Absolute and Relative Poverty Essay

The article I chose for this assignment is titled Absolute and Relative poverty. The author talks about the difference between the two terms, likewise defining them as clearly as possible as if to ensure that the reader is clear about what the difference between being absolutely poor and being relatively poor. The World Bank Group is the institution that mostly deals with the global issues of poverty advocating neoliberalism, western democracy, and open markets and structural adjustments to the economy. This article seems to be a research about Absolute and Relative Poverty. It is a research mainly because of the extensive lists of references and reading suggestions that she noted at the end of the article. Hence, the kind of research that the author used was by using available data and existing sources, primarily the World Bank. For those people who are attempting to change the dynamics of poverty, they thought they understood it, thinking it was fairly simple, but in hindsight complicated. To understand the dynamics of poverty, there are three interrelated terms to consider; (1) absolute poverty, (2) relative poverty, and (3) poverty threshold. Absolute poverty, as defined by the World Bank Group, is living under one dollar a day. People that are living in absolute poverty cannot even meet the basic necessities to live. Sad but true. And many are found in LDCs (Least Developed Countries). Relative poverty, â€Å"measures how people on the lowest rungs of the income ladder compare to the remainder of the population. Poverty threshold measures the income that a society needs to even live the minimal standard of living. The Great Depression followed by World War II, incapacitated the economy so much so that poverty was in the rise. World Bank was established in 1945 in Bretton Woods, NH whose goal was to eradicate poverty. In the twenty first century, the World Bank and the United Nations created the Millenium Development Goals (MDG), who likewise was created to eliminat e poverty by the year 2015. Jeffrey Sach heads the MDG but his critics are biased on his belief that the only way to eliminate poverty is through economic growth. Additionally his critics believe that too much attention into resolving absolute poverty loses its effectiveness if relative poverty is dismissed when it is just as important in solving poverty. Another dimension of absolute and relative poverty is globalization. Some researchers believe that globalization has contributed to poverty while some think of the opposite. Ironically, neither side can rove otherwise. The World Bank claims that in 1990 there was a modest decline in poverty, which means that globalization is truly not an indicator of alleviating poverty. Further there is no standardized method of measurements to validate the effectiveness of globalization on fixing absolute and relative poverty. In our textbook, Chapter 11 talks about poverty in America. In my opinion poverty in America is different. There is a huge disparity in what it means to be poor in the United States and being poor in LDCs. Poverty in America is more like subsidized because there are so many outlets and organizations that help the poor people. Non-profit organizations like homeless shelters operated by volunteers provide food and shelter and welfare programs that provide financial help. I think that poverty whether absolute or relative is a tough road to conquer. Too many people in the world are extremely poor. Whether it is society, our religion, our culture, or our geography that influences poverty, it is in the interest of ALL humankind to work hard toward an effective solution to eradicate poverty.

