Corporate strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 2

Corporate outline - Essay prototypeUnderstanding PwC Strategic Resources Tallman (2009) argues that resources and capabilities argon the sources of internal strengths and weaknesses for a firm because its profitability, growth, and success largely depend upon quaint strategical resources that it possesses. Thus, strategic resources withdraw to be unique to create competitive emolument over competition. Moreover, strategic resources play a much vital use in the success or failure of the organization, curiously when the organization is a services company. Organizations capabilities such as managerial abilities, learning proficiencies, steady delivery and ability to find proper solutions to the issues are some of the factors that play a key role in formulating strategic choices. PwC is purely a services company active in the numerous field such as audit and assurance that include internal audit, financial statement audit, corporate reporting, IFRS reporting, peril assurance, a ctuarial insurance, capital markets, corporate treasury solution consultation services that include services in finance, operations, technology, risk, people and change deals that include mergers and acquisition tax, corporate finance, business recovery services, transaction services, valuation and strategy family business services and human resource services that include talent management, human capital step & benchmarking, social security, and many more. A vast human talent pool that PwC has developed over the age is a major driving force in growth of the organization and making the organization sensation of the most coveted auditing and consulting firm in the world (PwC, 2013). Tackling Todays Challenges A cleverness Perspective Ever since the supposition of globalisation has made rapid strides the firms admit been facing an increasing challenge to build competitive advantage in the market place. Under the changed scenarios, the firms have been compelled to make strategic collaborations or partnerships mergers or acquisition to raise synergy in their operations and reduce their overall costs. In the most dynamic and ever-changing world, organisations need to show enough resilience and adjust to the new situations quickly. Tallman (2009) emphasises that dynamic capabilities of the firm help resolve appear issues more effectively. PwC is an auditing cum consulting services firm of a long standing. Overtime, the company has acquired numerous capabilities and strategic concepts that have put the company into the forefront in the global audit and consulting business worldwide. The key strength of PwC is a capacity to tackle todays challenges based on depth and breadth of its capabilities. The company serves to the largest of the multinational corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises. The companys clients are from the different geographical areas working in their own business environment to meet their objectives. It would be interest to explore how PwC has been successfully accomplishing various tasks through the following example. Enterprise Architecture A True Capability Assessment In 2012, International Data Corporation (IDC), a market research firm, conducted vendor estimate of the enterprise architecture (EA) practices of large consulting firms. The assessment took into consideration qualitative and quantitative aspects of the services provided based on certain assigned criteria. IDC analysts framed standard

Cross Cultural Management Issues of UK, China, Spain, and Finland Essay

Cross Cultural Management Issues of UK, China, Spain, and Finland - Essay ExampleThis paper leave alone assess the management issues which could get in an inter discipline team consisting of English, Chinese, Spanish and Finnish members. It will and so seek to propose methods for addressing these issues and dealing with them effectively. Cross-Cultural Concepts and Issues Which Could Arise There exist many differing theories as to the air in which civilisations differ considerably on several levels. One pertinent theory put out by Maletzke (1996) categorises cultural differences into 9 groups. Although these will be briefly stated, they are relevant in assessing which problems could arise for a manager of an international group. Maletzke states that cultural differences stick out consist in many dissimilar categories (1996). The national character of a culture consists in the shared basic behavioural patterns and soulality traits of the people in the culture. In the business arena this can be an issue if one culture, being inherently different to another, finds it difficult to understand, or co-operate with the other. For example, the Spanish culture is open, loud and friendly whereas the Finnish culture is courtly, softly communicate and favours courteousness. This may cause the Finnish person to be offended or overwhelmed by the playful, less public figureal characteristics of the Spanish person. The Spanish may also overwhelm the Chinese person as Chinese execute to be more softly spoken and less verbal. Another important element of culture is judgment of conviction concept, which has the potential to differ greatly between cultures and cause problems when co-ordinating meetings and planning schedules. Here there exists the potential for the Chinese and the English person to conflict in that the former is less prompt for meetings, and often has no ameliorate start or end sentence whereas the English person desires a more specified form of tim e management. This also applies to the Spanish who may stand alone in his lack of planning, relaxed perception of time and lack of willingness to restrict his day to particularly planned schedules and meeting times. The space concept of culture can cause problems in that the Finnish, English and Chinese may conflict with the Spanish concept of space. The Mediterranean culture of the Spanish places little importance on private space, and may even out adopt constant forms of sensual contact in order to communicate and express himself. This may cause discomfort, particularly for the Finnish culture which is likely to see physical contact between mere business associates as inappropriate and even offensive. For example, the Finnish method of greeting is a simple handshake with a smile, as is the English method. The Spanish is more likely to shake hands, yet place a hand on the back of the person he greets, or even kiss the cheek of the person he greets. The two methods are earlier di fferent and have the potential to cause issues in the business arena. Perception as a facial expression of culture also has the potential to be an issue, in that it could represents which each culture defines as important and non-important. by chance the largest potential of raising issues is the language and non-verbal communication of each culture. Of course, different languages are a major problem, though more importantly, even if

Human Resource Management Models Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Human Resource Management Models - Essay ExampleThe soft start out appears to be the better option considering the human ability to change and adapt, but as we will see, it cannot be used alone to manage human preferences. We need to integrate approaches and find a multidisciplinary approach to relations with deal. How much of people worry depends on theory and how much cannot be measured In theory, drill and in the workplace experience, though people appear to be of central concern, the rich, warm, unpredictable face of humanity are all too clearly absent.Perhaps the most difficult question to answer is whether people are better lead or managed. Do people respond better when encouraged by a leader or when they are managed To begin with, it is necessary to understand what human resource focusing is and how it works. Every business runs on resources and the one resource that it cannot function without, is its staff. Human resource management is consequently about getting the most out of staff members (Human Resource Management Guide). Human resource management also, however, includes deciding which individuals are better suited to which position as well as conducting sufficient query to determine the best placement of individuals (McNamara 2008). We can now determine what has to be done with regards to human resource management, but in that respect are two ways of going about this we can either feel at the humanistic approach or at the objective rough approach. ... Two schools of thought were developed with hard and soft theories in mind Harvard and Michigan. Harvard follows the soft model more closely while Michigan is found on the soft model. The normative model seeks to consolidate both the strategic management of the business as well as the interpretive model which is considered soft ( branchia 3). The problem here is that according to Gill (1999) there are problems in the integration of HRM policy with business strategy and evidence indicates that HRM is more ad hoc than strategic.(Gill 1999 3). In this case, one cannot assume that what is vertical for he business is necessarily good for the employee (Gill 1999 3). The hard model would so focus on the employee as a resource, assuming that whatever causes the business to soar, will automatically catch the employee (Gill 1999 4). The intuitive problem is that humans are not controllable and they are not constant. Humans cannot be paid off or compensated with more pay without regarding emotions or feelings even though this is a simple solution to a complex issue. In Gill and Meyer (2007) it was ascertained that outsourcing of certain business portions yielded dramatic results (Gill and Meyer 2007 4). These results were not necessarily good ones, in the sense that businesses no longer had to employ people to do the jobs they could outsource, leading to job-losses and retrenchment. Despite this, there has to be an increase in individual soft model relationships with emplo yees if the employee numbers are smaller (Gill and Meyer 2007 4-5). According to Gill and Meyer too, human resource management has to manage the simultaneous pursuit of soft and

Financial information management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

fiscal information management - Essay ExampleFor instance due to financial crisis many western countries invested a significant portion of their funds in the equities of growing Asian countries like China and India. This is known as supranational diversification and enables an investor in tackling the country specific risk. The integration of the global financial markets has facilitated the creation of international portfolio which besides mitigating the risk factor helps in taking advantage of the markets of the developing economies.A pct portfolio in the main comp heightens of securities of various sectors. For effective diversification the sectors should be non-related such as oil subtlety companies and automobile. A rise in the price of oil is beneficial for the oil refining company but this can adversely impact the sales of the automobile company. This will push up the share price of the oil refining companies but will batter the share price of the automobile companies. Thus the value of the portfolio will live protected as the fall in its value due to a fall in the share price of automobile company like Rolls Royce will be compensated by the rise in the price of the oil refining company. This highlights the advantage of investing in a portfolio.The share portfolio that has been constructed comprises of securities belonging to varied sectors like pharmaceutical, healthcare, food & drug retailers, financial services, software etc. By including the stocks of different sectors, the risk of a fall in the portfolio value has been minimized. Any adverse, sector specific news will only collide with the shares of that particular sector, without influencing the share price of the other sectors. This will keep the portfolio value intact which is the ultimate claim of investing in a portfolio.In the IT industry the stock chosen is Autonomy Corporation. The company features among the die Software 500 companies published by Software Magazine (Financial Express , 2009). This ranking is based in scathe of

Research paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Research composition - Essay Examplery Peters in the play along with other individuals were of the opinion that women identification was dependent on the male counterparts of the beau monde. In this context, in accordance to the play Henderson refers Mrs. Peters to be a henchman of rectitude. The reason fucking the statement is that Mrs. Peter is the wife of Henry Peters, who is the Sherriff and follows the law. According to Henderson, as Henry Peter is a real follower of the law of the state. Therefore, his wife would also be a reliable follower of law. However, in the react Mrs. Peter said, Not-just that way Trifles (page 1-10). The reply of Mrs. Peter suggested that she does non want to be considered as the follower of law as she had been the wife of a Sheriff, but she wants to portray that being independent women she also is a follower of the resembling law. In the play, it was further concluded by Mrs. Hale saying, All go through the same things-its all just a different kind of the same thing Trifles (page 1-10). This conclusion made by Mrs. Hale suggesting that such kind of mistake is made by almost every individual and the women should not be considered on the basis of a judgmental decision with regard to the profession of her husband Trifles (page 1-10).This concept of the female identity is to be determined by the relationship with the male member and is significantly applicable to the modern day. It has been observed in several parts of the world that the female members are recognized by the profession of the male members in the family. These male members may either be their husband or father. This is conspicuously observed in the case of the wives of the terrorist and the other criminals of the world. These women are also considered as terrorists or criminals by the society irrespective of their participation in any sort of offensive crimes. This is not only observed in case of the terrorist or criminals of the society, but also in case of the noble people. The wives and daughters of the

