Accounting: Costs and Learning Objective

econonmMicroeconomics Review Quiz Test 2 1. When is marginal utility equal to zero? A. When TU is zero. B. When MU is at its maximum. C. When TU is at its maximum. D. When MU is at its minimum. The following table shows Mia's $ marginal utility for litres of soya milk: 2. Refer to the above table to answer this question. Suppose that Mia has a budget of $7 and the price of a litre of soya milk is $1, what is the maximum quantity that Mia might purchase? A. 0. B. 4 litres. C. 5 litres. D. 6 litres. E. Cannot be determined. 3. What is the correct formula for MCS (marginal consumer surplus)?A. $MU-price. B. Price-$MU. C. $TU-price. D. TU/price. E. TU/quantity. 4. What is the term for the difference between the consumer's evaluation of a product and the price which is paid for it? A. Price discrimination. B. Price elasticity of demand. C. Consumer indifference. D. Consumer surplus. 5. Refer to Table 5. 13 to answer this question. With the consumption of what quantity is marginal utility equal to zero. A. 1. B. 5. C. 7. D. 8. 6. You have just spent two hours studying microeconomics and this has made you very hungry. You have $10 to spend on a snack and decide to go to Taco Bell.Putting your newly acquired economics knowledge to use, you have developed the following table to assist with your purchase decision: (a) Fill in the missing values in the table above. (b) If you bought 6 tacos and 2 burritos are you maximizing your utility? Explain. Below are some financial data for the Do Drop In convenience store. The owners have put $40,000 into the business and they worked a total of 80 hours during the week. Savings accounts are currently paying 5. 2% interest and the going wage rate is $8 per hour. 7. Refer to the information above to answer this question.What is the week's economic profit for the Do Drop In? A. -$320. B. -$40. C. $280. D. $320. E. $1,050. 8. Which of the following statements about the marginal product of labour is correct? A. It may either rise or fal l as more labour is used. B. It always rises as more labour is used. C. It always falls as more labour is used. D. There is no relationship between marginal product and labour. 9. What causes marginal cost to increase? A. The advantages of the division of labour. B. The fact that ATC increases. C. Raising marginal product. D. The law of diminishing returns. 0. Which of the following statements regarding average fixed costs is correct? A. They are constant since fixed costs are fixed. B. They are equal to average variable cost less average total cost. C. When graphed, they are a horizontal line. D. When graphed, they are a straight line which comes out of the origin. E. They fall continuously as output increases. 11. Which of the following is a variable cost? A. The leasehold cost of a building. B. Insurance on the factory's physical plant. C. Raw materials. D. The cost of a marketing research report. 12.What is the sum of total variable costs and total fixed costs? A. It is equal to the sum of average product and marginal product. B. It is the sum of all marginal costs. C. It is total cost. D. It is AVC times the quantity of output. 13. Can a firm earn an economic loss and an accounting profit at the same time? Explain. 14. What is meant by the term economic capacity? A. An output level where the firm is physically unable to increase output. B. The output level where average variable cost is at a minimum. C. The output level where average total cost is at a minimum. D. Total fixed costs are at a minimum. 5. Which of the following statements is correct if a firm's capacity output increases from 300 to 600 and its total costs rise from $40,000 to $78,000? A. The firm is experiencing constant returns to scale. B. The firm is experiencing decreasing returns to scale. C. The firm is experiencing increasing returns to scale. D. The firm's long-run average cost must have decreased but its short-run average cost could have either decreased or increased. 16. The existe nce of both economies of scale and diseconomies of scale would have what effect on the LRAC curve? A. It would make it upward-sloping. B.It would make it downward-sloping. C. It would give it an inverse U shape. D. It would give it a U shape. E. It would make it horizontal. 17. All of the following, except one, are examples of pecuniary economies of scale. Which is the exception? A. A lower interest rate paid on money borrowed. B. The ability to sell the by-products of production. C. The ability to use specialized inputs such as a robotics assembly line. D. The ability to obtain lower prices by buying in bulk. 18. What is the shape of the LRAC curve for a firm enjoying diseconomies of scale? 19. Which of the following refers to the perfectly competitive firm?A. It is a price-maker. B. It is a price-taker. C. It might be either a price-maker or a price-taker. D. It is neither a price-maker nor a price-taker. 20. What is the term for the extra revenue derived from the sale of one more unit? A. Average revenue. B. Marginal revenue. C. Net revenue. D. Total revenue. 21. What is average revenue? A. The price multiplied by the quantity sold. B. The total revenue divided by the price. C. The extra revenue derived from the sale of one more unit. D. It is equal to the price in perfectly competitive markets. 22. What is break-even output? A.The output at which the total revenue just covers a firm's total fixed cost. B. The output at which the total revenue just covers a firm's total variable cost. C. The output at which the total revenue just covers a firm's fixed and variable costs including normal profits. D. The output at which the firm is making zero normal profits. 23. Which of the following is the correct sequence of events following a decrease in demand for a product in a perfectly competitive market? A. A decrease in the price and in the total profits of the representative firm which causes new firms to enter the industry. B.A decrease in the price and in the to tal profits of the representative firm which causes firms to leave the industry. C. A decrease in the price but an increase in the total profits of the representative firm which causes new firms to enter the industry. D. An increase in the price but a decrease in the total profits of the representative firm which causes firms to leave the industry. 24. How is average revenue defined? A. It is the extra revenue derived from the sale of one more unit. B. It is the total revenue divided by the number of units sold. C. It is marginal revenue divided by the number of units sold. D.It is the sum of the marginal revenue of all units sold. 25. Which of the following markets provide the best example of a perfect competition? A. Automobile manufacturing. B. Restaurants. C. Oil refining. D. Wheat farming. 26. Explain why a perfectly competitive firm faces a horizontal demand curve? 27. Explain why average revenue is equal to marginal revenue for a perfectly competitive firm? 28. The supply cur ve for a perfectly competitive firm is that portion of its marginal cost curve that lies above its average variable cost curve. Explain why? Micro Review Quiz Test 2 Key 1. (p. 143)  When is marginal utility equal to zero?A. When TU is zero. B. When MU is at its maximum. C. When TU is at its maximum. D. When MU is at its minimum. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 05-01 Explain the law of diminishing marginal utility. Sayre – Chapter 05 #11 Source: Text Topic: Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility Type: Comprehension Type: Pickup The following table shows Mia's $ marginal utility for litres of soya milk: Sayre – Chapter 05 2. (p. 151)  Refer to the above table to answer this question. Suppose that Mia has a budget of $7 and the price of a litre of soya milk is $1, what is the maximum quantity that Mia might purchase? A. 0. B. litres. C. 5 litres. D. 6 litres. E. Cannot be determined. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 05-04 Provide a theoretical rationale for dow nward-sloping demand curves. Sayre – Chapter 05 #54 Source: Text Topic: Marginal Utility and Demand Type: Computation Type: Pickup 3. (p. 154)  What is the correct formula for MCS (marginal consumer surplus)? A. $MU-price. B. Price-$MU. C. $TU-price. D. TU/price. E. TU/quantity. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 05-05 Understand why consumers generally value a product more than the price they pay. Sayre – Chapter 05 #62 Source: Text Topic: Consumer Surplus Type: DefinitionType: Pickup 4. (p. 154)  What is the term for the difference between the consumer's evaluation of a product and the price which is paid for it? A. Price discrimination. B. Price elasticity of demand. C. Consumer indifference. D. Consumer surplus. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 05-05 Understand why consumers generally value a product more than the price they pay. Sayre – Chapter 05 #63 Source: Text Topic: Consumer Surplus Type: Definition Type: Pickup Sayre – Chapter 05 5. ( p. 162)  Refer to Table 5. 13 to answer this question. With the consumption of what quantity is marginal utility equal to zero.A. 1. B. 5. C. 7. D. 8. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 05-02 Derive a consumers purchasing rule that ensures satisfaction is maximized. Sayre – Chapter 05 #91 Source: Study Guide Topic: Optimal Purchasing Rule Type: Computation Type: Pickup 6. (p. 145-148)  You have just spent two hours studying microeconomics and this has made you very hungry. You have $10 to spend on a snack and decide to go to Taco Bell. Putting your newly acquired economics knowledge to use, you have developed the following table to assist with your purchase decision: (a) Fill in the missing values in the table above. b) If you bought 6 tacos and 2 burritos are you maximizing your utility? Explain. (a) The completed table: (b) By purchasing 6 tacos and 2 burritos you are not maximizing your utility. At this level of consumption you have put yourself into the following po sition: MU/P for tacos = -6 ; 9 = MU/P for burritos. You can use the rational choice rule to reallocate your $10 and increase your total utility. Rather than the above allocation, you should purchase each item until your MU/P is the same for both munchies. Doing so will result in the purchase of 4 double Decker tacos and 3 chicken burrito Supremes.To see why this is the case, think about each purchase individually, and pick the item that will give you the highest MU/P. Reasoning in this way, you would make the following decisions: First dollar spent on a taco Second through fourth dollars spent on one taco and one burrito Fifth dollar spent on a taco Sixth and seventh dollars spent on a burrito Eighth through tenth dollars spent on one taco and one burrito After this allocation, the MU/P for each item is the same (and equal to 4). Difficulty: Difficult Learning Objective: 05-02 Derive a consumers purchasing rule that ensures satisfaction is maximized.Sayre – Chapter 05 #130 S ource: Text Topic: Optimal Purchasing Rule Type: Computation Type: Pickup Below are some financial data for the Do Drop In convenience store. The owners have put $40,000 into the business and they worked a total of 80 hours during the week. Savings accounts are currently paying 5. 2% interest and the going wage rate is $8 per hour. Sayre – Chapter 06 7. (p. 182)  Refer to the information above to answer this question. What is the week's economic profit for the Do Drop In? A. -$320. B. -$40. C. $280. D. $320. E. $1,050. Difficulty: EasyLearning Objective: 06-01 Understand how and why economists measure costs differently from how accountants do and distinguish between the accountants and economists views of profits. Sayre – Chapter 06 #10 Source: Text Topic: Explicit and Implicit Costs Type: Computation Type: Pickup 8. (p. 185)  Which of the following statements about the marginal product of labour is correct? A. It may either rise or fall as more labour is used. B. It always rises as more labour is used. C. It always falls as more labour is used. D. There is no relationship between marginal product and labour.Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 06-02 Understand the crucial relationship between productivity and costs. Sayre – Chapter 06 #23 Source: Text Topic: Theory of Production Type: Comprehension Type: Pickup 9. (p. 194)  What causes marginal cost to increase? A. The advantages of the division of labour. B. The fact that ATC increases. C. Raising marginal product. D. The law of diminishing returns. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 06-04 List and graph the seven specific cost definitions used by economists. Sayre – Chapter 06 #75 Source: Text Topic: Total Costs and Average Total CostsType: Comprehension Type: Pickup 10. (p. 193)  Which of the following statements regarding average fixed costs is correct? A. They are constant since fixed costs are fixed. B. They are equal to average variable cost less average total cost . C. When graphed, they are a horizontal line. D. When graphed, they are a straight line which comes out of the origin. E. They fall continuously as output increases. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 06-04 List and graph the seven specific cost definitions used by economists. Sayre – Chapter 06 #84 Source: Text Topic: Total Costs and Average Total CostsType: Comprehension Type: Pickup 11. (p. 190)  Which of the following is a variable cost? A. The leasehold cost of a building. B. Insurance on the factory's physical plant. C. Raw materials. D. The cost of a marketing research report. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 06-03 Understand the important difference between fixed costs and variable costs. Sayre – Chapter 06 #86 Source: Text Topic: Marginal and Variable Costs Type: Computation Type: Pickup 12. (p. 202)  What is the sum of total variable costs and total fixed costs? A. It is equal to the sum of average product and marginal product.B. It is the sum of a ll marginal costs. C. It is total cost. D. It is AVC times the quantity of output. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 06-04 List and graph the seven specific cost definitions used by economists. Sayre – Chapter 06 #119 Source: Study Guide Topic: Total Costs and Average Total Costs Type: Definition Type: Pickup 13. (p. 182-183)  Can a firm earn an economic loss and an accounting profit at the same time? Explain. Accounting profit is equal to total revenue less explicit cost and economic profits is equal to total revenue less implicit cost and explicit cost.Suppose the firm is earning an accounting profit. If implicit cost is greater than accounting profit, there will be an economic loss. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 06-05 Explain the meaning of increasing productivity and cutting costs. Sayre – Chapter 06 #158 Source: Text Topic: Explicit and Implicit Costs Type: Comprehension Type: Pickup 14. (p. 210)  What is meant by the term economic capacity? A. An ou tput level where the firm is physically unable to increase output. B. The output level where average variable cost is at a minimum. C. The output level where average total cost is at a minimum.D. Total fixed costs are at a minimum. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 07-02 Understand why medium-sized firms are sometimes just as efficient as big firms. Sayre – Chapter 07 #3 Source: Text Topic: Constant Returns to Scale Type: Definition Type: Pickup 15. (p. 213)  Which of the following statements is correct if a firm's capacity output increases from 300 to 600 and its total costs rise from $40,000 to $78,000? A. The firm is experiencing constant returns to scale. B. The firm is experiencing decreasing returns to scale. C. The firm is experiencing increasing returns to scale. D.The firm's long-run average cost must have decreased but its short-run average cost could have either decreased or increased. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 07-03 Understand why big firms sometim es enjoy great cost advantages. Sayre – Chapter 07 #17 Source: Text Topic: Economies of Scale Type: Definition Type: Pickup 16. (p. 218)  The existence of both economies of scale and diseconomies of scale would have what effect on the LRAC curve? A. It would make it upward-sloping. B. It would make it downward-sloping. C. It would give it an inverse U shape. D. It would give it a U shape. E.It would make it horizontal. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 07-06 Explain what is meant by the right size of firm. Sayre – Chapter 07 #46 Source: Text Topic: What is the Right Size of Firm? Type: Comprehension Type: Pickup 17. (p. 224)  All of the following, except one, are examples of pecuniary economies of scale. Which is the exception? A. A lower interest rate paid on money borrowed. B. The ability to sell the by-products of production. C. The ability to use specialized inputs such as a robotics assembly line. D. The ability to obtain lower prices by buying in bulk. Dif ficulty: EasyLearning Objective: 07-03 Understand why big firms sometimes enjoy great cost advantages. Sayre – Chapter 07 #75 Source: Study Guide Topic: Economies of Scale Type: Comprehension Type: Pickup 18. (p. 215)  What is the shape of the LRAC curve for a firm enjoying diseconomies of scale? The long-run average cost curve is upward-sloping when the firm is experiencing diseconomies of scale; an increase in output will lead to an increase in the average cost. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 07-04 Understand why firms can sometimes be too big. Sayre – Chapter 07 #120 Source: Text Topic: Why Firms can be too BigType: Comprehension Type: Pickup 19. (p. 232)  Which of the following refers to the perfectly competitive firm? A. It is a price-maker. B. It is a price-taker. C. It might be either a price-maker or a price-taker. D. It is neither a price-maker nor a price-taker. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 08-02 Explain what is meant by perfect competition and the market system. Sayre – Chapter 08 #6 Source: Text Topic: Perfect Competition and the Market System Type: Definition Type: Pickup 20. (p. 239)  What is the term for the extra revenue derived from the sale of one more unit? A. Average revenue. B. Marginal revenue.C. Net revenue. D. Total revenue. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 08-03 Use two approaches to explain how a firm might maximize its profits. Sayre – Chapter 08 #12 Source: Text Topic: The Competitive Industry and Firm Type: Definition Type: Pickup 21. (p. 238)  What is average revenue? A. The price multiplied by the quantity sold. B. The total revenue divided by the price. C. The extra revenue derived from the sale of one more unit. D. It is equal to the price in perfectly competitive markets. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 08-03 Use two approaches to explain how a firm might maximize its profits.Sayre – Chapter 08 #13 Source: Text Topic: The Competitive Industry and Firm Type: Defi nition Type: Pickup 22. (p. 239)  What is break-even output? A. The output at which the total revenue just covers a firm's total fixed cost. B. The output at which the total revenue just covers a firm's total variable cost. C. The output at which the total revenue just covers a firm's fixed and variable costs including normal profits. D. The output at which the firm is making zero normal profits. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 08-03 Use two approaches to explain how a firm might maximize its profits. Sayre – Chapter 08 #26Source: Text Topic: The Competitive Industry and Firm Type: Definition Type: Pickup 23. (p. 254)  Which of the following is the correct sequence of events following a decrease in demand for a product in a perfectly competitive market? A. A decrease in the price and in the total profits of the representative firm which causes new firms to enter the industry. B. A decrease in the price and in the total profits of the representative firm which causes firms to leave the industry. C. A decrease in the price but an increase in the total profits of the representative firm which causes new firms to enter the industry. D.An increase in the price but a decrease in the total profits of the representative firm which causes firms to leave the industry. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 08-06 Explain the effect of a change in market demand or market supply on both the industry and the firm. Sayre – Chapter 08 #100 Source: Text Topic: The Industry Demand and Supply Type: Comprehension Type: Pickup 24. (p. 260)  How is average revenue defined? A. It is the extra revenue derived from the sale of one more unit. B. It is the total revenue divided by the number of units sold. C. It is marginal revenue divided by the number of units sold.D. It is the sum of the marginal revenue of all units sold. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 08-03 Use two approaches to explain how a firm might maximize its profits. Sayre – Chapter 08 #1 06 Source: Study Guide Topic: The Competitive Industry and Firm Type: Definition Type: Pickup 25. (p. 261)  Which of the following markets provide the best example of a perfect competition? A. Automobile manufacturing. B. Restaurants. C. Oil refining. D. Wheat farming. Difficulty: Easy Learning Objective: 08-02 Explain what is meant by perfect competition and the market system.Sayre – Chapter 08 #111 Source: Study Guide Topic: Perfect Competition Type: Comprehension Type: Pickup 26. (p. 237)  Explain why a perfectly competitive firm faces a horizontal demand curve? In a perfectly competitive market, the individual firm has no control over price. Furthermore, the individual firm only produces a tiny fraction of the total market supply. If the individual firm sells at a higher price, nobody will buy it; nor would the firm sell it at a lower price. Therefore there is only one price: the market price, at which the firm can produce as much or as little as it wishes.Difficulty: Moderate Learning Objective: 08-03 Use two approaches to explain how a firm might maximize its profits. Sayre – Chapter 08 #170 Source: Text Topic: The Competitive Industry and Firm Type: Comprehension Type: Pickup 27. (p. 239)  Explain why average revenue is equal to marginal revenue for a perfectly competitive firm? A perfectly competitive firm faces a perfectly elastic demand curve. It may sell as many units as it wishes at the prevailing market price, thus the revenue from the incremental sale (MR) and the revenue per unit (AR) is equal to the price.Difficulty: Moderate Learning Objective: 08-03 Use two approaches to explain how a firm might maximize its profits. Sayre – Chapter 08 #171 Source: Text Topic: The Competitive Industry and Firm Type: Comprehension Type: Pickup 28. (p. 248)  The supply curve for a perfectly competitive firm is that portion of its marginal cost curve that lies above its average variable cost curve. Explain why? If the price is below average variable cost, the firm could not cover all of its variable cost. It would therefore shut down and produce nothing.If the price is equal or greater to the average variable cost, the firm will cover all of its variable cost, thus the firm will operate. Difficulty: Moderate Learning Objective: 08-05 Explain how a firms supply curve is derived. Sayre – Chapter 08 #173 Source: Text Topic: The Firms Supply curve Type: Comprehension Type: Pickup Micro Review Quiz Test 2 Summary Category| #  of  Questions| Difficulty:  Difficult| 1| Difficulty:  Easy| 24| Difficulty:  Moderate| 3| Learning  Objective:  05-01  Explain  the  law  of  diminishing  marginal  utility. 1| Learning  Objective:  05-02  Derive  a  consumers  purchasing  rule  that  ensures  satisfaction  is  maximized. | 1| Learning  Objective:  05-02  Derive  a  consumers  purchasing  rule  that  ensures  satisfaction  is  maximized. | 1| Le arning  Objective:  05-04  Provide  a  theoretical  rationale  for  downward-sloping  demand  curves. | 1| Learning  Objective:  05-05  Understand  why  consumers  generally  value  a  product  more  than  the  price  they  pay. | 2| Learning  Objective:  06-01  Understand  how  and  why  economists  measure  costs  differently  from  how  accountants  do  and  distinguish  between  the  accountants  and  economists  views  of  profits. 1| Learning  Objective:  06-02  Understand  the  crucial  relationship  between  productivity  and  costs. | 1| Learning  Objective:  06-03  Understand  the  important  difference  between  fixed  costs  and  variable  costs. | 1| Learning  Objective:  06-04  List  and  graph  the  seven  specific  cost  definitions  used  by  economists. | 3| Learning  Objective:  06-05  Explain   the  meaning  of  increasing  productivity  and cutting  costs. | 1| Learning  Objective:  07-02  Understand  why  medium-sized  firms  are  sometimes  just  as  efficient  as  big  firms. | 1| Learning  Objective:  07-03  Understand  why  big  firms  sometimes  enjoy  great  cost  advantages. 2| Learning  Objective:  07-04  Understand  why  firms  can  sometimes  be  too  big. | 1| Learning  Objective:  07-06  Explain  what  is  meant  by  the  right  size  of  firm. | 1| Learning  Objective:  08-02  Explain  what  is  meant  by  perfect  competition  and  the  market  system. | 2| Learning  Objective:  08-03  Use  two  approaches  to  explain  how  a  firm  might  maximize  its  profits. | 6| Learning  Objective:  08-05  Explain  how  a  firms  supply  curve  is  derived. | 1| Learning  Objective:à ‚  08-06  Explain  the  effect  of  a  change  in  market  demand  or  market  supply  on  both  the  industry  and  the  firm. | 1| Sayre  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  Chapter  05| 8|Sayre  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  Chapter  06| 8| Sayre  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  Chapter  07| 5| Sayre  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  Chapter  08| 10| Source:  Study  Guide| 5| Source:  Text| 23| Topic:  Constant  Returns  to  Scale| 1| Topic:  Consumer  Surplus| 2| Topic:  Economies  of  Scale| 2| Topic:  Explicit  and  Implicit  Costs| 2| Topic:  Law  of  Diminishing  Marginal  Utility| 1| Topic:  Marginal  and  Variable  Costs| 1| Topic:  Marginal  Utility  and  Demand| 1| Topic:  Optimal  Purchasing  Rule| 2| Topic:  Perfect  Competition| 1| Topic:  Perfect  Competition  and  the  Market  System| 1| Topic:  The  Competitive  Industry  and  Firm| 6| Topic:  The  Firms  Supply  curve| 1|

