Education - Diversity and Inclusion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Education - Diversity and Inclusion - Essay Example Developing a deeper understanding of how inclusion can develop with the growth of diversity and cultures then becomes an essential component for teachers that are working within the classroom. The personal relationship to diversity and inclusion is one which becomes complex because of the different perspectives which I relate to. The perspective as a student is one which is based on the cultural identity which I carry into the classroom. Each student comes from a different background, holds values and beliefs in place and creates specific attitudes and behaviors toward this. However, another individual, specifically those not from the locality, carry a different set of ideologies because of the cultural relationship which is presented. The relationships and dynamics which are created are complex in relation to the social development as well as the ability to teach the same subject matter to students that are at different levels of understanding. In my experience, this has created gap s in learning, specifically because no one is learning at the same pace or with the same approach to learning. More important, there is sometimes not the ability to develop the correct perspectives and associations with those that are in the classroom because of the cultural definitions and understanding. As a student, this has led to personal gaps in learning as well as times when it seemed as though the teacher was approaching only those which did not understand the subject matter. The problems associated with the perspective which I held as a student are linked directly to the questioning of what the definition of diversity and inclusion relates to. Currently, the policies and formulas for teaching in the classroom are to treat each student equally while giving students the same opportunities and information for success. However, the equality which is associated with teaching does not take into account the

The Benefits, Pitfalls, and Challenges of Special Needs Students Essay

The Benefits, Pitfalls, and Challenges of Special Needs Students Accessing the General Curriculum - Essay Example It is common knowledge that the society in general is more concerned with academic competence of normal students. But one factor that cannot be ignored by society is that there is a group of young people (male or female) who might need a certain amount of special attendance so that the teaching profession can attain a special status that stands apart from formal teaching procedures. This paper attempts to review such a stand which takes into consideration legal, moral, and social aspects with regard to children challenged with any form of disability and attempts to bind or conform a general curriculum which such children could be exposed to. The practical implementation of the needs of special needs students: The 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) made it clear that each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) should clearly describe how the learner’s â€Å"disability affects the child’s involvement with and progre ss in the general curriculum† and what â€Å"services, program modifications, and supports necessary for the child to be involved in and progress in the general curriculum† (Wehmeyer, Agran & Lattin, 2001, p. 327). These guidelines have prompted educators to reconsider how the educational programs of special needs students are designed and carried out. ... efforts should be undertaken to ensure that no misapplication or overemphasis of any component of standards-based reform must occur in the teaching learning process. The authors argue that special needs students are just like others and these learners achieve challenging standards only when there is higher expectation is demanded from them. However, there is also the danger of setting high standards and narrowing the curriculum to core content areas resulting in higher dropout rate among such special needs learners who already have difficulty and subsequent previous experiences of failure. The rationale to offer special needs students access to the general curriculum seeks â€Å"to ensure that all students have access to a challenging curriculum, to ensure that all students are held to high expectations, and to ensure that students with disabilities are not left out of the accountability system being established for schools† (Wehmeyer, Agran & Lattin, 2001, p. 330). It can be noticed that parental and teacher expectations are low for students with special needs. Therefore, it is essential that special needs children are offered such educational programs that challenge them and that everyone, including the teachers and parents, holds high expectations for their achievement. The question whether special education curriculum or the general curriculum is best suitable for special needs learners is worth analyzing. It is true that a general curriculum makes neither distinction nor marginalization among the learners. While general curriculum offers equal educational opportunities for everyone, its competency to offer Individualized Education Programs for the special needs children is quite debatable. Therefore, it is imperative that the general curriculum is â€Å"adapted,

