What Is the Twin Paradox Real Time Travel

The twin paradox is a thought experiment that demonstrates the curious manifestation of time dilation in modern physics, as it was introduced by Albert Einstein through the theory of relativity. Consider two twins, named Biff and Cliff. On their 20th birthday, Biff decides to get in a spaceship and take off into outer space, traveling at nearly the speed of light. He journeys around the cosmos at this speed for about 5 years, returning to the Earth when he is 25 years old. Cliff, on the other hand, remains on the Earth. When Biff returns, it turns out that Cliff is 95 years old. What Happened? According to relativity, two frames of reference that move differently from each other experience time differently, a process known as time dilation. Because Biff was moving so rapidly, time was in effect moving slower for him. This can be calculated precisely using Lorentz transformations, which are a standard part of relativity. Twin Paradox One The first twin paradox isnt really a scientific paradox, but a logical one: How old is Biff? Biff has experienced 25 years of life, but he was also born the same moment as Cliff, which was 90 years ago. So is he 25 years old or 90 years old? In this case, the answer is both ... depending on which way youre measuring age. According to his drivers license, which measures Earth time (and is no doubt expired), hes 90. According to his body, hes 25. Neither age is right or wrong, although the social security administration might take exception if he tries to claim benefits. Twin Paradox Two The second paradox is a bit more technical, and really comes to the heart of what physicists mean when they talk about relativity. The entire scenario is based on the idea that Biff was traveling very fast, so time slowed down for him. The problem is that in relativity, only the relative motion is involved. So what if you considered things from Biffs point of view, then he stayed stationary the whole time, and it was Cliff who was moving away at rapid speeds. Shouldnt calculations performed in this way mean that Cliff is the one who ages more slowly? Doesnt relativity imply that these situations are symmetrical? Now, if Biff and Cliff were on spaceships traveling at constant speeds in opposite directions, this argument would be perfectly true. The rules of special relativity, which govern constant speed (inertial) frames of reference, indicate that only the relative motion between the two is what matters. In fact, if youre moving at a constant speed, theres not even an experiment that you can perform within your frame of reference which would distinguish you from being at rest. (Even if you looked outside the ship and compared yourself to some other constant frame of reference, you could only determine that one of you is moving, but not which one.) But theres one very important distinction here: Biff is accelerating during this process. Cliff is on the Earth, which for the purposes of this is basically at rest (even though in reality the Earth moves, rotates, and accelerates in various ways). Biff is on a spaceship which undergoes intensive acceleration to read near lightspeed. This means, according to general relativity, that there are actually physical experiments that could be performed by Biff which would reveal to him that hes accelerating ... and the same experiments would show Cliff that hes not accelerating (or at least accelerating much less than Biff is). The key feature is that while Cliff is in one frame of reference the entire time, Biff is actually in two frames of reference - the one where hes traveling away from the Earth and the one where hes coming back to the Earth. So Biffs situation and Cliffs situation are not actually symmetrical in our scenario. Biff is absolutely the one undergoing the more significant acceleration, and therefore hes the one who undergoes the least amount of time passage. History of the Twin Paradox This paradox (in a different form) was first presented in 1911 by Paul Langevin, in which the emphasis stressed the idea that the acceleration itself was the key element that caused the distinction. In Langevins view, acceleration, therefore, had an absolute meaning. In 1913, though, Max von Laue demonstrated that the two frames of reference alone are enough to explain the distinction, without having to account for the acceleration itself.

Being Proper at an Iranian Wedding - 1976 Words

Iranian Wedding Iran is a plateau located in Southwestern Asia between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf. Persian not only refers to the primary language spoken, but also the cultural sphere of civilization populations such as Iraq and central Asia (Countries and Their Cultures 1). The ritual that will be discussed in this paper is Iranian (Persian) wedding which is part of the Twelver Shi’ism, the official religion of the state which began in the 17th century by Safavid Dynasty (Countries and Their Cultures 1). The historical roots of the ritual will be discussed, who first practice it, what the goal of it is, how the ritual is conducted, who must be present, what actions are taken, and the duration, as well as how the ritual has†¦show more content†¦Men had to have good education, manners, and a house. Class was a requirement as well. Had an upper class man married to a lower social class women, he would be deprived his right to inheritance, but his family wouldn’t abando n him, but if he was poor he would have been sentenced to death (ZanjaniAsl 1). Iranian Muslims couldn’t marry in certain months like safar, mourning month for Iman, or 40th day of death. Different kinds of marriages were allowed such as mari-lateral cross-cousin marriages. This was in order to inherit wealth from grandparents, but the main principle was marrying once. Despite the allowance of polygyny marriages, they were rarely practiced (Countries and Their Cultures 1). The most common form of marriage was called padesha zan for woman marrying for the first time have to have their sibling at the wedding, and have equal rights to the husbands possessions (ZanjaniAsl 1). There are two parts to an Iranian wedding, the â€Å"Aghd† where the couple and their parents sign a marriage contract and set a price â€Å"majr† on the bride at her parents’ house. Only close family members and friends are invited. The 2nd stage is the reception, â€Å"Jashn-e Arrosi† that involves more people for feasts and celebrations and lasts 3-7 days. â€Å"Persian weddings usually consist of a very large number of guests. 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This principle of discrimination holds good, by and large, for the arrangement of the whole work. The chapter concludes with certain astronomical and astrological matters. Chapter 3 deals with the reasons for the heavens’ being spherical in form, with the degrees

