Benefits and Issues in using Learning Logs

Benefits and Issues in using Learning Logs A learning log is an learning tool which is designed to improve the learning experience, while facilitating exchanges between students and teachers. Learning logs are used in schools all over the world, and there are a number of different approaches to them. In addition to being used in predictable school environments, learning logs can also be very beneficial to homeschoolers and other students pursuing non-tradition education. A learning assessment refers to the measurement of a students capabilities, progress and academic outcome. Learning assessments are important because both students and teachers can get a clear picture of what a student can do academically rather than what he or she cant do. When conducting a learning assessment, instructors consider past and present academic performances as well as the students values, behaviors and attitudes toward learning TASK ONE LEARNING LOGBOOK INTRODUCTION A Learning Logbook is basically a log or record or journal of your own learning. It is not necessarily a formal academic piece of work. It is a personal record of your own learning. As such it is a document which is unique to you and cannot be right or wrong. A Learning Log helps you to record, structure, thinks about and reflects upon, plan, develop and evidence your own learning I prompted to use my Learning Logbook from time to time in my Study Guide, but I didnt limit my entries to just these occasions. It could also be useful to explore ideas in a Discussion Forum. If I could keep my log electronically, I might even copy sections from my log for insertion into the discussion forum or vice versa. Using the logbook in this way helped me to reflect on all of the information presented in the Class and to come to my own understanding of it. Managing Study Time There are only so many hours in a day, a week, and a term. I cannot change the number of hours, but I can decide how to best use them. To be successful in Class, I must be carefully managing my study time. Here is a strategy for doing this. Term Calendar At the beginning of a module, I prepared a Term Calendar. Update it as the term goes on. Here is what I did to prepare a Term Calendar. Record my class assignments with their due dates and my scheduled tests. Record My planned Class activities. Record my planned module activities. Record my known out-of-Class activities. Weekly Schedule Each Sunday before a Class week, I prepared a Weekly Schedule. Update it as the week goes on. Here is what I did to prepare a Weekly Schedule. Record my daily classes. Entered things to be done for the coming week from my Term Calendar. Review my class notes from the previous week to see if I need to add any Class activities. Add any out-of-school activities in which I would be involved during the week. Be sure to include times for completing assignments, working on projects, and studying for tests. These times may be during the Class day, right after Class, evenings, and weekends. Daily Time Table Each evening before a Class day, I prepared a Daily time table for the next day. Place a next to each thing to do as my accomplish it. Here is what to did to prepare a Daily time table. Entered the things to do for the coming day from my Weekly Schedule. Entered the things that still needed to be accomplished from my Daily time table from the previous day. Review my class notes for the day just completed to see if I need to add any school activities. Add any out-of-school activities in which I will be involved the next day. My Weekly Schedule had more detail than my Term Calendar. My Daily time table had more detail than my Weekly Schedule. Using a Term Calendar, a Weekly Schedule, and a Daily time table helped to make the best use of my time. I developed my own ideas on using the log but the following points helped me initially: Date each entry Clearly distinguish entries about myself and my life from information about my study. Separate my summaries and notes of readings and lectures from my opinions, comments and reflections on these, working on a computer, use a different font or format to distinguish each. My Learning Log I used is: plan my study and make revisions as needed; write down questions for my tutor as they arise; make notes that help me to carry out my study, e.g. on essay writing, preparing for examinations, previewing and reading texts in depth; document my reading and viewing so that notes can be readily accessed for assignments and examinations; Document my reflections on my progress, problems encountered and ways that I might resolve them. TAKING NOTES Attended regularly the lectures and try to make detailed notices, but if some reasons I could not attend a lecture, I tried to get notes from a friends ( class mate) and if I could not understand some parts of lecture, I contacted the lecture during the office hours for more clarification. The field notes were written by hand on lined paper. They consisted of jotted notes and mental triggers (personal notes that would remind me of specific things when it came to writing the notes up). I took some direct observational notes recording what I saw where this was relevant to the research questions and, as I was aiming to get a sense of the culture and working environment, I also made researcher inference notes I found the notes taking process itself helpful, as it ensured that I listened carefully and decoded information. Not all the information I recorded was relevant, but noting what I found informative contributed to my ability to form an overview on re-reading. However, the reliability of jotted notes alone can be questionable. For example, the notes were not a direct transcription of what the subjects said but consisted of pertinent or interesting information. Firstly, the most obvious thing that I discovered was the advantage of working as part of a group. I learned that good teamwork is the key to success in class activities when time and resources are limited. As everyone had their own point of view, many different ideas could be produced and I found the energy of group participation made me feel more energetic about contributing something Secondly I discovered that even the simplest things on earth could be turned into something amazing if we put enough creativity and effort into working on them. Learning Journal Last weeks lecture presented the idea that RIT is the most useful module as a student studying Research in Information Technology module makes this an important issue for me and one I was thinking about while reading journal, texts, and other material is to gain more confidence while I was doing my assignment The first thing I tried in order to read and summarized a journal article is to understand the author and kept in mind e.g. Author of journal always have an argument they are trying to convince something but Also can