Leading a Diverse Workforce Essay Example for Free

Leading a Diverse Workforce Essay 1.0Introduction This report is an introduction to the circumstances of the diverse workforce. It explains the causes of diverse workforce leads into past, present trends. Where focus has centred on the consequences, there are some advantageous and disadvantageous outcomes which lead to â€Å"pay-off† of the organization. Therefore, discussion moves forward to the difficulties that managers would face and the management solution. The report concludes with a discussion 2.0Causes of Diverse Workforce â€Å"Workforce diversity is a workforce consisting of a broad mix of workers from different racial and ethnic background of different ages and genders, and of different domestic and national culture† (Naik, 2012). The emergency and development of diverse workforce is basically the result of globalisation, which is the current developing trend of the world. To meet the challenge of globalisation, it is extremely necessary for an organisation to have a diversity strategy than a domestic one (Naik, 2012). The diverse strategy enables the organisation to enlarge their customer base and market since the various backgrounds of employees make it much easier to communicate with global customers. There is also another cause of diverse workforce which is the requirement of the law and responsibility for the society (McInnes, 2013). There are usually some disadvantaged people in our communities who may suffer discrimination and a lot of hardships. In consider of that, the government has made anti-discrimination legislation to protect the rights of those disadvantaged people. Therefore, the organisation recruits people such as women, aboriginal and disabled individuals to form a diverse workforce as abid ance by the law and as a social obligation. 3.0Past and Present Trends The trends of the workforce diversity in the organisation are dramatically difference between past and present, for the aspect of gender, generation and cultural. As the globalisation is prevalent around the world, especially in Australia where the place is encouraging multiculturalism and immigration, there are more organisation engage the workers with different  cultural, it makes the workplace more diverse, such as the Vodafone and ANZ Bank. For example, ANZ Bank started to promote a diverse workplace since 1990s. They believed that the staff with a vibrant and diverse background and life experience can help to forge strong connections with all their customers. Besides, in the past, the women in the workplace were automatically assigned to temporary or part-time jobs because their first priority was taking care of their families. It shows that most of the gender work in an organisation is male. However, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (2011, p.3) indicate s that â€Å"The proportion of women in the Australian workforce and in leadership positions is increasing since 1960 with 52% and compared with 70% in 2009†. Nowadays, most women tend to work as a permanent worker and do not see it as temporary because women are become more independent. Therefore, the gender diverse in the workplace has a huge change from homogeneous to diverse, thus the organisation have been learning to treat women as the equals of men and discrimination against female employees are now against the law. 4.0Consequences of Diverse Workforce 4.1The advantages of having diverse workforce First of all, it can increase an organisation’s creativity, flexibility and innovativeness (Cole, 2013). More fresh ideas and different perspectives could be provided by diverse employees from various cultural backgrounds and mind-sets since they are more willing to think outside of the box (Belcher, 2014). Secondly, the diverse workforce can attract more different customers as the employees are capable to communicate across cultural boundaries which therefore give the organisation a competitive edge and help meet the needs and wants of globalisation better (Belcher, 2014). What is more, the image and reputation of an organisation could be enhanced through a group of diverse people and then retention can be improved because it appeals to some other competent talents (Cole, 2013). Loyalty of employees would also be reinforced since they are in a fair and friendly working environment. Last but not lease, the proper utilisation of diverse workforce will result in greater producti vity (Belcher, 2014). 4.2 The disadvantages of having diverse workforce In fact, diverse can lead to a conflict and some negative effect. Jensen (2011, para. 10) demonstrates that â€Å"Communication is the key to breaking down the cultural; barriers between people†. As people with different cultural may easily have a communication problem, they will always cause misunderstanding which will harm working relationships and damage working environment and atmosphere. Therefore, a company ne beds a well planning to engage different background, culture, experience, ability and age of employees, and provide an effective policy on every member of the workplace. 5.0The â€Å"Pay-off† The advantages and disadvantages of diverse workforce are heatedly debated. As we mentioned above, a diverse workforce can assist an organisation in many aspects such as working environment, productivity and creativity. Generally speaking, a diverse workforce enables an organisation to be much better. Though a diverse workforce would cause some misunderstanding, the problems will be solved as long as the managers are able to handle it. Eventually, with the development of the diverse workforce, it turns out that the benefits outweigh the costs. 