Saturday, June 20, 2020
NEWS UK University Strikes 2019
5 Things You Should Know about the UK University Strikes 2019 As a student, you must have heard about the UK University Strike 2019 that is expected to begin at the end of November. With 60 institutions across the UK involved in the upcoming events, many academic practitioners want to learn more about these protests and how they may affect them. Here are the top 5 things you should know about the UK university strike 2019. When Will It Happen? The strike itself will take place over the eight days between November 25 and December 4. However, it is a part of a larger union action that may span beyond this period and result in further disruptions of academic activities in multiple universities. Why Strike? The previous wave of action was initiated two years ago and involved thousands of practitioners. However, the promises made by the country decision-makers were not kept and the most problematic questions remained unaddressed. What Questions Are Raised? The two main issues raised by the protesters are the unfair pensions scheme and the questionable conditions of work and remuneration. Specifically, more than 50% of university staff members are presently employed via temporary contracts. while their earnings have not been indexed since 2009. Who Will Be Affected? With 43 universities supporting both causes and 13 institutions protesting against working conditions and remuneration schemes, the strike is expected to affect up to 1 million students. The coordinators of many involved institutions claim that they will organise temporary replacements and alternative arrangements. However, it is already clear that many academic activities will be cancelled or moved to a different time. Ã What Should You Do? As a student, your best option is to learn about the new schedule of academic activities in advance. If your lectures will be disrupted for several days, this break may be a good time to work on your assignment writing skills, find library resources for your essay topics or simply revise your course materials before the winter assessment period.
Friday, June 5, 2020
Media Dissertations - Internet Changed Lives - Free Essay Example
An electronic space for meeting new people, staying connected with friends and sharing ideas: Virtual reality or social reality in the age of narcissism? A study of hi5 network as an online community; its connection to offline relationships and motivations and expectations of people that become members. CHAPTER ONE Abstract The internet has changed the lives of many individuals and, with millions of people online it arguably represents the single most influential technological advancement of the Twenty First century (Aitchison, J. and Lewis, D. (2003) 1) (Crews, C. and Thierer, A. (2003) 3). Therefore the world of the internet is one which becomes more and more relevant in the lives of individuals across the world (Aitchison, J. and Lewis, D. (2003) 1) (Gauntlett, D., Gottlieb, N. and Mclelland, M. (2003) 19). The internet has touched the lives of most people within the 20-25 age groups, and this it perhaps even more relevant within Greek society, where internet dating and socialising has proven exceptionally popular. It is therefore not surprising that the internet is used effectively as a medium for the formation of relationships. The internet has given us electronic mail; internet blogs; pop-up message advertising; video messaging; smiley faces; on-line dating and friendship services; instant messages and internet threads and all of these have changed the way that individuals communicate with one another (Aitchison, J. and Lewis, D. (2003) 1) (Jordan, T. (1999) Ch.1). These more contemporary methods of communicating have impacted society at many levels (Crews, C. and Thierer, A. (2003) 3) (Gauntlett, D., Gottlieb, N. and Mclelland, M. (2003) 19) and this may be seen through an analysis of contemporary communication discourses and methods of socialisation. Specifically, the website www.hi5.com has provided a nexus where all of these technological and communication techniques have recognition and importance. Hi5 is an online community where communication is uniquely confined to electronic means and discourses. Introduction This thesis will explore the relevance of the internet to the formation of key social relationships within the 20-25 age group of Greek society. The fact that the formation of relationships online influences and shapes the nature of relationships offline is an interesting one to approach and it will be focused on throughout the thesis. The nature of the internet and specifically websites such as Hi5 as an electronic space which facilities human interaction and the maintenance of relationships will be considered. The dichotomy between social and virtual reality will be broached within this context and the writer will attempt to comment on which description of the internet is most appropriate. The question of whether the internet is a social reality in an age of narcissism or a virtual reality will also be addressed within the research. The subject matter of the thesis will also involve a consideration of the ways that the internet has indirectly and directly affected offline relationships and the motivations and expectations of people that become members. This is an important perspective; however it is one that could easily be neglected. Therefore one of the most important points which the thesis will seek to express is the pervasiveness of the internet, and specifically the pervasiveness of the online community which engages Greeks in the 20-25 age group, and its ability to influence their offline as well as online lives, self representations, motivations and expectations. The thesis will attempt to argue that the internet is an important mechanism of social interaction, which should not be pigeon-holed to simply make what is anyway a facile critique of the internet (i.e. that the internet simply promotes narcissism), more convenient to articulate. This chapter will provide the skeleton framework through which this argument will be made. The chapter will provide definitions of the internet, communication, language, computer mediated discourse, and semiotics and these definitions will be used as a springboard to discuss how the internet has changed the lives of Greeks within the 20-25 year age category. Wider issues such as globalisation, self representation, creativity and technological advancement (Smith, M. and Kollock, P. (1998) 4) will also be considered in this chapter since these are intrinsic to the ultimate argument of the thesis that internet friendship databases such as Hi5 are crucially important and representative of developments in human socialisation patterns. The effects of these processes will be extrapolated within the context of the research question and they will assist the writer to achieve a more in depth understanding of the significance of the internet within the social circles of Greeks within the 20-25 age group. The models of analysis that will be used will be discourse analysis and semiotic analysis of text and images. The profiles of Greek members of Hi5 will be widely consulted and primary research in the form of interviews and a questionnaire-based study will be consulted and evaluated qualitatively in the analysis of all of the above mentioned issues. Therefore there will be a lexicographical and semiotic extrapolation of both text and imagery to assist the writer in answering the question of whether the internet as a social medium/social hub is a positive development and to comment upon the question title. Computer mediated electronic discourse is the label given to describe electronic discourses (Holt, R. (2004) 129) and the effects which they produce at the level of social interaction between humans. Lexicographical sequences, syntax, the length and structure of sentences, the use of colloquial words and phrases and elaborate uses for punctuation devices may all be considered to be a part of this newly developing discourse which specifically facilitates communication over the internet (Holt, R. (2004) 129-130). These aspects of language and how language is represented have changed to reflect and to facilitate online communication and the development of new relationships through the medium of the internet (Holt, R. (2004) 129-132). Images and self-representations will be looked at in minute detail; these images and representations will be deconstructed and looked at in their most basic terms. It is hoped that this focus will allow the writer to consider the research question in a comprehensive and minutely detailed manner. It is anticipated that such a focus will impart an original and innovative insight into the subject of computer mediated discourses and the increasing importance of the internet in the lives of young people (20-25) in Greece and Greeks abroad in the Twenty First century. CHAPTER TWO Research Question and Theory The Hi5 Website: What is it? This website is an internet community where friendships and romantic attachments are solicited by members. The site enables members to represent themselves and to enable others to view what they have to say about themselves, remotely through the internet. The site itself involves the use of a database of individuals all over the world who have added internet pages describing themselves; their characteristics and interests. These descriptions are referred to as profiles and are added to the database which may be searched by prospective members and member of the Hi5 website alike. Members generally add photographs of themselves, and their friends and sometimes the members can add links and descriptions of the music that they like to listen to. Primarily the website is aimed at individuals from all ethnicities who are in their twenties, and who would like to make friends, stay in touch with friends or form romantic attachments to new people over the internet. The site allows companies and other advertisers to advertise their services on the website, which allows the website to disseminate products and services which may be of interest to young people within the 20-25 age group. The website is also different from online dating services as the romantic connections which may be formed through the internet are not the principal selling point of the website. The ideas of friendship, self representation and companionship are instead emphasised. Certainly, the idea of romantic attachments is something which the website may facilitate, but its capacity to do so is understated and not focused upon. Therefore the website describes and sells itself as primarily designed to enable people to form platonic relationships through using its facilities. What is Communication? Communication, at its most basic level may be understood as a way to convey messages and emotions between human beings (Duranti, A. (1997) 23-25) (Jennings, B. and Heath, R. (2000) 91). This is done mainly (although not exclusively as we will see explained below) through the use of language (Kaplan, R. (2002) Ch. 1), which is a complex collection of symbols which have specific meanings and when used collectively may be understood to represent codifications of human emotions and messages. The system of symbols which may be understood as the building blocks of a language do not have meaning in themselves; rather they represent meaning when they are arranged within certain patterns which are objectively recognisable by others who wish to interpret them. Therefore the signals which are relied upon in the context of language are constructed; they are not generic or pre-existing. This complex system of symbols allows humans to make others understand messages which have a generic codified meaning, which may be understood objectively, and cognitively. It is important to understand communication in these terms within the context of this thesis enquiry as it is an understanding of this particular property of communication which will allow the writer to comment upon the language used on Hi5 in an abstracted and theoretical manner. This will facilitate the methodology of discourse analysis and semiotics which underpins the thesis. Communication is therefore a cognitive