How Formative Assessment Supports Pupils' Learning Essay

How Formative Assessment Supports Pupils' Learning - Essay Example According to the Collins English Dictionary (2003), formative assessment is the â€Å"ongoing assessment of a pupil’s educational development within a particular subject area. Sadler (1999) defines it as the kind of assessment whose intention is to generate feedback so as to improve and enhance students’ learning. This kind of assessment helps development of knowledge, skills and abilities and also enhances understanding without necessarily having to pass any final testing (Black and Wiliam 2003). Formative assessments are learner centered, which means that their goal is to help the student make maximum progress in the learning process. The assessments are appropriate for primary school children as they embrace the educational objective domains of Blooms taxonomy: psychomotor, affective and cognitive. The cognitive domain that is enhanced by formative assessments revolves around the comprehension, knowledge and ability to critically think about a subject. The psychomot or domain is all about the ability of the pupil to physically manipulate instruments in the learning process. The affective domain on the other hand relate to how learners are likely to react emotionally (Sadler 1998). Formative assessments incorporate all three Bloom’s Taxonomy domains in that they allow the pupil to develop not only recall skills, but also critical analysis skills in the learning process. There are two types of formative assessments according to Hall and Burke (2004). These are: planned formative assessments and interactive assessments. As the name suggests, planned formative assessments are those that are use to obtain tangible evidence on the way pupils think about a concept that they have been taught in class. These types of assessments are normally semi-formal and may be taken at the beginning or at the end of a certain topic. In these assessments, some assessment activities are prepared to furnish evidence that can be used to improve pupils’ lea rning. The information that is elicited from such an activity is used to gauge the level of understanding of the students and to structure instruction so that knowledge and skill development are enhanced (Tuttle 2009). Interactive assessment takes place during the interaction process between teacher and pupil. Hall and Burke (2004) describe this assessment as the one that includes incidental and ongoing assessments which arise from learning activities and it cannot be anticipated. This means that interactive assessments can occur at any time as the teacher and pupils are interacting in a learning setting (Black, Harrison and William 2003). This assessment aims at improving learning through mediation and intervention. The teacher may notice or recognize the learner’s thinking and can then respond to it appropriately. This kind of assessments is considered to be more pupil and teacher driven than it is curriculum driven. Unlike planned assessment that results in permanent infor mation, interactive assessment accrues information that is ephemeral (Sadler 1998). This means that the teacher can identify weak areas in the child’s learning and correct them quickly so as to avoid accumulated misconception on the learner’s side. Formative assessments can be in the form of observations, worksheets, pop quizzes, journals and diagnostic tests. Observation involves the instructor making observations about students’

Land Law - Dimensions of land Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Land Law - Dimensions of land - Essay Example The corporeal and noncorporeal components are known as realty to distinguish it from personalty. The latter being personal or movable property (Gray & Gray 2007). Thus in the eyes of law land is a multidimensional asset as discussed below. The first two dimensions of land: it is a two dimensional piece of earth with defining contours, features and limits of jurisdiction. Which is recognised by the registrars, conveyancers, surveyors and ramblers. However this definition too does not takes into account the low water mark area in the coastline. The three mile territorial area including water constitute land. However , even outside this three mile limit the channel tunnel subsoil upto the middle of English channel is called land (Channel tunnel act 1987). Thus land includes land covered with water as well (Gray & Gray 2007). 4-5The third dimension of land: A Latin maxim says that the one who owns land owns the heaven above it and the earth deep down to the centre. It certainly indicated three-dimensional nature of land but lacks practical wisdom. The indefinite extension of territory of land would mean an airplane passing over it causes trespass. Still some three-dimensional characteristics is to be accepted for land in statutory definition. A land can be held above surface and may be divided horizontally. Thus different owners can hold the titles of the land each holding a stratum of cubic surface above or below the surface layer of the earth (Gray & Gray 2007). The components of these three dimensions are (Wilkie 2006; Gray & Gray 2007; Dixon 2005): The word 'hereditament' in law means nature of right involved in ownership of land. land law is all about-not just the land (the soil, the grass, the trees, the buildings), but the rights that people may have in land. Thus, land is to be reclassified as including corporeal and incorporeal hereditaments. Ownership of land may equally include ownership of a house and ownership of a right of way over someone else's house (an incorporeal hereditament). The land law may be viewed from corporeal and incorporeal rights or by distinction between fixtures and chattels. The fee simple owner's right of air space: The owner's rights extend to such a height as is reasonably necessary for the ordinary use and enjoyment of the land. In Baron Bernstein of Leigh v Skyviews and General Ltd [1978] QB 479, Griffith J stated that it was necessary to balance the rights of an owner to enjoy the land against the rights of the general public to take advantage of all that 'science now offers in the use of airspace'. Where there is an interference with the legitimate rights of the fee simple

