Community development and public health

Community development and public health It is widely documented that Indigenous Australians have poorer health outcomes than non-Indigenous Australians (Dempsey Zhao 2006; Germov 2002; Zhao, Guthridge, Magnus Vos 2004). According to the Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet website (2009), Indigenous Australians have the poorest health status of all populations living in Australia with contributing factors, including but not limited to, education, employment status and socio economic status. There are also a number of social determinants which contribute to poor health outcomes such as dispossession, social supports and gender (Germov 2002). Community development and public health play significant roles in the promotion of health and in the reduction in the health disparities which exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Community development, has been found to be a successful method to improve public health and health outcomes in places of poverty where populations have extreme health disparity (Baum 2008). Conversely, there have been many examples where community development has been aversive to improving public health (Ife Tesoriero 2006 p 234). In answering the question: what is the meaning of community development and public health?, this essay will explain the various existing definitions of community development and related terms such as community building, capacity building and social capital; provide examples of how community development approaches to public health have been implemented in Indigenous communities; and how Government and non-Government Organisations utilise these methods in practice. As evidenced in this essay, community development as an approach to improving public health is an effective method where it is implemented accurately. One must question how often community development approaches to public health are effectively implemented due to the disheartening life expectancy of Indigenous Australians, which is up to 20 years lower than that of non-Indigenous Australians (Oxfam Australia 2007). We need to stop and listen to the Traditional Owners of this land; this country we call Australia. They will guide us, show us and teach us the way to improve their health and wellbeing. Defining Community Development and Public Health Community development within public health seeks to empower individuals and groups within communities to take control over and improve health outcomes through working with community members from the ground up, referred to as a grassroots approach (Ife Tesoriero 2006, p. 121; Ife 1995, p. 96-97). It is a contemporary practice used by practitioners to promote wellbeing and enhance lifestyle and has been shown to play an important role in developing public health across Indigenous populations of Australia (Campbell, Pyett McCarthy 2007). Community development is a strategy which can be used in public health to improve health outcomes through the implementation of programs and projects within communities. Baum (2008) views community development as the ability to improve health among populations by working directly with communities to empower them to take control over circumstances that play a role in effecting health outcomes. Successful community development involves identifying needs then working with members of the community to promote empowerment to make long term sustainable development changes. In support of this statement, Campbell, Pyett McCarthy (2007) promote the idea that developing healthier Indigenous communities involves enhancing existing community capacity through empowerment. Laverack (2006) reinforces this notion through his use of the domains approach, with one domain focussing on encouraging local leadership through enhancing existing community capacity. Ife (2005) supports this idea with the appl ication of a number of principles which must be applied in practice including empowerment, sustainability, ownership and participation. Community changes must take place from the very local level and can therefore be a very long and intricate process. In defining community development, social capital is a term often used in a positive sense to enhance community development practice. It is believed to bring about change by bringing community members together, creating engagement and social support which can promote public health and enhance community development (Baum 2008). In promoting community development it can therefore be said that the utility of social capital can improve health status among communities. Carson et al (eds. 2007 p. 110) discusses the potential of social capital to provide insight into improving health standards of indigenous populations despite varying contentions surrounding the notion. Creating positive social engagement of community members assists in the development of relationships between people and the ability to work together to achieve a common goal, an important aspect of defining community development. In following from this, Bryson Mowbray (2005) associate social capital with the term community capacity building, another concept related to community development in public health. The term is used by individuals as a strategy to improve community development and or as a similar alternative to community development initiatives and interventions. The Australian International Health Institute promotes community capacity as increasing health by strengthening the ability of a community through increasing social cohesion and building social capital (Arole, Fuller Deutschman n.d) Community capacity building enhances the capacity of community members to take control in bringing about change. The use of these strategies and its approach can pave the way for health improvements in Indigenous communities. Community Development and Public Health in Indigenous communities Community building is used by individuals and organisations to enhance the process of community development. Ife Tesoreiro (2006) explain that community building is an important factor in influencing successful community development which involves bringing community members together through small projects. The idea that community members are joining together to