Presentation on the Federal Parent plus Loans- Stanford University

The Federal plus program is a popular financing option for parents of dependant undergraduate students. The loans are borrowed in the parent’s own name. The details involved are: Loan amount: up to the full amount can be borrowed. The costs include tuition, room & board, allowance for books, personal expenses, and transport. Credit qualification: borrowers will need to meet a minimum requirement to be able to apply. For instance, a credit check is conducted. Parents who don’t qualify can borrow additional federal Stafford student loan funds. Interest rate: a fixed interest rate of 8.5% is charged if loans are borrowed after July 1st. Loan fees: 3% original fee and a federal default fee of up to 1% will be deducted from each disbursement of your loan. Disbursements: it will be done in thirds at the beginning of each academic quarter. Funds are disbursed directly to Stanford via Electronic funds Transfer and applied to your student’s University bill. A refund can be given if your disbursement exceeds the balance due. Repayment: done after 60 days of full disbursement. Repayment is 10 years. The plus loans are funded by private lenders like banks and credit unions. The federal government sets the limits on fees, interest rates and minimum deferment options. Lenders however offer more benefits beyond minimum government requirements. When re-applying, the same lender can be used. How to apply The following steps are followed: Go to the link https://www.nela.net/hosted/stan1.aspx to request for the loan. You can specify the amount you want to borrow. The link is easy to use. In 2-4 weeks, an email from Sallie Mae, the Company managing our online process will be received. The email will direct you to the website where you can specify you lender and complete your promissory note which, can be signed by electronic signature. If the email is not received, check for your promissory note on Stanford’s OpenNet page. For inquiries, you can call our loan processing agency, Northwest Education Loan Association (NELA), toll-free at (800) 979-4441. Be sure to identify yourself as a Stanford parent requesting a PLUS loan. REFERENCES Federal Parent PLUS Loans, http://www.stanford.edu/dept/finaid/loanprocessing/plus.html viewed on 3rd April 2008. Â   Â  