European Convention of Human Rights and UK law Essay

European Convention of Human Rights and UK law - Essay ExampleThe various conflicts and revolutions in the existence have shaped the concept of human rights as we know it. In the last two ace C and fifty years, we see the clamour for human rights as the clamour of a world and of the various peoples at heart it for equality and independence. The European Convention on Human Rights was crafted with the end in view of promoting and preserving these rights.In the ECHR, the writer has chosen Articles 10, which pertains to Freedom of Expression. It While the right to free speech and assembly is a cryst totallyized rule that has been place almost since the beginning of time, enjoying a cherished position in the bill of rights of virtually all civilized legal systems, the interpretation of what constitutes free and protected speech still has yet to be dead refined. This provision has been invoked many times over in the course of history, whether within the European Union or outside, s uccessfully and unsuccessfully and Courts have had many opportunities to set standards and devise guidelines to determine if the speech in challenge should be protected or not. It becomes to a greater extent difficult when the right to free speech competes with another precept, for example, the principle of public order. In easy cases, all that should be done is look through jurisprudence until one finds the applicable case with similar facts. In hard cases with novel facts, the role of the judge becomes infinitely more difficult. The boundaries are ever-shifting and internally, the judge will be trying not only to apply the law, but to motif the facts of the case in question to her own subjective inquiry in order to determine purpose or mens rea. Statement of the lawArticle 10 of the ECHR reads1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thoughtfulness. this right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public au thority and regardless of frontiers. This phrase shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises. 2. The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to much(prenominal) formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or the rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary. The United nation law that will be examined in get of compatibilities and non-compatibilities are the Human Rights Act 1998, in particular the provision on the right to free expression and the right to privacy and the Public Order Act. T he Human Rights Act 1998 received royal assent on November 9, 1998 and came into force on October 2, 2000. The objective of said Act was to harmonize the domestic law of the United Kingdom with the European Convention on Human Rights. To reaffirm the commitment of the UK to human rights and civil

Sand mandala by tibetan buddhist Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sand mandala by tibetan buddhist - Essay showcasetive energy in the environment, the sand ga at that placed from a mandala ceremony endure be used in person or animals that are dying or stick a portion of the sand on the crown top of the head (You Tube b).Ceremonies using different musical instruments to make a dawdler sound and chanting are necessary as it enables the participants to experience peace of mind and deep closeness before and after the creation of sand mandala. The monotone sound also enables the monks and other participants to meditate in silence together (You Tube b). On the other hand, the process of pouring the sand into a creek is being done in order to allow the sand to flow with the water. This process symbolizes the spreading blessings, go to sleep and compassion to all human beings.Having read and observed how sand mandala is being performed is a very practised experienced. Based on my personal observation and experiences about sand mandala, I have learn ed that the cardinal different parts of the center of the mandala symbolizes the eight noble paths of Tibetan Buddhism which includes (1) decline understanding (2) right estimate (3) right speech (4) right action (5) right livelihood (6) right effort (7) right mindfulness and (8) right concentration regardless of the art design of the mandala (Rahula, p. 45).These eight highlighted characteristics are actually the key factors that can bring us inner happiness, contentment in life, and freedom from anger. With the use of right speech, right action, and right livelihood, we can easily avoid actions that can cause harm to other people. For example Being careful with the words we use when we speak to other people combined with choosing a morally acceptable agate line can lessen the chance that we can cause emotional pain to another person (Bodhi, p. 41). Therefore, there is a higher chance that we will receive good karma in our next life. Likewise, having the opportunity to in per son experience how sand mandala is being conducted also made me able to

Campaign financing is protected under the First Amendment and is a Essay

Campaign financing is protected under the First Amendment and is a form of unblock speech - Essay ExampleThe sources include bodies like companies in the possession of the state or those that are independently held. The event of funding campaigns comprises of variant views from scholars. There are people who support the actions whereas others refute this idea. reinforcement campaigns is an exceedingly freewill to corporations and entities (Hudson, 2011). This has explanations in the idea that corporations have contractual capacities. This explains that they batch create agreements. This essay seeks to search the arguments supporting financing of campaigns and oppositions of this argument. One originator why corporations can lend funds is that they have rights. This doer that they inculpate rights similar to those of a person. Therefore, corporations can lend money to any persons that they please. For instance, funding money is an expression of people. This imbibes that a co rporate can lawfully offer funds to campaigns. This explains that the corporate entail right to form without intimidation from rule enforcers. Therefore, corporations possess possible capabilities to fund campaigns (Saad, 2010). Companies presume the position of people that own rights. This is upstanding reason for enabling corporations to finance campaigns. Apart from the idea that entities can fund other partnerships, they also entail the top executive to own wealth. This shows the truth aligned with acting of corporations. The first Amendment entails the facts that corporations can blank space for speech. One of the ways that it can express this freedom is concerning the way it handles decisions. The amendment offers that corporations can strategize their plans without counteractions. Therefore, companies have the place to execute their decisions without facing objections (Smith, 2007). This ensures that his or her actions have no one to outlaw. Bodies executing law ought t o let companies perform their missions without interruption. The first amendment explains that companies entail the space to decide on their bill. This ensures that their funds have no second deciders. This is a result of the first amendment. Therefore, the corporations can act without feeling exploited by the authorities. This gives companies a leeway to decide on the places to invest their capital. Corporations depict the idea that their funds become exploited according to their decisions. The requirements of law ensure that everything corporations have contractual power (Kerch, 2003). Therefore, campaigns can source resources from corporations. The other reason for insisting on the financing of campaigns is the idea that they require the monetary resource to function. This is explains that campaigns entail hefty capital that has to be solicited. These funds help many political bodies strategize their missions. This explains that the bodies entail to reach out what they perceive best for the entities. The other thing is that the entities have to ensure that they perform their decisions according to the provision in the amendment act. Campaigns necessitate finances so that they can be captivating moving in their actions. Another reason is the fact that corporations entail heavy capital. This explains reasons why campaigns solicit finances from them. This is because campaigns require heavy capital in executing their convincing. This is something entailing investing of high amounts of funds. Campaigns require sufficient finances that come from stable bodies like corporations. low-spirited entities cannot avail ample resources to run campaigns. Therefore, ample funds emanate from able bodies like corporations. Therefore, companies have the power of deciding whether to help campaigners. This is a requirement of the act that companies follow their rightful decisions. The other fact is

Project management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 7

Project management - Essay ExampleQuality assurance includes two major(ip) elements the first is quality control examination which comprises the examination of the physical characteristics of the structure, system, material, component, part, and subsequent comparison with the acceptable standards associated with those examinations (Arditi & Gunaydin, 1997). The assist element of quality assurance is termed as quality administration. This is defined as the management and documentation which assures that the qualify quality control examinations were carried out. In general, the contractors definition is preferred by the project scheme since it defines the vehicles by which all project requirements argon to be determined and identified. The word quality has different meanings in different circumstance the quality of a product may have greater or lesser significance depending on the need and requirement of the user. Thus, quality is the degree to which a product meets the requirement of the customer. On the other hand, Quality control includes all the efforts to manage quality and maintain assurance of continued full(prenominal) quality of a product or service. Thus quality control conveys an idea about ascertain and maintaining that quality of product or service which will satisfy the consumer by its performance, cost and delivery.It is important to meet the difference between quality assurance and quality control. Quality control is used to prove that deliverables are of recognized quality, and that they are complete and right. Quality assurance, however, refers to the procedure used to create deliverables and can be do by a manager, client or even a third party. Also, Quality assurance is found on the process approach. Quality monitoring and assurance ensures that processes and systems are developed in a path that deliverables are of superior quality. This process is intended to

Is there still a need for affirmative action in america Essay

Is there still a need for affirmative movement in america - audition ExampleThe goal of affirmative action has had its critics and its execution has not been flawless, but to eradicate the policy of comparability is to disregard Civil Rights Movement victories and turn the clock backwards towards the days of blatant racism in the pre-1970s U.S. The debate encompassing affirmative action is more far-reaching than the issue of legality alone. It is the ethical duty of every person and organization in the country to try to stop all forms of racism. However, there is a section of the populace who will not acknowledge and have fervently objected to affirmative action on legal terms and as a social answer to bigotry. They often argue that affirmative action is an example of two wrongs not making a right. They further claim that reverse discrimination has been the result. Of pattern they do not challenge conventional forms of favoritism and discriminatory practices that continue to bene fit the wealthy and prestigious factions of society.Many times, affirmative action arguments divide down racial lines as evidenced by employee plectrum practices continuing to discriminate. An example is the exclusionary practice of the preferential treatment given to university applications submitted by kids of alumni. In place for legion(predicate) generations, these practices have produced a vast over-representation of the middle and upper class white persons in universities consequently in lucrative professional occupations. These perpetual power positions in society allow this elite group to corroborate its subjugation of the working class. Affirmative action helps balance the playing field for everybody. Of course, even with balancing policies in place, the white, wealthy portion of society enjoy still benefit from the scales justice being tipped toward them for so long. The argument of reverse discrimination

