Planning and Enabling Learning Essay Example for Free

Planning and Enabling Learning Essay In this assignment I am going to explain my approach to the research I have carried out and summarise my findings. To plan and enable learning, as a trainer I must ensure that my training is student centred and inclusive to all. There are many theories and suggestions to consider how this should be done in an adult learning environment. In order to enhance my current knowledge I decided to use reference books, publications, journals and websites to research relevant topics. I also utilised my mentor as a sounding board for ideas and a point of discussion for areas I was unsure about. I reflected on my existing knowledge and my research for Unit One – Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector. I wanted to access new models and theories and link these into the context of my own teaching practice. To do this I searched the internet for reviews of reference material for planning and enabling learning, which I then purchased. I found that my research could be extensive. I had to remain focused and choose topics to explore that I found interesting and relevant to my learning environment and style of delivery. Adult learners need to take responsibility for their own learning. If learners are active in setting their own targets and understand what they need to achieve, motivation and self esteem will reassure their learning experience. Understanding methods of negotiation and inclusivity provides learners with the most appropriate experience, engages the whole group and builds a good rapport. This can be gleaned from the identification of needs as per Ecclestone (1996). I focused my research on the impact of initial assessment on the learning journey. From my experience initial assessment results are not used effectively and the process of initial assessment is usually carried out purely to comply with procedure. My experiences are confirmed by The Chief Inspector’s Report (2003). The Adult Learning Inspectorate found that ‘many providers are using a screening test but not following this up†¦. the results of the assessment are not being used to inform the ILP’ (Wilson, L, 2008, p.139). Initial assessment can have a huge impact on delivery of learning and can form the learner’s ideas, goals and highlight areas of support required. Scales (2008, p.178) states that initial assessment ‘should be handled sensitively to welcome learners in rather than scare with formal testing and assessment procedures’. I agree with this, however, the nature of the assessment will depend on the level and content of the course commenced. Some programmes require a robust assessment process to set parameters and determine suitability to join the course. Wallace (2007, p.154) describes the three key components that come together at the beginning of a programme – the teacher, the learners and the syllabus or specifications of the course. This makes complete sense. To deliver an effective programme and meet the learning outcomes the key elements must come together and crystallise. This will then inform the delivery of the overall programme. This led me to further explore my research around inclusive learning. I chose to continue down the route of motivation and the impact this has on learners. Petty (2009, p.55) noted that ‘Maslow showed that there is only one way of motivating your students. And that is to ensure that your students’ belongingness, esteem and self-actualisation needs are nourished through the learning activities you devise’. Using information from the initial assessment, such as learning needs or styles, resources need to be created and adapted to ensure learning is effective and relevant. Functional skills should be tested and developed when appropriate. In my research I focused on the practicalities of embedding these skills and reports published relating to post 16 education. In the training I deliver I can embed a variety of functional skills to allow individuals to maintain these skills and develop them further. Wilson (2008) suggested that incorporating ICT into teaching doesn’t always suit the teacher and/or learner. This can be the case with the types of sessions I deliver. Functional skills should naturally develop from a session; they can’t be forced into a session if they are inappropriate. Communication is the thread throughout a learning experience that encourages learning and development between the trainer and the learner. It is my responsibility to recognise potential barriers and utilise strategies to overcome these. This is the route I took with my research. I came across theories such as the Communication Climate (Adler et al, 1998) and Emotional Intelligence (Goleman, 1995). Again, I found a real link to negotiating with and including learners. Goleman (1995) believed that ‘if emotions and feelings are not recognised and managed by teachers and learners, then effective learning cannot occur’. My research has broadened my knowledge and understanding to take forward into the classroom. The brief I have provided only really scratches the surface from the extensive reading I carried out; however I will have the opportunity to explore these further within this unit.

