Bond and Percent free essay sample

Value of Money and Valuing Bonds Chapter 6 55. Amortization with Equal Payments Prepare an amortization schedule for a five-year loan of $36,000. The interest rate is 9 percent per year, and the loan calls for equal annual payments. How much interest is paid in the third year? Answer: $2,108. 52 56. Amortization with Equal Principal Payments Rework Problem 55 assuming that the loan agreement calls for a principal reduction of $7,200 every year instead of equal annual payments. Answer: $1,944. 00 57. Calculating Annuity Values Bilbo Baggins wants to save money to meet three objectives.First, he would like to be able to retire 30 years from now with retirement income of $20,000 per month for 20 years, with the first payment received 30 years and 1 month from now. Second, he would like to purchase a cabin in Rivendell in 10 years at an estimated cost of $325,000. Third, after he passes on at the end of the 20 years of withdrawals, he would like to leave an inheritance of $750,000 to his nephew Frodo. We will write a custom essay sample on Bond and Percent or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He can afford to save $2,000 per month for the next 10 years. If he can earn an 11 percent EAR before he retires and an 8 percent EAR after he retires, how much will he have to save each month in years 11 through 30?Answer: $2,259. 65 58. Calculating Annuity Values After deciding to buy a new car, you can either lease the car or purchase it on a three-year loan. The car you wish to buy costs $28,000. The dealer has a special leasing arrangement where you pay $1 today and $380 per month for the next three years. If you purchase the car, you will pay it off in monthly payments over the next three years at an 8 percent APR. You believe you will be able to sell the car for $15,000 in three years. Should you buy or lease the car? What break-even resale price in three years would make you indifferent between buying and leasing?Answer: Lease, $20,161. 86 66. Calculating Annuity Payments This is a classic retirement problem. A time line will help in solving it. Your friend is celebrating her 35th birthday today and wants to start saving for her anticipated retirement at age 65. She wants to be able to withdraw $90,000 from her savings account on each birthday for 20 years following her retirement; the first withdrawal will be on her 66th birthday. Your friend intends to invest her money in the local credit union, which offers 8 percent interest per year. She wants to make equal annual payments on each birthday into the account established at the credit union for her retirement fund. a. If she starts making these deposits on her 36th birthday and continues to make deposits until she is 65 (the last deposit will be on her 65th birthday), what amount must she deposit annually to be able to make the desired withdrawals at retirement? b. Suppose your friend has just inherited a large sum of money. Rather than making equal annual payments, she has decided to make one lump sum payment on her 35th birthday to cover her retirement needs.What amount does she have to deposit? c. Suppose your friends employer will contribute $1,500 to the account every year as part of the companys profit-sharing plan. In addition, your friend expects a $25,000 distribution from a family trust fund on her 55th birthday, which she will also put into the retirement account. What amount must she deposit annually now to be able to make the desired withdrawals at retirement? Answer: a. $7,800. 21, b. $87,813. 12, c. $5,823. 77 67. Calculating the Number of Periods Your Christmas ski vacation was great, but it unfortunately ran a bit over budget.