History And Perspectives Of Cooperative Learning Education Essay

Three theoretical positions have guided research on co-op acquisition which is societal mutuality, cognitive-developmental, and behavioural. Social Interdependence Theory is the interaction with other people is indispensable for human endurance. In an instruction scene, societal mutuality refers to pupils ‘ attempts to accomplish, develop positive relationships, adjust psychologically, and show societal competency. The societal mutuality position of concerted acquisition presupposes that the manner societal mutuality is structured determines the manner individuals interact with each other. Furthermore, results are the effect of individuals ‘ interactions. Therefore, one of the concerted elements that have to be structured in the schoolroom is positive mutuality or cooperation. When this is done, cooperation consequences in promotive interaction as group members encourage and ease each other ‘s attempts to larn ( Johnson, Johnson, & A ; Holubec, 1998 ) .A A History of Theory and Research: Social Interdependence Theory ( adapted from Johnson, Johnson and Holubec, 1998, p.3:18 ) Premise: The manner in which societal mutuality is structured determines who persons interact with and determines results. Early on 1900s Kurt Koffka: Groups are dynamic wholes having member mutuality 1920-1940 Kurt Lewin: Mutuality among members, common ends 1940s-1970s Morton Deutsch: Positive, negative, and no end mutuality ( concerted, competitory, individualistic attempts ) ; two mediating variables ( trust & A ; struggle ) ; distributive justness sixtiess David and Roger Johnson: Impact of societal mutuality on accomplishment, relationships, psychological wellness and societal development, interceding variables ( positive mutuality, single answerability, promotive interaction, societal accomplishments, group processing ) seventiess Dean Tjosvold: Research in concern and industry scene Premises of societal mutuality theory: Concerted attempts are based on intrinsic motive generated by interpersonal factors in working together and joint aspirations to accomplish a important end Focus on relational constructs covering with what happens among persons The other one is the cognitive developmental position where it is grounded in the work of Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky. Piagetian positions suggest that when persons work together, sociocognitive struggle occurs and creates cognitive disequilibrium that stimulates perspective-taking ability and logical thinking. Vygotsky ‘s theories present cognition as a social merchandise ( Johnson, Johnson, & A ; Holubec, 1998 ) .A A History of Theory and Research: Cognitive Development Theory ( adapted from Johnson, Johnson and Holubec, 1998, p.3:18 ) Premise: When persons cooperate on the environment, sociocognitive struggle occurs, therefore making cognitive disequilibrium, which in bend stimulates perspective-taking ability and cognitive development. Subscribers: Piaget, Vygotsky, Kohlberg, Murray, contention theoreticians ( Johnsons & A ; Tjosvold ) , cognitive restructuring theoreticians Premises: Focus on what happens within a individual individual ( e.g. , disequilibrium, cognitive reorganisation ) Last, the behavioral-social position presupposes that cooperative attempts are fueled by extrinsic motive to accomplish group wagess ( academic and/or nonacademic ) ( Johnson, Johnson, & A ; Holubec, 1998 ) .A A History of Theory and Research: Behavioral Learning Theory ( adapted from Johnson, Johnson and Holubec, 1998, p.3:18 ) Premise: Actions followed by extrinsic wagess ( group eventualities ) are repeated. Subscribers: Skinner ( group eventualities ) ; Bandura ( imitation ) ; Homans, Thibaut & A ; Kelley ( balance of wagess and costs ) ; Mesch-Lew-Nevin ( specific application to cooperative acquisition ) Premises: Concerted attempts are powered by extrinsic motive to accomplish group wagess.DEFINITIONS OF COOPERATIVE LEARNINGConcerted Learning is a learning agreement that refers to little, heterogenous groups of pupils working together to accomplish a common end. Students work together to larn and are responsible for their teammates ‘ acquisition every bit good as their ain. Concerted acquisition is a successful instruction scheme in which little squads, each with pupils of different degrees of ability, utilize a assortment of larning activities to better their apprehension of a topic. Each member of a squad is responsible non merely for larning what is taught but besides for assisting teammates learn, therefore making an ambiance of accomplishment. Students work through the assignment until all group members successfully understand and complete it. In other words, Cooperative Learning besides is a relationship in a group of pupils that requires positive mutuality ( a sense of sink or swim together ) , single answerability ( each of us has to lend and larn ) , interpersonal accomplishments ( communicating, trust, leading, determination devising, and conflict declaration ) , face-to-face promotive interaction, and processing ( reflecting on how good the squad is working and how to work even better ) . Some definitions of concerted acquisition ( besides known as collaborative acquisition ) are the instructional usage of little groups so that pupils work together to maximise their ain and each other ‘s larning the rules and techniques for assisting pupils work together more efficaciously ( Jacobs, Power, & A ; Loh, 2002, p. 1 ) . The point is that concerted larning involves more than merely inquiring pupils to work together in groups. Alternatively, witting idea goes in to assisting pupils make the experience every bit succes sful as possible. There is a difference between merely holding pupils work in a group and structuring groups of pupils to work hand in glove. A group of pupils sitting at the same tabular array making their ain work, but free to speak with each other as they work, is non structured to be a concerted group, as there is no positive mutuality. Possibly it could be called individualistic acquisition with speaking. For this to be a concerted acquisition state of affairs, there needs to be an recognized common end on which the group is rewarded for its attempts. If a group of pupils has been assigned to make a study, but merely one pupil does all the work and the others go along for a free drive, it is non a concerted group. A concerted group has a sense of single answerability that means that all pupils need to cognize the stuff or enchantment good for the whole group to be successful. Puting pupils into groups does non needfully derive a concerted relationship, it has to be structured and managed by the i nstructor or professor. Concerted attempts consequence in participants endeavoring for common benefit so that all group members gain from each other ‘s attempts, acknowledge that all group members portion a common destiny and cognize that one ‘s public presentation is reciprocally caused by oneself and one ‘s squad members and besides experience proud and jointly observe when a group member is recognized for accomplishment.THE COOPERATIVE LEARNING MODEL – THE FIVE KEY ELEMENTSPositive MutualityThe first demand for an efficaciously structured concerted lesson is that pupils believe that they â€Å" sink or swim together. † Within concerted acquisition state of affairss, pupils have two duties which are learn the assigned stuff and guarantee that all members of the group learn the assigned stuff. The proficient term for that double duty is positive mutuality. Positive mutuality exists when pupils perceive that they are linked with group couples in such a manner that they can no n win unless their group couples do ( and frailty versa ) and/or that they must organize their attempts with the attempts of their group mates to finish a undertaking. Positive mutuality promotes a state of affairs in which pupils see that their work benefits group couples and their group couples ‘ work benefits them and work together in little groups to maximise the acquisition of all members by sharing their resources to supply common support and encouragement and to observe their joint success. When positive mutuality is clearly understood, it establishes that each group member ‘s attempts are required and indispensable for group success and each group member has a alone part to do to the joint attempt because of his or her resources and/or function and undertaking duties. There are a figure of ways of structuring positive mutuality within a larning group. Positive Goal Interdependence Students perceive that they can accomplish their acquisition ends if ‘ and merely if all the members of their group besides attain their ends. The group is united around a common end — a concrete ground for being. To guarantee that pupils believe they â€Å" sink or swim together † and care about how much each other learns, the instructor has to construction a clear group or common end, such as â€Å" learn the assigned stuff and do certain that all members of the group learn the assigned stuff. † The group end ever has to be a portion of the lesson. Positive Reward — Celebrate Interdependence Each group member receives the same wages when the group achieves its ends. To supplement end mutuality, instructors may wish to add joint wagess ( e.g. , if all members of the group score 90 % correct or better on the trial, each receives 5 fillip points ) . Sometimes instructors give pupils: 1 ) a group class for the overall production of their group, 2 ) an single class ensuing from trials, and 3 ) fillip points if all members of the group achieve the standard on trials. Regular jubilations of group attempts and success enhance the quality of cooperation. Positive Resource Interdependence Each group member has merely a part of the resources, information, or stuffs necessary for the undertaking to be completed ; the members ‘ resources have to be combined for the group to accomplish its ends. Teachers may wish to foreground the concerted relationships by giving pupils limited resources that must be shared ( one transcript of the job or undertaking per group ) or giving each pupil portion of the needed resources that the group must so suit together ( the Jigsaw process ) . Positive Role Mutuality Each member is assigned complementary and interrelated functions that specify duties that the group needs in order to finish the joint undertaking. Teachers create function mutuality among pupils when they assign them complementary functions such as reader, recording equipment, checker of apprehension, encourager of engagement, and elaborator of cognition. Such functions are critical to high-quality acquisition. The function of checker, for illustration, focuses on sporadically inquiring each group mate to explicate what is being learned. Rosenshine and Stevens ( 1986 ) reviewed a big organic structure of well-controlled research on learning effectivity at the pre-collegiate degree and found â€Å" look intoing for comprehension † to be one specific learning behaviour that was significantly associated with higher degrees of pupil acquisition and accomplishment. Although the instructor can non continually look into the apprehension of every pupil, the instructor can engineer su ch checking by holding pupils work in concerted groups and delegating one member the function of checker. There are other types of positive mutuality. Positive undertaking mutuality exists when a division of labour is created so that the actions of one group member have to be completed if the following member is to finish his or her duty. Positive individuality mutuality exists when a common individuality is established through a name or slogan. Outside menace mutuality exists when groups are placed in competition with each other. Fantasy mutuality exists when a undertaking is given that requires group members to conceive of that they are in a conjectural state of affairs.Face-to-Face Promotive Interactionâ€Å" In an industrial organisation, it ‘s the group attempt that counts. There ‘s truly no room for stars in an industrial organisation. You need gifted people, but they ca n't make it entirely. They have to hold aid. † ( John F. Donnelly, President, Donnelly Mirrors ) Positive mutuality consequences in promotive interaction. Promotive interaction may be defined as persons promoting and easing each other ‘s attempts to accomplish, complete undertakings, and bring forth in order to make the group ‘s ends. Although positive mutuality in and of itself may hold some consequence on results, it is the face-to-face promotive interaction among persons fostered by the positive inter-relationships, and psychological accommodation and societal competency. Promotive interaction is characterized by persons supplying each other with efficient and effectual aid and aid ; interchanging needful resources, such as information and stuffs, and treating information more expeditiously and efficaciously ; supplying each other with feedback in order to better their subsequent public presentation ; disputing each other ‘s decisions and concluding in order to advance higher quality determination devising and greater penetration into the jobs being consider ed ; recommending the effort of attempt to accomplish common ends ; act uponing each other ‘s attempts to accomplish the group ‘s ends ; moving in swearing and trusty ways ; being motivated to endeavor for common benefit ; and keeping a moderate degree of arousal characterized by low anxiousness and stress.AIndividual Accountability/Personal Responsibilityâ€Å" What kids can make together today, they can make entirely tomorrow. † ( Let Vygotsky, 1962 ) Among the early colonists of Massachusetts there was a expression, â€Å" If you do non work, you do non eat. † Everyone had to make their just portion of the work. The 3rd indispensable component of concerted acquisition is single answerability, which exists when the public presentation