Policy Topic Search and Summary Essay

POLICY TOPIC SEARCH AND SELECTION The topic I have chosen is Medicare. The affected stakeholders associated with this topic are the elderly. Those enrolled in Medicare are referred to as beneficiaries. More than 14 million beneficiaries are now enrolled in private Medicare Advantage plans. This is a 30% increase since 2010. This is a great increase even with the payment changes associated with the Affordable Care Act (â€Å"Medicare†, 2014). Medicare is a federally funded program for people aged 65 and older, certain people with disabilities, and people with end stage renal disease. There are different parts of Medicare that cover specific services. Part A is hospital insurance; this covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and some home health care. Part B is medical insurance; this covers certain doctor’s services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventative services. Part C is Medicare Advantage Plans. This is a Medicare health plan offered by a private company that is contracted with Medicare to provide all of the Part A and B’s benefits. This includes HMOs, PPOs, Private fee for service plans, special needs plans, Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans. If enrolled in Medicare Part C, services are not covered under original Medicare. The final part of Medicare is Part D, this adds prescription drug coverage to original Medicare (â€Å"What is Medicare?†, n.d.). The elderly are specifically affected by Medicare because for many this is their only option for having access to health care. Medicare’s future is at the forefront of a lot of people’s minds and is concerning for the elderly and those who are approaching the age of 65 and getting ready to retire. The  costs associated with keeping Medicare running are ever increasing, and many are worried that the funds and the program will not be available in the future. References Medicare. (2014). Retrieved from http://kff.org/medicare/. What is Medicare?. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/decide-how-to-get-medicare/whats-medicare/what-is-medicare.html/.

Reward Systems Essay

Once of a manager’s most important tools is the ability to select rewards and time the rewards properly. Even if managers are not solely responsible for financial rewards, they can use a number of tools to increase the effectiveness of their organization. Reward systems can address several important managerial objectives as they relate to employee motivation. A solid reward system requires concerted attention in its development. The following sections provide a basis for a well-contructed reward system. Purposes of Reward Systems Reward systems serve several purposes in organizations. Effective reward systems help an organization be more competitive, retain key employees, and reduce turnover. Reward systems also can enhance employee motivation and reinforce the image of an organization among key stakeholders or future employees. People are the most important resource for organizational competitiveness, and keeping them on the job is a key task for any manager. Competition to attract and keep the best employees is intense. For people looking for a career opportunity, that’s great news, but as a manager of an organization needing to keep the best and brightest, it is a challenge. It may be even harder in the nonprofit and public sectors where flexibility in providing financial rewards may be more limited than in a commercial context. Retaining employees saves money on retraining costs, improves the consistency of services, and allows for relationships to develop between clients and the organization. In a ddition, proper rewards systems can reduce absences. Absences cause innumerable headaches for managers. Instructors who don’t show up, too few staff members at busy times, and the lack of a cleanup crew can all increase workplace stress. Absences not only affect the manager but also fellow employees who need to pick up the slack and clients who feel the brunt of too few employees on site. As suggested earlier, understanding who, what, and when to reward can improve employees’ performance. However, the improper use of rewards can have a debilitating effect on employee performance. Managers need to understand their employees’ perceptions of the importance and fairness of the reward and then clearly communicate what needs to be done to receive the reward. Effective use of rewards can encourage employees to gain the skills that are necessary to  help them and the organization grow. This can also increase their desire to continue being part of the organization. For example, an organization can pay and provide time off for employees who want to take advanced courses in an area that is valuable for the organization. Some organizations may even provide time off or support to help employees advance their own personal goals or skill sets. Ideally, an organization wants employees who not only show up to work but are excited about being there as well. This passion for work has been referred to as affective commitment. Although research is somewhat preliminary, there is s ome indication that affective commitment can be strengthened by rewards that enhance employee perceptions of being supported and having control of the work situation. Finally, reward systems can also help with recruiting efforts. Just as happy customers may be the best advertisement for a particular product, happy employees are often a great tool for recruiting new employees and making the organization a workplace of choice. Think about the kind of job you want. Often you will easily be able to identify an organization that stands above the others as a great place to work. As a consequence of this, the organization can attract the best and brightest, creating a virtuous circle whereby it becomes an even more attractive workplace. Hopefully you can see that establishing the right reward structure for an organization is critical to its success. The following sections delve into the details of various reward structures. Types of Rewards Understanding how each employee perceives and values different rewards is an essential part of management. Managers need to grasp an understanding of extrinsic and intrinsic rewards. Extrinsic rewards are external rewards tied to certain employee behaviors, skills, time, or roles in an organization. How employees perceive these rewards relevant to their performance and the rewards given to others will ultimately determine the effectiveness of the rewards. Managers also need to understand how much value each employee places on specific extrinsic rewards. For example, a well-paid but overworked employee may value additional vacation time or a reduced workload more than a few extra dollars. Money, praise, awards, and incentive prizes such as tickets to a concert or a game are all examples of extrinsic motivators. Whatever motivator the manager chooses, the employee must see  the reward as a motivator for it to be effective. For example, if the extrinsic reward is tickets to the opera, an employee who hates the opera likely would not be motivated by the tickets. On the other hand, if the employee is a football fan and the extrinsic reward is tickets to a major game, the motivator might be more effective. It is simpler to explain what intrinsic rewards are by discussing what they are not. Intrinsic rewards do not have an obvious external incentive; that is, people are not acting to get a tangible reward, be it time off or money. Instead, they act because it feels good or provides some form of internal satisfaction. Intrinsic rewards are often more highly valued and more effective over time, yet using them is a difficult managerial task. Intrinsic rewards derive from employees feeling good about the job they have done, the effort they have put forward, or the role they played in a team project. Intrinsic rewards in the workplace come from the job itself, so to provide intrinsic reinforcement, a manager should enrich the job. Job enrichment involves improving work p rocesses and environments so they are more satisfying for employees, such as eliminating dysfunctional elements or enlarging jobs (increasing the duties and responsibilities of a job). Developing an effective reward system can be a difficult task. The following sections provide some guidance on the basics of an effective reward system. These sections focus almost exclusively on extrinsic rewards, but intrinsic rewards should also be considered when developing each employee’s job. Monetary Versus Nonmonetary Rewards Monetary rewards are most commonly given in the form of pay increases, bonuses, or increases in benefits, such as pension or health care premiums. Such rewards can be divided into two categories: direct and indirect compensation (table 11.1). Both contribute to the financial betterment of an employee. Direct compensation is relatively straightforward and consists of increases in hourly pay, increases in hours (for nonsalaried employees), increases in salary, merit pay based on performance, seniority pay based on time with an organization, and bonuses based on the achievement of individual, group, or organizational objectives. Indirect monetary compensation includes increases to benefits or the addition  of benefits such as a dental plan. It can also include paid leave in the form of vacation days, days off for training, or longer time off such as a sabbatical, as well as paid leave for illness, caring for a child, or caring for an elderly parent. Additionally, some organizations may offer services as part of an indirect compensation package, such as on-site child care, an elder care program, an on-site cafeteria, a games room or gym, and confidential counseling services for employees and their families. Again, indirect compensation should be valuable to employees and ideally should offer choices from a range of services. Nonmonetary rewards cost the organization but do not directly improve the employee’s financial position (table 11.1). Supplying employees with the best tools possible to do their job is an example, such as providing a new high-end laptop or having an excellent training facility f or coaches at a university. A good office location, choice of furnishings, or special parking place can all be nonmonetary rewards. Employees may not know the full details of pay and other monetary benefits of coworkers, but nonmonetary rewards are often visible and can create perceptions of inequity in an organization. In some cases, this may be the intent of managers who want employees to strive to achieve the stereotypical corner office, but often it may also unintentionally encourage feelings of inequity. That inequity may have positive implications for an organization if employees strive to increase performance, or it can result in turnover and reduced performance. As with any reward, nonmonetary rewards need to be carefully thought out before being implemented. Performance-Based Versus Membership-Based Rewards One of the most difficult challenges for managers is to decide what to base rewards on. A common distinction is performance-based versus membership-based rewards. As the name implies, performance-based rewards are tied to the ability of an individual, team, group, or organization to meet some previously agreed-upon standard of performance. Performance rewards are based on an evaluation of contribution and awards are allocated based on that evaluation. Membership-based rewards are allocated solely for being part of a group within an organization. These rewards commonly include annual cost-of-living increases to a base salary or support for an equity policy. For example, if a park and recreation department was looking to  encourage staff to have master’s degrees or obtain certification, they might offer pay incentives for having either or both. Membership-based rewards are also often tied to length of time with an organization. For instance, after a certain length of service w ith an organization, employees may receive a certain percentage increase to their pay or be eligible for additional benefits. In a unionized environment, many of these rewards are spelled out in a labor agreement. To illustrate the difference between the two structures, let’s look at annual raises. A performance-based structure means that each employee’s performance is evaluated and raises are based on performance, with the highest performers getting the most money. A membership-based structure means that all employees receive the same raise regardless of performance. Membership structures can be demotivating to high performers because they get the same rewards despite working harder. Nontraditional Rewards As more and more managers understand the importance of individualizing reward systems, the use of nontraditional rewards will continue to grow. Time is often a key constraint, and for many people work is a major time commitment. Ways in which employees can individualize their work schedule are becoming increasingly important rewards. Four methods of individualization are reduced workweeks, staggered daily schedules, flextime, and working from home. Reduced Workweek A reduced workweek often sees employees working a 4-day week instead of 5 days. In return for that extra day, employees work longer on their 4 days in the office. For example, in a 40-hour workweek from Monday through Friday, employees would work 8-hour days, but the reduced workweek would see hours increase to 10 hours a day for 4 days. The benefits to the employees are longer blocks of time to take care of their personal lives, less frequent and often less busy commutes, and ultimately more useful time for themselves. The organization has no additional expenses and evidence suggests that absenteeism and time lost for personal reasons decreases. However, there are also downsides for both employees and the organization. Parents, for example, may find it difficult to find child care that is open late or early enough to accommodate the longer work schedule. The longer  work day may also be a constraint to people who are involved in weekly evening activities, be it coaching a team or attending an art class. Some jobs may also not lend themselves to longer days. A lifeguard or sport instructor may be considerably less effective in those last 2 hours, which can lead to decreased performance and in some cases safety risks. Also, the hours and timing of work may affect service to clients. Even if an organization maintains its regular schedule, clients expecting to reach a particular person during traditional business hours may find the new schedule frustrating. Finally, reduced workweeks seem to be most effective when employees themselves are involved in creating the schedule. Understand that employees participating in reduced workweeks need to be scheduled so that the entire organization is not gone on Friday! Staggered Daily Schedule An alternative to a reduced workweek may be a staggered daily schedule. Employees still work their designated weekly hours but can allocate those hours in different ways. For example, one employee may want to come in late and leave later to accommodate dropping off children. Someone else may prefer being in the office an hour earlier and leaving an hour earlier. These schedules may even be adapted weekly or monthly to accommodate changing employee needs. This idea meets employees’ individual needs but can often be difficult to manage. Again, a staggered daily schedule may not be appropriate in all settings and must consider not only employee needs but also organizational requirements and client desires. Flextime Flextime allows some employee freedom while still meeting client and organizational needs. Employees are expected to be in the office during a certain time frame, usually ranging from 4 to 6 hours, such as 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Flextime emphasizes productivity and allows the employee some leeway in that flexibility zone (before 9:30 a.m. and after 3:30 p.m.). For example, take Pat, an aquatics programmer. Pat has two school-aged children and requires some flexibility to drop them off and pick them up at school. Pat has worked with the employer and agreed that he will be at the pool between the hours of 9:30 and 3:30 but will complete the rest of his work elsewhere. This ensures that Pat’s coworkers and clients can reach him at predictable times while still allowing him the personal flexibility he  requires at this point in his life. This type of arrangement has been effective for many organizations and employees, although obviously it won’t work in all situations. Fl extime also allows a staff person more control over their hours. For example, a special events coordinator works 5 hours over the weekend. The following week, the coordinator comes in an hour later than usual each day. Working From Home As technology has advanced, the option of working at home for some or all of the workday is becoming increasingly possible. A high-speed Internet connection and a laptop computer connected to the workplace network provide many people with everything they need to do their job. Obviously this arrangement is more suited to some positions than others. A job developing programs for a municipal recreation department would be more suited to a work-at-home plan as opposed to the job of instructing the programs. Working for some or all of the workweek at home can offer fewer workplace distractions, allow employees time to concentrate on projects that are important to the organization, and make more effective use of the day by eliminating the need to commute as well as the usual time killers present in most offices. However, working from home is not for everyone. The distractions of the home require discipline, and for those who consistently work at home the blurred distinction between home an d office can be unsettling. Additionally, monitoring employees at home is nearly impossible. Evaluation needs to be performance based and work-at-home schemes do not work for organizations that want to monitor how employees spend their time. Allowing employees to work at home part of the time, however, may be an excellent compromise for both employees and the organization.

