Aquarius Case Analysis Essay Example for Free

Aquarius Case Analysis Essay 1) Analyze Aquarius in terms of the five contextual variables: * Goals: Aquarius has realized a huge problem in regards to the rapid turnover of their major accounts. An agency reorganization would be a realistic goal in changing their competitive techniques. This reorganization might be able to set them apart from the other agencies by reducing their response time and increasing the communication between the different departments to boost efficiency. * Culture: In my opinion I believe that Aquarius has a very low and undefined organizational culture. It seems like the employees are all looking out for themselves and trying to get ahead of everyone else. These values although unwritten provide the glue to having everyone on the same page and are absolutely essential in providing clients with top of the line work. * Size: Since Aquarius is a mid-sized firm with various specialists on the professional staff of the operations and marketing divisions I would say they have anywhere from 1000-1500 employees. With this many employees it is critical to have effective communication between the different departments. This would in turn increase flexibility in this unpredictable environment. * Environment: Changes in the environment is the main reason why the agency is considering the need for reorganization. It is typical for advertising agencies to gain/lose clients quickly, this is why is it so essential to have everyone in the organization effectively communicating with each other in order to satisfy their clients and reduce turnover. * Technology: Aquarius has a number of different specialists on their team that work together in assisting their clients, but there is always room for improvement in regards to better communication. It would seem to me that Aquarius would have a number of different programs and internet sites to assist them achieving their services. 2) A new organizational structure that takes into consideration the contextual variables in the case and the information flows is the divisional structure. This structure is suited to fast change in an unstable environment and provides high product or service visibility. A major problem that occurs in Aquarius is that each client account is coordinated by an account executive who acts as a liaison between the client and various specialists. Unfortunately this isn’t followed because sometimes the account executives don’t even know what is going on until a week later. The divisional structure leads to customer satisfaction because product responsibility and contact points are clear. This in turn involves high coordination across functions which will make everyone check with the executive first to get approval before contacting the client. Coordination across functions will allow their services to adapt to the requirements of the individual clients and perform beyond their expectations. This structure would allow Aquarius to achieve their goals while increasing their organizational culture as a whole and being able to adapt more quickly to this unstable environment. 3) Would a matrix structure be feasible for Aquarius? I my opinion I believe that a balanced matrix structure would be hard to implement and maintain. This is due to the fact that account executives as one side of the authority structure would often dominate over the specialists. In order for the account executive to do their job correctly they need everyone on their side and in coordination to run important information by them first. Perhaps a better alternative would be a product matrix where the executives have primary authority and the specialists assign technical personal to the projects and provide advisory expertise as needed. With dual authority I feel that it would be frustrating and confusing for everyone, there needs to be a clear contact points. There would always be a need for frequent meetings to resolve any conflicts between the different authorities, it would simply just require to great of an effort to maintain the power balance.

