ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
In recent years, educators are increasingly relying on adult education to bring about social change through community development initiatives implemented at the grassroots level. Indeed, studies have deliberated on the social role of adult education in terms of empowering populations and contributing to the development of communities (Glassman, Erdem and Bartholomew 273-274; Guo 107-108). This blog undertakes an exploration of a professional agency involved in adult education to support the argument that the adult learning curriculum should be based on social action and community development rather than on individual problems and needs. The professional agency in question is the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE). The statement underscores the need for the adult learning curriculum to be grounded on social action and community development initiatives. This stand has been reinforced in the vision/purpose statement of the AAACE, which notes the association “is dedicated to the belief that lifelong learning contributes to human fulfillment and positive social change” (American Association for Adult and Continuing Education par. 1). I am of the opinion that adult education initiatives should be focused on triggering social change by empowering community members and upgrading their knowledge and skills to fully participate in local activities. Adult education, in my view, should not be concerned with addressing individual problems. On the contrary, it should be focused on assisting community members to acquire the skills, knowledge, and values needed to bring about social change by leading fruitful and fulfilling lifestyles (American Association for Adult and Continuing Education par. 1). As a future adult educator, this information is important as it will help me to consider the needs of the community when preparing the curriculum. Teaching Methods The three most important teaching methods for adult learners include team teaching, step-by-step teaching, as well as contextualized teaching. Team teaching is an important strategy that is used by educators to convey systems thinking (ability to work with other people in teams) to adult learners and communities. It is important as it uses group dynamics to (a) negotiate relationships among adult learners, (b) provide an applicable and integrated curriculum and pedagogy, and (c) focus on the learners’ capability to construct knowledge (Laughlin, Nelson and Donaldson 11-13). Step-by-step teaching method “is a researcher-designed innovative process that takes the adult learner, step-by-step, from his present level of understanding to the required level” (McDonald 357). It is important as it assists learners to understand fundamental concepts, particularly in mathematics and sciences. Contextualized teaching revolves around increasing transferability, attention, and motivation among adult learners by teaching them valuable life skills and facilitating the learning of abstract reasoning (Showalter, Wollet and Reynolds 23-23). Its ability to teach important life skills underscores its importance. At a perso
This critique presents the analysis of the issues proposed by Humphrys in order to try to assess whether the text messages destroy the English language. Summary The article “I h8 txt msgs: How texting is wrecking our language”, is an article written by Humphrys (2007), and it provides the discussion of the sidelining of the English dictionary in favor of a new language. The main point proposed by the article is that the influx of technology has destroyed the uses of the English language through the introduction of the text message service. The article explains the removal of the hyphenated word in the Oxford English dictionary, a fact that seems to imply that the population does not have time to press the hyphen key in the computer. The author then explains that texting destroys the English language by introducing fashion to writing. The article explains the time factor as a reason for shortening writing styles, and the influx of the text message phenomenon into normal lives. The author describes the issue of hyphenation of words in the dictionary, and gives two main reasons. The reasons proposed by the author are the ones that follow: time is a factor, but the influx of the text message is the main factor. The introduction of the text message ensures that even old population is forced to text to avoid ridicule from the young generation. Introduction The issue of text messaging has reduced most o
Corporate finance is an important area in financing that deals with the sources of funding and appropriate capital structures that are adopted by business corporations. Increasing the value of a corporation requires managers and business stakeholders to perform an in-depth analysis of the business financial resources, to ensure maximization of financial activities for the achievement of business goals and objectives (Van Horne & Wachowicz, 2009). Corporate financing departments are majorly concerned with an analysis of the capital investment decisions. Business economic growths are dependent on the long and short-term financial investment decisions that are a prerequisite in influencing business outcomes since they influence current and future cash flows into and out of the business. Long term and short-term decisions are only likely to result in postulates benefits as long as they are analyzed properly prior to giving them a strategic