work towards a common goal contributes to group process, inclusiveness, building trust and developing a common sense of purposecritically important in community building (Ife Tesoreiro 2006, p. 185). Community building is often used to promote public health within Indigenous communities through bringing individuals together to identify a problems or needs. Community members therefore share a common goal and work together to address the issue. Senior Chenall (2007) demonstrate the way community building can enhance community development in Stopping Sniffing is Our Responsibility. The Aboriginal community members identified petrol sniffing as a health and social problem so a common goal was identified and the people developed a program to help combat the problem, contributing to development of the community. Although success of the intervention was not long lived, due numerous factors, including lack of resources it demonstrated to the community members that they were able to work together to make positive changes. Community development in relation to Indigenous communities requires specific, intricate approaches. Approaches must be conducted in a culturally sensitive manner which enables indigenous people to have genuine control over their own community and their own destiny (Ife Tesoreiro 2006, p. 2350). If community development approaches in indigenous communities must therefore incorporate cultural understanding. The definitions and approaches evident in Many Ways Forwards: report of enquiry into capacity building and service delivery in Indigenous Communities, House of Representatives standing committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, June 2004 The government report Many Ways Forward, the Report of the Inquiry into Capacity Building and Service Delivery in Indigenous Communities (2004) provides a political view of community development in relation to Indigenous health. The report looks at the effectiveness of and ways to enhance and increase in the participation of services delivered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders within their communities through building community capacities. Throughout the report a number of organisations express their own views on the meaning of community capacity. The Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) define community capacity as incorporating four elements including commitment, resources, knowledge and skills. Whilst Aboriginal Affairs Victoria define community capacity as strategies/programs/initiatives which seek to empower, motivate and enable individuals, families and communitiesto pursue their own development goals (House of Representatives Standing Committee On Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, 2004 pg 15). This is just a small example of a number of definitions, which emphasises that the practice of community development can mean different things to individuals. The utilisation of community development in practice by Governments non-Government Organisations (NGOs) The political report Many Ways Forward Report of the Inquiry into Capacity Building and Service Delivery in Indigenous Communities identifies a number of government approaches to community development and the need to enhance government capacities including the COAG Trial, Indigenous Whole of Government Initiative. The program is aimed at improving the delivery of programmes and services to Indigenous communities, based on a concept of shared responsibility where condition and wellbeing of Indigenous communities is one shared by the community, its families and individuals with Governments (Department of Education, Employment and Work Place Relations website, 2010). The commencement of this trial took place in 2002. Another whole of government approach is The Waterloo/Redfern Partnership Program which has a number of smaller programs including community strengthening activities designed to develop communities of Redfern and Waterloo (NSW) which advocate the implementation of social cap ital (Redfern-Waterloo Community Safety Plan, 2004). Along with these programs there are a number of state and territory government programs including *** Along with the small example of government programs, The Northern Territory Governments Emergency Response (NTER) has had a big impact on Indigenous public health within communities and should not go without mention. The NTER was established in 2007 by the Howard government which has implemented a number of measures with a target of five years to improve future prospects of Indigenous Australians living in the NT and promote community safety and the protection of children (Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website, 2009). As part of the program the government implemented eleven measures in order to reach goals with the addition of another measure involving the NT only, abolition of the community development employment program (CDEP) (Altman, 2007). Whilst the intervention has been put in place to develop Indigenous communities many individuals and organisations have either supported or strongly criticised this approach. Oxfam Australia is one of the organisations which made a critical response to the intervention, in particular relation to proposed amendments to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976. Oxfam Australia argues the effectiveness of implementing two of the measures, (measures 5 and 10) reporting that they will hinder development in the form of empowerment among communities (Altman, 2007). Oxfam Australia is a non government organisation which promotes development through implementation of programs providing community members with knowledge and the resources to assist community members to identify problems and encourage them to find their own solutions through sustainable development (Oxfam Australia website, 2009). Oxfam have a number of community development projects focused on developing the capacities of Indigenous communities within Australia. An example of this is through working alongside Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and supporting Aborigin al Health Workers with a focus on promoting community ownership of health issues (Oxfam Australia website, 2009). World Vision Australia adopts similar