Information Management Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Information Management - Coursework Example This paper analyzes the unique e-business model perpetuated by Ebay with respect to conceptual frameworks like Porter’s five forces model and value chain analysis. The findings reveal both the competencies of Ebay and the surrounding factors which favored the growth of EBay’s business model, owing to the need of speed, access and frequency of information managed in the industry. Recommendations follow at last to highlight few of the threats and means to overcome them. Introduction The selection of the topic is very relevant and significant in relation to the increased popularity of electronic means of transactions and trading platforms being devised. Company chosen also reflects careful consideration in this regard because Ebay holds the recognition of being the first ever organization to use information systems as its competitive weapon after the dismal performance of Dot.com. While selecting the frameworks to analyze, both external and internal environment have been t aken care of. Porter’s five forces model helped develop better insights about market forces which shaped up the creation of such a business model and value chain analysis helped understand the techniques and strategies implemented by Ebay in turning the industry attractiveness factors to its advantage. Use of journal articles from Harvard business review made the work more interesting and valuable as deep level understanding came from expert’s opinions and observations. Overview of organization- Ebay Ebay holds the accredition of being the first online marketplace for buyers and sellers to trade online. Transcending from traditional business practices, the core philosophy and positioning statement of Ebay lies in providing a common platform for diverse buyer and seller communities worldwide to transact and achieving a breakthrough by automating the brick and mortar presence of trading. The essence of e-commerce has been realized and absorbed more seriously by Ebay than any other online retailer. It presents an example of deploying and using information systems to its competitive advantage because of the primary components of managing information systems in place. From developing technological tools and components to providing for customer support and care, technology stands at the heart of EBay’s corporate strategy. Even regulatory compliances and IT policies are standardized and adhered to which demonstrates the pure professional attitude of Ebay in adopting information technology as the driver to its Numero Uno status. External environment analysis To establish the uniqueness of e-business model of Ebay through the use of information systems, it is first essential to look at the surrounding factors and their impact on the general industry practices where Ebay has placed itself differently. Porter’s Five Forces Power of suppliers- The field in which Ebay operates is crowded by limitless number of suppliers because online auctioning and internet based buying and selling business has thrived leaps and bounds in the recent years. All the major competitors of Ebay namely Amazon, Yahoo and even Dell has forayed into internet world to offer and sell their products. However, distinguishing factor in this industry is the availability of own warehouses which saves a lot of expenditure and offers cost effectiveness. While Ebay has developed the market of

Operation Systems Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Operation Systems - Research Paper Example Basically, it functions like most OS’s—it processes, stores, and transfers data. Probably the reason why UNIX is no longer so popular these days is that it was developed a long time ago: 1969, years before the development of the Internet, the network system which made computers a virtual companion to daily life. It was developed that year when a group of Bell Labs programmers decided that they needed an OS that is fast, easy-to-use, and versatile (Wagner 8). UNIX is significant in the history of information technology because developers of the Internet used it in making their communications system (Williams and Sawyer 150). Williams and Sawyer note that several programs were developed from UNIX. Among them are Solaris (from Sun Microsystem) and BSD (developed by students from University of California, Berkeley) (150). DOS is often fondly called â€Å"the old-timer† (Williams and Sawyer 147). DOS, which stands for disk operating system, was initially developed by Microsoft in 1982. Although it is difficult to use, it became a popular operating system because of the popularity of Microsoft computers (Williams and Sawyer 147). DOS was the main operating system for Microsoft before Windows (â€Å"What is DOS?†). Its quick decline in popularity after the introduction of Windows can be attributed to its simplicity and incapability for multitasks. It is still, however, present in the current Windows operating systems and can be used to control both software and hardware. Before it became irrelevant to desktop computing, MS-DOS was a successful OS (though some argue that it is, technically, not an OS). It had 17 versions in all, the last released in 1997 as MS-DOS 7.1 (â€Å"MS-DOS History†). Users can perform a number of computer tasks by entering commands on the MS-DOS command prompt available in the Windows OS. Among these commands are comp, for comparing files; deltree

Intercultural Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Intercultural Communication - Essay Example Sometimes innocuous blunder may occur through minor mistake causing insult and hurt and for the perpetrator may result in shame and embarrassment. Normally respect and approach will follow where there is understanding, but the way understanding takes place is complex (Pettigres, 2000). Studies have shown that in many cases the awareness, that understanding is needed, is often lacking, which unfortunately forms the route cause of misunderstanding. In this globalized economy where the boundaries of countries are disappearing, the intercultural communication is finding its importance. We take example of this business meeting between a Vietnamese business team with US business team. Let us assume that each team is reasonably well prepared for the meeting. The language is not the problem, members of both the teams are well conversed with English. However to iron out minor language hiccups, each team also included a good translator. The members of both the team comprises men and women, all are meticulously dressed in business dress. Both the teams are punctual and the meeting starts on time. The meeting being a daylong affair, the lunch has been arranged at a local restaurant. Proper planning is made in advance in choosing the menu beforehand so that potential cultural issues on food habits can be prevented. The organizer expected all to go well as the perceived threat from lack of communication have been taken care of. However there arose problems. Initial shaking of hands went well as this has become universal custom for English knowing people to shake hands. The problem started with greeting; both the parties did manage to greet the other in a wrong way. In UK the family name is given at the end of the name. For example Peter Smith is known as Mr. Smith, not other way round as Mr. Peter, whereas in Vietnamese the family name comes first thus making Mguyen Van Khai, Madame Nguyen. But in the meeting Mr. Smith was greeted as Mr. Peter whereas Madame Nguyen was greeted as Madame Khai. The Vietnamese delegation took more offence than their counterpart, the UK delegation, as they perceived it as disrespect. However the meeting continued with the initial hiccup starting with a sore note. The second misunderstanding occurred, this time around with the UK delegates, when one of their team members was referred by someone as his sister. The UK delegates took the meaning literally, but actually it was meant to denote close friendship. The main problem started with the way the Vietnamese men were interacting with their female counterpart of UK delegation. They expected the women delegates would prefer to mix with other women of Vietnamese delegation and left them, which was perceived as disrespect by the female members of UK team. There was another major goof up when during lunch break one of the Vietnamese delegate placed his hand on the elbow of a lady UK delegate to show her the way, when they were leaving for lunch. In Vietnamese culture this is seen as sign of respect and as non-sexual, undertaken between members of the same as well as opposite sex.

Compare and contrast Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto Essay

Compare and contrast Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto - Essay Example etween them, namely a specific understanding of human nature and the characteristics of its relationship with the divine law either through the human mind (Confucianism) or by means of mystical knowledge (Daoism and Shinto). Confucians believed that the true essence of people is humanity or â€Å"jen† (Fisher 209). Self-cultivation was understood as the development of a â€Å"humane† beginning and the suppression of wild and evil factors. By the time of the emergence of Daoism, Confucianism was the official doctrine and the basis of the state structure. The ideal of Confucianism was presented by a notion of a â€Å"noble man,† the carrier of Confucian consciousness responsible for the harmony between Heaven and human nature. His virtues were seen in self-control, justice, reverence for elders, and social responsibility. His goal was public service since in Confucian ethics person is subject to the society (210). Confucian culture is elitist, since the main area of its distribution was presented by noble people (mainly officials engaged in the administration of the state). As a result, this led to a desire to govern all possible spheres of human life. These changes were achieved by l imiting the undesirable factors, mainly through the assimilation of norms of behavior and control (first external and then internal). The main virtue of a noble man was considered a permanent control over his/her own mental sphere and preservation of self-control. In this regards, introspection was designed to detect human failings. In turn, Daoism, also condemning human passions, understands the true human nature in its close connection with the cosmic principle that embodies universal laws of nature. The supreme goal of Daoism is the detection and the actualization of the â€Å"true principles† in man and complete submission to them. Man needs should seek to merge with the divine Dao, â€Å"a mystical reality that cannot be grasped by the mind† (195). There was initially no question of

Krean kimchi culture research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Krean kimchi culture - Research Paper Example This is why kimchi is a special dish for them. In America and in other parts of the world, the dish has gained quite a following. By conducting research on my Korean friends, I discovered that kimchi as a culture is getting popular no matter in Korea or America. This is not only because of its tastes, healthy ingredients, nutritional value and its history, but also because it represents the spirit of the Korean people and culture. The world now is full of health products. Their manufacturers say the products will help clean people’s bodies, prevent diseases or sicknesses or help people live longer. Some of these products are supposedly organic while some come in the form of capsules or tablets that are made from chemicals. I find this fact ironic because I do not think chemicals can be good for the body. As for eating organic food, I have yet to appreciate the taste because sometimes it can be very unfamiliar to the taste buds. Hanging out with several friends from Korea, I found out that Koreans do not care for organic food or food supplements because they have their own â€Å"health dish†. This is what they call kimchi. I was further intrigued by kimchi when I discovered that it was being enjoyed around the world by non-Koreans, too. Health enthusiasts around the world have found out that the ingredients in the dish bring a lot of nutrition to one’s body. To find out more about this Kor ean delicacy, I conducted some research and personally interviewed some of my Korean friends. This paper is a collection of my friends’ experiences about kimchi. A non-American living in the United States cannot avoid eating fast food. The country is known for its McDonald’s, Burger Kings and iHops. These chains make eating convenient for the busy people in the country, foreigner or not. Koreans are no exception. However, since the K There are various kinds of Kimchi according to what main

Memo of the textbook Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Memo of the textbook - Essay Example He intends to implement the remaining portion of patient protection and affordable care act. The current president also intends to solve the problems within the payments system that threatens physician’s reimbursement. The policy will reform the medical malpractices to reduce the frequent medical lawsuits without arbitrary caps that do not lower cost of care in any way. (Obama and Lisa 1) Obama believes in a service that is affordable to everyone. The health care benefits the people in that at 65 the people are legible for free health care and subsidized costs of drugs. The children or adults under the age of 26 are also legible to be covered under the parent’s health care. The costs of insurance will also be improved due to the health care credits. Most of the democrats have discussed this in the past. The major concern has been on how the lives of the common man can be improved so as to ensure equality in the provision of fundamental services. The health care program for Obama intends to extend the service to over 30 million Americans who cannot access the service due to its cost. The Obamacare offers middle class Americans an opportunity to purchase health insurance. When a plan which only solves the problem of a few tycoons around is adopted, it will translate to a reduced voter expectation from the middle class populace. If the reasoning is based on the impacts the care will have on the lives of the common population, then Obama care should be in a position to appeal to people. It will convince the common citizens since they feel it is part of them. The bill believes in the simple principality of equality when it comes to respecting the lives of the people. Various states should also focus their funding towards the health care plan. The team behind the plan is strictly following the implementation of the plan that will see Americans get quality and affordable health care services. (Obama and Lisa

The Operations and Performance of the Hilton Hotel Case Study

The Operations and Performance of the Hilton Hotel - Case Study Example The purpose of the Hilton Hotel is to provide adequate accommodation facilities, quality food, and drinks along with recreational facilities to their visitors. The hotel aims to be constantly pleasurable to the visitors, invest in their workers and innovate better and newer products for their visitors. They also intend to augment their owners' value and reinforce their loyalty to their constituents. The manager considers the management of supplies to the hotels the most difficult challenge he encounters. This is because the products have to meet certain standards before the business makes their purchases. There are also many suppliers willing to provide their supplies to the hotels and this makes the approval of their tenders a tiresome activity. The products have to undergo several tests to determine their quality and safety before they are purchased. The process of getting approval for the funds to be spent is also very long. These tenders have to be approved by the management comm ittees before the funds are released. This also takes a lot of time and hampers the operations of the hotel. The Hotel’s profits have been on the rise over the years and their financial performance is relatively good. The shareholders of the hotel also receive substantial dividends on their investments. This is because the hotel accommodates many visitors throughout the year from all around the globe. The business owns over three thousand hotels in seventy-four countries that have a very good reputation for their services and products. The financial condition of the hotels enables the managers to effectively carry out the activity of running the business. He is able to pay the workers, purchase supplies on a regular basis for the hotel and renovate the premises regularly. The profitability of the organization has enabled the hotel's management to open up new branches across the globe.

Human Existence Essay Example for Free

Human Existence Essay 1. The origins of the majority of human existence in North America began with migrations from Eurasia over the Bering Strait. 2. The first truly complex society in the Americas was that of the Olmec. 3. Cahokia was a large trading center located near what present-day city? St. Louis. 4. The agricultural practices of pre-Columbian tribes in the Northeast were characterized by a rapid exploitation of the land. 5. The preeminent European maritime power in the fifteenth century was Portugal. 6. Christopher Columbus  thought the world was much smaller than it was in reality. 7. Amerigo Vespucci  helped popularize the idea that the Americas were new continents. 8. What European explorer gave the Pacific Ocean its name? Ferdinand Magellan 9. Encomienda was  the right to exact tribute and labor from natives. 10. The first permanent Spanish settlement in what is now the United States was St. Augustine. 11. In what way did sixteenth-century Europeans benefit from trade between the Americas and Europe? A large number of new crops became available in Europe. 12. Which of the following was NOT introduced by Europeans to the New World?  Corn. 13. The portion of west Africa that provided the majority of slaves for the Spanish Empire of the sixteenth century had well-developed economies and political systems. 14. African and American Indian societies tended to be matrilineal, which means that people traced their heredity through their mothers. 15. In the fifteenth century, slavery in Africa  generally allowed certain legal protections to the enslaved. 16. The European countries that controlled the African slave trade did so in which chronological order, from earliest to latest? the Portuguese, the Dutch, the English 17. What condition in England in the sixteenth century provided an incentive for colonization? The availability of farmland was declining, while the population was growing. 18. In what way were Martin Luther and John Calvin important to English Puritans? Luther and Calvin advocated ideas of religious reform that influenced Puritan thought. 19. The teachings of John Calvin  produced a strong desire among his followers to lead lives that were virtuous. 20. The English Reformation resulted from  a political dispute between King Henry VIII and the Catholic Church. 21. The English concluded from their colonial experiences in Ireland that English colonists should maintain a rigid separation from the indigenous population.

