Learning Theories Essay

Lev Vygotsky, born in the U. S. S. R. in 1896, is responsible for the social development theory of learning. He proposed that social interaction profoundly influences cognitive development. Vygotsky’s key point is his belief that biological and cultural development do not occur in isolation. Vygotsky approached development differently from Piaget. Piaget believed that cognitive development consists of four main periods of cognitive growth: sensory motor, preoperational, concrete operations, and formal operations. Piaget’s theory suggests that development has an endpoint in goal. Vygotsky, in contrast, believed that development is a process that should be analyzed, instead of a product to be obtained. Marcy P. Driscoll stated (as cited in Riddle, 1999) that â€Å"Vygotsky believes the development process that begins at birth and continues until death is too complex to be defined by stages†. The major theme of Vygotsky’s theoretical framework is that social interaction plays a fundamental role in the development of cognition. Vygoysky states: â€Å"Every function in the child’s cultural development appears twice: first, on the social level, and later, on the individual level; first between people (interpsychological) and then inside the child (intrapsychological) (Funderstanding, 2001). This applies equally to voluntary attention, to logical memory, and to formation of concepts. All the higher functions originate as actual relationships between individuals. A second aspect of Vygotsky’s theory is the idea that the potential for cognitive development is limited to a certain time span that he calls the â€Å"zone of proximal development† (ZPD). Vygotsky believed that this life long process of development was dependent on social interaction and that social learning actually leads to cognitive development (Kearsley, 1998). Vygotsky describes it as â€Å"the distance between the actual development level as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through Learning Theories 3 problem solving under adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers† (Funderstanding, 2001). In other words, a student can perform a task under adult guidance or with peer collaboration that could not be achieved alone. The Zone of Proximal Development bridges the gap between what is known and what can be known. Vygotsky claimed that learning occurred in this zone. Therefore, Vygotsky focused on the connections between people and the cultural context in which they act and interact in shared experiences. According to Vygotsky, humans use tools that develop from a culture, such as speech and writing, to mediate their social environments. Initially, Children develop these tools to serve solely as social functions, ways to communicate needs. Vygotsky believed that the internalization of these tools led to higher thinking skills (Riddle, 1999). When Piaget observed young children participating in egocentric speech in their preoperational stage, he believed it was a phase that disappeared once the child reached the stage of concrete operations. Driscoll states (as cited in Riddle, 1999) â€Å"in contrast, Vygotsky viewed this egocentric speech as a transition from social speech to internalized thought†. Thus, Vygotsky believed that thought and language could not exist without each other. Vygotsky’s theory was an attempt to explain consciousness as the end product of socialization. For example, in the learning of language, our first vocal noises with friends or adults are for the purpose of communication, but once mastered they become internalized and allow â€Å"inner speech†. Traditionally, schools have not promoted environments in which the students play an active role in their education and in the education of their friends. Vygotsky’s theory, however, requires the teacher and students to play untraditional roles as they collaborate with each other. Instead of a teacher dictating the lessons to students and later evaluate them, a teacher should collaborate with her students in order to create meaningful ways that students can make their own evaluation. Learning then becomes a reciprocal experience for the students and the teacher. Learning Theories 4. The physical classroom, based on Vygotsky’s theory, would provide clustered desks or tables and work space for peer instruction, collaboration, and small group instruction. Like the environment, the instructional design of material would be structured to promote and encourage student interaction and collaboration. Thus, the classroom becomes a community of learning. Because Vygotsky asserts that cognitive change occurs within the Zone of Proximal development, instruction would be designed to reach a developmental level that is just above the student’s current developmental level. Vygotsky proclaims, â€Å"learning which is oriented toward developmental levels that have already been reached is ineffective from the view point of the child’s overall development. It does not aim for a new stage of the developmental process, but rather lags behind this process† (Social Development, 1996). Appropriation is necessary for cognitive development within the zone of proximal development. Individuals participating in peer collaboration or guided teacher instruction must share the same focus in order to access the zone. Samuel J. Hausfather states (as cited in Riddle, 1999), â€Å"joint attention and shared problem solving is needed to create a process of cognitive, social, and emotional interchange†. Furthermore, it is essential that the partners be on different developmental levels. In addition, the partner that is on the higher level needs to be aware of his partner’s lower level. If this does not occur, or if one partner continually dominates, the interaction is less successful. Scaffolding and reciprocal teaching are effective strategies to access the zone. Scaffolding requires the teacher to provide students the opportunity to extend the current skills and knowledge. Hausfather reports (as cited in Riddle, 1999) â€Å"the teacher must engage students’ interests, simplify tasks so they are manageable, and motivate students to pursue the instructional goal. In addition, the teacher must look for discrepancies between students’ efforts and the solution, control for frustration and risk, and model an idealized version of the act†. Learning Theories 5 Reciprocal teaching allows for the creation of a dialogue between students and teachers. This two-way communication becomes an instructional strategy by encouraging students to go beyond answering and discussing questions. A study (as cited in Riddle, 1999) demonstrated the Vygotskian approach with reciprocal teaching methods in their successful program to teach reading strategies. The teacher and students alternated turns leading small group discussions on reading. After modeling four reading strategies, students began to assume the teaching role. Results of this study showed significant gains over other instructional strategies. Cognitively Guided Instruction is another strategy to implement Vygotsky’s theory. This strategy involves the teacher and students exploring math problems and then sharing their different problem solving strategies in an open dialogue (Riddle, 1999). Vygotsky’s social development theory challenges traditional teaching methods. Historically, schools have been organized around recitation teaching. According to Hausfather, (as cited in Riddle, 1999) â€Å"the teacher disseminates knowledge to be memorized by the students, who in turn, recite the information back to the teacher†. However, the studies described above offer empirical evidence that learning, based on the social development theory, facilitates cognitive development over other instructional strategies (Riddle, 1999). School structure does not reflect the rapid changes that society is experiencing. Opportunities for social interaction have greatly increased with the introduction and integration of computer technology. Therefore, the social context for learning is transforming as well. Learning relationships can now be formed from distances through cyberspace, whereas collaboration and peer instruction was once only possible in shared physical space (Bacalarski, 1994). Computer technology is a cultural tool that students can use to mediate and internalize their learning. According to Kathryn Crawford (as cited in Riddle, 1999) â€Å"recent research suggest changing the Learning Theories 6 learning contexts with technology is a powerful learning activity†. If schools continue to resist structural change, students will not be as prepared as they should be for the world. Lev Vygotsky lived during the Russian Revolution, a time of great change in his culture. His theory was that biological and cognitive development does not happen apart from each other. These two developments sustain and grow from each other. This is when learning takes place. Because of this theory, his environment of change was a great influence in his own cognitive processes. Learning Theories 7 References Bacalarski, M. C. , (1994). Vygotsky’s Developmental Theories and the Adulthood of Computer Mediated Communication: a Comparison and an Illumination. Retrieved November 7, 2003 from http://psych. hanover. edu/vygotsky/bacalar. html. Funderstanding, (2001). Vygotsky and Social Cognition. Retrieved November 7, 2003 from http://www. funderstanding. com/vygotsky. cfm. Kearsley, G. , (1998). Social Development (Vygotsky). Retrieved November 9, 2003 from http://members. aol. com/daidpeal/vygotsky. html. Riddle, E. M. , (1999). Lev Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory. Retrieved November 7, 2003 from www. kihd. gmu. edu/immersion/knowledgebase/theorists/constructivism/vygotsky.

