Friday, November 15, 2019

Types of Assessment and Evaluation

Types of Assessment and Evaluation Assessment and evaluation has become critical issues especially in the field of teaching and learning; it requires watchful consideration by every teaching practitioner in any educational institution. This is also the area where many teachers sink into the pool of confusion. But it has its key function, which is to collect information on the achievement of every individual student and judge their everyday progress. In other words, it serve vital role in the process of effective teaching and learning. Therefore, this essay will explain my understanding of assessment and evaluation from the perspectives of development, formal, informal, special needs, and standards in brief. However, to do this, we first need to define assessment and evaluation. The word assessment is derived from the Latin word assidere meaning to sit beside. It is obvious that simple tone of this phrase is soothing, and it suggests mutual confidence and understanding. So, it indirectly tells that existence of positive association between assessment and the process of teaching and learning in schools is necessary. By and large, assessment is a process of collecting information relative to some identified aims and objectives involved with students progress and achievement in the process of teaching and learning. More specifically, classroom assessment refers to the process of gathering, recording, interpreting, using and communicating information about their progress and achievement during the development of knowledge, concepts, skills and attitudes. According to Lloyd-Jones and Bray (1986) assessment is referred to the process in which certain quality of a students education is measured, by the teacher, an examiner or the student.   It is means to measure worthiness of students performance.   Assessment, therefore, involves much more than testing. It is an ongoing process that encompasses many formal and informal activities intended to examine and improve teaching and learning in all areas of the curriculum. On the other hand, evaluation  is more or less defined as the process of judging relative merit, value, or worthiness of educational programs, or techniques by using realistic information generated through assessment. It helps in updating the nature and degree of learning; plays pivotal role in curricular decision making; and it favour better links between learning, and the aims and objectives of teaching. Moreover, it creates strong bond between learning and the environments in which learning takes place. Therefore, in educational setting, assessment and evaluation seeks evidence that the learning activities designed for students are effective. Assessment and Evaluation from the perspective of development Why do we assess and evaluate? This is the first question that knocks in my mind whenever I look assessment and evaluation from an angle of development. Generally, teachers plays vital role in developmental assessment and evaluation of students learning and programs for many reasons: Firstly, assessment and evaluation help teachers and student affair administrators to enhance their understanding of the needs of a persistently varying student population. In addition, it will help in identifying developmental delays in students and to develop strategies for intervention. For that, I would prefer to use the concept of integrated model of child development. It is because the model covers up all developmental areas such as sensory, behavioural, language, motor, perceptual, social cognitive and emotional skills. So it can also be used to improve holistic development of students as a student, self, and valuable citizen of the nation as it reflects their personality as well as their degree of achievement in the field of learning. Secondly, assessment is also meant to develop efficient educational institutional plans and policies to meet students developmental needs and learning styles. They are crucial for advancing the quality and easy accessibility of programs and services. Thirdly, we cannot avoid its greatest contribution in curriculum development. Through assessment and evaluation, we will be able to help curriculum developers for deciding how we might improve courses and programmes. At the same time, as a teacher we can contribute in doing revision on curriculum, course materials, teaching methodologies, etc. It is because assessment results can specially provide a potent rational for securing scaffold for curriculum changes, development and review. Formal and Informal Assessment and Evaluation A formal assessment is also sometimes known as summative assessment. And it is generally assessed in the form of quiz, test, or paper and is graded based on how well student is able to perform. A summative assessment is normally carried out at the end of unit or module. Furthermore, formal assessments are categorized into criterion-referenced tests and norm-referenced tests. Criterion-referencing is assessment based on certain criterion or principle, and norm-referencing is graded assessment based on the comparisons of learners achievement against one another from time to time. I prefer more of criterion referencing method than norm-referencing because it can be used to judge students achievement and progress on a series of key criteria set based on reasonably expected learning outcomes and objectives. Whereas, norm-referencing is based on the hypothesis, that a more or less similar range of human performance can be anticipated for any student group. On the other hand, Informal assessment is referred