ASDA Human Resource Management

ASDA Human Resource Management The objectives of this report are to stimulate the Human Resource Management, Human Resource Planning and Development, and Performance of ASDA. Furthermore, it explains the human resource management activities, models of human resource management, effectiveness of organisational objectives, performance monitoring of ASDA. Additionally, it also address, the importance of staffing, performance appraisals, compensation and benefits, training and development, employee and labour relations, safety and health, and human resource research. It discusses how the Human resource management works to ensure that employees are able to meet the organizations goals. A brief introduction of ASDA: ASDA group of company operates as one of the largest food retailers in the United Kingdom. The companys stores sell a wide variety of merchandise including food and apparel, along with house wares, music videos, and books. ASDA has approximately 259 stores in its arsenal-each avenging nearly 42000 square feet with some as large as 100000 square feet. The company, once known as a dairy conglomerate, was acquired by Wal-Mart stores Inc. in 1999. TESCO has 31.1 per cent of the UK grocery market while ASDAs share is 16.4 percent. My familiar organisation is ASDA and I will answer these tasks using ASDA. Human Resource Management (HRM) Human Resource Management activities: HRM activities designed to enhance the effectiveness of an organisations work-force in achieving organisational goals. HRM consists of numerous activities, including: Equal employment opportunity (EEO) compliance. Employee recruitment, selection, motivation and orientation. Performance evaluation and compensation. Training and develop skills. Development and evaluation. Safety, health and wellness, etc. Recruitment and selection: The success of an organisation depends on having the right number of staff, with the right skills and abilities.Recruitment involves the utilization of organizational practices to influence the number and types of individuals who are willing to apply for job vacancies (Rynes, 1991; Rynes Cable, 2003). ASDA has always tried to keep it as simple as possible but theyre a big company and want to be sure that application is seen by the right person. Step one: At First ASDA score submitted application. ASDA has a specific jobs advertisement on their website. Step two: The application process of online will usually include some verbal, numerical and personality tests, as well as an application form. Step three: ASDAs employer may ask applicant to attend an interview. Objectives Of recruitment and selection: The objectives of the recruitment and selection process of human resource management are given below: To acquire, retain and develop the best talent and skills. Keep the expenditure of selection down. Make certain that the applicant selected will desire the job and stick at ASDA. To obtain the number and quality of employees that can be selected in order to help ASDA to achieve its goals and objectives. To identify the most appropriate candidate to fill each post. Achievement of recruitment and selection: ASDA always look for a candidate with solid experience and new ideas and a fresh perspective. Applications may be completed online or visiting an ASDA store and getting an application form. ASDA is determining for present and future manpower requirements to coordinate with planning and job analysis activities. Training and developing skills: Training is a planned process to modify attitude, knowledge or skill behavior through learning experience to achieve effective performance. Training is to develop the abilities of the individuals and to satisfy the current and future needs of the organization. A company like ASDA if an employee lacks training is risky for fire, chemical and other health hazards. Induction: ASDA have Award Winning Best Welcome induction is the best way to get up to speed with their business and find to feet as quickly as possible. Store Appreciation Day: A new comer will have the opportunity to attend a store appreciation day after his Best Welcome induction to understand how their stores operate. Growing career: ASDA will work to help grow talent to build up career with them. The new training programme is divided into two parts the first is the service day, the second day is devoted to selling skills. Objectives of training and developing skills: The objectives of the training and develop skills of HRM are given below: To staying competitive, training is the key to sustainability. Reduce wastage and accident rates. To keep staff motivated and up-to-date with industry trends and new technologies is essential to achieving that goal. Increase job satisfaction and motivate workers. Establish the most effective and efficient working methods. Achievement of training and development: ASDA follow an ideal step by step process to train and develop their human power. They hire attitude and train for skill and practical experience. ASDA have created some innovative and effective ways for staffs to learn. Their training and development programs have been designed to reach a senior role within five years. Benefits and rewards: Benefit and Reward may cost a lot but it is important for further achievement. It promote employee to give high performance. Likewise, holyday payment, Colleague discount voucher, Pension etc influence people to give their 100% effort where they works. Colleague discount: After 12 weeks, ASDA provide Colleague Discount Card. Bonus: Their bonus scheme is designed to recognize and reward colleagues for their valued contribution. Flexible working: ASDA offers the opportunity to do everything from swapping a shift.Pension: ASDA Pension Plan is a great addition for retirement. Night Manager Allowance: Night Managers receive an extra allowance of either  £3000 or  £5000 per year depending on the responsibility of their role.Voluntary benefits: ASDA gives colleague benefits, like recognition, Long service awards etc. [Source: http://www.asda.jobs/all-about/index.html] Objectives of benefits and rewards: The aims of benefits and rewards of HRM are to: Achieve high performance from the staffs of an organisation. Make better life and certain future for staffs to get total output. Ensure workers concentrate 100% on their work. Encourage employees to think and better plan for the success of the company. Achievement of benefits and rewards: To achieve organisational success, a company must have to maintain the benefit, reward and compensation scheme. In 2008, ASDA paid out nearly  £38 million to 17,000 colleagues who planned to spend their cash on anything from horses, to shark dives to laser eye treatment! Voluntary benefits, Safety, Compensation, Wellness, Rewards, etc encourage employee to work or give 100% for the organization. Theoretical models of human resource management: Human Resource Management is generally performance or behaviour based. There are different types of theoretical Models of Human Resource Management. Among them two models are explained as below: Guests model of HRM: David Guests (1989, 1997) adapted the Harvard model to develop his model based upon four outcomes. These are: 1. Strategy integration, 2.Commitment, 3. Flexibility, 4.Quality. The guest model has 6 components: HRM strategy HRM practices HRM outcomes Behaviour outcomes Performance outcomes Financial outcomes Following Guest model ASDA takes some HRM strategies and practices to achieve some outcomes. It also tries its best to encourage employees through different activities for obtaining behaviour outcomes. Along with Handy, there are four types of culture; Power, Role, Task and Person. ASDA culture combines two of these. Top management of ASDA reveals power culture that makes the overall decisions. Other one is the task culture. In ASDA the overall aim of the organisation is task orientated and focussing on team customs, and powerful message between all levels of staff. ASDA has integrated the contingency approach by considering the environment culture. The Harvard model of HRM: The Harvard model was produced by Beer, Spector, Lawrence, Mills, and Walton in 1984, which is consists of six components 1. Stakeholders interests 2. Situational factors 3. Human Resource Management policy 4. Human Resource outcomes 5. Long term consequences 6. A feedback loop through which the outputs flow directly into the organisation and to the stakeholders The Harvard Model is emphasised as the soft approach to HRM, employees like stakeholders of the company. In this model has discussed four areas such as, reward system, employee influences, human resource flow, and work systems, there are also included situational factors such as influence of trade unions, labour market, and laws. According to the Harvard theory, employees are an asset rather than a cost. In ASDA, the line managers are in charge for people and store managers are in charge for the day to day running as a combination of both the hard and soft approach. In Task-2: Human resource planning and development Introduction: Organizations must be highly selective in identifying talented employees and developing and enhancing their skills to reach their full potential. HR planning: identifying human resource needs, career building, succession planning, and the development and implementation of a career development program. Human Resource Planning is systematic continuing process of analysing an organisations human resource needs under changing conditions and integrating this analysis with the development of HR policies appropriate to meet those needs. [Stephen P Marjorie C, Peoples Resourcing Contemporary HRM in practice, Chapter 4, Page-90 (3rd edition)] Human Resource Planning (HRP): HRP is not just the production of manpower plans and futuristic scenario planning, but needs to be seen as an important dimension of almost all aspects of HR. The planning of human resources becomes a search for those individuals who now and in the future will contribute most to the success of the organization. Employers have not only to acquire appropriate people to resource it, but they also need to train and develop them, for the following reasons as illustrated by Dressler, G (2003). Human Resource Development (HRD): Human Resource Development (HRD) is about develop people to improving recruitment and retention, improving competitiveness, implementing competitiveness, implementing new technology, improving customer service for enhance the organisations ability to compete with globalisation or competitive business world effectively. For worker development, human resource development (HRD) is the structure. By which, workforce can develop their personal and organizational skills, knowledge, and abilities. (Source: RDI DMS course material of HRM) Three HR Planning and development models: There are various human resources planning or development models. We look at three models which given below: Open new product line Open new Store and distribution system Develop staffing for new installation: -production workers -Supervisors -Technical staff -Other managers Recruit skilled workers Develop technical training programs Transfer managers from other facilities Recruiting and training programs feasible Transfers infeasible because of lack of managers with right skills Basic Human resource planning model and its effectiveness in ASDA: Too costly to hire from outside Develop new objectives and plans Recruit managers from outside Human Resource models are made according to the organizational objectives and plan requirement for attaining human resource goals. Furthermore, human resource objectives are straight related to the organizational objective and planning. To open a new branch of any company, Human Resource department need to think about production staffs, line managers, business manager, technical staffs and etc. Workforces are valuable for implementing the new product line, factory, distribution system, and achieving organizational goads. HR department of ASDA recruit skilled workers, develop technical training programs, and transfer managers from other facilities with right skills. ASDA involves forecasting outcome of various HR programs for employee flowing into, all the way through and out a variety of job classifications. They develop training programs regularly and broadly which are reflected in their activities. Attwoods Human Resource planning model and its effectiveness in ASDA: Human resource planning attempts to analyse likely influences on the supply of and demand for people, with a view to maximising the organizations future performance, Attwood (1989) Attwood decorated the planning for people in organizations that involves trying to obtain the right people, in the right numbers, with the right knowledge, skills and experience, in the right jobs, in the right place, at the right time, at the right cost. Following the Attwoods Human Resource Planning model, ASDA tries to do actions of supplying and making demand for the people to maximizing its future performance. ASDA also makes projects of future availability of key staff. This model adjusts and matches between current staff and future plan for its staffing terms. Then it makes evaluation of substitute approaches of dealing with these. Then ASDA selects the best substitute to reach its better HR planning. Following the Attwoods Human Resource Planning model, ASDA does analysing of current staff in organization and personal trends from personal records. Workforce planning model and its effectiveness in ASDA: Workforce planning is the system of analysing an organisations probable prospect needs for people in terms of data, skills and locations. This model allowed the company to diagram how those requirements can be met through recruitment and training. The main policy of this model is to make a right proportion of recruitment which is suitable for the organisation. It is very significant for a company like ASDA to plan ahead by following this model for better performance of workforce. ASDA is applying a workers planning diagram to set up the possible require for new workforce. This one considers executive and non- executive positions. In 2009/2010, for instance, ASDA estimate that to maintain their trade development there will be a demand for approximately 1,800 new managers. So, ASDA can adjust employment levels and recruit where needed. ASDA is looking to fill many vacancies within the company following this model. Task-3: Performance Introduction: Performance management is a process for sharing an understanding about needs to be achieved and then managing and developing people in a way that enables such shared objectives to be achieved. It is always important for managers and supervisors to get the best performance from their workforce in terms of levels of production and quality of output. Armstrong and Baron (2005) define performance management as a process which; contributes to the effective management of individuals and terms in order to achieve high levels of organisational performance. As such, it establishes shared understanding about what is to be achieved and an approach to leading and developing people which will ensure it is achieved. The purpose of performance appraisal is to enable employees to gain a clear picture of how they are performing in the organisation and to identify areas where they need additional support and training. Performance management is the method of making a work environment or setting in whic h people are enabled to perform to the best of their abilities. The five key elements of the performance appraisal are: Measurement Feedback Positive reinforcement Exchange of views and contract. Monitored HR Performance in ASDA: In ASDA, performance development reviews throughout the year and also formal appraisal interviews at regular intervals. ASDA can improve Benchmarking but they have to set standards and monitor the progress of themselves and competitors. For instance, setting goals, monitoring the employees accomplishment of those goads, contributing feedback with the employees, evaluating the employees performance, rewarding performance or firing the employee. ASDA is a huge organisation and they know that the secret to being successful and reliable is to provide good Customer Service. ASDA monitor the customer service progression via Benchmarking. This method in used by many organisations and is helped to show the performance of Customer service with other supermarket outlets. ASDA believe that the best approach to accomplish value for money is to monitor the performance levels of staff and want to reduce wasteful actions. Effectiveness of Performance in ASDA: By monitoring improvement, departmental managers or business managers can assess the efficiency of employees and determine which ones are meeting the terms of their agreement and contributing to ASDAs success. ASDA monitoring is the quality of work being produced that is one of the features and the efficiency levels within departments. 1. Assurance that the right people are in the right place at the right time. 2.  The improvement in the short-term outcomes such as attracting applicants, maximizing performance, and minimizing dissatisfaction and stress is made in order to retain valued employees. 3. HR planning will serve as a thread that ties together all other human resource activities and integrates these with the rest of the organization. 4.  Balancing present needs-of organizations and their employees for the future. Balance score card (BSC): The balanced scorecard (BSC) is the most widely applied performance management system today. The BSC was originally developed as a performance measurement system in 1992 by Dr. Robert Kaplan and Dr. David Norton at the Harvard Business School. Unlike earlier performance measurement systems, the BSC measures performance across a number of different perspectives-a financial perspective, a customer perspective, an internal business process perspective, and an innovation and learning perspective. Through the use of the various perspectives, the BSC captures both leading and lagging performance measures, thereby providing a more balanced view of company performance. Leading indicators include measures, such as customer satisfaction, new product development, on-time delivery, employee competency development, etc. ASDA balanced Scorecard: Total Management commitment IT solutions for results reporting SMART Target setting how does this Work? Linking reward and recognition to scorecard performance Cascading the BSC throughout the business Transferring ownership of the target measures to individuals Business planning the BSC way. Suggest ways to make Improvements: Sometimes, we see that poor performance lead to dismissal. Without checking, if wastefulness is allowed to continue, staff will lose interest, motivation will be concentrated and no encouragement to produce good quality products or services. Extra information on how to make improvement in the HR of ASDA is summarized as a suggestion as follows: 1) Choose the composition of the audit team: There has to be a representative from the HR function and from among senior line managers. 2) Recognize the functions main customers: The key decision is to clarify who makes the final decision to buy the services provided by the function. 3) Reconsider the HR functions mission statement: This statement describes the reason for the HR functions existence. 4) Reconsider the HR functions role in developing relevant HR policies and practices 5) Make internal comparisons to establish best practice: The organization need to build and constantly update a unique database of HR practices that gives an overview. Recommendations: They should to do constant reviewing of their Human Resource Development, and make adjustment are necessary. They should do demonstrate a model implementation of HRP. They should improve their HR sector to reach an ultimate goal. Suggested improvements: ASDA should- reduce employee turn over give confidence to long-term employment support training allowing employees progression to superior job opportunities increase their employees wages make recruitment strategy efficient let the employee enjoy more wealth of benefit include bonus keep continue environmental improvement

