Knock’s Educated Man

The â€Å"Disadvantages of Being Educated† examines contemporary society’s preference for building specialized skills at the expense of liberal education. Albert Knock believes that today’s curricula have changed its orientation from helping create the Renaissance Man from the tabula rasa into the mechanic of Ford or the programmer of Silicon Valley. Knock pointed out that this is training and should not be synonymous with education. Being proficient or trained in something could categorize one as trained but not educated. Training is not synonymous to having been educated. Knock’s man has cultivated his intellect and character to the point where his options for the future included, in his words, â€Å"what he could become and be instead of what he could get and do†. What is surprising for him is contemporary society’s not distinguishing between the difference between training and education which was not the case before. During the Medieval period, scholars of classical works were looked upon as learned men. The cobbler, builder, stonemasons, tinkerers, and town criers were on a subordinate level far below that of the scholastics. Carrying on with Knock’s line of thought, we could imagine the manual laborers of the Dark Ages as having become shoe stylists and fashion models, engineers, computer programmers and technicians, and TV hosts of today who are good in their fields and perhaps below mediocre in dialectics. Yet, the honor of having â€Å"made it† is easily applied to them by contemporary society than to the stereotyped harried-looking teacher of a university. Knock has nothing against the emphasis on specialization. He argued that specialization and liberal education are relevant. Both could be had instead of having one being preferred at the expense of the other. Knock expressed regret this is not so today. The educated man that he had in mind would be hard put to find his place in today’s modern setting. His educated man is open to other fields of interests that would encourage the thinking process: argue the ills of society, participate in dialectics, and develop a mind that is always inquiring and trying to discover what is good for the best kind of life. Since today’s trend in life is getting the proper or specialized skill that could ensure one a high-paying job, Knock’s educated man would have difficulty connecting with his contemporaries. He would not be in agreement with their having narrowing the focus of their concentration and energy to the mundane ambition of having an eight- to- five job that could buy them a Superbowl ticket and ensure a healthy pension after working as a cog or bolt in an assembly line. He would not even care to become the main nut in that assembly line. Each field created its own complexities and somebody having found himself a niche in his chosen field could claim a consultancy fee. I could be a consultant to the Tupperware Company if my scientific expertise resulted to inventing a fireproof plastic. The skill acquired in such a field may be hopelessly irrelevant during the Renaissance period but the pay is hopefully and insanely more than sufficient to ensure a comfortable life while still pursuing new plastic discoveries. One can only stay in the business if he or she will continue to update with new developments or make new developments himself. Failure to do so would condemn oneself to irrelevance in his chosen field. Meaning, the acquisition of knowledge on plastics will have to continue until the moment I die, perhaps induced by having to work with plastic. The competition for the American dream is rigid and I could not afford to pause for a breath asking the meaning of life while everybody else is plunging down to their success. As a student, Knock would prefer me to be the educated man that he has in mind. He wouldn’t agree to my cultivating a mindset that looks forward to having just a job to enable me to pay for my daily meals, ensure payment for my cable bills, and after work enabling me to be a couch potato. Knock would love see me entertain ideas for ideas’ sake and look at them as an educated man would look: objectively and disinterestedly. Knock perhaps sees the mainstream as a flock of sheep narrowing their vision on the grass before them and seldom raising their heads to appreciate the greater perspective. For most of us-including me- the trend is acquiring skills; the more specialized the skill, the greater the opportunity for a well-placed and well-paying job. The past-paced world that we have today is unkind to thinkers. Why pursue the meaning of life when what is life has already been defined by the American dream? Consumerist society measures a man by his capability to purchase the hottest and the latest pick. For someone to indulge in the search for the meaning of life would be condemning oneself to a meaningless life of penury and from the viewpoint of the mainstream-irrelevance. The social construct on success has already been insinuated, defined, and considered as an end. Knock may quote Longfellow and implore me, â€Å"Be not like dumb, driven cattle, be the hero in the strife†. Yes, I have already heard it in the required subjects in the first year and it is difficult to indulge myself in them when I am about to major in something useful. History, reexamining its ills, could not buy my cappuccino at Starbucks; Moliere and his wit could not pay for my taxicab fare; and I have no time to waste on Kant’s â€Å"Critique on Pure Reason† when I have to attend a workshop on plastics. Free thinking could free the soul, nourish the intellect, and strengthen the character. This is quite noble and at best, the preoccupation of the Renaissance Man. This is tempting but it would be difficult to explain myself to my friends in when we met to socialize or even to my family during a reunion.

Define and Discuss Organizational Culture as It Relates to HR Management

Healthcare settings is an upcoming recognized organization. As an organization that operates on multiple backgroung and culture nurses it requires a proper planning. therefore organization culture is established in all companies including healthcare settings to bring all workers to work together. organization culture is a shared belief with values,norms,mission and vision. human resource do reallyb plays an important role in maintaining and restoring the values of organization culture through their workers. (reference). Organization is aunit that holds workes together that works hand-in –hand. rganizationn culture is something of shared belief,norms,values,written or unwriiten rules of a organization. ( ). The concept of an organizational culture is to hold and teach their employees in teamwork. the concept of organizational culture also distinguish one organization to the other. for example nurses only wears white uniform and a nurses cap,but nowadays every different hospital s have their own badge logos,uniform colours with different tones to distinguish healthcare workers according to their beaurachy ranks. he concept of an organizational culture of a hospital to make one’s hospital the number 1 in their region,country or maybe in healthcare market. to sustain the organizational concept ,each organization has their own mission and vision and their core values. through this they can be recognized to be outstanding and different from other healthcare settings. for example the vision and mission of national university hospital practices â€Å"shaping medicine for the future†,†advancing health by intergrated clinical care,research and education†, and†teamwork,respect,integrity,compassion,excellence†. hey also do have a service slogan of†greet&smile,go the extra mile,delighted to serve,deliver with love†. throuh all this words it really encourages nurses to join and serve for this hospital. the organization makes sure this is all taken care by sending their newly recruited nurses for 2weeks orientation program which is also calls as induction program. this programe is very essential for a new staff to be introduced o the organizational culture. Internal factors that affect an organizational culture is the is essential for nurses to success because no one person has the full range of skills and knowledge. team player is attentive to the viewa and concers of others. by having no teamwork staffs tend to be selfish and culculative where it leads to â€Å" tidak apa attitude† leads to unstandard unproductive nurses. due to this customers will divert themselves to other hospital. the othe factor is no proper orientation to new nurses. nursing care is standard throuthout Singapore but nursing protocol and job scope is different according to different hospitals. for example in Gleneagles hospital nurses are allowed to take verbal order for iv medication but in nuh nurses are not suppose to take verbal orders for iv mications. o when new nurses are not orientate and different nursing care is given it becomes an issue and the standard drop as harming the organizational; culture. the other factor is old pioneer nurses refuses to go for upgrading courses as nnew nurses are with degrees and diploma and higher. the other factor is low slary icreament as low wages where leads to resighnation. the other factor no upgrading skills. The other factor is political. cabinets talks about increament but not granted. local trained nurses migrate and work overseas because good salary. The other factor is workload getting more and nurses less manpower. his leads to staff burnout to work extra hours and shift. but hospitals doen’t pay overtime but pay them do owing as tocut costs. Human resorce do play an important role in organizational culture. human resource recruit new nurses and sent them for proper training. human resource do sent staffs for induction programme and also for in house talks. they also update their nurses by sending circulars about hospital news,meetings and message from their ceo. human resource also do prepare an appraisal programme every end of years for nurses to get their increametns.

