Monday, September 30, 2019

Honda Environmental Leadership Essay

Honda Motor Co. is the largest motor cycle manufacturer and a leading automaker in the world. With a worldwide network of over 501 subsidiaries, Honda’s diverse portfolio includes small sized general purpose engines to scooters and sports cars. The philosophy of Honda Motor Co. is well entrenched with the Japanese culture of pursuing the ‘triple joys’. The triple joys reflect the joys of buying, selling and creating. The company has been particularly recognized world over for its initiatives in tackling environmental challenges. Although environmental concerns and need for reciprocative action became eminent in the mid 1980s, Honda’s efforts in this direction can be attributed to the 1960s when air pollution was first understood. The environmental leadership at Honda is deeply rooted in the company’s vision to be ‘a company that the society wants to exist’ (Honda Motors, 2010). Today people throughout the world have become conscious of the damages automobiles can do to our environment. Thus we see environment friendly automotive technologies emerging in response to uncovering environmental situation. The concept of Green Motoring has taken shape, which involves using alternative fuels in order to reduce air pollution. Among the efforts automotive manufacturers take to contribute to the environment, is the use of fuels generated from bio alcohols and bio mass. Green motoring is now focused on using hydrogen as a fuel (Green Field H 2008). The vision of the company is indeed too radical, at least with respect to environment protection. Wanting to see itself as an entity that the society doesn’t object, is indeed an unprecedented thought, reflecting its understanding of public thinking. This philosophy also highlights the importance it attaches to public perception of environmental degradation. The company seems to believe that the society will allow it to exist only if it is compliance with its expectations. It is therefore no wonder that Honda had taken a leadership role well ahead of its competitors, proactively. The environmental impact has been fully analyzed, encompassing its manufacturing process, the vehicles manufactured, the support activities like administration, transportation etc. The environment friendly initiatives are reflected in all its subsidiaries throughout the world. Honda seems to have made environmental concern a part of its global strategy. All Honda operations throughout the world, have a significant bearing with respect to environment protection for the countries in which they operate. Discussion Honda seeks to create new value by incorporating innovative ideas that reflect the changing needs. The company is committed to the future, by minimizing its effects on the environment and its intake of earth’s resources. A recent survey by DuPont and the Society of Automotive Industry (SAE) has identified environmental concerns as being the biggest challenge for the industry. According to Chris Murphy DuPont director, environmental considerations are transforming vehicle design and development and have become a differentiator in the marketplace. About 54% of the respondents saw fuel efficient vehicles with reduced environmental impact as being primary to the consumers (Laura 2008). On its part, Honda seeks to address climate change, produced due to higher concentration of CO2, CFC and other greenhouses gases. By introducing hybrid and fuel economizing technologies, CO2 emissions are not only reduced in Honda vehicles, but throughout its entire corporate activity. With regard to depletion of resources, Honda has been developing technologies, solar cell development and energy saving technologies. The company is well set to be ahead of the stipulations expected of it, as a vehicle manufacturer. The ongoing regulations are only expected to get tougher with time, and vehicle manufacturer in particular have to be well prepared to achieve the required standards. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requires cars and SUVs to increase their fuel efficiency by about 4% each year. Thus by 2020, a fuel efficiency of about 35 miles per gallon has to be achieved (Crawley, 2007). The compliance of Honda to environmental concerns is evident from its 1972 development of the CVCC engine in compliance with the US Clean Air Act, which was the world’s toughest emission regulation of the time. The company pursued its development of catalytic converter and other such clean emission technologies in the last four decades resulting in its vehicles emissions being reduced to 1/1000 of its 1970 levels. Honda is currently promoting its Green Factory initiative worldwide, together with energy conservation and waste reduction initiatives in its non-production activities. About 324 subsidiaries including 224 non-manufacturing companies have been covered by this (Honda Motors, 2010). The direct and indirect energy consumption at Honda Motors is shown in Appendix 1, while region wise energy, water consumption and waste are shown in Appendix 2. The genuine efforts in wanting to pass a beautiful natural environment to the future generation is reflected in the company setting up its own independent goals and working towards the same. Some of the notable concepts in Honda environmental aspirations are: Green Vehicle development: Striving towards development of zero emission for all its vehicles, Honda became the first Japanese company to comply with the recent emission regulations. The company developed a special exhaust air injection system and a programmed system for fuel injection which is currently used in its VFR motorcycle. The company’s 50cc Giorno Crea scooter is highly fuel efficient and also environment friendly. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV): Even as early as 1986, Honda had been involved in the development of a hydrogen powered fuel cell electric vehicle, today seen in the form of FCX Clarity FCEV. The car has been the result of two decades of work by Honda’s engineers, in an effort to truly preserve the earth’s environment. The car uses an electric motor and a fuel cell stack and does not emit any CO2. When the fuel cell stack was developed for the first time in 1999, it was too large and bulky. Through continuous research and development the fuel cell stack underwent transformation to become smaller and lighter and yet more powerful (American Honda, 2010). This in turn enabled the vehicle to become elegant and comfortable. The highlights of FCX Clarity FCEV are: †¢ Only water vapor emission †¢ Reduces carbon dioxide emissions significantly †¢ Certified as a zero emission vehicle (ZEV) Green Dealer: The Green dealer concept streamlines and enables efficient use of water, electricity and paper through continuous assessments and improvements of existing systems. The concept is directed at conservation of the environment and keeping the polluting activities to a minimum (HMSI, 2007). Creating an awareness of environment among the employees and the general public is also a part of this scheme. Goal setting: Honda’s efforts towards environmental preservation are reflected through individually defined targets. In 2006 it set emission reduction goals for CO2 emission, to be reached by 2010. In 2007 the company set targets for reducing environmental impact, also intended to be achieved by 2010. The company is on track to reach targets. The future is only getting tougher for the vehicle manufacturers, though Honda is firmly set to meet the required goals. While setting environmental goals for itself, across global operations, Honda has been too detailed in its approach. The company approached the environment problem from several perspectives. As part of its global environmental policy, Honda sets specific goals with regard to its Life Cycle Assessment System, by which the environmental impact is measured and analyzed. Apart from monitoring and reducing its emissions, it also studied and monitored the impact on environment due to its emissions. The company through its suppliers and partners, thus sought solutions through innovations and technologies, to look for ways to be in harmony with nature. Honda of Canada Manufacturing (HCM) was among the first auto manufacturers to receive the ISO 14001 certification. HCM today recycles about 99% of its production waste and is working towards 100% recycling (Cambridge Center Honda, 2010). The company is credited with bringing the first Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) to Canada. In 2003 when it started production of the Civic GX, the car was rated by the EPA as having the cleanest IC engine in the world. In 2002 March, Honda introduced the Honda life cycle assessment system (LCA) to estimate the environmental impact of its products. CO2 is one of the main elements that are monitored through this assessment of products, from manufacturing to disposal. Corresponding to the levels detected, targets are set for all domains including production, sales and service, and administration, with initiatives implemented to achieve targets. In 2007 Honda introduced the product life cycle assessment system (LCA) which revolves on the CO2 emissions from a single vehicle through its lifetime. The calculations revealed that 78% of CO2 emissions are associated with product use and 6% during its emission. The company can now assess CO2 emissions more accurately, for every aspect of the vehicle’s life, thus contributing to reduction efforts. The CO2 targeted reductions are thus directed at 80% of the total emissions, with regard to LCA. Conclusion and recommendations All sectors of global economy are increasingly coming under environmental regulations to ensure that all business practices, no longer continue with disregard to the environment. The vehicle manufacturers are among the earliest to receive such stipulations as vehicles are a major contributor to pollution. These manufacturers are faced with a challenge of optimizing lean manufacturing and environment conservation. While the two aspects of manufacturing are important, the approaches to both are different, and have a huge bearing on the organization’s success. Honda is indeed an automaker with a vision for a sustained future, as evident from its setting up environment based goals and policies, proactively. The waste reduction culture at Honda indeed has obvious benefits for the environment (Maxwell, 1998). There are several societies and organizations that make up this world of ours. The culture and priorities of these are widely varied. Not all their approaches and intentions are the same. This reflects their attitude towards environment too. Although we share the same environment, there is no guarantee that competitors would be equally concerned of the environment. When some organizations take immense pain and effort to protect the environment, investing immensely in it, their competitors can easily make profits by avoiding or manipulating these. Environmental protection requires fundamentally an understanding, a concern of one’s actions on the environment. Honda has set an exceptional example by understanding its actions on the environment, and taking cautious and big steps towards ensuring a sustainable environment. The environment is a common habitat for all, whether one indulges in pollution or not. Organizations should follow the footsteps of Honda with a sense of same involvement and dedication, for only then we can give a future to the following generations.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Five ways of identifying a setting Essay