Small business management To build or buy

Small business management To build or buy Introduction This article examines strategic planning process of purchasing an existing coffee business in Miami. We have based the business concept on News Cafà ©, which demonstrates affordability, growth, and comfort at the Ocean Drive of Miami Beach. New Cafà © is a 24-hour business with a great menu that consists of both national and international coffee and desserts. It has a great oceanfront view. However, the place experiences service lackluster during high tourists’ seasons. Business Concept Strategy Starbucks introduced coffee business to the US and coffee has become a common feature of Americans as millions of them consume coffee daily. These people are willing to spend money on quality coffee.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Small business management: To build or buy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Specialty coffee has become a growing coffee business in Miami as News Cafà © shows (Mona ghan and Huffaker, 1995). Market conditions such as recession and slow economic growths have not affected coffee consumption in Miami or the US. In fact, specialty coffee sales have increased. In addition, no coffee house closed due to recession unlike in other industries. News Cafà © and other coffee outlets serve quality coffee in Miami. However, most of these coffee outlets look like ‘fast food restaurants’ because of their services. Now Miami coffee consumers have increased, and their preferences for coffee and other products have grown. As a result, many consumers need fresh coffee, varieties, and coffee with health benefits. This means that there is a niche in the coffee market of Miami. Coffee consumers want fresh, high-end, quality, and health coffee served in high volumes and in a warm and conducive atmosphere. A new coffee business in Miami can meet these needs and fill the niche in the market. The business should provide high quality coffee products in upsca le locations of Miami. The location must also provide a mixed clientele base in order to ensure that the business has high-levels of activities throughout the session. Develop or Purchase Based on the performance of News Cafà ©, it is necessary to purchase an existing coffee business than developing a new one. The existing coffee business in Miami has existing customers, a stream of revenues, existing employees, recognized business name, and working business policies and procedures (Joseph, Nekoranec and Steffens, 1992). Purchasing an existing coffee business in Miami shall enable the investor to avoid risks associated with start-ups. Business pundits claim that nearly 80 percent of start-ups do not last for more than two years. In addition, start-ups may also lack adequate cash flows, which may affect their working capital. New businesses have financing and setup challenges. An investor who opts for an existing business with history avoids challenges associated with a new business that lacks a record of accomplishment. Therefore, the process of developing a new coffee business in Miami should be through purchasing an existing business. Still, it also eliminates a daunting task of finding capital for a new business.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Start-ups also undergo creation challenges. There are business procedures and policies, which the new business owner would not like in an existing. However, the new owner may make changes that fit his new business concept. The purchasing party can easily locate what areas or policies of the existing business need changes. The investor may also decide to overhaul all aspects of the business, but eventually gains from identifying factors that do not favor the business. Such existing business already has stability required to start operation. In addition, the interested party can rely on hist orical sales records in order to make sales projection. The new owner can realize immediate returns after the purchase. Any business for sale usually has a fair price. Furthermore, purchasing an existing business may not require all the capitals needed when buying a new business. The owner can make down payment and pay the rest of the debt in installment by using the generated cash flows from the business. A new start-up does not provide this advantage. Still, sellers also offer favorable financing terms for such existing businesses. This may be due to income tax reasons, enhance profitability of the business, and get a net for existing loans. A seller who may carry back any part of sales price indicates that he has confidence in the future performance of the business even under new management. Form of Ownership Aspiring entrepreneur has various forms of business ownership and can select the one that matches his business financial position. For this new coffee shop venture in Miami, we have settled on limited liability company (LLC). LLC has a hybrid structure that will provide the new owner with limited liability features of corporation, offer tax efficiency and eliminates cases of double taxation, and operational flexibility of a partnership business. However, this form of business ownership is complex and formal that a general partnership ownership. Business Plan Executive Summary This new coffee shop venture borrows the concept of News Cafà © in Miami, but shall be in upscale areas, provide high quality coffee, efficiency, and 24-hour services. The owner can introduce other partners or run it independently (McDonald, 2007).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Small business management: To build or buy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Financing shall be from the owner’s capital. The owner shall fund the rest with income generated from returns. After reviewing the operation of N ews Cafà ©, the new coffee business shall rely on the News Cafà © model for expansion to other areas of Miami. Mission The new coffee business goal is to be the coffee shop of choice in Miami for upscale consumers, tourists, students and the local business community by offering high quality coffee and coffee products. The business intends to be profitable with more than 20 percent returns annually. The business also intends to support local environmental initiatives at the beach and supports coffee farmers too. Objectives Make the new business highly attractive place for coffee consumers in Miami Make sales of $750,000 in the first fiscal year, $1 million for the second year, and $ 1.3 million for the third fiscal year Achieve over 20 percent net profit after the third year Start expansion within six months after opening Support community, coffee farmers, and conservation efforts Key to Success High quality coffee products Upscale markets with mix customer base Targets on tour ists, affluent population, students, working community, and pedestrians Well-trained staff Aggressive and continuous marketing Sales of coffee and related products for multiple revenue sources Provide online sales services in the Web Company SummaryAdvertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The business shall provide unique coffee to its consumers. Variety: the coffee shop shall have different varieties of coffee not found in Miami Location: the coffee shop shall occupy upscale environments with attractive views next to busy streets, shopping complex, tourists’ destinations, and entertainment locations The coffee shop shall expand within six months after successful takeover Ownership The coffee shop shall be LLC Products The coffee shop shall offer high quality: Coffee varieties Tea Juice Gift items Chocolate Bottled water Soft drinks Snacks Pricing of these products shall favor both high-end and low-end consumers. Market Analysis Summary The new venture shall launch a new coffee business by purchasing an existing business in a receptive and a growing market. America coffee consumers are increasing. The business shall consider: Affluent and popular locations Areas with tourists activities throughout the year Student locations Low media costs Busy streets Popular beach areas Market Segmentation The customer base in Miami shall consist of various customer segments: High-end local residents Local community business people Tourists Students Pedestrians and travelers These segments of consumers are strong and provide mixed benefits. They can provide consistent business and cash flows throughout the fiscal year. The business will also benefit from high tourist seasons during summer breaks when students break for their long holidays. Still, the other segments of the market shall be available throughout the year. Figure 1: Target Market Segments for the New Coffee Shop Competitors Competition consists of international, regional, and local coffee shops. Starbucks News Cafà © Cafà © Demetrio Joffrey’s Coffee and Restaurant Versailles Mercedes Coffee Shop Romeos Cafà © Greenstreet Cafà © These competitors have grown ever since their inception. In addition, no single chain of coffee shop has failed in Miami in the last 20 years . Marketing Strategy The new coffee shop shall rely on word of mouth, local media, and social media as marketing strategies in order to reduce costs of media promotions. The aim of the marketing campaign is to establish profitability for fast and continued growth of the business. The marketing strategy shall position the coffee shop as the only place that offers high quality coffee products in Miami Beach. Assumptions The market requires high quality coffee products There is a need for conducive environment Consumers want affordable luxuries Coffee market is stable Competitive Edge The business competitive edge in comparison to competitors includes: High quality products with great tastes Best locations in busy streets, areas with tourists’ presence throughout the year High-end locations Favorable prices to both high-end and low-end consumers Superior ambience 24-hour operation Varieties of products for various segments of the market Internet online sales The business sh ould have more than 20 shops within the next five years. However, this will depend on the financial performance of the purchased business. The managers must track all daily activities in order to provide clear perspectives for expansion. Web Plan Summary The coffee shop will have an established Web site from the previous business owner. The established Web site of the business guarantees the new owner high traffic from existing customers. The Web site shall act as a tool of marketing and offer online sales services. Management Profile Owner Chief finance officer Marketing head Operation manager Financial Plan Achieve sales growth of 15 percent annually Adequate cash flows Profit margins of 20 to 25 percent Marketing budget shall be five percent of the annual budget The profits shall fund expansion strategies Figure 2: Monthly sales by products Figure 3: Yearly sales by products References Joseph, R., Nekoranec, A., and Steffens, C. (1992). How To Buy a Business. New York, NY: Kaplan Publishing. McDonald, M. (2007). Marketing plans: how to prepare them, how to use them. Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann. Monaghan, J., and Huffaker, J. (1995). ESPRESSO! Starting and Running Your Own Specialty Coffee Business . New York: Wiley.