Analysis Dangerous Corner

Theater is one of the best means of art and entertainment, which brings cultural enrichment. It uses live performers on stage to express different plays. From the times of its appearance theater has changed a lot. There were especially many transformations in modern times. The only genres seen in the theater of ancient times were tragedy and comedy, whereas nowadays there are lots of contemporary genres and styles. Even the types of theaters vary from classical to musical lines.People have always liked visiting theaters for relaxing, entertaining and just having a good time. Our country has lots of theaters to offer to its citizens. Everyone can find something suitable for their tastes. People who like dramas go to drama theatres, those who like musical plays can visit opera theaters, so there is always a choice where to go. The theater can be divided into two parts: one is the stage where actors perform their roles, the other is the hall where spectators sit. The hall and the stage are separated by a curtain and orchestra.Besides, every theater has a cloak-room and a restaurant. Theatres may vary a lot in sizes. Some can host only 50 people, and some are meant for thousands of spectators. For example, the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow can host about 2150 people. The other huge and world-famous theaters are Metropolitan Opera and Broadway Theater in New York, Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Theater La Scala in Italy, Covent Garden in London and several others.Richard Cumberland (19 February 1732 – 7 May 1811) was an English dramatist and civil servant. In 1771 his hit play The West Indian was first staged. During the American War of Independence he acted as a secret negotiator with Spain in an effort to secure a peace agreement between the two nations. He also edited a short-lived critical journal called The London Review (1809). His plays are often remembered for their sympathetic depiction of colonial characters and others generally considered to be margins of society. Calypso (1779)The Natural Son (1785), in which Major O'Flaherty who had already figured in The West-Indian, makes his reappearance The Country Attorney (1787) The Impostors (1789), a comedy of intrigue The School for Widows (1789) The Box-Lobby Challenge (1794), a protracted farce The Jew (1794), a drama, highly effective when the great German actor Theodor Dà ¶ring played â€Å"Sheva† The Wheel of Fortune (1795), in which John Philip Kemble found a celebrated part in the misanthropist Penruddock, who cannot forget but learns to forgive (a character declared by August von Kotzebue to have been stolen from his MenschenhBen Jonson (Benjamin Jonson /ˈdÊ’É’nsÉ™n/; c. 11 June 1572 – 6 August 1637) was a playwright, poet, and literary critic of the seventeenth century, whose artistry exerted a lasting impact upon English poetry and stage comedy. He popularised the comedy of humours. He is best known for thesatirical plays Every Man in His Humour (159 8), Volpone, or The Foxe (1605), The Alchemist (1610), and Bartholomew Fayre: A Comedy (1614), and for his lyric poetry; he is generally regarded as the second most important English dramatist, after William Shakespeare, during the reign of James I.[1]The literary artist Ben Jonson was a classically-educated, well-read, and cultured man of the English Renaissance with an appetite for controversy (personal and political, artistic and intellectual) whose cultural influence was of unparalleled breadth upon the playwrights and the poets of theJacobean era (1603–1625) and of the Caroline era (1625–1642).[2][3] Plays[edit]A Tale of a Tub, comedy (c. 1596 revised? performed 1633; printed 1640) The Isle of Dogs, comedy (1597, with Thomas Nashe; lost) The Case is Altered, comedy (c. 1597–98; printed 1609), with Henry Porter and Anthony Munday? Every Man in His Humour, comedy (performed 1598; printed 1601) Every Man out of His Humour, comedy ( performed 1599; printed 1600 ) Cynthia's Revels (performed 1600; printed 1601)The Poetaster, comedy (performed 1601; printed 1602) Sejanus His Fall, tragedy (performed 1603; printed 1605) Eastward Ho, comedy (performed and printed 1605), a collaboration with John Marston and George Chapman Volpone, comedy (c. 1605–06; printed 1607) Epicoene, or the Silent Woman, comedy (performed 1609; printed 1616) The Alchemist, comedy (performed 1610; printed 1612) Catiline His Conspiracy, tragedy (performed and printed 1611) Bartholomew Fair, comedy (performed 31 October 1614; printed 1631) The Devil is an Ass, comedy (performed 1616; printed 1631) The Staple of News, comedy (performed Feb. 1626; printed 1631) The New Inn, or The Light Heart, comedy (licensed 19 January 1629; printed 1631) The Magnetic Lady, or Humors Reconciled, comedy (licensed 12 October 1632; printed 1641) The Sad Shepherd, pastoral (c. 1637, printed 1641), unfinished Mortimer his Fall, history (printed 1641), a fragmentAdolphe Philippe d'Ennery or Dennery (17 June 1811 – 25 January 1899) was a French Jewish dramatist and novelist. Contents [hide] 1 Biography 2 Works 3 References 4 External linksBiography Born in Paris, his real surname was Philippe. He obtained his first success in collaboration with Charles Desnoyer in Émile, ou le fils d'un pair de France (1831), a drama which was the first of a series of some two hundred pieces written alone or in collaboration with other dramatists. He died in Paris in 1899. Works[edit]Among the best of his works are Gaspard Hauser (1838) with Anicet Bourgeois; Les Bohà ©miens de Paris (1842) with Eugà ¨ne Grange; with Mallian, Marie-Jeanne, ou la femme du peuple (1845), in which Madame Dorval obtained a great success; La Case d'Oncle Tom (1853); and Les Deux Orphelines (1875), perhaps his best piece, with Eugà ¨ne Cormon. The story was adapted in 1921 by D.W. Griffith as the film Orphans of the Storm.He wrote the libretto for Gounod's Le tribut de Zamora (1881); with Lou is Gallet and Édouard Blau he composed the libretto to Massenet's Le Cid (1885); and, again in collaboration with Cormon, the librettos of Auber's operas, Le premier jour de bonheur (1868) and Reved'amour (1869). Other opera librettos include La rose de Terone (1840), Si j'à ©tais roi (1852), Le muletier de Tolà ¨de(1854) (on which Michael Balfe's The Rose of Castille (1857) was based), and À Clichy (1854) by Adolphe Adam, Massenet's early Don Cà ©sar de Bazan (1872) and Hervà ©'s La nuit aux soufflets(1884) He prepared for the stage Balzac's posthumous comedy Mercadet ou le faiseur, presented at the Thà ©Ãƒ ¢tre du Gymnase Marie Bell in 1851. Reversing the usual order of procedure, d'Ennery adapted some of his plays to the form of novels. Etan Cohen (born March 14, 1974) is an American screenwriter.Contents1 Life and career 2 Filmography 3 References 4 External linksLife and careerBorn in Israel to an Orthodox Jewish family,[1][2] Cohen grew up in Efrat and Sharon, Mas sachusetts. He graduated from the Maimonides School and Harvard College, where he wrote for theHarvard Lampoon. His first produced scripts, in 1995 and 1997, were for Beavis and Butthead, where he was credited as Ethan Cohen.[3] He has since written for other Mike Judge-directed projects, including King of the Hill from 2001 to 2005, and for the feature film Idiocracy in 2006. In the late 1990s he worked on two other television series – the animated Recess and the short lived It's Like You Know.After scripting Idiocracy he worked on the hit animated series, American Dad and wrote the episode, â€Å"Failure Is Not a Factory-Installed Option†. The American Dad minor character of the same name is named for him. In 2008, Cohen cowrote, along with Ben Stiller and Justin Theroux, the action-comedy film Tropic Thunder. He also wrote Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. Columbia Pictures hired Etan Cohen to pen the script for Men in Black 3. Other projects he is currently writing incl ude feature films, Candy Land, The Fiance and Project A. On July 10, 2012 it was announced that Cohen is currently writing the script for Ghostbusters3.FilmographyBeavis and Butt-head (1995–1997) Recess (1999) It's Like, You Know (1999) King of the Hill (2001–2005) Idiocracy (2006) American Dad (2006) My Wife Is Retarded (2007) (also directed) Tropic Thunder (2008) Harvey Richards (2008) Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) Men in Black 3 (2012)TravellingAlmost all people are fond of travelling. It is very interesting to see new places, another towns and countries. People may travel either for pleasure or on business. There are various means of travelling. For me there is nothing like travel by air; it is more comfortable, more convenient and, of course, far quicker than any other means. There is none of the dust and dirt of a railway or car journey, none of the trouble of changing from train to steamer and then to another train. With a train you have speed, comfort and pleasure combined.From the comfortable seat of a railway carriage you have a splendid view of the whole countryside. If you are hungry, you can have a meal in the dining-car; and if a journey is a long one you can have a wonderful bed in a sleeper. Travelling by ship is also very popular now. It is very pleasant to feel the deck of the ship under the feet, to see the rise and fall of the waves, to feel the fresh sea wind blowing in the face and hear the cry of the seagulls. Many people like to travel by car. It is interesting too, because you can see many sights in a short time, you can stop when and where you like, you do not have to buy tickets or carry your suitcases. A very popular means of travelling is hiking. It is travelling on foot. Walking tours are very interesting. Hitch-hiking is a very popular method of travelling among young people. But it is not as popular in our country as abroad.TravellingModern life is impossible without travelling. Thousands of people travel ever y day either on business or for pleasure. They can travel by air, by rail, by sea or by road. Of course, travelling by air is the fastest and the most convenient way, but it is the most expensive too. Travelling by train is slower than by plane, but it has its advantages. You can see much more interesting places of the country you are travelling through. Modern trains have very comfortable seats. There are also sleeping cars and dining cars which make even the longest journey enjoyable. Speed, comfort and safety are the main advantages of trains and planes. That is why many people prefer them to all other means.Travelling by sea is very popular. Large ships and small river boats can visit foreign countries and differentplaces of interest within their own country. As for me, I prefer travelling by car. I think it’s very convenient. You needn’t reserve tour tickets. You needn’t carry heavy suitcases. You can stop wherever you wish, and spend at any place as much t ime as you like. Every year my friend and I go somewhere to the South for holidays. The Black Sea is one of the most wonderful places which attracts holiday-makers all over the world.There are many rest-homes, sanatoriums and tourist camps there. But it is also possible to rent a room or a furnished house for a couple of weeks there. Sometimes, we can place ourselves in a tent on the sea shore enjoying fresh air and the sun all day long. As a rule, I make new friends there. In the day-time we play volleyball, tennis, swim in the warm water of the sea and sunbathe In the evening I like to sit on the beach watching the sea and enjoying the sunset. I’m fond of mountaineering. So I do a lot of climbing together with my friends. Time passes quickly and soon we have to make our way back. We return home sunburnt and full of impressions.Travelling People on our planet can't live without travelling now. Tourism has become a highly developed business. There are express trains, cars and jet-air liners all of that provide you with comfort and security. What choice to make? It's up to you to decide. There is a great variety of choice available for you. Those who live in the country like going to a big city, visiting museums and art galleries, looking at shop windows and dining at exotic restaurants. City-dwellers usually like acquired holiday by the sea or in the mountains.Most travelers carry a camera with them and take pictures of everything that interests them — the sights of a city, old churches, castles, mountains,  lakes, waterfalls, forests, trees, flowers and plants, animals and birds. Later, perhaps years later, they will be reminded by the photos of the happy times they have had. If you travel for pleasure you would like all means to enjoy picturesque areas you are passing through, you would like to see the places of interest in the cities, towns and countries.Travelling gives us a good opportunity to see wonderful monuments, cultural and historic al places, to learn a lot about the history of the country you visit, about the world around us, to meet people of different nationalities, to learn a lot about their traditions, customs, culture. In other words, you will broaden your mind. Nowadays people travel not only for pleasure but also on business. You have to go to other countries to take part in different negotiations, to sign contacts, to participate in different exhibitions, in order to push the goods produced by your firm or company Ð ¾ Travelling on business helps you to get more information about achievements of other companies » which will make your own business more successful.There are a lot of means of travelling: by sea, by plane, by car, on foot. Tastes differ. That is why it is up to you to decide which means of travelling you would prefer. All means of travelling have their advantages and disadvantages. And people choose one according to their plans. No wonder that one of the latest means of travelling is t ravelling by plane. It combines both comfort and speed and you will reach the place of destination very quickly. Before boarding the plane you must check in at the airport. You are required to have your baggage weighed. Each