Management and strategy consulting

Managers are sometimes suspicious of consulting projects offered for free. This stems from the fact that nothing is free in the business world, as people spend energy and resources for everything that is done to a certain point. The key goal of any business is to increase the existing profits to a greater extent.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Management and strategy consulting specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In case a free consulting project is offered, people might suspect some form of a scam or a disadvantage. The modern world has made spying, copying of information and general abuse of knowledge, much easier. The use of technology can be rather detrimental to a company. If the results of the research or consulting gathering of information is revealing, it can be published and made accessible in a matter of minutes, compromising the â€Å"know how† and other unique features (Weil, 2005). The three dif ferent types of project from those listed in this chapter and the details of a selling strategy offered on a no-fee basis, are as follows: First one is the study of stores and adjustment of their inner workings. After each store was analyzed and employees, as well as managers were spoken to, it was possible to identify the problem and find solutions. When offering a selling strategy for free, HR could focus on the moral satisfaction of employees and customers. As a result, the environment will be bettered and people will be more inclined to participate in sales and company’s advancement. The second relates to Selfridges and its HR team’s strength. The unity of the company is determined by people who work and move the company in different ways. Because it has been focusing on proper management and adequate working conditions as far as 1920s, it is clear that the benefit of selling strategies is evident (Donkin, 2003). The third one is the project by Bath University†™s school of management. It was a worthy and valuable idea to perform academic research for the companies and their HR departments. From the research that does exist and by consulting employers about the matter, it was possible to establish that there are numerous benefits of having a strong organizational fabric and ethical HR (Bruce, 2002). Not only there are social and organizational benefits, but there are personal as well, which later help to carry over skills into the workplace. A free strategy would make interpretation of results beneficial to both sales and academics. All the organizations will function according to SWOT or strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The strengths will be measured by internal structure and politics, as well as uniqueness of the business. Weaknesses are managements’ miscommunication and lack of public demand. Opportunities are presented by the market, while threats are the internal security breaches or external sabotage and rep utational concerns.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More If a selling strategy was being offered on a full-fee basis, it would majorly change. A structure with detailed directions and availabilities would be provided to increase profits. Employees and managers could be contacted to arrange meetings and learning sessions, in order to learn about the internal matters of the company but also, of the demand and the relationship between the business and the society. There would also have to be some level of confidence and guarantees that the information which is crucial to success or functioning of society will not be revealed. This mostly pertains to competition and organization’s security. It is also crucial to establish a direct and personal link to the company, as the culture and values that are present in the business will shape the outcome. Paid services offer full packag e of care and recommendations that would be otherwise held off. Overall, paid services have more reliability and have much more advantages over free services (Langran, 2007). References Bruce, M. (2002). Design in Business: Strategic Innovation Through Design. Essex, England: Pearson Education. Donkin, R. (2003). Types of management consulting project: Positive prognosis from HR health check. Case Study 03 – HR. Langran, R. (2007). Government, business, and the American economy, Rowman Littlefield, Lanham, MD. Weil, R. (2005). Handbook of Cost Management. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Management and strategy consulting specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This essay on Management and strategy consulting was written and submitted by user Shaun Peck to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Essay Sample on Athanasius and the Incarnation of the Word

Essay Sample on Athanasius and the Incarnation of the Word Athanasius utters his theological views about the incarnation of Word of God as Christ Jesus. He is addressing Jews, gentiles and the whole world, in this talk. Athanasius develops his talk from what John says in the Gospel according to John that In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1-3). Word of God is completely divine and it is the Word of God that made the whole universe evolve. Word of God manifested in human form as Christ Jesus and represented the love and goodness of father in the world, gifting precious salvation that human beings never deserved. Each and every evolution and all renewal that is happening in the world were brought by the same Word of God that made everything evolve from nothing, long centuries back. Creation as well as salvation is from the same root the Word of God. Father almighty has a ssigned the duty of dispensing salvation to the world to nobody else but to his Word (Christ Jesus) who is responsible for the creation of the world. The author rules out the opinion that the universe is self originated. He argues that there is a mastermind behind all these wonderful creations and nothing will appear in this beautiful fashion unless or otherwise some one plans it in his mind. Athanasius called Lord, the designer and maker of everything and brushed off the concept of spontaneous generation. Other theories that explained creation like the The Epicurean theory, Platos argument and the Theory of Gnostics were all completely disproved by Athanasius. Athanasius says that God is the fountainhead of all goodness and it is impossible for him to me merciless towards something for which he is the father and possessor. He made everything out of nothing through his powerful most word which is our savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Mankind had a special seat in his heart from the very beginning and greatly enjoyed the privilege of his mercy and love. He honored man, which is another creation that evolved from the power of the Word of God, and presented a special grace and molded him in his own image. This was a manifestation of the mind and power of God in human beings (even though in a limited degree) which will come to its fulfillment in the resurrection of human body during the rapture in the mid-air. He kept them in the Eden Garden so that they could enjoy the grace and keep the beauty of the original innocence just protecting them from a single prohibition. If they had abided in the grace of God they could enjoy the splendor of Eden Gard en in the assurance of the immortality offered by God. Since they discarded the beauty of innocence and the precious inheritance, they became liable to death and corruption. God not only created man but also bestowed life through his breath by the power and might of his word. Man, however, bid death and corruption by being disobedient to God and obeying the counsel of devil, the destroyer. He ignored his eternal inheritance and went after corruption and wickedness. Man transgressed all the commandments and his corruption passed all limits. They invented new Gods for them (worshipped idols of stone and tree) and absolutely defiled their own soul. As St. Paul says, they worshipping the creature rather than the Creator. He devised new kinds of sins moving from bad to worse and never ever remembered the commandments f God. Murder and rapine ruled the world; thefts, adulteries and other corruptions conquered man. All kinds of iniquities and sins grew wild and shook the very basic of justice existed in the world. Cities fought with cities, nations had fights among each other. Various other fighting factions arose disturbing the peace and law of the world. Scri pture says, Their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature; and the men also, leaving the natural use of the woman, flamed out in lust towards each other, perpetrating shameless acts with their own sex, and receiving in their own persons the due recompense of their pervertedness. God wanted to reestablish the fellowship between man and God and planned to step down from heaven to earth in human form with the most beautiful gift that he can offer to mankind, the salvation. God wanted to deliver man from the law of death and desired to establish incorruption in him. The law of death which was prevailing upon man as a result of transgression also could not be taken back so that man could escape. It was unbearable for God to ignore something which was evolved as a result of the Word of God. The everlasting love and mercy of God invited the sinful man back to the presence of God. Bringing out man from corruption by bringing a simple repentance in him will not help him come out of the law of death which God cannot annul easily because of its origin from the Word of God. A simple repentance cannot reestablish the lost glory, divine beauty and the wonderful inheritance that man once possessed. The Word of God (Jesus Christ) had to redeem man from corruptibility and si n and also had to preserve the stability of the will of the God, and above all, he had to be ambassador of the heaven in earth for carrying out the plans of God. The Word of God (Christ Jesus) was the most