be good or bad, but I didnt take what author said on blind faith, I questioned them When I read journal articles always remember that I did to write a paper based on what I read e.g. focus on the information in the article that is relevant to my research, think critically about what I read and tried to build my own argument based on it. Basically I look the structure of the article; most research articles follow the same specific format. First I red abstract and conclusion because this have got the main point and if I find anything in the abstract or conclusion that is important for my paper then I search for the information but if I need more information then I read the whole sections. Take notes on the Article Journal There are a few major ways to take notes, but this is a personal style choice I have taken. Pay attention to what each section is about; usually have the most important information. Take notes while I am reading (that way I dont have to go back and re-read it when am doing my assignment) Write summarizing notes for main points ( in the margin, or on a separate pieces of paper ) Highlight only very important quotes or terms. Reference I sometimes read journal articles which seem to need references to assert this module. Nevertheless, I do expect to see adequate reference for assertions. It may take the form of reference to previous writers, or it may be the reference of my own experience or my own arguments, but if it is needed, it will be cited in such a way as to enable me to find it if I wish. More to the point, I expected theory to be used to answer some questions and to pose others, rather than simply regurgitated for its own sake. Im really going to stick my neck out now for what it is worth, I expect a dozen or more references for a module assignment. But I do not expect such reference to be cited uncritically, on the basis that, if someone else has already said it and manage to get it published, it must be true Literate I know this is unfashionable and probably politically incorrect, but in practice I find it difficult to get past it. Literacy is not a sufficient condition to meet PGD level requirements, but in my book it is a necessary one. By literacy I mean: No spelling mistakes No (or very few) grammatical solecisms. No sentences without verbs like this one Punctuation which helps me to make sense of the text. No misused words or malapropisms. . TASK TWO 2.0 CRITICALLY REFLECTIVE REPORT 2.1 INTRODUCTION Critical Reflection in my context is a process of considering what I have learned, how useful it is, and how it may affect my future personal and career development. Critical reflection helps me to give some coherence to my learning by relating it to what I have already known, and to my plans for the future. The nature of reflection is very varied. Reflection may encompass The module is extremely well organized, when I first came into this Module, I really didnt know what to expect. I thought it would be just the same as other module. I was wrong. What we learned on this module is more detailed, I feel like I have become better in researching and presentation. I know this will help me in future. This module did meet my expectations. So many students told me it wasnt an easy module and that it was demanding compared to other module. I am not very satisfied at my progress but I think it wasnt bad at all I gave the module almost all the attention it required. Learned so many new things and Im glad that I did. Things were explained over and over again in this module until I really felt I fully understood. Overall, this course was good. 2.2 MAIN REPORT Method During my studies in Post Graduate Diploma in Strategic Business IT Research in Information Technology Ive had to use a multi case study system especially for the research and know how, Due to my quest for information by this system, Ive come about the following draw backs: Lack of appropriate material, appropriate text books for additional research at the learning centre has proved to be a major drawback. However Ive been able to resort of other ways for gaining excess to the appropriate material. Purchasing the books, however being in a 3rd world country, such text books and write ups arent always freely available, which would cause me to have to order these from abroad but given the short time this isnt the best way not to mention the shipping cost. The Internet has been a great resource, however again, some of the best information has to be paid for or ordered using a credit card, something again which isnt freely available to all in a 3rd world country. However, Ive been able to work my way around this obstacle by trying to dig persistently and deeper in to the internet to seek out the appropriate material. Another cause of concern was that during the Tutorials, not all were effectively reviewed and detailed constructive criticism wasnt freely given so as to en-better the students work. This left the student(s) to reflect on ones work and at times get their fellow students to review the work and comment. Learning Outcome Topic Managing Time In this topic I learn how to manage my time during my studies, deciding what am suppose to do, analysing what am doing and categorized my goals e.g.:- Work goals, family goals, community goals and self goals. Planning my activities performed during the day, how long is spent on each activities, listing all the things I must do including schedule activities. To identify what am currently doing and determine whether am spending my time efficiently, categorized the time identified according to time table, activities performed during the day. Assessment Its an academic essay demonstrates both knowledge of topic related to academic writing. A report is a structured document written for a particular purpose and aimed at a specific audience. It should provide clear and concise information written in a formal, academic style. Written Coursework Basically in his topic I have learned how to write a coursework by following three stages. i. Essay Structure ii. Essay type iii. Report structure Before that read the assignment carefully and start working on it reasonably and asked the lecture questions if not clear about anything relating to the assignment. Planning Do understand how to plan Assignment analyzing question asked, reflection on the issue raised and gathering raw material. Draw up a plan of the assignment. Writing Up Understand how to write assignment Sustained Review Do revision of what I have done in the class text book and during my revision I make notice, summarized my notice divide material into topic. Presentation Clarity of oral communication and well developed inter personal skills when interacting in a group or one to one are attributes that makes more successful student, professionals and all round communicator. Listening skills Really key in to what the person is saying and not saying, to look for