Howard Gardners Theory Of Multiple Intelligences Education Essay

Howard Gardners Theory Of Multiple Intelligences Education Essay Walk into a class of typical second grade students and you will quickly learn that there is nothing typical about any group of students.   It would be expected that some of the students would excel in reading, and some would excel in math.   According to traditional academic standards, these students would be considered intelligent and their intelligence would not be questioned. But look beyond the surface of academic achievement, and you would find that some of the students in this class can express themselves through beautiful poetry, some are graceful dancers, some are superior basketball players, some play instruments with such ease that it looks effortless, some can create exquisite artwork, and some are peacemakers.   Are these children intelligent, or are they simply talented? Howard Gardner would say that their abilities stem from intelligence, not just talent. Howard Gardner introduced his theory of multiple intelligences in 1983 and in doing so challenged the way people regarded intelligence (Ferguson, 2009).   In the 1920s Spearman proposed that there is only one type of intelligence, called general intelligence or g. The notion that there could be only one type of intelligence was questioned by other psychometric theorists, such as Cattell and Thurstone.   But even these theorists proposed that intelligence is limited to cognitive functions that can be measured.   Traditionally, intelligence is measured using IQ tests such as the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale or the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. IQ tests focus on assessing verbal skills, perceptual and spatial reasoning, working memory and processing speed (Berk, 2013). Gardners theory offers an opposing view to the psychometric theory. His theory proposes that intelligence is broader than what can be measured on an intelligence test. Gardners theory suggests that there are eight intelligences and each person possesses each one to a certain degree.   The intelligence types are linguistic, logico-mathmatical, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, naturalist, interpersonal, intrapersonal (Berk, 2013).   A person who possesses linguistic intelligence has the ability to understand and manipulate language.   A person who possesses logico-mathematical intelligence has logical reasoning ability and can understand and manipulate numbers. A person who possesses musical intelligence has the ability to understand and manipulate sound.   A person who possesses spatial intelligence has the ability to understand and manipulate visual or spatial images. A person who possesses bodily-kinesthetic intelligence has the ability to move his or her body with skill.   A person who possesses naturalistic intelligence has the ability to understand and question the natural world.   A person who possesses interpersonal intellige nce has the ability to understand and respond to the emotions and needs of other people.   Finally, a person who possesses intrapersonal intelligence has the ability to understand and respond to their own emotions and needs (Christodoulou, 2009). Gardner has proposed a ninth type of intelligence called existential intelligence (Christodoulu, 2009).   In Howard Gardners 2005 paper Multiple Lenses on the Mind he explains that when people ask questions regarding the how and why of life, they are exhibiting this intelligence. However, Gardner explains that he is not sure if this phenomenon should be declared an intelligence, My hesitation in declaring a full blown existential intelligence stems from my uncertainty about whether certain regions of the brain are dedicated to the contemplation of issues that are too vastà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦to be perceived (Gardner, 2005, p. 9). This statement reveals that the heart of Gardners intelligence theory is intelligence, not talent. Gardner reminds his readers that in order for something to be classified as a type of intelligence it must be something that the brain is capable of doing. In this case, Gardiner has reservations about including this type of intelligence in his theory because the human brain may not be able to fully ponder existential questions. From an educators point of view, Howard Gardners theory of multiple intelligences makes sense. Go back to the second grade classroom and take a look at the students sitting in the seats. Every child in that class learns differently. Every child in that class observes and understands the world in his or her own way. I was the teacher in that classroom and I drew on Gardners theory to reach my students. I learned about the theory of multiple intelligences as an undergraduate education student. When I was first hired as a teacher I researched ways to integrate this theory as a way to promote learning in my classroom. I found many educational books, websites, and journal articles that provided real world application of multiple intelligence theory. My students clapped and sang their spelling words, which appealed to those with strengths in the musical or bodily-kinesthetic