Design Trends in the 21st Century

Design Trends in the 21st Century The most exciting thing about the course Among the variety of courses offered to the students, it is hard to define the one that excites the most because each subject has its own positive and negative aspects. However, talking this particular course, it is possible to identify several aspects which turn out to be rather interesting and education. First of all, this course helps students understand that the role of history is integral indeed, and the way of how people perceive their backgrounds and their roots defines their present and future. In addition, with the help of this course, students realize how to learn their past and what spheres become more important for people.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Design Trends in the 21st Century specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Still, the most exciting thing that has been learnt so far in this course is all about the works of art, their diversity, and importance to society . One the one hand, all buildings and other pieces of art may be considered as the required things for living. However, on the other hand, each building helps to comprehend the history of the whole community. For example, Frieze, Tempietto that is San Pietro in Montorio, Rome was created by Bramante between 1502 and 1503. Bramante’s main purpose was to create a kind of fusion of humanism and Christianity essentials. It is not the only another rotunda building, it is an attempt to help people improve their lives and beliefs. Looking at the Hardwick Hall that is Derbyshire, England, people could not help but think about the power of English will. This magnificent building was created by Robert Smythson in later 16th century. This hall is a perfect union of stability, order, and aristocratism that were inherent to English people during that period. This is what excites the most about the subject: the possibility to learn more about the nature of other people, their interests, an d preferences. Three important trends in the 21st century How does each trend relate to a specific historical design trend? The peculiar feature of all the 21st design trends is that all of them are based on a variety of technological innovations, flexibility, profuseness of colors, and lighting (Browne 7). It is not always that easy to identify the most important trends in designs which are inherent to the 21st century, still, it is always possible to think about the most captivating and influential values which change human perception of the reality.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Taking into consideration personal preferences and the number of works analyzed, the three most important trends of the 21st century are involving people to art works by means of new technologies like optics which define new perspectives of environment, encouragement of movement and continu ity between the outside and the inside, and virtual and hyperspace repetitions that serve as a bright evidence of a technological revolution. Each trend relates to some historical design trends which were popular during the period of Renaissance and the 17th-18th centuries. For example, the use of optics was not inherent to 16th-18th centuries, and this trend may be regarded as the new one due to the development of the technologies (Figure 1). The trend to involve people to the scenarios offered by the designer seems to be a new achievement that has to be recognized within a short period of time. New technologies help not only to present a work to public but also to make them become a part of the idea. The work by Jeppe Hein in Bristol is one of the best examples of how optics may influence human perception of the reality. However, similar traits and effects on people are observed in the works by Etienne-Louis Boullee (Design for a National Library in 1784). This designer supported the picturesque mode and the idea of sensation in architecture that will involve public to his works. The Rococo period was characterized by the appearance of new technologies which helped to create huge buildings and organize each detail of the building in a unique way, this is why it seems to be possible to relate the works by Hein and Boullee as those where the role of new technologies regarding the century influence public’s perception of the art work. The encouragement of movement and continuity related to the interior and exterior is another trend to be identified. It relates to the Renaissance trend of vertical openings and movements supported by Andre le Notre. Shigeru Ban (Figure 3) introduced his Centre Pompidou-Metzs (2004 – 2010) to prove how it is possible to relate the outside and the inside. His work looks like the work of an artist who put the lines slightly and playfully taking into consideration the things around. His attempt is similar to the histori cal design trend offered by Le Notre in 1657 where an emphasis was made on dramatic vistas. This historical trend shows that it is possible to define the sequence of spaces that may move from public to private sectors (Figure 8). Finally, the trend to benefit from repetitions in white colors (Figure 6) has to be mentioned. The similarities to this trend may be observed in the works by John Soane Home (Office to the Dome Exhibition Space).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Design Trends in the 21st Century specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The designer made an attempt to repeat the elements of the room in order to prove that the chosen art work was worth attention and recognition. It was not enough to enter the room but follow a kind of map offered by the designer in the form of constantly repeated huge columns which were inherent to the style of Rococo (Figure 9). The pros of the trends identified The point is that the trends identified have a number of pros which make many designers choose them and improve by means of the technology available. For example, the work by Electric Dreams, Pleasant Bar that is in Stockholm, Sweden from 2007 (Figure 2) shows how several optic elements may change the reality and involve people into a new world, full of mystery and pleasure. It is not enough to create some visual elements but define each element in a proper way to introduce a true masterpiece. Another pros of the trend based on movement and continuity is that the designers are free to use the space available to its full extend. For example, the bathroom (Figure 4) in the Spanish Hotel Puerta America proves that it is possible to use several massive elements of furniture in a small room and create comfortable apartments. Continuity is not always easy to create, still, if the designer succeeds in the chosen activity, the results may be amazing. The trend of repetition is the key point of many exhibitions around the whole world due its main pros – compactness. The designers find this trend rather beneficial for meeting their purposes: they repeat their thoughts to involve the public into their worlds and their ideas. Though it is not an easy task to repeat the ideas and objects and remain to be logical and comprehensive. This is why some misunderstandings may take place. Still, the designers’ main task is to choose the most appropriate ways and achieve success. The cons of the trends identified Talking about the cons of the trends identified, it is necessary to admit that not all these trends may be understood by the public. For example, the idea to use optics in design is quite new, and many people are at loss when the time to observe the creation comes. So, the main con of the three trends discussed in this paper is designers’ inability to interpret their ideas and intentions to all people in a proper way. In spite of the fact that the trends relate to the hist orical design trends in some ways, failures to meet public’s expectations may take place. Conclusion In general, each trend identified in this paper is worth attention and recognition. Repetition and white objects, encouragement of movement and continuity, and choice of optical technologies have their own pros and cons in the sphere of design. The works chosen for this papers show that the designers are able to use their skills, ideas, and technologies available to attract more people to art.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More They are successful and they are unique for the 21st century. This is why the chosen trends may be regarded as ones of the most important ideas which are supported and developed in a variety of ways in the 21st century. Browne, Beth. 21st Century Interiors. Mulgrave, Victoria: Images Publishing, 2010. Appendixes Figure 1 Follow Me. Jeppe Hein. Bristol, England. 2008. Figure 2 Pleasant Bar. Stockholm, Sweden. Electric Dreams. 2007. Figure 3 Centre Pompidou-Metz. Metz, France. Shigeru Ban. 2004-2010. Figure 4 Bathroom. 7th Floor. Hotel Puerta America. Madrid, Spain. Ron Arad. 2002 – 2005. Figure 5 Non-Standard Architecture Exhibition. Pompidou Center. Paris, France. 2004. Figure 6 Ascension of Polka Dots. Yayoi Kusama. Singapore Biennale Exhibit. Singapore, 2006. Figure 7 Design for a National Library. Etienne-Louis Boullee. France. C. 1784. Figure 8 Gardens. Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte. Andre le Notre. Begun 1657. Figure 9 Office to the Dome Exhibition Space. John Soane Home. Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London. Soane. 1812-1835.

