Essay on Impact of the Internet on Education - 651 Words

For the majority of people, it is difficult to imagine what life would be like without the internet. The world of education has also undergone tremendous change since the advent of the internet. It allows students to quickly obtain a vast amount of information on every subject. They also get the convenience of going to class and completing assignments, permitting them to schedule their time with great flexibility. The internet has become one of the easiest, fastest and most effective tools that can be used to explore and comprehend more about the world; however, it is not without problems. The uses of the internet by students changes their thinking patterns, distracts their attention and reduces their interpersonal skills. First of all,†¦show more content†¦Thousands of websites are distracting students from studying time. In an experiment at Cornell University, students who used internet-connected laptops during a lecture did much worse on a subsequent test than students who did not use the internet (Carr, 2010). It indicated that using the internet in class impacts students’ attention span (2010). Distractions can take attention away from learning. In fact, using the internet does not promote study efficiency, but wastes time. Furthermore, the internet damages students’ interpersonal skills. Social media and instant messaging are major communication tools for students, which lead them to have few opportunities to talk in person. Recently, a multi-functional cell phone can replace a computer with internet access. There is a study in England that found that almost forty-percent of students surveyed said they could not live without their cell phones (Birdwell, 2007). Also, nearly ten-percent of students said that using cell phones caused them to lose their relationships and jobs (2007). Besides, through online education, students cannot get face-to-face instruction from professors and also lose their chances to communicate with classmates. In conclusion, the influence of internet hangs over the world of education and creates effects on thinking patterns, concentration and the social skills of students. Under the growing trend of the digital campus, the negative effects of the internet in education can beShow MoreRelatedThe Internet Impact On Education1362 Words   |  6 PagesThe Internet fastly entered the daily life of the humankind in the 20th century. It took us less than 12 years to face the fact of its spreading all over the global, including the developing countries. It has become not only the hugest information resource in the global, yet what is more supreme the swiftest means of communication. In other hands, The Internet has brought extreme impacts to the education system worldwide in schools, colleges, universities and institutions. It does leave a great impactRead MoreThe Impact Of Internet On Education1517 Words   |  7 PagesThe Impacts of Internet on Education The Internet is modern technologies that people just invented in recent decades. Since computers became more popular in the 1980s, the Internet was followed and was created in the 1990s. The invention of this technology affects everyone in many countries. It is changing how people live, how people entertain, how people communicate, and especially how people educate. In addition, in recent years, the Internet is improving very quickly, and the colleges and universitiesRead MoreThe Impact Of Internet On The Field Of Education1377 Words   |  6 Pagesprocess dubbed telehealth/telemedicine. In the field of education, students do not necessarily need to comb the library to access books; there are several soft copies of books online that they can access from the comfort of their desktop computers, laptops or even mobile phones. Even on a more advanced level, learning does not necessarily have to occur only through the reading of books and other traditionally accepted academic sources. Th e internet is awash with educative information which is even moreRead MorePositive and Negative Impacts of the Internet on Education.1634 Words   |  7 Pagesshould make an effort to try and stop these activities so that using the Internet can become that much safer. The term internet was practically anonymous to most of the people. And today internet has become the most ever powerful tool for man throughout the world. The internet is a collection of various services and resources.   Although, many people still think e-mail and World Wide Web as the principle constituents of internet, there is lot more in store than e-mail, chat rooms, celebrity web sitesRead MoreImpact of Technology on Education1146 Words   |  5 Pages------------------------------------------------- Positive Impact of Technology on Education Technology plays a very important role in the field of education, especially in this 21st century. In fact, computer technology has become easier for teachers to transfer knowledge and for students to obtain it. The use of technology has made the process of teaching and learning more convenient. Talking in a positive sense, the impact of technology on education has been extraordinary. Using Internet and computers as en effective mediumRead MoreThe Internet Impacts The Lives Of Every Global Citizen1520 Words   |  7 PagesThe Internet impacts the lives of every global citizen. With wireless internet present in everything from department stores to restaurants, it is evident that people today need the internet just about any time of day. A smartphone would not be considered a smartphone if it lacked Internet access or social media sites. The world today is so interconnected and informed due to the efficiency of the Internet. The introduction of the Internet changed the world for the b etter with many great improvementsRead MoreHow Does Internet Affects Student Study Habits738 Words   |  3 PagesHow does the internet affects the study habits of students. Introduction In todays era internet are just around the corner. Almost all people have internet connections through the use of their mobile phones, tablets and laptops whether they are kids, teens or adult. Before, people use snail mail to send letters to others but today it’s just a one click away from the internet. For educational purposes, others usually go to the library to search for something. But, today internet