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CHAPTER TWO

Literature Review: Learner Analytics and Visualization Techniques

2.1 The Concept of learner analytics and Visualization Techniques

The concepts of learner analytics and visualization techniques have gained increased importance within the academic sphere. This segment of the paper reviews the two main concepts and underscores their importance in learner analytics. In recent year, study has begun to grow on the need for better measurement, tracking, and visualizations of information about learners. Research on learning analytics in many areas has developed so that it has been able to describe the number of activities to assist in the understanding and optimization of learning and the environments where learning occurs. It is necessary to organize information categorically so as to facilitate the human in directing information (Calude & Maurer, 2011). Visualizations that use different organizational views entailing the same information can be a remarkably effective aid.

When it comes to co-located learning in a learning environment like the classroom, the learners find it way easier to cooperate with their teachers effectively. This is not the case in a digital environment or in an online classroom whereby both learners and teachers are separated by a substantial space but joined through technology. Thus, it is harder for teachers to assess the progress of learners and also be aware of what the learners require. Teachers would also find it harder to develop effective communication with their learners since such a plan does not support physical feedback from the learners. The learners also have difficulties in ensuring that what they are assigned to do meet the requirements of the teachers. However, there has been progress when it comes to learner analytics. This has evolved and has been able to describe various elements for instance tracking, visualization and analysis of data that has been obtained from learners. This data has been effective in analysis the behaviour of students.

With the increase in availability and also access to information, developments of a wide variety of visualization and data retrieval tools have been developed. This growth has been beneficial in learner analytics, especially to learners. Such tools are operated by users to identify data and knowledge that is relevant to the task at hand. This has helped users in the process of assessing, analyzing and visualizing information presented to them. Furthermore, it enables the users to internally consider the possible relationships among various diverse groups of data mentally (Leung 2011, p. 51).Sense-making activities in many cases usually result to accumulation of large amount of data, knowledge and information. This information is represented in form of external visual representations such as diagrams, graphs, documents and sketches. (Lytras, 2010).

The concepts of visual analytics and data visualizations have not been clearly distinguished previously. This is as a result of varied information that details how visualization tests have a relationship with visual analytics. Main objectives of information visualization involved creating effective interaction techniques for a given class of data and method of producing view. Visual analytics is more than visualization. It is a fundamental way to integrate visualization, human factor and data analysis (Green, 2009). The problem arises when coming up with a solution is hard to achieve if the goal is to combine best –fit automated analysis algorithms and visual and interaction techniques. Visual analytics aims to give higher priority to data analytics from the start and through all interactions.

The learning from users’ behaviour and effective use of visualizations should play a pivotal role in the analytical process. Learning analytics in many cases seeks to advance brilliant combination of analytical approaches and advanced visualization techniques, which may play a crucial role when it comes to semantic analysis. In cases that the information is semantically rich, there is an increased chance that the information could be visualized in a variety of ways or levels. This is usually the choice of the visualization developer who decided upon how they would need the information to be presented (Olej, Obrsalova, & Krupka, 2011).

2.2Learner Analytics Tools and Resources

At this point, it is certain that learner analytics tools play instrumental roles in relative procedures. This section reviews the various learner analytics tools and resources that are currently in the market. Studies conducted have been able to show that visualizations enable understanding and realization of patterns. There are several tools relevant to learner analytics. One such tool is SAM (Student Activity Meter) (Lytras, 2010). This tool is used to visualize the time spent on learning activities and material utilized in learning environments that are online. Under SAM, several types of visualizations exist which promote collaboration and understanding among learners. An example of such visualizations includes systems that are utilized in order to increase the awareness of resources that are used. These can be through the use of a time-line that provides a chronological account on the use of resource (Lytras, 2010). There is also second level that functions to classify data into indicators of a higher level. An example words counts are used to detail participation rates and are also related to a model.

SAM is tasked with the role of visualizing and analysis of activities that go on and resource are utilized. SAM utilizes the first as it shows the activities that learners attempt in a given period of time. It applies the second characteristics by use of basic statistics resulting from time utilization. There also other systems which visualize learner analytics that are used by SAM. CAMera is another such example used in visualizing the activities of a user and shows clear metric events. It utilizes the CAMera schema that entails capturing the interactions of a user through the use of tools and resources. SAM also uses computer based data even though in this case it focuses on higher-level indicators (Zimmermann & Cunningham, 2001). SAM as a tool is used not only by the teachers but by the learners in their individual learning environments. Teacher objectives are usually contained under SAM. Under SAM, the following objectives for teachers are supported.

Knowledge and understanding of the learning progress is one of the teacher’s objectives. This is a situation whereby the teachers are aware of what and how learners are doing so as to assess their progress. SAM provides visual overviews for the time that learner spend and the resources that these learners use .Comprehensive analysis of virtual learning cannot be achieved due to lack of face-to-face communication (Shrum & Glisan, 2009).Thus, relative visualizations provide reliable indicators for awareness. The visualizations can also be applied by teachers to find patterns and be able to identify potential problems. Information on learner time tracking is also used which allows teachers to assess their initial stage estimates. This allows them to determine how time is spent by students who take part in various activities. Such information is also used in statistical researches regarding the process of learning. From this, popular learning materials are determined which lead to resource discovery.

Learner goals are also targeted under SAM objectives. This involves self-monitoring whereby self-reflection and understanding is realized. Furthermore, time tracking can help the learner understand his/her time allocation in comparison to their peers and support occasionally to reveal how much time is spent to the teacher. One of the objectives of SAM is to visualize when, on which resources and for what period of time students have been working when compared to their peers. Thus, when it comes to such goals, particular emphasis is placed on resource proposal that provides resourceful learning material used by peers. This is very advantageous in learning that is self-regulated (Pozzi & Persico, 2010).

Back office software is also used in learner analytics. The creation of this tool shows that different interfaces and clients could be created in the process. It is used in collaboration with Moodle. Clients can interact with Moodle, increasing markedly in capacities, from being a monolithic platform to an interoperable application. Moodle is a web services layer that consists of a set of contracts that make use of certain functions defined in Moodle external libraries (Ewall, 2007). It is able to provide data on how learners are progressing which is quite helpful to teachers. The data is presented in a table for clarity in addition to use of bars for comparisons. One main characteristics of Moodle is that it is more advanced when compared to other tools.

Since the wide usage of the web and other technologies, the manner of teaching and learning has been changing. This development is no longer just due to technological changes that support new models of learning but also to new motivations, trends and learning models. Thus, when talking about learning analytics tools and resources, constant development must be considered. The idea for the basis of learner analytic tools use is that they can interact with various systems in the same instance, performing the same actions in several places (Shrun & Glisan, 2009).

There are various changes that take place in learning process. As a result, technology is tasked with the responsibility of providing solutions to these changes, for instance coming up with new tools used for learner analytics. Thus, application of external tools is easier to implement which interact with the LMS. It becomes easier to improve the functions of tools such as back office which lead to flexibility. Allowing opportunity of learning to the use of technology is encourage since it is advantageous in developing new ways of learning (O’Neil, 2008).

Single management systems can include course administration. This part provides the main features associated with courses such as creating, modifying, deleting and viewing important course details. The aim is to facilitate the users’ administration without accessing the platform. (Khosrowpou, 2006). User administration is also a control system within the back office tool. The client permits total control of Moodle users through an easy and intuitive interface. Client management is the part of the tool. It allows the choosing of protocols that will be used to connect with the platform within the tool. There is also the log administration that controls the activity in the Moodle, so that they view the logs happening in a course, a date or made by a user. This way, both teachers and students can be able to track their progress as the course continues. In addition to this, roles can be created, modified or deleted during the process (MacArthur, Graham, & Fitzgerald, 2008).

Jigsaw has also been identified as a learner analytical tool. It utilizes analytical systems that are visual to as to support investigative research. Jigsaw main objective is to maximize pixel use to take advantage of both the user’s high acuity central primary point and extensive peripheral field. Its two main goals are to move quickly through large document collections, permit investigators to operate efficiently and support hypothesis formation together with collection of information. This enhances credible decision making especially based on the defined hypotheses. In many case, it works with large collections of text documents or other reports and with the entities, which have been obtained from them. Jigsaw utilizes several windows effectively with representations carefully designed for investigative problems that are complicated.

