Education and the Brain Essay Example for Free

Education and the Brain Essay Given the emerging challenges surrounding the practice of education, many scholars and researchers are trying to establish a particular framework that is dedicated towards the enhancement of information and intensifying facilitation. With these processes, there is one important and vital determinant of this situation – the man’s brain. In the advent of new capabilities, focus is now related on discovering and creating opportunities that seeks to enhance the relationship between the brain and education. The article of Bruer offers a comprehensive insight about the strength and weaknesses of such field. Tracing from the past, he emphasized how the discipline has evolved from a mere scientific study to reaching out in the realm of child development and education. As individuals and groups try to unearth the processes involved, it branched out to several unique disciplines that correlate with the concept of education; namely cognitive psychology and neuroscience (Bruer, p. 3). Operating on this scheme, there are two ways in which this can be recognized namely (1) the period of synaptic elimination and (2) critical periods (Bruer, p. 3). In the first part, Bruer points out the relevance and relative link between neuroscience and education. In this process, he mentions that there are various brain activities that are stimulated by synapses that affect the way a child can cope with numerous functions that are expected for him/her to perform in a classroom setup (Bruer, p. 4). At the same time, the document made mention the importance of the experiment concerning critical periods. With numerous ways for this case to be applied, researchers have focused on the idea that these actions are vital in the early advancement of an individual. Bruer argues that â€Å"cultural variations in child rearing suggest that there are many equally successful way to provide the normal environment needed for brain development† (p. 5). The next section caters in looking into environments that are vital for a child’s advancement during the early stages of his/her life. It fosters the claim that stimulating and active surrounding does contribute to the overall capability of an individual to function accordingly with the desired objectives and goals of an institution. However, there is a lapse in neuroscience as it fails to include and elaborate on how such process can be vital in the overall goal of education and growth (Bruer, p. 7). This remains to be the missing link in trying to determine that guidance of the brain functions in classroom instruction and learning. On the other hand, Bruer cites the capability of creating a bridge that will enable the brain to relate its functions towards cognitive functions. In this process, there are two ways that such idea can be recognized. Bruer mentions that â€Å"the first connects educational practice with cognitive psychology, and the second connects cognitive psychology with brain science† (p. 7). In here he cites numerous advancements in technology and equipments available nowadays to help study and examine the progression of mental activity happening in an individual. Similarly, using the mind-brain interface, many researchers and scientists are able to conduct tests that can determine which part/areas are vital in particular function that are used and applied in the educational sector (Bruer, p. 8). In the last part, it seeks to elaborate these bridges by pointing out two viable approaches in dealing with it; namely (1) instruction to cognition and (2) cognition to neural activity. The first part looks into the way cognition has been used by educators and scientists to determine appropriate ways to enhance neural activities. At the same time, it focused on several studies and findings that try to relate these instances. In the second part, Bruer points out the use of â€Å"cognitive models and brain recording techniques to trace the neural circuitry involved in a skill like numerical comparison† (Bruer, p. 10). It is in here that they were able to find the connection between the two. In the end, the article argues that the brain can greatly affect the way individuals respond to the education. Therefore, future studies must guide researchers in addressing the loopholes in the current literatures. As the demands for educational policy continues to increase significantly in the practice, a good basis for such study can be made by relating to one important factor that shapes learning and development – the brain. It is in here that we can find appropriate strategies to increase competency and skill acquisition needed to make students dynamic and vibrant in practice. Work Cited Bruer, John T. Education and the Brain: A Bridge too Far in ‘Educational Researcher’ 26 no. 8 1997. accessed 12 November 2008. 4-16.

