Paradigm Positions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Paradigm Positions - Essay Example Shawer and â€Å"Digital natives: where is the evidence?† by E. J. Helsper and R. Eynon yielded ample amount of information to me. The overall purpose of the articles, their theoretical framework and methodologies used were relatively conveyed in the first encounter itself. While the former article sought to eliminate the unempirical demarcation between the young and adult users of technology by offering scientific evidence in support, the latter looked forward to establishing the utility of communicative-based techniques in teaching and learning through analysis of data collected in a survey. However, a certain degree of ambiguity and obscurity persisted in the proper understanding of few terms and jargons used in the articles But a second reading enabled a better understanding of those explicit terms and jargons used by the authors. For instance, the meaning and significance of the terms like â€Å"digital native†, â€Å"digital immigrants† and â€Å"breadth o f experience† used by Helsper and Eynon and acronyms like â€Å"CLT† and â€Å"EFL† used by Shawer became clearer following the second reading. The second reading thus helped in closing the gaps that were created in the first reading. Both the articles deal with the interaction of learners with technology and the extent to which technology plays a role in their learning process. Helsper and Eynon’s study attempts to challenge the popularly held belief that people’ ability to engage with technology is a function of generational differences. They assert that the previous researchers had not considered the influence of social and cultural factors on learning. But Helsper and Eynontake into account these influences as part of their ontological and epistemological position. Their work seeks to defy the premise of correlation between age and technology use by establishing the fact that there are

Globalization and the Youth Culture of Dakar as Related in a study by Essay

Globalization and the Youth Culture of Dakar as Related in a study by Scheld and Examined against Writing by Ong and Writing by Inda and Rosaldo - Essay Example In comparing her writing with that of Aihwa Ong, an emerging pattern of the influences of media on the nature of capitalism can be observed. When gauging that against the ideas of globalization as they are discussed by Inda and Rosaldo, the influences of cultures as they collide can be seen for how they are changing existing cultures, and reinventing through filters as they influence life across the world. The emergence of globalization has created a youth driven culture as the ways of the old are being shadowed by the influences of new cultures through media, consumerism, and the emergence of a capitalistic based world economy. According to Scheld, † In Dakar, youth are increasingly entrepreneurial individuals who base the authenticity of their cosmopolitan identity on an ability to buy and sell (trade) in the urban/global informal economy† (232). This might be seen as a Westernization of thought and identity that has embraced the nature of consumerism and shaped the way in which the youth are supporting their feelings of participation in a world that has grown large through globalization. The creation of clothing lines within the Dakar cosmopolitan has emerged through a sense of community; those involved using social terms of interaction in order to support what they are creating. While there is an undercurrent of dishonest behaviors, they are framed by social rules which include creative and competitive structures of behavior. Sheld states that â€Å"youth steer the economic cultural life of the city and keep it hooked in to the global economy† (232). Sheld’s research is based u pon a belief that â€Å"Dakarois youth use dress to shape the city and urban identity† (232). Sheld’s work examines â€Å"how clothing use and exchange shape cosmopolitan identities, the city, and global flows of people and goods in a West African metropolis† (232). The region of Dakar is economically depressed, the city a wash of deterioration and decay, but the young people of the region dress in ways that are both provocative and colorful, injecting into the economy a relationship between cultural expression and economic stimulation. Where most aspects of the economy are failing, the behaviors of the youth culture in creating their own sub-economy for the purpose of fashion creates an underbelly of motion in which the an informal economy is the basis of the emergence of culture within the city landscape. It seems to be a common element within a culture to see its youth as a driving force in creating economic flows based upon fashion and social identity. The w ays in which these â€Å"marginalized populations make sense of modernity, express their identities and shape their lifeworlds† (Sheld 233) is often through externalized expressions of their emotions, their choices placing them within a framework of social position that makes sense to them and to their peers. In creating â€Å"imagined memberships† within a specified world, the individual becomes a part of a world through mimicry and recreation of the world to form and identify with the ways in which they associate themselves in congruence with the ways in which the structure services their need for identity (Sheld 235). Globalization has become a driving force of youth culture, allowing for identification with groups from around the world where something of those social groups becomes an identifiable structure from which looks and behaviors are adapted. According

