Operations Management: Technology and Operations Essay

Effective operations management is one of the most important factors relating to the sucess or in some cases failures of an organisation or company †because markets are volatile and demand uncertain, it is imperative that organisations become more responsive† (Christopher, M 2005:142 ) Because of this; organistaions are becoming heavily reliant on technology to perform duties that simply, because of the scale of operations, are not efficient to do ‘by hand’ . In order to remain competitive, organisations need to respond to the five main objectives of Operations which are : Speed, Flexibility, Dependability, quality and cost. The type of market is the decider of which of these objectives take priority. The aim of this assignment, using several different sources, is to provide an analysis of the technology available in different areas of operations and to provide a commentary on how they are acheiving the goals companies are employing them for. In the retail sector, technology is at the forefront of a smooth and successful operation. Customers will always see their time as a commodity therefore it is important that their experience at the store is as seamless as can be. In this consumerist age that we live in, customers are demanding a lot more from retailers. For example; customers expect that if they give their details once, they will be recorded ‘on the system’ which eliminates the need for them to produce them again. One of the methods used to aid this is the Electronic Point Of Sale system. Initially introduced to automatically tally the total of goods purchased, EPOS systems have evolved to be multifuntional and serve many purposes. Fashion jewellery retailer Swarovski are one of the many companys that use such a system. Initially, the programme used by Swarovski was a DOS based one called Retail Pro. By definition of RetailPro.Com (2011) †Retail Pro provides retail software for point of sale and retail management that helps retailers around the world operate more effectively, with a greater return on their technology investment.† This system however was not able to cope with their expansion as a company and according to a member of staff in the I.T. Department † it was becoming ‘Increasingly difficult to manage and was requiring more human intervention than was justifiable for the price’. (Stewart Pender. 2011). In May 2011, Swarovski swithched to a more advanced EPOS system that was able to efficiently manage their Point Of Sale (POS), Merchandising, Store operations and inventory control with a higher level efficiency and dependability at a lower cost. Micros was the new software introduced to Swarovski to improve efficiency and aid smoother operations. This new system also meant that their inventory control was now fully automated and linked directly to the EPOS. Micros designed their Micros X-Store to be able to monitor stock levels. Once an item is scanned on the EPOS sytem, unbeknownst to the customer the system interacts with the SAP (a global computer system to which Swarovski have access) to communicate that the item has been sold, therefore stock levels are now down by one. This occurs in Swarovski everytime an item is sold up until the cut off time, which is monday afternoon. Once the afternoon comes, the Mircos X-Store system culminates all the data it has gathered over the week and works out the ideal quantity of each individual item to re order against current inventory levels. Once this has been done, the sytems sends the order to head office where it can then be forwarded to the warehouse for picking and delivery. The automated re ordering improves lead times and overall speed of stock replenishment times. Aside from the merchandising aspect, the Micros X-Store is capable of handling human resource functions. It can manage employee reproductivity reports, employee borrow function (temporarily assigning collegues to other stores) and organise and manage customer information. Working from a fully automated warehouse the SCP Sytem receives the orders and begins to work on store specific order fufilment . Firstly, the order goes through what is called the ‘Schaefer Pack Pattern Generator’ (SPPG) which based on many complex alogarithyms, determines the optimum weight and height for the finished pallate depending on the weight and amzingly ‘stackability’ of the individual items in the order. By doing this, the SPPG can reduce the amount of pallates needing therefeore havign a direct positive impact on shipping and transport costs. As well as all of this, the SPPG generates a ‘pallate building plan’. This plan enables the next system to pick the items in the most logical sequence in relation to time and allows the items to be placed on the pallate in a ‘store friendly sequence’. By organising items into a store friendly sequence, the person unloading the items at the store does not need to spend time wandering back and forth as the items would have been palatised in respect to the store. Already a seemingly small software package has had an incredible impact on the effectiveness , efficiency and cost by †¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Fully utilising maximum height and weight permittance by achieveing optimium packaging density †¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Forecasting item positioning as to reduce damage to goods †¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Positioning goods correctly for optimum stability during transport. After the SPPG has done its job, another programme; Schaefer Case Picking (SCP) sytem comes in. The SCP is an automated picking system that actualises the work of the SPPG. Once it has received teh orders from the SPPG, the SCP goes about selecting the goods in order. As aforementioned, the goods are selected in the most time effeicent was as to once again improve efficiency and reduce manual labour costs. As the sytems uses an optical identification known as ‘ the vision system’, there is no need for RFID Identification tags that are very common and popular in the industry, but can be rather expensive. As the goods are selected, they are placed into a buffer area until all the goods for that order have been selected. When selection is complete the items are then placed onto the pallet in the ‘store friendly order’ as calculated by the SPPG. Once complete, the pallets are then stretch wrapped which makes them optimised in terms of goods vs density and secure for transit. The flexibility they have means that the customer’s best interests are always kept at heart and they can avoid any disruption to service by having a multitude of couriers to choose from.   One of the couriers that ASOS use is CitySprint. Based in the UK, CitySprint specialise in same and next day delivery. When an order is placed with ASOS, it is packaged by hand in the warehouse and taken to the collection point. ‘Despite increasing automation, people are still essential in most operating systems’. (Wild, R. 2005 243) From the minute it is picked up by the courier the customer has the option to track it from warehouse to their front door. By scanning the bar code of the parcel, the courier is ‘accepting the job’ and it is ready for despatch. As soon as the order has been despatched, the customer is e-mailed a unique tracking I.D., Which will allow them to follow the journey of their item(s). CourierLocator, which is CitySprint’s own technology, is what allows all of this to be possible. Every courier carries a small hand held GPS enabled device called a CityTrackker. Small but powerful, the CityTrackker’s; using CitySprint bespoke technology and a network of anywhere up to 24 satellites wirelessly transmits live real-time information on the couriers location (including latitude and longitude) back to the FleetMapper (A system that depicts the location of all ‘on call’ couriers). On request, the client (in this case ASOS) can request information on several different couriers anywhere in the UK at the click of a mouse. This kind of technology also puts the customer at the forefront of operations. By logging onto either their ASOS account, or the CitySprint website directly, the customer is able to also see the exact real-time location of the courier delivering their parcel. With such methods, ASOS; using CitySprint’s technology, is giving the customer more flexibility and a heightened sense of dependability by putting them in what seems to be control of the delivery process.

Arctic Mining Consultants Essay

Synopsis of the Situation Arctic Mining Consultants is a mining consulting company that does mining exploration. This particular case looks into how Arctic Mining Consultants’ crew did not effectively do their job in Eagle Lake, Alaska. Tom Parker is a geological field technician and field coordinator for the company. He acted as the project manager on the job near Eagle Lake, Alaska. His crew of field assistants consisted of John Talbot, Greg Boyce, and Brian Millar. Tom had worked with all three field assistants before. Tom has specialized skills in claim staking, line cutting and grid installation, soil sampling, prospecting, and trenching. This particular job involved skating 15 claims, which consist of marking a line with flagging tape and blazes along the perimeter of the claim. A claim post is cut every 500 yards, meaning 60 miles in line total. Tom hoped to complete the job in a week, and offered the field assistants each a $300 bonus if it was completed in time. This would be added to their fa irly low daily wages. As the job progressed, tension was thick because the deadline was approaching. The field assistants were working long days, and two of them were continually not meeting Tom’s expectations. Tom particularly took his frustrations out on Millar. Key Issues The field assistants are given little motivation to work hard. They are paid fairly low daily wages and are putting in long days. Tom Parker does not offer positive encouragement either, yelling and making the field assistants feel bad could make them care less about the job. The field assistants are provided meals and accommodations, but even Tom admitted that a lot was expected of them in a short amount of time. Tom Parker is not a good leader. He is the one who does the hiring, training and supervising for all of Arctic Mining Consultants programs. It could be possible he is not properly training field assistants to thoroughly meet his  expectations. Tom Parker, on more then one occasion, exploded with anger. He did not coach his team, he just yelled at them. If he was supervising there work on Day 3, he should have communicated with the field assistants and told them how to improve their work then. On Day 6, when the field assistants did show improvement, Parker did not give them any positive reinforcements. Also, even after Paker picked on only Millar for bad performance, he asked him to work for him again. The field assistants seem to have very different capabilities and attitudes. Boyce did not get picked on by Parker, but admitted to Millar that he only worked as hard as he had to. Boyce had the worst results of everyone. Talbot met his quota and stayed to help Boyce meet his. He was a team player. Millar put in more time and effort, by being the first one dropped off Day 6 and 7, last one picked up Day 6 and 7, and not taking lunch Day 5. He worked himself so hard, that he collapsed at dinner, to tired to eat. Define the Problem The key problem in this case is that Tom Parker is not a good leader. He is in charge of hiring, training, and supervising field assistants. Couldn’t the field assistants’ work be reflected on Tom because he did not properly train them? Also, Tom selected the field assistants for this job. He should have known what they were capable of before selecting them. He had worked with al of them before, so he should have had reasonable expectations for each of them. Tom also made a hostile working environment with much stress and little positivity. Alternative Solutions Solution 1: Tom needs to be retained as a project manager. Being a project manager means being a leader. Tom is not a good leader. An effective leader is one who leads by encouraging the employees and making them want to succeed, thereby making the organization meet and exceed its goals over time. (Thakur, 2005). Tom did not handle conflict well; he took his frustrations out on one particular field assistant. Relational leadership is one form of effective leadership. Relational leadership centers around person-to-person relationships. One of the significant components of all relationships is how conflict is handled. (Ferch & Mitchell, 2011). The  advantage of retaining Tom to gain leadership skills would be that Tom potentially could more effectively train field assistants and make a better team dynamic. The disadvantage is that Arctic Mining Consultants would have to spend time and money to re train the trainer, Tom. It would be beneficial for him to develop new leadership skills, but it might be difficult not having a project manager. Solution 2: Tom and Arctic Mining Consultants should offer more incentives to his field assistants. It doesn’t even have to be monetary. Offering positive reinforcement for work well done would be beneficial to Tom and his team. â€Å"While money is important to employees, what tends to motivate them to perform – and to perform at higher levels – is the thoughtful, personal kind of recognition that signifies true appreciation for a job well done. (Eastern, 2012). The advantage of this solution would be that employees would feel better about the work they are doing, and feel good hen they excel. Field assistants would be working in a positive environment. The disadvantage would be employees would start to expect positive reinforcements and bonuses, feeling they are entitled to it. Solution 2: Hire new field assistants. Tom could more carefully select his field assistants for a job. He should do more research on candidates’ capabilities and experience if he has high expectations. The advantage of having a different team of field assistants would be that he could filter out those who do not meet expectations before hand. The negative side of hiring new field assistants is the time it would take to evaluate new candidates as field assistants. Selected Solution I believe the first solution would bee best to solve this case. Tom needs to reevaluate his leadership tactics. He does not communicate effectively with his crew. He needs to think of the crew working together like a team, and he is coach. Tom is not being effective by focusing on the negatives; he needs to analyze what is being done wrong, and coach field assistants to correct their problem. Implementation/Recommendations First, Arctic Mining Consultant should have Tom trains another potential project manager that already works for the company. The candidate should undergo some type of leadership training. Then Tom will engage in a leadership-training program. The candidate will be the project manager while Tom is absent. Then, the two project managers, Tom and candidate, will work as a team to direct field assistants. Tom needs a new outlook on his management style. Implementing this plan will help achieve that. This will also help make more effective work teams. References Thakur, D. (2005, January). Short-term leaders. Quality, 44(1), 24. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.proxy.davenport.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA127543673&v=2.1&u=lom_davenportc&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w Ferch, S. R., & Mitchell, M. M. (2001). Intentional Forgiveness in Relational Leadership: A Technique for Enhancing Effective Leadership. Journal of Leadership Studies, 7(4), 70. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.proxy.davenport.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA76626374&v=2.1&u=lom_davenportc&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w Eastern, J. S. (2012, January 1). Employee rewards. Internal Medicine News, 45(1), 78. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.proxy.davenport.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA280102141&v=2.1&u=lom_davenportc&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w

