Thursday, October 31, 2019

Reasearch paper on the HIPAA Privacy Standards that went into effect Essay

Reasearch paper on the HIPAA Privacy Standards that went into effect in April of 2003 greatly affect both the privacy rights of patents and duties of medical pe - Essay Example The â€Å"designated record set† is the cluster of records used by a covered entity in part or in whole (to make decisions) that includes billing records, plan enrolment, payment, claims and management record of systems (United States Department of Health and Human Services 12). Exception to the right of access includes information gathered for legal proceedings, laboratory results where the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) disallows the right to use, or any data in custody of certain research laboratories. Information incorporated in the right of access may be denied if the covered entity deems that it could cause harm to the patient or another person. In this case, the patient can ask for a second opinion from a licensed health care professional (United States Department of Health and Human Services 12). Realistic fees for copying and postage may be charged by covered entities. Yes, there are certain requirements for covered entities to have written privacy policies. This generally contains an account of the staff or personnel who has access to the protected information, how the information will be used and when or under what circumstance should it be disclosed (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2). Covered entities must likewise make sure that business associates who have the right to use any protected information must bounded by agreement for the restrictions and utilization of said information (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2). 4. How will employees in the medical office have to be trained regarding privacy (for example, who is responsible for training and record keeping?) what is required of an employee does not follow the privacy policy? When must employees be trained? In what manner? Covered entities must educate their staff/employees regarding their privacy procedures and must train its entire workforce concerning its privacy policies and procedures which are

Monday, October 28, 2019

Case of Genie Essay Example for Free

Case of Genie Essay 1.Describe the case of Genie. What happened to her? Why is this case important? Genie was left in extreme isolation. She was kept in a back bedroom,tied to a toilet. She received little stimulation of any kind and was fed baby food.She was given no visual or other sensory stimulation.This case shows that infancy and childhood are critical times for brain development. 2.What have scientists learned about the way that the brain develops in children? Describe how this development happens. They have learned that there are critical periods for brain development. They discovered that parents fill a vital role in the development of their child’s brain through their interactions with the child.Parents and caregivers must provide proper stimulation to help develop connections. Scientists believed that childrens brains were predetermined to a great extent in terms of how they would develop. However, scientists now know that an infants experiences help determine how connections are formed and which pathways will develop in the brain. Thus, rather than being predetermined, an infants brain is a work in progress, influenced not only by his or her genetics, but also the surrounding world. 3.Describe how speech generating devices work. Explain the importance of augmentive communication. Speech generating devices are electronic devices that help individuals communicate verbally. Augmentive communication is important because it helps individuals produce or comprehend written or spoken language.These communication devices can be important tools to help children with speech difficulties communicate with parents, teachers, friends, and others in their lives Critical Thinking Questions 1.What do scientists mean when they say that there are critical periods for brain development? Why are these periods important? When scientist say that there are critical periods for brain development they  mean that if a child misses that period theyll be noticeably different from others in the same age group. These periods are important because they’ll need them all throughout life.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Starbucks Social Media Marketing Strategy

Starbucks Social Media Marketing Strategy In year 2008 operating income of Starbucks took a sharp drop, the majority of which stems from restructuring charges, related to store closures in the US and value share growth drop 0.5% from the year 2007 to 2008 (Euromonitor international, 2009). Chairman and CEO of Starbucks announced in year 2008 that unfortunately Starbucks would force to close down 600 stores this end of 2008 and lay off 12,000 employees. Its a blow, but far from fatal for a company with more than 6,700 locations in the United States and nearly 16,000 worldwide. (TheNewYorkTime, 2010). In resolve part of the problem, Starbucks gone further that involved cutting costs and in the first three quarters of 2009 in few different areas, part of the cost cutting focus on marketing and advertising and this has resulted in savings of US$370 million(Euromonitor international, 2009). However gaining more sales will be the main objective for a healthy growth. Marketing and advertising will be the key element on increasing sales volume. Based on this principle, Starbucks will need to find and alternative way as a substitute for the traditional marketing and advertising. Analysis, planning, implementation, control (APIC) system by Philip Kotler has been effectively as the subtitle of his Marketing Management (Kotler, 1994). As the management issue for Starbucks, managing the communication mix need to take place for solutions. Firstly Analysis of the present situation as the question of where are we now, Starbucks has a high reputation for their company and products that have a great market value. However in the crisis with limited budgeting, Planning will need to take place on reforming on the objectives and positioning. Starbucks has taken the opportunity by utilized the advantages of social media for their reorganization. With