Research Articles On Attitudes And Attitudes Towards...

Critical comparison of two journal articles on different perceptions and attitudes towards plagiarism and academic misconduct. Plagiarism is a major concern for both students and teachers and the consequences of plagiarising will differ depending on the degree of misconduct within an assessed piece of academic writing. Throughout this essay there will be a comparison of two journal articles supplied in the plagiarism reader. The first essay is ‘Exploring academic misconduct: Some insights into student behaviour’ written by Bob Perry and published in 2010. This article highlights the increase of misconduct cases reported in newspapers and research, stating that increase is paired with the ‘new internet enterprises’ that are benefiting from†¦show more content†¦In contrast the Flint et al.’s article provides two opposing definitions. The first, as defined by Liverpool Hope University, is the referencing techniques and writing skills used in a piece of written work explaining that: ‘The use of material which is not acknowledged to its source and also the direct use of material, reference or un-referenced without the clear indication that the material is taken verbatim from its source. Liverpool Hope University College, 2003’. The second defines plagiarism in terms of personal ownership and academic integrity using Pyer’s 2000 definition; ‘it is taking the words, ideas and labour of other people and giving the impression that they are your own’. It develops the definition of plagiarism emphasised in the first article by adding the need for a ‘declaration of academic integrity’ confirming that the work submitted is your own, this is the first time this point has been made in both articles. Research was taken out by both journal articles although the difference is the source of the research. Perry used three previous studies focusing on ‘The Times Higher Education Study’ to create a three paged questionnaire in order to assess the student’s perception at different level of study. His questionnaire identified a profile that acknowledged an age range, gender and employment category. It questioned attitudes towards statements and ethical reasoning as well as fears

Gilgamesh The Epic Of Gilgamesh - 1194 Words

The Epic of Gilgamesh is a Mesopotamian epic poem loosely based on a real king who ruled sometime around 2700 BCE. The standard version of this epic was written in the Akkadian language. In this epic poem, Gilgamesh is King of Uruk, he is one third mortal and two-thirds god; he is described as a strong, arrogant, and unruly king that does not show much consideration for his actions. Gilgamesh is a very egocentric person; he has no respect for the feelings of others and does not care about how his actions affect the citizens of Uruk. The Gods notice the unruliness of Gilgamesh and conjure up Enkidu to defeat Gilgamesh. Instead of becoming enemies, Enkidu and Gilgamesh become friends, but their friendship is short lived when Enkidu dies, which leaves Gilgamesh to extremely grieve for the loss of his friend. In order to avoid death Gilgamesh seeks out immortality from a man called Utanapishtam. Unfortunately Gilgamesh soon learns that he cannot escape death because he finally comes to terms with his own mortality and discovers that death is inevitable. The contrasting themes of love and friendship, fear of failure, inevitability of death, and wisdom of experience that occur throughout the Epic of Gilgamesh show how man cannot escape his own mortality no matter how hard he tries. The theme of love and friendship is a dominant theme throughout the epic mainly because this epic follows the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Gilgamesh and Enkidu were meant for eachShow MoreRelatedGilgamesh And The Epic Of Gilgamesh988 Words   |  4 PagesThe maturation of Gilgamesh and his desire to acquire wisdom throughout his journey is quite apparent. By overcoming difficulties such as upholding Uruk, becoming friends with Enkidu, and various other scenarios, Gilgamesh proves that he did in fact grow up throughout the epic. As the epic starts, Gilgamesh is portrayed as a self-centered, self-admiring leader who believes that he is the only individual that can lead the city of Uruk. Gilgamesh believes that he is a god-like figure and often refersRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh : Gilgamesh1013 Words   |  5 Pages Gilgamesh in 2015 Even though the epic Gilgamesh is thousands of years old, it is still read today. Why would the era of technology read an epic this old? This is because the themes in Gilgamesh are still relevant. In addition, the themes are experiences that Gilgamesh went through in his life period, and serve as lessons for the current readers. Gilgamesh’s themes include journey, legacy, love, and death. These themes make Gilgamesh a vital reading for the 21st century citizens because peopleRead MoreGilgamesh : The Epic Of Gilgamesh909 Words   |  4 Pages â€Å"The Epic of Gilgamesh† is a didactic story set out to expose the inevitability of death. The true meaning of this story is sometimes overlooked because the story is told in heighten language not easily understood. The epic hero in this story is Gilgamesh; he undertakes a quest for knowledge which is overshadowed by his ignorance. The tragic death of Enkidu, Gilgamesh’s trusted companion forces the epic hero to change his perception of death. To overcome great obstacles one must be willing to putRead MoreGilgamesh The Epic Of Gilgamesh877 Words   |  4 PagesThe Epic of Gilgamesh the lines that are repeated at the beginning and end of the epic show that only immortality a human can gain lies in creating things that last beyond a person’s lifetime. While at the beginning of the epic Gilgamesh is seeking eternal life, when he concludes his journey he realizes that he has created an enduring legend through the foundation of his city, Uruk. Through this legend, Gilgamesh can live on in the memory of his people, long after he has passed away. The epic is ableRead MoreGilgamesh : The Epic Of Gilgamesh876 Words   |  4 PagesIn The Epic of Gilgamesh a young man meets and befriends a wild man named Enkidu. Enkidu, once a man who lived among animals, became civilized after having sex with a female. From this point on Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s relationship start, but shortly into the novel E nkidu becomes sick and dies. This is the start to Gilgamesh journey in attempting to avoid death by seeking immortality. In his quest Gilgamesh meets several people all who assign different routes to the next person he should speak to.Read MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And Gilgamesh1422 Words   |  6 PagesIn the Epic of Gilgamesh there are many notable relationships but the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is hands down the most noteworthy. When analyzing the relationship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu there are many factors that go into play. It is really the sole foundation of the whole Sumerian epic and it really changes the whole personality of Gilgamesh. In order to get a better understanding of how the two characters complement each other we have to first break down their individual appearancesRead MoreGilgamesh : The Epic Of Gilgamesh1400 Words   |  6 Pages The Epic of Gilgamesh Introduction The Epic of Gilgamesh is the story about Gilgamesh, the King of Uruk and Enkidu, their friendship, how Enkidu dies, how Gilgamesh mourns the death of his friend and finally he understands enlightened truth . Most of this story is narrated from Gilgamesh’s point of view. The story is set in Mesopotamia and the portrayal of Gilgamesh is ironical. He is described as a king of immense vigor and strength who is not benevolent with his subjectsRead MoreGilgamesh : The Epic Of Gilgamesh2225 Words   |  9 PagesEpic of Gilgamesh In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh became a hero and Enkidu helped Gilgamesh grow and develop as a person, a leader, and a hero. Heroism is a major theme of this story. Gilgamesh also overcame the obstacle of his best friend dying and persevering when he had no other choice but to give up. The Epic of Gilgamesh was a story about a leader named Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh ruled the city of Uruk and along the way, he learned how to become a better leader. During this time, the gods createRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And Gilgamesh Essay2053 Words   |  9 PagesWhile the women in the Epic of Gilgamesh may not be the primary focus of the epic, which instead recounts more of Gilgamesh’s own trials and travails, they still play quite vital roles in their interactions with both Enkidu and Gilgamesh. Women such as Shamhat, Ninsun, and Ishtar in The Epic of Gilgamesh are often portrayed with a particular emphasis on their intrinsic connections to civilization—and in the case of Shamhat and Ninsun, in terms of their motherly characteristics as well—which servesRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh By Gilgamesh1476 Words   |  6 PagesThe Epic of Gilgamesh was the earliest surviving written epic that told story of Gilgamesh king of Uruk that was the world first cities that was built along the Tigris and Euphrates River 5,000 years ago. Aruru created the human race, Enkidu and a wild man who roamed the pasture like a gazelle. The epic of Gilgamesh goddesses and scared harlots wild men who cavort in the fields with the gazelles kings who are descended from gods. The Urban Revolution was recognize the elements of our own world by