What Are the Challenges That Face a Psychotherapist Working with Self-Harm or Eating Disorders Essay Example for Free

What Are the Challenges That Face a Psychotherapist Working with Self-Harm or Eating Disorders Essay I begin this study by assessment of the presenting problem and significant issues pertaining to his mental health state at this point in time. Mr G is at present suffering from depression. Due to the depression he will have a lack of motivation, self neglect, low self esteem, and at times hopelessness, and helplessness. He will possibly have anxiety, which, due to his fatigue with his illness, will be exacerbated because of the stress reaction and increase in adrenalin. This will cause him to be exhausted and possibly in need of sleep most of the time. His self esteem issues will have an impact on his relationship with his wife due to the fact that he will become more reliant on her. This will make him feel disempowered. Mr G will have to get used to the idea that his wife has to care for him more, and this will have an impact on his own personal values and beliefs. Within their relationship there may be frustration from both parties, but there might not be opportunity to discuss such issues because of the embarrassment or depression that Mr G has at present, or it may be that doesn’t happen in their relationship whereby they discuss their feelings and emotions. Due to the stress surrounding these issues, Mr G finds the impact of this affects the sexual part of their relationship and now has a dysfunction causing him more distress and making him feel a failure. He doesn’t feel he can become intimate with his wife because of this factor and feels there is a large part of their relationship missing at present. All these factors become heightened at times, making the depression more intense, leaving him feeling vulnerable and worthless. Before looking at a care plan for Mr G, I need to assess the importance of all these issues and how they impact on him as a person. Then using my theoretical knowledge put those in order of preference to enable Mr G begin to take control of his life and increase his self worth. As a therapist I would begin to explore the relationship Mr G has with his wife and how he sees the relationship. Mr G will have his own thoughts and pre conceptions as to how she sees the relationship but he may not have explored that with his wife. The therapist at this point has to remain neutral as it would be easy to collude with the client with their presenting issues. The therapist is there to support the client and help the client explore and evaluate the relationship for themselves. We may begin by looking at the balance of the relationship. I would use the `set of scales? theory to explore this. Mr G would have to identify where the relationship was on a set of scales. Would the balance be even or would one side be higher than the other? Who is putting most energy into the relationship? Was one person more committed than the other? Is there equity in the relationship? By using this method I would gain insight as to the issues concerning Mr G and if they were negative statements because of his depression or self defeating in context, or if Mr G has communication problems with his wife or other issues. This would help with his explorations with his perceptions of the presenting issues or self awareness of how he alone sees the problem and the evidence he has to back up the thought s he is having. The therapist can also talk through with the client their perceptions of their own contributory factor to the present problem with the relationship which is very important to regain empowerment. As a therapist working with only one person in the relationship may not bring about great change but explorations with the one party can make that person look at the relationship and challenge or discuss with their partner the changes that need to come into play to enable the couple to function together, making their relationship more whole, each being aware of how the other one thinks, behaves, and knows each other’s likes and dislikes, their needs and beliefs, and in harmony with each other. My parents have this wholeness between them and are in a situation like that of Mr G. My father is disabled and relies on the use of a wheelchair and relies on mum to care for him. Their wholeness allows them to have a relationship which is special and one which most people comment on because the contentment and dedication to each other becomes very apparent when around them. In some relationships this wholeness can never be, due to the fact that trust is missing from the relationship, and trust is paramount to any relationship. Statistics say that 80% of marriages suffer due to one party or the other having an affair. There is still widespread belief that monogamy is natural and expected in marriages and in committed relationships, however, that doesn’t stop some from engaging in affairs. But why do they? One of the main reasons is they are not getting their needs met in their relationship. People become bored within the relationship, they may have a need to feel attractive to others, or they may not feel attractive to their partner. In some parts of society men feel they are not real men if they turn down the advances of a female. Some people find it hard, if not impossible committing to one person. Some people are thrill seekers and have affairs because they cannot pass up an opportunity for a thrill. A person may not be in love with their partner but fall in love with someone else. For some people with low self esteem when they meet someone who appears to care about them it’s a way of increasing their self esteem. As well as these factors there may be other issues that drive people to having affairs. The affairs can cause scandal and excitement in the media, as we are all enthralled by the affairs of the famous and powerful. This could encourage people to enter into affairs of their own. As