Chinese religions Essay

The Chinese like any other race, had their own conceptual perspective of things that they cannot fathom or explain. Like their contemporaries they tend to â€Å"simplify things† by trying to attribute the unexplainable to the supernatural. They try to look deeper into things, taking into consideration the physicality and spirituality of objects, be they animate or inanimate. This outlook made the ancient Chinese come up with the concept of Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang is defined as the concept of balance between two contrastingly different, or opposing elements. The Chinese believe that Yin and Yang maintains the balance of all things and that it is impossible to isolate or exclude one from the other. The continuity of the Yin and Yang cycle is clearly construed as the balance that keeps everything in an orderly manner. The idea of harmony and balance are the main basis of the yin and yang concept. Yin and Yang did not come to existence in order to destroy or overwhelm one another, but rather to complement one another. The principle that each person is governed by both the negative and positive forces is central to almost all schools of Chinese thought. The Chinese believed that everything in the universe, including ourselves are constantly governed by the laws of dualism. The concept of Yin and Yang is echoed in various Chinese religions. It is essentially the basis and core of Taoism, and has a slight influence on Confucianism and Buddhism. The concept of Yin and Yang in Taoism hinges on the importance of maintaining the fragile balance between the Yin or positive force and the Yang or Negative force. This religion bases its teachings on the principle that both Yin (Negative) and Yang (Positive) contains a small part of one another, and that both of these two opposing forces exist not to destroy one another by the usage of an overwhelming force, but simply to emphasize and complement one another. This religion also preaches that although the positive and negative aspect of things go against each other they are essentially things that would emphasize the uniqueness of the same substance and nature like the others despite the appearance of differences between these two things. A good analogy of this would be mans’ concept of beauty. One cannot appreciate beauty if all objects look alike, if all things share the same features, then those things cannot be truly called beautiful, instead these things would be seen as plain or ordinary due to the lack of a viable standard to base this criteria. One can only distinguish beauty and perfection when its opposite, the concept of ugliness and imperfection exists. Confucianism, another religion that originated from China, also shows subtle hint of the Yin and Yang concept. Confucius, its progenitor, theorized an ethical approach to eliminate conflict. His teachings echo a slight hint of the yin and yang concept, in that he believed that the mingling of the positive and negative forces brought about the existence of all that has life, and has persistently applied this principle in all of his teachings. Confucius did not focus his teachings on the principles of dualism (yin and yang) alone, instead, he assimilated it to almost all of his teachings concerning morality. Another point that proves the influence of the Yin and Yang concept to the teachings of Confucius is the fact his teachings are always addressed to two groups of people, who happens to have a contrasting and totally different social status. As manifested further in his teaching, he asserts the proper manner as to how the Affluent should act towards the less privileged, a king to his subjects, a parent to his children, a man to his wife†¦the list goes on. The one thing that is highly noticeable on the previous analogy is that all of it is based on how a superior individual should act towards his inferior counterpart and vice versa. This further boosts the idea that dualism has a significant influence on Confucian teachings. As a whole, Confucius emphasized that the suffering endured by society arose because its constituents failed to act out in accordance to their respective places in society, it is his idea that people should play their role to the utmost to maintain the balance and harmony within the existing society. Another Chinese religion that the Yin and Yang concept has influenced to a certain degree would be Buddhism. This religion founded by Siddharta Gautama Buddha teaches that the main cause of pain and suffering is pleasure and desire, the concept, in itself is a paradox of duality, which is a very good indicator of the presence of the yin and yang concept. The main precept of Buddhism that preaches avoidance of pleasure and desire to avoid pain and suffering is a contradiction that suggests the influence of the Yin and yang concept. The principle of Yin and Yang and Buddhism are similarly congruent in the preaching of the belief in the importance of harmony and the maintenance of constant balance within the world. It is notable that Taoism, the Religion that conceptualized the Yin and yang concept, and Buddhism both allude to the belief that a person’s fate is totally dependent on the deeds committed during his lifetime. Based on these ideologies, the Chinese have developed the attitude of always trying to blend in to their environment in accordance to the concept of the Yin and the Yang forces. This is evidenced on their continued belief and usage of the principles of Feng Shui, the principle of adjusting one’s surrounding to direct the balanced flow of positive and negative energy to benefit man as a whole. The principle of Yin and Yang is also inherent in the practice of Chinese medicine. The main precept that they uphold in practicing Chinese traditional medicine is that, an imbalance of either positive or negative energy would cause sickness or even death to afflicted individuals, Thus, Chinese practitioners advocate that in order to be healthy one must always strive to have a balanced flow of energy circulating within his body. These are but limited examples of how the Chinese see and apply the principles of Yin and Yang to their daily life. This concept has formed a line of tradition or norm for the Chinese people, so much so that It is unheard of for any Chinese individual to disregard the harmony and balance within his environment, without resorting to or practicing any of the practices prescribed by traditional Yin and Yang believers. As of the present it is safe to assume that the Chinese people put great store in mingling smoothly with their surroundings. This is very evident on their attitude, and the way in which they were able to adapt to almost any environment known to man without relinquishing any part of their National Identity and Heritage (a Chinese could live in any part of the world, or be born on different countries, but essentially retains his Chinese posterity and would still be very â€Å" Chinese† with regards to his beliefs). The Chinese, are perhaps one of the most, if not the most adaptable people known on this planet. This is highly evidenced by their willingness to submit and accept their lot in society and at the same time trying to make the best out of it. Works Cited: â€Å"The Yin and Yang Theory† http://www. 168fengshui. com/articles/yin-and-yang-theory/ http://www. taopage. org/yinyang. html Yin and Yang in Acupuncture and in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) http://www. holisticonline. com/Acupuncture/acp_yin_yang. htm http://www. religionfacts. com/taoism/beliefs. htm http://fly. cc. fer. hr/~shlede/ying/yang. html http://www. essortment. com/all/yinyangmeaning_rosp. htm

Discuss Greek ideas of Democracy, Citizenship, voting Essay

Discuss Greek ideas of Democracy, Citizenship, voting - Essay Example The best example we have of citizenship in Greek times, is Athens where only adult males born to Athenian parents that had gone through military training were known as citizens who had the right to vote. Women, children, slaves and anyone who owed a debt to the city would not be allowed to vote. However, as was the case in later democratic systems, owning land or property was not a qualification required for voters or citizenship. In terms of political action and the number of votes cast, some citizens were more participatory than others just as it happens in the world today (Fotopoulos, 2008). The voting on various matters took place in an assembly of the citizens but these citizens were not elected as in a parliamentary system. The democracy as well as the functioning of the government was based on a direct system in which any adult make citizen could take part in the decision making process and it was considered an important duty of the citizen to do that. The officials who government this process could be elected or might be selected randomly from the assembly itself. The matters before the assembly varied in terms of their magnitude ranging from granting citizenship to some to dealing with political crimes (Fotopoulos, 2008). Before the vote was cast, speakers could make speeches supporting or opposing the motion before the assembly and then citizens would vote on the motion by a show of hands. The system worked without any political parties and the motion was carried or defeated simply by plain majority. The votes were not counted but simply reported by plain sight since thousands of people may be attending the assembly. Not only was the system quite simple at the heart of it, it also seems to be quite participative (Fotopoulos, 2008). This becomes the very root of the democracy that it was participative since the people present at the assembly had to cast their vote according to the conscious they had and the information

Social Research Project Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Social Project - Research Proposal Example Data collection will involve the use of questionnaires and observations while analysis will entail the use of descriptive statistics such as calculation of mean and mode. The results will then be presented in form of graphs and tables. Table of Contents Abstract 2 Table of Contents 3 Social Research Project Proposal on Cultural Diversity of our Society and the Implications for Education 4 Problem Statement 4 Justification 5 Aim 5 Objectives 6 Hypothesis 6 Limitations 7 Literature Review 7 Research Design 8 Population and Sample 8 Methodology 8 Time Plan 9 Validity and Reliability 10 Data Presentation and Analysis 10 Recommendations 10 Conclusion 10 References 11 Social Research Project Proposal on Cultural Diversity of our Society and the Implications for Education Research on teacher preparation is a multifaceted, interactive, layered and ongoing mix of people, contexts, beliefs, ideas and activities. To make any learning institution more culturally responsive, institutions should c arry out reforms on school organization, community involvement and school policies and procedures. Not only should reforms occur institutionally but personally, as well. Some of the personal reform strategies that teachers can apply in becoming culturally responsive include engaging in reflective thinking and writing, and developing an appreciation for diversity among others. Historically, insignificant research has been carried out on the effective methods necessary to prepare teachers to relate to diverse learners in the classroom. The proposed project will investigate the strategies that can be applied in preparing teachers to work with immigrant children arriving in Arizona who have limited background. The research project will also demonstrate familiarity and understanding of the principal social, family and language characteristics of a culture that has contributed to American history. Problem Statement The Arizonan education system serves a linguistically and culturally diver se student population who enroll in the learning system with diverse dialects and varying degrees of English proficiency. Their learning, communication and behavioral tendencies are different owing to their diverse ethnic, regional and socioeconomic backgrounds. Unfortunately, most of the students fail to perform well because many teachers are inadequately prepared to offer culturally inclusive and appropriate education (Banks and Banks, 2004). These teachers are unable to provide discipline-based instructions to diverse student populations in the classroom. Additionally, most of them are unable to recognize individual and cultural differences as reflected in human relations, motivational incentives, communication skills and learning. They have minimal knowledge on how culture, ethnicity, gender, age, socioeconomic level, and religion can affect the educational environment of a student. Justification The increased diversity of the students enrolling in Arizonan schools has forced th e teacher training programs to start conceptualizing their programs towards diversity. The thrust towards performance uniformity in Arizonan schools has necessitated the establishment of a more substantive and comprehensive education system that enables teachers to address the many cultures represented in a classroom