the meaning and the feelings behind what is being said, to think about and mentally process what I hear eg. Pay attention, show that am listening. Taking notes Basically in this topic I learned how to take notes e.g.: listen and note key points and supporting details. But in this topic we didnt learned how to record lectures, may be because of its involve more time and resources. Working in team Firstly, the most obvious thing that I discovered was the advantage of working as part of a group. I learned that good teamwork is the key to success in class activities when time and resources are limited. As everyone had their own point of view, many different ideas could be produced and I found the energy of group participation made me feel more energetic about contributing something. Background of Critical Reflection By June 2010 it was the end of the Module RIT, I began to realize how demanding this module is, but fortunately, I also realized that I learnt a lot from it. I think my choice to take this course was a good idea. I enjoyed it although it was difficult, this course was the most challenging course, I took this module RIT and I have struggled with it up till the final. As a whole it was a good learning experience, but not an easy one. This is a free elective for me and my performance hasnt been even close to that of other major module. The grade that I get in this module is the lowest compared to other module this semester that is why I re- sit for the second time On successful completion of this module I will be able to identify the broad context of ICT problems, including the problems condition, identifying possible contributing factors, and generating alternative solution strategies. Exhibit good teamwork skills and serve as effective members of multidisciplinary project teams. To critically valuate alternate assumptions, approaches, procedures and result related to IT problems. To create something to integrate ideas into solution, to propose an action plan, to formulate a new classification scheme. To apply knowledge to new situations to solve problems using required knowledge or skills I believe I have benefited a lot from this module. Completion of this module is considered by me to be one of the greatest and proudest accomplishments and for me the next logical step is to take Master of Science in Strategy Business Information Technology Many students become frustrated and find this module difficult because they do not have the cognitive skills required to process information properly, this include ability to analyze, evaluate, retain information, recall experiences, make comparisons and determine action I feel this module has helped me in many ways.   The exercises and moments of frustration in class when I did not understand something or could not get something to work, suddenly became clearer as I tried to apply some of my knowledge to the actual situation.   I was amazed at how  much information I had picked up in class and how quickly the lingo became familiar to me.   Without the instructional  techniques used in this module, the course portion would not be very beneficial.   Sure, anyone can learn procedures and how to make a research, but the understanding of how, what, when, where and why are never very clear.   This is appreciated more than you will ever know. I do not feel there are any significant areas in which the program should be altered.   Everyone has their own weak area and mine is probably in the math portion of the program.   Concepts relating to module are sometimes hard for me to grasp, but I eventually get a handle on them and comprehend their meaning.   Many of the students relate that they have a hard time following the instructional methods in some of the classes, but in my opinion, this is simply a lack of attention, desire, and dedication.   You cannot learn if you do not come to class.   I am amazed at the low attendance in some of the classes.   I really appreciate the support and guidance I got from IMIT especially our lecture Mr. Japhet and Ms. Priti Punatar not only to me but all PGD students. They wanted us to pass with flying colors. They had time for us whether during or outside the lectures, they wanted us to be the best and made every effort to ensure that we achieved that. They went out of our way to help us and hopefully, our results will show that their efforts were not wasted! I believe that the skills that they taught us in this module will be really helpful in the future, Also, I learned a lot about the right way of making presentations and project The Analysis The forming during the early stages of the course. This occurred during Lectures 1 and 2 ( managing time to Peer assessment) whereby a few topics were discussed, such as how to handle a full days work with the extra studying wed now had and trying to understand the syllabus As a result the students were able to participate more fully knowing we had to give our best as the group depended on each one. The forming was highly successful and showed the students had learnt to depend not only on the Lecturer but also on each other. The storming Stage The storming stage was made up of various factors which would include interpersonal issues and reactions due to the answers or responses that we as students received from the lectures. Another case was the delay in starting classes as at times the lecture would wait for all students to arrive, or him-self was late. The students were able to address this in a prompt and professional way by having a group meeting with the Lecturer and address the matter. One thing which was a drawback was the short of one of the students who postpone the course, which in effect broke up one group (which had two students) and cause the remaining student to join the remaining group (of two students), hence the result was that the entire study sessions were now made up of one group having 3 students. 2.3 CONCLUSIONS In conclusion I think this module and specially the module were very beneficial. Module (RIT) skills are invaluable in many different situations. There are some thing that I have done within a group that fits in with the RIT as discussed in the Peppard Book, whether I realized it or not, many of specific reports ,however, I think are often for granted. They are beneficial to realizing the scope and keeping it in focus. In conclusion, I have come to learn that what did I read for this module apart from notes, and what grabbed my attention†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Reflective thinking demands that I have recognized that I bring the valuable knowledge to very experience. It helps; therefore to recognize and clarify the important connections between what I have already known and what I have leant. It is a way of helping to become active, aware and critical. Recommendations Accredited Partner (IMIT) and NCC should commit to the intentional review and strengthening of every Accredited Partner structure and resource that can support transformative learning. NCC should establish routine ways to hear students voices, consult with them, explore their opinions, and document the nature and quality of their experience as a student TASK THREE (Please refer to Power point slide)