we grow and reach puberty we are often not in receipt of suitable education around sex and relationship issues which can lead to some people not being able to talk openly about sex with their partners. In order to avoid affairs the couple need to be honest with each other, not slip into complacency in the relationship, and keep the relationship alive by communicating with each other about all aspects of the relationship in order to build a close emotional and sexual foundation within the relationship. In the case of Mr G, once we know how he sees the relationship with his wife, we would have a good understanding of how the equality is within the relationship from his perspective. As I have said previously his awareness of the relationship and his contributions within it will be a place to begin work and exploration. If the relationship has equality and wholeness there will be no evidence for Mr G that he is not contributing in a good way to the relationship. His negative thoughts towards the relationship will be unfounded in this case. Mr G will have great self esteem issues due to his sexual dysfunction and his age will play a big part in that too. As we get older we have to accept that some parts of our bodies begin to show signs of weakness and wear and tear, and in relationships, harmony, support, understanding, companionship and love of an unconditional nature all play a big part. If these are in place there may be very little need for sexual desires to take over and become as important as it may have done in teenage years. The sexual desires can be explored with the couple and referral to sex therapy may be the answer depending on the couple and their perspective on the problems. It may e that just cuddling, heavy petting and general physical contact within the relationship is what may be lacking. Once a physical disability is diagnosed that person may begin to feel helpless and not worthy of anything. Their negativity may escalate to the point that they don’t see or feel that life is worth living, as what is described in the case of Mr. G. A therapist has to try and get the client focused on what they can do with slight changes within their lifestyle rather than what they can’t do. When looking at this the first hurdle is acceptance of their disability. During this process the therapist will work on self esteem issues and acceptance of them as a person from within. The acceptance of the way their life may have changed since the disability plays a big part in their attitude and mental state towards their immediate future. A person who feels negative and unable to function may want to withdraw from society, will have low mood if not addressed, leading to clinical depression, will procrastinate and neglect themselves, all of which a therapist will address within the counselling sessions. In addressing these issues the client will begin to see a future and look towards it with a more positive attitude. The relationship between Mr. G and his wife and her attitude towards him and his disability will have great impact during this process, and it may need to be suggested that she seeks counselling in her own right to address issues she may have, to enable the couple to eventually work together. It may be they need couple counselling but to enable this to work successfully addressing their own personal issues beforehand will be a way forward with this. Looking at a ? time map` can help with both parties. The client can map out their emotional stressors and look into their partners stressors throughout life and it allows exploration of these stressors and the effects offlife events. When we look at sexual relationships and intimacy within the couple there are many factors to consider. The communication between each other about their individual sexual needs may be something they find difficult to discuss. It may be their upbringing is different causing problems later in life. When I look at my relationship with my husband communication plays a big part in our marriage but something which causes most problems. My husband carries core beliefs that we keep things between ourselves and problems encountered are kept within close family not discussed with extended family. I hold core beliefs that families go through things together and support each other without being judgemental. My family have always been open about their problems and share them together. These discrepancies can cause problems. Looking back at the case study Mr G may have core beliefs different to Mrs G causing problems and preventing them from discussing their sexual difficulties due to their upbringing and beliefs interjected by their parents and maybe similar problems, around not discussing certain issues including sexual relationships within a couple. Intimate problems should be discussed without prejudice or judgement and the couple should aim to discuss this in an adult manner without taking things out of context or as a personal criticism. Mr G could be blaming himself for his body not reacting to stimuli when Mrs G is not doing anything to make the stimulus happen. One partner may not want sexual intimacy but more kissing and cuddles. All these things have to be discussed between the couple in order to make the relationship work. Factors and life changes like operations, changes in medication, mental health difficulties grief and loss, stress and general fatigue can all affect the sexual drive and if not discussed between the couple can cause misinterpretation with regards to how one person feels towards the other creating disharmony. Couple therapy can help with these issues if the couple find it hard to converse with each other for whatever reason but the onus is on the counsellor to explore and make sure it’s what both parties want or else it may cause friction and the counselling becomes non productive. When couples go to a counsellor with sensitive or intimate problems the counsellor has to be both mindful and broadminded. As long as the couple both agree to the act and give each other consent to the specific behaviours then it will be part of their intimate and