Forensic Accounting Essay

What types of systems are needed to ensure that all individuals have access to the benefits of our community as well to bring health and effectiveness to an organization or the broader community? There are two systems of process that ensure all individuals have access to the benefits of our community. The first is due process which is the ability of getting noticed and participating in the decisions that affect an individual (Baird, 2011). The second is substantive process which makes sure people know and understand the rules (Baird, 2011). How do we ensure fair treatment, fair administration of rules, fair compensation, fair blame, and ensure due process to allow all opinions to be heard? We can make ethical decisions by creating fair systems for resolution of disputes and policies that state expectations (Baird,2011). We should care for all members and institutions of the community when allocating resources (Baird, 2011). We should give to each member of the community knowing they are a part of the happiness of the entire community. How might the Relationship Lens be misused through abuse of power or personal hubris? Having an excessive pride and arrogance can move us from unintentional ethical wrong doing to intentional wrong doing (Baird, 2011). Cite a recent example in the news. I have an example of hubris in my work place that I will share. Our current CEO has chosen to take his annual bonus when he made the decision to freeze raises and increase the employee cost of health insurance. He does not pay the premiums of his health insurance policy but raised the cost for all employees. He purchased a very expensive piece of equipment costing over $2.5 million in 2011 causing an operating loss for the year. This equipment holds a great deal of prestige for him in the healthcare industry. I have been very disappointed that he has made the decisions he has made with total disregard for all other employees affected. His excessive pride and arrogance has caused him to intentionally act unethically. What types of systems are needed to ensure that all individuals have access to the benefits of our community as well to bring health and effectiveness to an organization or the broader community? Bella and Frederick both use the concept of moral ecology to callus to greater responsibility for the community.Frederick also reminds us that companies and corporations and communities at large have responsibilities toward life – conserving values such fairness, unselfishness,and restraint, that both create and sustain human collective life. Judeo-Christian tradition calls us to responsibility for others. Due process is used to achieve our goals, assuring that those without access to power have equal opportunity to thrive. How might the Relationship Lens be misused through abuse of power or personal hubris? Cite a recent example in the news. (If you don’t know the meaning of hubris, look it up and include its definition as you answer this question.) As Timothy Clark noted, â€Å"The ambition to govern one’s fellow beings tend to view leadership as the pathway to glittering world of personal reward. Another risk that we run as we work is to become authoritarian and paternalistic. Another bias to watch is entrainment,where we are so cut up in work that we forget to ask important key questions. Hubris, excessive pride and arrogance,moves us from unintentional ethical wrongdoing to intentional wrongdoing. Biggest example I can recall is resent war in Iraq,President Bush and VP Chaney failed to show responsibilities as an ethical decision makers. How do you know when you are improperly using your personal power?How do you know when your life is out of balance? How do you bring it back into balance? The focus of the Relationship Lens is always fundamental fairness. Lens is inviting us to live a life in relationship with others in community. If decision maker is not balancing the personal need of individual to community needs, if he or she not subordinates own rights to that of the group. After making the decision one must ask himself questions, analyze decision through different ethic lenses. What improvements could we make on our process of ethical analysis? Did we like the results? What were the problems with the process? What decision we are not comfortable with? As we reflect on the results,we can put strategic for the future and became more ethical in our decisions in other words more ethically mature. We also can improve and bring our self to balanced ethical ground. a. The systems I believe that are needed to ensure access to benefits in our community are education, health, and judicial. An education system is important to help equip individuals with necessary skills that will help them to earn a living and contribute to the well being of their society. A health care system will help to maintain a healthy community by addressing all health needs. Having a judicial system will ensure that justice is dispensed and that fairness and adherence of the laws are followed. b. A Democratic System of Government which is guided by the Constitution can assure fair treatment, fair administration of rules, fair compensation, fair blame, and ensure due process to allow all opinions to be heard. The Constitution is used as a guide by Government to craft legislation, laws and regulations to ensure that there is fairness and justice in society. d. We may know that we are improperly using our personal power when for example we are in a position of leadership or power and use our office to influence others to do things our way. We may realize that our life is out of balance when we become depressed, suicidal, suffer from addition and is easily enraged. We can to my mind bring our life back into balance by doing introspection, and accepting responsibility. What types of systems are needed to ensure that all individuals have access to the benefits of our community as well to bring health and effectiveness to an organization or the broader community. There are several systems that are design to allow access to benefits. These include laws that are used to identify and support individuals who would require such services. If a medical provider or a school employee notices something that might be child abuse or elder abuse, they are required by law to report it. By reporting a possible incident a wide net of services are employed to investigate and perhaps implement services needed by the individual. Laws are also passed to describe who gets and what benefits are available to an individual. Social agencies, organizations and religious groups are often used to educate, locate and provide for the individuals in need. The media in various forms is often used to promote changes or additions to the benefits. A well educated community is the best weapon in the organizations arsenal. How do we ensure fair treatment, fair administration of rules, fair compensation, fair blame and ensure due process to allow all opinions to be heard? It is sometimes very difficult to ensure all of the fairness listed above in the heat of the moment. In order to do so one must step back and remove oneself from the heat of the event. When emotions become to involved it is difficult to implement fairness. This can be seen when the media appears to â€Å"convict† someone before they are arrested and tried. Laws have been passed to help identify areas that should be address fairly and these include race, age, disability ,and religion. Legislation has also determined a federal minimal wage and passed laws dealing with equal pay for equal work. Labor Unions often campaign for certain employment benefits for its members. The knowledge that a business’s could be sued for unfairness or prejudice is another protection. Businesses often have a policy Manuel that addresses how they will deal with certain issues. Knowledge of an individuals rights and duties written down gives all sides the knowledge of what is considered right and wrong in that group. . How do you know when you are improperly using your personal power? How do you know when your life is out of balance? How do you bring it back into balance? Self analysis and appraisal is required to obtain this knowledge. Every once in a while one must ask oneself if one is following the right path. Listening to others is a good way to identify if one is improperly using ones power. It doesn’t mean they are always correct but it may point your self reflection in the right direction. Checking ones ethical compass is another. I know when my life is out of balance when I can not be everywhere at once. Work stresses, problems and information should stay there. Family and personal business should not interfere with work or school. When I find myself spending time from one part of my life dealing with another part of my life then I am our of balance. Again one must step back and access what is going on and figure out if it is going to be temporary or long term. One can then figure out a course of action and decide what is needed. Being brave enough to ask for help if needed.   Superwoman is an concept promoted by the media that does exist, rather one needs to make sure one is not overwhelmed. In addition if it is a major project or event sometimes if I break it into pieces it is easier to digest and equilibrium returns. What types of systems are needed to ensure that all individuals have access to the benefits of our community as well to bring health and effectiveness to an organization or the broader community? The types of systems that are need to that all individuals have access to the benefits of our community as well to bring health and effectiveness to an organization or a broader community would be systems such electricity which allows everyone to have access to light, television for allowing the world to come into your place of living, and also the telephone systems that allows individuals to communicate with the world through voice. 2. How do we ensure fair treatment, fair administration of rules, fair compensation, fair blame and ensure due process to allow all opinions to be heard? We ensure fair treatment , fair administration of rules, fair compensation, fair blame and ensure due process to allow all opinions to be heard by establishment organizations such as the Equal Employment opportunity commission(EEOC) for fair treatment. Fair administration of rules would include organizations such as the Federal Trade Commission(FTC) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration(FMSCA)Fair compensation organizations would include the Department of Labor(DOL). Fair blame and due process would be the Justice system. 3. How do you know when you are improperly using your personal power? How do you know when your life is out of balance? How do you bring it back into balance. Where in truth good choices are not made. Also power is abused, it can result from an imbalance of information education or financial resources, than the other party may not be able to freely choose what I wants to do. When power is out of balance, we often are using the persons as a means to our preferred ends rather than treating the person as an end, a human being with a autonomy and choices in how to live his life. To bring power back into balance is to establish a connection with your inner spirit and knowing the right thing to.

How Organisations Has Been Affected By Two Contrasting Economic Environments

Task 1)When the country is in the recession everybody is trying to save money and go to shops which are cheap. Some companies cut jobs and are trying to maximise profit. Lidl is making lots of profit in the recession therefore they don’t have to worry that there is a recession because everybody is trying to save money and people are going to cheap shops and Lidl is one of them and because of that they are making lots of money in recession. Lidl is in England for a very long time and when recession came, it made tens of thousands of people to try Lidl for the first time.The same thing happened to Aldi. Lidl and Aldi have cheap products at high quality. When the country is at boom then lots of business like Lidl hire lots of people therefore there is high employment level and their wages will go high as well because they want to attract more people because the business can afford to hire lots of people therefore the business will run in a very good way also businesses are invest ing more to make the business expand and meet peoples demands, and in a boom people have lots of money which they want to spend on their want and needs and because of that shops will make lots of profit.Task 2)Human resources in a recession have to make hard decisions, one of them is cutting jobs because they can't afford to have lots of employees, finance department have to calculate how much money they can spend on the business and try not to bankrupt therefore they would have to change their suppliers on cheaper suppliers which have less quality products as they would have from their normal suppliers and that could affect their business because they could lose customers. The company would have to stop investing and save money for their suppliers and pay their employees.He company would have to stop investing and save money for their suppliers and pay their employees. If the country is at the recovery, then Human resources might start hiring new people but not a lot like they had at boom therefore unemployment will fall a little. Finances will have to consider about increasing production and start investing into the business again, demand would rise and because of that sales will rise as well therefore slowly the business will be making profit.

What are advantages and disadvantages of arbitration in international Essay

What are advantages and disadvantages of arbitration in international law Discuss - Essay Example Out of the necessity to find a systematic way to resolve business problems alternative dispute resolution systems (ADR) gain tremendous popularity. The most common and utilized ADR is arbitration. This paper studies international arbitration law by analyzing how it works and providing examples of real life arbitration cases. It provides insight into the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing arbitration to resolve conflict in international business affairs. Arbitration is a relative new concept in the modern business world. One of the first cases in which arbitration was utilized in a business transaction in the 20th century occurred in 1943. In that year the New Your City Council Claims’ Manager Council appointed a committee to as an arbitration board to resolve to arbitrate certain automobile physical damage subrogation claims dispute that arose among the members of the council (Arbfile, 2002). Arbitration had been utilized previously to find peaceful resolutions to war conflicts and by diplomats to solve problems between nations. Contrary to common beliefs the roots of the utilization of arbitration were not planted in this century, they date back thousands of years. Alexander the Great utilized arbitration as a means to settle territorial disputes arriving from a peace treaty he had negotiated with the Southern States of Greece in 337 B.C. (Massey). Current and past history demonstrates that arbitration has always been a com monly utilized method to find resolution to problems involving countries and territories around the world. Arbitration cases in business disputes involve two parties with a problem in which neither of them whishes to take the case to court and are unable to resolve the problem themselves. In order to find a solution the parties decide to delegate the responsibility of finding a solution to a person or panel of people. The

1.Compare the civilization in the Indus Valley with the civilizations Essay

1.Compare the civilization in the Indus Valley with the civilizations in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Consider such factors as geography, social structure, technology, economics, religion, etc - Essay Example However by 2500 BC the two great cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro were well established. There is not known evidence to state whether this civilization was inspired by Mesopotamia and Egypt or had the local development on its own. The changes in environment, population and evolution of technology are the reason for emergence of the civilized societies. The quality of the cities built by baked bricks of same size proves the knowledge of planning and development and their priority to maintain hygienic conditions. Although the houses were of different sizes yet the city possessed remarkable egalitarianism. The streets were laid in a grid pattern with houses protected from any pollution and thief’s intruding. City obtained the desired water from wells and drained the waste water to the closed drains proving the improved drainage and sewage system. There were no temples or pyramids in the city during Indus civilization unlike Ziggurats (temple) of Mesopotamia, that were built high with houses of priests, shopkeepers and merchants in city center and government buildings around the Ziggurats and the houses were made of mud-bricks but the pyramids, temples, palaces and tombs made of stone and rich in art and architecture in Egypt. The Indus civilization was laid by the river Indus that played a vital role in the lives of people by Indus as it provided fertile land for agriculture purpose. The Deccan Plateau and Himalayas located around the valley protect the people of Indus civilization from invaders. While the Mesopotamia civilization laid by the rivers Tigris and Euphrates with mountains on the east and deserts on the west of Mesopotamia. Egypt civilization laid by the river Nile on north is bound by dessert on east, west and south protecting from all influences, thus evolving on its own. The Indus Valley people used animals like camels, oxen and elephants as means of transportation. The carts

