Blogger (or the general idea of blogs).Learning with technology ( look Essay

Blogger (or the general idea of blogs).Learning with technology ( look at attachment) - Essay Example In schools and in the field of education, electronic and digital technologies have also become valuable companion tools for learning. The internet is filled with websites like Wikipedia, Google Scholar, Google Books, and Blogs which serve as compiled sources of information which students can easily access without having to comb through library books, journals, and encyclopaedias. Blogging and the general idea of blogs have become one of the more relevant eLearning tools. This paper shall evaluate blogging, its applications and uses. A critical analysis of this learning tool shall also be carried out. The first part of this paper shall provide an overview of blogging. The second part shall provide a critique of blogging. The third part shall discuss the learning theories which are applicable to blogging. The fourth part shall use a specific blogging application and discuss its links with learning theories. Finally, this paper shall end with summarizing and concluding remarks. Body Ove rview of blogging The second generation of internet and web use has brought on the Web 2.0 phenomenon, a progression from the initial Web 1.0 design. Where the Web 1.0 design only provided for a unilateral flow of information, the Web 2.0 design has presented with the distinct improvement of sharing information to the online community (Anderson, 2008). The convenient possibilities of the internet has allowed the process of sharing, uploading, and writing information; and editing wikis and blogs has presented educators with myriad tools for their trade. Blogs, shortened from web logs, was first suggested by Jorn Barger when he came up with a webpage which included information, personal musings, journal entries, as well as links, and posts which have been arranged by date (Anderson, 2008). Since then, blogs have largely evolved, taking in more elaborate designs, and topics; and it now even includes an area for readers to post their comments. In effect, the commenting and posting proce ss seems to have allowed blogging to take on a more interactive nature, allowing readers to offer their opinion on the blogs. Blogs also allow bloggers to consider reader’s opinions, to possibly respond to these if he so desires (Anderson, 2008). Blogging is also a media which feeds a writer’s immediacy, allowing him or her to post as often as he would like without having to wait for a date of publication as is so often seen in news or magazine articles. Blogs include words which are ‘tagged’ and in so doing the subject of the post is often categorized and archived into a standard theme where it can later be recalled. By clicking the tags or entering these words into search engines, other related links would appear, thereby allowing the reader to read other similar articles by the same or different authors (Anderson, 2008). Linking is an essential part of blogging because it increases the depth of the discussions, allowing readers to understand the blog be tter (Anderson, 2008). Linking has the same nature as referencing as it gives readers the opportunity to verify the contents of the blog and to compare it to outside sources. Through these links, the quality of each blog is often significantly improved. Blogs are a new means of interacting online as it is a forum by which internet users can pool their knowledge and opinions about a certain topic (Johnson and Kaye, 2005). They are also specific avenues for combined news and data, as

Volcanoes Risks and Benefits Essay Example for Free

Volcanoes Risks and Benefits Essay The term volcano can either mean the vent from which magma erupts to the surface, or it can refer to the landform created by the solidified lava and fragmental volcanic debris that accumulate near the vent. One could say, for example, that large lava flows are erupted from Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, the world volcano here signifies a vent. Volcanoes are not the realm of any single scientific discipline. Rather they require study from many scientists from several specialties: Geophysicist and Geochemist to probe the deep roots of volcano; Geologist to decipher prehistoric volcanic activity; Biologist to learn how life became established and evolve in barren volcanic islands; and meteorologist to determine the effects of volcanic dust and gases on the atmosphere, weather and climate. Volcanoes affect humankind in many ways. Their destructiveness is awesome, but risk involved can be reduced by assessing volcanic hazards and forecasting volcanic eruptions. Body Volcanoes Risks and benefits  Definition First of all, we should know what a volcano is. Volcano is an opening in the earth’s surface. Through this opening has come rock so hot that it is in a liquid or gaseous state. This melted rock deep in the earth is called magma. Philosophers once thought that volcanic eruptions came from the burning of natural fuels. Sir Charles Lyell and his associates later showed the volcanic mountains were piled up from the products of their own eruptions For hundreds of years, volcanoes have struck terror and wonder into the heart of man. In ancient time, they even moved man into worship. The word volcano comes from Volcanus, the name of the Roman god of fire. The name was first used for volcano, one of the Lipari Islands in the Mediterranean Sea where the god was thought to live. Kinds of Volcano Volcanoes are commonly classified as active, dormant and extinct. The distinction between the categories is not very clear and consequently any classification based on this criterion and is highly arbitrary. The separation of dormant and extinct volcanoes is particularly difficult. A volcano may lie quiet many hundreds of years and then awaken, often violently. Some volcanoes are constantly active . Izalco in El Salvador, and Stromboli in the Mediterranean Sea, erupt so regularly that they have been compared to light houses. Those that are quiet, but have not been dead for us to know when they will break out again are called dormant volcanoes. Volcanoes that have been remained quiet since the beginning of recorded history and probably will not erupt are called extinct volcanoes. Other volcanoes can be called intermittent because, they erupt fairly at regular periods. Many of these erupt in cycles, with the length of cycle being fixed by the amount of time needed to make enough heat to produce eruption. Types of eruption In classification schemes based on character of eruption, volcanic activity and volcanic areas are commonly divided into six major order of increasing degree of explosiveness: (1) Icelandic, (2) Hawaiian, (3) Strombolian, (4) Vucanian, (5) Pelean and (6) Plinian. The Icelandic type of eruption is characterized by effusion of basaltic lave that flow from long parallel fissures. Such outpouring build lave patterns. The least violent type of eruption is termed Hawaiian and is characterized by extensive lava flows from central vents or fissures and occasionally accompanied by lava ountains. Strombolian eruption is characterized by moderately fluid lava flows, usually accompanied by violent lava-fountaining that produces and abundance of volcanic bombs and cinders. Vulcanian eruptions are characterized by viscous lava that form short, thick lava flows around vents; very viscous or solid fragment of lava are violently ejected from these vents. Pelean eruptions are similar to vulcanian eruptions but have even more viscous lava; domes from over the vents, and ash flows commonly accompany the dome fountais. Plinian eruptions, also known as Vesuvian eruptions, are volcanic eruptions marked by their similarity to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 (as described in a letter written by Pliny the Younger, and which killed his uncle Pliny the Elder). Plinian eruptions are marked by columns of gas and volcanic ash extending high into the stratosphere, a high layer of the atmosphere. The key characteristics are ejection of large amount of pumice and very powerful continuous gas blast eruptions. Risks Volcanoes release volcanic hazards that may cause the life of human kind to be in danger. These volcanic hazards are Pyroclastic Density Currents (pyroclastic flows and surges), Lahars, Structural Collapse: Debris flow-Avalanches, Dome Collapse and the formation of pyroclastic flows and surges, Lava flows, Tephra fall and ballistic projectiles, volcanic gas, Tsunamis and Volcanic Lightning Pyroclastic density currents are are gravity-driven, rapidly moving, ground-hugging mixtures of rock fragments and hot gases. This mixture forms a dense fluid that moves along the ground with an upper part that is less dense as particles fall toward the ground. The behavior of the fluid depends upon the solids concentration relative to the amount of hot gases. High concentration density flows are called pyroclastic flows and are essentially nonturbulent and confined to valleys. Low concentration density flows are called pyroclastic surges which can expand over hill and valley like hurricanes. Temperatures may be as hot as 900 degrees Celsius, or as cold as steam. Pyroclastic flows and surges are potentially highly destructive owing to their mass, high temperature, high velocity and great mobility. Deadly effects include asphyxiation, burial, incineration and crushing from impacts. Many people and the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were destroyed in 79 AD from an erupion of Mount Vesuvius; 29,000 people were destroyed by pyroclastic surges at St. Pierre, Martinique in 1902; 2000 died at Chichonal Volcano in southern Mexico in 1982 from pyroclastic surges. The only effective method of risk mitigation is evacuation prior to such eruptions from areas likely to be affected by pyroclastic density currents. Lahars are part of the family of debris flows that are fluids composed of mixtures of water and particles of all sizes from clay-size to gigantic boulders. The abundance of solid matter carries the water, unlike watery floods where water carries the fragments. Debris flows have the viscous consistency of wet concrete, and there is a complete transition to watery floods. Lahars are composed of volcanic particles and originate directly or indirectly from volcanic action. Lahars can form by hot pyroclastic surges or flows entering watershed systems or flowing over snow and ice, by eruptions through crater lakes, by heavy rains on loose volcanic debris that is, any process by which volcanic particles can become saturated by water and move downs lopes. They can move with velocities as low as 1. m/s to as great as 40 m/s on steep slopes (1 m/s = 2. 55 miles per hour). They are known to have travelled as far as 300 km (1 km = 0. 63 miles). Lahars have destroyed many villages and lives living on Indonesian volcanoes because most people live in valleys where lahars flow. The 21,000 lives lost at Armero, Colombia, were from a lahar that formed during the eruption of Nevado Del Ruiz in 1985. It was generated by melt water from the interaction of pyroclastic surges with snow and ice, from a very small eruption. Lahars can transform into regular floods as they become increasingly diluted with water downstream. This phenomenon was first discovered at Mount St. Helens where hot pyroclastic surges transformed to lahars, which further transformed to hyper concentrated stream flow and then to normal stream-flow turbulence. The eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980 started with a relatively small volcanic earthquake that caused collapse of the north side of the volcano because it was over steepened and therefore unstable. When the landslide occurred, it decreased the pressure on the pressurized interior of the volcano which expanded explosively to form a lateral blast that devastated the countryside north of the volcano. Most of the debris flow avalanche was diverted down the North Fork Toutle River, but some moved directly northward over a 300 meter ridge and down into the next valley. Since the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption, dozens of volcanoes that have given rise to avalanches have been discovered. For example, 40 avalanches exceeding 1 Km3 in volume, and 22 with a volume of less than 1 km3, are now known from the Quaternary alone, and 17 historic volcanic avalanches have been identified. The hilly topography north of Mount Shasta in northern California is now known to be the result of a have debris-flow avalanche. Some are known to extend up to 85 km from their sources and to cover tens to more than 1000 km2 in area. Lava flows rarely threaten human life because lava usually moves slowly a few centimeters per hour for silicic flows to several km/hour for basaltic flows. An exceptionally fast flow at Mt. Nyiragongo, Zaire (30-100 km/hour) overwhelmed about 300 people. Major hazards of lava flows burying, crushing, covering, burning everything in their path. Sometimes lava melts ice and snow to cause floods and lahars. Lava flows can dam rivers to form lakes that might overflow and break their dams causing floods. Methods for controlling paths of lava flows: (1) construct barriers and diversion channels, (2) cool advancing front with water, (3) disruption of source or advancing front of lava flow by explosives. Tephra consists of pyroclastic fragments of any size and origin. It is a synonym for pyroclastic material. Tephra ranges in size from ash (2 mm) to lapilli (2-64 mm) to blocks and bombs (64 mm). Densities vary greatly, from that of pumice (0. 5) to solid pieces of lava with density about 3. 0. Blocks from basement material may exceed 3. 0. Material may be juvenile (formed of magma involved in the eruption) or accidental (derived from pre-existing rock). Tephra fall and ballistic projectiles endanger life and property by (1) the force of impact of falling fragments, but this occurs only close to an eruption, (2) loss of agricultural lands if burial is greater than 10 cm depth, (3) producing suspensions of fine-grained particles in air and water which clogs filters and vents of motors, human lungs, industrial machines, and nuclear power plants, and (4) carrying of noxious gases, acids, salts, and, close to the vent, heat. Burial by tephra can collapse roofs of buildings, break power and communication lines and damage or kill vegetation. Even thin (2 cm) falls of ash can damage such critical facilities as hospitals, electric-generating plants, pumping stations, storm sewers and surface-drainage systems and sewage treatment plants, and short circuit electric-transmission facilities, telephone lines, radio and television transmitters. When dispersed widely over a drainage basin, tephra can change rainfall/runoff relationships. Low permeability of fine ash deposits leads to increased runoff, accelerated erosion, stream-channel changes and hazardous floods. In contrast, thick, coarse-grained deposits closed to the source can increase infiltration capacity and essentially eliminate surface runoff. Many of the hazards of tephra falls can be mitigated with proper planning and preparation. This includes clearing tephra from roofs as it accumulates, designing roofs with steep slopes, strengthening roofs and walls, designing filters for machinery, wearing respirators or wet clothes over the mouth and nose because tephra can contain harmful gases adsorbed on the particles as acid aerosols and salt particles. Magma is molten rock containing dissolved gases that are released to the atmosphere during an eruption and while the magma lies close to the surface from hydrothermal systems. The most abundant volcanic gas is water vapor; other important gases are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, and fluorine. The gases are transported away from vents as acid aerosols, as compounds adsorbed on tephra and as microscopic salt particles. Sulfur compounds, chlorine and fluorine react with water to form poisonous acids damaging to the eyes, skin and respiratory systems of animals even in very small concentrations. The acids can destroy vegetation, fabrics and metals. Atmospheric veils of dust or acid aerosols caused by large-volume explosive eruptions can affect regional or global climate. Most volcanic gases are noxious and smell bad, but they can cause mass fatalities. A rare case of mass deaths by volcanic gases in 1986 at Lake Nyos, in Cameroon, West Africa. Tons of carbon dioxide spilled out of Lake Nyos, and flowed silently down a canyon and through 3 villages occupied by 1700 people. They and 3000 cattle died instantly from lack of oxygen. Carbon dioxide emissions are now being monitored at Mammoth Mountain, California. A tsunami is a long-period sea wave or wave train generated by a sudden displacement of water. Tsunamis travel at very high speeds through deep water as low broad waves and build to great heights as they approach the shallow bottom of shores. Most are caused by fault displacements on the sea floor, but many have been caused by volcanic action. The eruption of Krakatau in 1883 produced tsunamis that killed 36,000 people. The pyroclastic flow generated by this eruption displaced the water that initiated the tsunamis.