Comparing Dystopian Distress in Brave New World, Player Piano, and The

Dystopian Distress in Brave New World, Player Piano, and The Giver  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   Novels of the same subject matter may have decidedly unique ways of expressing the authors' ideas. Yet, dystopian narratives such as "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley, "Player Piano" by Kurt Vonnegut, and "The Giver" by Lois Lowry share many similarities in how the novels end. Throughout the genre of dystopian literature, each story has common ambiguous patterns that leave the reader unsure as to specific details at the conclusion. Oftentimes, this effect is achieved by leaving gaps in information, or presenting two different possibilities by which the tale could close. Even more enigmatic is a complete lack of conclusion all together; that is, the book concludes so abruptly that the reader is left to infer from her own thoughts and opinions what really happened to the main characters and the rest of society. One pattern commonly expressed in the end of dystopian novels is a situation in which foreshadowing throughout the novel gives tantalizing hints of what might be; usually, conclusion clues seem to imply a continual downfall of society. These stories portray a supposed utopian society in which one character, usually the protagonist, rebels against his commnuity and what it stands for, often times to bring about a specific change. One man or woman dares to be different. Three such examples that incorporate strong hints of premonitory information are "Brave New World", "Player Piano", and "Anthem". The novels often begin by introducing aspects of the corrupt society. For instance, in Aldous Huxley's account of a futuristic society, the world is made up of cloned castes of individuals, their entire futures determined at the point of their labora... ...three step patterns leading to societal downfall or gradual improvement, many dystopian novels achieve an ambiguous effect by their close. Each piece of literature leaves out one vital details that could determine exactly what happened, leaving the reader to infer what occurred based on his own thoughts and opinions. Oddly enough, this ironic way of ending continues with the overall themes of the books, showing that as one must make his own decision regarding interpretation of the novel's conclusion, all of the world's people must be left to choose their own fate. Works Cited Atwood, Margaret. "The Handmaid's Tale". Boston: Houghton, 1986. Huxley, Aldous. "Brave New World". New York: Harper & Row, 1969. Lowry, Lois. "The Giver". New York: Laurel-Leaf, 1993. Rand, Ayn. "Anthem". New York: Signet, 1946. Vonnegut JR, Kurt. "Player Piano". New York: Dell, 1983.

Mr :: essays research papers

Legal Studies Assessment Law to punish miscarriage assaults ASSAULTS on pregnant women leading to the deaths of their unborn children will be punishable by up to 25 years in prison under new New South Wales laws. NSW Attorney-General Bob Debus said the Government would amend the definition of grievous bodily harm under the Crimes Act to include the loss of an unborn child. Mr Debus said the amendment would not interfere with existing abortion laws. He said the amendment was being introduced after the cases of Renee Shields who lost her unborn baby boy Byron in a road rage incident in 2001 and Kylie Flick who lost her unborn child after she was assaulted in 2002. "The amendment is specifically aimed at criminal attacks upon women, enabling the courts to give due recognition to the pain and trauma experienced by women like Renee Shields and Kylie Flick who lost their babies following senseless and brutal attacks," Mr Debus said. This particular article is about a new amendment that has been introduced that if an offender assaults a pregnant woman and causes a miscarriage then the offender will receive up to 25 years. I think this is a good idea, it causes women a lot of stress and emotional damage if they lose a child unborn or born, if a criminal is the cause of a baby’s death then the effect will be compensation of the woman by dealing the maximum punishment. This article concerns administrative law as it is a law introduced to help the rights of citizens. Unprovoked Man jailed for shooting girl February 24, 2005 A FATHER of two has been jailed for at least five years for the unprovoked shooting of a teenage girl. Riannon Pierce required emergency surgery after she was shot in the abdomen by Robin Paul Murdoch at her home at Macclesfield, south-east of Adelaide, during the early hours of January 1, 2003. The South Australian District Court heard Murdoch, 29, of Mount Barker, smiled as he fired the revolver and threatened: "If you tell anyone about this I'm going to shoot you. I'm going to kill you". He had met Riannon, now 17, just moments before the shooting. Halfway through his court trial, Murdoch pleaded guilty to carrying a loaded firearm in a public place and two charges of discharging a firearm with intent to annoy or frighten. He was further convicted by a jury of one charge of shooting with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Bad Coffee :: essays research papers

It was a cold and damp morning, the moisture stuck to skin like flies to fly paper. The loud â€Å"thud thud thud† of the helicopters had awaken me from my trance, after two and half hours of sleep. I had risen just in time for a fresh cup of coffee when all of the sudden a chopper touched down just outside the barracks kicking up all the debris and dirt it could find. The night before had been a hellish one, the mortar blasts and screams of my fellow soldiers had kept me awake nearly all night. And how, my coffee had been ruined by the damn helicopter. I was in the worst place on Earth, Saigon, in 1968. Definitely the wrong place at the wrong time. My orders were simple, so I thought. Meet up with a group of Green Berets just outside of enemy lines, and go north to a small village controlled by American troops, we would get more information soon after we had arrived. That was it, just like king of the hill when I was kid. I met up with my partners in a joint called the Lucky Money, a real run down place, the air filled with stale smoke and the scent of plastic palm trees. Let’s just say the Lucky Money had seen better days. Hell just four months ago Bob Hope had occupied that vacant stage. The atmosphere was filled with tension. At the drop of a pin the whole environment could erupt into total chaos, half the time shoot outs would start in the street just from punks tossing rocks around. The guys I met up with were worn down, not one of them had a good night’s rest in at least a month, you could see it in their eyes. All they wanted was a ride home, and they were going to do anything and everything in their power to get home. The leader of the group, Colonel Jake Denton, had been here two damn years. He didn’t have much to say except he missed his kids. The other three were all from Texas, but none of them knew each other until the army put them together. The mousy looking kid was from Dallas, and he always had a cigarette hanging from his lip, a sure sign of the stress that was building inside him, his name was Jon Weinhard.

Positive relationships with children Essay

Develop positive relationships with children, young people and others involved in their care. 1.1 Explain why positive relationships with children and young people are important and how these are built and maintained. It is essential to build positive relationships with children and young people, as the quality of our relationships with children and young people will make a substantial difference to their behaviour, achievement and overall wellbeing. There are various different ways to encourage children to have positive relationships with practitioners and other professionals as well as other children. Positive relationships are built on trust, for young people trust means knowing someone believes in you and they feel they can confide in you in many different situations. 1.3 Evaluate own effectiveness in building relationships with children and young people. I would consider myself to be effective at building relationships with children and young people. I do this by: * Being a positive role model * Being consistent * Showing genuine interest * Valuing each individual efforts * By acknowledging and talking about feelings * Striving to build positive self esteem * Provide a safe place when things get too much * Having a positive attitude * Providing a positive atmosphere * Being approachable at all times * communicating effectively * sharing information but maintaining confidentiality with other staff * having positive eye contact * acknowledging negative and positive emotions * sharing positive strategies that have helped with other practitoners * acknowledging positive behaviour * maintaining confidentiality * matching resources /lesson to meet each childs needs * providing a friendly, secure environment * respecting all individual needs To maintain a positive relationship with children and young people, you have to show young people you are approachable. Communication skills are therefore influential. Showing children and young people positive behaviour is also vital as positive behaviour encourages young people to have positive attitudes, which include manners and respect. This means that practitioners must be consistent in their moods and behaviour so reactions are predicable. Showing children you are a good listener and you understand in all situations helps with their confidence, giving them praise and encouragement encourages children to be positive. Valuing each Childs achievement helps them to feel they can experiment, fail and not be criticised. This helps with children and young people’s self esteem. Children and young people who feel valued are more likely to have higher self esteem and it is clear ‘from research Weinberg (1978), that children who have high self esteem are more likely to fulfil their potential.’ Children and young people who have good relationships may find they can talk more openly. Further more children who feel someone believes in them are more likely to try harder. 2.1 Explain why positive relationships with people involved in the care of children and young people are important. It is crucial as the practitioner to build and maintain a strong positive relationship with children’s parents/carers. ‘As good relationships also benefit the quality of interaction between the setting and parents/carers.’ Where relationships are strong parents/carers are more likely to share information, make comments and take interest in what their Childs progressing at and support what areas of improvement maybe needed. This benefits children and young people enormously and helps practitioners to meet their Childs needs. Young people look at their parent’s reactions in order to decide whether or not to be apprehensive. Positive interaction (smiles, laughter) helps children settle in and feel relaxed. For staff and helpers positive relationships in settings mean that they can enjoy their work. Good relationships between staff are extremely important as during times of stress or difficulties other practitioners can share and support one another. Children and young people become aware of the atmosphere and relationships between working staff and model their own behaviour on the way in which you treat each other. Always respect others options. Everybody benefits from having positive relationships with others. Good positive relationships with parents/carers , colleagues and children are enormously important in early years settings as they benefit everybody especially children and young people .This is because positive relationships create a welcoming, confidential and secure atmosphere. Which helps with all round child development.

Neoliberal Globalization Essay

In the article â€Å"Neoliberal Globalization† by Dan Clawson, the author contended that the advocates of neoliberalism tried to integrate this into globalization. He said that they are continuously attempting to make policies favorable to companies’ profits. Unfortunately, these do not make corresponding benefits and compensations to its workers that trigger labor crisis in the United States. Clawson further argued that neoliberalism should not be misunderstood as an inevitable phenomenon to accompanied globalization. Take for example the internet. Since the internet is a â€Å"powerful force† that connects people in one region to the world, it is also considered as the best contributor in globalization. In order to take that advantage, companies today tried to adapt a neoliberal perspective on the use of the internet to make more profit for themselves. Even so, the internet is for everyone in the world – whether a person has wealth and power or not. In addition to this, the concept of globalization of the internet is very different from the perspective of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on globalization. Their belief is to generate most profits for business, much to their interest. The neoliberals believe that the their version of globalization has generated many profits and has made individuals wealthy. Yes, businesses nowadays are indeed making more profit than before because of neoliberal strategies. However, the wealth has been distributed unequally; in other words, wealth has been concentrated in certain business people. Clawson demonstrates this wrong argument of neoliberals by providing two different economy periods namely, the welfare state and the neoliberal state. Clawson’s argument questioned why the average family income during the welfare state period was doubled compared to the slow increase during the neoliberalism period, given that the neoliberal oriented economy brought prosperity to the state. There was a noticable increase in income during the later period, but these increases were made by women workers and mostly distributed to the top people in the business. The Neoliberal version of globalization has then resulted in the continuous gap widening between the average workers and the top executives. With this, how does neoliberal globalization damage our economy? The damages are serious and concentrated in the working class population. The more international trade grows, the higher income inequality becomes. This causes more people to lose their jobs because of the companies’ decision to relocate to other countries to cut costs. Many of them relocate their manufacturing jobs to China and the service sector jobs to India. This is the main reason why most of the products we avail are from China, and the servicing jobs are in India. All of these are causes of the companies’ downsizing and the increased unemployment. Clawson proposed some solutions to the neoliberal form of globalization. He said that if the workers formed a union, the capital would be controlled, and there would be a decrease in the relocation. I agree with this thinking of Clawson. Abolishing the boundless rights corporations have in relocation is an effective way to maintain the workers’ rights. Unfortunately, the process was more complicated than what Clawson suggested. Another alternative was the regulation of labor conditions through organizations, such as the United Nations or the WTO. Clawson proposed that WTO should focus more on the workers’ rights and environment, and not only the company profits. WTO was established to protect organizational profits. If the right to regulate labor condition is granted to the WTO, there is a possibility that the WTO operate favorably to generate corporations’ profits. Clawson’s neoliberal version of globalization brought labor’s crisis in the United States. He demonstrated these by providing many case examples. However, his proposals did not address possible obstacles, which may follow as a result of those solutions or in the process of formulating those solutions.