physical relationship. Any dysfunction then may need exploration and possible referral to qualified sex therapist who is experienced in such matters. Psychotherapy may help initially. With the exploration during this process the therapist has to check with the client that they have discussed the problem with their G. P and that there is no medical problem preventing sexual function. Also the client needs to be aware that an expectant success rate for erectile dysfunction is generally around 85%. During the counselling process the therapist will discuss what the client perceives as a fully functional sexual encounter. For some people they may need to adjust their perceptions on this. It is not essential for a women to have orgasm at each sexual encounter but their partner may well feel they have not concluded a satisfying encounter without an orgasm being present for a women. An important step in therapy is often to take the pressure away from the need for conclusive penetrative sex and concentrate on other forms of stimulation and pleasure with the consent of both parties. Men may want to go down the medication route to address their erectile dysfunction but this doesn’t allow exploration of other psychological issues which may be preventing resolution of the problem. Research has indicated that the best quality sex is experienced in married couples even though it is considered by society to represent a routine and boring way to indulge in sexual gratification. Men are thought to be at their sexual peak between the ages of 16-22yrs. As men age this youthful sexual functioning begins to change into a mature way of being. It becomes pleasure not performance orientated. Sex now comes with emotional intimacy, eroticism and spiritual union that were absent before. The sexual part of the relationship brings pleasure and there becomes a greater bond between couples as they become more committed to each other. When reading this I began to think of my parents and how committed they are to each other. They have such a strong bond and concrete relationship. They share everything, their thoughts and feelings, and are so open and honest in their relationship with each other. They have no barriers with each other. They joke about their sexual incapability’s due to both of them having physical problems but the harmony between them is such that they have no embarrassments, and are free to discuss exactly what is on their mind with no one taking offence. They sort every problem they may have had in their relationship by talking and being open and honest with each other and resolving it before going to bed that evening. A core belief of my parents is they never ever go to sleep on an argument, and they never do. Maybe if more couples spoke to each other about their problems in relationships and had this special bond with each other whereby they could trust and not be worried about offending their partner there wouldn’t be the need for so much couple counselling or people having affairs to give them what is missing from their current relationship. In the case of Mr G maybe the key to the way he may be feeling at present is communicate more with his wife. He may need to look at his own negativity and how that manifests itself within the relationship and look at reframing his thoughts about his sexual unctioning. i. e. `I am afraid to have sexual contact with my wife in case I let her down by not having the ability to have an erection? to `I know my wife will understand if I don’t have the ability to gain an erection and we can use other methods to gain sexual fulfilment and be close to each other?. After work on his self esteem this will become easier. The client needs to decide whether to inform his partner of the changes they want to make in order to address their mental health at this present time or the things their partner can do to help. Small achievable goals have to be put in place to enable the client to make changes at an appropriate level. Mr G would probably have a plan looking a little like this to work through. If I was the therapist working with Mr G I would present this to Mr G as a pie chart giving Mr G the chance to choose which he felt he needed to work through first giving him autonomy and empowerment to take charge of his life giving him self worth and a focus in his life. Identification of presenting problems, Acceptance of lifestyle changes needed to accommodate recent physical health problems Being aware of contributing factors that can affect mood and cause depressive symptoms, and to explore these factors including suicidal ideation and risk factors. Understanding anxiety and how to be mindful of his anxiety levels Addressing procrastination and setting small goals Looking into relationship difficulties and sexual problems Looking towards future goals and support networks for both him and his wife. Explore options for future aspirations as a couple including holidays and things they can do together given deterioration in Mr G, s physical wellbeing. This Plan would hopefully give Mr G insight into his presenting problem, and, depending on the work I would be completing, and which piece of pie I would be working through, would determine my approach in therapy. At the beginning of counselling a person centred approach is important, and allowing the client a safe space to discuss their problems is paramount. With the core conditions set down, the client has the safe space and this approach will develop naturally. When looking at the history of a client, and how their past events may influence the present, working in a psychodynamic way would help the client explore their core beliefs and thinking patterns. A c. b. t. model may be helpful when challenging negative thoughts, reframing, and assessing anxiety levels. This model will also be very useful when looking and working with future goals. I feel there is a lot of support we can offer Mr G with his problems. What initially is presented as a big problem, can be explored and broken down into segments, each segment can then be used to work towards a more manageable and successful resolution.

