Sunday, November 17, 2019

My essay of mice and mMen Essay Example for Free

My essay of mice and mMen Essay In the novel Of Mice And Mice Lenny and George are on there travels to look for work but everything seems to go wrong Because Lenny can not control his anger or his strength and George is all ways there to get Lenny out of trouble but George treats Lenny like it his is own brother. The novel is set in Weed and it is very hard to find work and live a living so Lenny and George set them selves of to look for work Lenny on his journey who has a heart of gold would never hurt any one or hurt anything finds a mouse a dead mouse he wants t play and tamper with the mouse but George says no and grabs the mouse and throws the mouse into the bushes but then Lenny gets really upsets and starts crying and shouting out load all I want to do is tamper and play with the mouse because I like tampering animals George says . Never mind Lenny I will get you a puppy you can tamper and play with no Lenny says I want a mouse ok then George says what about if we get a job on the farm you cam tamper some rabbits , can I can I said Lenny of course you can just as long as your good and dont pick up dead mousse which might have dieses and we wont want you catching something. Has Lenny and George carry on with there journey there become hungry and they settle down by the river and they drink the water and then they start a fire and has Lenny collects wood for the fire George prepares the food. Or they have is beans which Lenny starts getting angry I only want beans with tomato ketchup if we have no ketchup I dont want any but we dont have none said George you will have to do with what we have ok , but I want ketchup , we have not got none so stop moaning. George starts getting mad with Lenny and says to Lenny I bet you if I was on my own I would have a job and nice food but no I am stuck with you moaning all the time can I tamper the rabbits can I tamper the rabbits you just get on my nerves Lenny gets upset and says if you want me to go I will, I will go up in the mountains and find a cave and live in there I will be ok then I wont get on your nerves no Lenny you will never survive with out me it is best if we stick together. There one more thing I have to tell you if you get in any trouble all I want you to do is to run to this bush here and hide till I come for you ok. Lenny and George carry on with there travels they come to a farm to have a interview for a job they get there and meet up with a man called Candy who is very old and needs very good looking after and takes them to the manager to see if there have the job. They get they job and Lenny and George are very excited but the only thing that keeps coming out of Lennys mouth is now can I tend the rabbits George says if you are good. The job they are given is to pick wheat bags up and stack them on to the carriage but they are very and it takes two men to lift one bag, but then every one is stunned to watch has Lenny picks up one bag all by himself but no one knows how strong Lenny is. George lets Lenny tend the rabbits but has Lenny is tending the rabbits in the barn the managers son Curly HE goes to work and Curly wife follows Lenny into the barn. She starts talking to Lenny telling him that she hates Curly and she hates working here and that she wants to become a Hollywood star and then she asks Lenny what hw would like to do he says have a big house for him and George and have there own business and also he would love to tend the rabbits. But has she was going to reply Curly walked in and says to Lenny why are you not doing you work get out there and finish of your job then George walks in whats happening says George then Curly and his wife walks out. Lenny if you have any trouble of him or any one you tell me then they all get back to work. George gives Lenny a puppy for his hard work Lenny is very excited and goes in the barn on his own and starts tending the puppy and guess who walks in Curlys wife sorry for my husbands behavior I dont want to talk to you says Lenny why says Curlys wife , George has told me to stay away from you we dont want any trouble so go away, but im friendly I only want to make friends no says Lenny. She walks away but seconds later she comes back and then Curly walks in I have told you hundreds of times to stay away from my wife then George walks in again to see Curly hitting and arguing with Lenny, Lenny stays there and George shouts out Lenny defend yourself and has Lennys face is pouring with blood and cut eyes half way closed Curly goes to punch him and curlys little hand is trapped between Lennys big hand and Lenny squeezes his hand and hurts Curly badly. Then Lennys says to George can I still tend the puppy of course you can you did nothing wrong says George. They are getting along with there lives fine carrying on with there work keeping them selves to them selves then Lenny asks George can I tend the puppy George says yea sure, Lenny is in the barn tending the puppy and then he tends the puppy so hard he kills the puppy and then barn door opens so Lenny is frightened so he quickly hides the puppy under the hay, and Curlys wife walks in hello Lenny and she noticed he had hidden something under the hay so she removes the hay to find that Lenny had hidden the puppy and she saw the puppy was dead, Lenny says dont tell George it was an accident. I was tending it to hard she says ok then she starts to talk to Lenny and she starts to get all emotional with Lenny she goes to kiss him and Lenny kisses her back and then he hugs her but with out him knowing his own strength he was hugging her to tight and he snaps her neck and she dies . Lenny is scared and frightened so he remembers what George said if you are in a lot of trouble run to this bush and hide until I find you so Lenny runs and hides. Curly has noticed that his wife has been killed and he knows who his responsible the first name he say is Lenny and George says how you know Curly says look my wife has been killed and Lenny is know where to be seen we need to find and I am going to kill him no says George you dont know the whole story. As everyone at the works are looking for Lenny, George goes to the bush and he sees Lenny sitting there, Lenny is very upset and dont know what to say George says I know what you have done it was an accident Lenny says. George says Lenny look over the river were we was drinking and keep looking down, George pulls out a gun at the side of his pocked holding it down between his spine join and then up to his head Lenny want to go to a nice place were we have loads of money loads of food and loads of animals and a big farm were no one can hurt us and you can not hurt any one yes please says Lenny can we go now Lenny says with excitement , yea of course just keep looking at the river , ok Lenny says. Georges gut is hurting but without a word he presses the trigger BANG Lenny just lowers his body with out a noise and just lays there. George is upset for what he had done bur he knew that Lenny was safe now and that he is living the life that he has always wanted to live. George has learnt that you can not get anything that you wish for in life you just have to grab it why you have the chance. Eben if you loose the closes friend you have. THE END Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE John Steinbeck section.

