Written Evaluation of the Research Articles Article

Written Evaluation of the Research Articles - Article Example In order to address all listed points, the author uses qualitative research. In the first part of the paper, Waldron implements such research method as literature review for the representation of existed studies regarding the main statement. During the second part of the study, the author uses data analysis and triangulation for showing research results to the readers. Waldron interviews twenty six participants via Skype, phone and e-mail offering carefully elaborated questionnaires. In addition, the author conducts face-to-face interviews with four teachers and analyzes online data through forum posts, digital videos and discussion platforms. The main subjects of descriptive analysis are two online music communities such as the Online Academy of Irish Traditional Music (OAIM) and the Banjo Hangout. The author represents detailed characteristics of both sites. Juxtaposing chosen subjects with each other, it has been found out that despite the fact that they have different ideological approaches of the work, the influence of user-generated content and Web 2.0 on both of them is practically the same. The research provided in the article is relevant and makes sense in the conditions of quickly developing technologies that currently we live in. The author chooses appropriate research methods and offers available for comprehension interpretations of study results so that it is easy to conclude that the statement and the purposes of research have been achieved. The article provides valuable findings asserting that participatory culture and such tools like YouTube do not substitute traditional music learning classes but mostly are used to supplement the study activities (Waldron, 2013). There are examples of teachers testimonials and tips that can be very useful for other tutors. Hence, all interviewed teachers stated that they had to modify their teaching approaches because of digital video usage. Their sharing of experience may

Evaluation of Apple Store Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Evaluation of Apple Store - Assignment Example This makes the reader interested to know the various items found in the apple store. The article has described apple commodities as those which as combined with technology and are easy to use. By touching on the issue of technology most readers, both young and old will like to know more about the commodity because the world is technology oriented. Â  The article has used amazing pictures for advertising apple commodities. Readers are likely to have the first-hand experience and understand the commodities found in an apple store. The article has also explained how the commodities are used and in case of difficulties, they have illustrated how to get a solution to the problem. The language applied to this piece of writing is simple and easy to understand since it explains everything in details. A subdivision in subtopics prepares the reader for what he is reading under the subtopic. Â  The article has used bright colors in its pictures that are appealing. This makes a reader interested to read on what is being offered in the apple store. It is one strategy for advertising apple products. The background of the picture is also bright; hence, readers do not have to strain while reading the article. Pictures are large enough to pass the intended message clearly (Apple store, Pp 8). The pictures are put at the center for customers get a clear illustration of apple commodities. Â  The article has done a tremendous job of explaining how apple commodities work. They have clearly illustrated to the reader how an individual makes a movie through the iPhones. This is captivating to teenage readers since they are interested in this kind of staff. This is a strategy of catching the attention of a larger population (Apple store, Pp 9). The article has used a technique where pictures change constantly to show the diversity of the apple store commodity.

The Significant Level of Success of Marks and Spencer Stores Research Paper

The Significant Level of Success of Marks and Spencer Stores - Research Paper Example In viewing the resources of the company, it is important to determine the assets that Marks and Spencer have at present. Although the data only provides consolidated assets, it is sufficient to define the capacity of the company to improve its performance. Overall, the assets of the company are higher than the total liabilities. The net assets of the company have increased from 2005 to 2006. This shows that the company continues to acquire resources that are vital for the company. The figures may its entirety, but the impact in the food retail sector is expected to be felt (Marks and Spencer, 2006). One significant observation that can be made is that the company has a wide range of quality food sources. This is in references to the responsible food sourcing that the company adopts. The supplies of the company are considered as one of its valuable resources. Because of its outstanding food production materials, the quality of the finished products has improved. Boosting the food with the finest inputs allow the company to effectively satisfy the needs of the consumers. Subsequently, quality sources also make the company more cost-effective. Another important resource of the company is its identity. This is established through the brand name of Marks and Spencer. Despite some criticisms, the brand has gained the distinction of being the most trusted retailer in the UK. Over the years, the brand name has been embraced in different areas of the world. The credibility of the company is one of its intangible resources that deserved to be recognised.

