Abstract In the structure of any given curriculum, there are terms that must be clarified in order to accurately address the nature of the materials being taught. However, in the development of the curriculum itself there are also terms that need expression, so that the educator and the students alike will be able to acknowledge the purpose of the education process and the methods being used to deliver the materials at hand. This paper defines and describes ten terms and their impact on the educational process.
Abstract The paper defines "curriculum" and states that the educational curriculum has undergone dramatic changes, reflecting the changes in culture today. The paper relates that the educational curriculum has undergone many reforms, as the classrooms of today are filled with students of diverse age, socioeconomic status, etc. and that their diversity is definitely greater today than at any other time in the history of education. This paper analyzes and outlines the reforms in the educational curriculum over the past 25 years and includes a discussion on diversity.
Outline:
Introduction
Definition of Curriculum Curriculum Reforms
Diversity
Conclusion
From the Paper "Diverse educational goals, as well as varying life and economic circumstances, produce different patterns in student attendance. What was at one time the traditional college student, a white male of 18 to 20 years old, attending a four-year, liberal arts college full-time, and living on campus, is now a minority student in higher education. In addition to those students, the current college population also includes significant proportions of older students returning to school due to changes in the economy, women's roles, and work environments. Over half of the undergraduate population is over 21 years of age, and 41 percent are over 24 years of age. Another difference is the socioeconomic status of current students. This ranges from those whose families are able to finance their education fully, to adults whose incomes must also cover family expenses, to low-income students who require financial assistance. Students from lower economic and societal classes during their youth have led many of today's college students to value vocational training over learning for learning's sake. As compared to the past, women currently make up the majority of most institutions' undergraduate student bodies."
Abstract This paper is a position paper on multicultural curriculum. The paper discusses what a multicultural curriculum is and why it is needed in today's multicultural classrooms. It looks at the division among those who support a multicultural curriculum and those who don't. The paper briefly discusses how to teach the multicultural curriculum.
From the Paper "According to Gollnick and Chinn multicultural education has the purpose of further developing a democratic society by providing and promoting a respect and understanding of diverse ethnic and cultural groups ..."
This paper reviews a chapter in "The Clearing House" entitled "Development of Curriculum Resource Guides in a Secondary Education Course" by Bullock et. al.
Abstract In this paper the author critically reviews Bullock et. al.'s chapter in "The Clearing House" entitled "Development of Curriculum Resource Guides in a Secondary Education Course". The original work reported the results of an undergraduate-level education course in which students were to compile an annotated list of source material for use as curriculum guides. The reviewer addressed the positive aspects of this assignment as well as its limitations. The review found this article to fall short. Criticisms include that the authors did not provide any critique of the final result, nor did they give any description of how the students proceeded with their project. Also, there was no indication of how the students were led through the process of evaluating the materials examined.
From the Paper "This diverse approach to generating curriculum guides is an interesting approach that should encourage the teams to find a wider range of informational sources than the students might have found if, for instance, only future math teachers looked at math curriculum guide materials and only elementary teachers looked at materials for elementary students."
A review of the issues of race, gender and ethnicity in the education field as detailed in Patrick Slattery's "Curriculum Development in the Postmodern Era."
Abstract This paper examines how modern curriculum development has systematically and philosophically tended to ignore issues of race, gender and ethnicity and discusses how potentially contentious matters such as race and gender infuse all aspects of our daily lives including education. The writer of this paper concludes by submitting two critical questions to generate and facilitate seminar debate.
From the Paper "Curriculum in the postmodern era should acknowledge openly the pressures and "absurdities" of the longstanding modern bias as well as the traditions of discriminatory assumptions shaping educational culture; such open admissions are not in place, he states, "to perpetuate paralysis and hatred but to constantly remind us of the consequences of racism, sexism, and cultural elitism." Racial discrimination with the curriculum does exist, Slattery essentially argues, as does ethnic stereotyping and gender bias and the first step in addressing these deeply-rooted imbalances is to admit openly that the exist in even the most "liberal" institution or program."
Abstract This paper looks at how a variety of factors influence the curriculum changes at colleges and universities and how the universities must respond to these influences. The paper also compares the regular GPA evaluation and general requirements, major, and electives method, with a more comprehensive and portfolio building approach.
From the Paper "Changes in the requirements of employers in the nature of society and even in fads and trends all influence the design of college curriculum. Colleges and universities must keep pace with the times or suffer from decreased demand for their services, measurable as declining enrollments. Changing a curriculum to address these concerns is made more complex by the fact that colleges are being challenged to devise curriculum reform efforts that enhance their innate capacity to ensure that students graduating or completing a..."
