Integrating Internet-based mathematical manipulatives within Essay Example for Free

Integrating Internet-based mathematical manipulatives within Essay Integrating Internet-based Mathematical Manipulatives Within a Learning Environment The article explores the development, use and importance of digital manipulatives in a mathematics classroom. These manipulatives are believed to be more versatile, economic and efficient than either the manufactured or teacher-created concrete objects traditionally used in the classroom. Manipulatives have been used from time immemorial and have provided tangible mental picture of abstract mathematical concepts. The digitalization of these manipulatives is an important progress in this process. However, the presumption that the article makes about the efficacy of manipulatives in teaching children along with the supposed teaching potential of the manipulatives is doubtful and smells of commercial publicity. There are several advantages that manipulatives are purported to provide. They concretize theoretical ideas, make the study concrete, build confidence in the learner, help solve problems and make the learning experience interesting. What the paper presupposes is that only the using of digital manipulatives is sufficient to bring each of these advantages. This is not supported by evidence. Let us consider the claim that manipulatives build confidence, if a section of the students is less familiar with web based technology than other students in the class, they are likely to lose confidence-using manipulatives. This may adversely affect their learning of math concepts and unnecessarily handicap them. The paper places some conditions that must be fulfilled to realize the full potential of manipulatives. For instance the parents must experience the system, manipulatives should be used for writing assignment, teacher pronounces the benefits to the students, ground rules are established and students are encouraged to explore more material on the web. If manipulatives are used as prescribed they can improve the understanding of more complex and more advanced math theories. These conditions are impractical. What happens if the parents are unfamiliar with the web? Does it put their children at a disadvantage? A teacher pronounces the benefits of manipulatives to children. This is a straw man. If a teacher uses manipulatives she automatically supports the method, there is no need to sermonize it. A child being encouraged to explore more material on the web is an issue that is not related directly to manipulatives. This opens up a host of debatable issues including the exposure of children to unsuitable material. Digital manipulatives can be downloaded and installed on school computers or distributed to children on CDs to be viewed in their homes. The issue of encouraging children to explore the web is not directly related to manipulatives. Further there is no teacher to guide the children in case of glitches. See what the instructions of a manipulative say. (Public Broadcasting Service, 2006). Familiarize yourself with the rules of this fraction game and have fun creating flag designs with the designated fractions. You can choose to paint by half, quarters, and combinations of quarters and halves and then the program will pick colors for you to paint your design by clicking in the flag. One drawback is that there is no help provided if the fraction portions are incorrect, you can only advance if you have painted to correct fractions. A research that comprised of a survey tested the proficiency development potential of manipulatives in math teaching. The basics tested in the survey were motivation, unique instructional capabilities, and support for new instructional approaches, increased teacher productivity and skills for an information age. Eleven teachers were surveyed using a five-point scale. The results were mixed. The results showed that the teachers felt that the use of digital manipulatives had a high positive impact on motivation, that the digital manipulatives had exceptional instructional capabilities, that the web based manipulatives supported new instructional approaches and that the web based manipulatives provided excellent training for an information age. What the teachers did not agree was that the web-based technology increased their productivity. In addition, the teacher showed apprehension about some issues like their inability to track the progress of the student, tricky web sites, ambiguous instructions and lack of direct feedback. This research is not valid. It does not clarify which constructs it attempts to measure. It does not give the process by which it selected the five variables. In addition, the sample size of eleven teachers is too small to reach any meaningful conclusion. Again, the study does not mention basis or the criteria for the selection of the eleven teachers. The study does not give us the details of how the survey scale was constructed. Was there a pilot test? It seems not. The direct conclusion of the research was that virtual manipulatives encouraged student-oriented erudition. The study assumed that the responses of the 11 teachers were indicative of the affect of the digital manipulatives on children. This is questionable. The background of the teachers is not given. Which type of schools they taught in? What physical manipulatives were the teachers using currently? The teachers were ambivalent as to whether digital manipulatives were better than concrete manipulatives and whether teachers were willing to replace concrete manipulatives entirely with digital manipulatives. The teachers have expressed reservations about their inability to track the progress of the student, ambiguous instructions and lack of feedback. If these concerns are addressed satisfactorily it is doubtful if digital manipulatives will remain student centric. In addition, the paper does not define what it means by ‘student centric’. Currently the digital manipulatives that are available on the net offer innovative, interesting and concrete learning opportunities of otherwise nonrepresentational math theories. The end result is that children manage to learn math concepts that were earlier believed to be too advanced for them. These are believed to increase theoretical learning, deeper understanding of dynamic systems, calculation, communication and innovation in thinking. The paper presupposes that the use of the new technology alone is sufficient for enhanced learning of complicated theories. This is not supported by evidence. The learning experience is a function of the power of understanding of the student, the effort he puts in to comprehend and his analytical skills. In addition, learning is facilitated by teacher inputs and guidance. Digital manipulatives cannot replace teacher inputs nor can they substitute student aptitude and effort. Attributing learning achievements to a learning tool is a lopsided opinion inspired by the sales propaganda of digital manipulatives software developers. In sum, the paper eulogizes the benefits of web-based manipulatives for math learning. These manipulatives are claimed to increase children’s understanding of advanced theories and increase the attractiveness of these theories. These web-based manipulatives are declared to focus on the learner and make an optimal use of web-based technology for visualizing intangible concepts. References: Public Broadcasting Service (2006). PBS Teacher Source: Fraction Flags. Retrieved from http://www. pbs. org/teachersource/recommended/math/lk_onlinegames. shtm on August 19, 2006.