Solar Cell and Solar Energy Materials

Solar Cell and Solar Energy Materials Introduction: One of the biggest challenges to mankind is highly depended on the decreasing fusil fuels such as oil, coal, natural gas. Fusil fuels are nonrenewable energy resource which usually takes million of years to form. As a result, their reserves are depleted much faster than it forms. Furthermore, the combustion of these fuels causes environmental degradation through air pollution and global warming. Combustion of carbon-based fossil fuels creates not only air pollutants, for example, sulfur oxides, nitrogen odixe and heavy metals, but also carbon di-oxide, the notorious greenhouse gas widely considered to be the number one culprit of global climate change.[1] In order to protect our environment and provide energy security, energy generated from renewable sources has been extensively studied.[2] Though it will take some decades to come close to a truly sustainable energy system, the research is being conducted to find solutions to (1) increase efficiency in production, transmission, and u tilization of the remaining fossil fuels, (2) reduce negative impacts to the environment, and (3) develop or improve technologies and infrastructure for the smooth transition to the alternative/ renewable energy sources (e.g., nuclear power, solar energy, wind power, geothermal energy, biomass and biofuels, and hydropower).[3] Among those, solar energy has many advantages such as availability and lower cost. The search and synthesis for low cost solar cell materials made of earth abundant elements has been a topic of extensive study across the globe. A brief historical background: In 1839,the photovoltaic effect was discovered by French physicist, Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel. He constructed the worlds first photovoltaic cell in his fathers laboratory at age nineteen, which was the beginning of solar energy materials technology. This experiment was done by illuminating two electrodes, which were coated by light sensitive semiconducting materials, with different types of light. He observed that electricity increases with the increase of light intensity. Then an English electrical engineer, Willoughby Smith, was discovered the photo conductivity of selenium in 1873. In 1883,Charles Fritts built the first true solar cells made from selenium wafer which is coated with a thin layer of gold. He found that the efficiency was only about 1%. In 1905, Albert Einstein published in a paper that light consists of â€Å"packets† or quanta of energy, which can be varied only with its frequency.[4] This theory was very simple, but revolutionary that explained the data of photoelectric effect. The photoelectric effect was experimentally proved by an American experimental physicist, Robert Andrews Millikan, who later won the Nobel Prize for the photoelectric effect and measurement of the charge of the electron. In 1954, a single-crystal cell of germanium and a cadmium sulphide p-n junction was developed with an efficiency of 6%. Later the University of Delaware found that the efficiency exceeds 10% with the first thin film solar cell which was made of copper sulfide and cadmium sulfide in 1980. In 2007,they achieved 42.8% efficiency in solar cell technology.[5] To date, the highest 44.8% efficiencies have been achieved by using multiple junction solar cells. Solar cell: Solar cell is electrical device which converts solar radiation into electricity by photoelectric effect. It consists of two types of semiconducting materials, one is n-type and another is p-type. When these two types of materials placed with each other, it forms depletion layer at middle of these two materials. When sun light falls on the depletion layer the materials absorb photon and the electron from filled valence band excites to the unfilled conduction band, which creates a hole and electron pair. The hole goes to the p-type conductor and the electron goes to the n-type conductor. If we complete the circuit by connecting these two materials we will see there is flow of electricity. [6] Fig 1: A schematic diagram of solar cell Some important Solar cell and solar energy materials Solar cells are typically consists of semiconducting materials and these cells are named after thesemiconducting materialsthey are made of. Thesematerialsmust have certain characteristics in order to absorbsunlight. Some solar cells are designed to absorb sunlight that reaches the Earths surface, while others are constructed foruse in space. Solar cells can be made of only one layer of light absorbing semiconducting material which is called single-junction. Sometimes cells can be made of multiple layers of semiconducting materials to