Article Title Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Article Title - Essay Example The article reveals three separate research studies conducted to track the origins of cancer cells in the brain, gut and skin using genetic markers as labels. The studies conducted by Luis Parada and Hans Clevers on brain and gut cancers respectively used genetic labels to mark healthy adult stem cells which had the potential to develop into tumors and analyzed whether the newly formed cancer cells contained the same labels as their predecessors. In the experiment conducted by Parada on glioblastoma, the tumors also contained some unlabelled cells which had also originated from the labeled cells which relapsed following chemotherapy. However, when the labeled cells were targeted using chemotherapy the glioblastoma underwent significant shrinkage. Clevers and his team used drug-inducible genetic markers which when activated caused the cells carrying the marker to fluoresce in one of the four colors. When a second dose of the drug was injected the initially fluorescing cells gave rise to a new set of cells that fluoresced with a different color thus supporting the hypothesis that cancer stem cells give rise to new tumor cells. In the experiment involving the skin tumor conducted by Cedric Blanpain, individual tumor cells were labeled and when tracked these either gave rise to a small cell lineage before diminishing or continued to produce more cells. Thus the study provided a strong experimental evidence for the existence of cancer stem cells and further research involved relating these tracked cells with those of the putative cells which have been found from transplantation studies. The photosynthetic ability of aphids using the carotenoid pigment which they synthesize is explored in the Nature article, â€Å"Photosynthesis-like process found in insects†. Aphids and another possible creature namely the two-spotted

Speech Night Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Speech Night - Research Paper Example Stage 2 Below I have mentioned the important dates regarding the project. Start date: 19/12/2008 End date: 10/04/2008 Critical and non-critical activities Critical activities Non-critical activities Decide on date Program written Guest speakers invited Time for guest speaker to reply Choose prize winners Program printed Prize winners choose their prizes Invitations to guest speakers printed Speeches written Inform parents and send invitations Book hall Decorate hall Dress rehearsal for the evening Music items arranged Musicians practice for event Order flowers Prizes stamped and put in order of Presentation Thank you gift bought for guest speakers Supper arranged Work Breakdown Structure Activity NO. Level 1 Level 2 1. Decide on date 2. Analysis event 3. Gather requirements 4. Decide date 5. Program written 6. Analyze the main satiation 7. Decide main events 8. Write program 9. Program printed 10. Program printed 11. Invitations to guest speakers printed 12. Prepare main list of people 13. Post the Invitation 14. Guest speakers invited 15. Guest speakers invited 16. Time for guest speaker to reply 17. Waiting for the reply 18. Choose prize winners 19. Searching the best person for the category 20. Nomination person for the prize 21. Inform parents and send invitations 22. Prepare winner list 23. Post list to parents 24. Prize winners choose their prizes 25. Informing prize winners 26. Placing different prizes options 27. Speeches written 28. Speeches written 29. Book hall 30. Search for good rate and best quality

Religion Does More Harm than Good Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Religion Does More Harm than Good - Essay Example Giving respect to the followers of a religion and believing in one’s own religion is the basis of knowing how and where this harmony can be enacted in essence (Morgan, 2005). Even though religion is respected by its followers, the most significant notion regarding its existence is the banner under which people from another religion respect the other ones which are present in a society. This raises the discussion of tolerance and empathy for one another which remain very vital for understanding quite a few things. Faith is the edifice upon which lives are lived and times are spent. What this embodies is the basis that religion is a major force which asks of the people to understand not only their own lives but also of the people around them, as well as the other living and non-living beings. There are immense understanding and learning which can be easily found once religion is put into the equation. This forms the eventual essence of knowing how one can spend his life in a corrective fashion and what other aspects can be done to bring about a sense of sanity within the living standards (Shaw, 2008). Since faith is the ultimate belief in an entity, it would only be natural to call religion as a belief which culminates just about every other feeling that a human being might have in this day and age. It is the final reckoning upon which many structures can be built easily. These structures are metaphorically denoted and represented by a series of actions and steps, all of which are bent to achie ve greater results for mankind (Hannabuss, 2007). As an example, the Christianity faith emphasizes a lot of people to people contact within this religion. What this embodies is a focus on faith being the center stage of building relationships across the board and that too in a positive fashion.  

Biology- Research Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Biology- Research Assignment - Essay Example Clinical symptoms of genitourinary TB include hematuria (blood in the urine), flank pain, urinary frequency, and painful urination (Herchline, 2012). Meanwhile, tuberculous meningitis results when the subependymally-located pathogen affects the subarachnoid space (Mohan and Sharma, 2004). Symptoms indicative of this disease presents with a 2-3 week exanthema consisting of low-grade fever, body malaise, and headache, which evolves to cause damage to the cerebral arteries and cranial nerves (Golden and Vikram, 2005). This may lead to hemeparesis, seizures, increased intracranial pressure, and coma. A common endocrine organ infected by M. tuberculosis is the adrenal glands, causing tuberculous Addison’s disease (Kelestimur, 2004). This results in adrenocortical deficiency which presents as body fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, decrease in blood pressure, and skin hyperpigmentation. Non-pulmonary tuberculosis is acquired when an individual is exposed to aerosols of a person with active pulmonary tuberculosis such as during sneezing, talking, or coughing (Fauci et al., 2008). When the organism is inhaled, it gets deposited in the airways but may not necessarily establish infection there. It may be carried hematogenously or through the lymphatics to the other parts of the body and infect other organs. In addition, primary pulmonary tuberculosis can spread to different organs via hematogenous dissemination especially in immunocompromised individuals like HIV-infected patients (Golden and Vikram, 2005). Once inside the body, the organism activates a macrophage-activating cell-mediated immune (CMI) response and tissue-damaging response (Fauci et al., 2008). The CMI results in activation of macrophages to engulf and supposedly kill the pathogen. However, M. tuberculosis is equipped with mechanisms that allow it to survive and multiply within the macrophages.

Robert Burns’ “To a Mouse” Essay Example for Free

Robert Burns’ â€Å"To a Mouse† Essay In the poems Robert Burns’ â€Å"To a Mouse† and â€Å"The Mouse’s Petition† by Anna Letitia Barbauld, many feelings and emotions about mice are brought forth. While both poems were written by different authors, many of the feelings they share towards mice are common. The analysis of the two poems will help to find the comparisons and differences in theme, political and social issues, diction, and tone. Examples from the poems will help to show the similarities and differences in the two. The tone of each poet in the poems, many similarities become evident. Both poets portray a sad and guilty tone when talking about mice. When Barbauld begins to write about what she believes the mouse is feeling inside of the test cage, the reader gets an idea how the poet may also feel. â€Å"For here forlorn and sad I sit, within the wiry grate.† (Barbauld, 5-6) Barbauld uses a line in the poem to show how she thinks the mouse is feeling. Robert Burns expresses an equal amount of remorse for the mouse in his poem. He does so by using his sad regretful and remorseful tone, much like Barbauld. â€Å"I’m truly sorry man’s dominion has broken Nature’s social union.† (Burns, l.7-8) Burns makes it obvious how he feels by using his tones throughout the poem to relay a message of guilt and sadness. The two poems share identical endings; Burns as well as Barbauld make reference to the fact that mice are much like men. Barbauld indicates, â€Å"So when destruction lurks unseen, which men, like mice, may share.† (Barbauld, l.45-48) Oddly enough, speaking to a mouse in the same tone, Burns states, â€Å"The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men Gang aft a-gley.† (Burns, l.39-40) While both poems are written by differen t poets, in different years, the two share the same tone to help portray their views of mice and how they are misunderstood. The themes in both of the poems are very similar also both poems are about mice and their life changing experiences with them. The common theme in Anna Barbauld’s, â€Å"A Mouse’s Petition,† is cruelty and unfairness. The mouse Barbauld speaks of is being used for tests in a science lab, and will eventually be killed in such experiments. Anna writes through poem that this act is unjust and should not happen to such a creature. Through the use of the poem she tries to tell the scientist â€Å"Beware, lest in the worm you crush, a brothers soul you find.† (Barbauld, l.35-36) Barbauld relates that killing a mouse is not morally different from taking the life of a fellow man. The poems theme is effective and pushes the reader to feel sorrow for the poor mouse. In â€Å"To a Mouse† by Robert Burns, the ongoing themes are guilt and fear. Burns knows what mice are up to, stealing his food from his crops and ruining his walls within his home to make homes of their own. Burns however, does not care because he himself feels guilty for the little mice. Burns feels like even though they may be a nuisance to some humans, the mice have no choice but to do these things to live to see another day. â€Å"I doubt na, whiles, but thou may thieve; What then? Poor beastie, thou maun live!† (Burns l.13-14) Burns explains why he is not bothered that the mice steal his food. Burns also has the theme of fear in his poem. The mice fear men, and for good reason, Burns is aware of this and makes minimal effort to scare the mice while they are at work. â€Å"An’ justifies that ill opinion which makes thee startle,† (Burns, l.9-10) Burns discusses how the fear mice have for men is due to the brutes who have no patience to understand what the mice go through. While the two poems have different themes, one being cruelty and unfairness and the other being guilt and fear, the themes are similar in the fashion that both poets show remorse for the mice and what they go through. Barbauld never once mentions how mice may in fact have it easier than humans do, but in the final lines from â€Å"To a Mouse† Burns does indicate being a mouse may sometimes be easier. â€Å"Still thou art blest compared wi’ me! (Burns, l.43) Burns states that even though a mouse may not want to be a human, Burns believes a mouse has the ability to solely live in the present, and cannot remember the past or have to think of the future. Burns shares the dread he feels when he must remember the past or think about the future. Burns wishes he never had such a burden, and believes mice would not want to have such a burden either. For this reason while the two poems’ themes are very similar, they still have striking differences in how they view mice and men. Many Political issues were raised when the two poems were written. In 1773, the same year â€Å"The Mouse’s Petition† was written, the Boston tea party movement had happened. This happened soon after the British parliament granted it a monopoly to the North American tea trade. While this made the British happy it was the beginning of a revolt by the Americans. They felt they should not have to be taxed for their own goods. The Americans fought back by raiding the tea ships going to the British and dumping all the tea into the ocean. While this was a revolt for the Americans, for the British not much had happened except for the fact they had seen what happens as a result of people being pushed into something they didn’t want to do. This connection can be made to the Mouse in â€Å"A Mouse’s Petition† because the mouse did not want to be a test subject but was forced to do so, left without a choice. Wither or not Barbauld’s writing was affected by the Boston Tea Party movement or not, the two happening in the same year seems to be enough of a connection to assume this was an effect. In 1785, the same year â€Å"To a Mouse† was written, Scotland was under the beginning of the highland clearances. Before 1785 many families and clans were getting relocated to other parts of Scotland so that the land could be used to raise big black sheep instead. The success of relocating humans for the use of their land became so popular that the evil countess of Sutherland used the threat of clearances to blackmail every young man on her vast estates to enlist in her regiment. She then evicted their families later anyway. One is left to wonder if Burns was forced to take part in one of these dreadful moves, or simply had to experience seeing these events happen. Either way having to leave your land unexpectedly would take a toll on your mind mentally and physically. Especially if you were sent to war with promise your land would be safe, only to come back realizing your land had been taken away anyways. In, â€Å"To a mouse,† burns refers by stating through a part of his poem that he does not like the fact that he can remember the past, â€Å"The present only touchect thee: But och! I backward cast my e’e On prospects drear! An’ forward though I canna see, I guess an’ fear!† (Burns, l.49-53) Burns talks about how looking back on the past brings him disappointment and sorrow. Maybe this is because he was in the middle of relocation or had already gone through one due to the highland clearance. While material has not proven or disproven that Burns was a part of the highland clearance one can be left wondering if those events had an impact on his poem. The poetic diction in the two poems is very unique. While both use plenty of metaphors, there vocabulary is much different. This is partly because Burns uses a Scotish accent in his poems to give off the Scottish feel. Barbauld uses regular 1700’s English, much like other poets of the time from Britain. Burns’s Scottish accent is used in the poem to give the reader an idea what it would sound like if he himself was to recite the poem. While the reader may not understand as quickly as if reading in regular English, it helps to read the poem exactly like it would be read. While at first it is a challenging task to understand, it later becomes simple to translate. Barbaulds poem is much more generic for what the poems looked like in her area in the 1700’s, there is no accent used like in Burns’s which makes the initial reading of her poem much easier. One thing â€Å"To a Mouse† and â€Å"A Mouse’s Petition† have in common is there use of metaphors. Burns uses metaphor less often than Barbauld, â€Å"An’ bleak December’s winds ensuin’, Baith snell and keen!† (Burns l.28-29) Burns discusses with the mouse about how the winter winds are sharp like a knife, a metaphor for the winter wind being cold and seeming like it can go right through your body. Barbauld uses metahphors more frequently, â€Å"May some kind angel clear thy path, And break the hidden snare.† (Barbauld, l.47-48) Barbauld is saying metaphorically that she hopes the man has a sudden change of mind and his thoughts are changed for the good, not to use the mouse as a scientific test dummy. The two poems being compared and contrasted show that the two are not so different. While there are many similarities and differences analysing political and social issues, diction, and tone have helped to find these similarities and differences. The two poems about mice are much more complex than the initial read. The reader must dig deep into the meanings of the poems, the diction, the time they were written, the social issues that were happening in those times, and the poet’s tones to reveal the true meanings of the poems. Works Cited Burns, R. â€Å"To a Mouse.† The Longman Anthology: British Literature. David Damrosch and Kevin J.H. Dettmar. Pearson Education, 2010. 359-360. Latitita, A. â€Å"The Mouses Petition.† The Longman Anthology: British Literature. David Damrosch and Kevin J.H. Dettmar. Pearson Education, 2010. 62-63.