How to Apologize and Say Im Sorry In German

How to Apologize and Say I'm Sorry In German You are likely to make either cultural mistakes or miscommunicate your intentions as a student of the German language, especially if you are traveling through German-speaking countries. Therefore, on your long list of vocabulary essentials to master when studying the language, be sure to include German expressions of forgiveness and excusing yourself. When deciding what expression to use after youve made a mistake or misstated something, err on the side of excusing yourself too much rather than not enough. Just hope you don’t have to use the following expressions too often- but if you do, learn which expression or phrase is correct. Excusing Yourself When you need to say excuse me, the German language provides several ways to make the request. In the examples in this and the subsequent sections, the German expression is listed on the left, with the English translation on the right, followed by a brief explanation of the social context where needed. Entschuldigung Excuse me. (such as when you want to pass by)Entschuldigen Sie bitte/ Entschuldige (casual)   Excuse meEntschuldigen Sie bitte meine Fehler.   Excuse my mistakes.Entschuldigen Sie/ Entschuldige, dass... Excuse me that / Sorry that...Entschuldigen Sie bitte, dass ich Sie stà ¶re.   Excuse me for disturbing you.Entschuldige bitte, dass ich es vergessen habe.   Sorry for forgetting. Saying Sorry for a Mishap There are two ways to say that you are sorry for a small mishap or mistake, as shown in this example: Entschuldigung / Ich bitte Sie / dich um Entschuldigung   Sorry / Please excuse me. To Ask for Forgiveness There are also several ways to ask for forgiveness in German: Jemanden um Verzeihung bitten   To ask somebody for forgivenessIch bitte Sie / dich um Verzeihung.   I ask you for forgiveness.Kà ¶nnen / Kannst Sie / du mir diese Dummheiten verzeihen? Can you forgive my foolishness?Das habe ich nicht so gemeint.   I didn’t mean it that way.Das war doch nicht so gemeint.   It wasn’t meant in that way.Das war nicht mein Ernst I wasn’t serious. Note how the last three examples do not even include the word forgive or excuse. Instead, you are essentially asking for forgiveness by making a statement indicating that you were not serious or that the intended meaning of your action or statement was misunderstood. To Regret Something German offers some colorful ways to say that you regret taking a certain action or making a particular statement. Etwas bedauern   regret somethingIch bedauere sehr, dass ich sie nicht eingeladen habe I regret not having invited her.Es tut mir Leid I am sorry.Es tut mir Leid, dass ich ihr nichts geschenkt habe I regret not having given her a present.Leider habe ich keine Zeit dafà ¼r. Unfortunately, I do not have any time for that.Es ist schade, dass er nicht hier ist. It’s too bad that he is not here.Schade! Too bad! (or Pity!) Note how in the last example, using a phrase like Too bad! in English would be considered a social faux pas as if you were saying Tough luck! in a pejorative manner. But, the phrase in German does, indeed, indicate that you are being contrite and asking for forgiveness for your transgression, whatever it may be.