take advantage of wide range of absorption and charge separation mechanisms which is called multi-junction. Solar cells can be classified into three categories according to generation: The first generation cells also called traditional, conventional orwafer based cells that are made ofcrystalline silicon which includes materials such asmono-crystalline and poly-silicon silicon. Second generation cells arethin film solar cells, that includeamorphous silicon,CdTeandCIGScells and are commercially significant in utility-scale photovoltaic power stations,building integrated photovoltaicsor in smallstand alone devices. The third generation of solar cells includes a number of thin-film technologies often described as emerging photovoltaics which are not yet commercially applied and are still in the research or development phase such as perovskite solar cells and quantum dots solar cells. Crystalline silicon The most prevalent bulk material for solar cells iscrystalline silicon(c-Si), also known as solar grade silicon. Bulk silicon is separated into two categories according to crystallinity and crystal size. Mono-crystalline silicon Polycrystalline silicon In 1981, the first solar panels based on polycrystalline silicon, which also is known as polysilicon (p-Si) and multi-crystalline silicon (mc-Si),was introduced to the market. Unlike monocrystalline-based solar panels, polycrystalline solar panels do not require the Czochralski process. Raw silicon is melted and poured into a square mold, which is cooled and cut into perfectly square wafers. Polysilicon cells are the most common type used in photovoltaics and are less expensive, yet less efficient than those made from monocrystalline silicon. Thin film Thin film technologies reduce the amount of active material in a cell. Most designs sandwich active material between two panes of glass. Since silicon solar panels only use one pane of glass, thin film panels are approximately twice as heavy as crystalline silicon panels, although they have a smaller ecological impact.[8]The majority of film panels have 2-3 percentage points lower conversion efficiencies than crystalline silicon. Cadmium telluride(CdTe),copper indium gallium selenide(CIGS) andamorphous silicon(a-Si) are three thin-film technologies often used for outdoor applications. CIGS technology laboratory demonstrations reached 20.4% as of December 2013. The lab efficiency of GaAs thin film technology topped 28%. Thequantum efficiencyof thin film solar cells is also lower due to reduced number of collected charge carriers per incident photon. Most recently, CZTS solar cell emerge as the less-toxic thin film solar cell technology, which achieved ~12% efficiency. Cadmium telluride Cadmium telluride is the only thin film material so far to rival crystalline silicon in cost/watt. However cadmium is a highly toxic andtelluriumsupplies are limited. Thecadmiumpresent in the cells would be toxic if released. However, release is impossible during normal operation of the cells and is unlikely during fires in residential roofs.[9]A square meter of CdTe contains approximately the same amount of Cd as a single C cellnickel-cadmium battery, in a more stable and less soluble form.[9] Copper indium gallium selenide Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) is adirect band gapmaterial. It has the highest efficiency (~20%) among all commercially significant thin film materials. Traditional methods of fabrication involve vacuum processes including co-evaporation and sputtering. Recent developments atIBMandNanosolar attempt to lower the cost by using non-vacuum solution processes. Gallium arsenide thin film The semiconductor materialGallium arsenide(GaAs) is also used for single-crystalline thin film solar cells. Although GaAs cells are very expensive, they hold the worlds record in efficiency for asingle-junctionsolar cell at 28.8%.[10]GaAs is more commonly used inmultijunction photovoltaic cellsforconcentrated photovoltaics and forsolar panels on spacecrafts, as the industry favours efficiency over cost forspace-based solar power. Perovskite solar cells The name perovskite solar cell is derived from the ABX3crystal structureof the absorber materials, which is referred to as perovskite structure. The most commonly studied perovskite absorber is methylammonium lead trihalide (CH3NH3PbX3, where X is ahalogenion such asI−,Br−,Cl−). Formamidinumlead trihalide (H2NCH3NH3PbX3) is a recently studied newer material which shows promise, with a bandgap between 2.23eV and 1.48eV. This minimum bandgap is closer to the optimal for asingle-junction cellthan methylammonium lead trihalide, so it should be capable of higher efficiencies. The efficiencies of perovskite solar cell have increased to 12.8% in 2014.