Causes of world war

Source based World war one, a great European war, nations conflicted and divided, aligning themselves with their own allies. World war one war one was a war not born from profound causes but triggered by a continents own insolence, competition and whom a nation was allied with. Each of the European nations had their own goals and motives as to why they did what they did. Some fought to preserve the interests that best served their nation, some fought to retaliate and some fought to become the king of Europe.A country like France ho pushed and encouraged nationalism and militarism was viewed as a powerful nation but because of Its strong policies It was also recognized as a huge threat to other European nations. A war seemed to be beneficial to every nation. Everybody was fending for themselves, For France if a war did break out especially between Germany and Russia, France would be able to attain previously lost lands from Germany. Lace and Lorraine, and this would only be a great ou tcome for France. Germany was another rising nation at the time, her and Russia had conflicts and a war between them seemed inevitable.Russia was trying to recover from a revolution that had occurred less than a decade ago. They had a big army but their soldiers were not well trained and their military was not well equipped to take on a nation Like Germany. Russia posed a threat to Germany but seeing as how Russia was not ready for a war, at least not yet, this was Germany's opportunity to attack and eliminate Russia as a potential future threat. Germany only cared about herself, not other nations, not even Austria. (SOURCE B) Germany provoked a war between Austria and Serbia because Russia was going to Intervene and Germany loud have their chance.This was wishful thinking on the part of Germany. They did not want bloodshed or war, yet they provoked one because it served their nations best Interests. Another powerful nation was Britain, a country that was mostly neutral and wanted n o part in war. Britain had a huge naval base that controlled most of the ports at sea; this trading system was highly beneficial for Britain because it was how their economy held up. Their economy was stable and that can only mean good things, but with a rising nation like Germany, Britain's economy was at stake.Britain needed to stay at the top and Germany wanted to be at the top, there was only room for one, with this two powerful nations competing, a war was dawning, and so Britain allied with France to fight against Germany. Without Britain France would have lost miserably and Germany would have gained control over some of the ports threatening Britain's supremacy over the waters. Each country was doing what was best for their own. Russia was the other nation fighting to get a stronger foothold in Europe, and just like the there nations, her too was serving her own interests.The Russians choose to align with Serbia because they both had similar political views and were both Slav ic countries. This was a difficult time for Russia because of revolution that had occurred not so long ago. The Tsar was losing control and his influence over the Russian 1 OFF land in Europe and hope for that brings peace within Russia. World war one was not motivated by aggression but by mere agency of solidifying one's nation as part of the European continent instead of ending up as an annexed territory in one's nation.

Advantages of Economic Growth

Advantages of Economic Growth Economic growth can be defined as a process for indicating the increase or decrease in per capita GDP. There are a lot of other factors such as increasing in aggregate income of the individuals reflect economic growth. Economic growth is usually calculated as the rate of GDP changes in a particular period. The total of goods and services produced considered as a reflection for economic growth in the country. It can either be negative or positive in depend on the decrease or increase compared to data of previous years. Negative growth is often indicated to economic recession. When the GDP of a country increases means there is a economic growth existed in the country or the global economies Advantages of Economic Growth. Standard of living of the people will increase Economy growth is an important point to bring better living standards and lower rates of poverty. The average income of people can said that increases and indirectly people able to consume more and motivate the economic growth increasing. Rising Employment Economic growth stimulates employment. The economic growth produces more vacancies for job and bring better standard of living to them. Increased capital investment. Economic growth can used to increasing the capital investment. Benefit to Government Economic growth brings advancedÂÂ  tax incomes for the government, Because of this, the government spends less unemployment benefits. Superior public services. Due to government got government income as economy growth, it can spend more on public services like education for contributing in superior public services. EnhancedÂÂ  businessÂÂ  confidence Economic growth creates positive effect as encourage people running their businesses. As profits of small firms and business increase with economic growth, their business confidence and will to grow up to meet more challenges. Disadvantages of Economic Growth. inflation Potential High and rising inflation will occur due to demand grows faster than long run productive. It may destabilizing for an economy as interest rate may increase and can cause a loss of competitiveness in international markets Regional disparities Although average living standards may be rising, there is a gap between rich and poor. It can widen the issues of poverty and make a wide gap between different regions. Pollution Economic growth never separated from environmental issues. Rapid growth of production and consumption may create environment pollution such as sound and air pollution and road congestion. Environmental damage may bring negative effects on our quality of life. For the example, road congestion will produce more Co2 in a high density area. The health of residents in that area will been affected. Relationship between unemployment and economic growth. How does unemployment affect your economy? Wealth drainage The government need provides monetary assistance when someone unemployed, so a high unem ployment rate means that it has to pay more fund to help a large number of unemployed people. It is creating a heavy burdenfor a government. Wealth is drained for unproductive purposes and economic growth slows down. Slack in flow of money Unemployment slows down the circular flow of income by the lack of money inflow and outflow. When money does not pump into the economy, its growth becomes slowed down even stuck.

Summary of an article Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 7

Summary of an article - Essay Example It goes without saying that what has managed to sustain the timeless freshness and utility of StarCraft is a deluge of user generated content. The game software has the provision for a Campaign Editor, which allows the players to contrive varied possibilities, scenarios and modes. The game also has the scope for ambitious ‘total conversions’, thereby leading to a prolific, fan generated content pool, which has indeed played an important role in assuring the longevity of StarCraft. This contributory aspect raises many issues. Though these fan modes extended the relevance and scope of the game, many of these modes were unsuccessful as the tapered down and remained incomplete in the current times. This also turned out to be true in case of many other digital ventures. One big reason behind this drying up of user generated contribution tend to be the issues related to ownership and the tussle between contributions supportive of an open culture and the constraints imposed by proprietary claims over cultural

