FIGHT DIABETES…

            An astonishing 70 million Asians have this life threatening disease but half of the people don’t know about it. Many set aside it or no they don’t have any idea about this hidden epidemic.

           Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the amount of the glucose in the blood is too high. Normally, insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas, helps turn blood glucose into immediate energy or stores it in cells. But if insufficient insulin is produced or if the pancreas does not work properly, the glucose remains trapped in the blood, causing damage to blood vessels, nerves and tissues.

           According to medical experts there were ten lists of symptoms that should send you to your doctor:

1. Abnormal or intense thirst

2. Frequent, unexplained urination

3. Frequent hunger

4. Sudden, unexplained weight loss

5. Slow-healing cuts, bruises or skin infections

6. Recurrent infections

7. Alternating clear and blurred vision

8. Unexplained weakness and extreme exhaustion

9. Genital itching or impotence

10. Tingling and numbness in feet
         Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease, as a result of nerve damage, wounds and infections are harder to heal, and chronic foot ulcers and amputations more likely, in half of the men over age of 50 who have diabetes, nerve and vascular damage leads to impotence. It may also affect the small blood vessels of the retina at the back of the eye and is the common cause of blindness among Asians over 30.

         Sometimes there are no symptoms or people don’t recognize the warnings, thinking it as a result of age or stress.

         To avoid from this disease, here are some tips listed below:

1. Have a doctor’s check-up to have a simple glucose test. By seeing your doctor, you are providing a baseline for your health so that you can monitor any pre-diabetes symptoms. This will help you to develop a comprehensive plan to fight the disease.

2. Eat balanced-diet. There were different kinds of healthy foods to choose that will develop a healthy eating plan which will help you adopt lifelong, healthy eating habits. Eat the right foods and stay healthy.

3. Regular Exercise. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle needs a self-disciplined through physical exercise and improves your physical vigor

4. Drink Vitamins. Specific vitamins boost your health and will improve your healthy lifestyle. Recommendations from the doctor for the right vitamins before taking in is important to insure that they will work well with your overall health, eating and exercise plan.

5. Healthy environment. Good and healthy environment decreases the chances of having an illness. A healthy lifestyle comes from with healthy environment.

Don’t wait for the symptoms to come. Protect yourself from diabetes through adopting a low-fat and exercising regularly.

MANAGEMENT THEORIES

1            Scientific Management

  The systematic study of the relationships between people and tasks for the purpose of redesigning the work process for higher efficiency.

•          Defined by Frederick Taylor in the late 1800’s to replace informal rule of thumb knowledge.

•          Taylor sought to reduce the time a worker spent on each task by optimizing the way the task was done.

         Four Principles of Scientific Management

•          Principles to increase efficiency:

1.   Study the ways jobs are performed now and determine new ways to do them.

•          Gather detailed time and motion information.

•          Try different methods to see which is best.

2.   Codify the new methods into rules.

•          Teach to all workers the new method.

3.   Select workers whose skills match the rules.

4.   Establish fair levels of performance and pay a premium for higher performance.

     >   Workers should benefit from higher out

       Problems with Scientific Management

•          Managers frequently implemented only the increased output side of Taylor’s plan.

  Workers did not share in the increased output.

•          Specialized jobs became very boring, dull.

  Workers ended up distrusting the Scientific Management method.

•          Workers could purposely “under-perform.”

  Management responded with increased use of machines and conveyors belts.

         Frank and Lillian Gilbreth

•          Refined Taylor’s work and made many improvements to the methodologies of time and motion studies.

  Time and motion studies

•          Breaking up each job action into its components.

•          Finding better ways to perform the action.

•          Reorganizing each job action to be more efficient.

                                  Administrative Management Theory

    The study of how to create an organizational structure that leads to high efficiency and effectiveness.

•          Max Weber

    Developed the concept of bureaucracy as a formal system of organization and administration designed to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

      Weber’s Five Principles of Bureaucracy

•          Authority is the power to hold people accountable for their actions.

•          Positions in the firm should be held based on performance, not social contacts.

•          Position duties are clearly identified so that people know what is expected of them.

•          Lines of authority should be clearly identified such that workers know who reports to who.

•          Rules, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and norms guide the firm’s operations.

            Behavioral Management Theory

    The study of how managers should behave to motivate employees and encourage them to perform      at high levels and be committed to the achievement of organizational goals.

   Focuses on the way a manager should personally manage to motivate employees.

•          Mary Parker Follett

   An influential leader in early managerial theory

   Held a horizontal view of power and authority in organizations

•          Suggested workers help in analyzing their jobs for improvements—the worker knows the best way to improve the job.

•          If workers have relevant knowledge of the task, then they should control the task.

       Theory X and Theory Y

•          Douglas McGregor proposed the two different sets of assumptions about workers.