approaches to community development in practice. The organisation is focused on improving living conditions of people living third world circumstances. The organisation advocates core principles of community development including working with communities to promote self-sufficient, sustainable development. World vision conducts work in Australia to assist in community development in Indigenous communities with a primary focus on developing long-term community development programs and enhancing future prospects of young Indigenous Australians through training and education programs (How World Vision works, 2007). Problems associated with the various definitions, such as difficulties concerning feasibility or inconsistencies between the terms of the definitions and actual practice As can be seen there a various definitions to concepts surrounding community development in public health. A number of authors illustrate the problems which can exist in the theoretical idea of community development and putting the process into practice. The term community alone proves to offer differing meanings to individuals and organisations, often conflicting (Baum 2008; Bryson Mowbray 1981; Ife Tesoreiro 2006). Makuwira (n.d) discusses how the term community capacity building can have many discourses and often contradiction in meaning and practice and how this can negatively impact on capacity development of Indigenous communities. The Community development Resource Association (Makuwira n.d, p. 3) poses the question that perhaps a lack of written meaning on the term community capacity building contributes to the poor ability to effectively implement the processes. The House of Representatives Many Ways forward report emphasises that a number of different definitions of commu nity building and community capacity building exists and is recognised to have cause implications in moving forward with community development within Australia. It should also be noted that difficulties concerning the feasibility of implementing the principles of community development can be observed through the way organisations, both Government and non-Government, work in the NT. It can be noted anecdotally that attempts at community development occur through a centralised support system. Most organisations operate from central locations, such as Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Gove and Darwin, with staff visiting communities to provide support. Yes, this system can work effectively, but it is not implementing principles of community development in their raw intentions. These intentions are to work alongside people to enable them to take control over their lives and to and promote sustainable changes. The support is often temporary providing a bandaid approach which is inconsistent and therefore limits the effectiveness of long term sustainable changes occurring. Conclusion Community development is a term which possesses a variety of different definitions with associated concepts and practices. The discourse highlights the conflict which results from the confusion associated with a variety of definitions and practices. Too often, community development practitioners become too engaged in the rhetoric and lose sight of the meaning behind the principles and way of working. As evidenced in this essay, there is a lot of theory on community development practice, however limited evidence of success in developing Indigenous communities. Community development practice needs to focus on consistent methods that do work and how these can be implemented across the board if we are to see improvements in public health and the health outcomes of Indigenous Australians. Ultimately, where community people (who are involved in the community development process) are starting to take control over factors affecting their health, community development in practice is working.

Racism in America :: essays papers

Racism in America The Construction of an Institution For hundreds of years, it has been "truth" that the races were biologically different. The differences that separated society were based on scientifically based genetic differences that gave reason for the separation of races. However based on recent findings, it is known that this is not the case. In 1974 Richard Lewontin dispelled this myth with a study he did that proved that there are no genetic differences between races. In fact he discovered if anything, there were more differences within the "races" then between the different races. Why then, do we still have use for different races? Why is racism still rampant in American society? The reason is that although race is not founded through science, this institution of American society is merely an obsolete combination of historical, social, and cultural construction. Historically our physical differences supplied reason to separate into races. In doing this we see the emergence of races. Europeans marked individuals that looked different from them and used this difference as a justification for their reasoning that these individuals were inferior to them. To support their claims, there was "scientific research" done to explain our differences. These differences were said to be biological. As early as the 1800s scientists purported these ideas to be true. One doctor believed that blacks suffered from a form of leprosy. Because science is said to be so exact and indisputable, Americans held these theories to be truth and used them to construct the different classifications of race. These "biological" findings provided the basis for the most corrupt institution in America: racism. Through the classifying of people of color as inferior due to genetic reasoning, provided whites with an excuse to dominate. This social issue divided the coun try and served as a weapon to keep people of color in the minority and denied them of any economic or educational power that was necessary to survive in America. This social phenomenon further abused the "biological" differences to further oppress people of color. Race provided the perfect method of domination in America. To the dismay of racists around the country, a scientist decided to reevaluate the "genetic" differences between the races, that had been so cleverly constructed.