Occupational Therapist Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Occupational Therapist - Essay Example Education: The child has lower participation levels in education, especially school activities, with a reduced academic achievement plus attention. Thus, he is at a higher threat of experiencing learning difficulties since his aversive-evasion sensory behaviors produces lower grades in most of his school function, like spelling, reading, or writing. Social participation: His loneliness and social dissatisfaction can be attributed to his deficits in physical coordination. His minimal physical skill or coordination has exposed him to increased social isolation, particularly in natural environments like school playground Minimal participation in school tasks and this can be due to his developmental delays and aversive-avoidance behaviors. In particular, his poor hand preference is a result of loss of his cognitive functions, along with gross and fine motor deficits (Poulsen, Ziviani, Cuskelly, & Smith, 2007). Child is from culturally and linguistically diverse family, and the family is reluctant to have their son identified as having autism. Family feels that their son has been cursed and they lack confidence to discern what questions to ask. The child speaks repetitively while avoiding eye contact, and displaying hyperactivity behaviors, like self-injurious behaviour. The boy has recurrent negative outbursts coupled with odd comments plus crying fits. He lacks social skills along with social cognition notable by his lack of emotion recognition, such as facial recognition or gestures. He also lacks interest or rendezvous with others, and he has not developed normal relationships with his peers due to difficulty in discerning others perspectives. He experiences temper tantrums with aggression, when there are adjustments in daily routine and environment. He has major problems when processing time and does not perform well when the instructions are not accessible within the movement setting. Even though he has weak

Great Advertisement Essay Example for Free

Great Advertisement Essay When you think about advertisements you don’t realize what’s within, Weasel words. Weasel words are just a tricky skill used by the advertisers. People who try to persuade you into buying their product are using a trick mask they hope you don’t see. While thinking of how to develop this essay I found a great advertisement that relates a Wrinkle-free lotion to be exact. I looked at it and I was surprised to see how fake it looked, and how desperate they were. Also how badly they wanted for the audience to buy it. They used weasel words in all of the advertisement; it was basically covered with it. An example is â€Å"less wrinkles in only sixty minutes†. The â€Å"Less wrinkles† statement doesn’t actually tell you that all your wrinkles are going to go away it may be only some or maybe just one. â€Å"Sixty minutes† statement is another weasel word because that’s basically what people like to hear and say â€Å"wow this really works†. Plus the pictures has a big role in all this, It shows a before and after picture. That’s how they try to get our attention away from the actual meaning. The whole advertisement is misleading. Why? It gives a wrong impression. It says less wrinkles not every wrinkle will disappear, which is what the viewers have in mind that all the wrinkles will go away. Another misleading fact is that it says sixty minutes. Well what about if you leave it on for sixty minutes but it still hasn’t worked enough so you leave it longer but you think â€Å"Oh it’s just 10 minutes more†. They impress the viewer with the sixty minutes when that is not even realistic or possible maybe with a surgery you can have less wrinkles in some hours not with a lotion. Also the viewer doesn’t know what is in the lotion they just put it on because on the advertisement it says it works. The viewer may be putting something on their skin that can damage it permanently. To make it even better they add an image that tricks the viewer. Well first of all, it looks like two different people. The image which is the lady with wrinkles is an older woman. The other lady has no wrinkles at all and is young like in her twenties and in the bottom it has a caption that says â€Å"I’m wrinkle less†. Another strategy is they go towards a certain audience. The audience is mostly for women in their thirty’s and up. When seeing an advertisement you don’t realize that beneath it theirs tricks used by the advertiser. Many products can trick us with images or emotionally. Especially when its something that people want. Just remember how advertisers twist words to make us think one thing when its another, that’s because they know weasel words.

