The effect of the use of video texts on ESL listening test-taker perfor

Elvis Wagner investigated the use of video texts in testing the listening of ESL students within the experiment exhibited in his article, â€Å"The effect of the use of video texts on ESL listening test-taker performance.† While the article itself was based heavily around the experiment conducted to test the effectiveness of video texts in testing listening, Wagner posed very interesting questions which he hoped his findings would portray. Wagner’s first question was the most interesting and asked, â€Å"1. To what extent does the use of video texts on an ESL listening test affect test-taker performance on that test? Do those test-takers in the video condition score higher or lower than the test-takers in the audio-only condition?† (498); this question addresses the usefulness of testing listening with video texts while comparing its effectiveness to the control of audio-only. Studying the effects of video texts in listening test taking situations could help English language learners to better comprehend their test and ultimately improve their English skills, depending on the final data analysis. To better understand the constructs behind Wagner’s study, it becomes necessary to investigate the background in studies used to assess the use of video texts in listening testing. Wagner provides many conflicting studies and data in the background section to show that one way of presenting the testing has not been proven better over the other. By sharing that Kellerman’s (1992) observation that â€Å"The use of video texts allows listeners to view kinesic behavior of speakers† (494); Wagner not only provides one side of the listening in testing argument, but also aids his readers in establishing why his experiment was necessary. A view tha... ...texts in testing listening for English language learners, but further study is required before test formats are changed. Wagner makes sure to include that there are different forms of listening that we are trying to teach English language learners and the ways we test them should branch from those goals. For example, if we are trying to teach students how to listen to a radio broadcast, providing a video to teach that skill would not be as beneficial as an audio-only test, the inverse is true for teaching face-to-face communication and listening. While Wagner’s study showed that â€Å"the use of video texts on a test of L2 listening ability led to increased group test performance† (509), this study only focused on group results instead of individual. There is so much more that can be done to investigate the use of video texts, Wagner is just scratching the surface.

