Overview of Learning Styles Essay

Learning is a very personal experience for every person individually, However, I had not realized the extent of how personal, learning actually is in reality. I was amazed each week as I learned about learning with personal Learning Patterns, how each pattern works, and how my use of each pattern affects not only the way I learn; but the way I work, perform tasks, and interact with others. I was blown away by the profound effects these Learning Patterns can have, both positively and negatively, if not used properly. Before this course, my definition of learning was very generic, stating that learning is integral to success and that one should strive to learn as much as possible. While I know that those statements and beliefs are true, I would now define learning as a very personal and individual process of acquiring information based on an individual’s personal learning patterns and how they obtain, retain, and apply that information. To someone who has not taken this course, I would explain that learning is actually easier, when they know how they learn as an individual. I would explain the 4 learning patterns with brief descriptions of each and a short example of how each one works, why they are important, and how they help in regards to learning and interacting with others, or performing specific tasks. I would let them know that when you learn using these patterns, you are learning with Intention, and Intentional learning brings out the best in them and in the successful completion of their goals and dreams! I have always loved learning and embrace it with an open mind and a willingness to absorb as much knowledge as I possibly can! My Learning Pattern scores are as follows†¦ Sequence- 26 Precision-31 Technical Reasoning-19 and Confluence-26 Typically, I have used Sequence, Precision, and Confluence frequently in my life in everything from being a parent, to work related issues and achieving goals. Although, until now, I did not realize my frequent use of these patterns. I have used Technical Reasoning at certain times as well, because these 4 patterns are actually meant to work together as a team, for individuals to achieve success in all that they do. However, most people use one or more patterns to a higher degree than others and avoid some patterns altogether; therein lies the problem of not knowing  about these patterns and how they work for you personally. When you know of these patterns and know your personal use of each pattern, you can direct them, or FIT them to work as the team they are meant to be! I have benefited greatly from this course. Some of the benefits I have realized are as follows†¦ I have learned to FIT, which is to Forge, Intensify, or Tether my learning patterns, in order to get the most beneficial, maximum result from my patterns. I have learned to Forge my Technical Reasoning, so that when working with computer tech type projects, that normall y would have highly frustrated me, now has become just another step toward the completion, and I am able to follow through with ease! I have also better developed my Sequence and Precision in the way that I approach and complete assignments. Before this course, I would just sit down and write the assignment, without consciously using my learning patterns. Now, I use Sequence and Precision to pre-write a draft, edit, and review my writing, as well as critically re-reading the assignment instructions, decoding it, and double checking to ensure that I have completed all the requirements, which also requires Technical Reasoning, I also use Confluence in a better, more intentional manner as well, by brainstorming topics and looking at the â€Å"Big Picture†. After reviewing my work piece by piece, I now look at the overall presentation to ensure that my assignment is connected properly and that each part ties to the other, and the complete picture is balanced. Although, I have enjoyed it, this course has also been challenging for me and these challenges have impacted me in a very profound way. One major challenge for me was learning to FIT my learning patterns. Because I am a Strong-willed Learner, with 3 Use First lea rning patterns, it is a challenge to Tether dominant patterns when needed. For instance, I need to consciously practice Tethering my Precision because I tend to be overly descriptive, as you might have noticed! Also, Forging my Technical Reasoning remains a challenge as well. But, I now have the strategies to be able to accomplish what challenges me. I now have the help of Decoding, Word Walls, and Personal Strategy Cards to help with challenges as well. And these strategies allow me to move forward with a strong confidence, which is backed by quality resources that help to propel my achievements toward success, without frustration, and I can progress smoothly and efficiently. As I write this last paragraph, and this course comes to it’s end, I  realize how much I have really enjoyed this course, and find myself a bit sad that is already over. I really enjoyed learning about myself and how I learn as an individual, and how others learn individually. I enjoyed how each week connected to the week before and brought you to the next, as the Course’s Confluence blossomed to the Big Picture like a beautiful lotus flower , opening to showcase it’s subtle perfection, this course quietly, yet greatly makes its profound impact upon me and has made positive changes in me that I will carry with me forever; and for that, I am extremely grateful and even more proud of my decision to obtain my degree. I had expected this course to be a good course and I was confident about learning in an online platform, However, this course has greatly exceeded my expectations in every way. From getting to know my fellow classmates as they shared their lives, challenges, and dreams; to our dedicated and knowledgeable instructor who gives feedback in a very positive, understanding, and nonjudgmental way, to the confidence I have now because of the strategies I now have the option to use. I am very happy to have taken this course and I will use the beneficial knowledge I have gained from it, to obtain my degree, have success in my career, and live my life†¦ With Focused Intention!!!!