passenger is allowed 20 kilograms of baggage free of charge. But if your baggage is heavier you must pay an extra charge. Before the plane takes off the stewardess gives you all the information about the flight, the speed and altitude.She asks you to fasten the belts and not to smoke. She will take care of you during the flight and will help you to get comfortable in your seat. Inside the cabins the air is always fresh and warm. During the flight you can take a nap or have a chat, you can read and relax. In some planes you can watch video or listen to the music. When the plane is landing or taking off you have an opportunity to enjoy the wonderful scenery and landscapes. While travelling by plane you fly past various villages and cities at the sight of which rea lize how majestic and tremendous our planet is. No doubt, travelling by air is the most convenient and comfortable means of travelling. But if you are airsick the flight may  seem not so nice to you. Unfortunately sometimes the flights are delayed because of unfavourable weather conditions, and one more inconvenience is jet-lag. Youth problemsYouth is a beautiful time. The faces of young people, the young souls and young love – everything is beautiful. We can describe all the amazing attractions of this only period in life, which is usually remembered during all lifetime, but many youngsters say that their life is followed by numerous troubles. Really, there is no life without problems, but we can’t make little account of youth problems. Unfortunately, most of the problems are connected with family relations. Moms and dads say that teenage rebels just growing up normal. Their parents said it, just as parents say it today. â€Å"Damn kids these days†. This phra se is the fad of the adults of all times.To my mind, each new generation of kids receives negative reviews because of two entwined social dynamics: surliness and rebellion in youth; fear and loathing by parents, whose youth has passed them by. It's called the generation gap, which pits the impertinence of youth against the attitudes of people over 30, who forget what a pain in the butt they were as kids. If you look at history, youth has always looked bad from the adult perspective. Sometimes it's because they don’t remember all the stupid, dangerous things they did as kids. Adults always tend to glorify their own past. It explains the reason why they often look down their noses at the next generations.Basically, what these critical adults are saying is, â€Å"why can't these kids be like us.† It is amazing, but every generation goes through this. I’m deeply convinced tat if some parents are ready to write off the next generation, they should remember how they b ehaved as young teenagers and recognize rebellion as a sign of growing up. But we should admit, there are some dangerous temptations of the youth and only parents can preserve their children from such social evil as alcohol, smoking and even early sex and killing oneself by using drugs. For example, the former Soviet Union admitted that it had over 200,000 drug addicts. Because of this the government opened several special hospitals for these addicts. There's a big anti-drugs campaign in the country's schools too. Usually drugs come from several places including Western Europe and Afghanistan.Also, some addicts use glue or steal medical drugs from hospitals. This problem is  closely connected with gang-violence. As well as gangs of punks, rockers and hippies, there are ultra conservative gangs, too. They want to stop â€Å"the dangerous† influence of teenage culture in our country. But actually they follow the ideas of nationalism and even fascism. One more acute problem fo r many young people is smoking. Millions of teenagers know it's bad for them, but they still do it. I think it is rather easy to withstand the influence of those who smoke. We should be simply strong enough to say â€Å"no†.Many people offer their way out. Some of them say that teenagers should not be let to the discos because of the danger of drugs; others say that young people should be given more money and more freedom, because everything that is forbidden astonishes. But in my opinion, one thing is clear: after decades of silence in the Soviet Union we face a lot of urgent problem, which should be solved as soon as it is possible. Youth ProblemsToday it is fashionable to speak about teenage broblems. A few years ago alcohol, fights, murders and other kinds of violence were more problems of adults rather than young people. But now, as official reports admit, violence, AIDS, drugs and alcohol are more and more associated with youngest. For many children from poor families v iolence, drinking problems and all that is associated with powerty becomes more and more real. The Government surveys show that every fifth teenager who was arrested for criminal actions, was younger that 14 and couldn't be sent to prison. Almost half of teenagers have an experience with drugs, alcohol and sex under age of 16.A lot of teenagers who have drug or alcohol addiction almost never believe that they are dependent. These things are often combined with family and school problems. What has gone wrong? Some specialists explain that the changes of our society, the system of our life force young people to choose their own lifestyle. On the one hand, our society agrees that 15-17-years old people are old enough to be responsible for what they do and gives them quite a lot of freedom and rights. On the other hand, most adults think that teenagers are too young to be taken seriously. This misunderstaning has produced many problems. Actually, a lot of teenagers say that their parent s let them do anything they want and are quite indifferent to their problems.Many teenagers get upset or depressed when they can't solve their problems. As a result, it makes them believe that there is only one way out – to stop  living and commit suicide. No doubt, the teens' problems will increase. And young people should feeel that they are cared about. Ð ¢Ã ¾Ã ¿Ã ¸Ã º Ð ¿Ã ¾ Ð °Ã ½Ã ³Ã »Ã ¸Ã ¹Ã' Ã ºÃ ¾Ã ¼Ã'Æ' ‘Problems of the youth' Youth is a very important period in the life of a human being. This is the time when a person discovers the world and tries to determine his place in the universe. Young people face a great deal of problems which are very important for them. They do not differ much from those that once their parents had to deal with. At the same time every generation is unique. The adults always say that young are not always what they were.Yong people of today don't directly accept the standards of their parents. They cannot accept the values of their â€Å"fathers†. It is one of the causes of the generation gap. The adults usually apply old standards to the new way of life. The majority of the young people don't want to live in the past. They have their own ideals. They want to make their own mistakes, rather, than to listen to the warning of their parents. Almost all parents don't understand their children. The next important problem concerns friendship. A person can and should have many friends. But at the same time there can be only one or two true friends. However, the young people always face the problem of getting on with people, especially, their class-mates. The problem of love is a key problem as well.There are a lot of different problems, which youth have to face. Relations between Ukraine and the European Union (EU) are currently shaped via the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), a foreign policy instrument of the EU designed for the countries it borders. The EU is seeking an increasingly clos e relationship with Ukraine, going beyond cooperation, to gradual economic integration and deepening of political cooperation.Ukraine is said to be a priority partner within the ENP.[1] In 2012, the EU signed deals on free trade and political association with Ukraine; however EU leaders have stated that these agreements will not be ratified unless Ukraine addresses concerns over a â€Å"stark deterioration of democracy and the rule of law†, including the imprisonment of Yulia Tymoshenkoand Yuriy Lutsenko in 2011 and 2012.[2][3][4][nb 1] On 25 February 2013, the EU set a three-month deadline for Ukraine to carry out the required changes to its justice and electoral systems in order to enable the formal signing of their agreements with the EU in Vilnius on 29 November 2013.Though Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych urged the parliament to adopt laws so that Ukraine would meet the  EU's criteria,[7][8][nb 2] all six motions on allowing Tymoshenko to receive medical treatment abroad were rejected by Ukraine's Parliament on 21 November 2013 and the same day a Ukrainian government decree suspended preparations for signing the association agreement, endangering the formal signing scheduled for a week later.[10][11] However, the same day Yanukovych stated â€Å"an alternative for European integration does not exist†.President Yanukovych still attended the 28–29 November 2013 EU summit in Vilnius, where the Association Agreement was originally planned to be signed, but the agreement was not signed. However, on 29 November 2013 President of the European Commission Josà © Manuel Barroso reiterated that EU's offer to Ukraine in terms of signing an Association Agreement remained on the table. The decision to put off signing the association agreement lead to massive, ongoing protests in Ukraine. Youth Organizations in Great BritainYouth and youth movement have become important factors in the life of the country. Numerous youth organizations have be en formed since the Second World War, uniting young people from all classes and sections of the population. There are about 60 youth organizations in Great Britain. Youth Council, which represents the youth of the country both nationally and internationally. All youth organizations can be divided into three large groups:1. non-political organizations; 2. youth organizations associated with political parties; 3. youth organizations controlled by religious bodies.The two largest non-political youth organizations are the associations of the Boy Scouts and the Girl Guides. There are about 1300000 boys and girls in them. The membership is voluntary. The Scout Association was formed in 1908 by General Baden Powell. His idea was to train boys in mapping, signaling, knotting, first aid and all the skills that would arise from camping and outdoor activities. Most important of all for a Scout was to make a promise that he would do his best to do his duty to. God and the Queen, to help other p eople and to obey the Scout Law. The Boy Scouts had a left-handed handshake, a special badge and the motto â€Å"Be Prepared†.The Scout Law embraces â€Å"honour, obedience, cheerfulness, thrift and cleanliness in thought  and deed. The Scout movement was intended for boys from 11 to 14 (15), but in 1916 Baden Powell introduced a programme for younger people. He called them Wolf Cubs. They had special uniforms, badges, a special training system and the motto â€Å"Do your best!†. The Wolf Cub pack is based on Kipling's â€Å"Jungle Book† about learning to survive. The Girl Guides Association was founded by Baden Pawell in 1910. It's divided into three sections: Brownies (from 7.5 to 11), Guides (from 11 to 16), Rangers (from 16 to 21). The programme of training is planned to develop intelligence and practical skills including cookery, needlework, childcare.Like a Scout a Girl Guide must be a friend to animals. The Girl Guides Association has extensive interna tional links. There are some other non-political organizations: the Combined Cadet Force, Sea Cadet Corps, the Woodcraft Folk, the Youth Hostels Association, the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, Greenpeace. Youth Organization Greenpeace deals with most urgent ecological problems. It protests against nuclear weapon tests, sea and soil pollution, etc. Sport clubs are characteristic youth organizations in the UK. They unite people who are interested in baseball, football, golf, etc.There also exist interest clubs. You can attend any club: From theatre to bird-watching clubs. By the way, birdwatching clubs are very popular in Great Britain. There are several youth organizations associated with political parties. The Youth Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (YCND) unites young people and organizes mass rallies and meetings, demonstrations, marches of protest, festivals. It co-operates with the National Union of Students. Religious young organizations and groups aim at helping to elderly people or working in hospitals.There are even groups where young people help released prisoners to start then life a-new. Religious organizations pay attention not only to the study of religious views but involve youth into such activities as music festivals and amateur theatre. As you see, all there organizations aim at preserving and strengthening the social and political system existing in the country. Many of them have done and still are doing useful work in providing leisure facilities for young English people.YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS IN GREAT BRITAINThere are numerous different youth organisations in Great Britain. Some are large and some are small, some nation-wide and some local. Probably the  largest are the Boy Scouts and the Girl Guides Associations, and the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) and the YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association), or simply â€Å"Y† for short. The Boy Scouts and the Girl Guides are for school-age teen-agers and the YMCA and the YWCA are for school leavers, college students, and young people who had already started working.Boy Scouts and Girl Guides have to do one good deed every day, to develop themselves mentally and physically. In summer they go camping in tents with everything done by young people themselves. At the YMCA and the YWCA more attention is paid to sport and different social events, such as outing in the country, dances, debates, amateur activities, etc.

