Summary Loose Ends Research Paper Example

Summary: Loose Ends Paper Rata Doves main focus is to help explain why sometimes life has many loose ends. Dove starts off by explaining that when her daughter would come home from school she would not have much to say, usually one word answers. It did not matter what the question was, How was school? Her daughter would then answer, Fine. For whatever reason her daughter did not feel the need to give a long sophisticated answer for something so boring as school. However when Dove asked her daughter about Methane or the gossip on Lois and Clark her daughter would go into great detail. When you come home from school, I think the last thing you want to do is talk to your parents about your day. Days at school are boring and lack the creativeness that TV show writers capture. The first few days of the new school year you probably would go into more detail about your day because its something new and exciting. Life is so repetitive so that might also be a reason why Doves daughter did not go into great detail about her day. If life had all the dramas, like in most television shows, people would be more willing to gossip about it. When life is new it is great, it is wonderful but when life is same-old, same-old who would want to talk about it? Television always seems to get it right so-to-speak. Every show, for the most part, always seems to capture all drama right on the button. We will write a custom essay sample on Summary: Loose Ends specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Summary: Loose Ends specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Summary: Loose Ends specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer When you watch a how on TV you expect that to happen, but in reality the loose ends are not always wrapped up. Why does life seem to always lack the climax or the perfect ending? After watching TV for most of our lives we seem to strive for the perfect ending but for most of us, the perfect ending never comes. Dove believes that It is effortless to talk about the salient points [because] there are there for the plucking (p. 578). You simply Just have to recall the events and that Is sometimes easier than talking about our own reality. The television offers an easier tale to tell and reality does lack the climax but as Dove said, Life, friends Is ragged. Loose ends are the rule (p. 578). You cannot live your life to tie up all the loose ends because frankly that Is Impossible. Your life will not have all the Hollywood endings because after all life Is not Hollywood. You must live your life to the fullest and forget about getting that perfect girl or getting the dream Job because that might not happen.

The Pieta by Michelangelo

The Pieta by Michelangelo Free Online Research Papers At 22, a relatively unknown artist by the name of Michelangelo created a marble sculpture that continues to be seen by people around the world in the Vatican City of Rome. This piece named The Pieta has been sculpted from a single slab of marble from the Pits of Carrara. In Germany during the 13th-Century, the earliest representation of The Pieta was created into a polychromed wood sculpture. In Italy during the 14th-Century, The Pieta was mostly painted on side panels of altarpieces devoted to the Passion. In 1498, Michelangelo was commissioned to do a life size representation of The Pieta measuring 1.74m x 1.95m. He sculpted four versions, but only finished one. It took him two years to finish this magnificent sculpture. His interpretation of the Pieta was far different than the ones created previously by other artists. Various painters and sculptures have created the Pieta, which depicts the Virgin Mary holding the body of her son Jesus Christ after his death, in many different forms. In Michelangelo’s Pieta, the Virgin Mary is seen as a youthful, serene, and celestial young woman indifferent to the classic style of a broken-hearted, old woman. This is especially important when you consider that the sculpture is of a mother holding her dying son in her arms. To emphasize Mary’s empowerment over her son’s dead body, Michelangelo sculpted her very large and angelic like, with her clothing draping down like a waterfall. Her son, who just suffered through the crucifixion, seems to show no signs of the Passion as his face is serene and absent of any facial wounds. The only signs that the crucifixion actually took place are that of the wounds on his side, hands and feet. Michelangelos work always gives me a very pleasant feeling when I look at it. He shares his opinions through his work without any regret. Michelangelos sculpture of The Pieta depicts a very informal view of Mary holding Jesus Christ after his death. The overall mood of the sculpture is very enlightening and angelic. If I had no idea who these two people are in the sculpture, I would look at this picture and see a loving mother holding her dying son in her arms. The warmth in Marys eyes pulls you down to her son’s body, and then the draping around the bottom pulls you down to the floor. The cloth that is draped over Mary and over the bottom of the sculpture looks almost real. The softness and the detail of it make you believe that you are seeing the real thing. In conclusion, I believe that The Pieta by Michelangelo is one of his most magnificent pieces of sculpture. All elements of the compositionthe position of the left arm of Jesus, the angles formed by his knees, and the folds of Marys draperywork toward a gentle unity of design that contrasts sharply with earlier versions of the subject. I believe that Michelangelos Pieta transformed the late medieval devotional image into a monumental statement on the meaning of Christian Sacrifice. This magnificent sculpture will be seen throughout the future as a very influential and inspirational piece of artwork. Research Papers on The Pieta by MichelangeloMind TravelHip-Hop is ArtAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementThe Spring and Autumn19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraThe Fifth HorsemanMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductThe Hockey GameAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeThe Masque of the Red Death Room meanings

How Radio Waves Help Us Understand the Universe

How Radio Waves Help Us Understand the Universe Humans perceive the universe using visible light that we can see with our eyes. Yet, theres more to the cosmos than what we see using the visible light that streams from stars, planets, nebulae, and galaxies. These objects and events in the universe also give off other forms of radiation, including radio emissions. Those natural signals fill in an important part of the cosmic of how and why objects in the universe behave as they do. Tech Talk: Radio Waves in Astronomy Radio waves are electromagnetic waves (light), but we cant see them. They have wavelengths between 1 millimeter (one-thousandth of a meter) and 100 kilometers (one kilometer is equal to one thousand meters). In terms of frequency, this is equivalent to 300 Gigahertz (one Gigahertz is equal to one billion Hertz) and 3 kilohertz. A Hertz (abbreviated as Hz) is a commonly used unit of frequency measurement. One Hertz is equal to one cycle of frequency. So, a 1-Hz signal is one cycle per second. Most cosmic objects emit signals at hundreds to billions of cycles per second. People often confuse radio emissions with something that people can hear. Thats largely because we use radios for communication and entertainment. But, humans do not hear radio frequencies from cosmic objects. Our ears can sense frequencies from 20 Hz to 16,000 Hz (16 KHz). Most cosmic objects emit at Megahertz frequencies, which is much higher than the ear hears. This is why radio astronomy (along with x-ray, ultraviolet, and infrared) is often thought to reveal an invisible universe that we can neither see nor hear. Sources of Radio Waves in the Universe Radio waves usually are emitted by energetic objects and activities in the universe. The   Sun is the closest source of radio emissions beyond Earth. Jupiter also emits radio waves, as do events occurring at Saturn. One of the most powerful sources of radio emission outside of the solar system, and beyond the Milky Way  galaxy, comes from active galaxies (AGN). These dynamic objects are powered by supermassive black holes at their cores. Additionally, these black hole engines will create massive jets of material that glow brightly with radio emissions. These can often outshine the entire galaxy in radio frequencies. Pulsars, or rotating neutron stars, are also strong sources of radio waves. These strong, compact objects are created when massive stars die as  supernovae. Theyre  second only to black holes in terms of ultimate density. With powerful magnetic fields and fast rotation rates, these objects emit a broad spectrum of  radiation, and they are particularly bright in radio. Like supermassive black holes, powerful radio jets are created, emanating from the magnetic poles or the spinning neutron star. Many pulsars are referred to as radio pulsars because of their strong radio emission. In fact, data from the  Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope  showed evidence of a new breed of pulsars that appears strongest in gamma-rays instead of the more common radio. The process of their creation remains the same, but their emissions tell us more about the energy involved in each type of object.   Supernova remnants themselves can be particularly strong emitters of radio waves. The Crab Nebula is famous for its radio signals that alerted astronomer Jocelyn Bell to its existence.   Radio Astronomy Radio astronomy is the study of objects and processes in space that emit radio frequencies. Every source detected to date is a naturally occurring one. The emissions are picked up here on Earth by  radio telescopes. These are large instruments, as it is necessary for the detector area to be larger than the detectable wavelengths. Since radio waves can be larger than a meter (sometimes much larger), the scopes are typically in excess of several meters (sometimes 30 feet across or more). Some wavelengths can be as large as a mountain, and so astronomers have built extended arrays of radio telescopes.   The larger the collection area is, compared to the wave size, the better the angular resolution a radio telescope has. (Angular resolution is a measure of how close two small objects can be before they are indistinguishable.) Radio Interferometry Since radio waves can have very long wavelengths, standard radio telescopes need to be very large in order to obtain any sort of precision. But since building stadium size radio telescopes can be cost prohibitive (especially if you want them to have any steering capability at all), another technique is needed to achieve the desired results. Developed in the mid-1940s, radio interferometry aims to achieve the kind of angular resolution that would come from incredibly large dishes without the expense. Astronomers achieve this  by using multiple detectors in parallel with each other. Each one studies the same object at the same time as the others. Working together, these telescopes effectively act like one giant telescope the size of the whole group of detectors together. For example, the Very Large Baseline Array has detectors 8,000 miles apart. Ideally, an array of many radio telescopes at different separation distances would work together to optimize the effective size of the collection area as well improve the resolution of the instrument. With the creation of advanced communication and timing technologies, it has become possible to use telescopes that exist at great distances from each other (from various points around the globe and even in orbit around  the Earth). Known as Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), this technique significantly improves the capabilities of individual radio telescopes and allows researchers to probe some of the most dynamic objects in the  universe. Radios Relationship to Microwave Radiation The radio wave band also overlaps with the microwave band (1 millimeter to 1 meter). In fact, what is commonly called  radio astronomy, is really microwave astronomy, although some radio instruments do detect wavelengths much beyond 1 meter. This is a source of confusion as some publications will list the microwave band and radio bands separately, while others will simply use the term radio to include both the classical radio band and the microwave band. Edited and updated by Carolyn Collins Petersen.

