Abstract The paper describes the criticalincidents observed in a sixth grade classroom and notes that these criticalincidents were mainly due to the fact that traditional forms of instruction fail to stimulate adequately or hold the attention of students of the present multimedia generation. The paper relates that there was a large disparity in terms of motivation to participate in class activities, which involve verbal, formal instruction as opposed to more liberal, unstructured learning activities such as in the computer lab. The author underscores that educational institutions ironically seem to be lagging behind in the Information Age. The paper concludes that not only is there a need for computer technology in the class room but also that information must be presented in ways similar to more contemporary media approaches.
Table of Contents:
CriticalIncidents Discussion
Recommendations
From the Paper "Another study by Albright, Purohit, and Walsh sought to provide a qualitative perspective of class discussions in chat rooms. The results of their study was interesting in that the students were observed to conduct insightful dialogues amongst themselves in spite of the disjointed, fragmented nature of the conversations and inattention to formal written language usage the chat transcripts took; for all intents and purposes, the chat room emulated a face-to-face dialogue between the students in being spontaneous, informal and informative for the participants."
Abstract The proposed research consists of an empirical investigation of the attitudes of experienced and less experienced operational police officers toward the frequency and intensity of 17 selected stressors representing criticalincidents. A sample of 50 serving officers, divided into 25 subjects with eight or fewer years of experience and an equal number of officers with more than eight years of experience will be randomly selected. Demographic data and responses to a 17-item listing of criticalincidents developed using a 5-point Likert scale will be collected. Descriptive and inferential statistics will be computed, with significance established at the p>.05 level.
From the Paper "Psychologists use the term stress to describe the body's reactions to outside pressures, or the physiological wear and tear caused by an attempt to adjust to events that cause emotional and other kinds of arousal (Cohen & Williamson, 1991). Many situations place a serious burden on the emotional and physical wellbeing of the human organism and it is the rare person indeed who has not experienced stress during the course of his or her life. Many events that are commonplace are known to produce stress. Noise, isolation, any abrupt shift of environment such as takes place when schools, jobs, or places of residence are changed, and the general kind of rapid change which has taken place in all aspects of modern life can create stress (Cohen & Williamson, 1991). Stress can be caused by a diseased germ, air and noise pollution, or physical danger. It can accompany any situation that produces anxiety, frustration or conflict and therefore the physical wear and tear of intense or prolonged emotion. Stress therefore depends not only on outside events but on how the individual reacts to those events (Levy & Heiden, 1991)."
This paper discusses the efficacy of the criticalincident stress debriefing (CISD) model as a nursing intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Abstract This paper explains that criticalincident stress debriefing (CISD), as an intervention to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is effective because it is not only time-efficient but also provides a sense of community, wherein patients are able to share and cope with their experiences by better understanding what they went through vis-a-vis other people's experiences. The author points out that, in anticipation of these criticalincidents or events, a CISD team is already created and includes health care professionals, trained to respond immediately to patients suffering from PTSD. The paper relates that, in addition to continuous monitoring of the patients' cases, the CISD team also must assume leadership of their team by creating "role assignments" for each patient-participant to maintain a sense of community and group belonging even after the session.
From the Paper "During the debriefing, professional assistance is conducted using a 7-phase technique: (1) introductory phase; (2) fact phase; (3) thought phase; (4) feeling phase; (5) assessment phase; (6) education phase; and (7) reentry phase. These phases are similar to other treatment techniques dealing with PTSD; however, these phases become crucial when applied in the CISD setting, since each phase must be dealt with with caution and sensitivity. The first phases establishes rapport among the members (participants) of the CISD group..."
Tags: phases, community, ready, time-efficient, team
Abstract This paper explains that a criticalincident is an abnormally stressful event that may be psychologically traumatic resulting in post traumatic stress disorder. The author relates that the company for which an employee named Adam worked, had a training program that was based on the social learning theory. The social learning theory focuses on learning that occurs within a social context. The paper then states that, a disadvantage of this theory is that because people can learn through observation alone, their learning may not necessarily be shown in their performance and that learning may or may not result in a behavior change. The paper stresses that if the company would have had a formal training program, as well as requiring certification for the use of all equipment, Adam's accident could have easily been avoided.