The Employment Non Essay Example for Free

The Employment Non Essay On Wednesday November 7, 2007, a landmark bill was passed in the house. A bill that will guarantee equal treatment of gays and lesbians in the workplaces. This bill is referred to as the Employment Non discrimination Act and is a climax to the aspirations pursued by gays and lesbians since 1974(www. alternet. org/workplace/67650/). It is indeed a journey that has taken over two hundred years, since the ratification of the United States constitution, which categorically guarantees every individual in the United States equal access to facilities regardless of gender, race, creed or any other basis, whatsoever. The human rights commission in its creeds vows to champion for equality in the society by rooting out all forms and manner of discrimination. Despite the key statements by the constitution and Human Rights Commission, inequality still thrives in our midst. The different societal norms and orientation have shaped peoples minds such that they are dead set against people who may display certain different characteristics from them. Inequality in the society is not only based on gender, race or creed but it also extends to sexual orientation. Discrimination against homosexuality has raged on for years and the debate on the topic is as thorny as they can get. Past legislations against discrimination have not been categorical when it comes to homosexuality. This is a fact that emerges from deep down in the society and from the conservative nature of the values that are closely guarded by people. Despite the massive campaigns conducted by human rights and gay movements, the society is yet to reconcile that gays and lesbians are normal and that they deserve equal rights just like the so called â€Å"straight people. † Homophobia thrives in the society and despite any legislation it is bound to rage on for long till the sexual stigma wanes gradually (Gerald H, 38). The public is mindset about gays and lesbians such that anything close to respecting their rights is not easily taken. There are a number of reasons why homophobia thrives in the society and why people will discriminate against them in the workplaces, friendships and even in the family. There is a common belief among most heterosexuals that homosexuality is not natural. They believe that it is a weird trait that only befits animals. People do not accept the fact that this sort of orientation has been there deep in history even in the biblical times. Homosexuals are believed to be sexual perverts who should be avoided at all costs. It is hence hard to find heterosexuals in the society who accord equal treatment to those that they suspect having a homosexual orientation. Very few heterosexuals will employ people they believe of possessing homosexual tendency no matter their credentials (Ronni L. Sanlo, 17). Religious fanatics are the ones that mostly have been dead set against gays. Despite their being a separation of state and religion, rarely will you find those in authority appreciating the sexual orientation disparities that exist in the society and champion for equality along those lines. Religion has played a great role in imparting a negative sentiments and treatments against its own rank. The Catholic Church and the Anglican have failed to embrace unanimity on the issue of ordaining gay priests despite the practice being evident among priests. Africa has nigh broken away from the Anglican mother church and mainstream for its ordination of gay priests. Most religions in spite of their liberal nature preach hatred against gays and lesbians in the belief that their teachings prohibit same sex relationships. Followers of these religions become fanatically set by the religious dogmas and cease to see the gay and lesbian as their equal. They believe that homosexuality is against Gods commandments as His first creations were of both gender rather than unisex. This is the root cause of all forms of discrimination and sexual orientation inequality in the society, as these values further shape both social and professional relations. Discrimination against lesbians in the belief that they are disgusting is rife and it mainly originates from schools. In most learning institutions, it almost escalates to a point of turning physical. Verbal harassment however is the most prevalent. A poll for example conducted by CBS in 1999 indicated that over 28% of all those polled admitted to making remarks that can be considered offensive and discriminatory to the gay community (Michael B and A. W. Brown, p31). Societal norms and cultures are passed on from one generation to another. These values include the long held beliefs and prejudices held in regarding to the core issues affecting the society. For example a look at the history of inequality and discrimination of the African American and the Hispanics population reveals that the negative sentiments expressed against these two races in the United States have their root to the early times. Slavery was perpetrated and perpetuated as a way of life. It was not unusual for people to own slaves and yet claim that they respected and stood for equality. U. S is full of such past leaders who were great and led the nation to greater heights but they still owned slaves. This is because slave ownership was the norm and failure to own one was an exception. Blacks and women in America took long before they could get an equal footing to their white males counter parts. The struggle for blacks civil rights lasted for two centuries before law could grant them equal access to public facilities in terms of employment and other vital services. This culture of discrimination against the blacks had taken root and become entrenched deeply into the way of life. The same case is happening today only this time discrimination is not along racial or religious backgrounds, it is based on sexual orientation. Majority of the people are dead set that heterosexual is the only way of life, it is the only acceptable norm and any deviation from such a norm is frowned upon. People are not open minded enough to accept other ways of living. This form of discrimination and unequal access to opportunities is imparted in children in their formative stage. Schools are the most important agents of