Should the Coast be Managed Free Essays

Every year land is both lost and gained in coastal areas due to physical processes, including the action of the sea. Much time and money is spent in an attempt to limit the change, seen as â€Å"damage†, that occurs. More advanced methods of coastal defence are tested and put into place and research is carried out. We will write a custom essay sample on Should the Coast be Managed? or any similar topic only for you Order Now Yet coastal management remains as a piece-meal approach, with different areas of coast dealt with using widely varying methods, some of which are the cause of this â€Å"damage† further along the coast. â€Å"Coastal defences, by their very nature, disrupt the natural processes operating on the coastline† (www. orth-norfolk. gov. uk) and it is this fundamental fact that should be considered by all those responsible for coastal management. Although this disruption is sometimes intentional, often it is not and thus more coastal defences must be put in place in order to correct the harm done by the original scheme. Conversely, there exists much land that is considered to be valuable in terms of its economic, social and environmental significance. It may seem a waste to simply watch this land being taken by the sea when there are preventative measures that can be employed. This essay will look at why the coast is protected, from what, and will give some examples of how as well as the advantages and disadvantages of coastal management strategies including taking no action against the work of the sea. The uses of the coastal area are numerous and diverse, making it difficult to prioritise on what should and should not warrant protection. Land that is situated close to the sea is often the location of homes with a high economic value in addition to the obvious emotional attachment of the owners. Historically valuable features such as buildings or monuments are important in terms of heritage and in turn tourism. Land that provides an income, i. e. farmland and camping ground is often situated along the coast and due to the natural beauty of coastal areas, attracts tourists as well as being aesthetically appealing for those that live close to it. Another natural feature is, of course, the precious habitats that are contained by the cliffs, and the scientific interest in those habitats. Settlements were originally located close to the sea for the purpose of transport and for many coastal locations, the import and export of both people and goods remains their principal function. Indeed, it is estimated that around 60 percent of the global population live within 50 km of the sea (Briggs, Smithson, Addison and Atkinson 1997). Consequently all of these activities and uses have strong arguments as to why they justify the time, expense and risk of affecting other locations in a detrimental way, that coastal defence schemes entail. The purpose of this essay is not to evaluate which of these is the most deserving but simply to acknowledge that all of these valuable features can be found in coastal locations and are therefore at risk from erosion by the sea. The processes that affect the coastline involve the action of the sea against the vulnerable beach and cliffs. Waves attack the coast in two fundamental ways. Firstly waves are formed and their energy increased by a combination of wind, tide and current. The force of this wave action is often enough to cause fractures in the rock and sometimes failures and de-stabilization through the trapping of air. The structure and geology are obviously major contributing factors when the severity of â€Å"damage† is considered. The second way in which the waves attack the coastline is really a strengthening of the first method and this is by the transport of sediments in the water. A wave that is carrying material that it has eroded or that is originally from the seabed has more power to potentially erode. This shoreline abrasion relies on both wave energy as well as a supply of material with which to attack (Summerfield 1991). Another coastal process is weathering which also occurs inland but is exacerbated at the coast due to the very nature of the area. This includes the wetting and drying cycles and also the existence of salt. Salt weathering has a greater effect on rock that can absorb seawater as this allows the salt to penetrate the rock and so work on its structure as opposed to only the external surfaces. Coastal defences obviously do not directly combat weathering as even if the land behind is protected from the sea, salt is ubiquitous and so will still reach it. So it is this persistent force from which the shoreline is, in some locations, protected. The methods used in this protection vary in construction and purpose but also in their efficiency, with each method exhibiting both positive and negative aspects. The best defence against erosion†¦ by the sea is a natural wide beach topped off at the inshore end with either high deep sand dunes or a shingle bank† (www. north-norfolk. gov. uk). Unfortunately not every coastal location has this advantage either for natural reasons or where the beach material has been removed for human use, for example building. In the case where there is erosion occurring and shoreline assets are threatened, artificial defences are put into place. One example of a coastal engineering method is the sea wall. These were widely used in the early stages of coastline management and some modern designs have since emerged which now play a major role in defence from the sea. The sea wall is intended to reflect the wave away from the land behind as opposed to a natural beach which absorbs and dissipates the wave energy. Another form that is frequently seen is the utilization of groynes. Groynes prevent the loss of beach material by creating an obstacle. They also encourage the build-up of sediment by interrupting and thus slowing the inshore tidal current. Combined, this means that there is a â€Å"natural† defence in the form of a more substantial beach in order to dissipate wave energy, consequently less erosion occurs at that particular site (see figure 1). Revetments are another commonly employed type of defence, constructed mainly from wood or concrete. The idea is that a surface sloping towards the beach dissipates wave energy meaning that less energy is available for erosion and also that sediment builds up in front of the revetment (www. north-norfolk. gov. uk). Type of defence Cost per metre (i) Revetment 500 Seawall 5000 Groyne 1000 There are, of course, many more coastal engineering methods but for the purpose of this essay, only three have been outlined. All methods, however, have their advantages and disadvantages. Management of the coastline in the UK, in terms of erosion, is generally taken as a piece-meal approach. That is to say each area is dealt with almost in isolation, and only relatively recently have the r elevant authorities become aware that the interference in one place is likely to have a considerable effect on another, further along the coast. An example of this is the implementation of groynes. The prevention of material loss and the subsequent build-up of sediment through interruption of the inshore tidal current can, in some cases, starve beaches further along, of the material that is required to maintain size and stability. So although one area is benefiting and a â€Å"problem† being solved, other areas can lose out and thus another problem is created. Conversely if groynes are correctly designed, they can work very well and they essentially do exactly what they are designed to. As many were constructed before it was realised that harm could be caused as well as good, the knock-on effects were not taken into account. Modern groynes are designed to be permeable in order that some sediment may pass through them and reach beaches further along. These have been used successfully on the north Norfolk coast where erosion and its prevention is of great significance. Sea walls work best on large beaches, where the sea only reaches the highest point of the beach during a storm (www. orth-norfolk. gov. uk). Then, should it happen that high tide and a storm coincide, the land behind the sea wall is protected from flooding and erosion. Sea walls require regular maintenance such as in the case of Ostend in north Norfolk, where annual maintenance is required (see figure 2 for approximate cost of initial building of sea defences). In addition to the costliness, there exists the situation of beach scouring caused by the waves reflected from the sea wall. This can, over time, lead to the collapse of the wall but also means that valuable sediment is being taken away from the beach – so reducing what little natural defence there was. A controversial approach to coastal management is that of leaving it to nature. This â€Å"do nothing† strategy has been adopted in numerous locations on the north Norfolk coast, including the area between Cromer and Overstrand where the present groynes are not being maintained and will eventually fail and be removed (see figure 3). A variation of this â€Å"do nothing† policy is the so-called managed retreat. This is where, again, the existing defences are no longer maintained or their maintenance is limited but in some locations a method of soft engineering is employed for example beach replenishment. The issues surrounding these types of â€Å"management† are not as simple as may be first thought. For example the financial benefit arising from either no defence being put in place or no longer maintaining the existing defence seems rather insignificant when the loss of valuable assets is taken into consideration. It is, however, almost completely natural, with material that is eroded form one location being accreted at another. The natural processes are, in this way, allowed to continue and the lack of interference would eventually ensure that there are no negative consequences at other locations as a result of coastal defence action. Despite this, it must be considered that once action is taken to defend the coast from the erosive power of the sea, it creates an issue as to at what point the management should cease and where. To suddenly no longer protect an area of coast may generate new problems and perhaps more expense. So the proposal of an integrated shoreline management strategy seems appealing. This is looked at in much depth by Karen Nichols in her paper â€Å"Coming to terms with Integrated Coastal Management†. Fundamentally, it would involve the linkage of all areas of the coastline in terms of action taken upon them. One possible solution could consist of a review followed by the implementation of a fully integrated coastal defence scheme combined with managed retreat. If this was undertaken on a national scale, with the co-ordination of all resources and authorities, perhaps loss of important assets and further damage in the course of protecting those assets would gradually be reduced to a minimum. It seems to be that the protection of our coastal locations will remain a much-debated issue, with the needs and wants of people contrasting greatly with the power of the sea’s natural activities. It is interesting that the focus of coastal management is to reduce coastal erosion yet it is the erosion of coastal land that supplies the beach with much of its material. As discussed earlier, a natural beach is the best form of shoreline defence†¦.. In conclusion it can be said that coastal protection is essential in certain localities but that it is an integrated management plan that will be most likely to succeed. How to cite Should the Coast be Managed?, Papers

Child Abuse Dynamic Period of Growth

Question: Discuss about the Child Abuse for Dynamic Period of Growth. Answer: Introduction: Childhood is the dynamic period of growth. Childhood acts as the framework for the development of an individual (Knowles et al., 2014). It is very important to understand the extrinsic and intrinsic forces that help in the production of the individual variation (Csikszentmihalyi Wolfe, 2014). The development way is unique for every child. The intrinsic forces have a direct effect on the attributes that are genetically determined such as temperament, physical characteristic, etc (Buss Plomin, 2014). The extrinsic forces mainly referred to the environmental factors that the child encounters in the childhood. This environmental factor mainly originates from the family. The things like the nurturing method that is provided to the child by the caregivers, the personalities of the parents and the siblings, the socio-economic status of the family, the cultural environment present in the surrounding of the child, all these factors have a great impact on the development and well-being of th e child. There are many theories, which try to create a framework for the better understanding of the developmental procedures of the children and infants. Most of the children try to make a connection with the others by sharing thoughts, actions, and feelings (Covey 2014). It helps in the development of the social milestone of the child. The first social sign that is developed in the child's life is the bonding of the infant with the caregiver, and it can be the mother. This bonding mainly depends on the feeling of the caregiver towards the child. With the time, the child learns to discriminate its mother's voice from the other voices (Friendly et al., 2014) and to express hunger, wet diaper and fatigue by crying (Koliba Feinberg 2015). To make a good bondage and gain the confidence of the child a caregiver must give prompt response to these cries and other behaviors (Ting 2013). If the parents are providing this care, then it will promote the parent-child relationship (Ordway et al., 2015). In the beginning, it requires a high-pitched vocalization and a smile from the caregiver to make the child smile but with time, less stimulation is needed, and ultimately after two to three months the child elicits a smile just by seeing the caregiver. Along with the development of the social skill the emotional development also occurs. From the birth, every child demonstrates its individual patterns of behavior and characteristic that helps to constitute the child's temperament. The temperament of a child decides how a child should react to the routine activities like dressing, feeding, playing and going to sleep. However, the regulation of a child's emotional state totally depends on the interaction between the caregiver and the child. This article mainly aims to the fact of understanding the potential impact of the abuse on child well-being and development. Nowadays in Australia, the negligence and child abuse social and public health problem. This negligence and abuse can lead to a large range of adverse consequence among the young people and children. Child neglect and abuse or maltreatment refer to any type of non-accidental behaviors by the caregivers, parents, and other older person that triggers a substantial risk of causing emotional and physical harm to the young person or child (Graham, 2014). This type of behavior may be sometimes intentional and sometimes unintentional. Child maltreatment includes sexual abuse, physical abuse, negligence, emotional maltreatment, and exposure to family violence. The behaviors of the parents may be developmental at one stage, but it should change with the time otherwise, it will be considered as inappropriate for the another stage of development. Physical abuse of the chi ldren includes hitting or shaking of the child. Although there are several such instants where the person doing the negligence or abuse did not intend to commit it. Any type of non-accidental use of the physical force against the child that result in the harm of the child is considered as physical abuse. Even also, the physical punishment given by the parents that lead to the bruising would be considered as physical abuse. Only a shaking that does not result in any injury is also said to be physical abuse. Hitting, shoving, shaking, slapping, punching, throwing, biting, kicking, burning, poisoning and strangling all this are regarded as types of physical abuse (Slep et al., 2012). The case of Samuel can be consider as physical abuse and he is abused by his father. We can confirm this because a two year old boy is severely injured and only his mother has come to admit him the hospital. The child also is not asking for his father this directs to the fact that the child is somewhat afraid of his father or he suffers from a trauma of his father. A two-year-old child should be very fond of his father but in case of Samuel it is not observed. It is seen that Samuel had a high amount of distress towards his father in such a little age. When Samuel will grew up this trauma of him for his father will come out as high amount of grievances. This will significantly affect the mental health of the child. He will develop depression, anxiety, academic problems, difficulty in concentrating in studies, and difficulty in sleeping. Samuel is a two years old boy has a fracture in his right scapula. He is a normal child, and no significant health history is present. Samuels mother is telling that he fell from the bottom step and landed on his back on the afternoon of the previous day, and it was seemed that he is ok after fall but the next morning when he woke up he was unable to move his arm. Therefore, she brought him to the emergency department. However, it is not clear from this that how a fracture in the right scapula can occur only just falling from the bottom step and on further assessment it was found that Samuel had a significant swelling and bruising over his right shoulder, and he becomes distressed when you handle his right arm. He also has small, oval-shaped bruises on his upper arm, and yellowed bruising around his left ear. One cannot get injuries in such different places of his body just by falling from the bottom step. Samuel's mother was telling a lie regarding the injury of him. She wanted to h ide the matter of physical abuse. She does not to bring it to the forefront that Samuel is abused. Nevertheless, the swelling and bruises of Samuel are giving the proof of the abuses that Samuel is facing. It is definitely a case of physical abuse. Someone has abused Samuel very badly. The fracture of Samuel at this age could be makes him very vulnerable for any type of fracture in his future life. In his whole life he cannot pick up something heavy or do some heavy work with his right arm because his right scapula is already having a fracture. In the event of child abuse, the first duty of the nurse is to note what she observes because each situation is different. It is very much essential for the wellbeing and to ensure the safety of the child. The nurse should discuss the matter with the colleagues whom she can believe and get support and advice from them (Kempe et al., 2013). The nurse should develop an action plan for the safety of the child and should contact other agencies like community health services, local government services (police), for help. The nurse should take the child in confidence and should take to the child. This talk should be done in privacy and maintain confidentiality. The nurse should also try to discuss the matter with the parents if she thinks it is safe to do so, and it will not have any adverse effect on the wellbeing of the child. If someone found that the parents are guilty of the abuse of the child, then it is the mandatory responsibility of the person o make a legal obligation and report to the government agencies for the protection of the child. So that protection can be provided to the child. In the case of Samuel the nurse should asked samuels mother to arrange a meeting with his father. A question should also be raised that how the child got oval-shaped bruises on his upper arm, and yellow coloured bruising around his left ear. The report should contain a detail description of the child, indication of the injuries on the body of the child and the behaviors observed in the child, reason behind the reporting, the report should very precisely contain the assessment of the immediate danger for the child, and there should be family information present in the report. If some dont have all these information it does not mean that he or she cannot make a report, if some find something suspicious he or she can report it. This must always be remembered before making the report that after reporting the responsibilities increases as there arise a question of the safety of th e child because the childs wellbeing and life both are at high risk after they find out that a report is launched. Reference: Buss, A. H., Plomin, R. (2014).Temperament (PLE: Emotion): Early Developing Personality Traits(Vol. 3). Psychology Press. Covey, S. R. (2014).The 7 habits of highly effective families. St. Martin's Press. Csikszentmihalyi, M., Wolfe, R. (2014). New conceptions and research approaches to creativity: Implications of a systems perspective for creativity in education. InThe Systems Model of Creativity(pp. 161-184). Springer Netherlands. Friendly, R. H., Rendall, D., Trainor, L. J. (2014). Learning to differentiate individuals by their voices: Infants' individuation of nativeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ and foreignà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ species voices.Developmental psychobiology,56(2), 228-237. Graham, B. R. (2014).Effective Child Abuse Investigation for the Multi-Disciplinary Team. CRC Press. Kempe, C. H., Silverman, F. N., Steele, B. F., Droegemueller, W., Silver, H. K. (2013). The battered-child syndrome. InC. Henry Kempe: A 50 Year Legacy to the Field of Child Abuse and Neglect(pp. 23-38). Springer Netherlands Knowles, M. S., Holton III, E. F., Swanson, R. A. (2014).The adult learner: The definitive classic in adult education and human resource development. Routledge. Koliba, N. M., Feinberg, A. N. (2015). Newborn period: Teach the practitioner how to teach.Journal of Alternative Medicine Research,7(3), 237. Ordway, M. R., Webb, D., Sadler, L. S., Slade, A. (2015). Parental reflective functioning: an approach to enhancing parent-child relationships in pediatric primary care.Journal of Pediatric Health Care,29(4), 325-334. Seto, M. C., Hermann, C. A., Kjellgren, C., Priebe, G., Svedin, C. G., Lngstrm, N. (2015). Viewing child pornography: Prevalence and correlates in a representative community sample of young Swedish men.Archives of sexual behavior,44(1), 67-79. Slep, A. M. S., Heyman, R. E., Malik, J. (2012). Child maltreatment: Definitions, prevalence, and implications for diagnosis.Family problems and family violence: Reliable assessment and the ICD-11, 111-130.). Ting, J. (2013).A Gentle Touch: Christians and Mental Illness. Graceworks.