has many usesRead MoreGlobal Opportunities For Education Via Online Learning Essay1026 Words   |  5 Pagesword Education One area of technological advancement that is moving us toward a more globalized system is the use of the internet for education. The technology of the internet has had a huge impact on global education, especially for people living in less-developed countries or in rural areas of more-developed countries. People who previously had little or no access to formal education can now take classes and earn advanced degrees online. The impacts of global opportunities for education via onlineRead MoreHow Public Education Affects All People870 Words   |  4 PagesWhen it comes to the American public education, we are faced with several difficulties that effects everyone. It all depends on how a person views the education concerns. Everyone wants to solve America’s education issues and it’s essential that we focus on the right things to move forward and offer better opportunities. It’s important that we first focus on how public education impacts all people. It can†™t just be what people believe to be true but how it has actually affected their learning andRead MoreThe Influence Of The Internet On Society901 Words   |  4 Pagesinfluenced my life in a positive, it would be the internet. This paper will discuss how the internet has influenced my life as well as society. If I’m going to tell you how the internet influenced my life, I will have to give you a brief history about how it all started. Today, many people think that the internet was invented in the mid 1990s, however, the internet was actually invented back in 1969 during the height of the Cold War. The internet was created because military experts and scientists

Minimalism free essay sample

James Meyers Minimalism takes the reader throughout the genesis of the avant- garde style that emerged in the 1960s that exhibits single or repeated geometric forms with emphasis on sculpture. Then on to its high period in the mid 1960s where the movement gained clarification about its tenets. Then the book culminates with the analysis of minimalism during its canonization period in the late 1960s where this American form acquired an international profile. Lastly the book looks at Minimalism towards the close of the twentieth century into the twenty-first century here artist made expansions and revisions to prior works. Art critics that witnessed the inception of the new works saw need for a new vocabulary to apply critique to Minimalism. This early period in the movement gave rise to a growing critical art debate scene that resulted from the development of the commercial art magazine and an expanding art market . We will write a custom essay sample on Minimalism or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Donald Judd was more prominently known for his writing in the early 1960s than being an artist himself. His clarity and consistency won him acclaim as a critic and he became an important player in Minimalism . The publication of Judds 1966 essay Specific Objects marked the polarization of Minimalisms preference for painting to the three dimensional object . Some of the hallmarks of Minimal art are pieces that exhibit straight clean lines, industrially produced components, whose subject matter alludes to nothing beyond its appearance. Throughout this paper this I will examine if three-dimensional Minimalist pieces gained more prominence over their painting counterparts like Meyer suggested. Frank Stellas 1959 Black Paintings stand at the inception of Minimalism. This mural scale paint on canvas piece turned away from he conventions of the previous generations in regards to brushwork. However this piece did retain some conventions of abstract expressionism with its subject matter . Robert Rauschenberg s 1951-68 White Painting are a series of monochromes that follow suit with the Minimalist aesthetic. Ralph Humphreys 1954 Untitled oil on canvas appealed to minimalist interest in the basic abstract forms. Stellas early work was extremely influential to the Minimalist generation because of his material surfaces and clarification of process which all signaled development t. Donald Judd erceived Stellas works as the last painting that could be made because the Black and Aluminum series rendered illusion and handmadeness pass © . This comment and ideas similar to these lead to the prominence of three dimensional fgures and works that included industrial pieces. Dan Flavins 1959 painting relief Apollinaire Wounded incorporated found objects, which included crushed cans, executed in thick paint applied to masonite . This work seems to be a step into the three dimensional direction. Flavin, Le Witt and Truitt are some Minimalist that bring the hree dimensional structure to prominence in the early to mid 1960s with pieces like Anne Truitts 1962 Southern Elergy and, Sol Le Witts 1962 Wall Structure. In Judds 1965 Specific Objects he describes a new class of artwork that is much different than the traditional painting or sculpture, simply because it resides in the real space, the spectators space. The piece that lives in real space gets rid of the problem of illusion. Judd deems real space more powerful than pictorial space thus implying that three-dimensional works employ a more powertul medium. Do Judd was an influential artist during the Minimalism period. He came to prominence because of his writing style that brought clarity to a new movement that proved difficult to critique in its beginning stages. His ideas proved to be revolutionary and helped Minimalism to progress to what its known as today. In the beginning of this paper I set out to find if Judds Specific Objects essay did in fact change the favor of Minimalist from painting to three-dimensional structure. In my opinion I would say yes, Judds powerful voice did influence the Minimalist community to favor rogression in this movement. I wouldnt say that at the release of the essay, Minimalist every where dropped their paint brushes and started building outward, but Judd understood the natural progression of Minimalism. There are quite a few pieces that has exhibit this change toward the three dimensional as early as 1962, before Specific Objects came to prominence, Judd Just happened to have his finger on the pulse of the next phase of Minimalism.