Philosophy of Love and Sex

Philosophy of Love and Sex Philosophy of Love and Sex This paper is concerned with discussing the concept of human sexuality as it pertains to polyamory. In their article Polyamory-what it is and what it isn’t, authors McCullough and Hall discuss the liberating experience that comes with the lifestyle of polyamory as well as dispelling negative uninformed conclusions that are not a definition of polyamory. The article examines the inept description of the negative stereotype of the practice and makes a compelling argument of the practice promoting acceptance rather than rejection. McCullough and Hall’s review on polyamory sheds light sheds light on the discourse and practice of polymory as loving more than one person within the realms of integrity and honesty. It is the notion of having multiple committed relationships with more than one person at a time with consent to knowledge with all the parties involved. Presently, other relationship alternatives i.e. polyamory are slowly gaining a modicum of acceptance because of bl anket assumptions that have diminished the sanctity of monogamous unions. Despite this apparent crisis within our society, most people desire monogamy and choose to be monogamous for the purpose of deepening of bonding into a lifelong commitment. The longer you maintain and grow with an individual in a committed relationship, the longer and stronger the bond. The notion of how natural, innate and viable polyamory is assumed to be, is debatable. Furthermore, the exponentially complex structure of a polyamorous union makes for a much more complicated relationship than monogamy. In relation to other forms of relationships, monogamy is currently the only acceptable, valid and highly recognized structure of human sexual relationships. Most people’s beliefs are a hodgepodge of various philosophies and practices that they found to have worked for them. In this paper, I argue against polyamorous relationships as a rationalized model of human sexuality that adds a dimension of complex ity to the dynamics of a relationship. The authors in their article present an argument for polyamory being a celebration of the human nature to want to enjoy intimacy through physical and emotional bonding without restriction in the unnatural social system of confining oneself to a relationship with just one partner. Polyamorous relationships are thought to be natural and are supposedly found throughout the universe. However, natural does not necessarily translate to better or superior. Polyamory is an individual’s expression of the preference to not stay monogamous, rather than a natural instinct. Generalizations perpetuated about monogamy as being unnatural and against our human nature are imprecise. Rising above nature is not synonymous with shaming personal preference. Imposed personal preferences in favour of polyamory being more inclined with our human nature has deemed monogamy unnatural and insurmountable, when the choice to practice either or is really a matter of preference. Furthermore, the authors asse rt that the western stereotype of monogamy symbolizes confinement, which is against our human nature. The authors challenge monogamy and demonstrate that this constructed image of the West serves to restrict and confine individuals into a relationship that is not necessarily the most ideal, given evidence such as high divorce rates. The evidence given by the authors to support polyamory emphasize the nature of this practice that is not only found in humans, but in 95% of other species as well. However, animals do not possess a conscience like human beings do. Their motive for being polyamorous is an instinct necessary for bonding and survival. Despite how natural to humanity polyamory might seem, it is a lifestyle prone to problematic complications. It is my contention that when love is divided and scattered even with the best of intentions, there is bound to be a cost and a loss. As far as the human race goes, most individuals have the preference of being the sole crowning jewel in their partner’s eyes, the being the only focus of their lover’s attention. Completely free and unbridled love can be dangerous, indecent and even irresponsible. We cannot allow ourselves to love frivolously, in any way that feels good, without any thought to the consequences that may be dismal. A relationship is much more fulfilling when you find one person whom you can give your full being and attention to. The true test of commitment is when you choose to dedicate your attention to one person in multiple ways, instead of availing yourself to multiple people. The human race is not wired to be naturally secure. We possess traits that make us egotistically insecure. To a certain extent, we are a species that exhibit a degree