Leadership And Teams Conformity - 929 Words

Leadership and Teams - Conformity Leadership with in teams has become the new standard in most contemporary business these days. The model of leadership one choses can help determine the success and effectiveness of a team. We will look into the model of servant leadership, the role conformity plays in teams, and how we can be a better manager. Servant Leadership Being a servant leader is a concept I explored in a previous class while researching Zappos.com, where they require all their managers to be servant leaders. The idea that a manager’s top priority is to assist their follower in succeeding by supporting and removing obstacles they may encounter is a noble undertaking. The two major responsibilities of leaders are people and production. Having a manager who is focused on the development and support of their employees, as well as being committed to removing and impediments for their employees should be positively affect the performance levels and employee satisfaction within their team. Research by Jones (2012) states, â€Å"Servant leadership can lead to greater organizational productivity as well as increased fiscal strength as evidenced by decreased turnover, increased job satisfaction, and increased revenues. The participants also shared an almost unanimous belief that they should set the standard for excellence within their organization and to not only serve the followers at work, but to lead in service within their communities† (p. 32) . In order for servantShow MoreRelatedLeadership And Teams : Conformity1278 Words   |  6 PagesLeadership and Teams – Conformity Conformity continues to be an expectation and need in many groups. The ability for a group to resolve differences or come up with the required conclusion could require that one or more people in the group need to conform with a premise that the majority considers. This paper will present answers to the following questions. Does the desire to be accepted as a part of a group leave one susceptible to conforming to the group’s norms? Can a group exert pressure that’sRead MoreLeadership And Teams : Conformity1003 Words   |  5 PagesLeadership and Teams – Conformity Teams are prevalent in all walks of life. People participate in teams through church, volunteering, school, sports, and now in the workplace. Working together in teams in the workplace is becoming increasingly popular. So much so that Robbins, S. P., De Cenzo, D. A., Coulter, M. (2015) states that and estimated 80% of Fortune 500 companies have at least half their employees working in teams. Teams are thought to outperform individual work and help achieve organizationalRead MoreWhat Is Team Leadership Theory?907 Words   |  4 Pagesgroup norms, resulting in discouraged creativity, and decisions void of critical thinking. Because team-based structures are popular in today’s companies, it is important for managers to understand how to avoid conformity pitfalls. When utilizing team leadership theory, managers can mitigate negative consequences that group conformity instigates, by offering a leadership style that facilitates team member autonomy, creativity, healthy debat e, and openness to new ideas. Human beings innately seekRead MoreHow Groups Can Resolve Conflicts1678 Words   |  7 Pagessometimes there can be conflicts in groups that can be a little more difficult to resolve than others. When this happens the last resort for teams is to turn to a third party intervention in order to really resolve the issue. It is best that groups avoid this type of resolution simply because conflicts with and between the team should usually stay within the team. When a third party is brought in it can sometimes add more confusion or should I say â€Å"fuel to the fire† simply because another opinion isRead MorePlot Summary of Remember the Titans Essays1240 Words   |  5 PagesRemember the Titans is a film from 2000 displaying a true story of a racially divided football team from the 1970s. The movie highlights the relationships of the black and white people, and how they learned to interact with each other in a time when this was not the way of life. It brings up a number of quest ions throughout, of what is right and what is wrong, and really challenges the characters, making it a very interesting movie to watch. I have seen this movie many times, and each time I feelRead MoreAuthentic Dissent And The Devil s Advocate1640 Words   |  7 Pagesunderlying the influential rule of consensus (Conway, Schaller, 2005). The first method relates to simple conformity (Conway, Schaller, 2005). Aware of the social rejection that frequently attends deviance, individuals tactically choose to go along with the crowd even if they do not privately validate the popular opinion (Conway, Schaller, 2005). But consensus motivates more than mere conformity (Conway, Schaller, 2005). Others’ actions are an vital means over which knowledge about the world is expanded;Read MoreLeadership Role and Style: Personal Narrative1080 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿During my past employment, I had the chance to exercise leadership roles, managing a group of three, and train new employ ees. One way to motivate them was to let them leave early on the last working day of the week. I also empowered them by providing them some consulting work, which they felt that it was shown to the client as their own work in order for them to feel that they were part of the team and have a sense they belong to the organization. Therefore, this behavioral approach that I exercisedRead MoreQuestions On Group And Team Terminology And Concepts From A Theoretical Perspective1516 Words   |  7 Pagesassignment is to further develop your knowledge of group and team terminology and concepts from a theoretical perspective. Task Answer each of the following questions as a separate section in your essay. Remember that your response to each question is to be more than an impression, but rather is to be illustrative of research and the application of the theoretical to real world situations involving groups and teams. 