socialization. It is where positive or negative values are imparted. Beliefs and attitudes towards various topics life are shaped in schools (Donald Moss, 22). Learning institutions and families have a long impact on how people view various subjects in life. Homophobia is one such subject that becomes sensitive in schools. Discrimination against gays and lesbians starts early in childhood especially in high schools where the students suspected to be gays are verbally and physically attacked. This discrimination may later extend to the teachers and staff who might be dismissed on mere suspicious of being lesbians or gays hence making it clear to the students that such a sexual orientation is unacceptable in life (Bruce Galloway, 22) Homophobia has also been further perpetuated by the school curriculum. Most sex education syllabuses ignore homosexuality, describing it using negative connotations. In a sex education class; sex is only taken to mean intercourse between a man and a woman while disregarding any form of sexual interactions between people of the same sex. This develops a negative attitude in people, meaning that homosexuality is a form of an abnormality or disability. Intense studies have not been conducted to get to the root cause of the negative attitude and the hostility for people who are homosexuals. Most research conducted focuses on how it can be avoided rather than how the society can be taught to integrate such a community. Homosexuality is seen as a psychopathological case as most of those who exhibit homosexually traits are advised to seek psychiatric help (John P, 2). The gays and lesbian movement also experiences problems when trying to meet and consult with each other. Some gay organizations decry lack of conference halls whenever they would want to meet. They experience open rejection, as not many people would want to be associated with them. This means that there are few forums through which the public can be taught on how to relate with homosexuals (Samantha W, P. 16). As mentioned before about socialization in schools as one source of discrimination even the educators themselves conform to this notion, viewing and accepting that homophobia is the right attitude and then imparting on the students. (Ronnil S. , 13). Homophobia is a culture that has been imparted from one generation to the next deeply entrenched into our social organization systems. It emanates from the belief that is an act of perversion that should not be tolerated by heterosexuals and hence the prevalent discrimination against those suspected or known to be gays or lesbians. Discrimination is a way of societies reaction towards people they view as outcasts. There are no enough forums through which heterosexuals, homosexuals and bisexuals can interact with each other to create more understanding due to the preconceived ideas held against each other. Works cited Deb Price, Gay? U. S houses that’s okay creators syndicate.November 12, 2007. Retrieved on 13/11/2007 from http://www. alternet. org/workplace/6760 Bruce, Galloway. Prejudice and pride: discrimination against gay people in modern Britain. Rout ledge, Taylor and Francis Group. 1984: 19-34 Gerald Hunt, Laboring for rights. Unions and sexual diversity across nations. Temple University Press 1999 32-42 John P. De Cero, Homophobia an overview, Haworth Press Inc. 1984;2 Samantha Wehbi: Community organizing against homophobia and heterosexism the world through rainbow colored. Glasses, Haworth Press. 2004; 16-24 Gail Mason, The spectacle of violence: Homophobia, Gender and Knowledge. Rout ledge 2001; 17-32 Warren J. Bluefield. Homophobia: how we all pay the price. Beacon press, 1992: 46-9 Ronni L. Sanlo, Unheard Voices: The effects of silence on lesbian and gay educators. Bergin Goerly Greenwood. 2004; 13-24 Donald Moss, Hating in the first person, plural: psychoalytic essays on racism, homophobia misogyny and terror. Other press LLC . 2003; 20-29

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Music Gives Me the Blues Essay -- Music History

Music Gives Me the Blues â€Å"The Blues are the roots; everything else is the fruits†-Willie Dixon. The blues has deep roots in American history, particularly African-American history. How can something so simple become a massive tree whose roots transcended through different genres? According to Biography.com, W.C. Handy, â€Å"the father of the Blues,† brought the Blues to the mainstream in1912 with the hit â€Å"Memphis Blues.† After the public heard the twelve note structure with the deep bass lines, the tree began to bear fruit. The Blues tree produced pioneers in all forms of music, from the haunting sound of Robert Johnson to the â€Å"King of the Juke Box† Louis Jordan. After all, where would other forms of music be if the â€Å"Carter Family† did not hook up with Lesley Riddle, Jelly â€Å"Roll† Morton did not get the message, and the â€Å"King† did not have the Blues? Art Menius said, â€Å"The African-American music of the rural south provided the source for gospel, jazz, and blues, while the often ignored black contribution to country music and hillbilly music went far beyond providing the banjo and Charley Pride.† In 1928, A.P. Carter, the patriarch of the legendary Carter Family, the first family of country music, met a blues guitarist by the name of Lesley â€Å"Esley† Riddle. Lesley Riddle had created a unique picking and sliding technique on the guitar while he was recovering from an accident on the job. The Carter Family was looking for a new sound of music, and they were so overwhelmed by the sound that Lesley produced, they wanted him to teach them how to play that way. Lesley Riddle influenced Maybelle Carter’s style of guitar playing called the â€Å"Carter Scratch,† which became legendary. According to birthplaceofcountrymusic.org, Riddle’s influe... ...ey cannot deny that the Blues has influenced different genres from the cotton fields to the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame. Works Consulted â€Å"African American Roots.† Birthplaceofcountrymusic.org Web. 14 Nov. 2010 â€Å"A History of Blues Music.† Scaruffi.com. Web. 14 Nov. 2010 â€Å"Rock ‘n’ Roll Timeline 1877 to 1959.† Digitaldreamdoor.com. Web. 28 Nov. 2010 â€Å"Jazz/Blues Crossover.† Allmusic.com. 28 Nov. 2010 â€Å"Jelly Roll Morton.† Redhotjazz.com. 28 Nov. 2010 â€Å"Jazz History Lyrics-Jazz History.† 28 Nov. 2010 â€Å"The History of Rock and Roll.† History-of-rock.com. 28 Nov. 2010 Newfield, Jack. â€Å"Who Really Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll?† New York Sun. New York Sun, 21 Sep. 2004. Web. 28 Nov. 2010 Berlin, Edward A., A Biography of Scott Joplin. Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation, 1998. Web. 28 Nov. 2010 â€Å"The Classic Blues, 1900-1920s.† Calliope.org.Web. 28 Nov. 2010