International intercultural management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

International intercultural management - Essay Example This paper is based on an intercultural dinner that the writer was involved in. During the dinner, there were discussions carried out in relation to relevant cultural differences that existed between their respective countries. The countries represented at the dinner were Saudi Arabia [the writer's nation which is the base nation for this essay], Thailand, China,and Ghana. In the dinner, significant aspects of the cultures and social structures of the different nations were discussed. These discussions included economic activities in the respective nations, significant determinants of business activities, unique systems, food, and other relevant factors. During the dinner, there were some notes that were made by the writer of this paper. They include important elements and aspects of the various nations. The writer noticed that noodles play an important aspect in the diet of the Chinese and the Thai people. I also learned that rice is an important element of the Thai society. Both na tions have strong connections with the Silk Route which was a trail of trade between Asia and Europe. Due to this, there were some exchanges between Europe and Asia albeit minor in terms of influence. It was also noted that the Chinese nation is really huge and there were different time zones as well as different states within the nation. I was shocked to discover that there are some urban areas in China with as many as 320 million people [which is the size of some populations]. This confirms the realities of the fact that China is the largest nation in terms of population. I also noticed that most of the chocolate we eat is from cocoa which is the core element of the Ghanaian society. I therefore identified that agriculture remains an important element of the Ghanaian society. Active-learning activities promotes cooperation, critical thinking, independence, time management and sensitivity to cultural differences (Gardner, 2008). Another aspect of active-learning is that it provides the avenue for the application of theoretical knowledge (Harmin and Toth, 2010). Based on these elements of active learning, the research undertook a comparative system beginning with the culture and systems of Saudi Arabia. The researcher begins by using Hofstede's model of cross-cultural management to examine and evaluate the culture of Saudi Arabia. This is done by following up on the findings that were made during the dinner. The research goes on to trace the findings of the dinner to define the elements of Thailand, China and Ghana. A core tool that is used in

AC PROJECT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

AC PROJECT - Essay Example We have set a budget of $ 132000 for software expenses. The cost includes an allowance that will cater for unexpected costs during writing of different software. Travel expenses will amount to $ 71500. This amount will meet the travel demands of our team as we seek to participate actively in the growth of this company. To cover all the depreciation costs, we will require $255,000. Due to the complexity of the tasks being performed by this department, various unplanned costs are bound to be incurred. To cater for such miscellaneous costs, the department will require $ 110000. We hope that our budget demands will be looked into so that we can have a successful business year this year. The figure below shows an outline of the proposed budget. Our company has been very successful in the recent years. The massive financial support to the sales department has been of great importance. This year, our budgetary expenses are bound to reduce by a small percentage. This is because most companies have already invested in communication software and hence there are few numbers of potential customers. We expect to maintain our past growth rate despite this challenge. To achieve this, we will lower our sales revenue expenses to $4, 500, 000. This amount will be sufficient to help us reach the available customers in the market. The salaries for our staff will amount to a total of 360000. This amount will help us maintain our competent employees and hire more qualified employees if need arises. The nature of our duties demands a lot of travelling. The travel expenses are estimated to amount to $210,500. Compared to the previous years, this amount has been lowered since the numbers of available customers has decreased. The total amount for the proposed budget is $507000. With this budget, we will be able to maintain our growth level and hence move the company to another level of success. The budget outline is presented below. Our division has enjoyed the continued

Compare the implications of negative and positive freedom for the Essay

Compare the implications of negative and positive freedom for the relationship between the individual and the state - Essay Example It is also widely claimed to pertain to exemption from the arbitrary exercise of authority in the performance of a specific action and the capacity to exercise choice. Out of this freedom comes a consideration whether to be free from authority or external governing forces or from the inner command which is rather controlled by oneself. In a situation where an individual is able to act freely under circumstances when elements of state, unless for the purpose of granting security, may not interfere with freedom, in terms for instance of speech, religious choice, self-expression, and of general learning which are all taken into account by the so-called negative liberty. Restrictions in this sense of negative freedom would thus necessarily be derived from the outside since a person for this case is assumed capable of executing an action by instinct or nature beyond any internal inhibitions. On the contrary, positive liberty is a consequence of freedom from boundaries set by convention in a society which establishes a standard norm that must be adhered to collectively or by the number of people making up a society of particular social structure. This mode of liberty is characteristic of an introspective condition and would not afford even a slightest resistance to implementation of freewill. Though one may feel free to participate in assimilation yet finds discomfort in the idea of conformity to a dominant group which supports advocacy for certain ideology, cultural belief, or a complex sociological framework which embeds inevitable division by race, sex, or class, freedom would not have a complete sense of positive identity for such an involved person. Commitment to liberty in this picture ought to be relieved of coercion and should, by all means, originate based upon sole discretion of freewill instead. Freedom in its positive trait further

Fresh water of the Continents Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Fresh water of the Continents - Essay Example The rest of water of Earth constitutes the Earth’s fresh water resource (Strahler & Zeeya ch. 11). Typically, fresh water is described as water with a salinity of less than 1% that of oceans. Water with salinity within this level is typically denoted as marginal water because it is a fringe for many uses by living things. The ratio of fresh water to salt water on Earth is approximately 1 to 40. As said, only a small portion of Earth water exists as fresh water (about 2.5%), and even a lesser fraction is available to mankind. Of this percentage, almost three quarters is frozen, and most of the rest is available as soil moisture or located deep in the surface. In the present world, the major sources of fresh water that is accessible to mankind reside in shallow groundwater aquifers, lakes, wetlands, and rivers, all of which constitute to a small fraction of (equivalent to tenths of 1%) of the total volume of Earth’s water. This volume of water is regularly recycled throug h rainfall and snowfall, thus available on a sustainable basis (Strahler & Zeeya ch. 11). However, global averages fail to demonstrate a complete image of the world’s water base. ... Some zone of the world portrays the wide range of sustainable water resources, which varies from significantly zero in many arid and semi-arid regions to thousands of cubic kilometers per annual as chief river corridor flow. Such zonal dissimilarities in the quantity of available fresh water postulate the diverse patterns of water resources across the world (Strahler & Zeeya ch. 11). Fresh water supply is habituated by several additional impacts, which intensify the patterns of abundance and scarcity. These impacts involve the distribution of mankind relative to the supply of water, availability of water engineering to stabilize flows, patterns of demand, water quality, and interannual climate variations and seasonal. These factors are discussed in detail in the following paragraphs. Water scarcity is the foremost factor to be considered when establishing the availability of fresh water on the earth. The research has far shown a growing dependence of mankind society on available fres hwater resources. To assess these provisioning services more deeply, the supply of recycled water must be put into context of interactions with individuals and their use of water (Strahler & Zeeya ch. 11). Approximately one-third of the planet population resides in nations suffering from moderate to high water stress. In such countries, water consumption is more than ten 10% of recyclable water resources. There are three main factors causing increasing water demand, which involves industrial development, population growth, and agricultural. Agriculture has accounted for most fresh water extractions in developing economies in the past two decades. Researchers have often assumed that growing demand of

Challenges of Older Workers in America Research Paper

Challenges of Older Workers in America - Research Paper Example Many of the employers in America are of the view that the productivity and efficiency of the older workers are lower as compared to the same traits in the young employees. Therefore, majority of the employers in America are not very interested in recognizing the contributions of older workers properly. While deciding promotions, incentives and salary hikes, employers often consider the needs of younger employees only. Moreover, when employers are deciding to reduce the number of employees, older employees often come in the list as the first priority. This paper analyses various challenges older workers in America face. Introduction As with many other demographic groups, older workers’ unemployment overall and long-term unemployment rates have increased dramatically since the recession began in 2007. In December 2011, the unemployment rate for older workers was 6.0 percent, up from 3.1 at the start of the recession, but down from its peak of 7.6 percent in February 2010. In par ticular, long-term unemployment rose substantially, and at a greater rate for older than younger workers. By 2011, 55 percent of unemployed older workers had been actively seeking a job for more than half a year (27 weeks or more) (â€Å"Many Experience Challenges Regaining Employment and Face Reduced Retirement Security†, 2012). ... heir homes or apartments, and approximately half have been looking for work for more than a year† (â€Å"Older Low-Income Workers Face Historic Crisis†, n.d.). These statistics clearly suggest that the social security of the older generation of America is in danger at present because of various reasons such as recession, economic crisis and many other social factors. It should be noted that the young in America are not interested in protecting their parents nowadays. Because of that, many of the unemployed parents are facing huge financial problems. They need enough money to seek the services of charity organizations when they are in need of some kind of assistance. In short, unemployment problems among older workers are not only an economic problem but also a social problem. In short, challenges facing by older workers are an important problem in America now, and it is extremely important to get more insights into this topic. Review of Literature: Challenges of Older Wo rkers in America According to Richard W. Johnson (2010), â€Å"On average, laid-off male workers 50–61 who become reemployed earn 15 percent less on the new job than the old job, and those age 62 and older earn 21 percent less† (p.2). He has also pointed out that age discrimination prevails in American workplaces. He states: In 2008, 15 percent of workers age 55–61 reported that their employers give preference to younger workers over older workers in promotion decisions. Low-skilled older men are especially likely to report this type of discrimination: 29 percent of men who did not complete high school and 20 percent of high school graduates claimed that their employers preferred younger workers, compared with 13 percent of men who had attended college (p.2). According to Tomiko Thomas, program

