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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

GREEN REVOULITION!

GREEN <span class=

THE TERM” GREEN”AND “REVOLUTION” BECOME EVIDENT HERE.THE TERM “DESERTIFICATION”AND” GREENERY” STAND IN CONTRARY WITH EACH OTHER.THE EARTH HIGHLY “ CONSIDERS”THE TERM” SOIL”.


THE” SOIL GENESIS” IS A MATTER OF CONSIDERATION.SOIL IS FORMED DUE TO VARIOUS” MECHANISMS”. IT’S MAJORLY STANDS FOR “ROCK GENESIS”.


THE TERM” GREEN”HERE STANDS FOR A CONCEPTION OF EYE. MEANS THAT IT’S AN ADORABLE VIEW.THE CONCEPTION GIVES THE CLEAR PERCEPTION OF RICHNESS (GREENERY).

HERE THE TERM” DESERTIFICATION”BECOMES EVIDENT TO DEFINE.


DESERTIFICATION DENOTES THE DEGREE OF SOIL “SPOILING”. ITS MAY BE TERMED AS A” SPOILED” SOIL; A “DISASTROUS” SOIL AND A “RUINED”SOIL.DESERTIFICATION CAN BE DUE TO VARIOUS CONSTRAINTS. THE MAJOR FACTOR IS DISTURBING THE “FOOD CHAIN”.


GREEN REVOLUTION CALLS FOR CAMPAIGNING.VARIOUS LAND REFORMS AND SOIL REVITALIZING CONCEPTS HAVE BEEN ADOPTED.


GREEN REVOLUTION ACTUALLY STANDS FOR A” HYBRID”BASED TECHNIQUE OF CULTIVATION (CROSS POLLINATION& VARIOUS FERTILIZATION PROCESSES). THIS INCREASES “PER CA PITA”OUTCOME.


MORE”RESISTANT”TO THE SO CALLED PESTS AND INSECTS; TAKE LESS “INPUT”; TAKE LESS “ TIME”;” MULTIPLY” WITHOUT A” PROPORTIONATE”; MORE RICH IN “NUTRIENTS”; THE” SOIL QUALITY” IS IMPROVED IN A LARGE SCALE, ETC.


INDIA HAS ADOPTED THE CONCEPT FROM A LONG AGO.”BIOTECHNOLOGY “HAS ENABLED US TO BRING ABOUT SEEDS OF BETTER QUALITY.SEEDS OF HIGH” PRODUCTIVITY”HERE CLARIFIES ITSELF.FARMERS HAVE BEEN PROMOTED FAR BETTER (SUBSIDY).


NEPAL IS ALSO ATTENUATING ITS STEPS ALONG IT.VARIOUS IMPLEMENTING PLANS, POLICIES AND LAND REFORMING SYSTEMS HAS BEEN ADOPTED.VARIOUS FRUITS; CEREALS; SHRUBS; HERBS ETC ARE BEING CROSSED TO PRODUCE MORE BIGGER, BETTER AND”TASTY”FOOD SUPPLEMENTS.


THE ECONOMIC SECTOR OF THE COUNTRY TO A GREAT DEAL CAN BE ACCOUNTED FOR IT.THE THEME OF “HEALTHY FRUITFUL” LEAVING MAY BE ACCOUNTED FOR IT.FOR AGRICULTURE BASED CONTINENTS LIKE SOUTH ASIA (INDIA, SRI LANKA, BANGLADESH, NEPAL, BHUTAN, PAKISTAN ETC) IT HAS PROVEN ITSELF.


NOW THE WHOLE WORLD HAS BEEN ADOPTING THIS STRATEGY.IT IS “ASSURING”SIMPLIFICATION.NOT ONLY IN COUNTRY BASIS BUT ALSO IN “UNIT”BASIS VIZ; VILLAGE;”TOLE”AND EVEN IN HOUSE BASIS IT IS BEING ADOPTED.

SO,” LETS MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE BY ADOPTING THE CONCEPT OF GREEN REVOLUTION”IS A MAJOR SLOGAN TODAY.


THIS IS A VERY CONCISE HYPOTHETICAL THEORY ABOUT THE TERM” GREEN REVOLUTION”.


REVOLUTION”HERE STANDS FOR A DRASTIC CHANGE, WHICH CAN ENHANCE THE WHOLESOME HUMANITY AND THE RELATED ASPECTS.

Monday, May 24, 2010

What is the Importance of Communication for Work Groups?

What is the Importance of Communication for Work Groups?

Introduction

There are various types of workplace groups that cut across all phases of our lives. Work groups are formed when there is a need to perform a given task or role as a team. There are various dynamics that need to be addressed as people work together to achieve their objectives. Lack of effectiveness or control can cause a workplace group to weaken or to fail altogether. (Dyer, 1995)

The role groups or teams play in the workplace of each team member.

Overview of workplace group

The workplace chosen for review is a team of restaurant workers. This restaurant is a combination of various professions and duties all working towards satisfying customers’ needs and maintaining the good name of the company. I worked in this restaurant as a waiter.

The type of group which will be reviewed in the subsequent sections is a work team. It was made up of the following members:

Team leader

Restaurant manager

Team members

Waiters/waitresses

Chefs

Dishwashers, cleaners

Cashiers

Store keeper

How s/he functions in the workplace (i.e. what is his/her role)

There are a number of functions performed by this work team. The team leader is supposed to supervise customer service, kitchen and stock control. Team members are all supposed to contribute to the presentation of hygienic food at an acceptable standard. In line with this function, team members should ensure that meals are presented quickly and in due time. Besides this, there should present friendly service and ensure that the restaurant is always in top hygienic conditions. The team members are also supposed to know all the products on offer and should be able to give advice to customers concerning food served. All members should also contribute highly to increased sales in the restaurant ((Dyer, 1995)

Outlined tasks of the team members

In any restaurant, every worker is entitled to perform different duties at a time. Some could be in the kitchen, others in customer care, storage and in the accounts section. All these sections require individuals trained on a particular and specific sector in order to perform his or her duties effectively. To bring all these groups of people to a single teamwork is a tedious job

Waiters/waitresses; serve food to customers

Chefs; prepare recipes and prepare these recipes

Dishwashers, cleaners; clean the dishes used and other utensils

Cashiers; receive cash for the services offered by the restaurant

Store keeper; make supplies and other products used by the restaurant

How it came into being;

The team was formed as a result of enhancing the service delivery of the restaurant and also in order to improve inter-relations between the workers. It was thought that in order to improve the menu, services, cleanliness, and overall service delivery of the restaurant all the workers in involved should form a team.