Extended definitions of love Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Extended definitions of love - Essay Example In most cultures all over the world, love is seen to be first and foremost directed to one’s family. The family is considered the primary unit of society where every individual starts to be exposed to life’s experiences. Love in the family begins with love between spouses as husbands and wives decide to leave their respective nuclear families to unite and form a new one. As parents, they accord love and unrelentless support to the children. Mothers are revealed to express unconditional love to their offsprings. Fathers provide financial, physical and emotional support. Children return the love by just being there to provide happiness and assistance, as needed.   The power of love that surrounds family members transcends barriers of time, space and location and is therefore considered universal and continually existing and persisting since time immemorial up to today.  Love for a divine and Supreme Being reigns differently according to cultural orientation. The relig ious beliefs, traditions, values and practices encompass teachings of love and equal treatment for the lives and existence of others. In the Catholic religion, for instance, love for God is taught within the first four commandments, which were summed as: â€Å"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (All About Truth, par. 15). It comes before oneself, one’s family, and above all else. Regular attendance to masses and observing the sacraments attest to the love.... Love for God is manifested through following the commandments and teachings. Learning more about God is initially introduced by parents and slowly reinforced through subjects of religion and Christian values from primary education until the secondary level. Regular attendance to masses and observing the sacraments attest to the love and devotion expected of disciples to the Catholic faith. Love for Neighbors Concurrent with teachings of the faith and one the commandments of God are to love one’s neighbor as oneself. It is manifested as the Golden Rule (Teaching Values, 2009) or the ethics of reciprocity. Loving one’s neighbors require respect for human rights and their purpose for existence. However, a more admirable love for neighbors is exemplified by people such as Mother Teresa of Calcutta who showed love, compassion and offered her life and service to those in need. Her Missionaries of Charity was an organization created to â€Å"to love and care for those persons nobody was prepared to look after. In 1965 the Society became an International Religious Family by a decree of Pope Paul VI† (The Nobel Foundation, par. 2). This love entails self-sacrifice and putting the needs of others above oneself. Mother Teresa was determined to seek for assistance in terms of providing for the physiological (food, clothing, shelter, medicines, health care) and spiritual love for the needy. Love of this kind is exemplary and challenging as one finds the means and ways beyond one’s capabilities to ensure that the needs of others, deemed to be more relevant, are taken cared of. Love of this nature sometimes defies explanation but is rooted from the Divine love for God – unselfish, unconditional love directed to others

Effective Team and Performance Management Essay - 4

Effective Team and Performance Management - Essay Example The paradigm shift in business has broadened the focus of organization beyond the achievement of its own goals and objectives to the creation of an environment where the members (in this case the employees) can also realize their individual and group objectives and desires within the organization structure. Employees are now concerned about their career paths within an organization above and beyond their monetary rewards. This career path requires the creation of programs and systems that allow for new knowledge and skill acquisition within the organization that allow for successive progression or growth of the individual alongside that of the overall organization (Berger & Berger, 2010). The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the role of team cohesion and understanding on organizational performance. It examines how leadership can better enhance the relations amongst individuals, teams and management therein increasing their collective synergistic efforts towards the realization of optimal performance and achievement of set organizational targets and objectives. It also examines how the underlying differences between individuals within the organization can lead to frictions within the organization that can dent organizational performance and progress; therein showing how such frictions can be mitigated and managed as and when they arise. The paper employs several tasks involving team and individual relations; therein using theoretical team and performance management models to evaluate the usefulness of such tasks in building capacity for achieving optimum organizational performance. Reflection Group Formation and Analysis Approach I have chosen to use the Tuckman team model (1965) in organizing my reflections on the experiences gained from the various seminar activities or tasks. This is because the model offers a simple yet conclusive four- step approach involving forming, storming, norming, and performing phases for examining and managing the group dynam ics of individuals within a team. The first stage is absolutely vital in identifying members for your team. Figure 1: Tuckman Model for reflection The selection of team members can be done based on the roles identified for members within the team (Belbin, 2004). The formation of my team comprised individuals from multicultural backgrounds: Mathew Stroud (British) Alena Linhartova (Spanish) Virginia Bath (British) Abdulaziz Mohammed Al-Hunayshil (Saudi Arabia) Chunlin Chen (China) The distribution of roles within the team was arrived at based on Belbin’s self-perception inventory model (1981) which argued that team roles existed based on distinct individual preferences in addition to being behavioral and thought style-dependent. The model implied the prevailing of a more natural role in most occasions. Belbin initially had an eight role model where the roles were arrived at based on six factors namely: personality, mental ability, current value and motivation, field constraint s, experience, and role learning. He however failed to show the degree of variation within these factors.Later on, he added a ninth role; that of the specialist. Table 1: Belbin's Team

Most Writers of Fiction Do Not Earn Enough Money to Live from Their Writing Essay Example for Free

