Abstract
Despite the benefits and functions that grading has for the determination of school performance of the student, there are also proponents that are opposed to the use of the grading systems, or grading itself, for determining how effective a student's performance is during the course of semester or academic year. Criticisms on grading and its questionable effect and functionality in determining student performance is discussed thoroughly in this paper. The primary objective paper is to analyze whether grading is an effective tool for measuring student knowledge, skill, and performance, or whether it poses as a possible way for student performance to deteriorate and the quality of education to decrease, as stated by the criticisms of the proponents against the use of the grading system in educational institutions. This paper also argues that grading is a vital element and tool for the educational system to determine how effective a student has performed for the year and that grading becomes a motivation and objective measure whether a student has performed well during the academic year or not.

From the Paper
"The following functions are primarily geared towards the development of the student in the academic environment of attaining a formal education. The first function aims to show that grading is an objective measure of student performance, while the second and third functions focus on the development of students in the academic environment as a result of the challenge that grading presents to most students. The fourth and fifth functions specialize on the effectiveness of student-teacher relationship/interaction because of grading. Through grading, there is an open communication between the student and the instructor, while the sixth function is a summary of the future role that grades can give to a student. An example of this is the increase in number of job offers for the student or better employment opportunities because of good grades or credentials."

Tags:Numerical, Barbara, Gross, David, Paul, Goodman

Abstract
The author feels that the Crayola' website, which has hundreds of lessons plans for all age groups, can be used almost exclusively as a source of lesson plans, ranging from science to pop art to multicultural and classical art styles. The paper describes the "Abstract Animals" lesson, very fitting for third graders, which teaches kids how to use simple shapes and colors to draw animals and other objects after the style of more modern representational artists. The author uses this lesson plan within a comprehensive interdisciplinary art curriculum that teaches about the relevance of art within its social and historical setting.

From the Paper
"The third section is called "Directions," and for a change is precisely what it claims to be. The directions for this lesson are, in short, to show the children images of various animals and forms and to use tracing paper to draw simple geometric shapes over the forms. (For example, an elephant's head would be a circle with two large ovals for the ears and a long thin oval for the trunk.) Subsequently these designs are redrawn with marker on construction paper and colored in with chalk."

Tags:age, benefits, directions, modern, representational

Abstract
This paper discusses the impact of legislation on the shape of educational services for students with visual impairments. The writer points out four child development theories that are most frequently used to support the practice of early education. The paper also explores support systems for children and parents as well as environmental issues for visually impaired children.

From the Paper
"Students who are blind or visually impaired have received educational services for many years. The first of these services were provided by men and women who, despite the prevailing attitudes and practices of their day, believed that children who were blind were capable of success in education and in life. These early pioneers and the countless others who have come after them have provided a rich, solid foundation for the education of visually impaired students. (Holbrook, Koenig, 2000). Nowadays, students who have very low vision and even those who are blind, usually attend regular classes, although they will require various types of support. This may include specialized lighting and equipment, and the assistance of a teacher's aid. Most school systems have procedures for providing materials in large print or Braille, and computers have hugely increased the access of blind students to a whole range of resources (Foreman, 2001)."

Tags:education, impairments, special, visual

Abstract
This paper explains that, because students come with specific purposes for learning, one of the best ways to keep them motivated is to help them feel progress towards their goals, which are identified by interviewing informally the student. The author points out the importance of engaging ESL learners in communicative (game type) or integrative (short/small activities form larger activities) activities using materials, which are authentic, thereby, aiding the learners in unpredictable spoken language outside the class. The paper relates that students of English conversation must understand the fundamental difference between learning about the language and learning to use it for verbal communication.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Background Information of Interviewee
Report and Commentary on the Information Collected in the Conversation
What are Main Reasons for Learning English for ESL/EFL Learners in Japan?
What Stereotypes Take Place for a Foreign Teacher While Teaching ESL in Japan?
What are Key Features and Problems of ESL Learning in Japan and How can They Be Resolved by ESL Teachers to Achieve Best Results?
What Type of Class is more Desirable for ESL Students?
Does "Cultural Background" Play Any Role in Learning ESL in Japan?
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The learner that I have interviewed generally has a strong first language model back at home in Japan. The interviewee had been in institution and educated at home from young till diploma level. Later, when he came to Australia with pursuing a degree in mind, he had a choice to either take an exam, TOFEL or take up a course with the duration of 3 months to learn English. This is because, his previous education did not meet the requirement of the university that he intended to enroll in. The requirement was that his previous education has to be taught in English for duration of more than 12 months."

Tags:goals, communicative, integrative, conversation, teacher

Abstract
This essay compares teaching with artistry, defining each term and drawing comparisons. The author uses quotations from an extensive range of research material to support this comparison. The essay also explores the notion of a teaching philosophy, discussing several examples. The primary focus of the paper is teaching in drama. The paper emphasizes the classroom as a safe haven for students and amount of learning done by a teacher in the process of teaching.

From the Paper
"Within the drama classroom I strive to always treat every student with the respect owing to them both as people and as artists. I therefore endeavor to value all students' contributions to the creative process."

Tags:artist, classroom, comparison, educator, metaphor, philosophy, role, student, teacher, teaching

Abstract
This paper examines managing challenging behavior in the classroom by taking a deeper look at its causes. First, the paper presents the factors that affect behavior in the classroom. Then individual theories, such as those of Maslow and Adler, are presented. The paper then describes how teachers can apply these theories to the classroom and manage it more effectively. These approaches involve structuring a physical environment that promotes a healthy learning environment and also rewarding positive behavior. Above all, the paper stressed preventing challenging behavior before it occurs by using the approaches from the beginning of the school year.