How long it has existed

The team was formed six months ago and it is expected to continue and its task is continuous, though it will be reviewing its achievements and objectives on regular basis

Group’s development

According to the People’s small group development theory initiated by Marshall Poole, this restaurant team under analysis has skipped backwards and forwards between topic, relations and task paths. The tasks path involves the course of finishing goals by the group while the topics track is a topic under discussion at any one time. In the restaurant’s case, tasks involve providing customer care, keeping records, preparing and presenting food. (Quinn, 1988) The relations path deals with the relationships of members of the group. This implies that there are times when members of the group leave tasks aside and center on relationships or the opposite may occur. In the restaurant, there is unity only when all the three paths intertwine, that is when the group members agree on the three tracks. Breakpoints in the restaurant occur when conversations changes to other issues, or when conversations have been deferred. In addition, they can also occur when meetings have been adjourned.

Type of leadership the group has (rotational)

`Leadership of a team is at times may result to poor performance of a group/team if it is not well handled and agreed upon by all the team members, in this group leadership is rotational. A leader is allowed to leader for a period of two months and another is picked and those it has reduced squabbles as each one of the members is given a chance to lead. Dyer (1995) examines the John Adair’s action centered leadership theory. John Adair came up with a model to explain team leadership. It is composed of three entities i.e. team, tasks and individuals. He believed that ‘A team leader has three roles;

1) Team leader must plan, assign, review tasks of their organization

2) Team leader must communicate, create a culture of ethics, give feedback to their team

3) Team leader must understand, develop, train and recognize each individual’s efforts’ Dyer (1995)

Leadership style(s) are displayed in the group

The team has a participative kind of leadership; Participative leadership involves other people on the decision making process. The leader in this case can include team members when making decisions for the team. This involves making decisions concerning what should be done and how the tasks should be done in the by the team this does not mean that the team members make the final decision. It means that the leader considers the contributions of the team members but comes up with a final decision. This type of leadership is very essential when the leader or the manager doesn’t know everything concerning the situation. In most cases actually the team leader doesn’t know everything. He or she may know part of the information and the team members have the other part. (Maundy, 2001)

How the group leader communicates during group meetings

The group leader takes listening as the main way of communicating, while Listening is the selective activity that involves the reception and the understanding of what ones says. Listening is an important aspect of communication, without creating time to listen, it becomes hard to communicate and know where the problem is. Research shows that, communication is highly enhanced by listening. This usually has a positive effect on a person talking as they well feel appreciated and valued and be eager to continue communicate issues. Thus since a leader may not be having expertise in the other fields he/ she normally listens. (Pinker, 1997)

Conclusion

Teams have been known to improve the performance of an organization and at the same time nurture the leadership skills of team leaders and members as a whole. However, times can only work well if all team members are satisfied with the arrangement of the team. Maundy (2001) notes that, effective management structure and culture of an organization affects teams’ performance. Difficulties can arise at all levels of teamwork building i.e. at the formation, building and implementation stages. These difficulties are so critical that they need to be addressed at length before deciding to adopt them as a way of improving productivity. In the long run it will lead to the breakdown of individual relationships which affect their productivity in general at the company. Communication is a very important tool in any set up. It is even more important in the within teams has it will ensure smooth operation of the team.

Friday, May 21, 2010

What could be called as Quality work life (QWL?)

What could be called as Quality work life (QWL?)
Introduction
A job can be described as responsibilities and a wide range of tasks that an employee is responsible to carry out. A task on the other hand can be described as a work unit that aims at producing results. Sometimes tasks can be referred to as functions especially in complex positions. The functions, general tasks and responsibilities of a position are normally referred to as job descriptions. A job analysis on the other hand includes examination of the tasks that are obligatory in the performance of a specific job. Job analysis can also refer to the various methodologies used in analyzing a job requirement. This paper is dealing with a job analysis for a human resource manager in General Motors Company. (Rotundo, 2004)

A human resource manager in General Motors Company has various tasks which are part and parcel of his responsibilities. One of the tasks that a human resource manager in General Motors Company has is planning. This is the process of developing the company’s mission and defining specific methods of accomplishing it. It can be on a broader or narrow perspective depending on the scope of the goal. (Wagoner, 2007)

Planning comes in a number of ways since all sectors in any other business require some form of planning in order to stick to what has been planned. First, there is financial planning which entails the budgeting allocations for all the programs being undertaken within the company. It also includes the setting and monitoring the financial spending of the Company in view of auditing any misappropriation of funds. Provision of benefits, compensations and salaries are also taken care of in this task. (Flores, 1998)

Another task of a human resource manager in this Company is organizing. Organizing is how the internal structure of the company is set. It generally focuses on the division, coordination of activities and how tasks are controlled within the company. In General Motors Company, the human resource manager is responsible for organizing the annual general meetings that brings together all the stakeholders on board. (Wagoner, 2007)
They also organize daily and monthly meetings within the specific affiliate factories when an issue arises. The resources available in the organization are then allocated to enable the accomplishment of the tasks. In organizing there is the division of labor and work specialization is carried out. At this task, systems in the organization are designed. There is the delegation of duties such that each person knows what he or she is supposed to do. (Flores, 1998)

Another major task of a human resource manager in General Motors Company is controlling. This is simply following up on plans to ensure proper implementation. This means that planning and controlling are closely related. The manager or the leader normally observes what is happening in the organization and compares with what was initially planned to happen. If what is happening is not as per what was supposed to happen then corrective action is taken such that those below standard required standard attain this standard.