of possessiveness and jealousy. We are not wired to consent to sharing especially when it pertains to the object of our affection. By virtue of these traits, it is not in our nature to be polyamorous. When examining the level at which one can be open in a relationship in polyamory, we need to truthfully expound on the level at which an individual can be realistically be an open book to their partners specifically pertaining to sexual intimacy. Intimacy is a powerful thing when shared between two individuals and can create feelings of jealousy and insecurity when shared with more than two. Perhaps the notion of no jealousy in polyamorous relationship is a forcefully learned comportment under the guise of being secure and tolerant. Trust and completely open lines of communication may be compromised in this union, resulting in competitiveness and difficulty in communication, for fear of hurting your partners with absolute honesty. It may lead to internal conflict of how much honesty can be handled versus sparing your partners’ feelings. According to the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, â€Å"there are many strains that accompany the keeping of so large and important a s ecret. There is the fear of being discovered and shunned by people who might disapprove. There is the stress that comes along with the lack of recognition of one’s partners: for example, the partner who is not invited to family gatherings and office parties may feel excluded and devalued. If the polyamorous individual has children who are not aware of the arrangement, there is the need to arrange a time and place to meet in private, rather than in the comfort of one’s home (NCSF, 2010).† Polyamorous relationships take an infinite variety of configurations connected together for various purposes. The constellation of relationships in a polyamorous arrangement creates the complication of not having a mutual boundary. It takes a lot of time and energy to reach an agreement on what boundaries are agreeable for the relationship. It requires constant negotiation and communication. Being able to be integrated into the flow of constant love and attention may be satisfying but can also be deeply frustrating. This brings up the question of authenticity in polyamorous unions. A significant relationship should have the look and feel of solidity, security, and safety. Monogamy offers a sense of permanence in this regard. The security of knowing that the object of your affection will not be tempted and swayed by someone who can offer something different and new is an added advantage to monogamy. If we do not pathologize and make this notion of security wrong with respect to monoga my, we can appreciate the ingredients that feed this sense of security. Truth telling, reliability and disclosure in monogamy contribute to true solidity and security. The antecedent to the problem of defining polyamory is the lack of proper definition in these arrangements. In my opinion, it is essentially no different than dating. The pattern in polyamorous relationships is quintessential to the monogamous tradition of dating before finally settling on one partner whom we make a commitment to. Therefore, a polyamorous relationship does not promote longevity and commitment, it is essentially long term dating. I believe those who choose to engage in a polyamorous relationship are optimistic that eventually they may perhaps form a bond that might lead to exclusivity. This was evident in former polyamorist and author Jessica. â€Å"On the other hand, sometimes I wonder if maybe I wasn’t waiting for that very thing. Not consciously. I was very happy with my partners, and hadnâ €™t really thought about giving them up, but I did have a certain desire for a deeper connection, which might have planted the seed in my mind. I think poly might have been a phase for me. Maybe all I can really take away from my experience is that you just never know what’s going to stumble into your life and change it completely. I never expected to become this conventional, but I also never expected to be this happy (Ebacher 2014).† Being monogamous is being involved. Being polyamorous is synonymous with long term courting. The authors mention in their article the â€Å"Cultures of multiple fathers† study which revealed that the â€Å"children of women who had sexual relationships with many men had better survival rates because of potential paternity, they were less vulnerable (Hall, McCullough 2003)†. Although the paternity ensures less vulnerability and more survival rates, the downfall is the lack of stability and continuity in having to keep up with the different or new partners during the course of a polyamorous relationship. More people implies more caretakers for the children, however, the caretakers do not necessarily have to comprise of individuals intertwined in a complex and convoluted union of polyamory. A healthy dose of jealousy and vulnerability are necessary in any relationship. The essence of being vulnerable is real courage. You have to risk projected rejection every