incorruptible and incorporeal being that entered the earth in a new way stepping down from his position in heaven and expressing his love and responsibility concerning mankind which was once evolved as a result of him. He could have revealed himself in a form that establish his divine majesty and power, but took the form of a man, preparing his human body as a temple for God to dwell. It was heartbreaking for him the scene of corruption and death reigning over something for which he is the artificer. He, taking the body of a human being surrendered it to death, showing the complete submission to the will of God and obeying the rule of death (which was also evolved through the Word of God) like all other men. He revealed his sheer love for mankind by submitting to death, (thereby a bolishing the rule of death and destroying the corruption) and uplifting the status of man to incorruptibility through the power of his resurrection. Both the birth and death of savior was not in a usual way. He originated from Holy Spirit choosing virginity as his mother so that no man can ever doubt his incorruptibility and divinity. He offered his body as a sacrifice and God and chose a crucified death for him since he is liable neither to sin, nor to sickness or any other form of affliction. Cross revealed his heavenly mission and true death, his body being the witness before whole world, heaven and hell. His death on the cross was very reasonable and was an open proclamation to the whole world about the free salvation offered at the cross. The physical form of Word of God being dead in the cross for the sake of humanity, rose up on the third day impassible and incorruptible as a pledge and token of the victory over sin, corruption and mortality. He displayed his body alive disp laying his incorruptibility, immortality and revealed his mind to his disciples. The Word of God demonstrated his perfect love over his masterpiece (human beings) by offering his precious life as a sacrifice for them. The crucified Word of God was visible to the whole world, both Jews and gentiles. Jews were given proper revelation about the birth and death of Christ Jesus (the Word of God) through their scriptures. His marvelous birth and wonderful offering at the cross was not concealed for Jews. There shall arise a star from Jacob and a man from Israel, and he shall break in pieces the rulers of Moab. (Numbers 24: 17) Scripture very well foretells his death at the cross and says. A man that is afflicted and knows how to bear weakness, for His face is turned away. He was dishonoured and not considered, He bears our sins and suffers for our sakes. And we for our part thought Him distressed and afflicted and ill-used; but it was for our sins that He was wounded and for our lawlessness that He was made weak. Chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His bruising we are healed. (Isaiah 53: 3-5). Scriptures spoke about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Word of God) right from the book of Genesis, throughout the Old Testament. No other prophet or any other personality in the Old Testament ever claimed that they are the Word of God or never displayed any heavenly property of the son of God. In spite of having various crystal clear prophesies and other proofs about the birth, death, resurrection, and the purpose and nature of life of son of God, Israel did not believe in Christ Jesus (the Word of God). Considering the case of the unbelief of the gentiles, they also refused to believe the son of God who came to earth for their sake too. Rather they opted to offer their worship and reverence to their own hand-built idols. They felt the concept of manifestation of Word of God into flesh very incredible. It is unknown why they refused to disbelieve the power of God in word (Christ Jesus) if they really love to believe the truth. If the Word of God exists in this universe and exists everywhere, why should people disbelief the concept that Word of God coming in human form that is far better accessible than any other form. Athanasius concludes his talk by mentioning about the significance of the belief in Christ. The significance of the theological uttering of his study was very much evident in the 4th Century which was the period of the true establishment of Christianity throughout the world. The period was a time of great tribulation too. Athanasius concludes his study by telling that Son of Man (the Word of God) came to earth with a beautiful gift of salvation with complete protection from judgment. The arrival, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus broke all the strands of sin, and corruptibility and made Satan surrender before God with all his powers and weapons. Everyone who believes in Christ Jesus (Word of God) will be given eternal life and the incorruptible heaven on the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus Christ (Word of God) is the very basic and ultimate condition of salvation in the New Testament. Jesus during his ministry in the earth proclaimed that whoever believes in him will not perish but will have eternal life. Christ promised that he would come again for his chosen ones very soon. He himself says, I say unto you, hereafter ye shall see the Son of Man seated on the right hand of power, coming on the clouds of heaven in the glory of the Father. (Matt. 26: 64) If you need custom essays, research papers, thesis, dissertation, term paper on Religion, Theology or other discipline feel free to contact our professional custom writing service.

Truancy in the Schools of the United Kingdom Essay

Truancy in the Schools of the United Kingdom - Essay Example The third chapter describes the various measures and strategies adopted by the Labour Government for combating truancy. In this regard, several initiatives taken by the authorities like penalizing parents of truants, establishment of truancy patrols, enhancing fines against parents and offering several incentives for attending school were described. The fourth chapter examines the results of such endeavours. Gradually, parents were convinced that attendance and higher levels of attainment were correlated (Education war on truancy, 2007) and this led to a decline in absenteeism. In this context, the decline of truancy in Cedar Mount High, Plant Hill Arts College and Manchester Academy were cited (The sad truth about truancy, 2007). Truancy has been described as the absence of students from school without a valid reason (Stoll. P, 1990). The duration of non - attendance varies from a single class to many weeks (Atkinson M, Halsey K, Wilkin A & Kinder K, 2000). Several reasons exist for such truant behaviour and bravado, depression, retention by the parents in order to supervise younger children at home, etc, are some of the usual reasons. Parentally approved absence from school p... P, 1990). The duration of non - attendance varies from a single class to many weeks (Atkinson M, Halsey K, Wilkin A & Kinder K, 2000). Several reasons exist for such truant behaviour and bravado, depression, retention by the parents in order to supervise younger children at home, etc, are some of the usual reasons. Parentally approved absence from school poses a major quandary and endures despite the instructions of the 1996 Education Act that such absence could be sanctioned only by the school authorities. Moreover, several of the some of the seemingly credible reasons given by parents to account for the absence of their children from school are dubious (OFSTED, 2001). It has been observed that forty thousand students abstain from school each day without proper authorization (Audit Commission, 1999). Since 1997, the Labour Government has been repeatedly emphasizing the importance of education, because the nations' future is largely dependent on the effectiveness of education.These initiatives have borne fruit and superlative results have been obtained by the schools in terms of student results and increased proficiency of the teaching staff (At a glance, n.d.). Investment on its own is incapable of ensuring an education of a high standard. The requirement is to combine reform with investment. Some of the reforms that have been implemented, in order to achieve this objective, are specialist schools, literacy and numeracy strategies, superior vocational education and the right to adult skills training (At a glance, n.d.). Despite these successes, the fact remains that quite some children have been deprived of a proper education due to the existence of incompetent schools.Although, inner city area

Proctor and Gamble - Strategic Management Essay

