Several Topics(Psychology 101) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Several Topics(Psychology 101) - Essay Example Storage of information can be systematically done by conscious process of learning either in formal or non-formal ways. Memory or information gained by the learner through this process is referred to as declarative memory. Learning through proper study or experience, and other similar approaches are included in this category. It can be semantic or episodic. Semantic declarative memories are memories of meanings, understandings, and other concept-based knowledge without the help of experience. For instance knowing that a hammer is a tool and not a pet is a semantic memory. In the other hand episodic declarative memory are knowledge of events, times, places, associated emotions, and others learning, in relation to an experience. Declarative memories are otherwise called as explicit memory Procedural memory or implicit memory in the other hand are knowledge and information gained stored and retained through past experience of events, places, times, emotions, and other learning activities that are used by the learners unconsciously in the process of doing things. Mastery in driving is developed unconsciously by previous experiences without the driver being conscious of what had been learned from the past. Survival instincts are considered as implicit or procedural memory. Procedural memories are information and memories learned through time used procedural works. In dealing with daily chores both explicit and implicit knowledge are useful in making hard tasks easy. This information intertwines with each other in our dealings with other people, solving our problems, doing our jobs, deciding what is best, and determining which is right and wrong. 2. Short and Long Term Memory The brain collects and stores information in the course of daily activities as humans are faced with varying circumstances every second and decides whether this information is useful and subject for further refining and re-storage for future use or discards it after the event ceased. These bits of data are short-term memories with the potential of becoming long-term memories. Short-term memories are commonly called primary, working, or active memory. They are stored in the brain for about 30 seconds and are used in the current process of analyzing the current stimuli or situation. These memories in small "bytes" are combined with each other to form into another information which maybe stored as another short term information or stored for longer time for future use. Once that particular event has been completed some less useful memory are lost and useful ones are retained as long-term memory. And the process goes on and on and on. Long-term memories (LTM) are data stored in the brain for 30 seconds or as long as decades. Short-term memories which are used by the brain further become LTMs. Retention of memory is accomplished through the process of rehearsal or continued use and meaningful association with established long term memories. The meaning of red traffic light can be forgotten fast if it is not associated with traffic rules. By this example a short-term memory became a long-term memory. The mechanism involved in converting short-term memories into LTM is called long-term potentiation. Just like short term memories, long-term memory is also subject to forgetting process, several retrieval processes may be needed for them to last longer. Chunks of information flood into the brain every second in our dealings with a lot of stimuli. Some of these memories do not last long and are called short-term

Public Health Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Public Health - Personal Statement Example Particularly, our country Iraq is in dire need of help in the field of public health, a need that is exacerbated by the fact that most physicians in Iraq pursue clinical careers and thus, just a few of them work in public health. I therefore intend to pursue a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) course in Public Health. I am particularly requesting for admission for this course since I believe that it will give me an opportunity to fulfill my mission of aiding in the reconstruction and development of my country. My request for a chance to pursue a Master of Philosophy course in Public Health is not based on a passion for a title of a master program graduate, but on my passion to delve into Public Health thus actualizing my career objectives. I have a great interest of being part of the team that will bring the highly needed difference in our country’s health system, with an aim of promoting healthier lives thus enabling people to live their lives to the full. In addition, my interest for this MPhil program is very high and I have a strong will to engage in extensive research aimed at equipping myself with every of the essentials of public health profession – propelled by these, I have been attending relevant lectures, training conferences and courses. My academic background has laid a solid foundation for my enrolment for a Master of Philosophy course in Public Health – as earlier stated; I have started to attend relevant lectures, training courses and conferences. I have also completed various courses on topics such as field epidemiology, health system and administration, in addition to leadership and communications. In the course of my studies, I got immensely equipped with invaluable fundamental knowledge, which will be of great assistance on my enrolment for the MPhil program. In addition, my previous experiences in public health have prepared me for this program: I have been working