as formative test, and it is a continuous process of assessment and evaluation. Feedback plays vital role here as it allows both learners and teachers to evaluate learning and spot out the areas for improvement. But which one could be the best form of assessment, formal or informal? In my opinion, the use of informal assessments is best for the overall learning. It facilitate teachers to assess students through a range of classroom-based activities, identify students weakness then and there and start work for the improvement, rather than waiting at the last minute like informal assessment. Assessment and Evaluation for special needs students Students having problems such as: motor, linguistic, cognitive, behavioural, organizational, speech and physical disabilities are usually referred as special needs students, and it also includes gifted students. They should not be left out without normal education. Special arrangements or special needs accommodations should be offered to them in order to pursue their academic goals and achieve a higher level of personal self-sufficiency. Similarly they also need to be evaluated and identified their strengths, weaknesses and give guiding principles to make effective progress in attaining their academic goals. Other than teachers and peers, students family should involve in it. So, I feel that, by building an alliance with their parents; obtaining students developmental history and current family experience; and discussing issues with them would help greatly for addressing challenges in guiding special needs students to succeed like other normal students. Moreover, evaluation will be holistic and addresses all aspects of functioning. For that we should not forget to take students individual learning styles into account as all students do not have same learning capability and ways. Sometimes students with special needs are integrated in regular classrooms because the main idea of assessment and evaluation in this field itself is to see whether a student is able to adapt, make progress and met objectives in normal class like normal students. Assessment indicates whether the student learned the materials intended and what are some of the drawbacks areas to be improved. So schools and teacher must give all students an equal opportunity to education. Infect, they should provide counteractive assistance to special needs students. Never the less, we as a teacher, in order to select education program and activities suitable for our students, we must carefully evaluate our options and consider the specific needs of our disabled students. Standards based Assessment and Evaluation Here, it includes two types of educational standards, a content standard and a performance standard. A content standard defines the knowledge, concepts, and skills acquire at each grade level, while performance standard state the level of performance that is considered acceptable aligning to the benchmark set by the teachers. Standards-based assessment and evaluation is meant to identify students with different pace and capabilities in learning, so that we can design strategies to help them and make all of them achieve and master to the level that they are required to retain certain benchmark in learning. Understanding Standardized Test and its characteristics is necessary when we discuss about assessment and evaluation from the perspective of standard as it is one of the instrument required in standard assessment and evaluation process. Range of knowledge and understanding in specific subject is being assessed through standardized testing on students. And it is a snapshot in time where assessments are administered and scored in the same way for all students. For example, multiple-choice questions and written responses to be answered within a given time frame are examples of standard test. That means students are not allowed to use outer resources or references in order to complete the test. Their performance on these tests decides whether they will be promoted or not from one grade to the next. And this is what almost every school district now administers it. However, it is important for us not to get confused of Standardized tests with the standards movement, which approve definite grade-level content and performance standards in main subject sphere. Frequently, regulated uniform tests are not associated with state and district content standards, and these causes noticeably lose of connection between what is being taught and what is being tested. So as a teacher we have to process our teaching according to the curriculum. The standard evaluation will enable other school improvement plan and projects, and to bring advance changes in curriculum and pedagogy, and incorporation of new assessments. So standardized assessment and evaluation is uniformly regulated test which it refers to when every student at a particular grade level has to undergo the same test with same question, at same time frame in same year throughout the country. In the nutshell, we would find that the descriptions given in above paragraphs are all views from different perspectives constructed by hypothesizing the both special needs students and normal student as an active in structuring their own learning in the context of social interaction; role of educational institutions and teachers in establishing the childs stage of development in any aspect of learning, and that information collected through various assessment and evaluation methods will then be used to scaffold the next learning and curriculum development.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Joe and the Juice

