IB Interesting Facts Essay

1968, IB, standing for the International Baccalaureate, has been founded as a non-profit educational organization at the International School of Geneva. It was created by teachers at the school, in addition to help from teachers from all over the world. Today, the International Baccalaureate has grown into a university preparatory program that has been divided, in most schools, into three programs for students as young as 3 years old to students 19 years old. †¢It was first created to accommodate English and French. †¢It is aimed at developing a global awareness for its students. In other words, students learn how to accept global cultures, perspectives. †¢IB first originated in private schools. Over the years, this changed so that nearly fifty-percent of all schools providing the International Baccalaureate would be government owned and thus free of tuition. †¢The fact that many governments all over the world have adopted the International Baccalaureate shows the confidence that they have that their future generations will truly be better off in this type of curriculum. †¢It was through the efforts of Alec Peterson (director of the Department of Educational Studies, Oxford University) that universities recognized the International Baccalaureate. †¢At first, in the beginning of the 1980s, the International Baccalaureate was viewed as a threat from some governments all over. Governments believed that the International Baccalaureate would draw their children away from their national educational systems. †¢However, this idea was later refuted and the International Baccalaureate was viewed as a enhancement to their educational systems and was later adopted at a very rapid rate. †¢Today, people who acquire the International Baccalaureate get accepted to the top universities all over the globe (in North America, Europe, UK, etc) †¢IBO, in 1994 founded the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program for students aged eleven to sixteen. †¢In 1997, IBO created the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program, which is aimed at creating well-rounded and cultured students whom are three to eleven years old. Works Cited â€Å"IB Timeline.† IBO. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2012. .

What You Pawn I Will Redeem

The first part of this assignment asks us to list three pieces of fiction that you have read. This question is not easy for me being that I haven’t read many books in my lifetime. The only book I have read is the Holy Bible. I have read several books to my children such as The Three Little Pigs, and Little Red Robin and other children nursery rhymes short stories. What I liked about reading the stories to my children was watching and listening to them asks questions about the story and seeing their expression when the big bad wolf tried to blow their houses down. What I like about the Bible is it is full of quotes and stories that give me encouragement when I am going through. I read my Bible when things are not going right in my life and I can find comfort in the scriptures. The books of Psalms are considered songs that can comfort you, and convict you. When I read my bible I feel a connection with God, and this is a wonderful experience. The Bible teaches me how I am to treat my neighbors. It teaches me that if I don’t work then I can’t. It prepares me for Jesus return and if I want to make heaven my eternal home then I have to follow the guidelines that are in the 66 books of the bible. Literature to me is reading different ways that writers put words together and make it into a story, a poem and other reading material. Literature is a source of expression of one’s thoughts that is put onto paper for others to read and gain insight on other people’s thoughts. Literature comes in different forms such as books, and magazines. There are other ways literature can be enjoyed by everybody even if you have a disability such as a blind person can use Braille and listen to a book in audio format. My thoughts on why I think literature is valuable or a waste of time is I have mixed feeling about this. I believe literature is valuable because it helps us to understand the thoughts of others. Literature is valuable in this day and age because if you cannot read or write you will have a hard time finding ways to support yourself and your family. To me it is a waste when your career choice is Medical Coding and Billing, and they give you a literature course that has nothing to do with what you are paying good money to learn your career chose. Part B What are the main points of this piece? They are talking about a homeless man that is dealing with his biological family and the people who live on he street with him that he calls family too. He deals with his being a Native American Indian and being stereotype by others. Even though we as a people stereotype others by how they look, where they live or because they don’t look or do the same as you do, the author wants the people to know all people can be redeemed no matter how low they get in life. What are the images the author co njures for the reader? Some of the images I seen were after fifty years of not knowing who stole their grandmothers regalia and it suddenly appears as Jackson and his friends are on the streets panhandling. Another image was the yellow bead that was sewn somewhere into the regalia. This was a tribal tradition to hide it in the regalia so it wouldn’t be easy to find. What does the grandmother regalia symbolize? The regalia was worn when they participated in the powwow dance, which was a traditional ceremony performed by the Native American Indians. It is a decorative cloth with feathers and beads which are sewn in. It reflects an individual’s life and their circumstances. How does the author use the element of surprise? What You Pawn I Will Redeem English 102 MWF 11-11:50 I really enjoyed the story What You Pawn I will Redeem. It was very well written and kept my attention throughout the story. It is amazing that he walked by a pawnshop and immediately recognized his grandmother’s regalia without ever seeing it other than in pictures. I enjoy reading about Native American cultures and beliefs. There was a lot of humor in this story and Jackson definitely did not take himself too seriously. I think the 1st person narrator was very important in telling this story.I do not feel that Jackson was an unreliable narrator because he seemed to tell it like it is. He had no reason to try to make himself look better. He seems to accept himself for who he is. He is an honest man who seems to be well liked by everybody he deals with on a regular basis, from the cop to the guy with the newspapers. He shows his struggles with alcohol and also his giving nature. All the money he came across he spent not just on himself getting drunk bu t on others as well.I believe that the theme of the story is that no matter where you go in your life you never forget or really give up where you come from. Jackson Jackson has been homeless for six years away from his family in Spokane yet as soon as he saw his grandmother’s regalia in the window he knew it was hers even before they find the yellow bead. It then becomes his mission to gather the money to get it back. The regalia is a piece of him and the life he left behind. Even though he does not come up with the money to buy it back he still ends up with it in the end.

Budgeting as a form of management control Essay

Budgeting as a form of management control - Essay Example Budgeting is a very useful tool in businesses. The benefits to be gained from budgeting are numerous and are available to all companies inclusive of Production Solutions Ltd. It ensures the achievement of the organisation’s objectives (BPP 1998) by forcing managers to carry out an assessment of what may happen in the future and set detailed plans for achieving the targeted results for the functional departments in the organisation. It also takes into consideration the problems that are likely to be encountered. Budgeting communicates ideas and plans (BPP 1998) so as to ensure that each employee that is affected by the plan is aware of his or her role in helping the organisation to achieve its goals. Communication can either be two-way or one-way. Two-way communication allows for dialogue until an understanding exists of what exactly needs to be done. One way communication takes place when management gives instructions or orders to subordinates to perform a task.Budgeting can a lso coordinate activities among the various departments at Production Solutions Ltd to ensure that there is full integration of the efforts to achieve the goals that have been set. In this respect the sales expected will be communicated in the sales forecast and the production department will base its production plans on the sales forecasted. The purchasing department will plan its purchases based on the amount of buffer stock it needs to maintain at all times and in conjunction with the production plan. Budgeting can provide a framework for responsibility accounting (BPP 1998) by making the different functional departments or budget centres at Production Solutions Ltd responsible for achieving their plans for the operations under their control. Budgeting can also establish a system of control by way of managers comparing the actual results with the plan (BPP 1998). Any deviation from the plan needs to be investigated and appropriate actions taken to close the gap between the result s and the plan. Additionally, budgeting can be used to motivate employees to improve their performance by offering them rewards if they meet their targets. BPP 1992 suggests that two levels of attainment should be set so as to challenge employees. â€Å"A minimum expectations budget and a desired standards budget which provides some sort of challenge to employees†. The appraisal system lets them know how badly or how well they are doing and what they can do to improve performance if they are performing below standard. The cash budget will indicate cash surplus and cash requirements. Therefore, management can make decisions on how to address the shortfall where this exist. The cash budget for the Company suggests that it may not be a good idea to carry out the plans noted as it could place the company in a worse position than it is in currently. The increased sales and the resultant changes in the credit terms will affect the profits and the cash flow position respectively. At tention should be placed on preparing a master budget which will link or integrate the various functions in the organisation. A master budget is an essential management tool that communicates management’

Autism Spectrum Disorder & The adverse Impact on Normal Development Research Paper

Autism Spectrum Disorder & The adverse Impact on Normal Development During Early Childhood - Research Paper Example Even though researchers have become aware of factors such as genetic abnormality, metabolic disorders, and viral agents which promote autism, the actual cause of autism remains unknown. Autism, regarded as a major developmental disorder that has adverse impact on the development of a child, is now seen as an issue that has certain specific biological, mental or social impacts. Studies reveal that parents and doctors find it essential to provide their children nutritional supplements because of disorder in gastrointestinal system. Many parents have the misconception that ASD is a primary brain disorder and a psychiatric condition. Even though Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is generally regarded as a developmental disorder, it has some biological, mental and social impacts that cause adverse effects in the developmental process of a child. Unlike previous conceptions, autism is now viewed as a biological disorder due to organic than psychosomatic factors. Uncharacteristic biology and chemistry in human brain interrupt smooth functioning of human brain and its organs. Genetic factors or biological reasons are significant in the formation of autism among the children. It is a brain based developmental problem that promotes difficulty in communication, cognition and social interaction. The problem is that parents seek various treatments and practice various medicines without proper awareness. This causes various health problems such as nutritional insufficiencies, allergy problems, intestinal overgrowth and immunity crisis because of the use of various drugs and medicines. Stephanie Marohn argues that many suffer from â€Å"weakened immunity or autoimmune problems† (Marohn, 2002). Studies have identified the fact that Autism mainly affects many parts of the brain. Defective functioning of brain and its organs caus es poor immune system. Medicinal reactions and allergies cause for frequent flu and it creates various problems to ear, eyes and nose among children

