Marketing in the digital age

Introduction Marketing is a fundamental element in organisation’s long-term performance. Therefore, making effective marketing decisions is critical. Traditionally, marketing decisions were based on experience and judgement.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Marketing in the digital age specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, different marketing models were formulated during the 1960s in an effort to assist organisations in conducting marketing analyses. Another major revolution in the 1960s relates to the development of the mainframe computers, which enabled marketers to access the market data they needed in making marketing decisions and planning (Wierenga 2008). Diverse models have been formulated in an effort to explain the transformations that have occurred with regard to marketing. Cooper (2000) posits that organisations should ensure that they are very effective with regard to planning. This as pect is only achievable if marketers have sufficient marketing information (Hengst Sol, 2001). Information has become a powerful tool that is influencing the society. The significance of information in the contemporary society has been enhanced by the emergence of Information Communication Technology (ICT) (Coallier 2012). The rate of ICT innovation has increased exponentially as evidenced by innovations with regard to the internet, mobile technologies, and the social media (McGrath 2012).Advertising Looking for coursework on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Lancaster (2005) emphasises that the changing role of ICT with regard marketing has presented a major challenge to marketing practitioners and academics. In a bid to survive in such a business environment, it is fundamental for organisations to integrate effective marketing planning. Simkin and Dibb (2008) define marketing planning as the systematic pr ocess through which an organisation evaluates its marketing capabilities together with opportunities through analysing the marketing objectives, ensuring effective market targeting, developing competitive advantage, resource allocation, formulating effective brand positioning implementing and controlling the strategies formulated. Simkin and Dibb (2008) are of the opinion that marketing planning is based on analysing the customers, capabilities, competitors, and the market trends. Aim The objective of this report is to evaluate marketing models, their relevance, and significance in the modern digital era. The report also evaluates the opportunities and challenges, which have emanated from the high rate of proliferation in Internet and information communication technology. Scope The report mainly concentrates on the development of marketing models and the contribution and role of ICT in marketing communication. Consequently, the paper evaluates the core emphasis of the marketing mo dels from the 1970s to today. Moreover, the paper evaluates the significance of the marketing models within the digital era.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Marketing in the digital age specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some of the issues evaluated relate to how marketing planning has evolved, ICT and marketing communication, database marketing, internet and social media marketing, and consumer behaviour. Moreover, the report also evaluates the challenges that are associated with social media marketing. Analysis Evolution of marketing models According to Pulendran, Speed, and Widing (2002), marketing planning has undergone a significant growth over the past decades. Different models have been formulated in an effort to explain the concept of marketing planning. Marketing planning enables organisations to align with market trends such as the customers’ needs and the competitors’ strategies (Jadh av, Kamble Patil 2009). Planning enables an organisation’s ability to ensure that its resources are optimally utilised in addition to responding to unexpected market changes (Simkim Dibb 2008). The traditional marketing models The 1970s were characterised by emergence of different marketing models. One of the models includes the stochastic models. The models were mainly focused on developing the marketing mix instruments such as marketing communication and pricing. Wierenga (2008) asserts, â€Å"The issue was how to model the relationship between a particular marketing instruments and sales† (p.6). Another major development in the 1970s relates to emergence of the marketing decision support systems.Advertising Looking for coursework on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The 1980s saw the emergence of the market generalisation models and the marketing knowledge model. The generalisation model entailed summarising what is already known about a particular issue. One the other hand, the marketing knowledge model entailed integrating the concepts of computer science and artificial intelligence in the marketing processes. Artificial Intelligence [AI] enabled marketers to store market information in databases hence improving their capacity to formulate optimal marketing decisions (Wierenga 2008). The marketing knowledge model led to development of the expert and knowledge-based systems. The systems were mainly focused on enhancing sales promotions and advertising. This period was also characterised by the emergence of the conjoint analysis model, which continues to be an effective model in making decisions with regard to new product development (Wierenga 2008). The 1990s was characterised by a remarkable revolution with regard to marketing information. Th e ‘marketing information revolution’ played a significant role in influencing consumer choice modeling. Moreover, the ‘marketing information revolution’ models led to increment in the volume of data available for making marketing decision, which is evidenced by increment in the concept of ‘data mining’. The availability of data was also enhanced by the development of information communication technology (Wierenga, 2008). The individual customer model According to Pride (2009), the customer is the most important unit of analysis in an organisation’s marketing processes. The first decade of the 21st century was characterised by the development of the Customer Relationship Model [CRM]. The models were mainly concerned with how best an organisation can attract and retain customers. This led to emergence of the customer centric models. From the above analysis, it is evident that marketing model has undergone significant growth. New models hav e been developed in an effort to illustrate the change in consumer behaviour. Relevance of the marketing models The above analysis of the marketing models shows that they were formulated with the objective assisting organisations and entrepreneurs attracting and retaining customers. Moreover, the models are still relevant in the modern business environment. This emanates from the fact that they emphasise on the importance of developing a critical understanding of the prevailing marketing information. To achieve this, the models highlight the significance of knowledge management in organisations’ marketing processes. Moreover, they are concerned with understanding the consumers’ behaviour, which is a critical element in marketing planning. According to Shin (2013), marketing planning is considered being as a behavioural phenomenon because it entails the adoption of various forms of technology. The models also illustrate significance of information communication technolo gies in organisation’s marketing processes. The models underscore the contribution of marketing communication in attracting and retaining customers. In the course of undertaking marketing planning, it is critical for organisations’ managers to take into account the concept of marketing communication, which is ranked as one of the most important elements in the firms marketing planning processes (Gazzar Mourad 2012). Information Communication Technologies have undergone significant evolution over the past decades. The three distinct periods of ICT development include data processing, micro-computing, and networking. According to Somers, Cain, and Jeffrey (2009), the 1990s was characterised by a high rate of proliferation in relationship marketing. However, traditional marketing concept has extensively been criticised. Nwankwo and Gbadamosi (2010) are of the opinion that marketing communication entails integration and application of various marketing communication tools , for example, public relations, sales promotion, personal selling, and advertising. ICT has remarkably revolutionised marketing communication. Dyllick and Hockerts (2002) are of the opinion that developing customer relationship is critical in achieving sustainability. Currently, ICT is considered a critical component in developing a strong relationship with various stakeholders (Brodie et al. 2011). Thomas and Barlow (2011) are of the opinion that the high rate of ICT development coupled with an increment in the intensity of competition has led to the emergence of relationship marketing and marketing communication. Currently, customer relationship marketing is a fundamental element in organisations’ effort to achieve the desired success (Safko 2012). This aspect underscores the importance of nurturing a more valuable customer relationship. Incorporating marketing communication is one of the avenues through which an organisation can deliver value to customers (Shin 2013). Thi s assertion emanates from the view that it enhances communication between the organisation and various stakeholders. Marketing communication has undergone remarkable development over the years as evidenced by the emergence of Integrated Marketing Communication. Shin (2013) is of the opinion that IMC has become a critical element in a firm’s effort to reach the target audience. Traditionally, organisations emphasised on transaction marketing, which is a one-way method of communication. On the other hand, relationship marketing is concerned with creating two-way communication between an organisation and its customers (Thomas Wasmund 2011). Traditional marketing communication was not effective in enhancing organisational performance. Shin (2013) asserts that organisations can only achieve competitive advantage and brand loyalty through effective communication and information circulation. This move will improve the organisations’ ability to cope with the high degree of mar ket uncertainty faced by organisations today. Marketing in the digital age The digital age is characterised by ease with which marketers and entrepreneurs can access information through various mediums. The digital age has emanated from the high rate at which Information Communication Technology is occurring. Integrating ICT can play a significant role in making marketing communication more effective and efficient. Currently, organisations are adopting digital communication in their marketing processes in an effort to achieve operational efficiency (Al-Deen Hendricks 2012). Database marketing is one of the avenues through which ICT has improved marketing communication. Developing a database can enable an organisation to store sufficient customer information relating to their past-purchase history. Such information can be utilised in formulating various marketing mix strategies like promotion strategies. Database marketing has improved marketing communication by enabling organisatio ns to design loyalty schemes. For example, firms in the retail industry such as supermarkets can utilise the information gathered through the EPOS to offer discounts to specific customers in order to enhance their loyalty. The Internet revolution has led to the development of a global market place. Moreover, the internet has enabled organisations to overcome challenges associated with time and distance (Obrien 2011). Increased investment in ICT by organisations and individuals has led to the emergence of various digital communication platforms. Social media is one of the new phenomena that have emanated from ICT development. Obrien (2011) posits, â€Å"Communication is truly changing as a result of social media utilisation, and thus the dynamics of human relationships take on a new perspective† (p.32). Social media has led to the development of an online community. Brodie, Ilic, Juric, and Hollebeek (2011) opine that the sophisticated ICTs that have emerged have facilitated t he emergence of brand communities. These communities have emerged from the engagement and interaction amongst customers through various social media platforms. Currently, social media has overtaken marketing communication through company websites and emails and it is considered as the largest web presence in organisations (Jacobson 2009). Social media has influenced how organisations interact and communicate with existing and potential customers. Moreover, social media has significantly influenced how organisations formulate their Customer Relationship Management [CRM] policies. By integrating social media, an organisation can be in a position to increase its sales revenue (Sweeney Craig 2011). Consumer behaviour The ASP model outlines analysis as one of the steps that an organisation has to take into account in order to undertake marketing planning successfully. Consumers constitute a critical component in an organisation’s marketing process (Talloo 2007). Consumer behaviou r is very dynamic, and thus it is imperative for organisations to develop a comprehensive understanding and monitor the consumers’ behaviour. Developing such understanding will provide organisations with insight on how to formulate effective decisions regarding the most optimal marketing mix strategies to adopt. Brodie et al. (2011) posit that the last two decades have been characterised by the emergence of various Internet communication mediums, which have led to the development of an online community. The online community shares ideas and opinions regarding various products and service. In a bid to understand the consumers’ perceptions and opinions successfully, organisational managers should take advantage of the internet’s capability with regard to consumer-to-consumer communication. Some of the online communication platforms commonly used by consumers include blogs, social networks, chartrooms, personal web pages, electronic discussion forums, newsgroup, an d list servers (O’Leary, Sheehan Lentz 2011). A study conducted by a European car club shows that consumers are motivated to engage with one another through various Internet platforms by a number of reasons. Some of the reasons identified include venting negative feelings, seeking advice, self-enhancement, economic benefits [cost saving], assisting the company by making their opinion known, concern for other consumers, and social benefits. Therefore, development in ICT has led to the emergence of electronic word-of-mouth [e-WOM], which is fundamental in enhancing development of virtual brand communities (Sayre, Rastogi, Zwillenberg Visser 2012). Failure to incorporate ICT in organisations’ marketing planning processes can limit an organisation’s competitiveness. For example, negative comments posted online can affect the consumers’ behaviour towards a particular product and organisation. Thus, firms’ management teams should evaluate how best they can utilise online media in understanding the consumers’ behaviour. Challenges presented by the development in ICT Digital disruption Despite the benefits associated with ICT proliferation, the emergence of digital media has presented organisations with diverse challenges. One of the major challenges relates to ‘digital disruption’, which refers to changes arising from digital media, either positive or threatening. First, the rate of innovation with regard to digital media is alarming. Therefore, businesses face the challenge of trying to keep-up with the pace of innovation (Jadhav, Kamble Patil 2009). Cost of new technology and training In a bid to survive in the long term, businesses will be required to increase their investment in research and development on digital media. Moreover, the digital media age will force organisations to adjust their business and operating models. For example, marketing in the digital media age requires organisations to purchase a dditional communication equipment in order to communicate effectively with the targeted stakeholders. Some of these technologies relate to hardware, software, servers, computers, and subscription to the Internet services. Upon implementing the necessary business communication technology, organisations will be required to hire and train employees who will be in a position to utilise