consideration (Keown, Martin, Petty, & Scott, 2004). This paper seeks to explore corporate financing in relation to the financial environment and to identify the roles and responsibilities in making long and short-term decisions for business organizations. An analysis of how to monitor the performance of long and short-term decisions in corporate financing will also be examined. Additionally, the process of alerting business leaders on any anomalies that may surround the applicability of any decisions will also be given an insight. The paper will use a set of comparisons and real life experiences to develop a critical discussion of the essence of corporate financing and a conclusive summary postulates on the state of corporate financing in the business world today. Discussion Businesses have to make financial decisions on a daily basis for continuity of their operations in the market. Short-term corporate financing is aimed at a daily sustenance of business activities through an upholding of laws and regulations, while at the same time making money for the business stakeholders. Long-term corporate financing is similarly aimed at this, but more towards a strategic sustainability of the business operations (Keown et al., 2004). Corporate department decisions, therefore, have to focus on both short and long term financial strategies simultaneously for the achievement of business objectives and goals. Short term corporate financing considerations When making decisions regarding the sources of short term financing of business activities for market and stakeholder viability, corporate finance departments have to consider the business internal environment first. Current Assets A corporation’s possessions in form of assets can be turned into cash at any time and in turn used to set off payment for business activities. They include a corporation’s cash, short-term property
Introduction Nurses are a strong force in any type of health care advocacy. Nurses are best placed to advise on some of the policies that relate to patient care and population health as they are the link between the patient and his or her family and the facility. According to Begley (2010), nurses’ involvement in policy and health advocacy is a relatively new concept. In the past, nurses were merely involved in the management of facilities. Begley (2010) notes that nurses are important in both management and health advocacy, as patients tend to trust them more than they trust other frontline healthcare providers. Begley (2010) introduces the term “good nurse” to refer to a nurse with professional attributes, autonomy, advocacy skills, is accountable, and assertive. The paper will look into the responsibility of a nurse as a health/population health advocate particularly with regards to returning veterans and their families. The essay poses that a nurse has full responsibility to be a health advocate because one, they are well suited for the task, and two because they have the closest relationship with the patients. Summary It is important to note that returning veterans and their families have special health needs. Thus, advocating for their health concerns has to be targeted and specific. It can be argued that there are several types of health care concerns for returning veterans and their families. However, as per the requirements of the assignment, only two will be discussed. The two types are mental and emotional healthcare needs. Nurses have also to be well versed with the current policies on the same to be effective health advocates in the two areas mentioned, (Jackonis, Deyton & Hess, 2008). Milstead (2016) explains that policy development, even in health care, involves a lot of politics. Thereby, nurses have to be fully aware of the political stance on the health issue they want to advocate and then make a plan on the same (Health policy and politics, 2009). I would ensure I first have the right skills to advocate for the two areas mentioned. Some of the skills I would need include proper communication, lobbying, and negotiation skills. I would also require leadership and management skills. There are various ways I will develop the stated skills. One such way is through training. The second way is through practicing what has been taught in trai
Death Penalty has always held popular support in the United States since the colonial days. While majority of the countries have abolished the death penalty, America continues to remain a prominent protagonist for the death penalty. This essay evaluates Sangmin Bae’s article, The Death Penalty and the Peculiarity of American Political Institutions . Bae has correctly identified two major features of American political organization that make continuance of death penalty policy acceptable namely: federalism and electoral politics” (Bae 236-237). In the American federal system, each state has its own constitution and its own state courts and each is fiercely possessive of its independence. The US constitution allows states to impose any penalty that it deems fit. With a frontier background where capital punishment was an accepted norm of life, coupled with a federal structure, American federal government has been constrained in taking any decision to abolish the death penalty. Added to the federal structure is also the fact that most political appointees in America are directly elected. Thus a directly elected politician is answerable to his or her constituency who may not elect the leader next tim