American Sci-fi Films of the 1990s Research Paper

Ameri merchantman Sci-fi Films of the 1990s - Research Paper ExampleAt this point, we saw more(prenominal) realistic and even more grandiose computer-generated images on our movie screens. The digital world made the impossible possible and exemplified the reality that anything and everything can this instant be translated to the big screen (Hall and Neale, 253). Since everything can be done in computers, what was previously un picture showable was now a distinct possibility for many filmmakers. by dint of digital technology, battles in space through the film Starship Troopers became a much more realistic fare and floating on air became slight of a wire-controlled exercise in the movie The Matrix. The themes for most scholarship fiction movies however, for the most part, retained elements of fierceness seen in earlier science fiction movies. Violence in these movies is in its bigger picture. It is important to annotation that the 1990s also signify the post Cold War period, and yet, the threats of smart bombs and high technology ordnance store very much grace these 90s movies (Rukeyser, 45). We also see the media spectacles of the Gulf Wars translated in movies, and later, that of the war on terrorism. The Cold War may be over and the threat of a nuclear war lessened, alone in both the fantasies of science fiction film and the reality of the news, violence is in our face compound and perfected with military and media technology, but violence nonetheless (Rukeyser, 45). These new avenues for entertainment have taken on more picturesque images in film and the popularity of such films has grown even more. As the violence has evolved passim the years, the darker and more violent image of the future have also been seen in these films. These darker and more violent depictions highlighting the post-apocalytic images of the future, easily brought to life in the screen through computer-generated visual effects (Cornea, 161). These futuristic images are pate nt in the movies, The Matrix, Johnny Mnemonic, The Lawnmower Man series, and The Net. These movies also portray the fact that the violence and the sinfulness is not just in our surroundings or our environment, but they are also in us. Through these depictions the science fiction genre now exemplifies how the current reality can be thrown absent guard and can be differentiated from our realistic experience of the world (Bould, 139). On a supreme note, these movies seek to present a postmodernist view of the world, a rejection of all things modern and how such technical developments have ran rampant over the world and over our lives. To a certain extent, even as they practice the modern technologies introduced in recent years, these same technologies are also depicted for the problems they have and will take away to humanity (Lopez, 137). The Matrix movies especially show how technology has led to more problems and issues. These problems and issues created by technology append s upport to the importance of returning to the past and the traditional way of doing things (Rukeyser, 46). They present opposing views on modernism, depicting modernism as one which can potentially be more trouble than it is worth. The 1990s science fiction movies use different modern functions and powers. They often bring together opposing elements. In new(prenominal) words, science fiction is a double-edged sword (Schummer, 142). In effect, it can sometimes be keen-sighted and emotional, and it sometimes coordinates the secular and the scientific

The Whiteness Questions Reading + Questions Coursework

The Whiteness Questions Reading + Questions - Coursework ExampleAccording to the arguments presented in the article, it seems that many whites do not richly see to it the meaning of whiteness in the American context. Even with this as the case, racism, gender discrimination, and imperialism still persists. Interestingly, the whites parade an identity that they cannot adequately explain. However, the stimulate, gender, and the white-self factors hold the answer to the contemporary whiteness question.White plurality have define themselves based on their white race and gender, but they have overlooked self-actualization relative to this race. The author argues that a good percentage of the white population is still struggling to understand the meaning of whiteness from a political and historical point of view. Amid this, whiteness continues to sink in the hearts of the whites, thus enabling them to understand the dynamics of whiteness and what comprises racism out of the whiteness question.It emerges from the reading that there are white people who have never considered the white to be a race. From this perspective, it can only be argued that a race comprises of people of touch obviously this not true. This indirect notion was to some extent uncomfortable at a personal level. It never occurred to me before that the whites do not fully understand their whiteness. On the another(prenominal) hand, the fact that there are white people who are always joining the civil rights interest group in favor of people of color resonated with me.The whiteness question is undoubtedly important to address. The issues raised by this question affect whites and people of color in one way or another. However, there is an net personal question and point of confusion when it comes to asserting who is really white and what exactly it takes to be white. What I do not understand is the pure aspect of whiteness.Personally, I have interacted with both whites and people of color from the North and South sides of the United States. From my experience, the

INDUSTRIAL MARKETING Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

INDUSTRIAL MARKETING - Coursework ExampleIn the shortstop term, such a growth strategy can be incredibly effective for several reasons. The first of all is the visual of it. Acquiring new companies is a sign of growth and vigour for a high society, which makes investors find the caller more(prenominal) desir fit, artificially inflating its value. But the real statistics of growth would also, in the short term, be very positive, demonstrate a new growth in assets as well as operating revenue year over year.2. This growth strategy failed for several reasons. In one way, it was doomed to fail from the start. This is because the fundamental social system was real somewhat akin to a pyramid scheme. As it acquired more and more companies it became more and more difficult to find other companies to acquire, and eventually this would have limited its field of growth in a fundamental way. But the failures of management at Worldcom also ensured that this collapse happened sooner than it might have had to. The company never streamlined its acquisitions to take advantages of economies of scale. Yet the costs of managing more and more small, subdivided companies, handling the massive amounts of contrastive kinds of structures, billing systems, accounting systems and so on would grow. So the sum of all of the acquired companies was, with every new acquisition, actually somewhat less efficient than they had been pre-acquisition. For a short period of time the new acquisitions would be able to paper over this inefficiency, at least superficially, but the venture was destined to failure unless major integration efforts were pursued, which they never were. In an attempt to continue the superficial image of success, the company undertook malfeasance in their accounting techniques, come on harming their long term chances of success.3. It took such a long time for several reasons. One is that every indication of success that businesses usually tend to measure would have been positive - operating income, net

Differentiated instructional strategies in practice Assignment

Differentiated managemental strategies in practice - Assignment Example diligent essay assessments and psychometric test question are based on the topic taught in the classroom. And main counselling would be on the new ideas that have been taught in the classroom. Informal testing is through with(p) my asking ergodic questions to the students regarding the topic covered in the classroom. Testing is the dependable strategy for post assessment as it helps to fit students weak and strong areas. Question 2 One of the main advantages of using pre-assessment come on in the classroom is that teachers already know the information that are required to know about the students. Pre-assessment is alert for every teachers because it helps to find out students needs and strengths. Post-assessment is done know what students have wise to(p) during the process. K-W-L chart is one of the strategies of pre-assessment that helps to know the level of understanding of the students. Testing strate gy is one of the post-assessment strategies that help to test the knowledge acquired by students. The purpose and necessity of assessment of learning is to provide feedback to both learner and teacher regarding the progress of the learner. Written or verbal feedback given to the students regarding their performance is primarily descriptive and identifies challenges to next steps. This feedback puke be used by teacher which would help to develop further assertion. Modification of instruction that stooge be done on pre-assessment Student should do study sheet and should write a compendious before the start of the lesson. Making flowchart of the working progress of the student. To express previously acquired knowledge archetype map should be created. Offering details feedback during the process of learning. Modification of instruction that shadower be done on post-assessment... Differentiated instructional strategies in practiceDifferentiated instruction is based on the principl e that every student can learn at their best and gain necessary knowledge when they can make link of relationship between their various experiences and curriculum activities. Learning at the highest level occurs at the time when students are pushed to go further from the point where they dont need any assistance. quite than teaching simply by giving a single avenue for learning, teachers use divergentiated instruction for every gifted student. Differentiated instruction requires acknowledgement, commitment and proper planning due to the fact that experiences and diverse ability can create huge impact on the learning process of students.Differentiated instruction helps students to engage in the classroom by interacting and participating in a higher way (Gregory & Chapman, 2013). every last(predicate) the students have different strengths, learning styles and abilities. Classroom activities help every student to adapt to meet different styles and abilities.Differentiated instructio n helps students to encourage for challenges and complexity. It provides task that has various levels of difficulty and complexity that helps every student to add readiness level.Differentiated instruction helps students to support their interests and choices. It helps to provide multiple chances for every student to study and an set up of extensions and application thats helps students to enhance learning.

Mind Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Mind - Essay ExampleI certify that, buy food where cited in the text, this work is the result of research carried out by the author of this canvas. The main content of the study which has been presented contains work that has not previously been reported anywhere.This written report is for an assignment about software for cooperative work and phenomenological analysis. The assignment is divided into two activities. action mechanism 1 deals with the evaluation of the software Timbuktu, which is a contradictory control and secure encrypted connection software that is used for vane management on large and distributed networks. Activity 2 of the assignment presents a brief discussion about phenomenological analysis under the Activity 2 for this part.The software Timbuktu is desktop-to-desktop remote control software for use with computers that have the Windows or the Macintosh operating systems. This software is useful for large distributed networks in which hundreds of computers a re linked together over a network that has a substantial spatial spread. Because of the spatial spread, it is likely to be difficult for network maintenance or administrative staff to traverse substantial distances to troubleshoot computers or to load files onto the machines. Timbuktu makes it possible for remote computers to be manipulated through network interconnection with a local computer. This is a great help when very many computers have to be looked after, but it must be noted that at the time of writing, Timbuktu is not available specifically for the diorama operating system, although it is likely that the capability of Vista to run legacy software systems will permit Timbuktu to be used on machines with this operating system.Complimentary media can be considered as being a communications media which is capable of replacing the established or the traditional or which is capable of providing support for

Learning contracts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Learning contracts - Essay slipmises are, so as to go through both the customers and staff and I understand the varying personalities of the different types of customers, for example, well-ordered and non regulars, students and non students, young and old, fat and not fat and many more. Thus, I know how to creatively use my military position in gearing the company to analyse and understand its customers.My social skills are above average as I do learned social psychology and given the level of my work experience which cuts across varied socio economic backgrounds, I have been able to blend this with my education background in this plain to equip myself to be a professional. My goal is to run my own pizza company. To demonstrate that I have met the outcome, I keep records and analyse the customer turnover and customer staff relation, which show the level of pertain I have on my subordinates in steering and motivating them and equipping them with the skills to deliver good pizz as and service. I do this by personally going through contents in the suggestion box and questionnaires among others.P1. take a hop on your performance during the work placement and on what you have learned, applying appropriate theories of learning and reflective techniques, and providing present to support your conclusionsMy performance has been regarded by my superiors as impressive, since I have helped them to significantly promote their brand name, tour the junior staffs see me as a sociable and likable person due to my ease in relating with them and the customers. Carrying out my duties, I have applied my knowledge of Maslow hierarchy of needs to critically analyse and understand the company. I have been voted employee of the month 5 times in a row.T1.Operate effectively in the work situation, exercising behaviours, attitudes and work skills (e.g. communication, team-working, problem solving, motivation and self-management) appropriate to your job/role and work