My essay will examine five ways of identifying a setting as inclusive. I work as a nanny in a sole charge role, in a family home. I work with a family of 3 children, one of the little girls has additional needs and she attends a special needs school. I will reflect on my life experiences and the course material within this essay and how this has influenced my understanding of inclusion. Inclusion is about feeling like you belong, being valued and feeling happy within the setting and the local community, regardless of social backgrounds, age and ability. The five criteria I have chosen are The name of the setting, social inclusion, the curriculum, setting funding, and the view of inclusion presented. I have chosen these criteria as I believe they can form the basis for a setting to be seen as inclusive. I believe that the name of the setting says a lot about what is taking place, if you are sending a child to a special unit attached to a school my view is that it should have the same name as the school. Social inclusion is important because everybody has the right to be treated the same, everybody should be interacted with and spoken to in a kind and friendly manner. I think its important that the same curriculum should be followed in all educational settings and then adapted as required for individual needs. It sets a baseline for the educational system so that essential fundamentals are met. I feel that the settings funding needs to be provided equally between main school and special units. I understand that special settings require additional equipment to support their children and needs to be taken into consideration. However, the amount of money spent for teachers should be the same. I think peoples own opinion on inclusion is important as everybody needs to work to the same guidelines in early years provision. If perspective parents are not presented with an adequate view of inclusion it could greatly effect their standpoint on certain settings. All of the five criteria are important to me when thinking about inclusion, and my own understanding of what inclusion involves. Part B Name of setting Pen green has its own name which is unique to the setting, where as Aspen 2 a special needs school has given the name as an addition to the main stream school. Aspen 2 used to be referred to as the mobile which wasnt seen as inclusive. Aspen 2 is now in the main stream school and has it owns unique unit. Deri View is a newly built primary school with a childrens centre attached the local community had a say in the design and structure of the  building. The school and childrens centre is in a poorly deprived part of Wales. Social inclusion Pen Green is a centre for under 5s and their families in Corby in Northamptonshire. Pen green shows social inclusion through its video clips. Pen Green has an open community, providing team building and meet and greet sessions. Pen Green focuses on the whole family, it allows children to progress from a very young age offering groups such as baby massage. The centre offers a wide range of groups and drop in classes, there are options to go to something everyday. Pen Green cares about all the children at the centre and gives them all equal chances at learning and play. Sheena Griffiths-baker a teacher at Pen green explains that we will being these observations to plan for him as an individual (E214,DVD2) which tells me that the setting is inclusive . Pen green offers classes for parents to learn GCSEs or computer courses, which has helped the parents to gain confidence and independence. At Aspen 2 the children all have additional needs they are included in some main stream school lessons. The Aspen 2 students are treated equally in main stream lessons they are given the same work load but are provided with learning support assistants (LSA) to help them to understand. The Aspen 2 students take part in P.E all together and its adapted to their needs. Deri View is a school with the Acorn Childrens Centre attached to it. The school offers primary aged teaching with the Acorn Centre ranging from pregnancy to 13 years old. The Acorn Centre works with the local community to provide children with a breakfast club. The centre offers adult learning and services for parents to use e.g. the crche for when they go to study at the centre. Maggie Teague the head teacher at Deri View comments 70 of our pupils parents were unemployed now that has gone down to between 30 and 40. I am certain the school has an impact, because of the number of parents who have started with us through family learning are now in employment (E214,DVD2). The curriculum The Pen Green centre offers a wide and varied curriculum staff members observe childrens patterns of learning and make action plans on the children to help with planning activities that are age and stage appropriate. The centre records videos of the children which is known as the PICLE involvement, this allows parents to view what their children have been doing at nursery and can link in with what the child is doing at home. Sheena Griffiths-baker explains about the PICLE group There are several PICLE groups, so there will be  morning afternoon and evening PICLE groups so it as available as possible to many parents, so during that time they watch of video of him, the worker discusses whats happening with the parent and then the parents reciprocates with there information of what is happening at home.(E214,DVD2) There are courses for parents to gain an education and learning together groups for adults. At Aspen 2 the local educational authority aims to develop and provide inclusion at the school. The children work to the same curriculum as the main stream school, the activities are adapted to the students needs. Sarah Wilmshurst a teacher at Aspen 2 comments I take the abilities of all children into consideration (E214, DVD2). Children are allowed to sit nearer to the front that allow for sight problems and hearing needs. Some of the children in Aspen 2 work on the gold curriculum which is part of the main stream school programme for children who are struggling. Aspen 2 children are included in sports days, music and art lessons. Richard and Sam two students talk about the Aspen 2 course programmes and that the students gain a course certificate at the end. A teaching assistant called Mary Fellows talks about how some of the children can not access the mainstream education, especially the PMLD students that she works with.(E214,DVD2) At the Deri View school and the Acorn Centre they work together to give the families the best support available, they provide respite care and work with health visitors and the local authority. The butterflies pre-school provided free childcare for children ages 2 and half to 5 years on five mornings a week. The Acorn Centre has credit union service that comes in to the centre to help parents and give advice. The children also have their own saving scheme available to them. Funding and recourses The Pen Green setting provides funding for childrens groups and adult learning courses to allow everybody to be given a chance to attend the services provided by the centre. Pen Green uses the European social fund. Deri View and the Acorn Centre work together with the welsh assembly to provide free breakfasts for children in the area, all children are included. The centre has access to the community fund. Aspen 2 is given money from the local authority to help with special equipment needed to teach the lessons. The PMLD group has bought equipment to make them inclusive. The course materials state that the mechanisms that local authorities use to distribute their resources can have an impact on the development of inclusive practices (E214, Unit 12, p.209)  Views of inclusion The community around Pen Green see that the centre is for parents, grandparents, males and females of all ages and cultures, it provides groups to suit the needs of everybody and the centre represents new schemes in the area. Pen green provides partnerships with local schools and the community. At Pen Green, Donna the Community Education Manager says Pen Greens unique as it grew out of a community and planned by the community (E214, DVD2.) Sure start is used within the centre sign language groups provide people to learn how to communicate with the deaf. The centre has been used for generations. The Aspen 2 setting is for children with serve learning difficulties. One to one LSA support teachers are provided to students. Main stream teachers provide hints on work sheets to allow the Aspen 2 children to be able to do the work. Lynne Mills a teaching assistant at Aspen 2 says in the last 8 years I have had to do a lot more training, (E214,DVD2) This is so that she has the skills provided to teach individual children. Deri View and the Acorn Centre work together and share joint management. The sure start centre is part of the Acorn Centre. The Acorn Centre provides a food co-op, midwifes and speak and language classes. There is a community bus that goes around the people who are unable to make it to the centre and has rhyme times and story sessions on board. The centre has a drop in area for parents where they can go to get a hot drink, have a chat or use the parents forums. Conclusion I feel that a setting needs to treat children, parents and adults as equals to allow the setting to be fully inclusive. All settings need to be offered the recourses needed and given funding to all departments justice. References The Open University, E214 Equality, participation and inclusion learning from each other views, 2011 The Open University, E214 Equality, participation and inclusion learning from each other, DVD 2, 2010