Emancipation Proclamation and Discrimination :: American America History

Emancipation Proclamation and Discrimination As the glowing sun set over the bloody fields of Antietem, the Civil War became a different War. Five days after the battle at Antietem was won, armed with pen and paper, Abraham Lincoln changed the war when he issued, one of the most important and controversial documents in America history, the Emancipation Proclamation. Congress was urging emancipation. Escaped slaves were fleeing to the Union army as it advanced in the South, complicating military operations.Issued on September 22, 1862, Lincoln's preliminary proclamation declared that on New Year's, 1863, slaves in areas then "in rebellion against the United States shall be then, henceforward, and foreverfree." The final Emancipation Proclamation, issued January 1, 1863, authorized the recruitment of blacks into the Union Army, which abolitionist leaders such as Frederick Douglass had been urging since the beginning of armed conflict. By the end of the war, almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and fr eedom.The Emancipation Proclamation opposed discrimination. It allowed black slaves to serve in the army and get other jobs, or continue to work on plantations, as employees making money. However it was limited in many ways. It did not apply to slaves in border states fighting on the Union Side. It didn't even affect slaves in southern areas already under Union control. Without a doubt, the states in rebellion did not act on Lincoln's order. But the proclamation did show Americans that the Civil War was now being fought to end slavery.This great document helped shatter the issue of slavery. Slavery was completly crushed with the 13TH Amendment. Black soldiers lead a celebration among South Carolina slaves for the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. For decades after the Civil War, African-Americans made it a folkway to celebrate Emancipation Day.The decision to use the blacks as soldiers was by no means universally popular and was also selfishly motivated. During the war, many whites believed that blacks would make poor soldiers. Some whites stated that they would run at the first sign of danger! The blacks were not allowed to fight until needed. They were offered the same rights as the white soldiers, but discrimination always interfered.Most black soldiers did not receive equal pay and benefits. Even whites who supported the idea of blacks in army were harassed. The Confederacy objected strongly to the North's use of black soldiers because they grew fearful of losing slaves to the Union armies. Emancipation Proclamation and Discrimination :: American America History Emancipation Proclamation and Discrimination As the glowing sun set over the bloody fields of Antietem, the Civil War became a different War. Five days after the battle at Antietem was won, armed with pen and paper, Abraham Lincoln changed the war when he issued, one of the most important and controversial documents in America history, the Emancipation Proclamation. Congress was urging emancipation. Escaped slaves were fleeing to the Union army as it advanced in the South, complicating military operations.Issued on September 22, 1862, Lincoln's preliminary proclamation declared that on New Year's, 1863, slaves in areas then "in rebellion against the United States shall be then, henceforward, and foreverfree." The final Emancipation Proclamation, issued January 1, 1863, authorized the recruitment of blacks into the Union Army, which abolitionist leaders such as Frederick Douglass had been urging since the beginning of armed conflict. By the end of the war, almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and fr eedom.The Emancipation Proclamation opposed discrimination. It allowed black slaves to serve in the army and get other jobs, or continue to work on plantations, as employees making money. However it was limited in many ways. It did not apply to slaves in border states fighting on the Union Side. It didn't even affect slaves in southern areas already under Union control. Without a doubt, the states in rebellion did not act on Lincoln's order. But the proclamation did show Americans that the Civil War was now being fought to end slavery.This great document helped shatter the issue of slavery. Slavery was completly crushed with the 13TH Amendment. Black soldiers lead a celebration among South Carolina slaves for the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. For decades after the Civil War, African-Americans made it a folkway to celebrate Emancipation Day.The decision to use the blacks as soldiers was by no means universally popular and was also selfishly motivated. During the war, many whites believed that blacks would make poor soldiers. Some whites stated that they would run at the first sign of danger! The blacks were not allowed to fight until needed. They were offered the same rights as the white soldiers, but discrimination always interfered.Most black soldiers did not receive equal pay and benefits. Even whites who supported the idea of blacks in army were harassed. The Confederacy objected strongly to the North's use of black soldiers because they grew fearful of losing slaves to the Union armies.

