Ensuring quality websites Essay Example for Free

Ensuring quality websites Essay Internet is an ever expanding medium. The number of users of the World Wide Web colloquially called as the internet has grown to over 1. 02 billion and includes 15 percent population of the World. (World Internet Usage, 2006). This is slated to expand even more rapidly hereafter as it is proving to be an ideal medium for all types of social, business, government and informational transactions. Cyber Rater is a web site rating service which will assess web sites based on their quality, reliability and the timeliness with which they provide information to the user. The number of web sites is increasing exponentially. A survey by Netcraft for June 2006 reported an increase of 3. 96 million sites in one month between May to June. (Webserver Survey, 2006). However the plethora of sites on virtually all subjects has created a problem for the user, as he is unable to assess the efficacy and accuracy of the information provided on the site. Cyber rater will attempt to this void, by rating sites and providing these with a verification certificate based on authenticity, quality and speed in providing the information to the user. Cyber Rater will be a web based organization, thereby the initial infra structure cost will be restricted to computers and other information technology assets to facilitate speedy access of the net, register the sites, assess these and provide certification. The business is proposed to be started by December 2006 and a healthy return is expected with break even point reached by December 2007. Mission Statement Our Mission. To facilitate web users in instantly assessing the quality of a web site. Grading web sites on each subject based on quality will be a key facet of the mission. To create excellence on the web by generating a hierarchy of gradation for web sites will be inclusive in the overall mission. To improve the overall content on the web will be the underlying theme of the mission. Needs Proliferation of web sites as well as the large number of users of the web has created a new market for certification of the best sites based on quality and accuracy of content, timeliness in publication and credibility. This will provide a service to both the user as well as the web site provider. While the user will be able to gravitate to the best web site on a subject, the provider will attempt to improve his content based on authenticity of information, the assessed market needs of the users and the latest web and communication technologies available. This will greatly facilitate all users such as researchers and students who will get a certified source, the e purchaser, and an authenticated, best bargain without cheating and the business person timely information of opportunities available for commerce to beat the competition. A certified web site rating system will greatly improve the overall quality of the web as it will assist in establishing uniform standards, motivate investments in using state of the art technologies by web sites, adoption of best practices and sustained support will be available through government policies. Objectives The objectives of Cyber Rater will flow from its mission which is to facilitate web users in assessing the quality of a web site thereby enabling them to home on to the best in each category. The objectives will be broken down into three criteria as given below:- Objectives Related to Users Objective 1. To provide the user information of the quality of the web site he is accessing to do commerce, interact socially or merely to gain information on a subject. Objective 2. To provide knowledge workers assurance of the information that is being accessed by them on the web. This will overcome the present lack of credibility of most web sources for research. Objective 3. To provide the user with authentic and original information, free of copy right, trade mark or patent infringement. This will avoid the embarrassment as well possible legal action at a later stage. Objectives Related To Web Sites Objective 1. To provide a forum for quality web sites to propagate their value on the web. This will also enable them an opportunity to increase their popularity and revenues. Objective 2. To generate impetus for improving the overall quality of web sites and web content by creating a hierarchy of excellence. Objective 3. To disfranchise those web site providers who are not able to provide quality and authenticity to continue on the web. This will come about by their non certification, non access over a period by the user and thus a virtual demise due to infrequent access. Objectives Related to Business Objective 1. To follow the highest standards of ethics and values. This is essential to every rating agency and will enable maintenance of credibility and thus attract maximum business in the long term. Objective 2. To attract the best talent in the profession. This alone will ensure that the assessments made would maintain an even standard and are free from biases of lack of knowledge as well as judgment. Objective 3. To employ the best technologies available in the field and continue to constantly upgrade them. Objective 3. To ensure the financial viability of the business and break even within one year. References 1. Webserver Survey. 2006. June 2006 Webserver Survey. http://news. netcraft. com/archives/2006/06/04/june_2006_web_server_survey. html (24 June 2006). 2. World Internet Usage. 2006. Internet Usage Statistics: The Big Picture. http://www. internetworldstats. com/stats. htm. (24 June 2006).

Speaker Driver: Comparison of Options

Speaker Driver: Comparison of Options Speaker driver choice is a very important consideration, since the transducers themselves are of course the most fundamental part of the speaker. Regardless of other factors, one can never expect inferior drivers (and hence the system as a whole) to perform well. There are two main options when choosing drivers; electrostatic or conventional voice-coil designs. Although many seem under the impression that electrostatic loudspeakers are a modern invention this is not the case; Janszen was granted the first U.S. patent for such a device in 1953[1]. Considering the relatively small market penetration of electrostatic transducers and the fact that they tend to appear largely in high-end designs, one might be led to assume that electrostatic panels are superior to conventional drivers. This however is only partially true. One advantage of electrostatic panels is that full-range designs are possible, eliminating the need for crossovers and hence the associated problems with frequency and phase response in the crossover band. Another advantage is that the electrostatic panel is generally very light and hence offers excellent transient response, whilst also offering very good directionality and imaging. The latter may also be seen as disadvantage, since it effectively makes the ideal listening position rather narrow. In terms of disadvantages, the chief problem with electrostatic designs is a difficulty in reproducing bass frequencies at high SPLs. Generally the panel excursion is small, which makes it hard for electrostatic transducers to move the required volume of air at low frequencies. Furthermore, since electrostatic transducers are not meant for use with an enclosure, phase cancellation is an issue, again resulting in reduced bass performance. Audiostatic, a company that manufactures audiophile full-range electrostatic speakers, admit of their own devices with regard to bass that â€Å"Obviously because of the limited membrane excursion they wont produce ear shattering levels at that frequency†[2]. As a result of the aforementioned bass performance, many high-end electrostatic speakers are in fact hybrids, using voice-coil woofers for low frequencies with electrostatic panels covering the mid and high range. One example is the Martin Logan Summit[3], which whilst described as â€Å"our most advanced and sophisticated full-range loudspeaker† nevertheless makes use of two 10† woofers for low-end reproduction. Of course in this situation a crossover is still required, so the advantage of the possibility of a full-range design is often nullified in practice. Still, electrostatics may prove very attractive as high quality mid to high frequency drivers, although they are certainly not cheap. In choosing conventional voice-coil drivers, there are many factors to consider. In terms of quality, it is certainly true that one does indeed get what one pays for. Whilst high quality manufacturers such as SEAS[4] are happy to provide detailed frequency response plots and Thiele-Small parameters for their transducers, many cheaper manufacturers are less transparent about their devices. One common trick to beware of, often used by less scrupulous manufacturers, is the quoting of a recommended frequency range without stating the variation in output (in dB) across this range. A recommended operating range without any indication of the actual performance within the frequency band is virtually meaningless. Many assume a  ±3dB range is implied when reading such data; it is unwise to make such assumptions. Furthermore, even if frequency response