College English Multimodal Teaching and Autonomic Learning

College English Multimodal Teaching and Autonomic Learning Study on the Relationship between College English Multimodal Teaching and Autonomic Learning Keywords: English, multi-modal teaching, English teaching, autonomous learning, relevance. Abstract. University English multi-modal teaching model is an important trend in college English teaching reform. With the development of multimedia technology, multi-modal teaching PPT presentation can give students a variety of modes of cognitive stimulation in the classroom. By teaching examples experimental classes and control classes, study the relationship between college English multi-modal teaching and student learning performance between. Experimental results show that multi-modal teaching model conforms to the development trend of college English teaching, to maintain students interest in learning English, improve their English proficiency and efficiency of memory are related. Teachers should utilize multi-modal teaching methods to inspire students to a variety of modes of interaction, multi-modal students reading ability. Multi-modal teaching model has changed the traditional classroom teaching English writing mainly to textbooks as the main teaching content teaching. Writ ing in College English teaching, teachers take full advantage of modern media, with pictures, video and other modes of physical activity, the rational organization of teaching content and students are encouraged to write in after-school training and self-learning multi-modal under. Practice has proved that this teaching model to enhance the college English classroom teaching also has a strong practical significance. Introduction With globalization, the current classroom teaching cannot meet the development needs of students teachers need to actively develop the means to acquire new knowledge and information, access to more learning resources. Modern science and technology and the development of multi-modal theory, there are many new presentation of learning resources and information, such as the construction of online teaching and learning platform, multi-modal learning courseware development will be translated into new teaching methods, also will be the new teaching mode, teaching and learning methods in foreign language teaching is becoming possible, this way, foreign language teaching in multi-modal become a necessity. Therefore, not only teachers can take advantage of new educational technologies to improve teaching effectiveness, students can also take advantage of modern science and technology to search for new information resources, multimedia platform for independent learning and innovative practice. Multi-modal in foreign language learning in the field of application, so that learners by accepting the information perception, understanding, encoding and storage, the resulting input information and knowledge stored polyethylene while providing protection for the unconscious and conscious language output, thereby make language learning the formation of a virtuous circle. However, in the multi-modal and information age, especially in the era of knowledge explosion, classroom teaching alone cannot meet the needs of students knowledge and capabilities, urgent need to develop self-learning and multi-modal network learning, teachers should learn how to new age guide or guide student learning. Multimodal Discourse theory emerged in the 1990s, Western countries, Western researchers in critical discourse analysis, based on the research results of social semiotics, functional grammar system and the traditional discourse analysis and other fields evolved. Study abroad from the point of view, R.Barthes is the first multi-modal discourse analysis linguist, major aspects of the relationship from the expression of pictures and words to explore the significance of discourse analysis. In the high-tech and computer network popular today, teaching methods should also be with the times. College English classes in order to teach a lively, in order to attract students interest and attention, teachers need to have a wide range of teaching methods and skills, and to make such an extensive collection of pictures, video, animation and other information, design the new form the PPT, and flexible integration of multi-modal teaching methods to inspire students to a variety of modes of interaction, multimodal students reading ability.   Ã‚   Figure.1 Multimodal Teaching The Proposed Methodology Multi-modal teaching concepts.Humans through the five senses to perceive the vastness of the world, the perception of these five channels produced five communication modes: visual modal, modal auditory, tactile mode, smell and taste modal. The so-called modal refers to the human sensory channel through interaction with the external environment, including the use of language, images, sounds, movements and other means and symbolic resources. Two or more single mode constitute multi-modal, such as traditional text-text is single-mode, film, television with images, charts books, magazines, newspapers and other materials compared with multi-modal, and or audio on your computer, video, and subtitles are multimodal texts. So, we can say that each modality are symbolic resources, together, constitute the overall meaning. For example, dogs sense of smell through modal perceive the world; mainly through the visual modality deaf to communicate with people; blind listening to music, reading Braille rely on auditory and tactile modality; children and illiterate primarily through auditory and visual modality learn their mother tongue and many more. We experience the world from a variety of channels and we also will be the integration of a variety of sensory coordination. Multi-modal teaching belongs to the scope of multi-modal discourse between teachers and students to communicate in five different modes of communication and symbolic resources. The role of multi-modal PPT.With the widespread use of multimedia classrooms in universities, multi-modal presentation of the PPT can arouse students interest in learning objectives from a variety of sensory and symbolic resources, various modal information Courseware text, image, audio, video, etc. carrier carrying a large amount of text, extensions rich information on all aspects of the field of vision, extra-curricular knowledge, group activities, etc., and its hypertext, hyperlinks feature can fully mobilize the students various senses, encourage students to expand thinking, to deepen the impression and strengthen memory the goal of. Excellent multi-modal PPT information should not be too much, there must be focus and difficulty, students thinking to leave room for discussion. Courseware to form simple, elegant, not too fancy, because too much emphasis on the external form but will reduce students text content and meaning of the note, which have a negative impact on language acquisition. Multi-modal teaching PPT presentation slide show mode is not simply, but the method of teaching courseware and teacher and student learning characteristics combine to attract students interest in learning, and ultimately improve student achievement. Multimodal Discourse domestic research has just begun, for multi-modal teaching research less. I tried teaching the following examples explore different modalities in teaching roles and the relationship between them, observe the relevant multi-modal teaching and student learning, as well as multi-modal teaching to enhance students memory Have a facilitating role. Multi-modal theory.In foreign multi-modal theory it has now been widely used in language teaching, and gradually formed a unique theoretical system and research methods. Multimodal refers to mankind through the senses (sight, hearing, touch, etc.) interact with the external environment (people, machines, objects, etc.) between. In the information age and these different modes of reproduction plays the same role in the level of significance. Multi-modal theory and foreign language