Landlines vs Cell Phones Essay

The global community is dependent on efficient communication in order to function in daily life. Through modern day technology the telephone has evolved immensely. Landlines and cell phones are both efficient ways of communication, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Power supply methods vary greatly between cell phones and land lines. Landlines are able to function when the power goes out and are a reliable steadfast form of communication. In contrast, a cell phone will only last without a power supply until the battery dies. Both forms, however; are ultimately dependent on the main electrical grid to supply them with power. Despite varying degrees of power dependence, both methods of communication maintain popularity among the masses. The decision to own a cell phone, land line, or both, is determined based on what each device can offer a consumer. The older generation seems to prefer having a landline over a cell phone. Land lines offer larger numbers on their keypads, which is more convenient for the elderly who typically have deteriorating eyesight. Furthermore, landlines are a more straightforward means of communication. It serves only the purpose to call people, whereas cell phones tend to have extra applications, such as internet access that target a younger generation. Just as the elderly are attracted to land lines for their simplicity, today’s youth find cellular devices more appealing. While land lines and cell phones appeal to different target audiences, both are more convenient then using a tin can and string. The portability of landlines and cell phones is another aspect of convenience that should be taken into consideration. Landlines are set at a fixed point and cannot range far from their general location. Cell phones, however, have a range within the confines of their network provider, which may encompass an entire continent. Although a cell phone has a wider range, a landline can also be featured as cordless, which allows the user more freedom of range. The price of cell phone and landline service seems to increase in accordance with their range. Having a landline and cell phone can be an added expense, which explains why a vast majority of the population have one or the other. There appears to be a large generational difference in which type of phone people choose. This could be due to the cost difference in the type of phone or the simplicity difference between modern technology and what some generations are accustom to using. Companies such as Comcast are offering voice services for around $29. 99 a month, a much cheaper rate than what most cell phone companies can offer, ranging from anywhere between $40. 00- $90. 00 a month. This is a large price difference, but the capabilities of a cell phone are much more sophisticated than a landline. With a cell phone you are paying for voice services, text messaging and internet services; with a landline you are paying for local and long distance calling. Cell phones can have additional, unplanned added expenses. Most cell phone companies require a two year contract giving the potential to have an added cost if you need to shut off your phone, known as a cancelation fee. When a consumer signs a two year contract they are agreeing to use a certain amount of minutes and gigabytes, if you go over the allocated minutes or gigabytes the phone carrier will charge costly additional fees. Cell phones run off of towers which gives the opportunity for roaming to occur and for an unforeseen charge to show up on your monthly bill. This could easily happen in the northern part of Vermont where Canadian towers can be used for reception and international rates can be charged. Landlines are cheaper to replace than a cell phone, although if insurance is purchased for a cell phone replacing the cell phone could be cheaper. Both landlines and cell phones help keep social circles intact. Not all families and/or friends live close, having phones allow people to communicate even when they are far apart. Both cell phones and landlines can make communication harder because they are unable to read an individual’s body language or facial expressions, which can cause misunderstandings. A positive to having a cell phone is that you can use Skype or FaceTime to communicate and you do have the opportunity to read body language. Cell phones do have a down fall with reading body language as well. There are a lot of people who communicate through text messaging and then the user is not only unable to read body language, but cannot hear things such as sarcasm in the voice, leaving landlines as a better means for preventing miscommunications. The versatility of the landline is much less than the cell phone. Because landlines are less complicated then cell phones, they are easier to use. A cell phone permits the user to send text messages when he/she is in a public area and cannot talk or needs to say something that is private. Though landlines were used once to dial into the Internet from a home computer and took forever, including the annoying buzzing sound, with one touch on a cell phone, there is immediate access to the Internet and no reason to be annoyed. The global community depends greatly on communication, therefore cell phones and landlines are devices that are in high demand. Being able to communicate with other people is important. Cell phones and landlines Differences Telephones have been around for a long time, and with modern technology, the way people communicate has improved. Unfortunately, landlines and cell phones have decreased face to face interaction, though increased communication. Both landlines and cell phones have played a positive and negative role in society. Landlines might be facing extinction, but for now seem to still have many benefits. Cell phones definitely are improved on a regular basis, but have a few set back, like how fragile they are. Phones have been around for a long time, for its very important for people to be able to communicate all over the world. Without landlines or cell phones people would have to travel far distances to talk to one another, and who wants to do that?

A Day in the Life: Career Options in Library and Information Science

Pricilla Shontz has been known for her understanding of the major issues of library developments during the current systems of referencing and research that are involved in making library procedures more organized. Her idealisms of library management has actually increased the knowledge of librarians in assisting the development of book and literature arrangements that naturally suits the needs of the students and researchers at present. Her implicative suggestions in the matter actually increases the competency of the library systems in making an impact on the increased need of researchers today for referencing approach in libraries. The book of Shontz actually intends to show the matter of concern that is supposed to be understood at present with regards modern library systems including that of involving information technology within the arrangement of references readings in libraries. Obviously, this reading increases the capability of the library professionals in getting along with the modern flow of technology and referencing systems. This reading then introduces the new systems of understanding with regards library arrangements and organization that would be most suitable for the modern students and researchers of the modern society. As noted by the author herself, she described the life of the librarians today much more different than that of the lives of the librarians before (19). Likely, she wants to show how much technology changed not only their job but also their lives as major custodians of the different mediums of references and study that would be most helpful to the current generation as they face further challenges in the said field of social life. A librarian is naturally expected to spend at least 60 percent of her or his whole day inside the library trying to accurately arrange reading materials and other mediums for research that are to be used for further progress of the society. With the implication of the modern technology, however, the said 60 percent of a day-time of a librarian could now be divided into different tasks that they could complete for a whole day for the betterment not only of the references but of the whole library establishments as well. (Career Profiles, Internet) The book consisted of chapters that introduced different essays from different authors who are likely able to present the principles of library professions that Shontz herself appreciate and aim to apply. The summary of the said essays particularly want to integrate the old system of library organization with the modern systems of computing. Today, the use of OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) is already appreciated among libraries around the world (Career Profiles, Internet). This particular innovative design for cataloging has naturally increased the accuracy of referencing in the libraries (Shontz, 19).   The referencing system likely increased the matters of accuracy among furthering studies in the different sections of understanding such as medicine and psychology as well as mathematical studies that increases the understanding of the different theories connected with furthering technology (Shontz, 21). Suddenly being electronic in the system has caused considerable insecurities to old librarians in the field, although practicing the said profession through following the said innovations in technology makes all the sense in the changes being adapted within the system (Shontz, 24). Likely, the matter of development increases the capability of library professionals in handling the needs of their clients [mainly the students and the researchers as well] in a more effective matter.   As noted from the reading, the modern process of Information Technology could be utilized to increase the competencies of the librarians in handling the needs of their clients in a more efficient time. This is primarily because of the fact that e-technology makes a more organized library that would help well in referencing and literary organizing systems. Moreover, the possible integration of the old and new systems of library handling actually gives a higher level of competency in the said system thus making the process more effective for the sake of social progress as well. It could be observed that most people are now concerned with technological systems. In terms of library professional approach, it could be noted that the application of information technology also increases the competency of the said profession. The presentation of the author with regards this truth actually makes the matter more understandable and clear for others to comprehend with and thus make use of the information for actual application within the said profession. Overall, the discussion held by the writer of this book is considerably excellent in presenting the cons and pros of the said system of library approach. Reference: Priscilla K. Shontz. (2007). A Day in the Life: Career Options in Library and Information Science. Libraries Unlimited . Career Profiles. The Princeton Review. A Day in the Life. http://www.princetonreview.com/cte/profiles/dayInLife.asp?careerID=87. February 25, 2008. librarian.net: putting the rarin back in librarian since 1999. A Day in the Life. http://www.librarian.net/stax/1511/a-day-in-the-life/. (February 25, 2008).            

Zuckerberg Global Health Kick Starter Fund Coursework

Zuckerberg Global Health Kick Starter Fund - Coursework Example Zuckerberg global health plan will thus be in a position to support such families by providing funds that will help the families and the affected children to acquire basic needs in addition to constructing of good shelter (Garrett, 2007).   Zuckerberg emergencies plan can also be of great assistance to families affected by disasters, for example, the missing Malaysian Airline which has attracted the world attention. Based on the home fires and bushfires experienced in the US, Zuckerberg plan will be of great assistance to US residents to deal with the fires that have caused a significant impact on the US GDP. By partnering with an organization such as CARE, PIH, and US-based NGOs; Zuckerberg plan will be in a better position to provide emergency preparedness and prevention (Buchanan, 2000). This should be done by employing technological approaches during the training of the communities as well as the provision of incentives to an individual or corporate donors.

