Monday, December 30, 2019

Analysis of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1171 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2019/04/12 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Harry Potter Essay Did you like this example? When watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, I observed the different teaching philosophies that McGonagall, Sprout, and Umbridge display within the varied classroom setting. *** discuss/ name and explain the different philosophies talked about in essay In evaluating Professor McGonagalls teaching practices at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I noticed that she incorporates and demonstrates three educational philosophies, namely essentialism, perennialism and progressivism. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Analysis of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" essay for you Create order Professor McGonagall is known and well respected by both students and professors for her high level of student and classroom expectations. McGonagall is known for her strict, no-nonsense demeanor and as the master of her classroom. Because of the common culture that exists between both student and professor, she has gained the respect of all of her students. While her teaching strategies are traditional she is training their minds to promote reasoning. McGonagall uses great books by Hogwarts finest thinkers and writers, while teaching them the traditional educational values of reading, writing, and arithmetic. At the beginning of class, she warns her students that anyone messing around will be forced to leave and not be welcomed back. She states, you have been warned (McGonagall). She provides her students with instructional demonstrations, where students are asked to conduct group experiments, such as the project-based learning approach. Her students tend to be inquisitive and ask many questions and in turn, she provides them with the help that is needed by roaming the classroom and answering their questions when needed. Overall, McGonagall utilizes three of the five teaching philosophies: essentialism, perennialism and progressivism. In the film, I believe that Warner Brother Studios chose to exemplify these three philosophies within McGonagall because they wanted to create a character who was a good example of moral ethics as well as honorable. She is capable of demonstrating both sides of the spectrum, the teacher-child-classroom relationship as well as the student driven classroom relationships. She is able to allow the students to flourish in their creativity. In regards to McGonagall, I would model her teaching philosophy of ___________. ***what will you avoid in regards to the three philosophies that she uses. Alongside McGonagall, Professor Sprout also uses the philosophy of progressivism in her classroom. She is a cheerful, roly poly teacher, who is well liked by her students. Her philosophy offers a hands-on learning experience in an outdoor classroom setting. Within her class, she teaches them how to repot a Mandrake plant. She provides them with step-by-step instructions while also advising them of the dangers of their activity. The students are given tools for protection, then proceed with caution as she explains and demonstrates what they will do. She double checks their work and asks for understanding. From this we can gather that she is an encouraging and thoughtful teacher who focuses on the individuals learning and progression throughout the time in her class. Her teaching philosophy of progressivism allows them to gain real-world experiences that can be utilized during their years at Hogwarts. There is no testing in her classroom, the pupils education is built around their experience, while they focus on one discipline at a time. Professor Sprouts education states that, if a single pupil wants to come, then the school ought to remain open for that pupil (Professor Sprout). Ultimately, I feel that Warner Brother Studios chose to show Professor Sprout in a way where progressivism is seen in a nurturing light, because the students face peril, evil, darkness, and restriction of creativity among other professors within the school. In my own classroom, I would adopt Professor Sprouts way of teaching in a progressive light, we see that she is very encouraging, supportive, and allows students to lead and she follows in their footsteps. Consequently, we observe that Professor Umbridge adopts a completely different philosophy when teaching her students. The philosophy she demonstrates in her classroom, is essentialism. Essentialism is _______________. Professor Umbridges demonstrates this by standing in front of the class as she teaches them which gives her a sense of superiority which exemplifies the idea of teachers being in charge. When she does this, she is imparting her wisdom and knowledge so that the students may learn from her instead of discovering on their own. She is endowing them with her great wisdom and knowledge. Umbridge is viewed as the mouthpiece for the Ministry of Magics political stand on the practices and policies that govern Hogwarts. This teacher intimidates her students with an iron fist approach telling them there will be discipline, order, and obedience in her classroom. She has a set of classroom rules in place where speaking is never an option. She does not call her students by their names but refers to them as children (Umbridge). Because there will be no talking in class without her permission, Professor Umbridge insists they raise their hands. What she teaches her students is that they will gain knowledge through their examinations, she believes school is about studying and test taking. She also warns the students not to question her methods and compares this act to doubting the Ministry. Students quietly sit at their desks and write with pen and paper and rote information from their textbooks. Instead of focusing on the students opinions, she only deems the Ministries and her own as the guiding force in the classroom. The filmmakers chose to portray Umbridge in this traditional, old school way of teaching where students are to be seen but not heard. However, despite Umbridges views on how the classroom should be run, I would not agree. When teaching my future students, I would not adopt this theory. I would want to find more creative ways and other avenues that would allow them to test their understanding of subject other than her test taking methods. I would allow my students to have a voice and that their opinions are welcome. After viewing the film and being able to critique the different educational philosophies that are presented, I was able to solidify my own teaching philosophy which is one of acceptance, encouraging creativity, understanding, and helping my students to pursue their interest while also being a role model. Overall, this film showed me the more effective ways of teaching students in a way that allows their creativity to flow and where they feel the most comfortable. The students dislike for Umbridge and adoration for McGonagall was blatantly obvious and continuously shown throughout the film which made it all the more obvious on which professors philosophies encourages and discourages learning. The level of respect, learning, and relationship development that occurred between student and professor is what appealed to me the most when watching this film. What was discouraging, was the amount of forceful rules and discipline that professors like Umbridge displayed which eliminated student s excitement for learning. When subjected to this environment, students are not able to progress during their academic years at Hogwarts. This film allowed me to cohesively see and understand the different philosophies that are brought into the classroom and how they affect the learning environment as a whole.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Marxist View on Education - 1639 Words

Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess the view that the education system exists mainly to select and prepare young people for their future work roles. (20 marks) As stated in Item A sociologists see the education system as performing a vital role in modern societies. Item A also highlights that the education system can equip individuals with the specialised knowledge and skills they will need when they join the workforce. Therefore, the education system helps select and allocate individuals into their future work roles. Although many sociologists agree this is the main role of education, they argue whether this is a positive thing or a negative thing. Whereas Functionalists believe this role of education benefits society and†¦show more content†¦Althusser also argues that pupils learn a smokescreen so they cannot see inequality and the lie of meritocracy. He claims that schools try to promote the belief of meritocracy this basically means success is based on your own merit and ability. This supposedly helps motivate pupils to work hard because if they do they will succeed in life and in their chosen careers. However Althusser believ es this is a lie as schools are in no way meritocratic. This is shown through the fact that the middle classes have more opportunity i.e. being able to afford the best possible education etc. Althusser believes that schools teach working class pupils to blame themselves for social failure instead of society i.e. if pupils fail they will usually say they didn’t work hard enough etc. Although schools have a role of promoting the ruling class ideology, educations main role is to mould pupils into ideal workers which helps prop up and maintain capitalism. Durkheim also believes education has the important role of teaching the skills needed for work and that it has an allocation function which helps people fit into the right roles in society. It has been suggested that this helps prepare young people for their future work roles through the teaching of specialist skills. Functionalist Parsons builds on Durkheims ideas.Show MoreRelatedComparing the Marxist and Functionalist Views on the Role of Education in Industrial Society1300 Words   |  6 Pages Comparing the Marxist and Functionalist Views on the Role of Education in Industrial Society The functionalists and the Marxists both believe that the education system benefits everyone, but both have different views on society. The Marxist views of the education system are that there are conflicts because there is an inequality between the working class and the higher classes. They believe that there are two different classes which education produces, and that is theRead MoreDifferent Perspectives On What The Role And Purpose Of Education1387 Words   |  6 Pagespurpose of education is. Both Functionalists and Marxists believe that the education system prepares young people for work and their work roles. However, they disagree on how education does this. Functionalists believe we live in a meritocratic society, where occupational positions, jobs and pay are allocated on the basis of an individual’s talent, ability and merit. A major difference in view is that Marxists would refute the theory that we live in a meritocratic democracy. It is the view of many functionalistsRead MoreThe Functionalist Explanation of the Role of Education in Modern Society621 Words   |  3 PagesThe Functionalist Explanation of the Role of Education in Modern Society I will discuss the functionalists theories in comparison to those of the Marxist and Interactionists. Functionalists believe that all in society serves a purpose and its a positive function. They also believe that education is a way of achieving in society; it develops people so that it gives them the opportunities in society (workplace). Durkheim believed that in order for children to feelRead MoreAssess the Contribution of Marxism to Our Understanding of the Role of Education1676 Words   |  7 PagesMarxism to our understanding of the role of education. As mentioned in Item A, Marxists take a critical view of the role of education. They see society as based on class divisions and capitalist exploitations. The capitalist society is a two class system as mentioned in Item A and it consists of a ruling class, the bourgeoisie and the working class, the proletariat. The bourgeoisie exploits the proletariat according to Marxists and they believe that the education system only serves the needs and interestsRead MoreEvaluate the usefulness of Marxist theory to our understanding of crime and deviance1201 Words   |  5 PagesEvaluate the usefulness of Marxist theory to our understanding of crime and deviance (40 marks) Synopticity - Crime Deviance sociological theory Marxist explanations of crime and deviance, like their work on other areas like the family and education, rest on an economic and structural analysis of society that sees a class struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. This struggle comprises the attempts by the proletariat to free themselves from the domination of the bourgeoisieRead MoreCompare, Contrast and Evaluate the Sociological Perspectives on the Ro1255 Words   |  6 PagesThe role of education is to educate individuals within society and to prepare and qualify them for work in the economy as well as helping to integrate individuals into society and teach them the norms, values and morals of society. Yet there are three sociological theories that differ greatly between them on the role of education. These are Functionalism, Marxism and Liberalism. Functionalists view the role of education as a means of socialising individuals and to integrate society, to keep societyRead MoreThe World Bank And Its Effects On Developing Countries Essay1572 Words   |  7 PagesUnderdevelopment, and Marxist Perspectives on Development and World Bank The liberalist view on economic development is that the world economy benefits developing economies through trade, international aid, and foreign investment, but economic development is mostly affected by the organizations in the country. They also believe that the most successful countries are focused on their own self-interest and actively participate in the world economy (Gilpin). Liberalists view the transfer of goods,Read More Compare, Contrast and Evaluate the Sociological Perspectives on the Ro1259 Words   |  6 Pages The role of education is to educate individuals within society and to prepare and qualify them for work in the economy as well as helping to integrate individuals into society and teach them the norms, values and morals of society. Yet there are three sociological theories that differ greatly between them on the role of education. These are Functionalism, Marxism and Liberalism. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Functionalists view the role of education as a means of socialising individuals and toRead More Marxist Perspective on Education Essay1564 Words   |  7 Pages Education system is seen as an important part of the superstructure in society. This statement was written in a Marxism perspective by individuals who see education not just an important part of the superstructure but as well an important aspect in a child life. Even though Karl Marx himself did not widely write about education, many of his followers did. This paper will look at how class and alienation which is a theory that Karl Marx wrote, plays a part in education and a general look at the perspectiveRead MoreAssess the View That the Family Is Part of the Ideological State Apparatus.701 Words   |  3 PagesThe ideological state apparatus is defined as a social institution that can control our ideology. Marxists would argue that the family is an institution used to teach its members to submit to the authority of the ruling classes. However functionalist view the family unit as a construct that fulfills important functions and keep society running smoothly. Marxists believe that primary socialisation of children is learning the norms and values provided through the process of socialisation, this is