Are online courses taught responsibility Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Are online courses taught responsibility - Essay Example One of the areas where it has exerted great changes is in education whereby, learning activity has changed from more interactive face-to-face learning to a less interactive online learning environment also referred to as e-learning (Sandel, 2007). This form of training is gaining popularity across the globe due to increasing use of internet and need to streamline the flow of information in all sectors of the economy. This has resulted to student’s reliance on computer from their own places of convenience as opposed to classroom culture where students interact with their teachers and their colleagues (Tait, 2003). However, this approach of teaching has raised concern of morality regarding the competence and fairness of online tutorials in fulfilling the essence of learning to the students. This system may still disadvantage some learners who may lack access to online tutorials due to high cost of connection and other materials (Howar, Schenk, & Discenza, 2004). This study will focus on different moral rules to assess the efficiency of online teaching to the distance learners. Education should contribute to equality of all students from various backgrounds by making it available and affordable to all. â€Å"Utilitarianism theory of ethics,† requires individuals to k\make their own decisions based on what they consider best for them (Sandel, 2007). Therefore, individuals can chose between online and classroom approach depending which method will satisfy their needs best. Electronic learning offers equality to many families as opposed to traditional methods of attending their studies in a classroom (Bates, 2005). This is because all students face equal treatment in case of online learning and is not biased compared to face-to-face learning where students attend different learning institutions based on their social status (Tait, 2003). However, this may turn out to be inaccessible by some students who cannot afford to pay for the services. Traditionally,

Citation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Citation - Essay Example Partnership is also an inexpensive way of starting up a business. Although taxation of a partnership is more complex than sole-trader, partnership itself does not have to pay any taxes to the U.S government. The partnership is only required to file information to the U.S government on how many profits and losses were earned or incurred by the business and how were these profits and losses distributed among the partners. Secondly when there are two or more partners involved the ability to raise the finance for the business increases. The plan indicates that $300000 will be raised from personal savings, but the financial burden on an individual entrepreneur will decrease if he involves one or more partners. By forming a Partnership, it gives a different perspective on how to run the business, and the partners can complement each other by combining the variety of individual skills. For example one partner who has a strong background in Finance can look after the financial aspects of the business and the other partner who has good marketing and HR skills can manage the Marketing and HR aspects of the business. This helps in easing the pressure of running the business on any one individual and the partners can use their skills, knowledge and contacts in the business in a more useful manner which is beneficial for the business and help in earning profits. Partnership can also be very cost-effective as the partners can specialize in different aspects of the business. By specializing in different areas of the business they can effectively and efficiently use the resources. The main disadvantage of being a sole trader is unlimited liability. If the business suffers losses, then all the losses have to be beard by the sole trader and he may also have to sell of his assets to pay of bank loans or money borrowed from various investors. Although ‘JBR Collections’ will be financed through personal savings but there

Chapter 13 discussion questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Chapter 13 discussion questions - Essay Example Cases can be used to develop managerial leadership skills such as analytical decision making skills and increased understanding of situations that managers are commonly faced with. This method is good for demonstrating the fact that different people can react to the same situation in a variety of ways and helps trainees understand that there are multiple ways to approach a problem. Large-Scale Simulations allow trainees to analyze a situation and make decisions, however, unlike previous methods; this procedure allows them to experience the consequences of their actions. These simulations combine features of other training methods such as human relations cases, role-playing, in-basket exercise, and group problem solving exercises. They emphasize interpersonal skills, cognitive skills and decision making. The knowledge gained from this exercise can vary from increased individual self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses when working with strangers to reflecting the overall culture and relationships within a company when working with family or coworkers. Overall this method can be very useful in enhancing leadership skills. 2. Effectiveness of training depends on several key factors: clear learning objectives, clear and meaningful content, appropriate sequencing of content, appropriate mix of training methods, opportunity for active practice, relevant and timely feedback, high trainee self-confidence, and appropriate follow-up activities. Clear learning objectives – trainer should not only identify clear learning objectives, but also explain why training will help people improve their leadership effectiveness. Clear and meaningful content – trainer should focus on important things and include lots of examples to â€Å"facilitate comprehension and memorization of material.† Appropriate sequencing of content – should be organized in a way that will help the learning process, process from simple to more complex ideas and there should be a ppropriate intervals for rest between sessions to prevent trainees being overworked. Appropriate mix of training – Methods of training should be customized to compensate for differences in level of skill and knowledge, and should also take into account class size and time available to train Opportunity for active practice – there should be ample opportunity for trainees to practice new skills in order to aid in the remembrance of important points. Relevant and timely feedback – Feedback should be available from several different resources and should be â€Å"accurate, timely and constructive.† Enhancement of trainee self-confidence – trainers should be supportive of all trainees and encourage success and self-confidence. Praise, encouragement, and patience are necessary qualities for the trainer. Appropriate follow-up activities – A couple of options for this portion of training include holding a follow-up session after the training program has been completed or have trainees turn in projects that require them to utilize their recently learned skills. 3. Learning from experience is generally affected by amount of challenge, variety of tasks, and quality of feedback.

What factors are important to UEL undergraduates to help them to learn Essay

What factors are important to UEL undergraduates to help them to learn effectively on their courses - Essay Example These different conceptions can be held by different persons or by the same person in different circumstances. The list begins with consuming information. Therefore, the overall meaning of learning includes procuring meaning, interpreting the events, understanding and constructing knowledge. Learning also implies changing a person but that is a gradual process and takes significant amount of time. Learning effectively from their courses is an important aspect for the learners. The learning of today will better frame their future and transform them into better individuals (Carnell and  Lodge, 2002; Hewitt, 2008; Billett and Henderson, 2011; Hativa, 2001). This report focuses on the important factors which lead to effective learning among the learners. This study is important from the perspective of both the learners and the university. The findings of the research will help the student to understand the factors that help them to learn better along with the university, who will deriv e special benefits from this report. Knowing the factors that are responsible for effective learning among the students, the university can frame their programs better by considering these aspects. This will not only enhance the learning process of the students, but will also make the job of the mentors easier. Research Methodology Two well-known ways of descriptive methods are qualitative and quantitative analysis, which analyses the research problem in an effective manner. Both the research methods are significant and similar to each other, but are quite different from each other. The research scholars have argued on the fact that the gap left by one of the research method is filled by the other one. In this case, for identification of the factors, both qualitative and quantitative analysis will be used. This is because of the reason that quantitative analysis will help in quantifying the data, which in turn will help in identifying the factors, but the qualitative analysis will h elp in recognizing the reasons for considering these factors with such importance. Quantitative research is based on numbers. For instance, in this research, the number of students considering class environment as an important factor is questioned. On the other hand, the qualitative research has originated from social sciences and the interpretation lies in reading from the people in real world. The factors that are left unidentified by the quantitative research are identified by the qualitative research. In order to conduct the analysis, the data required will be collected through a questionnaire survey and interviews that will be conducted on the students of University of East London (UEL). In order to identify the factors that lead to effective learning, students are the best persons who can help in identifying the factors; because of this reason, the students are chosen as the sample on which the study will be conducted. Among the other methods of conducting the study like, expe riments, case study, action research and archival research, survey is the best method for this study as it requires analysing the current data collected from the university students. Moreover, the study does not involve any secondary data other than current data, which is also collected from the university students (Grinnell and Unrau, 2008; Collis and Hussey, 2009). A well-structured questionnaire comprising of close-ended questions, and interview questions comprising of open-ended questions will be used for conducting the survey on the students. The answers to the questionnaires will be analysed in quantitative manner, whereas the interview questio

Persuasive speech evaluation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Persuasive speech evaluation - Assignment Example Provided that he wants to correct his mistakes in the first place. Ms. Pisani was definitely an engaging speaker as she knows how to lighten a serious discussion with humor and anecdotes that allows the people to feel relaxed and understand the seriousness of the topic without being as serious as heart attack. What is amazing about the talk that Ms. Pisani gave is that the was able to combine both the informative and persuasive patterns of speech. She managed to stay on topic while persuading people to believe in her position about sex, drugs, and HIV. She was quite effective in delivering her speech because she actively engaged her audience by using slide presentations, props such as her public health glasses, and other gimmicks that worked in her favor. Most specially, the fact that she used lighthearted words in presenting her topic, made the people more interested in hearing what she had to say. The fact that the audience was laughing while she was talking shows hos successful her speech was. She was definitely able to relate with her audience because she spoke from personal experience and the experience of friends, even giving actual condoms away in order to deliver her message of safe sex. The audience positively responded to her by clapping and laughing along with