Poetry Of Perversion Essays - Literature, Fiction, Film,

Poetry Of Perversion Poetry of Perversion Lolita is perhaps one of the most disturbing novels of the century: it tells the immoral story of a middle- aged man who falls in love with a twelve year- old girl (a nymphet, as he calls her) and has a sexual relationship with her for over two years, until she disappears with another more perverse middle- aged man. What makes this novel particularly disturbing is the fact that Humbert's sexual perversion is disguised in highly poetic garb and that the only monitor of virtue is the gifted pervert who narrates the story. Never before has sex been evoked as poetically or as erotically as in Lolita. The first erotic scene takes place between an adolescent Humbert Humbert and a girl of the same age, Annabel Leigh, who becomes the model for Lolita: She sat a little higher than I, and whenever in he solitary ecstasy she was led to kiss me, her head would bend with a sleepy, soft, drooping movement that was almost woeful, and her bare knees caught and compressed my wrist, and slackened again; and her quivering mouth, distorted by the acridity of some mysterious potion, with a sibilant intake of breath came near to my face. She would try to relieve the pain of love by first roughly rubbing her dry lips against mine; then my darling would draw away with a nervous toss of her hair, and then again come darkly at me and let me feed on her open mouth, while with a generosity that was ready to offer her everything, my heart, my throat, my entrails, I gave her to hold in her awkward fist the scepter of my passion. Annabel Leigh's name is of course borrowed from Edgar Allen Poe's Annabel Lee, a poem that is mentioned often throughout the novel. The narrator is not so much trying to describe the erotic games of two children as to make us intimately feel their erotic excitement. Nabokov makes Annabel the focal point of the text, but not its reflector. The scene begins with an alliterative evocation of her legs (her legs, her lovely, live legs) through witch one can picture the young Humbert's pleasure while he is caressing them and adult Humbert's excitement in recalling the event. These legs are hospitable, but not wanton; Annabel's modesty is necessary to contain young Humbert's ardor and to allow the poetic unfolding of the scene. The girl's genitals are neither named nor described, but are simply designated deictically as the sublime goal of a conquest. Here, the anatomic word or metaphor would mar the poetic beauty of the passage and betray the inadequacy between words. The neutral phrase used by Nabokov prevents the intrusion of the Freudian tragic in unfolding of the scene and induces a great complicity between the author, the narrator, and the reader, who is invited to fuse his desires with those of Humbert. Humbert, as the narrator, poetically evokes the effects of his caresses on Annabel, who seems to be teetering between pleasure and pain. The scene is all the more exciting as her gestures, which are described in voluptuous detail, reflect in rhythm and configuration the caresses lavished on her by the boy. The protagonist and the narrator share the same fascination in Annabel's contortions, drawing in the excitement from the spectacle, that the final gesture is hardly indecent: it is the ultimate gift made by the young boy to the ecstatic virgin. There is no trace of vulgarity in the phrase, which is both metaphor and metonymy, and constitutes a kind of poetic climax. After the evocation of the girl's genitals, the narrator had no choice but to invent a beautiful poetic formula that would sound at the same time natural and relevant. In this passage from Lolita Nabokov casts aside the vulgar clich?s used in literature to represent sex and to prepare us for the final metaphor, which bears little trace of trepidation. The most erotic passage in the novel is the description of the Sunday morning scene on the divan. Here the narrator takes endless precautions, begging us to sympathize with him as a protagonist and to participate in the scene: I want my learned readers to participate in the

How Long is the ACT with Extended Time

How Long is the ACT with Extended Time SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Students with documented disabilities who would like extended time on the ACT can request one of two options: National Extended Time, which entails 50% additional time, or Special Testing, which varies by student, includes more than time and a half, and tends to take place over multiple testing days. This guide will take a deeper look at the options for extended time on the ACT, and how long the test-taking experience is for students with these accommodations. To begin, who qualifies for extra time? Who Qualifies for Extended Time on the ACT? In order to qualify for extended time on the ACT, students must have a documented disability. Usually students will have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan at school, though this alone doesn't automatically qualify them for ACT accommodations. A school coordinator will have to make the request, making sure to specify the accommodation needed and provide in depth documentation. Processing takes about four weeks, so requests should be made early. If the request is denied for some reason, it's possible to appeal - another good reason to apply as early as possible! Eligible students may have documented learning disabilities, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, or medical conditions. Whatever the reason, these students will benefit from having extra time on the test, whether it be the 50% National Extended Time or a greater time allowance with Special Testing. Let's take a look at the differences in testing schedules between these two options. How Long is the ACT with Time and a Half? Without extended time, the ACT lasts 2 hours and 55 minutes, or 3 hours and 35 minutes with the optional 40 minute essay. The sections are always given in the order of English, Math, Reading, and Science, with the choice of the essay at the end of the test. With time and a half, students are allowed 5 hours for the ACT without Writing and 6 hours for the ACT with Writing. They receive the sections in the same order, but with one important difference: students with National Extended Time are allowed to self-pace throughout the test. Instead of having to stick to a certain section, they can distribute their time as they like between English, Math, Reading, and Science. Students not taking the essay have 5 full hours to complete these sections as best fits their test-taking style. In this way, this accommodation both eases the intense time pressure of the ACT and helps students choose how to divide their time most effectively. Extended time does not necessarily mean extended or extra breaks. If students need more than the typical 10 minute break after Reading and 5 minute break before the essay, then they will have to make a separate request for this. Students taking the ACT with 50% additional time will test at a national test center on an official testing date (a Saturday morning). Given the additional time, what will their test day schedule look like? Test day will have an early start. Test Day Schedule with Time and a Half Unless students arrange to have an alternative testing date for religious reasons, they'll take the ACT on a Saturday morning at a national testing center (often, but not always, their own high school). Students are typically required to be at the testing room by 8:00 AM. I would advise getting there by 7:45 at the latest! Doors close at 8:00, and latecomers won't be admitted. The test itself begins between 8:30 and 9:00, since it takes time for proctors to check everyone in, get them seated, distribute materials, and have students fill out their biographical information on the scantrons. Once all the logistics are wrapped up, the test will begin! Students without accommodations are typically dismissed around 12:15 (or 1:15 with the essay). Students with time and a half, on the other hand, will be dismissed around 2:30 (or 3:30 with Writing). Their time for check in and set up may be reduced, since they usually take the test in a small group of no more than 10 students in an extended time testing room. While time and a half is the most common time-based accommodation, Special Testing is also granted to some students. This additional time alters both the schedule and the location of the ACT. Location change for students with Special Testing! How Long is the ACT with Special Testing? Instead of testing on Saturday morning at the designated testing center, students who qualify for Special Testing and more than 50% additional time will test at their school. They'll take the ACT over the course of two or more days under the supervision of a staff member. The ACT will either be administered individually or in a small group of students with similar accommodations. While Special Testing extended time options vary, the most common is 100% additional time. In this case, students would take a single ACT section per school day before returning to their regular classes. Spreading the test out like this can be especially helpful for students with attentional issues, plus it gives students the chance to prepare specifically for each section the night before they take it. All in all, students with 100% extended time would have 90 minutes for the English section, 2 hours for Math, and 70 minutes each for Reading and Science. That adds up to a total of 5 hours and 50 minutes spread out over 4 days, or 7 hours and 10 minutes with the essay. Since students with Special Testing take the ACT at school, they don't necessarily share a specific testing date. Instead, they just have to complete all testing within one of the 3 week testing windows listed on the accommodations request form. For 2015 to 2016, these windows are September 12 - October 4, 2015 October 24 - November 15, 2015 December 12 - January 3, 2016 February 6 - February 28, 2016 April 9 - May 1, 2016, and June - July 3, 2016. Because they have some more flexibility in testing dates, students with Special Testing should register for the time that best fits with their schedules and any college deadlines. Apart from 100% or more additional time, Special Testing may include alternate accommodations like braille, DVDs, or a computer for essays. Students applying for accommodations do so for all different reasons and to support all different needs. To best meet their needs and improve their ACT experience, students, parents, and school coordinators should start planning early for time extensions, as well as determine exactly what accommodations they should request. Planning for Accommodations Extended time on the ACT can significantly help a student have a better test-taking experience and achieve a stronger score. The self-pacing option can be especially beneficial for a lot of students, as it reduces the stress of time pressure and allows them to divide the material as meets their needs. Since the approval process takes a while, and there's always the chance of getting denied and having to appeal, school coordinators should research accommodations, collect all the relevant documentation, and make their request as early as possible. By planning and preparing, coordinators can make sure students get the extended time they need through National Extended Time or Special Testing to perform their best on the ACT. What's Next? Are you deciding between the ACT and the SAT and wondering how extended time works on the SAT? Check out this article to see the options College Board offers (hint: more options, but no self-pacing). Exactly how long is each section of the ACT? Check out our expert guide on timing and pacing on the ACT. Rumor has it, the ACT has been getting more challenging and fast-paced over the past few years. Is this true or just hearsay? Read more about these claims that the ACT has been getting consistently harder in recent years. Disappointed with your ACT scores? Want to improve your ACT score by 4+ points? Download our free guide to the top 5 strategies you need in your prep to improve your ACT score dramatically. Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article! Tweet Rebecca Safier About the Author Rebecca graduated with her Master's in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. 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Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 19