The other major task that the human resource manager in General Motors Company has includes leading. Leadership is also described as directing people to do specific duties by influencing their personal behavior through incentives and motivation, teamwork, individual dynamics and discipline. The core purpose of leadership is to channel all the employees’ behavior towards attaining the company’s objectives.

Generally the workload for the human resource manager in General Motors Company is quite much. This is because the tasks that have been illustrated above are just but the tip of the iceberg of the responsibilities of the human resource manager in this Company. They also encompass solving the conflicts amongst employees. The workload is broad and actually the implementation of the tasks involves dealing with very many other issues of the organization. These include the finances among other resources in the Company. Generally the workload for this position is very broad such that all the tasks may never be extensively dealt with. (Thomson and Rampton 2003)

Analysis of the human resource position in General Motors Company reveals that there is some degree of rigidity in relation to the job tasks. This is because looking at this position in this Company, there is set procedures on how the tasks have to be carried out. This makes the human resource manager have to adhere to the set procedures when carrying out the various tasks. For instance, a human resource manager has the task of solving conflicts in General Motors Company but there are laid down procedures on how each conflict has to be dealt with. Therefore there is very minimal flexibility considering the job of the human resource manager in General Motors Company. (Pugh, 2001)

The hours of work for the human resource manager in General Motors Company are quite extensive. Looking at this position in General Motors Company the human resource manager goes to work by around seven thirty in the morning and leaves at around eight p.m. Sometimes the Human resource manager in General Motors Company has to extent the hours of working due to the available workload. The work intensity of the position is high because the tasks are many in relation to the available time. Another aspect is that the responsibilities of the human resource manager in this company are quite complex in nature and therefore making the work intensive. (Flores, 1998)

Looking at this job, there are various skills that are required for an individual to perform effectively. These skills include the ability to implement, prepare and also interpret employment contracts. One has to have the ability to carry out selection of employees, to conduct performance evaluations and also to discipline. Also includes having the ability to compare and measure the standards of performance. The technical skills required for this position includes having skills in computer packages, some accounting skills. For a person to hold this position he or she has to have prior knowledge in business administration and be a graduate or masters holder. (Sidney, 1999)

Other relevant skills in relation to this job include having the ability to apply motivational techniques, ability to anticipate the changes in the environment. One has to have the ability to coordinate staff activities. The following skills are relevant to this post especially when carrying out planning.
Ability to set organizational goals
Ability to prepare budgets
Ability to analyze existing goals

The human resource manager in General Motors Company has to adhere to the legal codes or professional ethics that relate to his assignments or responsibilities. For instance there are professional ethics in line with solving conflicts which he has to adhere to when solving the conflicts in General Motors Company. Analysis of this real life job shows that its technological factors are not constraining but they are rather emancipator in nature. This is because there is more freedom in relation to technological factors linked to the job of a human resource manager in General Motors Company. (Sidney, 1999)

Analysis of this job in General Motors Company indicates that this is not just a men’s work. It can be done both by men and women so long as they have the necessary qualifications. Interviews carried out with the Company C.E.O reveal that the Company can recruit women for this post. However the Company C.E.O prefers to employ men for the position due to some reasons. (Maund, 2001)

This includes the fact that men have in the past carried out this role effectively as compared to the women. So generally this work can be done by both men and women but the Company prefers men to hold this position. This is because, according to the Company C.E.O, employees tend to respect male managers more than the female ones. Research also indicates that men solve conflicts better than women because women tend to involve much of their emotions.

The job of a human resource manager in General Motors Company involves emotional labor. This is especially when motivating employees. Emotional labor is a form of emotional regulation whereby employees are expected to show specific emotions as part and parcel of their job so that organizational goals are promoted. The job of the human resource manager involves emotional labor. For instance when solving conflicts, the human resource manager is not supposed to show his emotions of sympathy to one party of which this might influence his decisions. It is a requirement for the human resource manager in this Company to incorporate emotional labor when talking to customers. The manager is expected to smile and welcome customers well even if he doesn’t feel like. The human resource manager in General Motors Company uses emotional labor when dealing with employees in order to motivate them. One way of motivating employees is through communication. So the job requires that the human resource manager encourages employees to continue with the work even if he doesn’t feel like. Therefore this job involves much emotional labor. (Wagoner, 2007)

Employees in this Company have a voice. This is because they are consulted when important decisions are being carried out. Especially when the decisions concerning them are being carried out. Employees have representatives who put forward their grievances and opinions concerning work so that the management can work upon. Employees’ voice has really helped to solve problems in this Company. It also helps them to feel important or rather valued within the organization. Employees in this organization have a union that represents them during negotiations with employers. These unions also provide employees with the necessary representation on personal matters like grievances.

Occurrence of conflicts in organizations is inevitable. They exist in all work settings no matter the location or the size of the organization. Conflicts can also either be small or large but they all need to be solved. Some conflicts are so complex that even skilled men at the workplace find it hard to solve them. The human resource manager in General Motors Company has the tough responsibility of solving conflicts within the organization. When solving conflicts the human resource manager has to use the professional code of ethics in line with this task. Most of the conflicts that exist in this Company emanate from relationships therein. (Pugh, 2001)
Relationship conflicts come up in two distinct ways. One of them is through substantive issues that in most cases were not resolved in the past. This normally results in sour relationships. The other one comes up through communication problems and clashing of personality. All these normally result in a dysfunctional cycle. All these are solved by the human resource manager in this organization. (Pugh, 2001)

This position comes along with power. That is why interviews carried out on employees in this Company show that they really respect the human resource manager. This job involves some power of delegating duties and responsibilities. He has the power to hire and also sack employees that are not performing well at work. All these powers at his disposal make the accomplishment of his responsibilities easier than if the position did not come along with them.