The Csr Evaluation of Gap Inc. Essay Example for Free

The Csr Evaluation of Gap Inc. Essay The Gap Inc. : The CSR Evaluation of Gap Inc. Outline of the notable ethical decisions made by Gap Inc. and their impacts on the company In 2003, Gap Inc. was sued for its usage of child labor and sweatshop factories in its subsidiary in Saipan. The decision to use child labor and sweatshop in Saipan was made by the management of Gap Inc. that could either be seen as egoism or utilitarianism (Smith, 2004). On one hand, on the egoism perspective, Gap Inc. could have decided to use child and sweatshop labor to cut its costs and maximize its profits. On the other hand, on the utilitarianism perspective, Gap’s decision to use child and sweatshop labor, cruel and ethical as it might seem, provided the people in Saipan a source of employment and income. As a poor, third world country, Saipan could not create enough jobs to sustain the livelihood of all its citizens, so it the citizens could choose between starving to death and making a difficult living in Gap’s sweatshops, the sweatshop is apparently a better option. Hence from the utilitarianism approach, Gap’s unethical behavior was actually better than its doing nothing at all. However, this decision gave Gap an international lawsuit over ethical treatment of labor, which does not cost Gap considerable fortune and energy, but also severely harmed its international reputation as an ethical player in the apparel industry (Smith, 2004). It turned out that the public citizens and the media prefer to use the Kantianism when viewing a corporate ethical issue (Iwanow and McEachem, 2005). After this Saipan sweatshop incident, the stakeholders of Gap Inc. placed huge pressure on the company management (Smith, 2004). As a result, Gap Inc. went through a thorough reflection on business ethics and corporate social responsibilities (CSR). Finally, the company made a decision to shift from the Utilitarianism approach to the Kantianism approach in its business ethics and CSR decisions. The new approach features three key principles, namely the universality, reversibility and respect. First of all, Gap decided to apply the same standard of ethical treatment to its workers whether they work for Gap in the U. S or third world countries. Secondly, under the Code of Vendor Conduct (Gap, 2011), the Gap management has been committed to treat the employees just the way they expect the employees to treat them. Thirdly, Gap decided to treat its partners in the value chain with escalated respect, namely not considering them as a means to an end but rather as vivid means with flesh and bones. This revolution on Gap’s CSR philosophy has ushered the company into the right track of corporate social responsibility. Gap’s change in attitude has been accolade both by its stake holders and the media.

Emphasize the importance of vision

Emphasize the importance of vision 1. Introduction This critique report explores the article ‘Understanding the role of vision in project success by Dale Christenson and Derek H.T. Walker. The sole purpose of this article was to emphasize the importance of ‘vision in project success as it states â€Å"this paper focuses on an examination of the impact of the leadership construct of project vision on expected project outcomes†. This article is interesting as it focuses on project vision being the key to creating successful project outcomes by understanding that development, communication and maintenance are important when considering stakeholder management. This article contained the four characteristics of vision and a total of four case studies, comparing and contrasting with one another, however only two have been looked at in this report. The article had gathered information from past project experiences which helped its argument that vision is in fact critical in project success. The main points discussed in th is report will be the definition and role of vision in project management, analysis of the case studies and strengths and weaknesses of vision. 2. Terms of Reference Requested was a critique report on a chosen article. This report will be exploring the article â€Å"Understanding the role of vision in project success† and investigating its strengths and weaknesses. This report is due on Monday 22 March 2010. 3. Findings 3.1 Definition of Vision Having read this article, I have concluded that vision is a strong means of clarification and communication that surround a team within a project by an appointed central project manager whom inspires a vision of the projects requirements and how they will positively influence the project. The definition described in the article however was as Bennis and Nanus (1987, p. 82) explain, â€Å"The concept of vision becomes one of a tool or means to engender passion and meaning to a project to meet the envisioned end manifestation.† A project vision can also be an object that defines the projects foundation. 3.2 Analytical summary 3.2.1 The Importance of Vision There are many factors that, when put together guarantee project success. However, this article focuses on the role of vision as a critical achievement factor in project success. â€Å"The type of project influences the way that a project vision may develop, no matter the situation regarding goal definition, vision has an impact on the possibilities for developing a project vision.† A vision is linked to the end benefits and should be understood at the beginning of the project, but with â€Å"foreknowledge that both the vision and end benefits are likely to change and evolve throughout the project lifecycle†. â€Å"It is important to discuss the basis of change management because projects are about instigating a process or product change.† â€Å"Vision clearly seeks to convince its audience that change is worthwhile and bestows benefits. A project vision concept, summarized within a vision statement, often seeks to motivate and inspire team members and other stakeholders to positively participate and shed negative behaviors.† Stretch goals are encouraged within this article such as BHAG which stands for big hairy audacious goal. Stretch goals are needed to â€Å"provide a framework for progressing towards the envisioned future† and to improve the overall system. A successful project must have both an appropriate relationship structure and the individual leaders must have the leadership skills and abilities and personal motivation to make it work. 3.2.2 Communication in Vision In project management the â€Å"projects require a strong cohesive team focus on the desired project outcomes† and â€Å"it is important for project teams to have a common and shared idea of what difference they are trying to make as a result of the project† I agree with these two statements as for a project to succeed, you need to both co-operate and except others viewpoints, so that if there are contrasting ideas you may look from each others perspective and come to a resolution without interfering with the project. This article stated that communication is a key factor in project success and coheres with vision as it states that â€Å"Creating an effective project vision requires excellent communication skills and a deep understanding of both organizational culture and the history and trigger mechanisms that create underlying assumptions of individuals and groups comprising project teams.† It is also suggested that team building exercises help create vision fo r the team, as it indicates that those who are team orientated people will stick around and cohere with the group and the â€Å"problematic† people will often walk away. Leaders use vision-making and vision-communicating as their tools to achieve strategic goals. A vision statement may become an artifact, a document describing project goals and aspiration. 3.2.3 Stakeholders in Vision Attention is focused on stakeholder analysis and project leader behavior in the promotion and adoption of project vision.â€Å"Identifying the need to conduct a stakeholder analysis, alert the central project manager as to the motivation of some project participants and create a better opportunity to better manage the risks that these stakeholders presented to the project.† This vision can be built by exploring questions and ideas with both stakeholders and project team members. â€Å"A clear understanding is needed of stakeholder goals and their aspirations for the project.† Identification of three stakeholders, internal, external and customers, meeting stakeholder requirements, is of key importance. â€Å"Vision must be continually ingrained in the minds of project teams and active stakeholders; often the focus is on the business requirements and technical specifications of the system.† 3.2.4 The four characteristics of Vision The four characteristics of vision are seen as a ‘must to ensure that vision operates to its full effectiveness, all strongly advise clear and positive communication, emphasis on goals, objectives and the importance of stakeholder input within a project. It must be understood: it must capture the core purpose, preferred future state and essence of project objectives It must be motivational: it must make a convincing case for following the project vision concept that can be internalized by project stakeholders and that provides a compelling value proposition. It must be credible: It must be consistent with stakeholder cultures to appeal at the assumptions and values level so that the vision statement artifact resonates with them It must be demanding and challenging: It should be proactive to facilitate teams to work smarter and more effectively, perhaps identifying stretch goals. 3.3 Analysis of the JIMS and Global Knowledge case studies Four case studies were described in this article, however I will only be exploring the downfalls of one and the positive aspects of the other as I found the JIMS case study contained many weaknesses and the Matsushita consisted of strengths. 3.3.1 A brief overview of the JIMS project The JIMS project which stands for Joint information management system had a life of ten years, however, evolved from a loose group of individuals into a project management structure with a good sense of vision. The stakeholders required separate meetings to discuss business requirements and were assigned someone each without formal training â€Å"Their authority was uncertain within their respective agencies and dubious within the context of the project management structure† there was an assumption that this would help them gain experience and learn, however resulted in greater stress. The article states that â€Å"a successful project must have both an appropriate leadership structure and the individual leaders must have the leadership skills, abilities and the motivation to make it work† Although the vision was apparently understood, business requirements were identified and signed, design specifications approved and proof of concept modules displayed, front end core agencies participating in the system still had the opinion to walk away from the project if they didnt like it. â€Å"Thus at the point of inflection, both motivational and inspirational characteristics were revived and the vision became credible once again.† the project vision with this change came greater decision making, problem solving and a better positioning of stakeholders through understanding the role of vision in project success. 3.3.2 Weaknesses within the project Leadership structure did not stay consistent as it evolved from being structured to a maintaining a more flexible approach. The contract was not binding to both the team members and stakeholders giving them the option to abort at any chosen time with no mechanism to preserve their continued participation. Stakeholders were allowed too much input into the project with contrasting ideas and personal reflections of â€Å"their individual agency or department interests† getting in the way. There was lack of executive sponsorship, due to costs. Lack of sponsorship is seen as a number one way to set projects out to fail. Leadership of the central project manager was driven by technology and resource concerns. 3.3.3 A brief scenario of the global knowledge project The Global knowledge project, known as ‘Vision 21 had senior level personals from a successful project team The Novo Nordisk visited their business units and discussed standard approaches, the importance of communication and their best practices. ‘The Novo Nordisk personals acted as models for the Vision 21 team, thus producing vision and positivity for the business unit to successfully complete their project. 3.3.4 Strengths within the project Emphasis on the importance of vision and bringing past successful personal to encourage and motivate the business unit. Teamwork is shown and stakeholders are questioned, but not have the power to influence the project. 3.3.5 Case study analysis Extreme problems had to be encountered first for the JIMS team to get together and come up with a strategy to better their project so it did not fail completely. The project lacked in management experience and knowledge, thus proved to be a big learning curve for the development team. However, I believe from this case study, sometimes in order to learn, mistakes need to be made, to better further them for the next project. The JIMS team would have benefited if vision was used better within their project, they would have worked better as a team, reduced risks and would have experienced less problems with stakeholders both internally and externally. The Global knowledge project proved successful through bringing in experienced personal to give insight on how they achieved sanction and motivating the Vision 21 team to follow their footsteps and create a vision for their project. I believe this was a good idea as it gives knowledge and insight into the ways of creating a successful project, this would have benefited the JIMS team as they lacked in experience and knowledge. 4. Conclusion To conclude, project vision is viewed as a critical success factor in projects, it determines the final outcome of the projects and gives the project team some motivation and structure which leads to efficiency, better team co-operation and project accomplishment. Explored have been the four characteristics, which convey vision as a whole, they need to be considered for vision to produce its full capability. I have analyzed two case studies, one of a successful outcome and another that experiences problems but solved them in the end. I believe that vision is an important aspect of project success through reading this article, not only have the case studies proved it, but it also makes sense to consult your stakeholders on a regular basis, rather than just focusing on the business requirements. It is important that both the team itself and the stakeholders are informed of any changes to the requirements and are kept up to date with all that is happening. I feel that it is also important for good team communication and goal setting when doing a project, it creates an optimistic vision of what the project has to achieve and how it can make an important impact. All the information in this article was useful and displayed clearly and helped me gain a better understanding of factors that underlie project success. 5. Reference Christenson, D., Walker,D. (n.d). Understanding the role of vision in project success. Project management Journal, 39-52. Retrieved March 1 2010.

