ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
“Teacher Candidates’ Views of Digital Games as Learning Devices”, by Sardone and Delvin-Scherer Research problem In the article, “Teacher Candidates’ Views of Digital Games as Learning Devices”, by Sardone and Delvin-Scherer (2009), the researchers examined teacher-candidate perspectives towards integrating digital gaming design into the contemporary curricula coupled with how it supports the development of complex reasoning techniques. The authors identified that a more technology-based approach was a meaningful solution to complex problems when learning in the K-12 curriculum. The authors identified that there was a problem when identifying the learning preference of the K-12 students coupled with how well instructional methods would suit their learning preferences, which was then the problem of the research. Therefore, the authors conducted a study to address the existent gaps in the available literature on the subject. Research questions  1. What might “digital games teach preservice candidates about the role of an instructional facilitator?” (Sardone & Delvin-Scherer, 2009, p. 48). The authors wanted to show that digital-based learning supports candidates’ development by issuing evidence gathered from research.  2. What are the teacher candidate perceptions and responses to digital-based learning? Data collection procedure This study used designed interviews to collect data, which was analyzed through the qualitative approach for a sample of 25 participants of ages ranging from 20-22. Findings The findings indicated that training teachers to use classroom digital game improved their understanding and students improved their concentration levels, increased their motor skills, which encourages quick response and risk-taking when tackling real-life situations. Digital gaming provoked students to reason critically coupled with developing elaborate problem-solving skills. “Perceptions of the Value of Digital Mini-Games: Implications for Middle School Classrooms” by Ray and Coulter Research purpose In this study, Ray and Coulter (2010), sought to establish whether digital mini-games improve learning among middle school students. The authors wanted to reexamine the use of games to improve academic outcomes. The research problem was to highlight the challenges teachers face when providing meaningful instructions to students about digital learning. The digital learning platform is still growing and just like any other system under evolution, challenges are inevitable. Therefore, the researchers wanted to address one of the many challenges in digital learning as stated above. Research questions  1. To what extent does that perception change due to their participation in the chosen digital mini-games in class? The authors wanted to imply that digital learning could support authentic learning if keenly selected. Also, digital learning could create a positive perception if utilized well. The technological developments in contemporary times have occasioned the need to integrate the same in the learning system.  2. Do teachers view that digital games contribute to academic learning? What are these per
Lesson Plan   * Standards: 1d, 4c   * Theme: Training ABC and Word Recognition   * Lesson Topic: ABC and Word Detectives Objectives Language   * Students will be able to: name letters;   * distinguish between upper and lower case letters;   * sing the song ABC;   * recognize words based on the context; Content Students will revise vocabulary on everyday activities, house appliances, food. Learning Strategies The students will listen to the ABC song and sing along. They will also sing the song on their own in groups and they will rise when they see ‘their letter’. Auditory and kinesthetic learners will benefit from this activity. Students will listen to the story and look at pictures that will help them decode words. Key Vocabulary ABC, milk, mouse, cookie, straw, blanket, pillow, have a nap, sweep, wash the floors. Materials Squares of colored paper, pieces of white paper, glue, ABC song (tape-recorded), the video of the book (“If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”), PowerPoint presentation with the pages from the book with missing words. Motivation The teacher notes that children will sing the ABC song and show their creative letters. The teacher also mentions that the students will become words and letter detectives Presentation Students first listen to the ABC song and sing along. After that, they have an activity on letter recognition. The following part is concerned with reading the book. Students watch the video and the teacher follows the story marking each word with the pointer. The activity on word and letter recognition follows. Practice and Application The students make their creative letters by gluing pieces of colored paper to the white paper. The teacher distributes letters among students (a student can have several letters). When they are ready, students sing the ABC song displaying their letters. The students try to recognize words when listening to the story read by the teacher. The teacher follows the text displayed in the PowerPoint presentation with the pointer and stops when there is a missing word. Review and Assessment Students develop the necessary understanding of lower and upper case letters, concepts of print, and skills to recognize words based on the context. Extension Students may be asked to identify letters on the page. For instance, the teacher asks the student to find all Bs (or upper case letters). Assessment This assessment has become a very important experience for me as I developed certain skills in creating a lesson plan and I could check its effectiveness. First, I would like to note that I paid a lot of attention to each section of the plan and the part concerning objectives turned out to be quite difficult to develop. It has been acknowledged that objectives should be concise and precise as this enables the teacher to remain focused on particular achievable aims that can be reached (Cooke and Teichmann 27). During the lesson, I understood that the objectives are really helpful, as I could focus on achieving particular aims without being distracted by other aspects, I knew that students should work on their knowledge of the ABC, phonolo
The circumstance under which Bobinot and his son, Bibi, wait for a storm in the general store displays profound implications on the plot and flow of events in the entire story. In essence, if they had gone home, a major disaster could have unfolded where they could have caught his wife engaging in an affair. The prevailing encounter ensures the protection of their relationships, and he showcases his love for the family in different ways. Some of the moments that emphasize Bonbinot’s love for his wife include the scenario where he uses sticks to scrape mud from the son’s leg and then carefully eliminate all traces from the heavy brogans before entering the house to avoid angering his wife by the mess. On the general attitudes towards sex, Chopin implicating adultery as a natural phenomenon that should bear negative impacts is a good example. The storm seems to portray literary strong ties and struggles which befell Chopin’s marriage. The plot and the setting back each is based on location and events.