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Business and Leisure Events Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business and Leisure Events - Essay Example All these activities come under the fold of business events. Before embarking upon the topic, it would be advisable to define business events. Business event simply refers to an event, arranged, administered or managed by the ownership, board of directors or executive of an organization, which contains the element of the corporate activity, and the purpose of such arrangement is the expansion and development of the organization. Such an event may be co-organized by the staff members and sponsor companies usually related to beverage and IT companies and news channels etc. The important business events have been briefly described as following: Training Sessions: Training sessions are an essential part of business events, and are carried out by all big and small companies, industries and business units. The main objective behind conducting training sessions is to make the employees, managers and workers obtain technical, theoretical and practical exposure regarding the tasks related to their corporate responsibilities while working at different departments of the organization. Training sessions increase workers’ efficiency, communication skills, IT expertise, customers’ satisfaction proficiency and employment adeptness. Educational Workshops: Like training sessions, educational workshops are also conducted by the corporations as business events. The main difference between the training sessions and educational workshops is this that in the training sessions, specific technical abilities related to the relevant department is concentrated upon by the trainers. On the contrary, in educational workshops, the employees learn some new course or skill essential for their professional liabilities. Staff Meetings: Staff meetings are frequently called by the directors, managers and owners in order to devise and revise strategies, make plans, articulate schemes and introduce projects as well as for