teaching are closely linked. On the one hand, foreign language teaching reform to promote the multi-modal theory in foreign language teaching practice. On the other hand, multi-modal theory, in turn, to the development of foreign language teaching reform provided an opportunity. Therefore, the introduction of writing in English classroom teaching multi-modal teaching methods, for teachers and students before class, during, and after the exchange, learning provide multi-faceted communication platform, independent of time, space and distance and other factors constraints, closer through text, images, audio, video and other network resources the distance between teachers and students, their communication is unimpeded, between students can also explore the pros and cons of the process of teaching and learning experience from each other, to increase the writing course interest in the teaching process can be controlled in perfect order, flipped class room fully accessible, easy to achieve the established teaching plans and teaching goal setting, to achieve good teaching results. Autonomous Learning Ability.Writing is an important part of language teaching and learning, whether Chinese or English, teaching of writing have become an important part of language teaching, improve writing skills for their future application in the language class related work or engaged in related research is is particularly important in the actual language teaching and learning process, writing has always been a difficulty. Scholars believe that student lack proper training and learning guidance system resulting in many students writing skills are relatively low. Multi-modal teaching model, teachers in many ways photos, videos and physical activities to stimulate learners senses and create scenarios, make full use of Internet and other modern media to regulate the classroom atmosphere, enhance classroom effect to mobilize students cognitive senses, for example, teachers in the classroom writing multi-modal information is presented to the relevant images, text, sound and other stimuli, flexibility and control over the validity of learning resources, to maximize the students immersed in the establishment language scenario to attract the attention of students, to stimulate students cognitive and acceptance of writing tasks, so as to achieve the desired effect of teaching writing. Based on College English Writing Class multimodal learning environment, teachers should abandon the language taught in single-mode input methods, should through auditory, visual and other means of teaching methods of online media to create a multi-dimensional dynamic language learning environment the students brain is stimulated by external stimuli, resulting in a positive learning effect. Self-learning in the classroom should reflect the student-centered, independent learning by students ability to self-analysis, exploration, practice, creation, to achieve to achieve learning objectives. Multi-modal self-learning mode.College English Writing Mode Multimode state for Students interest in writing and the promotion of writing self-learning ability is obvious. Specifically, students can take advantage of multi-modal model and the teachers computer network to provide media, the students complete their own conscious or cognitive activities, play the role of language acquisition, to achieve the conversion of knowledge into skills. In the whole writing part of autonomous learning, teachers play a leading role, plays the main role of the student, multimedia computer network played a good supporting role. Visible, College English Writing Mode Multimode state has played both inside and outside the classroom to promote a virtuous circle beneficial role in promoting the students English writing from passive to active, play a student initiative and enthusiasm for learning, teaching and learning to promote common progress and develop together. Meanwhile, the multi-modal autonomous learning of teachers and students to promote the implementation of the emotions, reduce their writing anxiety, improve students interest in learning, teamwork to enhance their knowledge and ability of college student practical ability. In addition, the angle of teaching practice, the principle of multi-modal reflect individualized is to respect individual differences of learners in the understanding of individual learners in language ability, cognitive style, motivation, attitude and personality and other aspects of the differences on the basis of carried out of suitable teaching methods and teaching mode. Although college English writing, multi-modal network media teaching platform Teaching Writing Course pointed out the direction, but we must also soberly aware that, to the network platform for some of the potential pitfalls of teaching needs to be sufficient attention, also committed to encouraging students to implement effective self-learning in multi-modal under. Only in this way, the network media Teaching Resources under the multi-modal can really provide maximum supplementary language learning platform for teachers and students. Conclusion A variety of multi-modal teaching activities can motivate the student, the student group discussions in the classroom, English debate, role play reading, educational games, create their own little drama in English, see pictures retell stories inspired little English students enthusiasm, and strengthen the cooperative learning groups, students Multi-literacies further improved. The first phase of the transition from traditional English teaching to the second stage of the multi-modal English teaching, teaching effect has been significantly improved. At the same time, students can use in their spare College English autonomous learning system, increasing the modal auditory and visual input modes, search the Internet and organize learning materials relevant to the subject, and in the classroom with PPT displayed, to cultivate and improve their English autonomous learning ability, creative thinking and the ability of the integrated use of English plays an important role. The effectiveness of multi-modal college English teaching model has been verified in teaching practice. University English multi-modal teaching mode changes the rigid traditional language teaching, monotonous, dull teaching atmosphere in class is introduced, except language non-verbal symbols, a combination of non-verbal form of images, video, music and other multi-modal symbol for the development of multi-modal teaching provided a new impetus to creating a new language teaching education information age. Meanwhile, the lack of research, such as the number of samples used in experimental studies is too small and a relatively short cycle, I expect to have more researchers to be amended in the future and improve teaching practice, in order to promote college English teaching deepening reform. References 1. Lu, Lu. The Application of British Parliamentary Debate in College English Classroom from Multimodal Perspective. 2013 International Conference on Advanced ICT and Education (ICAICTE-13). Atlantis Press, 2013. 2. Wang, Qian. A Case Study on College English TeacherS Non-Verbal Behaviours under the Setting of Multimodality. International Journal of English Language Teaching 3.6 (2015): 21-31. 3. Dryer, Dylan B., et al. Revising FYC Outcomes for a Multimodal, Digitally Composed World: The WPA Outcomes Statement for First-Year Composition (Version 3.0). WPA: Writing Program Administration-Journal of the Council of Writing Program Administrators 38.1 (2014). 4. Yan, S. U. N. Multimodal Teaching of An Introduction to British and American CultureBased on the Theory of Constructivism. Journal of Nanyang Normal University 7 (2014): 019. 5. McKenzie, Cori, Michael Macaluso, and Kati Macaluso. Finding Footholds in a Construction Zone: Navigating the Discourses of English Language Arts with Pre-Service Teachers in the 21st Century. Innovations in English Language Arts Teacher Education. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2017. 5-26.