Chinese Media Power and Control

Chinese Media Power and Control SHI SHANGYUN Abstract Taking Chinese media power and control as the research objective and project title. This research paper analyzes the Chinese media status quo in modernization society and the relationship between government and media in China. Then the Chinese media development trend and the Chinese people’s idea of media are discussed in this paper. Chapter 1: Introduction Type of project : research paper Subject : Chinese media power and control Research questions: What is the relationship between Chinese media and government? What is media current situation in China? Background of Chinese media China is glamoured through its governance of a socialism , making it a unique structure among its surrounding partners in the global map. With its rich history , the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is committed to the Marxist-Leninist-Maoist emphasis on the central control of the press as a tool for public education, propaganda, and mass mobilization. The entire operation of China’s modern media is based upon the foundation of â€Å"mass line† governing theory. Significance of study: The significant element of this research is to seek the fact masked behind face of media in China. Chinese media is closely related to the government; Therefore the Chinese media is changing, because the economic and political system of China is continuing towards reform. But it is impossible that Chinese government loosen the macro control for media, because in modern politics the government engages through media to connect people. The real innovation of Chinese media is extremely difficult to do. In most countrys’ , the media covers an extreme level of morality, freedom of press and unification of thoughts, but Chinese news is based on secrecy and power politics which is driven through governmental controls. . Even so, Chinese new media power cannot be ignored. The Chinese new media industry has experienced strong growth in the recent years, hence creating a breakthrough point for modern Chinese media vehicles. Nowadays information is transmitted in numerous ways through high speed technology developed network. New media can do lots of different things that the traditional media cannot do in China. This project is through the basic research aspect to find significant information to define the form and direction of Chinese media. The main direction will be associated with the government and media in China. Scope and Limitation of Project: The research objective of this project is probing into the Chinese media in relation to government. I will describe and analyze five articles and retrospective news information through literature review to make the reader conscious of the particularity of Chinese media. Pertaining to government control and effect to media changes. In addition, this paper also use qualitative research via interview a newspaper editor in chief and a ordinary citizen who is not very care about political and media. It can understand the perspective on Chinese media and government control of personal opinions from two kinds of people in China. They will provide different interview content in this research paper. Chapter 2: Literature Review 2.1 Introduction In this chapter, I will do the literature review. The current situation of Chinese media is introduced in first article. The second article provides the condition of control of traditional media in China. And then I will explain the control of new media in third article. The next is the query to government and media from Chinese people. Finally, the article evaluate some development trends of Chinese media. 2.2 Wang (2014) written about the Chinese media status quo in his article, â€Å" A Brief Guide to China’s Media Landscape – February 2014.† Wang in this article use some date show that the traditional media did not occupy the main steam. The most famous newspaper People’s Daily in China is 2.8 million copies sold a year. Growing number of people do not like the official of speech in the traditional media. In China, the development of online media almost completely limited the prospects for traditional media. And the number of Internet users in China had hit 604 million with mobile phones becoming the favored means of accessing the web until now. The author Wang said that Sina Weibo is one of the most popular Chinese social network sites. It is a micro blog has over 500 million registered users and 65 million active users daily. According to recent reports released by China Internet Network Information Center, 22.8% netizens reduced their usage of Weibo, inclu ding visits from mobile devices. It can be caused by many different reasons. But a significant reason is government combined with Sina to repress the dissidents and restrict the free speech in 2013. This behavior caused the majority of Internet users dissatisfaction. Many users feel very disappointed for Weibo. China is still has control over freedom of speech. 2.3 An online editor Xu (2014) explained lots of useful knowledge about Chinese new media in his article called â€Å" Media censorship in China.† he did a very detailed briefing. The Chinese government has long kept tight reins on both traditional and new media to avoid potential subversion of its authority. This often entails strict media controls using monitoring systems, shuttering publications or websites, and jailing dissident journalists, bloggers, and activists. Xu argues that the freedom of Chinese media is at the bottom of list in the countries all over the world. China is almost one of the most countries without freedom of speech. The Chinese government is hope to take control of the new media very much. Chinese government always use their own monitors to guarantee political acceptability of the content for the new media. Because the Chinese authorities want to control the access of their citizens. Xu gave some example, on the network some words are involved in politica lly sensitive are masked. If you search something in politically sensitive, most websites will not come out. Some words such as the Falun Gong cult and Tiananmen Square Indecent. They also established what is known as the great firewall to impeding many foreign sites. It is including many news sites, Facebook and so on. I began to use Facebook and Youtube after I arrived in Singapore. I knew and understood many things which in China can not see in Singapore. Chinese people are in some places to offline the world because of the closure of media information. 2.4 Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world. They put an article titled â€Å" Media Control in China: A Model of Complexity and Thoroughness † in their website. This article detailedly defines the traditional media control in China. The article describe that the traditional media must reflexively defer to government. Its almost impossible to publish sensitive articles in traditional media. The traditional media such as television, newspaper and radio are the propaganda tools controlled by all levels of government. Chinese state leaders utilize control of the media to publicize positive views of the political party and government and vilify those who are considered be their enemies. The CCP maintains direct control over news media coverage through its Central Propaganda Department. For example, a newspaper chief editor usually receive some messages about what cannot be reported on newspaper from propaganda de partment of the city. And the official news in China central television that usually strives to downplay bad new and tell the good news. Generally prohibited topics include larger autonomy in Xinjiang and Tibet, relations with Taiwan, the prominent dissident writings and so on. Traditional media is more closed and limited compared to new media. 2.5 In a news article which written by a former editor Keatley (2013), we can found that the perspective of Chinese citizens on the media in his article â€Å" Press Freedom and Reform in China.† Keatley argues that some government behaviors has given rise to many discontent. In fact, Chinese people very hate government do content examination to print media, movies and TV program. They want to expose the truth of society and history, rather than always conceal various misbehavior of government. For instance, Southern Weekly known as one of most daring publications in China. It planned a New Year’s editorial calling for something the ruling party finds dangerous—letting people enjoy the many freedoms guaranteed by the state constitution but never permitted in real life in 2013. Because of this bold statement, the chief editor of Southern Weekly detained by the police after few days. Many people protest this government action. A well-known film actress who blogged stan d for protesting journalists was examined. Although increasingly violent official purging, people have lots of complaints about party and state malpractice. I think many normal people has grown even more cynical about self-interested bureaucrats who too usually use high position to enrich themselves, friends and relatives. More citizens require open and serious economic and political reforms. Chinese government face huge pressure from public opinion in network. I believe that most Chinese people thinking is free, just the party want to control people’s mind. 2.6 Dalusong (2012) defined China media system in his article titled â€Å"Media System in China and Philippines, the difference, and similarities.† Dalusong has some thoughts for the development trend of China. References http://www.pressreference.com/Be-Co/China.html http://www.danwei.com/a-brief-guide-to-chinas-media-landscape-february-2014/ http://www.freedomhouse.org/blog/media-control-china-model-complexity-and-thoroughness#.U2yFDvnUMkI http://www.cfr.org/china/media-censorship-china/p11515 http://nationalinterest.org/commentary/press-freedom-reform-china-7999 http://eijie09.tumblr.com/post/18985129114 http://westernexperience.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/typical-hand-ringing-and-liberal-moral-relativism-on-full-international-display/

Effects of Moderate Alcohol Consumption on Oxidative Stress

Effects of Moderate Alcohol Consumption on Oxidative Stress Abstract Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. Moderate alcohol consumption has various favourable metabolic changes. In this study Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and activities of enzymatic antioxidants namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) were determined in 120 non smoker healthy males with self reported daily consumption of 90ml or 120ml of whisky and rum. 30 non smoker healthy males with no history of alcohol consumption were taken as controls. The result shows significantly elevated levels of MDA (p