of single pupils is assessed, the consequences are given back to the person and the group, and the pupil is held responsible by group couples for lending his or her just portion to the group ‘s success. It is of import that the group-knows who needs more aid, support, and encouragement in finishing the assignment. It is besides of import that group members know they can non â€Å" hitchhike † on the work of others. When it is hard to place members ‘ parts, when members ‘ parts are excess, and when members are non responsible for the concluding group result, they may be seeking a free drive. This is called societal idleness. The intent of concerted acquisition groups is to do each member a stronger single in his or her ain right. Individual answerability is the key to guaranting that all group members are, in fact, strengthened by larning hand in glove. After take parting in a concerted lesson, group members should be better prepared to finish similar undertakings by themselves. To guarantee that each pupil is separately accountable to make his or her just portion of the group ‘s work, instructors need to measure how much attempt each member is lending to the group ‘s work, supply feedback to groups and single pupils, aid groups avoid excess attempts by members, and guarantee that every member is responsible for the concluding result. There are common ways to construction single answerability include: Keeping the size of the group little. The smaller the size of the group, the greater the single answerability may be. Giving an single trial to each pupil. Randomly analyzing pupils orally by naming on one pupil to show his or her group ‘s work to the instructor ( in the presence of the group ) or to the full category. Detecting each group and entering the frequence with which each member-contributes to the group ‘s work. Delegating one pupil in each group the function of checker. The checker asks other group members to explicate the logical thinking and rationale underlying group replies. Having pupils teach what they learned to person else. When all pupils do this, it is called coincident explaining. There is a form to classroom acquisition. First, pupils learn cognition, accomplishments, schemes, or processs in a concerted group. Second, pupils apply the cognition or execute the accomplishment, scheme, or procedure entirely to show their personal command of the stuff. Students learn it together and so execute it entirely.Interpersonal and Small-Group Skillsâ€Å" I will pay more for the ability to cover with people than any other ability under the Sun. † ( John D. Rockefeller ) The 4th indispensable component of concerted acquisition is the appropriate usage of interpersonal and small-group accomplishments. In order to organize attempts to accomplish common ends, pupils must acquire to cognize and swear each other, pass on accurately and unequivocally, accept and support each other, and decide struggle constructively. Puting socially unskilled pupils in a group and stating them to collaborate does non vouch that they have the ability to make so efficaciously. We are non born instinctively cognizing how to interact efficaciously with others. Interpersonal and small-group accomplishments do non as if by magic appear when they are needed. Students must be taught the societal accomplishments required for high quality coaction and be motivated to utilize them if concerted groups are to be productive. The whole field of group kineticss is based on the premiss that societal accomplishments are the cardinal to group productiveness. The more socially adept pupils are and the more attending instructors pay-to instruction and honoring the usage of societal accomplishments, the higher the accomplishment that can be expected within concerted larning groups. In the concerted accomplishments conditions, pupils were trained hebdomadal in four societal accomplishments and each member of a concerted group was given two fillip points toward the quiz class if all group members were observed by the instructor to show three out of four concerted accomplishments. The consequences indicated that the combination of positive mutuality, an academic eventuality for high public presentation by all group members, and a societal accomplishments eventuality promoted the highest accomplishment.Group Processingâ€Å" Take attention of each other. Share your energies with the group. No 1 must experience enti rely, cut off, for that is when you do non do it. † ( Willi Unsoeld, Renowned Mountain Climber ) The 5th indispensable component of concerted acquisition is group treating. Effective group work is influenced by whether or non groups reflect on how good they are working. A procedure is an identifiable sequence of events taking topographic point over clip, and procedure ends refer to the sequence of events instrumental in accomplishing outcome ends. Group processing may be defined as reflecting on a group session to depict what member actions were helpful and unhelpful, and do determinations about what actions to go on or alter. The intent of group processing is to clear up and better the effectivity of the members in lending to the collaborative attempts to accomplish the group ‘s ends. While the instructor consistently observes the concerted acquisition groups, he or she attains a â€Å" window † into what pupils do and make non understand as they explain to each other how to finish the assignment. Listening in on the pupils ‘ accounts provides valuable inform ation about bow good the pupils understand the instructions, the major constructs and schemes being learned, and the basic elements of concerted acquisition. There are two degrees of processing which are little group and whole category. In order to guarantee that small-group processing takes topographic point, instructors allocate some clip at the terminal of each category session for each concerted group to treat how effectively members worked together. Groups need to depict what member actions were helpful and non helpful in finishing the group ‘s work and do determinations about what behaviours to go on or alter. Some of the keys to successful small-group processing are leting sufficient clip for it to take topographic point, supplying a construction for processing, stressing positive feedback, doing the processing particular instead than general, keeping pupil engagement in processing, reminding pupils to utilize their concerted accomplishments while they process, and pass oning clear outlooks as to the intent of processing. In add-on to small-group processing, the instructor should sporadically prosecute in whole-class processing. When concerted acquisition groups are used, the instructor observes the groups, analyzes the jobs they have working together, and gives feedback to each group on how good they are working together. The instructor consistently moves from group to group and observes them at work. A formal observation sheet may be used to garner specific informations on each group. At the terminal of the category period the instructor can so carry on a whole-class processing session by sharing with the category the consequences of his or her observations. If each group has a equal perceiver, the consequences of their observations may be added together to acquire overall category information. An of import facet of both small-group and whole-class processing is group and category jubilations. It is experiencing successful, appreciated, and respected that physiques commitment to acquisition, enthusi asm about working in concerted groups, and a sense of self-efficacy in footings of subject-matter command and working hand in glove with schoolmates.Specific COOPERATIVE MODELSThe Jigsaw ModelDefined loosely, Jigsaw is a grouping scheme in which the members of the category are organized into â€Å" saber saw † groups. The pupils are so reorganized into â€Å" adept † groups incorporating one member from each saber saw group. The members of the expert group work together to larn the stuff or work out the job, so return to their â€Å" saber saw † groups to portion their acquisition. In this manner, the work of the expert groups is rapidly disseminated throughout the category, with each individual taking duty for sharing a piece of the mystifier.Jigsaw Groups:Group OneGroup TwoGroup ThreeGroup FourNucleus ( Kathy ) Nucleus ( Susan ) Nucleus ( Jose ) Nucleus ( Jim ) Mitochondria ( Jorge ) Mitochondria ( Randy ) Mitochondria ( Gail ) Mitochondria ( Tan ) Cell Wall ( Sara ) Cell Wall ( Andy ) Cell Wall ( Chris ) Cell Wall ( Julie ) Protoplasm ( Heather ) Protoplasm ( Jessenia ) Protoplasm ( Phu ) Protoplasm ( Karen )Adept Groups:Group OneGroup TwoGroup ThreeGroup FourNucleus ( Kathy ) Mitochondria ( Jorge ) Cell Wall ( Sara ) Protoplasm ( Heather ) Nucleus ( Susan ) Mitochondria ( Randy ) Cell Wall ( Andy ) Protoplasm ( Jessenia ) Nucleus ( Jose ) Mitochondria ( Gail ) Cell Wall ( Chris ) Protoplasm ( Phu ) Nucleus ( Jim ) Mitochondria ( Tan ) Cell Wall ( Julie ) Protoplasm ( Karen ) Jigsaw can be used for sharing different solutions to the same job or for spliting up research duties. For illustration, if the category is analyzing populating cells, one group of pupils learns about the karyon, another learns about the chondriosome, another learns about the cell wall, and so on. The groups are so reconfigured into saber saw groups ; the experts take bends learning their forte to their saber saw group so that each group learns about every subject. Jigsaw is an efficient manner for pupils to go engaged in their acquisition, learn a batch of material rapidly, portion information with other groups, minimise hearing clip, and be separately accountable for their acquisition. Since each group needs its members to make good in order for the whole group to make good, Jigsaw maximizes interaction and establishes an ambiance of cooperation and regard for other pupils. Teachers who listen in to the sharing of one of the saber saw groups can rapidly hear what each of the original groups has been making. Jigsaw II is an alternate scheme, developed by Robert Slavin ( 1990 ) . The procedure is as described above, with the exclusion that pupils in saber saw groups read the full assignment or all of the stuffs to get the information. Group members so take an single trial on the stuff, the consequences of which contribute to a squad mark. There a few stairss on how to implement the Jigsaw Model. First, split the twenty-four hours ‘s lesson into sections, and organize pupil groups. The groups should be diverse in footings of ability. Then, form impermanent expert groups in which pupils are assigned to the same section. Give pupils in these adept groups clip to discourse the chief points of their section and to practise the presentations they will do to their saber saw group. After that, convey the pupils into saber saw groups that are composed of one pupil from each expert group. Have each pupil present her or his section to the group. At the terminal of the session, you may give a quiz so that pupils are held accountable for larning all the stuff. The instructor ‘s function in the saber saw is to ease acquisition. When pupils are in adept groups, the instructor can back up pupils by promoting them to happen ways to set information they learned into their ain words, to associate the stuff to their ain lives, and to give illustrations that help them explicate the stuff to their group. Students should be encouraged to assist each other and to do certain everyone in their group understands the stuff and will be confident showing it to his or her group. If a pupil finds it hard to explicate his or her subject to the saber saw group, a instructor foremost might partner off that pupil with a spouse who will assist research and present the information to the saber saw group and so hold the brace travel together to the expert group and to the saber saw group. This will assist both pupils develop interpersonal accomplishments, communicating accomplishments, and collaborating. To ease this spouse coaching, have both pupils tell you if this is assisting them learn the stuff. Promote both pupils to do suggestions that would assist them larn more expeditiously. The Jigsaw scheme is cardinal to all sorts of work in little groups. Use it often to maximise answerability and interactivity. As pupils become accustomed to sharing their apprehension and thoughts with others, you will happen that they become more responsible scholars. Faced with the demand to joint their acquisition to others, they will get the hang the stuff at a deeper degree than they would otherwise. As you give pupils more and more complex stuffs to discourse, maestro, and present to their equals, you will be supplying them with chances to spread out their thought and apprehension. You can increase answerability by giving single pupils a quiz on the stuff after the saber saw sharing is complete. The scheme can be used in many different ways. Jigsaw can be used during an writer survey. Have each expert group read the books of an writer, and have each pupil present the writer to his or her saber saw group. For younger pupils, each little group can be given a different storybook to read. Students take bends reading parts of the narrative. Then they take bends reading the whole narrative aloud once more in their saber saw groups. Essaies or studies can be divided into subdivisions, and adept groups can research together and so convey their cognition to their saber saw groups to compose the essay or study. Students can be asked to review the same piece of composing in little groups and so portion and compare their reviews in the saber saw group. Give pupils the same multi-step job to work on in little groups ( for illustration, gauge the figure of supermarkets in the United States. Then reorganise pupils into saber saw groups and have them portion and discourse each original group ‘s solution. Chapters or articles can be divided and studied