Course Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Course Work - Essay Example The main objective of the IAS19 was to provide the accounting and disclosure for the benefits for employees. The benefits for employees refer to all kinds of considerations that are given to the employees by the company for the services that are rendered to the company. The main aim of this standard is to account for the expenses for the employee benefits in the period that it was earned rather than in the period when it is paid or payable. This allows the finances to be in place and to ensure that the expenses are recorded in the actual period rather than in any other payable period. IASB plays a major role in the development of the amendments for the IAS 19. There are a number of amendments that the IASB has brought into the IAS 19 and Sir David Tweedie, IASB Chairman had mentioned, ‘Pension costs are one of the most complex and obscure areas of accounting. The amendment issued today allows entities to choose a simpler, more transparent method of accounting than is commonly adopted at present. I hope that many entities will take the opportunity of improving their financial reporting in this way’ (International Accounting Standards Board, 2004). As mentioned earlier, the basic principle of IAS 19 is, ‘The cost of providing employee benefits should be recognised in the period in which the benefit is earned by the employee, rather than when it is paid or payable’ (Deolitte, 2010). Considering the standards there are a few differences that need to be considered and understood. These are as discussed below: a) Short term Benefits: There refer to the employee benefits that are required to be settled within the twelve months that the employee renders services. The benefits that classify under this heading include salaries, wages and other benefits like sick leave, bonuses and non monetary benefits as well. This does not require any actuarial valuation hence there is no need and

Scientific method Essay Example for Free

Scientific method Essay Policy and practice impacts of research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council A case study of the Future of Work programme, approach and analysis Steven Wooding, Edward Nason, Lisa Klautzer, Jennifer Rubin, Stephen Hanney, Jonathan Grant Policy and practice impacts of research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council A case study of the Future of Work programme, approach and analysis Steven Wooding, Edward Nason, Lisa Klautzer, Jennifer Rubin, Stephen Hanney, Jonathan Grant Prepared for the Economic and Social Research Council. The research described in this report was prepared for the Economic and Social Research Council. The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit research organization providing objective analysis and effective solutions that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors around the world. RAND’s publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors. R ® is a registered trademark.  © Copyright 2007 RAND Corporation All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means (including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval) without permission in writing from RAND. Published 2007 by the RAND Corporation 1776 Main Street, P. O. Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138 1200 South Hayes Street, Arlington, VA 22202-5050 4570 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2665 Westbrook Centre, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1YG, United Kingdom RAND URL: http://www.rand. org/ RAND Europe URL: http://www. rand. org/randeurope. To order RAND documents or to obtain additional information, contact Distribution Services: Telephone: (310) 451-7002; Fax: (310) 451-6915; Email: [emailprotected] org Preface This report, prepared for the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), examines the impact of the ESRC’s ‘Future of Work’ programme on policy makers, professional practitioners and other groups outside academia. It also explores the applicability of the ‘Payback Framework’, a conceptual model for research evaluation, to social science. The Future of Work programme was an initiative that aimed to bring together leading researchers in the United Kingdom in an investigation of the future prospects for paid and unpaid work. The first phase of the programme started in October 1998, followed by a second phase in January 2001. The report is presented in two volumes. This volume presents the conclusions of the research and summarises the methods and results. The second volume includes a brief literature review of the evaluation of social science and the influence of research on policy; an overview of the Future of Work programme; detailed analysis of a survey of Future of Work PIs (Principal Investigators); and four complete case study narratives of projects from the programme. The report will be of interest to the ESRC and policy makers in the wider social science and policy community who are interested in how social science informs policy and practice. It will also be of interest to those developing methods to evaluate research. The research was led by RAND Europe in collaboration with the Health Economics Research Group (HERG). RAND Europe is an independent not-for-profit think tank and research organisation that serves the public interest by providing evidence for policy making and public debate. HERG, a Specialist Research Institute of Brunel University, has as one of its main research themes, methodological and empirical studies of the impact of research. This report has been peer reviewed in accordance with RAND’s quality assurance standards (see http://www. rand. org/about/standards/) and therefore may be represented as a RAND Europe product. For more information about RAND Europe or this document, please contact Steven Wooding Senior Policy Analyst Tel: +44 1223 273897 Email: [emailprotected] org RAND Europe Westbrook Centre, Milton Road Cambridge. CB4 1YG, United Kingdom Jonathan Grant Deputy to the President Tel: +44 1223 293 893 Email: [emailprotected] org [emailprotected] org iii Contents Preface iii Overview of impact vii Executive summary ix Acknowledgments.. xiii CHAPTER 1 Introduction 1 CHAPTER 2 Methodology and project structure .. 3 2. 1 The analytical framework . 3 2. 2 Initial tasks .. 5 2. 2. 1 Brief review of social science impacts literature . 5 2. 2. 2 Review of FoW documentation 5 2. 2. 3 Key informant interviews. 5 2. 2. 4 Output of initial tasks 5 2. 3 Payback survey .. 6 2. 4 Interim report 7 2. 5 Case studies. 7 2. 6 Analysis workshop 9 CHAPTER 3 Results . 11 3. 1 Key findings from the literature review and key informant interviews.. 11 3. 2 Summary of results from survey.. 13 3. 3 User interviews 26 3. 4 Case study summaries.. 27 3. 5 Case study A. 27 3. 6 Case study B. 30 3. 7 Case study C 33 3. 8 Case study D 35 3. 9 Concluding comments 37 CHAPTER 4 Discussion.. 39 4. 1 Impact of the FoW programme .. 39 4. 1. 1 The FoW programme has had significant wider impacts on policy and practice 39 v Policy and practice impacts of ESRC funded research RAND Europe 4. 2 4. 3 4. 4 4. 1. 2 What impact has the FoW programme had? 39 4. 1. 3 Why has the FoW programme had an impact? 40 4. 1. 4 What affects the impact of projects .. 41 Applying the Payback Model to wider impacts of social science .. 42 4. 2. 1 The Payback Framework can be applied to social science .. 42 4. 2. 2 Generalisation of categories.. 42 4. 2. 3 General points about assessing impacts of social science . 43 Further research.. 45 Concluding comments. 46 REFERENCES. 47 Reference list.. 49 vi Overview of impact The Future of Work (FoW) programme succeeded in bringing together an interdisciplinary group of academics, stimulating constructive discussions and providing access to policy makers to ensure the wider impact of the research. The FoW programme had significant academic and wider impacts. There was substantial output from the programme in the area of knowledge production. To date this has included 11 books and 69 book chapters; four journal special issues and over 100 peer reviewed articles, alongside over 200 conference presentations. Six of the researchers felt they had changed the direction of their research field. In terms of capacity development, involvement in the FoW programme was seen as a moderate or considerable contributor to 20 academic promotions, and the most common benefit of the programme cited by researchers were the opportunities to meet other researchers and in providing fora for discussion. In our survey of Principal Investigators (PIs) they reported 50 policy impacts, across a range of organisations including national government, political parties, employers and unions. Contributions to the policy debate included more than 60 working papers and official reports; seminars for the DTI, Low Pay Commission and Cabinet Office. More directly there were nine secondments, which placed the researchers in a policy environment, including a senior role in the DTI Women and Equality unit, where the researcher was able to influence strategy and policy decisions relating to equality. Further specific examples of policy impact were: the chairmanship of the TUC Partnership