intelligences. My students drew pictures to illustrate main ideas, which appealed to those with strength in spatial intelligence. Our class took a field trip to the Mississippi River, which appealed to those with strength in naturalistic intelligence. In implementing these teaching methods I was doing more than reaching out to the different way my students learned. I identified their intellectual strengths and gave them opportunities which allowed their strengths to grow and flourish. This understanding and belief in educating the whole child extends beyond self-contained, grade level classrooms. I taught in a school that valued education of the whole child. The students attended weekly classes in Spanish, art, music, physical education, library, and computer. For three years I was a specialty teacher in the school and I used multiple intelligence theory to guide my lesson planning. I taught computer for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. As the computer teacher, I designed curriculum based projects where students used technology to create original works that had a direct classroom application. For example, elementary school students used Kerpoof, a web application, to make stories illustrating their understanding of beginning, middle, and end. Middle school students used a program called ComicLife to create comics about everything from the Revolutionary War to famous scientists. The eighth grade student read The Giver in their literature class and the n used a web application called Weebly to create a website for their own, imaginary, utopian society. All grade levels had the opportunity to use Garage Band to write music to accompany their PowerPoint presentations. Not every project appealed to every intelligence type. Some of these projects were required group projects while others were individual. Some relied more on verbal intelligence abilities, while others required more visual intelligence. But, every project relied on more than one intelligence type. And every project lead to the creation of work that the students were happy to share with their classmates and the school community. Reconciling the theory of multiple intelligences with the traditional psychometric theory of intelligence is difficult, if not impossible, to do. The debate that started nearly thirty years ago when Gardner introduced his theory continues to this day. In the article Not Every Child is Secretly a Genius, Christopher Ferguson criticizes Gardners theory for being an all encompassing theory that allows for everyone to be smart (Ferguson, 2009). Joanna Christodoulou takes the opposing view in the article Applying multiple intelligence. She explains that we need to stop thinking in terms of how smart people are. Instead, we should be asking, In which ways is she smart, and how can that profile be marshaled for meaningful goals? (Christodoulou, 2009, para. 22). The theory of multiple intelligences is not a data driven theory. There is little empirical evidence to support it (Ferguson, 2009). It will not yield an IQ score. It will not lead to a diagnosis of learning disability, intellectual disability, or gifted. If a teacher is interested in tracking a student Gardners theory will be of little help because this is not the purpose of Gardners theory (Christodoulou, 2009). The purpose of Gardners theory is to understand the intellectual capabilities of the whole child. It tells us that everyone is capable of intelligent thought or intelligent action on some level. It is a hopeful theory. It is a theory that highlights that intelligence is not fixed, but rather a dynamic capacity amenable to change via good teaching, high motivation, and adequate resources (Christodoulou, 2009, para. 24). Finally, it is a useful theory with many practical implications for the classroom. The purpose of the psychometric theory is to give an IQ score and, possibly, a diagnosis. But, the purpose of Gardners theory is to give educators a plan for reaching all students regardless of their score on a test or diagnosis on a psychoeducational evaluation.

Macro and Micro Nutrients

Macro and Micro Nutrients Nutrition is basically the process absorbing, consuming and using nutrients needed for the growth of the body, maintenance and development of the life (Wikipedia, 2009). Nutrients are basically chemical substances in foods that strive to nourish the body. Many nutrients in the body can be synthesized. Those nutrients that cannot be synthesized in the body are known as the essential nutrients that are a must to be consumed in the diet. These nutrients include amino acids which are found in proteins, minerals and proteins and certain fatty acids. From the 20 amino acid nutrients, nine of them are known as the essential nutrients. If the essential or necessary nutrients are not supplied in the quantities that are required, deficiencies disorders of nutrition can be the outcome (SHARMA, 2012). To determine as to whether the person is getting the right amount of nutrients a doctor usually examines and asks about the diet and the eating habits, performs a physical assessment to examine the composition (the amount of muscle and fat), and the body functioning. Finally the doctor