Research paper about Worlf of Warcraft online Essay

Research paper about Worlf of Warcraft online - Essay Example So when Blizzard announced that they were going to reveal their next project this September, the speculation ran rampant, as usual, as fanboys and industry dorks alike started guessing at the possibilities. STARCRAFT 2? Massively multiplayer DIABLO? A first-person shooter? The answer was finally revealed on September 2 at ECTS in London--and, as usual, everyone was wrong again. Coming next from Blizzard is WORLD ΟF WARCRAFT, a massively multiplayer RPG set in the WARCRAFT universe. And although no one expected this, it is as exciting an announcement as they could have made. Finally, Blizzard is swooping down from that eagle-eye view and letting us play inside one ÃŽ ¿f their fantasy universes. Finally, instead ÃŽ ¿f commanding troops from above, we get to be mighty heroes ourselves, creating cur own personal legends. It is Blizzard most ambitious game to date--and over the next 10 pages, the green-skinned CGW peons are ready to take you on a tour ÃŽ ¿f the now-living kingdom ÃŽ ¿f Azeroth in this exclusive first look, Zug zug! As any serious WARCRAFT geek knows, Blizzard has long had a huge story in place for its flagship universe--but most ÃŽ ¿f that story never appeared in the games themselves. But the WARCRAFT I and II designers were obviously frustrated story-tellers, because they packed the manuals and subsequent novels with details ÃŽ ¿f a deeply thought-out fantasy world (somewhat reminiscent ÃŽ ¿f Raymond Feists great Riftwar Saga) that has just begged for further enrichment. Blizzard tried to build on the story in the never-released WARCRAFT ADVENTURES, and the fact that theyre coming back to it again--this time in an online RPG--just proves the level ÃŽ ¿f their obsession. (Bessià ¨re 530-5) "The simple fact is that WARCRAFT is our flagship gig," said Chris Metzen, longtime Blizzard veteran and "keeper ÃŽ ¿f the arcane flame" ÃŽ ¿f all WARCRAFT continuity. "DIABLO kicks ass, STARCRAFT kicks ass--Im partial to

Americans Delay Retirement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Americans Delay Retirement - Essay Example Most of the senior employees were of the opinion that they will sell their houses so that they can get the decent amount in order to manage their life style after retirement. However because of the economic crises the prices of real estate went down which badly affect the projected savings of aging American workforce. Youth of America is going to face serious crash in the job market since there will be very few jobs for thousands of graduates. The economic bubble seems to burst now. Research conducted by the investment company also suggests that senior employees are working longer so that they can recover some of their wealth which was lost at the hands stock market speculations. Besides the economic reason behind the delay of retirement there are some social problems as well. Most of the people think that the benefits which they are getting during the service will no longer be available after retirement. Therefore senior employees are trying their level best in order to get maximum benefits possible. Scarce health benefits are also one of the major concerns behind the delay of retirement by the senior employees of the workforce (Levtez). The dot –com crash also suggested that employees should delay the retirement plans so that they earn and save the lost wealth. Most of the financial experts are of the opinion that lax lending and legislations for dragging down the prices of real estate is also responsible for improper economic scenario. Bush administration is also considered as a responsible government behind the deteriorating picture of the economy. The situation is enforcing the workforce to search for other part time jobs as well. For example some nurses sell flowers to earn a decent part time income (Hogler, and Hunt). In order to improve the situation economists should try to bring forward such programs in which workforce should be rewarded for their competency. Public private

Effects of International Trade Barriers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Effects of International Trade Barriers - Essay Example This essay critically discusses why the government continues to impose barriers to trade and are frequently engaged in a trade dispute. In the past decades, the opening of the markets has boosted economic and trade growth worldwide. However, the trade barriers have remained a key obstacle to the access of markets. Researchers have pointed out that the potential benefit of reducing the obstacle is significant. Countries engage in international trade for various reasons. First, international trade increases the choice of goods for the domestic consumers. It also allows the domestic market to export their goods. Trade barriers refer to the measures that the public authorities or the governments introduce so as to restrict or prevent overseas investment or trade. The measures of the restriction need to be taken in the form of a particular decision or legislation. The measures that are imposed may take the form of current practice. When countries are important or exported from one country to another, they have to be accompanied by the correct documentation adoption of free international trade may result in the collapse of the domestic markets. There is a need to protect the domestic market to ensure that there is the sustainability of the domestic industries and encourage the innovation of ideas in the different countries. The trade barriers will reduce the trade disputes that may come up as a result of the poor working condition. The tariffs enable the government to increase revenues as imports enter the domestic market.

Library Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Library - Research Paper Example The findings of the study conducted by the authors were used in the development of a software application, ‘EcoSiteManager’, to assist in the management of logistics for large factories (Zoran M., Christian T, Andreas M, and Uwe C, 1920). The last few years have seen a sharp increase in the volumes of shipments across the world. This has led to most of the large companies stretching to their limits in terms of their capabilities to handle the large amounts of cargo (Zoran M., Christian T, Andreas M, and Uwe C, 1800). This has in turn led to development of bottlenecks in the various transport chains across major ports. In as much as this negatively affects the transport sector and stalls business operations, it creates an opportunity for more enabling more efficiency in the transport sector. This presents a great potential for increasing efficiency in the area of transport and logistics in at various terminals, production sites and distribution centers thereby ensuring th e economy continues to grow (Zoran M., Christian T, Andreas M, and Uwe C, 2050). ... I have learnt a lot of useful information on how to improve efficiency the transport network to reduce production costs and ease congestion at various transport terminals. One most of the most fascinating fact that I have gathered from the article is the idea that technology can be used to improve the efficiency of the transport network. The EcoSitemanagement system for instance can be used to manage movement of products across a transport channel. This is very fascinating given the impact that technological developments are having on the business sector and the economy at large. This information in the article can be used in the development of other software applications to manage other areas in the transport networks such as distribution of goods. Title: Lean manufacturing practices: Problems and Prospects Author: Rajesh K. M. Mehta, D. and Naveen K. M. Date: 2012 Topic: Logistics In this article, the authors examine how manufactures can improve the efficiency of their production t hrough lean production practices. Lean production refers to the generation of additional value for consumers by doing away with activities and processes that lead to wastage of time and resources (Rajesh, Mehta and Naveen 1600). This will ensure that production costs are kept at minimum while at the same time ensuring production of quality goods and services for the consumers. Large manufacturers have complicated production processes that need good management to ensure the end product is of the highest quality as possible. Some of the activities in the production process consume a lot of time and take up many resources that would have been used in other activities. The article presents lean manufacturing as the best alternative