Kenya Ameru Tribe :: essays papers

Kenya Ameru Tribe Kenya is a country that has nine provinces. It lies on the equator on the slopes of Mount Kenya and the Nyamben Mountain Range. It covers an area of 3,850 square miles. The climate of Kenya is one of short rains between March and May, with a long rainy season between October and December. Temperatures range from 68 degrees in the higher altitudes around Mt. Kenya, to 90 degrees in the arid Semiaro lands. The people of Kenya hold a proud tradition of farming. Ninety percent of the people are farmers. The population is large and spread out covering both the dry, arid lands as well as the fertile areas. Crops grown fit the type of area of land in which they are cultivated. Livestock and beekeeping are other methods of farming popular in eastern Africa. Wheat is grown in the upper and lower Highlands. Pyrethrum, potatoes, maize, beans and tea are other crops that grow in the area. Farmers grow substance crops to feed their family as well as to sell for cash. The livestock are kept for dairy products used in the home. Maize, fodder beets, and napiergrass are grown to feed livestock. In 1880 changes were brought to Kenya from British Columbia. In 1963, Kenya won its independence. Their independence brought about a change in the economy. Prior to the separation, Kenya was forced to give profits to Britain. Independence provided changes in the relationship between the people and their land. The introduction of cash crops changed the Meru farming systems. The Ameru people could not produce enough of the cash crops and still have enough left to support their families. For the first time, they were forced to pay taxes. To prevent the exhaustion of the land, the people developed new methods of farming. By rotating the crops, larger profits could be made. The people of the Kenya/Ameru tribe came from the area around the Niger River in West Africa. They traveled through the Congo Basin up to Kantanga, where they moved toward the eastern part of Kenya. The Ameru arrived at Mt. Kenya as a single group. Originally they settled around Mt. Kenya. When the people began to migrate into eastern Kenya, the Koomenjave or Spiritual Leader divided the Ameru into three groups. The Koomenjave was responsible for keeping law and order. He was in political control of all of the groups within the Ameru Tribe.

Be human or victorias secret

Victorians Secret is a famous company of lingerie and beauty products, which was founded in 1977 by Roy Raymond n Ohio, United States. The company's slogan is the sale Of beauty, being sexy, fabulous and perfect. Since 1995, in the last weeks of November the company Victorians Secret presents the Victorians Secret Fashion Show in which it presents the new collections for the year. Famous singers will attend this show as well as the supermodels of the company, who are called Angels. Victorians Secret Angels are selected supermodels for the company's campaigns.All angels are extremely beautiful and fit a mannequin size 36. In November 2014, in GLAMOUR magazine showed that Victorians Secret munched the newest bra campaign â€Å"Body by Victoria Secret† the advertising picture has 10 of the most beautiful Angels models, including models with blonde, brunette and black hair. All Angels are using the new collection of lingerie with possession, confidence and sexy poses. The slogan i n the picture is the â€Å"Perfect Body. Perfect Fit. Perfect Comfort. Perfectly SOFT. † In addiction at the end has â€Å"Explore the Collection† followed with the names of the new ten types of bras.GLAMOUR is a women's magazine focusing on fashion, beauty, relationship, sex, lifestyle and services. The magazine targets women teen the ages of 18 and 40, both single and married. These women may be at any stage of their lives, such as going to college, working in jobs full time or part time, caring for a family. Health and fitness, in search of beauty and well-being are also involved. The target audience is women who are focused itself, and on the world, blobs and internet. These tend to speak of the hottest issues and show all the new trends emerging for the female consumer.The primary ads are new patterns and fashions that come soon. The Perfect Body is a new line of bra Victorians Secret afford to its customers in a huge variety: Rasa and push-up, perfect shape, new perfect comfort deem push up, and others. The variety that most consumers appreciate is the opportunity to choose the best type of bras that fit them. Another purpose of this campaign is that with new bras Victorians Secret you get â€Å"The Perfect Body', Perfect Fit, perfect Comfort and Perfectly Soft. † In reality does everything come together with just a bra?How not to buy? The advertisement for this seems a little be promising with all this perfection in just a bra, we can see clearly the marketing game in the advertisement. The word â€Å"perfect† is