The Information And Communication Revolution Education Essay

IntroductionOne the many challenges confronting developing states today are fixing their societies and authoritiess for globalisation and the information and communicating revolution. Policy shapers, concern executives, NGO activists, faculty members, and ordinary citizens are progressively concerned with the demand to do their societies competitory in the emergent information economic system. Globalization and technological alteration is a procedure that has accelerated in tandem over the past 15 old ages and has created a new planetary economic system powered by engineering, fuelled by information and driven by cognition. The outgrowth of this new planetary economic system has serious deductions for the nature and intent of educational establishments. As the half life of information continues to go and entree to information continues to turn more rapid, schools can non stay mere locales for the transmittal of a prescribed set of information from instructor to pupil over a fixed per iod of clip. Rather, schools must advance acquisition, in an illustration the acquisition of cognition and accomplishments that make possible uninterrupted acquisition over the life-time. Concerns over educational relevancy and quality coexist with the jussive mood of spread outing educational chances to those made most vulnerable by globalisation as an illustration, developing states in general, low-income groups, misss and adult females, and low-skilled workers in peculiar. Information and communicating engineerings which include wireless and telecasting, every bit good as newer digital engineerings such as computing machines and the Internet, have been touted as potentially powerful enabling tools for educational alteration and reform. When used suitably, different ICT are said to assist spread out entree to instruction, beef up the relevancy of instruction to the progressively digital workplace, and raise educational quality by, among others, assisting do instruction and larning into an engaging, active procedure connected to existent life. However, the experience of presenting different ICT in the schoolroom and other educational scenes all over the universe over the past several decennaries suggests that the full realisation of the possible educational benefits of ICT is non automatic. The effectual integrating of ICT into the educational system is a complex, multifaceted procedure that involves non merely engineering but so, given adequate initial capital, acquiring the engineering is the easiest portion but besides course of study and teaching method, institutional preparedness, instructor competences, and long-run funding, among others.ContentssICT base for information and communicating engineerings and are defined, for the intents of this primer, as a diverse set of technological tools and resources used to pass on, and to make, circulate, shop, and manage information. These engineerings include computing machines, the Internet, airing engineerings, wireless, telecasting and telephone. In recent old ages at that place has been a land crestless wave of involvement in how computing machines and the Internet can best be harnessed to better the efficiency and effectivity of instruction at all degrees and in both formal and non-formal scenes. But ICT are more than merely these engineerings, but older engineerings such as the telephone, wireless and telecasting, although now given less attending, have a longer and richer history as instructional tools. For case, wireless and telecasting have for over 40 old ages been used for unfastened and distance acquisition, although print remains the cheapest, most accessible and hence most dominant bringing mechanism in both developed and developing states. The usage of computing machines and the Internet is still in its babyhood in developing states, if these are used at all, due to limited substructure and the attendant high costs of entree. Technology alterations quickly – and so make the particular tools available for instruction. As new engineerings are introduced, it is critical that their cost and impact in assorted educational state of affairss is exhaustively examined. While grounds shows that it is the existent application of the ICT tool that is the most of import determiner of its effectivity for educational intents, the pick of tools is rather big, and each tool has its ain advantages and disadvantages. Policy shapers and giver groups are frequent ly bombarded with information and surveies from sellers on the suitableness of their peculiar merchandises or services. As a consequence, there is a great demand for independent research on the rightness of specific ICT tools to assist run into educational ends. Radio and Television have been supplying educational scheduling in some states for many old ages. Many related new engineerings, including orbiter broadcast medium and multi-channel acquisition, have the possible to greatly increase entree to instruction. Today, the Internet is non widely available in most underdeveloped states, but new Internet engineerings and nomadic Internet Centre ‘s clasp promise for linking instructors, scholars, and communities. Furthermore, instruction has mostly contributed to an addition in developing cognition, supplying an enabling environment for invention and in edifice human capital required for a possible hereafter cognition economic system. Global reforms in instruction and disputing ICT demands have made a singular displacement in the construction of the enabling ICT environment and the use of ICT engineerings in instruction. Such engineerings have become the cardinal driver of the digital web in an epoch of technology-driven instruction. More schools and communities now have entree to ICT resources to fall in the planetary economic system with knowledge workers who have twenty-first century accomplishments and are inspired by life-long acquisition. ICT have great possible for cognition airing, effectual acquisition and the development of more efficient instruction services. Much attempt has been made towards the promotion of instruction and multi-literacies. However, it is by and large believed t hat ICT can authorise instructors and scholars, doing important parts to larning and accomplishment. Current research on the impacts of ICT on pupil accomplishment outputs few conclusive statements, pro or con, about the usage of ICTs in instruction. Surveies have shown that even in the most advanced schools in industrialised states, ICT are by and large non considered cardinal to the instruction and acquisition procedure. Furthermore, there appears to be a mismatch between methods used to mensurate effects and the type of larning promoted. Standardized testing, for illustration, tends to mensurate the consequences of traditional instruction patterns, instead than new cognition and accomplishments related to the usage of ICT. It is clear that more research needs to be conducted to understand the complex links between ICT, acquisition, and accomplishment. Many of the issues and challenges associated with ICT in instruction enterprises are known by policy shapers, donor staff, and pedagogues. However, informations on the nature and complexness of these issues remains limited because of the deficiency of good monitoring and rating tools and procedures. Where rating informations is available much of the work is seen to endure from of import prejudices. Another job in this country is the deficiency of a common set of indexs for ICT in instruction. And, where information has been collected, it is frequently quantitative informations related to substructure, for illustration, figure of computing machines, instead than informations that can assist policy shapers gauge the impact of ICT intercessions on pupil acquisition. If ICT are to go effectual and built-in tools in instruction, and if answerability is to be demonstrated to givers and stakeholders, monitoring and rating must be a priority country of focal point. It is clear that there are equity issues related to the utilizations of ICT in instruction. There is a existent danger that uses of ICT can farther marginalise groups already excluded or on the border of educational patterns and inventions. On the other manus, with supportive policies and careful planning and monitoring, ICTs hold out the promise of easing greater inclusion of such groups. While there is much research on the impact of ICTs and marginalized groups in industrialised states, there has been limited research into these issues in developing states. There seems to be small inquiring, nevertheless, that ICTs by and large give penchant to schools and scholars in urban countries and in countries where bing substructure is the best. Research related to equity and ICT to day of the month has focused chiefly on entree to peculiar engineerings. Much less attending has been given to how specific types and utilizations of ICTs are related to equity issues. Besides than that, about the true costs of ICT in instruction, there have been few strict costs surveies, peculiarly in developing states. Given current budgetary and resource restraints, a widespread investing in ICT in instruction is likely non possible in most underdeveloped states. It is, hence, critically of import to better understand the costs and benefits associated with ICT types and utilizations in assorted educational state of affairss in order to efficaciously aim scarce resources. There is some grounds, for case, that computing machines may be most cost-efficient when placed in common countries such as libraries and teacher-training institutes. One of the most cost effectual utilizations of ICT in instruction may be their function in bettering organisational and systemic efficiencies, including battling corruptness. Distance instruction is frequently cited as a cost economy investing. Indeed, economic sciences of graduated table are accomplishable in distance instruction , although such plans typically require big up-front investings. Some of these costs may be shifted from the populace sector to the single users, but this in itself raises important equity and entree issues. Again, a thorough scrutiny of the true costs and benefits of distance instruction is required. Financing mechanisms for ICT in instruction enterprises are rather varied. Due to the high up-front costs and big recurrent costs, states and communities typically employ a great assortment of funding and cost recovery mechanisms. Public private partnerships and user fees are of import constituents of funding ICTs in instruction in many states, although more research is needed to find the impact and effectivity of these mechanisms. Even the usage of ICT in the schoolroom or in distance instruction does non decrease the function of the instructor ; neither does it automatically change learning patterns. Experience has shown that a assortment of support and enabling mechanisms must be implemented to optimise instructor usage of ICT. While traditional instructor leading accomplishments and patterns are still of import, instructors must besides hold entree to relevant, seasonably, and ongoing professional development. They must hold the clip and resources to research this new cognition base and develop new accomplishments. Support of school decision makers and, in some instances, the community, is critical if ICTs are to be used efficaciously. In add-on, instructors must hold equal entree to working computing machines or other engineerings and sufficient proficient support. Accessing information is the chief usage of ICTs in instruction. While ICT, and the Internet in peculiar, supply entree to a universe of educat ional resources, those resources are seldom in a format that makes them easy accessible and relevant to most instructors and scholars in developing states. Simply importing educational content through ICT is fraught with troubles, every bit good as inquiries of relevancy to local demands. Experience shows that unless electronic educational resources are straight related to the course of study, and to the appraisal methods used to measure educational results, ICT intercessions may non hold positive educational impacts. Furthermore, ICT can be of import drivers for educational reform. They can assist in anti-corruption attempts, assistance in decentalisation, and play a cardinal function in informations aggregation and analysis. Still, there are many policy inquiries around the usage of ICTs in instruction, non the least of which revolves around which portion of the authorities is responsible for such policies. Some of the cardinal policy inquiries revolve around entree, equity, finance, and best patterns in scaling-up. As a comparatively new field, there is no standard depository for bing ICTs in education-related national policies. And, it is clear that successful policy preparation requires audience with a diverse group of stakeholders, many of which may be outside of the traditional educational system. Inventions in engineering and new merchandises are introduced in the planetary market place at a much faster gait than most educational systems are able to utilize them efficaciously. This issue o f timing is an of import one as pedagogues and policymakers operate with an oculus to longer term educational ends. The advantages and disadvantages of ICT in instruction include a scope of elements such as – †¢ Giving to teacher opportunity to be after short, timed, tightly focussed activities. †¢ Planning activities across a figure of Sessionss to let sufficient clip for all students to take parts. †¢ Up to day of the month and existent universe engineering†¦ prepares the kids for the modern universe! †¢ Helps pupils research subjects they are analyzing utilizing a broad scope of beginnings other than merely book from their school library, †¢ Aids the students to acquire an penetration into engineerings that they may subsequently trust on in future life. †¢ Using word paperss it gives the students a opportunity to show their work in a manner that suits them. †¢ Word and printing paperss available for show work intents. There is besides a high advantage of ICT equipment helping students with larning troubles. By snaping on the word instance study the undermentioned nexus will take you to a instance survey on podcasts and the advantages of working with kids that have larning troubles and besides shown on the secondary instruction page. The undermentioned disadvantages give a list of aims that staff and facilitators may be required to cover with should jobs happen throughout utilizing the ICT equipment. †¢ Cost †¢ Training †¢ Distractions †¢ Reliability †¢ Damage †¢ Safety †¢ Choping †¢ Resources ( or deficiency of ) As you can see I have already listed disadvantages of ICT in instruction and all seem dearly-won. The initial equipment even though would be an investing and acquisition assistance is expensive. After the initial cost there is the fact of developing the staff/ facilitators to utilize the equipment right as bad use can do wrong learning to students. Besides coming under cost is damage, as, if the equipment gets amendss so the harm fix fees are required to acquire the equipment back up and running. Distractions such as the cyberspace, computing machine games and electronic mail are besides a large disadvantage. Then we come onto safety and hacking that is discussed on the safety page.DecisionIn decisions, the modern coevals schoolchildren are turning up in an environment where information and communicating engineerings are embracing about all country of their lives. It is the duty of authorities to fix pupils with the accomplishments and cognition they will necessitate to take control of their digital hereafters. Therefore, it is of topmost importance for instructors to incorporate ICT into the course of study. This essay will discourse the great benefits ICT have on kid acquisition and besides explore the current way in which instructors can incorporate ICTs into the schoolroom. Using ICTs in instruction develops the needful skills a kid needs to utilize computing machines and other engineerings. However, ICT provide a instruction scheme that engages the scholar. ICT can make an exciting manner to show information to pupils and due to the fact that ICTs engages the scholar it allows the pupil to larn more. Another great positive of utilizing ICTs in primary schooling is that it addresses the fact that each pupil has different larning abilities. ICT allows pupils to stand out in their country of A‘intelligence, for illustration a kid who has spacial intelligence but has trouble in written look can demo their acquisition procedure through sound and images. The usage of ICT is besides good to a kid ‘s acquisition because it covers the four cardinal learning countries which are active battle, group, interaction and connexion with the existent universe. As I mentioned earlier ICTs prosecute the scholar, nevertheless, they can besides affect extended g roup work and interaction with both pupils and ICT equipment. ICTs play a cardinal usage in society ; hence, they give kids a existent universe connexion. This besides gives pupils aim in scholar because they are utilizing engineerings that they will necessitate to.

