Costco History

The History of Costco Wholesale DeAna Castro Wilmington University MGT 6501 Abstract Costco is a members only, international retail chain discount warehouse Club. They combine high quality merchandise with low prices. Costco began in 1976 as Price Club and restructured in 1997 as Costco Wholesales. Costco’s passion, mission, and ethics have been the key to the leading membership warehouse retail giant to supply their customers with low prices. Their low cost business strategies and dedication to their employees, suppliers and shareholders have proven success. The History of CostcoThe history of Costco began in July, 1976, in San Diego, California, and its name was Price Club. It was cofounded by Sol and Robert Price. The newly designed business was the first ‘warehouse’ business of it’s kind. This retail business originally targeted other business owners, but blended retail and wholesale. Price Club had unbeatable low prices and sold bulk items. Three years later, 1979, Price Club expanded two new locations. They acquired 200,000 members and profited 1 million dollars. Price Cub showed a loss of profits the first year, but the expansion proved profitable.Jim Sinegal is a key player to the success of Costco because he started his career being mentored by Sol Price. He worked in the warehouse business at Price Club and another warehouse business called Fedmart, both owned by Sol Price. (Cardon). In 1983, Jim Sinegal and Jeff Brottman would open their own warehouse club near Seattle Washington, and it was called Costco (Daft, 2012 pp. 605). One year later, Costco expanded to nine warehouses in five states. It was not long before Price Club realized they could achieve larger cliental if they served a selected audience of ‘non-business’ members.This payed off by the year 1984, Price Club sales would be greater than one billion dollars and is the first company to achieve this mark in a six year period. Almost ten years later, 1 993, Costco and Price Club, would merge and become PriceCostco. This merge was nicely matched because they were very similar in business model and size. The combined companies included 206 locations and generated $16 billion in annual sales. Jim Sinegal would also become Costco’s President and chief executive (Priceviewer). The merger only lasted about four years and, in 1997, PriceCostco became Costco.Jim Sinegal remained President and chief executer (Carden, 2011). Costco’s Mission statement: To continually provide our members with quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices in order to achieve our mission we will conduct our business with the following Code of Ethics in mind: Obey the law, Take care of our members and our employees, and respect our vendors/suppliers. â€Å"If we do these four things throughout our organization, then we will realize our ultimate goal, which is to reward our shareholders. † Jim Sinegal. (Costco, 2011)Costco’ s operating philosophy is to keep costs down, and pass the savings on to their customers. To offer high quality brand name merchandise at prices below any other avenue of retail. They accomplish this several ways. They buy high volumes of merchandise directly from manufactures and not distributers. The merchandise is shipped directly to a selling warehouse and not a storage area, and this also reduces freight costs. Costco warehouses are located on sites where property costs are minimum not on high real estate locations. Merchandise, or stock, is placed directly on a selling floor and on the pallets that they are delivered on.By doing this, labor and handling, costs are reduced to save the customer money. Sales and service employees are kept at a minimal to also reduce overhead costs. Last, because Costco’s has such an incredibly large membership base they have influence and power to haggle prices with their manufacturers and suppliers. â€Å"Costco is able to offer lower pr ices and better values by eliminating virtually all the frills and costs historically associated with conventional wholesalers and retailers, including salespeople, fancy buildings, delivery, billing and accounts receivable.We run a tight operation with extremely low overhead which enables us to pass on dramatic savings to our members. † Jim Sinegal (corporate, 2012). Costco pride’s themselves as a leading warehouse/big box retailer. Sales volume exceeds that of their competition and they use a â€Å"consumer first† business model. This business model is a creative way that has expanded sales. Costco has developed additional ways to continue to save money for their customers. They did this by creating their own brand. Costco’s personal brand is ‘Kirkland Signature. Kirkland, Washington's the root of Costco and is where their headquarters is located. Kirkland Signature brand was introduced to Costco stores in 1995. It was designed to be equal or bette r quality than national brands. Kirkland Signature products include diapers, coffee, tires, clothing, film, housewares and more. (Priceviewer). Often, national brands are co- brands with Kirkland Signature products. Some manufactures realize the success and power of Costco and have agreed to manufacture products with the Kirkland Signature label. Some companies include Hanes and Whirlpool. Branch, 1999). â€Å"Costco continues to prove their â€Å"consumer first† business model, through the creation of new and unique business concepts, included Costco Pharmacy (1986) Produce and Bakery (1987), Optical labs (1987), 1-Hour Photo (1989), Hearing Aid Centers (1994), Costco Gas stations (1995), Costco business Centers (1996), Costco Travel (2000), Costco Home (2003), and Car Washes (2006)† (Walker, 2011). Costco’s structure and culture, meets customer needs further than low prices. Costco focuses on value of it’s products but also focuses on value of itâ€℠¢s employees.They believe that achieving a long term objectives of reducing employee turnover and enhancing employee satisfaction is beneficial. To accomplish this they hire employees at an above average hourly rate, they train and promote from within. Doing this, their employees feel loyalty and valued. Costco Continues to be financially successful today and has expanded internationally. Their mission and ethics have proved to be successful and beneficial to all that the organization is involved with to include, customers employees, suppliers/vendors and stockholders.What does organizational design truly mean? Have you considered how it can work best? If yes, how? If no, why not? Organizational design is a formal process for integrating people, information, and technology. Organizations are people that have a declaration of purpose, vision and strategy. This structure matches people to the purpose it seeks to achieve a common goal or purpose. It is designed to enhance communication , information, and resources to optimize human achievement. The end product is an integrated system of people and resources tailored to the specific direction of the organization.Organizational design basically is an execution of an administrative plan guided by a leader/leaders. The design of the organization can work best if the people work together as a team. It will also work best, if the mission, vision, strategy, purpose and needs of the organization are identified and the goals are achievable. Organizations also work best if it’s leader understands, guides and assures the process is followed and encourages creative thinking. If their is not an effective leader who does not have a mission, vision, strategy and followers, the organization can and will fail.Costco has proven to have a successful organizational design. Describe the â€Å"Trap of favored ways of thinking†? How did it impact your thinking? In Organizations ‘traps’ can be hazardous to thei r success. These traps can prohibit and restrict creativity, limits capabilities and limits ability to progress into the future. Some common traps are: Group Thinking- Productive conflict is critical if common traits are shared in a group because it prevents bad ideas from being implemented without discussion or consideration. Non productive conflict is not productive and can become a hostile situation.Group thinking is pervasive. â€Å"We have never done it like this before† If you always do what you do, you always get what you got. Be courages and attempt change. Make sure to make meaning changes. â€Å"You’re Gooder† syndrome- Respect is over emphasized to their authorities and lacks candor, honesty and courage. Inbred Culture When hiring employees is based on time, ore years of service and loyalty rather than exceptional performance. Problems will arise. The leadership chain of command will be incompetent and will breed more incompetence. Arbitrary Directive s and policies are determined by top management.If decisions and policies are made with randomness and for unknown reason then those are signs that indicates that the leader is disconnected and out of touch. This truly impacted my thinking because I was not aware and I learned many things! It made so much since why organizations struggle, fail and succeed. It caused many flashbacks to my military career, and also, my teachers, mentors and friends. When I think about this, in reference to Costco, any of these trapped ways of thinking could have jeopardized their success. â€Å"The Ugly Face† often stifles an organizations growth. How? Did you position to circumvent it in your design?The ugly face refers to organizations that exploit employees, the global economy, or the natural environment as instruments of domination that furthers selfish needs and dominance. Taking what they need and throwing or destroying what isn’t needed. â€Å"Whether by design or default, organi zations often have a large negative impact on our world. † (Morgan,1998 pp. 261). Pollutants, poisons and other cancer causing hazards are ingested or promoted by food and tobacco companies. Similar threats are caused from environmental pollutions that are legally and illegally dumped in water and land.Contaminated air, land and water hurt people causing cancer or other health problems and big corporations that cause these hazards are sometimes not penalized. These organizations place profits before human welfare. Foreign countries are easily manipulated by employment with hazards, disease, and degradation. Costco has circumvented many of the â€Å"ugly face† views by taking care or rewarding their customers, employees, and suppliers. They take care of their employees by giving them a substantially higher pay than other companies, they promote from within and they are rewarded and valued as people.Globally, Costco has expanded to foreign countries and has provided emplo yment and opportunities for others by creating employment, giving them higher above average salaries and valuing them as people with respect and appreciation. References Branch, S. (1999, 09 06). Inside the cult of costco. Fortune, 140(5), Retrieved from http://web. ebscohost. com/ehost/detail? [email  protected] Cardon, B. (n. d. ). Costco company history. Retrieved from http://goarticles. com/article/Costco-Company-History/4651134 Costco Wholesale Corporation SWOT Analysis. 2011) Costco Wholesale Corporation SWOT Analysis. Daft, R. (2013). Organizational theory & design. (11 ed. , pp. 54-61). Canada: South-Western, Cengage Learning. Walker, S. (2011, 05 16). The history of costco. Retrieved from http://www. vendor. com/_blog/VENDORCO_BLOG/post/The_Hisory_of_Costco Retrieved from http://www. costco. co. jp/eng/costco. htm Retrieved from http://phx. corporate-ir. net/phoenix. zhtml? c=83830=irol-homeprofile Retrieved from http://priceviewer. com/costco/costco. htm Retrieved from h ttp://www. referenceforbusiness. com/history2/91/Costco-Wholesale-Corporation. html