process (Ellis, D. (1999) 1) (Giora, R. (2003) 13). It is essentially a manipulation of the senses of humans through systematic representations of meaning and images (Ellis, D. (1999) 1). Communication does not just involve language; one can communicate at many levels (Ellis, D. (1999) 1-3) (Giora, R. (2003) 13) (Turkle, S. (1997) Ch.1). Facial expressions; sign language; body language; intonation; voice pitch and just a few mechanisms which may be used to communicate without the use of language. Language may employ these techniques in an integrated manner, as communication rarely adopts a singular mode. Therefore the clothes we wear (their colours and texture); the facial and bodily expressions we adopt; the mannerisms we adopt; various postures and the signals which we give out are all complex and systematic methods of communicating (Duranti, A. (1997) 23-25). The underlying system (culture) is what allows one to describe these processes as both communicative and connected with language (Duranti, A. (1997) 23-25) (Fairclough, N. (2003) 124). Language may be described through the idea of a discourse (Fairclough, N. (2003) 124) (Chimombo, M. and Roseberry, R. (1998) 5). Discourses are particular amalgams of how language has come to be used within particular spheres for specific purposes (Chimombo, M. and Roseberry, R. (1998) 5). These purposes may be political, sociological and even ideological in nature (Duranti, A. (1997) 23-25) (Fairclough, N. (2003) 124). What makes a discourse a discourse is the style in which the language and communication techniques are manifested. These may be identified objectively and regarded as belonging within one given discourse. It is often the case that a discourse will be uniquely identifiable. Discourse may be understood at the level of lexicographical constructions and syntax (Fairclough, N. (2003) 123-124) (Chimombo, M. and Roseberry, R. (1998) 6). In this sense the discourse which is understood is viewed in a more mechanical and objective manner. Discourses of this modality will mainly occupy the methodological framework of the thesis, since this type of discourse analysis allows one to approach the understanding of the subject of electronic communication and socialisation techniques in an effective and simple way. Language also becomes a communication discourse when it is used as a system of communication within a particular community or culture (Fairclough, N. (2003) 124). This was Bourdieus viewpoint (Danaher, G., Fensham, R., Schirato, T., Threadgold, T. and Webb , J. (2002) 1). Pierre Bourdieu (1990) was one of the most influential communication theorists (Danaher, G., Fensham, R., Schirato, T., Threadgold, T. and Webb , J. (2002) 1). Pierre Bourdieu (1990) has attempted to deconstruct the idea of communication (Danaher, G., Fensham, R., Schirato, T., Threadgold, T. and Webb , J. (2002) 1) and to assist him he used the analogy of a map and a journey (Schirato and Yell (2000) p1). He argued that communication involved rules, conventions which map a language and that actual acts of communication were akin to the taking of journeys(Schirato and Yell (2000) p1). This broadly fits the writers earlier definition of communication which has been explained above as it explains how language symbols takes on a level of significance when they are arranged within a given structure or amalgam. Semiotics Communication may also be understood through the idea of signs and meanings (Giora, R. (2003) 13). Semiotics is perhaps a more abstract and theoretical way to understand the way that language is used to engender meaning. Saussure (1989) argued that the meaning of language is a subjective exercise whereby individuals read meanings into what he referred to as signs, which do not have any intrinsic meaning of themselves, but have meaning imputed into them by virtue of the meaning which is attached to them by people (Schirato and Yell (2000) p19). Therefore, for Saussure, language was not as important as what he regarded as its most basic constituent part; the sign. The sign is what is represented in relational terms and not in substantive terms through the medium of language and images (Schirato and Yell (2000) p19). Saussure split the idea of communication and meaning into three parts; the sign, the signifier and the signified, with the signifier meaning the actual physical manifestation or form of the sign (an example being a road sign or the written form of a word), and the signified meaning being what this physical form evokes and the sign itself being a combination of both the signified and the signifier (Schirato and Yell (2000) p20). Saussure believed that a sign was a link between a concept and a pattern of sound (Schirato and Yell (2000) p20), and that these linkages came together to comprise a semiotic system which disseminated meaning. What is Culture? Culture may be described in the following functional terms: In any society, culture, in its most general sense, is concerned with individuals in a group. It has four main functions: It determines the various ways open to the individual within the group to develop the self, and hence the group as well. It specifies means for self-preservation. It determines the individuals place within the group. And, it determines the individuals and the groups perception of the world. (Chimombo, M. and Roseberry, R. (1998) 6). Culture also constrains the perceptions which an individual may be exposed to and given that this exposure is generally delivered through discourses, it is important to understand the connections between culture and individual perceptions. Chimombo and Roseberry (1998) give us an account of this connection: The specific culture of the group restricts each of these cultural attributes to a range of values or possibilities deemed acceptable to the members of that culture. Thus, the ways in which an individual can achieve self-fulfilment or perceive the world within a given society are limited by that societys cultural norms and practices (Chimombo, M. and Roseberry, R. (1998) 6). What is the Internet? The internet is a complex network of technological communication mechanisms (Crystal, D. (2001) 24) (Gattiker, U. (2001) 56). These enable people to communicate through the use of computers (Gattiker, U. (2001) 56). The internet itself is both a communication mechanism and a source of information (Gattiker, U. (2001) 56) as it also allows the user to search vast databases of information using key word searches (Crystal, D. (2001) 24). It has changed the way that business, politics, government, education, communication and commercial affairs are conducted (Gauntlett, D., Gottlieb, N. and Mclelland, M. (2003) 19) (Gattiker, U. (2001) 56), and has enabled individuals both to access and to disseminate information more quickly and effectively (Crystal, D. (2001) 24) (Gattiker, U. (2001) 56). In this sense therefore the internet represents a mode of communication which is electronic in nature (Gattiker, U. (2001) 56), and the world is connected through this mode. This electronic characteri stic of the internet means that various modes of media may be enabled through the internet and these media connect people on another level (Gattiker, U. (2001) 56). How has the Internet Changed the Lives of Greek 20-25 Year Olds? Greek individuals in the 20-25 categories have been particularly susceptible to the changes which the internet has both precipitated and facilitated. It is often the case that a primary concern of those belonging to this age category will be romantically unattached and seeking to form relationships, both in the form of friendships and sexual partnerships. Therefore, it is important for one to understand that the internet is integrated within the lives of Greeks between 20-25, given the role it plays in allowing for relationships to be instigated and explored. The internet is a forum for these relationships to be instigated and played out (Kendall, L. (2002) 139-141). In the globalised world where technological advancement features strongly in the lives of most individuals this is not a surprising that the internet would be integrated in this way into such a fundamental sphere of the lives of these individuals (Gauntlett, D., Gottlieb, N. and Mclelland, M. (2003) 19) (Crews, C. and Thierer, A. (2003) 3). It is impossible to integrate the internet to this extent within a persons life, without the integration producing noticeable effects in both the offline and online settings. It is possible to infer from this, that offline relationships as well as the motivations and expectations of people that become members will be moulded and shaped through this process of integration. This rationalisation will be borne out in the next section. The offline relationships of individuals who also have access to online channels of communication will be affected in a number of ways. For example, it is often the case that the internet simply removes the inhibitions which are often experienced at the outset of a relationship (friendship or sexual). In a sense, the approach which may be employed between two people who are interested in one another is made easier and the fact that the feelings of rejection which may be experienced by a person after a spurned advance can be compensated for by that person, through withdrawing communication effectively and efficiently. The person in question can make their profile invisible and can also choose to which members their profiles can be made visible to. In a sense therefore traditional methods of engaging the opposite sex (or the same sex in the case of non heterosexual encounters) in conversation have been redefined through electronic discourse. Crews and Thierer (2003) give us a springboard upon which to elaborate on this point by explaining the system of rules and conventions which underpin the use of the internet: There are rules. Some of them are mechanical in the sense that the architecture of the Internet and the protocols that define its function determine the way in which it operates and the way in which applications like e-mail are or can be supported. Others are a consequence of policies set in a variety of venues and jurisdictions and informed or motivated by a variety of constituencies. (Crews, C. and Thierer, A. (2003) vii). Electronic discourse have facilitated the adoption of these rules and protocols to allow for easier and more relaxed connections to be established through the use of friendship databases such as Hi 5. This point will be backed up more thoroughly using primary research in the next section, in which syntax and the formations of language will be deconstructed and extrapolated to show how the language itself is a vehicle for these particular functionalities. For the moment it is enough to point out that these electronic discourses are driven by individual preferences of internet users. Crews and Thierer (2003) reinforce the point: Some rules may even be said to be set by the personal preferences and behaviours of Internet users, almost independent of outside forces. The ensemble of rule sets does not form a consistent or even coherent whole and there are notable conflicts, especially as local jurisdictions seek to enforce local rules on a system that is patently global (Crews, C. and Thierer, A. (2003) vii). Another point to be made about how useful the internet has proven in the lives of young Greeks is that fact that in purely logistical terms, traditional forums which are used to meet members of the opposite sex are not very effectual for the person who seeks to meet new people. Nightclubs for example could be a classic example. These venues are often very noisy and crowded. Interaction in such environments may be stressful and cumbersome. Therefore people tend to stick within the groups of people that they are familiar with and it is often difficult, for individuals to penetrate these niches, and thus strike up relationships with new people. The internet, and in particular websites such as Hi5 remove this logistical difficulty. It provides a safe and comfortable venue where relationships may be initiated on neutral terms, and the conventions which have evolved allow for interaction to flow smoothly within this environment. In terms of