Childhood

In her remembering event essay, Annie Dullard a professor of English and writer at Wesleyan College, recalls the time when her and her friends where chased by a stranger that wouldn't give up. At the age of seven, Dullard felt that nothing girls did could compare to the trill and excitement she experienced while playing football and baseball with the boys. She was somewhat of a tomboy and had what some people Like to call a boys arm.She loved the two sports, from the thought of new strategies whispered among one another and throwing her body mightily at someone's legs to he concentration and courage It took for a chance at victory. Once winter arrived there wasn't any baseball or football; however, In the winter, they made and threw snowballs at the oncoming/outgoing vehicles as they drove by. One cold and cloudy morning after Christmas, Dullard and the boys strayed away from their homes In search of potential traffic to throw snowballs at.On Reynolds Street, a black Buick was headed in their direction. They spread out quickly made snowballs, aimed, and launched at the approaching vehicle. As usual they hit their target, but this particular time was different from all the other times. The driver pulled over, jumped out, and began chasing after the young juveniles. Without saying a word they all split up, with the exception of Dullard and one of the young boys, Mike Fay. The angry man continued the pursuit, following the two kids without any signs of giving up.Block after block, through backyards and over picket fences Dullard and Fay fled with the man trailing closely behind. Before being caught, they ran ten blocks and were extremely exhausted. Dullard admits to being terrified, but did not want the glory to end. Childhood By Foundation stranger that wouldn't give up. At the age of seven, Dullard felt that nothing girls did like to call a boys arm. She loved the two sports, from the thought of new strategies the concentration and courage it took for a chance a t victory.Once winter arrived there wasn't any baseball or football; however, in the winter, they made and threw snowballs at the oncoming/outgoing vehicles as they drove by. One cold and cloudy morning after Christmas, Dullard and the boys strayed away from their homes in particular time was different from all the other times. The driver pulled over, Jumped out, and began chasing after the young Juveniles. Without saying a word they all split Childhood In her remembering event essay, Annie Dullard a professor of English and writer at Wesleyan College, recalls the time when her and her friends where chased by a stranger that wouldn't give up. At the age of seven, Dullard felt that nothing girls did could compare to the trill and excitement she experienced while playing football and baseball with the boys. She was somewhat of a tomboy and had what some people Like to call a boys arm.She loved the two sports, from the thought of new strategies whispered among one another and throwing her body mightily at someone's legs to he concentration and courage It took for a chance at victory. Once winter arrived there wasn't any baseball or football; however, In the winter, they made and threw snowballs at the oncoming/outgoing vehicles as they drove by. One cold and cloudy morning after Christmas, Dullard and the boys strayed away from their homes In search of potential traffic to throw snowballs at.On Reynolds Street, a black Buick was headed in their direction. They spread out quickly made snowballs, aimed, and launched at the approaching vehicle. As usual they hit their target, but this particular time was different from all the other times. The driver pulled over, jumped out, and began chasing after the young juveniles. Without saying a word they all split up, with the exception of Dullard and one of the young boys, Mike Fay. The angry man continued the pursuit, following the two kids without any signs of giving up.Block after block, through backyards and over picket fences Dullard and Fay fled with the man trailing closely behind. Before being caught, they ran ten blocks and were extremely exhausted. Dullard admits to being terrified, but did not want the glory to end. Childhood By Foundation stranger that wouldn't give up. At the age of seven, Dullard felt that nothing girls did like to call a boys arm. She loved the two sports, from the thought of new strategies the concentration and courage it took for a chance a t victory.Once winter arrived there wasn't any baseball or football; however, in the winter, they made and threw snowballs at the oncoming/outgoing vehicles as they drove by. One cold and cloudy morning after Christmas, Dullard and the boys strayed away from their homes in particular time was different from all the other times. The driver pulled over, Jumped out, and began chasing after the young Juveniles. Without saying a word they all split Childhood EYMP1: Context and principles for early years provision 1. 1. Explain the legal status and principles of the relevant early years framework/s, and how national and local guidance materials are used in settings. (Relevant early years framework: This refers to the frameworks for early years provision used within the relevant UK Home Nation. ) The early years framework in England is the EYFS. The early year’s foundation stage consists of a statutory curriculum for children from birth to 5years.All child care providers must use the early year’s foundation stage to ensure a consistent and flexible approach to children’s care, learning and development in order for the child to meet the five every child matters outcomes. The welfare requirement is enforced by Regulations made under Section 39, (1) (b) of the Childcare Act 2006. There are six area covered by the early learning goals and educational programmes. Which are:- -Personal, Social and Emotional Development -Comm unication, Language and Literacy -Creative Development -Physical Development -Problem-solving, Reasoning and Numeracy Knowledge and Understanding of the World These six areas are equally important; all areas are delivered through planning, child-initiated and adult-led activities. There are four distinct EYFS principles which guide the work of all practitioners. The elements of the principles into practice are, :- A unique child :-Positive relationships :-Enabling environment :-Learning and development These four elements underpin effective practice in the EYFS, put the requirements into context, and describe how practitioners should support the development, learning and care of young children.The four aspects also underpin the five elements of Every Child Matters. The five elements of every child matters are staying safe, being healthy, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and achieving economic well-being. We achieve this by setting the standards for learning, pr omoting equality of opportunity, creating the framework for working in partnership, improving quality and consistency and laying a secure foundation for future learning. 1. 2. Explain how different approaches to work with children in the early years have influenced current provision in the UK. (Different approaches e. g. : Reggio Emilia Reggio Emilia’s approach has influenced our roles by combining parent’s roles and communities’ roles. Parents are encouraged to be involved with the child’s development and curriculum planning. Teachers are leaner’s too, as we are continually developing and enhancing our understanding. Reggio Emilia influenced how we lay out our rooms, with the use of open free flow spaces and using the children’s work for displays. * High/Scope * The high scope approach influenced how we organise our planning, implement, review and how we plan our next steps. * Montessori * Maria Montessori believed that children have a desi re to learn.After many hours of observation she concluded that they learned best by experiencing things. * Steiner * Steiner influenced how we organise our setting and how we plan our environment, he also contributed to the five elements of every child matters. He believed nutrition, rest and play are very important. Steiner believed children learn through reparation. Steiner’s approach worked effectively at integrating special education need children into the setting and encouraged the other children to actively care about them. * common core * Common core skills and knowledge are essential to everyone who works on a regular basis with children.The common core influences our practices and provisions by highlighting the skills and knowledge we as practitioner should have. It also promotes equality, respect, diversity and challenges stereotypes. * There are six areas within the common core skills and knowledge. * Effective Communication and engagement with children, young peop le and families. * Skills:- Listening and building empathy, summarise and explain and consultation and negotiation * Knowledge:- How communication works, sources of support and the Importance of respect * Child and young person development. Skills:- Observation and judgement and empathy and understanding * Knowledge:- Understand context, understand how babies, children and young people develop and be clear about your own role * Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child and young person. * Skills:- Relate, recognise and take considered action, communication, recording and reporting and personal skills * Knowledge:- Legal and procedural frameworks, wider context of services and Self understanding * Supporting transitions. * Skills: – Identify transitions and provide support. Knowledge: – How children and young people respond to change and when and how to intervene. * Multi – agency working. * Skills:- Communication, teamwork and assertiveness * Knowledge :- Your role and procedures and working methods * Sharing information. * Skills: – Information handling. * Knowledge: – The importance of information sharing and roles and responsibilities. * country specific: statutory or guidance) * See 1. 