nuclear war? :: essays research papers

A Nuclear Solution? During the nuclear age, some nations have attempted to reduce the number of their nuclear weapons as much as some nations have tried to obtain the weapons. Numerous programs have been started to decrease the number of nuclear missiles. The problem with those plans is â€Å"decrease† and not disarm. Many countries don’t want to give up their biggest weapon and who could blame them. Some countries need that weapon as a way of defense against an aggressive nation. Since the only true solution to nuclear weapons will not realistically happen in today’s world, I think that we should attempt to make the best of the situation and if we are going to use them we should use them fairly. Therefore, I offer a counter solution. Instead of ridding ourselves of nuclear weapons we should use them to our advantage. We must realize that nuclear weapons, whether we like it or not, have become an integral part of our world environment. Nuclear weapons are a part of our global security setting. Knowledge will continue to exist; it cannot be disinvested. Nuclear weapons can be used as a deterrent to war. Nuclear devices have come a long way since the first two were dropped on Japan by the United States during the Second World War. Today’s nuclear weapons are respected as more than simple weapons and the mere mention of them demands attention. Therefore, countries around the world have found that nuclear weapons are more useful as a political deterrent to deter common war and non-nuclear or non-biological warfare. Professor Richard Haas furthers my point by stating, â€Å"Nuclear weapons have made a major contribution to world peace. The Cold War only remained cold because both the United States and the Soviet Union understood that any direct confrontation between them would likely escalate i nto a nuclear holocaust. The American nuclear arsenal aids deterrence in hot spots like the Korean Peninsula, where there has been no real war for forty decades. Indeed fear of American nuclear retaliation deterred Sadaam Hussein from using biological agents against allied forces during the Gulf War.† Nuclear weapons steer people away from the usage of these terrible forms of war, which saves the lives of innocents. Many leading nations use the threat of nuclear weapons for deterrence and they use them with in the bounds of treaties and rules set up by the United Nations.

God created Essay

The dawn breaks and the sun peers over the horizon. Another day has come and its new oppotunities seize my imagination. In the beginning, there was only darkness. It is the same darkness that clouds the hearts and minds of men. It sows seeds of fear to paralyze great men into inaction. Thoughts of impending failure and the unsatisfactory results of the past stunts progress and innovation. The valiant and the just stay their hands in the face of tyranny. The wise pass no verdict or judgement to protect the weak and the oppressed. Opportunities to promote the common good are missed and nothing changes. The darkness prevails as time claims the old and weary. But then, God created light and vanquished the darkness. And with the darkness, the fear that plagued man faded into nothingness. Regardless of the possibility failure and despair, man pursued success and happiness. Even in the face of death or humiliation, men fought for what was right and what was just. The cycle of monotony and subsistence was broken as the opportunities, great and small, were seized by the wise and the brave. The world changed and life evolved. The Lord called this light the sun. It is the light that breaks the darkness of the night to usher in the dawn of a new day. It heralds in the infinite possibilites that one can do today. Its daily cycle promises to illuminate the dead night of yesterday and to offer even greater opportunities tomorrow. It is this promise of opportunities that seizes my imagination. It wakes me up in the morning and drives me to live everyday to the full. It is these inevitable infinite opportunities that help me decide what the world will be.

Grandmas Treats

Advertising has taken a toll towards being more interactive & hence more productive. Various strategies are being practiced to improve the business of any organization. Business to Business or com/marketing-200-chapter-7-quiz/">B2B strategy is basically electronic trade transactions between two or more businesses. It is comprised of applications intended to augment relationships within two or more organizations for example using internet to administer the logistics of demand & supply, explore for product catalogues, interacting with traders, receiving & sending statements & electronic imbursement.(E-business Definitions (B2C, B2B etc)) This practice enables the company to gain profit & save money in large deals by having a good interactive communications. The company can buy supplies for a bargain able price through negotiable contracts, hence saving money. The B2C strategy or Business to consumer marketing; it is a much novel sphere & basically associates to electronic retailing over the internet. Mostly it lets the public access the products on internet. Online shopping, games, product information all helps to increase the sale graph of the enterprise.It is quite a successful strategy, since it allows the consumer to interact with the company directly & purchase the desired product with great ease. Travel tickets, books, music & various other items are available to the consumer on the World Wide Web. Often the company imposes a sale offer therefore resulting in a greater percentage of sale & thus increased capital. A number of agencies have come up to guide companies for designing their B2B or B2C strategies promising the paramount way & achieve a greater collaboration with the supplier agencies & the customers to gain a competitive advantage through the extension of business.References Carl Lehmann, â€Å"B2B Strategies that Put the Customer Back in CRM† [May, 2005], eSeminars CNET Networks, Inc. [Accessed 9 th January 2008] <http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_zdesn/is_200505/ai_n13639015> Paul T. Kidd, â€Å"E-business Definitions (B2C, B2B etc. )† [November 2001] Cheshire Hen bury, [Accessed 9th January 2008] <http://www. cheshirehenbury. com/ebusiness/ebdefinitions. html> Paula Jones, â€Å"B2B† [21 Jul 2001] TechTarget [Accessed 9th January 2008] <http://searchcio. techtarget. com/sDefinition/0,,sid182_gci214411,00. html>