orders the laboratory tests to measure the exact content of tissues and blood. In general the nutrients are divided into two classes, micro nutrients and macro nutrients. The macro nutrients including fats, carbohydrates, proteins and some minerals are usually required daily in large quantities. They usually make up the bulk of supply and diet, the energy and building blocks required for the growth, activity and maintenance. Micro nutrients on the other hand are required in small quantities usually in milligrams which are calculated to be 1000th of the gram, and one millionth of a gram in micro grams. They usually include trace minerals and vitamins that catalyze the exact utilization of the macronutrients. Other needy components of the food arent metabolized or digested to any kind of an appreciable extent. The components usually consist of fibers such as the pectin, cellulose and gums. The authorities recommend that twenty grams of fiber should be consumed every day to improve the movement and motion in the gastrointestinal tract, normalize the changes in cho lesterol and blood sugar that usually occurs after meals, and maximize the elimination of the cancer causing substances that the bacteria in the large intestine usually produces. The food additives including emulsifiers, preservatives, stabilizers and antioxidants improve the production, processing packaging and storage of foods. The substances such as the flavors, spices, colors, odors, phytochemicals and many other natural products enhance the taste, appearance, taste and stability of foods. The food in the daily diet usually includes or can contain as much as 100000 substances, out of which around 300 are the nutrients, and around 45 are the nutrients that are essential. TYPES OF NUTRITION MACRO NUTRIENTS The organic macro nutrients are usually the fats, carbohydrates and proteins, and they supply around 90% of the dry weight of the diet and energy of around 100%. They are usually digested into the intestine and then they are always broken down into their core or basic units; the glycerol and fatty acids from fat, sugars from the carbohydrates and the amino acids from the proteins. The energy content is usually 4 calories in one gram of carbohydrate or protein and 9 calories in a gram of fat. As the main sources of fats, carbohydrates, energy, and proteins are usually interchangeable in part or proportion to their content of energy. The intake of energy varies a lot from around 1000 to 4000 calories every day depending on the sex, age and physical activity (SELFNUTRITIONDATA, 2012). Ideally the young children, sedentary women, and older adults need around 1600 calories every day. On the other hand older children, sedentary men and adult women need about 2000 calories every day. The young men and adolescent boys need around 2400 calories a day. Around 55% of the calories usually come from carbohydrates, 15% come from protein and around 30% come from fats. If the energy intake is less or insufficient for the bodys needs and requirements, then the act of weight loss comes into play, and the fat that is stored in the body and the protein to a lesser extent is used to supply the energy that is needed for everyday survival. Total starvation can usually cause death in the period of around 8 weeks to 12 weeks. The necessary fatty acids contribute to around 7% of the fat that is consumed in the normal diet, which is thought of to be around 8 grams or 3% of the total calories, and therefore are considered to be macronutrients. They usually include linolenic acid, linoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, arachdidonic acid and docosahexaenpoic acid. The linolenic and the linoleic acid are usually found in the vegetable oils, docosahexaeoic and eicosapentaenoic acid is necessary for the development of the brain and is usually found in the fish oils. In the body the arachidonic and docosahexeonic acid can be created from the linotenic acid despite the fact the fish oil is a more efficient source. Usually the macro minerals are the phosphorus, calcium, sodium, chloride, magnesium and potassium. These macro minerals are considered to be macro nutrients because they are required in large amount of quantities which can be around 1 to 2 grams a day. water which is also a macro nutrient is usually required in the quantities of around 1 millilitre for each calorie of energy or in the range of 2500 milliliters a day. MICRO NUTRIENTS Vitamins and trace minerals are usually known as the micro nutrients. The vitamins are usually classified as water soluble, and this includes eight members of the vitamin B complex and the vitamin C, or fat soluble which includes the vitamins D, A, E and K (SHARMA, 2012). the essential trace minerals usually include the zinc, iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, iodide, selenium, and fluoride. All of the minerals usually activate the enzymes needed in the metabolism except for the fluoride. Fluoride usually creates a stable compound with calcium, aiding in stabilizing the mineral content of teeth and bones and helping in preventing the tooth decay. Trace minerals including chromium, arsenic, cobalt, silicon, nickel and vanadium which