Macroeconomic Variables and Equity Market Relationship

Macroeconomic Variables and Equity Market Relationship Introduction The equity market also known as stock market is the market for buyers and sellers to trade their equity instruments. There are a few types of equity securities, the most common form of equity securities are preferred stock and common stock. Equity market is important for a company because it allows a company to acquire funds without incurring debts. However, not all the companies are allowed to issue shares, only public listed company which is a limited liability company are allowed to issue share for the sale to the public. The buyers of the stock also became an ownership of a corporation and common stock holders have the right to vote on issues important to the corporation. Company pays their stock holders dividend annually base on the profit of the years. There are two main branches for investor to trade the corporate stock, which are organized exchange and over-the-counter (OTC). Organized exchange trading is governed by regulations and formal procedures to ensure the soundness o f the market. However, stocks that traded through over-the-counter is more informal and uses electronic to trade. From the past, statistics has shown that stock prices can be determined by the economic factors. Literature Review The objective of the authors to carry out the research is to examine the relationship between macroeconomic variables with equity market. The research can helps stakeholder to understand more about equity market and the impact of macroeconomic variables toward equity market. Kim, McKenzie, and Faff (2003) had investigated the impact of scheduled announcements made by government for macroeconomic variables toward the risk and return of three major US financial markets which include equity market. Ioannidis and Kontonikas (2007) had investigates the impact of monetary policy on equity market performance in 13 OECD countries. Abugri (2006) had investigated the relationship between macroeconomic variables with equity market performance. Hooker (2004) had investigated the macroeconomic variables to predict the equity market performance using the Bayesian model developed in Cremers (2002). Patel (2012) had carry out the research in on Indian Stock Market for the effect of macroeconomic det erminants on the performance of market. Trivedi and Behera (2012) and Prof. Sangmi and Hassan (2013) also had carry out research on Indian Stock Market for the relationship between equity prices and macroeconomic variables. Abdelbaki (2013) had used Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model to examine the relationship between macroeconomic variables and Bahraini equity market. Verma and Ozuna (2004) had carried out an empirical investigation for the outcome of Latin American stock markets influence by the macroeconomic variables. Maysami, Howe and Hamzah (2004) had examined the cointegration between macroeconomic variables and stock market’s sector indices rather than the composite index. Most of the journals had chosen interest rate and money supply as one of the macroeconomic variable which will affect the equity market. Nevertheless, foreign exchange rate, inflation rate, industrial production, gross domestic product, foreign direct investment, unemployment rate, gold price and stock market index also popular macroeconomic variables used to carry out the researches. Besides that, few authors also used some unpopular variables such as balance of trade, consumer price index, producer price index, volatility in foreign market and retail sales growth to do their researches. The following table shows the macroeconomic variables used by the authors to carry out their researches. The reason that the authors conduct the research is to provide empirical evidence and also extend the research area that previous researchers voided. The reason that Kim, McKenzie and Faff (2004) do this research is because literature only investigate about the news announcement without investigate about the impact of important macroeconomic variables announcement and the actual news announcement that different from the participant’s expectation that reflect the stock price. Ioannidis, Kontonikas (2008) expand the literature of the significant of monetary policy and stock price by including dividend payment of stock return of 13 OECD countries. Abugri (2008) examine whether the macroeconomic indicator could significantly explain the stock market returns of Latin American. Verma and Ozuna (2005) investigate whether macroeconomic movement significantly impacts the equity market of other Latin American countries. Hooker (2004) extends the research by including macroeconomic varia bles to examine the expected emerging equity market return. Patel (2012), Trivedi and Behera (2012) investigate the existing literature by including eight more macroeconomic variables to test the effect of macroeconomics as determinant on the performance of the Indian stock market. Sangmi and Hassan (2013) examine the effects of macroeconomic variables on Indian stock market in the Arbitrage pricing theory (APT). Abdelbaki (2013) carry out the research to find the significant relationship between macroeconomic variables and Bahraini stock market development (BSMD). Maysami, Lee, and Hamzah (2004) extend the research between macroeconomics variable and stock market’s sector indices instead of the composite index and examine relationships between selected macroeconomic variables and the Singapore’s stock market index (STI), and Singapore Exchange Sector indices. In order to determine the relationship of the macroeconomic variables and stock return, there was variety of test employed by different researchers for different purposes. First, Ioannidis and Kontonikas (2008) employed the Jarque-Bera test to test for the normality. They indicate that stock returns are non-normally distributed which leading the results of hypothesis testing invalid. By taking into account of the non-normality stock returns, bootstrap analysis was undertaken. The researchers also used the ordinary least squares method and the Newey-West heteroscedasticity consistent covariance matrix estimator method to examine the negative relationship between stock returns and interest rates. Moreover, Patel (2012), Trivedi and Behera (2012), and Maysami, Lee, and Hamzah (2004) found that the Johansens cointegration test (Johansen and Juselius, 1990) is more powerful in estimating the cointegrating vectors than Engle and Granger’s (1987). This is because cointegration can be tested in a