Challenges Facing Facilities Management Departments Construction Essay

Challenges Facing Facilities Management Departments Construction Essay Within the coming years Facilities Management Departments (FMD) are going to be faced with a number of challenges and they will be expected to do a lot more with so much less. These challenges are mainly due, to the ever expanding business sector; this expansion has seen the emergence of new buildings taking place at much faster rate, than the refurbishment or demolition of other predated structures. But this is just the tip of the ice burger, as there are other pertinent issues facing the FMD such as: The rapid pace of change, changing technology, building automation, security issues, sustainability, aging buildings, geographic barriers, cultural differences and Environmental factors such as changing regulatory environments, rapid population growth and continued limitation of energy resources (IMFA 2007). So the need for the FMD to incorporate new technology, that utilizes Renewable Energy Sources to produce energy, and reduce the impact that aged buildings in particular are having on the environment is a high priority. The majority of these issues currently facing the FMD are not new, in fact they have been around for a long time, but have escalated over time, due to increased human activities. This is an exciting time to be a facility management professional. Although facility management professionals will face more challenges than ever before, they have greater opportunity to add value for their customers through efficient management and improved technology.'(IFMA 2007) INTRODUCTION Time present and time past are both perhaps contained in time future and time future contained in time past (T.S. Eliot, Burnt Norton, The Four Quartets) The aim of our FMD is to continue to provide a safe, comfortable and a well maintained working environment, for both staff and clients. By providing a full range of services which incorporates all of the latest technology currently available, these services are then executed by a an experience and well trained group of people who, are both loyal and committed to achieving all the goals set out by the financial institution. The practice of co-ordinating the physical workplace with people and work of the organization, integrating the principles of business administration, architecture and the behavioural and engineering science (Becker 1990) There are a number of new legislations and technological advancements that have emerged over the last decade, which has caused the role of the FMD to constantly evolve, thus requiring the development of both tactical and strategic methods, so that our goals can be achieved, so that we can have continued success in this technological developing world. The FMD is presently performing a number of services throughout this multi-national financial institution, such as but not limited to, maintenance, energy conservation, repairs, maintenance, security, information technology (IT), renovations, capital renewal, training, cleaning, customer services, workplace comfort, occupancy planning, business continuity planning (BCP) etc. So to properly prepare this years budget the FMD is suggesting that careful consideration be given to the following critical service areas: New legislations Energy conservation Capital renewal Workplace comfort Training Energy Conservation Climate change legislations There is a growing concern about global warming and the lasting impact its having on humanity and the environment. Due to this crisis the Global community has implemented a number of legislations geared towards the reduction of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions, two (2) of which are the Kyoto Protocol See Appendix 1 and Copenhagen Accord See Appendix 2. Older building especially consumes a lot more energy than those that were recently built; due to this they are having a significant impact on the environment. So the need to reduce our CO2 emissions by reducing our dependency on Fossil Fuels by using technology that uses Renewable Energy Sources to produce clean energy. Add a little more Buildings have a significant impact on energy use and the environment. Commercial and residential buildings use almost 40% of the primary energy and approximately 70% of the electricity in the United States (EIA 2005) Capital Renewal Replacement of outdated equipment, buildings etc. This is an important process which the FMD have already begun to implement, mainly because the buildings that we presently occupy are in excess of ten (10) years old, making both the HVAC and lighting systems inefficient and obsolete. Because of this they are the two (2) of the largest consumers of energy, simply because they are both required building components and are essential mechanisms for occupants comfort. These technological upgrades off all outdated equipment, coupled with the installation of Energy Management Control Systems (EMCS) and electrical meters, throughout our institutions, are all geared towards reducing our energy demands. This will enable us to reduce our CO2 emissions and conform to all Climate Change Legislations, with the eventual aim of reducing our overall electrical bills. Workplace Comfort Customer Services No employers would like to be on the wrong side of the law, and because of this they are obligated to ensure that the health, safety and welfare of their all employees are adhered to under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSW which states that employers should: Providing safe equipment and working practices Ensuring safe handling, storage and transportation of goods and substances Providing information, training and supervision Providing a safe place of work with safe access and egress Providing a safe working environment and facilities So