the objectives of create high engagement and create positive relationship with their customers through actively engaging in social media that provide the advantages on cost effective and efficiency. In addition Starbucks has formed a social media team to take control, monitor and evaluate the process and development of the us ed of social media. Started on October 2008, Starbucks began to actively engaging in social media, official Starbuck Facebook fan page is one of the major social networking sites for the company. Starbucks started to connect in to the cyber world of social media, and that is speak for itself in the number of Fans the company is engaging with. Facebook as a social media platform that has incorporates with different types of videos, content, and has active interactive activities with the fans. 2.1 Social media marketing strategy Starbucks has a small social media team with only six people; however they obtained a high level of engagement with their consumer in social media. (ENGAGEMENTdb , 2009) On the other hand Starbucks has building social media as a key part in their marketing mix, a stable platform for advertising and promotions. At the same time it creates a centre of attention to attract web traffic to the social networking site fan page with heavy advertising and promotion activities. Alexandra Wheeler, Director of Digital Strategy of Starbucks stated that, We live in the physical world with thousands of natural touch points, so when we laid out the vision for our social strategy, it felt like home for the brand. Its about the relationships we form with our customers. (ENGAGEMENTdb , 2009) The social media marketing strategies that Starbucks are using include special offers, coupons, sapling and discounts distributed through Facebook, because Facebook is the main social networking site for Starbucks. Promotion event on Facebook by Starbucks with the title of Free Pastry Day promotion allowing executively for Facebook fans of Starbucks to print out the online version of coupons for complimentary item with a drink purchase. Through this particular event in July 2009 it further added 200,000 fans just in a week. In the same year, by promoting the launch of the branded ice cream, Starbucks offering coupons for free pints via the Facebook application. Besides, Starbucks also used Facebook to promote a Taste Challenge together with the launch of Starbucks VIA instant coffee, offering participants with a free cup of Starbucks coffee will be given on their next purchase and discount of USD 1 with the VIA instant coffee purchase. (Mark Walsh, mediapost.com, 2010) Throughout the examples from above it is clearly presented that marketing theory of push and pull strategy are being used. A push strategy involves pushing the product of information through marketing channels to final consumers (Kotler and Gary Armstrong, 2009). Two types of push strategies were being used, first the push promotion strategy with the online version of coupons and discount on product purchase, flowing by push marketing with the channel by using Facebook social networking site to transmit the message across their audiences. Objective of the promotion is to gain immediate sales at the same time promote the fan page through the social networking side. Starbucks successful created high level of attention throughout the product promotion on Facebook with encouraging results. Based on a Razorfish study (2009) that generated a conclusion that traditional direct marketing practices for example offering discount and promotion are the keys on building engagement on social networking sites moderately focusing on to create deeper relationship and connection to a brand (Razorfish, 2009). CEO of social media management firm ViTrue, Mr. Reggie Bradford illustrious that Starbucks has the advantage on take in charge and managing all the Starbucks stores, provide an easier way to run standardized marketing programs that team up with Facebook. More significantly, Starbucks well manage with various types of updates that content, and interesting that includes blog articles and videos sharing that cover all aspects of coffee that includes how to grow coffee beans, pieces of writing about Starbucks and Starbucks employees. The tone and pitch of the updates is informative and relaxed, in addition even on their own product updates are kept in a wide-range that enough to remain interesting, for example, by offering and introduction up reviews of new music and books to be displace and for sale in their cafes. Therefore, the well managed and quality status update content has achieved a very engaged fan base, with every update on the social networking site will receive thousands of feedbacks and comments. 2.2 Success Following by reviewing the successful social media marketing strategies that used by Starbucks and the way the coffee giant fully utilized the opportunities of social media to create an interactive and interesting business approve. The level of engagement of a brand in social media will bring different level of success. As Howard Schultz, chairman and CEO of Starbucks said Were not just selling a cup of coffee, we are providing an experience (Business Week 18 November 1991). This implies that customers satisfaction is given top priority. In order to do so Starbucks serve coffee with great taste and quality. Not only quality the treatment of customer is excellent and the variety of beverages served is good (Kotha Glassman 2003). Based on the principle of providing an experience to the customers social media is a latest and most advance technology in communicate that can be personalize between the company and their customers. Coffee house giant Starbucks continue to develop its social media operations in attempt to extend its relationship with its end users. The reason for advertisers using social media is to go where consumers are and to provide a valuable and meaningful brand experience, according to Alexandra Wheeler. Although the challenges of the economic downturn, Starbucks posted profits of $242m in Q4 2009, as revenues rose 4%, to  £1.7 billion, mostly as a result of improved Starbucks store sales (Financial Time.com, 2010). From the research paper on the title of related to how Social Networks Improve e-Commerce, stated that creativity is an extremely important elements when come to approaching a social network (Gayatri, Christo Bryce, Kevin, and Ben Y. Zhao, 2009). Few of the successful principles are value need to be added to the interaction and use the naturally viral nature of community instead of forcing the marketing message through. On social network it have to communicate with people before selling, traditional ad campaigns and promotions should not be forced on the potential customers immediately (Social Media Optimization, 2007). Social network is all about building a community around the brands and the products, promoting, sharing and discussion (Brown, 2009). Get involved in the social network regularly, completely understand the content and focused to the topic is being said amongst the social network community, and the targeted audience before engaging (SocialMediaOptimization, 2007). Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks stated that the global economic recession has very much shaken consumer confidence and retailers which wish to stay relevant in the future will have no choice but to recognize and respond to this new reality and to continue and to accelerate. Starbucks current direction with continue to improve, innovate, and focus on strengthening the relationship with their customers. (The Seattle Times, January 28, 2009). In the year 2008 Starbucks promoted the worlds biggest Facebook ad campaign that including Facebook members in 16 that will be served ads for a Starbucks (RED) charity sing along of The Beatles All You Need Is Love when user log in. Starbucks undertook the biggest global Facebook ad campaign the purpose is to raise awareness of the project, which was a celebration of its partnership with (RED), the charity with the aim to fights Aids in Africa (Jennifer Whitehead, brandrepublic.com, 04 December 2009). This particular campaign has invited people to take part in stores which Starbucks donated a percentage of the cost of each selected product sold. The social media campaign that carries out this initiative received as the most viral impression ever; result of millions of people aware of the Facebook digital invitation which given respond (Wheeler, 2009). On Starbucks promotion Free Pastry Day where pastry will be give away for free with every drink purchased, resulting nearly 600,000 people who expressed an interest in that particular promotion on the social networking site Facebook. On the other social networking site Twitter also generated good respond with a similar promotion event. Besides on the public social networking sites Starbucks also has its own platform My Starbucks Ideas on online community that allows customers and staff to put together suggestion to the company, in August 2008 total of 75,000 of suggestions have been recorded (AdWeek, WARC, 2009). Based on the number of people involved has created a strong awareness outcome at the same time it had increase the sales at the period of time. The result on social media has the similarity outcome with the advertising objective that can be achieve through the social networking site. Starbucks persist as one of the brand that gains most popularity on Facebook, with sites now launched globally in 14 countries. In 2009 the consultancy company Altimeter Group, positioned Starbucks is of the brands make good use of the web properties, and Schultz stated that they would be integral to its operations going forward. The importance of our social media expertise continues to grow, and we evolve the conversation with our core customers, (Altimeter Group, 2010) Engaging with the millions of consumers through social media is a success. Multi-step flow is the extension of two step flow theory. A strong multi-step flow and personal influence model being involved in the process. Fill (2002) provides a clear description of the potency of word of mouth that can give a depth of credibility other form of communication cannot. Because of the nature of social media, the process of opinions and comments flow around in the social media, at the same time the social media management team will be able to monitor and provide instant reply. Starbucks brand, content and online vice president Chris Bruzzo, toldAdAge.com: Its like weve taken the version 1.0 of last year and now they are really doing it at scale and going to a lot more places where their customers already are and people are saying this is going to be a big year for social media and they are a microcosm of that. While last year it was a curiosity, this year its a core part of the program. (WARC, 2010). 2.3 Rewards This section will present the rewards that Starbucks gained throughout the Facebook campaign, based on the success factor that had been discuss on the above paragraph Starbucks also picked up a lot of benefits throughout the process. Financial performance correlates with engagement will determine the rewards that the company gains from the involvement in social media. Survey of Syncapse Consultancy Company, in an effort to gain understanding of the long term business value that generate by social network. The target research company in this survey is based on twenty most popular corporate users actively engaging in social network that includes Coca-Cola, Starbucks, McDonalds, Dove, Gillette, Nokia, Nike, Victorias Secret and Red Bull. The result found out that consumers who like a product in the Facebook feature were found to spend  £93 a year on the item in question, $71.84 more than the shoppers who have not performed the action (Syncapse, 2010). Starbucks is one of the brands th at scores at least 80% in the category of building empathy among their fans. Besides, the products of Starbucks scored over 90% associated with the feeling consumers that result in warm, gratified or happy. Fan value is cyclical and ever changing based on the ongoing marketing performance, (Syncapse, 2010). The result in the survey illustrate that long term brand value can be build by using the social network, independent social network campaign should be taken to increase the value of their company through their fan. Director of worldwide interactive marketing of Coca-cola Michael Donnelly acknowledged that end users perform activities of sharing information via using Facebook meaning that the fan-page of an organization is an additional way to promote