A Child Is Mysterious and Powerful

Within the child lies the fate of the future. Whoever wishes to confer some benefit on society must preserve him from deviation and observe his natural ways acting. A child is mysterious and powerful and contains within himself the secret of human nature. Explain the above quote with reference to the Montessori philosophy. The term Montessori Philosophy originated from the name of Dr. Maria Montessori, one of the most influential pioneers in early childhood education. She advised an education which combines a philosophy with a practical approach based on the central idea of freedom for the child within a carefully planned and structured environment. To analyze the above quote, we will have to know what it is in essence the Montessori philosophy. Maria Montessori was a soft hearted lady who happened to live through the two world wars. She was very much worried that in spite of the development of science and technology in the world, why men are very much unhappy, cruel and keep fighting with each other. She believed that this is because of the lack of fulfillment of human mind. So she deducted that as the adult comes into being through the child, it is important to consider the human being way down from the very childhood itself. Montessori has once opined that â€Å"It is the child who makes the man, and no man exists who was not made by the child he once was. † (http://www. dailymontessori. com/maria-montessori-quotes/) Montessori, who became the first lady doctor in the history of her country, was appointed as assistant doctor at a psychiatric clinic. From this position she got chances to observe some mentally retarded children. Under her care and love many of these children improved even to a position that they could read and write. After that Maria Montessori got chance to look after some slum children for whom she made a home. This was called Casa Dei Bambini, means childrens house. It was from here that Montessori philosophy actually evolved into being. Montessori made a new way of education in which the child is considered as the centre of education with the adult serving only as one who is helping him to develop as a whole; hysically, cognitively, emotionally, spiritually and socially. She discovered that with such an education a unified personality is formed. According to Montessori philosophy, the child has an unrealized potential within himself when he is born. This potential is what helps him to develop from birth onwards. This is called predetermined psychic pattern. Christoph Schiebold states that Good education is not to follow the pages of a workbook. It’s following the workbook that’s within the child! (http://educationaljournal. wordpress. com/2011/07/02/quote-christoph-schiebold) The predetermined psychic pattern (also known as natural laws of development) is there in the child in an embryonic stage when the child is born. So as only a healthy mother gives birth to a healthy baby, the predetermined psychic pattern in the baby also needs a nourishing environment to grow well. In the given quote it is stated a child is mysterious and powerful and contains within himself the secret of human nature. In reference to Montessori philosophy the potentials present in the child from birth itself is what makes the child mysterious and powerful. That itself is the secret of human nature too. The child is mysterious because there is an internal guide in the child which alone lets these laws to unfold themselves. We the adults are not able to understand what is happening there within the child. We can see only certain signs of these laws of natural development reveal themselves by carefully observing the childs behavior. Now let us analyze why the child is described as being powerful. For this we will have to know what the laws of natural development in essence are. These are law of work, law of independence, development of attention, development of will, development of intelligence development of emotion and spiritual life, development of imagination and creativity and stages of growth. Thus it is said that The child is endowed with unknown powers which can guide us to a radiant future. (The Absorbent Mind ,P2) During the observation of children at Casa Dei Bambini, Dr. Maria Montessori discovered that children prefer work to play. They were able to achieve a self integration through this work. She found that the aggressive and destructive children became calm and peaceful after working with the materials. She concluded that through work the child seemed to get fulfillment of some internal need which made him normalized. Montessori found out that independence is necessary to the childs normal development. The child uses his independence to listen to his inner guide for actions that can be useful to him and one who is served is actually limited in his independence. It is well said that we habitually serve children; and this is not only an act of servility towards them but it is dangerous, since it tends to suffocate their useful, spontaneous activity. (Course manual P. 40). We can help the child attain independence by giving opportunity for him to work with the materials by himself, by directing him towards a given end to develop his will, by giving him constructive work to help him in developing discipline, by letting him know and have an understanding of what is good and bad and also giving him freedom to reveal himself completely by playing only passive role. Maria Montessori stated that at certain stages of development, the child has sensitivity to his environment and he directs his attention to particular objects with high intensity and interest. By giving the child materials to work that engage him wholesomely we can help him develop his concentration and build his personality. When the child has the maximum power to concentration or when he gain good power to attention, he becomes calmer and more controlled and rested. Montessori believed that decision taken by the child on any activity and the action taken by him are the basis for development of the will. When the child is allowed to work with the materials as long as he wants, his self concept and power of concentration develop. Thus the child gains an ability to make his own choice which helps develop his will. The perceptions made by the child with the help of his senses are his intelligence. Obtaining conscious knowledge is done by the childs intelligence, comparing and discriminating between the impressions received by the senses. Dr. Maria Montessori believed that development of imagination and creativity are inborn powers which develop through his interactions with the environment. In regard to development of emotional and spiritual life, Montessori found that the child has an inner power to react to emotional and spiritual experiences from birth itself. Montessori discovered 5 periods of growth in children and each period has specific goal, the directionality towards the goal is fixed and each period has its own sensitive periods. To help them reach their goal by maximizing own potentials, the caregivers and teachers need to know these periods of development. Here, from this detailed analysis of predetermined psychic pattern within the child what we can understand is that the child has many abilities (powers) inside him from birth itself. It is this potential that helps him to self construct himself. With this much of original intrinsic assets it is quite reasonable to assume that the child is powerful. According to the philosophy of Montessori, the potentials within the child unfold slowly during the course of time while child self constructs himself. But certain internal aids and external conditions are necessary for the predetermined psychic pattern to reveal itself. The internal aids are sensitive periods and absorbant mind. The external conditions are environment and freedom. Sensitive periods are blocks of time in the childs life when he is absorbed with one characteristic of his environment to the exclusion of all others. Montessori discovered 6 sensitive periods in child. They are sensitivity to order, sensitivity to learning through five senses, sensitivity to small objects, sensitivity to co-ordination of movement, sensitivity to language and sensitivity to social aspect of life. A child has sensitivity to order during the first year itself. It is because of this sensitivity that the child becomes irritated when he is exposed to unfamiliar objects or people, or insists on putting things back on their places and become happy when they see things in accustomed places. In a precise and determined environment only can a child categorise his perception and form an internal framework with which to understand and relate his world. Montessori found out that the child has a sensitivity to learning through his five senses. The child has a natural curiosity to explore the things around him. So he has to work with this environment to develop his neurological structures for perceiving and thinking which is the basis of intelligence development. When the child is about two to two and half years his attention is drawn towards small objects. This sensitivity to small objets helps him to concentrate his intellectual powers on a specific problem and also helps him to hold his attention for long period of time fostering his ability to focus. The child has sensitivity to movement when he is two to 4 years of age. During this period the child has a tendency to perform and repeat a movement for the sake of gaining greater control. Here the child learns to bring his body under his will. The child become sensitive to human language during the period of sensitivity to language. The sixth aspect of sensitive periods being sensitivity to social aspects of life, explains the childs interest in other children of his age group. This period enables the child to recognize affection and friendship to develop. This way child learns to be part of a group. Montessori philosophy tells us that there will be problems when the child is starved from the right environment in his sensitive periods. When there is no order, the child will feel very insecure and lack confidence. If the child is not allowed to explore his environment during his period of learning through five senses, it will hinder the childs learning, he will become rebellious, with poor will and concentration and it will be difficult for him to compare and judge. By the lack of right environment for sensitivity to small objects, the child will become less curious to learn new things and he will become passive. The lack of environment permitting co-ordination of movements decreases the childs fine and gross motor development which in turn affect the childs balance and agility. If the child is not regularly exposed to language he will lack self confidence and will develop low self-concept due to this inability to express himself. If the child is not allowed to socialise he will feel lonely and become unfriendly and antisocial. Absorbant mind helps the child gain knowledge from his environment. From birth onwards the childs mind starts absorbing everything the he sees and experiences around him. This absorbing takes place by two stages namely unconscious and conscious. When the child is zero to three years of age, he absorbs everything unconsciously and these information absorbed are stored as impressions in his mind. The impressions made by the unconscious mind prepares the childs mind which later will be used by his conscious mind. After 3 years of age the childs mind starts absorbing experiences consciously. In this stage, the child will have memory and has developed a will too. Montessori also believed that environment can help or hinder the childs development. So the environment must be a nourishing place for the childs needs for self-construction. She felt that the environment must be prepared carefully by a knowledgeable and sensitive adult and the adult must be a participant in the living and growing of the child within the prepared environment. An important aspect to be taken care of with regard to Montessori environment is freedom. It is because of 2 reasons. First, it is only in an atmosphere of freedom that the child can reveal himself. Secondly if the child possesses within himself the pattern for his own development the inner guide must be allowed to direct the childs growth. However, the childs freedom is limited in the respect that he is not permitted to interfere on the rights of others and is careful of the materials, environment and himself. Apart from freedom the other basic elements in a Montessori prepared environment are structure and order, respect for others, reality and nature, beauty and atmosphere, the Montessori material and development of community life. The teacher is the link that puts the child in touch with the environment. She prepares the environment and the child uses the environment to construct himself. The teacher has a role in helping the development of predetermined psychic pattern of the child. The teacher observes the child carefully during his activities in the Montessori environment and prepares activities for him according to the childs level of development. According to Montessori the two aspects of the psyche namely the mind and the body(the mental energy and physical energy) should work in unison. Otherwise child will be deviated. A deviation is a warp in the character that will occur in the child during the formative period, (birth-six years) because of obstacles or repressions to his natural development. This we can understand more if we consider the previously explained sensitive periods of the child. We can understand that the child self constructs himself with the aid of his sensitive periods and nourishing environment. If these are deprived, he becomes deviated. During her work with the children at Casa Dei Bambini Montessori found that some mental integration happens within the child when he works with the materials. She referred to this as normalization. In a Montessori classroom children are given nourishing environment and the teacher is careful about the different stages of development of the child and aid him with his internal necessities. Thus the child is able to work according to his will (as his inner guide directs him). So his mental and physical energy work in unison ans the child becomes normalised. Thus a Montessori classroom becomes a gathering of normalised children. In such a group they are naturally full of love, sympathy, and feel for each other. They show respect for the rights of others, they help each other, they support each other morally and there will be a total harmony in the classroom. Montessori termed this as a society of cohesion. As per the analysis of the Montessori philosophy, we understand that the Montessori classroom works based on these principles and that a society of cohesion exists in such a classroom.

The Development of Motivation Theory in Business Essay - 1

The Development of Motivation Theory in Business - Essay Example This paper illustrates that Maslow’s theory asserts that people are motivated by the quest to satisfy their needs or deficiencies. Maslow grouped needs into five categories with the needs occurring in a specific hierarchy where the lower needs had to be satisfied before advancing to those of higher order. Physiological needs are basic survival needs like food while safety needs are personal security needs such as the need for a steady job. Social needs are social acceptance and support needs while egoistical needs are desired by an individual to be valued by others. Self-actualization is the aspiration of an individual to acquire the finest out of his/her abilities. From the hierarchical system, Maslow deduced that those needs which had already been satisfied no longer provided motivation for action. Due to lack of empirical support for Maslow’s theory, Alderfer postulated the Alderfer’s Existence-Relatedness-Growth (ERG) theory, which condensed Maslow’s n eeds to three. These three needs were existence or physical survival needs, relatedness or social needs and growth or need for personal growth and development. Alderfer, however, did not insist on a hierarchical system rather he claimed that the needs ought to be experienced simultaneously. Alderfer’s theory got more appeal from practitioners and had greater empirical support. Though the needs theory has limited empirical support, some of its assertions like the self-actualization principle have gained currency among managers and executives who perceive this high-level need as a potent motivator. Herzberg claimed that motivation emanates from the job itself and not from other external characteristics. He explained that those factors leading to job satisfaction or motivators are distinct from those that cause job dissatisfaction; that is, hygiene or maintenance factors. The hygiene factors are factors surrounding the task which do not lead to satisfaction but prevent dissatisf action if well maintained. Examples of such factors are job status and remuneration.