Language Obervation Essay

Setting: The observation took place in the child’s home. The child’s home is a semi-detached house in a housing estate Immediate Context: This observation took place in the kitchen. TC is seated at the kitchen table finishing his homework. His father is nearby washing up at the sink. The observation took place at 2.30 in the afternoon. An hour after TC returned home from school. TC’s brother and sister are running around the kitchen while another brother is sitting at the table playing Lego. Name of Child: TC Brief description of the child: TC is a male aged 6 years and 5 months. He has been in school since September 12 months ago. He has one older brother (aged nine) three young brothers (twin 3 year olds and a 2 year old) he has  a younger sister also (aged 2 years). Because of the number in his family he is very active and talkative. Aim of observation: The aim of this observation is to observe TC for a period of time of 10 minutes in order to assess his language development. Observation: TC is sitting on a chair at the kitchen table finishing off his homework he is drawing objects that begin with â€Å"I†. He asks how to spell ice-cream, igloo and ice as these are the shapes he’s drawing. He takes out a sheet filled with words to learn. He is now looking at his words and pronouncing them. TC has finished his homework and packed away his bag. He takes out a sheet a paper. TC -> A â€Å"Daddy how do you spell IGLOO?† A -> TC â€Å" I-G-L-O-O† TC -> A â€Å"How do you spell ICE?† A -> TC â€Å"I-C-E† TC -> A â€Å"How do you spell ICE-CREAM† A -> TC â€Å"Well you already have ice on your page copy that first† TC -> A â€Å"but I need to spell ice-cream† A -> TC â€Å" Write down ICE then put a – then put C-R-E-AM† TC -> A â€Å"Okay† A -> TC â€Å"Are you finished now Ois?† TC -> A â€Å"Where’s Mammy Daddy?† A -> TC â€Å"Show me, what it is?† TC -> A â€Å"No it’s for Mammy, not you; you won’t know what to do with it!† A -> TC â€Å"ok she’ll be here in a minute she’s gone to the bathroom† A1 -> TC â€Å"what’s wrong Oision?† TC -> A1 â€Å"this is a letter for you from teacher† A1 -> TC â€Å"what’s it about?† TC -> A1 â€Å"The parent teacher meeting† A1 -> TC â€Å"ok what have I to do with it?† TC -> A1 â€Å"you have to read it and fill it out for teacher† A1 -> TC â€Å"oh right okay you go on and play so, good boy† Evaluation: The aim of this observation was to observe and record the language of TC, a six year old boy, for fifteen minutes as he finished his homework and engaged in conversation with his parents in order to gain a better understanding of his language development. I feel that I achieved this aim very well and that generally TC’s language development appears to be within the normal range for his age. Certainly, TC’s word pronunciation is accurate. He does make little errors tough e.g. he says â€Å"ate† for â€Å"eight†. This is usual for his stage of development. While children between four and five years pronounce most words correctly, they â€Å"may show some immature sound substitutions† (Flood 2010) One of the theorists I have studied is Skinner (1957), Skinner believed â€Å"that  learning, including language learning, occurs as a result of reinforcement.† Another theorist I have studied is Bruner(1915-). Bruner believed first-hand experience allows children to develop their ideas and thinking, he called this â€Å"enactive thinking†. Bruner stress the importance of the child’s environment in language development. He believes â€Å"The adults and more able peers in a child’s life provide what he calls a language acquisition support system (LASS).† Motherese, recasting, expanding and labelling all part of this system . Key stage of language development Gross Motor Skills †¢ Child tries to understand the meaning of words. The child uses adverbs and prepositions. The child talks confidently, and with more and more fluency. †¢ The child uses language creatively. The child adds vocabulary all the time. †¢ The child is an explorer and communicator; he or she begins to be able to define objects by their function – for example, â€Å"what is a bicycle† â€Å"you cycle a bicycle†. Fine Motor Skills †¢ A young child does not learn well in isolation from other children and adults. The child begins to share as he or she learns. Sharing sharpens and broadens the child’s thinking. This helps the child to learn better – for example, he begins to understand book language, and that stories have characters and a plot (the narrative). †¢ The child begins to realise that different situations require different ways of talking. The child establishes a sense of audience (who he or she is talking to). In summary, TC’s language development in terms of both fine and gross motor skills seems to be just on target and have reached the developmental milestones expected for his age. Personal Learning Gained †¢ I learned more about children’s language development. I know understand the terminology of â€Å"labelling†, â€Å"semantics†, â€Å"syntax†, â€Å"recasting† and â€Å" expanding†. †¢ I learned that in order to do so accurately, a tape recording with transcription is advisable. References †¢ Child Care & Education (5th Edition) (Bruce, Meggit, Grenier) Hodder Education †¢ Planning Play and the Early Years (2nd Edition) (Penny Tassoni, Karen Hucker) Heinemann †¢ Child Development for Students in Ireland (Eilis Flood) Gill&Macmillan †¢ Education & Care in the Early Years (4th Edition) (Josephine Donohue & Frances Gaynor) Gill&Macmillan