and take immediate sharing information in the platform that the users are spending time with, based on the highly engagement platform it create a channel to listen and collect feedback s from consumer. The varies quick feedback that can be received from different methods for example photos, videos or status updates from the page and the message will rapidly share among their network (WARC, Brand Channel, 2009). Relationships are a form of organizational capital that provides value for the organization, the view that relationships are an enabler for resource exchange is well supported by relationship literature (Baxter Matear, 2004) The involvement of social media has became a importance role in achieving this aim, one of the Starbucks campaigns join together with Project Red to help promote fight AIDS in Africa, which was promoted using social media Facebook, where Starbucks has more than 5.5 million fans in end of 2009 that became the most popular brand second by Coca-cola and does not take long for Starbucks to achieved 10 million Facebook fan in July 2010. Schultz mentions that the effort of creating the world largest campaign ever on the Facebook social media platform is further strengthens Starbucks unique connection with their customers (Starbucks, 2010). Alexandra Wheeler stated that the campaign has became the most viral event in the history of Facebook and meant that this not only were trigger customers excited about the Starbucks at the same time the customer also came together on one day to accomplish something excellent. Take as a whole; she asserted that Facebook helps them get a pulse on the impor tant to their customers. The organization can have a direct communication dialog with their customers about the values and ideals that they gained and share the valuable experience with them. (Brand Channel, 2009) According to a report by ENGAGEMENTdb 2009 with the title of top 100 worlds most valuable brands, who is most engrage? In the report it divided brands in to four profiles with different levels of engagement, depending on the figure of channels and how intensely they are engaged in the brand. Starbucks fall in to the category of Mavens has been description as brands that are engaged in seven or more channels and have a greater than average engagement score. The brands are able to maintain a high level of engagement throughout multiple social media. The Mavens are not just a healthy strategy and enthusiastic teams focused on social media, but also make it a core part of their marketing strategy. Companies in this category will operate with a strong presence in social media. Company like Starbucks with deeply and widely engaged in social media outshine their competitors in term the performance in both revenue and profit by a large difference. Mavens group they have sustained strong reve nue and margin growth in spite of the current economy. (Figure 14) Further on with a strong engagement and multi-step flow and personal influence model it will develop on the principle of relational exchange theory. A brand relationship is being established, self-interest is best maximized by the returns available through cooperation in a relationship (Blau, 1964). In this approach, the analysis of interim relationships moves from the focal firm to the dyad or network level in an effort to understand interorganisational relationships (Cook Emerson, 1978; Bradach Eccles, 1989; Husted, 1994). There is interest in relationship quality that stems from trust and the high degree of certainty of predictable and obligatory behavior that leads to sales giving the seller integrity and the process a high degree of certainty (Crosby, Evans and Cowles, 1990). Based on a study, brands with more supporters and fans on Facebook more likely to involve in discussions, and could gain higher returns (Vitrue, 2010). According to chief product officer at Vitrue Michael Strutton stated that it is important to know that to build up a Facebook fan base will need consistent and well management. The learning process from customer can perform through social media. According to Bruzzo one of specialist members of staff at Starbucks stated that If you approach it as a customer relationship and as a multi-faceted human connection between Starbucks and customers, then we can have more than a conversation about products it can be a customer-insight channel and we can learn things from them. (Seattle PI, 2009).General Manager of advertising and customer engagement of Microsoft, Gayle Troberman, said social media offers a highly engaged audience who keen to know information about the company. She also mention that part of the social media strategy, is to focu s on honesty and authenticity, as well as attempting to respond to users as quickly as possible. (Seattle PI, Warc, 2009). 2.4 Risk On the above paragraphs it discuss about the success and reward of using social media of Starbucks, at the same time the risks of using social media need to take in consideration as well. As different social media evolved there will be multi channel for communications, at the same time communications professionals have a various options to connect with audiences. Worldwide audience can easily be reached with web 2.0, but the heady possibilities come with potential liabilities. Errors or mistakes in communication will be amplified. This is the reason why a lot of companies find the concept of social media as a risky media. The innovation of internet and World Wide Web have brought the world closer, and since social media are available on this technology there are different rules and regulations in different part of the world to protect the end user. From a international point of view for example regulations in the United Stated with the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive guards against false representation, Securities and Commission (SEC) and their Regulation Fair Disclosure (Reg FD) which set to protect the use of the social media. Beside in the EU there are also protecting against the use of social media for example EU privacy rules that against collection of personal information and email addresses on website. Because social media is an open world for every user around the world, different rules and regulations in different part of the world might come into conflict