How to Write a Good College Essay

How to Write a Good College Essay How to Write a Good College Essay Your admission essay is likely to be one of the most important documents you'll ever write. College essay writing is very important because it is the only way for admissions committee to understand who you are as a personality. The essay is the only part of your application which can be controlled by you. Therefore, take the time to do a good job on it. Your essay must not only demonstrate your grasp of grammar and ability to write, it must also paint a vivid picture of your personality and character. College Essay Writing Tips The first step is to choose a topic of the essay. The purpose of college essay writing is to show the admission committee the real you, explain why you think and act the way you do, and tell what motivates you to perform better. Thus, write about the events that happened in your life, be honest and write how you really feel. Your essay should be read like a short English paper about yourself. Start with a main idea and cite specific evidence to support your statement about yourself. Use a relaxed, conversational style. Avoid jargon and offensive tone in your academic essay. Never begin or end an essay with a quotation, proverb, or other type of sayings. While writing college essay try to be original. There are a lot of essays covering the same college essay topics, but you have a chance to express your own ideas, your points of view that differ you from other's. Try to attract attention of the admission committee to your English essay. It should be vivid and interesting, before writi ng your essay, ask yourself if you would be interested in reading your paper: You need to include specific details about your experiences. Elaborate on one or two of your activities or achievements and try to describe them as the most important events in your life. Your college essay should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. It would be very useful to make an outline. You'll need to rewrite and edit your essay several times before it can be considered final. Keep in mind your essay to someone who can be objective. Writing a successful college admissions essay is not a simple task. You should plan to spend a lot of time writing, reviewing, and editing. Custom College Essay Writing If you do not write how to write a good college essay, you are welcome to ask our writers for assistance. .org offers wide range of essay services and we are able to help students of all academic levels. If you want to receive impressive custom essay meeting all of your requirements and expectations, we are ready to help you! Read also: APA Thesis Term Paper Help Great Term Paper Communism Paper Philosophy Term 250 Words a Page Term Paper

Studying Two Alan Bennett Monologues Essay Example

Studying Two Alan Bennett Monologues Essay Example Studying Two Alan Bennett Monologues Paper Studying Two Alan Bennett Monologues Paper Essay Topic: Literature A monologue is a play with a single performer. The word monologue is of Greek origin and comes from mono-logos. Mono means word of one person and logos means voice hence monologue, one voice. Alan Bennetts work is impressive and his understanding of characterization is second to none. He has an ability to capture the life- styles and backgrounds of the characters he creates. The language of each character brings forward clichi s that can be humorous although in my view this might not have been always intentional. In carrying out my research I found an article in The Times Newspaper where Alan Bennett recognized that although he calls this work a series of monologues they could be plays. In fact, two of his monologues have been lengthened to enable them to be performed in the theatre. The article also stated that they could, equally well, be called short stories, for although none has a conventional short story construction, each has a plot, of sorts. It is a measure of Bennetts skill with language, that all of the scripts establish detail, plot and development of character. A Lady of Letters Patricia Routledge was cast in the BBC production to play Irene Ruddock, a middle aged woman who writes letters. We soon discover that what she regards as her public responsibility has in the past turned into libel. As a result legal action has been taken against her and she has been bound over to keep the peace by a court for writing invasive and offensive letters to her neighbours. Irene Ruddock is a lonely and sad woman. The death of her mother had a deep effect on her life and writing letters is in a way her escape route for loneliness and a lack of friends/family. Her letters include writing replies to circulars and even a letter to the Queen about dog droppings! It starts to become really serious when she writes to her neighbours believing that they were abusing and neglecting their child. This is based on her prejudice towards the parents, for example she is disgusted by the fact that he has a tattoo and the kiddy looks filthy. Although Irene realizes that she may need help and visits the doctor she neglects to take the medication. Her local vicar also has little influence on her. Eventually Irene is cautioned by the police and informed that the child has died of leukemia. She is prosecuted and given a suspended sentence and assigned two social workers, who try to encourage her to join the community. Her response is to write another series of letters about the local community policeman and the lady at No. 56, which land her in prison. Prison life dramatically changes Irene because she has now found the friends and companionship she had longed for in the outside world. Irene making friends in prison is surprising because she is now mixing with people who were the victims of the letters she used to write. The strength of the monologue comes from a malicious trouble maker who finally becomes a liberated woman. It is ironic that for Irene prison is for her freedom. A Cream Cracker under the Sofa Thora Hird in the original BBC production plays Doris, a fiercely independent woman. While carrying out housework she severely injures herself. She tries to attract attention and when a policeman knocks on the door she decides to turn him away. Doris refuses to consider moving to an old peoples home where everyone smells of pee. Although one should feel sorry for Doris it is difficult to do so given her obsessions with hygiene. This monologue and the revelations about Doris and Wilfred the baby which wasnt fit to be called anything and which was wrapped up in newspaper as if it was dirty is much more shocking than A Lady of Letters. Doris has a very old fashioned outlook on life, she remembers the world when people were clean and the streets were clean. Doris is a very strong-willed woman. It is ironic therefore that to be saved she must admit that she is unable to look after herself, because she does not realise this she would rather die on the floor of her home than go to aold folks home. Talking Heads My research established that Alan Bennett believes forms. dictate themselves and that material demands to be written in a particular way and no other. Each of his characters, according to the author has a single point of view and none is telling the whole story. He says that his characters are artless and dont quite know what they are saying. This is in my view very much about the conventions he establishes. It seems to me that Alan Bennett writes very realistically. The actors speak directly to camera and alone. It is as if the audience is not watching as far as the speaker is concerned. In some ways this is like a catholic confession. The characters reveal themselves to be what they are. The writer assumes that you understand the characters emotions and you can relate to them in some way or another. The writer also assumes that you care about what happens to the characters. The BBCs approach to televising Alan Bennetts plays for television was in many ways to keep their theatrical presence although they were recorded in a television studio. The BBC broadcast them in the late 1980s; they received great public and critical acclaim because of their portrayal of human endeavour. Thora Hird won a BAFTA in 1988 for her performance as Doris in A Cream Cracker Under the Sofa and won three more awards for performances in Alan Bennett monologues, Two BAFTAs and one EMMY. These monologues were among Alan Bennetts first to be produced and broadcast. One of the challenges in televising a monologue is keeping the audiences attention as monologues are not always visually entertaining. In the programmes the directors use a close-up camera shot when the character is talking about something important. For example, in The Lady of Letters when she talks about the visit from the police when Irene states the line: No. Leukaemia The technique of mid-shot and close-up is used throughout. The music in the monologues is very fitting and allows the audience to appreciate the different moods of the play. The music is in the minor key throughout most of the monologues, demonstrating how depressed and miserable the characters sometimes are. The music is introduced to create atmosphere when something particularly emotionally stirring or dramatic is occurring. The music is also used to link the end of scenes and the fades to black. However, silence also is used to highlight different parts of the play. When the actors say important lines there is a silence for a few seconds before music is brought back. This allows the audience time to assess the dramatic effect of the play. There are several set changes in both monologues. The Lady of Letters starts off in Irenes house, in a dull plain room with just a desk and a window. The walls are plain and white with no form of decoration. The lack of decoration might suggest her lack of interest in the inside of her house; she is more interested in what is outside. After a short period of time she moves to an armchair to read the paper, yet she is still in view of the window. In the middle of the monologue there is an end of scene in which Irene is leaving her house and putting her coat on. The only other set change in A lady of Letters is when she is sent to prison. The prison walls have a plain industrial pattern and a reinforced window to prevent the inmates escaping. The sets in A Cream Cracker under the Sofa do not change very often. At the beginning of the monologue Doris is sitting in an armchair in her main room. In the room is a fireplace. When Doris tries to go and make a cup of tea she is unable to do so and ends up on the floor by the fireplace sitting next to the wedding photo she cracked. Doris attempts to make it to the door to get help. This is when the next scene change occurs. Doris ends up seated on the floor in front of the door. Later on as the monologue draws to a close Doris manages to drag herself back into the living room in which she started the monologue. The main setting of a Cream Cracker under the Sofa is Doriss main room. This room is full of furniture and is very out of date. I think this is linked with the fact that she is trapped in the past by her views of people and her obsession with hygiene. In a monologue, normally you do not see the plot happening directly. It happens, then the character tells you about it. The only exception of this in the two monologues is at the end of A Cream Cracker under the Sofa. When the police officer approaches the window you actually see Doris turn down the officers help. Fading to black is used to differentiate between two different time periods and to change the set, for example in A Lady of Letters after Irene says the line: He needs reporting (when referring to the police officer who is having an affair with the woman down the street) It fades to black and comes back with Irene in prison, this shows it is used as both a change of time and place. In the monologues the character is always talking to the camera and almost always looking straight into the camera. This makes it seem as if the character is talking directly to the viewer and I think this helps the viewer to understand their choices and opinions better than if they were not talking to the camera. One becomes almost like the characters diary. I think this because they tell you everything, yet you play no part in the plot or their life. The two monologues vary in the use of humour. A Lady of Letters subject matter uses humour effectively whilst A Cream Cracker under the Sofa has little humour. The situation of an old woman alone and in pain, condemning herself to death leaves little to laugh about. However a few moments for example are when Doris is lying distressed on the floor and a young boy enters her garden and she sees him spending a penny she says: The cheeky monkey. Hes spending a penny. Hey. Hey. Get out. Go on. You little Demon. Would you credit it? Inside our gate. Broad day light. The placell stink. Also Doris states: They ought to get their priorities right. They want learning that on their instruction course. Shouting about Jesus and leaving gates open. Its hypocrisy is that. It is in my book anyway. Love God and close all gates. Most of the comedy in the two monologues is ironic humour. Irony is when the character says something then something happens that completely contradicts what they said for example, when Irene says: Prison, they have it easy, television, table tennis, art. Its just a holiday camp, do you wonder theres crime? Then when she is sent to prison she enjoys it, this is ironic. The settings in both monologues are similar yet subtly different. For example they both start off in rooms that are old fashioned, but they are old fashioned in different ways because they are from different generations. Both the rooms have a focal point that is involved in the plot and the character concentrates on it. In A Lady of Letters it is the window. Irene is near a window for almost the whole of the monologue this is because she is observing the social life of her community rather than taking part in it. In A Cream Cracker under the Sofa the focal point is the fireplace. Doris injures herself while trying to dust it, she ends up next to it when she tries to go and make a cup of tea. Windows are also key in A Cream Cracker under the Sofa. Through the windows Doris sees the little boy spending a penny and the police officer coming to help her. There is a wide variety of connection between the two monologues. They both are about women who are trapped in some way. Irene is trapped by her anti-social letter writing and her lack of friends. You know that Irene has a lack of friends because she calls her pen a real friend. Doris is trapped by her obsession with hygiene and her old fashioned views. You can tell that Doris is obsessed with hygiene because she talks about how she had an argument with her deceased husband Wilfred about having a tree in the garden she says: Given the choice Wilfred Id rather have concrete. He said concrete has no character. I said, Never mind character, Wilfred, Where does hygiene come on the agenda? With concrete you can feel easy in your mind This extract shows just how obsessed with hygiene Doris is and how it rules her decisions and her life. Another extract that demonstrates how obsessed with hygiene she is, is when she and Wilfred have a discussion about getting a dog: Hairs all up and down, then having to take it outside every five minutes. Wilfred said he would be prepared to undertake that responsibility. The dog would be his department. I said, Yes, and whose province would all the little hairs be? What they both need is friends and family, to distract Irene from the goings on of her neighbours and to stop her from sending letters and to give Doris companionship. Both monologues are about two women who are living by themselves and they both have lost a loved one, Doris her husband and Irene her mother. Each monologue makes you feel sympathetic towards the characters involved because of the ordeal they have been through. At the end of A Lady of Letters you feel happy for Irene because of her new found friends. At the end of A Cream Cracker under the Sofa you are not sure if you should be happy for Doris because she avoids being sent to the old peoples home (Stafford House), or if you should feel sad for her because she dies. The monologues have quite similar structures. Both the monologues start off in mid conversation leaving the audience confused as to what is happening and what the character is talking about. They also both finish with a summing up line. For A Lady of Letters the finishing line is: and Im so happy The last line in A Cream Cracker under the Sofa is: Never mind. Its done with now, anyway. Both these lines give the audience a look at how the character views her decisions and their outcome. The language used by the characters and written by Alan Bennett is quite varied and it is like a real conversation. It is not like someone is reading from a script. It is as though they are really making it up as they go along, because Alan Bennett has written in thinking time and pauses for contemplation. The language that is used is the kind of language that women of those ages would be using. I noticed that the two characters speak quite similarly and have a similar vocabulary of words; for example, they both refer to children as Kiddies.