Different in B2B vs B2C Advertising Essay

With the ever improving age of technology I think business has made tremendous strides to get on board. Because of the internet,business all over the world has had to make a change in the way they do business in order to keep their present customers and draw in new ones. The economy today is out of control with the cost of everything being extremely high especially gas and diesel fuel but because of technology business are able to reach more customers to try to get their business. The supply chains of B2C to B2B and uniquely differently. A supply chain occurs when a product or service is initiated and proceeds thru all the steps to the final objection. For example when a student inquires with the University of Phoenix from a link they clicked on the internet, the supply chain starts by the automation process that is in place, taking the student to the process in which they are connected to the pre-screening representative then to the enrollment representative who in turn takes the student thru the steps of the application process in order to enroll the student. The process of this supply chain is repetitive once the student makes the initial contact to start it. The difference between the B2C and B2B are in a since similar but different. I would say the primary difference being the avenues a product has to take before reaching the intended destination. B2Chave less avenues to travel versus that of B2B or example, the purchase of a computer through the Dell website, the avenues for the consumer are that of the website to choose the one that best fits their needs as they are dealing directly with the company to purchase the product. On the B2B side it would be the supplier Dell selling their products to the local dealers such as Best Buy, Fry Electronics, or Wal-Mart, the consumer will be getting the product from the second source and not dealing directly which makes the cost of the product more expensive. So with B2C if the transaction went smoothly and error free the customer will probably tell someone about the experience and more than likely be a repeat customer. Conclusion With this being said it is obvious that the supply chains of both have evolved and have advanced to another level because of technology but yet still is challenging and still different in many aspects. Either is still successful and has generated growth in the economy because of the growing improvements with technology.

Cross-cultural communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Cross-cultural communication - Essay Example Also, as case study, research data of intercultural communication between the USA manager and Japanese manager of an USA based company in Japan is analyzed. Culture and communication Communication is defined as a procedure by which information and other matters are exchanged between more than one person where the subject matter is important for at least one of the persons involved. Communication also means that one or more persons absorb the meaning and theme of the matter that has been shared based on certain patterns of interpretations that have followed. Therefore, during the course of a communication it is required to understand the kind of behaviour that needs to be followed or avoided. Thus, culture forms a framework and a universal reference in which all that takes place is comprehended. Cultural patterns by their own distinct nature carry purposeful meanings for only those who participate unlike other symbols that carry meanings that are attributed to them depending on social acceptance, and as such these symbols are not inherent in behaviour. On the other hand, patterns cannot exist on their own accord after their creation; they need to be given new concepts by conveying the meanings to a new generation. This is done by means of communication. There is a complex relationship between culture and communication. It is through communication, which is a mode of interaction between several persons, that culture is created. By communication it is possible to create and share the prevailing patterns of meaning, thinking, feeling and acting, and by such sharing these patterns are carried on for generations (Korac-Kakabadse, 2001, p.6). The strength of intercultural communication can be linked to several hypotheses based on geographical proximity. There are several examples of such hypothetical situation. For one, during a course of communication there may be several members belonging to different cultures but residing in same place or in close proximity. In suc h cases, these members may not communicate as much as was expected beforehand because of their geographical proximity. Then, the second hypothetical situation can be that members of a communication belong to cultures that are differentiated by their segregated geographical locations. In this second case, important parts of the communication have less possibility to be carried on between the individual members; communication is more likely to be carried on between cultural representatives and intermediaries. In this case, communication can take place between the individual members but more likely in neutral places like in workplaces and in recreational centers. For study of culture and communication, it is also necessary to know the kinds of communication that are involved like the topics chosen, and also the balance of small and formal discourse. The content and style of communication need to be comprehended to study the relation between culture and communication. During intercultur al communication, it is the strategic decision of the participants that shape the course of the interaction. The decision may include keeping quiet or joining one group or the other. The speakers may forego their distinct cultural styles to adopt a practical approach according to the need of the moment. The behavior that the speakers display during such communication does not reflect their original

The Great South Bay of Long Ireland Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Great South Bay of Long Ireland - Case Study Example "According to statistics, the hard clam population in the Great South Bay has declined by 90% since 1976. The number of bushels harvested by baymen between the mid 1970's and the late 1990's declined more than 70%" ('Rep. Grucci (NY1) Secures', 2007). The clam population decline threatens biodiversity of the region and wildlife extinction. Thesis Many years of clam fishing and exploitation of resources results in water deterioration, extinction of hard-clam population and industry decline. Poor quality of water is the main cause of the clam population decline and overexploitation of these resources. Clams are be capable of tolerating extreme fluctuations in environmental conditions (salinity fluctuations are particularly stressful). Clams purify water and balance biodiversity in the region. "Degradation of water quality, especially by nonpoint source runoff, is of mounting concern. The Great South Bay is the receptacle for water from the more than a million people that live within the bay's drainage basin" (SIGNIFICANT HABITATS n.d.). Thus, water quality is the main concern in this region because of high rates of lead and zinc contamination caused by industrial pollution. Moreover, the quality of water has deteriorated because of the large amounts of pesticides, copper and other chemicals which have been used to increase production. The presence of clams is critical to many valued coastal fisheries resources. Small clam populations are unable to pump and purify waters of the basin. Substances such as oil, grease, petrol, heavy metals and leached salines have been added to the water. As a result of the changes in water quality and total control of water began to spread. Overclamming results in extinction of the hard-clam population and has a negative impact on regional biodiversity. Clams are the main food for small sharps and squid. Decline in clam populations leads to environmental imbalance and can cause extinction of sea fish. Both the rate of loss of biodiversity and the equilibrium level of diversity that survives will be influenced through actions taken now to protect species, genetic resources, and critical habitats, while using them sustainably to meet social and economic needs. To make collective action even less harmonious, some ecological disturbances can be viewed not only as inevitable, but as necessary to the health of an ecosystem. Scientists "question whether any preventable losses should be allowed at a time when tens of thousands of dollars per acre is being spent to restore grass beds" (Blankenship 1998). But even were the best of those measures in place, the pace of destruction would still be too fast. That is because there inhe res in the earth's biological assets an uneliminable public good dimension. Industry decline could have a great impact on regional economy and unemployment. The region depends upon this industry and, if nothing changes, in several years clamming population will disappear. "No where else in America is the relationship between a healthy environment and a healthy economy more evident and intertwined than right here on Long Island," added Rep. Grucci" (Rep. Grucci (NY1) Secures, 2001). Undoubtedly, production and trade of clams embody a definite amount of economic rents that accrue to the various market participants. The