1. How do Norms and Conformity Affect Group Behavior? 2. Define synergy and interdependenceRead MoreLeadership Styles From The Canadian Military Journal ( Cmj ) Essay1074 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Leadership is defined by Peter G. Northouse as â€Å"a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal†. One’s leadership style can shape a subordinate’s approach and place emphasis to the task or mission at hand as well as accomplishing long term objectives. The role of any leader is to provide direction and guidance to those who may fall under his/her command. The manner in which leadership is applied, especially in today’s society and ever-changingRead MoreWhy Do People Conform?1363 Words   |  6 PagesThe causes of conformity among individuals have long been debated and researched in recent decades. It is for this reason that conformity is an intriguing psychological concept. It causes sound-minded individuals to go against their best judgement, to engage in behaviour which they usually would not engage in, even accept and welcome an idea they internally disagree with, all in order to not be a deviant from t he group. It is thus interesting to look at the factors which cause people to conform,

Booker T Washington Free Essays

Booker T. Washington and the Struggle Against White Supremacy One of the most powerful black leaders to have ever live, this is what some people argued of Booker T. Washington. We will write a custom essay sample on Booker T Washington or any similar topic only for you Order Now With a black mother and white father he never knew, Washington was born into slavery near Hale’s Ford in Franklin County, Virginia. He worked growing up, and then attended Hampton Institute, a school designed to educate African and Native Americans. I don’t think he knew, that anybody knew, how much he would change the world over his lifetime. There were many racists view’s back then. Booker T. Washington learned how to work around whites to get what he wanted, and took many tours around the United States to teach other blacks. Racism has been around for years, and remains around today. The difference is that it was much more cruel back then. There were many racist views expressed by whites toward blacks in the 19th century. After Reconstruction, whites began to really express these views. They had seen that blacks had been involved in many black political activities and it pissed them off. They also were mad since they had lost the Civil War. They claimed that: â€Å"Blacks had had their fair chance, had demonstrated their present incapacity for self-government, and could justifiably be relegated, for time being at least, to an inferior status. † Black people where humiliated, beaten, and thrown in jail, and even killed. Whites also controlled blacks’ futures economically. They established black codes to ensure that blacks had stable labor force, which designated â€Å"servants† as employees and â€Å"masters† as employers. This prevented blacks from vagrancy or loitering, making them work even if they did not want to. Booker T. Washington was a very smart man, well at least I think he is. He knew how to get what he wanted, the psychology of â€Å"Black Survivalism†. He uses many survivalist tactics he used on white people to gain improved living conditions for blacks. Many people feel that he was a sellout, he was, but it gained from it. Washington believed that black people’s problems would be solved if they worked like whites needed. If they would abide by the law and cooperate, the industrial education would provide them with an economic niche. Eventually, he believed this would lead to economic independence. Of course, white people thought that Washington was trying to promote segregation and black inferiority. He was not trying to promote segregation, but he was going for black inferiority. Black people needed to do this. Washington was basically saying that if black people continued to work in their field, and other fields, they had the upper hand. They would learn all the techniques, and know everything about that field. Whites did not work, so they knew nothing. Without the blacks, they could not make any money. Booker T. Washington took many tours. The tour that I was most interested in was his tour of Florida. This caught my attention I live here in Florida. This is apart of its history. Washington started his tour of Florida on March 1, 1912. It lasted from March 1st til March 7th. His tour was sponsored by The Florida State Negro Business League. FSNBL was made up of businessmen and women who believed that they could form a â€Å"good strong organization† that would â€Å"benefit and up build the colored race†. They accomplished exactly what they wanted. Booker T. Washington’s first stop on the was Pensacola. Pensacola was the home of Matthew Lewey, the publisher of the first black newspaper in Florida, the Florida Sentinel. This was not only Lewey’s home though, it was mine also. I lived in Pensacola most of my life before moving to Tallahassee. A Negro business community, is what Washington had called Pensacola in 1907. To him it represented â€Å" that healthy progressive communal spirit, so necessary to our people†¦Ã¢â‚¬  By 1910, the city had declined from their â€Å"black progress and success†. Yet, here he was making his first stop here five years later. March 1, 1912 he spoke at the Opera House in Pensacola. His speech was heard