online and offline relationships, the sphere of socialisation which websites such as Hi5 provides often brings these two settings together, and it is perhaps unusual for a person within the age group to led an online life which is entirely separate from their offline lives. It is perhaps true that there are rules and conventions which govern the behaviour of actors within the two spheres in different ways; however this does not mean that in practical, physical terms the two spheres are separated. In actuality the two spheres have become more integrated than ever, as the internet grows in influence and importance. The impact of globalisation, also has made the internet very important in the lives of people within the age category 20-25 (Aitchison, J. and Lewis, D. (2003) 1) (Johnson, D. and Turner, C. (2003) Ch.1). The world is more technologically interconnected and cultures and foreign countries are more accessible than ever before (Crews, C. and Thierer, A. (2003) 3), making them more relevant in the lives of Greeks within this age group. This globalisation of culture is of particular relevance in this context, for Greeks within the 20-25 age groups. Given that Greece has become part of the European Union, free movement between European countries has heightened the changes that have taken place on a cultural level to an even greater extent, and this has allowed for greater integration between cultures online. This has changed socialisation processes. In this sense the internet may be understood as a virtual space in which people can meet and exchange ideas. However, the ways in which these outcomes are achieved may not be understood without looking more closely as the way that human relationships are formed through the internet, through electronic means and how this spills over into conventional human interplays. To identify the age of narcissism in the question title is arguably a meaningless endeavour. It is facile to tie narcissism just with contemporary society. The reality is that this is a universal concept which has many applications within both the traditional and the contemporary. We find narcissism everywhere; it is not just a generic feature of the internet, or generically manifested through internet discourses. Therefore the proposition in the thesis title that puts forward the view that the internet represents social reality in an age of narcissism is an over simplification of a process (narcissism) which pervades so ciety at many levels; not just specifically through the internet. Certainly one cannot deny that the internet and the Hi5 site can be a vehicle for narcissism in terms of individual modalities of self-representations. The images of the body, images of self which are communicated through text and image convey narcissistic tendencies. Indeed, this however is perhaps not just a cultural construct, but a more basic survival mechanism. The title proposition which insinuates that narcissism is a purely self indulgent process therefore fails to understand the various applications which narcissism may have within the context of human development (which must be set apart from mere social reality). Let us look for example at human reproduction. This is a natural instinct within most humans, and narcissism assists the human in attracting a mate; the presentation of self within particular terms is therefore not self indulgent, per se (it may be this of course, but the point here is that this is not the only function of narcissism); it is also a tool which is u sed by humans to present and project themselves as attractive potential mates. Therefore narcissism facilitates human socialisation at the most basic of levels. It is not a superfluous mechanism in which social reality is defined as the title implies. It has a base function which assists humans to find and attract partners through the internet and electronic discourses. However, since the title proposition that the Hi5 website is social reality in an age of narcissism has been critiqued here, let us turn to the alternative proposition which is presented in the question title; is the site just virtual reality? This too is far too narrow a definition of what the site may be to be a credible description of the site. The fact is that the site cannot be simply virtual reality, given its function within both online and offline relationships. This has been argued above. The internet site involves a degree of integration between online and offline expectations and motivations which prove that it is therefore not just virtual; it cant be simply this. It is a complex interconnected network which cannot be pigeonholed into either the category of virtual reality or social reality in an age of narcissism. Both of these representations misunderstand the use and importance of the internet site to society. They force the concept of the internet site into a narrow b olthole which cannot accommodate the complexities of a mechanism such as the Hi5. To present this question as if a choice must be made between the two implies that one of the other is an accurate representation of what the internet site is. The argument of this thesis is that this is a false premise to begin from. The internet site and the mode of its dissemination, the internet has become so integrated; so important and so pervasive that to define it in such narrow terms is both to do it a disservice and to misunderstand its function, and use. The next chapter will turn to the methodology of the thesis enquiry. It will discuss the different paradigms of research and it will explain how the research methodology of this thesis has been chosen and the reasons why. An argument will be made that qualitative research is more compatible with the overall aim of the thesis enquiry and therefore it has been the most appropriate means through which the research is the be carried out. CHAPTER THREE Methodology This chapter will firstly ask some questions about the nature, structure and applicability of certain methodologies within the framework of this research project. It will then go on to outline which methodology will be used as the foundation for the thesis and will explain why. In this way the advantages and disadvantages of each methodological framework will be evaluated and explained and the suitability of particular methodological frameworks will for this linguistic and discourse orientated project will be outlined. Firstly, what is methodology? Methodology involves two separate paradigms; qualitative (phenomenological) and quantitative (positivist) (Darlington, Y. and Scott, D. (2002) 1-6). The main difference which may be identified between the two paradigms of research is that qualitative method involves a socially constructed matrix of understanding (Darlington, Y. and Scott, D. (2002) 1-6). Conversely the quantitative seeks to understand phenomena through objective observation and hypothesising (Darlington, Y. and Scott, D. (2002) 1-6). Characteristics of qualitative research therefore are that it tends to be specific, confirmatory, scientific and outcome orientated (Jensen, K. (2002) 230). Characteristics of qualitative research involve explanatory aims and the method involved tends to be more situational than outcome oriented (Bauer, M. (2000) 4). The aim of qualitative research is to understand and interpret viewpoints subjectively whereas qualitative research involves more concrete and deductive foundations of research (Darlington, Y. and Scott, D. (2002) 1-6). The methodology which will be used will primarily be qualitative in nature. There will be interviews conducted with interested parties in the field of friendship databases, there will be a semiotic and discourse analysis of the Hi5 website and there will be a questionnaire; the results of which will be interpreted qualitatively. Therefore the research design will be both constructed and interpreted qualitatively. The sampling of data will involve random internet searches of the Hi5 website and the writer will use themselves as a device to take in views and imagery which will be presented in the results chapter and assessed through qualitative means. The targets of the writer in terms of samples for the research will take the form of firstly, the Hi5 website itself, and then profiles will be consulted. The writer will try to focus specifically upon an analysis of just Greek profiles, since the website allows one to narrow ones search on the basis of ethnicity. It must be emphasised that while this does narrow down the pool of profiles, the writer has no control over which profiles are presented, other than to specify that they should be from persons who classify themselves as Greeks. Therefore the integrity of the research in terms of using random data is preserved. Sampling techniques are very important to preserve the qualitative integrity of the research and therefore its credibility. The writer has been careful to attempt to examine profiles from both genders and to examine representations of both the male and female forms, since the factor which the writer would like to control is ethnicity (therefore just Greek profiles will be focused on primarily). The writer has attempted to guarantee that random material has been generated and has relied upon the mechanism on the Hi5 website itself which allows one to generate random searches. Representativeness too was considered throughout the research. As the topics which were under consideration were imagery, self representation and the concept of the self and body, it was important to have sufficient diversity within the constraints of the research variables which were to be controlled (i.e. age (20-25) and ethnicity Greekness). Therefore the writer attempted to consult profiles of individuals of different ages within the 20-25 age categories to ensure that a representative sample was generated. Also as gender is something which is not to be controlled during the research, the writer was careful to ensure that an adequate sample of both male and female forms was sampled for research purposes. Taking into account the qualitative nature of the thesis enquiry, the writer has attempted to design the questionnaire through the use of open ended questions, the results of which may be interpreted qualitatively and subjectively. This of course might beg the question: might the open ended nature of the research design compromise the overall integrity of the research, because it may allow the researcher to manipulate the results? The answer is that there is no way to exclude potential bias in research. This fact is especially true of qualitative research. The reality is that any researcher is entrusted with the task of conducting honest, straightforward research, and the integrity of the final interpretation of the research will ultimately rest on these factors and how they have been adhered to by the researcher throughout the research. The qualitative framework of the research is therefore not a bar to the derivation of results that are fair and meaningful. To presume that qualitat ive research might be somehow less valuable than quantitative research on these grounds is not a fair critique of the qualitative methodology, although it is a common critique of this paradigm of research. How will the interviews be conducted and interpreted? The interviews will be semi-structured in nature and will be carried out by the writer, generally on a one to one basis. An interview is basically an exchange of information, which takes place in a pragmatic and unstructured manner. There is a loose structure to the interview in that the researcher asking the questions may guide the respondent by setting the overall frame for the discussion through the use of specific questions. It is however, ultimately up to the respondent how they should answer, and therefore this is what preserves the integrity of the research, as the researcher must record the answers accurately and must interpret them accordingly. The writer must be careful however, not to guide the respondents too strongly, by asking questions which are overly specific. It is possible to manipulate results through asking questions in a certain manner, and the writer has been careful not to appear to do this. A guidebook on qualitative