History and philosophy of International Baccalaureate programme Essay

History and philosophy of International Baccalaureate programme - Essay Example The research also finds that there is need for further research regarding the efficacy and efficiency of the IBP versus those of ordinary educational programs. In the meritocratic world of today, where the quality of education is greatly valued, it seems important to evaluate the different systems of education in order to assure that the future generation gets the best education possible. With the effects of globalization on today’s world, whereby mobility is an essential factor in the work arena, finding an education system that can be validated internationally is of great importance. Many of the novel problems in the globalized world have been solved through the evolution of International Baccalaureate Program. The International Baccalaureate Program evolved to allow for the children of mobile parents worldwide to receive a good education. It was intended to enable students to qualify for universities of their choice and study in international schools. So, what started as a solution to a global problem was embraced worldwide because of the academic rigor and international education imparted thereby (Walker, 2004, p. 7). The International School of Geneva was founded in 1924 to meet the needs of the employees of the, now defunct, League of Nations. The school was the oldest international school in Geneva to survive the Second World War. Its inception was, indeed, a first step towards world harmony and, thus, peace. Its staff came from different countries; the school had to accommodate a diverse range of culture and also prepare the children for university education in their own countries (Peterson, 2005). Although, in the beginning, the idea ignited some of the post war idealists, due to low mobility it did not grow as it did after the Second World War. In 1951, the International Schools Association (ISA) was set up to help the growing number of international schools. One of the problems encountered by schools throughout the world was to

Vision Paper Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Vision Paper - Case Study Example Finally, the strategy statement establishes precisely how the organization will achieve its vision statement by leveraging its competitive advantage. Ultimately, these perspectives form a cornerstone element of an organization’s strategic plan. Statements a. The specific organization under consideration is L-3 Communications. This organization is a defense contractor. The organization designs products and services for the United States and this country’s allies and strategic partners. Specifically the organization designs Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, as well as aircraft modernization and maintenance (â€Å"L-3 communications,† 2012). The company was founded in 1997 and is named L-3 for Frank Lanza, Robert LaPenta, and Lehman Brothers (â€Å"L-3 communications,† 2012). It was originally a subsidiary of Lockheed Corporation who decided they did not want to own the unit (â€Å"L-3 communications,† 2012). Since the organization’s 1997 beginnings it has progressively expanded through a number of prominent acquisitions (â€Å"L-3 communications,† 2012). b. Vision Statement L-3 Communications seeks to further establish its market position to benefit stakeholders by implementing state of the art research, organizational efficiency, and unparalleled commitment to excellence. Mission Statement Our organization aspires to develop cutting edge of defense innovation and efficient maintenance to effectively contribute to the United States mission at home and abroad. Strategy Statement We seek to gain further market share by building on already business partnerships with the United States government and their allies. This relationships will be advanced and strengthened through ensuring that L-3 Communications maintains an unrivaled commitment to excellence at the forefront of defense innovation. Statement Validation a. The vision, mission, and strategy statements are essential el ements of an organization’s strategic planning. The mission statement as a structural determinant of the organization’s purpose to ensure that its employees, leaders and customers recognize this framework. Still, it’s noted that this statement’s prime purpose is for â€Å"the leadership team and stockholders,† as it gives insight into the firm’s purpose and directs decision making in times of crisis ("Mission statements and," 2011). While the mission statement establishes bottom line measures, the vision statement establishes an approach to organizational planning that is more focused on values and purpose. As such, one recognizes that this statement is more applicable to employees, as it helps guide their conduct and contributes to the effectiveness, or ineffectiveness, of the organizational culture. In addition, the vision statement serves as a degree of advertisement and public relations, as the values and goals established therein work t o inform potential clients of the form of meaning and cultural elements driving the organization in question. Indeed, it has been noted that this statement â€Å"is a stable foundation on which to base planning-both for the long- and short-term† ("Building a team," 2011). Finally, the strategy statement functions to establish the means by which the organization will put into practice the values and intentions articulated in the mission and vision statements. b. The vision, mission, and strategy statements can drive change in the organization through a variety of means. One of the most prominent is that

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Acquisitions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Acquisitions - Essay Example Multiple acquisition can be simply defined as the act of acquiring and subsequently integrating several businesses over a period of time. The primary argument for this type of acquisition is that this method will help investors to â€Å"build a strong market position in a traditionally fragmented market†. In addition to building a strong nationwide market position, this strategy may also assist foreign investors to develop a portfolio of local brands. Referring to Meyer & Tran, it is the most aggressive market entry strategy. Multiple acquisition policy would provide investors with increased flexibility as this method assists them to exercise greater control over local market. One of the notable demerits of the multiple acquisition is that a higher initial investment is required under this type of acquisition strategy. In addition, integration of a number of independent businesses may raise operational difficulties because this process involves organizational change. Possibly, this acquisition strategy would end up in a huge loss unless the top management exhibits higher levels of skill and efficiency. The indirect acquisition is the process of acquiring an organization that locates outside the focal country with a subsidiary unit in the same emerging country. According to Meyer & Tran (2006), indirect acquisition strategy would assist investors to easily and quickly achieve market share, particularly if the acquired firm possesses strong globally and locally recognized brands.

Cloud Computing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cloud Computing - Research Paper Example The only requirements for a person to access the applications include a computer system and an internet connection. â€Å"As long as a computer has Internet access it will be able to use the application† (Cheow 2010). Categories of Cloud Computing Cloud computing falls into three major categories, which include utility computing, web services, and Software-as-a-Service. SaaS SaaS is the simplest way of computing because it is a single application. Cheow (2010) states, â€Å"Because there is only one application it is very easy for the company to maintain†. SaaS model helps companies save their expenses on buying hardware and software. This model also removes the maintenance costs of the computer systems and applications. â€Å"This type of cloud computing delivers a single application through the browser to thousands of customers using a multitenant architecture† (Knorr & Gruman, n.d.). Utility Computing If we talk about utility computing, we can say that it is, at present, a supplemental kind of computing because it is used for the fulfillment of such needs that are not very critical in nature. â€Å"Early enterprise adopters mainly use utility computing for supplemental, non-mission-critical needs, but one day, they may replace parts of the datacenter† (Knorr & Gruman, n.d.). Web Services The third type of cloud computing .i.e. ... Importance of Cloud Computing Unlike traditional business applications, cloud computing eliminates the issues of hardware and software failure for its users. In traditional settings, companies need to install, configure, test, and run every application on their own. However, with cloud computing, companies run their business processes in the form of clouds where they do not need to worry about any technical failure or information misuse. Using cloud-computing system, an industry can experience a considerable amount of workload shift because many of the tasks are performed online. Strickland (n.d.) states, â€Å"Local computers no longer have to do all the heavy lifting when it comes to running applications†. Disadvantages of Cloud Computing Along with a number of advantages of cloud computing, there also exist negative aspects of using cloud-computing services. Two of the drawbacks of cloud computing include security and privacy concerns and loss of control due to increased de pendency. Security is the biggest concern because users of cloud computing services usually do not feel safe while sending their private data to the cloud service providers. Moreover, increased dependency on cloud service providers is also a negative aspect of cloud computing. Companies Providing Cloud-Computing Services In traditional settings, companies need to design, configure, implement, and maintain the business applications. They need to hire experts who can perform the role of application development but with cloud computing, companies run their business processes in the form of clouds where they do not need to worry about any technical failure related to hardware and software. There exist some cloud-computing services providers, which provide management services, such