Introduction The essay is a critical examination of Indonesia and its relationship with asylum seekers and refugees particularly from Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries which have experienced political unrest in the recent past. To accomplish this task, a brief history of the country and apartheid, the country’s relationship with asylum seekers and refugees and finally the current situation are succinctly covered. History of Indonesia and apartheid According Pickering, 2004 the country is 2 million km 2 in size. The capital city is Jakarta. The country has very large islands made up of costal plain while the climate country is equatorial, however the highlands are cooler. The population was estimated to be 237.6 million with an annual growth rate of 2.7%. The major ethnic groups are Javanese, Sundanese, Mudurese, and Minangkkabau among others. The official language is Indonesian (Dauvergne, 2003). The government type is independent republic and the constitution embodies the following principles, national unity, social justice, humanitarianism, representative democracy by consensus and monotheism. The country’s economy is driven by manufacturing, trade exports, agriculture, and natural resources among others sectors. Indonesia invaded west Papua in 1961 resulting to the Dutch surrendering the power they had over the region to Indonesia. The natives were killed. According to Phillip, 2011 par. 3 [The apartheid against the West Papuans, contemporary Ahl al-Dhimma [dhimmis], is but one of the latest incarnations of Political Islam’s enmity towards, disenfranchisement of, and sanguinary impulse against kuffar in Southeast Asia, egregiously ignored by and excused by the-world-at-large because of the identity of th
Introduction Over the past years, the United States Congress has been engaged in protracted debates on the efficacy and constitutionality of federal regulation of firearms and ammunition. A number of federal laws have been enacted since 1934 to bolster such regulations. The issue of gun control has been a matter of discussion since time immemorial with gun control advocates advancing that such measures enhance the government’s efforts to ensure that juveniles, criminal gangs, and other high risk groups do not get access to guns. These advocates charge that the only practical way through which availability of guns can be reduced is by enforcing federal regulations. They have even suggested that stricter policies such as near-prohibition of gun ownership by non-security personnel be enforced and that all persons who own guns should be registered. These advocates posit that such measures have several significant benefits on society. The issue of federal gun control has also received a fair share of opposition. Opponents hold that legislation of federal policies cannot in any way help in keeping guns out of reach of high-risk persons but rather adds an unnecessary burden on law abiding citizens and security personnel. Moreover, they argue that such controls deny the citizenry the privileges of the Second Amendment. To them, widespread gun ownership only serves to decrease crime levels and tyranny by criminal gangs and government. They further argue that state police powers should be strenghtened as opposed to enhancing federal policies. Some of the most noteworthy national statutes enacted to help in controlling firearms within the citizenry were passed in 1934 and 1968. The 1934 Act envisaged strict registration requirements and a transfer tax on machine guns and short-barreled long guns. The 1968 Act not only made it illegal to purchase guns through mail, but also forbade interstate trade in firearms, their transfer to underage persons, and access to other dangerous weapons (Gun Control, para. 2). The Act also stipulated penalties and licensing requisites for manufacturers, importers, and dealers. Crime and mortality statistics have prominently featured in the gun control debate (US Constitution, 2011). Statistics indicate that the number of homicides that have been committed annually with a firearm by persons falling in the age bracket of 14-24 years between 1985 and 1993 increased by 173%. Between 1993 and 1999, a
Primarily celebrated in the United States and Canada, thanksgiving has over the years transformed itself from the original idea of showing gratefulness to God for his favors to a fully fledged national holiday observed on the last Thursday of every November and the second Monday of every October in the United States and Canada respectively. During this festivity, a lot of brain and body input is swung into action as a result of the various activities carried out by various groups of people to commemorate this event. From the ancient days to date, certain activities have remained as they were while others have been continuously been revolutionized, all in the name of observing this highly observed occasion. Virtually all the human senses are put to the test while observing thanksgiving taking into account the fact that it is a highly anticipated occasion or holyday rather. According it the kind of importance it deserves is hence quit imperative. In the modern day thanksgiving festivity, the most utilized human sense is that of