Newell / Rubbermaid Case Study †Strategy Essay

In October 1998, Newell Company was considering a merger with Rubbermaid Incorporated to form a new company, Newell Rubbermaid Incorporated. The amalgamation would be through a tax-free exchange of shares valued at $5.8 billion. Newell had three major product groupings: Hardware and Home Furnishings, Office Products, and Housewares. Rubbermaid is a renowned manufacturer of a wide range of plastic products ranging from children’s toys through housewares. Acquisitions are the foundation of Newell’s growth strategy and the company has an aggressive and disciplined approach to achieving its’ growth targets. Newell focuses on acquisitions that are generally mature businesses with ‘unrealized profit potential’, and pass a number of clearly defined screening criteria. If the transaction is completed, Newell will begin the process of assimilating Rubbermaid’s operations through a process called â€Å"Newellization.† The companies expect that the merger will create synergy through the leveraging of Newell Rubbermaid brands. By 2000, these efforts are ANALYSIS The Newellization process The Newellization process is based on the prospective acquisition target having a number of attributes that correlate with Newell’s requirements of a target organization. The first step in this analysis is that of Newell’s screening criteria applied to the Rubbermaid opportunity. The first criteria is that the target organization must be a mature business. Rubbermaid was started in 1920 when five businessmen who made toy balloons launched Wooster Rubber. The organization has been continuously run since 1920 and has had a great deal of success over the years. The company name has become synonymous with plastic dishware and storage units. The next attribute desired of a company to undergo the Newellization process is the existence of Unrealized Profit Potential. In 1995, Rubbermaid at 75 was troubled by rising competition, increased demands from retailers and skyrocketing-raw materials costs. By taking advantage of Newell’s strengths in these areas, increased profits may be realizable. Strategic Fit with existing businesses is the next criteria defined. This includes a corporation with low technology products, low in fashion and seasonal content and sold through mass distribution channels. Rubbermaid primarily makes plastic products such as household and children’s products. These items are generally fairly low technology although there is some specialization and a degree of higher technology required in the plastics industry. The products are definitely low in fashion and have very little seasonal influence. The products are sold through mass distribution channels, including large retailers. Another criteria is that the target organization should be Number one or two position in their markets and have established shelf space with major retailers. Although there is no indication in the case as to where Rubbermaid exists within their markets, Rubbermaid has obviously held a very large market share in their product areas. In addition, Rubbermaid has established shelf space with many major retailers. Long product life cycle is an attribute that is definitely applicable to Rubbermaid products. Rubbermaid’s products include housewares such as plastic containers, storage units, brooms and toys, all of which have a very long product life cycle. The final criteria defined is that the target organization must have the  potential to reach Newell’s Financial Performance standards. Based on the above strategic fit and the current difficulties and tensions faced within the Rubbermaid corporation, there appears to be the potential for increased financial performance with the right leadership and structural changes. From this analysis, Rubbermaid appears to be an extremely good fit to the Newell organization. All criteria set by Newell appear to be met, by varying degrees by Rubbermaid. This analysis process is somewhat objective and the potential flaw in this analysis is obviously the possible prejudice of the individual(s) performing the comparison. That being said, I feel that in this particulair instance, there is a strong fit between the criteria and Rubbermaid.

Debussy and Orientalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Debussy and Orientalism - Essay Example This essay "Debussy and Orientalism" outlines the life of the Debussy and his impact on the music of the 20th century. In the midpoint of his career was the last years of the 19th century were he released the three nocturnes, which was sharply contrasting with Wagnerian opera. After ten years of work, his Pelleas te Melisande proved to be his only complete opera which was based on a play by Maurice Maeterlinck, it was an instant hit and it influenced many young composers such as Maurice Ravel, his works brought to new rhythm and fluidity and color that had been retrospectively absent in western composition. In the La mer Essays, between 1903 to 1905, the music had a more philharmonic format with an ending whose subjects were borrowed from the initial thought to the intermediate period. According to his critics, this was seen as a less subtle step in his progress, to some it was even perceived as negative. True to his pupil perchance for trying new things and gravitating from the conv entional, he let himself be influenced by a new type of music in the west that most modern composers would rather have kept from their scores. This was Javanese gamelan; an oriental style that he found to be both appealing and intriguing. The orchestra, which composed bells gongs and percussions, mesmerized him so much that his style noticeably changed as he implemented parts of this composition in his later music. He did not refer to the gamelan scales or ensemble; however, his sensitive and refined melodies were overtly achieved with the application of oriental exotic scales.

The Destruction of Sennarcherib Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Destruction of Sennarcherib - Essay Example However Byron does not tell us the full story of the destruction of the king but focuses on the battle scene. He writes about the Assyrian army being destroyed by the Angel of Death thereby making us realize that the power of God is much more than that of the human beings. The theme of the poem is the battle between good and evil and comparison of the power of God with the power of the mortals. Sennacherib here represents evil. God in this poem is very powerful and punishes those who set out to do wrong. He on hearing the cries of his people sends the Angel of Death to destroy Sennacherib. â€Å"And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword / Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord,† (Byron, 1815) aptly describes how God protected his people from evil forces. Even though in the poem the Assyrians are described as noble characters wearing the royal colors of purple and gold they are shown as predators attacking the weak. The words â€Å"like a wolf on the fold,† points out to this. A breath of the Angel of Death was enough to destroy the great army and this shows how hollow the power of mortals is when compared to the power of God. The enemy was strong and the number of soldiers was as numerous as the number of leaves on the trees. Yet all that the angel of death did was "spread his wings" to destroy. This represents the central theme that God is more powerful than mortals. The Destruction of Sennacherib is clearly a poem on death. The first line of the third stanza itself conveys to us that the Assyrian king has been killed and the rest of the poem is about the effects of his death. The images of death are beautifully conveyed by the description of the king’s horse. Here Byron writes about foam spewing from the mouth of the horse and uses one whole stanza to describe the death of a horse. The death of a powerful animal like the horse is used as symbol to show that

Use the internet to research Apple Corporation, its current Paper

Use the internet to Apple Corporation, its current position,and reputation regarding ethical and social responsibility, and the strategies that it currently employs to market its product - Research Paper Example However, it is evident that with the rise of profits the level of social and ethical responsibility rises at the same time in contemporary world. Thus, in order to keep the privileged position as one of the most successful global businesses, Apple is certainly preoccupied with the task of maintaining their customers and partners. In other words, in contemporary world issues of reputation and strategy arise as crucial elements of corporate success. Therefore, the given essay presents the analysis of attitude demonstrated by Apple Corporation towards its ethical obligations for the society while possessing its marketing strategy nowadays. In this context, it is evident that corporation needs to ensure its corporate social responsibility conduct to Asian outsourcing companies and accumulate already gained innovative potential in its marketing strategy. Within its inner structure, Apple Inc. is a unique example of vertically integrated four-in-one company; in particular, it presents a complex conglomerate of hardware workers, software specialists, services equipment creators, and retail representatives (Vergara, 2012, p. 78). In this context, Apple is an unusual enterprise in its sector, as it is â€Å"opposed to other computer, tablet or smartphone companies that only design or make the hardware, and rely on other suppliers to supple the operating system and related applications (or apps), and to sell the product† (Vergara, 2012, p. 78). In other words, the comprehensive internal structure of Apple fully satisfies all its needs connected with innovations, production, and sales. In addition, it enlarges the number of personnel. At the same time, it means the greater responsibility and obligations of corporative management. Even though â€Å"Apple is not a manufacturing firm† and â€Å"it outsources its production to other electronic

Urban futures (tutorial short answers) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Urban futures (tutorial short answers) - Essay Example All such functions are important and take place side by side simultaneously in the same public space in a fine balance. According to Edensor (2011), public space is considered important due to the provision of social centers and necessary activities that occur in such space. A lot of joyful human activities are found in public space, and also offer more room and opportunities for people (Edensor, 2011). Lubin (2012) asserts that public space is formed through opening government buildings and property to the public such as public gardens and public libraries. The reformation and contestation of the public space is something of a hallmark for critical theory regarding geography, cultural studies, philosophy, visual art, urban design, and social studies. Public space has for sometime been miscomprehended to mean places like gathering halls which is technically the essence of the broader social space concept (Lubin, 2012). Edensor (2011) says that through the spatial organization and landscape of public space, the social construction of the public space is viewed to be ruled privately through the explicit and implicit expectations and rules of the public space that are enforced. According to the articles, everyone has a right to use and/ or access public space, in contrary to private space that has particular restrictions. There has been however some presence of academic interest in th e formation and management of public space in the cities. According to Lubin (2012), management measures have been taken to control usage of the public space. The benches have been designed to restrict people from resting and sleeping on them. In some situations, police forces are involved in restraining those who misuse the public space. This is a similar practice in most cities in taking care of the public space (Lubin, 2012). Both Edensor (2011) and Lubin (2012) say that the functions of public space is contested and reformed through the privately owned