Evidence base practice Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Evidence base practice - Assignment Example RAM was of was advanced by one Callista Roy, back in 1976 (Clarke, Barone, Hanna and Senesac 2012). Roy’s major aim while developing the model was to promote adaptation in the nursing practice. The model’s development was influenced by various factors like; education, clinical experience, family, religious background, and education (Weiss, Hastings, Holly and Craig 2012). It seeks to address the following issues; According to Roy, adaptation happens whenever individuals respond positively to environmental changes. The model comprises four major components of individual, Nursing, Health and Environment (Weiss et al. 2012). The model notes that an individual is a bio-psycho-social being that constantly interacts with an ever changing surrounding. It considers people as individuals or in groups like families, organizations and the society as a whole (Clarke et al. 2012). It suggests that health is both a status and a procedure of being complete. Health and sickness are considered unavoidable areas of an individual’s life. RAM remains the best fit for the nursing practice because it gives practical suggestions concerning the nursing practice and process. It supposes that for individuals to respond well to changes in the surrounding, they have to adapt. Such adaptation depends on the stimulus the person is exposed to and his/ her extent of adaptation (Smith 2013). The individual also has four adaptation means, namely; physiologic necessities, self-notion, role purpose as well as interdependence. In conclusion, RAM is still the best fit for the nursing practice because it gives practical suggestions concerning the nursing practice and process. It suggests that all through the nursing process, every nurse, and all healthcare professionals should make adaptations to the nursing care plan. All this is done on the basis of the patient’s health

Education Pendulum Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Education Pendulum - Assignment Example From the report it is clear that education has been going back and forth over years, and this is because we have been trying to improve the education style. The pendulum swing occurs due to the reason that, whenever we are trying to improve education, hence we set some procedures but unfortunately we left the objectives pending. The suspension of the predetermined goals are like rolling the ball up the hill and later living it rolling back before we get the ball at the apex of the hill. This trend of leaving the ball to roll back to the bottom of the hill has been going on in the education system. Hence, the education system has been swing just like the pendulum ball. As the study highlights around 40 years ago, most parts of the world preferred the use of television as a learning tool. Most education movies were introduced; hence everyone was swing from teacher system to television learning system. Television was viewed as means of taking students globally to watch the realistic shows such as; kissing Queen Isabella goodbye. Moreover, the television was more efficient compared to the certified teacher because it was simple to replay what the students had not understood. The television was not emotional as compared to teacher hence it was friendly and fair to students. Educational pendulum exists due to the vicious cycles in the society. The society undergoes long-term cycles. Vicious cycles in the society undergo changes which eventually go back to the initial starting point. Same as the education system cycles exist bringing about the education pendulum.

The Hold as Management Tool Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 23750 words

The Hold as Management Tool - Essay Example From this discussion it is clear that  the benefits and disadvantages of the control are also understood through various literature to draw a conclusion. Finally the Paper also makes some recommendations to operate the Control or hold to a possible extent to practice an effective management in the form of Internal control Order and covers the scope and implementation methods in real life.   This study highlights that the work practices of any organization involve certain rules and regulations to be followed by every employee of the company to maintain the standards of organization to give out the best quality of the productivity. These implications involve hold or control to variable extent depending on the needs of the organization and the past experiences and management philosophy towards the employee. The traditional work practices involve highly bureaucratic methods of work adoption, which slowly turned to mechanistic, and modernistic evolution. Still the practice of degree o f hold depends on the utilization of its ethical practices by its managers or leaders. The history reflects the impact of the Control or Hold on the employees in a clear way, so that industry should observe more profitable and productive ways of dealing with employee management. Workplace harassments and bullies create a tremendous liability for the employer by causing stress-related health and safety problems, and driving good employees out of the organization.  ... Finally the Paper also makes some recommendations to operate the Control or hold to a possible extent to practice an effective management in the form of Internal control Order and covers the scope and implementation methods in real life. 2. Introduction Aim: The aim of the paper is to understand the practice of Hold as Management tool to maintain an effective organization. Scope: The paper examines the concept of Power under different organizational design concepts like, leadership practices, Control, Power, authority, delegation and discipline at work site. Objectives of the Report: The paper observes to identify itself with the following objectives: To closely observe the detail characteristics of an effective control system; To explain the nature of power and management control, and review perspectives of organisational power; To explore the process of delegation, and detail a planned and systematic approach to delegation; To examine the concept and importance of Power and Authority; To draw a conclusion on the impact of Hold To make recommendations to effective management system. 3. Main Body of the Report Problem: The work practices of any organization involve certain rules and regulations to be followed by every employee of the company to maintain the standards of organization to give out the best quality of the productivity. These implications involve hold or control to variable extent depending on the needs of the organization and the past experiences and management philosophy towards the employee. The traditional work practices involve highly bureaucratic methods of work adoption, which slowly turned to mechanistic, and modernistic evolution. Still the practice of

The Safety of Recovery Personnel and Rescue Workers Essay

The Safety of Recovery Personnel and Rescue Workers - Essay Example Such feedbacks must be forwarded and processed by the appropriate supervisors and personnel who are in charge of monitoring end results (SLAC 2009). A worksite analysis must be done and should be the preliminary step in determining what jobs and workstations are the impending sources of the problems. In the worksite analysis, exposures, problem tasks, and risks are evaluated and identified (Herman et al 1998). A valuable worksite analysis is comprised of all the jobs and work activities needed in the whole operation. As an industrial hygienist, I would personally recommend adequate inspection, research, and examination on how a certain physical or chemical hazard at the job site can affect the workers’ health before actually letting them enter the work zone; since this is part and parcel of the worksite analysis phase. The result of which will be given appropriate remedial or corrective action (Herman et al 1998). The recognition and control of hazards is relative to the utilization of environmental monitoring and methodical appraisal of hazards in order to detect the range of risks they pose that pertains to the employment of engineering and work practice controls along with other methods to contain any potential hazards, which workers may be exposed to (Herman et al 1998). The appraisal and identification of work hazards including traumas and tensions which are grounds for sickness, impaired health and creates a certain degree of discomfort to workers by way of having contact with chemicals, physical, ergonomic and biological factors is done essentially to recognize said potential conditions and eradicate or manage them through the application of any suitable corrective measures (Herman et al 1998). To decrease the adverse health hazards which employees or workers are exposed to, engineering controls must be modified and put into operation.

What were the major characteristics of the urban culture that Essay

What were the major characteristics of the urban culture that developed in late nineteenth-century America - Essay Example Earlier, in the ages of slavery and racial isolation, diversity was far away from the limelight of urban cultural life. But the urban cultural scenario in the late nineteenth-century inculcated diversity to its core by showing acceptance without considering one’s culture, ethnicity, race, color and gender. Besides, diversity is the base of the urban culture of America. The African Americans, people from different parts of Asia makes the American society more diverse. The urban culture that developed in late nineteenth-century America helped the society to be well prepared for further development in following centuries. Another important characteristic of the urban culture that developed in late nineteenth-century America was ward politics or importance gained by local politics in national political scenario. As the urban society was more diverse, ward politics helped the diverse population to gain representation in national politics. Besides, restrictions upon voting franchise, like qualification on property and tax were lifted. This helped the people to participate in local, state and national levels without any pressure from the side of major political parties. Popular culture of simply ‘pop culture’ is one of the major characteristics of the urban culture that developed in late nineteenth-century America. Popular culture originated in 19th century and developed in 20th century. The urban culture in the 19th century provided enough space for popular culture to express emotion, views, ideas and perspectives of lower class people. Still, popular culture deeply influences urban culture in America. Summing, the unique characteristics of urban culture in late nineteenth-century America added a lot to its development in following centuries. The racial, lingual and cultural diversity in the urban culture was helpful to inculcate innovation to the core of American society. Besides, ward politics in local

Good Deeds by Tyler Perry Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Good Deeds by Tyler Perry - Movie Review Example He has been pulled over in many instances by the police found driving under influence of alcohol. In the afternoon, he and his brother meets their mother, Wilimena (Phylicia Rashad) over lunch at a local restaurant to sort out family issues, she is not happy with what Walter is turning out to. The marriage arrangements continue with the mother heading to meet her daughter in law at a bridal shop, Wilimena suggestively asks Natalie to act as a bride already, by planning with her husband for future family size. However, things do not go as planned since Wesley and Natalie are not compatible, he is not happy in the union. The story is believable in some instances as there are cases of influential members of the society who despite their achievements, look into other areas for emotional fulfillment. Wesley is engaged to Natalie, who is just another symbol of their family business as she focuses on driving him to higher success levels, pushed on by their parents. Lindsay (Thandie Newton), a struggling single parent living in deplorable parts of the town, comes in to give Wesley a new experience. She is a janitor at Wesley’s corporation who heads home to find that her door will be locked by the landlord if she does not pay her rent soon. As she goes to her workplace to pick her cheque so she settles the bill, a confrontation with her boss over parking space gives her an opportunity to meet her boss over dinner a few days later, when he opted to quell their past differences over a meal (Baumgarten, 2012). In realistic terms, it is difficult to find a business executive sincerely dedicating part of his busy schedule to for less fortunate people unless it is a public relations gimmick. During this time, Wesley is introduced to the other side of life when he learns that Lindsay and her daughter Ariel (Jordenn Thompson) have nowhere to go after eviction from their rented house. She lives in area where families are torn, living in deplorable conditions. He gets emot ional when empathizing with the family for the state they are in; this created a bond between them. He helps Lindsay get back on her feet by renting for her and her daughter an apartment. This quality depicts Wesley as a family man who takes his time to listen to the less fortunate members of the community, and decides, within his ability to help out. A union that threatens his marriage gradually develops as he learns more about this interesting family. He and Natalie then realise they cannot make their marriage work and should stop pleasing their parents by calling it quits. In realistic instances, chances of a business executive marrying a janitor is almost negligent, the rich tends to associate at their level, and marry at family interests. It goes to extreme levels when Wesley, with his stature and business commitments, resigns from family business and places it under a new chief executive to travel abroad and live a low key life. Compassion and care is a central theme, Wesley, despite his brother’s frequent misbehavior, goes ahead to make sure he lives a fulfilling life. The family did not throw Walter to the dungeons due to his excessive drinking. He picks him daily as he heads to work; this is despite his tight schedule. He also recognizes him as an integral part of his family unit; this is seen in the way he is invited in family discussions and they intervene by advising him to change his ways. Wilimena urges him at a family lunch