Changes in Political Culture Between 2004 and 2008 Essay Example for Free

Changes in Political Culture Between 2004 and 2008 EssayAfter variant all of the lecture nones and spending quite some time browsing the internet, I found 3 things that dramatically changed between the 2004 and 2008 Presidential picks. Media exercise, technology and the change in demographics played major roles in the 2008 elections. Media influence was the number one change between 2004 and 2008. Although the media played a big part of the 2004 elections, that election does not comp are to the media frenzy of 2008. In 2008, tv set became the primary medium for conveying the campaign to Americans. The television carry de taked hours a day to observing every small item, almost all of it live. Little was verbalise back and forth between the campaigns that were not inform quickly by a media outlet. Across the medium, 67% of the time on cable came from talk format or live standup. Only 23% came from reported pieces in which correspondents have control of the message. (2) Wha t press stories made a difference in 2008? There was much reporting on the background and character of candidates during the primaries, when the process of discovery was new and went on longer.Yet arguably, the dickens most important stories about Obama came from a church DVD (the sermon by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. ) and a tape made by a blogger doubling as a supporter (Mayhill Fowler) ,working for Huffington Post, who recorded Obamas carryment about bitter small-town voters. The reporting on Sarah Palins background in Alaska by versatile news organizations probably represents the most memorable example of first-hand, pro-active reporting into candidate backgrounds during the general election in 2008. 2) These are just a few of the examples of how the media bandwagon was so influential during 2008. It does not matter the party linkup or beliefs, we all followed a certain media outlet of choice during that time. The due south change between 2004 and 2008 was that Americans immovable to get out and vote. Mainly due to the media frenzy, Americans stormed the ballot boxes none the less. Demographics were a very close second to the media during this time of change. The change in numbers is almost unbelievable.The electorate in last years presidential election was the most racially and heathenally diverse in U. S. history, with nearly one-in-four votes cast by non- whites, according to a new analysis of Census Bureau data by the Pew Research Center. (3) The unprecedented variety show of the electorate last year was driven by increases both in the number and in the turnout rate of minority eligible voters. Much of the surge in mysterious voter participation in 2008 was driven by increased participation among black women and younger voters.The voter turnout rate among eligible black female voters increased 5. 1 percentage points, from 63. 7% in 2004 to 68. 8% in 2008. Among all racial, ethnic and gender groups, black women had the highest voter turnout rate in Novembers election a first. Overall, whites made up 76. 3% of the record 131 million people who voted in Novembers presidential election, while blacks made up 12. 1%, Hispanics 7. 4% and Asians 2. 5%. The white share is the lowest ever, yet is still higher than the 65. 8% white share of the total U.S. population. (3) The third and final thing that changed between the 2004 and 2008 Presidential elections was technology, especially the internet and hearty media sites. According to a survey conducted by Complete and released by Cisco about the influence of online moving-picture show and social media applications on Americans political engagement, the Internet was cited by 62 percent of respondents as a regularly used source for 2008 presidential election information and coverage, which was surpassed only by television (82%).Nearly a quarter of Americans (24%) says that they regularly learned something about the campaign from the Internet almost ikon the percentage from a co mparable point in the 2004 campaign (13%). (4) The Internet has, and has forever, changed the role of how presidential campaigns are fought, and how Americans attain their political news and information. Were it not for the Internet, Barack Obama would not be president. Were it not for the Internet, Barack Obama would not have been the nominee, tell Arianna Huffington, editor in chief of The Huffington Post, at a conference on How Politics and Web 2. Intersect, at the Web 2. 0 Summit in San Francisco. (4) The tools changed between 2004 and 2008. Barack Obama won every single caucus state that matters, and he did it because of those tools, because he was able to move thousands of people to organize, Joe Trippi said. (4) In conclusion I can unimpeachably see the major changes in political culture between the 2004 and 2008 Presidential elections. I also bank these changes started around the 2006 general elections and continued to progress for the next 2 years.It will be very kindle to watch the 2010 general elections and 2012 Presidential election to see how much influence the media and internet have. I hypothecate it will only progress until there is literally a live camera around anytime a candidate is in a public setting. Hopefully the trend of people getting out to vote is here to stay. For as Louis LAmour said To make democracy work, we must be a notion of participants, not simply observers.

History of Musical Films Essay Example for Free

taradiddle of musical comedy Films EssayBy 1928, Hollywood was invaded by ripe theater. Silent films make an honorable exit. Vaudeville was to a fault being wiped out. It signaled a phenomenon Tinseltown was not quite prepared for. It was the time of sound facilities and infrastructures. Later on Broadway composers were hired to write screen melodiouss ( score of Musical Film, 2004). The first supply to make a transition from silent film to sound was Warner Bros. 1927 The Jazz Singer starring Al Jolson who mostly did the singing in the movie (Musical Film, 2006). One MGM musical theater hit capable the doors to the musical film musical style. This was the 1929 Broadway Melody with a score by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed. The story was well-nigh two sisters fighting over their love of a song and dance man. It cost $379,000. 00 and grossed for $1. 6 million in its first release. Its title tune is You Were Meant for Me. It was the first sound film to win an Academy a ppoint for Best Picture. MGMs production chief Irving Thalberg was credited for bringing in a string of musical hits since Broadway Melody. (History of Musical Film 1927-1930 founder II, 2004).Love Parade from Paramount followed on the homogeneous year by silent screen director Ernst Lubitch. It is a lighthearted operetta inspired by Broadway to fit the screen starring soprano Jean Macdonald as a young royalty and Maurice cavalier as the French playboy diplomat. (History of Musical Film 1927-1930 Part II, 2004). The 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s were considered the gilded age of musical films. Following are some of the popular musical films Hollywood Revue of 1929 with Joan Crawford from MGM, Cecil B. Demilles Madam Satan (1930). 932 mid-Depression saw the making of Love Me Tonight, a collaboration of Richard Rogers, Lorenz Hart, and director Rouben Mamoulian. Rogers and Hart move with Hallelujah, Im a Bum (1933) with Al Jolson. (History of Musical Film 1930s Part I, 2003).Forty Secon d Street by dance Broadway director Busby Berkeley choreographed the dance sequences objet dart composer Harry Warren and lyricist Al Dublin created the score. It was a million dollar hit for a $400,000 production. It was followed by Footlight Parade (1933), The Gold Diggers (1933) and Hollywood Hotel (1937). History of Musical Film 1930s Part II 2004). Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers entered the musical scene in 1933 through Flying Down to Rio, The Gay Divorcee (1934), bring in Hat (1935) with a score by Irving Berlin. It was also the time of Shirley Temple in movies such as Stand Up and Cheer (1934), The dwarfish Colonel (1935), among others. Disney produced Fantasia (1940). MGM revived its musical genre with the release of The Merry leave (1934) (History of Musical Film 1930s Part IV 2004). The 1940s saw Warner Brothers Yankee scrawl Dandy (1942) with James Cagney in his Oscar-winning performance.Then independent producer Samuel Goldwyn found Danny Kaye and made Up in Arms (1 944, Wonder Man (1945), among others. It was also the time of Bing Crosby (Road Series, Going My Way, Holiday Inn) and Bob Hope (History of Musical Film Screen 1940s Part I 2003). Judy Garland starred in Little Nellie Kelly (1940), Ziegfeld Girl (1941), Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) directed by Vincente Minneli, her future husband. She appeared in sixteen MGM musicals. Gene Kelley also was a big MGM star in musical movies like For Me and My Gal (1942), On the Town (1949), among others (History of Musical Film 1940s Part III 2004).The 1950s was the decline of the musical film genre and the emergence of television. Some of the musicals produced from 20th Century Fox were Richard Rodgers Oscar Hammerstein IIs. Oklahoma (1955), Carousel (1956), King and I (1956). conspiracy Pacific (1958). Warner Brothers released some Doris Day films, Love Me or Leave Me (1955), The Pajama Game (1957). Paramount produced What Christmas (1954) while Walt Disney released musical animations such as Cinder ella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty. MGM released Kiss Me Kate (1953) and High Society (1956) (History of Musical Film Screen 1950s, 2003).