by pupil groups and so shared. Small groups can be asked to develop a solution to the same job ; solutions so can be shared and discussed in saber saw groups. Small groups can carry on the same experiment and so portion and comparison consequences with a saber saw group. Ask little groups to go experts in peculiar spheres and so hold them portion their sphere cognition with the saber saw group.Think, Pair, Share ModelThe think, brace, portion scheme is a concerted acquisition technique that encourages single engagement and is applicable across all class degrees and category sizes. Students think through inquiries utilizing three distinguishable stairss: Think: Students think independently about the inquiry that has been posed, organizing thoughts of their ain. Pair: Students are grouped in braces to discourse their ideas. This measure allows pupils to joint their thoughts and to see those of others. Share: Student braces portion their thoughts with a larger group, such as the whole category. Often, pupils are more comfy showing thoughts to a group with the support of a spouse. In add-on, pupils ‘ thoughts have become more refined through this three-step procedure. Students need many chances to speak in a linguistically rich environment. Research workers have found that pupils ‘ acquisition is enhanced when they have many chances to lucubrate on thoughts through talk. The think, brace, portion scheme increases the sorts of personal communications that are necessary for pupils to internally treat, form, and retain thoughts. In sharing their thoughts, pupils take ownership of their acquisition and negotiate significances instead than rely entirely on the instructor ‘s authorization. Extra benefits of utilizing the think, brace, portion scheme include the positive alterations in pupils ‘ self-pride that occur when they listen to one another and regard others ‘ thoughts. Students have the chance to larn higher-level believing accomplishments from their equals, gain the excess clip or motivating they may necessitate, and addition assurance when describing thoughts to the whole category. In add-on, the â€Å" brace † measure of the scheme ensures that no pupil is left out of the treatment. Even a pupil who is uncomfortable discoursing his or her thoughts with the whole category still has an audience in this measure. Finally, while the scheme may look to be time-consuming, it makes schoolroom treatments more productive, as pupils have already had an chance to believe about their thoughts before immersing into whole-class conversations. The think, brace, portion scheme is ideal for instructors and pupils who are new to collaborative acquisition. It can be used in a assortment of contexts. However, to be effectual, pupils must see a inquiry or issue. It could be a complex inquiry, such as, â€Å" What do you believe were the cardinal issues that led to World War I? † It could be a more straightforward petition, such as, â€Å" Make a form that could be described as ‘a, B, a, B. ‘ † As pupils consider the inquiry or issue, they should deduce some benefit from believing about it further with spouses, such as when there are multiple right replies to a inquiry. For case, in the old illustration, pupils could supply many illustrations of â€Å" a, B, a, B † forms and seeing multiple replies will reenforce this construct. On the other manus, supplying pupils with inquiries that have merely one right response, such as, â€Å" What is 5 + 2? † shortly becomes boring to pupils, as there is non much to portion with spouses or the whole category. The â€Å" think † measure may necessitate pupils simply to be quiet for a few minutes and chew over their ideas about the inquiry. They may compose some ideas in response to the inquiry. Some instructors find it helpful to put a clip bound for the â€Å" think † and â€Å" brace † stairss of the scheme. If you choose to make this, be certain to give pupils an thought of how much clip they will hold. Remember to let sufficient clip during the â€Å" brace † measure to let both pupils to speak about their ideas. In the â€Å" portion † measure of the scheme, pupils can portion their thoughts in several ways. One manner is to hold all pupils stand, and after each pupil responds, he or she sits down, as does any pupil with a similar response. This continues until everyone is seated. Another manner is to travel rapidly through the category, holding pupils respond rapidly, one after the other, or to hold a category ballot. Responses can be recorded on an overhead projector or on a in writing organiser for future treatments. Another fluctuation is to halt after the â€Å" brace † measure, and have pupils write their thoughts. Collect pupils ‘ responses and measure any jobs in understanding. This scheme frequently stretches pupils ‘ believing simply by its execution. Some pupils consider it a challenge to joint their ideas to another individual. However, one time pupils become comfy with this facet, there are ways to spread out the scheme ‘s range. One manner to be certain that pupils have chances is to partner off with a assortment of spouses. Pairing pupils who sit closest to each other is convenient but does n't supply the same rational or societal challenge as suiting the acquisition and treatment manners of a assortment of schoolmates. Another method for changing the scheme is to let two â€Å" brace † stairss before continuing to â€Å" portion. † Students can either take part in two back-to-back couplings or can partner off with one pupil and so the first brace can be grouped with another brace to discourse their ideas before fall ining a whole-class treatment. This double-pair method is peculiarly helpful if you have a really big category or are covering with an particularly complex inquiry. The think, brace, portion scheme can be used to heighten treatments about specific characters in books. For case, a group that is reading The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson might be asked to believe, brace, portion in response to the inquiries, â€Å" Would you be able to be friends with Gilly? Why or why non? † The think, brace, portion scheme can assist pupils larn about the authorship procedure. Students who are asked to take a subject of their ain to compose approximately frequently become stuck. Teachers can do this procedure easier by inquiring early in the twelvemonth, â€Å" Where make narrative thoughts come from? † As pupils think about the inquiry and discourse their thoughts with a spouse, they normally come up with a long and valuable list of thoughts that can take them through an full twelvemonth ‘s worth of authorship. The think, brace, portion scheme works good when there are multiple right replies to a given job. This makes the scheme perfect for inquiries that involve appraisal, forms, logic, and so on. This scheme can besides be used when pupils are make up one's minding how to near a job instead than when they are settling on a specific reply to one. Social surveies content provides many chances to implement this scheme, particularly when presenting new subjects. Use the think, brace, portion scheme by inquiring a inquiry such as, â€Å" What do you already know about the Revolutionary War? † As pupils grapple with ethical subjects, you might inquire inquiries such as, â€Å" Would you hold agreed to be a ‘stop ‘ on the Underground Railroad? Why or why non? † As pupils are carry oning experiments, the think, brace, portion scheme can be a manner for them to organize hypotheses or to discourse their readings of a given experiment. For case, before an experiment on dens eness, pupils might be asked to utilize the think, brace, portion scheme when make up one's minding which of a given set of points will drift when placed in a bath of H2O.Numbered Heads TogetherNumbered Heads Together is a concerted acquisition scheme that holds each pupil accountable for larning the stuff. Students are placed in groups and each individual is given a figure ( from one to the maximal figure in each group ) . The instructor poses a inquiry and pupils â€Å" set their caputs together † to calculate out the reply. The instructor calls a specific figure to react as interpreter for the group. By holding pupils work together in a group, this scheme ensures that each member knows the reply to jobs or inquiries asked by the instructor. Because no 1 knows which figure will be called, all squad members must be prepared. This concerted acquisition scheme promotes treatment and both single and group answerability. This scheme is good for reexamining and incorporating capable affair. Students with particular demands frequently benefit when this scheme is used. After direct direction of the stuff, the group supports each member and provides chances for pattern, dry run, and treatment of content stuff. Group larning methods encourage pupils to take greater duty for their ain acquisition and to larn from one another, every bit good as from the teacher. There are several stairss on how to implement the Numbered Head Together Model. First of all, split the pupils into groups of four and give each one a figure from one to four. Then present a inquiry or a job to the category. Have pupils gather to believe about the inquiry and to do certain everyone in their group understands and can give an reply. Ask the inquiry and name out a figure indiscriminately. Finally the pupils with that figure raise their custodies, and when called on, the pupil replies for his or her squad. This is a flexible scheme that can be used at a assortment of degrees. The instructor may get down with factual information inquiries, and as pupils become more familiar with the scheme, inquire inquiries that require analysis or synthesis of information. Student groups can be given statements such as, â€Å" School uniforms help to maintain pupils focused on faculty members. † Students ‘ undertaking is to come to consensus on whether they agree or disagree, giving an account of their logical thinking. After the pupils respond, have the other groups agree or disagree with the reply by demoing hitchhike up or hitchhike down, and so explicate their logical thinking. Or, if the reply needs clarifying, inquire another pupil to spread out on the reply. This scheme can be used when comprehension inquiries have been posed to groups, and pupils can work together to happen the replies. For illustration, when reading a narrative, pupils can be given the undertaking of analysing one of the characters. They can be asked inquiries such as, â€Å" Which character traits are stated straight, and which are implied by the writer? † and â€Å" What information do you acquire from the character ‘s address and actions? † On the other manus, pupils can measure the quality of a piece of composing utilizing a rubric. Have pupils review the authorship as a group and assign tonss as a group. Ask them to react with their tonss and principle utilizing the numbered caputs together scheme. Furthermore, numbered caputs together can be used when work outing math jobs. Ask inquiries such as â€Å" What are the facts in this job? † â€Å" Which scheme would be most appropriate? † and â€Å" What solution did your group hold on? † This scheme besides can be used after reading a chapter in a text, or after stuff has been presented. Ask clear uping inquiries about the text and have pupils find and discuss the replies. When groups are ready, reexamine the replies utilizing this scheme. Otherwise, this scheme can be used in readying for a trial or quiz. Allow clip for pupils to analyze together in their groups and possibly make inquiries that might be on the trial or quiz. Using the numbered caputs together scheme, inquire inquiries about the stuff that will be on the trial or quiz.THE EFFECTIVE USE OF COOPERATIVE LEARNINGThe effectual usage of concerted acquisition in the schoolroom is frequently built upon a four-step procedure. There are four elements ne ed to be considered as the initial start to plan and implement concerted acquisition into the instruction modus operandis. The first component is presentation of content. In Lesson Methodologies, I talked about the ways in which you can show information to your pupils. These instructional activities must be done prior to any concerted acquisition activity. Concerted acquisition is non a self-instruction theoretical account, but instead a manner for pupils to â€Å" mess around † with antecedently presented stuff. In short, concerted acquisition comes after you ‘ve taught something to your pupils. The 2nd component is teamwork where this is the clip after the new stuff been taught and when pupils are engaged in a concerted acquisition activity. The concerted acquisition scheme ( Jigsaw, Think-pair-share, Numbered caputs ) is selected and explained to the full category. Students are divided into assorted squads and provided sufficient clip to finish their assigned responsibilities. The 3rd component that should be considered is single appraisal. In concerted acquisition, the aim is non the production of a individual set of right replies for the full group but instead the development and sweetening of each member ‘s accomplishment. Although members of the squad work together to get the hang information, each single member must be assessed in relation to her or his command of the content. In short, everybody is tested in line with her or his achievement potency. The last component is team acknowledgment. It is most appropriate to acknowledge and observe the attempts of the squad as a whole. It is every bit of import to observe the attempts of the squad to help single members in larning a specific organic structure of cognition. These ceremonials can be either public or private. Teachers have rewarded squads with an excess deferral, a â€Å" prep base on balls, † a bite, a certification or award, or some other appropriate wages. In many instances, the wages can be every bit simple as a schoolroom cheer or drawn-out series of high fives.

Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 31

Ethics - Essay Example With the pursuit of perfection in the chosen specialization, a code of ethics is put into place. The topic of the paper revolves around the code of ethics in nursing and two other professions which are occupational therapy and physical therapy. Nursing code of ethics has nine principles or provisions while the occupational therapy and physical therapy has seven principles respectively. All of the said professions are meant to assist the doctors in rendering services to the patients in specific ways as nurses directly work with the doctors while occupational therapists are responsible for helping the patients cope with their daily lives. On the other hand, physical therapists focus on assisting the patients in recovering their bodies back to normal condition through exercise and proper diet. In general, all of the three codes have the same ethical principles in terms of respecting the patients and fellow professionals, promoting health, continuously enhancing health assistance skills, respecting privacy, and protecting the well-being of the patients. Each profession just differs from one another in terms of elaboration of the principles and the way the professionals practice their career. Another comparison can be done between the nursing code of ethics and Nightingale Pledge in which the latter is a modified Hippocratic Oath. The pledge had been modified to match the modern changes until the code of ethics was written based on the pledge. It is considered that Nightingale pledge is specific, personal and limited in terms of content than the nursing code of ethics (Zwemer, 1995, p. 113). The original pledge has more differences from the code since the revised pledge was closer to the code when it comes to meaning. Also the Code of Ethics is addressed objectively unlike the pledge which is subjective. It is also noticeable that the original pledge used some words that are not very much used today like the

Discussion board 4 - International law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Discussion board 4 - International law - Essay Example In 2006, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which emphasizes the importance of existing international counter-terrorism instruments and encourages all member states to immediately implement their provisions. The strategy comes in the form of a resolution and an annexed Plan of Action, and marks the first time all UN member states agreed to a common strategic approach to fight terrorism. Not only does the strategy send a clear message that all forms of terrorism are unacceptable, it is a resolution by the UN to take practical steps to prevent and combat terrorism, both as individual states and collectively as an international community. These steps range from strengthening states’ capacity to counter terrorism threats to better coordinating the UN’s counter-terrorism activities (UN Action-b, n.d.) There may not be a standard in the definition of what exactly constitutes terrorism, but the UN has clearly done its part in try ing to combat the practice.