Important of Education Essay Example for Free

Important of Education Essay Education means considerably more than just teaching a student to read, write, and manipulate numbers. Computers, the Internet, and advanced electronic devices are becoming essential in everyday life and have changed the way information is gathered. How this new technology is utilized in the curriculum and managed by teachers will have an important role to play in widening the resource and knowledge base for all students. Technology affects the way teachers teach and students learn. To make the best use of information technology (IT), schools need a workable plan to fully integrate it into all aspects of the curriculum so students are taught how, why, and when to use technology to further enhance their learning. If a school does not have a clear plan of how and why it wishes to implement IT, then it runs the risk of wasting money. In schools today, nearly all classrooms have access to a computer. However, many schools mistake this as incorporating information technology into the curriculum. School staff need to research what IT is available and what would best serve the schools purpose, not simply purchase the latest equipment. There should be a policy stating how IT is going to assist pupils development and what teachers want pupils to achieve (Reksten, 2000). Staff members need to be clear about what they want IT to do for them before they can start incorporating it into their lessons. The only way information technology is going to be useful to schools is if all staff members are well-informed and fully supported. It is the principals responsibility, and should be part of the schools plan, to ensure that all staff are consulted about the changes, and that the change is carefully organised. Some teachers may be resistant, especially if they have not had much experience with computers, so training teachers is essential in implementing IT into the school curriculum. Staff members must feel involved in the process of acquiring technology, and in learning how to operate it, in order for them to increase their confidence in using IT as a curriculum tool. Teachers are only going to be able to incorporate IT into their lessons if they are competent users themselves (Reksten, 2000). In addition, teachers need to be aware that IT within the classroom is extremely flexible, but that they need to plan what purpose IT serves in each lesson. The skills a child learns are the important part of any lesson, and it is the same with technology. IT needs to be used and understood in all subjects in the same way as the ability to read is necessary for all subjects, and â€Å"must be used across the curriculum, in the same way that a pen and pencil are used in most subject areas† (Ager, 2000, p. 15). The best way to plan the use of IT in the classroom is to approach it as simply a learning tool that is more advanced (and more exciting) than the traditional pen and paper. It is vitally important for students to be taught the strategies for using IT. Children also need to be fully informed about the capabilities of IT before being asked to use it. Pupils should be aware that the contexts in which they use IT will change, and they need to know what the appropriate use of IT is and what is not. Whilst it is important that children learn to use IT effectively, teachers must emphasise that IT is not always suitable. According to Apter (1968), the danger is that the â€Å"computer dehumanizes people and inevitably leads them to act like machines themselves† (p. 58). Teachers must make sure they plan to use variety in their lessons. Too much IT instruction may be just as harmful to a child as not enough. The usefulness of IT in the classroom, as with any learning tool, depends on the innovation and imagination of the teacher. It is imperative, though, that the implementation of IT into a school is carefully planned. The current information explosion makes it essential that IT be used extensively within the classroom so children know how to use IT appropriately and effectively. Teachers must, therefore, be fully informed about what kinds of IT are available and whether or not they are appropriate for classroom use. School boards and teachers must therefore ensure that all staff have a clear plan about what they want their students to achieve through IT. The appropriate incorporation of IT into the classroom will broaden the minds and skills of students, allowing them to be better prepared for further technological advances.