The user is thought to be in an ‘information cockpit’ with multiple monitors located in front of and above the user. However, although Jigsaw has some linking and brushing to integrate the windows, it does not have the stable interaction Wire Vis employs (Richards & Lassonde, 2011). Human Capital Management rules put expectation Jigsaw users in a way that they would be less in motion but rather in need of cognitive effort. This is not the case in WireVis whereby cognitive effort would not be required for instance in window management connection. This is certainly an issue worthy of additional review and evaluation. Jigsaw is operational and straightforward in nature. The model provides a point of view for investigating these goals in that light. The interface of this tool permits direction integration with involves representations of reports and entities, changing details and focus. As with Wire Vis and other tools that have been described, simplicity and intuitiveness also seek to attain cognitive goals.

Finally, when it comes to making comparisons, Jigsaw uses a unique approach, employing an increasing, question-based planning to present in various aspects of information that are used for investigation and possible relationships, as compared with Wire Vis top-down visualization of the entire data set and its context. Undoubtedly, both approaches are reasonable and could be present in a general tool for complex problem solving, and will be subject to future study. Nonetheless, the Jigsaw tool would be an effective tool for learner analytics in diverse situations (Ewall, 2007).

2.3 Effectiveness of Learner Analytics

Learner analytics has been instrumental in assessing the learning process in different ways. Findings have provided a basement upon which objective decisions regarding viable improvements have been made. Successful assessment can be attributed to relative tools and resources. This section of the paper details the effectiveness of learner analytics as well as the tools that are used in this process. SAM was applied in an extensive online free course learning analytics so as to get feedback on the effectiveness of the method. A multi-method strategy is usually followed using a structured questionnaire, review of documents, case studies and semi-structured focus group discussions (Rogers, 2002).

In organizational and academic research, SAM should be introduced in a manner appropriate to the skill level and professional knowledge base. There should be a concern with learner satisfaction, learning outcomes and experiences by the learner for instance, the nature of interactions. These strategies would allow determining the effectiveness of the design, growth and establishment of learner analytics. Attention should also be placed on the importance of collection of information that may be utilized by the teacher or instructor (O’Neil, 2008). Any obstacles or barriers are also realized during this stage. From this, adjustments and correction can be made to ensure success in the end. Formative assessment is also done as to gather information during the early stages so as to determine if the efforts produce the intended outcome.

The learning and knowledge analytics (LAK) online course was organized in order to evaluate setups and demographics involved. Moodle was used extensively for communication and collaboration in academic and organizational learning. Evaluating this tool in this varied viewing elicited dynamic discussions. These discussions arose as a result of the outcomes that were expected and the methods to be used. The client activities of the Moodle system were visualized in SAM. Registered participants were up to 270 for the course and were primary researchers engaged in the learning analytic field and teachers who are concerned in learning analytics.

An online survey was also used and it was composed of two paths. The main objective of the case study was to get more details on the SAM in a comprehensive course and the perceived usefulness of SAM by learning analytics experts. Two dozen individuals, between the ages of 27 and 62 years old took part in the survey. A dozen of them are teaching courses, and the rest have been involved in teaching courses for more than 10 years. This was a complete test that would be able to inform the research being conducted and provide conclusive results.

Learning and Knowledge Analytics (LAK) teachers recognize the teaching subject as slightly different. Provision of providing feedback to students becomes the main concern. The LAK teachers are majorly interested in finding students who are doing as expected of them. The idea of locating the best student becomes less importance when weighted against Agricultural researchers. Usage of the documents is a perquisite by LAK and other Agricultural researchers. Knowing how and when online tools have been utilized and knowing if sources that are independent are used is rated a bit lower. Therefore, they are also concerned with document application within Moode (Smith & Sadler-Smith, 2006). Student application is also rated high. Collaboration and communication is also more important for LAK teachers. The time tracking issue is almost rated equal in both circumstances. Comparing with the goals set by the teachers the recognition and the support is also the most vital within this tool.

As far as the LAK teachers are concerned it is the duty of SAM to deal with provision of teacher feedback during learning to students. This is related to the capability of visual analytics. The time spending issue in many instances is less prioritized. The open questions, which detailed how to implement each of the visualization, provided practical insights on the use of SAM. For instance, one teacher would use the line chart in order to identify the likelihood and intensity of participation. Furthermore, another teacher can learn about sequential time that a course takes place. The classroom activity status in this case is verified by the line chart. Thus, the teacher would expect it to be amended if few students take part and few share little, while a large number is at the centre. Determining the effectiveness of SAM would be able to underscore the variables that impact on the learning program (Zimmermann & Cunningham, 2001).

When it comes to most of the other issues pertaining to the process of learning, the teachers cannot come up with a decision that they agree on as a whole. The second part of the survey was based upon both the teachers and the learners. When queried to assess the contributions of each visualization, inconclusive answers were produced. There is no statistical evidence that shows that both learners and the teachers would rate the visualizations differently (Cress, Dimirova, & Specht, 2009).

The learner analytics is used by the student for comparisons with peers. Three learners use the corresponding coordinates for comparison with the rest of the class for self-reflection so as to measure progress and growth motivation. In this scenario, a single person did not understand how the corresponding coordinate worked. This individual preferred the bar graph that showed the group he fitted in most. The bar graph indicated the rate of growth motivation and progress. It was based on the individual liking, which was not the intention of the study. The bar chart was perceived as redundant by one teacher, which arises as a result of the addition of the histograms within the parallel coordinates.

The recommendations to improve learner analytics in both academic and organizational learning have certainly proven to be useful. Eight of those participating wanted to continue using SAM in the field while four were not sure of their final decision. An open debate about how each individual liked SAM was asked. From the results, three mentioned the simplicity and the quantity they can see using the tool. Two of them enjoyed the rapid application at which the tool could be used. Two participants also liked the precise, accurate information based on circumstances that the tool provided. Furthermore, they also enjoyed the insightful outcomes of the tool.

Technology, as opposed to individual user simulation should be utilized when it comes to automation of the measurement process. This would lead to the reduction of the time to be used during the learning analytics process. The best practices in such cases is to establish a common set of relevant key performance indicators that are monitored and also measured on a regular basis for the learning organization. Current technology and also establish methods of data collection instruments should be utilized in order to produce results that are more detailed. For instance, it may involve collection of data from learners and teachers two to three months post-training. In the end, the data collected will be more effective

References

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mathematics : a project. Washington DC: Mathematical Association of America.

Matching: (1 pts. each – 20 pts. total) Match the definitions, laws or corresponding term or names.

___ 1) Measurement of location east and west on Celestial Sphere. A. Newton

___ 2) The ancient Greek that developed the geocentric model of the Solar System. B. 12 hr, 0º

___ 3) Name of the scientist that first mathematically explained gravity – F = Gm1m2/r2 C. Einstein

___ 4) Copernicus promoted heliocentrism by reviving the theory initially proposed by this Greek mathematician. D. Counter Clockwise

___ 5) Direction of the rotation of the Celestial sphere. E. Right Ascension

___ 6) All planets travel in this type of orbit. F. Elliptical

___ 7) Units of wavelength. G. Declination

___ 8) Was the first to use a telescope to make detailed astronomical observations – Sunspots, Venus’ phases, Jupiter’s moons H. 23hrs 56mins

I. Solar eclipse

___ 9) First to introduce the concept of elliptical orbits. J. 23.5 °

K. Gravity

___ 10) Always happens on the 21st of March each year. L. Circular

___ 11) Occurs when the Moon blocks the Sun casting a shadow on Earth. M. 24 hours

___ 12) Direction of the rotation of the Earth. N. M, nm, km, etc.

O. Ecliptic

___ 13) Length of a Solar day. P. Kepler

___ 14) Position of the Autumnal Equinox on the Celestial Sphere. Q. Geocentric

___ 15) Length of a sidereal day. R. Aristarchus

S. Lunar eclipse

___ 16) Occurs when the Earth creates a shadow on the Moon. T. Clockwise

___ 17) Name of the Sun centered solar system model. U. Heliocentric

___ 18) The attractive force between objects due to mass. V. Blackbody radiation

___ 19) Created the theory of General Relativity to explain gravity. W. Vernal Equinox

___ 20) All bodies above absolute zero emit this type of radiation. X. Ptolemy

Y. Galileo

Z. Sidereal

True / False: (1 pt. each – 15 pts. total) Determine whether each statement below is True or False. In each case, circle your answer.

TRUEFALSE 21)Seasons are opposite of ours in the Southern Hemisphere.