Proctor and Gamble - Strategic Management - Essay Example The company operates in six product segments: grooming, beauty, Health care, Home care, Family and Baby care, and Pet care (P&G, 2012a). Beauty and personal care arena are contained within P&G’s grooming, beauty and health business segments and include skin care, oral care, cosmetics, fragrances, hair care, baby care, depilatories and men’s grooming products (Euromonitor, 2010:4). Some of the fundamental brands in beauty and personal care arena include pampers, Olay, Head& Shoulders, Panteen, Mach3, Oral B, Puma, Fusion, Gillete, safeguard, ivory among others (P&G, 2012b). The company’s global Beauty and Personal care market share is 11.7% with the volume growth in net sales in this segment being an average of 4% in 2011 where the beauty segment growth was 3%, the grooming segment at 4% and the Health segment at 5% (P &G Annual Report, 2011: 41-42; Euromonitor, 2010: 4-5). The market share growth for the Beauty and personal care products experienced single digit growth at the rate of 2.8% with the market share growth for the Beauty and Personal Care share for the company based on the main categories of skin care, hair care, men’s grooming, fragrances, and oral care being as shown below in figure 1. Figure1: Value Market Share Source: Euromonitor, 2011 Similar with its peers in the industry, P&G was negatively impacted with the global economic crisis with its key brands being grossly affected and net sales within the industry having fallen during the 2008 – 2009 period. However, with the company’s strategy response in focusing on core businesses and brands, and divesting in its less critical segments, the company has been able to record growth within its various product segments, with the beauty and personal care products taking the lead in growth. In addition, the company has over the past three years focused in building a strong market position in emerging countries such as China, India, Russia, and Brazil (Raval, 2012 : 1; Prior, 2011:201; Reingold, 2011:60). Financial Assessment: The company has bounced back from the 2009 decline in net sales through its post recession strategy of focusing on its core businesses and brands, and its continued investments in the emerging markets. The most impactful strategy though that has increased net sales is the company’s decision to cut down prices. These strategies have proved successful with the company increasing its net sales over the 2010 and 2011 period. Net sales rose by 4.6% in 2011 from 2010 net sales. This strategy though effective in the short term, it may be detrimental to brand equity in the long term. This is clearly noted with the downward trend of the net earnings value since 2009 at the rate of 1% (P &G Annual Report, 2011: 1-2). The revenue versus profit growth trends over the past five year period is as shown in figure 2. The beauty and personal care segments as noted above though have been growing in sales volume especially in the e merging countries (P&G Annual Report, 2011:52; P&G, 2010:5). In fact the company has moved its personal care hub from Ohio to Singapore, in order to strategically place itself in that market (Raval, 2012). Figure2: Net sales and Net Profit growth trend SWOT Analysis: A SWOT analysis of the company’s beauty and personal care segment reveals a stronger and powerful portfolio of products as a key strength. This provides a strong

Exam questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Exam questions - Essay Example Furthermore, the chapter reviews the success of fixed capital requirements in terms of maintaining the relations between desired capital and risk taking. It also analyzes ways through which banks reduce effectiveness by taking to riskier assets. Capital requirements are also referred to as capital adequacy or regulatory capital. This is the amount of capital that commercial banks hold due to the requirements of the financial regulator. These requirements are necessary for the financial industry; to ensure that commercial banks do not accumulate excess leverage which leads to insolvency. Commercial banks have some behavioral preference when allocating loans to individuals. However, the capital constraints can make the banks to review the behavioral preference. This means that the financial regulator could utilize the strong constraints in capital adequacy to; review the fluctuations of the Micro economy and direct the economy to the required direction through the financial intermediaries like banks (Altunbas)1. Based on the approval of the Basel II model, this discourse defines the research question in the following way: Are rigid pressures exerted by minimum capital requirements efficient in minimizing the risk-taking behavior of banks? The framework of the Basel II structure in the subprime crisis forms the basis within which professionals question the proposals. This area covers the inadequacy of the level of capital requirements. The focus on examining the efficiency of regulatory capital requirements during the implementation of the proposals in Basel I model report executed from 2002 is part of the entire discourse. However, the discourse does not aim at testing the Basel I framework. Instead, it assess the efficiency of the regulatory pressure in relation to the degree of capital cushion in cutting down on the risk-taking behavior of financial institutions in the

Prefabricated Buildings: Advantages and Disadvantages

Prefabricated Buildings: Advantages and Disadvantages There are many different types of construction  buildings  such as residential, commercial or industrial.  Industrial  buildings  are mainly used for manufacture warehousing, offices, showrooms, sport, retailing, agricultural and horticultural  buildings, recreation leisure, swimming pool enclosures as well as many other aspects. If your business is in need of extra space; whether it is for storage or to conduct aspects of business, an  industrial  building, such as a warehouse may be the answer that your business is looking for. Industrial  buildings, such as the ones named above are available from many different building contractor teams and they are often available as both a permanent or temporary business solution. You may need the use of an  industrial  building as a way of housing certain equipment and supplies as well as providing you with a space that can be dedicated for you to undertake aspects of business. Depending on what you need the  industrial  building for depends on what type of building you have constructed. If you need the extra space as a place where people can do business then a more permanent structure may be in order. Also if you are planning on using your  industrial  building as an added work space then it is important that you ensure the building is insulated and that your employees are protected. Many of the  industrial  buildings  that are open to you to use for your business provide you with a comfortable working environment and in many cases reduce energy through the quality and reliability which can be achieved with high performance insulation solutions. Also by choosing a reliable building contractor team to install your  industrial  building you will be getting a workspace which creates a clean environment for all of your production, storage, material handling and infrastructure needs. Many building contractor teams will design your  industrial  buildings  using cladding and lining and will incorporate windows and doors that in some cases are double glazed as well as being tough when it comes to security. You will be able to decide what features are and arent included on your  industrial  building, meaning from the start you will know exactly what you are buying. When you are deciding on including an  industrial  building into your workplace you need to ensure that the execution of the project is successful. One way of making sure that this happens is by conducting effective planning as this is essential to ensure that you get what you want from your  industrial  building. During your planning for your  industrial  building you should consider aspects such as the environmental impact of the job, the success of the scheduling, budgeting and site safety as well as the availability of materials, logistics and the inconvenience to the public caused by construction delays, preparing tender documents, etc. If you are hoping to gain the extra help from the use of an  industrial  building then it is highly important that you gain the help of a professional building contractor team to construct your industrial  building. Identify the Differences of the Prefabricated and Pre Engineered Buildings. Prefabricated building is a type of building that consists that of several factory built components or units that are assembled on site to complete the unit. Its Prefabricated / Pre-engineered components away from the site and bringing them to site and assembling. These methods reduce construction time at the site, facilitate better quality control and reduce labour component which involves in the site. Prefabricated Buildings. The term prefabricated may refer to buildings built in components (e.g. panels), modules (modular homes) or transportable sections (manufactured homes), and may also be used to refer to mobile homes, i.e. houses on wheels. Although similar in nature, the methods and design of the three can vary wildly. There are two-level home plans, as well as custom home plans. There are also large differences in the construction types. Mobile and manufactured houses are constructed in accordance with the HUD building codes in the U.S. while modular houses are constructed in accordance with the IBC (International Building Code). Modular homes are homes that are created in sections, and then transported to the home site for construction and installation. These are typically installed and treated like a regular house, for financing, appraisal and construction purposes, and are usually the most expensive of the three. Although the sections of the house are prefabricated, the sections, or modules, are put together at the construction much like a typical home. Manufactured and mobile houses are rated as personal property and depreciate over time. Manufactured homes refer to homes that are built onto steel beams, and are transported in complete sections to the home site, where they are assembled. Mobile homes are homes built on wheels, which are able to be moved from place to place. Mobile homes and manufactured homes can be placed in mobile home parks, and manufactured homes can also be placed on private land, providing the land is appropriately zoned for manufactured homes. As far as getting set up, prefabricated buildings can be erected rather quickly some in as little as 45 days. Companies can start concentrating on making money rather than concerning themselves with when their building will be finished. Prefabricated buildings can be constructed at almost half the cost of a traditional building. For a basic structure such as a portable office or classroom, expect to pay about $35 per square foot. More complex prefabricated buildings medical clinics and retail facilities will cost you close to $200 per square foot. While not exactly a drop in the bucket, its still more affordable than traditional construction, particularly if the prefabricated buildings are only going to be used for a fixed period of time. For those companies who look beyond price and convenience, prefabricated buildings do have a few downsides. The most obvious is the look and feel. At their most basic, prefabricated buildings are meant to be quick, affordable solutions so they arent the prettiest structures in the world. Elevated entrances and shorter ceilings dont really add to the dà ©cor, but if you are willing to spend a bit more, you can upgrade your prefabricated buildings to have more stylish designs. The types of materials used for prefabricated buildings are usually aluminum,  wood, steel, fiberglass, and concrete. The steel used in these structures is specially treated to resist corrosion, rust, and fire. The use of plastics and other composite materials offer a less expensive option for surface materials without sacrificing durability or quality. The construction of the components of the prefabricated building is accomplished inside the factory where the plumbing and electrical systems are tested before they are exported to their destinations. The wall finishes and  countertops  are also installed inside the factory. Although customization is available, prefabrication businesses are able to buy much of their material in bulk and thus are able to pass on the savings to their buyers.   