taste. This is because the entire citizenry in these countries which observe thanksgiving always strive to see to it that they direct a considerable amount of time, energy and resources to the kitchen so as to enable them put a decent meal on the table. Despite not being a replica of the original meals ate while observing thanksgiving during its early years of inception, a constant trend of feasting on a specific caliber of food which more often than not include the turkey has been noted to characterize almost all the dinner tables over the last couple of years. This state of affairs hence renders the sense of taste the most utilized one with respect to the fact that almost all the households prepare their meals with missionary zeal. Striving to satisfy everybody’s sense of taste during this festivity also has a multiplier effect on yet another vital human sense; that of smell. This is occasioned by the endearing aroma that always emanate from every household’s kitchen. It is hence safe to say that the human sense of taste cannot be completely satisfied without appeasing that of smell. This momentous occasion is also characterized with outdoor events that involve utilizing the human sense of sight quite expeditiously. Sight often comes in quite handy during this event since several open field activities take place on this date too. In the United States for instance, a massive parade constituted of giant floats, matching bands and even convoys of celebrated icons in the entertainment industry often match along the 5 th avenue in New York. This event always attracts thousands of sight seers who come to enjoy themselves either by observing or taking part in the activity. Song, dance and even prayer also decorate this callous celebration. Very appeasing tunes often heard both live or on television also seek to satisfy the human sense of hearing. In as much as the satisfaction of the senses of
Introduction to the Sociology of Family According to Cherlin (11), a public family is a social setup where one or two parents take care of their dependents. Through this definition, families are public goods, in the sense that they nurture future generations (children), or current generations (the elderly). Cherlin (578) says a private family involves two or more people who share an intimate relationship, and who assume that their relationship would last indefinitely. Through this definition, families are private because the members expect to belong to the same social unit for a long time (possibly a lifetime). The main methods used by sociologists to collect data are through surveys and observations. Besides these two methods, the symbolic interaction method also forms the main research methods highlighted in Cherlin (24). One advantage of the observational method is its ability to form the basis for further scientific inquiry, but its biggest drawback is the interference of too many external factors in the observation. The greatest advantage of the survey method is its ability to provide a representative sample for a large population group, but its greatest disadvantage is its rigidity in the data collection process. The symbolic interaction method is useful because it helps researchers to explore family diversity (since it focuses on people’s interactive behavior). However, its greatest drawback is its indicative nature, as opposed to its pragmatic nature. The fifties became an anomaly in the analysis of American sociological life because many young people married early. In fact, Cherlin (124) says young people possibly married the earliest in the history of America. During the same period, there was a very low divorce rate and a high rate of fertility among women Recently, there has been a significantly worrying trend of increased divorce rates, a decline of marriages, increased single parenthood, and low fertility. Several factors explain this trend, but industrialization and changing societal perceptions about marriage emerge as the most common reasons for this trend. History of Family The three key functions of traditional families are procreating, socialization, and legitimization of sexual relations. The main ethnic-racial groups described by Cherlin (162) include African-Americans, Whites, and Hispanics. The most common trend among African-Americans is the rise of single families (especially children raised by single mothers). The trend among Hispanics is high birth rates, while compared to African-Americans and Hispanics, white people have higher rates of marriage and “complete” nuclear families (children raised with both parents). Cancian (215) says the main types of marriages