Han and Roman Empires Essay -- History, Huan Tan

From the 2nd century BCE through the 1st century CE, both the Han and Roman empires were dealing with the production of advancement in technology. Since the empires were from separate time periods each empire had different attributes when it came to creating technology and what they built with their technology. In the Han Empire, technology had been a luxury part of their empire because it was essential to their wealth and productivity. In the Roman Empire, their thought on technology had been it is a necessity to build their empire and to conquer land wherever they saw weakness. Technologies in both empires were not only used as tools to fight in war and to build but in the Roman Empire they were used to collect mineral wealth in silver mines. As for the Han Empire they had used their technology for tilling soil to collect salt. In the Roman Empire, people had believed that technology was necessary to gain further control and they also thought it was informative for them, while in t he Han Empire it had been a way to show off their civilization. A Han government official felt that technology is such an important part of their empire for its new creations, that it should be maintained by other government officials and engineers. During 20 CE in (Doc 1) the Han government official had said â€Å"there should be one high official and one on duty with just enough workers to meet the need†. This clearly shows that as a government official he felt that in the best interest for technology and the people the government should have some control. As well as putting experienced workers to do the task of maintaining their technology and city as an over all to keep a presentable empire. So other empires will start to borrow and use there means o... ...ked at the use of there technology in different ways. Such as the Roman Empire used their technology to their advantage, by conquering different people to gain more control. As for the Han Empire had used their technology for improvements within there empire and they let other regions use there ideas which showed off there empire. But in some cases both empires had used technology to improve economic growth for trading, like roads or the water power blowing engine. Both of the empires have had different emperors that have ruled. During each empire they both were able to gain control and pass on tools to other regions. The Roman’s thought more of the tools as weapons and building supplies. As for the Han believed the tools to be a creation that had been invented by a person with a sharp mind, and the tools were a luxury for the empire because it made work easier.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Hilti cut or Fasten? Essay

This case review was executed about a case study that was discussed in class on the operations of Hilti and its surroundings – Hilti is a global corporation based in Lichtenstein that is a market leader in drills, saws and fastening products. The analysis looks at the development of Hilti ever since it was founded, and the different strategies which have been implemented to get them to where they are now. For a company that has been very successful which is now going through a period of recession, with sales decreasing which has been caused by a global financial crisis – a question for the CEO whether to hold fast and risk an investment loss, or cut costs to reduce the impact of a drop in profits. This report will provide an idea of Hilti’s current strategies and will look at the key strategic issues both internally and externally, and in conclusion will provide recommendations for what the CEO at Hilti should do moving forward. Hilti’s Business Strategy – Current The Current Business Strategy for Hilti has been quite successful since Michael Hilti took over from his father. Michael introduced the Champion 3C’s (Customer, Competence and Concentration) strategy in order to measure performance both internally and externally and saw the importance for a focus on the customers (external) and the product ranging (internal). â€Å"Hilti has set itself the goal of being a great company. The priorities set to achieve it are growth, differentiation, productivity and employee development† (Hilti Annual Report 2008) After conducting a Porters Generic Value Chain Analysis (Appendix C) it can be seen that the HR strategy in place at Hilti is very strong and must be working well. This finding can lead to assume that this strategy allows the company successfully look after their customers needs, being able to attract the right employees into the firm who bring along a positive attitude, good values and knowledgeable expertise. Eventually this will allow them â€Å"†¦to convert distinctive competence into competitive advantage† (Andrews, 1987). Hilti is known for utilising the most innovative technology and makes this a key focus during its R&D phase on emerging particular products. This helps Hilti to meet the company’s value proposition when the 2 pillars of ‘Customers’ and ‘Competence are also met (See Appendix 2). Looking at the analysis from Appendix 2 – It is highlighted that there are a number of resources that the company can influence to strive a competitive advantage. The value is added to the firm by aligning its strong value proposition with its strategy Strategic Issues (Internal/External Analysis) Unfortunately Hilti is currently challenged with a few strategic issues as the company is confronted with the current economic downslide. To identify the strategic issues both internal and external analysis was conducted by using the Business system tool (De Wit & Meyer 2010) which breaks down the resources and capabilities, activity system and their product offering (Appendix 1); Barneys VRIE model was used to assess the value, rareness, imitability