1 * 1. 3. Explain why early years frameworks emphasise a personal and individual approach to learning and development.The emphasis is on the individual and how we can adapt to personalise activities and the care we offer. All children are individual and develop at different rates. Children have universal needs that are essential to survival (food, drink, sleep and shelter). The psychological needs are love, affection, stable relationships, intellectual stimulation and independence, meeting these needs is essential to the quality of life. 3. 1. Explain the partnership model of working with carers. The role of practitioners differs from parents but the one thing they have in common is they all want the best for the child.Trust and re spect is of upmost importance. Home visits, hands book and brochure are greatly appreciated by parents and carers. Also See 3. 3. A  partnership model  looks like this 3. 2. Review barriers to participation for carers and explain ways in which they can be overcome. As a practitioner my first duty is to the child, promoting their welfare, development and learning. Some situations are very sensitive and need to be approached with great care. Parents can be very defensive and sometime even hostile. Arrange any discussion in a confidential space, in a calm and supportive atmosphere.Barriers| Ways in which they can be overcome. | Being a single parent| Offer times that are suitable for the parent to discuss any issues/child’s development. If this is not practical I would arrange a convenient time to phone home and discuss. In some cases a e-mail or text may be appropriate. | If English is not their first language| The parent/carer is encouraged to bring a member of the family or friend to translate, although we do have bilingual practitioners at my setting. | Work commitments| Offer alternative times or arrange a phone call home. If this is still not suitable I would send a letter/report home. Illness| Firstly I would be sensitive to their illness and provide an appropriate time suitable to for them. Sending a letter home/report and discussing any issues over the phone. | Disabilities | I would provide appropriate access. If the parent/carer is deaf I would write what I want to communicate. | Child’s health (over weight/ not in good health)| This is a hard situation to tackle, showing concern for the child and not criticising the parent is very important. Offering my help and support to the parents, suggesting alternative foods and making them aware of adequate exercise. Their child has special education needs| I would discuss my concerns and reassure the parent/carers that they will receive support and help not only for their child but for themse lves too. | The child isn’t receiving support at home. | This is a sensitive matter as many parents do have a lot of time after they finish work. I would suggest just 10 minute a day of reading to their child will make a dramatic impact. I would not criticise the parent/carers as everybody’s home life is different. | 3. 3. Explain strategies to support carers who may react positively or negatively to partnership opportunities.At my setting we offer opportunities for parents/carers to volunteer for any period of time, we hold open days for existing parents and children as well as new parents/carers and children. This helps the transition of starting nursery and gives parents and children to meet the staff, gain knowledge of our routine, how we work as a setting and what our aim is. At events like this we have stalls providing information about each staff member’s role, our policies and work from staff and children that display how diverse we and our multi-cultura l workings.Parents don’t always have time to attend open days, events or parents evenings and may feel guilty. At my setting we hold events on Saturdays and for parents evenings we arrange times to suit parents. We have bilingual staff members to help and translate if English is not the parent/carers first language or they are welcome to bring someone with them. Parents are always encourages to become more involved and we are open to new ideas. 3. 4. Explain how effective multi-agency working operates within early year’s provision and benefits children and carers.A number of different services, practitioners and parents join forces, sharing information in order to prevent problems occurring. Parental permission will always be obtained before accessing these services, unless the child is deemed to be at risk of significant harm. Practitioners should assist parents and guide them in the direction of other agencies/services which could benefit them. Multi agency working e nables services to work alongside one another to ensure the best possible outcome for the child, young person and their families.Services are sometimes integrated to enable more effective care for the child/young person. Anyone who works with children should integrate, placing the child at the centre in order to improve their lives. Multi agency workings benefit the child and their families by identifying problems, providing information, their needs are addressed more appropriately and the family receive a tailor made support network. By working together and integrating the child’s outcome can be positive and can have a positive impact on the child health, development and learning. Every agency places the whole child at the centre. Similar article: How Different Types of Transitions Can Affect Children

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Community Field Visit Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Community Field Visit - Essay Example One distinct assessment relates with the area’s population—majority of citizens were decidedly African-Americans and Hispanic in origin. The implication that there is a relation of poor economic conditions and domination of darker-skinned residents can somehow hold a ground basis. Further explorations throughout the day revealed several outcomes. Similar with other cities, students and workers alike go on with their routine activities—going to their respected destination and coming home by the end of the day. As night time falls, however, depicts a different scenario. Groups of mixed young adult races, mainly African-American and Hispanics, prowled the streets of Orange City, each pursuing various habits—smoking and drinking, etc. In an article on Orange City (2004), statistics demonstrated that only a small percentage attained a college degree, while majority graduated in high school. Moreover, the crime index in the area by 2006 reached almost 13,000. The low academic attainment of residents may seem to contribute to its poor economic state, while high criminal rates had possibly scared off potential business investors—resulting in shortage of job opportunities and lack of income source. In a book by Kirst-Ashman and Hull (2009), one of the organizational models emphasized was the need to identify targets for change in community settings. Targeting for change, as emphasized by Sheafor and Horejsi (2006), â€Å"provides direction for the leader and followers† (as cited in Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2009, p. 83). In this case, a specific group (African-American young adults), are likely to be the identified targets in need of change. Clearly, the presence of economic deprivation, where there is â€Å"inadequate or unjust access to financial resources†¦such as job discrimination, unemployment, insufficient work benefits† can be applied basing from the situation presented (Kirst-Ashman & Hull,

Microsoft Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Microsoft - Essay Example The products offered by Microsoft include; Windows, Office; entertainment products such as Xbox 360 and others and all these products are relatively price inelastic. The demand of these products is very high and as it has been found that people have become accustomed of using products offered by Microsoft. As people are willingly purchasing products of the company such as Microsoft Word is being purchased although people have the option to use Word already installed in Windows, therefore it shows that people are ready to buy products of Microsoft. Therefore the products offered by Microsoft are relatively price inelastic despite of the increasing investment made competitors such as Apple. Although the market has become a lot more competitive than it was few years back. Therefore Microsoft has to continue working hard to improve their existing products. Microsoft has been working to enhance its revenues and following strategies have been suggested on how Microsoft can improve its revenues: a. Microsoft can segregate its products on the basis of the consumer demand and then analyze the relatively price elastic or relatively price inelastic of each of the product of the company. This would allow Microsoft to understand and analyze how the total revenue of the company can be increased by considering each and every product. For instance, Microsoft Word can be considered as highly price inelastic and its demand would not change drastically even if the company increases its price by 15%. So in such cases, to increase the revenues the company should increase the price. Similarly, if the price of a product is relatively elastic, then it could analyze the price at which the company would be able to achieve maximum profits even if they have to reduce the price of the product. b. As it has been found that consumers are still facing issues like unemployment, higher prices