Literary Analysis: The Storm :: essays research papers

The plot of the story "The Storm" by Kate Chopin is a conventional everyday plot. The story would not be so interesting if it weren't for the last line of the story; "So the storm passed and everyone was happy." What did she mean by the closing line? My interpretation of the story is that she meant the rocky part of both Calixta and Alcee's mariage had passed along with the storm. Both Alcee and Calixta cheated on their spouse, however, they both knew that when the stor was over they would return to faithfulness with their mates. Alcee obviously felt regretful, as indicated when the author writes; "It was a loving letter full of tender solicitude." He then went on to say "although he missed them, he was willing to bear the separation a while longer-realizing that their health and pleasure were the first things to be considered." These quotes were taken from the letter Alcee had written to his wife. The storm had passed and it looked as if everyone in Alcee's situation was going to be happy. As for Calixta, she was extremely happy to see her son and husband return home safely, as indicated in the story; "She had clasped Bibi and was kissing him effusively." Calixta then went on to Bobinot and "Felt him to see if he was dry, and seemed to express nothing but satisfaction at their safe return." Calixta had also withstood the storm of her marriage and everyone seemed to be happy too. Alcee and Calixta both seemed to realize they were blessed with loving spouses. In their moment of passion they did not realize how lucky they both were. I feel they both came to grips with the fact that what happened between them was an act of lust and there were no feelings involved. The moment was very arousing to each of them but when the storm was over so was the act of lust and betrayal. My opinion is, this act was going to help both Alcee's and Calixta's marriage rather than hurt it, as long as their respective spouses do not find out what happened during the storm. I bring this up because both guilty parties involved seemed to come away fromthe incident loving their spouses more and realizing that their choice of who to

Hardys Presentation of Bathsheba and Fannys Experiences in Far from t

Hardy's Presentation of Bathsheba and Fanny's Experiences in Far from the Madding Crowd How does this novel reveal the social reality of the time? In this essay I will look at Thomas Hardy's 'Far from the Madding Crowd' in the first section, I will look at the different ways Hardy portrays Bathsheba and Fanny's experiences. Since Hardy based this novel in the 1840s, and being true to history, it does reveal a lot about the social reality of the time. However, Hardy could have a different perspective, as he is writing in the 1870s, which may have affected his view on the 1840s social ideal. Fanny is offered almost as a complete contrast to Bathsheba Fanny wants to get married (though this could possibly be because she is pregnant), she has no money, no home and no family, while Bathsheba has everything (except the family) that Fanny doesn't have, including her boyfriend too, Troy. Bathsheba at the beginning represents a very rare kind of Victorian woman, one who is proud, strong and independent. While Fanny is the naÃÆ'Â ¯ve and 'fallen' woman. As you progress through the novel, you see a peculiar change coming over both women, they seem to change their characters, Bathsheba becoming more like Fanny, and Fanny becoming more like Bathsheba. Fanny shows her strength as she almost pulls herself down the road by the will of her mind, 'holding onto the rail she advanced, thrusting one hand forward, then the other, leaning over it whilst she dragged her feet on beneath' a lesser woman would have just sat down and given up, but she shows us her strength of character as she tricks her body into making the steps, that would take her ever nearer, to her death, so to speak.. Bathsheba however, allows herself to b... ... Even through the action of the characters, especially the males, you can see how difficult it was for a female in the 1840's society, the stir Bathsheba cause when she walks into the farmers market 'for at her first entry the lumbering dialogues had ceased, nearly every face turned towards her' and again at the farmers market your attention is brought to the fact she is the only woman there 'the single one of her sex that the room contained' a sign that woman were not readily accepted in the farming world, or any place that had money as its bases. So in conclusion to be a woman in 1840's based on Hardy's description would have been a very trying experience, a woman's role was to be dressed up in pretty clothes and displayed, never to do anything but sit at home and do the needle work, never to go and try something different. To be seen and not heard.

Human Resources Functions Essay

The Human Resources Department (HRD) is responsible for Human Resources Planning at ‘Alstom’ and most other big businesses. This means they have a number of main responsibilities to make sure that the business is planned and running well. At ‘Alstom’ the HRD have to plan ahead and make sure they have the correct number of suitable employees for the business. In order to do this ‘Alstom’ set out to fully understand the demand on the labour market in their area. The main things ‘Alstom’ look at are: > Availability of labour > Competition for employment and placements > Local employment trends > Skills shortages These are all very important as they highlight what is going on in the labour market and what may affect the running of ‘Alstom’. Availability of labour shows just how many people there are on offer for employment in ‘Alstom’s’ area, which reveals to them how many people there are to choose from when recruiting. Competition for employees shows whether demand for labour is increasing because competitors are expanding or whether demand is dropping because competitors are having to make redundancies. This also can affect wage rates when recruiting, because as demand increases salary rates are caused to rise. This is because it is harder to recruit the right sort of employees and so companies have to offer better pay conditions in order to attract the right candidates to their business. Local employment trends imply how much labour is available and suggest whether it will be easy or difficult to recruit. It also shows if a local competitor is discarding labour and so provides an advantage for ‘Alstom’ as they can employ these who have been made redundant, as they will have the skills and the experience needed. Skill shortages are very important statistics to ‘Alstom’ as they reveal when the skills needed in their industry are dropping in the labour market, which can be very costly to the business when it comes to recruiting. If the skills they need such as degrees in manufacturing and engineering begin to fall, then wage rates will rise and the competition between ‘Alstom’ and other companies to recruit these graduates will become quite fierce. However, to help this problem ‘Alstom’ are quite fortunate as they have already set up their own training scheme to make sure they are achieving the skills they need. At ‘Alstom’ they also review how labour is progressing within the business. They calculate: > Succession > Sickness rates > Accident rates > Age > Skills & training > Wastage rate – labour turnover This is very important because by using and understanding these factors and statistics it can be seen where ‘Alstom’ may need improving and where things may have to change. For example, if accident rates are high, they may look into why people are so many accidents and what from, etc. By doing this they see if there is anything they can do to help this situation and prevent this from happening as much. ‘Alstom’ can also make better decisions about their staffing from these statistics and can analyze the success of the HRP and improve where it is needed. Recruitment & Selection At ‘Alstom’ it is the HRD’s responsibility to recruit and select employees into the business. At ‘Alstom’ they have four main objectives when recruiting staff, which are all very important. They are important because these objectives outline the essentials that are needed in recruitment and selection to structure a solid foundation for the business. These objectives are: > Helping the growth of ‘Alstom’ > Improving by changing job roles within ‘Alstom’ > Improving by employee internal promotion within ‘Alstom’ > Filling resignation, retirement or dismissal vacancies within ‘Alstom’ When additional or replacement personnel are required, here are what the main responsibilities are throughout this process: > The Recruiting Manager (RM) will complete a Personnel Requisition (job family model, profile & job description). > It is returned to HRD for action. > The Human Resources Officer (HRO) advises the RM on the Personnel Requisition and will consult with them regarding sourcing the vacancy. > The post is advertised internally prior to/parallel with external recruitment procedures (managers are not permitted to contact any external agencies directly without prior agreement from the HRD). > Internal applicants should complete an ‘Application for Internal Appointment’ form – applicant’s manager must authorize. External applicants complete an ‘Application for External Appointment’ form or submit a CV. > Internal applicants are screened by the HRO and forwarded to the RM. Selected applicant interviews are then arranged via HRD. Internal candidates not selected for interviews are notified by HRD. Successful internal candidates have their current manager informed by the HRD and are formally offered the job via their manager. They then have 10 days to accept and the two managers agree on a release date. > External applicants are screened by HRD and suitable applicants are forwarded to the RM for selection. Interviews are then arranged via HRD for short-listed candidates. The successful candidate is issued the ‘New Starter Advice’ by the HRD, in liaison with the RM. The candidate is then offered a placement subject to a pre-employment medical examination and at least one previous employers reference and evidence of qualifications. The candidate then has 10 days to accept after which time the offer becomes invalid. This process is very important to ‘Alstom’ as it makes sure that recruiting and selecting is done accurately and fairly. If this was not done appropriately then the business could suffer as the wrong recruit for ‘Alstom’ may be selected due to the process being carried out inappropriately and poorly. The candidates may also complain if they feel that the process was not carried out professionally and fairly, which would obviously not benefit anyone. Performance Management At ‘Alstom’ they have several ways of measuring and managing the performance of their employees, all of which are very important. They are important because they enable managers to oversee and supervise the performance of employees and make sure they are working to their full potential and so therefore see whether they are benefiting ‘Alstom’ and doing their part to ensure the business operates to its full potential. It also helps ‘Alstom’ to see which employees may need help and what they may need help with. Many of the ways are connected to the training. These are the methods they use: > Standards – At ‘Alstom’ there are set standards for each job role that have to be met in order for the work to be regarded as high performance. There are four sets of standards for different levels. These levels are: Group leaders Middle managers Senior Manager (operations) Senior manager (strategic) These standards for each level are to be met and are used to assess the skills and the effectiveness of the employee as well as to assess whether they are working efficiently enough for ‘Alstom’. These results are then reviewed and worked through in an individual appraisal discussion. > Objectives – At ‘Alstom’ objectives are set and defined and help employers to ensure that employee’s are working to a good standard. Setting objectives also helps the employees by stating the important guidelines, which need to be followed in order for them to do their job well. There are ten objectives, arranged in two groups. Technical Objectives and Business & Personal Objectives. Here is an example of a Business Objective: B4 = Personal Skills To be able to operate effectively in a group endeavor > Self-assessment – At ‘Alstom’ they ask employees to carry out their own self-assessment after reading and understanding the standards. They are given a suggested method and have guidance along the way. This helps both the employer and the employee. It helps the employer to understand what the employee’s own personal opinion of their performance is, where they may feel insecure and want some help, how confident they are within themselves, etc. Self-assessment helps the employee by allowing them to input their own thoughts of their performance, shows where they may need to put most of their effort, assess how they are coping meeting the job’s criteria, etc. Therefore, it helps both the employer and the employee to assess and manage individual performance. > Measuring production – At ‘Alstom’ they also carry out some measurements of production. An example of this is ‘Graduate Retention’. This is an important method of performance management as it shows clearly what ‘Alstom’s’ internal statistics are and helps the business realize and assess where improvement may need to made and which areas are struggling to run well. For example, if graduate retention is increasing then they will need to make changes and improvements to bring this statistic down and therefore benefit the business. Training and development At ‘Alstom’ they have a process for Training and Development (shown on next page). The main responsibility of HRD is to make sure that this process is carried out and that it is fully introduced and explained. Training and Development is very important to ‘Alstom’ as it ensures that employees learn the right skills for the job and it makes sure that they can do their job well and efficiently. It helps employees to earn the skills, qualifications and experience that they want/need and it benefits ‘Alstom’ as it enables them to run better and to a fuller potential and efficiency because their workers are well trained and developed.