Formative Assessment Essay Example for Free

Formative judgement EssayThese modes to a fault modify me, as a teacher to measure success at heart the classroom. To evaluate whether cultivation is taking place, there be three appreciatement methods to use. Initial estimation To prise the learning capabilities of the learner an initial estimate testament take place. This will enable me to determine whether there atomic number 18 either learning difficulties that may doctor the learning and education process. Once some(prenominal) difficulties are found the relevant support can be given to the learner. Formative AssessmentThis method is used to monitor the learning show up of the learners during the descriptor. It will enable me to provide feedback on their progress and also give the learner the opportunity to give me feedback on my performance. This method can also highlight ant problems that may subscribe to o be addressed. Summative Assessment Summative estimations takes place at the end of each lam or learning session. It will assess to what extent learning has been achieved and to enable me to re-evaluate my own teaching methods. This will eitherow verifiers to assign course grades and certification.1. 2 EXPLAIN THE USE OF METHODS OF ASSESSMENT IN LIFELONG LEARNING To explain how appraisals show progress and achievement, it is inherent to learn what an assessment is. Assessment for learning is a term used to describe how evidence of school-age child learning is take downed by me the teacher and is used by both bookmans and teachers to decide where a disciple is within their learning and what they motive to do better or to keep to the level that they are work at. Assessment for learning is a very effective way to put on record that learning and good teaching are being achieved.Assessment for learning is a joint process in the midst of student and teacher where both are diligent in an on-going process of student progress and development. The assessment to use will depend on the subject in my case spanish and any requirements of the organisations involved. Although all teachers should use some initial assessment to identify necessitate of the learner and to see if they birth any previous experience in the language work hard-boiled to them which in my subject would be spanish. Assessment methods can be recorded for theme or individualls to reflect on the ability of the students.The student or learning group and the activities you select and the learning outcomes might affect your choice of assessment methods in a lesson. Formative assessment takes place during learning with the purpose of improving learning and involves me as the teacher magnanimous feed back into the learning process to help me as the teacher, to decide whether a student is doctor to move on or fates to practice what is being learnt, or has still yet to learn. It is usually the teachers final decision as to whether a student is ready to move on to the next stage of the course .Formative assessment can take a variety of forms colleague and egotism-importance assessment, verbal and written, questioning and marking. Summative assessment happens at the end of a course. To measure and talk to the student/groups somewhat what they withstand learned so far in the lessons. Summative learning is less about informing and improving the learning process precisely more about measuring the end guide for example end of year exam. 1. 3 Compare the strengths and limitations of assessment methods to meet individual learner unavoidablenesss. scholarly person questioning is an effective way for engaging students within the learning process, obtaining existing knowledge of the chosen course and demonstrating, opinion and sympathizeing of the students enables me to informally yet plasticly assess their knowledge and the takeing of the progress the student is reservation with their studying. For example at the beginning of my micro teach session, which was a De-fra gmentation learning exercise, I asked the group if any of them had any previous experiences.This aided me in what level to teach the group. A good ice-breaker can be used as a group activity, as in my micro teach i got the group to exchange questions and answers with the person next to them to get the group engaged. I then dealt with each learner helpmateless after another by asking them how they were getting on and if they understood the subject. This simple entirely effective method engaged the group, then I could address the learners individually and provide individual needs for the said learner. David Miliband statedWe need to do more than engage and empower pupils and parents in the selection of a school their engagement has to be effective in the day-to-day processes of education, at the heart of the way schools create partnerships with professional teachers and support cater to deliver tailor-made services, In other words we need to embrace individual empowerment within as well as surrounded by schools. References Milliband,D (2004)Personalised learning meeting individual learner needs Published by The Learning and kills Network.2. Understand slipway to involve learners in the assessment process. 2. 1. Explain ways to involve the learner in the assessment process. Carol Boston says Black and William (1998b) define assessment mostly to include all activities that teachers and students undertake to get discipline that can be used diagnostically to alter teaching and learning. Under this definition, assessment encompasses teacher observation, classroom discussion, and analysis of student work, including homework and tests.Assessments become formative when the entropy is used to adapt teaching and learning to meet student need. Where and how do we include students in the formative assessment process? What is the role of technology in this feedback cycle? Formative assessment, as I understand it, is an on-going process where both teachers and stu dents evaluate assessment evidence in order to make adjustments to their teaching and learning. Robert Marzano has called it 1 of the more powerful weapons in a teachers arsenal. The formative assessment process can strengthen students abilities to assess their own progress, to set and evaluate their own learning goals, and to make adjustments accordingly. Formative assessment can also elicit valuable feedback from students about what teachers are doing effectively and what they could do better. Student self-importance-Assessment and Reflection Activities which promote meta-cognitive think ofing and ask students to reflect on their learning processes are key to the formative assessment process.When students are asked to think about what they have learned and how they have learned it (the learning strategies theyve used), they are better able to understand their own learning processes and can set new goals for themselves. Students can reflect on their learning in many ways answerin g a set of questions, drawing a picture or set of pictures to represent their learning process, talking with a partner, keeping a learning log or journal, and so on intent Sheets Having students set their own goals and evaluate their progress toward achieving them is an effective part of the formative assessment process.Goal setting has a positive effect on student motivation and learning when the goals are specialised and performance based, comparatively short-term, and moderately difficult. Goal sheets are an effective way to help students set goals and lead their progress. It is best to identify specific goals. For example, I will read in English for 20 proceedings each night is more specific than I will read more. Also, goals need to be manageable in a short period of time and not impossibly difficult.The teacher can personate how to set effective goals and also how to evaluate mavins progress toward achieving them by asking students to periodically write or talk about what they have achieved, what they still would like to achieve, and how they will do it. 2. 2. Explain the role of associate and self-assessment in the assessment programme F. Dochy (2006) said The growing demand for lifelong learners and reflective practitioners has stimulated a re-evaluation of the relationship between learning and its assessment, and has influenced to a large extent the development of new assessment forms much(prenominal)(prenominal) as self-, peer, and co-assessment.Three questions are discussed (1) what are the main findings from research on new assessment forms such as self-, peer and co-assessment (2) in what way can the results be brought together and (3) what guidelines for educational practitioners can be derived from this body of knowledge? A review of literature, based on the analysis of 63 studies, suggests that the use of a combination of different new assessment forms encourages students to become more responsible and reflective. The article conclu des with some guidelines for practitioners. Principles for utilize self and peer assessment1. The purpose for using self and peer assessment should be denotative for staff and students A major reason for using self and peer assessment is for its role in developing students learnings in improving learning and in helping students to improve their performance on assessed work. Additionally, it has a place as a means of summative assessment. 2. There is no reason why peer and self assessment should not contri plainlye to summative assessment In many such cases such assessment will not contribute a major proportion of the mark until it has been well tested and tested.However, in a well-regulated scheme, there is no reason to limit the proportion of the marks involved. It is in particular distinguished that the principles below are noted. 3. Moderation For any situation in which the mark from peer or self assessment contributes towards the final mark of the module, the member of sta ff should maintain the right to moderate student-allocated marks. The initial footstep in alteration of a student-allocated mark may be negotiation with the student(s) concerned.4. Instances of un comme il faut or unlike marking need to be dealt with sensitively Any instances of collusive (friendship) marking need to be dealt with sensitively and firmly. 5. The quality of feedback on student work must be maintained In situations of self and peer assessment, students are usually in a position to learn more than from situations of tutor-marked work. They learn from their engagement in assessing and frequently from oral, in addition to written feedback.However, the tutor should monitor the feedback and, where appropriate, elaborate it to ensure that students receive fair and equal treatment. 6. Assessment mathematical functions should always involve use of well-defined, publicly-available assessment criteria While this is true of all assessment, it is particularly true where relativ ely inexperienced assessors (students) are involved. The assessment criteria may be developed by the tutor, but greater value is gained from the procedure if students are involved in developing the criteria themselves. 7.Involvement of students in assessment needs careful planning Many students see assessment as a job for staff, but at a later stage they are likely to recognise the benefits to their academic learning and learning development. Initial efforts will take time and tutor support. For these reasons, it is preferable that the use of peer and self assessment is seen as a strategy to improve learning and assessment across a whole programme. The greenness situation is for these assessment procedures to appear in isolated modules, a good deal not at level 1. 8.Self and peer assessment procedures should be subject to particularly careful monitoring and evaluation from the tutor and students menses of view It can take time for such procedures to run smoothly and for this rea son, the initial involvement of relatively few marks or solely formative assessment is wise. Student feedback to the tutor on the procedure will be important. 9. The use of peer and self assessment should be accepted as skill development in itself Such procedures are not just another means of assessment but represent the development of self-appraisal/evaluative, analytical, critical and reflective skills.These are important as employability skills and can be recognised in the learning outcomes of a module. References Dochy,F (2006) Studies in Higher Education. Published by Web of Science(2006) 3. 1. Explain the need to keep records of assessment of learning. Record keeping is part of the role and responsibility of the tutor and some often these records are required by law or codes of practice in the institution or industry. save there are boundaries and legislation regarding what can be collected and kept and how it can be used.The selective information Protection Act 1998 states that records must be kept securely, be relevant and not excessive, accurate and up to date and not kept for longer than needed. Students can request a copy of all information held about them under The Freedom of Information Act 2000. All important things to bear in mind. The need for keeping records I like that you are forced to think about why there are these records, not just what they are or how they work. why are these records being kept, to what end? Track progress Prove achievement. Identify issues such as low attendance / learning difficulties Ensure all sections of course have been completed It could be that a lot of these are required by your institution. But Im not sure thats the best answer because I have to. Take it one step further back and think about why the organisation requires you to keep or bow down them. Once youve thought about what records you need then it is on to how you collect and categorise that information. The types of records you would maintain A lot of this focuses more on the pastoral side, which I think is nice.Make sure you show a variety of types of records, to show you have thought about the full spectrum Attendance and assessment Everything in between Tutorials, one to ones, learning reviews / goals / plans 3. 2. Summarize requirements for keeping records of assessment in an organisation. Recording and Keeping Assessment Results some organisations have a process in place for recording the results of assessments, and so does your Registered Training Organisation. It is not quaint as well for assessors to maintain their own records in case of any follow up or appeals. A generic approach would be tax assessor either records or passes on the results for recording Assessor checks that the result has been accurately recorded Result provided to learner There are several reasons why the results need to be kept Feedback to learner Legislative requirements Record in case of appeal Company records for upcoming facts of life needs Recognition of Prior Learning Another reason to maintain a record is for the recognition of prior learning and credit transfer processes. If outcomes can be matched by different training organisations detailed records of exactly how competency is assessed simplify the process.It also means, the competency a learner has acquired in one environment may be considered in another, different environment. With records a learner can apply to have prior learning recognised often before commencing a new training program. While it is necessary to keep a record of the actual result, it can be useful to also keep lucubrate on how the assessment was made. Training Records and Confidentiality Generally speaking, the only way an external person is able to get at another persons record is with the written permission of the person involved.Access to records must be restricted for the pastime of confidentiality. Generally, managers and supervisors have limited access to personal fi les, but consider Who should have access to assessment records? Why would they need the information? What level of detail do they require? Each organisation will have a insurance and procedures for access that should comply with ethical and legal obligations. It would be worthwhile checking your store policy and procedures in relation to this area.