Progeria Essay Example for Free

Progeria Essay As much as i love to learn about commonly known dieseases in class one diesease that striked me as i was watching a tv show last year was progeria. Progeria is derived from the Greek work meaning prematurely old. Jonathan Hutchinson and Hastings Gilford discovered the syndrome in 1886. The name Hutchinson Gilford progeria syndrome existed because of this. doctors have discovered a single gene mutation responsible for Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome. The gene is called lamin A this is the protein necessary for holding the center of a cell together. Researchers believe the genetic mutation enables the cell to be unstable, which appears to lead to progerias characteristic aging process. As newborns with progeria it usually appear normal but as times progess the cchildrens growth ceases and they start developing characteristics of the eldelry. A study from the Netherlands has shows that 1 in 4 million births (within the Netherlands) are diagnoesed with progeria Currently, there are 80 known cases in the world. Approximately 140 cases have been reported in medical history. Classical Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome is usually caused by a odd mutation taking place during the early stages of embryo development. It is almost never passed on from affected parent to child, as affected children rarely live long enough to have children themselves. Theres no cure for progeria Regular monitoring for cardiovascular disease may help with managing your childs condition. Some children undergo coronary artery bypass surgery or dilation of cardiac arteries to slow the progression of cardiovascular disease. Drugs known as FTIs, which were developed for treating cancer, have shown hope in laboratory studies in correcting the cell defects that cause progeria. FTIs are currently are being studied in human clinical trials for treatment of progeria. interstingly Children affected with progeria age rapidly – about 7 to 10 times faster than normal which means their looks and physiology resemble a 70- to 80-year-old person, but they keep a dwarfish child-like body. Death usually occurs between the ages of 12 and 14 years. This generally happens as a result of cardiovascular deterioration, which includes things atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure. Typically doctors will not find the following features usually dealing with aging Tumors, Cataracts, Hearing Loss, Diabetes. The outcome is very poor and that is because death always occurs in cases of Progeria. There is currently no cure for this mortal disease and the only treatment is to simply deal with the reducing the complications that come up such as the cardiovascular deterioration. The earliest influences of progeria on popular culture occurred in the 1922 short story The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald (and later released as a feature film in 2008). The main character, Benjamin Button, is born as a seventy-year-old man and ages backwards; it has been suggested that this was inspired by progeria. Also Charles Dickens may have described a case of progeria in the family of Smallweed of Bleak House, specifically in the grandfather and his grandchildren Judy and twin brother Bart. A Bollywood movie Paa was made about the condition and in it the lead character (Amitabh Bachchan) played an 11-year-old child affected by progeria. The movie Renaissance deals with progeria. In episode sixteen of the first season of the television show The X-Files, the corrupt doctor had experimented on children with Progeria. In the 4 book series Otherland by Tad Williams one of the main characters suffers from progeria. in 1978 book When Bad Things Happen to Good People, which explores God and the problem of evil, was written in response to his 14 year old sons death by progeria. Amd lastly South African artist/hip hop artist Leon Botha was one of the oldest known Progeria sufferers, surviving to the age of 26 before his death in June 2011 in conclusion progeria is a diesease that has effected many and kiled many children altering their life immensly. the fact that there is no cure for this diesease is some what a hard truth for patients with this diesease. socially also many progeria patients are not accepted because of their physical abnormalities and disfigures. Never the less exstensive research has been sought out in order to cure and treat progeria.