Kudler Fine Foods Service Essay Example for Free

Kudler Fine Foods Service Essay Service Request The manager of Kudler Fine Foods, Kathy Kudler, has requested the development of a system to track customer purchases through a Frequent Shopper Program to award loyalty points for redemption. (Apollo, 2011) Key Stakeholders The key stakeholders are the individuals that are directly involved with Kudler Fine Foods and will have a direct effect on the overall project. These individuals will be the main source of information in the analysis, design, implementation and testing phase of the systems upgrade. Kathy KudlerProject Manager The Frequent Shopper Program for Kudler is specific in addressing current and future customers by rewarding them for shopping with the company. Both business and technical functions will be addressed as well as improved communication between the sales and marketing and purchasing departments. The goal is to provide better response to customer demands while rewarding the customer and accomplishing this in an efficiently fast manner. A marketing plan must be developed to inform current and potential customers of the program and encourage them to participate and take advantage of the benefits offered by the program. In utilizing an outside source for the program, Kudler will be able to provide a good relationship between the IT resources of the outside source and the internal sales and inventory  systems. There is also a need to modify the two different databases and the GUI in order to allow for smooth data transfer and communication. Kudler’s specific goals are to improve customer satisfaction in order to increase brand loyalty, cut costs by increasing supply efficiency, and increase sales which will result in higher revenue and profits for the company. In order to ensure success of this project, certain aspects will be monitored throughout the duration. This will allow Kudler to view what aspects are successful and what aspects are not. The main aspects that will be monitored are: new customer enrollment into the program, tracking of purchases from current and repeat customers, tracking of customer reward points, duration of participation from customers in the program, and total customer redeemed points, and difference in cost of redeemed items versus wholesale/supplier costs. Supporting Measures and Project Feasibility In order for Kudler Fine Foods to continue growth and experience profitability, the design and implementation of a Frequent Shopper Program must be accomplished. The program will need to utilize the best available hardware and software to accomplish their goals and to promote growth as well. The chosen system will need to address both short and long term needs and problems that could arise. This is done through a development phase that will combine all aspects and products that Kudler wishes to incorporate into the program. This phase must address the current budget allocated by Kudler for the implementation of the program while incorporating all needed requirements. Current Business Process Summary Proposed System Requirements The proposed new system must be capable of meeting the requirements set forth by the key stakeholders within the company. This list of requirements will be presented, discussed, and then edited based on what is needed, what is within budget constraints, and what is decided on by the stakeholders. This list of functional requirements proposed to Kudler is below. Functional Requirements System is capable of new customer enrollment System is able to track purchases for all customers System is able to track and store rewards points for individual customers System allows for rewards points to be redeemed System allows for viewing of customer rewards points on POS terminals System allows input changes from POS terminals System will sync with company website for tracking of rewards points System allows for data from each location to be stored and accessed in a central location System must be compatible with current system in place for easy transition. Determine Requirements The determination of the requirements for this system is a key part in the development of the Frequent Shopper Program (FSP). There are many methods that can be used to properly determine the requirements needed for an efficient system. These can range from simple observation of current processes and interviews with employees and management, to Joint Application Design (JAD) procedures. The commonly used methods of observation, interviews, etc., can help analysts pinpoint exact requirements based on user input and business processes. According to Charvat (2003), â€Å"One of the biggest benefits of a proper user requirements specification is that youll be able to plan and estimate your project correctly, decreasing the chance of cost and time overruns.† The analyst must listen to the employees and gain a thorough understanding of all business processes before establishing the new system requirements. The Joint Application Development (JAD) is a newer and more organized means of gathering information to base requirements on. This process is conducted by holding sessions in which key stakeholders and other key members of management are present and work together in the outline of the possible requirements. This allows for input from all levels within the organization and can yield better results than other commonly used methods. While this process can be lengthy, it keeps all key members involved up to date on the status of progress during the development phase and analysis. List of Confirmed Requirements System is capable of new customer enrollment Mandatory System is able to track purchases for all customers Mandatory System is able to track and store rewards points for individual customers Mandatory System allows for rewards points to be redeemed Mandatory System allows for viewing of customer rewards points on POS terminals Mandatory System allows input changes from POS terminals Mandatory System will sync with company website for tracking of rewards points Mandatory System allows for data from each location to be stored and accessed in a central location Mandatory System must be compatible with current system in place for easy transition Optional Proposed System Process View Functional Allocation Modeling This aspect is very important in ensuring all software and hardware utilized for the new system is up to date and current as of the time of this service request. Since technology advancements are made almost every day, it is important to stay on the cutting edge. This is why the use of computer systems with an Intel core i7 processor is being chosen. The hardware that will be used wil1l be purchase directly from Dell. This will give Kudler piece of mind with all hardware and full technical support with the warranty provided from Dell. The systems chosen will have 8GB of RAM (memory) and will include 22† LCD monitors, core i7 processors with 4.5GHz speed, and come preloaded with Windows 7.. Each system will also be equipped with 10/100 ethernet capabilities to meet the standards of the current network in place at Kudler. The current server in place at Kudler will be replaced by Unix servers by SPARC Enterprise Software SAP system for retail environments. The POS terminals will be replaced by NCR RealPOS 82XRT terminals which offer scanners, cash drawers, touch screen displays, and built in printing capabilities. VOIP phone systems and HP M521dn and HP 8015 printers will replace the outdated ones currently in use. Logical Model of System Preliminary Design Model Design Trade-off In order for Kudler Fine Foods to have a successful program, an examination of product roll out methodology must be performed. There will need to be a specific balance in regards to the mixture of cost, schedule and performance. It is understood that a program cannot incorporate all three aspects at once which then leads to deciding what the appropriate trade-offs shall be within the requirements. The following depict possible scenarios of combining two aspects but foregoing a third possible requirement. Cost and Schedule By having a program that is inexpensive and keeps to the specified timelines the company will end up with one that is affordable and able to start up right away. If the schedule is large for integration of the system with the current system then the time to capitalize on the customers data would take time. The downside is that cheap is not always best and can result in a low performance record that is fraught with hardware and software failures. If the program cannot function properly there is a decent chance that it will fail outright due to customers not wanting to take part in it. Schedule and Performance Creating a program that is scheduled to finish on time and functions to specified standards will allow Kudler customers to enjoy the program’s rewards with little to no problems. In this instance the design trade-off is cost. The cost of the new proposed system would be quite moderate to high. The cost to get the correct and reliable information at every instance of time is the biggest challenge over the cost incurred in the infrastructure. Not keeping up with costs for the creation though will result in a project that has a finishing cost much higher than was originally budgeted for. The result can pull funding from other much needed programs or can cause the program to change such as the customer receiving rewards that are of a lower  quality than originally promised. Cost and Performance If the project team is able to create the program at manageable costs while maintaining a high quality performance status the customers will be able to enjoy the benefits of the rewards while allowing the company to stay within appropriate budget levels. All the previous customers ‘ data would be inputted and further processed , which would take time The implementation of the new system would reduce costs of data transfer and catering the customers in a suitable manner. The performance of the system would improve with enhanced ability to track information about customers , their preference pattern and any change in their behavior In addition to all the above , the company can reduce the extra cost of hoarding of goods and can only customers preferences. The possible tradeoff is that the program may not be finished as scheduled. This can result in a backlog for future projects. In addition, if the project takes an exceedingly longer amount of time than originally thought, it may become scrapped so a new plan can come in its place. Detailed Design Process The prototype will drive the design of the forms and reports. The forms need to document predefined data in a clear and concise manner. Forms are typically based on one database record and have a stylized form. Reports are business documents that contain predefined data and data from many unrelated transactions or records used for reading or reviewing information. The forms and reports need to be end user friendly and clear to understand. They should not have simple rows or columns. The forms and reports can be designed using online graphical tools. This will help standardize them with other organizations. The forms and reports should have a transparent human computer interface. In designing a form or report there are some fundamental questions that need to be addressed: who will be the form/report user, the purpose, when will they be needed, who should have access to them, and who does it need to be delivered to? Answering these questions will allow the programmer to produce an effective form/report. The hardware and networks used should be consistent with what is already in use throughout the organization. Kudler Fine Foods uses UNIX operating system, HP blade server system and SAP as their software. The UNIX server needs to be upgraded to UNIX SPARC Enterprise software. The organization should upgrade their current version of SAP Retail SW to SAP for Retail. The HP Blade server should be upgraded to a Dell PowerEdge M620 blade server. The HP blade server is obsolete and this may create problems if future support or maintenance is needed. The CM2320nf printer is obsolete and should be upgraded with the HP M521dn printer. The HP 3015 printers, VOIP phones, APC Smart UPS, POS terminals, 22† screens, and the NAS 10 TB storage server should all remain. If the organization is going to upgrade their software they should upgrade their hardware as indicated. This will allow the organization the ability to use state of the art hardware with state of the art software and get the most out of the system. They will be able to utilize the most current technological features currently available and extend the life of their infrastructure. Human Computer Interface The human computer interface should be designed with Microsoft Visual Basic. Net. Microsoft is a universal program that employees are familiar with. Using Microsoft will allow end users to feel comfortable with the software because the commands for Microsoft can be applied. Training is easier for employees using Microsoft because so many of them are familiar with it. Microsoft reports can also be imported and exported to other mediums making it possible for end users to review the information in detail. They currently use Microsoft Windows 7. Using the most current version of software will extend the life of the system. Using outdated software will hinder the use of the most current applications and can make the program prematurely outdated. The organization should continue using Dell computers but they need to upgrade them to Dell XPS 8700 with an i7 processor, and 4.0 GHz. CD drives are no longer necessary, most information is transferred or stored via a memory stick. Physical System Model What are information architecture diagrams? â€Å"A diagram architecture is not necessary an architecture produced through diagrams. Instead, diagram architecture is an architecture that behaves like a diagram, indifferent to  the specific means of its realization. (Par. 13) When it comes to these diagrams you are taking the knowledge of the architecture and molding it into a visual and understandable aid laid out in sequence like patterns that show direction. And when these diagrams are designed of information architecture the process usually ends up back where it started making a loop back to the requirements. Producing this process of creating an information architecture diagrams can be a bit confusing and people end up getting information confused rather easy. Until a man named Philippe Kruchten came up with a brilliant way to look at the diagram. He introduced the concept of viewing the diagram through the eyes of the stakeholders. This process became known as the 4+1 information view model. The 4 is for the several views in which he describes as the Physical view, Logical view, development view and the process view. And the +1 is added to describe the scenarios. Modeling the architecture of a software system can be presented in two areas known as the High level design and design patterns. High level is the use of the core components who work together for the one mission of fulfilling the requirements. And depending on if the system is large enough it is possible that each component will sustain its own high level setup that will provide descriptions of its smaller parts. Design patterns are used here and there in the particular designs of each of the components. A pattern is a waypoint that will direct you to the end solution of the program in which it is accommodating. If the same pattern is used through the design of separate programs it will act as a money saver as it saves in the purchase of new software and saves time in the design process. Testing Process Summary This phase will be somewhat similar to the installation and implementation phase in some ways. The overall functionality of every aspect within the system must be tested to ensure it meets the requirements of the original project plan. All new software and hardware must go through thorough examination and a system of checks to accomplish this. This phase must be continued throughout the life cycle of the system to continuously check for errors and bugs to keep the system performing at optimum capacity. To properly complete this phase there are guidelines to follow for testing that will cover all aspects of the system. Hardware and Software Installation Process/Training Plan In order to accomplish the implementation of the Frequent Shopper Program Successfully Kudler will need to implement the POS Server database flawlessly into the system in order to avoid data loss or corruption of data. The online Cash Registers and the in-store cash registers will be communicating to the same database and a seamless integration of these three components is crucial during the early implementation phase of the installation. The challenge during this phase of the installation is the software that will be used to bring these three components together. Continuous testing of the POS, The CMS, and the store website are needed to ensure that any bugs in the system are pointed out early. Once this is complete the Kudler will be able to focus on the smaller aspects of the program such as ensuring that all merchandise are coded correctly and the scanners are properly transmitting the data. The timeline for the implementation of this project is 2-3 months. The company should take measures during the implementation and installation regarding marketing to  maintain the competitive edge and afford customers needed time to adjust to the idea of this new system. Time will be needed to train staff on the proper procedures for issuing and Frequent Shopper Cards, and the support teams will need training on how to troubleshoot system errors. The cashiers will need training on methods of marketing the programs and procedures for how to use, issue, and reissue cards to customers enrolling or already enrolled in the program. One of the keys to success of the program is ensuring the cashiers have a clear understanding of how to market the program. Failure to ensure marketing or the cards is upheld and train employees on how to properly process cards will be counterproductive to the program and could lower customer value. Installation Process Installation is the organizational process of change over from the current information system to the new one. â€Å"Managing the change to a new system—whether or not it is computerized — is one of the most difficult tasks in any organization† (George, Hoffer, Valacich, 2012). After system construction, final acceptance tests performed during systems installation and evaluation ensures the development team has completed all tasks for the project. After determination that system operations are fully functional, the system is ready for installation. During the installation process, the old system becomes disabled and subsequently, the new system activated. The project manager and developers assemble the resources required for installation as the work begins. Resources required for installation of the system includes development team members and their various programming tools, including software. Project constraints in this instance have a comparatively narrow degree because of the streamlined and limited changes. The installation team begins by changing the modems over to broadband, and activating broadband connections at each store. At this stage, the installed applications including updates to the Point of Sale system software, the database management system, credit card interface software, and printer applications undergo testing for appropriate functionality. The entire system is then tested, and confirmed successful for use (George, Hoffer, Valacich, 2012). The installation of the Kudler Fine Foods Frequent Shopper Program and related plans for training will correspond with the timeline illustrated. Training Plan The training and installation timeline provides a sufficient and organized schedule for installation and system testing, also providing an expedient finish to the system implementation processes. The project team develops training materials and documentation for training classes. The next step in the implementation phase is training system users, managers, and IT staff. Diagram 1: Installation and Training Timeline User training and training documentation should include an overview of system features, capabilities and limitations, data entry and menu screen options, contents, and processing instructions, and procedures for requesting changes and reporting problems. Other important inclusions are troubleshooting examples and error situations including resolutions, and a section on frequently asked questions (Cashman, Rosenblatt, Shelly, 2013). As illustrated, Frequent Shopper Program System Training, the specific details for training specific groups vary according to employee function and extent. Documentation Plan Summary Documentation needs to be accurate and will also be a determining factor on the software’s success or failure. Documentation needs to include how to work the system, navigate it, its potential, how to use the data, and reporting methods. This should be done early on so the end user has reference materials. The documentation process should begin when developing the system. This will provide supporting material for developers and help develop future training materials. If the end user does not understand how to use the system or recall information for reporting purposes, the software is not serving its purpose. Most systems in place today are for information gathering and storage. If the end user can’t access the collected information, then the software will be rendered useless. The system will need to be maintained so a maintenance manual should be available to guide developers on how to make fixes and update the system. An operational manual should be available for the subject material expert, designers and users. This manual will help when they have questions on a process or how to get a certain part of the program to produce or collect  the proper data. A technical manual will be necessary so the technical writers can refer to the system structure when they have questions. The technical manual should include drawings, flowcharts, and the database structure. The system should have a training manual that has step by step instructions that a user can follow. It should also have a list of any codes, available reports, system outputs, a troubleshooting guide, work a rounds, and be current on updates. The Training manual or user manual will help the user by providing a guide for future reference and for training. The training manual will help decrease questions and improve efficiency. The more information that is available for the user the more proficient they will be at using it. Training end users is very important. This could mean the difference between an efficient and easy flowing system or a cumbersome, difficult to use nightmare. Visuals should be used to make training easier and provide future training material references. If there are inquiries that are not frequently performed, the end user might not recall how to initiate the inquiries and having a visual to refer to, might help the end user be more efficient when conducting these inquires. Support Maintenance Plan It’s not enough to just implement a system and fully integrate it into the new business system. There must be a support system that covers common mistakes and helps people locate answers to their technical questions. And along with the system support there also must be some type of maintenance schedule that keeps the system healthy, like frequent updates to keep the system up to date and as free from bugs as possible. Software Support In order for a system to operate at full potential the software must remain up to date with all of the bug fixes and security issues that comes with having software. Having your software up to date could very well be the lifeline of your company. If your software fails, then the work production conducted on that system will also fail. Hardware Support Just as important as software support is hardware support. Hardware consists of several critical and physical components of an IT system. These components include but are not limited to; servers, systems used to store data, personal computers (PC) and the networks that tie them all together. When it comes to business communication is the key, and this doesn’t exclude the communication of the IT systems. Network Support Like previously mentioned, networks are the communication for IT systems. Keeping your network up and running can be a little difficult to deal with. When a network goes down then every piece of hardware on that network has no communication. Unfortunately network issues usually get dealt with as soon as they happen. What is recommended is to have a preventative maintenance schedule in increments of monthly, bimonthly, semiannually, annually or biannually to periodically check the condition of the network before it fails resulting in a downed network. When software is merged over into a company system there are user manuals and lists of known and unknown bugs for the system. Each member should have been briefed on the new software and also provided the information included in the user manuals and the known and unknown bug reports. For the hardware and network, preventative maintenance is the best way to avoid a downed asset. And a well maintained support system with frequent updates will ensure your software stays up to  date with the latest security and bugs fixes. Conclusion This thorough analysis and all aspects carefully and fully examined, the proposed project will not only meet, but exceed the request of Kudler Fine Foods for implementing a rewards program. The use of cutting edge technology in both hardware and software aspects will ensure a smooth running system for years to come. The incorporation of the rewards program and the system upgrades should not only increase profitability, but brand loyalty from customers as well. The system meets all required needs of Kudler Fine Foods to include time scheduling, budget, and both short and long term goals. References Apollo Group Inc. (2011). Kudler Fine Foods. Service Request SR-kf-013. Retrieved from: https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/CIST/VOP/ServiceRequests/index.asp#Kudler Fine Foods Cashman, G. B., Rosenblatt, H. J., Shelly, G. B. (2013). Systems Analysis and Design (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Thomson Course Technology. Charvat, Jason. (June 30, 2013). Determine User Requirements Now to Avoid Problems Later. TechRepublic. Retreived from: http://www.techrepublic.com/article/determine-user-requirements-now-to-avoid-problems-later/ Dennis, A., Wixom, B. H., Roth, R. M. (2012). Systems analysis design (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons. Federal Bureau of Investigation (2013). The Insider Threat: An introduction to detecting and deterring an insider spy. Retrieved from: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/counterintelligence/the-insider-threat George, J. F., Hoffer, J. A., Valacich, J. S. (2012). Essentials of Systems Analysis and Design. Retrieved from: http://www.bau.edu.jo/in st/hamza/SAbook.pdf Riordan Manufacturing Intranet Website (2014). Retrieved from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/cist/vop/Business/Riordan/ (2010, 05). Diagram Architecture. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 05, 2010, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Diagram-Architecture-63657523.html