Legalizing marijuana for medical issues Research Proposal

Legalizing marijuana for medical issues - Research Proposal Example Legalizing marijuana is an extremely contentious issue in the United States today.   Many view marijuana as a getaway drug with no therapeutic or medical value; however, the medical community wants marijuana legalized to treat patients with a multitude of medical and mental conditions. Marijuana finds its application in the field of medicines and many patients of cancer and AIDS find quick relief owing to the drug. Diseases like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and depression can also be treated with the help of this drug. Reports often reveal that marijuana has not only been able to improve the effects of prescriptions drugs, but also eradicates the negative impact of drugs sued for the treatment of cancer and AIDS. This was proved when the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 in California legalized the medical use of the drug. For several years the drug has been used for medical purposes. For instance in 1941, the drug has been used in the US Pharmacopoeia. Several challenges have been faced from the side of law with respect to the prohibition of the medical use of the drug encouraged government investigations and all these procedures have ensured the worthiness as well as the safety of the application of this drug in medicines. â€Å"Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known. The evidence in this record clearly shows that marijuana has been accepted as capable of relieving the distress of great numbers of very ill people, and doing so with safety under medical supervision. It would be unreasonable, arbitrary, and capricious for DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance in light of the evidence in this record.† (Eidelman and Voth, 2002) A study carried out at the John Hopkins University of Baltimore deals with the impact of the drug on the cognitive

Moral Equivalent of War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Moral Equivalent of War - Essay Example The army life involves giving up self-interest for the good of the group hence peaceful coexistence and therefore according to James, war must have its way unless a moral equivalent is found which can discipline the whole community and make them feel valued. This would involve conscription of the whole youth population to form an army against nature which is the only enemy of justice and peace. By performing such duties as; dishwashing, road building, coal and iron mining, widow washing, and tunnel making among other duties, the youth would be moulded into responsible men with desirable virtues such as which would replace military virtues hence a moral equivalent of war (Par 25-26). The need for a moral equivalent of war is due to the fact that war is irrational. The ancient communities fought only for the sake of glory and to steal women and other possessions. These military ideals are passed on from generation to generation but in modern times they are restricted for war is only fo ught when necessary. Instead, nations seek peaceful negotiations and only fight when a compromise cannot be reached. However, for James it is difficult to bring peace-party and war-party together because of fear of disappearance of military action which is disciplinary. Nations live in fear hence are always preparing for war so for the military ‘peace’ and ‘war’ are synonymous with the latter being just a â€Å"verification of mastery gained during the peace period† and the absence of war would lead to degeneration of life (Par 8). Militarism is also viewed as a means by which men gain and retain their hardihood and since war is discouraged, the anti-militarists argue that men require new hardihoods equivalent to those instilled by militants. These include; fearlessness, giving up self-interest, and obeying commands (par 23). James believes that new energies and hardihoods can be acquired by altering public opinion just like militarist hardihoods are energized by fear. Men would feel obliged to act for the common good of all hence feel proud of themselves and this would be the equivalent of war. The â€Å"moral equivalent of war† concept has been used in various situations by the nation to achieve its objectives especially those who practice socialism. Ownership of private property is discouraged so as to ensure equality for all members of the society. They all work together for the common good of all community members and give up self-interest. However, this concept is highly criticized by liberalists who believe men should be free to do what they ought to do without influence. Liberalists like Samuel Gregg would thus criticize William James’s idea that men should be conscripted into an army against nature so as to acquire martial virtues necessary for survival and which would act as â€Å"moral equivalent of war†. For Gregg, free choice should not be suppressed for the sake of economic equality (9). As su ch, the state does not need to interfere with the liberty of individuals as they can reason and choose what is best in achieving their ends. Rather, the state should provide assistance to the community to enable them to realize integral liberty. He also argues that men can gain different virtues in many ways and use them for the common good of the community (Gregg 73). William James advocates for a state controlled economy or socialism type of government.

Current Issue In Accounting (Accounting Theory) Essay

Current Issue In Accounting (Accounting Theory) - Essay Example Accounting is considerably a measurement tool since it assesses the value and returns of the company in comparison to the costs. The measurement of fair values (FV) of assets is inclusive of numerous aspects, for example, market risk or credit risk. According to Schroeder, Clark & Cathey (2010) the U.S GAAP standards differ in specificity of the valuation models. Some corporations determine the fair value (FV) of their assets and liabilities as a net amount, and not them in their singularity. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) emphasizes that is imperative for corporations to associate their measurements on their business strategy approach (Schroeder, Clark & Cathey 2010). Part A: Measurement in Accounting Theory Measurement of financial statements encompasses the inclusion of accounting principles that will establish the true worth of the corporation of item (Schroeder, Clark& Cathey 2010). Some of the regulators of financial institutions argue that measurement of all f inancial instruments can generate predicaments in assessing the true value of the commodities. As such, measurement in accounting entails a collection of theories that conform to particular items but not a general formula. According to Christian and Musvoto (2011), there is no single approach to measurement theory. They assert that measurement theory in accounting can exist in two forms, which include â€Å"Representation Theory of Measurement† and â€Å"Classical Theory of Measurement† (Christian & Musvoto 2011). Representational measurement is what accounting standards are utilizing to in valuing the progress and items of an institution. Measurement models a. Historical cost Historical Cost entails recording the financial assets in the market value that was given to acquire it during the purchase period. The value of the asset is recorded inclusive of the liabilities that were considered during the exchange at their market values. The historical cost comprises of det ermination of the present value of the item after deducting the depreciation amount of the commodity over the years in use. The original value of the asset will be depreciated using two approaches either the â€Å"straight line method† or the â€Å"reducing balance method† (Walton & Aerts 2006). These depreciation adjustments will depend on the specification of the accounting principles applied by the company. The deductions on the assets of the institutions are made to the prior valuations and not the current values of the assets (Pratt 2011). The assets and liabilities held for trading functions is recorded under the market value method but the long-term financial products, for example, loans are measured under the historical cost approach. Advantages of Historical cost The asset is valued at the initial price and not at the market value thus making it easier to ascertain the useful life of the asset. Initial costs are better at ascertaining the true value of the com modity and an individual can prudently determine the gains from it (Walton & Aerts 2006). In addition, historical cost is easily comprehensive than the alternative measurement models since it entails adjustments to the consideration value of the asset. Subsequently, it is not intricate to calculate the historical cost, unlike other models since most of the costs have been determined. Disadvantages According to Walton &