Cross Cultural Communication: Case Study of IKEA

Cross Cultural Communication: Case Study of IKEA 1: Introduction Management Communication is considered as the critical element in the overall performance of an organization internally, externally and in the corporate world of stock market and public image as argued by Gerry Johnson and Kevan Scholes (2003)[1]. This is naturally because of the fact that the elements associated with the communication not only strive to communicate the management intentions to the audience but also to win their support in order to effectively improve the organization’s performance thus gaining competitive advantage in the target market. The management communication is also treated as the overall element that comprises of the marketing communication, shareholder communication, supplier relationship management and above all establishing corporate identity in the real world as argued by Richard Lynch (2003)[2]. In this report a critical analysis on the cross-cultural communication and the role played by management in terms of effectively achieving the cross-cult ural communication strategy to increase performance is presented to the reader. Examples from the success of IKEA – the leading furniture and household retailer from Sweden in China are presented to the reader. The analysis strives to provide evidence to justify the importance of management communication in the cross-cultural scenario to the reader. The research first presents an overview on the cross-cultural communication describing the critical elements that influence and contribute for successful cross-cultural communication. Then an analysis on the cross-cultural communication in the light of the Chinese market is presented to the reader. This section presents the application and nuances specific to the Chinese markets. This is followed by an insight on the application of the concepts discussed in the light of the IKEA and its performance in China as the research focus is on the cross-cultural communication in china. Finally the research will conclude with a brief summary on the overall importance of cross-cultural communication and its role in the chosen geography and company. 2: Cross-Cultural Communication Geng Cui et al (1998)[3] argue that in a cross-cultural communication situation, the management not only faces the challenge of effectively communicating to the audience but also to ensure that the audience’ reciprocation is supportive to the organization. In order to ensure that the cross-cultural communication by the management achieves the goals of the organization, Geng Cui et al (1998) identify the following as the key ingredients for the communication. Social Interaction is one of the major elements that can influence the overall performance of an organization in the given target geography as argued by Geng Cui et al (1998). This is not only because of the fact that the increase in the visibility of organization to the target audience will create the familiarity but also increase the overall acceptance of the organization by the people in the target geography. Frances Brassington and Stephen Pettit (2003)[4] further argue that the communication element is the critical factor that influences the overall effectiveness of the organization in the target market. In the light of the aforementioned, the social interaction effectiveness of the management will increase the visibility to the target audience thus communicating a positive image on the organization’s position towards the society in which it is intending to perform business. Another interesting element with the social interaction is the fact that an organization trying to gain market share in a new geography requires the efforts of the senior management to push the presence of the organization as a positive element in the overall business of the economy in the target geography as argued by Gerry Johnson and Kevan Scholes (2003). Hence from a strategic perspective, it is essential for the social interaction to create a positive image about the organization to increase its presence in the market as a potential competitor. Another interesting element with the social interaction and the management communication is the fact that it involves the people associated with the communication and the social interaction demands face-to-face conversation thus making it clear, a positive approach from the organization to present itself as potential new entrant in the market will strengthen its corporate identity. The social interaction also provides the opportunity for the organization to appreciate the self-esteem and other subtle elements of the people in the target market that will help forge better stakeholder relationship as argued by A.M.M. Rad and M. Yarmohammadian (2006)[5]. Cultural Empathy is described as one of the major critical success factors for an organization to gain visibility in a new target market as argued by Miranda Y.P. Lee and Daniel W.C. So (2007)[6]. The apparent reason for this is the fact that an understanding of the culture of the target market’s culture and the big-picture of the target geography itself, the new-entrant organization can efficiently identify the potential customers in the target market. This process is further justified as the key to successfully forging the stakeholder relationship in case of managing projects involving the change and development of an organization in new target demography. Whilst social interaction is considered as a corporate identity element, cultural empathy is considered as both a critical success factor to devising the product lines for the target market as well as communicating to the customers in the target market as argued by Miranda Y.P. Lee and Daniel W.C. So (2007). Another interesting element associated with the cultural empathy and the cross-cultural communication is the fact that the parent organization being a new entrant to the target market, it is critical to appeal to the target audience’ (customer, suppliers and stakeholders alike) cultural background to justify their contribution to the development of the society in terms of the business development strategies of the organization itself. This is argued as one of the succ essful as well as complex strategies as argued by Richard Lynch (2003) since the entering organization faces the challenge of winning the customers to their organization’s benefit. Alongside, it is also essential for the understanding of the cultural factors associated with the target market for a new entrant in the market because of the natural tendency of the customer to rely on the seller who can understand the needs of the customer (Richard Lynch, 2003). In order to accomplish this strategy, it is thus essential to understand the customer requirements from a customer perspective, which apparently demands the understanding of the cultural factors associated with the target market. Ethnic Communication is a term that has gained popularity with the increasing success of the deployment of appealing to the ethnic factors associated with the target geography as argued by Guilherme Pires and John Stanton (2000)[7]. The subtle difference between the cultural empathy and the ethnic communication is the fact that the cultural empathy provides information and educates the organization to address the target market whilst the ethnic communication is the actual strategy put in action to reach the customers in the target market. In addition, the increasing competition due to globalisation and the threat of new entrants from competing organizations entering the chosen target market justifies the need to create a long-lasting impression among the customers about the products and services of the organization. The ethnic communication strategy is considered as the successful element to increase the visibility of the organization in the chosen target demography and the target ma rket. Alongside, Geng Cui et al (1998) argue ethnic communication as an acceptable strategy for an organization’s effectiveness in designing its communication plan in order to reach its audience in the new geography. The audience mentioned include, the customers, shareholders, supplier and the general public to whom the management communicates on a day-to-day basis. This makes it clear that the ethnic communication element is a critical success factor for the overall effectiveness of the organization. Also, it is important to understand that the cross-cultural communication is not a unidirectional process and must involve the overall interaction of the target audience and the organization that is establishing itself in the target new geography as argued by Geng Cui et al (1998). This makes it clear that the interaction is one of the critical elements that is achieved through the ethnic communication that helps create a positive image for the organization among the target audience. Local Knowledge Local knowledge is commended as a critical success factor for an organization that is trading in different geographical locations across the world as argued by Thomas Brenner (2007)[8]. Thomas Brenner (2007) further argues that the local knowledge is predominantly gained through the continuous social interaction with the target audience mainly because of the fact that the tangible knowledge value is not gained from a mere understanding of the culture behind the target audience. In the case researched in this report, the tangible knowledge on the target geography (i.e.) China is a critical element and understanding of the culture through public resources is not ample for efficient trading in China as argued by Peter Williamson and Ming Zeng (2004)[9]. They further argue that multinational organizations entering China for trading face four fundamental handicaps in building competitive advantage in the chosen target market of China. These are Poor supporting infrastructure that often prevents an organization from utilizing its advantage in the new target market in terms of management effectiveness, technological advances, etc., Supply chain management also faces a critical issue in the Chinese market mainly because of the poor infrastructure and managerial effectiveness along with the inherent disadvantage of communication gap due to lack of local knowledge. The inability to reap the economies of scale and lack of flexibility to spread the higher fixed costs imposed through the need to integrate operations in China. Finally the organizations face the early development stages in most of the Chinese markets thus making market penetration with high-end goods unsuccessful. From the above mentioned constraints it is clear that the cross-cultural communication can not only provide advantage through local knowledge but also bridge the communication gap thus allowing the organization to strategically position itself in the target markets and identify the market development stage to introduce innovative product lines as argued by Peter Williamson and Ming Zeng (2004). Communication Competence Peter Williamson and Ming Zeng (2004) argue that the communication competence is a critical element in the overall success of the organization in a new target market because of the fact that the cross-cultural communication factors like social interaction, ethnic communication, cultural empathy and local knowledge are demonstrated in the communication competence of the organization. This makes it clear that the senior management representing the organization in a new geography must be able to communicate effectively in the local language embracing the aforementioned in order to gain competitive advantage. This also makes it clear that the communication competence in the cross- cultural communication strategy of a management is the final element that represents the overall strategy in action. Hence it is essential for the organization to ensure that their management staffs facing key audience in the new target market are competent in the local language thus ensuring strong relationshi p with the customers, suppliers, stakeholders and the general public. Peter Williamson and Ming Zeng (2004) further argue that the major disadvantage for an organization entering China is the lack of the knowledge on the local language that is necessary for competence in communication for negotiation and sales. Thus it is clear the communication competence is the primary element that supports the overall strength of the strategy thus leveraging competitive advantage for the organization. Finally, it is interesting to note that the Chinese market for the furniture market is not only developing but also increasing in demand with the increasing awareness among the customers in the target market on the fashion and trends in the west as argued by Ann Priest (2005)[10]. The company that is under analysis (i.e.) IKEA – is one of the leading conglomerates in the retail of flat packed furniture and house wares (Company Profile, 2006[11]). A detailed analysis on the company’s performance in China and the role of cross – cultural communication is presented in section of the report. 3: Measures of Success Management communication is argued as the critical strategic element for the effective performance of an organization in the chosen area of business (Gerry Johnson and Kevan Scholes, 2003). The role of cross – cultural communication in an organization’s success are focused on three critical segments of audience in the target market as argued by Miranda Y.P. Lee and Daniel W.C. So (2007). They are customers, supplier and stakeholders of the senior management. The application of cross- cultural communication for the abovementioned three audience groups in the Chinese markets is presented to the reader. 3.1: Customers The customer is the ultimate audience to an organization due to the obvious reason that the purchasing from the customers is the driving element for the overall business as argued by Richard Lynch (2003). In the Chinese market, the demand from the customers depend mainly on the costs (i.e.) the pricing strategy of the organization and the ability of a seller to produce innovative products reflecting the Chinese culture as argued by Miranda Y.P. Lee and Daniel W.C. So (2007). This is apparently because of the fact that the Chinese markets are still in the development phase and hence the sales of high-end products in the retail shop floor is not a successful strategy as argued by Xueming Luo et al (2004)[12]. Hence effective marketing communication is a critical element in the successful promotion of the product lines of a new entrant in the target market. From a strategic perspective, the marketing communication is the key for the effective promotion and strong positioning of the product lines in the target market as argued by Philip Kotler and Kevin Lane Keller (2005)[13]. The marketing mix which is argued, as the critical element in the overall promotion of the products and services to an organization is the key area where cross – cultural communication approach must be applied to reach the customer effectively as argued by Xueming Luo et al (2004). Xueming Luo et al (2004) further justify that the efficient application of the 4Ps of marketing along with the application of the cross – cultural communication strategy to ensure that the marketing communication appeals to the target market’s culture as well as reflects upon the product innovation to meet the demands of the customers is the key for devising a successful marketing promotion plan for a product line. From the above-mentioned it is clear that the traditional marketing strategies are applicable to a given target market but the ingredient of the cross – cultural communication that bridges the communication gap between the customers and the new entrant seller in the market is the key for increasing sales and productivity in the target market. Alongside, it is also interesting to note that the effectiveness of the marketing communication is only through the understanding of the cultural factors and the local knowledge of the target demography as argued by Philip Kotler and Kevin Lane Keller (2005). Alongside, the marketing communication takes different forms right from the face-to-face interaction with the customer at the shop floor up to advertisement through media as argued by Frances Brassington and Stephen Pettit (2003). This makes it clear that the cross –cultural communication effectives is the critical element for the overall success of the marketing strategy itself in an organization. Besides, the marketing communication targeted towards developing markets where the market development is in its early stages in most areas, the success of a new entrant is dependant upon the communication factor as argued by Gerry Johnson and Kevan Scholes (2003). 3.2: Suppliers Suppliers in the Chinese market are not only an essential element for continued production and promotion of products but also essential for the effective cost reduction and production profit management strategies as argued by Xueming Luo et al (2004). This is because of the fact that the increasing competition in the Chinese retail markets both from the domestic competitors as well as the new entrants from the west, has increased the need for cost efficient supply chain strategies to ensure that there is better profit margin for the organization. Alongside, the increasing demand for innovative product lines and the continuous requirement to procure new raw materials as well as reduce the lead time associated with the procurement, production and supply; it is thus essential to maintain effective supplier relationship. The bargaining power of the supplier which is one of the five forces that affect the business growth in a given target market (Gerry Johnson and Kevan Scholes, 2003) is evident in the aforementioned case where the need to forge strong supplier relationship with domestic suppliers in China is a critical element for continuous growth of an organization. The cross – cultural communication in terms of the fluency in host language (i.e.) Chinese and the ability to understand the business process methods of the suppliers to ensure strong relationship are critical success factors for the overall success of the organization itself. Alongside, Malcolm J. Sanders (1997)[14] argues that the reduction in the supply chain delays and ensuring strong supplier relationship is the key for effective management of the production in an organization. Thus through exercising effective control over the supply chain, an organization can quickly respond to a change in the market demands. This will eventually increase the productivity and sales for the organization. In the light of the aforementioned, it is clear that the conversation skills of the management as well as the key supply chain staff is essential for the effective management of supply chain in the Chinese retail markets as argued by Xueming Luo et al (2004). 3.3: Stakeholder management Xueming Luo et al (2004) say that the strategic positioning of an organization in the Chinese markets requires the continuous support of the stakeholders in the local geography. This is because of the fact that partnership or partial acquisition is deemed as one of the successful strategies in the market development strategy of an organization entering a new market as argued by Gerry Johnson and Kevan Scholes (2003). Hence the efficient communication with the stakeholders through fluency in the local language and understanding of the cultural demands are the critical elements to ensure their continuous support. In the light of the aforementioned it is thus clear the cross – cultural communication is a critical element to win the audience’ support for the continuous business development and sustainable competitive advantage in the Chinese retail markets. 3.4: Human Resource Management   The management of the workforce and strong working relationship with the staff members and management are argued as critical success factors by Derek Torrington and Laura Hall (2003)[15]. In the light of the aforementioned, addressing the Chinese retail market, it is clear that local workforce is one of the critical elements to reduce the cost overhead associated with staffing for a new entrant. Gerry Johnson and Kevan Scholes (2003) further argue that the streamlined communication between the management and the staff is the critical element for increasing the productivity of the organization. This makes it clear that the cross – cultural communication is necessary in the form of fluency in local knowledge and understanding of the working culture of the Chinese labour market in order to increase the sales and gain sustainable competitive advantage. Alongside, the labourers being part of the overall general public, the strong human resource relationship demonstrated by the mana gement will forge a positive corporate identity for the new entrant in the Chinese markets. 4: IKEA and China Briefly, IKEA entered the furniture retail market of China in 2003 by establishing the first store at Shangai, China (Company Profile, 2006). This was followed by further development of the business into other popular geographies of China including Beijing and Hong Kong. In this section the use of the cross – cultural communication discussed in sections 2 and 3 by IKEA is presented to the reader. 4.1: Customer Relationship The company’s strategy in utilising the services of one of the leading Chinese advertising agencies Saatchi Saatchi Beijing as well as other advertising agencies in the local geographies of china has increased its ability to reach the customers in the target market effectively (Media Asia, 2006[16]). Alongside, the company’s adherence to the understanding of the host culture through providing innovative product lines that appeal to the customer demands as well as the culture of the target demography is one of the critical success factors in establishing strong customer relationship. Another interesting element is the focus on the wider geography as well as specifically targeting the Western residents in the target markets (Company Profile, 2006) demonstrates the effective use of the cross-cultural communication strategy in marketing to forge strong customer relationship. The success of IKEA as the top loyalty brand in Hong Kong (Media Asia, 2006[17]) justifies the role played by the cross-cultural communication by the management to increase sales. 4.2: Supplier Relationship The procurement strategy of IKEA in the Chinese market is mainly through encouraging the local channels and small scale industries that produce specific product lines and made to order product lines (Company Profile, 2006). This demonstrates the effective cross-cultural communication by IKEA and its ability to maintain effective supplier relationship to increase productivity. 4.3: Human Resource Management The company utilises the local workforce in all levels of the organization, which is evident from the store manger positions held by the Chinese national in Shangai. The concept of cross-cultural communication and appealing to the staff culture apart from the traditional methods of human resource management is evident from the aforementioned. Alongside, the effective management of the human resource is also evident from the company’s rewarding strategy that is not only intended to motivate the staff but also introduce the overall organizational culture among the staff members in the Chinese branches. This approach motivates the staff members and is successful because of the local knowledge exercised by the organization. Alongside, the key measures in terms of management and staff relationship were queried with IKEA’s sales team in the UK. The results prove that the sales staff shop floor have the following key skills irrespective of the geography they are deployed. Understanding host culture Participate to resolve the host social issues Have friendly relationship with the host In the Chinese retail market, the aforementioned are demonstrated as follows The advertising and promotion strategy of the organization using the services of the local advertising agencies to appeal to the cultural factors of the demography justifies the understanding of the host culture by IKEA, China The organization’s innovation strategies like its contribution to the space problems in the Hong Kong target market (Lee Michele, 2002[18]) are a classical example for the organization’s ability to participate and resolve the host social issues. The company’s top score in the brand loyalty and customer loyalty in the Hong Kong and Beijing markets justifies its ability to forge friendly relationship with the host. 5: Conclusion Thus to conclude the research it is clear that the cross – cultural communication effectiveness is a mandatory element in the success of an organization in a new geographical location. The increase in the globalisation and the need for business development have increased the need to reach Far Eastern nations for potential markets which justifies the need for efficient cross – cultural communication. The analysis on IKEA further justifies that only through the effective cross – cultural communication it is justifiable for an organization to develop business and sustain growth in the target market. References A.M.M. Rad and M. Yarmohammadian (2006), A study of relationship between managers’ leadership style and employees’ job satisfaction, Leadership in Health Services Vol. 19 No. 2, 2006 Ann Priest (2005), Uniformity and differentiation in fashion, International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology Vol. 17 No. 3/4, 2005 Company Profile, (2006), IKEA Group, Datamonitor Derek Torrington and Laura Hall (2003), Personnel Management – HRM in Action, FT: Prentice Hall Frances Brassington and Stephen Pettit (2003), Principles of Marketing, FT: Prentice Hall Geng Cui et al (1998), Cross – Cultural Adaptation and Ethnic Communication: Two Structural Equation Models, Howard Journal of Communication, 9:1, 69-85 Gerry Johnson and Kevan Gerry Johnson and Kevan Scholes (2003) (2003), Exploring Corporate Strategy – Texts and Cases, Prentice Hall Guilherme Pires and John Stanton (2000), Marketing services to ethnic consumers in culturally diverse markets: issues and implications, Journal of Services Marketing, 2000, Vol. 14 Issue 6/7 Lee Michele (2002), Ikea plays up space solutions in HK burst, Media Asia, 10/4/2002, p4 Malcolm J. Saunders (1997), Strategic Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, Financial Times – Prentice Hall Miranda Y.P. Lee and Daniel W.C. So (2007), Corporate-slogans of corporations operating in Greater China, Corporate Communications: An International Journal Vol. 12 No. 1, 2007 News Article (2006), IKEA plays up more in mega stores opening, Media Asia, 15621138, 4/7/2006: Business Source Premier News Article, IKEA tops loyalty brand survey in Hong Kong, Media Asia; 10/6/2006, p11-11 Peter Williamson and Ming Zeng (2004), Strategies for Competing in a Changed China, MIT Sloan Management Review, Summer2004, Vol. 45 Issue 4 Philip Kotler and Kevin Lane Keller (2005), Marketing Management – 12th Edition, Prentice Hall Richard Lynch (2003), Corporate Strategy, FT: Prentice Hall Thomas Brenner (2007), Local Knowledge Resources and Knowledge Flows, Industry Innovation, Jun2007, Vol. 14 Issue 2 Xueming Luo et al (2004), The Effects of Customer Relationships and Social Capital on Firm Performance: A Chinese Business Illustration, Journal of International Marketing, 2004, Vol.12 Issue 4 Footnotes [1] Gerry Johnson and Kevan Gerry Johnson and Kevan Scholes (2003) (2003), Exploring Corporate Strategy – Texts and Cases, Prentice Hall [2] Richard Lynch (2003), Corporate Strategy, FT: Prentice Hall [3] Geng Cui et al (1998), Cross – Cultural Adaptation and Ethnic Communication: Two Structural Equation Models, Howard Journal of Communication, 9:1, 69-85 [4] Frances Brassington and Stephen Pettit (2003), Principles of Marketing, FT: Prentice Hall [5] A.M.M. Rad and M. Yarmohammadian (2006), A study of relationship between managers’ leadership style and employees’ job satisfaction, Leadership in Health Services Vol. 19 No. 2, 2006 [6] Miranda Y.P. Lee and Daniel W.C. So (2007), Corporate-slogans of corporations operating in Greater China, Corporate Communications: An International Journal Vol. 12 No. 1, 2007 [7] Guilherme Pires and John Stanton (2000), Marketing services to ethnic consumers in culturally diverse markets: issues and implications, Journal of Services Marketing, 2000, Vol. 14 Issue 6/7 [8] Thomas Brenner (2007), Local Knowledge Resources and Knowledge Flows, Industry Innovation, Jun2007, Vol. 14 Issue 2 [9] Peter Williamson and Ming Zeng (2004), Strategies for Competing in a Changed China, MIT Sloan Management Review, Summer2004, Vol. 45 Issue 4 [10] Ann Priest (2005), Uniformity and differentiation in fashion, International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology Vol. 17 No. 3/4, 2005 [11] Company Profile, (2006), IKEA Group, Datamonitor [12] Xueming Luo et al (2004), The Effects of Customer Relationships and Social Capital on Firm Performance: A Chinese Business Illustration, Journal of International Marketing, 2004, Vol.12 Issue 4 [13] Philip Kotler and Kevin Lane Keller (2005), Marketing Management – 12th Edition, Prentice Hall [14] Malcolm J. Saunders (1997), Strategic Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, Financial Times – Prentice Hall [15] Derek Torrington and Laura Hall (2003), Personnel Management – HRM in Action, FT: Prentice Hall [16] News Article (2006), IKEA plays up more in mega stores opening, Media Asia, 15621138, 4/7/2006: Business Source Premier [17] News Article, IKEA tops loyalty brand survey in Hong Kong, Media Asia; 10/6/2006, p11-11 [18] Lee Michele (2002), Ikea plays up space solutions in HK burst, Media Asia, 10/4/2002