Cash Management Techniques Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cash Management Techniques - Case Study Example 1. The company usually creates realistic cash flow budgets for both short term and long term. This helps the company to critically analyze the management policies of their cash and also pass recommendations to improve their current strategies. Competition- A company business environment plays a critical role in determining the credit policies that the company will adopt. The practices being carried out by other players in the industry will be a deterministic factor as well. In a relative competitive business environment, a high degree of importance is usually emphasized in regard to credit availability. The reason behind this is to ensure that the company remains competitive since it will be an attraction to clients. Even when the industry is not competitive enough, a company can use credit availability as a tool to be more competitive ( Cooper, 2004). Customer type-The type of customers that a company interacts with will be critical in deterministic of the policies the company will adopt. In situations whereby the clients of the company are characterised with short capital it is unlikely the company will adopt policies that will increase credit availability ( Albrecht, Stice, & Stice, 2010). Profit margin- the profit margin from goods or services provided by the company is a critical deterministic aspect of the credit policies a company will implement. If the profit margins are slim, then the credit department needs to be careful about the policies they adopt. On the other end, high profit margins are more tolerant to risks associated with credit, thus allowing more flexible and ease policies ( Albrecht, Stice, & Stice, 2010). The government regulations - government might set specific credit regulations in order to govern the sale of specific commodities for example alcohol. Therefore, companies should select credit policies that are in line with government regulations. Short term financial

Future of HR (just paraphrase) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Future of HR (just paraphrase) - Essay Example Thus, HR managers have a huge variety of responsible roles and functions in an organizations. One of the most important tasks is to ensure that the future human resource leaders are fit to take over. For this, HR managers need to maintain their credibility in the organization to gain the trust of the staff and set an example for the future HR leaders. Such an endeavor would be possible through the maintenance of behavioral integrity. The quality of HR of an organization makes a huge difference to the success of the organization. In most instances, organizations easily overcome difficult situations solely because of their HR. For instance, as Nick Holley points out, during the recession it was seen that within organizations, some business units were found to benefit from the recession while other business units suffered. He cites the example of Primark to explain this phenomenon (AllBusiness.com, 2010). According to Holley, recession has wrongly been taken as an excuse for â€Å"an underperforming HR function† and as research suggests, the success or failure of the organization depends on its HR function, which should be driven based on the â€Å"specific needs of the business† and rather than difficulties such as recession and success strategies of other organizations (AllBusiness.com, 2010). HR managers should focus on inculcating behavioral integrity in their organization and promote ethical prac tices among employees. It is essential for corporate managers to win employee trust, and this has been found to be a significant predictor of productivity, turnover, and profitability for the organization (Krell, 2006). Maintenance of behavioral integrity by corporate managers ensures that trust. Krell lists six ways to build employee trust in an organization. Firstly, by â€Å"translating corporate values into behaviors†, and by encouraging and training the employees to maintain those behaviors, employee trust can

Usage of Magic and Supernatural Elements in Childrens Literature Research Paper

Usage of Magic and Supernatural Elements in Childrens Literature - Research Paper Example Women began to slowly make their voices heard as an oppressed gender and philosophers were beginning to gain a greater understanding of the workings of the human mind. The child, often considered either a sinful and wild creature or a miniature adult, was beginning to be recognized as something still developing. There was a â€Å"veritable explosion of information about this period of physiological and cognitive development in human beings† and literature became â€Å"a central vehicle for expressing ideas about the self and its history† (Steedman 5). Although perhaps initially introduced as a means of breaking with the strict moralistic attitudes of the past, the use of magic and the world of the supernatural proved effective in teaching children in a way they could understand. Breaking from the ‘normal’ world with the introduction of the supernatural or the magical realm makes it possible for authors to personify various behaviors, values and character traits and thus give children more accessible avenues to complex concepts in keeping with their varying levels of understanding. Cognitive ability begins with birth, but improves upon skills acquired during the preschool years to apply to things outside of the self. There are four main categories of skills developed during this period (Santrock 1997). The first of these are self help skills in which the child learns to take care of their everyday needs such as dressing themselves. They also learn social help skills in which they begin to perceive the importance of helping others through activities such as household chores and demonstrating their ability to think outside of themselves. School skills are introduced in which the child learns the academic tools necessary for success in that arena, particularly in developing the analytical skills necessary for logic and mathematics. The final main category is play skills, in which the child