research was consulted to allow the writer to understand the importance of ethical research and how to preserve ethics. This guidebook also allowed the writer to gather perspective on how to ensure the principles of representativeness and unbiased research, since these two characteristics of research are so important within the context of ethics also. Therefore this begs the question; what is ethical research and why is it important? Basically, the research puts the researcher into contact with people, to whom the researcher is not acquainted with. This forms a bond of trust between researcher and respondent which cannot be compromised. The research must preserve the principle of confidentiality and any respondents that were interviewed were assured that, if they wished to remain anonymous, this would be possible (This applies with the caveat that the profiles of individuals who were consulted online were presumed to have waived their rights to confidentiality, given that their profiles have been advertised online). Another important tenet of ethical research is the consideration that the thesis may be consulted by interested third parties, and the interests of these individuals must be considered. This is why the principles of representativeness and lack of bias are so intrinsically connected with ethical research. The writer was conscious that third parties consulting the thesis should be provided with a useful source which consists of ethically conducted, honestly interpreted research. CHAPTER FOUR Semiotic and Textual Discourse Analysis of Hi5 and Hi5 Profiles The Hi5 Site Itself Before the writer embarks upon a detailed analysis of profiles of Hi5 members, the site itself will be examined in the context of the methodology which has been proposed, as this will give a frame of reference for the rest of the analysis. Various themes are being looked at throughout the thesis. The themes considered of importance, as has been alluded to above are the female and male body, concepts of self, the presentation of self, social networks, narcissism, identity, computer mediated communication, the internet and interpersonal relationships. This thematic extrapolation has helped to support an argument that there has perhaps been a merging of the concepts of online and offline relationships, which in turn can produce noticeable effects in terms of peoples expectations and motivations. The Greek community will be specifically focused upon in this section, as indeed it has been throughout the thesis, although, of course this will be contextualised with a look at how this is rel ated to society in a wider sense. Firstly, the phrase Hi5 is a clever collaboration of words and imagery to entice and promote interest in the Hi5 website. The word Hi, the English word, derived from hello has taken on almost universal significance as a greeting. Aitchison and Lewsi (2003) explain the universal characteristics which are associated with the use of the English language: When people talk about the spread of English, they usually mean one of two things. The first is the adoption of English as a second or additional language by an increasing number of speakers in various parts of the world. English here means the whole language system, though of course it comes in many different varieties, and its global dissemination as a second language is an impetus to the development of new ones (Aitchison, J. and Lewis, D. (2003) 27). Also, the word hi is often transposed from the English language and used within other languages to mean hello. It is often used by different cultures and forms an acceptable substitute for generic cultural greetings (See also Gramley, S. and PÃÆ'Ã ¤tzold, K. (2003) 1). The structure and syntax of this word Hi5 is also significant. It is informal and thus this is a useful way to target and solicit the interest of youth within the 20-25 age groups. The word hi is short and easily remembered, and when it is combined with the number 5, it forms a memorable brand (Cronin, A. (2000) 83) which is both relatively neutral, given its cross cultural appeal and easily understood. The shape of the combined number and word is also significant, as it is a symmetrical construct which lends more appeal to its already appealing form. It is therefore short and easily remembered; essential ingredients of a brand which is intended to appeal to the interest of observers who will usually not make an effo rt to remember such things. As you enter the Hi5 site, the caption which is visible alongside the top of the website is the question whos in?. This is both an invitation to the visitor to explore the website and it is also a tactic to generate and capture the interest of the visitor. It allows the visitor to the website to question any doubts which they have had about entering the website or engaging in the activities which it promotes. This is an informal question which is intended to invite a similar relaxed response from the person reading it. It is an invitation and also a question; sparking interest and perhaps an idea that the person who is not in will miss something. Also, the word in has been well chosen by the disseminator of this website message; it reminds the reader of a common colloquial expression used to describe popularity. The expression; the in crowd or fashion that is in is a cross cultural phrase to connote popularity and acceptability. The overwhelming impression which the website generates is that it is principally targeted at multicultural youth. It is colourful and often has butterflies, flowers of other neutral images transposed onto the pages of profiles to add unique texture and appealing formats. There are options for the visitor to the website to listen to music and there is a gallery of selected member profiles which is easily accessible, and it shows the visitor to the site. Photographs of smiling youths occupy most of the available space on the homepage of the website, and this is intended to give the website an air of acceptability and to project that it is a lively community, with many young and attractive people involved in it. Slogan: Discourse and Semiotic Analysis The slogan of the website is displayed prominently underneath the photograph of a particularly attractive young black man who is smiling and has his eyes closed because he is laughing. This projects as a personification of the ultimate message of the website; that the website is young; it involved young people and that it is fun and neutral. The slogan reads: Meet new people Connect with friends Express yourself. Linguistically, the slogan is firstly palatable. It takes the form of three short sharply defined sentences of 2-3 words each. Each sentence is physically similar in length; it is punchy and memorable. A common technique used by advertisers to encourage viewers to remember messages is to represent them in these terms; so that they are easily read, easily seen; easily interpreted and they convey messages which do not require much effort to decode or to remember. This slogan is effective for these reasons. Linguistically and in terms of the ultimate message which is being conveyed the slogan does not take too long to read and digest; it is friendly and inviting and it promises that the reader will experience beneficial results if they become involved with the website. These promises take a neutral, relaxed tone and this arguably makes them more believable. The slogan has three stars; one beside each new sentence, punctuating the sentence and drawing the readers attention to where each sentence begins and ends. Underneath the slogan is a large image with the words sign up now written in bold, large letters, on a luminous background. This conveys a message of immediacy; it implies that signing up is an easy and fast process, which can be completed now. It gives the reader the impression that the website will improve their social lives and will allow them to connect with friends. Framing the personalities of the people who are already members and introducing them as friends to the viewer of the homepage who may be thinking of joining is a clever technique to generate the interest of the reader and to inform them of the neutrality of the site and the benefits which may be in store for them if they take the plunge and sign up now. Finally, there is the promise that joining the website will allow the reader to express themselves, which is conveyed through the slogan. This is important as it signals that the website is about self representation and self expression as much as it is about socialisation (Indeed the perspective of Holliday, A., Hyde, M. and Kullman J. ((2004) 38) is similar). It therefore conveys a twin promise to the reader; that the person will benefit through acquiring a new prospective network of friends and that it will allow the reader to express their personalities in a neutral, safe and friendly environment. The emphasis however, is on the social aspect of the website, suggesting that the selling point is really about enticing new visitors to the site to attempt to meet new people and make new friends through the site. Linguistically, it is significant that two sentences out of three contain enticements to socialise, whereas just one sentence out of three in the slogan invites the reader to express themselves. It is also significant that the invitation to express oneself comes at the end of the slogan. Conversely, context and imagery itself is also important, even if they do not of themselves represent generic language. Aitchison and Lewis (2003) show us how this context and the idea of silence communication devices which are both extraneous to language are nevertheless important: The ideal of good communication..may be presented as universal, but on inspection it clearly is not. Ethnographic and sociolinguistic research has shown that discourse norms concerning silence, directness, formality, conflict and emotional expression are variable both within cultures and between them. We have plenty of evidence, for example, that in some speech communities, extended silences in conversation are not remarkable. Depending on context, they can signal respect, intimacy and other meanings (Aitchison, J. and Lewis, D. (2003) 31). In this way, the website is quite an innovative idea, since it has married the concepts of imagery, text and context together to facilitate communication between Greek 20-25 year olds. Micro Analysis Section This section will import two profiles of Greek youth who use the site. Their profiles have been imported as samples of data and the writer will conduct a semiotic and discourse analysis of them to articulate through primary research samples, the main points which have been made in the introductory sections. Images of body, self representations will be analysed, and ideas of creativity will be looked at. In this sense online/offline relationships will be examined and one will be in a position to comment on how this has affected the ideas of motivations and expectations. The profiles which will be looked at have been presented below and these will be key to the discussions which will dominant this section. Profile of George: Greek Member Profile (25)[i] hi5 url https://Georgez3.hi5.com Sex /Age /Status Male / 25 / Committed Looking To Just look around Birthday July 29 Location Athens, Greece Hometown Psihiko About Me xmmm kanena sxolio. Who Id Like To Meet kapoia pou na tis moiazei. Interests Traveling,shopping,movies,cars,clubbing,diving,snowboarding,lastly opws ola ta arsenika gynaikes..gynaikesgynaikes!!! Favorite Song Kernaw apopse egw,giortazo enan akomi kaimo,mia kainourgia pligi,pou molis anoixes pano mou esu!!XTUPA KIALO THA TO ANEXO DEN PETHENO ETSI APLA,THA PALEPSO..kai an nikisis..kai an xaso..min fovase tha to xeperaso.. Favorite Quote otan agapas kati asto na figi makria,an girisi einai diko sou. An den girisi, den itane pote. Languages Other, German, English Occupation Sales Department Workplaces Medical Company Analysis Georges profile above firstly allows us to see that he is in a committed relationship. His expectations from the site are merely so that he may have a look around. He has included his birthday and his location (Athens), as well as his hometown. There