Larry Bird :: essays research papers

This program will be in its 15th annual cycle during Summer 2002 and is designed to attract students to various fields of clinical research. Students also gain valuable experience assessing validity of current clinical practice standards in a discipline. Research methods and data analysis aSTUDENT RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM This program will be in its 15th annual cycle during Summer 2002 and is designed to attract students to various fields of clinical research. Students also gain valuable experience assessing validity of current clinical practice standards in a discipline. Research methods and data analysis are emphasized. Target audience: First and second-year medical students will be eligible for summer fellowships. Some undergraduate pre medical students as well as graduate students will be eligible (depending on availability of funding and mentors). Additionally, one to four positions are reserved for first or second year law students and one to three for advanced degree nursing students. Program components: Student applicants will complete a research fellowship application form. Specific sponsors or preceptors will be identified for qualified students as funding becomes available. Attempts will be made to place a research student in an area of personal interest. Review criteria for selection include strong student academic records, personal achievement and integrity, research skills and experience, and recommendations from scholastic advisors. Sponsors/preceptors will be encouraged to participate in the recruitment of students and will provide students with guidance and workspace during the summer. Students are expected to consider the program as their full-time summer employment. Structured academic training programs and clinical observation beyond the specific project (provided by the mentor(s)) will also be encouraged. Stipend: Each student will receive a stipend of $766.66 per three-week period for a maximum award of $2300 over a nine-week program. Progress milestones: Each student will be requested to attend a series of dinner meetings at three-week intervals. The purpose of these programs is to provide research fellows with additional information on abstract preparation, poster preparation, manuscript preparation, and data analysis. The dinner meetings serve as a forum to present preliminary data and to become acquainted with other students and mentors. Each student will be expected to deliver a brief verbal report at each meeting. At the conclusion of the summer program, a student must prepare a meeting abstract, research poster, and research manuscript evaluated by his/her preceptor in order to receive final stipend payment. If performance evaluation at the conclusion of the program is desired, a written evaluation by each preceptor can be prepared. These evaluation summaries can be forwarded (if a student requests them) to their respective campus academic advisors. Midwest Alliance for Health Education and Indiana University School of Medicine- Fort Wayne Center for Medical Education Larry Bird :: essays research papers This program will be in its 15th annual cycle during Summer 2002 and is designed to attract students to various fields of clinical research. Students also gain valuable experience assessing validity of current clinical practice standards in a discipline. Research methods and data analysis aSTUDENT RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM This program will be in its 15th annual cycle during Summer 2002 and is designed to attract students to various fields of clinical research. Students also gain valuable experience assessing validity of current clinical practice standards in a discipline. Research methods and data analysis are emphasized. Target audience: First and second-year medical students will be eligible for summer fellowships. Some undergraduate pre medical students as well as graduate students will be eligible (depending on availability of funding and mentors). Additionally, one to four positions are reserved for first or second year law students and one to three for advanced degree nursing students. Program components: Student applicants will complete a research fellowship application form. Specific sponsors or preceptors will be identified for qualified students as funding becomes available. Attempts will be made to place a research student in an area of personal interest. Review criteria for selection include strong student academic records, personal achievement and integrity, research skills and experience, and recommendations from scholastic advisors. Sponsors/preceptors will be encouraged to participate in the recruitment of students and will provide students with guidance and workspace during the summer. Students are expected to consider the program as their full-time summer employment. Structured academic training programs and clinical observation beyond the specific project (provided by the mentor(s)) will also be encouraged. Stipend: Each student will receive a stipend of $766.66 per three-week period for a maximum award of $2300 over a nine-week program. Progress milestones: Each student will be requested to attend a series of dinner meetings at three-week intervals. The purpose of these programs is to provide research fellows with additional information on abstract preparation, poster preparation, manuscript preparation, and data analysis. The dinner meetings serve as a forum to present preliminary data and to become acquainted with other students and mentors. Each student will be expected to deliver a brief verbal report at each meeting. At the conclusion of the summer program, a student must prepare a meeting abstract, research poster, and research manuscript evaluated by his/her preceptor in order to receive final stipend payment. If performance evaluation at the conclusion of the program is desired, a written evaluation by each preceptor can be prepared. These evaluation summaries can be forwarded (if a student requests them) to their respective campus academic advisors. Midwest Alliance for Health Education and Indiana University School of Medicine- Fort Wayne Center for Medical Education