Essay Example Learning the English language became essential to the natives to communicate with the invaders. The process of learning in these circumstances may not have been ideal, given the nature of the situation where learning happened in the backdrop of the conquerors and the vanquished (Gunaratne, Shelton A). However, it did introduce a new culture where the conquerors and the vanquished mixed for various compulsions that included trade and commerce. The grim situations arising from the conquerors-vanquished relationships continued to cast their shadows across the continents and societies that began learning the new language of the British. Military expeditions, business misunderstandings or plain local native skirmishes did see exchange of views, albeit impolite, that showed the level of mastery over the new language by the vanquished or the extent of the local languages learnt by the British soldiers or administrators. Such aggravating situations continue to smolder today at various places where English is spoken or is forced to be the spoken language. Today’s conditions are, however, not as complex as they were during the middle ages. The minority can seek legal justice at work places or in other situations if the nature of the enforcement is arbitrary or one-sided (Graddol, David). The situation is particularly difficult in places where English is frowned upon and not encouraged in the academics surprisingly in certain countries in Europe such as Romania and Bulgaria. However, even in these places English is being taught to educate the current generation since English is officially recognized throughout the world. The problems associated with the rise of English as a global language are not universal. They are mostly associated with cultural misunderstanding or local skirmishes. It may be in the form of an employer forcing the employees to speak only English, or

IT & Entrepreneurship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words - 3

IT & Entrepreneurship - Essay Example This report stresses that Dental Ease has come up with an idea to design a website, which will include data of all the dentists located in a particular area or region. This website would present information regarding dental clinics where consumers can locate the ones convenient to them differently. These details would be clearly outlined for each dentist including their address, telephone numbers, their clinical specialities, price lists of various standard procedures and any ongoing discount deals. They will also be able make comparisons between their selected clinics through a simple 2-step procedure. This paper makes a conclusion that Dental Ease website will provide the service of helping customers with selecting the best dental clinics in their locality or region. They will be able to compare prices of different treatments, their clinical specialties and take advantage of any special discounts or offers available. Customers will be able to select their desired clinic and dental treatment and checkout from Dental Ease website using their credit card and PayPal. Upon checkout, a voucher will be emailed to them, which will contain details of their purchase. If the business is stable and keeps earning a good return, Dental Care will pay off investors, and find someone that can be trusted to keep running the business while the management uses the remaining cash to develop the next great idea.

Human Resource & Competitive Advantage- A Case of Nucor Study

Human Resource & Competitive Advantage- A of Nucor - Case Study Example Looking at the financial aspect of the pay for performance system the system might seem as inappropriate to modern organizational setting but they pay system of Nucor needed to be viewed from the human side of the equation. However there are advantages and disadvantages that are associated with the pay for performance scheme of Nucor. Advantages According to the case study, pay for performance has helped Nucor to retain top performers and create the sense of responsibility among employees because employees know that their pay scale is directly related to their performance level. Korda has pointed out that leaders need to adopt alternate solutions in order to enhance performance of subordinates. Same is the case for Nucor, leaders of the company have designed a unique pay for performance scheme for employees which can positively impact the overall production performance of the company. According to the case study, workers in Nucor Corporation three times incentives along with the fixed pay when they perform exceptionally well. Now from an egalitarian perspective, the pay for performance model can be appreciated, for example, in a fixed salary based compensation scheme with separate performance appraisal system; all employees are equally compensated irrespective of their performance level in the organizations.... mpensation scheme with separate performance appraisal system; all employees are equally compensated irrespective of their performance level in the organizations. Such type of pay system might discourage employees to put their hard work hence overall productivity of the firm will get hampered. The case is opposite when organizations link incentives along with fixed payment to appreciate workers to enhance their effort level earn more monetary rewards. Disadvantages According to Bernardin and Russell (2013) there are two major limitations associated with pay for performance scheme, 1-it is not a standardised procedure to measure performance because performance of employees can be downgraded by variety of reasons apart from incompetency of workers and 2- biased pay for performance system can decreased the level of output from workers. These problems are associated with the pay system of Nucor Corporation. Careful analysis is showing that, hourly workers in steel manufacturing giant earn $10/hour which is far less than the industry average of $16-$21/hour while rest of the payment is made in terms of incentives and bonuses which are linked with the quality and productivity of entire shift. Now imagine a case, where overall productivity of Nucor Corporation gets reduced due to decrease in demand for steel across the globe for various macro-environmental reasons. From the law of economics, in such cases, Nucor will not be able provide bonuses or incentives to workers hence the workers will go home with fixed salary which is way below than the industry average. The same case happened to Nucor during 2003, when the demand for steel was chopped; hourly workers earned only $59,000 annually. Answer 2 Nucor Corporation uses both financial and non-financial incentives to motivate