and maintain the new technology. Firms will be required to ensure that communication through various social media platforms is monitored optimally. The comments made by consumers on social media have to be responded to in a bid to deliver value to customers. If a business does not have adequately trained human capital on how to address issues raised by customers’ on social media, its ability to compete effectively in the contemporary business environment is limited. In summary, incorporating social networking in an organisation’s marketing communication process is time-consuming (Brodie et a l. 2011). Consequently, substantial financial costs are incurred in the process of upgrading the firms marketing communication processes. Reputational risk The development of social media has empowered the consumers’ purchasing behaviour remarkably. For example, consumers have an opportunity to share ideas and opinions regarding a particular product with their friends and relatives. Social media platforms are increasingly becoming popular amongst consumers. It is estimated that Facebook has over 500 million followers. Therefore, a negative issue about an organisation or its product on social media can harm an organisation if not adequately addressed. Therefore, organisations are exposed to a considerable degree of reputational risk by the proliferation of communication through social media. For example, in 2009, a national pizza delivery chain suffered when two of its employees developed and posted a video that tainted the company’s image. The video went viral through Twitter. Within 48 hours, the consumers’ perception towards the company was adversely affected. Therefore, organisations have to ensure that their employees do not use social media in a way that harms the company’s reputation (O’Leary, Sheehan Lentz 2011). Conclusion The report illustrates the change in marketing models over the past few decades. One of the salient features of the marketing models relates to the importance of developing a sufficient understanding of the market. Consequently, they are of the opinion that it is important for marketing managers to collect and utilise a wide range of data in order to undertake effective marketing planning, which is a fundamental aspect in organisations effort to achieve the desired level competitiveness. The models are still relevant in the digital business environment because of their emphasis on developing sufficient marketing information and a strong relationship with customers.. The report also asserts that the changes occurring in the external business environment may have a remarkable impact on an organisation’s competitiveness. Therefore, it is essential for managers to understand the market dynamics. Technological change with regard to the emergence of various ICT mediums is one of the major aspects that should be evaluated. Currently, consumers are increasingly integrating ICT as their major source of product and service information, which has led to the development of an online community. Through various Internet-based platforms, consumers can interact with one another on various issues. Thus, the emergence of the digital age has remarkably influenced the consumers’ behaviour. In a bid to survive in such an environment, it is essential for organisational managers to formulate strategies that will enhance organisations capability in utilising ICT in their marketing processes. However, when implementing ICT in their marketing communication processes, it is imperative for organisations to be conscious of the challenges associated with the revolution in marketing communication. Organisations should be prepared to incur substantial cost in the course of implementing the necessary marketing communication technologies, which will enable firms to improve their competitiveness and hence their survival. Moreover, firms should appreciate the risks associated with integrating social media in their marketing communication platforms, which will enable the firms to be proactive when addressing the various risks that emerge. Recommendations Organisational managers should focus on evaluating customer relationship. Some of the factors that the firm should consider : Firms should be focused on developing a strong customer relationship. To achieve this, it is important for firms to focus on adopting customer-centric models such as the CRM model. Organisations should ensure that the information communication technologies incorporated are sufficiently interactive. Th is aspect will enable the firm to develop sufficient understanding of the consumers’ behaviour. Firms should respond to opinions made by consumers on various ICT platforms. It is also critical for organisations to personalise marketing communication using various information communication technologies, which can be achieved by integrating mobile technologies in their marketing communication processes, for example, by designing a mobile device platform. Organisations should formulate comprehensive policies and procedures that should guide the utilisation of its social media platforms. It is also imperative for organisations to review of the social media rules and regulations continuously. The review should be done under the watch of the organisation’s human resource, communications, information technology, and legal departments. It is also imperative for the set rules and regulations to be reviewed by an autonomous law firm. Prior to deciding on the social media platfor m to use, it is essential for the firms’ management teams to conduct a cost benefit analysis associated with integrating ICT in marketing communication. Reference List Al-Deen, H Hendricks, J 2012, Social media: usage and impact, Lexington Books, Lanham, MD. Brodie, R, Ilic, A, Juric, B Hollebeek, L 2011, ‘Consumer engagement in a virtual brand community: an exploratory analysis’, Journal of Business Research, vol. 66 no.1, pp. 1-10. Coallier, J 2012, Introduction to marketing; digital age edition, Booktango, New York. Cooper, L 2000, ‘Strategic marketing planning for radically new products’, Journal of Marketing, vol. 64 no.1, pp.1-16. Dyllick, T Hockerts, K 2002, ‘Beyond the business case for corporate sustainability’, Business Strategy and the Environment, vol. 11, no.2, pp. 130-141. Gazzar, N Mourad, M 2012, ‘The effect of online communication on corporate brand image’, International Journal of Online Marketing, vol . 2 no. 1, pp. 1-15. Hengst, M Sol, H 2001, ‘The impact of ICT on inter-organisational coordination; guidelines from theory’, Special Series on Information Exchange in Electronic Markets, vol. 4 no. 3, pp. 129-139. Lancaster, G 2005, Management of marketing, Routledge, New York. Jacobson, J 2009, 42 rules of social media for small business, Superstar Press, Cupertino. Jadhav, M, Kamble, R Patil, M 2009, ‘Social media marketing: the next generation of business trends’, Journal of Computer Engineering, vol. 3, pp. 45-59. McGrath, M 2012, ‘Social media and employment: Is there a limit?’ Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business, vol. 4 no.1, pp. 17-24. Nwankwo, S Gbadamosi, T 2010, Entrepreneurship marketing: principles and practices of SME marketing, Taylor Francis, New York. Obrien, C 2011, ‘The emergence of the social media empowered consumer’, Irish Marketing Review, vol. 21 no. 1/2, pp. 32-40. O’Le ary, S, Sheehan, K Lentz, S 2011, Small business smarts; building buzz with social media, Praeger, Santa Barbara, CA. Pulendran, S, Speed, R Widing, R 2002, ‘Marketing planning, market orientation and business performance’, European Journal of Marketing, vol. 37 no. 3, pp. 476-497. Pride, W 2009, Business, Cengage Learning, New York. Safko, L 2012, The social media bible; tactics, tools and strategies for business success, John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken. Sayre, K, Rastogi, V, Zwillenberg, P Visser, J 2012, Marketing capabilities for the digital age, Boston Consulting Group, New York. Shin, K 2013, The executor of integrated marketing communications strategy: Marcom’s manager’s working model, SpringBriefs, New York. Simkin, L Dibb S 2008, Marketing planning: a workbook for marketing managers, Cengage Learning, London. Somers, G, Cain, J Jeffrey, M 2009, Essentials VCE business management: Units 1 and 2, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Sweeney, S Craig, R 2011, Social media for business; 101 ways to grow your business without wasting your time, Maximum Press, Gulf Breeze, FL. Talloo, R 2007, Business organisations and management, Tata McGraw-Hill, New York. Thomas, D Barlow, M 2011, The executive’s guide to enterprise social media strategy; how social networks are radically transforming your business, Wiley, Hoboken. Thomas, M Wasmund, S 2011, The smarter way to do business, Capstone, Chichester. Wierenga, B 2008, Handbook of marketing models, Rotterdam: RSM Erasmus University. Annotated bibliography Brodie, R, Ilic, A, Juric, B Hollebeek, L 2011, ‘Consumer engagement in a virtual brand community: an exploratory analysis’, Journal of Business Research, vol. 60 no.1, pp. 1-10. The authors of this article outline the importance of organisations investing in brand management. The authors are of the opinion that investing in consumer engagement is one of the most effective strategies that organisations acro ss the world can adopt. In order to achieve this goal, the authors assert that firms’ management teams should invest in various types of information communication technologies. The article has extensively described how organisations can develop a strong customer relationship and loyalty by integrating ICT. Consequently, the article is very informative on the role of ICT in nurturing a virtual brand community. Coallier, J 2012, Introduction to marketing; digital age edition, Booktango, New York. This book explores various marketing fundamentals. One of the aspects that the author emphasises on relates to the development of a strong brand name. Media is cited as one of the aspects that an organisation can integrate in order to develop a strong brand name. Media offers a platform through which organisations can make their presence known across the world. The authors further assert that it is critical for organisations to seek market feedback in order to evaluate its success. Int egrating ICT is highlighted as one of the avenues through which an organisation can seek market feedback more effectively and efficiently. Cooper, L 2000, ‘Strategic marketing planning for radically new products’, Journal of  Marketing, vol. 64 no.1, pp. 1-16. In this article, the author emphasises on the importance of integrating marketing planning in firms’ marketing processes. The authors focus on the importance of understanding the consumer’s decision-making process in order to influence their behaviour. Consequently, Cooper asserts that it is essential for marketers to conduct a comprehensive situation analysis. Decision to integrate the article was informed by the fact that it highlights how marketing planning can enable organisations to introduce new products into the market successfully. Technological change is cited as one of the aspects that organisations should evaluate in their marketing planning processes. Gazzar, N Mourad, M 2012, ‘T he effect of online communication on corporate brand image’, International Journal of Online Marketing, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1-15. This article highlights how organisations can integrate online communication in order to influence their customers hence leading to the development of a strong brand image. The article highlights how learning institutions can integrate online communication in improving the image of their institution. The article further opines that there is a strong degree of correlation between an organisations’ brand image and its online strategies. The authors are of the opinion that the internet has played a remarkable role in improving an organisation’s market position and hence its future success. Hengst, M Sol, H 2001, ‘The impact of ICT on inter-organisational coordination; guidelines from theory’, Special Series on Information Exchange in Electronic Markets, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 129-139. The authors cite Information and Communicati on Technology as a critical element that have led to improvement in organisations marketing processes. The authors further opine that ICT has contributed towards improvement in an organisations capabilities and hence their ability to coordinate with other stakeholders. According to the article, it is important for organisations to ensure that information communication technologies are effectively implemented in order to enhance the relationship with external stakeholders such as customers. Obrien, C 2011, ‘The emergence of the social media empowered consumer’, Irish  Marketing Review, vol. 21 no. 1/2, pp. 32-40. The journal cites social media as one of the user-generated platforms that have been developed in the 21st century. The emergence of social media has motivated organisations to shift from web 2.0 in their marketing processes. The author is of the opinion that social media has made consumers’ very powerful. Consequently, organisations have to take into a ccount the consumers’ opinions and perceptions in their marketing processes. Moreover, social media has significantly transformed traditional relationship marketing concepts. The article further highlights the importance of integrating social media in developing a strong business-consumer relationship. In summary, the author illustrates how social media has empowered consumers. Pulendran, S, Speed, R Widing, R 2002, ‘Marketing planning, market orientation and business performance’, European Journal of Marketing, vol. 37 no. 3, pp. 476-497. This journal emphasise on the importance of developing a comprehensive analysis on the relationship between marketing planning and the marketing concept. According to the authors, it is essential for organisations to develop a comprehensive understanding of the consumers’ behaviours in order to undertake marketing planning successfully. The article cites linking consumer behaviour and marketing planning as a fundamental role in promoting business performance. Thus, the authors assert that it is important for organisations to invest in technologies that can enhance their capacity to understand the consumers’ behaviour. Sayre, K, Rastogi, V, Zwillenberg, P Visser, J 2012, Marketing capabilities for the  digital age, Boston Consulting Group, New York. The book highlights digital revolution as one of the major factors affecting business operations. The authors cite the internet, mobile technologies and social media as some of the technologies that have led to transformation in consumer behaviour. The book highlights the change in consumer trend with regard to integration of emerging information communication technologies. Moreover, the authors highlight the challenges that are associated with the emergence of the digital age. Consequently, it is critical for marketers to be conversant with change in the market environment courtesy of ICT developments. Simkin, L Dibb S 2008, Marketing planni ng: a workbook for marketing managers, Cengage Learning, London. The book illustrates the importance of investing in marketing planning in organisations’ effort to develop competitive advantage. According to the authors, marketing planning is increasingly being integrated by organisations in different economic sectors. Moreover, the authors highlight marketing planning as one of the fundamental elements in marketing management. The authors assert that marketing planning encompasses various elements, which include marketing mix and marketing analysis. In summary, the book sufficient highlights how an organisation can adopt marketing planning in developing sufficient competitive advantage. Shin, K 2013, The executor of integrated marketing communications strategy:  Marcom’s manager’s working model, SpringBriefs, New York. The book outlines the basic theory of Integrated Marketing Communication. According to the author, the IMC strategy is fundamental in developi ng sufficient market awareness. Moreover, the author asserts that the emergence of ICT has remarkably transformed marketing communication. Organisations have increasingly integrated emerging information communication technologies in their marketing communication. Consequently, author emphasises that ICT has played a critical role in transforming marketing communication from being a one-way to a two-way phenomenon. This coursework on Marketing in the digital age was written and submitted by user Daisy Doyle to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