From the Paper
"Home, peer group and social factors affect behavior in the classroom; these factors have negative aspects that influence student behaviors. Negative aspects of home environments can be; poverty, child abuse, lack of family support and domestic violence. Challenging behavior can result from many factors such as the environment, classroom setup / dynamics, family, ethnicity and religion. (Arthur-Kelly, et al., 2007). When looking at an individual's ecology the affects of their behavior and the environment can be shaped by the individual, (Cole & Chan, 1994). Students who come from minority groups or disadvantaged homes can suffer from adjustment problems as they seem or feel out of place and have difficulty with new social contexts."

Tags:positive rewards, Maslow, Adler, teachers

Abstract
An exploration of the impact that the cultural and social backgrounds of students has upon the probability of a student experiencing success at school. The challenges that the cultural and social diversity of students poses to teaching and teachers is also explored.

From the Paper
Harris (1996) suggests that schools' institutionalized practices create educational advantages or disadvantages for students. It is predominantly students from low socio-economic backgrounds who choose or are channeled into the non-academic streams, thus limiting their chances of entry into tertiary education and ultimately professional careers. Hatton (1994) and Malin (Hatton, 1994) describe how schools can systematically disadvantage groups in society. Hatton reveals ways in which underprivileged families or those not from the middle class do not always comprehend their rights as parents in pursuing grievances. Malin states that intelligence and standardized academic achievement tests are culturally biased and she appeals for teachers' pedagogy to be more sensitive to cultural differences.

Tags:achievement, backgrounds, classroom, cultural, culture, difference, diversity, economic, learning, parents, pedagogy, schools, sensitive, social, socio, status, students, success, teachers, teaching

Abstract
This paper explores the changes that role of the teacher has undergone throughout history. It also assesses the new challenges that teachers today face in the light of new technology and current social and cultural issues.

From the Paper
Teaching is one of the world's oldest professions. It originated with the elders of the tribe explaining natural phenomena and the tribal customs to the young. Mass public education emerged in the 19th century. Teaching has under gone massive changes since that time. Today, society relies on teachers and educational institutions to provide the basis for a functioning society. Schools now have to plan and provide for a diversity of cultures and learning styles. Physical, social and emotional needs of students also need to be addressed. These accelerating social and cultural changes within the educational system continue to have a vast impact on the working lives on teachers.

Tags:ages, challenges, changes, changing, cultural, diversity, education, four, future, history, issues, learning, lives, parents, role, social, students, styles, system, teacher, teachers, teaching, today, working

Abstract
This paper explains that multimedia holds great promise for improving the quality of education because multimedia provides the ability to illustrate ideas with visual, audio, text or any combination of media so learners can create new ways of communicating ideas. The author points out that concepts, which are difficult to explain, become clearer when they can be frozen on a videodisc and discussed; and children who have difficulty expressing ideas in writing now have a new way with which to communicate and to learn. The paper relates that multimedia allows users to be active learners, controlling access and manipulating vast quantities of information on the computer in a learning environment.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Usefulness of Multimedia in Educational Setting
Issues of Using Multimedia in Educational Setting
Effective Strategies
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Although multimedia seems to have great promise, it is necessary to critically evaluate what factors in particular make it successful and to investigate how it can be used most effectively with extension audiences. To date, preliminary research on the use of interactive multimedia curricula has revealed some important clues. Some research suggested that when a new concept is presented in multimedia, a single medium should explain the new concept. Studies have found repeatedly that text and auditory explanations presented simultaneously promoted significantly less learning than either text or auditory explanations alone. What it is explaining here is that multiple media all at once can be confusing to a learner. So, it is important to keep it simple, providing visual-based text and auditory explanations at different points in the curricula. At the same time, we should also keep in mind that the presentation should not have a gender-stereotyped theme."

Tags:manipulation, learner, teacher, medium, presentation

Abstract
This paper discusses how a great number of students with learning disabilities are at high risk for educational failure because they often have difficulty remembering materials covered in school and how their teachers can help these students improve their performance and their long term success through mnemonic instruction. It examines various studies on the topic and reviews relevant literature. It evaluates how the majority of research indicates that using basic phonetic instruction alone is insufficient, especially for students with learning disabilities. When basic skills are taught in conjunction with mnemonic strategies, memory improves because well established pictures in the memory bank to link new information and trigger a strong electrical impulse to help recall the new information. The research studies have consistently shown that mnemonic strategies can be taught to students of all ages and of all levels of learning disabilities. Studies have also shown that when students are taught mnemonics to help them study, they begin to use mnemonics on a regular basis and also begin to make up their own memorization techniques.

From the Paper
"The traditional theory of learning, which has been used in the past as a supplement to the mass schooling approach of the early 19th century, is that in order for a student to learn complex skills such as reading, he must first become adept at making sense of the smallest components of the language (for example letters) and then advancing to larger components (for example sounds, words, and sentences). Phonics supporters generally agree that by employing "the direct approach" in regards to instruction, as well as providing an undeviating focus on logical sequencing, students will effectively learn to identify words quickly and consistently, as well as improving their spelling, vocabulary, handwriting, listening, and thinking skills (Share and Stanovich, 1995)."

Tags:children, memory, bank, teachers, phonetic, language, skills