Apologia Marine Essay Example for Free

Apologia Marine Essay 1. Definitions a. Metabolism- The process by whichc a living organism takes energy from its surroundings and uses it to sustain itself, develop and grow. b. Photosynthesis-the process by which an organism uses the energy from the sun to produce its own food c. Autotrophs- organisms that are able to produce their own food d. Heterotrophs- organisms that cannot make their own food and must obtain it from other organisms e. respiration the process by which food is converted into usable energy for life functions f. homeostasis the tendency of living organisms to control or regulate changes in their internal environment g. diffusion the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration h. osmosis the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane i. osmoconformer and organisms that allows its internal concentration of salts to change in order to match the external concentration of salts in the surrounding water j. Osmo regulator an organism that regulates its internal concentration of salts k. Poikilotherm- an organism whose body temperature changes with its surrounding environment l. ectotherm an organism whose body temperature is controlled by its surrounding environment m. homeotherm- an animal that maintains a controlled internal body temperature using its own heating and cooling of mechanisms n. Endotherm- an animal whose internal body temperature is a result of internal sources of heat o. a sexual reproduction reproduction accomplished by a single organism p. sexual reproduction reproduction that involves the union of gametes from two organisms: a male and a female q. binomial nomenclature identifying an organism by a genus and species name 2. carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids 3. oxygen levels would be lower at night than during the day 4. no, they must feed on extra material made by photos synthesizing plants 5. no, both groups containing organisms like that 6. population 7. water will travel through osmosis to the outside 8. the body fluids would change. There would be more concentration of  dissolved substances in the body 9. no. They could have warm blood if their environment is warm 10. yes 11. no 12. the plant from the cutting 13. the cell with 24 chromosomes 14. the cell with 12 chromosomes 15. yes