across a range is qualified with the variation in output in dB, this is still not ideal. Obviously one desires that any variation in output magnitude will be a smooth variation; one still has no idea of how â€Å"lumpy† the response might be. For these reasons it is best to choose drivers that are accompanied by frequency plots, since this gives a far more accurate representation of true performance. Another important consideration in choosing a driver is the application for which it is intended. For example, a woofer with a high maximum cone excursion and low Fs may perform very well in a large sealed cabinet but be totally unsuited to a ported implementation (Dickason, 2000). One can make use of the quoted Thiele-Small parameters to ascertain whether the driver is suitable for its intended purpose. Construction materials also give an indication of how the driver may sound. In terms of woofer and midrange drivers, for example, an aluminium cone may indicate greater bass precision than an otherwise equivalent transducer with a paper cone; softer cones are associated with greater distortion than their stiffer counterparts. However, as Larsen (2003) notes â€Å"cone break-up behaviour and frequency response was shown to be strongly dependant on the Geometrical Stiffness of the Cone†. Hence the geometry of the design may be more important than the material used. Diameter of the driver is also a hugely important factor for woofers, although of minor importance for tweeters. To reproduce bass frequencies at good SPLs, a large volume of air must be moved by the driver. To this end, there is absolutely no way a 6† driver can compete with a 12† driver of similar quality in terms of bass extension; it is simply not physically possible. Power handling is another consideration that must be given thought when choosing a driver; the peak short-term power dissipated by a transducer can easily be double its long-term rating. Naturally for the best performance it is desirable to ensure that the driver is not operating too close to its quoted limits. One should think carefully about how hard the driver is likely to be driven and ensure its power handling is adequate; overdriving a unit at best will result in distortion and at worst may cause irreversible damage. In many cases users overdrive and damage units in an attempt to achieve a higher SPL, particularly in the bass region. If the system requirements are adequately specified and designed for, this should not happen. For the high-budget client, the best solution will either be high-quality voice-coil drivers carefully selected to complement each other, or a hybrid electrostatic implementation. It is difficult to recommend a fully electrostatic solution due to the associated problems with low frequency performance, although for some clients this may be acceptable. For the low-budget client, standard voice-coil drivers are the only solution. The quality of the drivers used will largely be influenced by pricing; one should carefully consider all factors and attempt to find the best solution within budget. Datasheets should be closely scrutinised to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each option before a solution is chosen. In conclusion, notwithstanding the electrostatic debate, driver choice is largely influenced by price and performance. In general, the better specified the driver, the more expensive it is likely to be. If working with a high budget, one is likely to simply choose the best specified drivers. Conversely, with a limited amount of capital, one must make the best compromise that can be reached within budget. Sources Larsen, Peter. (2003). Geometrical Stiffness of Loudspeaker Cones, Loudsoft. Borwick, John. (2001). Loudspeaker and Headphone Handbook, Focal Press. Dickason, V. (1995). The Loudspeaker Design Cookbook, Audio Amateur Publications. Rossing, T. (1990). The Science of Sound, Addison-Wesley. 1 Footnotes [1] United States Patent 2,631,196 [2] http://www.audiostatic.com/faq.html [3] http://www.uk.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/summit.html [4] http://www.seas.no Effect of Globalisation on Culture: Annotated Bibliography Effect of Globalisation on Culture: Annotated Bibliography John Tomlinson Globalization and Culture John Tomlinson analyses the globalization and the culture relationship, Globalization is in the center of modern culture; cultural practices are in the globalization center.  In John Tomlinson view, globalization and culture could be interpreted as relationship that they complement each other. John Tomlinson thinks that researching Globalization from the fields of political science, economics, sociology and communication to lead the field of culture, cultural practices are designed to reveal the meaning of globalization On globalization, John Tomlinson thinks the point of view from the daily life experience and to analyze the sense of intimacy, uniqueness.  On culture, John Tomlinson reflect on the cultural and political and economic relationship between the practice to clarify the complex cultural purposes, that is what makes life full of meaningful experience. John Tomlinson focused on the Deterritorialization of the concept that deterritorialization of our current globalization and cultural conditions, it exists in everyday experience among the grasp of many aspects of cultural globalization. Globalization fundamentally is the place we live, it makes our cultural practices, cultural identity and cultural experience and the relationship between the occurrences of the transition, it reduces or removes the daily dynamic between cultural and territorial positioning Contact; This culture, the opportunities and pitfalls. So, John Tomlinson called for world unity. Hardt, Michael; Negri, Antonio, (2000) Extract from Hardt, Michael; Negri, Antonio, Empire pp.xi-xvi,3-21, Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press Hardt, Michael; Negri, Antonio, hardt criticize the globalization, their bookempire could be considered as the representative of the anti-globalization works. They argue that the globalization is the capitalist production and economic relations have become more autonomous from political controls ,But with the traditional left to some of the different anti-globalization, this book address the global changes in an attempt to put forward in the context of globalization, new practice ideas. Hardt, Michael; Negri, Antonio books argument can be roughly simplified as follows: Globalization has led to changes in capitalism, the nation-state boundaries disappear, the new Empire has been formed, showing a new form of sovereignty, is composed of many countries and a joint supranational organizations  . Empire does not establish a power center, nor rely on fixed boundaries or barriers. Empire is a decentralized to the regions with the tools of the rule, and gradually  areas into the global expansion of its open and whole. Such an abstract rather than concrete empire how to rule? Finally, Hardt, Michael; Negri, Antonio called the masses are a utopian construct. Sociology of knowledge that, in the absence of any organized sports, leadership, and the dominant ideology, even if there is no amount of suffering, it will only submit to humiliation.  The authors argue that the masses is the seed of the revolution, they need international links to change the empire, but these people in todays nation-states under the barrier, how could the international links, how to overcome language differences Saskia Sassen (2008), Neither global nor national: novel assemblages of territory,  Authority and rights Columbia University, USA,  Ethics Global Politics, Vol. 1, No. 1 2, 2008, pp. 61 79 Saskia Sassen is the Professor of Sociology, Columbia Universityà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã…’the globalization leads the Unequal distribution of material resources, cultural colonialism and the depletion of non-renewable raw materials, the source of political conflict between North and South. Consequences of this phenomenon, such as global climate change to all social classes and the widening between the poor countries  gap between the rich have led to greater social crisis. Sassen thinks that the world only about 40 nodes in a transnational influence in the city, most of them located in the North Atlantic global subsystem; Globalization and World Cities Study Group believes that the world only 50 World City  , and another 60 to 70 cities to show the world the city part of the evidence Saskia Sassen states that Economic globalization not look at the globalization of capital accumulation, but also the production process of globalization.  If the economic globalization, the globalization of the production process as we see more than just capital, capital is only one aspect of economic globalization, it is another aspect of the globalization of labor, especially in the international movement of labor.  In the process of economic globalization, the cities, especially global cities, a place of convergence of capital and labor, the coordination center of the world economy, and thus become the problem of inequality in the globalization process of strategic intervention  place.  