Regulatory and Accreditation

Quantitative Research Article Critique Sandra M. Smith NUR/518 February, 26, 2012 Veta Massey Quantitative Research Article Critique Kalisch, B. J. , & Lee, K. (2011). Nurse Staffing Levels and Teamwork: A Cross-Sectional Study of Patient Care Units in Acute Care Hospitals. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 43(1), 82-88. Introduction The purpose of this study is to explore the current research data and use of the Nurse Teamwork Survey to see if nurse staffing levels predicts teamwork. The importance of teamwork is to achieve a higher level of patient safety, quality of care, job satisfaction, and decrease turnover.A cross-sectional descriptive design was used with a 2,545 nursing staff on 52 units delivering patient care, in four different hospitals among the Mid- West. The relevance of the study is to show that there is an association between quality, safe care, and teamwork which also requires safe staffing (Kalisch & Lee, 2011) The title of the article suggests the main variables an d the population in the study. The abstract concisely and clearly summarize the main problem, method, and results of the study. The problem identified is a lack of understanding between the relationship of workload, teamwork, and level of staffing.Literature review The literature review is up- to -date and focused mostly on primary sources. Dates of the literature review range from 1994- 2009. Only one review studied was over 10 years and six were in the past five years. The review provides a range of comparisons between teamwork and job satisfaction, mortality rate, interpersonal skills, and quality of care. What is known is that a higher level of teamwork in the intensive care units was found to be related to a decrease in mortality rates (Kalisch & Lee, 2011). Also, a decrease in vacancy rates, and staff turnover was associated with higher level of teamwork.Brewer (2006) showed that† improved teamwork found a significant decrease in patient falls. † The literature rev iew provides a solid base for this study. What is unknown is the relationship between workload, staffing levels, and teamwork. Framework The study illustrates a â€Å"conceptual framework which postulates that staffing levels predict teamwork when there is control of the acuity( CMI) of the patients on the units, the size of the hospital and the nurse staffing levels( nurse staffing included RN’s, LPN’s, NA’s, and unit secretaries)† (Kalisch & Lee, 2009, p. 3). There is a conceptual map, which identifies the variables and relationship that is simple and understandable. The framework was based on the outcome of the literature review and the effects that staffing levels had on teamwork. The framework does identify the relationships between teamwork and staffing levels to patient outcomes. â€Å"The framework relates to the body of nursing knowledge in that patient safety and patient perception of care delivered in held in high esteem for nurses† (Kal isch & Lee, 2011, p. 83).The conceptual framework identified the meaning of teamwork by using the Salas, Sims, and Burke (2005) study that identified five important elements of teamwork (trust, team orientation, back up, shared mental model, and team leadership). Using this conceptual framework its basic foundation, the Nursing Teamwork Survey (NTS) was developed and tested to be used for the psychometric elements. This testing resulted in identifying five different elements of the nursing team that was descriptive. The research questions proposed where asfollows: â€Å"By controlling the CMI and size of the hospital, does the level of staffing predict nursing teamwork?By controlling hospital size and CMI, does the level of staffing predict subscales of teamwork (trust, team orientation, back up shared mental model, and team leadership)† (Kalisch & Lee, 2011, p. 83)? The aim of the research questions was appropriate to the study on that they identified the relationship betwee n teamwork and staffing levels. Method The study (Kalisch & Lee, 2011) used a descriptive, cross-sectional design and an appropriate sample was used. â€Å"The setting was four hospitals within the Midwest of the United. Sampling characteristics were 60% over the age of 35.The majority of the sample were female (89%) and RN’s (70%), and the majority (74%) had at least 2 years experience† (Kalisch & Lee, 2011, p. 83). The sample group was identified and described and sufficient in size and character. The size of the hospitals were between 300 -900 beds. All units were eligible for inclusion. A total of 52 beds was the study sample. The sampling staff made up 2,545 respondents. 1,741 were RN’s, 41 were LPN’s, 502 were NA’s, and 191 were unit secretaries. The sample groups were appropriately identified as pertinent to the study question.The NTS was used in this study and was intended to measure nursing teamwork in the inpatient care setting. The Bartl ett test was used to indicate the correlation matrix that showed it not to be an identity matrix. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measured the sample adequacy. In this study it was determined to be excellent at (0. 961). Confirmatory factor analysis also showed that the team work model of five factors fit the data well. A comparative fit index model was 0. 884 with a root mean square error of approximation to be 0. 055. The test and retest reliability was good at 0. 92.The consistency of the survey showed to be 0. 94 with co-efficient ranging from 0. 74-0. 85. The results of these tests showed a similarity in responses of staff members on the same unit (Kalisch & Lee, 2011). The NTS used was a questionnaire. It contains 33 questions with a Likert-type scaling system. This survey was generated by the literature review and from focus groups with staff members. The staff members are dependent variables within the study, although the hospital size and CMI of the patients are independent variable s. The survey was given to the staff with a time limit for responding.The response was anonymous. Staffing data was also obtained by each hospitals database. The nurse staffing indicators included hours per patient day (HPPD), RN hours per patient day (RN HPPD), and skill mix (RN’s LPN’s, and NA’s providing direct patient care). The acuity of the patients was also a factor. The study did ensure comparable data among the four sites. This was done by using the raw data that was provided by the participating hospitals. The appropriate statistical methods were used in this study and the research questions were also addressed with the groups surveyed. Data collectionThe study was conducted over a four- week period where data was collected from each facility. The data collection phase included two separate study phases. The first phase was the administration of the survey to the units and the collection of raw staffing data from the hospitals. The NTS was put in an en velope with a letter of explanation about the study. Incentive was given to each participate by the addition of a candy bar. The participation was made known to be voluntary. The subjects were to place the completed survey in a locked box provided on each unit. A pizza incentive was given for units who achieved a 50% return.This incentive was appropriate because the staff had to take time out of their work day to do the study. The second phase, which collected the raw data of HPPD, RN HPPD, CMI, and skill mix were obtained from each unit prior to the NTS being administered (Kalisch & Lee, 2011). The collected data was appropriate to the study questions. Statistical data analysis Data analysis was obtained by the use of the Statistical Package for Social Science version 16. 0. The unit analysis is identified as the patient care unit. The mean score for teamwork level obtained from the NTS was collected and combined to a unit level team score.Statistical analysis was done to address e ach question in the study. Appropriate methods were used to analyze the data obtained. â€Å"Preliminary analysis involved using frequency, descriptive, and correlation methods that associated with the research question. Correlation analysis was effectively used to address the relationships between hospital bed size, staffing levels, and teamwork† (Kalisch & Lee, 2011, p. 85). Regression analysis was done to identify the correlation of staffing levels as it compares to the five subscales of teamwork.One analysis identified HPPD as the high level of predictability of teamwork on the unit. The analysis showed that the higher the skill mixes on a floor and higher HPPD, the greater the predictability of teamwork. The findings of the study are adequately summarized by the use of multiple tables. The findings are reported in a manner that would support evidence-base practice. Discussion The major findings of the relationship between staffing levels and teamwork were interpreted and discussed. This study does demonstrate that there is a relationship between HPPD and nursing teamwork.It was also reported that the higher the skill mix the greater level of teamwork. Researcher notes that â€Å"the use of actual nurse staffing data adds substantial credibility and confidence to the previous findings† (Kalisch & Lee, 2011, p. 86). The interpretations of the study appear to uniformly flow with the results. The study does discuss the limitations of the study on that the sample was in only four Mid-Western hospitals. According to Kalisch and Lee (2011, p. 87), â€Å"team work is more difficult to achieve in larger hospitals. † The sample does not provide for generalizability of the findings.The study recommends further direct observation studies to measure actual teamwork. Implications The study does discuss the implications of the findings. The results suggest that ensuring adequate staffing is important but also increasing the efficiency of the deliver y of care by using staff more effectively. Summary Despite some identified limitations such as generalizability, the study findings appear to have validity and show confidence in the truthfulness of the results. The study does contribute to meaningful results and evidence applicable in nursing practice and hospital policies regarding staffing.Further study suggested would be to observe larger inner city hospitals with greater levels of skill mix for longer duration of time. References Brewer, B. B. (2006). Relationships among teams, culture, safety, and cost outcomes. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 28(6), 641-653 Kalisch, B. J. , & Lee, K. (2011). Nurse Staffing Levels and Teamwork: A Cross-Sectional Study of Patient Care Units in Acute Care Hospitals. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 43(1), 82-88. Salas, E. , Sims, D. E. , & Burke, C. S. (2005). Is there a ‘big five† in teamwork? Small Group Research, 36(5), 555-599.