by over two thousand people. There were eight hundred whites in attendance, the rest were black. In his speech he gave encouragement and moral advice. Saying: â€Å"We not only have the advantage in a state like Florida of securing land, but the further advantages of finding plenty of work,†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"There are few if any members of our race who have spent any considerable length of time in seeking labor, labor seeks them. Our condition is different from laboring people in many parts of the old world where they have to spend days and sometimes months in seeking labor and then are not able to find it. Washington left Pensacola for Tallahassee. He made a quick stop in Quincy to visit the Dunbar Graded School. When he arrived in Tallahassee he was greeted with a parade. This parade was led by the FAMC band. FAMC is now Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The band is now known as the Marching 100. Reading about my school in this book made me ev en more proud to be a rattler. The parade also consisted of black artisans, professional men, and farmers. Washington gave his speech on â€Å"Some of the Essential Things In Race Development†. Afterwards he was invited to FAMC for a formal reception. Washington then gave another encouraging speech. He complemented FAMC, saying: â€Å"the State of Florida†¦has provided for the Negros in this state the best plant with the best equipment of any state in the Union. † â€Å"I am glad to add that it is the best kept up plant, the cleanest, and the most systematically arranged of any that I have ever seen. † Booker T. Washington visited Lake City, Ocala, Tampa, Lakeland, Eatonville, Palatka, Daytona Beach, and finished his tour in Jacksonville on March 7, 1912. How to cite Booker T Washington, Papers Booker T Washington Free Essays Industrial Revolution in America (1870-1900) demanded a new social order and improved schooling system, new life philosophy and labor relations. Booker T Washington was one of the leaders who foreshadowed industrial changes and saw roots of social transformations in improved educational facilities and new philosophy of education. Thesis The main contribution of Washington is a new vision of education (â€Å"industrial education†), participation in political, economic and social life and support of industrial and personal development of black population and the South. We will write a custom essay sample on Booker T Washington or any similar topic only for you Order Now Washington transformed traditional education and created a new concept of ‘industrial education’. He supposed that moral training was much more important than intellectual instruction. He believed that the black race should abstain from politics and civil rights agitation until industrial education should have done its work. Industrial education was not so much technical as moral (Verney 38). Washington explained that ‘industrial education’ should help a man to improve his self-image and level of professional skills. In order to promote eh idea of â€Å"industrial education† and support black population, Washington opened his own school in 1881 in Alabama. The main benefit of this school was that Washington applied his philosophy of education to conditions of Southern regions and economic development of the South. â€Å"Its programs emphasized industrial training as a means to self-respect and economic independence for black people† (Washington 50271). Booker T Washington was an advisor of the African American community taking an active part in political, economic and social life of this period. In many cases Washington not only seemed to agree with those whites who were moderate in their racial views and conservative in their economic views, he actually did agree with them, and they correctly sensed his response (Brock n. d. ). Following Verney (2001): In his solicitation for funds in the North, he carried letters of endorsement from a succession of Alabama governors and superintendents of education, for whom Tuskegee Institute was both an economic stimulant and a social tranquilizer (67). Washington had a great impact on political life in the region trying to solve racial problems and segregation. Financially, he received support from philanthropists, and introduced and organized educational programs for black students. In social sphere he had a great impact on views and life perception of black population promulgating ideas of equality and skillful labor (Verney 87). Publicly, Washington accepted a separate and unequal life for black people, but accepted black strength, self-improvement, and mutual aid. Booker T Washington supported industrial development in all spheres of life reinterpreting the role of black people in economy. â€Å"With the coming Industrial Revolution of the North, Washington envisioned many economic opportunities for freedmen in the South† (Brock n. d. ). Washington supported the idea of industrialization of the South and economic development of the poor regions. â€Å"This industrial training, emphasizing as it does the idea of economic production, is gradually bringing the South to the point where it is feeding itself† (Washington n. d. ). He saw improved position of black people as the main source of industrial development of the nation (Verney 87). Washington supported and welcomed industrial Revolution and economic progress through new educational approaches and social support of the coming changes. He stated that Industrial revolution opened new perspectives and opportunities for a wide number of people employed in industry including black population and former slaves. Washington supposed that industrial development of the South and improved conditions of life would benefit the whole country. He saw â€Å"industrial education† and personal development of black population as the main engine of Industrial Revolution. Works Cited 1. Brock, R. E. N. d. Cast Down Your Buckets Where You Are. 07 June 2007, from http://afgen. com/cast_down. html 2. Washington, B. T. n. d. The Awakening of the Negro (1896). 07 June 2007, from http://xroads. virginia. edu/~hyper/WASHINGTON/awakening. html 3. Washington, Booker Taliaferro. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2004. 50271. 4. Verney, K. J. Art of the Possible: Booker T. Washington. Garland Publishing Inc, US, 2001. How to cite Booker T Washington, Papers