ones of racketing games that misleads consumers, and make them purchase the product in search of the perfect. Because consumers are always seeking the best and perfect, and this propaganda ends up attracting them. For example, this new collection of the bra names is the â€Å"PERFECT SHAPE†; can you have the perfect shape with this new bra?Does â€Å"perfect† by Victorians Secret is perfect? It is one o f the facts that everyone would have to examine in advertisements. Another word used in advertising is â€Å"NEW. † Why does everyone want what is new? Just because it is new, is it means better? We now that many times what is new is not better than old, but we live in a consumer's world. We just want what is new, just to keep with the developments and commercial growth. Another type of marketing used to attract consumers are the BEA dutiful models that are confirming the proposal of the campaign.All of them are posing and showing confidence, resourcefulness, and are still being sexy and powerful with panties and bras. What looks interesting in the first time, but which captures the majority of consumers. Who does not Want to feel confident and powerful using only panties and bra? I think that everyone wants to feel good wearing only panties and bras because it is virtually impossible. That is what the companies like Victorians Secret presents and convinces consumers, using i n advertising to reach consumers and have succeed in their new collections.Victorians Secret does not just sell lingerie and beauty products it sells sensuality set, power and the female's fabulous side. In the new campaign â€Å"Body by Victorians Secrets†, 10 angels are positioned as a front line ready for battle, as an army battalion ready to fight. However, battle in this direction is different; he battle is against the consumer. They are showing that this is the body of Victorians Secretes, perfect and ready. When you look yourself and see the new collection and the Angels, you already feel lost and out Of context, and see the need for the new product.This is how propaganda â€Å"Body by Victorians Secret† appeal to the emotional side of marketing, showing that with the new products you can purchase the â€Å"Perfect Body. † Another way that advertising eludes the side emotionally are the features that the models are shown. The Angels are pictured are sexy, confident, uninhibited and happy. Something that appeals to the popular side, people living standards indicated by the media, and to see an advertisement like this in GLAMOUR magazine very consumers believe this is the key to all problems. Furthermore, these advertisements often end up backfiring on a population.Advertisements as this â€Å"The Perfect Body† causes many consumers to rebel by not fit the pattern that company shows. Victorians Secret shows a variety of ethnicity in the photo templates, but has not done the same in the body shapes. This makes many consumers give up the product and even the company. The emotional did ‘Body by Victorians Secret† can take depends on the consumer, and the success of this new collection can be committed only for fit in Angels' size by Victorians Secret. Victorians Secret Angels use their campaigns to attract attention and consumers.The Angels of Victorians Secret are the top models in the fashion world, as Giggles Bunche d, the Brazilian model that is one of the top on the fashion world and well paid, was an Angel. The benefit and aim to have them as Angels is very marketing. Because having the best models in the world fashion wearing Victorians Secrets products, not only attracts nonusers, but also magazines, reports and all media. It is a fact that some consumers will only purchase the products Victorians Secret, because they are the top models in the fashion world.In addition, many news companies will only show advertisements for having the hottest Angels. Victorians Secret is a company that sells dreams and achievements, where the products promise to transform the buyer on being sexy, fabulous, charming and perfect. One of the companies is liable to generalize, by imposing a standard of beauty. The advertisement â€Å"Body by Victorians Secret† with the slogan â€Å"The Perfect Body† s one of the advertisements that would never come through the media. I wonder what the company Vict orians Secret wins to continue with advertisements and campaigns that link to a â€Å"perfect model†.Of course it has its consumers â€Å"perfect model†, which still make a profit. In a developing world in which we live, we must take action against companies imply that standard, a standard that does not involve half the world's population. We all should stop dreaming about the promises that Victorians Secrets presents. Each has its life; each has its shape, size, color, and so on. Everything is different; we deed to have something perfect to follow? Who said that the perfect is The Perfect by Victorians Secret?