Friday, September 27, 2019

American experience of Democracy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

American experience of Democracy - Essay Example However, the path to success and development has not been exactly smooth. The concept of democracy is so deeply-rooted in every bit of the American way-of- life that it is almost taken for granted. This has led some to question if indeed constitutional democracy is a better political system, suitable for the United States of America. This essay shall briefly address the question of the suitability of democracy as a form of government in the United States and, analyze the ways in which it works. The essay shall also try to understand the kind of challenges that the US had to overcome, some of the issues of debate that have helped redefine the American experience of Democracy. In the process, it shall explore the terms 1) government power 2) tyranny 3) equality 4 liberty 5) rights and freedoms, in the context of the American struggle. Years of living and thriving in freedom has made it almost invisible. Few people in the modern day United States realize the modes and manner in which democracy and freedom has nurtured their individual rights and paved the way for their progress and enterprise. Going back into history, the very birth of the American nation took place due the suffocation and repression of basic human rights in the then prevalent in the British colonies of North America. It would be difficult for any student studying the st... It would be difficult for any student studying the struggle for American independence, to miss the feeling of suppression and victimization suffered at the hands of the British colonialism. The parochial manner in which the British had pursued its own interest at the cost of the welfare of it North American colony is evident in the document Declaration of Independence (pp. 2-4). The document accuses the then British Crown explicitly of tyranny, and absolute despotism (p.2). It clearly explicates the extent to which the basic rights of citizens in the British colony of North America were usurped by the British powers. It is pertinent to study this document in some detail because the founding fathers of the constitutional democracy have based their statements of declaration of independence and thus forming a union of thirteen states under the common cause of revolt against the British colonialism. The seeds of American democracy can be found in this document, and would help to obtain better understanding with this context is held in the background. The American system of democracy aimed to fortify its own constitution wherever it perceived injustice in the parent British monarchy. For example, the King had dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly and invaded into the rights of the individuals time and again, which was perceived as not only unjust and undemocratic; it also made the American democratic system stronger through a series of amendments that refined and plugged the weaknesses in the system constantly as can be understood from the document the Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10 of the Constitution). Amendment VI of the said document, specifically deals with crime and how crime shall be dealt with under the democratic law.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Financial Management Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Financial Management Assignment - Essay Example The majority stakeholders were Vodafone Group Plc and Verizon Communications holding 45 percent and 55 percent stakes respectively. In the past both groups have tried to acquire higher stake in the entity. But the negotiations between them failed multiple times due to failure in arriving at right price for the deal. At one point of time Verizon suspended dividend payout to Vodafone for 6 years which many analysts perceive as a move that was aimed at pushing Vodafone to exit the venture. The primary reason for such motive was get higher ownership in Verizon Wireless that had become the third largest telecom entity in United States in very small amount of time. the negotiations regarding stake sale failed in the past because Verizon Communication estimated that true value of Verizon Wireless was approximately $100 billion and it was willing to pay this amount to Vodafone to exit the venture. But, Vodafone estimates that after including the intangible aspects and future potential of Ver izon Wireless in ever growing US and European markets should be much higher (approx $130 billion). Thus, the deal was successfully struck that was close to a decade in the making (Financial Times, 2013). The terms and conditions of the deal are so agreed upon between the two entities that the change in ownership structure will not impact the services to odd 100 million customers of Verizon Wireless. The stock markets reacted positively to the deal announcement. The share prices of Vodafone surged to 12 year high in the international stock markets thereby increasing shareholders’ wealth by taking total market capitalisation of the company to all new highs (Reuters, 2013). In contrast the share prices of Verizon Communications rose by approximately 3 percent on the day when Vodafone officially announced the deal. More specific details of the deal reveals that Vodafone will get about $59.8 billion in cash; remaining $60.1 billion