Lewis Latimer Analysis Essay Example For Students

Lewis Latimer Analysis Essay Lewis Latimer was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts in 1848. He was the son of George and Rebecca Latimer, escaped slaves from Virginia. When Lewis Latimer was a boy his father George was arrested and tried as a slave fugitive. The judge ordered his return to Virginia and slavery, but the local community to pay for George Latimers freedom raised money. George Latimer later went underground fearing his re-enslavement, a great hardship for Lewis family. Lewis Latimer enlisted in the Union Navy at the age of 15 by forging the age on his birth certificate. Upon the completion of his military service, Lewis Latimer returned to Boston, Massachusetts where he was employed by the patent solicitors Crosby ; Gould. While working in the office Lewis began the study of drafting and eventually became their head draftsmen. During his employment with Crosby ; Gould, Latimer drafted the patent drawings for Alexander Graham Bells patent application for the telephone, spending long nights with the inventor. Bell rushed his patent application to the patent office mere hours ahead of the competition and won the patent rights to the telephone with the help of Latimer. Hiram Maxim, founder of the U. S. Electric Light Co., at Bridgeport, CN, and the inventor of the Maxim machine gun, hired Lewis Latimer as an assistant manager and draftsman. Latimers talent for drafting and his creative genius led him to invent a method of making carbon filaments for the Maxim electric incandescent lamp. In 1881, he supervised the installation of the electric lights in New York, Philadelphia, Montreal, and London. Lewis Latimer was the original draftsman for Thomas Edison (who he started working for in 1884) and as such was the star witness in Edisons infringement suits. Lewis Latimer was the only African American member of the twenty-four Edison Pioneers, Thomas Edisons engineering division of the Edison Company. Latimer also co-authored a book on electricity published in 1890 called, Incandescent Electric Lighting: A Practical Description of the Edison System. Lewis Latimer had many interests. He was an inventor, draftsman, engineer, author, poet, musician, and, at the same time, a devoted family man and philanthropist. He married Mary Wilson on December 10, 1873. Lewis wrote a poem for his wedding entitled Ebon Venus that was published in his book of poetry, Poems of Love and Life. The Latimers had two daughters, Jeanette and Louise. Some other patents of Lewis LatimerLewis Howard Latimer U.S. Patent #247,097 (co-inventor Joseph V. Nichols) 9/13/1881 Electric lampLewis Howard Latimer U.S. Patent #252,386 1/17/1882 Process of manufacturing carbonsLewis Howard Latimer U.S. Patent #557,076 3/24/1896 Locking rack for hats, coats, and umbrellas

Small States Essay Example

Small States Essay Why do political demands for smaller states and bifurcation arise? There are, of course, emotional considerations like culture, language, religion and a sense of economic and regional deprivation. But more importantly, politicians envision additional posts of power as chief ministers or ministers, leaders of the opposition, Assembly speakers and so on. Similarly, government servants think of becoming chief secretaries or secretaries, DGs of police, chief-engineers, directors and so on.A common notion is that a larger share of central funds would flow into a new state compared to when it is a region in a larger state. Most also believe that a new capital city would provide better living conditions. Arguments are set forth that a smaller state with less number of districts would diminish the span of control of state-level functionaries. And that reduced distances between the state capital and peripheral areas would improve the quality of governance and administrative responsiveness and accountability.However, this can easily be achieved with strong regional administrative units in larger states. Evidence shows that both large and small states have fared well and that poor performance is not necessarily linked to size. In fact, today, technology can help make governing larger territories easier and bring even far-flung areas closer. Much more than the size of a state, it is the quality of governance and administration, the diverse talent available within the state’s population, and the leadership’s drive and vision that determine whether a particular state performs better than the others.A small state is likely to face limitations in terms of the natural (physical) and human resources available to it. Moreover, it will lack the kind of agro-climatic diversity required for economic and developmental activities. It would also be restricted in its capability to raise resources internally. All these factors would only make it more dependent on the Centre for financial transfers and centrally-sponsored schemes.Further, increasing the number of states in the country would expand the span of control of the central ministries dealing with states and of party high commands dealing with state party units. A new small state may find itself