TRUEFALSE 22)Red light has a higher frequency than violet light.

TRUEFALSE 23)Newton’s 1st law states a body remains at rest unless acted upon by a net force.

TRUEFALSE 24)Sound can propagate in vacuum.

TRUEFALSE 25)The phases of the Moon always move from left to right.

TRUEFALSE 26)3.0 x 108 m/s is the speed of electromagnetic radiation in a vacuum.

TRUEFALSE 27)p3 = a2 is a statement of Kepler’s 3rd law.

TRUEFALSE 28)Earth’s orbit around the Sun is circular.

TRUEFALSE 29)A star emitting blue light is colder than a start emitting red light.

TRUEFALSE 30)Parallax can be used to measure the distance to astronomical objects.

TRUEFALSE 31)Units of frequency are Hz (Hertz).

TRUEFALSE 32)We see the same constellations in the sky throughout the seasons because we don’t rotate around the sun.

TRUEFALSE 33)A scientific theory can be 100% correct – falsifiability doesn’t apply.

TRUEFALSE 34)Galileo’s theories led to him being placed under house arrest because they were thought to be heresy by the Catholic Church.

TRUEFALSE 35)Epicycles are used to explain retrograde motion in the heliocentric model of the solar system.

Multiple Choice: (1 pt. each – 26 pts. total) Circle the option that best answers the question.

36)Modern scientific model includes which of the following?

Observation.

Predictions.

Theories.

All of the above.

37)In which of the following locations would you have the greatest weight?

Mountain Everest.

Near the Center of Earth.

On the very massive planet Jupiter.

Your weight doesn’t change.

38)Why can parallax not be explained by the geocentric model of the Solar System?

Because it can only be observed if the Earth is rotating – violating the geocentric model.

Only can be explained by Einstein’s theory of General Relativity.

Earth is stationary – so there’s no parallax.

None of the above.

39)How are frequency f, wavelength ʎ, and speed v of a wave related?

f/ʎ = v

They are all independent.

fʎ = v

Both a.) & c.)

40)What characteristics of star can be obtained from a blackbody curve?

Age of the star.

Temperature of the star.

Size of the star.

Both b & c

41)If I have a gravitational force F between two bodies at a distance r, and I increase the distance to 2 r – what is the new force?

¼ F

½ F

4 F

2 F

42)What are the coordinates for the Summer Solstice?

18 hr, – 23.5º.

6 hr, 23.5º.

12 hr, 0 º.

0 hr, 0º.

43)Kepler’s 2nd law states that a line connecting the Sun and planet will sweep out equal areas in equal times which means –

Planets move at different speeds in their orbits.

Have circular orbits

Have retrograde orbits

None of the above.

44)Newton’s 3rd law states that –

All forces act in pairs

All forces act in parallel directions

All forces act in equal and opposite directions.

Both a & c

45)If we were to scale the width of the Milky Way galaxy to be the size of a football field (110 yards) what would be the diameter of our entire Solar system?

A quarter

A silver dollar

The tip of a blade of grass on the 30 yard line

A dime

46)What is correct explanation for the retrograde motion of Mars for example?

It is actually an illusion, and is caused by the difference in the orbital speeds of our two planets as we rotate around the Sun.

Can only be explained by using deferents and epicycles.

Mars actually stops and reverses its direction

None of the above.

47)What are the correct units of the Gravitational constant – G?

Nm2/kg2.

NM.

N2m/kg.

None of the above.

48)What is the temperature of boiling water on the Kelvin scale?

100 K

273 K

0 K

373 K

49)If the mass of two planets m1 and m2 were each

doubled to 2 m1 and 2 m2 what now is the force of

gravity between them now compared to the force F

between them before this change?

4 F.

2 F

decreases to 1/4 F.

Increases to 8 F.

50)I observe two blackbody curves of two stars with peak wavelengths of 450 nm, and 800 nm – which is colder?

Star with peak wavelength of 800 nm.

Star with peak wavelength of 450 nm.

Temperature is not reflected by peak wavelengths.

Depends on the time of year.

51) What is the name of the process that splits light into its component spectrum when it is passed through a prism?

Mirror

Diverging lens

Dispersion

Spectroscope

52)Why did ancient societies study the motion of the Sun, planets, and the stars?

To know when to plant and harvest crops.

For navigation of ships.

To develop a calendar system to track important historical events.

All of the above.

53)Looking at the electromagnetic spectrum what can be deduced about the relationship between wavelength, frequency, and energy?

Shorter wavelength, higher frequency, higher energy

Shorter wavelength, lower frequency, lower energy

Longer wavelength, lower frequency, lower energy

Both a.) & c.)

54)What planet and its phases did Galileo observe that provided indisputable evidence for the Heliocentric model of the solar system?

Uranus.

Jupiter.

Venus.

The Moon.

55)How are positions of the stars or constellations located on the Celestial Sphere?

Latitude and longitude.

Latitude and declination.

Right ascension and longitude.

Right ascension and declination.

56)Why do we experience the seasons?

Earth is titled with respect to the Sun by 23.5º.

In the summer the Sun is above the horizon for a longer time than winter.

Sun’s rays are striking the Earth at a smaller angle than during the winter.

All of the above.

57)I am observing a heading away from Earth at –-+ 0.01c How is it’s observed spectrum shifted?

Blue shifted.

Green shifted.

Red shifted.

All of the above.

58)Which of the following is a correct statement for a longitudinal wave?

Amplitude is parallel with the direction of propagation

Wavelength is greater for sound waves than light waves

Amplitude is perpendicular to the direction of propagation.

Amplitude is the inverse of wavelength.

59)Which of the following statements are part of the Copernican revolution?

The Sun rotates around the Earth.

The Earth and all planets rotate around the Sun.

The distance to the stars are very close in comparison to our distance from the Sun.

All of the above.

60)How much of the Moon’s surface is illuminated at any given time?

100%

50%

12.5%

25%

61)When I see person wearing a blue colored shirt – why do I see yellow?

Shirt is reflecting blue light and is absorbing the other colors of the visible spectrum.

Shirt is absorbing blue light.

Shirt is emitting blue light.

Depends on the material that the shirt is made of.

Word problems – choose any 4 total of 7 (1pt. each) + 3 extra credit problems (4.5 pts total) – for full credit show all your work

62) Using the scale of a football field explain the size of our solar system with respect to our galaxy.(1 pt.)

63 )Based on the Doppler effect explain why an approaching star appears to have a blue shifted spectrum while a receding star has a red shifted spectrum. (1 pt.)

64)I have a sound wave with a frequency of 4500 Hz and a wavelength of 2.0 x 10-2 m what is the wave speed? (1 pt.) (hint – fʎ=v)65)Calculate the time it takes for light to arrive at the Earth when transmitted from our Sun (1 pt.) (hint – c = 3.0 x105 km/s, and distance to the Sun = 150 X 106 km).

66) What is the electromagnetic spectrum? (Draw a simple diagram showing the regions of the spectrum from radio waves to gamma rays and the relationships between wavelength, frequency, and energy (1 pt.)

67) Describe the fundamental differences between the geocentric and heliocentric solar system models. Secondly briefly explain how the heliocentric model explains the observation of retrograde motion of the planet Mars for example. (1 pt.)

68) I have two different stars of the same volume that are at temperatures of 1200 K and 6000 K – which star has a bluer peak wavelength in its blackbody spectrum? Secondly calculate the ratio of the energies between the hotter start compared to the cooler star(1 pt.) (hint – E= σT4)

69) Extra credit problem – I am observing a star that is approaching the Earth emitting a light of 695 nm. The true wavelength of this emission is 700 nm. What is the direction of the star? Show all your work. (1.5 pts) (hint – ʎ’/ʎ = 1 + v/c)

70) Extra credit problem – I am on a planet named Zeus with a mass of 8 x 1024 kg, and a radius of 8.0 x 106 m. My mass is 80 kgs calculate my weight on planet Zeus using Newton’s law of gravity. Show all your work. (1.5 pts) (hint – F = G m1m2/r2, and G = (6.67 x 10-11 Nm2/kg2))

71) Extra credit problem – Explain our modern view of gravitational forces using Einstein’s theory of General Relativity. Show all your work. (1.5 pts)

Intentionally left blank

Maternal Child Nursing Case Study Assignment

Student Name

Institutional Affiliation

Course

Professor Name

Date

Patient History

S.W is a 16-year-old girl. From the records, little is known about her medical background before the onset of her pregnancy which means that little is known about any underlying conditions which may be important in predicting any pregnancy complications. S.W is a member of the First American community and is 36 weeks pregnant, meaning that she is about four weeks from delivering the baby. From her age, and the fact that she has to be accompanied for prenatal visits, during which she is always quiet and evades eye contact, it can be inferred that this is S.W’s first pregnancy. S.W’s pregnancy has been relatively normal. She has gained 23 pounds during her pregnancy and which the prenatal health specialists considered to be normal which implies that she had a BMI of between 25.0-29.9. This shows that she was overweight for a 16 year-old-girl before the onset of her pregnancy. 16-year-olds of normal weight have a BMI of between 17 and 24. The laboratory tests showed no peculiarities and her blood pressure was normal during her previous prenatal visits. S.W had an ultrasound 16 weeks ago and there were no indications of fetal abnormalities. On this day, S.W has arrived with her family and the mood is more serious indicating a problem with the pregnancy.