Binge Drinking Among College Students and Consequences Essay Example for Free

turn Drinking Among College Students and Consequences Essay gourmandize inebriation is a caper that has continued to vex a toll on the lives of college students despite efforts by the regimen and enlighten administrators to mold the trend. Many studies founder been conducted to reveal the events behind bust swallowable in colleges and campuses. It is clear that for the puzzle of split imbibing in colleges to be resolved, it must all start by reckoning the figures that deviate college students to interlock in this behaviour and the impacts that flop inebriety cast off had on the lives of college students. This is because students who do engage in overgorge insobriety have their reasons to justify their behaviour but often have fai guide to recognize the order of risks that they atomic number 18 exposed to by replete whoop it uping. Among the government initiatives to reduce this problem has been to increase the national beverage age though this has n ot had very oft impact on the level of gourmandize deglutitionable among college students check to several studies.It is worth noting that umpteen students have been indulging in snag insobriety with the apology that it is average as per the finale in their colleges. There atomic number 18 different factors that influence college students to thrust drink including milieual, accessible, developmental, and cognitive factors. though most students who oversupply drink defend their behaviour by citing the positive side of replete boozing such as curbing stress and elevating self-confidence, the consequences ar often costly and regrettable. This essay provides an affirmation on the factors that influence college students to indulge in glut intoxication, including the various spurious touchs rough inebriant consumption. In addition, the essay will shed light on the consequences of gormandize drunkenness and show that contrary to the proclivity of college stude nts to glamorize flood alcoholic beverageism, it is a furious and costly endeavour. Binge inebriety has been defined as soggy episodic intoxicant consumption in which men end up taking five or more(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) drinks in a sitting term women disengage four or more drinks in a sitting (Nelson and Wechsler 287).The prevalence of bacchanalia drinking on college campuses has remained spirited, posing serious health, academic, social, and legal implications. In order to understand binge drinking, it is worth mentioning that drinking is measured in terms of frequency or quantity. While quantity refers to how much, frequency is c at oncerned with measuring how often consumption takes place. A drinking behaviour qualifies as binge drinking if large quantities of alcohol argon consumed within a short judgment of conviction frame (Binge Drinking). By looking at the history and prevalence of binge drinking among college students, it leaves no interrogatio n that changing drinking age over time has had little impact on the prevalence of drinking on college campuses. Beer drinking among college students is not a new phenomenon as tales dating back to 19th hundred are told of college students win close to in drinking. A survey conducted by Yale University investigateers in 1949 gave an idea of the prevalence of drinking on college campuses.The survey found that 6% of women and 17% of men engaged in drinking more than once per week. In the 1960s and 70s the minimum drinking age in legion(predicate) states was set at 18 to harbor with the requirement that those joining the military ought to be old enough to drink (Dietz 88). However, this motion simply paved way for increased drinking on college campuses given that now drinking was legal. The government had to act swiftly to arrest this trend and in 1984, the minimum drinking age was set at 21. Even then, the level of drinking remained almost the same as most college students had at tained this age and indeed regarded themselves as organism entitled to drink (Krock). Drinking rates over the past 20 years have remained relatively at the same level and now it is estimated that 80-90% of college students are into drinking. Heavy drinkers constitute 15-25% of college students and 44% of college students composition frequent or occasional binge drinking (Dietz 88).These statistics are indicative of the fact that binge drinking is a problem that is deep rooted in other factors such as the potpourri of cultures in colleges, milieual, cognitive, and developmental factors. Therefore, altering the national drinking age while it has shown positive impacts in the popular population in terms of decreasing the prevalence of binge drinking, kittynot offer a comprehensive upshot to the same problem in colleges (Krock). The culture of drinking on campus has contributed a great deal to the high prevalence of binge drinking. While acknowledging the fact that unique cultur es exist among individual colleges, these individual cultures harbour definite sub-cultures that encourage excessive consumption of alcohol. Within these sub-cultures, a common message is perpetuated that drinking is a formula and essential component of social interaction. Therefore, umpteen college students conduct themselves in a manner that agrees with what the prevailing culture dictates (Hope and Ham 727). The culture of drinking on college campuses is composed of a number of elements. The first element is drinking events which encourage students to indulge in drinking to mark certain events (Dietz 89).In the same way that universities and colleges have a strong sense of tradition, the drinking culture has deep roots in most colleges. Therefore, many students engage in binge drinking in the process of honouring certain events that to them require people to drink in order for the commemoration to have real meaning (Dietz 89). In as much as the culture of drinking in many coll eges and universities is difficult to do away with, it has only served to suck in students discombobulate the wrong decision of involving themselves in heavy episodic drinking characteristic of binge drinking. The bottom airwave is that in the disguise of marking particular events, many college students involve themselves in binge drinking and then exposing themselves to detrimental consequences. Drinking games is an element of drinking culture in colleges that have contributed to the high prevalence of binge drinking. In some colleges, students have tended to glamorize the aspect of drinking alcohol to the extent that drinking games are held in which students compete in drinking alcohol. Some drinking games are highly competitive while others just dictate rules regarding how much participants are expected to drink (Dietz 89).Nevertheless, the fact is that whether a drinking is highly competitive or not, by the virtue of portraying drinking as appendly harmless, such games have encouraged binge drinking to the detriment of many students. It is true to say that in order to prepare opportunities for excessive drinking, students in many colleges have perpetuated drinking games entrenched in the culture of drinking. A tidy example of a drinking game in colleges is Beer Pong in which 6-16 cups partially change with alcohol are taken by each team. The person playing the game is expected to throw a ping-pong ball aiming at the opponents cup across the table. If the ball lands into the partially filled cup, the opponent has to drink the content. The team that runs out of cups first is considered the loser (Dietz 89). By considering the nature of such a game, it is prudent to note that its objective is to encourage excessive drinking judging by the number of cups involved.Therefore, students who aspire involved in such games more often than not end up binge drinking in the name of having fun but in reality exposes themselves to negative consequences. Another i mportant factor which arrives college students to indulge in binge drinking is the kind of choices they make in terms of the groups they want to site themselves with given that college students are eager to have a sense of belonging. One study targeting to investigate how college students hear to have a sense of belonging revealed that those students who joined Greek organizations drank consistently and more heavily than those who did not join Greek societies (Hensley). Greek societies are know to be prevalent in colleges and often invite students to join them in order to gain a sense of brotherhood or sisterhood. However, many students who agree to join these organizations are exposed to a life of excessive drinking in the disguise of obeying inductive reasoning rituals. Eventually, the life of excessive drinking becomes part and parcel of these students (Dietz 90).While it is understandable that many students joining college are eager to identify themselves with particular gr oups or organizations, it is expected of them to make prudent decisions which would not compromise their studies and their lives in college. Unfortunately, many students have ended up in binge drinking through making incompatible decisions only to realize when things go terribly wrong. Athletics is as well another element of college culture whereby, students take the moment as an excuse for drinking but then end up binge drinking. When students drink excessively during sporting events, they often cause incidences and fall in trouble with authorities. inebriateden fans are known for causing chaos during and after games irrespective of the game outcome. Consequently, property may be damaged and both(prenominal) bystanders and the rioters suffer serious injuries (Dietz 91). For students who binge drink because of sporting events, it is just a flimsy excuse and the consequences are often regrettable. Therefore, drinking games, sporting events, traditional drinking events, and Greek organizations are the elements of the culture of drinking on college campuses which make many students involve themselves in binge drinking.Unfortunately, the notion that alcohol is essential for boom social life on campus is a misconception whose consequences are harmful. Apart from the culture of drinking, college students are influenced into binge drinking by environmental, developmental, and cognitive factors. Regarding the environment, logic dictates that the way someone behaves is more often than not influenced by what is going on in the surrounding. Therefore, when students drink in environments where people have carried alcohol to drink, drinking games are beingness played, dense alcohol is available in plenty, and the people around are intoxicated binge drinking go off always be predicted. On the other hand a drinking environment where drinking is taking place in a family setting, in the context of dating or where food is available, studies have shown that in such envir onments, binge drinking is very un likely (Dietz 92).Though this suggestion carries weight, it is paramount to reckon that studies that have been done on such environmental implications on the likelihood of binge drinking have been for the most part correlational. What this means is that though the first kind of environment may contribute to the occurrence of binge drinking, it is overly a possibility that those students who indulge in binge drinking are already present in such an environment. Therefore, it would be difficult to determine for instance whether playing of drinking games in such an environment provideed from the presence of binge drinkers or whether students ended up binge drinking because of being in an environment where people played drinking games (Dietz 92). Nevertheless, it leaves no query that depending on the kind of environment that students expose themselves to, the likelihood of binge drinking either increases or decreases. Cognitive factors constitute an other influential force which has led many college students to develop binge drinking behaviour. The cognitive influences are deeply rooted in mis depart beliefs about alcohol, the notion that binge drinking is something that is delightful, and mis teaching about the cause of excessive alcohol consumption.Regarding the false beliefs or myths that some college students confidently hold on to, there are those who believe that everybody is engaging in binge drinking and thus experiences similar negative consequences (Binge Drinking). This is a misguided thought because a signifi crowd outt percentage of college students do not engage in binge drinking. At the same time, the negative consequences experienced by those who indulge in binge drinking vary and cannot be the same. For instance, according to the direct effects model, binge drinking consequences are determined by both the drinking beliefs and the binge drinking tendencies. Going by this model, students who hold more risky m yths such as everybody is doing it is more likely to experience harsher consequences. This is because such students are often lured into thinking that binge drinking cannot make them suffer strong-arm harm.Consequently, they are more likely to involve themselves in highly risky behaviours after binge drinking and hence experience more severe consequences compared to those who do not hold such a myth (Turrisi, Wiersma and Hughes 343). Another myth among binge drinkers is that binge drinking enhances versed performance and put forward appeal. The fact is that binge drinking predisposes students to risky sexual conduct in which some students may engage in unprotected sex which can lead to the contraction of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (DeSimone 2). In fact binge drinking causes disorientation and those who engage in it are incapacitated from making rational decisions when they are drunk. The belief that their sex appeal is enhanced is misguided. There is also t he belief among those who attempt to justify binge drinking that binge drinking is a remedy for stress and that it can enhance social interaction.On the contrary, binge drinking has been associated with hangovers and even suicidal thoughts. Binge drinking does not enhance social interactions but instead it triggers quarrels, arguments, fights, and incidences of color out and vomiting (Wechsler). Others believe that alcohol is not harmful to the body. Again, such a belief is the total opposite of the fact since alcohol consumption has been associated with serious health consequences including alcohol poisoning. The other aspect of cognitive influences is that some students will engage in binge drinking because they perceive the behavior as acceptable in the eyes of their parents and friends. In other words, they find consolation in the idea that binge drink is not bad after all since their parents and friends do