Describe adjustments of the Hmong to America and to biomedicine Case Study

Describe adjustments of the Hmong to America and to biomedicine - Case Study Example Adjustments of the Hmong to America and to biomedicine In the US, inequalities in the health care units caused many Hmong Americans to lack health care insurance; furthermore, they are usually served inappropriately. Restrains on welfare budgets have also contributed to the poor services offered to the Hmong Americans. Moreover, traditional curing strategies practiced by the Hmong and the American health practices are contributing factors to them being poorly served. The Western health providers never recognize the Hmong American culture. For example, a child with seizures among the Hmong immigrants was diagnosed with epilepsy at a Western hospital. They then sent her home with a complex and varying types of medicines, which the parents administered irregularly. The parents then thought the child was affected by evil spirits, and started treating the child with different remedies including offering animal sacrifices. Since the two cultures did not mingle, the child became brain dead due to a massive seizure, though her people kept caring for her. This shows the significance of cross-cultural medical system (Fadiman 18). When people move to a new place and they have to change their cultural systems, they can use their own cultural processes in understanding the new culture. This is made easier when there is participation on the site of the receiving culture. However, this assistance was not there for the Hmong. Every component of the American culture was very dissimilar to their culture. This entailed house styles and every other external appearance of American culture. They were not helped to understand their new environment apart from the only guidelines they had, which were of the Hmong culture, and this was not applicable to their new environment (Fadiman 19). The American biomedical field is different from those of the Hmong community because their beliefs are etical. Medical students and other medical experts are accustomed to the health care practices dur ing their trainings. For example, according to the American culture, the scientific concerns are the ones that are real and are of clinical significance. The Materialistic approach has influenced how the patients in the hospital are handled. The Biomedical view makes Americans to believe that, magic never exists and there exists no other substitutes apart from what they believe. This has made the American Medical professionals to think that their medical systems are superior globally. Their view is rigid and judgmental and has unpleasant effects when treating patients from the Hmong culture (Fadiman 19). The Hmong people have their beliefs concerning the symptoms and healing of illnesses. They do not depend on the germ hypothesis regarding the causes of diseases, unlike the Americans. To them, diseases are caused by control of spirits, soul loss, and infringement of taboo. Their healers make the identification of illnesses and prescribe the appropriate treatment, unlike the America biomedical system. The adjustments to the system were difficult for the Hmong. The barriers that contributed to the difficulties in getting medical care deliveries are the lack of English proficiency, qualified health interpreters, and lack of clinical terminologies in their language. The cultural obstacle that made their adaptation to American life difficult is lack of trust for the western medication. Furthermore, they lacked awareness of the medical systems. They had negative thoughts concerning the medications, because the health providers did not

C200 Exam Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

C200 Exam - Assignment Example 2. Urging the TFG leadership to reach out to traditional and moderate Islamists, including individuals formerly affiliated with the now-defunct Council of Islamic Courts, and moderate groups not previously incorporated into the Council of Islamic Courts. 4. Continued leverage of U.S. assistance programs to support new and expanded programming in the areas of security sector reform, employment and income generation of high-risk youth, and activities providing quick-impact peace dividends in strategic geographic areas. 2. Absence of functioning institutions in Somalia for over 15 years, the rebuilding of law enforcement, judicial, health, education, and other services which will largely be starting from scratch and will require significant external assistance. 1. Early fulfilment of the deployment mission which is a key element in instilling in the Somali people confidence that the peace process is underway and fully supported by the international community. 2. Offering support to the deployment of the African peacekeeping mission, and in particular the Ugandan contingent which requires support with strategic transport, equipment procurement, and other logistics. 3. Assisting with force generation by training and equipping African contingents deploying to Somalia through the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOT A) program by The United States government. 4. Encouraging the TFG to facilitate the development of a civilian police force a along with the formation of a unified military representative of all of Somalia’s clans. The TFG efforts will further be supported by the deployment of a stabilization force to Somalia, which will provide a secure environment in which a political process can be moved forward and effective security institutions be developed. 1. Promoting the commitment of the Somali Diaspora to support financially the development of

Cashflow Statements - Three examples Essay Example for Free

Cashflow Statements Three examples Essay Accounts Payable increased in both first years, especially in 1990. For 1991 the amount decreased. III) Assessment of the financial strength: Own assessment of the financial strength of the company, why? The Gamma Corporation realizes a process of restructure and acquisition. A lot of purchases of plant, property, and equipment and high values in depreciation and amortization describe the firm’s situation best whilst it is also well managed  from a financial perspective. Even though the reported net income of especially the last year 1991 shows a clear loss - ­? which may indicate a weak financial situation- ­? the corporation is still stable from a finance perspective and seems to prepare for the future. A restructuring reserve has been implemented which proofs the ongoing restructuring process. The net cash flows from operating activities show over all three years (despite a slight  decrease) a financially stable situation in the case of operating cash flows. Also, the corporation still disposes a huge amount of cash and cash equivalents so that no risk of bankruptcy can be perceived. The company has a safe line of cash reserves each year so far. The only thing unclear is the position of â€Å"Other adjustments† in all three years. All in all, Gamma Corporation seems to be on the right track and setup for the coming financial years.

Epistemology in Locke and Berkeley Essay Example for Free

Epistemology in Locke and Berkeley Essay Even though Locke seems to posit a mind-independent world founded on matter, on closer examination it will be found that he does so grudgingly. Berkeley, on the other hand considers the notion as unnecessary, and indeed evil. With a proper examination of the two philosophies they will found to be identical in substance, and they only differ in their moral orientation regarding the notion of matter. Locke’s path would appear to lead to materialism, while Berkeley’s to spiritualism. I argue, however, that Locke is not really promoting materialism. On the other hand, Berkeley’s stance might be the road to quietism, instead of true spirituality. On balance, I would favor Locke. Both philosophers are Empiricists, therefore claim that all knowledge is derived from sense experience alone. The real target against whom this philosophy is directed are the Rationalists, following Descartes, who contended that the mind is possessed of innate knowledge, which is discovered through the application of reason as applied to the sensory data of experience. Descartes numbered substance as three – the soul capable of thought, the non-thinking material world, and God. Excluding God as the unknowable entity, the Cartesians grappled with mind and matter duality, confident that both could be understood as agents interacting with each other. However all efforts in this direction ended in pantheism, where God is invoked as the necessary and indispensable agent of mind and matter interaction. Locke’s philosophy is primarily aimed at overcoming Cartesian duality, and the same can be said of Berkeley’s. Locke focuses his attack on the Cartesian mind with its innate ideas. Berkeley, on the other hand, attacks the concept of mind-independent matter. Locke pictures the mind as a white piece of paper, on which experience writes all possible content, and that which we are able to describe as mind. Before the mind experiences the external material world it has no knowledge. This is made up of ideas, which is that formed when something impinges on our senses, coming from the object of perception. The actual process of transmission is inscrutable, though, which Locke is at pains to point out. The ideas are generally nothing like the object itself, and so the causation that is talked about, as the body being caue of the sense perception, is left shrouded. To make this point Locke shows that we form positive ideas from even the lack of causation. So that the absence of light is positively a shadow to us. Just like the names we give to objects are nothing like the objects themselves, so that most of the ideas that form in the mind bear â€Å"no more the likeness of something existing without us† (qtd. in Bowie, 251). With this provision out of the way, Locke goes on to claim that there are certain ideas which do bear resemblance to the object being observed. The ideas of extension, solidity, shape and motion are indeed said to reside in the object itself. These aspects of matter are intuited, and form what Locke terms primary qualities. This is why the ideas of shape, solidity and motion have such distinct and forceful presence in our mind. It is due to the fact that such ideas constitute the only information transmitted from matter itself to the mind. All other ideas, termed as secondary, are derived from the primary ones, and compounded from them in various ways. In this way color, taste, smell, texture etc are all secondary qualities. These ideas are characterized by their relative nature, so that no two observers are able to agree exactly on a quality like taste or color. At the same time they are not as distinct as are the simple ideas. The same food item can be sweet when tasted in health, and bitter when in fever. Again Locke takes care to point out that there is no necessary causation involved. The idea of blueness, along with the particular fragrance, that we get from holding a violet cannot be linked to the flower itself, so that it is â€Å"no more impossible to conceive that God should annex such ideas to such motions, with which they have no similitude† (Ibid 253). Berkeley insists that the relativistic argument must also apply to the primary qualities of Locke, so that there can be no agreement even regarding shape, size and motion. Different perspectives of the same event gives rise to different ideas, so that a large square building might appear to be small and rectangular when seen from a distance and a skewed perspective. Locke argues, however, that such differences can be â€Å"reasoned† away, by the use of geometry and knowledge of the observer’s position relative to the object of scrutiny. Because such correction is possible the mind can be said to have true knowledge regarding extension. Thus, the thesis of simple ideas, the crux of Locke’s epistemology, is restored. Against this, Berkeley would complain that there cannot be any distinction between primary and secondary sensations. He asks us to try to imagine, if we can, the shape of an object without color. And because we cannot our notion of extension is inseparable from the so-called secondary sensations. That which Locke claimed as distinct as an idea, is found out not to be really so. Shape, size and motion appear to us always associated with color, tone, texture, taste, mood, and so on, and the two categories of sensations cannot be clinically separated at all. And if it is the case that the secondary qualities are not in the object itself, but are framed by the mind that perceives it, then the same must be true for the primary qualities too (Ibid 256). Locke had dismissed Descartes’ materialism, and yet held on to the notion of matter by the slender thread of â€Å"primary qualities†. Berkeley overturns this too, so that there is nothing left with which to grasp on to a notion of matter as a mind-independent entity. He simply applies Occam’s razor to the preceding argument and concludes that, if God would impart to us our idea of extension, whether there be matter or not, then it is illogical to postulate the separate existence of matter, a thing that serves no function at all, and to do so would be tantamount to imputing that â€Å"God has created innumerable beings that are entirely useless, and serve to no manner of purpose† (Ibid 258). We know that this is an argument that Locke would have appreciated, because he himself uses Occam’s razor at many points in his own argument, for example, when he postulates that all experience is derived from only simple ideas. Berkeley is not saying, â€Å"Nothing exists.† The external world is indeed real, but as an idea in the mind of God, and maintained as such so that we are able to refer to an absolute fixity in nature. Existence is either as a spirit or as an idea. The spirit is that which perceives idea. Apart from our own existence we also perceive ideas. These too are said to have real existence. A table does not cease to exist just because we have left the room and there is none to observe it anymore. If it continues to exist, it must only be in some other mind, says Berkeley, and â€Å"consequently so long as they are not actually perceived by me, or do not exist in my mind or that of any other created spirit, they must either have no existence at all, or else subsist in the mind of some Eternal Spirit† (Ibid 255). As epistemology, Berkeley’s reasoning is irrefutable, except that it does not inspire active enquiry as does Locke’s. After a proper examination of the latter’s philosophy it will be found not to differ in essence from that of Berkeley, except in structure and the terminology used. But such a difference is not a minor one either. The distinction of primary ideas made by Locke found better expression in Kant, a century later, as the â€Å"synthetic a priori† ideas of the mind. The gist of Kant is that while practical reason does not deliver knowledge, it nevertheless presages the existence of â€Å"pure† reason, transcendent to practical reason, and the preserve of true knowledge. A further corollary to Kant’s philosophy is the categorical imperative, which stimulates action towards the moral path, which is the path dictated by pure reason, and also the road to true knowledge. It is easy to demonstrate that Locke’s postulate of a material sense perception is the counterpart to Kant’s postulate of practical reason. That such an idea does not deliver knowledge both Locke and Kant admit. But contained in the idea is the imperative to enquire and attain to true knowledge. This is what Locke means when he says: How short soever their knowledge may come of an universal or perfect comprehension of whatsoever is, it yet secures their great concernments, that they have light enough to lead them to the knowledge of their Maker, and the sight of their own duties. (27) This is the spirit of active enquiry that we find in Locke, but not in Berkeley. Indeed, the historical influence of Locke testifies to this claim completely. The German historian Oswald Spengler was not exaggerating when he said, â€Å"The Western Enlightenment is of English origin. The rationalism of the Continent comes wholly from Locke† (qtd. in Durant, 590). It is unfortunate, however, that Locke has come to be associated with materialism. Such a misunderstanding is due to a failure to comprehend fully the implications of his epistemology. This is why I favor Locke over Berkeley. Works Cited Bowie, G. Lee, Meredith W. Michaels and Robert C. Solomon. Twenty Questions: An Introduction to Philosophy. Wadsworth Publishing, 2006. Durant, Will and Ariel Durant. The Age of Louis XIV: A History of European Civilization in the Age of Pascal. New York: Simon and Schuster,1963. Locke, John. An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. Bibliobazaar LLC, 2006.