Specifically, how interventions, A Brief History of Neoliberalism, David Harvey, Oxford University Press David Harvey Examine the new liberalism in the past few decades to stir up trouble, and largely reshaped the pattern of international politics, not only for our understanding of the financial crisis, but also for understanding the development of global capitalism. With the new round of financial crisis sweeping the world and impact on all walks of life, people have tried from all aspects, directly or indirectly, to discuss the origin and development of the crisis, including the re-study of world history over the past few decades in the political  and economic theory and practice.  In this context, there is a scholar claim that the capitalist world have long been in crisis for a long time.  People who make this assertion is David â‚ ¬Ã‚ ¢ Harvey At the beginning, David Harvey analyze the U.S. war in Iraq, the United States in the implementation of the new Chilean liberal reform, pointed out that neo-liberal reforms, but at outside the United States once again in the experiment, then it could be the sample as their internal reform Of course, we should not forget the teachings of Marx In the past philosophers only interpret the world, but the important thing is to change the world. For understanding the status of our world today and the new liberalism of the context, although this small book may be many areas for improvement, but still occupies an important position. Arjun Appadurai, Disjuncture and Difference in the Global Cultural Economy, 1990 7: 295 Theory Culture Society, DOI: 10.1177/026327690007002017. Arjun Appadurai thinks that disjuncture and difference are normally in the global cultural economy, today, the central issue is the tense relationship between global interaction heterogeneity and cultural homogeneity. Homogenization is globalization and the universal, heterogeneous, that the pursuit of ethnic, indigenous rights and the maintenance of cultural identity.  As mentioned earlier, the key is, homogeneity of the substance at the expense of heterogeneity as the price, The basic efforts are to discuss the disadvantaged and marginalized groups in the cultural status quo from the inequality freed.  From an academic perspective, the demands of cultural heterogeneity consist of the following reasons: First, the cultural standpoint, it has a position of cultural relativism.  The need for different cultures to maintain their autonomy, because whether it is strong or weak culture, are equal in rights, no one culture is superior to other cultures, nature.  Therefore, there is no one culture can be for other cultural legislation, and its own advantages and disadvantages of other cultures for the evaluation criteria.   Thus in Arjun Appadurai thinks that which derived from the resistance of a strong culture means that it is not for the emphasis on their own than any other culture their own special appeal, but in Europe or the male-centered center of power has become a universal rule in the context of intercultural  the pursuit of equal status. Ulrich Beck, the Terrorist Threat: World Risk Society Revisited, 2002 19: 39 Theory Culture Society, DOI: 10.1177/0263276402019004003 the British sociologist Ulrich Beck, with his point of view, representation of contemporary social structures and life patterns generated by the many changes in availability of a second modern the character, and different from the traditional modern / post-modern painting points.   In this book, the second modern and cosmopolitanism, points out the first modern over-development, will turn off the collapse of global market and the nation-state patterns, and will generate reflection type of cultural development.  Cultural development in the reflection type, the modern rational and the Universe would have been a powerful challenge of all; society will also be the inner self to begin conversion.  Peoples cultural experience and experience in space, including the cultivation of various degree of recognition, diversity of life forms of the cross, the Political Action Without Borders, etc., will have a more diversified development. Risk society has the global common foundation, because in the second modernity, whether political, economic or ecological crisis, the risk of the spread is no national boundaries; so modern risk society, must put in the context of globalization down interpretation.  However, Baker on the second modern in the description of the world, the globalization of the past simply is not the same.  In order to interpret more in line with the concept of global development community, and puts forward a cosmopolitan, containing the words all men are brothers, David held Anthony McGrew, David Goldblatt Jonathan Perraton, Global Transformation Early in the 20th century, David held and the famous sociologist Anthony Giddens, Professor, who put together the relevant risk society of the concepts and theories Ecological, financial, military, terrorists, biochemical and information, and other risks in our contemporary world in a way there is overwhelming.  To the risk we experience everywhere; we could only make the following three types of reaction: denial, indifference and transformation.  The first approach is largely rooted in modern culture, but it ignored this attitude has denied that the political risks; second approach succumb to the kind of postmodern nihilism which type of argument;  The third approach led to my theory of world risk society issues raised: the future of man and the diversity of the expected consequences with the risk of changes in how the impact and awareness of modern society, survival  conditions and the system? Global default is a rational increase in demand uncertainty.  Caused by industrial society because of the uncertainty does not necessarily lead to confusion or disaster.  Rather, the uncertainty can not be calculated can also a source of creativity, which is a contingency to allow reason and experiment new things.  Thus, the current end of a pervasive sense of the kind of odds Mike Featherstone, Global Culture: Nationalism, Globalization, and Modernity Mike Featherstone is currently Britains consumer culture theorists.  In this book, consumer culture, as his object of study, reviews the theory of consumer culture Featherstone three main aspects: first by an aesthetic theory of everyday life, this is the theory of consumer culture Featherstone core and foundation.  While the previous practice of daily life and consumption has some research, and creation of daily life for the Featherstone laid the foundation of aesthetic theory, but he did not think life is a tool that strict control of rational consumer space, but also  do not think life is a fragment of a fragmentation.   Featherstone believes that everyday life is consumer spending the main field of practice, and in this field, the emergence of consumer practice of aesthetic tendencies. Featherstone follows the performance of the control and resistance theory. practice in the analysis of consumption during the fight right to speak, on the one hand explains how to control the ideology of everyday life cultural practices of consumers, but also pointed out how consumers the possibility of a boycott., on the whole, daily control of the consumer ideology is growing, but from specific consumer practice, consumers have been symbols of consumer culture transformation and substitution.  Mike Featherstone lamented that some disorder of literature, Michael Gurevitch, Culture, Society and the Media Michael Gurevitch based on the world, from an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural perspective of globalization and democratization of the media between the complex and sometimes mutually reinforcing and sometimes conflicting multi-faceted relationship.   This book proposed a new theory about generalities, but not to provide a description of the micro, but the relevant proposition was different theoretical and historical sort, from which new problems.   firstly discusses the theory of globalization and the globalization of media organizations in the media, marketing, form, movement, effects and management aspects of change, and the media bottom-up globalization process and practice.  Then, the article in English literature of the existing market liberals, liberals in the public domain, and the radical democrats of different concepts of democracy and the spread of globalization and its significance for the different media analysis were reviewed, Finally, the book was put forward, including media ownership diversity, multi-directional flow of the global media in the political and theoretical significance, the Western model and views the adequacy or relevance media for political information than the broader identity  role during the formation of macro issues such as 7, to promote the breadth and depth of study.  The globalization and democratization of media there are complex interactions between the relationships between two, which is far from even a discussion of two books could come to an end.   