The La Jolla Project :: Architecture Architectural History Essays

The La Jolla Project The presence of the past is everywhere. One does not have to look very far to realize that the past has quite an influence on the present. In fact, there are a few examples of modern works of art at the University of California, San Diego, that bring to mind architectural works of the past. One such example is the La jolla Project, which is a collection of stone blocks on top of a hill on the Revelle College lawn south of Galbraith Hall. The isolated groups of blocks refer to architectural elements such as columns, posts, lintels, windows, and doors; but the collection, as a whole, resembles a modern reconstruction of Stonehenge. The La Jolla Project and Stonehenge differ from each other in many ways, but they also share some striking silmilarities that are constant reminders that the past is very much a part of modern life. The La Jolla Project is the third work in the Stuart Collection, which is a group of site-specific sculptural works at the University of California, San Diego. The La Jolla Project was installed by Richard Fleischner and was completed in 1984. The Project consists of 71 blocks of pink and gray granite (Stuart Collection 5). All the blocks are rectangular in shape and range from about 3 to 15 feet in length. The stones were quarried in New England and cut near Providence, Rhode Island, where the artist lives (Stuart Collection 6). Unlike the La Jolla Project, Stonehenge was probably not an abstract sculptural installation made of polished granite blocks. Stonehenge was built starting in 3100 B.C.E.(Encyclopedia Brittanica 287). The builders used mostly sarsen, a gray sandstone. Bluestones, or blocks of bluish dolerite, were also used. The number of stones used is unknown because the present structure of Stonehenge is the product of at least four major building phases. The stones have endured many centuries of rough weather and erosion. Stonehenge is located on Salisbury Plain in Southern England. Although it is not the largest henge (circle of stones) of the Neolithic Period, it is a remarkable site because it is one of the most complicated megalithic sites. Stonehenge was repeatedly reworked from 3100 to 1500 B.C.E. (Encyclopedia Brittanica 287). Each new major building phase added new elements to the site. The present-day arrangement at Stonehenge is the result of the last building phase which ended nearly 3,500 years ago.