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Hampton Roads essays The Battle of Hampton Roads The battle of Hampton Roads often called the battle of the Monitor and the Merrimac was a naval battle (a battle fought using ships, which mainly occurred at sea.) The American Civil war taking place from March 8 to March 9 off Sewells Point a place near Hampton Roads, Virginia. There were a total of five ships engaged in the battle. From the US Navy, there were four ships, the USS Congress, USS Minnesota, USS Cumberland, and the USS Monitor. The CS Navy had only one ship the CSS Merrimack. On March 8, 1862 when the first Confederate ironclad steamed down the Elizabeth River into Hampton Roads to attack the wooden sided USS Cumberlands. After ramming and sinking the twenty four gun wooden Cumberland the Merrimac headed for the fifty-gun frigate Congress. The Merrimac fired shots into the Congress with terrific aim while the shots from the congress hit the iron without any injury. The result of the first day of fighting proved the superiority of iron over wood. The next day the U.S.S Monitor arrived on the scene prepared with iron against iron. The Confederate ironclad carried more guns than the Union monitor, but it was very slow, clumsy, and had many engine problems. The Union was the fastest ironclad but it lack rebels and power. Since bot h ships we iron neither one of them had any greater power over each other. Neither ironclad seriously damaged the other in their one day of fighting. The results of the battle were inconclusive, neither side could claim victory. The Union lost about 409 sailors and the Confederacy lost about 24 sailors. ...