Pre-engineered Buildings In  structural engineering, a  pre-engineered building  (PEB) is designed by a manufacturer to be fabricated using a pre-determined inventory of raw materials and manufacturing methods that can efficiently satisfy a wide range of structural and aesthetic design requirements. Within some geographic industry sectors these buildings are also called Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings (PEMB) or, as is becoming increasingly common due to the reduced amount of pre-engineering involved in custom computer aided designs, simply, Engineered Metal Buildings (EMB). Historically, the primary framing structure of a pre-engineered building is an assembly of I shaped members, often referred as  I beams. In pre-engineered buildings, the I beams used are usually formed by welding together steel plates to form the I section. The I beams are then field-assembled (e.g. bolted connections) to form the entire frame of the pre-engineered building. Some manufacturers taper the framing members (varying in web depth) according to the local loading effects. Larger plate dimensions are used in areas of higher load effects. Other forms of primary framing can include trusses, mill sections rather than 3-plate welded, castellated beams, etc. The choice of economic form can vary depending on factors such as local capabilities (e.g. manufacturing, transportation, construction) and variations in material vs. labour costs. Typically, primary frames are 2D type frames (i.e. may be analyzed using 2-Dimensional techniques). Advances in computer aided design technology, materials and manufacturing capabilities have assisted a growth in alternate forms of Pre-engineered building such as the Tension fabric building  and more sophisticated analysis (e.g. 3-Dimensional) as is required by some building codes. Cold formed Z and C-shaped members may be used as secondary structural elements to fasten and support the external cladding. Roll-formed profiled steel sheet, wood, tensioned fabric, precast concrete, masonry block, glass curtain wall or other materials may be used for the external cladding of the building. In order to accurately design a pre-engineered building, engineers consider the clear span between bearing points, bay spacing, roof slope, live loads, dead loads, collateral loads, wind uplift, deflection criteria, internal crane system and maximum practical size and weight of fabricated members. Historically, pre-engineered building manufacturers have developed pre-calculated tables for different structural elements in order to allow designers to select the most efficient I beams size for their projects. However, the table selection procedures are becoming rare with the evolution in computer aided custom designs. While pre-engineered buildings can be adapted to suit a wide variety of structural applications, the greatest economy will be realized when utilizing standard details. An efficiently designed pre-engineered building can be lighter than the conventional steel buildings by up to 30%. Lighter weight equates to less steel and a potential price savings in structural framework. Applications of Pre Engineered Buildings (PEB) Warehouses Factories Workshops Offices Gas stations Vehicle parking sheds Showrooms Aircraft hangars Metro stations Schools Recreational Indoor stadium roofs Outdoor stadium canopies Bridges Railway platform shelters Advantages of Pre Engineered Buildings Reduced construction time: Buildings are typically delivered in just a few weeks after approval of drawings. Foundation and anchor bolts are cast parallel with finished, ready for the site bolting. Our study shows that in India the use of PEB will reduce total construction time of the project by at least 50%. This also allows faster occupancy and earlier realization of revenue. Lower cost: Due to the systems approach, there is a significant saving in design, manufacturing and on site erection cost. The secondary members and cladding nest together reducing transportation cost. Flexibility of expansion: Buildings can be easily expanded in length by adding additional bays. Also expansion in width and height is possible by pre designing for future expansion. Large clear spans: Buildings can be supplied to around 80M clear spans. Quality control: As buildings are manufactured completely in the factory under controlled conditions the quality is assured. Low maintenance: Buildings are supplied with high quality paint systems for cladding and steel to suit ambient conditions at the site, which results in long durability and low maintenance coats. Energy efficient roofing and wall systems:   Buildings can be supplied with polyurethane insulated panels or fiberglass blankets insulation to achieve required U values. Architectural versatility:   Building can be supplied with various types of fascias, canopies, and curved eaves and are designed to receive pre cast concrete wall panels, curtain walls, block walls and other wall systems. Single source responsibility: As the complete building package is supplied by a single vendor, compatibility of all the building components and accessories is assured. This is one of the major benefits of the pre engineered building systems. Investigate various types of materials, which can be used for the factory and residential Buildings in this project. Materials used for pre-fabricated buildings Prefabricated building materials are used for buildings that are manufactured off site and shipped later to assemble at the final location. Some of the commonly used prefabricated building materials are aluminum, steel, wood, fiberglass and concrete. Prefabricated metal buildings use galvanized steel and galvalume as the chief materials for building. Galvalume is a form of steel coated with aluminum-zinc. This is to protect the building against corrosion, rust and fire. It also provides a sturdy and protective covering to the prefabricated building. Almost all the components of a metal building such as beams, frames, columns, walls and roofs, are made of steel. Most prefabricated military buildings use steel or aluminum frames. Synthetic materials are used for the walls and roofs. To provide enhanced security, a combination of both metal and cloth materials are used. Plastic flooring materials can be quickly assembled and are very durable. Prefabricated building materials used for small prefabricated buildings are steel, wood, fiberglass, plastic or aluminum materials. These materials are cheaper than regular brick and concrete buildings. Materials like steel, fiberglass, wood and aluminum are used as prefabricated building materials for sports buildings. These materials provide flexibility and are preferred for making structures and accessories like stands and seats for stadium and gyms. For making low cost houses, prefabricated materials like straw bale, Ferro cement, Calcium silicate products, composites and other cheap wood based materials are currently being used. Calcium silicate bricks are strong and durable. Ferro cement consists of a cement matrix reinforced with a mesh of closely-spaced iron rods or wires. In this type of construction, the techniques used are simple and quick. Using prefabricated materials one can make durable, water and fire resistant and cheap prefabricated buildings. Most of the prefabricated building materials are eco-friendly and affordable. Steel Aluminum Wood Fiberglass Materials used for pre-engineered buildings Steel / Stainless steel Galvalume roof sheeting Stainless steel capped fasteners Silicon zed polyester baked-on enamel paint Various types of materials Steel For prefabricated buildings, steel and galvalume materials are used. Galvalume is a form of steel coated with aluminum-zinc. This is to protect the building against corrosion, rust and fire. It also provides a sturdy and protective covering to the prefabricated building. Most of components are built in steel in prefabrication buildings such as beams, frames, columns, walls and roofs, are made of steel. Aluminum Most prefabricated buildings use aluminum as a material for frames. It can be widow frames or door frames. Because of its light weight it is very useful for prefabrication building production. Wood These materials provide flexibility and are preferred for making structures and accessories like stands and seats for stadium and gyms. And wood use for prefabricated buildings for some of the components. It is not a most probably used material. This material is used for making of law cost prefabricated homes. Fiberglass The fiberglass material is used for the partition walls in the buildings. And its light weight is useful for constructing prefabricated buildings. And for doors and window frames, doors fiberglass is used. Advantages of Per Fabricated Buildings Prefabricated homes can be ordered and transported straight to your block.  