is a link to his personal profile within the site itself, and there is a detailed section where George may describe his interests. There is a photo of George (this has not been imported but may be seen by following the link the writer has indicated in the endnote above). The picture on the website shows George in a relaxed pose, in a sunny continental location. George uses two languages to describe himself. These are perhaps Greek and English, given Georges nationality. He describes his occupation as being in a sales department of a medical company, and he indicates that he is both fluent in German, English and another language. These are easily visible through the lines and boxes which the website allows the profile to be constructed wi thin. In terms of a linguistic perspective, the syntax within which these representations of self are constructed is important (Holtgraves, T. (2002) 9). We see the use of dots (..) to punctuate sentences. We can also see the use of exclamation marks and capslock text where George describes his favourite song. George is adopting a relaxed and friendly lack of formality and this evidences that he has responded to the signals which we have seen examined in the Hi5 website analysis section. Perhaps George wishes to reproduce this discourse. One may only speculate about this nevertheless, it is interesting that George has clearly followed the same relaxed, informal format as the website for the expression and representation of his own profile. Perhaps he wishes to show that he fits in or perhaps he has not realised that he has clearly reproduced both the lexicographical constructions and syntax of the website itself (this may be seen through Georges use of dots etc) and the overall communicati on modality; which is a relaxed and informally friendly context. Carter (2004) gives us some useful perspective here the usefulness of repletion as a linguistic device in computer mediated discourse: In the case of pattern forming choices such as various forms of repetition, the speakers use the patterns to converge their way of seeing things and to create a greater mutuality between them. The creativity grows from mutual interaction rather than from individual innovation. (Carter, R. (2004) 102). It is also clear that George wishes to represent himself as an active person given his emphasis on sports and cars (Holtgraves, T. (2002) 9). He also has sedentary interests (movies), and it is interesting how he has chosen a word which is probably more American than English or Greek. The multi cultural ethos of the website therefore is being simultaneously both subconsciously recognised and subscribed to by George but also projected through his choice of words. In terms of this summation; one can ask is Hi5 an electronic space for meeting new people, staying connected with friends and sharing ideas? Clearly it is. We can see this even through a superficial analysis of what George has to say about himself. It is clear that he wishes to involve himself in a network of people for the purposes of these socialisation goals. However, one may take the analysis a step further and ask, specifically in relation to Georges profile; is this evidence of virtual reality or social reality in the age of narcissism? The answer is as has been extrapolated in the introductory sections; neither description is accurate. One may see aspects of each description but arguably neither accurately reflects the intentions and expectations of George through his involvement with the Hi5 website; and accordingly no imputation may be made about the significant of the Hi5 website on this basis. Ostensibly, there does not appear to have been a narcissistic account of Georges life projected by himself. One would expect a narcissistic account to include outlandish claims or propositions which would appear unbelievable. The converse is actually true; there is no palpable narcissism. Although it must be stated that this is a speculation; it is impossible to be sure exactly how accurate Georges account of himself really is. One can only conjecture on the basis of the information which is at hand; and the methodology is clearly a subjective and qualitative one which provides scope for such rationale. Therefore the Hi5 site cannot be regarded as merely virtual reality or social reality in the age of narcissism. This rationale will be further explored in the next section; an analysis of another Greek profile holder; Iwanna. Profile of Iwanna: Greek Profile Member (21)[ii] Sex /Age Female / 22 / Looking To Just look around Birthday October 8 Location Athens, Greece Hometown N.Filothei Sexual Orientation Straight Drinker Socially Smoker No Interests dancing(modern jazz, RB),books,movies,travelling,shopping. Glitter Graphics Favorite Song Morandi Love Me,Dimi Phaze vs Mary Jeras All this love, Marc O Tool Let It Go, CLUB 01 You got the love , Give it back Favorite TV Shows lost, friends, desperate housewives, punkd Favorite Books Da vinci code Favorite Quote Allazei kata kairous Workplaces ntua Analysis This member introduces themselves by drawing our attention to the fact that she is straight and has a general interest in film, literature and television. She identifies favourite books and TV shows. She is interested in music; a fact bourn out by the level of detail one can see in her description of her tastes. Perhaps it is significant that she identifies music more specifically than any other pastime. This gives us a clue as to the level of interest and engagement she feels with this particular medium of communication. She also identifies a related interest, dancing and this augments and reinforces her obvious preference for musical forms of entertainment. Firstly, in semiotic terms, the observer of this profile is struck by the contrast between the two profiles in terms of colour. The most obvious manifestation of this is the large image of a cute animal. If we rationalise this in semiotic terms; it is clear that this person is self-representing themselves as associated with the image which such a picture conjures up. This image could be softness, sensitivity, emotional sensitivity and femininity. Perhaps one can argue that this picture gives us a clue, not only about the gender of the profile member, but also the degree to which the profile member subscribes to the idea of femininity. Therefore, one is perhaps struck first by the semiotic signification of femininity in this profile. It is also interesting to note that this profile member has done the same thing that George has done in terms of linguistic representation. There has been a use of informal language, informal lexicographical sequences and informal structure. It is interesting that we have perhaps identified here an iterative pattern of lexicographical structures. This is highly significant, since it is present in all of the random samples which have been gathered during this research. Perhaps therefore Carter (2004) is correct to surmise: The patterns may not draw attention to themselves in the same way as pattern re-forming choices; and it is also more likely that rules for linguistic structures will be conformed to rather than departed from..(Carter, R. (2004) 102). What can be imputed therefore is that reciprocity and likeness is important not only to the person who have designed the website, but also to the users since they see it as a convention which they both identify with and adhere to. What is also interesting is the conformity with which it is adhered to; this signals the importance and the effectiveness of such a convention. This member describes herself as straight but omitted to identify what her purposes are in relation to the use of the site. This is not a significant omission in terms of the arguments which have been presented in this thesis, as one can still argue that her purpose in joining the site was one of socialisation. Perhaps she is open to the possibility of new romantic linkages. Her photograph which represents her as an attractive youthful person, wearing clothes which show her figure could arguably support this hypothesis. Therefore it is clear that the Hi5 site may be regarded as a space where people can express themselves more easily; make new friends and sustain old relationships. In terms of narcissism, there is no evidence of this in this profile. This is significant as it tends to support the writers hypothesis that narcissism is not a process which could encapsulate, in definitional terms, the significance of the Hi5 website. CHAPTER FIVE Conclusion In conclusion therefore this thesis has looked at the growing importance of electronic forms of communication in the lives of Greeks between the ages of 20-25. These changes have occurred within the wider world, and it is hoped that the study has shed more light on the subject of computer mediated discourses and communication techniques. It has been argued throughout the thesis that the internet has changed the lives of people within this age group in a substantial manner. These changes or evidence of them have produced manifestations which may be identified at the level of electronic discourse and imagery. Patterns such as those arsing from gender issues; languages and fluency in languages; culture; cultural representation; self representation; self image; the importance of the internet and approaches to the internet were all extrapolated as themes in the research and their connection with the title proposition was fully explained throughout the research. The themes were outlined in introductory sections and were expanded upon as the research unfolded. Later they were integrated into discourse analysis and semiotic analysis of both text and image on the Hi5 website. Specifically, it has been argued that websites such as Hi5 which was the subject of a detailed lexicographical discourse and semiotic analysis contain evidence of these changes. This argument has been borne out through the investigations and the primary research which was conducted by the writer. Two analysis models were created through the research and were implemented. These were applications of discourse analysis and semiotic analysis. Primary research techniques such as interviews were designed, conducted and the results derived backed up the results derived from the discourse and semiotic analysis models. The semiotic and discourse analysis involved a contrast between both the male and female gender, and different perspectives of female and male self-representations, or gazes were extrapolated. Patterns, in particular lexicographical ones were found to exist in how both genders viewed and used the Hi5 website. One of the most important of these was the informality which characte rised each profile under examination. It has been shown that the website Hi5 has elicited much criticism from those who argue that these forms of communication forums damage human relationships and make it easier for people to distort the images that they project about themselves, in other words it makes it easier for people to artificially construct personas which do not necessarily exist. This argument has been rejected by the writer and this has been articulated throughout the thesis, and backed up through semiotic and discourse analysis of text and images. However, it has been acknowledged that self-representation can be regarded as narcissism; however it has also been argued that this is a mere tenet of self-representation, and not a holistic understanding. It has therefore been argued that the internet, and at a more microcosmic level, the website of Hi5 are meaningful and useful innovations, which promote creativity and enthusiasm amongst participants and the wider public. They are new spaces where people can expr ess themselves; where people can form new relationships and forge new friendships and romantic attachments. Bibliography Books Aitchison, J. and Lewis, D. (2003) New Media Language. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: London. Bauer, M. (2000) Qualitative Researching with Text, Image and Sound. Publisher: Sage. Place of Publication: London, USA and India. Carter, R. (2004) Language and Creativity: The Art of Common Talk. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: New York. Chimombo, M. and Roseberry, R. (1998) The Power of Discourse: An Introduction to Discourse Analysis. Publisher: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Place of Publication: Mahwah, NJ. Crews, C. and Thierer, A. (2003) Who Rules the Net? Internet Governance and Jurisdiction. Publisher: Cato Institute. Place of Publication: Washington, DC. Cronin, A. (2000) Advertising and Consumer Citizenship: Gender, Images, and Rights. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: New York. Crystal, D. (2001) Language and the Internet. Publisher: Cambridge University Press. Place of Publication: Cambridge. Danaher, G., Fensham, R., Schirato, T., Threadgold, T. and Webb , J. (2002) Understanding Bourdieu. Publisher: Allen Unwin. Place of Publication: Crows Nest, N.S.W.. Darlington, Y. and Scott, D. (2002) Qualitative Research in Practice: Stories from the Field. Publisher: Allen Unwin. Place of Publication: Crows Nest, N.S.W.. Duranti, A. (1997) Linguistic Anthropology. Publisher: Cambridge University Press. Place of Publication: New York. Ellis, D. (1999) From Language to Communication. Publisher: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Place of Publication: Mahwah, NJ. Fairclough, N. (2003) Analyzing Discourse: Textual Analysis for Social Research. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: New York. Gattiker, U. (2001) The Internet as a Diverse Community: Cultural, Organizational, and Political Issues. Publisher: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Place of Publication: Mahwah, NJ. Gauntlett, D., Gottlieb, N. and Mclelland, M. (2003) Japanese Cybercultures. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: New York. Giora, R. (2003) On Our Mind: Salience, Context, and Figurative Language. Publisher: Oxford University Press. Place of Publication: New York. Gramley, S. and PÃÆ'Ã ¤tzold, K. (2003) A Survey of Modern English. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: London. Holliday, A., Hyde, M. and Kullman J. (2004) Intercultural Communication: An Advanced Resource Book. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: New York. Holt, R. (2004) Dialogue on the Internet: Language, Civic Identity, and Computer-Mediated Communication. Publisher: Praeger. Place of Publication: Westport, CT. Holtgraves, T. (2002) Language as Social Action: Social Psychology and Language Use. Publisher: Erlbaum. Place of Publication: Mahwah, NJ. Jennings, B. and Heath, R. (2000) Human Communication Theory and Research: Concepts, Contexts, and Challenges. Publisher: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Place of Publication: Mahwah, NJ. Jensen, K. (2002) A Handbook of Media and Communication Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Methodologies. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: London. Johnson, D. and Turner, C. (2003) International Business: Themes and Issues in the Modern Global Economy. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: London. Jordan, T. (1999) Cyberpower: The Culture and Politics of Cyberspace and the Internet. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: London. Kaplan, R. (2002) The Oxford Handbook of Applied Linguistics. Publisher: Oxford University Press. Place of Publication: New York. Kendall, L. (2002) Hanging out in the Virtual Pub: Masculinities and Relationships Online. Publisher: University of California Press. Place of Publication: Berkeley, CA. Schirato, T. and Yell, S. (2000) Communication and Culture: An Introduction. Publisher: Sage. Place of Publication: London and New Delhi. Smith, M. and Kollock, P. (1998) Communities in Cyberspace. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: London, USA and Canada. Turkle, S. (1997) Life on the Screen: Identity in the Age of the Internet. Publisher: Simon and Schuster Inc. Place of Publication: UK. [i] https://www.hi5.com/friend/profile/displayProfile.do?userid=60272482 [ii] https://www.hi5.com/friend/profile/displayProfile.do?userid=35523498
Monday, May 18, 2020
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This paper will be discussing what school psychologist should consider and do when deciding to expel a student whoRead MoreStudents With Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd ) Essay1172 Words à |à 5 Pagesreceiving special education services were expelled without school personnel considering the manifestation determination guidelines provided by the Individual with Disability Education Act (IDEA). This paper will be discussing what school psychologist should consider and do when deciding to expel a student who is receiving special education services. Specifically, a student with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Facts Drake is in 8th grade and has ADHD. He is receiving special educationRead MoreTaking a Look at Special Education879 Words à |à 4 Pages Special education is an ethically and politically complex area of professional education (Paul, French, Cranston-Gingras, 2001). Critics have claimed that special education does not benefit student with disabilities and should be renounced for ethical reasons (Gartner Lipsky, 1989). Others assert that special education is unethical because it stigmatizes and segregates minority students and violates the rights of children (Grossman, 1998; Granger Granger, 1986). On the other hand, proponentsRead MoreEvaluation Of Services For Children And Young People ( 0-19 ) With Speech, Language And Communication Needs875 Words à |à 4 PagesBennathan, M. Boxall, M. (1998). The Boxall profile: Handbook for teachers. London. Nurture Group Network Bercow, J. (2008).The Bercow report: A review of services for children and young people (0-19) with Speech, Language and Communication Needs. Nottingham. DCSF Publications. Binnie, L.M., and K. Allen. (2008) Whole School Support for Vulnerable Children: The Evaluation of a Part-time Nurture Group. Emotional Behavioural Difficulties 13 (3) pp. 201ââ¬â216. Bowlby, J. (1980). Attachment and loss:Read MoreWhy Is Michael Panico?827 Words à |à 4 PagesMichael Panico was a boy with who was identified while in first grade as having a specific learning disability. He then qualified for special education and related transportation. Now in third grade Michaelââ¬â¢s school, Memorial School in Burlington, Massachesetts only goes to the third grade then they go to another school. Because of this transition services had to be in place as well as an IEP. Michael had a learning disability but was above average or even at times considered superior intelligenceRead MorePre Referral : O Who Is Needed? Essay809 Words à |à 4 PagesReynolds, School District, and Special Education Department. o What decisions need to be made at this step?: Ms. Reynolds has to formal write a letter to the School District, which includes the studentââ¬â¢s name, and explain her concern of Matthewââ¬â¢s academic performance. She has to explain how Matthew might have a disability due to this performance in his reading and language development. She has to formally request that the School District to allow the Special Education Department to o What informationRead MoreTeacher Burnout : Teachers And The Causes828 Words à |à 4 PagesTeacher burnout was address in article by Brunsting, et al. (2014). This review study reflected on teacher burnout in special education teachers and the causes. They noted that factors such as depersonalization, lack of accomplishment, and emotional exhaustion are known causes for teacher burnout and sought to review literature to support this view. A systematic search was conducted, which included a multiple gated process such as ancestral searches and electronic and hand searches. A study that
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Cultural Revolution of Europe - 551 Words
Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, Europe experienced a cultural revolution that would ultimately transform thinking for years to come. In particular, this revolution was known as the Renaissance. While most of this Renaissance way of thinking remained contained in countries such as Germany and Italy, some of it began to diffuse into the heart of England itself, more precisely Westminster. Westminster, England, a central city within the London area, is most known for the elaborate palace in which the Royal Family lives. However, during the Renaissance, this city also gave birth to one of historyââ¬â¢s few literary innovators: Benjamin Jonson. Through Jonsonââ¬â¢s influential works in drama, poetry, and literature, Ben Jonson became one of the most influential authors of the early 17th century. Benjamin Jonson, who is most known for the popularization of the comedy of humors was born in Westminster, England on June 11, 1572. He comes from a line of Anglo-Scottish border peo ple, who historically have had trouble with the English since the beginning of time. Johnsonââ¬â¢s father was a clergyman who died in his early childhood and as a result of this, his mother eventually remarried to a master bricklayer or mason in todayââ¬â¢s terms. Jonson attend school first at St. Martinââ¬â¢s Lane, one of Londonââ¬â¢s most prestigious secondary schools. He later went on to attend Westminster Schoolââ¬âhere is where he met historian William Camden. Jonson accredits Camden as being one of his few intellectualShow MoreRelatedThe French Revolution And The American Revolution1051 Words à |à 5 Pagesrebirth in French. Revolution- A fundamental change that requires a goal that wants to be achieved, a leader or leaders follower and supporters of the cause. There are many different types of revolutions. Economic Revolution- A fundamental change in how people deal with money and other currency related issues. For example, Europe and many other countries have a different money system. Political Revolution- A fundamental change in the way a government is run. This kind of revolution can lead to an overthrowRead MoreThe Impact Of Renaissance On Italy And The Renaissance969 Words à |à 4 PagesRenaissance was a series of revolutions and changes that originated in Italy and had wide spread impact very rapidly in the entire Europe. All the developments and changes were done to keep in mind and keep pace with the local environments and situations. The developments were frequently connected to encourage cultural developments without affecting the basic idea and conventional heritage of the country. Many artists and military personnel also took part in the revolution where the artists were employedRead MoreThe Industrial Revolution Of The 19th Century927 Words à |à 4 PagesEurope in the nineteenth-century was rapidly evolving into a more modernized society, and many political and cultural ideas were developing during this change. The Industrial Revolution triggered a n enormous increase of the standard of living throughout most of Europe and North America. The transformation from the old style of hand made production to the new factory system caused many industries to build factories. This caused many people of the working class to move to the factories in search ofRead MoreEuropean Exploration : The Age Of Discovery1128 Words à |à 5 Pagesknown as the Age of Discovery. During this time, Europe expanded to the Americas, Africa, and the Far East being the first orbit around the world. ââ¬Å"Profound misconceptions about geography and the cultures of local populations would change very slowly throughout he early centuries of European exploration.