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Academic Skills - Essay Example The aim of education, then, is the full intellectual, moral and spiritual development of the student. Students should acquire discipline and self-mastery, possess mental skills and have a firm character and goodwill. These dispositions are to serve the proper ends of humankind. Clearly students need practical skills to navigate in the everyday world, but the main orientation is toward the ideal, perfect, transcendent realm which truly defines human existence. Planning is one of the academic skills which helps to organize the education and personal schedule. Planning bridges the gap from "where we are" to "where we want to go." It makes it possible for things to occur which would not otherwise happen. In an overall sense, planning is a function that is intellectually demanding and the most basic of all education functions. Planning should logically precede the execution of the educational goals and strategies of organizing, directing, and controlling. It is a function of management wh ich is unique in that it provides direction for all group effort. The purpose of planning is to provide a student with a framework in which decisions can be made which will have an impact on the learning process. A conscious effort to systematize the effort and to manage its evolution is preferable to an unmanaged and haphazard evolution. The basic planning problem is how to allocate the limited resources. The major benefits to be expected from planning include an improved sense of direction for the learning and a student himself, better performance, increased understanding of the learning and its purpose, earlier awareness of problems, and more effective decisions. Assessment allows a student to choose between alternative and find the most reliable and objective information. Assessment, analysis and synthesis are closely connected with planning seen as a process for setting future direction, a means to reduce risk, and a vehicle for training managers. It is also a process for making strategic decisions, a way to develop consensus among top managers, and a means to develop a written long-range plan. Strategic planning can be defined as a method of guiding studnets so that their decisions and actions affect the future of the education process in a consistent and rational manner, and in a way desired by top management. Planning, assessment and restricting helps me to study the course and effective use my time resources and skills. Planning/thinking entails tactica) planning--the planning of those actions to be taken to put strategies into effect. This type of planning answers the question of how to get the job done. It often consists of specific objectives accompanied by short narrative action plans. Assessment may have two diametrically opposed definitions. One is that it is the overall encompassing effort for total planning of a learning process, meaning that planning is merely a portion or "tool" of learning. Planning and restructuring are a part of the day-to-day implementation of an strategic plan. I suppose that I have a good planning and restructuring skills, but need some practice in assessment and analysis. These skills are s core of the effective management of change within the course. It is the implementation of strategies developed to determine a new direction for the personal development through transition, so it may fulfill its responsibilities in a rapidly changing environment. I suppose that planning is not visionary or futuristic thinking, but an example of process versus substance. Planning is the process that creates a balance between what is desired and what is possible. Assessment enables students to distinguish truly important decisions from less important ones

Sports and Society - Examples of Each Category of Violence in Sport Assignment

Sports and Society - Examples of Each Category of Violence in Sport - Assignment Example Players can use body contact during tackling by using the upper body to push and shove opponents during a football game and this can qualify for borderline violence since it is not explicit in its nature. Using the hands to push other players when trying to control the ball. Sometimes, players will go all out and actually, assault another player defiantly qualifies as a brutal body contact. Quasi-criminal violence can come in the form of unprofessional conduct between players and can come in the form of threat, insults or other means that degrade the dignity and honour of a player, players or clubs. Criminal violence is organized violence against a player, group of players or a club where another player, players or club willfully connive to bring harm to the other in order to stop them from performing. (Hechter, 1977) 2. If we want to understand violence in sports, we must understand gender ideology and issues of masculinity in culture. How is masculinity related to violence in sports and how do issues of masculinity take on different meanings among men from different backgrounds? Give examples from the course material and from your own experiences as you discuss this issue. Sports have from time immemorial, been relegated to the domain of men. Aggression, displays of power and dominance, drivenness, and the male physic in all its powerful glory. Any sign of weakness, empathy and kindness were regarded as a sign of weakness. The Greek culture is the one that sport was birthed in and that is why it influenced many sporting worldviews. The Greeks were obsessed with power and its display in all its form for glory’s sake. The Greco-Roman culture idolized war and aggression as an expression of masculinity and this was seen in sports. Sporting events of the medieval times were gory events filled with real-life killings of wild animals and slaves who were called gladiators. The sole purposes of the gladiators were to fight and die in the arena for the sake of glory and entertainment.  Ã‚  