Multiculturalism And School Music Education Education Essay

Before get downing to discourse about Macaus music instruction, the general history background should be introduced ab initio. Macau lies on the western side of the Pearl River Delta across from Hong Kong, which is to the E, surrounding Guangdong state to the North and confronting the South China Sea to the E and South. The entire country of Macau is about 29.5 kilometers and the population is about 544,000. ( Macau Yearbook 2007, 475 ) The history of Macau can be traced back to the Qin Dynasty ( 221-206 BC ) , Macau was under the legal power of Panyu county at the clip. Between the old ages 1368 and 1644, under the Ming Dynasty, fishermen moved to Macau from Guangdong and Fujian states. Therefore, Macau was a normal fishing small town before the reaching of Portuguese. Macau was a former Portuguese settlement, and was both the first and last European settlement in China every bit good. Since the Portuguese arrived in the sixteenth Century, Macau started to be developed as a major colony. In 1535, Lusitanian bargainers obtained the rights to ground ships in Macau ‘s seaports and to transport out trading activities, though non the right to remain onshore. ( Fung, 1999 ) In 1887, Macau became a settlement of the Portuguese imperium and its sovereignty transferred to the Portuguese. Macau became one of two particular administrative parts of the People ‘s Republic of China ( the other being Hong Kong ) in 1999. Under the policy of â€Å" one state, two systems † , the Chinese authorities is responsible for the district ‘s defence and foreign personal businesss, while Macau maintains its ain legal system, constabulary force, pecuniary system, imposts policy, and in-migration policy.The Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration and the Basic Law of Macau stipulate that Macau operates with a high grade of liberty until at least 2049, fifty old ages after the handover. Macau participates in many international organisations and events that do non necessitate members to possess national sovereignty. Macau ‘s economic system is dependent mostly on touristry and chancing which make up about 50 % of the economic system. In peculiar, chancing in Macau was legalized by the Lusitanian authorities from the 1850s, and Macau has been known as the â€Å" Monte Carlo of the Orient † since so. It is worthwhile to see that most of the visitants come from Mainland China and Hong Kong. Therefore, it can be concluded that the Macau ‘s economic system to a great extent depends on Mainland China and Hong Kong. The population of Macau is consist of 95 % Chinese, includeing Cantonese and Hakka. The staying 5 % aliens which includes Portuguese, Nipponese and Philippine members. ( Result of 2011 population nose count. 11 ) Therefore, assorted cultural groups and sole history background form Macau as a multicultural society, and such phenomenon exists in anyplace. The first case is the multiple linguistic communications. The official linguistic communications are Lusitanian and Cantonese Chinese, and there are 40 % and 1.5 % of the population in Macau are able to pass on through Mandarin and English, severally. In add-on, Hokkien and the Creole Macanese linguistic communication besides exist. Furthermore, the 2nd illustration may be the festivals. Not merely should the Lunar Chinese New Year be one of the most important festivals in Macau, but besides the Christmas may be celebrated, every bit good.2. Macau ‘s instruction in colonial period.In the sixteenth century, the authorities clung to the instruction system of Portugal and about all the educational events were supervised by the Catholic missionaries in Macau. In 1572, the Jesuit priests established a school in Macau, taking to learn kids and the grownups who were willing to be a Christian missionary ( Li & A ; Choi, 2000 ) . Furthermore, in 1594, the first Western university was founded in Macau by the Jesuits, which claims the rubric of the first Western university in the Far East ( Li, 2001 ) . Such state of affairs besides happened in other settlements at the same clip. In 1599, the Jesuits transformed their school originally founded for the Indians into colleges for direction in broad humanistic disciplines ( Havighurst & A ; Moreira, 1965 ) . From the 16th to 19th century, except a bantam figure of kids from rich households who could engage private instructors, a immense sum of childs were taught merely by sermonizers. For illustration, a primary degree school named the St. Rose of Lima School was established in 1692, which targeted to learn basic reading, composing, Portuguese, Latin, French and English to kids who come from destitute households. ( Silva, 1998 ) To sum up, there were really few measures of primary schools existed at that clip. In the mid of 19th century, the authorities paid more attending to Macau ‘s instruction in order to consolidate the Lusitanian position in Macau. Li & A ; Choi ( 2000 ) point out that the Macau colonial authorities established the first Portuguese primary school in 1847 and managed by diocesan priests. The first Lusitanian Government secondary school was founded in the 1893 and managed by the authorities. In the twentieth century, with the dining development of Macau ‘s instruction, a series of jobs were besides exposed. The political legislative acts of Macau was alone due to the about 50 decennaries ‘ settlement by Portuguese. Such alone statues has sometimes been considered as a consequence of the contradiction between Chinese and Lusitanian authoritiess, and was besides be influenced by the sole mode in which Portuguese sovereignty had been carried out locally. Franco Nogueira, who was the Portuguese Foreign Minister, concluded the state of affairs in 1966 as follows: â€Å" aˆÂ ¦ We have ne'er been genuinely autonomous over Macau ; we have ever outlasted out of China ‘s good favour, and authorization has ever been shared with them. † ( Nogueira, 1966 ) , viz. there was restriction of Lusitanian sovereignty over Macau. Rosa ( 1990 ) besides points out that such state of affairs besides happened in local instruction system in the 1980s. The authorities ‘s policy could non follow the gait of the instruction development in Macau. Even more, there were really few pupils: merely 5 per centum of Macau ‘s pupil population, survey in the public schools. In institutional footings, on the one manus, the huge bulk instruction sectors were private Chinese watercourse schools and which held about 85 % . On the other manus, there were merely 15 % schools in Macau were government-run. In other words, the instruction in Macau had different systems, and both of the private and authorities schools were â€Å" fighting to run into the Territory ‘s demands – but hardly wining in making so. † ( Rosa, 1990 ) Due to the deficiency of proper organisation and support, the system of Macau ‘s instruction was extremely based on related states and countries, such as Hong Kong, the People ‘s Republic of China, the United Kingdom and Portugal. Such dependance can be seen from the course of study and the contents. However, the imitation and dependance may non run into the demand of Macau itself. The ground might be that the Macau ‘s alone history and civilization background may non be wholly same as other states or countries. Rosa ( 1990 ) believes that there were several defects in the country of human and physical resources. First of wholly, the absence of the available instruction material might be a serious job in Macau. For case, the teacher/student ratio was highly high at the pre-primary degree of private Chinese watercourse[ 1 ]school in 1988 ( 1/45 ) . Second, academic making of the teaching staff was unsatisfactory. There were merely 54 % of the instructors had accepted learning preparation or keep instruction grade ; on the contrary, 34 % of the instructors might merely complete secondary school. In footings of the physical resource, the private schools ever suffered from overcrowding in schoolroom and deficit of learning equipment. However, there had been some advantages in Macau ‘s instruction. Harmonizing to the research from Rosa, the age of most of the learning material in Macau was under 50 ( which was about 84 % ) ; moreover, 62 % of instructors were between 20 to 39. Obviously, th e immature instructor might be really helpful to get the better of the quandary at that clip. In add-on, in the 1980s, the private schools, which occupied a immense sum of the schools in the Territory, deficiency of proper intercession and support from the authorities, taking to a batch of Macau ‘s households being unable to pay fees for school and the increased rate of dropout. Hence, the authorities approved the Law No. 11/77/M on October 22 1977 and so some fiscal aids was set out based on it. The donees of such aid included the privately-owned school, their teaching staff and the pupils. First of wholly, the fiscal aid helped the instruction establishments to regenerate equipment and renovate plants. Second, instructors received authorities excess subvention in order to promote them through the Government Order No. 199/85 in 1985. Third and the most significantly, tonss of the pupils, even non all of them, received subsidies from the authorities, which non merely lightened the household finances load, but besides reduced the dropout rate which was highly high. Howev er, the fiscal aid might non enough to run into the demand of the development of Macau ‘s instruction. For illustration, the pupils ‘ allowance merely occupied about 40 % of mean schooling fees, viz. Macau did non hold free general instruction at that clip and might non accomplish the end of equity of instruction. Furthermore, harmonizing to Rosa ( 1990 ) , there was a Chinese watercourse instructors developing class sponsored by Macau Education Department since 1987. Rosa besides shows that in the academic twelvemonth 1988/89, there were 106 local instructors who took portion in the instructors developing class. To sum up, there were several issues exist in footings of Macau ‘s instruction during the colonial period. Initially, deficiency of organisation and systematized construction resulted in heavy dependance on other counties ‘ systems. However, it was happenstance with the cultural and societal world of Macau in a little grade. The 2nd job might be the restriction and deficiency of resource, including in human, infinite and fiscal facets. On the one manus, the deficit of eligible teaching staff and equal infinite may take hapless quality of instruction ; on the other manus, deficiency of instruction financess would be the ground of the high rate of bead off, and doubtless, such a high schooling fees no uncertainty increase the fiscal load of many hapless households. About all the jobs in Macau ‘s instruction could be partially attributed to the softness of local authorities supervising and direction. Even more, there were no exact official counsel and ordinance in footings of instruction country. Therefore, the authorities since handover has already changed their attitude to such facet and improved relevant policies and systems. For case, the most of import and necessary action is to implement and vouch free schooling, particularly in the first six old ages of primary school. And so, the mainframe Law on Macau ‘s Education System has been approved desperately in order to suit the Macau ‘s world of the development of society and civilization.3. Macau ‘s instruction since handover3.1 General instruction in Macau Macau enjoy a high grade of liberty harmonizing to the â€Å" one state, two systems † policy since handover on 20 December 1999. In footings of instruction, as prescribed by the Basic Law of Macau Chapter VI Article 121, the Government of Macau â€Å" shall, on its ain, formulate policies on instruction, including policies sing the educational system and its disposal, the linguistic communication of direction, the allotment of financess, the scrutiny system, the acknowledgment of educational makings and the system of academic awards so as to advance educational development † and â€Å" bit by bit establish a compulsory instruction system † ( Basic Law of Macau ) . And it besides provided that Macau ‘s general instruction is charged by the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau ( the DSEJ ) . In institutional footings, the construction of Macau ‘s instruction sector rests chiefly on private-owned establishments. As Table 1 ( DSEJ, 2012 ) shows that approximately 85 % of local schools are private. Alternatively, merely 15 % schools are government-run. Even though the rates in 2011/2012 academic twelvemonth are really near to which in colonial period, this state of affairs has changed. From the academic twelvemonth 2007/2008, a 15-years free instruction is offered to the pupils who have been enrolled in the schools that are belonging to the free instruction school system, viz. it is free of charge from kindergarten to secondary in all public schools and great bulk of private schools. Meanwhile, pupils of non-free school would afford allowance from the SAR authorities every twelvemonth. For illustration, pupils of non-free kindergarten and primary received 10,000 MOP ( Macanese pataca, about 800 British Pounds ) , and the pupils from these secondary schools acquired 12 ,000 MOP in the academic twelvemonth 2009/2010. Table 1. Number of General School in Macau 2011/2012 ( DESJ, 2012 ) Free instruction school system* Public schools 2—3 5——1 11 Private Schools 1 2 2 15 4 26 3 53 Private schools of non-free instruction school system 3———3 5—11 Entire 6 2 5 20 7 31 4 75 Auxiliary reading: – There are wholly 35 schools supplying inclusive instruction. Among which, there are 8 public schools, 22 private schools of the free instruction school system and 5 private schools of the non-free instruction school system. Harmonizing to the TABLE 2 we can deduce that the figure of pupils decreased continuously in these 10 old ages. The ground might be the sustained decrease of birth rate from 1989 ( statistics from DSCE, 2012 ) . But it is worthwhile to see that the figure of instructor increased endlessly, in other words, the teacher-student ratio have became more sensible than in the colonial period times which was 45 pupils per instructor. And the ratio, which was about on tierce of colonial period, was 13 pupils per instructor. Table 2 Figures of General pupil Numberss in recent 10 academic old ages ( DESJ, 2012 ) 2002/2003 49,215 46,610 95,825 2,404 3,951 2003/2004 48,842 45,970 94,812 2,454 4,181 2004/2005 47,603 44,777 92,380 2,441 4,275 2005/2006 45,953 43,246 89,199 2,414 4,363 2006/2007 44,005 41,301 85,306 2,418 4,445 2007/2008 41,771 39,052 80,823 2,418 4,610 2008/2009 39,481 36,928 76,409 2,425 4,711 2009/2010 38,273 35,553 73,826 2,417 4,831 2010/2011 37,577 34,787 72,364 2,404 5,104 2011/2012 36,794 33,925 70,719 2,415 5,134 Not merely the sum of instructors is wrinkling, but besides the quality of learning material in Macau is bettering, every bit good. From the Table 3 ( DESJ, 2012 ) we can deduce that most of the learning material in Macau are possessing pedagogical preparation: more than 90 % of instructor of kindergarten possessing pedagogical preparation, and more than 80 % and 70 % of the instructors from primary and secondary schools received teacher developing class from 2008 to 2012 academic old ages. Furthermore, there are huge bulk of the instructors developing class are organized by DESJ, and other are supported by public university ( see the TABLE 4, ) , in other words, it sponsored by the authorities. In add-on, the Numberss of trainees are continuously grow these old ages. Therefore, the sufficient attending paid by the authorities is good to better the degree of instructors ‘ specialisation and learning ability. TABLE 3 Rate of instructors possessing pedagogical preparation ( for in-service instructors merely ) in recent 4 academic old ages ( DSEJ, 2012 ) Education degree Academic Year 2008/2009 Academic Year 2009/2010 Academic Year 2010/2011 Academic Year 2011/2012 Baby 95.3 % 94.6 % 92.1 % 93.2 % Primary 86.1 % 84.7 % 85.8 % 87.9 % Secondary 70.8 % 71.2 % 72.1 % 74.3 % Table 4 Figures of instructors developing ( including normal instruction ) in recent 3 academic old ages ( DESJ, 2012 ) Forming establishments Number of trainees ( by frequence ) 2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011 Education and Youth Affairs Bureau 17,964 23,950 32,340 University of Macau 677 754 805 Macau Polytechnic Institute 24 54 122 Colegio Diocesano de Sao 37 59 60 Entire 18,720 24,817 33,327 In footings of fiscal resource of Macau, harmonizing to the TABLE 5 we can deduce that investing from the authorities addition steadily. In 2007, the per centum of public instruction outgo to gross domestic merchandise is 2.1 % , and which was 0.2 % lower than 2008. After so, the rate arrived the extremum at 2009, which occupied about 2.6 % of the GDP. Table 5. Public instruction outgo and gross domestic merchandise ( DESJ, 2012 ) Unit of measurement: million Pataca Type Year 2007 Year 2008 Year 2009 Gross domestic merchandise 141,934 161,669 165,457 Public instruction outgo 3,028 3,704 4,372 Rate 2.1 % 2.3 % 2.6 % However, the rate of public instruction outgo to GDP of Macau was much less compared with whether western or about states. For case, harmonizing to the statistics from the World Bank ( see the TABLE 6 ) , the rates of both the United Kingdom and the United States held steady from 5.4 % to 5.6 % , and which was about twice more than Macau. On the other manus, the rates of Hong Kong and Japan, both of those are Asiatic states and shut to Macau, were besides much higher than Macau and floated between 3.0 % and 4.5 % . Therefore, the proportion of Macau ‘s instruction outgo to GDP was still at a low degree. Table 6. The per centum of public instruction outgo to gross domestic merchandise of United Kingdom, United States, Hong Kong, Japan and Macau. State Year 2007 Year 2008 Year 2009 United Kingdom 5.5 % 5.4 % 5.6 % United States 5.5 % 5.5 % 5.4 % Hong Kong 3.5 % 3.3 % 4.5 % Japan 3.5 % 3.4 %—Macao 2.1 % 2.3 % 2.6 % In brave, harmonizing to the day of the months above, it can be concluded that: First, the 15-years free instruction system might be the most impressive facets of Macau ‘s instruction, which brings several benefits ; for illustration, it would helpful to accomplish the end of the instruction equality. And besides, it lightened the fiscal load on family. The most of import is that it would hold profound consequence on the development of the society. Second, the teacher-student ratio became more acceptable compared with the period times. Furthermore, due to the turning figure of free instructor train class, the overall quality of the instruction might better in some extent. Third, the authorities increased fiscal input to instruction, and the proportion of public instruction outgo to GDP raised. However, it might still lie at lower degree compared with western and some close states.3.2 General Music Education in MacauThe development of Macau ‘s music instruction may non be balanced in different facets. Social music instruction has shown it tendency of vigorous development: more and more private and extracurricular music categories organized by the authorities, the mission and civil groups appeared and â€Å" plays one of the most of import function in Macau ‘s music instruction † . ( Dai, 2004a ) On the other facet, third music instruction grew rapid since handover: foremost, in 2009, the Macau Conservatory united the affiliated in-between school of China Central Conservatory of Music to form a music secondary school ; secondly, the new class – music public presentation – is added in to the School of Art, Macau proficien t Institute, which expand the field of third music instruction. However, the development of general music instruction seems to dawdle behind compared with societal and third music instruction. Harmonizing to a study in 2003, Dai ( 2004b ) points out that Macau ‘s general music instruction is â€Å" free and self-generated, alternatively of regular and normative † , and â€Å" the instruction quality is unevenaˆÂ ¦ there are series issues and may impede the development of music instruction, which