Project management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Project management - Essay Example Acting with integrity as the project manager will not only make the team members to buy into the plan but also become a solid extension of you and remain committed to your methodology and produce a better work. To act with integrity as a project manager requires some kind of tips such as; being impartial – this is being fair and objective oriented. Being fair in judgement and making objective decisions that fleshes out the problems and allow the team to get to the bottom of the project without patching them. Being thorough - finishing project tasks completely and in a comprehensive manner. Being thorough project planner means evaluating project requirements and any gaps in details (Heagney, 2012). To be project manager one needed to be focused on the end business result; team members should verify – within the scope of their project role – initial project requirements and the result that is being expected from no matter when they are introduced. As a project mana ger who acts with integrity you will probably know that you are allowing them to provide their own input based on their subject matter expertise and strengthens the chances of project success. Discussion Experience as an intern in HIV/AIDS research firm I served as a project manager intern in a firm that deal with research on prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS firm. It was an awesome experience worth talking about. The research firm is situated in city of San Diego. As a project manager the biggest virtue I required was integrity. This is because I handled people who are older than me and some were my age mates. To identify self-integration and views of integrity is more of a personal matter; meaning that integrity is a social virtue, one that is defined by a person’s relationship to others, and it’s also a matter of person’s proper regard to their own judgement. As the project manager, it didn’t matter whether I was an intern or not the fact was that I was handling the position I had to make important and Taff decisions regarding the project and the team. As a manger and supervisor at the same time I had to credibly demonstrate commitment and personal accountability for the projects and activities integrity, promote an open and trusting environment and understand how my behaviour as the manager affected the team in the field. I had to gain a lot of skills so as for the team to produce a quality output. As the manager I had to develop leadership skills and behaviours that would be required for integrity management. At times I had to go the field with the team and talk with the clients. This was to make me understand the position of the team in the field and to acknowledge their effort. Challenges and experiences The organization is a big one and the position I was holding is a challenging one. The fact that I had a team to handle was more than a responsibility but also an experience to be gained. Management is a position that esta blishes the scope, priority and pace for system implementation and improvement, considering the complexity and risks involved with the project being handled (Heagney, 2012). It is said that whether you are a new project manager or experienced leader, project management will still reveal

Organization Development and Change Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Organization Development and Change - Assignment Example Organizational development entails harnessing individuals’ personality traits that identify them as members of a team and using these characteristics to bolster the group’s potential and performance. Realizing the importance of OD is the key to effective and efficient problem solving within any department in an organization. Ortiv Glass Corporation encourages and practices participative organizational design where the company’s branches and departments are encouraged to determine and implement their own designs. The company’s newest plant recently put together a top management team that was to act as a problem-solving apparatus. The group consisted of competent, qualified and talented person who had demonstrated the ability to deliver quality results in their respective areas of expertise. Despite the group members’ professional qualifications, the group demonstrated difficulties and inability to execute their mandated duties and responsibilities. All of the group’s members perform exceptionally on their professional duties, yet their role as an elite problem-solving group with minimal or no results. The top management meetings are unproductive, and there is no follow up on agreements made at meetings (Cummings and Worley 104). Through the application of the core components of the group, the design would work towards improving the group’s status, which would improve relationships among team members. Incorporating task structure strategies into the group’s work design by delegating each member a specific task within the group’s responsibilities would improve their relationships. This would enable better coordination by individual members and give them more autonomy in terms of behavior and reactions to different situations within the group. Regulating group composition has the ability to effect significant changes to the group.  