Love and sex in Geoge Orwells novel 1984 Essay Example for Free

Love and sex in Geoge Orwells novel 1984 Essay George Orwells novel 1984 explores intimate human relationships in a bleak futuristic society as experienced by protagonist Winston Smith. Since there are few bonds stronger than those developed from loving relationships among family, friends, and lovers, the only entity acceptable to love in Oceania is the face of the Party, Big Brother. This restriction is necessary to achieving complete power and control over its citizens, as the Party must dissolve all loyalties derived through love, sex, and family and redirect them upon itself. By destroying trust the Party has cut the links between child and parent, and between man and man, and between man and woman(220). To train the citizens of Oceania for complete submission and devotion to Big Brother and the Party the family bond has been completely devalued, as No one dares trust a wife or a child or a friend any longer.(220) The Junior Spies are an organization in which children have become the police and denouncers of their parents in the name of Big Brother. By this means, the Party has managed to wedge itself between one of the most powerful instinctual bonds to turn parental devotion into fear and children into faithful machines of the Party as an extension of the Thought Police. Parsons remark In fact Im proud of her. It shows I brought her up in the right spirit, anyway(193) in response to his daughters betrayal, clearly portrays the Partys influence in the family institution. Not only does the daughter value the Partys approval more than her fathers life, but also Parsons appropriate response is to be grateful for the betrayal and to those who enforce it. The betrayal of the family bond is a common theme in 1984. Orwell illustrates how weak that loyalty has become with the skull-faced mans desperate begging to watch his wife and childrens throats be slit as an alternative to the Ministry of Loves room 101 with a complete lack of private loyalties(136). Winstons memories of his mothers love in a time when there were still privacy, love, and friendship, and when the members of a family stood by one another without needing to know the reason(28) confront his suspicions that to remain human, one was not loyal to a party or a country or an idea, they were loyal to one another(136). Technically, consorting with prostitutes is forbidden, but it seems to be tacitly encouraged just the same, as a means of relieving natural tensions. The more serious crime involves relations between Party members. The Party does not wish to allow the development of loyalties to any other acts or persons than itself, so it tends to deny permission of marriage to couples who appear attracted to one another, and it campaigns actively against sex as anything other than a slightly disagreeable duty whose sole purpose is propagation of the species. The Party feeds off the hysteria produced from sexual privation, as it is conveniently transformed into war fever and leader worship(110). Through its control of marriages and sexual mores, the Party resembles a conservative religious institution. By attempting to control peoples loyalties and loves, and redirect those towards itself, the Party posits itself as the end and the ultimate salvation. Katharine even calls sex our duty to the Party, and it is a weekly ritual almost like a martyrdom, in which both she and Winston are uncomfortable but must suffer through it anyway. Clearly, Winstons desire to have a woman of his own with whom sex could be pleasurable is yet another instance of his heretical tendencies. It does not seem something that he has experienced yet, since his encounter with the prostitute was somehow dirtying in every sense. His desire to evoke desire is itself thoughtcrime, and part of his overall rebellion against the world he lives in. . The Junior Anti-Sex League is one of the propaganda organizations used to control desire and teach sexual orthodoxy. The Partys sexual puritanism is due to the fact that the sex instinct creates a world of its own(110) and is therefore out of the Partys control and must be destroyed; The sex instinct will be eradicated. Procreation will be an annual formality like the renewal of a ration card. We shall abolish the orgasm(220). The sex instinct is dangerous to the Party and makes a direct, intimate connection between chastity and political orthodoxy(111). Sex is an act of outright rebellion, as all enjoyable sex must be in a society where the act is  supposed to be free of pleasure. In this sense Winstons affair with Julia is a political act against the Party, which is part of the attraction. Perhaps the greatest crime they commit is declaring love for someone as an individual, someone who is separate from the Party. Love, the clear anti-thesis to everything the Party stands for, has heavily ironic meaning in 1984. The language along with the emotion is manipulated by the Party to gain control of the people. The Ministry of Love, for example, concerns