Present Plan of Care and Future Recommendations

The present care plan has involved talking to the members of the family that accompany S.W and asking her about her condition because S.W herself is timid during her prenatal visits. The midwife begins S.W’s medical history at the point when she attends her first prenatal care and most of the plan of care has involved assessing S.W’s labs, blood pressure and conducting occasional ultrasounds to assess the fetus’ condition.

This plan of care is significantly dangerous particularly for a girl as young as S.W who is condition makes her vulnerable to a pregnancy complication (Hanson, 2012). Pregnant teenagers have developmental needs, physical care needs, and educational needs which should be addressed in an ideal care plan (Montgomery, 2003). The midwife should have ensured that S.W is comfortable in expressing herself the minute she walked into her premises for her first visit. Because teenagers are at high risk for pregnancy complications, they should receive regular tests for blood pressure, weight gain, and height. Their dietary practices should also be assessed. Furthermore, teenagers should also be provided with educational support at various stages of the pregnancy with a focus on their most immediate needs.

Nursing Intervention

The nursing intervention will be anchored on the five-step framework of assessment, diagnosis, outcomes, implementation, and evaluation for a comprehensive intervention program. A proper nursing intervention would involve a combination of physical, educational, and emotional intervention (Montgomery, 2003). The nurse should thus make S.W feel comfortable enough to talk and find out the teenager’s medical history. In this way, the nurse can learn the physical or emotional reasons for her current condition. This is a crucial part of the assessment stage as it can reveal emotional distress, domestic violence, substance abuse, and other realities which will need special interventions (Montgomery, 2003). The nurse then performs a diagnosis by sending blood and urine for testing, monitoring the patient’s blood pressure of both the mother and the fetus, and conducting other diagnostic measures that could indicate a pregnancy complication. Once the diagnosis is complete the nurse should assess the results of the diagnosis and implement the right intervention for the teenager. If the teenager is suffering from a physical affliction, the nurse should ensure that the teenager has received the appropriate medical care. The nurse also has a significant role in providing educational and emotional support for the teenager and the mother. The nurse should advise the teenager and the mother to increase the frequency of their prenatal visits since complications such as preeclampsia tend to emerge during this stage for young mothers. Additionally, the nurse should ensure that the mother and the pregnant teenager have received help in case of issues such as domestic violence and other forms of abuse. The nurse also has to ensure that the pregnant teenager and the mother receive nutritional advice.

Primary and Secondary Diagnoses

From the case study, the primary diagnosis is a case of an emergent pregnancy complication such as preeclampsia which emerges during this stage of the pregnancy among pregnant teenagers (Cavazos-Rehg, 2015). Pregnant teenagers with attributes similar to S.W are particularly at risk for this complication. The secondary diagnosis is emotional or psychological trauma as evidenced by S.W’s timidity when she visits the hospital. Pregnant teenagers are vulnerable to emotional and psychological stressors because of their condition and hence they are more likely to develop mental health and emotional problems.

Conclusion and Recommendations

S.W is an example of the plight of pregnant teenagers from marginalized. The below quality care she receives at the community midwife’s facility exposes her to physical and emotional vulnerabilities which could affect her health and that of the fetus. A proper nursing intervention involves taking care of the physical, emotional, and educational needs of the pregnant teenager in order to provide comprehensive care. Nursing practitioners should be keen on such at-risk teenagers who are exposed to danger because of the intersectionality of their physical state and the social factors that affect them. Health officials should find ways of educating and equipping informal health practitioners who deal with such marginalized persons on the best intervention methods for pregnant teenagers who are almost always in a precarious condition.

References

Cavazos-Rehg, P. A., Krauss, M. J., Spitznagel, E. L., Bommarito, K., Madden, T., Olsen, M. A., … & Bierut, L. J. (2015). Maternal age and risk of labor and delivery complications. Maternal and child health journal, 19(6), 1202-1211.

Hanson, J. D. (2012). Understanding prenatal health care for American Indian women in a Northern Plains tribe. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 23(1), 29-37.

Montgomery, K. S. (2003). Nursing care for pregnant adolescents. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 32(2), 249-257.

Lit Review

Name

Professor

Course

Date

Introduction

There is an increase in the population of students with reading disabilities in the modern world. The increased numbers raise concern because reading is a basic skill that helps them through the careers. Students with reading disabilities deserve attention because they can improve their skills through various methods. Reading skills are essential in any individual’s life because they enhance success. They help an individual to attain basic knowledge that will help them during their secondary phase of life. This creates the need to enhance reading skills among individuals with reading disabilities. These people need to heighten and also maintain their motivation. There are various techniques that assist students with reading disabilities to acquire reading skills. Flashcards, reading racetracks and SMART Board technology are among the various techniques that help individuals to attain reading skills. A flashcard is a collection of cards that has information such as numbers or words on each or both sides. Flash cards are efficient in classroom drills and also enhance private study. An individual may write a question on one side and the answer on the other. Flashcards can bear information such as vocabulary, formulae and historical dates. They enhance memorization since they involve spaced repetition. Reading racetracks helps to increase fluency (Erbey, Mclaughlic, Everson and Derby, 2011). A comparison of various articles reveals various techniques that improve reading skills.

The effects of using flashcards with reading racetrack to teach letter sounds, sight words and math facts to elementary students with learning disabilities by Rachel Erbey, T. F. Mclaughlin, K, Mark Derby and Evanson Mary is an article that discusses how flashcards and reading racetrack affect teaching phonics, addition facts and sight words. It also states that despite the presence of ever changing technology, individuals still need basic knowledge such as reading to succeed in life. Students who struggle to attain reading skills during their earlier phases of their education usually face difficulties in the secondary stages and adulthood. Phonetic awareness is among the vital elements needed to enhance reading skills among low progress readers. Teaching reading skills is essential to students with inadequate ability in sight word reading. Basic skills in math calculations are also essential for success in life. After attaining basic operations concepts, the students should learn how to memorize facts and give fast and accurate responses to various facts. This helps students to enhance high level mastery of math concepts. Phonics, fluency, phonetics awareness, text comprehension and vocabulary are areas within reading instruction, which help to nurture successful readers. Reading racetracks, which are drills and practice processes, help to attain skills in four of the above areas. Reading racetracks include instructions on a track that has twenty eight cells, which separate information. It has a start and finish, and two images of automobiles, so the students read the information around the track in a set time. This increases fluency and accuracy in a systematic and entertaining way. Racetracks are also significant among students with various disabilities. A combination of flashcards and racetracks enhances sight word recognition among students with learning disabilities.

Vocabulary Learning: An Electronic Word Card study by Marina Dodigovic is an article that also discusses the significance of learning vocabulary to enhance language skills. However, it gives a description of a technology-supported learning study of vocabulary that involves students in preparation programs within various universities. The study design involves comparison of two flashcards activities, which are technology supported. The first one is where students acquire vocabulary from electronic cards designed by teachers. The second is where students design their cards. There is a third activity that involves comparison but excludes the cards. It uses a within sample design that pretests the vocabulary of students when the academic year begins. After identifying the essential vocabulary, the students and instructors create interactive flashcards using WordChamp, which is an online device. At the end of the semester, they also made comparisons to analyze the progress of the student. The authors of the article claim that self-designed cards are not effective.