and exploitation of key resources/capabilities (Barney 1995), Porters Five Forces model (Porter, 1985) was used to view the competitive environment and lastly a value chain analysis was conducted by means of Porters Generic Value Chain Analysis (Porter, 1985). Looking at the VRIE model (Value, Rareness, Inimitability & Exploitable) shown in Appendix 2 – although there are many resources and capabilities that Hilti does capture well for a competitive advantage, however when a closer look is taken you are able to see that there are many resources and capabilities which can be easily copied by a similar firm within the industry which leads to suggest that Hilti may possibly be able to be more competitive in its strategy. The findings from the VRIE are reinforced from Porters Supply Chain Analysis and the Business System Tool Model; as Hilti has built long-lasting customer relationships from being within the industry over a long period of time. From Porters Five Forces analysis in Appendix 3, it is evident that Hiltis’ surrounding environment is ever-evolving and fast moving and to stay and remain competitive in this field Hilti must keep up and with its research and product development to keep improving with innovation and technology. By staying ahead, continuously evaluating and improving Hitli can outperform competitors within the industry. Hilti is confronted with the following issues: Without a stable economy the value created may not be as effective within the industry – See Appendix 1) because if consumers don’t have the financial capacity to spend, then value to the consumer may change. Hilti must keep up or ahead with the innovation and technology that competitors are using within the industry – by looking at a sales approach from a social media sense, moving into E-business and shop-in-shop) as the current direct sales method is becoming out-dated. Hilti must look at aligning its Internal and external strategies as the economic crisis caused a decline in sales because customers were not confident to spend during this period (external), for this reason Hilti must work on improving its internal strategies such as HR, R&D, Sales etc Strategic Options and Recommendations The misfit gap between Hilti’s internal and external strategies increases over time and this gap needs to be reduced. For this to occur, Hilti must go through a process of strategic renewal. The below chart illustrates how strategic drift increases over a period of time, and only when strategic renewal strategies are implemented can this gap be decreased. Strategic Renewal Process De Wit & Meyer, 2010 Due to the changing nature and constant fluctuations within the strategic drift, regular strategies must be implemented to minimise the size of this gap. The Strategic integration Model (Fuchs et al, 2000) states the desire to make sure that all strategies complement each other. Many internal and external factors affect the strategic drift, such as competitors. These factors require Hilti to utilise and capitalise on techniques which are evolutionary, else the decline or delayed absence will be detrimental. After reviewing the above analysis the following recommendations are made; New innovative networks with the introduction of E-Business sector to make sure the sales strategy is getting out to as many potential customers as possible Authorise management to be able to make small changes immediately (revolutionary) – this will in order to keep costs down and increase profits Keep evolutionary changes to a low when it comes to the activity system to maintain the key attributes Keep employee levels at where they are now – disrupting this will affect the morale. The idea is to maintain a positive work culture and relaxed environment. The HR strategy should change to make sure no additional people are hired, instead the attention should be on growing and improving the current employees – this is to set the company up, so when the market recovers the company is in a better position. If these above recommendations are applied – Hilti can increase its competitive advantage and in turn alleviate the effects of the current Global Financial Crises. This will set Hilti up so eventually when the market does recover, the company will be stable and ready. Appendix 1: Business System Model Appendix 2: VRIE – Value, Rareness, Imitability & Exploitable Appendix 3: Porters 5 Forces Analysis Source: Porters 5 Forces: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_08.html Appendix 4: Value Chain Analysis The Generic Value Chain (Porter, 1985), (De Wit & Meyer, 2010) Primary Activities Support Activities Hilti Annual Report 2008, De Wit & Meyer 2010. Reference List Andrews, K, 1987, The Concept of Corporate Strategy, McGraw Hill, Chapter 2. Barney, JB, (1995), Looking inside for competitive advantage, Academy of Management Executive, 9 (4), 49-61. De Wit, B. & Meyer, R.J.H. (2004), Strategy – Process, Content and Context: An International Perspective, 3rd edition, London: Thomson De Wit, B. & Meyer, R.J.H. (2010), Strategy – Process, Content and Context: An International Perspective, 4th edition, London: Thomson Fuchs, P., Mifflin, K., Miller, D. & Whitney, J. (2000). Strategic integration: competing in the age of capabilities. California Management Review, 42 (3), pp.118-147 Hilti Annual Report 2008 – Viewed online 30th July 2013 http://www.hilti.com/fstore/holcom/LinkFiles/Unternehmensbericht_2008_en.pdf Porter, ME (1985), Competitive advantage: creating and sustaining superior performance, Free Press, New York Porter Five Forces model – Viewed online 31st July 2013 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_08.html

Using information and communications technologies for teaching and learning