Responsible Dog Ownership Editorial Essay Example for Free

Responsible Dog Ownership Editorial Essay Ð mÐ µriÃ' Ã °ns hÐ °vÐ µ Ð µmbrÐ °Ã' Ã µd thÐ µ jÐ ¾Ã'Æ's Ð ¾f Ã' Ã °ninÐ µ Ð ¾wnÐ µrshiÃ'€ fÐ ¾r Ã' Ã µnturiÐ µs, frÐ ¾m GÐ µÃ ¾rgÐ µ WÐ °shingtÐ ¾n Ð °nd his Ð mÐ µriÃ' Ã °n FÐ ¾Ã'…hÐ ¾unds tÐ ¾ GÐ µÃ ¾rgÐ µ W. Bush Ð °nd his Ð…Ã' Ã ¾ttish Ð ¢Ã µrriÐ µrs. Ð ¢Ã ¾dÐ °Ã'Æ', thÐ µrÐ µ Ð °rÐ µ Ð °Ã'€Ã'€rÐ ¾Ã'…imÐ °tÐ µlÃ'Æ' 73 milliÐ ¾n dÐ ¾gs in thÐ µ U.Ð…. Ð °nd thÐ µir rÐ ¾lÐ µs in sÐ ¾Ã' iÐ µtÃ'Æ' hÐ °vÐ µ shiftÐ µd frÐ ¾m huntÐ µr Ð °nd wÐ ¾rking LÐ °brÐ °dÐ ¾r RÐ µtriÐ µvÐ µr tÐ ¾ fÐ °milÃ'Æ' Ã' Ã ¾mÃ'€Ð °niÐ ¾n. WhÐ µn wÐ µ hÐ µÃ °r Ð ¾f unfÐ ¾rtunÐ °tÐ µ inÃ' idÐ µnts invÐ ¾lving dÐ ¾gs, suÃ' h Ð °s Ð ° bitÐ µ, its Ð ¾ftÐ µn Ð ° rÐ µsult Ð ¾f Ã' Ã °rÐ µlÐ µssnÐ µss Ð ¾n thÐ µ mutt Ð ¾wnÐ µr part tÐ ¾ tÐ °kÐ µ rÐ µsÃ'€Ð ¾nsibilitÃ'Æ' fÐ ¾r thÐ µ Ð °nimÐ °l thÐ µÃ'Æ' Ã' hÐ ¾sÐ µ tÐ ¾ Ð ¾wn. Ð ¢hÐ µrÐ µ Ð °rÐ µ twÐ ¾ Ð µnds Ð ¾f Ð µvÐ µrÃ'Æ' lÐ µÃ °sh Ð °nd rÐ µsÃ'€Ð ¾nsiblÐ µ Ã' Ã °ninÐ µ Ð ¾wnÐ µrshiÃ'€ bÐ µgins with thÐ µ mÐ °n nÐ ¾t thÐ µ bÐ µst friÐ µnd.ЕÐ °Ã' h Ã'Æ'Ð µÃ °r thÐ µ Ð mÐ µriÃ' Ã °n KÐ µnnÐ µl Ð ¡lub hÐ ¾sts RÐ µsÃ'€Ð ¾nsiblÐ µ DÐ ¾g ОwnÐ µrshiÃ'€ DÐ °Ã'Æ' Ð ¾n Ð…Ð µÃ'€tÐ µmbÐ µr 17 tÐ ¾ Ð µduÃ' Ã °tÐ µ thÐ µ dÐ ¾g-lÐ ¾ving Ã'€ubliÃ'  Ð °bÐ ¾ut thÐ µ imÃ'€Ð ¾rtÐ °nÃ' Ã µ Ð ¾f bÐ µing Ð ° rÐ µsÃ'€Ð ¾nsiblÐ µ LÐ °brÐ °dÐ ¾r RÐ µtriÐ µvÐ µr Ð ¾wnÐ µr. Just sÐ ¾mÐ µ Ð ¾f thÐ µ tÐ ¾Ã'€iÃ' s thÐ µsÐ µ Ð µvÐ µnts Ð °ddrÐ µss Ð °rÐ µ sÐ °fÐ µtÃ'Æ' Ð °rÐ ¾und dÐ ¾gs, thÐ µ right brÐ µÃ µd fÐ ¾r Ã'Æ'Ð ¾ur lifÐ µstÃ'Æ'lÐ µ, trÐ °ining Ð °nd Ã' Ã ¾mÃ'€Ð µtitivÐ µ Ð µvÐ µnts fÐ ¾r Ã'Æ'Ð ¾ur dÐ ¾g, tÐ °gging/miÃ' rÐ ¾Ã' hiÃ'€Ã'€ing ID Ð ¾Ã'€tiÐ ¾ns, LÐ °brÐ °dÐ ¾r RÐ µtriÐ µvÐ µr hÐ µÃ °lth Ð °nd muà ' h mÐ ¾rÐ µ.Ð ¢hÐ µ Ð KÐ ¡, thÐ µ nÐ °tiÐ ¾ns biggÐ µst rÐ µgistrÃ'Æ' Ð °nd lÐ µÃ °ding nÐ ¾t-fÐ ¾r-Ã'€rÐ ¾fit Ð ¾rgÐ °nizÐ °tiÐ ¾n dÐ µdiÃ' Ã °tÐ µd tÐ ¾ thÐ µ wÐ µlfÐ °rÐ µ Ð ¾f Ã'€urÐ µbrÐ µd dÐ ¾gs, rÐ µÃ' Ã ¾gnizÐ µs thÐ °t dog Ã' Ã ¾mÃ'€Ð °niÐ ¾nshiÃ'€ is nÐ ¾t Ð ¾nlÃ'Æ' Ð ° right but Ð °lsÐ ¾ Ð ° Ã'€rivilÐ µgÐ µ thÐ °t must bÐ µ rÐ µsÃ'€Ð µÃ' tÐ µd Ð °nd nurturÐ µd. In rÐ µturn fÐ ¾r this Ã'€rivilÐ µgÐ µ, Ã' Ã °ninÐ µ Ð ¾wnÐ µrs nÐ µÃ µd tÐ ¾ rÐ µsÃ'€Ð µÃ' t rÐ µÃ °sÐ ¾nÐ °blÐ µ, Ð µnfÐ ¾rÃ' Ã µÃ °blÐ µ, nÐ ¾n-disÃ' riminÐ °tÐ ¾rÃ'Æ' lÐ µgislÐ °tiÐ ¾n gÐ ¾vÐ µrning thÐ µ Ð ¾wnÐ µrshiÃ'€ Ð ¾f dÐ ¾gs, suÃ' h Ð °s lÐ ¾Ã' Ã °l lÐ µÃ °sh lÐ °ws, Ã' urbing Ã'€Ð ¾liÃ' iÐ µs Ð °nd liÃ' Ã µnsing rÐ µgulÐ °tiÐ ¾ns. Ð ¢hÐ µ sÐ °Ã'Æ'ing Ð ¾nÐ µ bÐ °d grÐ µÃ µn Ð °Ã'€Ã'€lÐ µ Ã' Ã °n sÃ'€Ð ¾il thÐ µ whÐ ¾lÐ µ bunÃ' h rings Ð µsÃ'€Ð µÃ' iÐ °llÃ'Æ' truÐ µ in tÐ µrms Ð ¾f mutt Ð ¾wnÐ µrshiÃ'€. Ð ll dÐ ¾g Ð ¾wnÐ µrs Ð µÃ °silÃ'Æ' bÐ µ misjudgÐ µd bÃ'Æ' thÐ µ dÐ µÃ µds Ð ¾f Ð ¾nÐ µ thÐ ¾ughtlÐ µss individuÐ °l. WÐ µ hÐ ¾Ã'€Ð µ Ã'Æ'Ð ¾ull tÐ °kÐ µ timÐ µ this mÐ ¾nth tÐ ¾ bÐ ¾nÐ µ up Ð ¾n rÐ µsÃ'€Ð ¾nsiblÐ µ dog Ð ¾wnÐ µrshiÃ'€ whÐ µthÐ µr Ã'Æ'Ð ¾u Ð °rÐ µ lÐ ¾Ã ¾king tÐ ¾ Ð °dd Ð ° Ã'€uÃ'€Ã'€Ã'Æ' tÐ ¾ thÐ µ fÐ °milÃ'Æ' fÐ ¾r thÐ µ first timÐ µ Ð ¾r Ð °rÐ µ Ð ° lifÐ µlÐ ¾ng dog lÐ ¾vÐ µr. LÐ µÃ °rn whÐ °t it tÐ °kÐ µs tÐ ¾ bÐ µ Ð ° rÐ µsÃ'€Ð ¾nsiblÐ µ dog Ð ¾wnÐ µr. YÐ ¾ur bÐ µst friÐ µnd is Ã' Ã ¾unting Ð ¾n Ã'Æ'Ð ¾u.

The texts, Othello by William Shakespeare, Big World by Tim Winton Essay Example for Free