Plains, Games, and Automobiles free essay sample

Plains, games, and automobiles; the infamous group of three that turned me into a thug. It was a warm summer day, and I was a child. Yet the beautiful weather belied the activities on King Edward’s Way, where pure evil was taking place. The terrible men were decimating the field that I played in. My friend, Isaiah, and I watched the destruction take place, letting the rage fill our prepubescent bodies. Every day, we would run up to the field beyond our street. Giant mounds of dirt stretched miles into the sky. We loved those mountains, and they loved us. We climbed them, running from ninjas one day, catching Pokemon the next. They offered to us a crucial setting in forming classic childhood memories. And the men were tearing them down. Granted, it was pretty thick of me to not realize that the piles of dirt were, in fact, not fun hills, and that they were just physical evidence of a transition from a field to houses. We will write a custom essay sample on Plains, Games, and Automobiles or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page But, to a child, everything is a game, and that’s how it should be. Being the vigilantes that we were, Isaiah and I decided that it was time to dole out justice. We saw these men as monsters, whose life goal was to destroy our home. So we sent them a message. Isaiah came over to my house on our D-Day. It was time for this war to end. I called out to my mother, telling her that we were going to play Pokemon at the top of the hill. She bought it. The perfect vice. Didn’t suspect a thing. We marched up to the battleground and looked over the plains. A solemn wind kicked up some dirt, but otherwise, it was all quiet. Cars zoomed by on the perpendicular road. These witnesses would be our biggest problem. In the stealthiest fashion possible, we crawled down the hill. We came to a cement cylinder and dove inside. There was no turning back. We had no idea what to do now. Our innocence was dawning on us; could two kids really bring down an entire mob? However, the innocence was also our best asset; nobody expects the children. Towards the end of the field, a large truck was parked with no one inside. That would do. We ran our hands over the dirty exterior of the tank. It was covered with the blood of our homeland, muddy spots acting as battle scars. Our rage increased, but we kept calm. If we blew it now, that could lead to serious trouble. Our parents might even find out. After moments of searching, I found a chink in the armor. Two orange circles on the back of the truck covered the lightbulbs that lit up for the brakes. Without those, we realized that the truck would almost certainly be pulled over, which would be a victory on all counts. Isaiah watched the traffic, looking for a break. I waited, rock in hand, ready to deliver that lethal blow. He gave the signal. Suddenly, I panicked. Was this really my fate? To go down in history like Al Capone, surrendering my life of potential to one of gangsterism and thuggishness? But alas, in order to defend my homeland, sacrifices had to be made. I willed myself to let go of that childish reputation and slammed the rock into the brake light cover. The rock struck the plastic and broke it immediately. It fell to the ground, raining bits and pieces of victory. I was ready to stop there, but my mind was not my own. I struck again, smashing the light bulb. The brake light was out, but I wanted more. I did the same for the other light, smashing and smashing until Isaiah pulled me away from my victim. I was like a boxer, punching my opponent, getting my gloves on him in any way possible until I was forcibly removed. Then I saw the danger. A car pulled into our field. I dropped the rock, but there was dirt on my hands. It drove up next to us. A man rolled down the window and asked who we were. I did the talking; I was the leader of this gang. I told him who we were, puffing out my chest, both for size and in an effort to hide the massive thumping of my nervous heart. He asked why we were here. Being the masterful improviser that I am, I told him that we were collecting rocks. His skeptical face showed how little he believed me. However, in absence of truly incriminating evidence, he let us go, sending us on our way. We sprinted back to my house, hearts going faster than our little legs could take us. We had done it. The industrial giant was finished. Justice had prevailed once and for all. Of course, in retrospect, our efforts were futile. They built a bunch of houses and apartments, and we lost our field. We never were caught by our parents or anyone else, but the guilt of my crime has stuck with me to this day. To put it frankly, I was stupid. But I managed to turn my life around from my career of crime, and now, here I am. Without the story of the Harrisonburg plains, the games we played there, and the automobile that turned me into a criminal, I would not be the person that I am today.