Basic Concept of Organizational Behavior Essay -- Fundamentals of Organ

Perhaps the single most important technique for motivating the people you supervise is to treat them the same way you wish to be treated: as responsible professionals. It sounds simple; just strike the right balance of respect, dignity, fairness, incentive, and guidance, and you will create a motivated, productive, satisfying, and secure work environment. Unfortunately, as soon as the complexities of our evolving workforce mix with human relationships, even the best-intentioned supervisors can find the management side of their jobs deteriorating into chaos. Theories As corporations strive to boost earnings in an increasingly competitive environment, they inevitably turn their attention to the issue of employee productivity and motivation. When employees are unsatisfied with their current work situation, productivity decreases, tension builds in the workplace, and morale becomes very low. Companies have known historically that morale affects productivity, yet management has struggled to come to terms with the factors that can create positive morale and an environment that attracts and retains workers and encourages them to produce. For this reason, many companies look for training and practices that aim to achieve a higher level of employee motivation. Maslow ¡Ã‚ ¦s & Herzberg ¡Ã‚ ¦s For many years various motivation theories have made assumptions and offered explanations regarding human nature. However, no single motivation theory has proven to be the end all - be all - of motivation. In order to understand the various underlying themes related to motivation the following three theories have been identified - content, process and reinforcement. Content theories are primarily concerned with what arouses behavior or particular attributes that motivate individuals. The most prominent content theory of motivation is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Herzberg ¡Ã‚ ¦s Motivational-Hygiene Theory. Maslow offered that human beings have their needs arranged in a hierarchy such that they are motivated to seek satisfaction of the lower levels of need first. Once that level of need is satisfied it is no longer a motivator, and the person is motivated by the next level up the hierarchy. From a managerial perspective money, status, achievement, working conditions, friendly supervisors and co-workers can satisfy these individual needs. Herzberg used this theory as... ...t's your department; the buck stops with you. Your team respects your integrity and trusts you to lead. You become a champion, not an oppressor. Share the Spotlight: The flip side of accepting responsibility for everything that goes wrong is giving subordinates just credit for everything that goes right. Never take credit for a subordinate's work, and mention names at every possible opportunity. Don't be afraid that this approach endangers your own career. You were made a supervisor because others in authority recognized your capabilities. The test of your value as a supervisor is your ability to create a productive, efficient team. Show management that working for you is the best thing that ever happened to your staff by drawing attention to each subordinate's excellent performance. If your team is performing at a high level, you won't need to blow your own horn - your value will be obvious. Conclusion The face of business is evolving at a mind blowing pace. As the economy fluctuates and organizations seek ways to beat the competition and be profitable, nothing remains more important to this goal than keeping the employees and management motivated in the modern workforce. Basic Concept of Organizational Behavior Essay -- Fundamentals of Organ Perhaps the single most important technique for motivating the people you supervise is to treat them the same way you wish to be treated: as responsible professionals. It sounds simple; just strike the right balance of respect, dignity, fairness, incentive, and guidance, and you will create a motivated, productive, satisfying, and secure work environment. Unfortunately, as soon as the complexities of our evolving workforce mix with human relationships, even the best-intentioned supervisors can find the management side of their jobs deteriorating into chaos. Theories As corporations strive to boost earnings in an increasingly competitive environment, they inevitably turn their attention to the issue of employee productivity and motivation. When employees are unsatisfied with their current work situation, productivity decreases, tension builds in the workplace, and morale becomes very low. Companies have known historically that morale affects productivity, yet management has struggled to come to terms with the factors that can create positive morale and an environment that attracts and retains workers and encourages them to produce. For this reason, many companies look for training and practices that aim to achieve a higher level of employee motivation. Maslow ¡Ã‚ ¦s & Herzberg ¡Ã‚ ¦s For many years various motivation theories have made assumptions and offered explanations regarding human nature. However, no single motivation theory has proven to be the end all - be all - of motivation. In order to understand the various underlying themes related to motivation the following three theories have been identified - content, process and reinforcement. Content theories are primarily concerned with what arouses behavior or particular attributes that motivate individuals. The most prominent content theory of motivation is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Herzberg ¡Ã‚ ¦s Motivational-Hygiene Theory. Maslow offered that human beings have their needs arranged in a hierarchy such that they are motivated to seek satisfaction of the lower levels of need first. Once that level of need is satisfied it is no longer a motivator, and the person is motivated by the next level up the hierarchy. From a managerial perspective money, status, achievement, working conditions, friendly supervisors and co-workers can satisfy these individual needs. Herzberg used this theory as... ...t's your department; the buck stops with you. Your team respects your integrity and trusts you to lead. You become a champion, not an oppressor. Share the Spotlight: The flip side of accepting responsibility for everything that goes wrong is giving subordinates just credit for everything that goes right. Never take credit for a subordinate's work, and mention names at every possible opportunity. Don't be afraid that this approach endangers your own career. You were made a supervisor because others in authority recognized your capabilities. The test of your value as a supervisor is your ability to create a productive, efficient team. Show management that working for you is the best thing that ever happened to your staff by drawing attention to each subordinate's excellent performance. If your team is performing at a high level, you won't need to blow your own horn - your value will be obvious. Conclusion The face of business is evolving at a mind blowing pace. As the economy fluctuates and organizations seek ways to beat the competition and be profitable, nothing remains more important to this goal than keeping the employees and management motivated in the modern workforce.