5 Latest Trends in Housekeeping

5 Latest Trends in Housekeeping Essay on 5 latest trends in the house keeping department encompassing; planning involved in successful housekeeping operations; guest supplies and amenities; guest expectations and essentials. Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION The department of housekeeping is that branch of a hotel which primarily deals with the general upkeep of the hotel and the rooms and any other services that are included there in the hotel Every hotel offers the basic facilities of laundry, dry cleaning and many other such services to make the guest feel comfortable by also offering specialized services to them Hotels these days offer the lodger many choices of restaurants which can offer a lot of different cuisines or places like coffee shops. The hotels are the place where most people come to unwind and escape the burdens of daily life. Where they come to escape from the work load of house chores, depending on the very reliable housekeeping staff. The housekeeping staff not only cleans and sanitizes your room they also restock the utility kit and the mini bar, and also make your bed. They also keep the surrounding area clean and have a great eye for detail. The house keeping department is responsible for maintaining the ambiance of the room along with that of the hotel, they ensure nothing is out of place and everything is neatly put for the guest, and fresh linen is available when needed and anything else that the guest may require it is taken care of by the housekeeping department. Chapter 2 Introduction 2.1 The Best western international hotel was founded in the 1900s by MK Guertin, a Californian hotelier. By the ending of the 2013 fiscal year, the Best Western has 2.163 hotels in North America. The Best Western has over nineteen international partner offices and property- direct relationships with six more regions. About the trend 2.2 Best Western started the trend of cleaning after associating along with revolution and strategy firm, IDEO, whose study recognized a lacking of customer assurance in regards to hotel sanitization, in the small scale hotel market. In addition to this more research was carried out by the BOOZ and Company that found out that the importance of a sanitized and properly maintained hotel has indeed become the number one priority to guests more important than any other service provided by the hotel. Before completely implementing the program a test run was done. The trends started by Best Western are: Ultra violet sanitization wands – the wands are from pure light which are used to sanitize the â€Å"high touch points† such with landlines, clocks, bathroom fixtures, and tables and other appliances. Ultraviolet examination black lights – these black lights are used by the executive housekeeper for examining the area cleaned, and to ensure that no organic particles and other small things that cannot be seen by naked eye. Protecting various items from dust – many items such as pillows and towels are all wrapped up neatly after being cleaned to ensure the guests that their things are cleaned specially for them. Remote cleaners – these devices are exclusive and very efficient. These remote controls are designed so that they sanitize and clean for each guest Before the start of the program in twenty twelve Best Western also initiated a test for the cleaning tools and found a thirteen percent increase in the guest’s overall experience along with a twelve percent growth in sanitization of the room and a twelve point four percent growth in â€Å"intent to recommend† Along with initiating the sanitizing program, Best Western is also exploring a â€Å"cooperative service† package for housekeeping to better aid its guests and their exceptional needs. The research done by Best Western show that their guests during some time see housekeeping as troublesomeness in the duration of their stay. Seeing this Best Western is building a â€Å"cooperative service† procedure so that the guests can choose the time they want their room cleaned and the type of service they would prefer. Chapter 3 TREND 2: GREEN PROGRAM OF THE RENAISSANCE VANCOUVER HOTEL HABOURSIDE 3.1 Introduction In Canada the green key eco rating program is a scoring classification made to distinguish hotels that are dedicated to preserving their environment as well as increasing their profits. Partaking hotels are then awarded with a green key rating founded on the actions followed by the hotel to lessen functioning costs and eco-friendly effects through reduced usefulness consumption, employee training, and supply chain management. A hotel that proposes a host of eco-friendly options would really strive to reduce its eco-footprint. Marriot international is dedicated to following the best practices and green initiatives to sustain and defend the surroundings for ages to come. The Renaissance Vancouver hotel Harbourside has earned the eco-friendly 4 green key rating. The Vancouver hotel’s employees originally in the 90s formed a concerned gathering when they formed the renaissance Environmental Committee. In the beginning their aim was to incorporate a more effective recycling program. Currently, the hotel has environmental programs for: waste reduction and recycling; energy reduction and efficiency; water conservation; sustainable purchasing; and air quality. Waste Decrease and Reutilizing The hotel’s waste decrease and reutilizing plan of work is the basis of a full -spectrum sustainability operation, and includes the recycling of cardboard, paper, aluminum, glass, plastic, toner cartridges, and refundable beverage containers. Energy Reduction and Efficiency The efficient use of electricity and lighting, heating and ventilation, and office equipment speaks volumes to sustainable operations. The downtown Vancouver hotel replaced all incandescent light bulbs throughout the property. Exterior lights were changed to lower wattage fluorescent light and main service areas were equipped with occupancy sensors. Water Conservation The property has also significantly reduced water consumption by installing low-flow showerheads, implementing a linen and towel reuse program and a leak detection and repair program. Moreover, dishwashers are run only when completely full, the water used in ice machines is re-circulated, and infrared sensors operate in the urinals of staff and public washrooms. Air Quality- The staff promotes carpooling and the use of public transit for commuting to work, and encourages guests to use public transit and share taxis whenever practical. Other programs include: †¢ Using HEPA air filters †¢ Implementing no-idling policy for delivery trucks in loading bay †¢Using automatic carbon monoxide detectors Sustainable Purchasing- The Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside’s good housekeeping practices and appropriately eco-friendly equipment greatly increase sustainability and reduce pollution on the property. The hotel works closely with suppliers to ensure that every measure is taken regarding the purchasing of supplies. These programs include: †¢ Buying locally grown food and wine products – beneficial to the local economy and aiding in the reduction of transportation costs, in turn helping to improve air quality †¢ Purchasing non-hazardous cleaning products †¢ Using â€Å"just in time† purchasing practices to prevent unnecessary waste †¢ Using cloth napkins and tablecloths in restaurant †¢ Using recyclable/reusable packaging materials for food products CHAPTER 4 TREND 3 EARTH PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED IN TAJ HOTELS 4.1 Introduction The company EarthCheck, a global ecofriendly certification company, has partnered with the TAJ group for implementing EARTH (environmental awareness and renewal) program. The company gives certificates to tourism industry based on the principles for ecological growth by the heads of state at the United Nations Rio Earth Summit in the 90s. The EarthCheck is the only global ecofriendly certification program for tourism with contributors in more than fifty countries. EarthCheck is managed by EC3 global. Implementation by Taj 4.2 In an attempt to reestablish its vision and hard work to increase sustainable tourism and incorporate ecofriendly management in all corporate areas. EarthCheck provides the EARTH scheme with autonomous and complete proof of their eco-friendly commitment through the observation and improvement reports EarthCheck will produce to the hotel as part of its certification. Now six Taj hotels have â€Å"green† hotels where the air conditioning is already set to an amiable temperature at twenty four degrees centigrade, up from the usual eighteen degrees saving almost thirty percent of energy which is used up at the lower temperatures. Then when you arrive in the room and insert your key card in the slot the TV switches on and tells you more about the green room which is part of plan EARTH at the Taj hotels. The mini bar is substituted with a snack bar ending the need for cooling and its effluents produced. In the room the bed and bath linen are changed every other day, halving the use of detergent. For Taj inner circle members they receive fifteen percent extra Taj inner circle points on their stay at the green rooms. Green rooms are available at six Taj hotels now the Taj palace hotel- N Delhi, Taj lands’ end Mumbai, Taj Bengal – Kolkata, 51 Buckingham Gate – London, Taj Connemara – Chennai and the Gateway hotel †“ Bangalore.

Celies Struggle for Freedom in The Color Purple Essay -- The Color Pu

Celie's Struggle for Freedom in The Color Purple Events in history have influenced writers’ style, genre, and emphasis in their stories. 1 Alice Walker was greatly influenced by the time period of the 1940’s. There was much racism and oppression during that time, especially for black women. Women were beaten and abused simply because of their color and gender. Celie, a young black woman, endured many hardships reflective of the time period including racism, oppression, and sexism but remained strong in her faith in God and overcame these obstacles to show the quiet strength of a woman. The oppression of black women is very evident in The Color Purple (Ryan 3062). It is especially shown in the relationship between father and daughter, Alphonso and Celie(Fulmer 1). From the time Celie is very young she is subject to oppression. She is raped repeatedly by her stepfather and is told to keep quiet about it (Walker 1). This is very demeaning to Celie and it causes her to fear men for a good portion of her life (Walk er 6). Celie gets pregnant twice with her stepfather. He takes the first baby and â€Å" kilt it out there in the woods.† The other he sells to a family in a nearby town (Walker 3-4). Celie is oppressed all throughout her life, but she learns to overcome it and support herself (Ryan 3062). Celie also endures other forms of both physical and mental abuse. â€Å"He beat me for dressing trampy but he do it to me anyway† (Walker 8). Abuse was very common in those times. It was used for control and ultimately complete domination. Celie could not run from her stepfather because she had nowhere else to go. Alphonso later forces Celie to marry the Reverend Mr.______. This is not that bad for Celie because she no longer... ... body of the black family and of most black mothers† (Ryan 3062). The same oppression is still seen today and black women across the globe are still fighting for freedom. The Black Feminist Caucus (BFC) is fighting to ensure equality between women and men. They are also battling with the different forms of violence that black women deal with because of black males (BFC 1). Oppression is a battle that must be fought and won to ensure that America is the land where all men (and women) are created equal. Works Cited Black Feminist Caucus. Fumler, Constance M. â€Å"The Color Purple.† Masterplots Complete. CD-ROM. 1999 Paul. The Holy Bible. 1 Corinthians 6:10 and Romans 1:26. Ryan, Bryan, ed. â€Å"Alice Walker.† Major 20th Century Writers. Vol. 4. R-Z. Detroit: Gale Research, Inc., 1991. Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. New York: Pocket Books, 1982.

Explain Aristotle’s understanding of the Prime Mover Essay

Explain Aristotle’s understanding of the Prime Mover (25 marks) In Aristotle’s book the Metaphysics, he calls the cause of all movement the Prime Mover (P.M). The Prime Mover to Aristotle is the first of all substances, the necessary first sources of movement which itself is unmoved. It is a being which is eternal, and in Metaphysics Aristotle also calls this being ‘God’. However, before he came to know the existence of the P.M he first started noticing the constant changes around him, which led him to question the existence and the purpose of the world, universe and the things around us. He examined that everything that exists was in a permanent state of ‘movement’ or ‘motion’. By ‘motion’ Aristotle was linking it to the Greek word ‘motus’ which refers to change. He noticed that everything in the universe is in a state of change, for example, the weather and seasons are always changing. Even the human bod y is going through the process of change every single day. Everyday the body changes, we grow old and age, we lose hair and skin cells. This led Aristotle to observe four things: 1) The physical world was constantly in a state of motion and change. 2) The planets seemed to be moving eternally. 3) Change or motion is always caused by something. 4) Objects in the physical world were in a state of actuality and potentiality. Summing up from these four points Aristotle came to a conclusion that something must exist which causes the motion and change to occur without being moved itself and the ‘uncaused change’ must be eternal. Aristotle reached this conclusion by observing that if something can change, it exists in one ‘actual’ state and has the ‘potential’ to become another state, for example, an actual child is potentially an adult and a cow in a field is potentially a piece of roast beef. He realised that if things come to existence they must be caused to exist by something else and if something is capable of change that means it is potentially something else. He argued that behind every movement there must be a chain of events that brought about the movement that we see taking place, such as A to B to C and so on. However, he stated that this chain of events must lead back to something which moves it but does not move itself. Therefore the ‘uncaused cause’ must be different and separate from the rest of the chain inorder to start the whole process. So according to Aristotle the eternal cause of motion is the  Prime Mover. The Prime Mover causes the movement of other things, not as an efficient cause, but as a final cause. In other words, it does not start off the movement by giving it some kind of push, but it is the telos of the movement. This is important for Aristotle, because he thought that an effective cause, giving a push, would affect the P.M by the act of pushing and this could not happen because he thought that it would change the P.M’s knowledge. Aristotle believed the Prime Mover is the final goal of movement that is why it causes things to move by attraction in much the same way that a saucer of milk attracts a cat. The milk attracts the cat but cannot be sai d to be changed in the process. This is why Aristotle believed that the P.M is the source of all motion. To Aristotle the P.M is God (for this essay I will be refering to God as ‘He’). Aristotle believed that God exists necessarily, which means that God does not depend on anything else for it’s existence and is not capable of change because He is pure actuality by nature and its nature is good. He never changes or has any potential to change and Aristotle’s book ‘Metaphysics’ he states that God is ‘a living being, eternal, most goods†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ therefore He never begins and never ends, and so is eternal. Aristotle argued that the P.M had to be immaterial meaning it could not be made of any kind of stuff because matter is potential to change. So since it is immaterial, it cannot perform any kind of physical, bodily action, therefore the activity of the P.M must be purely spiritual and intellectual. Aristotle also concluded that God only thinks about himself; so he do es not know about our physical world, he does not have a plan for us and he is not affected by us because if He was then it would mean that God changes, because his knowlege would change. He even defines God as ‘thought of thought’. Overall Aristotle’s understanding of the Prime Mover is that He is God, the cause of all motion and in his book the ‘Metaphysics’ he considers God as a leader and in the order of the universe. How far is Aristotle’s concept of the Prime Mover consistent with the biblical concept of God? (10) (AO2) Aristotle’s concept of the Prime Mover and the biblical (Judeo-Christian) concept of God is in many ways very similar. However, they are also very different and varied. Yet both Aristotle’s Prime Mover and the biblical God share the same foundations- they are both eternal and responsible for change in the world. Judeo-Christian God creates the universe from nothing (creatio ex nihilo)  and Aristotle argued that nothing existed before the Prime Mover started the chain of causes. Also the Judeo-Christian God is an intelligent designer who crafts a purposeful world (e.g. the purpose of the star s = light). Aristotle also believed that the universe was a purposeful (telelogical) place: individual objects have a ‘telos’ (e.g. chairs = sitting) and the ultimate Final Cause is the Prime Mover. Another similarity between the two is that the Judeo-Christian God is immaterial because creation is an ‘act of will’ and God creates through his word (‘Let there be light’) or spirit. Aristotle’s Prime Mover is also seen as immaterial. It is a spiritual energy and not made of the same physical materials as the material world. Lastly, the Judeo-Christian God is seen in Genesis 1 as a transcendent God. It is the cosmic creator who is removed from the universe. It is an impersonal being. Aristotl’s Prime Mover is also transcendent and immaterial. It ‘moves’ things not throught involvement with them but through ‘attracting’ them. However, they are in many ways different such as the Judeo-Christian view of God is that He is in volved with His creation and is personal. For example, the biblical God answers prayers. Whereas the Prime Mover is the opposite because it is a necessary being but one who does not in any way interact and act in the world. It is a impersonal being. Also the Judeo-Christian God is not completely immaterial. In Genesis 3, God ‘walks’ in the Garden of Eden and in the New Testament, God becomes man in the human form of Jesus. This belief is known as the incarnation (‘God becomes flesh’). Jesus walks on the earth and experiences pain, temptation and eventually dies. This is very different to the idea of Aristotle’s Prime Mover who is a ‘spiritual’ and ‘immaterial’ being. So overall I think that Aristotle’s Prime Mover and the biblical God are the same because they share the same characteristics and the reason why is because the Prime Mover idea influenced medieval thinking about the nature of God.