itself with torture, and the destruction of the individual is referred to as love for Big Brother. Winston battles to discover his humanity by equating the ability to feel love with the essence of being human. Winston progresses from seeing Julia as an outlet for his political unorthodoxy and his sexual energy, to seeing her as a companion, linked to him in a marriage of love. As long as Winston loves Julia, and what she represents to him, he is able to believe in himself and his humanity enough to hate Big Brother. Once he betrays that love, he violates his own humanity and can no longer love another human; All you care about is yourself(240). The Party, through Winstons betrayal of Julia, has cut another link to loyalty derived by love and redirected it upon itself. Winston is left a shell of a man having won the victory over himself and learned to love Big Brother (245). The goal of the Party is to wipe out the individual; There will be no loyalty, except loyalty toward the Party. There will be no love, except the love of Big Brother.(220) In 1984 Orwell warns about the future of man who is doomed to lose his individualness without love and loyalty. Family, sex, and love are the anchors that hold the emotions of human essence to our individual selves, resulting in Ownlife.

Same Sex Relationship And Society Sociology Essay

Same Sex Relationship And Society Sociology Essay The issue of same sex marriage has been a hotly contended debate in the last few years and in recent times. One of a major national issue; to consider whether these types of relationship are appropriate for the society as a whole and in the long run- will it influence new generations to follow something which was once wrong in society and sinful in many religions and will it create instability in the traditional family structure. First, it will focus on the general points of view of religions that have similar sayings of relationships regarding sexual activity and the law. It will discuss and take different stands and approaches to several reasons to justify my opinion on a society as a whole. It will determine how it can be a major impact in the future, what conservatives say about this, and whether this will disturb the structure of having a perfect family and how the new generation will or can be influenced in future. Overall, almost everyone agrees that homosexuality is immoral. And practically in all cultures, the family is considered the basic societal unit. And allowing same-sex relationships disturbs the structure of traditional families, since they are the ones making the society. Marriage between one man and one woman is critical to maintaining social stability. Society as a whole pays a high price when marriage is devalued. You see divorce: you see single-parenting: you see a rise in out-of-wedlock pregnancies, Shari Rendall, director of legislation and policy for Concerned Women for America. In the United States, marriage has had constantly shifting roles in the lives of its citizens and residents. Heterosexual marriage has been the norm in the Eastern and the Western traditions for millennia, but recent political ideology have allowed same-sex relationships in various states and cities of America. Same-sex relationships are unification between two people of the same sexual characteristics. For example, a female figure is attracted to another female figure, while, on the other hand, a male figure is attracted to the other male figure. In this case, none of the gender is liked by the opposite gender of a male or female. And both of the same genders develop profound and emotional feelings for each other. Clearly, there are two types of gender that has been created, but how to use these genders and how to act upon them has completely changed as the world has become more modernized. People are becoming more advanced in their daily fashions and are getting less fearful of their actions as many are pulling away from religious beliefs and practices. Standing on a mountain surrounded by very less nature, as I see the world from my binoculars, people that are befriending abnormal behaviors have covered their eyes from woolen clothings, making their lives hard to breath from ease. Many proudly cheer and celebrate the changes they are bringing into the society, believing that it will better their lives. They, however, are unfortunate to capture the meaningful and magnificent life they can have without having to change the laws of perfect and sacred performances of marriage. Such people cannot get much further, and if they do, their celebrations are as tiny as the lens of the binoculars I am seeing the distance from, circulated by black paint from which the beauty of life is uncolorful and hard to imagine. As William C. Duncan states, Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a women. Neither this constitution, nor the constitution of any state shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incident thereof be conferred upon any union other than the union of a man and a