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Negative Images of African Americans in the Media Free Essays

Mass media is a powerful force in American pop culture. Images seen on billboards, television, magazines, and the big screen create lasting impressions. Sometimes these impressions have a negative impact. We will write a custom essay sample on Negative Images of African Americans in the Media or any similar topic only for you Order Now Mass media can be very detrimental to society if it is not criticized. Many groups of Americans are negatively affected by the images and content of mass media. African Americans are at the top of this list. Images of African Americans in television, music, and film are often less than stellar. Black men are often portrayed as drug pushers, pimps, thugs, and dead beat dads, while black women are portrayed as poor, lazy, and promiscuous. This needs to stop! That is a given! Question is, how are these negative images going to be stopped? Several steps should be taken in order to prevent these negative images in the media. The origins of these images need to be examined, and modern racism and prejudice need to be exposed. There may be some accuracy to the negative images of African Americans in the media, but that is no excuse. The media should focus more on uplifting people. African Americans have historically had a disadvantage when compared to their white counterparts. This should not be exploited for entertainment purposes. African Americans are often placed in roles that portray them as poorly educated. This dates all the way to minstrel shows! This is still a problem today! Americans are more comfortable laughing at blacks as appose to understanding blacks. The main problem with images of African Americans is that they are one dimensional. African Americans are diverse and come from a variety of backgrounds. If an African American is portrayed as a druggie or a convict, then there should be some reasoning behind this. People don’t become drug addicts for the fun of it; they become drug addicts because they want to numb themselves from the pain and suffering of their everyday lives. Black men and women don’t become criminals because they are horrible people. They become criminals because they are taught that they have no other option! African Americans have to stand up for themselves and fight against the media. That is the only way things will change. While doing this, they may have to criticize other African Americans. This should be done with love. Black rappers, singers, and actors should be held with some responsibility. Black leaders like Oprah Winfrey and Bill Cosby have spoken out about this. Rappers, including Ludacris and 50 Cent have been criticized for their lyrics. It is unclear if they are rapping about their experiences in order to expose their struggles, or if they are exploiting the black struggle with their lyrics. Violence, sexuality, and the lack of education are unfortunately a part of African American society. The media should show this. Rappers and singers should perform songs about this. Black actors should play roles that depict this. Black actors, singers, and rappers should not exploit these disadvantages. Instead they should use their craft to create solutions to these problems. Drugs and violence should not be glamorized! How to cite Negative Images of African Americans in the Media, Essay examples