Brain Gym; Exercises

Brain Gym; Exercises Brain Gym exercises are exercises designed to help the brain function better during the learning process. As such, you can think of Brain Gym exercises as part of the overall theory of multiple intelligence. These exercises are based on the idea that simple physical exercise helps blood flow to the brain and can help improve the learning process by making sure the brain stays alert. Students can use these simple exercises on their own, and teachers can use them in class to help keep energy levels up throughout the day. These simple exercises are based on the copyrighted work of Paul E. Dennison, Ph.D., and Gail E. Dennison. Brain Gym  is a registered trademark of Brain Gym  International. I first encountered Brain Gym in Smart Moves, a best-selling book written by Carla Hannaford, Ph.D. Dr. Hannaford states that our bodies are very much a part of all our learning, and learning is not an isolated brain function. Every nerve and cell is a network contributing to our intelligence and our learning capability. Many educators have found this work quite helpful in improving overall concentration in class. Introduced here, you will find four basic Brain Gym exercises which implement the ideas developed in Smart Moves and can be used quickly in any classroom. Below is a series of movements called PACE. They are surprisingly simple, but very effective! Everyone has a unique PACE and these activities will help both teacher and student become positive, active, clear and energetic for learning. For colorful, fun PACE and Brain Gym ® supplies contact the Edu-Kinesthetics on-line bookstore at Braingym. Drink Water As Carla Hannaford says, Water comprises more of the brain (with estimates of 90%) than of any other organ of the body. Having students drink some water before and during class can help grease the wheel. Drinking water is very important before any stressful situation - tests! - as we tend to perspire under stress, and de-hydration can effect our concentration negatively. Brain Buttons Put one hand so that there is as wide a space as possible between the thumb and index finger.Place your index and thumb into the slight indentations below the collar bone on each side of the sternum. Press lightly in a pulsing manner.At the same time put the other hand over the navel area of the stomach. Gently press on these points for about 2 minutes. Cross Crawl Stand or sit. Put the right hand across the body to the left knee as you raise it, and then do the same thing for the left hand on the right knee just as if you were marching.Just do this either sitting or standing for about 2 minutes. Hook Ups Stand or sit. Cross the right leg over the left at the ankles.Take your right wrist and cross it over the left wrist and link up the fingers so that the right wrist is on top.Bend the elbows out and gently turn the fingers in towards the body until they rest on the sternum (breast bone) in the center of the chest. Stay in this position.Keep the ankles crossed and the wrists crossed and then breathe evenly in this position for a few minutes. You will be noticeably calmer after that time. More Whole Brain Techniques and Activities Have you had any experience using whole brain, NLP, Suggestopedia, Mind Maps or the like? Would you like to know more? Join the discussion in the forum. Using Music in the Classroom Six years ago researchers reported that people scored better on a standard IQ test after listening to Mozart. You would be surprised at how much music can also help  English learners. A visual explanation of the different parts of the brain, how they work and an example ESL EFL exercise employing the specific area. The use of colored pens to help the right brain remember patterns. Each time you use the pen it reinforces the learning process. Helpful Drawing Hints A picture paints a thousand words - Easy techniques to make quick sketches that will help any artistically challenged teacher - like myself! - use drawings on the board to encourage and stimulate class discussion. Suggestopedia: Lesson Plan Introduction and  lesson plan to a concert using the suggestopedia approach to effective/affective learning.

Poems on Poetry Essays

Poems on Poetry Essays Poems on Poetry Essay Poems on Poetry Essay Essay Topic: The Poems Of Billy Collins In the poems How to Eat a Poem’ by Eve Merriam and Introduction to Poetry’ by Billy Collins, important ideas are presented about how poetry should be experienced and enjoyed. The poets used the techniques extended metaphor, repetition, metaphors and personification to show me how these ideas is important. In How to Eat a Poem’ by Eve Merriam, the author describes how poetry is to be experienced. Poetry doesn’t need any manners and has no rules. Don’t be polite / Bite in. is an example of just jumping in to poetry because it’s got no manners and it’s for everyone. It is ready and ripe now, whenever you are. Shows us that poetry is for everyone. Poetry never goes away because it always written on paper. It’s not hard you don’t have to be clever to enjoy poetry because it’s always there to be read. Poetry is to be experienced and enjoyed by anyone. In the poem How to Eat a Poem’, the techniques of Extended metaphor and repetition are used to show me the important idea. Extended metaphor us used in the lines Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice that. / May rush down your chin. / It is ready and ripe now, whenever you are. To compare juicy fruit to poetry. Through doing this, the poet helps me understand that poetry is about experiencing poetry, and not holding back but in fact diving in. It also helps me understand that you can be messy and enjoy your poem. Repetition is used in the lines or stem / or rind / or pit / or seed or skin. To compare poetry to the inside of a fruit. Doing this has helped me understand that poems aren’t hard, that they are fun and don’t have the bad bit of a fruit. That it’s really tasty and anyone can do it. These two techniques help compare juicy fruit to poems.In the poem Introduction to Poetry’ the poet shows me the important idea that poetry is about having fun. Poems are made to have fun for everybody not just cleverest people. It’s for people who like having fun. I want them to waterski / across the surface of a poem / waiving at the authors name on the shore. The author is also trying to tell you to not over analyze things. In the poem it states that all we want to do is torture it and get a confession out of it. Poems are to be about having fun, not trying to find every possible meaning and to just skim across getting the ideas that the poet wants us too.Poems are about having fun and not over analyzing them. In the poem Introduction to Poetry’, the techniques metaphor and personification are used to show me the important idea. Metaphor is used in the lines I want them to waterski / across the surface of a poem / waving at the authors name on the surface. Which compares waterskiing and having fun to a poem that is fun and relaxing. This helps me understand that poetry is fun and relaxing just like waterskiing. When you imagine yourself waterskiing you imagine a sunny day, speeding along bouncing up and down on waves while waving to your friends on the shore in the sand.Poems are the same you can enjoy yourself through rhyming or using alliteration. All the techniques that make a poem fun and enjoyable to write and read. Personification is used in the lines But all they want to do / is tie the poem to a chair with a rope / and torture a confession out of it to compare tying up a person to a chair and trying to get a confession out of it. Over analyzing a poem and taking meanings that aren’t meant to be instead of taking the idea that the poet tries to convey. Doing this the poet helps me understand that poetry is to be about the images or the meanings that the poet is telling you.That poetry doesn’t need to be tied to a chair and tortured, so it gives a confession that it doesn’t have to be an expert that needs to analyze it, anyone can do it. Poetry is intended to be enjoyed, anyone can do it, it doesn’t need to be over analyzed. Both of these poems have helped me understand more about poetry and what it’s about. That poetry is about having fun and to be experienced by everyone. Anyone and everyone can enjoy poems, they don’t have to be the cleverest or the smartest to understand poetry. I think these two poems represent what poems are about.

Technological Singularity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Technological Singularity - Essay Example Futuristic writings from the genre of science fiction actually paved the vista to comprehend the predicament the human race might need to face in the race of development and technological advancement. One such futuristic writer is Ray Kurzweil. Kurzweil wrote a book in 2005, entitled ‘The Singularity is Near’ where he recorded his thoughts regarding the pros and cons of the future technology. In 2009, the American filmmaker Barry Ptolemy made a documentary entitled Transcendent Man based on the thoughts and life of the futurist author Ray Kurzweil where the concept of technological singularity is made the loci. Moreover, the life and his vision are discussed at length, and Ray is followed by Ptolemy around the world. Thesis Statement This essay intends to discuss the concepts of technological singularity envisaged by the futurist writer Ray Kurzweil as portrayed by the documentary Transcendent Man along with a vivid discussion on the way the philosophy of the technologic al advancement and glitch is being portrayed in the film. ... m was released across the United States in February, 2011, the viewers were well aware of the fact that this 83 minutes running documentary not only captivates scientific melodrama but also has a strong philosophical discourse which can provide a good food for thought at any time to any thoughtful soul. Kurzweil was noted by Ptolemy not only for his futuristic bent of mind but also for the unique theory which he propounded entitled, ‘Technological Singularity’. Technological Singularity is a concept that overlaps itself within the field of genetics, nanotechnology and robotics together. Kurweil predicted that somewhere in future in the 21st century a threatening creation to the entire human race shall appear in the shape and face of a human-machine civilization. The documentary shows Ptolemy following Kurzweil around the world throwing light on the concepts of the inventor and the futuristic author. Kurzweil refuses the concept of physical death and does not claim it to be the inevitable one. He pronounced an innovative law entitled ‘Law of Accelerating Returns’. This law exposes a point where the technological advancement will be able to merge into the genetics of human race resulting into a singularity and production of human machine through which biological death of the humans can be transcended. A concept which the world has seen in the fictional film long before the release , of the Transcendent Man bearing the title, Bicentennial Man directed by Chris Columbus and starring Robin Williams. The film might portray a robot or a human machine turning into a man as acknowledged by the President of World Congress in the future year of 2205 but the film ends with the death of Andrew, the very moment his humanity is accepted and his marriage with Portia, a human

