Abstract
This paper examines the need for after school programs for children whose parents are not available after school closes. The paper argues that homework centers in public libraries offer an effective solution to this problem and further points out that the cuts to funding for school libraries and after school programs makes the need for these homework centers even more urgent.

From the Paper
"In recent years, a confluence of social, economic and political factors has led to the emergence of increasing numbers of unattended or latchkey children who are not provided with the necessary educational assistance during the after-school hours. These factors include the disintegration of traditional households characterized by single parents or two working parents, the rise in the number of immigrant households where English is the second language, as well as the loss of funding for school libraries and after-school programs. In the absence of sufficient after-school educational support..."

Tags:Homework, centers

Abstract
The paper relates that increased computer use, especially in massive computer centers, is a result of our dependence on technology. The paper discusses, however, the serious environmental concerns about global warming, electricity use, and pollution that have emerged that demand to be addressed. The paper looks at how new business practices and technology can help to alleviate the stress massive computer centers place on the environment.

From the Paper
"Increased computer use, especially in massive computer centers, is a result of our dependence on technology. However, serious environmental concerns about global warming, electricity use, and pollution have emerged that demand to be addressed. New business practices and technology can help to alleviate the stress massive computer centers place on the environment. Computer use is on the rise around the world. Computers are used by businesses and individuals for selling, buying, entertainment, and finding information. While computing devices have gotten smaller, they have grown..."

Tags:computer, centers, environment

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that the development of call centers as part of the customer service network for major companies today is part of the process of globalization. The writer maintains that technology makes it possible for a call center to be anywhere in the world and still communicate with the customer to provide answers to questions, assistance with technical problems, and all of the benefits of customer service by telephone.

From the Paper
"More and more such centers have been located in parts of the world where the costs to the company are less, creating a situation where a customer in a North American province or state would unknowingly be speaking to someone in India or China when asking about a product purchased or a problem encountered. Many callers remain unaware ..."

Tags:call, centers, language

Abstract
This paper takes an in-depth look at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), defining them as medical facilities specializing in elective same-day or outpatient surgical procedures. According to the paper, these facilities do not offer emergency care but only elective care. The patients who use an ASC's services do not need to be admitted to a hospital and are well able to go home after the procedure.

From the Paper
"Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) can be defined as medical facilities specializing in elective same-day or outpatient surgical procedures. These facilities do not offer emergency care but only elective care. The word ambulatory is derived from the Latin verb ambulare, meaning "to walk," and so the patients treated in these surgical centers do not need to be admitted to a hospital and are well able to go home after the procedure. Ambulatory surgical centers are sometimes called surgicenters. By 2003, there were some 3,700 ambulatory surgical centers in the United States, a major increase over the 275 in 1980 and the 1,450 in 1990..."

Tags:ambulatory, surgery, centers

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses how shopping centers and casinos are similarly designed to entice customers to spend more than they plan to in a broadly theoretical fashion.

From the Paper
"The shopping center and the casino represent two uniquely similar consumer-based scripted spaces in American life. Both serve as spaces where money can be exchanged for a largely unnecessary product or service or in the case of the casino feeling. Not surprisingly designers of both spaces use media in very specific ways in order to shape the nature and perceptions of their institutions. Designers of shopping centers use media to portray their facilities as public ..."

Tags:Communications, scripted space, shopping center, casino, gambling

Abstract
This paper studies the development and use of assessment centers to eliminate unfair and unequal employee selection procedures. The paper defines the purpose of assessment centers as providing a standardized evaluation of behavior based on multiple exercises and observations. The paper then provides a historical reviews of assessment centers, which reached large scale implementation for the first time in the military during World War II. Next, paper discusses the essential elements of an assessment center, explaining that it is multi-faceted and goes well beyond panel interviews or single techniques and assessors. The paper also examines how assessment centers aid employers in making decisions about candidates and how the use of these centers protects potential candidate from biased criteria. The paper concludes by discussing how assessment centers increase the validity and acceptance of the results of such a process.

Outline
Introduction
Background
Essential Elements
Candidate Selection and Rights
Validity
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The first private sector use of assessment centers was seen in the Michigan Bell Telephone Company. They became the first company to establish an assessment center program for operational use, specifically to assess the qualifications of long-term, non-management employees for the purpose of moving into managerial positions. Companies to follow suit were Standard Oil of Ohio, IBM, Sears Roebuck, General Electric, and J. C. Penney (MacKinnon, 1975, p. 2-3). The first use of assessment centers in uniformed public service, such as police and fire services, can be found in England. The British are considered to have pioneered this process and have led the field for many years (Olson, 1981, p. 2). Perhaps the most historically influential use of the assessment center process can be found in the American Telephone and Telegraph Company's Management Progress Study which took place from 1956 through 1960. This was strictly a study and the results were not used for actual promotional decisions within the company. The steps taken in the study almost mirror the steps taken in creating and implementing an assessment center in any organization. Characteristics of successful managers were identified, including dimensions such as managerial functions, interpersonal relations, general abilities, attitude, and values. Candidates were then rated on each of the variables through the use of exercises designed to cover each of the characteristics. An in-basket exercise was used which required the assessee to prioritize and carry out multiple administrative tasks which might be found on a manager's desk. A business game and a group discussion allowed assessors to observe the behaviors associated with group problem solving and communication skills. An interview was used to cover the areas of attitude and values, and several pen and paper tests were administered as well."