when it operates in business related activities on social media. Further on move on to the use of social media internally under a company. The use of social media should be guardian by rules and regulations, managing social media a company is agreed to allow employees to wiring blog, tweet or post Facebook comments updates. In the past companies tried to control risk on social media by disallowing access to cyberspace, however that will not work with the current situation of the use of social media. Robert Stroud, international vice president of ISACA, said in a statement. Companies should embrace it, not block it. But they also need to empower their employees with knowledge to implement sound social media governance. (ISACA, 2010). This managing process is apparently with high risk than not permitting whatever thing out of the usual channels. In particular if the social media management teams include top level executives or the CEO, where regulations exist which govern the disclosure of information by publicly traded companies. According to a stu dy by Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA, 2010) employees who dabble in social networking both on and off the job could expose their companies to a variety of risks. Malware, brand hijacking, lack of content control, noncompliance with rules over recordkeeping, and unrealistic expectations of Internet performance were the top five social-media risks to businesses (ISACA, 2010). 2.5 Challenges All kind of social networking challenges will be face by organization. Following this section will discuss the possible challenges for organization that are using social media as part of their marketing strategy. Social media providing a lot of benefit to an organization, a well managed of the use of social media will bring great future for the company, at the same time the hard work of minimize the challenges will be the best practice for prevention. 8% of companies had terminated employees because of the usage carelessness of social media (Proofpoint, 2009) for example a very frequent causes that might happen including sharing confidential or sensitive information or data on a network channel. According to David Arman, there are five possible challenges that every organization should be thinking ahead (Harvard Business review, 2010). The connection and linkage of social media cover almost every aspects and function of a business. All organizations will eventually grapple with integrating social into their entire ecosystem adopting either centralized, distributed or hybrid approaches (David Arman, 2010). The first challenge is regarding integration, because of the broad coverage of social media alongside the business, the decision of form up a specialize team to supervise the social media process is a judgment to be consider. Following by the second challenge governance, has been described as task to control and recognize both the contents produced for the public and also information that internal used around employees. Organization will need to keep attention on the internal contents among the company as well as set rules of engagement in the process how employees responding to the social media. The next challenge is that every organization have their own culture on the spectrum either being more transparent of the way they operate and collaborative or keep knowledge internally. Through using social media, organization can strengthen their company policy by managing customers and employees by using this channel, however it have to manage it intelligently and with purpose. The fourth challenge is related to the human resources of a company, emerge of social media business, rules and regulation of human resources will also need to keep up to date. Because of the fast moving and changeable technology set of rules and regulation will be an ongoing development process. At the same time organizations will need to train employees on the use of social technologies for work. The fifth challenge is on the measurement and return on investment. There will be difficulty on measuring the results on using social media, however it is measurable but to work out the financial definite will be a challenging task. 2.6 Conclusion After critical analysis on the achievements and threats, a conclusion can be made that the best practice to maximize on return and minimize risk of using social networking is to develop a well planed social media marketing strategy that cover a large part of the business. By minimizing the risk companies should develop social media policies and build up training meeting and classes to educate employees about the use of social media. The social media policies should includes personal use of social networks as part of the job description and also the personal use outside the work place. The use of visual in the social network is one of the way to stand out from the crow, visual communication is part of the design elements should be consider on how to communication with the audience by using design principles.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Do Science And Technology Provide A Solid Base For Technocracy :: essays research papers

To answer this question one must first understand that every politico-economic ideology, like every religious belief, proclaims that it has the one true doctrine and that all others are entirely different or at opposite ends. In most instances individuals join in voluntary association to act upon those opinions, ideas or beliefs which they hold in common. These opinions, ideas or beliefs may or may not be based on facts and hence most end with disastrous results. However once ideas have crystallized into organized action little question is raised to their feasibility or conformance to fact. Conclusively the objective of the group is either initially or ultimately the result of compromise being either very limited or very general in scope. This explains the ineffectiveness of the emotional approach and the political generality does not adequately define the project. The end result is the making of a mountain out of a molehill where the emphasis is on the exaggeration and reiteration o f minor differences while ignoring what they have in common. Technocracy partakes one single element in that it is dependent on the voluntary association of individuals acting upon certain ideas upon which they are in agreement. Comparatively it differs from all other social movements since its common ideas are not the result of philosophic agreement. Technocracy does in fact in theory need science and technology to be based upon, but it is this â€Å"science and technology† that the populace overlooks and assumes it as engineered technology.