6.0Challenges for managers The change of workforce requires leaders to pay more attention to adjust policies for diverse employees made up of ages, genders, nationalities and more. Meanwhile, employees also need to know how to work and communicate with people who are different with dissimilar cultural background. â€Å"Diversity management practices are specific activities, programs, policies, and any other processes designed to improve management of diversity via communication, education and training, employee-involvement, career management, accountability and cultural change† (Cieri, Costa, Pettit, Buttigieg, 2008, p.6). The people with various cultural backgrounds a typical kind of diversity. They could forge strong connections with customers coming from diverse background; however, it might cause conflicts and misunderstandings because of their different understandings for things. In this case, in order to make full use of this kind of employees and force a nice working environment, managers are su pposed to deliver the concept of accepting and understanding other cultures and let the employees share  cultural value. Multigenerational team is another kind of the diverse workforce. Because of backgrounds, circumstances or the different education level, multigenerational workforce is much easier to bring about conflicts and misunderstandings. As a result, the function of leaders becomes significant and essential. They analyse and manage conflicts, organise all the work. More importantly, leaders know what kind of job each generation is qualified. For example, the younger generation is more likely to do the creative work while the older generation is better to do with the management. Conclusion As it enters the 21st century, workforce diversity has become an essential business concern. Diversity could be a positive factor to contribute to the local business, but misunderstanding is a major barrier. Australia as a developed country is attracting people from all over the world to come for study and work. Therefore, the government should make a comprehensive policy to improve diverse workforce issue, such as the working condition and foreign workers’ permission standard of the entrance system in Australia. Person with disability is a typical kind of diversity. They might have achievements that the normal people could not reach. Although they are not as efficient as others, they might have specific achievements that normal people could not reach. In this case, in order to make full use of them, leaders give this group more welfare as well as set up particular facilities to assistant them to work more efficiently and effectively. Reference list: Cieri, H., Costa, C., Pettit, T. Buttigieg, D. (2008). Managing a Diverse Workforce: Attraction and Retention of Older Workers. Retrieved from http://www.buseco.monash.edu.au/mgt/research/acrew/ageing-workforce-wp-2008.pdf Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (2011). Human Resources: Managing Diverse and Inclusive Workplaces, p.1-9. Retrieved from www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Document/Mange-Diverse-Inclusive-Workplace.pdf Jensen, M. (2011). Special Issue on: Impacts of Diversity in the Workplace: Maintaining Open Communication. Aviary Group. Retrieved from www.aviarygroup.ca/special-issue-on-impacts-of-diversity-in-the-workplace-maintaining-open-communication/ McInnes, R. (2013). Workforce Diversity: Changing the Way You Do Business. Diversity World. Retrieved from http://www.diversityworld.com/Diversity/workforce_diversity.htm Naik, P. (n.d.). Challenge for Business Survival-Managing Workforce Diversity. IOSR Journal of Business and Management. Retrieved from http://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jbm/papers/7th-ibrc-volume-2/15.pdf

Tesco: Strategic Management Analysis

Tesco: Strategic Management Analysis Introduction This unit discuss about the strategic management and leadership of the organization. So in this report discuss about the relationship between strategic management and leadership and impact on strategic decisions. As next question discuss about the support of management and leadership theory on organizational direction and consider about the impact of management and leadership styles on Tesco PLCs growth strategy and discuss about the leadership strategy of the Tesco. In the third part determine about the leadership requirements and about the current and future leadership requirements of Tesco. Then discuss about the development of leadership requirements and usefulness of selected methods to develop the leadership skills. 