Competitive Advantage In The Banking Industry

Competitive Advantage In The Banking Industry Online banking is a self service technology that is used by customers of the bank to carry out in real time activities such as, payment of bills, check account balance and transfer funds. It is worthwhile to note that online banking can be used to reduce cost for banking institution. For instance Hernandez-Murillo et al (2010) suggest that the cost of a customer doing online banking transaction, in a brick and mortar bank in the United State is about one percent of the cost of the customer using the traditional banking method. Esser (1999) reported some of the advantages of online banking to the customers. The findings were: Customers can easily manage their accounts as they can access their accounts any time of the day. The customers do not also need to visit the bank premise to request for services such checking loan rates, view their transaction history etc. Customers can set up a standing order to pay bills and can also schedule new bills or stop payment of bills, when the need arise but this is subject to availability of the internet. Specialised services such as ordering for checks, changing user profile or address can all be done through the online banking. Messages are sent to customers via encrypted email. It should however be noted that the use of internet by bank is not seen just as an innovation and a convenient way for customers to use banking services, but also as a way to make more profit and to reduce operating cost for the bank (Arnaboldi and Claeys, n.d.). Internet banking services are expanding rapidly in the developed countries mainly due to the availability of computers and easy of access to the internet. Its adoption is developing countries was at a slower pace, until recently when banks in developing countries are offering internet banking against the limitation they face (Jenkins, 2007). Another noteworthy point is that online banking can also act as a disadvantage to banks, for instance a troubled bank that has low deposits and could not for borrow from the interbank, when the news of the banks distress leaked out, most the customers withdrew their deposits through the internet without facing the issue of queuing in the banking hall and opening time (Janson, 2009). This could not have been possible without the online banking facility. Customer satisfaction is affect by several factors that can hinder or improve the adoption of online banking by the customer. One of these important factors is personalisation, which demands politeness, courtesy, and friendliness from the employees of the bank toward the customer (Simmers et al, 2008). However, the self-service technology has made a remarkable change in the way the bank interacts with its customer (Simmers et al, 2008). Most of the researches on online banking explore the factors affecting the adoption by banks. The focus of their researches were on the usage of online banking by banks as a reaction to the adoption decisions of the industrys competitors (Hernandez-Murillo et al 2010). Hernandez-Murillo et al (2010) study the factors that determine the adoption of online banking by banks in United States during the period 2003-2006. The Multimarket Contact index was used by these researchers as a substitute of the strategic force required by banks to adopt online operations as a competitive reaction to the rivals actions. The authors results suggest that strategic consideration plays an important role in the adoption of online banking by geographically localised market. Tan and Teo (2000) base their study on studying the factors namely, attitudinal, social and behaviour control, that affect customersthe adoption of online banking in Singapore. The theories of planned behaviour and diffusion of innovations were used by the authors to evaluate their hypothesis. The authors argue that the consumers attitude, his subjective norms and his perceived behavioural control, all contributes towards his adoption of online banking. Amin (2009) examines the factors affecting the acceptance of online banking by people in Malaysia through the use of a technologically accepted model called a linear regression. He propose through the study that the qualities, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived credibility and social norm were statistically important while perceived enjoyment was not important. Another factor affecting the adoption of online banking by customers is security of the account accessed through the internet. For customers to feel secure and make use of online banking, the bank must offer online security systems that protect customers assets and information (Smith, 2006). The research to examine the intensity of the impact of online banking on the financial performance of community banks carried out by Acharya et al (2008), both sampling and statistical procedures were used to build a broad online banking index. The basis of their study was on analytical frameworks which used both the structural equation modeling (second-order factor analysis) and multiple regression analysis. Internet banking seems to represent a possible means of allowing new entrants into the banking industry (Arnaboldi and Claeys, n.d.). Smith (2008) uses Porters five force model to analyse the competition within retail banking in an increasingly financially troubled environment. In his analysis where used data from 22 banks, Smith suggests that the barriers to entry identified may not prevent considerable number of entrants into the banking industry. He also observed that the true competition amongst banks may be found in the differentiation of their internet banking products. The paper is based on an exploratory research for a sample of nine banks from each country, a web survey is conducted to collect data for each internet bank using an analytical framework based on a three dimensional model. Both the advancement in technology and change in social trends, such as the increase in customers preference to perceived convenience, have caused a high reorganisation of the financial institution. Banks have to re-examine their marketing strategies and also prompt growth in the adoption of self-service technologies (SSTs) (Loonam and OLoughlin, 2008). Very little research has explored the role of SST in a high involvement service such as that of financial investments. Customer satisfaction with banking services was researched with respect to their interaction with human and technology. It was discovered through the use of multiple regression that consumers overall satisfaction is predicted to be influenced more by human rather than technological encounter (Haytko and Simmers, 2009). While consumers show they are displeased with failure in transaction that involve a bank employee, they tend to accept responsibility for any kind of failure they come across during or after the use of online banking and may continue its usage (Haytko and Simmers, 2009). It should however be note that the focus group used in the research by Haytko and Simmers were students who already has high affinity for the internet. Liao and Cheung (2008) employ the use of service quality (SERVQUAL), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and transaction cost analysis to measure customer behaviour to the use of online banking. In their empirical studies, six elements of SERVQUAL namely, usefulness (USE), ease of use (EOU), reliability (REL), security (SEC), responsiveness (RES) and continuous improvement (IMP) , were used to relate to consumer satisfaction in internet banking services (CSIBS). The study was Laukkanen et al (2008) provides more insight to barriers erected by bank customers to the adoption of online banking. The researchers split the non-adopters of online banking into three groups namely the postponers, opponents and rejectors. They suggest, through survey papers submitted by some customers of banks in Finland, that psychological barriers are higher determinant of resistance to adoption than ease of use and its value. Bauer and Hein (2006) carried out another research to gain more knowledge about the consumers point of view in the adoption of online banking. They use micro-economics theory of consumer utility maximisation to model how consumers make decisions on adopting online banking. Simmers et al (2008) relatively examine how the impact of the human services and those provided by technology affect the consumers satisfaction. The authors through two studies both use the six-item and five-point Likert scales conclude that human encounter was initially more important than technology encounter until the convenience of banking online prevailed. The first study was carried out through the survey of some undergraduate students, with most of those that responded between age 19 and 21 years. The second study was carried out with as survey of 153 bank customers at the university, with most less the 24 years of age. It could be seen from these studies that students who have higher affinity to the internet are used for the two studies. It should also be noted that the research is carried out in US, but will most bank customers in UK score convenience higher than online banking security? Joseph and Stone (2003) investigated the customer perception of the impact of technology on service delivery in the banking sector. According to the findings of this research . . . high scores on the ability to deliver service via technology appears to be correlated with high satisfaction with services deemed most important to customers Hence, availability of internet banking services appears to be very important for banks for customer satisfaction and retention. However, availability of internet banking services itself is not a sufficient factor to increase customer satisfaction. User friendliness of the internet banking services appears to be an important factor for customers to use these services Research has been carried out on performance of the internet as an alternative or complementary channel used in delivering some bank services, like current accounts. For instance Gondat-Larralde and Nier (2004, cited by Arnaboldi and Claeys, 2008) carry out a research on the competitive process in the UK market for personal current accounts between 1996 and 2001. The rate at which the market shares changed with respect to price differentials between the brick and mortar banks and the direct banks that use the internet and telephone to operate. The results of the research point to the significance of customer switching cost as a key determinant of the competitive process in banking industry. Mukherjee and Nath (2003) suggest note that the physical separation between the bank operation internet service and the customer introduce an environment of insecurity. The authors develop a structural equation model, called Lisrel, and through empirical test carried out on 510 internet users in India. Nearly all research work refer to the US banking system and research attempts on the performance of online banking are few (Arnaboldi and Claeys, n.d.). IBM (2005) identify three shortfalls of customer satisfaction researches, the first one is that enough attention is not paid to the different behavioural segment customers belong, the research usually take a general view of the customer base. The next one is that most of the researches are not analytical as they fail to show the impact the different elements of the customers experience might have on the brand support and emotional link. Lastly how customer satisfaction is measured is a poor forecaster of to future behaviour of customers. This research differ from other studies in that it will be carried on banks in UK and as there are little research done on the use of online banking as a tool competitive advantage in the banking industry. The author will survey focus groups made up of bank customers in UK will be use to analyse the reason for adoption of online banking and finally the evaluation of satisfaction derive by the bank customers. Qualitative data analysis research will be

Haunted Elevators at the University of Maryland :: Urban Legend Myths

Haunted Elevators at the University of Maryland A good urban legend is like a play: so well written and delivered the audience cannot tell if the performers are acting. The legend is carefully crafted to resonate with the audiences’ â€Å"hopes, fears, and anxieties† and the delivery works to suspend their disbelief. One urban legend epitomizes these characteristics. This urban legend was told by an eighteen-year-old African American college student at the University of Maryland. The urban legend dealt with Denton Hall, where he currently lives. The storyteller claimed that one of the dormitory’s early residents was a girl who, due to some kind of calcium deficiency, had an unusually weak bone structure. The storyteller could not recall her name, but indicated that it had just slipped his mind and was on the tip of his tongue. One day, she was going to the dining hall with a friend of hers when she realized she had forgotten her I.D. card. She asked her friend to hold the elevator while she ran back to her room to get it. She was just reaching the elevator with her card when the elevator, having been held open for too long, began buzzing and the doors closed. The girl tried to jump onto the elevator at the last second but the doors closed on her and crushed her. According to the storyteller, some of her â€Å"brain fluid,† c omposed of neurotransmitters and other electrically conductive chemicals, sprayed into the elevators control panel and fried some of the circuitry. From that point on, the elevators in Denton have been on the fritz and break down whenever anyone holds them open for too long. The urban legend was delivered excellently. The storyteller had also selected a perfect time for his performance. He was speaking too a small group of other Maryland students who were waiting for the elevator in Denton. He had enough time to finish his story, because only one of the elevators was working. The storyteller presented the story as if he was simply relating the facts. He did not fill the story with dramatic pauses or extensive efforts to get an emotional response from the audience. If he thought his audience was going to find a part of the story disturbing or unbelievable he qualified it by saying â€Å"Now I thought this was really gross.