Tesco Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tesco - Research Paper Example In 1997, Tesco set out a strategy to expand its core business. This later resulted in the establishment of online marketing initiative. It also set out to diversify its products and services, in existing and new markets. This strategy helped Tesco to penetrate the newer UK markets successfully, as well as Europe, Asia, and recently, the United States of America. One of Tesco’s business strategies today is to expand its UK market. This is its biggest business and there are more growth opportunities here. From back in 1997, Tesco has wanted to be the most successful international retailer. In 1997, the international business generated 1.8% of Tesco’s profits. This later increased to 25%. If their business plans succeed in the UK, it is probable that the same will even apply to other markets. It is however worrying how the shoppers in UK have lost trust in Tesco and instead prefer to shop from their competitors. If Tesco does not win back trust in their markets, then it ri sks, more major loses, as UK has been its largest market (Duff, 2006). Tesco needs new management, marketing, and business strategies, in order to revive its UK market. The fall of UK market has been growing gradually over the last five years, probably due to the founding of newer markets in the US and parts of China. In an Economist article, an anonymous author feels that, for Tesco to compensate the costs of running the new markets, it had to readjust their business operations in the UK. This involved reducing employee numbers, and lowering prices in order to attract more shoppers. The UK market was neglected as all efforts and attention were drawn on establishing the new overseas markets. Diversification is another problem that Tesco needs to address in order to regain root in UK. Apart from running food-and-drinks stores, it runs a law firm, a bank, among others. Therefore, Tesco

Social Problem Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Social Problem - Research Paper Example This essay is a critical evaluation of crime as a social problem in the society a well as the measures that can be put into place to ensure that the vice is contained for the welfare and the security of citizens in the world. The rate of crime has risen significantly in the society. To some extent, this can be attributed to the invention of lethal weapons such as guns and ammunition especially during the world wars whereby the various super powers were battling over military superiority (Mednick, 2001). This saw the invention of weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear bombs, assault rifles, and grenades as well as other small arms such as pistols and bayonets. Whereas the initial intention of these discoveries was for the protection of the nation’s sovereignty through military empowerment, the end result was that the equipment found their way into the civilian hands either accidentally or through illegal means. For example, it is approximated that 190,000 weapons issued to Iraq forces in the year 2007 can not be accounted for by the US department of defense (Dunbar, 2006). Probably, the arms found their way into the wrong hands of illegal forces who pose a great risk to the security of civilia ns as well as government forces that are out to maintain law and order. People commit crimes due to a variety of reasons. These reasons are for example peer pressure (Mednick, 2001). This refers to the influence that people may have on the conduct of their friends who could be of the same age group as they are or even older who may decide to follow the habits of others without questioning the moral aspect of what they intend to do as long as it satisfies their worldly fantasies. Such groups introduces their friends to crimes such as drug trafficking which is a well paying but risky vice bearing in mind of the consequences that one would face once he is arrested.