The Drummer Boy of Shiloh Essay -- Narrative, Informative

A narrative is specified to amuse, to attract, and grasp a reader’s attention. The types of narratives are fictitious, real or unification or both. However, they may consist of folk tale stories, mysteries, science fiction; romances, horror stories, adventure stories, fables, myths and legends, historical narratives, ballads, slice of life, and personal experience (â€Å"Narrative,† 2008). Therefore, narrative text has five shared elements. These are setting, characters, plot, theme, and vocabulary (â€Å"Narrative and Informational Text,† 2008). Narrative literature is originally written to communicate a story. Therefore, narrative literature that is written in an excellent way will have conflicts and can discuss shared aspects of human occurrence. The essay will concern information pertaining to narrative text. First the essay will discuss the definition of narrative literature. Second, the essay will consist of the advantages of narrative literature. Third, the disadvantages of narrative literature will also be discussed. Fourth, the essay will consist of five possible uses of narrative text in middle school language arts. There are several advantages to using narrative text in the middle school classroom environment. The first advantage is that the reader is entertained when reading narrative text. Second advantage involves narrative text attains and contains the interest of the reader. Third advantage consists of narrative text teaching or instructing the reader. Fourth advantage focuses on narrative text inconstant demeanor or social opinions of the reader. For example soap operas. The Bold and the Beautiful displayed in one of the episodes concerning homeless people and how their circumstances caused these individ... ...in history can increase the interest of students by helping students to understand that history has human perspectives and a more individual meaning. Also short stories can help students interpret history more plainly. Therefore, the teacher can use short stories to help students iterate reading and writing skills. Short stories can enrich a history teacher classroom and make learning history more pleasant and significant for students. An example of one of the short stories associated to the Civil War period is â€Å"The Drummer Boy of Shiloh by Ray Bradbury. This short story distinctly obtains the human passions and agitation during the Civil War period and it also deals with actual history in human details. Therefore, â€Å"The Drummer Boy of Shiloh helps the reader interpret what it was like to be in the Civil War period in American history (White, 1993).

Disability Case Study :: essays research papers

Disability Issues in the Public Workplace Eloise, a supervisor at the Federal Administration Agency (FAA), was faced with trying to ensure productivity when one of her workers became ill, and was not maintaining her level of work. Brenda, who had been a computer programmer for the Management Information Systems Support Division of the FAA for nine years, was diagnosed with breast cancer in January of 1991. She left work immediately to have an operation and to start treatments. Brenda was supposed to return to work after the medical procedure so Eloise reached out to her in February. Brenda stated that she did not feel up to it, that she would continue to use her sick leave and would return in March. Seeing that Brenda would not be back in the near future, Eloise asked the other workers in the office to â€Å"pitch in† and help pick up the slack in work due to her absence. To entice one employee to pitch in, she upgraded his work status from a GS7 to a GS9 (which is what Brenda’s status was) until Brenda returne d. In March, Brenda could not return to work on her scheduled date and had her medical leave extended until she became better accustomed to the chemotherapy treatments. Brenda returned to work on April 1st. She was apparently not up to speed and could not handle the work that was assigned to her. In addition, she stated that she needed some accommodations in order to stay at work. These accommodations included rest hours during the workday and the need to leave work early on certain days. Eloise allowed these accommodations. When Brenda started taking breaks and putting her feet up on her desk to relax, the other workers didn’t seem to mind, and they would even try to be quiet around her. Brenda felt like the other workers had changed their attitude towards her and â€Å"freeze up when she came into the room.† Eloise tried to explain that it would be natural for the others to feel uncomfortable around her and recommended that Brenda speak to Employee Counseling. Brenda refused and soon thereafter started to call in sick again. Even with Brenda’s return, the other workers still had to continue doing her work. The worker that Eloi se upgraded to a GS9 was returned to GS7 upon Brenda’s return. He refused to do Brenda’s work unless he was reinstated to GS9 status.

Determination of the molar mass of magnesium Essay

Introduction: This experiment will be an attempt to determine the molar mass of magnesium. For that we will have an experiment where we dissolve sulphur into hydrochloric acid. Then we measure the amount of gas created during the reaction. To get the molar mass itself we will have to make sure to record the conditions of the experiment such as the temperature or pressure. Material: The material used for the experiment was: 1. eudiometer 2. thermometer 3. barometer 4. measuring cylinder (1000 cm3) 5. Stand with clamp 6. magnesium ribbon 7. hydrochloric acid Method: 1. About 20mm of magnesium ribbon and weight it with the accuracy of 0.001g 2. Pour 5cm3 of HCl into the eudiometer. Then carefully filling the eudiometer with water above the HCl, without mixing the liquids. 3. Wind the magnesium ribbon around a piece of copper wire and let it hang down a little bit into the eudiometer. Make sure there is a hole into the rubber stopper and fill it with water. 4. Place a large measuring cylinder filled with water in the sink. Put a finger over the hole in the stopper and turn the eudiometer upside down into the cylinder. 5. Observe what happens with the hydrochloric acid and magnesium after a little while. When the reaction is complete wait at least 5 minutes so that the eudiometer reaches room temperature. 6. Arrange the eudiometer in the cylinder so that the gas into the eudiometer has the same pressure as the air pressure in the room. Note the air pressure and temperature in the room. 7. Calculate the molar mass of magnesium. Result: Before the experiment the magnesium was carefully weighted on a scale. After turning the eudiometer the HCl started to go down towards the magnesium through the water. Once it reached it a reaction took place creating bubbles of air that went up to the top and pushed the water level down. Once the reaction ended all the magnesium was gone. During the reaction the temperature was read of a thermometer and the pressure of a barometer to get the most accurate values. finally we measured the volume of air inside the eudiometer. Conclusion and Evaluation: When studding the results and comparing them with the book (24.31 ) one can see that the value received from the experiment () is very comparable. Percentage yield: Despite that high percentage the experiment was not accurate enough to have the book value within the error range (≈). The biggest two sources of error in this experiment are the instruments (systematic errors) and of course the human factor (random errors). Also the part of the experiment where one is supposed to turn the eudiometer and put it into water can impossibly be done without bigger or lesser errors since it’s such a complex movement. Then I would like to put extra attention on the thermometer and especially the barometer. The thermometer could only show whole degrees which is a great loss to precision. Then the barometer seemed quite old and unstable and the need to convert the pressure to Pascal and finally reading from it was quite hard which in my opinion was altogether quite hard. Also these where only the conditions in the entire room. One cannot be sure if they where exactly the same in the tube. Especially the temperature of water could have been quite different. Then of course the amount mg could have impossibly been measured accurately and we can’t be sure if exactly all of it reacted. Also the unknown pureness of the reactants and the solvent could justify the error in the result. My suggestions for improvements is to begin with is use of more precise instruments. Then a different method involving a more closed environment and a different method for gathering data. Bibliography: 1. â€Å"Standard Level Chemistry† Pearson Baccalaureate by Catrin Brown and Mike Ford

Saussure and Bloomfield

The aim of this essay is to compare and contrast two important linguistics that reached a significant milestone in the history of Language. Their names are Leonard Bloomfield (April 1, 1887–April 18, 1949) and Ferdinand de Saussure (November 26, 1857– February 22, 1913). Leonard Bloomfield was an American linguist who led the development of structural linguistics in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. Ferdinand de Saussure was a Swiss linguist who taught at the University of Geneva, whose ideas about language laid the foundation for many significant developments in linguistics in the early 20th century. Bloomfield came from the Neogrammarian School of linguistics. That means he focused on the historical aspects and evolution of languages. He studied particular languages, their history and how words are generated. Both Bloomfield and Saussure studied language as a structure or with a scientific basis. The main difference is that Bloomfield studied linguistics diachronically: its historical and comparative development. Saussure studied language synchronically: he made the comparison between language and chess. There is no necessity to know the history moves; you could understand the system just by looking at the board at any single moment. This is the synchronic study of Language. Another marked difference is that Bloomfield himself never suggested that it was possible to describe the syntax and phonology of a language in total ignorance of the meaning of words and sentences. His view was incomplete, as he studied part of the system and not the whole. In contrast to this, Saussure studied Language as a system, including all aspects of it. He considered the system has three properties: Wholeness, since the system functions as a whole. Transformation, as the system is not static, but capable of change. Self-Regulation, this is related to the fact that new elements can be added to the system, but the basic structure of it can not be changed. The conception of Language was different for each of them. Bloomfield believed that Language is related to stimulus response acquired by habit formation. He claimed it is used to satisfy human’s needs. On the other and, Saussure considered language as a multitude of signs, where each sign links a phonic sound (the signifier) with an idea (the signified). The reason why they differed in this conception is because Saussure studied it from a mentalist conception. He considered both the signifier and signified mental entities and independent of any external object. Opposite to that, Bloomfield argued that linguistics needs to be more objective if it is to become a real scientific discipline. He believed that the main target of linguistic inquiry should be observable phenomena, rather than abstract cognitive processes. Therefore, Bloomfield rejected the classical view that the structure of language reflects the structure of thought. As a consequence, they also differed in the conception of Language acquisition. According to Bloomfield, a child acquires language through repetition and stimulus-response. Through further habits, the child makes a start on displaced speech (he names a thing even when it is not present). Saussure, on the contrary, viewed language as having an inner duality, which is manifested by the interaction of the synchronic and diachronic, the syntagmatic and associative, the signifier and signified. Taking everything into consideration, both Saussure and Bloomfield had a significant impact on linguistics. Saussure is considered the founder of modern linguistic and cultural studies. He has influenced several fields such as philosophy, anthropology and semiology. He is the linguist who revolutionized the study of Linguistics, as he outlined his theory of language, in which he suggested the need to study language in a scientific way, rather than studying it in a cultural and historic context. Bloomfield, for his part, did more than anyone else to make linguistics autonomous and scientific. Although Bloomfield's particular methodology of descriptive linguistics was not widely accepted, his mechanistic attitudes toward a precise science of linguistics, dealing only with observable phenomena, were most influential. His influence waned after the 1950s, when adherence to logical positivist doctrines lessened and there was a return to more mentalist attitudes.

