Data Collection and Analysis With a Real Teacher

Data Collection and Analysis With a Real Teacher Data analysis is an important aspect of a research after data has been collected from a project. Collection of data before and after the project reveals the outcomes of the inputs given to the project. May first collected data from a student who was his new assistant.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Data Collection and Analysis With a Real Teacher-Researcher specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This student was part of tier three plan that helped students focus on the importance of the project. The student’s role in the project was to collect data that would help May find out important information regarding his teaching and behavior that had been going on in the classroom. One of the methods that can be used to collect data is triangulation. In this approach, multiple sources of data collected are used to narrow down to the information required so as to make a strong research project (Dana and Yendol, 2009). Infor mation collected at different lengths of time is analyzed so that a particular pattern is observed. This is a characteristic of triangulation, implying that it analyzes data that was collected at different times (Swenson, 2007). The student, who collected information at different time intervals and recorded them, gave May important information that helped her draw a plan. The four findings of the report were directly related to issues that May was to address in Class. The findings of the first report revealed that students at one time abandoned their tasks when the teacher left the classroom for a short time. Among the main issues that May will discuss is this scenario. According to normal routines of the school, when a teacher goes out of a lesson for a short time, student should continue writing down their agenda in preparation for the next class. This issue concerns procedure that ought to be addressed. When collection of data progresses, majority of the students begin to partici pate actively rather than being passive, hence, helping them become motivated and part of the project. In addition, the report reveals that some students sit at the back of the classroom. These students usually talk a lot while in class hence creating an uneasy atmosphere in the classroom.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Students suggested to May to rearrange the seating positions in a manner that those seating behind and that are believed to be noise makers will be seated in front. To demonstrate this, May moved one of the students as they had suggested in order observe how it would work. Due to the fact that the student assistant was responsible with her work, she took the responsibility of helping May in coming up with a solution that would help solve the problem of uneasy classroom. The data collected showed progress that was made each week, while the findings by the stu dent were helpful for May to create a plan and formulate strategies that would be needed throughout the research. From the findings, students continuously became engaged in their work every passing week of the study and that they had interest in the lessons they were learning. They begun working as a group so as to meet the goals they had set. From Mays’ graphs, you can observe steady progress in class participation. The visual graph that May gave his students to track their progress gave them ownership in the project (McDaniel R., 2009). According to Robin McDaniel (2009), students of these days are used to hands on learning because it gives them ownership of the project which in turn helps them stay engaged. Giving students challenges encourages them to look for solutions of problems given to them. When visual clues are used, they remain on track and are informed of their progress in every step. From the information given by the assistant student and graphs of students, May would set new goals though, I would suggest that she challenges the students to complete their agendas and be ready to work within a short time than before. Together as a group, the students would be willing to accomplish the new goal within a short time. I would also consider setting up a good atmosphere in the classroom. I would give the students an opportunity to design goals that are attainable and use charts to create visual reinforcements.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Data Collection and Analysis With a Real Teacher-Researcher specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Another group to be observed was the tier groups given to some students in May’s class. They were each given a tracking chart to help them stay on track with others in class. Although the two students made progress Leah’s progress was steady compared to Anthony as they struggled to meet goals set for them. Leah had an easy time meeting t he goals with little effort. I believe that Leah should be moved gradually to tier one group while Antony should continue with his individual goal sheet and personal graph. His goals should be increased in small increments so as to achieve success on a daily basis. Another approach that May can use to enable students succeed is by appointing two teacher assistants. Using them more responsibly would give them personal challenges to work hard as well as meet classroom goals. This would enable students struggle to meet their set individual goals thereby, enabling them stay focused in class. The most critical part of a project is the outcome. Whether the strategies that were used are successful or not does not matter, what matters is the fact that the a research project was completed and that there was an outcome. The outcome can then be shared with other professionals. If your research produces results that are helpful to the school or district, then your information should be shared w ith other professionals that you work with. Ethically, one should share his or her research findings in order to get divergent views and observations from others. Sharing of work has been likened to a stagnant pond. Change can be created in such a pond by triggering ripples in the water (Dana and Yendol, 2009). The best approach to use when sharing this information is by sharing it with colleagues at a professional development session. Power point slide presentation is the best way to present your information to such an audience. Your presentation should be structured in a manner that it shows the progress of the research project from initial stages to the final stages. Start from questions that led you to conduct the research, explanations and respond to questions from the audience (Walden University, 2011).. From the discussions, you would get varied observations that would strengthen you research findings.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Although I might not give a perfect presentation because of fear, this would be a good way to begin or start a school calendar year. That is, seeing professionals talk about how to change stagnant policies that have been unattended for many years. In that regard, I believe that research projects can be used to adequately prepare students to meet challenges of the outside world. References Dana, N. F., Yendol, D. (2009). The reflective educator’s guide to classroom  research: Learning to teach and teaching to learn through practitioner inquiry  (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press. McDaniel, P. (2009). How to Create Engagement in the Classroom. EHow Demand Media, Inc. Retrieved from https://classroom.synonym.com/ensure-students-engaged-classroom-7702283.html Swenson, M. (2007). Triangulation: A Transcendental Process. Interpretive Leadership. Web. Walden University (2011). A case study: Living the process of inquiry with a real teacher-researcher study. Web.

