Competitive Grants, Action Research Proposal, and Business Plans Essay Example for Free

Competitive Grants, Action Research Proposal, and Business Plans Essay Competitive grants, action research proposals, and business plans all seem to be predisposed with results and outcomes. All three seem to be geared towards the realization of a goal or an objective that supports desirable changes and results in society. Competitive grants are designed to be able to provide help and support to various populations who are in dire need of them (USDH, 2000). Action Research Proposals are written because of the need for changes in people’s behavior and responses toward certain issues or themes that need to be improved in order to result to desirable change through action research (Ferrance, 2000). Business plans are also designed in such a way that it provides for the needs of the consumers or the people and influence desirable changes in the economy and the satisfaction of the nation. It includes all the most important decision that one can make in order to make the business progress and be successful in its venture. (My Own Business, 2007)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In addition, competitive grants, action research proposals, and business plans are instrumental in identifying and determining the varied needs of members in the society. These three also differ in their purpose, content, and outline. To have a deeper understanding about the similarities and differences among these three, the discussion about their nature and characteristics is relevant and will be stated in the following paragraphs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Funding programs for a specific group of population takes on the form of competitive grants. Competitive grants aim to address the growing needs of and problems in society. However, grants are only available to those who are eligible to apply and be granted access to the benefits and advantages that goes along with the grant. The funding and support that come from competitive grants are only limited to those who fit the characteristics of its target population. Moreover, these grants are only available for a limited period of time as proclaimed by the public or private organization implementing the program. Examples of competitive grants include training programs for young people who cannot afford to go to school, funding for nutrition and a healthy lifestyle advocacy, etc. (USDH, 2000)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   An action research proposal plays a significant role in conducting a research, especially one that is academic in nature. The purpose of an action research proposal is to establish a background about the theme that is to be addressed after the research. In addition, an action research aims to influence change in certain processes and progressions that would in turn affect desirable changes in society. The action research proposal is instrumental in the accomplishment of this mission as it provides an overview of the problem and the solutions that would cause pleasant changes. The action research proposal is the basis of the action research. All the information and other action researches that have been conducted in the past are included in the proposal. In addition, it also contains predictions or calculated guesses of what the action research would lead to. It also includes the various processes that will be employed in order to collect all data, interpret them, and establish a solution to the main problem in the proposal. (Ferrance, 2000)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A business plan is a tool used by professionals in the business arena to predict the status of a specific business venture. It is also a way of preventing losses or cutbacks in the future. The business plan also continuously functions as a monitoring guide in evaluating or assessing the path of the business, whether it follows the plan or it is progressing or digressing in a different direction. Therefore, it is important to include substantial information and integrate it in the plan in order to see that changes that are occurring in a business enterprise. (Berry, 2008) The business plan is also broad than the action plan proposal and the competitive grant because it covers a wider range of information, from consumers, to human resources, capital funds, marketing strategies, etc. (My Own Business, 2007) References Berry, T. (2008). What is a Business Plan? Retrieved March 22, 2008, from Palo Alto Software, Inc. Website: http://articles.bplans.com/index.php/business-articles/writing-a-business-plan/What-is-a-Business-Plan?/ Ferrance, A. (2000). Action Research. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from The Education Alliance.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Website: http://www.alliance.brown.edu/pubs/themes_ed/act_research.pdf My Own Business. (2007). Business Plan. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from My Own Business,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Inc. Website: http://www.myownbusiness.org/s2/#1 USDH. (2000). What is a Competitive Grant Program. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from U.S.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Department of Housing. Website: http://www.hud.gov/nofa/suprnofa/sprprt1b.cfm

Weather Forecasting :: essays research papers

Weather Forecasting In researching this project I was amazed to find the many books on this topic. After going through much information and reading an enormous amount of writing on weather forecasting I can only come to one conclusion that when all is considered the best forecasters can only give an educated guess of what is in store for weather. Through the many means at their disposal, such as satellites, ships at the ocean, infrared, radio, and radar transmissions even with all of these techniques no prediction is 100% accurate. One question that I asked myself was "when was the first weather forecasting ever done?", I found out that in 1863 in Britain there was a united forecasting system headed by Captain Robert Fitzroy. Captain Fitzroy would send ships around Britain to warn people of storms and such. However, he was often wrong and criticized and therefor committed suicide. Since then there have been many other services, but the largest one currently is the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service gives predictions for all of the world through satellite imagery for all countries. Also in recent history many local television and radio stations have made private forecasts for small areas. Meteorologists are people who interpret the weather, the reason I don't say predict the weather is because even though all forecasters have the same information and data at their fingertips, the way that they interpret what is in front of them can be different. Meteorologists receive information from various sources, but their interpretation of the data determines the accuracy of their prediction. Someone might ask, "If forecasters have so much information on a particular area; how could they predict a flawed forecast ?" The answer to that question lies in the fact that any one of a number of weather conditions may ruin a forecast. A fast cold or hot front moving in, an unexpected flow from the ocean or a cold wind may change the whole days forecast. There are many different materials and devices used by local and government services to predict the weather. Some of these devices are, Radar which is actually sound waves, which bounce off clouds and give location of storms this way. Another such device is actually a variation of radar called "Doppler Radar" actually can give the exact location of a storm within a kilometer. However, Doppler Radar is not used so much for everyday forecasting, but for tornadoes and very large storms. The way Doppler Radar works is almost the same as regular radar with one advantage, it also can measure the speed of an object or storm, which makes its prime usage tornado watching.