This job involves carrying out various control measures in the Company. Control also helps organizations to comply with laws and regulations like meeting standards in quality. It ensures that financial reporting is reliable and helps operations be efficient. This is where there is setting, communication and application of the performance standards of employees or people. When mechanisms to monitor employee’s activities are put in place and the corrective action applied then the control can be termed as effective. The manager or the leader normally observes what is happening in the organization and compares with what was initially planned to happen. If what is happening is not as per what was supposed to happen then corrective action is taken such that those below standard required standard attain this standard.

This job has got security. Many employees work under indefinite contracts. When this is the case, it becomes quite difficult for an employee to be dismissed by an employer. There is job security for this job because the human resource manager in General Motors Company is employed on a permanent basis. This means that he cannot be easily dismissed from work except for very good reasons. This helps the human resource manage to carry out his responsibilities extensively. This is especially planning tasks which normally incorporate both short and long term goals. This simply means that there is stability in the job. Changes have occurred in the resent past in relation to job security of this position because initially it was on contract basis and the Company could easily dismiss the human resource manager for simple mistakes. (Maund, 2001)

This position involves organizational learning and development. Therefore the human resource manager normally undergoes training and development where his career is enhanced. Training involves a behavior modification which is normally carried out in a formal and systematic manner. It is as a result of planned experience, instruction and education. Training and development plays a big role in achievement of organizational goals. Most of these goals are normally long term in nature. Training is part of the strategic framework of organizations. It produces a comprehensive and coherent plan that helps in developing employees and other stakeholders in organizations. Therefore this position involves advancement of individual’s career so that a person keeps abreast with the current demand of tasks and responsibilities. The level of skills in relation to this job is increasing because the human resource manager is getting more experience. The pressures of this job are decreasing as the manager continues to hold the position because he gains more skills of handling the tasks in this Company. (Maund, 2001)

In conclusion, the critical analysis of the human resource manager job in General Motors Company reveals a lot in line with tasks involved. They include planning, organizing, solving conflicts and controlling among others. This is not a men’s work but is also done by women. The job involves emotional labor especially when solving conflicts. The job has got security. All in all this job is taxing and involves intensive work and therefore working hard is automatic.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Philosophy and Methodology as integrated method approach!

 Philosophy and Methodology as integrated method approach!
Introduction
Over the past years, scholars have developed interest concerning reconciling personal behavior amid more contextual post-positivist theories in terms. Gall, Borg & Gall (1996) stresses this point by stating that “people are moving way from the technocratic “handmaiden” approach to policy analysis which dominated the 1970s- 80s in the government” currently there is high acknowledgment of the existence of a “multiplicity of perceived realities” instead of one empirical one. Kelly 1992. The ever increasing complication of governing environment, which stress policy making through use of networks also demands a shift in policy

Epistemological beliefs
Guba & Lincoln (1989) explains individual epistemological beliefs as a way of knowing. The epistemological concept formulated by Baxter Magolda is powerfully attached to concerns within education (Duell & Schommer-Aikins). The pursuit to understand how students grow intellectually is the central point for any important educational practices. It is thought that students understand their educational practices on the basis of their assumptions regarding the source, borders, and certainty of information. When Baxter Magolda studied college students at the Miami University, he identified four main ways of knowing upheld by students at the college:
Absolute (knowledge is absolute or certain)
Transitional (knowledge is absolute or partially certain)
Independent (knowledge is not certain, persons have their personal beliefs),
Contextual (knowledge is based on proof in context)
According to Baxter Magolda these four methods of knowing outline the Epistemological Reflection concept, whilst this model is related to Perry’s scheme, this concept looks for understanding the beliefs which influences how students in college interpret their own educational experiences Mertens (1997) Independent and absolute ways of interpreting seem to be articulated by behavior lists, whereas independent and contextual ways of interpreting seem to be articulated by constructivists students in the college classroom.

Epistemological beliefs effects how teachers resolve problems regarding practice. Teachers tackle issues which are beyond those which are technological in nature, for example teaching skills. Thus, teachers are anticipated to solve issues and situations that have a diverse and at times contradictory condition Mertens (1997) For instance, teachers are projected to have total management of their classrooms, and at the same time craft an educational setting that promotes creative, independent, self-directed students. Mertens (1997) recommends that teachers ought to attend to diverse phenomenon of curiosity, different notions of the issues, and different facets of events possible to be overlooked in a single perception to make suitable decisions. Nevertheless, a lot of research concerning epistemology has based on theoretical aspects and very few studies have offered recommendations for classroom practices. When teachers understand the epistemological beliefs of pre-service they may be able to be extra aware of how students they teach think about education and resolve complex problems. Normally teachers demonstrate their beliefs for students Mertens (1997) Educators for teacher need to understand better the different epistemological beliefs upheld by experienced and also novice teachers and the way those beliefs affects student learning. (Mertens, 1997)

A number of methods for assesses epistemological beliefs have been developed, since different researchers have made elaborations on Perry’s (1970) initial work. Gall, Borg & Gall (1996) observers that there is modest consensus amongst researchers concerning constitutes of a central set of epistemological beliefs, the manner in which they are interrelated, and also how they seem to develop. In addition Gall, Borg & Gall (1996) notes that there are variations among paradigms which are used to direct research on teachers’ thinking and knowledge, but seem to approve a similar concept that “methodological differences are rooted in fundamentally different epistemologies.” Even though nearly all research in education has been relied on positivist epistemology, it is important that interpretive methods be used when studying human phenomena. Gall, Borg & Gall (1996)