Tags: education, colleges and universities, curriculum reform
Abstract This paper describes several factors which are influencing the practice of nursing. The author indicates that to attract people to the fields changes need to be made in the curriculum. The paper points out these changes.
From the Paper "The field of nursing is challenged today by a number of factors among which are the nursing shortage, managed care and its consequences, emergent technologies and their demands and new practice opportunities ... According to some analysts, responding to these challenges and encouraging students to enter the field of nursing is mandating the advancement of scholarship through curriculum planning, development and evaluation. This report will consider the kinds of changes needed to improve the curriculum for ..."
Abstract This paper describes commercial construction as "building projects exclusive of residential construction," and discusses commercial construction from both an economic point of view and from the point of view of the community. The paper discusses why commercial construction is a boon to the construction business, providing stable work even when residential construction is at a lull. The paper also discusses the complexities of managing commercial construction.
From the Paper "Commercial construction is defined as "building projects exclusive of residential [single- or two-family home] construction". It is one of the biggest segments of the entire construction industry and is believed to have strengthened the industry in recent years due to rapid and steady growth. The commercial sector has been growing steady for some time now as is evident from market research and reports. Back in 2000, Sinderman wrote: "...the state of the commercial real estate market is strong. The demand for office, industrial and retail buildings remains high, and, as Internet-based companies continue to grow, specialized facilities have become more popular than ever." In 2005, a construction report by McGraw-Hill supported that claim: "The commercial and infrastructure construction segments are providing a lift to the overall construction industry, marking a role reversal from most of the past two or three years. According to October 2004 figures for future construction contracts calculated by McGraw-Hill Construction, Lexington, Mass., overall new construction starts increased 4 percent in October versus September (on a seasonally adjusted basis), with nonresidential and infrastructure construction gaining while the residential sector fell slightly." (Late Rebound)"
Tags: commercial, construction, residential, business, office, hotel
Abstract Federal contracts for construction, while similar in many respects to other types of federal contracts, have some unique aspects that have caused the federal government to create a system of rules within the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) specific to construction contracts. The federal government has been justified in creating these rules separate from those that apply specifically to supply and service contracts. This paper focuses on some of the unique rules and regulations that apply to federal construction contracts, including those related to contract types, labor laws, specifications, payments, delays, and differing site conditions.
Abstract
Overview
Contract Types
Federal Construction Contracting Laws
Contract Performance and Specifications
Payment Financing
Delays
Differing Site Conditions
References
From the Paper "The federal government is the largest owner of real property in the world (Bastianelli, et. al., 1998), so it stands to reason that they spend an enormous amount of money on construction and maintenance of that property. It is difficult to gauge exactly how much the federal government spends on construction annually, but it is noteworthy that the Department of Defense alone planned to award over $10 billion on construction contracts in 2002 (Bush, 2001). Because of this significant amount of construction outsourcing, and the intricacies that go along with construction contracting, the federal government has been justified in developing unique regulations and rules for construction contracts. The federal government, in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), defines construction as, ?"construction, alteration, or repair (including dredging, excavating, and painting) of buildings, structures, or other real property"? (FAR 2.101). Determining whether or not something is considered a building or a structure is general straightforward, although there are always exceptions. However, the line defining whether or not something is real property can, at times, be somewhat unclear. The FAR does not provide a definition for real property, but in federal contracts the common legal definition is used, that real property is, ?"land and all things that are attached to it"? (Lectric Law Library, 2003). Though many of the clauses, terms and conditions, and rules applicable to federal construction contracts are the same, or similar, to those that are used on federal contracts for supplies, there are a number of differences in the nature of contracting for construction that have caused the federal government to create separate laws that deal specifically with federal construction contracts. One of the major differences is that construction contracts are performed on Government property. Because of this, construction contractors are subject to a great deal more in the area of inspections and general surveillance on their contracts (Abernathy and Kelleher, 1976). Construction contracts typically have much more paperwork than federal supply contracts. On construction contracts, a contractor is required to file daily reports showing that they complied with all the unique construction regulations, including safety, schedules, and submittals of material samples (Arnavas, 2001, ?? 27.4.a.). Construction contracts are subject to much greater scrutiny on performance than supply contracts, as detailed analysis and explanation of any deficiencies are reported to contractors and contractors have the right to respond. Past performance information is also kept on construction contracts for six years, where the norm on supply contracts is three years (Arnavas, 2001, ?? 27.4.a). Other differences that will be the focus of this paper include contract types, labor laws, specifications, payments, delays, and differing site conditions."