      Theory X assumes the average worker is lazy, dislikes work and will do as little as possible.

•          Managers must closely supervise and control through reward and punishment.

      Theory Y assumes workers are not lazy, want to do a good job and the job itself will determine if the worker likes the work.

•          Managers should allow workers greater latitude, and create an organization to stimulate the workers.

            Management Science Theory

•          An approach to management that uses rigorous quantitative techniques to maximize the use of organizational resources.

 Quantitative management—utilizes linear programming, modeling, simulation systems.

  Operations management—techniques to analyze all aspects of the production system.

  Total Quality Management (TQM)—focuses on improving quality throughout an organization.

  Management Information Systems (MIS)—provides information about the organization.

             Organizational Environment Theory

•          The set of forces and conditions that operate beyond an organization’s boundaries but affect a manager’s ability to acquire and utilize resources

        Two-Systems View

•          Open System

     A system that takes resources for its external environment and converts them into goods and services that are then sent back to that environment for purchase by customers.

  Inputs: the acquisition of external resources.

  Conversion: the processing of inputs into goods and services.

  Output: the release of finished goods into the environment.

•          Closed system

  A system that is self-contained and thus not affected by changes occurring in its external environment.

  Often undergoes entropy and loses its ability to control itself, and fails.

•          Synergy

  Performance that results when individuals and departments coordinate their actions

•          Performance gains of the whole surpass the sum of the performance of the individual components.

             Contingency Theory

  The idea that the organizational structures and control systems manager choose depend on—are contingent on—characteristics of the external environment in which the organization operates.

  Assumes there is no one best way to manage.

•          The environment impacts the firm and managers must be flexible to react to environmental changes.

  In rapidly changing organizational environments, managers must find ways to coordinate different departments to respond quickly and effectively.

         Mechanistic and Organic Structures

              Mechanistic Structure

  Authority is centralized at the top. (Theory X)

  Employees are closely monitored and managed.

  Can be very efficient in a stable environment.

             Organic structure

  Authority is decentralized throughout the organization. (Theory Y)

  Tasks and roles are left ambiguous to encourage employees to react quickly to changing environment.

SAMPLE OF SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

       The essay “The Indolence of the Filipinos” by Jose P. Rizal is considered as an example of Sociological Analysis. In the essay, it describes the Philippine society or the environment has in the hands of the Spaniards which is very important in analyzing the society as a sociological perspective. It also picture out the social institutions involved and the social relationships that moves the forces in the cycle in the formation of Philippine society. Since sociological analysis is intended to increase the ability to use and communicate a sociological perspective. It also increase the understandings and the ability to read sociological research and understand its applicability to everyday life and it also increase the skills in using sociological analysis in everyday situations. The essay helps to systematize the development, structure, interaction, and collective behavior in the setting of the Philippines during the Spaniards. 

          It also emphasizes in the essay the series complex of social and cultural changes, the collections of information to form the social life of the people that is associated in the Philippine society as a whole. 

         The essay also explains the totality of social stratification ( "class"), social mobility, religion, secularization, law, and deviance in the Philippines. There is also the emphasis in learning the details which may be supported by a theory uncovering their epistemological roots, methodological corollaries and analytical implications for the comparative study of individuals, groups and societies and for the analysis of stability and change. This is really indeed an example of sociological analysis because of its characteristics possesses in the essay.

                             

ACADEMIC FREEDOM

            I  believed that all individuals possess different attitudes, values, and viewpoints that drive them to form their own personal philosophy. These innate philosophies shapes one’s philosophical orientations which relate to the goal of education to the students and to the role of teachers. 

            I would like to give my reactions about the case that was filed by Kristine Rea M. Regino and represented by Armando Regino, petitioner, vs. Pangasinan Colleges of Science and Technology, Rachelle A. Gamurot and Elissa Baladlad, respondents. The case stressed out how academic freedom works and its reciprocity to the part of the student/complainant. 

            In the Philippines, the educational system sprang a strong rejection of the traditional philosophy of education. The academic freedom boasted its strong impact especially to the students that entertains the existence of any source of objective, authoritative truth and ethics. This emphasized on the side of the complainant against the teacher in the institution. The way I see it in the case, an individual should be responsible in determining for themselves what is “true” or “false,” “right” or “wrong,” 

            In the classroom, subject matter takes second place to helping the students understand and appreciate themselves as unique individuals who accept complete responsibility for their thoughts, feelings, and actions. The teacher’s role is to help students define their own essence by exposing them to various paths they may take in life and creating an environment in which they may freely choose their own preferred way. Since feeling is not divorced from reason in decision making, the situation demands the education of the whole person, not just the mind. Although there are educators provide some curricular structure more than other educational efforts, students academic freedom is in great latitude in their choice of options. On the other hand, the Reciprocity of the school-student contract in any institution especially in the higher educational institutions must have a reciprocal relationship towards one another. The contract should imbued the public interest which considers the higher priority given by the constitution to education. CHED also has the power to monitor and a take part in any higher education institutions for the protection and welfare of students and the teachers as well as the institutions. 