Organizational Behaviour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Organizational Behaviour - Essay Example As a leader, it is essential to be accountable for any occurrences in the school. To fulfill my mission, I need to point the school where I think it should go and try to keep it on the correct path. As an agent of change, I aim to lead improvement and change in management of various critical schooling components through development of collectively held, strong, and clear institutional mission. My philosophy also improves management by being responsible for the school’s overall administration. Finally, I also aim to be a researcher who examines trends, comes up with hypotheses, predicts, and tests the hypotheses to improve administrative capabilities. Then, identify the five* most important leadership skills, competencies or attributes that you think will be required to succeed in your profession/occupation in the future. Oral communication is an important skill in a leader, of which one has to be articulate, able to make clearly oral presentations of ideas and facts, and make a good impression (Kouzes & Posner, 2012: p40). Another central attribute of an effective leader is vision, which is the ability to foresee the future, as well as predict the unknowable. It also allows the leader to come up with the business’ strategic view, as well as the role that effective leadership will play in this strategic viewpoint. Thirdly, Integrity and honesty is another important attribute for a leader. This is important for the employees to buy into the proposals made by the leader, especially because it is representative of the leader’s overall character and establishes their credibility. Fourthly, innovation as a skill is important for school leaders because the institution will only be as innovative as the leader since internal innovation begins with the leader (Kouzes & Posner, 2012: p42). Finally, one should also be self-motivated with a clear vision about the direction the institution is taking, as well as where their professional life is headed. Se lect three of these and describe why an understanding of these are important and/or of practical use to business leaders and/or their companies. It is important to understand the importance of self-motivation because it can be contagious to employees around, while also possessing the ability to draw them aboard the leader’s vision. A self-motivated leader also recognizes the need for employees to work as a team to increase their productivity (Kouzes & Posner, 2012: p51). Self-motivated leaders also push themselves and others to accomplish set goals and are able to gain the trust of employees. The use of innovation by leaders is also of utmost importance today, especially with the global nature of today’s institutions. The ability of the institution to innovate should start with the leader, especially in the tapping of new ideas from employees that create value, as well as that of parents, students, and the community (Kouzes & Posner, 2012: p54). Innovation today is a v ital driver of valuation, performance, and growth and leaders must ensure they are at the forefront. Finally, oral communication is of special importance to a school administrator to translate technical knowledge to staff in a way they can understand. It is also essential in communication of ideas so that the administrator’s idea is not dismissed or misinterpreted by their subordinates (Kouzes & Posner,

Society, Community, & Family Impact of Technology Research Paper - 1

Society, Community, & Family Impact of Technology - Research Paper Example Additionally, some modes of communication such as use of smoke and hooting of horns conveyed wrong messages. In connection to this, the paper will provide detailed information on the computer and communication technologies along expounding on their history, development, use, and the conditions of the computer and communication technologies before and after the introduction of technology. As introduced above, technology has advanced extensively in the current society. Almost everything in the current world is run by the aid of machines such as computers and phones (Nayab 1). The effect of technology however is very extensive in the field of communication; many organizations have managed to produce diverse types of computers and phones to enhance the reduction of the whole world into a small village. The process of human communication has undergone many changes over the years, with many diverse path-breaking inventions and findings a lift from one step to another. Pictographs were the first writing materials that were invented to enhance communication in historical times. These writings were on solid materials such as stones and remained immobile. The invention of papyrus, wax and paper led to the invention of printing press in early 15th century. This invention enhanced the transfer of documents from one location to another, allowing uniformity of languages over wide areas (Nayab 1). The latest revolution is the extensive use of electronic technology such as computers and phones. Phones and computers have enhanced the transfer of documents via use of electronic waves and signals. Currently, computers and smartphones are used in communication between people without concern of physical distance. People from different ends of the world also communicate currently via audio, video l inks, and text via aid of correct hardware and software which are products of technological advancement. Communication was a great challenge before the invention