Organization and Culture Essay

Provide a brief (one 1 paragraph) description of the organization you chose to research. The company that I chose to research is the company Google. Everyone is aware of Google. It is the most widely used search engine in the world. Google is considered to be one of the best, if not the best search engine of all time. The company Google is considered to be a technological giant and a threat to other tech giants, for example Microsoft. Google’s creators Larry Page and Sergey Binn, started this company in 1995. Google was first developed to be a search engine, but it has crown to the point where it can be used as an internet browser also. Unlike its competitor Microsoft Internet Explorer, it has to be compatible with certain browsers in order to function at its fullest potential. Examine the culture of the selected organization. Google’s corporate culture began with its founder’s philosophy, the famous 10 tenets. (Lisa Jackson 2013). And since Google is still controlled by its founders, that means that the culture in part of the company’s mantra. Google’s founders Larry Page and Sergey Binn believe that trust is one of the most important aspects for the culture at Google. Google mission is a culture of choice. That is they are not a conventional company in the sense that they are not a slave to Wall Street, and that allows them to build a culture that will deliver on this mission and that is principally organized to drive innovation. (Jeff Jarvis, 2013). Because of this trust that Google foster’s to their employees, they are allowed to take risk, while being innovative. And with innovation comes feedback and collaboration. With this type of corporate culture at Google, their employees are much more enthusiastic about the ideas that they present to the founders. There is not right or wrong way at Google, they are visionaries and as such can implement and idea, and if it works, that fantastic, if the idea does not work, then  back to the drawing board. Again, it all stems from the trust ideas from the founders. Google’s culture is very unique. At Google, they believe that if you focus on the user, all else will follow. They also believe that democracy on the web works and also that there is always more information out there. These are three out of the ten tenets that the founders of Google stand by. With these types of statements from one of the largest technological companies, it is no wonder that Google is considered the number 1 place to work in the United States. It’s because the founders allow the staff to develop ideas, make mistakes and they celebrate the failure instead of reprimanding or terminating the staff. This seemingly laid back culture fuels the imagination of the staff and gets them always looking for ways to improve not just the company, but themselves as well. Explain how you determined that the selected organization showed the signs of the culture that you have identified. When I decided to do rese arch on Google, and their culture, I decided to look at why this company is considered one of the best places to work in the United States. I asked myself, why is this company so popular? Why are their employees always happy? First you look at the culture. The founders believe in letting their employees be free to be innovative. They have a t-shirt and jeans work atmosphere, freedom to make mistakes and start over again, etc. This is only part of the culture. Another aspect of the Google environment is ensuring that their employees are adequately compensated. Their benefits are also excellent. Google’s employees enjoy free health and dental, free breakfast lunch and dinner. They also have an organic chef that caters to the needs of the employees. Google found that women were leaving the company at twice the rate of everyone else. In particular, this occurred with new mothers. Google’s maternity leave plan was 12 weeks paid time off. Human Resources changed the plan so new mothers could get 5 months paid time off with full pay and benefits. They were allowed to split this time up however they want. The result after the change in policy? A 50% reduction in attrition for new mothers. Google tries to hire and retain the best employees. They do this based on data. When this data is collected, they u se this information to gauge employees and improve their productivity.   Determine the factors that caused the organization to embody this particular culture. For Google, it seems as if the corporate culture that they have right now is doing just  fine. Google was name the top place to work in 2012. But if for some reason, they did decide to change their corporate culture, I think it would be to continue to enhance on the 10 tenets that was there from conception. Of course as time, and concepts changes over time, innovators such as Larry Page and Sergey Brinn will have to change as well.But, with a new CEO, Larry Page who is excited about leading the team into product development and technology strategy, but also keeping the core of the company for what it was when they first started. Google is efficient and effective. Fortune magazine reported that Google does more business than their entire competitor combined, plus they do it at a lower cost. Because Google has a casual and democratic atmosphere, resulting in its distinction as a â€Å"Flat† company. The company does not boast a large middle management, and upper management is so hands on, it’s hard to qualify them in a separate category. Teams are made up of members with equal authority and a certain level of autonomy is maintained.   Determine what type of leader would be best suited for this organization. Support your position. The type of leader that would be best suited for Google is a Transformational Leader. Transformational leadership is a type of leadership style that can inspire positive changes in those who follow. Transformational leaders are generally energetic, enthusiastic, and passionate. Not only are these leaders concerned and involved in the process; they are also focused on helping every member of the group succeed as well. Through the strength of their vision and personality, transformational leaders are able to inspire followers to change expectations, perceptions, and motivations to work towards common goals. They have the ability to garner trust, respect and admiration from their followers.   Imagine that there is a decline in the demand of products or services supplied by the selected organization. Determine what the change in culture would need to be in response to this situation. If for some reason there is a decline for the products and services supplied by Google, I think that the founders will continue to have the same culture that they originally started the company with. And I say that because, so far that culture seems to be what has Google as one of the top tech giants in the world. Of course, the founders Larry Page and Sergey Binn, being the visionaries that they are, as times and concepts changes over time, they will have to change as well. They will always have to be one  step ahead of the competition, if intend to last in the technological game. References The Real Secret of Google’s Corporate Culture: by Lisa Jackson, July 2013. https://www.web-ebschohost-com.libdata.strayer.edu/ehost/deliveryArticle: Refreshing Google. By: Saporito, Bill. (2011) Vol. 177 Issue 5, p48-49. https://www.web-ebschohost-com.libdata.strayer.edu/ehost/deliverySearch and Destroy. (Cover Story) Authors: Vogelstein, Fred. Source Fortune 5/2005 Vol. 151 Issue 9, p72-82. (Article) https://www.web-ebschohost-com.libdata.strayer.edu/ehost/deliveryThe Real Difference between Microsoft and Google by: Dana Blankenhor (February 2008) http://www.corporateculturepros.com

Thai Culture and My Career Choice to Study Gender-Based...

â€Å"What do you want to be when you grow up?† This may be a typical parent-to-child question for many families, but not for mine. Growing up in Thai culture, I have noticed a common role of women in my society. Most of my female family members are housewives and that is what I’m expected to be when I grow up as well. But I had bigger aspirations than that – I wanted to find a profession in which I, as a Thai woman, can gain respect and appreciation of people in my culture just as men can, and also gain a sense of personal fulfillment. As a result, throughout the first half of my undergraduate studies, I decided to follow an educational path that would prepare me to become a physician. I also took interest in Psychology, partly because of its†¦show more content†¦program. I have learned that one of Professor Joyce Bono’s current research interests lay in the broad area of gender stereotypes in management, and I would be excited to pursue my resea rch interest with her. In addition to my interest in gender stereotyping and discrimination, I am also interested in the area of positive work relationships. My previous research experience has examined the relationship between personality and performance in medical settings. Working on this project has peaked my interest in the concept of core self evaluations, and how it can be related to issues of gender stereotyping and women’s role in workplace. Specifically, I had recently started thinking of core self-evaluations as a potential mediating mechanism between gender stereotyping and job performance. For instance, women that are being stereotyped against may develop negative core self evaluations, and in turn – poorer levels of job performance. In the last two years, I have engaged in several psychology research projects and work experiences. My research experience ranges from being a data coder to being a co-author. 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