The texts, Othello by William Shakespeare, Big World by Tim Winton Essay The texts, Othello by William Shakespeare, Big World by Tim Winton and my visual appropriation, have enriched my understanding of the outsider through a variety of language and visual techniques. Through the portrayal of Othello and Roderigo in Othello, the author in Big World and the outsider in my visual appropriation, the authors have conveyed the notion that outsiders will forever and always be outsiders. No matter how hard the outsider tries to fit in or deny their otherness, at times seemingly part of the group, they will, in the end, still be considered an outsider. In Othello, Othello denies his otherness in order to conform to society however he is never truly accepted by society or himself. At the start of the play, Othello strongly disputes Brabantio’s claims of him using some sort of magic to seduce Desdemona, declaring he won her love like anyone else would. â€Å"Of my whole course of love: what drugs, what charms,/ What conjuration and what mighty magic –† the repetition of the word ‘what’ illustrates Othello’s intense dissent regarding him possessing any sort of other worldly attributes which would make him an outsider. However by the end of the play, even Othello himself, stated that he used magic. â€Å"there’s magic in the web of it† the use of metaphor when referring to the handkerchief, that Othello gave Desdemona as a token of their love, portrays Othello’s inability to even accept himself. Used with other words such as â€Å"charmer†, â€Å"fancies†, â€Å"perdition† and â€Å"sibyl† which have negative magical connotations, Othello himself reiterates his otherness which at the start he was denying. This shows that despite Othello trying to fit in to society, he is always considered an outsider by both society and himself. Similarly, Roderigo believes he has a close relationship with Iago but he is actually being manipulated and not accepted at all by Iago. Roderigo listens to Iago and gives him all his money in the hopes of being able to have Desdemona. The repetition of Roderigo’s questioning tone, â€Å"what will I do†, â€Å"what should I do? †, â€Å"what say you? † , portrays Roderigo’s trust in Iago and the idea that he is seemingly lost without Iago’s guidance. It gives the impression that Roderigo thinks he has a close connection with Iago through his confiding of his thoughts and request for advice. Towards the end of the play though, Roderigo appears out of nowhere, apparently awoken from his ‘trance’, and accuses Iago of using him for his money. â€Å"Very well, go to! I cannot go to, man, nor ‘tis not very well. † the angry tone of Roderigo shows he now knows that he has been manipulated and that his relationship with Iago was a false one. This emphasises the idea of Roderigo believing he was accepted by Iago when in actual fact, he was always the outsider. In Big World by Tim Winton, the author gives the feeling that he is part of society and accepted but he continually refers to the fact that he is an outsider. The author has a best friend named Biggie, who saves the author from bullying and thus how they became best friends. In â€Å"unlike him I’m not really from here. † and â€Å"†¦the city, I’m from there originally. † the tone conveys that the author is not from Biggie’s community and although having lived there for some time, he still considers himself as an outsider, as someone who doesn’t belong. Yet in â€Å"for once I’m not faking it. † The use of personal pronoun shows that the author finally feels accepted and that he is part of Biggie’s society for real while all the other times he was only pretending to fit in. Nonetheless, in the end the author is still deemed an outsider. â€Å"†¦Biggie†¦ will blow me off.. † the colloquial language illustrates that even though the author felt like he had finally fit in, it still resulted in Biggie leaving him because he is an outsider. This demonstrates that regardless of outsiders trying to fit in, and at times they do, in the end they are still viewed as different. My visual appropriation also captures the idea that an outsider will remain on the outside no matter how much they try to integrate with society. The use of colour symbolism shows the man’s desire to fit in with the group and feel acknowledged despite being different and an outsider. The vectors of the shutters convey the notion of inviting the man to join the group and give the impression of the group welcoming him. However the leafy gate, which separates the man in the foreground from the group in the background, creates an atmosphere of separation conveying the sense of the man still being an outsider. Furthermore the square, in which the group is seen, can be considered a window and when the appropriation is viewed as a whole, it looks like the group of people is enclosed in a room while the man is left on the outside where he can only observe. This gives the feeling that regardless of the closeness the man and group seem to be in, the man is still an outsider. As a result it shows that in spite of the man trying to fit in, to deny his otherness, he incessantly remains an outsider. Through the variety of literary and visual devices encountered in the texts, Othello, Big World and my visual appropriation, it has enriched my understanding of the outsider. The outsider will continually be perceived as the other even with them attempting to join the group or society. At times they may appear to fit in and feel accepted but ultimately the outsiders will be regarded as just that, outsiders.

Amsterdam Tourism Marketing Condition Tourism Essay

Amsterdam Tourism Marketing Condition Tourism Essay Amsterdam has long been regarded as diversified, international city. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, in 2008, 4.5 million visitors stayed over in Amsterdam. The city break markets significance and economic value is increasingly being acknowledged by city managers and administrators (Dunne, 2007). Domestic tourists constantly account for about 20% of Amsterdam tourist arrivals, followed by 18% of U.K tourists and 11% U.S tourists  [1]  . In 2009, due to the economic recession, during the first six months of 2009 the number of bed nights of international guests continued to decrease, with the UK (-23%), Spain (-20%) and the US (-9%)  [2]  . The significant change in 2009 tourism was the increase of Spain tourists and tourists from BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China). This indicated that no matter within or outside Europe, even during economic recession, the market potential would be worth exploring in the future. What makes a potential tourist come to Amsterdam? Before they start the trip, they have a perception of this city, which refers to destination image. The importance of the tourist destinations image is universally acknowledged, since it affects the individuals subjective perception and consequent behaviour and destination choice (Chon, 1990; Echtner Ritchie, 1991). That is to say, destination image motivates people travelling. Hall and OSullivan (1996) proposed that the creation of a destination image is based on three elements: (a) Returning tourists through word-of-mouth reporting, (b) Media reporting and image-making and (c) Government policies and interests. Supported by Seddighi et al. (2001), stated that perceptions about country image are formed through advertising and promotion, news accounts, conversation with friends and relatives, travel agents and past experiences (2001, p.182), suggesting that the attractiveness of destination needs an informative city image. In the three elements mentioned above, returning tourists reporting and media reporting are important factors in motivating people visiting Amsterdam. Amsterdam has various types of recreational areas that serve different types of tourists. Comparing with Berlin, Paris and Rome, Amsterdam has its language advantage. Amsterdam inhabitants speak fluent Nederlands and sufficient English. This creates an accommodating and friendly tourist environment. Whats more, the general hygiene of Amsterdam is well maintained. This city is relaxing and has no specific religion restrains. As a result, word-of-mouth would be generally good. The second factor, media reporting and image-making, is the part that can be improved. And the improvement will make significant difference in motivating more people coming to Amsterdam. It has a lot to do with target marketing. The city image of Amsterdam is diversified. On one hand, it could be a good thing: any types of tourists will find that this city fit them. However, it makes Amsterdam an optional place to visit. If potential tourists are not fully motivated to come to Amsterdam, they can easily change their destination to Paris or Madrid. It is important for Amsterdam to have specific image to target tourist groups. As to government policies, Amsterdam has a stable and safe social environment. Despite marijuana and prostitution are legal in this city, the crime rate holds medium to low comparing with other EU cities. And these two factors are attracting a lot of curious tourists and generating money from them. The local government of Amsterdam is making an effort to promote tourism. It is obvious this city welcomes tourist, for instance, the spread of tourist information office and tickets centres, English introductions in major tram lines to entertainment area. So this element can be regarded as accomplished. 2. Tourist Segmentation and Motivation 2.1 Demographic Breakdowns Collectively, previous studies have demonstrated that tourists with different cultural backgrounds may show differences in their motivations, preferred tourism resources, and behavioural characteristics (Chen et al. 2000). According to the factsheet 2009 of Amsterdam, the main travellers are from EU countries (76%). The geographic category is: The Netherlands, U.K, U.S, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, rest of Europe, Asia, rest of America, Africa and Oceania. Since tourism is a price sensitive industry, the demographic should include income. Educational background and age are also parts of tourist profile. 2.2 Subjective Culture Groups Hofstede (1980) found that people from different societies varied in terms of four subjective cultural aspects, including power distance, masculinity-femininity, individualism-collectivism, and uncertainty avoidance. Power distance refers to the degree to which cultures encourage or maintain status differences between power holders. Masculinity-femininity refers to the relative emphasis on achievement which characterizes gender distinctions in some national cultures. Individualism means ones identity is by determined by personal choices and achievement. Collectivism has to do with ones identity is determined by the character of the collective groups to which one is attached. Uncertainty avoidance has to do with the degree to which societies and cultures develop ways to deal with the anxiety and stress of uncertainty (Kim, 1999). Previous research showed that western and Asian culture has distinctive difference with respect to four subjective cultural aspects (Enright, 1994; Dann, 1981). Power distance is bigger in Asian countries than in western countries. This implies the way people wanted to be accommodated differs when the culture background changes. Gender and religion issue could arise by travellers from Middle Eastern countries, for example, gender-separated prayer room would be appreciated by Muslims, while people from Japan and China probably would not pay much attention to it. Whats more, individualism is more appreciated in western countries while collectivism is an idea that commonly shared by Asian countries. The implication would be different focus when advertising Amsterdam. In western countries, DIY booklet of city tour would be more popular. In Asian countries, group easy access would satisfy potential travellers. People from different subjective cultural groups tend to link themselves with preferred city image of Amsterdam. So the city image of Amsterdam should have a different focus on media in different countries. 2.3 Motivation Factors Motivation has been referred to as psychological/biological/social needs and wants, including internal (or emotional) and external forces (Dann, 1981). In the context of tourist motivation, internal force is the desire to go travelling; external forces could be public holiday, attractive city experience, budget,etc. Motivation based segmentation helps marketers determine why visitors are consuming a product or service, and suggests the means by which visitors desires can be met (Oh et al., 1995). Therefore, tourist motivation studies are useful in developing product, promotion, and segmentation strategies. Analysis of tourist motivation attempts to extend the theoretical and empirical evidence on the causal relationship among the push and pull motivations, satisfaction, and destination loyalty (Yoon and Uysal, 2005). According to Uysal Hagan (1993), these forces describe how individuals are pushed by 6 motivation variables into making travel decisions and how they are pulled or attracted by destination attributes. Push factors are defined as origin-related and refer the intangible, intrinsic desires of the individual traveler, such as desire to escape, rest and relaxation, adventure, health and prestige. Pull factors are defined mainly related to the attractiveness of a given destination and tangible characteristics such as beaches, accommodation and recreation facilities and cultural and historical resources (Uysal Hagan, 1993). Goossens (2000) describes push and pull factors of tourist behavior as, two sides of the same motivational coin (2000, p. 302) and further posits that the psychological concept, emotion, connects both sides with needs functioning as a pushing motivation and benefits as a pulling motivation. More specifically, Kozak (2002) has categorized motivation push and pull factors into four subcategories: culture, pleasure-seeking/fantasy, relaxation, physical (2002, p.226). These four factors can be used in measuring tourist motivation. While Kay (2009) categorized motives as: social consumption, novelty, learn local culture and relaxation. These two categories shared similarity and have differences. 3. Marketing implication The travel market is often divided into four types of markets: personal business travel, government or corporate business travel, visiting friends and family, and leisure travel. Market segmentation is based on the profiles of target groups and measuring the attractiveness of the market (Zhang et al. 2007). In this paper, the main focus will be on leisure travel, because three types mentioned above are not sensitive to marketing strategies. They can be regarded as more fixed travel pattern on a fixed schedule and destination. 4. Theoretical Framework Motivations: 1. Relaxation 2. Social consumption 3. Pleasure-seeking/Novelty 4. Local culture Marketing implication of leisure travel to Amsterdam Subjective Culture Groups