International Business Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

International Business - Research Paper Example BRIC nations, however, continued to grow between 7-10% in 2004-2007. However, in 2009, the global economy posted its first GDP loss since the post-world war two periods. With unsustainable debt levels and crippling unemployment, the advanced economies of the west began to stagnate, at best grow sluggishly. Developing countries including China and India experienced strong growth, however, as they grew their overall exports, made infrastructural investments and had increased consumption levels. China overtook Japan as the world’s second largest economy. The second phase of the principle financial crisis started in 2009 with the defaulting of Dubai. Spreading across into Europe, it caused job losses. During the 1970’s, oil averaged $16 a barrel, shooting up to $146 in July 2008. This allowed countries like UAE to withstand the adverse effects of soaring debts, due in large part to their oil wealth. International businesses will now find it cheaper to invest in countries li ke China, India, China and India due to their cheap labor and the UAE due to their vast cash reserves to cushion them against debt and drastic job losses. In the USA, however, with soaring debts, dwindling cash reserves and high unemployment amongst highly skilled workers, the conditions are not conducive now for investment. Question #2 It is relevant to study global business for any person in the world of business, whatever the size of their particular organization. Majority of products are imported. Closing a deal in China and doing so in France will be a very different process. Businesspersons need to be aware of customs, in followed in other countries in-order to be successful. It is also necessary to consider the shipping cost difference, since this will change â€Å"landed cost† of a commodity, together with the price it retails at and the margin of profit. After the Second World War, most western countries began to remove barriers, allowing free transfer of services, g oods and capital between themselves. Countries in the east have followed suit. Under GATT, over100 nations further negotiated tariff decrease, while taking strides in resolution of issues removed from tariffs, for example service trade and intellectual property. While this decrease of most trade barriers made market and service globalization a possibility theoretically, changes in technology made the reality tangible. Major information processing and communication advances since the end of World War 2 have made global trade relatively easier. Advancement of the World Wide Web and the internet are undoubtedly the backbone for tomorrow’s information, allowing 1.3 billion users to communicate in 2007. In business, this is a potentially lucrative goldmine. Massive advancements in transportation technology have also enabled firms to respond faster and with more personality to demands by international customers. The implication of globalization cannot be ignored. In today’s firms, business is more competitive and complex than it was, say 7 decades ago. International and cultural challenges have become more pronounced, thus studying international business is of utmost importance, even for small firm employees. Question #3 Sen puts forward the argument that, in economic life, the ultimate mark is freedom. Thus, development needs the extrication of key impediments of real freedom: tyranny, social

International Relations Theory Human Rights Formal Term Paper

International Relations Theory Human Rights Formal - Term Paper Example These instruments set universal standards against which national governments and individuals alike can measure their own compliance and compare it to that of others. Even when there is disagreement over the precise meaning, nature or scope of a particular human right, the fact that such dialogue exists at all demonstrates the widespread recognition of, and concern for, fundamental universal human rights. According to Conlon in 2004, human rights were among the more powerful ideas to emerge from the U.N. Charter along with peace, national self-determination, and development. After the drafting and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, to which all the countries of the world subscribe, at least rhetorically, the modern international human rights system developed slowly within the constraints of the Cold War. While there remains much to celebrate about the Universal Declaration and collateral human rights treaties, there have also been substantial complications in managing the political organization of such international obligations. Within the U.N., until the 1980s, the issue of human rights was essentially an ideological football, kicked back and forth in a match between West and East (Schwarz, 2004). Western players prioritized political and civil rights and their Eastern counterparts (usually backed up by southern reserves) economic and social rights. The divide was part of Cold War competition, which left little room for the possibility of joint promotion.Nevertheless, a wide range of international norms has been enshrined in legally binding international human rights instruments, and in a growing web of customary international law. Protections were established by treaty for those subjected to torture, for victims of racial discrimination, for children, and for women (Conlon, 2004). As neither the United States nor the Soviet Union deferred fully to this system during the Cold War, the protection of human rights remained more nominal than actual. The sovereign prerogatives of the superpowers trumped rights enforcement, with the U.N. system accepting non-compliance on many occasions. At present, the most promising avenues for the immediate actualization of global justice involve sensitive adjustments to variations of state and society makeup, as in the numerous peace, reconciliation, and accountability procedures established in a number of countries (Gandhi, 2000). Also encouraging are various collaborations between transnational social forces and those governments that are more value-oriented and sensitive to the claims of global justice, as opposed to those that define their role according to the maximization of power, wealth, and influence.

International and strategic marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

International and strategic marketing - Essay Example This paper describes the rise of the recorded-music industry, the emergence of disruptive technologies and the effect of this disruption on the marketing strategies of today’s recording industry companies. The marketing strategies are discussed in perspective of the 7Ps of marketing. 3Ps are identified and analysed as potential channels for implementing marketing strategies that could mitigate the threat to recording industry’s digital music sales posed by free and illegal peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing websites. Table of Contents Executive summary 1 Table of Contents 2 2.0.Marketing strategies in the Music Industry 6 2.1.Product 7 2.2.Price 8 2.3.Place 8 2.4.Promotion 8 2.5.People 9 2.6.Process 10 2.7.Physical evidence 10 2.8.Section summary 10 3.0.Topics impacting the industry 11 3.1.Changing process using partners and intermediaries 11 3.2.Promoting legitimate digital music using merchandise and concert business 13 3.3.Repackaging physical evidence 14 4.0.Conclusion 15 References 16 1.0. Introduction According to the British Recorded Music Industry, the music industry can be broadly categorised into four sectors: song writing and publishing, recording, live music and artist management (BPI 2012). In all these sectors there are many different organisations and individuals performing different roles and earning their living. Currently the large share of the industry’s value is generated and controlled by the recorded music and live music sectors. The recorded sector is dominated by four major corporate labels that comprise of several smaller companies that focus on different regions and markets. These four conglomerates are: Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, EMI Music and Warner Music Group (The Economist 2008). The live music sector is dominated by Live Nation Entertainment in the United States. The growth of the recorded music sector epitomised by the rise of music labels towards the end of the 20th century led to the recording sector being synonymized as the music industry (Wikipedia 2012). The recorded music sector grew largely due to the ability of the music labels to efficiently and cost-effectively fulfil the several stages in the process of moving music from artist to consumer. The major record labels are vertically integrated businesses. The stages in the recording industry are: Artists and Repertoire (A&R) – involves finding new acts; recording music – involves composition, production and licensing of copyright; manufacture of mechanical recordings e.g. CDs and vinyl; music distribution and logistics; marketing and promotion; and retail activities (Fleming & E. G. Hughes 2002). Some of the factors that made music labels profitable are: economies of scale which spreads overheads over a wider revenue base; diversity of artists which enables them to maintain a steady flow of releases; and breadth of music catalogue. However, in the 21st century, the emergence and growth of three technologies led to the disruption experienced in the broad music industry in general, but mostly in the recorded-music industry’s value chain. These three technologies are digitalization, data compression and the Internet (Dolata 2011). Digitalization of music made it easy to make copies

The Opportunities and Challenges of Contemporary Public Health Policy Essay

The Opportunities and Challenges of Contemporary Public Health Policy for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing - Essay Example This paper is a critical review of the available literature on specialist community public health policy in England as applicable to health visiting. Some of the more recent position papers along with several research papers on the role of health visiting nurses, their qualifications and skills and the relevant policies will be reviewed. The advantages of health visiting to the target segment and the various challenges faced by health visitors as well the administration will also be discussed to understand the health visiting environment in England. Specialist community health policy in England Despite recognizing the importance of public health promotion and preventative strategies through community settings, public health issues concerning health visiting still remains a subject that attracts much attention. Health visiting may have evolved from simply being concerned with sanitation to addressing maternal and child welfare; it is now being touted as the most essential of services in the realm of public health. Today, health visiting in England and UK as in other countries is being given the importance that it demands. This concept of health visiting primarily focuses on generating awareness among individuals, families and communities as a whole of the importance of ensuring the wellness of both the child and the family (Carr et al, 2012). However, there is an increasing awareness among practitioners and policy makers alike of the need for effective policies and implementation strategies to cater to the demanding and more complex needs of the changing community settings which are more heading towards being multi-ethnic and diverse in nature. There is evidence of a multi-pronged approach to developing health visiting services in England. This can be seen from the initiative by National Health Services (NHS) in gathering evidence base for improving public health based on a three-tier structure that takes in to account the strategic directions set by a board of advisors in collecting the evidence base, dividing the work based on reference group and forming of user panels to establish a framework for evaluation of the evidence base (Bull et al, 2004). The Royal College of Nurisng (RCN), UK’s largest association of nurses, midwives, health visitors and other practitioners has published a position paper on health visiting (â€Å"Pillars of the Community: the RCN UK position on the development of the registered nursing workforce in the community†) which has since been instrumental in contributing to the decision of the Department of Health to endorse the coalition government’s pledge to increase the number of health visitors from 8000 to more than 12000 (an increase by 4200) and also the ‘Health Visitor implementation Plan’ set to guide and strengthen health visiting service in the country, as part of the â€Å"A Call to action: 2011’ publication that endorses a four tier model: Community; Universal; U niversal Plus and Universal Partnership Plus (Health Visiting Services & Public Health Nursing: a consultation document, 2012). Concerns have been raised on the role of health nurses in the community settings where it seemed to take on the role of surveillance more than support to the families of the different communities. However, specialist community