Cultural Diversity and Globalization Case Study - 4

Cultural Diversity and Globalization - Case Study Example Hofstede’s cultural dimensions can be used to explain the cultural differences between the two countries. These differences are very important as they are the main cause why Euro Disneyland failed despite its huge name and publicity. The dimensions of culture are very well known in organizational behavior and sociology. They include power distance, collectivism, uncertainty avoidance and masculinity (Kwintessential, 2010).The first dimension is power distance. It is defined as the extent of belief in the inequality or equality of distribution of power in the society. The countries that have high power distance exhibit acceptance with regards to the inequalities of people. In these countries, people conform to the powerful and follow orders. Countries like China, Mexico and India. In these countries, we can witness disparity in incomes and power. The countries that have low power distance exhibit equality. In these countries, power is equally distributed in the society. The United States of America, Austria and Norway have low power distance. We can see less disparity of incomes and power in these countries.France has a relatively high power distance than the United States of America. This means that people of France accept, to a certain extent, inequality of power. For this reason, Euro Disneyland should have special rights for people in France and ‘rules are for all’ strategy is not appropriate for France. The second dimension is individualism. Countries that have high individualism, people there care about themselves and family only. Low individualistic or collectivist countries have people that care about the extended family and the whole clan. These countries lack personal initiative and people are dependent on family. The United States of America is a highly individualistic country. Personal values of the people are strong. France is relatively less individualistic and people still care about their families. The degree of individualism is less in France than in the United States of America where people have relatively strong family values.

Dissertation- The Importance of human resources development for Dissertation

- The Importance of human resources development for competitiveness in organization - Dissertation Example Date: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Statement 2 This dissertation is the result of my own independent work/investigation, except where otherwise stated. Other sources are acknowledged by citations giving explicit references. A bibliography is appended. Signed: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Date: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Statement 3 I hereby give consent for my dissertation, if accepted, to be available for photocopying and for interlibrary loan, and for the title and summary to be made available to outside organizations. Signed: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Date: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ [Please check with university requirements for this section] D e d i c a t i o n [Please fill as required] A c k n o w l e d g m e n t s [Please fill as required] Thank you!!! Contents D e d i c a t i o n 2 A c k n o w l e d g m e n t s 3 Contents 4 List of Figures 7 List of Tables 8 A b s t r a c t 9 Chapter 1 10 Introduction 10 1.1 Overview 10 1.2 Aim of the Study 11 1.3 Objectives of the Study 11 1.3 Methodology Overview 12 1.4 Overview of Chapters 12 1.5 Summary 13 Chapter 2 14 Literature Review 14 2.1 Introduction 14 2.2 Chosen Company 14 2.3 Learning Organisation 15 2.4 Training vs. Development 17 2.5 Position of Training and Development in HR 18 2.5.1 Importance and Benefits: 21 2.5.2 Impact on Employee Performance 25 2.5.3 Impact on Intellectual Capital 28 2.6 Training and Development and Competitiveness 29 2.7 Summary 32 Chapter 3 33 Research Methodology 33 3.1 Introduction 33 3.2 Achievability of Objectives 33 3.2.1 Objectives Description 34 3.3 Research Design 34 3.4 Theoretical Framework 37 3.4.1 Research Methods: 38 3.4.2 Chosen Method: 39 3.4.3 Research Validity and Reliability: 40 3.5 Limitations of the Research: 40 3.6 Summary 41 Chapter 4 42 Resea rch Findings and Analysis 42 4.1 Introduction 42 4.2 Response Rate 42 4.3 Demographic Information 43 4.3.1 Gender Distribution 43 4.3.2 Age Distribution 44 4.3.3 Level of Education 44 4.3.4 Work Experience 45 4.4 Useful Information 46 4.4.1 Working for Team 46 4.4.2 Number of Trainings 48 4.4.3 Official Trainings 48 4.4.4 Compulsion on Training 49 4.4.5 Certificate Courses 50 4.5Training and Development 51 4.6 Training and Competitiveness 59 4.7 Analysis of Findings 64 4.8 Summary 66 C h a p t e r 5 67 Conclusions 67 5.1 Introduction 67 5.2 Research Conclusions and Recommendations 67 5.3 Further Research Recommendations 71 Bibliography 72 List of Figures Figure 1 Five Disciplines of Learning Organisations 16 Figure 2: Research Design 36 Figure 3: Gender Distribution 43 Figure 4: Age Distribution 44 Figure 5Level of Education 45 Figure 6 Work Experience 46 Figure 7 Current Team 47 Figure 8 Number of Trainings 48 Figure 9 Office Trainings 49 Figure 10 Training Compulsory 50 Figure 11N umber of Certificate Courses 50 Figure 12 Trainings and Jobs 52 Figure 13 Training and Practical Work 53 Figure 14 Training Programs and Companies 54 Figure 15 Training and Development Programs and Performance 55 Figure 16 Work Speed and T&D Programs 56 Figure 17 T&D and Satisfaction 57 Figure 18 T&D and Performance 58 Figure 19 T&D and Specialists 60 Figure 20 T&D and Employee Needs 60 Figure 21 T&D and Company Competitiveness 62 Figure 22 T&D and Motivation 63 Figure 23 T&D and My Performance 64 List of

The Veil in Islam Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Veil in Islam - Research Paper Example Muslim women who strictly adhere to the requirement believe that it is an act of obedience to God and a stride towards freedom. In this regard, women’s freedom can be evaluated by their physical appearance rather than their intellect. The concept of veiling in Islam emanates from the need to maintain the association between the body and mind. It is often believed that covering the body is one way of shielding the heart from impurities. For that reason, men are admonished to avert their eyes from women, and subsequently, women are required to put on loose outer garments, and cover up their bosoms and heads (Hibri 8). Although the Holy Qur’an directs that women needs to veil themselves, the degree and style varies considerably depending on the situation. Veiling in Islam women is highly dependent on interpretation of various scriptures on the practice, culture, and personal preferences. According to chapter 33, verse 60 of the Qur’an, Allah says â€Å"O prophet! T ell your wives and your daughters, and women of the believers, that they should pull down upon them of their outer cloaks from their heads over their faces. That is more likely that they may thus be recognized and not molested†. There are two distinct interpretations of this scripture that has created two forms of veiling. In light of the instruction, some Muslim women choose to cover their heads while others choose to cover their faces. However, there are others who choose to adopt a compromised position of the two by covering their faces, only when they apply makeup (Ali 719). Majority of Muslim women veil themselves because of the need to uphold modesty, dignity, respect, and safeguard themselves from evils and harm. There are two fundamental parameters, which come from hadith or traditional reports, and Qur’an that guide the Islamic women dress code. The first parameter comes from Qur’an, and is indicated that a woman’s body should be covered in such a manner that only her feet, hands, and face are revealed, except under uncontrolled circumstances (Qur’an 24: 30-31). Additionally, women are required to put on loose clothing so that their body structure is not revealed. The second parameter come from hadith, and states that Muslim women should not put on clothing similar to that of men, or in a manner similar to those who do not believe God. This implies that their clothing should be simply modest, and not overly fancy or ragged. The traditional reports or hadiths presented a number of instances where women were admonished to cover up their nakedness. Scrutiny of the reports reveals that the definition of a woman’s nakedness is so wide and covers her entire body. Ibn Qudama in al-Mughni (1: 349) posited â€Å"all of the woman’s body is considered her nakedness† (Ali 412). In the Qur’an and the prophetic Sunna, there are some fundamental requirements that suggested the manner in which Muslim women are supposed to dress that includes; the extent of covering, thickness, looseness, color, appearance, and demeanor, variation from men’s clothing, variation from unbelievers clothing, and prohibition of ostentatious or vain dressing. Although modest dressing and hijab is mandated in the Qur’an, many Muslims dispute that it is not a strict condition, but simply a strong suggestion. Because of varied interpretations and cultural differences, many women in the Islamic world have adopted fashions of their country.

NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - Essay Example ject is dependent on the markets expectations and changing preferences, to introduce a new idea, the company should look at time as a scarce resource. What the new product development manager can do is to look at the whole process and see what to cut down without compromising the quality of the product. For instance, if the new product entails smaller risk, the test marketing can be done on a smaller and shorter scale so as to cut down on time to deliver the product to the market without cutting down on the value that will be provided to the consumer. Also, the new product development manager can utilize simultaneous product development which utilized cross-functional planning. This will cut down on the time it takes to pass on from one process to another because all the involved functions will be part of the planning process. The new product development manager can significantly cut down on time it takes from idea generation to launching the product to the market. For new product development, financial budget is one of the crucial factors that can determine the success of a new project. As new projects in terms of overall research throughout the process can be costly, not enough budget is one of the challenges that a new product development manager can experience. It is very usual that the whole project has an initial budget as included by the company. However, since these are new projects that are supported by new technology, those budgets are usually the best estimates of those who are involved. Midway through the project, the new product development manager will learn that the costs are significantly different from the estimates, and that the budget that has initially been set, usually by the top management is insufficient. Due to certain management policies and corporate politics, revision and application for a new budget to be approved is usually a problem. Thus, a new product manager could be left with what was initially planned, and decide to pursue or