Cloning Essay -- essays research papers fc

Cloning   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cloning is an unethical action that should not be tampered with physically in any animal form regardless of what it is. This is a genetically engineered process by humans, in which, perfectly generated genes from someone or something is copied into its own life form to be an exact replica. In the article â€Å"Calves cloned to produce drugs† there are two cows involved with cloning. People should not be tampering with this, but letting God create people and animals the way he has it planned out to be. Not to mention, no two or more life forms should ever be exactly alike with the exact same genes (except for plants who are that way anyhow). With this happening to animals now and evolving toward humans, it could cause some huge problems with our world. It is acceptable for scientists and doctors to study genetic engineering and cloning, but not perform it physically in any kind of life forms.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The news article, â€Å"Calves cloned to produce drugs† in USA Today, is about two genetically engineered and cloned cows that are formed to produce new drugs. This cloning is from two sheep cloned for drugs and evolved into trying it on cows to produce a milk that will sustain blood pressure. As a result, doctors are constantly progressing toward other animals to produce clones for different drugs in order to help our human race. The entire article is geared toward humans and their future with drugs as they live on the earth. &... Cloning Essay -- essays research papers fc Cloning   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cloning is an unethical action that should not be tampered with physically in any animal form regardless of what it is. This is a genetically engineered process by humans, in which, perfectly generated genes from someone or something is copied into its own life form to be an exact replica. In the article â€Å"Calves cloned to produce drugs† there are two cows involved with cloning. People should not be tampering with this, but letting God create people and animals the way he has it planned out to be. Not to mention, no two or more life forms should ever be exactly alike with the exact same genes (except for plants who are that way anyhow). With this happening to animals now and evolving toward humans, it could cause some huge problems with our world. It is acceptable for scientists and doctors to study genetic engineering and cloning, but not perform it physically in any kind of life forms.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The news article, â€Å"Calves cloned to produce drugs† in USA Today, is about two genetically engineered and cloned cows that are formed to produce new drugs. This cloning is from two sheep cloned for drugs and evolved into trying it on cows to produce a milk that will sustain blood pressure. As a result, doctors are constantly progressing toward other animals to produce clones for different drugs in order to help our human race. The entire article is geared toward humans and their future with drugs as they live on the earth. &...

The Powerful Impact of Technology on Education Essay examples -- Techn

The Powerful Impact of Technology on Education Technology has become much more common in the past few years in education. It has also been a blessing to some teachers; giving them more time and helping them find a unique new way to teach their students. Computers can be found in almost every single classroom and children as young as 4 years old have been taught the basic skills on the computer. Funding and new programs for computer teaching have come a long way. In the next few years, hopefully every child will have access to learning all sorts of new concepts on the computer. Several new institutes have arisen that focus on improving technology used for educational purposes. The Institute for Computer Based Learning uses technology for higher education. Learning experts and computer experts work together daily on finding new systems to put in the schools. Their main goal is to help the children learn and have fun at the same time on the computer with specific programs. Flexible learning is a key research theme for the Institute. They have worked to further develop the understanding of task-based learning environments and telematics-based learning. These programs have a large impact of how technology in education will further in the future. Funding for technology has come a long way. In 1999 Congress approved a plan to use $689 towards educational technology programs. Different organizations have come out that use turned in receipts from local grocery stores towards getting new computers for the schools. Others organizations are raising money to buy new computers for the schools. Other organizations are raising money to be new computers and software for schools that cannot afford it. More and more organizations are real... ...heir time, we hay be surprised at how much they take advantage of the opportunity. Technology is causing educators and students to have new ways of thinking about teaching and learning. When we bring technology into our school systems, we are gibing children the opportunity to live a better life. They will have higher self-esteem and feel as though they can accomplish anything that they put their mind to. In the future, computers will be main source for teaching our young children. Who knows how far technology will really take us? References The Institute for Computer Based Learning, Heriot- Watt University http://www.icbl.hw.ac.uk/distance_learning.html A+ Learning Technology for Kids, Funding for school technology http://www.technology4kids.com "Education Leadership". Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. V. 56, No. 5 February 1999

At Mornington and Father and Child Essay

Gwen Harwood’s poetry explores ideas of the rejuvenating powers of memory, the inexorable nature of time and the adversity of advancing through various stages of human psychological development and the extent of life and death. â€Å"At Mornington† and â€Å"Father and Child† are poems which both demonstrate Harwood’s distinctive voice that transcends the barriers of time and examine universal issues that are pertinent to all. Moreover, the ability for these two poems to provide different interpretations makes them relevant to differing contexts with differing values. This is seen with two variant readings, a psychoanalytical reading and a post-modern reading. ‘At Mornington’ is a reminiscence of the persona’s life, evaluating the extent of life and death through memories, as shown by the first person point of view and past tense. It contains â€Å"memories of early childhood† that are described as â€Å"light in a sea-wet shell†, fragile and fleeting. The persona also continues to explore a collection of other memories and meandering thoughts, which the persona draws strength from in order to cope, understand and make sense of the present and the inevitability of her future death. The idea of memories in turn leads the poems into a psychoanalytical reading, in conjunction with a post-modern interpretation. The poem starts with the persona stating: ‘They told me that when I was taken to the sea’s edge’, implying that her memories are dependant on what ‘they’, her authoritative figures have told her, implying how they are dictated by that of authority. However memories can sometimes be unreliable as there are points of doubt where the persona ‘seem to remember my father fully clothed’. A post-modern view also shows authority losing power and individuals challenging them, as when the persona â€Å"leapt from my father’s arms† after being â€Å"taken to the sea’s edge. † The scene is a metaphor for an individual escaping from the passive grasps of authority, represented in the father, and acting upon their own interests. The fact that the persona was taken to their current position illustrates their lack of control over the situation, however, the persona later asserts control, breaking free of the authoritative figure and is controlling her own life. The inexorable nature of time is contemplated by the persona to make sense of her life. Through language and the lifecycle of the pumpkin as a metaphor of her own life, the persona defines herself in order to gain solace. The ‘pumpkin’ presented an image of the persona’s youth and innocence. She refers to â€Å"fine pumpkins grown on a trellis† at her friend’s house as a â€Å"parable of myself† as she ages, rising â€Å"in airy defiance of nature† towards the sun before returning to earth. The metaphor of the pumpkins striving to reach â€Å"the light† comments on both the physical and metaphysical aspirations of humans, and the confrontation and acceptance of death. It shows that she too has grown above her ‘humble station’ – not necessarily external success but bridging the gap between the conscious and unconscious. However, this metaphor alone is insufficient to make sense of her existence, and it is this gap between reality and the naming of it which is a key element of psychoanalytical theory. The need and desire of human beings to locate a sense of unity of self is also integral to the psychoanalytic theory, and Harwood achieves this through the circular structure of the poem. Emotive words such as ‘peace’, ‘shine’ and ‘forever’ create a serene image of death, while the symbolic ‘light’ and ‘water’ interlink with the first stanza. The use of water as a motif throughout the poem connects the important people and moments in her life such as in her childhood with her father ‘water soaked’ and with her friend in the Brisbane Gardens ‘pitcher of water’ and finally she uses the line ‘waters that bear me away for ever’ to show her acceptance of death. By drawing threads of the poem together, just as the persona draws together her dreams, thoughts and memories are used to establish her sense of unity and wholeness. Harwood creates a serene image of death, allowing the persona to reach a conclusion about its inevitability and the relevance of her experiences and dreams to it. Harwood’s poem ‘Father and Child’ is a parallel to ‘At Mornington’ as it investigates the advancement of human psyche, from the innocence of childhood to the frailty of old age. The poem also observes the human psyche’s attempt to rationalise and resist the inescapable nature of time. Harwood explores the change in human psyche in this poem and suggests that experiences undergone in childhood shape lives and morality in the future. The juxtaposition of settings and syntax is used to convey the evolution of the human psyche and morality. â€Å"Father and Child† is separated into two sections, â€Å"Part I Barn Owl†, which takes place in the persona’s childhood, and â€Å"Part II Nightfall† which is set when the persona has presumably reached middle age, as the father is now 80, blind and dying. The adversity of advancing through various stages of human psychological development is prevalent in ‘Barn Owl’. Harwood has used vivid descriptions to portray the callousness and cruelty of the situation where a little girl attempts to shoot a barn owl but fails and harms it dreadfully, causing the owl having had ‘dribbled through loose straw tangling in bowels’. For the responders this is strong imagery and portrays the unusual situation. The young girl is empowered because the owl is blinded by the light but later there is a role reversal as her father enters and becomes ‘owl-blind in early sun’, like the owl was initially. The killing of the owl demonstrates aspects of a post-modern interpretation where the girl revolts against authority by defying her father, the authoritative figure, and sneaks out with his gun – a representation of the father’s power and authority. The owl is a representation of wisdom or authority, thus, the child is destroying, in her mind, authority. The metaphoric imagery surrounding the death of the owl supports the psychoanalytical view that, dramatic moments such as these impact upon the psyche and have an everlasting effect on the individual. The girl comes to a realization of â€Å"those eyes that†¦ mirror my cruelty† and is now aware of the consequences of her actions, yet it is too late to change the result. The transition has been made and forever she will remain in the world of pain while ironically the bird has escaped it. The role of light is important in this poem as it differentiates between the ideas of life and death. In Part II, Harwood has challenged the responders by portraying light as a metaphor for life by making it set in the latter part of the day, at dusk, when the sun is setting. This shows the transition from life to death. Neither has the power to control the inevitability of death as the ‘sunset exalts its known symbols of transience’, personifying sunset – as the day becomes night the sun has the power because it brings about the process of change and deterioration. By doing this Harwood is exploring the concept of death being associated with darkness. In stanza 6, the atmosphere is saddened as direct speech is used and the poem nears the end. ‘Your night and day are one’ describes how death is a blur of both light and dark because it is a transition between the two. ‘Father and Child’ can also be read from a postmodernist perspective where it draws attention to the number of intertextual connections that are made between the poem and other texts, which focuses on both the extent of life/death and memories. The most apparent allusions are concerned with Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’ and the line in Nightfall â€Å"Be your tears wet† creating a link between the child persona and the character of Lear’s daughter Cordelia, which examines the fact that she is confronting the death of her father. It’s as if a string of tenderness was touched by him inside of her which led to the tears. She had learnt a lot of concepts in regards to life from her father and is thanking him for teaching her. However, tears cannot mend the facts of life and death, since everybody has to come to the end of a journey at some stage. She relies on her father’s ‘white stick’ to take her back to her memories of her father and the lessons learnt – showing how memories can overcome tears at this last sorrow. The allusion of her father as ‘King’ is a reference to King Lear, showing her admiration and love for her father and how she still sees him as someone that she can rely on. The use of contrasting tones of the two parts reinforces the ideas of memory and life/death, that after many life experiences, her perspective of her father changes from â€Å"an old No Sayer† when the girl is young, to a â€Å"stick thin comforter†. By valuing texts in different perspectives, responders are able to react to a text on a variety of ways, making them relevant to differing contexts with differing values. â€Å"At Mornington† and â€Å"Father and Child† are texts which transcend the barriers of time and examine universal issues that are applicable to all.