Case Study †American Chemical Corp

The past performance of ACC as seen from the financial statements for the period 1974-79 is characterized by a high degree of variability. The overall situation has been very good with profit to net asset ratio (average 54. 3%) going as high as 84. 2% and 90% in 1977 and 1978, before dropping to 66. 4% in 1979. Barring the year 1975, the ratio has also shown a consistently increasing trend. In absolute terms the operating profit has shown substantial increases between the years 1976 and 1978.Except for 1976, when the company’s performance ahs dipped as a result of general market conditions, the company has shown reasonably good growth in sales, both in terms of quantity and amount. Costs have been under control and in some cases have declined over the years. Hence the past performance of ACC has been good but has shown a high degree of variability. This indicates that although the company has been performing well, the risk associated with it is also high. 2. Competitive enviro nment of ACC at the timeIn 1979, there were a dozen companies producing sodium chlorate. Apart from large, diversified chemical companies, these also included a few paper and pulp companies that had backward integrated into production of sodium chlorate. The total existing capacity was 455,000 tons, and another 75,000 tons were being added by way of new plants being put up. Over the years, sales of sodium chlorate had increased 220,000 tons in 1970 to 435,000 tons in 1979 (expected figure), representing an increase of 97. 7%.Durng the same period capacity grew from 270,000 tons to 455,000 tons, representing an increase of 68. 5%. This lag in the increase in capacity, compared to the increase in sales, has augured well for the companies manufacturing this chemical, and resulted in substantial price increases from $129 per ton in 1970 to $413 in 1979. Thus the market and competitive environment were quite favorable to the manufacturers at this time. Rising costs were a matter of conce rn with the cost of electricity, one of the major inputs, registering steady increases over the years.This placed companies such as American that were using older technologies and graphite electrodes at a disadvantage compared to newer plants that used metal electrodes. 3. Beta for Collinsville plant and ACC The equity beta for ACC and Collinsville plant was 1. 20. This is the levered beta. In 1978, debt was 39% of the total capitalization, while common and preferred stock accounted for 69%. The debt-equity ratio was 0. 565. Hence, the unlevered beta was 1. 2/1. 565 = 0. 77. 4. Cost of equity for evaluating cash flows of Collinsville plant projectThe Collinsville plant of American Chemical Corporation is into production of Sodium Chlorate. It might not be possible to locate companies that produce only sodium chlorate, as companies that produce sodium chlorate are either manufacturers of other chemicals or of paper. Comparing the cost of equity with other chemical manufacturers might not necessarily be representative. The best course would therefore be to compare the cost of equity of the Collinsville plant with other manufacturers of Sodium Chlorate.Since all these manufacturers produce other products along with Sodium Chlorate, the values may not be exact fits, but should be representative enough to provide a basis for evaluation. The beta values and debt and equity position of some of these companies are shown below. Organization Beta (Levered) (a) Debt/Equity (b) Unlevered Beta (a)/(1+(b)) Pennwalt 1. 33 39/69 = 0. 565 0. 85 Kerr-McGee 1. 06 17/83 = 0. 205 0. 88 International Minerals & Chemicals 0. 81 33/67 = 0. 493 0. 54 Georgia-Pacific 1. 50 29/71 = 0. 408 1. 07 Brunswick Chemical 1.10 15/85 = 0. 176 0. 94 Southern Chemicals 1. 20 21/79 = 0. 266 0. 95 . Average (unlevered) beta of selected firms = 0. 87. Debt-Equity ratio for American Chemical = 39/61 = 0. 639 Equity beta to be assumed for Collinsville plant = 1. 639 x 0. 87 = 1. 43 Interest on long-term treasury bonds = 9. 5% (Risk free return is taken as 9%) Market Risk Premium = 7%. Cost of equity = 9 + 1. 43 x 7 = 19% 5. Cost of debt and WACC The bond rating of American Chemical Corporation is BBB/A. The market rate for long-term A corporate bonds is 10. 75%.Hence the interest rate for American Chemical’s bond should be slightly higher than this. The actual rate being paid by Dixon is 11. 25%, which appears to be appropriate. The rest of the loan financing is also done at the rate of 11. 25%. Hence the actual cost of debt capital for Dixon for the Collinsville plant = 11. 25%. Although the purchase of the Collinsville plant is to done entirely with debt capital, it would not be appropriate to treat the cost of capital for the plant as the same as cost of debt capital, because the capital structure of the company as a whole needs to be considered.Debt-to–total capital ratio after acquisition of Collinsville plant = 47% Hence WACC for the Collinsville plant = 0. 47 x 11. 25 + 0. 53 x 19 = 15. 4%, which may be rounded off to 15%. 6. Incremental cash flows associated with the acquisition of Collinsville plant without laminate technology Using the same assumptions made in the preparation of the pro forma financial statements by Dixon for the years 1980-1984 as the basis, projections for a further period of five years were made to obtain expected incomes for a period of ten years, which is the estimated life of the plant.The cash flow has been arrived at by adding back depreciation, which is a non-cash charge, to the net incomes to arrive at the cash flow each year. The results are shown in Table 1. 7. Incremental cash flows and NPV associated with investment in laminate technology Dixon will get the laminate technology as part of the agreement for sale of the Collinsville plant, and hence no extra cash flow will be involved for the acquisition of the technology. However, Dixon will have to bear the cost of installation, which will amount to $2. 2 5 million. This will be depreciated over a period of ten years.There will be a one time cash outflow of $2. 25 million at the beginning of the installation. As against this, there will be recurring benefits in the form of savings in graphite and power consumption over the life of the project, which is ten years. The incremental cash flow that will accrue on an annual basis will involve no cash outflow, as the incremental cash flow is in the form of pure savings. The savings will consist of complete elimination of graphite costs and a saving of 15-20% in power. Taking a conservative view, 15% power savings are considered for the cash flow projections, which are shown in Table 2 below.