Teaching Philosophy Statement Essays -- Education Teachers Essays

Teaching Philosophy Statement In the movie The Matrix, Morphis says to Neo â€Å"I can only show you the door, I can’t open it for you.† The door that Morphis is talking about is this incredible vast knowledge that is unknown to Neo. What better person to show, to teach, to inform Neo than his teacher, Morphis. You see, I see myself as Morphis, the teacher, whenever I step into a classroom. As I look across the room, there isn’t just one â€Å"Neo†, but there are thirty or forty Neos. This is an extreme job for someone that understands how hard it is to open that door. I have always heard throughout my life that the key to life is knowledge; the key to success is knowledge. These are two different subjects that can be touched upon. Knowledge is powerful, I do understand that; and it can also take you places. When kids are in high school, they don’t care about school; they care about what they look like and who their friends are. They care about other people’s opinion upon themselves, not what they think about themselves. This is what I know about the teenage years. It’s a vast change from having your mother buy your clothes, to worrying about whether or not you will be going to the prom. My subject area that I have chosen is English. English can be â€Å"cool,† it can be fun, it can be educational. English is a subject that can present that door to opportunity that the teenagers don’t know about. I am the person that can show the students that door. I want to be that teacher that they remember when they are 40 years old and wondering who brought them where they are today. I want them to say â€Å"Hey that was Mr. Neal that showed me how this was done, he inspired me to go to college and get a good job.† Now I understand that as an Engli... ... would have never believed that I would want to teach it. I wanted to teach science. Times changed my mind and I wanted to teach English. I know that as an English teacher, times in the classroom need to be fun, creative, and the repetition of a story would not fulfill the need to be expansive. I know that I am smart enough to create a work plan that is different each and every day of the school year. My intelligence isn’t what I pride myself in, but it’s the talent that was given to me, that situation that gives me a chance to meet new people and become a part of them. It’s that chance to show somebody that door that only they can open up, that chance to inspire them to open that door. I want to be an influence in somebody’s life, I want to be the teacher that made him or her learn, and see that it can be fun and that it just takes a little time. I am that teacher.

Essay --

Although I knew a little bit about blood borne disease before starting the nursing program, I learned much more as I started my career. I never really understood why the majority of people get infected with disease such as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV) and Hepatitis C. It was made clear to me when I started my nursing career, that people who get infected with these diseases are drug users because they share needles with someone else. Even though there are several routes of transmission of these diseases, sharing needles with a partner is one of the routes. As a current Public Health Nurse (PHN), this topic is very important and the only way to prevent outbreaks and stop the sharing of needles is by referring patients to needles exchange programs (NEP) and educating people as much as possible. Even though we cannot completely stop the outbreak, minimizing the amount of people who get infected through sharing needles will help decrease that mode of transmission. After a study was a performed in Canada, researchers found that preventing HIV is by needle exchange programs (NEPs). These program drastically diminish spread of blood borne disease. NEPs are programs where drug users can safely dispose of old syringes and exchange them for new, sterile ones. The services that NEPs provide is essential for drug users that are more vulnerable to these diseases. NEPs are the most successful interventions for preventing HIV. Studies show that changes in HIV risk behaviors after NEPs were implemented reported reductions in syringe sharing and other high risk injecting behaviors. There are some controversies that NEP programs distribute needles when in fact, in order to get new sterile needles drug users have to return used ones (Ma... ...cate our clients, we are telling them the truth about the risks involved with sharing needles. By telling them the truth our intentions are not to scare them, but to tell them everything they need to know in order to make the best option for themselves when it comes to needle sharing. Fidelity means keeping promises (Allender et al., 2010). This is very essential for a PHN when it comes to trustful patient client relationship. If a nurse promises the patient that they will help them obtain sterile needles or refer them to NEP, then he/she has to follow through with that. If the PHN doesn't follow through with the promise that he/she makes, then the client won't trust the PHN in the future. All in all, needle exchange programs are very essential and beneficial for reducing blood borne disease, and we as nurses have to educate our clients because if we won't who will? Essay -- Although I knew a little bit about blood borne disease before starting the nursing program, I learned much more as I started my career. I never really understood why the majority of people get infected with disease such as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV) and Hepatitis C. It was made clear to me when I started my nursing career, that people who get infected with these diseases are drug users because they share needles with someone else. Even though there are several routes of transmission of these diseases, sharing needles with a partner is one of the routes. As a current Public Health Nurse (PHN), this topic is very important and the only way to prevent outbreaks and stop the sharing of needles is by referring patients to needles exchange programs (NEP) and educating people as much as possible. Even though we cannot completely stop the outbreak, minimizing the amount of people who get infected through sharing needles will help decrease that mode of transmission. After a study was a performed in Canada, researchers found that preventing HIV is by needle exchange programs (NEPs). These program drastically diminish spread of blood borne disease. NEPs are programs where drug users can safely dispose of old syringes and exchange them for new, sterile ones. The services that NEPs provide is essential for drug users that are more vulnerable to these diseases. NEPs are the most successful interventions for preventing HIV. Studies show that changes in HIV risk behaviors after NEPs were implemented reported reductions in syringe sharing and other high risk injecting behaviors. There are some controversies that NEP programs distribute needles when in fact, in order to get new sterile needles drug users have to return used ones (Ma... ...cate our clients, we are telling them the truth about the risks involved with sharing needles. By telling them the truth our intentions are not to scare them, but to tell them everything they need to know in order to make the best option for themselves when it comes to needle sharing. Fidelity means keeping promises (Allender et al., 2010). This is very essential for a PHN when it comes to trustful patient client relationship. If a nurse promises the patient that they will help them obtain sterile needles or refer them to NEP, then he/she has to follow through with that. If the PHN doesn't follow through with the promise that he/she makes, then the client won't trust the PHN in the future. All in all, needle exchange programs are very essential and beneficial for reducing blood borne disease, and we as nurses have to educate our clients because if we won't who will?

Farming In Denmark :: essays research papers

Denmark is located in the Central Northern part of Europe. It is part of the Scandinavian countries, thus it has a relatively cold weather all year long. 75% of Denmark’s land is used for farming. Because of it’s export of agricultural and industrial produce, it enjoys one of the highest standard of living in the world. This case study is meant to study the farming in Denmark. Types of Farming: Denmark is divided into 3 areas: Jutland, Fyn, and Zealand. Farming is found in all of those areas. Denmark’s types of farming are: Dairy farming, Crop farming, Animal farming, and Mixed farming In Jutland, the least intensive farming is found. There they mainly grow rye, oats, and potatoes. Pasture land is also found there. In Fyn and Zealand, the most Intensive farming is found. There they grow cereals with root crops, and pigs. Some areas in Jutland and Fyn are also used for mixed farming. Is the Land Suitable for Farming?: Denmark’s land wasn’t very fertile in the Nineteenth century. It had Sandy soils in the West and Clay land in the East. The government invested a lot of money into making those lands fertile. The low lying and relatively flat land in Denmark added to the existing fertile soils, and partially favorable climate (Winter frosts + Warm and sunny summer with rainfall over the average) makes Denmark ideal for cereal farming. Up till the 1870’s, Denmark was a major exporter of wheat and barley. But eventually, it had to diversify due to hard competition. That was when it realized the high demand for dairy products in foreign countries (mainly Britain), thus it started to export dairy products along with cereals. This meant it had to rely on pasture land for rearing animals Today, Denmark’s land is typical for the types of farming found there. The land remains ideal for cereal farming. Pasture land is also found for cattle. Pigs and poultry remain inside a barn all year long. The land is also ideal for growing potatoes and other root crops. Stalinization isn’t a problem in Denmark due to a high annual rainfall. Where in the World can Similar Farming be Found?: Mixed farming: Mixed farming can be found in North America (i.e. USA), in Asia (i.e. Russia), and in Europe (i.e. France and Spain). Mixed farming can be also be found in the rest of the continents. Dairy farming: Dairy farming is found world wide. It is found in Israel, Italy, USA, France, Britain, and many more.