Institute by a researcher, allowing him to impact on employer/union relationships; the drafting of guidance notes on complying with employment legislation for the DTI by a research group; direct input into the Work and Families Bill (2003), which introduced new legislation on maternity and paternity leave; and citation in a House of Lords judgement on pay and conditions, specifically looking at unfair dismissal. Outside the government sectors our case studies identified a number of impacts on employers, including changes in workload policies and career structure; effects on maternity and family friendly working practices in a large consulting organisation and the negotiation of union-employer partnership deals. vii Policy and practice impacts of ESRC funded research RAND Europe Dissemination Almost half of the PIs felt the extensive networks of the Programme Director, and steering committee, had provided them with direct access to policy makers. These policy makers included those in the Work Foundation and a government agency. In addition, the FoW Media Fellow enhanced the impact of the research on more distant policy makers. He achieved this by producing research summaries set in the context of current policy and other research findings. Crucially, he worked to timescales suitable for policy makers rather than those of researchers. Evaluation methodology This evaluation used the Payback Framework as a conceptual structure and showed that the framework is useful for evaluating the wider impacts of social science. We used a number of techniques to collect data for the study: document review; key informant interviews; an on-line survey; and case studies. However, we found that some impacts are inaccessible to evaluation, because of political sensitivity or anonymity guarantees. viii Executive summary We examined how the ESRC Future of Work (FoW) programme influenced policy and professional practice. While doing so we reflected on the methods used to assess and identify impacts. Specifically, we considered whether the Payback Framework, a conceptual model for research evaluation, was appropriate for social science. Here we summarise the key findings. The FoW brought together an interdisciplinary group of academics, stimulated constructive discussion and provided access to policy makers. This may be especially significant given the view expressed by key informants that employment policy and management practices may be especially hard to reach with evidence as they are heavily contextual and apt to be influenced by fashion and ideology. Impacts The FoW programme had significant impacts on knowledge and research. This was evident in the numerous publications and conference presentations attributed to the programme. Most Principal Investigators (PIs) attributed incremental changes in their field of research to their projects, and some attributed a clear change of direction in their field of research to their projects. Most of the projects also influenced other researchers. The FoW programme had significant impacts on public policy. Although some PIs could identify specific impacts of their research, many found it difficult to identify actual policies they had influenced. PIs generally thought they had influenced policy in an incremental way and informed the policy debate. PIs also gave many presentations of FoW research to policy audiences. The FoW programme had significant impacts on career development. More than 75% of PIs thought the FoW programme had helped them to form networks with researchers, policy makers and practitioners; nearly half of PIs attributed career development for researchers to their FoW projects, including nine secondments to government. The FoW programme impacted on the policies and practice of organisations. There were many presentations given in organisations; PIs thought organisational practices were influenced by the research, but only some were easily identifiable. The policy environment determines policy impact. In one case the heightened awareness among policy makers of issues around maternity leave and women returning to work ix Policy and practice impacts of ESRC funded research RAND Europe provided fertile ground for research on how women make these decisions. In a second case the waning interest in union-employer partnerships was thought to have reduced the impact of a TUC institute chaired by a former FoW researcher. In general, the FoW research seldom caused major changes in policy but often resulted in impacts such as stimulating debate, fine-tuning policy, dispelling myths and providing confirmatory support. Dissemination The FoW programme provided access to policy makers. It effectively combined the networks of the Director and steering committee, and provided the researchers access to these networks which included key policy makers in the DTI, Low Pay Commission (LPC) and Cabinet Office. The FoW Media Fellow enhanced the impact on policy makers. This was achieved largely for two reasons. First, because his summaries of the FoW research were produced to a timescale suitable for policy makers, rather than researchers. And second because they were accessible to policy makers: setting the FoW research in the context of other research and current policy discussions. Researchers and policy makers differed in their views on how best to disseminate to policy makers. The two groups consider different channels to be important: researchers favouring academic publications, policy makers favouring the Media Fellow’s publications. The Payback Framework is a useful model for evaluating social science research. The Payback Framework provides a structure for research evaluation. It comprises a logic model of the research and dissemination process and a classification scheme for the immediate and wider impacts of research. This consists of five categories: Knowledge; Impacts on future research; Impacts on policy; Impacts on practice and Wider social and economic impacts. Both the literature review and fieldwork showed that the Framework could be effectively applied to social science research. Impacts and attribution Some impacts may be inaccessible to evaluation, for example some impacts were politically sensitive, so participants requested that they were not discussed. Also, subjects of the original research may have been influenced by their participation in that research, but their identity could not be revealed to the researchers in this evaluation. A confluence of inputs and incremental ‘knowledge creep’ make it difficult to attribute policy change to a given input. The Payback Framework provides a structure in which to explore the context within which projects are developed. However, the incremental nature of policy remains a difficulty in assessing impact at the project level. There are few mechanisms in social science to codify and synthesise research. In contrast to biomedical science, in the fields covered by the FoW programme there are fewer formal mechanisms to systematically review research; these mechanisms can offer tracers of policy influence. x RAND Europe Executive summary Timing Research on impacts may happen too early or too late. If research on impacts occurs too early, some impacts may not yet have occurred. If it occurs too late, certain impacts may have already come and gone. This possibility of transience makes it harder to investigate the impacts, as they may not be captured by a current snapshot of policies and policy debates. In order to provide a comprehensive view of the wider impacts of research this project suggests it would be important to warn researchers at the start of the project about likely evaluations; provide researchers with a mechanism to capture early impacts; and then evaluate research after further impacts have had time to develop, probably 5-10 years after completion of the research. The literature suggests that for research relating to ‘hot topics’ in policy, initial impact is likely to occur earlier and that 2 years post completion may provide the best time frame for evaluation. Implementation of evaluation There was widespread cooperation in the evaluation. The majority of PIs (including all case study PIs), 80% of nominated research users, and others nominated by PIs, agreed to participate in the research when approached. Researchers and users may prefer structured interviews to written surveys. Our experience also suggests that such interviews would provide more useful information for evaluation. Our on-line survey required significantly more of most participants’ time than predicted. xi Acknowledgments This study would have been impossible without the generous support of those involved with the Future of Work programme – we thank them for their constructive criticism and for sparing their time for interviews and to fill in our survey. We would particularly like to thank those researchers whose grants were selected as case studies. We would also like to thank Veronica Littlewood of the Economic and Social Research Council for her help and advice, including at the analysis workshop. Finally, we would like to thank Professor Martin Buxton and Stijn Hoorens who acted as the quality assurance reviewers. xiii CHAPTER 1 Introduction This report explores the wider impacts of social science research: how research affects policy, practitioner behaviour and public opinion. It does this by examining the Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC) Future of Work (FoW) research programme. The ESRC is the UK’s largest research funder and training agency addressing economic and social concerns. As such it aims to provide high quality research on issues of importance to business, the public sector and government. The FoW programme set out to bring together leading UK researchers, across a wide range of disciplines, in order to investigate the future prospects for paid and unpaid work. The programme was shaped by a consultation exercise involving 140 policy makers, academics and practitioners, carried out by Professor Peter Nolan in 1997. The first phase of the programme started in October 1998, followed by a second phase in January 2001. The total funding of the programme amounted to ? 