Belbin's Team Roles Inventory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Belbin's Team Roles Inventory - Essay Example The deliberate combination ensures smooth running of affairs with little hiccups on the way. Ostensibly, this is to enhance efficiency coupled with specialization and division of labor. According to Belbin’s definition of what a team is (1993), he gave an insightful opinion about what a team is in this sense; he said that a team is not just a collection of individuals that are given specific job titles in an organization. Instead, he defined it as a deliberate conglomeration of persons who best understand one another in the sense that they work in tandem in areas they are best proficient in with the sole aim of achieving a specific objective. With regard to these, a team is fragmented into simpler units of individuals who are charged with different responsibilities and all these coalesce at a point to further a single interest. In his journal ‘understanding groups at work’, Alcorn (1989) stressed the need of applying the Belbin model in work place. He argues that in putting it in practice, the management of an organization is able to come to terms with its employees strengths and weaknesses and use these in strengthening the performance of the organization by utilizing the strengths of the persons and ignoring their weaknesses. I.e. duties will be assigned to the most appropriate person who will execute them skillfully and with little efforts. Application of this model is also aimed at not bringing confusion and multiple assignment of duties to the employees as these may result into absconding of duties. The information accrued from the Belbin’s model can be extensively used in a work place to help undertake to some duties that are equally helpful. It helps identify and nurture a highly skilled and work-oriented persons to keep in the work place, it enhances a sense of belonging and an attitude of can do to the employees in the work place. Not enough, Belbin’s model also inculcate high-level trust and understanding that brings about coherency in the work place besides instituting a productive and efficient working relationship. Lastly, it can also help in recruitment of employees such that only the best are engaged (Hayes, 1997). In relation to the fact that in an organization group work is necessary, the groups are composed of the different people who work hand in hand to achieve a specified objective. All the members of the group are assigned specific duties that they can best perform in and these are called team roles, Benders and Hootegem (2000) defines team roles as the tendency to demonstrate and manifest proper conduct that are ethical and rational to fellow team members in pursuit of the certain benchmarks in the organization. It also warns that the aim of teamwork is not to gauge personality but to establish the correct behavior that can be tolerant others in a work place. Though the number of team roles might be different from one organization to the next, Belnin in his perception proposed the e xistence of nine different team roles. Of all the team roles, each had a peculiar role to play given on grounds that it is his/her best performing area. This is according to the evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses- the strengths prevail upon weaknesses. The nine team roles advanced by Belbin Belbin advanced nine possible team roles that are necessary in teamwork, these roles are all-important and are peculiar, and each seems to be the driving force of the other. All are

International strategic human resource management Essay

International strategic human resource management - Essay Example The Columbian Martin Barbero calls this movement as abstract inclusion and concrete exclusion. He emphsized that the many once sleepy towns have awaken to be the new industrial towns and cities of the nineteenth century where there was more class segregation. The community separation was made more complex by the more complex work conditions in our new industrial capitalism. Thus, the social authority was being deminished due to the commercial dismemberment of the cohesiveness of the national culture.( Goodall,1995) We can now travel, by jetplane, from on corner of the United Kingdom to the farthest community in the European Union. The European Union has given the citizens of one European Union country the free pass to visit any other European Union nation without a VISA. Airplanes and speedy trains have made travel from one European Union Country to Another very fast. A very good example is the United Kingdom which is composed of 3 countries. ... The national culture of one country is now in danger of being taken over or being mixed with the cultural of other countries.Storey quotes ""Every time that we snatch up a vehement opinion in ignorance and passion, every time that we long to crush an advesary by sheer violence, every time that we are envious, every time that we are brutal, every time that we adore mere power of success, every time that we add our voice to swell a blind clamor against some unpopular (Raymond, 1990)personage, every time that we trample savagely on the fallen [we have] found in our own bosom the eternal spirit of the populace.' (107; my italics) This quote by John Storey emphasizes that the new national culture is now a common culture (Inge,1989) of violence, envy, success, jealousy and success.Storey also states that national culture(David & Wodak,1999) has been marked by the above culture of cohesiveness under a state of authoritarianism and principles of hierarchy.Storey quoted Dwight Macdonald sayin g in the article A theory of Mass Culture "Mass culture (Wierzbicka, 1992)is imposed from above. It is fabricated by technicians hired by businessmen; its audience are passive consumers, their participation limited to the choice between buying and not buying. The Lords of kitsch, in short, exploit the cultural needs of the masses in order to make a profit and/or to maintain their class rule. (1998:23)" (Storey 29) This is a more sophisticated meaning of the society pertaining particularly to the consumers. The consumers simply either buy or do not buy the goods. The companies readily exploit this buy or not buy

European History, The French Revolution Personal Statement

European History, The French Revolution - Personal Statement Example At times it also appeared that the royal family's lavish spending was unsustainable. The sources of tax collection were also not adequate and efficient as the since many people like us (the nobles) and the clergy paid almost no tax and the peasants, who were already poor, were levied with much burden of tax and thus resulting into inequalities. The chargeable tax also varied from region to region. The rising prices of food compelled the middle class to lose faith in the government. Other irregularities like the persecution of religious minorities and the state intervention in personal lives also annoyed the public. The people became increasingly dissatisfied with the monarchy. The antiquated legal system only added to the woes of the people with the government becoming synonymous with corruption and inefficiency. Earlier it was not so but now the king had a very autocratic and absolute behavior. The parlement had many times opposed the king's action feeling that traditional rights and liberties of the people were threatened. However, I always felt that the king was well intentioned because he made many attempts to restore normalcy since the time he was enthroned. In the mid 70s he had appointed Turgot as chief finance minister to take care of the worsening situation.

Technology, Literacy, Authentic Assessment Article

Technology, Literacy, Authentic Assessment - Article Example The Shanahans drew their population from grade, middle, and high school students (Timothy and Cynthia, 2012). The article deduced that teaching disciplinary literacy would offer learning benefits middle and high school students. The article provides keywords expected to be found by readers throughout the article, which is positive because it prepares them. The keywords are terms that the Shanahans consider important for understanding disciplinary literacy. I found it also helpful that the article does not contained any other unexplained terminology or complex diction, which makes it simpler for the average reader to understand it. The only downside I witnessed with the article is the authors’ professional-amateur contrast wherein they gathered open information. Here, the authors do not succeed in linking experts’ â€Å"illiteracy† in disciplinary literacy to teachers’ tools or solutions for teaching their classes today. The article could have used a quantitative approach for this particular section to establish a thorough demonstration of responsibility for disciplinary illiteracy amongst schools today. Researchers William R. Watson, Christopher J. Mong, and Constance A. Harris conducted the study at a remote high school in a small town in the Midwestern United States. The study was aimed at exploring the situation of a second-years high school class. Watson, Mong, and Harris used a population of four classes by a specific teacher with each an estimated count of 25 students (Watson, Mong, and Harris, 2011). The study was conducted by analyzing a video game made for academic purposes pertaining to the Second World War called Making History. Watson, Mong, and Harris collected observational data, focus group and questionnaire fillings, and record reviews. The study found out that using video games to teach in classrooms leads to a change from a conventional teacher-focused learning

Lies my teacher told me- James Loewen Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Lies my teacher told me- James Loewen - Essay Example He says, â€Å"Some books go way beyond omitting the actor and leaving out the act itself† (Loewen 25). This paper shall seek to explain the key reasons as to why Loewen think that history textbooks used in the high school curriculum are giving students a raw deal. It will also examine the reasons as to why students seem to dislike history classes. Loewen asserts that much of American history isolates children of color in the manner they ignore that those who contributed greatly to the American history were not whites. He goes further to assert that the nature of history textbooks used in American high schools give insufficient information to students. This in turn affects the academic progress of students who join college to pursue History courses (J. W. Loewen). This is because most of the history classes in college are taken up fixing the information that the students acquired in the high school history lessons. He uses his book to analyze the textbook creation and adoption process, as well as explain causes that makes textbooks to turn out to be bad and of low quality. According to Loewen, history is a collection of stories and should not be boring. However, textbook companies have tendencies of leaving out information that reflect badly on the national character. He also connects the boring nature of history to the fact that â€Å"history textbooks do not use the present to illuminate the past† (Loewen). In this regard, students have difficulties comprehending the relevance and significance of history to their daily lives. Loewen also reveals that students dislike history since the subject is viewed as a morality play; thus, touchy areas in the society are not discussed or taught. He says, â€Å"There are three taboos in textbook publishing†¦social class, religion and sex†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Loewen 34). Loewen asserts that textbooks ignore several historical realities due to many reasons. The main