Essay --

Dalton 1 Prairie Dalton Sherry Prewitt ELA Period 2 2/25/14 The 1960’s were a time of freedom and revolution for the United States. The decade brought along a changed world and a transformed culture. The 60’s hosted an influential series of events that opened many doors in politics, war, and pop culture that would continue to have an impact for many years to come. The beginning of the 60’s marked a point in time when the children of the post World War II baby boom became teenagers and young adults. This collective youth wanted change for the world in which they were growing up. These changes affected education, values, lifestyle, and laws as well as many other things. The surge of youth caused the conservative way of the previous decade to sway to a more liberal path. People learned that politics could be affected through peaceful demonstrations and protests. This change in thinking affected many things during that time, and still has an effect today. (Goodwin, Susan and Becky Bradley.) The 60’s were an especially big year for politics. With the beginning of the decade came the inauguration of charismatic, young J.F.K. The president wanted to get the country moving again, after the effects of the previous war. Kennedy made promises of keeping the United States ahead of the Dalton 2 Soviet Union in the Space Race and Cold War. The nation was on the brink of a new political era. Once elected, winning against Richard Nixon by a landslide, he raised minimum wage, set up peace corps and heavily supported the coming civil rights movement. (â€Å"Politics: Power to The People†). Problems such as racial justice and gender equality h... ...l-known english model of the time, popularized short hair as well as different makeup styles, including nude lips and large false eyelashes. Men’s styles included bright, colorful patterns and fabrics that contrasted the pastels that were in style for women. Suits included frills and cravats, wide ties, crazy prints and leather. (â€Å"Fashion in The 1960’s†) Longer hair was also becoming more acceptable for men after The Beatles became popular, influencing â€Å"mop-top† styles and shaggier hair. Towards the end of the decade, the androgynous hippie style emerged. It included flared bell-bottom jeans, tie-dyed shirts, headbands and sandals. After ten years, the decade finally came to a close. Changes in politics, war and pop culture opened many doors for coming decades. Events in these areas were not only impacted the 60’s, but impacted more in many ways for years to come.