4 million and attracted 221 applications for the first phase, of which 19 were supported. A further eight projects were supported in the second phase. The aims of the programme are shown in Box 1. †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ To create the evidence base that would then ground theories of work To enhance public understanding of the critical developments most likely to impact on people’s working lives To deepen accounts of the future of work by systematic mapping of past and present shifts and continuities To foster interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives To use innovative methods to engage with research users To act as a focus for debate within and between the academic, practitioner and policy-making communities Box 1. Aims of the FoW programme. Peter Nolan, Montague Burton Chair of Industrial Relations at Leeds, went on to direct the programme. He encouraged interaction between the research groups, promoted dissemination of programme findings and raised the programme’s profile. The Director was assisted by a programme advisory committee of senior representatives from government, the Trades Union Congress (TUC), business and academia. The advisory group attended meetings, participated in site visits to meet researchers, and provided access to policy networks. The written dissemination activities were led by Robert Taylor, a 1. Policy and practice impacts of ESRC funded research RAND Europe former journalist at the Financial Times, who was appointed as the programme’s Media Fellow. He wrote a series of seven booklets, aimed at policy makers, that described FoW research and set it in context. The output of the programme has been substantial: its outputs so far include 11 books, 69 book chapters, over 100 refereed articles and over 400 media mentions. This study explores the wider impacts of the programme in more detail. Over the past decade there has been an increasing culture of accountability affecting government spending. This climate has led ESRC to investigate the most effective ways to evaluate social science research, and to demonstrate the wider impact of its research on society. This report builds on experience of evaluating research in the health services and biomedical settings and seeks to apply it to social science. In this work we take the Payback Framework, originally developed by the Health Economics Research Group (HERG) at Brunel University, and test its applicability to social science. The Payback Framework was initially developed to examine the payback of health services research (Buxton et al., 1994; Buxton and Hanney, 1994; Buxton and Hanney, 1996). It was further developed in an earlier ESRC analysis of non-academic impact from research (Cave and Hanney, 1996) and subsequently extended to examine basic and clinical biomedical research (Wooding et al. , 2005; Wooding et al. , 2004). This study tested whether the Framework could be applied to examine the payback of social science research. To do this we briefly reviewed the literature on social science evaluation and the common models for examining the impact of evidence on policy, and concluded that they could be aligned with the Payback Framework. We then used the Payback Framework to examine the research projects in the FoW programme. We used the Payback Framework to structure a programme-wide questionnaire and a series of four case studies. Finally, we used these three streams of evidence to summarise the wider impacts of the FoW study and to see what can be learnt from the programme. We also used the evidence to develop a refined Payback Framework and consider its applicability for evaluating the wider impacts of social science research. 2 CHAPTER 2 Methodology and project structure. This project set out to examine the wider impacts of the FoW programme and to test the applicability of the Payback Framework to social science. It used a number of data collection methods (shown schematically in Figure 1). First we conducted a brief review of the literature concerning the ways in which social science affects policy and how the impacts of social science can be assessed. To develop our understanding of the FoW programme we reviewed documents from the ESRC and interviewed key individuals. We then surveyed all the Principal Investigators (PIs) who held grants from the FoW programme  to investigate the wider impacts of their grants, and asked them to nominate a user of their research for follow up via a telephone interview. To examine the pathways to impact in more detail we carried out four case studies of FoW PIs. The data collected throughout the study were then analysed in a one-day workshop. More detail on each of these stages is provided in the sections that follow. Figure 1. Project schematic 2. 1 The analytical framework The analytical framework for the study was based on the Payback Framework. The Payback Framework consists of two elements: a logic model representation of the complete research process (for the purposes of research evaluation), and a series of categories to classify the individual paybacks from research. The logic model and categories of the Payback Framework that served as the starting point for this study are presented below in Figure 2 and Box 2 respectively. The logic model provides a framework for analysing the ‘story’ of a research idea from initial inception 3 Policy and practice impacts of ESRC funded research RAND Europe. (Stage 0) through the research process (Stage 2) into dissemination (Interface B) and on towards its impact on people and society (Stage 6). The model is meant as a research tool to facilitate cross-case analysis. It does this by providing a common structure for each case study thereby ensuring cognate information for each study is recorded in the same place. The model is not meant to imply that the research process itself is linear. If necessary, individual pieces of information can be recorded in more than one place in the Framework to ensure they are picked up in the relevant cross-case comparisons. Figure 2. The version of the Payback Framework used as a starting point for the study1 Knowledge production Journal articles; conference presentations; books; book chapters; research reports Research targeting and capacity building Better targeting of future research; development of research skills, personnel and overall research capacity; staff development and educational benefits Informing policy and product development Improved information bases for political and executive decisions; development of pharmaceutical products and therapeutic techniques Health and health sector benefits. Improved health; cost reduction in delivery of existing services; qualitative improvements in the process of delivery; improved equity in service delivery Broader economic benefits Wider economic benefits from commercial exploitation of innovations arising from RD; economic benefits from a healthy workforce and reduction in working days lost Box 2. The payback categories of the Payback Framework used as a starting point for the study (Source: Hanney et al. , 2004) The categories of the Payback Framework are considered in the Discussion section of this report where the applicability of the model to social science research is discussed. 1 Source: Hanney et al. , 2004 4 RAND Europe Methodology and project structure 2. 2 2. 2. 1 Initial tasks Brief review of social science impacts literature A brief review of the literature, presented in Volume II, examines frameworks of evaluation previously used to examine the impact of social science research as well as models of research impact. The review was intended to identify lessons from the literature that would inform the current study, but was not intended to be comprehensive. 2. 2. 2 Review of FoW documentation At the outset of the project we also reviewed the ESRC records covering the FoW programme. This informed our interview protocol for the key informant interviews and provided the basis of our overview of the FoW programme, which was used as background information throughout the study. This overview is presented in Volume II. 2. 2. 