You can organize the stumping and plumbing and electrical connections or have it pre ordered into the overall package. Prefabricated homes cause less damage to the environment than conventional brick homes.  They can be mass produced or fabricated to your design and are quick to build so it will save you rent as brick homes tend to be dragged out with different contractors being involved. They will cost a lot less, than a double brick home by far.  They can be insulated to reduce the cost of heating and cooling. Not only that they are environmentally friendly. The real  beauty  of one of these is if you have a real bad neighbor you can up and take your home and chattels to another town without any problems. As it saves time It saves money and labour Enables money and standardization. Enhances aesthetic appeal. It is lightweight and easy to transport. Easy to installing and maintaining: i.e. rust, fire, and pest retardant and insulated. It is re-locatable and eco-friendly. The disadvantages of prefabricated homes The cost of your prefabricated home will depend on the site your home will be put on.  Site costs will vary from block to block. If you are doing the stumping etc yourself then that is not a problem.  If they need to factor that into the price they will need to make varying changes to prices due to level and position of the block where the prefabricated home will be built. Your choice of prefabricated home will be affected by your particular budget.  Low cost designs may suit those on a tight budget.  Then if you can afford the better styles, then price may not affect your decision. The better high quality designs are made for the higher income families and could be out of your price range. Prefabricated homes are improving like other forms of buildings and the main advantage of a prefabricated home is the potential to reduce the harmful impact on our environment.  This is one of the worlds biggest concerns these days. Materials used for pre-engineered buildings Steel / Stainless steel Galvalume roof sheeting Stainless steel capped fasteners Silicon zed polyester baked-on enamel paint The Advantages of pre-engineered buildings Fast erection Low cost if choosing manufacturers standard package/inventory and no add on Open clear span Can be easily expanded to grow with needs The disadvantages of pre-engineered buildings Marginal design, material and construction Not energy efficient Higher lifetime maintenance Not durable for long term use, generally last 10 to 15 years May not include all construction/fit-up needed for the building to serve the intended purpose. No secondary roof membrane Usually no internal finished walls Pre-engineered steel fabric buildings vs. Conventional steel buildings Steel Fabric Structures Conventional Steel Buildings Overall Price Price per square foot is about 30% lower than conventional steel More expensive than a pre-engineered steel fabric building Maintenance Costs The building and fabric cover is virtually maintenance free. The fabric will not attract or hold dirt contaminants and proves to be self-cleaning Shingling or painting may be necessary to maintain the outside of the building Interior Clear span throughout building does not interfere with any operations Columns or posts may need to be in place to maintain structural integrity of the building Corrosion Our buildings are made with hot dipped galvanized steel and are corrosion resistant Due to the exterior of the building being exposed in all weather conditions, corrosion may become an issue Temperature Control Our membrane fabric cover had non-conductive qualities keeping buildings cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter Steel buildings are conductive of heat, creating a virtual oven in hot weather conditions Operational Costs Lower costs for lighting, heat, and A/C due to non-conductive translucent cover Operational costs are higher for lighting, heat, and A/C Future Expansions Our buildings are easily expandable and reloadable. Can be used as a temporary and permanent structure. Steel buildings are permanent and cannot be relocated. Expansion will be timely and costly, if possible. Foundation Foundation can be as little as Footings at truss and end column base plate locations. Foundation requirements are typically a fraction of that of similar conventional buildings. Extensive, heavy foundation required Installation and delivery Depending on the size of the Structure installation takes an average of 7-10 days. Delivery after order takes about 6-12 weeks. Delivery of material averages From 20 to 26 weeks. Installation Time is more than double that of a steel fabric structure. Noise Sound absorbing covers keep building quiet even during adverse weather conditions Buildings are loud during rain and hail storms creating unpleasant working conditions Condensation Our membrane fabric design allows natural light to filter through the building while keeping out moisture and condensation Condensation is a known problem in steel buildings and can damage the building and its contents Structure weight Pre engineered buildings are on the average 30% lighter because of the efficient use of steel. Primary framing members are tapered built up section. With the large depths in areas of higher stress. Secondary members are light weight roll formed Z or C shaped members. Primary steel members are selected hot rolled T sections. Which are, in many segments of the members heavier than what is actually required by design? Members have constant cross section regardless of the varying magnitude of the local stresses  along the member length Secondary members are selected from standard hot rolled sections which are much heavier. Design Quick and efficient: since PEBs are mainly formed by standard sections and connections design, time is significantly reduced. Basic design based on international design codes are used over and over. Specialized computer analysis design programs optimize material required. Drafting is also computerized using standard detail that minimizes the use of project custom details. Design shop detail sketches and erection drawings are supplied free of cost by the manufacturer. Approval drawing is usually prepared within in 2 weeks. PEB designers design and detail PEB buildings almost every day of the year resulting in improving the quality of designs every time they work Each conventional steel structure is designed from scratch with fewer design aids available to the engineer. Substantial engineering and detailing work is required from the very basic is required by the consultant with fewer design aids. Extensive amount of consultant time is devoted to the alterations that have to be done. As each project is a new project engineers need more time to develop the designs and details of the unique structure. Erection simplicity Since the connection of compounds is standard the learning curve of erection for each subsequent project is faster. Periodic free of charge erection is provided at the site by the manufacturer. The connections are normally complicated and differ from project to project resulting tin increasing the time for erection of the buildings. There has to be separate allocation of labour for the purpose of erection. Erection cost and time Both costs and time of erection are accurately known based upon extensive experience with similar buildings. The erection process is faster and much easier with very less requirement for equipment. Typically, conventional steel buildings are 20% more expensive than PEB in most of the cases, the erection costs and time are not estimated accurately. Erection process is slow and extensive field labors required. Heavy equipment is also needed. Architecture Outstanding architectural design can be achieved at low cost using standard architectural details and interfaces. Special architectural design and features must be developed for each project which often requires research and thus resulting in higher cost. Sourcing and coordination Building is supplied complete with all accessories including erection for a single ONE STOP SOURCE. Many sources of supply are there so it becomes difficult to co ordinate and handle the things. Building accessories Designed to fit the system with standardized and inter changeable parts. Including pre designed flashing and trims. Building accessories are mass produced for economy and are available with the building. Every project requires different and special design for accessories and special sourcing for each item. Flashing and trims must be uniquely designed and fabricated. Future expansions All project records are safely and orderly kept in electronic format which makes it easy for the owner to obtain a copy of his building record at any time. Future expansion is very easy and simple. It would be difficult to obtain project records after a long period of time. It is required to contact more than one number of parties. Future expansion is most tedious and more costly. Safety and responsibility Single source of responsibility is there because the entire job is being done by one supplier. Multiple responsibilities can result in question of who is responsible when the components do not fit in properly, insufficient material is supplied or parts fail to perform particularly at the supplier/contractor interface. Performance All components have been specified and designed specially to act together as a system for maximum efficiency, precise fir and peak performance in the field. Experience with similar buildings, in actual field conditions worldwide, has resulted in design improvements over time, which allows dependable prediction of performance. Components are custom designed for a specific application on a specific job. Design and detailing errors are possible when assembling the diverse components into unique buildings. Each building design is unique, so predication, of how components will perform together is uncertain. Materials which have performed well in some climates may not do well in other conditions. Explain the appropriateness, advantages and disadvantages of using prefabricated buildings in the project The advantages of having prefabricated buildings in this project Prefabricated buildings can be ordered and transported straight to your block.  