Urban Development in Beijing

Urban Development in Beijing Since China’s emergence as one of the greatest economic engines of the world, Beijing has seen a meteoric rise as one of the economic, political, social and cultural centers of the East Asian sector. Not only is Beijing the capital of China, and the seat of power of the Communist regime, it is also home to one of the largest and most dense populations on the planet. With almost 15 million residences residing in the city it is the 24th largest city in the world and fourth in density. While Beijing has always held a position of importance as the residence of Chinese emperors and past political regimes, it has taken on numerous new responsibilities and roles as part of the globalized world. The growth of this region and specifically the shift within China’s furious economic growth has resulted in the escalation of urban development within Beijing. Beijing has had to become a â€Å"modern city† almost overnight, while still capturing the history and culture of Chinaà ¢â‚¬â„¢s past. Stuck between two worlds, Beijing faces a unique challenge in its urban development. The following analysis will pursue an understanding of Beijing’s urban development strategies as well as the motivations behind them. Beijing has become a hub of urban infrastructure and development. Every aspect of the city has been transformed in the past decade. By 2003, Beijing’s overall infrastructure has reached a total fixed investment of 26.06 billion dollars, and continues to grow at more than 15 percent per annum (CDB, 2005). The city is beginning to develop complicated networks of transportation, communication, ventilation, sewage, etc. Before a detailed analysis of the actual implementation of urban development and its problems, an understanding of the underlying reasons behind Beijing’s reasons for rapid urban development must be reached. There are three key factors that are currently fueling Beijing’s rapid growth towards becoming an ultra mod ern urban center. One of the primary reasons for the break neck speed of growth in Beijing has been the explosive population growth that has been occurring. Despite strong measures in place such as the â€Å"Five Year Plan† and the â€Å"One Child Policy†, Beijing has continued to experience strong growth due to both its urban population and underground migratory movements. Beijing grew from 13 million in 2000 to almost 15 million by 2005, growth is projected to increase to 18 million by 2010 (Beijing Review, 2005). These growth figures furthermore do not reflect accurately the current number of migrant workers living Beijing illegally. Analysts have projected the actual population of Beijing to be more than 17 million when counting all illegal and undocumented individuals living within the city (Beijing Review, 2005). Beyond local residence, there also has been a growth in immigration to Beijing as a result of its emergence as an international hub. Immigration per year has increased by over 25 percent since 2000, especially from other WTO nations (CDB, 2005). This population crunch is one of the motivating factors behind the need for urban development and infrastructural development. Another catalyst for urban development has been the shifting economic situation within Beijing. As a result of globalization and heavy industrialization, the standard of living and general economic circumstance of Beijing residences have increased dramatically. In 2005, Beijing’s nominal GDP grew to 84 billion USD, a yearly growth rate of 11.1%, and its GDP per capita also grew by 8.1 percent. The combination of available technology and influx of wealth has meant that residence of Beijing are demanding higher quality of life, increases in standards and a general improvement in overall welfare of their city. The result has been both a public and private response to economic changes within Beijing by an expanding urban infrastructure as well as private investment in real estate development. At the same time, the government has realized the need to modernize the city to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), for this purpose they have begun reinventing business districts and co nstructing immense building projects to modernize the city (CDB, 2005). The combination of Beijing as the pride of China, its economic center, and socio-economic mobility has become one of the push catalysts for urban development. A final reason for urban development, especially in the past two years has been Beijing’s impending 2008 Summer Olympics. Termed by the Chinese government as the â€Å"coming out party† of the Chinese juggernaut, the city has moved at a fervent pace to construct new additions to stadiums, upgrades and renovations as well as providing the infrastructure, residential, and tourism needs of future visitors. The projected cost of the Beijing Olympics will exceed 54 billion Yuan, or more than 6 billion USD (Beijing Review, 2005). Beijing has taken on numerous urban development projects in order to improve their city before the Olympics begin. A new subway transportation system is being built uniquely for the Olympics, and transportation channels su ch as road improvements, highways