How and When Pregnancy Tests Work

How and When Pregnancy Tests Work Pregnancy tests rely on the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a glycoprotein that is secreted by the placenta shortly after fertilization. The placenta begins developing after the fertilized egg implants in a womans uterus, which happens about six days after conception, so the earliest these tests can be used to detect pregnancy is about six days post-conception. Wait to Take Test Fertilization does not necessarily take place the same day as intercourse, so most women are advised to wait until they miss their period before trying a pregnancy test. Levels of hCG double about every two days in a pregnant woman, so the test increases in reliability over time The tests work by binding the hCG hormone, from either blood or urine to an antibody and an indicator. The antibody will bind only to hCG; other hormones will not give a positive test result. The usual indicator is a pigment molecule, present in a line across a home pregnancy urine test. Highly sensitive tests could use a fluorescent or radioactive molecule attached to the antibody, but these methods are unnecessary for an over-the-counter diagnostic test. The tests available  over-the-counter versus those obtained those at the doctors office are the same. The primary difference is the decreased chance of user error by a trained technician. Blood tests are equally sensitive at any time. Urine tests tend to be most sensitive using urine from early morning, which tends to be more concentrated (meaning it would have the highest levels of hCG.) False Positives and Negatives Most medications, including birth control pills and antibiotics, do not affect the results of pregnancy tests. Alcohol and illegal drugs do not affect the test results either. The only drugs that can cause a false positive are those containing the pregnancy hormone hCG in them (usually used for treating infertility.) Some tissues in a non-pregnant woman can produce hCG, but the levels are normally too low to be within the detectable range of the tests. Also, about half of all conceptions dont proceed to pregnancy, so there may be chemical positives for a pregnancy that wont progress. For some urine tests, evaporation may form a line that could be interpreted as a positive. This is why tests have a time limit for examining the results. Its untrue that urine from a man will give a positive test result. Although the level of hCG rises over time for a pregnant woman, the quantity of hCG produced in one woman is different from the amount produced in another. This means some women may not have enough hCG in their urine or blood at six days post-conception to see a positive test result. All tests on the market should be sensitive enough to give a highly accurate result (~97%-99%) by the time a woman misses her period.