International Operations Management Essay Example for Free

International Operations Management Essay Nowadays every company wants to gain a competitive edge in the market and for that it leaves no store unturned . When any new development takes place although it has a good side to it but there are equally a lot of challenges attached to it as well. If a company is thinking of moving from batch processing to line processing there would be considerable concerns which the following departments might raise and might have to juggle with. The finance department might face the issues of capital investment rising from moderate to high level because if an automobile production line is there then it would not use ordinary machinery instead would require specialized machinery for its production. In a batch processing system the capital investment is usually seen to be moderate and when decision of venturing into line processing is taken then capital investments expects to be high. Variable cost might tend to lessen from moderate level of previous working seen in batch processing. Human resource department would also have to face issues like curtailing the number of labor content and workforce . Usually in assembly line processing the workforce is replaced by machinery and supporting mechanisms embedded in the systems like for example adding a conveyer belt to connect the activities which take place in the firm. (Lewis Slack, 2003). Labor content in batch processing is moderate whereas in line processing its low. (McHugh MuHugh , 1990) . This can be a concern of the human resource department because it would take decisions like lay off, transfer etc. The accounting department has to be on the toes because the level of transactions would increase as the volume would increase i. e. from moderate level of quantity produced to high level production. The entries have to be made on a continuous basis as volume or the quantity has risen. The information system which would be used for line processing will have to more swift and embedded with specialized softwares or systems which support line processing nature of work. The connected flow of working will have to be monitored efficiently. The system of monitoring will have to be modified so as to facilitate the current functioning. The marketing department might think of the fact that in the batch processing products involved were several and in line processing the products involved are less hence less responsibility, but the quality of marketing expertise would be expected to increase drastically. ( Heizer Render , 1991 ) . A batch process usually executes different production runs for different runs but it’s not in the case of line processing. The flexibility is usually seen to be low in line processing and therefore as in batch processing where flexibility is seen to be moderate might create concerns for the marketing department. The marketing department now will have to devise such ideas which are out of the box and facilitate such larger processing function . The marketing department has to design such products which entice the masses as they would now not have multiple products which can save their flagging reputation. (Weiss Gershon, 1989) To culminate I would state that whenever any other process flow is adopted then there are certain specifications which are to be considered and the various departments which previously followed a specific line of action need to have the insight of how to adapt to the other one in which they are opting to venture.

Facebook and Knowledge Management

Facebook and Knowledge Management Until the advent of Facebook, no inventor of an Internet-based technology has ever been heralded on TIME Magazine as person of the year (Grossman 2010) until Mark Zuckerberg came up with an invention that ate the world (Grossman 2009). The importance of Facebook as a technological platform has been unparalleled precisely because it has transcended from being a mere digital platform to become a part of the social reality of people around the globe (Naughton 2010). In the Facebook Age, knowledge creation has become ubiquitous. People transmit and consume knowledge every second as they share information, thoughts, opinions, and multimedia (Richardson 2010). This innovation started out as a college tradition before becoming a social networking site (Grossman 2007). Facebooks launch occurred in 2004 in a Harvard dorm room and started out as a networking for undergraduate students (Fuglsang 2008, p. 13). Students get introduced to one another using photographs into a physical facebook patt erned after Hot or Not where students got to vote who looked hotter in compared photos (Schwartz 2003). From its origin as a networking tool, Zuckerberg developed it into a web-based service where members can post their profiles containing information such as birth dates, employment, interests, favourite books, favourite music, and others (Schonfeld, 2008). Moreover, the service enabled people to privately communicate with each other through messages or by posting a message on someones wall (Richardson 2010). During his interviews, Zuckerberg underscores the motivation behind Facebook: enhancing real connections (Grossman 2010). His theory revolves around the fact that people communicate most naturally and effectively with those they know friends, family, and associates. All Facebook did was to provide information to a set of applications through which people want to share information, photos or videos or events (Calrson 2010). Today, Facebook is a way of life for millions of peopl e, which as of January 2011 total 600 million users (Carlson 2011). Due to its phenomenal rise and usage, Facebook has become a significant product that has several implications for the practice of knowledge management. How Facebook has revolutionised collaboration for knowledge management One area where technology has become a crucial tool for knowledge management has been in collaboration. Among the fundamental goals of knowledge management is to improve organizational performance by enabling individuals to capture, share, and apply their collective knowledge to make optimal decisionsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦in real time (Smith and Farquhar 2000, p. 17). Knowledge management goes beyond technology facilitating information sharing and collaboration; it creates and sustains communities of practice, copes with culture and behavior of people, and creates trust and validated content (Payne 2007).The use of technology for collaboration has vastly changed from what it meant 10 years ago. The evolution could be divided into stages: Disks and file transfers via email. Before, collaboration referred to the process of transferring files one-by-one via email or passing around floppy disks. This proved time-consuming for people and difficult to retrieve information; labelling was either incomplete, out-of-date, or the contextual information was vague. The effect was that people took too much time browsing in order to retrieve data (Adler and Kwon 2002). Network drives. After file transfers came the more advanced collaboration tool by using network drives so that all folders can now be accessed by all through a local network. Yet, this system of collaboration posed problems: it was limited by memory and attention spans and personal connections. People still relied on others to determine where data can be retrieved. A linear relationship existed between the time required to manage data and the size or number of data being managed. Hence, managing data was still time-consuming and people found minimal incentives in dealing with data or information management. Web-based software solutions. The advent of the Internet made collaboration easier especially when Web-based collaboration software was developed by companies. A case in point is Microsoft SharePoint which offered features that allowed the smooth flow of information: alerts, document libraries, forms, surveys, discussion boards, personal profiles, categorizations, and functions such as pulling information from data sources on the Web (Payne 2007). Despite expanding access to resources and organizing data at the same time protecting information, what lacked was a critical element of the collaboration process: user participation. Social networking. Encouraging people to become active participants in the knowledge management process is a challenge. With the popularity of social networking sites like Facebook, knowledge management has now considered the use of the social media approach to stimulate collaboration (Shih 2009). Facebook offers not merely a platform where people exchange information it also enhances satisfaction and emotional gratification because the engagement becomes personal and hence, more fun. Effective collaboration requires two primary elements: adoption (number of teams having access to the system) and engagement (number of people regularly using the system) (Alavi and Leidner 2001). Social media such as Facebook has revolutionised the way knowledge management among organisations has been defined. Current state of the art of Facebook: a review From a simple networking technology, Facebook has progressed and evolved in terms of interface and interaction for users, ability for knowledge creation, as well as potential threats to knowledge creation (Gawer 2009). Interface and interaction for users. Many interface changes have been made to address privacy issues and improve page management for Facebook users. Some of these changes were received positively and negatively. On the one hand, the new privacy features limited knowledge sharing and exchange while on the other hand, it also enhanced trust during the knowledge exchange. Some of the following listed here are the major interface changes in Facebook: May 2006 Networks are expanded to workplaces as well as colleges and high schools. September 2006 News Feed and Mini-Feed are added, aggregating profile changes of friends. New privacy settings are made available. Additionally, registration is expanded so anyone can join. May 2007 Facebook launches their Applications platform. July 2007 Facebook removes the profile field that allows users to list their courses. March 2008 New privacy controls are added (Lampe, Ellison and Steinfeld 2008). October 2010 Facebook changed user interface to accommodate its Groups feature. The Edit Notifications button was changed to Edit Settings and users have the option to opt out (Constine 2010) February 2011- Providing one-click link for various administrative tasks, removal of tabs for page improvement, a new masthead composing five images latest to be added (called Photostrip) (Ware 2011) Ubiquity in knowledge creation. What makes Facebook lead its rivals such as MySpace is its friendliness to third-party application developers. Facebook developed an application programming interface (API) which developers can now use and take advantage of in the context of social networking at Facebook. Developers can now utilize user social graphs and from there design applications which would enhance user interaction in a myriad of ways. Aside from user interaction, businesses stand to gain from API because advertising and financial transaction functionalities can also be integrated. However, the key element to the ubiquitous knowledge creation in Facebook is the news feed which has already been patented to Zuckerberg. Developers could now tap into the social graph of users and create applications of all types that would allow people to interact in new and interesting ways. Once a user posts information, status, media, or installs an application, a message kicks off and appears in the news feeds of all the users friends (Treadaway and Smith 2009, p. 186). For November 2007, more than 7,000 applications were developed using the Facebook Platform or roughly 100 every day (Rampell 2007). There were over 400,000 registered application developers (Ustinova 2008). Moreover, Facebook simplifies gathering and connecting information between images, videos, and text. Its structure allows individuals (nodes) to be connected to information from non-connected individuals; for instance, a user can view messages through the news feed made by unconnected contacts to the users friends. Moreover, groups are able to create knowledge based on interest such as social or political groups or a group of experts exchanging knowledge. Another interesting feature that enhances knowledge creation is Notes which allows individuals to create content on topics or concepts (Kirkpatrick 2010). People may respond through the comment facility which refines and develops information further. Som e of the numerous features which Facebook has that contribute to knowledge creation include: liking; comment; ratings; threaded conversations; feeds; automatic updates when specific things of interest happen; the ability to ask questions (survey); the ability to make requests; and the ability to pass word along about things that are happening (Hearn 2008, Gawer 2009). Factors that help or hinder KM when using Facebook. While Facebooks API platform has made knowledge creation and knowledge sharing easier, it has also raised questions of privacy. Some of the popular apps that Facebook has have become spam or in some cases, relayed identifying information without users consent (Acohido 2011). These are then transmitted to advertising companies and Internet tracking businesses (Steele and Fowler 2010). Privacy issues have affected nearly 10 million Facebook users; this issue is forecast by some tech experts to plague Facebook for years to come (Malbon 2011). The impact of Facebook of KMS Knowledge work. Facebook has facilitated the process in which users share their knowledge with a group of other users or an organisation (Hearn 2008, p. 74). The sharing of knowledge can be within a closed or open community. In the knowledge sharing process, users possess the knowledge they contribute (Van Grogh 1998, p. 151). This means that the identity of the users is known and associated with the contributions. Ideally, users have full control over the content with respect to granting and withdrawing access rights for sharing, grouping, and annotating contributions (Alavi and Leidner 2001) but loopholes in Facebook has led to significant privacy control issues (Van Grove 2010). Collaboration communication. Mass collaboration using digital technologies like Facebook is transforming all aspects of the knowledge society even more rapidly than envisioned (Howlett 2010, p. 21). These users can give hints, make suggestions how to solve the problem, or give concrete solution directions (Choi and Lee 2003). Private communication between the users through the collaborative problem-solving platform is not possible, thus all feedback, hints, answers, and solutions provided are visible to all users of the community (Golder and Huberman 2006). There are however features which allow for private communication. Management. Facebook has had several implications for management. First, there is the perceived loss of productivity because of excessive engagement with social networking sites. An article featured in The Economist stated that an IT company lost over 1.4 billion pounds (USD 2.3 billion) yearly due to overuse of social networks during working hours. The same article cited how banning Facebook from the workplace would improve productivity (Yammering away at the office 2011). However, Facebook has also revolutionised the recruitment process because it has made information transparent. In fact, almost half (47%) of executives in the U.S. reported that they browsed through the Facebook pages of potential candidates and from that information, made decisions pertaining recruitment (Anonymous no more 2010). Trust issues. Perhaps the biggest issue with Facebook in relation to knowledge management is trust (Schwartz 2011a). Privacy experts have repeatedly indicated that Facebook sent user information to its advertising through cookies (Van Grove 2010). Essentially, Facebook is said to have deanonymised the whole social networking process and only when the issue gained significant media mileage did Facebook act (Malbon 2010). The future of Facebook The future of Facebook with respect to KMS seems bright but if it is unable to resolve privacy issues, it may find itself out of the lead (Schwartz 2011b). Facebook may lead to fast and easy knowledge creation but the high participation of end users presents problems such as privacy issues and low productivity. The Facebook Platform allows the integration of different kinds of knowledge particularly the integration of applications and the constant creation of content (Gawer 2009, p. 134; Kirkpatrick 2010). Facebook, when properly managed, can provide knowledge management support for professional organisations as well as of non-professional organisations.