3 Key informant interviews To gain a deeper understanding of the overall context and impact of the FoW programme we carried out interviews with six key informants. Suitable key informants were identified by ESRC and by the Director of the FoW programme: o o o o o o Professor Peter Nolan (FoW Programme Director) John Hougham (Chair of Advisory Board) Professor Toby Wall (Member of panel that appointed the Programme Director and Member of Advisory Panel) Bill Callaghan (Member of Research Priorities Board and Chair of Commissioning Panel) Professor William Brown (PI on two grants, one in each phase of the programme) Robert Taylor (Programme Media Fellow). These interviews were written up and examined for themes relating to the wider impact of social science and the FoW programme. These themes were then clustered and used to inform the refinement of the Payback Framework. We also carried out a second follow-up interview with Peter Nolan late in the project to examine various issues that had been raised in the survey and case study phases of the project. 2. 2. 4 Output of initial tasks The findings of the initial tasks suggested that the logic model aspect of the Payback Framework was generally appropriate for the social sciences. However, the categories needed some generalisation; our initial revision of these categories was presented in our interim report to the ESRC and are shown in Box 3. 5 Policy and practice impacts of ESRC funded research RAND Europe Knowledge production Journal articles; conference presentations; books + chapters; research reports Research targeting and capacity building Sparking new research proposals; providing research training; supporting career advancement Informing policy and product development Raising the profile/awareness of existing research among policy/practitioners makers; dispelling/resisting myths; providing policy options; prioritising areas; designing management assessment tools; developing benchmarking protocols Employment sector benefits. Improved working conditions; higher participation in workforce; more effective regulation Societal and broader economic benefits Lower stress among workers; improved public health; improved mental health through decreased unemployment; greater productivity; improved equity Box 3: Draft Payback Categories for the Social Sciences afer initial tasks. 2. 3 Payback survey To examine the range and types of payback produced across the FoW programme we invited all the PIs to complete an online survey. The survey concentrated on the wider impacts of the projects, but also asked some questions about the initiation of the research. The survey questions were based on those used in previous payback studies and modified in light of the key informant interviews and literature review2. PIs were invited to participate in the survey using personalised emails which contained a direct hyperlink to their questionnaire. PIs who had grants in both phases of the FoW programme received two emails linking to two separate surveys. The survey was implemented using MMIC web questionnaire software. 3 Data were downloaded from MMIC and analysed using SPSS version 14 and Microsoft Excel version 2000. 4 The questionnaire was originally drafted on paper. The paper draft was reviewed by the ESRC and by both of the project’s quality assurance reviewers. After incorporating their comments it was converted into a web questionnaire and again reviewed by the ESRC. We also asked a RAND researcher from outside the project team to test the questionnaire by talking us through their thoughts as they filled it in. This helped us to identify misunderstandings and confusing questions. 2 Payback questionnaires first used in Buxton et al. , 2000 and subsequently refined for payback analysis of the NHS Research Implementation Methods Programme and the Dutch and UK Health.

Infant Vs Believers Baptism Theology Religion Essay

Infant Vs Believers Baptism Theology Religion Essay The Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible argues that baptism is a rite using water as a symbol of religious purification. The origin of Christian baptism is to be found within Judaism, and it is improbable to suggest the derivation of the Christian rite from the mystery cults. At first term baptism meant the provision of cultic purity, and then in the NT it was extended to express the complete renewal of human existence. The rite of baptism with water as a symbol of entry into the Christian community was practiced from the day of Pentecost. The Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible links baptism with repentance and with the reception of the Holy Spirit. The fullest NT exposition of the meaning of baptism is to be found in the Pauline letters. Paul teaches that baptism is the means of incorporation into the Christian community, which is the body of Christ; through baptism the Spirit is received, and the barriers that divide men, whether of race or of class, are thus overcome (1 Cor. 12 :12-13). At the same time, John administered a repentance-baptism for the forgiveness of sins (Mk. 1:4) in anticipation of the baptism of Spirit and the fire that the Messiah would exercise (The Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible, 1962). Christian baptism is rooted in the redemptive action of Jesus. The command to baptize falls of necessity in the resurrection era, when redemption has been achieved, universal authority accorded to the risen Lord, and the mission of the church to the world begun (The Dictionary of New Testament Theology, 1989). Baptism seems to have accompanied the proclamation of the gospel from the beginning of the churchs mission. According to the Dictionary of New Testament Theology baptism is administered in the name of Jesus Christ; it is for the forgiveness of sins and with a view to the gift of the Holy Spirit. Personally for me, baptism is a very intimate topic. I was baptized, when I was an infant. Actually, everybody in my family was baptized in the early childhood. My mother is a proponent of infant baptizing, as she supposes that children should be taught about Christian living from the time they are born and during their entire life. Her argument is that we are all Gods children and there is no need to wait to become a real Christian. Parents should foster love for God and Bible in children in order to be thankful to God for His tremendous grace, generosity and love He has for us. I also see baptizing as the sign of love and repentance. Moreover, Im thankful to my parents for their decision to baptize me as an infant, as I lived my entire life with the Christian living in my mind. We need to understand the doctrine of baptism in order to live a faithful Christian life. Moreover, the understanding of the doctrine of Baptism is needed as it has a great influence in the church today. When people are baptized, they identify themselves with Christs death, burial and resurrection (Stringer, M. D., 2005). The proof for such an assumption can be seen in Romans 6:3-4: Or dont you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. So, baptism is an important rite, which signifies our new life in Jesus Christ. Moreover, we should understand infant baptizing, as this concept suggests being a Christian from the time of birth till death. Infant baptizing is the best view on the doctrine of baptism, as it provides the opportunity of faithful living in Jesus Christ from the early childhood. Infant baptism should be undertaken in order to foster love for God, faith, repentance and living by Ten Commandments in children since early childhood. There are two main views on the time, when the person should be baptized: credobaptism and paedobaptism. According to Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry, credobaptism is the practice of baptizing only those who are able to make a profession of faith. Credobaptism is also called Believers baptism. Credobaptists are the proponents of the baptism by immersion. Believers baptism view in based on the assumption that baptism should be given: 1) to all those who have learned repentance and amendment of life; 2) who believe truly that their sins are taken away by Christ; 3) to all those who walk in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and wish to be buried with him in death, so that they may be resurrected with him; 4) to all those who with this significance request baptism of us and demand it for themselves (Baptist Roots: a Reader in the Theology of a Christian People, 1999.). Moreover, the proponents of believers baptism argue that there is no direct evidence in the NT for the bapti sm of infants. Moreover, during the time of the NT only adults were baptized, when they showed their faith and repentance. Moreover, the proponents of believers baptizing argue that linguistically the word baptism means immersion and indirectly implies that baptism is not for infants. Another argument in favor of believers baptism is that whenever baptisms are recorded, the text always specifies that the baptized come up out of the water, again demonstrating baptism by immersion (Wright, D. F. et all, 2009). Moreover, in Romans 6:3-4 and Colossians 2:12 baptism pictures the believers death to the old life and regeneration and conversion to newness of life. The proponents of believers baptizing argue that being plunged under the water and raised up from the water symbolizes the spiritual reality, a reality that is only possible for