Marketing internship report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Marketing internship report - Essay Example my internship at Plush Karaoke, I had a special focus on acquiring knowledge on the different strategies employed for marketing and promotion of services in the organization. To ensure this was effectively understood, I had to partake in the numerous marketing and promotion activities of the organization, among which were advertising, sales promotion, selling, and the public relation (Steinke 145). In Plush Karaoke, promotion was used for the purpose of expanding the market, as well as retaining its current position in the market. Similarly, this organization employed promotional strategy for the purposes of presenting a corporate viewpoint in regard to the public issues (Steinke 142). The organization also found promotional strategies as being key to reaching the target markets for its products. Among the organizational goals herein were the identification of particular promotional objectives and goals for the purposes of providing information on the services. On the other hand, there was the need to differentiate the services, stabilize sales, increase the sales, as well as accentuating the service value. Among the promotional practices offered by the organization, which I took part in their marketing and promotion were; happy Thursday, expansion of craft beer, adding a second TV in each room, barber cut machine, new song selections, sports programming at bar area, music video at bar area and refreshed food menu. The sales promotion practice included many forms such as personal selling, advertising and public relation for the purposes of increasing the sales via the one-time efforts of selling. In addition, the organization considered the sales promotion practice as an important part in the promotional mix (Steinke 143). I got engaged in Point-of-Purchase Advertising (POP), which involved demonstrations and displays for promoting the services through video advertisements on the shopping charts of supermarkets. Another important practice was the specialty

The Academic Benefits of a Structured Classroom Environment Essay

The Academic Benefits of a Structured Classroom Environment - Essay Example This helps in avoiding confusion due to miscommunication, thus increasing academic productivity. Some tried and tested methods in building structure in the classroom to increase academic success are: 3. Having realistic consequences for the student's actions that are consistently and firmly enforced inspires them to make better choices. The inherent lesson is to teach students that they can control life consequences by controlling their behavior. 4. Establishing clear cut expectations and directions .Students function better when they know what is expected from them. Probability of completion of assignments increases when precise directions are given for completing every assignment and when students know exactly how the teacher will be assessing their projects. 5. Giving constant feedbacks during large tasks and break-up of large tasks into smaller manageable ones increases success rate for completion especially with young children.( Zeiger,volume2, number2). With a million definitions and explanations in research books and web sites of what is meant by structure in a classroom ,one can safely conclude that it might not mean the sa