lacking in infrastructure (administrative and industrial), which requires time, money and effort to build. Some may argue that it is with this very purpose of developing infrastructure that demands for the creation of smaller states are encouraged.But experience shows that it takes about a decade for a new state and its government and administrative institutions to become stable; for various issues of division of assets, funds and of the state civil service(s) to get fully resolved; and for links to the new state capital to stabilise. The cost of this transition is not low and the state’s performance may suffer during this interim period. So, the rationalisation of some existing state boundaries and reorganising territories may be desirable for reasons of physical connectivity.And even as this and other socio-political factors could be considered by a new State’s Reorganisation Commission, a change merely for the sake of having a small state is not desirable. Moreover, we cannot fix a state’s optimum size on a whim. It calls for a thorough evaluation of physical features like land quality and topography, agro-climatic conditions, socio-cultural factors, natural and human resource availability, density of population, means of communication, existing administrative culture and effectiveness of its district and regional administrative units and so on.There are numerous demands for smaller states in different parts of the country. However, smaller states are not a panacea for India’s myriad problems. Neither can they resolve issues faced by various regions and sections of society. Larger states may be, in fact, more economically- and financially-viable and better capable of serving people and achieving planned development. If the administration in a large state suffers from inefficiencies, what is the guarantee that it will become competent by merely creating a smaller state?

The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison Essay Example

The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison Essay Example The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison Paper The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison Paper Jeffrey Reiman, author of The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison, first published his book in 1979; it is now in its sixth edition, and he has continued to revise it as he keeps up on criminal justice statistics and other trends in the system. Reiman originally wrote his book after teaching for seven years at the School of Justice (formerly the Center for the Administration of Justice), which is a multidisciplinary, criminal justice education program at American University in Washington, D. C. He drew heavily from what he had learned from his colleagues at that university. Reiman is the William Fraser McDowell Professor of Philosophy at American University, where he has taught since 1970. He has written numerous books on political philosophy, criminology, and sociology. Reiman states his thesis in the Introduction. He claims that the goal of the American criminal justice system is not to eliminate crime- or even to achieve justice- but to project to the people an image of the idea that the threat of crime eminates from the poor. The system must maintain a large population of poor criminals, and to this end, it must not reduce or eliminate the crimes that poor people commit. When crime declines, it is not because of our criminal justice policies, but in spite of them. In testing this idea, Reiman had his students construct a correctional system that would maintain a stable and visible group of criminals, rather than eliminating or reducing crime, and they suggested the following: enact laws against drug abuse, prostitution, and gambling; ive police, prosecutors, and judges broad discretion in deciding who gets arrested, charged, and sentenced to prison; make the prison experience demeaning; do not train prisoners for jobs after release; deprive offenders of certain rights for the rest of their lives. The system that emerges is what we have today. In the chapter, Crime Control in America, Reiman suggests that the system has been designed to fail. Imprisoning drug offenders, for instance, does nothing to reduce the number of drug offenders in society because they are immediately replaced. The decline in violent crime is more attributable to demographic changes than to enforcement efforts. Most of the decline in crime results from forces beyond the control of the criminal justice systems. Reiman also feels that we could reduce crime if we wanted to do so, and that our excuses are not really answers to the problem, but merely excuses to explain why the system fails. We know the causes of crime- poverty, prison, and drugs- yet we do nothing to change how these things operate, such as banning guns and decriminalizing drugs. In the chapter, A Crime by Any Other Name . . . Reiman considers how language is used to identify some actions, and he argues that such things as workplace-related deaths that could be prevented should be considered crimes, as well. As far as the criminal justice system is concerned, the face of crime is young, male, poor, and black. Reiman believes that the criminal justice system helps create this reality, projecting a particular image of crime and hiding the larger reality of social injustice and even white-collar crime. They identify crime as a direct, personal assault and ignore many other damages caused by carelessness and greed of a different order. Reiman details threats from the workplace, the health care system, the use of chemicals by various companies, and poverty itself, none of which are considered crimes. Reiman feels that the criminal justice system distorts the image of what truly threatens