women, (2009, p. ). Regardless of what laws have constituted marriage as, the law of nature and various religions has forbidden same-sex relationships to be practiced as a normal conduct. One may change and redefine the meaning of what marriage is, but the true meaning, which have been followed for centuries by various religions and different ethnic groups of people cannot impel out the original concept of practice from its roots. Moreover, bringing changes to what marriage is or what it should be practiced as causes the society to be unstable and ignore behaviors that are immoral today and for future generations. Taking into account for future generations, since the planet earth is on the rise of adopting behaviors consisting freedom, how should people decide to hold their limits. If todays generation goes out of control, what should the later world or centuries be out looked as? It is hard to imagine that irregular behaviors are being welcomed more in society, and destroying the concept of sacred institution and peace. The more questions people will increase, the less the answers will be found. And if answers are not given, people stubbornly upset the societal structure and go astray. It is simple to adjust and accept matters that bring ease to our lives, rather to bring what is unusual for us human beings to watch and accept. Therefore, I strongly believe that same-sex relationships are not appropriate for citizens and residents of the United States because they create instability in the traditional family structure (heterosexual) and they negatively influence future generations. America is a free society which limits the role of government in the lives of our citizens. In this country, people are free to choose how they live their lives. In our free society, decisions about a fundamental social institution as marriage should be made by the people, (Duncan, 2009, P. ). I agree that people have the right to live their lives one wishes to lives as, but I also believe that people should stay in limits of certain things and be conscious of their behaviors. Just as a person would try to be away from doing things that can cause them physical or mental injuries, then how can such people (homosexual) be unconscious that adopting a gay or a lesbian lifestyle does not injure the society as a whole. Yes it may not cause physical damage, but I believe that, in future, it can bring such a disaster that people (heterosexuals) will be suffering from depression and tensions as they will see the new generations following the existing fashion of certain lifestyles and an increase in such behaviors. Once abnormal behaviors are in effect, who will then determine what is appropriate or not appropriate and what is acceptable or not acceptable in a society. Will people become more ignorant or is it the religion that has no or very less impact on peoples life. Who and what should be blamed of? Why these behaviors cannot be controlled before it disturbs the traditional family structure and the structure of having a right and guided society. As for Ginsberg et al (2009), The idea that all Americans are entitled to equal treatment is today a widely accepted principle. More controversial, however, is the matter of how that principle ought to apply to homosexual. Most Americans embrace a live-and-let-live philosophy regarding homosexuality; at the same time, however, Americans are uneasy with some highly publicized efforts to extend civil rights for gays. Central to this debate has been the question of whether government should sanction gay marriage (p. 68). The government giving so much freedom is the reason to why many people are taking actions to seek different rights, whether it is normal or an abnormal behavior. This is not to say that we should be deprived of our rights. Instead we just to limit the freedom and stay in limited rights. One reason why same-sex relationships disturb the traditional family structure is because the original and the so real purpose of marriage are to procreate. Since homosexuals are unable to procreate they should not be allowed to marry. Similarly, homosexuals are not fit to be parents even if they adopt and take a role of both, a mother and a father. Only a traditional heterosexual household is the best in which to raise children. In a homosexual relationship, at times, gender roles either do not exist or are unclear. And it is important for children to differentiate between a mother and father in nature and as expressively. Boys and girls have needs that can only be met by the opposite gender, and once understanding different figures, they will also come to know the different roles a man is suppose to play in society and in house and the different roles a women can play in society and in house. Because homosexual relationships are so unstable they cannot provide children with the security they need and the two different gender loves they deserve (Mckinon, 2007, p.2). On the other hand, if two same genders are legally married and given permission for certain obligations and