Initial personal goals and explain how you achieved them throughout Essay

Initial personal goals and explain how you achieved them throughout the semester.( second part need as jazz dance perforner in dance class) - Essay Example They will boost my performance quality and meet the demand of the audience in entertainment or competitive platform. The goals would also serve to help me achieve my potential in entertainment industry. The goals will help me adhere to the professional codes of conduct and dressing in this dance style, remain physically fit and sustain mental alertness that is influential in attaining pattern of body movement during performance. I have had significant improvement in my endeavor through increased physical fitness practice and dance moves. I have gained significant fitness and mastered dance moves with unique acrobatic techniques that accomplish my efficiency. However, all this was not without challenges. I faced significant huddles in reconciling dance moves with my weight and height. It also took me time to understand the emphasis of my trainer on dress code and consistent physical exercise due to fatigue. Despite such obstacles, I could not believe that I have potential in acrobatic moves that blends well with Jazz dance. I have gained much inspiration through increased mental alertness, physical fitness and personal discipline. This has taught me to remain focused on set goals but also reminded me to incorporate time in regard to set goals. My next challenge would be to overcome fear of the crowd and realize the goal of confidence during

Contemporary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Contemporary - Essay Example This is because a formal disclosure framework helps to guide regulators, and preparers towards better and more material disclosure. However, while material disclosure is supposed to be free and within a given time frame, there are numerous cases where preparers have failed to disclose significant materials to users or vice-versa. This fact has been associated with the idea that many organizations lack proper disclosure framework (White, 2009, p.67). It was this lack of proper disclosure framework that led IASB to carryout survey recently about disclosure framework, and found that regulators, preparers and users are supposed to work together so as to improve disclosure. All disclosures need improvement. Disclosure is supposed to be guided by materiality, and that principle based disclosure guidance would be essential. This study will be therefore examining why regulators, preparers and users are supposed to work together so as to improve disclosure. All disclosures need improvement. D isclosure is supposed to be guided by materiality, and that principle based disclosure guidance would be essential According to United States Congress Staff (2002, p.788), one of the most significant findings of IASB is that disclosure should be guided by materiality. ... The main issue is a clear and comprehensive disclosure of information related to sound decision making by market participants, authorities, and the public. Majority of people held the view that crucial information regarding funds and expenditure has always been concealed from the users or in case where it is given, it is not clear and comprehensive. This fact has raised many concerns among the people who want that information disclosure should be improved because it has been facilitating corruption. Due to this increased demands, many organizations are implementing disclosure policies as they have started to come up with succinct disclosure framework. For instance, Financial Market Insurers (FMIs) have implemented a disclosure framework that was organized to supplement the CPSS-ISCO principles for financial market infrastructures, and help it in providing the comprehensive degree of disclosure that is expected of them under Principle 23 on disclosure of rules, main processes, and mar ket data (Fung et al., 2007, p.140). According to Bunger (2012, p.337), the disclosure framework was prepared in association with the CPSS-IOSCO Assessment methodology for the principles for FMIs and the accountabilities of the authorities to ensure a common framework that will reduce burden on FMIs and give assessors a basic set of information from which to start their assessment of FMIs. Heated debate about accounting regulation that calls for a formal disclosure framework has led to establishment and implementation of new rules and regulation that governs information disclosure. For instance, federally tax-exempt organizations stated under IRC sections 501(c) and 501(d) ought to comply

Case Study on Financial Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Case Study on Financial Management - Essay Example The aim of diversification is to reduce the extreme ups and downs in returns and rather to create a consistent return under different economic and market conditions (McGowan, Collier and Young 1992). There are many different asset classes that are available to an investor when making an investment decision. Depending on the return the investor is looking at, the time horizons that the investor is expecting to reap the benefits in and also the level of risk the investor is willing to accept, he or she can invest in a varying combinations and thus achieve diversification of his or her portfolio. Some of the asset classes that are available to us today are money market funds, bonds funds and equity funds. Money market funds are short-term debt instruments that are very liquid and can be converted to cash easily. Treasury bills and commercial paper fall into this category. The risk of loss is lower and pay higher yields than deposit accounts. Bond funds on the other hand pay a regular income, have a longer maturity period and the actual income can fluctuate during economic upturns and downturns since it is for a longer period of time than the money market funds, however they are rel atively safer than equity funds. Equity funds yield much higher returns than both money market and bonds funds however they can be very volatile in the short term and cause havoc in a portfolio. Therefore it is advisable to invest in them for long-term gain rather than short term gain. Diversification can be further classified into geographic, industry and style diversification as well. By this it is meant that we can diversify our portfolios by equity, bonds and money market funds from different regions and countries - which is known as geographic diversification. Sector or industry diversification is investing in equity and bonds from different industries instead of sticking to one particular industry. Style diversification is investing in a portfolio that has instruments that have short term and long term yields or under valued and over valued stocks or all (Adair, Berry and McGreal 1994). The Addendum gives a detailed description of the different diversification strategies that can be used by an individual when combining two classes of assets and gives an indicative calculation of how risk and rewards are leveraged under each strategy by just changing the weight given to the different

Geography assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Geography - Assignment Example In reality, Western Europe probably has the resources to handle the aging population. What many experts are noting, however, is the reality that many traditional values are slowly being forgotten due a decrease in the native population of the region. The number of immigrants flooding into the region, bringing with them their own culture, values, and ways of life, is slowly blending in with other Western Europe traditions. This is slowly creating a new culture that many fear will mean the loss of many long-standing traditions that have been in place across the continent for centuries. Russia is facing yet a different crisis in terms of their recent decline in the native population. In previous decades, war and cultural conflicts have nearly decimated various sectors of the native population. This is quite troubling to the Russian people and they are fervently seeking out ways to reverse this trend and protect the less dominant groups residing within their borders. This brief paper wil l examine the issues surrounding this population decline within both Western Europe and Russia in an effort to better understand the importance of reversing this trend moving forward. Western Europe Western Europe has been undergoing a period of decline in terms of native population for quite some time now. Take Germany as an example. In Germany, if you take away immigration numbers, the net population would actually be declining. If these trends continue, Edmonston (2006) points out that, â€Å"The German population will eventually decline because of below replacement fertility, if net immigration does not counteract that decrease† (p. 513). Even if immigration does make up for the initial decline, the fear is that German culture will slowly be eroded and rewritten. The argument here is not centered on whether or not immigrants can assimilate into German culture. The reality is that immigrants are fulfilling a labor need and they are adjusting to the German way of life in re cord numbers. If this trend continues, however, certain traditions and values that Germans have held dear for centuries could easily become forgotten. The reality of population decline and the potential erosion of cultural values is not limited to Germany. All over Western Europe countries are grappling with the reality that native population growth is simply not keeping up with an aging and dying society. From the United Kingdom to France to Scandinavian countries, governments are faced with difficult decisions about how to deal with the problem. Part of the problem in Western Europe appears to be sociological in nature. Europeans, under systems of democracy, have seen less of an emphasis on class divisions in recent years. In addition, the general population is more materialistic than before and young adults have big dreams and ambitions for their life. Because of this, and the sheer expense of raising children, the birth rate has plummeted to levels never before seen. All of thes e reasons, and others, combine to form a reality where population growth simply becomes difficult to achieve (Ross, 2003, pp. 710-711) Russia The entire region of Russia has been experiencing a decline in their native population as well. In

Plato’s Theory of Knowledge, A Guide to Reaching Higher Grounds Essay Example for Free

Plato’s Theory of Knowledge, A Guide to Reaching Higher Grounds Essay The human knowledge may be regarded as having a two parts: One that he sees hears and touches, on the other he organizes mind s on what he learns through the senses. Philosophers have given considerable attentions to questions about the resources of knowledge. Some philosophers think that that the particular thing seen, heard and touches are more important. They believe that general ideas are formed from the examination of the particular facts. A philosopher who feels that the knowledge is acquired in this way is called empiricist. The view of the knowledge can be attained only through the sense of experience. According to them the real knowledge is based on what our sight, hearing smell and other senses tell us it is really out there and not what people makes up in their heads. Other philosopher thinks it is more important to find a general law according to which particular facts can be understood or judge. This method advocates rationalist. A newer school pragmatism, believe that the value in use is the real test of the truth and meaning and truth of an idea are tested by the practical consequences. These are some of the groups that search about the roots of the theory of knowledge. When a person wants to be enlightened you must know what the light within us is. This light will guide us in every step of our lives. It is a process on what is greater than life, what is greater in the physical things that we see. It is the moment when we begin to know something that is greater than, which is also within ourselves. According to the Augustinian Theory of knowledge, there are two objectives to be considered. One is to show how knowledge of all kinds is achieved and how therefore true reality maybe discovered. The second is to provide the groundwork for the reform of the cultural education to ensure the proper development of the people through teaching knowledge. Inner awakening is that you follow your ego, but after you realize and enlightened, we follow god’s will. We as a person must know and search ways to be enlightened. Enlightenment is the aim of any person. But after you get this enlightened don’t fear that you will loose everything. You must enjoy things more passionate but you know when and how and do not abuse your power of enjoyment like you did before enlighten. The theory of knowledge gives us a guide on how human reach the higher level of enlightenment. It gives us the one by one step and details on how knowledge is acquire. Plato a great philosopher considers some of the details about what is the nature of knowledge and the way it was obtained. In the traditional analysis of knowledge Plato’s theory of knowledge divides into three approaches: (1) the allegory of â€Å"the cave† (2) the metaphor of the â€Å"divide line† (3) and the doctrines â€Å"the forms†. The cave tells us that most of the people who are living in the cave, in the dark has converted to salvation because of the knowledge that they acquire. The â€Å"divided line† visualizes the levels of knowledge in a more systematic way. Plato states that there are four stages of the knowledge development. (1) Imagining, which tells us that the looks or appearance seen as true reality. For example an art, which tells us that what we have seen is not necessarily what, you get. (2) Belief, Plato gives us the idea of seeing the reality does not always believe. We have the strong conviction of what we see but not with absolute certainty. (3) Thinking, it is believe the visible world and move into intelligible world which it stands for the power of mind. Plato wants to see all things as they really are so we can see that all things are interconnected. (4) The development stage of the knowledge due to thinking. The third Approach is â€Å"the Forms† are the highest levels of reality. The forms are called ideas. These are independent existing entities whose existence and nature are graspable only by the mind, even though they are not depend on being so grasped in order to exist A person is in then stage of immaturity, when theory of knowledge takes place he will undergo such different stages like at first he will see what is the source and problem of its immaturity understanding what is immaturity will mean a process that under go such enlightenment. After understanding and knowing the problem he will go to the next stage which is by visualizing the level of knowledge of being immature. He can have a research or he can conduct a qouestion and answer so that he can get some opinion so that it can help a lot in defining the problem of being immature. For instance, what distinguishes real knowledge from mere opinion? The real knowledge is based on the logic, the laws and the methods of reason that we use to understand the universe (Velasquez, 1999) By getting such knowledge and analyzing of what category or level he can create a new solution in order of getting out of being immature.Thingking of the possible solution and ideas is the last satge of getting out of being immature.This process or step of solving ones problem is an example of theory of knowledge which can be apply to enlightenment.In any of the different stages they are interconnected to one another so that it can create a good solution which enlightens on a person. There is a given change of such enlightenment. For Parmenides, Change is the confusion of the appearance (motion) with reality (permanence) and therefore the change is simply an illusion. Reality is the basis of truth (knowledge) where as changes produces only opinion (lack of knowledge). Although the senses tells us that the things appear to change and therefore things do change, our reason can distinguish the truth from that which appear to be true. When reasons say reality must be single permanent substances, then there can be no change. (Hankinson, 1998) Plato’s theory of knowledge leads us down many roads, but we see the same theme through out: the light to dark; ignorant to educate: reality to really real.The theory of knowledge imparts us that in every circumstances in life there is a solution. In every situation that we have there is an appropriate answer. Having a knowledge or education gives us the true meaning of reality and real.That is when enlightenment takes place. When we have already the knowledge and reasons we know now how to handle and solve on any situation that we have.   Enlightenment is one of important part in our life to have a sense of direction. If we can apply the the different stages of theory of knowledge and integrate it   to its process of enl;ightenment there is a good way that humanities can have the truth , the reality, and the essence of having a knowledge.Believing to the knowledge that we have and through by the grace we can struggle and survive in any situation that we have. Velasquez, Manuel â€Å"Philosophy: A text with readings†. New York: Wadsworth publishing company, 1999. Hankinson, RJ.† Cause and Explanation in Ancient Greek Thought†. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1998. â€Å"Human Knowledge and Human Nature: A new introduction to an Ancient Debate Oxford University Press, 1992   ISBN 0-19-875101-X ISBN 0-19-875102-8 (pbk.) http://www.philosophy.umd.edu/Faculty/pcarruthers/HKHN-Conclusion.htm â€Å"Augustinian Knowledge Of theory† http://www.users.bigpond.com/seckington/Augustinian%20Knowledge.htm What is Enlightenment ? (Quest-ce que les Lumià ¨res ?), in Rabinow (P.), à ©d., The Foucault Reader, New York, Pantheon Books, 1984, pp. 32-50. http://foucault.info/documents/whatIsEnlightenment/foucault.whatIsEnlightenment.en.html