Oliver Boyd-Barrett, Terhi Rantanen. The Globalization of News   Oliver Boyd-Barrett, Terhi Rantanen research from the social perspective ,and emphasizes the role of government era of globalization, and the Government can play a complementary effect and the market potential to give more attention. Using of statistical methods proved that external risks can not be ignored, but the state is playing an important integral role in providing social security and protection of social justice. Government maintains economic openness and balance between domestic needs of the community as a crucial and irreplaceable role.  The implication is: If the Government is up to the role that globalization will be able to smooth the contrary, this process will be reversed.     Oliver Boyd-Barrett,Terhi find some latest new which find the process of globalization, which in many ways is very different.  For example, todays international financial system from the conclusions of historical research in analysis and interpretation should be applied to contemporary events, there will be quite limited indeed.  But the basic values of the market mechanism and social hundred years did not occur in a large change fundamentally.  Since the markets expansion on a global scale in fact has brought individuals and the income gap between countries and the widening gap of economic welfare, just as happened 80 years ago as; it will be useful to draw lessons from history. How is Hamlet Character Influenced by Greek Philosophy? How is Hamlet Character Influenced by Greek Philosophy? Hamlet, protagonist of Shakespeares tragedy of the same name, is one of the most ambiguous and enigmatic characters of the history of literature. He is a thinker, and extremely philosophical, meditative and suspicious, indeed, he is always pondering about question with no answer. His monologues are very contemporary, because they are about psychological struggles that are still unresolved. His character is strongly influenced by philosophy and, particularly, by Greek philosophy. We can understand that Hamlet was interested in Greek culture by his numerous references to Greek mythology, and by the main topics of his soliloquies: the conflicts between right and wrong, thought and action, life and death, and the importance of the mind and thoughts of an individual. They all refer to important philosophical concepts of Greek philosophy, such as relativism, skepticism and humanism, which are rooted in ancient Greek philosophers thoughts and studies. About the references to Greek mythology, we can observe citations about many characters belonging to myths. Hyperion, Satyr, Niobe, Hercules (Act I, Scene II, 140-153), where Hyperion is a Titan or a byname of Helios, God of the sun; a Satyr is a lecherous creature, half-man and half-goat; Niobe was the Queen of   Thebes, who wept for her dead children even when she was turned to stone; and Hercules is a mythical Greek hero, notorious for his strength. Nemean lion (Act I, Scene IV, 83), which was a vicious monster who lived at Nemea. Priam, Hecuba (Act II, Scene II, 422-459), where Priam was the King of Troy during the Trojan War, and Hecuba was his wife. From this analysis, we can observe that not only was he interested in Greek mythology, but also on Greek literature, indeed, he probably read Homeric poems, Iliad and The Odyssey. Another evidence that Greek philosophy influenced Hamlet is that he often refers to Relativism. For example, when he says to Rosencrantz: there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so (Act II, Scene II, 240), he is referring to the Sophist theory that the truth or justification of moral judgments is not absolute, but relative to the moral standard of some person or group of persons1[1]. Another example is the most iconic monologue of the tragedy: To be, or not to be: that is the question: / Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, / And by opposing end them?. Hamlet is struggling whether is more noble to kill himself or to continue living though the problems he is facing. We can consider this as a form of moral relativism because, from Hamlets perspective, even something collectively thought as so morally incorrect like suicide can become correct, noble. According to Protagoras , a pre-sophist philosopher, The human being is the measure of all things, of those that are, that they are, and of those that are not, that they are not. By this, Protagoras apparently meant that each individual person is the measure of how things are to that person: things are or are not, to me, according as they appear to me to be or not be. Briefly stated, moral relativism is the view that moral judgments, beliefs about right and wrong, good and bad, not only vary greatly across time and contexts, but that their correctness is dependent on or relative to individual or cultural perspectives and frameworks.2[2] We can also consider the same monologue as an example of skepticism, because Hamlet is fond of pointing out questions that cannot be answered because they concern supernatural and metaphysical matters. Hamlets monologue What a piece of work is a man! / How noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how / express and admirable! in action how like an angel! / in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the / world! is an evidence of another philosophical trend: Humanism. Even if the word Humanism was invented by Latins (Humanitas), we can observe Humanist thoughts in Sophist philosophers, Socrates and Plato. In that period, indeed, the subject of the philosophical speculation changed from transcendental topics, like Gods or the origin of the universe, to the human being. They became interested in human mind and experiences, and related topics such as ethic and ideas. To understand Hamlets tragedy deeply, first we have to understand its historic, religious and philosophical context. From the philosophical point of view, I found evidence of many philosophical trends influences, to both Hamlets character and Shakespeare, but I can state that most of them are related to the most important Greek philosophical trends.

Case study Del Montes vision

Case study Del Montes vision Brand Del Monte is a 118 year old brand which is synonymous with quality and taste. The brand  originated in the US and is now available all across the globe. Del Monte has branded processed food and beverage products. The Del Monte range include Fruit drinks, Ketchup Sauces, Packaged Fruits and the Italian Range consisting of Pasta, Olive Oil and Olives/Jalapenos and a Culinary range which is aimed at HORECA, Foodservices and QSR industries. Bharti Del Monte Joint Venture Del Monte came to India in 2007 courtesy a joint venture company known a FieldFresh Foods Pvt between Bharti Enterprises and Del Monte Pacific. It sells fresh and processed fruits and vegetables in the domestic as well as international markets, including Europe and the Middle East. Bharti enterprise has interests in telecom, agri business, financial services, retail and manufacturing businesses in India. Del Monte Pacific Ltd, headquartered in Manila, Philippines, is a company engaged in the production, marketing, and distribution of Del Monte products in the select Asian markets. Del Monte has following product lines in India: Sauces, Juices, Italian cuisine and Packaged fruit. The market size of these products approximately Rs 4000 crore and it will grow at 20% per annum and faces competition from players like Nestle, Hindustan Unilever, Dabur, Parle Agro, Pepsi, ITC, Heinz in India. The company has invested Rs 300 crore in a food processing plant at Hosur in Tamil Nadu and in research on fruit and vegetables which will be operational by 2011. It is now selling products in 25 cities in India. Product Lines in India Ketchups and Sauces Del Monte has launched following four variants in this product line in India and they are : Del Monte Tomato Ketchup: Is made from quality tomato paste and secret blend of spices natural fragrant oils. Del Monte Zingo: Is made from of Red chillies, Red Bell Pepper, Garlic and Ginger. It offers sweet and spicy eastern taste to the consumers. Del Monte Twango: Del Monte TWANGO is a tangy and fruity sauce specially aimed at the younger audiences, and brings a twist to the tomato taste with a splash of the goodness Del Monte Tomato Chilli Sauce: Del Monte Tomato Chilli Sauce is made from tomato paste and hint of red chillies it has a pungent and tangy taste. Packaged Fruit Corn Del Monte has launched Pineapple Tidbits, Pineapple slices, Peach halves, Prunes and Fruit Cocktails in India. Italian Range Del Monte has launched Olives, Pasta and Extra Virgin Oil in India. These product lines popularly used by Restaurants, Caterers and consumers are also using these products at home. Fruit Drinks Del Monte has launched 5 variants under the Fruit drinks in 240 ml cans and dispensers. Percentage Share of Different Product Lines The graph given below gives the current percentage share of different product lines in India: Chapter 5: Current Marketing Strategy Chapter Highlights: Target Market Positioning Product Strategy Distribution Strategy Pricing Strategy Promotional Strategy CURRENT MARKETING STRATEGY Target Market: The Indian youth segment residing in Indian cities age 16-25 is Del Montes primary target market. Positioning: Del Monte Fruit Drinks current positioning is delivering