There is no doubt that emerging models for Internet strategies are for both B2B and B2C operations, but there are fundamental differences that exist between implementing the real B2B and B2C strategies. B2B strategies and supplier web sites are driven by partner intermediary sites where orders are placed by pre-established means. The focus of B2B marketing is upon building long lasting relationships with the consumers and business partners with an aim to maximize the value of the relationship. It is a small scale target market with multiple buying processes and longer sales cycles where brand identity is the name given to personal relationships with other partners, or we can say that brand image is created on behalf of maintaining relationships. Moreover, there are situations where brand remains no longer of value to business marketing. These situations arise whenever competition gets fierce among B2B marketing. There is no room in the B2B marketing for emotional purchasing, and therefore, rational buying decision is made on the basis of business values. On the other hand, B2C is entirely product driven with emphasis on the value of customer transaction. Unlike B2B, it is large scale and allow single step buying process with shorter sales cycle. Brand identity in B2C is difficult to create and unlike B2B, where there is no significance of physical appearance of website, B2C depends upon imagery and physical presentation. The more attractive the site is, the more it would lure the customers. Therefore, brand identity is created and is vital for successful consumer market in the long run, since it is entirely based on emotional status and pricing. Database Direct Marketing Difference B2B businesses maintain their online and offline records of customers in thousands, whereas B2C consumer markets are measurable in millions. There is also a difference in the price value since each B2B customer is valued more than B2C consumer. Particularly if we talk about high-technology markets, customers and suppliers are bound to exchange detailed information openly about product design, operation and service. Because of a longer duration time period and timescale that compares and evaluates supplier, a B2B sets the priority on selling a broader range of products or services to existing customers rather than expanding the total volume of customers. Knowledge Based Selling A B2B company feels the need to focus on training its business customers on how to use the product most effectively and at times even convince them that they have a need for the product at all. An example is that of Dell Computers web site which is managed within an extranet and is customized according to the needs of individual business customers. The composition of the B2B marketing communications mix is different from B2C in the sense that it likely places more emphasis on personal selling than on advertising and promotion. High-value B2B purchases are informal in nature and unlikely to be actually processed online. Instead, the online presence plays a significant part in aiding the purchase decision by providing easy acc
I believe that trust is essential for the foundations and functioning of modern democracy. Without trust, democracy will eventually begin to come under attack and decline in small ways, until the sum of these small aspects of removed freedoms, misinformation, vote or demographic manipulation, and other deceitful means of influencing democracy, will add up. It will create a status quo where the American model of democracy that has been recognized and revered in the world is no longer a democracy but merely an illusion of one. I think that events of recent years have shown that American democracy is on this dangerous path. Krastev (2013) notes that participation is a major issue, as many people no longer have the interest or trust to participate in the democratic process. This has been a gradual process as a result of major changes, such as cultural, technological, and brain science revolutions. In his words, “people can change governments, but they cannot change policies” (Krastev, 2013). According to a Pew Research Survey, 75% of Americans distrust the government, and 64% have the low trust in fellow citizens, interestingly, 65% also indicate the low trust, particularly in the federal government, is making it difficult to solve the nation’s problems (Rainie & Perrin, 2019). I would agree with this, but the issue is so complex that there is no easy solution. As mentioned by Krastev (2013), the concepts of transparency and checks and balances in the government are good, but they will then lead to further mistrust as each political statement will be closely examined with rulers having to lead-based on public sentiment and showmanship rather than pragmatism. I think trust is just as essential as mistrust. Mistrust should be present in democracies as well, in healthy doses, as it stimulates political engagement and evaluation of political institutions by the people (van der Meer, 2017). At the same time, I would argue that without trust there will be no foundation because people should have trust in the Constitution, the federal government, and each other. Trust is necessary first and foremost to facilitate key democratic processes to run the democratic institutions, such as voting and elections, and governance in accordance with the law. Trust has largely failed the American people as leaders have abused it for political gains and partisan objectives, rather than focusing on the true needs of its citizens.