full system of equations under one procedure, without requiring a specific variable to be normalized. This enables researchers to avoid carrying excessive errors from the first- into the second step. It also allows the avoidance of a priori of assumptions of endogenity or exogeniety. Moreover, the Johansen framework incorporates dynamic co-movements or simultaneous interactions, which enable researchers to study the channels through which of the macroeconomic variables affect the asset prices as well as their relative importance. Furthermore, Trivedi and Behera (2012), Patel (2012), and Verma and Ozuna (2005) identify that the Argumented Dickey-Fuller unit root test must carry out first to find the non-stationary of the variables before the Vector Error Correction which is used to investigate the long-run relationship and short-run dynamics among the variables. For the ADF test, reject the null hypothesis of non-stationarity for all the series. Then estimate the model i n log first difference if the given log first difference of all series is stationary which help to ensures that the series of data do not consist of unit roots problem and this could avoids the spurious relationships. In addition, Trivedi and Behera (2012) and Abugri (2008) estimates impulse response functions (IRFs) which are derived from the Vector Autoregressive Model (VAR). This estimates is used to measures the time profile of the effect of a shock on the behavior and investigate the dynamic relationship of equity prices with macroeconomic variables. Lutkenpohl (1991) states that depending on the ordering of the variables in the VAR model, the results from impulse response functions may have big different which may subject to the â€Å"orthogonality assumption†. Hence, Koop, Pesaran, and Potter (1996), and Pesaran and Shin (1998) combat the problem by employed â€Å"generalized† impulse response functions which are invariant to any reordering of the variables in t he VAR and also helps to any to ensure that the results are not subject to the orthogonality assumption. Last but not least, Hooker (2004) employed the Bayesian model selection approach. Due to the results could be sensitive to model specification problem, particularly when including additional variables in the regressions. Meanwhile, the theory provides little guidance as which macroeconomic variables should be included and excluded. This approach considers all achievable (linear) combinations of included explanatory variables, assigns them each flat priors of inclusion, and estimates their posterior probabilities. The purpose of the researchers is to examine the significant or insignificant relationship between macroeconomics variables and equity market. Kim, McKenzie and Faff (2003) found a significant relationship between equity market and price information of customer and producer. This can be evidenced by government announcements relating unexpected balance of trade news, bond market and financial market volatility which have great impact and important to the internal economy and subsequently influence equity return. Ioannidis and Kontonikas (2007) identify that the relationship between interest rate of monetary policy and expected equity return is significant. This had proved that the central bank can changed the interest rate to influence assessment of stock market. Moreover, Abugri (2006) found that the global variables which include interest rate, exchange rate, industrial production and money supply in four Latin American countries are significantly influence stock market’s ret urn. However, Hooker (2004) discovered that exchange rate do not provide significant results on equity market returns. Patel (2012) has identified commodity prices is one of the important variables that will significantly influence the stock market’s return. Hence, he suggested that the policymakers should try to maintain competitive price levels by implementing proper import duty and local taxes. Trivedi and Behera (2012) identify that there is a positive relationship between equity returns and macroeconomics variables which include index of industrial production, wholesale price index, foreihn institutional investment and capital international world index. Prof. Sangmi and Hassan (2013) have found that macroeconomics such as inflation, exchange rate, industrial production, money supply and interest rate, bring significant impact to the equity market where enhance in inflation would lead to higher stock price and tend to have higher rate of return. Abdelbaki (2013) found tha t the macroeconomics variables like income level, domestic investment, banking system development, private capital flows and stock market liquidity provide significant effects on a stock market functions, development and role in national economy. Verma and Ozuna (2004) found out that the use of cross-country Latin American macroeconomics variables is not significant in determining Latin American stock market movements. Maysami, Howe and Hamzah (2004) found out that the Singapore stock market formed significant relationship with all macroeconomic variables identified like money supply and interest rate, while the other Equity Index shows significant relationships on selected variables. Most of the journals are leading us to know that the macroeconomics variables and equity market have a significant relationship. Overall the researcher of Abugri (2006), Hooker (2004), Patel (2012), Trivedi and Behera (2012), Prof. Sangmi and Hassan (2013), Maysami, Howe and Hamzah (2004), found out th at macroeconomics variable such as interest rate and exchange rate is mostly the key of affecting the equity market. Recommendations Conclusion The results of the journals show us there is significant impact of macroeconomic variables toward the equity market. Hence, we recommend that there is a need for the government to initiate policies that will lower the interest rates as lower interest rate may boost up the equity market performance. There is a need for the government to control money supply since the results from the journals show that high money supply will lead to a better stock performance. Besides that, government also needs to control the exchange rate because there stock performance will go worse if the exchange rate is too high. Moreover, inflation rate may also a vital factor that will lower down the equity market performance if it is not control well. Hence, government is playing an important role and they should always analyze the equity market to boost up the country’s economy. In conclusion, macroeconomic variables significantly influence the stock price due to the implementation of macroeconomic variables affects the economic performance and companies’ stock price will be dropping during economic recession. Hence, movement of stock price can be predicted through the announcement or implementation of macroeconomic variables by the government.