society. In the chapter, . . . And the Poor Get Prison, Reiman points out what many have noted- that the offender in prison is most likely someone from one of the lowest social and economic groups in the nation. The poor are more likely to be arrested for a particular crime, while wealthier people are merely warned. Reiman uses evidence of the differential treatment of blacks for several reasons: 1) blacks are disproportionately poor; 2) the factors that are most likely to keep an offender out of prison do not apply to poor blacks; 3) blacks and whites in prison come from the same general socio-economic status; 4) race adds to the effects of economic condition; and 5) the economic powers in America could end or reduce racist bias in the criminal justice system if they wanted to do so. Reiman believes they see it as to their economic advantage not to curb crime. He inds that police, prosecutors, and judges all make certain that the poor are more likely to go to prison than the well-to-do. This should not be the case, given that white-collar crime is costly, widespread, and rarely punished. Even when arrested and convicted, white-collar criminals do not do the same amount of time as the poor, and do not go to the same prisons. In his chapter, To the Vanquished Belong the Spoils, Reiman considers w hy the criminal justice system is failing and finds that it is not an accident, but rather an intentional action by the rich and powerful to keep the system operating as it is. He does not say this is a conspiracy and offers reasons why a conspiracy theory does not explain what has happened. The poor are more likely to be victims, as well, and they lack the money or power to change the system in any way. On the other hand, those who are in a position to change the system are not in enough jeopardy to initiate change. The criminal justice system is extremely visible in American society and popular culture, and there is an ideology of criminal justice that is implicit, concentrating on individual wrong-doers and directing our attention away from social institutions and their actions. This distorts the nature and reality of the problem facing society. Because there is an association between crime and poverty in the popular mind, there is also a bias against the poor. In the concluding chapter, Reiman considers what he calls the Crime of Justice, or the crime society is perpetrating against the poor and powerless by allowing the system to continue as structured, and, in effect, create crime rather than reducing it. The goals of protecting society and promoting justice are both ill-served under the current system. Taken as a whole, Reimans book puts forth a solid argument that the system does not serve the public as presently constituted, and the proof is not merely in growing or diminishing crime rates, but in incorporating a broader concept of social justice into the system itself. Certain specific actions might be taken, such as decriminalizing drugs or reducing the number of guns in circulation, but clearly each of these ideas has massive opposition waiting to stop any such effort. Reimans concept of social justice is more n keeping with sociological theories that find systemic reasons for crime, which is quite different from the prevailing individual actor theories that are so embedded in the system. Reiman is less convincing in the way he describes the system as intentionally bias, for he makes it sound as if it were an organized conspiracy. That is simply not the case. The book is provocative and has many good ideas, including a thorough analysis of the current criminal justice system a nd how that system may b changed to better represent, serve, and protect ALL Americans.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors and How They Work

Carbon Monoxide Detectors and How They Work According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America. Carbon monoxide detectors are available, but you need to understand how they work and what their limitations are in order to decide whether or not you need a detector and, if you purchase a detector, how to use it to get the best protection. What is Carbon Monoxide? Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, invisible gas. Each carbon monoxide molecule is composed of a single carbon atom bonded to a single oxygen atom. Carbon monoxide results from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, such as wood, kerosene, gasoline, charcoal, propane, natural gas, and oil. Where is Carbon Monoxide Found? Carbon monoxide is present in low levels in the air. In the home, it is formed from incomplete combustion from any flame-fueled (i.e., not electric) device, including ranges, ovens, clothes dryers, furnaces, fireplaces, grills, space heaters, vehicles, and water heaters. Furnaces and water heaters may be sources of carbon monoxide, but if they are vented properly the carbon monoxide will escape to the outside. Open flames, such as from ovens and ranges, are the most common source of carbon monoxide. Vehicles are the most common cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. How Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Work? Carbon monoxide detectors trigger an alarm based on an accumulation of carbon monoxide over time. Detectors may be based on a chemical reaction causing a color change, an electrochemical reaction that produces current to trigger an alarm or a semiconductor sensor that changes its electrical resistance in the presence of CO. Most carbon monoxide detectors require a continuous power supply, so if the power cuts off then the alarm becomes ineffective. Models are available that offer back-up battery power. Carbon monoxide can harm you if you are exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide in a short period of time, or to lower levels of carbon monoxide over a long period of time, so there are different types of detectors depending on how the level of carbon monoxide is measured. Why is Carbon Monoxide Dangerous? When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it passes from the lungs into the hemoglobin molecules of red blood cells. Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin at the same site as and preferentially to oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin. Carboxyhemoglobin interferes with the oxygen transport and gas exchange abilities of red blood cells. The result is that the body becomes oxygen-starved, which can result in tissue damage and death. Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning cause symptoms similar to those of the flu or a cold, including shortness of breath on mild exertion, mild headaches, and nausea. Higher levels of poisoning lead to dizziness, mental confusion, severe headaches, nausea, and fainting on mild exertion. Ultimately, carbon monoxide poisoning can result in unconsciousness, permanent brain damage, and death. Carbon monoxide detectors are set to sound an alarm before the exposure to carbon monoxide would present a hazard to a healthy adult. Babies, children, pregnant women, people with cir culatory or respiratory ailments, and the elderly are more sensitive to carbon monoxide than healthy adults. Where Should I Place a Carbon Monoxide Detector? Because carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and also because it may be found with warm, rising air, detectors should be placed on a wall about 5 feet above the floor. The detector may be placed on the ceiling. Do not place the detector right next to or over a fireplace or flame-producing appliance. Keep the detector out of the way of pets and children. Each floor needs a separate detector. If you are getting a single carbon monoxide detector, place it near the sleeping area and make certain the alarm is loud enough to wake you up. What Do I Do if the Alarm Sounds? Dont ignore the alarm! It is intended to go off before you are experiencing symptoms. Silence the alarm, get all members of the household to fresh air, and ask whether anyone is experiencing any of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. If anyone is experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911. If no one has symptoms, ventilate the building, identify and remedy the source of the carbon monoxide before returning inside, and have appliances or chimneys checked by a professional as soon as possible. Additional Carbon Monoxide Concerns and Information Dont automatically assume that you need or dont need a carbon monoxide detector. Also, dont assume that you are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning just because you have a detector installed. Carbon monoxide detectors are intended to protect healthy adults, so take the ages and health of family members into account when assessing the effectiveness of a detector. Also, be aware that the average life span of many carbon monoxide detectors is about 2 years. The test feature on many detectors checks the functioning of the alarm and not the status of the detector. There are detectors that last longer, indicate when they need to be replaced, and have power supply backups you need to check to see whether a particular model has the features you require. When deciding whether or not to purchase a carbon monoxide detector, you need to consider not only the number and type of carbon monoxide sources but also the construction of the building. A newer building may have more airtight construction and may be better insulated, which make it easier for carbon monoxide to accumulate.

Literacy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Literacy - Assignment Example Where students are likely to benefit from these skills as it improves their general literacy and help them have better quality f education, teachers are also required to develop them, as they are fundamental for providing quality education and also enhance their performance levels. In addition to that, the scope of developing literacy and numeracy in adults has also increased which tends to bring more responsibility to educators. One of the important areas surrounding poor literacy skills is inability to understand the text being read. Where reading itself is a fundamental skill that is being developed from the inception of education, ability to gain knowledge of context in multiple frames is rather difficult to develop. This issue is further accompanied by inability to perform academic research and also filter out relevant sources to develop necessary understanding. The problem further enhances due to presence of multiple and non-reliable data available on web and out-of-date library resources. Also, ability to identify scholarly and academically relevant sources to support education has a critical value for present day students. Last element of this issue is to deliver the knowledge in writing. This skills required development of sound grammar as well as extensive vocabulary. With limited reading being performed and lesser attention given this area, students find it difficult to communicate what they know well which not only affects their grades but also their self-confidence. Another dimension of the issue being discussed is to have suitable knowledge of numerical data and relevant mathematical concepts. The problem increases when there are word problems as deducing meaning out of written text and converting it into numeric data and further applying appropriate methods and procedures meant for problem solving. Hence, in order to develop numeric skills, it is essential that a student is able to derive correct