Apple Computer Inc. Marketing

Apple Computer Inc. Marketing Industry background Essentially, international trade is often a characteristic of the computer industry, rather than a mere contributing factor (Bardhan, Jaffee Kroll, 2004). Currently, even the smallest businesses have become active in marketing their products or services internationally. Personal computing has emerged to be the most important contributing factor to overseas labor employment due to production costs.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Apple Computer Inc. Marketing specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The continued increase in productivity within the computing industry is steered by the continued advancements in technology. Efficiency and other achievements result from the ever changing technology for the better. Among the major product lines in the electronic industry are the computers which also form the core products of the electronic companies. However, Apple’s computers have lost significant de mand due to the limitations the company experiences from complementary products. Hewlett-Packard and Dell have continued to dominate the computer market with their products having a higher demand than other competitors. Compared to Apple, firms like Dell and HP are substantially bigger and provide substitute products which attract many consumers due to their compatibility. Sony, Samsung and LG have focused more on consumer electronics such as televisions, digital cameras, mobile phones, gaming consoles, DVD players and digital speakers. Company background Previously known as Apple Computer Inc, Apple store is a global company that produces computers, software and consumer electronics. Its major products are personal computers, iPhone, iPod, iPad and iTune Store. The company was established in 1976 by two electronic engineers, Wozniak and Jobs, who released the first computer called Apple 1. Since then, Apple store has dominated the personal computer market through innovative product s such as the Power Mac and Macintosh, but encountered marketing problems in the 90s. Through Steve Jobs, the firm seeded innovative technologies that led to the introduction of new products such as the iPhone, iPad and iTune music store. The company became the new market leader in consumer electronics with the latest success coming from a range of products including the iPod Touch, iTunes, the iPhone, and the iPad (Apple Inc., 2011). Presently, the company is the global leader in technology with revenue of $60 billion after overtaking Microsoft in terms of market capitalization in 2010.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Sony was founded as a telecommunication engineering company by Akio, Masaru and Tamon in 1946 (Dogruer et al, 2001, p.4). The firm immediately adopted transistor technology to produce radios, home video recorders and microphones. Due to pressures fr om competition, Sony diversified beyond consumer electronics and started producing computer chips and computer peripherals. Later, the company entered the gaming machines after Nintendo became very successful in the industry. Due to rapid growth through mergers, Sony expanded to other major markets for consumer electronics such as Europe and America. So far, the company has focused on consumer electronics and in particular televisions, digital cameras and game machines. The company is also a major producer of personal computers and computer microchips. Product overview There are four major product segments that defines Sony’s portfolio. They include electronics, games, computers and pictures (Tang, Misra Shanholt, 2012, pp.16-18). The electronic product line consists of products like audio electronics, digital cameras, televisions and speakers. In this line, advanced technologies like Blu-ray and LCD technologies are the key differentiating factors. The games product line co nsists solely of the Play stations which are differentiated through enhanced technology that allow for superior graphics and increased computation power. The pictures category involves movies while the computer segment includes PCs, computer peripherals and computer microchips. Apple’s product and services segments involve a wide portfolio of Smartphone, personal computers, music store, book leaders and other applications. The key products and services include iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, software applications, televisions, iCloud, iOS and Mac OS (operating systems) as well as a variety of services, accessories and support services (USSEC, 2011, p.1). In addition, Apple tenders moderator products for instance iPhones, iPads, iPods, Mac and attuned merchandises as well as PC appliances, imprinter, amplifiers, storage devises and supercomputer peripherals. The firm also offers digital content and applications via the App Store, iBook Store, iTune Store and Mac App Store. Strategic marketing Strategic marketing is a process that allows a business to focus its limited resources on the greatest opportunities in order to achieve sustainable competitive advantages and thus increase sales (Baker, 2008). The focus of Sony strategy is to ensure that its products are of high quality and develop profitable and long-term loyalty with customers.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Apple Computer Inc. Marketing specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The corporate marketing strategy of the firm is to build awareness before launching a product. International market success depends on standardization/adaptation to local markets. Sonny standardized its products by manufacturing Japanese electronics and adapted local promotions campaigns to build awareness. Apple uses Apple brand as the competitive strength in the highly competitive market such as the PC industry with its Macintosh computers and associated software. Th e product strategy is to develop innovative products in line with a ‘digital hub’ strategy such that the firm’s products work as digital hub for other devices (Apple Inc.). The branding approach puts emphasis on sentiments such that the brand is about thoughts, routine, novelty, enthusiasm, dreams, autonomy and desires. Macro-environmental