This book seeks to understand why almost all commentators on the Irish economy were unprepared for the scale of the recent economic crisis. It analyses the public contributions from a broad range of observers, including domestic and international agencies, academics, the newspapers and politicians. This approach gives new insights into the analytical and institutional shortfalls that inhibited observers from recognising the degree of the risk. The book demonstrates that most commentators were either impeded in what they could say, or else lacked the expertise to challenge the prevailing view. The findings have significant implications for a broad range of institutions, particularly the media and the Oireachtas (the Irish Parliament).

This book provides a straightforward approach to developing a school or district s vision to guide all stakeholders toward a common goal with educational technology. This book is intended for educational leaders to provide a structured methodology for a school or district to develop their own vision of educational technology. This book discusses educational technology in a non-technical manner and addresses ideas and concerns about 1:1 computing and bring your own device solutions (BYOD). This book will answer the following questions: - Why do we need a VISION for Technology in Education? - How do we develop our own VISION for Educational Technology? - Does our VISION for educational technology support our District Strategic Plan? - How do today s infrastructure requirements, instructional applications and equipment impact our VISION?"

This book provides a straightforward approach to developing a school or district s vision to guide all stakeholders toward a common goal with educational technology. This book is intended for educational leaders to provide a structured methodology for a school or district to develop their own vision of educational technology. This book discusses educational technology in a non-technical manner and addresses ideas and concerns about 1:1 computing and bring your own device solutions (BYOD). This book will answer the following questions: - Why do we need a VISION for Technology in Education? - How do we develop our own VISION for Educational Technology? - Does our VISION for educational technology support our District Strategic Plan? - How do today s infrastructure requirements, instructional applications and equipment impact our VISION?"

N3xt Practices is a ground-breaking advisory book for education decision makers. Its purpose is to challenge the top trends and initiatives of the previous decade in educational technology and bring light to their short-falls and misses. It also highlights successful endeavors and strategies and details a common-sense methodology to move your school/district forward in its technology initiatives while insuring sustainability, and longevity and ultimately, success through results. Next Practices identifies technology-based initiatives, such as Interactive White Boards, Data Centers, and 1-to-1 Computing, and reviews actual implementations and case studies - both successful and unsuccessful - to provide a structure to plan and implement educational technology initiatives practical for schools and districts of all sizes. Next Practices goes beyond the examination of current best practices and redefines for educational leaders NEXT Practices for successful technology initiatives in support of 21st century learning.

An introduction to the theory and engineering practice that underpins the component design and analysis of radial flow turbocompressors. Drawing upon an extensive theoretical background and years of practical experience, the authors provide descriptions of applications, concepts, component design, analysis tools, performance maps, flow stability, and structural integrity, with illustrative examples. Features wide coverage of all types of radial compressor over many applications unified by the consistent use of dimensional analysis. Discusses the methods needed to analyse the performance, flow, and mechanical integrity that underpin the design of efficient centrifugal compressors with good flow range and stability. Includes explanation of the design of all radial compressor components, including inlet guide vanes, impellers, diffusers, volutes, return channels, de-swirl vanes and side-streams. Suitable as a reference for advanced students of turbomachinery, and a perfect tool for practising mechanical and aerospace engineers already within the field and those just entering it.

This book seeks to understand why almost all commentators on the Irish economy were unprepared for the scale of the recent economic crisis. It analyses the public contributions from a broad range of observers, including domestic and international agencies, academics, the newspapers and politicians. This approach gives new insights into the analytical and institutional shortfalls that inhibited observers from recognising the degree of the risk. The book demonstrates that most commentators were either impeded in what they could say, or else lacked the expertise to challenge the prevailing view. The findings have significant implications for a broad range of institutions, particularly the media and the Oireachtas (the Irish Parliament).

The desire to have some experience of God is widespread. Many persons of all ages have a genuine yearning for communion with the spiritual world. The trouble is that we are never quite certain how we should invest our energies to ensure that we are moving closer to the truth and not deeper into delusion. It seems prudent, therefore, to look for guidance from those who have actually made the journey and are skilled in initiating others. This is why we approach the great contemplative traditions: to find out something about prayer and the sort of life that facilitates its growth. We cannot always generate our own solutions because our horizons are limited. The first thing we need to learn is to look at life from a different perspective. Here the ancient spiritual masters can serve us well... The key idea that is common to these teachers is that contemplation is possible only for those who have puritas cordis: an undivided heart. The act of communion with God is one which engages the whole person and calls upon all the interior energies. It can occur only when these energies are working together, when inner disharmony has been overcome and unity reigns within. Such a state is not achieved quickly but only by the grace of God and the labor of decades. It involves a radical conversion of life and a persevering will to live in accordance with the Gospel. Spiritual growth is thus seen as a matter of progressively purifying the personal center of will and knowledge, eliminating inner division and becoming more intent on seeking the one thing necessary. Michael Casey is a monk of Tarrawarra Abbey in Australia. He is well-known as a retreat master and lecturer on monastic spirituality and holds a doctorate from Melbourne College of Divinity in the area of the life and writings of St. Bernard of Clairvaux.