[11] This increased efficiency is making them a very rapidly advancing technology and a hot topic in the solar cell field. Perovskite solar cells are also forecast to be extremely cheap to scale up, making them a very attractive option for commercialization. Quantum dots semiconductor solar cell: Quantum dots are tiny particles or nanocrystals of a semiconducting material with diameters in the range of 2-10 nanometers. Due to high surface to volume ratios for these particles, quantum dots display unique electronic properties, intermediate between those of bulk semiconductors and discrete molecules. Due to their small size, the electrons in quantum dots are confined in a small space which is called quantum box. When the radii of the semiconductor nanocrystal is smaller than the exciton Bohr radius (exciton Bohr radius is the average distance between the electron in the conduction band and the hole it leaves behind in the valence band), there is quantization of the energy levels according to Pauli’s exclusion principle (Figure 1).[12][13]The discrete, quantized energy levels of quantum dots relate them more closely to atoms than bulk materials. Generally, as the size of the crystal decreases, the difference in energy between the highest valence band and the lowest conduc tion band increases. More energy or more energy light is then needed to excite an electron from valance band to conduction band. Therefore, the properties of semiconducting materials can be tuned by changing the size of the quantum dots. By using different sized quantum dots in multi-layer junction we can absorb wide range of light. Figure 4: Splitting of energy levels in quantum dots due to the quantum confinement effect, semiconductor band gap increases with decrease in size of the nanocrystal.[12][13] Conclusion The primary energy sources: coal, oil and natural gas are fossil fuels are polluting our environment. Furthermore, these resources are quickly depleting and becoming extremely expensive day by day. Therefore, weneedtoconsiderrenewableenergysources such as solar energy, by using solar cells we cangenerate electricalpower by converting solar energy intoelectricity. Reference: Wang, Zhong Lin.Nanotechnology for the energy challenge. Ed. Javier Garcà ­a-Martà ­nez. John Wiley Sons, 2013. Hou, Yu, Ruxandra Vidu, and Pieter Stroeve. Solar energy storage methods.Industrial Engineering Chemistry Research50.15 (2011): 8954-8964. Moniz, E. J.; Garcia-Martinez, J. Nanotechnology for the Energy Challenge; Wiley-VCH: Weinheim, Germany, 2010 Einstein, Albert. The photoelectric effect.Ann. Phys17 (1905): 132. Delaware University, US, HP http://www.udel.edu/PR/ UDaily/2008/jul/solar072307 .html Li, Zhongrui, et al. Light-harvesting using high density p-type single wall carbon nanotube/n-type silicon heterojunctions.Acs Nano3.6 (2009): 1407-1414. Green, M. A. Recent developments in photovoltaics.Solar energy76.1 (2004): 3-8. Pearce, Joshua, and Andrew Lau. Net energy analysis for sustainable energy production from silicon based solar cells.ASME Solar 2002: International Solar Energy Conference. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2002. Fthenakis, Vasilis M. Life cycle impact analysis of cadmium in CdTe PV production.Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews8.4 (2004): 303-334. Yablonovitch, E., O. D. Miller, and S. R. Kurtz. The opto-electronic physics that broke the efficiency limit in solar cells.Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), 2012 38th IEEE. IEEE, 2012. Qin, Peng, et al. Perovskite Solar Cells with 12.8% Efficiency by Using Conjugated Quinolizino Acridine Based Hole Transporting Material.Journal of the American Chemical Society(2014). Reimann, S. M.; Manninen, M. Reviews of Modern Physics, 2002, 74(4), 1283. Bawendi, M. C.; Steigerwald, M. L.; Brus, L. E. Annual Review of Physical Chemistry, 1990, 41, 477.

Drugs Essay -- essays papers

Drugs An issue of personal, local, and national concern that I would like to focus in this essay is drugs. There are many reasons why I find drugs to be an issue of great importance to me. First, drugs is a personal issue to me. For most of my life, I have been living in places where drugs have surrounded me. For the past ten years, I have been living in the Duncan Projects in Jersey City, where the temptation of selling, buying, or even using drugs seems to be growing every day. Every day I see older people and even young kids engaging in the act of buying, selling, and using drugs. I ask myself why do people get involved in drugs; is it because of a financial need? Sometimes people believe that having a lot of money makes them a success, but they are wrong. People also be...