From the Paper "The critical incident I'm going to discuss involves a teenage boy named Adam. Adam had been working for a small recycling company for about two months in the stock room. On the day of his accident Adam's boss asked him to come in for a few extra hours to drive a forklift because one of his co-workers was unable to make it to their shift. He didn't get any formal training to operate a forklift and didn't even know there was such a thing as a license for operating one. The only training he received was through observing other employees."
Tags: training certification, post traumatic stress disorder, mandatory observation
An extensive analysis of the necessity of collaborative efforts among law enforcement and criticalincident management agencies for crisis response team training.
Abstract This paper examines the history and progress of collaborative efforts among law enforcement and criticalincident management agencies over the years with a focus on providing a 'best practices' approach and template for future criticalincidents. The study presents a particular focus on mitigating a terrorist attack via collaboration, but the information gathered and analyzed may be extrapolated to be helpful with any event defined as a crisis. The paper also focuses on cross-training efforts as the cornerstone of any collaborative effort or opportunity.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Chapter 1: Introduction
General Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Research Questions
Significance of the Study
Chapter 2: Review of Literature
Examples of Cooperation and Cross-Training: Case of Colorado
Cross-Training: New Jersey
Cooperation in Risk Management: A British Example
Incident Command System: Standardization
ICS in Use: The Arizona Example
ICS: A Military Critique
Coordination in Highway Emergencies
Terrorism: Collaboration in the Greatest Risk
Chapter 3: Methodology
Section A: Approach
Section B: Data Gathering Method
Section C: Database of the Study
Section D: Validity of Data
Section E: Originality and Limitations of Data
Section F: Summary of Chapter 3
Chapter 4: Data Analysis
Chapter 5: Summary, Recommendations and Conclusions
Bibliography
From the Paper "The events of September 11, 2001 truly did change every aspect of our lives as Americans, and as citizens of the globe. Although several purely positive changes have come as a result of the terrorist attacks - larger blood bank donations, greater respect and recognition for firefighters and rescue workers, safer flight patterns for commercial jets - many of the reaction measures have had more than just an up-side. For instance, Attorney General John Ashcroft led a series of legislative reforms that directly impacted law enforcement and the rules surrounding how law enforcement and the federal government in general can combat terrorism. Most of these changes were collapsed into the Patriot Act, a piece of legislation that has been the lightning rod for heated debate over whether the Bush administration has gone too far in its attempts to save us from another 9/11-caliber event."
Abstract The paper relates that the law enforcement community has begun implementing scenario-based strategic planning and tactical training and explains that it has undoubtedly improved the safety of officers, subjects, and victims at crime scenes by conditioning officers to respond reflexively. The paper also discusses the potential shortcomings that must be considered in tactical training situations. The paper concludes that ultimately, scenario-based training in criticalincident planning is a valuable tool, but it must complement rather than replace direct administrative control and oversight by experienced emergency management tacticians.
Outline:
Introduction
The Role of Scenario-Based Planning in CriticalIncident Management
Benefits and Potential Difficulties
From the Paper "The attacks of September 11th 2001 highlighted the need for critical incident management very dramatically even before emergency services reviews officially disclosed that basic communications breakdowns, specifically, were responsible for most of the 343 uniformed firefighters who died at the World Trade Center. In its immediate aftermath, conflicts between the NYPD and the NYFD over authority and direction over recovery efforts at Ground Zero illustrated that strategic management and joint agency administrative planning and preparation are equally important to operational and tactical elements of critical incident management. Four years later, Hurricane Katrina illustrated that critical incident management is also critical for responses to natural disasters at the federal level, particularly since homeland security is considered the primary threat to the United States."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the influence of scenario-based planning within the policy measures found within criticalincident management (CIM) for security organizations. The writer notes that with terrorism and natural disasters, such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, this form of policy creating apparatus is helping to insure that authorities, organizations, and other people involved in security have a set of guidelines to follow in case of a future emergency. Many security agencies are currently using a scenario-based policy to enable officials and security personnel to adapt and understand emergencies and to follow set rules to keep order and stability in these types of organizations. The writer concludes that the primary facets of scenario-based planning are an influential part of how institutional strategic management is now being incorporated into modern security organizations.