Insights Of Ecology Into Nature And Protection Environmental Sciences Essay

Insights Of Ecology Into Nature And Protection Environmental Sciences Essay Ecology which is a Greek word is defined as a scientific study of the relations or interactions between the organisms and their environment. Ecology also involves the study of ecosystems which is the science dealing with the network of interaction between organisms at different scales of organization. Since ecology involves all forms of biodiversity, the ecologists have therefore carried extensive research involving the smallest organisms as well as the biggest ones in the bid to better understand the environment (Nash Roderick 1989 2-3). The global flux of the atmospheric gases, are also part of ecology. These gases which are very significant to the general characteristics of the environment are usually regulated by the gases emitted or taken in the organisms during the respiration or photosynthesis processes. Human beings have always endeavored to understand their environment better so as to comfortably live in it. Ecology which is a young discipline the field of environmental science was developed in the nineteenth century from the natural sciences. However ecology is not much similar to the other studies in environmental science since its more related to the disciplines of evolution, physiology, genetics as well as the general behavior of organisms in response to their environment. Through ecology, human beings have been able to understand the environment in a better way than before. Ecology helps us to understand the life processes of organisms as well as their adaptation mechanisms, and their distribution and number (Nash Roderick 1989 8-9). Movement of materials and energy from one stage to the other through the environment, and the patterns in development and succession in ecosystems are all understood and appreciated through the study of ecology. According to Carson, R., A (2000 21-30) the science of ecology has brought more understanding in most of the global processes form the marine and terrestrial habitats to the individual inter-specific interactions with the environment. It has also shown useful application in several fields like conservation biology such as the management of wetlands, management of natural resources. Moreover, ecology has brought better understanding and proper problem solving in community health as well as providing conceptual framework for understanding and researching human social interaction. Its usually distinguished from natural history since natural history deals with the descriptive study of organisms. I therefore tend to believe that the continued insights of ecology into nature have made it possible to achieve a satisfactory balance between human progress and protection of the environment. How ecological insights of into nature have made it possible to achieve a satisfactory balance between human progress and protection of the environment. The environment is usually interlinked with ecology in many different ways. Basically the environment which is the living place for all organisms, explains all the factors and scales of life that are external to the organism. These factors include the ambiotic factors such as temperature, climate, radiation, chemistry and geology as well as the biotic factors such as the genes, cells, and members of same or different species who share the same environment. On the other side ecology is concerned with biological relations of organisms and how they relate with the environment. Ecological studies focuses on environmental factors like the chemistry, temperature pressure and energy which are very important in environmental management. (Goodland, R. 1990 5-7). The laws and principles of thermodynamics which controls most of the environmental principles are also obeyed in ecosystem processes which make ecology to be very important in understanding and managing the environment for the purpose of peaceful coexistence with human beings. Environmental and ecological reactions are habitually studied through manageable parts, though the when these issues of the environment are understood they are then linked together again as a holocoenotic system (White-Stevens, Robert 1972 17-21). This implies that the change of one of the ecological or environmental factors can result to change in the state of the entire ecosystem. Though ecology involves so many studies on issues affecting the environment, it is different from the other environmental studies since its one of the few academic disciplines dedicated to the mechanistic complications of the ecosystems and the metaphysical hierarchy where the cause mechanisms of the larger systems are understood without referring to the mechanisms of the smaller systems. Some of the metaphysical aspects observed in the environment are the increases, in the outer skins of certain seeds or small insects when their existence has been threatened due to excessive predation. These environmenta l adaptations in certain insects ensure continued existence of these species. Natures relationship with society and history together with the knowledge of human beings shows many indications that the relation has really gone through many phases with the latest phase being the threatening global environmental crisis (Carson, R., A 2000 21-30). This phase of balances between the human progress and the environmental protection represents a significant progress in our understanding of nature. This understanding has been shown by the extensive dialogue among relevant disciplines as well as the recommendable empirical studies being conducted in the ecological field. Environmental history should be given the pride of place within this large field of the current environmental studies. The current awareness in environmental destruction has been the source of great concern in ecology. Many colleges have now than before introduced extensive studies on the earths world ecological systems. This has equipped more individuals with the needed skills in assessing environmental parameters. For instance St josephs College in china has started studies bioremediation which is the study of plants that take up pollutants from the water and soil hence helping in cleaning up the atmosphere. More studies elsewhere have focused on ecotoxicology which is the study of harmful biological effects of specific pollutants or combination of pollutants that are usually discharged into the environment. This study has given insights on the effect of cocktail and other contaminants discharge to the rivers and other waters. According to Europa publications (2001 70-71), the study has therefore provided new approaches in controlling effluents and therefore saving the aquatic life as well as provi ding more clean water for the human consumption. Extensive research has focused on the complex chemical and biological processes influencing the toxicity of ammonia to fish and other aquatic life so as to develop standards of practical control for their protection. However the achievement of a balance between human progress and environmental protection is not an easy task though ecology has really helped in achieving the standards. Some of the measures that have been proposed by the environmentalists are use of electric vehicles as a method of road transport that would reduce pollution by air by the nitrogen oxides carbon dioxide and particulates associated with conventional car exhaust (Europa publications 2001 70-72). Ecologists have also studied the reasons leading to extinction of certain plants and animal species and also given appropriate advice so as to protect them. Human activities like agricultural expansion and deforestation in such for farming and settlement land have made the efforts of environment management even more complicated. However the increased peoples knowledge on the good farming methods and the dangers of deforestation has made them more cautious in protecting the environment. According to Goodland Robert (1990 139-141), ecologists and development agencies have defined biological diversity as encompassing the genetic diversity within species, the types or variety of ecosystems as well as the number of different species in an area. Biological diversity has gained familiarity to the scientist and the policy makers although its definition is subjective and depends on the user. However, world conservation strategy by referring to living resources has the best definition for biodiversity as used in the protection of environment. Living resource conservation encompasses the preservation of genetic diversity as well as promoting the sustainable use of species and their ecosystems Conservation of biological diversity and still maintaining human development is a global problem that has continued affecting all species not forgetting human beings. For instance the current rate of destruction of the tropical forest in search for fuel and shifting agriculture can only be controlled through the most conservative estimates of the current biodiversity (Goodland Robert 1990 140-142). Ecologists and conservationist have in the recent past advanced their awareness in the ecological, economical and aesthetic need of protecting biological diversity. This awareness which has been noted in the last 15 years has gained the acknowledgement of the international development community programs. This knowledge in ecology has created more awareness to the developing nations as well as the multilateral and bilateral donor institutions which have then appreciated that sustainable economic development is directly dependent on the conservation and good use of the natural resources. However it has been slow for the ecologist and environmental conservationist to realize that the biodiversity found in domestic and wild plants as well as in the animal resources is necessary for continued development and that it should be maintained in all places. There have also been events that have illustrated the emerging appreciation that biological diversity conservation is related to general human welfare and economic developments in the world. In order to conserve biological resources we should conserve more natural habitats and also manage those that already exist. In the same efforts we should also increased production of food and fuel wood on the already cleared land so as to minimize pressure and mineral exhaustion on the remaining wild areas (Goodland Robert 1990 140-142). Ecological services such as soil and water regulation are also maintained through conservation of biological diversity. In July 1986 the World Bank adopted an environmental conservation policy that directed the bank to fund projects on already disturbed lands and to moderate the use of these lands by funding the preservation of ecologically similar areas (Rubin, C 1999 240-243). All these conservational measured have been facilitated by the improved understanding of nature through ecological studies. These measures are aimed at achieving and maintaining a satisfactory balance between the human activities in development and good environmental preservation measures. Despite the current advances in environmental protection the Ecology analysis has also led to the ecological accounting which has enabled human beings to determine environmental effects