FDI in International Politics

FDI in International Politics Literature Review FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) is one of the important areas in the study of International Political Economy (IPE) today. The emergence of MNCs (Multinational Corporation) in the beginning of 1960s has led to the growing research about the impacts of MNCs on nation-state. As MNCs become not only significant in numbers but also gain significant power over time, many scholars started to assess to what extent MNCs contribute to the national welfare and to what extent they undermine the national interest. Before going in-depth into the analysis of the existing research, I will firstly examine the definitions of FDI and MNC. Scholar Stephen Cohen described FDI and MNC as two inextricably intertwined concept but not perfect synonyms. In other words, they are both referring to the same phenomenon of international business operations, yet present different facets of the phenomenon. The definition of FDI in the paper will follow the widely accepted definition according to OECD, which is an i nternational venture made by an investor in an economy to acquire a lasting interest in an enterprise residing in another economy[1]. Lasting interest in this framework indicates that the investor holds a significant degree of long-term influence in the management of the direct investment enterprise, which normally holds 10 percent of voting stock. On the other hand, the paper refers MNC as a business enterprise that engages in FDI and upholds value-added holdings in more than one country[2]. In the following section I will be reviewing the existing literature that are related to my research question of whether Australia should relax its investment regime. I will be dividing the existing literature into two camps, conservative camp and liberal camp. Specifically, conservative camp argues that the potential level of threat to national interest is greater than the benefits of the increased investment, which indicating a strict or tighten investment regime is more suitable for the country. Liberal camp advocates that the benefits of the increased investment is greater than the level of threat to the nation-state, which implying a loosen investment regime is more preferred for the country. Conservative camp is usually dominated by scholars in the field of political science. With the rising market power and the growing importance of multinationals in the global economy, more and more scholars and politicians have viewed the increasing danger of FDI have on the nation-state. Some scholars even assert that FDI is already transforming the nature of international economic and political affairs in manners that diminish the nation-state and integrate national economies. A famous scholar of international political economy, Susan Strange expresses that the state sovereignty is under attack, by stating that cross-border commercial activities has become more powerful than the states to whom ultimate political authority over society and economy is supposed to belong. Where states were once the masters of markets, now it is the markets which, on many crucial issues, are the master over the governments of states[3]. Strange attributes the cause of the diminishing state power to the structural changes in the world economy, specifically the technological and financial changes as well as the accelerated integration of national economies into a single global marketplace, which the overall changes have shifted in favour of multinational. That being said, Strange is still considered not as radical compared to other conservatives, as she still views MNCs as a parallel authority. Unlike Susan Strange, Scholar Robert Walters is a more radical conservative. He illustrates that there are two views of MNCs[4]. First view is where MNC is an independent actors operating in the interstices of state-to-state relations, and it challenges the sovereignty of all states. He further asserts that good regulation governing these MNCs could benefit the global economy. The second view is where MNC is viewed as instrument serving the home countrys foreign policy, which can in turn allowing the home country to penetrate and secure effective economic and political dominance over the world such as the United States. However, at the end of the day, he still stresses that no matter what view the MNCs takes, they both have a tendency to threaten the capacity of states to pursue effective their national economic and political goals through such standard devices as fiscal policy, monetary policy, investment controls, and so forth. Somewhat similar to the two views of MNCs introduced by Robert Walters, Joseph Nye demonstrates three ways of how MNCs influence the world politics. The first is the direct role of MNCs, in which the MNCs are affecting the governments and the politics of other countries by dealing with them directly. The second way is the unintended direct role of MNCs, where MNCs are used by the home government as an instrument in the host countries. The third is the indirect roles of MNCs in setting the agenda for their home government. With the growing influence of MNCs have on world politics, Joseph Nye views that even though States will not cease to exist, transnational production unites will over a large part of their role in proving for the citizens welfare and will even claim a proportionate share of their loyalties[5]. Given that Australian investment regime prevents any foreign governments that have a free hand to pursue political agendas in Australia, some scholars question the pure commercial motives of Chinese ODI and refer these investments as instruments utilised by the Beijing government to serve its political goal. Scholar Mark Wang points out that Chinas investment overseas has been one element of a broader process of restructuring and political activities in which the government plays an important role.[6] Similarly, Tomasic and Xiong [7]who examines the Chinese SOE in Australia claim that SOEs have served as national champions working for the advancement of Chinas national interests. For that reason, they claim that Chinese SOEs should not be treated in the same way as privately controlled foreign companies. They further conclude that the Australian regulation governing Chinese SOE in Australia is seen as reasonable and not dismissed as populist. There are several issues worth nothing existing in the literature of this camp. Most radical conservative scholarly articles are written a long time ago, given the political uncertainty at the time particularly after the World War two, they might overestimate the power of MNCs and underestimate the role of government. Another issue of this camp is that almost none of the underlying rationale is based on hard empirical data. Finally, most of the academic debate also suffers from the tendency to view the situation as a zero-sum game. In contrast to conservative camp, liberal camp sees MNCs will not challenge the role of the government and national sovereignty. This school of thought upholds the superior role of the government. As scholar David Fieldhouse argues[8], the nation-state is still the only universally recognized way of organizing political life. In other words, he believes that the host government still has the upper hand and can set the rules of engagement. A government has the jurisdiction and is able to force a foreign firm to leave by tightening regulatory controls, raising the cost of doing business, or threatening to arrest executives. Even a weak government has the authority to physically block the entrance of a foreign subsidiary that is not welcomed. Despite that the states have lost bits and pieces of their sovereignty, this erosion of sovereignty does not signify that they have all become dysfunctional or obsolete[9]. Scholars including Bergsten note that the existence of MNCs should not be viewed as engaging in a zero-sum game of domination with governments. To the extent that MNCs serve as means for governments to exert and enhance national power, they are sovereignty affirming rather than sovereignty diminishing[10]. Scholar Gilpin also believes that nation-state remains the predominant actor in international economic affairs. He criticises the critic for being exaggerate the veils of the MNCs and their role in the world economy. Despite that some MNCs do exploit and damage the world, the MNC as an institutions is beneficial to many people worldwide. He asserts MNCs is a major source of capital and technology for economic development[11]. The common issues of these two camps: lack of looking at the motives of Chinas ODI, lack of looking at the new trend of Chinas ODI in developed countries (resource rich to real estate) Additional references Rosen and Hanemann, Chinas Changing Outbound Foreign Direct Investment Profile, pp. 20-21. Pamlin and Long, Re-think Chinas Outward Investment Flows, pp. 25-26; and Schà ¼ler-Zhou and Schà ¼ller, The Internationalization of Chinese Companies. Wu, The Globalization of Corporate China, p. 19; Pamlin and Baijin, Re-think Chinas Outward Investment Flows, pp. 19-20; and Rosen and Hanemann, Chinas Changing Outbound Foreign Direct Investment Profile, p. 20. Hong and Sun, Dynamics of Internationalization and Outward Investment, p. 622; Deng, Investing for Strategic Resources and Its Rationale, pp. 74-75; and Yip, Foreign Acquisitions by Chinese Firms, p. 216. Hong and Sun, Dynamics of Internationalization and Outward Investment, p. 623. [1] OECD. (2008). OECD Benchmark Definition of Foreign Direct Investment. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/daf/inv/investmentstatisticsandanalysis/40193734.pdf [2] Shah, F. A. (2012). A Critical Review of Multinational Companies, Their Structures and Strategies and Their Link with International Human Resource Management. IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 3(5), 28-37. [3] Susan Strange, The Retreat of the State-The Diffusion of Power in the World Economy (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996), p. 4 [4] Walters, R. S. (1972). International Organizations and the Multinational Corporation: An Overview and Observations. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 403(1), 127-138. [5] Nye, J. S. (1974). Multinational Corporations in World Politics. Foreign Affairs, 53(1), 153. [6] Wang, M. Y. (2002). The Motivations behind Chinas Government-Initiated Industrial Investments Overseas. Pacific Affairs, 75(2), 187. [7] Xiong, Ping and Tomasic, Roman, Chinese State-Owned Enterprises in Australia Legal and Investment Challenges (2015). Australian Journal of Corporate Law, Vol. 30, 2015. [8] David Fieldhouse, A New Imperial System? The Role of the Multinational Corporations Reconsidered, in Jeffry [sic] A. Frieden and David A. Lake, eds., International Political Economy (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2000), p. 178. [9] Arie Kacowicz, Regionalization, Globalization, and Nationalism, Kellogg Institute for International Studies, Working Paper Series no. 262, December 1998, pp. 39-40, available online at http://www.nd.edu/~kellogg/WPS/262.pdf; accessed June 2005. [10] C. Fred Bergsten, Thomas Horst, and Theodore Moran, American Multinationals and American Interests (Washington, DC: Brookings Institution, 1978), p. 333. [11] Robert Gilpin, U.S. Power and the Multinational Corporation (New York: Basic Books, 1975), pp. 139, 161.