Lean-Burn Engines

Lean-Burn Engines Lean-burn means pretty much what it says. It is a lean amount of fuel supplied to and burned in an engine’s combustion chamber. Gasoline burns best in standard internal combustion engines when it is mixed with air in the proportions of 14.7:1 - nearly 15 parts of air to every one part of fuel. A true lean-burn can go as high as 32:1. If internal combustion engines were 100 percent efficient, the fuel would burn and produce just carbon dioxide (CO2) and water. But the reality is, engines are far less efficient and the combustion process also produces carbon monoxide (CO),  oxides of nitrogen (NOx)  and unburned  hydrocarbons in addition to CO2 and water vapor. In order to reduce these harmful exhaust emissions, two basic approaches have been used: Catalytic converters that clean up the exhaust gases coming from the engine, and lean-burn engines which produce lower levels of emissions by better combustion control and more complete fuel burning inside the engine cylinders. Engineers have known for years that a leaner air to fuel mixture is a frugal engine. The problems are, if the mixture is too lean, the engine will fail to combust, and a lower fuel concentration leads to less output. Lean-burn engines overcome these issues by employing a highly efficient mixing process. Specially shaped pistons are used along with intake manifolds that are located and angled to match the pistons. Additionally, the engine’s inlet ports can be shaped to cause â€Å"swirl† - a technique borrowed from direct injection diesel engines. Swirl leads to a more complete mixing of fuel and air that enables more complete burning, and in the process reduces pollutants without altering the output. The downside of lean-burn technology is increased exhaust  NOx  emissions (due to higher heat and cylinder pressure) and a somewhat narrower RPM power-band (due to slower burn rates of lean mixtures). To address these problems lean-burn engines have precise lean-metered direct  fuel injection, sophisticated computer controlled engine management systems and more complex  catalytic converters to further reduce NOx emissions. Today’s advanced lean-burn engines, both gasoline and diesel, achieve noteworthy fuel efficiency performance during both city and highway driving conditions. In addition to the fuel economy advantage, the design of lean-burn engines results in a high torque power output relative to horsepower rating. For drivers, this means not only savings at the fuel pump, but also a driving experience that includes a vehicle that accelerates quickly with fewer harmful emissions from the tailpipe.

Planning functions of management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Planning functions of management - Essay Example However, Nestle usually plans for some period of time. Three to five years are more typical planning horizons. As one of the most important functions of management, planning process is based on stipulated criteria and procedures which have a great impact on planning processes. Criteria such as reduced cost, improved quality, improved sense of direction, better teamwork, and improved service delivery might be used. The timing of any evaluations should also be considered. In Nestle, the plan involves deciding upon how resources will be used to help the organization achieve its strategic goals. It relies more on past records and involves shorter time periods. Present conditions are usually dominant in the planner's mind when the organization initiates a plan and these may be overstressed. Also, many events are obviously unforeseen, but planning can be aided by techniques giving suggested probabilities of events taking place (Bateman, Snell 2004). In Nestle, a special attention is given to product quality and product standards. This policy is important because Nestle produces a wide range of food products from coffee, beverages and ice-cram to infant food and pet food. The responsibility of companies in food industry is to analyze social conditions and possible threats of their products for potential consumers. They should be well aware of regulation changes and should not sell a product which can be injurious to health. In order to meet high standards and quality, Nestle constricts its activities according to legal regulations and requirements stipulated by EU for European countries. Also, planning process include analysis of the macro-environment (e.g., economic trends, inflation, changes in citizen needs, changing demographics, etc.), the government environment (especially changing federalism and state government trends), the competitive environment (the present and potential competition, particularly as related to economic development), the citizen environment (what the service user says), and the organization's internal environment (e.g., is there antiquated technology, high turnover, many people planning to retire soon) (Boone, Kurtz, 1992). Environmental scanning will also identify a variety of factors, both internal and external to Nestle, to be considered as part of the planning process. In fact, one of the benefits of planning is that an organization will gain a better understanding of how environmental scanning should be done and be able to manage more effectively as a result. Factors to be considered as part of the macro-environmental scanning process include social factors such as demographics, financial factors such as interest rates, and political factors such as increasing government deregulation, changing federalism and state government's trends, and regulations (Campbell, 1997). Among the factors to be considered as part of the government environment are the number and locations of other governments, the degree of federal and state government presence, the typical services being provided, and the marketing strategies of other competitive local governments. Ethics and corporate social responsibilities affect all decisions and plans developed and introduced by the company. From the very beginning, Nestle clearly informs customers about threats and possible impact of products. Ethical guidelines and social responsibi

Kinesiological analysis assessment Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Kinesiological analysis assessment - Coursework Example In most of the occasions, the athletes perform a counter movement jump. They start from an upright position, make a downward movement by flexing at the knees and hips then extend the knees and hips again to drop vertically on the ground as shown in figure 1a. Such actions make the muscles be pre-stretched before shortening in the desired direction. A male group two member performed squat jumps and countermovement jumps. He played without arm movement on a force platform. The vertical position of the subjects center of mass can now be obtained using free flight equation. From the observation made during the vertical countermovement jumps, the subject had a maximum take-off range at which the knees get flexed to around ninety degrees. For the squat jump, there was no clear optimum take-off as shown in figure 1. The figure illustrates the kind of motions that occur in countermovement jump and squat jump. In a countermovement, the jumper commences from an upright standing posture, makes downward movement just by flexing at the hips and knees and vigorously extends the knees and hips to jump vertically off the ground. It is like other movements like running, other types of jumps and throwing where the required motion starts by movement in the opposite direction thus making the muscles be pre-stretched before turning in the required direction. Pre-stretching further enhances the work output and the force production of the muscles in the movement flow (Hanson, 2005). In a squat jump, the movement begins from a stationary semi hunched posture then vigorously extends the hips and knees to climb vertically from the ground as shown in figure (1b). In this case, no preliminary downward phase is employed, therefore, no pre-stretching of the muscles. This kind of jump was observed to be highly artificial kind of movement that is rare during practice. Most people prefer countermovement form of climbing because it appears natural and a real number can drop