Comparison of the Effect of Smart Board Technology and Flash Card Instruction on Sight Word Recognition and Observational Learning is an article that also discusses reading skills. This article compares the effectiveness of flashcards and SMART Board interactive whiteboard technology in teaching reading skills among young adults. Both techniques are effective in enhancing reading skills, but the SMART Board technology has a higher effect among students (Mechling, Thompson, and Gast, 2008).

A Comparison of Two Flashcard Drill Methods Targeting word Recognition by Robert J. Volpe, Christina M. Mule, and Amy M. Briesch discusses two instructional methods within the flashcard drill. The instructional methods are the incremental rehearsal and the traditional drill and practice. The article compares the efficiency of both techniques and social validity. The two methods have minimal differences in efficiency, and also an equal number of students prefer either of the two methods.

Effectiveness and Efficiency of Flashcard Drill Instructional Methods on Urban First Grades’ Word Recognition, Acquisition, Maintenance, and Generalization by Lindsay Nist, Laurice M. Joseph analyzes various instructional methods. It compares the efficiency and effectiveness of instructional methods through methods such as traditional drill and practice flashcard technique, an incremental rehearsal and a ratio of known to unknown interpersal word technique. The incremental rehearsal is an effective method among groups of students while the traditional drill enhanced reading performances.

Motivate Student with Disabilities Using Sight- Vocabulary Activities by Michelle Morgan and Karen B. Moni analyzes twenty ways of using sight-vocabulary activities among students with disabilities. The article also presents various ways of giving these students motivation to learn. Sight vocabulary is essential among these students because it helps them learn how to read and write. It also increases and maintains their zeal to take part and also persist in learning. The article describes various games such as vocabulary charts, word banks, waterfalls of words, setting the scene and vocabulary mobiles. The authors also suggest a sequence that introduces functional sight vocabulary.

All the articles seek to determine the most effective technique that assists students with disabilities to acquire reading skills. The authors of the articles carried out various researches to determine the necessary areas in reading instruction. This creates a basis for their discussion and also helps readers to relate to the information provided in each article. The articles analyze different techniques but all the authors compare the efficiency of each method to that of the flashcard technique. All the articles have different research methodology, but all the results point out the efficiency of the flashcard method. Erbey, Mclaughlic, Everson and Derby (2010) discuss about the efficiency of the flashcard and the racetracks. They give descriptions of the processes involved in each method. The racetracks are designed by the instructors although there are instances when the students design their racetracks. Learning vocabulary is essential in acquiring reading skills. They also claim that the racetrack is suitable for beginners because it does not have complicated procedures. Students usually enjoy the two methods, so they acquire the skills faster and also improve their fluency. These authors also claim that the two techniques also enhance math skills. Racetracks are also significant to students with reading disabilities. Dodigovic (2013) also agrees that vocabulary learning is essential for those who want to acquire reading skills. They also mention that math skills are vital for success in life. Math is a significant topic for every student because it is applied in various aspects of their daily lives. Students use math skills to determine the grades, so basic skills such as addition and subtraction are significant. Flashcards enable them to understand and memorize essential formulae. Students also require flashcards to internalize the meaning of various vocabularies used throughout their learning period. Flashcards and racetracks do not require any form of technology to use them. Unlike Erbey, Mclaughlic, Everson and Derby’s article Dodigovic’s article focuses on use of technology to enhance learning various vocabularies. The teachers note down vocabularies and formulae for the students to use. She discusses flashcards that are technology supported while Erbey, Mclaughlic, Everson and Derby discuss those which are manual. She also points out that both teachers and students design the cards. She also mentions a third technique where students pretest their skills at the beginning of the year and later compare to the results at the end of each semester. She also points out that the self-designed cards are not efficient. This proves that Erbey, Mclaughlic, Everson and Derby had accurate results concerning the accuracy of the teacher designed flashcards and racetracks. Teachers have adequate knowledge on the aspects in reading that may trouble students, so this factor makes their cards more efficient. Mechling, Thompson, and Gast (2008) also discuss efficient ways of acquiring reading skills. They acknowledge that technology based training is more efficient than the use of flashcards. Students may not have extensive knowledge on the appropriate words that enhance their studies. They may fill their cards with words that are easy to memorize and ignoring the most essential ones. They compare the SMART Board interactive whiteboard technology to the flashcard. They give a detailed description of how the technique works, and also why it is the most efficient in acquiring reading skills. Technology also enhances learning. It might have complicated processes of learning but the end result is worth the effort. Volpe, HYPERLINK “http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/simpleSearch.jsp;jsessionid=gqEdMnADO8OQlXhvEqE0aA__.ericsrv005?_pageLabel=ERICSearchResult&_urlType=action&newSearch=true&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=au&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=%22Mule+Christina+M.%22” o “New Search for Author Mule, Christina M.” Mule, Briesch, Joseph and Burns (2011) also discuss aspects of acquiring reading skills. They differ from the rest because they analyze both group reading and individual reading. They also compare two flashcard drills unlike the other articles where the authors compare two different techniques. The authors compare the incremental rehearsal to the traditional drill and practice to determine the efficiency of the two methods. They also determine the social validity of the two methods to determine the one that students like to use. An equal number of students prefer either of the two methods since the differences between the two methods is minimal. The authors inform readers that reading skills can also be acquired through groups; the skills do not need to be taught to individuals to improve them. Students fancy working in groups, so teaching the skills in groups is also a way of helping students with disabilities. Lindsay and Laurice also provide information on various ways of acquiring reading skills. They discuss traditional drill and practice flashcard technique, an incremental rehearsal and a ratio of known to unknown interpersal word technique. The incremental rehearsal is most efficient among groups of students. It does not enhance individual improvement. The traditional drill enhanced individual performance in reading skills. Unlike the above authors, Morgan and Moni (2007) analyze twenty techniques of improving reading skills. Morgan and Moni describe various sight-vocabulary activities that help students with reading disabilities. They also analyze other techniques that do not involve flashcards and racetracks. They believe that students need motivation to improve their reading skills. They also believe that the students need a variety of skills to help them keep up the spirit to improve their skills. Using only two or three techniques may be boring especially when they are part of the daily routine. Teachers should use different techniques on a daily basis to prevent students from getting bored. The process should involve some fun moments to ensure that the students get the motivation to develop and maintain their skills. They also provide details of the processes involved in introducing functional sight vocabulary. The authors point out the benefits of the methods mentioned in their articles to ensure that teachers used the most appropriate technique when teaching students. The articles also enlighten readers on the value on reading skills and when students begin to learn various skills.

Conclusion

Individuals who want to succeed in life must acquire basic reading skills. These skills are vital when an individual reaches the secondary stages in their lives. There are different techniques that enhance reading skills. Flashcards and racetracks are the most common techniques among students with reading disabilities. Flashcards have information on either side while racetracks have data on each cell on the track. These methods are efficient and also entertaining. Sight vocabulary can also be introduced through games such as setting the scene and waterfalls of words. Researchers carry out various studies to determine the most effective techniques of teaching reading skills. Reading skills involve various elements such as phonetic awareness, fluency, Phonics, text comprehension and vocabulary. These areas are essential because they are the basic areas that help to improve the lives of students with reading disabilities. Technology-based techniques such as the SMART Board interactive whiteboard technology also improve reading skills among students. Social validity data also helps analysts to make conclusions on the most accepted methods of learning. Reading skills are essential in everyday life because people have to understand comprehensions, essays and articles to understand what the text is talking about. They also require basic math skills in life to determine the amount of money they have or how much they will require for a transaction in places such as banks and supermarkets. Learning disabilities are not permanent. Students with these reading disabilities can acquire the skills through various techniques and processes. Teachers should show determination to these students to give them the motivation they require to improve their reading skills.