1.1 Understand the relationship between strategic management and leadership 1.1.1 Relationship between Strategic Management and Leadership The organizational strategy is determine by the first person or top management of the organization, then the strategy was formulated and implemented as two parts. The using effective management of strategy process can be express as a strategic management. The strategic management helps to achieve the organizational goals and objectives to create competitive advantage. The strategies are not only created by the top management but due to forces of the leadership the strategies were implemented and carrying out by the organizations. Sometimes the leadership created the situation for need of strategic change in the organization. The leadership is very influential and motivates the people in terms of achievement of the organizational expectations. Therefore the leadership was affect to the organizational activities and the strategic management process. Therefore these are a relationship between strategic management and leadership. The different leadership styles of affect to the organizat ional establishment of vision, mission, goals, establishment of organizational management/ structure/ culture, rules and regulations and etc of related activities of strategic management process. (Hill and Jones 2007) 1.1.2 Impact of management and leadership styles on strategic decisions The management styles The management style of Peter Drucker explained the setting of objectives of the organization, plan organize the work in to a specific manner, motivate the employees and other managers to work, performance / achievements/ communication measuring based on the objectives and employee development. This clearly identifies the influence from the management style to the strategy process of the organization, means the strategic decisions were also impacted on management style of Peter Drucker. As next management style is F.W. Taylors scientific management system of management of organizational activities. In this style the manager provided the specific way of doing each an every task to utilize the work, the employee will motivate through paying incentives and all tasks were change according to the scientific management style. That means the strategic decisions were affected by the scientific style of management. (Source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/30457447/Principles-of-Management-Lecture-Notes-for-MBA) The leadership styles The trait theory provides the leader was born to lead the others with specific characteristics (appearance, personality, voice, participation, capacity) and qualities. The employees accept his decisions in any time that means this leader can influence to the strategic decisions of the organization. The next leadership theory discuss was about situational theory with change according to the situation of the organization. The four situations of (a) tell- the leader tells to the subordinates about specific instructions (b) sell- the subordinates receives the independence to work under investigation of the leader (c) participate- the employees will take collective decisions about the organization (d) delegate- leader look at until the subordinates come up to the targets. These all four situations impact to the strategic decisions of the organization. (Source: http://www.infed.org/leadership/traditional_leadership.htm) 1.1.3 Leadership styles can be adapted to different situations The strategy of the Tesco was a long term strategy to growth of the customer expansion in high market share all over the world. This strategy express the correct decision of the leader, that means the market share cannot be instantly increase, more time is required. On the other hand within the last two to three years the economy was down turn very much, most of the companies face to the loss of market share. Therefore the improvement of market share within a short period of time was not practical. The decision making of Tesco was due to successfulness of long term strategy implementation. The other decision of the Tesco was the diversified the business. Due to this diversification reduce the complex within the business affairs. Each sub set earn own profits and different growth rates and provides the way for easy to benchmark purposes and improve performance, diversified decision making and all. Tesco invest in the recession time to improve the customer facilities, infrastructure, customer offers and for employee contribution. Through this strategic decision in recession time the customers and employees was happy and it was a competitive advantage over other organizations in for being a recession time. According to the situation of the business environment Tesco take the correct strategic decision to improve business affairs and profits. 1.2 Apply management and leadership theory to support organizational direction 1.2.1 Impact that selected theories of management and leadership have on organizational growth strategy The Tesco was diversified the business in to groups to perform. Therefore the groups discuss their strategy in regular basis. The whole group also gathered and discusses strategic issues by taking two full days in the Board meeting. As the teamwork management style the Tesco provided the directions to understand the individual group tasks and perform in the diversified business unit of Tesco. (Source:http://www.dandb.com/credit-resources/human-resources-management/ways-to-effectively-manage) The participatory leadership style is more appropriate to discuss about the leadership style of the Tesco. The leader provided the group decisions about the organizational policy making and organizational activity planning. The employees, customers and other stakeholders were gathered and considered their implications. Due to this leadership style the organization created the leaders to handle the international and UK business of Tesco. (Source: http://ivythesis.typepad.com/term_paper_topics/2010/02/leadership-of-tesco.html) 1.2.2 Leadership strategy that