and numerous other changes have been enacted as a result. New building and housing projects, including the construction of stadiums, hotels, and other accommodations from both public and private investments have transformed the city. The result of the impending Olympics is that it has led to a dramatic shift in the urban development strategy of Beijing. Beijing’s urban development infrastructure has expanded tremendously in the past two decades. Beijing is divided into circular zones separated by â€Å"rings†, as the city expands more rings are built around the original center of the city, Tiananmen Square. At the inception of the People’s Republic, Beijing only had two such rings, the limits of its urban sprawl extended to the 2nd Ring Road. With the expansion of business, population and economic necessity, Beijing has now extended itself beyond a fifth ring, and is currently constructing a sixth ring. In less than two decades, the scope of this city has increased by more than eight hundred percent. Much of the former countryside and rural regions have been annexed by the city and turned into urban sprawl. Former farmlands have been converted into industrial centers, electronic hubs and business districts. Beijing has had to construct specific regions for the expansion of foreign businesses, the demands for incubation zones for Intel, IBM, Microsoft and other software and hardware giants have forced Beijing to construct a separate business sector away from its central city. The inevitable result of this expansion is that Beijing has been confronted with a myriad of problems including very poor traffic control, air pollution and the destruction of traditional and cultural landmarks. In order to confront this problem, Beijing has decided to stop infrastructural expansion in concentric rings and instead expand within circular bands outside of the city center. In order to combat the growing population and need to expand, Beijing has begun a policy of organized infrastructural improvement. It has committed over 20 billion USD to improving the interconnectivity of its road networks and expanding highways around the city. Beijing development officials have cited two specific goals for improvi ng traffic, air quality and general congestions. Beijing will develop a state of the art public transportation system as well as expand its current system of roads and highways. It has also expanded the development of their 15 billion USD airport system on the outskirts of Beijing. The purpose of expanding their transportation infrastructure is to allow construction to accommodate growth to occur both vertically and horizontally (Lillian, 2007). Beijing wishes to follow an urban development much like Shanghai, Shenzhen and many other Western cities. The hope is that the city can divide itself into zones with vertical growth to limit city sprawl and increase centralization of institutional districts. For this purpose, Beijing has already begun building an incredible robust subway system. The Beijing government has invested 8 billion USD to the development of its subway infrastructure, adding ten different traffic lines crossing throughout the city (Tang, 2006). In an effort to vastly improve their public transportation, Beijing has even conceded to private investment to commission and build their transportation system. The combination of construction, transportation expansion, and general growth has also lead to a challenging urban energy situation. Growth in population has outpaced projections on water, electricity and natural gas usage. Current water treatment plants are already working at over capacity with the anticipation of seeing almost 2.5 million more temporary residents within the city for the 2008 Olympics (Tang, 2006). Development plans to mitigate problem has been to pioneer a state of the art water treatment facility and system on the outskirts of Beijing along the Shanxi Province. Water will be brought from over 180 kilometers away through an underground pipeline and carefully processed before going into the city (Tang, 2006). This will alleviate the pressure of current water processing centers. In addition, Beijing is currently investing in sewage transportation networks that run along the infrastructure of this system, specifically linking it to the expansion of the city sprawl. Ur ban development in Beijing has raised numerous problems for the Beijing municipality, its government and populace. Air quality in Beijing is ranked as one of the five worst in the world (Tang, 2006). During the summer months, the majority of residence has to wear protective masks to prevent debris and air pollution to harm their lungs. The rise in population and the lack of a strong traffic control system has meant that air pollution has increased by more than 10 percent per annum. An attempt to solve this problem through road expansion and public transportation has been only marginally successful. Beijing is expected to have to halt the majority of traffic for up to two weeks in order to clear the air pollution for the Beijing Olympics. In addition, the massive urban development plans of the city have required significant man power. This