E-learning is by and large regarded as utilizing information and communications engineerings for learning and larning. These engineerings may include, but are non limited to, the followers: presentation engineerings ( e.g. , PowerPoint ) , the Internet, videoconferencing, e-mail, specialist disciplinary package, larning direction systems such as WebCT, simulations, and educational games. E-learning may affect such hardware as computing machines, personal digital helpers, and cell phones. The media used can unite sound, picture, images and text in a assortment of combinations and utilizing a scope of attacks. E-learning should be regarded as a installation or set of tools, non a peculiar instruction method. Indeed, e-learning may be used to back up about any sort of instructional attack, positive or negative. Examples of utilizing e-learning constructively include attacks which combine more traditional instruction patterns with information and communications engineerings. For illustra tion, an teacher might utilize the Internet during his or her talk to entree on-line lifes that supplement the category presentation. A class web site might incorporate activities that facilitate active acquisition. Communications applications such as on-line treatments groups might be used to enable collaborative job work outing among groups of pupils who have trouble scheduling meetings. Teachers of to the full on-line classs typically use small if any face-to-face direction and depend about wholly on e-learning. The grade to which e-learning is used by teachers varies widely due to a figure of factors including their personal instruction penchants, the nature of the capable affair, the pupils involved every bit good as the handiness of proficient and instructional design support. Quality direction remains the paramount end and e-learning should ne'er be used for its ain interest. The E-Learning Committee identified the undermentioned factors that contribute to the demand to transform instruction and acquisition in higher instruction: germinating nature of â€Å" basic accomplishments † required to be competent professionals the chances provided by the increased effectivity and decreased costs of information and communications engineerings ; permeant usage of information engineering by pupils taking to alterations in larning penchants ; synergism of learning and research ; turning demand for alternate acquisition theoretical accounts to better acquisition and increase handiness ; greater handiness of electronic learning resources and scholarly publications. The combined effects of these five factors make it paramount for the University to reassess and update its scheme for e-learning. E-learning enables greater flexibleness in footings of where and when pupils can take part in larning activities. As a consequence, those involved in discoursing the advantages of utilizing e-learning frequently concentrated on how it reduces barriers to accessing educational plans. However, from a pedagogical point of position, the focal point of e-learning is non on entree, but on larning. E-learning provides scholars with the chance to be more active and to take greater duty for their ain acquisition. It besides gives module a wider assortment of tools for easing engagement and coaction. The E-Learning exists in the context established by the vision, mission, and ends of the University. Information and communications engineerings are praised for their capacity to cross distance, connect communities, provide information, and quickly convey immense volumes of informations. E-learning is an incorporate application of these engineerings. As such it has the possible to act upon how all the academic subjects of the University are realized. Need for Reforms in Tertiary Education to Address New Challenges. Quality confidence can play a cardinal catalytic function in originating reforms to regenerate weak third instruction systems. Despite fluctuations in cultural and political penchants, differences in leading manners within authoritiess every bit good as changing phases of development, there is emerging consensus that traditional academic controls are unequal for reacting to today ‘s challenges and that more expressed confidences about quality are needed ( El-Khawas, DePietro-Jurand, and Holm-Nielsen 1998 ) . New Methods of Delivery Challenge Traditional Approaches to HE Development. Recent progresss in information and communicating engineerings ( ICTs ) have prompted alterations in the manners of bringing for instruction. The usage of different signifiers of Open and Distance Learning ( ODL ) is on the rise, doing it possible to learn and larn from anyplace in the universe irrespective of one ‘s geographical location relation to the beginning of bringing. On-line instruction is turning, even within regular â€Å" brick and howitzer † establishments. These new methods besides render third instruction â€Å" borderless † -students have options for entree to higher instruction beyond their national boundaries and suppliers of HE can make pupils anyplace in the universe without holding to procure clearance from any local authorization. This is a positive development, particularly for states which can non afford to put in brick and howitzer establishments ( for illustratio n, little states, weak economic systems ) to run into the turning societal demand. However, in the absence of an effectual QA system, consumers lack a dependable footing for taking between different borderless offers, and authoritiess would non hold a mechanism for keeping these suppliers accountable for the quality of their plans. In Africa this tendency is expressed in the turning attending accorded to constructing capacities for distance instruction. The part now hosts four unfastened universities, with programs to set up at least two more in the close hereafter. Likewise, the proviso of instruction â€Å" at a distance † by traditional universities is steadily spread outing. In Tanzania, the Open University of Tanzania ( OUT ) is now the largest university in the country-only 15 old ages after its constitution. The African Virtual University which was ab initio incubated in the World Bank is now a good recognized leader in unfastened and distance e-learning ( ODEL ) in Africa with a web that spans over 20 English and French-speaking states. Though some acquaintance with quality confidence processes for traditional ( print-based ) distance larning systems has been acquired on the continent, the new manners of bringing pose a challenge because there neither criterions nor expertness are presently avail able to modulate quality.1.2 Research Aim and AimsPurposeThe purpose of this thesis is to â€Å" To research the quality confidence in e-learning and its effectivity in footings of bettering the quality of acquisition, and to urge schemes for