step of the way. This is a vital part of a relationship that lacks in polyamorous unions and is present in monogamy. Granted, the people we are in a relationship(s) with are more tolerant of us than we are. People in a poly union may surface project you but it’s the projected rejection that is internalized. When we internalize rejection, fear comes in. We hide more and sensor more, to protect ourselves. We then tip toe around so many issues to avoid rocking the boat. The impact is impoverished lives and relationships. It takes a lot of self-knowledge and insight to look reflect on the things that make you jealous. Without vulnerability, there is no intimacy. A monogamous relationship recognizes healthy jealousy as a tool that promotes open and honest communication which facilitates growth in the relationship. McCullough and Hall in their article contend the notion that monogamy stipulates polyamory is unnatural and sinful. Polyamory is unnatural because monogamy is the only valid and highly recognized structure of human sexual relationships; it is sinful because it is a moral state not approved by God and stigmatized by society. Lack of recognition is partly due to polyamory not having the benefit of appropriate scripts to turn to for details on how to properly interact within this lifestyle, resulting in role conflict. Nature has naturally predisposed rational human beings to want to develop continuing and enduring exclusive sexual relationships in the form of marriage for the purpose of sexual bonding and reproductive success. The moral argument against polyamory is that sexual intimacy should be reserved for those in a committed long term relationship (i.e. marriage) and the notion that is it acceptable to share intimacy with more than one person fall outside the confines of a marriage , and thus qualify as immoral (adultery). Polyamory is a static state that removes the â€Å"old† label of traditional relationship values and encourages evolution that is much more about being fluid and open and exploring what is possible outside the realms of monogamy. This threatens to destroy the domestic and traditional structure. We are designed for pair bonding when it relates to intimacy, and to achieve a deep, meaningful relationship, partnership is critical. The union of a man and woman allows for a greater sense of intimacy that is shared when a covenant is made between two individuals only. Author Vincent Punzo in his work on morality and human sexuality stated that â€Å"a man and woman engaging in sexual intercourse have united themselves as intimately and as totally as physically possible for two human beings. Their union is not simple a union of organs, but is as intimate as total a physical union of two selves as is possible o achievement. A total commitment to another means a commitment to him in his historical existence. Such a commitment is not simply a matter of words or feelings, however strong. It involves a full existential sharing on the part of two beings of the burdens, opportunities, and challenges of their historical existence (Punzo, 2002).† It is taking responsibility and choosing to be accountable to one another for the duration of your existence together. According to David Hume, â€Å"there must be a union of male and female for the education of the young, and that this union must be of considerable duration (Hume, 2009)†. Monogamy offers an ideal relationship model that is of considerable duration with a lower turnover rate of partners, which gives an example to children of the benefits and success of monogamy. There are not many relationship models for polyamory as compared to monogamy. The justification of high divorce rates in comparison to monogamy gives the impression that polyamory is without its li mitation. Polyamory, just like any other relationship has its own share of relationship issues irregardless of whether this type of union is solidified in marriage. It is interesting to note that polyamory liberates and encourages freedom to express and experience love without the confines of marriage or commitment to just one person. It should also be noted that monogamy offers the same freedom of experiencing love in a multitude of ways, with just one partner. McCullough and Hall reach the conclusion that we ought to consider the happiness of our partner before our own by allowing someone else to fulfill their needs, not as a symbol of our inadequacy, but as a means to share in the responsibilities of ensuring the happiness of those we love. It should also be obvious that the very qualities which attracted you to your partners are seen as desirable by someone else therefore it should come as no surprise when someone else seeks the attention of your partner. If we adopt this line o f thinking, we are accepting the notion of infinitely pursuing every individual we will ever find attractive. Given this thought process, it is important to note that attraction to another individual other than our only object of affection in monogamy is inevitable. Nonetheless, we are very capable of