Impact of Education on Society Essay

While capitalism is prevailing in the modern society, the issue on whether an amoral profit driven capitalist system is good for the society or not has been raised. Some believe that an amoral capitalist system is the best way to organize individuals together to serve the society. However, others argue that a amoral capitalist system will harm the society instead of benefit it. In this essay, I will be presenting the view of two neoclassical economists, Ricky Griffin and Adam Smith, who support the idea on the amoral capitalism is good for the society. I will also discuss the opposing view presented by Arthur Miller that suggests a profit drive, amoral capitalist system will do harm to a society . Furthermore, I am going to compare and contrast the two view and concluded with Miller’s view Capitalism encourages business men to make profitable amoral decisions will not benefit our society. While Griffin, Smith and Miller are holding two significantly different views, they both agree on capitalism is an amoral system. According to Griffin, profit is the only incentive for any business to operate under a capitalist system. Smith, father of capitalism, shows his understanding of amoral capitalism by saying, â€Å"We address our self, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but to their advantages. † (Smith 119) This quote clearly illustrates that people would act out of their own interest instead of considering others under capitalism. Further, Miller compare this amoral capitalism with uncivilized animals when the character, Christ, says â€Å"This is a land of great big dogs, you don’s love a man here, out eat him! †¦the world is that way†¦This is a zoo, a zoo!† (Miller p81) Although with a negative feeling and view, Miller believes capitalism is amoral just as much as Griffin and Smith d o. Moreover, Miller suggests capitalism can force people to make amoral, profitable decision because capitalist system is an amoral profit driven system. Smith seem to a agree on Miller’s view on some degree. Many capitalists assert the profitable decisions are efficient, and efficiency will benefit society. Adam Smith claims that â€Å"a society’s interests are best served by private enterprise–allowing individual within that society to pursue their own interests†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Griffin p21) In the business context, â€Å"pursue their own interest† is best describe as maximizing the  profits of their own companies. Griffin and Smith believe that encouraging business to maximizing profit will benefit society in two ways. First of all, business will try their best to produce large amount of goods and service for profits because profits are a very strong incentive to individuals within a materialistic society. Furthermore, due to the fact that every business is trying to maximizing profits, competition will arise between the businesses. In order for businesses to success, business men have to make very efficient decisions and outperform others. Therefore, by being an strong incentive and creating competition amount and businesses, maximizing profit help to society achieve a greater efficiency and create sufficient goods and service. And both Griffin and Smith imply that an amoral, self-interest, profit driven system is the salient support for individual to make profits maximizing decision. Miller, on the other hand, disagree with Smith and Griffin. Miller argues that encourage business men to make only profitable decisions will not serve our society, because what is good for the business is not equal to what is good for the society. In Miller’s play, he expresses his opinion by using a central conflicts that is created by Joe Keller ships out hundreds and twenty cracked cylinder heads to sustain his business, but also results the death of twenty one pilots. Miller uses his play to demonstrate a profitable decision, ships out cracked cylinder heads, is not consist with the social interest of helping the soldiers and winning the war. What is even worse is that Joe Keller is been force into this immoral decision due to the competition and the demand of efficiency. Miller point out that amoral capitalist system is not just encourages business to make amoral decision, but forcing them to make immoral decision for their business. Miller implies that when Joe says,â€Å" I’m in business, a man in business; a hundreds and twenty cracked, you’re out of business; you got a process, the process don’t work you’re out of business†¦you stuff is no good; them close you up, they tear up your contrast, what the hell’s it to them?†(Miller p69) This also shows capitalism is a cold-blood, insensible system because nothing also matters in capitalism besides business, profit and individual themselves. Further, Miller also suggests efficiency is not always good for the society  when Joe Keller says: â€Å"It is a madhouse. Every half hour the Major calling for cylinder heads, they whippin’[sic] us with the telephone. The trucks were hauling them away hot, damn near. I mean just try to see it human, see it human. All the sudden a batch comes out with a crack. That happens, that’s the business, a fine hairline crack.† (Miller p32) Keller’s line evidently demonstrates the cracked cylinder heads are resulted from â€Å"efficient† using of machines to meet the demand. Miller suggests that focusing on efficiency may lead to poor quality or in some case the immoral, cracked products. Nowadays, China is facing the similar problems that is described by Miller, the 2008 China milk scandal is a perfect example. The China milk scandal is causing by the high demand of the infant milk’ quantity and high concentration of potent. In order to meet those demand, the companies have to adulterate the milk with poisoned chemical, melamine, to produce milk in a greater quantity as well as the high potent concentration. However, this action resulted over 300,000 infants’ kidneys damaged. Therefore, with strong real life, blooded proofs, focusing on a achieving efficiency does not always benefit society. Another important argument holding by Smith and Griffin is the economy growth which is resulting from the profitable decision of all businesses. Griffin also point out amoral profitable decision would help economy to be stabilized and decrease the unemployment. As Griffin describes, â€Å"(Economy growth), increases in the amount of goods and service produced by our own resource. In theory, we all want our system too expand–more business, more jobs, more wealth for everyone† (Griffin p27) Griffin not only believes that economy growth will benefit the society, but also suggests that economy growth is what everyone wanted. Furthermore, Griffin introduces some more measurement of economy and standard of living. Griffin implies the GDP and GNP would measure the amount products and service that is useful for people indicated standard of living for people in the society. He also strongly implicitly suggest the GDP per capital is salient indicator that shows the well being of the individual within the system. In a conclusion, Smith and Griffin claim that is a capitalist system will lead to economy growth and would bring wealth and improve standard of living for everyone. However, Miller argues that economy growth does not benefit the whole society. Miller also implies that maximizing profits for business does not improve the people’s quality of life, instead it increase the inequality amount people. Miller illustrate that by presenting Joe Keller’s worrisome after Joe Keller has achieved his business success. Joe is a materially rich man. However, when George, Joe’s partner’s son, come to visit Joe, Joe becomes worried as his wife Kate explains, â€Å"He is worried. When he is worried we goes to sleep† (Miller p41)Furthermore, Joe’s economic success males him even more misery when his only son, Chris, turns against Joe and Joe’s amoral business. Miller makes it very clear that even to a business man, making profits and economy growth do not bring him happiness. In addition, Miller exhibits that economy growth, making profits and business success may means much less important for a non-business man, such as Chris. Chris burst out, â€Å"What the hell do you think I was thinking of, the Goddam[sic] business? Is that as far as your mind can see, the business? What is that, the world-the business? †¦Don’t you have a country? Don’t you live in the world?†(Miller p70) Miller also implies that is wrong for Smith and Griffin considering maximizing profits as self-interests for all business men. Miller believes capitalism forces men to make immoral decision will create conflicts between businessmen and the others or even between businessmen and themselves. Miller demonstrates the conflict between the business man, Joe, and his neighbors when Sue explains, â€Å"Who is he to ruin a man’s life? Everybody knows Joe pulled a fast one to get out of jail.† (Miller p45) Furthermore, Miller presents the conflict between Joe and Chris by having Chris criticizes, â€Å"You’re not even an animal, not animal kills his own, what are you?† (Miller p70) Miller suggests that amoral decision making create this conflict between Chris and Joe because Chris is criticizing Joe’s morality and his amoral decision that Joe did not wish to make. This self conflict that Joe has is shown when Joe explains, â€Å"I didn’t want it that way(the immoral way), either!† (Miller p76) Miller implies capitalism would not bring joy and happiness to society, but b ring the conflicts. Nowadays, as the debate on amoral capitalism is heating up. More and more  people tend to agree Miller’s view in various degree, and believe that a business needs to have some moral responsibility other then profit making. While many believe that corporate social responsibility, also known as CSR, is a decent solution to help amoral capitalism to become moral. an article named â€Å"responsibility is good for the business† published by the Washington Post suggests that businesses which carry on social responsibilities would more likely to earn a greater profits and do better in stock market. The author Christopher Flavelle also presents many statistics and data to support his argument on CSR will help both society and the business. And he writes, â€Å"a number of CSR fund managers insist that responsible behavior helps companies’ performance and that a significant differential becomes visible over time.† (Flavelle p2) as to assist that business will als o benefit from CSR. Another author Jason Magder from The new internationalists believes that more information of all corporation become public, business will have to become more and more ethical. However, Magder seem to believe capitalism will not stand for that to happen when he says, â€Å"Capitalism worked because people couldn’t see into the kitchen† (Magder p1) I argue that business sense would always valued over the moral sense under a capitalist system. Flavelle also implies the same view when he says, â€Å"If they see CSR as contributing to their bottom line, they’ll continue to act responsibly. If they see CSR as a kind of a PR campaign, they’ll probably cut back on it†(Flavelle p1) However, Flavelle believe that is not matter because capitalists can make moral decision and also get reward. So many years after Miller and Smith, this issue on amoral capitalism is still being debating. I believe capitalism forces business men to make profitable amoral decisions may not benefit our society at all. However, maybe Smith is also correct on capitalism is the best way to serve the society before other solutions appear. And with many evidences from different countries, I have to agree with Griffin and Smith that capitalism is efficient. However, I would only describe capitalism as an insensitive, bloody, efficiently machine that does not have feel and moral. The core of capitalism is still profit driven, materialistic, and money. â€Å"money money money money, when you said it long enough it doesn’t mean anything.†(Miller p73) How important is efficiency and profits, when it does not bring joy and  happiness to our society. How can we be well off without compassion, moral value, sympathy and all that feeling that make us as human being.

Magazine article on E-books Essay

Cassettes-sidelined! DVDs –gathering dust! VHS-retired! Technology mutates and evolves leaving redundant platforms in its place. Much of the time technology is beneficial and change is good, however occasionally change is not so auspicious and we do not realise what we have lost until it’s truly gone. The book. The Bible, The odyssey and The Gruffalo (and that’s not even mentioning the poets). All books which have stood the test of time and are still being read as much today as the moment they were published; with these texts societies were bound and broken; lessons were learned and empires fell; all to the humble book. However the brazen veteran; the book; is endanger of being stripped of its crown by the young and brash E-book. In the words of Northrop Frye books are the only piece of technology which has not become socially defunct–Yet! They have stood firm whilst DVDs, tapes and vinyl like empires, rose and fell. However the frog like e-book with its dull boring features and its fabulously annoying Wifi connectivity could be the bane of books. E-books are vastly growing in nature, like a weed; multiplying on every train, beach and plane you see them they are growing in number and his suggested by 2016 there will be nearly 10 billion of these dastardly devices roaming the world. Even the mere existence of E-books has created a whole new type of piracy where people are ripping off hard working authors and publishers by getting counterfeit e-books online for free. This illegal practice was consummated by the emotionless e-book. These characterless devices rob the tangible nature you get from books. The feel of the paper the smell of the ink all contribute to the sensation we get from reading. E-books rob this from us and sadly soon children will not understand this interaction as they will be more familiar with the blistering headache the monotonous e-book provides.

