Drug Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Drug Education - Essay Example Thos who had not used an illegal drug were only 15%. Effective and efficient drug education is essential because young individuals are faced with numerous influences to using both illicit and licit drugs. Drug education plays a counterbalancing role through shaping a normative culture of moderation, safety and making decisions that are informed. Schools have been helped by various departments to develop a sustainable and ongoing drug education programs and policies that are based on approach that aims at minimizing harm. The approach aims at reducing the adverse health, economic and social impacts of drugs. This is achieved through limiting or minimising the hazards and harms of using drugs for both the individual and the community without eliminating the use necessarily. Globally, it has been recognised that teachers are perfect in providing young individuals with the knowledge and skills for making sound choices and decisions on drug use. As such, there is need to adequately train teachers. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to document a comparative analysis of the following two models: Youth development and Diversionary activities and Drug use prevention through social marketing. Youth Development and Diversionary v. Drug use prevention through social marketing Under youth development and diversionary we have the positive futures. A positive future is a social inclusion national activity-based program for young individuals. The program aims at helping young people from communities that are deprived. It helps them to leave a healthy life through steering them away from alcohol and drug misuse and crime. In addition to that, the program provides young individuals with role models thus widening their horizons and providing them with access to new opportunities within an environment that is cultural familiar (Positive Futures Impact Report, 2006, p. 5). Positive future target young adults aged between ten (10yrs) and nineteen (19yrs) old. In its endeavour to en sure youths live a positive and health lives, it has partnered with organisations such as Diageo GB. This is a drinks business comprising of a collection of brands that are widely known internationally such as wine, spirits and beers. The positive future activities have managed to enrol majority of young individuals to its activities. For instance, as at September 2005, one hundred and nine thousand five hundred and forty six (109,546), young individuals had enrolled in the positive future regular activities. Moreover, young people who attended the programs of positive future were fifty seven thousand (57,000). Through attending these programs, the youths have been able to achieve a lot. For example, their behaviours, self esteem and self confidence were greatly improved. In its urge to mould the youths in the society, the positive future takes an approach that is developmental. Unlike other social policy initiatives that are sports-based, positive futures is not a sport development or diversionary program as traditionally practiced or understood. On the contrary, it uses a relationship strategy whose aim is to interact with young people in a trustful and respectful manner. In that case, young individuals are able to interact with positive role model who guides them on the right path rather than

Mechanical Engineering History Essay Example for Free

Mechanical Engineering History Essay At the start of the Industrial Revolution, in the 18th century the steam engine was first produced. From this production it gave an enormous start to all machinery of any type and every type. As a result, a new major classification of engineering was formed due to the intuition of machines and tools being developed. Soon after this, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers was founded in Birmingham, England in 1847. Scientists investigate that which already is; Engineers create that which has never been. (â€Å"Mechanical Engineering†) In this quote, Albert Einstein explains that engineering is essential to societal advancement and what is will never be without engineering. Henry Petroski helps informs the public that, Engineers do not have supernatural abilities. They are not perfect. It is not natural for them to not make mistakes. One can forgive their mistakes, but it is essential for one to catch and correct them. Therefore it is the nature of modern engineering for engineers to check over one’s own work and calculations along with the work of their collogues. Being an engineer is a serious profession, â€Å"You are looking at a â€Å"professional degree† rather than an arts degree or a science degree. Many people would say that the engineering degree is consistent with a law degree. I am not sure I agree but it is different than a physical education degree. And, by the way, the earning potential is greater, too† (Blackmon) says Professor Blackmon, one of UNC Charlotte’s professors’ and advisor for Mechanical Engineering. According to Blackmon, a freshman mechanical engineer needs to expect â€Å"to know that they will be spending a lot of time learning over the next four years.† They will also need to know that they will be placed in â€Å"Calculus1, ENGR1201 and CHEM1251†. In the engineering program at UNC Charlotte, there are two pathways, Engineering and Engineering-Tech. Blackmon states that the main difference between the two is that, â€Å"engineering is calculus based with a physics based curriculum, and technology is algebra based and algebra based physics based† (Blackmon). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2011 there was a national total of 238,260 mechanical engineers in the USA. Fifty percent of these mechanical engineers made at least $38.09 an hour on the job. At this hourly rate, these ME’s made $79,230 annually. (â€Å"17-2141 Mechanical Engineers†). Professor Blackmon tells me that here at UNC Charlotte, â€Å"we have mechanical engineering going into most any industry and most any specialty. They are in energy, motorsports, medicine, robotics, space exploration, etc. I am not sure of any real project that cannot benefit from the support of a mechanical engineer.† Also at UNC Charlotte, graduates who have at least a 3.4 GPA tend to find a job even before they graduate. Graduation to about sixty percent of UNC Charlotte’s graduates happens in about six years; only twenty-two percent of freshman graduate in four years. According to Blackmon, â€Å"Our results are about the same for all engineering schools† (Blackmon). A mechanical engineer requires many traits and qualities that most individuals may not know. These characteristics include and follow what is stated in the quote below: Mechanical engineers are characterized by personal creativity, breadth of knowledge, and versatility. They are also valuable and reliable multidisciplinary team members. The technical subject areas that form the main basis for their work include mechanics, energy transfer and conversion, design and manufacturing, and the engineering sciences. A good understanding of English and mathematics is also crucial to this kind of profession. (â€Å"Mechanical Engineering Major†) There wouldn’t be new inventions or products made without engineering. Becoming an ME is not easy it takes many years of experience, knowledge in the field, much dedication and perseverance. Works Cited An Excellent Collection of Engineering Quotes. Articlesbase.com. Articlesbase.com, n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2012. http://www.articlesbase.com/. Mechanical Engineering. Britannica.com. 2012. Web. 10 Oct. 2012. http://www.britannica.com/. Mechanical Engineering Major. MyMajors. My Majors, 2012. Web. 30 Sep 2012. http://www.mymajors.com/. 17-2141 Mechanical Engineers. Bls.gov. 27 Mar. 2012. Web. 10 Oct. 2012. http://www.bls.gov/. Blackmon, Don. Personal Interview. 11 Oct. 2012.

Market strategy and business overview of boots

Market strategy and business overview of boots Boots has also introduced new services. Boots Opticians, formed in 1987 has become one of the UKs leading chains of opticians. Insurance services and initiatives in dentistry, chiropody, Boots for Men stores and Internet services were introduced in 1999. The first Health and Beauty Experience stores, offering services such as homeopathy, osteopathy and a range of beauty treatments, were opened in autumn 2000. Boots Healthcare International exports healthcare products in more than 130 countries round the world. Boots Health and Beauty stores are now established in Ireland, Thailand, Japan and Taiwan. There are eight different businesses in The Boots Company, different in size, different in type and different in their business cultures. Such diversity means that they have unrivalled career opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines for people who deliver excellent performance. Boots is a learning organization, they encourage their people to strive to improve their skills and develop throughout their careers. STRATEGY MARKETING MANAGEMENT Marketing management is a business discipline which is focused on the practical application of marketing techniques and the management of a firms marketing resources and activities. Marketing managers are often responsible for influencing the level, timing, and composition of customer demand accepted definition of the term. In part, this is because the role of a marketing manager can vary significantly based on a business size, corporate culture, and industry context. For example, in a large consumer products company, the marketing manager may act as the overall general manager of his or her assigned product. From this perspective, the scope of marketing management is quite broad. The implication of such a definition is that any activity or resource the firm uses to acquire customers and manage the companys relationships with them is within the purview of marketing management. MARKETING STRATEGY Marketing strategy is a method of focusing an organizations energies and resources on a course of action which can lead to increased sales and dominance of a targeted market niche. A marketing strategy combines product development, promotion, distribution, pricing, relationship management and other elements; identifies the firms marketing goals, and explains how they will be achieved, ideally within a stated timeframe. Marketing strategy determines the choice of target market segments, positioning,  marketing mix, and allocation of resources. It is most effective when it is an integral component of overall firm strategy, defining how the organization will successfully engage customers, prospects, and competitors in the market arena.  Corporate strategies, corporate missions, and corporate goals. As the customer constitutes the source of a companys revenue, marketing strategy is closely linked with  sales. A key component of marketing strategy is often to keep marketing in line with a companys overarching  mission statement. Once the company has obtained an adequate understanding of the customer base and its own competitive position in the industry, marketing managers are able to make key strategic decisions and develop a marketing strategy designed to maximize the revenues and profits of the firm. The selected strategy may aim for any of a variety of specific objectives, including optimizing short-term unit margins, revenue growth, market share, long-term profitability, or other goals. MARKETING STRATEGY OPTION: One of the key elements of a successful marketing strategy is the acknowledgment that your existing and potential customers will fall into particular  groups  or  segments, characterized by their needs. Identifying these groups and their needs through market research, and then addressing those needs  more successfully than your competitors, should be the focus of your strategy. You can then create a marketing strategy that makes the most of your strengths and matches them to the needs of the customers you want to target. For example, if a particular group of customers is looking for quality first and foremost, then any marketing activity aimed at them should draw attention to the high quality of your products or service. The benefits of a planned marketing strategy are numerous. Business owners often rely solely on their intuition to make business decisions. While this informal knowledge is important in the decision making process, it may not provide you with all the facts you need to achieve marketing results. A marketing strategy will help you in defining business goals and develop activities to achieve them. WILSON, GILLIGAN AND PEARSON in strategic management, readily admit that there is no standard definition on strategy but high lights three level of strategy. Corporate Level Strategy: Dealing with the allocation level resources thought out the entire organization, covering all of the various businesses or division. Business Level Strategy: This exits at the individual business or division level and is concerned with the question of competitive positioning. Function Level Strategy: Which is limited to the actions of specific functions within specific businesses. Boots is a member of Alliance Boots, an international pharmacy-led health and beauty group. Our purpose is to help our customers look and feel better than they ever thought possible. Our customers are at the heart of our business. Were committed to providing exceptional customer and patient care, be the first choice for pharmacy and healthcare, offer innovative products only at Boots, with great value our customers love. Our people are our strength and they tell us that Boots is a great place to work. We aim to always be the employer of choice, attracting and retaining the most talented and passionate people. Market matrix: The market matrix is a tool that helps businesses to decide their product and market growth strategy. http://www.franteractive.net/resources/Ansoff-Matrix.GIF The above diagram shows market matrix also known as Ansoff product which is a series of suggested growth strategies that set the direction for the business strategy. 1. MARKET PENTRATION: (Existing market, existing products) Market penetration  is one of the four growth strategies of the  Product-Market Growth Matrix  defined by Ansoff Market penetration occurs when a company enters/penetrates a market with current products. The best way to achieve this is by gaining competitors customers (part of their market share). Other ways include attracting non-users of your product or convincing current clients to use more of your product/service (by advertising etc). Ansoff developed the  Product-Market Growth Matrix  to help firms recognise if there was any advantage of entering a market. Market penetration seeks to achieve four main objectives: Maintain and increase the market share of current products- this can be achieved by a combination of competitive pricing strategies, advertising , sales, promotion and more resources dedicated to personal selling. Secure dominance of growth market. 2.MARKET DEVELOPMENT: (New Market, Existing Products) You can grow by leveraging your product knowledge to reach new customers.   More than likely, you have spent time and money developing your product and service offering. Assuming youre happy with your current offering, extending it into new markets is a logical next step. This is aptly called a  market development strategy. If you have identified potential new markets as opportunities, use these strategies to reach them.   Here are some quick considerations to make before executing a market development strategy: Is the market attractive? (To really answer this question, I recommend some form of market research to validate your gut feeling.) Are you willing to commit the required time and resources to reach this new market? Can your business be adapted to the new market? Will you maintain your current competitive advantage in this new market? 3. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: (Existing Market, New product) New Product Development is the term used to describe the complete process of bringing a new  product service to market. There are two parallel paths involved in the NPD process: one involves the idea generation,  product design  and detail engineering; the other involves market research and  marketing analysis. Ideas for new products can be obtained from basic research using a  SWOT analysis  (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities Threats), Market and consumer trends, companys RD department, competitors, focus groups, employees, salespeople, corporate spies, trade shows, or Ethnographic discovery methods (searching for user patterns and habits) may also be used to get an insight into new product lines or product features. 4.DIVERSIFICATIONS 🙠 New Market, New Products) Diversification  is a form of corporate strategy for a company. It seeks to increase profitability through greater sales volume obtained from new products and new markets. Diversification can occur either at the business unit level or at the corporate level. At the business unit level, it is most likely to expand into a new segment of an industry which the business is already in.It is a process where a business markets new products in new markets.This is the most risky strategy because the business is moving into markets in which it has little or no experience. For a business to adopt a diversification strategy, it must have a clear idea about what it expects to gain from the strategy. SWOT analysis Strengths Price cuts are attracting customers especially in beauty and toiletries. Boots is still above high street average, despite all the short-comings being reported. Great locations, with a prime pitch on every high street. Meaning that Boots is accessible to potential customers, this is highly important when taking into account the 4 Ps. Strong labour workforce which is highly essential to every business, this could be a major tool when trying to refocus and achieve the overall objectives. The current share price is 667.0p on 8 Nov and has risen since October 28 when it was valued at 657.5p. This initiates growth in sales due to external factors such as climate change and more susceptibility to illness that this causes. Weaknesses Over diversification which has led to a loss of focus from the core operations of the business. It seems from the article in the Independent newspaper that Boots are reliant on sun cream as a star product, however the British weather is know for its instability meaning good summers are not guaranteed, this has ultimately led to a reduction in profits.  £390 million was spent on revamping the company; could this money have been spent in other areas of the business that may have been more profitable? Some customers feel that Boots is too expensive, thus suggesting price elasticity however the recent price cuts in different parts of the business might have affected the price quality reputation amongst customers, who feel this is important. 900 job cuts from head office and possibly more if finances deteriorate. This might have an adverse effect on the reputation amongst stakeholders. Opportunities Compete through head on pricing although this could be risky according to reports. Does Boots need all their chain branches? An audit and cost-benefit analysis should be conducted along with market research to identify which branches are doing the best and which areas would benefit from the store or which areas are overly concentrated with Boots stores. Therefore taking action by reducing the number of stores and focusing on improving the remainder of stores would reduce costs and provide essential capital that could be reinvested in other parts of the business. Threats Abolition of the resale price maintenance has increased competition. If internet sales of drugs continue to grow, Boots could lose a significant proportion of its market share. Changes in supply chain and systems within the company could hinder growth rate in the next 12 months. Porters 5 forces analysis Competitive rivalry The retail market is filled up with high competitors as more and more companies are trying to step into the Health Beauty industry All the other retailers have different competitive advantages. Boots reach in different stores allows it to reach large number of customers. The other factors which compete with the Boots bank is different banks and building societies Barriers for entry Barriers to entry is high due to a number of factors: Firstly, company looking to set up its business in UK requires lots of investment, brand development, which takes years to establish. Secondly, company in retail sectors are increasing, which itself means there is very less chance for any new entrances. Local knowledge is required for a new business in order to establish, which is highly difficult for new firms to replicate. Threats of Substitutes The threats for newcomers or substitutes is less, as the consumers views that as a necessity, especially in the developed world. The retail market is always trying to look around for new innovations with respect to Health Beauty products, alternative businesses. As a result of which it is difficult for substitution. The only major threat of substitute is an internal industry threat, wherein one supermarket can lap up the business of other supermarkets. Buyers power Because of the presence of too many competitors in the retail Health Beauty sector selling the same product, buyer power is high in the industry. During the time of recession consumers wants are taken into more demand, thereby increasing their power. Supplier power Suppliers in itself is huge company providing products to the supermarkets. If the products are not sold, consumer will shift loyalties, making suppliers more powerful. And also when the products do not reach the supermarket, sales do get affected hugely. C:Documents and SettingsSonyDesktopporters_five_forces_lg.gif Competitive strategy by Michael Porter PORTERS GENERIC STRATEGY: Michael Porter had argued that a companys strength depends on two headings: cost advantage and differentiation. By applying these strengths three generic strategies result: Cost leadership Differentiation Focus Cost leadership strategy: Cost leadership is a strategy built on offering a customer a lower pirce than competitors and maintaining an advantage by ensuring the cost are lower than those of competitors. Factories are built; labor is recruited and trained in all sorts of knowledge for the lowest cost of production. In the process cost advantage is the focus. However low cost not always allows low price. Producers could price at competitive parity, other than the competitors. For example, such as Toyota, are good in producing autos at a low price, but have the brand and marketing skills. Differentiation strategy: It is a strategy that involves offering a product which is different to, is differential from, those of competitors. The advantage of the product will appeal to the whole market and not in a narrow segment. The company that succeeds in differentiation strategy often follows the internal strengths Access to scientific researchHighly skilled and creative development team.Strongly sales team with the ability to successfully communicate the perceived strengths of the products. Corporate reputation for quality and innovation. Focus: The focus strategy strives on a narrow segment and within that segment tries to achieve either a cost advantage or differentiation. A company following the focus strategy often enjoys a high degree of customer loyalty, and this in turn leads to more customer lifetime value. The focus strategy has two variants.In cost focus a firm seeks a cost advantage in its target segment, while inDifferentiation focus a firm seeks differentiation in its target segment. Cost focus exploits differences in cost behavior in some segments, while differentiation focus exploits the special needs of buyers in certain segmentsA company following narrow market focus and pursuing a focus strategy, have lower volumes of bargaining power with their suppliers.A company following differentiation focused strategy may be able to pass higher costs on to customers since close substitute products would not exist.Firms that succeed in a focus strategy are able to lead a broad range of product development strengths to a relatively narrow market segmentFinally, other focusers may be able to carve out sub-segments that they can serve even better. TASK-2 PESTLE analysis is in effect an audit of an organizations environmental influences with the purpose of using this information to guide strategic decision-making. The assumption is that if the organization is able to audit its current environment and assess potential changes, it will be better placed than its competitors to respond to changes. PESTEL ANALYSIS FOR BOOtS: PEST 1. POLITICAL FACTORS: Political factor is always affected any kind of business. The government always make changes in tax policy, labour law policy and trade restrictions. Increasing globalization, gives challenges and opportunities to Boots. Using this company can enter into new markets through partnerships. 2. ECOMOMIC FACTORS: Inflation chances are really high that if inflation occurs then the prices of each pack will rise. When a country enters an inflation stage then their money would be less worth, and companies will higher the prices, consumers have less money to spend on goods, and that will be a major blow the economy. The country might put prices higher on exports, but other countries wont buy them anymore and go find a cheaper one. Exchange rates play a very big role in the marketBecause of the food crisis all over the world, can result in the purchasing cost of the company, which in turn can increase the Health Beauty Product prices which affects the purchasing power of the consumers. Because of credit crunch, the consumers purchase power would decrease, but they would still consider that as its basic necessity.Lot of incentives is given to the consumers. This affects Boots as prices have to be reduced most of the times 3. SOCIAL FACTOR: There seems to be more attention on fresh and easy style cooking. This gives Boots an opportunity to encourage new Health Beauty Product.Recently government has given more emphasis to promote healthy eating because of the increasing obesity. As a result the consumer would move on to healthy eating which in turn will be an opportunity to Boots to stock in more of healthy Health Beauty Product and as a result of which there would be an increase in consumers number. 4. TECHNOLOGY FACTOR: The internet phenomenon seems to be growing more rapidly. Boots can use internet for its advantage. Standing in the queue system for few items in the shopping market is time consuming. By installing the self checkout machines it can reduce the queue system for which the customer would not have to wait for few items which in turn will increase the sales for Boots. 5. ENVIRONMENTAL: It should be mandatory to reduce carbon footprint and increasing energy efficiency. One of the important and ethical issues is, like sales of organic food and ethical treatment of animals, this can clearly affect Boots on various levels. This is a sensitive issue. This can be done by maintaining on the public stand and environment. 6. LEGAL: As per legal the company makes sure that the product is right for the customers. They do all sorts of checks before it is brought forward to the customers.The current UK grocery market is highly regulated in many aspects, which is commonly in the developed countries. The recent inquiry by OFT could act as one example, which would potentially reduce the profitability of the supermarkets. Moreover, Trade Union would also protect employees to receive lack benefits, and this would make the grocers difficult to lay off employees. MARKET PALNNING FOR BOOTS: A  marketing plan  is a written document that details the necessary actions to achieve one or more marketing objectives. It can be for a product or  service, a  brand, or a  product line. Marketing plans cover between one and five years. A marketing plan may be part of an overall  business plan. Solid  marketing strategy  is the foundation of a well-written marketing plan. While a marketing plan contains a list of actions, a marketing plan without a sound strategic foundation is of little use. MARKETING MIX: The structure of the facts book will be designed to match the specific needs of the organization, but one simple format suggested by Malcolm McDonald may be applicable in many cases. This splits the material into three groups: Review of the marketing environment:  A study of the organizations markets, customers, competitors and the overall economic, political, cultural and technical environment; covering developing trends, as well as the current situation. Review of the detailed marketing activity:   A study of the companys  marketing mix in terms of the 7 Ps (see below) Review of the marketing system: A study of the marketing organization,  marketing research  systems and the current marketing objectives and strategies. The last of these is too frequently ignored. The marketing system itself needs to be regularly questioned, because the validity of the whole marketing plan is reliant upon the accuracy of the input from this system, and `garbage in, garbage out applies with a vengeance. 7Ps of MARKETING MIX: Once youve developed your marketing strategy, there is a Seven P Formula you should use to continually evaluate and reevaluate your business  activities. These seven are: product, price, promotion, place, packaging, positioning and people. As products, markets, customers and needs change rapidly, you must continually revisit these seven Ps to make sure youre on track and achieving the maximum results possible for you in todays marketplace. 1. PRODUCT: To begin with, develop the habit of looking at your product as though you were an outside marketing consultant brought in to help your company decide whether or not its in the right  business  at this time. Ask critical questions such as, Is your current product or service, or mix of products and services, appropriate and suitable for the market and the customers of today? 2. PRICES: The second P in the formula is price. Develop the habit of continually examining and reexamining the prices of the products and services you sell to make sure theyre still appropriate to the realities of the current market 3. PROMOTION:   The third habit in marketing and sales is to think in terms of promotion all the time. Promotion includes all the ways you tell your customers about your products or services and how you then market and sell to them. 4. PLACE: The fourth P in the marketing mix is the place where your product or service is actually sold. Develop the habit of reviewing and reflecting upon the exact location where the customer meets the salesperson. Sometimes a change in place can lead to a rapid increase in sales. 5. PACKING: The fifth element in the marketing mix is the packaging. Develop the habit of standing back and looking at every visual element in the packaging of your product or service through the eyes of a critical prospect. Remember, people form their first impression about you within the first 30 seconds of seeing you or some element of your company. Small improvements in the packaging or external appearance of your product or service can often lead to completely different reactions from your customers. 6. POSITIONING: The next P is positioning. You should develop the habit of thinking continually about how you are positioned in the hearts and minds of your customers. How do people think and talk about you when youre not present? How do people think and talk about your company? What positioning do you have in your market, in terms of the specific words people use when they describe you and your offerings to others? 7. PEOPLE: The final P of the marketing mix is people. Develop the habit of thinking in terms of the people inside and outside of your business who are responsible for every element of your sales and  marketing strategy and activities. RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION: I think the current Boots Distribution Channel is very limited. The only place youll find their product is in a local Boots store . I think they should expand their channel like I have summed up earlier. I would have placed vending machines throughout whole UK, outside each super market. To survive in such a competitive market place, Boots must continue to build a strong brand in order to create a strong differentiation in the market, attract customers with a credible value proposition and to constantly engage customers in ways that would endear them to the brand and to the company My evaluation for this is that Boots is in a very good position, but if it needs to gain more customer they need to make more product, not as in output, but new products.

Education and the Computer :: Teaching Education Essays

Education and the Computer There are many different ways to use the computer. For Elementary Education there is a great need to have computers in schools. â€Å"The use of computers, technology applications and hands-on learning enables each student to tie-in your classroom objectives and make a connection to real-world applications. This methodology gives each student equal access to a world of knowledge limited only by the imagination†. In modern school systems, almost every child is exposed to computers. They are asked to type things, access the Internet, and create projects, all using computers. These skills are important tools that can be used later on in life. Almost daily, Children are expected to type papers and other projects for their teacher. This is a good way for them to get acclimated to using a computer. They are also required to take computer classes that teach them how to type correctly. The papers and projects are a good way for students to practice their typing skills. Another thing that most Elementary schools have the children learn about is the Internet. Most children go to the library and the computer lab to do a project or a paper. The teacher usually teaches the students research techniques. These techniques are not just for looking up books, but can prove very valuable in finding other assorted information on the Internet too. Students can learn how to find a good credible source from all the useless â€Å"junk websites†. Then they can learn how to give the original author credit for their work. This is important because if they do not learn how to get the information from the computer and the library, then they will have a really hard time in Middle School and High School trying to complete research papers, and other projects. Another thing that these Elementary students need to learn is how to quickly find the answers to various questions using the Internet. For example, I was in an Elementary classroom for a High School class that I took. When we got there, the teacher asked us to help our buddy get information, find information on the Internet regarding an animal that they had previously picked. They had already read a book about their animal from the library, and they had a few generic questions that the teacher wanted them to find answers to.

Looking For Zora by Alice Walker Essay

In her essay Looking for Zora, Alice Walker ventures out to Eatonville Florida to find out more about Zora Hurston. Walker masquerades as Zora’s niece and goes around inquiring on what was the cause of Zora’s death, where her grave is currently, and what was she like, alive. Walker argues that the writer’s undignified and unfamiliar resting place is far less important than the memories and influence she has left behind. The main appeal Walker uses is pathos, to evoke empathy in the audience. In a way, it is seems like she has made it a personal quest to get a stone to put on Zora’s grave as a sign of homage for a great author she was. The author shows an element of surprise when she find out that Zora died of malnutrition. In surprise she states â€Å" Hell, our condition hasn’t changed any since Phillis Wheatley’s time. She died of malnutrition!(Pg.401)† This sounds incredulous to her, so she seeks to find out from another cause of Zo ra’s death from a Dr. Benton who was Zora’s doctor. Dr. Benton confirms that Zora died from a stroke. He states â€Å"She had a stroke and died in the welfare home† (Pg. 407). Also we can see that the author uses humor. For example, when she goes to look for Zora’s grave, she yells out at the graveyard â€Å" Zora!..I’m here. Are you?† (Pg. 403). She continues to use humor when she converses with Rosalee as they are looking for Zora’s grave. Walker concludes her visit by buying a monument stone and has it engraved then visits where Zora used to live before her illness and death. I think this was a very interesting piece by Walker. She narrates her journey vividly to show the readers her emotional journey to find out about Zora Hurston. Zora must have been a really interesting person. From the essay, even Dr. Benton kept saying how she always used her mind and she was so intelligent. Today, most scholars, veterans and other people of significance are given a sort of ‘decent’ burial, but Zora had pauper’s funeral without any tombstone, yet ‘alot’ of people seemed to know her. Through Walker’s essay, she emphasizes the fact that Zora did not necessarily identify with one race, white or black, in particular and did not even have a good relationship with her own family. I believe that Walker’s argument had to do with Zora’s admiral ability to  identify with cultures besides what many thought should have been her own, black community. I felt that this directly relates to the way in which Zora tried to eliminate the importance of color from her life, although it was an enormous influence on everything she did.

Army Nurse Corps Essay

All women in the Army served then in either the Army Nurse Corps or the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). All Army nurses were officers, and were Direct Commissions. That is, they became nurses first and then attended a ten day or so Orientation Course at (Ft. Sam Houston, Texas) to teach them how to be officers, the rudiments of military life, who to salute and when, etc. (There were a small number of male nurses who went through the same program. ) Nurses were assigned to Army hospitals, both Stateside and overseas, and were billeted separately from male officers. In Vietnam, Army nurses served exclusively in rear-area hospitals at major bases. The Women’s Army Corps (WAC) provided all Army female enlisted personnel and also had its own officers. Most WAC officers exclusively administered WAC units, but a handful received assignments to staff positions and other rear-echelon duties. In Vietnam, enlisted WACs performed mostly clerical duties, although some worked as medical technicians. Whatever their duty assignments, all enlisted women, on any base, even in the ‘States, were billeted together as a single WAC Company in a guarded compound. (WAC officers had separate quarters, of course. ) Within this compound, in their barracks, WACs pulled their own guard, armed with baseball bats and whistles. (Neither WACs or nurses were issued weapons, and even those sent to Vietnam had only rudimentary firearms training. ) One tiny WAC unit (peak strength, 20 officers and 139 enlisted women) was assigned to Saigon, and nowhere else in-country. No WACs, even medical personnel, got any closer to combat than this. Eight US servicewomen died in Vietnam. Of these, four Army nurses and an Air Force flight nurse were killed in three separate, non-combat, plane crashes, and another died from disease. An older nurse died of a stroke. Only one woman, Army 1LT Sharon Ann Lane, was actually killed in a combat action, in a VC rocket attack on Chu Lai, in 1969. Besides nurses and WACs other American women would also go to Vietnam. TOD and China Beach covered most of the categories. American Red Cross girls, entertainers, civilian employees of the US government or contracting firms, newspaper correspondents, Christian missionaries, that about covers it. ARC girls made brief daylight visits (a few hours) to advance bases. The rest had rear-area jobs. (Christian missionaries were usually older, married women. ) American civilian women lived in major Vietnamese cities, which were off-limits to US troops, the exception being Saigon. Any women billeted on US bases also lived in guarded compounds. † Susan O’Neill served as an Army nurse in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. â€Å"Don’t Mean Nothing† is her first book, written nearly thirty years after the experiences it depicts. O’Neill tells us that, (O’Neill, p. 15) â€Å"Before I went, I just assumed that war would involve injury and death; that’s why I was being sent there, after all. But it’s one thing to look at it from a distance, and form neat mental pictures. Once you step through the looking glass, as it were, into the reality of it–once your sneakers are full of somebody else’s blood–you look at the whole thing quite differently. The blood’s no longer a metaphor; it goes through to your socks and into the skin of your feet. Into your soul. † O’Neill gives us a clearer definition of what Vietnam was truly like. She offers that it wasn’t a place where you played around because people’s lives were at stake. The author goes on to tell us that, â€Å"Back in the states, when I so glibly thought I knew what Vietnam and war, in general, was about, I had opposed it on some cool-headed philosophical basis, from some distant notion of empathy. Gradually, in Vietnam, I became horrified at how callow my ideas had been.

Profile of Serial Killer Richard Cottingham

Profile of Serial Killer Richard Cottingham Richard Cottingham was a serial rapist and killer that used the streets of New York and New Jersey as his hunting ground in the 1970s. Known for being particularly cruel, Cottingham earned the nickname The Torso Killer because he would sometimes mutilate the body of his victims, leaving just their torso intact. Early Life Relocating to a new school in the seventh grade proved to be socially challenging for Cottingham. He attended St. Andrews, a co-ed parochial school, and spent a lot of his after-school time friendless and at home with his mother and two siblings. It was not until he entered Pascack Valley High School, that he had friends. After graduating from high school, Cottingham went to work as a computer operator at his fathers insurance company, Metropolitan Life. He stayed there for two years and then moved to Blue Cross Blue Shield, also as a computer operator. First Kill and The Family Man Cottingham abducted Carr  from her apartment parking lot, took her to a hotel where he raped, tortured, and murdered her, and left her body at Ledgewood Terrace. In 1974, Cottingham, who was now the father of a baby boy, was arrested and charged with robbery, sodomy, and sexual assault in New York City, but the charges were dropped. Over the next three years, Janet gave birth to two more children- a boy and a girl. Soon after their last child was born, Cottingham began an extramarital affair with a woman named Barbara Lucas. The relationship lasted for two years, ending in 1980. Throughout their affair, Cottingham was raping, killing and mutilating women. Killing Spree March 22, 1978: New York City- Kidnapped, drugged and raped Karen Schilt, age 31.October 13, 1978: Hackensack, New Jersey- Drugged, tortured and raped prostitute Susan Geiger who was pregnant.December 2, 1979: New York City- Tortured and murdered Deedeh Goodarzi, 23, and â€Å"Jane Doe,† an unidentified woman in her 20s. The two women were found in a room at the Travel Inn Motel Hotel, bound together, raped, tortured and murdered. Cottingham mutilated their bodies, removed their hands and heads, then set fire to the hotel room.May 4, 1980: Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey- Valerie Ann Street, 19, was found at the Quality Inn Motel, naked, beaten, and with multiple cuts on one of her breasts.May 12, 1980: Teaneck, New Jersey- Drugged, beaten, and with several bite marks on her body, Pamela Weisenfeld was found in a parking lot.May 15, 1980: New York City- Jean Reyner, 25, was raped, stabbed, mutilated and strangled to death in a room at the Hotel Seville in New York City.May 22, 1980: Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey- Feeling invincible, Cottingham returned to the Quality Inn Motel with Leslie O’Dell, 18, where he raped, beat, tortured and tried to kill her, however, he was interrupted by hotel security. Finally Busted A search of a private room in Cottinghams home turned up various personal items linking him to his victims. The handwriting on hotel receipts was also matched to his handwriting. He was charged in New York City with a triple homicide (Mary Ann Jean Reyner, Deedeh Goodarzi and â€Å"Jane Doe†) and on 21 counts in New Jersey, plus additional charges for the murder of Maryann Carr. Courtroom Drama and Sentence During the New Jersey trial, Cottingham testified that since he was a child he was fascinated with bondage. But this monster who often demanded that his victims call him master showed no backbone when faced with the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison. Three days after he was found guilty of the New Jersey murders he attempted suicide in his cell by drinking liquid antidepressants. Then a few days before the New York verdict he attempted suicide by cutting his left forearm with a razor in front of the jury. Ironically, this master of mutilation could not master his own suicide Cottingham is currently housed at the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton, New Jersey.