supports future direction of Tesco The Tesco has a vision of building the high returns to the shareholders, achieve the customer loyalty and quality of satisfaction from Tesco products and services and satisfy the all stakeholders involved in the business of Tesco. This clearly express the Tesco has a clear vision. Through the vision leadership strategy the Tesco has a vision of the current organizational position in the world market, conducted a capacity of vision in the future growth, has a clear vision of the organizational current pathway and has a goal of the future growth perspectives. Therefore the vision leadership strategy supports the directions of Tesco. (Source: http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/strategy.html) 1.3 Assess leadership requirements 1.3.1 Appropriate methods to review current leadership requirements In the Tesco Plc. employee were empowered by the organization to improve their performance and motivate them. The best performance rewards the share options as well. Therefore to lead the employees in to a correct way the leadership required a, communication between employees, encourage them, adapt them to changes, increase the responsibility among employees, eliminate the conflicts and so on are required in the current organizational context of Tesco. Therefore the Tesco required a leadership to develop communication among the employees, identify the interest of the employees and take the decisions, solve the conflicts among the employees, improve the flexibility among the employees and the management. (Source: http://www.ccl.org/leadership/pdf/research/cclLeadershipDevelopment.pdf) 1.3.2 The development of future leadership requirements The Tesco is operating as diversified business units. Due to globalization the retail business will growth very fast as well. Then the Tesco needs different sophisticated technological techniques to develop and carry out the organizational complex operations. The competitive advantage helps to achieve the market share in the global market. The one of the main objective of the Tesco is also the achievement of high profit margins through international and UK market. Therefore the leadership will be highly influential on achieving the competitive advantage to the organization. Some of the employees in the Tesco has stakes of the Tesco, therefore they can be overconfidence and empowered in the future due to the size of their stakes, so the leadership must be there to control them in ethical manner to eliminate the badly influence in business affairs. (Source: http://ivythesis.typepad.com/term_paper_topics/2010/02/leadership-of-tesco.html) 1.4 Plan the development of leadership skills 1.4.1 Development of leadership skills for a Tesco Plc There is diversified business units required a leadership therefore to lead these diversified business units the Tesco required to develop professional skills of the employee to perform according to the condition of the business units business affairs. The Tesco is a global business therefore the most of the leaders must have to work in the outside of the UK of home country, when working in other country there are different behaviors, cultures, ethics and social environment. Therefore the Tesco required improving the different leadership skills of the employees to communication skills, negotiation skills, decision making skills and so on. (Source: http://ivythesis.typepad.com/term_paper_topics/2010/02/leadership-of-tesco.html) 1.4.2 Usefulness of methods to plan the development of leadership skills The professional skills can be improved through discussion with senior managers of the Tesco. The discussion with the senior managers help to get the information about the leadership methods, different behaviors needed in different situations, different aspects of leaderships and etc. And there are nearly 34% of the managers have at least one year experience of working outside the home country, so the discuss with about their experience help to identify the different behaviors, cultures, appropriate leadership styles of those countries. On job training will improve the decision making skills, negotiation skills and etc. the improvement of these skills help to leader to manage any critical situation in the organization and will be able to control the situation. The informal learning will improve the communication skills of the individual leader. Through the communication skills the leader can change the minds of the employees to acceptable condition in any situation (Lussier andÂà ‚  Achua 2009). Conclusion The leadership influence to the strategic management of the organization. The Peter Drucker, F.W. Taylor of leadership styles influence to the strategic decisions and the leadership styles of trait theory and situational theory were also impact on strategic decisions of the organization. Teamwork management style was suitable to discuss the management style of the Tesco and the participatory leadership style help to identify the organizational strategy. The vision leadership strategy expresses the future direction of Tesco. The Tesco required a leadership to fulfill the current requirements of communication, negotiation, responsibility, eliminate conflicts and so on. Due to diversity and need of competitive advantage create the future leadership requirements to the Tesco and these can be develop through on job training, discussion with seniors and informal learning.