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

E coli growth curve Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

E coli growth curve - Lab Report Example Growth depends on several environmental factors and we analyzed with the affect of pH on the growth curve for the population since pH is an important factor for microbial growth (Rousk et al, 2009). It is known that the optimal pH conditions for E.coli is around 7 and therefore a decrease in the pH would alter the normal growth pattern and lead to reduction in the growth rate of the bacterial population. For this experiment we took 2 flasks filled with LB. In one of the flasks 20ml of E.coli culture was transferred and this flask was marked as CONTROL and incubated . To test the affect pH had on the bacterial growth curve, we made the broth acidic in nature and this flask was marked EXPERIMENTAL. This flask was also incubated. At regular intervals of 20 minutes spectrophotometric readings were taken of both the CONTROL as well as the EXPERIMENTAL at 660nm. We see that the doubling time for both the cultures is not same and this is because the rate of growth has been affected in some way. The resulst show that the doubling time for CONTROL is about 41 minutes while that for the EXPERIMENTAL is 277.25 minutes. Analyzing both the data it is seen that the EXPERIMENTAL culture does not go through all the phases because of the altered pH conditions and drastic reduction in the rate of growth. Another reason is that time restrictions did not allow the cultures to be observed through all the expected phases. The CONTROL was absolutely necessary to understand what affect modified pH had on the same E.coli. This comparison between the CONTROLand EXPERIMENT shows that when the pH factor is differed the growth is reduced and rate of growth is also reduced. This also proves the fact that microbes requires an optimal pH in which they can grow without inhibition. Microbial growth is of major concern for public health (Roszak and Colwell, 1987, p.365). Since experimental evidence show the

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Compare what it book says and what textbook says. Ten words from Essay

Compare what it book says and what textbook says. Ten words from textbook - Essay Example At the beginning of the book, Corrie describes the old and strangely built Dutch house, which was the house of her birth because this was to go on to, being the main setting of the book. Inside this house is a secret room where political prisoners and Jews who were getting away from the Nazis were hid. We see from the very beginning of the book that the Ten Booms were essentially very kindhearted people who went out of their way to help the poor and bonded well amongst themselves. Corrie's siblings are portrayed as people she found her best friends in and her aunts as grownups she looked up to. Taking in people to provide refuge started when one Jewish woman ended up at the Ten Booms' doorstep and asked for protection following her husband's arrest by the Nazis. This gave a start to the hiding place for the Jews. However, the story is not a bed of flowers as Corrie and her family soon had to face the Nazi Invasion of Holland, their country of residence. The Ten Booms became an essential part of the Resistance Movement and provided shelter for people fleeing the Nazi forces in a hidden room should the house ever be raided. The book talks about how they did practice runs everyday in case their house was ever raided. During the time all this was happening, Corrie sometimes had serious doubts about whether what she was doing was right or not but always came up with the conclusion that she was by keeping her faith in God strong. Even though the family and their wards prayed very hard that a raid should not happen, it eventually did due to the Dutch traitor named Jan Vogel. Ironically, the Jews in the secret hiding place were saved but the Nazis took the Corrie, her father and sister Betsie into custody. As luck would have it, the father died ten days after arrest and Corrie who was unwell at the time of arrest was put into solitary confinement. The book talks about ho every time Corrie came near despair, her faith in God kept her going y giving her something to do. During her solitary confinement, she just had a black ant for company with whom she shared her bread. This alone gave her the strength she needed to pass the lonely days and nights of her confinement when she saw this ant struggling to take the piece of bread back through the crack in the floor. A few months later both Corrie and Betsie were reunited at Vught Prison and the two sisters were able to catch up on what happened to both of them during the separation. Betsie had a weak heart from birth and Corrie knew she had to be with her sister ever more now. Both sisters wished for release but instead were transported in boxcars into the infamous Ravensbruck Prison in eastern Germany where living conditions were so horrific that Betsie became more and more ill. Despite the uncomfortable living premises and Betsie's continuously failing health, the two sisters kept bringing the word of God to any prisoner who listened and found strength in it. Corrie habitually sneaked in a tiny vitamin bottle for Betsie and also distributed vitamins to whoever needed them. Betsie was very sure that they will be released at the beginning of the year 1945 which

Monday, September 23, 2019

Discuss American experience in Vietnam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Discuss American experience in Vietnam - Essay Example Similarly, John F. Kennedy illustrated this by saying that "The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring this endeavor [defending freedom] will light our country and all who serve it- and the glow from that fire can truly light the world"5, and this became one of the reasons why America found itself duty-bound to intervene into Vietnam. When we look at the region in which the war took place, the war encompassed a bigger conflict of the region including the adjacent countries of Laos and Cambodia, which was also known as the Second Indochina War. Vietnamese remember this combat as the American War (Vietnamese Chin Tranh Chng My Cu Nc, which when translated into English is "War against the Americans and to Save the Nation"). A look at the past wars in the region reveals that, the First Indochina War was the French Indochina War in which the French, in order to maintain their control of their colony located in Indochina, had to come to blows in this region against an uprising independence movement which was headed by a Communist Leader Ho Chi Minh. The Vietnam War was a succession of this confrontation. According to many the Vietnam War has not gone down in to history the way it truly occurred, for example according to Richard M. Nixon "No event in American history is more misunderstood than the Vietnam War. It was misreported then, and it is misremembered now."2 There are diverse views on whether America lost the war or not but, Henry Kissinger said on one occasion that, "The Vietnam War required us to emphasize the national interest rather than abstract principles. What President Nixon and I tried to do was unnatural. And that is why we didn't make it."3 This can also be taken as a lesson, that in all situations abstract principles, need to be stressed upon more than, just national interest. Another lesson is never to take undemocratic moves before going to war. America was long before at war, before the American public realized it. This move of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States, was undemocratic. Lyndon B. Johnson heightened the involvement of America in the Vietnam War from increasing the number of American soldiers from 16,000 in 1963 to 500,000 in early 1968. Keeping the masses in deception is not a good policy also. It is not so wise to call the bombing of some other country anything else than war. But Lyndon Johnson and McNamara formed a false impression that the attacks which were being made on North Vietnam were alternatives to war, instead of war itself. Since bombs cause destruction and death so they can not be called 'communication', especially for those who become the victim of those bombs. After the U.S was truly at war with Vietnam, Pentagon had predicted