References

Dodigovic, M. (2013). Vocabulary Learning: An Electronic Word Card study. Ebsco Host

Connection, 20(1), 13. Retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/85448501/vocabulary-learning-electronic-word-card-study” http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/85448501/vocabulary-learning-electronic-word-card-study

Erbey, R., Mclaughlic, T.F. Everson, M. and Derby, M.K. (2011). The effects of using flashcards

with reading racetrack to teach letter sounds, sight words and math facts to elementary students with learning disabilities. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 3 (3). Retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.iejee.com/3_3_2011/3_3_213_226.pdf” http://www.iejee.com/3_3_2011/3_3_213_226.pdf

Mechling, L.C. Thompson, K. L. and Gast D. L. (2008). Comparison of the Effect of Smart

Board Technology and Flash Card Instruction on Sight Word Recognition and Observational Learning. HYPERLINK “http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=183977&top=0&perid=163218” Journal of Special Education Technology, 23(1), 34-46. Retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=160377&ksectionid=160164&atlitid=193746” http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=160377&ksectionid=160164&atlitid=193746

Morgan, M. and Moni, K. B. (2007). Motivate Students With Disabilities Using Sight-

Vocabulary Activities. Intervention in School & Clinic, 42(4), 229. Retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/24186415/motivate-students-disabilities-using-sight-vocabulary-activities” http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/24186415/motivate-students-disabilities-using-sight-vocabulary-activities

Lindsay N. and Laurice M. J. (2008). Effectiveness and Efficiency of Flashcard Drill

Instructional Methods on Urban First-Graders’ Word Recognition, Acquisition, Maintenance, and Generalization. National Association of School Psychologists, 37(3), 294-308. Retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.nasponline.org/publications/spr/abstract.aspx?ID=1882” http://www.nasponline.org/publications/spr/abstract.aspx?ID=1882

Volpe, R. J., Mule, C. M., Briesch, A. M., Joseph, L. M. and Burns, M. K. (2011). A

Comparison of Two Flashcard Drill Methods Targeting word Recognition. Journal of Behavioral Education, 20(2), 117-137. Retrieved form HYPERLINK “javascript:popUpPublisher(‘http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1007%2Fs10864-011-9124-y’);” http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10864-011-9124-y

Benefits Of Nursing

Student’s name

Institution of affiliation

Instructor

Course

Date

Benefits Of Nursing

The Dillard nursing program is one of the best decisions I ever made in my life since it has helped me a lot in growing into who I am today and becoming a good nurse. There are very many benefits associated with choosing to become a nurse, studying, and becoming a nurse. Some of these benefits include flexibility, personal satisfaction, traveling and working in many locations, career mobility, second career choice, many nursing specialties, and the advantage of working in many different patient populations. All these benefits are very important to anyone who desires to become a nurse and therefore they are not just benefits but very good options for any nurse. This paper discusses the mentioned benefits.

Nursing is a career that has one of the best flexibility choices and abilities. First of all, nurses are always on demand, and therefore it is very difficult for a nurse to fail to get a job. Therefore, when a nurse has these options, it becomes flexible and it is up to them to decide where they want to work based on the conditions of the different places where jobs are available. There are also the options of working full time, temporary and part-time. This means that a nurse can choose what is best for themselves and through this, they have even more flexibility.

Personal satisfaction in any field is a very important aspect of a job. When a patient goes to a hospital most of the time, they tend to interact with the nurse more than they interact with a doctor. The nurse can be explained to be the link between the doctors and the patients. Staying with the patients this much and even developing friendships makes it a very fulfilling job. Because of this, nursing is considered one of the most respected jobs in the whole world, and entering into this profession means gaining a higher status in society and that alone provides personal satisfaction.

Another benefit and advantage of the nursing profession is the ability to work almost anywhere in the world. In the world, there is no country without a hospital and therefore a nurse can decide to work literary anywhere where they feel it’s good for them. A nurse has the option of working in the city, in rural areas, and also in the suburbs. Therefore, it depends on the choice of the nurse. Another benefit of nursing is the nursing mobility advantage. When a person becomes a nurse, they have so many routes they can take within tehri careers which are unlimited. For example, being an RN, a nurse can decide to work in the judiciary as a nurse legal consultant, in wound care or trauma care as well as in other fields. This is a wide variety of choices. Nurses can also continue with their education and become educators among so many other options nurses have and can take part in and therefore these are all benefits of nursing.

Nurses have the option of working with different kinds of patients whom they like. For example, a nurse might decide to work with children and they go to work with children. A nurse might decide to work with cancer patients and they go to work with them. All of these options are an advantage to the nursing profession which is very important. Therefore, a nurse can decide where they want to go and they go to work in that department because their choice led by whatever leads them to make it ends up almost every time a good decision because whatever they choose to do, they do it with all their heart.

These benefits helped me make a decision to pursue nursing to a great extent. However, the most important thing that made me become a nurse was the desire to help the patients, interact with them and show mercy through service. This is because my father was very sick at some point and I could not help him. Therefore, I am looking forward to helping more people. I have experienced benefits like deciding where I want to work and the category of patients I want to work with. At first, I wanted to work with children and I worked with them a lot. However, I shifted to cancer patients and I might still change after some time. I enjoy almost all the benefits and it is a good career. I am grateful for being part of the Dillard nursing program as it helps me a lot in my nursing career and I have even made friends and through this, I continue to learn how to be better each and every day and serve my patients, thanks to Dillard nursing program.

Reference

DNP: 5 Reasons to Earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice | SAU Blog. (n.d.). Online.arbor.edu. Retrieved December 4, 2021, from https://online.arbor.edu/news/dnp#:~:text=More%20Career%20Opportunities%20One%20benefit%20of%20earning%20the

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Case Study

Name of the Student

Name of the Institution

Case Study

A new sun care protection called spray-on sunscreen has been invented and is targeted to be sold to Hispanic women. In order to achieve the target, there is a need for the firm involved to come up with an integrated marketing campaign that includes the key strategies that enhance effective entry of a product to the targeted market. Precisely, the firm should adopt a marketing strategy that includes the use of ethnic media, social media sites and the traditional media.

The use of ethnic media involves strategies that are meant to address a particular ethnic group or a particular group within a given ethnic community. It will be vital for the firm involved in marketing the new spray-on screen product to use the strategy when marketing it to Hispanic women (Shaw, 2012). Firstly, the firm should design the product in a way that it appeals to the Hispanic women. For instance, the color of the product and its packaging materials should appeal to them. The firm can also add pictures of Hispanic women on the packaging materials (Shaw, 2012). As well, the campaigns carried out using other forms of media should display Hispanic women who have a light skin as a result of using the new product. In adopting the approach, the firm will increase the possibility that the product will be welcomed by the targeted consumer group, particularly Hispanic women (Shaw, 2012). In addition, the products, their displays and marketing should be designed in a way that they appeal to women aged between 18 and 25 years. For instance, most women aged between 18 and 255 years are in colleges. Thus, the firm can improve the effectiveness of its marketing campaigns through promoting the product to college students.

As well, the firm should make effective use of the traditional media. In particular, the firm can advertise the new product to Hispanic women through traditional forms of media such as television, newspapers and radios. However, the firm can only use this strategy if it gets a sponsor for advertisements since there is no budget for paid advertisements. In case the firm uses such forms of media, the firm should use forms of media that are commonly used by Hispanic women (Shaw, 2012). As such, the firm should do research to asses the forms of media or media types used by the Hispanic women (Shaw, 2012). In addition, the firm can make magazines containing detailed information about the new product and put them in strategic points where Hispanic women buy their beauty products or other products.

Lastly, the traditional and ethnic media can be augmented through the use of social media. As a result of internet evolution, effective channels of advertising products via the internet and interacting closely with consumers have emerged. For instance, social sites, such as Twitter and FaceBook have emerged, which provide platforms for social communication and networking with consumers (Shaw, 2012). The firm can make use of such sites through creating accounts or forums and offering information about the new product to the viewers. The firm should invite the women to express their perception of the product and seek any information from the firm (Shaw, 2012). In addition, the firm can develop a website or a blog and display the new products and its details to the viewers. Such internet sites offer an ample opportunity to communicate closely with the targeted consumer groups and invite them to try the new products. In short, the firm should integrate the three forms of media to market the new product to Hispanic women.

References

Shaw, E. (2012). Marketing strategy: From the origin of the concept to the development of a

conceptual framework. Journal of Historical Research in Marketing, 4(1), 30–55

Benefits of Open Adoption

Adoption is a sensitive topic. Biological parents may give up their children for different reasons, for the state may take children away from their parents when they find it necessary. The main reason why children are separated from their parents is when their parents can no longer care for them adequately or when they have suffered some form of abuse while with their parents. In any case, giving up or losing a child is often a painful process for a parent. These children still need a loving home and parents to care for them, which is where adoption comes in. individuals or couples who feel the desire to adopt a child goes through official processes where they are vetted. If approved, they choose which child or children they would like to adopt. Millions of children have found loving homes in their adoptive families, a happy ending to often difficult situations. Despite the many positives of adoption, one primary concern is the grief process that both birth parents and children experience after the adoption is complete.