There is more in Benedict's Rule than meets the eye. Based on the rules of life of John Cassian and Saint Basil, Benedict invites us to go further back to the scriptural basis of all Christian and monastic living and pursue our spiritual journey by the guidance of the Gospel.This book of reflections on the tools for good living is intended to be read very slowly, one section at a time. In addition to communicating reflections on each verse of chapter 4, Casey invites readers to:* continue the process of reflection for themselves* apply what is written to their own lives* draw on their own wisdom and insight* and, ultimately, broaden their experience of monastic spirituality

In the Prologue of his Rule, St. Benedict maps out the road that leads to heaven; he lays the foundation for life in a community that seeks God. The themes that are present throughout the Rule - obedience, humility, prayer, fear of the Lord, eternal life - are grounded in the Prologue.

By reflecting on the Prologue one verse at a time, Michael Casey, OCSO, delves into the richness of meaning that can be found in Benedict's words. These reflections, first given as talks and made available on his community's web site, build a bridge between the sixth-century text and twenty-first-century Christians. In "The Road to Eternal Life," Casey invites readers to reflect on the Prologue in light of their own experiences, to seek the road that leads to salvation."

"Michael Casey, OCSO, has been a monk of Tarrawarra Abbey (Australia) since 1960. After completing a degree in Scripture at Leuven, he received his doctorate from Melbourne College of Divinity for a study of desire for God in the writings of Bernard of Clairvaux. For the past decades he has been engaged in exploring different aspects of monastic spirituality, writing, and giving conferences throughout the English-speaking monastic world. His books include "Strangers to the City "(Paraclete Press, 2005), " A Guide to Living in the Truth" (Liguori, 2001), and "Sacred Reading" (Liguori, 1996).""

A first approach to understanding humility is to see it as that total self-acceptance typical of untarnished humanity. Those who are humble experience no shame. They do not need lies and evasions to inflate their importance in the eyes of their associates or to buttress their self-esteem. They have overcome the tendency to regard others as competitors or rivals, and so they work with whatever they have, and waste no time envying those who possess different qualities. The humble are equally content with both the gifts and the limitations that come from their nature or their personal history. Humility brings with it a fundamental happiness that is able to cope with external difficulties and sorrows.

In clear and often delightful prose, Casey brings out the personal techniques and practicalities involved in transforming prayer from an "activity" to a way of life. The freshness of his language reinforces the basic premise of this book that spiritual communion with God must be lived, not merely studied or repeated ritualistically.

Another classic from the foremost Trappist scholar writing today. Fr. Michael Casey, in his usual compelling style, covers many aspects of spirituality, including discernment, spiritual direction, pastoral care, and living in community-- applicable to religious and lay people alike. His reflections on Benedictine spirituality are vividly presented and filled with remarkable insights and advice.

"How should we live in this house of God? We know that the way a building is shaped also helps in determining the way those within it live and relate. We are indeed formed by what we form. Qualities such as integrity, hospitality, humanity and beauty in a place will enable its dwellers to live lives in which such qualities are evident. The way we understand who we are and how we live will be reflected in our places and vice versa. Our places become bearers of meaning and memory." --From Chapter 1In "Living in the House of God," Margaret Malone draws on her study of and research on the Rule of Saint Benedict to show the ways in which this ancient rule can illuminate modern life. The broad gamut of topics this book examines--from Benedictine life as sacrament to Augustine's influence on Benedict to obedience and the art of listening, among others--is itself a witness to the generous flexibility of the Rule, as Benedict proposes a way of life that truly corresponds to the deepest needs of the whole of human nature.

The Bible is the monk's book. The thought and teaching of St Bernard of Clairvaux was so saturated with Scripture that the reader often cannot decide where the Bible ends and Bernard begins. From direct quotations to fine allusions, Bernard assumed that his readers were as familiar with the Bible as he was himself. It is therefore no wonder that Bernard chose a book of the Bible, the Song of Songs, as a vehicle for expressing his deepest and most personal longing for God, his striving for 'full knowledge, clear vision, a strong bond of union, a relationship which cannot be broken apart, and perfect likeness'. Michael Casey, a Cistercian monk in Australia, writes from the same tradition that formed St Bernard. His study of the background and teaching of 'the last of the Fathers' provides insights into the saint's works and gives them contemporary meaning.

As I was writing this book, I had the privilege of speaking to people from all over the world, and it helped me to realize just how common mental illness truly is. Mental illness is something that can affect anyone at any time. It doesn't matter who you are, where you're from or what you've done, mental illness doesn't discriminate. Unfortunately, mental illness is something that has remained in the shadows until now, and people have been too afraid to speak up because of the reaction they might receive. Use this book as a guide whenever you're having doubts or feeling alone to remind yourself that you're not. Everyone has a voice, and everyone has a right to use that voice. Mental illness affects us all. Now is the time to come together and use our voices to show the world that mental illness is real. No one need feel ashamed about mental illness ever again. The human mind is capable of many great and amazing things. But it is also capable of enduring a lot of suffering and hardships. Fear, doubt and self-hatred, are all emotions people endure every single day. Pain is a part of life, and it is natural and necessary for personal growth. What is not natural is hiding this pain. It is not right to hide your pain and pretend to yourself that everything's okay when your mind is giving you a sign that you need help. Breaking Free addresses these issues in a sensitive compassionate way. It does this through the power of short stories on the following mental health issues and ways to handle them. Self-Harm, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, Anorexia, Phobias, Schizophrenia, Addiction, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Bigorexia, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Bullying, Bulimia, Psychosis, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).