Social Classes in America :: Informative Essay

Social class divisions have always played a prominent role in America. These class distinctions inflict unfair on all Americans. The idea of social class has been a central concept in determining the opportunities a person is capable of having. People from different socioeconomic backgrounds live different lifestyles as well as have different opportunities available to them. Because of this idea, people with a higher social class ranking have an advantage over those in lower class rankings. Class distinctions have inflicted limitations and less of an opportunity for been factors are a barrier and prevention for lower class Americans to have an equal opportunity. The sociological tone limitations that. Young people must be convinced of the value of a good education. Despite lofty goals such as instilling self-confidence and acquiring knowledge, a High School diploma increases future income. A non-high school graduate's average earnings in 1996 was $14, 013. A high school graduate earned 21,431 on average. Going to a college or trade school makes one's economic outlook even brighter with Bachelor holder earning 36,980 on average (Statistical Abstract of the United States). Thousands of inner city youth, smothered by the poverty and hopelessness that abounds in inner-city communities, lose their lives. In addition to physical moralities, many suffer an emotional death that ends in a loss of hope and continues the cycle of poverty and hopelessness. Economic disadvantage limits the number of resources available to youth. With over 49.8% of youth aged 12-24 living below

Princess Bride Research Paper -- essays research papers fc

The Princess Bride In the film, â€Å"The Princess Bride,† directed by Rob Reiner, it all begins with a Grandfather telling the story to his less than enthusiastic Grandson. The story opens in the country of Florin with Buttercup treating her â€Å"Farm Boy† not so well, â€Å"his name was Wesley, but she never called him that. â€Å"Very soon she realizes he loves her and she loves him in return. He sets off for America â€Å"to make his fortune across the sea.† She later finds out that he and his ship have been murdered by the Dread Pirate Roberts â€Å"who never leaves captives alive.† Scene: Humperdink castle, Prince Humperdink is announcing his bride-to-be and we find out it is the Princess Buttercup. She does not love him, but he â€Å"has the right to choose his bride.† Next Scene: Buttercup is riding her horse through the forest and comes across three strange looking men: one short, intelligent man (Vizzini), a Spaniard (Inigo), and a giant (Fezzik). They kidnap her and Vizzini reveals that he wants to start a war with the nearby country Guilder by murdering Buttercup and leaving her on the â€Å"Guilder frontier," even though Inigo and Fezzik are not too happy with the idea they follow their orders. They sail away on a ship, but soon realize they are being followed by a ship that is gaining on them. He also follows them to the Cliffs of Insanity. When they reach the top, Vizzini has Inigo stay behind to kill the man following them (the Man-in-Black) because he (Inigo) is a master swordsman. When the Man-in-Black reaches the top of the cliffs, Inigo reveals he wants revenge on a man with six fingers who killed his father. Inigo and the Man-in-Black find they have a mutual respect for each other, but they must duel and the Man-in-Black wi ns, but does not kill Inigo. Vizzini sees that the Man-in-Black is still following them, so he has Fezzik stay behind to kill him. They wrestle and again the Man-in-Black wins, but he does not kill Fezzik. Then he confronts Vizzini, they have a Battle of Wits, and of course the Man-in-Black wins again. From there, he grabs Buttercup and they run off. Meanwhile, Prince Humperdink has been following them with his friend Count Rugen. Back to the running of MIB (Man in Black) and Buttercup: Buttercup beli... ...ess than two hours. There are two types of people in this world: those who love â€Å"The Princess Bride† and those who have yet to see it. The acting is wonderful. The roles are typecast superbly, and the content has no political statements or current affair ties. The lack of ties will set this movie comfortably for years to come among the favorite of families everywhere. (dehm, Phantome Noire.) On the website, About.com, Ben Miller writes up a college student’s â€Å"Must See Movie† list. The Princess Bride ranks number twenty-six on that list. Another reason I think this movie is so incredibly wonderful is because it shows that no matter what obstacles two people face in life â€Å"True Love† will always prevail. Works Cited http://www.about.com http://www.dehm.com/movie/princess.html http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/boulevard/4355 http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/makeup/6353/princessbride.html http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/mansion/8382/main.html http://www.tough.net/eempje/princess.htm http://www.webring.org Martin, Mick, and Marsha Porter. Video Movie Guide 1999. New York: Ballantine Books, 1998. The Princess Bride. Dir. Rob Reiner. 20th Century Fox/Nelson Entertainment

Environmentally Conscious Propoganda :: social issues

Environmentally Conscious Propoganda WRIT 140 September 11, 2000 Environmentally Conscious Propaganda Almost every single original concept today has become mainstream or shows a general trend towards becoming so. Propagandists realize this and often exploit these ideas, tainting their flavor of originality and creating a new generation of gullible â€Å"wannabes† who can partly adhere to any philosophy, but do not allow themselves to be inconveniences by certain doctrines. Anything that might elicit followers or have the potential to, has drawn the attention of these solicitor, yet one of the fastest growing target audiences today seem to be â€Å"nature lovers.† Three examples extracted from various sources reveal that advertisers are targeting a presumed cultural attitude that people today wish not only to save the environment, but also view nature as the idealistic existence in contrast with the mundane city life most people have accustomed themselves to. Next one must question, â€Å"What is the idealistic existence?† All three advertisements point to one notion or another but more often than not seem more different than similar. The fist two automotives ads for Toyota and Honda respectively both deal with the natural environment. However Toyota appeals directly toward nature lovers and those who share an outdoorsman spirit by asking the question of whether one would blend in with nature, or with traffic. The advertisement crosses both a machine and the environment, suggesting that a balance can be achieved between man and nature. The subliminal hint seem to be that the advertised 4-Runner will somehow help one tune into nature. The stance from the Honda Insight, however, is far from Toyota’s. Reaching for the environmentalist, the ad immediately grabs at people who are to some degree conscious of environmental concerns such as pollution. While not an â€Å"environmental movement all by itself† the insight does pollute considerably less than normal 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder vehicles. While not designed to adhere to â€Å"hardcore† environmentalists, it does appeal to the average person co ncerned with it. Car promoters also presume that while people today are concerned with the environment, most people wouldn’t lift a finger if they had to go out of their way. The average Joe would rather pass a piece of trash on the street than pick it up, because they would inconvenience themselves in the process. The Insight is accordingly partially battery powered, never needs to be plugged in, and is more of a convenience.