Summary Strong Response to Damation of a canyon article Essay

Summary Strong Response to Damation of a canyon article - Essay Example In this article, the author took an in-depth look at the ramifications of damming a place called Glen Canyon, a location on the border between Utah and Arizona, in order to create Lake Powell. In making his observations, the author managed to launch worldwide environmental concerns regarding the actual effects of dams on the greater community. As the author describes the setting of Glen Canyon as it existed naturally, he tells about a river trip he took down the Colorado River in this area in which the current of the river was sufficient to drive his raft nearly 150 miles in 10 days through a rich environment full of life. He then compares this experience with a couple of seasons he spent working as a seasonal park ranger at the Powell Lake reservoir. This establishes his credibility in having known the canyon both before and after the creation of the dam in this vicinity and thus able to assess the positive and negative changes that were brought about as a result. Having established his credibility as someone familiar with the area both before and after the industrial changes, Abbey then provides full disclosure telling his audience about his environmental interest and generalized anti-industrial stance. However, in making this admission, he also makes a feeble claim that there are a growing number of Americans who join him in these sentiments. While this would seem to weaken his argument, his further discussion reveals that there are well-founded reasons for him to feel the way he does as he launches the article into a more specific investigation of the effects of the construction of the dam. Abbey strengthens his argument against the dam by pointing out the environmental damage that had been realized by the dam. The first problem introduced by the dam is described most accurately as the ‘bathtub ring’ effect. The purpose of building the dam was primarily for the

Introduction to Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Introduction to Psychology - Essay Example This paper shall use various criteria or psychological affectations in order to thoroughly assess the subject matter at hand and to comprehensively evaluate the workings of the human mind and of human behavior. According to some experts, the biological and behavioral theories can be closely linked with each other. In analyzing human behavior, some authors and researchers look to the biological make-up of a person – in other words, his internal environment which would involve his brain processes, as well as the interaction of his hormones. His genetic predisposition is also considered in this theory as part of the factors influencing his behavior (Cichetti & Cohen, 2006). In further explaining human behavior, authors go one step further and consider the external environment of a person where the behavioral and sociological theories are often used to understand specific patterns of human interaction (Cichetti & Cohen, 2006). These authors then consider the relationship between these theories – the internal and the external environment in order to explain and understand human behavior. In other words, these two theories, as explained by some authors can, at some point during hum an development, interact and overlap with each other. However, inasmuch as they seem to be essentially related to each other in terms of continuity, they still are still basically different theories. One of the major differences between these two theories is the fact that the biological theory of psychology emphasizes that human behavior is shaped by biological and physiological processes (Bernstein, Penner, Clark-Stewart, & Roy, 2008). As was previously mentioned, psychologists explain that this theory evaluates the â€Å"psychological effects of hormones, genes, and the activity of the nervous system, especially the brain† (Bernstein, Penner, Clark-Stewart, & Roy, 2008, p. 18). So for instance,

Globalization on the U.S. Economy Research Paper

Globalization on the U.S. Economy - Research Paper Example Globalization is a concept whose recognition appeared only recently, although its evolution can be traced back to the middle age periods in Europe. Localism and centralization in trade and social interactions defined societies in pre-modern periods, in which people remained within the confines of their birthplaces for their entire lives (Torress 107). Trade was mainly conducted in market places within territories with long distance trades only being on luxury goods, which were exclusive for the rich. Leadership was mainly through kingships and monarchs used local power elites owing allegiance to them, with no form of centralised governing machinery whatsoever. However, in the wake of natural disasters like famines and droughts, increased demand for goods and religious commitments led to the interaction between different communities and kingdoms began to expand with merchants traversing large distances in search for sources and markets for their merchandise (Waters 121). The sixteenth century saw the explosion of the concept of globalisation and the transient of localism. Some of the developments included improvements in naval technologies, which opened up trade between territories oceans apart. There was European regeneration marked by moving away from the monarch leadership to statehood existing presently, and the emergence of the French and American Revolution principles (Watters 249). This was followed by the emergence of the industrial revolution, which saw great improvements in technology, inanimate traction, increased demand and supply leading to increased trade over long distances, colonialism and missionary work across the globe.

Introduction to Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Introduction to Psychology - Essay Example This paper shall use various criteria or psychological affectations in order to thoroughly assess the subject matter at hand and to comprehensively evaluate the workings of the human mind and of human behavior. According to some experts, the biological and behavioral theories can be closely linked with each other. In analyzing human behavior, some authors and researchers look to the biological make-up of a person – in other words, his internal environment which would involve his brain processes, as well as the interaction of his hormones. His genetic predisposition is also considered in this theory as part of the factors influencing his behavior (Cichetti & Cohen, 2006). In further explaining human behavior, authors go one step further and consider the external environment of a person where the behavioral and sociological theories are often used to understand specific patterns of human interaction (Cichetti & Cohen, 2006). These authors then consider the relationship between these theories – the internal and the external environment in order to explain and understand human behavior. In other words, these two theories, as explained by some authors can, at some point during hum an development, interact and overlap with each other. However, inasmuch as they seem to be essentially related to each other in terms of continuity, they still are still basically different theories. One of the major differences between these two theories is the fact that the biological theory of psychology emphasizes that human behavior is shaped by biological and physiological processes (Bernstein, Penner, Clark-Stewart, & Roy, 2008). As was previously mentioned, psychologists explain that this theory evaluates the â€Å"psychological effects of hormones, genes, and the activity of the nervous system, especially the brain† (Bernstein, Penner, Clark-Stewart, & Roy, 2008, p. 18). So for instance,

Nursing research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 15

Nursing research - Essay Example Secondly, a researcher can establish criterion validity by measuring the tool against itself. In this case, a researcher can establish the criterion-based validity by investigating the way that the tool will be able to predict measures in the future. There are four forms of reliability. Among these four forms of reliability is internal consistency reliability, which investigates the level to which disparate instruments that are investigating the same phenomenon produced results that were different. Consequently, this form of reliability is further divided into two sub-types with one of the sub-types known as split-half reliability. As the name suggests, spilt-half reliability is achieved through splitting into two halves the items in a test whose intention is to establish an investigation in the same area of knowledge. In effect, this forms two sets of items that will undergo testing in order to establish the reliability of the tool. In this case, the two sets of items undergo the testing with similar tools with their scores then computed, and the researcher finally obtains the split-half reliability by a correlative determination of the ‘set’ scores between this set of

Introduction to Psychological Testing Paper Essay Example for Free

Introduction to Psychological Testing Paper Essay The field of psychology is one of those broad and exciting fields. Though various psychologists tend to work in a diverse array of fields one of the common aspects that they all share is that they all study behavior and associate its results to some specific measurements. Psychological tests are some of the common tests that are carried out in this field of psychology. The tests are carried and analyzed then the results are interpreted in such a way so as to attain different attributes for various individuals. One of the interesting things is that these results may vary in accordance with various factors which may either have a positive or negative impact on the tests. These tests have found their way into a number of applications with individuals being tested to determine whether they are up to task to ascertain their levels of performance in a diverse array of fields. The term test in psychology testing is one that has to be defined first in order to determine the workability of the process and the results that should be expected. According to a renowned psychologist Anatasi (1997) the term test as used in the field of psychology, is defined as â€Å"an objective and standardized measure of a sample of behavior†. This very definition tends to bring three core elements of psychology testing. The term objective tends to generally give the idea on how the test score is interpreted meaning that it is as a result of an objective criterion instead of subjective judgment by the examiner. The term standardized in the definition means that the results will be uniform independent of any qualified examiner. The term sample in the definition shows us that the test is drawn from previous collected inferences and results. Most of the psychological tests are categorized into a variety of groups depending on the results and the individuals involved. These tests may be administered to an individual that is one person at a time and they are known as â€Å"individual tests† as compared to â€Å"group tests† which are administered to more that an individual. See more: how to start an essay From time in memorial various psychologists have used three main criteria’s to distinguish various abilities that individuals possess. The tests may differ in that they may be grouped as either â€Å"ability or personality tests†. A personality test is described as one that is related â€Å"to the overt and covert dispositions of the individual† (Kaplan and Saccuzzo, 2008). This means that these types of tests will generally measure an individual’s typical behavior. These types of tests will then be divided into two distinctive groups of either structured or objective personality tests. The structured type of tests require the individual to choose from a variety of two options such as â€Å"true† and â€Å"false† or â€Å"yes† and â€Å"no†. Objective personality tests on the other hand are more complicated in that an individual is required to provide spontaneous responses. This type of testing generally assumes that the individual will tend to produce unique characteristics. The main concept behind these tests is actually to evaluate differences or variations that various individuals may exhibit. One of the assumptions that these tests tend to be pegged upon is that the resultants are actually the real differences among individuals. With this it can then be said that the most important aspect of testing is to generally differentiate among those individuals taking the tests (Domino and Domino, 2006). The three, aptitude, achievement and intelligence are used to determine the types of tests to be performed so as to determine their degree in an individual. Achievement in contrast to aptitude refers to previous learning while aptitude refers to the potential that an individual inhibits to do more. Intelligence on the other hand is distinguished from both achievement and aptitude in the sense that it refers to the general potential an individual has to â€Å"solve problems, adapt to environments and profit from experience†. The three however are believed to be interrelated in one way or another and a term that has been coined up to describe this situation is the term â€Å"human ability† (Kaufman and Kaufman, 2004). Two of these tests; achievement and aptitude tests have found their way in educational and most of the times employment institutions where they are used to deduce an individual’s ability. These tests are used to determine how much an individual knows about a certain aspects such as calculations, spellings or masterly of certain material objects such as practices and the like. Intelligence tests on the other hand try to measure an individual’s ability to basically understand the world and its environment analyze its functionality and use the acquired knowledge to improve the quality of the individual’s life. A renowned psychologist by the name Alfred Whitehead (1929) describes intelligence as having the potential to â€Å"enables the individual to profit by error without being slaughtered by it†. However the measurement of this ability has come under close scrutiny with critics arguing that most tests do not provide clear cut results or fail out rightly. The field of psychological testing is mainly governed by two major principles that is; validity and reliability. The term validity as it used in this field means that the tests and results are useful in whatever the reason they are carried on. On more technical terms the term can be said to represent the degree in which â€Å"certain inferences or interpretations† can be considered to be appropriate (Kaplan and Saccuzzo, 2008). Reliability on the other hand refers to the degree in which the tests and results obtained are free from errors. It refers to the accuracy, consistency, dependability of the test results. Although the concept of psychological testing is becoming an important phenomenon in today’s modern world, controversies have in some cases dogged the otherwise noble idea. One of the aspects that come into play is that most of the tests are usually administered by counselors and if the training is not adequate then the validity and reliability of the tests may be somehow substandard. The issue of ethics also comes into play and when monetary aspects are considered then the issue of ethics may just be thrown out of the window. This is especially true considering the number of individuals especially in the internet who purport to be offering an array of tests which their authenticity does not weigh the balance. Some social and theoretical issues have arisen with the fragile issue of race finding its path to those who vehemently criticize this process. However since nothing will ever be perfect, a compromise is often reached whereby the positives of this process outweigh the disadvantages and thus the process is preferred and applied in many institutions.