Visiting foreign country Essay Example for Free

Visiting foreign country Essay The chief object of ports is, of course, bodily exercise. â€Å"A sound mind in a sound body† is a well-known saying. The heath of the body is essential for success in life. An unhealthy man is always sad, gloomy ad therefore loses confidence in him. To keep healthy, one must take an active interst in sports. Thus sports serve an essential purpose in life because they ensure good health and build a fine physique. If one is bodily fit, one feels capable of hard endeavor and life without endeavor is useless. The great advantage of sports is that they combine exercise with trill, excitement and sensations. In order that we should readily take exercise it should be made interesting and, as everybody knows, practically all kinds of games devised by man possess a certain degree of interest. The Value of Sports such as Hockey, football, cricket, tennis, badminton, rowing and swimming all these and others not only give exercise to the libs but also provide a good deal of excitement and entertainment. Besides, the competitive element in sports is source of thrills for the mind. Not only the players, but the spectators also feel engrossed in a game because of its suspense and unexpected turns. It is for these reasons that sports form a very important part in education. A bookworm who takes no interest in sport is physically weak and all his mental excellence can’t make up for his physical deficiency. The Value of Sports benefits not only the body but also the mind. Almost every game requires a certain degree of skill to play. Skill is a mental quality. Physical vigor alone is not enough in games like golf, cricket and tennis. Sports develop and encourage the spirit of healthy competition. The, competitive instinct is natural in man and demands outlets. Sports have wide scope for the competitive instinct. Matches and tournaments and contests are held to put to test the skill, toughness, stamina and endurance of values of participants. Medals and awards are an incentive to players to achieve excellence and a high standard of performance in their respective fields. The healthy spirit of rivalry and competition constantly leads to improvement in the performance and previous records are constantly excelled or surpassed. There are several other considerations which entail sports to an important place in life. It is usually by taking part in sports that we cultivate what is called the spirit of showmanship. This spirit of sportsmanship is an excellent quality in a man and consists of fair play, sense of discipline, capacity for team work and cooperation and confidence in oneself that enabled one to accept a defeat cheerfully. A sportsman playing on the field is not expected outplays foul. He must cooperate and finally, if his team suffers a defeat he must not lose self-confidence but must shake hands with his adversaries cheerfully. When a sportsman has acquired these qualities on the playground, he will naturally exhibit them in the wider sphere of life. If he has truly imbibed the lessons taught to him by sports, he will be very honest and fair in his dealings with other people. He will never see his enemies below belt. He will always obey his superiors. He will never feel heartbroken on account of the disappointments. If he shows these qualities in his general conduct, he has learnt how live truly. His life is successful and he will be admired everywhere. Sports are an excellent means of spending one’s leisure. All work and no play make jack adult boy. Sports are much interesting pastime. Most of the games are quite inexpensive too. The Value of Games in Education The Value of Games in Education : Education aims at full development of the human personality. The human personality has several sides and it is the purpose of education to develop all these sides so that the individuals may attain his full stature. Man has a body, a mind and a spirit. Accordingly education aims at the physical development, intellectual development and the spiritual and more development of man. It is a very narrow view of education to think that educations merely gives knowledge to a human being and thus fits him for the purpose of earning his livelihood but educations does much more than this. The Value of Games in Education cannot ignore the physical side of man. Man has been blessed with a beautiful body. Poets, painters and sculptors have gone into raptures over the human body and have tried to depict it in their arts in many ways. Games are a means of keeping the body healthy and fit. Physical fitness and freedom from all kinds of ailments are the desire and ambition of very human being. Indeed, good health is the first condition of happiness in life. Those who play games greatly maintain good health. Games are an excellent means of bodily exercise. Apart from building the body, games are an excellent recreation or pastime. Education teaches man the need and value of recreational activities. Education does not approve of the scholar who keeps pouring over books all time. Recreations are necessary. And games are among the most interesting recreations in the world. The essence of a recreation is that it should refresh the body and maintain and provide a means of escape from one’s professional or scholarly pursuits. When one paying golf or billiards or badminton or table tennis, one becomes forgetful of everything else and gets absorbed in the games. Thus games are very useful as a diversion for the mind. They are a diversion not only for the players, but also for the spectators, because of the greet interest they create. The Value of Games in Education are just a diversion for the mind. They even provide a kind of training for the mind. Most games today are a matter of high skill and right judgment. Hockey, football, cricket and other games are not just a matter of physical exertion and exercise. The player must acquire the art of playing a game. Every game, therefore, contributes to the development of the mind and the judgment of a player. The Value of Games in Education offer that Good players show a lot of mental alertness and ingenuity in the course of their play. Fair play is noble moral quality when practiced in political dealings. The quality is best inculcated in human beings through games. The habit of fair play makes a man love honesty, integrity and justice which are great moral qualities. Games also teach the lesson of accepting a defeat on the playfield with a smiling face. A defeated player shakes hands with his victorious opponent and eve offers him congratulations. Defeat does not dishearten or depress a true sportsman. On the contrary, it provides an incentive for a greater effort. This lesson also is bound to prove useful to a man in the wider sphere of life. Life has its misfortunes, woes, failures. But a man with