PESTEL and SWOT Analysis: Starbucks in India

PESTEL and SWOT Analysis: Starbucks in India Starbucks is the number one specialty coffee retailer in the world. The company wants to deliver the finest coffee products and offers handcrafted beverages. Starbucks is not only about drinking coffee but about a unique experience. The company follows an international expansion strategy through strategic alliances. Starbucks wants to prevent competitors from having a head start, build upon the growing interest for Western brands and take advantage of the higher coffee consumption rates. After building a successful brand in Japan and China Starbucks wants to enter the Indian market. Starbucks found a local supplier for their coffee, Tata. However, the company has not yet found a partner to enter the Indian market with. In this report we will give an outline of some of the challenges Starbucks might face when entering the Indian market. We will give an analysis of the external environment in India. Later we will describe the strengths and weaknesses of the company and the opportunities and threats the Indian market offers. We will combine the internal and external analysis to propose four possible strategies to target the Indian market. PEST(LE) Analysis The PESTLE analysis is a tool which provides insight of the external environment in which organizations operate or will operate and aids the strategy formulation of those organizations. Considering the fact that Starbucks is planning to enter the market in India, the PESTLE analysis is going to evaluate favorable and unfavorable conditions in the countrys political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental setting. Political factors The political factors have strong influence upon the regulation and controlling of business and the spending power of consumers and other businesses. We must consider those factors as very important and even crucial depending on the political system of the country we are operating in and the political condition of the country as a whole. The Indian economy has been subject to series of positive economic reforms since 1991 which had created a better working environment for foreign companies and has made it possible for foreign investors to operate in the country more easily. The reforms have also resulted in higher growth rates, lower inflation and increase and ease of the foreign investments. The current Indian government United Parties Alliance (UPA), headed by the Indian National Congress party (INC) has shown more tolerance towards foreign countries in general and towards FDI in numerous economic sectors. These reforms have placed India in a favorable position in the world economic stage. Taking into consideration the political environment in India as a whole, the bureaucracy complications and the regulatory FDI controls and regulations, it is safer for Starbucks to enter India via a joint venture or a strategic alliance with an Indian company that can provide a buffer from possible political tension. Furthermore, Starbucks can face some opposition from the existing competitors (CCD, Barista, etc.) through the use of political influence and delaying tactics. Although situations like these are possible to happen, the chance is low taking into account that the Indian market is large enough to hold more companies and the leaders in the Indian gourmet coffee industry will not be strongly affected by Starbucks entry. Economic factors In economic terms India is experiencing growing GDP with levels reaching 7.4% for 2009 and 8.3% for 2010. The GDP per capita has also been estimated to have stable growth in the last few years, reaching $ 3  500 in 2010.  [1]  Additionally, the high levels of inflation, which peaked at 11% in the beginning of 2010, reached stable one digit figures by the end of the year as a result of the Indias central bank interest levels adjustment. Favorable environment for Starbucks entry are provided by the big cities in the country. Mumbai is regarded as the countrys financial center and accommodates many foreign financial organizations as well as many IT companies. Delhi and Bangalore, other major cities with population totaling just below 20 million, are centers of call-center hubs and international IT companies. Apart from that, The Indian Government is still working on improving unfavorable factors such as widespread poverty, inadequate physical and social infrastructure, bureaucracy, limited non-agricultural employment opportunities, regulatory and foreign direct investment controls, insufficient access to quality basic and higher education, and the imbalance of rural-to-urban migration. Furthermore, the government strives to reduce its fiscal deficit in 2011 to 5.5% of GDP from 6.8% in previous years. Socio-Cultural factors As one of the main characteristics of the company, the ethical approach towards internal and external stakeholders is almost a trademark for Starbucks. The company is widely known for its humane approach towards sourcing its coffee and related products and towards converting its employees to skilled baristas and dedicated brand ambassadors. In addition to that the company plays an important role as sustainable leader on the market and conveys all through its consistent business strategy. This positioning as sustainable business player is important facet for the Indian market and its many socio-cultural dimensions. It gives Starbucks position with regard to an important cultural trend that with the growing employment rate of young people, their disposable income also grows and they become a very profitable target audience. According to sources the population of the country consists of more than 60% of the people between the age of 15-59. Also with the westernization of the social trends more and more young people trust western brands and prefer foreign goods. They also go for the same trends and try to mimic the same status of exclusivity young people in the US and Europe look for. This places Starbucks at a very dynamic position, where it has a good opportunity and much possibility to capture quick customers. The only problem is that they will not be the first on the market with specialty coffee offering and their otherwise leadership position could strongly be under mined and only sustained by their brand image. Next to that, the culture and cuisine of India poses a very interesting challenge. The mix of traditional tea-drinking population together with the various differences between Muslim and Hindu and the growing difference among various regions of the country, make it extremely to divide and place is concrete consumer groups. Still the most obvious separation with regard to coffee consumption is visible in the city versus rural areas separation with the urban population having distinctly higher preferences for coffee. Still the numbers of coffee consumers remains low with slow negative growth figure between 2000 and 2005 6.7% and 2.0% respectively. Technological factors In 2004 Starbucks entered into a strategic alliance with Tata Coffee LTD., the largest coffee producer in India. With signing this agreement, Starbucks finally found the partner it needed. A company which met all the conditions and standards followed by Starbucks. Tata proofed its quality standard by winning a gold medal for the best Robusta coffee in the world. The factor of quality is very important at the Indian market as high quality coffee beans are easily available. With this strategic relation with the Tata Group, the company, Starbucks, might be able to succeed with competitive pricing in India. Another important technological factor is the lack of infrastructure in India. However, having such an experienced local partner, Starbucks does not face any problems with this issue. Legal factors The legal environment in India might not be viewed as positive as the one in USA or Europe in the eyes of global business. Corruption in the country is high and it raises concerns. Starbucks has already experienced some drawbacks from the legal environment in India. The case of Starstruck is being mentioned as an example of weak copyright and trademark protection in the country. Even though, the business opportunities still remain attractive since India has shown significant improvement in reforms towards international business and investment. Due to these improvements the countrys has attracted FDIs. Lower tariffs and lower barriers to enter have made the Indian market extremely promising and willing to change. Environmental factors The Starbucks coffee is for a large part dependent on the quality of coffee beans. Several environmental factures must be taking into account for growing coffee. Sufficient water and trees and a diverse flora and fauna are important for growing coffee beans. The rapid growth of the population and economic development will lead to a number of environmental issues like uncontrolled growth, urbanization, industrialization, intensification of the agriculture and destruction of the forest. The growing population has an adverse effect on natural resources and the environment. Therefore, it is very important that India grows in a sustainable way. External factors Opportunities Following Indias economic liberalization in 1990 the country experiences accelerated growth which reaches an average of 7% in the years after 1997. This, alongside with the increasing levels of GDP, results in growing disposable income of consumers. In a country where cultural trends play important role in society growing income and standards of living creates demand for western goods. In recent years there has been a growing number of department stores. They accommodate mainly the high-income and the upper-middle segment, which happens to be the target group of Starbucks. Placing coffee-bars in such places is a big opportunity for achieving high profits and is definitely something that Starbucks has experience with. Another opportunity on the Indian market is the growing size of Starbucks target group. In 2006 the middle class in India was estimated at around 250 million and it is growing in urban areas. All, these factors show that Starbucks has a large enough target group which is willing and able to pay premium price for a high quality western brand. Starbucks has the potential to skim the Indian market, because of its positioning and brand image. Threats The coffee retail market in India consists of mainly homegrown brands. The biggest ones are Coffee Cafà © Day (CCD), followed by Qwikys and Barista Coffee. These companies are considered as threats to Starbucks entry in the Indian market because they are offering similar and sometimes identical products. CCD, for instance, the company which pioneered the concept of specialty coffee in India, has wide range of cafà © formats with almost identical concept used by Starbucks. Besides, CCD has presence all around the India. The same company also sells merchandise and is involved in heavy marketing, such as establishing relations with the Indian movie and television series industry. Furthermore, CCDs best-seller the cold Frappe is a direct competition to Starbucks Frappuccino. It is also mentioned that the infrastructure in India is weakly developed, which might result difficulties or larger amounts of costs incurred in the business operations of Starbucks. In addition the retail environment in India is largely unorganized and dominated by small and individually owned businesses. The threat from substitute goods in India should also be considered. The Indian population is still heavy tea drinkers. The consumption of tea per person in 2000 was reported to 44 liters in comparison to 1.2 liters of coffee. Another good, which is considered a substitute, is the instant coffee. It is reported that 65 % of households bought instant coffee and only 18 % bought filter coffee. Internal factors Strengths Taking into consideration the size and market power of Starbucks as a leader in specialty coffee retailing, the brand equity of the company is one of the most valuable assets they have (Interbrand Top 100 Most Valuable Brands N 97 estimated brand value $ 3.339 m). This strength also has the highest rate in the strengths section because through its consistent and innovative marketing strategy and exclusive product positioning Starbucks managed to maintain throughout the years its brand integrity and kept on its very consistent mission and vision. The strong joint ventures and strategic alliances that the company has establish all over the word made it possible for them to create and develop a sustainable supply chain of high quality.   Moreover, Starbucks has also placed great attention to the well-being and satisfaction of their employees. The company ranks at N 98 Fortune`s 100 Best Companies To Work For. Another very important strength of Starbucks is their financial stability. Taking into account that the company`s total net revenues for 2010 increased 17.2%, compared to 2009, to $2.8 billion, the capital availability that Starbucks has is making it easier for them to manage their expansion in other new markets like India. Weaknesses Because of the high quality exclusive products that Starbucks is offering their price range is also very high compared to their competitors. It is a weakness of the company but at the same time it is not addressed heavily because it is part of their exclusive image. Entering the Indian market, Starbucks are not the first movers in the coffee retail industry; there are already established leaders on the market and thus Starbucks are market followers. Because of this high competition Starbucks is also facing a problem regarding their suppliers. They signed a supply deal with Tata Coffee which is actually co-owner of the main competitor on the market. Strategic factors TOWS Matrix The TOWS matrix, serves as a framework for organizations to assess the combination of external and internal factors. The matrix helps companies to decide on approaches depending on the opportunities and threats the business environment has to offer and how the company is going to take advantage on them depending on their internal capabilities. Maxi-maxi strategy The growing Indian economy provides attractive opportunities for a company such as Starbucks. These favorable economic conditions create an environment in which exclusive and luxury products such as Starbuck coffee will be in growing demand. The international popularity of the Starbucks brand will help the company to position itself on the Indian market. Starbucks in one of the best known American brands in the world and it is also connected with positive affiliations on the market. With its strong and distinctive brand image the company is able to take advantage of the growing demand for branded, western and luxury products. On the other hand, in order to gain market share, Starbucks can reduce the prices, but not below the competitions levels and by maintaining healthy profit margins. This is possible since Starbucks has at its disposal coffee from a local supplier. One way the firm could protect its position involves developing a marketing campaign emphasizing its superior customer service in comparison to its competitors. Maxi-mini strategy The high brand equity and recognition of Starbucks` products is definitely the biggest advantage they have over their competitors. Taking into account the size of their Indian competitors and the size of the market as a whole, Starbucks has to put more emphasis on its marketing strategy and try to stress on the promotion of its exclusiveness and premium product portfolio in order to differentiate its brand in the consumer`s mind. In order to grow and outperform its already existing competitors Starbucks must also emphasize on the company`s points of difference, which include the brand experience as a whole, the brand quality that they are offering and also the convenient access to their locations. Starbucks is well known for its high quality and distinctive products, so substitute products can`t deliver to the customer the same exclusive level of high quality and cannot satisfy the customers` needs and wants as Starbucks does. In order to create and retain a position in the customers` mind Starbucks must extend their product portfolio so that it can match the local preferences. For example, they can offer special Indian tea and other typical for the region herbal mixes. Mini-maxi strategy As a company that offers specialty coffee the limited portfolio of Starbucks, in terms of non-coffee products, can be considered as exclusive offering. Therefore, the company is in a good position to take advantage of the growing opportunity that the cultural westernization is offering and minimize the impact of their weakness. As exclusive product, Starbucks` specialty coffee can give the targeted consumers the desired social status. Mini-mini strategy Starbucks should keep its prices high as the alternative can undermine the exclusivity and top quality image of the coffee. Thus, Starbucks has the ability to minimize the impact of their high price weakness on the India market and deal the pressure from competition which is a definite threat. Even though, the main competitors have similar, and even more extensive product portfolios, Starbucks has the competitive advantage of its exclusive brand image. Moreover, Starbucks should slightly try to extend their product line portfolio in order to answer the consumers` existing demand for instant coffee. Summary The Indian market offers a future entry possibility for Starbucks. The economy and the population are increasing and there is a growing interest for western brands. Some recent government reforms have been undertaken which made investing in India easier for foreign companies. However, India still has some FDI restrictions and there is a lot of bureaucracy. Starbucks has three main competitors in India of which Barista and CCD are the biggest. They offer the same type and quality of products as Starbucks does. Also, India is a tea drinking country which presents a challenge for companies that mostly sell coffee. Furthermore, retailing is unorganized and underdeveloped in India. Looking at external and internal factors various strategies can be identified for possible entry in the Indian market. There will be a growing demand for Western products. Starbucks can use this trend to successfully introduce its product. The company should make use of its strong brand name and recognition as a Western product. The products Starbucks is offering are in line with the growing westernization and coffee culture. Also, growing GDP per capita will lead to the ability to pay more for a premium product. Starbucks should market themselves as a high quality Western brand. The exclusive product Starbucks is offering and the Western brand name is in line with the trend of westernization and a growing coffee culture. Starbucks should use their exclusivity and their brand name to target the specialty coffee market. By keeping prices high Starbucks will keep its image of being an exclusive brand. By slightly altering its product offering Starbucks can serve local preferences.