Prioritization in Nursing

Prioritization in Nursing TGP CASE STUDY 2 Q1. Prioritization is a vital skill in nursing profession. Management of patient loading depends on the sharpness of patients and relies on primacy environment. Brown Edwards said breathing, airway and circulation are very important to sustain life; each is precondition of the other and in that array. The work of ABC’s in a gush; if entire airway obstacle take place, It is impossible to breathe, as air does not go into the respiratory tract for ventilation, as a result; oxygen does not go into the lungs and transported to crucial organs and tissues. Furthermore, her ideology in prioritizing is to treat sensitive patients and present troubles over constant patients and possible problems. 1:- Phillip in bed 4 by way of a tracheotomy is the utmost main concern. Durbin said (, a tracheotomy is signify for patients with higher airway obstacle. while the tracheotomy tube is in position, this might cause frustration in the respiratory area instigate an enhancement in mucus creation. This leads to airway obstacle impose tracheal suctioning. Vigilant watch is necessary for patients with tracheotomy as this is openly occupied in airway patency and efficient inhalation .make sure a lucid and patent airway is as a result is primary, hypoxia arise if linger unprocessed. 2:- Colleen in Bed 5 has blood loss internally as this is indication of maelena and haematemesis, this may go ahead to hemorrhagic stun .This shock results from an failure of delivery of oxygen to tissues owed to the failure of blood volume in the vascular organism. To renovate blood volume, she was transfused through blood. on the contrary, this case is not honestly related to airway and inhalation although comparatively sort out underneath the circulatory module of the algorithm; hence still necessitate vital awareness following Phillip. 3:- In bed 6 Tony makes a diagnosis of type II diabetes through insulin plus dextrose combination should be focus. This kind of combination is developing to keep up normoglycemia, which is important for him as he is to have an endoscopy and kept nil by mouth. Notably, the patient is not presently belligerent of rigorous ache or in a hypoglycemic condition which is an instant life intimidating experience if untreated; therefore this patient must be monitored carefully; on the other hand, care can be tardy after Collen and Phillip. In bed 3 Max with constant mixture of pantoprazole as organization of sensitive GI blood loss resultant to peptic ulcer syndrome. He offered with haematemesis; though distressing, there is no sign of current blood loss, so Max requires caring monitoring relatively direct interference. Fifth one is Linda, an aged female with right higher quadrant abdominal ache which could be indicative of cholecystitis She is at present feverish which may be analytic of an contagious process. Even if an increase in temperature exists, there is no straight and instant hazard in the patient’s airway and inhalation condition. Finally, in bed number 2 Jayne was suffered with jaundice resulting to a liver disorder is attended. Likewise,the patient has a significant past of hepatitis C virus disease that can be gain by use of infected needles among intravenous-drug users. There is no warning of instant hazard for this patient, prompting her to be the less in priority. . As develop by Heller, the brain is mainly affected after blood glucose level fall. While glucose level in the blood downs to 3.6 mmol/L, efficiency of mind diminishes, as evident by the patient reply to voice in the AVPU balance. Notably, essential organs not adequately supply with glucose can potentially lead to stun. As a compensatory method blood course is force to the vital organs, this in return restrictions blood flow in apparent tissues causing fresh clammy skin .comparatively, a hormone that reduce blood sugar is insulin; however, patients with type II diabetes may have lack of this hormone; as an effect, insulin therapy is set up. Sam is to go through an endoscopy require him to be kept nil by mouth; as an effect, this can cause a important drop in the blood glucose. In the case, Sam’s blood sugar fall to 1.5 mmol/L which can lead to abduction and potentially coma? To argue against this, dextrose is used to sustain the blood sugar within constant levels. Infusion pumps are manage via a 50 mls needle driver. Actrapid insulin is included in a 50 mls bag of 0.9 NaCL. It is very important to check the blood sugar cautiously as this would be basis on correction of infusion rates. in addition actrapid insulin has an instant onset and can cause rigorous hypoglycemia Procedures to reverse hypoglycemia are as follows: A decrease in the insulin at the charted lowest rate. This is the instant action as this is the chief cause of hypoglycemia; this act prevents a further turn down in blood sugar stage . STAT dose of 25 mls of 50% dextrose, following 5 minutes a repeat BGL is done. The main purpose is to repair blood sugar within secure limits. Sam is planned for an endoscopy and kept nil by mouth. Hence, giving the prescription orally is held up. But in severe cases dextrose is given intravenously due to awareness condition of patient and for quicker absorption. Regular monitoring of BGL every 15-30 minutes until BGL’s are 6.6 mmol/L and beyond. Dextrose infusion might induce hyperglycemia. in addition, the insulin mixture is set at the lowest price, it is estimated that blood sugar will considerably raise. so, watchful BGL monitoring is compulsory to monitor efficiency of treatment Keep insulin infusion, as insulin manages ultimately will run out. Whole cessation of insulin may consequence to ketoacidosis. There is an impair usage of glucose as a variety of energy; the body make use of fat as a alternate which consequences to ketone formation. too much ketones can be a life threatening trouble due to intense acidosis. Reduce insulin infusion and stimulate the rapid reaction team if patient befall semi-comatose from hypoglycemia. As