the right for adopting a child, then what partner should be considered a father or a mother. How will the determination be considered- who takes a role of a mother and a father? I do not understand how any women can show a masculine love to a child when she does not hold masculine traits and powers. As Ava Mckinon states, another reason to why same-sex relationships should be objected because opponents of same-sex marriage seem to be concerned about the long tradition of marriage being between a man and a woman. Many opponents of same-sex marriage say that they are not against benefits for same-sex couples but believe the institution of marriage should be reserved for one man and one woman. Otherwise, they argue, it could lead to all sorts of other undesirable marriages such as polygamy, incest, and bestiality. Many religious organizations fear that the legalization will lead to rampant immoral behavior, (2007, p.2). Moreover, gay and lesbian marriage should not be allowed because it can influence future generations. If more children are being accepted by same sex partners, these children will lack knowledge of stabled families and will take these behaviors normal and acceptable. And if this continues to happen, what will be the norm of the society. Children raised by gay or lesbian parents will adapt such fashions too and become part of homosexuality. On the other hand, there are many questions that will rise when looked at the future of our kids. One is that, what will be taught to students in public schools in regards of marriage. Is the definition of marriage completely and continuously going to change? In a recent case of the state of Massachusetts, parents of young elementary school students objected to books meant to teach children to respect marriages and families involving same sex couples, Duncan, 2009, p. ). In account on reading this case, this shows that opponents of same-sex marriag e will be compelled to keep their kids home and keep them away from worldly and further knowledge. In this case, parents will be willing to give their children home education and build a stronger impact of religion on them. These problems can me a major loss to businesses and many governmental institutes. The businesses that provide public schools and organization with books and gives support with other kinds of educational material will need people to buy from them. And if people are giving home education and buying very limited books, it will be a disaster for businesses and difficult to run. And more institutes will be empty and with less people. This will cut down teachers, faculties and much more. Once thought about everything, questions will never end and there will always be a blockage for such actions to be performed. In order to have same-sex marriages in effect, every division in the society has to be looked upon very deeply. And moreover, this will be a radical change to the society. In a final thought, I agree accordingly to Duncan that, marriage promotes the integration of men and women: by treating both as essential to societys most basic and foundation unit, it rejects the idea that men and women, mothers and fathers, are fungible, (2009, P. ). For centuries, in religion, in law and in many cultures, marriage has always been practiced between a man and a woman. And same-sex marriage is just plain disgusting. Therefore, same sex relationships should not be courage to be part of a normal ongoing society. No one here wants to make their lives hell and disturb the tranquility that exists today. It may not be as perfect but at least it does not create instability in the traditional family and become an influence on the coming generations. Since that the world is becoming more advanced and highly fashionable, any laws passed from now will affect many of us. And decisions must be carefully examined before putting it in effect. Overall, my opinion is as strong as it was before, and I strongly oppose same sex relationships to be part of a regular norm in the society. I cannot also agree that the meaning of a marriage can be redefined at any time because this is a union between only a man and a woman. The whole concept of being in a marriage bond is to procreate, and so the same sex couples does not have the powers or the abilities to require all duties of a marital bond and procreate unless a third party of the opposite sex is involved. Marriage is a sacred institute, practiced in many cultures and religions all over the world. And changing its definition is undoable and forever to remain as followed. Sam-sex relationships cannot be given the permission or the name of marriage as union because they are very far from touching the roots of a marriage and fulfill its duties. A same-sex may adopt, but again that adopted child has come from heterosexual couples who have the ability to such power. In addition, mar riage is not the right term for same-sex relationships and they cannot be given same rights as heterosexual couples because they are not, in any sense similar to each other.