World War Two Essay Example for Free

World War Two Essay After World War Two, the United States government faced a problem. Against Soviet pressure in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, it wanted to convince the world, especially new nations emerging from colonialism, of America’s moral leadership. Often, it found that its most exasperating opponents were some of its own people. The Unites States was profoundly racially segregated. In many states, blacks were legally relegated to separate and profoundly unequal schools. Businesses followed social or legal rules which barred or degraded blacks. Courts often functioned with a callousness and brutality of authoritarian regimes. In Cold War Civil Rights, Mary Dudziak shows how international needs prompted the United States to respond to its racial problems. In America’s long struggle to deal with race, leaders had often brought foreign influence to bear. Frederick Douglass had appealed for help in England, arguing that the whole human family needed to address this problem. 1 During World War I, the war to make the world safe for democracy, black leaders had sought to make America safe for Americans, but to little avail. World War Two marked the turning point. Fighting against regimes that spouted racist ideologies while still segregating its armed forces, America found it had to confront its own moral dilemma (pp. 7-8. ), especially as this dilemma took on strategic implications: Axis propaganda mocked the notion that non-whites could expect justice from racist America. (Pp. 8-9. ) While some voices were raised, the problem went largely ignored. America had not yet committed itself to the ideals that it had sacrificed so much to secure for others. (Pp. 9-11) The Cold War hobbled the use of foreign influence to aid the civil rights effort. Anyone airing domestic issues overseas might now be linked, often wrongly, to communist agitation. (P. 12) Still, a space remained, in which civil rights was driven by international concerns. America found it had to project an increasingly detailed image abroad. International pressures forced the United States to show itself confronting its racial problems. Often, this meant that international concerns drove the federal government and major social and political leaders to deal with domestic racial issues. (Pp. 13-14) Inherently, national leaders in international affairs were thrust into prominence in civil rights struggles. Professor Dudziak points out that her emphasis on the roles of leaders â€Å"should not be seen as an effort to privilege a top-down focus as ‘the’ story of civil rights history. † (P. 14) The vignette with which she opens the book illustrates how leaders were involved. In 1958, a black handyman in Marion, Alabama was charged with stealing less than two dollars in change from a white woman. Charged solely with robbery, he was convicted by an all-white jury and sentence to death. The case caused an outcry around the world. American businessmen overseas feared losing substantial market leverage if the death sentence was carried out. From around the globe, the United States heard calls to overturn the sentence. In the American government, this international pressure was focused on the American official charged with such concerns, the Secretary of State. John Foster Dulles probably did not care about a black handyman from Alabama, but he could not ignore the dispatches pouring in from American consular offices. He telegraphed the governor of Alabama, and the governor reported himself ready to respond to the outpouring of interest in the case. The sentence was quickly commuted. (Pp. 3-6) Turning to the story of how international pressure and domestic race relations shaped one another, Dudziak combine colorful details with a command of the big picture. She begins with Truman, who came to office facing racial concerns. Southern whites fought to defend a way of life threatened by the changes the war had wrought. (Pp. 19-23) Eventually, his reelection effort forced Truman to press the civil rights issue. Hoping he would win voters from the Republicans and the Progressives, Truman’s advisors urged him to speak out on civil rights. His advisors gambled that this would attract black voters, and reasoned that the south would stay safely Democratic. (Pp. 24-25) Accepting this advice, Truman called for civil rights measures that he knew he could not get through Congress. (Pp. 25-26) To his chagrin, southern Democrats bolted and formed their own party, but the strategy worked. Truman carried critical states, polling better among blacks than Roosevelt had done four years earlier. (P. 26) Truman’s key issue was the Cold War, and Truman found that America’s enemies made racial relations a major story. How could the United States claim that to be a model for emerging nations when America was so segregated? Throughout the world, the news media stressed racial issues. A California court decision striking down an antimiscegenation law was widely reported in the Philippines. (Pp. 32-33) American race problems were constant news in India. (P. 32) Communists focused on race issues, trying to embarrass the United States. (Pp. 38-39)2 And America embarrassed itself internationally when foreign diplomats were barred from various facilities. 3 To beat the bad foreign coverage, the United States tried to tell its own story. (Pp. 44-46) As Dudziak shows, some efforts foundered because the world did not share America’s zeal for anti-communism. Pp. 54-60) Even people the government wanted to enlist in its efforts sometimes balked. Sadly, blacks who failed to meet expectations established and enforced by zealous officials often faced serious pressure, as shown by the cases of Paul Robseon (pp. 61-62), Louis Armstrong (pp. 66-67), and Josephine Baker (pp. 67-77). President Truman desegregated the American military. Frustrated that Congress would do nothing on civil rights, Truman used his executive authority to order the military to integrate. (Pp. 82-90) Important as this action was, Dudziak argues that Truman made an even greater contribution by supporting the efforts of the NAACP’s legal attacks on desegregation. Through its briefs amicus curea and other arguments, the government pushed back the color line, often by showing the courts how important these cases were to American international prestige. (Pp. 82-114)4 President Eisenhower was frankly reluctant to endorse the great legal case of Brown v. Board. But in September 1957, he had to decide if Arkansas was part of the United States. Orville Faubus called out the Arkansas national guard. In naked defiance of the Supreme Court, he ordered that blacks be kept out of Little Rock’s schools. He argued that tensions were so high that if the schools were forced to integrate, violence would follow. To protect the black students, he would keep them segregated. (P. 116) As Eisenhower knew, the world was watching Little Rock, and America’s prestige stood in the balance. Huge teams of correspondents from around the world reported each steps of the strange dance of Washington and Arkansas. (Pp. 115-44) After tolerating three weeks of stalling, Eisenhower acted. The 82nd Airborne Division, with fixed bayonets, surrounded Central High School and escorted nine black student inside. (P. 129) Just nine days later, American prestige took another blow: the Soviets launched Sputnik. (P. 145) Roused, the United States dealt with both problems using a single tactic: decisive action. Space programs were accelerated, and the government moved ahead in Arkansas. (Pp. 145-46) On the legal front, the Supreme Court ruled that the rights of blacks could not be sacrificed to whites who would use violence or the threat of violence to hold them back. (Pp. 146-47)5 John Kennedy came to office as an activist. Unfortunately, he failed to grasp the need for activity in the field of civil rights. Hoping to concentrate on international relations, he was embarrassed and felt undercut by the Freedom Riders trying to desegregate buses in the south embarrassing. (P. 158) Initially he largely placated southern Democrats. (P. 156) Slowly, however, he learned with newly formed African nations, American standing required pressing civil rights. (Pp. 162-63) Kennedy did act decisively when riots broke out at the University of Mississippi , and much of the world applauded. (Pp 163-66) Still, African diplomats continued to face embarrassments in traveling to and from Washington. (Pp. 152-54, 1167-69) In 1963, Birmingham. Alabama police used brutal tactics to try to suppress civil right marches. Television images of police brutality (pp. 169-70) raised cries, especially in Africa, that racists were barring all legal change. As Kennedy pressured Alabama, the world applauded. (Pp. 175-78) Feeling the impatience of civil rights activists at home and abroad, in May 1963, Kennedy tried to change the American legal system, which faced new defiance from southerners even as he realized that under traditional American law, the federal government was powerless to act in many civil rights matter. He appeared before a joint session of Congress and called for of bold civil rights laws. (P. 180) This speech galvanized the civil rights movement at home and abroad. (Pp. 181-83) Throughout the world people praised this new initiative. (Pp. / 185-86) At home, the civil rights movement made the first great march on Washington. Even as new problems arose, it seemed that Kennedy was ready to deal with them. (Pp. 198-99) In the wake of Kennedy’s assassination, Lyndon Johnson pressed new civil rights measures through Congress, giving the federal government sweeping powers to enforce civil rights. (Pp. 203-20) Simultaneously, the federal courts abolished travel restrictions that had limited Americans’ rights to travel overseas. (P. 220) One American who traveled during this period was Martin Luther King, going to Norway to accept the 1964 Nobel peace prize. (Pp. 222-26)6 When Dr. King returned to lead marches from Selma, Alabama, he had a firm and supportive governmental response, communist criticism of American civil rights faltered. (Pp. 234-39 But even then, the civil rights movement was destroying itself. Urban riots brought violence and despair rather than movement. Dr. King was assassinated. Robert Kennedy was assassinated. The United States fought a war in Vietnam in which its overwhelmingly non-Asian army seemed totally oblivious to the issues of occupying an Asian nation. (Pp. 242-48) The story that Dudziak tells in this book is important to American history. Civil rights and world events did one another during this period. Now, with globalization and the Internet making the entire world essentially local, America needs to consider this period, learn from it, and learn how to apply those lessons to the present. ENDNOTES

The Corrupt Social Structure Exposed in A Tale of Two Cities :: Tale Two Cities Essays

The Corrupt Social Structure Exposed in A Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens has been acclaimed as one of the foremost satirists of the nineteenth century. In his novel A Tale of Two Cities Dickens finds fault with the social structure of the society. A few of these social problems are the difference between the classes, the lunacy of the revolution, and the judicial system in effect as this time. The first of the faults in the social structure of the society is the difference between the classes. It is not just the difference between the poor and rich but also between the rich and the royalty. While Monsieur the Marquis is driving through St. Antoine, he runs over a child. All he does is toss a few gold coins out to the father and drives away. This is showing that all the aristocracy cares about is money. Another place in the novel where Dickens shows the difference between the classes is when the Monseigneur is having his chocolate while everyone is waiting to speak with him. When he is done with his chocolate all he does is walk out and brushes past everyone else as if they are not there. This shows that all the higher aristocracy cares about is themselves. Another fault the Dickens points out about the social structure in the society is the lunacy associated with the revolution. The way the people of St. Antoine get crazy from being in such a violent situation is the fault that is being described here. When the wood-sawyer starts talking about his saw as "his little guillotine" it shows that he is affected and is a "typical revolutionary", with a cruel regard for life. Another place where Dickens describes this revolution lunacy is when the crowd of "five thousand demons" come around the corner "dancing" to the Carmagnole, the song of the revolution. This shows that everyone who has a part in the revolution has become like one, a large mass of mindless people who only have death on their minds. The third fault that Dickens wants to point out in the novel is the way the judicial system is corrupt. Throughout the novel Dickens mentions that any of