Art of Cooking Essay

I have a passion for culinary art. My double culture, and family background was behind this love . I always thought that being half French , half Moroccan is a great mixture , but starting to cook approved it to me . I remember when I used to sneak in my mom’s kitchen, and play with the ingredients. It was a great time where I learned how to mix, and make new dishes by improvising new combinations. For example, I mixed flavors and textures that were usually never combined. Or even add new colors in my dishes that raise their beauty. I was not the only one fascinated by food. My dad a professional chef got me into the world of pastry, and Moroccan traditional food ex: â€Å"Tagine,† which is primarily used to slow-cook savory stews and vegetable dishes. Because the domed or cone-shaped lid of the tagine traps steam and returns the condensed liquid to the pot. Morocco is the culinary star of North Africa; it is the doorway between Europe and Africa. Much imperial and trade influence has been filtered, and blended into this culture. Moroccan cooking is characterized by rich spices that combine anywhere from 10 to 100 spices. French and Moroccan cooking cuisines have been subject to Berber, Moorish, Arab, and European influences. Most French dishes are known for their complex, and rich flavors, we love bread, and wines. Most of people tried some French recipes, or food without knowing that is even French. You may find them all over the world. Ex: * Crepes: a very flat pancake typically stuffed with fruit or cream. * Baguette: a long French bread loaf. * Chocolate mousse: this lighter than air dessert originated in France. * Eclair : a pastry stuffed with cream and topped with icing. * Creme Brulee : Custard topped with hard caramel. â€Å"One cannot think well, love well, and sleep well, if one has not dined well. †

Road Not Taken Robert Frost

Journeys illustrate the voyage between places of interest. They are demonstrated by expressing to the audience the hardship and mixed emotions you go through to the destination. Some examples of positive effects on those who embark on a mission are that it hinders them to get out of their comfort zone and helps them appreciate what they have, if a problem occurs while embarking on your voyage it will have to be resolved to make the mission you board on possible. The text analysed â€Å"The Road Not Taken† by Robert Frost and the type of text is poetry. My second choice of text was â€Å"The Wizard of Oz† by Victor Fleming the text type is a movie. Some possible techniques analysed are rhyme, imagery, symbolism, long shot, up shot and a full shot. In the title â€Å"The Road Not Taken† describes a journey that hasn’t been trekked upon; people chose the comfort of a common path to avoid obsticles of hardship and beyond the unknown. In the movie â€Å"The Wizard of Oz†, the hardship of deciding which road or path to take by choosing which pathway she will travel on the unknown. Embarking on the unknown; in the poem The Road Not Taken, the author uses rhyme to make it easier or clearer for the reader to contemplate. â€Å"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and be one traveller long I stood. † In â€Å"Two roads diverged† it was offering us a choice on which path to stride on, by illustrating â€Å"yellow wood† it characterizes the road as cautious. â€Å"And be one traveller long I stood† one traveller alone, no companion, own choice, uncertainty of which path to voyage on. Therefore the uncertainty is the obsticle of hardship of his journey. Furthermore in the movie, The Wizard of Oz we distinguish Dorothy and Toto embarking on their journey. In the long shot Dorothy and Toto illustrate the extensive road ahead of them. It also shows the solitude of Dorothy that she’s got nowhere left to go apart from running away. The baggage in her hand emphasizes that she’s taken everything she owned and not returning home. Low modality demonstrates the gloominess of the journey ahead. In relation to ‘The Road Not Taken’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’ both texts, illustrate solitude, hardship, beyond the unknown and the uncertainty of choice. Embarking on the unknown; in the poem ‘The Road Not Taken’ the author uses imagery to illustrate the choice between the different paths. The unknown is there to explore. â€Å"Then took the other, as just as fair, and having perhaps the better claim, because it was grassy and wanted wear. † In ‘Then took the other just as fair’ illustrates to us that the author portrays the rare choice of which path he chose to take. ’And having perhaps the better claim’ the author is certain that he’s made the right choice. ‘Because it was grassy and wanted wear’ the imagery described as the grass has never been tread on or hasn’t been walked on; undisturbed. Therefore the text symbolizes the choice of journeys undertaken prior. Furthermore in the movie ‘The Wizard of Oz’ we observe Dorothy, Glinda and the wicked witch of the west. In the full shot we establish that Dorothy’s house has landed on top of the wicked witch of the east. The witch of the west approaches to save the ruby shoes but they are mysteriously positioned on Dorothy’s feet. The witch cautions Dorothy that there will be vengeance. In the full shot we observe Dorothy’s face that she’s petrified. The full shot demonstrates emotions on the characters face. In the background the munchkins are laying flat on the ground terrified from the witch after the witch’s journey flying. In relation to â€Å"The Road Not Taken† and â€Å"The Wizard of Oz† in both texts we establish the uncertainty of choice chosen and the different journey’s they embark upon. Embarking on the unknown; the author uses symbolism to illustrate the colour of his journey. â€Å"And that morning equally lay, in leaves no step had trodden black. † In ‘leaves o step had trodden black’ this portrays that no living being had ever walked upon this path before due to the fact that the black is symbolising gloominess and depression. Therefore, again the uncertainty of the unknown is the obsticle of the journey he’s embarking upon. Furthermore, in the movie â€Å"The Wizard of Oz† we establish the flying monkeys in the air with Dorothy in their arms. The upshot was used to illustrate to us the length and height they flew up from the ground to emphasize to the viewers that they should be fearful of them. The dull use of colours focuses on the darkness the witch and the monkeys originate from. The monkeys disrupt Dorothy’s journey which she was so close to getting to her destination. In relation to both texts we distinguish the interruption of the journey, the gloominess of the different types of journey you embark upon. In conclusion to these two texts we establish that journeying upon the unknown can position you in a situation you don’t want to be placed in. Also the hardship and the uncertainty of choice upon the voyage and the solitude of both characters in both texts are demonstrated throughout the mission. Furthermore we learn that different types of dangers and obsticles can interrupt the journey you are embarking upon.

Women's magazine Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Women's magazine - Research Paper Example Every page of the magazine is filled with products and articles which make the female readers think that only beautiful, young and thin women are appreciated and accepted by the society. Constant exposure to thin and flawless models has driven ‘normal’ women to believe that they are not worthy enough. The aim of this paper is to understand the psychology behind the graphic and verbal content of women’s magazines and how it affects the female readers. Under the influence of the advertisements and suggestions given in magazines, women are adopting artificial means to change the way they feel and the way they look. Women’s magazines have become a medium of plastic dreams as they are driving women to hate their natural bodies and love the bodies of female models, whose photographs are manipulated with the help of technology to make them look thin and beautiful. Harper’s Bazaar is a fashion magazine. The aim of the magazine is to discuss current trends and news from the fashion world. Its target readers are women of all ages. From the advertisements and the contents of the magazine, it is evident that current trend in the fashion industry is the magazine’s main focus. The magazine if filled with advertisements of beauty products, jewelry, accessories, apparels, fashion news and articles. The issue discussed in this paper is the October 2010 issue with Drew Barrymore on its cover. The cover of Harper’s Bazaar is adorned by Drew Barrymore, one of the leading actresses in Hollywood. Barrymore is a famous personality and has an image of an independent, successful, wealthy, and a strong person. She is well known for her roles in romantic movies. Her fame, independent lifestyle, her dressing sense, bubbly personality and feminine body makes her a right choice to adorn a cover of a fashion magazine. Any person will get attracted to a magazine which has Drew Barrymore on its cover. With

HRM Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 5

HRM - Essay Example t is, the purpose of the organization, the employee’s expected roles, the working hours, the rewards from the service, terms and conditions in the bond, the deployment of power within the organization and so on. The employment relationship commences when an employer decides to hire a worker, meaning that there is a party involved in overseeing the relationship. It is at this point that a controversy may arise regarding equality and clarity involved in the process. This text will discuss the mentioned controversy, and support in detail why or what makes it uncertain and unequal as well by analysing the three perspectives of the relationship. The employment relationship has two parties who agree to correlate before it qualifies to be called that. In the case where one of the parties involved tends to have a bargaining power that is more than the others are, then it means that they have better options and privileges above the other, which results in inequality. The biggest reason why there exists the notion of inequality in the relationship is that in the modern world, it is far much easier for an employer to hire an employee than it is for the employee to find a job. This condition has been brought about by the economic conditions on the globe that lead to an unbalanced relationship between the numbers of jobs created for the people joining the job market.During the application process for instance, as Orife, Ashamalla & Slack (2003, p. 40)write, some employers use discriminatory criteria in selecting job applicants which in some instances might be unjustified. Such include asking about gender, marital status, race, age, to mention but a few. According to Serna, Perez, Artazcoz, Moen, and Benavides (2013), â€Å"gender differences in power that place men in a better situation than women to bargain their employment conditions†¦ show more men working with a permanent contract and occupying the higher job status positions.† This simply means that even inside

Kinesiology Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Kinesiology - Research Paper Example Once the cause is identified, the bad feelings associated with emotional stress can be eliminated. An approach approved to the management of emotional stress is kinesiology. Through the technique of Emotional Stress Relief (ESR), a victim of emotional stress can quickly achieve calmness, clearly thinking and effective functioning in stressful, traumatic or high-pressure situations (Hoffman, 2008). If applied with the guidance of a health care professional, Emotional Stress Relief (ESR) is an effective kinesiology technique to achieve calmness, clear thinking and optimal functioning in an emotionally stressed person. This paper discusses the effective use of ESR to manage the signs and symptoms of emotional stress, including fight and flight responses to situations, paralysis responses, fear, and uncontrolled anger. If applied with professional guidance, ESR has numerous benefits for emotionally stressed persons. The benefits of ESR to the reader are numerous. Mainly, ESR releases muscle tension, increases flexibility, and improves the energy levels, accompanied by simple pain relief (Wilmore et al., 2006). ESR has also been proved to result in improved posture and breathing as well as the relaxation of muscles such as jaw muscles. By extension, the relaxation of muscles may help in attainment of migraine relief. Overall, ESR has the potential to improve and maintain an individual’s health in general. Importantly, ESR improves self-esteem and confidence and reduces mood swings. Besides, the technique stabilizes emotions, making it an effective stress management method. It also improves the diet to help a tress person’s food intake meet the body’s unique needs. The kinesiology approach to stress management entails the use of body muscles and movements (Wolf et al., 2006). It focuses on addressing emotional stress as a whole-body phenomenon. Kinesiology has the advantage o f being versatile, thus universally applicable. In

China and Mao Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

China and Mao - Essay Example This is because there were frequent power struggles between different parties such as Hua Guofeng and Deng Xiaoping, who presented different ideologies on how China should progress. The reason for the differences in opinion and power struggles lies in political and economic state of the country, where Mao’s policies included controlling the economy of the nation, while reformists worked towards changing and bringing everything back to the people hence the different factions (Eastmarsh, 1980). With the above, reforms began trickling in as power was returned to the people and the leaders were denied of certain powers, where absolute decision making no longer lay with them. Instead, democracy started taking root as Deng, and communism ceased to be a full recognizable system and became a concept that was used to show how different the Chinese system of politics is different from that of the western world (Eastmarsh, 1980). Free speech has always been a social concern in China, where freedom of expression is not widely practiced to date following the declaration of Mao’s â€Å"hundred flowers speech† which was then used against scholars who came up with schools of thought differing from those of his government (Allen, 2011). This is because the scholars were met with violent and extensive suppression, including re-education. After Mao’s death, free speech continued to be a problem because it only indicating the possibility of social unrest, in which case different ideas critiqued the government and political leaders negatively. As a result, freedom of speech has been widely denied to the Chinese people to date. Another way in which free speech remains elusive is following Mao’s declaration of â€Å"hundred flowers speech†, which was used as an offensive strategy to lure out scholars who were against government policies. This made the