The Stresses of War Affecting the Characters in Regeneration and Journe

The Stresses of War Affecting the Characters in Regeneration and Journey's End 'Regeneration' is a fictional novel written by by Pat Barker. However, some of her characters in the novel like Owen and Sassoon did exist. The play 'Journeys End' is also fictional and all the characters are Sheriffs creation. 'Regeneration' is a serious and moving novel typical of war, as it shows war in a realistic way, whereas 'Journeys End' is full of black humour, in an attempt to make the play less morbid then it actually is. The writers are trying to achieve the views of the officers; they never actually saw mental ill health as serious as it was. They kept sending men back to war whether they had recovered or not. In the first chapter of 'Regeneration' we learn of the 'soldier's declaration' written by Sassoon. "I believe the war is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it". To other men in war this would be seen as "wrong and wimpish" because men weren't expected to do that, if you went to war you weren't seen as a coward. To Sassoon this declaration was the bravest thing he had ever done. For someone in war to write this they must have had enough and this shows the stress he was under. Barker could have used the declaration to portray her point on the futility of war. Another example of the stresses of war on Sassoon in the first chapter is when he throws away his medal for 'saving lives'. To receive a medal in war is widely regarded as a great honour to any man. Sassoon may have threw it away as he may feel that its ironic and degrading that he risks his and saves others lives, and all he gets in return is a medal. However, the beginning of 'Journey's End' is very different "he ca... ... learn of the death of Raleigh. Stanhope sits with him until he dies. Even though all of the soldiers are stressed about the war they still look after their men at times of need. This is in contrast with 'Regeneration' as Rivers looks after his men all throughout the novel, not just at times of need. "The point of the meeting is to protect the soldiers". In 'Regeneration' Burns leaves the hospital in an impulse, he doesn't know where he is going to go, or what he is going to do. His mental state is extremely fragile. Burns has desire for escape out of the hospital and away from human beings. This is in contrast with 'Journey's End' as Stanhope is ill but refuses to give up. "Young Stanhope goes on sticking it month in, month out". Considering all the stress that he is under, and how hard it must be, he is seen as being a bit of a hero to the audience.

The KKK :: essays research papers fc

I have learned that the Ku Klux Klan was in response to the Southern bitterness towards blacks having won freedom from slavery in the aftermath of the civil war. Congress had passed the Reconstruction Acts which divided the South into 5 military districts, each under a general. New elections were to be held in each state with freed, black, male slaves being allowed to vote; this infuriated Southerners. The first branch of the Ku Klux Klan was founded in Pulaski, Tennessee, around 1865, the name Ku Klux comes from the Greek word, Kuklose, meaning circle. The Klan was a secret organization founded by 6 ex-confederate veterans, they considered the Klan to be a secret social club, not knowing what a violent organization it would turn into. They decided to make their Klan costumes as odd as possible. Klan members would be dressed in white sheets and their faces would be covered with white masks. These ex-soldiers would ride through the town, make jokes and act silly, this made former bla ck slaves to believe that the ghosts of the Confederate dead had risen to reclaim their land. Many Southerners began to join the Klan and harm former black slaves. Soon these night rides turned into violent night rides and lynching’s. Once the Klan began to make a name for itself, General Nathan Bedford Forrest, the famous cavalry leader, became the leader of this invisible empire. The Klan was effective in keeping blacks away from the voting polls. The Klan was coming under increased attack by Congress and the Reconstruction state governments. The leaders of the Klan realized that the Klan’s end was near as an organized force.