Refreshment, convenience and nutritional value to the youth. Product Strategy Del Monte Fruit Drinks have 5 flavours: Pineapple Fruit Drink (with real fruit pulp) Four Seasons Fruit Drink (a delightful mix of guava, pineapple and mango) Pineapple-Orange Fruit Drink Green Apple Fruit Drink Orange Fruit Drink Product Benefits: Del Monte fruit drinks are naturally fat and cholesterol free, they are rich in antioxidants, they are a good source of Vitamin C and Vitamin B1 and do not have any artificial preservatives. Packaging: Del Monte Fruit Drink is selling its juices in aluminium cans of 240 ml and so it possible to have a shelf life of 24 months. Del Monte Fruit Drink has setup dispensers which can dispense 20 cups a minute. Distribution Strategy COMPANY WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTOR GENERAL TRADE RETAILERS/ WHOLESALERS MODERN TRADE RETAILERS END USER HOTELS RESTAURANTS CATERING B2B MARKET B2C MARKET Del Monte products are sold in B2C and B2B markets: B2B market In the Business to Business Market Del Monte fruit drink cans along with other Del Monte products are sold to and used over 2200 institutions in the HORECA: Hotels/Restaurants/ Catering(Airlines) segments. Restaurants like: Coffee Day Xpress, Dominos, Subway and Barista, and low cost airlines like: Jet Lite, Jet Connect and Indigo. Del Monte has over 70 persons they help the distributors to sell to institutions. B2C Market Del Monte operates in B2C market and these products are available in 25 cities including major cities like Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Kolkata. The company has Distributors and Retailers (Modern Trade and General Trade) as its Channel partners. Del Monte has also setup vending machines and dispensers in institutions and tourist spots to reach the end users more effectively. Distributors The company appoints distributors who supply Del Montes product lines (Ketchups Sauces, Italian Range, Fruit Drinks Packaged Fruit Corn) to general trade outlets and to some modern trade outlets in the major cities. Each distributor has approximately 200 -600 retailers under him and the average monthly sales for each distributor is between Rs 250000- Rs 1500000. Del Monte offers a margin of 7% to its distributors. General Trade Retailers/Wholesalers Del Monte supplies products to 30,000 retailers in 25 cities. It supplies to major General Trade Retailers or the Kirana Shops (neighbourhood grocery stores)/Wholesalers in these cities. These retailers/wholesalers get their supply from distributors who take orders on a fortnightly/weekly basis. These shops have an average purchase ticket of Rs 30,000 per month. Modern Trade Retailers Del Monte is supplying its supermarkets, convenient stores (In and Out store at IOCL Petrol pumps) and speciality food stores (Eg: Le Marche) and the company is selling to them directly through its sales force and some of the modern trade outlets are also supplied through distributors. These are organisations purchase their products weekly and their average purchase ticket vary between Rs 20,000 to Rs 2000000. Distribution Penetration Pricing Strategy Del Monte Fruit Drinks are available in 240 ml cans for Rs. 25. The Del Monte fruit drink offered through dispensers is available in 200 ml cups for Rs 20. Promotion Strategy Del Monte has relied on in store promotions for its Fruit Drinks i.e. price discounts, buy one get one offers and promotional material such as posters displays to promote Fruit Drinks in retail outlets. Del Monte launched Legend Brigade to popularise the range of Del Monte fruit drinks in pineapple, four seasons, pineapple-orange and the newly-launched green apple and orange flavours. This activation will travel to metros and mini-metros where the winner will receive a custom-made bike worth Rs 200,000. Del Monte has also launched an online biker game is on at its micro site, www.worldfoody.com to promote thrill of biking.

The New Teenage Parent Essay -- Essays Papers

The New Teenage Parent I originally wrote this essay as an assignment for Monique DuFour's class about how we classify different groups of people. I think that the part of the student population that are parents (especially single parents) are often forgotten by the University as a whole. I say this because there are very few, if any, programs that recognize and cater to the needs of parents/students that may need a little extra help, with time or financially. As I revised this essay, I tried to think of ways that I could speak to a larger audience and raise general awareness on this issue. A young man is at a party. He reaches in his pocket for some money, but he smiles to himself and pulls out a pacifier. He's a young single father. A young woman is playing on the lawn with a little boy, tickling him and laughing as he giggles. He's not her little brother. . . he's her son. Even more than being single parents, these are real people and have been or are currently students in college. I naturally feel that what I have to say is important because I am one of these people. I have a two-year old son, Jaymen. I also want you, the reader, to know that we, the young single parents who are a part of the United States, New York State, Syracuse and even closer to home, Syracuse University, are definitely more than statistics. I could tell my story and try to prove that to you, but that would not be a multi-faceted account of what being a single parent is. When I use the term, single parent, I am keeping in mind the literal meaning of single--unmarried. I am not excluding support of the other parent in any situation. When I add the word young to it, I am referring to a male or female whose child was born while they wer... ...ie, which ended in divorce five years later. She went to nursing school part-time, while working various kinds of jobs. She remarried while in school and finished nursing school when she was in her early thirties. Her son, Anthony, has finished high school and is now in the Marines. He's twenty-one now. She's divorced and now working as a traveling nurse. She never had any more children. The list of success stories for young single parents go on and on. Just because a person has made a mistake in the past does not mean that the future has to be a life full of mistakes. The saying, "Life is what you make it," is true. There is a difference, however. The extra incentive to work hard is to look into the big brown eyes of a child that you helped to create and realize that you have to be a good example and teach them to make their lives a little better than yours was. The New Teenage Parent Essay -- Essays Papers The New Teenage Parent I originally wrote this essay as an assignment for Monique DuFour's class about how we classify different groups of people. I think that the part of the student population that are parents (especially single parents) are often forgotten by the University as a whole. I say this because there are very few, if any, programs that recognize and cater to the needs of parents/students that may need a little extra help, with time or financially. As I revised this essay, I tried to think of ways that I could speak to a larger audience and raise general awareness on this issue. A young man is at a party. He reaches in his pocket for some money, but he smiles to himself and pulls out a pacifier. He's a young single father. A young woman is playing on the lawn with a little boy, tickling him and laughing as he giggles. He's not her little brother. . . he's her son. Even more than being single parents, these are real people and have been or are currently students in college. I naturally feel that what I have to say is important because I am one of these people. I have a two-year old son, Jaymen. I also want you, the reader, to know that we, the young single parents who are a part of the United States, New York State, Syracuse and even closer to home, Syracuse University, are definitely more than statistics. I could tell my story and try to prove that to you, but that would not be a multi-faceted account of what being a single parent is. When I use the term, single parent, I am keeping in mind the literal meaning of single--unmarried. I am not excluding support of the other parent in any situation. When I add the word young to it, I am referring to a male or female whose child was born while they wer... ...ie, which ended in divorce five years later. She went to nursing school part-time, while working various kinds of jobs. She remarried while in school and finished nursing school when she was in her early thirties. Her son, Anthony, has finished high school and is now in the Marines. He's twenty-one now. She's divorced and now working as a traveling nurse. She never had any more children. The list of success stories for young single parents go on and on. Just because a person has made a mistake in the past does not mean that the future has to be a life full of mistakes. The saying, "Life is what you make it," is true. There is a difference, however. The extra incentive to work hard is to look into the big brown eyes of a child that you helped to create and realize that you have to be a good example and teach them to make their lives a little better than yours was.