From the Paper "The role of scenario-based planning within security organizations has been a major influence in how policy in constructed for disasters or violent threats to any agency. Security firms have often used various models to help bring about possible scenarios to help create order and return normal functionality to many processes that include the safety of personnel, financial security, and the way that the organization is able to solve possible problems. With a new policy initiative focused on the necessity future scenarios, there is a general consensus through these organizations to bring forth ways to handle problems through their possible causal factors, rather than having to react with uncertain immediacy to events that were not premeditated."
Abstract This paper analyzes Alexander Pope's statements on the quality of criticism in reference to "An Essay on Criticism." It examines Pope's doubts of the expertise of other critics as well as the quality of their criticisms. The paper also breaks down Pope's definition of a good and fair critic.
From the Paper "There was no doubt that the use of wit and reason required very intensive learning. Pope used nature, a spring of water, as an illustration which could help clear the critic's brains from their shallow judgment. The inexperienced and immature critics tended to take a short view. Therefore, they missed the entire point of the work they were reviewing. Pope's concrete example was to climb the Alps. This climbing required intensive labor, however, when one had reached the top, one could see all the surroundings below."
Abstract The paper states that there is no practical definition of "critical psychology" and then offers a suggestion. The paper states that critical psychology should contain certain components and the paper highlights them and addresses them. The paper explains that the field of critical psychology takes a critical look at mainstream psychology, and in the process, embraces several disciplines within the field of psychology that practitioners of critical psychology feel have been ignored by mainstream psychology.
From the Paper "Parker wrote that critical psychology should include these important components: one, a "systematic examination" of how some aspects of mainstream psychological dynamics operate "ideologically and in the service of power" (in other words, mainstream psychology supports the status quo which is not always on the right side of social change); two, critical psychology should include a study of the ways in which "all varieties of psychology are culturally historically constructed," and how alternative versions of psychology may "confirm or resist ideological assumptions in mainstream models"; three, critical psychology should be a study of "forms of surveillance and self-regulation" in daily life patterns; and four, critical psychology should be an "Exploration of the way 'ordinary psychology' structures academic and professional work in psychology," and how everyday actions might offer the substance of a strategy for resisting "contemporary disciplinary practices."
Abstract The author looks at literary criticism, its definition, specific function and the contradictions that arrise from its use. The author then looks at how different literarcy critics have attempted to pin Baudelaire's poetry down to something concrete, like knowledge, and in the process destroy the very notions he was portraying. By looking at the dependence of literary criticism on Aristotelian philosophy of art, in analyzing Baudelaire's poetry, the author illustrates how the intended meaning, and therefore, by extension, it's beauty has been destroyed.
From the Paper "From the arguments above, it becomes obvious that criticism is applicable to Baudelaire's poetry as long as it is constrained within the limits of internal and semiprivate analysis. These approaches do not harm the beauty of the works, on the contrary. They are the means for explication of modernity, which is one of the elements of beauty according to Baudelaire - the element of particular. External evidence, in contrast, not only is inappropriate, being tangent to criticism, but also contradicts the second essential element of beauty - the element of absolute."
Abstract This paper discusses critical thinking in business negotiations. It contends that there is a lack of critical thinking skills used in business today, then supports this argument by providing professional evidence through research. The paper discusses what critical thinking is, and how it can be applied to the discussion of business negotiations. It further uses business information, and educational citations as supporting evidence.
From the Paper " Decisions within the corporate world are often made from an emotional base, without detailed analysis to support concepts. When business negotiations are instituted, therefore, many companies struggle for survival because there has not been a sufficient level of data critiqued to supply evidence toward final determinations. Yet, critical thinking used in the realm of business negotiations has the ability to provide a clearer approach to business issues in the twenty-first century. This type of thought requires specific analysis that can aid business negotiations by offering detailed evidence, and solid analysis to support ideas. Diane F. Halpren (1996) contends that critical thinking requires thought that leads to a vast array of possibilities (p.5). When those possibilities are analyzed logically, those in business are capable of discovering factual truths that lead to negotiating with specifics, instead of uncertainties. "
Abstract This paper discusses how critical pedagogy involves learning from the practices of the past, and improving upon them according to what proves to work best in the classroom. The paper reports how the transformational model of education, is a good example of critical pedagogy, as it involves changing classroom practices according to what is experimentally determined to work best. The paper further discusses how the model has become integrated not only in the teaching process, but in the way students and teachers experience life and learning outside of the classroom as well.