Live Interpretation of Heritage

Live Interpretation of Heritage Historic Sites, Museums and Galleries Live interpretation of Heritage Introduction Over the past few decades heritage and culture has become an important part of people’s life, especially in respect of their leisure and tourist activities (Boyd 2003, p.1). This is particularly true in the case of tourism, where the historical demand for tourist and leisure activities have waned in favour of those filled with more cultural elements. There is an increasing desire to visit historic sites, museums and galleries in an attempt by the individual to learn more about their heritage and those of other cultures and social groups. At the same time, today’s heritage visitor has become more discerning about the manner that these venues present heritage experience to them (Boyd 2003, p.2). In essence therefore, heritage can be seen to relate to historical events and settings and the visitor wants to experience those historical experiences as an almost physical event. However, despite the numerous researches and survey results that supports this change in the visitor demand, there is still evidence that a number of heritage sites, museums and galleries are failing to react positively to these findings (Black 2005, p.10), which in many cases has resulted in a drop in visitor numbers at these venues. This situation can have serious consequences, especially for those heritage sites that rely upon entrance fees to bridge the gap between state funding and the running costs of the venue. Even where this not the case, for example where government funding is used to provide free admission, such venues are still accountable to the state and need to prove that their establishment is delivering to the needs of the public, which a reduction in visitor numbers will not achieve. In an effort to address this problem the last two decades have seen an increase in literature related specifically to the manner in which heritage is displayed and portrayed to the visi tor, creating a new discipline under the general title of heritage interpretation. Heritage interpretation relates equally to the understanding of the site or objects displayed for the visitor and the motivation determinant and needs of that visitor (Blockley and Hems 2006, p.1). Until recently, most academics agree that heritage interpretation has been the least developed aspect of the venue’s promotion to the visitor (Boyd 2003 and Blockley and Hems 2006). Interpretation forms and integral part of the visitor experience and will influence the experience that they take away from the visit (Boyd 2003, p.193). Therefore, it follows that understanding what motivates a visitor or group of visitors will enable the museum, gallery or heritage site to be better able to display and promote their product (ibid 2003, p.64). For most visitors that motivation will be to gain pleasure and learning from the object or activity being displayed. In most cases, as Blockley and Hems (2006, p.10) suggest in their research the motivation for the visit is to fulfil the individual’s need for pleasure and leaning and if the heritage venue or object does not achieve this the visitor will leave dissatisfied. In fact, the visitor has come to expect to be greeted with visual views, and animated displays when visiting heritage sites (Dicks 2003, p.17). Thus it is essential for the venue managers to ensure their destination and its contents meet these requirements. One aspect of interpretation that has come to the fore in the minds of the visitor during recent years, and an area that academics agree is an essential part of interpretation, is the level of interaction that exists between the visitor and the heritage venue or object. A recent development in this respect is the increasing use of various forms of live interpretation within the heritage display and other venue activities, and it this area of interpretation that will form the focal point for this study. Live Interpretation Live interpretation of heritage is the most direct form of interaction between the visitor and the artefacts and events that are being exhibited at heritage sites and venues. Visitors and tourists today expect to see live heritage and cultural displays rather than inanimate objects displayed in empty or one dimensional building and display boxes. For example, visitors to industrial museums have come to expect to be treated to visual and moving displays of historical machinery and even to feel the experience through a living example of the society of the time (Dicks 2003, p.29). The process of live interpretation can be delivered in a number of formats. One early example of live interpretation was achieved by allowing the visitor to interact with working models, which enabled them to better interpret the processes that were involved with that models operational purpose. As the process of interpretation continued to evolve, these working models were enhanced by the inclusion of audio and visual interpretation methods, which research indicated were perceived to be more rewarding for the visitor than written text material, such as leaflets and books (Boyd 2003, p.231). The use of information and communication technology is another area of live interpretation that can prove effective, through a process of interactive involvement or displaying films and holographic images (Atkinson 2007). As Atkinson (2007) report further explains, by using ICT it is possible for the heritage site management to be able to â€Å"personalise and tailor exhibits and experiences to the individual or specific group’s needs.† However, today the most direct form of live interpretation is deemed to be that which involves physical face to face interaction between the visitor and a representative or group of representatives directly involved with the heritage site, either on a voluntary or employed basis (Blockley and Hems 2006, p.184), which most researchers identify as an interpreter. As these author’s point out â€Å"face to face interpretation is seen as the best form of enlivening the visitor experience† and certainly make them consider that it is time well spent. One important aspect needs to be mentioned in respect of the actions of the interpreter. This relates to their level of competence and degree of competence. As Boyd (2003, p.195) explains, â€Å"Whilst live interpretation is deemed the most effective form of interaction between visitor and the heritage object, poor quality in live interpretation is worse than nothing.† However, the degree to which the â€Å"interpreter† brings the heritage experience to life will depend upon the venue and its content. For example, they can range from the inclusion of a tour guide to costumed characters who re-enact the history and culture that the heritage site is promoting. This degree of variation and the appropriateness for the heritage venue will be further addressed in the following sections of this study. Museums and Galleries A number of researches have been conducted with the intention of discovering how much time visitors spent in museums and to what extent the format and display of the exhibits influenced the length of visit. One such survey, conducted for the research carried out by Boyd (2003, pp.77-78) found that there was a point of time at which visitors interest in the exhibits began to wane and the inclination to â€Å"head for the exit† began to dominate their thought processes. This was especially found to be true where the interpretation of the exhibits relied solely upon the basic strategy of display. For example, unless the visitor has a specific historical or academic interest in the specific artefacts being displayed within the venue, which only relates to a small segment of the population, after a while one exhibit, be that a painting, vase or another kind of inanimate object, all began to look alike to the visitor. At that stage the pleasure and learning gained from the experienc e began to deteriorate. There still exists the purist view that will argue against the introduction of live interpretation has no place within museums and galleries. Their reasoning is that the visitor should be allowed to interpret the exhibit free from the influence of what those who hold this opinion perceive to be external interference. However, although as stated previous this might be relevant for those who have a dedicated reason for visiting the museum or galleries it was becoming apparent to the mangers of these venues that this was not concurred with by the majority of visitors upon whom these museums and galleries depended. Therefore, remedial and innovative action was seen to be required if the decline in visitor numbers was to be reversed. It became apparent that some of the key qualities that visitors expected to experience from viewing a particular exhibit were clarity, poignancy, attractiveness together with a dynamic presentation (Boyd 2003, p.224). However, in the case of many visitors it proved difficult achieve the satisfaction of many of these qualities unless the object or exhibit was appropriately interpreted in the first place. This did not mean that the museums and galleries had to introduce moving or highly interactive interpretation process for all of their exhibits. In many instances it was simply a question of introducing a tour guide (Dicks 2003, p.171). This would involve employing a person who had sufficient knowledge and experience about the exhibit to be able to provide an appropriate interpretation, which the visitor could consider and come to their own informed opinion. An example of where such a tour guide is frequently used is in the Royal heritage. Often professional interpreters are used to b ring the heritage to life, as is the case with the royal palaces (Blockley and Hems 2006, p.45). To maintain the dignity of these historical sites it would be inappropriate to introduce some of the more technological based live interpretation methods, such as videos, films and other gadgetry. In such cases therefore, the tour guide will be employed to act as the face-to-face interactive interpreter. The heritage visitor or tourist would not expect any greater level of interpretation in such delicate and reverent historical surroundings, and the same reasoning would be applied to heritage sites of religious significance, such as historical churches and cathedrals. Nevertheless, there are other museums and galleries where the more proactive and interactive live interpretation methods are useful in improving the visitor experience. Providing visitors with a method that allows personal live interpretation, for instance by using computer generated informational processes that explain the origins of the object or gives more information relating to its original use and purpose, can enhance the benefits that the visitor receives from viewing the object. Another method that is being used more frequently within the museum and gallery environment is to make the object or artefact live by introducing information and communication technology process that allow it to move and react (Atkinson 2007, p.7). Black 2005, p.264) promotes the increased use of files within the museum, arguing that this manner of interpretation is more likely to enable the visitor to experience the object as a living thing, thus creating a psychological connection. One area of museu ms where these methods have proven to be particularly successful is in the field of natural science. For example, presenting the dinosaur animal generation in an interactive and live interpretation method provides the visitor with a better idea of the size, power and a concept of the physical damage that such creatures could cause. Another recent development within the museum sector of heritage is the evolution of the open-air museum (Boyd 2003, p.224). Because of the difference of the environment for the exhibit, these venues have developed an interpretation process that is far more focused on its live element. In effect the visitor can almost touch a living exhibit and, through the detailed live interpretation process, is transported back to the historical times during which the object was created. In fact, by the use of costumes and special effects often in these cases the visitor will feel as if they have had a personal connection with these events. Research has shown that, where museums and galleries have adopted some of these live interpretation measures within their venues, and to provide a better understanding of the exhibit, this has resulted in a positive effect on the length of a visitor’s stay (Black 2005, p.257). Furthermore, it has also had a positive impact in that visitor numbers have seen improvement in many instances. Historic sites As Jane Malcolm-Davies (2003, p.1) mentions in the introduction to the process of using costumed robes for live heritage interpretation, historic sites are finding it increasingly difficult to survive in the competitive environment of the leisure and tourism industry, not least because of the reduction in government funding, but also because of the impact of competing sites. As a result they have to resort to new and innovative measures for interpreting theirs sites in a manner that will increase visitor numbers. To stand out from the crowd and gain a competitive advantage that will lead to an increase in visitor numbers, live interpretation of the heritage value of these sites often has to resort to making the historical event come alive, a process that is most commonly referred to as re-enactment. These live interpretation events can take a number of forms. Some of the best known would be the re-enactment of historical civil wars, with authenticity attempted in every aspect of the actor’s costumes and equipment, accompanied by the realistic noise of battle. In other cases, the event might involve a live reconstruction of a home or village as the actors perceived it to be in historical times. Alternative versions of these occur where industrial processes, plants, and retail business environments are re-created to resemble how it might have looked in yesteryear. In a number of cases there is an invitation for the visitor to join in with the experience, creating for them a unique memory of the occasion. However, as with the use of live interpretation developments in museums and galleries, there has been some intense disagreement inn the past between academics and members of the historical heritage groups regarding the use of re-enactment and the use of costumes, with the opponents considering it to be fake (Sansom 1996, p.134). Indeed, many of those who hold this opinion consider this approach little more than theatrical nonsense. It is probably partly because of this reaction that it took until the latter part of the 1980’s before heritage sites began to employ â€Å"paid, permanent, costumed staff as an integral part of their daily interpretation† activities (Hicks 1994, p.9). The difficulty was that, before the employment of professional interpreters or â€Å"actor† there could be said to be some truth in the opposing argument. However, to the extent that these objectors delayed the introduction of a more professional approach to the live interpretation, it could be said that they contributed to the poor standard of interpretation that previously existed. In his dissertation thesis in 1990, Robershaw (1990, p.31) found from his research into the situation with regard to costumed interpreters that whilst it had the cosmetic effect of creating a more realistic atmosphere, this was not at that time communicated to the visitor. The same author quoted other literature that, like his own, concluded that visitors were demanding that the historical site managers should deliver a more â€Å"interactive experience†, which was clearing not happening at that time. It was also argued that because of the educational leanings, the resultant experience lack ed any element of fun and entertainment. The remarkable thing is that, since the introduction of live costumed and professional methods of interpretation (Sansom 1996, p.122 and Malcolm-Davies 200, p.9), this element of interaction and increased in the value of entertainment and fun has become more evident. The improvement has led to a situation where it has been found to the level of recall and understanding that is experienced by the visitor. Most academics, including Black (2005, p.117) and Dicks (2003, p.49) are now firmly of the opinion that historic and cultural sites that adopt the live approach to interpretation and encourages interaction with the visitor, even to the extent of re-enacting historic events, do find that it leads to an increase in visitor numbers. Furthermore, it leads to a greater degree of satisfaction of their need for enjoyment and learning. The proponents of live interpretation for historical sites argue that these re-enactments, especially now that they are more professional in nature, can be considered to be displaying an improved and closer depiction of the actual event, and therefore should be viewed as being more authentic. Furthermore, they will also argue that these events are serving to deliver to the main demands of the visitor, in that they provide a much greater depth of learning, whilst at the same time satisfying the visitor demand for them to include an element of fun and entertainment. The managers of these historical sites will also argue that, the inclusion of live interpretation and re-enactment within the promotional element of the destination, such moves are also serving the objectives of the destination, which are a) to remain self-sufficient in terms of funding and b) to assist the destination in achieving a competitive advantage over other similar destinations. They would further argue that the reported visitor number increases for the industry sector as a whole, and many of the destinations individually, support their choice of interpretation methods. Conclusion As has been mentioned in the introduction section of this research, over the past few years there has been increasing pressure exerted upon the managers of historic sites, museums and galleries to become self sufficient and accountable for the value achieved as a result of the limited resources provided to them from the public purse. It is natural that, in order to meet these conditions, the managers of these sites have been forced to consider a more innovative solution to promoting their destinations (Dicks 2003, p.122). An increasing number have turned to the use of live interpretation as a means of providing a resolution to the problems they have been facing. In the past there may have been some merit to the argument raised by opponents to live interpretation. These might have been justified especially where those elements of this process went as far as the inclusion of costumes and re-enactment. This justification can be linked with the lack of professionalism that existed at that time. However, in most cases that position has changed and the introduction of professional actors, directors and costume designers have dramatically improved this element of live interpretation. However, in the final analysis of the appropriateness of these methods of live interpretation it is the results produced that determine their success or failure. When one poses the question whether the adoption of these new approaches to interpretation have had the desired effect in terms of increasing the numbers of visitors being seen at historic sites, museums and galleries, the external researches studied by the author all support a positive response. Similarly, looking at it from the viewpoint of the other main stakeholder, the heritage visitor, the question to be asked is whether â€Å"live† interpretation promotional methods have improved their enjoyment of the experience and is more completely meeting their demands and needs. Here, again, current research and survey results confirm that this is the case. In fact, as Hunt (2004, p.387) states in his detailed research on heritage and interpretation., â€Å"acting the part has now become almost essential, as most visitor s have come to expect it!† In conclusion therefore, it is found that live interpretation is more effective as a method of education and learning, and as a means of visitor entertainment, than has been the case with most of the other methods of destination promotion adopted by historic sites, museums and galleries in the past. It is therefore recommended that those destinations that have yet to adopt these methods, and are experiencing difficulty in meeting financial or public accountability standards, should seriously considered following the example of the many institutions that have benefitted from live interpretation. Bibliography Atkinson, S (2007) The value of information and communications technology in natural heritage interpretation Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 8 August 2008 from: http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/commissioned_reports/ReportNo218.pdf Black, G (2005). The Engaging Museum: Developing Museums for Visitor Involvement. Routledge, Abingdon, UK Blockley, M and Hems, A (eds) (2006). Heritage Interpretation: Theory and Practice. Routledge, Abingdon, UK Boyd, S and Timothy, D (2003). Heritage Tourism. Pearson Education, Harlow, UK Dicks, B (2003). Culture on Display. Open University Press. Maidenhead, UK. Dray, C (1999). History as Re-enactment: R.G. Collingwoods â€Å"Idea of History†. Oxford University Press. Oxford, UK Hicks, D. (1994). The use of living history events at historic sites and buildings, master’s thesis, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom. Hunt, S.J (2004). Acting the part: ‘living history’ as a serious leisure pursuit. Leisure Studies, Vol.23, No.4, pp.387-403 Malcolm-Davies (2003). Borrowed Robes: The educational value of costumed interpretation at historic sites. Retrieved 8 August 2008 from http://www.esade.es/cedit2003/pdfs/malcomdaviesjm.pdf Robertshaw, A. (1990). Acts of imagination. Museums journal, Vol. 3, pp.30-31. Ransom, E. (1996). Peopling the past: current practices in archaeological site interpretation. In Archaeological displays and the public: methodology and interpretation (McManus, P. Ed.), pp.118-137, Institute of Archaeology, London’