effectual quality confidence in e-learning for the colleges and universities.AimsThe aims in order to accomplish this purpose are as follows: Review the developments in quality confidence in e-learning and analyze the e-learning facets of quality confidence. To analyze the quality confidence criterions in e-learning and their effectivity. Study the effectivity of quality confidence in an e-learning context, and place the chief challenges and the critical success factors. Develop appropriate schemes for the execution of effectual quality confidence in e-learning.1.3 Problem StatementThe current survey purposes to reply the following overall job. Is at that place important difference in the effectivity of quality confidence in e-learning in the public and private universities in the Kingdom of Bahrain in footings of their course of study design, class design, and class bringing? To reply this inquiry, the undermentioned sub-problems shall be addressed: To what extent does effectivity of quality confidence in e-learning occur in the higher instruction establishments ( HEIs ) in footings of course of study design, class design, and class bringing as perceived by its module members, pupils, and stakeholders? What are the jobs or barriers encountered by the respondents on the quality confidence in e-learning? What success factors in e-learning perceived by the respondents in the private colleges and universities? What challenges and schemes in e-learning observed by the respondents on the execution of the quality confidence in the university? What possible suggestions/recommendations to better e-learning in the colleges and universities?1.4 Research ApproachThe primary informations aggregation will be conducted through study questionnaires and unstructured interviews nevertheless, the secondary informations aggregation through extended literature reappraisal taken from books, diaries, magazines, and other related reading stuffs in e-learning. The informations collected from both the beginnings will be integrated and so analysed. Qualitative analysis will be used for the informations being collected from both the attacks. However, quantitative analysis will be done by the research worker after roll uping the information for analysis and reading to cognize the findings of the survey on the quality confidence in e-learning hence, carry throughing the purpose of this research. Furthermore, the Primary Data Collection will be taken from the Survey Questionnaires and informal ( unstructured ) Interviews from the respondents of the selected colleges and universities in the Kingdom of Bahrain. However, the Secondary Data Collection will be taken from the literature reappraisal such as books, diaries, magazines, internet links, and other related readings on e-learning facets. After the information is being collected from the primary and secondary beginnings, the Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis Approach will be used to analyze the research information. The analysis will be done after the retrieval of the study questionnaire. However, the informations will be analysed and interpreted utilizing textual or tabular presentation based on the consequences of the statistical analysis. Hence, in the reading of informations deductions is needed and besides supported with related literature or surveies to beef up the analysis and reading of informations which are important to the findings of the survey.1.5 Outline of the DissertationChapter 1: Introduction and Background. The intent of this chapter is to present the job on the effectivity of the quality confidence in e-learning, its challenges and schemes. It besides presents the principle behind the determination of prosecuting this research, based on the observations made by the research worker and other wri ters. It concludes with the word picture of the attack adopted in the structuring of the thesis. Chapter 2: Reappraisal of Related Literature. The intent of this chapter is to present and examine exhaustively the bing literature in the country of the quality confidence of higher instruction establishments ; e-learning quality confidence ; and e-learning success factors ; and other related surveies on e-learning facets. Besides, a theoretical research theoretical account has been proposed and research hypotheses have been developed. Chapter 3: Research Methodology. The intent of this chapter is to show the research design and methodological analysis of the survey. It besides includes the respondents of the survey, proof of research instrument, informations aggregation method, and informations analysis. Chapter 4: Datas Analysis and Findings. The intent of this chapter is to show the analysis and reading of the information, and besides the treatment on the effectivity of the quality confidence in e-learning, problems/barriers encountered, success factors, and quality confidence challenges and schemes. However, the descriptive-survey attack will be employed in this survey. However, tabular and textual signifier will be used in showing the information analysis. Chapter 5: Drumhead, Conclusions, and Recommendations. This chapter is a sum-up of the whole thesis. It provides an appraisal of the importance of the research done and it is an lineation of possible future research strands.DrumheadThis chapter provides an debut to the thesis along with brief treatment of the background on the construct of e-learning in the Kingdom of Bahrain peculiarly in the HEIs – Higher Education Institutions. It besides presented the Aim and Objectives and briefly discusses the country of research, literature reappraisals and provides principle for carry oning this survey. The research purpose and aims are made clear and the research attack is presented.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Fair Value Accounting Essay