Cause and Effect Technology Essay

Technology continues to make progress every single day in society. Schools, the workplace, and even homes have advanced so much over the past twenty years. As technology starts to take over every little part of people’s lives, some new advances may end up as the â€Å"next big thing† and others may slowly destroy the ways of human life. First, technology in schools, which have adapted so many new advances in even the last five years. A cause of increased use of technology in classrooms could be the pressure to do better with the resources they were given. This can lead to three consequences such as a cheating, easier access to information, and they could even use technology as a sort of tutor. Second, the workplace has adapted to all the new technologies maybe even faster than schools. Businesses search for a more productive way to run their operations. The increased usage of technology in the workplace has a very dangerous outcome which usually manifests in stress. Three causes of the stress in the workplace could be due to technology such as malfunctions, job insecurity, and certain medical issues when the employees use the technology all the time. Last, these new technologies even have tried to make life at home simpler for everyone. Things may seem like they are there to help you, but in the long run these new techniques may end up turning out poorly. Since the new technology has been brought about, there are more ways to find a recipe than just looking in a cookbook that was found in the kitchen cupboard. This may end up in obesity for in the long run and may not even see it coming. The effects of the increased usage of technology has caused the way people live their lives at school, at work, and at home to change drastically. As more schools tend to adapt to the â€Å"technology wave† there has been an increase of discussion about whether the advances of technology in the  classroom help the students learn better, or if it distracts them from actually doing the work themselves. These types of improvements increase the pressure of succeeding academically. One result of the growing amount of pressure on a student is that children are able to use technology as a tutor. Whether it is used as an educational social media to connect peers together outside of school, or even just simply being able to go to a search engine and gain the same knowledge that could be learned in the classroom. The internet is a great tutor if the resources are used properly. Another ramification of the flourishing amount of pressure put on a student because of the increased use of technology in classrooms is that information is far more accessible than before. Due to the mass amount of information available, everything is one click away. With the use of tablets, students are able to practically hold an entire encyclopedia set in their hands. The third effect of the increase of pressure among students is the fact that academic dishonesty is too easy. Since it is so easy to gather information from other sources besides your own head when you are stuck, this can lead to dangerous temptations of cheating in school. Workplace stress is a serious consequence that employees experience because of the increased use of technology in businesses. One reason stress is created at work, related to the escalating use of technology, is due to technological malfunctions. When technology does not work correctly, employees can lose important data, miss deadlines, and slow down production. This can not only have harmful effects, but become a waste of time. Another reason stress is created in the workplace is due to job insecurity. Technology is able to do jobs that more efficiently and at a cheaper cost than what a human would do. Since the increased use of technology, robots are now able to perform simple tasks with no mistakes like the assembly line, to more complex situations like medical procedures. Companies save thousands of dollars by making the transition to robots. This creates stress on employees seeing the possibility of jobs being replaced by a robot. The last cause of this stress is the risk of medical injuries. Technology may be able to reduce some medical risks that employees had with their job, but now there are medical conditions that are arising because of the technology that workers use. Since companies are starting to use more robots, they do not  know what is going on at all times besides they are programmed what to do. Any incident could happen at any second because the robots do not stop unless a human presses a button to make them stop. The increased use of technology at home has been a blessing. Senior citizens and other adults that were not once used to technology, now are using it more than ever. For example, with the increasing use of technology, cookbooks are almost at the point of extinction. Before, when families wanted to make a new recipe for dinner, they had to get all of their cookbooks out and try to make their own recipe. This has all became simpler due to the internet. Practically any recipe can be found on the internet today. Although many recipes are so accessible, finding the perfect one may be difficult, which leads to frustration. They may not have the exact ingredients needed to make the meal or may not want to take the time to create a dinner for the family. Therefore, the outcome of someone becoming frustrated with technology could result in fast food or take-out options. Since technology has become so advanced, food can be ordered online and delivered to the door. This would cause people to become much lazier. Technology then could become the staring point of obesity. Instead of families going out and getting the food, or going out to the store and getting the ingredients for the meal they just get on the computer and order their unhealthy choices, which could lead to obesity, due to the convinces of technology, and creates a lack of exercise. Overall, technology has become a great tool for everyone and has helped paved the way to success for many. Sometimes technology does not work the way it is supposed to and causes problems to arise. But luckily, technology is slowly becoming more useful and less of a hassle. Whether technology is used at school, work, or home it has changed the way people live their lives dramatically.

The Great Leapfrog Race

The world is made up of many different people. Each of these individuals fall into a category, whether it be judged by their gender, the sports they play or the bands they listen to. For each different class, we have certain expectations for the people in them. The story, ‘The Great Leapfrog Race' both reflects and challenges gender and class expectations. ‘The Great Leapfrog Race', goes against the patriarchal western view that men are superior to women. The idea that men are the dominant force has been widely accepted in civilized cultures, and has only now, over the past couple of decades, has it been challenged. In ‘The Great Leapfrog Race', this is reflected when the female, Rosie, beats the male, Rex, in a game of leapfrog. It is repeated again when the author writes that ‘Rosie whipped every boy she fought'. This shows that she is the superior of the group, and so is the dominant force. However this does not mean that the boys accept it. The story reads that ‘it was very humiliating to be hurt by Rosie', and so the reader assumes that these boys have been brought up with the patriarchal view that men are superior to women. The gender expectations in this instance have been challenged by the story. The writer has written this story, presumably from his own experience. This would infer to the reader that he was brought up in a feministic environment. The general feeling of the story stands to prove this. Although we have no information on the author, the use of gaps and silences in which we make our own assumptions, lead the reader to believe that his own influences in growing up, have had some bearing on this story. The author may have been brought up in a single sex home, most likely to be female; his father may have left when he was a child; or he may have been taught to treat females as equals through some other means. No matter how, it still shows the author reflects his experiences and his gender expectations into the story. There are three main classes in society. Upper class consists of kings and queens and other royalty such as presidents and sultans. Middle class is composed of bureaucrats, and the working class is comprised of cleaners, labourers and other †lower class citizens ‘. Each of these classes are defined by money, success, or job status. All of these different standards were invented by society to unofficially class everybody into their importance in the world. Rosie comes under the latter category of working class, as her father is a bricklayer. Another way that we recognise that she is working class is by the language used to describe Rosie. In the first paragraph, she is said to be a ‘tough little Irish kid' who ‘wore a turtle-neck sweater, usually red'. This suggest that she either did not care much for her appearance, or was used to going without pretty dresses and clothes that other children her age would like and normally wear but that her father could not afford. The story also says that they lived in ‘slum neighbourhood's which are often portrayed as the beginning for much violence and crime. Society perceives children from working class families as being able to hold themselves, and being streetwise. Kids from the slums learn from a young age that this is the sort of world they are going to live in for the rest of their lives. These are the children more likely to shoplift and break into houses because their parents' jobs do not provide for them as well. Girls from these sort of neighbourhoods are expected to be dirty and impolite, whereas middle class girls would turn their nose up at such antics as playing ‘leapfrog' and would much prefer play with their Barbie dolls than play with a group of filthy little boys. It would be a contradiction of our class expectations for Rosie to be concerned over her appearance or how many kids Barbie and Ken have, because of her status as a working class girl. This story reflects societies views on class expectations of the working class, by letting Rosie be a tough little girl, not someone socially adept or worried over how long her nails were, but only interested in rough and tumble ‘tomboyish' activities as is expected for working class girls. Rex Folger comes from a middle class family. This is obvious from the first moment his character enters the story. The story states that ‘he was a natural born leader', he had beaten all the boys in the neighbourhood ‘without any noticeable ill feeling, pride or ambition', and he was also a ‘powerful and superior boy'. All these things suggest, as well as the fact that he was from Texas, one of the southern states of the USA, notorious for it's uppity behaviour, that he is a middle class child. He has all the natural ability that a middle class child ‘should' have. Politeness was one of his strong points, even the other boys in the neighbourhood had to give him that much. After a fight started between Rex and Rosie, he declined to hit her as he was taught that hitting women was the equivalent of boxing his mother. That is another example in itself of him being middle class, as he said he was taught this rather than he believed it, which shows his educational ability off, at the same time as not really showing him his real feelings on the subject. This story gives off a realistic picture of middle class society and what we expect of them, using Rex as a symbolic figure for the majority of the middle class. The female is seen as a lower class compared to the male as we established earlier. The patriarchal ideology is that males are dominant and logical whereas females should be timid, emotional and passive. In the story, the boys of the neighbourhood feel badly that Rosie is the one doing the dirty work so to speak and teaching Rex a lesson, when they believe that it is a mans duty to do such things. The background of the reader influences whether you sympathise with Rosie or Rex in the story. The readers' views on certain issues including women in politics and equal rights can have an impact on their reading of the story. By leaving gaps in the storyline, the person reading the story is left to make assumptions based on their knowledge and experiences and so each reader will most probably read the story differently, therefore, each person reading it will have their background somewhere influencing their thoughts on the subject. This demonstrates how each person's individual views reflect societies opinions through the story. ‘The Great Leapfrog Race' is a very interesting story about a little Irish tomboy, working class child named Rosie Mahoney. It tells the story of a little girl who beats the new kid-on-the-block, big bully Rex Folger, in a game called leapfrog. But the story isn't as simple as that. It also has a deeper meaning. It reflects society. Societies attitudes towards different people, from different classes and genders. It challenges the patriarchal ideology by letting female triumph over male. It uses all sorts of techniques to make the reader see that not everything that society sets out in it's unofficial guidelines are correct. Roles can be reversed and women can prevail over men in many circumstances. This story reflects as well as challenges society views on gender and class role expectations.