Theories of Communication and Language Acquisition

Theories of Communication and Language Acquisition Natalie Ulugà ¼n Introduction What is communication? According to Buckley ( ) communication is the delivery of information from one person to another whereby the intended meaning is understood. Communication is a multi-faceted feature that enables humans to identify with their own socio-emotional world and its relation to others. Communication requires motivation and auditory processing ability. Moreover, the ability to understand and convey messages both verbally and non-verbally use sensori-motor skills. Buckley ( ) suggests communication skills normally develop from birth through early maternal interaction and evolve through the experience of play. However, communication is complex and relies on intrinsic and extrinsic factors for development this can result in some infants not developing the necessary skills for communication. This essay will discuss the processes involved in both the development and deficiency of communication skills in young children and it’s effect on their emotional and cognitive development. Particular significance to the role of play in in this development will be outlined and evaluated. The ability to communicate effectively is essential to human social interaction. Furthermore, communication skills provide the basis for successful edification, relationships and the participation in the wider community (miller et al). The two modes of communication are verbal and non-verbal. Bruce (2005) suggests up to 85% of our communication is non-verbal which includes all non-spoken means of communication such as gestures, body language, expression and sign. Verbal communication uses spoken language to convey information. The human brain, central nervous system, physical articulators and ears are required to produce speech. If any one area has a deficit it will have an effect on speech development. According to Kahim(1998)cites (asha 1983) communication using language requires the comprehension of social interrelations. These can include complex modes such as motivation, tacit clues and social and cultural rules. Buckley () suggests language is a symbolic mode of communication governed by grammatical and social rules .These rules not only encompass semantics, syntax and phonology but also the contextual considerations of language such as sarcasm, politeness strategies referred to as pragmatics (Bloom and Lahey 1978). In view of such intricacies de Boysson-Bardies( 1999) affirms the acquisition of language must be genetically encoded and exclusive to human beings. This is a nativist approach to language acquisition which was embraced by Noam Chomsky. Theories of language acquisition Chomsky (1959) proposed that children have an innate ability to learn language through a language acquisition device. According to Chomsky (1965) the brain is hard wired through genomes to understand a spoken language. He suggests the L.A.D is situated within the auditory cortex. It has also been suggested by Lenneberg (1967) that if language is not acquired by puberty it can never be learnt. This suggests that the ability to learn languages is genetically acquired through synapse connection in the brain and furthermore has a critical period to stimulate its development (Schwartz 2009). The interactionist approach suggests language acquisition is a process influenced by environmental and nativist elements. Vygotsky and Bruner held the view that a child needs interaction with others to support language learning. This is known as LASS Language acquisition support system. Conversely traditional behaviourist’s theory of language acquisition suggests children acquire language through conditions and reinforcement. This is evidenced through observation of a new-born and mother. The new born’s motivation for communication is rewarded by the mother’s interaction. Crystal (1986) argues that children do not simply imitate adults or older children when acquiring language; this is evidenced by the immature and incomplete speech that children develop as a result of applying grammatical rules or possessing inadequate vocabulary. This is evidenced in the following case studies.   The processes involved in development of effective communication Verbal and non verbal language development Primarily, early communication is an expression of need ( Crystal). If an infant’s pre-linguistic vocalisations are rewarded by their needs being met they quickly learn the advantages of communication. Furthermore, an infant needs a warm and affectionate relationship with their caregiver in order to initiate communication. Ferroni et al (2002) demonstrated that early non-verbal communication such as eye gazing contributes to the development of facial decoding and the theory of mind. Theory of mind is a cognitive ability to decode nonverbal communication, deduce the emotional states of others using intuition and cues, as well as understanding a situation from different perspectives. According to Goldberg and Burdick( ) Theory of Mind deficits are caused by cognitive dysfunction and are present in neuropsychological conditions such as Bipolar euthymic and ASD spectrum disorders. This suggests a correlation between nonverbal communication impairment and future social cognitive de velopment. Nonverbal communication continues to develop alongside verbal communication in neurotypical children. According to Elks and McLachlan (2001) the most important process in verbal communication is concentration, listening skills and memory recall. From four months a baby develops strength in their tongue and the in excess of one hundred jaw muscles needed to produce phonology. (Crystal ) begin babbling, the head and neck growth allow vocal chords to sit in correct position for speech consistant with an adult . This suggest there is a biological reason why a baby does not produce speech until ten months. 