Mac & Cheese Essay

The article â€Å"Why Games are Good for You† by Steven Johnson presents reasons why electronic video games are not harmful. While other people have written and talked about the harms that video games bring to young people. , Steven Johnson argues just the opposite. He says that video games have many benefits including making us smarter. Steven Johnson begins his article by describing what the critics say about video games. First, they are a great waste of time says Dr. Spock. At their worst, they promote violent responses from children. The main argument about video games is that they take away from children reading. Then the author presents the reasons that reading is so good for people. However, the author then says that a lot of the criticism about video games is because they are being judged by old standards by people who believe reading is the main way for children to learn skills. He asks the reader to think of a world where video games came before books. Then he argues that the criticisms of books would look a certain way. The criticisms are the author’s way of showing benefits of video games, like they are three-dimensional, and they have strong visual images and sound. The user uses complex motor skills to navigate them. Also, he shows that the children interact with the games and can control what ha ppens in them. Steven Johnson then shows that the arguments used against books in this made up situation are like the ones used for video games. They do not show the benefits of reading like using the imagination or the shared experience of reading the same story. The arguments against video games are limited also says the author. He says if you compare video games to books, then the games will not be judged well because the two are so different. Next, he talks again about the benefits of reading like concentration and making sense of words and meanings. After showing how reading brings many benefits, he then argues that some of the benefits of readings are found with video games. He says, â€Å"By almost all the standards we use to measure reading’s cognitive benefits—attention, memory, following threads and so on—the nonliterary popular culture has been steadily growing more challenging over the past thirty years† (485). Research is showing in the last few years that people who play video games regularly are gaining important skills. In fact, Steven Johnson argues that â€Å"Increasingly the nonliterary popular culture is honing different mental skills that are just as important as the ones exercised by reading books† (485). He provides examples of why he believes this. Steven Johnson does not agree with critics of video games who believe they are not only a waste of time for children, but can cause harm. Instead, he argues that video games provide many benefits and skills for children including motor skills, interaction with a narrative, a rich landscape of sounds and images and so forth. Other researchers are starting to agree that video games are providing some benefits. Steven Johnson believes that video games should be valued more, but he also suggests that reading is still important. The main point, though, is that parents and others should stop thinking that video games are all bad and appreciate the value they bring to the child.

Marketing and Online Social Networks

INTRODUCTION Situation Synopsis: Competitors have developed different approaches to attract consumers in the online dating market; some of which have been copying eHarmony’s product features and using alternative strategies to attract singles. Company’s Current Strategy: eHarmony uses a focused differentiation strategy. It focuses on singles seeking a serious relationship and long-term compatibility. It distinguished itself from other sites by using a unique matching algorithm. They have also invested substantial resources into marketing and R&D. Problem Statement: eHarmony has opened the door to their competition by declining potential customers as a way to ensure quality control. eHarmony's CEO must decide how to react to imitations of its business model, encroachment by competing models and the rise of free alternatives. ANALYSIS 1. EXTERNAL ANALYSIS 1. General External Environment Demographic: †¢ Age 40 and 50 year olds becoming the fastest growing segment †¢ Age structure: 60% of eHarmony users were women †¢ Members reflect the geographic distribution of the US quite well Legal †¢ Lawsuits for discrimination, etc. †¢ Privacy settings Socio-Cultural: †¢ Average age to get married is increasing †¢ The marriage rate had reached its lowest point in recorded history †¢ Cultural changes and economic factors had a substantial effect on the marriage market †¢ Fluctuating divorce rates †¢ One-fifth of marriages were initiated through online encounters Technological: †¢ Increasingly sophisticated communication and recording technology †¢ R: relationship dynamics, physical attraction, and couples †¢ Must obtain patents for matching systems Global: †¢ Competitors have expanded globally 2. Industry Situation Analysis 1. 2. 1 Industry Structure The online personals industry can be segmented into 4 different categories where the 3 main players; eHarmony, Match, and Yahoo! Personals are represented by the Paid Do-it-yourself category: †¢ Paid Do-it-yourself Sites †¢ Free Do-It-Yourself Sites †¢ Niche Sites †¢ Online Social Networks 1. 2. 2 Industry Direction and Trends Competition is steadily increasing. Many companies within this industry try to develop new approaches in an attempt to divert customers away from market leaders such as eHarmony. Some either put up few barriers to join or allow people to join for free. The industry is expected to rise and perhaps double by 2012. Trends that may be important for this industries future include the following: †¢ Subscribers to these sites tend to be repeat users †¢ 40 to 50 year olds are the fastest growing segment †¢ Marriage rate has reached its lowest point in recorded history †¢ Divorce rates are constantly fluctuating 1. 2. 3 Industry Economics The online personals market grew very slowly, reaching only $40 million in 2001. In 2007, as a result of changing attitudes amongst consumers, the industry increased to $900 million. Observers have predicted that the industry may double in size by 2012. 1. 2. 4 Industry Driving Forces Internet: As the number of people becoming internet savvy increases, so does the number of potential customers for online personals. †¢ Globalization: Some competitors, for instance Match, have already branched out to markets overseas. †¢ Industry Growth Rate: Industry expected to double by 2012. †¢ Who buys & how it is used: Online personals are most popular for middle-aged (40-50) peoples. Used to find potential mates for those seeking various different types of relationships. †¢ Marketing Innovation: â€Å"eHarmony is one of the few online companies that made offline marketing work and pay for itself. Many companies end up spending large quantities on their marketing strategies but do not necessarily acquire more customers. †¢ Changes in Societal Concerns, Attitudes & Lifestyles: More and more people are becoming internet savvy therefore increasing the market potential for online personals. 1. 2. 5 Key Success Factors (See Appendix A) 1. 2. 6 Strategic Groups Map (See Appendix B for Strategic Groups Map) Cost to join and barriers to join an online personal site are the two dimensions which are relevant to a firms’ performance within this industry. Harmony possesses the highest membership fees in the industry along with particularly high barriers to join. Even their direct competitors; Match and Yahoo! Person als differ from eHarmony in that they have much lower barriers to join as well as lower sign up fees. Most of their indirect competitors are free and have little to no barriers to join. 1. 2. 7 Strategic Issues in the Industry †¢ Industry was plagued by people misrepresenting themselves and putting false personal information †¢ Users are concerned about the privacy of their information †¢ Level of customer dissatisfaction remains high . 2. 8 Opportunities & Threats Opportunities: †¢ This industry will continue to rise in popularity due to increasing usage of computer technology. †¢ Due to it being a more affordable means of match making, people will generally turn to online personals as opposed to other offline services. Convenience also plays a factor. †¢ Increasing their market share, catering to more market segments. (Niche markets). Threats: †¢ Online personals sites with more resources pose a threat to those lacking resources. †¢ Security issues linked with sharing information on online personals. Online dating scams) †¢ Reduction of barriers could also mean expanding globally before other competitors capture foreign market segments. 3. Competitive Situation Analysis 1. 3. 1 Competitive Forces (See Appendix C for analysis). After analyzing Porter’s five forces it is concluded that the online personals industry is attractive. 1. 3. 2 Competitive Approaches †¢ Match: They target individuals looking for â€Å"enduring romance†. They have also expanded their markets overseas. †¢ Yahoo! Personals: The types of consumers they target are not specified in the case. Although they have expanded their markets overseas †¢ Online Social Networks: relies on viral process through which friends encourage their friends to join. 1. 3. 3 Competitive Strengths & Weaknesses (See Appendix D) 2. INTERNAL ANALYSIS 2. 1 Company Situation/Resources Analysis (See Appendix E) 2. 2 Operations Analysis: not applicable to this case 2. 3 R Analysis †¢ E-Harmony Labs: In which scientists study different aspects of love (Biological, sociological, and neurological foundations of love) †¢ Scientists continue to do research on physical attraction. They believe that the initial encounter is the crucial in determining the long-term success rate of relationship. †¢ Invested heavily on studies on couples. These studies analyzed how relationships were affected after specific life stages, for example, after a first child is born. 2. 4 Procurement Analysis: not applicable to this case 2. 5 Marketing and Competitive Position †¢ Successful marketing formula: the use of testimonials enabled their offline marketing efforts to pay for itself. †¢ Competitive position: â€Å"matching on the basis of long-term compatibility. †¢ Focus on direct-response marketing and only work with firm’s who truly understand this form of advertising. †¢ They purchase media at lower rates. †¢ Advertise only on national cable networks and avoid broadcast television. (Less costly approach) †¢ ? of budget spend on TV and radio advertising, ? is spent on Internet search and banner ads (expensive). 2. 5 HR Analysis The co mpany grew to 230 employees, half of whom were in customer service. They also employ a team of uniquely positioned research psychologists. 2. 6 Managerial Preferences/Values Analysis The CEO, Greg Waldorf values the exclusivity of the site. †¢ Their customers values long term relationships. 3. APPRAISAL OF STRATEGIC ISSUES 3. 1 Evaluation of Current Strategic Performance 3. 1. 1 Strategic Resources: Tangible †¢ Financial: Ability to generate internal funds: marketing campaign paid for itself within the first week †¢ Borrowing capacity: Received 3 million from an investment firm at start up †¢ Technological: Scientifically produced matching algorithm *** Organizational Resources and Physical Resources do not apply to this case Resources: Intangible †¢ Human resources: knowledgeable team of psychologist †¢ Innovation resource: labs were tasked with studying the biological, sociological, and neurological underpinnings of love †¢ Reputational resources: eHarmony’s focus on serious relationship resonated well with faith communities Capabilities: †¢ Marketing: Highly successful marketing formula †¢ R: secured a patent for the matching algorithm †¢ Strong vision *** Distribution, Human Resources, Management information systems, Management, and Manufacturing do not apply to this case Core Competencies: Sustainable Competitive Advantage: †¢ Patented matching system and guided communication system †¢ Unique positioning of its team of research psychologists †¢ Successful marketing formula *** Value Chain does not apply to this case 3. 1. 2 Financial †¢ Borrowing capacity: Received $3 million from an investment firm at start up. †¢ Opportunity Cost: Declines to sell memberships to at least one million people annually costing the company an estimated $100 million per year. Break Even: By early 2002 registrations had grown to over 300,000 allowing the firm to break even that year and become cash flow positive the next. †¢ Fixed Costs: Advertising: Marketing expenses reaching as much as $80 million per year, firm profitability depended on efficient customer acquisition 4. FORMULATION AND DISCUSSION OF STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES 4. 1 Option 1: Reduction of Barriers Pros: †¢ Allowing more subscriptions will increase revenues †¢ Cost eff ective †¢ Would tap into niche markets such as the gay and lesbian communities (largest niche market). User satisfaction increase when there are more users †¢ Denies competitors a chance to grow (Chemistry) Cons: †¢ Current members will not be as confident when recommending matches †¢ Less exclusive †¢ Spend money in R: New matching models 4. 2 Option: Broadening Customer base to include casual daters Pros: †¢ Strong point of differentiation: Introducing the matching algorithm to the casual dater segment †¢ Allowing more subscriptions will increase revenues Cons: Undermining its credibility with individuals seeking individuals seeking long-term commitment †¢ Exposure to more competitive rivalry †¢ Spend money in R: New matching models 4. 3 Option 3: Growing a new business based on R Pros: †¢ Greater audience which allows for more subscriptions thus an increase in revenues †¢ Reducing risk of being trampled by competitors by dive rsifying Cons: †¢ Can tarnish eHarmony’s reputation and name brand †¢ Risky because it may not gain as much as what was anticipated †¢ Growth strategy may not be concrete . 4 Option 4: Rapid Geographic expansion Pros: †¢ Enables them to take control of target segments before their competitors do †¢ Increases their geographic scope which translates to increased revenues Cons: †¢ The matching portfolio may not cater to foreign markets (Different cultures etc. ) †¢ Large investment in R in order to create new algorithms †¢ Must take into account politics, religion, culture 5. STRATEGY RECOMMENDATION Since its inception, the company has declined to sell memberships to at least one million people who sought to become paying customers. As a result, the opportunity cost of this decision has lost the company an estimated $10 million in revenues per year. eHarmony should continue to focus on it’s vision in creating long-term relationships, however while reducing the amount of barriers they have instilled in order to become a member. By reducing their barriers not only will they increase their market share, they will be able to cater to more market segments (niche markets). Reducing their barriers could also involve expanding their services globally before other competitors capture significant foreign market segments. On that note, they can also deny their competitors a chance to grow. This will also satisfy their current users since there will be a greater selection. On the other hand some users may not take well to the idea, but as long as eHarmony maintains some element of control regarding who is accepted the changes may not be noticed. To conclude, we believe the R expense of creating a new algorithm will prove to be a worthy investment. [pic]