argue by Brown Edwards, hypoglycemia causes brain energy deficiency. A decrease in the insulin should reduce the probability of a further fall in glucose levels. Instant warning of RRT to intrude is crucial to check further corrosion of patient. Predominantly, harsh hypoglycemia is like to hypoxia, within minutes patients contain grave brain harm; therefore instant interference should be applied. It is the duty of Nurses to provide a safe and quality care. However, work in the ward can be very challenging; therefore, nurses must learn how to prioritize care. The fresh graduate nurse was incapable to document clarification and manage prescription in advance due. These actions are authentic apprehensions in the excellence of care give to patient as this can hurt patients; it is the job of the registered nurse to supply secure and appropriate supply of medications. Prioritization and allocation of care are necessary mechanism of cooperation in the nursing career; vigilant thought of the availability of assets and staff, their experience and work responsibilities. A nurse head overlook and administer the registered nurses. in addition, they offer update on condition of patients and assessment of care. CNS can offer maintain for new graduate registered nurses, in conditions of medication confirmation or specialist advices on exact nursing care., EEN’s can also support in manage medication .AIN’s are an vital part of the group. They can give basic nursing heed, support in activities of everyday living of patients and examination of vital signs. Allocation of work to additional member of the healthcare team is essential in completion of tasks. Fresh graduate nurses can also dialog with team leaders and the NUM in regards to issues in their responsibilities. During collaboration workload is common; as a result, this provides finest care and decrease burnout in the place of work Airway obstacle for a patient with tracheostomy is a main concern. The patient is coughing regularly and vehemently with blood stain sputum. This is a sign of extreme mucus accumulation and trauma in the airway. Obstruction from dry emission and mucus plugs, bleeding and irritation from the tube friction against the exterior lining of the respiratory tract are important issues of a patient with a tracheostomy Phillip is the uppermost main concern while airway barrier indicates a life threatening position; therefore a speedy reply should be started. Whereas waiting, the nurse should carry out a most important review to establish the acuteness of condition beside with appropriate clinical interference. Suctioning is very important for clients not capable to clear their airway efficiently. Saline is used an irrigation for solid emissions. It does not consider the secretions; however, it wet the airway, loosens mucus, and arouses an effective cough. Furthermore, supply oxygen 100% by means of bag valve mask or frankly in the tracheostomy. Hyperoxygenation of the patient is necessary as protracted suctioning can cause hypoxemia itself. Hypoxia lasting more than 4 minutes may possibly cause cardiopulmonary arrest and irreversible brain damage; therefore, enduring vital surveillance monitoring particularly oxygen saturation is necessary In bed 3 also has a critical distress but this can be delayed for the intervening time after the patient with an airway compromise is attended. In addition, pantoprazole’s half-life is just about an hour. Basically, a few minutes postponement to the patient in bed 3 would not guide to a life frightening situation

Education Through The Television :: Technology, TV, Informative

Education Through The Television "TV is justly called `the boob tube'." I disagree, in my opinion, television has many positive and informational uses. Television is now being used more in school because it is proven that students remember and comprehend better than from a regular class lecture. Television has always been good for spreading the news of current world events but it is now being used for more educational and informational documentaries. Television is becoming more and more an educational essential for children. Before they start school, children learn many basic and fundamental tools from television. Most kids learn the alphabet and how to count from shows like Sesame Street and Barney. As children get older there are many story-telling shows that either feature stories with good morals or they tell masterpiece stories like Hercules, Hunchback of Notre Dame, etc.. Some of these stories are now a part of our culture and children know and understand them because of television. As people grow older, television, at least for recent generations, plays a large role in socialization. On many sitcoms and talk shows one can learn of problems of today like teenage pregnancy, poverty, drugs, etc.. Television also seems to support somewhat decent morals, a very religious person may not think so but television still follows the good guy-hero, bad guy-loser theme. From certain shows on TV one can learn what sort of things are socially acceptable for instance fashion, behavior and hobbies. Television features many "how-to" shows like gardening, painting, cooking, etc.. It also has many documentaries on foreign lands and

The Importance of Informal Education Essay -- essays papers