keep the degree downaˆÂ ¦ ( It may ) non presume its responsibility and duty † . Dai ( 2009a ) introduces some basic information of Macau ‘s general music instruction. Initially, in most instances, the primary and junior secondary schools offer one music lesson per hebdomad. What ‘s more, it is frequent to offer music extracurricular activities in the schools[ 2 ]. In add-on, the music instruction equipment is comparatively complete. Furthermore, an overpowering 89 proportions of the schools ain music schoolroom. In footings of learning stuffs, which are multiple and about all of them are imported from Hong Kong and Mainland China. Because there is no expressed ordinance or counsel from the local authorities, instructors should take learning stuffs by themselves. The deficient figure of instructor can be one of the most note worthy characters of Macau ‘s general music instruction and it may increase the instructors ‘ work load in some extent. It is besides worthwhile to see the instructor ‘s quality is different, some of them may non have music background or instruction degrees are lower than expect. On the other manus, although the authorities intercession in schools is restricted, it may take to a growing of music instruction via to keep a series music activity. For illustration, Macau Education and Youth Bureau ( DSEJ ) organizes interscholastic singing competition every twelvemonth, which may advance development of general music instruction via communicating of music public presentation among the schools. In add-on, the DSEJ holds series of activities to popularise art music and some music groups are invited in order to execute to the secondary school pupils. The purpose of the activity is to give a opportunity to the pupils to travel to music concert hall every twelvemonth because the organisers believe it may elicit pupils ‘ involvement of music grasp. What ‘s more, the one-year Macau Young Musicians Competition, held by Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macau S. A. R, aims to progress the musical humanistic disciplines in the district and heighten the preparation and public presentation abilities of immature local instrumentalists. For good over two decennaries, the competition has given 1000s of immature people the chance to derive cherished phase experience, and therefore has played a critical function in the betterment of the musical accomplishments of Macau ‘ young person. To sum up, the character of Macau ‘s music instruction can be concluded as: rapid development of societal music instruction and imperfect general music instruction. The latter includes 3 facets: issues on learning stuffs, authorities and instructor resource.III. Issues and Challenges in MacauTeaching stuffsDatas analysis Current state of affairs of learning stuffs can be described by two questionnaire studies in 2003 and 2009. Both of them are completed by music instruction professors of Macau Polytechnic Institute. ( Dai, 2004b & A ; Dai, 2009a )Table 7. Resource of the instruction stuffs of Macau*Beginning of learning stuffsQualityRateMacao 2 3.1 % Mainland of China 18 28.5 % Hong Kong 47 74.6 % Mission 2 3.1 % Complied by the schools themselves 23 36.5 %Entire60100 %* Multiple picks Most of schools selected learning stuffs that are imported from Hong Kong ; and so comes to the instruction stuffs that complied by the schools themselves and Mainland China, and those occupied 74.6 % , 36.5 % and 28.5 % individually ( multiple picks ) . Furthermore, merely 4 per centum schools use Macau and Mission editions. In add-on, the figure of schools whose teaching stuffs are determined by principals occupied about 15 per centums ; learning stuffs of the remainder 85 % schools are decided by their ain music instructors. Furthermore, those studies besides illustrate instructors ‘ attitudes towards learning stuffs. An overpowering 93 % of the instructors consider that the qualities of learning stuffs are tolerable but still have room for betterment, 7.4 % of them think the stuffs are disused, 3.7 % of instructors regard that pupils may non fulfill with the instruction stuffs and more than 20 % of them do non believe the instruction stuffs reflect local conditions or are suited to local demands ( multiple picks ) . Issues and challenges of instruction stuffs Harmonizing to the questionnaire study shows above we can deduce that the deficiency of incorporate and proper learning stuff could be a serious job of Macau ‘s music instruction. Fifteen ( 2008 ) indicates in her research that the current state of affairs of Macau ‘s music instruction stuffs is complicated. Assorted different editions are applied in both primary and secondary schools, including the stuffs exposed from Hong Kong and Mainland of China, complied by schools themselves, mention from songbooks and music instruments stuffs. In add-on, the unsure applications of those learning stuffs make the state of affairs more complex. At the first glimpse, it seems benefit to the instruction generation because of the variegation of learning stuffs. However, it may besides hold several disadvantages. First of wholly, there is strong subjectiveness and random in the choice of learning stuffs, it may take the inadequacy of criterion. Second, the patched quality of the instruct ion stuffs may harmful to the instruction equality. Such instruction stuffs system may because of the alone political, cultural and economical state of affairs in Macau. Before handover, the Portuguese-run colonial authorities took a mostly laisser-faire and negative attitude towards Macau ‘s civilization and instruction, and this led to miss of standardisation and considerable variegation of the educational system. ( Huang & A ; Chen, 2007 ) Furthermore, the policy of Macau ‘s learning stuff has non been stipulated by jurisprudence explicitly, whether the Proposta de Lei do Sistema Educativo district attorney RAEM ( Proposal for the Education Law Special Administrative Region ) legislated by Portuguese-run colonial authorities in 1991 or the Lei de Bases do Sistema Educativo Nao SuperioriNon-Higher Education System Outline Methodi?†°legislated by Macau authorities in 2006. However, Hong Kong where has a similar colonial history as Macau implements much more positive criterions and policies imposed from British author ities. On the other manus, due to Macau ‘s economic system that concentrates on chancing and touristry and relies well Mainland of China and Hong Kong, its instruction and civilization signifier a characteristic that is regarded as dependance. Consequently, such grounds underlie several characteristics of Macau ‘s instruction stuffs – variegation, liberalisation and dependance ( Huang & A ; Chen, 2007 ) The systems of music instruction stuffs in nearby countries, like Mainland of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, are dissimilar from Macau. For illustration, from 2001, Mainland China patterns scrutiny and blessing system for learning stuffs. That is, the publishing houses should roll up music text editions observed by the New Music Curriculums Standards, and so those books need to be examined by the Examination Committee. ( MOE, 2006 ) several sorts of text editions arose after the policy of â€Å" One Principle, More Textbooks † issued by the Department of Education. Taiwan has similar learning stuffs system with Mainland China. ( Huang & A ; Chen, 2007 ) In footings of Hong Kong, Huang ( 2000 ) indicates that the Hong Kong Education Bureau issues the Recommended Textbook List to schools every twelvemonth. There are many assortments of music text editions on the list. For case, there are 7 sorts of music text editions in the junior secondary school list. ( Hong Kong, EDB ) Unlike the system of Hong Kong, Macau ‘s authorities dose non recommends any text editions to schools. And besides, there is no expressed criterion and counsel presented by the authorities of Macau, and which is different from Mainland China and Taiwan. Furthermore, there is no music learning stuff was compiled or published the local instruction section. Although some schools may roll up learning stuffs themselves, the quality and the character of localism may be weaken due to the restriction of local instructors ‘ professional degree. In summarized, the degree of Macau ‘s learning stuff system may still far behind the which in nearby countries. In brief, the deficiency of unitarity, the lack of ordinance and the jobs left over from history could be three major grounds which cause the current state of affairs of learning stuffs in Macau. And such issue has been widely concerned by local music pedagogues. For case, the Dai ‘s study ( Dai, 2009a ) shows that about all the music instructors agree that it is necessary to roll up a series of music instruction stuffs with in order to run into the local demand. And besides, a instructor suggests that local characters should be added into text edition. Such research reflects the demand from music instructors of local music instruction stuffs. To turn to the issues mentioned above, specific suggestions and recommendations will be given in Chapter IV. Teachers and instructor preparation Date Analysis The researches from Dingcheng Dai & A ; Baisheng Dai ( Dai, 2004b & A ; Dai, 2009a ) in 50 primary and secondary schools, the position quo of music instructors lists below: Table 8 Number of music instruction material Number Percentage Full-time 24 28.9 % Part-time 54 65 % Guest Teacher 5 6.1 % Entire 83 100 % The studies indicate that the entire sum of music instructor in the primary and secondary schools is 83 ( 1.66 per school ) . There are 24 full-time instructors and occupied 28.9 proportions. It is worthwhile to see that the sum to parttime music instructor which hold overpowering 65 per centum. In footings of instruction background of the instructors, merely 13 of them hold bachelor grade or above, which account for 15 % . 21 of them graduated from junior college. The remainder of the instructors may have enfranchisement of secondary school. The state of affairs of academic activities is besides contained in the research. There are 10 documents published in diaries ( 0.2 per school ) . Furthermore, 17 text editions are complied by the instructors ( 0.34 per school ) and 48 vocals are composed by them ( 0.96 per school ) , every bit good. The DSEJ ( Macau Education and Youth Affairs Bureau ) issued a Music Syllabus in 1999[ 3 ], 22 % of the instructors select the option that â€Å" I am familiar with it and will implement it purely † ; 56 % of them express their attitude that â€Å" I know it but can non implement it purely † ; and remainder of the instructors ( about 22 % ) may non be cognizant of such authorities paperss at all. 2.2 Issues and challenges of instructors and instructor preparation By the day of the months and researches shows above we can deduce that a batch of lacks exist in the Macau ‘s music instructor resource. Initially, insufficient of sum of instructor can be one of serious jobs. Dai ( 2009 ) indicates that it may increase the instructors ‘ work load, and underlines inability to farther preparation and development. A research by Beijing Normal University ( 2007 ) besides points out that it is about cosmopolitan that the learning material in Macau is suffered from long working hr and heavy work loads. In footings of music instructors, on the one manus, because a instructor may learn a batch of different classs, who may endure from endemic force per unit area to fix lessons and frequently be exhausted. For illustration, the studies show that there is a instructor should learn 8 different classs. On the other manus, due to some music instructors should learn non merely music, but besides other topics like Chinese and English, they have no suffi cient clip and attempt to go to learning preparation and farther perusal. Second, the low quality of the instructors can be a terrible job of Macau ‘s music instruction. Harmonizing to the informations above we can deduce that an overpowering 85 per centum of the instructors may non keep unmarried man grade. And more notably, most of the instructors are parttime and may non have professional music instruction or preparation of all time. For case, a instructor surveies mathematics in undergraduate and who may be both mathematics and parttime music instructor. Therefore, purely talking, the instruction background of the instructor is unwanted, every bit good. Therefore, merely a really few of the instructors ‘ professional background can run into the demand of eligible music instructor. Furthermore, the studies besides indicate that non merely the consciousness of academic research is deficient, but besides the theoretical idea of music instruction is bare. The history of third music instruction can be traced back to 16 century. Li ( 2001 ) mentioned that the Saint Paul College, which founded by Portuguese and claimed the rubric of the first Western University in the Far East, offered music class since 1594. It is too bad that the development of Macau ‘s third music instruction was dead since 1726 when the college closed. There was a space of third music instruction that was about 250 old ages until 1997 when the music class was established by the Macau Polytechnic Institute. Hence, the historical space of Macau ‘s third music instruction non merely suspended the first-class tradition, but besides had left harmful influence to its development until today. For case, more than half ( 54 % ) of Macau ‘s music instructors are received music preparation or instruction outside of Macau ( Dai, 2009a ) . At the first glimpse, it indicates variegation of endowment, but the lake of local music instructor instruction was emerged, every bit good. There are two universities in Macau that offered the class related to music instruction. The first 1 is the module of Education, University of Macau that offer music instruction as an optional class to primary and pre-primary instruction in the first or 2nd semester of year-2. However, such short-run preparation ( one semester merely ) may non fulfill the demand as a music instructor. The 2nd is Macau Polytechnic Institute that offers a 4-year professional music instruction class, which brings a great possibility for the development of third music instruction. However, some jobs still exist. Initially, little graduated table and pupil beginning limited could be a major hindrance to the development of third music instruction. Due to the little figure of registrations ( 15 – 20 per twelvemonth ) and the cost of instruction input, seldom of optional classs can be offered, which may non run into the demand of the pupils. In add-on, the beginnings of pupils are restricted because the sum of occupant decreases continuously ; and besides, it seems less attractive to the pupils from Mainland China even though the school accept them since 1996. Furthermore, the university can non form external class due to local authorities ordinances, therefore the demand of farther preparation from the local music instructors may non be satisfied. Furthermore, it has less internsh ip chances than expect, therefore some of the pupils can non develop experience cognition from internship, and the university may get feedback from the pupils about the current state of affairs of general music instruction which may helpful to set its course of study. In add-on, although farther instructor preparation classs are offered in several organisations[ 4 ], seldom of them are focal points on music or its teaching methods. It should be a serious issue in Macau ‘s instructor resource. Government Datas analysis The TABLE 9 shows public and non-tertiary instruction outgo between 2007 and 2010. The per centums of those to entire authorities outgo in the four old ages are besides listed. The sums of public instruction outgo are addition from 2007 to 2010. The per centum of which to entire authorities outgo is 16.2 % in 2007 ; However, over the following two old ages, the proportions decreased to 14 % and 13 % . But in 2010, the per centum rose to 14.9 % . Although the existent figure of public outgo of non-tertiary instruction grows from 2007 to 2010, the per centums of which remain the downward tendency between the 4 old ages. The proportion was 10.2 % in 2007, and autumn to 8.9 % and 8.2 % in 2008 and 2009. It hit a new depression in 2010 and which was 7.5 % . Table 9 Education Finance Indicators of Macau ( DESJ, 2012 ) Indexs Year 2007 Year 2008 Year 2009 Year 2010 Public instruction outgo ( Unit: 10 million Patacas ) 3,028 3,704 4,372 5,776 The per centum of public instruction outgo to entire authorities outgo 16.2 % 14.0 % 13.0 % 14.9 % Public outgo of non-tertiary instruction 1,912 2,347 2,763 2,896 The per centum of public outgo of non-tertiary instruction to entire authorities outgo 10.2 % 8.9 % 8.2 % 7.5 % Issues and Challenges The insufficient of investing of the local authorities for public instruction should be a one of the most primary factors curtailing the development of public, particularly non-tertiary instruction. Harmonizing to the TABLE 9 we can deduce that although the existent input is addition, the per centum of public non-tertiary instruction disbursement is decrease continuously. The ground of such state of affairs might be that the rise of non-tertiary instruction outgo can non maintain up with the entire authorities outgo. Because the entire authorities outgo remains increase in the four old ages due to the rapid economic growing of Macau[ 5 ]. It besides suggests that the velocity of Macau ‘s instruction development is slower than the rapid economic growing of Macau. The TABLE 6 shows the per centum of public instruction outgo to gross domestic merchandise of United Kingdom, United States, Hong Kong, Japan and Macau. Harmonizing to the statistics we can deduce that the grade of public instruction outgo lags far behind the Western states. Even more, it remains far less that the per centum of Hong Kong which is such similar to Macau, no affair the history background or the current economic state of affairs. The local instruction section deficiency of valid paperss and steps which could steer or direct the development of general music instruction could be the other drawback. Because the Lusitanian authorities took laissez-faire attack to Macau ‘s private schools, that system of the schools and course of study are diverse. Such attack may besides take the school instruction deficiency of incorporate criterion. ( Feng, 1999 ) Furthermore, Macau Education System ( 1991 ) provides that the authorities does non hold the right to interfere learning plans of the schools, every bit good. However, Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, which is in charge of Macau instruction, has an duty to steer, manage and measure the non-tertiary instruction, and therefore the DSEJ establishes Education Commission, Youth Commission and educational supervising system. But it is too bad that music instruction seems rarely involved in the educational supervising system. And besides, the committees may chiefly concentrate on the extracurricular music activities, such as the interschool singing competition. Even though the activities promote growing of general music instruction in some extent, and flourish activity of general music instruction apparently, those may non wholly stand for the state of affairs of Macau ‘s school music instruction. The ground may be that, foremost, those are non everyday, viz. it is timeliness. Attention will be attracted merely if few months before it stars, and schools may fix it without attempt. Second, merely seldom of pupils can participant of the ac tivities, and it may non profit to all the pupils. Therefore it is unjust to the pupils who do non go to the activities. Third, the study of Dai ( 2009a ) indicates that some of the instructors consider that music category may replace by such activities[ 6 ]. However, music category is the lone manner to accomplish the end for comprehensive, equal and consecutive general music instruction. The DSEJ may disregard such phenomenon and importance of general music instruction at some extent. Furthermore, some school leaders may attach excessively much importance to ensue and ranking of the activities, and put unusual force per