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ideas of engineering are in fact in our bones and part of human nature and experience (Petroski preface). This statement by Petroski is the very basis of technocracy. With it one can claim that No, Science and Technology do not provide a base for Technocracy yet to be a technocrat is to be human. If we consider democracy or any other doctrine and compare it with this proclamation then we may argue that one in their everyday life is more apt to be a technocrat then a democrat (Petroski 16).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Technology and Technologists, we may assume include each individual and each idea that lends itself to the productive incline in the lifestyle of individuals. Thus encompassing not only scientists and engineers but also teachers and experts in departments that are remotely necessary for the operation of a social norm. One may argue upon the failures of engineers and expansionists in the field of technology throughout history but overlook the successes.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

The World of Glassblowing

25, February 2013 The World of Glassblowing Ever imagine what it’s like to play with honey? Now imagine playing and shaping honey when it’s glowing red hot with strange yet interesting instruments and turning it into some beautiful and out of this world. A piece of art that is completely unique and one of a kind. Well this is exactly what it’s like in the world of glassblowing. By trying and experiencing the art class here at SBVC one can truly learn to perfect not only just the skill, but expand your own imagination as well as your creativity.Glassblowing is a dying trade and skill in the art world. Now it’s mainly considered more of a hobby. On a more serious note career-wise it’ll get you far but it will not et you a life of luxury, but it does provide if your living the single life. Family-wise your better off having another full time job because this particular career would only pay enough to cover for the materials, the tools, the furnace, etc that one would use. These costs tend to be particularly high in price which would be the main reason to look for employment else where when it comes to providing for a family.Naturally, most people would think that glassblowing originated from Mexico because a lot of handmade glassware is manufactured and created there. In Mexico glassblowing is actually done outside in the public for all to see this fascinating art. So it’s not surprising that so many people are convinced that this intriguing skill would come from our neighbors down in the South. When in fact glassblowing originated from across the world in Italy, where it’s a tradition to earn a living from. In most Italian families a trade like glassblowing is naturally passed down from one generation to the next.Italy focuses mainly on the handmade arts such as glassblowing, pottery, stain-glasswork, etc and avoids mainstreaming it. Which in conclusion is why most handmade objects that are purchased and shipped fr om Italy is so highly priced. Most likely that piece of art is one of a kind and cannot be replicated. In my own observations at the SBVC Glassblowing class, I was able to witness the delicate procedure it takes to perfect this particular skill. As I sat and observed Stephen, a student here at SBVC’s Glassblowing class, he explains carefully every step that must be taken along with some precautions.Stephen then explains the dangers of this type of artwork and gives some examples of injuries that he and many other students acquired white participating in this class. One example that he used was how one student subconsciously caught an object he knocked over in an attempt to save it from shattering but in return burned both hands because the object was still hot. This student obtained first-degree burns on both hands and thus was not able to participate in the class for two weeks. As Stephen preps and prepares his materials and tools for his project I then proceed to ask him mo re questions.Such as what made him want to pursue this dangerous yet interesting trade. He then set his tools down and simply replied that he wanted a fresh start. Something new and exciting and that when he saw the title of this class he knew right then and there that that was something he wanted to do. Stephen then grabs a blowpipe, expected it and then approached the glory hole with it and began to heat one end of it. As he was heating or warming up the blowpipe I then continued with my interview. My next question that I addressed to Stephen was what did he personally benefit by taking this class and learning this skill. Well.. † Stephen said as he opened the furnace, â€Å" By taking this class and learning this skill I learned how to be patient, which I never was before taking this class. † Stephen then dips the end of the blowpipe in the furnace to gather the red hot glowing liquid and quickly closes the door while maneuvering the blowpipe to keep the glass from f alling to the ground. Stephen then said, â€Å"and I also learned really good hand-eye coordination too as well as working in a high stress environment. After finishing with that reply, Stephen then when to the marver and evened the molten glass on the pipe and quickly sat down at his bench and continued his project by blocking the glass. â€Å"Are there any disadvantages in glassblowing? † I said and Stephen then quickly replied â€Å" Other than getting burns no not really. † After rounding the glass with the block to his liking Stephen then got up and inserted the glass into the glory hole to reheat the glass before blowing and shaping it into a perfect bubble.As Stephen resumes his place at the bench, I quietly watched as he skillfully reshapes the glass and then using one end of the blowpipe gently blows air into the glass, forming a small but perfect orb. As Stephen manipulated his small glass bubble, I