Cx Ima Bascxfdfd Essays

Cx Ima Bascxfdfd Essays Cx Ima Bascxfdfd Essay Cx Ima Bascxfdfd Essay It should be readable but in a proper discourse and with a proper display. The content of the textbook as we have already mentioned should be encyclopedic i. e. knowledge based facts, concepts, values and attitudes. There must be reading assignments, rewriting assignments, summaries, recalls and text included as teachable part of the textbook. The structure of a textbook is based on problem-solving technique. The coherence of a textbook needs clarity of ideas, i. e. readability with commenting words and phrases.A textbook should be appropriate to the topics by explaining in proper language and discourse, related with the previous knowledge and using graphs, illustrations, pictures, photographs to depict the concepts. Its talk should be friendly like â€Å"Have you ever been / heard†. It is called meta-discourse. Activities, questions, projects, intellectuals and emotional engagements should be placed as a part of teaching in a textbook. A textbook is not only a student â€Å" aid, it is also a teachers tool†, so a student should know that what he has to do with the text and a teacher should be given pedagogical points.Hence, it is recommendable that students comer, and teacher points should be given in a textbook though there may be a separate work book or a teachers guide. A textbook is a product for teaching learning process. It would be rather developed and not written. It should not be a piece of writing and not a piece of literature or mere 1 GUIDELINES FOR TEXTBOOKS AUTHORS Understanding Curriculum Standards – Benchmarks SLOs Standards The competencies by descriptive statements specifying broadly, the knowledge, skills and attitudes that students will acquire, shall know and be able to do in a particular key area during the course of study.These are qualitative in nature and sets out the learning targets. They may not be subject specific. Benchmarks The standards indicate what the students will accomplish at the end of each developmen t level. They are subject specific. SLOs The detailed statements describing what students are supposed to learn and be able to do at each grade level to achieve the specified benchmarks. They are activity specific and generally observable and measurable. 2 A Paradigm Shift From Traditional approaches: 1. Based on contents topics 2. Focus on objectives 3. Learning Medium â€Å"Words† 4.Focus on teaching 5. Teacher centered 6. One way approach 7. Reading, writing, communication and using arithmetic (skills) 8. Assessment of content knowledge simple understanding 9. Promote memorization Guidelines for textbooks authors To Standard based approaches: 1. Based on standards 2. Focus on SLOs 3. Learning Medium â€Å"Images† 4. Focus on learning 5. Student centered 6. Variety of approaches 7. Interpersonal, team work and problem solving skills 8. Assessment of content ,skills and attitudes, deeper understanding, reasoning and application 9. Promote thinking What is new in a T extbookFrom descriptive and reading approach to information mapping, Interactive elements, life skills activities, gender equity, brain teasers for initiating discussions, diagrams, illustrations, worked examples, Interesting information in Boxes, critical thinking problems and FAQs for effective Learning. COMPUTER SCIE ENGLISH 11 NCE 8It is a 10 great virtue to be helpful PUNJAB TEXTBOOK BOARD, LAHORE PUNJAB TEXT BOOK BOAR D, LAHORE 3 Guidelines for textbooks authors Qualities of a Textbook Writing a good textbook requires the skills of a subject specialist, a curriculum expert, a good teacher with classroom experience, and an imaginative author.Structured approach Active learning methodoloyg Development of critical thinking Improved teaching methodology Focus on skills development rather than rote memorization Pre-tested in field Active learning methodoloyg Gender balanced Active design and layout Interactive contents 4 Guidelines for textbooks authors NATIONAL CURRICULA 2006/07 E nvisage Textbooks O Providing knowledge which is useful for a developing society. O Inculcating problems-solving approach to create independent / critical thinking. O Creating skills and attitudes relevant with real life situation.O Reflecting innovative writing/modern production processes. O Containing upto date ; age appropriate text. O Based on conceptual assessment, thinking based exercises instead of fact / memory questions oriented only. STRATAGEM TO DEVELOP A TEXTBOOK Get help from the information super highway If you have access to internet, explore its nooks and carnies, such as e-mail, use Google, the worldwide web (www), and so on. The existence of www had search engine makes it easy to find services of information on any topic.To use a search engine, just type in one or more keywords or phrases, and the search engine looks over the millions of websites around the world to find those that mention these words or phrases; then you can visit those sites. The whole process ta kes only a few seconds. One URL is google. com and another is www. msn. com to search sites: It is very essential to be careful to give credit to the sources being used. If you copy material from the internet or from other sources and present it as your own, you stealing another persons property or you are misguided by another persons ideas.O Review all contemporary books for content prior to start work. O Assume students having no prior knowledge when presenting new term – define / explain as required. O Provide smooth transition from previous information covered and new information presented. CHAPTER OPENING O Describe SLOs at the beginning of each chapter clearly stating the objectives and skills to be achieved in the chapter. O Give a brief overview/preview/introduction/outlines of the chapter. O The chapter can also be opened by giving a case study/quotation or any other special feature. 5 Guidelines for textbooks authorsCHAPTER CORE O Add historical and current dates o f interest. O Include enough information to allow the reader to comprehend a specific concept maintaining breath and depth for addressing the expected learning outcomes of the National Curriculum. O Build vertical linkage between various concepts from lower to higher level and at the same time horizontal linkage of concepts of one discipline with the others. O Avoid overlapping of concepts vertically as well as horizontally. If need arises, give recall paragraphs. O Relate the concepts to students own experience and observation.O Textual matter should be harmonized reflecting unity and coherence, discussing diverse view points wherever appropriate. O Provide guidance, as necessary, on safety, health and environment requirement pertaining to the learning event. O Text and activities to demonstrate care and respect for the environment. COMMUNICATION O Fewer words are better. Be concise, use simple language which consists of short sentences. Prefer graded vocabulary. O Present content using consistent nomenclature/ internationally accepted terminology/units. O Highlight the headings, sub-heading, key words, terms and definitions.For distinction use level heading â€Å"A† 4. 1, 4. 2level â€Å"B† 4. 1. 1, 4. 2. 1level â€Å"C† (a), (b), (c) (i), (ii), (iii)-and level â€Å"D† bold but unnumbered. ILLUSTRATIONS O Use the appropriate elements to promote comprehension – charts, tables, graphs, illustration, line drawings – cartoon types illustrations for children. Real life coloured photographs and illustrations make the substance vivid, attractive and easy to digest. O Draw figures to size and should be numbered as Fig. 4. 1, 4. 2, 4. 3 followed by captions, label if needed (font size 9).All figures to be cited in the text. 6 Guidelines for textbooks authors INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS O Pre-reading O Activities while reading O Headers and footers O Linkage of text and figures O Elaboration of concepts with examples O Interaction o f text with society O Puzzles O Brain teasers O Quick quiz O â€Å"Do you know† in boxes O STS connections O Field trips O Clippings O Flash cards O Models O Work sheets O Flow charts O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O Labeling a diagram Peer discussion Problems solving Clipart/Cartoons / caricatures Tidbits – speech bubbles Review question–re-enforcement activities.Quotations Demonstrations Colourful pictures Group tasks Points to remember Role play Library research Mini projects Surveys Case studies Exhibition INFORMATION BOXES Make effort to make user friendly text and lively by quoting connections with society at appropriate places in boxes such as:v v v v v v Tidbits: to provide snippets of interesting and useful knowledge. Fascinating facts: creating a sense of wonder giving unbelievable information but true facts of the nature. Quick Quiz: question to recall, think and apply what they have learnt as well as to re-enforce by learning of key concepts and pri nciples.Point to ponder / Brain teaser: to encourage the art of thinking by mentioning live situations involving science applications. Did you know: Interesting relevant or additional information. Remember/Caution/Attention: The text needed to be emphasised. 