tough character is not daunted by these. Games make a man tough and thus enable him to withstand the sling and arrows of fortune. Games teach retain other lesson as well. They teach team-spirit or the spirit of mutual cooperation. They teach the value of unity or united effort. They teach the necessity of always obeying the orders of the captain or the leader. All these are valuable lessons which prepare man to live correctly and nobly. Education aims at building up character and character includes all the qualities mentioned above. Thus the value of games in forming and molding character is very great. Education aims too at developing qualities of leadership in human beings. The qualities of leadership are developed most effectively and fruitfully thought games. The Vacation I Had The Vacation I Had : Summer vacations are probably the happiest period in a student’s life. This lasts for about 60 days every year. Summer vacations generally commences form second week of May every year. The purpose of the summer vacations is multifold. First are relaxations. A student is fatigued at the end of the annual examinations. He needs rest to recoup health and viability. The second purpose is to tide over the unbearable heat of the summer months. The third purpose is to provide a change to a student to make up his deficiency in any particular subject. It also gives an opportunity to students to visit new places. Travelling is an experience and has great educative value. I planned my program in such a manner as to obtain maximum benefits. I took permission of my fatter to visit Calcutta and Darjeeling along with my friend Chandra. Both of us got the berth reserved in the Coromandel Express weeks ahead. Having visited all places in Calcutta we got into a bus for Darjeeling. We hired a cottage for our stay there. The climate was very bracing. We felt as if we were in heaven. We relaxed there fully. I was weak in English, so I had taken a learner book with me. I used to study grammar in my leisure time. I also learnt horse riding and the game of polo there. We used to have plenty of fruit after meals. Every nice thing has its end. So was the case of our short trip to Darjeeling. Time rolled on and the day approached when we had to leave that snow Valley of dreams. There was a great rush of passengers at Calcutta. We contacted the station master who helped us in securing berths in the train. We reached Chennai after 30 hours of journey. The short trip to Darjeeling during the summer vacations was a happy experience for us and its memory is still green in our minds. Visit to Taj Mahal Visit to Taj Mahal : There are many beautiful and worth seeing historical places in India. But the Taj Mahal of Agra is the most beautiful of all. It is a dream in marble. My friend and I visited that in the last summer vacations. The vision cast a spell over me. It stood in unique majesty. What a fine lay out indeed! This is what one could say on the spot. It looked white on all sides. The green tufts of glass and the green shoots of hot Cyprus trees adorned its majestic beauty. Nature’s beauty made the ground of the building look all the more beautiful. We went down the staircase. We found the graves of the king and the queen under the dome in a dark chamber. Multicolored pieces of glass and couplets form the Quran decorated the side walls. The four minarets stood as watch men at each of the main building. A full moonlight followed the next day. We visited the Taj again that night. Its beauty smiled in the silvery light of the moon. It was a memorable scene. My joy knew no bounds when I saw its reflections in the river Jamuna. Clear picture of marble could be seen. I closed my eyes and opened them again to find it was a reality. Nay! It was to a dream. As god is there to bestow nature’s beauty, man’s hand is there to create wonderful pieces of art and architecture. How could man be so perfect in working out the minute details of art? I am full of wonder even now. And I can still see the beauty of the Taj with my mind’s eye, if at all I desire so. Wheat a great beauty man could create! The Taj Mahal was built about three hundred and fifty years ago by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved queen, Mumtaj. A Visit to A Zoo A Visit to A Zoo : Our school broke up for the winter vacations. One day I went to Vandalur zoo with my friends. The entry was by tickets. We went up several steps to purchase the tickets. Then we entered the zoo. We walked up and down. A deep canal ran parallel to the footpath. Beyond the canal there were small trees. The cages of the birds were hanging down the branches of the trees. Their multi-coloured feathers gleamed into sunlight. Next we saw a small water pond with many kinds of birds swimming in it. It was interesting to see new birds in an enclosure. They twittered, chirped and whistled. They presented nature’s voice. It was pleasing indeed to hear them. We saw many birds there sparrows, nightingales and owls of different colours set in the closed cage. The owls sat with closed eyes lost in thoughts. We bade a silent farewell to those philosophers among birds and walked on. We visited the tigers, lions and bears shut in cages. We saw some hippos and also a rhino. We heared the loud roar of a lion. One tiger was in a fit of anger. The tiger was strong and handsome. I was reminded of Blake’s lines. â€Å"What immortal hand or eye dare frame the fearful symmetry? † Then we enjoyed a boat cruise. I enjoyed it most. We also saw many other fauna like crocodiles, snakes, frogs, fish ad a hundred other creatures. They all felt at home in the zoo. Last of all we saw different kinds of monkeys. We passed many happy hours in the zoo. It was a pleasing experience for all of us. I am Proud of My Country. English Grammar Index I am Proud of My Country. : India, my country is often described as a land of varieties. It is one of the most ancient countries of the world. It has a rich and varied heritage, the like of which no other country could boast of. I am really proud of it because it is the land of saints and seers. It is the country which has given us the great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is a great country blessed with the Himalayas and the sacred rivers like Ganga, Brahmaputra, Kaveri, Sindu etc. My land is so vast that it cannot have uniformity in anything. The people of India are from a variety of racial types, Aborigines, Aryans, Greeks, Sakas, Kushans, Huns, Mongolians, Arabs, Turks, Afghans etc. Naturally there is a wide diversity in languages spoken, physical features, religious practices. Indians considerably differ in their social habits, diets, dress and ornaments. Though the society is divided into different castes and communities, there is a general feelings of oneness among our countrymen. All are first and foremost Indians. India is a museum of