Graduation Speech: An Amazing Year! :: Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

To be completely honest, at the end of my junior year, I felt ready to be up here. I watched a lot of my friends go through their senior year and felt completely prepared to move on. I could hardly stand the thought of another year at County High School, in what I thought would be stagnant water. At that point in my life, I had no idea how much I had left to learn and how much one more year at County High would mean. It ended up being, collectively, one of the most amazing experiences I have even had. From the very beginning, it was not what I expected. Boys tennis, never a very strong team at County High, surprised me, and alone was an unforgettable experience. I never envisioned myself playing in the league finals, I was as surprised as anyone, and when I missed out on state, I was as disappointed as anyone. Other activities left their mark; finally being involved in art, finally playing with the jazz band, finally being completely done with pit orchestra. I also never imagined a thing called 'knowledge bowl' could be so much fun. Each activity, in itself, built a memory I will forever hold. More even than the activities, the people I became close to this year have grown to be cornerstones of who I've become. Most of my good friends graduated last year and I thought I would be lost without them. The situation ended up being the exact opposite, however, and I now cannot imagine what I would be like had I never become close to my good friends now. I have watched myself, and those around me become better, stronger people. I now can say that I would not give up a second of my time here for anything. The teachers here, the other students, the opportunities and the experiences have made me what I am today.

Human Resource Management Essay -- Business Resource Managing Essays

Human Resource Management Effective human resource management is undoubtedly critical to the success of virtually all firms. Thus its importance is huge in the study of business strategy; which is the system of the firm’s important choices that are critical to the firm’s survival and relative success (Boxall and Purcell 2003). Getting more specific, strategic human resource management as a field of study is concerned with the strategic choices associated with the use of labour in firms and with explaining why some firms manage them more effectively than others (Boxall and Purcell 2003). Traditionally there has been much debate in the field of strategic HRM over two main schools of thought; â€Å"best fit† (contingency theory), and â€Å"best practice† (universalism). The â€Å"best fit† school of thought argues that HR strategy will be more effective when it is appropriately integrated with its specific organizational and broader environmental context (Boxall and Purcell 2003). This proposes questions about which are the most critical contingencies in this context and how they are best connected. The ‘best practice’ school of thought argues that all firms will see performance improvements if only they identify and implement best practice. This perspective requires top management to commit themselves to key HR practices. Basically, the idea is that a particular bundle of HR practices has the potential to contribute improved employee attitudes and behaviours, lower levels of absenteeism and labour turnover, and higher levels of productivity, quality and customer service. This has the ultimate effect of generating higher levels of profitability (Boxall and Purcell 2003). Both of the aforementioned â€Å"best theory† approaches to strategic HRM place emphasis on critical choices associated with competitive strategy; such as which industry to enter and what competitive position to seek in it (Boxall and Purcell 2003). However, these models make some serious assumptions of the firms HRM. They assume that the firm already has a clever leadership team that makes the competitive strategy choices effectively. They also assume that human resource issues such as hiring and training a capable workforce are straightforward and basic. The resource-based view (RBV) of strategy, a modern school of thought in the field of strategic HRM, sees these issues as strategic rather than stra... ... over time, and their importance to sustained competitive advantage (Boxall and Purcell, 2003). Works Cited Boxall, Peter and Purcell, John. Strategy and Human Resource Management. Palgrave  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Macmillan. 2003. Deephouse D. ‘To be different, or to be the same? It’s a question (and theory) of   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  strategic balance’ , Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 20, 1999. pp147-166 Mabey, Christopher and Salaman, Graeme and Storey, John. Human Resource   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Management: A Strategic Introduction. Blackwell Business. 1998. Marchington, Mick and Wilkinson, Adrian. People Management and Development:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Human Resource Management at Work. CIPD Enterprises Ltd. 2002. Purcell, John. â€Å"Business Strategies and Human Resource Management: Uneasy   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Bedfellows or Strategic Partners?† University of Bath. April 27, 2005   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  [http://www.bath.ac.uk/werc/pdf/business_strategies_and_HRM.pdf] Sisson, Kieth and Storey, John. The Realities of Human Resource Management:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Managing the Employment Relatoinship. Open University Press:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Buckingham.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  2000. Schuler, Randall S. and Jackson, Susan E. Strategic Human Resource Management.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Blackwell Publishers Ltd. 1999.