Inaccurate Portrayal of the Dinosaur Face :: Anthropology Essays Paleontology Papers

Inaccurate Portrayal of the Dinosaur Face As time goes on, Paleontologists discover more and more fossil remains, and with that more and more information about dinosaurs. Yet even with the great deal of fossils that have been discovered in the past century, scientists are still forced to make educated guesses about certain dinosaur behaviors, traits, and appearance. Dr. Lawrence Witmer’s recent research addresses this issue. Dr. Witmer argues that the fleshy nostril of dinosaurs lies in a different place than has been assumed and portrayed for over the last one hundred years. Dr. Witmer’s discovery was published in the August issue of Science magazine in 2001 and may change how we envision dinosaurs forever. Movies like â€Å"Jurassic Park† and the BBC’s â€Å"Walking with Dinosaurs† portray dinosaurs with fleshy nostrils which lie very high on their head. Not only in popular media is this true but in sculptures, kids’ books and scholarly journals. How could so many scientists have been wrong for so long? Very easily. When a dinosaur fossil is discovered it has an extremely large nasal cavity in its skull, sometimes several feet in length. Since flesh does not preserve all too well over the course of millions of years, paleontologists have been forced to make an educated guess as to where the fleshy nostril lies within the larger nasal cavity. Since the 1880’s scientists assumed that the nostril existed near the top of the head. The reason for this is that when sauropods (long necked dinosaurs) were discovered, it was thought that they must live under water in order to avoid crushing themselves under their own weight. This would explain their long necks. It would also follow that the fleshy nostril would be near the top of the head so the creatures could breathe easily while their bodies were under water. Even after it was realized these dinosaurs did not live under the water, the idea that the fleshy nostril existed near the top of the head persisted. The idea was also spread to most other dinosaurs that were discovered thereafter. Perhaps you have noticed this in a drawing or movie, that Tyrannosaurus Rex’s large nostrils do not lie in the front of his face but instead halfway up his head. Witmer believes his years of research with his â€Å"DinoNose† project prove that dinosaurs’ fleshy nostrils actually exist on the front end of the nasal cavity instead of the back end as was once believed.

The Role of Women in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness Essays -- Heart

The Role of Women in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is more than a mere exploration of the harsh realities of European colonialism in Africa during the late nineteenth century. In fact, it is rich in symbolism as demonstrated by his negative portrayal of women. Conrad chooses his language well, for his prejudice towards women is easily recognizable. To him, women were nothing more than soft, delicate, and naive. However, Conrad's condemnation of women is no longer a valid interpretation of women in the 21st century; thus, we must overlook Conrad's invalid judgment of women and take a modernistic approach in scrutinizing the women's actual representation in Heart of Darkness. When looking at the role of women in Heart of Darkness through a twenty-first century perspective, it becomes apparent that these women represent parts of the European societies that were in the dark about the brutalities of colonialism. Conrad used Marlow to demonstrate his attitude towards the obliviousness of women , who paralleled the unawareness of the European society as a whole. The Europeans' obliviousness was first seen in Marlow's aunt. Before Marlow departed from London, he visited his aunt, who talked about "weaning those ignorant millions from their horrid ways" (16). His aunt strongly believed that the Company's mission was to enlighten the Africans. Her knowledge about European colonialism was based only on her own assumptions. Marlow's aunt believed only what she chose to believe instead of seeing the real reasons for colonial pursuits. Marlow then goes to criticize women's mentalities: "It's queer how out of touch with the truth women are! They live in a world of their own [..... ...ialist pursuits and trusted the integrity of those who carried out its mission. Revealing the reality of nineteenth century colonialism would have lead to the destruction of the economy. The only way to preserve it was to conceal all scrupling facts about European colonialism. Works Cited and Consulted: Brantlinger, Patrick. "Heart of Darkness: Anti-Imperialism, Racism, or Impressionism?"Â   Murfin 277-298. Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. Murfin 17-95. Murfin, Ross C., ed. Heart of Darkness: Complete, Authoritative Text with Biographical and Historical Contexts, Critical History, and Essays from Five Contemporary Critical Perspectives. 2nd ed. Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism. Boston: Bedford-St. Martin's P, 1996. Smith, Johanna M. "'Too Beautiful Altogether': Ideologies of Gender and Empire in Heart of Darkness." Murfin 169-184. The Role of Women in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness Essays -- Heart The Role of Women in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is more than a mere exploration of the harsh realities of European colonialism in Africa during the late nineteenth century. In fact, it is rich in symbolism as demonstrated by his negative portrayal of women. Conrad chooses his language well, for his prejudice towards women is easily recognizable. To him, women were nothing more than soft, delicate, and naive. However, Conrad's condemnation of women is no longer a valid interpretation of women in the 21st century; thus, we must overlook Conrad's invalid judgment of women and take a modernistic approach in scrutinizing the women's actual representation in Heart of Darkness. When looking at the role of women in Heart of Darkness through a twenty-first century perspective, it becomes apparent that these women represent parts of the European societies that were in the dark about the brutalities of colonialism. Conrad used Marlow to demonstrate his attitude towards the obliviousness of women , who paralleled the unawareness of the European society as a whole. The Europeans' obliviousness was first seen in Marlow's aunt. Before Marlow departed from London, he visited his aunt, who talked about "weaning those ignorant millions from their horrid ways" (16). His aunt strongly believed that the Company's mission was to enlighten the Africans. Her knowledge about European colonialism was based only on her own assumptions. Marlow's aunt believed only what she chose to believe instead of seeing the real reasons for colonial pursuits. Marlow then goes to criticize women's mentalities: "It's queer how out of touch with the truth women are! They live in a world of their own [..... ...ialist pursuits and trusted the integrity of those who carried out its mission. Revealing the reality of nineteenth century colonialism would have lead to the destruction of the economy. The only way to preserve it was to conceal all scrupling facts about European colonialism. Works Cited and Consulted: Brantlinger, Patrick. "Heart of Darkness: Anti-Imperialism, Racism, or Impressionism?"Â   Murfin 277-298. Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. Murfin 17-95. Murfin, Ross C., ed. Heart of Darkness: Complete, Authoritative Text with Biographical and Historical Contexts, Critical History, and Essays from Five Contemporary Critical Perspectives. 2nd ed. Case Studies in Contemporary Criticism. Boston: Bedford-St. Martin's P, 1996. Smith, Johanna M. "'Too Beautiful Altogether': Ideologies of Gender and Empire in Heart of Darkness." Murfin 169-184.