believers who are trusting in Christ and indwelt by the Spirit. According to Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry, paedobaptism is the practice of baptizing infants. The first explicit reference to infant baptism in Christian history is that made by Irenaeus, about A.D. 180, who speaks of all who through Christ are born again to God, infants and children and boys and youths and old men, born again to God being a technical phrase meaning baptism (Dictionary of New Testament Theology, 1989). The belief that the apostles commanded the baptism of infants as well as of responsible persons is attested as early as Origen (3rd century A.D.), and apart from some notable exceptions it became the unquestioned conviction of Christendom until the present century. The proponents of the paedobaptism argue that despite the lack of direct evidence of the infant baptism in the NT, the indirect evidence of infant baptism can be read in various lines of the NT. The proponents of infant baptism argue that baptism in the NT is closely related to the circumcisio n in the OT. J. Jeremias has argued that Paul may have been instrumental in thus putting forward baptism as the Christian equivalent of Jewish circumcision (Colossians 2:11-12). Moreover, the argument for infant baptism states that the NT has a lot of evidence for household baptism and according to the evidence found in Stauffer, in the contemporary use of the word household young children were specifically included (Wright, D. F. et all, 2009). I am the proponent of infant baptizing, as I see this type of baptizing more reasonable within the Christian theology. I suppose that people should be baptized as infants, so that they can become Christians, be taught about faith, love and repentance, and in order to give them an opportunity to live a consistent Christian life. The most influential argument for infant baptism is the relationship between the circumcision in the OT and the baptism in the NT. In order to understand, how these sacraments relate, we should conduct a deep analysis. The Scripture teaches that baptism signifies the forgiveness and purification from sins, and spiritual resurrection. The Scripture also says that we are baptized in Jesus Christ. Moreover, baptism is seal with which we witness that the Lord is our God and that we are His people. The OT says that the Lord wants to be Abrahams God and God of his descendant by giving the covenant of circumcision. Moreover, the Lord says that He wants to see Abraham to be in wholeness and immaculacy. Here we can see that death and resurrection are implied in circumcision. So, the circumcision is the same as baptism, as they both include the promise of the forgiveness of sins and the resurrection after the death. Jesus Christ is the basis for both circumcision and baptism, as He represents the fulfillment of the Promise. Now the conclusion can be made that everything what belongs to circumcision, belongs to baptism as well (except the visual rite). The Lord demands the circumcision of the infants in Genesis 17:12: For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner-those who are not your offspring. So, thanks to the established relationship between circumcision and baptism it is reasonable to suggest, that the circumcision of the infants relate to infant baptism. Another argument for infant baptism can be derived from Luke 18:15-16, where Jesus states: let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. If Jesus allows infants to come to Him, in such a way he allows infant baptism as this is the sign of our communication and connection with Jesus Christ. The opponents of infant baptism argue that Jesus Christ invited grown up children but mistakenly called them infants, as He asked them to come to Him. However, this argument is disproved, as the Scripture refers infants to the children, who should be carried in the arms. So, in these verse we should understand the verb to come in the meaning of the verb to approach. Another argument against infant baptism is that Luke 18:15-16 says that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these (infants) but not to these (infants). However, this argument is easily and logically disproven, as Jesuss reason for allowing infants to approach Him is that t he kingdom of God belongs to them. This verse should be interpreted as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ for the kingdom of God belongs to these and such as these. The passage of Luke 18:15-17 is crucial to the understanding of infant baptism. Luke 18:15 : People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. According to Clarkes Commentary, it was a common custom among the Jews to lay their hands on the heads of those whom they blessed, or for whom they prayed. This seems to have been done by way of dedication or consecration to God the person being considered as the sacred property of God even after. Often God added a testimony of his approbation, by communicating some extraordinary influence on the Holy Spirit. This rite has been long practiced among Christians, when persons are appointed to any sacred office. However, the consecration of children to God has grown out of use. The second part of the verse can be interpreted from the view that the disciples rebuked the parents, as they considered infants too young to receive good. Luke 18:16-17: But Jesus called the child ren to him and said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. This verse shows that Christ loves infants simplicity and innocence. According to Clarkes Commentary, Jesus has sanctified infants very age by passing through it himself the holy Jesus was once a little child. Moreover, Jesuss emphasis on the big part of the kingdom of God composed of such should be taken literally; and only those who resemble little children should be received into it. According to Commentary on the Whole Bible, in these two verses our Lord meant to inform us, that seeing grown people must become childlike in order to be capable of the Kingdom of God, therefore they should not hinder infants from coming to Him, and therefore He took up and blessed the infants themselves. All in all Jesus words about little children provide an example of the attitude essential for receiving Gods grace. Childlike qualities such as trust, openness, and the absence of holier-than-thou attitudes are presented in this view. This shows that Jesus had compassion even on infants too young to understand the difference between right and wrong (The Expositors Bible Commentary, 1984). This passage indirectly bears on question of infant baptism. The major argument of the opponents of infant baptism is the fact that people should be baptized after conscious understanding of the responsibility they take. Moreover, they argue that people should be baptized after they acknowledge their faith. However, the opponents of infant baptism argue that leaving an infant until the time, when he/she will acknowledge his/her faith, means leaving the infants to be the children of Adam for a period of time. We experience death in Adam, because of the original sin. However, Jesus allows infants to approach Him, which means He wants to establish connection with them in order to revive them (Luke 18:15-16). Infant baptizing is the best view on the doctrine of baptism, as it provides the opportunity of faithful living in Jesus Christ from the early childhood. The NT indirectly supports infant baptism. As baptism is the same as circumcision (except the visual rite), then infant baptism is allowed and appreciated by God (Colossians 2:11-12; Acts 16:33). Moreover, Luke 18:15-16 proves that Jesus Christ allowed infant baptism, by calling the infants to approach Him. The baptism of household, which is mentioned all over the NT, implicitly means infant baptizing, as in the contemporary use of the word household young children were specifically included. The doctrine of infant baptism perfectly fits in other related doctrines: the doctrine of circumcision, the doctrine of faith, the doctrine of repentance, the doctrine of forgiveness and the doctrine of resurrection. It doesnt really contradict with any of these doctrines. The doctrine of circumcision is very similar to the doctrine of infant baptism, as the basis for them is Jesus Christ, who is seen as the fulfillment of the Promise. The doctrine of faith, repentance, forgiveness and resurrection perfectly fits in the definition of infant baptism: infants are baptized to be forgiven for sins, purified and be spiritually resurrected. Moreover, infant baptism encourages Christian living full of faith and repentance. The significance of the doctrine of infant baptism is the removal of the original sin from the infants. In such a way children may possess the relationship with Christ since early childhood. Infant baptizing can make a difference for Christian life in a way it allows the children to be under Christs influence and care since birth. Children are purified and become new born Christians, who need to be taught about love for God, faith, repentance and living by Ten Commandments. These doctrines are best understood and learned, when taught since childhood. I suppose that infant baptism can bring more true believers to the church.