Spaghetti and sausages Essay Example for Free

Spaghetti and sausages Essay This schedule is my average exercise per week. By following this schedule I can assure myself that I do at least five hours of exercise a week because I always walk to and from school. I can also guarantee that I will do an hour and a half of football training on a Wednesday and play the match on a Sunday even in the close season because I play for a summer team as well. My fitness is no longer jeopardised by injury as it was earlier in the year when I broke my right fibula and tibia during a football match. For my main stage fitness test I did:  A bleep test A bleep test is when you run from distance back to another repeatedly. I finished the bleep test with a score of 11.5  Cooper Run the Cooper run is when you run for twelve minutes around a 100 metre circuit without stopping. My number of laps was 27 which means that I did 2700 metres of running.  Harvard step test this is where you put one foot on a bench followed by another then take one foot off and take the other foot off. My pulse rates were:  Compared to the other people that are in my group I am a very fit person. This is because I do a lot of fitness training out of school and I need to keep myself in good shape because I have a strong passion for football. However, nobodys perfect and I am no exception. I feel that I can improve my balance because I often lose it at vital and unexpected times. What Would I like to Achieve?  The sport that I am going to improve my fitness for is football.  The different components of sport in order to play football are:  1) Speed You need this to outpace the opposition players with or without the ball.  2) Power Jumping to head a ball and the power in your leg muscles to kick the ball as hard as you want.  3) Agility Being able to move freely and turn with the ball when sharp movements are needed. 4) Flexibility When you stretch your leg or arm (goalkeeper) to reach for the ball.  5) Stamina Allowing you to last longer on the pitch without getting tired.  6) Strength The ability to outmuscle your opponent for the ball.  7) Balance Being able to stay on your feet in any situation with control over your body.  8) Co-ordination Needed for judging the flight of a ball and when you are in control of it so that you always know where the ball is. The thing in which I would like to improve is my strength. This is because for a footballer, you need to be strong and this is an area in which I am very weak. I will also work on my balance a little because sometimes I find myself falling over when running with the ball at speed.  How am I going to achieve this?  In order to improve my football skills and in particular my strength and balance, I will create a circuit with about eight stations designed to improve my overall skills in football. Over the six weeks the toughness and length of exercise will increase. My body will adapt to the training and my fitness level will slowly rise because my body will get used to the routine. I can do this by increasing the number of repetitions, adding more stations or even reducing the rest periods. My circuit will be completed 3 times a week and the results would be shown by measuring the heart rate of myself in a results table for each week. My circuit plan can be found on the next page followed by a diagram on the page next to that. Week 1 In the first week my heart rate worried me a little because at the start of the second session it raised and after the first session I expected it to be the same. This however was soon put to the back of my mind as on the third session it was back down to 68BPM and on the third session I found out that I had begun to improve my fitness because my heart rate after the exercise session was lower than the previous two sessions. Week 2 This week was another step closer to getting fitter as my third session of the week proved to be an improvement because my heart rate managed to stay the same as the second session. The after exercise heart rate showed me that I continued from the first week but the second session showed that I was not getting my heart rate back down to 71BPM. Like the first week I continued with the third session and I had been shown that I was not only back to where I should be but I improved yet again. Week 3 In week 3 I ended with an even lower heart rate of 66BPM. The second session showed me that my heart rate was one beat more than I expected but this has seemed to be a trend in my results. After 3 minutes of exercise I found my results worrying as I didnt make any improvement at all and in the first two sessions I got worse and worse but luckily was back at 70BPM by the third session. Week 4 This was a disappointing week for me and I clearly was slacking in my programme. My heart rate before exercise stayed at 66BPM for the duration of the week and my after exercise heart rate was higher and this stayed like this, as at the end of the week my heart rate 3 minutes after exercise was 71BPM whereas the week before it was 70BPM. Week 5 After the first session of week 5 I thought that I must have reached my maximum fitness level because it was still 66BPM but then realised over the next two sessions I could still improve as I had heart rates of 65BPM. My after exercise results also finally improved from 71BPM to 69BPM. This was a pleasing week for me as I used the overload tactic to get my heart rate down. Week 6 Finally my six week training program had come to an end. Pleasingly I made a final improvement and my final heart rate before exercise was 64BPM. Another thing that made me proud was that my heart rate 3 minutes after exercise had also improved and that ended with a final rate of 68BPM. Overall I improved my fitness by 4BPM.