The Policy Process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

The Policy Process - Essay Example (Sidlow et al. 2010, pp. 345) With these variables in mind, the policy process is easily understood to present a multidimensional challenge involving numerous realities. As a result, policymakers become prone to errors because of these variables are misrepresented and, hence, misunderstood. The Policymaking Process Even when confined to public policymaking, the issue of policy is still too general. That is why this paper will further contract the topic into specific policy areas: those that are currently prioritized in the United Kingdom. Identifying these policy areas are important because they are fundamental in citing the relevant policy process to be investigated and further clarifying the discussion into context. Foreign policy, economic policy, EU policy and security policy are all formulated in Britain through several institutions within the Westminster System. In addition, they include not just the polity but also the citizens, the media, among other players. To demonstrate t his, the case of foreign policy process will be cited. There are four stages in the foreign policy making in the UK. The first is the so-called articulation or initiation stage wherein stakeholders like concerned citizens and individuals successfully bring an issue into the attention of the policymakers. For example, there is the case of the 1,500 or so motorcyclists who effectively grabbed the attention of the media with regards to a proposed European Union laws on bikers. (BBC 2011) This demonstrated how individuals or groups such non governmental organizations could demand and initiate a foreign policy agenda. This was what happened in the past when several national interest groups in Britain joined with others from several European countries in their â€Å"big-bang strategy† that eventually helped facilitate the EU enlargement. Interest groups from nine European countries participated in this strategy and that hey came to be called as the Vilnius group or the â€Å"big b ang group† who vigorously campaigned for a broad multistate accession. (Assenova 2003, pp. 16) The second stage involved the actual policy formulation, which would already involve the governmental policy process as bureaucratic agencies begin crafting and passing the policy. Countries like the UK and the US have given their respective executive departments the power to formulate foreign policy. This is also true in the case of economic and security issues. The implementation of the policy is considered as the third stage in the process. According to Smith and Dunne (2008, pp. 383), this is the most understated but important area since it â€Å"describes the agencies and individuals charged with carrying out the policy† and that â€Å"often, the final outcome is very different from the intent of the legislation.† Finally, the last stage of the foreign policymaking process is called the evaluation stage. This is the time when â€Å"parliamentary committees, specia l commissions, government ombudsmen, or watchdog groups review the policy process and policy outcomes and makes recommendations to stay the course or change.† (Smith and Dunne, pp. 383) The above policy process is roughly the same across all policy areas, although they involved some changes in the governmental agencies involved. Explaining this process becomes

Guest Speaker Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Guest Speaker - Essay Example Martin. One of the primary weaknesses of the speech was the speakers delivery of his address. It was not enthusiastic enough and it infected his audience to feel the same lukewarm reception and involvement throughout the exercise. It appears like Martin - in his outline of his life, his causes, personal crusades, problems and triumphs feels disconnected from his lifes narrative. He was like reciting a life story of another person. He delivered each bit of information in a monotonous way, as if reading from a book and not from personal memory. It became hard to catch an emotion like sadness or righteous indignation when he found that his community lacked infrastructures like decent sidewalks or safe parks for the children, for instance; or, joy for crucial moments such as the several turning points of his career and for admiration of the people he looked up to and have shaped his growth as a person. It was an unfeeling way to deliver a narrative that actually talks about the speakers own lif e. It is easy to conclude that Martin is merely going through the motions of being a speaker. He merely played his role by saying his piece and that was it. There should have been some effort at engaging his audience as well. He should have taken time doing some research about those people sitting and listening to his message, and integrated the information in the way he shared his life experiences. It could have given him enough empathy in order to say what are relevant, what are useful and what are interesting to the audience. Of course, he was invited as a guest speaker in order for him to talk about what he has done with his life. So it is the audience duty to pay attention and learn whatever piece of information and wisdom being imparted. However, I believe that a speaker has this rare opportunity given to him to inspire people. Martin was given a platform in order to deliver a message and people are willing to listen. He should have asked himself prior to his