Nike Position Paper

Nike Position Paper In our prevalent society today, there is an intricate debate between boycotting and supporting many different transnational corporations such as Nike, Inc. It has been inferred that Nike breaches multiple human rights acts and workplace violations. Dissidently, Nike’s total net income is 273. 4 billion dollars and their annual revenue adds up to approximately 19 billion dollars. This concludes that global citizens are more than voluntary to purchase their merchandise and endorse their business. Nike is involved in several environmental projects such as building athletic courts out of recycled shoes and their â€Å"air pockets† in numerous models of sport sneakers use nitrogen instead of SF6, which is a greenhouse gas. Nike also has â€Å"green† events associated with The Green Project of Long Island in New York State. Nike manufactures in over 30 countries and sells in over 160, with about 36,000 employees’ total. They also have rights to Hurley International and Nike invests in professional athletes to promote their goods. Nike has dynamic and monumental marketing skills that influence our generation conspicuously. In correlation, multinational business’ pay acceptable wages to workers because they have an innumerable amount of expenses unseen by most people. Corporations have significant distribution and tariff expenses bringing their products to market. Furthermore, transnationals’ pay acceptable wages given that profit margins are not as great as people may assume. Competition between producers is so fierce that profits for 214 companies in 1999 were limited to an average of 8. 3%. A wage premium is also applied where wages are 40% to 100% greater than the average rate in many developing countries. It has been fathomed that Nike violates labor laws. But, anti-globalization people often distort the truth on this topic, as in the case of the fake German documentary film against Ikea. It has also been acquiesced that corporations exploit their workers. It is valid that employees’ work long hours, but a New York Times article indicated that the workers do this willingly because this allows them to make more money than they might be able to earn otherwise. Mass business’ such as Nike, constitute investment and the increased export income improves a country’s equilibrium of payment, introduces otherwise unavailable goods and services that are essential for diversifying production, and stimulates local entrepreneurship by subcontracting to local industries and enhancing competition. â€Å"You don’t win silver, you lose gold,† is a famous Nike quote that has much controversy behind it, as do many business affairs pertaining to this iconic corporation. While workers in Indonesia are being paid around 21,000 dollars a year for a myriad amount of hours of hard labor in one day, one of Nike’s promotional athletes, NBA player Kobe Bryant, is being paid over 500,000 dollars a week to bounce a ball around. Workers are told to sign a contract which removes all their rights, they are typically fired by the age of 35, and Safety & Health Administration has found more than 1000 plus violations. Irrevocably, there are two definitive positions of transnational corporations. They have an agglomeration of flaws, but none that can be condemned irremediable. You hear a different opinion from each worker, each newspaper and each monopoly spokesperson. To ostracize such a beneficial asset to our economy would be asinine. People are kept off the streets, with paying jobs, and are making a contribution to society one shoe at a time.

Deviations of Marxism

The problem of a man’s economic and political freedom has been widely discussed by specialists throughout centuries. Chomsky (1987), Bakunin (1934), Rousseau (1960), Humbold (in Botting 1973) have all questioned the issue whether a man can ever be free in the society. The theory of Marxism can be regarded as a synthesis and conclusion of classical political economy, particularly of utopian socialist authors from which Marx borrowed many ideas. â€Å"The teaching of Marx is all-powerful because it is true.It is complete and symmetrical, offering an integrated view of the world, irreconcilable with any superstition, with any reactionism, or with any defense of bourgeois oppression. † (Eastman, Marx 1959, p. xxi). The problem of freeing man from the curse of economic exploitation and political and social enslavement in Marx’s works has been discussed by Highs (2004), Kozyn (1987), Sayer (1991), Suny (1993), and Wood (1997). As the sources argue, according to the opi nion of Marx, this problem can be solved, but only after many changes take place in the society.Capitalism is destined to fail and be replaced by socialism which can put an end to contradiction between two social classes- bourgeoisie and the working class. Opposite to the system of capitalism, socialism was going to be based on the principles radically different from the principles of capitalist society, and thus end economic exploitation. According to Marx, people could become free if they were free economically, and thus the end of economic exploitation was going to determine the freedom for people.In â€Å"The Criticism of the Gotha Program† Marx devotes major attention to the analysis of ownership and the problem of workers’ estrangement of the results of their work as the major feature of exploitation: â€Å"Within the cooperative society, based upon the common ownership of the means of production, the producers do not exchange their products; †¦ the labor o f the individual becomes, no longer in a roundabout way, but directly, a component part of the total labor. † (Eastman, Marx, 1959, p. 5).According to Marx, the exploitation of workers provided on all levels of production, their estrangement from the results of work all were the reasons of the inevitable changes in the future. The fact that surplus value was obtained by the capitalist was also one of the arguments for the future change in the structure. The class of workers realized that the results of their work were taken by the capitalist even though they were the ones who actually created the value. Therefore, they were eventually destined to struggle for their economic freedom, which would also lead to their social and political freedom.The dialectics argues that contradictions are the driving force of progress. Once contradictions appear in some system, the system will need to undergo many changes and develop until the new level in which the synthesis of new qualities wi ll be finally reached. Therefore, as it was correctly noticed by Marx, the phase of capitalism could not be completely over- it would just develop until its new phase socialism and the most positive features of both systems would be present in the final synthesis of the two systems.People would reach the freedom only after the final stage of evolution, because earlier stages would still contain some features from the earlier system. Marx argues that communist society â€Å"still bears, in every respect, economic, moral and intellectual, the birthmarks of the old society from whose womb it is issuing† (Eastman, Marx, 1959, p. 5). Therefore, it is impossible to conclude that communism entirely frees people from economic exploitation and political and social enslavement. Communism is not a completely new system and has connection with the previous system of capitalism.It interacts with it in some ways but at the same time it has many new features which are beneficial for the wor king class and liberates people in many aspects of life. In â€Å"The Poverty of Philosophy† Marx argues that eventually, communism is going to give political freedom to people. â€Å"The working class will substitute, in the course of its development, for the old order of civil society, an association which will exclude classes and their antagonism, and there will no longer be political power. † (Eastman, Marx, 1959, p.2). The author also states that in the new socialistic society, all of the assets will be expropriated from the capitalists and thus they will not be able to obtain the benefits of the surplus value anymore. Therefore, economic exploitation will be finally brought to an end. Another feature of socialism is the equality of people, when they are able to work according to their abilities for themselves and the state they live in. The socialist society is not divided into classes because it regards people equal in all the ways.Marx mentioned that unfortunat ely, all of the major developments needed to happen not as the result of evolution but as the results of struggles and revolutions because they were the only ways of destruction of the old system. Marx did not deny the role of evolution in the process of freeing people but he had very radical views and thus regarded revolution as the best tool of speeding up the evolution process which was going to lead to the long-waited changes in any case. As the author stated, the final end to capitalism could be put and the new socialist society could be established only with the help of arms.A remarkable feature of Marx’s theory of capitalism development and evolution into socialism is that he does not share the opinions of utopian writers on this issue. Many utopian writers considered that social changes could be originated by the government of the country or by a class of â€Å"educated† capitalists. Marx was completely against these theories because he was confident that the f ormer capitalists and members of government were unable to bring any changes into the country’s social structure.In order to form the new society, the new principles needed to be established and those people who belonged to the rival class of the workers were unable to bring any of the mentioned changes. It is also necessary to investigate the problem of freeing man from the curse of economic exploitation and political and social enslavement in Soviet Union. As the experience of the country shows, application of Marxism theory in Soviet Union completely failed to achieve its goals.As it was mentioned by Geoffrey (1997), Grigor (1993), Khazanov (1992), Lieven (1998), Kon (1993), one of the major mistakes made in Soviet Union was connected with â€Å"Russian exceptionalism†. As Grigor (1993) states, Soviet Union applied the concept of Marxist â€Å"nationless† society in a way completely different from its original meaning. Instead of â€Å"freeing† citizen s of the country as Marxism stated, Soviet leaders oppressed all of the nations except Russians. Russia was the major center of all activities going in the country.Soviet Union was a very peculiar structure because it united a large number of nations which were very different in many ways. Some of the nations included in the country were quite close to one another (Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine), while other republics in the Soviet Union structure were very different by their cultures. For example, Eastern republics, like Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan belonged to Muslim countries, and had very different traditions from Russians, but Russian nation forced all of them to act according to the traditions of the dominant nation.This was one of the major reasons of the â€Å"empire’s† failure in the following years. â€Å"Sovietology paid far too little attention for far too long to the non-Russian peoples, to the extrapolitical social environment, and to the part icular contexts, contingencies, and conjunctures of the Soviet past. † (Grigor, 1993: 3) According to Marxists, all the nations within the Soviet Union had to be completely alike and without any differences between them. Soviet leaders took the features of the Russian nation as the basic features. Therefore, all other nations had to adapt to the new culture which was not very familiar to them.The â€Å"nationless† society in reality turned out a â€Å"Russian† society with total dominance of the Russian nation in all the ways. All the nations other than Russians were oppressed greatly. They were all considered a step lower in the society ladder due to their origin, and did not have any political freedom. Policy of the country was in many ways channeled to the development of Russia and its cities. The largest sums from the budget were assigned to the development of Russia. While Russia’s economy was booming, particularly the economy of Moscow, all other eco nomies were at a much lower level of development.Besides exceptionalism, there were many other problems with application of Marxist theory in Soviet Union. For example, Soviet leaders did their best to apply the principle according to which every person was required to contribute to the wealth of the country at his best and would get services from the state in the maximum amount. Instead, it was easy to notice that leaders of the communist party got all of the benefits from the state while working people got only the minimum. As Lieven (1998) states, the reality of Soviet Union was very far from giving any freedom to its citizens.During capitalism workers were oppressed greatly and did not have a chance to satisfy all of their needs. The situation did not change much when Soviet leaders brought communism to the country because the oppression remained the same; it just came not from capitalists but from communist leaders. Communist leaders in Vietnam also failed to implement principl es of Marxism in the country. Similar to Lenin’s Soviet Union, Ho Chi Minh’s Vietnam failed to liberate people from economic exploitation and did not give them social and political freedom. According to Anh (1995, p.126), one of the major reasons of communism’s failure in Vietnam is lack of background for it in the country. Marxism required the struggle between classes as the basis of the future revolution. In rural Vietnam, there were no antagonist classes similar to industrial Britain or Russia. The â€Å"liberation† of people in Vietnam could not be solely based on Marx’s principles due to the radical differences between the British society which Marxism based his theory on and the Vietnamese society. There was no working class in Vietnam looking for liberation from capitalist exploitation.The major figure in Vietnamese society was a peasant fighting against the exploitation by foreigners oppressors. â€Å"At the centre of Vietnamese history, s tands the peasant, tenacious and heroic defender of the land inherited from the ancestors against the foreign invaders, but recurrently rising up against the masters from within in an endless rebellion. † (Le Vietnam traditionnel. Quelques etapes historiques, 1971, p. 170). Communism in Vietnam was supposed to serve the interests of peasants in their fight against French oppressors.â€Å"The highly destructive system of economic exploitation installed by the colonial regime gave birth to new social forces, while aggravating the situation of the rural masses. † (Institute of Historical Studies, Vietnamese peasantry and rural society in the modern period, 1990, p. 35). Despite the attempts of application of Marx’s theory in Vietnam, it was destined to fail because Vietnam was eventually liberated from oppressors, and any basis for the struggle between antagonist classes disappeared.In conclusion, it is necessary to mark that in its pure version, Marxism provides an answer to the question of how to liberate people from economic, political and social oppression. Liberation of people from economic exploitation comes first and as long as it is achieved, political and social freedom can also be targeted. However, the attempts of the application of Marxism in Soviet Union and Vietnam have showed that people’s freedom cannot be achieved in real life due to fatal mistakes made by communist leaders in the application of Marxism.

