Friday, January 24, 2020

Its Time to Drain Lake Powell :: Glen Canyon Dams Environmental Essays

It's Time to Drain Lake Powell Many people know ‘Lake’ Powell as a fact of life. Since its creation in 1963, the reservoir, known as Lake Powell, is just there. Few people that are alive today have had the opportunity to see the true beauty of Glen Canyon, which rivals the Grand Canyon. Glen Canyon, equivalent to one hundred eighty river miles with dozens of side canyons, was flooded for the purpose of power and water resources. ‘Lake’ Powell also generates an enormous cash flow due to the tourism it receives. Although the ‘lake’ has a few reasons to remain in existence, there are many more reasons to drain it. The positive aspects of ‘Lake’ Powell are few yet noteworthy. Glen Canyon Dam’s hydroelectric power-plant generates one thousand three hundred mega watts of electricity at full operation. That is enough power to supply three hundred fifty thousand homes. Glen Canyon Dam holds twenty seven million acre feet of water, which is equivalent to twice the Colorado River’s annual flow (Living Rivers: What about the hydroelectric loss?). One of the most valuable reasons for the dam to remain active is that â€Å"Lake Powell generates four hundred fifty five million dollars per year in tourist revenue, without this cash inflow, gas-and-motel towns . . . would undoubtedly wilt, and surrounding counties and states would lose a substantial tax base† (Farmer 185). These positive aspects are of no surprise considering they are the reason dams are built in the first place. The negative aspects of Glen Canyon Dam greatly exceed the positive aspects. The dam’s hydroelectric power supply is only three percent of the total power used by the six states that are served by the facility. There is a surplus of power on the Colorado Plateau and with more and more power-plants being created in the western hemisphere, Glen Canyon Dam’s power is not needed (Living Rivers: What about the hydroelectric loss). Although the ‘lake’ contains twenty seven million acre feet of water, one and a half million acre feet of water are lost yearly due to evaporation and seepage into the sandstone banks surrounding the ‘lake’ (Living Rivers: What about the water supply?). The loss of that much â€Å"water represents millions, even billions of dollars† (Farmer 183). If the government were to employ more water efficient irrigation practices, as much as five million acre feet of water per year could be saved.