â⬠(The Saylor Foundation The European Voyages of Exploration: Introduction). Europeans had a hard time believing there was life outside of Europe before they explored. European nations reached outRead MoreWhat Is The Kantian Idea Of Europe?1023 Words à |à 5 Pages1. What is the Kantian idea o f Europe? What relationship is there between the Dutch and Kantian ideas? Why was peace so crucial at this point in history? What does this have to do with the idea of Europe? On what basis could peace be founded? Does Tully agree with Kantââ¬â¢s claims that his idea of Europe is ââ¬Å"universalâ⬠and ââ¬Å"culturally impartialâ⬠? Why or why not? What are Kantââ¬â¢s blind spots? Kantââ¬â¢s idea of ââ¬Å"progressâ⬠is grounded in a ââ¬Å"stagesâ⬠or a ââ¬Å"teleologicalâ⬠view of history. What is a teleologicalRead MoreThe And The French Revolution1419 Words à |à 6 Pagesand science dominated in Europe. The philosophies of the Enlightenment placed emphasis on rational and scientific thought and viewed the natural world as one that is governed mathematically and by scientific laws which could be understood by humankind. The Enlightened philosophies brought about this drastic change in all aspects of society which influenced the several revolu tions of that time period such as the American and the French revolutions. After the French Revolution, the concepts of the OldRead MoreEnlightenment and the French Revolution1227 Words à |à 5 PagesName Subject Professor Date Enlightenment Influence on Political, Social and Cultural Policies of French Revolutionary Period. The age of enlightenment led by influential intellectuals during the 18th century Europe greatly inspired the French citizens, especially the peasants, leading to the revolutionary period culminating from 1789 to 1799. The enlightenment is hailed as the foundation of todayââ¬â¢s western political and intellectual culture.1 Growth of liberal democracies and democraciesRead MoreThe Political, Economic and Social Aspects of the Enlightenment1109 Words à |à 5 PagesThe Political, Economic and Social Aspects the Enlightenment The Enlightenment, also known as Age of Reason, was a cultural movement that spread through England, France, Germany, and other parts of Europe. The Enlightenment mainly focused on mathematics, science, art, philosophy, politics and literature in the 1700s. This movement took away the fear of the world and the medieval views that were placed upon the people for so many years, and it also opened their eyes to new ideas and reason. OldRead MoreThe Effect Of The French Revolution On The Artistic Foundation Of French People702 Words à |à 3 PagesThe effect of the French Revolution on the artistic foundation of French people, and eventually the world at large, itââ¬â¢s incalculable. Two styles of the styles that permeated the developments of the French Revolution were the Neoclassical and the Romantic style, which mixed Baroque and Rococo elements. (Metropolitan Museum of Art). The major artistic style in France, however, at about that time, was the Neoclassical. Elements such as s cientific advancements and excavations of ancient sites, yieldedRead MoreDifferences Between Nationalism And Integration1187 Words à |à 5 PagesEurope has seen a great number of varying ideologies from 1815-2015. The age of ââ¬Å"ismsâ⬠greatly shaped the country of Europe and also led to the rise of beliefs that were controversial and led to the world wars. Although both nationalism and integration have played a monumental part in the development of Europe, in the future nationalistic views will overrun the few who believe that the best future lies in integration. Nationalism evolved from the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte which showed countries
Effects Of Recess On Public Schools - 791 Words
Introduction Before the 21st century the most common phrase when children got home from school was, ââ¬Å"Can I go outside and play?â⬠When homework was finished children made a bee-line out of the screen door and played until the street lights turned on. Children were very active and at healthier weights because they rode their bicycles and played sports such as basketball, football and tag. In present day, Smartphoneââ¬â¢s, tablets, video games and other technology gadgets have replaced the outside childhood memories which mean children spend more time indoors. Recess in public schools have become a thing of the past and have been replaced with more academic activities that require children to be inside. Pediatricians Robert Murray and Catherine Ramstetter stated in their article that recess serves as a necessary break from the rigors of concentrated, academic challenges in the classroom (2013). Pediatricians believe that recess is a crucial and necessary component of a childââ¬â¢s development and, as such, it should not be withheld for punitive or academic reasons (Murray and Ramstetter, 2013). Gone are the days that children go outside longer than ten minutes and for parents it is virtually impossible to convince a child to go outside or even play sports in school. In addition to children not being more active as they should, they are eating poor food choices that are high in sugars, carbohydrates, preservatives and additives that attribute to health diseases Problem Statement InShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Recess At Global Monarch Academy850 Words à |à 4 PagesThe Importance of Recess in Elementary School Remember when you were little and someone asked you what your favorite class was? If you were like me or any of my peers, without thinking about it your response was ââ¬Å"Recess!â⬠It was not that the other classes were not as enjoyable, itââ¬â¢s just that the freedom we got: socializing with friends, running around, and being as loud as we could without getting in trouble. Much has been made of the role of recess at Global Monarch Academy. Yet little has beenRead MoreThe Effect of Longer School Days on Children691 Words à |à 3 Pagesbeing in elementary school feeling sleepy, wishing you were back in kindergarten where you were allowed to take naps? Was your brain ever so tired that the only way you were able to stay awake was by daydreaming or talking to friends while the teacher was teaching? That is the case with many students in the United States. Not only does the current school schedule prove to be unproductive to students, but also adding longer hours to a school day can have more damaging effects than positive ones. Read MoreRequired Physical Education in Schools912 Words à |à 4 Pagesand Physical Education for Schoolchildren (Rochman). While the physical education at schools are declining in the United States because the state requirements for education are putting pressure on schools to increase the class room part and decreasing the phy sical education. Schools are trying to save money for the core classes math, Science, Language Arts, and History. With that lack of physical activity in schools the childhood obesity is increasing. This is causing many health problems in our youthRead MorePhysical Activity Essay1410 Words à |à 6 Pagesimplemented to develop and promote awareness of physical activity amongst children? If young children are to be educated and advised about the important benefits of physical activity and healthy lifestyle, including the involvement of family, health, school environments and media and take into consideration what children are taught, then a large percentage of overweight children will decrease in numbers. To begin with, we look at how influential physical activity is for Middle Childhood children andRead MoreThe American Psychiatric Association s Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Third Edition ( Dsm 5 )1206 Words à |à 5 Pages2013). Moreover, ADHD affects over 2.5 million children and adolescents in the United States (US) (Pontifex, 2013). ADHD is commonly treated in youths and adults via pharmacological interventions that have the following potential negative effects: adverse side-effects, high cost, and long-term pyscho-stimulant dependence (Pontifex, 2013). Moreover, pharmacological ADHD intervention is not typically curative as 30-50% of those diagnosed with ADHD as a child carry the syndrome in adulthood (Pontifex, 2013)Read MoreEffects Of Recess And Increased Physical Activity On Behavior And Academic Performance2083 Words à |à 9 Pages The Impact Of Recess And Increased Physical Activity On Behavior And Academic Performance In The Primary School Classroom Garry Sullivan University of Central Florida Author Note Garry W.H. Sullivan, Department of Education, University of Central Florida Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Garry Sullivan, Department of Graduate Studies in Education, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816. E-mail: gsullivan@knights.ucf.edu. Abstract The role of increasedRead MoreChildhood Obesity : A Huge Problem1064 Words à |à 5 Pagessuch as the school system, hospitals or doctorsââ¬â¢ offices, home and even work. Occupational therapists can also play a role in educate on how certain occupations can prevent obesity. Childhood obesity is affected by many different factors. Stated by Zong, ââ¬Å"contributing factors to the increases in obesity include a decline in positive health behaviors, such as making healthy dietary choices, engaging in physical activity, and limiting sedentary behaviorsâ⬠. It is hard for children in pre-school, ages aroundRead MoreGraduation Speech : Classroom Diversity1591 Words à |à 7 PagesClassroom Diversity I teach first grade in a public school. I have eighteen students in my class, eight girls and ten boys. In my classroom, I have a very diverse group of students. Some of the diversity in my classroom is very obvious and some is not. A lot of my students come from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Some of the diversity is not that visible. All students learn differently; meaning they have different learning styles, different levels of motivation and differentRead MoreReview Of Sir Isaac Newton s First Law Of Motion Essay1707 Words à |à 7 Pagesadvancements that have led to lifestyle changes, specifically, we now live much more sedentary existences. The perpetuation of a cycle of extremely negative behaviors has emerged. The adverse effects are beginning to show, and we need to take action. An excellent starting place is with our children in their daily school activities. The importance of Physical Education classes (PEHD) has progressively been margina lized. Budgetary issues emerged in the 1970ââ¬â¢s and 80ââ¬â¢s, followed by a disproportional andRead MoreThe Role Of Schools In Early Childhood Education1022 Words à |à 5 PagesThe role of schools in early childhood education is that they should present high quality free and universal education. Schools should be providing children with the opportunity to attend Pre-K as well as Kindergarten. According to Erlbaum (1983), ââ¬Å"Children who attend preschool are less often retained in grade and placed in special education, and they more often graduate from high school.â⬠Enrolling a child in a Pre-K program introduces children to the academic skills that are a necessity when transitioning
Tourism Management Of Wimbledon Tennis â⬠Myassignmenthelp.Com