Most Writers of Fiction Do Not Earn Enough Money to Live from Their Writing Essay Here are some conditions under which a novelist could reasonably expect some government suport. In general terms, if the writer has already proved that he or she can write well, and if the stories produced are stimulating and interesting, then I consider that some financial help might be given. Language quality is difficult to define, but if the writing shows, for example, good grammar, a wide vocabulary, and elegance and imagination, then I can see a valid reason for assisting an author to spend some time free from money problems. Such a writing needs to be encouraged. the entertainment value of a book would be also a factor in deciding whether to provide assistance to an author. Further consideration would include social and educational values expressed in the authors work. However, if the ideas were socially irresponsible, or if the stories contain unnecessary violence or pornography for its own sake, then I would not want to see the author sponsored to write stories which do not benefit society. Other exceptions are the many writers of good books who do not require financial help. Books which proved to be extremely popular, such as the Harry Potter stories, clearly need no subsidy at all because the authors have become rich through their writing. Views on what good quality writing means will vary widely, and so if any author is to be given money for writing, then the decision would have to be made by a committee or panel of judge. An individual opinion would certainly cause disagreement among the reading public.

Jack Merridews Decline in Lord of the Flies Essay -- essays research

Civilization is the force that keeps us all in line. We are taught from an early age that if we break a rule, we are punished. Why? Because that’s how society works. What would happen, though, if we took away society, civilization, and punishment. Would we keep up the rules that had been etched into us since birth and keep living in a civilized manner? In Lord of the Flies, Golding explores this scenario. In his opinion, a person would abandon all ideas of society and revert into a savage, relying on primal instincts to survive. The main character that goes through this is Jack. Throughout the book, Jack goes from being a civilized choir boy to a savage tyrant. In the beginning of the book a plane crashes onto an island and the only survivors are a group of boys in a school choir. Enter Jack: the leader of a small group of choir boys. They call a meeting and decide how things will be run and decide on the rules. Jack seems for them, saying â€Å"We’ll have rules!...Lots of rules and then when anyone breaks ‘em-â€Å"(33). They then vote on a leader. The candidates are Jack and Ralph, and Ralph won. Although he isn’t happy about it, Jack accepts his loss, and decides to try his hand at exploring. While exploring with Ralph and Simon, Jack comes across a wild pig. He draws his knife in order to kill it but finds that he can’t. Something deep inside him says that it’s wrong to kill, â€Å"They knew very well why he hadn’t: because of the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh, because of the unbearable blood†. In his moment of hesitation the pig runs off, and he puts aw ay the knife. Civilization won this time. Even though his choir group is supposed to be watching the fire and making sure it’s lit, Jack takes ... ... of calls to communicate. He has complete power over the tribe, bending them to his will. He’s become a dictator, savage and brutal. Rules no longer apply to Jack because he’s forgotten the society he comes from. All he cares about now is killing Ralph to take revenge. In his mind, killing is a totally acceptable thing to do. Jack has lost all reason. His plan to kill Jack fails though, when an unexpected rescuer shows up. It is unknown if Jack ever regains his civilized self. It seems unlikely though, given how he is at this point. Civilization is the thing that keeps us in line. We have a system of checks and balances to make sure everyone behaves. If someone does something we believe to be morally wrong the person is punished. Take away civilization and society will go to ruin. People will revert back to their primal selves. Going on instinct and not intellect. Jack Merridew's Decline in Lord of the Flies Essay -- essays research Civilization is the force that keeps us all in line. We are taught from an early age that if we break a rule, we are punished. Why? Because that’s how society works. What would happen, though, if we took away society, civilization, and punishment. Would we keep up the rules that had been etched into us since birth and keep living in a civilized manner? In Lord of the Flies, Golding explores this scenario. In his opinion, a person would abandon all ideas of society and revert into a savage, relying on primal instincts to survive. The main character that goes through this is Jack. Throughout the book, Jack goes from being a civilized choir boy to a savage tyrant. In the beginning of the book a plane crashes onto an island and the only survivors are a group of boys in a school choir. Enter Jack: the leader of a small group of choir boys. They call a meeting and decide how things will be run and decide on the rules. Jack seems for them, saying â€Å"We’ll have rules!...Lots of rules and then when anyone breaks ‘em-â€Å"(33). They then vote on a leader. The candidates are Jack and Ralph, and Ralph won. Although he isn’t happy about it, Jack accepts his loss, and decides to try his hand at exploring. While exploring with Ralph and Simon, Jack comes across a wild pig. He draws his knife in order to kill it but finds that he can’t. Something deep inside him says that it’s wrong to kill, â€Å"They knew very well why he hadn’t: because of the enormity of the knife descending and cutting into living flesh, because of the unbearable blood†. In his moment of hesitation the pig runs off, and he puts aw ay the knife. Civilization won this time. Even though his choir group is supposed to be watching the fire and making sure it’s lit, Jack takes ... ... of calls to communicate. He has complete power over the tribe, bending them to his will. He’s become a dictator, savage and brutal. Rules no longer apply to Jack because he’s forgotten the society he comes from. All he cares about now is killing Ralph to take revenge. In his mind, killing is a totally acceptable thing to do. Jack has lost all reason. His plan to kill Jack fails though, when an unexpected rescuer shows up. It is unknown if Jack ever regains his civilized self. It seems unlikely though, given how he is at this point. Civilization is the thing that keeps us in line. We have a system of checks and balances to make sure everyone behaves. If someone does something we believe to be morally wrong the person is punished. Take away civilization and society will go to ruin. People will revert back to their primal selves. Going on instinct and not intellect.