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Explain How to Plan Essay

Define the key concepts and principles of assessment Assessment is the way of finding and documenting that learning has taken place. It also enables you as the assessor to identify if the learner has achieved the required competencies, skill and knowledge needed at the given point of assessment towards their qualification. Assessment need to be a regular process built into the training program. The starting point of assessment is the pre-course information. It must be explained when assessment is taking place and what form the assessment will be in. Criteria for success must also be given. Explain the responsibilities of the assessor Attending meeting, exhibitions, award ceremonies, presentation events; Carrying out assessments in accordance with organisations requirements; Checking the authenticity of any whiteness testimonies; Completing and maintaining safe and secure records; Countersigning other assessor’s judgements; Dealing with any appeals made against your assessment decisions; Following organisational and regulatory body procedures; Identifying and dealing with and barriers to fair assessment; Implementing internal and external verifier’s action points; Liaising with others involved in the assessment process; Making judgements based on the assessment criteria; Maintaining occupational competencies; Negotiation and agreeing assessment types and methods; Making best use of different assessment types and methods; Providing statistics to managers; Reviewing learner’s progress; Standardising practices with other assessors; Supporting learners with special requirements; Working towards relevant qualification; Identify the regulations and requirements relevant to the assessment in your own area of practice The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulation 1981 Provide adequate first aid equipment, facilities and people. Health and Safety at Work (MHSW) Regulations 1999 Assess the risks on anyone who may be affected by their activities. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 Duty to register and undergo vetting process if working with vulnerable groups Equality Act 2010 Non-discrimination of age, disability, gender, race, religion/belief and sexual orientation. Q2 – Understand different types of assessment record Compare the strengths and limitations of a range of assessment methods with reference to the needs of individual learners ASSIGNMENT – Several activities or tasks, practical or theoretical, to assess various aspects of a qualification over a period of time. Strengths Challenges a learners potential Consolidate learning Several aspects of a qualification can be assessed Some assignment are set with clear criteria by awarding organisation Limitations Ensuring all aspects of the syllabus are covered Can be time consuming to prepare and assess Must be individually assessed with written feedback Assessor may be biased when marking CASE STUDY / SCENARIOS – Hypothetical situation, a description of an actual event or incomplete event, enabling learners to explore the situation. Strengths Can make topics more realistic enhancing motivation and interest Can be conducted individually or in a group Builds on current knowledge and experience Limitations If assessed in a group roles need to be individually assigned an personal contribution assessed Time should be allowed for a debrief Must have clear outcomes Can be time consuming to prepare and assess CHECKLISTS – A list of criteria that needs to be met to confirm that competence or achievement. Strengths Can form part of an ongoing record of achievement or profile Assessment can take place when the learner is ready Ensures all criteria are met and records are kept Limitations Learners may lose their copy and not remember what they’ve learnt ESSAYS – A formal piece of written text that has been produced by the learner for a specific topic Strengths Useful for academic subjects Can check your learners language and literacy skills at specific levels Limitations Not suitable for low level learners Marking can be time consuming Plagiarism can be an issue Doesn’t normally have right or wrong answer so can be difficult to grade Learners need good writing skills EXAMINATIONS – A formal test that should be conducted in certain conditions. Strengths Can be Open Book, enabling learners to have books and notes with them Some learners like the challenge of a formal examination and cope well Limitations Invigilation required Security arrangements before and after need to be in place for papers Learners may have been taught purely to pass the examination Learners may be anxious HOMEWORK – Activities carries out between sessions like answering questions on that day’s learning to confirm knowledge. Strengths Learners can complete at a time and pace that suits them Maintains an interest between sessions Encourages learners to stretch themselves Consolidates learning so far Limitations Clear time limits must be set Learners might not do it, or get someone else to do it for them Must be read/marked and individual feedback given OBSERVATIONS – Watching learners perform a skill. Strengths Enables skills to be seen in action Learners can make mistakes enabling them to realise what they’ve been doing wrong Can assess several aspects of a qualification at the same time Limitations Timing must be arranged No permanent record Questions still need to be asked to confirm understanding Assessor might not be objective with decision Q3 – Understand how to plan assessment Summarise key factors to consider when planning assessment Subjects can be either non-accredited (no formal certificate) or accredited (certificate issued) in which case delivery and assessments are monitored by awarding organisation to ensure guidelines are followed. Therefore before assessing:- You need to be fully aware of the program and the qualification that you are assessing You must confirm relevant policies, requirements and qualifications of the particular subject You must know when the learners are ready to be assessed Evaluate the benefits of using a holistic approach to assessment Explain how to plan a holistic approach to assessment Explain how to minimise risks through the planning process.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Analysis and Review of ONans Short Novel, Last Night At...

Last Night At the lobster isnt your typical novel. It is a short, brilliantly written novel by Stewart ONan. I would consider this novel to be realistic fiction because of the story line it holds and the characters are average Americans that can be related to. Although this piece of literature isnt intended to be a poetical piece, the author uses elements such as symbolism and sound to make passages flow like a poem would. Set on the last day of business of a Connecticut Red Lobster, this novel tells the story of Manny DeLeon, a committed restaurant manager that is notified by corporate that his managed location is not meeting expectations and will close December 20. He is also informed that he will be assigned to a nearby†¦show more content†¦As the blizzard hits the area around him, customers become sparse, and employees dont show up. Small but not slight, this novel is a concise, poignant portrait of a man on the verge of losing himself in his hope, job, and dream. Right in the opening of the book you instantly get good descriptive language and use of words to help paint a picture of the setting. For example, on page. 5 Scattered flakes drift down like ash, but for now the roads are dry. This is an example of figure of speech. Ash would propel from the sky slowly, for instance after a volcano eruption the thin ash flakes make their way down from the sky with no hurry to hit the ground. I love how within the first few words of the book, I wanted to read more because of the imagery in my head. As many consumers and employees witness, managers tend to gain more respect when working with their team as oppose to using their position to work against their team. Manny worked side by side with the people he supervised to maintain an enjoyable eating experience for his costumers. Stewart O’Nan is able to make Manny DeLeon’s job intriguing and his character distinctive and ultimately tragic. Manny’s personal life adds an aspect of drama, but certainly the main reason why the book held charm was because of Manny’s nature. Conscientious and committed, Manny thinks of the restaurant as his own. He is also quite good at his job of managing his crew. Manny’s pride of having