Across the Nightingale Floor

Suitable for students, Australian literature comprises of a variety of thought-provoking concepts that challenge readers’ minds, as opposed to the simple texts that students are confronted with nowadays. A mythic novel, Across the Nightingale Floor is an example of modern literature that most students read these days. A highly praised novel, it has received awards such as the German Youth Literature Prize. Written by the pseudonymous Australian author, Lian Hearn embraces a contemporary writing style, and her novel shows little resemblance to that of Australian literature. Based on high recommendations from my peers and seeing that the novel was intended for teens of both genders, I was compelled to explore this novel. Although a well written quest, I believe that it is an inappropriate book for high school study due to its incomplex storyline and weak moral sense. In the mythic novel, Takeo, a young boy living in the Three Countries, is on a quest to kill Iida, the callous leader of the Tohan clan, after Iida burnt Takeo’s village and killed his family. Takeo is taken in by Lord Shigeru and begins training as a warrior. Having being brought up by the Hidden, a peaceful clan who are against war, Takeo demonstrates reluctance to kill. This creates problems in his training and his teacher is determined to help him overcome this. Across the Nightingale Floor takes on a traditional and contemporary trend, incorporating ideas such as teenage love and arranged marriages. Gender discourses are embedded within the novel and are shown through the domination of males over females. Being a female, Kaede is without freedom and is forced into an arranged marriage with no objection. Lord Iida on the other hand, being a domineering male, overpowers Kaede. The majority of the novel consists of a war discourse which is apparent through the feud between Lord Shigeru and Iida. Family discourses are also seen at the very beginning of the novel with Takeo’s family. Contrasting themes are cleverly entwined, as the novel revolves around strong themes such as love, beauty, honour, vengeance and death. Love is portrayed through many parts of the novel; Takeo and Kaede, Lord Shigeru and Lady Maruyama and all the friendships and alliances that Takeo and Kaede make throughout the novel. Beauty is shown through Kaede’s striking appearance which men die for. Honour is seen in Kaede’s obligation to marry, as well as Takeo’s pledge to avenge Iida. Vengeance and death are portrayed in both Iida and Lord Shigeru’s death, and is also present throughout the entire novel as Takeo seeks to kill Iida. In terms of moral perspectives, Across the Nightingale Floor does not depict conceptions of peace as it holds many unethical ideas. Although mentioned early in the novel, Takeo’s religious upbringing is overlooked as his trainings as a warrior requires him to kill. Iida’s vindictive character is emphasized through his intentions of strengthening his power base by destroying defenceless villages. Innocent village inhabitants are brutally punished by Iida through methods such as suspending them in midair to be further eaten alive by crows. Such immoral concepts would not be suitable for school students to absorb. While the novel contains figurative language, it is also accompanied by plain prose which dissatisfies the story, and the reader’s opportunity to broaden their vocabulary is miniscule. Through the course of the novel, the reader follows three perspectives: The protagonist, Takeo, Kaede, and the narrator. Much confusion is brought about as the story switches from first person to third person, and a considerable level of concentration is required. The reader is needed to position themself in three perceptions, as well as being able to sympathize for both Takeo and Kaede. The novel’s intermittent pace also further complicates things as the author fails to describe the situations in detail. An example of this is the death of Takeo’s family. Although Takeo’s grievance for his dead family is obvious, it is difficult for the reader to sympathize for him due to their lack of understanding of his family bonds, caused by a deficiency in information. It can be easily assumed that the imagery contained in Across the Nightingale Floor is based on feudal Japan. A tell-tale sign of quests, the maps at the very beginning of the book lead to this preconception. Although this is the case, very little references are made to the surroundings within the novel, consequently decreasing the reader’s ability to visualize the exotic Japanese backdrop. Most of the characters’ thoughts are incoherent within the novel. Takeo’s thoughts on his new-found supernatural powers are unheard of, as well as what he thinks of having to use weapons, something which disagrees with his anti-war nature. As the antagonists of the novel, Iida and his men are undeveloped characters and do not seem to make much progress throughout the novel. They are not given a chance to portray their strengths, nor are they seen to fall. Because Takeo’s role as a warrior conflicts his reluctance to kill, his personality is divided thoroughout the whole novel. Takeo takes the centre of the many conflicts between the other characters, and this mainly influences and emphasizes his divided nature. As a result, Takeo’s issues remain at the end of the novel and he is unable to resolve them. It is evident that Australian literature is gradually dominated by simple texts and to my disappointment, Across the Nightingale Floor further highlights this issue. While its intended audience is young adults, I would recommend this novel for primary school students, due to its simple-crafted language and easy to grasp concepts. Although it may not be suitable for teens, as a children’s novel, Across the Nightingale Floor is an enjoyable read.

Individual in society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Individual in society - Essay Example 2. Why am I completing a Learning Journal as part of my study of social psychology? The learning journal aims at helping me properly understand and reflect on the ideas, issues and concepts learnt from topics in the class lectures in the most efficacious way possible. The journal also aims at enabling me think critically in identifying the ideas, concepts and issues raised in the topics. This will in turn enable me acquire the ability to reflect, respond to similar issues and formulate similar ideas 3. What do I hope to learn from this assignment? The assignment will no doubt help me in my future studies and in practical application of learnt ideas. It will enhance grasping and understanding of concepts from the topics I have learnt more effectively, and enhance reflection and application of the same in real time social psychology in the future. Further, it will equip me with skills in critical thinking, evaluation and quick comprehension. In my future studies, it will help me to ref lect on learnt materials adequately, be able to identify and connect with the learnt ideas and apply the same in solving related issues. perspective. Reflective Learning Journal Topic: Self & Identity 1. Which aspect of the topic has interested me most? Why? In the topic Self and Identity, the aspect that has interested me the most is Spotlight effect and the illusion of transparency. This aspect is quite new to me and I never realized that such an experience had happened my life before without my knowledge. The aspect provides me with a new perspective on self-thinking, and its importance and significance in every day life. 2. What are the main ideas, concepts and evidence related to this aspect? The main ideas related to this aspect are the perceptions on self-focus, illusion of transparency cover and the spotlight effect. The concepts describe the language the body gives in certain feelings and the linking of the body language to certain feelings when in fact it is not the case. The body language can give a wrong impression and people can overestimate what one is thinking when it is completely the opposite. This is the spotlight effect discussed in the journal. A person can feel that they are under surveillance of other people when they are not. A person can be too conscious during public speaking and end up being different from the person they usually are in a normal or a social environment. The audience might really be interested in listening to the speaker but because the speaker is too self-conscious might end up underperforming because of thinking that they are being judged by the audience. Illusion of transparency explains how Some feelings are predictable and can be read by others. Feelings such as nervousness, happiness, anxiety, sadness and fear. However, some emotions cannot come out clearly. For example of love can rarely show out to others if the involved party decides to hide their feelings for each other (Myers, 2010) 3. What short quote from the text or reading illustrates an important point related to this aspect? The quote relating to this aspect is by Kenneth Savitsky and Thomas Gilovich who say that people feelings leak out and others normally notice. They forget that their internal stakes can leak out for others to see. For example, signs like trembling and nervousness can easily lead to detection of a liar (Myers 2010, p.60) 4. How is this aspect relevant to my social world? This aspect has enabled me