has led to an even greater influx of undocumented migrant workers. Illegal immigration and residence within Beijing has caused a further taxing of overworked sewage and water treatment plants as well as inhumane living conditions within the area. Millions of illegal residents flow in and out of the city looking for low end labor. Since they are basically unmonitored and unnoticed, their treatment is oftentimes cruel and abusive while receiving minimal compensation. Corruption is another major concern as a result of urban development, numerous officials have been investigated and prosecuted for receiving monetary incentive to give out lucrative government contracts, but with so much growth it is hard for the government to monitor all aspects of government. The most important and enduring problem however is the destruction of the rural countryside and culturally important regions. Beijing’s growth has already consumed thousands of hectares of farmland in the surrounding areas. Destruction of historically significant sites such as the protective rim of the Great Wall has become major concerns as the city continues to expand (Lillian, 2007). Numerous monasteries, cultural centers, traditional gardens, etc. have been destroyed as a result of urban development plans. Solutions to these problems are not immediately evident. Beijing’s current strategy follows the national one of â€Å"expansion first, reform later† (Lillian, 2007). As a result, pollution, environment damage, cultural deteriorates have almost all become secondary to the monumental growth of the nation’s economy and industry. Beijing has attempted to take some steps to prevent the further spread of urban development problems however. Their current road projects will reduce traffic congestions and it plans to limit the number of vehicles allowed within city limits once construction of public transportation has completed construction. Beijing already claims to have reduced air pollution by 1.9 percent in the past year and will continue to pursu e a policy of pollution reduction in the future. The establishment of immigration registration centers, and increase of police monitoring of migrant labor are positive steps towards documenting all migrant workers and ensuring that they meet basic standards of living (Tang, 2006). Already, a massive part of the current living standards reform centers on providing housing for migrant laborers within the Beijing area and specifically creating a worker’s code to formalize the process of hiring and caring for migrant laborers. In addition, Beijing has established a special commission to investigate and identify cultural and traditional regions, parks, buildings, etc. for special government protection and reconstruction. This project has already restored over fifty parks within the Beijing area as well as maintaining the famous Summer Palace. Restoration projects of Beijing’s most famous relics such as the Forbidden City has been in effect since 2005, and will prepare Beijing for the tourism boom of the 2008 Olympics. Urba n development in Beijing has at times appeared sporadic and organic in nature. The population boom combined with the increased importance of the city as an international economic, political and social center has made its development inevitable and at times chaotic. Not only has Beijing urban expansion taking place horizontally and vertically, it has encompassed every level of its development at an infrastructural level. The construction of business and economic zones and incubators along with expansion of residence areas have increased the city limits eight fold. This has been accompanied by transportation infrastructure improvements, water treatment and waste disposal systems, and the improvement of the general urban conditions of all individuals within Beijing. The problems that Beijing faces with urban development are numerous; many of them are inevitable problems of expansion. However, Beijing has taken many positive steps to cautiously approach expansion and development in orde r to limit mistakes and encourage healthy growth. By the 2008 Olympics, Beijing will be one of the most modern cities in the world, by then its urban development will rival that of any western capital and become a stalwart of the East Asian region. Bibliography: Beijing CBD. (2005). CBD Planning and Urban Development of Beijing. Available: CBD Planning and Urban Development of Beijing. Last accessed 21 July 2007. NA. (2005). Beijing History. Available: http://www.beijingeguide.com/history.php. Last accessed 21 July 2007. NA. (2007). Thousand Cities, One Face the â€Å"third round of havoc†. Available: http://www.beijingnewspeak.com/category/urban-development/. Last accessed 21 July 2007. TANG YUANKAI. (2006). Slaking an Olympic Thirst. Available: http://www.bjreview.com.cn/lianghui/txt/2006-12/12/content_57437.htm. Last accessed 21 July 2007. Lillian M. Li (2007). Beijing : From Imperial Capital to Olympic City. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. all. Beijing Municipal Urban Construction Comprehensive Development Office (1994). Residential Construction in Beijing. Beijing: China Constructional Industry Press. all.