Recovery Programme For Patients Undergoing An Anterior Resection

Recovery Programme For Patients Undergoing An Anterior Resection The topic I have chosen for my project is the Enhanced Recovery Programme (ERP) for patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery, and whether this aids with early discharge from hospital. I shall discuss traditional pre and post operative assessments alongside the one used for ERP. I will also discuss each of the seventeen modals used within ERP and how when it is used collaboratively can aid with early discharge. I will also discuss any complications that arise from ERP and traditional surgery and if there is any difference to the patient. Within the conclusion, I will discuss the findings and any way of gaining additional knowledge and skills. I will undertake a comprehensive search of literature using the cinhal, pubmed databases and reading literature that is available within the university library. I will use quantitative research to analyse my data and incorporate this and any further learning into my conclusion. During the last four years of my training, I have developed a keen interest in colorectal surgery and this is something I would like to expand on when I become a qualified nurse. I have nursed a lot of patients on the Enhanced Recovery Programme, but I have never looked into this at any great length and I wanted to see if this had any benefit to the patient or even whether it truly did mean early discharge from hospital. In the early part of the 1990s, surgery underwent a drastic change it went from using long lasting anaesthetics to shorter fast acting ones. Combining the new anaesthetics and analgesic methods together with new surgical techniques, a new surgical pathway was created and this seems to have shortened the post operative recovery period. This means that patients could be taken out of main operating theatres as they didnt need as much recovery time. Minor surgical cases were moved to smaller day stay units (Apfelbaum 2002). The term for this new pathway was called fast tracking. Recovery times for patients on the fast track programme were considerably shorter in comparison to those patients that were not. Arguments were bought up to justify the use of fast track surgery such as reduce the nurses workload, reduce hospital costs and improve patient care by getting them back to their preoperative condition more quickly (Watkins 2001). The expansion of fast track meant that more surgical pro cedures were being performed as day cases. The expansion of the fast track concept to colonic surgery was pioneered by Henrik Kehlet, a surgeon of the Hvidovre University Hospital in Denmark. He stated that of 60 patients who underwent a colostomy on the fast track programme, 59 required a hospital stay of two days. In 2001 Enhanced Recovery after surgery (ERAS) group was formed, it was their job to look into the case mix, clinical management and clinical out comes of colorectal patients. What they found was that in Denmark, the length of stay was considerably shorter than Edinburgh, Sweden and Norway who were practicing care that is more traditional. The length of stay within Denmark was 2 days and the other 4 had an average stay of between 7-9 days (Nygren 2005). With the experiences of Denmark in mind, ERAS group developed a new evidence based concept that was holistic in its approach. There are 17 key elements to the Enhanced Recovery Programme (ERP) (appendix1). The 17 elements can be divided into 3 facets Preoperative, Intraoperative and Post operative. Each one of these facets is evidence based and only when they are used collaboratively in elective surgery do they produce a paradigm shift on how we manage our patients. The concept of ERP is to increase patient satisfaction and decrease patient complications. A patient preparing for traditional open bowel surgery used to be prepared in pre-operative assessment for a stay in hospital of around 14 days (Rickard et al 2004); Enhanced recovery patients are being prepared for a stay in hospital of 5 days (Elwood 2008). What ERAS did was to discover that there is a gap between evidence and practice, one of the consistent findings in health service research was what should be done according to scientific evidence and best clinical practice (Bodenheimer 1999). Improving the quality of care increases the amount of patients that are seen each year. This is because the right things are being done in a timely and organised fashion. Preoperative The effectiveness of the Enhanced Recovery Programme (ERP) depends on changing the patients outlook on their hospital stay. Encourage patients to believe that a shorter stay in hospital is a viable option. Department of Health (2009) states that the enhanced recovery uses evidence based interventions both pre and post operative. It is well established that stress levels rise when faced with the prospect of surgery but this concept has recently been challenged by Fearon K (2005a) in which he suggests that elements of the stress response can be reduced or even eliminated with the application of modern anaesthetic, analgesic and metabolic support. The ERP relies heavily on a multi professional approach involving all members equally. Tradition was that doctors gave the pre assessment teaching. But due to time constraints on the consultants, this was often rushed due to the amount of other patients that needed to be seen and not all patients questions were answered. The introduction of nurse specialist pre assessment clinics helped alleviate some of the pressure, and the atmosphere was more relaxed and the nurses understanding of the programme made it easier for patients to follow (Crenshaw, Winslow 2002). It is essential that all patients are well prepared for the operation, not just for a check on their physical condition but also their psychological needs. Looking after the patients psychological needs is an important part of the enhanced recovery programme as it helps reduce the stress of surgery. Patients are counselled on the important parts of the enhanced recovery programme such as early mobilisation and diet resumption. Screening for malnutrition will also take place at this appointment it should include weight, height and the body mass index should be calculated and any unintentional weight loss should be calculated use of the malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST) should be used (appendix 2). It is also reasonable to discuss discharge at this point. A patient being diagnosed with any disease is hard enough to deal with but then to be told you need an operation. Obtaining consent is a vital component to the success of the programme. Gaining consent is more than signing a bit of paper (Department of health 2009). Consent must be given freely and without coercion. All the facts must be given about the treatment and any risks should be discussed. The core ethical principle according to royal college of nursing (2004) is respect for the individuals rights. Gaining consent is a legal requirement. As a nurse the NMC (2008) states that, we are accountable for our own actions so we must ensure consent is obtained before any procedure is carried out. Some patients may not wish to know all the facts if this is the case the consultant in charge of the patients care should document this in the patients medical records, and all healthcare professionals should adhere to this. Patients are encouraged to bring in their own clothes so they are not sitting around in bed all day. Patients with disabilities or who may require more help are also identified at this visit. It is explained in the pre assessment what is expected of the patient after surgery. Clarke (2005) suggest that only forty two per cent of day surgery patients in the UK are currently offered a pre-assessment visit, within my own personal experience a pre assessment appointment is well advised, as this gives the patient time to ask any questions and alleviate any last minute fears. This part of the ERP has not changed from the preoperative counselling for traditional surgery. The preoperative assessment is a critical component of ERP as it gives patients autonomy over their own care. One of the main principles of the enhanced recovery care is that bowel preparation is avoided as this can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance particularly in the older patient (Burch, J.2009) a point that is also raised by Holte (2004a) he also goes on to state that bowel prep can also be very stressful. The trust that I am placed only one of the consultants uses bowel preparation usually in the form of an enema as these help prevent post operative constipation and contamination of the surgical area by faeces and is only ever used if a stoma formation is not required. Bowel preparation is still used for traditional surgery with oral sodium phosphate being the most convenient method. However concerns were raised that by not giving bowel preparation this could cause problems post operatively, but these fears have not surfaced (Holte et al 2004b). A recent study by Guenaga (2005) suggested that giving oral bowel preparation can cause anastomotic leaks, and may cause wound infect ions and possibly death. Nil by mouth after midnight originated in 1946 when reports suggested that a higher risk of pulmonary aspiration existed among patients that had general anaesthesia that had not fasted. Reassessment of this tradition began in the 1980s where numerous studies failed to demonstrate that fasting ensured that the stomach would be empty (Crenshaw, Winslow 2002). Also noted was patients that had prolonged fasting would complain of headaches, dehydration, hypovalemia and hypoglycaemia. As a result, in 1999 American Society of Anaesthesiology developed guidelines that support a more liberal preoperative fasting protocol. The original belief of nil by mouth (NBM) from midnight before surgery is still widely adopted for some surgical procedures and is still applied to some elective cases (Maltby 2006).Consumption of oral fluids up to 2 hours prior to surgery is known to reduce post operative vomiting without any adverse effects, contrasting with patients that are starved normally prior to surgery (Khoyratty, Bhavik, Ravichandran 2010).There are several elements of the programme that are important, one element is the careful use of fluids, traditional surgery uses too much (Burch 2009). It is documented that hyperglycaemia increases diabetic complications, in a study by Nygren et al (1999) also found that patients that werent Diabetic had the same amount of glucose within their blood work as patients with type2 diabetes. Patients on the enhanced recovery programme are given two clear carbohydrate drinks to take: 800mls is taken the night before surgery, 400mls is to take with breakfast (Grover 2010) this reduces the preoperative thirst and hunger but it also reduces post operative insulin resistance, therefore patients are in a better anabolic state to benefit from post operative nutrition, The Carbohydrate drink consists of 12.6g of complex carbohydrate in the form of Maltodextrin Nygren et-al (2006). Having these carbohydrate drinks is the equivalent of having 2 roast dinners. A patient on a morning list must not eat after midnight but can have clear fluids until 3am. In contrast, consumption of an appropriate mixture composed of water, minerals and carbohydrates offers some protection against surgical trauma in terms of metabolic status, cardiac function and psychosomatic status. Oral intake shortly before surgery does not increase gastric residual volume and was not associated with any risk of as piration. For normally nourished patients restoration of gastrointestinal (GI) function is one of the primary goals of post operative care. A recent study by Khoyratty, Bhavik, Ravichandran (2010) found that many of their patients voluntarily fasted longer than was given in the written instructions this is not advisable as this can cause post operative complications and can delay the healing process. This was also noted by others (Baril Portman 2007). Food and drink is a basic need and is needed to sustain life and aid with the healing process. A patient will routinely have a catheter inserted on the operating table and close monitoring of Urine output is vital, minimum output per hour is usually 35mls if it reduces then the team should be called because understanding fluid management is vital for the ERP to work. Intravenous fluid will have been prescribed avoiding normal saline and ideally stopping after 24hours (Billyard et al 2007). Fluid balance charts are vital as 60% of a males body weight and 55% of a females body weight is made up of water and electrolytes; one third of this fluid is extracellular (ECF) and two thirds intracellular (ICF). A reduction of 5% in total will result in thirst and thus considered to be mild dehydration (Welch 2010). Inadequate fluid intake or fluid loss can also cause dehydration. Patients who have had major abdominal surgery will have some fluid loss. With reference to preoperative and post operative patients Intravenous fluid on traditional surgical patients were given 3.5 to 5l of intravenous fluid on the day of surgery (Tambyraja et al 2004) however recent studies have found that providing no more fluid than is necessary to maintain fluid balance (for example a patients body weight), as this reduces post operative complications thus reducing a patients stay in hospital (Brandstrup et al 2006).For more traditional surgery the patient would normally be on restricted oral intake but this is not the case with ERP so monitoring intake is vitally important. Poor urine production can lead to renal failure and electrolyte imbalance. Monitoring fluid balance is important because as nurses we need to carefully monitor a patients input and output, as poor monitoring can lead to poor outcomes. The hourly catheter bag is changed to a leg bag on day 1 after the operation to make it easier for the patient to mobilise but strict fluid balance must be maintained (Burch J 2009). This should include stoma output if a patient has had a stoma. The catheter is usually removed on day 2 post operatively as long as there are no post operative complications and strict out put is still monitored. While fluid balance charts are a good and useful tool for monitoring fluid balance they are only as accurate as the data recorded on them, another good way of monitoring fluid loss or gain is to weigh a patient, as 1000mls is equivalent of 1kg any rapid weight gain can be directly related to a change in fluid status. The detrimental effects of fluid imbalance can be life threatening, therefore the importance of strict monitoring and accurate recording can not be stressed enough. Nursing staff of all levels should strive to complete fluid balance charts as fully and as accurately as possible. Traditional surgery required starving a patient the day before surgery. When a patient returned from theatre they were not allowed to eat until the Surgeon could hear normal bowel sounds and sometimes this may not happen for 4-5 days post operatively. So a patient could be starved of anything to eat and drink for as long as a week. A patient undergoing colorectal surgery may already be malnourished and the complications following surgery are greatly increased. Malnutrition can affect every tissue, muscle and organ within our bodies it can also have an affect on our psycho-social welfare (Todorovik 2003). National Institute for Clinical Excellence (2006) state in their nutritional support in adults that malnutrition is usually caused by physical factors. A recent study into nil by mouth versus early feeding found that of 837 patients that met with inclusion criteria found that early feeding reduced the risk of any type of infection although the risk of vomiting was increased (Lewis, e t al 2001). Patients on the programme are