THE RELEVANCE OF EDUCATIONAL THEORIES TO EDUCATION: A GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF EXISTENTIALISM AND SOCIAL RECONSTRUCTIONISM

(heartofphiliosophy.files.wordpress.com)

I believed that all individuals possess different attitudes, values, and viewpoints that drive them to form their own personal philosophy. There are different philosophies which shapes one’s philosophical orientations. These orientations relate to the goal of education, role of students, role of teachers, teaching methods, and subjects studied. 

(blog.qatestlab.com)

The educational existentialism sprang a strong rejection of the traditional philosophy of education. Existentialism rejects the existence of any source of objective, authoritative truth about metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. Instead, individuals are responsible for determining for themselves what is “true” or “false,” “right” or “wrong,” “beautiful” or “ugly.” For the existentialist, there exists no universal form of human nature; each of us has the free will to develop as we see fit. Prominent Existentialists of the 19^th century include Soren Kierkegaard, Freidrich Nietzwsche, and Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Martin Heidegger and Jean-Paul Sartre have written some of the most influential works in the 20^th century.

(eastthought.wikispaces.com)

In the existentialist classroom, subject matter takes second place to helping the students understand and appreciate themselves as unique individuals who accept complete responsibility for their thoughts, feelings, and actions. The teacher’s role is to help students define their own essence by exposing them to various paths they may take in life and creating an environment in which they may freely choose their own preferred way. Since feeling is not divorced from reason in decision making, the existentialist demands the education of the whole person, not just the mind.

Although many existentialist educators provide some curricular structure, existentialism, more than other educational philosophies, affords students great latitude in their choice of subject matter. In an existentialist curriculum, students are given a wide variety of options from which to choose.

(18thstreet.org)

      In my own experience I would like to encourage a sense of freedom in the classroom as a teacher. This freedom is distinct to existentialism which encourages discussion and analysis. Existentialism learning techniques prepares the students for life. It also helps them to learn how to learn rather than recycle information that they do not understand. This technique also complements my relaxed and passive nature. 
 

           

(www.duncanfaukes.com)

Reconstructionism is a philosophy that centers on the idea of constant change. Vastly expanding the pragmatic-progressive-experimental concept of thes chool as an active agent for social improvement, the Reconstructionists seek wide liberal consensus on the aims of education for national and global improvement. Ultimately, the aim of the Reconstructionists is to attempt through the schools to reconstruct the conditions, institutions, and agencies of national and world culture; in the process, they emphasize the social role of the school as reformer and transformer rather than transmitter of the status quo.  The students’ role would be to become immersed in social concerns, to see to understand what precipitated the problems, and to be able to propose some means that would lead to a reduction in their intensity or to their solution.  A background of training in the social sciences would prepare the student for leadership in the chosen community and the ability to operate by social consensus.  In the main, the competencies required for promotion and graduation would be society-centered rather than academic-centered.

(credits to the photo)

Social Reconstructionist opposed and rejects the conservative Essentialist, Realism, and Perennialist theories. In essence, Social Reconstructionists want students to be able to evaluate the beliefs and values of their society.

Reconstructionists believe that schools are to identify the major social problems that contribute to the cultural crisis and are to create the skills and attitudes that will resolve these problems. The curriculum of a social reconstructionism school would focus on problem solving and cooperative learning in the social sciences, such as economics, anthropology, sociology, political science, and psychology. The Social Reconstructivist teacher facilitates student growth through problem solving, group activity, and cooperative learning. The student uses problem solving as a means to achieve greater social consciousness. Lastly, the school’s attitude toward change is centered on social change.

(credits to the photo)

    In my own perspective,social reconstructionism will help my students to use practical lessons to solve problems in their environment. This method will help to bring the lesson alive. My influence as a teacher helps my students to volunteer and vote. I was able to make the curriculum an active part of the students life. As a point of view, the social reconstructionism allows the teacher to watch his students practice what he or she preaches. 

(prisonededucation.com)

 Application of philosophical methods to the theory and practice of education rooted the nature of learning.The imparting knowledge, develops intellectual independence, or instilling moral or political values; the nature of education-related concepts, including the concept of education itself; the sources and legitimacy of educational authority. The domination of educational theories answers the central questions on the purpose, process, nature and ideals necessary for education. The realization of any philosophical theories uplifts educational practices into more defined and legitimate academic discipline. Just like the two educational philosophical mentioned above. Existentialism encourages freedom both to the students as well as to the teacher. While social reconstructionism incorporates it to social change. These two philosophies are essential for elevating the school practices and programs as a unique institution in the society.