Auditing Principle Audit Scandals

Question: Discuss about theAuditing Principlefor Audit Scandals. Answer: Introduction Scandals in the corporate world, regardless of whether revolved around defilement, pay off, misrepresentation or other covetousness has a tendency to significantly affect the economy all at all and keeping in mind that most organizations are bound to fall flat eventually, there are a couple that does as such in such a fabulously degenerate way, to the point that they stand out as truly newsworthy. Defining the accounting scandal, in a layman language, bookkeeping misrepresentation is deliberate control of money related articulations to make a veneer of an organization's monetary well being. It includes a worker, account or the association itself and is deceiving to financial specialists and shareholders. (Black, 2010) Such manipulation of the records and the information leads to greater outrage and prompts the question of how to trust the auditing companies which fail to detect the inherited issue lied within the records of the company and who sign off those records without qualifyin g the same. The Dozing Watchdogs The Economist accurately focuses at irreconcilable circumstance as being centered to the disappointment of review, yet deploring self-direction or looking for better outside control is not the appropriate response. On the off chance that there was to be more direction, that insight would come perforce from the evaluators themselves. They would not modify anything but to their own advantage. Or maybe this is an issue of motivating forces and input. Regardless of whether the examiner is more guard dog and less a hound dog, they are a member of the enterprise. It is been observed over the years that the major audit firms of the world, consisting of the Big Four, who has taken over the 80% of its the corporate under its umbrella are being regarded as the imprudent manipulator of the data and the information (Accounting scandals, 2014). Most of the accounting scandals of the world have an involvement of the famous auditing firms who claim to be holding the majority stake. This scenario ha s sprouted the thought that how accurate are these auditing firms who sign off these audited financial statements and vouch for the reliability of the said statements. The investor's funds are washed away in those stocks where decisions have been taken on the basis of those financial statements. This has outrightly put the major auditing firms under the pretext of unreliable and guards of the big corporations who help them to hide their misappropriations and misrepresentations (Manoharan, 2011). However, another thing that has been objectified is that the major giants are mostly audited by the Big 4 and although they have been continuously failed to detect a fraud or deception still they stand firm and hardly face the loss of reputation (Accounting scandals, 2014). With such events of accounting scandals been observed in the recent years, the only effective tool to safeguard the interest of stakeholders is the implementation of the regulation. A non-profit body came into existence t o overview the Big Four, namely, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). They are to keep a watch on professionals subjected to those who compromise their independence. This body undertakes the procedure to evaluate the most delicate portion of the perilous audits, qualify the financial reports and don't fail to levy millions of dollars as fines when unsatisfied. With this arrangement, every auditor is under the threat of the PCAOB and no one can escape the scrutiny of it (Accounting scandals, 2014). It rewards the highest quality work, but one has to be ready to bear the consequences of any lapses and hugely compensate. There are many instances of corporate fraud that eroded immense wealth of the investors. The scandals of Satyam, Enron, and Lehman happened due to weakness in the internal control system and the greed of the managers. The scandal of WorldCom existed due to the weakness in the internal control system and greed fro making a huge return. The board of director underperformed and the weakness in the internal system led to the issue. Further, the weakness in the financial status of Satyam led to the downfall (Caraballo et. al, 2010). The auditor, as well as the CEO, acted by creating a rosy picture with false assets and liabilities. Fake identities and vouchers were prepared that was revealed later and led to the downfall. Hence, in both the cases, it is seen that either the auditor was involved in the fiasco or was unable to track the deficiencies in the system. The financial status of the company was weak while a rosy picture was shown with false assets and liabilities. The auditors acted in company with the CEO and due to this fake identities were established and vouchers were issued that were passed. Auditors Role and Responsibilities Fraud has turned out to be exceptionally confused in this time of innovation, and progressively troublesome to identify, particularly when it is tricky in nature and submitted by the top administration that is fit for covering it. In this regard, reviewers have contended that the discovery of fraud ought not to be their duty (Kranacher Stern, 2004). Thus, the term fraud in earlier probing norms alluded to inconsistency which consolidated fake monetary detailing as well as representative robbery and theft, we restrain our concentration to administration fraud or fake monetary detailing, which relates fundamentally to managements deliberate deception in money related proclamations. The current review looks somewhat at monetary articulation frauds by directors as well as workers who have an adequate specialist to supersede an organizations inner controls. For the most part, such frauds include pondering twisting of bookkeeping records, falsification of exchanges, or misapplication of b ookkeeping standards. Notwithstanding how the misrepresentation is showed, it is commonly complicated for auditors to find since the culprits take ventures to purposely hide the subsequent irregularities. An investor is more of prudent towards the detection of fraud as their funds are invested and are more cautious towards the investments wanting to be assured about the assets of the company and be safeguarded about the same (Guan et. al, 2008). It is likewise vital that auditors are much more cautious in the execution of their duties by guaranteeing that due ingenuity and care is at the front line of their motivation with the goal that misrepresentation can be identified and uncovered. This is fundamentally vital if evaluators are to ensure and protect their expert notoriety and uprightness and stay away from legitimate costs (Cappelleto, 2010). Although, the role of an auditor is not widely discussed since the inception and as claimed the fraud detection is identified as an audit objective. And various arguments over the years have come to support that its not the duty of an auditor to critically identify all the frauds in the company as an auditor is to just exercise his skill with care, not expecting him to be an insurer or the guarantor. With the increase in the size of the companies, it became difficult for the auditors to evaluate all the transactions and as such the testing procedures came into implementation which tends to recommend only reasonable assurance of the facts and figures stated in the financial statements (Hoi et. al, 2009). Henceforth, even though the auditors complied with its roles and responsibilities in conducting the audit of the said giants, the fraud threats, unattended transactions and misappropriation remained uncovered from the purview of audit procedures. Auditor Independence An auditor imparts the independent credibility for the financial statements being relied upon by the investors, capital marketers and the stakeholders using it to evaluate the capital making decisions. In the eyes of the common public, the statements hold the higher value for the decisive purpose and who offers their opinion being free of any prejudices in an independent manner. The auditor not only appears independent by appearance but by the fact too. The significance of evaluator autonomy gauges that are sensible, but then extensive, thorough, powerful and enforceable have been underlined by a few noteworthy corporate failures in which questions have been raised about the quality of money related revealing and, specifically, the freedom of the auditor (Livne, 2015). Benchmarks of autonomy for auditors of recorded elements should be intended to advance a situation in which the evaluator is free of any influence, intrigue or relationship that may hinder proficient judgment or object ivity or, in the perspective of a sensible financial specialist, may disable professional judgment or objectivity (Elder et. al, 2010). Standard auditing freedom ought to establish a system of standards, bolstered by a mix of preclusions, restrictions, different strategies and systems and exposures, that address at any rate the following dangers to freedom: self-intrigue; self-audit; promotion; nature; and intimidation. Henceforth, an auditor is out rightly blunt when it comes to the evaluation of the financial reports and put forth its opinion in an unbiased manner to depart its qualified as well unqualified opinion with respect to its duty as an auditor. (Crawford Weirich, 2011) Regulations and Deregulation in Auditing The prime responsibility of the auditor is to uncover any frauds that have been hidden in the financial arrangement of the company; however, they are quoted as only the evaluator for the scrutiny of the provided information and data to them. But when they fail to detect the hidden frauds, disappointments are bound to arise. To such a scenario, few measures can be considered when disappointments are clear and systemic; they should be supplanted, either independently or as a whole (Clarke, 2010). We are presently on the cusp of a bookkeeping transformation. Cryptographic strategies, for example, triple passage block chains enable outside and dependable examination to a phenomenal level. As we move from intra-corporate accounting to between corporate settlements at continuous, the goalposts move significantly (Hoffelder, 2012). On the off chance that there is an advantage to ongoing data, then it will play out in capital expenses. When depending gatherings can work with the real exchang es, and screen wellbeing to the day or the moment, then savers can coordinate venture as indicated by checking by the group. This will end up being the new "hazard free" rate, speculation at the edge of open learning (Bhasin, 2008). With the continual change in the strategies of the auditing firms and their scrutiny purview, a ray of hope is still there that there will be a sure shot way to detect the frauds within the company and take measures to prevent the accounting scams with accuracy. Conclusion Though there have been various regulations to conduct an audit, many auditors fail to be close to follow the regulations in the course of conducting an audit of the giant MNCs. The process of the audit is a complex task and it involves the auditors insight to look into the matter of the process effectively and also requires a mutual co-operation from the top management till the subordinates as the lower level. An effective audit can be concluded only with the power auditing team where the head of such an audit team is free of any biases and is in the state of total independence. References Accounting scandals 2014, The dozy watchdogs, viewed 27 April 2017 https://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21635978-some-13-years-after-enron-auditors-still-cant-stop-managers-cooking-books-time-some Bhasin, M. L 2008, Corporate Governance and Role of the Forensic Accountant, The Chartered Secretary Journal, vol. 38, no. 10, pp. 1361-1368. Black, W. K 2010, Epidemics of Control Fraud lead to Recurrent, Intensifying Bubbles and Crises, Working paper, University of Missouri-Kansas City. Cappelleto, G. 2010, Challenges Facing Accounting Education in Australia, Afaanz, Caraballo, C, Cheerla, A, Jafari, O 2010, Satyam: The Brotherly Demise, The George Clarke, T 2010, International Corporate Governance, London and New York, Routledge. Elder, J. R, Beasley S. M. Arens A. A 2010, Auditing and Assurance Services, Person Education, New Jersey: USA Guan, L, Kaminski, K. A Wetzel, T. S 2008, Can Investors Detect Fraud Using Financial Statements: An Exploratory Study, Advances in Public Interest Accounting vol. 13, pp. 17-34. Hoffelder, K 2012, New Audit Standard Encourages More Talking, Harvard Press. Hoi, C. K, Robin, A Tessoni, D 2009, Sarbanes-Oxley: are audit committees up to the task?, Managerial Auditing Journal vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 255-67. Livne, G 2015, Threats to Auditor Independence and Possible Remedies, viewed 27 April 2017, https://www.financepractitioner.com/auditing-best-practice/threats-to-auditor-independence-and-possible-remedies?full. Manoharan, T.N. 2011, Financial Statement Fraud and Corporate Governance, The George Washington University.