in terms of money. According to Schaltegger, and Burritt (2000 230-232), ecological accounting has adapted the primary fundamentals of management accounting to management of environmental information. Its usually concerned with the activities, methods and systems that are applied in the recording and analyzing as well as reporting the consequences of a certain economic activity on the natural environmet. This study has shed more light on production sites, plants and companies. There is also the internal ecological accounting which has provided ecological knowledge necessary for the internal management purposes. This accounting is similar to the old traditional methods used to inform the managers about the environmental impacts of their companies. Internal ecological accounting has been confirmed to be a very crucial precondition when dealing with environment management measure. This accounting is also necessary for the external accounting. External ecological accounting and reporting has taken in account the information requirements of the external stakeholders in protection of the environment. Moreover the lenders, insurance companies and investors require sensible management of the environmental risks while the governments are concerned with regulations of environment management (Schaltegger, and Burritt 2000 230-231). Unlike the perception of many people, ecological accounting in not only used by few companies and individuals who have necessary resources to carry out experiments but its used in many parts of the world. Environmental laws and regulations have also been put in place in countries like us, Europe and other parts of the world which have created a new area of substance accounting as a foundation for monitoring r eports that the companies have to submit. Over the last two decades, the average internal cost of environment related impacts has been increasing at a an alarming rate while the average cost of environmental emission accounting and the reduction cost have reduced during the same period. This has then resulted to an increase in the relative value of environmental impacts information but the information on technology has led to reduced costs in reducing environmental impacts. Recent argument about sustainable ecological development suggests that the environmental impacts of companies could require a separate accounting system which would also imply that other issues like the social impact of companies could require special accounting system. However the ecological accounting that has been in use has shown great help in the companies efforts to protect the environment by carrying their activities in environmental friendly ways (Schaltegger, and Burritt 2000 233-234). This therefore implies that this type of ecological accountin g is already well established and shows much practical importance than social accounting. According to Gunderson Holling (2008 149), the advent of new ecology if often indicated in recent social sciences and legal literature, although most of the insights into the behavior of systems away from the normal ranges is not a new phenomena. On the other hand the old ecology was involved with those systems that are headed for equilibrium. Climax was then determined by the signature of environmental driving forces, such as water and nutrient availability, soil type rainfall and the like. The size and structure of ecosystems as well as their components has been set by the thermodynamics and predictable organizational features of biotic communities. Research has indicated that ecological problems and mostly induced by a disturbance from the equilibrium which is mostly caused by the human activities (Gunderson Holling 2002 149). These findings have helped environmental scientist to deal with these ecological problems and enhance the environmental protection. Management of these ecological problems would be easier if the renewable resource systems would have well described and defined properties like the sigmoid growth curves. This would enable the scientists to generate short cycle production function for ecosystem goods and services. These functions would then be managed to get the best results in yields. This way, ecological and political issues will be easily separable as well as manageable so as to give the best results in sustained environmental protection. However some new insights in ecology claim that chaos, contingency and disorganization, where disorganization represents more subtle, organized, complexities in natural systems cannot be manageable (Gunderson Holling p.150). Studies in ecology have also shown that the environmental changes are not continuous or gradual but they are episodic and critical processes in which structural ecosystems take place at radically different rates covering vast environments. Ecology and epidemiology have also developed a set of theoretical tools approaches in mathematical modeling which have helped us to understand the primary characteristics of the infection agents in ecosystem (Sagarin Taylor 2008 190). One of the great problems of social sciences in environmental issues however has been to find the correct scale of adaptation and nature management. The existence of these scales is also not known. The importance of this problem in environmental management has been enhanced by the attention to scale in natural systems. Some decisions have therefore been left to communities or individuals depending on who has the best information on the issue. This therefore means that both ecological scale and social scale have been crucial in the balance between environment management as well as human development. Conclusion With the current necessity to conserve the environment and the human need for development, both of which are equally important, it therefore becomes clear that human beings must look for ways of balancing the two. Human activities in his daily development have continued to impact negatively of the environment leading to unpredictable and disastrous natural happenings. These environmental reactions against the human activities have in turn greatly affected the human efforts towards development. These challenges have then resulted to extensive studies and research on the entire universe so as to understand the world and take the appropriate measures towards controlling them. Many scientific studies in biology and environment have been and still are carried out to ensure human development as well as a protected environment. Ecological science is one of the studies in environment that has brought great knowledge and understanding of the environment and therefore promoting the balance bet ween human development and environmental protection (Evans, David. 1999 57-59) According to Naess Rothenberg (1990 39-40), Ecology comprises a great deal of natural science that has helped us to understand the atmosphere though is should not however be considered as a universal science. When looking at the relations and interactions between organisms and their environments there are many aspects of their separateness that are not put into account. In ecologism therefore we find excessive universalization or generalization of ecological concepts. Ecological movements have therefore presented human beings with great technical recommendations in reforms. Some of these recommendations are in technical abatement of pollution and reduced consumption in the third world countries. The deep movement of providing environmentally friendly actions is global and should actually not be left for ecologists but for all people. In order to achieve and maintain a satisfactory progress in environmental protection every human being should take initiative in conserving the environ ment. In order to sustain this balance between environment protection and environmental management, the ecologist should also work with the public sector managers and the policy makers so as to provide them with scientific expertise necessary in making on ecological and environmental issues (Nash Roderick 1989 p.343). For this to be possible there is need for an amicable relationship between the ecologists and the policy makers which will be facilitated by their common goal in protecting the environment. The measurement of environmental resource value had been largely left to the economist but now the ecologists are also involved in these evaluations which have resulted to more effective decisions in environmental management. Generally the most challenging problems that are facing the modern societies are related to the consequences of interaction between the people and the environment (National Research Council U.S2009 1-7). Through ecology, human beings have been able to understand the way in which the humans social and economic systems interact with the environmental systems. This understanding has been crucial in achieving sustained development. The evolving concept of sustainable development is the main cause for new approaches in environmental policy and management of ecosystem. This concept together with insights in ecology has seen significant improvements in sustained development over the last three decades.

Teaching Status Report :: Dunn Middle School Education Teaching Essays

Teaching Status Report I cannot believe my time at Dunn Middle School is coming to an end. It finally hit me over Thanksgiving break that in less than two weeks I will not be making the daily drive through Trenton to see my sixth graders. What is more shocking is how upset I am about it. I honestly did not think I would grow so attached to certain students but when I think that I will get to see their faces on a daily basis I get really depressed. I think part of being a teacher is being able to keep a certain distance from the students so attachment does not occur, I clearly failed to do that my first time around. Other than dealing with the feeling of impending loss, JPE is still going really well. Since my last report I have finished my unit plan and I have been observed. I am still teaching mathematics but I base most of my lessons from the textbook and sometimes my cooperating teacher will teach a lesson if he feels it is a difficult concept to comprehend. During the science section of the block p eriod, I serve as a one-on-one tutor and disciplinarian so Mr. Williamson can continue with the science lesson without getting sidetracked. My cooperating teacher and I have a perfect relationship. He never steps on my toes but he never lets me feel alone with the students. I could not have asked for a better cooperating teacher, I am going to miss Mr. Williamson as well. In addition, my authoritative side is slowly improving. I think everyday I gain more control of the class. I think this control was exemplified when we had a substitute teacher for the second time. The first time the class had a substitute teacher they were out of control, they simply refused to listen to me. However, the second time there was a substitute I took control from the beginning of class and kept the students busy and focused the whole class period. My cooperating teacher was impressed that the students were so well behaved for a substitute teacher. I think the difference between these two events was my continued authority over the class throughout the entire period and the amount of work I assigned.