History and Methods of Chemical Warfare

History and Methods of Chemical Warfare Cori Haws In this report I intend to investigate from the perspective of a chemist the history and development of chemical weapons systems focusing primarily on their development, and the usage throughout the 20th century to present day and the means to which they act. As a starting point it is important to clarify what is meant by a chemical weapon or CW. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons defines a chemical weapon as a toxic chemical compound or its precursor which can cause death, injury, temporary incapacitation or sensory irritation through its chemical reaction. Delivery devices designed for the delivery of chemical agents, filled or unfilled, are also considered as such. For the purpose of this report I will be focusing on the chemical agents themselves opposed to the systems used to deliver such agents. Chemical warfare generally involves the use of the known toxic properties of chemical substances in the intent cause damage to life. This is distinct from conventional warfare, most of which requires the ‘self-destructive’ properties of particular chemical reactions (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene with Oxygen), and different from Nuclear, Radiological and Biological weapons such as Hydrogen bombs, Atom bombs and weaponised Anthrax in the method of action. There are many classifications for Chemical Weapons and are defined by the way of which they in fact act on an organism. These sub-categories include; choking agents, impede a victims breathing; blister agents, irritate and poison tissue; blood agents, inhibit the ability to transfer and utilise oxygen; nerve agents, inhibits nervous system operation, and riot control agents, short term lasting low risk to life agents. It is important to mention that while some substances are inherently toxic not all are considered chemical weapons. For example raw materials, substances for medicine, herbicides and insecticides all are able to cause significant harm to life but under controlled and regulated conditions are not significantly dangerous to be classified as chemical weapons. Brief History of Chemical Weapons While chemicals have been used for warfare for a considerable amount of time, albeit in highly primitive and at the time for yet unexplained reasons. (I.e Poison arrows, molten tar and arsenic smoke), most of the use of chemical weapons in modern history is limited to World War I where Chlorine and phosgene gasses were released in large qualities during trench warfare. Notably the first use was 22nd April 1915 on the town of Ypres in Belgium, overseen by Fritz Haber, the chemist who developed the process for production of ammonia. This attack resulted in the death of 5,000. During the war several different types of chemical weapons were developed primarily by German scientists, probably the most well-known being mustard gas and derivatives. Throughout the course of the First World War it is estimated that over 90,000 were fatally wounded by chemical weapons for a total of over a million injuries by use of approximately 124,000 tons of chemical agent. The idea of the danger posed by c hemical weapons as demonstrated by the Great War was influential in the coming years as although most countries felt reluctant in developing them the fear of even deadlier weapons being used in future conflicts. Although Chemical weapons were not used during World War II, it is know that both axis and allied powers possessed chemical weapons for use in retaliation. During the Cold War, both the United States and the Soviet Union developed and maintained large stockpiles of chemical weapons in fear of use. Statistics show that at the time both superpowers possessed enough chemical agents to destroy most organic life on the planet. It is noted that during the Iraq conflicts that Saddam Hussein used a variety of agents namely Mustard Gas and nerve agents possibly including what is considered the most potent nerve agents ‘VX’, against the Kurds in 1988. This prompted the Geneva Convention to prohibit the production and prompt the destruction of Chemical Weapons Stockpiles. The most recent examples of Chemical Weapons use were the terrorist attacks in Matsumoto, Japan and in Tokyo involving the nerve agent known by its name of Sarin (GB). Sarin was also reportedly used in Syria on the residents of the Ghouta agricultural belt around Damascus on the 21st August 2013 resulting in an estimated 350-1500 deaths. Choking Agents As stated previously the most notable Choking agents which have been used in warfare originate from WWI. Chlorine as we know is a strong oxidant agent due to its high electronegativity. This fundamentally is the reason to which it is dangerous. Being highly reactive means it is likely to react with most other elements to form chloride compounds. The second reason being that in standard conditions it is a gas meaning that containing it is difficult. The preface of which Chlorine gas works as a chemical weapon is by the means of inhalation. The respiratory system itself is highly sensitive tissue surrounded by a mucus membrane. The mucus membrane is a high percentage water. When Chlorine has been inhaled especially in high concentrations it will react with the water of the mucus membrane to form Hydrochloric Acid, which causes serve irritations within the lungs, generally causing secretion of fluid into the lungs eventually resulting in what is called secondary drowning as a result of Pulmonary Edema. In extremely high concentrations even two or three breathes of chlorine gas can be fatal due to serve tissue damage. Though due to Chlorine gases reactivity it can easily be filtered from air using activated carbon which is a form of processed carbon which has pores to increase surface area to around 500m2 per gram. The chlorine will simply react with the carbon before doing any damage to human respiratory tissue. Phosgene, the second Choking agent developed also works by means of reacting with water to form Hydrochloric acid. The reaction was generally slower but unlike Chlorine gas, did not have a distinguishable odour and usually killed it’s victims within 24 hours of inhalation. Mustard/Blistering Agents Blistering agents were developed at around the same time as the previously stated choking agents. Mustard Gas was developed in 1916 for the Imperial German Army and could be synthesised in a variety of ways including reacting Sulphur Dichloride with Ethene (1), reacting Sulphur Monochloride with Ethene (2) or using Thiodiglycol and Chlorinating with Phosphorus Trichloride (3). The third reaction was generally used by the British when creating mustard. It was a cleaner way to produce it as the purity was approximately 96% whereas the second method was fast but was only 70-80% pure and as a result did not keep for long periods as it decomposed, increasing the pressure of the containers it was in meaning it generally leaked. SCl2+ 2 C2H4→ (Cl-CH2CH2)2S 8 S2Cl2+ 16 C2H4→ 8 (Cl-CH2CH2)2S + S8 3 (HO-CH2CH2)2S + 2 PCl3→ 3 (Cl-CH2CH2)2S + 2 P(OH)3 Mustard gas is a blistering agent as it bonds an Alkl group to guanine in DNA, damaging the DNA and preventing cellular division and results in cell death or development of cancer. Due to this method of acting upon a subject it was rare for a victim to suffer immediate symptoms as the damage would not be evident until the effected cells die and fail to regenerate. As Mustard gas is not very soluble in water but is highly soluble in fats resulting in rapid absorption through skin tissue. After 24 hours skin irritation would occur then large blisters would form anywhere the mustard agent came into contact with the skin resulting in chemical burns. At the time of WWI serve mustard burns where 50% of the body was burned were often fatal. A victims eyes would also become greatly effected becoming sore and swelling causing blindness. At high concentrations blistering of the respiratory system would result in internal bleeding leading to pulmonary edema much like choking agents. While many people during have been killed by the use of Mustard gas and its derivatives, it also had done the world a large amount of good as it was discovered from autopsies of mustard gas victims that there was reduced white blood cell count and after further research Nitrogen Mustard was eventually used as the first chemotherapy drug to treat diseases related to the white blood cells such as lymphoma and leukaemia. Cyanide and Blood Agents The most well-known blood agent is Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN). HCN is produced on an industrial scale as it is a vital precursor to many useful chemicals in pharmaceuticals as well as in polymers. Cyanide ions are responsible for the effects of poisoning due to the fact cyanide ions interact with the mitochondrial enzyme cytochrome c oxidase by binding to it and reducing its effectiveness effectively halting cellular respiration. As a result the cells of an organism become unable to use the oxygen in the blood generally leading to hypoxia.