telecommunications :: essays research papers

Networking and Telecommunications Table of Contents Introduction Technology Involved Telephone System Network Setup Cost Sampling of Companies Possible Future Trends Global Implications Conclusion Introduction We have been hired to design a small network for a company that will utilize the newest technology out there and give each person the capability to work from the office as well as on the road. This company has ten people and will be working from home and on the road quite often. The best solution would be to set up a wireless network with additional security and the use if Internet Protocol phones. We will also make a push to hire a full time systems administrator to handle all the security issues and the overall maintenance of the network. First we need to stress the importance of a full time systems administrator to work from the site as well as on call 24 hours a day. We are going to use a wireless network as well as IP phones and from time to time they are going to experience connectivity issues as well as authentication problems logging into the servers remotely. The main point we must stress to the customer is the security issues that affect every network. The network will need constant monitoring and updates due to the nature of the business and the virtual private network that will be utilized for off site connectivity. Technology Involved The proposed hardware list will contain 3 physical servers, a Cisco router, 2 black and white laser printers, a color laser printer, 12 laptops, 12 IP phones, a server rack, cabling, and wireless PCMCIA cards. We want to make sure there are a few laptops and phones configured for users who are experiencing problems. This list will continue to grow as we start to install the network and get everything configured properly and continue on with the testing. We must also ensure we have the proper licensing for all the servers to include Microsoft Server 2003 and Microsoft Exchange. We will run Symantec Antivirus software on each of the laptops as well. Telephone System The telephone system that we are going to put into place is a Mitel system consisting of twelve 5220 IP phones. This system will consist of a voice mail system, and the ability to take your phone home and all your calls will be forwarded to that phone making it easier for our staff to work from home without the customers knowing. The hardware involved in the setup of this system is a PC for voice mail administration, and two switches. telecommunications :: essays research papers Networking and Telecommunications Table of Contents Introduction Technology Involved Telephone System Network Setup Cost Sampling of Companies Possible Future Trends Global Implications Conclusion Introduction We have been hired to design a small network for a company that will utilize the newest technology out there and give each person the capability to work from the office as well as on the road. This company has ten people and will be working from home and on the road quite often. The best solution would be to set up a wireless network with additional security and the use if Internet Protocol phones. We will also make a push to hire a full time systems administrator to handle all the security issues and the overall maintenance of the network. First we need to stress the importance of a full time systems administrator to work from the site as well as on call 24 hours a day. We are going to use a wireless network as well as IP phones and from time to time they are going to experience connectivity issues as well as authentication problems logging into the servers remotely. The main point we must stress to the customer is the security issues that affect every network. The network will need constant monitoring and updates due to the nature of the business and the virtual private network that will be utilized for off site connectivity. Technology Involved The proposed hardware list will contain 3 physical servers, a Cisco router, 2 black and white laser printers, a color laser printer, 12 laptops, 12 IP phones, a server rack, cabling, and wireless PCMCIA cards. We want to make sure there are a few laptops and phones configured for users who are experiencing problems. This list will continue to grow as we start to install the network and get everything configured properly and continue on with the testing. We must also ensure we have the proper licensing for all the servers to include Microsoft Server 2003 and Microsoft Exchange. We will run Symantec Antivirus software on each of the laptops as well. Telephone System The telephone system that we are going to put into place is a Mitel system consisting of twelve 5220 IP phones. This system will consist of a voice mail system, and the ability to take your phone home and all your calls will be forwarded to that phone making it easier for our staff to work from home without the customers knowing. The hardware involved in the setup of this system is a PC for voice mail administration, and two switches.

Ontella Picdeck Case Essay

Customer persona is a conceptual and fictive character of who could be the typical customer. Shorter, it gives us a â€Å"realistic† kind of customer (with socioprofessional situation, sex, age, etc †¦). Of course it’s possible to have several customer persona (like in the Ontela case study). A user persona is a representation of the goals and behavior of a hypothesized group of users. 2-Which segment(s) should Ontela target? We are comfortable choosing the young professional, I also consider the parent a viable segment. The young professional will definitely utilize the service in their business and will see the value to carry over use for personal photos thus increases their usage and dependency of the service (or vice versa). We think given the age group of this persona they will be quick to adapt to the new technology once they commit to using it. Once they commit to using it we believe it will be something that will be difficult for them to give up so they will be a regular customer. However, we are concerned about the number of potential customer in this persona. We wonder how many 27 year olds are like Steve when he mentions he was â€Å"the last of his friends to get up on the latest technology†. 3-Based on feature/benefit analysis, what positing statements are likely to be appropriate for each of the customers? SarahSteveRegina How much do customers in the segment want/need the product/service ?2/53.5/55/5 Most attractive ontela featureeasyUseful-easyFast-easy Most attractive benefit for the consumerSave precious momentDoing business faster from everywhere to every placeShow pictures Value to Ontela and partners Segment size This kind of people is outdated about technologies, especially in phone domain. They prefer to stay with their habits because they finally learned how to use it. If they change, the old phone has to be broke (and often, they try to find the same phone or a similar one) or it has to be really easy. Ontele promise their software is easy but we can not say the same about the support (the framework). USA : 10 millionSteve is not a user of new tech but he knows it. Today, we can assume that a young professional of 27yo has to have new tech because it’s really useful for their work (especially for estate agent) and because to have a smartphone gives entertainment. USA : 10% of 153 million = 15.3 million (actif)Regina is the typical girl of Z generation. The girl who has its own iphone, from a middle class. She is always connected thanks to internet and mobile internet. She is able to better know all new tech that can serve her easier, faster, more usefull. USA : 20 million Willingness to payWill think about the family budget before the allWill have the ability to pay easilyPocket money Note: As we can see, Sarah is not this kind of target who will go on internet to search information (because she doesn’t know really how to use it), and as she has no smartphone with appstore, it’s impossible to target her by this. About specialized magazine, she will be not interested as much. And about specialized TV/radio program, she cans be targeting but it will be a pure hazardous. So it will cost a lot if we decide to touch her, even if the product currently gives a response to her demand. Steve has knowledge in IT and is ready to change its mobile phone. So he will access to appstore, search information on internet, his colluagues already use their cellphones to send pictures. So he will be easy to touch. 