Marketing $100 Laptop

Mr. Negroponte wanted to create educational opportunities for the world’s poorest children by providing each child with a low cost laptop. This laptop will have educational software to provide children with otherwise unavailable technological learning opportunities. OLPC provides an interesting vantage point from which to examine the dynamics between non-profit and for-profit competitors because of the rapid development of the low-cost laptop market. OLPC was undoubtedly the innovator in this category of low-cost laptops with their â€Å"$100 laptop† concept. However, now that for-profit companies have entered the market and released a slew of similar products, OLPC must find ways to maintain its competitive advantage. OLPC was facing some marketing challenges and some the non-marketing challenges. The $100 price for the laptops is to be achieved by operating with no profit, cutting all unnecessary frills including marketing campaigns and assembling large quantities of computers. Negroponte estimated the program will launch with a distribution of at least 5 million computers, and said he hopes to increase that number to 100 million by the second year. He predicted that as the laptop design improves, the per-unit price will go down. Marketing Challenges: †¢ Marketing a low-cost, lightweight laptop seemed contradictory to recent products that are lightweight and ultra-thin that were typically more expensive and harder to manufacture. †¢ Most children using $100 laptop would not have ready access to electricity. †¢ Consumers criticizing OLPC for discounting the value of teacher training and curriculum development using the device. †¢ Governments opting out to put its resources toward traditional method of education. †¢ Prices for the OLPC don’t seem to stay at $100 causing different price floats. †¢ Competition like Intel(for profit companies) launching its own cheaper laptop targeting developing nations as well. Offering enhanced capabilities and the ability to run version of Linux or Window XP 3. Analysis: Differentiation: Price and Technology OLPC should differentiate its product, the XO, from direct competitors such as Intel’s Classmate PC and indirect competitors in the netbook category such as Dell Mini product lines. Differentiation must be visible on three distinct levels; price, technology, and brand. Price: OLPC is currently the cost-leader in this category. The Intel Classmate PC, which is OLPC’s most direct competitor, is currently priced at $285. The OLPC’s XO is priced at $175. Since both OLPC and its competitors are serving government education programs, cost will be extremely important as a number of nations are creating bidding wars for purchasing contracts. Even though OLPC is the lowest cost offering at this point, maintaining this price advantage will become increasingly difficult as competition in the market for low-cost laptops heats up. OLPC overcame some of the challenges by keeping laptop at low-cost by outsourcing the major design work and key part of the operating systems to different countries. Technology and Innovation: OLPC had a first-mover advantage in this market as its XO offering was perhaps the first entrant into the affordable netbook category. OLPC is specialized for its market of children ages 6-12. The design and child-friendly operating system is very unique. The unique connectivity is important for rural areas with sparse communications infrastructure. The XO is built for ultimate adaptability. Even its power sources can be diversified. OLPC has done an admirable job differentiating its product from its competitors through its innovative technologies and education-specific software and hardware. Competitive Strategy: Though OLPC is a leader on price and feature set, sustaining this advantage will be extremely difficult when facing competition from the largest computer companies in the world. Thus to keep its top position, it must leverage its advantages as a non-profit organization. OLPC must create value from its non-profit status to build reputation and trust. As a non-profit, OLPC can build goodwill in ways that for-profit companies are not able. Also being a non-profit enables OLPC to finance and maintain pricing schemes that are different than the competition. In terms of cost savings, OLPC has the advantage that many companies are eager to produce components for the OLPC. For example, Microsoft has gone out of its way to create a version of Windows to run on the OLPC. This is a cost savings that competitive firms are unable to match. To exploit this advantage further, OLPC could even attract advertisement agency to advertise on their PCs to further lower the cost of each machine.

Lily Owens Characterization

Lily Owens is a complex character that went through a trauma in her childhood that affects her as we read the first chapter. She lives alone with her father after her mother died in an accident years before. Her father, T. Ray, owns a peach farm and has Lily working at a peach stand to sell them during the summer. Lily and T. Ray have a black maid, Rosalie, who Lily sees as a surrogate mother. She even fantasize about Rosalie being white and marrying T. Ray, or her and T. Ray being black and living like a family with Rosalie. Lily seeks attention and love from T.Ray, but knows that he will not give it to her freely. After an accident when she was around four years old, in which she killed her mother with a gun she picked up off the floor, her father, T. Ray rarely acknowledges her. He makes her work for him during the summers, he doesn't buy her things, and he doesn't acknowledge any of her attempts for attention and affection. T. Ray doesn't allow her to read even though she has â⠂¬Ëœscored the highest number a human being an get on their verbal aptitude test' because he says that he cannot afford to send her to college.Because of this Lily never thought of aspiring to anything other than working for T. Ray, but when her teachers told her otherwise, it opened her eyes to the possibility of a future for her. Lily in appearance is a young teen who is fourteen years old, with ‘UN-cool' clothes and wild hair. Her clothes are UN-cool because she makes them herself and T. Ray doesn't want to waste money on things like clothes for young girls. Lily believes her eyes are nice like ‘Sophia Lore's' and that she doesn't have much of a chin.Her description of her hair was that ‘it was constantly going off in eleven wrong directions' and that her ‘black hair is a nest of cowlicks'. She is disappointed with how she looks and thinks that she has a hard time ‘being a girl'. Lily's mom's name was Deborah, which T. Ray refuses to say. T. Ray rare ly tells Lily things about her mother, and she misses having one for moments like buying bras and getting her first period. She doesn't know much about her mother, but found some of her mementos in the attic.These mementos are: a photo of her mother, a pair of white gloves, and a small wooden picture of a black Mary with â€Å"Tiburon, S. C. † scratched into the back. She took these and put them in a tin box and buried them in the orchard in her ‘secret place'. After Lily is punished by her father for being caught out in the orchard she loses all hope of T. Ray loving her at all. She decides to stand up to T. Ray even in a silent ay and plans of leaving to make her own future.How To Register To Vote: Voter Eligibility: * You must be a U. S. Citizen. * You must be 18 years old (17 in some states) How to Register: * You can register to vote by mail. * Or you can register to vote at these places: motor vehicles * Armed services recruitment centers * Public assistance agenc ies * Any public facility that a state has designated as a voter registration agency * State-funded programs that serve people with disabilities * In some states you can register to vote online.

The Major Issues and Conflicts on Bilingual Education

Bilingual education was first initiated in 1968. It was a new means to educate the children who spoke a minority language. thirty-one years later the same problems exist for those children who speak a language other then English. The experiment of Bilingual education has been a failure and now it†s time to move on. The first English only initiatives were brought forth in 1981 by newly elected president Reagan. Since then the conflict over Bilingual education has drove on. Currently twenty-three states have â€Å"English Only† laws with 4 states having laws that are pending. The issue of bilingual education and the conflict that surrounds it is primarily focused between whites and Hispanics, although since the mid 70†³s it†s also been involved with the Chinese and Mung cultures. Bilingual education has failed however, currently the movement is towards and English only educational system. The simple fact of the matter is that people who speak a language in this country will never get ahead. We†ve tested the ignorant notion that you could get by without speaking English; or speaking English very minimally, but that†s promoting and even more ignorant idea which is that you don†t need speak English fluently to succeed in America. In 1968 we didn†t know that Bilingual Education wouldn†t work, however, it†s time to move on and do the right thing and switch to English Only. Lyndon Johnson was president, we had the futile dream of world peace, at the same time we were â€Å"Bombing the North Vietnamese into the stone-age†. In the final year of LBJ†s presidency sever new education initives were taken as part of the last step in his â€Å"Great Society† programs. One of these new initives was Bilingual education. At the time it was supported by the Liberal whites in this country, for the most part the conservative Hispanic sect was opposed to such measures. The idea at the time was, kids would learn in their native language and simply pick up English gradually. Those ideas were radicalized in the 1970†³s however, the premise moved away from gradual learning of English; to English wasn†t really necessary. In 1981 Bilingual education came under assault from newly elected president Reagan proposed moving to the English Only system. The idea wasn†t viewed as Anti-Hispanic at the time, or as some kind of racist proposal. Reagan was adored by a majority of the Hispanic community, drawing unprecedented support among Latino voters. The issue of bigotry wasn†t brought forth until the Democrats were sent packing in Gingerich revolution of 1994. In 1999 the debate rages on another 4-5 states are preparing for an â€Å"English Only† law to go on the 2000 Election ballots. The assault on Bilingual Education will continue on. There have been several attempts to put an â€Å"English Only† amendment in to the constitution, all have failed. However, as public support for English only hits record highs an amendment maybe inevitable. The latest of the states to abolish Bilingual education was the state of California; not exactly a conservative state by any means. The controversial Prop 227 was passed by a significantly wide margin 61% to 39%. Prop. 227 was headed by Millionaire computer executive Ron Unz himself the son of immigrant parents. During the battle to pass Prop 227 Unz was called everything from a sell out to a White supremacist. The surrounding Bilingual education is now fueled by a Hispanic minority that refuse to adapt to American culture. They refuse to see the facts, Americans who do not speak English fluently have a poverty rate nearly 25% higher then Americans who speak fluent English. Their arguments are unsubstanciated, English only laws are not racist in nature. They†re attempting to create better equality a theory that you simply cannot call racist. By making children of parents who speak a minority language speak English, the people who are really benefiting are the children. By allowing children to think it†s perfectly ok to use their native languages in our society is promoting ignorance and poverty. American is run in English, twenty-four states publish all their information in nothing but English. To say that speaking another language and knowing very little English will get you anywhere in this country is stupid. Diversity is wonderful, however, it belongs in homes and not in our schools. American culture is speaking English and only English. America was formed on certain principals lad out with certain fundamental underlying assumptions, it always wasn†t possible for everyone to speak English, but the concept was that this is America and we speak English here. There are basically five arguments coming from opponents of English only education. They say it ignores our countries civil rights tradition; it fails to promote the integration of minority citizens into the American mainstream; it neglects the need for American merchants to be able to communicate with foreign markets; it restricts the ability of the Government to be able to reach all its citizens; as well as it raises constitutional concerns. The main supporters economically of Bilingual Education are the educators. The NEA and various other education groups spent nearly twice as much money trying to defeat Prop 227 in California then the groups supporting the initive spent. Why would they do this? It†s simple, MONEY, Bilingual education creates jobs for teachers and valued funding, no matter how right something is, teachers simply don†t turn against teachers. The thousands of positions bilingual education has created are now being eliminated. The only way they can preserve these jobs is by claiming that English only legislation is racially motivated and instills hostility towards minority groups who use another language other then English. I†m firmly in favor of English only. First, Bilingual education does not ignore our countries civil rights tradition. It†s simply stating that if you want to be ignorant, live in poverty, collect welfare and detract from society, that†s fine but you will do it on our terms. To say America also has a civil rights tradition is also questionable. Is this not the country where slavery was permitted for 300 years, where women couldn†t vote, and where abortions are readily available. People†s civil rights are being infringed on all the time, from a black slave to an unborn baby, there is no tradition of great civil rights in America. The second argument, it fails to provide integration of minority citizens into the mainstream is ridiculous. What†s more mainstream American a new Chinese immigrant speaking Chinese or one speaking English? The notion that allowing someone to speak a native language, is bringing them in to the mainstream is insane. Third, it doesn†t neglect the American Government from reaching it†s citizens. This is AMERICA we†re associated with English, we speak English, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in English, our laws are passed in English. Maybe if you can†t speak our language you don†t belong in our country. It†s also not the Government†s duty to reach out to the citizens, people are suppose to be self reliant, we don†t want the Government to reach into our lives. That†s why we had that little revolution against King George. If you really need the Government†s assistance you should reach out to them, something that would be pretty hard if you don†t speak English. Fourth, it does not neglect the ability of merchants to interact with foreign markets. We were dealing with foreigners a long time before Bilingual education and we will be doing so a long time after it†s elimination. Translators! Now that†s a noble idea, more practical then allowing 300 languages to exist. It†s also cheaper. Finally, our Constitution is written in English and since 1908 printed exclusively in English by the United States Government. Teddy Roosevelt said in 1908 that â€Å"To print the American Constitution in any other language but English, would be like spitting in the face of our forefathers†. The Untied States Supreme Court has also ruled numerous times that English only laws do not violate the 1st amendment of our Constitution. I personally believe that in our nation there needs to be a main language, not 3 or 4 or 1200. George Washington wasn†t giving orders at Valley Forge in Russian he was speaking English. Abe Lincoln didn†t give the Gettysburgh Address in Portuguese. It†s not to much to ask for every American citizen to be able to speak English fluently. No one is forced to live here, and if you refuse to adapt you probably shouldn†t be living here. If you want to speak German by all means go ahead and do so, but do it back in Germany. While you†re in America however, we speak English, and if you don†t know it you†re in trouble. The conflict is over rated. It†s not a matter of racism or of any other kind of hatred. It†s a simple matter of principle. American†s speak English it†s not to much to ask.

Grace hopper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Grace hopper - Essay Example Because of her personality and a moving effect towards the work that she has done, she was referred to as â€Å"Amazing Grace†. In light of her works, the US Navy destroyer USS Hopper has been named after her. Also the Cray XE6 â€Å"Hopper† supercomputer present at NERSC was named in her memory. Grace Hopper received a PhD in mathematics from the Yale University. She began teaching mathematics at Vassar in the year 1931 and the got promoted to the role of an associate professor 10 years later, in 1941. It was in 1949 that Grace Hopper became an employee of Eckert Mauchly Computer Corporation in the role of a senior mathematician where she came in close collaboration with a team that had the task to develop the UNIVAC I. During the early periods of 1950s, this company was bought out by the Remington Rand Corporation (Richard 1981). This was the time when she was still employed with Eckert Mauchly Computer Corporation that she came up with her original compiler work whic h was a novelty in those times. This compiler was later on named as the A compiler and its initial version was called as A-0. A conference by the name of CODASYL was held in 1959 which brought together computer experts and geniuses from the related industries and the government. Grace Hopper was appointed as the technical consultant of this committee which essentially laid the basis of COBOL. The new language took some of its ideas from the IBM equivalent by the name of COMTRAN. COBOL aimed to write programmes in a language which was more close to the English dictum than the machine oriented basis. This was the reason why COBOL was seen as the single most ubiquitous business language and is still considered so to this day. As a captain in the Navy, Grace Hopper developed a number of validation software for the new programming language (COBOL) as well as its compiler which was a part of the standardization program that went ahead and helped the entire Navy. During her time at the Har vard University in the year 1947, Grace Hopper along with her associates discovered a moth stuck within a relay. After they had done a small operation, Grace Hopper was able to remark this moth as â€Å"debugging† the system. She brought the term of a computer bug to popularity even though she cannot be credited with coining the same. Also, Grace Hopper is famous for her nanoseconds visual aid (Dickason 1992). Since generals and admirals used to quite frequently enquire her about the long extent of time it took for the satellite communications to revert back, she began handing out certain pieces of wire which used to be nearly 1 foot long. This was due to the measurement done on light that it traveled within one nanosecond. She exclaimed that this length of time in nanoseconds was essentially the maximum speed of signals that might travel within vacuum. She also suggested that signals would travel slowly within the wires that were set up on her part as a visual aid. Grace Hop per’s legacy turned out to be quite a popular one for the women. Since Grace Hopper introduced mathematics as a ‘cool’ and trendy subject, it started to come out just like she envisioned within women in different parts of the world. This is the reason why her name is considered as an inspiring factor within the formation of the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing. This conference is held on an annual basis which brings designers to the fore

A monkey's uncle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A monkey's uncle - Essay Example John Scopes a school teacher from Tennessee was indicted in violation of law by teaching a evolution theory in the public school. The case promised to be an unprecedented show due to the controversial topic and number of eminent participants. Local town leaders could not but use the publicity in order to help their small town. Jennings Bryan considering the evolution theory improbable worried about the erosion of the young people’s moral health. According to his logic the evolution theory and the low percentage of the believers among youth presented a real threat to the future of the society. Having received the strong support from the worried parents he decided to fight teaching Darwinism at schools. In early 1925 his political campaign resulted in a legislative changes, known as the Butler Act which prohibited the denial of the Biblical account of man’s origin and teaching of the evolution theory in the public schools of Tennessee.1 So it was no surprise when Bryan re ceived a request to join the prosecution team in the Dayton trial on behalf of the World’s Christian Fundamentals Association and local prosecutor Sue Hicks (Linder, â€Å"William Jennings Bryan†). In contrast Clarence Darrow, as a modernist, had opposite views on the religion vs. science issue. He was convinced that religious fundamentalism threatened the entire system of public education by doubting the skepticism of inquiry that moved the progress (Linder, â€Å"Clarence Darrow†). When Darrow found out that Bryans was going to lead the prosecution team, he decided to volunteer to challenge Bryan’s program and him personally. In spite of the reluctant attitude of the American Civil Liberties Union leadership, the defendant John Scopes insisted on the Darrow’s participation as a defender. Though the case resembled with the eternal struggle of the opposite good and evil, it still was a prosecutor and defender matter which strategy was rigidly prepa red by both sides. The Prosecution focused on two things: the prove of the actual violation of the Butler?s Act by John Scopes; and influence on the public and jury by using the religious rhetoric and socializing with the local population. The defense in its turn made a stake on the repealing the indictment on the state and federal constitutional levels seeking the declaration in higher instance of that the prohibiting evolution theory in public schools was unconstitutional. Here should be made a short remark over the constitutional grounds of the issue. The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment guaranties the protection of the of the US citizens from the using public fund or establishments to favor any particular religious tradition over another, or non-religion over the religion, or religion over non-religion. Hence, teaching of evolution as a scientific theory does not contradict to the First Amendment. Today the controversy between evolution and creationism remains as an i mportant question in the American society. The status of teaching these topics is under constant debate in legal, religious and political circles. While some religions do not reject the evolution theory several fundamentalist branches of Christianity zealously resist its teaching. However, after normally it is taught in the science courses. Teaching of creationism and intelligent design as science due to its obvious religious background were declared unconstitutional. The core of the current debate lies in the different views on whether evolution/intelligent design

Is Andrew obliged to supply a 1,500 computer to Betty, Colin and Edith Coursework

Is Andrew obliged to supply a 1,500 computer to Betty, Colin and Edith - Coursework Example Offers can be general or specific. General offers are meant for general public and anyone who can fulfill the conditions of the offer can accept it. Specific offers are made to specific parties and can be accepted only by them. An offer can be revoked at any time before it is accepted. In the given case, Andrew circulated a flyer to local businesses which means that he made a general offer to all of them. Andrew made his offer in the beginning of the month of January. His advertisement stated that â€Å"any orders notified by the end of January will be met at the special discount price of  £1,500†. Andrew found this offer to be too generous and decided to revoke it. He posted a letter of revocation to the same businesses on 20th of January. However, a revocation cannot be effective unless the offeree knows of it. In Dickenson v Dodds1, the defendant offered to sell property to the plaintiff. Before the plaintiff could reply, the defendant sold the property to a third party. A friend of the plaintiff told him that the house was sold. It was held that the offer was effectively revoked and was no longer open for acceptance because the plaintiff’s friend’s intimation was adequate notice and a reasonable person would have easily deemed the offer to have been revoked. In the given case, it is important to consider whether the acceptance was completed before the offer was revoked. Andrew communicated his revocation of offer through post on the 20th of January as against himself but the letter was not delivered before the 2nd of February. In Adams v Lindsell2, a famous rule called â€Å"Postal Rule† was established according to which the acceptance of an offer is complete when a letter of acceptance has been posted. However, this rule is not applicable on the communication of revocation of offer by post. In Stevenson, Jacques & Co v McLean3, the plaintiff was an iron merchant who purchased iron and sold it to third

One Organized Crime Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

One Organized Crime Questions - Essay Example In 1917, D’Aquila efficiently managed to suck up the Comorra gangs. In 1918, Comorra had assassinated the leader (Benson & French, 2008). Morello. Later, after many atrocious activities of these criminal gangs, Carlo Gambino became boss, owing to the death of Anastasia, a former leader in the early 1950s (Benson & French, 2008). Gambino then secretly conspired against another leader, Genovese, who was detained, and handed a 15-year imprisonment. At this time, the Gambino family emerged as a significant gang family within New York. Currently, the gang is highly controlled, with three key members as the heads. These include Anthony Gurino, Giovanni Gambino, and Joseph Juliano (Benson & French, 2008). Danny Leo serves as the interim boss. The street boss and the underboss are Liborio and Venero respectively. The gang estimated number of members rises slightly above 200, with various associates across the US and regionally (Benson & French, 2008). The gang still exists, albeit the apprehension and sentencing of numerous

My Plan for Reconstruction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

My Plan for Reconstruction - Essay Example I must say to them that tyranny, exploitation and a subhuman treatment spanning across decades do stifle the human ability to dream. So on this momentous eve, I extend to our black brethren the freedom of daring to dream. These dreams will need to be supported by ample persistence and perseverance and the opportunities to seek education and justice. I know they understand the fundamental meaning of freedom. Now what they need to learn is that how this freedom is formally exercised and enjoyed in the American political and socio-economic life. I evoke them to extend their hands and grasp their fair share in the American political and socio-economic life. Dream and everything will become possible! I predict that it will not be a miracle if one day, one of their sons and daughters becomes the President of the United States of America. Surprisingly, there were many amongst us who kept the flame of freedom and liberty lighted amidst the winds of greed and debauchery. I thank them and at t he same time intend to remind them that our struggle is far from over. The vested interests that gave way to slavery, a thing that was totally and abominably contrary to what we believe in, are as potent today as they were at any other time. The abolitionists no doubt comprise of one of the most enlightened spirits in America. The nation will require their services for long times to come. Who can better become the voice of those that had been denied a voice than our fellow brothers and sisters who fought for the rights of the oppressed?

Internet Bullying and the Law Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Internet Bullying and the Law - Research Paper Example Cyber bullying needs to be restricted by legal rules and regulations because these laws will deter cyber bullying, these laws are in compliance with ethical standards and cyber bullying needs to be stopped because it is hurting the future of the society. One of the main reasons due to which cyber bullying should be recognized as an illegal act is that it will lead to deterring individuals from indulging in such behaviors. Strict cyber cullying laws are required in order punish those who have already committed the act and even those who are planning to indulge in the act. Individuals are rational beings and they make decisions on the basis of costs and benefits associated with a particular act. If an individual feels that the cost of committing a crime is lower than the benefits that can be derived from indulging in that particular act, they are more likely to indulge in the act. If strict laws restricting cyber bullying are put into action, individuals will take these laws and punishments associated with an act before committing the act and are more likely not to indulge in the act (Vito, 2012, p.52). Anti cyber bullying laws should be in place because these laws are completely ethical and in compliance with ethical standards. According to the ethical standard of utilitarianism, those actions should be considered as legal that result in higher number of benefits and lower number of costs as compared to any other action that may be taken in the same scenario. Anti-bullying laws have more benefits to offer to society as compared to costs. Cyber bullying has resulted in several negative consequences for the entire society. For example: a number of suicides have been reported to take place as a result of cyber bullying. The suicide of Megan Meier a 14year old girl has been attributed to cyber bullying as it was figured out that she was publically harassed by others over

Collagen supplements Essay Example for Free

Collagen supplements Essay As a person’s age advances, the skin loses natural cells that promote elasticity and help maintain youthful look. Collagen, known to be a form of protein that holds and tightens the skin underneath, slowly decreases with age. Hence when you reach the age of forty, you notice that your skin starts to sag and form wrinkles. Even the hair and nails suffer from this gradual loss of collagen. The lips, most especially, also become less plump and the usual pout in most women is gone when they reach fifty. And yet there are many ways to compensate for the loss of youth. With the modern woman, the cost of looking young is no cause for concern for as long as the results are delivered. Taking collagen supplements for more youthful look has gained popularity among American women as well as with other women all over the world. To know how to choose a collagen supplement, read these tips. †¢ Know that collagen supplements come as oral medication and skin applications (cream, gel, moisturizers, injections, and etc.). Decide which of the two options you want to use. †¢ Consult your doctor before taking oral collagen supplements. As with taking any oral supplements, you need to ask the advice of your doctor to make sure the supplements do not cause adverse reactions with other medications you might be taking. With the skin applications and injections, make sure you have no allergies whatsoever that may result to unfavorable outcome. Ads by Google 10 yrs younger in 30 mins Immediate and long-lasting results From $450 Call us now at 63363128 stchapelleclinic.com Best shaving creams The secret to a smoother shave. Find out more at Gillette Facebook Facebook.com/GilletteSingapore eye ring fillers, look radiant n natural Dr Yang 9654 4831 or 9118 0142 yangaestheticcentre.com.sg †¢ Select a collagen product that has moisturizers and hydrating components. For topical applications, a collagen supplement must be able to replace the lost natural moisture of your skin. The reason why aging skin gets wrinkled is because the skin has become dry due to decrease of natural collagen supply. Collagen supplements in the form of external applications work best with women or even men who are in their 20s and 30s. At this stage, oral collagen supplements may not be necessary yet. †¢ Make sure to use collagen injections that come from natural sources. Some collagen substances recommended for injections are from fats of animals such as pigs. †¢ Pick an oral supplement that is fortified with multi vitamins particularly Vitamin C and E. Since you are taking the collagen supplements orally anyway – make it a point that they contain nutrients as well. Vitamin E is also considered a youth pill, hence aside from the benefits you get from the collagen itself, your youth is even enhanced with the Vitamin E component. †¢ Decide on a supplement that has other health benefits. Many collagen supplements have antioxidants such as grape seed oil which is a very potent substance in restoring lost mass of body tissues. †¢ Buy supplements that have levels of elastin and collagen, the amounts of which are appropriate to your age. The rule here is: the younger you are, the lower the level of collagen is required, and the older you get, the higher level is needed. †¢ Find out if the supplement has ingredients such as nano-Lipobelle H EQ10, Cynergy TK or COQ10 and multivitamins. †¢ Ask friends who have tried using collagen supplements about how effective these substances are. If you see any improvement on them, then you might as well try their product. Although collagen injections give instant results of a youthful look, they do not last long. Hence oral collagen supplements are still preferred because they get into the body system permanently, thus promoting better and more long lasting effect.