The Importance of Informal Education Informal education has for a long time been considered very controversial in the education world and looked upon as just for entertainment. Informal education is commonly defined as learning that takes outside of formal school settings. Informal education can be things such as field trips to science centers, aquariums, museums, zoos, or planetariums. All of the following places are considered to be "informal settings" because they are all outside the classroom area. An educational curator at a small museum in Jackson Hole, Wyoming is as much an informal educator as a director of educational programs for the Smithsonian Institution. Often informal educators are retired K-12 teachers that have received additional training and have therefore been thrust into a more prominent role to teaching the nation’s students about mathematics and science. Many people look at field trips as pointless and unbeneficial to students at any age. But many will argue that informal education is only helpful when students have prior knowledge of the subject from formal education before going out of the classroom to learn. The role of prior knowledge in learning is considered of utmost importance in designing effective educational programs. Informal education is very common with science subjects. Most students cannot understand scientific principles by reading out of a book because textbooks and paper handouts can be very dry and boring. Going on field trips to informal settings reinforces what students learn from their teachers and help them understand the topics better. Public understanding of science is considered to be one of the most important issues facing educators in today’s technological world. It is see... ...ormal education to step up and play a more significant role. Informal education activities should no longer be looked upon as "a day away from school" but rather an opportunity to further learning and have fun doing it. Informal education settings are unique from the usual classroom location so it is refreshing to learn in a different place, just like so many students enjoy when they learn as a class outside in the warm breeze after a long cold winter. Informal education provides students with a new outlook on learning and makes them more attentive. But more importantly, informal education assists formal education; it does not replace it by any means. While it is hard to find a "perfect exhibit" to fit everyone’s needs, informal educators are doing the best they can. In the words of Frank Oppenheimer, founder of the San Francisco Exploratorium, "no one flunks museum."

Importance of Group Essay

According to Social Boundaries and Adherence to a Special Set of Norms Some sociologists do not consider these kinds of organization per se as mentioned in the succeeding section while other sociologists classify them as types of organization based on social boundaries and their adherence to a special set of norms (Zulueta, 2002). 1. Categorical Group A categorical group refers to a social grouping where members tend to share certain characteristics and interests and are aware of their similarities with other in their own social category. Ex. Students, teachers, farmers, senior citizens, fish vendors and other related groups. 2. Aggregate Group An aggregate group denotes a social grouping whose members stay in one place, but do not necessarily interact with each other. The members of this group are concerned only with their own feelings and attitudes. Ex. People forming a single line in the Araneta Center to buy tickets for the basketball game of their favorite player in the Philippine Basketball Association. 3. Collective Group A collective group refers to a crowd whose members are not governed with laws or norms, but share the same beliefs that motivates them to action. Examples are the EDSA People Power 1 and 2, a mass demonstration for a common cause and others. 4. Associational Group An associational group is composed of a group of people who organize themselves to pursue a common interest with a formal organizational structure such as the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Philippine Association for Teacher Education (PAFTE) and many others. In an associational group, there is a set of officers elected by its members which is responsible for running the association. According to Interaction and Relationship General classifications of groups according to their manner of interaction and relationship are: 1. Primary Group A primary group refers to small, informal group of people who interact in a more personal, intimate manner and who always have direct and face-to-face communication with each other. It includes the family, neighborhood and play groups. The primary group is characterized by Cooley as the nursery of human nature because it is the group where the child is socialized, acquires and experiences love, affection, sympathy, kindness, tolerance, fairness, loyalty and justice. The individual learns the meaning of personal worth and dignity of a person. 2. Secondary Group A secondary group involves indirect, impersonal interaction where members are forced to interact because of business transactions and the like. The business-like, impersonal and formal interactions of secondary groups allow the members to focus on their special skills. The members of secondary groups can function effectively because of the absence of the touch of familiarity where subjectivity comes in. According to Membership Other classifications of groups which are more specific as to membership are as follows: 1. In-group An in-group refers to a group of people whose sense of belongingness is strong. The members have a strong â€Å"we-feeling†, share common orientation, come from the same background, roots and origin and adhere to the ideology. An in-group is further characterized by a feeling of companionship and a great sense of loyalty. 2. Out-group The out-group is exactly the opposite of the in-group. This group is made up of people whose feelings are antagonistic to the group itself. There is physical membership but in mind and heart, the members dislike the group because of the concept that another group is superior to their group. An out-group is a stereotype where members of the group have specialized trademarks. 3. Reference Group A reference group is a group where people identify themselves physically and psychology to which other people refer in evaluating their behavior and actions. The group becomes the individual’s frame of reference in relation to his/her motivations, aspirations, experiences, attitudes and social affiliations. Oftentimes, a reference group tends to give an impression to a particular person as to his/her social, economic and even political status in the community. Sometimes, individual try to identify themselves with groups whose standing is well-known regionally, nationally or even internationally to demand high respect and special treatment from others. 