Fundamentals of Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Fundamentals of Finance - Essay Example Therefore, it can be said that M&S possesses a sound fundamental financial position. In order to analyse the efficiency of a company, it is necessary to quantify its financial performance. Not just the investors, but other stakeholders like suppliers, credit providers and banks also consider the financial performance of the company as a parameter of its efficiency. Such analysis is often done in two stages. Initially, the performance of the company is analysed for the past few years (atleast five or more years). Historical data reflects the past trend and fundamentals of the company. However, one should not rely only on historical performance; rather the performance of the company in the last financial year should also be taken into consideration. Tools like ratio analysis should be used to make the process more transparent and holistic. Moreover, the performance of the company should be compared against the industry to arrive at a more authentic conclusion. In the given project, financial performance of Marks and Spencer will be analysed by taking into consideration its last five years performance. Later on, essential ratios will be analysed and compared against the industry benchmark to have a more comprehensive understanding. Marks and Spencer is one of the leading retailers in UK. Data published by the company reveals that in a single week more than 21 million customers visit its stores. The company is engaged in selling high quality clothes and home products along with quality food. The supplier base of the company comprises more than 2,000 suppliers from different parts of the world. Approximately 76, 000 people are employed by UK and other stores located in 41 overseas territories. The company was founded by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in the year 1884 for selling specifically British products. However, with time, the company had to break this policy to gain competitive edge in

Managing Finance Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Managing Finance - Research Proposal Example it mainly emphasizes on the projecting the demands (De-Almeida & William, 2014). Therefore, Wal-Mart mainly use of the flexible and static budgeting process and procedures. It is dependent on the forecasted demands that are based on the past sales and projections of the new products, season, consumer behavior and perception for developing budgeting processes. The management accounting system of Wal-Mart have been constantly changed and upgraded according to the advancement in the information technology and business environment. Currently, the company emphasizes on Just In Time, Inventory management and Economic Quantity Order techniques used in its management accounting system (Anon., 2014). However, these management accounting systems of the company has been amended with the passage of time. Wal-mart is focused on the low costing strategies. Hence, the adoption and changes in the management accounting systems of the company has been taken place time to time. The determinant to prevailing changes in the management accounting system is dependent on the external factors that the company aims to anticipate. The costing processes of Wal-Mart are very well maintained and are done by professional auditors all over the globe. The practices carried out in the factories are analyzed and are further characterized so that better check and balance can be made. The requirement standards of Wal-Mart, Labor policies, the payroll of the workforce, the rules and regulations provided by the Law are being followed within the factory or not? And the health and safety conditions are the essential of the â€Å"Audit Reviews†. After the examination of the practices of the factories Wal-Mart takes the decision to work with the factories or not (Bandy, 2013). The Wal-Mart is working in three major businesses. The priority of the organization is to improve the financial organization; this is due to the drastic changes in the financial sector. The

Politics and the English Language Essay Example for Free

Politics and the English Language Essay Politics and the English Language is an essay by George Orwell published in 1946 where he criticizes the way written English language has evolved. Orwell uses five texts from various contemporary authors to identify in them the perversions in the evolution of the language. He then classifies these into four main fallacies: dying metaphors or cliches, operators or verbal false limbs or the elimination of simple verbs and the use of passive voice rather than active, pretentious diction or terms used to impress rather than to convey meaning, and meaningless words or paragraphs that usually do not give much meaning. Moreover, the author emphasizes and criticizes the use of foreign languages amongst the English for useless sophistication. The writers main purpose is to reflect this decadence of the English language to the general decline in contemporary society and to relate it to Politics. In fact, according to Orwell, language is used for political purposes to transform it into a vague and meaningless set of prose phrases in order to conceal truths rather than express thoughts. This is exemplified with the case of political speeches, articles, and propagandas. Finally, he suggests a set of simple rules that could contribute to the reversability of the decay of English. Orwell seems to be quite objective since –for instance- he involves the reader in his text and even invites him to find some of the faults criticized, in it. Also, the six rules that the auhtor suggests to simplify English, could be very beneficial even for contemporary students in their writings. However, it seems that Orwell has used a prescriptive and quite subjective approach in his essay by which he finds what he is looking for based on the ideology he already believes in, that tends to be emerging from deep-rooted conspiracy theories.