Geology and Technology Essay

The field of geology helps us understand our surroundings on earth. The benefits of geology include how to protect our environment and supplies us with natural resources. Geology helps assist us in avoiding geologic hazards and is based on the scientific method. One of the great contributions to human understanding made by geology is the concept of the vastness of geologic time. None of these benefits could have ever been discovered or even thought of if science did not collide with technology. Science and technology are closely related to each other, and it seems like they are two major factors influencing the progress of our society. Since the industrial revolution in the 18th century science has been in progress. Some sectors that have been boosted by science and technology are energy, physical sciences, information and communication. The society has greatly gained with the invention of technology. A recently increasing challenge to the population of the world has been natural disasters. Natural disasters are consequences of the combination of a natural hazards and human populations. Natural hazards include earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, hurricanes, epidemic, and countless other natural processes that threaten population. Human vulnerability is caused by the lack of appropriate emergency management, and leads to financial, structural, and human losses. The losses from disasters depend on the capacity of the population to resist the disaster. We directed our research toward an early warning system that could recognize natural disasters as soon as scientifically possible and spread that knowledge as quickly as possible in order to minimize loss to humans. Upon researching natural disaster alert systems, we came across an intriguing and promising global system of integrated observational systems of the Earth from regions all around the world. This system of the future has numerous capabilities. In the article, â€Å"New radar technology to boost accuracy, save lives,† the National Weather Service created a new radar technology after a record high of one thousand seven hundred and six tornadoes were confirmed in 2011. The new technology was created in a desperate attempt to save those who could be at risk for a natural disaster, after five hundred and fifty lives were taken due to natural disasters in 2011. The new radar equipment sends out horizontal and vertical sweeps, allowing forecasters to have a two dimensional look at severe weather. Dave Nadler, a warning coordination meteorologist from northern Alabama, says that the new technology allows weather service officials to get tornado warnings out much more accurately and much faster. (Blanton). Another technological advance that may save many lives is the LiDar, which is an instrument that can determine how an earthquake changes a landscape down to a few inches. The LiDar gives geologists insight into how earthquake faults behave, and may lead to geologists being able to predict an earthquake (Elliot). The remarkable development in space technology and its application during the last three decades have firmly established its immense potential for the development of the human society as a whole. Robert Jedicke did a study on asteroids in orbit around the sun. Jedicke knew that the asteroids orbiting around the sun mostly pass Earth very quickly. But, he discovered that there are some asteroids that move slowly, and often are captured by Earths gravity causing them to go into orbit around Earth. Jedicke used a computer program that calculated how many asteroids would be pulled into Earths orbit. He found that once every 100,000 years there is an asteroid the size of a football field that joins the other moons in Earths orbit. Another discovery that has been made in space because of technology is the possibility of life on Mars (Palca). The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter showed photographs of dried up flood plains and riverbeds on the planet, meaning that the water could have supported ancient life (Hadhazy). In London in 2012, the Natural History Museum received a meteorite that fell from Mars to Earth. Because of the space rock being so new, scientists have a much better chance of learning about the planet. Technology is so advanced today that we can determine what rock is most common to least common in the small portion of Mars (Chang). Since the art of making fire and creating handcrafted tools, our civilization has come a long way. Science and Technology are making advances at an amazing rate. From telephones to the Internet, calculators to computers, cars to rockets and satellites, we are submerged in a sea of discoveries and inventions made possible by Science. Fields like Medicine and communications have made inroads into our cultures and thus our lifestyles.