Client can organize the stumping and plumbing and electrical connections or have it pre ordered into the overall package. Prefabricated buildings cause less damage to the environment than conventional brick buildings.  They can be mass produced or fabricated to the design and are quick to build so it will save you rent as brick buildings tend to be dragged out with different contractors being involved. They will cost a lot less, than a double brick building by far.  They can be insulated to reduce the cost of heating and cooling. Not only that they are environmentally friendly. The disadvantages of having prefabricated buildings in this project The cost of your prefabricated building will depend on the site your home will be put on.  Site costs will vary from block to block. If you are doing the stumping etc yourself then that is not a problem.  If they need to factor that into the price they will need to make varying changes to prices due to level and position of the block where the prefabricated home will be built. The choice of prefabricated building will be affected by your particular budget.  Low cost designs may suit those on a tight budget.  Then if you can afford the better styles, then price may not affect your decision. Prefabricated homes are improving like other forms of buildings and the main advantage of a prefabricated home is the potential to reduce the harmful impact on our environment.  This is one of the worlds biggest concerns these days. The advantages of having a prefabricated steel building Steel is a remarkable material that has been steadily increasing in popularity for construction. It is 66% recyclable, which offers both environmental and financial benefits, and is especially strong and durable. There are a number of options available for building with steel, and one of the most innovative of those options are pre-engineered steel buildings. They are planned, designed and almost pre-built at the factory itself. They just have to be assembled after they reach the building site. They are pre-drilled, pre-cut and pre-welded and just need to be bolted together. This can often be done quickly and with a minimum of professional assistance, and sometimes with none at all. They are quicker, easier and almost 50% less expensive than conventional buildings. Besides, they can be designed as per exact specifications. Elements of the site, other buildings in the area, proposed purpose, and other elements can be taken into consideration. This is the reason for the increasing use of pre-engineered steel buildings for schools, offices, houses, stores, churches and recreational places. Pre-engineered steel buildings, which have no support columns, are known as clear-span buildings. Though they maximize floor space, they cannot be expanded in width. On the other hand, multi-span buildings have unlimited scope for expansion and are thus are often a popular choice for offices and residential buildings. Pre-engineered steel homes have also become very popular in recent years. They offer affordability and flexibility, among many other benefits. There are two kinds of pre-engineered steel buildings: modular and manufactured homes. The only difference is that manufactured homes need not be built as per the building codes, unlike modular homes. For this reason, modular homes are often considered to be more sturdy and reliable. Whether youre creating a manufactured home, modular home, or even a new office, pre-engineered steel buildings offer a vast array of affordable and durable options. Specification for a Pre-fabricated building Panels for a Pre-fabricated building < Curriculum | Definition and Analysis Curriculum | Definition and Analysis CURRICULUM Definition of Curriculum â€Å"A curriculum is more than a list of topics to be covered by an educational programme, for which the more commonly accepted word is a ‘syllabus. A curriculum is first of all a policy statement about a piece of education, and secondly an indication as to the ways in which that policy is to be realised through a programme of action. In practice, though, a curriculum is more than even this; it is useful to think of it as being much wider. As a working definition of a curriculum I would say that it is the sum of all the activities, experiences and learning opportunities for which an institution (such as the Society) or a teacher (such as a faculty member) takes responsibility either deliberately or by default. This includes in such a broad concept of curriculum the formal and the informal, the overt and the covert, the recognised and the overlooked, the intentional and the unintentional. A curriculum is determined as much by what is not offered, and what has been rejected, a s it is by positive actions. And very importantly the curriculum that actually happens that is what is realised in practice includes informal contact between teachers and learners as well as between the learners themselves, and this has been termed ‘the hidden curriculum which often has as much influence on what is learnt as the formal curriculum that is written down as a set of intentions. And it includes what you decide to do on the spur of the moment. So in fact it is useful to think of there being three faces to a curriculum: the curriculum on paper; the curriculum in action; and the curriculum that participants actually learn.† Coles C (2003) Product, Process or Praxis. That is the question. Which curriculum model relates to my own teaching? Firstly I should identify the main theories that are associated with the curriculum and the learning process, as I understand them. The main ones that come to mind are: n Curriculum as product n Curriculum as process n Curriculum as praxis n Curriculum as context There are other theories but the above seem to have the express the basics of the curriculum and how we learn, each has its own supporters. Curriculum as Product What is the dictionary definition of product? Product, (noun) thing that which is produced by effort or labour, or that produced as a result of an act or process, from the Latin prodoceo, to lead or bring forth. What is the relevance to the curriculum? The process of learning is likened to that of producing a product, or something tangible, Bobbitt wrote The central theory [of curriculum] is simple. Human life, however varied, consists in the performance of specific activities. Education that prepares for life is one that prepares definitely and adequately for these specific activities. However numerous and diverse they may be for any social class they can be discovered. This requires only that one go out into the world of affairs and discover the particulars of which their affairs consist. These will show the abilities, attitudes, habits, appreciations and forms of knowledge that men need. These will be the objectives of the curriculum. They will be numerous, definite and particularized. The curriculum will then be that series of experiences which children and youth must have by way of obtaining those objectives. F Bobbitt (1918) We start by knowing nothing; we learn and apply our learning to our actions. It is like a manufacturing process in the way that it progresses, starting with the idea and through a series of logical step and sequences we arrive at the product or outcome. Step 1: Diagnosis of need Step 2: Formulation of objectives Step 3: Selection of content Step 4: Organization of content Step 5: Selection of learning experiences Step 6: Organization of learning experiences Step 7: Determination of what to evaluate and of the ways and means of doing it.(Taba 1962) With the Product model it makes for more precise assessment, provides structure and content, makes teachers more aware of differing types and levels, avoids vague general statements, everything is clearly laid out, learners know what is required of them to achieve, and teachers to be able to direct the learners in the correct pathway. It is very much a teacher orientated model, where the learner is very much a secondary entity; it is about how the information is given. The product model is linked closely with behaviourism also called learning perspectives, where the physical action is behaviour. Studies in this area have been undertaken by Skinner and Gestalt, following upon the work undertaken by Pavlov. Curriculum as a Process The focus of this model is on the teaching activities and the teachers role, with the learners activities having the biggest impact. The focus is on interactions. This can mean that attention shifts from teaching to learning. This is where learning takes place. The emphasis in this model is â€Å"the means† rather than â€Å"the end†. In the process model the curriculum is not a physical thing but rather the interaction between the teacher, the learner and the knowledge. The curriculum is what actually happens in the classroom, and what we do to prepare and evaluate. Each element is constantly interacting. It is an active process, and links back to Aristotle. The focus is on learning and the fact that the learner has a voice in the way the lesson proceeds and the nature of the learning activities. There is an emphasis on the active roles of the teachers and the learners, with the emphasis being on learning rather than teaching. There is a more rounded approach in this model as it looks at learning for life rather than specific functions. L Stenhouse (1975) likened it to: A curriculum is an attempt to communicate the essential principles and features of an educational proposal in such a form that it is open to critical scrutiny and capable of effective translation into practice. Curriculum as Praxis â€Å"Curriculum as praxis is, in many respects, a development of the process model. While the process model is driven by general principles and places an emphasis on judgment and meaning making, it does not make explicit statements about the interests it serves. It may, for example, be used in such a way that does not make continual reference to collective human well-being and to the emancipation of the human spirit. The praxis model of curriculum theory and practice brings these to the centre of the process and makes an explicit commitment to emancipation. Thus action is not simply informed, it is also committed. It is praxis.