Todays Changing Families Essay Example for Free

Todays Changing Families Essay Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Parents play a crucial role in almost every aspect of a child’s development, especially because they are the first people who get to teach them basic knowledge from the time of their birth. They are the ones who teach them, or at least, helped them learn, basic skills such as walking, speaking, and other things that they can use for the development of other skills. Aside from directly teaching or training them to these basic skills, the presence of the parents also contributes to the child’s emotional state. Parents who give their children their full attention would be a factor for to the child’s happiness, usually resulting to children who are generally more lively and expressive of their own feelings. The emotional state of a child is extremely important to give time to because it ripples almost to all the other areas of the child’s life. It affects the child’s motivation to do other things, including the manner by which he or she deals and intereacts with peers. Lack of proper nurturing may result in an unhappy child and may develop in other behavior problems. In recent years, depression in children, from infants to pre-schoolers, had been recognized as a clinical disorder similar to depression in adults. This can be characterized by a child’s lack of facial expression, temper problems, frequent tantrums, and other symptoms. Usually, this condition arises because of the lack of time devoted by the parents for their children. Another reason could be various family problems that can even prove to be traumatic to a child’s memory, resulting to fears and other behavior problems. Family problems are commonly attributed to conflicts between parents for different   reasons. These conflicts may develop into bigger and chronic relationship problems that could lead to divorce and separation whose unpleasant effects would fall on the child, as such problems would render the important development stages unattended to. This is to add to other traumatic experiences that the child may experience along the process. Not only quarrels between parents can affect the child’s emotional state. When both parents are working, they may not be able to spend quality time with their children. Usually working parents seeks the help of caretakers during the day which would take the place of the nurturing that should have come from the parents. There are available daycare schools that offers this services, but it is argued that the development of a child is still better handled by his or her own parents. Parents who work during the day most probably would not get to know their children well, as they are not physically involved in taking care of the child, and this proximity plays an important role in the development of their relationship. When a child is inflicted with depression, it can manifest in different ways. Usually this would come in the form of tantrums or anger, and would try to get the parents’ attention as much he or she could. The child would try harder to do get their attention when the parents do not give it already, but when they child was still not able to get the attention he or she wants, the child may give up and go to a state where the child distances himself from the parents. This is considered as the children’s defense mechanism against the possible future emotional pain that can be inflicted once the attachment grows and the parent does not give enough attention to the child. Quality time as an important factor Spending time with children is vital in order to achieve a healthy relationship between parents and their children. This will not be possible if the parents themselves are not ready to parenting life, or are just plainly immature to handle the responsibilities that being a parent entails. Raising children requires a lot of time and sacrifices for both parents and should be very well planned as part of family development. Some even consider parenting as a career choice and deems it necessary to choose between a job and being a parent. Quality time could be difficult to come by when both parents are busy doing their own jobs. As such, the relationship between parent and child may not be well enough for a healthy growth of the child, as it could end up as the child feeling unloved and neglected. Usually the parents try to compensate their lack of time by rewarding the child with material things, but it is only a matter of time before the child realizes that it’s not really what he or she wants. These are the cases in which the parents may not know a lot about the child’s personal life, even when the child has grown to an adult, as personal involvement was not encouraged nor practiced. Also, when both parents are too preoccupied with their own concerns against each other, such as feelings of jealousy and anger out of his or her partner, they may both end up neglecting the social and emotional needs of their child. Coupled with traumatic quarrels, this may well mark to the child’s memory and something he or she does not want to look back on. Effects of Divorce Usually the main issues during during events of divorce are the differences between the parents. But the effects of divorce to a child’s mentality is different, and would require a close inspaction. Divorce needs to be viewed as a permanent condition that goes far beyond the issues about custody and arrangements between their parents. During a study, it is found out that children who had divorced parents got into drugs and alcohol. Also, it was found out that these children have the fear of intimacy and generally became loners. Aside from this, it is revealed that one-third of these children finished only up to high school education. Role of parents with the child’s education   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Since the parents are considered the first teachers of their children, they play vital role in the schooling of the child. It had been studied that the involvement of parents with school activities greatly improves the children’s learning abilities. In this regard, schools are encouraged to foster and maintain activities involving the parents of the students. These activities includes family days where the parents would visit the school for a gathering and get to know the other parents of the students. Also, some schools have associations for teachers and parents that serve as a venue to air concerns and suggestions as how to improve the leadning processes of the school.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This is true for all levels, including elementary, high school and university. Activities are not limited to those inside the school as parent-involvement through helping in school work taken at home can also help. Aside from it creating a bond between the child and the parents, it helps in the child’s education. During times that the parents visit the school, it is vital that they get to communicate with the teachers so they can form an understanding and assessment as to how a child had been doing. This way, any problems can be discussed and addressed accordingly. References CBC News. (May 4, 2004) Fewer Canadian marriages end in divorce. Retrieved February 27, 2008, from http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2004/05/04/divorce040504.html Child Development Institute. Research Shows Parent Involvement in Education Important To Student Success. Retrieved February 27, 2008, from http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/ Divorce Law FYI. What is Divorce? Retrieved February 27, 2008, from http://www.divorcelawfyi.com/ Divorce Magazine. Divorce Statistics. Retrieved February 27, 2008, from http://www.divorcemag.com/statistics/statsUS.shtml Divorce Source Website. Stark Legacy of Pain for Kids of Divorce. Retrieved February 27, 2008, from http://www.divorcesource.com/CA/ARTICLES/starky.html Madison Libraries. Children of Divorce Research Guide. Retrieved February 27, 2008, from http://www.college.library.wisc.edu/research_guides/childdivorce.shtml

