Standardized Testing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Standardized Testing - Essay Example A non-standardized test, on the other hand, is the opposite of a standardized test. This type of testing gives notably different tests to diverse test takers, or administers the same test under extensively different conditions. For instance, a non-standardized test might occur when one group is offered far less time to tackle the test than another group. It might also occur when one group evaluates a test differently than another group for instance when the same answer is regarded right for one scholar, but incorrect for another scholar. Standardized tests are considered as being fairer when compared to non-standardized tests (Butler & Stevens, 2009). The steadiness also permits more reliable contrast of outcomes across every test taker. Standardized tests, due to their fairness, should be regarded as the best way of testing English Language Learners. This paper will, hence, seek to support the argument that standardized tests are the best way of testing English Language Learners. Wh en it comes to English Language Learners, standardized testing should be considered as the best way of assessing their understanding (Coltrane, 2009). This is due to a lot of reasons that will be explained later in this paper. It is essential to discuss the pros and cons of standardized testing in order to understand the significance of standardized testing to English Language Learners. Standardized testing holds educators, schools, as well as their ELLs, accountable. Perhaps the best benefit of standardized testing is that educators and their respective schools are responsible for training their English Language Learners what they are needed to be familiar with for these standardized tests. This is mainly because these scores turn into public record and educators, as well as their respective schools, who do not perform as expected can come under severe scrutiny. This scrutiny might lead to losing of jobs and in some situations a school might be shut or run by the state (Coltrane, 2 009). Standardized testing also allows English Language Learners or ordinary students located in different districts, schools, or even states to be compared. If it were not for standardized testing, this contrast would not be possible. Students from public schools in Texas are all needed to do standardized tests at the same time, whether an ELL or not. This implies that a learner in Amarillo may be compared to a learner in Dallas. Being capable of accurately comparing data is priceless, and this is why that the Common Core Standards for each state have been developed. These will grant a more precise comparison between every state (Flores & Trumbull, 2002). Another advantage of using standardized testing with regards to English Language Learners is that standardized testing is naturally accompanied by a set of well-known standards or instructional framework that provide educators with help for when and what needs to be taught. Without this arrangement, a third grade tutor and a sixth grade educator could be teaching a similar content to their English Language Learners (Menken, 2008). Having this curriculum also keeps ELLs who shift from one district school to another from being far ahead or behind their new institution. Standardized tests are also objective in reality (Flores & Trumbull, 2002). Classroom grades set by a tutor are at the very least simply subjective in reality. Standardized tes

Albert Camus and the Myth of Sisyphus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Albert Camus and the Myth of Sisyphus - Essay Example The latter presents a situation in which we must ask ourselves whether this warrants committing suicide. However, Camus is interested in showing us the possibility of a third option that requires us to accept the reality that the world lacks meaning and purpose. This absurdism presents a situation in which any attempts of reconciling the contradictions in it are an attempt of escaping from it. In this regard, Camus refers to Sisyphus as an absurd hero by the manner in which he faced life. Sisyphus is said to have been condemned by the gods for eternity to roll a rock up the mountain only to face the situation in which the rock rolls down after reaching the top and he has to roll it back up again. In his elaborations, Camus uses Sisyphus’ case of punishment to represent the human condition. Just as Sisyphus has to struggle endlessly without any hope of success, humans also live a lifestyle in which they go through lifetime struggles and pains that they can never avoid. In this regard, Camus says that Sisyphus only has one option; that is to accept the absurd struggle in order to find happiness in his life. This is from the fact that his eternal living is condemned to this type of lifestyle, a situation which presents him with less no other option but to accept it in order to find happiness. Sisyphus would feel a lot of sorrow as he was rolling down the mountain to roll up the rock once again. He gains happiness only after accepting his fate. According to Camus, in this state, Sisyphus could approach his task with joy. In his view, it is hard to separate absurdity from happiness. We can make life what we want of it even if there is no hope. Therefore, continuing to hope is a situation that can only work to make life horrible. We make our fate horrible when we contrast it with something preferable. Therefore, preferring nothing and accepting the existence of absurdity is what places Sisyphus above his fate. In his initial narrations of the story of Sisyphus , Camus describes Sisyphus as a person who loved life to such an extent that he was condemned by the gods to an eternity hopeless labor yet he eventually came to accept his fate that helped him regain his happiness. When we look at his fate, we react with horror because of the futility and hopelessness that we see in it yet that is not the case for him. In this regard, we can be able to see that according to Albert Camus, Sisyphus was an absurd hero by choosing to accept his fate as he undertook life struggles without hope. This is because of the realization that attempting to avoid or deny the struggle and hopelessness that are the major part of our lives is an attempt to escape from the absurd contradiction. However, the main solution or alternative to this problem is for the absurd man to live his life with full awareness of the absurdity he exists in. Sisyphus toils and struggles to push the rock up the mountain. When going down the mountain, his burden has been relieved but he is fully aware of the life facing him whereby the struggling will never end for him. Richard Taylor’s view According to Richard Taylor, it is very difficult to answer the question that what is the meaning of life when in the first place it is difficult to understand the question about whether life really has meaning.