This paper attempts to answer the question: â€Å"Is it reasonable to blame fair value accounting for any of the Wall Street mess? † This paper in effect settle whether the use of fair value accounting by listed companies in the major stock exchanges in the US, particularly those found in Wall Street, which the caused fall in prices of the stocks of these companies, was required of companies without justification; hence, it should be blamed for the mess. 2. Analysis and Discussion Any mess in the Wall Street is defined for this paper as one causing the stock prices of companies list in major stock exchanges of the US to fall and that it resulted to losses to investors. To have reasonable basis to blame fair value accounting for any Wall Street mess, does not simply mean that fair value accounting was the necessary cause of fall in the prices of corporate stocks but that the requirement of fair value accounting must not be fair. The question that must be decided therefore is whether fair value accounting is fair as basis of valuing corporate assets, liabilities and equity. A situation or condition is fair if it gives what is due to a person. If the concept of fair value is used in the context of an asset purchased or liability assumed in business, fair value implies that said asset or liability must neither be overpriced nor underpriced whether perceived or otherwise. The law of economics would have fair value as one representing that market price or that equilibrium price of a product or service (Samuelson and Nordhaus, 1992) which is also the value of something from a seller that is not forced to sell or from a buyer that is not forced to buy. Investors, creditors, and other persons expect to be treated fairly as they enter into transactions in terms of value that they will give in exchange to what they will receive. To illustrate, a person or company planning to invest in stocks will appreciate what is fair if the said person or company will earn sufficient return above cost of capital in exchange for the risks being faced by such person or company (Brigham, 2002). To have what is fair, the investors must know the accurate and reliable information about of the company to guide them about their chances of gaining or losing money. These users deserve to have the opportunity to have the true or accurate value of asset, liability or equity being dealt with in a business transaction as basis for valuing the stocks that they will invest with. Financial reports prepared companies, as guided by Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) accounting standard under fair value accounting, will provide these users the opportunity. Specifically, fair value accounting was made pursuant to FAS 157 as issued by US FASB for companies to reflect the accounting information on the real values of assets, liabilities and equity in the balance sheet as contrasted with presenting the information using the historical cost accounting (Meigs and Meigs, 1995). A group of analysts and portfolio managers actually formed part of those who influenced the passage of the fair value accounting for more relevant information in decision making (Chasan, 2008). Under FAS 157 defines fair value is defined as the price that would be received â€Å"to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in a measurement date† (Sortur, 2007). If companies have restated their financial statements from historical cost accounting to fair value accounting, the purpose was laudable since in simple terms, the intention is to make the information more relevant, more accurate and more reliable for decision makers. If stockholders got affected in terms of lower price of stocks as a result of restatement of financial statements, the error was when they were made the purchase of their investments under the historical cost accounting. Since fair value accounting may also increase the value of the stocks if fair value is higher than cost, it could not be asserted that it should be blamed for the fall of prices but not praised for increased in price increase of stock prices. 3. Conclusion It can be concluded that it is not reasonable to blame fair value accounting for any of the Wall Street mess since fair value accounting is only bringing out what is fair to investors who deserved to know accurate and reliable information for making decisions. Fair value accounting is an accounting standard made by FASB that was made as a requirement from the corporation which must present truthful and reliable information for investors. As an alternative to historical value of accounting, fair value is expected to have present company more reliable information about their assets and liabilities in accordance with market prices. Its implementation may have caused companies to present their financial information and if the information presented were more truthful, the consequence of causing problems to companies should only be secondary to the purpose of providing objective and more reliable financial information. Any fall in stock prices from Wall Street may in fact have been caused by companies having to restate their financial statement pursuant to fair value accounting but the intention was to reflect to truer value of assets and liabilities of the corporations whose stocks got affected. Losers should not blame fair value accounting since the latter is just a guide to have more truthful information and they would have a change also of higher stock prices under fair value if warranted by market forces. If there was no basis for such more truthful information, then restatements of financial information using fair value would not have been made in the first place. If buyers and sellers are not being compelled to complete their transaction, fair value accounting must be held as fair and cannot be blamed for the mess. In fact, fair value accounting should have been introduced years ago for it could have saved some abuse and a lot of problems (Rees-Mogg, 2007). References: Brigham and Houston (2002), Introduction to Financial Management, Thomson-South Western, USA, 2002 Chasan, Emily (2008), Is fair value accounting really fair? {www document} URL, http://www. reuters. com/article/reutersEdge/idUSN1546484120080226, Accessed November 21, 2008 Meigs and Meigs (1995), Financial Accounting, McGraw-Hill, Inc, London, UK Rees-Mogg (2007), Why FAS 157 strikes dread into bankers, {www document} URL http://www. timesonline. co. uk/tol/comment/columnists/william_rees_mogg/article2852547. ece, Accessed November 21, 2008. Samuelson and Nordhaus (1992), Economics, McGraw-Hill, Inc, London, UK Sortur (2007) Fair Value Measurement, The Chartered Accountant {www document} URL, http://icai. org/resource_file/96471564-1574. pdf, Accessed November 21, 2008