Your Guilty, Romeo! Essay Example for Free

Your Guilty, Romeo! Essay If it werent for Romeo’s actions, both he and Juliet would have never fallen in love, and never ended up taking their own lives. Romeo is most at fault for his death and the death of Juliet because Romeo should have listened to Friar Lawrence. He should not have fallen in love with Juliet so easily, and he should have respected the feud between the two families and stayed away from the Capulets. Throughout the whole story, Friar Lawrence holds some responsibility for the tragedy of the couple like when he marries the two of them knowing that they have only known each other for a short time. However, his intentions of marrying Romeo and Juliet were to bring the families together and he even warns Romeo that his decision may be too rash when he says, â€Å"These violent delights have violent ends.† (2.6, 9) The Friar warns Romeo that his rapidly growing emotional love for Juliet may have a sudden end meaning that maybe he should take the marriage slow; however, Romeo pushes on for the marriage to happen. This proves Romeo is at fault because he ignored the advice of Friar Lawrence, who is much wiser than him, and knew what was best for both Romeo and Juliet. Romeo falls in love too easily and if he took things slower, he and Juliet would have never married. A few days after Romeo and Juliet meet, Lord and Lady Capulet tell Juliet that she has to marry Paris. If Romeo would not have fallen in love so quickly he and Juliet could have taken things slower, that way when Juliet got the news she had to marry Paris, she would not have went to see Friar Lawrence to get the potion to make her fall asleep, so that her and Romeo could be together. This proves Romeo is responsible because Juliet said she didnt want to get married unless Romeo truly loved her, and if Romeo said he wanted to slow down, he and Juliet would have never married, and ultimately never commited suicide. Romeo did not respect his family or the feud that his family had with the Capulets. He should not have gone anywhere near any members of the Capulet family. The Capulets and the Montagues have hated each other for many years prior to Romeo and Juliet meeting. If Romeo would have respected this feud and never attended the Capulet party he would have never met Juliet and they would both have lived out their lives, never having killed themselves. We know this because it is at the Capulet party when Romeo and Juliet meet. We know of the feud between the families because of the fights that occur throughout the book. In  conclusion, if Romeo would have listened to Friar Lawrence, did not fall in love so quickly and easily, and had respected his family and their feud with the Capulets, he and Juliet would never have met, never would have fallen in love, and in the end, never would have committed suicide. For these reasons, Romeo is the most responsible for the deaths of both he and Juliet.

Discuss Some Of The Main Ideas Essay -- essays research papers fc

Sigmund Freud considered himself a scientist whose intention was to find a physiological and materialist basis for his theories of the psyche. Freud revolutionised the way in which we think about ourselves. From its beginnings as a theory of neurosis, Freud founded and developed psychoanalysis into a general psychology, which became widely accepted as the predominant mode of discussing personality, behaviour and interpersonal relationships. Freud, who had been studying neuropathology, left Vienna in 1885 to continue his studies in Paris under the guidance of Jean Martin Charcot. This proved to be the turning point in his career, for Charcot’s work with patients classified as â€Å"hysterics† introduced Freud to the possibility that psychological disorders might have their source in the mind rather than the brain. Charcot’s hypnotic experiments demonstrated the link between hysterical symptoms such as paralysis of a limb and hypnotic suggestions to cure the paralysis. Although Freud later abandoned his faith in hypnosis, hypnotic experiments taught Freud that mental processes that took place unconsciously could have a powerful effect on behaviour. It was Freud who drew our attention to the unconscious mind. If we liken the mind to an iceberg, the nine tenths below the surface is the unconscious in which there are many mental processes going on that we have little control of. Our conscious mind is above the surface; it is what we are fully aware of and contains our perception, thought and memory. Freud also spoke of the preconscious which might include material put out of our conscious mind but which may be retrievable. Freudian psychoanalytical theory states that there are three agencies of the human personality. Below the surface is our â€Å"id†, these are our social and biological instincts such as hunger, thirst and self-preservation. The id seeks outlet in the pleasure principal with no regard to reality. It is our awareness of the outside world, our memory, perception and learning. The â€Å"Ego† develops to harmonise the impulses of the id with the demands of reality. It is our awareness of the outside world, our memory, perception and learning. The â€Å"super ego† develops later in varying degrees. It is like a conscience and brings in values and morals from parents and society and enables us to feel guilt. Freud grouped together ego and sexual instincts calling ... ...iar to most of us today. Psychoanalysis is a term that Freud coined in 1896. As a therapist he used mental rather than physical means to achieve behavioural or attitudinal change. One of Freud’s greatest achievements was his capacity to stimulate the creativity of others and his ideas have been developed by his many followers. Where Freud was perhaps wrong was in making psychosexual development so central that all other forms of social and emotional development were conceived as being derived from it. However, despite repeated criticism and attempted refutations of Freud’s work, his ideas remained powerful well after his death and the general way in which psychoanalysis and other forms of psychotherapy are conducted is still based on Freud’s procedure, and remains one of his most enduring legacies. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Storr A  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1996  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Freud†Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Oxford University Press Stevens R  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1994  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Freud and Psychoanalysis†Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Open University Press