Spyware on Children’s Computers; Regorian Rhetoric

Parents as Undercover Cops Spyware is any technology that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. On the internet, spyware is programming that is put in someone’s computer to secretly gather information about the user and relay it to advertisers or other interested parties. In this case, the ‘other interested parties’ are parents. Parents are becoming more and more protective of their kids. Many are now becoming open to the idea of putting spyware on their children’s computers when previously that was unthought-of.No matter what ones particular outlook on this subject is, there are pros and cons of each side, and most seem to lean largely on one side or the other, as opposed to being more in the middle. There are many harmful traps on the internet, but does that justify tracking children’s every keystroke on their computer? Harlan Coben believes spyware is more than justified. In Coben’s article, à ¢â‚¬Å"The Undercover Parent,† Coben states that parents are overprotective of their kids in many other aspects, such as knowing their passwords to their phones, supervising them at all events, and so on.So why give them their independence when it comes to the internet? I understand what he means and even agree with his reasoning in some ways. Coben says that the ones doing the surveillance are not some government officials; they are loving parents trying to protect their offspring. This argument is valid because it shows that the parents who choose to put the software in computers are really just trying to keep their kids best interest in mind, and those who compare it to being surveyed by a government agency or something of the like is ludicrous.Some children are at risk of being harmed through the internet, and do require that surveillance. The children that are unknowingly communicating with a pedophile, or the â€Å"43% of teens [that] have been victims of cyber bullying in the last year,† could have had a possibility of being helped if their parents had spyware software downloaded onto their computer. (Stop Cyber Bullying Before it Start’s) Of course, ‘what-if’s’ are always going to be asked, and there is no way that spyware can solve these problems fully. Pedophilia and cyber bullying are both serious issues and need to be stopped.Yes, spyware could help the problem. Yes, spyware could alert or notify a parent if one of these two activities is going on, which could be extremely beneficial. I agree that spyware should be used in these very specific situations. Coben also believes that having this program reinforces to children the fact that the internet is not a haven of privacy. In an academic journal article regarding Facebook, a website that many children and teens are using, it is written that â€Å"We need to teach them that NOTHING IS PRIVATE online, especially their social networks† (Fodeman).All child ren need to understand and acknowledge that the internet is not private, but even more so those who use social networking, because once something is typed and sent, uploaded, or anything, it can never be taken back or deleted. Sure you can remove certain things, but somewhere it is still out there, and it can be retrieved if deemed necessary. Everyone has access to posts online, and if the reason they are not misusing the internet is because of their fear of the spyware, then so be it.There is a fine line between being responsibly protective and irresponsibly nosy, Coben argues. If a parent is going to have spyware on their children’s computer, they need to be doing so for the correct reasons. Doing so because there is a harmful behavior being engaged without another way to stop it is sufficient enough of reasoning. However, trying to be filled in on the latest gossip and happenings in the child’s life is not going to cut it. Parents are supposed to be responsible and looking out for harmful and negative behaviors.They should not be abusing their powers or the tools given to them to help ensure their loved child’s online safety and protection. I do tend to agree with the various arguments that Coben uses to validate his claims, yet I have two different opinions on the use of spyware technololgy. If ones child is dishonest, engaging in suspicious or risky behavior, install the spyware. If a parent has real evidence that their child is harming him or herself, then the parent has a responsibility to help and protect the child even though their child may not want the watchful eye.It is more than fair for parents whose children have engaged in some kind of dangerous behavior, to tell them â€Å"If you don’t meet your responsibilities to take care of yourself and to stay safe, then I’m going to take whatever steps necessary. If that means looking in your room, looking in your drawers and looking on your computer, that’s exa ctly what I’m prepared to do† (Lehman). That way the child will know there is a possibility of a spyware being put on their computer and are not caught off guard if something from the spywares report were to be brought up in the future.The safety of one’s children should be number one on the parents list and they need to be able to do what is deemed necessary in order to protect. Reading emails, having the knowledge of what they search for online, and seeing all of their communications may be necessary for certain situations. The situations where spyware should be put on children’s computers are only in extreme cases of dishonesty, incriminating behavior, or suspicious activities. Spyware may not be the most effective way to protect children, but in such cases the spyware could definitely help the situation.Besides extreme cases, ultimately parents having spyware on their children’s electronic devices without their knowledge are more harmful than be neficial. A survey conducted of undergraduate students in the United States showed that â€Å"64% indicated they strongly disagreed with the statement that ‘spyware is more beneficial than harmful. ’†(Freeman) The main reason putting spyware on a child’s computer that has done nothing wrong is harmful, is because the relationship between parent and child will most likely be impacted negatively when the child figures out there is spyware on their computer.If parents have children that meet their curfew, take care of their responsibilities, and the like, there is no reason to snoop on them. Good behavior should be rewarded, and telling your child that the lack of interference in her personal space is a direct result of her good behavior reinforces the trust given to that child. Spyware does not aide in creating independence or individuation. A goal of parenting should be to raise a young adult who can make independent decisions and who can have a life of the ir own. Teenagers are always trying to be individuals and want more independence.Part of having a life of their own is having a space of their own. When parents spy on their responsible child, the message they are sending is that even though the child has not done anything wrong, the child still needs to be watched and is not trustworthy. Also, children and teenagers usually know an awful lot more about computers and technology than adults do. Because of the difference in generations, most teens and children know how to check for spyware, how to disable it, and how to get around it, more often than not without the parent knowing what has happened.It is impossible for a parent to keep tabs and know absolutely everything their child does, which they should not, and sometimes it is better this way. Even if a child does not find a way around the spyware, are parents really prepared to know their child's secrets that are not harmful to themselves, such as sexual activity, although can be harmful in some cases, or sexual orientation? Sometimes it is best to be ignorant. Parents should not go looking for things that if they knew would cause issues in the family tearing them apart.What is the worst that children can get into on the internet? Parents have to understand that their kids are human, and in turn let them be human. They are going to want to try new things, and exploring the internet is probably going to be one of those things. What is so bad about that anyway? It will not corrupt them; nothing â€Å"corrupts† people but other people. It is not the internet doing the corrupting, it is those behind what is being shown and put out there, those that are typing in chat rooms and writing their blogs.It is easy to view kids as possessions, like pets that have to be pampered and hidden from the world, but they are people just the same, and they have to make their own decisions even if they aren't â€Å"good† ones. A teenager deserves their privacy just as much as anyone, including their parents. I believe that if parents have taught their children well, with morals and the ups and downs of life and the internet, they need to trust that their child has been taught well enough to not misuse the internet and all of its capabilities.Joe Kelly, founder of a national advocacy group called Dads and Daughters, states that â€Å"Markets play on this fear that something horrific is going to happen to your child, when the odds of that are minuscule. It might happen, but to have their whole childhood predicated on this remote possibility is, in the aggregate, even more damaging. â€Å"(Crary) Spyware really undermines all of the trust that the parent and child have with one another. In a survey of 1,006 AOL users, â€Å"74. 2% said they perceived spyware to be a personal threat. (Poston) Spyware is seen as a personal threat to so many citizens because of its demoralizing and disrespectful nature. I would not want it done to me, my parents would not want it done to them, and I do not think teaching children that it is okay to have a spyware on someone else is healthy or just. The choice between installing spyware on a child’s computer or not too, can relate to one another and meet in the middle. In some extreme cases where there is no longer an ounce of trust, spyware should be put on children’s computers to protect them from themselves and others.Although in most cases, spyware is not acceptable because of the harm it does to the relationship between parent and child, and the toll it takes on trust, individualism, and privacy. Parents should have some type of control over their child’s internet usage. Blocking some sites, such as porn or self-harm/suicide related sites, is beneficial and sufficient. Having the computers in the house being put in open areas, such as an office or living room, can also control what children do on the computer because of the fact that they are aware that anybody can walk by and see what is on the screen.There are also parental controls that make it so the internet is only available at the times set up by the parents. Parents that are still uncomfortable with these alternatives could also have a password set up that one would need to log onto the computer, and only the parent would know that password. That way, if a child wants to use the computer, the parent will always know if they are on it. You should also talk to your children about the dangers of the internet so that they recognize suspicious behavior or activity.In order to teach more about internet safety instead of simply trying to avoid it, parents need to â€Å"Discuss the risks of sharing certain types of information (e. g. , they they’re home alone) and the benefits to only communicating and sharing information with people they know. † (Householder) All of these alternative suggestions, used solely or by incorporating them all, is a much more useful tool in monitoring computer and internet usage rather than using a spyware. The alternative to spyware does not damage trust, lets the child have needed amounts of privacy, and yet still lets the reins be in the parent’s hands.Works Cited Coben, Harlan. â€Å"The Undercover Parent. †Ã‚  New York Times  16 Mar. 2008: n. pag. Print. Crary, David. â€Å"USA TODAY. †Ã‚  USATODAY. COM. N. p. , 05 Sept. 20122. Web. 17 Mar. 2013. Fodeman, Doug, and Marje Monroe. â€Å"The Impact Of Facebook On Our Students. †Ã‚  Teacher Librarian  36. 5 (2009): 36-40. Academic Search Premier. Web. 21 Mar. 2013. Freeman, Lee A. , and Andrew Urbaczewski. â€Å"Why Do People Hate Spyware? †Ã‚  Communications Of The ACM  48. 8 (2005): 50-53. Academic Search Premier. Web. 21 Mar. 2013. Householder, Allen, and Mindi McDowell. Security Tip (ST05-002). † Keeping Children Safe Online. US Department of Homeland Security, 16 Feb. 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2013   Lehman, James. â€Å"Newslette r Signup. †Ã‚  Empowering Parents. N. p. , n. d. Web. 21 Mar. 2013. Poston, Robin, Thomas F. Stafford, and Amy Hennington. â€Å"Software: A View From The (Online) Street. †Ã‚  Communications Of The ACM  48. 8 (2005): 96-99. Academic Search Premier. Web. 21 Mar. 2013. â€Å"Stop Cyber bullying Before It Starts. †Ã‚  NCPC. com. National Crime Prevention Council, n. d. Web. 17 Mar. 2013.