might be essential in animal nutrition have not been usually established as the fundamentals in human nutrition. All the trace minerals are said to be toxic at the upper or higher levels and some minerals such as the nickel, arsenic and chromium have bee n pointed out as the causes of cancer. Healthy diet and dietary tools A healthy diet plan is essential in order for one to lead a healthy life. Thus the correct food choices are essential (Hill) Meals or foods with starch because these foods can provide you with a lot of energy Eat a lot of vegetables and fruits every day. Preferred is to eat 5 varieties of fruits and vegetables every day. Eating more fish can be very beneficial. It is preferred to eat two potions of fish every week. Reduce the usage of salt in your everyday. It is preferred to eat no more than 6 gram of salt per day. Minimize the usage of saturated fat and sugar. Exercise daily and keep your weight healthy. Healthy weight is essential for health. Drink a lot of water since it has no side effect. Preferred intake of daily water is 6-8 glasses. Breakfast is essential and should not be skipped because it gives you all the required energy you need for the day. Bread, eggs, butter and milk can be a good source of breakfast. If above dietary plan is properly followed it will lead to a person having a healthy life and free from any kinds of diseases, physical problems and stress. CONCLUSION Overall nutrients are an essential part of the life of a human being that are required in each and every stage of the life. It is basically the process of absorbing, consuming and using nutrients needed for the growth of the body, maintenance and development of the life. Nutrients are basically che mical substances in foods that strive to nourish the body. Therefore they need to be taken in essential quantities so as to nourish the body of the human beings. Both the macro nutrients and micro nutrients are an essential part of this nutrient process. The macro nutrients normally include the fats, carbohydrates and protein, whereas the macro nutrients usually include the vitamins and trace minerals. What the person or a human being needs to know is that what is the right quantity for him or her to consume and as to what combination of the fats, proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins are essential for them. When the persons are well aware of these things then they are able to eat a healthy diet and usually stay healthy all their life.

The Radical Republican Party of the Reconstruction Era Essay -- Carpetb

During the Reconstruction Era of the Civil War, a two new political groups began to form. The Radical Republican Party gained some of its greatest members, two groups of people from opposite sides of the country (Hodges 1). The carpetbaggers and scalawags joined forces to reconstruct the South, but they were met with controversy and criticism because of their radical worldview (Hodges 1). The carpetbaggers and scalawags’ goals were met with controversy then, but the group can be attributed with one of the first Civil Rights attempts within the South among other great achievements (Coleman â€Å"Affect on Reconstruction† 1). The Radical Republican Party encompassed both the carpetbaggers and the scalawags (Hodges 1). The carpetbaggers were newly joined members of the Republican Party that moved from the North to the South to make money from the South’s poverty and in turn help begin the Reconstruction in the South (Hodges 1; Muhammad 1). The â€Å"carpetbagger† label could encompass any well educated member of the middle class (â€Å"Carpetbaggers and Scalawags† 2). During the Reconstruction Era, large numbers of people were traveling from the North to the South (Muhammad 1). Since there was such a large number of people traveling during that time, a cheap way to carry luggage was in high demand (Muhammad 1). So â€Å"carpetbags†, which where made from old carpets, were manufactured (Muhammad 1). This bag held the owner’s only possessions, specifically for the carpetbaggers as they headed south (Muhammad 1). On the other hand, scalawags were Southerners who disliked secession or had fought for the Union Army (Hodges 1). The â€Å"scalawag† label encompassed wealthy southern landowners, displaced carpetbaggers, black freedman, former Whigs, poor S... ...a of Arkansas History and Culture. The Central Arkansas Library System. October 26 2011. February 5 2014. Harris, Rodney. â€Å"Minstrels [Political Faction].† The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. The Central Arkansas Library System. October 26 2011. February 5 2014. Hodges, Mary Frances. â€Å"Carpetbaggers and Scalawags.† The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. The Central Arkansas Library System. October 26 2011. January 30 2014. Muhammad, Brian. â€Å"Carpetbaggers in Reconstruction: Definition, Lesson & Quiz.† Education Portal. January 30 2014. Richards, Adam. â€Å"Scalawags in the Civil War: Definition, Lesson, & Quiz.† Education Portal. January 30 2014. Sansing, David G. â€Å"Adelbert Ames: Twenty-seventh and Thirtieth Governor of Mississippi: 1868-1870; 1874-1876.† Mississippi History NOW. Mississippi Historical Society. December 2003. February 5 2014.