ensuring that all our staffs needs are met and taken care in a timely manner is of utmost importance. Due to the fact that our staff can be considered like a persons heart in that, they are a vital part of the institution and without them we will cease to exist. Add a little more Training This is an integral part of any institution given that technology changes on a daily basis, so every effort should be to insure that each member of staff is kept update with all of the latest technology. As is customary with all recessionary periods it does not last forever, so by keeping abreast of all advance technology, we will not only be gaining an advantage over all of our competitors, but also the advance knowledge needed for our continued sustenance when this period of economic down turn comes to an end. Add a little more Future Challenges So what does the future hold for us as a FMD will apart from being constantly referred to as the Jack of All Trades? what and where we are most liking heading in the future is best summed up by in the following: The future workplace will bring with it a number of distinct priorities. More attempts to make flexible working a reality are likely, requiring improved IT and communications infrastructures. The expansion of a 24/7 work culture will necessitate non-stop support facilities, with consequent outsourcing, contract and health and safety considerations needing to be taken into account. Public Private Partnership (PPP) and private Finance Initiative (PFI) deals and economic pressures will push facilities professionals towards more benchmarking, more cost-benefit analysis and more performance measurement. The tightening of building regulations and particularly the introduction of Part L [the manifestation of the European Unions Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)] is having enormous ramifications for energy efficiency and the built environment. Buildings account for an estimated 40 per cent of all world resource consumption and over 40 per cent of all waste, including greenhouse gas emissions. EPBD is designed to increase the energy efficiency of all buildings by more than 20 per cent. A key point is whether anyone will want to rent or own an F-rated building instead of an A or B one. All these developments should give facilities managers a fresh impetus to making their voices heard by senior management in the times ahead. Facilities for businesses in the future will have to be more flexible and more streamlined than ever before. Managers will need to exploit growing communication opportunities and facilitate an ever-widening range of support services. Facilities managers need to become more professional and business oriented. They must develop a performance profile that is committed to the needs of their organization. Facilities managers need a variety of skills, as all organizations are different, but all should aim to gain the attention of the board and not just be visible when something goes wrong. It is one of the most challenging professions to conquer. The key point to be made, touching on an earlier comment, is that facilities managers are indeed the stewards of the built environment. (Frank Booty) Recommendations The present economic climate dictates that once this recession period is over, the FMD would more than likely take a lot longer to recover, already having to survive throughout this time by implementing both tactical and strategic methods and now having to deal with budget cuts all in the same time is quite a lot for any FMD. So before any FMD budget reductions should take place, there are a number of options open for us to consider before any final decision is made on the budget, some of which are: Why dont we look at saving instead of cutting, for instance upon completion of all the capital renewal projects which are presently on stream, a major reduction would be seen throughout all off the institutions electrical bills, but for this to happen all ongoing projects needs to be completed in as timely a manner a feasible possible. Given that most of our noncore service labour is outsourced, we should consider coming up with some sort of partnership agreement, with if not all most of our service provides so as to generate new and innovative ways of reducing our over head expenditure. So taking into consideration all of the pertinent point discussed trimming of the FMD at this time would be unwise, given that heavy fines would be imposed upon any organization / institution not conforming to the new legislations for CO2 emission reduction. Given the current economic climate we are presently facing, and having to deal with all the challenges that comes accompany an economic slowdown, and at the same time, maintaining our vision as being the premier financial choice to both our employees and prospected clients should be of concern. For this reason the following should be noted: Addressing the trends presented here-through consideration, education and preparation-will arm facility management professionals with the necessary tools required to face the challenges ahead. In stable conditions managers can plan with greater certainty and are able to identify significant and longer term issues for which they can easily prepare. However, in a prevailing climate of uncertainty and change, and with the need to respond quickly to unforeseen circumstances, managers need to develop approaches that enable them to foresee future challenges, envisage the impact on the organisations and communities in which they work and develop the strategies and competencies needed to retain an advantage. This is an opportunity for the FMD to utilize whatever little resources they currently have at their disposal, to provide their staff and customers with as wide a service range as possible so as to fulfill all their present needs.