analysis Rivalry between competitors While an industry characterized by few large manufacturers and very expensive products hunts a niche audience, the evolution of personal computers has caused an explosion in the industry which currently includes dozens of companies pursuing millions of consumers across the globe. Due to the use of electronic equipments in day to day lives, the equipments are becoming more of commodities (Sony Corporation, 2010). For most consumers, economy is more important than performance specifications. This has forced many manufacturers to pursue best-cost and low-cost provider strategies. The companies in the middle range compete for consumers by offering various options at varying prices. The similarity of electronic products because of industry standard setting leads to competition in prices that squeeze margins and drive prices down. Moreover, technological development presents increased competition on the industry. Electronic products are becoming more and more sophisticated, efficient with less energy consumption. To hasten the situation, industry leaders like Apple, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo have always kept to this pace. Supplier power Suppliers have significant influence over the manufacturers of electronic equipments. While many standards in the industry are open and made by collaborative or independent bodies like IEE, manufacturers also depend on standards owned privately. Often, the technology requires entrance or must be licensed to a paid-membership group. Additionally, the virtual concentration of suppliers puts some pressure on competitors.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For personal computers, Sony outsources central processing units from Intel. Thus, incompatibility in design does not allow the company to switch to other suppliers. However, microchip manufacturers are not present in computer manufacturing business and hence rely on computer manufacturers for their business. As a result discounts are placed on exclusivity agreements and bulk purchasing thus lessening some pressure from suppliers. Buyer power As in all businesses, customers have the last say and apply considerable leverage over manufacturers. The various buyers with many but differing needs impact manufacturers of electronics directly since they must react and adapt by offering extensive product-lines. The notable characteristic between power user looking for the ‘greatest and latest’ and average user needing a product which is ‘just good enough’ presents an obstacle to manufacturers focusing on tapping the many customers possible. Manufacturers benefit fro m the wide use and acceptance of electronic products causing high demand for the products. Brand loyalty and proprietary systems are used to maintain customers. Threat of potential entrants Many avenues through which new entrants can enter the electronic market exist; however several hindrances may prevent the entrance. The current market is characterized by well entrenched players who have significant brand loyalty and recognition including Sony, Microsoft, Apple, Samsung and LG among others (Sony Corporation, 2010). Thus developing a successful brand in the presence of such players is difficult. They also keep costs down and dominate with economies of scale that cannot be achieved easily by a new entrant unless a substantial capital is invested. Despite these obstacles, new entrants may still come from newly instituted lean organizations which depend on third party OEM (original equipment manufacturers) for production. This trend is increasing in popularity bringing companies such as Acer Inc. into competition with industry giants. Threat of substitutes The technology sector has substantially grown with the introduction of alternatives such as televisions, game consoles, Smartphone, virtual music stores and personal computers. There are now feature-rich smart phones and PDAs in an average living room. Such developments have resulted in consumers focusing their â€Å"technology money† away from computers, televisions, radios and game consoles. However, despite the focus it is not likely that smart phones will diminish the importance of other products significantly. The only thing that the substitutes have influenced is elimination of monopoly in the electronic market. Micro-environmental analysis Apple and Sony are leaders in the electronic industry but market their products in the same markets. The firms are probably influenced by the same micro-environmental factors. They are expected to respond to the dynamics of both individualistic cultures of the west and collective cultures of the east. This is probably achieved by creating organizational cultures that support both team work and individual efforts in the respective areas of operations. As the firms become increasingly global, Du Plessis and Beaver (2008) insist on the need to develop an effective International Human Resource Management (IHRM) in order to respond to labor sourcing and expatriation issues. Consumers are also becoming more sensitive to prices and quality hence compelling Apple and Sony to be more responsive through effective quality control systems. Involvement in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is also a strategy that Apple and Sony are using to improve their relationship with consumers. SWOT analysis Sony SWOT analysis Strength Mature value chain Strong brand name Intellectual property holding Weaknesses Weak financials Lack of focus Conservative management Opportunities New Chief Executive Officer Economic recovery Industry integration Threats Stiff competition Macro-economic factors Partnership Apple SWOT analysis Strengths Global presence Strong brand image Synergistic portfolio Strong media content Weaknesses Low returns Labor issues Dependency for key components Opportunities Wireless product New digital platform MP3 player market Threats Strong competition Slow Euro-zone economy Lawsuits Market segmentation Sony Corporation segments its market in three divisions namely the consumer, professional and devices segment, networked products and services segment and financial services segment. Televisions lead in the first segments