Issues in Academic Library: Essential Skills of Information Professiona

1.0 Introduction An academic library is a library where it is to be found in an academic institution. As stated by Burke and Miller (1993), â€Å"the information world has expanded dramatically over the last decade due mainly to developments in communication. Information technology developments have resulted in new methods of communications whilst the latest telecommunications systems have altered the speed of communications. Both of these major changes have affected the way in which information is handled, stored and exchanged across the world.† Therefore, an academic library acts as a source of information where the users within the institution have the access to dig in information and look for guidance from the librarians. It is also known as the heart of the institution. An academic library would not be complete without their information professionals. According to Missingham (2006), â€Å"librarians and library technicians are at the heart of many exciting developments in information se rvice in the twenty first century.† In other words, we need their expertise and skills to manage the never ending information that we have today. Ashcroft (2004) also stated that, â€Å"in line with the rapid and ongoing materialization of new technologies, library and information science has become a profession characterised by fast-paced change, new and emerging sets of skills, and a shift in the relationship between the customer and the professional (be that relationship between library user and librarians or between librarians and information suppliers or publishers.† Generally speaking, an information professional has to possess essential skills to compete in this information abundant era. 2.0 Literature review Information professionals (IPs) must... ...1502320&show=abstract Ashcroft, L. (2004). Developing competencies, critical analysis and personal transferable skills in future information professionals. Retrieved from http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=859761&show=abstract Burke, M., & Miller, S. (1993). Responding to challenges: the training and educating of the information professional for the next millennium. Retrieved from http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1705990&show=abstract Kakabadse, A., & Korac-kakabadse, N. (2000). Leading the pack : future role of IS/IT professionals. Retrieved from http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=880388&show=abstract Missingham, R. (2006). Library and information science: Skills for twenty-first century professionals. Retrieved from http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1556742&show=abstract

Astrology :: essays research papers

Have you ever wondered what astrology is? Astrology has been around for many years, but many people don’t understand what astrology is, who used astrology, and it’s connection with the zodiac. Many people don’t know this, but the actual term astrology comes from two words, which are â€Å"astra† and â€Å"logos†. (Weblinkers.com Enterprises, p.1) When people believe in astrology, what they believe is that the planets and stars directly or indirectly influence their lives and determine what happens to them in life. (Weblinkers.com Enterprises, p.1) The stars are said to show guidance and meaning for the lives of people. (Woolfolk, p.297) Most people think that astrology is a recently thought up science, but it has actually been around for many generations. (www.astrology.net/about.html, p.1) The actual science of astrology can be dated to about six thousand or so years before the birth of Christ! (Woolfolk, p.297) The oldest astrology chart dates back to 4,200 BC (Weblinkers.com Enterprises, p.1) At this time, astrology and religion went hand in hand with each other. (Woolfolk, p.297) Most astrologers were priests. (Woolfolk, p.297) Many people looked up to these astrologers as â€Å"taught men†. (www.astrology.net/about.html) Astrology has had its ups and downs through history, but it always maintained that station of being. (www.astrologers.com/history.html# Relevant, p.1) After some aspects of religion became prevalent, astrology became known as the â€Å"work of the devil†. (Weblinker.com Enterprises, p.1) During the Renaissance, though, astrology became more liked than before. (Weblinkers.com Enterprises, p.1) Even religious leaders began to practice astrology more often. (Weblinkers.com Enterprises, p.1) People of the royal families had their own astrologers. (Weblinkers.com Enterprises, p.1) That is how worldwide astrology was. (Weblinkers.com Enterprises, p.1) Modern day astrology is meant to be a philosophy to put into detail different aspects of life instead of predicting the future. (www.astrology.net/about.html, p.2) Astrology has been the stuff that has brought people together. (www.astrology.net/about.html, p.2) It explains the power that people contain in their lives. (www.astrology.net/about.html, p.2) Of course, there are many different aspects or branches of astrology. (www.astrology.net/about.html, p.3) Some are medical, business, stock market, weather, mundane, electrical, horary, and natal. (www.astrology.net/about.html, p.3) They are practiced for health, financial, politics, marriage, business, and other things that concern people in their lives. (www.astrology.net/about.html, p.3) As a matter of fact, even Hitler used an astrologer during World War II. (Weblinkers.com Enterprises, p.1) One of the astrologers said that he should seek peace, and Hitler became mad at the astrologer and burned him and all astrology books.

Literary Realism in Editha :: William Dean Howells Papers

Literary Realism in Editha After World War I, American people and the authors among them were disillusioned by the effects that war had on their society. America required a literature that would expound what had happened and what was happening to their society. The realistic movement of the late 19th century saw authors accurately depict life and its problems. This realistic movement evolved because of many changes and transitions in American culture. In the late 1800's, the United States was experiencing swift growth and change because of a changing economy, society, and culture. The increase of immigrants into America was one of the reasons. Realists endeavored to give a comprehensive picture of modern life by presenting the entire picture. The true definition of literary realism as defined by Encyclopedia Britannica is an approach that attempts to describe life without idealization or romantic subjectivity. Although realism is not limited to any one-century or group of writers, it is most often asso ciated with the literary movement in 19th-century France, specifically with the French novelists Flaubert and Balzac. George Eliot introduced realism into England, and William Dean Howells introduced it into the United States. Realism has been chiefly concerned with the commonplaces of everyday life among the middle and lower classes, where character is a product of social factors and environment is the integral element in the dramatic complications. In relation to that, William Dean Howells, while opposing idealization, made his comic criticisms of society. He did this by comparing and contrasting American culture with those of other countries. He did not try to give one view of life but instead attempted to show the different classes, manners, and stratification of life in America. He believed that novels should present life as it is, not as it might be. Howells was a champion of realism in American literature. He has written more than one hundred books. Among them is; The Rise of Silas Lapham (1885), A Modern Instance (1882), A Boy's Town (1890) and My Year in a Log Cabin (1893). Throughout his writings, Howells attempts to make his characters real with faults and fears as are commonly found in reality. Howells utilizes literary realism in his short story Editha to communicate the reality of war and to portray the romanticism Americans had created around the concept of war.

Ongkas Big Moka Essay

His moka as the culmination of feasts ending a particularly bitter war Lessons from the Film: *Illustrates the Big Man as hero but also as persuader, not commander *Complexity of competitive feasting, rival Big Men on all sides *The guests are not transformed, they remain enemies or rivals *The huge quantities of goods given away – does it seem strange to you? *Both redistribution and balanced leading to negative reciprocity here. General Notes: *Headmen can only persuade, not order people around. If he pushes too hard, people will not go along with him. *Ongka lives in the men’s house which is communal. He has 4 wives and 9 children. Each wife has her own residence in which she lives with her children. *Cassowary – birds captured in the forest – given in Moka much like the Chinese give pandas to foreign dignitaries *Sweet potatoes are the food of humans and pigs. Food/shelter/clothes/tools come from the gardens and the forest, but to get ahead in life, one must have pigs. *Only 8-10 full grown pigs can be taken care of at a time. so, one must invest in other people’s pigs to gather together enough for a Moka. *Ongka’s great skill is his speech-making abilities. He also has $1800 Australian dollars in a Mt. Hagen Savings Bank from the sale of coffee that comes from the mountains and the Kawelka. *Dressing up for Ongka meant to put on traditional garments, Bird of Paradise feathers, Cassowary feathers, etc. *What do they need money for? False teeth; transportation services; some clothes *Before the Moka, Ongka found an extra wife just because of her capacity for work to help Rumbicore with the pigs for the final Moka. *Riema upset the date for the Moka by saying that he and his group had done sorcery on a neighboring headman that caused him to die suddenly. Some of his pigs were killed and he had to go into hiding. The Moka finally happened and included:Ongka says it is the biggest Moka ever given.