Our Guys Essay -- essays research papers

The novel Our Guys, written by Bernard Lefkowitz, is a very dynamic story about the heinous actions of a dozen middle-class athletes, from a small New York suburb, against a defenseless mentally handicapped girl. Lefkowitz describes a brutal gang rape involving a baseball bat and broomhandle, which took place in this unsuspecting town, by these upstanding young group of boys, as the town would describe them. Lefkowitz looks at the incident which took place and then examines the â€Å"jock clique† sub-culture that allowed such atrocities to happen, and spawned the scandal to cover it up. The town of Glenridge is at the surface not any different than any other surburban American town. Like most towns it has its â€Å"cliques† and the â€Å"jocks† are at the pinnacle of the town. Idolized by the students and a sourse of pride for the entire town, however the Glenridge boys were not like most high school athletes. The â€Å"Jock clique† formed at a very early age,and invaded their surroundings taking over where ever they went, whether it be school, games or around town, protected by the â€Å"boys will be boys† attitude held by the rest of the town. The boys started showing signs of beligerance as early as elementary school, with a common ignorance for authority. The group was later easily passed through middle school to relieve the teachers of another year enduring the â€Å"problem† class. Once in high scholl the boys became the leaders of the school, andpride of the town. In Glenridge sports were valued higher than academics, turning these young men into heros, and everyone else into nobodies. There was not anything anyone could do to derail this movement, nor did they try to. Glenridges attitude towards women was very outdated. Women were regarded as mothers and wives, their jobs weere to make the men of the town happy. They were treated as objects and rarely held positions of authority-there were not any women mentors, therefore everyone lokked up to their fathers and saw that men were the supreme beings. Most of the boys did not even have any female influences other than their mothers; infact only two of the boys involved had sisters, Bryan Grober and Phil Grant. Thes boys were raised in dressing rooms by males and taught to respect the institute and brotherhood of a team. That if they respected their sacred bond they could do anything. Nothing was more important than the team or eac... ... athletes to do as they please. However he does not do a good job of being non-partisan. He leads his readers to believe the only group of people who would do such things are â€Å"jocks†. This bias is not true. The newspapers report that University fraternities, and secret societies are as likely, if not more likely, to commit these very same acts. He also leads the reader to believe that all athletes and athletic teams are similar. The impression he leaves about the majority of teams and their members is prejudicial and unfair. It is very unfortunate and disheartening that members of a community that were so highly reguarded, would commit such acts. It is even more disturbing to hear about the scenario leading up to the rape, and the community which produced these troubled young men. It is more important to look at why the events took place rather than who committed them, because ultimately the only innocent person involved is the victim, a mentally handicapped young gir l, named Lesli Faber. This book shows that the community is to blame when tragedies like these occur, and that if it happened in Glen ridge, what is to stop it from happening in our own back yard by â€Å"our guys†?

Ignorance In Your High School Principal; My Trip To His Office :: essays research papers

I walked into his office. The look on his face was distasteful. He made me feel inferior to him. Not the way you should feel around your high school principal. I didn’t feel welcome, or even accepted. His beady eyes burned holes in my skin. I sat. He gazed into my tired eyes, and he asked me the following, "What’s going on?" How am I supposed to respond to this sort of question? If I say "nothing," it’s a given that there is something. However, if I try to speak with him about anything, it will be like talking to a brick wall. Authority figures never have any compassion. They care only about the person that rules them. In this case it would be the superintendent. I reply with a comment which is very versatile, "Not much, and yourself?" He gives me a look of disappointment. The kind of look you get when your parents find out you’ve been skipping school for the whole first semester. He turns his back to me. I hate it when they do that. They always think you are going to be sitting there waiting for them to turn around. Like you think they are the most important person in the world. I don’t do that though, I just admire all the hoaky pictures and quotes on his white walls. Yeah, if he actually believed in all these sayings he wouldn’t be working here, I think. Suddenly, I feel my ears begin to burn. I try to do a play by play in my head of what I am going to say to him. I don’t know why I do that, it never helps. I always end up shooting off my mouth, and getting into trouble. He turns back around and informs me that I was absent this past Friday. LIKE I don’t know. He tells me I have to serve seven hours of detention. "Excuse me, Mr. Principal, Sir..." I begin. Only to be cut off with another, "I don’t want to hear it." I shut my mouth and let him ramble on. I have a lot of better things to do with my time, I think to myself. Listening to people you really don’t care to listen to is quite boring. So, I let my mind wander. I think of how many runs I could be snowboarding down at this very moment.

That Was Then, This Is Now :: essays papers

That Was Then, This Is Now As I grow older I find myself and my surroundings changing. Many things about my personality and appearance have altered greatly in the past decade. I've observed many of these same changes in my family as well as in my friends. Some of my likes and dislikes of certain things are the same as when I was six years old, but not all. From my love of children and every type of critter to my dependency on my parents, my life has changed. From a very young age I've always loved children. "Mom, can I have a little brother and sister to play with?" was a favorite question of mine. A little bit later I would learn the answer. I would eventually have both. Other mothers often commented on my 'motherly instinct' when it came to my younger siblings. I've always liked the feeling of being able to comfort someone smaller than I am. As a child I loved playing dolls and 'house', always pretending to be the mother. Now I work at a Nursery watching over real children. From my love of children derived my desire to become a pediatrician. Along with my love of children is my love of animals. A new pet every week was a regular around the Moody House. My friends were always amazed by the array of creatures crawling around my room and shimmying up the curtains. One week I'd have eight pet chickens and a guinea pig and the next it was a turtle and bunny rabbit. As I grow older I become a little less interested in having as many pets as possible and a little more content with just the ordinary dog and my pet Iguana. All throughout my life I have depended on my parents. As a young child I searched eagerly in the eyes of my mom and dad for the reassurance I needed whenever I did something new. Holding tightly onto my dad's hand as we crossed the street I trusted he would always take me safely across. In the same way I have always trusted they would guide me through life safely. Although I no longer hold their hands when I cross the street I know they are always there. I've grown into my own person, depending more on myself rather than searching for reassurance through them.