4. Peer Group A peer group refers to a small kind of grouping whose members have the same level, interests and economic standing in the community. This is exemplified in school among students. Consciously and unconsciously, the members group themselves because they share the same interests and talents and perhaps their parents also share the same. There is also a sense of belongingness, sympathy and loyalty among themselves. 5. Voluntary Association A voluntary association, as the name suggests, is an organization where membership is free and voluntary. Though voluntary in nature, members follow some sets of rules or policies. Examples are civic-oriented groups whose primary purpose is to deliver some social benefits to the deprived, depressed and underserved (DDU) sectors of our society. Voluntary associations are found in some relatively simple societies composed of members with varied and competing interests. Here are some voluntary associations: * Military Associations Military associations are noncommercial societies whose goals are to unite members through their common experiences. * Secret Societies Secret societies are characterized principally by limited membership and by secret rituals generally believed to increase the supernatural powers of its members. * Regional Associations Regional associations are clubs that bring together migrants from common geographical backgrounds. Regional groupings actually give rise to out-groups, particularly when in a foreign milieu. According to Their Nature, Form, Objectives and Interaction Some sociologists have identified other social groupings based on their nature, form and objectives and how members relate with each other. These are the formal and informal groups. 1. Informal Group The informal group is the most common type of grouping based on nature, form, objectives and interaction. It occurs when two or more people interact with each other on issues affecting their welfare. An informal group can be a product of an impulsive act but later on grows into a partnership endeavor with the constant sharing of emotions and sentiments of the members. The group ensures cooperation from each member because of their sense of belongingness and self-confidence. 2. Formal Group A formal group is an organization where the specific organizational structure is constructed to achieve specific goals and objectives. This group has to fulfill a variety of specialized social and personal needs that influence one’s personality. Regardless of its nature, a formal organization has established philosophy, mission, vision and goals as its guiding premises in the discharge of its function. It is in this concern that formal organizations meet their fundamental needs to continue their collaborative efforts to attain these aspirations in a highly complex, industrial and business society.

Individualism vs. Societal Norm and Acceptance Essay

In the community of Salem, Massachusetts of 1692, their community is set as a theocratic society, where the church and the state come as one. Moral laws and state laws are also combined as one. Everyone is expected to live up to the established social norms. Any individual within the Puritan community whose private lives doesn’t conform to the moral laws established by the government is represented as a threat to the community and to the rule of God and true religion. In Salem, everything and everyone belongs to either God or the devil, anything that is unlawful is considered a devil’s work. Everyone in this community is expected to meet the expectations of the society, every little thing they do will be held against them. John Proctor is an example of an individualist in this society. John Proctor was unfaithful to his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, when he had committed an affair with a younger female, Abigail Williams. Committing adultery and telling lies are some examples of sinning in the Puritan community. John Proctor is breaking from the mores, beliefs and ethical codes of the Puritan community because not only does he commit adultery, but he also hides it from the community. His actions were the main cause of false accusation of witchcraft in this society. Eventually, when he realizes everyone else’s life is at risk because of him, he confesses. John proctor chose to hide his adultery because he was afraid of his reputation being ruined and having his life put at risk because he went going against the Puritan law. Another way John Proctor breaks away from the united societal norm of the Puritans is going against the court. The court is in high power in this society. At first, he lies to the court, admitting to witchcraft to save his own life, but when John proctor realizes it is wrong and a sin to the religion to tell a lie, he goes against his false confession to witchcraft. He caused contempt at court while trying to prove everyone’s innocence, but it did not go so well. John Proctor went against the Puritan law because he does not want to dishonor the innocent prisoners and he will not be able to live with himself knowing that other innocents died while he committed sins and the innocents were paying for it. The following quote said by John Proctor in Act IV, clearly shows contempt at court in the Puritans’ way of life:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!† At the end, John Proctor was hung. He was hung for his mistakes, and died without lies to his name. In a theocratic society, where the church and state comes as one, every little thing you do is held against you in the long run. Individuals in the Puritan community whose lives did not meet moral laws were considered a â€Å"witch.† In Salem, everything and everyone belongs to either God or the devil, anything that is unlawful is considered a devil’s work.