Standardized Testing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Standardized Testing - Essay Example A non-standardized test, on the other hand, is the opposite of a standardized test. This type of testing gives notably different tests to diverse test takers, or administers the same test under extensively different conditions. For instance, a non-standardized test might occur when one group is offered far less time to tackle the test than another group. It might also occur when one group evaluates a test differently than another group for instance when the same answer is regarded right for one scholar, but incorrect for another scholar. Standardized tests are considered as being fairer when compared to non-standardized tests (Butler & Stevens, 2009). The steadiness also permits more reliable contrast of outcomes across every test taker. Standardized tests, due to their fairness, should be regarded as the best way of testing English Language Learners. This paper will, hence, seek to support the argument that standardized tests are the best way of testing English Language Learners. Wh en it comes to English Language Learners, standardized testing should be considered as the best way of assessing their understanding (Coltrane, 2009). This is due to a lot of reasons that will be explained later in this paper. It is essential to discuss the pros and cons of standardized testing in order to understand the significance of standardized testing to English Language Learners. Standardized testing holds educators, schools, as well as their ELLs, accountable. Perhaps the best benefit of standardized testing is that educators and their respective schools are responsible for training their English Language Learners what they are needed to be familiar with for these standardized tests. This is mainly because these scores turn into public record and educators, as well as their respective schools, who do not perform as expected can come under severe scrutiny. This scrutiny might lead to losing of jobs and in some situations a school might be shut or run by the state (Coltrane, 2 009). Standardized testing also allows English Language Learners or ordinary students located in different districts, schools, or even states to be compared. If it were not for standardized testing, this contrast would not be possible. Students from public schools in Texas are all needed to do standardized tests at the same time, whether an ELL or not. This implies that a learner in Amarillo may be compared to a learner in Dallas. Being capable of accurately comparing data is priceless, and this is why that the Common Core Standards for each state have been developed. These will grant a more precise comparison between every state (Flores & Trumbull, 2002). Another advantage of using standardized testing with regards to English Language Learners is that standardized testing is naturally accompanied by a set of well-known standards or instructional framework that provide educators with help for when and what needs to be taught. Without this arrangement, a third grade tutor and a sixth grade educator could be teaching a similar content to their English Language Learners (Menken, 2008). Having this curriculum also keeps ELLs who shift from one district school to another from being far ahead or behind their new institution. Standardized tests are also objective in reality (Flores & Trumbull, 2002). Classroom grades set by a tutor are at the very least simply subjective in reality. Standardized tes