Job Rotation

Job rotation is the surest way of keeping the employee away from complacency and boredom of routine. It is difficult for an employee to sustain his interest in a given Job for any substantial length of time as humans have the tendency of outgrowing their jobs through the learning and experience that they gain over a period of time. Stimulating human mind through diversity of challenges is a sure way to bring to forefront its creative instincts and in taking the individual and organizational performance to a higher plane.This is where Job rotation can prove to be a handy tool. Job rotation involves the movement of employees through a range of jobs in order to increase interest and motivation. It can also be described as an approach to Management Development where an individual is moved through a schedule of assignments designed to give him/her a breadth of exposure to the entire operation. Job rotation can improve â€Å"multi-skilling† but also involves the need for greater tra ining. In a sense, Job rotation is similar to Job enlargement.This approach widens the activities of a worker by switching him or her around a range of work. For example, an administrative employee might spend part of the week looking after the reception area of a business, dealing with customers and enquiries. Some time might then be spent manning the company telephone switchboard and then inputting data onto a database. Job rotation may offer the advantage of making it easier to cover for absent colleagues, but it may also reduce' productivity as workers are initially unfamiliar with a new task.Job rotation is also practiced to allow qualified employees to gain more insights into the processes of a company, and to reduce boredom and increase job satisfaction through job variation. POTENTIAL OF JOB ROTATION A well planned Job rotation programme in an organization has immense potential of positive impact on job satisfaction/motivation, engagement and finally on retention of employee s. Few of the outcomes of job rotation with respect to the individual are: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢Job enrichment Overall development Intrinsic motivation to perform caused by newer challenges Career development BENEFITS OF JOB ROTATION For an organization, the benefits could include some or all of the following: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Leadership development Aligning competencies with organizational requirements Lower attrition rates Performance improvement driven by unique view points of new people THE PRACTICE OF JOB ROTATION Today, in the industry, Job rotation is viewed â€Å"as just another transfer† rather than as an important tool for implementing HR strategy of the company.Job rotation has become a ritual at best, without any focus on the outcomes that can be achieved through a little planning and implementation effort. Today, Job rotation is a means of punishing poor performers, settling scores arising from organizational politics, or going through pe rcentage rotation scheme, where a certain percentage of employees in a certain area are shifted to pre-designated areas every year. REALIZING THE POTENTIAL OF JOB ROTATION In order to realize the true potential of Job rotation, there must be a planned system in place with the policy taking into account, †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢Organizational interest – employee commitment, attrition rates, specific business issues etc. Eligibility of the employees – qualification, prior experience, aptitude, attitude etc. Nature – mandatory or voluntary Duration Basis of selection etc. In the absence of aspects brought out above, there is every possibility that the seriousness with which Job rotation scheme is implemented in the company may get diluted and become a cause of sagging employee motivation.JOB ROTATIONS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT At the senior management levels, job rotation – frequently referred to as Management rotation, is tightly link ed with Succession Planning – developing a pool of people capable of stepping into an existing job. Here the goal is to provide learning experiences which facilitate changes in thinking and perspective equivalent to the â€Å"horizon† of the level of the succession planning. For job rotations at this level, it is absolutely necessary that the business problems in various areas are identified. This calls for the active involvement of top management to select most suitable people to be shifted rom their current jobs to tackle the challenges at hand by considering individual attributes already described above. This will not only provide an insight for the future leaders in various aspects of the business but also will enhance their confidence levels as they solve these critical problems for the organization. In many cases, senior managers seem unwilling to risk instability in their units by moving qualified people from jobs where the lower level manager is being successfu l and reflecting positively on the actions of the senior manager.It is however important to note that Job rotation at this level is less frequent as workers who fall under this category are already at the strategic stages and peak of their career. Job rotation at junior and middle level executives may be pivoted around their strengths and attributes and the future roles expected of them. Focus must be on exposure in all related areas of his domain of expertise, so that as they grow to higher rungs of the management, they have an overall experience of their domain.For this level, job rotation has normally one of two purposes: Promotability or Skill Enhancement although at Middle Management, Succession planning also becomes one of the purposes of job rotation. Job rotations for workers must include aspects related to work environment, also along with other individual attributes already explained, so that it adds to his satisfaction derived from balanced distribution of work load, work ing conditions and learning opportunities.Done this way job rotation gets aligned with career development, leadership development and employee satisfaction which would finally result in higher levels of intrinsic motivation among the employees and hence may contribute in retaining talent. WHY IS JOB ROTATION IMPORTANT? Job Rotation is seen as a possible solution to two significant challenges faced by business: (1) Skills shortages [when there is a lack of skilled individuals in the workforce] and Skills gaps [when there is a lack of skills in a company’s existing workforce which may still be found in the labour force as a whole]. (2) Employee motivation