Parkinsons Disease and Tissue Transplants Essay -- Health Medicine Me

For nearly 100 years neural tissue has been transplanted in animals. Transplantation of neural tissue into humans, however, began only a few years ago (1). It has been found in animals, that fetal brain grafts in damaged adult host brains reduce some of the functional deficits caused by brain lesions. Even though some neurons from the transplanted tissue survive and develop reciprocal connections with host brain tissue, this is not enough to completely replace damaged fibers and support behavioral recovery Usually the grafts will not develop a normal morphological appearance, but some metabolic activity can be found within the transplant. Release and diffusion of trophic substances from the transplant and the damaged host brain may partially restore neuronal and behavioral functions. It is hypothesized that this combination of fetal brain transplants and trophic substances may provide a better opportunity for recovery than either treatment given by itself. While this paper focuses on fetal brain grafts as a means to treat Parkinsonism, research is also being conducted in conjunction with Alzheimer’s Disease, visual, frontal, and motor cortex lesions, hippocampal lesions, and many others (2,3) There are two current approaches to neural transplantation regarding Parkinson s; adrenal medullary and fetal brain grafts. Both methods suffer from limitations in tissue availability, cellular uniformity, and general applicability. The success of neural transplantation in animal models of Parkinson’s syndrome led to its clinical application in human patients with the syndrome. Each of the two methods mentioned has advantages and disadvantages. Transplantation of adrenal medullary tissue has the advantage of ready availability of human le... ... 1990, 28: 585-599. 3. Mickley, G. A. et. al. Neural grafts attenuate behavioral deficits produced by early radiation-induced hypoplasia of fascia dentate granule cells. Brain Research, 1990, 509: 280-292. 4. Bredesen, D. E. et. al. Neural Transplantation Using Temperature-sensitive Immortalized Neural Cells: A Preliminary Report. Ann. Neurol., 1990, 27: 205-207. 5. Hirsch, E. C. et. al. Does adrenal graft enhance recovery of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease. Ann Neurol., 1990; 27: 676-682. 6. Kordower, J. H. et. al. Putative Chromaffin Cell Survival and Enhanced Host-derived TH-fiber Innervation Following a Functional Adrenal Medulla Autograft for Parkinson’s Disease. Ann Neurol., 1991; 29: 405-412. 7. Stromberg, I. et. al. Reinnervation of Dopamine-denervated striatum by Substantia Nigra Transplants. Neuroscience, 1985, 14: 981-990.

Domestic Violence and Social Class Essay

Domestic violence is something that happens every day around the world. Young, old, rich or poor, this is an issue that we must look at to better ourselves as a country. One of the things that we look at is how domestic violence relates to the different social classes of the country, this being upper, middle, and lower. Some would thing that it would be more common in lower classes, but the reality of it is domestic violence is a problem across all social classes. In this paper I will discuss different articles about domestic violence and its relation to social class. It is clear to see that any of the articles on this topic focus around women as victims and men get put into a category of the only ones committing violence. From different articles you can see that social class has a relation and an effect on domestic violence. To begin with we need to understand what domestic violence is. The National Domestic Violence Hotline describes domestic violence as pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound someone. Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It can happen to couples who are married, living together or who are dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels (The National Domestic Hotline). This is one of the best definitions you will find. It’s important to realize that Domestic Violence can happen to anyone. The focus on economic background is important; there is not one ocial class that domestic violence does not occur in. It is key that we keep this in mind, otherwise we begin to label and fit certain social groups into categories. And as we will find out this is not the case at all. In Gender, Status, and Domestic Violence, by Kristin L. Anderson she discusses many issues related to domestic violence. In her article she talks about social economic status and how it can affect domestic violence. The section on social class begins with how gender and social class play very big roles with each other, or how each social class helps determine the resources available to men for the construction f masculinity (Anderson, 1995). Anderson begins with the working and lower class and how their position they hold at work lacks power and authority. This can lead to violence in the home because they search for positions of power in other aspects of their life. And many times the search for power and masculinity starts in their home life. This could be one explanation for the cause of domestic violence among low income social class. It is very clear that society even thought changing for the better over the years, still puts the man as the breadwinner of his family. And if a man annot produce for their family I agree with her that that will look for other places to find there masculinity and in some cases this is accomplished with violence against their partner. Next Anderson discusses middle and upper class together. She states with reference from another article that â€Å"Middle and upper class notions of masculinity focus on ambition, responsibility, and professional employment (Segal, society. The research done in this article shows that men or women with low income jobs and less resources are more likely to be violent in their home as a means to gain the lack of power in their life. Men who have fewer resources then there female partners will be more likely to commit domestic assault than the men with resources equal or greater than their female partners (Anderson, 1995). We can see for the research done by