cults and customs, creeds and cultures, faiths and tongues, racial types and social systems. Our country presents geographical diversity. We come across extremes of temperatures, fertile lands as well as deserts and varied climates. But there is an underlying unity among the people. There is a basic unity of ideas, philosophy, conventions and outlook on life. Festivals like Raksha Bandan, Dasara, Holy, Deepavali etc. are celebrated throughout the country. It is holy country which has given the world the Buddha, Sankara, Ramanuja, Ramakrishna, Viveka and a host of others. I love my country more than my own life. I LOVE MY INDIA. I LOVE MY INDIA. : I love my India not because it is my mother-country. The people around me are lovely. The tradition is something unique. My mother-tongue is the most beautiful language on the earth. The natural beauty spread all over India is really enchanting. The religious touch that we could find among Indians is heart-touching. Besides all these factors, there are many other aspects of India which have attracted my attention to keep me loving it. I want to state only two aspects here because of shortage of time. 1. UNITY in DIVERSITY We speak different languages. Every 25 kilometer entertains different culture. All the major religions are followed here. Communal clashes are the nature of the day. Political parties are diverse at national as well as the regional level. In spite of all these differences, we feel ONE when it becomes the matter of Indianism. The warmth and hospitality of the Indian people get deepened in spite of this diversity. The economic renaissance is amazing in the recent past. The economic progress of the people has maintained the unity of the people. Indian philosophy of life which is also called is called Sanatan Dharma is prime factor to sustain this unity in diversity. 2. CREATIVITY of THE PEOPLE To quote Sri Aurobindo, For more than three thousand years, India has been creating abundantly and incessantly, lavishly with an inexhaustible many sidedness, republics, kingdoms, empires, philosophies, cosmogonies, sciences, creeds, arts, poems and all kinds of monuments, palaces, temples, public works, communities, societies, religious orders, laws, codes and rituals, physical sciences, psychic sciences, systems of Yoga, systems of politics, administration, arts spiritual, arts worldly, trades, industries, fine crafts the list is endless. This is the honest word to vouch for the creativity of My India. Of course there are many and many factors of India which have attracted different people in different times. For all these things, I love My INDIA. Democracy versus Dictatorship Democracy versus Dictatorship : In theory, democracy is the best form of government. It is the government of the people as distinguished from the government of an individual or of a class of people. It makes all the citizens interested in their country by giving them a voice in legislation. It gives them a feeling of importance and a sense of responsibility. It thus gives a meaning to their personality. Another merit of democracy is that it is less liable to revolution than other forms of government. Since people themselves elect the members of government the need of a revolution does not arise. In additions to this, a democratic government usually guarantees freedom of thought and speech. This twofold freedom is a very great advantage as it enables the individual to grow freely. Democracy thus offers the most favorable atmosphere for the development of the human personality. Democracy literally means the rule of the people. It has been defined as government of the people, by the people for the people. Modern democracy rests on the principle of representation. The people elect their representatives by vote. These representatives attend the legislature and act on behalf other citizens. If the citizens are not satisfied with their representatives, they may not re-elect them in the next elections. But democracy has its danger. The greatest of which is that it may be the rule of ignorance. â€Å"Nine peoel out of every ten†, says Carlyle, â€Å"are fools† and citizens who are not sufficiently intelligent or educated are likely to commit errors of judgment in the casting of votes. The best men may this fail to get elected. Elections are usually matters of propaganda. However, the voters in countries like Britain and America have not proved so lacking in judgment as many of the opponents of democracy would have us believe, though it is true that our own country the people, being illiterate, rarely give evidence of sound or independent judgment. Another critic of democracy is that it is wanting in efficiency. For prompt and effective actions, unity of action is essential. â€Å"One bad general†, said Napoleon â€Å"is better than two good ones†. In a multitude of minds, much unprofitable discussion takes place, whereas unity of control is needed for a vigorous national life. According to Newman, for example, the British government cannot cope with the emergencies created by war as effectively as a dictator can. This criticism, however, is not very convincing because in times of war the British prime minter usually wields the powers of a dictator. During world wars, for examples, Sir Winston Churchill faced few real difficulties as a result of the system of democracy in England. A sounder criticism of democracy in times of war would be to say that secrecy in military affairs becomes difficult, if not impossible, and that the oppositions usably lowers the morale of people by its loud condemnations of the actions of the Cabinet. It was thought that the two world wars had made the world safe for democracy, but this forecast proved to be wrong. While democracy worked quite well in France and the English speaking countries, most other countries swung towards dictatorship. So successful and powerful did their dictatorships become, that the days of democracy seemed to be almost over. Unfortunately, theemthods of scitatorhsip are, and have to be, ruthless. Dictatorship employed force and violence OT maintain itself. It resorts to physical compulsion, person, concentrations camps censored, intimidation purges and execution. Both n Russia and Germany countless execution was ordered for the sanity of dsicitsorhsip. A dictatorship cannot brook slightest oppositions. Dictatorship is certainly not without its merits. As carryall poitnsour, society is anorgnaism. And not a machine. Now mechanical sytemliek the ballot-box can, therefore, prove satisfactory. The safer course is OT gives all power to a dictator. The dictator must, of course, be once who has exception amity to organize, direct and admitter. Parliamtary rule usably means gomer by clues ofpoliticans whose purviews dictator on the other hand, can concentrate all his emerges towards theupliftment and improvement of his country.