encouraged to drink and eat straightaway if they feel like it. Usually sips of water are offered and if tolerated they are offered nutritional supplements to drink, usually one about an hour after surgery, if this is tolerated then another will be given and left for the patient to drink at leisure (Fearon 2005b), Billyard (2007) contradicts this and states: the patient should drink at least 2L including three nutrition drinks on returning to the ward. Once a patient can tolerate fluids without vomiting or feeling nauseous, they can progress on to solid foods usually something light. A concern for surgeons was post operative ileus (POI). POI is a well recognised consequence of any abdominal surgery and is frequently experienced by patients, Leir (2007) states that it is not a life threatening complication but is a costly post operative complication. POI is defined as a transient impairment of intestinal motility after abdominal surgery (Han-Geurtz et al, 2007).There are many factors that have shown to increase its progression such as Local intestinal inflammation Anaesthetic Agents Over hydration Post operative analgesia(opiates) Reduced mobility. POI along with nausea and vomiting are the most common complication. POI can be minimised with the use of epidurals. Scoop et al (2006) stated: that mid-thoracic epidural is considered the pinnacle of the enhanced recovery programme. Although it is possible to use Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA), Morphine can increase the risk of vomiting it can also cause the bowels normal peristaltic movement to temporarily paralyse. Recent research in to POI and the different approaches to treatment found by giving a patient chewing as a form of Sham feeding (making the body think it was eating) helped with gut motility. Schuster et al (2006) found that gum was an inexpensive and of some benefit after colostomy formation. Five randomised trials of chewing gum to restore the natural gut motility found that patients who were chewing gum passed flatus 24% earlier and had bowel movement 33% earlier, which shows a significant and positive conclusion of early discharge which on average 17.6% earlier than those that did not have the chewing gum (Chan and Law 2007). POI is usually diagnosed with symptoms of nausea and vomiting along with abdominal distension, pain and the failure to pass flatus or faeces. Parnaby et al (2009) found although flatus and faeces were passed earlier in patients who chewed gum it did not have any bearing on early discharge or post operative complications. If tachycardia is present then other causes should be excluded. The treatment for POI is inserting a nasogastric tube (NG) although one is inserted during the intubation process during surgery it is removed as soon as the surgeon has finished operating because there is good evidence to suggest that leaving a NGT in place can cause pneumonia (Cheatham et al 1995). Once a diagnosis of POI has been made, all oral intake should discontinue, and the patient should be removed from the programme and the traditional approach should commence. Patients are encouraged to take regular anti emetics to aid the patient with early return of oral intake the trust that I work cyclizine is the anti emetic of choice. Post operative pain is always a concern this is why Professor Kehlet designed the ERP because he believed every patient deserved to have a pain free recovery. For patients to understand pain nurses need to be able to educate the patient. Biggs (2009) states that less than 1% of university education is spent on pain and the effects of pain. It is vital that nurses have an understanding of pain physiology in order to educate our patients and in turn increase patients knowledge and reduce anxiety, increasing patient satisfaction. Regular pain assessments should be maintained at rest and on movement by a competent nurse (DH2009). It is stated by Vickers et al (2009) that pain should be classed as the Fifth Vital sign. In postoperative patients on ERP, it is vital that nurses monitor pain because pain can reduce a patients motivation for all the other parts of ERP. Concerns have arisen about the use of thoracic epidurals as the analgesia of choice due to immobility and urinary retention, but if inserted high enough in a thoracic position it is possible to mobilise safely and with fewer side effects such as constipation, this means that opiates which have an adverse effect on the bowel can be avoided and again this can facilitate to an earlier discharge. 1 gram of paracetamol is given 4 times a day and is given in conjunction with PCA or epidural, this is also part of multimodal approach. Also, the afferent nerves are blocked resulting in less stress response less gut paralysis and a decreased risk of pulmonary complications (Jorgenson et al 2000). The epidural dose is reduced 48 hours after surgery, and once epidural is running at 2mls per hour then a trial without epidural should commence and pain reassessed after 1 hour if minimal or no pain then commence co codomol 30/500 every 6 hours and oral Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) diclofenac 50mg every 8 hours (British National Formulary, 2009) with this in mind the consultant can prescribe a mild laxative for patents as this will avoid constipation although this is not the case where stoma formation occurs. Alternatively, at the anaesthetists request oral paracetamol 1g 6 hourly may be given also diclofenac 50mgs 8 hourly and 10-20 mgs of Oxynorm every 2-4 hourly. As a nurse I am aware of the importance of pain management within the ERP because psychologically a patient in pain will not feel like eating, or mobilising so keeping on top of pain by using trust pain charts and ensuring that pain relief is delivered on time helps reduce anxiety. In theory, there is not hing stopping nurses from giving paracetamol or co-codamol every 4 hours during the day as making the patient comfortable will aid sleep meaning that paracetamol or co-codamol will not be needed between midnight and six in the morning, it also means that extra pain relief may not be needed thus reducing post operative complications. On saying all of this post operative pain is believed to be at its worst directly after surgery and the intensity is expected to diminish over time (Buyukilmaz et-al 2010), the World Health Organisation analgesic ladder (2007) is used in reverse for surgical patients. on return from surgery patients, initial observations should be taken by the trained nurse so she has a baseline to work with. All further observations should be meticulously maintained as per any hospital policy. The use of Bair huggers during surgery has reduced the incidence if hypothermia during the operation it is important to maintain a constant core temperature as it was found that all of the anaesthetics used during operations caused hypothermia also there are several non pharmacological reasons that warrant the use of Bair huggers for example shaving the surgical site (Sessler and Akca 2002). Wound infection is a serious and costly complication. During colorectal surgery, the incidence of wound infections increases to 10%. Ikeda et al state that all incidences of wound infections occur during the first two hours of any surgical procedure. The primary connection between hypothermia and surgical site infection (SSI) is vasoconstriction because of a decrease in tissue oxygenation and if a patient is immunosuppressed which most colorectal patients are this can also cause SSI. Blood loss during surgery can increase the risk of SSI due to blood transfusions during surgery. On return to the ward from recovery the nurse in charge of the patient must ensure that the wound site is checked for bleeding and check the dressing for any sign of strike through the nurse would expect to see some excess on the dressing but it should be regularly monitored so any problems can be found early. Port sites where a patient has had laparoscopic surgery should be checked. When a stoma has been formed, the nurse should look at the site making sure it is pink/red in colour and it is warm and there is no excessive bleeding. Wound infections can delay discharge so any problems should be found early reported to the patients team and the correct antibiotics can be prescribed early and may only delay discharge by 2-3 days. Anti thrombotic prophylaxis is a must within colorectal surgery; treatment is usually commenced the evening following surgery and continued on a small maintenance dose of 40mg of enoxaprim (Dylan 2010) until the patient has regained full mobility. There are no further advantages in general surgery for extended use of enoxaprim but there are advantages for patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Associated use of low dose heparin and continuous use of epidural analgesia is open for discussion as there have been reported cases mainly in the United States of epidural haematomas (Tryba 1998). A patient undergoing stoma formation under ERP pathway can have their discharge delayed due to teaching, on how to care for the stoma. Although pre-operative teaching does occur, the reality often does not sink in until after the operation. The stoma nurse specialist will see the patient on the day after the operation. The patient returns with a clear see through bag so nursing staff can see when t he stoma becomes active. Teaching begins at the bedside where the patient may only want to observe the proceedings, but all of the time the stoma nurse actively encourages the patient to take note of the proceedings. Psychologically the patient may need lots of reassurance as to them this is not natural (Rust 2007). A patient with a stoma should plan for a stay in hospital between 5 -10 days and it usually takes this long for a patient to be able to manage their stoma. To become self caring with a stoma is the patients biggest psychological battle (Bekkers et-al1996). So on my understanding of the research available stoma formation does infact delay discharge by four days depending on the patient and his/her ability to manage. Patients are not always proactive recipients of care (Ellwood 2008). Early Mobilisation is important to reduce complications such as chest infections. Chest infection rates have dropped from 4% to less than 2% this is because patients are not laying in bed for days. Bed rest not only increases insulin resistance it also decreases muscle tone and in addition, there is an increased risk of thromboembolism. On the ward, the physiotherapist has a book which nurses can refer patients and patients should be seen on day 1 following surgery. Patients are encouraged to sit in the chair for two hours on the day of surgery to encourage deep breathing (Francis 2008). A care plan should be formulated with a specific mobilisation plan incorporated. It is essential that a patient should be nursed in an environment that encourages early mobilisation. Anti embolic stockings are also prescribed. The stockings facilitate venous return from the lower extremities. They also provide venous thrombosis. As nurses, we should make sure the patient is lying down as this allows the veins to relax. The stockings should be removed at least once a shift, so that the nurse can inspect the patients legs and feet for any signs of redness as the skin around the heel can break down very quickly. Encourage leg exercises every hour during the day. Muscle contractions compress the veins, preventing a clot. Contractions also promote arterial blood flow. The introduction of the enhanced recovery nurse has been invaluable not only for the patients but also for staff. The role of the ERP nurse (ERPN) is fundamental to the programme as she/he co-ordinates patient care from the beginning. The ERPN works freely within the colorectal team seeing patients in clinics. He/She helps the patient through their hospital admission reinforcing the goals and liaising with hospital ward staff. ERPN works closely within the surgical team, colorectal cancer team and stoma nurses. The biggest challenge for the ERPN was changing the practice of nursing staff on the wards repeated teaching sessions with all new nurses and doctors with regular feedback and all new updates to the programme (Elwood 2008). Unfortunately, within the trust I am placed the already busy colorectal cancer team initiate all of the teaching, ERP has become a large part of the daily schedule within the trust that a need for an ERP nurse is deemed necessary and funding for the post has become available. Although regular care pathways and protocols are in place, an integrated care pathway was drafted but due to increased pressure from our consultants the document was abandoned, and deemed unworkable but after reviewing the evidence it seems to be used within most other trusts that incorporate the ERP as part of their surgical planning. Nursing interventions within the ERP can influence the out come so it is important that the nurse looking after the patient has the most up to date knowledge and skills and able to detect when a patients condition deteriorates. Another useful tool is a patient diary so that the patient can keep a record of when they got up so the patient is aware of when they can get back into bed. On the first day of surgery, the Patient should aim for 2 hours and then 6 hours until discharge (Fearon et al 2005). Patients are encouraged to walk 60 meters from day one post operatively. To enable continuity of care nurses need to consider the clients needs for assistance within the home. Discharge planning begins even before the patient comes into hospital; the process is usually started at pre admission clinic. The nurse will take a full social history; this is obtained so nursing staff on the ward are aware of any social problems. Fearon et al (2005c) stated that patients are fit for discharge after the following criteria has been met Have good pain control with oral analgesia Are eating solid food and no Intravenous Fluids Are independent with all ADLs And willing to go home All patients should be discharged with an information leaflet including a telephone number of the ward in case they have any problems. In some of the trusts, an enhanced recovery nurse specialist post has been created and on discharge, the ERPN will telephone the patients on the programme at home to allay any fears and to check that there are no post operative complications. a telephone helpline has been set up at one London hospital so that patients can have direct contact with someone during out of hours and they are hoping that this will reduce the amount of AE admissions. The ward I worked on would refer all patients on the ERP to the district nurse with first visit being on the day of discharge, making sure that the referral form states that the patient is currently on ERP. Patients can telephone the ward if problems occur within the first 24 hours. Because patients on ERP are discharged earlier, this means that potentially serious complications can occur at home for example ana stomotic leaks (King et al 2006). Therefore, it is important that patients have a port of call once they are home and within the community setting. The need for support at discharge is also unlikely, compared to a patient who has traditional open surgery Readmission rates for patients on ERP shows that from 1998-2008 334 patients of which 99 (30%) were on ERP and 235 were not (Larsson et-al 2010). The 99 on ERP tolerated soft diet approximately 2.5 days earlier than those not on ERP and were discharged at least 2 days earlier from hospital. Recent research done by 2 Doctors searching the colorectal cancer data base for the trust found; ERP has reduced the length of stay by 3 to 5 with no change in mortality or readmission, the best results came from a gynaecology ward where the nursing staff followed the ERP care pathway in its entirety. Conclusion Traditional Perioperative procedures and prac