Phobias and the Brain Essay -- Neurology Psychology Papers

Phobias and the Brain You are in an airport waiting for your plane to arrive. You've never flown before, and are more terrified than you can ever remember being. Everyone has told you the supposedly comforting statistics - "millions of planes take off each day and there's only a handful of crashes," "flying is safer than driving." You know rationally that there is no reason to be so scared, but regardless your heart is racing, your palms are sweating, and you're light-headed. Simply the thought of being up in the air, out of control, makes you feel faint. Finally the flight attendant announces that your plane has arrived. But as all the other passengers line up to get onboard, you grab your luggage and walk straight out of the airport, with every step feeling more and more relieved. What is this feeling of anxiousness? Why can't you get rid of it even though you consciously know that it is irrational? What is it caused by? How can it be prevented or lessened? What you experienced in the airport is a phobia. A phobia is the sensation of extreme fear "when it is not justified by the presence of any real danger or threat, or by any rational cause, and when it is accompanied by a systematic avoidance of the situations that lead to it." (1) A phobia is brought on by a specific stimulus or situation, for example, insects, heights, crowds, or the dentist. Presentation with the fear-inducing stimulus causes a severe anxiety response with very apparent and specific physical manifestations, such as a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, trembling, and sweating. Most individuals suffering from phobias are able to recognize that their fear is fundamentally irrational, yet nonetheless go through great lengths to avoid any contact with t... ... the Amygdala http://academic.uofs.edu/department/neuro/fear.html 8) Ledoux, Joseph. Fear and the Brain: Where Have We Been, and Where Are We Going? Society of Biological Psychiatry, 1998. 9)Personality Correlates to Memory Change http://web.uccs.edu/sstewart/Introduction.htm 10)The Link Between Phobias and Genetics http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro02/web3/www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/333/8014/317030.html 11)A Page of Various Treatments for Phobias www.sover.net:80/~schwcof/psycho.htm 12)General Information of Phobias http://allpsych.com/journal/phobias.html 13) Fumas, Tomas et.al. Common Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow in Patients with Social Phobia Treated With Citalopram or Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. Arch General Psychiatry. Vol. 59, 2002. 14)Terms relating to phobias http://www.ac.www.edu/~knecht/352_phobias.html

Thin is Beautiful Essay -- Beauty and the Media

How many times have you looked in a magazine and envied the models pictured? Have you ever watched a TV show or a movie and wished you looked like one of the stars? Many teenage girls are often targeted by magazines, movies, and TV and are made to believe that â€Å"thin is beautiful†. The media has negatively affected teenage girls’ self-image. From sit-coms to magazines, thin, beautiful girls can be spotted, and this can cause a girl to feel that she is not thin enough to be accepted by society. Many shows on TV can cause a teenage girl’s self-image to be a very negative one; that she is too fat. Sit-coms are examples of this. On the hit TV show â€Å"Friends†, there are three thin, beautiful girls starring in it, who wear skimpy, stylish clothes, have beautiful hair, and always look gorgeous. In a few episodes, there are flashbacks to when Monica, one of the characters on the show, was in high school and was a little bit overweight. Monica’s friends on the show make fun of her because she was much heavier than she currently is. Surely, any girl who is slightly heavier will feel negative about her image because the â€Å"popular† and â€Å"cool† characters on the show are making fun of her weight. Most any other sit-com has the same gorgeous style of women. On Will & Grace for example, the star playing Grace has a beautiful slim body and flaunts it from time to time. On Dharma and Greg, the star also has a thin body and wears smaller clothe s as well. Search mostly any sit-com and surely,...