unit area on the music instructor. For illustration, consequence of the singing competition may act upon fillip and rating of the music instructors. Hence, the music instructors concentrate on preparing of the competition alternatively of general music category, and which can non offer benefits to the pupils ‘ music survey. In brief, even though the DSEJ and the Cultural Affairs Bureau make a great attempt to form music competitions, the right counsel for the activities is absent, and the basic map of music instruction is non achieved. It is besides worthwhile to see that the authorities paperss for general music instruction might be dawdling. The Macau Education and Youth Affairs Bureau issued a Music Syllabus in 1999 and which is available on the official web site ( DSEJ 1999 ) . The papers contains 3 parts and focal point pupils on different degree, including junior primary, upper primary and junior secondary. The web site besides offers two other links, including the Music Curriculum Standard of Mainland China and the Music Curriculum Outline of Hong Kong. Nevertheless, those two official paperss are issued in 2001 and 2003 individually, and which may propose that Macau ‘s official papers is far behind the Hong Kong and Mainland China. To sum up, the issues of the local authorities exist in three facets: the underfunding on public non-tertiary instruction, the deficiency of right counsel and the obsolescence of official usher paperss for general music instruction. In the first facet, on the one manus, the local authorities investing for instruction is non merely much less than the Western states, but besides smaller nearby countries ; on the other manus, the growing of the investing may non maintain up with the rapid development of Macau ‘s economic and society. Furthermore, the instruction and civilization sections of Macau lack proper counsel, therefore the extracurricular music activities hold by them may non accomplish the end for music instruction. In footings of the authorities paperss, which may be outdated comparison with the nearby countries.Need to suit cultural diversenessTeaching stuffs and cultural diverseness Presents, multicultural music instruction has become a tendency of music instruction throughout the universe. Meanwhile, local music besides be more emphatic because which plays a great of import function in multicultural music instruction. Dai ( 2009b ) insists that as an unalienable portion of history and civilization, local music represents non lone tradition and plants, but besides a sort of communicating between single and group. The instruction of local music may assist pupils and instructors to understand themselves ‘ universe via a series of comprehensive and related ways. Hence, local music should be a important attack to associate people, society and civilization. Music instruction may be isolated from the civilization and the societal environment when without local music. As one of the most of import parts of music instruction, learning stuffs should suit local music facet, every bit good. Fan ( 1990 ) insists a successful music learning stuffs should assist pupil to non merely research the civilizations of foreign states, but besides understand their ain music bequest. However, as I discuss before, the music learning stuffs of Macau might be in bad crisp. Local schools either borrow music learning stuffs from nearby countries, such as Hong Kong and Mainland China, or roll up their music instruction stuffs by themselves for each classs. On the one manus, Chang ( 1994 ) points out that there are two disadvantages of the deficiency of local instruction stuffs. The first 1 should be that the pupils might lose the opportunity to pass on with the outside universe at some extent. Second, he realizes that the pupils may non to update newest cognition. On the other manus, a study made by Wang ( 2010 ) indicated that the music textbooks used in Macau are chiefly emphasized on international common people vocals, like Nipponese, Korean and African Children ‘s nursery vocals ; and besides, the common people vocals from different territories of Mainland China are besides included in those teaching stuffs. However, seldom of Macau local music may be referred in those text editions. Therefore, he believes that the application of text editions imported from Hong Kong and Mainland China could ensue the fact that â€Å" non merely ca n't the local Macau pupils enjoy efficient music acquisition experienced in neighbouring parts, but the pupils besides lack the chances to larn their ain cultural and musical heritage from their ain music text edition † . On the contrast, Wang ( 2003 ) considers that the locally published instruction stuffs could â€Å" unite pupil ‘s learning competence in the part † and may give opportunities to the pupils to appreciate their ain music and cultural heritage more wholly. And besides, it can supply pupils the acknowledgment of their ain alone national features. Consequently, we can deduce that the lake of local music learning stuffs should be one of the most serious jobs in Macau ‘s multicultural music instruction. 4.2 Teachers, teacher preparation and the authorities Music instructors play one of the most of import functions in multicultural music instruction. The instructors should non merely learn music cognition to the pupils, but besides introduce the civilization which related to the music. Anderson ( 1991 ) considers that â€Å" music instructors must fix to make more than add stray choices of non-European musics to the course of study † , and they must assist pupils to understand the relationship between people and their music. Music instructors ‘ attitude and point of position in multicultural music instruction is highly of import, because it may act upon both instructors ‘ schemes and program, even the schoolroom ambiance ( Young, 1996 ) . The music instructor ‘s attitude in Macau can be acquired through Dai ‘s ( 2004 ) study. There is a inquiry in the probe about which sort of music accomplishment the instructors want to larn ( multiple pick ) . There are 70 % and 52 % of them want to larn more about â€Å" choir conducting † and â€Å" music teaching methods † ; â€Å" music grasp † and â€Å" eurythmies † occupied 44 % and 37 % individually[ 7 ]. There are merely 26 % and 18 % of the instructors interested in â€Å" universe musics † and â€Å" Chinese traditional music † . However, those two topics are the most of import facets in multicultural music instruction, and therefore we can deduce that merely a few of the instructors may invol vement and pay attending to multicultural music instruction. Such attitude in multicultural music instruction may impede its development at some extent. Current instructor preparation in Macau may non much aid to multicultural music instruction. As I mentioned above, the University of Macau offer music instruction as an optional class for primary and pre-primary instruction. But the topics related to multicultural music instruction, such as Ethnomusicology, Chinese traditional music are non available in the music instruction class in the University of Macau[ 8 ]. Furthermore, due to seldom of music instructor developing organized by the local authorities[ 9 ], multicultural music preparation might be a clean country in it. It is worthwhile sing that the ESA ( School of Art ) of Macau Polytechnic Institution may be the lone university refers subjects comparative to multicultural music instruction[ 10 ]. However, because the figure of pupils is little and the history of the university is short, it may non act upon Macau ‘s multicultural music instruction so much. As I discussed earlier, the local authorities deficiencies of criterion and ordinance to instruction, and which besides should be a ground of imperfectness of music instructors, learning stuffs and even more, multicultural music instruction. The fact that there is small policy should another failing in multicultural music instruction. Other states ‘ authorities, such as England, issues much more paperss in relation to multiculturalism than do authorities in Macau. For illustration, the Music Syllabus of Macau stipulates every twelvemonth ‘s instruction content and mark. In the primary degree, neither the instruction content or the mark reference multicultural music instruction. On the contrary, the section for instruction in the United Kingdom stipulates multicultural music instruction in every Key Stage. The State Curriculum ( for England, Wales and Northern Ireland ) for general music instruction at Key Stage 1 and 2 stipulates â€Å" students should be taught the cognition, accomplishments and understanding throughaˆÂ ¦ a scope of unrecorded and recorded music from different times and civilization † . ( National Curriculum ) Furthermore, it should be another failing that the Music Syllabus of Macau chiefly focuses on music cognition and accomplishment, alternatively of civilization. For case, the instruction content in grade 4 includes five parts: vocalizing, listening preparation, rhythm preparation, reading tonss and music grasp. In the last portion, the demands are: 1 ) listening vocal and instrumental pieces ; 2 ) separating genera of vocal and instrumental pieces ; 3 ) retrieving music kineticss ; 4 ) separating AB and ABA signifier ; 5 ) separating duple, three-base hit and quadruplicate metre. All of the demands are technique and seldom of them referred to civilization. Such state of affairs may non profit to multicultural music instruction.IV. Suggestions from other states theoretical accountsHarmonizing to the treatment before, the issues of Macau ‘s music instruction can be concluded in four facets. First, instructors and instructor preparation could be a portion of the issues: the figure of instructor is inadequacy, and the quality of the instructors may be lower than anticipate. Furthermore, the failing of third music instruction and the deficiency of farther learning preparation, may besides impact Macau ‘s music instruction profoundly. Second, lack of learning stuffs ordinance and local text edition should besides be a job in Macau ‘s music instruction. Third, in footings of the authorities, there are some issues on the authorities investing. Furthermore, the deficiency of valid counsel and the obsolescence of official usher paperss for general music instruction may be harmful, every bit good. Fourthly, civilization diverseness should be accommodated in order to develop Macau ‘s music instruction. In order to better and decide the issues, some first-class experience and theoretical account for general and multicultural music instruction can be learned from other states. However, Kennedy ( 2009 ) insists that a specific theoretical account of multiculturalism can non be transported straight from one state to another, because every theoretical account has its ain characters. Therefore, three states, including the United States, Hong Kong and Mainland China, are selected to demo their successful theoretical accounts and experiences. The ground why the states are chosen may be that, ab initio, the United States is the topographic point to implement the construct of multicultural music instruction most successfully around the universe. In footings of Hong Kong, the state of affairs of which is really similar to Macau: both of them were settlement, and so handover to China in the 1990s ; even more, civilizations of these two topographic point are similar due to the geographical prop inquity. However, the state of affairs of instruction in Hong Kong is better than Macau due to the different colonial authorities policy. Finally, Mainland China portion the same civilization with Macau, and its multicultural instruction developed really good in recent old ages.Multicultural instruction in by and large in the United States, Hong Kong and Mainland China by and large.The history roots of multicultural instruction should be traced to the Civil Rights Movement in 1960s. The Civil Rights Movement in the United States is the societal action of African American and other people of colour aimed at disputing racial favoritism, subjugation and inequality ( Banks, 1989 ) . The motion focuses on equity and emancipation from white domination in both political and educational facets ( Blum, 1997 ) . They demanded for curricular reform in order to consistent with the racial diverseness in the state. Such motion besides inspired other groups to seek acknowledgment and equality in i nstruction, such as adult females, the handicapped and lingual minorities. The jobs received considerable attending in the educational establishments and organisations in the United States. Therefore, a host of plans, patterns and policies emerged and chiefly concentrate on little alterations or add-ons to traditional course of study. During 1970s, a figure of professional organisations encourage the integrating of cultural content and the course of study via issued policies and publications. For case, the National Council for the Social Study ( NCSS ) published the Curriculum Guidelines for Multiethnic Education in 1976[ 11 ]. And besides, the criterions for teacher instruction are issued in 1977, by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education ( NCATE ) , which require that the multicultural instruction content should be added to classs. From 1980s, the bookmans chiefly focus on developing new attack and theoretical accounts for multicultural instruction. ( Gorski, 1999 ) He besides consists that multicultural instruction must be understood comparative to the societal facet and political construction. Nowadays, the construct of multicultural instruction was applied in a figure of topics, such as history, mathematics ( Sleeter, 1997 ) , ocular art and music. In footings of Mainland China, Wang ( 2007 ) believes that chiefly emphasizes on â€Å" local diverseness † , that is, the cultural diverseness of Chinese minority groups should be the most of import facet of Mainland China ‘s multicultural instruction. He insists that the multicultural instruction in the western states may concentrate on civilization ‘s maintain and development. But in China, the endurance and development of the minority groups should be more important to multicultural instruction. There are 55 minority groups in China and all of them have their ain civilizations. Even more, 24 of them have their ain linguistic communications. The Chinese authorities issues several policies in order to develop and protect multicultural instruction. First, bilingual instruction is applied in the topographic point of abode of cultural minorities, which proposed in 1950 ab initio in the Plan for Cadre Cultivating in Minority Groups. Second, the civilization heritage of the cultural minorities was included in the course of study. The policy â€Å" Strengthening the Cultural Minorities Education † issued in 1980, which provides that the development of course of study and the compilation of learning stuffs should utilize their ain linguistic communication, and related to their ain history, civilization and humanistic disciplines. As a Particular Administrative Region of the People ‘s Republic of China, Hong Kong has alone position and ever see as runing pot of western and eastern civilizations. The authorities of Hong Kong attach much importance to multicultural instruction, and they believes that reformed instruction can advance the development of multicultural instruction even which is a comparatively new experience for the schools of the HKSAR ( Ho & A ; Law, 2009 ) . The planetary citizenship became a constituent of civil instruction for secondary school, and a figure of lesson in the course of study intended to assist pupil appreciate the diverse heritage of the universe ( Law, 2004 & A ; Curriculum Development Council, 1998 ) . The authorities besides insists that pupils should be educated to see and believe profoundly on â€Å" different values to their ain, their relationships with others, the community, the state and the universe at big graduated table † ( Ho & A ; Law, 2009 ) . Furthermore, the authorities believes it is necessary that the pupils should hold ability to appreciate multicultural diverseness in the humanistic disciplines, and understand the values and the traditions of universe musics. ( Curriculum Development Council, 2003 )Brief Introduction of Multicultural Music Education in the United States, Hong Kong and Mainland China.The United States is a innovator and a microcosm of international multicultural music instruction. The federal authorities wage attending to the development in humanistic disciplines instruction and issued the Goal 2000: Educate America Act in 1994 and set frontward the clear mark for American pupils: â€Å" All pupils will go forth classs 4, 8, and 12 holding demonstrated competence over disputing capable affair including English, mathematics, scientific discipline, foreign linguistic communications, civics an authorities, economic sciences, the humanistic disciplines, history, and geographics † . On the one manus, the authorities offers support in support facet, for illustration, $ 86.5 million available to provinces in 1994 to get down developing school betterment programs and an extra $ 5 million was made available to develop programs to utilize state-of-the-art engineering to heighten instruction and acquisition. On the other manus, the first National Standards for Arts Education is created with the transition of Goal 2000. The music course of study in the United States is developed on the National Standards for Arts Education. The standard requires the pupil to â€Å" understand music in relation to history and civilization † and to â€Å" place an appreciate music from different civilizations, manners and periods for all class † . There is no uncertainty that the publication of the criterion non merely go a milepost, but besides symbolizes the mature phase of the multicultural music instruction in the United States. In add-on, multiculturalism draws attending to music instructor instruction in colleges and universities. The multicultural constituents are added in the class. Furthermore, The National Association of School of Music ( NASM ) stipulates â€Å" all ( music ) undergraduate course of study shouldaˆÂ ¦ provideaˆÂ ¦ a repertory for survey that includes assorted civilizations and historical periods † . Furthermore, some provinces in the United States â€Å" have enfranchisement demands that specify that ( music instruction ) pupils should have music literature experiences that draw on a assortment of music civilizations from throughout the worldaˆÂ ¦ ( Including ) African and Asiatic musics. † ( Anderson, 1992 ) Furthermore, multicultural instruction is one of the contents in the scrutiny of learning enfranchisement in some provinces. For illustration, Colorado, New Hampshire, Vermont and Virginia have multicultural music demands ; Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Oregon have multicultural demands in professional instruction for music enfranchisement. ( Ma, 2009 ) Multiculturalism refers to non merely musics from other states, but besides minority cultural musics. The New Music Curriculum Standards requires pupils to â€Å" develop and spread out † minority cultural traditional musics, and understand musics from other states. What ‘s more, the demand and rule of the instruction stuffs ‘ compilation are besides listed in the criterion. In footings of multiculturalism, the criterion requires the content of music text editions should maintain the balance between the Chinese traditional music and universe musics. It is besides worthwhile sing that the standard stipules that the text edition that is based on it should busy 80 % – 85 % in the entire sum, the remainder 15 % – 20 % should be local learning stuffs. Fan ( 2009 ) points out that the characters of music instruction stuffs in China are â€Å" diverseness of the content and big of the scope † . Take the music text edition published by People ‘s Music Publication House[ 12 ]as an illustration, which contains six units and involves western art music ( The Plant Suite ) , Asiatic music ( Indian, Turkey, Thailand musics ) , movie music ( music from â€Å" Do Re Mi † ) , Chinese traditional ( yangko ) and minority cultural musics. ANNEX? ? ?