Positive And Negative Reinforcement Education Essay

Positive And Negative Reinforcement Education Essay In theory, childrens understanding and ability in literacy, mathematics and science should be enhanced through high quality teaching. However there is a lot of debate on the best ways to teach children and how children actually learn. It could be argued that teaching children to read is the most fundamental task for teachers. It is the case that once children have learnt to read, they can read to learn. In other words, reading is needed to access any other subject. Gorden Wells (1985) longitudinal project on childrens language development at home and at school points out the role of stories in developing childrens literacy skills and their abstract thought processes. Children most successful in literacy tests age 7 and 11 could be positively identified as having had experience of stories told of read to read to them before beginning school. Wells argues that the process of understanding the world presented by stories obliges children to use decontextualised language by creating a world inside their heads. He makes even stronger claims for the importance of stories by arguing that they contribute very positively to childrens wider learning. His research evidence supports the view that in order to understand a story a child has to pay particular attention to symbolic language. This requires high levels of cognitive thought. The child who listens to or reads stories regularly spends more time using these high levels of thought than the child who does not. In other words, stories make children smarter. (Wells, G. (1985) Language, Learning and Education. Cheltenham: NFER-Nelson). Children learn to read when they are affectively engaged, when they want to read, when it matters to them to do so. Simple instruction in alphabetic and phonemic principles will not create readers of either kind. It will create children who can chant and recite alphabetic and phonemic information. We maintain that the two kinds of reading experience are both important but that they must work together and that children will attend to print when they are intrinsically motivated to be involved in literacy activities. (Kress 1997). According to Kress (1997: 42) classrooms should have good supplies of picture books with patterned and predictable language as these books will quickly become familiar to children. They also will be the kinds of books that children will want to come back to, will find comfort in and, as developing readers, will feel safe in their company. Through guided reading, the teacher demonstrated that pleasure that can be gained from reading and Kress (1997, p. 44) suggests that this requires teachers to know books well in order to be able to share their enthusiasm. As Meek says, we only read well what we think well of (Meek 1982: 45) and Demonstrating the pleasure to be gained from reading is an important part of shared reading experiences and that requires teachers to know books well in order to be able to share their enthusiasm. As Meek says, we only read well what we think well of (Meek 1982: 45) and so a deep immersion into the world of childrens literature is essential for teachers if they are to arouse enthusiasm and model positive reading behaviours in order to teach reading, teachers must become readers. Modelling and developing positive attitudes to reading is a key focus in teaching reading. Once children become aware of what can be gained in terms of pleasure and purpose, then not only will they become self-motivated to engage in reading but good reading habits will be formed. P. 44 Meek, M. (1982) Learning to Read. London: the Bodley Head Peacock et al (2011: p. 2) suggests that a lack of science subject knowledge combined with a lack of confidence in how to teach science may have a severely limiting effect on childrens learning. It is important that teachers plan their lessons thoroughly before teaching so that they can ensure their subject knowledge on that area is sufficient and so that they can deal with things such as time management and choosing appropriate resources. Good planning of time management, subject knowledge and resources were evident in the science lesson that I observed. This was shown by the teacher using specific terminology, such as opaque, translucent and transparent. She also had an activity planned in which the children used certain props allowing them to find the answer themselves; through observation. Furthermore, good planning allowed her to manage time as she had planned a clear introduction; where the children recapped what they already had learnt, a development section; where they were able to independently find out answers through observation and then they come back together for a plenary. Planning the lesson well allowed the different sections of the lesson to flow well and the teacher was able to plan it in a way to address whether the children had learnt what she had intended them to. She did this by observing their knowledge at the beginning of the lesson and then re-evaluating their knowledge during the plenary at the end; which required the children to express what they had observed. My observation of a supply teachers lesson in maths supports how planning is a really important factor in enhancing childrens understanding. This is because her lesson was not as structured as their lessons usually were and this created a great impact on the childrens learning. I felt that she was not as able to move smoothly from one task to another and she often asked the children questions or got them to do tasks they had already done. This meant that they were not building on the knowledge they already knew. Of course recapping is important, however I feel it should be used as an introduction of the lesson or plenary rather than the main part of the lesson; as I feel children should investigate or observe independently too. Furthermore, the supply teacher was unable to use different resources and spent all of her time either lecturing the children on the topic (rather than the lesson being student-lead) or with her back to them as she was writing on the whiteboard. The teacher also played a really complicated maths game with the children, which did not seem to catch their attention. She spent a lot of time on the game; it was the main part of the lesson, rather than a mental starter which would have been more appropriate. The game also did not really help with what they were learning about, which was co-ordinates. This shows, therefore, how important planning and using appropriate diagrams, tasks and open questions are. Preparing them on resources like interactive whiteboards or worksheets reduces times spent writing/drawing them on the board or trying to explain them, and means the teacher spends less time with her back to children. I feel this really shows how high quality teaching really affects how the children learn. The same children were acting so differently than they were with their usual teacher. When I walked around the classroom offering help, they were less engaged with the lesson and the work they were meant to be doing which meant they got less done. They were much chattier throughout the lesson than normal and the teacher seemed pretty unaware. When the noise rose, she did not quiet them down or settle them, meaning they continued to push her. In the end, the teaching assistant stepped in and started settling some of the children, which Ive never seen her do in lessons with their normal teacher. I feel the negative change in the childrens behaviour was mostly due to the lack of behavioural management, lack of preparation and not knowing the individual children well. Conclusion Bishop et al (1993: 1) propose that there are four groups of influences which appear to be of crucial importance for learners of mathematics. They suggest these four groups are the society in which the mathematics is taking place; out-of-school knowledge; teaching materials and aids; and the teacher themselves. Although childrens understanding in literacy, mathematics and science can be enhanced through high quality teaching and learning, this is not the only factor that can enhance their understanding.