Racism and Sexism in Toni Morrisons Sula Essay -- Toni Morrison Sula

Racism and Sexism in Toni Morrison's Sula Racism and sexism are both themes that are developed throughout the novel Sula, by Toni Morrison. The book is based around the black community of "The Bottom," which itself was established on a racist act. Later the characters in this town become racist as well. This internalized racism that develops may well be a survival tactic developed by the people over years, which still exists even at the end of the novel. The two main characters of this novel are Nel Wright and Sula Peace. They are both female characters and are often disadvantaged due to their gender. Nel and Sula are depicted as complete opposites that come together to almost complete one another through their once balanced friendship. Nel is shown to be a good character because she plays a socially acceptable role as a woman, submissive wife and mother, while Sula conforms to no social stereotypes and lets almost nothing hold her back, thus she is viewed as evil by the people in her community. Both women are judged b y how well they fit into the preconceived social conventions and stereotypes that exist in "the Bottom." The social conventions that are set up in this book play out in a small black community in Ohio called "the Bottom." The community itself formed when a white slave owner tricked his naà ¯ve black slave into accepting hilly mountainous land that would be hard to farm and very troublesome instead of the actual bottom (fertile valley) land that he was promised. The slave was told "when God looks down, it's the bottom. That's why we call it so. It's the bottom of heaven-best land there is" (4), and on the basis of this lie a community was formed. Its almost as if the towns misfortune is passed down ... ... what happened as a turn in life and does not feel like she is the cause of Chicken Little's death. She mourns his death and then moves on. Sula has a feminist spirit and refuses to melt into the typical mold of a woman. She "discovered years before that [she was] neither white nor male, and that all freedom and triumph was forbidden to [her]" (52). Because of this she decides to lead her life on her own terms. Sula encounters both racism and sexism and is placed in a situation in which she has no release for her wild spirit. She cannot live out in the world with the freedoms of a man, but doesn't want to live as a stereotypically sheltered woman either. In attempting to break these boundaries she is hated by the town and viewed as an "evil" person by the community in which she lives. Works Cited: Morrison, Toni. Sula. Plume. New York: 1973.

If I Were a Poor Black Kid

English 112 20 February 2013 If I were a poor black kid Gene Marks is a contributor to Forbes and the author of the article, â€Å"If I were a poor black kid. † In the beginning of his article he agrees with Mr. Obama and quotes the president’s statement, â€Å"This is the defining issue of our time†¦This is a make-or-break moment for the middle class, and for all those who are fighting to get into the middle class. Because what’s at stake is whether this will be a country where working people can earn enough to raise a family, build a modest savings, own a home, secure their retirement. It is hard not to agree with the president and Mr. Marks that these are important times for the middle class. However, Marks seems to think that technology is the way forward, which oversimplifies this complex problem. He refers, over nine times in the article, that â€Å"technology† is the way out of poverty. Marks’ contends that, â€Å"The biggest challenge we face isn’t inequality. It’s ignorance. †Ã‚   He makes this statement in spite of having no experience of being black nor poor.Mind you, this is coming from a white guy who was raised in the suburbs and was the former owner of Marks Group PC, a 10 person customer relationship management consulting firm based outside Philadelphia. The point he refers to as â€Å"being poor† are black children that reside in West Philadelphia. He lacks any knowledge regarding these individuals, considering his only understanding of â€Å"West Philadelphia† is not from him his own personal experience but only from a few teachers he knows, which he openly states.It is easy to agree with Marks when he talks about all of the technology enabling things he would do if he were a â€Å"poor black† kid: * Use homework tools like Backpack, and Diigo * Purchased hardware at outlets like Tiger Direct and Dell’s Outlet. * Study sites like SparkNotes and CliffsNote s * Watch relevant teachings on Academic Earth, TED and the Khan Academy. * Get free books from Project Gutenberg * Do research on sites such as, CIA World, Factbook, and Wikipedia These are great ideas for everyone to use whether you are from West Philadelphia or a student at Thomas Nelson.However, these are not cures to grow the middle class. The articles effectiveness is directly calling attention to a national problem, due to the fact that this article was written in Forbes which is intended for wealthy people. The affluent are a key part to any solution for issues of this magnitude. He fails to suggest to his readers any steps they can take to help the situation, but focuses his article on kids who will never pick up a copy of this magazine.What makes this sad is that Gene Marks’ is stating all of these things he would do if he were a poor black kid, yet has failed to actually reach out to these children. For example, Marks’ explains how his kids are just â€Å"l ucky enough to have parents and a well funded school system†¦Ã¢â‚¬  If Marks’ made more of an active attempt to help these children he would be tackling the problem. Marks’ could bridge the span of division by not only talking about the situation but actually doing something about it. Marks’ has an abundance of words, however no action which makes him apart of the great divide.Though this may not be his intent, this article is full of â€Å"between the lines† racial stupidity and arrogance. Marks writes as if poor and black are the same, he states this eight times in the article. Poor does not discriminate among races, bigotry is what discriminates. Unfortunately, Marks under emphasizes the most important elements of success even though he clearly states them, â€Å"It takes brains. It takes hard work. It takes a little luck. † These are well understood methods for success; they are easier said than done.Marks may have good intentions, yet th ey seem underwhelming and overly simplistic to move his audience into appropriate action. Just explaining that there is a problem is not motivating enough to help the situation. Kids don’t just wake up one day, nor do any, and know how to set goals for their futures or what tools are available to help themselves academically. These children need mentors, role models, people who are actively involved in helping them become successful, and not contributors to Forbes who think they are â€Å"rich† lecturing them on a way out of their condition.