Interpretive
Interpretive is a responsive constructivist way to evaluation in education; it diverges from the previous ones as its emergent way intended to include background and revolving to phenomenological or interpretive perspectives. Through rejecting the thought that there is only one single reality in the social world, truth is viewed as socially built during interaction and language. Interpretive recognizes that in given any circumstances there will be diverse interests or stakeholders. There will be distinctions between the groups (and perhaps also within) of stakeholders in relation to their formulations of the ‘reality’, objectives, motives, and so on. The duty of the researcher is to be able to identify and give say to these diverse positions. Egon Guba and Yvonna Lincoln in their book “Effective evaluation” identify four main stages which occur in responsive evaluation, these are
Initiating and arranging the assessment, identifying the stakeholders,
Identifying main issues and concerns in the course of interviews with stakeholders
Gathering helpful information about the issues, concerns, and values identified by the stakeholders
Reporting results effectively in suitable format for diverse stakeholders and the interested parts, and in discussions with the stakeholders, making judgments and recommendations based on gathered information

Post-positivist
Post-positivist put emphasizes on the principle of subjectivity and coexistence of several possible realities, every one of which is related to a particular context or structure of reference. Thus, various alternative forms of reality are permitted, and the examiners must find diverse viewpoints to describe these perspectives of the actuality. Every behavior is subjected to several interpretations instead of a single explanation. On the other hand phenomenology is mainly concerned by understanding phenomenon through the viewpoint of those who have been able to experience them. Thus it means that the examiner has to engage the stakeholders in the processes of evaluation, carrying out examination more from insiders’ instead of isolated observers’ point of view. (Gall, Borg & Gall, 1996)

This interactive procedure, where by the researcher and participants learn from one other, is what is known as post-positivist evaluation research method. Post-positivist produces in-depth, comprehensive data, founded on the person’s personal point of view and experiences. Questions which need to be asked and the information to be gathered come out in the course of carrying out the research. Subsequent to a phenomenological direction the “structure of experience” ought to be described by use of the conditions of suggestions of the research participants themselves. The evaluators are not supposed to impose hypothetical understandings on phenomenon, but they should rather attempt to comprehend participants “in terms of their own definition of their world”. (Gall, Borg & Gall, 1996)

The simple, positivist manner of defining evaluation research is through relating it by the evaluation of action. In this context action may be anything which attempts to alter the behavior of a person to the programs which, intends to alter a whole society. To what questions are researchers looking for the answers if we they have to follow this explanation of evaluation research? The questions will be:
Did the action work?
Was the action successful in meeting its intended objectives?
For whom does this action work?
However there is a risk that such questions may be over-simplistic, thus leading those carrying out research towards measurement orientated and description orientated evaluation models. (Gall, Borg & Gall, 1996)

Most general definitions of evaluation consist of the evaluation of merit (good point) and value so as to improve decision-making. Merit and value is the object of evaluation which can be a product, an educational program, a curriculum, personnel or students, etc. Merit is used to refer to the brilliance of an object being assessed via its intrinsic qualities or its performance; while worth means the value of an object as related to its purpose. For example, M. Gall, W. R. Borg & J. Gall in their 6th edition of Educational Research (1996) describes educational evaluation as the procedure of carrying out judgments regarding the merit, worth or value of an educational program. In addition, according to Mertens (1997) in his handbook of “Research Methods in Education and Psychology” he terms evaluation as the methodical analysis of the merit or value of an entity (program) in order to limit uncertainty in making decision.

The questions which are asked in these assessment models are aimed at merit and worth. An individual may evaluate the merit of a program by asking, how sound does the program work? However, worth can be evaluated by asking, whether what that program does, is important? Even though the “purpose evaluation research” is unmistakably described as decision-making, this particular approach to assessment does not encompass all the facets which are stressed in the post-positivist or interpretive paradigms. For instance, basing on Guba & Lincoln (1989) definition of theory-based evaluation he describes evaluation as an approach where by the evaluator creates a concept on how the program performs, using concepts founded on stakeholders’ assumptions, existing social science model, or both to direct question formulation and data collecting.

Guba & Lincoln (1989) also states that in developmental evaluation the evaluator becomes a part of the designing team assisting to monitor, what is going on, both procedures and results, in a growing, swiftly changing background of regular feedback and modification. The evaluator’s most important function in the team is to explain team discussions in relation to evaluative data and reason, the evaluator also has a role of facilitating information-based decision-making during the developmental progression. Taking the participatory evaluation approach, Guba & Lincoln (1989) observes that evaluation is a participatory procedure which entails the stakeholders in different tasks of the assessment so that the outcomes are fully understood by the project participants.

Taking into consideration these post-positivist/ interpretive ideas, the clear definition of evaluation thus is supposed to be formulated as “the participatory assessment of merit and value from the perspective of different stakeholders in order to promote the stakeholders’ judgment-making”. For that case, the questions for this kind of evaluation concepts may be:
How did effects or results differ across different participants and the approaches?
Did the particular program give support to the performance of each group represented through stakeholders?
What unexpected impact will the said program have on diverse groups that are involved?
Which decisions should they make, on the basis on the data?

Comparing the interpretive and post-positive
The positivist and interpretive styles of evaluation differ by research methods and also evaluation questions. Whereas positive approach relies a lot on quantitative ways of analysis, post-positive/interpretive evaluations relies a lot on the qualitative methods.

Contrasting the interpretive and post-positive/ methods regarding evaluation, we can clearly witness the increasing complexity in the aspect of participants’ involvement, participants who are accountable for the assessment and interested in its results, and in the aspect of research methods which ought to be combined. For example Guba & Lincoln (1989) have illustrated the phases of evaluation as “generations”, where by the more current ones replace the older ones. The appropriateness of the “generations” image has been also been argued in the evaluation society, as a lot of the evaluation approaches and concepts which were formulated in previous days will continue to influence contemporary theory and practice. Thus, it can be hypothesized, that taking evaluation research development, as hierarchical phases of understanding the system, can be more valuable.

