manage to avoid problems which are related with employee absenteeism like shortages, delays and other inconveniences. An organization also manages to maximize on utilization of its human factors. Employee motivation also reduces the chances of workers rejecting organization al changes. Motivated employees are more receptive to organizational changes compared with unmotivated employees (Scribd, not dated: 5). Changes in organizations are very important especially in the current business which is characterized by a very high level of competition. In such environment, an organization is forced to embrace changes with time. However, employees tend to oppose these changes when they are introduced in the organization. This is due to the adjustments that are associated with such changes which affect them. Motivated employees will support these changes and even engage themselves in their implementation. This promotes various activities in organizations. Maslow’s Theory This theory categorizes human needs into different levels. There are some levels which are more fundamental than others. The satisfaction of these needs can significantly affect the performance of an individual in an organization.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More One of the main needs that an employee needs to get in an organization is safety. Employees need to be guaranteed of their job security in order to promote their commitment in their tasks (Huber 2006: 486). Employees need to be provided with safety and security needs in order to be motivated to improve on their production. In other words, lack of employment safety discourages employees from putting effort in their duties. They cannot successfully be committed for the success of the organization. For instance, they will not have any incentive to conduct research which has long-term impacts on an organization. Employees need to be free from any fears and any form of deprivation of their physiological needs (Wahba and Bridwell 1976: 230).The management should use the right language to the employees which does not threaten the permanency of an employee position in an organization. They must feel valued as an important part of an organization. There are several things which can be done i n order to meet these basic needs which are necessary for employee’s motivation. For instance, employers must assure the employees on the security of their employment. This will encourage employees to work harder for the success of their organization. If employees are not guaranteed on their security on an organization, they will have very low incentive to innovate. The expectancy theory The expectancy theory stipulates that employees will tend to work harder if they believe that hard work will lead to better performance and that better performance will lead to rewards (DuBrin 2008: 389). In other words, this theory shows that rewards can significantly affect the performance of employees. One of the ways through which employees can be rewarded is through payment. Employees can be encouraged to put more effort in their respective areas if they are rewarded with a good payment. Otherwise, employees will be discouraged and hence their productivity will be reduced if they are poo rly paid. The element of equity also plays a pivotal role in improving the employee’s performance. Employees will be discouraged if they feel they are being discriminated against. On the other hand, employees will be satisfied when they believe their compensation is equal to that given to others who make similar contribution in the organization (DuBrin 2008: 595). Herzberg Two Factor Theory In every organization, hygiene plays a pivotal role in motivating the employees. Hygiene factors represent both the work and the working environment in an organization. Employees will tend to be discouraged by poor working conditions (Anonymous 2011). Therefore, hygiene factors are of great significance in every organization. Herzberg’s two factor theory proposes that people are motivated by both satisfaction and psychological growth. These two factors contribute significantly in motivating individuals. Similarly, hygiene factors can significantly affect the level of employeeâ€℠¢s satisfaction (Mendenhall, Punnett and Ricks 1995: 58). According to this theory, hygiene factors are of great importance in an organization since their presence leaves the employees satisfied. Examples In the contemporary business world, many organizations have realized the importance of employee motivation in improving the overall performance of an organization. Most successful companies have applied employee motivation practices in their management. There are a number of organizations which have enormously benefited from their efforts to motivate their workers. One of the major companies which have significantly benefited with employee motivation practices is Coca Cola. Coca Cola is a multinational company whose employees come from all over the world. The company puts employee motivation as a top priority (Ford, Stephens and Cooper 2007: 12). This has significantly increased the performance of employees where the productivity level remains very high. Today, the Coca cola is amo ng the most famous companies in the world. Its brand is widely known such that when the name is mentioned to anybody from any part in the world, they have a least an idea of what it is. Another example is United Arabs Emirates which has critically benefited from employee motivation. Recent research has indicated that about 64 per cent of the United Arabs Emirates are motivated which is above the region’s average of 63 percent of employees who are motivated in their work (Khaleej times, 2009). This has contributed to the success of an organization. Employees provide good services to the customers due to motivation. This increases the performance of the company compared ton its competitors. Conclusion In conclusion, this discussion has clearly shown that management practices and behaviors are most appropriate for the purpose of increasing productivity and enhancing employee morale and commitment. Employees will always tend to improve on their performance when they receive any f orm of motivation. Less motivated employees will tend to be less committed in their work. These results indicate that it is important for every organization to allocate a specific fraction of its time and financial resources for the motivation of its employees. This is because lack of such practices will affect its profitability significantly. However, it is important to balance between motivational efforts and the returns from such practices. Otherwise, it will be not economical to spend more than what is realized from a motivational practice. In order for an organization to be able to come up with the best practices and methods of motivating its employees, it has to conduct an intensive research on the employees’ needs and their performance. This will help in making decisions on the most appropriate methods and times for carrying out these practices. For instance, the management may decide to carry out its motivational practices during their peak period when employees need to be more active. This will be more beneficial to the company rather than when motivation practices were conducted during other times. Recommendations The strategy of improving the worker’s productivity through motivational practices can significantly affect the productivity of an organization. The process has a number of benefits to an organization both in the short run and long run. The process should be supported from all levels of the management in order to gain maximum benefits from the whole process. This commitment will also improve the effectiveness of employee motivation practices. It is necessary to be objective while selecting the best approach to apply in promoting employee through motivational practices. The management must choose the most acceptable practices. This is because other methods may bring some conflicts in an organization which may eventually affect the performance of an organization negatively. Reference List Anonymous, 2011. Two Factor Theory-Herzb erg, Fredrick: Value based management.  Web. DuBrin, J., 2008. Essentials of Management. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.  Web. Ford, W., Stephens, R. and Cooper, L. 2007. Coca-Cola Case Study: An Ethics Incident. Web Huber, D., 2006. Leadership and Nursing Care Management. New York, Elsevier Health Sciences. Web. Khaleej times, 2009. Survey; UAE Leads in Employee Motivation. Web. Mendenhall, E., Punnett, B. and Ricks, A. 1995. Global Management. London, Wiley-Blackwell.  Web. Scribd. Employee’s Motivation (Using Two Factor Theory of Herzberg). Web. Wahba, M. and Bridwell, L. 2009. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance. Volume 15, Issue 2, April 1976, Pages 212-240. Web. This research paper on Management practices and behaviors was written and submitted by user Maxim Casey to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.