Differentiation & Education Essay

A few decades ago the world of education was very exercised by the forerunner of differentiation which was called ‘mixed ability teaching’. Then people began to realise it was not just ability that could be â€Å"mixed’’ and that teachers had to cope with a plethora of differences: learning style, age, motivation, prior learning and experience, gender, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, and so on. Consequently the term ‘mixed ability’ began to be replaced by the less vivid term: ‘differentiation’. But what does differentiation mean exactly? Differentiation is an approach to teaching that attempts to ensure that all students learn well, despite their many differences. Catch phrases which go some way to capturing this concept include: ‘Coping with differences’. ‘Learning for all’ or ‘Success for all’. There are a number of common misconceptions about differentiation. Some believe that it is something ‘added on’ to normal teaching and that it just requires a few discrete extra activities in the lesson. In fact, differentiation permeates everything a good teacher does and it is often impossible to ‘point’ to a discrete event that achieves it. It is not what is done often, but the way it is done that acheives differentiation. For this reason differentiation may not show up on a lesson plan or in the Scheme of Work. However some teachers try to show their intentions to differentiate by setting objectives in the following format: All must†¦. Some may†¦ A few might†¦ This may help novice teachers to think about the diversity of their learners, but having such objectives does not guarantee differentiation. It is the strategies, not the objectives that achieve differentiation, and this should  be the focus of our interests. Differentiation is not new, good teachers have always done it. However, it does chime with a new conception of the teacher’s role. Once we teachers taught courses, subjects and classes. But no more. Now we are teaching individuals. Once education was a sieve. The weaker students were ‘seived out’ and they left the classroom for the world of work, while the able students were retained for the next level. ‘Drop outs’ were planned for, and seen not just as inevitable but as desirable. Put bluntly, the aim was to discover those who could not cope, and get rid of them. But now education is a ladder, and we expect every learner to climb as fast and as high as they are able. ‘Drop outs’ are seen as a wasted opportunity, for the learners, and for society as a whole. Underpinning these conceptions of education as being a sieve or a ladder, are assumptions about the capability of learners and the nature of learning. Once learners were thought to have a genetic disposition for learning, or not, which was measured by their ‘IQ’. This placed an upper limit on their possible achievement. Some students were thought to reach their ‘ceiling’ after which further teaching would be in vain. This is no longer thought to be the case. Experts on the brain and on learning now stress that everyone can learn more, if they are taught appropriately, whatever they have previously acheived. A vivid illustration of this is provided by the work of Professor Reuven Feuerstien. He teaches learners with what we call ‘moderate learning difficulties’, using a very special and unusual programme involving intensive work for one hour a day every day. Four years later these learners have ‘caught up’ and are found to have an average ‘IQ’. They can live independent lives, learn normally, and are indistinguishable from average members of their societies.* Needless to say, remnants of the ‘ceiling’ model of learning can still be found in many teachers’ conceptions of teaching and learning. These ideas need to be tackled. Luckily in most colleges examples can be found of students who entered the college on a level 1 programme, and progressed well, eventually leaving for university. These are persuasive role models for other learners and for teachers. Teachers can make much greater differences than they themselves realise, and we are only just beginning to scratch the surface of what is possible. (((Box))) For more information on Professor Feuerstein’s methods: Visit the website of ‘The International Center for the Enhancement of Learning Potential’ http://www.icelp.org/ *Howard Sharron 1996 ‘Changing Children’s Minds: Feuerstein’s revolution in the teaching of intelligence’ 3rd Ed Imaginative Minds 27 Grederick Street Hockley Birmingham B1 3HH Adey P. and Shayer M. (1994) ‘Really Raising Standards: cognitive intervention and academic achievement’ Routledge (((End of Box))) If every learner achieves at their maximum rate this has huge consequences for their own lives, but also for society at large. Social inclusiveness, welfare to work, and the reduction of crime, drug abuse, and even ill health all require an educated citizenship and workforce. Many of the ills in our time have a remedy in the classroom. But differentiation has economic consequences beyond that of ensuring that citizens can provide for themselves through work. Economists stress that the market is now global, and that an industrialised nation like ours cannot compete on the basis of low wages, only on the basis of the skill, knowledge, and adaptability of our workforce. Industrialists have long known that a better educated workforce is much more ‘trainable’, and so can adapt to the rapid change now facing most places of work. The Economist, a journal not noted for valuing the public services, once dedicated a whole issue to education, making the case that economies were highly dependent on skills and knowledge, and that the big global economies were now competing for their futures in their classrooms. Differentiation has a lot to offer individuals, society and the economy, so it’s worth getting it right. Introducing differentiation Background These activities allow you to explore what is meant by differentiation and consider some of the barriers to achieving it. Three activities are given below. These are alternatives, so please choose the most suitable for the participants you will train. The first two assume some knowledge of differentiation and to factors that might prevent it taking place. The third activity assumes no knowledge of