We have decided to investigate the land use patterns in a Central Business District (CBD)

We have decided to investigate the land use patterns in a Central Business District (CBD). The location that we chose for this study was central Croydon. Croydon is a suburban town with a population of just over 330000, to be precise 330688, according to 2002 Census. Central Croydon is located in Outer London in the borough of Croydon, though it used to be a Surry Urban District. It is approximately 9.5miles south of London. It is surrounded by numerous other towns located in the London Borough of Croydon, for instance Norbury which is just North from Central Croydon, Purley which is just South-West of it and a handful other small towns which are illustrated in Figure 1 below. With over 2.5 million sq. ft of retail space, Croydon is one of the principal shopping centres South of London. Figure 1 It is likely that the placement of Croydon's CBD, conforms to a specific urban model, which was produced to generalize the patterns of urban land use found in cities. The models in question are the Burgess and Hoyt models, illustrated below (Figure 2). CBD's are a characteristic in all towns and cities. It is the part of the city where most business is conducted. The Central Business District (CBD) is generally located in the centre of a town or city with all route ways leading to it, making it the most accessible place in the city. As a result, it is the most intensively used part of the city and consequently, competition for space to conduct business is great; therefore land values are high and only large businesses can locate there. This is why no houses can locate there. 2 One of my aims in this study is to investigate test how accurately Croydon's CBD corresponds to the core-frame model of CBD's, which indicates the layout of various different land uses within a CBD. (see Figure 3 below) According to this model, department stores, specialist shops, banks, and high rise office blocks are found in the core (centre) of the CBD. In the frame (the area surrounding the core) bus and coach stations, smaller shops, theatres and cinemas, multi-storey car parks, universitys, car sales and service andrailway stations, are found her. The CBD of a city is a dynamic area going through changes; it isn't static. Cerain parts of the frame, and sometimes including the core, go through a phase of decline: closed shops, numerous charity and budget shops and a neglected appearance are features of a zone of decay. A different area of a CBD may benefit from the development of new businesses. These particular areas, called zones of improvement, are becoming spirited, more pleasant and more profitable. The condition of buildings and general appearance of the area are also progressing. Having planned where the investigation is to take place, I have constructed a list of the hypotheses I shall be analyzing; 1) Certain retail land uses will cluster e.g. Comparison shops such as ladies' clothes shops, shoe shops and jewelers, whereas others will disperse i.e. Convenience shops (newsagents) and specialist shops (camera shops). Comparison shops, for instance clothes and shoe shops, are expected to cluster so that customers are not obliged to travel very far to the next shop â€Å"comparing† prices, quality, and/or style of the goods that they have come to purchase. As these shops sell items that are usually bought rarely the shopper is willing to visit a handful of different shops before deciding where to buy the item they want. Therefore, I presume these shops will be nearby each other in order to make it easier for consumers to obtain what they are looking for. As for convenience shops, such as newsagents, general stores and corner shops, these are expected to be dispersed since their profits would suffer under the influence of competition if such stores were positioned in nearby vicinity to each other. As these stores mainly sell low-order goods, such as bread, milk, eggs etc. which are needed frequently, people are not willing to travel long distances for. Therefore, as these stores have low spheres of influence, it would be bad for business to say the least, if they were to cluster together and generate competition against one another. Like convenience shops, specialist shops, which concentrate on selling only one type of good such as cameras or arts materials, are also dispersed. This is due to the fact that they need to attract a large number of customers in order to make a profit; they need a high threshold population and they will consequently have a large sphere of influence. Another attribute similar to that of the convenience shops, is the actuality that if more than one type of the same store were located close together, they too would have to endure some rivalry. 