FedEx The Success Story Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

FedEx The Success Story - Essay Example This paper looks at these aspects in detail. The enduring success of FedEx has been in part due to the wisdom, knowledge and information imparted towards the employees in helping them gain a better understanding and applying a number of company principles and policies. The philosophy at FedEx has always been People, Service, Profit. People always come first. A deep understanding of what makes people tick, their inner psychology, motivations, desires and aspirations are key factors that the company strives to take into account when dealing with them. As people everywhere are varied, FedEx accepts their diversity and understands that each individual must be handled differently. The company attempts to find a common ground between itself and the customer where both mutually agree on terms and conditions and are satisfied with the business goals. The second point is service. To maintain long term customer relationship, the company makes sure that its own philosophy, work practices are sound and credible. When its own employees and leaders are comfortable with the system and have understood it fully, they are able to serve the customer better. The service side of the business is always scrutinized and made adaptable to a changing economic environment. FedEx maintains quality control at every level from the handlers to the customer service representatives. The third aspect is profit. Without the first two factors in place and functioning properly, profits may be affected. FedEx uses cutting edge technology and analytical systems to ensure that the company is on the right course. Variations in profit margins are evaluated and set against the backdrop of the bigger competitive economic picture and also internal company practices. If need be, a revision of policies are made. The company might also look into the process of innovation and how it can be improved upon. The underlying pattern in FedEx is constant change and adaptation. FedEx recognizes the changing world and business environment and in order to be a part of the evolution process, they have continually evaluated business models and strategies. The company regularly studies market trends and the competition and attempts to stay one step ahead. As their customer base expands and a diverse range of people have varied number of requirements, customer satisfaction is very important and FedEx has addressed the expectations and desires of its customers. FedEx has also recognized that the present global economy is extremely competitive and preserving a status quo would not suffice. In order to grow, the company strives to change constantly. This means being flexible in organizational procedures. Rather than sticking rigidly to company policies, an open more adaptable policy towards change has taken place at FedEx. FedEx's growth depends on successfully meeting and anticipating varying customer's requirements in a competitively differentiated manner. Competitive differentiation works on planning and providing customer value offers that are of better-quality that those offered by the competition and which are considered to be a better investment. In designing customer value propositions, each department and employee is directly or indirectly participates in the development. As people are involved in the innovation process, FedEx employees are expected to believe that

Sports are Necessary Essay Example for Free

Sports are Necessary Essay Ask yourself, â€Å"Is there something beneficial that numerous local neighborhoods and large nations both commonly share? † Likely, your brain isn’t listing sports as embracing such assets. Rather, you could be assessing sports as surpassing any other activity in regards to contentment or as a social pastime that involves to many injurious consequences to both players and audiences. Although underrated for the several benefits it offers, sports affects your communities regardless of whether you value athletics or not. Nevertheless, associating with sports can lead to a barrel jam-packed with underappreciated yet rewarding outcomes including supporting a healthy lifestyle, learning off-the-field skills, acquiring social connections, and creating happiness amongst unhappy moments. Near the conclusion of this essay, you will learn to see sports as a glass half full instead of half empty. Sport-like activities began since the beginning of mankind, but the longstanding purpose of benefiting civilization has remained the same. In the Roaring 1920’s, America was recognized for its emphasis on the eras social, artistic, and cultural interest. Alongside the national boom came baseball and the beginning of ‘sports culture’ as legendary Babe Ruth joined the New York Yankees. After breaking several records and setting the standard for baseball, Americans saw Ruth â€Å"as the most important and infamous† player in sports history (Buckley 10). Ever since that remarkable season, America bounced back from World War I and now lives in a society reliant on sports for reaching optimum satisfactory levels. To begin with, sports of any sort urge, support, and allow people to be healthy and stay fit. Regardless of whether you prefer surfing, riding a bicycle, playing football, or joining soccer over another sport, physical activity is involved and exercise helps burn calories. Rather than sitting on a laptop or watching television, sports decreases chances of becoming obese. Unfortunately, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out obesity in 12- to 19-year-olds rose from 5 percent in 1980 to 18 percent in 2008 (Murphey 22). C. J. Wilson, starting pitcher for the Major League Baseball Texas Rangers, is all about you getting improved and healthier. Its important to get kids healthier and cut down on childhood obesity, he says (Murphey 22). Wilson felt so strongly about young peoples health, he began his own charity to increase assistance against America’s epidemic while urging kids to stay fit. Despite these inspiring efforts, critics of sports claim that obesity increases because sports fans eat unhealthily as they watch the latest intense games on the LCD screen. In advertising and in stereotypes, watching sports undoubtedly appears like a reason to load your liver with beer and sodas and load your stomach with hot dogs, pizza, and assortment of chips and snacks. Although our â€Å"youth are not getting enough exercise to burn off the calories† accumulated from sitting around watching TV, we are probably getting enough exercise if youre into sports (Murphey 23). Although obesity is rising in the United States of America, clearly sports aren’t to blame because that isn’t what sports inspire to teach us, and becoming obese couch potatoes isn’t the lesson to be learned from sports. New Orleans football quarterback Drew Brees also remarks, â€Å"Why not get out and play for 60 minutes a day? † (Murphey 25) Clearly, sports aren’t really part of the problem when another influential athlete like Brees notices the issue of obesity and offers a sincere solution. Moreover, learning skills applicable to real life circumstances are what sports offers, believe it or not. Sport involvement, ranging from light participation to complete absorption or immersion into the game, has had a great impact on our life. Additionally, studies using literature analysis on sports participation have found that â€Å"with the intention, sports do build character† according to The Strategies For Character Building Through Sports Participation, a journal article in the International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences. For instance, researchers at the Josephine Institute Center of Sport Ethics noticed that students athletes have better attendance in school, lower drop-out rates, fewer discipline problems, and less drug use (Soh Kim Geok 50). Negative influences and their subsequent implications brought about outside the classroom are lowered because sports allows for better time management, keeping young adults productive on the field rather than regressing on the streets. Another capability learned in sports is sportsmanship, an aspiration that a sport or activity will be enjoyed for its own sake, with â€Å"apt consideration for fairness, ethics, respect and a sense of fellowship with ones competitors† (Soh Kim Geok 52). Since any job or relationship depends on these attributes, lessons learned across sports can be applied to any social interaction. On the other hand, admonishers of sports are likely to say that sportsmanship isn’t the lesson learned from the playground. In renown pyschologist Sigmund Freud’s analysis of sports, violence, arising from competition, can lead an â€Å"otherwise steadfast moral character, during [battle], to willingly take up arms against their fellow man† (qtd. In Holowchak 713). In other words, Freud is saying that even the utmost principled person is willing to injure another player to better his/her chance at winning. For instance, soccer hooliganism and riots break out as the result of losing or winning. In regards to audience sportsmanship, it is often the loudest annoying fan crowd shown by news networks as opposed to illustrating the bulk of the people who respect opposing team fans. Since it is common knowledge that the news nowadays aims to appeal to interesting storylines, like the small group of unruly sports fans, rather than boring subjects, like respectable sports spectators, cunning broadcasts should not be assumed. But in regards to player sportsmanship, the immense bulk of athletes play for the love of the game despite the substantial aggression involved. Injuring someone in opposing uniform usually occurs as an accident, not from coldblooded intention. A study on the significance for youth attitudes towards physical education and sports illustrated that â€Å"children and adolescents perceived school sport as a physical activity and a social phenomenon rather than a competition area† (Tomik 103). Apart from acquiring useful skills from participating in sports, social benefits can also be achieved by associating yourself with sports. As human beings, we appear to innately need to launch and uphold affiliations among several groups, sport related or not. Likewise, in any social assembly, colleagues aim to jump into the â€Å"cool† crowd and stand accepted by others. There are numerous underlying benefits to these relationships, including the opportunity to â€Å"acquire important social connections and a sense of belonging† that, ultimately, can assist in the supporting of happiness (Wann 189). Because it remains a shared area of interests among conversations, a sport has the ability to change strangers into longtime buddies in a just seconds. According to Amir Abu Dalu, a 19-year-old Arabian Peace Players International coach, you can watch or â€Å"play a game and connect, just like that (qtd.In Wolff). Let’s say Alex, a relatively nerdy, young, yet lonely student, begins his collegiate life at the University of Georgia, an institution that nurtures a respectable business program but also leads the nation by a â€Å"cream of the crop† football team on its shoulders. According to an insightful article on the culture of sports attendance, social needs such as the â€Å"social gratification of being with others who enjoy the same activity and connecting oneself with the need to interact, socialize, and belong are among the fundamental motives for sport consumption† (Armstrong 219). On that note, you will be inclined to become a red and black bleeding UGA fan. Identifying yourself as a bulldog will link you to numerous social connections, â€Å"new relationships with others, and a general sense of connectedness to the campus as a whole† (Wann 189). Now, feelings of alienation are replaced with social connections obtained by being labeled a UGA admirer. As a result, you are jollier than your saddened state of isolation beforehand. Sports are inclined to be able to, for lack of a better term, ‘turn that frown upside down’. Now, let’s suppose that Alex isn’t a Georgia fan or a sports fan at all. Couldn’t he find himself feeling isolated because everyone around him is into sports, and they tend to only bond with people over sports? Surely it is possible, but rationally speaking, it is unlikely that Alex finds himself in complete isolation because there have to be other anti-sporting individuals among the thousands who attend UGA who share common interests in areas besides athletics. A sport allows you to make social connections, but sports aren’t the only approach to linking to new acquaintances. And in a second instance, let’s suppose that Alex isn’t actually a Georgia fan. Let’s say he’s a Tech fan. Wouldn’t he potentially face hostility and isolation as a result of the fact that he’s a fan of UGA’s biggest rival? According to some, rivalries tend to make people reject others and not get along simply because they root for opposing teams. Beforehand, it was assumed that non-sports fan could make friends with other non-sports fans. Likewise, nonlocal sports fans could also make friends with other nonlocal sports fans believe it or not. Many of  these â€Å"fans attempt to maintain a community with other fans of the team via the Internet or by watching their team on television with other fans† (Wann 191). In accordance to making friendship with rival sports fans, friends do not always agree on everything and they shouldn’t become enemies over something silly as sports, no matter how important it is considered. Although these antagonistic relationships are a reality, they shouldnt be since ultimately, a Tech or UGA fan is zealous for the same game and should be able to find common ground based on that fact. Lastly, another advantage for people in sports is that it brings joy and hope in times of unhappiness or sad times. A loss or a losing season can cause temporary sadness, but in unhappy life situations, many of us look at sports as a fantasy leave from reality and the chaos it often brings. According to the International Academy for Suicide Research, it was found that adolescents â€Å"not engaged in physical exercise reported significantly higher hopelessness scores compared to the ones engaged in recreational activity† such as running, bicycling, playing basketball or other sports (Chioqueta 377). By using athletics to tackle the utmost unrelenting issues around the world, visionaries and humanitarians alike are impressively creating optimism and bliss in times of suffering and affliction. Senior writer for Sports Illustrated Alexander Wolff set off on a yearlong journey and noticed remarkable outcomes. In his article, a Brazilian kid avenged his father’s murder positively through boxing, became a light welterweight champion, and a received the opportunity to star in the 2012 London Olympics. Next, Zimbabwean boys learn about the HIV virus through fun and innovative role-playing by running soccer drills. Additionally, basketball facilitated to remove social barriers for Palestinian girls who are not culturally accepted to participate in anything usually done by their male counterparts. Not only do sports serve entertainment purposes, but also games have the effect of relaxing the brain of any ongoing strains. Some athletes use sports to tackle school related issues or concerns. After being asked the range of benefits attained from playing sports, a student reported that athletics can be â€Å"a good stress relief and if you’re like busy with school† (Scherer 494) Although some opponents may say that sports interferes with the learning process because players spend less time on assignments and reading, the same boy also felt â€Å"like [he] worked more efficiently† although sports consumes part of his time (Scherer 494). Lastly, associating with sports can lead to a barrel, jam-packed with underappreciated yet rewarding outcomes including: supporting a healthy lifestyle, learning off-the-field skills, acquiring social connections, and creating happiness amongst unhappy junctures. In all, sports authorize people to use its numerous offered benefits regardless of its limited shortcomings. Bringing both this analogy and the above ideas brought to attention into consideration, you should be able to find a positive stance on sports as it offers significant advantages and useful implications on society. Works Cited (List of References): Armstrong, Ketra L. Consumers Of Color And The Culture Of Sport Attendance: Exploratory Insights. Sport Marketing Quarterly 17. 4 (2008): 218-231. Business Source Complete. Web. 2 April 2013. Buckley, James, and John Walters. Sports In America, 1920-1939. n. p. : Chelsea House, 2010. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 2 April 2013. Chioqueta, Andrea P. , and Tore C. Stiles. Cognitive Factors, Engagement In Sport, And Suicide Risk. Archives Of Suicide Research 11. 4 (2007): 375-390. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 April 2013. Holowchak, M Andrew. Freud On Play, Games, And Sports Fanaticism. The Journal Of The American Academy Of Psychoanalysis And Dynamic Psychiatry 39. 4 (2011): 695-715. MEDLINE with Full Text. Web. 2 April 2013. Murphey, Paula. Get Fit And Stay Fit. Boys Life 102. 1 (2012): 22. MAS Ultra School Edition. Web. 2 April 2013. Scherer Jay, et al. Benefits And Challenges Associated With Sport Participation By Children And Parents From Low-Income Families. Psychology Of Sport Exercise 12. (n. d. ): 490-499. ScienceDirect. Web. 2 April 2013. Soh Kim Geok, et al. The Strategies For Character Building Through Sports Participation. International Journal Of Academic Research In Business Social Sciences 2. 3 (2012): 48-58. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 April 2013. Tomik, Rajmund, Dorota Olex-Zarychta, and Waldyslaw Mynarski. Social Values Of Sport Participation And Their Significance For Youth Attitudes Towards Physical Education And Sport. Studies In Physical Culture Tourism 19. 3 (2012): 99-104. SPORTDiscus. Web. 2 April 2013. Wann, Daniel L. , Josh Polk, and Gentzy Franz. Examining The State Social Psychological Health Benefits Of Identifying With A Distant Sport Team. Journal Of Sport Behavior 34. 2 (2011): 188-205. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 April 2013. Wolff, Alexander. Sports Saves The World. Sports Illustrated 115. 12 (2011): 62. MAS Ultra School Edition. Web. 2 April 2013.