4-Identify the key themes that should be emphasized in the messaging for the PicDeck service to your chosen target. Chosen target : Steve, the Young Professional After the segmentation market, Ontela Pickdeck target will be Steve, the Young Professional. The Ontela Pickdeck’s offer and the Steve’s profile are linked. For us, Steve is the best target. Steve is 27 years old, he is â€Å"cool† and a young active adult desiring to connect with friends. Steve is a â€Å"hardworker† who knows the new technology and who uses very often the new technologic communication for his work. It is a easy target to approach because he needs this type of application to simplify his lifestyle and his work. For Steve, the essential key themes should be â€Å"professional† and â€Å"easy to use†. Professional : -You can use their phones to take pictures of houses to save and send instantly to clients. -You can be linked all the time with clients and colleagues with cellphone. -â€Å"He uses email at work, but prefers the phone†. Now with our product, he will can use only the phone for his work and to be attentive to his clients everytime even on the road. Easy to use : -If your phone is lost or stolen, your pictures are safe. -Every picture you take on your camera phone is emailed to you, automatically. -Sets up on your phone in about one minute. -There is nothing to learn or remember†¦ just take photos and pic sender delivers them automatically. -Easy delivery to your email, your PC, and your Photobucket, Yahoo! Flickr, Snapfish or Google Blogger accounts. To approach better Steve, we have chosen some promotion supports. Application Store : – It is needed for us, to have an application on the Apple Store and Android to download the product and to promote more efficienly thanks to a famous site. Internet : -Ontela PicDeck’s Site -Ontela PicDeck’s Facebook (connected with people of social networks) -Technologic sites about new technologies -Blogs Specialized magazine : -Magazine Immobilier -La vie immobilià ¨re -Immoxia -Phone press, application magazine WOM : With all his colleagues and the real estate world. This type of product can change the real estate agent work. 5-What are the risks of using qualitative personas to select target customer segments? The main risk by using it is that customer personas are just a representation of a typically customer and only linked with the product or the company. It doesn’t care about the geography, sociocultural differences, etc †¦ The other problem is that qualitative personas don’t show the quantity of customer and so the real potential of a group of customer. We cannot know how much â€Å"Regina† are in the segment targeted. Shorter, the problem of using qualitative is that it’s just an assumption without quantitative evidences and no descriptives. The firm risks to target their customers only linked with their personas â€Å"There’s no quantitative evidence. The most common pitfall in persona creation occurs when someone asks, â€Å"How can you be sure all our users are like the few you talked to?† Qualitative personas are based on the idea that you can talk to a small number of users and see patterns that apply to all of your users. In other words, the risk of being wrong is higher compared to having a large sample size to back you up. If your stakeholders need quantitative evidence to buy into your process, they’ll disregard your personas as a creative but ultimately unreliable tool. Some people simply need the â€Å"proof† of hard data. And who can blame them? If you’re going to be making critical business decisions based on these personas, you better be as certain as possible of their accuracy—and be able to persuade others. Existing assumptions don’t tend to be questioned. You know your business, and you have assumptions about who the users are and what they need. When any person interviews users, he or she inevitably brings those assumptions to the research. The result: People find what they’re looking for. Subconsciously, people look for the things that backup their own assumptions, so that instead of discovering surprises, they simply validate an existing worldview. Too often, their segmentation will look exactly like their original assumptions instead of being affected by the research. It won’t always happen this way, but it’s a serious risk when doing qualitative segmentation.†

Education System in Nyc Essay Example

Education System in Nyc Essay Example Education System in Nyc Essay Education System in Nyc Essay This was very disturbing to read. However, I am sure it takes place everyday. Students like Tarus who want to succeed and stay in school do not always get the support they need from their community, family, and friends. It is very hard to give support in the first place if they themselves do not have it. Anyone can loose motivation and become helpless. This story kind of reminded me of the monopoly article, (i.e., starting late in life and not having the resources needed to achieve success). Although resources and support are well need for all students, I think there are other underlying problems that existed in the case Tarus, (i.e., ethics). Mrs. Abram first approached the principal before going to the school counselor. School counselors are trained to counsel students. The school culture and respect for school counselors is questionable in this school. Secondly, the principal lacked sensitivity and did not take extensive time to hear what the student was saying, he dismissed Tarus. Ethically the Principal was supposed to notify the school counselor and work together to find out ways to approach the situation, (i.e., contacting Tarusâ„ ¢s Aunt, and promoting school safety). The Principal could have also looked into which students where part of the gang and notify police to patrol the school grounds. The incident where Tarus got attacked happened in front of the school. This could have been clearly avoided if it was handled differently. I think there are too many school administrators, principals, and teachers who are not competent to deal with students, parents, faculty, and school community. They are in a position of higher power and most of them lack multicultural sensitivity and have not taken courses in understanding racial and cultural identity. As a school counselor, I am very aware that we do not get utilized properly in schools. We have so much to offer to schools but are ignored and labeled as clerical workers. In the case of Tarus, clearly the school culture is reactive as oppose to proactive. If the school had gang and violence support groups or prevention workshops perhaps, the school would be more prepared to deal with Tarus. Is it the neighborhood and limited funds that prevent these programs or is it the people in charge, (i.e., the principal), who are more concerned about running a school but do not know how to

How Should You Spend the Night Before the SAT

How Should You Spend the Night Before the SAT SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The night before the SAT can be stressful, to say the least. Maybe you’re not sure about the best way to prepare yourself during these final hours - all you know is that you want to do the best you can on the exam. Well, we’ve made it easy (and stress-free) for you to do what you need to do the night before the test. Here, I’ll lay out everything you should and shouldn’t do before you head to bed in order to ensure your best possible score. Follow these tips - including everything from logistical concerns to exam prep strategies - to wake up confident, refreshed, and ready. Let’s get started! Take Care of Logistics You don’t want to wake up the morning of the SAT only to stress yourself out over some silly detail. Squaring away these logistical issues the night before the test serves two purposes: You save yourself time, hassle, and stress the next morning. You can distract yourself from any anxieties the night before by focusing on getting organized. Logistical Details to Take Care of the Night Before the SAT Know what time the test is and when you need to be there. Plan on getting there 15-20 minutes early to account for any unforeseen timing issues. If you’re not sure when the test is, double-check your College Board account. Know where the test is, how to get there, and how long it’ll take you to get there.You can double-check the location on your exam ticket or at your College Board account.I’d encourage you to use Google Maps to plan out the fastest route. Enter your arrive by time for the next morning in addition to the testing center address and your starting point- Google Maps will tell you when to leave! Set multiple alarms, especially if