La Indolencia de Los Filipinos Essay Example for Free

La Indolencia de Los Filipinos Essay La indolencia de los filipinos (y de los estudiantes tambien) 1. What was the effect of conviction of inferiority? -The child or youth who tries to be anything else is blamed with vanity and presumption; the curate ridicules him with cruel sarcasm, his relatives look upon him with fear, strangers regard him with great compassion. No forward movement Get back in the ranks and keep in line! With his spirit thus molded the native falls into the most pernicious of all routines: routine not planned but imposed and forced. Note that the native himself is not naturally inclined to routine but his mind is disposed to accept all truth, just as his house is open to all strangers. The good and the beautiful attract him, seduce and captivate him although like the the Japanese he often exchanges the good for the evil, if it appears to him garnished and gilded. What he lacks is in the first place liberty to allow expansion to his adventuresome spirit, and good examples, beautiful prospects for the future. It is necessary that his spirit, although it may be dismayed and cowed by the elements and the fearful manifestation of their mighty forces, store up energy, seek high purposes, in order to struggle against obstacles in the midst of unfavorable natural conditions. In order that he may progress it is necessary that a revolutionary spirit, so to speak, should boil in his veins, since progress necessarily requires the present; the victory of new ideas over the ancient and accepted one. It will not be sufficient to speak to his fancy, to talk nicely to him, nor that the light illuminate him like the ignis fatuus that leads travelers astray at night: all the flattering promises of the fairest hopes will not suffice, so long as his spirit is not free, his intelligence is not respected. 2. What is the meaning of the statement, tila ka kastila? The pernicious example of the dominators in surrounding themselves with servants and despising manual or corporal labor as a thing unbecoming the nobility and chivalrous pride of the heroes of so many centuries; those lordly airs, which the natives have translated into tila ka castila, and the desire of the dominated to be the equal of the dominators, if not essentially, at least in their manners; all this had naturally to produce aversion to activity and fear or hatred of work. 3. What does Rizal mean by saying that indolence in the Philippines is a chronic but not an inherited disease? When in consequence of a long chronic illn ess the condition of the patient is examined, the question may arise whether the weakening of the fibers and the debility of the organs are the cause of the maladys continuing or the effect of the bad treatment that prolongs its action. The attending physician attributes the entire failure of his skill to the poor constitution of the patient, to the climate, to the surroundings, and so on. On the other hand, the patient attributes the aggravation of the evil to the system of treatment followed. Only the common crowd, the inquisitive populace, shakes its head and cannot reach a decision. Something like this happens in the case of the Philippines. Instead of a physician, read government, that is friars, employees, etc. Instead of patient, Philippines; instead of malady, indolence. 4. What proofs did Rizal give to show that pre-Spanish Malayans were not indolent? -Before the arrival of the Europeans, the Malayan Filipinos carried on an active trade, no only among themselves but also with all the neighboring countries. All the histories of those first years, in short, abound in long accounts about the industry and agriculture of the natives; mines, gold-washings, looms, farms, barter, naval construction, raising of poultry and stock, weaving of silk and cotton, distilleries, manufactures of arms, pearl fisheries, the civet industry, the horn and hide industry, etc. , are things encountered at every step, and considering the time and the conditions in the islands, prove that there was life, there was activity, there was movement. 5. How did it happen that the industrious pagan culture was transformed into that of an indolent Christian culture? -We have already spoken of the more or less latent predisposition which exists in the Philippines toward indolence, and which must exist everywhere, in the whole world, in all men, because we all hate work more or less, as it may be more or less hard, more ore less unproductive. The dolce far niente of the Italian, the rascarse la barriga of the Spaniard, the supreme aspiration of the bourgeois to live on his income in peace and tranquility, attest this. It seems that there are causes more than sufficient to breed indolence in the midst of a beehive. Thus is explained why, after thirty-two years of the system, the circumspect and prudent Morga said that the natives have forgotten much about farming, raising poultry, stock and cotton and weaving cloth, as they used to do in their paganism and for a long time after the country had been conquered! 6. Why does the city of Hong Kong have more commercial and trade activities than the whole of the Philippines? It has more commercial movement than all the islands together, because it is free and is well governed. The great difficulty that every enterprise encountered with the administration contributed not a little to kill off all commercial and industrial movement. All the Filipinos, as well as all those who have tried to engage in business in the Philippines, know how many documents, what comings, how many stamped papers, how much patience is needed to secure from the government a permit for an enterprise. One must count upon the good will of this one, on the influence of that one, on a good bribe to another in order that the application be not pigeon-holed, a present to the one further on so that it may pass it on to his chief; one must pray to God to give him good humor and time to see and examine it; to another, talent to recognize its expediency; to one further on sufficient stupidity not to scent behind the enterprise an insurrectionary purpose land that they may not all spend the time taking baths, hunting or playing cards with the reverend friars in their convents or country houses. And above all, great patience, great knowledge of how to get along, plenty of money, a great deal of politics, many salutations, great influence, plenty of presents and complete resignation! 7. Was there gambling in the country before the coming of the Spaniards? -Yes, we do not mean to say that before the coming of the Spaniards the natives did not gamble: the passion for gambling is innate in adventuresome and excitable races, and such is the Malay, Pigafetta tells us of cockfights and of bets in the Island of Paragua. Cock-fighting must also have existed in Luzon and in all the islands, for in the terminology of the game are two Tagalog words: sabong and tari (cockpit and gaff). But there is not the least doubt that the fostering of this game is due to the government, as well as the perfecting of it. 8. What are the effects of too many religious festivals on the country? Remember, that lack of capital and absence of means paralyze all movement, and you will see how the native was perforce to be indolent for if any money might remain to him from the trials, imposts and exactions, he would have to give it to the curate for bulls, scapularies, candles, novenaries, etc. And if this does not suffice to form an indolent character, if the climate and nature are not enough in themselves to daze him and deprive him of all energy, recall then that the doctrine of his religion teach him to irrigate his fields in the dry season, not by means of canals but with amasses and prayers; to preserve his stock during an epidemic with holy water, exorcisms and benedictions that cost five dollars an animal, to drive away the locusts by a procession with the image of St. Augustine, etc. It is well, undoubtedly, to trust greatly in God; but it is better to do what one can not trouble the Creator every moment, even when these appeals redound to the benefit of His ministers. We have noticed that the countries which believe most in miracles are the laziest, just as spoiled children are the most ill-mannered. Whether they believe in miracles to palliate their laziness or they are lazy because they believe in miracles, we cannot say; but he fact is the Filipinos were much less lazy before the word miracle was introduced into their language. 9. What other evidence may be pointed out to show the lack of national sentiment? -The very limited training in the home, the tyrannical and sterile education of the rare centers of learning that blind subordination of the youth to one of greater age, influence the mind so that a man may not aspire to excel those who preceded him but must merely be content to go along with a march behind them. Stagnation forcibly results from this, and as he who devotes himself merely to copying divests himself of other qualities suited to his own nature, he naturally becomes sterile; hence decadence. Indolence is a corollary derived from the lack of stimulus and of vitality. That modesty infused into the convictions of everyone, or, to speak more clearly, that insinuated inferiority, a sort of daily and constant depreciation of the mind so that it may not be raised to the regions of life, deadens the energies, paralyzes all tendencies toward advancement, and of the least struggle a man gives up without fighting. If by one of those rare incidents, some wild spirit, that is some active one, excels, instead of his example stimulating, it only causes others to persist in their inaction. Theres one who will work for us; lets sleep on! say his relatives and friends. True it is that the spirit of rivalry is sometimes awakened, only that then it awakens with bad humor in the guise of envy, and instead of being a lever for helping, it is an obstacle that produces discouragement. 10. How do we know there was no national sentiment? -Absence of all opposition to measures prejudicial to the people and the absence of any initiative in whatever may redound to its good. A man in the Philippines is only an individual, he is not a member of a nation. He is forbidden and denied the right of association, and is, therefore, weak and sluggish. The Philippines is an organism whose cells seem to have no arterial system to irrigate it or nervous system to communicate its impressions; these cells must, nevertheless, yield their product, get it where they can; if they perish, let them perish. In the view of some this is expedient so that a colony may be a colony; perhaps they are right, but not the effect that a colony may flourish.