Friday, December 6, 2019

The History of Project Management

Question: Describe about the history of project management. Answer: Introduction: The journal article The History of Project Management has been taken from International Journal of Management and Information Systems - Third Fourth 2014 Volume 18 Number 4 written by Tom Seymour and Sara Hussein of Minot State University, USA. Project management has been defined as the systematic method of carrying out a task with minimum cost and time involved. It has been with us since the birth of mankind but there is very little proof as no proper documentation was done. In was only in the 1950s that proper effort was made to consider and practice this realm of management. Later on a number of computer programs were developed which not only helped in its progress but also in its application. Nowadays, project management as a subject has been introduced in number of courses and has already gained immense popularity. Thinking about the time when project management would first have been implemented, it would be wise to say whenever men joined hands to complete a particular purpose. Project management has always been defined as the management of men and workforce for the purpose of achieving a particular purpose (Young, 2013). The Great Wall of China, Stonehenge are all magnificent examples of how proper planning was conducted, materials and men engaged and every aspect of the work monitored till the very end. Even though there were several misconceptions regarding older projects, it is clearly understood that project management had played a vital role in its success. But despite all these, very little effort was done to document it in a manner useful for others in the future. Coming back to the present, Henri Fayol and Henry Gantt are considered to be the fathers of modern project management. Henri was an engineer at an iron and steel company in France and it is here that he observed the various methods by which project management was actually implemented even though unknowingly. Fayol observed five qualities used by managers during their day to day activities. These qualities later became the benchmark on which the present project management is actually based upon. Henry Gantt was an American engineer and management consultant. He designed the Gantt chart which is widely used even today. He envisaged breaking up of complicated tasks into smaller ones and to proceed according to the importance of the subject. He advised that when difficult tasks are broken up into smaller ones, it is easy not only to complete them one after another but also in a much better and systematic manner. But according to Snyder and Kline, modern project management took off with t he introduction of PERT and CPM. PERT was designed by the American Navy during the Polaris project which was America's first submarine launched ballistic missile project, as this project was very complex, PERT made it simpler to analyze (Schwalbe, 2014). CPM was first developed by E.I Du Pont de Nemours, a major construction company while constructing a chemical plant. CPM was designed to keep costs minimum and to take very little time. Modern project management can be subdivided into four phases. The first phase in the 1900s was when project management began to be used for administration and associated purposes. The Manhattan Project and Interstate Highway are all important hallmarks of this phase. It was in this phase that Gantt chart began to be used very widely hence further boosting its importance in modern day management. The second phase from 1958 to 1979 saw a lot of technological advancement (Roberts, 2011). The photocopier by Xerox was an important contribution of this phase. Then, the Apollo and Polaris projects came into focus which led to the introduction of PERT and CPM to this field of management. The Apollo project being a complex and difficult one had to plan in such a way so that Nasa's very first mission to put man on the moon succeeded. The Polaris mission, America's first submarine based missile system too had to be planned in a similar manner. This led to the development of WBS, Work Breakdown System for any project which is of size similar to that of Polaris. The third period too was based on technological advancement and an important project then would be the English- France Chanel Project (Richman, 2012). The fourth and final period in which we are today has taken project management to the next level. CCPM began to be used which was better than both CPM and PERT as it focused mainly on resources needed to achieve a target. Looking at the phase beyond the present period it can wisely be said that it would be a period of greater technological advancement and cost productivity (Morris, 2013). TCM, Total Cost Method has already been developed which can control costs within the entire life cycle of the project. Software as a Service scheme has already been developed through which users can use the software for a fee via cloud support. Though this scheme is in its nascent stage, the benefits of the projects give a positive picture regarding its success in future (Hughes, 2012). Virtual employment would become a reality as employees would be able to work from home and employers would be able to manage costs and skills by doing so. Even though the future looks promising, there had been no consensus among researchers (Heagney, 2012). Some researchers believe that due to the continuing process of disintegrating job roles, project management would be a thing of the past as each member would have to look after other aspects in general too. Some other researchers believe that due to this disintegration, there will be specified job roles with specific requirements for project management certification courses. Globalization, competition and many other factors are changing the way firms organize and carry on their activities (Dinsmore Cabanis-Brewin, 2014). Only time can tell how effectively the prevailing scenario will help in the utilization of project management methods. But given the fact that it has constantly evolved with time and still is, this field of management will certainly showcase the amount of potential in it by making our lives simpler. References Dinsmore, P. Cabanis-Brewin, J. (2014).The AMA Handbook of Project Management. New York: AMACOM. Heagney, J. (2012).Fundamentals of project management. New York: American Management Association. Hughes, B. (2012).Project management for IT-related projects. London: BCS. Morris, P. (2013).Reconstructing project management. Chichester, England: Wiley-Blackwell. Richman, L. (2012).Improving your project management skills. New York: American Management Association. Roberts, P. (2011).Effective project management. London, UK: Kogan Page. Schwalbe, K. (2014).Information technology project management. Boston, MA: Course Technology. Young, T. (2013).Successful project management. Philadelphia, Pa.: Kogan Page Ltd.