Introduction All organizations experience a myriad of challenges during the process of implementing projects and programs. After almost two years of implementation, my organization has encountered different challenges that have led to the emergence of propaganda amongst the stakeholders. While it is agreeable that the project has achieved some significant goals, it is important to highlight various sources of failures. The organization’s stakeholders have doubted the project’s ability to achieve its goals (Treadway et al., 2005). This, in turn, has led to propaganda that the project has failed. This essay explains the ways to inspire the stakeholders and ensure that the project begins to benefit the organization and all investors. Enhancing Short-term Gains and Changing Hoopla into Success Before inspiring the stakeholders and minimizing their doubts, it is imperative to ensure that the project team has substantial inspiration to spearhead short-term gains. For the large-scale project to achieve short-term gains, the team leader must cultivate a sense of openness, honesty, and consistency amongst the members of the team. This will not only lead to the development of trust but also improved inspiration. Treadway et al. (2005) argue that team members ought to trust the team leader to work together during the planning and implementation phases of a project. Indeed, consistency involves objectivity, selflessness and being predictable. Cultivation of trust in the organization will eventually lead to improved productivity, minimized turnover as well as optimized profits (Kotter & Cohen, 2002). As such, building trust amongst stakeholders (both internal and external) will be the first step in inspiring investors and enhancing short-term gains. As elucidated by Gershon & Straub (2009), a team of trustworthy employees is a major ingredient of improved performance both at planning and at implementing stages of project management. As the leader of the project implementation team, it is important to enhance effective communication. Instead of the fact the leaders have the responsibility of generating, storing and disseminating information, the leader should comprehend that the followers have no direct contact with the organization’s information (Kotter & Cohen, 2002). To that end, the team leader needs to provide all essential information without undue delays and hiccups. This will not only enhance the top-down flow of information but also provoke the team members to suggest available alternatives. In this scenario, the new team leader should communicate with the project team members and express the dissatisfaction of the stakeholders on the project. Besides, the team leader
Introduction: The Beginning of a New Era Though the Renaissance Era was represented by a range of various artists, who seemed to follow the principles introduced by da Vinci and Michelangelo quite closely, there is only one person, who has practically become a household name, became the representation of the era. Creating a range of artworks and developing his own original style by adding the concept of harmony into the theory of art that was followed at the time, he stood out of the rest of artists. Despite the fact that, in contrast to the tendency to experiment in his early works, Raphael was obviously following the staples of his own genre at the end of his career, his influence in the development of the Renaissance painting is not to be underrated. Thesis statement Although the style that Rafael developed over the course of his evolution as an artist was influenced greatly by the works of Leonardo da Vinci in terms of composition and technical expression and Michelangelo in that the latter defined a entirely new portrayal of human body in his sculptures, Rafael managed to not only blend the two styles into one, but also develop several unique characteristics, including the color cast harmony and a compositional balance, which led to the creation of an original style, which would later define the era of Renaissance and make Rafael’s artworks the representation of the epoch. Following into the Footsteps of the Great Masters: The Influence of Michelangelo and da Vinci. The Umbrian Period The earliest works of Raphael show clearly where he drew his inspiration from. Not that these works were unoriginal – far from it; however, they still lent a lot of their key features from the creations of da Vinci and Michelangelo. Taking one of Raphael’s most famous and well remembered works, Madonna and Child with the Book , as an example, one will notice inevitably that it shares a range of features with the paintings that da Vinci was so well known for. For example, the color cast and the choice of the form point clearly at the fact that Raphael studied the technique that Mona Lisa was painted with very closely. However, even at this stage of his artistic progress, he managed to introduce new elements into the existing styles by “capturing the characters of his sitters” (Adams 350). The similarities between da Vinci’s and Raphael’s approaches towards expressing their vision and depicting the Renaissance reality as they saw it can be traced easily when comparing da Vinci’s Mona Lisa to some of Raphael’s other early works. More to the point, these were not only the line work and the color cast that defined these similarities. The realization of the obvious link between the works of the two artists may come as one compares the very posture of Raphael’s numerous Ma