Meaning of Life and Success Essay

The United States has no more important foreign relation ship than that of which it enjoys with Mexico, and vice versa. These two countries share interwoven societies and economies. Although there have been disagreements and turbulence between the two countries, which partnership is without these? The Strength of each country’s democracy is fundamental to the other’s. This relationship that the two countries share directly affects that lives of millions of Mexican and United States citizens everyday. Recently these two countries have become even more unified than ever before. Tackling issues such as Border Control, Countering Narcotics, Dealing with multiple Law enforcement agencies, Human Rights laws, trade and development, etc. There are many issues that they are mutually interested in and must deal with. Yet, there are some vast differences in which these two countries are run. There are also many similarities, which we must take into account. Both Democratic Governments have similar structures, containing a legislative, judicial, and executive branch. Yet, these structures are very different internally, containing specific duties that the other country’s branch may not have. The Executive Branch refers to the Presidential seat in both governments. The Presidency is a paramount institution, not only of the Mexican Government but of the US Government as well. The Countries entire political system is positioned around the presidency. In the United States the President also serves as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. The President appoints the cabinet and oversees the various agencies and departments of the Federal Government. The Executive Branch is checked by Congress which would be the Legislative Branch. In order for someone to become President, he or she must be a natural -born citizen of the United States. He or she must be at least 35 years of age and must have resided in the US for at least fourteen years. Once elected, the President must serve a term of four years, and may be re-elected only once. Now, the Executive Branch of the Mexican government is very similar to that of its neighbors, but there are some pivotal differences in the institution. Presidents are elected by a majority of registered voters in the thirty-one states and the Federal District. The President holds the formal titles of chief of state, head of government, and commander in chief of armed forces. The candidates must also be at least thirty-five years of age by election day. And they must not only be Mexican citizens by birth but must also be the offspring of Mexican Citizens by birth. Unlike the US, the candidate cannot have held cabinet post or a governorship, nor have been on active military duty during the six months prior to the election. Critics have labeled the presidency the â€Å"six year monarchy† due to the length of the term being six years, and because of the seemingly unchecked power that has resided in the office. Much of the presidential power is derived from the presidents direct and unchallenged control over both the state and the ruling party, the PRI. One of the Unique features of the Mexican Presidency that has caused a great uproar since the 1930’s is the process of presidential succession. Mexicos PRI presidents have enjoyed the right to personally name their successor. This privilege is known as the dedazo, which means the Tap. Also, one huge difference in the executive branch between the two governments is the issue of Vice Presidency. Mexico simply has no Vice President. Further reinforcing the presidents unchallenged power. Meanwhile the United States does have a Vice Presidential position . A position that is voted on in the same campaign as the President. They are looked at as more of a team, a two for the price of one deal. Legislative powers consist of the congress, which is divided into two chambers, the senate and the House of Representatives. Each member of the congress is elected by the people of his or her state. The Senate holds 100 seats, two seats per state. The House of Representatives seats are based on the poplation of each state, holding about 435 seats. The difference between these two is that a representatives term is for two years, while senators are elected for six year terms. In Mexico the legislative branch of government consists of a bicameral congress, El Congreso de la Union. This congress, like the US’s, is divided into an upper chamber, the senate, and a lower chamber, chamber of deputies. Just like the US, both chambers are responsible for the discussion and approval of legislation and the ratification of high-level presidential appointments. The senate consisted of sixty-four members, two members for each state and two representing the Federal District elected by a direct vote from the population for a six year term. In later years, as part of electoral reforms the size of the senate doubled in size and now holds 128 members. Since 1986 the house of deputies consisted of 500 seats. 200 of these seats are elected by a proportional representation from among large districts. Members of the Chamber of Deputies serve three year terms, All members are not allowed to run for re-election, but they may serve non-consecutive terms.