Cognitive Competence

Tomorrow’s Leader Term paper Topic: Cognitive Competence Wai (Synergy) Content Part 1 1. Definition cognitive competenceP. 3-4 2. Theory of cognitive competenceP. 5-8 3. Factors affecting cognitive competenceP. 9-10 4. Importance of cognitive competence in leadershipP. 11-12 5. Ways to enhance the level of cognitive competenceP. 13-14 Part 2 Self evaluationP. 15-17 Part 3 ReferenceP. 18-19 Part 1 Definition of cognitive competence 1. Cognitive competence is defined as the ability to perform adequately those cognitively complex tasks considered essential for living on one's own in this society. Willis SL. (1996). Everyday cognitive competence in elderly persons: conceptual issues and empirical findings, Oct;36(5):595-601) 2. The ability to develop and apply the cognitive skills of self-talk, the reading and interpretation of social cues, using steps for problem-solving and decision making, understanding the perspective of others, understanding behavioral norms, a positive attit ude towards life, and self –awareness. (The W. T. Grant Consortium on the School-Based Promotion of Social Competence (1992: 136)) 3. Academic and intellectual achievement. include the ability to use logic, analytic thinking, and abstract reasoning) (Catalano, R. F. , Berglund, M. L. , Ryan, J. A. M. , Lonczak, H. S. , ; Hawkins, J. D. (2002). Positive youth development in the United States: Research findings on evaluations of positive youth development programs. Prevention and Treatment, 5 (15), 1-106. ) This three definitions are little bit different. The third one is too narrow as it just mentioned academic and intellectual achievement. The second one, on the other hand, is not specific enough. In my understanding, I think cognitive competence is best defined using the first two definitions. Cognitive competence is defined as the ability to perform adequately those cognitively complex tasks considered essential for living on one's own in this society. It also includes unde rstanding the perspective of others, understanding behavioral norms, and self –awareness. † Theory Hui & Sun’s model (2007) This model divides cognitive competence into three types of thinking: 1. Creative thinking, a way of looking at problems or situations from a fresh perspective that suggests unorthodox solutions (which may look unsettling at first). 2. Critical thinking, which includes reasoning, making references, self-reflection, and coordination of multiple views. Critical thinking has been described as â€Å"the process of purposeful, self-regulatory judgment, which uses reasoned consideration to evidence, context, conceptualizations, methods, and criteria. † (Facione, Peter A. Critical Thinking: What It is and Why It Counts, Insightassessment. com) 3. Rational thinking refers to logical or reasoning being involved in the thought process. It refers to providing reasons or rational behind thoughts or ideas. It adds an element of calculation and planning to a steam of thoughts rather than basing them on emotion or personal opinion. It is a kind of objective process of thinking and an analytic approach to any problem. Rational thinking is based on reasons or facts and is hence much more calculating and realistic. Geiwitz’s model This model divides cognitive competence into three steps of thinking: 1. Know what, to know what is the problem 2. Know how, to know how the problem can be solved 3. Know why, to know why choose particular method to solve the problem, or to evaluate the method currently used. What How Why In Hui and Sun’s model, creative thinking is the innovative way of thinking. It allows people to invent new things or idea. Critical thinking is used when commenting on something, e. g. in writing editorials. As for rational thinking, it is used when analyzing. In my opinion, the second model is easier to understand. And it shows progressive levels of cognitive competence, whereas the first model only divides our thinking into three different ways. Therefore, I would further explain cognitive competence using the second model for reference. Take the example of inventors of the world’s first airplane – the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur. This is an good example to illustrate the concept of cognitive competence and the Geiwitz’s model. Applying the Geiwitz’s model, the Wright brothers’ aim was to create a â€Å"flying machine†, this is the â€Å"know what† level of cognitive competence. They then started to think and design this machine, and this is the â€Å"know how† level of cognitive competence. Finally they evaluated the products (what’s good and not good about it) and thought how to improve further. The â€Å"know how† and â€Å"know why† steps repeated. And finally an mature airplane was invented. Start Know what: to invent a flying machine Know how: How to built a better flying machine Know why: Why this model is good/not good enough Repeat A satisfatory model is invented Another example to illustrate is the development in high jump styles. The styles used in high-jumping has changed from initially scissors style, to straddle style, and finally the Fosbury style which is still using nowadays. Start Know what: to jump high Know how: What jumping style Know why: Why this style is good/not good enough Repeat A satisfatory syle is invented Factors affecting cognitive competence I think the factors affecting the development of one’s cognitive competence can be divided into intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic factors are those confine to yourself, while extrinsic factors are those influenced by the environment. For intrinsic factors, I think there are: intelligence, personalities, knowledge and past experience. For intelligent, I think it is not difficult to imagine that it is important for high cognitive competence. Intelligence is particularly important for the â€Å"know how† and â€Å"know why† stage. Only if you are wise enough can you think of a new way to solve problem that no one has ever think of or find out what is the problem of existing method being used by other people. Moreover, intelligence is kind of inborn; therefore, cognitive competence is also inborn to a certain extent. As for personality, I think people with different personality may affect his/her performance in problem solving and the presentation of his cognitive competence. For example, if a person lacks confidence and likes to deal with problem in a low risk aspect, he/she may not abandon the existing widely used method to tackle the problem and use new methods even though he is clever enough to think of many other new potential methods. They may only attempt the new ways when they are 100% more effective and safer than the existing ones. Knowledge and past experience are very similar. They both can be regarded as memory. They are very important factors that affect cognitive competence. When tackling problems, memory always acts as your â€Å"reference†, it gives you basic information and background about the problem. And help you to figure out the solution in relation to this â€Å"reference†. Like the case of the Wright brothers, when they tried to invent a flying machine, their knowledge in engineering gives them basic information of how to build it. It is interesting to notice that sometimes past experience may hinder our cognitive performance. For example, when you are dealing with a project you are very familiar with, you might too much into your experience and knowledge and think that it is impossible to explore new methods. For extrinsic factors, there are: Environment (e. g. family background, situation of the problem) and the nature of problem Environment is the major extrinsic factor affecting one’s cognitive competence. It determines many of intrinsic factors including past experience, knowledge and even personality. Environment can also affects ones attitude to deal with the problem, thus performance of cognitive competence. For example, the due date of your proposal is tomorrow morning and now is already three o’clock in the morning and you haven’t even started yet. I am sure you may feel desperate and will not spend much time to think of the new ideas. Moreover, family socialization also affects cognitive competence and intelligence of people. (Grundmann, M. ; Teo, Thomas; Socialization, intelligence, and cognitive competence (1997)) Another one is the nature of the problem. It determines one’s past experience and knowledge are useful or not. It is because the past experience and knowledge can not apply to all situation. Importance of cognitive competence in leadership Cognitive