Geography Environment :: essays research papers

GEOGRAPHY NOTES  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Since European settlement between 78 & 100 plant species have become are extinct. 150-200 under threat.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   GENETIC DIVERSITY - safeguard species diversity. Large range of genetic forms within each species. Genetic variations.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Extinct- disappearance of species after thorough searching (some extinction is natural)  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   At risk- in danger of becoming extinct  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Endangered- close to extinction in the wild unless something is done the species could disappear altogether  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Vulnerable- The step before endangered  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Rare- few of a particular species remain , less serious category than endangered  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Extinction can occur naturally because of climatic change which affects the vegetation on which animals depend.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  MEGAFAUNA-large Australian mammals from the ice age  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Aborigines 50000 yrs ago modified asia Australia bridge vegetation through burning it out resulting in dry arid landscapes. This also could have made extinct the megafauna.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Aus since 1788 only 30% of the vegetation remains unmodified to osme degree.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Cultural Vegetation means exotic or introduced species, such as those found in ornamental gardens or pine plantations.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The murray darling was dammed affecting surrounding habitats  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Introduced species have had a 3 fold effect on environments 1. Grazing   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  2. Competition between native and introduced species 3. introduced species can introduce formerly unknown diseases.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In recent years large amounts of insecticide and weedicide have been used and effect the food chain  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Homozygosity- breeding of the same species of animals  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hybridise- mixed breeding of plants  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Wildlife is harmed by recreation practises  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Oldest nat. park in Australia is Witches Falls in QLD founded 1908.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Rachel Carson’s SILENT SPRING showed the impact that pesticides could have in areas far outside where they were applied.  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  We are using up our renewable resources faster than we can replace them  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Unique plant and animal species  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Last remaining rainforest in Aus is between Townsville and Cooktown, it is on the world heritage list

film Essays -- essays research papers

The film, El Norte, is a believable portrayal of a Guatemalan family’s struggles in the 1980s. The story is divided into three parts. The first part of the story takes place in a village in Guatemala. The Xuncax family is in danger when the father, an activist leader, helps organize the local workers. Because of the father’s activism and his attempt to preserve what rightfully belongs to them, he is murdered. The mother is then taken away by the army, never to be seen again. The brother, Enrique, and the sister, Rosa, are left behind in the village. They fear for their lives and share the hope of a better life in â€Å"the north.† They recall the stories told to them by their godmother. They viewed pictures and stories in an American magazine, Good Housekeeping, portraying images of the â€Å"American Dream.† So often, this image is presented in such a manner that many readers in the U.S. and in other countries get the message that this dream is easily attainable and close at hand. Rosa and Enrique are also seduced by this false presentation of the U.S. They believed this myth about life in the north, so they fled from their violent situation, only to trade their present set of problems for another kind of intensified conflict as undocumented immigrants.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The director was careful to present a fictional story based on the real life struggles of undocumented immigrants. The authentic portrayal of the people and their story is powerful. The characters are no...

Chernobyl :: essays research papers

Chernobyl   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Chernobyl was the greatest nuclear disaster of the 20th century. On April 26th, 1986, one of four nuclear reactors located in the Soviet Union melted down and contaminated a vast area of Eastern Europe. The meltdown, a result of human error, lapsed safety precautions, and lack of a containment vessel, was barely contained by dropping sand and releasing huge amounts of deadly radioactive isotopes into the atmosphere. The resulting contamination killed or injured hundreds of thousands of people and devastated the environment. The affects of this accident are still being felt today and will be felt for generations to come.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nuclear power has always been a controversial issue because of its inherent danger and the amount of waste that the plants produce. Once considered a relatively safe form for generating energy, nuclear power has caused more problems than it has solved. While it has reduced the amount of traditional natural resources (fossil fuels), used to generate power like coal, wood, and oil, nuclear generating plants have become anachronisms. Maintaining them and keeping them safe has become a problem of immense proportion. As the plants age and other technology becomes available, what to do with these â€Å"eyesores† is a consuming issue for many government agencies and environmental groups. No one knows what to do about the problem and in many areas of the world, another nuclear meltdown is an accident waiting to happen. Despite a vast array of safety measures, a break in reactor pipe or a leak in a containment vessel, could spell another environmental disaster for t he world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In addition to the potential dangers of accidents in generating stations, nuclear waste is a continuing problem that is growing exponentially. Nuclear waste can remain radioactive for about 600 years and disposing these wastes or storing them is an immense problem. Everyone wants the energy generated by power plants, but no one wants to take responsibility for the waste. Thus far, it is stored deep in the earth, but these storage areas are potentially dangerous and will eventually run out. Some have suggested sending the waste into space, but no one is sure of the repercussions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Nuclear power plants should be dismantled and replaced with safer energy generating sources.