Ict In Schools A Means For Transforming Teaching Education Essay

The application of Information and Communications Technology ( ICT ) in schools is perceived as a agency for transforming instruction and acquisition procedure, and has therefore been met with important enthusiasm. The underdeveloped universe besides perceives ICT as a tool that will advance socio-economic, political, and sustainable development and as portion of the nucleus of instruction, aboard reading, composing and numeracy. This perceptual experience is emphasized in schools in Ghana. Students and students can make their prep on the cyberspace, because such services and installations exist on the cyberspace. The cyberspace can besides ease high quality instruction in the schoolroom every bit good as enrich the learning accomplishments of instructors. Harmonizing to Griffiths ( 1999 ) , in most underdeveloped states, though information engineering has been introduced, it is non to the full incorporated. In Ghana, witting attempts are being made by authorities to distribute the usage of information engineering in all sectors. As a consequence, the authorities of Ghana has passed a policy ( ICT for Accelerated Development ) to defend the class in advancing information and communications engineering in Ghana. In the ICT for Accelerated Development Policy, it stated that â€Å" policy attempts shall be directed at utilizing ICTs to ease system of E-learning and E-education every bit good as life-long acquisition within the population at big † .1.2 Statement of the ProblemIn order to accomplish the aims of the new educational reform ( 2007 ) and ICT4AD policy of the state, coachs and pupils should be encouraged to develop involvement in the usage of ICT Tools such as Web Based Learning ( WBL ) Tools to heighten instruction and a cquisition of the class. This is premier exampled by the manner coachs and pupils of Konongo-Odumase Senior High School abandon the usage of WBL Tools. The coachs and pupils are supposed to take advantage of WBL Tools to heighten instruction and larning yet as it is now, they do n't. It is as a consequence of this job that, the research worker seeks to utilize the WBL tools to better instruction and acquisition.1.3 Purpose of the StudyThe chief intent of this survey is to better instruction and acquisition of ICT in Konongo-Odumase Senior High School. This intent is intended to be achieved by look intoing into the non use of WBL Tools. The information gathered will assist convey out intercessions that would better instruction and acquisition of ICT through the usage of WBL. Specifically, this survey is aimed at: Use appropriate methods to heighten pupils understanding during ICT lessons. Use immediate feedback to pupils to actuate them to analyze the topic. Monitoring pupil ‘s public presentation through WBL Tools. Keeping the involvement of both coachs and pupils in the instruction and larning procedure by utilizing an easy manner of accessing information.1.4 Research QuestionsHow will you utilize WBL to assist actuate pupils to go active in the survey of ICT? What method of learning will outdo aid to better instruction and acquisition? To what extent would the given of immediate feedback to pupils actuate them to analyze ICT? Is it utile for instructors to utilize WBL Tools to learn? How will the pupils develop involvement in the class?1.5 Significance of the StudyThe result of this survey would convey to bare the importance of WBL to schools and other affected establishments in general. It will assist make a more efficient mechanization for the modern-day coach to student instruction and acquisition procedure. It is hoped that this survey will convey to bare the demand for WBL Tools and sharing of resources with the schools with connectivity.1.6 Restriction of the StudyIn malice of all the attempts put into the survey by the research worker, the research was saddled with the following jobs, which were possible reverse that influenced the concluding consequence. Not all the questionnaires administered were responded and returned. Time restraints in footings of limited periods to subject the long essay and other immaterial factors facilitated the choosing of Konongo-Odumase Senior High School. Some respondent intentionally or out ignorance gave inaccurate responses. Some respondents were hard to be interviewed due to their heavy agendas therefore the figure interviewed was smaller than anticipated.1.7 Boundary line of the StudyAll pupils in all secondary schools in Ghana offer ICT as a topic. However, this survey is narrowed down in range to fiscal and clip restraints. It hence confined itself to merely first twelvemonth pupils and a few coachs.Chapter TwoLiterature ReviewDefinition of Web-Based DirectionKhan ( 1997 ) defines Web-Based Instruction ( WBI ) as: â€Å" †¦ a hypermedia-based instructional plan which utilizes the properties and resources of the World Wide Web to make a meaningful acquisition environment where acquisition is fostered and supported. † Relan and Gillami ( 1997a ) define WBI as: â€Å" †¦ the application of a repertory of cognitively oriented instructional schemes within a constructivist and collaborative acquisition environment, using the properties and resources of the World Wide Web. † Web-Based Instruction, besides called Web-Based Training, is defined by Clark ( 1996 ) as: â€Å" Individualized direction delivered over public or private computing machine webs and displayed by a Web browser. WBT is non downloaded CBT, but instead on-demand preparation stored in a waiter and accessed across a web. Web-based preparation can be updated really quickly, and entree to developing controlled by the preparation supplier. † Though the above definitions are non indistinguishable, there is a common subject, which is that WBI takes advantage of the Internet and World Wide Web to present information.Importance of Web-Based DirectionWBI, which is an emerging field in instruction, is however, a portion of the rapid growing that is the Internet. Reasons for the growing of WBI include: promotes growing of distance instruction economically ( dependable and cheap beginning ) as compared to computing machine based preparation, unrecorded broadcasts, picture tapes, and so on, ( Relan and Gillani, 1997b and Santi, 1997 ) , enables scholars who prefer or are required to larn outside traditional schoolrooms to go to categories at their places or offices, ( Bannan and Milheim, 1997 ) , and provides bringing medium, content supplier, and capable affair in one bundle, unlike other mediums, such as computing machine based preparation, that require a separate bringing mechanism ( McManus, 1996 ) . Nichols ( 1995 ) predicts that: â€Å" The possible benefit from explicating rating methodological analysiss for the Web [ for instructional stuffs ] depends on whether or non the Web will go a lasting medium or a passing craze? In fact, the Web will probably shortly go the most popular medium for the bringing of distance instruction type stuffs. † The development of information engineering has easy changed the manner people interact with computing machines. This alteration has besides reached the learning procedure: distance acquisition, where pupil and instructor are connected by engineering alternatively of a schoolroom, is going a feasible option to traditional instruction methods, and is poised for major growing over the following several old ages. However, understanding how to utilize the World Wide Web ( WWW ) to back up preparation and acquisition activities presents a significant challenge for the interior decorators and judges of this emerging engineering. Particularly they have to understand how communicating and interaction, two cardinal characteristics of the acquisition procedure, are changed by the computing machine engineering. Furthermore, they have to research the possibilities of successfully teaching via webs while turn outing the acquisition and cost effectivity of these advanced systems. Get downing from t he theoretical background presented in Chapter 2 and 3, we present a model for the development of web-based acquisition environments. These tools can be considered a peculiar signifier of interactive multimedia: computer-stored information, which is connected and retrieved via links. An interesting development of interactive multimedia analyzed by the text are shared interactive multimedias, new Internet tools in which different users, who are at the same time shoping the same web site, can pass on with each other. The usage of computing machine engineerings to heighten larning began in late '60s with the attempts of innovators such as Atkinson and Suppes [ 1, 2 ] . Since that clip the presence of computing machine engineering in schools has increased dramatically, and anticipations are that this tendency will go on to speed up. In peculiar, the visual aspect of Internet-based information and communicating engineerings is altering how preparation is being conducted in many colleges, universities and private companies. As noted by Federico [ 3 ] â€Å" we are in the thick of a paradigm displacement in instruction and preparation from schoolroom centric to web centric † ( p.653 ) . On one side the development of information engineering has easy changed the manner people interact with computing machines. Technological progresss have bit by bit shifted the focal point off from computing machines as such, and toward what people really do with them. The most apparent mark of this alteration has been the creative activity of wholly new synergistic communicating environments like Computer Mediated Communication and Computer Supported Collaborative Work made possible by the increasing power and flexibleness of today ‘s information engineering [ 4 ] . In fact non merely does the usage of the World Wide Web non vouch effectual larning [ 6 ] . Inappropriate utilizations of engineering may impede acquisition. For illustration, it is good known that pupils can blow a batch of clip surfing the Internet. The first studies of Web-based Learning appear in the early 1990s edifice on 30 old ages of computer-assisted direction. Advocates claimed computer-assisted direction is superior to text-based, talk, and traditional educational methods for grounds that include control by the scholar over content, clip, and topographic point of acquisition ; sweetening of acquisition, logical thinking, and efficiency ; and cost nest eggs. Many surveies that reported advantages contained methodological defects and reported advantages unrelated to computer-specific characteristics. Web-based acquisition ( WBL ) represents a farther development of computer-assisted direction. Technical advantages of WBL include cosmopolitan handiness, easiness in updating content, and hyperlink maps that permit cross-referencing to other resources. These proficient progresss, specifically hyperlink and seeking capablenesss, fit the constructivist larning theory, where scholars search out and make their ain cognition bases. However, as was apparent with computer-assisted direction, possible advantages may non interpret into important betterments in educational results. Web-based larning environments can function as motivational, instructional, mold, feedback, and appraisal tools. These environments besides can impact the cognitive and societal behaviours of pupils ( Mayer 2001 ; Wallace 2001 ) .What is web-based acquisition?Web-based acquisition encompasses all educational intercessions that make usage of the cyberspace ( or a local intranet ) . There are presently three wide categorizations or constellations within WBL: tutorials, on-line treatment groups, and practical schoolrooms. The differentiations between these constellations are frequently blurred, and in fact a given WBL intercession might utilize a combination of two or three, but the deductions for learning warrant a conceptual, albeit at times arbitrary, separation. On-line tutorials are similar to face-to-face talks. They by and large consist of information structured by the instructor in a manner that will ( hopefully ) facilitate acquisition. Tutorials are frequently enhanced by char acteristics such as multimedia ( sound, images, films, and lifes ) , links to online resources ( full-text diary articles or related web sites ) and other countries within the class, and self-assessment tools. Effective online tutorials frequently besides make usage of schoolroom instances. Online treatment is similar to the face-to-face little group session. As with any little group, there may be an component of didactic instruction from the teacher ( eg a brief tutorial ) but the bosom of the instruction lies in group treatment. Teachers take on the function of facilitators – specifying the range of the treatment, monitoring and steering the treatment as needed, and supplying or assisting pupils to happen extra resources. Communication among group members can be asynchronous ( hold between directing a message and having the response ) or synchronal ( unrecorded ) . Virtual schoolrooms are computer-based simulations of schoolroom brushs. It is besides deserving observing wha t WBL is non. The cyberspace has found many maps in ICT instruction in which the primary purpose is non an educational intercession designed for web-based bringing. These include archives of face-to-face talks ( eg Power- Point slides or videotaped talks ) and class course of study, on-line disposal of trials and class ratings, and administrative communications. While surely utile, these maps do non represent WBL.The Role of WBLTsWeb-based acquisition tools ( WBLTs ) , besides referred to as larning objects in the literature, are defined in this survey as â€Å" synergistic web-based tools that support larning by heightening, amplifying, and steering the cognitive procedures of scholars † ( Agostinho, Bennett, Lockyer, & A ; Harper, 2004 ; Butson, 2003 ; McGreal, 2004 ; Parrish, 2004 ; Wiley, et Al. 2004 ) . WBLTs offer two notable characteristics that can cut down the impact of possible obstructions instructors face when utilizing engineering. First, typical WBLTs are designed to concentrate on specific constructs, doing them easy to larn, easy to utilize, and more attractive to busy pedagogues who have small clip to larn more complex, advanced package bundles ( Gadanidis, Gadanidis, & A ; Schindler, 2003 ) . Ease of usage besides makes WBLTs more toothsome to instructors who are discerning about utilizing engineering ( Kay, Knaack, & A ; Muirhead, in imperativeness ) . Second, a broad scope of WBLTs exist including drill-and-practice appraisal tools ( Adams, Lubega, Walmsley, & A ; Williams, 2004 ) or tutorials ( Nurmi & A ; Jaakkola, 2006 ) , video instance surveies or supports ( Kenny, Andrews, Vignola, Schilz, & A ; Covert, 1999 ; MacDonald et al. , 2005 ) , general web-based multimedia resources ( Van Zele, Vandaele, Botteldooren, & A ; Lenaerts, 2003 ) , and selfcontained synergistic tools in a specific content country ( Bradley & A ; Boyle, 2004 ; Cochrane, 2005 ) . Furthermore, in contrast to other larning engineerings burdened with execution challenges and costs, WBLTs are readily accessible over the Internet and instructors need non worry about inordinate costs or non holding the latest version ( Wiley, 2000 ) . It is speculated that the wide choice of readily accessible WBLTs will do it easier for instructors to incorporate WBLTs into a schoolroom environment. In drumhead, barriers to utilizing engineering reported by instructors such as clip, limited accomplishment, fright of engineering, and limited entree to engineering are partly addressed by easy-to-use WBLTs that are readily accessible in a broad assortment of pedagogical formats.WBLT Research in Middle and Secondary School ClassroomsExisting WBLT or larning object research is limited to the sphere of higher instruction. Out of the 41 empirical surveies reviewed for this paper, 29 ( 70 % ) focussed on WBLT usage in higher instruction, whereas merely eight ( 20 % ) examined WBLT usage in center or secondary school schoolrooms ( Brush & A ; Saye, 2001 ; Ilomaki, Lakkala, & A ; Paavola, 2006 ; Kay & A ; Knaack, 2007a ; Kong & A ; Kwok, 2005 ; Liu & A ; Bera, 2005 ; Lopez-Morteo & A ; Lopez, 2007 ; McCormick & A ; Li, 2006 ; Nurmi & A ; Jaakkola, 2006 ) . Four surveies examined in-between school pupils ‘ usage of WBLTs. Kong & A ; Kwok ( 2005 ) looked at nine-year-old pupils ‘ independent usage of WBLTs for 15-20 hours while trying to larn about fractions. Students who used WBLTs significantly outperformed pupils who did non utilize WBLTs. Ilomaki et Al. ( 2006 ) examined 11 and 12 twelvemonth old pupils utilizing WBLTs to analyze eating wonts. Teachers and pupils did non measure the effectivity of the five hebdomad, WBLT unit, but the pedagogical schemes used by the teachers were described in item. Liu & A ; Bera ( 2005 ) examined in-between school pupils ‘ usage forms with regard to a scope of WBLTs. Eighty-two per centum of the pupils generated successful solutions utilizing WBLTs. Finally, Nurmi & A ; Jaakkola ( 2006 ) reported that synergistic, simulation-based WBLTs produced significantly better consequences than drill-and pattern WBLTs. Five surveies looked at the usage of WBLTs in the secondary school schoolroom. Brush & A ; Saye ( 2001 ) reported that pupils tended to look at superficial content in a WBLT when left to their ain devices and that more active counsel and construction was needed when utilizing information based WBLTs. Ilomaki et Al. ( 2006 ) explored the pedagogical affordances of WBLTs in three countries: nutrition, sense of the encephalon, and multiple intelligences. Kay & A ; Knaack ( 2007b ) used a comprehensive appraisal tool to measure the usage of WBLTs and found that overall utility, clear instructions, organized layout, and good theme/motivation were peculiarly of import to pupils. Lopez-Morteo & A ; Lopez ( 2007 ) reported that pupils perceived synergistic, recreationbased, collaborative WBLTs positively. Finally, McCormick & A ; Li ( 2006 ) completed an extended survey analyzing the attitudes of 770 secondary schools instructors from six different European states toward utilizing WBLTs from the CELEBRATE aggregation. Overall, 70 % of the instructors thought WBLTs were utile. Just over half the instructors felt WBLTs were good designed, although this was clearly dependent on the type of WBLT chosen. Over 50 % of instructors experient Internet jobs while utilizing WBLTs. In add-on, approximately 60 % of all teachers thought WBLTs improved their instruction and felt that pupils were more engaged. Overall, WBLT-use research is positive, albeit slightly ad hoc and inconsistent in informations aggregation schemes. Two surveies gathered user public presentation informations, ( Kong & A ; Kwok, 2005 ; Nurmi & A ; Jaakkola, 2006 ) , four surveies collected descriptive informations ( Brush & A ; Saye, 2001 ; Ilomaki et al. , 2006 ; Liu & A ; Bera, 2005 ; McCormick & A ; Li, 2006 ) , one survey implemented a formal study ( Kay & A ; Knaack, 2007a, 2007b ) , and one survey accumulated anecdotal studies ( Lopez-Morteo & A ; Lopez, 2007 ) . With the exclusion of McCormick and Li ‘s ( 2006 ) paper, all eight old surveies looked at pupil perceptual experiences entirely ; teacher feelings of how good the WBLTs worked were non examined.Feedback in web-based acquisition applicationsTesting and appraisal are widely used in web-based acquisition applications, and e-learning Systems. Computer-based testing has a figure of advantages, viz. : facilitation of informations analysis coevals of speedy or sometimes even immediate consequences decrease of clip for trials development addition in user motive in the instance of frequent measuring possibilities of proving at any clip entreaty to a great figure of users/respondents with a big assortment of penchants, features, instruction, ends, etc. By and large, there exist many types of jobs of proving and appraisal in web-based larning systems, including both more proficient 1s such as user individuality confirmation and security issues and more general facets such as personalisation and version of assessment procedure. Lack of interaction between pupils and instructors is one of the chief jobs in web-based acquisition applications ( Mory, 2003 ) . During the acquisition procedure a pupil performs a figure of actions where feedback is important, for illustration in appraisals or in feedback chiefly consists of information about the trials consequences presented to a user. In web-based larning systems feedback presented by computing machine is normally aimed to replace feedback given to the pupil by the instructor and to better pupil public presentation ( Mory, 2003 ) . The chief function of feedback in web-based systems is to inform and to actuate the user to increase his or her attempt and attending. In web-based larning systems feedback plays a important function in interaction. The feedback is particularly of import in proving and appraisal that is organised within the learning procedure. Harmonizing to Brusilovsky and Miller ( 1999 ) proving constituents are the best developed synergistic constituents in web-based instruction. However, we consider these constituents as being ill designed still. Most of the current testing constituents in e-learning and other web-based applications do non back up feedback version. They do non give information about the user ‘s public presentation in the most suited clip and signifier for him or her. In traditional distance acquisition ( external, but non computer-based acquisition ) feedback has been examined from a figure of different positions ( Hyland, 2001 ) . The surveies have shown that pupils particularly wanted elaborate feedback and remarks. The feedback was expected to supply positive remarks on strengths, non obscure generalizations. It is recommended that unfavorable judgment in feedback be constructive and that pupils should hold a opportunity to react to remarks ( Hyland, 2001 ) . Harmonizing to Mory ( 2003 ) the feedback mechanisms that are used by pupils have changed with the progresss and growing of web-based larning systems. The usage of student-centred and constructivist attack in larning system supposes the usage of learner-to-learner interaction and provides meaningful equal and teacher feedback ( Dabbagh,2002 ) . Harmonizing to Bischoff ( 2000 ) pupils need regular feedback in order to cognize how their public presentation was evaluated, how they could better it, and how their classs are calculated. The effectual elements of on-line learning include frequent and consistent online feedback, diplomatic online feedback, and appraising online feedback. Based on qualities of on-line feedback ( multidimensional, nonevaluative, supportive, pupil controlled, seasonably, and specific ) outlined by Schwartz and White ( 2000 ) and Mory ( 2003 ) has suggested that feedback in the web-based acquisition system should hold the undermentioned qualities: prompt, seasonably, and thorough online feedback ongoing formative feedback about on-line group treatments ongoing summational feedback about classs constructive, supportive, and substantial online feedback specific, nonsubjective, and single online feedback consistent online feedback. In web-based acquisition applications the chief maps of the testing constituent are to measure the users, to give the user information about his or her public presentation, to actuate the user, and to concentrate the user ‘s attending on farther interaction with the system. Feedback differs from rating, where the chief end is to rate and enter the consequence of the testing for the intent of measuring the user. There are several chief jobs with feedback in web-based applications. First of wholly, there is the job of feedback representation. It is widely argued in favor of expressed presentation of feedback, but there are excessively few thoughts about what should be included into feedback and what sort of construction it should hold. Naturally, the feedback should match to the undertakings and to the single features of the user. The effectivity of different types of feedback in web-based acquisition system has been by experimentation studied by Mandernach ( 2005 ) , who evaluated the educational impact of showing assorted degrees of computer-based, on-line feedback ( no-feedback, knowledge-of-response, knowledge-of-correct-response, topic-contingent, and response contingent ) . The consequences of this survey have shown that the type of computer-based feedback did non hold any influence on pupil acquisition, but at the same clip the pupils reported distinguishable penchants for knowledge-of-response and response-contingent computer-based feedback. This allowed to reason that the pupils prefer feedback that is direct and clearly addresses the rightness of their response. The other job of feedback is the clip of its presentation. The user could be provided either with immediate or with delayed feedback. Harmonizing to Mathan ( 2003 ) the job of feedback timing is of important importance for tutoring systems. H e argued about the tradeoff between the benefits of immediate and delayed feedback: while immediate feedback is more effectual, delayed feedback supports better transportation and keeping. The advantages and disadvantages of immediate and delayed feedback can alter with different larning ends and scenes. The of import inquiry of feedback is that it can pull attending off from the undertakings increasing the clip required to put to death them. Harmonizing to Oulasvirta and Saariluoma ( 2004 ) disrupting messages such as feedback in human-computer interaction influence the extent and type of mistakes in retrieving. We argue that the jobs of feedback discussed could be partly solved by version of feedback to the undertakings and to the features of an single user. Feedback version in web based applications can supply a user with feedback that is the most appropriate for his or her personal features, existent temper, behavior, and heed ( Choe et al. , 2004 ) .