What Are the Strength and Weakness of Classical School Essay Example

What Are the Strength and Weakness of Classical School Paper As Oliver Wendel Holmes quoted, â€Å"When we want to know what is going on today or want to make sure what will happen tomorrow, I will look back the past. † We can find out the process of development from this sphere to nowadays in a deep-going way by reviewing organizational behavior history which has gone through Classical School of Management, Behavioral School of Management and Human Relations School of Management. Organizations can be viewed as two or more people coordinate and combine in use of their knowledge as well as technique for the purpose of accomplishing common objectives that transform resources into goods and service which are needed by consumers. Organizational behavior refers to the systematic study that primarily access influence of individuals, groups and structure on interior organizational conducts in order that organizational effectiveness can be improved and perceived. The Classical School of Management was effectively the first coherent set of theoretical perspectives about organization and management covering Scientific Management, Administrative Management and structuralized Management. As we know, F W Taylor, Henri Faylor, and Max Weber are outstanding contributors of Classical School of management thought who made great contribution and laid a foundation for contemporary management. F W Taylor Taylor is the founding father of Classical School of management thought, who advocates scientific management and attached importance to heighten effectiveness of workers through greatly improving workers’ productivity leading to maximized benefit of workers and employers caused due to scientific management. His works named â€Å"The Principles of Scientific Management† was published in the early 1900s. We will write a custom essay sample on What Are the Strength and Weakness of Classical School specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on What Are the Strength and Weakness of Classical School specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on What Are the Strength and Weakness of Classical School specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In the initial stage, Taylor was being affected by some moral principles; therefore, he had a profound respect for the following principles, Brought up scientific working methods for basic formative section of each staff’s job Scientifically selected, trained, fostered and cultivated the workers. Cooperated with staffs enthusiastically so that ensuring jobs done are suitable to scientific theory which has been set forth. Basically actualized equal division of labor between jobs and responsibilities of the managements and the workers. All work processes should be systematically analyzed and broke down into specialized discrete tasks. Payment depended on piecework basis which taken as an incentive to maximize productivity and produce high wages for the workers. At the same time, his insufficient understanding towards organizational behavior gave rise to the following situations, Changed worker’s role into that was required to strictly abide by methods and procedures of affairs on which they had no discretions. Fragmentation of work due to its emphasis on the analysis and organization of individual tasks and operation,. His thought over payment that was mainly reliance on output performance rather than giving remuneration to workers in accordance with overall performance of the workers’. His inclination to consider planning and control of workforce activities which were only in the managements’ hands rather than allowing staffs to involve. Every job which was measured, timed, and rated. Occurrence of boredom stemmed from repetitive jobs and tight management control. Poor understanding between grass-roots workers and managements. Henri Fayol Fayol is the representative of Classical School of management thought. Administrative management is the managerial mode he stood for where it applied essential points to administrative management principles of controllers. His famous works, â€Å" Industrial management and common managementâ€Å", divided management into five segments. Therefore, it denoted controllers were to carry out the five segments, i. e. to forecast , to organize, to command, to coordinate, to control. By now, these five segments are still the functional basis and basic process by which controllers research into management. According to his thought over management, therefore, 14 â€Å"principles of organization† came into being. 4 universal principals of the organization Division of work Professionally increased output through improving effectiveness of the workers. Authority The managers were required to be good at giving commands as authority conferred them right to do so but responsibility were accompanying authority. Discipline The workers must adhere to and respect organizational rules and regulations. The managers and workers must have clear understanding towards organizational rules and regulations. Organization must enforce effective sanction upon those workers who broke organizational rules and regulations. Interests of the individual should subordinate to interests of the collective Interests of Any individuals or groups should not exceed organizational interest as the collective. Remuneration It was required to improve the workers’jobs and offer equal wages treatment. Concentration of power It refers the level of the workers’ involvement in decision-making. Scalar chain. The establishment of a â€Å" line of authority† by which communication must comply with the chain by levels of authority from the seniors to the subordinate. Order. The workers and substance should be on the corresponding position at appropriate time. Equality. Managers ought to keep kindness and equality for the workers. Stability of employees’ terms of office as high mobile labor would lead to low effectiveness and efficiency. Initiative When being allowed to participate in formulation and enforcement of planning, employees would complete works with their great efforts. Stability of employees’ terms of office. High mobile labor would lead to low effectiveness. The managers should formulate plans of human affairs in order as to find the right substitute as positions appeared vacant. Espirt de corps. It publicized that esprit de corps would be established and unified harmoniously. There is no doubt that Fayol did have misunderstanding towards the organizational behavior. This can be discerned from which he hypothesized universal principles that were applicable to all organizational situations; only acknowledged the formal organization and focused on the structure of organizations; took management as critical paternalistic; his ideas was stiff to desires and needs of both individuals and groups; his rational and deterministic approach lacked suitability towards structures and behaviors of people as individuals and groups; the 14 universal principles set forth by him were not will fit into an organic organization; Max Weber Weber, as a matter of fact, tended to be an academic with an interest in authority structure. His works, â€Å" Theory of Social and Economic Organization†, coined the term â€Å" bureaucracy†, which can be viewed as an attempt to build up a reasonable and legal basis for the authority and an arrangement for the purpose of selecting people and undertaking various sorts of activities. Bureaucratic type of organizational structure defined by Weber is be of the following characteristics, Works of specialization It decomposed works into different kinds of simple, daily, and detailed tasks. Hierarchy of authority. Responsibilities and positions were organized by hierarchy. Each low-grade position was monitored and controlled by the high-grade position. Formal selection. All organizational members were selected on the basis of qualification of technique, which certified by training, education, formal examinations. Impersonality When applying rules and regulations, it was required to avoid involvement of character and personal preference. Orientation of occupation. Managers were professional leaders. They worked for steady salary and developed their careers within the organization. However, Weber did not fully understand organization behavior as he inherited much common ground of Taylor’s scientific management and Fayol’s administrative management. Since it is so, his works is relatively regulated and prescribed leading to little sphere left for autonomy and originality; Individuals were constrained in the act of impersonal and rational ways after determining affairs demonstrated in the stressful world; He emphasized organizational efficiency but which would produce expense of flexibility at the request of rapid change; Impersonality might cause inequality of treatment and unfairness in the non-standard case, which reduces personal interaction; he allowed no mechanism for challenging the bureaucracy; rules became constraints to employees rather than an aid to organizational effectiveness and performance. Taylor, Fayol and Weber, anyhow, are considered to omit one point which insists on that people are core of organization. However, theories of Taylor, Fayol, and Weber had disseminated seeks for organizational behaviors. Their thought has great impact on development and demarcation of organizational behavior.

Start Of American Revolution Essays - Governors Of Massachusetts

Start Of American Revolution 3 Causes of the final rupture between the 13 colonies and Great Britain between 1763 and 1775 There were many causes that brought on the start of the American Revolution. A great deal of the civil unrest was brought on by the acts that followed the end of the French and Indian War. At the end of the war, most of which was fought on American soil England had incurred a dept almost double that of when William Pitt took office. Because the war was fought for the colonists, much of England believed that that they should be the ones to recoup the great financial loss that England had suffered. The colonists disagreed, as they saw it the French and Indian War served to strengthen Englands hold in the colonies, and as British subjects thy should not be held accountable, while those in Britain had not impact. The first attempt for Britain to recoup their monetary losses came in the form The Revenue Act of 1764, or the Sugar Act, The Sugar Act gave troops the power to act as customs officials and board ships suspected of smuggling and allowed them to seize suspicious cargo. Smugglers caught without paperwork would be prosecuted in a harsh courtroom. Greenville, had hoped that this act would reform smugglers and generate a good income for England. However, this only annoyed American Shippers and enticed smugglers. The next big attempt that Britain put forth was the Stamp Act. The stamp Act was the preface for the first major conflict between Britain and the colonies. The stamp act was something new, a tax precipitated simply to raise money. The Stamp Act said that various types of documentation, such as newspapers, pamphlets, contracts, court documents, licenses, deeds, wills, ships bills of lading, all required a special stamp be embossed on the documents proving the tax had been paid. Also, the stamp was required to be paid in sterling silver, and hard money was very hard to come by in these days. The Act, though passed in February of 1765, did not take effect until November of that year, and by April the colonists had been notified, leaving them with 7 months to formulate a response. While the colonial governors were unlikely to do anything against the king, being that it was he that gave them office, this did not stop the colonial assemblies from meeting to discuss their objections and the ir recourse if they were to all out object. Eight of the colonies held discussions on the Stamp Act. By Octoebr 1765 delegates were sent to New York City by nine of the colonies to what became known as the Stamp Act Congress where they petitioned Greenville for repeal of the Tax. Their demands were to no avail. This distress at this taxation wran much deeper then any group of politicians. This tax affected the livelihood of many Americans, all those who requred any official paperwork would be affected and taxed. Each of these people needed to decide wether or not they would comply with this new law, or should they just boycott alltogether. The first massive effort to resist the act came in Boston, where Samuel Adams organized and led a large street demonstration in which they protest the tax by a mock execution of the designated stamp distributor, and by destroy what was purported to be the new stamp office. These protestors learned how powerful public dmonstration was and folowed i n the coming days with several more incidents. This was a victory for the colonists of Boston because no one volnteered to replace Olicer and on November 1st ships were permitted to pass without the prerequisite stamp, as there were not enough staff to force the issue. In March of 1766 the Stamp Act was repealed but ws replaced by the Declaratory Act which asserted Briotains right to legislate for the colonies. The final acts that I am going to discuss are the Coercive Acts of 1774. There were several happenings between the Stamp and and The Coercive Acts, thought I feel that the Coercive Acts are the real straws that broke the camels backs. The Coercive Acts, more commonly called the Intolerable Acts were in direct

Thomas Jefferson Out-federalized the Federalists essays

Thomas Jefferson Out-federalized the Federalists essays During the time surrounding the ratification of the constitution, Thomas Jefferson was quite possibly the most pronounced and respected Democratic-Republican. His strict opposition of an overly industrious America, coupled with his fear of a tyrannical government, illustrated Jeffersons purely Republican views. However, during his presidency, his actions didnt always mirror his ideals. Turning towards Federalist views to solve some of the major problems occurring during his reign, Jefferson actually ended up Out-federalizing the Federalists. These Federalist views started to become evident even before Jefferson was elected president. In 1776, he designed and composed a Constitution for the state of Virginia. The plan included an effective system of checks and balances, including a lower house which was to be elected by the people, and a senate which was to be elected by the members of the house. When a different constitution was chosen, his criticisms emulated that of a strict federalist. Jefferson complained that the chosen system lacked a good system of checks. His reasoning was that the senate and house were both chosen by voters, thus making them too alike. This is when Jefferson concluded that the government, even when chosen by the people, still had too much power(Madaras and SoRelle 179). Perhaps the most prevalent shift of views occurred with the Louisiana Purchase. When Napoleon and the French signed the Treaty of San Ildefonso they regained title to Louisiana from the Spanish. Jeffersons initial feelings towards this movement were those of excitement because of his admiration and support of the French. These notions quickly and drastically changed when he realized that whoever inhabited New Orleans was, by sheer geographical location, Americas enemy. This area was the outlet where all of the produce of the western region of America left the country and traveled to markets a...

The Career Aspirations of Michele Terry Case Study - 44

The Career Aspirations of Michele Terry - Case Study Example Last year, after discussions with her family and bank officer, Michele dropped the ambition of being the Executive Vice President. This led her to carefully reflect on her reasons for being a senior bank officer. These reasons are; money, status, and ability to develop financial policies that favor the community. This is the reason she decided to attend training on community reinvestment. The training enabled her to chair the new market development taskforce. She also used her experience to mentor young bank managers on career issues. The new work responsibilities have enabled Michele to effectively handle family matters. Her work motivation and satisfaction has also improved, as illustrated through her increasingly positive performance appraisal (Collings & Wood, 2009). The analysis of Michele’s work illustrates poor remuneration. This is because one of her reasons for the promotion if to get more monetary benefits. Her job design is appropriate; she has the opportunity of hiring new management staffs at the bank. The bank has a training and development program. Michele had the opportunity of improving her competencies through attending the community reinvestment training. Compensation and rewards are offered according to seniority at the company. The executive officers at the bank get the most competitive remuneration package (Conaty & Ram, 2011). The bank implements appropriate performance management measure. This is through the regular performance appraisal sessions. After the community reinvestment training, she received positive performance appraisals. The bank values positive employee relations. Michele illustrates the relations through guiding and counseling junior staffs, who eventually get promoted.  