7 Guidelines for textbooks authors Specimens of various boxed informations Respect the Earth, it is the only one we have. Tidbit Most abundant organizms in the world are bacteria One big tree fulfils oxygen needs of 36 children per day. The dead sea is highly saturated with salts. The crystals start appearing in it even with a slight decrease in the temperature.The workers in a noisy factory may suffer from â€Å"tinnitus† caused by long exposure to loud sounds. They must wear ear plugs to avoid further hearing loss while on job. Science Tidbits Grade IV The best example of solution of carbon dioxide in water is soda water Grade IX The weight of an average apple is nearly one newton. Grade IX A light year is the distance covered by light in vacuum in one year. It equals 15 9. 46 X 10 m Grade IX The bullet train in Japan and France run over electromagnetic track instead of ordinary iron rails. Grade IX The friction in the human joints is much reduced due to the presence of a fluid – a natural lubrication.Grade IX The dead sea is highly saturated with salts. The crystals start appearing in it even with a slight decrease in the atmospheric temperature. 8 Guidelines for textbooks authors Fascinating Facts Sun showers as much energy on the earth in one hour as much as all other sources produce in one year. 1. 5 million children die every year from contaminated drinking water. One million atoms, if arranged one above the other, will have the thickness of a human hair. Matter in plasma state makes up much of the universe. The matter of Sun is also in Plasma state. Point to ponder Why touch-me-not is called so?Why do we feel cool when we sit under the fan wearing wet clothes? Why deserts nights are c ooler while the days are very hot? What would happen if photosynthesis has stopped? What would happen if there were no bacteria? Remember! Caution! Attention! The future of our children depends upon development without destruction of natural environment. Listening to loud music isharmcul,sounds above 85dB ar hazardous to hearing. Pop music isoft en 110dB or louder, so the potential of hearing damage is very real Noise can kill silently A 30dB sound is ten time more intense than 20dB sound but twice as loud.The planet Jupiter is not terrestrial body as our Earth but a gas-giant. The efficiency and productivity of the worker is badly affected by noisy environment. If a factory owner adopts noise control measure, the cost is paid back in the form of enhanced efficiency and productivity in addition to better health of the workers 9 Guidelines for textbooks authors Brain Teasers / Quick Quiz Why touch-me-not is called so? Why do we feel cool when we sit under the fan wearing wet clothes? Can we talk while standing on the moon as on earth? What would happen if photosynthesis has stopped? Which biomes act as the nature’s lungs?What would happen if Earth suddenly stops revolving around the Sun? Other Eye-catchers Remember Inexpensive foam earplugs can reduce noise level by 20dB to 25 dB. Caution: No plastic wrap Food should not be heated in the micro wave oven using plastic containers. Dioxins from the plastic are released which are highly poisonous for our body cells. Use Pyrex glass or ceramic containers only. Remember ! Radioisotopes are unstable isotope of an element emitting nuclear radiation. Did you know? These symbols are used to indicate the presence of radioactive material. 10 Guidelines for textbooks authors VARIOUS ACTIVITIESO Build process skills such as observation, measurement, data collection, analysis etc. through various types of activities or mini projects. Activities Emphasize Learning Through Visual Verbal Logical Kinaesthetic Auditory Inte rpersonal Intrapersonal Pictures, colours and graphs Words/discussions/questionings Pattern, reasons, numbers Physical activity touch Through sound Through interaction with others Through independent work reflection/imagination O Student centred and activity-oriented text enhances quest of learning, develops ability to think scientifically and critically; and develops creativity.The first step towards scientific literacy is to engage the students in asking and answering meaningful questions starting with why, how and should. â€Å"Why† questions are related to scientific inquiry â€Å"How† questions address problem solving process â€Å"Should† questions indicates decision making Hands-on activities reinforce the understanding of concepts develop process skills. They are: Structural Inquiry: Guided Inquiry: Open Inquiry: Instruction are given to perform the activity without telling the expected outcome Students develop a procedure to investigate a problem selected by the teacher.Students identify a problem to investigate and design their own investigation. Types of Activities: 11 Guidelines for textbooks authors How to write an Inquiry? O Start with an open ended question or a demonstration. Allow responses and subsequent questions from students. O Involve students to collaborate on designing experiment or process. O Ask students to conduct experiment and or gather data. O Ask to locate, select, organize and present information from a variety of sources. O Allow students to analyze and interpret data. O Identify a problem, plan and carry out investigation for its solution.O Encourage students to identify pattern, report trends and draw inferences. O Allow discussion and information communication etc. O Finally ask the students to draw conclusion. A Sample Inquiry: Grade IX (Structural Inquiry) Material Procedure 1. Come to class with an electric kettle filled with water. Let students wonder! 2. Plug in the cord and switch on the kett le to do its job. Soon steam will begin to escape from the spout. 3. Get a cold, white ceramic plate and hold it up at a safe distance from the spout. Tilt it slightly. 4. Water droplets collect on the plate and soon begin to fall down. The water cycle 5.Now ask students what was happening? Facilitate them in making analogies: Kettle, Bodies of water, Electric socket, Sun, White ceramic plate, Clouds 6. Lead the students into the terminology: O O O O evaporation water vapor condensation precipitation Electric Kettle and white Ceramic Plate 7. Help them see the CYCLE 8. Distribute Worksheet 12 Guidelines for textbooks authors WORKSHEET Part A: Complete the sentences using the words below: Groundwater living things reservoirs Lakes and oceans water cycle 1. In the water cycle, water is stored in__________________ 2. Water is an important need of all_____________________ 3.Water that soaks into the soil and rock layers is called___________ 4. Places where water is stored are called____ _______ 5. Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and storage are all parts of________ Part B: Match the statements on the left with the words on the right ______________ 6. forms clouds ______________ 7. causes runoff to flow downhill ______________ 8. a type of reservoir ______________ 9. can be trapped in spaces in rock 1 2 3 condensation water tower groundwater gravity 4 Part C: Use the words below to identify the processes in the water cycle Evaporation Precipitation Condensation Storage 10 11 12 13 3 Guidelines for textbooks authors A Sample Inquiry: Grade VI (Structural Inquiry) O Take three torches / ray boxes. O Paste green cellophene filter paper on the glass of one of the torch. O Similarly paste red and blue filters on the other two torches. O Overlap light of torch on the light of other on a sheet of white paper in a dark room. O Tabulate your results. Mixing of light Result Red + Blue Green + Blue Green + Red Red + Green + Blue O From your above observations, which light you will get by mixing blue and yellow? O Nadeem is wearing yellow jacket and blue jean and while Neena red shirt and green scarf.What color of clothes will be seen in a room of red light? And in a room with blue light? Sample Inquiries: (Guided Inquiry) O Collect material from library, magazines, newspapers on the subject â€Å"impact of human activities on environment†. Discuss the impacts with your peers and teachers. O Sort out news and articles related to the environmental issues from the newspapers of the last one week and place them on the board. O Draw food chains and food web on the basis of your observations of a pond or garden eco-system. O Categories the organism in the above activity as produces, consumers and decomposers.O Give a puzzle to solve to a class in a noisy environment using a pre-recorded loud noise of unpleasant sounds. The same be repeated in a silent environment, compare the results and draw conclusions O Design an activity to measure the thi ckness of a wire using a meter scale. (Grade VI) 14 Guidelines for textbooks authors O Design an activity to observe convection heating of a liquid. (Grade VII) O Design and study series of parallel circuits and find the most appropriate one. Give reasons for your selection. (Grade VII) Sample Inquiry: (Open Inquiry) O At the end of a chapter / topic the author may ask the students o identify related problems and to design and conduct investigation to find the cause-and-effect of the problem and to suggest solution. Remembering: Potential Activities and Products O Make a story map showing the main events of the story. O Make a time line of your typical day. O Make a concept map of the topic. O Write a list of keywords you know about†¦. O What characters were in the story? O Make a chart showing†¦ O Recite a poem you have learnt. O Write in your own words†¦ O Cut out, or draw pictures to illustrate a particular event in the story.O Report to the class†¦ O Illustra te what you think the main idea may have been. O Make a cartoon strip showing the sequence of events in the story. O Write and perform a play based on the story. O Write a brief outline to explain this story to someone else O Explain why the character solved the problem in this particular way O Write a summary report of the event. O Prepare a flow chart to illustrate the sequence of events. O Make a colouring book. O Paraphrase this chapter in the book. O Retell in your own words. O Outline the main points. 