the subject. Activity: ‘Snowballing’ a definition of differentiation. Aims To explore individual and group understanding of differentiation To identify perceived obstacles which may hinder differentiation in practice To identify catalysts which may stimulate differentiation in practice. Resources Flip chart/s, post-it notes, standard pens and flip chart pens, OHP. Organisation The first stage is organised as a ‘snowball exercise’ commencing with each participant writing a personal definition of differentiation on a post-it note. Participants pair up and combine/ revise their definitions .Two pairs then combine /revise their definitions and so on to a maximum of 8 in a group. Each group then writes their definition on a flip chart. The definitions can then be compared and discussed with mediation from the facilitator. The facilitator may wish to show some academic definitions (see the box) for further discussion/ clarification. Teachers often produce a more useful definition that those in the box. Individual definitions of differentiation (3 mins) Pairs merge / develop definitions (5 mins) Pairs get together into groups of four or more and again merge / develop a common definition and write this on flip chart for discussion (10 mins) Facilitator –led discussion (15 mins) The next exercise, ‘obstacles to differentiation’ follows on from this activity very well. (((Box))) Some definitions for ‘Differentiation’. Teachers often come up with clearer and more useful definitions that these: ‘Differentiation is†¦.. the process of identifying, with each learner, the most effective strategies for achieving agreed targets’.1 (Weston 1992) ‘Differentiation is the process whereby teachers meet the need for progress through he curriculum by selecting appropriate teaching methods to match the individual student’s learning strategies, within a group situation’. (Visser 1993) ‘Differentiation should be seen as integral to learning, not an add-on for those situations when things do not go as well as planned and problems occur. Differentiation is not about troubleshooting. It is a concept that has to be seen in an inclusive way, applying to everyone.’ Obstacles to Differentiation This follows on well from the previous activity, but can also stand alone, and requires each of the working groups to identify up to 3 major obstacles which could prevent differentiation in practice. You may want to ask them to identify one obstacle at each of the following levels in College: Institutional Systems Operational Each obstacle is written on a flip chart sheet with ample space for further comments . The groups, or the flip chart sheets, then rotate in a ‘round robin’. Each group now has another groups’ list of obstacles and the task is to find solutions or catalysts to overcome these obstacles. The facilitator should then summarise the findings. a. Each working group identifies and writes on their flip chart up to 3 major obstacles in making differentiation happen in FE ( 5 mins) b. Groups rotate and try to identify solutions / catalysts to overcome the obstacles identified by the other group/s ( 10 mins) c. Groups move on to next flip chart and try to add to solutions / catalysts identified by the previous group ( 5 mins) d. Facilitator- led discussion and summary (10 mins) Note: This session may serve as a ‘barometer’ to measure attitudes and understanding. It may identify some key organisational issues which need to be addressed in order to promote differentiation in practice. How do you cope with difference? Aims: To develop an understanding of differentiation To share common differentiation difficulties To share effective differentiation strategies Organisation The facilitator introduces the activity by describing ‘mixed ability teaching’, and then pointing out that it is not just ability that can be ‘mixed’. They establish that there are many differences between our students that affect their learning and so should affect our teaching. The term ‘differentiation’ is explained as meaning to cope with such differences. Stage 1 Pairs exploring the meaning of ‘differentiation’? (approx 10 mintutes) In pairs, participants brainstorm the differences between students that they must cope with. ‘Mixed ability’ is given as one to start them off. They are given two minutes. Then the facilitator goes round from pair to pair, getting one idea from each until most ideas have been presented. There is a very short discussion of any difference the facilitator believes everyone might not understand. The importance of some ideas is stressed by the facilitator and extra explanation added if necessary. The facilitator concludes by saying that ‘differentiation’ is about ‘coping with these and other differences’. ‘Coping with difference’ could be a quick definition for discussion. Task 2 Small groups sharing differentiation strategies(20 minutes) In groups of 3-5 participants share ways of coping with the differences outlined in task 1 by telling their group one or two strategies that they have found to work. The facilitator takes one suggestion at a time from each group, gives it a name if necessary, and writes it on a flip chart or OHP. They go round the groups until most suggestions have been heard. There is a very short discussion of each method if it is necessary to ensure that everyone understands it. The facilitator can offer to type up this list of strategies. The facilitator concludes that differentiation is coping with difference something we have always done, important if all learners are to benefit from our teaching  can make the difference between passing and failing for many students, and so is the ladder to success for all. if a student passes because of effective differentiation, that will make a real difference to that student’s life. They might get a job, a career, indeed a life they would not have got otherwise. â€Å"Teachers touch lives for ever† Teachers have important jobs and differentiation counts Tutor notes: You might like to do this before you pass out the packs of materials to prevent staff reading out strategies from the pack! It is important to value the ideas in a very positive manner if they could be effective in some context If most teachers come from a similar curriculum area there would be some merit in typing up their suggestions.