Sainsburys valuation analysis using the models of dividend growth and Essay

Sainsburys valuation analysis using the models of dividend growth and cash flow - Essay Example from the financial statement of the company) Dividend          2011 2010 Amounts recognized as distributions to equity holders in the year: 10.2 9.6 Final dividend of prior financial year 4.3 4 Interim dividend of current financial year 14.5 13.6 After the balance sheet date, a final dividend of 10.80 pence per share (2010: 10.20 pence per share) was proposed by the Directors in respect of the 52 weeks to 19 March 2011, resulting in a total final proposed dividend of ?201 million (2010: ?189 million). The proposed final dividend has not been included as a liability at 19 March. Return to shareholders underpinning performance in the year was a 2.3 per cent rise in like-for-like sales (including VAT and excluding fuel). This is the sixth consecutive year of growth which has enabled the Company to maintain a good level of shareholder returns. The recommended full year dividend of 15.1p is 6.3 per cent higher than the previous year. http://annualreport2011.j-sainsbury.co.uk/downloa ds/pdf/sainsburys_ar11_note_10_dividend.pdf The business needs the following: Accurate and timely dividend information enhanced by option market prices A dividend staff steeped in option experience Empirical studies of the forecasting effectiveness The dividend-price ratio changes over time due to deviation in expected returns and in forecasts of dividend growth. The company needs to change the dividend-price ratio to cut off the fluctuations that are due to variation in expected returns from those of varying forecasts of dividend growth. The company has to propose a simple process for expected returns and an even simpler, yet reasonable, for investor forecasts of dividend growth rates. Once again, it has been a challenging but successful year for Sainsbury’s. Among a tough consumer... This paper purports to evaluate Sainsbury grocery retailers using two valuation models. First valuation model is forecast dividend growth using financial statement information to arrive at the forecast or to adjust and validate a forecast based on historical trend data. A dividend is a payment of part of the company’s profit to shareholders. The Board of directors have agreed to pay its shareholders a final dividend of 10.8 percent per share, which was paid on 15 July 2011 to shareholders on the Register of Members at the close of business. The dividend is covered by the underlying earnings. Dividend will increase only if the shares are high. Sainsbury’s has increased its market share in a crucial economic environment. The grocery has concentrated more on the supermarket sale. Net profit is increasing which means there is higher sale through good sales forecaste without increasing the cost. Second valuation model is forecast free cash flow. Cash flows record the movemen t of cash into and out of the business. This is a valid method to understand the value of money and it helps to record the cash most efficiently. For this, both operating and investing activity are involved. A cash flow forecast, in order to be useful as a management and control tool, must be based on real data and actual commitment. Historical data on which to support a cash flow forecast will be useful, but must be considered in combination with information from your business strategy and your budget in order to project a reasonable picture of what to expect in terms of future cash flows as you move further.

How democracy is related to economic development Essay

How democracy is related to economic development - Essay Example Marx gave as example the histories of both England and France proved that economic development brought about democracy. Marx and his loyal fans, both within the bourgeoisie class, owned property and engaged in business as capitalists and entrepreneurs. Consequently, the bourgeoisie class led to the toppling of the prior authoritarian government, a replacement transition mode (Sfsu, 2014). The toppling resulted to the creation of democratic governments. The prior government was toppled because its policies ran smack against the very grain of laissez faire or free enterprise business concepts, based on transition theories (Sfsu, 2014). Likewise, Max Weber insisted that the fall of the profitability or viability of the bourgeoisie leaders to retain the economic development led to the destruction of the German democratic government. In the same light, Moore espoused the peasants contributed to the establishment of democratic government. The philosophers had espoused economic development leads to a better political communication environment. Further, Laothamatas adhered to Mr. S M. Lipset’s emphasis that an economically developed society will trigger the people to push for the implementation of a democratic state. The above article affirms the concept indicating economic development leads to viable democracy. M. K. Marx affirmed this concept. The bourgeoisie helped establish the economically viable democracy movements. Economic development priorities often led to free political elections within a democratic government. The reading affirms economic development contributes to the establishment and retention of democracy (Lipset, 1959, p 75). The economic wealth or status of the nation affects the nation’s democratic aspirations. Compared to a nation that is burdened with a low or bankrupt economy, a well to do nation (rich) has a better

Barclays PEST Analysis and Strategy

Barclays PEST Analysis and Strategy Jump to: Barclays PEST Analysis Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services, with an extensive international presence in Europe, the USA, Africa and Asia. With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs over 150,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for over 42 million customers and clients worldwide (www.barclays.com). Barclays Group strategy overview Barclays ambition is to become one of the handfuls of universal banks leading the global financial services industry. This means offering a full range of retail and wholesale services to customers and clients throughout the world. These services include: retail, business and private banking, credit cards, investment banking, investment management and wealth management. The banks strategy follows a simple premise: anticipate the needs of their customers and clients, then serve them by helping them achieve their goals (www.barclays.com). Introduction of the External Marketing Environment No business operates with out rules and regulations any business is surrounded by laws and liabilities, pressure groups and public bodies, customers and competitors. These are part of the marketing environment that the organisation works within, and since marketing is the interface between the organisation and the outside world, dealing with this environment is a major part of marketers work (Jim Blythe 2008) The external marketing environment analysis is the first stage of auditing process. It creates the information and analysis necessary for an organisation to begin to identify the key issues it will need to address in order to develop successful strategy. As environment of business has never been the so complex as it is today you need a grasp of the big picture, the role of organisation and yourself within it. System theory makes clear that every organisation operates within an industry setting that in turn interacts with a societal environment that is itself influenced by a global marketplace. The global market environment appears very distant to marketers operating on a regional or even national scale, but with the information technologies shrinking distances, these multinational operation are extending into every corner of the market place (Mike Oldroyd 2006, Graeme Drummond, John Ensor, Ruth Ashford 2008). Therefore the marketing environment is The external forces that directly or indirectly influence an organizations acquisition of inputs and generation of outputs, comprising six categories of forces: political, legal, regulatory, societal/green, technological, and economic/competitive (Dibb et al, 2006: 68). Within any society, all businesses face a common political, economic, social and technological environment, although any one element will often impact differently according to the size and situation of the firm (Mike Oldroyd 2006). Whether a market fluctuates rapidly or slowly, environmental forces are always dynamic. Changing in the marketing environment can create uncertainty, threats and opportunities for the marketers. Although the future is not very predictable, marketers can estimate what will happen, although some fail to do so, thus negatively affecting the performance of their businesses. It can be stated with certainty that marketers will continue to modify their market ing strategies in response to the dynamic environment. Furthermore, marketing managers who fail to recognise changes in environmental forces leave their firms unprepared to capitalize on marketing opportunities or to cope with the changes created in the marketing environment (Dibb et al, 2006: 68) Research Methodology Using PEST analysis to understand your environment PEST analysis is designed to provide a focused framework to assist you in establishing your objectives. It will take the result of your marketing audit and place them in a logical format to ensure that you have considered all of the factors that could affect your market (Phil Stone 2001) Barclays PEST Analysis Political Environment In every country there are rules and regulations that all businesses need to follow in order to operate legally. Government at both national and local levels can affect companies not only on a day-day basis through law, policies and authority but also a strategic level by creating opportunities and threats. Specifically, these arise because at competitive level the government can determine industry structure via monopoly and restrictive trade practices legislations further. Legislations will encourage competition so that customers can have more options (Dale Littler and Dominic Wilson 1995). So there is a range of political organisations that have to be considered when looking at the influences in this area of the audit. The structure of a political system defines the centres of political influence. A state with a federal political structure will differ from a unitary political system. In the UK there is a parliament for Scotland and an assembly for Wales. However some of the responsibilities are still the responsibility of Westminster parliament. There is also string of decisions taking place both politically and legally within the framework of European Union. Political groups such Greenpeace can also effect the political agenda. Therefore when considering these area of the environment a much wider view has to be taken than just the domestic national government or legal process (reference). Banks are fighting for survival because the current situation in the world economy the UK government is giving support to banks by intervening. The government has pledged to spend up to  £37bn to buy stakes in three banks Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds TSB and HBOS. The Bank of England has lent further billions of pounds to the wider banking sector (bbc.co.uk). The UK Treasury has announced a financial lifeline, which could ultimately be worth up to  £500bn, to try and stabilise the UK banking sector. Opposition parties broadly backed the plans, which could see the government inject up to  £50bn in capital essentially taxpayers money into leading banks and building societies. As fears of a prolonged global recession rise, the Bank of England, the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank each announced an emergency 0.5% cut in interest rates. But this unprecedented move has had only a limited impact on the turbulent stock markets. Despite recovering slightly, the FTSE 100 was still down 2% in London by mid-afternoon while markets in Germany and France were down by more than 3%. But in the US, the Dow Jones rallied in early trading after the sharp falls of recent days. In another key development, the UK government moved to protect deposit holders in UK offshoots of Icelandic banks, threatening legal action against Iceland to rec over money from one collapsed bank (bbc.co.uk) However Barclays did not seek help from the UK government in the current economic crisis instead they raised cash from Middle Eastern investors (www.telegraph.co.uk). Economic Environment The economy is closely linked with political environment, it consists the current and future state of key economic variables used to describe the wealth, purchasing power, savings and consumption together with the government economic policies deployed to effect those variable. These include the effect of inflation, interest rates and exchange rates and will have impact on the cost, prices, competitiveness and profitability of the business. In terms of strategic marketing tasks, of prime importance as part of the strategic planning process is the identification, monitoring and forecasting of those economic variables to which the companys market effort is most sensitive. So understanding of the key economic indicators provides the necessary information for anticipating developments in the market place. Economic uncertainties impact negatively on business and consumer confidence so the key marketing task is to attempt to realize the relationships between movements in the economy and cha nges in the market place. Social Environment This is perhaps the most difficult for the marketer to identify evaluate and respond to it. It is a complex of demographics it includes changes in population characteristics educational standards, culture, lifestyle attitudes and beliefs. The way we think, we live and behave is the outcome of complex cultural conditioning by family, friends, schools, work and various media. It conditions who decides what we buy, where and when we buy it, and whether we credit or cash for example 45 percent of consumers agreed that they give into temptation and buy things because they like them and not because they need them. This was up from 30 percent 20 years ago. So businesses need to consider the changing demographic trends in their business and the changing social climate in different parts of the world (Dale Littler and Dominic Wilson 1995, Phil Stone 2001 and Mike Oldroyd 2006). Peoples lifestyle are changing because in todays world expectations are higher as people have become more wealthy, they have come to expect more. In twenty first century Britain, few people would consider living with out a telephone, television, refrigerator, car, bank account or credit cards. In 1960s all these products were examples of things owned by only a minority of the population so the marketer will be concerned with all the influences affecting the customers choice (Jim Blythe 2008 and Mike Oldroyd 2006) Barclays Financial Planning has launched two new pensions products to rival stakeholder pensions. According to the bank, customers can choose either a basic investment solution, comparable to a stakeholder product, or to diversify their pension assets, including the option of a select choice fund proposition. Barclays director of investment advice and products David Stuart says the new pensions offer everyday pensions investors something much more flexible than a stakeholder plan but without the more complicated structure or cost implications of a full Sipp. (www.moneymarketing.co.uk) Technological Environment Technology has become one of the most important factors affecting businesses over the last decade. The development of information technology has impacted in the way business is conducted. For example the use of faxes and e-mail and opportunities created by the internet (Phil Stone 2001). For many businesses the use of internet as marketing tool is little understood and certainly not appreciated internet can be very efficient marketing tool creating world-wide opportunities for even smaller one employee businesses style. Barclays must consider the use of latest available technology (Phil Stone 2001) in order to stay competitive with other banks E.G. HSBC because few serious marketers would consider not having a corporate website. Yet only ten years ago such websites were rare, and were often merely presence sites which directed visitors to a telephone number or address (Jim Blythe 2008). New technologies create new markets and opportunities (Philip Kotler and Gary Armstrong2004) Conclusion A company will not have strategic marketing planning process with out taking into consideration in to the external marketing environment as this vital in the company ability to operate as business. Because any organisation is surrounded by laws and liabilities, pressures groups and public bodies, customers and competitors. These liabilities are part of the marketing environment that the organisation works within. And since marketing is at the interface between organisation and the outside world, dealing with this environment is a major part of marketers work (stone Phil 2001). Barclays external environment is undertaken in order to discover the opportunities and threats that are evolving and that need to be addressed by the company (Graeme Drummond, John Ensor, Ruth Ashford 2008). External environmental analysis will provide Barclays with a wider perspective on the future marketing objectives of the business. It concentrates on the future of the business. PEST analysis must be forward looking based on existing knowledge. It is in this way that you can establish objectives that will either counter the threats that you will face in the market or exploit the opportunities that you will find. Barclays need to act socially responsible because this can give them competitive advantage through good media feedback and this will reflect on the way customers see the Barclays so reputation is important. A successful marketing plan is all about gaining competitive advantage. It is therefore virtually important you do assess all of your options carefully (Stone Phil 2001) References Stone, Phil. (2001) Develop a winning marketing plan, Oldroyd, Mike 2006 Marketing environment Drummond, G. Ensor, J. Ashford, R. 2008. Strategic Marketing : planning and control. 3rd edition. Amsterdam ; London: Butterworth-Heinemann Blythe, J. 2008 Essentials of Marketing 4th edition. Kotler, P. Armstrong, G. 2004 Principles of Marketing 10th edition. International edition. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7747608.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7658518.stm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/3539562/RBS-six-month-repossession-delay-pledge-will-have-limited-impact-say-analysts.html http://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=177908d=340h=341f=342 http://www.aboutbarclays.com/content/detail.asp?NewsAreaID=111 http://www.aboutbarclays.com/