while game and PCs lead in the second segment. Sony Corporation has also segmented its markets according to geographic regions. These regions include Europe, America, Asian-Pacific, Africa and Latin America. For the Asian-Pacific, European and American markets, the firm markets its major product categories including household electronics, computer hardware and software, computer micr ochips, mobile phones and gaming consoles. For the rest of the markets, the firm markets only its household electronic goods and computer hardware. For several years, Apple has identified four major segments within its customer profile including business, education, creative professionals and high-end consumers. At the turn of the millennium, the company’s core product strengths were in the product segments of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Desktop Publishing (DTP) (Ashcroft, 2011, p.5). By the end of 2010, the situation turned upside down. The core product strengths were now the Personal computers, Smartphone, book readers, iTune store and applications. Market segments widened to include households, celebrities and sports fanatics. All these segments are continuously pursuing whatever information technology offers to their careers and lifestyles. Target markets Apple store sell its products to a wider range of markets and across many parts of the world. The company uses ret ail stores and online sites, to offer its goods and third party goods to the consumer and business segments. Apple has invested in programs that promote reseller sales such as the ASCP which focuses on certain reseller locations and APRP which provide expertise in products and customer service (USSEC, 2009). In addition, the company offers its computer products in the government, business and creative markets within its locations. The markets are particularly crucial to third party developers of computer applications and hardware that are compatible with Apple’s computers. The superior expansion and computing performance of Apple products are the major attractions for consumers within this market. Moreover, Apple offers its computer products to customers in scientific market as well as information technology markets. Positioning strategy Through product differentiation, Sony is positioned as the most convenient, quality-focused, value-added and technological producer of consu mer electronics goods. The focus of Sony strategy is to ensure that its products are of high quality and develop profitable and long-term loyalty with customers. Indeed, this positioning strategy has enabled the company to sell its products at premium prices even in primitive markets in Africa. The corporate marketing strategy of Sony is to build awareness before launching a product. International market success depends on adaptation to local markets. Sonny standardized its products by manufacturing Japanese electronics and adapted local promotions campaigns to build awareness. The success of Apple Company has been credited to its effort in innovating new products. In fact, while many companies experienced decreased revenues during the depression period, Apple continued to increase its revenues throughout. Up to date, the company has invested generously in innovative development of its products. Apple has continually put innovation ahead of all its plans and strategies. This can be witnessed in the current wave of touch screen technology in most of its devices. They have come up with not only iPhones, iPods and iPads with touch screens, but laptops with no keyboards (Apple Inc.). These laptops use a very unique technology in which a user can complete computer tasks like printing or typing with just a few spins of a disc. However, this is not the only new innovation; just recently the company released the world thinnest laptop challenging all of its competitors. The Macbook Air is so thin that it can fit inside an envelope. For the last several years, the company has surprised the market with new innovations starting from its iPhone, iPad, ipod, laptops, desktops, iTunes, and the recent Macbook. This is a clear indication that innovation is the core positioning strategy for Apple. Recommendation The changing consumer trends and market shifts are requiring many companies to institute strategies that will respond to these dynamics and ensure that the firms achiev e competitive advantages. Among the trickiest industry is the electronic industry which is characterized by big firms that are swift in responding to the marketing changes. In this industry, Apple Inc. and Sony Corporation can only adopt the best-cost strategy to increase their competitive advantages since consumers are increasingly becoming price sensitive and many competitors are pursuing low-cost strategies. This strategy demands the integration of developmental and marketing plans which focus on the best value while reducing the prices of products. Within this strategy, the firms should retool their products to attract a wider range of consumer segments while maintaining low prices for the majority low income earners. Avoiding unexpected risks such as those from natural calamities is important. Therefore, the firms should include stakeholders such as OEM partners to distribute the impacts caused by such calamities. But the best way for the companies to position themselves better in the marketplace is to stay ahead in terms of price and quality. Reference List Apple Inc, The new, faster MacBook Air. Web. Ashcroft, J 2011, Apple Inc. The case study 2000-2010. Web. Baker, M 2008, The Strategic marketing plan. Cambridge Strategic Publications Limited, London. Bardhan, A, Jaffee, D Kroll C 2004, Globalization and a high-tech economy: California, the United States and beyond. Springer, New York. Dogruer, B, Ferzly, M, Nguyen, H, Roach, D Ward, R 2001, Report on Sony Corporation. Web. Du Plessis, A J Beaver, B 2008, â€Å"The changing role of human resource managers for international assignments.† International Review of Business Research Papers, vol.4 no.5, pp.166-181. Sony Corporation 2010, Annual Report 2009. Web. Tang, H, Misra, R Shanholt, E 2012, Sony Corporation. Web. USSEC 2009, Form 10-K: Apple Inc. Web. USSEC 2011, Form 10-K. Web.