Outline:
Introduction
Service Learning Action Plan
Critical Pedagogy and State Standards
Rationale and Conclusion
From the Paper "The transformational education model has at its basis transformation or change in both the academic, social and personal domains. This means that students are transformed in such a way that they meet the challenges of the world after high school with the necessary tools to do so successfully. The current California state standards for education are then also particularly focused upon the holistic rather than the purely academic aspect of education. The transformational model will then be particularly useful in implementing these standards.
Specifically, the content standards for grade ten in the subjects of World History, Culture and Geography in terms of the modern world include the study of major historical turning points.
History-Social Science Content Standards. The development of democratic ideas is studied, along with international relations. Students are made aware of the fact that democracy is often achieved at a high price and not practiced everywhere. These issues are then related to the students' own historical, geographic, political, economic, and cultural contexts. "
Tags: empowering, student, educators, critical, thinking, learning, process
An analysis of the history of film criticism, with particular regard to the concerns of film critics in the 1910s and the comparative relevance of those concerns today.
Abstract The paper shows how contemporary concerns regarding the film industry of nearly a century ago are sometimes divergent from, but more often very much akin to the concerns about the industry at that time. The paper reviews several articles from the January, 1913 issue of "The Photoplay Magazine" which indicate that at the time there was a tremendous focus on the potential social benefits of filmmaking, a context in which the early film industry is seldom contemplated today. The paper examines how critics in that era appealed to those in all facets of the film industry to expand their horizons through increased marketing so that higher budget films could be produced and disseminated widely and profitably.
From the Paper "In an article entitled ?Sanitation and the Motion Picture,? Willard Howe asserts that the motion picture has the potential to be a vehicle by which educational messages of great concern can be publicized. ?The sterilization of water has been preached for years, but not until the reel of "Boil Your Water" made its appearance did the people realize its full significance,? Howe claims. ?The normal housewife never dreamed of the animated life that was being consumed, until this was viewed on the screen.? At the time, it would appear that increased production of films of an educational or health-related nature was a valid concern. However, with the advent and omnipresence of radio and television in the years since, film has been replaced as the most efficient mass medium for these purposes, and so little discussion of this phase of film history ensues."
Critical analysis of Thomas Pynchon's, "Crying of Lot 49". The paper attempts to exploit the problems associated with Pynchon's world of isolated individuals and explains the oneness associated with people who are similar in their isolation.
Abstract This essay explores Pynchon's novel, "The Crying of Lot 49". It also looks at a critical essay written by Molly Hite and discusses the ways in which Oedipa becomes both isolated and at one with society. As more people join the "society of isolates", they become assimilated as one, rather than separate in their isolation. This essay covers some of the questions that arise when reading Pynchon's famous novel and it delves into the subject of love in "The Crying of Lot 49".
From the Paper "In her essay ?Purity as Parody in _The Crying of Lot 49_,? Molly Hite repeatedly argues that as Oedipa attempts to define her universe in terms of either absolute coherence, the ?Word,? ?one,? or ?Meaning,? or absolute incoherence, the ?Void,? ?zero,? or non-meaning, she misses a possible assimilation of these two ideas and thus becomes a failed heroine. Between these two apparently irreconcilable interpretative definitions that Oedipa gives to her universe, Hit posits that the novel suggests a third reality that the protagonist rejects during her alienated despair: ?The idea of a community of isolates is a paradox."
Abstract In this paper, the writer looks at the approaches Emerson and Thoreau take to social criticism. The writer shows that they share a common dislike of a large society that dwarfs and silences the individual. It then shows that the two authors have many differences in their style of criticism. Whereas Emerson writes to inspire the masses to change and create a better society, Thoreau writes in a less optimistic style, aiming to affect individual readers, so that they might rise above their flawed society rather than be a part of an improved one.
From the Paper "The two American literary pioneers Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau gave voice to a philosophy of individualism and a mode of life striving to reach something beyond ordinary existence. In fact, the two were close friends, sharing very similar thoughts concerning American life in the 19th century. Thoreau was a neighbor of Emerson?s, and for a short time was actually employed by Emerson as a handyman. Emerson played a key role in having Thoreau's early work published ? both in the Transcendentalist newspaper The Dial (of which Emerson was the editor), as well as to a wider audience."