Cramming Essay

Introduction: Someone has very rightly quoted; learning is like rowing upstream. It steers us through all difficulties, but cramming leaves us nowhere. Learning means to commit to memory any given text. This process of memorizing surely helps students to absorb informational materials in a no specific amount of time while cramming is the practice of working intensively to absorb large amounts of informational materials in a short amount of time. What is the meaning of cramming? And what are the causes of cramming? What are the official veto effects of cramming? Cramming is strongly discouraged by educators because the hurried coverage of studying tends to result in poor long term memorization. It’s hard to take in and retain a large amount of information in a short period of time. Students love to look at their work load and say to themselves, â€Å"I’ve got time,† but they soon find out how quickly their â€Å"time† disappears. In the present study, researchers investi gated the effects of cramming. There were 2 group of students, one group crammed by studying immediately before a test, while another group of students performed a cognitive task between studying and their test. Their test scores showed that there was no significant difference between cramming and non cramming test preparation techniques. This research might be useful to students attempting to justify cramming, or to teachers attempting to find new methods of test preparation and to know the principle and the effects of cramming to students. ABSTRACT: Some students study everyday what they learnt, but some students let the studying until The night before exams and tests. Students cram for a number of reasons Including fear of failure or no time to study. This can happen to students with jobs, has a Higher responsibility in their family, or those who may be involved in some extracurricular activities or for some who thinks that they still have â€Å"time† but in fact they don’t. The students do not follow a fixed time for study because they don’t schedule their study time. They don’t take down notes of important points given in the lecture. There are variable negative effects of cramming. Procrastination, more specifically cramming, is a major problem among youths around the high  school and college years. People just like to focus on the present and forget the future which inevitably causes negative outcomes as a result of the cramming when students find themselves with much information to learn and little time in which to learn it, cramming often seems a viable option. By cramming, you are trying to learn everything you can in the limited time you have to study. It’s possible to end up forgetting most of the information, causing grades to suffer. If you have no choice but to cram, focus on sections that will give you the most points on the exam or test. CAUSE AND EFFECTS OF CRAMMING TO STUDENTS AND HOW IT AFFECTS THEIR BEHAVIOUR AT SCHOOL Cramming is the practice of memorizing things in a short period of time. I interviewed  some students in our school and found out some of the reasons why students cram and  how it affects their behavior in school. Some say that, Students cram because laziness  can sometimes overcome them which causes them to do their work on the last minute  and that they have different priorities of work that leads them to put aside that  assignment since it’s â€Å"so far away† until the due date so they just put it off. Student’s  lives are so full of responsibilities and priorities that eventually leads them to begin the  habit of cramming. Their priorities begin to mix up. I remembered one of my high school teacher before say that â€Å"over-committed schedules can lead to  little or no time to do their school work.† Some also say that it’s because of lack of knowledge, lack of initiative, lack of interest and laziness and that it usually leaves them little time in the way for sleep. Students who cram during at night usually gets only 3-4 hours of sleep causing them sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation affects the students brain functioning which hinders them to listen attentively in class and to think straight. It also causes them to lack alertness and difficulty in memorizing materials which often leads them to lower test grades. Cramming does not only affect the grades of the person cramming, but also health related issues such as addictions and anxiety. Since memory is such an important component of day to day life and involves remembering for an exam, remembering due dates for a paper, remembering instructions on how to cite borrowed information, students should strive to get the sleep they need.

Multiple Intelligence Theory Essay

Many students choose to attend APUS because the University fosters differing educational styles and empowers the students through education. The Student Handbook states, â€Å"The University System fosters an environment that promotes a life of learning for its constituents and uses feedback from its participants and supporters to improve the quality of its teaching, learning, and support†¦ The University System anticipates and adapts to its changing environment and responds to the needs of the organization and its constituencies in manners both appropriate and timely.† In the beginning of College 100, students are introduced to the different learning styles and the theory of multiple intelligences. By becoming familiar with other students learning styles and exploring the multiple intelligences students became more tolerant towards others and were able to strengthen their learning power. Being familiar with multiple intelligence theory, knowing the different learning sty les, utilizing appropriate classroom methods, and exploring the interdisciplinary classroom will empower students towards a lifetime of learning. Recognizing the multiple intelligence theory is the first step in capturing the different learning styles. â€Å"Howard Gardners multiple intelligence theory (Gardner, 1993) proposes the idea that we all have various levels of intelligence across a range of intellectual areas† (Pritchard, 2008). The concept that people learn in different ways, and perceive and learn by different methods is what makes up the theory of multiple intelligences. There are at least nine different intelligences in which people display in varying ways (Pritchard, 2008). The styles are as follows: linguistic, logical/mathematical, musical, spatial/visual, kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic, and existential (Pritchard, 2008). Student’s particular