Review and Criticism Chao Chao, Wilhelm, and Neureuther (2009) bear witness of the prevailing state of dishonesty in the education system. Their research addresses the prevailing state of plagiarism in the pedagogical approaches especially in regard to the assessment of students. They evaluated various pedagogical strategies initiated to reduce this upcoming vice as well as the use of software programs, Turnitin, and online checkers of plagiarism. For instance, Turnitin is a submission platform that allows students to make single submissions of documents without sending documents from other students. The researchers found that there were significant differences between the controlling group and the one being treated. This outcome depicted that lack of enlightenment was an important factor playing roles in the prevalence of plagiarism. The skills instilled to the treatment group involved the ways of paraphrasing and documentation. This finding implies that there is a requirement for deep instructions and directions on citations, quotations, and paraphrasing. Davis In a similar manner, Davis and Carroll (2009) performed a parallel research showing the use of Turnitin as a strategy to support studies while warnings and instructions are the incorporated in the learning system. The researchers used data collected for more than 3 years from a group in international learners. The major elements of the research were assessments on the ability of students to escape plagiarism, reduction in over relying on various sources, reliable paraphrase of statements and right citations. The learners were tutored on the ways to avoid plagiarism basing on these approaches. Furthermore, the assessment platform was facilitated by Turnitin that only allowed submission of documents without plagiarism. The researchers pointed that Turnitin is a reliable factor in the elimination of copying. Evaluation It is apparent within these two articles have acknowledge that lack of skill plays a paramount and unexceptional reason for the prevailing plagiarized. Their recommendation is adequate precautions and installation of skills to the learners in order to lower the rates of plagiarism. Their literatures identify the revision of policies to control plagiarism prior to the increased rise in the use of internet. In fact, it has been noted that plagiarism encourages the repetition of the previous behaviours already in the literature. Original works is a centre of innovative and fresh idea that can rise to be effective and reliable in the current world. In this way, knowledge can grow in a relative geometric manner according to the growth of the human population that does not dwell on the past innovations, but uses these old ideas to develop better ideas. Chao and the partnering researcher are concerned with these developments. Their approach identifies the all forms of plagiarism from the centre of students as a basis to that of internet and published materials. Their argument is developed from an intellectual quo of intended and unintended plagiarism. E
The employee handbook provides an employee with the information on company’s policies, provided benefits, and describes the responsibilities of the employee. Although the employee handbook does not create any legally enforceable obligations, it usually covers employment-at-will relationships. The given report is an overview of the employee handbook prepared by The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The employee handbook mentioned above includes detailed clauses dealing with equal employment and employment-at-will. It also describes hours of work, paid and unpaid leaves, holidays, wages, medical and insurance benefits, training, upgrading, as well as other benefits the employee receives. Equal employment opportunity clause ensures that the hospital shall not discriminate against or in favor of a certain employee on account of color, race, sex, age, sexual orientation or national origin, creed and political belief. All the details of equal employment are thoroughly described in the given clause of the employee handbook protecting civil rights of the employees. The hospital has the right not to notify the employment service of the job vacancy if it must be filled quickly to meet an emergency or to safeguard the health of the patients. Still, if the hospital uses such service, it is agreed that the hospital shall not discriminate in hiring against an applicant for any reason described in “No Discrimination” clause of the given employment handbook. It is also agreed that the hospital can hire such applicants if they are found qualified enough for the provided position. This employee handbook is also dealing with at-will employment which is a term used in the labor law of the United States to define contractual relationships. Such relationships mean that an employer is free to dismiss an employee for any reason or change an employee’s position at any time without warning. Since the hospital deals with probationary employees, there is a separate clause describing the period of probation and emphasizing the right of the hospital to discharge, discipline or layoff the probationary employee at will during or at the end of the probation period. In the case of discharging because of the poor performance, the hospital is expected to make efforts to discuss the situation. The hospital might also extend the probation period if it is necessary. The hospital also has the right to discipline or discharge any employee without warning. According to the employee handbook, the hospital makes available training opportunities for the employees to give them a chance to advance themselves and make a career within the hospital. There are clinical scholarship programs which are offered to hospital employees. The employees also can participate in the Hosp