Music Has Lost Its Meaning

Back in the day a performance qualified as someone walking on stage and bearing their soul. It was about the music, and it was about the talent. Now an artist qualifies as someone who is so bizarre, so outgoing, so appealing they can sell anything. Lately the music industry has been lacking in real talent. Many artists are truly talented, that goes without saying. But this talent tends to be hidden because of the glamour and popularity of their appearance. The reason why certain artistes are so widely popular despite their lack of talent is because they appeal to the masses.Lady Gaga is someone who has entered the world of pop culture and has taken it by storm. Behind all the crazy makeup and fashion choices, Gaga has raw talent. She can actually sing, and her songs are Gaga original. But people don’t see Gaga for her vocals; they see the overexposure. Justin Bieber has found a way to go from a small town boy to one of America’s heartthrobs. Bieber is so widely known an d is selling out show after show because he appeals to the younger generation. It doesn’t matter whether he can sing or not. If the masses find him attractive, he will find a way to stay famous.It’s a popularity contest, and he is one of the winners. Now an artist is all about the hype. The music is lost behind all the glitz and glam. No one notices what an artist is trying to say when they’re distracted by fire and lights and the bizarre. It is entertaining, no doubt about that. It’s fun to see people suspended in midair doing flips, and it’s fun see people jump through flaming hoops. But where’s the music? Where are the lyrics? Where’s the heart? The definition of a musical artist has evolved and changed. Now it is not about the music, just the appearance. It is not about the talent, just the entertainment value.The music industry has lost most of its credibility and needs to find a way back to when it was about the feeling and the words, to when lyrics meant something and were not just random ideas strung together nonsensically. That was when music was the greatest it has ever been. First, you should orient yourself with a marketing term known as â€Å"positioning†. That will help to understand how products & styles get pigeonholed or stuck into a way of being perceived by the general public. Fundamentally, rap is very lyric dense poetry in tight syncopation with a rhythm. Like spoken word that rhymes, with a percussion track.So, lyrics can be about ANY subject. However, due to rap's typical lyric subject matter, based on the culture of those who started it, rap has position in society. Because of this position, it's difficult to create lyrical themes for rap that deal with other cultures or genres. Commercialism does manage to do this, however, this is the point where we wonder if an artform has lost its meaning. In other words, when McDonalds, Ford, Mountain Dew and Coors Light commercials include ho t guitar solos or hot hip hop grooves with lyrics merely selling a product, it's hard to maintain a special place in your soul for the genre.It's also hard for the artists themselves to feel good about their style, when they could be sounding just like another burger commercial. This is why things cycle out and new things have to come in. The advertising agencies never start artforms. They pick up what the people have their attention on and try to piggyback their junk food, clothing lines, cars, soft drinks– whatever onto anything that will give their stuff the same attention. Then they will sell more. Any â€Å"popular† form of communication art, is subject to exploitation. Then, you have to move onward, if you are depending upon communication arts to help you get meaning from life.So, obviously this isn't simply about rap. Every genre is in the same boat. Artists have to out-create and stay ahead of the commercialism in order to stay sane and maintain meaning. The go od news is that artists do keep creating. You just have to keep up with who the real ones are. Check out the real music magazines (not the lifestyle ; fashion ones). Find out who the artists are listening to and who they like. Skip the critics, because they often represent the commercial side. Serious rap artists have to stay ahead in order to survive and keep the meaning in rap.If they sell out, rap just becomes a product that people grow bored with. First, you should orient yourself with a marketing term known as â€Å"positioning†. That will help to understand how products ; styles get pigeonholed or stuck into a way of being perceived by the general public. Fundamentally, rap is very lyric dense poetry in tight syncopation with a rhythm. Like spoken word that rhymes, with a percussion track. So, lyrics can be about ANY subject. However, due to rap's typical lyric subject matter, based on the culture of those who started it, rap has position in society.Because of this posi tion, it's difficult to create lyrical themes for rap that deal with other cultures or genres. Commercialism does manage to do this, however, this is the point where we wonder if an artform has lost its meaning. In other words, when McDonalds, Ford, Mountain Dew and Coors Light commercials include hot guitar solos or hot hip hop grooves with lyrics merely selling a product, it's hard to maintain a special place in your soul for the genre. It's also hard for the artists themselves to feel good about their style, when they could be sounding just like another burger commercial.This is why things cycle out and new things have to come in. The advertising agencies never start artforms. They pick up what the people have their attention on and try to piggyback their junk food, clothing lines, cars, soft drinks– whatever onto anything that will give their stuff the same attention. Then they will sell more. Any â€Å"popular† form of communication art, is subject to exploitation . Then, you have to move onward, if you are depending upon communication arts to help you get meaning from life. So, obviously this isn't simply about rap. Every genre is in the same boat.Artists have to out-create and stay ahead of the commercialism in order to stay sane and maintain meaning. The good news is that artists do keep creating. You just have to keep up with who the real ones are. Check out the real music magazines (not the lifestyle ; fashion ones). Find out who the artists are listening to and who they like. Skip the critics, because they often represent the commercial side. Serious rap artists have to stay ahead in order to survive and keep the meaning in rap. If they sell out, rap just becomes a product that people grow bored with.