Analysis of Information Technology Role for Global Retailer

Analysis of Information Technology Role for Global Retailer PART 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Purpose of report: This report has been requested by Mr Frank Hedge, the CEO of Myer Department Stores- Australia. The reports purpose is to investigate and analyse the strategic role of information technology (IT) to Myers business, including an IT infrastructure audit. Cloud computing is evaluated, and recommendations made for its partial adoption. 1.2 Limitations: This report is limited by the lack of IT infrastructure details provided by Myer. Assumptions were made when required, to enable completion of the report. 1.3 Scope of the report: This report focuses on Myer and the potential use of cloud computing within its IT infrastructure. Divided into four main sections, the report covers Myer; IT infrastructure challenges; cloud computing costs/ benefits and recommendations for cloud computing adoption. It has been compiled from research literature and phone/email interviews with two Myer store managers. 1.4) Myer and its industry Homepage URL; http://www.myer.com.au/ Myer is Australias largest department store group with 65 stores and approximately 14,000 employees. It is present in 25 of Australias top 30 retail centres and attracted 185 million customers in 2009 (Myer 2010). Myer generated net profits of $106.8 million for the first half of the 2011 financial year (AAP 2011). Myer operates across major segments of the Australian non-food retail industry as a department store chain. This industry consists of four segments; household goods, clothing soft goods, department stores and other (eg newspapers, books) (Myer 2010). Myer competes with other department stores, discount department stores, and single store operators as well as internet retailers and direct retailers. Within the department store segment, David Jones is Myers main competition though the former targets a slightly higher income group (Myer 2010). Competition exists with other retailers on price, store location, product range and customer service. Additionally, consumer demand hinges on factors such as disposable income which are sensitive to macroeconomic conditions eg interest rate rises (Myer 2010). The industry has struggled recently, due to weak consumer confidence and increased competition from cheaper overseas internet retailers (GST free and strong Australian Dollar) (Brooks 2010). 1.5) Myers products services: Myer offers approximately 600 000 product lines from 800 suppliers globally including categories such as; clothing; beauty and cosmetics; electrical and homewares (Myer 2010). Myer provides additional products and services such as; Myer One customer loyalty program, over 3 million members. Gift cards Myer corporate sales- eg corporate gifts, office fit outs, VIP nights Insurance (home, contents, travel, car) Bridal gift registry Myer Visa Card (Myer 2010). 1.6) Myers corporate mission corporate structure: ‘At Myer we strive to offer customers a wide and relevant choice of brands, rewards and ideas in a way that makes them feel both welcome and inspired, (Myer 2010, p.3). Myers corporate structure is shown in Figure 1.1. Head office operates under a hybrid of divisional (eg apparel, electrical division) and functional groups (Finance, marketing etc). A national retail store manager oversees regional store managers, who oversee individual store managers. Head office functional groups, directly manage their particular function (eg HR) in the individual stores (Myer 2010; S Johnson 2011, pers. comm., 20 April). (Adapted from: Myer 2010, pp. 25-7). 1.7) Myers major business processes: Laudon and Laudon (2010), note business processes are sets of activities to produce a product or service. Due to its variety of offer, Myer has many business processes such as; Sourcing product to offer in store. Automating administrative processes. Reducing stock theft. Creating visual merchandise displays. Analysing potential sites for new stores. Refurbishing existing stores. Making sales (Myer 2010). 1.8) Myers business strategy Myer has invested substantially in its business since 2006 ($500 million) realizing a world class supply chain, improved retail execution and focused customer service (competitive advantages) (Myer 2010). Myer aims for additional margin and sales growth using specific strategies of; Opening 15 new stores in next five years. Revitalizing instore environments for a better customer experience. Expanding the Myer One program. Implementing a new point of sale system (POS) improving productivity customer service. Implementing a CCTV system to reduce losses (Myer 2010). 1.9) Myers relationships with external entities: Myer has significant relationships with a variety of entities which include; Its 800 global suppliers (Myer 2010). Global sourcing offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai (Algar 2011). Partnership with Melbourne Institute of Technology for paid internship for students (RMIT 2011). Myers involved with philanthropic and community programs including children and womens charities and Melbourne Christmas Carols (Myer 2010). PART 2: IT INFRASTRUCTURE: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES(727 words) 2.1) Description of Myers IT infrastructure: Laudon and Laudon (2010 p. 191) describe IT infrastructure as, ‘the shared technology resources that provide the platform for the firms specific information system applications. It includes investment in hardware, software, and services†¦that are shared across the entire firm†¦. Myers IT infrastructure was analysed according to Laudon and Laudons (2010 p. 203) model which comprises of seven components. The required information was obtained from Myers Head Office IT department and interviews with two store managers (Appendix 1). A summary of each component is presented in Table 2.1. The IT infrastructure differs between head office and individual stores, due to centralization (Slotty 2009). TABLE 2.1 Summary of Myers IT infrastructure ecosystem. (Adapted: Myer IT department; Interview with two Myer Store managers 2011). The key findings from the analysis of Myers IT infrastructure presented above, are as follows; Computer hardware platforms: Client machines (desktops) are not standardized across Myer. A small number of servers exist at multiple locations (65 stores) doing replicated tasks (localized data storage, networking etc). Operating system platforms: Client and server machine software is licensed per computer with Windows variability on client machines. Large information asymmetry exists between managers and sales staff due to their limited access to software (Laudon Laudon 2010). Enterprise software applications: While an intranet portal exists to link to Myers applications, only newer applications (eg Mymerch- merchandising, POS) are fully integrated. Many legacy systems remain isolated and not integrated. Networking/Telecommunications: Myer operates both analog (phone system) and digital (data) networks using two providers (Telstra and IBM). While Myer accesses the internet, it also operates private networks (intranet) in the form of LANs and WANs. Networking is not possible between individual stores. Consultants System Integrators: Integration and implementation of new IT infrastructure is outsourced to IBM, including training. Data management storage: While the majority of Myers data is stored with a third party vendor, localized data storage occurs at individual stores (65). Internet platforms: Physical infrastructure and maintenance of Myers website is outsourced to third parties. Information asymmetry exists, with very limited access to internet for individual stores. Myers network infrastructure is further illustrated in Figure 2.1, which outlines information flows. Note information does not flow between stores, only between stores and head office. (Adapted: Myer IT department; Interview with two Myer Store managers 2011). 2.2) The issues and challenges of managing Myers IT infrastructure: Myer faces several challenges and issues in managing its IT infrastructure. Laudon and Laudon (2010) identify challenges arising from platform and technology change, management and governance and investing in infrastructure prudently. These challenges are also influenced by the strategic role of IT to the business and the impact of the industry in which the organization operates. By revisiting section 1.8 it can be seen that IT plays an important strategic role in achieving Myers medium term goals of increased operating margins and sales growth by; Facilitating increased supplier and sales volumes from new store initiatives (eg hardware and software required). Optimizing productivity, cost savings and customer satisfaction via implementation of new applications (POS system and CCTV loss prevention system). Catering for an expanded Myer One loyalty program (increased data storage and analysis needs for targeted marketing) (Myer 2010). As a result of ITs important strategic role, the challenges of managing Myers IT infrastructure are intensified. This is best demonstrated by specific examples; The challenge of platform and infrastructure change: To best accommodate expected future growth, improved productivity, cost efficiencies and increased data needs, infrastructure components need to be easily scalable (Armbrust et al 2010). This will be particularly true with regards to Myers hardware software platforms, its enterprise software applications and its networking, internet and data storage platforms. Currently, significant pressures exist within Myers industry. Consumer spending is down and offshore internet retailers are offering cheaper prices due to the strong Australian dollar and absence of GST (Brooks 2010). This poses further challenges to Myer to adjust components of its IT infrastructure quickly to generate database driven marketing programs or improve its operating efficiencies (Myer 2010). If cloud computing platforms are considered as future components of Myers infrastructure, then appropriate use guidelines and practices will be needed. Service level agreements (SLAs) for example would commit cloud computing vendors to minimum levels of performance and reliability for Myers systems (Hinchcliffe 2009). The challenge of management and governance: The management and governance of Myers IT infrastructure is significant, considering its strategic role, further evidenced by the commitment of $500 million to its IT program since 2006 (Myer 2010). Aspects to be considered include the location of IT control (centralized or decentralized model), the allocation of IT costs to functional groups or stores, the strategies and policies for using IT and measuring effective return on IT investments (Laudon Laudon 2010). The challenge of investing in IT infrastructure prudently: Considering the significance of IT infrastructure for Myer as it seeks its business goals, this is a crucial challenge. Whether Myer should rent or buy its infrastructure components will be further investigated in section 4 of this report. (Laudon Laudon 2010) PART 3: CLOUD COMPUTING ITS BUSINESS BENEFITS COSTS(986 words) 3.1)An overview of Cloud Computing: Zhang et al. (2010) note cloud computing is not a new idea. While many definitions abound, from an organizations perspective, ‘Cloud computing is an architecture in which companies consume technology resources as an internet service rather than as an owned system (Brandel 2009, p. 1). Most people have already experienced cloud computing through the use of Hotmail, Gmail or Facebook (Wyld 2009). Recent improvements in internet bandwidth, virtualization of servers and storage, open source software, adoption of Web 2.0 standards, has pushed cloud computing strongly into the business sphere (Kennedy 2011). Mell and Grance (2011) claim that cloud computing consists of five crucial characteristics, three service models (software, platform and infrastructure as services) and four deployment models (private, community, public and hybrid clouds) which are outlined in Tables 3.1 and 3.2. Potentially cloud computing can deliver to a business most of its IT needs (from computing power to collaboration tools to software) as an on demand service, wherever and whenever required. As long as an internet connection exists, computing becomes location and device independent (Agger 2009). TABLE3.1 The crucial characteristics, and service models of cloud computing. (Adapted from: Mell Grance 2011, pp. 2-3; Department of Finance Deregulation 2011, pp. 12-3) TABLE3.2 The deployment models of cloud computing. (Adapted from: Mell Grance 2011, pp. 2-3; Department of Finance Deregulation 2011, pp. 12-3) 3.2) Current trends in Cloud Computing: Present studies suggest, ‘†¦the number of organizations using cloud computing to rise to 43% within four years as they continue to cut their costs (Cross 2011 p. 1). In addition to greater cloud computing use in general, there are several trends within cloud computing concerning areas such as; User type deployment models- ONeill (2011), notes small to medium enterprises using cloud computing are typically accessing public clouds for cost savings compared with private clouds. Alternatively larger enterprises use private clouds (third party or onsite) for greater control. Governments (federal level) are trialing SaaS and Ouellette (2011) believes state and local governments will soon follow. Purposes for using cloud services- Its principal use remains as a testing/developing environment and/or as a platform for less critical services and applications (Knorr Gruman 2010). Synder (in The Australian 2010) believes moving core applications to the cloud is still to come. ITs changing role- Hakala (2009) believes the need for IT workers performing maintenance tasks will contract as cloud computing is embraced and employees can ‘self serve directly from the cloud. Innovation- Cloud computing will continue to be a conduit for business innovation due to its low costs and rapid scalability of IT resources (Kennedy 2011; Information Age 2011) Pricing- Cloud computing pricing (especially commodity) continues to become cheaper and simpler for users. Thibodeau (2009) suggests models utilizing a set number of hours for a range of cloud services. SLAs improved security- Improving cloud computing reliability via strong service level agreements (SLAs) continues (Hinchcliffe 2009). Colley (2011) Violino (2010) expect most businesses will demand independent certification of cloud providers reliability in next few years. Cloud providers are targeting improved security to allay user concerns. Working groups such as the Cloud Security Alliance are focusing on this issue (Thibodeau 2009). Violino (2010) noted a need for better access control and identity management within and across clouds. Improved performance and service- The performance of cloud services rises, as more managed service providers enter the market (Ouellette 2011) and performance monitoring standardises (Thibodeau 2009). Typically IT staff connect cloud services individually, though cloud aggregators and integrators are emerging to smooth this barrier (Knorr Gruman 2010). 3.3) The business benefits of Cloud Computing: Cloud computing offers many benefits to business. Leighton (2009 p. 5) asserts, cloud computing will ‘transform the way IT is consumed and managed, promising improved cost efficiencies, accelerated innovation, faster time-to-market, and the ability to scale applications on demand. Sagari (c. 2010) notes the level of benefits cloud computing brings to an organization will vary dependant on the types of services utilized, the business processes evident and the degree of integration achieved. Major business benefits can include; Reduced costs (set up ongoing) * Increased flexibility response times Scalability increased efficiencies * Increased business focus. Increased innovation * Improved mobility Armbrust et al (2010) maintains, one of the most impressive benefits of cloud computing is scalability (elasticity of resources). The business pays for its hardware needs (servers, storage) on demand with the cloud providing great elasticity. Business needs can be scaled up or down as required, saving time, money and improving revenue in peak periods (Zhang et al. 2006; Waxer n.d.). Additional business benefits offered by cloud computing include; Smoothed cash flow * Increased strategic role for IT Reduced business risk * Improved sustainability. Greater computation power * Improved business continuity These benefits are further expanded in Appendix 2 with business examples and their references. 3.4) Cloud computing solutions for Myer: Section 4 details specific cloud computing recommendations to be adopted by Myer. In contrast, Table 3.3, outlines cloud computing solutions best suited to Myer for the aspect identified in column one. The reasons for these choices are as follows; Servers for serving applications- Amazon EC2 has been the market leader in this area and for good reason (Huang 2010). It exceeds Microsoft Azures new offering and it has a superior range of operating systems to use (eg Linux, Myer using), compared with Googles App Engine (Amazon 2011). Servers for storage- Amazon S3 was preferred over Microsoft Azure and Nirvanix for the reasons noted in Table 3.3 eg a price leader, very easy to use and highly reliable, SLA exceeding 99.99% (Huang 2010). Client productivity software- Microsofts new Office 365 retains the known office layout of which Myer staff are familiar. Additionally it incorporates email, calendar collaboration tools. Superior in features to Google Docs or Zoho (McAllister 2010). Private cloud- If recommended to Myer, Amazons virtual private cloud is a good solution. It integrates easily with a firms existing IT infrastructure, including firewalls and security systems (Amazon 2011). Applications- As an application development platform, Force.com has been suggested for its long history of business application development. Furthermore, to use this environment, subscription to Salesforce.com CRM applications are required, which may be beneficial to Myer (Force.com c.2011). TABLE 3.3Most suitable cloud computing solutions for Myer. (Adapted from: Amazon 2011;Force.com c. 2011; Microsoft 2011) 3.5) Costs of cloud computing to Myer: Typically the IT industry uses ‘Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to determine the total cost of a technology implementation (Laudon Laudon 2010). Table 3.4 provides an estimate of the costs to Myer in implementing the cloud computing solutions listed in Table 3.3. As can be seen, support, maintenance, space and energy costs pass to the cloud provider and hardware and software acquisition costs are essentially avoided. Some training costs of the IT staff involved in implementing and/or the staff using the cloud services would be incurred (Aggarwal McCabe 2009). A small amount of ongoing support to Office 365 users may also be required. Integration issues and costs are not expected, as the servers and software to be sourced via the cloud will not be critical systems. Additional infrastructure costs (eg bandwidth) resulting from cloud computings greater internet reliance, may occur. Downtime estimates from providers SLAs are less than typical IT departments of large companies ie 44hrs/yr (Mann 2010). Moving data into and out of Amazon S3 storage, will incur costs (Amazon 2011). Finally, Aggarwal and McCabe (2009), reported TCO savings of some 50% over four years, for medium sized businesses implementing CRM software from the cloud, compared with on-premise deployment. TABLE 3.4 Total cost of ownership (TCO) for Myers cloud computing solutions. (Adapted from: Laudon Laudon 2010, p. 224; Amazon 2011; Microsoft 2011; Force.com c.2011 ) PART 4: RECOMMENDATION OF CLOUD COMPUTING ADOPTION/ ADAPTION(785 words) 4.1) Competitive forces model for IT infrastructure Investment: Specific recommendations for the adoption of a cloud computing strategy by Myer will soon be made. These recommendations will be based on the preceding analysis and also take into account the ‘competitive forces model for IT infrastructure as described in Laudon and Laudon (2010 pp. 222-3). Table 4.1 summarises the main points of this model as it relates to Myer. TABLE 4.1: Competitive forces model for IT infrastructure investment of Myer Model components Outcome 1) Market demand for Myers services (eg customer, supplier enterprise): Myers point of sale (POS) system supply chain improvements are based on extensive research of their services. These systems improved efficiency speed, and are satisfying customers, suppliers staff (Tindal 2010) Information asymmetry especially with sales staff is affecting performance.