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Customized Learning Theory Essay Example for Free

Customized Learning Theory Essay Educational techniques have been around for many centuries. Through the centuries, teaching techniques have not changed. However, many methods have emerged which has been defined as educational theory. Students have many different learning styles that help them learn. Teachers must learn how to teach to include each of the learning styles so each student learns what they need to know. Teaching students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be very difficult to teach. These students need to be active in what they are doing and what they are learning. Using the kinesthetic learning style will help tremendously when teaching a child with ADHD. Learning disabilities are problems that affect the brains ability to receive, process, analyze, or store information. These problems can make it difficult for a student to learn as quickly as someone who is not affected by learning disabilities. Certain kinds of learning disabilities can interfere with a persons ability to concentrate or focus and can cause someones mind to wander too much. Other learning disabilities can make it difficult for a student to read, write, spell, or solve math problems. Research is being conducted daily to be able to determine which learning theories work for which student. Some students learn better by listening, some by doing and some by hearing. Although, teaching can be dated back to the bible, Proverbs 4:2 states I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching (Holy Bible, NIV). Romans 12:7 states that if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach (Holy Bible, NIV). No matter what a teacher teaches, as long as each student gets what they deserve out of the teaching is the only thing that matters. Learning Theory and its Importance Every teacher has his or her own learning theory. Not every theory is the same. One of the best known learning theories in use today is the Piaget’s theory (Slavin, 2012). Piaget believed that there were four factors that lead to a child’s development. Children use aids and begin to understand how things work which helps the child learn how to do things for themselves. Another factor is that children learn from socializing with other children their age. This gives the child an opportunity to view other childrens behaviors and learn from each behavior. The child will then be able to develop their own patterns and personality. From there, the child can make their own decisions and find out what works best for them. Culture plays a big part in ways that affect learning theories. Vygotsky thought of the practice of education as a source rather than a result of the development of cognitive and learning skills. Many people before Vygotsky believed that people possessed the essential learning ability; however, it just needed to be coaxed out. Adolescence is one of the most trying times for a new Christian. According to Hosseini, Elias, Krauss, Aishah (2010), adolescence is a point in time when an individual makes a choice in their future education, any major life roles, any relationships, and where a child establishes toward long-term goal to work toward to. This proves that it is imperative of having Christian principles of morality integrated into the school systems. Description of an Effective Teacher and Learning Environment Being an effective teacher takes a lot of determination, understanding and commitment and also considered to be an intentional teacher. When a teacher focuses too much of his or her instruction on one area, other instructional areas could drop. Slavin (2012) states that teaching involves planning and preparation, and the components which make a good teacher are decision making, reflection, application of education research and self-knowledge and self-regulation. Teachers need to be highly qualified according to federal law. The problem was that a negative impact of the requirement of having highly qualified teacher on recruitment and retention of personnel in rural areas was feared. Leading educators in education and special education have argued that the requirement may worsen the already significant critical shortages and attrition rate in rural special education. Another problem that was brought up was the cost to have highly qualified teachers and no extra compensation. Administrators fear that they might not be able to recruit special education teachers who meet the highly qualified standard. This legislation has made an impact on the rural areas of public and private schools. If the standards are set high, then individuals who would want to be teachers would see education as â€Å"not as attractive as other career options† (Courtade et. al. , 2010, p. 10). Everybody knows that there are no two children who learn at the same pace but only an effective teacher would understand this. An effective teacher would use different learning styles to help educate each child. Direct instruction and setting objectives are important in the classroom. Being able to translate directive instructions clearly and concisely is imperative. An effective teacher wants to make sure the student can understand what is being taught which makes the difference between good and great learning. Being able to effectively deliver educational material would allow the students to become confident with his or her ability to learn what is being taught. According to Slavin (2012), poor delivery of lesson plans can have a negative impact on a student’s mental set. When a teacher has a good lesson delivery, it allows the students to become more confident; however, it is necessary that the lesson delivery be given using various delivery methods. During classroom instructions, a student does not only need ample time to learn new material, the student needs to review old material that was already taught. Having the time to review and learn new material shows the students how the old and new material goes together and instills the importance of all the material. Homework is a part of a lesson plan that is extremely important. Homework was once thought to be essential to learning and should be mandatory. It was once thought that homework was important and can further a student’s education more than a student who did not complete the homework assignments. This was contradicted when research was conducted when students were allowed to choose whether or not they wanted to do homework. Results showed that the group who did not do the homework outperformed the students who did the mandatory homework (Gutarts Baines (2010). Technology has become a big part in education. Technology has taken over the ranks for textbooks, emails, information, and paper. Several counties in Virginia have been using iPads and laptops instead of textbooks (Reid, 2011). Digital technology holds enormous potential for transforming instruction (Reid, 2011). The introduction of new technology into the classroom is an important component to help foster a learning environment that will encourage problem-solving and critical