Entertainment and Communication Essay

As an avenue of entertainment and communication, and as a research and reference tool, the internet has had a huge impact on the modern societies of developed nations. At the same time, there is concern that the disadvantages and negative influences may outweigh the benefits to the society. This essay argues that, in the last decade, the advantages of the internet far outweigh the disadvantages. This claim is addressed with the support of current authoritative sources which provide the framework for making such a claim. This essay first explores the effect of the internet on the social structures of family life, and religious and spiritual practice. Subsequently, this essay examines the repercussions of the internet on national cultural identity and multiculturalism. Firstly, in the last ten years, modern family life has been enhanced by developments in technology, and the internet is no exception. The advent of the internet affords parents the opportunity to use the World Wide Web to work from home, removing the need to place pre-school age children in day care centres in the care of strangers and so reinforcing the family unit (Jenkins 2010). However, the benefits of the internet not only have implications for immediate family; members of the extended family can overcome the barriers of time or distance to remain close through such channels as email or social networking sites, for example Facebook. Despite this, Fenech (2007) asserts that the internet has eroded some aspects of family life. Where previous generations may have forsaken dinner conversation in order to watch television together, the practical dimensions of a laptop screen now preclude this act of â€Å"togetherness† (p342). Nevertheless, any avenue that generally allows more opportunity for contact between members of an immediate or extended family has to be seen as advantageous. Moreover, the internet allows a sense of inclusion that goes beyond the family sphere. Secondly, due to the increasing accessibility of the internet in the last ten years, participating in a religion no longer necessarily depends on a person’s ability to attend a place of worship. The virtual ‘congregation’ may offer a person more opportunities of interaction with both the spiritual leader and other devotees by providing facilities such as blogs, chat rooms and video links. Moreover, this creates a sense of belonging to a religious or spiritual community where one may have not existed before, as more and more people commute, work longer hours and, indeed, are required to work on public holidays, which often coincide with religious festivals (Wong 2009). Though Goldstein (2008) ascertains that the flagrant consumerism promoted through such mass media outlets as the internet is responsible for a turn away from religious practices and a rapid decline in religious service attendance, her research focuses solely on, Christianity, Judaism and Islam and is not inclusive of growing sects such as Jews For Jesus and alternative religions such as The Baha’i Faith. Groups such as these use the internet to unite their followers globally (Wong 2009).What is more, the internet is uniting people on a more personal and intimate level. Thirdly, the internet offers the opportunity to maintain cultural ties with one’s country even when living abroad for work purposes. Expatriates can view electronic versions of newspapers, stream and download news, current affairs programmes and local dramas from their country of origin, so keeping in contact with the culture. It could be argued, as Azhad (2008) does, that this process could be facilitated just as easily by print media and DVD recordings being sent through the mail, as would have been the norm a decade ago. Nonetheless, it is the ‘live’ experience of being able to access news from home â€Å"as it happens† that reinforces a national’s ties to the home culture, and simulates a feeling of â€Å"being there† (Olsten 2008 p.6). This connectedness to home alleviates feelings an expatriate might have of dislocation or alienation from their countrymen, as ‘real time’ exposure to the home vernacular creates common reference points, making communication a much smoother process (Wong 2009). Equally, other facilities afforded by the internet, such as Skype, enable someone away from home to still have a presence in the home country as they participate in the celebration of cultural festivals and national holidays, thus reinforcing their commitment  to nationalism in the eyes of their compatriots and tightening the ties that bind. Alternatively, just as the internet serves to strengthen national identity, it can also provide a point of reference for those who live in a multicultural context. Finally, in a globalised world, the last ten years have seen the internet augment a multicultural society by creating a venue to air diverse cultural opinions and to construct diverse cultural identities. Mainstream newspapers, radio and current affairs programmes are representative of a perceived norm and do not reflect the complexity of a multicultural society. In turn, ethnocentric or non-mainstream media reach a narrowly targeted audience and serve to further ghettoize â€Å"the other† (Zadrow 2010 p.11). The internet thus provides the opportunity for any voice to be heard alongside and equally with all other voices in the country, community, or indeed, the world. In this way the internet equips the global citizen with a fluidity they can use to exist and interact both globally and locally, rather than being confined to a fixed and marginalised identity. Notwithstanding the fact that the internet is English based and broadly advocates a western lifestyle, this does not necessarily mean it must lead to a homogenized world. Citing the research of Kennard, Zadrow (2010) maintains that the internet acts as an interactive archive from which an individual can draw all the elements to both create and, more importantly, preserve cultural identity. In conclusion, this essay explored the effect of the internet on people’s lives in the last decade and found that the advantages of the internet far overshadow the disadvantages. It found the internet has had positive effects on family life, allowing the hands on parenting of pre-school children by those parents who are able to use the internet to work from home. In addition, it has reinforced the extended family by harnessing email and social networking sites as a means to stay in direct contact. Furthermore, blogs, chat rooms and video links have offered an alternative to attendance at religious services, which have suffered such rapid decline in recent times. Another positive effect of the internet is its ability to re-assert national identity, particularly for those living abroad, as they retain  remote access to the home culture by being able to download or stream current affairs or local drama. Finally, the internet enhances multiculturalism by offering an alternative to mainstream media representations of the norm to those who identify as ‘the other’. Arguments which support the negative impact of the internet on people’s lives in the 21st century focus on very narrow aspects and fail to acknowledge the broad range of benefits the internet has borne on contemporary society. References Azhad, S 2008, ‘Is digital dumbing us down?’, Journal of Australian Initiative, vol. 20, no.1, pp.5-7, viewed 30 October 2011, via JSTOR. Fenech, P 2007, Western culture: its psyche and the internet, Hobson Press, New York. Goldstein, R 2008, ‘The last person to leave heaven: a study of the impact of new millennium consumerism on traditional religious practices’, Journal of Critical and Cultural Research, vol.2, no.3, pp. 9-18, viewed 30 October 2011. http://www.prb.australasia.com/content/documents/JCCR%23.pdf Jenkins, M 2010, ‘Earn $$$ from your home: the domestic revolution in e-com industry’, Women’s Business Today, vol.8, no.2, pp.120-127, viewed 28 September, via Sage. Olsten, H 2008, ‘Broadsheets online good news for expats’, The Weekend Australian, viewed 2 September 2011, via Newsbank. Wong, Z 2009, ‘Why kneel when you can click!’ paper presented to the 7th International Conference on Digital Religion, Southern Cross University. Lismore, NSW, 28 to 31 July. Zadrow, K 2010, The well in the mirror: theories of subjectivity in the digital age, Elliott McGill Ltd, viewed 28 July 2011, via Ovid eBooks.