2) Chain stores, department stores will locate in the core of the CBD, whereas smaller, privately owned businesses will locate in the frame of the CBD Chain stores and department stores are typically more successful and profitable, due to having large spheres of influence and large threshold populations to match, than those of the smaller businesses. They can therefore afford to buy land in the core where it is more often than not, more expensive. Whereas, the smaller businesses are not so well-off and are forced to set up the businesses around the frame of the CBD. 3) Pedestrian flows will be higher near the PLVI (in the core) of the CBD. In theory, as there are a greater number of stores with high sphere's of influence, such as department stores, chain store etc., it is likely that a greater number of people will be drawn to that area of the CBD than the outer frame of the CBD. As the route-focus is situated at the PLVI, that particular area is likely to be to most accessible point of the CBD, therefore attracting furthermore people there. Many companies, businesses and offices are located in the CBD, so the surrounding area outside these buildings may be busy with employees or customers entering and exiting the buildings. In Croydon's CBD there is also a large number of entertainment amenities, such as night clubs, bars, cinemas and so on, which have large spheres of influence, drawing customers from neighbouring towns that enjoy going out during evenings and weekends etc. The bars, pubs and restaurants also appeal to those who work in close vicinity to, and also within, the CBD and do not have to travel far during lunch breaks and coffee breaks. Finally, the entire CBD of Croydon is amazingly served by countless forms of transport; it is the centre of Tram networks, has at least 3 different train stations with frequent links to London and several other places, and over 50 different bus routes passing through the town every day. As a result of these services masses of people are likely to travel or pass through Croydon commuting, on their way to work, school etc., thus resulting in large numbers of individuals by bus and tram stops, train stations etc. particularly in the mornings and afternoons. 4) Environmental quality will be highest near the PLVI of the CBD in the core and become lower towards the frame. Environmental quality may be higher in a zone of improvement and lowest in a zone of decay. As shops that are mainly located near the PLVI in Croydon's CBD are usually rich, successful chain and department stores, they can afford to maintain their shops and surrounding area at a high standard. The reason for them doing this would be to attract customers, who would supposedly be impressed by perhaps the architecture and cleanliness of their buildings. In view of the fact that these stores have large spheres of influence and draw many people into Croydon, the council probably invests more time and money to keep that area to a high standard by planting trees, installing benches, hiring road sweepers etc, in order to keep the number of visitors coming into Croydon elevated. Environmental quality will obviously be higher in a zone of improvement than in a zone of decay, probably due to a number of factors such as crime and vandalism due to a lack of security, lack of funds being spent on the area by the council as it doesn't attract many people into Croydon. Also, a characteristic of zones of improvement is that the area is progressing and improving, perhaps by opening well known coffee shops such as Starbucks, Costa etc., that will bring in more trade. Also, people probably have more respect for attractive areas that have security and look pleasant, than they do for run-down, grotty areas where it is possible to get away with law-breaking and sabotage. 5) Building height will decrease with distance from the CBD In my opinion the explanation of this hypothesis is relatively straightforward. As the price of land grows more expensive in the CBD (most probably because of the prestigious, prime location in the most busy spot in the CBD), owners build on the land they already own to avoid buying more land and also to make the most of what they already own. Consequently, the further away from the CBD, the lower the building will be, for the reason that owners are able to meet the expense of increasing the amount of land the purchase, as the area is further away from the kudos and popularity of the CBD. 6) The public's general opinion of the frame of the CBD is negative and dissatisfied compared to that of the core According to the core-frame model of the CBD, the frame contains areas of a lower standard than in the core; the zone of improvement and the zone of decay. I would imagine the public's opinion of the outer CBD to be a lot lower and more downbeat than that of the PLVI, purely because the area is in worse condition and less appealing to the individuals in Croydon. As basically all of the department stores, businesses, places to eat, amenities and so forth, are located deep within the centre of the CBD there is little reason for people to visit the outer CBD which consists of little of interest or appeal. Not compared to core at any rate. There are a handful of factors that result in the frame of the CBD being less likable and attractive than the core, such as environmental quality being less than satisfactory, shops being less appealing and attractive, higher crime rates, distance from the core, being less accessible and so on. Generally speaking, I think the public would much rather visit a safe, visually pleasing,  clean, and on the whole, a higher standard area than a vandalized, potentially dangerous, run-down area.