Cpk Case Essay

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. (CPK) is a United States based dining restaurants chain. The company primarily offers a mixture of assortments of hearth-baked pizzas, a wide variety of unique appetizers, desserts, pastas, salads, soups and sandwiches. CPK operates across more than 253 locations in 32 states, the District of Columbia and 10 foreign countries. It owns 205 and 48 franchised restaurants across the world and is headquartered at Dover, Delaware. An external analysis of the California Pizza Kitchen reveals several challenges facing the business: Political, economical, social and technological changes to be specific. CPK’s communication strategy focuses on marketing the California Pizza Kitchen brand through many creative and non-traditional avenues. As one of the pioneers of premium pizza, they continue to benefit from national media attention featuring their co-founders and co-CEOs, Richard Rosenfield and Larry Flax, this is believed to provide CPK with a noteworthy competitive advantage. New restaurant openings, high-profile fundraisers and media events currently serve as the focal point of their public relations and media outreach efforts. As early as 2009 CPK landed a sponsorship agreement with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Los Angeles Kings to promote California Pizza Kitchen at Angel Stadium and STAPLES Center, respectively. In the same year their public relations efforts led to coverage on a national level in various outlets including the Business Week Magazine, ESPN the Magazine, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, The View, FOX National News and CNBC Power Lunch. CPK’s objective is to expand its leadership position in the restaurant and premium pizza market by selling original, high quality pizzas in addition to creative salads, distinctive pastas and related products and by providing extraordinary customer service, thus building a high degree of customer loyalty, brand awareness and superior returns for stockholders. To reach these objectives, CPK plan to increase the market share by expanding their restaurant base in new and existing markets, leveraging their partnerships in non-traditional and retail channels and offering inventive menu items. CPK is pursuing a disciplined growth strategy that, to be successful, depends on the ability and the ability of franchisees and licensees to open new restaurants and to operate these new restaurants on a profitable basis. Successful growth depends on numerous factors including: the hiring, training and retention of qualified working ersonnel, especially managers; competition for restaurant sites; negotiation of favorable lease terms; timely development of new restaurants, including the availability of construction materials and labor; management of construction and development costs of new restaurants; securing required governmental approvals and permits; competition in our markets; and general economic conditions