† (Wikipedia) Not very clear to the layperson. What do we/I understand by the term â€Å"Praxis†. The dictionary definition reads: 1. Practical application or exercise of a branch of learning. 2. Habitual or established practice; custom. (The Free Dictionary) Going one step further:  · translating an idea into action; a hard theory to put into practice; differences between theory and praxis of communism (The Free Dictionary) In short, thinking about what I do, and the way that I do it, not because I am told to do it, because I have my own values about the way it should be done, this influences the way that I do things. This model takes into account the experiences of both the learner and the teacher, and through discussion and negotiations, recognises there may be problems. There may be common ground but this will only come about through mutual self-respect. That is, the curriculum is not simply a set of plans to be implemented, but rather is constituted through an active process in which planning, acting and evaluating are all reciprocally related and integrated into the process (Grundy 1987: 115) Curriculum as Content Broadly speaking the curriculum is the same as the syllabus, and the topics that are to be taught. This is the content in which the curriculum is set. It is the examinations that shape the curriculum, the setting within society, the demands and aspirations of industry. The relationship between learner and teacher, the organisation of classes the tracking of progress. Back to the opening question, which model influences the curriculum in my own teaching? It would have to be the Product model, with occasional use of the Process model. I am taking learners who have little or no knowledge. I am teaching them the application, and they are in turn applying this knowledge to meet required assessment criteria. There are clear aims and objectives. Learning is structured, by me to meet the specified outcomes. There are no general statements of intent. The learners know from the outset what is required of them to achieve the goal at the end; I am there to facilitate their learning. Is this model too rigid? Would I change it? The curriculum lends itself to this model. The final assessment is a formal examination to assess the learners ability to perform specific tasks. These tasks are those that would be required to be undertaken within the work-place. The learner, upon completion of the course and having successfully completed the summative assessment, will be competent to take their place within the workplace, able to meet the demands of industry. They started with nothing and have achieved their goal. What is a meant by or understood by the term curriculum? The dictionary definition reads as follows: 1. All the courses of study offered by an educational institution. 2. A group of related courses, often in a special field of study: e.g. the engineering curriculum. (Wikipedia) If that is so what is a syllabus? * An outline or a summary of the main points of a text, lecture, or course of study. (Wikipedia) It is not very clear, to either a professional or a layperson. We have the educational curricula, simplified, that which is taught in educational establishments, in short the syllabus. Then we have the total curriculum including the informal curriculum, this could be regarded as the sum total of the subjects that the learner is learning. We then have the hidden curriculum, â€Å"the hidden curriculum is taught by the school, not by any teachersomething is coming across to the pupils which may never be spoken in the English lesson or prayed about in assembly. They are picking-up an approach to living and an attitude to learning.† Meighan (1981). And so it goes on, the planned curriculum, the received curriculum, the formal curriculum, the informal curriculum, Kelly A V, (2004) According to Alan Rogers (2002), methods and content together make up the curriculum. There is relatively very little material related to curriculum in adult or lifelong education; most of the work on curriculum has been done in schools, Griffins (1983) concentrates on philosophical concepts of the adult curriculum and tends to neglect more practical aspects of the curriculum. Curriculum is seen as a body of knowledge, the content of education to which the students need to be exposed. It is not what you say, but how you say it! The Lifelong Learning Sector My Curriculum area I am employed within the adult/lifelong learning sector, supporting learners in ICT. This is over a variety of disciplines and software applications, Secretarial disciplines using Microsoft applications, text and word processing, using MS Word, presentations using MS PowerPoint, data management using MS Access and financial and mathematical work using MS Excel. There are a number of qualifications and routes for the learner to follow. I am also supporting learners through computerised accountancy and payroll applications, using Sage to progress within this sector of industry. The majority of learners that I come into contact with are in the process of up-skilling, looking at new career opportunities and openings, looking at updating their own personal skills, and adding to their CV. The use of IT within the workplace has doubled to 77%, with an estimated 22m4 using technology at work. ICT is now a part of everyday life, and no matter what position you are employed in there will be the need to have some knowledge of what a computer can do, how they are used. However there has been a 50% reduction in the number of adults taking up funded ICT provision since 2004/5, largely as a result of shorter courses being displaced by longer qualification-bearing provision. The complexity of the current system of different learning providers, funding routes and qualification outcomes make it harder to access the skills that adults need to get on line.1 Government does not make it easy for adults to access the training that they need, as detailed above. The number who lack basic skills has reduced, there is still a significant percentage who lack the basic skills to access ICT, not only skills but financial support. Digital Life Skills are essential to all adults as they will benefit from: Social Inclusion Equality to access Information and Services Employability Business Productivity Learning and Skills This is a need identified by Government as an area that needs addressing: n an estimated 22m people use technology at work 77% of the working population. (ICT User Skills Report) n a lack of basic ICT skills will be a disadvantage in both finding and securing a new job?(ICT User Skills Report) Are there other factors that affect adult learners? Industry has an impact on what the learners need to study, what is required as a benchmark for employability. It is our job to ensure that we meet the criteria that is laid down to meet the needs of industry, whilst ensuring that we meet the syllabus required by the Examining Board, occasionally the two do not agree. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is responsible for funding all adult skills provision. Since 2004/05, although the overall budget has increased, there has been a 23% decline in enrolments on LSC funded programmes as funding has been focused on longer, qualification-bearing courses. (ICT User Skills Report) A large proportion of this decline has been in ICT programmes. Data provided by the LSC Data Service suggests that over the same period there has been a 54% reduction in enrolments on ICT courses to just under 700,000 in 2007/08, and a 50% reduction in learners to 485,000 learners in 2007/08. (ICT User Skills report) There is the legacy of what adults did not learn in their formative years in the education system. Their lack of basic skills can affect all future learning, they may be turned off by the thought of learning in adulthood, having fears of the classroom, as they remember it. Not a pleasant experience and one not to be repeated. The prioritisation of courses leading to literacy, numeracy and full Level 2 appears to have displaced ICT provision of less than 50 hours at Entry and Level 1 in FE. The majority of this provision (75%) was accredited. Another area that affects adult learners undertaking training is that of a financial nature. Is training to expensive? Who will pay? Equipment is expensive? Is help available? Will my benefits be affected? To some, the benefits of training are outweighed by the problems of everyday living, and until these concerns are addressed they continue as they are. What is Evaluation? Evaluation is systematic determination of merit, worth, and significance of something or someone using criteria against a set of standards. Evaluation often is used to characterise and appraise subjects of interest in a wide range of human enterprises. (Wikipedia) What is Assessment? Educational assessment is the process of documenting, usually in measurable terms, knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs. Assessment can focus on the individual learner, the learning community (class, workshop, or other organized group of learners), the institution, or the educational system as a whole. (Wikipedia) In my role as a teacher do I assess or do I evaluate? As a reflective practitioner do I assess or evaluate? In my role in the classroom it is important that I spend my time with the learner. The learner should be the main focus of my attention. I