Free Essays on Mechanical Ventilator Weaning

The research article I found contained information about ventilator weaning outcomes in infants and children. The research design was quantitative, using a randomized controlled trial. The sample consisted of one hundred eighty-two spontaneously breathing children less than eighteen years old, who had been receiving ventilator support for more than 24 hours and who failed a test for extubation readiness on minimal pressure support. The research was conducted in the pediatric intensive care units of 10 children’s hospitals across North America from November 1999 through April 2001. The Purpose of this research was to evaluate whether weaning protocols are more effective than standard care with no defined protocol and whether a volume support weaning protocol using continuous automated adjustment of pressure support by the ventilator (VSV) is more effective than manual adjustment of pressure support by clinicians. The measurements used to verify extubation readiness included â€Å"checking for spontaneous respiratory effort, having a gag reflex or cough with suctioning, pH of 7.32 to 7.47 on most recent blood gas analysis, positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 7 cm H2o or lower, and fraction of inspired oxygen (Floz) of 0.6 or less† (Randolph,et al,pg.3). The extubation readiness test (ERT) consisted of changing the F2 to 0.5 and decreasing PEEP to 5cm H20. With both setting adjustments, the spo2 had to stay above 95%. This was measured using a pulse oximetry reading. The patients unable to maintain spo2 of 95% or greater were removed from the test. Those who did maintain spo2 at 95%v or above had their ventilator mode changed to PSV and were placed on minimal PSV. Exhaled tidal volumes were measured at the ETT using a CO2SMO Plus monitor with sensors. (Novametrix Medical Systems, Inc.) I think the measurements that were used in the study are reliable and effective. It is appropriate to monitor spo2 levels and exhaled tidal volumes... Free Essays on Mechanical Ventilator Weaning Free Essays on Mechanical Ventilator Weaning The research article I found contained information about ventilator weaning outcomes in infants and children. The research design was quantitative, using a randomized controlled trial. The sample consisted of one hundred eighty-two spontaneously breathing children less than eighteen years old, who had been receiving ventilator support for more than 24 hours and who failed a test for extubation readiness on minimal pressure support. The research was conducted in the pediatric intensive care units of 10 children’s hospitals across North America from November 1999 through April 2001. The Purpose of this research was to evaluate whether weaning protocols are more effective than standard care with no defined protocol and whether a volume support weaning protocol using continuous automated adjustment of pressure support by the ventilator (VSV) is more effective than manual adjustment of pressure support by clinicians. The measurements used to verify extubation readiness included â€Å"checking for spontaneous respiratory effort, having a gag reflex or cough with suctioning, pH of 7.32 to 7.47 on most recent blood gas analysis, positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 7 cm H2o or lower, and fraction of inspired oxygen (Floz) of 0.6 or less† (Randolph,et al,pg.3). The extubation readiness test (ERT) consisted of changing the F2 to 0.5 and decreasing PEEP to 5cm H20. With both setting adjustments, the spo2 had to stay above 95%. This was measured using a pulse oximetry reading. The patients unable to maintain spo2 of 95% or greater were removed from the test. Those who did maintain spo2 at 95%v or above had their ventilator mode changed to PSV and were placed on minimal PSV. Exhaled tidal volumes were measured at the ETT using a CO2SMO Plus monitor with sensors. (Novametrix Medical Systems, Inc.) I think the measurements that were used in the study are reliable and effective. It is appropriate to monitor spo2 levels and exhaled tidal volumes...