The Challenges of Strategic Management

Strategic Management 313 News Critique – Topic 1 – The Challenges of Strategic Management *Mishal Ibrahim Mohamed *Didi 12928039 1. News item sources Gross, D. 2010. Major new app store to take on Apple, others. http://www. cnn. com/2010/TECH/02/15/app. store/index. html? iref=allsearch (accessed March 6, 2010). Kincaid, J. 2010. The Wholesale Applications Community Sounds Like A Disaster In The Making. http://www. washingtonpost. com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/15/AR2010021502209. html (accessed March 6, 2010). Mobile firms unite to offer applications. http://news. bbc. co. uk/2/hi/technology/8515813. stm (accessed March 6, 2010). Schenker, J. L. 2010. Mobile Industry Strikes Back at Google and Apple. http://www. businessweek. com/blogs/europeinsight/archives/2010/02/mobile_industry. html (accessed March 6, 2010). 2. Summary On February 15th 2010, the world's largest 24+ companies that deal with telecommunications have announced that they are tying up with each other to form what they call the Wholesale Applications Community (Gross 2010). This strategy is aimed at creating a unified open platform to create applications to work on any phone, including any carrier and any operation system (OS) that they are using (Kincaid 2010). As we know, Apple dominates the app market with more than 3 billion downloads in 18 months (_Mobile firms unite to offer applications 2010). The operators realised that their current strategy of creating individual applications for each of their phones was not able to come even close to the market share and the competitive advantage that Apple's App store has (Gross 2010). They realized that if they combined their efforts with each other they would be able to serve 3 billion customers collectively (Schenker 2010). Currently all most all third party developers have all been developing for Apple's App Store which amounts to about 140, 000 applications and almost completely ignoring the rest of the market (Schenker 2010). The Wholesale Applications Community's plan is to balance this market by bringing these developers towards them since they would be serving a bigger market collectively (Schenker 2010). They aim to have this common standard by a maximum of 12 months (Mobile irms unite to offer applications _2010). *3. Links* to topic This news critique links to Topic 1 – The challenges of strategic Management in many ways. Firstly the topic talks about what a strategy is and what achieving competitive advantage means. Apple in this case has achieved competitive advantage using its App Store. It has dominated the market for a long time with its app lications which other companies were not able to imitate as efficiently (Gross 2010). Secondly, the topic talks about how there are intended strategies and emergent strategies and the implementation of these strategies. Since Apple had such a market dominance, the original strategy for the other companies were to make applications and application stores by themselves but as the market changed they decided to improvise and implement a new strategy which was to work with each other to make a universal application store that would work on all their phones (Schenker 2010). The aim of this strategy as explained in the summary was to even the market and reduce the competitive advantage that Apple had over the rest (_Mobile firms unite to offer applications _2010). 4. What can be learnt There is a lot of things that can be learnt from this. For one, it shows the importance of implementing strategies and the power of achieving competitive advantage. The article said that Apple's App Store had 3 billion downloads in 18 months because of how brilliant their app store was compared to the rest of the competition (_Mobile firms unite to offer applications _2010). What was also learnt was that no one strategy would work forever and that strategies need to be consistently changing based on the environment around the company as well as what the competition is doing. If the other telecommunication companies just stood still with their old strategy then it is most likely that Apple would gain even more competitive advantage over them. They adapted and changed their strategies to match the market and compete. 5. Future developments There is a strong debate in whether this would be successful or not. Rob Conway, CEO of the GSM Association is extremely excited about this since he feels that it will be the start of an equal market with much more innovation (Gross 2010). Andy Rubin, Google VP of engineering, on the other hand believes that this is merely a dream and is extremely sceptical that it would work since he believes that the market place is too fragmented and also the specifications of each phone is too varied to create a singular format (Kincaid 2010). I personally think that this is both good and bad. I do agree that this would create more innovation and ultimately more value for the customers since finally competition would be created in the application market, but at the same time I do notice certain problems. For example if they are creating applications that would work on any phone then I feel it is likely that we might start seeing too much similarity in phones. The sizes of phones would be almost the same, the screen size would be almost the same and so forth. Nothing would be more unique than the other and it is likely that the companies may argue with each other on what the final design should be. Then again if these application are made in such a way that it could fit any size then there should not be much of a problem. In conclusion, I guess time will tell how effective this strategy will be for the mobile phone market.