Anderson that she focuses on the reporting of violence. I would have like to have seen some numbers on education and or employment in ration to domestic violence. But it is clear and can be understood that men base their masculinity on their economic social status, and if that status is low they begin to search for other ways to gain power, and often that is in the means of domestic iolence against their partners. Social class plays a key role in everyday life of millions around the world. So it is clear that social class would play a role in domestic violence. Knowing that domestic violence knows no boundaries it is correct to say that wealth does not protect against violence. In the article Economic stress and Domestic Violence by Claire M. Renzetti from the National Online Resource Center on Violence against Women, they bring social class and domestic violence into clear view. One discussion in the article which we have to take into account when looking at social class and domestic violence is ell put when she stats â€Å"the data we have about domestic violence comes from samples to which researchers have greatest access, such as individuals who use social services and these individuals are more likely to have low incomes† (Renzetti, 2009). With this in mind it is clear to see why there are so many articles on low income violence. As she states from a study done by Benson and Fox (2003) from analyzing data from the National Survey of Household and Families, the family income increases the likelihood of domestic violence decrease. It is becoming clearer hat even though we know that domestic violence knows no social class, The National Crime Victimization Survey reports the chance of violence in a low income household is five times great then the households with the highest incomes (Renzetti, 2009). As stated earlier it seems that the relation to domestic violence and employment takes a big part of the problem with violence among the social classes. In the article by Anderson early discuss she makes it clear that the feeling of power is directly related to the males economic standing. Renzetti state that sever studies have documented hey deliberate sabotage to their partners efforts to maintain paid employment (2009). We can tie that back to how males base their masculinity and power on their economic status. Women have reported that their attempts to obtain paid employment outside their homes only aggravated their partners. It is becoming clear that men see power in being the main provider in the house and to lose some of that power is demining in some ways, and can result in violence against their partners. She references an article by Bush (2003) say that paid employment if a female intimate partner is threatening for some men, especially men who are unemployed r in low paying Jobs. Renzitti states that some researchers have argued that social class has a greater influence on domestic violence risk than race/ethnicity, and that even the social class of your neighborhood plays into account. Disadvantaged neighborhoods domestic violence rates are significantly higher in neighborhoods By now it is clear that there is a relation between social class and domestic violence. In domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking by Walby & Allen (2004) they discuss how it could be the domestic violence that is causing the low economical status. This is a little broader thinking then our other authors but still Walby & Allen tie mans need for masculinity and power into the equation. But first to look how they discuss domestic violence as the cause for low social status, the lack of economic resources is clearly associated with domestic violence against women. But it is how we see one leading to the other that they discuss. Walby & Allen purpose that maybe it is the other way around. For example that poverty and low social status are the consequences of domestic violence. Women who leave behind their homes and partners in order to escape violence will be much more ikely to be poorer as a consequence of the loss of their home and of their partner’s income (Walby &Allen, 2004). This is a new concept to think about but can easily be seen as possible. From what we have learned low income family are more prone to domestic violence, it is clear to see if the victim does get out of this relationship they have no means of economic support. In return this Just keeps them in poverty and most likely sinks them deeper down the status pool of the world. As Walby & Allen (2004) report that â€Å"eventually making their way back into the abusive elationship because they have no economic support. It seems that the affect that social class and domestic violence have on each other is a never ending cycle. As we found in the research social class plays a big part in domestic violence and in some cases domestic violence plays a big part in social class. Whichever way that you look at it one constant held true across all of the articles, this being that men have been socially constructed by society to have to have the need for power in relationships. And when that power is l acking and they feel there masculinity is in eopardy we see domestic violence. Now a lot of the focus of the articles was on the lower class, showing that the economic stress had a direct relation to man and the need for power. We need to understand that the lower social status groups are not the only ones with a domestic violence problem. Like I said earlier domestic violence can happen across any social class, rich or poor. Most of the research that is done focuses on women in poverty because that is where the easy samples are. We know that there is a problem there, we need to move on to research that examines women ofa higher social standing. When we open up to who is we look at then we will begin to get a real grasp on the social class and domestic violence issue. Now I know that that depends on if they are willing to report, but that is a whole different topic for a different day. We have to be careful not to stereotype individuals into this field Just because of the economic standing, but it is clear that social class and domestic violence show a clear and direct relation with each other.