thinking (Reid, 2011). However, if a teacher chooses to use any form of technology in the classroom, the teacher needs to be well educated with technology. Some people would think that if a teacher was illiterate when it comes to computers, then why teach with them or use computers in a classroom. A teacher may not need to know the â€Å"ins and outs† of technology but he or she must know what websites are trusted, how to â€Å"surf† the internet, send out emails, set up blackboards, and use whiteboards (which can display what is on the computer onto the wall or blackboard). Technology has been very helpful when it comes to distance learning. Distance learning has helped many adults go back to college to get a degree when his or her life does not allow them to go to an actual classroom. Individuals with reading disabilities tend to become overwhelmed with reading and other activities during school. A child who cannot read well and is in middle school will not be able to take proper notes because he or she does not know how to write well either. In one study, a teacher used an iPad as a tool to help a fifth grade struggling reader with ADHD. The use of the iPad helped the student focus attention, and the iPad also helped the student become more metacognitive in reading. Using the iPad showed an increase of one year’s growth in a six week period using pre- and post-assessments (McClanahan, Williams, Kennedy, Tate, 2012). The student also gained in confidence and sense of being in control of his learning. While generalizations to other struggling readers with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder cannot be made, the success this student experienced suggests that the use of this device is worth serious consideration and research in similar contexts (McClanahan, et. al. , 2012). Learning Characteristics: Modalities and Ability Grouping Learning modalities are important when it comes to learning and teaching. The three different types of modalities include, visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. According to Anderson (n. d. ), learning modalities are the sensory channels or pathways through which individuals give, receive, and store information. Perception, memory, and sensation include the notion of modality. Approximately 25-30% of students are visual learners (Anderson, n. d. ). Visual learners are those who learn by seeing (Anderson, n. d. ). Approximately 25-30% of students are auditory learners (Anderson, n. d. ). Auditory learners are those who must hear what he or she hears to really understand it. Approximately 15% of students are tactile or kinesthetic learners (Anderson, n. . ). Tactile or kinesthetic learners need to feel and touch and get a better understanding if movement is involved. However, students can have mixed modalities which include visual and auditory, visual and kinesthetic, and auditory and kinesthetic. There are about 25-30% of students who have mixed modalities (Anderson, n. d. ). Learning modalities are important but it is not the only thing that helps the students. Teachers need to be prepared in their subject and need to be knowledgeable in the area they are teaching. Just because a teacher is knowledgeable, does not make them an intentional teacher and does not make them knowledgeable in writing lesson plans. If a teacher does not know how to deliver the knowledge to the students, the students are not going to learn as much as they should. When a teacher makes a lesson plan, it helps the teacher to be prepared and helps the teacher know how to convey much needed knowledge to the students. The concept of ability grouping goes along with learning modalities. Ability grouping allows students to group together based on their ability to learn. Ability grouping allows students of higher level to be grouped with high achieving students. Ability grouping also allows students of lower level to be grouped with lower achieving students. This type of grouping makes the assumption that the teacher will be able to teach the students based on the same level. This causes a problem because it can cause the lower level students to fall further being the higher level students because they are not taught the same things and the same ways. Personal Reflection When conducting the Learning Styles Profile on myself, it made me aware of my learning styles which is that I am a more of a visual learner than anything but I feel that I am more of a kinesthetic learner so I would classify myself as having mixed modalities. Just watching something being done would not keep my attention but if I watched something being done while I was doing it, then I would have a better understanding. I would use this as part of my theory because an effective teacher has to have something for everyone. An effective teacher would have instructions for the auditory, visual and kinesthetic students so that each student can learn his or her own way. When conducting the Philosophical Methodology of Learning Profile, it showed that I scored highest and I have strong feeling in progressivist, and traditionalist methodology. My lowest score was actually a negative score and that was in socialist methodology. Inasmuch as I am an extreme progressivist, not all of it is true. I believe that everything has to have a point and to be proven but that does not mean that I deny the existence of God. I really believe that in the progressive mode the teacher becomes the facilitator or the director of learning, while the student becomes the center of focus as an individual. I believe that school revolves around the children. I believe that if a teacher looks at a class as a whole and not individuals, the individuals who need help will not get it. A child with special needs â€Å"slips through the cracks† all the time, and in my opinion, that is not acceptable. The supervisor of learning can direct the learning from different perspectives ultimately considering the needs of the individual. An experience centered approach stems from this philosophical methodology using projects, cooperative group activities, and critical thinking and problem solving, decision-making skills. Getting children to work together as well as separately will help the children get ideas off of other students. This way, the student will know if they need extra help in a certain area and can ask for help when needed. Conclusion Each child learns differently. Each teacher has to have his or her own theory on what would work in his or her classroom. Schools are for learning† and â€Å"teaching promotes learning, but learning also takes place through experience and individual study† (Van Brummelen, 2009, p. 13). A teacher must â€Å"trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding† (Proverbs 3:5). Inasmuch as educational theories have been around for centuries, times change, the way that teachers educate students will change, and the way children learn will change. Teachers must adapt to the â€Å"New Age† which includes many forms of technology and new learning theories.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Cross-cultural Management Essay Example for Free