the flea :: essays research papers

WzDD's HSC Info: 2Unit Related English: John Donne The Flea Marke but this flea, and marke in this, How little that which thou deny'st me is; Me it suck'd first, and now sucks thee, And in this flea our two bloods mingled bee; Confesse it, this cannot be said A sinne, or shame, or losse of maidenhead, Yet this enjoyes before it wooe, And pamper'd swells with one blood made of two, And this, alas, is more than wee would doe. Oh stay, three lives in one flea spare, When we almost, nay more than maryed are. This flea is you and I, and this Our marriage bed, and marriage temple is; Though parents grudge, and you, w'are met, And cloysterd in these living walls of Jet. Though use make thee apt to kill me, Let not to this, selfe murder added bee, And sacrilege, three sinnes in killing three. Cruell and sodaine, has thou since Purpled thy naile, in blood of innocence? In what could this flea guilty bee, Except in that drop which it suckt from thee? Yet thou triumph'st, and saist that thou Find'st not thyself, nor mee the weaker now; 'Tis true, then learne how false, feares bee; Just so much honor, when thou yeeld'st to mee, Will wast, as this flea's death tooke life from thee. Glossary Jet - a deep, glossy black stone. This is of course a reference to the colour of a flea, and is especially strong imagery when one compares the lifeless stone with the "living walls". Sodaine - violent. Overall explanation My copy of the poem notes that "Fleas were a popular subject for jocose[humorous] and amatory[love] poetry in all countries at the Renaissance". Their popularity stems from an event that happened in a literary salon (a place where poets and others came to recite poetry and converse). The salon was run by two ladies, and on on occassion a flea happened to land upon one lady's breast. The poets were amazed at the creature's audacity, and were inspired to write poetry about the beast. It soon became fashionable among poets to write poems about fleas. In this poem, the "I" of the poem is lying in bed with his lover, and trying to get her to give her virginity to him. (It could, of course, quite easily be a FEMALE "I" trying to seduce a MALE, but I will stick with one for convenience). While lying there, he notices a flea, which has obviously bitten them both.

Why Is Assessment Important

4 Why is assessment for learning important? Adopting strategies that support Assessment for Learning can transform learning and teaching and take away the stigma that haunts assessment. In fact, research has shown that Assessment for Learning can have a significant effect on how well pupils achieve in terms of their attainment, behaviour, motivation, engagement and their ability to work independently. a) It Improves Performance -Black and William’s 1998 literature review examined 250 research articles from 160 journals published over a nine-year period.From this, they documented significant, and often substantial, quantifiable learning gains due to Assessment for Learning practices. Their review of over 20 studies on classroom assessment showed increases in primary and post-primary performance ranging from 15 to 30% compared to control groups. In post-primary, differential effects were measured at approximately half a level at Key Stage 3, over half a grade at GCSE, and two fu ll grades at GCSE after two to three years. They concluded that no other single improvement initiative improved performance levels to the extent that formative assessment did.Subsequent research in UK schools has substantiated these figures. For instance, research conducted in primary schools through the Gillingham Partnership’s Formative Assessment Project 2002 indicated improved standardised test scores in reading and numeracy as well as improvements in writing levels. Learning b) It Increases Learning Independence – Pupils who understand their own goals and their role in learning are more independent in managing their learning; they know what to do, how they have to work and take more responsibility for their own learning and assessment.Assessment for Learning helps cultivate these valuable skills by giving pupils a role in determining these components of the learning as well as experience in providing feedback and assessing themselves and their peers. The learning is no longer something they receive; it becomes something they pursue and have a hand in shaping. This can help learners later in life as well as in the classroom. c) It Improves Morale, Motivation and Risk-Taking – Knowing the goals and success indicators may help pupils to gain learning independence, but they are not the only influencing factors.Morale and motivation are also pivotal components, and here, too, Assessment for Learning plays an important role. Black and William found that many assessment approaches used in classrooms compare pupils with one another – particularly those that focus on marks and grades. Evidence shows that pupils interpret the prime purpose of these assessments to be competition rather than personal improvement. As a result, feedback from these types of assessment actually reduces pupil morale. It teaches them, particularly low-attaining pupils, that they lack ability, leading them to believe they are unable to learn. ) It Enhances Relati onships and Reflection – Assessment for Learning also helps foster a more positive classroom environment. It strengthens teacher-pupil relationships by increasing two-way communication. These interactions can make them more motivated to learn and more aware of their learning. Assessment for Learning can also improve planning and delivery of learning. This is because these practices lead you to analyse and make learning specific to pupils. It creates an opportunity to quality assure and amend activities to ensure they meet the learning needs. Why Is Assessment Important 4 Why is assessment for learning important? Adopting strategies that support Assessment for Learning can transform learning and teaching and take away the stigma that haunts assessment. In fact, research has shown that Assessment for Learning can have a significant effect on how well pupils achieve in terms of their attainment, behaviour, motivation, engagement and their ability to work independently. a) It Improves Performance -Black and William’s 1998 literature review examined 250 research articles from 160 journals published over a nine-year period.From this, they documented significant, and often substantial, quantifiable learning gains due to Assessment for Learning practices. Their review of over 20 studies on classroom assessment showed increases in primary and post-primary performance ranging from 15 to 30% compared to control groups. In post-primary, differential effects were measured at approximately half a level at Key Stage 3, over half a grade at GCSE, and two fu ll grades at GCSE after two to three years. They concluded that no other single improvement initiative improved performance levels to the extent that formative assessment did.Subsequent research in UK schools has substantiated these figures. For instance, research conducted in primary schools through the Gillingham Partnership’s Formative Assessment Project 2002 indicated improved standardised test scores in reading and numeracy as well as improvements in writing levels. Learning b) It Increases Learning Independence – Pupils who understand their own goals and their role in learning are more independent in managing their learning; they know what to do, how they have to work and take more responsibility for their own learning and assessment.Assessment for Learning helps cultivate these valuable skills by giving pupils a role in determining these components of the learning as well as experience in providing feedback and assessing themselves and their peers. The learning is no longer something they receive; it becomes something they pursue and have a hand in shaping. This can help learners later in life as well as in the classroom. c) It Improves Morale, Motivation and Risk-Taking – Knowing the goals and success indicators may help pupils to gain learning independence, but they are not the only influencing factors.Morale and motivation are also pivotal components, and here, too, Assessment for Learning plays an important role. Black and William found that many assessment approaches used in classrooms compare pupils with one another – particularly those that focus on marks and grades. Evidence shows that pupils interpret the prime purpose of these assessments to be competition rather than personal improvement. As a result, feedback from these types of assessment actually reduces pupil morale. It teaches them, particularly low-attaining pupils, that they lack ability, leading them to believe they are unable to learn. ) It Enhances Relati onships and Reflection – Assessment for Learning also helps foster a more positive classroom environment. It strengthens teacher-pupil relationships by increasing two-way communication. These interactions can make them more motivated to learn and more aware of their learning. Assessment for Learning can also improve planning and delivery of learning. This is because these practices lead you to analyse and make learning specific to pupils. It creates an opportunity to quality assure and amend activities to ensure they meet the learning needs.

Sexuality and Value Systems Checkpoint

Value Systems Answer the following: Which value system or systems discussed in the text do you most relate to? Explain your answer with at least a 200 word count. After reading the text, the most important value a person could have is the ability to have Sexual knowledge and critical thinking skills. This will allow us to be ready for whatever situation we might be put into and how we must react to conquer the situation.Everyone has different sexual value systems most of our systems have more than one preference. If I was to talk about myself, and who I am today I would say I been in a long term relationship have a child already so I know how important it is to be responsible. I am still young so I do not want any more children at the time being. That is why I and my girlfriend are safe we use protection, the type we use is birth control.Both of us are not against abortions, and we both believe if it has to be one do it. Everyone embraces a wide variety of sexual encounters and the s exual values we develop are uniquely designed for our individuality. I would say that I am more modern and open when it comes to sex. I like to experiment and try new things that can not only pleasure myself, but my sexually partner. In return I feel this allows both of us to be satisfied with one another and that is what keeps our intimate bond strong.I have never been one to Judge people who prefer to have sex after marriage I m not one of them though. I have always been about premarital sex within a relationship, but also outside of them too. I was shy growing up, so I did not have many girlfriends so my sexual encounters were mostly a one night fling. I been with my girlfriend for quite some time now In the beginning a relationship was something new to me. I never thought that my sexual values would change, and I would be as accepting and happy as I am.