The Love Song of J, Alfred Prufrock Essay -- Literary Analysis, T.S. E

The poem â€Å"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock† written by T.S. Eliot is a depiction of sadness and a disillusioned narrator. While reading this poem, one senses that the narrator is disturbed and has maybe given up hope, and that he feels he is just an actor in a tedious drama At the very beginning of the poem, Eliot uses a quote from Dante’s â€Å"Inferno†, preparing the poem’s reader to expect a vision of hell. This device seems to ask the reader to accept that what they are about to be told by the poem’s narrator was not supposed to be revealed to the living world, as Dante was exposed to horrors in the Inferno that were not supposed to be revealed to the world of the living. This comparison is frightening and intriguing, and casts a shadow on the poem and its narrator before it has even begun. J. Alfred Prufrock is anxious, self-concsious, and depressed. The first half of the poem creates a sense of place. The narrator invites us to go â€Å"through certain half-deserted streets† on an evening he has just compared to an unconscious patient (4). To think of an evening as a corpselike event is disturbing, but effective in that the daytime is the time of the living, and the night time is the time of the dead. He is anxious and apprehensive, and evokes a sense of debauchery and shadows. Lines 15-22 compare the night’s fog to the actions of a typical cat, making the reader sense the mystery of a dark, foggy night in a familiar, tangible way. One might suppose that â€Å"In the room the women come and go/ Talking of Michelangelo† refers to a room in a brothel, where the seedy women for hire talk about elevated art between Johns (13). The narrator creates a tension in the image of dark deserted streets and shady activities in the dark. Then t... ...but the world of the living is too busy with the meaningless details of life to care what he has to say about it. This despair is evident in the repeated lines â€Å"That is not it at all/ That is not what I meant at all† (109). â€Å"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock† is hardly a love song at all. That irony is clear in that the narrator’s voice is anxious, self-conscious, and depressed. It seems he has wasted his life or that life was wasted on him, and he regrets not being born as a creature that lives on the bottom of the sea. The very last lines of the poem, â€Å"we have lingered in the chambers of the sea By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown Till human voices wake us, and we drown.† (29-131) ask the reader to acknowledge that humanity has the capacity to imagine and create, and that it is sometimes the boredom of humanity that destroys that potential.

Teaching Philosophy :: Education Learning School Essays

Me as a Teacher All through high school when I was debating my career I never considered becoming a teacher, especially since the majority of my teachers told my classes not to become teachers. My father is a civil engineer, and everyone expected me to become an engineer. Also, they had me convince that becoming an engineer was really what I wanted to do. I started my freshman year at Bluefield State College in the mechanical engineering field. I finished my first semester with good grades, but I learned that engineering wasn’t the career for me. My favorite thing in the world is history. It is always on my mind whether I’m reading a book, watching it on television, or talking to someone about it. So, I began to wonder what career I could choose that involved history. At first I thought I wanted to be a historian, but now I want to teach history to teenagers. I want these young adults to learn, appreciate, respect, and understand that history is a very interesting subject. Today in most high schools the teacher lectures in a monotone voice straight from the book about the chapter the class is on. When the lecture for that chapter is over most classes will do a worksheet where they look up the answers in the book. Then they turn it in for an easy 100 and usually don’t retain any of the knowledge. The next day they review for the test where the instructor tells them every answer that will be on the test; the students write the information down and memorize it for the test. The following day they take the test, which is filled with lower-order questions. Most of the students receive an A, and the rest a B. Monday they start the next chapter not being able to recall a single thing learned in the pervious chapter. I plan to incorporate a variety of philosophies in my classroom. Essentialism brings the classroom â€Å"back to the basics.† It is a conservative philosophy that accepts the traditional social, political, and economic structure of U.S. society. Essentialists believe that not only should the classroom material be taught, but the teacher should teach his students moral values and intellectual knowledge that the students need to become good citizens.

Child Psychology Educational Toys Essay

Hoping your child develops into a healthy and intelligent individual is the wish of most parents. Living in such a competitive society fuels the drive to take advantage of their early learning years. Firms have seen this as a large business opportunity and as a consequence, there are many products that ‘aim’ to help babies learn and develop cognitive skills. However, we have to be careful when making purchases, as some might bring harm rather than benefits. Some parents might decide to show their children ‘educational DVDs’- having their child sit quietly with little hassle whilst being able to learn at the same time seems like a fairly good deal. Take ‘Baby Einstein – First Words’ DVDs as an example. These programmes claim to boost toddler’s IQ before starting school. It may seem educational, but research has provided evidence that electronic and screen-based edutainment affects the brain negatively, as flashing lights and quick scene changes overstimulate the brain. Children who watch such DVDs miss out on playing with their parents, other children and toys. Your baby might watch, but there is no interaction which is vital in learning processes. Interaction also allows the child to develop a stronger attachment to the parent which has shown to be helpful for the child to learn in later years. Talking to them in infant-directed speech which most toddlers have shown preference to can also help grammar development. Moreover, newborns prefer their mother’s voice over others. There are many factors within the child that affect their learning, but the parents are the shapers of clay. The important thing is that a balance should be achieved between showing such stimulating programmes and interaction with the rest of the world.