should ensure that they are engaged in the learning process. I start out with a plan of what we will be doing (lesson plan) throughout the session, they as learners or the group, me as the teacher, what they will be doing and what I will be doing to support them. I will be engaging with learners throughout the session, advising, supporting, encouraging, and providing feedback. All the learners that I come into contact with receive formative feedback through the use of QA, tutorials, one to ones, practice examination papers and general support. They finally have summative feedback through a formal examination process. These forms of summative assessment are laid down by the qualification bodies, as they do with the syllabus that is to be studied. It is my responsibility, along with my colleagues and peers adapt the curriculum to ensure that we meet all of the criteria required. I would therefore consider that in the classroom I undertake the role of an assessor. It would be wrong to say that I am not evaluating, I consider the evaluation process to be an ongoing process. The assessment process is â€Å"here and now†, I am assessing a learners ability to undertake specific tasks, to achieve a specific goal, which is measureable, and meets the required standards as determined by outside bodies. Evaluation is undertaken as an ongoing process from the time I am advised that a class or programme of learning is to be undertaken. This process has two differing facets to it, that of QI (Quality Improvement) and QA (Quality Assurance). Do we undertake one or both of these roles? Immediate reaction is to say â€Å"yes†, but after consideration the truthful answer may be â€Å"no†. We may aspire to the former but that is all. We as teachers are more concerned with the learners and statistics, retention and achievement, s by which we are measured, and which our employers rely upon. Poor achievement and retention leads to reduced funding, a course which is not viable, and therefore it will not run! Quality assurance is the bigger picture, that which we as front line staff strive to achieve but attain infrequently, and which we rely on our managers, employers and senior staff members to take on board on our behalf. The external agencies that monitor our teaching and all aspects of all that we undertake the examining bodies, LSC, Ofsted and all Government regulatory bodies, together with our internal monitoring and recording strategies, observations, SARs, internal verifiers. Do we have the time to participate? Do we have the time to look at the bigger picture? It would be nice to be able to look at the curriculum from a number of differing prospectives, management, teacher and learners. Look at the syllabus, how does it fit into the curriculum. Are there sufficient resources available to meet the needs of learners, are they the right resources? Does the course meet the needs of industry? So many questions, we may aspire to do many things but realistically there are so many outside influences that affect the curriculum that our teaching takes priority, we think others will pick up the QI that we are not able to address. My curriculum, is there room for improvement? Is there need for change? Evidence used in the completing of this document has been taken from end of course reviews submitted by learners, past and present. Hard data in the form of registers and external examination board summative feedback, together with verbal feedback from learners past and present. Teaching ICT in the Lifelong Learning sector brings me into contact with adult learners, looking to raise their skills base through ICT, studying for pleasure, greater use of ICT within the home environment using the Internet and Email, retraining to enter or re-enter the job market. Funding issues have seen a decline within this area and the number of adult learners has dropped. Employers are aware of the need to up skill their staff, and are know taking the necessary steps to enable their staff to review their training needs. The courses that I support are fairly well subscribed to, those that run for a longer period tend to have significantly lower retention and achievement rates, even when fees are being paid. Is this due to the structure of the course and qualification, the times that the sessions are scheduled, the resources that the learners are supplied with? We offer a range of sessions to accommodate learners at different times. Location can be viewed as an issue, being out of town restricts access to a degree. Learners who are unemployed are offered assistance with transport costs. Equipment could be highlighted as a possible issue; if learners had computers/laptops in their own environment would they study there, if we were able to support them? Adults are more likely to be self motivated to complete a course of study. If they drop out what are the reasons for doing so, should we check and compile meaningful data to promote a better culture of learning. Should we look at differing learning styles, and have different approaches to make the learning process more user friendly and less regimented? The majority of the classes that I support are held in the evening, and the majority of learners work during the day time. This is the time that suits them best. However, such long hours are not conducive to the learning process. Learners become tired and make mistakes. This is not born out in the latest set of results and achievement. Are learners building themselves up for the final summative assessment, the exam? Would they be better working at home if the had access to the specialist applications? They are not able to practice in the work-place. In an ideal world all learners would have access to the necessary equipment and applications. Learners would be accommodated in the classroom or in their own location, with support at specified times. There would be a range of resources to accommodate individual learners. Formative assessment would be undertaken on a regular basis, both on a face to face basis, and using email following marked work. Summative assessments would only be undertaken in the classroom. Nothing is perfect, these are suggestions, and everything ultimately revolves around finance. Conclusion The curriculum is a constantly changing and evolving entity or process. It can be affected by many outside influences. Social, governmental and financial, to name but a few, all have an impact of the way the curriculum is evolving. We, as reflective practitioners, have a responsibility to reflect these changes in our teaching, to ensure that our learners have a rounded knowledge and well-being of the changes within our society. References AV Kelly (1999) The Curriculum, Theory and Practice, 5th Edition (Sage) Coles, C., (2003) Second Spine Course of the Spine Society of Europe Barcelona 16th 19th September 2003 Bobbitt, F. (1928) How to Make a Curriculum, Boston: (Houghton) Taba, H. (1962) Curriculum Development: Theory and practice, New York: (Harcourt Brace and World). Bloom B. S. (1956).Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, Handbook I: The Cognitive Domain. New York: David McKay Co Inc. Stenhouse, L (1975) An introduction to Curriculum Research and Development, London http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curriculum_and_instruction#Curriculum_as_praxis [Accessed 09 December2009] http://www.thefreedictionary.com/praxis [Accessed 12 December 2009] Grundy, S. (1987) Curriculum: Product or Praxis, Lewes: Falmer Alan Rogers (2002) Teaching Adults 2nd Edition OUP HM Government (2009) Independent Review of ICT User Skills Report Baroness Estelle Morris 230-09-SK-b

Israel Vibration :: Music

"Don’t fight ‘gainst the Rastaman with him culture music, ‘cause the Rastaman no mean no harm, what the Rastaman want to do is calm the storm" — Albert "Apple Gabirel" Craig Israel Vibration is one of the greatest triumphs to come out of the Jamaican reggae scene. Those familiar with the band feel the warmth of recognition and appreciation when the name comes up in a discussion of reggae music. That warmth and feeling is amplified for anyone who has heard or seen this special trio of singers perform their unique and powerful act in a live performance. For two decades the positive vibrations have been keeping us dancing and feeling the emotions of their spiritual message. Like many other reggae stars of Jamaica, Israel Vibration feel that God has given them the gift of song for the purpose of conveying the message of Rastafari to the people. These three men make musical magic that blends together traditional roots reggae with raw human emotion and a strong spiritual message. I am especially found of the music and story of Israel Vibration. I plan to discuss a biography and discography of Israel Vibes. Then I will try to describe what Israel Vibrations mus ic means to me, both live and recorded. The three men Albert Criag, Cecil Spence, and Lacelle Bulgin were all born in economically deprived areas of Jamaica during the late 1940’s early 1950’s. This was a terrible time in Jamaica due to the horrific Polio epidemic that swept though the cities and rural towns. Polio claimed the lives of thousands of people and crippled many others. Each of the three men fell victim to Poliomyelitis at a very young age. Most Polio infections occur from a source of contaminated drinking water. The virus enters the body through the intestine where it then multiplies. It spreads into the bloodstream where it eventually infects the nervous system and destroys motor neurons that control muscle movement. The virus only paralyzes 1% of its victims but unfortunately all three singers where in that 1 percentile. Albert "Apple" Craig was the youngest son in a family of ten children. He was the apple of his father’s eye so they called him Apple. One of the major inspirations in Apples life was his mother. She was a spiritual healer and told him that one day he will be a great leader in the world and millions of people will follow behind him.