The Importance of Public Speaking. Essay

Public speaking can be defined as continuous formal presentation to an audience made by a presenter . Most of the time, people use public speaking to deliver vital messages to the public in proper way. As its name implies, it is a way of communication that will make our ideas public. Through public speaking, we share our ideas with people and it may influence people’s thoughts. Nowadays, many people around the world use public speaking to spread their ideas and influence such as Franklin Roosevelt, Billy Graham, Martin Luther King, and Barack Obama. Although public speaking requires the same skills as used in normal conversation, public speaking and conversation is not identical. Public speaking involves talking in front of a group of people, usually with some preparation. It can be in front of people that you know or a crowd of strangers unlike normal conversation which does not requires preparation to talk. Public speaking is important to everyone regardless what kind of job. Most people, at some point in their life, will need to stand up and speak in front of a group of people. According to Michael Osborn (2003), people seldom speak in public unless they have some idea that they wish to deliver to people. Mostly, we do need to speak in public speaking when we have something to share with other people. Moreover, public speaking is also needed for career purpose and for educational purpose. The time we speak in a public setting is when we decide to speak on matters of importance, or when we are asked to speak about experiences and expertise or when we are required to speak. For instance, Lois Gibbs prior to 1978 who described herself as â€Å"typical American women†, decided to speak out about 20 000 tons of toxic chemicals were buried beneath her home in New York after she learned about it . Ryan White, a child who involved in public speaking after been asked to share and speak about his experience – infected by AIDS virus after received a blood transfusion (Griffin, 2003). According to Rudolph F Verderber (2008), public speaking is one type of human communication which occurs within the public communication context. Imagine, for a moment, that human beings could not speak and could not communicate  ideas about science, current events, and topics as mundane as the weather. It is only then that one can understand the benefits of social communication, especially public speaking. Public speaking may be the most frightening thing as one must stand up in front of mass umber off people. However, it has many benefit such as it builds self-confidence, develops one’s critical thinking skills, it can develops personal and professional skills, it creates community, and lastly it can influence the world and can change people’s thoughts. First of all, public speaking can help us build self-confidence. Based on recent surveys, almost 75 percent of adult population fears public speaking. (Mc Croskey, 1993; Richmond and Mc Croskey, 1995). It is proven that most of people would prefer to be listener than a speaker. Fear and nervousness are factors that discouraging people from being a public speaker. According to most studies, public speaking is number one people’s fear and death is number two. This means that if someone have to go to a funeral, they are better off in the casket than doing eulogy (Seinfeld, 1993, p. 120). However, many people do not realize that public speaking will help us feel more confident. Nervousness because of stage fright is normal and most of public speakers experienced it. The major reasons of nervousness are fear of being stared at, fear of failure, fear of rejection and fear of the unknown . In order to be more confident, one must know the right way to handle the nervousness. According to Lucas E. 2012, one of the key to gain confidence is by doing preparation thoroughly and picking a topic that we really know it well. Next, we must think positively. Confidence is a well-known power of positive thinking (Lucas, 2012). Then, we have to remember that most nervousness is not visible. Therefore, knowing this will make it easier for us to be confident and face the audience. After few times doing public speaking, we will automatically develop self-confidence in speechmaking abilities and we will likely become more confident in other aspect . As a result, many people especially those who have high level of public speaking anxiety (PSA), feel more confident and competent after they have done several times of public speaking. Next, public speaking can help improve communication and personal skills. One of the best benefits of learning to give a good speech is it brings personal satisfaction (Hamilton, 2003). When  we successfully deliver a good speech, the kind of personal satisfaction you experience is unparalleled. A positive response from the audience can help us feel more confident. Thus, it can bring about a lot of improvement in our overall personality. Public speaking is interrelated with communication skills and can be described as a form of communication. Public speaking does not always mean that we have to give a speech to a large audience. When we go for an interview, and speak to a group of interviewers or when we are giving a class presentation; all these are also forms of public speaking. In such situations, if we have the ability to communicate properly, it can help us shape up our future as the personal skills has been improved. Nowadays, most of employers look for employees who can listen carefully, present ideas clearly and think critically. Requirement for higher-level positions is communication skills. Therefore, the ability to present thoughts clearly and persuasively that we gained from public speaking will lead to job success (Jaffe, 2004). Besides that, public speaking can improve critical thinking skills. Lucas in his book described critical thinking as the ability to detect weakness in other people’s arguments and it involves skills such as ability to differentiate fact from opinion, to