The Souls of Black Folk Critical Analysis

Critical Analysis Madonna R. Stengel Spalding University In the selections, Forethought, Chapter I and Chapter V from W. E. B. De Bois’ The Souls of Black Folk, the author is attempting to explain the inner struggle playing out in the subconscious of African-American’s minds following the era of reconstruction, as well as offer his common sense solutions to this matter. He refers to this battle of dueling realities within the mind as double consciousness, using â€Å"the veil† as a metaphor to illustrate the isolation and sometimes the protection felt when living within the veil.He attempted to help African-Americans, as well as whites find peace with each other and within their souls, by being true to themselves, instead of accepting the ascribed identities or being the offenders who ascribe those identities. This theme of autonomy and injustice is obviously a common thread of many African American authors, although De Bois takes the concepts a bit further by an alyzing ascribed vs. avowed identity and the reality of human limitations.The message, especially in Chapter V is a forward thinking, broad view that involves setting ethical priorities, educating people appropriately, while not allowing imposed limitations regarding race, gender or socio-economics to hold some back nor the stumbling block of human limitations hold other back. Therein lies the difference between De Bois and some other authors, who endeavor to empower by offering only grandiose ideals without common sense solutions. W. E. B De Bois was very concerned with this dual consciousness theory and image of the â€Å"veil† as an approach to bringing broad understanding to the African-American experience.He believed that it was important for African-Americans to recognize this phenomenon, but equally important was the education and recognition of those who imposed the â€Å"veil. † De Bois is implying, not so subtly, with the veil analogy that it’s a tool to separate and diminish whoever is wearing it and if there is no ability to look figuratively into the eyes, one can’t know the soul, and if one can’t know the soul, one does not have to recognize the humanity. Therefore, injustices and sub-human treatment is much easier to carry out and defend.Also, as educator De Bois was concerned with access to an equitable and appropriate education for all, even if that meant â€Å"teaching the worker to work. † He realized that the key to empowerment was education. He also realized that it was not only the African- Americans population that was in need of an education. He held strong to the belief that it was imperative to train blacks and whites with respect to one another’s culture, in an effort to bring peace and understanding between the races. He also realized that some people, regardless of their race, social status or gender were more inclined to be scholarly than others.He writes, â€Å"Neither or both: te ach the worker to work and the thinker to think; †¦And the final product of our training must be neither a psychologist nor a brickmason, but a man. And to make men, we must have ideals, broad, pure and inspiring ends of living—–not sordid money-getting, not apple of gold. † The worker must work for the glory of his handiwork, not simply for pay; the thinker must think for truth, not fame. So, the message is be true to oneself, and the rest will follow. Works Cited Du Bois, W. E. B. (1969) The souls of black folk: Essays and sketches. New York: Fawcett World Library.