In order to explain this idea, the contrast of evaluation research to the Systems approach (von Bertalanffi, 1968) appears to be appropriate. For the purpose of understanding and regulating any educational phenomenon it is important to view it as a system. In every system both the inner and the outside surroundings exist, which are separated from one another other by the boundaries of the system. From the viewpoint of evaluators we are able to recognize, thereby, the likelihood of internal and external evaluation. Internal evaluation allows an in- depth analysis while the external allows a more broad view of the whole system. Every system is distinguished by exchange of information between inside and external surroundings. This information is in turn used for suitable working of the system; it also influences the external surroundings around the system. We therefore can contrast the function of this exchange of information in the systems with the function of information which is resultant from evaluation studies. (Von Bertalanffi, 1968)

Problem of positivist
Post-positivists like the positivists, believe in existence of reality, however post- positivist differ with interpretive in the manner that they affirm what can be known or comprehended about the reality. As Mertens (1997) argues, because theories are social constructed and as human beings are reflexive in nature, objectivity can be used to serve as ideal, however it needs a critical society of interpreters. Many post-positivists view policy analysis as not being inherent culprit, but instead it is supposedly objectivist epistemology, where by policy analysis has increasingly become institutionally entwined. However what is incorrect about policy analysis is also what is incorrect about post-positivism; its supposition that, only empirically visible can make contribution to knowledge, and that a small number of distinct factors are important and that these small (limited) factors can function independent of the context. Value considerations and subjectivity are in proper, value and fact can be separated, and by adhering to the above is what contributes to science.

As noted by Mertens (1997), positivism is not any different from any other ideology, apart from the fact that it masquerades as an objective science. Whilst the positivist science may assess the value of two different great art works in accordance with quantifiable categories for example, great use of color, Mertens (1997), suggest that reducing the quantifiable aspects by use of common denominator is not sufficient and may distort the value. In spite of the positivist claim of objectivity and neutrality, Mertens (1997), observes that scientific methods that underlay on positivism diverges from these same goals by its “anesthetizing of moral feelings” through the replacement of emotional events. For example “gruesomely burned human beings” and “the aguish of joblessness” with other new tags which lacks emotive feelings for instance with “body count” and “Philips curve.” Thus to him positivism involves it self in the same policy rhetoric and also subjectivity which it claims to have overcame. (Mertens, 1997)

Examples of studies that have used different approaches to study effective teaching
Teachers and students equally make sense of their experiences on the basis of their beliefs. (Gall, Borg & Gall 1996) Consequently, teachers will have to approach and also interrelate in their classrooms through a particular manner of knowing. Whilst there is increasing interest in studying teacher’s epistemological beliefs, few researchers have carried out this study on these issues in education. Hoop (2003) found out that 55% of intern teachers at two mid-western universities had behavior lists’ manners of interpreting about teaching and also learning. Hoop also found out that the intern teachers had a more affirmative attitude concerning lesson planning and enjoyed how to plan lessons when their own ways of knowing were matching by the epistemological beliefs of their own teacher educators. According to Gall, Borg & Gall (1996) education student teachers in general favor the constructivist approaches in contrast to the traditional approaches to teaching and also learning. It was found out by Gall, Borg & Gall (1996) that secondary school teachers’ opinions concerning different instructional methods were associated by constructivist beliefs about knowledge.

Research on Effective Classroom Practices

Introduction
All students are not alike. Basing on this information, differentiated teaching pertains a way of teaching and learning that offers students multiple options for taking in knowledge and making logic of ideas. The concept of differentiated instruction entails teachers to be more flexible in their way of teaching and being able to adjust the curriculum and also presentation of information to students instead of expecting students to adjust themselves to the curriculum. In this model classroom teaching is a mixture of whole-class, grouping and the individual instruction.

Research question
The questions designed for this research is:
(1) Research question: What are Effective Classroom Practices
After the careful review of prior studies and research conducted on this subject matter, this researcher has both an inductive and deductive position in relationship to the text. It is apparent that teachers at times do not know the effective classroom practices.

Aim
To examine the impact of effective classroom practices on students. Which practices can lead to effective teaching?

Research Design
This research was carried out using qualitative research methods. The methods used to get information are through reviewing previous works done by other researcher, which were designed to get specific information from the previous studies. The aim of the research is to find out the Effective Classroom Practices.

Methodology
The research was conducted through reviewing and analyzing of previous studies carried on the same topic. The main question the study was looking at was effective teaching practices in school. For the sake of keeping the data to managerial size, it was thought that the research should concentrate basically on particular previous studies.

Review
A lot of studies have been carried out to determine the effective teaching practices in schools. For example Salend (1998) studies provide a good foundation to carry out the current research. Instead of repeating the details of the previous work we can focus on describing some of the major studies within the research together with the shortcomings of the research basis.
The aim of the research as stated is to underscore the strongest conclusions that can be made concerning the effective teaching practices and come up with methods to further our understanding on the subject. The research review focuses on effective teaching practices and how it relates students in classroom. Particularly the following aspect is covered
Meeting all students needs to create effective teaching practices.