competence is important in leadership. A research points out that cognitive skills were found to be directly correlate with high-level of leadership performance in a MLE (Military Leadership Exercises) research. (Marshall-Mies et al. , 2000) Often included intelligence, general skills, crystallized skills (e. g. oral and written expression and comprehension), and creative or divergent thinking capacities are cognitive capabilities that should influence leadership performance. (Connelly, Gilbert, Zaccaro, Threlfall, Marks & Mumford, 2000). I also agree that cognitive competence is important in leadership. First of all, leader with higher level of cognitive competence can deal with different kinds of problems with his own way of thinking. That means they can find out his own most effective way to tackle the problem without copying others method. This gives the leader independency that he does not need to rely on others too much. It also gives them maturity that they can have their own way of thinking. Independency and maturity surely are the important factors of a leader. This makes people happy and feeling safe to follow you. Secondly, leader with high level of cognitive competence can have great contribution to the team. They can give out a lot of useful ideas that no one has thought of before. This already makes them the strongest ones or the most unique ones in the team. People would love to follow leaders which are stronger than them. Again, this makes them feel safe. Finally, leaders with high level of cognitive competence can have a clear mind and know what is wrong in the team. They know what the team should do (goal). And they evaluate the performance of the team, and find out what should be improved. That means they are not only using cognitive skills in problem solving, but also in team management. It is because â€Å"team management† itself is already a task. People with higher cognitive competence usually have higher IQ and are conflicts encountering (Heydenberk R. A. and Heydenberk W. R. , Increasing Meta-Cognitive Competence through Conflict Resolution(2005)) Ways to enhance the level of cognitive competence Before discussing how to enhance the level of cognitive competence, I think we should first identify what cannot be changed or be improved. They are called constrains. Through understanding what are the constrains, we can focus on what can and what should be improved. The constrains include family background, intelligence and personality. These factors are sort of fixed, or can only have little change. So, to raise the level of cognitive competence, I think it is effective that we try to learn as much as possible. This is to enhance our knowledge and enrich our experience. As mentioned, knowledge and past experience are two important factors affecting one’s cognitive ability. This is because they are our own sources of information about the problem being coped. We can make use of this information to find a way to solve the problem. We may not figure out any new method, at least we know how people deal with it previously. In Janet E, Et Al, The Role of metacognition in Problem Solving, four steps of thinking is also mentioned to guide people to solve problems. They are: 1. Identifying and defining the problem 2. Mentally representing the problem 3. Planning how to proceed 4. Evaluating what you know about your performance This way of thinking can help people to organized their thoughts, so that they can deal with the problem step by step. I think it is a quite useful way to improve cognitive performance because it makes people organized and focus on one job at a time. This prevents them from being interrupted from different sources. Furthermore, it helps people to think logically. Part 2 Self-reflection Hong Kong students are known to be a copycat. We are blamed to have low level of creativity and afraid to try new things. People always say that we just copy things from others or textbooks without digesting them. But I think it is not totally my case. I am not a stupid student. I used to be very creative in primary school. Others describe me as naughty. It is because all my creativity is used in inventing new ways to play tricks on my classmates. I remember one time I played a game in an activity class. My teacher ask my group to use a deck of playing cards to build a tower as high as we can. Then we started. Other groups are using the traditional method (see left). Obviously it requires high technique. Therefore they can only built towers with few floors high. But I figured out another method. I folded up two cards, turned them sideway to make two â€Å"L† shape walls, put them facing each other to make a square wall, on top of it I placed a flat card. And I repeated to do this. Of course, my team built the highest tower. But guess what happened next. My teacher told us that was against the rules. Playing cards are not supposed to be folded (She didn’t tell us before the game). We lose that competition at the end. I think, after this event, my creativity started to slowly bury in my heart deeply. When I recall this event, I discover one important thing. That is our creativity is often being restricted by our teachers, and our education system. Teachers set all the projects, homework with rules and restrictions, trying to make them easier to mark and compare. But this made our assignments all looking the same. Examination questions have all the model answers, this made our student the same person who can only memorize answers without digesting the questions and answer them in their own way. Not that I don’t have critical thinking and creativity. It is just because they have to be thrown away to survive in HK’s education system. Take the example of A-level exams, the curriculum is very tight that teachers even cannot have time to teach us all the topics included. How would I have time to individually explore all the topics taught? Instead, in order to get high grades in this exam, I spent most of the time on memorizing past paper’s model answers. I know it would not help my cognitive development, but getting into a good university is more important to me. I believe this is also the problem of many students. Now, when I am given a problem to solve, I still try my best to explore the alternatives. May be this is due to my personality. I just don’t like to be the same with others. I like to be unique. But I think I am not creative as I was small anymore. Apart from the reason about the restrictions set by teachers just discussed, another possible reason may be due to my own knowledge and experience. As I mentioned in part 1 of this report, knowledge and experience, although can help to solve your problem, they sometimes hinder your cognitive performance. Sometimes this happens to me. I just rely too much on the knowledge and experience, and cannot think out of the box. But the major reason is still because of the education system in HK. But in the university, a place to train student’s critical thinking and creativity, I think that this problem would become less severe. To improve my cognitive abilities, I think the best way is to train to have independent critical thinking. Don’t rely too much on knowledge from any sources and my own or others’ past experience. Always try my best to look for other possible alternatives. Although this might spend a lot more time and at the end there may not come up any new things. But I think the process can also help me to develop my cognitive skills. Although it might hinder my cognitive performance, I think it is still important to enrich my knowledge and broaden my horizon. This is because learning more can let me compare different theories and thus train my independent critical thinking. They are also my valuable first encountered source when any problem comes to me. Part 3 Reference Willis SL. (1996). Everyday cognitive competence in elderly persons: conceptual issues and empirical findings, Oct;36(5):595-601 The W. T. Grant Consortium on the School-Based Promotion of Social Competence (1992: 136) Catalano, R. F. , Berglund, M. L. , Ryan, J. A. M. , Lonczak, H. S. , & Hawkins, J. D. (2002). Positive youth development in the United States: Research findings on evaluations of positive youth development programs. Prevention and Treatment, 5 (15), 1-106. Grundmann, M. ; Teo, Thomas; Socialization, intelligence, and cognitive competence (1997) Marshall-Mies et al. , 2000 Connelly, Gilbert, Zaccaro, Threlfall, Marks & Mumford, 2000 Heydenberk R. A. and Heydenberk W. R. , Increasing Meta-Cognitive Competence through Conflict Resolution(2005)