Our Strengths and Weaknesses in Terms of Our Attitudes/Values, Skills and Knowledge

Social work has been one of the most important pillars for the growth of human society. The role played by social workers cannot be downplayed as it is vital for human growth and development.Like in any other professional, human service work is founded on some important principles which guide them in their work. Most important of these principles are our attitude and values, skills, and our knowledge. Human help work is diverse in its expectation and therefore the individual strength and weaknesses in these pillars leads to specialization in one of its diverse areas.Therefore understanding our strengths and weaknesses in attitudes and values, skills and knowledge is important to help us understand the area that we can service successfully. This paper will review different strengths and weaknesses in these pillars and come up with strategies to cope with any weaknesses.Strengths and weaknesses of attitude and valuesPatience is an important virtue in human help work. It is not always t hings will go as expected. We might want change but they may be coming very slow. We make two steps ahead but our clients take us three steps backward.   The old adage goes patience pays, and indeed it is true.   One of my strength with patience is that at the end we achieve what we want though at slow pace. However I find it difficult to wait for the long time that this solution will take. I always become frustrated when I can’t achieve what I want. To overcome this weakness, I always engage in other kind of activities like raisin funds to get a break out of the routine. (Brown, 2004)I have a great weakness when it comes to empathy. In many situation I have found it difficult to put myself in someone else situation not matter what I want. I have realized that empathy is a long path I trend daily with no destination.   I always try to be sensitive to other peoples situation and try to do the best I can to help them.Self awareness is a great virtue that guides me in my w ork. In most situations I have been caught in situation where I am supporting what I don’t believe in.   However self awareness has helped me to trend emotional laden topics like rape and suicide with ease. It has helped me to grant individual freedom to make choice. I always try to do the best I can to assess a situation before I support or oppose it.In most situations I have found out that am not sure of what will happen in any situation.   Social work is complex and dealing with special groups is very demanding. No one is sure of the formula to use to get the desired results. Although I am prepared for any eventualities, I always have fear of negative results. I try to overcome this weakness by developing a positive mind that everything will go as expected.The aim of any social work is to bring a change through capacity building. This factor helps social workers to direct their energy towards areas which empower their clients to lift them from their present situation. However I am always faced by frustration when clients don’t understand where they are going and what they want. To overcome this I talk with the clients on what they want and together we discuss how to go about it.Openness mindedness helps social workers to tap more knowledge from others. I have always listened to others to gain more knowledge. I always open my mind to receive more information from other people. However I have a problem towards gender equity and stereotypes that I always side with women.I have decided to attend a course of gender in order to get more insight on this issue and change my pattern of thinking on men and there relationship to women. Lastly when everything weighs on my shoulder, I find sharing light moments with my clients as one of the most influential thing. This helps me to relax and at the same time understand them.Strengths and weaknesses in skillsLike in any other profession, skills are very vital for any social worker. A social worker needs different skills depending on the situation at and. Active listening is important as it helps to understand the situation and get the emotion surrounding the words. A careful scrutiny of individual in their surrounding will tell whether they are in deed saying what they mean or not.These are two important skills that I have applied in my social work to understand my clients well. However I have a weakness in listening to others as I tend to get very emotional. In such situation I try my best to reserve my words as I listen to others or I talk to them later when my emotion subsides. Getting as much information about the clients one can is also important to understand them and their behavior.In order to raise my skills I always try to attend conferences that are about social work from where I can learn diverse skills on human relations. In situation where I can’t get enough information about the clients, I search more on their background by visiting their homes. However it is e ven hard to get more information from their homes especially when parents are not cooperative. (Doe, 1998)Sharing information with other social worker has helped me to gain more knowledge about the clients. This helps to write an evaluation of every client and understand them well. Keeping the records creates continuity for the social worker who will take over. In my work, I have always done my best to build relationship with the clients in order to help them however some like teenager have emotions that break every relationship built over time.However I try to understand them and build from a collapsing relationship to form a cohesive bond.   When it comes to dealing with clients, it is difficult to negotiate for their contracts or to construct action plans for them. Something they ought to be left to carry out their own duties the way they want. But mutual guidance especially for teenagers is important to give them direction. One of my weakness in this area is that I have tried micromanagement in many cases having a hand in every thing client are doing.While this helps things to roll out as planned, it is seen as authoritarian. To avert this I have at times delegated my roles to others who can handle it effectively.   To ensure the plan is rolling out as expected monitoring and evaluation is needed to elicit a feedback.   Since am not competent in this area, I would rather hire a professional who can provide unbiased feedback and propose improvements to be made. (Taylor, 1999)