judge the credibility of statements and to assess the soundness of evidence. It is also the ability to see clearly the relationship among ideas (Lucas, 2012, p.16). Writing a speech requires a lot of careful thought. It’s not enough to have a message; we also need to figure out how to deliver the message to fit the needs of audience. According to Lucas (2012), organizing a speech is not only about arranging ideas but it is an important part of shaping the ideas themselves. We have to think how to make points which are relevant to audience and how to make the audience understand the message. Thinking in this way is a great way to improve critical thinking skills. If we start thinking critically about the speaking style, we may also find ways to improve our general communication style. For instance, to make a good speech, we need to think how to make arguments strong and how to make the structure of the speech clear and cohesive. Therefore, this situation makes us become a more effective thinker and we can enhance our ability to think clearly. For that reason, public speaking has been included as a part of education to develop the skills of  critical thinking among students. Furthermore, public speaking can be used to influence the world and can change people’s thought. Many people around the world have spread their influence through public speaking. The examples of people who used public speaking to spread influence are Martin Luther, Barack Obama, Billy Graham in United States while in other countries, the power of public speaking employed by people such as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, South African leader Nelson Mandela and Burmese democracy champion Aung San Su Kyi . Unlike usual conversations, public speaking contains purpose and responsibility in many every interaction. Public speakers use their knowledge of persuasion to motivate others to take collective action to achieve desired goals. Public speaking skills can be used to influence multiple people simultaneously, such as in a meeting or when addressing a large group. This is why it has power to influence others. We can use public speaking to persuade others to believe or accept our ideas. In addition, public speaking affects cultures. According to Jaffe (2004), culture are not static, which means it can be shaped and it mold our way of life often through public speaking continuously. Public speaking has influenced culture throughout history. Both women and men have spoken on issues that transformed culture. Most historical events have some form of public speaking associated with it. According to Pearce (1998), public speakers attempt to influence society in few ways. First, some hope to spread cultural beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviors to people who do not hold them. Second, speakers reinforce or strengthen existing cultural elements. They encourage listeners to continue with the current behaviors and elements. For instance, a politician influence citizen to keep voting, and pastors urge their effort to continue feeding the hungry. Next, some speakers attempt to restore matters to a healthy state when events threaten to split apart communities. Besides, speakers try to change their societies by bringing about social change . This is because public speaking can be persuasive which can influence the culture. Indeed, cultures are changing and uncertain. Public speakers use this opportunity to transmit cultural beliefs and behavior. They also persuade audiences to change their ways of  thinking or acting. As a conclusion, public speaking is a form of communication to make our ideas public. It is a medium to share our thoughts and it can influence people. Although many people are afraid of speaking in public setting, it actually can boosts self-confidence. Based on Lucas’ opinion, one way to overcome nervousness and become more confident is by doing preparation thoroughly. Moreover, public speaking also helps to develop critical thinking skills. To convince people, we must plan our speech wisely. This needs us to think deeply and critically in order to influence people about the ideas that we share. Therefore, it will improve the critical thinking as we have to think how to make audience understand the message. What is more, public speaking improves our communication skills and personal skills. When we learnt how to deliver speech effectively, our skills will be better after few times doing the public speaking. According to Hamilton (2013), the improved skills will bring personal satisfaction to individual. Next, public speaking can influence the world and change people’s thoughts. Hamilton (2003) said, public speakers usually used the knowledge of persuasion to change people’s mind and accept their ideas. This is what makes the public speaking very influential. Bibliography Gregory, H. (2012). Public Speaking for College & Career. McGraw-Hill. Griffin, C. L. (2003). Invitation to Public Speaking. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. Griffin, C. L. (2003). Invitation To Public Speaking. Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth. Hamilton, C. (2003). Essentials of Public Speaking (5th ed.). Boston: Wadsworth Cengage. Jaffe. (2004). Introduction to Public Speaking and Culture (4th ed.). Belmont: Holly J. Allen. Jaffe. (2004). Public Speaking Concepts and Skills for a Diverse Society (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Holly J. Allen. Lucas, S. E. (2012). The Art of Public Speaking (11th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Companies. Lucas, S. E. (2012). The Art Of Public Speaking (11th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Education. Micheal Osborn, S. O. (2003). Pubulic Speaking Instructor’s Annotated Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. Rudolph F Verderber, D. D. (2008). The Challenge of Effective Speaking (15th ed.). USA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Sellnow,  D. D. (2003). Public Speaking: A Process Approach Media Edition. Thonson Wadsworth.