academic strengths have a direct impact on how effective their learning will be for their overall education. When applying multiple intelligences to the classroom, it is very important to cater to all the types of learning styles. When discussing learning styles in the forums of College 100, every student had a different way of learning that especially worked for them. If every single assignment or activity in a classroom is slanted towards visual learning, then the students who are auditory or kinesthetic learners will be at a serious disadvantage. These students will not be able to express themselves or be able to conform to the teaching style if their learning needs are not met. â€Å"In planning for multiple intelligences, teachers consider the range of activities related to the content of the lesson and the intended learning outcomes will give a range of opportunities to the children’s different intelligence strengths† (Pritchard, 2008). It is very important for a teacher to introduce a range of activities and presentations in order to make the most out of multiple intelligences. A learning style is reflected by a students preferred method of learning, which is a direct result of their type of intelligence. It is irresponsible for a teacher to assume that all of their students will learn in the same manner. The four main styles of learning are visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and extrovert. Every style has strengths and weaknesses. It is crucial in the educational environment to exploit the student’s strengths and protect the weaknesses. A student’s self-worth and esteem can be very much tied up with their learning capability. Teachers must exhibit a range of teaching styles, so that their students learning styles will be compatible. â€Å"Diverse personalities impact relationships, motivation, and ease of learning in classroom and work environments. Where there are diverse personalities within groups, people generally prefer and choose to be with others who are similar to themselves; individuals may even dislike those who have different attitudes and behaviors from their own† (Richardson & Arker, 2010). What Richardson and Arker are implying is that people of different personalities and learning styles tend to stick in the same groups. It would be to the benefit of everyone if individuals of different personalities and persuasions were put together in one group, that way the group will be more powerful and will benefit greatly from the input of everybody. A truly good teacher will ensure that they have designed their curriculum in such a way so that students learning needs are met. Classroom arrangements can be made so that individuals of similar temperaments are brought together in what is called compatibility scheduling. This arrangement will enhance the overall productivity of students as well as teachers† (Richar dson & Arker, 2010). As multiple intelligence theory has developed, advances in classroom methods have also been made. There are at least three different methods that combine multiple intelligence theory with learning styles in order to better the classroom environment. â€Å"Brain-based education supports the need to differentiate instruction† (Richardson & Arker, 2010). Some studies in brain research have shown that there is such a thing as a left-brain and a right-brain. People can be left or right brain dominate, which largely determines the individuals learning style. â€Å"Collaborative learning is a method of teaching and learning in which student’s team together to explore a significant question or create a meaningful project† (Educational Broadcasting Corporation, 2004). This type of classroom learning will serve to help the entire group. The students and teachers will be able to pick out the roles that suit them best, thus serving the group to the best of their ability. Another method that is similar to collaborative learning is cooperative learning. In cooperative learning, â€Å"Students work together in small groups on a structured activity. They are individually accountable for their work, and the work of the group as a whole is also assessed. Cooperative groups work face-to-face and learn to work as a team† (Educational Broadcasting Corporation, 2004). Cooperative learning is becoming a very popular method. It uses individuals best qualities for the betterment of the group. By using these methods in the classroom learning becomes an active process and engages all types of learning styles. The Western world has divided education into blocks, and then further divided the blocks into disciplines. While convenient on paper, it is clear that education and disciplines overlap, the world is a fluid place. Interdisciplinary education is an approach that blends different disciplines and utilizes multiple intelligence theory and varying learning styles. â€Å"The exponential growth of knowledge in the twentieth century revealed how disciplinary cultures and perspectives could discourage inquiries and explanations that spanned disciplinary boundaries. Disciplines, it now seems clear, are powerful but constraining ways of knowing† (Lattuca, 2001). By breaking down the walls of the disciplines, students are empowered to use their differing learning styles. This will result in students having positive experiences with education. Students will then seek out a lifetime of learning, and encourage other to seek knowledge. Recognizing the theory of multiple intelligences and defining each student’s learning style will lead to success in education. By utilizing methods such as brain-based learning, cooperative learning, and collaborative learning teachers can empower students by giving them the educational method that works best for each individual. Combining all of these aspects yields the concept of interdisciplinary learning, leading to a lifetime of successful education, teaching, and learning. References Concept to Classroom: Course Menu. (2004). THIRTEEN – New York Public Media. Retrieved December 2, 2012, from http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/index.html Lattuca, L. R. (2001). Creating interdisciplinarity: Interdisciplinary research and teaching among college and university faculty. Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press. Pritchard, A. (2008). Ways of Learning [electronic resource]: Learning Theories and Learning Styles in the Classroom. Hoboken, NJ: David Fulton Publishers. Richardson, R., & Arker, E. (2010). Personalities in the Classroom: Making the Most of Them. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 46(2), 76-81.