Marketing and Dove

Pricing Strategy 2. 2. 1Factors affecting pricing decisions (Types of market) The internal factor that affects the pricing decision of Dove is based on marketing strategy, objectives and mix. The Dove Company mostly is working on the market of women’s personal care. Dove has a large range of products from soap to hair shampoo. The company strategy and objective is to have a high level of segmentation to answer to the many needs of the women’s personal care market and to widening stereotype view of beauty in younger generation, pre-teen and teenager girls.Besides, the market mix strategy is the price decisions must be coordinates with product design, distribution, and promotion decisions to form a consistent and effective marketing program. Pricing Strategy of Dove hair shampoo is largely determined by the decisions on Market Positioning of product differentiation. So, Dove has been positioned as a product fulfilling the needs of high end consumer class. Dove Company is constantly upgrading time to time to meet the customer needs, such as Dove Straight & Silky Therapy, Daily Shine Therapy, Dandruff Therapy, and Intense Damage Therapy with the affordable price.In addition, the external factor that affects the pricing decision of Dove is based on the market and demand. Dove Company is under the Monopolistic Competition market because there have a lot of buyers and sellers of differentiated products. Dove Company also is the product differentiation that are selling different product for the same purpose such as Pantene, Sunsilk , Rejoice, and so on. Besides, Dove is also price maker and spends a lot of money in advertisements to convince their customers. Last but not least is the competitor’s strategies and price.The competitors of Dove are Sunsilk, Rejoice, Pantene, L’Oreal and so on. According our survey that doing at Kampar area, the competitors are offering the lower price if compare to Dove. For example, Sunsilk 700ml is offerin g their shampoo product at RM17. 50 and Rejoice is offering at RM21. 50 while Dove is offering the same product at RM25. 90. So, it has been influenced the customers who is price sensitivity. Furthermore, the customer purchasing power, government regulation, economic conditions also becomes the external factor affecting the prices. . 2. 2New Product Pricing Strategy Dove is using the Market Penetration for the New Product Pricing Strategies because they have many competitors like Sunsilk, Pantene, Rejoice and so on to win the market share. When Dove Company introduces the new product to the market, it will set a low initial price in order for the brand to â€Å"penetrate† the market quickly and deeply. For example, when the 10th anniversary, Dove will give the promotion by reducing the price and give them discount and offer the new product sample to give the customer trying.As compare above, Dove is offering a lower price from range RM 18 until RM 22. 50 and same volume compa re (700 ml) to Sunsilk in the shampoo market. For increased market penetration, Dove has launching the ‘Campaign for Real Beauty’ where the representative will move to the market segments and will do free sampling. Dove’s revolutionary campaign was for the firming lotion which features women of all shapes and sizes thus breaking down the stereotypic definition of beauty – tall, thin and being fair.Their ads have created a ripple in the market with their campaign successfully catching the fancy of both the industry and consumers as being something different. Earlier, the ads used celebrities to promote their beauty products. They are also not for the super skinny models. The Dove ads challenge the traditional concept of beauty. This make the customer realize that Dove cares and penetration will be achieved in newly selected market segments.

Culture of Jamaica

The first settlers of Jamaica called the land â€Å"Xaymaca† which means â€Å"Land of springs† (Pillai, 2013). It is said that this is where the name of the country came from. Jamaica is known for many things like its beaches, wildlife, and reggae music. Jamaica has a mix of people from different races, religions, and countries so its culture is varied. Christopher Columbus discovered Jamaica in 1494, but people have in habited the island for thousands of years before.The Arawaks and Tainos are said to be the first ribes to settle on the island, between 4000 B. C. AND 1000 B. C. (Pillai, 2013). From 1494 to 1655, Jamaica was a Spanish colony. It was a British colony from 1655 to 1962. Jamaica was granted a new constitution in 1944 and gained universal suffrage. The country gained independence August 6, 1962 (Purcell, 2013). The population of Jamaica is 2,909,714 (FindTheData, 2013). 16. 5% of the population lives below the poverty line. Africans make up most of the Jam aican population. After Africans, many of the Jamaicans are multiracial and from Indian or Chinese decent (Pillai, 2013).English is the official language of Jamaica (Purcell, 2013). Jamaican Patois is the de facto national language of Jamaica, which is a Creole language (Pillai, 2013). It is the most commonly spoken language in the country. Many religions are practiced in Jamaica. Tainos, the first settlers, worshipped forces of nature like plants and animals. They believed in the God Yucahu and Goddess Atabey. They also worshipped good and evil spirits to prevent natural disasters (Pillai, 2013). Christianity made its way to the island with the colonizers. About 80% of Jamaicans are Christians.Rastafari developed in the 1920s in Jamaica. It is a â€Å"blend of Old Testament Christian faith, mystic beliefs, and African fundamentalist ideology. † The Rastas keep their hair long in dreadlocks, reject western society, and use marijuana spiritually (Pillai, 2013). Jamaicans have certain traditions and beliefs. A common birth rite is to bury the umbilical cord of a newborn baby, and usually a tree is planted over it, signifying that they are always connected to their birth place. Funerals are an important ritual to the Jamaicans. A big funeral is a sign ofa good life (Purcell, 2013).Nine Night is a Jamaican ceremony or funeral where friends and family sing, dance, and drink for eight nights then sing farewell songs on the ninth night. They rearrange the room of the deceased so their spirit will not recognize it and return. A last meal is set out under the silk-cotton tree, a hiding place for the spirits, for the diseased spirit (Pillai, 2013). Jamaican weddings are big, lavish, and family-oriented. Both families of the bride and groom meet before the wedding and friends start sending gifts like eggs for the cake (Pillai, 2013). Jamaican foods are usually hot and spicy.Their strong spices and herbs make heir dishes popular around the world. The national dish is the Ackee and Saltflsh. Spicy Jerk pork and Jerk chicken are very popular Jamaican cuisines. The national drink is Jamaican rum (Pillai, 2013). Rice is a ceremonial food. Curried goat meat is the main meal at parties, weddings, and tunerals (Purcell, 2 Jamaican attire is a combination of European and African style. Jamaican women wear brightly colored outfits of a skirt, top, and headscarf. Men wear brightly colored western-style clothes with short sleeves. Due to the humid weather, Jamaicans don't wear heavy clothing; they prefer cotton clothing.Rastafarians wear clothes made of natural fibers. These clothes are always in their sacred colors of red, yellow, and green. â€Å"According to the Rastafarians, Red signifies the blood of the black people, Yellow stands for the gold that was stolen from Africa, and Green symbolizes the lost African lands† (Pillai, 2013). The also wear a tam or hat to go over their dreadlocks. The official currency of Jamaica is the Jamaican dolla r (FindTheData, 2013). Manufacturing and services are the main sources of economy. Service includes tourism, which is a great contributor to the economy.Jamaica's main trade allies are the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Caribbean Economic Community. Major imports are consumer goods, construction hardware, electrical and telecommunication equipment, food, fuel, machinery, and transportation equipment. Jamaica's major exports are bauxite and alumina, apparel, sugar, bananas, coffee, citrus and citrus products, rum, cocoa, and labor (Purcell, 2013). Jamaica's gross domestic product (GDP) is $25,620,000,000. Their GDP per capita is $8,900, which is also the world average. Jamaica has a high inflation rate of 6. 9%.They also have a high unemployment rate of 14% (FindTheData, 2013). The country is in a bad economic situation. Jamaica has a bicameral parliamentary legislative system. They are a member of the British Commonwealth. The British monarch, the governor genera l, the prime minister and deputy prime minister, and the cabinet make up the executive branch. The Senate and the sixty members elected to the House of Representatives make up the legislative branch. The Judicial branch is the Supreme Court and lower courts. The main political parties are the People's National Party and the Jamaica Labor Party Purcell, 2013).Sociologists would need to know about Jamaican custom to know what not to say or do around Jamaicans to not offend them. They would need to know some of Jamaican history which would let them know that there was much slavery and oppression during the colonial period. Jamaicans might get offended if this subject is brought up in the wrong manner. It would be wise for sociologists to know that the Jamaican Patois language is a symbol of defiance from European cultural authority (Purcell, 2013). Their Jamaican identity is very important to them. Their identity ncludes many things like their religion traditions and customs.