Perspective on the Teachings of Jan Hus

Jan Hus From â€Å"The Church† Jan Hus was a Czech Roman Catholic preacher and writer in Prague. His teachings were influenced by the English theologian Wyclif. Wyclif was one of the earliest opponents of papal authority influencing political power; he started anticlerical and biblically centered reforms known as the Lollard Movement. The Lollard Movement was a precursor to the protestant reformation. Likewise, Hus called for radical reforms in the church. Of primary concern to Hus was the designation of the Pontiff, or Pope, within the church.Based on his radical views and strong opposition to the church’s foundational belief that the pope is the head of the church, Jan Hus was accused of heresy and was condemned. Hus recorded his perspective and teachings in monographs which were used by his accusers to build a case against him. Of the thirty-nine sentences read to him at his trial, twenty-six of them were based on his work â€Å"The Church. † Because Hus refus ed to renounce his beliefs he was burned at the stake, becoming a national martyr against the Catholic Church.The excerpts from his work â€Å"The Church† express Hus’s opinions on the papacy. He begins by characterizing the role of Christ within the church. Hus uses scriptures from Matthew, I Peter, Hebrews, Luke, John, Philippians, and revelations to support his argument, that Jesus is the only true roman pontiff, or bishop, of the Roman Catholic Church. Hus interprets these scriptures as describing three major themes of Christ: 1) Jesus is at the right hand of god, and no one can be saved without him, 2) Jesus is omnipresent and all knowing, and that 3) Jesus is god.Jon Hus uses these scriptures to contend that Jesus is the only true bishop because he baptizes and takes away the sins of the world, holds supreme guardianship over man, and that he is the pope, or father of the future age. Hus concludes that everyone is subject to the pontiff, Jesus, for salvation, and that there is no other pontiff except for jesus. Hus’s major contention with the church centers his beliefs that there is an abuse of the term pope within the church since anyone, ordained or not, can e elected as a pope, and that expressed belief in one individual, the pope, is needed for salvation. To support the first belief, Hus goes provides examples of popes who were unlettered, female, and/or heritics. He concludes that under current conditions within the church, even an antichrist could be elected as pope. Hus uses these examples and the potential for an antichrist religious leader to drive home the point that no pope is the most exalted person of the Roman Catholic Church besides Christ. Therefore, no pope is the head of the Catholic Church except for Christ.To support the latter belief, Hus suggests that it is not a necessity for salvation that people should believe expressly that any one is head of any church whatsoever; unless the works of the individual plainly moved others into believing it. He claims that if the body of Christ, the people, follows a bad head, the pope, then both body and head will end up in the precipice. Therefore, people should choose who they wish to follow as a head, and that their decisions should be based on the works of the individual. Hus’s beliefs posed an immediate threat to the Roman Catholic Church and, more importantly, to its leaders.By stating that popes are not ordained of god, and that popes have historically assumed contradictory roles to their appointed position, Hus questions the legitimacy of the elite position within the church. The pope Alexander V excommunicated Hus and his followers in 1409 and outlawed public preaching. The government however, took the side of Hus, and the power of his movement increased daily. Despite the ban on free preaching, Hus continued to preach in the Bethlehem Chapel. It appeared as though the ban itself caused little result. Tensions between the church and Husâ €™s movement continued until a council was called in 1414.The council of Constance was an attempt to put an end to the division of people due to the papacy and to take up the long desired  reform of the Church. Hus agreed to go to the council on the premise that he would be given safe passage. However, it has been proposed that he suspected that he would be killed at Constance; this is evidenced by the will he wrote prior to going. Within a few weeks after his arrival, Hus was imprisoned, put to trial, and burned at the stake. His execution was an attempt by the church to squander the reform that he had started in Bohemia. However, the eople of Bohemia responded to his death by moving even more rapidly away from Papal teachings, and by announcing a  crusade  against them. A  Papal bull was then issued by the pope  which stated that all supporters of reformers like Hus and Wycliffe be slaughtered. The crusaders lost, as did the second and third crusades that followed. A century later, as much as ninety percent of the  Czech Crown lands  still followed Hussite teachings. Although some revolutionary movements do not end in a revolution, there accounts can provide powerful insights into the views held among the people.It is too often that only the perspective of the rich and noble are recorded in history; revolutionary movements offer some of the few accounts of the opposing ideals held among the commoners. Jan Hus’s reform resulted in his death, and the death of many of his followers, but its impact upon the church was far reaching. Hus was a key contributor to the creation of Protestantism which strongly influenced European States, as well as Martin Luther. The reform started by Jan Hus resulted in the Basel Compacts which allowed for a reformed church within Bohemia.