My Educational Philosophy Essay -- Philosophy of Education Teaching

My Educational Philosophy Choosing a major is a very difficult decision to make for everyone. It has to be something that you can spend the rest of your life doing and should enjoy. When I think back to my elementary years through my senior year of high school, all I ever wanted to be was a dentist. I took the classes that would better prepare me in the dentistry field. There at the last second, I switched my major. It was first semester of my senior year of high school when my favorite teacher, Mrs. Fowler, asked me to teach Spanish to the kindergarten class at Piney View Elementary School. As soon as I walked into the classroom and saw the sixteen pairs of eyes gleaming at me, I realized that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to become a teacher and work with young children everyday. The thought of having my own classroom and being able to teach the children so many new things gets me so excited that I cannot even describe it. I cannot wait to graduate and start t eaching in my own classroom. When I was in elementary school I had every kind of teacher imaginable; nice, crazy, mean, scary, loony, and cool. Each one had their own way of teaching, which I enjoyed. The problem was more about some of their personalities. One thing that I learned was that it is not fair to teach your own child in a school. I think that the child should either go to a different school for that grade or if the school offers a different teacher then that is better. I know not all teachers who have their child in class treat them differently, but still I think that it is unfair to the other students. I want to be more like the cool teacher I had, Mrs. Ivey. She was a very understandabl... ...ished work and I will be there, by their side to help them if needed. To me, teachers are like guides, we walk students through steps of learning, and eventually one day the students will be on their own teaching someone else. In summary, I plan on using the behaviorism, progressivism, and essentialism philosophies. I believe that these three philosophies are important in my classroom. The most important goal in my profession is to prepare children to be the future leaders of our world. I want my students to enjoy life, have high self-esteem and know that I will always be there for them when they need someone. I am going to lighten their lives and they will do the same for me. I know everything is going to work out this way because I will make it happen. I have set my goals; they are in my grasp, all I have to do now is hold on to them.