Differentation strategies and its use by organizations

Differentation strategies and its use by organizations An organization that adopts a differentiation strategy seeks to distinguish itself from competitors through the quality of its products or services. Organizations that successfully implement a differentiation strategy are able to charge more than competitors because customers are willing to pay more to obtain the extra value they perceive. For example in case of Rolex they pursue a differentiation strategy, Rolex watches are handmade precious metals like gold or platinum and stainless steel and are subject to strenuous tests of quality and reliability. The firms reputation enables it to charge thousands of dollars for its watches. (à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..) Firms use differentiation strategy to achieve a competitive advantage by providing unique products and these products attributes high quality and innovations. Differentiation is not just limited to the product but it also covers the delivery system and many other factors. Firms provide additional services to its customers with these differentiation characteristics which brings more profit with a premium price. Porter (1985), further suggests that these two generic strategies are fundamentally contradictory to each other and its important for the business to choose one of them. Cost leader can only gain the high performance if the business offer a satisfactory level of value to its customers which fulfilling the demand of their customers. Similarly differentiation strategy will only be successfully if the premium price of the product charged to customers characterized with some valuable features and customers are satisfied with that (Porter, 1985). There are many factors which results in differentiation. some of them are, To have a competitive edge on its rivals. To facilitates the entry restrictions for newcomers by building a new product To minimize the threats from its substitutes. To create a differentiation advantage  [1]   Different areas of differentiation While Porter bases his work on manufacturer, Walters Knee (1989) suggest a similar conceptual model for retailers with productivity led (e.g. effective cost management and economies of scales) and marketing led differentiation (e.g. product range, range characteristics or customer services). This model is similar to Porters generic strategies. Only one empirical study focus on differentiation analyses within the retailing. Morschett, Swoboda Schramm-Klein (2006) surveyed managers of food retailers and customers in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Hypermarkets, supermarket, convenience stores, discounters and other were analyzed based on a pool of items derived by marketing mix elements. It provides evidence of three differentiation strategies: Price, quality (goods and services) and convenience. Reilly (2002) suggests that differentiation is one the key business strategy of Porter. Bauer and Colgan (2001) said that when a company use differentiation strategy, it focus on providing a product or service with unique features. Product differentiation satisfies the specific needs of customer and it allows the company to charge a premium price which helps the organization to capture the market share. The differentiation strategy only gets implemented effectively if the business provides product of superior quality and after sale support. Organizations charge higher prices to its customers when they follow the differentiation strategy based on the product features, their customer service and the delivery system business use. The quality it offers to its customer can be real or distinguished based on the fashion or brand name. The differentiation strategy fulfills the specific or complicated customers interest in a unique and higher quality product and for which he is ready to pay a higher price. When organization use the differentiation strategy then it must be ready to add a premium to the cost but it is not to recommend that costs and prices are not be considered but is not the main focus of the organization. However as the customers likes the product because of its uniqueness and higher quality so they become loyal to the business and do not mind in paying the higher price for the products (Hlavacka et al., 2001) Sources of Differentiation Its not only the low prices of products that can create the differentiation of company from other but offering a unique product to its customer can create a differentiation to its competitors. That unique product should be more valuable to its customers. Differentiation also happened that how a company perform its function and what impacts does it have on its buyers. For example differentiation enables the company to meets the demands of its customers anywhere. It should have uniqueness and must have superior quality of its product as compared to its competitors. Factors/ Drivers for Differentiation Location- This is a very important for an organization to have a uniqueness in respect to its competitors. If the organization have its branch at a location which is easily accessible to its customers as compared to the others companys stores then the store will defiantly will have a competitive edge on the others organizations. Integration- An organization will be considered to have uniqueness its level of integration is high, its mean its level of coordination of value activities is high then it will create differentiation. Timing- An organization can effectively adopt a differentiation strategy if its timing of enchasing the opportunities is well on time. It will create uniqueness in the organization. Interrelationships- Customers can be offered better services by using effectively the different activities in the company. Scale- If the goods are produced at a small scale then the uniqueness of the products will be lost over a long period of time. Larger the scale of goods and services then there will more uniqueness. Differentiation of the organization depends on the volume of uniqueness. Learning- In order to perform well in the market a continuous learning process should be adopted. Institutional factors- If the management will have good relation with its staff that mean company will be having a good impact on its sale. This will also create uniqueness. Waitrose Quality Differentiation Strategy Waitrose has a differentiation strategy of quality product and services to its customers. It has a strategy in providing quality goods which are unique in the market to customers which helps Waitrose to differentiate itself with its competitors. Waitrose also pays too much attention in providing the goods with its own brand name and its specifically target a elite class of the market who dont care paying little bit much for best quality product. Focus Strategy A firm pursuing focus strategy concentrates on a specific regional markets, product line, or group of buyers. This strategy may have either a differentiation focus, whereby the firms differentiate its products in the focus market, or an overall cost leadership focus, whereby the firm manufactures and sell its products at a low cost in a focus market  [2]   Focus strategy is different from other strategies of a business as it remains a segment based and has a comparatively narrow scope in any business. In the focus strategy a organization target a specific segment of the market (Porter, 1979 pp.137-140). So what kind of market to be targeted, McCracken (2002), suggests that a organization can select a specific group of customers, a specific range of product, specific areas or some specific services for the customers. For example some European firm specifically concentrates on the European markets for its products. Aims of adopting a Focus strategy according to Porter (1980), is to achieve a narrow competitive advantage in the market. Focus aims is to concentrate on a niche market with its product that has been ignored by other larger competitors in the market. A specific geography, buyers purchasing behavior, different ethnic peoples demand and product features all makes niches for a organization. David (2000), Focus strategy of a organization can only be successful if the target segment have the potential to make good growth and it does not carry any importance to other competitors. Market penetration and market development can make an important focus strategy. Larger or medium organization use focus strategies but only with the combination of differentiation and cost leadership strategies in some segment of the market. The successfulness of the focus strategies depend only if the people have some specific demands and when there is not competition for other rivals.(David, 2000) Organization which adopts focus strategy in the business concentrates more on niche market and by understanding the dynamics of that particular market and work on the particular needs of the market and then try to produce unique product which fulfill the needs of that particular market. As that organization serves well to their customers in uniqueness, so they create a brand name in the mind of the people and create loyalty brand amongst the customers as well. This makes that particular market segment less attractive to its competitors. As with broad market strategies, it will be essential to decide whether organization pursue Cost leadership strategy or Differentiation strategy once a company have selected a focus strategy as a main approach. Firms that manage to adopt a focus strategy are able to tailor a large number of product developments strengths to relatively narrow market segment that they know very well. Focus strategy has two variants, which are; Cost focus is a variant where the organization looks for a cost advantage in a target segment. This is niche low cost strategy where the organization gets cost advantage in the focusers target segment. According to Porters Cost focus exploits differences in behavior in some segments Differentiation focus is where an organization looks for differentiation in the target segment. In this strategy the organization offers to its customers something different to its customers from rivals. Following are the situations where a focus strategy is efficient; Market segment has to be large enough to be profitable; more customers will bring more profit for the organization. Market segment has good growth potentials. High costs are difficult for the rivals to fulfill the demands of the niche. Focuser has to be able to choose from different segment of the market  [3]   Tesco Express Stores Tesco express stores are neighbor hood convenience shops, stocking mainly food with an emphasis on higher margin products alongside everyday essentials. These are found in busy city centers and small shopping mall in residential areas and on petrol station forecourts. There are more than 700 stores all over UK. Tesco Express is gaining a competitive edge in the small scale grocery market as it is providing additional gasoline facility as well. Cost Leadership Strategy A strategy in which an organization attempt to gain a competitive advantage by reducing its cost below the costs of competing firm. By keeping costs low, the organization is able to sell its products at low prices and still make a profit. Timex uses an overall cost leadership strategy. For decades, this firm has specialized in manufacturing relatively simple low cost watches for the mass market. The prices of the Timex watches starting around 39.95 dollars are low because company has an efficient high volume manufacturing capacity.  [4]   The firms operating in this highly competitive are always desires to be more and more successful. To stay in this competitive environment the company should have an competitive edge on its rivals. In order to have a competitive edge on its rivals the company should be selling its goods to its customers at lowest price with best quality as compared to its competitors. Porter (1980), suggest that in order to achieve the competitive advantage there are fundamentally two different approaches and those two approaches are cost leadership and differentiation strategies. In cost leadership strategy the business look for gaining the above average sale over its competitors with reducing the prices of all the elements of activities. To achieve the cost advantage of this nature, the organizations will employ the considerable efforts to reduce the cost of operating and production and will try hard to use all the available resources to their maximum level, including increasing the utilization of R D and advertising.(Porter, 1980) According to Malburg (2000), there is another strategy of Porters generic strategies which is cost leadership strategy. This strategy is about achieving a competitive advantage in the market by reducing the prices of products. In order to have a competitive advantage, business must focus on the low cost leadership strategy, low cost production and labor which committed to the low cost strategy. The business must be ready to stop all the production activities in which they dont have any cost advantage and must outsourcing all the operations to other businesses which have the cost advantage in the market. He further suggest that there are many areas in which cost leadership can be attained such as production on large scale, mass distribution, innovation of technology, improved product design, access to the raw materials and full utilization of available resources. Porter (1985), purports that only one business in a market can be the cost leader. Porter (1985), stressed there is incompatibility in between cost leadership and differentiation strategy, for instance he believe that differentiation is costly as compared to differentiation. He also used the sentence struck in the middle to put more stress that by combining the cost leadership and differentiation strategy will not results into a prolong competitive advantage. But Hill (1988) and Miller (1992), argued that that it is not only possible to combine both strategies but the combination of these two strategies will produce a competitive advantage for the business. Businesses which adopt differentiation strategy target a specific segment of the market and this strategy also has a broad scope. In the both lower cost strategy and differentiation strategy the businesses concentrates on larger segment of the market. An organization which adopt the lowest cost strategy or differentiation strategy that has a aim to focus on one target segment of the market or few defined segments of the market carry out focus strategy. There are two parts of the focus strategy one is lowest costs focus and the other one is differentiation focus7. (Bas P. Singer, 2007) Product Portfolio Strategy, BCG Matrix The notion of portfolio exists in many areas of life, not just for products. A broad portfolio means that business has a presence in a wide range of products and market sectors. A narrow portfolio implies that the organization operates in only a few or even in one product or market sector. A broad portfolio offers the advantage of robustness in that a downturn in one market will not threaten the whole company. The Boston consulting group matrix offers a way of examining and making a sense of a companys portfolio of product and market interests. It is a way of examining a whole product range to see a companys product as a collection of items in similar way that a holder of shares in several companies might the consider the decision on what to do with the shares. One of looking at the products in a portfolio is to considers each product in its position in the product life cycle and aims to have a balance of products in each stage. A more sophisticated approach is based on the idea that the market share in mature markets is highly correlated with profitability and that is relatively less expensive and less risky to attempt to win a share in the growth stage of the market when there will be many new customers making their first purchase. This is the approach taken by BCG matrix. It is use to analyze the product range with a view to aiding decision on how the products should be treated in an internal strategic analysis. BCG Growth Share Matrix BCG, it is a management tool which helps for four distinct purposes. Product portfolio can be classified into four business types by using BCG matrix based on Stars, Cash Cows, Question Marks and Dogs. In order to determine that what priorities can be given to a companys product portfolio. It can also be use to classify an organization product portfolio according to that how much cash is generation and how much is usage and it helps the management to adopt different available strategies to handle different product lines. Companies like Apple, Semen, Nokia, Sony, Samsung are engaged in diversify the product lines7. According to Boston consulting there are five different types of businesses which require the cash flow in different ratios. First types of businesses require more cash than they generate the cash and these types of businesses are very common. The second type require less cash to invest in but these businesses generate more cash than actually invested in and these are very few in the market. The third types of businesses is self sufficient in cash flow and with the passage of time it generate large amount of cash and the fourth type generate less cash but also requires less cash to invest in. The fifth one is stays in unstable condition. Figure 1: Stars: Stars are the leaders in the high growth market. These products generates large amount of cash but also requires a large amount of money to invest in as well. As time passes on the Stars becomes Cash Cows if these maintain there financial position but if they become unable to maintain their positions in the market, they becomes Dogs. Cash Cow: Cash cows are the products that require low investment but these products generate high amount of cash. These are the market leaders in the low growth market. the cash cows funds themselves for their own growth. They supply the investment funds for other products. These help to justify the debt capacity for the whole company. Dogs: Dogs often have a unsecure future are they are the drainer on the company as they generate very low amount of cash as they have a low market share in a high growth market. Question Marks: Question marks have not achieved a dominant position in the market hence they produce low amount of cash. They require a lot of cash because of the growth market conditions. Tesco has a very good portfolio in the market. Tesco is considered as Cash Cows in the market as it has a fine record of distributing the fine and quality goods and services to its customers. At the same time it is also considered as Stars because they are investing and making a lot of efforts to its customers in creating awareness about the e-commerce and retailing. Many of Tesco stores stocks more than 40000 product lines and express sores stock more than 2000 product line which helps the customers to choose from different product lines and according to their financial positions. Waitrose on the other hands have a different Portfolio as it has a different strategy as compare to Tesco. Waitrose use quality differentiation strategy and concentrate on specific portion of the market and offers them high quality products at a high prices because of this it is not attracting a large number of customers as compared to the Tesco. So this thing makes most of the products of the Waitrose Dogs of the market. Market Growth Strategy, Ansoff Matrix: Ansoff matrix is a strategic tool use to measure or define the strategic future direction of the business. The model categorizes the options into four generic alternatives to simplify the process. Market penetration: existing market/existing product Product development: existing market/existing product Market development: new market/existing market The Ansoff Matrix is used with the strategic objective to determine the future direction of the business. A company might be faced with declining sales of its products in the domestic market and will use the Ansoff Matrix to evaluate the four generic alternatives for the future. e.g company would evaluate strategies to penetrate the existing market through pricing or increased brand loyalty. Another option is to develop the product or change the design, increase the length of the product life cycle and increase the sales. A third option is to export the existing product into other countries or finally stop and completely diversify with new products into new markets.(Diana, 2009) Figure 2: Ansoff Matrix model Market Penetration Ansoff matrix explains that a business attempts to penetrate in a market by using its existing products. Tesco has a history which indicates that it always penetrate in a market with its existing products. It always get benefited from its customers to penetrate into a market. In order to achieve its goals Tesco always uses its strategy in three ways. Tesco attract customers from its competitors then it provides its customers good quality product and then Tesco retains customers as customers feels that it is best provider of goods and services. And thirdly it attract more non user of its products and services by advertising and other promotional strategies. Market Penetration is very important for the Tesco as retaining customers are more important for the Tesco than attracting the new ones. Tesco international expansion strategy has responded to meet the maximum needs of its customers. It is hard to enter into a new country market so Tesco had a strategy to join the local businesses by joint ventures. So this helps Tesco to know that market that what are the demands of the people, their purchasing behavior to foreign goods. Product Development Product development is another strategic approach in which new product has been introduced in the market. Tesco always work on the product development by introducing new products in the market in order to satisfy the needs of the customers. Tesco always maximize its profitability by introducing this strategy into the market. Tesco has produce many products and as a market retailer it distribute into the market. Brand loyalty is very important for the Tesco to develop new product. As Tesco has a good reputation of its brand so it does not have to do more advertising in order to attract more customer to buy any new product. Brand loyalty must be conserved in pricing, quality and uniqueness. Market Development: Market Development happened when a company moves into different countries with its existing products. This strategy is used to find new international markets. Tesco has developed many stores in countries like China, Poland, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Slovakia, South Korea, Turkey and United States. For penetrating into international market, Tesco has adopted a joint venture strategy which helps the company to control its cost and help to know the market. Diversification Tesco is not only sticking to the food items but it also maximizing its profit by selling non food items. Tesco has introduced its own mortgage services, banking and credit card services. It has started to sell the mobiles phones and many other electronic products. The other diversification seen in Tesco is fuel. Tesco has also entered into bio fuel and diesel and bio-diesel and investing more in green energy resources which will help to improve its image as compared to other fuel supplying companies like Shell. B.P8.