curbing our desire to want to pursue the object of our attraction romantically. You can place an incalculable and inestimable value on the person your share an exclusive relationship with, by respectfully honouring them and exercising moral virtue. In conclusion, we can choose to transcend the hypothetical idea that we are naturally inclined to be polyamorous and have multiple relationships. We have a conscience, something animals do not possess, therefore this comparison is invalid. Conscience could never evolve because it is not genetic. We have the capability to control our impulses by not acting on them, as it relates to attraction to other people. The richness of a relationship gets diminished when we include more than two people in a union. Faith and trust in a monogamous relationship means that you will respect each other in this sacred union despite what attraction you might feel for someone else. It is very possible to curb our appetite for unhealthy food to prevent obesity and promote healthy eating habits. By the same token, we are able to resist the urge to want to be with other people simply because we find them attractive. Monogamy has a healthiness to it that enhances life expectancy and happiness. It has to be m aintained and constantly developed to enjoy the benefits of longevity and healthy lives for those involved. When you minimize it, you lessen its value and decrease the likelihood of all potential gain that comes with it. We live in a different time where several factors have unhinged us from the somewhat misacted evolutionary biology that stipulates we are a non-monogamous species. References Hume, D. (2009, January 1). A Treatise on Human Nature.. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from https://reserve.library.ryerson.ca/ares/ares.dll?SessionID=V091458693AAction=10Type=10Value=96979 It happened to me: I quit polyamory because I fell in love with a man. . (2014, April 21).. Retrieved , from http://www.xojane.com/it-happened-to-me/it-happened-to-me-i-quit-polyamory-because-i-fell-in-love-with-a-man McCullough, D., Hall, D. Polyamory What it is and what it isnt. .Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality,6. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from http://ejhs.org/volume6/polyamory.htm Punzo, V. (2002, January 1). Ethics in Practice.. Retrieved January 1, 2014, from https://reserve.library.ryerson.ca/ares/ares.dll?SessionID=V091458693AAction=10T ype=10Value=96985 Weitzman, G., Davidson, J., Philips, R. (2010, January 1). What Psychology Professionals Should Know About Polyamory.. Retrieved , from http://instituteforsexuality.com/wp- content/uploads/2014/05/What-therapists-should-know-about-Polyamory-1.pdf

Mount Everest Death Wish :: essays papers

Mount Everest Death Wish On May 10th 1996, 23 climbers from 5 different expeditions were surprised by a fierce storm on the South Col of Mount Everest. 24 hours later eight of them were dead. Jon Krakauer was part of a group led by experienced climbers Rob Hall, Mike Groom and Andy Harris. Fellow climbers Doug Hansen, Beck Weathers, Yasuko Namba, Frank Fishbeck, Lou Kasischke, John Taske and Stuart Hutchinson had paid up to  £42,000 each to be taken to the summit. By the morning of May 11th Harris, Hansen, Namba and Weathers were all unaccounted for. Krakauer, back at Camp Four after a terrifying night battling the elements, takes up the story on that fateful morning†¦ After a night at 26,000 feet with supplemental oxygen, I was even weaker than I’d been the previous evening after coming down from the summit. Unless we somehow acquired some more gas, I knew my team-mates and I would continue to deteriorate rapidly. Searching out the rest of our crew, I found Fishbeck and Kasischke lying in a nearby tent. Lou was delirious and snow-blind, unable to do anything for himself and muttering incoherently. Frank looked as if he was in a severe state of shock, but he was doing his best to take care of Lou. John Taske was in another tent with Mike Groom: both men appeared to be asleep or unconscious. As I went from tent to tent I tried to locate some oxygen, but all the canisters I found were empty. One thing a climber faces is hypoxia – a semi-hallucinatory state caused by lack of oxygen, which dulls the senses and any decision-making progress. This, coupled with my profound fatigue, exacerbated the sense of chaos and despair. Thanks to t he relentless din of nylon flapping in the wind, it was impossible to communicate from tent to tent. The batteries in our one remaining radio were nearly depleted. Rob and Andy were gone, and although Groom was present, the ordeal of the previous night had taken a terrible toll on him. Seriously frost-bitten he was unable even to speak. While I tried to recover after my fruitless search for Harris, Hutchinson organised a team of four Sherpas to locate the bodies of Weathers and Namba. The search party had set off before Hutchinson, who was so exhausted and befuddled he’d forgotten to put his boots on and had tried to leave camp in his smooth-soiled liners.