The New York Times published a story on the grief and pain around adoption. Steve Inskeep, the author of the story, was adopted fifty years ago. He was happy with his new parents and grew up to be a responsible adult, and he adopted a child as well. During the adoption process for his daughter, the social workers told him that the child might have questions about her birth parents. The child was from China, and it was natural that she would want to know more about her origins when she was older (Inskeep 1). This information brought up similar feelings that Steve had while growing up. At the back of his mind, he always wondered who his birth parents had been and why they had given him up for adoption. However, at that time, many states In the US kept adoption records a secret, reasoning that it would be best for all parties involved. For Steve, this secrecy gnawed at him and made him want to know his story even more.

Steve’s story is not unique. Naturally, any child would want to know who their birth parents were, no matter how happy they are with their adoptive parents. Steve had accepted the fact that he would never know anything about his birth parents as most states, including Indiana, where he was adopted, had a closed adoption policy. His daughter’s story inspired him to keep trying, and he got a break when Indiana changed its adoption law and allowed adoption parties to obtain information about each other. Steve explains that he would never want his daughter kept in the dark as he was about her birth parents.

Many birth mothers struggle to give up their children for adoption, though they may be forced to do so due to unavoidable circumstances. Just like Steve, not knowing where their children is a difficult situation for birth mothers. Closed adoption rules further complicate the situation as mothers have no way of comforting themselves with the idea that they made the right decision giving up their children. Lisa Krahn and Richard Sullivan explore how open adoptions reduce the grief that birth mothers experience letting go of their children. The process of giving up parental rights is a significant psychological burden on birth parents (Krahn & Sullivan 29).

Many birth mothers who give up their children for adoption do so because they know they cannot care for their children as they would like. Most of these mothers tend to be very young and choose adoption as the best way to give their children a better life. Lynn Clutter explored the benefits of open adoption for mothers in their twenties who give up their children for adoption. The study involved fifteen women giving their opinions on the benefits of open adoption. All of the women interviewed agreed that giving up the children was a painful and difficult decision, but they knew it was the best choice they could make (Clutter 349). However, open adoption gave them comfort, knowing they could see their children and the better life they lived after adoption. The birth mothers reported that they knew their stressful situations meant that they could not afford their children the lives they deserved, and adoption would give them better opportunities. Open adoption eased their grief.

A nation full of sick people

A nation full of sick people cannot be able to prosper this is because sick people cannot be able to do attend to their daily activities as required of them or efficiently. Healthy persons are able to perform to the maximum and make sound decisions, with that in mind most governments in the world are striving to make health care available to all their citizens. One such country is the United States of America.

Health care is the maintaining and the bringing back to good health through treatment of diseases or by use of preventive measures to avert spread of a disease by qualified and licensed medical personnel. The medical personnel include doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, psychiatrists, and other public health workers.

Legislation

So as to be able to help each and every citizen in the United States of America to be able to afford excellent medical attention, the country has strived to make some reforms in the health sector. Health care being a priority on the 23th of March in the year 2010 the President of the United States Barrack Hussein Obama signed an act known as the (Affordable Care Act) or commonly known as “Obamacare”. The act was meant to ensure that all Americans citizens can be able to afford medical care, even though the Act was meant for the good of all the United States citizens there were some pros and cons on the reforms (Sered, 2005).

Advantages of the reforms

The Affordable care act was able to bring some changes in the health sector such as all American citizens were able to have a health insurance if they needed it. People who are sick or have lost their jobs were still able to have their medical expenses paid by the insurance (Obama, 2008). For persons who were already suffering from various illnesses were still able to benefit from the healthcare services. The cost of health care had risen sharply so the “Obamacare” as it is commonly known will mean the American people will spend less on health care (Starr, 2011).

Introduction of the health care bill meant that the insurance firms that charged very high fees for their services had to reduce their rates to ones that were affordable to many people. The cost of getting medical services dropped significantly and the services improved (Starr, 2011).

Disadvantages

The reforms definitely had to have some negative effects, some of the negative effects included, the introduction of the reforms meant that the government of the United States had to spend a colossal amount of money. It is estimated that the government will have to spend at least $100 billion each year in the first ten years. All American citizens earning more than half a million per year had to be subjected to higher taxes about 1% more, which some considered as unfair. Depending on which side one views it from, the changes in the health care could ruin businesses of doctors who are running private hospitals as people will go to public hospitals because of the improved services (Starr, 2011).

Conclusion

Quality health care should be a priority of all governments in the world, this is because the cost of getting quality health care has become out of reach for many people all over the world and even in America. It is in that regard that the government introduced the reforms. Expensive it may seem at the moment but if it will relieve the American people the burden of health care then it is worth. More Americans will now be able to afford health care insurance, meaning that the firms providing the health insurance cover will have to shape up and improve their services or ship out of the insurance industry. In a nutshell health care in the United States of America will not only be affordable but world class.

Reference

Obama, B. (2008). Change we can believe in: Barack Obama’s plan to renew America’s promise. New York: Three Rivers Press.

Sered, S. S., & Fernandopulle, R. J. (2005). Uninsured in America: life and death in the land of opportunity. Berkeley, Calif.: University of California Press.

Starr, P. (2011). Remedy and reaction: the peculiar American struggle over health care reform. New Haven: Yale University Press.

The future of the public’s health in the 21st century. (2003). Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press

A newcomer in this context is a person who has just joined an organization and is not yet familiar with the surroundings and the people around them. These kinds of people are often viewed differently by the other people already in that place, they are often faced with the challenge of how they will socialize and get to know their colleagues, the kind of experience they will need to advance and how they will finally settle-in, in their new environment. Rhetoric expertise as proposed by Beverly, J. (2002), comes in in a work place because convincing people that you are the best in the particular thing that you do will lead them to believe you are the best and thus gain position not because you really are the best.

Susan Katz, (1998), says that power is defined differently by the males who would rather take the traditional definition of authority invested in someone but the females define it as, ‘the capacity to produce change.’ The feminist focus on an intrapersonal definition of power; a more correct way of defining power without any confusion on the subject. Confusion in the definition of power could arise through discussions of influence, a word that has four uses in literature including, a subset of power, equivalent term to both power and authority, a function of authority and a word that contains all power, Bacharach and Lawler, (1980).

Rhetorical expertise in this excerpt shall be taken as the ‘awareness of the basic concerns of audience and purpose; successful strategies for invention. Representation of knowledge cannot be separated from the knowledge itself, but the rhetoricians, according to Beverly, do not separate their rhetorical practice from the technical expertise. Rhetorical expertise however produces knowledge and understanding to the transformation that comes with the new representations. The gaining of power for the rhetoric expert will come in different ways like the control of the resources at their disposal and the influence that comes with a personal relationship with someone at a powerful position. Power can however just come from the power possessed in an individual in terms of their ability to perform the different tasks assigned to them. Rhetorical expertise is never seen as power but the rhetoric skill of persuasion is the one that leads to the gain of power. The skills of rhetorical expertise help in avoidance of suffering as proposed by Jennifer Richards, (2008). An expert at a particular field can be said not to be completely enough, having rhetorical expertise can not only lead to the gain of more power, but also of recognition as illustrated by the example of Darlene in Katz excerpt. The opportunity to achieve the set goals through having everything done as it was suppose to can be said to be the gaining of power.

Rhetorical expertise can be associated with power with people containing the rhetorical skills at a greater chance of gaining power faster and easier with the use of their skills. Newcomers are faced with the challenge of proving themselves to their colleagues that they can handle the task ahead of them even when they are seen as inexperienced in their new work place. The only problem with rhetoricians is that they cannot distinguish the good from the bad; they are seen to only care about the gain of power because their happiness is dependent on it. Rhetorical expertise cannot exist in isolation; it is like a communal thing. It involves brainstorming with other individuals to get their points of view and incorporating them into your ideas to achieve a bigger and better idea. It involves the listening of the proposal of others in order to achieve the ideas that are already incorporated in the mind. Rhetorical expertise can therefore be said to be the use of others ideas gained through brainstorming, to get a higher convincing power in order to have more influence over the others and thus have more power.

It can be concluded that Katz research led to the explaining of how people in organizations view newcomers and also it proved that rhetorical expertise leads to the gain of power easily. It shows that possessing rhetoric expertise can work to one’s advantage.

References

Susan, M. Katz. (1998). The dynamics of writing reviews: opportunities for growth and change. United Kingdom: JAI press Ltd.