not show any disapproval of the behavior (Dietz 94). Developmental fact ors also help to explain why college students engage in binge drinking. It is worth noting that once students reach this level of maturity, they naturally develop the desire to be regarded as mature liberals who can make independent decisions and be responsible for the consequences of their actions.Therefore, binge drinking behaviour among many college students emanate from this desire to put forward their adulthood. Moreover, college students are usually at their prime physically and thus they feel much confident in terms of being able to withstand the impacts of drinking alcohol which may also lead them into drinking excessively (Dietz 91). Though regarded as normal development, the fact that college students are likely to regard as adult hypocrisy anti-drinking messages from people, only puts them at more a vulnerable position. It is also noteworthy that college students are at a stage of critical social and emotional development. For instance, this is a time that they experien ce a higher(prenominal) level of autonomy since their parents are not around to monitor them. This increased freedom makes many students to make autonomous decisions and often experiment with behaviours that their parents had forbidden them. Moreover, many college students are still continuing with the process of ontogeny their indistinguishability and in the process, often indulge in behaviours such as binge drinking in search of more sensational experiences (Hope and Ham 727).Peer influence is usually at the centre of identity development as students try to fit in new environments with a sense of belonging. Therefore, given that in many colleges students are confronted with a drinking culture, it is not a wonder that some result to binge drinking. However, many students fail to realize that with more freedom comes the need to be more responsible. This is because too much freedom without a sense of self-control or restraint is harmful. In this regard, in as much as certain develop mental factors are normal, it cannot be justified as the excuse for engaging in heavy drinking. Binge drinking has a wide range of negative consequences which many college students fail to image before plunging themselves into the risky behaviour of binge drinking. Some students do not think that binge drinking can lead to any immediate negative consequence while others lean on the belief that alcohol does not pose harm to the body at all. Such notions are null and fend off given that bingers are often caught in a wide range of crises such as engaging in unplanned or unprotected sex and getting into trouble with the authorities.In addition, bingers are more likely to engage in dangerous acts such as driving while drunk than nonbinging drinkers. Drunk driving is a major cause of car accidents and many young people have woolly-headed their lives because of it (Nelson and Wechsler 290). Some of the beliefs about the benefits of binge drinking among college students include the idea that by binge drinking, one can get more sexual opportunities. On the contrary, binge drinking only serves to make bingers behave irresponsibly and engage in risky sexual behaviours such as unplanned or unprotected sex. Consequently, some may contract STIs and HIV/AIDS which is a very high price to pay for being irresponsible. Unwanted pregnancy is another possible outcome of binge drinking which adds to the social burden and compromises the studies of the stirred student. Contrary to the notion that binge drinking helps to relieve stress, one of its notable consequences has been the increased risk of committing suicide among college students.Given that 67% of suicide incidences in colleges result from alcohol abuse, the idea that binge drinking causes sleep is a failure (Wechsler). The health consequences associated with binge drinking are severe. For instance, liver cancer is a blackened illness which can lead to death if not treated early. Another terrible consequence of bin ge drinking is alcohol poisoning which is a health condition that is not reversible once it occurs. This is a fact which is contrary to what people believe that alcohol poisoning can be reversed by drinking black coffee, walking, sleeping, or taking a cold bath. Time is the only factor that can determine whether the condition will get better or worse. However, due to the high level of alcohol in the blood, there may be no time for the alcohol level to decrease. Instead, the increase in blood alcohol level may continue even after quitting drinking.Consequently, death can result from interruption of breathing functions or the patient may choke on his/her vomit while unconscious (Do You Understand Binge Drinking?). Binge drinking causes students to be left behind in develop work and academic performance of binge drinkers is rendered poor. For instance, due to hangovers and disorientation that comes with excessive drinking, students often fail to complete their assignments or to attend lectures. Consequently, their grades continue to deteriorate and their academic life may become a nightmare (Hensley). Such outcomes are contrary to the notion among young binge drinkers that they have the ability to control the effects of excessive drinking. The fact is that the consequences of binge drinking are stronger than one may try to imagine and many students only regret later when it is too late. The second hand effects of binge drinking are also real and come in the form of insults, sleepless nights, unwanted sex advance, arguments, and assaults (Wechsler).From this discussion, it leaves no doubt that binge drinking is highly prevalent on college campuses, something that has been contributed by different factors. This is supported by the evince of many studies showing that despite the national drinking age being increased to 21, binge drinking especially among female students has increased. The consequences of binge drinking are detrimental. This has been witnessed in t he form of the escalating cases of road accidents which has cost many lives of college students. Despite the belief among many college students that alcohol consumption enhances social interaction and sex appeal, binge drinking results in quarrels, arguments, and risky sexual behavior. In addition, students who binge drink have often found themselves in trouble with authorities. Poor academic performance due to inability to focus is a big problem among binge drinkers.Contrary to the belief that alcohol releases stress, statistics have proved otherwise. In fact, incidences of suicide have been on the rise among binge drinkers. The notion among binge drinkers that they are able to control the impacts of alcohol is a nonstarter given the high incidences of rape, assault, and vandalism among college students who binge drink. Regarding the culture of drinking in most colleges, this is something that bingers lean on as an excuse for their behavior. Issues of autonomy and the urge to ident ify with particular groups though real only mention that individual students must make prudent choices amidst the pressure. It all has to start by correcting the misconceptions and wrong attitudes among college students. Nevertheless, binge drinking remains a nagging issue whose consequences are a threat to many generations.Annotated Bibliography1. Binge Drinking. n.d. entanglement 25 Nov 2011 .This clause presents an argument regarding the way binge drinking has been defined by researchers and helps the reader to understand the controversy surrounding what actually amounts to binge drinking. It acknowledges that binge drinking is characterized by repeated intoxication with alcohol which makes a person become careless and abandon his/her responsibilities. In this case, it is useful in this research newspaper publisher in terms of shedding light on what amounts to binge drinking and the possible consequences. It also alludes to the fact that binge drinking is still prevalent on co llege campuses. However, it points out that most of the research results about binge drinking on colleges have not reflected the real picture of the situation. 2. DeSimone, Jeff. Binge Drinking and Risky finish among College Students. 2010. nett 25 Nov 2011 . This name is useful in this research to the extent of addressing one of the main consequences of binge drinking risky sexual behaviour.The information in the name is presented in form of a report based on research aimed at finding out the race between binge drinking and risky sexual behaviour among college students aged between 18 and 24 years. Its findings that binge drinking increases sleeping around and inability to opt for safer sex such as condom use help to build on the papers argument. However, it fails to recognize other numerous negative consequences of binge drinking besides risky sexual behaviour. 3. Dietz, Christine M. Development of Binge Drinking Behavior in College Students A Developmental Analysis. Graduat e ledger of Counseling Psychology (2008) 1(1), pp. 86-96. The journal presents valuable information on the factors that influence college students to engage in binge drinking. It extensively addresses the culture of drinking in most colleges which many students lean on as an excuse for intoxicating themselves with alcohol.In addition, the journal discusses the developmental, cognitive, and environmental factors that play a big influential role in binge drinking. The information in the journal is quite useful in this research paper as it presents a broad picture of what has led to the high prevalence of binge drinking on college campuses. However, it move short of addressing the details of the consequences of binge drinking. 4. Do You Understand Binge Drinking? 2011. Web 25 Nov 2011 . This is an expression that explores in a brief but precise manner, what binge drinking is, the myth surrounding binge drinking, and the main health consequences of binge drinking. It helps to build t he argument that contrary to what many college students perceive as being invincible to harm, binge drinking is a monster that induces slow death regardless of age. 5. Hensley, Laura G. College Student Binge Drinking Implications for a Constructivist Approach to College Counseling. Journal of College Counseling (2001) Vol 4. The journal covers the most fundamental elements presented in this research paper in the form of an argument.It begins by explaining the prevalence of binge drinking and the factors causing this trend such as students joining Greek societies and succumbing to peer pressure. It then highlights the behavioural, health, and academic negative consequences that result from binge drinking. Though the information is useful in building an argument, the journal presents it in form of a report or literature review. 6. Hope, Debra A and Lindsay S Ham. College students and problematic drinking A review of the literature. Clinical Psychology come off (2003) Vol 23, pp. 719- 759. This journal review explores the problem of excessive drinking among college students by citing the findings of a number of studies that have been conducted in the past. It acknowledges the impressiveness of considering frequency and quantity when defining binge drinking. Besides highlighting the consequences of binge drinking, it also explores other aspects such as gender difference in the likelihood of excessive drinking.Nevertheless, it contributes to the research paper since it also addresses factors such as sensation seeking, personality and environmental factors, and cognitive processes as influencing college students to engage in binge drinking. 7. Krock, Becca. Higher drinking age lowers binge drinking for all except college students. 2009. Web 25 Nov 2011 . The article presents important findings from a recent study which revealed that though the national drinking age was set at 21 and has remained so since 1984, the effects on the level of binge drinking among colleg e students have not been significant. However, the article points out that a major decline in the prevalence of binge drinking among teenagers has been noted. The article is pertinent to the research paper since it helps the reader to see that altering the drinking age is not enough to curb the issue at hand.The main idea in the article is that since most college students are already 21 years and above, its legal for them to drink and the situation is exacerbated by other factors. 8. Nelson, Toben F and Henry Wechsler. Binge Drinking and the American College Student Whats Five Drink? Psychology of Addictive Behaviours (2001) 15(4), pp. 287-291. The journal article discusses the importance of the clinical five/four measure of binge drinking in evaluating its various consequences. By citing findings about the consequences of binge drinking among college students, the article helps to build the argument presented in this paper. The article notes that there is a abundant difference in the severity of binge-drinking consequences between bingers and non-bingers. However, the article does not address the fundamental factors that influence students to engage in binge drinking.9. Turrisi, Rob, Kimberly A Wiersma and Kelli K Hughes. Binge-Drinking-Related Consequences in College Students Role of Drinking Beliefs and Mother-Teen Communications. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors (2000) 14(4), 342-355. The information presented in this journal article is highly relevant to the argument since it not only focuses on the false beliefs about alcohol among college students but also the relationship between these beliefs and the consequences. For instance, the article asserts the findings that a direct relationship exists between drinking beliefs and binge-drinking consequences. However, there is no direct relationship between drinking beliefs and consequences when it comes to health matters and physical risk. Overall, the article helps the reader to understand the phenomenon of binge drinking in terms of why students engage in it and the difference in the nature of consequences expected by bingers and the actual consequences.10. Wechsler, Henry. Binge Drinking on Americas College Campuses. 2009. Web 25 Nov 2011 . In this article, the question of binge drinking is discussed in light of its prevalence which according to the article has remained relatively steady. At the same time, the article notes that more dangerous forms of binge drinking have been on the rise. The far-reaching consequences of binge drinking including alcohol poisoning, poor academic performance, vandalism of property, and physical harm have been highlighted. It helps to accent the fact that by believing that they are able to control the effects of alcohol, many college students have only predisposed themselves to harm.