Managerial Competencies Essay

Question 1. List the three managerial competencies that have led to your success so far in your job. List your strength and, for each strength listed, determine how that strength might get you into trouble and why is it so difficult to become and effective middle manager? Answer Managerial competencies is defined as sets of knowledge, skills, behaviours, and attitudes that a manager needs in order to be effective in a wide range of managerial jobs and various organizational setting. There were six core important specific competencies: the communication, planning and administration, teamwork, strategic action, multicultural, and self competencies. Managerial competencies is useful to me, a current manager of business plan and reporting for Retail Product division in Telekom Malaysia Bhd, also would be useful after my promotion to Assistant General Manager of Business Finance for Technology and Innovation division of Telekom Malaysia Bhd. The competencies will help me to excel on designated job, improve self-management and communication within organisation unit, better planning and administration of teamwork and more sensitive about changing of subordinate behaviour and environment surround them. Three managerial competencies that have led to my success in a job are: a)Communication competencies, b)Planning and Administration competencies, and c)Teamwork competencies. 1.Communication Competencies A communication competency is your ability to effectively transfer and exchange information that leads to understanding between yourself and others. It includes: †¢Informal communication, †¢Formal communication, and †¢Negotiation In 2010, I was given responsibility to improvise Telekom Malaysia Group Segmental Reporting through high accuracy identification of cost drivers for Customer Subscriber’s Equipment (CPEs), Revenue Sharing Out payment, Leased Routers and Product Licensing. It requires a new cost transfer process  between Retail Product to respective Line of Business (LOBs) divisions where involves inter-department cooperation and collaboration to achieve this goals. Further, it requires me to build good working relationship with LOBs in order to be successful. I began by initiating informal communication with various divisions such as Information Technology and Network Infrastructure (ITNT), Service Management and Demand Forecast (SPDF), Group Costing, various LOBs and respective product owner within Retail Product to obtain their views and resources capabilities if the implementation takes place. I realized it is not a straightforward process because it requires a lot of effort to identify allocation drivers to each LOBs segments, limited access to the information and data available is not derived from one single place. In order to overcome these issues, together with my team, we have established strong collaboration between all divisions and communicate with them from time to time to understand problems, ways to minimize the difficulties and setting up moving forward plan and process flow. It takes a lot of negotiation with respective division especially in term of cut off time to provide the data and eligible of drivers that will be used for allocation purposes. Some negotiations with information providers do not take long but there few requires continuous negotiation until the processes are fully stable and ready for service. Once a process flow had been completely implemented and applied by all division, I then started to communicate formally with all TM Group and ready to start the process to improvise Group Segmental Reporting. Meantime, I have received a very positive feedback from Group and all divisions that this exercise really helps them to improvise better profitability as well. 2.Planning and Administration competencies Planning and administration competency involves deciding what tasks need to be done, determine how they can be done, allocating resources to enable them to be done, and then monitoring progress to ensure that they are done. This competency includes: †¢Information gathering, analysis and problem solving; †¢Planning and organising projects; †¢Time management; and †¢Budgeting and financial management We were once facing a challenge from top management to execute 100% 2011 Key Performance Indexes (KPI) for asset tagging achievement by taking consideration a full completion of tagging exercise for assets acquired prior 2006, 2007 – 2009 and 2010. The majority of assets were classified as routers which many of them already been deployed at customer’s premises, lost or not at working condition. This is one of the toughest job to be delivered in 2011 due to in complete information for old assets, problem to identify lost assets and require a high support from vendor whom previously perform installation at customers’ premises and from other division such as Customer Service Operation (CSOC) team. By October 2011, we are only managed to achieved 69% out of 1,821 assets that need to be tag and this situation really give us high pressure since we running out of time and got 3 more months only to complete the remaining of the assets. Further, it has potential Net Book Value (NBV) impact of RM4.5 Mil if the activities was not planned and administered properly. This situation also require Retail Product Finance team to gather all necessary information from various unit, analyzing a result, identify ways to solve a problems within a given timeframe. I took immediate action by putting strategic plan with respective assets owner and design the most achievable timeframe for everyone to follow. My team had table out the proposal to Vice President and Head of Department (HOD) during our weekly management meeting and action had been taken immediately soon as everyone agreed. I started to execute a plan together with my team and assets owner by classifying assets group with potentially not found, not working condition, can be found and available at customer’s premises. Each group of the assets was tackled by different