4 Business Writing Lessons from Steve Jobs

4 Business Writing Lessons from Steve Jobs Visionary Steve Jobs passed away yesterday from the same illness that took my father. I've long admired Steve Jobs' vision and passion and creativity, and already today I've used my iPhone and iPad, and I'm writing this with my MacBook. He allowed mere mortals, like me, to embrace the amazing daily integration and freedom of accessible technology, and in the process changed the way we all work and communicate. Because of my father's battle with pancreatic cancer, I've known what Steve Jobs was battling these past few years, and my admiration for him grew. He clearly focused his creativity even more intensely during this precious time. And, when it was time to let go of Apple, he did. To me, Steve has demonstrated the four most important aspects for social and business growth, and for good business writing: Understanding of goals and purposeApple created products that improved productivity and connection in work and life, by simplifying and integrating. And, that goal continued to burn, with passion, as possibilities and technologies evolved. The focus was on the end-user, always. Good writing mirrors this. A document needs to meet your reader's needs. The creative process of writing belongs to the writer, but ultimately, the goal is always to enable the reader to know or do something better. UsefulnessApple has such devotees (me included) because the products integrate so beautifully, making communication flow better.Too often in writing, we create murky communication flows and over-complicate structures. A report, an email, a proposal all need to serve a real and clear purpose. ClarityApple's designs are simple and clean and functional. I learned only last night that this inspiration came from caligraphy classes early on in Steve Job's education.One of my favorite quotes about writing is from Blaise Pascal:"I'm sorry for the length of this letter. I did not have time to make it shorter." Clarity requires work and sharp honing. Integrity Steve Jobs was notoriously demanding. But, this was fueled by the desire to create something of excellence.Business writing is the most interesting form of rhetoric to me, because it is constantly evolving. I am so heartened by the evolution towards clarity and authenticity in business writing. Business-speak, and inscrutability, is fading. We now should "write to express, not to impress." Human to human connection awareness is increasing in business writing. Thank you, Steve Jobs, for making my work and communication flow better, and for the inspiration. I love your products, and admired your creativity and passion. Rest in peace.

A Guide to Disciplinary Probation

A Guide to Disciplinary Probation Disciplinary probation is the term many schools use to indicate a student or student organization has engaged in unacceptable behavior, according to an institutions student handbook or code of conduct. This is also known as college probation, probation, or a probation warning but is different than academic probation. Schools often let students or student organizations on disciplinary probation remain at the school during a probationary period, as opposed to suspending or expelling them. How to Respond to Probation If youve been placed on probation, its important to be very clear on 1) what caused your probation, 2) how long your probation will last, 3) what you need to do to get off of probation, and 4) what happens if you break your probation rules. Ideally, your school will provide all this information when your school notifies you about being placed on probation, as well as whom to contact with any questions. Additionally, its important to make sure you find positive support systems and stay away from situations that might, even by chance, lead you to a probation violation. Disciplinary probation often requires students to remain free from any kind of disciplinary trouble during a predetermined time period. For example, a student on probation for violating residence hall rules must not have any other disciplinary problems in the hall. If that student violates their probation, they may face more severe consequences, like suspension or expulsion, which can hinder progress toward graduation. In the case of an organization on probation, the school may further restrict its activities, cut off its funding, or force it to disband if the group violates probation. Probationary periods can be anything from a few weeks to an entire semester or academic year. Impact on Transcripts Policies vary by school, but your disciplinary probation could show up on your transcript. As a result, your probation could have an effect on any future activity that requires you to present your transcript, like if youre transferring to a different college or applying to graduate school. Youll want to check with your school, but in many cases, the probation note will only show up on your transcript during your probation period. If you make it through probation without violating its terms, the note should be removed. However, if probation leads to suspension or expulsion, its likely to remain a permanent part of your transcript. Can I Get out of Probation? Again, youd need to check your schools policies, but if you feel you dont deserve to be put on disciplinary probation, you may be able to fight it. See if theres a way to appeal the decision. If thats not an option, ask if theres anything you can do to shorten the probationary period. Beyond that, your best course of action may be to ride out the probation period with patience and good behavior. Once youve done whats required of your probation terms, your transcript will likely show no record of it. Of course, just because its not on your transcript doesnt mean your school forgets about it. You probably have a disciplinary record, as well, so youll want to avoid getting in trouble again, because you may face harsher consequences the next time youre cited for unacceptable behavior.