10-12 months According to ( Volkmar) (Capone )as a child begins using gestures and pointing to objects they will acquire the symbolic language that represents the object however this is not always the case for children diagnosed with ASD. According to Baron- Cohen () young children diagnosed with ASD do not use pointing gesture to request visual attention in the same manner as neurotypical children, inasmuch as a child with ASD can lack motivation for conversation. Communication chain Elks and McLachlen (2008) highlight the complexity of language and communication by categorising the processes in sequential order; this is referred to as the Communication Chain. The metaphoric chain depicts the interdependence of each process involved in order to achieve effective communication. If there is a deficiency in any of these processes it will have an overall negative effect upon language acquisition and communication. The process begins with the motivation or reason to speak followed by choosing the correct semantics, syntax and phonology. The next stage involves the physicality of speech production, motor sensory instructions to the articulators which include the muscles, jaw and tongue. The production of sound then the delivery of pragmatic speech. Interestingly, the mindfulness or â€Å"self monitoring â€Å"of the appropriateness of the speech occurs after delivery. Thus implying that to self-monitor before you have an idea does not take place although it does prio r to a response. Children diagnosed with ASD often have a deficit in understanding pragmatics of a language and can appear rude or their conversation inappropriate (Buckley). According to Volkmar et al ( )they equally lack ability to self-monitor, maintain eye contact and understand non-verbal cues which are the next phases; this is a substantial part of the communication chain. Role of play in language development According to Russell (2006) philosophers and scholars have attempted theorise play and provide definitions. The example by Hugh (1996:16) expresses the fundamental elements of play; â€Å"†¦freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated.† Frost et al (2005) suggests psychoanalytical theories of play involve a child acting out previous experiences that may have been caused trauma or fear. Or perhaps an emotion that would not be ordinarily accepted. Other theories of play here The EYFS Statutory framework (2008 suggested that play is vital to a child’s development; play should be supported by adults but led by the child thus promoting self-confidence, problem solving and social skills. Goouch (2006) adds, child led play promotes self-esteem and reinforces a child’s identity particulary the imaginary play. According to ( )play supports children to understand speech. Williamson and Silvern (1984) suggests when young children act out a story they demonstrate improved memory and comprehension of the story ( ) suggests language impairment and deficits in imaginary play occur concomitantly. Hughs (2010) notes the similarities between language development and play inasmuch as the required skills for imaginary or symbolic play are likened to the ability to interpret the world through mental representation. Observations were made of a young child actively playing alone commenting on his play activity. Vygotsky, cited in Britton (1994:260) refers to this as â€Å"Speech for oneself†. This gradually diminishes as the child ages and eventually this process becomes internal thought. This process of internalised language is essential for problem solving, reasoning and abstract thinking skills. Concluding that the inability to internalise language would have a negative impact on cognitive development (Miller et al 2013 ). According to Buckley () adult interaction is essential to develop language skills particularly reciprocal conversation aimed at the level of the child’s ability such as motherese or child directed speech. Evidence for ( ) suggest the pauses and intonation of motherese assists children to understand language syntactically .Somoa argues there is no difference in language aquistion in families not practising parentese ( the east) . A child’s socio-emotional development depends on their command of language (Miller). Early infant and carer interaction is essential for all areas of a child’s development. As a child’s language develops they go from talking in the present tense and progressively to the past and future tense. Piaget suggests that not until a child has learned the concept of time will this be displayed within their language use. Conclusion Whitehead (2006) suggests that early skills for communication begin inutero .Evidence from ( ) argue that babies prefer the mothers face and voice, Infants gaze into their carers eyes from ? weeks they will then overt eye contact to cease communication . Someone ( ) attributes the lack of communication in children with ASD to their lack of proficiency in play, particularly for imaginary play. Vygotsky () theorised that play was significant to language and cognitive development. Vygotsky () argues it is necessary for a more knowledgeable other to confirm the correct language use. Piaget theorised that the acquisition of language has a direct correlation on a child’s cognitive development. According to Piaget an infant will not apply nouns to objects until he has reached the cognitive ability of object permanence.. Not until a child reaches the pre operational stage ( About 2) two will they understand the world around them by the use of language and speech.