Literature review

Introduction
Today, American schools are witnessing an increased number of students in terms of racial, cultural and ethnic diversity. The classrooms are receiving a large number of students with different needs. The diverse composition of students in classroom has brought about many challenges and opportunities to teachers. Good teachers should be able to consider the individual requirements or needs of their students, formulate the necessary alterations, and tackle those needs. This is not easy to achieve and many teachers have realized that meeting the needs of a diverse class sounds easy on paper than it is practically is. Teachers needs help and support from parents, administrators, colleagues and the whole community in order to create a classroom that can meet all the diverse needs of the students in these classrooms. (Salend, 1998)

Knowledge dissemination
Teachers are the main disseminators of knowledge in the schools and society. They occupy the enviable position of being the main interpreters of knowledge for the next generation and future leaders. In order to make this knowledge viable, it requires pedagogical skills that are capable to serve the minorities and all other students equitably. Salend (1998) observes that, most students are locked out during the dissemination of knowledge not because they are not in the teaching venue at the right time, but because their way of knowing is not incorporated into the teaching styles and strategies. (Salend, 1998)

Problems teachers face
Teaching a diverse class is normally challenging for any teacher, as the teacher tries to carter for the various need of the diverse group. The general difficulties a teacher will encounter will be class management and disciplinary issues. However, the biggest difficulty that a teacher will face, is making a diverse class to be an all inclusive. Some specific problems that a teacher may encounter in a diverse classroom are;
Teacher- parent communication;
Understanding the home economy of students
Requirement for extra time to teacher the ESL students
Extreme diversity in academic needs of a student
Teachers lack of ability to communicate well with students concerning academic contents
Lack of communication between the teacher and student on social and personal issues which can hamper the student learning
lack of proper teaching materials and tools

How to make a classroom an all inclusive one
Creating a classroom that is all inclusive is particularly difficulty for those teachers who are still new and who are still learning to tackle the daily challenges of the demanding profession. A teacher can not become an all inclusive teacher at once; instead the teacher will have to take time to learn how to meet the requirement of the various diverse groups of students in the classroom. A teacher should focus on all aspects of teaching to be able to benefit all the students and not only those with disabilities. For instance, some students do not have learning disabilities but have difficulties in classroom, will be able to benefit from instructional modifications and adaptations. (Salend, 1998) Pineda (2002) also agrees with this, by stating that, a benefit that occurs with learning to carry out adjustments is that it can be used to assist all students. This will assist the teacher to emphasize the point that students learn differently and at the same time help the teacher to show that everyone requires extra assistance once at a time. (Pineda, 2002)
In order for schools to meet the challenges of teaching a high number of students with diverse needs, teachers need to embrace a curriculum and instruction methods that connect and encourage all students. Research done on including students from diverse cultural backgrounds, students from families who do not speak English as their first language, and students with disabilities shows the significance of various interrelated teaching strategies; These strategies includes, but are not limited to:
Heterogeneous grouping of students
Developing appropriate practice
An all inclusive curriculum
Collecting and analyzing data
Promotion of multicultural environment
Proper teaching materials and environment
Collaboration with teachers and other professionals (Pineda, 2002)

Grouping
Many studies supports cooperative grouping as beneficial in teaching students with diverse needs. In this grouping students work in small groups on assignments which are structured in a manner that all students can share responsibilities in completing the assignment. Pineda (2002) notes that cooperative grouping of students offers a multiple chance for students to take part in lively practice language and also content. The advantages of cooperative group learning to language minority students are;
Students of different levels of linguistic adeptness and content know-how work in together in a group which fosters shared learning.
Students get a lot of opportunities to use language authentically when working in groups
Students get a chance to practice with their English
There is a chance to incorporate ESL classes
Students get an opportunity to use their native language and their prior knowledge. (Pineda, 2002)
However, this cooperative group faces a challenge of creating heterogeneous balance of language and academic standards while at the same time challenging all students to enhance their language and academic content. (Pineda, 2002)

Developing appropriate practice
Developing proper practice encourages teachers to have a greater understanding of cultural diversity and be able to sensitive in tackling issues of culture. Pineda (2002) notes that this type of aspect is good when each child is allowed to express, share and amplify their personal differences within a classroom. He further observers that this is particularly important for language minority students since it offers them a chance to enrich their experiences. Developing proper approach also allows teacher to be able to adapt the different requirements of the various students in the class and also the teacher to be able to response appropriately to the diverse needs of the student. Bauer & Shea (1999) note that, by teachers being able to identify and acknowledge the different cultural communications models, teachers can easily assist students in their classrooms and help them gain more confidence and become more comfortable.

Collecting and analyzing data
Collecting data is important for ascertaining the effectiveness of the teacher. Thus, a teacher should collect get a feedback from all the students in the classroom, the feedback will show how effective the teacher is and the areas of improvement that needs to be improvement in order to meet the needs of each student in the classroom. Student’s feedback is very important for teachers because the feedback makes the teacher more aware of the areas in which he/she is weak when teaching. This can range from not being audible to not explaining teaching contents well. (Bauer & Shea 1999)

Promotion of multicultural environment
Teachers need to promote and provide a multicultural environment that is helpful to all students in a classroom. Unfortunately, many teachers are not always certain about the culture that they need to highlight in a classroom. In addition some members of a dominant culture in the society don’t take themselves as “cultural” and at the same time the minority members’ cultural groups may feel overpowered and forced to acknowledge values which belongs to the majority culture. Teachers should be able to note important occasions on the calendar or on the bulletin board that are important to all students’ cultures permits students to review on their own impacts in relation to others who are around them. A classroom environment that recognizes different aspects of the diverse cultural elements that students come with in the classroom experience attests advantageous to all students. Bauer & Shea (1999) notes that, in such a supportive environment the students are able to know their own beliefs and values and at the same time, be able to learn those of their peers. (Bauer & Shea 1999)

An inclusive curriculum
This is another way of teaching students with diverse needs in a classroom. Inclusive curriculum put emphasize on strengthening abilities of students and at the same time taking into account the various needs of all students. An all inclusive curriculum should be based on the following characteristics;
Should be based on good theoretical philosophies of how children develop and learn
Should be formulated to attain lasting emotional, cognitive social and physical goals
Has to include achievable and realistic expectations which permit students with diverse capabilities to work at various levels on various activities
Build on what the students ready know
Should Support individual, linguistic and cultural diversity, offering a balance between the majority culture and the minority culture
Be flexible and should be able to adapt to individual student or groups (Bauer & Shea 1999)