you’re prone to oversleeping. Give yourself 10-15 extra minutes to get ready in the morning - you don’t want to feel rushed. If possible, have a family member (preferably a morning person) agree to check in on you to make sure you’re up Gather everything you should bring for test day. There are only a few items you have to bring, but there are several other items that would be smart to have for the test: Your admission ticket (mandatory) Acceptable photo ID(mandatory) Several sharpened #2 pencils (mandatory) A couple of erasers An approved calculator + extra batteries A watch (without an audible alarm) A bottle of water and snacks to eat during breaks. These may have to stay in your bag, locker, or up at the test administrator’s desk and will have to be consumed outside of the testing room. Know what you shouldn’t bring on test day. If you bring any forbidden items, it could lead to delays and hassles. Here’s a list of items you should leave at home: Anything electronic device aside from your calculator and watch (and no, you can’t wear a smart watch). If you’re caught with a computing or recording device - even if it’s accidental - you could jeopardize your scores. Any writing utensils or tools aside from your #2 pencils. This includes things like rulers, protractors, colored pens and pencils, and highlighters. Any pamphlets or papers. There are only two places you can write on during the test: the test booklet (which is not graded) and your answer sheet. Dictionaries or other books. A note about cell phones: If you don’t have to bring your phone, then don’t. If you must bring your phone, make sure to turn it offwell before the start of the test. Your proctor will confiscate the phone and immediately cancel your scores if it makes any noise, or if you access the phone at any point during the test. Set out all your clothes for the next morning. Pick comfortable clothes that you’d be okay sitting around in for a few hours. An example of what you definitely don't want to be doing while you're taking the SAT Take Care ofYourself Now that we have all of the logistical stuff out of the way, we can get to the fun stuff: self-care! Students sometimes forget that the best thing you can do before a big test is to relax. If you’re tired, hungry, and stressed out the morning of an exam, chances are you won’t do so well no matter how hard you studied. Here, I’ll go over the things you should do and the things you should avoid doing the night before the SAT. What You Should Do Eat a satisfying and healthy dinner - ideally something with produce, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Your brain needs fuel! On that note,plan your breakfast for the next morning. Something quick, easy, and filling should do the trick, like whole-grain cereal or a bowl of oatmeal. Get in bed earlier than usual -maybe 30-60 minutes before your normal bedtime. This gives you a bit more time to fall asleep if you’re having trouble. If you can't get to sleep, here are some things you can try: Do some light, gentle stretches. Anything more strenuous than that might keep you awake. Listen to some relaxing music. Take a warm bath. Drink a cup of herbal tea (just make sure to stay away from caffeine). Take a shower to save time the next morning.This may also help you relax and get to sleep. If your normal routine is to shower in the morning, though, then skip this step. What You Shouldn't Do Play video games, surf the internet, or play on your phone for 2-3 hours before you go to bed. The light from the screens and monitors can keep you from falling asleep. Disrupt your normal bedtime routine.If you do certain things before bed every night, follow through with your normal rituals. Take any medications to help you go to sleep.Unless sleep medications are part of your normal bedtime routine, avoid any sleep aids. They could negatively affect you through the next morning, making you groggy and slow. Want to learn more about the SAT but tired of reading blog articles? Then you'll love our free, SAT prep livestreams. Designed and led by PrepScholar SAT experts, these live video events are a great resource for students and parents looking to learn more about the SAT and SAT prep. Click on the button below to register for one of our livestreams today! Prepare for the Exam Obviously, you should be cramming as much as possible for the test the next morning. Everyone knows that the best way to do well is to stress yourself out, stay up really late, and work on as many practice problems as possible. Just kidding... that’s a terrible idea. Each student is unique, and as such may have different feelings about reviewing material the night before the SAT. Here are a couple of different strategies you can take, and the pros and cons of each: Strategy #1: Don't Review Anything This strategy is my personal favorite. If you’ve prepared well for the test (and even if you haven’t!), I don’t think you can process and retain much more useful information in the hours before the SAT. That being said, some students might get nervous if they’re missing out on time to review concepts or practice problems. Good SAT prep happens through long-term practice - it’s not a test where you can memorize a bunch of factoids and then brain-dump everything you’ve learned the next morning. Last-minute prep tends to stress me out, so I avoid it. If you feel the same way, this is probably the strategy for you. Strategy #2:Review Key Concepts and/or Problem Areas Some students may find it stressful to â€Å"force† themselves to relax by avoiding all SAT materials. If this sounds like you, you may want to take some time (say, 45 minutes - 1 hour) to briefly review key concepts. The most effective way to do this is toreview any notes you may have before working on a few practice problems. Stay away from screens while you do this - try to keep everything on paper. Keep the difficulty level of practice problems easy-intermediate. Working on difficult problems can stress you out for the next morning, and could prevent you from falling asleep. The Morning of the SAT: Tackling the Test If you've followed thetips and strategies listed so far, you'll hopefully wake up refreshed, confident, and ready for the SAT. Here are some thingsto do the morning of the test to help you be as successful as possible: You know that breakfast you set out for yourself last night? Eat it! Some people get nervousstomachsthe morning of the test, andeating just a little something can help. Also, a satisfied stomach will help you stay more focused and alert while you're working on the SAT. The most important meal of the day is extra important the day of the SAT Try to avoid caffeine.It can make you feel nervous and jittery, especially if you aren't a regular coffee-drinker. Since it's a diuretic, it can also send you to the bathroom more often during the test. That being said, definitely do notavoid caffeine ifit's part of your normal morning routine. Stay in the moment.It's easy to get overwhelmed at the prospect of finishing the whole SAT test. But remember, you don't have to do that all at once - you work on one problem at a time, and you finish one section at a time. Once a section is finished, it's finished- your responsibility to it is over, and your focus should be completely on the work you're currently doing. After you've finished with the exam, reward yourself for your hard work! Even though you're sitting for the whole test, you may find yourself surprisingly burnt out after the SAT is over.After sitting around for a test like the SAT, I like to go for a run or grab a nice lunch. The hard part - actually prepping for the exam - is over. Try to think of the test as an opportunity to use what you've learnedthus far. My final pieces of advice:take a deep breath, andtrust your own knowledge and skills. You've got this! What's Next? Not quite ready to take the SAT? Not to worry - we have a ton of great articles to check out if you want to work on prepping for the test. Start with our complete guide to the SAT - this will give you a good run-down of the test and its contents. If already spent some time familiarizing yourself with the old SAT, read about why the changes to the exam aren't as revolutionary as you might think. If your scheduled test is quickly approaching, we have resources for you too! Check out our guides to last-minute study tips and prep strategies.Use these tips to get the best scores possible. Disappointed with your scores? Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points?We've written a guide about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: