Cloud Computing in Education Essay Example

Cloud Computing in Education Essay Cloud computing- an emerging trend in education in India 1. Introduction to cloud computing Cloud Computing is the use of common software, functionality or business applications from a remote server that is accessed via the Internet. Basically, the Internet is the cloud of applications and services that are available for access by subscribers utilizing a modem from their computer. With Cloud Computing, one simply logs into desired computer applications such as sales force or office automation programs, web services, data storage services, spam filtering, or even blog sites. Generally, access to such programs is by monthly or annual paid subscription. Through Cloud Computing, businesses may prevent financial waste, better track employee activities, and avert technological headaches such as computer viruses, system crashes, and loss of data. [pic] Characteristics a) Cloud Computing Is User Centric: Once as a user are connected to the cloud, whatever is stored there—documents, messages, images, applications, whatever—becomes authorized to the user access them. ) Cloud Computing Is Task-Centric: Instead of focusing on the application and what it can do, the focus is on what one need done and how the application can do it for us. Traditional applications—word processing, spreadsheets, email, and so on—are becoming less important than the documents they create. c) Cloud Computing Is Powerful: Connecting hundreds or thousands of computers together in a cloud creates a wealth of computing power impossible with a single desktop PC. d) Cloud Computing Is Accessible: Because data is stored in the cloud, users can instantly retrieve more information from multiple repositories. We will write a custom essay sample on Cloud Computing in Education specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Cloud Computing in Education specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Cloud Computing in Education specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We are not limited to a single source of data, as we do with a desktop PC. e) Cloud Computing Is Intelligent: With all the various data stored on the computers in a cloud, data mining and analysis are necessary to access that information in an intelligent manner. f) Cloud Computing Is Programmable: Many of the tasks necessary with cloud computing must be automated. For example, to protect the integrity of the data, information stored on a single computer in the cloud must be replicated on other computers in the cloud. If that one computer goes offline, the cloud’s programming automatically redistributes that computer’s data to a new computer in the cloud. 2. Services of Cloud Computing The rapid improvement of the capacity of online connectivity gave birth to cloud computing. Although the term was already used since the 90s, the actual adoption of cloud computing in relation to online computing started in the 21st century. Cloud computing is a general term for anything that involves delivering hosted services over the Internet. These services are broadly divided into three categories: a) Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS): Infrastructure as a Service is a provision model in which an organization outsources the equipment used to support operations, including storage, hardware, servers and networking components. The service provider owns the equipment and is responsible for housing, running and maintaining it. The client typically pays on a per-use basis. Characteristics and components of IaaS include: †¢ Utility computing service and billing model: (charges per usage) †¢ Automation of administrative tasks. Dynamic scaling. †¢ Desktop virtualization: (multiple network,, centrally located server. ) †¢ Policy-based services. †¢ Internet connectivity. b) Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS): Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a way to rent hardware, operating systems, storage and network capacity over the Internet. The service delivery model allows the customer to rent virtualized servers and assoc iated services for running existing applications or developing and testing new ones. Characteristics of Paas include: Operating system features can be changed and upgraded frequently. Geographically distributed development teams can work together on software development projects. †¢ Services can be obtained from diverse sources that cross international boundaries. Initial and ongoing costs can be reduced by the use of infrastructure services from a single vendor rather than maintaining multiple hardware facilities that often perform duplicate functions or suffer from incompatibility problems. †¢ Overall expenses can also be minimized by unification of programming development efforts. ) Software-as-a-Service (SaaS): Software as a Service (SaaS) is a software distribution model in which applications are hosted by a vendor or service provider and made available to customers over a network, typically the Internet. SaaS is becoming an increasingly prevalent delivery model as un derlying technologies that support Web services and service-oriented architecture (SOA) mature and new developmental approaches, such as Ajax, become popular. SaaS is closely related to the ASP (application service provider) and On Demand Computing software delivery model Characteristics of the SaaS include: easier administration †¢ automatic updates and patch management (acquiring, testing, and installing multiple patches (code)) †¢ compatibility: All users will have the same version of software. †¢ easier collaboration †¢ global accessibility. The traditional model of software distribution, in which software is purchased for and installed on personal computers, is sometimes referred to as software as a product. 3. Advantages Of Cloud Computing 1) Lower-Cost Computers for Users 2) Improved Performance 3) Lower IT Infrastructure Costs 4) Fewer Maintenance Issues 5) Lower Software Costs ) Instant Software Updates 7) Increased Computing Power 8) Unlimited Storage 9 ) Increased Data Safety 10) Improved Compatibility between Operating Systems 11) Improved Document Format Compatibility 12) Easier Group Collaboration 13) Universal Access to Documents 14) Latest Version Availability 15) Removes the Tether to Specific Devices 4. Disadvantages of cloud computing 1) Requires a Constant Internet Connection 2) Doesn’t Work Well with Low-Speed Connections 3) Can Be Slow 4) Features Might Be Limited 5) Stored Data Might Not Be Secure 6) If the Cloud Loses Your Data, You’re Screwed ) 5. History of Cloud computing [pic] [pic] [pic] 6. Architecture of Cloud Computing Individual users connect to the cloud from their own personal computers or portable devices, over the Internet. To these individual users, the cloud is seen as a single application, device, or document. The hardware in the cloud (and the operating system that manages the hardware connections) is invisible. [pic] It all starts with the front-end interface seen by individual users. T his is how users select a task or service (either starting an application or opening a document). The user’s request then gets passed to the system management, which finds the correct resources and then calls the system’s appropriate provisioning services. These services carve out the necessary resources in the cloud, launch the appropriate web application, and either creates or opens the requested document. After the web application is launched, the system’s monitoring and metering functions track the usage of the cloud so that resources are apportioned and attributed to the proper user(s). [pic] 7. The Future of Cloud Computing Cloud computing may be a relatively new concept for some businesses and consumers. But even though some businesses are only starting to adopt and realizing the advantages of cloud computing, industry giants are already looking forward to the next big step of cloud computing. â€Å"cloud† has become the application for business purposes. If a business will not consider their future in cloud computing, the challenges as well as the advantages of cloud computing may not be addressed and fully harnessed. 8. Level of Competition in Cloud Computing Industry Competition is always good in any industry. Through competition, the best services as well as the most competitive prices will come out. The cloud computing industry is no exception to this rule. Companies such as Amazon, Google, Sun Microsystems and SalesForce. com are only some of the highly recognized companies in the cloud computing industry. These companies offer advantages that will fit the need of any businesses. But the level of competition, as some industry experts predict, could soon be gone. The previously mentioned companies are aggressively promoting their services so that they could become the leader in the industry. These companies are now spending millions of dollars in hardware upgrades, human resources and even in advertising. Unfortunately, not every company will come out strong. Some industry experts predict that one of the companies will come out of top and might even become the synonym for cloud computing. On the other hand, smaller companies who provide personalized services for cloud computing are slowly coming out in the open. Their personalized services would be limited to few clients which will give them the ability optimize the services to their clients. 9. Services of Cloud Computing in India 1st  century economic power house: India, the 2nd  fastest growing economy has mesmerized the world with its stunningly high economic growth rate since last 2 decades. A World Bank report has projected that in 2010, the rate of growth of Indias economy would be faster than the currently fastest growing economy (i. e. China). What does this mean for SMBs, PSUs, MNCs or any business entity b ased in India? Last 5 years have seen Indian companies on a buying spree, resulting in acquiring many big small overseas companies. In brief, Indian companies, sitting on a huge cash piles, are ready to rapidly scale up in their niche. Interestingly, India is a global leader in providing IT services but the implementation of IT in its burgeoning domestic market is still lagging. This may be a boon in disguise as they have an opportunity to lap up the latest Cloud Computing technologies. Currently, most of the companies are start-ups and are nowhere near the global giants like Amazon, Google, Salesforce or Microsoft but they have the potentials to compete with these giants in near future. Here’s the list of India based Cloud Computing Service Providers, in random order. a) Zenith InfoTech †¢ Base Location: Mumbai, India †¢ Cloud Offering:  PROUD Cloud Type: IaaS An IT product development and innovation company. With an investment of INR 175-crore, this is considered as India’s one of the most ambitious RD efforts in IT. The company is expecting 2,000 3,000 clients of  Proud  in next 2 years. b) Wolf Frameworks †¢ Base Location: Bangaluru, India †¢ Cloud Offering: Wolf PaaS â € ¢ Cloud Type: PaaS Founded in 2006, it provides affordable cloud service with 99. 97% Service Level Assurance. Wolf is a browser based On Demand Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) for rapidly designing and delivering database driven multi-tenant Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications. One can get started without writing any piece of code whatsoever. Coding only comes in when you need custom templates or specific integration Business Rule actions c) OrangeScape †¢ Base Location: Chennai, India †¢ Cloud Offering: OrangeScape Cloud †¢ Cloud Type: PaaS The experience of building business applications of varying complexity across industries has made OrangeScape the most comprehensive PaaS (Platform as a Service) offering in the market. You can transform your idea into a SaaS application and can showcase them to your investors, partners and potential customers. It has an impressive list of customers viz. Ford, Pfizer, Geojit, Sify etc. d) TCS †¢ Base Location: India †¢ Cloud Offering: ITaaS †¢ Cloud Type: IaaS+SaaS ITaaS is a  Nano  in software. ITaaS framework is a one-stop shop for total end-to-end IT and hardware solutions. It includes hardware, network, bandwidth business software. Currently ITaaS is available for 5 sectors: Manufacturing, Retail, Healthcare, Education and Professional Services. e) Cynapse India †¢ Base Location: Mumbai, India †¢ Cloud Offering:  Cyn. in †¢ Cloud Type: IaaS + on Demand SaaS Cyn. n on demand is a cloud hosted service and is the quickest way to get your own cyn. in server, without the hassles of having to set it up. With a Cyn. in on-demand system, you get a dedicated virtual server running a Cyn. in appliance that is maintained updated by Cynapse and hosted by Amazon, ensuring an infrastructure-free and worry-free Cyn. in experience. f) Wipro Technologies †¢ Bas e Location: India †¢ Cloud Offering: Wipro w-SaaS †¢ Cloud Type: SaaS Wipro has built w-SaaS, a platform for rapid SaaS enablement and deployment on cloud, using some of the commonly accepted trends in software engineering and open standards. Wipro chose Oracle (Oracle Database, Oracle WebLogic Application Server and Oracle VM) as the deployment platform for w-SaaS enabled applications. The software vendor can deploy the same application on-premise or on the cloud using w-SaaS and Oracle. g) Netmagic Solutions †¢ Base Location: Mumbai, India †¢ Cloud Offering: CloudNet, CloudServe, PrivateCloud †¢ Cloud Type: IaaS Netmagic looks like a dedicated cloud provider in Indian market with a potential to become a big player in near future. h) Reliance Data Center  (a division of Reliance Communications) †¢ Base Location: India Cloud Offering: Reliance Cloud Computing Services †¢ Cloud Type: IaaS+SaaS+PaaS A hosted infrastructure service based on the  Microsoft  platform for Enterprises and SMBs geared to deliver  India’s largest cloud infrastructure. i) Infosys Technologies †¢ Base Location: Bangalore, India. †¢ Cloud Offering: Cloud based Solution for Auto Sector. †¢ Cloud Type: SaaS Infosys’ Cloud Computing Consulting and Service offerings enable organizations to adopt the Cloud Computing platform selectively and effectively. But brand Infosys, the most recognized IT brand from India has to put significant efforts to catch up with other cloud providers. ) Synage †¢ Base Location: Mumbai, India. †¢ Cloud Offering:  DeskAway †¢ Cloud Type: SaaS A Web company delivering  software as a service (SaaS)  over the Internet to the global audience. DeskAway  is the flagship product of Synage, based on a monthly or yearly subscription model, requiring zero-installation, and powered by a cutting-edge user interface, It’s the future of project team collaboration software. Though the companies listed here have a long way to go before they can be compared with the best in the world yet they have the potential to grow big with the growing Indian economy. 0) cloud computing and education Cloud computing  is another buzz word sp illing into the education sector and IT press. What does it mean for a teacher, for education, for a school? The term ‘cloud computing’ is synonymous with the terms ‘Software as a service’ (SaaS), a hosted service, or utility computing. And for anyone who wants to work from multiple locations – such as different campuses, home, conferences, and while travelling – cloud computing makes perfect sense. Using the services is a simple matter – register for free, agree to the terms and conditions, and then use the application. You don‘t pay, you don’t sign up for a plan, you (usually) don’t have to download anything, or pay licensing fees. For an individual, this is web heaven. What does it mean for education? Cloud computing is used in two ways in the education sector: †¢ by individual teachers or schools: they use the cloud to support particular teaching and learning experiences and the software is available, free, and ready to use. For students cloud applications can add richness and variety to their learning experience enabling them to undertake study activities and collaborate with other students outside standard school hours. The cloud enables an individual teacher to exploit new web software applications for learning purposes without their school. †¢ by jurisdictions: committing to an enterprise implementation. It enables and supports innovation in the use of new technologies for learning with minimal investment. What does it mean for schools? Cloud computing is used to provide enterprise services to schools and jurisdictions. A simple example of this is the  New South Wales Department of Education and Training which is using Google’s Gmail service  to provide an email service to all its school students. The use of the cloud means that increases in usage levels can be easily and immediately accommodated – that is, the service provider can supply additional computer processing power or storage capacity at peak periods, and can reduce supply when it’s not needed. That means jurisdictions don’t have to have to buy, support and maintain a whole infrastructure to service short peak periods. Instead it can utilize the capacity of the cloud. nternet juggernaut Google launched its 3D virtual world ‘Lively’ in July 2008 and closed it in December the same year, much to the dismay of some educators who had started using it for teaching and learning purposes. Cloud computing in education- 2010 Universities are already onboard. According to Educause, about 20% of Universitie s have already moved to a SaaS model for email. This isnt limited to small schools, Clemson University which has nearly 20,000 students switched from web mail to Gmail several years ago. Many schools are also embracing or considering Google Apps. Universites have a long history of academic cooperation. Whether through regional consortiums or techology, colleges and Universites have long built cooperative relationships with other institutions. University systems have a tremendous financial incentive to build shared cloud computing facilities. Alternatively, leading institutions could recoup investment in HPC research computers by selling excess cloud capacity to smaller institutions. Universities have the right identity infrastructure in place. Many schools have already built strong central identity management platforms using open standards around Web Services, Liberty, SAML, and XACML. Additionally, Universities have been strong adopters of Federated Identity technologies like PKI, and In Common. This identity infrastructure is necessary for central cloud services authentication which is absolutely crucial for privacy, compliance, governance, and chargeback billing. In addition to these factors, Universities are notoriously lean when it comes to IT, therefore provisioning a service/application makes a lot more sense the provisioning IT technology infrastructure and then provisioning a service/application. Finally, cloud computing will not be limited to higher education alone actually, it is a perfect fit for K-12 as well. States could establish and run central cloud computing services for schools, eliminate the need for local IT and tech support, and level the playing computing field between rich and poor school districts. In summary, cloud computing infrastructure, platforms, and applications fit education like a glove. Universities are already on board so expect some of the most aggressive and creative cloud implementations to be based on campus. References: http://www. itslearning. co. uk/microsoft ttp://blogs. educationau. edu. au/jmillea/2009/06/23/heading-into-the-cloud-cloud-computing-and-education/ http://www. helium. com/items/1951964-top-10-cloud-computing-service-providers http://groups. google. com/group/cloud-computing/web/list-of-cloud-platforms-providers-and-enablers http://www. nationmultimedia. com/home/2010/04/20/technology/2010-Year-of-cloud-computing-services-30127470. html http://www. exforsys. com/tutorials/cloud-computing/the-future-of-cloud-computing. html http://communication. howstuffworks. com/cloud-computing1. htm http://harbhag. wordpress. com/2010/01/02/cloud-computing/

Biography of Garrett Morgan, Inventor of the Gas Mask

Biography of Garrett Morgan, Inventor of the Gas Mask Garrett Morgan (March 4, 1877–July 27, 1963) was an inventor and businessman from Cleveland who is best known for inventing a device called the Morgan Safety Hood and Smoke Protector in 1914. The invention was later dubbed the gas mask. Fast Facts: Garrett Morgan Known For: Invention of safety hood (early gas mask) and mechanical traffic signalBorn: March 4, 1877 in Claysville,  KentuckyParents: Sydney Morgan, Elizabeth ReedDied: July 27, 1963 in Cleveland,  OhioEducation: Up to sixth gradePublished Works:  The  Cleveland Call, a weekly African American newspaper that he established in 1916, which became the  still-published Cleveland Call and Post in 1929Awards and Honors:  Recognized at the Emancipation Centennial Celebration in  Chicago, Illinois, in August 1963; schools and streets named in his honor; included in the 2002 book,  100 Greatest African Americans  by  Molefi Kete Asante; honorary member of  Alpha Phi Alpha  fraternitySpouse(s): Madge Nelson, Mary HasekChildren: John P. Morgan, Garrett A. Morgan, Jr., and Cosmo H. MorganNotable Quote: â€Å"If you can be the best, then why not try to be the best?†Ã‚   Early Life The son of former slaves, Garrett Augustus Morgan was born in Claysville, Kentucky, on March 4, 1877. His mother was half-Native American and half-white (her father was a white minister named  Rev.  Garrett  Reed), and his father was half-white, the son of the Confederate Colonel John Hunt Morgan, who led Morgans Raiders in the Civil War. Garrett was the seventh of 11 children, and his early childhood was spent attending school and working on the family farm with his brothers and sisters. While still a teenager, he left Kentucky and moved north to Cincinnati, Ohio, in search of opportunities. Although Morgans formal education never took him beyond elementary school, he worked to give himself an education, hiring a tutor while living in Cincinnati and continuing his studies in English grammar. In 1895, Morgan moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he went to work as a sewing machine repairman for a clothing manufacturer, teaching himself as much as he could about sewing machinery and experimenting with the process. Word of his experiments and his proficiency for fixing things traveled fast and he worked for numerous manufacturing firms in the Cleveland area. In 1907, the inventor opened his sewing equipment and repair shop. It was the first of several businesses he would establish. In 1909, he expanded the enterprise to include a tailoring shop that employed 32 people. The new company turned out coats, suits, and dresses, all sewn with equipment that Morgan himself had made. Marriage and Family Morgan married twice, first to Madge Nelson in 1896; they were divorced in 1898. In 1908 he married Mary Anna Hasek, a seamstress from Bohemia: it was one of the earliest interracial marriages in Cleveland. They had three children, John P., Garrett A., Jr., and Cosmo H. Morgan. The Safety Hood (Early Gas Mask) In 1914, Morgan was awarded two patents for the invention of an early gas mask, the Safety Hood and Smoke Protector. He manufactured the mask and sold it nationally and internationally through the National Safety Device Company, or Nadsco, using a marketing strategy to avoid Jim Crow discrimination- what historian Lisa Cook calls anonymity by dissociation. At the time, entrepreneurs sold their inventions by conducting live demonstrations. Morgan appeared in these events to the general public, with municipal fire departments and city officials representing himself as his own assistant- a Native American man called Big Chief Mason. In the south, Morgan hired whites, sometimes public safety professionals, to stage demonstrations for him. His newspaper advertisements featured smartly dressed white male models. The gas mask proved very popular: New York City quickly adopted the mask, and eventually 500 cities followed suit. In 1916, a refined model of Morgans gas mask was awarded a gold medal at the International Exposition of Sanitation and Safety and another gold medal from the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The Lake Erie Crib Disaster On July 25, 1916, Morgan made national news for using his gas mask to rescue men trapped during an explosion in an underground tunnel located 250 feet beneath Lake Erie. No one had been able to reach the men, 11 of them had died as had 10 others attempting to rescue them. Called in the middle of the night six hours after the incident, Morgan and a team of volunteers donned the new gas masks and brought two workers out alive and recovered the bodies of 17 others. He personally gave artificial respiration to one of the men he rescued. Afterward, Morgans company received many additional requests from fire departments around the country that wished to purchase the new masks. However, the national news contained photographs of him, and officials in a number of southern cities canceled their existing orders when they discovered he was black. In 1917, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission reviewed the reports of heroism displayed during the disaster. Based on news reports that downplayed Morgans role, the Carnegie board decided to give the prestigious Hero award to a minor figure in the rescue effort who was white, rather than to Morgan. Morgan protested, but the Carnegie Institution said he hadnt risked as much as the other person had because he had safety equipment. Some reports say the Morgan gas mask was modified and used in World War I after the Germans unleashed chemical warfare at Ypres on April 22, 1915, although theres no strong evidence for it. Despite Morgans popularity in the United States, there were dozens of other masks on the market by then, and most used in WWI were of English or French manufacture. The Morgan Traffic Signal In 1920, Morgan moved into the newspaper business when he established the Cleveland Call. As the years went on, he became a prosperous and widely respected businessman and was able to purchase a home and an automobile, invented by Henry Ford in 1903. In fact, Morgan was the first African-American to purchase an automobile in Cleveland, and it was Morgans experience while driving along the streets of that city that inspired him to invent an improvement to traffic signals. After witnessing a collision between an automobile and a horse-drawn carriage, Morgan took his turn at inventing a traffic signal. While other inventors had experimented with, marketed, and even patented traffic signals, Morgan was one of the first to apply for and acquire a U.S. patent for an inexpensive way to produce a traffic signal. The patent was granted on November 20, 1923. Morgan also had his invention patented in Great Britain and Canada. Morgan stated in his patent for the traffic signal: This invention relates to traffic signals, and particularly to those which are adapted to be positioned adjacent the intersection of two or more streets and are manually operable for directing the flow of traffic...In addition, my invention contemplates the provision of a signal which may be readily and cheaply manufactured. The Morgan traffic signal was a T-shaped pole unit that featured three positions: Stop, Go and an all-directional stop position. This third position halted traffic in all directions to allow pedestrians to cross streets more safely. Morgans hand-cranked semaphore traffic management device was in use throughout North America until all manual traffic signals were replaced by the automatic red, yellow  and green-light traffic signals currently used around the world. The inventor sold the rights to his traffic signal to the General Electric Corporation for $40,000. Other Inventions Throughout his life, Morgan was always experimenting to develop new concepts. Though the traffic signal came at the height of his career and became one of his most famous inventions, it was just one of several innovations he developed, manufactured, and sold over the years. Morgan invented a zig-zag stitching attachment for ​the  manually operated sewing machine. He also founded a company that made personal grooming products  such as hair dying ointments and the curved-tooth pressing comb. As word of Morgans life-saving inventions spread across North America and England, demand for these products grew. He was frequently invited to conventions and public exhibitions to demonstrate how his inventions worked. Death Along with many others, Morgan lost most of his wealth with the stock market crash, but it didnt stop his inventive nature. He developed glaucoma, but at the time of his death he was still working on a new invention: a  self-extinguishing  cigarette. Morgan died on August 27, 1963, at the age of 86. His life was long and full, and his creative energies were recognized both during and after his lifetime. Legacy Morgans inventions have had a tremendous impact on the safety and well-being of people all over the world- from miners to soldiers to first responders to ordinary car owners and pedestrians. Another ongoing legacy is his weekly newspaper, originally named the  Cleveland Call and now called the  Cleveland Call and Post. His achievements as a son of slaves, against all odds and in the face of Jim Crow era discrimination, are inspiring. Case Western University awarded him an honorary degree, and his papers are stored there.   Sources Asante, Molefi Kete (2002),  100 Greatest African Americans: A Biographical Encyclopedia. Amherst, New York: Prometheus Books.  ISBN  1 of Garrett Morgan. The Business History Review 86.2 (2012): 211–34. Print.Evans, Harold, Gail Buckland, and David Lefer. Garrett Augustus Morgan (1877–1963): He came to the rescue with his gas mask. They Made America: From the Steam Engine to the Search Engine: Two Centuries of Innovators. New York City: Little Brown, 2004.  Garner, Carla. â€Å"Garrett A., Sr. Morgan (1877-1963) BlackPast.†Ã‚  BlackPast, 29 Jan. 2019.King, William M. Guardian of the Public Safety: Garrett A. Morgan and the Lake Erie Crib Disaster. The Journal of Negro History 70.1/2 (1985): 1–13. Print.PBS, Garrett Augustus Morgan. Public Broadcasting Service.Smart, Jeffrey K. History of the Army Protective Mask. Natick, Massachusetts: NBC Defense Systems: Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command, 1999. Print.

Literacy Practices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Literacy Practices - Essay Example Writing and reading are always understood in the context they are written in. Many individuals consider reading as an easy way of handling boredom and the discomforts associated with waiting. It turns a time duration that will otherwise be rendered useless, into an appropriate chance for acquiring knowledge and also entertainment. Reading is effective in developing a barrier between an individual and the external world. This enables the individual to ignore the undesired attention and ensure the sense of privacy. Concentrating attention on text materials renders it socially appropriate to ignore the interaction with other individuals. The language that the text is written in is very important. For instance, the outsiders can consider individuals reading the English newspaper or magazine in India as favoring the foreign cultures. But, this does not illustrate the complexities of the usage of the English language in India. India’s national language, and thus is easily applied during the important official communications. In India, the English language is majorly associated with the middle and upper classes. Thus, reading English literary materials associates an individual with higher aspirations. English is the key language in India’s higher education system. Thus individual reading English texts, illustrates higher academic achievements. English is also the official communication language during large scale commerce nationally or internationally. Thus English is significant in the business culture. Lecture instructions, diaries and blogs are common everyday writings that are considered â€Å"vernacular literary practices.† The practices illustrate significant personal roles that assist in organizing life by making records of issues like; finance, birthdays, social contacts, and life documentaries. Analysis of these practices illustrates the insights into the practices of ordinary

Essay on Mental Health Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

On Mental Health - Essay Example Mental counselors consider the background of the client while advising him on a treatment package so that the treatment becomes affordable. Inclusion of the bartering system involving gifts in treatment packages are generally avoided by the consumer (Code of Ethics, 2000). Current treatment packages have been tailored according to the client’s needs. Treatment packages are directed towards early prevention as well as after care. But criticisms have come up against these treatment packages due to their adherence of strict duration irrespective of the patients needs. Some packages based on group treatments have been neglected individual care (Prinz, n.d). Payments under mental health services are also a complex issue as it is treated more categorically different than other health diseases under Medicare. Related medicines have also become more expensive (A Guide to Mental Wellness in Older Age: Recognizing and Overcoming Depression, n.d). Hence recent treatment packages have ben efitted the patients to some extents but also have proved to be costly. The current essay tends to address this issue through various cases and findings. Behavioral factors have always influenced health treatments and it is relatively more important for patients suffering from mental disorders. This factor is also clinically influential on the health conditions of the mental patients (American Psychiatry Association, 2000, p.732). Hence a proper behavior is essential while dealing with the mental patients. This falls under the ethical considerations of psychological treatment. Ethical Considerations The mental doctors or counselors should never hurt the patients by their behavior. No physical or mental torture will be tolerated by the client. Maintenance of trust during the treatment also falls under ethics. The client also needs to be fully aware of the nature of the treatment and its underlying expenses. Any kind of discriminations, be it gender or racial needs to be kept outside the purview of treatment. Engagement in close personal relationships during the course of treatment is considered to be harmful for the patients. Financial or business relationships should not be developed. It is important that mental patients continue with their treatments else it would prove detrimental. It is the doctor’s responsibility that mental patients come for their treatments regularly and consume the prescribed medicines (Code of Ethics, 2000). Treatment packages offered for mental patients Before suggesting any treatment for mental illness the doctors need to diagnose correctly the kind of mental disorder the patient is suffering from. This will certainly help the suggested treatment package to cater to the needs of the patients. The cause for such disorder is also equally important. Medical advance in the area of psychiatric treatment do help to serve these purposes. Mental illness treatment is considered to be either somatic or psychotherapeutic. Somatic disorde rs are to some extent curable with drugs. So psychiatrists often suggest drug therapy. These drugs consist of newly invented anti depressants. Medical prescriptions are prepared in accordance with the type of disorder. Electroconvulsive therapy is a part of psychotherapeutic method of treatment. Under such therapy electric shocks are given to the patients by attaching the electrodes to the patient’s head. Undoubtedly the treatment is a painful one but proved to be very effective for severe depressions that are less responsive to drugs (Doebbeling,

A Competitive Analysis Of Kingfisher Airlines Tourism Essay

A Competitive Analysis Of Kingfisher Airlines Tourism Essay To research and analyze how kingfisher airlines has retained one of the top position in a highly competitive market like India. To find out what makes them special from all other airlines in India. To find out how kingfisher airlines compete with leading airlines like Air Indian and Jet. To find out what customer tactics they used to bring more customers to the organization. Content summary To approach by doing SWOT and PEST analysis of the company by looking through the magazines and websites available on company. In order to analyze the companys strategy I will be doing 7p analysis. In order to make my objectives a true I will be carrying out an interview with fathers friend who is working in kingfisher airlines. I will be doing a case study on how kingfisher airline is different from and India Airlines. I will be also proposing some new strategies which can help the organization to improve their performance more Table of contents Page Table of Content 34 Objective 2 Content summary 2 Introduction 3 About the Company 5 History 5 Achievements 6 Marketing strategy 7 PESTEL Analysis 8 Political 8 Economical 8 Social 8 Technological 8 Environmental 9 Local 9 7 Ps Analysis 9 Product 9 Promotions 10 Price 10 People 10 Place 10 Physical evidence 11 Process 11 SWOT Analysis 11 Strengths 11 Weakness 12 Opportunities 12 Threats 12 Comparison Kingfisher VS Indian Airlines 1213 Suggestion and recommendation 14 Appendix 14 Questionnaire References 15 Introduction Kingfisher Airlines Limited is a major  Indian  airline. Kingfisher operates more than 400 flights a day and has a network of 72 destinations, with regional and long-haul international services. Kingfisher Airlines, through one of its holding companies  United Breweries Group, has a 50 percent stake in  low-cost carrier  Kingfisher Red, formerly known as Air Deccan. Kingfisher Airlines is one of six airlines in the world to have a five-star rating from  Skytrax, along with  Asian Airlines,  Malaysia Airlines,  Qatar Airways,  Singapore Airlines  and  Cathay Pacific Airways. In May 2009, Kingfisher Airlines carried more than a million passengers, giving it the highest market share among airlines in India. Kingfisher has its registered office in the  UB Tower  in  Bangalore  and its head office in the Kingfisher House in  Mumbai. History The airline started operations on 9 May 2005, following the  dry lease  of four brand new  Airbus A320-200  aircraft. Its first flight was from Mumbai  to  Delhi. At the launch of the airline, Dr. Mallya said that he is committed to achieving our ambition of making Kingfisher Airlines Indias largest private airline both in capacity and market share by 2010. The airline ushered in a new era of luxury in Indias domestic aviation sector with its brand new aircraft with stylish red interiors, and smartly dressed crew and ground staff. Kingfisher was the first Indian airline to have  in-flight entertainment  (IFE) systems on every seat even on domestic flights. All passengers were given a welcome kit consisting goodies such as a pen, facial tissue and headphones to use with the IFE system. Initially, passengers were able to watch only recorded TV programming on the IFE system, but later an alliance was formed with  Dish TV  to provide live TV in-flight. And in a marked departure from tradition, Kingfisher Airlines decided to have an on-screen  safety demonstration  using the IFE system. On 14 July 2008, Kingfisher unveiled its first ever  Wide-body aircraft, a  Airbus A330-200  at the 46th  Farnborough Air show  held in July 2008. Kingfishers first Airbus A330-200 was widely billed as the best A330-200 ever built by  Airbus. On 3 September 2008, Kingfisher started its international operations by connecting  Bangalore  with  London. Achievements Kingfisher Airlines has received three global awards at the SKYTRAX World Airline Awards   Named Best Airline In India / Central Asia; Best Cabin Crew Central Asia Kingfisher RED named Best Low Cost Airline in India / Central Asia NDTV Profit Business Leadership Award for Aviation   awarded to Kingfisher Airlines by NDTV twice in two years Indias only 5 Star airline, rated by Skytrax  and  6th airline in the world   to be certified as  5 star airline by Skytrax Ranked amongst Indias Top Service Brands of 2008 ranking by Pitch  magazine Voted as  Indias Favourite Airline in a survey conducted by an independent research firm with 46% votes compared to others Rated as Asia Pacifics Top Airline Brand in a survey conducted by TNS on Asia Pacifics Top 1,000 Brands for 2008 Brand Leadership Award in the service and hospitality segment against several acclaimed hotels, leading banks and other airlines Economic Times Avaya Award 2006 for Excellence in  Customer Responsiveness award is presented by the highly acclaimed Business Daily, Economic Times Indias No. 1 Airline in customer satisfaction Business World Rated amongst Indias most respected companies Business World Rated amongst Indias 25 Innovative Companies in a  survey conducted by Plan man Media in 2006 The Best Airline and Indias Favourite  Carrier in a Survey conducted by The Times of India Service Excellence 2005-2006 for a New Airline   by Skytrax, a UK based specialist global air transport advisor Ranked Third in the survey on Indias Most Successful Brand launch of 2005 Under the Brand Derby Survey conducted by Indias leading business daily Business Standard Busiest Brands of 2005 ranked amongst the Top Ten busiest brands of 2005  and 2006 across product categories, in the survey conducted by agency faqs and The Brand Reporter Best New Airline of the Year Award for 2005   Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) Award in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region Marketing strategies Kingfisher Airlines has a clearly defined target audience- SEC A, SEC B+ (socio-economic class) in the age group of 25-45 years of age. Kingfisher Airlines offers brand new aircraft, designer interiors, gourmet cuisine and in flight-entertainment (there are five channels of FUN TV and 10 channels of Kingfisher Radio, which are personalized). Communicate with guests at multiple touch points. They use all media of communication television, print, radio, outdoor, malls, multiplexes, clubs, pubs, in-flight etc. The guests are constantly informed of their new offers.   They offer tickets to theatre screenings, fashion shows, sports screenings etc to their frequent travellers (club members). Their Partners Program has been very successful. They have tied up with the best of brands across industries. Tata Tetley, Pepsi, Microsoft, Inox, Kenzo , IFB, Taj, Park Hotels and Oxford book stores have been some of leading partners. PESTEL Analysis Political Foreign airlines are not allowed to buy a stake in domestic airlines. International route regulations Closing down of domestic airports Open sky policy Economical Contribution to the Indian economy Rising cost of fuel Investment in the sector of aviation The growth of the middle income group family affects the aviation sector. Shortage of the infrastructure capacity Social Development of cities leads to better services and airports Employment opportunities Safety regulations The status symbol attached to a plane travel. Technological The growth of e-commerce and e-ticketing Satellite based navigation system Modernisation and privatisation of the airports Developing green filed airports with private sector for example in Bangalore the airport corporation limited. Environmental The increase in global warming The sudden and the unexpected behaviour of the atmosphere and the dependency on whether Shortage of the infrastructural capacity Tourism saturation Legal Bilateral treaties Airlines acquisitions and the leasing cost In the United States, low-cost airlines often operated from small airports that charge lower fees and that did not suffer from the congestion at large airports In India, however, government policy did not allow the creation of airports closer than 150KM from each other, and the old airports at Bangalore and Hyderabad were closed down when the new one started. 7 Ps Product Fleet size Aircrafts International foray Promotions Advertisements Magazines and newspaper ads Exposure at non-corporate events Participation at international airs hows Endorsing celebrities like Katrina Kaif and Deepika padukone Price Dynamic pricing model multiple fare levels Uniform rules No hidden restrictions Pricing models eight different levels Discounts provided from time to time People Backbone of the brand Extensive trainings Hospitality industry and consider their customer as guest Interpersonal skills, aptitude, and service knowledge Place Online booking (official site) Online booking Yatro.com, make my trip.com, ezeego1.com Credit cards and debit cards payment SMS/call Outlets in every major city and at every airport across the country Physical evidence Personal valets Exclusive lounge space Hi! Blitz Gourmet cuisine World class cabin crew Kingfisher radio Process Booking the ticket online booking or telephone booking or from any of the kingfisher outlets and private agencies. SWOT Analysis Strength First airline with full new fleet of aircraft Quality hospitality provided to customers. Route rationalization. Already having training academy. Weaknesses Service delivery to metros and other big cities Yet not in a high profit. High ticket pricing Opportunities Under penetrated domestic market Chances International market Untapped air cargo market Expanding tourism industry Threats Existing operators Infrastructure issue Fuel price hike Economic slowdown Kingfisher VS Indian Airlines Areas Indian airlines Kingfisher Airlines Reservation Ticket can be booked by ringing or visiting the office. As soon as waiting list ticket get confirmed they will call the customers on the given contact number Passengers can make the booking first and purchase the ticket later Ticket can be cancelled over phone or through fax 24hr before the journey By the help of user friendly websites Kingfisher airline office Authorized agents Payment can be made by the debit card, credit card, payment at kingfisher airlines office, credit note Kingfisher airline provides the home delivery of tickets and maintains direct relation with the customers. Fares Special fares offered for army forces, war disabled officers, war widows, blind persons, cancer patients, person suffering from 80% and above locomotive disability. Concessional fare to senior citizens, students etc. Fare apply only for carriage from airport at the point of origin to the airport at the point of destination It has 30 to 40 % lower ticket coast compared to other carrier operating in the country Meals Indicate the personal meal preference at the time of booking to ensure correct meal on board the flight Special meals: provided to passengers Indian vegetarian, western vegetarian, Hindu non- vegetarian, children food items etc. On board Choose from the readymade food Business class and economic class Order what you like freshly made on board Equality in class , no differentiation Low cost On ground More waiting time Satisfactory handling of delays Less waiting time Efficient handling of delays Suggestions and recommendation Reduce labour cost Simplify the flight operations Offer more transparent pricing Get smart on fuel The process of acquiring spice jet if complete would make kingfisher the larget player in the aviation industry Different modes of pricing should be taken care of Needs to change brand perceptions Gain optional efficiencies through alliances as with Jet Airways Fleet size expansion Partnering with Jet Airways and some depending brands. Appendix As part of the report preparation I visited my dads friend who is working in kingfisher and I had an interview with him. I went through many magazines who wrote articles about kingfishers and Dr. Mallyas success. I have talked with some of my friends who got chance to fly in kingfisher. They explained to me the facilities they got and their rating to the flight travel. Questionnaire As a supplier, what major trends have you witnessed in the manner consumers in India buy travel especially air ticket? How would you describe your target audience? How do you assess the current positioning of Kingfisher Airlines? Companies are going about brand activation at multiple consumer touch-points. How are you balancing your offline and online marketing initiatives? How tough is it in the current environment to build connect with consumers? How successful has been your Partners Program, a forum where like-minded brands to Kingfisher Airlines can come on the same platform and achieve respective marketing objectives?

The Colliding Dynamics of Class Structure Essay -- Social Studies

The rigidity of class structure is the culprit for the vast number of inequities in society. Power is concentrated in the hands of a small sector; leaving a few individuals to have more authority and influence, in comparison to others. The construction of class structure identifies the way groups are divided into social positions. Differences stemming from social position are further exemplified by the accessibility to valuable resources–such as wealth, education, occupation, and status. Those with distinguished command in society have access to these increasingly wide ranges of resources, which may be present in limited forms to the less powerful. Used as a device of supremacy, power is a style of control when the basis is acquiring these societal possessions. Even though class structure is considered to be fluid in nature, for some it is a complex web of entanglements hard to deal with it. Groups who suffer from social and material deprivations are not doing so by choice, b ut hugely in part to economical and occupational factors. These prominent distinctions have led several to fall victim to the systems of hierarchy. Built within these schemes are the inequalities that arise due to one’s position; and captured inside are the outcomes that influence levels of individual, educational, and occupational independence. People who do observe the inequities between classes may feel the impact of social stratification in various ways. Similarly the dynamics of class structure are very significant elements found throughout the works of Virginia Woolf, George Orwell, and Karl Marx. They are all in agreement that society host the series of conflicts underlying that of class structure. Class structure as a whole denotes differing realit... ...ist Feminism." Critical Sociology (Brill Academic Publishers) 25.2/3 (1999): 196-217. Academic Search Complete. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. Marx, Karl, and Frederick Engels. Marx/Engels Selected Works, Vol. One. Moscow. Progress Publishers, 1969, N. pag. http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist- manifesto/index.htm. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. Orwell, George. "Shooting an Elephant". The Seagull Reader Essays. 2nd Edition. Ed. Joseph Kelly. New York. W. W. Norton & Company, Inc, 2008. 243-250. Print. Peet, Richard. "Inequality and Poverty: A Marxist-Geographic Theory." Annals of the Association of American Geographers 65.4 (1975): 564-571. Academic Search Complete. Web. 19 Mar. 2012. Woolf, Virginia. A Room of One's Own. New York. Quality Paperback Book Club, 1992. Print. Woolf, Virginia. Three Guineas. New York. Quality Paperback Book Club, 1992. Print.

Information systems strategic planning Essay

Information systems strategic planning involves setting up computer based applications with an aim of helping in achieving organizations objectives. When setting up the system plan, the impact, efficiency and effectiveness of the computer based applications should be major factors to consider. Six months ago while working as a part time accountant I had a circumstance which up to now I find to have thought strategically. During that time one of my main duties was raising invoices against the received or incoming purchase orders. With the company dealing in communication network equipment installations a completion certificates had to be received from the customers so as to raise the invoices. Knowing that sometimes I would be away from work on other official or personal commitments I had to think and come up with a plan to avoid having late invoicing or queries from the management on why the invoicing for particular jobs was not done. I came up with an idea of preparing in advance all the invoices corresponding purchase orders and save them in my laptop. I would make all the relevant invoices ready only the date detail would remain awaiting confirmation for invoicing. Once I was away or in the office and was called to make an invoice I would just fill the date and forward the invoice so fast than expected to the respective customer and my management personnel. This was always coming as a surprise to the management since it was so fast and thorough. The outcome of my strategic thinking was so impressive to me and the management. It not only created efficiency and effectiveness but also