Investors Gain New Clout Essay

From the many problems now being experienced by the US in their economy and the way they conduct their businesses, legislators and other groups are turning to new ways to improve the old system and pull America’s economy out of its slump. The latest among these moves is the move by the legislative to give shareholders more power and control in placing and ousting members of the board of directors. This move has become an issue due to the shift in power in terms of whose interest is favored by the ruling. There are several different interests that exist in a company especially when individuals and groups within it make decisions. There are shareholder interests, employee interests, management interests and stakeholder interests that conflict with each other. The current issue highlights the conflicts that arise between the interests of the management and the shareholders as well as the different interests of the shareholders themselves. This is where the clash begins. On the one hand, those who approve of the new ruling maintain that their interests are being upheld especially because they are the ones who invested in the business. This forwards their main interest of the organization succeeding in the long term because of the investments they have put into the business. While the previous ruling handicaps small shareholders, this new rule gives them voice through the process of â€Å"proxy access† as long as they have at least 3% of the controlling stock. This will enable them to express their dissent and dissatisfaction in the board members and oust them especially if they think that the actions of the board are not appropriate. On the other hand, the interests of the management, will be challenged by the new ruling and could result in problems in implementation and efficiency. While the constitutionality and the perceived negative effects of this ruling are contestable, one thing is clear: big business that angered their investors would go under pressure and could find themselves rethinking their strategies. A noticeable thing about this change is the apparent relativity on how democracy is perceived. Before the ruling, many directors served as the signing body for the chief executives and other high ranking officers they are tasked to oversee. This brings into light the apparent control of CEOs and other executives regardless of how the owners of the company feel about their decisions. With owners finally having a measure of control to a fair and impartial opportunity to elect independent directors, many things are going to change in corporations starting with both the board and top management focusing, instead, on serving the interests of the shareholders as their priority. With the democratization of the shareholders as they are given more power, many in management will see such democratic procedures as a bane rather than the boon they have always perceived it to be. Business roundtables, in order to veil their attempts at skewing the corporate election processes to favor the corporation over substantial shareholder interests, have tried to stop such democratization of power within their systems. However, their efforts have recently been trumped by the â€Å"proxy access† rule. The new ruling has made corporate directors directly accountable to the actions of the company. This will result in (at least speculatively) the improvement of performances of the directors unless they want to be voted out of office and replaced by independent candidates chosen by the shareholders who are against their performance. This power is, however, a double-edged sword. Advancing the interests of shareholders who, among themselves, have different interests could prove to be an overly bureaucratic and cumbersome process where all sides would need to be appeased in order to incur no one’s wrath and be dismissed from the position they have been holding. With as little as 3%holding shares, corporate directors will have many parties to appease, which will require them to be very dynamic and charismatic, as well as having an overall good performance, if they want to stay on the board.

Arroz Con Coco

Arroz Con Coco There are lots and lots of Hispanic type foods. What’s your favorite Hispanic type food? Mines is the famous â€Å"arroz con coco†. A lot of people love that dish. Now let me tell you why I love it so much. Before I start explaining my reasons, I bet your thinking†¦ What the heck is â€Å"arroz con coco†? Well basically it is just â€Å"rice with coconut†. Yes, coconut weird combination I know. But I’m used to it; I’ve been eating it since I was like born.I guess that’s why I love it so much. My grandma makes it the best. To me no one can do it as good as she does. Arroz con coco is just made up of two cups of coconut milk (either fresh or canned), two cups of long-grain rice, one teaspoon of salt, five ounces of Panela or†¦ just eight tbsp. of raw cane sugar, four cups of water and finally 1/3 cup of raisins(optional). All that make up a being plate of deliciousness.Off the Caribbean coast, Colombia, Venezuela , Panama, and Puerto Rico. Arroz con coco is a typical side dish for fries. But make it a little different. It is also served in places like Thailand and southern regions of India. But of course every country does it there own special way. In my family they cook arroz con coco every gathering, every holiday, occasion, everything. And everybody loves it. You should try it someday, if not your going to miss out on a lot .

Analysis And Appraisal Of Primark’s Performances

Analysis And Appraisal Of Primarks Performances Growth and survival are very often the majors’ objectives that guide businesses. Running a business is today and more than ever a risky venture because of the uncertainty of the environment and the strong competition that exist within markets. Organisations have to always come up with new strategies that will help them to achieve superior performances in order to stay in the competition or take competitive advantages. International organisations need therefore to strive more than the others to achieve high performances due to the globalisation effects. Last two years, achieving superior performances was not an easy task due to the economic crisis, leading businesses to be more concern about their survival rather than anything else. The retail sector in the UK was particularly affected by lower purchasing power of customers and many companies of the industry were fighting for their future. It was in this particular context of crisis that Primark one of the most recognise high street brand stand out, increasing their market share and achieving superior performance that made the headlines inside and outside the country. What were the strategies behind these outstanding performances? The present report will critically analyse and appraise Primark performances and the strategies used in order to achieve them. BACKGROUND Founded four decades ago in Ireland, Primark (also branded as Penneys in the Ireland Republic) is a clothing retailer operating in the European continent. The company which is a subsidiary of Associated British Foods plc (ABF) which also owns grocery brands such as Twinning and Silver spoon have an estimated total of 192 stores and operated in several European countries like the UK, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal and Belgium. Since its creation, Primark come a long way to become as today one of the most favoured place to shop by women and men in the UK. The mission of the company quoted directly from ABF website can be extract ed from this statement â€Å"The mission of Primark is to supply quality clothing at prices perceived to offer real value†. Simply said, Primark mission is to make people look good at a lowest cost. This concept of value chain clothing has been one of the main drivers of Primark success over the decades. From its creation the company used a winning formula that is based on a competitive pricing model associated to a fast changing on the fashion pattern. The past decades saw an increase in number of high street brand that offer fashionable products adapted from the catwalk look at affordable prices and Primark was among those brands. A shift of the consumers behaviours toward value lead Primark to increase the number of its store over the decades in order to adapt with the shoppers pattern. A significant increase of this growth has also been an increase of the size of the stores with the average size rising from 16,000 sqft to 30,000 sqft. The opening of a 70,000 sqft store in a high profile place like Oxford Street boosted the Brand image as the UK leader of the value retailing. Also the significant amount invested by ABF in the opening of new stores and the extension of the existing ones helped Primark to achieve a massive transformation going from being a low price-brand with tertiary locations to become the leader of the value retailing in the UK. The recent downturn economic leading to consumers to be price conscious helped certainly the company to continue its growth and to report an increase of 20% in the 2009 profit. However the company was also the centre of a scandal in 2008 concerning the use of children as workers in its factories in Asia as well as the exploitation of overseas workers. Some critics even said Primark were able to achieve outstanding financial performance partially because of above factors that helped them to keep their production costs as low as possible.

Literature reviewe (Technology adoption) Thesis

Literature reviewe (Technology adoption) - Thesis Example The developing countries have now started embracing technology to offer e-government services to the citizens but it has not been adapted globally at the same rate. The factors responsible for low penetration of technology is developing nations could vary across nations and regions. However, to make the services fruitful and to enhance adoption by consumers, various researchers have formulated and developed theoretical frameworks to understand and explain the process of technology adoption. Agarwal (2000) defines technology adoption as the use, or acceptance of a new technology, or new product. In Information Technology and Information system (IT/IS) research, numerous theories have been used to study users adoption of new technologies. Various models were developed including Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)(Davis, 1989), Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA)(Ajzen et al., 1980) , Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) (Ajzen, 1991), and recently, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Te chnology (UTAUT) (Venkatesh et al., 2003) which have all identified factors that affect an individual’s intention to use or the actual use of information technology. 3.2 Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) The theory of reasoned action (TRA) (Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975, Ajzen et al., 1980) is well-accepted model that has been used successfully to explain behaviour across wide variety of settings (Chau, 1996, Chen et al., 2002, Davis et al., 1989, Venkatesh, 1999). According to TRA, an individual’s behaviour is best predicted by his/her behavioural intention which, in turn, is determined by the person’s attitudes and subjective norm (social influence) (Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975). This implies that individuals consider the implications of their actions before they decided to engage or actually engage in any given behaviour. This theory focuses on behaviour intentions rather than on attitudes that influence behaviour (Al-Quesi, n.d.). However, an individual may not always consider the implications of his actions. This too may differ across individuals and across situations. According to TRA an individual’s intention to perform behaviour encompasses two factors – attitudes the performance of behaviour and subjective norms. Behavioural intention refers to the strength of one’s intention to perform a specified behaviour (Davis et al., 1989). Attitude is defined as the degree to which an individual makes a positive or negative evaluation about certain behaviour (Alzharani, n.d.). It is a set of beliefs about the object under consideration. An individual’s attitude towards any object can be predicted with a high degree of accuracy if the researcher has knowledge about the individual’s beliefs about the attitude object and the evaluation aspects of these beliefs (Al-Quesi, n.d.). If an individual believes that e-banking is risky or cumbersome or economic, his action would depend upon the evaluation of the attribute, Subj ective norm is defined as beliefs about what others will think about the behaviour (Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975). It is also the social norm to perform or not perform behaviour (Alzharani, n.d.). That is, if an individual believes that most of people who are important to him perceive the outcome of performing the behaviour as positive, he/she will be more likely to perform the behaviour. Hence it can be defined as the individual’s perception of what most people would like, especially people who matter to him. The subjective norms are generally determined by

Mitochondria are essential for the function of the organelles in the Essay

Mitochondria are essential for the function of the organelles in the endomembrane discuss this statement - Essay Example The skeletal system is composed of cartilage, bones and ligaments. The skeletal system protects and supports muscles that are attached to bones as well as the body; provides calcium storage and is also a site where blood cells are formed (John, 2010). The muscular system on the other hand comprises of cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle and smooth muscle. It is charged with movement of parts of the skeleton, pumping of blood, locomotion as well as helping in the movement of all internal materials. The fourth system is the endocrine system which is made up of pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal gland, pineal gland, hypothalamus gland, pancreas, testes and ovaries together with other ductless glands. This system is tasked with regulation of body chemistry as well as several body functions. The nervous system is made up of sense and nerves organs, spinal cord and brain. This system is charged with receiving of stimuli from internal and external environments, conduction of impulses as well as integration of activities of the rest of the systems (John, 2010). Respiratory system is made up of air and lung passageways and is tasked with exchange of gases between the blood as well as the external environment. Digestive system is made up of mouth stomach, esophagus, pancreas, liver and intestines and is responsible for ingesting and digesting foods, as well as absorbing them inside the bloodstream. The urinary system comprises of the bladder, kidney as well as other associated ducts. It is charged with excretion of metabolic wastes, removal of substances that are present in excess out of the blood. Lastly, the reproductive system comprises of ovaries, testes together with associated structures. Its main function is that of reproduction (John, 2010). The major components of the immune system include; thymus, lymph system, spleen, bone marrow, antibodies,