Critique for a Quantitative Research Article Paper

Critique for a Quantitative Article - Research Paper Example Because each instrument has both merits and demerits, a researcher has to choose only appropriate tool to apply in his/her study. This paper reviews an article that describes evaluation study of an Advance Care Plan (ACP) in the Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF). The evaluation follows implementation of various strategies to improve outcomes of ACP. In-depth Review of the Article Introduction Section Purpose of the â€Å"Advanced Care Planning: How does current practice compare with best practice† study is clearly explained. The author of the article, Elizabeth van der Spek, explains that the study is a post-implementation audit to determine whether ACP outcomes have actually improved. In the abstract section, the author says that after the Getting Research Into Practice (GRIP) phase of the project, it was necessary to evaluate effectiveness of strategies implemented. Main problem of the study was, thus, determining whether GRIP really had an effect in the RACF. The author exhaustively gives details of what she is doing. As a proof, the author, in the background section, introduces her subject by comprehensively discussing importance of planning for end of an individual’s life. ... However, after the GRIP phase, there is need to check whether the shortcomings have been eliminated. In page two, the author include an audit question to reveal what the study attempts to answer. Through the question, the author generates her study variables. Three types of variables are used; specific GRIP strategy, specific post-implementation ACP outcome, and standard ACP outcomes. Based on findings of the study and using similar variables, the study can effectively be used to solve any clinical problem. Literature review, Theoretical Framework, Study Hypotheses In literature review, the author carefully introduces the concept of planning for end of a person’s life. As basis of the study, the author uncovers significance of â€Å"End-life wishes.† Spek, thus, did a wide research about her study topic. However, the author does not clearly relate her study with previous studies. In fact, the study does not quote a similar research that had studied ACP. Consequently, th e author does not describe literature gaps. That is, the study is geared towards improving services of RACF and not filling any literature gap. Theoretically, no plain study rationale is stated. Based on this fact, the entire project can be nullified. Ambiguity of the study is also evident in forming hypotheses. The study is a comparative research but no postulate is made about possible outcome of ACP in the facility. Because of vagueness of hypotheses, the study does not allow easy testing procedures. Methodology Even though three classes of variables are used in the study, they are, nevertheless, not easily measurable. The strategies are considered as independent variables, which after implementations, lead to a change in the

Complete Marketing Plan of New Invented Coffee Product, Marketing Essay

Complete Marketing Plan of New Invented Coffee Product, Marketing Competition - Essay Example In France, generally, coffee is taken as either black or with milk. There are no choices of almond, chocolate, hazelnut, etc... However, it is when Starbucks Coffee entered the market in 2004, that the French’s â€Å"coffee culture† slowly changed from roadside cafà ©s with white porcelain cups, to â€Å"on the go† coffee in white plastic cups. Also, small cafà ©s in Paris such as Columbus cafe has introduced the need of coffee in a person’s daily routine. It is especially among young people that drinking coffee has become something of a fad, and frequenting cafà ©s is something they fancy. Although it is the young professionals, and university students who enjoy drinking coffee, quite a number of the older members of the French community too, drinks coffee – however in the more traditional way of having it either black or with milk. AUP Coffee is a newly invented brand of coffee that is aimed at joining the competitive coffee market of France. It is developed as an instant, processed coffee product. Convenience is very much taken into consideration since everything today is fast-paced and considered â€Å"to go†. As humans, it is natural for us to try a thing or two that is new. If it’s good, we share the thought. If it’s bad, we still share the thought – plus a lot of criticism. France’s market of today is simply a â€Å"trial and error† type of market, meaning the consumers try a new product that looks promising, and the product’s reputation can take it from there. With the ever growing competition in the market, especially of food and beverages, products have become a fad – something like fashion, only the classics (simple and functional) lasts for decades or more. Being a small name in the industry, AUP Coffee will be competing with giants such as Starbucks, established locals such as Columbus Cafe (in Paris), and other coffee shops who, through the years, have e stablished their reputation as household names. Being a coffee

Great Expectations Essay Example for Free

Great Expectations Essay What Picture Of Childhood Does Charles Dickens Create In The First Section of Great Expectations?  In 1861, when Dickens embarked upon telling the novel Great Expectations, the country was riveted. Theyd hasten to read the next weekly instalment which was full of drama and, more importantly, the issues which Dickens urged to convey throughout the novel. Strong feelings were rooted to his childhood where he was forced to work in a blacking factory and even give up his education at one point. When he did receive an education it was poorly taught, like Pips own experience. In comparison, our society today and its compulsory education is a striking contrast to Victorian childrens life. Treatment during childhood is also an important theme and most interestingly how Pip is treated by his sister Mrs Joe and her husband Joe Gargery. Whereas Joe supports and encourages Pip, Astonishing! You ARE a scholar, he remarks when Pip writes something on the chalkboard to him, Mrs Joe treats Pip extremely differently. Despite being only a sister to Pip, Mrs Joe acts as his mother as she has raised him