Cross-cultural Management Essay Culture could be defined as all the ways of life including traditions, religion, language, behaviors, arts and everything that creates identity to a country. In such a globalized world, where in most organizations we have people from the entire world, it is very important to know about cross-cultural management in order to understand people’s behavior and needs in order to avoid problems and have a pleasant and successful workplace. I chose to watch the movie ‘Lost in translation’, a 2003 American movie directed by Sofia Coppala. The film shows us what it is like to find ourselves in a completely different environment, culture. Gist of the movie: The movie focuses on issues such as loneliness, alienation and culture shock through the story of two Americans feeling lost in modern day Japan. One’s Bob Harris, an aging American movie star, who arrives in Tokyo to film an advertisement for a Japanese whisky brand. Apart from experiencing the culture shock he is also having a mid-life crisis and seems tired by his marriage which lacks emotions. Then there’s Charlotte, a young Yale graduate who comes here with her husband who is a photographer. She feels left alone by her partner who spends most of his time working, which makes her unsure of her marriage and life. The two eventually meet and together explore the differences in American and Japanese cultures. In the beginning of the movie, characters are portrayed in many situations, which make it clear that they are experiencing symptoms of culture shock. We see Bob Harris having problems with understanding and adjusting to the newfound conditions since his arrival in Tokyo, e.g. when he is greeted by almost every member of the hotel staff in which he stays and receives gifts and name cards from Japanese people. It is easily noticeable that he is not used to this kind of behavior, where as in the Japanese culture it marks high respect and gratitude to offer one’s business or visiting card on their first introductions. It is also indicated that he is an alien in this culture in one of the first scenes of the movie where in an elevator he is surrounded by natives significantly shorter than him. One of the reasons why newcomers feel uncomfortable in the host culture is the limited ability to communicate or complete lack of competence in speaking in a different language. Characters, especially Bob, have problems with communicating many times. One of the interesting and funny scenes was the first time during the shooting of the ad: The Director (with blue contact lenses) says a few long sentences in Japanese. TRANSLATOR, a middle-aged woman in a coordinated outfit, translates but it is only a short sentence now. TRANSLATOR He wants you to turn, look in camera and say the lines. Bob wonders what shes leaving out, or if thats the way it works from Japanese to English. BOB: Thats all he said? TRANSLATOR: Yes, turn to camera. Bob thinks lets just get it over with. BOB: Turn left or right? The Translator blots her face with a tissue, and asks the director in a Japanese sentence 5 times as long. The Director answers her in a long excited phrase. TRANSLATOR: Right side, and with intensity. BOB: Is that everything? It seemed like he was saying a lot more. The excited Director says more in Japanese. Translator nods in understanding. Bob doesnt really know whats going on. TRANSLATOR: Like an old friend, and into the camera. DIRECTOR (to Bob): Suntory Time! Here, Bob is aware of the translator’s incompetence and knows that the director said and asked him for a lot more. However, his linguistic incompetence does not allow him to fully interact and take part in the exchange of ideas. He is at the mercy of a translator not able to properly express herself in English. Another factor which contributes to experiencing culture shock is being unable to find the way or use public transport. In one of the scenes we can see Charlotte having those problems while standing in front of the Tokyo metro plan and staring at it with confusion. She seems to feel lost in the huge crowd but she has to deal with it alone since she has no friends with her and does not know the language. The feeling of loneliness is shown in the film in numerous scenes. It is most clearly visible when the characters are portrayed looking through the windows, giving the impression of being sad and absent. In the hotel room, on the back seat of a taxi they are always alone, separated from the busy city by glass. Their look may be called the far-away stare or the tropical stare, which is a sign of a serious culture shock. Another issue which does not make functioning in a different culture easy is food, which is very often unfamiliar. In a scene from the movie, Bob and Charlotte go for lunch. In the restaurant the waitress brings them drinks. She pours beer slowly, and turns on a pot on the table to cook their food. Charlotte looks at the menu as it is filled with photos of different trays of meat. The waitress doesnt speak English. CHARLOTTE: I cant tell the difference? They have trouble ordering, but point to a picture on the menu. BOB: Well have two of these. (He is forced to choose something randomly) Apart from the inability to distinguish between different dishes they also cannot communicate verbally with the waitress. None of them can speak Japanese and the restaurants employee does not know any English. In the final scenes of the movie, it is noticed that Bob is going through a certain stage of cultural shock i.e.; adjustment and appreciation. He found himself a friend, and seemed to like and appreciate his host culture. Back in the Presidential, alone, Bob leans against the little doily. They drive off. He looks out the window, Bobs happy hes going home, he’s happy he came to Tokyo. Since he was happy he came to Tokyo I assume that later he had some difficulties adjusting back to his own culture. Personally this movie helped me to learn a few modern day Japanese cultures. Also it depicts that no matter which country you choose to go, it’s always better to learn at least the basics of its language.