How Dell Uses Effective Strategy to Gain Competitive Advantage Dissertation

How Dell Uses Effective Strategy to Gain Competitive Advantage - Dissertation Example Dell being among the primary sellers of computers is what has led to the question of what type of strategy is often utilized. Learning about the type of strategy being initiated by Dell is significant as it enables the reader to understand what it takes to be the best in the market. Therefore, the strategy that is being utilized by Dell Corporation is the direct sales approach. Dell Corporation direct sales approach is one of the most successful strategic innovations of the past that has generated positive results for the company. The firm was able to come up with a model that undercuts its competitors on price, forge closer links with its clients and offer shareholders a return several times as compared to the market price. Significantly, Dell’s direct sales model was initially singularly suited with the intention of maximizing the cash conversion cycle. The firm was able to carry little inventory in the process because it bought components on a just-in-time basis. The signif icance of the approach is customers often paid Dell Corporation more quickly than it paid suppliers, and, as a result, cash flow at Dell was positive. Furthermore, little inventory for Dell led to the reduction in component costs that could easily be passed rapidly to clients. The outcome of the process, therefore, led the firm to improve its competitive position in the market. Furthermore, the direct sales model made Dell an industry and shareholder’s sweetheart, a high-tech pioneer with seemingly limitless growth.

Internal Customers Essay Example for Free

Internal Customers Essay The people in this department need to know what deliveries are to be made and what products are to be delivered.  Staff Office  The Human Resources department need to know hours worked by employees and if there are any positions to be filled.  Staff Training  They need to know which members of the department will need training and which areas need to be covered in the training exercises.  Cash Office  The cash office needs to know what transactions were made at all the tills in the department and how much money there is in the tills at the end of the working day. This is so they can tally up the stores figures and see how well the shop has performed on that particular day. CCP (Customer Collection Point)  Many goods are collected from the shops CCP such as microwaves. The people at the CCP need to know what is being collected and the transaction number so they can tie up the paperwork, customer and the goods.  Service Desk  When customers have a problem with an appliance they have to go through the service desk so the large electrical department has to get information from the service desk regarding the outcome for instance an appliance may have to be replaced. The large electrical department already employs a number of different customer service techniques to help improve the running and efficiency of the department, which also importantly improves the relationship with the customers. There are however occasions when these strategies dont work the way that they should and customers can become dissatisfied with the level of service that they feel they are receiving.  Here are some examples of techniques that have recently been introduced in the department to help improve customer services. When staff join the Large Electrical Department the must complete questionnaires to ensure they understand procedures that are carried out in the department. A copy of which can be found in appendix 1. The Introduction of Ticketing system for waiting customers  The department recently introduced a fairly simple but effective ticketing system so that customers are served at the correct time instead of customers just grabbing a selling Partner when they see one that is free. When a customer enters the department they are now greeted by the customer service manager who stands at the Customer Service Podium. The Customer Service Manager gives the customer a ticket with a number on it and records down on the copy of the ticket that the manager keeps some details.  These are:  The customers name.  This creates a personalised service when the sell partner approaches the customer  What they want help on. This is so the Customer Service Manager can send over the right Selling Partner with the right knowledge.  A brief description of the customer.  The description helps the Selling Partner identify the customers easily.  When a selling Partner becomes free they must report back to the podium where the manager will hand the Partner the ticket of the next customer to be served.  This system is much improved from the previous queuing system, which involved the Customer Service Manager patrolling the floor and recording customers name down on a list. This meant that the Manager was never in one place and people may not have been put on in the correct order that they arrived in the department. When speaking to the Customer Service Manager of the Large Electrical department to enquire how successful the new system had been I was also informed of the one major problem there had been with it.  The problem was that when a customer took a ticket they would ask how many people there were before them. If the number was fairly high, for instance five people then it would put people off waiting. It was then up to the Customer Service Manager to reassure the customer that it wouldnt be too long. I also learned that on leaving the department previous customers who were used to the old system commented on how much better they thought the new system was.  