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Introduction The doctrine of employment-at-will emerged in the nineteenth century in the United States in a climate of unbridled, laissez-faire expansionism, social Darwinism, and rugged individualism. It is often referred to as Wood's Rule, named after Horace C. Wood, who articulated the doctrine in an 1877 treatise Master and Servant. No doubt the title of the treatise says all that need be said regarding Wood's view of employment relations and, unfortunately, the view shared by most of his legal contemporaries (Mauk, 1985). According to Wood, an employee must be free to quit at any time, otherwise there is the possibility of involuntary servitude, which is prohibited in the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The doctrine of mutuality of obligations then required a symmetrical right of the employer to terminate the employee at any time. At- Will Employment: Definition and Application In its narrowest sense, the doctrine of at-will employment only speaks to when an employment contract can be terminated: the contract can be terminated at-will of either party, i.e., at any time. A separate issue is why (i.e., for what reasons) the employment contract can be properly terminated. From the beginning, the concept of at-will employment meant that the employment contract could be terminated for any reason by either party (Mauk, 1985). Most employees of state governments in the USA are not at-will employees. And most members of labor unions in the USA are covered by a written contract, called a "collective bargaining agreement† that contains a clause specifying that their employment can be terminated only for just cause. This clause makes union members not at-will employees. Recognizing that this rule of law is too harsh, courts in the 1960s began to develop an exception to the absolute right of an employer to terminate an at-will employee, in cases where the employer violated a clearly expressed public policy. The process of developing the public-policy exception to at-will employment accelerated during the 1980s and 1990s, not only with judicial recognition of public policy, but also legislatures passing statutes providing whistleblowers with protection from retaliatory discharge (Mauk, 1985). At St. Thomas the Apostle school, we have a part – time Day Care provider, who works for our after school program and might be fired at the end of this school year. She has displayed unethical behavior towards co-workers, unprofessional attitude toward parents and students, and illegal actions by displaying negligence to safeguard students under her care. Therefore, a panel of several administrators has met to discuss the different legal issues that might arise before termination is announced to her this June.