How to Adapt and Thrive within Singapore’s Culture Essay -- Country An

How to Adapt and Thrive within Singapore’s Culture Expansion is an exciting and somewhat scary adventure. As Speedy Errands starts to embark into the global marketplace, we must learn more about the country to develop our branch. A new environment is harder to understand if we know nothing about the culture, landscape and its inhabitants. To achieve this branching-out Speedy Errands we must learn about the culture of Singapore, which includes the following: country history, social climate, family life, attitudes, religions, education, values, and economics. This report has been conducted to educate our company about the new environment and culture we want to become emerged. History of Singapore The history of a country will give us insight into their cultural environment and their values. The original occupants of Singapore were fishermen and pirates. Western countries did not know about Singapore’s culture until Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles of the British East trading company came to the island in 1819 looking for more trading posts. In 1825, Singapore became a major trading port. With the industrial development, in the 20th century, Western countries had a higher demand for tin and rubber, which helped Singapore emerge as one of the major ports in the world. After World War I, the British started to modernize Malayan defenses, and in 1921, a large naval base was built in Singapore. The establishment of an air base followed. During World War II, Singapore was occupied by the Japanese invaders in February 1942. The island remained under Japanese control until September 1945, when Japan surrendered to the Allied forces. In 1959, Singapore became self-governin g, but its defense and foreign policy were still under ... ...Asian Cultures. Sojourn: Journal Of Social Issues In Southeast Asia, 10(1), 65-89. Youngblood-Coleman, D. (2003). History: Country Watch Publications. Country Review:Singapore.http://www.countrywatch.com/cw_country.asp?vCOUNTRY=6 Weston, R., & Hayes, A. (2004). Celebrating families in Singapore. Family Matters, (69), 83-87. Hing Ai, Y. (2004). Ideology and Changing Family Arrangements in Singapore. Journal Of Comparative Family Studies, 35(3), 375-392. Koh, A. (2004). Singapore Education in "New Times": Global/local imperatives. Discourse: Studies In The Cultural Politics Of Education, 25(3), 335-349. How funds under Community Engagement Masterplan will be spent - Channel News Asia. (2012, April 10). Channel News Asia - Latest News, Singapore, Asia, World and Business News - channelnewsasia.com. Retrieved May 1, 2012, from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/storie

MSU Grade Module on Mobile using Android OS Essay

The proposed system entitled MSU Grade Module on Mobile using Android OS is a mobile version of the current Grade Module of Mindanao State University. This system enables the instructor to input grades and update INC grades at any location and at any time. Obtaining the Grade Module password is also done using mobile connection. Reasons: * With the convenience of an Android-powered mobile phone, the instructor does not need to physically go to the clerk to request for Grade Module password. * The Grade Module password is sent through email which is more secure than printed Grade Module stub. * The instructor does not need to be in their respective department or in the university to input and/or update grades. * The scarcity of available computers in the university is no longer a concern. * If the instructor is away for seminars, vacations, and other reasons, the instructor no longer needs to request favour from other instructors to input and/or update grades for them, thus the accountability of the grade resides only to the instructor in-charge and lessen bothering other instructors. * With this kind of application, an instructor can become invisible from students who keep following him/her because of various reasons. Possible Problem: * Not all instructors have an Android-powered mobile phone. * Not all instructors maintain an email address, especially those who are not technology-savvy. * Internet connection is not stable for instructors who want to input and/or update grades within the university. * The availability of online modules of the university is not stable.