My Summer Vacation

My Summer Vacation My summer vacation was really fun and I enjoyed every minute of it. The first day of my Summer vacation was boring, but I knew it would be because it was the first day. I spent Almost my entire summer vacation with Astrid and my cousin as well as my family. The first thing I wanted to do was to go to the beach. I ended up going to the beach, but it Was when Tania invited me to come out of a video for her fifteen and I of course I said Yes. As well as Astrid did too. I was really excited that I was finally going to the beach. When we got there the first thing I saw was the beautiful ocean. I wanted to get out of the Car already so that I could smell the fresh air of the ocean. But when I got out of the car It turned out that it was really cold and I was freezing. I had a great time though because I spend the day with my friends and I finally went to the beach. I also did lots of Shopping this past summer vacation. So there was a day that I decided that I was going to Go the mall and buy clothes. I called Astrid and said, â€Å"Hey Astrid lets go to the Mall† and she agreed on coming with me. Well then after a few weeks I went to the Movies with my sister and my cousins, we watched Green Lantern. And after a few more Days I went to the movies again but this time I saw three movies which were: Sucker Punch, Soul Sulfur, and Scream 4. There was a day where I really wanted to go bowling, But I had no idea who would I go with and who would take me . Then I called Astrid and Asked her if she wanted to go and later that day we went bowling and I was really happy Afterward. I had sleepovers with Astrid and my cousins and we would talk about so Many things. Then my cousin invited me to a party that I was really excited about. I also went swimming at my mom’s friend house; I enjoyed having the water on my face. While we were in the pool we played some volleyball, but I really wasn’t good at it so Team eventually lost and they weren’t very happy with that. When we got out from the Pool we went to see some movies with some chips and sodas. This summer was the best Summer vacation I ever had, I did so many things that I thought I wouldn’t do, but I did And I am very happy about that. My was goal was to have the best summer vacation and I achieved my goal. I had so many experiences and achievements. I hope I have another Great summer vacation that I won’t forget. My Summer Vacation My Summer Vacation My summer vacation was really fun and I enjoyed every minute of it. The first day of my Summer vacation was boring, but I knew it would be because it was the first day. I spent Almost my entire summer vacation with Astrid and my cousin as well as my family. The first thing I wanted to do was to go to the beach. I ended up going to the beach, but it Was when Tania invited me to come out of a video for her fifteen and I of course I said Yes. As well as Astrid did too. I was really excited that I was finally going to the beach. When we got there the first thing I saw was the beautiful ocean. I wanted to get out of the Car already so that I could smell the fresh air of the ocean. But when I got out of the car It turned out that it was really cold and I was freezing. I had a great time though because I spend the day with my friends and I finally went to the beach. I also did lots of Shopping this past summer vacation. So there was a day that I decided that I was going to Go the mall and buy clothes. I called Astrid and said, â€Å"Hey Astrid lets go to the Mall† and she agreed on coming with me. Well then after a few weeks I went to the Movies with my sister and my cousins, we watched Green Lantern. And after a few more Days I went to the movies again but this time I saw three movies which were: Sucker Punch, Soul Sulfur, and Scream 4. There was a day where I really wanted to go bowling, But I had no idea who would I go with and who would take me . Then I called Astrid and Asked her if she wanted to go and later that day we went bowling and I was really happy Afterward. I had sleepovers with Astrid and my cousins and we would talk about so Many things. Then my cousin invited me to a party that I was really excited about. I also went swimming at my mom’s friend house; I enjoyed having the water on my face. While we were in the pool we played some volleyball, but I really wasn’t good at it so Team eventually lost and they weren’t very happy with that. When we got out from the Pool we went to see some movies with some chips and sodas. This summer was the best Summer vacation I ever had, I did so many things that I thought I wouldn’t do, but I did And I am very happy about that. My was goal was to have the best summer vacation and I achieved my goal. I had so many experiences and achievements. I hope I have another Great summer vacation that I won’t forget. My Summer Vacation My Summer Vacation My summer vacation was really fun and I enjoyed every minute of it. The first day of my Summer vacation was boring, but I knew it would be because it was the first day. I spent Almost my entire summer vacation with Astrid and my cousin as well as my family. The first thing I wanted to do was to go to the beach. I ended up going to the beach, but it Was when Tania invited me to come out of a video for her fifteen and I of course I said Yes. As well as Astrid did too. I was really excited that I was finally going to the beach. When we got there the first thing I saw was the beautiful ocean. I wanted to get out of the Car already so that I could smell the fresh air of the ocean. But when I got out of the car It turned out that it was really cold and I was freezing. I had a great time though because I spend the day with my friends and I finally went to the beach. I also did lots of Shopping this past summer vacation. So there was a day that I decided that I was going to Go the mall and buy clothes. I called Astrid and said, â€Å"Hey Astrid lets go to the Mall† and she agreed on coming with me. Well then after a few weeks I went to the Movies with my sister and my cousins, we watched Green Lantern. And after a few more Days I went to the movies again but this time I saw three movies which were: Sucker Punch, Soul Sulfur, and Scream 4. There was a day where I really wanted to go bowling, But I had no idea who would I go with and who would take me . Then I called Astrid and Asked her if she wanted to go and later that day we went bowling and I was really happy Afterward. I had sleepovers with Astrid and my cousins and we would talk about so Many things. Then my cousin invited me to a party that I was really excited about. I also went swimming at my mom’s friend house; I enjoyed having the water on my face. While we were in the pool we played some volleyball, but I really wasn’t good at it so Team eventually lost and they weren’t very happy with that. When we got out from the Pool we went to see some movies with some chips and sodas. This summer was the best Summer vacation I ever had, I did so many things that I thought I wouldn’t do, but I did And I am very happy about that. My was goal was to have the best summer vacation and I achieved my goal. I had so many experiences and achievements. I hope I have another Great summer vacation that I won’t forget.

Domestication History of Rye

Domestication History of Rye Rye (Secale cereale subspecies cereale) was likely fully domesticated from its weedy relative (S. cereale ssp segetale) or perhaps S. vavilovii, in Anatolia or the Euphrates River valley of what is today Syria, at least as early as 6600 BC, and perhaps as early as 10,000 years ago. Evidence for domestication is at Natufian sites such as Can Hasan III in Turkey at 6600 cal BC (calendar years BC); domesticated rye reached central Europe (Poland and Romania) about 4,500 cal BC. Today rye is grown on about 6 million hectares in Europe where it is mostly used for making bread, as animal feed and forage, and in the production of rye and vodka. Prehistorically rye was used for food in a variety of ways, as animal fodder and for straw for the thatched rooves. Characteristics Rye is a member of the Triticeae tribe of Pooideae subfamily of the Poaceae grasses, meaning it is closely related to wheat and barley. There are around 14 different species of the Secale genus, but only S. cereale is domesticated. Rye is allogamous: its reproductive strategies promote outcrossing. Compared to wheat and barley, rye is relatively tolerant to frost, drought, and marginal soil fertility. It has an enormous genome size (~8,100 Mb), and its resistance to frost stress appears to be a result of the high genetic diversity among and within rye populations. The domestic forms of rye have larger seeds than wild forms as well as a non-shattering rachis (the part of the stem that holds the seeds onto the plant). Wild rye is free-threshing, with a tough rachis and loose chaff: a farmer can free the grains by a single threshing since straw and chaff are eliminated by a single round of winnowing. Domestic rye maintained the free-threshing characteristic and both forms of rye are vulnerable to ergot and to munching by pesky rodents while still ripening. Experimenting with Rye Cultivation There is some evidence that Pre-Pottery Neolithic (or Epi-Paleolithic) hunters and gatherers living in the Euphrates valley of northern Syria cultivated wild rye during the cool, arid centuries of the Younger Dryas, some 11,000-12,000 years ago. Several sites in northern Syria show that increased levels of rye were present during the Younger Dryas, implying that the plant must have been specifically cultivated to survive. Evidence discovered at Abu Hureyra (~10,000 cal BC), TellAbr (9500-9200 cal BC), Mureybet 3 (also spelled Murehibit, 9500-9200 cal BC), Jerf el Ahmar (9500-9000 cal BC), and Djade (9000-8300 cal BC) includes the presence of multiple querns (grain mortars) placed in food processing stations and charred wild rye, barley, and einkorn wheat grains. In several of these sites, rye was the dominant grain. Ryes advantages over wheat and barley are its ease of threshing in the wild stage; it is less glassy than wheat and can be more easily prepared as food (roasting, grinding, boiling and mashing). Rye starch is hydrolyzed to sugars more slowly and it produces a lower insulin response than wheat, and is, therefore, more sustaining than wheat. Weediness Recently, scholars have discovered that rye, more than other domesticated crops has followed a weedy species type of domestication processfrom wild to weed to crop and then back to weed again. Weedy rye (S. cereale ssp segetale) is distinctive from the crop form in that it includes stem shattering, smaller seeds and a delay in flowering time. It has been found to have spontaneously redeveloped itself out of the domesticated version in California, in as few as 60 generations. Sources This article is part of the About.com guide to Plant Domestication, and part of the Dictionary of Archaeology Hillman G, Hedges R, Moore A, Colledge S, and Pettitt P. 2001. New evidence of Late Glacial cereal cultivation at Abu Hureyra on the Euphrates. The Holocene 11(4):383-393. Li Y, Haseneyer G, Schà ¶n C-C, Ankerst D, Korzun V, Wilde P, and Bauer E. 2011. High levels of nucleotide diversity and fast decline of linkage disequilibrium in rye (Secale cerealeL.) genes involved in frost response. BMC Plant Biology 11(1):1-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2229-11-6 (Springer link is currently not working) Marques A, Banaei-Moghaddam AM, Klemme S, Blattner FR, Niwa K, Guerra M, and Houben A. 2013. B chromosomes of rye are highly conserved and accompanied the development of early agriculture. Annals of Botany 112(3):527-534. Martis MM, Zhou R, Haseneyer G, Schmutzer T, Vrna J, Kubalkov M, Kà ¶nig S, Kugler KG, Scholz U, Hackauf B et al. 2013. Reticulate Evolution of the Rye Genome. The Plant Cell 25:3685-3698. Salamini F, Ozkan H, Brandolini A, Schafer-Pregl R, and Martin W. 2002. Genetics and geography of wild cereal domestication in the near east. Nature Reviews Genetics 3(6):429-441.   Shang H-Y, Wei Y-M, Wang X-R, and Zheng Y-L. 2006. Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships in the rye genus Secale L. (rye) based on Secale cereale microsatellite markers. Genetics and Molecular Biology 29:685-691. Tsartsidou G, Lev-Yadun S, Efstratiou N, and Weiner S. 2008. Ethnoarchaeological study of phytolith assemblages from an agro-pastoral village in Northern Greece (Sarakini): development and application of a Phytolith Difference Index. Journal of Archaeological Science 35(3):600-613. Vigueira CC, Olsen KM, and Caicedo AL. 2013. The red queen in the corn: agricultural weeds as models of rapid adaptive evolution. Heredity 110(4):303-311.   Willcox G. 2005. The distribution, natural habitats, and availability of wild cereals in relation to their domestication in the Near East: multiple events, multiple centres. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany 14(4):534-541. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00334-005-0075-x (Springer link not working) Willcox G, and Stordeur D. 2012. Large-scale cereal processing before domestication during the 10th millennium Cal BC in northern Syria. Antiquity 86(331):99-114.