Question: Discuss About The Tourism Management Of Wimbledon Tennis? Answer: Introduction: The report discusses about the tourism management of Wimbledon Tennis Championships. The beginning has a brief description of the event in terms of the type of the event. However, the event chosen for this particular purpose is Australian Open that is a major event. There is also discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of organizing such events. The positive impacts lie in the fact that it is a game for every human from every sphere of life. Then there is discussion about how the emergence of technology that is making the sport a real time experience for the people worldwide. The players also benefited through the technology as they can interact with their fans socially. The report also gives an overview of the negative influence of such events they problems to locals in the peak season in terms of stagnancy in traffic. The stakeholders for the events discussed along with the economic impact of the event in the Australian capital. This is a notable fact that the Australian Open is one of the largest annual sports events in the Victoria calendar. Through the report, one can also see how the Tennis Championships of Australia is also having an impact on the community as a whole. Tourism Event In Terms of Type of the Event Wimbledon Tennis Championships is the most prestigious and oldest tennis tournament of the world. Earlier these tennis tournaments took place on the grass courts of the All England Wimbledon club. Wimbledon includes four Grand Slam tennis tournaments while the others being the US Open, French open and Australian open (Sell et.al 2014). However, 1988 saw a shift in the Australian open to the hard court therefore Wimbledon is the only major played in grass court. Here, the Wimbledon event spoken about is the Australian Open that is a major tennis tournament annually held in January during the last fortnight in Melbourne located in Australia. The venue however chosen is Melbourne Park that remained unchanged since 1988. The Australian Open first held in 1905. Thus, chronologically considered this is also the first among the four Grand slam tournament in the year. The Wimbledon event in Australia includes singles tournaments for women and men, championship events for the junior, mixed do ubles tournaments for men and women and for legends. There are also events for wheelchair bound participants. The tournament however takes place on the two types of hard court surfaces used in the Melbourne Park, located in the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Precinct. The Tennis Championship in Australia has the highest record for attendance among the Grand Slam event (Loffing, Hagemann Strauss 2012). The Australian Open is also one of the first Grand Slam events that initiated the concept of indoor play during extreme heat or wet weather in coordination with its three primary courts namely Hisense Arena, Rod Laver Area and the refurnished arena of the Margaret Court that has roof which are retractable. The courts have a capacity for 3000 attendants. There have also been plans for building a stadium with a capacity to hold 5000 attendants. However, the game follows a strict dress code for the Royal patronage and the competitors. The notable fact of the tournament is the absence of advertisements from sponsors in the court area. However, as far as coverage goes Australian Open broadcasted globally through television and online by established broadcasters in the sports world. Thus in Australia, since 1973 the Australian open is broadcasted by the Seven Network. During the time of 2003 to 2009, the Australian Open co-broadcasted by Fox Sports. Traditionally, the most watched event of the Australian Open is the final event of the mens single. The Asia-pacific has been however, broadcasting done through the Fox Sports. The Positive and Negative Impacts of the Event Positive Impacts Wimbledon Tennis Championship holds significance worldwide as it brings together people from every occupation. Thus, the game not only attracts celebrities, royalties and global sports stars but also the Australian people at large. The Wimbledon Tennis Championship follows a heritage that includes people from every sphere of life without following the heritage culture. The sports authority therefore strongly believes in the unifying power that sports offer. The game tries to appeal to the collective spirit and thus transcends gender, age and race and ensures everyone with a chance of participation (KnightHolt 2013). Therefore, in a way the sport ensures a delightful experience to the team player and participant but also to the spectators. Thus, the spirit behind the success of the game is its inclusive spirit that has also been a reason for the inspiration of the next generation of players. Through this sport, the young generations inspired by the fact that achievement of goals is possible through hard work. This has resulted in a massive outcome both during and after event. The sport is more than just a two-week event as its preparations done throughout the year. In this context, one can say that the Wimbledon education department has opened its doors for welcoming thousands of students every year (Elliott Drummond 2013). The students include the ones from the primary level to the university level who can learn more about the history of the tournament and about the sport. There is also a community project on Wimbledon launched to reach out to the local people about the various secrets happening behind the scenes and thereby capture their emotions. The commencement of technology and the prevalence of social media have transformed the communication and staging process of the Australian Open. Through the cyber technology, the sport viewed on a real time basis by the rest of the world. Nowadays, additionally each player provided with accounts in various social media platforms along with a personal website to convey their whereabouts to the followers. Negative Impacts During the Wimbledon Tennis Championship there is been a rush of tourist that affects people in the local areas as traffic rush increases. Most of the tournaments last almost two weeks and attracts more than thousands of people from all over the world. Innumerable tourists also hugely affect the environment as they use it as a dumping ground for all their waste materials (Mahtani 2013). Thus, the council therefore carries out a cleaning spree through the collection of around five tones of waste dumped by waiting tourists. The Relevant Stakeholders in This Event The key Stakeholders of the events include (John, Stewart McDonald 2013): Australian Sports Commission (ASC): The commission focuses on driving more Australians for participation and excellence in the sport through the delivery of programs that aligns with the policy objectives of the Australian Government. The commission also provides financial aid and assistance to the various national sporting organizations to ensure participation and quality performance. Additionally, at the same time the commission also stresses on improving the sustainability, capability and effectiveness of the organizations. The commission also marks the spread of effectiveness, alignment and collaboration amongst the sports sector of Australia. Tennis Australia (TA): The Tennis Australia is aiming at making Australia the biggest tennis nation of the country. They not only create great championship but also responsible for creation of active players and devoted fan and at the same time make huge investments. Gradually Tennis Australia is become is gaining favoritism. Tennis Victoria (TV): This body represents all the associations, centers, clubs, regions and members in Victoria. Thus, in fact it is the administrative body of tennis that is located centrally in Victoria and is playing the role of managing , coordinating, promoting and unifying the varied facets that the sports has on offer. Valley Sport: This regional non-profit sporting body came into being for opening up opportunities for active recreation and participation in the sport. The body mainly focuses on being a leader in the development of active and healthy communities. Greater Shepparton City Council: The Goulburn region is among the 11 regions of Tennis Victoria that includes seven local areas of the Government and the volunteers, coaches, players, centers, clubs and associations connected with the places. Therefore, the Goulburn Tennis Network (GTN) plays a vital role in the growth of the game and the developmental activities of the associations and clubs. Thus, GTN considered as the tennis forum of the region that consist of single delegate from affiliated Tennis Victoria association and club of the region. They also work towards the promotion and coordination of tennis activities. Economic Impacts of the Event The major event calendar of Victoria is internationally recognized as the most successful and prestigious calendar of the world. This is because the Australian Open is not only the largest annual sports event played at the premium sporting grounds but also ensures certain contribution to the economy of Victoria by various means. The commencement of the tournament not only drives tourism but also generates jobs (Davies, Coleman Ramchandani 2013). The events also provide assistance in development of the industry and create linkages in the business. Moreover, such events also influence investment decisions and ensure positive community outcomes. These events are also enhancing interstate and overseas reputation particularly with the neighbors in the Asia Pacific region who are paying dividends through contribution of economic benefits to Melbourne and the state across. The profile of the major events of Victoria has put in under a global scale. Thus, Victoria has a generation of about $1.8 billion generated through the spending of approximately 300000 visitors from overseas and state who expresses the urge to be a part of the event. Thus, Victoria known as the sporting capital of Australia with a record number of attendees that counted for 720,363 in 2016 that is higher than the record of 2015. In 2016, Australia Open Tournament, there were attendees of around 48% who came from outside. Out of these 48%, nine percent attendees came from regional Victoria, 26% attendees were interstate, and 13% were oversees. Therefore, during the Grand Slam there was an increase in the number of hotel booked with each visitor opting for 11 nights stay with an average daily spending of $181 each. Conducted survey showed tourist happily recommending others to visit Victoria. There were also some positive outcomes in the community when a record 15,543 numbers of people made their presence felt at the fourth annual Kids Tennis Day taking place at Rod Laver Arena where celebrity tennis players like Novak Djokovic, Caroline Wozniacki and Milas Raonic also makes their presence felt. On the other hand, the inaugural Australian Open taki ng place in Birrarung Marr had a whopping 250,374 number of attendees in the first two weeks. There were around 30,788 families attending the kids world of the Australian Open Festival. Thus, the figures are a proof of the fact that there is no place like Melbourne for the execution of such events and there is no events in the world can match up to Australian Open Tournament. There is not only a drive of visitors from all over the world but is also leading the creation of more jobs and thereby a better economy. Thus, minister of sports, major events and tourism, John Eren, said that there would be more investment in the sporting grounds so that Victoria not only continues to be the home for Australian Open in decades to come but also is included in the travel list of sports lovers across the world. Conclusion: The report draws in a conclusion by discussing the economic impacts of the event chosen. There is however a vivid discussion on how the tournament is affecting the economy in a positive manner and at the same time having a positive impact on the community. The positive impacts of the event discussed along with its negative impacts. Through the positive effects, one can see how Wimbledon is becoming a game for the masses. The negative impacts of the sport in terms of the hurdles in traffic to the local residents avoided through proper traffic management rules. The report also has a part discussing the stakeholders of the tournament and the event in terms of its type. However, the event chosen here is the Australian Open Tennis Tournament. Discussion therefore, focuses solely around this particular event. References: Davies, L., Coleman, R. Ramchandani, G., 2013. Evaluating event economic impact: rigour versus reality?. International Journal of Event and Festival Management, 4(1), pp.31-42. Elliott, S.K. Drummond, M.J., 2013. A socio-cultural exploration of parental involvement in junior Australian Rules football. Asia-Pacific journal of health, sport and physical education, 4(1), pp.35-48. John, A., Stewart, B. McDonald, B., 2013. Mixed doubles: Political hegemony, urban entrepreneurialism and the Australian Open Tennis Championships. The International Journal of the History of Sport, 30(2), pp.162-178. Knight, C.J. Holt, N.L., 2013. Factors that influence parents experiences at junior tennis tournaments and suggestions for improvement. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 2(3), p.173. Loffing, F., Hagemann, N. Strauss, B., 2012. Left-handedness in professional and amateur tennis. PLoS One, 7(11), p.e49325. Mahtani, K.R., Protheroe, J., Slight, S.P., Demarzo, M.M.P., Blakeman, T., Barton, C.A., Brijnath, B. Roberts, N., 2013. Can the London 2012 Olympics inspire a generationto do more physical or sporting activities? An overview of systematic reviews. BMJ open, 3(1), p.e002058. Sell, K., Hainline, B., Yorio, M. Kovacs, M., 2014. Injury trend analysis from the US Open Tennis Championships between 1994 and 2009. Br J Sports Med, 48(7), pp.546-551.
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