15 Guidelines for textbooks authorsApplying: Potential Activities and Products O Construct a model to demonstrate how it looks or works O Practise a play and perform it for the class O Write a diary entry O Make a scrapbook about the area of study. O Prepare invitations for a characters birthday party O Make a topographic map O Take and display a collection of photographs on a particular topic. O Make up a puzzle or a game about the topic. O Write an explanation about this topic for others. O Dress a doll in national costume. O Make a clay model†¦ O Paint a wall painting using the same materials.O Continue the story†¦ Creating: Potential Activities and Products O Invent a machine to do a specific task. O Create a new product. Give it a name and plan a marketing campaign. O Write about your feelings in relation to O Write a TV show play, puppet show, role play, song about.. O Design a new monetary system O Develop a menu for a new restaurant using a variety of healthy foods O Design a record, book or magazine cover for O Sell an idea O Devise a way to O Make up a new language and use it in an example O Write a jingle to advertise a new product.Assessment Exercises O Add ongoing assessment quizzes/questions of lower and higher order thinking throughout the chapter and at the end of chapters. These exercises should encourage students to think, develop skills and use information for a variety of situations. 16 Guidelines for textbooks authors O Mini e xercises can be given involving investigations and relating concepts with the society and environment. O End of chapter exercise may consist of variety of questions to evaluate wide range of abilities and skills starting from lower to higher order thinking.O Think tank/investigations/projects may be included for open ended questions to provoke students thinking, creativity and investigation skills. Good Questions are: O Purposeful (asked to achieve a specific purpose) O Clear (students understand what they mean) O Brief (stated in as few words as possible) O Natural (stated simply, in conversational English) O Thought-provoking (they stimulate thought and response) O Limited in scope (only one or two points in chain of reasoning called for) O Adapted to the level of the class (tailored to the kinds of students in class) Questions for Remembering LevelsO What happened after? O How many? O What is? O Who was it that? O Can you name ? O Find the definition of†¦ O Describe what hap pened after†¦ O Who spoke to? O Which is true or false? (Pohl, Learning to Think, Thinking to Learn, p. 12) SAMPLE QUESTIONS Knowledge/Remembering: The recall of specific information Lower level Question: Extended Question: What is an ecosystem? Define an ecosystem and list the varieties that are found in Pakistan. 17 Guidelines for textbooks authors Questions for Understanding Level O Can you explain why†¦? O Can you write in your own words? O How would you explain†¦?O Can you write a brief outline? O What do you think could have happened next? O Who do you think? O What was the main idea? O Can you clarify†¦? O Can you illustrate†¦? (Pohl, Learning to Think, Thinking to Learn, p. 12) SAMPLE QUESTIONS Knowledge/Remembering: The recall of specific information Objective: Lower level Question: Extended Question: An understanding of what was read. List the different parts of the ecosystem and explain what they do? Compare a marine ecosystem with one from anothe r of our province. Questions for Applying Level O Do you know of another instance where†¦?O Can you group by characteristics such as†¦? O Which factors would you change if†¦? O What questions would you ask of†¦? O From the information given, can you develop a set of instructions about†¦? (Pohl, Learning to Think, Thinking to Learn, p. 13) SAMPLE QUESTIONS Objective: Lower level Question: Extended Question: Using the knowledge in another familiar situation. Using a diagram, show how the Water Cycle operates in an ecosystem? Demonstrate what happens when human interface with the Water Cycle? 18 Guidelines for textbooks authors Question for Analyzing Level O Which events could not have happened? O If. . happened, what might the ending have been? O How is similar to? O What do you see as other possible outcomes? O Why did changes occur? O Can you explain what must have happened when? O What are some or the problems of? O Can you distinguish between? O What were some of the motives behind..? O What was the turning point? O What was the problem with? (Pohl, Learning to Think, Thinking to Learn, p. 13) SAMPLE QUESTIONS Objective : Lower level Question: Extended Question: Breaking information into explore understanding and relationships or To differentiate between the constituent parts.Contrast the nature water Cycle with that used your community. Examine an ecosystem that has been damaged by human interface. How could it have been avoided? Questions for Evaluating Level O Is there a better solution to? O Judge the value of What do you think about? O Can you defend your position about? O Do you think is a good or bad thing? O How would you have handled? O What changes to would you recommend? O Do you believe? How would you feel if. ..? O How effective are. ..? O What are the consequences..? O What influence will. ave on our lives? 19 Guidelines for textbooks authors O What are the pros and cons of.? O Why is . of value? O What are the alternat ives? O Who will gain ; who will loose? (Pohl, Learning to Think, Thinking to Learn, p. 14) SAMPLE QUESTIONS Evaluation / Evaluating Objective: Lower level Question: Extended Question: The judgment and evaluation of actions, outcomes, etc. or Justification of a decision or course of action. Identify an unspoilt ecosystem and design a way of preserving it. How would preserving our local ecosystem stabilize our environment?Questions for Creating Level O Can you design a to? O Can you see a possible solution to? O If you had access to all resources, how would you deal with? O Why dont you devise your own way to? O What would happen if ? O How many ways can you? O Can you create new and unusual uses for? O Can you develop a proposal which would? (Pohl, Learning to Think, Thinking to Learn, p. 14) SAMPLE QUESTIONS Synthesis / creating Objective: The organization of thoughts, ideas and information form the contents or Generate new ideas, products or ways of viewing things.Lower level Ques tion: Extended Question: Is it reasonable that people pollute our waterways? Defend your answer. Assess the impact of pollution in our local waterways. 20 Guidelines for textbooks authors Specific Levels of Questions Blooms categories of educational objectives to classify questions (Grade IX) Blooms Categories of Questions 6 Creating 5 Evaluating 4 Analysing 3 Applying 2 Understanding 1 Remembering u Sample Question How can we determine the weight of an object without a standard scale? Draw a picture of your favorite building. Do you like modern art? Explain why? Which method do you prefer: decantation or filtration? u What does this chart mean? Why is Karachi called â€Å"The business capital of Pakistan†? u Solve x2 + 14 = 18 Make a paper cup that will hold 500 mL of water . u Write in your words how the water cycle works. Differentiate between atom and molecule. u How is chemistry defined? Who was the first governor General of Pakistan? CHAPTER ENDING O Key points/summary/ concepts map at the end of chapter helps the students for quick revision. O Add glossary at the end of the chapter/book.O Add activities/mini projects/case studies O Add review questions, self quizzes, end of chapter exercise. O Add reference boxes e. g. web sites, computer simulations etc. 21 Guidelines for textbooks authors BOOK ENDING O Include appendices for additional information. O Suggest bibliography for additional references. O Make and include index for quick reference. O Add appeal for feedback and suggestions for further improvement. MANUSCRIPTS REVIEW CHECKLIST S. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Item Description The manuscript is in line with the National Curriculum.Objective / standards / benchmarks/ SLOs of the National Curriculum are translated in letter and spirit. The contents page is appropriately sequenced and numbered. Vocabulary and terminology appropriate to the level/class are used and glossary of difficult words is added at the end of eac h lesson or book. Reference to textbooks, material, and other resource material is acknowledged and mentioned in the manuscript. At the end of the textbook, a small paragraph about the author is given. It doesnt have any material repugnant to Islam as well as ideology of Pakistan.No anonymous materials, poems, stories etc. is included in the textbook. Language is simple and understandable and there are no language errors or conception mistakes in the manuscript. Diagrams, illustrations and photographs are appropriate and clear with proper labeling / captions. Assessment mechanism is incorporated / in built. Each chapter/unit covers themes and topics, learning outcomes and suggested activities as per National Curriculum. The material presented is dynamic, challenging, stimulating and user friendly. The manuscript addresses the gender issue appropriately. 22