kind of approach and we are monitoring a progress from time to time until end of the process. My team will update the status of assets on weekly basis and report was produced to respective HOD for their immediate attention and action. Any unresolved issues were brought up and thorough checking was performing for each of the issues. Meantime, we are also monitoring the financial impact and ensure asset retirement and depreciation was performed timely. Our hard work and tremendous effort was worthwhile for Retail Product where by December 2011 we managed to achieve 100% asset tagging KPI and manage to recognize RM4.5 Mil NBV in a book. 3.Teamwork competencies A teamwork competency is accomplishing tasks through small groups of people who are collectively responsible and whose job requires coordination. Teamwork competency can become more effective by: †¢Designing teams properly; †¢Creating a supportive team environment, and †¢Managing team dynamics appropriately I have realized that in the past 2 years both Retail Product and Global have been using unreliable forecast driver as a mechanism to allocate International Bandwidth cost among each other. By using forecast drivers, I have difficulties to convince LOBs about cost that should be taken up by Retail business and to ascertain the drivers that being used as allocation basis to them are proper or not. I have approached Bandwidth management team and Global Data Management (GDM) team to relook this matter again and find ways to allocate cost at high accuracy and efficiently rather than using forecast as a basis throughout a year. Realized that this implementation requires strong and high commitment team, I have approached my team member and we have started to initiate several discussions with Costing, GDM, and Bandwidth management team including product owners. We also communicated to LOBs and Group Finance to support us on our mission to change the driver process. Initially, we have difficulties to convince Global Finance about the important of using appropriate drivers and cost allocation since they have been performing the same method for several years already. They were afraid the changes may impact a lot in in their Financial book, require additional tasks and resources. In order to overcome this ambiguity, in the past few months, we have been brief about the existence of new system called ABOR resided at network which able to track bandwidth usage up to service offerings and thus, using this opportunity, we managed to convince Global Finance to start making changes. Further, our management have empowered us to take actions based on the best judgement without always seeking approval from them. We were also been promised by management that the successful of this project will add to our KPI. Finally, with a great support and commitment, both RP and Global have come to consensus about methodology and approach to deliver cost allocation with better cost drivers’ analysis and everyone seems able to accept the new way of doing things. Strengths and challenge to achieve affective middle manager Based on the above 3 competencies, I believe that I possess the following strengths that able to help on self development and assist a company towards achieving strategic goal and objectives. a)Relation-oriented and Change-oriented leadership behaviour; b)Value Innovation and Change; and c)Excellence Relationship. 1.Relation-oriented and Change-oriented leadership behaviour I believe that I possess a relation-oriented behaviour especially on providing a support and encourage my team member when perform difficult task, providing coaching and mentoring, finding time to listen to my subordinate and willing to accept suggestion from subordinates and peers. In change-oriented leadership, I have shown to management that I am able to understand the need to adapt the change of environment, implementing a major change in strategies and encourage and facilitate efforts to implement major change. A challenge to practice this strength in current middle manager position is that top managers such as Vice President and Executive Vice President might sometime have difficulties to accept the new strategies and ways of doing things because they are already complacent with current method and not willing to take a risk with the new approach. Thus, even though my subordinates have a very high motivation to perform the new methodologies but without a strong support and encouragement by top managers may sometime lead to frustration. 2.Value Innovation and Change I am always encourages my subordinates and peers to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to address problems and opportunities in Telekom Malaysia and facilitates the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace. I am also able to identify and drives changes needed to adapt strategically to changing of management and internal initiatives, catalyzes new approaches to improve results by changing organizational culture, systems, or products/services. In other occasion, each year we encountered a problem to rationalize our Business Plan number with Information Technology and Network Technology (ITNT) unit because there was  no specific platform being given by TM management that we can discuss and agree among each other during Business Plan exercise period. The outcome is mush worsen when a project start to kick off because somehow part of a project cost neither budgeted at our unit nor ITNT. A lot of staff complaining about this situation and something need to be done to improve the situation. Upon realizing the important of this issues, together with my superior and peers, we started to put up proper plan and drive communication with ITNT during 2011 Business Plan exercise. I have initiated a first discussion with ITNT team where comprehensive rationalization exercises have been carried out several times after that. I have appointed one of my subordinate to compile and execute all information so that both our unit and ITNT can share each other, detail assurance where a cost should be resided was taken into high consideration and the demarcation of project owner was fully identified. No doubt, though we have some problems with a few product owners who resistance to accept this new way of exercise due to time consuming and a lot of pressure was putting back to them, we are constantly persuade them about the important and benefit of the outcome from this newly added exercise. Though Group Finance had provided the platform at a very last minute during BP exercise period, both our unit and ITNT have a very minimal issues and problem to bring up since we have rationalized our number prior to that. At the end of a period, objectives have been fully achieved and ultimately have mutual understanding and co-operate each other with minimum discrepancies. 