How Hitler Lost the War Essay

As an influential, forceful person, Adolf Hitler used his articulate speech to empower the Nazi political party. Hitler received complete power as the Chancellor of Germany, after passing the Enabling Act. He utilized the totalitarian power to create the Third Reich, and through military moves and a propaganda movement headed by Joseph Goebbels, he made a great impact on the Germany’s citizens. Hitler influenced the Germans into sharing a deep sentiment of nationalism, and the significance of the Aryan, or â€Å"master,† race. With this widespread attitude and the mobilization of the German military, Hitler spearheaded the second world war. Despite the positive contributors to the German force, Hitler’s many mistakes hindered the armies’ ability to win the war. This included his impulsive demeanor and irresolute tendencies, his errors at Dunkirk, France, and his attack on Ukraine. One significant error made by Hitler occurred when he chose to alternate from bombing the RAF, targeting civilians in British cities instead. This gave the RAF the time and space needed to recuperate, and they were able to recover. Hitler had lost a chance to beat the RAF, since they had been growing weak under the German attack, and would most likely have been done for if the bombing on the RAF had continued. The lack of rest of the Luftwaffe combined with the determination of the British forces brought the Battle of Britain to a stalemate. This terminated the might German air force, and prevented the Germans from completing Operation Sea Lion, a plan to invade England amphibiously, with minimal resistance. With the completion of the operation, the United States would have been less protected from a Nazi invasion. Another of Hitler’s most grievous mistakes was made in his decision at Dunkirk. The Allies experienced a great deal of fear about a German attack through Belgium after the downfalls of the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, and Denmark to the Germans. The Allies dealt with the German 3-pronged attack, the main force traveling through the Ardennes Forest, the other two through Belgium and the Maginot Line. This surprise approach startled the Allies, mostly since the thought of massive tanks traveling through the Ardennes Forest was incredible. This German movement pushed the Allies to Dunkirk, a location on the English Channel. Hitler then commanded the German forces to turn around, deciding that the Luftwaffe were more suitable to finish the job and win the battle. The Luftwaffe had minimal success after a dense fog obstructing the vision of the Luftwaffe and making it possible for the British to escape to safety. This mistake was prodigious– Hitler’s decision prevented the Germans from wiping out the British army. If this had occurred, Germany would have had a great opportunity to invade Britain amphibiously. However, Hitler did not take advantage of the opportunity, and missed out. Hitler’s â€Å"Rape of the Ukraine† was his most critical of blunders. From the perspective of the Slavs, the Germans seemed to be liberators, come to save the people from the cruel jurisdiction of Stalin. If Hitler had used this to his advantage, he could have had more manpower in his attack of Moscow. Instead, he looked at the Slavs as mongrels, an inferior race. The Ukraines also had more experience dealing with the Russian winter and terrain. However Hitler was unable to look past his prejudice, and shipped the Slavs off to concentration camps to be exterminated. Hitler took their food and treated them uncivilly. Had he done right by these people, he would have gained troops to help in his attack in Moscow, and obtained an ability to use all of his men to defend the Western front, since threats along the Eastern front could have been removed. Adolf Hitler had an uncanny ability to influence immense crowds of people, but his lack of ability in the area of commanding military forces with well thought out strategy essentially led to the downfall of the Germans in World War II. Hitler’s execution of military movements was less then valiant. He made his biggest errors in the Battle of Britain, and his actions at Dunkirk and the Ukraine. This pushed the Germans to an eventual defeat. Hitler’s Third Reich lasted twelve years, and he was never capable of gaining access to the control and influence of the entire world.

keisey report Essay

The Keirsey Temperament Sorter Results indicated that my personality type is that of the Guardian Provides (ESFJ) and my character type is Provider (ESFJ). My results indicated that my personality is the cornerstone of society and that I have a natural talent in managing goods and services-from supervision to maintenance and supply. It also said that I believe in law and order. I take pride in being dependable and trustworthy. I can also be counted on to get the job done. I honor customs and traditions, meticulous about schedules; I’m not comfortable with winging it or blazing new trails. My results also indicated that I am cautious about change and when it comes to changes. I prefer to go slow and look before I leap. When it comes to the needs of people, especially those close to me I approach tasks in organized and thoughtful matter. It also said that I am a keeper of traditions like holidays, and I go out of my way to make sure people are cared and provided for. I totally agree with the results of the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, my results couldn’t have been more accurate. I am a person who cares about others, and I have always said that I was born to serve. When it comes to my professional life, no job is beneath me. I am very loyal, a team player, a hard worker and sympathetic to the needs of others. To my surprise the results were very accurate when it said that I am sensitive to the feelings of others. I love to entertain although I may not be the host. I often find myself talking to others, making sure that the needs of the guest are taken care of and making sure that they are involved. I don’t like taking risk nor do I like major changes .What I think can really help me is to have an open mind when it comes to change. I do not agree with the results regarding personal criticism nor am I able to speak with confidence. I can definitely use this information in my work environment such as keeping an open mind to changes, not being quick to judge, and being very cautious.