Tags:human, resources, employer, employee, interview, evaluation, candidates, assessor, standardization

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that the development of call centers as part of the customer service network for major companies today is part of the process of globalization. The writer points out that technology makes it possible for a call center to be anywhere in the world and still communicate with the customer to provide answers to questions, assistance with technical problems and all of the benefits of customer service by telephone. The writer discusses that many callers remain unaware that they are talking to someone in a distant part of the world, while others who are more aware will note differences in language and accent and will realize that the call center is not in their local area at all. The writer concludes that the economic disruption is real as call centers in North America are disappearing in favor of cheaper centers in other countries. The writer maintains that though efforts are being made to hide the fact by training workers in these centers, some linguistic elements remain to differentiate these workers from others.

From the Paper
"No matter how well coached these workers may be, though, they often do not sound like Stockton or Dubuque. This may not be a major setback given the fact that many North Americans come from different parts of the world and use many accents. These workers often do not use the right slang terms or do not understand them when they hear them. They may read addresses from a computer screen and mispronounce place names that Americans would not. They tend to be well trained in certain types of business and technology, and many computer firms use such call centers and place them in India because that country also has a technologically educated population segment that can understand what customers want and how to explain technology to them. Such workers often speak better about technical matters than business issues and use the right terminology for the technology involved even when they do not use the right word in normal conversation."

Tags:customer, service, assistance, communicate

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that teachers of today are faced with an exciting, and at times overwhelming, challenge of teaching students that are more culturally, socioeconomically, linguistically, and academically diverse than ever before. The writer maintains that one of the possible solutions for such challenges is incorporating learning centers in classrooms, a strategy that capitalizes on decades of research that proves traditional, teacher-centered education ineffective while advocating a student-centered, constructivist approach to learning. The writer first explains the nature of the learning center and then discusses that incorporating learning centers in an early childhood classroom could help children develop the skills and attitudes they need for later learning and success in life. The writer concludes that with learning centers, children have a chance to be who they are, but at the same time they are offered the opportunity to explore and learn in a safe, nurturing environment.

From the Paper
"While skeptics may view learning centers as meaningless, unsupervised play time, educators dedicated to engaging their students and promoting whole-child development will consider the benefits of learning centers.
"What, then, are these learning centers? They are physical centers for small-group work within the classroom, each fostering the development of a different set of skills. While some teachers may choose to have fewer and some may choose more, the eight basic centers are art, blocks, discovery, dramatic play, library, muscle, music, and table games. The art center allows children to express themselves visually and develop fine motor skills as well as vocabulary. Through creating artwork, children are exposed to a variety of colors, shapes, and substances, all of which appeal to the children's natural curiosity. Art-center work can also supplement almost any other subject matter, from drawing plants for science to creating models for math."

Tags:teacher, small, groups, children, kindergarten

Abstract
This paper evaluates both the benefits and pitfalls of outsourcing call centers and customer service to offshore locations and explains that it clear that there are opportunities for reducing the level of costs for UK-based organizations. It points out, however, that outsourcing pilot projects and call centers to India is not without risk, especially if an organization is inexperienced in defining key performance indicators (KPI) based on its specific, predefined measures and definition of target performance levels. It further notes that offshore call centers are purely IT-supported, whereas Nationwide Building Society is strengthening its corporate position as the biggest building society in the world through a collection of positive synergies. Nationwide's competitive advantage rests on the implementation of specialist training programs for management and staff, improved services at its call centers, information-rich Web site, and the development of new products that will cater to emerging needs in the new era.

From the Paper
"The growth of new technology over the last decade has increased the number of contact channels available to customers. While previously customers communicated by telephone, fax or letter, or by visiting a branch, they can now send an e-mail, click on a website, send an SMS, or communicate through their digital iTV. Customers today increasingly demand contact with corporations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which prompted numerous big name businesses to establish offshore pilot projects and call centres outside Britain. However, around 50,000 jobs have already been lost as UK firms use cheap labour overseas to cut costs. (Bid to halt call centre job losses)"

Tags:communication, india, outsourcing

Abstract
This paper discusses the pros and cons of using writing centers that are provided by universities in order to improve the writing skills of students. It addresses the misconceptions that students have about university writing centers, particularly focusing on the writing center at Kennesaw State University. The author argues in favor of university writing centers, based on her personal experience and observations.

From the Paper
"Writing Centers were created to assist students in improving their writing skills, gain the knowledge to increase the quality of students' literary work, and to promote collaboration and communication, not only between tutor and student, but also between peers. Writing Centers can be found at nearly every University and offer students an incredible opportunity to improve their writing. The Writing Center, at KSU, provides an invaluable experience, using peer tutoring to enrich the student's skills as a writer and provides students with a free outlet to improve their writing experience. Whether a student is an English major or a Science major, these Centers are open to all different kinds of students who desire to receive knowledge and the assistance of their peers. Although The Writing Center is free to those who want the aid of the faculty and tutors, there are a several factors that seem to keep students away from receiving the full advantage of this convenience."

Tags:tutor, review, literary