Ind. Competence. Joe and the juice: Franchise – you pay royalty every month, whether you earn or not – You use the name. The concept have to be good and proved. Of course you need a lot of money to invest, because the main firm does not give a single penny for your business. When you see a concept that people like you have to carry on this wave. Partnership is not like franchise . There is no real influence with the concepts. You have to stick to what all think is a good idea. You got limitations. You can choose how to look like but you still get limitations about the main concept.Fremtiden – future : restaurant business is to rely the personnel. How you adapt different stores to different market? – number of personnel is different depending on how busy they are. Adjust the music, take best employees to make sure the new place is working good, adapt to peoples behaviour. Try to learn from mistakes and take much more time before you open a stoer, so you can know what the locals are and you can adapt to them. . Scandic hotel To give people away from home the feeling of being home. They run the hotels, they do not own them.Promises and missions are part of any hotel chain. People skills are vital and training is vital. Team members should speak their mind and discuss. More sales are more service. Self-service is no service, it is ignorance Customers pay grants for emotions. Every business has a potential. Brand is much more than a logo type. Brand platform needs to be relevant to the customers. It is an explanation to who we are. People away from home need warm and nice atmosphere and friends. Caring, casual, creative – these are the values of Scandic.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Balanced Scoreboard

Firstly, financial element is an organizational element which aims at examining whether implementation and execution of company’s organizational strategy are equally contributing to company’s improvement. It is characterized by measures which assess whether the company is able to manage its costs and operations. For Accounting Firm financial element is very important for enhancing performance because it helps to manage revenue growth, profit margins, net operation income and cash flows.Secondly, customer element aims at defining the value proposition to satisfy customers and to generate more sales. This element is used to measure the delivered value, costs and outcomes – for example, market share or customer satisfaction. In Accounting firm customer element will enhance operational performance, product leadership, customer satisfaction and intimacy. Thirdly, internal process element or perspective aims at creating and delivering the value proposition of customers .The task is to concentrate on key activities and processes to provide value expected by the customers the most effectively and productively. Short-term and long-term objectives are incorporated. In Accounting Firm this element is of great help for developing innovative processes and stimulating further company’s improvement. Internal process assists in improving asset utilization, establishing good relations with external shareholders, etc.Finally, element of learning and growth aims at founding any effective strategy which will concentrate on intangible assets, internal skills and capabilities necessary for value-creating internal process. Human capital, information capital and organizational capital are involved. This element plays important role for Accounting firm as it stimulates improvement in learning, decreases short-term financial loses and contributes to long-term development. References Cobbold, I. & Lawrie, G. (2002). The Development of the Balanced Scorecard as a Strategic Management Tool. USA: Performance Measurement Association.

Friday, November 8, 2019

The Top Jobs in the U.S. Mountain Plains Region

The Top Jobs in the U.S. Mountain Plains Region if you’re looking for a career change (or a change of scenery!), here are some of the fastest-growing jobs for 2016 in the mountain-plains part of the unites states. per the u.s. bureau of labor statistics, this region includes colorado, kansas, missouri, montana, utah, and wyoming. when you hear the lines, â€Å"o beautiful for spacious skies,/for amber waves of grain,/for purple mountain majesties/above the fruited plain!† in â€Å"america the beautiful,† chance are you’re thinking of u.s. heartland states like the mountain-plains region. once known for its prairie spirit, the region’s population is growing as the former frontier cities turn into (or grow their existing status as) major hubs.tech job outlook: technical support specialistsutah and colorado might be better known for mountain vistas and film festivals, but cities like provo and fort collins are fast becoming booming tech communities, with companies like hewlett packard, intel, and nu merous startups staking a claim. as technology companies expand operations in the region, tech support specialists are in high demand. these specialists help customers and companies troubleshoot computer software and equipment, and are often the front lines of defense when tech goes wrong.a bachelor’s degree is frequently required, but some openings require an associate’s degree or specialized classes. the median salary for these support specialists is $50,380 a year, with a faster-than-average 12% growth expected.administrative job outlook: actuaryactuaries are an essential part of many industries, but especially the insurance field. they use statistics, math, and financial theory to forecast financial risk, make predictions for their company, and then plan how to minimize that risk.the actuarial field usually requires a bachelor’s degree and offers on-the-job training for new hires. the median salary is $96,700 per year, with robust expected growth of 18%.othe r jobs like data entry specialist are easy to find, but not as much potential in term of promotion and learning.logistics job outlook: truck driverper an npr poll in 2014, the most common jobs in missouri in 1978, 1996, and 2014 were truck, delivery, and tractor drivers. that consistency doesn’t seem likely to shift soon- this region is a hotbed of distribution activity, and this trend will keep on truckin’ in 2016 and beyond.the median salary for truck drivers is $38,200, and the field is expected to grow by at least 11% by 2022.healthcare job outlook: emts and paramedicsthere are often shortages of qualified medical personnel, and no career path sees that as much as front-line emergency medical technicians (emts) and paramedics. these vital professionals offer emergency care for illness and injury, and are often the first responders in a variety of emergency situations.demand for these emergency workers is expected to increase by at least 24% in the coming years, and the median salary is $31,700. if you thrive on high-pressure situations and aren’t squeamish at the sight of blood, this can be a very strong career choice.service job outlook: nanny/childcare workeras the number of households with both parents working continues to increase, so do the needs for quality childcare. this field is especially trending in urban areas, as families look for alternatives to traditional daycare options. nannies and childcare workers are responsible for the daily care of children, and in cases of individual family employment, may also help run the household on a daily basis. the median salary is $28,000, with 5-10% growth anticipated in the coming years.so remember: while you’re seeking out those fruited plains and purple mountain majesties, there are many promising career options available to you.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Free Essays on Evolution Vs. Creation