Dr. Linda

â€Å"Your food is your grave,† said the famous writer Bernard Shaw. What you eat is not important. How you eat, what you eat is important! Human being is a complex, integrated mechanism of body, mind and spirit. You need to maintain them at the levels required. A fault related to any one of the three, disturbs the balance of the body as a whole. Careful maintenance as per proper procedures is required. You are careful about the external cleanliness. You brush your teeth; wash your body, oil your hair—but that is not the authentic maintenance. Your body needs to be free from internal impurities. This is done through the process of detoxification. The modern materialist civilization, the industrial and internet revolutions have changed the lifestyles of human beings in more than one ways. They are subdued by relentless internal as well as external pressures. New diseases, the names of which were unheard in the recent past, are cropping up. The book ‘Detoxification’ by Linda R. Page provides solid answers and satisfactory for your health-related problems– How to remain healthy, without succumbing to suppressive medicines and by cultivating nature-friendly attitudes! An herbalist needs to know, and this is a golden rule, that the nature provides appropriate fruits and vegetables at the appropriate season. Dr. Linda expounds the same principles in her book.   Nature doesn’t commit a mistake but we often do. Fruits and vegetables are the mediated capsules provided by nature in colorful packaging. The process of detoxification ipso facto means to possess thorough knowledge and understanding about this natural wealth. Next, the herbs assist you in the process of detoxification. Dr. Linda gives thorough and scientific details about the detoxification process related to various parts of the body, by using fruits, vegetables and herbs. Dietary plans play a vital role in recouping the original health from the attack of any ailment. Strict vegetarian diet is recommended, one week before you begin the detoxification procedure, advises Dr. Linda. Dr. Linda has the three-pronged approach, which is invaluable from the point of view of a practicing herbalist. Firstly, she has provided comprehensive information required to create safe and individualized detoxification program. Secondly, detailed instructions are given for cleansing and detoxification. Thirdly, she explains what a good cleanse means and how to direct the cleaning process for best results. Cleansing is an ongoing activity. It is estimated that about twenty-five thousand new toxins enter the environment every year. Therefore, your commitment to your body is not a favor that you are doing to it—it is your bounden duty for your own good and for the happiness of others, so that they will not have an opportunity to tend your sick body! According to Dr.Linda, â€Å"a detox program aims to remove the cause of diseases before it makes us ill. It’s a time-honored way to keep immune response high, elimination regular, circulation sound, and stress under control, so that your body can handle the toxicity it encounters. In the past, detoxification was used either clinically for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts, or individually as a once-a-ear mild â€Å"spring cleaning† for general health maintenance. Today, regular detoxes program, two or three times a year, makes a big difference not only for health, but for the quality of our lives.†(Page, 1999, p.14) From the point of view of an herbalist, this book contains most of the information and facts such as step by step instructions to guide through detox programs detox charts for special needs, information about â€Å"Green Cuisine†, herbs glossary of detox terms etc. Something dramatic and divine happened about Dr. Linda Page opting to become an herbalist.   She was interned in a hospital with a life-threatening disease, which the allopathic medicines failed to cure. She utilized this opportunity to make intensive study of the herbs, their merits and began to self-treat her with great success. She saved her own life and with the acquired knowledge, she is set on the task to save the lives of others. If an area is infested with mosquitoes, there are two ways of meeting the situation. Spray the insecticide and get rid of the mosquitoes. Or remove the filth, to contain mosquito breeding once for all. The second option finds favor with those who believe in natural remedies. Detoxification, to define its correct meaning, is nothing but all-out purification of body, mind and soul. Dr Linda begins her book on a moral and spiritual note and that is the correct and great approach. She writes, â€Å"Today is a very important day†¦.use it for the best that is in you, so that you will never regret the price you have paid for this day.† References Cited: Page, Linda R: Book: Detoxification – All you need to know to recharge, renew and rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit! (Paperback) 264 pages, Publisher: Healthy Healing Publications (January 15, 1999) Language: English ISBN-10: 1884334547 ISBN-13: 978-1884334542            