The Introduction of Electrical Telesales at Watford  About two years ago the Branch opened the Electrical Telesales Department, which is part of the Large Electrical Department. The team is based at the branches warehouse, which is down the road from the store at Greatham Road. It is all linked telephonically and by computer to the main store. Customers can phone telesales and place orders for large electrical appliances over the phone by calling the store on 01923 244 266 and connecting to extension 4880. This service is very handy for many customers as they will often come into the store and get information on various appliances and then go home to check that it will fit in the desired space. They can then phone up and order it over the phone by credit or account card to save them making another trip into the store. Some people that have done research on the internet or another media will also use telesales to save them having to come into the store at all, especially people that have very busy lives. It is also designed to take some of the pressure off the actual department so that more time can be spent with each customer in the store. On average there are six partners manning the phones down at telesales. Which isnt really enough as they are also share with the Television and Audio department. So customers are put on hold, which can be for quite a long time, which frustrates the customers. Pre recorded messages are randomly played to the customers to reassure them that their call is important and will be answered by the next available partner. The telephonists can tell how long a customer has been waiting, and they will answer in a way that will reflect the length of time the customer has waited. Other problems with the telesales team are that there is a weak communication flow between the actual department and telesales. This means that mistakes can be made by telesales as they havent received information on changes made in the Large Electrical Department which in turn can have an affect on the customers.  An example of this was when EU legislation can into place saying that the collection of old refrigeration can not be continued because of the gasses inside. Telesales werent informed of this and continued to arrange for refrigeration to be taken away. When the deliverymen told customers that they couldnt take away the old refrigeration this angered customers who had prepaid the 9 collection charge. These mistakes are usually dealt with by offering a goodwill gesture for inconvenience and where appropriate a refund.  On the whole this venture has proved to be a major success as figures shown in the Annual General Meeting showed an increase in Large Electrical Goods with a major percentage going through the telesales team.  This is the information flier that is handed out to customers when visiting the Department if the wish to order over the phone. It give the phone number and extension number as well as a little information on the different services that they offer such as the 2 year warranty and Never Knowingly Undersold motto. Ways of paying at John Lewis  The use of credit cards at John Lewis  Until recently John Lewis didnt accept payment for goods by any credit card. This was to avoid paying the transaction fees to the banks that is added on when a customer pays using EFT (Electronic Financial Transaction). Apart from this customers were quite prepared to pay for any goods purchased using a John Lewis or Waitrose Account card that offers a low rate of interest. However to give the customer more flexibility John Lewis introduced the use of Credit cards in the Partnership. One of the main reasons for allowing this take place was because of where the transaction fee would go.  From 5 November 2001, all card payments with the exception of the John Lewis and Waitrose Account Card, are processed for you by John Lewis Card Services Ltd for a 2.5% fee included in the cost of your purchase. The balance is paid to John Lewis plc. The total amount you pay is the same regardless of the payment method. Source taken from http://www.johnlewis.com  The transactions fee that would normally have to be paid to the bank on any transaction that take place in either the department stores or Waitrose using EFT is retained by John Lewis. This means that John Lewis dont loose 2.5% of the sale that they have made but keep it as profit.  This move has meant that more customers are attracted to coming into the stores and paying by plastic, which many people prefer to do.  However there is one card that John Lewis still doesnt accept and that is American Express. This is because of the extremely high level of interest that is associated with this form of payment. John Lewis would still have to pay part of transaction fee if this card was used. These methods of payment can also be used to purchase over the phone using the stores telesales teams and via the Internet. This has all been designed to help create an easier way of shopping for it customers and improve customer services.  Computerised Ordering System  The introduction of the computerised ordering system a year ago has changed the face of the department and the way things are done, within the department. It was also a major turn around for the standard of customer services offered by department. The new system meant that orders could be processed a lot quicker as paper work didnt have to be sent via the post and orders we received at the warehouse instantly. A lot more options have been opened with this new system, all to the customers advantage, as well as making the whole ordering process a lot easier for the Selling Partner.  Customers can now reserve goods for longer periods of time, place an order for delivery in another part of the country and a lot more. Queries and problems can also dealt with by keeping record of points raised on the on the notepad of the actual order on the system so issues are dealt with much more effectively. Each customer gets a reference number when they place an order so information can be recalled instantly from the system should the need arise.  The quicker service makes buying Large Electrical goods less stressful meaning customers go away from the department happy with the level of service they have just received.  There have, however been a number of occasions when the system has gone down causing absolute chaos in the department as all orders have to be placed manually which is much more time consuming than using the computers. This angers customers who expect a reliable system then works quickly and effectively. With these events the need for the Customer Service manager pays off, as they are someone who can defuse difficult situations. All selling Partners are also trained in dealing with problems but the CSM is there as someone with higher authority.