The Berlin Conference to Divide Africa

The Berlin Conference to Divide Africa The Berlin Conference was described by Harm J. de Bli in Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts: The Berlin Conference was Africas undoing in more ways than one. The colonial powers superimposed their domains on the African continent. By the time independence returned to Africa in 1950, the realm had acquired a legacy of political fragmentation that could neither be eliminated nor made to operate satisfactorily. Purpose of the Berlin Conference In 1884, at the request of Portugal, German chancellor Otto von Bismark called together the major western powers of the world to negotiate questions and end confusion over the control of Africa. Bismark appreciated the opportunity to expand Germanys sphere of influence over Africa and hoped to force Germanys rivals to struggle with one another for territory. At the time of the conference, 80 percent of Africa remained under traditional and local control. What ultimately resulted was a hodgepodge of geometric boundaries that divided Africa into 50 irregular countries. This new map of the continent was superimposed over 1,000 indigenous cultures and regions of Africa. The new countries lacked rhyme or reason and divided coherent groups of people and merged together disparate groups who really did not get along. ThoughtCo / Adrian Mangel Countries Represented at the Berlin Conference Fourteen countries were represented by a plethora of ambassadors when the conference opened in Berlin on November 15, 1884. The countries represented at the time included Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden-Norway (unified from 1814 to 1905), Turkey, and the United States of America. Of these 14 nations, France, Germany, Great Britain, and Portugal were the major players in the conference, controlling most of colonial Africa at the time. Berlin Conference Tasks The initial task of the conference was to agree that the Congo River and Niger River mouths and basins would be considered neutral and open to trade. Despite its neutrality, part of the Congo Basin became a personal kingdom for Belgiums King Leopold II. Under his rule, over half of the regions population died. At the time of the conference, only the coastal areas of Africa were colonized by the European powers. At the Berlin Conference, the European colonial powers scrambled to gain control over the interior of the continent. The conference lasted until February 26, 1885 - a three-month period where colonial powers haggled over geometric boundaries in the interior of the continent, disregarding the cultural and linguistic boundaries already established by the indigenous African population. Following the conference, the give and take continued. By 1914, the conference participants had fully divided Africa among themselves into 50 countries. Major colonial holdings included: Great Britain desired a Cape-to-Cairo collection of colonies and almost succeeded through their control of Egypt, Sudan (Anglo-Egyptian Sudan), Uganda, Kenya (British East Africa), South Africa, and Zambia, Zimbabwe (Rhodesia), and Botswana. The British also controlled Nigeria and Ghana (Gold Coast).France took much of western Africa, from Mauritania to Chad (French West Africa), as well as Gabon and the Republic of Congo (French Equatorial Africa).Belgium and King Leopold II controlled the Democratic Republic of Congo (Belgian Congo).Portugal took Mozambique in the east and Angola in the west.Italys holdings were Somalia (Italian Somaliland) and a portion of Ethiopia.Germany took Namibia (German Southwest Africa) and Tanzania (German East Africa).Spain claimed the smallest territory, which was Equatorial Guinea (Rio Muni). Source De Bli, Harm J. Geography: Realms, Regions, and Concepts. Peter O. Muller, Jan Nijman, 16th Edition, Wiley, November 25, 2013.

One of the three topics in the instruction Essay

One of the three topics in the instruction - Essay Example To cope up with these challenges the academic institutions and recruitment authorities should perform their responsibilities. The American Dental Education Association has declared that the healthcare providers have failed to give proper treatment competent to the cultural differences to the minorities which call for a diverse workforce (ADEA, 2005). The healthcare providers especially the dentists should concentrate towards increasing the workplace diversity as it is the first step to strength the relationship between the doctor and patient. The healthcare providers are somewhat successful in serving patients who belong to their own race or culture but when it comes to the minorities it becomes crucial for them to give equal treatment and therefore the workforce must be racially diverse. The Sullivan Commission Report states that 62% of black patients are treated by black dentists and 10.5% of black patients are treated by white dentists (Sullivan Commission on Diversity in the Healthcare Workforce, 2004). This clearly indicates that the health care services are highly affected by the racial differences. Another factor that emphasizes upon the need of workforce diversity is that the patients belonging to different cultures have entirely different beliefs for instance, in among Muslims anyone out of the immediate family cannot touch a woman and these women ask for a female doctor for themselves, for such conditions there should be a healthcare provider who clearly understand the patient’s reservations and can deal with their insecurities. The workplace diversity also minimizes the communication barriers between the patient and doctor. When the doctor communicates in the language of the patient and satisfies him with his concern and knowledge about his background then the patient feels comfortable and easily discusses the