Quistion Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Quistion - Research Paper Example There are also sometimes advances in technology that cause an organization to change. In the middle of the twentieth century, for example, most companies had typing pools with rows of secretaries typing up letters. When computers came along, and functions like skype and email arrived, organizations had to adapt to this and train people how to use them. They also had to change the type of staff they employed, so that there were fewer typists, and more technicians. Managers also had to learn to speed up response times and conduct more of their business themselves using technology instead of secretaries. Perhaps the biggest changes of all are caused by economic factors. Companies have to deliver more efficiently, and so this can cause them to review their processes in search of ways to work faster and smarter than before. In times like the recent credit crisis, organizations are at risk of complete failure, if they cannot meet their cost commitments and are not allowed to borrow. This can cause serious changes in staffing levels and in the business focus, in order to concentrate on the essentials for survival. Internal change can be caused by many different things too. Often the appointment of a new CEO can mean a change in the way an organization sees itself. There can be a need for expansion of certain units and reduction of others, for example when an organization chooses to start new lines of business and to close others. Most companies also set up systems for gradual and positive change that leads to quality improvement. Japanese manufacturing companies build this in to their business, and encourage even the most junior members of a team to suggest change and improvement all the time. Investment in new equipment can mean changes in working practices. An example of this can be seen in the photographic industry which

How Linguistic Features of African American Vernacular English (also Research Paper

How Linguistic Features of African American Vernacular English (also known as African American English) Have Been Used to Teach Standard American English - Research Paper Example The use of contrastive strategies can sensitize Black youth to differences between Standard English and their vernacular thus assisting them in learning the standard dialect. The topic under consideration is â€Å"How linguistic features of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) or African American English (AAE) have been used to teach Standard English.† The dialect is also called Black English or Ebonics. African American children have performed relatively poorly in English classes, and one of the reasons behind this performance could be an admonition of their native dialects. Educators need a new strategy that works with black vernacular rather than against it. The use of AAVE as a facilitative language for Standard Education can boost communication and cooperation between learners and teachers. In 1996, a California school board sparked a lot of controversy when it announced that it would include home languages in classrooms, and that teachers would be trained appropriately to work with such students (Pullum, 1999). This was nothing new in American schools, but unlike other uncontroversial languages like Spanish, the most predominant language spoken by children in the school was AAVE. Media experts, African American educators, White middle class teachers, Black families and several other stakeholders lashed out against this policy proponents. A number of them, especially black parents, felt that using AAVE in the classroom would condemn black communities to narrow ethnic enclaves. They worried that their children would be unable to fit into the wider society. Others in the media made ignorant comments about AAVE by calling it nothing more than street slang. These individuals objected to the use of AAVE in classes because it was perceived as a watered-down version of Standard English, laden with mistakes, mispronunciations and abusive slurs (Perez, 1999). Contrary to what these critics assume, AAVE is a dialect in its own right. Slang is limited to small

Healthcare Costs Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Healthcare Costs - Assignment Example A look into the year 2005, expenditure on health care was about $2 trillion or $6,697 per capita, which correspond to 16% of the GDP. The continued rise in health spending over the last four decades is going to go higher, and the expenditure will reach $4trillion, which is 20% of the GDP, by the year 2015. For many years, the continued increase in health care expenditure has been the center of heated debate in the US for many years. Research work and anecdotal reports influence further concerns. This points out that the rise in the health care expenditure is likely to harm the US economy. Expenditures on health care have the potential to affect an economy in a number of diverse and complex ways. In addition, the emerging effects may vary across all sectors of an economy as well as across population groups. One notable impact of increased expenditure on health care is the decline in the general economic growth. However, the same effect has the potential to boost economic growth in som e sectors of an economy. Therefore, gaining an understanding of how increased expenditure on health care affects the economy requires an evaluation through various dimensions (Eaton et al, 2002). The state, Federal, and the local governments have the duty to collect taxes from households and business premises. The tax collections help to finance public health insurance programs as well as providing direct health care to households. On the other hand, the businesses are responsible for providing employment to households and health insurance to their employees. Therefore, the households emerge as the final consumers of the health care and at the same time bear some costs on health care (Eaton et al, 2002). It is worth noting that the impacts of health care on a single sector are likely to affect results from other sectors. An example is a situation where the government reduces its expenditure on health care by reducing the eligibility for public health insurance. This action by the go vernment leads to an increase in un-insurance rates among households. At the same time, an increase in health care expenditure in also likely to cause an increase in taxes, reduction on investments on other critical sectors or increased government borrowing. It is also likely that companies will cut down employment and investment as a result of increased expenditures on health care (Eaton et al, 2002). The other likely effect of increased health care expenditures is inflation on the US economy. This will cause goods and services from the US to be less competitive in the international market because increased expenditures on health care will lead to an increase in product prices. Finally, increased expenditure on health care is likely to make health care inaccessible to many, produce bankrupt consumers, and reduce peoples’ retirement savings (Pauly et al, 2009). Impacts of the affordable health care for America Act HR 3962 On November, 2009, the House of representatives passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act with a vote of 220 to 215. The aim of this Act is to offer affordable, quality health care to all Americans. The bill is a multifaceted one and addresses diverse issues concerning the improvement of the health care system. Improvements on the health system include expansion of health insurance coverage, amending Medicare payments regulations in both traditional and advantage plans.

Sexual Harassment in Organization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sexual Harassment in Organization - Essay Example In today's world, organisations and workplaces have become extremely diversified and have adopted varied stance s in terms of job processes and the general outlook. What is striking in such a scenario, is the prevalence of organizational or work ethics. In today's workplaces, harassment has become a very repetitive occurrence, with cases being reported every now and then. The various forms of harassment range that come under the purview have increased by the day, with sexual harassment topping the list. The issue came to the fore-front, in the 1970s and ever since, a number of committees, benches and organisations have come into the picture, to outline the relationship between work ethics and harassment. Sexual harassment as an abuse of power has become front-page news in the U.S. business press. Recently, BusinessWeek detailed the sexual harassment endured by salespeople at the U.S. subsidiary of Astra AB, a major Swedish pharmaceutical firm (Maremont 1996). This harassment was perpetrated by people at the highest levels of the organization and salespeople who did not comply found life at the firm extremely difficult. The attention to workplace sexual harassment generally focuses on harassment of employees by others within the same firm. [Insights into Sexual Harassment of Salespeople by Customers: The Role of Gender and Customer Power Leslie M, Fine, C. David Shepherd and Susan L. Josephs] When workplaces become diversified and new parameters of work assessment emerge, it is important to maintain workplace ethics. However, when cases of favourtism and sexual harassment emerge, it certainly goes against what is legally permissive in the ethical nature of actions in workplaces. It becomes difficult when talented individuals are put down, on account of the sexual favours received from other quarters. Besides this, when bosses do harass their subordinates and the like, it goes against moral codes of conduct. Organisational Behaviour is often considered at four different levels. Individual Behaviour, which deals with the single fundamental unit of the organisation, talks about the individualistic perspective. It revolves around an individual's perceptions, actions, notions, temperament and contribution to the organisation. At a higher plane, we have the Group Dynamics, that involves interactions of a group. It is inclusive of team work and team-bonding, while also delving into the nature of interactions, inter-group interactions, departmentalization and the like. An organisation can also be demarcated in terms of the diverse processes and the clubbing of groups under processes that are more or less the same. This is precisely the reason why we have various groups coming under one process, say, Marketing or HR, and working in synchronization within the department, and with the other departments as well. The organizational structure is another concrete player, which is characterised by the hierarchal set-up of the

General Ability Test Essay Example for Free

General Ability Test Essay Once your boat does sail off and your business does come into being chances are that you will need people to help you run it. Now, recruitment might look easy but don’t be fooled by its innocent exterior it can turn out to be the devil’s own at times. If you are in a hurry to pursue success you are likely to take under your wings almost anyone who is willing to give you a hand in doing just that. But while large scale recruitment is a good thing filtering out the excess over time and keeping back the cream is the only way to run a good business. Now, lets suppose that you have taken into your firm almost everyone who applied for the jobs you offered without even bothering about their score in the entry-level assessment. Its quite alright to have extra recruits such as these for a while but remember, sooner or later you will have to select the best out of this bunch and let the others go. While selecting the best out of the lot might sound simple but the job itself is far from being easy. (Lamb, 2004) Often good scores at a test reveal little or nothing about the potential of your future employees so don’t let your judgment get clouded by their entry test results alone. Instead, keep a tab on their regular office work. Usually the brightest amongst a group of recruits shine out during discussions and meetings and general performance. Find out who the right candidates from your large number of recruits simply by profiling the sort of candidate you are ideally looking for your particular purpose. A certain candidate might be as smart as a pin but he/she might not fit into your company or the specific post you are looking to fill. Remember to stay focused on your precise needs in order to find yourself the right employees. Post –recruitment evaluation is often easier than pre-recruitment selection since it allows you a first hand experience of exactly what your potential worker is capable of. References: Lamb, D; (2004); Cult to Culture: The Development of Civilization on the Strategic Strata; Wellington: National Book Trust