Blitzkrieg Essay Research Paper The foundation of

Blitzkrieg Essay, Research PaperThe foundation of Mobile warfare has its roots in Ancient and Medieval World. The German Army tardily in World War I ab initio developed basic tactics that finally evolved into modern nomadic warfare. Germans developed those tactics in an effort to get the better of the inactive trench warfare on the Western Front. Elite # 8220 ; Sturmtruppen # 8221 ; infantry units were created to assail enemy places utilizing the impulse of velocity and surpass but finally failed because of the deficiency of mobility and support needed in order to go on progressing farther into enemy controlled district. During 1920s, British military philosophers Captain Sir Basil Liddell Hart, General J.F.C. Fuller and General Martell farther developed tactics of nomadic warfare. They all postulated that armored combat vehicles could non merely prehend land by beastly strength, but could besides be the cardinal factor in a new scheme of warfare. If moved quickly plenty, of armore d combat vehicles could nail through enemy lines and into the enemy # 8217 ; s rear, destructing supplies and heavy weapon places and diminishing the enemy # 8217 ; s will to defy. All of them found armored combat vehicle to be an ultimate arm able to perforate deep into enemy district while followed by foot and supported by heavy weapon and airfare. In late 1920s and early 1930s, Charles De Gaulle, Hans von Seekt, Heinz Guderian and many others became interested in the construct of nomadic warfare and tried to implement it in an organisational construction of their ground forcess. Heinz Guderian organized Panzers into self-contained Panzer Divisions working with the close support of foot, motorized foot, heavy weapon and airfare. From 1933 to 1939, Germany was on a pursuit to to the full mechanise their ground forces for an approaching struggle.German High Command used Spanish Civil War ( 1936-38 ) as a testing land for Blitzkrieg tactics, which proved to be a formidable combinat ion of land and air action. In September of 1939, Germany invaded Poland utilizing mechanized land force ( Wehrmacht ) working with the close support of the airfare ( Luftwaffe ) to breakthrough and perforate deep behind Polish lines of defence # 8211 ; Polish Campaign. In May of 1940, during the invasion of the Low Countries and France, the Germans one time once more used same tactics ( including the usage of Fallschirmjaeger # 8211 ; paratroops ) to floor and disorganise the guardians. From October of 1940 to March of 1941, Germans conquered Balkans utilizing the same proved tactics. When in June of 1941, Germany invaded Russia ; tactics of Blitzkrieg allowed them to make the outskirts of Moscow in December of 1941. Erwin Rommel in North Africa ( 1941-1943 ) besides implemented tactics of Blitzkrieg with great success. Since late 1942, outnumbered German Army was contending a defensive war on two foreparts and was unable to establish any major offenses with excepti on of Kursk ( June of 1943 ) and Ardennes ( December of 1944 ) offense. Overall, tactics of Blitzkrieg were the chief subscriber of early German triumphs ( 1939-1942 ) , when German supply base and logistics were able to keep the velocity of the progressing units. This was non the instance on the Eastern Front and in the North Africa, when limited German supply base and logistics were unable to get by with transit and conditions conditions diminishing effectivity of German onslaughts and armed forces in general. At the same clip, potency of Blitzkrieg was to the full appreciated by the Allies, who implemented its tactics on all foreparts. US Army General George Patton used Blitzkrieg tactics in his European operations of 1944. After World War II, tactics of Blitzkrieg were used by Israeli forces during their legion struggles with the Arab Nations every bit good as by American forces during the Operation Desert Storm.Overall, tactics of Blitzkrieg are based on co-ordinated, concentrated and precise air and land onslaughts to supply a rapid and powerful clout through the enemy lines in order to finally encircle the enemy. Important factor behind nomadic warfare was communicating between the HQ and field units and vice-versa, every bit good as prepared get downing points along with supply base and logistics to keep the velocity of the initial onslaught. Although, it is frequently forgotten that surpass was besides really of import to the success of Blitzkrieg and that is why Germany neer declar ed war on any state that it attacked. The radical tactics of Blitzkrieg formed a base for future development of arms and warfare.Concepts of Blitzkrieg1. Airfare attacks enemy front-line and rear places, chief roads, landing fields and communicating centres. At the same clip foot onslaughts on the full front-line ( or at least at chief topographic points ) and engages enemy. This restrains the enemy from cognizing where the chief force will assail.2. Concentrated armored combat vehicle unit # 8217 ; s breakthrough chief lines of defence and progress deeper into enemy district, while following mechanised unit # 8217 ; s chase and engage guardians forestalling them from set uping defensive places. Infantry continues to prosecute enemy to mislead and maintain enemy forces from retreating and set uping effectual defence.3. Infantry and other support units attack enemy wings in order to associate up with other groups to finish the onslaught and finally encircle the enemy.4. Mechanized groups spearhead deeper into the enemy district go arounding the enemy places and paralysing the rear forestalling retreating military personnels and guardians from set uping effectual defensive places.5. Main force links up with other units encircling and cutting off the enemy.

Realism vs. Phenomenalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Realism vs. Phenomenalism - Essay Example It is also possible for people to perceive qualities under conditions whereby no physical object exists at all. However, Barnes does not agree with this point of view and terms the sense-data argument a myth. According to Barnes, people have the capacity to perceive by seeing, tasting, smelling, feeling, and hearing; it is an indisputable fact. He proceeds to give three arguments that dispel the existence of sense data. For instance, he gives the example of a penny placed on a table. When observed from above, the penny appears circular, but when viewed from miles away, it appears elliptical. The elliptical and circular appearances are not the aspects of the penny, but entities of some kind. Another example is a stick that appears straight in the air, but bent in water. This is an aspect of sense-data. The third argument Barnes presents is that people seem to see objects which do not exist in reality. For example, mirages that appear in the desert (Barnes 92). This suggests that what people observe in some cases are not physical entities. The non-physical entities are what phenomenalists refer to as sense-data. Barnes arguments favor realism. Realism asserts that the existence of physical objects is independent of the human mind; therefore, the universe exists independent of the human mind. Barnes argument is convincing as it follows the tenets of logical reasoning. Therefore, physical objects exist whether human beings perceive them or

Finance 550 24hours Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Finance 550 24hours - Essay Example The separate segments of financial service industry have converged as an effective way of transferring risks. Whereas banks are shedding financial and credit risks to insurance firms, insurance companies are employing banks as means of hedging some of the foreseeable market risks that are commonly associated with their portfolios of retail products (Buckle and Thompson, 2005). Off commercial banks’ balance sheets: As suggested by Lewis and Davis (1987), commercial banks have engaged is securitization of residential mortgage loans through Asset Backed Securities (ABS) since 1980s. Whole banks have expanded these markets to include a vast range of asset types such as syndicate loans and deposits. Through Asset Backed Commercial Paper (ABCP) programmes, wholesale banks have managed to warehouse assets. In the recent banks, these banks have also used collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) to transfer risks associated with syndicate loans and deposits to re-insurance and co-insurance companies. Through these programs, co-insurance provides syndicated loans to be held by commercial banks or loans that can be sold as securities. Wholesale banks and policy-makers recognize that liquidity is paramount in the dynamics of financial risks and its measurement aids in regulating systematic risks. Wholesale banking has maintained enough buffer liquid assets by transferring some assets to co-insurance or re-insurance companies. WB have traditionally provided liquid funds to its clients by issuing transactions deposits, which often act as substitute for money. Liquidity productions from deposits allow clients to take cash on demand from commercial banks. Based on knowledge and information collected by WB, commercial banks can invest float from these transactions thus creating a positive carry for them. WB knowledge on credit risks and future opportunities for economic

Teaching masculinity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Teaching masculinity - Essay Example This paper caters to the question of development of masculinity in young boys through the system of education, and discusses how the concept of gender shapes the existing pedagogy and the democracy of the country. Nature of masculinity The social position of women has been a debatable topic all around the world. The topics on the system of education for girls, their social status and the availability of facilities for them have been put on the table. This issue has an obvious counterpart. If the system of relations is questioned form one side, the other side comes under focus automatically. The question could not inevitably â€Å"be confined to women and girls† (Connell, 2008, pp. 131). The established concept of ‘manhood’ is subject to the changes of time. ‘Manhood’ is bound by the nature of masculinity, practices that are seen as gender specific and deemed appropriate for the male and the preset ideologies. But while the social relations are questio ned, different aspects come under the circumference of the debate. Educational issues are a major part of the debate. The concept of gender has been a part of the pedagogical experiences of the schools and other educational institutions. The pedagogy is based upon the society that houses and rears the boys to make them become what they are. In this concept a vast range of concerns have to be addressed, starting from â€Å"men’s and boys’ health to men’s domestic and military violence† (Connell, 2008, pp. 1

Financial Ratios Project Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Financial Ratios Project - Case Study Example The figure in Wal-Mart is lesser than one though higher than that in Target (Marketwatch.com). The receivables turnover ratio measures a companies’ effectiveness in collecting debt. Target’s ratio increases by a bigger margin than that of Wal-Mart over the three years. However, the receivables turnover ratio of Wal-Mart is still higher than that of Target. The inventory turnover ratio measures the effectiveness of a company in converting its inventory to sales. The ratio in Target decreases slightly over the three-year period while that in Wal-Mart increases. The asset turnover measures the management’s effectiveness in utilizing the company assets to produce sales. This ratio increases by a bigger in margin over the three years in Target than in Wal-Mart though Wal-Mart still has a higher a ratio. The profit margin indicates how much profit is generated from a company’s sales. This ratio fluctuates in Target over the three years while it remains constant with slight changes in Wal-Mart. Return on assets ratio measures a company’s effectiveness in utilizing assets to generate profits. Target’s return on assets ratio fluctuates over the three years. Wal-Mart’s ratio is higher than that of Target despite it decreasing slightly. The return on equity measures a company’s effectiveness in utilizing shareholder equity to generate profit. This ratio fluctuates in Target as it decreases slightly in Wal-Mart. Despite this, Wal-Mart ratio is still higher than that of Target (Marketwatch.com). The debt to assets ratio measures the leverage level of the company in relation to its assets. Target’s debt to assets ratio is higher than that of Wal-Mart over the three years. Free cash flows ratio shows the amount of cash flow, which is attributable to the equity holders and debt holders of a company. The ratio fluctuates in both the companies though the one in Wal-Mart is higher. Times interest, earned ratio shows the ability of

EmotionaI Intelligence (EI), Management, and Leadership-Sheila Essay

EmotionaI Intelligence (EI), Management, and Leadership-Sheila - Essay Example This is not an easy task since the current generation is full of competition. People are ever competing against one another for things such as promotions, jobs and resources (Bateman & Snell, 2007). Hence, in a move to achieve my objective, I ought to perform much better than my competitors. Apart from providing an analysis of emotional intelligence on leadership, the study attempts to relay some of the requirements that one ought to have in a move to succeed in the world of business. Leadership is quite dynamic and in order for one to be a good leader, he or she ought to be as dynamic as leadership itself. During the 20th century, for an organization to achieve success, managers were to focus mainly on the company’s organization scale in addition to properly defining the levels of authority (Ashkenas et al., 2002). This is not the case anymore since when the 21st century set in, so did a number of changes, for instance technology. In relation to studies conducted by Ashkenas et al.(2002), it is because of technology that there was rapid change in the ways of doing business. This is because unlike in the past, not only is there quick customer response but also flexible strategies in addition to rapid product development. Due to this analysis, it is evident that in the next five years there will be certain changes as well. Hence, in order to achieve my objective, I have to be up to date with the current changes as they take place. In my opinion, once I become the vice president of a hospital, my roles would not be quite difficult. This is because my current profession is quite similar to that of a vice president of a health organization; the only difference is that there will be more staff to manage and delegate duties. This is because just like the vice president, in my current profession I am also in charge of the organization’s