American Ownership of Canada essays

American Ownership of Canada essays In 1867 Canada was heading down the road of autonomy, in 1931 Canada gained further independence from the empire by negotiating and signing the Treaty of Westminster. But within a period of a few short years of moving away from one empire we just backed into another one. As many of us know today Canada is known to many as an American satellite state. How did this happen, how did a country looking to gain greater autonomy end up having the greatest amount of foreign ownership then any other industrial country in the world. I will examine the early history of the relationship between Canada and America and examine some of the key events that bound Canada to the United States. I will mainly cover the years 1930 to the cold war era and examine what impact the close relationship has had on Canada and how the different authors feel this has affected Canadians today. When the 1930s came around the Canadian economy took a downward spiral. It was not unusual in a capitalist economy to experience short, sharp fluctuation in the economy but this time it was different (Norrie and Owram 353). By this time Canada was already dependent on the U.S, as a large part of its exports depended on the United States. Canadas share of the new economic era was created by a resource boom that was inspired by demand in the United States, now with no demand the economic situation wasnt looking good for Canada (Thompson and Randall 109). By the time the 30s came to a close things werent looking to get any better as another World War was on the brink. The situation in 1940 looked pretty bleak in terms of Canadas position in the Second World War, both in the defence of Britain and in the defence of Canadian soil itself. The Canadian Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, had two choices, either continue to support the British cause and hope for the best, or look f or an ally to who would be willing to defend both Canada and ...

Human Resource in Coffee Masters Company Assignment

Human Resource in Coffee Masters Company - Assignment Example Between this major entity and the minimal waged consumer, there are untapped resources in form of reaching out to these menial waged consumers (Edgar & Fiona 45). Coffee Masters have an objective of offering the quality coffee at a much lower price. Additionally, the organization has branches in suburbs which hold a significant number of people in its target market. Also in its objectives, the organization aims at using the human labor of the locals to fuel the activities in the organization. To aid in this the organization has a total of 100 employees in all its branches. Each branch has an internal staff, 30 members. The rest of the employees are involved other activities like marketing, sales, logistics, branch supervisors and the organization has a large transport system which has a significant number of employees depending on the size of the branch’s logistics activity (Turner, 76). The organization is controlled by a management team located at the main branch of the organization. Additionally, the organization has employed human resources representatives at each branch. The HR rationale in this organization involves minimal contact between the employees and the main management team. The management team greatly relies on the operations of branch supervisors as the human resource representatives. In this particular organizational setting, the human resource is a simple arrangement with three levels. The top level of human resource management in this setting is the top management team. The team is led by the founders of the enterprise who carry out the task of decision making and approving recommendations (Fielding 89). From the CEOs, the organization has branch managers as the second in command. The branch managers run the branches under strict instructions from the CEOs. Below the branch managers lie the other staff members with the highest ranked staff member being a branch supervisor. In  Ã‚  terms of human resource management, the organization has an HR manager who has the responsibility of hiring and terminating employment contracts.

MicroL16 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

MicroL16 - Essay Example Still, it seems likely to be a reasonable assumption to help understand market behavior. Industries in which there are many producers and in which it is difficult to differentiate between goods from individual producers, baking potatoes for example, it is likely that assuming the market is perfectly competitive can yield a reasonably accurate understanding of the way the market works. For markets, however, in which there are a limited number of producers and in which the costs to enter the market are high, or where the government restricts entry, it does not seem a reasonable assumption. Electric power, for instance, is often only available within a community from a single commercial producer. While there may be some alternatives available to consumers, such as buying their own generators or banks of solar cells, for all but the most committed, the price of these alternatives is so high as to make them non-viable. Clearly, for a market like this, assuming competitive behavior is not reasonable. 2. Profits. In a competitive market in long term equilibrium, no firm can make an â€Å"economic profit†Ã¢â‚¬â€that is, have revenues in excess of costs, including â€Å"normal profit.† This is because economic profit will provide an incentive to other firms to enter the marketplace, shifting the industry supply curve and driving down the price until there is no longer an economic profit. In the short term, a firm may enjoy economic profits in the following three ways. The first way is when a firm might innovate in a way that drives down its costs of production. While other firms work to catch up, the innovative firm can enjoy economic profit. The second way is when a firm might innovate in a way that favorably differentiates its product from others, again allowing it to earn economic profit while other firms worked to match it. The third way is when an external event occurs, such as perhaps the introduction of a new complementary good, which might shift t he demand curve for the good in question, allowing the entire industry to experience short term economic profits until more firms were able to enter the market and increase supply. 3. Shutdown point for a firm. In the short run, a firm should keep operating as long as its average variable costs are less than the price of its product. This is because total revenue will cover the variable costs. Since, in the short run, fixed costs are not avoidable they should not be considered. In the long run, the firm cannot continue to operate at a loss. This means that a firm should shut down and leave the industry if, over the long run, average total costs will exceed price. 4. Long-Run Cost Curve, Economies of Scale and Firm Size. A firm is enjoying economies of scale when long-run (i.e., all inputs variable) average costs decrease as the number of units produced by the firm increases. As demand for the product increases, a firm in this position is likely to be able to meet the additional dema nd at a lower cost than a new firm entering the market, providing the existing firm with a competitive advantage. To the degree the firms in an industry experience economies of scale, there will likely be fewer firms (i.e., increased concentration) then there would in an industry where firms were experiencing decreased returns to scale Taken to the extreme, an existing firm with a continuously declining long-run cost curve would be in a