odyssey essay

odyssey essay odyssey essay Edgardo Gutierrez Ms. M. helm English 9 ADV May 21, 2014 The Ultimate Heroes It’s very hard to lose the people around your life. Even temporarily it’s not easy to manage without the people you love. Odysseus waited 20 years of his life without any contact of his family in this epic titled â€Å"The Odysseus† by Homer. Odysseus is in a 10 year war and faces many obstacles on his journey back home. Meanwhile his family is struggling with his absence. Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus all possess the heroic traits of cleverness, strength, and bravery. Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus are all heroic because of their cleverness. â€Å"†¦We could see her working on her great web all day long, but at night she would unpick the stiches again by torchlight. She fooled us in this way for three ways†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Homer 30). This shows Penelope’s cleverness behind evaluating her verbal agreement with the suitors and finding a flaw she can exploit. This was important because if not for her wit Odysseus wouldn’t have a home to return to. Telemachus helps his father regain his throne by helping to make a plan to trap the suitors. This portrays Telemachus intellect by recognizing he’s outnumbered and using is wit to overcome the overwhelming odds. This is important because with his help Odysseus was able to get rid of the suitors from their home. Odysseus uses the â€Å"wooden horse trick† to win the Trojan War. This portrays Odysseus cleverness when devising such a great plan for it to end after fighting 1 0 long years. This is vital because it defines Odysseus not only of strength but also of brain. In these various examples our heroes have proven themselves by their outstanding achievement and use of cleverness to overcome all odds. Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus are all heroic because they are strong. Penelope stays faithful to Odysseus for 20 years. This shows her everlasting faith in her husband, with no shred of proof he’s still even alive, but yet she still believed. That type of mental insight is what pilled her through those 20 years and is also what makes her the hero she is. Odysseus survives 10 years of carnage in the Trojan War. This clearly illustrates his strength as a warrior to survive for such an extensive period of time on enemy soil. This is a key characteristic that defines Odysseys not only as a warrior but also as a hero. â€Å"So these now fell upon the suitors in that hall† (Homer 400). This refers to Telemachus and his father defeating the suitors, proving even as a novice warrior he is still very fierce. This proves he meets his father as a man and a rightful heir to the throne. Strength can be portrayed in

Favorite person essays

Favorite person essays Do you know the baseball player who has been in both the Hall of Fame and on the All-Century Team while also playing in 15 All-star games? Well, I do, hes Lawrence Peter Berra, known to many as Yogi Berra. Lawrence was born on May 12, 1925, in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up on Elizabeth St., in a neighborhood called The Hill. His father worked in a shoe factory, and young Lawdie, as he was called by his friends, decided he didnt want to do that kind of work so he picked up sports. He found out that he was actually good at it and could play as well as or better than any kid in the neighborhood. He got his nickname Yogi from his friend Bobby Hofman when they went to a movie about India. They saw this old swami who was called Yoga and so his friends started to call him Yoga and it soon turned into Yogi. For the record Yogi Bear (the cartoon) got its name from Yogi Berra, not the other way around. Yogi only went to school through the 8th grade. In 1942 Yogi was playing minor league ball. Yogis friend Joe Garagiola was offered $500 dollars to sign with the Cardinals, and Yogi figured that he would get a $500 dollar contract too. The Cardinals decided that one $500 dollar kid was enough, and only offered Yogi $250, which he turned down. The Yankees felt that he was worth the money so they signed him for $500 in 1943. The Giants manager, Mel Ott, saw him play and tried to offer the Yankees $50,000 for Yogis contract. The Yankees manager decided if Mel Ott thought he was worth that much money he had better keep him. Yogi played for Norfolk in 1943, then entered the Navy at age 18. He was assigned to a rocket launcher during the Normandy Invasion at Omaha Beach, and in North Africa and Italy, and was finally stationed back in the States. After his discharge he reported to the Yankees in his Navy uniform and was looked at like some kind of clown. He was...

Development of A HRM Strategic Plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

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IFRS effects on banking Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

IFRS effects on banking - Term Paper Example re of the financial data and the banking company will have to decide carefully regarding the presentation and disclosure so as to keep consistent with other companies. The consolidation requirements of the IFRS require that the statement mentions all the subsidiaries of the company. Special Purpose Entities (SPE) are formed by banks in order to secure loans, influence the leasing transactions and plan the investments and banks are at times form a part in the SPEs which are not included in the consolidated statements, the IFRS may require consolidation to those SPEs as well. (International, 2011) The accounting based on the financial instruments, which an integral part of the banking industry, is also affected as the classification and measurement of the financial instruments is complex with respect to both the standards. (Young, 2011) The measurement of impairment of the financial instruments also involves complexity when a company transits from GAAP to IFRS. The methods of impairment as well as the recognition will also be affected with the use of IFRS in the company. The accounting criteria of IFRS for leases is different from that of GAAP and the IFRS requires more lease transactions to be recognized in the accounts of an entity as compared to those required by GAAP. The banks will be greatly affected who do not recognise the operating leases on their balance sheets when the substance of the lease transaction is that the bank has all the rewards and risk transferred to it. The adoption of IFRS by a banking sector company will require an additional amount of effort in order to comply with the requirements of the IFRS. Some premeditated decisions will be needed to be taken to avoid any additional or incremental costs for the transformation. (IAS