How do symphony orchestras manage their members before a song successfully performed in front of the audience Free Essay Example, 2500 words

Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 Introduction 2 2 Symphony Orchestra as Organisation 3 2 Orchestras and Their Conductors 5 2.2 Symphony Orchestra Organisations 5 3 Organisational Structure of Symphony Orchestras 6 3.1 Symphony Orchestra Musicians 7 3.2 Orchestra Conductors 9 3.3 Leadership 10 4 Conclusion 11 5 References 12 1 Introduction In an age of globalisation and the unprecedented intensification of competition, management increasingly emerges as the dividing line between organisational success and failure. Management and organisational leadership, if effective and efficient, can render the most complex of business processes uncomplicated and, importantly, contributes to the development of a workplace environment characterised by accountability, cooperation between co-workers, rather than competition, and commitment to the organisation and its goals. Proceeding from the aforementioned, this research will take a novel approach to the exemplification of the importance of organisational leadership and management by taking a look at the management of a symphony orchestra. The selection of the mentioned example was influenced by the fact that management of the stated is a highly complex endeavour, requiring extremely high levels of teamwork so that the final product emerges, not as a series of disconnected units, or musical movements, but as a harmonious whole. We will write a custom essay sample on How do symphony orchestras manage their members before a song successfully performed in front of the audience or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page Not only is he entirely responsible for the management of orchestra members, musicians, towards the execution of a perfectly timed and completely harmonious and faultless musical performance but his responsibilities include organisational visioning, strategic direction, audience development and fundraising. To be effective, the musical leader/conductor of the orchestra must possess a combination of skills, the most significant of which appear to be artistic and musical skills, organisational skills, and charismatic leadership (Morgan, 1980).