Impact of Censorship

Impact of Censorship   Sydney Lau   What would put our freedoms in danger? The First Amendment states Congress Shall make no Law Respecting an Establishment of Religion, or prohibiting the Free Exercise Thereof, or Assemble, and to Petition the Government for a Redress of Grievances. Censorship is the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc, that are considered obscene, poetically unacceptable or a threat to security. I disagree with censorship because it will stop companies from innovating products and services that individuals would have to pay for. Also it will take our human rights away and passing the bill SOPA will take freedom of the internet away. Piracy helps companies innovate products and services that individuals would have to pay for. Software is too expensive for young, hardworking students. The next generation will have a huge impact on the economic contribution, so its important the young individuals learn the software, but how can the individual learn the software if one cannot afford it. A young graphic designer working for a local designer agency said, Software is just too expensive, Students and young professionals such as Sarah pirate software they need in order to build up their professional skills and knowledge. Having experience with certain types of software is key to landing jobs in Singapores increasingly competitive job atmosphere. (Online Piracy Is Not Harmful) A company behind some of the most pirated software programs in the world finally caught on to the piracy problem and did something ingenious. Adobe introduced monthly subscriptions at reasonable prices for students, individuals, and businesses. Now theres less of a need to pay $1,000+ on software that you subscribe to for less than $100 a month. (Online Piracy Is Not Harmful) if companies had prices for their products at a fair price then there would be no reason for customers to pirate products; Netflix is a good example of this.   Netflix: With 40 million global subscribers and growing, Netflix has succeeded despite piracy because it gives consumers what they want, TV shows movies anytime, anywhere. For one low monthly price. At least to consumers outside of Singapore anyway. (Online Piracy Is Not Harmful) Censorship will take our human rights away. There have been incidents where companies tried to make profits from Authoritarian governments by selling software and hardware. Weve seen cases where companies, products, and services were used as tools of oppression. A few years ago, the headlines were about companies turning over sensitive information about political dissidents. A company was shutting down the social networking accounts of activists in the midst of a political debate. Todays news stories are about companies selling the hardware and software of repression to authoritarian governments. When companies sell surveillance equipment to the security agency of Syria or Iran or, in past times, [Libyan dictator Muammar] Qadhafi, there can be no doubt it will be used to violate rights. (Clinton) There have been many cases where citizens in different countries that have censorship were put into detention center for expressing their opinion. In Syria, a blogger named Anas Maarawi was arrested on July 1st after demanding that President Asad to Leave. He still remains in detention. (Clinton). On top of that, censorship would leave doors open for governments to over power. Government could upend the current internet governance framework in a quest to increase their own control. Some governments use internet governance issues as a cover for publishing an agenda that would justify restating human rights apply online. (Clinton) Furthermore, passing the Bill SOPA would take our internet freedom away. SOPA will not contribute much success to stopping online fraud, but instead take away the core features of the internet. Bill is designed to address the problem of online content fraud and counterfeiting, is fundamentally flawed because it targets search engines, Internet service providers, ad and payment networks-all of which are crucial to Internet functioning (Scola).   Not only would the bill likely do little to address the problem of online content fraud and counterfeiting, but it takes aim at the core features of the Internet that have contributed a great deal to the American economy. (The Stop Online Piracy Act Threatens Internet Freedom and Does Not Protect Property Rights) Private companies would abuse power with the bill SOPA in place. that the bill gives the government and private companies unprecedented powers to remove websites on the flimsiest of grounds. The Electronic Frontier Foundation called the bill a dangerous wish list. The nonprofit Center for Democracy and Technology in Washington said SOPA would cause broad collateral damage to freedom of expression and privacy. (Ingram) Hollywood and the big record labels would oppose this. These companies claim that theyre taking huge losses, and believes the Bill SOPA should be passed, but a recent study conducted by Bart Cammaerts showed that was false. Hollywood achieved record-breaking global box office revenues of $35 billion USD [US dollars] in 2012, a 6% increase over 2011. Music: Declining sales of recorded music were offset by increasing revenue from live performances and growing digital revenues, including streaming services. In 2012, some 34% of revenue globally. In addition, worldwide sales of recorded music increased in 2012 for the first time since 1999. Therefore, censorship will stop companies from innovating products and services that individuals would have to pay for, also will take our human rights away and passing the bill SOPA will take freedom of the internet away.   Piracy helps young, working, students develop new skills in the world to contribute to the economy. On top of that its also important to protect our human rights listed in the first Amendment, and lastly, placing the Bill SOPA would only take away our internet freedom by removing uniform resource locator removing (URL). By placing censorship law, those laws would take our rights away that are granted to us, lets fight to keep those!