03-03-02 Evolution vs. Creation. it has been a widely controversial issue widespread over the United States. We have a right as students and as parents to be taught creation and have creation be taught to our children if that is what we choose. Most of us did not have a choice in grade school to be taught creation in our Biology classes. We had to sit through being taught that evolution, (as a fact), was the way we came about, which could easily confuse a child because at home and at the church that some parents took their children to taught them creation. Shouldn’t we have the right for cirricullium to also include creation? I am now old enough to realize that I do not have to believe what my College Biology Professor teaches about evolution, but that does mean that I have to like it. I remember being in my high school biology class, and when we got to the chapter on evolution, I did not want to pay any attention to it because I did not believe in it. It is different being a child who is very impressionable, to be in an elementary Biology class and the teacher is teaching that we all came from monkeys, but offers no other explanation of how we got here when parents are teaching them at home something completely different. Parents have the right for their children to be taught creation if that is what they choose. It is the parents who agree with creation that also pay taxes that go toward school funding. According to David Greising of Business Week; nearly half of all Americans reject Darwins theory evolution, so that would be half of the tax payers also. Some states have already started a growing trend of teaching other theories. According to Michael Lemorick of New York TIMES, the school board of Hall County Georgia ruled that teachers must put forward a variety of theories on the origin of life, not just evolution. Started in fall of 1996, Alabamas text books must include a disclaimer inserted, stating that evolution is a ï ¿ ½... Free Essays on Evolution Vs. Creation Free Essays on Evolution Vs. Creation 03-03-02 Evolution vs. Creation. it has been a widely controversial issue widespread over the United States. We have a right as students and as parents to be taught creation and have creation be taught to our children if that is what we choose. Most of us did not have a choice in grade school to be taught creation in our Biology classes. We had to sit through being taught that evolution, (as a fact), was the way we came about, which could easily confuse a child because at home and at the church that some parents took their children to taught them creation. Shouldn’t we have the right for cirricullium to also include creation? I am now old enough to realize that I do not have to believe what my College Biology Professor teaches about evolution, but that does mean that I have to like it. I remember being in my high school biology class, and when we got to the chapter on evolution, I did not want to pay any attention to it because I did not believe in it. It is different being a child who is very impressionable, to be in an elementary Biology class and the teacher is teaching that we all came from monkeys, but offers no other explanation of how we got here when parents are teaching them at home something completely different. Parents have the right for their children to be taught creation if that is what they choose. It is the parents who agree with creation that also pay taxes that go toward school funding. According to David Greising of Business Week; nearly half of all Americans reject Darwins theory evolution, so that would be half of the tax payers also. Some states have already started a growing trend of teaching other theories. According to Michael Lemorick of New York TIMES, the school board of Hall County Georgia ruled that teachers must put forward a variety of theories on the origin of life, not just evolution. Started in fall of 1996, Alabamas text books must include a disclaimer inserted, stating that evolution is a ï ¿ ½...