Teenage Depression Essay -- essays research papers

Teenage Depression I. Clinical depression is a serious illness that can affect anybody, including teenagers. It can affect your thoughts, feelings, behavior, and overall health. A recent child psychologist quoted; "It (depressions) not a fleeting sadness but a pervasive and relentless sense of despair. A lack of interest in life accompanied by weight loss, loss of appetite, feelings of uselessness, and sleep disturbance are some of the more common symptoms. People with depression can't just 'snap out of it'. There can be an array of causes- it can be due to stresses in the home or at work, or it can just come out of the blue. Sometimes family history can be a major factor." We chose this topic because this case is relevant to the cognitive process in teenagers. II. Depression can be expressed through many symptoms. A common symptom is a pessimistic view of life. Life seems meaningless, and nothing good will ever happen. Another symptom is constant crying for no particular reason. When your depressed you don't feel like doing a lot of the things you used to like. Such as music, sports, being with friends, and going out. You want to be left alone most of the time. Also, it is hard for you to make up your mind when it comes to making decisions. III. Numerous studies have showed that 2.5 percent of children and up to 8 percent of teens suffer from depression. In another study, 9...

History and Global Impact Vibrio Cholerae and Cholera :: Diarrhea Bacteria Disease

Vibrio Cholerae and Cholera - The History and Global Impact Abstract Cholera is a diarrhea disease caused by the bacteria, Vibrio Cholera. For centuries, cholera has terrorized the world. There have been seven pandemics since 1817 and many lives have been lost. Even to this day, cholera runs rampant in many areas of the world. The impact cholera has had on the world is enormous. Cholera has caused immense amount of human suffering and economic/social loss since its beginning. But, as time goes on, discoveries are made and ideas are created on treatments that save many lives and some places are now cholera free. In those regions, Cholera is a thing of the past; while in other parts of the world, it is very much still a threatening disease of the present and future. ______________________________________________________________________________ Cholera, the massive watery diarrhea disease, has struck the earth with its angry fists since the beginnings of civilization. From the start, Vibrio cholerea has infested the world and Cholera has especially terrorized the world in a series of pandemics. Without a doubt, Cholera has traveled throughout the whole world, stopping to pillage multitudes of cities of many of its inhabitants. It knows no boundaries. The only place it hasn’t ruthlessly invaded is the barren ice desert of Antarctica. Even to this day, cholera still robs places of lives. The first Cholera pandemic broke out in 1817. Cholera outbreaks continued to spread across Europe, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa until 1823 (Barua Pg.8). Where the pandemic began is controversial, but cholera was definitely present in multiple places prior to and during 1817. India was an area that was affected by cholera in 1822. The fatality rates among the native and English troops in India were 21 for every 100 for the natives and 10 per 100 for the English (Barua Pg.8). Six years after the first Cholera pandemic, another pandemic sprang up. The second pandemic flew through Asia, Europe, the Middle East, some parts of Africa and the United States from 1829 to 1851. There were many â€Å"violent epidemics† sprinkled throughout the pandemic. One particularly violent epidemic took place on a pilgrimage to Mecca, where many died, including the Mecca and Jeddah governors and the Pasha (Barua Pg.9). Another outbreak that took place near Mecca was in 1846 where 15,000 people died (Barua Pg.10). However, as more cases of cholera appeared more new ideas for treatments did too. History and Global Impact Vibrio Cholerae and Cholera :: Diarrhea Bacteria Disease Vibrio Cholerae and Cholera - The History and Global Impact Abstract Cholera is a diarrhea disease caused by the bacteria, Vibrio Cholera. For centuries, cholera has terrorized the world. There have been seven pandemics since 1817 and many lives have been lost. Even to this day, cholera runs rampant in many areas of the world. The impact cholera has had on the world is enormous. Cholera has caused immense amount of human suffering and economic/social loss since its beginning. But, as time goes on, discoveries are made and ideas are created on treatments that save many lives and some places are now cholera free. In those regions, Cholera is a thing of the past; while in other parts of the world, it is very much still a threatening disease of the present and future. ______________________________________________________________________________ Cholera, the massive watery diarrhea disease, has struck the earth with its angry fists since the beginnings of civilization. From the start, Vibrio cholerea has infested the world and Cholera has especially terrorized the world in a series of pandemics. Without a doubt, Cholera has traveled throughout the whole world, stopping to pillage multitudes of cities of many of its inhabitants. It knows no boundaries. The only place it hasn’t ruthlessly invaded is the barren ice desert of Antarctica. Even to this day, cholera still robs places of lives. The first Cholera pandemic broke out in 1817. Cholera outbreaks continued to spread across Europe, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa until 1823 (Barua Pg.8). Where the pandemic began is controversial, but cholera was definitely present in multiple places prior to and during 1817. India was an area that was affected by cholera in 1822. The fatality rates among the native and English troops in India were 21 for every 100 for the natives and 10 per 100 for the English (Barua Pg.8). Six years after the first Cholera pandemic, another pandemic sprang up. The second pandemic flew through Asia, Europe, the Middle East, some parts of Africa and the United States from 1829 to 1851. There were many â€Å"violent epidemics† sprinkled throughout the pandemic. One particularly violent epidemic took place on a pilgrimage to Mecca, where many died, including the Mecca and Jeddah governors and the Pasha (Barua Pg.9). Another outbreak that took place near Mecca was in 1846 where 15,000 people died (Barua Pg.10). However, as more cases of cholera appeared more new ideas for treatments did too.

Discovery Through Dance Essay -- Dance Dancing Movies Films Media Essa

Discovery Through Dance Movies with dancing have always been a big success, simply because they cause people to want to move and be free like the actors on the set. Dirty Dancing, directed by Emile Ardolino, is a movie that makes people want to jump into the screen and be a part of the show. It is a favorite among teenage girls simply because of the kind of dancing that is performed. Another movie, Save the Last Dance, directed by Thomas Carter, is also well liked by teenage girls because of the dance moves. These two movies portray similar stories of girls finding happiness through expression of different kinds of dancing. Dirty Dancing is a movie portraying the story of a young girl who finds herself while staying at a resort with her family for the summer. The girl’s name is Baby, which describes her character at the beginning of the story. She is a daddy’s girl, and is very trusted by her parents. After some run-in’s with her new friends at the resort; however, her parents start to see a new side of her. Baby secretly learns to dance so she can save a friend’s job. She eventually falls in love with her partner Johnny, which leads to him getting fired from the resort. At the end, during the farewell dinner, Johnny ends up surprising her and making her dance in front of everyone. Her parents see her new talent, and see how much she has grown-up. Baby and Johnny end up together in the end, which makes for a very happy ending. Save the Last Dance is also an exciting movie about a girl finding herself through learning a new type of dance. Sarah has always been a ballerina and ends up losing her mom in a car accident while Sarah is trying out for Julliard. She ends up going to live wit... ...e, and thinks that Derek was the reason that she got hurt in the first place. He doesn’t agree with their relationship and thinks Sarah can find a better guy than Derek. Both girls must go against the wishes of their fathers and simply follow their hearts and do what they feel is best no matter what. These two movies show how two girls, by learning to dance, also learn to overcome discrimination and simply be themselves. They don’t listen to others around them when they say what they are doing is wrong. They do what they know is right and in the end find themselves through the love of their partners and their new love of dancing. Works Cited Dirty Dancing. Dir. Emile Ardolino. Perf. Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Artisan, 1987. Save the Last Dance. Dir. Thomas Carter. Perf. Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas. Paramount, 2001.

Should Schools Be Able to Search Lockers

Should student’s lockers be checked? I think that lockers should be checked because there could be drugs, alcohol, and weapons in the lockers. Bringing all of this stuff to school is highly against the rules and against the law. These things could kill you and you could kill others. If student’s lockers were checked it would reduce the gun killing and selling of drugs. Student’s lockers should be checked randomly. With randomly checking the lockers, students will not know what day they will be checked. They will never know when to take the drugs, guns, or alcohol out of the locker.Keeping drugs, alcohol, and guns in your locker is not a good idea because if you tell anyone they are there they can break into your locker and steal it. They can go and sell it or shoot someone and say that you are the one who gave it to them. Using drugs or alcohol can make you do stuff you do not mean to do. Having guns can influence you to shoot it, and want to kill things. Lockers can be checked by the schools because it is school property. The schools should be able to check all lockers so that they know what kind of stuff they have in them.Every year there are less drugs and alcohol in schools, because of locker searches. There are less school shootings going on in schools that do random locker searches. If your family has a history of drug or alcohol abuse it can lead to you doing then because you someone else doing it and you think that makes it ok. Searching for drugs or alcohol can make the school a better place to be . By searching lockers it will put bad people in jail and get kids expelled or suspended. Having school locker searches will not only allow the school to be safer, but the state too.It will let the students know not to buy drugs and not to keep them on school property. The lockers belong to the school so you should not keep items in them you don’t want others to see. If there is a kid that is doing drugs it could influence others t o do it because they may think that it is cool. That is why I say yes to random locker searches in our schools. It would make our schools a safer place. It would also make kids think twice before bringing drugs, alcohol, and weapons into our schools.