Abstract This paper discusses green building construction and points out that this design saves energy as well as money. The paper explains that green building construction is vital and is a determinative of project success. The paper also explains that the individual needs to take the initiative in addressing construction design and development and associated costs as well as funding, marketing and sales. In addition, the paper tells us that green building construction holds great financial promise for the future. A graph of taxes by state is included with the paper.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Significance of study
Methodology
Literature Review
Findings and Conclusion
From the Paper "The work of Andrew Meyerson (2005) entitled: "The Dollars and Cents of Green Construction" states that green construction and design can not only save energy but also can result in monetary savings in the areas of: (1) Tax breaks and rebates; (2) Lower construction costs; (3) Reduction or elimination of the need for heating and air-conditioning equipment and the associated costs of purchase, maintenance and electricity; (4) Reduction in energy and water bills by as much as fifty-percent; (5) Increase in labor productivity, retail customer sales and apartment rental prices; and (6) Protection of operating budgets from increases in energy prices. (Meyerson, 2005, p. 2) Meyerson relates that practically all states offer incentives in the form of reduction of taxes for construction that is friendly to the environment. (2005, p. 4) Additionally in green construction projects where a pre-existing structure is on the construction site, cost savings may be realized through reuse of as much of the existing structure as possible. Additionally, is it necessary to be aware of the attitudes that serve as drivers of the choice of clients to use the firm and added to this is the fact "that commercial 'green buildings' outperform their conventional counterparts across a wide variety of metrics, including energy savings, occupancy rates, sale price and rental rates, another very practical and often times overlooked data for improving the cash flow of the client is the "energy efficient commercial building tax deductions.""
Tags: green, building, construction, funding, marketing, save, money, energy
Abstract This article serves as a defense of the claim that race is a social construct, rather than a biological fact. The writer discusses the view that genetic inequalities are not inborn, but rather created by society. In this paper, the writer looks at inequality in society caused by differences in race that appear to have been constructed by society.
From the Paper "The argument that race is a genetic predisposition is an old one and certainly an important one as it has been practiced among governments and other such institutions for centuries. This argument however leads to unwanted implications of genetic inequality between the races that we have learned is simply not the case. There are no inherent differences between individual races that are not arbitrarily constructed by society. In fact, it seems apparent that there are more variations in appearance and personality within a single race ... "
Abstract This paper describes the history of race as a distinctly Western idea. Through this process, the writer shows how and when the concept of "race" was invented or socially constructed. It then emphasizes the point that race has no biological reality by focusing on genetics and human variation, among other factors that repudiate the notion that race is biologically real. Finally, it looks at how the concept of race is, indeed, as Hacking states, "quite bad as it is," and puts forth a new archetype, one that does away with the concept of race altogether and focuses on the uniqueness of individual human beings.
From the Paper "What does it mean to say that race is "socially constructed"? In fact, what do we mean when we say that anything is socially constructed? Ian Hacking, after researching many books on social construction, stated that in order for something - he called it "X" - to be socially constructed, it must adhere to the following two premises: (0) In the present state of affairs, X is taken for granted; X appears to be inevitable. (1) X need not have existed, or need not be at all as it is. X, or X as it is at present, is not determined by the nature of things; it is not inevitable. Hacking goes on to state that these next two claims are also usually, though not always, implied by the use of the phrase "social construction": (2) X is quite bad as it is. (3) We would be much better off if X were done away with, or at least radically transformed."
Abstract This essay is about residential sprinklers in modern construction. It considers the effects of residential sprinklers on consumers, the government, and businesses and evaluates whether the overall effects has been positive or negative.
From the Paper "Using sprinklers to irrigate residential landscaping has become so commonplace that few people give the matter much consideration Homeowners consider sprinklers a boon since it eliminates watering ..."
Abstract This paper examines external factors that can cause problems in construction projects.
From the Paper "Construction projects are often used to describe the project management process because of the many interrelated tasks that must be accomplished in order for the project to be completed on time and within budget. Construction projects are also used to demonstrate risk management and risk aversion principles because of the many external factors that can have a detrimental effect on the project. If a task is not accomplished early in the process it can put the entire project offtrack and may cause ..."
