FE College teaching Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

FE College teaching - Case Study Example This report will first of all have an intrinsic approach to some of the literature prior to the Learning and Skills Act (2000) and the Success for All policy (2002), especially to Ann Briggs and her analysis on the role of middle managers in further education. Subsequently, following on an account of the general demographic and social variables that characterize the population of West London, we will be aiming at drawing relevant conclusions on the influence that the Learning and Skills Act and the Success for All programme has on constant improvement of teaching here. The second part of the paper will aim an unbiased approach on competition vs. collaboration between the FE College I teach in and other relevant Post Compulsory units in the area, drawing on relevant conclusions to support good practice related to quality improvement. Before the two important reforms in 2000 and 2002 previously mentioned referring to FE units, change began during the 90s, when the FE colleges in Britain were made independent of the Local Education Authority (LEA) in terms of control over finance or human resource. This meant both that the FE colleges were fully responsible both for the proper management of functions such as finance or human resource and that (especially after the creation of the Further Education Funding College in 2001) they had to managerially perform in order to be eligible for funding3. In the context of our paper, this has several different implications. First of all, we can point out towards the need for constant quality improvement and improvement of the overall performance at the FE colleges. Second of all, we note the development of a certain competition between different colleges in the same area, the need to perform well in the college evaluations and inspections and improve their ratings with the FE Funding College (relevant for our second part, referring to competition vs. collaboration between colleges). The first implication we have referred to has lead to significant literature in the area of defining the concepts of managerialism and professionalism, initially described by Lumby and Tomlinson as "oppositional cultures"4. As Briggs further points out, there are several levels of accountability that need to be remembered when referring to FE colleges and their performances. There is the political accountability (use of public funds), market accountability (responsible to the market, the customers, the stakeholders), professional or cultural accountability5. Following the Success for All program of 2002, the main goals that the program approached included a (1) reform in pattern so that it meets the future needs of learners, employers and communities, (2) a drive up of standards of further education and training and (3) to ensure that the final recipients of public funding (the FE colleges) "deliver a distinctive and effective contribution" to the Government's educational strategies6. The Learning and Skills Act of 2000 follows, more or less, the same direction (or rather lays it out), bearing additional administrative components with the creation and the definition of

The Addition of Steroids and Antibiotics in Food Research Paper

The Addition of Steroids and Antibiotics in Food - Research Paper Example This increase in production means a lot of profit for the meat and dairy product industries but on the other hand it is also risking the health of its consumers. FDA and USDA claims that these hormones (steroidal in nature) are free from any harm. Antibiotics which are also used in cattle as preventive measures or to increase the weight of the animal are also producing health concerns in the consumers of the meat and milk. Although the use of antibiotics is banned in Europe it is still legal to inject the low doses of these antibiotics in America and Canada. First we need to be acquainted with Hormones and Antibiotics and to what extent they can affect the health of its consumer. Hormones are the biochemicals produced in the body of human’s as well as animals. Even though they are released in small amounts they control the important body functions such as growth, maturity and reproduction. They are produced by special organs which function to release the hormones according to the requirement and proper timings of its release. This is called the feedback mechanism of the body which manages the amount of hormone released. If body’s requirement of the hormone is fulfilled, by negative feedback mechanism, hormone production automatically stops. Unfortunately, if these hormones are being consumed from any outside sources they can cause serious consequences as there won’t be any mechanism indicating the red alert for the overconsumption. Hormones can be of steroidal or protein in nature. Steroidal hormones remain active even if they are consumed via mouth. Whereas, protein hormones needs to be injected as they are destroyed immediately in the G.I tract (Gastrointestinal tract) by the action of acids and other secretions such as insulin hormone injections by diabetics. Hormones are being used in farm animals to increase their weight and by the use of growth hormones they grow much faster and to a larger extent. They also increase the weight of the animal even if the animal’s food consumption is reduced. In cows, hormones increase the production of milk. Approximately 22% of the Cows are being injected or fed steroidal hormones to get the desired result. Thus, the faster animal reaches to the slaughter weight, the more profitable this procedure becomes for the industries. According to European Union Scientific committee on Veterinary Measures Relating to Public Health, Potential risk to human health can be caused by the use of six types of hormones, including both synthetic and natural hormones. Natural include Oestradiol, Testosterone and Progesterone. Synthetic hormones are Melengestrol, Zeranol, Trenbolone. (Artificial Hormones, 2006). Estradiol and Progesterone are natural female sex hormone and Testosterone is male sex hormone. The other three synthetic hormones are used as growth promoters. FDA approves the use of these hormones in sheep’s and Cattle but not on poultry and Hogs. Recombinant Bovine Growth H ormones (rbGH) is being used in dairy cattle but not on beef cattle.( Consumer Concern about Hormones in Food, 2010) The Committee also put forth questions regarding the issue of such hormone injected animal consumption can cause any imbalance in human hormone system. However, FDA and USDA continuously ensures the consumers that very little amount is