Practical Life Exercises Montessori Free Essay

DMT 104 Practical Life (Assignment One) Montessori in the Absorbent Mind writes that â€Å"the hands are instruments of man’s intelligence†. It is therefore critical that children develop the ability to control and coordinate their hand muscle so that these can come into contact with the environment in intelligent ways. Discuss the principles underlining the practical life exercises and how it fosters independence in children. Introduction A child in the first six years becomes a full member of her particular culture and family group absorbing language, attitudes, manners and values of those in which she comes in daily contact.A child develops properly if they are in an environment full of affection, love, caring and support. They feel comfortable and safe when they find a secure and lovable environment. Children learn according to their abilities. In the first six years of life they do this by imitating those around them. To support this we should provide them a physic al and social environment suitable for them. We should provide the children with the tools they can create by themselves.Children are able to explore, investigate and fulfil the natural curiosity about the world around them. The child's purposes are not to complete the task as much as to construct the self. In addition, Dr Maria Montessori developed her philosophy of education based upon actual observations of children. She said children prefer work than play, and they can only be in their natural self, when their natural self is satisfied through work. It’s also through work they acquire independence, order, the power of concentration and be normalized.Exercises of Practical Life were introduced and were recognized at the very heart of Montessori Education for it provides the opportunity for the child’s development of physical co-ordination, social skills, emotional growth as well as cognitive preparation. Practical Life Activities are the first activities the child i s introduced to within the Montessori environment. These exercises are prepared based on activities children witnesses in their day to day life. That is why children can immediately satisfy their inner needs and desires by mastering these exercises independently.Also Practical Life area allows children to do the things what adults do every day, for example cleaning, dressing or greeting people. As we know that children construct their knowledge by themselves through their life exercises. Motive of Practical Life Exercises Practical Life Curriculum area has four main direct aims; Order, Co-ordination, independence and Concentration. Dr Maria Montessori observed that children need order at a specific sensitive period in their development. I f not provided during this period the opportunity is foregone. A routine is very important as well as a place for everything and everything in its place.This offers the child for orderly self construction. Co-ordination refers to coordinating large and small muscle movements as well as eye-hand co-ordination that reflect the respective development of child’s mental life. In the practical life exercise of Montessori they learns to concentrate, to develop the fine-gross motor skills-i. e. controlling the muscle, to develop language, to develop the mathematical concepts, they will be good in care of environment, they will be good in logical steps and they are ready to complete the cycle of activity.This is will be the good basement for the children not only in the early childhood, but throughout in life. â€Å"If teaching  is to be effective with young children, it must assist them to advance on the way to independence. It must initiate them into those kinds of activities, which they can perform themselves. We must help them to learn how to walk without assistance, to run, to go up and down the stairs, to pick up fallen objects, to dress and undress, to wash themselves, to express their needs, and to attempt to satisfy their desires through their own efforts. All this is part of an education for independence. † – TheDiscovery of the Child by Maria Montessori MM, pg. 56~57 By giving the exercise of practical life in his early years of the child, he goes through a period when he wants to or likes to learn to do all the work he sees the adult doing. At first, he likes to learn the works at home. This age will pass, but if it is used, the child will know how to do everything well in the home environment. He will grow intellectually. It requires real intelligence to run a modern home. The indirect aim of Practical life exercise is to meet the child’s needs, to encourage and facilitate development, and to facilitate the child's adaptation to the world.It is very important that the child is given freedom to do these exercises at a time the child pleases; he should be allowed to try, make mistakes and correct his mistakes by himself without any help. The satisfaction of completing an activity drives the child towards independence. â€Å"Man achieves his independence by making efforts. To be able to do a thing without any help from others: this is independence. If it exists, the child can progress rapidly; if it does not, his progress will be slow† The Absorbent Mind, chapter. XIV, pg 155 The power of Concentration is one of the most calming activities for a child.This is something which is controlled by the child and it challenges his body and his mind. With concentration the child is able to focus on purposeful work. I’ve witnessed to the concentration that my 3 and half year old niece had for folding her little brothers’ nappies. The pile of nappies was two times bigger than her, I thought, she would be bored and leave, but for my amazement after 45 minutes I could see that she has folded all nappies very neatly and have kept one on top of another and was ready to be placed in the drawers. Within the Montessori classroom deep concentration can be acquired through the ‘Silence Game†.To achieve silence requires effort and the attention of the will, and maximum control of self-consciousness of every movement. Montessori thought of the silence lesson as a means for bringing children to this higher level of spiritual awareness. Practical Life Exercises aid the child in his journey towards normalization As a result of learning Practical Life Exercises in the Montessori environment, the child starts to develop confidence, self-esteem, he grow towards independence, mutual aid and co-operation, profound spontaneous concentration, attachment to reality and most importantly child's joy of learning is supreme.All these help the child to lead towards normalization. The normalized children possess a unique character and personality not recognized in young children. Children needs a carefully prepared environment It is important to provide the child an environment to work on activities of their own choice at their own p ace experiencing freedom and self discipline while developing towards independence. Even though materials in Practical Life area are the least standardized, exercises needs to be carefully thought and designed. A prepared environment should consist of purposeful and meaningful materials and properly trained instructors.When preparing materials the teacher needs to consider few principles of the Montessori Practical Life materials which satisfy Childs’ development needs. Firstly she needs to make sure that each material we give the child should have a definite purpose, for an example the mat is laid to mark the area of his workstation, handling the spoon develops child’s skill of spooning which leads to independence. Secondly materials should progress from simple to more complex design and usage. As a preliminary exercise for transferring solid objects we could give the child a spoon and later, it could progress to tweezers, chopsticks.Also it should be designed to prep are the child indirectly for future learning’s such as writing, mathematics and scientific concepts. We prepare the child for wiring by teaching them the pincer grip, using thumb, index and middle fingers to hold objects and by left to right and top to bottom concepts, so that these orders naturally incarnates in the child’s mind. The mathematical concepts such as judgement of capacity and volume, division, calculation and exactness includes in activities of spooning, pouring and sweeping.The activity, transferring water using a sponge gives the child the scientific concept of weight. The child could feel the weight of the sponge defers when the water is absorbed and when the water is released. Dr. Maria Montessori said, â€Å"Each individual should become aware of his own errors. Each should have a means of checking, so that he can tell if he is right or not. † Absorbent Mind, Chapter XXIV, pg 247 So she included the path to perfection, which she called â€Å" the Control of Error† within the materials itself so the child would be able to observe the activity he completes and understand his own mistakes.If a child has finished working on the dressing frame with large buttons, and he can see that buttons has gone through wrong buttonholes or buttoning halfway or seeing only half of the button come up the flap, these would be his control of errors. He has the opportunity to guide himself to correct his own mistakes. â€Å"Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed. †-Maria Montessori. Furthermore when preparing the activity in the Montessori classroom the directress need to make sure that all materials are kept together in a basket or a tray and grouped accordingly to the level of development.The activity should have its unique location and be reachable to the child so that the child could use the materials of their own choice and return the exercise, leading to independence and self-discipline. Also it is important to be providing attractive and clean child friendly and child size materials. Each activity should be limited in quantity. In a Montessori classroom the directress plays a major role. She needs to be properly trained, be a good role model and she should be able to develop and maintain a happy and rewarding teacher-child relationship. The first essential is that the teacher should go thru an inner, spiritual preparation – cultivate certain aptitudes in the moral order. † Her Life and Work, Chapter XVIII, pg 298 The teacher’s prime objectives are to maintain order in the prepared environment, facilitate the development of the child, and encourage independence and self-sufficiency. Practical life activities can be divided into the following 4 categories: Exercises in each of these categories provide the opportunity to do purposeful work and are designed to teach the child life skills, so that they may become confident to do their daily chores at home. Care of the self: includes activities such as hand washing, dressing, and personal hygiene. These activities embody the foundations of self-esteem. The exercises are designed to provide the child skills need for his sole independence. In order to gain independence, the child needs to establish will and discipline in order. The child needs to build himself and learn to take care of himself * Care of the environment: includes activities such as washing chairs, dusting, raking leaves, cooking, feeding animals, watering plants, composting, recycling and job time at the end of the day.These activities promote the beginnings of community awareness and embody the foundations of an ecological ethic. They learn that they are a part of the environment and learn to respect and develop a sense of responsibility towards the environment. Also the child will gradually learn how to gain greater control of his gross motor movements so that he would be able perform more complex tasks later on. Some of th e activities such as washing of a table can be carried out as a group task, which helps the child to be socialized. Social relations and courtesy: Maria Montessori called these exercises Grace and Courtesy. They include developing skills in greeting visitors, participating in a conversation, self-assertion, resolving conflicts, initiating and maintaining friendships. These exercises are focused on developing will power, establish a proper posture, greet people, excuse one and interrupt when necessary. Maria Montessori considers the Social Grace and Courtesy activities as the most important exercises in the practical life curriculum.She felt that when children are first brought into a Montessori classroom, emphasis must be placed on social grace exercises. * Development of Motor Skills: this includes many exercises involving hand/eye coordination, carrying objects, self-expression through movement as well as initiating and inhibiting actions and impulses. The Silence Game is an examp le of a group activity in which children have to restrain impulses to speak or move for a short period of time in order to report on what they may have experienced in the interim.The particular exercise will be appropriate for any particular child will depend on that child’s individual development and interest. ans it is only possible to give a very general indication as to whether an exercise is ‘early’, ‘immediate or ‘later’. So each and every activity indirectly helps them to develop the language, mathematics movements and social awareness. To give an opportunity to exercise and co-ordinate body movement is one of the aims of the exercises of Practical Life activity.Movement is so important for the young children; children need to move. Movement is very important to the child; because it contributes not only for the physical growth also intellectual and spiritual development of the child. â€Å"Through Movement, he acts upon his external en vironment and thus carries out his own personal mission in the world. Movement is not only an impression of the ego but it is an indispensable factor in the development of consciousness, since it is the only real means which places the ego in a clearly defined relationship with external reality. The secret of childhood by Maria Montessori pg-97 Conclusion Practical Life exercises teach children to care for themselves, for others, and for the environment. They involve a wide variety of activities such as carrying objects, walking, polishing, sweeping, dusting, lacing, mainly activities that are done in day to day living. It is divided into four major areas namely: movement, care of self, care of environment, and grace and courtesy.These activities are Montessori’s response to the child’s need for movement, order, independence, among many others; they are basic activities that enable the child to explore his environment and eventually make him one with it. Through practi cal life exercises, he learns to refine his movements, becomes conscious of his body and of what his body can do. He learns how to move and act in a socially accepted manner, thus helping him in his task of adaptation. He learns the ways of social living and becomes comfortable and confident in his society.These exercises also teach the child to complete a task following a step-by-step procedure. This sequential ordering of tasks prepares him for the logical task that awaits him in mathematics. Likewise, activities in these areas are presented in isolation in order to help the child focus his attention only on a particular task. Practical Life Exercises refines movement, providing a foundation in early learning, attitudes and dispositions. Practical life exercises also provide children a sense of accomplishment as they engage in real, meaningful work with tangible results.The familiar home-like environment of the practical life corner allows children to gain independence, order, con centration and confidence as they carry out thoughtfully prepared activities. This leads to normalization. BIBLIOGRAPHY Montessori, Maria, The Discovery of the Child, page 56-57, published 1967 Montessori, Maria, The Absorbent Mind, Chapter XXIV, page 247, published 1967 E. M. Standing, Montessori, Maria, Her Life and Work, Chapter XVIII, page 298, published 1998 Montessori, Maria, The secret of childhood, page 97, published 1966 Montessori, Maria, The Absorbent Mind, Page 155, published 1967