The Criteria Used to Make Judgments in Evaluative Teaching Observation Research Paper

The Criteria Used to Make Judgments in Evaluative Teaching Observation - Research Paper Example The teacher noted that there were formatting issues with my PowerPoint that could be improved and that there was a spelling mistake. Again, these are issues that can detract from my lessons, so I was glad to get this feedback so that I can improve the formatting and fonts on my PowerPoint in later presentations. The observers did feel that I had good communication skills, and was approachable as a teacher, so I was happy to get this feedback as well. It seemed that the main areas for improvement were technical issues that can be easily fixed, as opposed to my overall teaching style, so it made me realize that my overall style of teaching is good. I just need to work on my technical issues, including my issues with formatting PowerPoint. These all focus upon the practice as a teacher, so in this paper, this will be the focus. I will also focus, in this paper, the explicit and implicit criteria that is used in evaluative teaching, and I will conclude by making recommendation for improv ing the process of teaching observation by focusing on making explicit the criteria by which judgments are made and empowering observer and observe to be in control of the feedback process. My teaching observations were in line with the research on the topic. Donnelly (2007) notes that peer observation of teaching is a necessary component for good practice in teaching and that dialogue and open debate are encouraged, and risk-taking is supported in teaching. Although I didn’t necessarily take risks with my teaching, when I was being observed, I did notice that there was a good dialogue between myself and my observers. They were more than happy to let me know when they liked something that I was doing, or if they thought that something needed to be improved upon, and this dialogue was very stimulating and enlightening. I also note that Gosling (2002) identified three different types of observations in teaching – evaluation, development and peer review. The evaluation is conducted by superiors and is a formal assessment of one’s competencies. This might take the form of annual appraisals and is used to manage employees. Development is used not to manage employees, but to give an overall overview of one’s teaching competencies. This is also conducted by a superior, and this review is also formal. The third kind, the peer review, is much less formal. This is observation and discussion, and the feedback, while critical, is considered to be non-judgmental and constructive. This takes place only in an atmosphere where both parties are genuine peers, and there is not a power imbalance between the two, and there are a mutuality and respect for one another. My experience definitely falls under the third assessment, as the observation was not a formal one, and there was not a formal assessment of my skills. It was non-judgmental and very gentle criticism that was extremely constructive. Moreover, the observation was truly a peer observation, w hich was helpful.

Abduction and Computer Game Design :: Technology Doom Myst Essays

Abduction and Computer Game Design Introduction In this paper, I will look at the process of abductive reasoning and show the implications of this concept as it applies to computer game design. While my comments will relate to most computer games, I will specifically discuss two games: Doom, which is produced by the Id software company, and Myst, which is produced by Broderbund software. Doom First, a little information about the game Doom. The first version of Doom was released as shareware (free demonstration software) in 1993, and its successors have included Doom II, Ultimate Doom and other variations. It has also inspired many similar games from other companies. Estimates put the number of players of this multiple-computer-platform software program at 10 million worldwide. One of the developers of Doom once boasted, "In 1994, we fully expect to be the number one cause of decreased productivity in businesses around the world. â€Å" What characteristics have led Doom and its many imitators to such success? I would argue that the most important reason is that game puts the player in an immersive environment. There is a compelling sense of â€Å"virtual reality† (to use a term that is more a cliche than any real description) in Doom. The action of the game is presented from a first-person point of view; that is, what you see on the computer screen is approximately what the character you are playing would see. Your character is invisible, just as you cannot see yourself but in a mirror; however, the weapon the character is holding is visible in the lower center of the screen. This technique of first-person presentation (fig. 1) serves to involve the player in the game action more directly than a third-person, overhead view might, and it makes for a more 'realistic' presentation of the "3D" action. As the player moves from room to room, lights flicker and fade and sounds get louder or softer. Doom has a frame (or image) rate greater than that of film or television, which has been shown to create an effect of heightened 'reality.' Players have been observed exhibiting physical responses to the game's action: ducking and leaping back from the screen, and trying to peer 'around' the walls displayed on the monitor. Doom can be played by a single person alone, by two people over a modem, or by up to four connected to a computer network, and these networked players can either cooperate or compete against each other.

Behavioral Genetics and Human Personality

People do possess certain behaviors that make us unique from one another. People do vary in their behavior or the way we think, feel and act. The complexity of human behavior and understanding its nature has been the main interests of those studying behavioral genetics. We all know that if we inherit our physical attributes with our parents we also inherit their behavior which we call genotypes.We are also aware of the role of the society, culture or the environment in shaping one’s behavior. Which of the two then exerts the greatest influence in our life? In order to identify which really molds human behavior a family studies, adoption studies and twin studies where conducted. In these three settings the siblings are compared with their shared and non-shared experiences. The environment provides the child with care, education and other experiences.People differ in many ways in terms of intelligence, mental states, social ability, self-concept or self-esteem, attitudes, belief s and preferences. Genetics versus environment can also be called nature versus nurture in shaping behavior. The debate between the two tries to challenge the fact that genotypes or the nature of a person’s behavior can be altered by the environment or the inherited traits will remain the same and control the person no matter how strong the influence of the environment.Suicidal tendencies and anti-social behavior for example are studied if it is inherited or purely environmental. In my own opinion the behavior could depend upon the individual’s personal adjustment or resistance to the environment that can create a difference in our behavior. Work Cited Haimowitz, Avi. Heredity versus Environment: Twin, Adoption and Family Studies. November 2005. Rochester Institute of Technology: Great Ideas in Personality 4 June 2009

Essay on Metaphors for Death in Shakespeares Sonnet 73

Metaphors for Death in Shakespeares Sonnet 73 William Shakespeares Sonnet 73: That Time of Year Thou Mayest in Me Behold is a sonnet that examines the fears and anxieties that surround growing old and dying -- a topic that resonates within us all. Shakespeares use of metaphor to illustrate decay and passing are striking, and sets a somber tone throughout. He uses the season of Fall, the coming of night, and the burning out of a flame as metaphors for old age and death, and then uses the last two lines to suggest that we should love and cherish life while we can. The first four lines of the sonnet reflect the changing of seasons, and the oncoming of Fall: That time of year thou mayest in me behold, When yellow†¦show more content†¦Shakespeare uses lines five through eight of the sonnet to describe the closing of a day, and the onset of night: In me thou seest the twilight of such day, As after Sunset fadeth in the West, Which by and by black night doth take away, Deaths second self that seals up all in rest. Like the season of Fall, the twilight of a day is a metaphor for the passing of time. Each new day can be seen as a life itself. Each morning and afternoon -- when the day is young -- is a life full of possibilities and opportunities. Then twilight approaches, and the day is done, only to be followed by sleep -- or as Shakespeare calls it, Deaths second self. Lines nine through twelve describe the dying out of a flame -- the final extinguishing of a light: In me thou seest the glowing of such fire, That on the ashes of his youth doth lie, As the death bed, whereon it must expire, Consumed with that which it was nourished by. This final metaphor is of death, and a reminder that all things must end. Shakespeare compares a flame dancing on the ashes of his youth to that of a person lying on his deathbed, where both must expire. In this sonnet, Shakespeare uses metaphor to create a vivid image in the readers mind of the passage of time, old age, and death by describing the Fall season, the end of a day, and the burning out of a flame.Show MoreRelated Metaphorically Speaking – Sonnet 73 Essays857 Words   |  4 PagesSpeaking – Sonnet 73  Ã‚      Love is a blanket of bright and colorful flowers that covers a beautifully rolling meadow on a breezy summer day. Similar metaphorical images appear in many famous poems including Shakespeares Sonnet 73. 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