Theories of Leadership in Sports Coaching

Theories of Leadership in Sports Coaching Introduction Main Section The application of Chelladurai’s (2001) Multidimensional Model of Leadership The Multi-dimensional Model of Leadership (MML) (Chelladurai 1978,1990,1993,2001 cited in Riemer, 2007) is a framework which builds on research from non-sporting settings in order to analyse effective leadership in sport. MML demonstrates how success in leadership is influenced by many different factors (Riemer, 2007). The main objective of the leader/coach is to bring about high levels of performance and satisfaction in the athlete (OU 16-1, 2013). To achieve this, three ‘antecedents’ must be taken into account: situational characteristics (the environment in which the leader is performing); leader characteristics (eg personality, experience, education); and athlete characteristics (e.g. age, gender, skill level, background) (Riemer, 2007). These three antecedents produce three types of leader behaviour: ‘required’, ‘actual’ and ‘preferred’ behaviour (OU 16-1.3, 2013). MML shows that a leader/coach’s `actual` behaviour is affected both by his awareness of the athlete’s `preferred` behaviour and by the behaviour `required` of him by the coaching context. For example, an elite tennis player may question coaching methodology and seek more input into training. The coach may modify his/her behaviour accordingly. At the same time the coach will be limited by the constraints of the regional governing body regulations when selecting a county team. The coach’s actual behaviour will also be influenced by his/her character traits and skill/knowledge base (Riemer, 2007). Thus, a mature golf professional, who has recently increased her knowledge base by attending a video analysis seminar, may modify her leadership behaviour to involve the use of smart phone apps in her efforts to improve feedback to the athlete. Chelladurai (1978, 1990, 1993, 2001 cited in Riemer, 2007) states that when the three types of leader behaviour (`required`, `actual`, and `preferred`) complement and sustain one and other, athlete performance and satisfaction levels will increase. Athlete preferred behaviour is influenced by a combination of athlete characteristics and situational characteristics (Riemer, 2007). Most studies into preferred coaching behaviour have used the Leadership Scale for Sport (LSS), which was developed by Chelladurai and Saleh (1980, cited in OU 17.1, 2013). The LSS measures five leadership dimensions: training and instruction; social support; positive feedback; autocratic behaviour; and democratic behaviour. Results show that the two most valued leadership styles are positive feedback and training/instruction, with the autocratic approach being least appreciated (OU 17.2, 2013). Research into the effect of gender on athletes’ leadership preference has produced mixed results (Riemer, 2007). The OU (17.2, 2013) suggests that this may be due to the false equation of gender with biological sex, and that the differences in leadership preferences may be more related to gender role (masculinity/femininity) than to biological sex (male/female) (Riemer, 2007). Findings from Riemer and Toon, 2001, cited in Riemer 2007 suggest that some of the variance in results might be connected to the coach’s gender, rather than the athlete’s, as they showed that female athletes expressed different leadership preference in female coaches compared with male. Similarly, research has produced no significant relationship between age and preferred leadership styles (Riemer, 2007), although the author does suggest that an overview of the results indicates a shift from a preference for task behaviours to a preference for relationship behaviours as the athlete matures (Riemer, 2007). Research into how situational characteristics influence leadership preferences has also been mixed (Riemer, 2007). Chelladurai (1978, cited in Riemer, 2007) hypothesised that team/open sport athletes would prefer more training/instruction and positive feedback than those involved in individual/closed sports. Research by Terry and Howe (1984), Terry (1984) and Kang (2003), all cited in Riemer 2007) supported this hypothesis, but Chelladurai and Saleh (1978, cited in Riemer 2007) found the polar opposite. Riemer and Chelladurai (1995, cited in Riemer 2007) found that, within American football, athletes whose tasks differed from their teammates (e.g. offensive or defensive) preferred different coaching behaviours. The defensive squad operating in a more open environment preferred more democratic, autocratic and socially supportive coaching behaviours. Given the varied results of studies into athlete and situational characteristics on leadership preferences, it is unclear how coaches should adapt their coaching strategies based on member characteristics. The role of transformational leadership in coaching Chelladurai (1978, 1990, 1993, 2001 cited in Riemer, 2007) adapted his model of the MML to include transformational leadership (Open University, 17, 2013). In the previous versions of the model, leadership was thought to be transactional in its nature (Riemer, 2007). Transactional leaders have a reciprocal relationship with their athletes whereby they trade something the athlete wants (e.g. knowledge), with something they want (e.g. respect) (Riemer, 2007 cited in Open University, 16.5, 2013). Transactional leadership is built on mutual trust in which the coach must manage the changing needs of the athlete in order to be effective (Riemer, 2007). Transformational leadership on the other hand, is a charismatic type of leadership in which followers associate themselves with leaders, giving rise to greatly increased levels of performance (Yammarino, Dubinsky, Comer and Jolson, 1997 cited in Riemer, 2007). A transformational leader will exhibit five traits: charisma, an assertive and self confident quality that results in athletes connecting emotionally to their leaders, generating high levels of trust; idealised influence, which enables leaders to motivate athletes to follow their beliefs and visions for the future; inspiration, which enables leaders to instil confidence in athletes so that they are able to meet the challenging aspirations s/he has set for them; intellectual stimulation, through which leaders provoke original and imaginative thought processes; and individual consideration, by which leaders pay attention to each member of their team and are able to set specific goals for each dependant on their skill level (Bass, 1985; Bass and Aviolo, 1990; Doherty and Danylchuk, 1996; Weese, 1994 cited in Open University, 17.1, 2013). Transformational leaders affect both the situational and athlete characteristics of the MML (Riemer, 2007). Firstly, situational characteristics are affected by the coach introducing new ambitions for the organisation / team they are involved with. These ambitions are based on the coach’s beliefs and visions for the future. Secondly, athlete characteristics are changed by the coach transmitting his/her vision so that athletes embrace this as their own, and by motivating athletes to believe they will achieve this vision (Open University, 17.1, 2013). Bass (1985, cited in Riemer, 2007) suggests that not all coaches are transformational, rather that leaders will display a spectrum of transformational behaviours. Although there is minimal literature into the role of transformational leadership in sport (Riemer, 2007), the MML suggests that a transformational leader may be a more effective coach (Chelladurai, 2001 cited in Riemer, 2007). This is backed up by findings in Arthur et al’s (2011) study into athlete narcissism, coach’s transformational behaviours and athlete motivation. The study found that the dimensions of individual consideration and intellectual stimulation were linked with higher levels of athlete effort. Creating an effective coaching environment In order to further understand the complicated, intertwined relationship between coach, athlete and the conditions they work under, Smith and Smoll (1977, 1989, cited in OU 18.1, 2013) proposed the meditational model of sport leadership. This model was formulated to improve coach understanding around how to create a positive environment for children in sport (Smith and Smoll, 2007) and focuses on three variables: coach behaviour (what the coach actually does); athlete perceptions (how behaviour is understood by athletes); and athlete reactions (subsequent responses to the coach) (Smith and Smoll, 2007, cited in OU, 18.1, 2013). With a view to measuring the first of these variables, Smoll, Smith and Hunt (1977, cited in OU, 18.1, 2013) designed the coaching behaviour assessment system (CBAS). Leadership behaviour was observed and coded in coaches working with children across a collection of different sports (Smith and Smoll, 2007). Although widely used to research leadership behaviours (OU, 18.1, 2013) the statistical methodology used in the CBAS has been considered too narrow an approach to develop an understanding of the complex nature of effective coaching practice (Cushion, 2007 cited in OU, 18.1, 2013). To gain deeper insight into coaching behaviours, the origins of these behaviours need to be examined, along with how these behaviours affect perceptions and finally how these perceptions shape actions (Chelladurai, 1993; Cumming, Smith and Smoll, 2006 cited in OU, 18.1, 2013). Research by Stebbings et al (2011) explored the antecedents of autonomy supportive and controlling behaviours in coaches in regards to the coaches’ own psychological needs. Autonomy supportive environments are created by a coach offering athletes’ choice in making decisions, the opportunity for experimentation, meaningful justification for activities and a recognition of an athlete’s emotional needs (Mageau and Vallerand, 2003, cited in Stebbings et al, 2013). A controlling environment is created by a coach with an autocratic, dictatorial demeanour, giving athletes no choice in the decision making process. Punishment, criticism and tangible rewards are used to control athletes (Bartholemew, Ntoumanis and Thogersen-Ntoumani, 2009 cited in Stebbings et al, 2011). Autonomy supportive environments are thought to elicit positive responses from athletes such as increased intrinsic motivation and higher levels of performance (Amorose, 2007; Gillett, Vallerand Amoura and Baldes, 2010; Mageau and Vallerand, 2003, cited in Stebbings et al, 2011). Conversely, a controlling environment is associated with decreased motivation and increased levels of sport drop out (Pelletier et al, 2009 cited in Stebbings et al, 2011). This research hypothesised that coaches whose psychological needs were met would work in an autonomy supportive manner, whilst those whose needs were not met would exhibit more controlling behaviour (Stebbings et al, 2011). The results proved to be in line with the initial hypothesis with the pivotal conclusion being that the ‘satisfaction of coaches psychological needs can allow coaches to thrive, and to create an adaptive interpersonal coach environment for athletes.’ (Stebbings et al, 2011, p269). Lack of governing body support in terms of training, feedback and guidance were cited as possible reasons for coaches’ psychological needs not being met (Allen, Shaw, 2009 cited in Stebbings et al, 2011). However it is als o noted that further research into the effect of environmental factors on coach psychological need satisfaction would aid understanding (Stebbings et al, 2011). As coach behaviours are thought to influence athlete perceptions, and these perceptions will subsequently shape actions (Smith and Smoll, 2007), coaches must be careful not to make immediate judgements towards their athletes based on first impressions (OU, 18.5, 2013). This is to minimise the risk of creating a self-fulfilling prophecy (OU, 18.5, 2013) whereby a coach will make initial predictions of the athlete’s behaviour and performance. These predictions will affect the way the coach communicates with the athlete, which in turn will affect the athlete’s perception of themselves and their performance levels (Horn, 2008 cited in OU, 2013). Coaching behaviours and team performance In contrast to those working with individuals, coaches working with teams have to be much more concerned with team cohesion. Team cohesion is associated with the amount of unity, closeness and camaraderie displayed by a team (Carron, Eys and Burke, 2007) and is defined as a dynamic process, reflected in the tendency of a group to remain united in pursuit of its goals and objectives (Carron, Brawley and Widmeyer, 1998 cited in Carron, Eys and Burke, 2007). Cohesion has been described as the most important group property (Bollen and Hoyle, 1990; Golembiewski, 1962; Lott and Lott, 1965, cited in Carron, Eys and Burke, 2007) and involves two dimensions: task cohesion – the ability of a team to work towards shared goals; and social cohesion the degree to which team mates get along with each other (Carron, Ely and Burke, 2007). These dimensions are not mutually exclusive, and change in one dimension will effect change in the other. When formulating a coach agenda a coach should aim to achieve a balance of both appropriate for a given context (OU, 19.2, 2013). The formulation of a cooperative training environment has also been cited as benefitting team performance (Collins and Collins, 2011 cited in OU, 19.2, 2013). Coaches need athletes to work in collaboration with each other (e.g. on tactics, formations and patterns of play) and against each other (e.g. attack versus defence) in order to drive overall and individual performance levels up (Collins and Collins, 2011, cited in OU, 19.2, 2013). As part of this cooperative training environment, coaches and athletes need to be able to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, both as individuals and in their team responsibilities (Collins and Collins, 2011, cited in OU, 19.2, 2013). Effective teams are considered to have a high degree of shared knowledge built up through communal experience of intense training and performance situations (Bourbouson et al, 2011 cited in OU, 19.2, 2013). For example, a team may change seamlessly between a number of formations and tactical variati ons during a match at their coach’s request. Shared knowledge can also extend to off field activities. When coaches are creating and developing their coaching agenda they should examine their players in many different domains. Information should be garnered from multiple sources, such as discussions with colleagues, personal observation, formal assessments and past experiences, in order to surmount current obstacles and to plan for the future (OU, 19.2, 2013). Systems of work and team ethics need to be established so that existing and new team mates can carve an individual niche for themselves but also to see what is expected of them as part of the team (Martens, 2012 cited in OU, 19.2, 2013). When considering how a coach develops his/her team, research has suggested that team cohesion and performance are mutually beneficial, with increased task and social cohesion leading to increase performance, and vice versa (Carron et al, 2002; Cox, 2012 cited in OU, 19.3, 2013). Therefore in order to raise performance levels, coaches must attempt to create cohesion, achieved by developing motivation and a sense of personal reward. They can identify leaders to help them facilitate change but also must preserve and unite all existing members of the team (including the assistants, parents and others in the support network). Individual and group accomplishments need to be recognised, changes need to be discussed and performance regularly assessed through feedback in order to facilitate a supportive culture (Martens, 2012 cited in OU, 19.3, 2013). Allowing athletes more influence in team goal setting can also lead to increased task and social cohesion (Carron et al, 2005 cited in OU, 19.3, 2013). This increased influence also leads to greater understanding of the tasks they need to undertake, and stronger beliefs that the goals will influence team behaviour positively (Collins and Collins cited in OU, 19.3, 2013). The coach should develop individual and communal understanding of roles, and encourage team members to have confidence in each other. Through regular meetings and discussions with various team groupings, teams and coaches can build agreement, understanding and commitment (Collins and Collins, 2011, cited in OU, 19.3, 2013). This is as necessary within coaching teams as between the coach and athletes. Experimentation, questioning and argument are far more acceptable in a sharing and cooperative environment which reinforces team cohesion (Piggott, 2012, cited in OU, 19.3, 2013).