Jennifer, Richards. (2008). rhetoric. New York: Routledge publishers.

Beverly, J. Sauer. (2002). the rhetoric of risk: technical documentation in hazardous environments. New York: Routledge publishers.

Literature Review and Conclusion

Name

Institution

Year

Abstract

The sunflower polymers that form a key aspect of today’s drugs as shown that the right value and ration can be induced to create the right doses for the liposomal myocet derivatives. This element also helps from the right condition of clinical chemicals that are also advanced to form key drugs. This ratio was even lower for the palm oil that adds to the value of induced temperatures. The study also showed that the higher the temperatures, the lower the Triacylglycerol ration that mainly stands at 25.7% for the 75 degrees in the final production stage. The sunflower seed process to extract cooking vegetable oil is one of the most complex process that involves largely chemical and physical reactions. More importantly is the value and comparison needed when making the right conditions like temperature, pressure and chemicals that are required in the sunflower seed processing to attain the right tone or quality of cooking oil. Sun flower seeds have been known to have high oil ration when well processed. The oil ration in line with the inclusive elements like compounds for sun flower is 1:4. This ration is always higher when the right or high temperatures are used and this is one of the considerations when making cooking oil from sun flower seeds.

Literature Review

Sunflower seeds are some of the most used in the world both for household uses and industrial applications. The making of oil and the trade of cooking oil amounts billions of dollars globally (Karagounis et al., 2019). Over the years, the chemistry behind the extraction of oil from sunflower seeds has revolutionized with advanced technology help in making the process easier and more efficient. Developed countries have made huge steps in the extraction of cooking oil from sunflower seeds that has added to the ease of the process and explanation of the business. More importantly is the value and comparison needed when making the right conditions like temperature, pressure and chemicals that are required in the sunflower seed processing to attain the right tone or quality of cooking oil. Sun flower seeds have been known to have high oil ration when well processed (Giuffrè, Capocasale, Zappia & Poiana, 2017). The impact of temperature in the production of cooking oil from sunflower seeds has been studied extensively in order to determine the right amount of heat required in the process.

Studies have shown that sunflower seeds and the production of cooking oil operates both in high and mild temperatures and this understand this variation is key in maximizing on the production (Kanti et al., 2017). Palm oil that is oner of the most considered sources of cooking oil has increasingly been considered by many companies across the world. One of the main demerits of using palm oil is that it has a lengthy process and the cost of production is always higher than when using sunflower seeds. The difference in the two processes only varies due to the chemicals used and the length of the process. Studies have shown that the cost of producing oil from sunflower seeds has flame over the years and this is due to the invention of technology that is making the process simpler (Zehra et al., 2020). This has increased the amount of oil produced and also lowered its cost in the market.

The entire busies of oil production in the global market has therefore increased and more value is seen to come in the future. When looking at the production process, there is need to compare how and where the key inputs are applied and the role of temperature in the quality of the oil produced (Karagounis et al., 2019). One of the key pointers in this process is the role of temperature regulation in the cooking oil production when using sunflower seeds. The role of temperature is to ensure that the right chemical mix-up and the blending of the right process does not interfere with the quality of the oil produced. There is need to harness the eight controls like the temperature and the chemicals so as to ensure that there is quality and cost control when producing the oil (Bozorgian, 2020). Extensive oil production using sunflower seeds has become a norm with more companies rising up and entering the global market for the sale of this precious household product.

The many years of operation when dealing with sunflower as a crop has shown that huge steps have been accomplished and this is helping create a reliable and strong value in the production (Giuffrè, Capocasale, Zappia & Poiana, 2017). It is for this reason that the study of the process and coming up with the right controls like temperature is helping cut down on any cost overruns in the process. Compared to the vegetable oils exposed to light, the oils kept in dark had lesser oxidative alterations possibly due to the elimination of photo-oxidation and the maintenance of natural antioxidants such as tocoph-erol, pigments and phenols. The increased cultivation of sunflower as a crop has shown that there is still a broad market and business opportunity for those who wish to invest in the area (Zehra et al., 2020). A study done in trying to identifying the ration compound of the key elements that make up the palm oil showed that there was always a 2.5% difference. Control trials done on the effect of sunflower seed oil and the lipid analysis has shown that the cooking oil extracted from sun flower has many benefits (Konyalı, 2017).

In order to add value to the process, many trials are done until the right quantity and value is achieved when extracting oil from the sunflower seeds. For example, when the right temperatures and chemicals are used, there is a high degree of attaining the right value or quality of the oil needed (Kanti et al., 2017). One of the main demerits of using palm oil is that it has a lengthy process and the cost of production is always higher than when using sunflower seeds. The difference in the two processes only varies due to the chemicals used and the length of the process. Studies have shown that the cost of producing oil from sunflower seeds has flame over the years and this is due to the invention of technology that is making the process simpler. A study done on the oil ratio in compares to lipid element sin a processed sunflower seed portion showed good results that relate to the ratio or percentage concentrate (Karagounis et al., 2019). One thing to note is that the differences in the oil quality per 1 kilogram of sunflower seeds only fell within the range of 12-17. The 15% Niger seed oil showed decrease and increase in the level of lipid profile as compared to rats fed with 15% palm oil and sunflower oil (except Triacylglycerol), respectively (Bozorgian, 2020). the 15% Niger seed oil showed significant decrease and increase in body weight gain percentage as compared to the 15% palm oil and 15% sunflower oil, respectively.

Conclusion

The chart shows varying effects of Sunflower Oil and Butter on Sensory Properties of a Granola Bar. Based on the chart, the control results when compared with the experiments vary slightly in the various factors being tested. The greatest variation in the control and the experiment was seen in the flavor as one of the factors being tested. Starting with overall acceptability, the experiment showed higher results that the control indicators that was above 7. For the flavor, the effect of sun flower oil was higher for the experiment than the control results that fell at 6-8. Mouth feel showed similar difference where the effect of sunflower oil on sensory properties of Granola were higher for the experiment while the control results showed a lesser margin. The color outlook was higher for the experiment results than the control and this shows more impact of the sun flower oil on the Granola. The color results were the highest among the tested factors in the experiment. Sunflower polymers are a key gateway to uncovering the use of this plant in the extraction of vital drugs. For many years, the use of clinical elements in trying to uncover the real ingredients to making of drugs had been derailed by the slow progress in polymer development. The food industry across the world relies on cooking oil and this shows the importance of this crop and its value in the global market. The increased cultivation of sunflower as a crop has shown that there is still a broad market and business opportunity for those who wish to invest in the area. This paradigm is used by clinically approved chemotherapy formulations such as liposomal anthracyclines (e.g., Doxil and Myocet) and albumin-bound paclitaxel (Abraxane) to offer improved safety profiles over equivalent solution formulations. A study done in trying to identifying the ration compound of the key elements that make up the palm oil showed that there was always a 2.5% difference. These differences were only evident when looking at the percentage ratios of the cooking oil extracted from sun flower seeds.

References

Bozorgian, A. (2020). Study of the Effect Operational Parameters on the Super critical Extraction Efficient Related to Sunflower Oil Seeds. Chemical Review and Letters, 3(3), 94-97.

Giuffrè, A. M., Capocasale, M., Zappia, C., & Poiana, M. (2017). Influence of high temperature and duration of heating on the sunflower seed oil properties for food use and bio-diesel production. Journal of Oleo Science, 66(11), 1193-1205.

Kanti, V., Günther, M., Stroux, A., Sawatzky, S., Henrich, W., Abou‐Dakn, M., … & Garcia Bartels, N. (2017). Influence of sunflower seed oil or baby lotion on the skin barrier function of newborns: A pilot study. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 16(4), 500-507.

Karagounis, T. K., Gittler, J. K., Rotemberg, V., & Morel, K. D. (2019). Use of “natural” oils for moisturization: Review of olive, coconut, and sunflower seed oil. Pediatric Dermatology, 36(1), 9-15.

Konyalı, S. (2017). Sunflower Production and Agricultural Policies in Turkey. Sosyal Bilimler Araştırma Dergisi, 6(4), 11-19.

Zehra, A., Sahito, Z. A., Tong, W., Tang, L., Hamid, Y., Khan, M. B., … & Yang, X. (2020). Assessment of sunflower germplasm for phytoremediation of lead-polluted soil and production of seed oil and seed meal for human and animal consumption. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 87, 24-38.