3.Excellence Relationship I have a capability to initiates and maintains strategic and trusting relationships with stakeholders inside and outside the organization (e.g. TM colleagues, government bodies, regulators, industry players, technology partners, investors, media, customers and alliance partners) to advance business goals. My team members were given responsibility to improvise Group Segmental Reporting through identification of proper cost drivers for Subscriber’s Equipment (CPEs), Revenue Sharing Outpayment, Routers Leasing and Product Licensing. It requires a new cost transfer process and my team felt difficulties to implement due to complication on obtaining the drivers, too manual and limited resources. I have initiated the discussion with various parties like GEMS, IT – Data Warehouse, Service Planning and Demand  Forecast Unit (SPDF) and Retail Product division about possibility to obtain the drivers and identify a method to do it. In order to reduce the difficulties among my team member, I worked with them to identify a methodology to access the information, type of template to extract the data and setting up the deadline to accomplish a job on monthly basis. I always discussed with my team about problems to perform this job and how to overcome such incidents. I told my team members that their effort and contribution towards achieving this goal is very valuable and helps to improvise TM’s reporting. We are started to establish good relationship with data provider parties such as IT, SPDF and product owners so that the analysis can be carried out on monthly basis. My team members successfully implement the new tasks and help to improvise Group Segment Reporting. We have received a positive feedback from various parties in Group Finance and Line of Business (LOBs) since the cost transfer exercise really helps them to establish better profitability Unfortunately, a great challenge that I have to face when putting through this concept in work division is a reluctant from management to accept the changes as every division seems more comfortable to work within their own division rather than to accept changes from outsiders.

K+12 Program in the Philippines : Necessary or Not?

K+12 Program in the Philippines : Necessary or Not? â€Å"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. †(Mandela,2010). This quote states that education develops our world to more powerful. This is one of a reason why others want the K+12 program on the Philippines. Some are not in favor of this because they say that it is not the longer education is the solution and it is the improving of quality of education. Some say that K+12 in the Philippines is not necessary while I as a student agree for this program.There are many reasons why I agree to have a K+12 Program in our country but there are three things that I think the most significant. First is to elevate the quality of education. This important because we all know that we have poor quality of education compared to the other countries. According to Isagani Cruz(2010)â€Å"The poor quality of basic education is reflected in the low achievement scores of Filipino students. One reason is that students do not get adequate instructional time or time on task. He said that our current number of years in school are not enough to fulfill the main objective of the lessons in school. We can see that some are graduated in high school but they still not ready to take their college life. Longer years of education can increase the preparedness of students on their career. Second is to inspire the students to study harder. â€Å"International test results consistently show Filipino students lagging way behind practically everybody else in the world.In the 2008 mathematics exam, for example, we came in dead last. â€Å"(Cruz,2010). Some students graduated easily forgets what they have learned from their teachers. When they are ask by their younger family member or friend they fail to recall what the answer or if its a mathematical problem they already forgot how to solve it. Longer years in school can help us to not to be embarrassed when someone is asking things that we have studi ed. Third is according to Joe Padre â€Å"Most graduates are too young to enter the labor force. He said that most of our graduates is not on their right age to work. Some cannot find a job suited for him. If we will have a K+12 Program the problem about age will be disappeared and it can be easy for them to find a good job. These reasons why K+3 program in the Philppines is necessary can be a great help in improving our knowledge about it. For me it is necessary in the philippines even though we will spend much more money for this.Money is not a reason to refuse this program, time will come after I graduated from college I know that I will have a good life. Many people refuse this program, most of them tell that it is the quality of education not the longer years in school but how can we have good quality of education if the years in school are not enough for what they want to have. K+12 program is necesary in our country because it is the only way to improve the quality of educat ion in our country. Now, we will have a more productive people in the Philipppines.