Psy 250

Biological and humanistic approaches to personality Jonathan G. Castro PSY 250 October 17, 2012 Andrew R. Moskowitz Biological and humanistic approaches to personality In our world there are different types of people with different types of personalities. There are many way to describe where they came from through biological or humanistic theories. In my paper I will describe biological factors that are influences to the formation to personality. I will agree to disagree with the theory of biology having an influence on personality. I will break down the basic aspects of humanistic personality theories.Last but not less I will express my opinion on biological and humanistic approach on personality are compatible. Biology revealed many aspects of how the human body works and what it needs to stay healthy. â€Å"In 1953 James D. Watson and Francis Crick discovered that DNA was structured as a double helix (Friedman & Schustack, 2009). This discovery was a huge accomplishment in the st udy of human biology. Charles Darwin took human biology a step further. Darwin used the fact that not one human being is the same to support his evolutionary personality theory.Darwin believes that humans are â€Å"people evolved directly from more primitive species (Friedman & Schustack, 2009). † For example, Brian G. Richmond and David S. Strait wrote an article called â€Å"Evidence that humans evolved from a knuckle-walking ancestor (Richmond and Strait, 2000). † This article explains that evidence has surfaced proving that humans could have once been gorillas. Psychiatrists’ who use the biological approach believe that your personality comes from your parents’ personalities. In other words, they believed your personality is genetic.When someone is born they have a strong foundation for certain personality. This is the belief we are all born with no personality and we learn what our personality is from our parents. Basically, it is saying that our per sonality is a learned behavior. It was theorized that â€Å"a natural selection has determined our personality† (Richmond and Strait 2000). We are not born with full fledge personalities when we come into the world. Instead, we are born with a temperament. This is susceptibility towards a certain personality. It does not mean that we keep the same personality all our lives. You can understand people’s temperament by watching children playing. They can be either inhibited or uninhibited. An inhibited child will seem withdrawn and a more of loaner and will watch the other children play instead of playing with the other children. An uninhibited child can start a conversation with another child and play along with the other children† (Richmond and Strait, 2000). A Darwinian approach to that idea would be that over time conditions in the environment caused some gorillas to no longer need to walk on their knuckles, no longer needed huge nostrils in their noses, and so on.Also in that group of gorillas it could have been a need for longer legs and slimmer body sizes for the sole purpose of survival. This, in turn, changed the way those gorillas behaved, furthermore, changing their personality, in which, the human being evolved. â€Å"It is important to note that unique results emerge when certain biological aspects of personality are combined with certain environments (Friedman & Schustack, 2009). † The same would go for two children raised by a quiet and withdrawn mother. The one child who inherits the mother’s introverted genes may grow to be like the mother.Whereas the outgoing child, may grow to be more family oriented focused on communicating with all family as a means of being more sociable. Raising those two children in a household with a more outgoing mother, could have caused a reverse outcome. Although this idea does seem to make sense Abraham Maslow believes in a humanistic approach to personality. The humanistic approach to personality focuses on the humanistic nature of the human being, in other words, the qualities of mankind that make humans different from animals.Humanistic people like Maslow believe that every human is born healthy, normal, and good. Maslow believed that all humans need to fulfill needs of human nature such as love, esteem, and self-fulfillment. Maslow believed that humans are like animals to a certain extent. In other words, humans need to feed themselves to survive, drink water to stay hydrated, and sleep to stay energized to survive another day. â€Å"Maslow argued that the correct social conditions are needed to encourage the highest level self-actualization†¦..We cannot usually fulfill our complete human potential and search for truth and beauty if we lack food, safety, love, and esteem (Friedman & Schustack, 2009). † The humanistic approach and the biological approach do have similarities, in which they agree that the human being has needs that should be fulfi lled but the two theories also have their differences. For instance, according to Friedman and Schustack the drive to grow and self-actualize is unlike the drives to satisfy hunger, thirst, or libido and thus relieve tension, in that it is not strictly necessary for survival.Maslow divided human needs into categories. These categories are physiological needs (basic biological necessities: food, water, sex, and shelter), safety needs (a sensibly predictable world), belongingness and love needs (psychologically intimate relations with other people), esteem needs (respect for oneself and for others), and self-actualization (peace with oneself) (Friedman & Schustack, 2009). Some psychologists, who believe in the humanistic approach to personality, do not question the realness of free will.Whereas psychologists who believe in the biological theory of personality, believe free will is not a real entity. Many modern biologists believe that humans are more intelligent than most animals but they do not believe that humans are at the top of the evolutionary tree. â€Å"Maslow and other humanistic psychologists were particularly irked by B. F. Skinner’s views of personality†¦ Skinner claimed to be studying human psychology by observing pigeons and laboratory rats (Friedman & Schustack, 2009). People who believe in the humanistic approach believe that no one is born in a way that hinders him or her from being a good person. People who believe in the biological approach to personality, express that a person cannot help what genes he or she are born with, therefore, cannot help being an angry person or mean spirited because he or she is born that way. The biological and humanistic approaches are just two of the six psychology approaches. The other four are psychoanalytic, trait, behavioral, and cognitive. These are the different approaches to the human personality.Each one describes how can we gain our personalities and what affects them. The approach used depe nds on the psychiatrists’ and the persons personalities. The effectiveness is determined by our personalities. I believe it is the psychiatrists’ responsibility to get to know the person to determine what approach will work best. In conclusion the humanistic approach to personality is somewhat similar to the biological approach to personality. I believe that personality is a formulation of humanistic and biological aspects that influence a person’s characteristics of his or her personality.I have gathered my own theory and have come to the conclusion that every person is a product of his or her own environment. References Friedman,H. S. & Schustack, M. W. (2009, July 15). Personality: Classic theories and Modern Research, Fourth Edition: Retrieved from University of Phoenix: https://ecampus. phoenix. edu/content/ebooklibrary2 Richmond, B. G & Strait, D. S. (2000, march). Nature: Evidence that humans evoled from a knuckle-walking ancestor, Nature volume 404:Retri eved from http://www. nature. com/biology/personality