Barack Obama - Second Weekly Transition Address

Barack Obama Second President-Elect Weekly Transition Address Broadcast 15 November 2008 Today the leaders of the G-20 nations, a group that includes the worlds largest economies, are gathering in Washington to seek solutions to the ongoing turmoil in our financial markets. Im glad President Bush has initiated this process, because our global economic crisis requires a coordinated global response.And yet, as we act in concert with other nations, we must also act immediately here at home to address Americas own economic crisis. This week, amid continued volatility in our markets, we learned that unemployment insurance claims rose to their highest levels since September 11th, 2001. Weve lost jobs for ten straight months nearly 1.2 million jobs this year, many of them in our struggling auto industry. And millions of our fellow citizens lie awake each night wondering how theyre going to pay their bills, stay in their homes, and save for retirement.Make no mistake: This is the greatest economic challenge of our times. And while the road ahead will be long, and the work will be hard, I know that we can steer ourselves out of this crisis, because here in America we always rise to the moment, no matter how hard. And I am more hopeful than ever that America will rise once again. But we must act right now. Next week, Congress will meet to address the spreading impact of the economic crisis. I urge them to pass at least a down-payment on a rescue plan that will create jobs, relieve the squeeze on families, and help get the economy growing again. In particular, we cannot afford to delay providing help for the more than one million Americans who will have exhausted their unemployment insurance by the end of this year. If Congress does not pass an immediate plan that gives the economy the boost it needs, I will make it my first order of business as President. Even as we dig ourselves out of this recession, we must also recognize that out of this economic crisis comes an opportunity to create new jobs, strengthen our middle class, and keep our economy competitive in the 21st century. And that starts with the kinds of long-term investments that weve neglected for too long. That means putting two million Americans to work rebuilding our crumbling roads, bridges, and schools. It means investing 150 billion dollars to build an American green energy economy that will create five million new jobs, while freeing our nation from the tyranny of foreign oil, and saving our planet for our children. It means making health care affordable for anyone who has it, accessible for anyone who wants it, and reducing costs for small businesses. And it also means giving every child the world-class education they need to compete with any worker, anywhere in the world. Doing all this will require not just new policies but a new spirit of service and sacrifice, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. If this financial crisis has taught us anything, its that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers. In this country we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. And thats how we will meet the challenges of this time together. Thank you. Source:Â  https://www.loc.gov/ Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

Questions asked, Explain below questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Questions asked, Explain below questions - Essay Example The situation of the economy, such as economic booms and economic meltdown is a key competitive factor in global Smartphone industry. Economic meltdown will reduce the disposable income of customers. At that point of time companies are going for less costly smart phones. If the economy is booming customer’s disposable income would increase and companies starts to compete on high-end smart phones. Reliability of the brand and user friendliness of the smart phones is also a very key competitive factor affecting the company seriously. Before buying any smart phones customers search for different attribute and features like applications, internet speed, picture qualities etc (James, Laurence and Changhoon, 2011, PP. 343-353). These are the areas where modern players are competing very hard among each other. Static competitions are those competitions which remains same over the longer period of time. It does not change according to the situations. This sector is very much competitive in terms of static competition. Large players are constantly competing with each other. Difference between two large players is always very close. User friendliness, customer satisfaction are remains the static criterion of competitions. Legalities, patent rights of different companies are also important static competition. This market also has lots of dynamic competitions. This kind of competitions is short term. These are very situational in nature. Local small Smartphone brands can pose this competition in front of large global players. It can come up with new different applications which can attract customers. It poses lots of dynamic competitions in this industry. The Dynamic competitions some times are in terms of pricing strategies also. Yes, these two criterions diverge from one another. The above discussion is showing that static completion is not at all situational. This competition is always