George Orwell Biography :: essays research papers

Eric Arthur Blair was born on June 25, 1903 and from the start, he was a very pragmatic boy. born in India from a family that was considered upper class, he was able to observe plenty of poverty around him and the way the British enforced Imperialism on the Indians. At a young age his mother and two sisters moved back to England in seek of a quieter life. Blair was always good at school and earned a scholarship to Eton College, a prestigious British School. After his studies, his family could not afford a University so he went back to India to become part of the Indian Imperial Police. He had bad experiences as a policeman and he grew to hate Imperialism so he moved back to England in hope of becoming a freelance writer. It was in this period that he adopted the Pen name George Orwell, no one really knows why he changed his name. In December 1936 he grew tired of writing and decided to spice up his life by joining the Spanish Civil war as a militia man. In this war he joined the rebe ls and fought hard against the Spanish communist government but unfortunately got shot in the neck and grew a strong hatred for the communist government and turned Anti- Stalin. All these experiences had serious impact on his life and changed his idea of belief. While in the Indian Imperial Police he saw the harsh true reality of Imperialism so he became anti- Imperialist. While fighting In spain, his grim experiences led to him hating communism and Stalin. Orwell’s response to the British Occupation of India led to the novel Burmese days, a book about denouncing Imperialism. In response to Orwell’s experiences of communism and, he wrote the book Animal Farm which is an allegory to the events of the Russian Revolution In which the working animals are poor and the leaders are pigs who gloat in vanity.

Al Capone Essay -- essays research papers

Al Capone still remains one of the most notable residents of "the Rock." In a memoir written by Warden James Johnston, he reminisced about the intensity of public interest around Capone's imprisonment, stating that he was continually barraged with questions about "Big Al." Each day newspapers and press flooded his office with phone calls, wanting to know everything from how Capone liked the weather on "the Rock," to what job assignment he was currently holding. Before arriving at Alcatraz, Capone had been a master at manipulating his environment at the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta. Despite strict convictions from the courts, Capone was always able to persuade his keepers into procuring his every whim, and often dictated his own privileges. It was said that he had convinced many guards to work for him, and his cell boasted expensive furnishings which included personal bedding along with many other amenities not extended to other inmates serving lesser crimes. His cell was carpeted, and also had a radio around which many of the guards would sit with Al conversing and listening to their favorite radio serials. His friends and family maintained residence in a nearby hotel, and each day he was flooded with visitors. Capone started his life of crime at a young age. Rumored to have started pimping prostitutes before reaching puberty, he was raised on the tough streets of Brooklyn and earned extra money as a bouncer in various brothels. By the age of twenty, Capone had moved to Chicago and was managing a popular nightclub named The Four Deuces. By 1924, Capone had his hand in various rackets, including prostitution rings, bootlegging, and gambling houses and was believed to be earning over $100,000 per week. Capone had mastered the art of politics, and as a wealthy, powerful gangster figure, he attempted to balance his activities. Despite his illegitimate occupation, he had become a highly visible public figure. He made daily trips to City Hall, opened soup kitchens to feed the poor, and even lobbied for milk bottle dating to ensure the safety of the city's children. City officials often were embarrassed by the politic strength of Capone, and began leveraging his illegal activities through police raids, along with setting intentional fires to his places of business. In the beginning, the public glamorized Capone's activities and... ...on Alcatraz, he made several attempts to con Johnston into allowing him special privileges, but all were denied. Johnston maintained that Capone would not be given any special rights and would have to follow the rules as would any other inmate. Capone eventually conceded and one day made the comment to Johnston, "It looks like Alcatraz has got me licked." Capone spent 4 Â ½ years on Alcatraz and held a variety of jobs. Capone's time on Alcatraz was not easy time. Capone got into a fight with another inmate in the recreation yard and was placed in isolation for eight days. While working in the prison basement, an inmate who was standing in line waiting for a haircut, exchanged words with Capone and stabbed him with a pair of shears. Capone was admitted into the prison hospital and released a few days later with a minor wound. Capone eventually became symptomatic from syphilis, a disease he had evidently been carrying for years. In 1938, he was transferred to Terminal Island Prison in Southern California to serve out the remainder of his sentence, and was released in November of 1939. Capone died on January 25, 1947, in his Palm Beach Mansion from complications of syphilis.