Competence in the Work Environment Essay

2.1Compare the strengths and weaknesses of assessment methods. Assessment can take place in a variety of settings, such as classrooms, lecture rooms, workplaces (or in a simulation of workplace conditions), community and training establishments or examination halls. No matter where it takes place or what form it takes, assessment always involves observation, evaluation, or questioning or a combination of some or all of the three. There are many different methods of assessment, a few regularly used are:-observation, evaluation or questioning. Whether they are used formatively or summatively, the most important issue is whether the assessment is appropriate for the intended outcome. Each learner is initially given a learning styles questionnaire to complete. From this questionnaire the assessor can establish which from assessment may suit the learner best. Observation The assessor observes the learners as they carry out tasks defined in the standards for the qualification. This observation often takes place in the workplace, or the conditions of the workplace, but it can also be carried out in any other place where the learner is undertaking practical activities which is a positive. Assessors should ideally plan observations to take advantage of any skills or activities that occur naturally in the learning environment, and to make the best use of the available resources. There are times however when an assessor may spontaneously observe a learner carry out a task which can be written up as an observation. One of the weaknesses of observations is that some learners amy beome self –concious or shy/embarresed and feel they are ‘being watched and graded’. The residents or clients may also act differently if they are aware that an observation is taking place and can lead to a distorted picture of the true nature of the learners role . Evaluation In some areas, as learners work towards achieving their qualifications they will generate evidence in the form of products of their work. This is the case in qualifications in Health and Social care for instance which is primarily a work-based or practical qualification. Learners may produce CVs, diet plans, weight charts, reflective accounts which can all be used to assess their knowledge in a chosen subject area. These can be incredibly posistive and allow the learner to reflect and be proud of his/her practices and positives. The weakness with evalution is that it has to be done correctly, with enough time to explore areas that may need extra work and encourage the learner in a positive way. Questioning and discussions with the learner Questioning can be used whenever an assessor wants to assess knowledge and understanding and the various different applications of knowledge such as reasoning, planning, analysing and evaluating. Questioning can be used to: * confirm knowledge and understanding where it is not apparent from performance * Address gaps in knowledge and understanding in performance based units * Authenticate evidence by asking learners to explain part of the evidence and/or describe the process of producing it * Assess contingencies where it would not be practical or safe to wait until the skill or activity can be observed * You can use oral or written questions, depending on the requirements of the outcomes of units being assessed and the circumstances of the assessment. Your choice of method should reflect any special assessment requirements your learners may have. For example, some learners do not respond well to written questions — in any case, you should always ensure that the appropriate reading level is used Discussions give the assessor the opportunity to gauge the learner’s knowledge and highlight areas lacking which can be taught at a later date. A weakness in discussions and questioning is that the assessor has to be careful not to lead or prompt or give the answer to the learner as it may not be valid. Outcome 3Understand how to plan assessment 3.1Key factors when planning assessment When planning an assessment there are a number of factors to be considered. Who are you assessing? What do you want them to achieve? Where will the assessment take place? How long do you have? Once you have answered these you then need to look at applying a holistic approach. Using a holistic approach means that many areas of work and outcomes can be covered at the same time. The assessment process isn’t just about watching a learner complete a task it is about, discussion, planning, implementing and reflection. Areas of risk that may be involved when I assess a learner in the care setting are minimal but may still arise. An example of this would be assessing a learner carrying out a manual handling task. Has the learner had the appropriate training to carry out the task? Is there a piece of equipment involved and has it been tested for use. Is the learner competent and confident to carry out the task? Do I feel that I have assessed any risk involved and am I happy for my learner to proceed? If I am not happy at anytime then the assessment will be stopped and a further risk assessment carried out. During the initial meeting the learner will have completed a Learning Styles Questionnaire, this should have highlighted any areas such as advanced learning needs or dyslexia and the planning of an assessment should take this into consideration. 3.2 Benefits of using holistic assessment Using a holistic assessment enables the assessor to cover a large range of outcomes in a number of diploma units with one piece of evidence. Holistic assessment may for example cover infection control and manual handling. By referencing outcomes well the learner will see that good progress is being made and opportunities area taken. It saves time from both the learners and the assessor’s point of view. 3.3 How to apply holistic assessment when planning assessment As the assessor meets with the learner and plans each technical certificate or unit of work they should be thinking about how best a holistic assessment would fit into the plan and how it can be cross referenced. The learner must then be in agreement and sign the plan. 3.4Summarise the types of risk that may be involved in assessment When talking about ‘risk’ there are a number of different kinds. There is physical/environmental risk to learner, client and assessor and there is emotional/psychological risk. Environmental issues in care setting such as fire, health and safety, trip hazards, the clients themselves. Emotionally learners could feel they are being pushed if too much work is given at once or they may not feel they are being challenged enough. This creates unrealistic and unnecessary risk stress on the learner and is far from beneficial and conducive to good work being produced. 3.5.1 How to minimise risks through the planning process. Plan number one that is produced with the learner will have ensured that the learner is working in safe conditions and if needed any risk assessments have been done, i.e. if the learner is under 18 years old. The plan will also check that the employer’s insurance liability is up to date. The assessor will discuss with the learner how best to handle their work load to cause minimum stress. Some learners prefer large assignments whilst others prefer small chunks at a time. By knowing your learner you will know whether their work is authentic and justifiable, it is important that they are told about not copying and pasting articles as their own work and explain to them what plagiarism is. Outcome 4Understand how to involve learners and others in assessment 4.1 Explain the importance of involving the learner and others in the assessment process There are a large number of reasons why it’s so important to involve the learner in assessment. The diploma is for the candidate, it’s their work, and there goals and they need to feel as if they own it. By clear involvement the learner will know what is expected from them and clearly understand the standards and criteria. By involving others in the planning such as senior colleagues and managers then witness statements can be provided, time allocated for learning and support. 4.2 Types of information available to learners. In order for a learner to complete their diploma they should be given any necessary teaching and resources. This may include handouts, oral teaching sessions and websites to look at. Other types of information are items such as standards and the criteria they need to meet. The learner will be told how the evidence is gathered an in what format such as written accounts, reflective accounts, observations. 4.3 How can peer and self-assessment be used to promote learner involvement and responsibility? 4.4How can assessment arrangements be adapted to meet the needs of the individual learner? Each candidate’s assessment needs must be considered in relation to the assessment being undertaken. Most candidates will require more than one assessment arrangement. For example, candidates who have a visual impairment, hearing imparient or advanced learning needs . Outcome 5Understand how to make assessment decisions 5.1 When judging evidence we use the following terms:- Valid, authentic, current and sufficient. When assessing a learner’s evidence as an assessor I have to be satisfied that the work submitted is the learners own work and not plagiarised from a book or the internet. It is often easy to tell when this happens as the terms used and flow of the writing changes. Within the realms of health and social care the standards, policies and procedures are continually updated to ensure national standards are met, with this in mind it is important that the learners work is current and up to date with knowledge that his relevant and not historical. I also have to consider whether the work submitted is sufficient, has it covered the entire outcome required and does it show an understanding of the subject. 5.2 In order for assessment decisions to be reliable and fair between learners there are a set of learning outcomes and criteria that have to be achieved. Each learner is made aware of these outcomes and criteria and their work should demonstrate this. Each learner is assessed against the criteria and outcomes. Outcome 6Understand how your assessments contribute to the quality assurance of assessment 6.1 6.2 6.3 There is great importance of quality assurance in the assessment process as it shows whether the performance targets are being met against national standards that are in place. Within my workplace all work is quality assured by an Internal Verifier (IV). The IV is qualified and occupationally competent in the subject that they verify. The role of the IV is to provide support, advice and guidance to the assessing team. The IV holds regular standardisation meetings with the assessors and also gives one-to-one support and feedback on learner’s portfolios. When the portfolios of learners have been assessed and internally verified, and all the assessment criteria have been met, the IV should arrange for the centre to apply for certification for those learners. This will prompt a visit from the External Verifier to confirm the assessment and verification decisions made at the centre. The IV is responsible for ensuring that the details of the learners applying for certification, the assessor(s) involved, and the IV activity in relation to those assessors. The EV will visit the centre to verify the assessment and internal verification decisions made by centre staff. Where there are large numbers of learners this is normally done on a sampling basis. The sample is selected by the EV, to allow them to verify the work of all assessors across a range of evidence types and performance criteria and is based on the IV’s sampling plan. It may be necessary for the EV to sample more portfolios than was originally planned, or all the portfolio s in the group, so all portfolios should be available on the day of the EV’s visit. If a learner feels †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Outcome 7Understand how to manage information relating to assessment of occupational competence 7.1 7.2 It is important to follow procedures for the management of information relating to assessment for a number of reasons. The assessor should regularly update learning records to provide accurate information on the learner’s achievement. At my place of work we use a computer system called ‘Zylab’ which tracks each learner’s progress through a colour chart system. The up to date information contributes to evidence of quality assurance and standardisation, pointing out learners that need extra help or who are falling behind. I use the Zylab forms to show my learners how they are progressing, to see a visual representation of progress and can be extremely rewarding and increases willingness to learn and achieve. The use of feedback and questioning during the assessment process allows me as an assessor to clarify and judge the learners understanding and knowledge in certain areas. Giving critical feedback to someone is a delicate process. It is very important to assure that you approach the task with sensitivity to the person’s feelings to avoid the common problem of a very defensive reaction. An example of giving positive, negative and positive feedback is:- You really did an excellent job with that ‘Communication’ essay – everybody has been very impressed! In the future, it would be better to avoid naming people that haven’t accepted all the methods you outline. It’s great that you put so much thought into this and a lot of people are going to benefit from it!† This is often referred to as a feedback sandwich. Outcome 8Understand the legal and good practice requirements in relation to assessment 8.1 The organisation that I work for has legal requirements, polices and procedures in relation to assessment. Each visit to see a learner I ask whether there have been any incidents that have occurred, either emotionally or from a health and safety perspective. If there has been then I check an incident form has been completed (if appropriate), what measures have been put in place to ensure it doesn’t happen again and I take time to listen to the learner express themselves. All work undertaken is dealt with in a confidential manner. No names of places, clients, service users or staff are used in portfolio evidence and the learner knows that they can talk to me in a confidential manner. Clear records of learning are kept for all learners as mentioned before we use Zylab sheets which must be updated every Friday. The organisation has a responsibility to ensure that all learners are given equal opportunity to develop and learn and the organisation recognises the diversity in each on e. 8.2 The use of technology can make in the assessment process is invaluable. I have a learner with advanced learning needs who really struggles with writing and spelling. To overcome this we use a Dictaphone and use the recording as oral evidence. The organisation now offers on line training which for many learners is ideal as the use of computers within day to day lives and workplaces becomes far more common. It has to be remembered though that there are older learners that we assess that don’t have the computer skills and would rather use a paper portfolio. Each learner needs to be assessed as an individual. 8.3 There are legal and best practice requirements that have to be met in relation to assessment with regards to gender, disability, race/culture/religion and language. Each learner that enrols on a course is initially assessed as to any factors which could lead to advanced learning needs. These needs may be due to language barriers, religion or culture. For every learning need identified the organisation has a duty to ensure each one is recognised and the appropriate support is given.