Reggio Emilia and Montessor Pedagogy Approaches

Reggio Emilia and Montessor Pedagogy Approaches The purpose of this essay is to critically analyse two curriculum pedagogical approaches. The two approaches that will be discussed in this essay are Reggio Emilia and Montessori. There will be an in-depth analysis of the two philosophies and how they are different or similar to each other. It will also include the differing views on the image of a child, role of the teacher and the inclusion of parents and family. There will also be some discussion on the critics of both approaches and the relevance to Te Whariki. Reggio Emilia (RE) is a small city in the Emilia Romagna region of Northern Italy. After the Second World War the people of RE urgently needed to build their lives, not only materially, but also socially and morally. In this time there was a powerful force behind the development of early childhood services (Thornton and Brunton, 2005). The women wanted to build a preschool to provide a new form of education that the next generation would not tolerate inequality and injustice. There was a strong sense of hope for the future arising from the adversity of the past (Thornton, 2005, p4). The Reggio philosophy was developed and shaped by the social and cultural influences in the area. Loris Malaguzzi was the inspiration behind the educational experience in Reggio Emilia. Maria Montessori was born in the year 1870 in Central Italy. According to Standing (1957, p45) Montessori was a strong minded, vivacious and determined child, displaying the kind of independence so highly valued in Montessori schools to this day. Montessori graduated as a doctor in 1896 and was the first woman in Italy to do so. In her early clinical experience she became a supporter of social reform, mainly as it related to the well being of women and children. She argued that enhancing the quality of the environment in which children lived was a way of eliminating poverty, inequality, illness, and criminality. This argument became the foundations of Montessoris lifes work. In 1907 she opened a school for slum children. The school was called Childrens House. It was an environment in which in children from the slums were advancing rapidly in learning. She than decided to abandoned her medical/academic careers and devoted her life to promoting her educational method (Feez, 2010). Malaguzzi was a social constructivist and was influenced by some of the most renown progressive educators and psychologist such as Piaget, Vygotsky, Bruner, Rousseau, Pestalozzi, Montessori, Dewey (Edwards, 2003). Malaguzzi includes Vygotskys concept of Zone of Proximal as crucial to the foundations of children teacher relationships. There is also a value for the operation of thought and language together in building symbolic representation of thoughts, ideas and feelings (Berk, 2007) Malaguzzi believed that children were social from birth, full of intelligence and active explorers (Gandini, 1997). Montessori was influenced by the work of Rousseau, Pestalozzi, Itard and Seguin. Montessoris interest was more practical than theoretical, but her theoretical view was based on Rousseaus work. Like Rousseau she argues that children think and learn differently then adults. Montessori education gives children freedom to explore the environment through their senses but they are given little external guidance on what to pay attention to and how to think about discoveries (Feez, 2010). To find an approach that provided opportunities for freedom and at the same time helping children adapt to society, Montessori looked at the work of French doctor Itard and Seguin. It was Seguin method which Montessori used successfully to teach deficient children in the 1980s, and when she used the same approach in 1907 to educate street children she was amazed at what unfolded. The RE philosophy was influenced by Malaguzzi. Malaguzzi emphasises that the theory which provides the underpinnings for the Reggio approach requires ongoing communication and dialogue, teachers as co-researchers alongside children, and revisiting ideas, guides and practice. Children are seen as a community of learners. It recognises the importance of ways in which children learn and consider each child as gifted. Children with disabilities have the full participation into the structure and are spoken to as children with special rights (Gandini, 1997). In the Reggio approach there is no predetermined curriculum. Short term and long term projects are developed from childrens interest, first hand experiences and their working theories about the world (Rinaldi, 2006). Children are encouraged to grow in competence to represent and symbolise ideas, feelings through any of the hundred languages. The teacher follows the childs interest and do not provide instructions for reading and writing, however they promote emergent literacy as children manipulate and communicate ideas and feelings. As children progress through the infant-toddler centre, or preschool, they stay with the same teachers. This provides opportunities for a strong relationship between the staff, children and their families to be nurtured over the long period. The RE approach identifies the environment as a third teacher between children, parent and teachers. Malaguzzi describes the physical environment and the availability of resources as the product of complex interactions, many of which can be realised only when the environment is a fully participating element (Thornton, 2005, p43). Teachers in a Reggio centre provide amiable environments which encourages exploration, exchanges, and communication. Montessori believed that her pedagogy was based on logical, scienctific inquiry. According to Montessori, from birth to three is the time of the unconscious absorbent mind whereas age three to six is considered as time for the conscious absorbent mind. In both these times, the child seeks sensory input, regulation for movement, order and freedom to choose and explore deeply with interpretation in a carefully planned environment which encourages the child to choose well. In a Montessori classroom children are in mixed groups spanning from birth to three years and teachers move with the child through the three year cycle (Feez, 2010). The exercises of practical life skills are an important part of the curriculum. It is based on ways people in the culture relate to each other socially, as well as ways in which they complete everyday tasks. Language also relates to the exercises of practical life, as children use it in different ways to interact and communicate with others. In a Montessori view any resource that is unrelated to the educational purpose of material has a potential to distract and confuse the child (Feez, 2010). Children have limited freedom to what they can and can not do in a Montessori classroom, for example to be disruptive, aggressive and disorderly. The Montessori environment is planned ahead of time to ensure that children have as much freedom and independence as possible. The approach emphasises on real things in the environment which requires hands on interactions. A Montessori classroom allows opportunities for meaningful learning in self chosen activities, and purposeful activities which requires concentration (Feez, 2010). The Reggio view of the child is central to its philosophy. The child is referred to as a rich in potential, strong, powerful and competent. At the centre of the pedagogy is the child who is confident in building relationships; who holds his or her own values; who wants to be respected and valued for himself as well as holding a respect for others; who embodies a curiosity and open mindedness to all that is possible (Thornton, 2005). Children are encouraged to develop their own working theories of the world and to explore this in greater depth. Children ideas are respected so that children feel unafraid to make mistakes or reconstructing their ideas. Self confidence and self image is fostered through discussion which promotes creativity. The notion of the hundred languages was Malaguzzis interpretation of recognising the value of all forms of expression and communication in which children interpret the world and represent their ideas and theories. Montessori philosophy view children as intelligent, active, reality based self regulating and self righting. Montessori believed that in order for them to live a quality life, they need to be prepared as competent, responsible and adaptive citizens who are life long learners and problem solvers. Childrens free chosen activity is regarded as work. Through a Montessori lens childrens works is seen as orientation towards future achievements and play that involves purposeful effort and concentration. Montessoris view on punishments and rewards to make children pay attention were regarded as forced and unnatural. She saw it as a form of slavery from which children needed to be released (Feez, 2010). The teachers in both approaches share a common goal in childrearing. They both regard themselves as nurtures, partners and guides to children. They depend on the environment as a pedagogical tool which is carefully prepared and aesthetically pleasing. Partnership with parents is highly valued in both approaches. However their contrasting view on a childs learning has lead them act different roles in a classroom. Reggio teachers are seen a learner, enthusiastically seeking new knowledge alongside children. Children and teachers are seen as co-researches in everyday process rather than a specialised activity. They provide tools, materials, resources and provide help when needed. Each class has two teachers who work collaboratively as a team. The teachers plan in collaboration with the pedagogista and the aterlierista. The pedagogista helps maintain high quality standards whereas the aterlierista promotes expression through different forms of media and symbol systems (Vecchi, 2010). Malaguzzi suggest that once children are helped to perceive themselves as authors and interventions, and to find the pleasure of inquiry, there motivation and interest will expand (Edwards, Gandini, Forman, 1998) In a Montessori classroom teachers are considered as directors which refers to someone who guides and draws others together. The role of the director is to provide a prepared environment and connect children with it. Montessori also emphasised the role of an educator as an observer rather than teacher. The method of observation still remains an important component of Montessori teacher training till this day (Torrence and Chattin-Mc Nicholas, 2009). The aim of the teacher is to help and encourage children to be independent, gain confidence and disciple so that there are minimal reasons for teachers to intervene (Feez, 2010). Teachers give children lessons (also called presentations) to show children how to use materials or how to act in the environment. Children are free to choose activities after they have had a lesson on how to do the activity. They intervene as little as possible to allow children to make good choices. In both approaches parent/families play an important part in their childs learning and development and are seen as partners alongside teachers. They are included in all decisions concerning their child and their input is highly valued. Parents receive extensive description about their children daily life and progress. Portfolios and other forms of children work maybe displayed and sent home as key intervals and transitions (Edwards, 1998). Respecting relationships are considered one of the most essential components of the RE approach. The relationships established between parents, children and teachers are key elements in supports childrens learning and development. Relationships are built on reciprocal, requiring mutual trust and respect. The Reggio term the pedagogy of listening emphasises listening as openness and wiliness to value the point of others. The first preschools were founded by the parents as a symbolic of hope and desire of better futures for their children. Therefore parental participation has always been important part of the Reggio approach. At the time a child enters an infant-toddler centre/preschool, the parents are considered as active participants in the ongoing educational process. The programme is designed to make families feel at home and an important part of the structure. This gives educators the opportunity to get to know families and understand their unique perspective of their own child. The Montessori approach includes parent/families in learning that concerns their child. Strong relationships are established between teachers and parents to follow the childs progress in home and classroom. Regular dialogue and written feedback gives parents information about their childs experiences and learning. Teachers provide suggestion on how parents can continue to use the Montessori approach at home. Parents are welcome to borrow resources and books and have many opportunities to learn about the Montessori philosophy and practice. One criticism to the RE approach is regarding the role of teachers as co-researchers along side children. Malaguzzi called this open review method a circle of idea. The idea that children learn through interactions and exploration of ideas with educators is regarded as thinking critically about difficult questions rather than problem solving. Another criticism is placed on the importance of the environment in the Reggio approach. The environment is referred to as the third teacher. It is argued that if the Reggio focus is on children and interactions and the use of space further encourages and supports this interactions and that the curriculum is adaptable to the changing interest to the child, so too does the design and environment change. Therefore the environment is a ship of motion rather than an unchangeable landmark (Rinaldi, 2006). It is argued that Montessori education does not allow children the opportunity for learning to learn. In a Montessori view a child had learned when they correctly finished the activity. It is an end state reached when the task is mastered. According to Crain (2011) in the real world children need to learn how to learn, to quickly adapt to changing environments and to create new environments. The Montessori approach does not allow for critical thinking or exploration it is rather a method of perfection. Freedom for initiative and creativity is limited. Teachers have firm rules about how tasks are done, and a child finds a way to manipulate the material which they are happy with, the teacher would not consider this satisfactory. The teacher will then encourage the child to keep working on the same activity until is completed the way it should be. This hinders children imagination and creativity (Gardner, 1966). Finally, both approaches make significant links Te Whariki. The principles of Family and Community and Relationships shows relevance to both approaches as parent/family are considered partners in the learning of their children. The strand of well being and belonging is evident in both approaches, as teachers support each individual child learning and development. Well being (Goal 1) supports the Montessori practice of practical skills where the children learn self help and self care skills (Ministry of Education, 1996). The strand of Contribution supports RE practice to explore as groups or individuals. Each child has the opportunity to express their idea. Group projects encourage children to learn with and along side others. The strand of Communication relates more to Reggio Emilia, than it does to Montessori practice. Communication and dialogue is an important tool which teachers use to extend childrens learning. Teachers support and allow children to be creative and expressive. This goal of non verbal and verbal communication shows relevance to the Hundred Languages (Edwards, 1998). The strand of exploration is also more relevant to the Reggio Emilia approach than Montessori, as Montessori is more structured and tasks are demonstrated on how it should be done, therefore it does not really allow for exploration. Exploration is seen a vital concept in the Reggio approach as teacher recognise the important of spontaneous play and allow children to follow their interest in more depth. Teachers become co-researchers with children to develop working theories and make sense of the world (MOE, 1996) In conclusion, RE and Montessori are both child-centred approaches and have many similarities as well as differences. Both approaches were established to turn away from violence/war and to give children the opportunity to realise their full potential as creative, intelligent individuals. In both approaches children are viewed as active partners in their own development and learning. The environment serves as a pedagogical tool for teachers to provide an aesthetically pleasing environment which provides children with freedom and opportunities for exploration. The teacher plays an important part in both approaches; however their contrasting views on the nature of children and their learning lead them to act different roles. A Reggio Teacher regards themselves as co-researchers alongside children, whereas a Montessori teacher sees themselves as a director or observer. In both approaches parents are seen as equal partners in their child learning and development. Overall, the Reggio Emili a approach provides children with opportunities for open ended exploration, whereas the Montessori approach is more structured and aims to provide opportunities for children to chose freely and gain independence.