Heres What You Need to Know About Lesson Plans

A lesson plan is a detailed step-by-step guide that outlines the teachers objectives for what the students will accomplish during the course of the lesson and how they will learn it. Creating a lesson plan involves setting goals, developing activities, and determining the materials that you will use. All good lesson plans contain specific  components  or steps, and all essentially derive from the seven-step method developed by Madeline Hunter, a UCLA professor and education author. The Hunter Method, as it came to be called, includes these elements: objective/purpose, anticipatory set, input modeling/modeled practice, check for understanding, guided practice, independent practice, and closure. Regardless of the grade level you teach, Hunters model has been adopted and used in various forms for decades by teachers across the nation and at every grade level. Follow the steps in this method, and youll have a classic lesson plan that will be effective at any grade level. It doesnt have to be a rigid formula; consider it a general guideline that will help any teacher cover the necessary parts of a successful lesson. Objective/Purpose Students learn best when they know what they are expected learn and why, says the  U.S. Department of Education. The agency uses an eight-step version of Hunters lesson plan, and its detailed explanations are well worth reading. The agency notes: The purpose or objective of the lesson includes why students need to learn the objective, what they will be able to do once they have met the criterion, (and) how they will demonstrate learning....The formula for the behavioral objective is: The learner will do what with what how well.   For example, a high school history lesson might focus on  first-century Rome, so the teacher would explain to students that they are expected to learn the salient facts about the empires government, its population, daily life, and culture. Anticipatory Set The anticipatory set involves the teacher working to get students excited about the upcoming lesson. For that reason, some lesson plan formats actually put this step first. Creating an anticipatory set means doing something that creates a sense of anticipation and expectancy in the students, says Leslie Owen Wilson, Ed.D. in The Second Principle. This can include an activity, a game, a focused discussion, viewing a film or video clip, a field trip, or reflective exercise. For example, for a second-grade lesson on animals, the class might take a field trip to a local zoo or watch a nature video. By contrast, in a high school class getting ready to study  William Shakespeares play,  Romeo  and Juliet, students might write a short, reflective essay on a love they lost, such as a former boyfriend or girlfriend. Input Modeling/Modeled Practice This step—sometimes called  direct instruction— takes place when the educator actually teaches the lesson. In a high school algebra class, for example, you might write an appropriate math problem on the board, and then show how to solve the problem in a relaxed, leisurely pace. If its a first-grade lesson on important sight words to know, you might write the words on the board and explain what each word means. This step should be very visual, as the DOE explains: It is important for the students to see what they are learning. It helps them when the teacher demonstrates what is to be learned. Modeled practice, which some lesson plan templates list as a separate step, involves walking the students through a math problem or two as a class. You might write a problem on the board and then call on students to help you solve it, as they also write the problem, the steps to solve it, and then the answer. Similarly, you might have first-grade students copy the sight words as you spell each out verbally as a class. Check for Understanding You need to make sure students understand what you have taught. One easy way to do this is to ask questions. If youre teaching a lesson on simple geometry to seventh-graders,  have students practice with the information you just taught, says the  ASCD (formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development). And, be sure to guide the learning. If students dont seem to grasp the concepts youve just taught, stop and review. For the seventh-graders learning geometry, you may need  to repeat the previous step by showing more geometry problems—and how to solve them—on the board. Guided and  Independent Practice   If youre feeling like the lesson plan involves a lot of guidance, youre right. At the heart, thats what teachers do. Guided practice provides  each student a chance to demonstrate her  grasp of new learning by working through an activity or exercise under the teacher’s direct supervision. During this step, you might move around the room to determine your students level of mastery and provide individual help as needed. You may need to pause to show students how to successfully work through problems if they are still struggling. Independent practice, by contrast,  can include homework or seatwork assignments, which you give to the students to complete successfully without the need for supervision or intervention. Closure In this important step, the teacher wraps things up. Think of this phase as a concluding section in an essay. Just as a writer wouldnt leave her readers dangling without a conclusion, so too, the teacher should review all key points of the lesson. Go over any areas where students might still be struggling. And, always, asked focused questions: If students can answer specific questions about the lesson, they likely have learned the material. If not, you may need to revisit the lesson tomorrow. Tips and Hints Always gather all needed supplies ahead of time, and have them ready and available at the front of the room. If youll be conducting a high school math lesson and all students will need are their textbooks, lined paper, and calculators, that makes your job easier. Do have extra pencils, textbooks, calculators, and paper available, though, in case any students have forgotten these items. If youre conducting a science experiment lesson, make sure you have all of the ingredients needed so that all students can complete the experiment. You dont want to give a science lesson on  creating a volcano  and find out once students are gathered and ready that youve forgotten a key ingredient like baking soda. To ease your job in creating a lesson plan, use a  template. The basic lesson plan format has been around for decades, so theres no need to start from scratch. Once you figure out what kind of  lesson plan  you will be writing, then you can determine the best way to use the format to fit your needs.