then asked him what was the most interesting part of his ne w found skills. As he created the jack line, which formed a neck separating the bubble from the pipe he replied that the most interesting part of Glassblowing was the unlimited amount of ideas that can be made with the glass if one has the imagination and creativity to bring them to life.With that Stephen then quickly moved over to a box with what looked like cotton inside and gently tapped the blowpipe with the back of his jacks (a tool that looks like a very large set of tweezers) and the bubble simply fell from the blow pipe and into the box. Stephen then quickly put the box in the annealed which slowly cools the glass over a period of a few hours (depending on how large the object in question is). Before I was able to ask another question Stephen then said to me in a cool tone that if he had to choose between pursuing Glassblowing as a career or a hobby that he’d rather keep this as a hobby.His reason behind this statement was that it was something that he would continue to do for peace of mind. If he were to pursue this skill as a career that he would love to teach it but that it was unlikely to happen for him. As our interview came to an end, Stephen then took me under his wing and taught me some of the basic yet advance techniques that he uses to create small objects. Such as small teacups. After he gave me a small run thru on how to make a small tea cup with a handle, I was then instructed to try the procedure on my own.I then slowly mimicked Stephen’s every step: I heated the blowpipe and then gather a good size amount of the molten glass on my pipe. Next I then rolled the glass in a quick but steady pace on the marver to even the glass forming a small cylinder. Then I approached the scorching hot glory hole, reheated the glass, sat down at the bench and then proceeded to block the molten glass until it was completely even. I then angled the blowpipe just like Stephen instructed me to do, took a deep breath and blew into the blowpipe.At first it was a bit difficult, but after the first few seconds grew easier. Right when I was getting comfortable with this my bubble suddenly popped! Apparently I blew the glass so much that the glass became thin and popped. Glassblowing not only teaches one how to manipulate the red hot glowing liquid with strange tools, but also teaches one how to express the creativity and imagination of the mind to create mind blowing works of art. What made you want to take this particular class? What have you benefited from taking this class and learning these skills?What would you say are the disadvantages of glassblowing and why? What are the advantages of glassblowing and why? Would you recommend this class or learning these specific skills to anyone? What would you say is the most interesting part of glassblowing? Would you ever continue these skills as a career path or a hobby? Why? When you first started taking this class what was the worst experience you ever had? Did that experience inc lude getting any type of injuries while participating? What was the most extreme injury you’ve ever gotten?Did you ever receive any burns that were third degree burns? How did your parents react when you told them of your new found interest in glassblowing? Did they oppose it or support it? How do you feel about the class fee you had to pay? Do you feel that the class fee is fair or unfair? Recently I’ve heard that most of the art classes are being cut. What are you going to do if the distract cuts the glassblowing program? Will go elsewhere to continue learning and perfecting this art or call quits? Tucker

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Greeks Essays - Trojans, Mythological Kings, Iliad, Diomedes

Greeks Essays - Trojans, Mythological Kings, Iliad, Diomedes Greeks The greeks were fascinating ye BRISEIS Captive girl originally awarded to Achilleus but taken by Agamemnon, precipitating the wrath of Achilleus. CATALOG OF SHIPS Long descriptive passage in Book II outlining all the battle contingents at Troy. CHRYSEIS Captive girl taken by Agamemnon. Apollo forces him to return her by sending a plague on the Greek forces. CHRYSES Father of Chryseis, priest of Apollo. DACTYLIC HEXAMETER The metrical form used by Homer in his epic poems, consisting of six feet of variable quantity. DANAANS One of three interchangeable terms for the Greeks (also Argives, Achaians). DARDANIANS Trojan contingent headed by Aineias. DECEPTION OF ZEUS Passage in Book XIV in which Hera seduces Zeus. DEIPHOBOS Brother of Hektor. DIOMEDES Great Greek warrior, son of Tydeus (sometimes referred to as Tydeides). Book V is often called the Diomedeia because of his powerful exploits. DOLON Trojan spy caught by Diomedes and Odysseus in Book X, which is called the Doloneia after him. EPIC CYCLE Group of poems by various authors that make up the entire story of the Trojan War. EPITHET Short descriptive term used by Homer to describe a character, frequently repeated throughout the poem. ERIS Goddess of strife. EROS Love-power governed by Aphrodite. EUPHORBOS Trojan warrior, killed by Menelaos. His death in Book XVII is described in a famous simile. EURYPYLOS Greek warrior, wounded in battle. GLAUKOS Trojan warrior, ancestral friend of Diomedes, who spares his life. HADES Ruler of the underworld, brother of Zeus and Poseidon. HEKABE Wife of Priam, mother of Hektor. HEKTOR Greatest and most beloved Trojan warrior, arch enemy of Achilleus, son of Priam and Hekabe, husband of Andromache. HELEN Beautiful woman; wife of Menelaos but mistress of Paris. The Trojan War is fought on her behalf. HELENOS Trojan warrior, brother of Hektor. HEPHAISTOS Lame god of the blacksmith's art, creator of divine armor for Achilleus. HERA Ever-scheming and powerful goddess; wife of Zeus, major defender of the Greek cause. HERMES Also called Argeiphontes, god who protects Priam. HOMERIC HYMNS Group of narrative poems sometimes attributed to Homer. ICHOR Divine substance that runs through the immortals' veins instead of blood. IDA Large mountain near Troy. IDAIOS A herald of Priam. IDOMENEUS Kretan commander, a great Greek fighter. ILION Another name for Troy, from which the Iliad gets its name. IRIS Messenger of Zeus. KALCHAS Soothsayer for the Greeks. KEBRIONES Trojan warrior killed by Patroklos, sparking