Product & pricing (marketing management) Case Study

Product & pricing (marketing management) - Case Study Example TiVo managements, now spearheading a brand new sector of entertainment industry, did a lot on market development which involves marketing existing products, in this case services in new markets. In some degree product development was used but on a limited scale. Perhaps a lot of work on research and development made both market development and diversification attainable. Also in the area of diversification of TiVo services, there were a few brand names to take care of different sets of customers which new market strategy of Ansoff's growth model seeks to explain. More so, 0.04% penetration rate is abysmally low largely due to lack of awareness on the part of customers. A very good indicator, current quarterly subscribers of 14,000, needs to be sustained while means are to be devised through appropriate marketing channels to increase this number in the near future. Concerning product life cycle, one is of the belief that TiVo is still in its introduction stage - infancy probably heading to growth stage. A period of one year or thereabout cannot be safely considered to be in full growth or maturity or have dominating influence on the market. The net loss increasing progressively as shown on exhibit 3 tends to suggest that management must remodel and refocus its strategies in order to remain profitable. Frankly speaking, since the project is still in introduction stage, it will make economic sense if they could focus on TiVo's long-term prospects. Market Attractiveness As said earlier, TiVo has a cutting-edge technology that can impact greatly the entertainment industry if professional inputs are sought on most policy decisions. The market is really vast but the problems TiVo has include inability to relay what it can offer the public and tendency for the very marketers (including columnist) hired to promote the services end up confusing and dispelling customers. Also the model adopted by the co-founders and management are imperfect, this reflects in pricing policy, branding and marketing techniques. TiVo is highly innovative by featuring qualities like pause, fast-forward, rewind, play and record. Conventional TV can not boost of these qualities let alone recording in basic, medium, high and best modes. Important point about this innovative strength is that for TiVo to sell there is need to reach out to customers and let them understand TiVo's value proposition. New Product Development Process New product development process seems to be lacking or non-existent; diversification, an integral component of Ansoff's Growth Matrix requires that products or services be branded (segmented) to satisfy different customers. Differentiating TiVo's service from recording with different prices is one but inadequate service segmentation. Management should think of bundling different services into TiVo like gaming. A close study of customer's preferences for programmes can be another big clue. Brand Positioning Furthermore, TiVo branding has a huge price differential between the two main recording services defeating the whole essence of branding. Charging $499 for a black box for a 14-hour recording and $999 for the same black box and 30 hours of recording is disproportionately high. To make TiVo more attractive, more brands need to be created perhaps to keep competitors at bay even when partnering with

Reflect on your learning experiences during the semester Essay - 1

Reflect on your learning experiences during the semester - Essay Example That is why on my first week I am very excited in immersing myself in a university learning setup. However even from the start I had trouble balancing work and university life. My busy schedule in my work had given me very limited time in my studies. From the start I have doubts on whether I can fully absorb what the instructor is teaching. Also, knowing my tendency to jump into any activity without clearly thinking on the possible loopholes and disadvantages in embarking on this undertaking has intensified my fear that I might have wrongfully chosen the course that I enrolled in. I also felt that I might fail to observe and reflect on the inputs that I should have received. Kolb and Fry’s Experiential Learning theory provides a clear strategy on how to fully immerse myself into the lessons that I really want to learn. It is a learning cycle that starts from one’s concrete immersion to the knowledge and skills that I want to learn. After one’s immersion, a person should observe and reflect on the stimuli that he received. This time, his analytical mind should work to pick up the loopholes and the flaws in learning the skills. The holistic mind accumulates these loopholes and mistakes. It will then use these in laying down fresh guidelines in performing things. Practical testing of one’s newly ratified procedures in carrying out things is the last part of the cycle. This will continue to a lifetime upward cycle of personal renewal and development until a person actualizes his fullest potential. I realized in the second week in this course that there are several theories on how an individual learn individually and in an organizational setup. From sensory stimulation, reinforcement theories to experiential and adult learning, numerous learning theories, I have learned in a brief amount of time the explanations done by psychologists that lay down why and