Sunday, November 3, 2019

THE PAYG SYSTEM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

THE PAYG SYSTEM - Essay Example The tax tables under PAYG system are structured to result in a refund when an Income tax return is processed. This refund culture encourages strong compliance with annual returns. PAYG also provides flexibility, ability to alter the taxation payments based on the current income received. PAYG has removed lack of equity in payment timing between individuals and companies. Henceforth, tax payers need to file only one form and make one payment for each quarter. PAYG allows the netting off Liabilities and credits. Tax payers like Individuals, Corporate, Trustees, Mutual insurance associates, etc having Business and Investment income are subjected to PAYG Installment system. A taxpayer is subjected to PAYG installment system if his most recent income tax assessment shows more than $2000 of gross investment or business income or if his recent income tax return resulted in a tax debt of over $500. PAYG installments are generally payable quarterly. The due dates by which quarterly installments are required to be paid are 28th July, 28th October, 28th February and 28th April. Certain tax payers like primary producers and Special professionals can pay two installments per year. These tax payers need to pay 75% of PAYG liability by 28th April and the balance by 28th July. A tax payer is eligible to opt for paying PAYG installment annually under the following circumstances: Payments made to tax payers having income other than business or Investment income like Salaries and wages, Pension Annuity, Dividend, Interest, Royalty are subjected to PAYG Withholding system. PAYG withholding is also applicable to payments to other businesses who do not quote Australian Business Number. Employers deduct tax according to the published tables from wages and the net amount is paid to employees. Employers send the amounts withheld to taxation office, hence this system is called Withholding system. Tax payer has to determine the status of the payees like

Friday, November 1, 2019

Educational Philosophy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Educational Philosophy - Research Paper Example In my opinion, this transformation requires a systematic and organized development of the individual’s cognitive abilities as reflected in the acquisition of knowledge and skills in a manner that is consistent with the needs of the individuals and the society. On this score, it might be argued that education provides the compass that determines the destiny of both man and society. According to some educational philosophers, the precise value of education could be seen in clearer light from the imagination of a life without it. A barbaric society that lacks any organized system of education will ultimately push itself on the precipice of extinction. I think this is because such a society will lack an organized system that supplies and controls the development of knowledge and skills necessary for its own survival. The knowledge and skills that are supplied, developed, and organized within the profession of education are resourceful in management of the economic, social, and pol itical systems of the society. In this sense, it might be emphasized that the entire welfare of the society hinges on the profession of education (Matthews, 2005). In my consideration, this point brings out the utilitarian aspect of education as understood within the framework of skills and knowledge development. It lies within the profession of education to harness, organize, and disseminate knowledge and skills that are necessary for the general survival and progress of the society. Education does not occur in a spontaneous manner. It grows in sequence and in a longitudinal order, which entails the aspect of progress. It is also important to consider the value of education in terms of the combined effects of its impacts on the various disciplines that form the block of knowledge. An important consideration of the value of the education profession lies in the training of teachers. Teachers are the backbones that determine the manner in which knowledge and skills are developed and d isseminated to the general society. My approach to my learners would be consistent with the philosophy that knowledge is a participatory process. In line with this philosophy, I would seek ways that would harmonize relationships between my learners and me. I would wish to be regarded more as a partner in the learning process rather than an authoritative instructor. The classroom should not be a space for the transfer of authority from the teacher to the student but rather a conducive atmosphere that allows for the free flow of information from various sources (Hille, 2011; Marca, 2010). I would adopt an easy and relaxed approach, which would encourage the students to participate freely in the learning process. My goal would be to develop confidence in my students. Only by gaining their confidence will it be easy to condition their minds into the freedom of thought that is necessary in the general process of knowledge development. Studies have established that the development of the cognitive abilities of the students is largely dependent on the kind of learning atmosphere. The studies have argued that the creation of an appropriate mental atmosphere lies with the teacher. In the course of learning, teachers should strive to create atmospheres that the kind of environment that fosters the flourishing of interpersonal communication. This kind of communication should take place between the learners and the teacher and amongst the students. Studies