Nature’s Role in Frankenstein

The writers of the Romantic period portrayed nature as a celestial source. In many Romantic works, nature's beauty is praised with pantheistic, almost pagan, terms. To these writers, the natural world was a direct connection to god. Through appreciation for nature, one could achieve spiritual fulfillment. The contrary, failure to surrender to natural law, results in punishment at the hands of nature. Mary Shelley, as well as her contemporary, Samuel Coleridge, depicts the antagonistic powers of nature against those who dare to provoke it.Victor Frankenstein offends nature in several ways. The first and foremost insult is his attempt to gain knowledge forbidden to humanity. Then, he uses this knowledge to create an unnatural being that serves no purpose in a natural world. Finally, Frankenstein refuses to take responsibility for his creation's actions, which have obvious and dangerous consequences for society. By daring to tread on the laws of nature, Frankenstein becomes the target o f the natural world's wrath. He, much like the Ancient Mariner, suffers due punishment for his sin.In both â€Å"Rime of the Ancient Mariner† and â€Å"Frankenstein,† nature is portrayed as a divine power. It is a deific force, capable of creating transcendental beauty, as well as inflicting horrific torment upon those who violate its laws. The Ancient Mariner's crime is his senseless murder of the albatross; his punishment presents itself through a series of natural phenomenon. Nature deprives him and his men of natural elements, food and water, â€Å"Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink. † (Coleridge 433). Nature also uses other natural elements to cause him further suffering.For instance, the Mariner and his men must endure the heat of the sun as their ship halts, the wind stops and intensifies the heat, â€Å"Down dropt the breeze, the sails dropt down†¦ â€Å"â€Å"All in a hot and copper sky, The bloody sun at noon. † (Coleridge 4 33). Frankenstein also faces retribution for his disobedience to the laws of nature. His punishment, however, is not as simple as the Mariner's. Nature bestows a far more cruel and spiteful fate upon Frankenstein. It uses Frankenstein's creature against him, adopting his former object of pride and manipulating the creation into a weapon against its creator.Abandoned by its â€Å"father†, Frankenstein's monster is forced to seek another parental figure. It finds one in Mother Nature. As the creature embarks on a lonesome journey, nature teaches him the lessons that Frankenstein does not. The creature learns of the dangers of fire by burning its hand in the flame â€Å"One day, when I was oppressed by cold, I found a fire which had been left by some wandering beggars, and was overcome with delight at the warmth I experienced from it. In my joy I thrust my hand into the live embers, but quickly drew it out again with a cry of pain.How strange, I thought, that the same cause sho uld produce such opposite effects! † (Shelley 389). In other such lessons, Nature shapes its â€Å"child† as a tool of revenge. For instance, the creature learns of it's hideousness by seeing it's reflection in a pool of water, † At first I started back, unable to believe that it was indeed I who was reflected in the mirror; and when I became fully convinced that I was in reality the monster that I am, I was filled with the bitterest sensations of despondence and mortification. Alas!I did not yet entirely know the fatal effects of this miserable deformity† (Shelley 431). This realization evokes anger within the monster, and its resentment towards its creator grows. Nature uses Frankenstein's hubristic disposition against him. When creating the monster, Victor Frankenstein gives it a gigantic stature. He states that he did this due to his haste, â€Å"As the minuteness of the parts formed a great hindrance to my speed, I resolved, contrary to my first intent ion, to make a being gigantic in stature†¦ † (Shelley 171).However, Frankenstein's ambition also played a role in his decision to make the creature a physically intimidating size, â€Å"A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me† (Shelley 172). Here, Frankenstein states his desire to become the father of a supreme race of beings. By giving the creature an enormous form, Frankenstein is assuring that it will be dominant over other species. This is not only a threat to nature, but it also adds to the creature's unnatural genesis.The monster is abnormally powerful, as it possesses abilities far surpassing to any other species on Earth. Therefore, it is something unnatural and cannot be apart of the natural world. Nature, instead of removing the monster straight away, uses its physical superiority to taunt Frankenstein's pride. As the scientist begins his all-consuming quest to seize and kill the monster, he is constantly mocked by his own creation's power. Even at the end of his life, Frankenstein is still unable to capture the monster. The unnatural being has no true place or purpose in he natural world, so Nature uses the creature in the only suitable way: a tool for revenge. This becomes the monster's only role in the natural world. Once it has finally inflicted true punishment against Frankenstein, it will have no purpose. The monster does not belong in the natural world, and so it will be destroyed, â€Å"I, the miserable and the abandoned, am abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on† (Shelley 886). Revenge is its only objective, when nature finally achieves this intention it returns the monster back to nature.The creature's birth was allied by the use of natural materials, human flesh and lightning, similarly its death is caused by Nature's elements, fire, â€Å"I shall collect my funeral pile, and consume to ashes this miserable frame, that it s remains may afford no light to any curious and unhallowed wretch, who would create such another as I have been. I shall die. † (Shelley 889). The creature is of no use to Mother Nature any longer, and so it must remove itself from the natural world. â€Å"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner† and â€Å"Frankenstein† describes the horrors that result from invoking nature's rage.The natural world, according to the Romantics, was a divine force. Like the pagan gods of Greek and Roman culture, nature's wrath is terrible and unmerciful to those who dare to wrong it. Victor Frankenstein, the Promethean figure of the Romantic period, defies nature in his decision to bring unnatural life into the natural world. This is an act of blasphemy against nature, and to an extent, â€Å"God† himself. Frankenstein's punishment for this sin is both thorough and justified. Like Prometheus, Victor Frankenstein spends his remaining life paying for his act of defiance against the g ods of nature.

ART HISTORY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

ART HISTORY - Essay Example He is also credited with being one of the pioneers of a new form of painting that became popular in Europe in the second half of the twentieth century. Most of his paintings depict his chosen medium, which he sought to explore different forms of art in the early 1960’s. The painting of enlarged copies of black-and-white photographs that only encompassed the use of different shades of grey such as the 1964 picture cow and the 1965 picture kitchen chair catapulted him to fame. This is because he started a new form of using photographs as a starting point rather than a model towards an end in itself. He states that he blurs his images to make everything equal. The aim is to depict images as both equally equal and equally unequal without distorting the intended message. This is shown best in the illustration below. His work does not only include painting blurred pictures, but also multi-colored charts, drawings and

Controlled Assessment B Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Controlled Assessment B - Coursework Example Data collection is one of the central challenges in any research project. It is the process through which the opinions of people are collected and categorised. There are many methods of collecting data such as interviews; questionnaires; documents and observations provide invaluable information that is used for policy decisions, marketing strategies, and academic studies etc (Dinlersoz & Emin, 2004). Interviewing is a data collection method in which the researcher asks for information verbally from the respondents. It is the way to access people’s perceptions, definitions, meaning, situation and construction of reality, where it involves discussing or questioning issues with people to collect data unlikely to be accessible using techniques such as questionnaires or observation. Interviews are suitable when in-depth information is desired and this type of information is required in order to fulfil the purpose of this research (Palma et al,1994). Therefore the interviewing resea rch method will be better. What Amy has already done is good but nevertheless it’s better for her to adopt a wider approach to gathering data. This is the most important part in the planning of a sample survey, because a poorly designed questionnaire may ruin an otherwise well conducted survey. At this stage it is always advantageous to think in advance what variables and tabulations would be required for later analysis (International Council of Shopping Centers, 2004). It is advisable that a dummy tabulation plan should have been prepared in advance, if possible. This would ensure the inclusion of the information, which would be needed for the questionnaire. While preparing the questionnaire the following points were kept in mind in order to overcome the related problems. In this case study the method of e-mail inquiry was used. This method was applicable because most of the

Nature of perception Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Nature of perception - Essay Example This is because people of different background and orientation have to work together towards certain goals. Therefore an understanding of behaviour as displayed by individuals will help ensure that work is done with less friction and in turn increase workers productivity and effectiveness. Managers, by the proper use of this analytic tool can develop good working relationships with their subordinates when the outcome of the analysis is applied. In truth this analysis is largely psychological with the motive to understand human behaviour. A proper understanding of human behaviour in organizations produces an environment wherein the employees carry out their duties efficiently and naturally too. An improper understanding on the other hand produces an environment where employees do only work assigned to them without discretionary inputs from them. While most managers believe that behaviour is a resultant effect arising from inherent personality traits and motivation, it may be accurate to say that behaviour is a function of the work environment that encompasses leadership styles, management systems, social environment not forgetting workplace facilities and tools. The perception of many managers is that personality controls the behaviour, but it is important to note that there is a distinction between "who a person is" and "what a person does" because it creates a moral burden where an employee does not perform and this non-performance is erroneously attributed to his personality. There are various definitions and interpretations for inherent personality traits, a situation that makes it imperative to objectively define behaviour in terms observable features. It reduces the complexities involved in dealing with personality issues and helps keep focus on the processes and their outcomes. A lot of ease is experienced via this approach because attention is slotted to problem identification and solution, a case in which employees are more relaxed to discuss issues more objectively. On the other hand things are made more complex when the focus is on changing an employee's personality and motivation. A positive approach to perception in the behaviour analysis field is to focus more on the performance on employee by superiors. This is best viewed from the angles of the work processes and results. Managers that involve their subordinate in talks about the line of direction of an organization and listens to them before taking actions and up being well liked. A healthy work environment is promoted in this atmosphere. It is very important to understand the reasons why employees behave in certain views. This understanding ultimately aids in the quiet to change consequences translating also in behavioural changes. A proper application of this understanding will help improve performance and yet enhancing cordial relations in the process. Negative approaches that include constant nagging and reminders will only produce. Superficial changes that do not stand the test of time. Furthermore the wrong perception by employers or superiors breeds mediocrity as a result of organizational barriers like poor management and leadership practices. The fact that perception

North East Referendum of November 2004 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

North East Referendum of November 2004 - Essay Example Moreover the conservative thinking of most of the English people with their reluctance to accept any changes may be another reason for the refusal to consider the development of regional governments. However the Labour government of England had a different view altogether. With disregard to the public opinion the government wanted to push the conservative policies of regionalization of the government. This, the labour government wanted to do as a measure to strengthen the operating mechanisms of the central government in the different regions. With this intention the Government held a referendum in the North East Region of England on the 4th of November 2004, for assessing the public opinion on the regionalization of the government. For whatever reasons, the referendum was rejected overwhelmingly by the voters showing their intention clearly against the formation of any regional assemblies. This paper attempts to discuss in detail among other things, the possible reasons for holding such a referendum, the campaigns made in support and against such referendum, the turnout of the voters and the details of the final results of the referendum. North East region in one of the eight regions of England, that stretches from Scotland to Yorkshire. "The region was created in 1994 and was originally defined as Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Cleveland As part of a reform of local government Cleveland has since been abolished and several unitary districts created." (All Experts) A rich natural heritage makes the region one of the unique locale with its long stretches of coast and extensive upland tracts. The capital of the region is Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The Cathedral city of Durham in this region is the city's political centre and was tipped to get the assembly housed there. Sunderland and Middlesbrough are the other cities of the North East region of England. Basically these cities were industrialized ones. "As such, wages and the standards of living in the region are the lowest in England, with high unemployment the norm" (Andrew Stevens 2004) The region has also returned to the Parliament political bigwigs like Prime Minister Tony Blair himself among others. With this background the government put forth the referendum to the people of North East England to decide on the introduction of a regional government body in the North East region of England. The voters in the region of North East England rejected the proposal for forming a regional assembly in a decisive manner, making the other two planned referenda for different regions shelved by the government at least temporarily. The referendum had a turnout of 47.8 percent, out of which 22.1 percent voted in favour of the regional assembly, while 77.9 percent voted against making their opinion explicit without doubt. 1.2 Government's Views on the Need for a Directly-Elected Regional Assembly: The government of UK had expressed its views on the necessity to have an elected regional assembly for the North East England and with these views only the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister had directed the base work far carrying out a referendum in the region as to assess the public opinion for the creation of the elected regional assembly. The North East Constitutional Convention had identified the following reasons for the North