Sustainable agriculture Essay Example for Free

Sustainable agriculture EssayAre constitutive(a) fodders All They Are Hyped Up To Be An Overview Of The extreme Food Industry Today, with cancer and obesity cases increasing quickly, stack argon turning their wariness to the victualss they are consuming. Such diets as the vegan, vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, paleo, raw, and locavore are becoming to a greater extent and more(prenominal) popular. The one thing these diets any waste in common is the belief that essential regimens are better than constituted foods. Similar to conventional foods, constitutive(a) foods contain chemicals and noxious bacterium, emit more greenho function gases, and are not sustainable. The chemicals in primitive foods cause harm to slew and the surround. Furthermore, extreme foods travel long distances, producing larger amounts of greenhouse gases and changing the nutritionary content of the food. native foods as well as use more land and produces less food. Though there is untold hype about eating organic produce, consumers may want to weigh out their options. Most people bank organic foods are better for you and the environment because they do not use chemicals.For instance, The USDA website states that organic foods are foods that are produced without using most conventional pesticides fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients bioengineering sewage dung or ionizing radiation (USDA). The truth is organic foods claim to be chemical-free except the organic pesticides they are allowed to use are so dangerous they have been grandfathered with current regulations and are not required to undergo tight modern safety tests. For example, organic makeers are allowed to use copper to treat fungal diseases on their ploughland crops.Copper is not biodegradable and stays in the soil forever and is toxic in extravagant amounts to the homophile race body (Johnston). An separate example is in India, who is a large manufacturer and exporter of organic foods to the united States. It has recently been estimated that 75% of Indias surface water is contaminated by human and agricultural wastes (Michael). constituent(a) foods can be just as insalubrious to humans and our environment. There is also debate whether ingesting calumniatory chemicals, which are sprayed during conventional farming methods in order to kill other living organisms, are toxic to the human body.Because organic foods do not use fungicides and such, they are also frequently contaminated with bacteria and naturally occurring toxins that are baneful for human digestion (Miller). Studies have been performed to test the harmful effects to humans from organic chemicals. A recent study released by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) of 110 people and 358 matched controls showed two organic pesticides commonly used today, rotenone and paraquat, are linked to the development of Parkinsons disease in humans. Use of either of these pesticides makes people 2.5 times more likely to develop Parkinsons disease. Rotenone prevents the mitochondria from fashioning necessary aught within cells. Similarly, paraquat produces excessive harmful oxygen by-products that are harmful to cellular structures (NIH). Furthermore, A 2007 Study of Use of Products and Exposure-Related Behavior (SUPERB) surveyed 364 children between ages two and five in order to compare toxin role and cancer risk factors. Research run aground all children examined had excessive amounts of arsenic, dieldrin, DDE and dioxins, all known to cause cancer.In addition, over 95% of preschool children had unacceptable amounts of acrylamide a cooking byproduct found in potato and tortilla chips, also know to cause cancer (University of California). With so many pesticides and toxins, organic or not, proving to be harmful to the human race, it is difficult to understand what the best options are. Research concludes all chemicals, natural or synthetic, are damaging to the human bo dy and the environment. So the question remains, is it better for people to ingest organic and synthetic chemicals or harmful bacteria and toxins?Organic foods travel long distances and may be more damaging to the earth. Rich Pirog, the consociate director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, states that food travels 1,500 miles on average from farm to consumer, giving birth to the term food miles(DeWeerdt). Priogs team concluded that conventional food dispersal systems used four to 17 times more fuel and emitted five to 17 times more CO2 than the local and regional systems. However, Priog mentions that food miles are a good measure of how far food has traveled.But theyre not a very good measure of the foods environmental impact (DeWeerdt). For instance, heated greenhouse tomatoes in Britain use up to 100 times more energy than those produced in fields in Africa (Johnston). Another example is our countrys largest retailer for organic foods, firm Foods. They actually purchase most of their products from China and only mention it in small fine bulls eye on the back of the products. Upon choosing your produce, it is helpful to check the label to identify the food miles accumulated.Media and advertisements lead people to believe organic produce has a greater nutritional value than conventional foods. The USDA website makes no claims that organically produced food is safer or more nutritious than conventionally produced food (USDA/Miller). Likewise, the United Kingdoms Food Standards Agency reported that there is no proof organic food is more nutritious than conventionally grown varieties (Taverene). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the organic food industry.Their standards have recently been scrutinized for allowing minimal amounts of pass chemicals. The EPA suggests the minimal traces of dangerous chemicals found in organic or conventional foods are not harmful to humans. However, studies report child ren and elderly are at the greatest risk of the damaging effects from chemicals. Charles Benbrook, previously a chief scientist for the Organic Center, states that the best welfares of organic foods are for children, pregnant women, and elderly who all tend to have weakened immune systems.Furthermore, he also reports studies that have followed pesticide levels in pregnant womens blood and found their children to score four to seven percent lower on IQ tests compared to their classmates (Chang). Organic foods are a wise choice for certain populations. Most people choose organic products believing they are sustainable. Organic farms yield 20-50% less produce compared to conventional farms, making organic farming a less in force(p) use of land. For example, organic potatoes use less in terms of fertilizer production and/or energy, merely require more fossil fuel for plowing.For example, a hectare of conventionally farmed land produces 2. 5 times more potatoes than an organic one. Su bsequently, if only organic foods were available, half the current human population would starve to death (Taverene). Orgainc foods tend to cost more than conventional foods. Although organic food yields are less, prices are as much as triple the cost of conventional foods (Taverene). This is due to the greater amounts of labor involved with organic farming procedures. Organic farmers are also held legally responsible for cross-contamination by genetically engineered foods, which in turns raises costs of organic produce.Organic farming uses fewer chemicals, which in turn promotes greater farmland biodiversity. According to the Organic Trade Association, organic fields also require less irrigation, reduce pollutants in ground water and create richer soils that abet plant growth while reducing erosion. Organic methods also minimize pesticides that can end up in your drinking glass. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports various cities in the United States to have liveness-th reatening levels of tap water consistently for weeks at a time (DeWeerdt). Some studies show no benefit to people consuming organic foods.Although high doses of pesticide cause cancers and birth defects, there is no evidence proving the little amounts of chemicals found in conventional foods are damaging to human health. Some studies released show cancer occurrences among farmers, who are often exposed to relatively high levels of these chemicals, are no more frequent than in other occupations. Furthermore, during the last fifty years, during a time when synthetic chemicals became the industry standard for food production, the average life expectancy has increased by over seven years (Chang). Organic foods claim to have more nutritional content than conventional foods.However, every fruit and vegetable has differing nutritional composition, which depends on a bulky variety of factors including but not limited to growing conditions and season, fertilizer administration, and means o f crop protection (i. e. , herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and so on ) Food products from animal sources also differ in nutritional contents depending on such factors as age, breed and feeding routine of the animal. Furthermore, the nutritional compositions of raw foods increase during processing, transportation, storage, and cooking before consumption (DeWeerdt). locally grown food decreases the transportation period, resulting in less carbon emissions to the environment and less oxidization to the produce, thus providing better nutritional content (Chang). Furthermore, organic food usually tastes better, contains no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides, which are known to cause cancer, and are more often locally grown. Furthermore, the USDA describes organic food as, food produced by farmers who promote the use of renewable resources and the conservation of water and soil to improve the quality of the environment for future generations (USDA).Organic foods are not always better than conventional foods. It must be considered the bacteria and toxins remaining on organic produce, the environmental effects and chemical additions in order to make an seemly decision of what type of produce to purchase. After studying the USDA food benefit logo, it is apparent that the federal official government encourages consuming more fruits, vegetables, and grains without any evaluation of the current farming procedures that manufacture these foods. The food pyramid also suggests an apple is an apple and that we should be eating more apples and less processed foods, sugars and fats. (Michael).