by hand. Literally this describes how she raised him alone, but also symbolises how Pip seemed to be raised by Mrs Joes violence. She is firm and cruel and uses the tickler, a whip, on Pip when she sees that he has misbehaved. This sounds childish and fun to our ears, which is ironic seeing as it causes Pip so much pain throughout his childhood. Another severe and strict method of control is force feeding a disgusting dose of tar water. This treatment for a naughty child, which is used on Pip, was also used on Joe. This could be a possible reason for why Joe and Pip act brotherly and are on equal terms as seen here: get behind the door old chap, as they are united against Mrs Joes cruel punishments and severity despite the social rules that your elders are your betters. Therefore, although Joes behaviour towards Pip seems more natural to us nowadays, it is in fact Mrs Joes treatment of Pip, which Dickens writes to give us a picture of childhood, which was more common in Victorian times. The classic seen and not heard view of children, which was meant quite literally at the dinner table on Christmas day where Pip was not allowed to speak., is also portrayed in the character of Mr Pumblechook. He tells Pip over dinner he should be grateful to them which brought you up by hand, because if he had been born a Squeaker he would not have received such care. Mr Pumblechook uses every chance, like testing his arithmetic, to belittle and insult Pip. However, when Pip gains his fortune Mr Pumblechook hypocritically claims that it was well deserved and they have always been old friends. We can see that Mr Pumblechook, in seeing that Pip is now of a higher status and so has to respect and try to gain favour of him, whereas before young Pip as a child was of a very low status. Miss Havisham looks down on Pip for another reason as her wealth makes Pip feel even more common. She invites him to play in Satis House, which has been neglected since her failed wedding day. She is blunt with Pip, for example: I hope you want nothing. Youll get nothing. She has a frighteningly manipulative influence on those around her. She teaches Estella to break mens hearts and encourages Pip to think she is his mysterious benefactor. It could be because she spends too much time alone with her bitter thoughts, which allows her to be so cunningly manipulative. She expects people to follow her wishes, especially Pip as he is common. You are unwilling to play, then are you willing to work? In contrast, Magwitchs treatment towards Pip is regardless of class. When he first meets him he is desperate, shaking, ill and in pain. We can see that this makes him desperate, and even threatening to Pip. However, later on in the novel we can see that Magwitch treats Pip with great respect in affection in return for his help seeing himself as Pips second-father, whereas Mr Pumblechook tries to leech of Pip when hes older. It is difficult to tell whether Pips deed or Magwitchs nature lead Magwitch to treat someone so kindly like Pip, but as he was desperate on the marshes we can assume he isnt only kind to Pip. Friends on the desolate marshes are a fortune Pip does not possess in his childhood. Interacting with children your own age plays a vital role in growing up as we can see from Pips reactions to his meetings with Estella. Her condescending manner is very apparent in the scornful tone she refers to Pip as boy despite being the same age as him. Once again, it is because of class that she mocks him. She laughs at him for calling the Knaves Jacks. However, Pip falls in love with her even more despite her cruel actions and wishes to change and better his life in the hope of wooing Estella. She has caused a huge impact on Pips life because of the way she has been brought up to break their hearts and because she is the first pretty girl Pip has set his eyes upon. Pip first meets Herbert Pocket in the grounds of Satis House where he is challenged to a fight. Not knowing his name, Pip refers to him as the pale young gentleman. He was secretly afraid of him despite that he did not look very healthy. It could be that his fear is from being treated badly by those of higher status; however, Herbert treats him as an equal by playing and even returning Pips good will by saying same to you. This shows how he treats Pip more fairly unlike Estella. This gives us an insight that class is not an issue to all children. Another person similar to Pips age is Biddy. She comes to look after Joe, Mrs Joe and Pip and at once Pip recognises her intelligence. However, we can see a slight snobbery in the way Pip looks at her. He does not understand how she can learn quicker than Pip. From this we can see he acknowledges Biddys intelligence, but is also confused why he is not superior in that aspect which is rather snobbish. Although Pip and Biddy do not see each other in the same way (Pip did not know back then that Biddy loved Pip), Pip trusts Biddy immensely and tells her that he wants to be a gentleman on Estellas account. He has told no one else this, but still looks down on Biddy and thinks she is envious and grudging of his new wealth. He does not treat her as an equal in this aspect so it is difficult to see if we could call her a true friend. And as friends are important in childhood, its clear to see that Dickens is saying that Pip did not have much of one. Unlike today, Pip doesnt play any games nor is he allowed as much freedom to go out. He is whipped for visiting the graveyard, so he certainly wouldnt be able to go out with friends like children his age today. He is expected to learn from Joe in the forge and become apprenticed (PRENGTD) to him. Before receiving the fortune he has no choice, and at the beginning wants no other career; however we are now encouraged to consider many career options from a young age. This may have been because back then, you didnt have much chance other than to follow the family trade unless you had money. In Satis House he is expected to play in front of Miss Havisham, walk her and keep her company. Even though he is there to play, it is not by choice and he does not have fun by it. His games, for example cards, are very formal whereas today children would play informally and with children their own age, and so once again Dickens shows Pips lack of fun in childhood.