Collicott’s model
Clearly, for a teacher to be able to meet the needs of all students in a classroom is a difficulty task that needs time and dedication. A lot of teaching techniques has to be used foe a teacher to reach this goal. For instance, the use of multi-level teaching is one teaching technique that can be used in meeting the challenges of diverse needs of students. Salend (1998) outlines the “collicott’s four step process” used in designing the multi-level instructional lessons;

Step 1; identifying underlying concepts
Teachers need to identify and analyze the purposes and materials for the lesson and establish the prospective contents and the difference in the level of the skill. (Salend, 1998)

Step II; considering the method of presentation
Teachers need to consider the various learning approaches, cognitive and level of participation of students as well as the different presentation methods that can applies when presenting a lesson. (Salend, 1998)

Step III; considering ways of student performance and practice
Teachers need to put into consideration the various ways in which students can practice and demonstrate mastery of their skills and also concepts. Teachers also should use ways for teaching their students to accept the different response methods for showing skill mastery and also understanding the concept. (Salend, 1998)

Step IV; considering methods of evaluation
Teachers should consider different ways in which they can assess the student’s performance. (Salend, 1998)

Thus, teachers need to come up with different strategies in teaching to be able to meet the different needs of each student. For example the teacher needs to incorporate various instructions methods when teaching a diverse class. At the same time the assessment tests need to be modified accordingly depending on the particular student the teacher is assessing. Collicott’s model is an important step in guiding teachers to be more responsive to the needs of different students.

Meeting the students needs
One of the biggest challenges being faced by teachers in schools is how to find ways and methods of meeting the distinctive needs of different students in a classroom. Different students have different talents and skills in various subjects, and each student has a different interests and methods of learning. The challenge in a classroom situation becomes bigger because the teacher is not only responsible for one student, but also for the entire classroom. Thus, it is not clear which method a teacher need to use, at times the method can even become controversial. (Pineda, 2002)

Believing in all students
Teachers should have the same high expectations for all their students since each student has ability to achieve the set objectives in a classroom. Teacher should not contrite on a small “gifted” group of students at the expense of others it is important that students are challenged and encouraged by teachers and also their parents. Students need to know that they have a full potential to develop their talents. The most important aspect of ensuring that students success in their studies is for their teachers, parents , principles and other people to believe in the students. (Pineda, 2002)

In really essence when students come to school, some are well prepared than others, in such a case a teacher may not be able to realize the potential of the student well. Effective teachers and the school community have a responsibility of supporting such less prepared students. It is important that a teacher knows how being biased or having a stereotype can adversely affect a student. For example some teachers expect less from Hispanic or black students, or from the non- native English speakers. Such low expectation will emphasize the negative effect and may hinder the student’s abilities. (Pineda, 2002)

Training teachers
Teachers who are teaching ELS student need more training and special skills in order to effectively communicate with the students. This will ensure that a teacher is in more good position to effectively meet the needs of such students. It also important to use teacher with a lot of experience in teaching the ELS students because studies show that they are better prepared to meet the students needs than those who have no or little experience in teaching. ELS students have their own social and past schooling experiences which they need to share with their teachers so that they can enhance their learning activities as Pineda (2002) notes in order for teachers to meet the needs of ELS students, the teachers should have ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with the students and at the same time engage the student’s families in learning activities of the student.

More studies reveal that, students being taught by teachers who have specialized professional training and who speak the same language has the student revealed higher academic gains than those students who were taught by teachers who lack any special training. Thus, the following skills are important for any teacher teaching ELS students;
Ability to effectively communicate with students
Capability of engaging the family of the student
Skills of using language, forms, and how to teach it
A feeling of effectiveness when teaching ELS students (Pineda, 2002)

Proper teaching material and tools
Proper teaching material and tools in a diverse classroom is important in ensuring that the teacher meets the diverse requirements of the students. Bauer & Shea (1999) points pout that, classroom arrangement affects the level of student’s interaction in a classroom. The teacher thus has a responsibility of structuring the classroom in a way that it allows all students to get involved in different classroom activities and group activities. All children in a classroom have environmental needs such as furniture, which should be proper in size and comfortable, well and easily accessible bathrooms and sinks. Teachers need to make sure that their classrooms provide these facilities in order to provide the students needs. (Bauer & Shea 1999)

Significance of the study
Teaching calls for quality, challenging and informative practices suitable for helping students get appropriate education and skills to help them in their future carriers. Teachers have a duty of ensuring that they don’t give wrong information or ineffective teaching to students. To implement this noble duty it means that effective teaching practices have to be used by teachers in all schools

Conclusion of the research
This research calls for increased attention to the development of new strategies for working teaching in schools. .The following is a summary of the findings;
inclusive teaching leads to effective teaching practices
curriculum needs to be all inclusive to ensure effective teaching
teachers should incorporate all students for effective teaching

Limitations of the study
The study solely depends on previous studies carried out by other researchers and thus the limitations on the previous works may be transferred to this study. The information reliability may total accurate. Future studies needs to carry out more studies based on observation to get first hand information.

Conclusion
Research is important in getting the right information about an aspect, researches findings can be used to implement different polices and make the necessary corrections. In the above research, it is clear, that effective teaching practices call for a good teacher who can meet all the needs of different students is not an easy job. However, the first important step towards achieving that task is being conscious of the challenge. A teacher as a responsibility to ensure that all students in a classroom understand his/her lessons in class. It is upon the teacher to make the necessary adaptations and adjustments to be able to meet the diverse needs of the students in the class. Proper practices, an all inclusive curriculum, a multicultural approach and training of teachers are some of the methods that a teacher can implement to ensure that he/she meets the diverse requirements of students in a classroom. The support of the parents and the whole community is also important in ensuring that the teacher is able to meet the diverse requirements of the student. It is thus important that for effective teaching practices all the above points should be undertaken to achieve the goal of effective teaching.

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