a fierce battle over his body. KRETE Largest of the Greek islands, whose forces are led by Idomeneus. KRONOS One of the ancient Greek gods, overthrown by Zeus, his son. LEDA Mother of Helen, perhaps by mating with Zeus in the form of a swan. LYKAON Trojan warrior, killed by Achilleus. MACHAON Physician for the Greeks. MEDUSA The Gorgon: snake-haired creature whose severed head stared from the aegis. MEGARON Large Greek room. MELEAGROS Legendary hero whose story is used by Phoinix to persuade Achilleus to fight. MENELAOS Ruler of Sparta, brother of Agamemnon, cuckolded husband of Helen. MENOITIOS Father of Patroklos. MERIONES Greek fighter, companion of Idomeneus. MUSE One of the nine goddesses who inspire the various arts, invoked by Homer to begin the Iliad. MYKENAI Powerful Greek city, ruled by Agamemnon. MYRMIDONS Greek contingent led by Achilleus. NEREIDS Sea nymphs, companions of Thetis, daughters of Nereus. NESTOR Elder statesman of the Greeks, a great talker. ODYSSEUS Brilliant Greek warrior and counselor. His travels home from the war are the subject of Homer's epic, the Odyssey. OILEUS Father of one of the fighters called Aias. OKEANOS Primal waters surrounding the world, depicted on the divine shield of Achilleus. OLYMPOS Mountainous abode of the immortals. PANDAROS Trojan warrior who breaks the truce in Book IV. PARIS Another name for Alexandros, Trojan prince. PATROKLOS Greek commander, comrade of Achilleus, whose death causes Achilleus to reenter the war. PELEUS Father of Achilleus. PHOINIX An elder of the Greeks, old friend of Achilleus. POLYDOROS Son of Priam, killed by Achilleus. POSEIDON Fierce god of the sea and of earthquakes, brother of Zeus and Hades, defender of the Greeks. POULYDAMAS Trojan warrior and friend of Hektor. PRIAM King of Troy, father of Hektor and many others. PYLOS Greek city, domain of Nestor. RHAPSODE Ancient Greek singer who recited epics. RHESOS Trojan ally, killed by Diomedes; possessor of great horses. SARPEDON Son of Zeus, a Trojan fighter whose death almost causes Zeus to intervene. SKAIAN GATES Landmark gates before the walls of Troy. SKAMANDROS River that crosses

Monday, October 21, 2019

Great Guide to Taking Online Tests

Great Guide to Taking Online Tests Great Tips to Help You Succeed in Online Tests While sitting an online test is very similar to taking a classroom test, there are some differences. In truth, many of the same success strategies apply to both types of exams, but there are a few other rules that apply to online tests. The tips provided below are designed to help you get the best possible scores in online tests, in part by making you aware of what mistakes to avoid mistakes that have no bearing on your knowledge of your course material. What to do Prior to an Exam It is important to study beforehand. Sometimes, students think that because they are not visible in an online test, they will have chance to check notes or books while a test is in progress. However, even if you cannot be seen, the time spent checking notes and/or books limits the amount of time left for the actual exam. It does not help much in the long-run if you get a couple more correct answers but do not have time to address all the questions. Therefore, studying in advance is important in order to familiarize yourself with the material. Additionally, unless your exam is of the open book variety, checking notes and books while an exam is in progress is viewed as cheating. So, try not to do this. Even if you are taking an open book exam, it is still necessary to do some advance study in order to understand the materials. This helps to make you more efficient and it maximizes exam time, thereby allowing you to earn the best possible grade(s). Identify a quiet space with no chance of interruption for your exam. Time is limited in exam situations. If you are taking your exam at home, let your family know the exam time and ask for quietness. Look for other options if you think this will not work. A lot of college and local libraries have quiet study rooms. By contrast, the local coffee bar is not a good option. Make sure you know what the technical requirements are.Do you know if your laptop or desktop computer is set up in the required way? Does your link to the test website work properly? Double-check that you are able to access the exam site and that you understand the login procedure well in advance. Another tool that is being increasingly used in online tests is webcam monitoring. If it is the case your particular course uses this technology to detect cheating, make sure your system is set up properly and understand what is and is not permissible. A webcam monitor is often set up to see the test-takers head, hands, computer/laptop screen, and a 180-degree view of the exam space. Understand the parameters of your test. There are a number of things it is essential to know about how a test is to be conducted. You may find some answers in your course syllabus. For instance:What is the duration of the test/exam? If you leave or log out of the test, will you be able to return i.e. log back in? Will you be able to revisit earlier questions or must you submit answers in order to proceed?Understanding the exam rules will allow you to use the allocated time more effectively and efficiently. What Happens While an Exam is in Progress During an exam, only the exam application should be kept open.Other open windows and/or applications could indicate cheating. Additionally, too many open windows can affect speed of response, which means time may be lost. So, do bear this in mind. Keep an eye on time.When you begin, calculate the amount of time you want to allocate to each question or section. This helps ensure you get through everything. Resist cheating. The aim of a test is to accurately measure the participants knowledge. It is unlikely you would employ a dentist or plumber who had cheated during their exams and did not properly understand their profession or trade. The exam system is only effective when participants act with honesty and integrity. In most universities and colleges, cheating is considered a violation of a code of honor. It can lead you to fail a test or entire course, or get you expelled. If you follow this advice, you should succeed in online tests. Feel free to add any of your own tips to our list!