Pride and Prejudice: Elizabeth and Darcy Essay

In Pride and Prejudice, Darcy and Elizabeth first encounter at the ball in Meryton. Not such of a good impression they had on each other. Darcy’s first opinion is well understood as he says, â€Å"She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me.†(Page 8) As Elizabeth overhears his critical comment, she dislikes Darcy in that very moment for being so proud and full of himself. As Darcy is being convinced to dance with Elizabeth he accepts while she refuses. That is when Darcy gets his first insight of Elizabeth’s attitude. It came shocking to Darcy that Elizabeth refuses to dance with him; a fine young man who has such fortune and reputation. Through conversation with Elizabeth, Darcy notices she is not like other women. At the time women settled for what was given to them for beneficial pretenses such as marrying a man of good reputation with a fortune. Eliza does not give herself out to Darcy, instead she speaks her mind not giving much importance to the disagreements others including Darcy, will have on her comments or opinions. Darcy likes that she is not like other women, so in need of a husband. Unknowingly Darcy is being drawn in by her inner and outer beauty. Darcy is a clever, proud, and demanding man as Elizabeth describes him. (Page 33) He considers himself superior to others who according to him were not brought up well and have such low connections. It comes naturally for Elizabeth to laugh at Mr. Darcy for being so bitter and dull. Little by little he begins to show his emotions for Eliza as he becomes weak against her. Miss Bingley is one of the first to ever notice this weakness he has for her and tries to feed to his negative opinions of her and her family only letting him reveal that he had never met such a beautiful acquaintance as Eliza. So it was, Darcy had completely fallen in love with Elizabeth and reveals his emotions to her thus at the same time insulting her and her family for being of such low class in comparison to him. Elizabeth becomes very insulted and refuses his proposal of marriage. Eliza says to Darcy, â€Å"Why  with so evident a design of offending and insulting me you chose to tell me you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even against your character?† (Page 163) From this moment on, Eliza began to fall in love with Darcy as well. It is evident that they are both completely in love with each other. Their relationship is most convenient to the Bennets while they have a daughter who will marry a man of great fortune that will as a result make them look good to society. Most importantly, Eliza is going to marry out of love rather than to settle for less as Charlotte did by marrying Mr. Collins whom she did not love but instead married for her own convenience. As for Darcy, not everyone is in such agreement that he marries such a woman as Eliza but yet their marriage is most likely to succeed knowing that the most important factor, love, is in place. At the end, Lady de Bourgh has no choice but to be in agreement of their marriage.

The structure of the Magazine: Magazine Designing

First I had to do some research which mostly I done by looking at magazines such as ‘HELLO’ ‘OK’ ‘TOP GEAR’ as I was looking through the magazines I was comparing the layouts of the magazines. I also did some internet research looking at what type of articles which would go in a magazine and also what type of font is used in a magazine. My magazine will be aimed at both genders of any age. At first I had chosen to do my magazine on the world’s fastest cars, which was all about cars, and also inform you on drivers from the formula one.After a while I got bored of the Idea of cars. This is because I saw that other people in my class, where coming up with better ideas. So this is when I decided to change my magazine completely and do it on music because I thought this way my magazine could compete with other magazines, because I had added more colour and really stood out among others. Also I made sure that if I wanted it to really stand out; I decided to put popular artists on my front cover, to make sure that it really caught the target audience’s eye.I used the computer to produce my magazine, this is because I thought using the computer would be the best method do design and create magazine because, it has software’s which allow you to insert text and pictures on the same page. Also using the computer allows you to access the internet, where you can do some research and find pictures to use in your magazine. Also the computer has many more option that allows you to play around with things ike your title and improve on it. For my font I decided to use different fonts, because I thought it would be a good Idea to vary the fonts and sizes, to make it stand out more from other magazines.For the colours on my front cover I decided to use, three, a basic dark colour for my background which was grey, then I used blue, lime green, and pink on the grey to make these colours stand out. There a lots of websites w hich I used for my images such as: Google images †¢ Picsearch †¢ Urban ink My marketing will begin in shops and in between music charts breaks, and TV programs such as 106 & Park, as my target audience will have a greater chance of coming across it. The reason for using TV shows such as 106 & Park is because, In my magazine there will be a chance to win a tickets to be able to go on the show. My magazine would be one of the magazines which people will buy. It attracts young people who love music.It will be successful because, it will be featuring different music artists every week and will let you know about your music idols. For example this week it will be featuring Drizzy Drake, Nicki Minaj. I think the most attractive thin about my magazine is that it gives you the chance to win tickets to shows such as 106 & Park, where you will be able to meet these artists which you will be reading about weekly. I personally I would buy this magazine, because I love music and one of my favourite hobbies is to listen to music in my free time.This magazine would benefit being on the shelves one because it’s a music magazine and it’s rare to see music magazines being sold in shops. Secondly it’s because it gives me the chance to meet these artists which I will be reading about. The look of the magazine would definitely attract customers to buy it, the front of the page would attract readers because, I’ve used colours which stand out, and also on the front it has 2 of the most famous artists in the music industry on the front page. By having these artists, this will attract customers more.