Virtual Learning Environment In Higher Education Education Essay

The usage of Blackboard platform has been adopted by many higher acquisition establishments. But a few surveies have been carried out on its impact on pupils, talks and administrations. This thesis is about the impact of practical acquisition environment package such as Blackboard in higher acquisition establishments ; a instance survey has antecedently shown that the Blackboard package is being used chiefly for administrative maps and non to its maximal capacity. Recognition Though merely my name appears on the screen of this thesis, a great many people have contributed to its production. I owe my gratitude to all those people who have made this thesis possible and because of whom my experience has been one that I will care for everlastingly. My deepest gratitude is to my adviser, Dr.William Micheal Gasser. I have been surprisingly fortunate to hold an adviser who gave me the freedom to research on my ain, and at the same clip the counsel to retrieve when my stairss faltered. I am besides grateful to him for promoting the usage of right grammar and consistent notation in my Hagiographas and for carefully reading and noticing on infinite alterations of this manuscript. Many friends have helped me remain sane through these hard times. Their support and attention helped me get the better of reverses and remain focused on my survey. I greatly value their friendly relationship and I deeply appreciate their belief in me. I am besides thankful those who helped me in my research by supplying feedback through the on-line questionnaires. Most significantly, none of this would hold been possible without the love and forbearance of my household. My immediate household has been a changeless beginning of love, concern, support and strength for me. I would wish to show my heart-felt gratitude to my household. My extended household has aided and encouraged me throughout this enterprise. Contentss 1 Introduction 5 2 Introduction to VLE 6 1.1. Problem Statement 10 1.2. Target 10 1.3. Result and Actors 11 1.4. Scope and Scale 11 1.5. Ethical issues 11 1.6. Purposes and Objectives 12 1.7. Thesis Outline 13 2 Research Methodology 13 2.1 Library Search 14 2.2 Online Journal Articles Search 14 2.3 Open Access Online Journal Articles Search 14 2.4 Web Search 15 2.5 Extra Literature 16 3 Impact of Using Blackboard Software on Students and Lectors 16 3.1 Students 16 3.1.1 Students ‘ perceptual experience 17 3.1.2 Students Evaluation of VLE Components 18 3.1.3 Blackboard versus Face to Face Teaching 19 3.1.4 Impact on Learning 20 3.1.5 Impact on Learning Outcomes 21 3.1.6 Impact on Society 22 3.2 Lectors 22 3.2.1 Lectures ‘ perceptual experience 23 3.3 Impact on IS Strategy 25 3.4 Students perspectives 28 3.5 Lecturers positions 30 4 Decisions 33 5 Bibliography 34IntroductionIn recent old ages, the demand for instruction has changed because of an increased demand for a extremely educated work force that will be expected to larn continuously ( Alavi & A ; Leidner, 2001 ) . Education has become an un stoping procedure in one ‘s life-time due to which the agency of instruction are besides being transformed in order to run into the outlooks and to maintain the continuity of instruction traveling. The acquisition which was ab initio done in a face to confront environment, is going into an environment mediated by computing machines and digital engineerings. In 1886, the first president of the University of Chicago, William Rainer Harper wrote: â€Å" the pupil who has prepared a certain figure of lessons in the correspondence school knows more of the topic treated in those lessons, and knows it better than the pupil who has covered the same land in the schoolroom † ( Harper, 1971, p. 12 ) . Since the 1970s, the Open University of UK, has pioneered the construct of modern distance acquisition by supplying blended learning environments of face-to-face tutoring and class bundles including audio- and video-based class stuff. Since the reaching of the Internet, educational net-based engineering is germinating quickly at universities worldwide ( Mason, 2003 ) . However, the demand of practical acquisition has of all time so increased today, that we barely find a student/tutor who does n't utilize or cognize how to utilize the practical acquisition packages available. Some research has been done on acquisition by Virtual acquisition environments, and they show a variable perceptual experience of VLEs for both pupils and academic staff. In an rating of on-line distance instruction, Westerberg and Marald ( 2004 ) found that university directors and instructors perceived this sort of instruction as a agency of making out to a higher figure of pupils. Students, on the other manus, appreciated the chance to analyze in a mode more independent of limitations of clip and infinite, than traditional instruction on campus. Teachers experienced a heavy work load and high outlooks to be accessible to pupils, while pupils perceived the pedagogical quality of online classs being lower, compared to classs on campus ( Westerberg & A ; Marald, 2004 ) . The fi ndings of high outlooks of being available to pupils are confirmed by Zhang and Nunamaker ( 2003 ) , who found that scholars perceive more chances for communicating with teachers in a practical acquisition environment than in a traditional schoolroom. With these differing sentiments in head, it could be sensible to inquire if learning by agencies of practical acquisition environments is a phenomenon truly accepted by instructors and pupils. This thesis is being carried out to happen out the factors act uponing the impact of practical acquisition environment for both the pupils and the teachers/turtors.Introduction to VLEAA practical acquisition environment ( VLE ) A is aA softwareA system developed to back up acquisition and instruction in an educational environment. A VLE can work within an administration via Local Area Network ( LAN ) , over the Internet as Wide Area Network ( WAN ) and supply a aggregation of educational tools in order to ease assignments, communicating, contents direction and attendings. VLEs can be used for distance acquisition or supplement traditional face to confront schoolroom activities. A web page is a front terminal interface that is browsed by pupils and academic staff, the back terminal can represent databases, web waiter and other relevant hardware and package tools. Blackboard ( c.f. , Figure 1 ) is VLE package that supports and facilitates on-line acquisition and teaching.A A It enables, Course content stuffs, such as talk notes and talk slides to be uploaded on the Blackboard site for easy entree and downloads by pupils Online communicating between lecturers/tutors and pupils by the usage of forums and treatment boards Online capable presentation and tutorials in a practical schoolroom Groups direction in order to ease treatment and exchange of educational stuffs Uploading and taking on-line assignments that involve automatic marker and feedback strategies Posting proclamations on a site and e-mailing pupils enrolled on a peculiar class Scheduling class and assignment deadlines Tracking pupils activities on a site and Course work entry and its automatic recognition. Blackboard package is used by over 3700 instruction establishments in more than 60 states Smith ( 2009 ) . Figure 1: Blackboard screenshot Many researches have shown that pupils ‘ activities under Virtual Learning Environment are largely based on administrative maps such as subjecting assignments and reading messages in forums or newssheets. It has been found that pupils are merely active and engage themselves in collaborative and synergistic activities in ain environment such as in societal networking ( e.g. , Facebook and Myspace ) . A survey in Smith ( 2009 ) showed that although pupils value resources placed on VLEs such as Blackboard, they value more face to confront contact with their lectors or coachs. Lectors play a really critical function in how pupils engage themselves with VLEs. Research in Smith ( 2009 ) has shown that bulk of lectors are replacing the bing methods alternatively of introducing new methods that will promote pupils to bask collaborative and synergistic acquisition methods. Another research has shown that some lectors ‘ usage of Blackboard has enhanced their appraisal of pupils work capablenesss in the face to confront schoolroom scenes ( Woods et al. ( 2004 ) . In most of least developed states, VLEs are regarded as inferior to face to confront schoolroom scenes. If engineering is suitably used so it normally has important benefits to our day-to-day life. The same chief applies to the usage of Blackboard. Appropriate usage of Blackboard has shown to hold important benefits to both pupils and their lectors. Some of these are outline below. Traditional methods ( face to confront learning ) were compared with the usage of Blackboard package for sociology pupils. It was revealed that pupils ‘ rating compared favorably in the group that was utilizing Blackboard with important addition in perceptual experiences of lector relationship and rating Koeber ( 2005 ) The research in Campbell et Al. ( 2008 ) found that participants on on-line treatment attained higher Markss in their tests than those with face to confront method. This showed that VLE was linked with greater accomplishments. It was shown in Hepworth et Al ( 2000 ) that VLEs promote significantly greater critical thought among pupils than traditional method of face to face schoolrooms. It was revealed by APLU ( 2009 ) that larning results via Blackboard were better than face to face instructions. It was found that 56 % of talks ( with and without on-line experience ) recommended on-line plans to at least one pupil. It was shown that over 80 % of lectured with on-line talking experience recommended on-line plans. Farquarson ( 2007 ) found that there was an impact on pupils ‘ societal experiences at universities by take parting in on-line activities. It was suggested that this could be used as keeping scheme since supportive equal groups are an facet of pupils ‘ battle. There is clear indicant of the effectivity offered to pupils and their lectors through the usage of VLEs such as Blackboard. This is much derived from the facets such as administrative acquisition and instruction undertakings, for case, managing and accessing content stuffs, communications or proclamations such as forums or intelligence, scaling, attendings, assignments and feedbacks. With VLEs there are benefits of flexibleness and convenience of entree at anytime and from anyplace, there is flexibleness of communicating and coaction environment, this means that there is a big degree of control passed to the pupil.Problem StatementHow does Virtual Learning Environment impact pupils and academic staff in Higher Learning Education? Virtual environment for acquisition can be considered as an sweetening of our traditional face to confront schoolroom environment, nevertheless the impact of both is wholly different from one another and this thesis is being carried out to foreground the positive and negative facets every bit good as the impacts on pupils, teachers/tutors and over all higher larning instruction system.TargetGiven the job statement in this survey, the mark audience is academic staff, pupils, VLE package proprietors and any research workers interested in VLEs and their impacts in HLE. The end is to hold a list of factors that VLE impacts pupils and academic staff in HLE establishments. The list will so be good for future support and sweetening of VLE package such as Blackboard.Outcome and ActorsThe chief result of this survey will be the list of impacts of VLE on HLE institutes that can be used to advance and heighten VLE in larning establishments. The histrions in this survey are Blackboard package us ers i.e. , pupils and academic staff.Scope and ScaleThe range of this survey will be limited to UK pupils and academic staff with experience of utilizing Blackboard package. About 150- 200 participants will be consulted online in order to carry on questionnaire exercising.Ethical issuesEthical issues were taken into consideration in this survey. There was no hazard of exposing topics to any hazard as the lone topics were Blackboard users who were merely asked inquiries about their experiences utilizing Blackboard and those who took portion in the study were good informed and were good cognizant of the intent of the study. No private or confidential informations was required from clients during interviews or when their feedbacks were obtained from on-line signifiers. Still whatever informations collected during this thesis was kept confidential and used strictly for study and extraction of impacts of the use of VLEs.Purposes and AimsThe purpose of this undertaking is to look into the impact of a Virtual Learning Environment ( VLE ) in Higher Learning Education ( HLE ) . The involvement is in the ways by which the VLE provides pupils ‘ and lectors ‘ demands and agencies of back uping communicating and the sharing of resources in HLE. The undertaking aims will be supported by the undermentioned aims: – To reexamine the province of the art of VLE package and applications and its related engineerings. To reexamine the execution of VLEs and associated experiences of the stakeholders in the context of policies, schemes and precedences. To analyze the impact of VLEs solutions execution from the position of the pupils, research workers and lectors. To analyze the current arguments and future waies of VLE such as societal media and the impact of Web 2.0 Show the findings of this undertaking as an MSC thesis to the University of GloucestershireThesis OutlineThe balance of this thesis is organised as follows. Chapter 2 out lines the research methodological analysis used in this survey. The impact of Blackboard package on pupils and lectors is described in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 nowadayss instance survey and decisions are given in Chapter 5.Research MethodologyThe purpose of this undertaking is to look into the impact of a Virtual Learning Environment in Higher Learning Education. The involvement is in the ways by which the VLE provides pupils ‘ and lectors ‘ demands and agencies of back uping communicating and the sharing of resources. Primary informations spotlight aggregation activity has been through questionnaires and through research by utilizing resources such as the Internet, diaries, and library. The questionnaires were conducted to pupils and talks on their usage of VLE package such as Blackboard. The questionnaires were merely through on-line via a web site. Below are the sorts of initial article searched and conducted in the class of this survey: –Library SearchA library hunt was conducted utilizing an advanced hunt in the ICT, societal scientific disciplines and instruction subdivisions. The keywords entered for the hunt are:BlackboardWebCTVLEThe hunt consequences were read and relevant 1s were selected for farther rating.Online Journal Articles SearchA methodical hunt was conducted, shoping equal reviewed articles published in the undermentioned on-line diaries but non limited to: Computers and Education British Journal of Educational TechnologyOpen Access Online Journal Articles SearchA methodical hunt was conducted by shoping unfastened entree online diaries, related to VLE utilizing keywords such as: – Virtual acquisition environments ( VLE ) Course Management Systems ( CMS ) Learning Management Systems ( LMS ) Blackboard/WebCT Blended acquisition The undermentioned diaries were accessed: – The Electronic Journal of e-Learning ( United Kingdom ) The European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning ( EURODL ) ( Europe ) The Journal of Distance Education ( Canada ) Australian Journal of Educational Technology Australian The International Journal of Emerging Technologies and SocietyWeb SearchThe undermentioned keywords were entered into a web hunt engine ( google.com ) Distance acquisition Blackboard/WebCT VLE E-learning Mobile larning Web 2.0 Social media Social package Personal web Personal acquisition environment Open educational resources Open beginningExtra LiteratureIn add-on, articles recommended by friends and supervisor were studied and relevant stuffs were extracted and used. Statistical package such as Microsoft Excel was used to analyze informations obtained from questionnaires.Impact of Using Blackboard Software on Students and LectorsStudentsA two twelvemonth study in Midwestern University in USA by Lonn and Teasley ( 2009 ) found that 95 % of pupils at the campus were utilizing Blackboard and 95 % of their activities in the Blackboard were based on communicating and document direction. Merely 5 % were on synergistic activities such as Wikis, chat and treatment boards. In New Zealand, it was found by Santhiveeran ( 2006 ) that the Blackboard was accessed 23 hours a twenty-four hours. The most popular environment was paperss country where pupils could download talk notes, slide and assignments. A research conducted by JISC in UK revealed that pupils are merely interested with Blackboard features that run into their demands and sometimes merely when they suit them ( JISC ( 2007 ) ) .Students ‘ perceptual experienceMany pupils in HLE institutes were either born or have grown up during the digital age. This coevals of pupils are excited by engineering and perceive that VLE engineering such as Blackboard package will ever assist in the instruction enterprise. These pupils do non believe that Blackboard will of all time perplex their acquisition curve MORI ( 2008 ) . There are few surveies that have researched on pupils ‘ perceptual experience looking at personal features and how these affect pupils ‘ easiness of utilizing VLEs such as Blackboard. Sun et Al. ( 2008 ) found that larning anxiousness on computing machines have negative influence on VLEs satisfaction. Lecturers ‘ attitudes on VLEs will hold positive influence on pupils ‘ VLEs satisfaction. Research conducted by Liaw ( 2008 ) found that sensed usefulness and satisfaction were the major factors that contribute to pupils ‘ behavioral purpose to utilize VLEs such as Blackboard package. It was concluded that effectivity of VLEs can be influenced by a figure of factors such as multimedia bringing, quality and synergistic activities of VLEs. These findings besides suggested that pupils ‘ perceptual experiences was that inappropriate usage of VLEs package such as Blackboard is worse than non utilizing the engineering at all to back up VLEs.Students Evaluation of VLE ComponentsSharpe et Al. ( 2006 ) learned the usage of VLE package such as Blackboard was positively overpowering with regard to accessing class stuffs and as a addendum to traditional face to confront schoolroom apparatus. The survey by Mori ( 2008 ) showed that two tierce of pupils accessed class stuffs via the VLE and were really satisfied. Students besides valued the usage of treatment board found in the Blackboard and were satisfied by lectors who played important axial rotation in modulating them. At that clip it was found that pupils were non much exposed to Wikis and were less comfy with societal networking site such as Facebook with their lectors or coachs in them. My research conducted in UK with 50 pupils informally interviewed, all of the 50 pupils acknowledge the usage of Wikis and hence it was concluded that, now pupils are familiar with wikis but still non comfy with talks in the societal networking sites. The survey my Morgan et Al ( 2006 ) established that the usage of confab and bulletin board in Blackboard was effectual in exciting brooding acquisition in nursing pupils. Students said that they developed more brooding accomplishments by the usage of Blackboard than a face to face schoolroom. Bridge and Appleyard ( 2008 ) found that assignment entry via Blackboard and feedback was positively received with 88 % of pupils interviewed pinpointed that subjecting class work via the VLE was clip and fiscal economy and 93 % preferable feedback via the Blackboard package.Blackboard versus Face to Face TeachingThe survey conducted by Oladiran and Uziak ( 2009 ) in Botswana found that the usage of Blackboard was non preferred as entirely usage of learning method. Students preferable Blackboard as a compliment to face to confront learning in a schoolroom. The recognised the power of IT in the acquisition, they accepted that the usage of Blackboard farther enhanced their IT skills and made them more independent in their thought. In general it was found that the usage of Blackboard improved the quality of their surveies, this was perceived by 75 % of the pupils interviewed. Two decisions were derived by the survey of Benoit et Al ( 2006 ) : – VLE is non by and large superior to traditional face to confront schoolroom apparatus, based on the sum of acquisition, and Students are systematically more satisfied the traditional schoolroom apparatus than with VLE. This is besides supported by the research conducted by MORI ( 2008 ) who revealed that pupils still value face to VLEs schoolroom apparatus. But pupils are motivated to utilize VLE because it us flexible, can be accessed at anytime from anyplace and saves clip. The survey conducted by McGill & A ; Hobbs ( 2008 ) proved that the VLE usage is suited in HLE institutes but non needfully better than traditional face to confront schoolroom apparatus.Impact on LearningThe research by Benoit EL Al. ( 2006 ) found that utilizing VLEs were systematically non really effectual compared to traditional face to confront direction in footings of larning publicity and pupils preferred face-to-face instruction. The survey conducted by Arbaugh ( 2004 ) on an MBA programme showed that while there was minor alteration in pupils ‘ perceptual experience of larning between their first on-line class on VLE and attendant classs on VLE, there were major positive alterations in their learning satisfaction with the VLE as a bringing medium, their perceptual experiences of pupils interaction, and the convenience and easiness of usage of the Blackboard. These findings imply that as pupils obtain movable accomplishments and cognition in VLE, their perceptual experiences of the VLE as a positive acquisition medium better. Most of the major alterations in these perceptual experiences happened between the first and 2nd period that the pupils attended in the VLE classs, which implies that pupils need to analyze at least two classs via VLE before reasoning sing classs bringing medium. Therefore, academic staff should pay particular attending to first clip pupils choosing for a class via VLE in order to promote their engagement in following classs via VLE. The survey by Lonn & A ; Teasley ( 2009 ) , Attwell ( 2009 ) and Bricheno, Higginson & A ; Weedon ( 2004 ) showed that in footings of impact on acquisition, VLEs showed some accomplishment in footings of heightening communicating, the countries of larning where VLEs had small impact were collaborative and synergistic acquisition. In a research conducted in 20 educational establishments, Bricheno ( 2004 ) found that collaborative and synergistic acquisition did non look to hold major alterations in several establishments. †Impact on Learning OutcomesThe correlativity between the usage of VLEs and pupil classs has been researched really widely. Percival and Muirhead ( 2009 ) studied two groups of concern and IT pupils at the University of Ontario in the Institute of Technology. One group was trained by traditional face to confront method and the other one by VLE. Both groups were evaluated by the usage questionnaires and there were approximately 40 % of respondents to the questio nnaires by both groups. The purpose of the rating was to determine participants ‘ usage of VLE package such as Blackboard and measure the impact of VLE on overall classs. Just a little figure of participants in both groups listened to the on-line pre-recorded talk. Participants who listened to pre-recorded talk obtained much better classs than those who did n't. VLE learning pupils made more usage of electronic books and talk notes, podcasts and treatment boards. Percival and Muirhead ( 2009 ) concluded that although today ‘s pupils are familiar with cyberspace engineerings, it can non be taken for granted that these pupils will automatically go accustomed to utilizing these new engineerings for larning. Students are required to familiarise themselves with the benefits of engineering to their acquisition in order to do smooth passage from traditional schoolroom to online acquisition.Impact on SocietyFarquharson ( 2007 ) conducted an probe on the impact of different manne rs of tutorial treatment on making societal relationships among pupils. Three manners of treatment were selected for comparings: Blackboard online treatment package, Blackboard electronic mail package and traditional face to face tutorials. The group with Blackboard treatments and electronic mail were more expected to increase friendly relationship webs amongst their equals. In add-on, older pupils reported a larger figure of friendly relationships. The findings suggested that, on-line engagement in Blackboard activities might hold an impact on pupils ‘ societal experience in HLE ( Farquarson, 2007 ) . This could perchance be used as a strategic attack to better keeping rates, since supportive equal webs are an of import facet of pupil battle.LectorsThe Association of Public and Land Grant Universities in the USA published a papers on the usage of VLE such as Blackboard by module members ( APLU 2009 ) . In their survey of module members at US universities, about a one-fourth o f all modules who responded were talking at least one on-line class via VLE at the clip of the study. Over a 3rd of module members indicated that they have lectured online. Furthermore, the most experient module members, those with more than 15 old ages of talking experience, are giving talks online at a rate equivalent to faculty members with less lecturing experience. About a ten percent of all module members reported that they were in the procedure working on developing on-line talks. The per centum of module members who have developed on-line talks is about the same as the per centum of module members who have lectured on-line classs. Forests et Al ( 2004 ) showed that module members chiefly use the Blackboard package as a class direction or disposal tool to do class material readily available to pupils and manage class classs and attendings.Lectures ‘ perceptual experienceForests et Al ( 2004 ) established that module members ‘ attitudes were really positive when it came to the schoolroom administrative maps of the Blackboard package but their ideas were impersonal in footings of its instructional and psychosocial benefits. It was found that females had more positive attitudes than males in footings of the Blackboard package ‘s capableness to better schoolroom disposal and advance a positive relational environment. Across all module members, 34 % used Blackboard package to beg a greater diverseness of pupil sentiments than is otherwise possible in the face-to-face environment and 60 % agreed that certain characteristics in the Blackboard system enhanced or elevated their appraisal of pupil work and instructional capablenesss in the face-to-face schoolroom scene. It was besides revealed that a sum of 80 % agreed that the Blackboard package helped them to clearly and expeditiously pass on information about talk demands, and 60 % agreed that the Blackboard package helps them better to run into the acquisition demands of pupils. It was besides revealed that 62 % agreed that the Blackboard package helped them to break their clip direction in disposal affairs and 64 % agreed that Blackboard package improved their pupils ‘ ability to derive cognition of class stuffs. It was found by Lonn and Teasley ( 2009 ) that both male and female lectors believed that the VLE engineering improved instruction and acquisition but were more positive on the consequence of it on their instruction than on pupils. Lectors perceived that the finest advantage of the Blackboard package was how it enhanced and better their communicating with their pupils. Very few female and male lectors chose learning or larning betterments as the most of import advantage from utilizing Blackboard package. A survey conducted by Mitchell and Geva-May ( 2009 ) explored attitudes towards, and attitudes impacting, VLE execution. In recent old ages at that place has been greater credence of VLE by institutional determination shapers, as evidenced by high degrees of larning establishment engagement, but greater module members ‘ credence still lags behind. This spread affects the permeant acceptance of VLE. Mitchell and Geva-May ( 2009 ) proposed that module members credence of VLE is influenced by attitudes related to four factors: – Intellectual reluctance, such as the concerns that pupils ‘ perceptual experiences that VLE is inferior to traditional schoolroom apparatus. Support, such as preparation, clip and aid. Change, in peculiar with respect to doubts the construction and operation of the educational establishments will alter and hence threatens their stations. Economy, where the greatest uncertainty was with the perceptual experience that more support would be needed to back up VLE.Impact on IS StrategyInternet entree connectivity has revolutionized the instruction sector peculiarly on VLE. This is really of import as the connexion should be good plenty to be able to make a practical environment such that information can be accessed and shared without any hold or job and firmly.EffectssLikelihoodLow Medium High Negative Avoid Favorable Beneficial Table 1 Internet Access Since VLE such as Blackboard package depends much on internet entree, any dislocation will hold all activities that involve the information flow between talks, pupils and institutional direction. The likeliness of this to go on is medium but the effects are really negative and therefore any learning establishment should avoid this to do negative effects by holding a backup communicating scheme, this can be done by holding more than one cyberspace entree suppliers and an automatic switch over one time one entree is lost.EffectssLikelihoodLow Medium High Negative Avoid Favorable Beneficial Table 2 Security Modern communicating like high velocity cyberspace connexion comes with drawbacks. Security is the major drawback, privateness, confidentiality and unity of private informations fluxing over the cyberspace between lectors, pupils and instruction staff offices poses security breach. With wireless internet entree in about every place in developed states, the security issue becomes more important. The likeliness of this to go on is high, its consequence is really negative and therefore any larning institute with VLE as the manner of acquisition and learning bringing should guarantee strong encoding tools and sensings are in topographic point at all sides of communicating.EffectssProbabilityLow Medium High Negative Favorable Beneficial Encourage Table 3 Software Collaborative VLE package plays a major function on the efficiency in instruction sector for maintaining pupils and lectors together. With these package, about everything is automated, scheduling, presentment and even instant messaging. The traditional message flows in an office is expeditiously organised. These package bundles are going really sophisticated as new engineerings in processing and storage capacities of personal computing machines are improved. The likeliness of these bundles to better is medium and hence increased productiveness in instruction sector, but its consequence is really good, therefore any establishment with VLE deployment should promote any kind of design or development of the collaborative educational package.Case surveyStudents positionsThe intent of this chapter is to supply an in depth position of of import findings that have already been reported in recent old ages. Students ‘ position for VLE was studied by Stephen Lonn and Stephanie Teasley in 2009. This survey does non concentrate entirely on pupil perceptual experiences but besides cover academic staff perceptual experiences. It makes peculiarly exciting reading as the survey is focused on an organizational execution of an unfastened beginning VLE, and so it is interesting to see whether the perceptual experiences of pupils and academicians are traveling to be different than those found in the usage of commercial VLEs. The survey makes a point that VLEs are used chiefly for the distribution and storage of class stuffs though they can be used for heightening coaction and interaction via tools such as treatment boards, confab suites, wikis and web logs. It farther points out that these tools permit VLEs to back up constructive methods for acquisition and instruction. A cardinal issue nevertheless is achieving pupils and academician ‘s acknowledgment of the chances provided by the tools. It reports that at the University of Wisconsin ( Morgan, 2003 ) academicians reported that one time they have had used the VLE they did commence to reconstitute their classs and eventually their pedagogic attack. It besides disputes that there are a figure of other related surveies but there has been a short of longitudinal surveies which might descry how pupils and academicians change their beliefs and methods to the effectual utilizations of VLE in acquisition and instruction. The survey is conducted at the University of Michigan where they found that academicians ‘ development on VLE is voluntary and the usage of the VLE is non obligatory over most of the establishments. They addressed a figure of cardinal inquiries: Does IT better instruction and acquisition? No major difference between pupils and academicians in footings of IT expertness. Major difference with respect the usage of IT. Students reported preferring a high degree of IT usage than academicians. Which of the following net incomes from utilizing information engineering in your faculties was most valuable to you: Contented sharing, Assignments ; confabs, proclamations ; agenda, treatment, wiki, course of study? There was a major difference between academicians and pupils. The most popular reply from academicians was that it enhanced their communicating with pupils, and for pupils the most popular reply was that it saved them clip i.e. , it was more efficient. The top four maps selected by pupils and academicians as ‘very valuable ‘ were the same, if in a slightly different order, covering content sharing, proclamations, course of study and agenda. When analyzing system event log files this seems to fit the questionnaire statistics with 95 % of activities being correlated to content, assignments, proclamations, agenda and course of study. Merely 5 % of events were associated with synergistic and collaborative tools, treatment board and wiki. For efficient communicating, instruction and acquisition activities. Students and lectors were asked to rate specific activities categorised as either ‘efficient communicating ‘ or ‘supporting acquisition and learning ‘ . Lectors tended to rate ‘efficient communicating activities ‘ as ‘very valuable, ‘ more than pupils. Teaching and larning activities tended to be rated as ‘valuable ‘ instead than ‘very valuable ‘ by both pupils and talks. In general, the survey noted that both lectors and pupils agree that IT heighten instruction and acquisition. However lectors agree more strongly than pupils that IT can better instruction and acquisition. The survey suggests that pupil responses are perchance based on how the VLE tools have really been used. The perceptual experiences raised in this survey of a non-commercial VLE such as MOODLE by pupils and lectors are no different to the types of perceptual experiences raised sing the usage commercial VLEs such as Blackboard.Lectors positionsThe article of Woods et Al. ( 2004 ) explored how far the Blackboard package aids and supports a blended acquisition method by analyzing its usage and impact on three countries of instruction and acquisition: The Blackboard package as a class direction platform, used as an country to supply talk notes, assignment, slides and other helpful larning stuffs as reading lists, course of study, auxiliary readings and external links. Besides the usage of the class system, the trial director and the appraisal tools belong partially excessively this country. The Blackboard package as an assignment tool. How far does the Blackboard package encourage diverseness, and animate critical thought and advance different larning manners before or after a face to confront schoolroom session? Specific features in this country are the treatment boards and trial directors. The Blackboard package as a tool for schoolroom society. How far does the Blackboard package encourage set uping relationships and interaction between class pupils and lectors? In order to react to these inquiries a study was carried out and sent to 50 colleges and universities in 2003 in a Midwest province of the USA ( all acquisition establishments addressed were utilizing Blackboard ) . The study was done by 862 module members from 38 establishments ; 59 % of the respondents were male, and the bulk of all respondents considered themselves as really computing machine literate. Almost half had taught with VLE such as Blackboard package and a important bulk ( 83 % ) had received preparation or assist on how to utilize the Blackboard package. The chief grounds specified for utilizing the Blackboard package were: Professional involvements ( 65 % ) Encouraged by co-workers ( 27 % ) Encouragement of pupils ( 11 % ) The survey indicates that the dominant usage of the Blackboard package is in the country of class administrative affairs. For case: 75 % on a regular basis published their course of study 81 % sent legion or sporadic electronic mails to the whole category 59 % used the class systems Less common usage was made of the assignments tool ( 28 % ) . However 41 % of respondents had conducted a quiz and 45 % had used a treatment board to promote argument and coaction. The Blackboard package was used less normally as a pedagogic application. For case, participants pointed out occasional usage of the treatment board to go on in category treatment or to back up treatment prior to a face to confront schoolroom session. 22 % used the group tools to partition pupils into treatment groups and about 6 % used the unrecorded confab or practical schoolroom characteristics to discourse class content online. The bulk of the letter writers are to some extent impersonal towards the outlook that the Blackboard package can promote a schoolroom society. About 11 % indicated that the Blackboard system was used to develop a stronger sense of schoolroom society and the bulk ( 60 % ) pointed out they ne'er used the Blackboard package for this intent. In decision, the Blackboard package seems chiefly to be used as an disposal and direction tool as portion of a blended acquisition method. The large figure of the participants ne'er used Blackboard package for more synergistic class functionalities such as formative appraisal and for practical office hours. The survey suggests that the Blackboard package seemed to be used to supplement traditional face to confront schoolroom apparatus.DecisionsThis thesis has presented the impact of VLEs on pupils and lectors in larning establishment. The instance survey presented has shown that the Blackboard package seems chiefly to be used as an disposal and direction tool as portion of a blended acquisition method. The bulk of the participants ne'er used Blackboard package for more synergistic class functionalities such as formative appraisal and for practical office hours. The survey suggests that the Blackboard package seemed to be used to supplement traditional face to confront schoolroom appa ratus. The survey besides concludes that both lectors and pupils agree that IT heighten instruction and acquisition. However lectors agree more strongly than pupils that IT can better instruction and acquisition. The survey suggests that pupil responses are perchance based on how the VLE tools have really been used. The perceptual experiences raised in this survey of a non-commercial VLE such as MOODLE by pupils and lectors are no different to the types of perceptual experiences raised sing the usage commercial VLEs such as Blackboard.